Yushi Yamakawa

CD44 variant 9 expression as a predictor for gastric cancer recurrence: immunohistochemical and metabolomic analysis of surgically resected tissues

CD44 variant 9 (CD44v9) and the heavy chain of 4F2 cell-surface antigen (CD98hc) appear important for regulation of reactive oxygen species defence and tumor growth in gastric cancer. This study examined the roles of CD44v9 and CD98hc as markers of gastric cancer recurrence, and investigated associations with energy metabolism. We applied capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry to metabolome profiling of gastric cancer specimens from 103 patients who underwent resection with no residual tumor or microscopic residual tumor, and compared metabolite levels to immunohistochemical staining for CD44v9 and CD98hc. Positive expression rates were 40.7% for CD44v9 and 42.7% for CD98hc. Various tumor characteristics were significantly associated with CD44v9 expression. Five-year recurrence-free survival rate was significantly lower for CD44v9-positive tumors (39.1%) than for CD44v9-negative tumors (73.5%; P < 0.0001), but no significant differences in recurrence-free survival were seen according to CD98hc expression. Uni- and multivariate analyses identified positive CD44v9 expression as an independent predictor of poorer recurrence-free survival. Metabolome analysis of 110 metabolites found that levels of glutathione disulfide were significantly lower and reduced glutathione (GSH)/ glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio was significantly higher in CD44v9-positive tumors than in CD44v9-negative tumors, suggesting that CD44v9 may enhance pentose phosphate pathway flux and maintain GSH levels in cancer cells.

Is it important to palpate lymph nodes in open surgery for colorectal cancer

In laparoscopic or robotic surgery, surgeons cannot directly palpate lymph nodes (LN), which could be considered a shortcoming in that procedure. This study was performed to evaluate the importance of palpation diagnosis of LN metastasis in colorectal cancer surgery.

Long-term survival with surgery for metachronous retroperitoneal lymph node and pancreatic metastases after curative resection of rectal cancer: a case report

BackgroundThe possible benefits of the surgical resection of multiple metastases in rare sites from colorectal cancer (CRC) are still unclear. Therefore, more cases are needed to investigate the surgical outcomes of these diseases. A very rare case in which the simultaneous resection of both the metachronous retroperitoneal lymph node and pancreatic metastases from rectal cancer was successfully performed is reported.Case presentationA 68-year-old man had undergone low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Eight months later, computed tomography showed an enlarged lymph node located below the aortic bifurcation and a pancreatic head tumor. Positron emission tomography showed increased focal uptake in these two lesions. With a diagnosis of retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis from rectal cancer and primary pancreatic cancer or pancreatic metastasis from rectal cancer, resection of the enlarged retroperitoneal lymph node and pancreaticoduodenectomy were performed. The pathological examination showed that both resected lesions were metastases from the primary rectal cancer. After the metastasectomy, the patient was given systemic chemotherapy, which was discontinued due to an adverse event. He was then followed up routinely without any medication. Sixty-nine months after the metastasectomy, he is alive without any indication of recurrence.ConclusionsThus, even with metastases from CRC located in rare sites, an acceptable outcome can be expected following curative surgical resection in carefully selected patients. Whenever possible, an aggressive surgical approach should be included in the multimodality treatment of metastatic CRC.

Prevalence of low-penetrant germline TP53 D49H mutation in Japanese cancer patients

Using whole exome sequencing data obtained from 1,685 Japanese cancer patients, we examined genetic variations of germline TP53 and found 10 types of non-synonymous single nucleotide variants. In the present study, we focused on 6 patients with germline D49H mutation located in the transactivation domain 2 of p53 protein, since the mutation seemed to be prevalent in cancer patients and to be pathogenic. According to the initial survey for family history of the proband with the germline TP53 D49H mutation, one osteosarcoma patient and his pedigree fulfill the criteria for Li-Fraumeni-like syndrome and the 2009 Chompret criteria for germline TP53 mutation screening. Since this patient possesses double germline mutations of TP53 D49H and A159D, further studies are required to evaluate contribution of the D49H mutation in this morbidity. The remaining 5 patients had family histories of cancer, but none fulfills the criteria either for the Li-Fraumeni/Li-Fraumeni-like syndromes or the 2009 Chompret criteria for germline TP53 mutation screening. It is possible to postulate that the germline TP53 D49H mutation is likely to be low-penetrant in some pedigrees. The present study also indicates that the survey for the germline TP53 mutation plays an important role in clinical practice as it will prevent mistaking cancer patients with unusual heredities for sporadic cases.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic reoperation for treatment of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: Laparoscopic reoperation for leakage

The safety and feasibility of laparoscopic reoperation for anastomotic leakage remain unclear.

Metabolomic profling in gastric cancer tissues using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

66Background: To explore carcinogenic and prognostic biomarkers for gastric cancer, genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics approaches have been extensively applied;however, little has been invest...

Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy for a Patient With Sigmoid Colon Cancer and Crossed-Fused Renal Ectopia: A Case Report

Crossed-fused renal ectopia (CFRE) is a very rare congenital renal malformation. This condition comprises several anatomic anomalies, including unilateral ureteral intersection of the midline, anteriorly-placed renal pelvises, and aberrant renal blood vessels, all of which increase the difficulty of colectomy. This report describes a case of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with sufficient lymphadenectomy for a patient with sigmoid colon cancer and left-sided L-shaped CFRE. Preoperative computed tomography demonstrated that the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) was free from anomalies and that the tumor did not invade surrounding organs. Therefore, we planned conventional laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy with D3 lymphadenectomy. Division of IMA at its origin and anterior colon resection was successfully performed by careful mobilization of the mesocolon to avoid exposing the retroperitoneal organs. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of laparoscopic colectomy for a patient with CFRE. Sufficient preoperative assessment of anatomic anomalies enabled successful surgery.