PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Matti Eskelinen

Publications and source records attributed to Matti Eskelinen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 genetic polymorphisms, smoking and breast cancer risk in a Finnish Caucasian population.

We investigated the associations between two CYP1A1 polymorphisms (Ile462Val and Thr461Asn) and one CYP1B1 polymorphism (Leu432Val) and breast cancer risk. The study population consisted of 483 breast cancer patients and 482 healthy population controls, all of homogenous Finnish origin. No statistically significant overall associations were found between the CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 genotypes and breast cancer risk. However, a significant increase in the breast cancer risk was seen for women who had smoked 1-9 cigarettes/day and carried the CYP1B1 432Val allele; the OR was 2.6 (95% CI 1.07-6.46) for women carrying the Leu/Val genotype and 5.1 (95% CI 1.30-19.89, P for trend 0.005) for women with the Val/Val genotype compared to similarly smoking women homozygous for the 432Leu allele. Furthermore, when CYP1B1 genotypes were combined with the previously analyzed N-acetyl transferase (NAT2) genotypes, a significant increase in breast cancer risk was found among women who had at least one CYP1B1 432Val allele together with the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03-2.24) compared to women carrying a combination of CYP1B1 Leu/Leu and NAT2 rapid acetylator genotypes. This risk was seen to be confined to ever smokers; the OR was 2.46 (95% CI 1.11-5.45) for ever smokers carrying at least one CYP1B1 432Val allele together with the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype compared to ever smokers with the CYP1B1 Leu/Leu and NAT2 rapid acetylator genotype combination. Our results suggest that the CYP1B1 polymorphism may be an important modifier of breast cancer risk in Finnish Caucasian women who have been exposed to tobacco smoke and/or carry the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Refinement of the 22q12-q13 breast cancer--associated region: evidence of TMPRSS6 as a candidate gene in an eastern Finnish population.

Although many risk factors for breast cancer are known, most of the genetic background and molecular mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. We have previously published an autosome-wide microsatellite scan for breast cancer association and here we report a follow-up study for one of the detected regions. Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were genotyped in an Eastern Finnish population sample of 497 breast cancer cases and 458 controls to refine the 550-kb region on 22q12-q13 and identify the breast cancer-associated gene(s) in this region. We also studied 22q12-q13 for allelic imbalance for the detection of a possible tumor suppressor gene and to see whether the breast cancer association and allelic imbalance in this region could be connected. A SNP (rs733655) in matriptase-2 gene (TMPRSS6) was detected to associate with breast cancer risk. The genotype frequencies of rs733655 differed significantly between cases and controls in the entire sample and in the geographically and genetically more homogeneous subsample with P = 0.044 and P = 0.0003, respectively. The heterozygous genotype TC was observed to be the risk genotype in both samples (odds ratios, 1.39; 95% confidence intervals, 1.06-1.83 and odds ratios, 2.11; 95% confidence intervals, 1.46-3.05). An associated two-marker haplotype involving SNP rs733655 (empirical P = 0.041) provides further evidence for breast cancer risk factor locating on 22q12-q13, possibly being TMPRSS6. Our results suggest that matriptase-2 gene is associated with breast cancer risk in the Eastern Finnish population.

Allelic Imbalance↗
PubMed2005

XRCC1 and XPD genetic polymorphisms, smoking and breast cancer risk in a Finnish case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that individuals with reduced DNA repair capacities might have increased susceptibility to environmentally induced cancer. In this study, we evaluated if polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XRCC1 (Arg280His, Arg399Gln) and XPD (Lys751Gln) modify individual breast cancer risk, with emphasis on tobacco smoking. METHODS: The study population consisted of 483 incident breast cancer cases and 482 population controls of Finnish Caucasian origin. The genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP-based methods. Odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: No statistically significant overall effect in the breast cancer risk was seen for any of the studied polymorphisms. However, a significant increase in breast cancer risk was seen among ever smoking women if they carried at least one XRCC1-399 Gln allele (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.30-4.19, pint 0.025) or XPD-751 Gln/Gln genotype (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.27-5.03, pint 0.011) compared to smoking women not carrying these genotypes. The risks were found to be confined to women smoking at least five pack-years; the respective ORs were 4.14 (95% CI 1.66-10.3) and 4.41 (95% CI 1.62-12.0). Moreover, a significant trend of increasing risk with increasing number of the putative at-risk genotypes (p for trend 0.042) was seen. Women with at least two at-risk genotypes had an OR of 1.54 (95% CI 1.00-2.41) compared to women with no at-risk genotypes. Even higher estimates were seen for ever actively smoking women with at least two at-risk genotypes. CONCLUSION: Our results do not indicate a major role for XRCC1 and XPD polymorphisms in breast cancer susceptibility, but suggest that they may modify the risk especially among smoking women.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

NAT2 slow acetylator genotype as an important modifier of breast cancer risk.

N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is a polymorphic enzyme participating in the metabolism of numerous pharmaceutical drugs and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke and diet. The NAT2 gene is highly polymorphic and several different allelic variants exist that determine the acetylator phenotype. In the course of our case-control study, we developed a new method based on fluorogenic allele-specific probes for analyzing the C282T and T341C polymorphisms of the NAT2 gene in 483 Finnish breast cancer patients and 482 healthy population controls. The slow NAT2 acetylation capacity-associated genotypes posed a somewhat increased overall breast cancer risk (odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.73). This association was found to be confined to the advanced (stage III or IV) breast cancer (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.29-5.24). When stratified by smoking habits, women who had smoked <5 pack-years and carried a NAT2 slow acetylator genotype were at a 2.6-fold (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.01-6.48) risk of breast cancer. Moreover, women with the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype and low body mass index (BMI) (<25.4 kg/m2) were at somewhat increased risk of this malignancy (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.07-2.39). Our results therefore suggest that NAT2 slow acetylator genotype may be an important modifier of environmentally induced breast cancer risk in Finnish women.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A diagnostic score for children with suspected appendicitis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Appendicectomy is an operation that is often performed without certainty of diagnosis. This study aimed to construct and to validate a prognostic score for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children. METHODS: Data for 35 symptoms and signs were prospectively recorded for 131 consecutive children with suspected appendicitis. Logistic regression analysis of the variables yielded a diagnostic score: gender (male 2 points, female 0) + intensity of abdominal pain (severe 2, mild or moderate 0) + relocation of pain (yes 4, no 0) + vomiting (yes 2, no 0) + pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant (yes 4, no 0) + fever (yes 3, no 0) + guarding (yes 4, no 0) + bowel sounds (abnormal 4, normal 0) + rebound tenderness (yes 7, no 0). The cut-off level for recommendation of appendicectomy was > or =21, and the cut-off level for non-appendicitis was < or =15. The score was prospectively validated on 109 children. RESULTS: In the validation sample, based on clinical judgment, unnecessary appendicectomy was performed in ten (27%) children, and one (4%) child was misdiagnosed as not having appendicitis. By application of the score, unnecessary appendicectomies would have been reduced to four (13%), and three children (11%) with appendicitis would have been discharged. CONCLUSION: The use of a predictive mathematical model may facilitate the diagnosis of appendicitis to avoid unnecessary operations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Oxycodone vs placebo in children with undifferentiated abdominal pain: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of the effect of analgesia on diagnostic accuracy.

BACKGROUND: Analgesics for children with acute abdominal pain are often withheld for fear that they might mask physical examination findings and thus might be unsafe. This viewpoint has been challenged recently. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of buccal oxycodone on pain relief, physical examination findings, diagnostic accuracy, and final clinical outcomes in children with acute abdominal pain. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial between December 2001 and November 2003. SETTING: University teaching hospital in Finland. Patients A total of 104 children aged 4 to 15 years with abdominal pain of less than 7 days' duration were screened, and 63 children with pain scores of 5 or higher on a 10-cm visual analog scale were eligible for the trial. Intervention Children were randomized to receive buccally either 0.1 mg/kg(-1) of oxycodone hydrochloride (n = 32) or the same volume of normal saline (n = 31). The same surgeon described the physical findings and indicated a provisional diagnosis and a provisional disposition before the children received the study medication and at 1 hour and 3.5 hours after initial dosing. Pain scores were recorded at baseline and every 30 minutes for 3.5 hours after the first study drug administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain intensity difference, presence or absence of abdominal guarding, and diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics, initial pain scores, and physical signs and symptoms were similar between the 2 groups. Both study drugs were associated with decreasing pain scores. The summed pain intensity difference over 7 observations was significantly greater in the oxycodone group, 22 +/- 18 cm, than in the placebo group, 9 +/- 12 cm (mean difference 13 cm, with a 95% confidence interval of 2-24 cm; P = .04). The diagnostic accuracy increased from 72% to 88% in the oxycodone group and remained at 84% in the placebo group after study drug administration. Laparotomy was performed in 17 patients in the oxycodone group and in 14 patients in the placebo group. Four patients without appendicitis underwent exploratory laparotomy in each group. One patient in the placebo group was initially diagnosed as having nonspecific abdominal pain, but at 14 hours, she was operated on for appendiceal perforation. CONCLUSIONS: Early administration of buccal oxycodone provides a significant pain relief to children with acute abdominal pain, without adversely altering the clinical signs or obscuring the surgical diagnosis.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2005

Sulfotransferase 1A1 genotype as a potential modifier of breast cancer risk among premenopausal women.

SULT1A1 is involved in biotransformation of many endogenous and exogenous substrates, such as drugs, hormones and tobacco smoke carcinogens. A polymorphism in the sulfotransferase 1A1 gene (SULT1A1) results in an amino acid change from Arg to His at codon 213. The His allele (SULT1A1*2) has been shown to encode a protein with much lower catalytic activity than the protein encoded by the Arg allele (SULT1A1*1). We examined whether this polymorphism modified breast cancer risk in a Finnish-Caucasian study population consisting of 483 breast cancer patients and 482 healthy population controls. No significant genotype effects were seen in the overall breast cancer risk. However, a decreased risk of breast cancer was found among premenopausal women with at least three pregnancies and at least one SULT1A1*2 allele (odds ratio = 0.23, 95% confidence interval = 0.09-0.63) compared to women with two SULT1A1*1 alleles. Our results suggest that the SULT1A1 genotype is not an important risk factor for breast cancer in general, but may modify the risk among premenopausaul women with high parity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

An autosome-wide scan for linkage disequilibrium-based association in sporadic breast cancer cases in eastern Finland: three candidate regions found.

Breast cancer is the most common of cancers among women in industrialized countries. Many of breast cancer risk factors are known, but the majority of the genetic background is still unknown. Linkage disequilibrium-based association is a powerful tool for mapping disease genes and is suitable for mapping complex traits in founder populations. We report the results of a two-stage, autosome-wide scan for LD with breast cancer. Our aim was to identify genetic risk factors for sporadic breast cancer in an eastern Finnish population. Our case-control set is from the province of northern Savo in the late-settlement area of eastern Finland. This population is relatively young and genetically homogeneous. We used 435 autosomal microsatellite markers spaced by an average of 10 cM in a set of 49 breast cancer cases and 50 controls. In the first-stage scan, we found 21 markers in LD with breast cancer (Ps = 0.003-0.046, Fisher's exact test). In the second-stage scan with markers flanking 21 positive loci, four significant markers were found (Ps = 0.013-0.046, Fisher's exact test). Haplotype analysis using global score method with two, three, or four markers also revealed four positive marker combinations (simulated P for global score = 0.003-0.021). Our results suggest breast cancer-associated regions on 3p26, 11q23, and 22q13.1 in an eastern Finnish population.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The costs and effects of laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic procedures are performed commonly in children. In general, the cost containment of laparoscopic surgery in children has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the costs of laparoscopic appendectomy with those of open appendectomy. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial between November 1, 1997, and April 30, 2000. For analysis, cost of supplies, operation room use, and recovery in the hospital and after discharge was evaluated. Costs common to both groups were not determined. SETTING: Operations performed in a university hospital.Patients Eighty-seven children aged 4 to 15 years who underwent appendectomy for suspected appendicitis. Patients were randomized to laparoscopic or open appendectomy. Intervention Laparoscopic appendectomies performed with the same standard set of reusable equipment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost surplus of the laparoscopic procedure and recovery after surgery were evaluated, to determine the costs and effects of laparoscopic appendectomy compared with those of open appendectomy in children. RESULTS: Excess operating and complication costs per procedure were 96 euros (EUR) in laparoscopic appendectomy. The increased operative expenses were offset by a shorter hospital stay, resulting in a marginal difference of 53 EUR in itemized total costs between the 2 procedures (total cost, 1023 EUR in the laparoscopic appendectomy group and 970 EUR in the open appendectomy group). After laparoscopic appendectomy, children returned to school and sports earlier than those who had had an open appendectomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy was marginally more expensive, but it allowed earlier return to normal daily activities than open appendectomy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism as an important modifier of positive family history related breast cancer risk.

The association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer and osteoporosis has been extensively investigated during recent years. To date, several polymorphisms have been found in the VDR gene. In this Finnish case-control study, comprising 483 breast cancer patients and 482 healthy population controls, we investigated the association between altered breast cancer risk and two polymorphisms in the 3' end of the gene detectable with ApaI and TaqI restriction enzymes. A statistically significant difference was observed in the ApaI genotype distribution between cases and controls. Women with the VDR variant a allele containing genotypes showed a decreased risk for breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54-0.98] compared to women with the AA genotype. This association was especially strong among women with a positive family history of breast cancer (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.76). Moreover, there was a trend (P for trend = 0.0007) for decreased risk with increasing number of variant alleles. The lowest risk of breast cancer was seen for the women with the aa genotype (OR 0.03, 95% CI 0.003-0.31) compared to women with the AA genotype. A tendency of decreased risk of breast cancer was also observed for the TaqI T allele containing genotypes (Tt and TT) (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.41-1.12), but because the distribution of Taql alleles in the controls missed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.01), we were unable to properly assess the potential impact of the TaqI polymorphism in breast cancer susceptibility. In conclusion, our results suggest that the VDR ApaI genotype may be an important modifier of individual breast cancer risk among Finnish women, especially if they have a positive family history of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Proportion and phenotype of MYH-associated colorectal neoplasia in a population-based series of Finnish colorectal cancer patients.

Recessively inherited mutations in the base excision repair gene MYH have recently been associated with predisposition to colorectal adenomas and cancer in materials selected for occurrence of multiple adenomas. In particular, variants Y165C and G382D have been shown to play a role in Caucasian patients. To evaluate the contribution of MYH mutations to colorectal cancer burden on the population level, and to examine the MYH-associated phenotype in an unselected series of colorectal cancer patients, we determined the frequencies of Y165C and G382D MYH mutations in a population-based series of 1042 Finnish colorectal cancer patients. Four (0.4%) patients had both MYH alleles mutated. Although all these patients had multiple adenomatous polyps, the phenotypes tended to be less extreme than in previous studies on selected cases. The lowest number of colorectal adenomas at the time of cancer diagnosis was five. Cases with one mutant MYH allele were subjected to sequencing of all exons to detect possible Finnish founder mutations, but no additional changes were detected. The Y165C and G382D variants were not present in 424 Finnish cancer-free controls showing that MYH mutations are not enriched in the population. As evaluated against national Finnish Polyposis Registry data MYH-associated colorectal cancer appears to be as common as colorectal cancer associated with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed2002

Hyaluronan expression in differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

The extracellular polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA) controls cell migration, differentiation, and proliferation, and is supposed to contribute to the spreading of several human cancers. Little is known about the role of HA in the development and progression of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). The expression and prognostic value of HA were therefore evaluated in 204 consecutive patients with DTC. A biotinylated affinity probe specific for HA was applied to paraffin-embedded tumour samples to assay the expression of HA in carcinoma cells and in intra/peritumoural stroma. In a majority of the samples, a high percentage (>or=90%) of normal thyroid follicle epithelial cells were HA-positive. This high percentage was also found in 80 (47%) papillary carcinomas, but only in seven (21%) follicular carcinomas (p=0.004). Age (>60 years) of the patients was significantly associated with a low percentage of HA-positive cancer cells (p=0.013). Cancer cell-associated HA correlated significantly with the percentage of cells expressing total CD44 and its isoforms containing exons v3 and v6 (r=0.223-0.289, p<0.001 for all). The tumour stroma was always positive for HA. Stromal staining intensity did not differ markedly between papillary and follicular carcinomas. A strong stromal HA staining intensity was related to distant metastases (p=0.044), high pTNM stage (p=0.024), old age (>60 years) (p=0.043), and cancer-related mortality (p=0.001). In a log-rank univariate survival analysis, strong stromal HA staining intensity was related to DTC mortality (p=0.0007). Cancer cell-associated HA expression did not significantly correlate with patient survival. In Cox's multivariate survival analysis, age (>60 years, p=0.0164), gender (p=0.0251), and pTNM stage (p=0.0121) were significant independent prognostic factors for DTC-related death. These results suggest that strong stromal HA staining intensity is related to progression and unfavourable outcome in DTC patients, while the clinical factors remain more powerful in predicting DTC-related death.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Laparoscopy in children with complicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Laparoscopic appendectomy is an accepted way of dealing with suspected uncomplicated appendicitis in children. The role of laparoscopy in complicated acute appendicitis is more controversial. The purpose of this trial was to compare laparoscopic appendectomy with open appendectomy in children with complicated appendicitis. METHODS: A total of 102 children with suspected acute appendicitis were selected randomly to undergo either a laparoscopic or an open appendectomy. The outcomes of 25 children with complicated appendicitis, 13 in the laparoscopic group and 12 in the open appendectomy group, were analyzed. Children, their parents, and research nurses were blinded to which procedure had been performed and remained blinded until the control visit 7 days after the operation. All 25 children completed a 30-day follow-up. RESULTS: There were no differences in terms of patients' age, sex, weight, height, and appendiceal histology between the 2 groups. All laparoscopic procedures were completed without conversion. The mean (+/-SD) operating time was 63 (+/-31) minutes in the laparoscopic group and 37 (+/-18) minutes in the open appendectomy group (mean difference 26 minutes, 95% CI 5 to 47 minutes, P =.02). There were 2 major complications in the laparoscopic group in children with appendiceal masses. One child had an entero-cutaneous fistula of the residual appendiceal tip that needed open reoperation. Another child had a pelvic abscess that resolved with antibiotic treatment. Superficial wound infections were encountered in 2 patients in the open appendectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic appendectomy is an alternative to open procedure in children with complicated appendicitis. Good surgical judgement is necessary in patients with an established appendiceal abscess.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Combined COMT and GST genotypes and hormone replacement therapy associated breast cancer risk.

Our previous studies suggested that both COMT and GST genotypes might modify individual breast cancer risk. Here, we extended the studies to examine the potential combined effect of these genotypes in susceptibility to breast cancer. Our study population consisted of 483 Finnish breast cancer cases and 482 population control subjects. The odds ratios (ORs) and (95%) confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for known or suspected confounding factors. No significant increase in the overall breast cancer risk was seen for any combinations of the studied genotypes. However, a substantially increased risk of breast cancer was seen for women who had used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and simultaneously carried the COMT-L allele containing genotypes and either the GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotype (OR 4.10, 95% CI 1.24-13.6) or the GSTT1 null genotype (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.30-13.5). These associations appeared to be mainly attributable to long-term users of HRT; the respective ORs were 7.00 (95% CI 1.21-40.6) and 8.36 (95% CI 1.44-49.0) among the users of HRT of more than 30 months. In addition, the combination of COMT-L allele containing genotypes with the GSTM1 null genotype posed a remarkably increased risk (OR 9.10, 95% CI 1.84-45.0) of breast cancer in this study group. These results suggest that the use of HRT could substantially increase the risk of breast cancer among women with specific combinations of the at-risk genotypes of COMT and GST genes.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Reduced nuclear expression of transcription factor AP-2 associates with aggressive breast cancer.

PURPOSE: We proposed to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of activator protein 2 (AP-2) in breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: AP-2 was immunohistochemically analyzed in a prospective, consecutive series of 420 breast cancer patients diagnosed and treated between 1990 and 1995 at Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. AP-2 expression was further compared with clinicopathological parameters and patients' survival. RESULTS: Nuclear AP-2 expression was lower in carcinomas compared with normal ductal breast epithelium (P < 0.001). Nuclear expression was more often seen in lobular than in ductal or other carcinomas (P = 0.048). Cytoplasmic staining was present in 47% of the carcinomas. Low nuclear AP-2 expression level in carcinomas was associated with advanced stage (P = 0.002), axillary lymph node positivity (P = 0.012), poor differentiation (P = 0.001), and recurrences (P = 0.003). In univariate survival analyses, low nuclear AP-2 expression (P = 0.0028), advanced stage (P < 0.0001), lymph node metastases (P < 0.0001), and poor differentiation (P = 0.0498) predicted shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS). Low nuclear AP-2 staining and/or shift to cytoplasmic expression predicted shorter RFS (P = 0.0050) and breast cancer-related survival (BCRS; P = 0.0314) in univariate analyses. Cytoplasmic expression alone did not have prognostic value. In multivariate analysis, low nuclear AP-2 expression (P = 0.0292) and advanced stage (P = 0.0001) were independent predictors of shorter RFS; and stage (P < 0.0001) and ER-status (P = 0.0321) independently predicted BCRS. In the lymph-node positive patients, RFS was independently predicted by stage (P = 0.0110) and nuclear AP-2 status (P = 0.0151). CONCLUSIONS: AP-2 seems to have a protective role in breast cancer. Low nuclear AP-2 expression was associated with disease progression and increased metastatic capability of the tumor. In addition, reduced nuclear AP-2 expression independently predicted elevated risk of recurrent disease in breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

alpha-, beta- and chi-catenin expression in human pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have revealed that cadherin-catenin-complex have an impact on adhesive function between the cells and that the expression of these complexes are associated with tumour invasion and metastatic potential. In this study we investigated the expression of catenins (alpha, beta, chi) and their relationship to clinicopathological factors and prognosis in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of catenins was analysed immunohistochemically in 36 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, diagnosed and treated between 1994 and 1999 at Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. The staining results were compared with clinicopathological characteristics and survival. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical findings demonstrated that alternation of alpha- and beta-catenin expression correlated significantly with tumour grade. A clear trend between low catenin expression and poor survival was demonstrated among all catenin groups. In multivariate analysis, lymph node status and beta-catenin expression showed prognostic value. CONCLUSION: Abnormal catenin expression seemed to be related to poor survival in pancreatic cancer patients, and especially beta-catenin expression may have prognostic value.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stressful and adverse life experiences in patients with breast symptoms; a prospective case-control study in Kuopio, Finland.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial stress is widely thought to play a role in the aetiology of cancer in general and breast cancer in particular. Many studies have investigated the association between stressful life events and risk of breast cancer. However, the field of psychosocial cancer research is often problematic and findings have been contradictory, varying from no association to strong association. This inconsistency in results may be explained by the fact that most of the epidemiological data available come from retrospective case-control studies. We have conducted this case-control study with a so called "limited prospective study design"to reduce the potential for recall bias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is an extension of the Kuopio Breast Cancer Study. Women with breast symptoms were referred by physicians to the Kuopio University Hospital (Finland) and were asked to participate in this study. The women were interviewed and reports on adverse and stressful life events were obtained before any diagnostic procedures were done, so neither the investigator nor the subject knew the final diagnosis of breast symptoms at the time of the interview. The research method used was the semi-structured in-depth interview method. All study subjects were also asked to complete standardised questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger Trait Inventory). RESULTS: The clinical examination and biopsy showed breast cancer (BC) in 34 patients, benign breast disease (BBD) in 53 patients, while 28 study subjects showed to be healthy (HSS). The results indicated that BC patients had had significantly (p=0.02) more very severe (Gr IV) and severe (Gr III) stress in the previous 10 years preceding the investigation than the BBD and HSS groups. The BC group also reported significantly more moderate or severe losses than the BBD or the HSS groups (p=0.0009). CONCLUSION: The results of this study support an overall association between stressful life events and breast cancer risk. The biological explanation of the overall association might be that stress disturbs various areas of the immune systems predisposing to neoplasia.

Adult↗