Understanding the molecular background of breast cancer biology is critical in developing new biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and more optimized treatment. We performed a proteomic analysis of human breast carcinoma tissues to investigate the tumor-specific protein expression in breast carcinoma. Using 2-dimensional electorphoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), we were able to identify a list of proteins which are upregulated in cancerous tissue. There was significant increase of galectin-1 expression in all cancerous tissues compared to noncancerous tissues, and its increased expression was further confirmed by western blot immunostaining. Subsequent immunohistochemical staining against galectin-1 in 105 breast cancer specimens showed significant correlation between galectin-1 expression in cancerassociated stromal cells and tumor invasiveness, T stage, TNM stage, and axillary lymph node metastasis. Galectin-1 expression in cancer cells showed no correlation to above-mentioned pathologic variables. Hormonal receptor status and galectin-1 expression showed no correlation. This study demonstrates the upregulation of galectin-1 in breast carcinoma tissues and the clinical significance of galectin-1 in breast cancer patients. Our data supports the recently highlighted roles of galectin-1 in cancer-associated stroma and in tumor immune privilege. ' 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: breast carcinoma; galectin-1; disease progression; proteomics; immunohistochemistry Understanding the molecular background of carcinogenesis and cancer progression can lead to more tailored treatment and improved survival of cancer patients. In breast cancer, the knowledge of tumor biology in regard to estrogen receptor and HER2 receptor has resulted in effective novel systemic therapies improving treatment outcomes. Indeed, with the help of these hormonal and biological treatments as well as effective surgical resection and systemic chemotherapy, the cancer-related mortality of breast cancer has shown a significant decrease in the past few decades.

The SOx regimen evidenced a relatively high response rate and was well tolerated as a first-line therapy for advanced gastric cancer.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a rare primary malignant liver tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. Recently its incidence has increased, however, little attention has been directed to factors related to its molecular carcinogenesis, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and cell cycle-related proteins. ICC is generally characterized by strong proliferation, invasion and early metastasis. These biological behaviors of ICC, with respect to the genetic and molecular aspects, remain to be clarified. In this study, we performed a proteomic analysis to identify the proteomic alterations associated with carcinogenesis of ICC. Protein expression profiles of sixteen cases of ICC were compared with those of adjacent non-involved bile duct tissue. Among the 151 protein spots that showed a statistically significant expression difference (P<0.05), there were 50 spots with significantly increased intensity (3-fold increase) and 17 spots with decreased intensity (3-fold decrease) in cancerous tissues. Of these, increased expression of fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) was further confirmed by western blot analysis and immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis of FABP5 expression in tumor specimens obtained from 43 patients with mass-forming (MF) type ICC showed a positive correlation of FABP5 immunoreactivity with tumor size (P=0.047), lymph node metastasis (P=0.013), angioinvasion (P=0.032) and staging (P=0.007). In addition, silencing FABP5 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) suppressed cell proliferation and invasiveness in HuCCT1 cells, and conversely, overexpression of FABP5 in FABP5-negative Hep3B cells increased cell proliferation and invasiveness. Our study shows that FABP5 is significantly overexpressed in ICC combined lymph node metastasis and is involved in cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Our data suggest that FABP5 may be associated with tumor progression in ICC.

LAG and OG did not differ significantly in terms of recurrence, even when used in advanced gastric cancer cases. Multivariate analysis revealed that high TNM stage was significantly associated with recurrence. Thus, LAG appears to be a safe and feasible procedure that has the potential to be an alternative to open surgery, even for advanced gastric cancer.

Background Although natural orifice extraction is now widely performed, there have been no reports of this procedure following subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. This report describes trans-vaginal specimen extraction in four patients with early gastric cancer. Methods The clinical data of four patients with early gastric cancer were reviewed. Totally laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy and D1 ? b lymph node dissection was performed using five trocars and a conventional procedure. Posterior colpotomy was performed by an experienced gynecologist, who retrieved the specimens in a retrieval bag via the trans-vaginal route. The colpotomy site was repaired immediately following specimen removal. Reconstruction was performed using the intracorporeal Billroth II method and an endo-GIA 60.Results Totally laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy and trans-vaginal specimen extraction was successfully accomplished in all patients without intraoperative complications. Conclusions The present technique may be a safe and feasible operative procedure for some limited groups of elderly female patients with early gastric cancer.