Biomedical subjects

Young Seon Hong

Publications and source records attributed to Young Seon Hong.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Pretreatment serum endostatin as a prognostic indicator in metastatic gastric carcinoma.

Endostatin is the C-terminal antiangiogenic fragment of the extracellular matrix protein collagen XVIII, and is generated by tumor-derived proteases. The presence of serum endostatin in patients with gastric cancer has not been reported. The authors assessed the serum levels of endostatin in patients with gastric carcinoma and evaluated their association with the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the clinical outcome. A total of 107 patients with gastric cancer were included in the study. Pretherapeutic serum levels of endostatin and VEGF were measured using an ELISA, and compared with those in 23 healthy controls. The serum levels of endostatin and VEGF were higher in gastric cancer patients than in healthy controls (endostatin, 70.1 +/- 16.6 vs. 52.2 +/- 6.2 ng/mL [p < 0.001]; VEGF, 55.1 +/- 7.6 vs. 32.1 +/- 2.4 ng/mL [p < 0.001]; mean +/- SD). Serum endostatin levels were significantly associated with the presence of distant metastases (r = 0.556, p < 0.001) and VEGF levels (r = 0.335, p < 0.001), but not with the depth of tumor invasion, differentiation, or regional lymph node status. A serum endostatin level above the 75th percentile of the distribution for the patients (79.2 ng/mL) was associated with a poor outcome (last follow-up at 42 months; median survival time, 9 vs. 20 months [log-rank, p = 0.017]; median time to progression, 5 vs. 10 months [log-rank, p = 0.022]) in the patients with metastatic gastric cancer. The results suggest for the first time that an elevated serum level of endostatin at the diagnosis of metastatic gastric cancer could be predictive of a poor outcome.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Association between cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) contributes to invasiveness of cancer through activation of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is a proteolytic enzyme that degrades the extracellular matrix, and has been linked to invasion and metastasis. This study aims to assess the correlation of the COX-2 expression and the MMP-2 expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We analyzed the protein expressions of COX-2 and MMP-2 by immunohistochemical staining on the tissue array specimens from 204 patients with completely resected NSCLC. A <10% immunostaining of the cancer cells was considered negative, while >10% was considered positive. RESULTS: The COX-2 expression was positive in 68.1% and that of the MMP-2 was positive in 45.6%. The positive expression rate of MMP-2 (52.5%) in the positive COX-2 group was higher than that in the negative COX-2 group (30.8%, P = 0.004). Furthermore, the MMP-2 expression was associated with lymph node involvement, the tumor stage and the histological type. The patients with a positive MMP-2 expression showed a reduced survival (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The COX-2 expression is associated with the MMP-2 expression in NSCLC patients: the latter may also be associated with tumor progression and reduced survival in NSCLC patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2006

Adoptive transfer of Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes for the treatment of angiocentric lymphomas.

Angiocentric lymphoma, known as natural killer (NK)/T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, has been reported to be associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We performed adoptive transfer of EBV-specific polyclonal T-cell lines in 3 patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, and evaluated the treatment for safety, immunologic reconstitution, and clinical outcomes. The tissue samples collected from the 3 patients were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analysis to be EBV positive. In the cases of the first and second patients, EBV-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) and T-cell lines were generated from peripheral lymphocytes of HLA-matched sibling donors. The third patient's T-cell lines were induced with autologous lymphocytes. Polyclonal T-cell infusion was carried out after high-dose radiotherapy because active relapsed disease remained in all of the patients. The first patient received 4 weekly infusions of 2 3 10(7) cells/m(2), and the second and third patients underwent treatment with 2 cycles of infusions of the same dosage. All T-cell lines showed >60% NK activity, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses of >40% against autologous LCLs, and no CTL activity against patient-derived lymphoblasts. The level of cytotoxicity increased substantially in all patients after cell infusion. The 2 patients who received T-cell therapy twice had stabilized disease for more than 3 years. These safe treatments exhibited no severe inflammatory response, and no serious toxicity developed during T-cell therapy. Our findings demonstrate that adoptively transferred cells may provide reconstitution of EBV-specific CTL responses in patients with active relapsed angiocentric lymphoma. These results provide a rationale for the immunotherapy of angiocentric lymphoma.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Survivin expression and its clinical significance in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis is expressed in several human cancers. Its expression is known to be associated with poor clinical outcome, but not widely studied in pancreatic cancer. We performed this study to determine the survivin expression in pancreatic cancer and its clinical significance as a prognostic factor. METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining for survivin, p53, and Bax in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded block from forty-nine pancreatic tissues. To determine the association with clinical course, we reviewed the patients' clinical record. RESULTS: Of the 49 cases of pancreatic cancer, 46 cases (93.9%) were positive for survivin expression. There was no significant association between survivin expression and p53 or bax. For clinicopathological parameters, perineural invasion was more common in survivin positive and venous invasion was more common in survivin negative (p = 0.041 and 0.040, respectively). Responsiveness to chemotherapy appeared to be slightly better in patients with low survivin expression. CONCLUSION: Survivin expression may be associated with venous or perineural invasion, indicating metastatic route, and seems to have a potential as a predictive marker for chemotherapy. Further study of large scale is required to determine the clinical significance of survivin expression in pancreatic cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Economic burdens and quality of life of family caregivers of cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to identify factors influencing the burdens cancer brings to a patient's family and to evaluate the association between the burdens and the caregiver's quality of life (QOL). METHODS: Participants were drawn from the primary family caregivers of cancer patients at 6 university hospitals and the National Cancer Center in Korea. Of the 738 eligible caregivers, 704 (95.4%) completed the questionnaire packets (Family Impact Questions and Caregiver's QOL-Cancer). RESULTS: Caregivers, who were poor (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.44-3.10), whose health status was poor (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.29-2.70), who were married (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.12-2.72), who provided care for a long time (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.59-3.28), who cared for patients with poor performance status (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00-1.82), and who paid high medical expenses (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.21-2.40), were more likely to lose their family savings. In multiple regression analysis, most burden variables--including requiring caregiving assistance, major life change, inability to function normally, loss of savings, loss of income, and altered educational plans--were associated with caregiver QOL. Loss of family income, which was related to economic issues, was most strongly associated with it (16.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that to improve caregiver QOL, we should give priority to decreasing the economic burden that cancer places on patient's family.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Factors influencing preferences for place of terminal care and of death among cancer patients and their families in Korea.

GOALS OF WORK: This study examined cancer patient and family member preferences-and the reasons for the preferences-regarding place of terminal care and of death. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We constructed a questionnaire that included demographic, clinical, and support network data for 371 patients who were treated at any of the seven university hospitals or the National Cancer Center in Korea and 281 of their family members. MAIN RESULTS: About half of the interviewed patients and half of the family members expressed a preference for the patient being cared for and dying at home. The preference reflected a wish for patients to live out their lives in privacy and to be with their family when their life ended. Those who expressed a preference to be cared for or to die in a hospital wanted to get medical treatment during the last days of life and to relieve their families of the burden of caring for them. Of the variables examined, support network factors and some sociodemographic factors (sex, family members' age, and place of residence) were strongly predictive of preferences. CONCLUSION: A majority of cancer patients preferred to receive terminal care at home. Cancer patients and family members with strong support groups were more likely to prefer the home as the place of terminal care and dying. Hence, improving support networks might increase the proportion of patients receiving home care and dying at home.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

A phase II study of epirubicin, cisplatin and uracil-tegafur for advanced gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Due to its greater convenience, a combination of uracil and tegafur (referred to as UFT) taken orally is an attractive alternative to continuous intravenous (i.v.) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion. This phase II study assessed the response rate and toxicity profile of the combination of epirubicin, cisplatin and UFT in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach. METHODS: Epirubicin (50 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (60 mg/m(2)) were administered i.v. to 35 patients with metastatic gastric carcinoma on day 1, and subsequently UFT (300 mg/m(2)/day) was administered orally in divided doses for 21 days. The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. The response rate, time to disease progression, survival and toxic effects were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-two of the 35 enrolled patients were assessed subsequently for response. The median number of cycles was four. Thirteen patients (40.6%) showed partial responses, while none showed a complete response. The median time to progression of carcinoma was 20.4 weeks, and the median survival was 37 weeks. Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed in 25% of patients. Grade 3 nausea and vomiting was observed in 28% of patients. No treatment-related death was observed. All patients received doses as planned, except for one who required a 75% dose reduction due to nephrotoxicity. Six of 132 cycles were delayed >7 days after four cycles. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of epirubicin, cisplatin and UFT showed anticancer activity against metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, had a tolerable toxicity profile and showed excellent patient compliance.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2005

Irinotecan, continuous 5-fluorouracil, and low dose of leucovorin (modified FOLFIRI) as first line of therapy in recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Irinotecan, in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and a high dose of leucovorin (LV), known as FOLFIRI regimen, has shown activity in recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of irinotecan, 5-FU and a low dose of LV (modified FOLFIRI) as a first line of therapy for patients with relapsed or metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS: Between January 2002 and October 2004, 44 patients with histologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled. The chemotherapy regimen schedule consisted of 180 mg/m2 of irinotecan being administered intravenously (i.v) on Day 1, 400 mg/m2 of 5-FU via i.v bolus with 600 mg/m2 of continuous infusion for 22 hrs on both Day 1 and 2, and 20 mg/m2 of leucovorin on both Day 1 and 2 , repeated every two weeks. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 47.8%. Of the 40 evaluated patients, one had CR (2.3%) and 20 had PR (46.5%). Toxicities were mild and easily manageable. Three patients experienced 23 episodes of Grade 3/4 leukopenia., Only one patient developed Grade 3/4 diarrhea. None experienced Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSION: Modified FOLFIRI with a low dose of LV is an effective and tolerable regimen for patients with recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Docetaxel plus epirubicin as first-line chemotherapy in MBC (KCSG 01-10-05): phase II trial and the predictive values of circulating HER2 extracellular domain and vascular endothelial growth factor.

The anthracyclines and taxanes are considered to be the most active drugs in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). We conducted a multicenter phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the docetaxel plus epirubicin combination chemotherapy as first-line treatment in MBC and performed a prospective assessment of the predictive values of circulating HER2 extracellular domain (ECD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) and epirubicin 75 mg/m(2) were given intravenously every 3 weeks. Prophylactic G-CSF was not used. Pretreatment serum HER2 ECD and VEGF levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Forty MBC patients were enrolled, and 39 patients were evaluable for toxicities and 38 for response. Complete response was observed in 3 (7.9%) patients, partial response in 20 (52.6%) (overall response rate 60.5%), stable disease in 11 (28.9%) and disease progression in 4 (10.5%). After a median follow-up of 22.5 months, the median duration of response was 28 weeks, median time to disease progression was 32 weeks, and median survival was 15.8 months. Two-hundred and fifteen cycles of treatment were administered (median, 6 cycles per patient). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia were observed during 24 (11.2%) and 74 (35%) cycles respectively, and grade 3 or 4 febrile neutropenia in 24 (11.2%) cycles. Elevated circulating HER2 ECD levels were found to be associated with a shorter response duration (p<0.005) and shorter time to progression (p<0.005). However, elevated VEGF levels were not found to be correlated with response rate or survival. We concluded that the docetaxel and epirubicin combination is an effective first-line treatment in MBC patients and that elevated serum HER2 ECD levels, but not circulating VEGF levels, predict a poor outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Epirubicin, cisplatin, and protracted infusion of 5-FU (ECF) in advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma usually presents late in the clinical course and has a poor prognosis. No effective systemic therapy is currently available. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of the ECF regimen (epirubicin, cisplatin. and 24-h continuous infusion of 5-FU) in advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHOD: On day 1, epirubicin 50 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) were administered i.v., repeated every 21 days. 5-FU (200 mg/m(2)/day was given continuous i.v. via an ambulatory infusion pump throughout the treatment course. A total of 24 patients (15 men and nine women) with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between August 1996 and April 2002 were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Of the 20 evaluable patients, two had partial response (10%) and nine had stable disease (45%), including two minor response. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in six patients, while grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was seen in five patients. There was no neutropenic infection or thrombocytopenic bleeding during any of the cycles of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: ECF regimen is well-tolerated but is not an effective treatment for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Newer clinical trials with combination drugs should be developed.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The attitudes of cancer patients and their families toward the disclosure of terminal illness.

PURPOSE: To ascertain the attitude of cancer patients and their families toward disclosure of terminal illness to the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We constructed a questionnaire that included demographic and clinical information and delivered it to 758 consecutive individuals (433 cancer patients and 325 families that have a relative with cancer) at seven university hospitals and one national cancer center in Korea. RESULTS: 380 cancer patients and one member from each of 281 families that have a relative with cancer completed the questionnaire. Cancer patients were more likely than family members to believe that patients should be informed of the terminal illness (96.1% v 76.9%; P <.001). Fifty percent of the family members and 78.3% of the patients thought that the doctor in charge should be the one who informs the patient. Additionally, 71.7% of the patients and 43.6% of the family members thought that patients should be informed immediately after the diagnosis. Stepwise multiple logistic regression indicated that the patient group was more likely than the family group to want the patient to be informed of the terminal illness (odds ratio [OR], 9.76; 95% CI, 4.31 to 22.14), by the doctor (OR, 4.00; 95% CI, 2.61 to 6.11), and immediately after the diagnosis (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.45 to 5.41). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that most cancer patients want to be informed if their illness is terminal, and physicians should realize that the patient and the family unit may differ in their attitude toward such a disclosure. Our results also reflect the importance of how information is given to the patient.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Gemcitabine and cisplatin combination chemotherapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma as second-line treatment: report of four cases.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a chemoresistant cancer for which effective chemotherapy is not yet available. We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin as second-line chemotherapy in four patients with advanced, progressive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Four patients were enrolled who had previous chemotherapy with epirubicin, cisplatin and protracted infusion of 5-FU. All these patients treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.) on days 1 and 8 for 30 min, cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1 for 90 min, given every 21 days. RESULTS: Two patients had partial response (PR), and two had stable disease (SD), with one of the latter showing a decrease in tumor size of 35%. Median time to progression was 5 months (range, 3-9 months) and median survival was 9 months (range, 8-16 months). Toxicity was mild and tolerable. CONCLUSIONS: Gemcitabine and cisplatin combination chemotherapy may be an effective regimen for advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Further study is warranted to determine the efficacy of this combination regimen.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus by PCR and expression of LMP1, p53, CD44 in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with various lymphoproliferative disorders and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Recently, some gastric cancer cells were observed to contain the EBV sequence. We detected EBV in gastric cancer by using PCR to determine the frequency of EBV-associated gastric cancer, and performed immunohistochemical staining for the latent membrane protein (LMP1), p53 and CD44 to investigate the possible mechanism in EBV-associated gastric cancer. METHODS: Eighty-seven formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded blocks (40 gastric adenocarcinomas, 34 adjacent normal tissues, 13 metastatic lymph nodes) from 40 surgically resected gastric specimens were studied. All patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer at the Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital between April 1995 and April 1997. After DNA was extracted from each paraffin block, we performed PCR and immunohistochemical staining for the LMP1, p53 and CD44. RESULTS: EBV was detected in 4 of 40 cases (10%). In 1 of 4 EBV-positive cases, EBV was also detected in a metastatic lymph node. The immunohistochemical staining for the LMP1, p53 and CD44 were negative in all the EBV-positive cancer patients. Of the patients having these cancers, 2 had a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a lymphoepithelioma-like morphology. DISCUSSION: The frequency of EBV-associated gastric cancer is about 10% in Korea. Considering the negative result of the immunohistochemical staining for the LMP1, p53 and CD44, EBV-associated gastric cancer seems to have a different mechanism of tumorigenesis from ordinary gastric cancer or other EBV-associated cancers. This specific mechanism must be determined by further large scale studies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

High dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for poor risk and recurrent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a single-center experience of 50 patients.

BACKGROUND: The long-term survival of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after conventional chemotherapy is about 35%, with the remaining 65% of patients tending to be refractory or experience relapse. As such, primary refractory patients responding to salvage chemotherapy, and sensitive relapsed patients and primary high-risk patients are recommended to receive high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). We evaluated the role of HDC and autologous PBSCT in patients with primary refractory, primary high risk, and sensitive relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the data from 50 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who were treated with HDC and autologous PBSCT in the Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Center between 1997 and 2002. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, the conditioning regimen was BEAM in 20, CMT (cyclophosphamide, melphalan and thiotepa) in 19, fludarabine- and total body irradiation (TBI)-based regimen in 8, and cyclophosphamide and TBI in 2. There were 3 (6%) deaths due to treatment-related toxicity within the first 50 days after transplantation. Twenty-five patients remain alive at a median follow-up duration of 40.5 months (range 9-61). Among the patients with partial response before transplantation, 76% showed further response after transplantation. In half of these responders, the disease state was changed into complete response (CR) after transplantation. 2-year overall survival was 52% and 2-year progression free survival was 36.8%. Median overall survival was 34 months (range 8-60), and median progression-free survival was 8 months (range 1-14). Median overall survival was 14 months (range 9-19) in the primary high-risk group (n=13), 7 months (range 4-10) in the resistance relapse group (n=5), and 6 months (range 0-14) in the primary refractory group (n=10). Overall survival in the sensitive relapse group (n=22) did not reach the median; the mean overall survival in this group was 33 months. The disease status before transplantation was the only significant prognostic factor in determining overall survival (p=0.032) and progression- free survival (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: HDC and autologous PBSCT appears to produce high response rate. Primary high-risk group and sensitive relapse group had good prognosis, while refractory and resistance relapse group had poor prognosis. And the pre-transplantation disease status was the only significant prognostic factor in multivariate analysis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Nail changes during docetaxel containing combination chemotherapy.

Nail toxicity following systemic chemotherapy is common. Onychopathy during the period of neutropenia following chemotherapy may cause subungual abscesses and serious infection. Despite taxoid-related toxicity being increasingly reported since 2000, there are still phase II systemic chemotherapy studies using taxoid that have never mentioned nail changes. Recently, new criteria for the evaluation of nail toxicity have been suggested. The present report is the first of its kind, in Korea, to describe a case of docetaxel-associated onychopathy, which improved following a reduction in the docetaxel dose.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

PubMed2004

Loss of estrogen receptor-alpha expression is associated with hypermethylation near its ATG start codon in gastric cancer cell lines.

The proportion of gastric cancers positive for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha expression is reported to be between 0-67%, depending upon the study. The role of ER-alpha in gastric carcinogenesis is unclear. The ER-alpha gene is located at chromosome 6q25.1, and the long arm of chromosome 6 has been known as a site with frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in gastric cancer. ER expression is linked to suppression of cell proliferation in vitro. Epigenetic inactivation might explain the loss of ER-alpha gene expression in gastric cancer. Given there is no information available regarding the methylation status of the ER-alpha gene promoter region in gastric cancer, we investigated such methylation in 13 gastric cancer cell lines. Western blot analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) and bisulfite sequencing analyses were used. ER-alpha protein was not detected in any cell line, although ER-alpha mRNA was detected in 1 of 13 gastric cancer cell lines. MS-PCR and bisulfite sequencing showed all 13 gastric cancer cell lines had methylated CpG regions in their ER-alpha gene promoters. In conclusion, inactivation of ER-alpha gene expression in gastric cancer cell lines appears associated with CpG island methylation near the TGA initiation codon of the ER-alpha gene.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Death receptor 5 and Bcl-2 protein expression as predictors of tumor response to gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

The cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine (G) and cisplatin (C) seem to occur through induction of apoptosis. To examine whether the efficacy of GC chemotherapy might be influenced by the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5) and Bcl-2 of the tumor, we investigated the correlation between the tumor response rate and DR5 and Bcl-2 expression in a series of patients prospectively treated with GC. Thirty-four chemotherapy naïve patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received intravenously 1000 mg/m2 gemcitabine on d 1 and 8 along with 80 mg/m2 cisplatin on d 2, every 21 d. Tumor specimens were analyzed for DR5 and Bcl-2 expression by immunohistochemistry. The objective response rate was 56% (19 of 34 patients). With median follow-up of 10 mo, the predicted median survival time was 12 mo (95% confidence interval [CI], 9-15 mo). Eleven (32%) and 14 (41%) NSCLC cases were found positive for DR5 and Bcl-2, respectively. The response rate was significantly higher in patients with DR5 expression than those without DR5 expression (91% vs 39%; p = 0.008). Patients with Bcl-2 expression were apparently less responsive than those without Bcl-2 expression (21% vs 80%; p = 0.001). DR5 and Bcl-2 expression was significantly associated with response to GC chemotherapy. Therefore, DR5 and Bcl-2 status are useful factors for predicting the efficacy of GC.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of placental growth factor gene in lung cancer.

Differences in the gene expression profiles in small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) may explain their different clinical characteristics. The aims of this study were (1) to identify genes differentially expressed in SCLC and NSCLC using mRNA differential display, and (2) to determine the clinical relevance of such genes in lung cancer. RNA differential display using three SCLC and six non-SCLC cell lines was used to identify a differentially expressed gene. Differential expression of the gene was confirmed in additional lung cancer cell lines using RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical staining for the gene product was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue from lung cancer patients. We examined the relationship between the expression of the gene and clinical parameters, including disease stage, response to treatment and survival time. The placental growth factor (PGF) gene was identified as preferentially expressed in SCLC compared with NSCLC cell lines using mRNA differential display. Further analysis of 45 lung cancer cell lines using RT-PCR showed that the placental growth factor (PGF) gene was expressed in nine of 13 SCLC cell lines (69%) and five of 32 NSCLC cell lines (15.6%) (p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Immunohistochemistry using anti-PGF antibody on the paraffin blocks from lung cancer patients showed that PGF expression was significantly higher in SCLC than NSCLC tissue sections (32 vs. 5.6%, p = 0.041, Fisher's exact test). Expression of PGF protein did not correlate with disease stage, response to treatment or survival time in SCLC patients. The present study suggests there is higher expression of PGF in SCLC compared to NSCLC. It may be that higher expression of the angiogenic factor PGF contributes to differences between the progression of SCLC and NSCLC, especially in regard to the nature of SCLC metastasis.

Adult↗