Human chorionic gonadotropin-ß promotes pancreatic cancer progression via the epithelial mesenchymal transition signaling pathway.

Background: The human chorionic gonadotropin free beta-subunit (hCGß) is ectopically produced in various epithelial cancers and is associated with poor prognoses. However, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we examined the biological role of hCGß in pancreatic cancer progression. Methods: Tissue specimens of 30 patients with pancreatic cancer were examined immunohistochemically to investigate the relationship between hCGß expression and clinicopathological features. We also evaluated the molecular effects of hCGß-downregulated pancreatic cell lines. Results: Total of 21 cases were positive for immunostaining, and 17 of 25 metastatic lymph nodes were positive. hCGß expression levels were correlated with pancreatic cancer T and N factors. hCGß expression was significantly associated with poor overall and recurrence-free survival (P<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, hCGß expression was independently associated with overall survival (HR 14.0; 95% CI: 1.5-130; P=0.019). The proliferative, invasive, and migratory abilities of hCGß-downregulated cell lines were reduced compared with the control cell lines. Moreover, downregulation of hCGß reduced vimentin, slug, and α-smooth muscle actin expression and increased E-cadherin expression. Conclusions: hCGß expression is related to cancer progression and poor prognoses via epithelial mesenchymal transition. hCGß is a potential prognostic marker and molecular target in pancreatic cancer.

Application of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology: A 10-Year Experience in a Single Japanese Institution.

OBJECTIVE: The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) is a recently published evidence-based categorization system for salivary gland fine-needle aspiration (FNA). We applied MSRSGC to Japanese cases and evaluated its utility. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 480 FNA cases were reviewed. We recategorized each case into one of the MSRSGC categories. The risk of neoplasm (RON) and the risk of malignancy (ROM) for each diagnostic category in MSRSGC, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for malignancy and for neoplasms were calculated for cases with histological follow-up. In addition, the overall ROM (O-ROM) was calculated for all FNA cases. RESULTS: RON, ROM, and O-ROM rates were as follows - non-diagnostic: 51.3, 5.1, and 1.0%; non-neoplastic: 0, 0, and 0%; atypia of undetermined significance: 83.9, 12.9, and 7.3%; neoplasm, benign: 100, 0, and 0%; salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential: 100, 32.1, and 23.7%; suspicious for malignancy: 100, 85.7, and 60%; and malignant: 100, 100, 81.8%. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy with (without) indeterminate cases for malignancy were 65 (100), 99 (99), 92% (99%) and PPV and NPV were 96 and 100%, respectively, and those for neoplasms were 84 (100), 100 (100), 85% (100%), and PPV and NPV were 100 and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The MSRSGC is useful for stratification of ROM and for promoting the performance of salivary gland FNA. The MSRSGC could be easily introduced in Japan and may improve the Japanese salivary gland FNA status.

Long-term survival after repeated resection for lung metastasis originating from pancreatic cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer has a grave prognosis. Most patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer are inoperable, and case reports of resection of lung metastasis from pancreatic cancer are rare. This patient underwent resection of a lung metastasis twice after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old man with pancreaticoduodenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer was diagnosed with a lung metastasis 48 months after surgery. Histological findings after thoracoscopic partial resection of the right lung by video-assisted thoracic surgery confirmed the presence of a lung metastasis originating from the pancreatic cancer. The patient refused chemotherapy. A new lung metastasis was detected 84 months following the second surgery (132 months after the pancreaticoduodenectomy). After thoracoscopic partial resection of the left lung by video-assisted thoracic surgery, the histological findings once again confirmed a metastasis that originated from the pancreatic cancer. The patient refused chemotherapy and remained alive and relapse-free after the 10-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Detection and resection of an isolated lung metastasis originating from pancreatic cancer may improve prognosis. Careful follow-up may be warranted to identify patients who might benefit from aggressive local treatment of oligometastasic pancreatic cancer.