C-terminal tagging enhances the detection sensitivity of interlekin receptor type 1.

Substances released outside of the cells during cell necrosis are collectively called danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS) or alarmins. A pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1α (IL-1α) is known as a typical alarmin. IL-1α transmits signals by binding to IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1), type I protein, expressed on the cell membrane of target cells, but detection of IL-1R1 at the protein and mRNA levels is difficult.

HER2-positive gastric cancer with paraaortic nodal metastasis successfully resected after chemotherapy with trastuzumab: a case report.

We report on a case of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive gastric cancer with paraaortic lymph node metastasis. The patient (a 49-year-old female) received chemotherapy (capecitabine and cisplatin) plus molecular-targeted therapy (trastuzumab), followed by curative resection. Interestingly, the resected residual cancer was HER2-negative.

Left thoracoabdominal approach for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.

Background/aims: To evaluate usefulness of esophagogastrectomy via left thoracoabdominal (LT) approach for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG), the results of surgery stratified by Siewert's classification, were analyzed retrospectively.

Methodology: The tumor diameter, distance of the proximal tumor border from the esophagogastric junction, and length of the esophagus in the resected specimens of consecutive 171 AEG patients were measured. The surgical approach was classified as total esophagectomy (TE), esophagogastrectomy via LT, or transhiatal/abdominal (HA) approach.

The effectiveness of extended lymph node dissection for gastric cancer performed in Costa Rica under the supervision of a Japanese surgeon: a comparison with surgical results in Japan.

Objective: In 1996, the Gastric Cancer Detection Center in Costa Rica (CR) initiated extended lymph node (D2) dissection for gastric cancer patients. We present an analysis of the surgical results compared with those in Japan.

Background: D2 dissection for gastric cancer is a standard surgical procedure in Japan, whereas it is still controversial in the West because of its poor survival benefit and high morbidity and mortality.

[Mass screening for gastric cancer performed in Costa Rica].

We performed mass screening for gastric cancer by means of X-ray in Costa Rica from 1996 through 1999. Screening was performed on 10,064 subjects and 69 gastric cancers were detected (screening group). During the same period 172 gastric cancer patients were referred to us (non-screening group).