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Introduction: We investigated whether the expression of prospero homeobox protein-1 (PROX1) in gastric cancer (GC) could be a prognostic marker. We also focused on the relationship between PROX1 and LGR5 and Wnt/β-catenin activity in GC. Methods: A total of 196 patients who underwent potentially curative surgery were collected and reviewed retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry was conducted and evaluated the expression PROX1, LGR5, Wnt3a, and β-catenin expression. And we evaluated the relationship between PROX1 expression and clinicopathological features. Results: The PROX1 low-expression group consisted of 105 patients (53.6%) and the high-expression group consisted of 91 patients (46.4%). For LGR5 expression, 76 patients (38.8%) were classified as low-expression, and 120 patients (61.2%) were classified as high-expression. The PROX1 low-expression group was significantly younger (p = 0.0095), had more intestinal type (p = 0.014), and had smaller tumor size (p = 0.013). The PROX1 high-expression group was significantly correlated with high LGR5 expression (p < 0.0001) and high Wnt3a expression (p = 0.012). In addition, there were significantly more cases of postoperative recurrence in the PROX1 high-expression group (p = 0.013). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that PROX1 correlated with the cancer stemness markers LGR5 and Wnt3a signaling in GC and had a poor prognosis including postoperative recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objecitive: Fucosyltransferase 8 (FUT8), the only enzyme responsible for the core α1,6-fucosylation of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins, is a vital enzyme in cancer development and progression. We examined FUT8 expression in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) to analyze its clinical significance. We also examined the expression of guanosine diphosphate-mannose-4,6-dehydratase (GMD), which is imperative for the synthesis of fucosylated oligosaccharides. Methods: Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the expression of FUT8 and GMD in relation to patient survival and prognosis in potentially curatively resected NSCLCs. Results: High expression of FUT8 was found in 67 of 129 NSCLCs (51.9%) and was significantly found in non-squamous cell carcinomas (p = 0.008). High expression of FUT8 was associated with poor survival (p = 0.03) and was also a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with potentially curatively resected NSCLCs (p = 0.047). High expression of GMD was significantly associated with high FUT8 expression (p = 0.04). Conclusions: High expression of FUT8 is associated with an unfavorable clinical outcome in patients with potentially curatively resected NSCLCs, suggesting that FUT8 can be a prognostic factor. The analysis of FUT8 expression and its core fucosylated products may provide new insights for the therapeutic targets of NSCLCs. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overexpression of Arf6 and GEP100 is responsible for the invasive activity that is crucial for the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathways in human cancer. However, whether or not the expression of the EGFR-GEP100-Arf6 axis can be used as a biomarker for the prognosis of lung cancer has yet to be fully determined. Tumor specimens were collected from 182 patients who underwent a complete resection for lung adenocarcinoma. We analyzed phospho-EGFR (p-EGFR), GEP100, and Arf6 expression levels in the primary tumor by immunohistochemical analysis. The expression of p-EGFR, GEP100, and Arf6 was observed in 65 (35.7%), 95 (52.2%), and 20 (11.0%) patients, respectively. Significant associations between p-EGFR and GEP100 expression and vessel invasion were identified. The expression of these individual molecules was not associated with any statistically significant differences in survival. However, triple positive expression of p-EGFR, GEP100, and Arf6 was significantly associated with an increased risk of death based on the multivariate analysis. The EGFR-GEP100-Arf6 axis affected the prognosis of patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma. The combination of p-EGFR, GEP100, and Arf6 staining can predict the prognosis of patients after surgery. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelioid tumors with aggressive behavior have been reported; however, the epithelioid type of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has a less aggressive behavior. Few studies have evaluated the prognostic value of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in MPM. We hypothesized that mesenchymal characteristics might predominate in the tumors. Tumor specimens were collected from 33 consecutive patients. We analyzed the EMT expression levels in tumor samples by an immunohistochemical analysis. Positive expression of E-cadherin, γ-catenin, vimentin, fibronectin, Twist and YB-1 was observed in 25, 14, 21, 1, 19 and 18 patients, respectively. No significant association between these markers and the clinicopathological characteristics was found. γ-Catenin demonstrated a trend towards decreased expression in sarcomatoid tumors compared to epithelioid tumors. On the other hand, a trend was noted towards higher expression of vimentin, Twist and YB-1 in sarcomatoid tumors. The survival curves demonstrated that the patients with negative γ-catenin and positive Twist staining had a tendency to have a worse prognosis. Although the individual proteins might not significantly affect the progression of MPM, the combination of γ-catenin and Twist staining can predict the prognosis of patients with MPM. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Recent reports indicated that reduced SLC22A7 (a gene-encoding organic anion transporter 2) expression in noncancerous liver tissue predicts hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after curative resection. Our study aimed to elucidate the association between SLC22A7 expression and HCC development in chronic hepatitis C patients. Methods: HCC recurrence after local ablation therapy and SLC22A7 expression in noncancerous liver tissue were analyzed in 20 patients. Subsequently, the association between de novo HCC development and SLC22A7 expression was examined at baseline in 38 hepatitis C patients without HCC who subsequently developed HCC as well as in 76 hepatitis C patients who did not develop HCC and were matched for age, gender and stage of fibrosis. Results: In the patients whose HCC had been cured, reduced SLC22A7 expression in noncancerous liver tissue was significantly associated with a high incidence of multifocal HCC recurrence. In patients without HCC at baseline, cumulative incidence of de novo HCC development was significantly higher with a reduced SLC22A7 expression than with a normal expression (p = 0.01). This difference remained significant among patients without known risk factors for HCC like age and advanced fibrosis. Conclusion: Reduced SLC22A7 expression in the liver indicates a significant risk for HCC development in chronic hepatitis C, independently of other risk factors. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is associated with a relatively good prognosis. Prognostic factors examined to date are related to early recurrence while those related to late recurrence and their countermeasures remain unclear. Therefore, we examined the factors related to late recurrence. Patients and Methods: From January 1980 to August 2012, 4,774 patients who underwent primary treatment and estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) assessment were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups, those with a follow-up period <10 years and those without any recurrence at 10 years but who continued follow-up examinations. Recurrence occurred in 711 patients followed up for <10 years and in 51 patients for ≥10 years. Results: The overall 10-year cumulative disease-free survival rate was 79.5%, and the recurrence rate at ≥10 years was 5.8%. A multivariate analysis revealed that the factors related to late recurrence were PgR positivity and positive nodes. This result differed from that for early recurrence in terms of ER/PgR, Ki-67 index and p53 overexpression. Conclusion: PgR positivity and lymph node metastases significantly correlated with late recurrence. Therefore, it is important to evaluate appropriate measures such as treatment period and treatment regimen for hormone-sensitive patients. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]