Abrogated expression of DEC1 during oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression is age- and family history-related and significantly associated with lymph node metastasis

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) causes the highest number of cancer deaths in some regions of Northern China. Previously, we narrowed down a critical region at 9q33-34, identified to be associated with tumour-suppressive function of deleted in oesophageal cancer 1 (DEC1) in oesophageal SCC. METHODS: We generated DEC1 antibody and constructed tissue microarrays (TMAs) utilising tissue specimens from Henan, a high-risk region for oesophageal SCC, to investigate the importance of DEC1 expression in this cancer. RESULTS: Tissue microarray immunohistochemical staining reveals significant loss of DEC1 from hyperplasia, to tumour, and to lymph node metastasis. In addition, the loss of DEC1 in tumour is age-dependent. Interestingly, there is significant abrogation of DEC1 expression in patients with a family history of oesophageal SCC. Deleted in oesophageal cancer 1 localises to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. The vesicular pattern of DEC1 in the cytoplasm appears to localise at the Golgi and Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum intermediate compartment. CONCLUSION: This is the first TMA study to suggest a clinical association of DEC1 in lymph node metastatic oesophageal SCC, early onset oesophageal SCC and familial oesophageal SCC development. Subcellular localisation of DEC1 and its expression in oesophageal SCC tissues provide important insight for further deciphering the molecular mechanism of DEC1 in oesophageal SCC development. British Journal of Cancer (2011) 104, 841-849. doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.25 www.bjcancer.com Published online 15 February 2011 (C) 2011 Cancer Research U

Risk factors for oesophageal cancer in Linzhou, China: a case-control study.

Linzhou City has one of the highest incidences of oesophageal cancer in China, and in the world. A case-control study was here conducted to investigate potential risk factors in this area. Linzhou Cancer Registry was used to identify cases of oesophageal cancer, aged between 30 and 75, diagnosed between January 1998 and April 1999. Three neighbourhood controls were selected for each case, matched according to age, sex and village of residence. A total of 211 cases and 633 controls were interviewed. A strong association was found between socio-economic status and the risk of oesophageal cancer. Increased income, residential space and education were all significantly associated with a decreased risk (OR 0.54, 0.36 and 0.30 respectively). Using a drinking water source other than tap water was significantly associated with an increased risk (OR 5.49). The consumption of beans, vegetables and vinegar all showed a protective effect with odds ratios of 0.37, 0.44 and 0.37 respectively. Preferences for a low salt diet or a high salt diet were both associated with an increased risk. It can be concluded that in Linzhou, oesophageal cancer is a disease related to poverty. Having a drinking water source other than tap water increases the risk of oesophageal cancer. As in other populations, a high consumption of vegetables and beans are associated with a decreased risk and a preference for a high salt diet is associated with an increased risk