Capecitabine/irinotecan or capecitabine/oxaliplatin in combination with bevacizumab is effective and safe as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomized phase II study of the AIO colorectal study group.

Background: This randomized phase II trial investigated the efficacy and safety of capecitabine/oxaliplatin (CapOx) plus bevacizumab and dose-modified capecitabine/irinotecan (mCapIri) plus bevacizumab as first-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Patients And Methods: Patients received bevacizumab 7.5 mg/kg with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2)/day 1 plus capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) bid/days 1-14 or with irinotecan 200 mg/m(2)/day 1 plus capecitabine 800 mg/m(2) bid/days 1-14 both every 21 days.

Chloroma of pancreas-initial manifestation of a secondary leukemia after stem cell transplantation case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Chloroma is an extramedullary solid tumor consisting of immature myeloid cells.

Case Presentation: We report a patient with painless jaundice 6 years after allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation because of an acute myeloid leukemia leading us to the diagnosis of a chloroma of the pancreas as the first manifestation of a secondary host leukemia.

Discussion: A histological examination of unclear pancreatic tumors should be mandatory in patients with a history of leukemia.

Correlation between total atrial conduction time estimated via tissue Doppler imaging (PA-TDI Interval), structural atrial remodeling and new-onset of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

Background: Recent studies identified total atrial conduction time (TACT) as an independent and powerful predictor of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to assess the association between the degree of atrial fibrosis, TACT, and frequency of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods And Results: Sixty patients in sinus rhythm (mean ± SD age 66 ± 10 years; 22% women) and without a history of AF undergoing cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled.

Immunohistochemistry, histopathology and infrared spectral histopathology of colon cancer tissue sections.

During the past years, many studies have shown that infrared spectral histopathology (SHP) can distinguish different tissue types and disease types independently of morphological criteria. In this manuscript, we report a comparison of immunohistochemical (IHC), histopathological and spectral histopathological results for colon cancer tissue sections. A supervised algorithm, based on the "random forest" methodology, was trained using classical histopathology, and used to automatically identify colon tissue types, and areas of colon adenocarcinoma.

NOTCH1, HIF1A and other cancer-related proteins in lung tissue from uranium miners--variation by occupational exposure and subtype of lung cancer.

Background: Radon and arsenic are established pulmonary carcinogens. We investigated the association of cumulative exposure to these carcinogens with NOTCH1, HIF1A and other cancer-specific proteins in lung tissue from uranium miners.

Methodology/principal Findings: Paraffin-embedded tissue of 147 miners was randomly selected from an autopsy repository by type of lung tissue, comprising adenocarcinoma (AdCa), squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and cancer-free tissue.

Salinomycin induces autophagy in colon and breast cancer cells with concomitant generation of reactive oxygen species.

Background: Salinomycin is a polyether ionophore antibiotic that has recently been shown to induce cell death in human cancer cells displaying multiple mechanisms of drug resistance. The underlying mechanisms leading to cell death after salinomycin treatment have not been well characterized. We therefore investigated the role of salinomycin in caspase dependent and independent cell death in colon cancer (SW480, SW620, RKO) and breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-453).

[New S3 guidelines on exocrine pancreatic cancer].

In order to guarantee a unified application of the R classification, the S3 guidelines were amended. With the introduction of the so-called CRM concept the special situation of ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas head can be taken into account. In contrast to the R classification, in the CRM concept lymph node metastases, lymph vessel and perineural sheath infiltration are taken into consideration.

Site- and grade-specific diversity of LINE1 methylation pattern in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

Background: Recent data indicate that gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) have a hypomethylated long interspersed element (LINE1) promoter. To answer the question, of whether LINE1 may be of value in assessing the malignant potential of GEP-NETs, we analysed LINE1 methylation in different organs.

Materials And Methods: A total of 58 GEP-NETs of gastric (n=14), pancreatic (n=15), small intestine (n=17), appendix (n=8), colorectal (n=4) and non-neoplastic tissues were analysed using DNA isolation, bisulphite-treatment and pyrosequencing.

Folylpoly-glutamate synthetase expression is associated with tumor response and outcome from pemetrexed-based chemotherapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Background: Pemetrexed-based chemotherapy represents the standard of care in first-line treatment of advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). However, there are no established predictors of clinical benefit. Pemetrexed inhibits multiple enzymes involved in pyrimidine and purine synthesis, but the main target is thymidylate synthase (TS).

Effect of KRAS codon13 mutations in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (advanced CRC) under oxaliplatin containing chemotherapy. Results from a translational study of the AIO colorectal study group.

Background: To evaluate the value of KRAS codon 13 mutations in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (advanced CRC) treated with oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidines.

Methods: Tumor specimens from 201 patients with advanced CRC from a randomized, phase III trial comparing oxaliplatin/5-FU vs. oxaliplatin/capecitabine were retrospectively analyzed for KRAS mutations.

The indications for liver biopsy.

Background: Despite improvements in serological and radiological techniques, liver biopsy remains the most reliable way to diagnose diffuse hepatic disease and hepatic nodules. The indications for this invasive technique must be weighed against the small, but not negligible, risk of a complication.

Methods: The indications for liver biopsy are summarized on the basis of a selective review of the literature, including the published recommendations and position statements of specialty societies in Germany and abroad.

Autoimmune hepatitis in an HIV-infected patient: an intriguing association.

Abnormal levels of liver enzymes are common in HIV-infected patients and may be caused by multiple factors, including co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and in the majority of cases by antiretroviral drug-related liver injury. This report, however, describes a patient with HIV infection and abnormal liver function tests where further diagnostics revealed concomitant autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The association of immune dysfunction in patients with HIV infection/AIDS and the development of autoimmune diseases is intriguing.

Can the new RCP R0/R1 classification predict the clinical outcome in ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head?

Purpose: According to the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), R1 is defined as the microscopic presence of tumor cells at the surface of the resection margin (RM). In contrast, the Royal College of Pathologists (RCP) suggested to declare R1 already when tumor cells are found within 1 mm of the RM. The aim of this study was to determine the significance of the RM concerning the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Rare solid tumors of the pancreas as differential diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Context: Rare solid tumors of the pancreas can be misinterpreted as primary pancreatic cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to report our experience in the treatment of patients with rare tumor lesions of the pancreas and to discuss clinical and pathological characteristics in the context of the role of surgery.

Design: Data from patients of our prospective data-base with rare benign and malignant tumors of the pancreas, treated in our division from January 2004 to August 2010, were analyzed retrospectively.

Sarcoma cells induce alteration in adipogenic differentiation.

Background: Sarcomas consist of both tumor and stromal cells, and the interaction between these compartments is critical for tumor progression and metastasis. Tumor-derived factors may alter the differentiation capacity of the adjacent stromal cells. The aim of this study was to elucidate the paracrine impact of liposarcoma cells on pre-adipocytes, their adipogenic differentiation process and miRNA expression profile.

Effects of FTY720 and rapamycin on inflammation in taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis in the rat.

Objectives: This study aimed at T-cell inhibition by immunosuppressants to reduce cell damage and improve the course of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: A taurocholate-induced SAP was used and 5 groups were compared: (1) rapamycin + FTY720, (2) rapamycin, (3) FTY720, (4) cortisol, and (5) control: sodium chloride. Drugs were applied intravenously at SAP induction; 6 hours later, rats were killed.

Cetuximab-based or bevacizumab-based first-line treatment in patients with KRAS p.G13D-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer: a pooled analysis.

KRAS p.G13D mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been identified as representing a cetuximab-sensitive subtype of KRAS mutant mCRC. This analysis aims to answer the question of whether first-line treatment of p.

[Regression grading in gastrointestinal tumors].

Preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy is a well-established and essential part of the interdisciplinary treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. Neoadjuvant treatment leads to regressive changes in tumors. To evaluate the histological tumor response different scoring systems describing regressive changes are used and known as tumor regression grading.

[Pathological anatomical characteristics of Klatskin tumors. Classification, current molecular biological aspects, prognosis factors].

Klatskin tumors are a distinct subgroup of cholangiocarcinomas which are a surgical challenge due to their special localization. Different localizations do not show great differences concerning histomorphology and precursor lesions. With respect to molecular alterations there are only small differences.

Pancreatic diabetes manifests when beta cell area declines by approximately 65% in humans.

Aims/hypothesis: Diabetes frequently develops in patients with pancreatic disorders. We aimed to determine the lower threshold of beta cell area for diabetes manifestation as well as the impact of insulin sensitivity on glucose homoeostasis in patients with pancreatic diabetes.

Methods: Eighty-two patients undergoing pancreatic surgery underwent pre-operative oral glucose challenge.

CCR5 deficiency does not reduce hypertensive end-organ damage in mice.

Background: CCR5 is expressed on infiltrating T cells in hypertensive mice and CCR5 antagonists reduce hypertension making CCR5 an interesting target in treatment of hypertension.

Methods: To evaluate the role of CCR5 in hypertensive renal and cardiac end-organ damage, we induced hypertension with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in wild-type (WT) and CCR5-deficient mice.

Results: CCR5 expression was increased in renal cortex and cardiac tissue as measured by quantitative PCR.

TFAP2E-DKK4 and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer.

Background: Chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer leads to improved survival; however, predictors of response to systemic treatment are not available. Genomic and epigenetic alterations of the gene encoding transcription factor AP-2 epsilon (TFAP2E) are common in human cancers. The gene encoding dickkopf homolog 4 protein (DKK4) is a potential downstream target of TFAP2E and has been implicated in chemotherapy resistance.