PURPOSE: Bcl-2 and p53 are known to act as a regulator of apoptosis in breast cancer and we evaluated the significance of these gene expressions and correlation with prognostic factors in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to investigate the expression of Bcl-2 and p53, we analyzed immunochemistry staining from paraffin blocks in a series of 80 women with breast cancer. Expression was then compared with the established indicators of prognosis. RESULTS: Bcl-2 positivity was 45% and p53 was 32.2%. No relationships could be observed between bcl-2 and node status,tumor size and also between p53 and node status, differentiation,tumor size. Strong positive relationships were seen between bcl-2 and estrogen receptor (ER) (p<0.0001), progesterone receptor (PR) (p<0.001). p53 also showed relationships with ER and PR (p<0.05) Histologic (p<0.05) and nuclear grade (p<0.05) showed relationships with bcl-2 but not with p53. Inverse relationship was noted between p53 and ER, PR (p<0.05). Inverse relationship was also found between bcl-2 and p53 expression (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggest that there may be a possibility that bcl-2 and p53 expressions can affect tumor growth and prognosis in breast cancer patients.
Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Estrogens ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunochemistry ; Immunohistochemistry* ; Paraffin ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Progesterone

PURPOSE: For tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, a cascade of linked sequential biological events is essential; overproduction of growth factors, activation of proteolytic enzymes, induction of tumor angiogenesis, and enhanced tumor cell motility and attachment. We tried to test whether the biological therapy against the biological targets can modulate the specific biological characteristics, and furthermore increased anti-tumor effects can be induced when the biological therapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy were combined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: YCC-1, 2, 3, 7, and AGS human gastric cancer cell lines were used in these studies. Pentosan polysulfate (PPS) as a heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF) inhibitor, Tranexamic acid as a plasmin inhibitor, Adriamycin as a chemotherapeutic agent, were selected. The methods were Northern blot analysis for the detection of Midkine (MK) expression, soft agar assay for autocrine tumorigenicity. The expression of uPA, PAI-1 was determined by ELISA, while the MMPs activities were evaluated by zymography. The effects of each drug on tumorigenicity and tumor cell proliferation were evaluated by soft agar assay and cell proliferation assay, respectively. RESULTS: YCC-3, 7, AGS cell lines expressed MK mRNA, whereas YCC-1, 2 did not. YCC-2 cell line showed increased expression of uPA and MMP activities. Only MK expressing YCC-3 and 7 cell lines showed the tumorigenicity. PPS suppressed the colony forming activities as much as Adriamycin did (PPS; 8~24%, Adriamycin; 12~40%), but it showed only cytostatic effects in cell proliferation assay (PPS; 60~103%, Adriamycin; 22~97%). When PPS was combined with Adriamycin on the Adriamycin resistant, MK expressing YCC-7 cell line, the growth inhibition rate increased up to 84%, while that of PPS or Adriamycin single treatment was 40%, 22%, respectively (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The modulation of specific biological targets can induce the anti-tumor effects. This suggests the possible clinical application of biological therapy in gastric cancer.
Agar ; Antifibrinolytic Agents ; Biological Therapy ; Blotting, Northern ; Cell Line* ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; Population Characteristics ; RNA, Messenger ; Robenidine ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Tranexamic Acid

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of adjuvant immunotherapy with Mesima (R) in advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 patients with stage III gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy were divided into three groups at random. The first group received Mesima. The second group received OK-432 and the third group received no immunotherapeutic agent at all. All three groups received adjuvant chemotherapy using 5-FU and mitomycin-C protocol. The numbers of total T lymphocytes were checked along with the T4 and T8 subpopulation and B lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells preoperatively and 9 days, 3 months and 7 months postoperatively. The delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity were also checked preoperatively and 3 months and 7months postoperatively. RESULTS: All three groups showed initial decrease in the total T lymphocyte count and T4 lymphocyte count at 9 days postoperatively, which showed gradual increase over the 7 months postoperative period. The Mesima (R)-treated group and OK-432-treated group showed significantly better recovery rate at 7 months postoperatively than the control group. The number of T8 lymphocytes and NK cells also showed initial decrease and later recovery, but there was no significant difference between groups. The number of B lymphocytes showed gradual decrease over 7 months in the Mesima (R)-treated group and the control group, and initial decrease with later increase in the OK-432-treated group, again with no significant difference. The average numbers of positive antigens on delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity test were decreased initially with gradual increase, but there was no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Mesima (R) can be considered as a candidate for safe and effective immunotherapeutic agent in patients with gastric cancer, but the actual benefit in increasing patient survival should be determined through a long term follow-up study.
Adenocarcinoma ; B-Lymphocytes ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Fluorouracil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunotherapy ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Lymphocyte Count ; Mitomycin ; Picibanil ; Postoperative Period ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; T-Lymphocytes

PURPOSE: Several investigators reported the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was more sensitive than culture or other routine laboratory tests for the detection of H. pylori. In this study, we established the nested PCR method for the sensitive and specific determination of H. pylori from paraffin-embedded gastric cancer samples, and the polymorphisms of H. pylori urease A gene were analyzed using by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was subjected to the nested PCR using two primer pairs from the urease A gene of H. pylori. The sensitivity of the nested PCR assay was investigated with serial dilutions of positive DNA of H. pylori. Polymorphisms of H. pylori were determined by digestion of thirty six PCR positive products with five different restriction endonuclease-MspI, AluI, DdeI, BstNI, and HinfI. RESULTS: Amplified H. pylori PCR products were detected to 106 dilutions (10-3 fg) by nested PCR technique. The polymorphic patterns of five types of H. pylori were found by MspI, DdeI and AluI. Sequence of type V was confirmed by direct sequencing and the sequences recognized by BstNI and HinfI were conserved regions. CONCLUSIONS: Nested PCR technique is a accurate, sensitive and reliable method for the laboratory diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Moreover nested PCR-RFLP analysis has a potential to differentiate H. pylori strains.
Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Digestion ; DNA ; Genes, vif* ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Research Personnel ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Urease*

PURPOSE: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a modulator of epithelial cell proliferation and motility. In this study, we measured the level of HGF in sera and tumor extracts of gastric adenocarcinoma using an enzyme-linked immunoassay and evaluated its association with tumor progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The level of HGF in the sera of seventy-five patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and in the tumor extracts of forty-two tumors were examined in this study. The level of HGF was determined by an Immunis HGF EIA kit (Institute of Immunology). RESULTS: The mean level of HGF in the sera of patients was 0.26+/-0.19 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than in those of healthy controls (0.14+/-0.07 ng/ml, p<0.05); the levels of HGF in the sera of patients increased according to the progression of the stage of cancer (p<0.05). The mean level of HGF in tumor extracts was 8.22+/-9.27 microgram/g protein, which was significantly higher than in those of healthy controls (1.95+/-1.45 microgram/g protein, p<0.05); the levels of HGF in the tumor extracts were correlated significantly with the progression of the tumor stage (p<0.05). The mean level of HGF in the tumors of diffuse type was 11.28+/-11.74 microgram/g protein, which was significantly higher than in those of intestinal type (5.16+/-4.31 microgram/g protein, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: HGF may play an important role in the progression and differentiation of gastric adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Epithelial Cells ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor* ; Hepatocytes* ; Humans ; Immunoassay

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in survival rates between primary gastric and intestinal gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and to investigate risk factors for survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed survival rates and risk factors in 60 cases with stage I and II primary gastrointestinal lymphomas treated at Keimyung University Hospital between January 1972 and August 1999. RESULTS: No differences in sex, age, histology, stage, or percentage of curative resection were observed between primary gastric and intestinal lymphoma. The overall 10-year survival rates of gastric and intestinal NHL were 68.1% and 39.6%, respectively (p<0.05). The overall 10-year survival rates in stage I gastric and intestinal NHL were 66.7% and 70.0%, respectively, while those in stageII were 65.1% and 23.7%, respectively (p<0.001). A multivariate analysis of risk factors for survival revealed that the site of origin (5.68, CI=1.8-17.5) and stage (4.22, CI= 1.19-14.85) were significantly correlated with prognosis (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of bcl-2 and p53 between gastric and intestinal NHL. Furthermore bcl-2 and p53 expressions were not correlated with the prognosis. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that stage II primary intestinal lymphoma has lower survival rate than gastric lymphoma.
Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate*

PURPOSE: This study was performed in order to evaluate the clinical characteristics, effect of treatment and prognosis in patients with testicular tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients with testicular tumor treated at our hospital. We analyzed the pathologic classification, clinical stage, preoperative tumor markers, treatment methods, clinical characteristics, and prognosis. RESULTS: The histologic type was seminoma in 11, teratoma in 10, yolk sac tumor in 5, embryonal cell carcinoma in 4, mixed type in 8 and secondary neoplasm in 4. Clinically, 31 patients were stage I, 2 stage IIa, 2 stage IIb, 1 stage IIc, 6 stage IV. Following orchiectomy, 22 patients underwent surveillance, 12 chemotherapy, 4 radiation therapy, 1 retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), 2 radiation plus chemotherapy, and 1 radiation plus chemotherapy and RPLND. The 10-year survival rate was 90.9% in the cases of seminoma. Similarly, the 10-year survival rate was 96.0% in the cases of non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). CONCLUSION: In our study, patients with testicular tumor revealed an excellent survival rate. Testicular tumors are solid tumors that have a possibility of complete remission by additional chemotherapy or radiation following radical surgery. Therefore, early detection and aggressive treatment were mandatory.
Classification ; Drug Therapy ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Orchiectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminoma ; Survival Rate ; Teratoma ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis* ; Biomarkers, Tumor

PURPOSE: This research was designed to evaluate the chronic effect of isolated lung perfusion (ILP) with cisplatin on dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen dogs were divided into three groups. Group I was in ILP without cisplatin, group II with 2.5 mg/kg and group III with 5.0 mg/kg of cisplatin for 30 minutes respectively. Serial blood samples were taken before and after ILP for quantitative analysis of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr). The specimens from the lung were obtained 2 weeks after ILP. RESULTS: There were no statistic significant differences in LDH concentration according to the time interval among the groups. The LDH concentration peaked at 1 week after ILP and declined thereafter to the pre-ILP concentration. The concentration of BUN/Cr was in normal range. Histologic examination showed no pathologic change. No significant histopathologic differences were found in the pulmonary parenchyme and vasculature among the groups. All of the dogs survived without complication 2 weeks after ILP. CONCLUSION: In ILP with cisplatin of 5.0 mg/kg in normal dog, the toxicity of cisplatin itself was not observed. With further study about the technique of ILP with cisplatin it would be effective to deliver high concentration of cisplatin into the target tissue minimizing lung damage.
Animals ; Cisplatin* ; Dogs* ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lung* ; Perfusion* ; Reference Values ; Urea

PURPOSE: We undertook this study to evaluate the usefullness of radiologic placement of subcutaneous infusion ports (SIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1999 and May 2000 we performed 45 implantations of SIP in radiologic suite. Both sonography and fluoroscopy were used for venipuncture and to guide port insertion. We prospectively evaluated 45 systems in 45 patients with solid tumors. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 189 days (61~352 days). Technical success rate is 100% without any venipuncture-related complications. Early complication rate within 30 days of procedure was 4.4%, including wound dehiscence (n=1) and pocket hematoma and local infection (n=1). Catheter-related infection rate was 6.7% and catheter-related venous thrombosis rate was 4.4%. Mean duration of catheter use was 208 96 days (total, 9,381 days). Overall port survival rate was 38.5%, and four systems (8.9%) were prematurely removed because of catheter tunnel infection (n=1), pocket infection (n=1), and central venous thrombosis (n=2). CONCLUSION: Radiologic placement of SIP had higher success rate and equal or lower complication rate compared with reported conventional surgical technique using anatomical landmarks. Moreover, clinical convenience, resulting from ease of scheduling could make it replace surgical method.
Catheter-Related Infections ; Catheters ; Fluoroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Infusions, Subcutaneous* ; Phlebotomy ; Prospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Venous Thrombosis ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: A sensitive predictive assay is necessary to determine the total radiation dose according to sensitivity of individual cancer cell lines. This study is performed to determine whether the radiation sensitivity is correlated with the changes in telomerase activity after irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two colorectal cancer cell lines with different radiation sensitivity were used. In order to confirm the difference in radiation sensitivity, we used a calorimetric assay. Telomerase activities were measured using the PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). RESULTS: We confirmed the difference in radiation sensitivity between NCI-H630 and NCI-H716. Survival fractions at 2 Gy were 0.836 for NCI-H630 and 0.317 for NCI-H716. Telomerase activity increased after irradiation with NCI-H630, which was more resistant to radiation, whereas telomerase activity decreased with NCI-H730. But dose-dependent change of telomerase activity was not confirmed. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that telomerase activity change after irradiation could be used as a predictive assay for radiation response. Further studies with different cell lines and tumor tissues are necessary.
Cell Line ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Radiation Tolerance ; Telomerase*