Human vascular adhesion proteın-1 (VAP-1): Serum levels for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The incidence of hepatocellular cancer in complicated alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases is on the rise in western countries as well in our country. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) levels have been presented as new marker. In our study protocol, we assessed the value of this serum protein, as a newly postulant biomarker for hepatocellular cancer in patients with a history of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Pre-operative serum samples from 55 patients with hepatocellular cancer with a history of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases and patients with cirrhosis were assessed by a quantitative sandwich ELISA using anti-VAP-1 mAbs. This technique is used to determine the levels of soluble VAP-1 (sVAP-1) in the serum.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>sVAP-1 levels were evaluated in patients with hepatocellular cancer and liver cirrhosis. There was a significant difference in mean VAP-1 levels between groups. Serum VAP-1 levels were found higher in patients with hepatocellular cancer.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings indicate that the serum level of sVAP-1 might be a beneficial marker of disease activity in chronic liver diseases.</p

Duodenal duplication cyst extending into the posterior mediastinum

Introduction: Duodenal duplication is a rare congenital malformation. Although more frequent in childhood, it is rarely observed in adulthood. Preoperative diagnosis can be difficult. Presentation of case: We report a case of 42 year-old woman with duodenal duplication cyst situated in the posterior mediastinum, who was misdiagnosed even after a primary surgery. Detailed diagnostic workup and a second operation was done. Discussion: This article discusses the incidence of duodenal duplications, their types and clinical presentations, the radiologic and diagnostic features with different therapeutic options. Conclusion: Duodenal and the other intestinal duplication cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral contrast enhanced intrathoracic lesions in thorocoabdominal computerised tomography imaging

Duodenal duplication cyst extending into the posterior mediastinum

INTRODUCTION: Duodenal duplication is a rare congenital malformation. Although more frequent in childhood, it is rarely observed in adulthood. Preoperative diagnosis can be difficult

Alpha-1 protease inhibitor and antichymotrypsin levels in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUN

Primary extrahepatic bile duct lymphoma mimicking Klatskin’s tumor, dramatic response to chemotherapy

Introduction: Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) mimicking Klatskin’s tumor is rare but possible. It can be confused with tumors for which major surgery is needed. Imaging modalities have similar features in Klatskin’s tumor and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Presentation of Case: We herein report a patient who was first thought having a Klatskin’s tumor and prepared for major surgery. A month later, obstructive jaundice developed and a second magnetic resonance-magnetic resonance cholangiopancreotography showed a doubling size of the tumor in one month. In terms of tumor behavior, lymphoma was suspected and a tru-cut biopsy was performed by interventional radiology. Pathological examinations revealed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma large B-cell type. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy by hematology-oncology department, complete cure was achieved. Discussion: Since the radiologic and clinical features are confusable in Klatskin’s tumor and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Tumor biologic behavior and other biochemical parameters together may put a suspicion in mind. Upon suspicion biopsy must be done radiologically. Conclusion: Primary liver lymphoma arising from the bile ducts is extremely rare and radiologic imaging features do not differ from cholangiocarcinoma. A strong suspicion may prevent unnecessary surgery. Since the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is mainly chemotherapy

Alpha-1 protease inhibitor and antichymotrypsin levels in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUN

Preoperative serum placenta growth factor level as a new marker for stage II or III colorectal cancer patients

Background/aims: We first reported in this study that serum placenta growth factor and carcinoembryonic antigen in combination were useful markers for selecting early-stage colorectal cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether serum placenta growth factor could provide carcinoembryonic antigen-independent prognostic information on patients undergoing curative surgery. Methods: Serum and tissue samples were collected from 158 patients with colorectal cancer and from 50 controls. Serum and tissue levels of placenta growth factor were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum placenta growth factor levels in colorectal cancer patients were compared with those in healthy controls, and we retrospectively assessed the association between serum placenta growth factor levels and clinicopathological findings and survival. Results: Expression of placenta growth factor was significantly higher in colorectal cancer tissues compared with non-tumor tissues. The mean serum placenta growth factor level in patients was significantly higher than that in controls and significantly higher in patients with large tumor, lymph-node involvement and distant metastasis. Conclusions: Elevated serum placenta growth factor levels are significantly associated with colorectal cancer development, lymph or distant invasive phenotypes and survival, especially in stage II or III patients

Relationship Between Clinicopathologic Variables and Serum and Tissue Levels of Dickkopf-1 in Patients With Rectal Cancer

The major biomarker for rectal cancer is the pathologic development of the tumor. In our study, we identified Dikkopf-1 (DKK1) as a novel biomarker and a therapeutic target for rectal cancer. To emphasize the biological and clinicopathologic significance, we performed tumor tissue and serum analysis of 150 rectal cancer samples with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum DKK-1 levels are found significantly higher in controls, in poor differentiation, and depth of invasion (in pT3 and pT4), present lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage (in pT3 and pT4) according to good differentiation, depth of invasion (in pT1 and pT2), absent lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage (in pT1 and pT2; P 0.05). This marker is also a potential candidate for development of rectal cancer cells and cancer progression

The relationship among acute-phase response proteins, cytokines and hormones in cachectic patients with colon cancer

Abstract Backgraund Acute-phase response proteins (APRP), cytokines and hormones have been claimed to be an independent prognostic factor of malignancies, however the basis for their association with prognosis remains unexplained. We suggest that in colon malignancies, as similar to pancreatic and lung cancers, changes in APRP are associated with angiogenesis. Methods C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, midkine, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin serum levels are studied in 126 colon cancer patients and 36 healthy subjects. Results We found statistically significant difference and correlations between two groups. We found significantly higher serum CRP, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, VEGF-A, VEGF-C and leptin concentrations in patients relative to controls (p Conclusions Cachexia in patients with colon cancers is associated with changes in APRP, cytokines and hormone concentrations. These biomarkers and cachexia together have a direct relationship with accelerated angiogenesis. This may lead to a connection between the outcomes in malignancies and the biomarkers.</p