Resolvins suppress tumor growth and enhance cancer therapy

National Cancer Institute grants RO1 01CA170549-02 (to D. Panigrahy and C.N. Serhan), ROCA148633-01A4 (to D. Panigrahy), and GM095467 (to C.N. Serhan); the Stop and Shop Pediatric Brain Tumor Fund (to M.W. Kieran); the CJ Buckley Pediatric Brain Tumor Fund (to M.W. Kieran); Alex Lemonade Stand (to M.W. Kieran); Molly’s Magic Wand for Pediatric Brain Tumors (to M.W. Kieran); the Markoff Foundation Art-In-Giving Foundation (to M.W. Kieran); the Kamen Foundation (to M.W. Kieran); Jared Branfman Sunflowers for Life (to M.W.K.); and The Wellcome Trust program 086867/Z/08 (to M. Perretti)

Cytokeratin7 expression in gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma: Correlation with prognostic factors

 Background: Gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma are the second and the fifth most common cancers in Iran, respectively. Expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK7) is established in most malignancies including gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma. Demonstration of Ck7 could be related to prognostic factors and help to the better management of the patients. The objective of our study was to evaluate the CK7 expression in gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma and its correlation with other prognostic factors.  Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 99 tissue blocks from patients with gastric or colorectal adenocarcinoma undergoing surgery. Tumor grade, tumor size, depth of invasion and metastasis to lymph nodes were determined. Then, the expression of CK7 was studied using immunohistochemistry staining.  Results: Expression of CK7 was 50% and 33.8% in gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma, respectively. There was not only a significant correlation between CK7 expression and tumor size (r=0.267, P=0.009) but also histologic grade (r=0.222, P=0.028).  Conclusion: CK7 could be more expressed with the increase in tumor size and was associated with poorly differentiated gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma. However, with these results gathered, it is highly recommended that further studies will be conducted to reveal the exact prognostic role of this factor. &nbsp

Study of the Murine Double Minute 2 status in patients with gastric and colorectal carcinomas and its correlation with prognostic factors

Background: Gastric and colorectal cancers are the second and the fourth most common cancers in Iran, respectively. The presence of Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) has been identified in many cancers and its relationship with prognosis is under investigation. This study aimed to assess the status of MDM2 and its relationship with prognostic factors in gastric and colorectal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 99 paraffin blocks of gastric and colorectal cancers, during the years 2001 to 2007 from Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Tissue sections were prepared, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and immunohistochemistry to evaluate for MDM2 expression. The type of tumor, lymph node involvement and tumor grade was determined. Results: Of the 99 cases, 34.3% and 65.7% cases were diagnosed with gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma, respectively. The average tumor size was 5.5 cm. MDM2 expression level was 82.4% and 90.8% in gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma, respectively. No statistical difference was found between MDM2 expression and various prognostic factors; however, significant correlation was observed between gastric (P = 0.03) and colorectal (P = 0.03) tumor size and the percentage of MDM2 immunoreactivity. Conclusion: Considering the role of MDM2 in cell growth and its positive correlation with tumor size (an established prognostic factor), it can be indirectly concluded that MDM2 is also important in prognosis. However, additional investigation is needed