Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) plays a vital role in the initiation, evaluation and prognosis in lung cancer. The prognostic value of HIF-1α reported in diverse study remains disputable. Accordingly, a meta-analysis was implemented to further understand the prognostic role of HIF-1α in lung cancer. The relationship between HIF-1α and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of lung cancer were investigated by a meta-analysis. PubMed and Embase were searched from their inception to January 2015 for observational studies. Fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analyses were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of different comparisons. A total of 20 studies met the criteria. The results showed that HIF-1α expression in lung cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissues. Expression of HIF-1α in patients with squamous cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that of patients with adenocarcinomas. Similarly, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients had higher HIF-1α expression than small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Moreover, lymph node metastasized tissues had higher HIF-1α expression than non-lymph node metastasized tissues. A high level HIF-1α expression was well correlated with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in the NSCLC. Notably, NSCLC or SCLC patients with positive HIF-1α expression in tumor tissues had lower overall survival rate than patients with negative HIF-1α expression. It was suggested that HIF-1α expression may be a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; mortality ; pathology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnosis ; genetics ; mortality ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; genetics ; mortality ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; mortality ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Odds Ratio ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Survival Analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

The aim of the present study was to accurately evaluate the association of Sox2 expression with the survival of patients with digestive tract cancers. Relevant literatures were identified by comprehensively searching databases including the Pubmed, Embase, CBMdisc, and Wanfang (up to October 2014). A meta-analysis was performed to clarify the association between Sox2 expression and overall survival or clinicopathological parameters of patients with digestive tract cancers (esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers). The results showed a significant association between high Sox2 expression and poor overall survival in patients with digestive tract carcinomas (HR=1.55, 95% CI=1.04-2.31), especially for patients with esophageal cancer (HR=2.04, 95%CI=1.30-3.22), colorectal cancer (HR=1.40, 95% CI=1.04-1.89), and digestive tract adenocarcinoma (HR=1.80, 95% CI=1.12-2.89), for Europeans (HR=1.98, 95% CI=1.44-2.71) or patients who did not receive neoadjuvant treatment (HR=1.73, 95% CI=1.10-2.72). Furthermore, Sox2 over-expression was highly correlated with vascular invasion (OR=1.86, 95% CI=1.25-2.77) and poor differentiation (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.14-3.08), especially in esophageal and colorectal cancers. In conclusion, Sox2 expression may serve as a novel prognostic factor for patients with digestive tract cancers. Over-expression of Sox2 that is correlated with vascular invasion and poor differentiation suggests poor outcomes of patients with digestive tract cancers.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; methods ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasms, Vascular Tissue ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; secondary ; Prognosis ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; Survival Analysis

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery ; pathology ; Sarcoma ; diagnosis ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo study the treatment strategy and survival of patients with primary leiomyosarcoma of inferior vena cava (PIVCLMS).

METHODSClinical data of 12 cases with PIVCLMS admitted in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2006 to September 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were confirmed by pathology examination. Among them, there were 4 male and 8 female patients with a mean age of (54 ± 9) years old. Tumors arose from the inferior vena cava (IVC) upper segment in 5 patients, from the middle in other 7 patients. Cardiac extension was observed in 4 cases. Tumor resection was undertaken in 8 patients, the other 4 patients were inoperable. The series was analyzed to identify clinical outcome of surgical strategy and protective factors for patient survival.

RESULTSIn tumor resection group, 6 patients had radical resection and 2 underwent palliative resection. As for IVC reconstruction, caval wall resection with a direct suture was carried out in 6 patients or with prosthetic patch in 1 patient. The other 1 patient underwent a segment caval resection and prosthetic graft replacement in situ. In 4 cases of suprahepatic PIVCLMS cardiopulmonary bypass or perfusion by right atrial intubation was performed to assist bleeding control and maintain circulation stabilization, among them 1 patient survived for more than 101 months with no tumor recurrence or metastasis. Among the patients submitted to tumor resection 2 early postoperative deaths occurred, and another 2 patients had complications. All 4 patients submitted to non-resective operation (only neoplasm biopsy) died of PIVCLMS within 8 months. Except for 2 cases of early death, mean survival after tumor resection was (54 ± 40) months. Two patients presented local recurrence and hepatic metastasis at follow-up of 16 months and 68 months.

CONCLUSIONSTumor resection is the only therapy for PIVCLMS with an expectation for long-term survival. The applicant of cardiopulmonary bypass makes some inoperable indicated to tumor resection.

Adult ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; pathology

Actins ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Leiomyoma, Epithelioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leiomyomatosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Leiomyosarcoma ; pathology ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Rhabdoid Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vascular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Veins ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Adult ; Biopsy ; methods ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Female ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; pathology ; Sarcoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology

Actins ; metabolism ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemangiosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Multimodal Imaging ; Pulmonary Artery ; pathology ; Radiography ; Sarcoma ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; secondary ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Carbonic Anhydrase IX ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prognosis ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein ; metabolism

Glioma-related edema (GRE) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality from glioma. GRE is a complicated process involving not only peritumoral edema but also the water content of the tumor body. In terms of etiology, this condition derives from both GRE in the untreated state and GRE secondary to clinical intervention, and different cell types contribute to distinct components of GRE. Peritumoral edema was previously believed to loosen glioma tissue, facilitating tumor-cell invasion; however, the nutrition hypothesis of the tumor microecosystem suggests that tumor cells invade for the sake of nutrition. Edema is the pathologic consequence of the reconstructed trophic linkage within the tumor microecosystem. Glioma cells induce peritumoral brain edema via an active process that supplies a suitable niche for peritumoral invasive cells, suggesting that glioma-related peritumoral brain edema is determined by the invasive property of tumor cells. There are differences between pivotal molecular events and reactive molecular events in the development of GRE. Molecular therapy should target the former, as targeting reactive molecular events will produce undesired or even adverse results. At present, brain glioma angiogenesis models have not been translated into a new understanding of the features of brain images. The effect of these models on peritumoral brain edema is unclear. Clinical approaches should be transformed on the basis of new knowledge of the molecular mechanism underlying GRE. Exploring clinical assessment methods, optimizing the existing control strategy of GRE, and simultaneously developing new treatments are essential.
Brain Edema ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glioma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

INTRODUCTIONWe reviewed the clinical features, brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and associated abnormalities in six patients with spinal cavernous malformations (CMs).

METHODSLesions were defined on gradient-recalled echo (GRE) images but measured on T2-weighted images performed on 1.5- and 3-tesla clinical scanners.

RESULTSFour patients had associated multiple cranial CMs and one patient had multiple spinal CMs. All spinal CMs were predominantly hypointense on GRE images, and most were predominantly hyperintense and surrounded by hypointense edge on T2-weighted images. Other associations included asymptomatic vertebral body and splenic haemangiomas.

CONCLUSIONWe conclude that intramedullary spinal CMs typically have 'mulberry' or 'popcorn' appearances similar to those of cranial CM. The presence of associated haemangioma or familial cranial CM syndrome on MR imaging may suggest the correct diagnosis without requiring invasive investigations.

Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; pathology ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations ; pathology ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; pathology ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; pathology