The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor-1 expression on survival of advanced colorectal cancer patients.

Colorectal cancer is third leading cause of cancer mortality. About 60% of patients had already developed metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is crucial for the development of neovascularization and hence metastasis.

Neurofibromin Expression is Associated with Aggressive Disease and Poor Outcome in Colorectal Carcinoma.

Aim: To assess the predictive and prognostic value of neurofibromin (NF) expression in colorectal carcinoma (CRC).

Materials And Methods: The present series consists of archival samples from 191 patients with stage I, II, III, or IV CRC treated between 1981 and 1990 at the Turku University Hospital (Finland). Tumor biopsies as microarray blocks were analyzed for expression of NF by immunohistochemistry.

Proliferative activity in Libyan breast cancer with comparison to European and Central African patients.

Background: We evaluated the relation of proliferative indices with clinicopathological features and prognosis in breast cancer (BC) of Libyan female patients. The data were compared with corresponding results in Finland and Nigeria.

Patients And Methods: Histological samples of breast cancer from 130 patients were retrospectively studied.

High cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with advanced stages in colorectal cancer.

Background: Despite compelling evidence from the genetic background and clinical studies indicating that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) up-regulation is a key step in carcinogenesis of colorectal carcinoma (CRC), controversy regarding its role as a prognostic factor exists. However, all evidence indicates that increased COX2 activity promotes progression of CRC. This study, aimed to evaluate the expression of COX2 in CRC, and correlate it with different patient clinicopathological data, emphasizing on the role of COX2 as a prognostic factor for CRC.

Prognostic value of bcl-2 expression among women with breast cancer in Libya.

We studied the association of the immunohistochemical bcl-2 expression in Libyan breast cancer with clinicopathological variables and patient outcome. Histological samples from 170 previously untreated primary Libyan breast carcinoma patients were examined. In immunohistochemistry, the NCL-L-bcl-2-486 monoclonal antibody was used.

Loss of MUC2 expression predicts disease recurrence and poor outcome in colorectal carcinoma.

Clinical staging and histological grading after surgery have been the "gold standard" for predicting prognosis and planning for adjuvant therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC). With the recent development of molecular markers, it has become possible to characterize tumors at the molecular level. This is important for stage II and III CRCs, in which clinicopathological features do not accurately predict heterogeneity, e.

Prognostic value of proliferation markers: immunohistochemical ki-67 expression and cytometric s-phase fraction of women with breast cancer in libya.

Background: We evaluated the association of the immunohistochemical Ki-67 expression, and S-phase fraction with clinicopathological variables and patient outcome.

Patients And Methods: Histological samples from 100 primary Libyan breast carcinoma patients were retrospectively studied with monoclonal antibody to Ki-67. S-phase fraction was determined by DNA image cytometry.

Diagnosis delay in Libyan female breast cancer.

Aims: To study the diagnosis delay and its impact on stage of disease among women with breast cancer on Libya.

Methods: 200 women, aged 22 to 75 years with breast cancer diagnosed during 2008-2009 were interviewed about the period from the first symptoms to the final histological diagnosis of breast cancer. This period (diagnosis time) was categorized into 3 periods: <3 months, 3-6 months, and >6 months.

Prognostic significance of DNA image cytometry in Libyan breast cancer.

Background: We evaluated the relation of nuclear DNA content and clinicopathological features and prognosis in primary breast cancer of female Libyan patients with variable stage and grade and different treatment regimes.

Patients And Methods: Histological samples from 104 patients of breast carcinoma were retrospectively studied by computerized nuclear DNA cytometry. Isolated nuclei from paraffin sections were stained with Feulgen stain and DNA was measured using a computer-assisted image analysis cytometry system.

Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and nuclear size features in female breast cancer in Libya: correlation with clinical features and survival.

Background: The features of Libyan patients with breast cancer have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression patterns of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), as well as nuclear morphometric features, in patients with breast cancer, and to correlate them with clinicopathological features and prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Data for a total of 62 female Libyan patients with breast cancer, diagnosed between 2000 and 2006, were retrospectively studied.

Loss of E-cadherin expression predicts disease recurrence and shorter survival in colorectal carcinoma.

The traditional staging system is currently inadequate for identifying those patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) who carry a high risk for poor outcome. In this study, the expression of E-cadherin was evaluated in CRC to determine its correlation with clinico-pathological variables, and association with disease outcome in patients with long-term follow-up. The present series consisted of tissue samples obtained from 230 patients with stage I, II, III, or IV CRC treated during 1981-1990 at Turku University Hospital.

Apoptotic activity in Libyan breast cancer.

Background: We evaluated the relationship of the apoptotic activity index (AI) and the standardized mitotic-apoptotic ratio (SMI/AI) with clinicopathological features and prognosis in Libyan female breast cancer (BC) patients. We then compared our results with corresponding results in Finnish and Nigerian female BC patients.

Methods: Histological samples of breast carcinoma from 130 patients were retrospectively studied: an estimation of the apoptotic activity per square millimeter (expressed as apoptotic activity index (AI)), and standardized mitotic-apoptotic ratio (SMI/AI) was made, and the results compared with the clinicopathological features and the patient's survival.

Breast cancer patients in Libya: Comparison with European and central African patients.

The present study evaluated the incidence of breast cancer in Libya and described the clinicopathological and demographic features. These features were then compared with corresponding data from patients from sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria) and Europe (Finland). The study consisted of 234 patients with breast carcinoma, admitted to the African Oncology Institute in Sabratha, Libya, during the years 2002-2006.

Prognostic value of mitotic counts in breast cancer of Saudi Arabian patients.

Background: Quantitative methods in combination with other objective prognostic criteria can improve the evaluation of a cancer patient's prognosis, and possibly predict response to therapy. One of the important prognostic and predictive markers is the mitotic count, which has proven valuable in many aspects. In this study, the prognostic value of the mitotic count was assessed in breast cancer (BC) patients in Saudi Arabia.

Nuclear morphometry in prognostication of breast cancer in Saudi Arabian patients: comparison with European and African breast cancer.

Background: The role of nuclear morphometry as a prognostic factor in breast cancer is well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate this role in breast cancer in Saudi patients and to compare it with the experience in some African and European studies.

Patients And Methods: Primary tumors from 135 patients were analyzed using an image overlay drawing system (Prodit Morphometry Program), for the following nuclear features: area, perimeter, diameter, and roundness.

Genomic analysis of the 55 kDa subunit of DNA polymerase epsilon in human intracranial neoplasms.

Background: Defects of some DNA polymerases have shown cancer associations, but there are only limited data on DNA polymerase (Pol) epsilon.

Materials And Methods: We examined 26 human brain neoplasm DNA samples and 8 control blood samples (from Poland) for possible mutations in the entire coding region of the 55 kDa small subunit of human DNA Pol epsilon gene using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis, and sequence analysis of DNA.

Results: One single base intronic transition in intron 14 was found.

Image DNA cytometry in FNABs of Libyan breast disease.

Background: The sensitivity for identification of malignant cells in conventional fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) investigation is about 80%. This percentage is dependent on the number of examined cells, type of breast cancer, and experience of the examiner. The aim of our study was to estimate the supporting value of image DNA cytometry of FNAB of the breast, and do so by using different sampling methods.

Mutations/polymorphisms in the 55 kDa subunit of DNA polymerase epsilon in human colorectal cancer.

Background: Defects of some DNA polymerases have shown associations with cancer, but data on DNA polymerase epsilon are limited. This study investigated mutations in the 55 kDa subunit gene of DNA polymerase epsilon in colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: DNA from 16 human colorectal cancer and 9 control samples was studied with polymerase chain reaction-single-strand comformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing.

MMP-9 (gelatinase B) expression is associated with disease-free survival and disease-specific survival in colorectal cancer patients.

Extracellular matrix degradation is required for invasion and metastasis formation in colorectal carcinoma (CRC), therefore, we have examined matrix metalloproteinases MMP-9 expression in tumors from patients with CRC. The study comprises of 360 patients who underwent bowel resection for stage II, III, IV tumors. Paraffin-embedded CRC tissue samples were used for immunohistochemical staining.

Prognostic significance of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in stage II colorectal carcinoma.

Background: Approximately 30% of all colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed with stage II disease. Adjuvant therapy is not widely recommended. However, it is well-established that a subgroup of patients with stage II is at high risk for recurrence within their life time and should be considered for adjuvant chemotherapy.

Analysis of cyclins A, B1, D1 and E in breast cancer in relation to tumour grade and other prognostic factors.

Background: The cell cycle is promoted by activation of cyclin dependent kinases (Cdks), which are regulated positively by cyclins and negatively by Cdk inhibitors. Proliferation of carcinoma is associated with altered regulation of the cell cycle. Little is known on the combined alterations of cyclins A, B1, D1 and E in breast cancer in relation to the tumour grade and other prognostic factors.

Correlation of nuclear morphometry of breast cancer in histological sections with clinicopathological features and prognosis.

Background: The relation of nuclear morphometry measurements with clinicopathological features was evaluated along with prognosis in invasive female breast carcinoma in Libyan patients. Data was compared with corresponding results on Finnish, and Nigerian female breast cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: Histological samples from 131 patients of breast carcinoma were retrospectively studied by computerized nuclear morphometry.

Nuclear morphometry in FNABs of breast disease in Libyans.

Background: Nuclear morphometry can be expected to improve the distinction between benign and malignant lesions.

Patients And Methods: Forty fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) samples fixed in 50% ethanol were collected at the African Oncology Institute, Sabratha, Libya, during the period 2004-2007. All diagnoses reported were confirmed histologically.

VEGF-1 expression in colorectal cancer is associated with disease localization, stage, and long-term disease-specific survival.

Background: Angiogenesis plays an important role in progression of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies indicates that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the predominant angiogenic factor in CRC. Indeed, VEGF is expressed in approximately 50% of CRCs, with minimal to no expression in normal colonic mucosa and adenomas.

Genomic changes of the 55 kDa subunit of DNA polymerase epsilon in human breast cancer.

Background: DNA polymerases (Pols) represent potential candidates for cancer genes because of their central functions in DNA metabolism. Defects of some DNA Pols have shown cancer associations, but data on DNA polymerase (Pol) epsilon is limited.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four human breast cancer DNA samples and four control DNA samples were examined for possible mutation in the entire coding region of the 55 kDa small subunit of the human DNA Pol epsilon gene using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis of the DNA and sequence analysis.