Detection of disseminated tumor cells in the lymph nodes of colorectal cancer patients using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

Introduction: Postoperative treatment for colorectal cancer depends on tumor stage as defined by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). Adjuvant chemotherapy is not recommended in patients without lymph node involvement (UICC stages I and II). As many as 20-30% of these patients, however, will develop recurrence.

Systemic immune dysfunction in pancreatic cancer patients.

Background And Aims: We investigated the immune status in 32 pancreatic cancer patients (PC) in comparison with healthy controls (HC).

Materials And Methods: Using flow cytometry, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were characterized by the expression of surface markers for T helper cells (CD4), T suppressor cells (CD8), B cells (CD19) and NK cells (CD56). The blastogenic response of PBL was analyzed after stimulation with concavalin A (ConA), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and anti-CD3 antibodies.

Influence of PMN leukocyte-mediated pancreatic damage on the systemic immune response in severe acute pancreatitis in rats.

The outcome of severe acute pancreatitis is determined by the development of the systemic inflammatory response and subsequent multiorgan dysfunction. Using the taurocholate-induced model of acute pancreatitis in rats, we investigated the relationship between early polymorphonuclear (PMN)-mediated pancreatic tissue damage and the systemic inflammatory response. The respiratory burst of PMN leukocytes was increased in animals with acute pancreatitis and was reduced by anti-ICAM-1 antibody and oxygen radical scavenger treatment after 24 hr.

Cyclooxygenase-2 is overexpressed in chronic pancreatitis.

Introduction: Cyclooxygenase enzymes catalyze a critical step in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, which are important mediators of acute and chronic inflammation. The constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) appears to regulate many normal physiologic functions in several cell types, whereas the inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme mediates the inflammatory response.

Aims And Methodology: We investigated the expression of COX-2 in tissues of 35 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 6 patients with pancreatic cancer, and 5 control patients by immunohistochemical analysis and correlations to clinicopathologic features.

NSC-631570 (Ukrain) in the palliative treatment of pancreatic cancer. Results of a phase II trial.

Background: NSC-631570 (Ukrain) is a semisynthetic compound of thiophosphoric acid and the alkaloid chelidonine from the plant Chelidonium majus. It has been used in complementary herbal medicine for more than 20 years for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors.

Patients/methods: Between August 1999 and June 2001, 90 patients with histologically proven unresectable pancreatic cancer were randomized in a monocentric, controlled, randomized study.