Advantages of the AMDL-ELISA DR-70 (FDP) Assay over Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) for Monitoring Colorectal Cancer Patients

The DR-70® (FDP) test was the first cancer test cleared by USFDA for monitoring colorectal cancer (CRC) since Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in 1982. Conservatively, 50% of biopsy-positive CRC patients have negative CEA values. DR-70 and CEA values were compared for 113 CRC monitoring patients. Total concordance rates for DR-70 and CEA were 0.665 and 0.686, respectively. CRC patient pairs were grouped based on their CEA value to deduce DR-70's effectiveness at monitoring patients with low CEA values. DR-70 had 12% to 100% greater positive concordance rates than CEA in this group. DR-70 is a welcome new option for CRC patients

Y-box protein-1/p18 fragment identifies malignancies in patients with chronic liver disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Immunohistochemical detection of cold shock proteins is predictive for deleterious outcome in various malignant diseases. We recently described active secretion of a family member, denoted Y-box (YB) protein-1. We tested the clinical and diagnostic value of YB-1 protein fragment p18 (YB-1/p18) detection in blood for malignant diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used a novel monoclonal anti-YB-1 antibody to detect YB-1/p18 by immunoblotting in plasma samples of healthy volunteers (n = 33), patients with non-cancerous, mostly inflammatory diseases (n = 60), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n = 25) and advanced solid tumors (n = 20). YB-1/p18 was then tested in 111 patients with chronic liver diseases, alongside established tumor markers and various diagnostic measures, during evaluation for potential liver transplantation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed a novel immunoblot to detect the 18 kD fragment of secreted YB-1 in human plasma (YB-1/p18) that contains the cold-shock domains (CSD) 1-3 of the full-length protein. YB-1/p18 was detected in 11/25 HCC and 16/20 advanced carcinomas compared to 0/33 healthy volunteers and 10/60 patients with non-cancerous diseases. In 111 patients with chronic liver disease, YB-1/p18 was detected in 20 samples. Its occurrence was not associated with advanced Child stages of liver cirrhosis or liver function. In this cohort, YB-1/p18 was not a good marker for HCC, but proved most powerful in detecting malignancies other than HCC (60% positive) with a lower rate of false-positive results compared to established tumor markers. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was most sensitive in detecting HCC, but simultaneous assessment of AFP, CA19-9 and YB-1/p18 improved overall identification of HCC patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Plasma YB-1/p18 can identify patients with malignancies, independent of acute inflammation, renal impairment or liver dysfunction. The detection of YB-1/p18 in human plasma may have potential as a tumor marker for screening of high-risk populations, e.g. before organ transplantation, and should therefore be evaluated in larger prospective studies.</p

Colour Doppler Imaging for monitoring radial optic neurotomy in central vein occlusion

Purpose: Surgical decompression of central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO) has been proposed for a rapid reperfusion of the retina together with visual improvement. This procedure is still controversial. To evaluate the efficacy and role of transvitreal radial optic neurotomy, we monitored and studied with Colour Doppler imaging the flows of central retinal vein and artery before and after surgery. Material and Methods: Nine eyes with severe central retinal vein occlusion were considered. Patients's mean age: 64.4 (range: 45\u201387). Mean duration of CRVO before surgery: 2 to 16 months. Transvitreal radial optic neurotomy was performed in all eyes with a standard technique. Complete ocular examination, visual acuity, macular OCT examination and Eco\u2013Colour\u2013Doppler examination were performed in all eyes before surgery, and one week and every months during the post\u2013surgical follow\u2013up. Mean follow\u2013up was 4.7 \ub1 2.2 months (range: 1\u20136). Results: Before surgery, medium central retinal venous flow was 4.2 \ub1 1.5 cm/sec (range: 2.6 \u2013 7.4), mean visual acuity: 0.09 \ub1 0.1 (range: 0.001 \u2013 0.3), and retinal thickness: 600 \ub1 97 \ub5 (range: 491\u2013755). After surgery, medium central venous flow was 4.2 \ub1 1.4 cm/sec (range: 3 \u2013 6.6), mean visual acuity: 0.2 \ub1 0.2 (range: 0.002 \u2013 0.8), and retinal thickness: 486 \ub1 114 \ub5 (286\u2013614 \ub5). A peripapillary nasal pucker developed in one case after surgery, successfully re\u2013operated. Conclusions: Our results, even if in a limited experience, showed a stabilization or slight improvement of central vein venous flow after surgery. Visual acuity was stable or improved. OCT showed a great variability in the macular thickness in the follow\u2013up