Matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 2 in the diagnosis of colorectal adenoma and cancer patients.

The aim of the study was to assess the importance of the measurement of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in relation to clinicopathological features of tumor and patients' survival. Additionally, we determined serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in colorectal adenoma (CA) patients and healthy controls and compared them with tumor markers, CEA and CA 19-9. The serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in 91 CRC patients, 28 CA subjects and 91 healthy controls were determined by ELISA method, but concentrations of CEA and CA 19-9 using MEIA method. Nonparametric statistical analyses were used. Serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were significantly lower in CRC patients than in healthy subjects and decreased with tumor stage. Additionally, MMP-2 concentrations were significantly lower in patients with CRC than in CA group. Diagnostic sensitivity of TIMP-2 (59%) was the highest among biomarkers tested and increased in combined use with CEA (79%). Moreover, the area under ROC curve (AUC) of TIMP-2 was larger than AUC of MMP-2 in differentiation between CRC and healthy subjects, but lower than AUC of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in differentiation between colorectal cancer and adenoma. Our findings suggest clinical usefulness of TIMP-2 as a biomarker in the diagnosis of CRC, especially in combination with CEA. However, further investigation is necessary

Clinical significance of serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2) in gastric cancer

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) is able to degrade type IV collagen, and thus plays a key role in the migration of tumor cells. MMP-2 activity is inhibited by its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2). The imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs may facilitate progression of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical importance of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 to that of classical tumor markers, namely carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) in the diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC) by calculating the diagnostic criteria and estimating the levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, CEA and CA 19-9 in GC patients in relation to clinicopathological features of cancer. We found that serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were significantly lower, whereas serum tumor markers were higher, in GC patients than in healthy subjects. Moreover, concentrations of TIMP-2 and CEA correlated with gastric wall infiltration, while CA 19-9 levels correlated with gastric wall infiltration and the presence of nodal metastasis. None of the proteins tested was found to be an independent prognostic factor for GC patients’ survival. The percentage of true positive results of TIMP-2 (61%) was higher than those of MMP-2 (54%) and the classical tumor markers CEA (21%) and CA 19-9 (31%). The highest diagnostic sensitivity was observed for the combined use of TIMP-2 with MMP-2 (77%). The results suggest the greater importance of serum MMP-2 and TIMP-2 than of the classical tumor markers CEA and CA 19-9 in the diagnosis of GC. But this issue requires further investigation. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 125–131

Neuroendocrine tumors of gastrointestinal tract in own material

Guzy neuroendokrynne należą do rzadkich schorzeń przewodu pokarmowego, które często sprawiają kłopoty diagnostyczne i lecznicze. Celem pracy było opisanie 2 przypadków z guzem neuroendokrynnym przewodu pokarmowego operowanych w 2005 roku w II Klinice Chirurgii Ogólnej i Gastroenterologicznej AM w Białymstoku. U 63-letniej pacjentki, u której wstępnie rozpoznano przerzuty do wątroby guza neuroendokrynnego, nie udało się w badaniach przedoperacyjnych zlokalizować dokładnie ogniska pierwotnego. Dopiero podczas operacji stwierdzono obecność guza neuroendokrynnego w końcowym odcinku jelita krętego z przerzutami do wątroby i sieci większej. Wykonano hemikolektomię prawostronną oraz częściową resekcję segmentów VII i VIII wątroby wraz z guzami przerzutowymi. W przebiegu pooperacyjnym obserwowano zaburzenia neurologiczne o niejasnym podłożu bez zmian ogniskowych w tomografii komputerowej. U 57-letniego chorego operowanego z powodu wznowy węzłowej guza żołądka rozpoznano histopatologicznie rakowiaka. Wycięty 6 lat wcześniej guz żołądka był zdiagnozowany jako Adenocarcinoma G2 pT2N0M0. Po zabiegu limfadenektomii obserwowano u pacjenta rozsiew do wątroby i węzłów chłonnych w jamie brzusznej, potwierdzony oktreoskanem. Rozpoczęto terapię analogiem somatostatyny (oktreotydem LAR). Mimo leczenia nastąpił zgon. Autorzy niniejszej pracy prezentują własne doświadczenia, obrazujące trudności w diagnostyce przedoperacyjnej guzów neuroendokrynnych przewodu pokarmowego. Przedstawiono również nieoczekiwane powikłania neurologiczne w przebiegu leczenia.Neuroendocrine tumors are rare gastrointestinal tract disorders, in which diagnosis and treatment are often difficult. The aim of the paper is to present two cases of patients with neuroendocrine tumor of gastrointestinal tract, who underwent surgical procedure in II Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery of Medical University of Białystok in 2005. A 63-year-old female patient with primary diagnosis of neuroendicrine tumor metastases in liver was not successfully investigated for primary tumor in the preoperative period. The laparotomy procedure indicated the malignant neuroendocrine tumor in the terminal ileum and metastases to the liver and to the greater omentum. The right hemicolectomy and liver metastatic segment VII and VIII resection were performed. The neurological disturbances of obscure origin were observed in the postoperative period and the patient suddenly died on the 15th day after surgery. A 57-years-old male patient was operated on for lymph node recurrence of gastric tumor. Pathologic examination of tissue sample revealed the diagnosis of carcinoid. The patient underwent subtotal gastric resection for a pyloric ulcer, diagnosed as Adenocarcinoma G2 pT2N0M0 6 years before. Liver and abdominal node metastases, confirmed by octreoscan, were observed after lymphadenectomy, The treatment of somatostatin analogues (LAR octreotide) was used. In spite of therapy the patient died. The authors present their own experiences and show the preoperative diagnostic difficulties in patients with neuroendocrine gastrointestinal tumors. Unexpected neurological complications in the treatment course were described

Assessment of the morphology, microstructure, stereometric and tribological properties of Al2O3 surface layers produced electrolytically with the alternating current method in the presence of molybdenum disulfide

Dry friction tests were performed using a pin-on-plate tribological tester. In this study, Al2O3 and Al2O3 with MoS2 admixture plate with PEEK/BG pin. Plate surfaces were created using the constant current method and the non-periodic alternating current method. The dimension of Al2O3 fibers walls were calculate based on SEM micrographs. SGP measurements of the oxide layers were made by a Taylor Hobson Talysurf 2D pin profilometer. It was found that the gradient structure favors the reduction of the friction coefficient and weight loss of PEEK/BG in the tested friction pairs, and the method of gradually reducing non-periodic alternating current allowed to obtain a more homogeneous microstructure of aluminum oxide. The use of high current densities at the beginning of the process leads to the production of non-gradient coatings characterized by higher SGP amplitude parameters. This property translates directly into higher wear of the sliding PEEK/BG material and higher values of the friction coefficients of the tribological pairs thus obtained. The research also identified a strong correlation between the friction coefficient μ and surface topography parameters before the tribological cooperation of PEEK/BG pairs - Al2O3 oxide coating

Dysfunctions in the Mature Dendritic Cells Are Associated with the Presence of Metastases of Colorectal Cancer in the Surrounding Lymph Nodes

Dendritic cells play a key role in the antigen presentation and T cell activation. The aim of this study was a detailed analysis of the presence of mature dendritic cells (CD 83 positive) in colorectal cancer in correlation with selected clinicopathological parameters. The presence of mature dendritic cells (mDCs) was determined immunohistochemically using the anti-CD83 antibody. The morphometric analysis of the mDCs was performed in the normal colon wall adjacent to the cancerous tumor as well as in the front of the tumor and in the main mass of the cancerous tumor. Decrease in mDCs in the front and in the main tumor mass was observed. The increase in the number of mDCs in both of these locations was associated with the presence of metastases in the nearby lymph nodes (p<0.05 and p<0.01). Furthermore, the increase in the proportion of mDCs in the main tumor mass was associated with the presence of the invasion of tumor cells into the blood and lymph vessels (p<0.01). The increase in the amount of mDCs in the cancerous tumor is associated with the invasiveness of the tumor and especially with the metastasis to the surrounding lymph nodes

Comparison between clinical significance of serum proinflammatory proteins (IL-6 and CRP) and classic tumor markers (CEA and CA 19-9) in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is a second most common cause of cancer-related death and represents an inflammation-driven malignancy. It has been suggested that interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) play a potential role in the growth and progression of GC. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical significance of IL-6 and CRP with classic tumor markers—carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) in GC patients. The study included 92 patients with GC and 70 healthy subjects. The serum concentrations of IL-6, CEA and CA 19-9 were determined using immunoenzyme assays, whereas CRP using immunoturbidimetric method. We defined the diagnostic criteria and prognostic value for proteins tested. In GC patients, the serum concentrations of all the proteins tested were significantly higher than in healthy subjects. The IL-6, CEA and CA 19-9 levels correlated with nodal metastases, while CRP with tumor stage, gastric wall invasion, presence of nodal and distant metastases. Diagnostic sensitivity of IL-6 was higher (85%) than those of other markers (CRP 66%, CA 19-9 34%, CEA 22%) and increased in combined use with CRP or CEA (88%). The area under ROC curve for IL-6 was larger than those of CRP and classic tumor markers (CEA and CA 19-9). None of the proteins tested was independent prognostic factor for the survival of GC patients. Our findings indicate better usefulness of serum proinflammatory proteins—IL-6 and CRP than classic tumor markers—CEA and CA 19-9 in the diagnosis of GC

The Expression of Bcl-2 and BID in Gastric Cancer Cells

Background. Bcl-2 and BID play a major role in the process of apoptosis and their dysfunction underlies carcinogenesis. The study objective was to assess the expression of Bcl-2 and BID in gastric cancer cells in correlation with chosen clinicopathological parameters, presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, and patients’ survival. Materials and Methods. The study involved 88 patients operated on for gastric cancer. The expressions of Bcl-2 and BID were determined immunohistochemically. Results. Positive Bcl-2 expression was found in 55.7% and, BID in 53.6% of patients. The Bcl-2 expression correlated with stage pT3 and T4 gastric cancer P<0.05, with the intestinal type according to Lauren P<0.001, ulcerated type according to Bormann’s classification P<0.01, and with local lymph node metastases P<0.05. Conclusion. The Bcl-2 protein plays a key role in the process of gastric cancer formation and is associated with the growth of definite types of gastric cancer

Blood serum levels of E-cadherin in patients with colorectal cancer

Introduction : Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in terms of incidence in Poland. It is also the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and the third women. In 75–80% of cases, depending on sources, it is of an occasional nature, and in the remaining 20–25% it has a hereditary character. Aim : To compare the levels of E-cadherin in blood serum with some histopathological and clinical features. E-cadherin is an adhesion molecule, loss of function of which is suspected to influence both cancer progression and metastasis. Material and methods : The study group comprised 48 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer treated surgically in the Second Department of General and Gastroenterological Surgery, Medical University Hospital in Bialystok. Results : As has been shown here, there is no statistically significant relationship between the levels of E-cadherin in blood serum and the possible prognosis to the progression of colorectal cancer. However, it was indicated that there appears to be a statistically significant relationship between blood serum E-cadherin levels and the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in patients with colorectal cancer. Conclusions : The authors suggest that this significance may require further study