Predictive Roles of HER2 Gene Amplification and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio on Survival in HER2-Positive Advanced Gastric Cancer Treated With Trastuzumab-Based Chemotherapy.

Objectives: Trastuzumab is used as an agent against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The aim of this study was to determine how HER2 gene amplification and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could predict long-term survival in AGC patients that underwent trastuzumab-based chemotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 112 patients between 28 and 91 years old (median of 66 y) with AGC treated with first-line trastuzumab-based chemotherapy.

Patient preferences regarding bariatric/metabolic procedures: a survey of Korean obese candidates for surgery.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to survey potential candidates for bariatric/metabolic surgery for procedure preferences.

Methods: Questions asked were divided into 5 categories: (1) demographic and anthropometric data, comorbidities, and favored surgery; (2) awareness of safety, effectiveness, and complications of each type of surgery; (3) discordances in opinion between self-selected and medically recommended procedures; and (4, 5) reasons for/against particular surgery.

Results: From 1 October to 15 November 2018, 104 respondents adequately responded and were included in the analysis.

Synchronous Peripancreatic Lymph Node Gastrinoma and Gastric Neuroendocrine Tumor Type 2.

A 34-year-old man was referred to our hospital with gastric polypoid lesions and biopsy-confirmed neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 3×3.5×8-cm retroperitoneal mass behind the pancreas, with multiple hepatic metastases.

Low-dose capecitabine plus trastuzumab as first-line treatment in patients 75 years of age or older with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer: a pilot study.

Background: Single-agent chemotherapy is considered a good and safe treatment option for elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). We investigated the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab plus low-dose capecitabine in elderly patients with previously untreated human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive AGC.

Methods: Patients aged 75 years or older with tumors having HER2 overexpression defined as either immunohistochemistry (IHC) 3+ or IHC 2+ and in situ hybridization-positive were eligible for inclusion.

Three-year experience of pouch dilatation and slippage management after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Purpose: Pouch dilatation and band slippage are the most common long-term complications after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The aim of the study is to present our experience of diagnosis and management of these complications.

Materials And Methods: The pars flaccida technique with anterior fixation of the fundus was routinely used.

A randomized phase II study of weekly docetaxel/cisplatin versus weekly docetaxel/oxaliplatin as first-line therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Background: Docetaxel, in combination with cisplatin or oxaliplatin, has demonstrated efficacy in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This randomized, non-comparative phase II trial evaluated two weekly docetaxel-based regimens to determine which is the most promising in terms of efficacy and safety as a front-line therapy in AGC.

Methods: Chemotherapy-naïve patients with measurable unresectable and/or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to receive docetaxel (35 mg/m(2)) weekly on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle plus either cisplatin (60 mg/m(2) on day 1) (wDP) or oxaliplatin (120 mg/m(2) on day 1) (wDO).

Laparoscopy Assisted versus Open Distal Gastrectomy with D2 Lymph Node Dissection for Advanced Gastric Cancer: Design and Rationale of a Phase II Randomized Controlled Multicenter Trial (COACT 1001).

Purpose: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer has gained acceptance and popularity worldwide. However, laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is still controversial. Therefore, we propose this prospective randomized controlled multi-center trial in order to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy assisted D2-gastrectomy for advanced stage gastric cancer.

A randomized phase II study of biweekly irinotecan monotherapy or a combination of irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (mFOLFIRI) in patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma refractory to or progressive after first-line chemotherapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of irinotecan (CPT-11) monotherapy and CPT-11 plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV) combination (mFOLFIRI) as second-line treatment in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods: A total of 59 patients were randomly assigned to either CPT-11 (150 mg/m(2) iv on day 1) or mFOLFIRI (CPT-11 150 mg/m(2) plus LV 20 mg/m(2) on day 1 followed by 5-FU 2,000 mg/m(2) over 48 h), every 2 weeks. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR).

Phase I study of 3-weekly combination chemotherapy using epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (EOS) in patients with previously untreated advanced gastric cancer.

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the recommended dose (RD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) associated with epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (EOS) combination therapy in patients with previously untreated advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Materials And Methods: Previously untreated patients with histologically proven metastatic AGC, with an ECOG performance status of 0-2, were enrolled in this study. A fixed dose of epirubicin (50 mg/m(2)) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m(2)) was intravenously administered on day 1 of treatment, followed by oral S-1 administration twice daily on days 1-14.

A pilot study of cisplatin, irinotecan, leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (PILF) combination chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.

Purpose: Irinotecan, in combination with leucovorin/5-fluorouracil (FU) or with cisplatin, is known to be active for treating advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This pilot study evaluated a novel three-drug combination of irinotecan, leucovorin/FU and cisplatin as a first-line treatment of AGC. The primary endpoint was to assess the feasibility in anticipation of conducting a larger phase II study.

Phase I dose-escalating study of docetaxel in combination with 5-day continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Background: Published data suggests that docetaxel combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) may have synergistic activity in treating advanced gastric cancer. We performed a phase I study of docetaxel and 5-FU to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), the recommended dose for phase II studies, and the safety of this combination.

Methods: Eligible patients had recurrent and/or metastatic advanced gastric cancer with normal cardiac, renal and hepatic function.

A phase II study of epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine combination chemotherapy in patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activity and safety of an epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine (ECX) combination in patients with metastatic or advanced gastric cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with metastatic or advanced measurable gastric adenocarcinoma received ECX combination chemotherapy. Epirubicin 50 mg/m2 and cisplatin 60 mg/m2 were administered on day 1 by intravenous injection.

Quality of life in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with second-line chemotherapy.

Objective: Despite many trials of systemic chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer, treatment after failure with first-line chemotherapy remains controversial. We prospectively assessed quality of life (QL) in gastric cancer patients treated with second-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Forty-three patients who received second-line chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) at baseline and at regular intervals during and after chemotherapy.

Salvage chemotherapy with irinotecan and cisplatin in patients with metastatic gastric cancer failing both 5-fluorouracil and taxanes.

We conducted a phase II study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of irinotecan and cisplatin as salvage chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, progressing after both 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)- and taxane-containing regimen. Patients with measurable metastatic gastric cancer, progressive after previous chemotherapy that consisted either of a 5-FU-based regimen followed by second-line chemotherapy containing taxanes or a 5-FU and taxane combination were treated with irinotecan and cisplatin. Irinotecan 70 mg/m(2) was administered on day 1 and day 15; cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) was administered on day 1.

Down-regulation of organic anion transporter 2 mRNA expression by nitric oxide in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

Role of nitric oxide (NO) on the expression of organic anion transporter 2 (OAT2) located in sinusoidal domain of hepatocytes has been investigated. Effect of NO generated in vivo in rat and delivered in vitro to hepatocytes was determined. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and spermine NONOate (SPER/NO) were selected as the NO donors for in vivo and in vitro experiments, respectively.

Epirubicin, cisplatin, and protracted venous infusion of 5-fluorouracil for advanced gastric carcinoma.

To evaluate the activity and safety of a combination chemotherapy with epirubicin, cisplatin, and a protracted venous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (ECF) in unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer, a phase II study was performed. Thirty-five chemotherapy-naive patients were given ECF. Epirubicin (50 mg/m(2) intravenous, i.