Mee-Seon Kim

Overexpression of phosphorylated 4E-binding protein 1 and its clinicopathological significances in gastric cancer

Multiple intracellular transforming signals regulate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein (4E-BP1). The signals result in hierarchical phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, resulting in release of eIF4E, relieving translational repression and enhancing oncogenic protein synthesis. This study assessed the expression of phosphorylated 4E-BP1 (p-4E-BP1) in gastric cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. Tissue microarray blocks were generated from 179 gastric carcinomas and immunohistochemically stained for p-4E-BP1. The expression of p-4E-BP1 was higher in tumors that were intestinal-type (P=0.028); had a diameter smaller than 5cm (P=0.001); were lower pathological T stage (P<0.001), N stage (P=0.004), or TNM stage (P<0.001); did not have distant metastasis (P=0.027). High p-4E-BP1 expression significantly correlated with prolonged overall survival (P=0.046) and disease-free survival (P=0.035), but was not an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. Our results indicate that p-4E-BP1 is more highly expressed in early gastric cancers than in advanced ones, and has limited potential as an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with gastric cancer. Larger well-controlled studies with molecular validation are warranted to elucidate more exact prognostic significance and working mechanism of p-4E-BP1 in gastric cancer.

Gastric Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinoma with Squamous Differentiation: A Case Report.

The occurrence of gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is relatively rare, although a few cells of gastric adenocarcinoma frequently show neuroendocrine differentiation [1]. We herein present one of only a few reported cases of gastric MANEC with trilineage histologic differentiation, composed of adenocarcinoma, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC).

Expression of miR-200c and its clinicopathological significance in patients with colorectal cancer

MicroRNA-200c (miR-200c) is known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition processes. However, the biological function of miR-200c in human carcinogenesis remains controversial. We examined the association of miR-200c expression with various clinicopathological factors, including KRAS mutation status and survival, in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression level of miR-200c was evaluated in 109 paired CRC and normal tissue samples using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The KRAS mutation status of the CRC samples was determined using the PNAClamp™ KRAS Mutation Detection kit. Compared with the normal tissue group, miR-200c expression was significantly upregulated in the CRCs (P < .001). The expression of miR-200c was increased in CRCs with higher grade (P = .009), advanced stage (P = .042), and lymphovascular invasion (P = .003). Thirty-one CRCs (28.4%) had KRAS mutations in codon 12 or 13. CRCs with KRAS mutations had significantly higher miR-200c expression than CRCs with wild-type KRAS (P = .003). In survival analysis, high miR-200c expression was correlated with worse overall survival (P = .017) and recurrence-free survival (P = .048). Our results indicate that miR-200c is involved in tumor progression and aggressiveness in CRCs, and this oncogenic role of miR-200c may be triggered by activation of the KRAS signaling pathway.

Exceptional mucocutaneous manifestations with amyloid nephropathy: a case report

BackgroundAmyloidosis is a very rare disease that is difficult to diagnose because of the unspecific early clinical manifestations of the disease. Accurate and early diagnosis is extremely important because the effect of treatment is dependent on the extent of disease progression. Sicca syndrome and nail dystrophy are very rare symptoms of amyloidosis. We report here a case of sicca syndrome and nail dystrophy with renal dysfunction in a 52-year-old Korean woman who was diagnosed as having systemic amyloidosis.Case presentationWe present the case of a 52-year-old Korean woman complaining of dry mouth and nail dystrophy for 4 months as an initial symptom. A slit lamp examination revealed superficial keratoconjunctival erosion in both eyes. A laboratory test showed anemia, azotemia, and proteinuria. Urine protein electrophoresis showed increased gamma globulin excretion. Serum free light chain of kappa and lambda were increased. Histopathological studies of biopsy specimens of minor salivary glands and kidney revealed deposits of amyloid fibrils. A bone marrow aspiration biopsy showed hypercellular marrow with 5% plasma cells. She was diagnosed as having primary systemic amyloidosis then started on chemotherapy.ConclusionSuch atypical mucocutaneous manifestations of amyloidosis can serve as important early diagnostic signs with less invasive biopsy confirmation in patients with systemic amyloidosis.