OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics, efficiency of treatment and potential prognostic factors of breast cancer patients with liver metastases (BCLM).

METHODSThe data of clinical characteristics, response to treatment and survival were retrospectively analyzed in 152 breast cancer patients with liver metastasis using SPSS 11.5.

RESULTSThe median disease free survival (DFS), the median survival of recurrence (MSR) and median time to progress (TTP) of this series was 21 months, 16 months and 7.4 months, respectively. The response rate in chemotherapy group was higher than that in the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) group (37.7% vs. 53%, P = 0. 039). The TTP was longer (7 m vs. 10 m, P = 0.048) and the response rate (63.3% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.04) in taxanes-based chemotherapy group was significantly higher than that in non-taxanes-containing regimen. The MSR in patients with single liver metastases treated by TACE was longer than that by chemotherapy (16 m vs. 30 m, P = 0.0052), but it was not observed in the patients with multiple metastases. Pathological tumor size (PT) and axillary lymph node status at diagnosis, negative estrogen receptor (ER) status, abnormal ALT level induced by liver metastases, metastastic tumor size were significantly correlated with shorter survival.

CONCLUSIONThe effective chemotherapy especially the taxane-containing regimen and TACE may improve outcome for breast cancer patient with liver metastasis.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Breast ; drug effects ; pathology ; surgery ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; therapy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mastectomy ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo review and summarize the experience in diagnosis and surgical management of primary cardiac neoplasms.

METHODS112 patients with primary cardiac neoplasms were treated surgically from Jan. 1980 to Jan. 2005. Those tumors were grouped into three categories: myxomas (98), benign nonmyxomas (3), and malignant tumors (11). Five of 11 malignant tumor patients underwent biopsy or palliative operation, the other patients received complete excision. Mitral valve replacement were done simultaneously in 2 of these patients, mitral valve repair in 4 and tricuspid valvoplasty in 33. All patients' diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography.

RESULTS108 patients survived the operation and 4 patients died postoperatively. The hospital mortality was 3.6% (4/112). Two patients developed poor left ventricular function postoperatively and died at the third and the seventh postoperative day due to low cardiac output. One patient developed and died of progressive hepatic and renal function failure postoperatively. Another one patient died of severe arrhythmia. Mean follow-up of 76 myxoma patients who are still alive was 6.4 years (range, 3 month to 17 years). Fifty-five patients still had heart function in New York Heart Association class I and 21 in class II at the end of follow-up without any evidence of recurrance. The follow-up results of benign nonmyxomas were similar to those of myxomas. Mean follow-up of all survived malignant tumor patient was 6 months (range, 2 months to 12 months). Ten of them died of recurrence or metastasis within 1 year postoperatively except only one still alive.

CONCLUSIONSurgical resection, whenever possible, is the first treatment choice for all kinds of primary cardiac tumors. Surgical resection of myxoma and benign nonmyxoma can give excellent long-term results which may lead to eventual cure of myxoma and benign nonmyxoma. For malignant tumor patient, surgical treatment is only palliative and to prolong the life of patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myxoma ; diagnosis ; mortality ; surgery ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Palliative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tricuspid Valve ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the CT and MRI manifestatitions of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas.

METHODSBoth clinical and imaging data of 12 pathologically confirmed intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, of the pancreas were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe pancreatic IPMN can be classified into two types based on CT image: the branch duct IPMN (n=7) originated from the head and uncinate process of the pancreas. The tumor consisted of lobulated or clustered small cyst lesions with septa among them, the wall and septa can be enhanced; the combined IPMN (n=5) involved branch ducts of the uncinate process as well as the main pancreatic ducts with dilatation (diameter: 4-7 mm), one of these involved the branch ducts along the pancreatic body. The pancreatic IPMN was mainly found in elderly patient with a chief clinical symptoms of abdominal pain and/or pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONThe intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas enjoys specific features in CT and MRI image, which are helpful to the diagnosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Ducts ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of PC cell-derived growth factor (PCDGF) in the serum of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and healthy adults, and it's correlation with chemotherapeutic sensitivity.

METHODSThe venous blood samples of 44 advanced NSCLC patients and 30 healthy adults were collected, and PCDGF mono-antibody was used for detection in the experiment. A part of specimens were randomly selected for Western-blot, and all specimens were eventually examined by ELISA. Chemotherapeutic response of these patients was recorded in order to analyze the correlation between PCDGF expression level and chemotherapeutic sensitivity.

RESULTSWestern blot results indicated that there was PCDGF expression both in NSCLC patients and healthy adults, and the expressing intensity of PCDGF in NSCLC patients was higher than that in healthy adults. The result of ELISA showed PCDGF expression in the patients whoever was chemoresistant or chemosensitive was significantly higher than that in healthy adults (P < 0.01), However, in chemoresistant patients, it was significantly higher than that in chemosensitive with a borderline statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPC cell-derived growth factor is found to be not only expressed in healthy adult but also in NSCLC patient at a high level in the serum, which may indicate metastasis and active proliferation in NSCLC. The intensity of PCDGF expression may be correlated with chemotherapy response and the high level expressing of PCDGF may indicate resistant to platinum-based chemotherapeutic regimen.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; blood ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Remission Induction ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives

OBJECTIVETo study the mutation patterns of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 18, 19 and 21 in Chinese non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

METHODSSomatic mutation in samples of 32 cases without Iressa-treatment were compared with that in 10 volunteers blood control. The mutations were identified for the forward and reverse sequence chains for the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR gene, followed by DNA template abstraction and Touchdown PCR.

RESULTSNine types of mutation were found in sequences of 7 cases among the 32 non-small cell lung carcinoma tissues, namely, five reported mutation within exon 19, and two new heterozygous mutations, L833V and H835L within exon 21, and two intron polymorphism. These results showed a mutation rate of 9/32 (28.1%) in Chinese with NSCLC, and of 31.6% in lung adenocarcinomas.

CONCLUSIONEGFR mutation rate in Chinese with NSCLC is consistent with those of Asian women reported in the literature but new mutation points in Chinese were presented as L833V and H835L. The mutation rate is in concordance with release rate of NSCLC obtained by Gefitinib treatment in Chinese.

Adenocarcinoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; ethnology ; genetics ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics

OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the correlation between the centrosome aberration and oncogenesis of the breast carcinoma, the expression of alpha-tubulin and gamma-tubulin proteins in breast precancerous lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) was investigated.

METHODSQuantitative immunofluorescence analysis was performed for measuring centrosome proteins by FITC-labeled monoclonal anti-alpha and anti-gamma-tubulin antibodies in 90 cases with precancerous lesions, DCIS and IDC of the breast, respectively. Normal breast tissue from 30 cases were taken as control group.

RESULTSThe average of positive (FITC-labeled) cells were 3.2, 11.6, 14.8, 23.1 (alpha-tubulin) and 3.3, 10.7, 14.5, 24.5 (gamma-tubulin) in four groups, respectively. There were significant differences of alpha-tubulin or gamma-tubulin expression among those groups (P = 0.000), respectively. The highest expression quantity was in IDC group and the lowest was in normal breast tissue. Their expression was significantly associated with cellular proliferation and differentiation.

CONCLUSIONThere is over-expression of the centrosome tubulin protein in the precancerous stage of the breast. The centrosome aberration may play an important role during the crucial early step of oncogenesis and it may promote the cellular cancerization or transformation into malignancy. Quantitative immuno-fluorescence analysis and immunohistochemistry can be complementary each other.

Breast ; chemistry ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Precancerous Conditions ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tubulin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) and the metastasis potential in human breast cancer. METHODS Breast cancer tissue sections from 75 patients, grouped according to the local lymph node status were examined immunohistochemically for protein level of DARC. Microvessel density (MVD) was counted by endothelial cells immunostained using anti-CD34 antibody.

RESULTSStrong positive DARC immunostaining in lymph node negative and positive groups was detected in 31 cases (81.6%) and 18 cases (48.6%), respectively (P < 0.01). MVD was (35.67 +/- 17.96)/HP and (53.38 +/- 20.29)/HP in DARC strong positive and less positive cases (P < 0.01). In those patients with lung, bone, hepatic distant metastasis (13 cases), 9 cases (69.2%) were DARC less positive, 4 cases (30.8%) were DARC strong positive. The correlation coefficient was -0.412 between DARC expression and MVD and the corresponding value was -0.346 between DARC expression and lymph node status and -0.333 between DARC expression and distant metastasis in breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONDARC may play a negative role in the process of neoangiogenesis, and probably has an association with the lymph node status.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Down-Regulation ; Duffy Blood-Group System ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of transfecting DHFR (human double-mutant dihydrofolate reductase) gene into mouse bone marrow cells and the effect of resistance to high dose MTX chemotherapy.

METHODSAfter DHFR gene was transfected into mouse bone marrow cells with retroviral vector, the cells were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and then CFU-GM (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming unit) assay was performed. Peripheral blood leucocytes and platelets, body weight and survival rate were observed. After treatment with high dose MTX, the expression of drug resistance gene was checked by RT-PCR in the transfected bone marrow cells.

RESULTSSFG-F/S-NeoR gene-transfected mice bone marrow cells yielded drug-resistance colonies to MTX (donor mice: 15.8%, recipient mice: 18.0%, control: 0) The peripheral blood leucocytes and platelets, body weight recovered gradually and the survival rate was 83.3% at the 40th day, while 0 in controls in gene transfected mice after large dose MTX treatment. RT-PCR of transgenic mouse marrow cells showed the band of F/S gene (400 bp).

CONCLUSIONDHFR gene can not only be integrated and expressed in bone marrow cells but also improve their drug-resistence to MTX.

Animals ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Erythrocyte Count ; Genetic Vectors ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mutation ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Survival Analysis ; Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo assess the optimal regimen and its mechanism of ZD1839 in combination with SN38, the active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT-11), in the colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and LoVo.

METHODSChou and Talalay method was used to analyze the combination effects of sequencing of ZD1839 and SN38. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation were used to determine the effects of ZD1839 and/or SN38 on their targeted enzymes and downstream markers. Apoptosis was assayed by analyzing histone-associated DNA fragment.

RESULTSSequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 produced a synergistic effect. In contrast, SN38 following ZD1839 exhibited an antagonist effect. SN38 markedly inhibited topoisomerase I (Topo-I) activity. ZD1839 did not alter epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, but resulted in a complete inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation. Sequential ZD1839 followed by SN38 did not show any enhanced inhibition effect on Topo-I activity, phosphorylation of EGFR and one of its downstream markers MAPK. However, simultaneous SN38 plus ZD1839, and sequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 administrations showed modest inhibition effect on EGFR's another downstream marker AKT. The combination schedules also showed prominent influence on cell cycle distribution. ZD1839 maintained SN38-induced DNA damage and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSequential SN38 followed by ZD1839 may be a favorable combination schedule.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Colonic Neoplasms ; enzymology ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type I ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Quinazolines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of RNA interference on CHK1 and CHK2 expression and change of G2/M phase arrest in esophageal carcinoma cells after irradiation.

METHODSFour sequences short hairhip RNA (shRNA) of each CHK1 and CHK2 genes were constructed and connected with vector of pENTR/U6 plasmid, respectively, and then transfected into Eca109 cells with lipofectamine 2000 reagent. Protein and mRNA expression of CHK1 and CHK2 genes were detected with Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Cell cycling was measured by flow cytometry after 5 Gy irradiation. Cell survival rate after 5 Gy irradiation was evaluated by clonegenetic assay.

RESULTSFour shRNA vector each of CHK1 and CHK2 genes were successfully constructed and transfected into Ecal09 cells, respectively. Protein expression of CHK1 and CHK2 were obviously decreased. Their mRNA expressions were also decreased after transfected with shRNA of CHK1 and CHK2. Arrest of G2/M stage in Eca109 cells were obviously decreased only in cells transfected with CHK1 shRNA but not with CHK2 shRNA at 12 h after 5 Gy irradiation. In first progeny Eca109 cells transfected with CHK1 and CHK2 shRNA, expression of CHK1 and CHK2 protein was also decreased. The level of phosphorylated CHK2-T68 expression was decreased at 1 h after 5 Gy irradiation, and at 72 h only transfected with CHK2 shRNA but not with CHK1 shRNA. Phosphorylation level of CHK1-S345 was not increased after transfected with CHK1 or CHK2 shRNA, but arrest of G2/M stage still remained at 12 h after 5 Gy irradiation and at 72 h accordingly. The cell survival rate was decreased in Eca109 cells transfected with CHK1 or CHK2 shRNA after 5 Gy irradiation.

CONCLUSIONAfter transfected with shRNA of CHK1 or CHK2, their expressions of mRNA and protein in Ecal09 cells are markedly inhibited and this inhibition effect can be observed in their first progeny cells and at least hold for 3 days. Arrest of G2/M phase can be reduced after irradiation when teansfected with shRNA of CHK1 and the radiosensitivity of Ec109 cells can be increased.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Division ; genetics ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; genetics ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Checkpoint Kinase 1 ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; physiopathology ; G2 Phase ; genetics ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Gamma Rays ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection