Downregulated expression of metastasis associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) reduces gallbladder cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

Metastasis associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1), a key regulator of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/MET signaling pathway, has been implicated in multiple human cancers. However, little is known regarding its expression and biological function in human gallbladder cancer (GBC). In this study, we focused on the clinical significance and biological functions of MACC1 in GBC and found that MACC1 protein overexpression was frequently detected in GBC tissues. Patients with MACC1-positive tumors had worse overall survival than patients with MACC1-negative tumors. Furthermore, treatment of GBC lines with MACC1-targeting small interfering RNA oligonucleotides (MACC1-siRNA) significantly reduced the proliferation of GBC-SD and OCUG-1 cell lines and diminished both anchorage-independent growth on soft agar and cell migration. These data indicate that MACC1 acts as a putative oncogene in GBC and could be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for GBC.

[Application of three-dimensional laparoscopy in radical gastric cancer surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of three-dimensional (3D) high-definition (HD) laparoscopy in radical operation for stomach carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 12 cases of radical operation for stomach carcinoma were performed under 3D laparoscopy. The procedures included total gastrectomy (n = 6) and distal gastrectomy (n = 6). The operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph node harvested, postoperative first flatus day and time of food intake were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: All cases were successfully operated without complications. The operative duration was 180-210 min, blood loss 50-150 ml, number of lymph node harvested 32-54 and postoperative first faltus day 1-3 days. Also all cases could take fluids at Days 4-5 postoperation. CONCLUSION: 3D laparoscopic radical operation for gastric cancer may be performed safely and effectively with decreased surgical difficulties.

[Significance of MACC1 protein expression in esophageal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of metastasis-associated colon cancer 1 (MACC1) proteins in esophageal carcinoma and neighboring tissues. METHODS: The expressions of MACC1 were detected in 60 specimens of esophageal carcinoma and neighboring tissues with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. All the specimens were selected from 2010-2012 of Guangfu Hospital of Jinhua, 38 males and 22 females, aged (50 ± 12) years. And the correlations of the expressions of MACC1 proteins with the clinicopathologic features of esophageal carcinoma were also analyzed. RESULTS: Expression of MACC1 protein was predominantly located in cytoplasm and membrane. The positivity rates of MACC1 protein were 68.3% (41/60) in esophageal carcinoma tissue and there were significant differences from those in neighboring tissue (25.0(15/60), P < 0.01). Western blotting analysis showed that the expression level of MACC1 protein in esophageal carcinoma was greater than that in corresponding adjacent tissues (0.64 ± 0.05 vs 0.21 ± 0.10, P < 0.05). Moreover, the positivity rates and relative expressions of MACC1 showed significant correlations with TNM stage and pathology grade (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The abnormal expression of MACC1 may be associated with malignant progression of esophageal carcinoma.

Efficacy of Conversion Surgery Following Apatinib Plus Paclitaxel/S1 for Advanced Gastric Cancer With Unresectable Factors: A Multicenter, Single-Arm, Phase II Trial.

Objective: Conversion therapy (surgical resection after chemotherapy) is a promising option for unresectable gastric cancer (GC) patients. Addition of anti-angiogenesis drug improves response to chemotherapy. Hence, this study explored the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative paclitaxel (PTX)/S1 chemotherapy combined with apatinib for unresectable GC. Methods: Thirty-one eligible patients with a single unresectable factor were enrolled in this multi-center, single-arm trial. Apatinib (500 mg qd) was administered continuously, while PTX (130 mg/m2) on day 1 and S1 (80 mg/m2) on day 1-14 were given every 3 weeks. The treatment was given for three cycles preoperatively, but the last cycle did not include apatinib. The primary objective measurements included R0 resection rate, objective response rate (ORR) and morbidity of preoperative treatment. Results: Among the 31 patients, 30 patients were evaluable for tumor response, the ORR to preoperative treatment was 73.3%. Eighteen of 30 patients underwent surgery, and R0 resection was achieved in 17 patients. The patients who underwent the conversion surgery had a superior OS compared with those who did not (3 years OS: 52.9 vs 8.3%, p = 0.001). The surgery was operated after apatinib had stopped for a median duration of 4 weeks. Neither anastomotic leakage nor wound healing complications was observed. No increased bleeding event was observed compared with historical data. During preoperative treatment, grade 3 or 4 toxicities were experienced by 58.1% of the patients. Conclusion: Chemotherapy in combination with apatinib demonstrated higher rates of conversion and R0 resection and a superior survival benefit in initial unresectable GC. It is safe and reasonable to suspend apatinib for 4 weeks before the gastrectomy.

Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasms of the Pancreas: a 19-Year Multicenter Experience in China.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathological features, surgical management, and prognosis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) of the pancreas. METHODS: This study conducted a retrospective analysis of 97 patients who underwent surgery for a pathologically confirmed SPN in five hospitals between January 1996 and December 2014. RESULTS: The 97 cases included 93 female and 4 male patients, and the average age was 31.2 years. The tumor was located in the body or tail (70.1%), the head (20.6%), and the neck (9.3%). All patients underwent surgical exploration, including distal pancreatectomy (63.9%), pancreaticoduodenectomy (20.6%) (partial portal vein or superior mesenteric vein resection and artificial vascular graft reconstruction performed in 4.1% of the patients), central pancreatectomy (10.3%), enucleation (5.2%), and liver resection (1.0%). 16.5% of the patients had malignant tumors. The positive rate of Ki-67 was 66.7% in patients diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm and was comparable to 8.4% of the patients diagnosed to have a benign neoplasm (p < 0.001). After a median follow-up of 70.1 months, three patients had recurrence and one patient died of liver metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: SPN is a rare neoplasm with low malignant potential. Surgical resection is warranted even in the presence of local invasion or metastases as patients demonstrate excellent long-term survival. Positive immunoreactivity for Ki-67 may predict the malignant potential and poor outcome of SPNs.