肺癌患者血清中血管内皮生长因子的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨肺癌患者血清中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达在肺癌患者诊治中的临床意义以及全血血小板和白细胞计数与血清VEGF水平间的关系.方法:采用酶联免疫(ELISA)方法检测未经任何治疗的肿瘤患者血清VEGF浓度,同时常规检测患者全血血小板和白细胞含量.采用线性回归分析血清VEGF浓度与全血血小板和白细胞含量的相关性.采用Kaplan-Meier方法比较不同血清VEGF含量者的生存情况.结果:肺癌患者血清VEGF浓度(1251.6±427.4)ng/L显著高于正常对照组(343.8±171.3)ng/L(P＜0.01).不同临床分期患者血清VEGF含量差异有统计学意义.相关分析表明,肺癌患者血清VEGF含量与血小板(r=0.523,P＜0.01)和白细胞计数(r=0.511,P＜0.01)呈正相关.血清VEGF高含量患者生存时间明显短于血清VEGF低含量者.结论:血清VEGF与肺癌临床分期进展密切相关,血清VEGF含量可作为判断肺癌预后评价的可靠参考指标.肺癌细胞分泌VEGF进入血液循环,从而促进肺癌的生长及转移,血清VEGF有可能作为肿瘤辅助诊断的指标.     

血清VEGF及CRP表达对肝细胞癌术后早期复发的预测

目的:探讨肝细胞癌(HCC)患者术前周围血血清中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和C-反应蛋白(CRP)表达水平与肝癌术后早期复发的关系及对其预测价值进行比较.方法:运用Sandwich酶联免疫吸附测定法定量检测32例HCC术前、30例肝脏良性疾病患者和20例健康人血清中VEGF的含量; 运用单向免疫扩散法检测上述病例的CRP水平.结果:HCC组术前血清VEGF、CRP表达水平与肝脏良性疾病组、健康人组比较, 均有显著性差异(432.32±340.57 ng/L vs 158.54±120.58 ng/L, 124.03±51.65 ng/L; 9.80±0.86mg/L vs 6.48±0.98 mg/L, 6.12±0.80 mg/L, 均P <0.01). VEGF和CRP预测肝癌复发的灵敏度和特异度分别为77.27%、30%; 59.09%、60%.结论:HCC患者术前血清VEGF、CRP表达水平, 可能是预测HCC术后早期复发的一个较好的生物学指标.     

IL-13 和 VEGF 在肺炎支原体肺炎伴喘息儿童血清中检测及意义简

目的 观察白细胞介素13（IL-13）和血管内皮生长因子（ VEGF）在小儿肺炎支原体肺炎伴喘息儿童血清中的表达.方法 住院58例肺炎支原体肺炎患儿分为喘息症状（ A 组,30例） 和无喘息症状（ B 组,28例） 两组; 对照组（ C组,30例）为健康儿童.采用酶联免疫方法检测三组血清中IL-13和VEGF的浓度.结果 肺炎支原体肺炎患儿血清IL-13、VEGF的水平高于正常对照组;肺炎支原体肺炎伴喘息患儿的IL-13、VEGF的水平（分别为214.61±67.2 ng/L;0.55±0.13 ng/ml）高于肺炎支原体肺炎不伴喘息组（分别为189.56±52.1 ng/L;0.42±0.16 ng/ml）,差异均有显著性（P〈0.01）.结论血清IL-13、VEGF浓度增高可能在小儿肺炎支原体肺炎导致喘息样发作中起重要作用.     

食管鳞癌患者血清VEGF、Endostatin水平变化及意义

目的观察食管鳞癌患者血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）和内皮抑素（Endostatin）的水平变化,并探讨其意义。方法采用ELISA法检测126例食管鳞癌患者和14例健康对照者血清VEGF及Endostatin。结果食管鳞癌患者血清VEGF为（20.68±3.09）μg/L、Endostatin为（4.96±1.72）μg/L,健康对照者分别为（3.82±6.28）μg/L（、1.60±0.37）μg/L,两组相比,P均〈0.05。食管鳞癌患者血清中VEGF、Endostatin水平与肿瘤分化程度、TNM分期、肿瘤直径、淋巴结转移有关（P均〈0.01）,其血清VEGF与Endostatin的水平呈正相关（r=0.594,P〈0.01）。结论食管鳞癌患者血清VEGF、Endostatin水平升高,可作为食管鳞癌恶性程度及肿瘤负荷的预测指标。     

左室功能不全患者血清脑钠尿肽的水平及诊断价值

目的 :探讨左室功能不全 （LVD）患者血清脑钠尿肽 （BNP）水平和诊断价值。方法 :用ELISA法测定单纯左室舒张功能不全 （LVDD）患者 30例、左室收缩功能不全 （LVSD伴或不伴舒张功能不全 ）患者 15例、心功能正常者 （健康对照组 ）血清BNP浓度 2 0例 ,并按诊断试验的评价方法计算真实性指标。结果 :LVDD组BNP水平明显高于健康组 （2 10± 134ng/Lvs 72± 32ng/L ,P <0 .0 5 ） ,但明显低于LVSD组 （2 10± 134ng/Lvs 10 86± 5 19ng/L ,P <0 .0 5 ）。以BNP≥ 12 0ng/L为截断点 ,诊断LVD的灵敏度和特异度分别为 91%和 95 % ,准确度为 92 % ;判断单纯LVDD灵敏度为 87% ,特异度为 95 %。结论 :LVD患者血清BNP浓度明显升高 ,是较好的诊断指标 ,但单纯LVDD患者升高程度不如LVSD患者 ;若左室收缩功能正常 ,BNP水平≥ 12 0ng/L高度提示LVDD存在的可能。     

结核性和恶性胸膜炎患者VEGF的水平及意义

目的 通过检测结核性胸膜炎及恶性胸膜炎患者血清和胸水中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）含量,分析VEGF在两组患者血清、胸水中的差异,探讨VEGF在二者中的意义和诊断价值.方法 对确诊结核性胸膜炎和恶性胸膜炎各30例的患者在同一日留取胸水标本10 ml及静脉血5 ml,采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验检测患者胸水及血清中VEGF水平,分析其差异及相关性.结果 结核组血清和胸水VEGF检测值分别为（45.33±18.33） ng/L、（62.73±24.65） ng/L;恶性组血清和胸水VEGF检测值分别为（66.00±29.83） ng/L、（95.54±42.11） ng/L;恶性组血清及胸水中VEGF含量均高于结核组（t值分别为3.9、5.2,P值均＜0.05）.VEGF在两组的血清和胸水中均呈正相关性（r值分别为0.53、0.38,P值均＜0.05）.结论 在结核性胸膜炎及恶性胸膜炎患者血清、胸水中VEGF水平有差异,恶性高于结核性;两组患者胸水中VEGF含量均高于血清,胸水VEGF含量随着血清VEGF含量增高而增高.检测胸腔积液患者血清和胸水中VEGF含量对结核性胸膜炎和恶性胸膜炎的诊断和鉴别诊断有一定的价值.     

肺癌患者血清和胸腔积液膜联蛋白A2水平改变及其临床意义研究

目的探讨肺癌患者血清和胸腔积液膜联蛋白A2(ANXA2)水平改变及其临床意义。方法连续性收录60例肺癌患者,以及40例肺部良性病变患者。检测血清和胸腔积液中ANXA2水平改变,分析其与肿瘤分期、淋巴结以及远处组织转移情况等相关性。结果肺癌组中血清及胸腔积液内ANXA2(血清:32.3±14.0 ng/m Lvs.16.8±6.5 ng/m L,P0.05;胸腔积液:66.8±14.7 ng/m L vs.25.2±12.6 ng/m L,P0.05)水平明显高于良性肺病组。肺癌患者胸腔积液中ANXA2浓度高于血清浓度(32.3±14.0 ng/m L vs.76.8±14.7 ng/m L,P0.05)。TNM分期Ⅰ-Ⅱ期患者血清及胸腔积液ANXA2明显低于Ⅲ-Ⅳ期患者(血清:29.1±12.1 ng/m L vs.34.7±16.2 ng/m L,P0.05;胸腔积液:61.6±18.8 ng/m L vs.78.5±11.7 ng/m L,P0.05);有淋巴结转移患者血清及胸腔积液ANXA2明显高于无淋巴结转移患者(血清:35.2±16.1ng/m L vs.30.5±11.3 ng/m L,P0.05;胸腔积液:88.6±20.7 ng/m L vs.59.3±11.5 ng/m L,P0.05);有远处转移患者血清及胸腔积液ANXA2明显高于无远处转移患者(血清:37.4±9.6ng/m L vs.29.1±6.8 ng/m L,P0.05;胸腔积液:82.2±12.3ng/m L vs.65.9±18.7 ng/m L,P0.05)。血清ANXA2诊断肺癌的AUC为0.712,cut-off值为40.2 ng/m L;而胸腔积液ANXA2水平诊断肺癌的AUC为0.822,cut-off值为78.2 ng/m L。血清和胸腔积液ANXA2水平与肺癌呈正相关(血清:r=0.706,P0.05;胸腔积液:r=0.812,P0.05)。结论肺癌患者血清和胸腔积液中ANXA2水平明显上升,对于肺疾病合并胸腔积液者,血清及胸水ANXA2测定,有助于肺癌鉴别诊断和分期。     

非小细胞肺癌患者术后血清VEGF动态变化与血小板的相关性研究

背景与目的已有研究表明：非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）患者手术切除原发肿瘤后其血清中血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF）浓度显著升高,血小板可能是血清中VEGF的主要来源。本研究的目的是探讨NSCLC患者术后血清VEGF浓度的动态变化及其与血小板之间的关系。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验（enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA）检测法,监测76例非小细胞肺癌患者术前、术后1天及7天血清VEGF的浓度,同期检测血小板的浓度。结果①NSCLC患者术前、术后1天及7天血清VEGF分别为（842．06&#177;52724）pg／mL、（1119．28&#177;609．62）pg／mL、（1574．09&#177;873．38）pg／mL,组间比较差异具有统计学意义（P=0．000）;②NSCLC患者术前、术后1天及7天血小板计数分别为（230．42&#177;82．56）&#215;10^0/L、（196．47&#177;8148）&#215;10^9/L、（237．90~86．94）&#215;10^9/L,术后1天最低（P=0．000）,③术后7天在血小板高于均数组血清VEGF浓度为（1842．86&#177;1006．63）pg／mL,低于均数组为（1398．81&#177;734．00）pg／mL,两组有统计学差异（P=0．043）。结论NSCLC患者术后血清VEGF浓度显著升高,血小板计数高的患者中,其血清VEGF浓度升高更为明显。     

血管内皮生长因子浓度变化对急性冠脉综合征患者的临床意义

目的探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者血浆中的浓度变化及临床意义。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测了136例急性冠脉综合征患者血浆中VEGF浓度的变化,并且经冠状动脉造影确定冠状动脉狭窄的程度,根据冠状动脉狭窄程度分为四组。结果血浆中VEGF浓度,冠状动脉无狭窄组为(70.2±10.3)ng/L,狭窄程度≤50%组为(78.5±17.8)ng/L,狭窄程度>50%～80%组为(164.7±21.1)ng/L,狭窄程度>80%(包括严重狭窄)组为(287.9±31.3)ng/L。随着血管狭窄程度的加重,血浆VEGF水平明显升高。结论冠状动脉狭窄的急性冠脉综合症患者血清中VEGF浓度升高,且与冠状动脉狭窄程度成正比。     

急性白血病患者血清血管内皮细胞生长因子测定及临床意义

目的探讨血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)在急性白血病(AL)患者中的表达和临床意义.方法采用双抗体夹心ELISA法检测了41例AL初发患者(ANLL32例,其中是M14例、M24例、M38例、M44例、M512例和ALL9例)血清VEGF含量,并且检测了其中10例获得完全缓解后的AL患者血清VEGF水平;同时留取41例AL初发患者和10例获得完全缓解后AL患者骨髓涂片,进行瑞特染色后检测骨髓原始和幼稚细胞百分率.结果血清VEGF在ANLL和ALL中分别是(807.76±347.04)ng/L、(998.18±387.80)ng/L,均高于正常对照组(461.43±127.05)ng/L,均P＜0.01;ANLL和ALL之间血清VEGF水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);10例完全缓解的AL患者,其血清VEGF含量为(495.28±102.79)ng/L明显低于初发时(1263.44±490.39)ng/L,P＜0.01;AL缓解组血清VEGF含量与其骨髓中原始幼稚白细胞百分率具有一定相关性,r=0.57,P＜0.01.结论血清VEGF在AL患者中明显升高,且血清VEGF水平与病情和预后密切相关.     

非小细胞肺癌患者呼出气冷凝液中p53蛋白检测的临床意义

目的 研究非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者呼出气冷凝液(EBC)中p53蛋白检测的临床意义.方法 收集98例NSCLC患者的EBC和血浆,应用双抗体夹心ABC-ELISA法检测EBC和血浆中p53蛋白表达水平,并与98名健康对照者测定值比较.用免疫组化法检测98例NSCLC患者手术切除标本癌组织中p53蛋白表达.比较肺癌组中不同分型、分期、病理类型、肿瘤大小以及有无淋巴结转移、吸烟史者EBC和血浆中p53蛋白水平和癌组织p53蛋白阳性表达率.应用 ROC曲线分析肺癌组血浆及EBC的p53蛋白诊断肺癌的特异性及敏感性.结果 ①肺癌组EBC中p53蛋白测定值高于健康对照组[(233.99±7.91)ng/L vs(130.26±4.73)ng/L,P＜0.01];肺癌组血浆p53蛋白测定值高于健康对照组[(292.58±8.79)ng/L vs(141.66±3.33)ng/L,P＜0.01].②肺癌组中央型患者EBC中p53蛋白测定值高于周围型患者[(248.22±8.58)ng/L vs(215.78±6.61)ng/L,P＜0.05].③免疫组化阳性组EBC中p53蛋白测定值高于阴性组「(249.77±8.07)ng/L vs(216.86±7.44)ng/L,P＜0.05].④肺癌组中吸烟者血浆p53蛋白测定值高于无吸烟者[(310.18±9.04)ng/L vs(254.55±6.91)ng/L,P＜0.01].⑤癌组织p53蛋白阳性表达率为47.96%(47/98).⑥血浆p53蛋白对于肺癌的诊断的敏感性为95.90%.特异性为90.04%;EBC p53蛋白埘于肺癌的诊断的敏感性为92.90%,特异性为79.59%;肺癌患者p53蛋白诊断最佳参考临界值血浆为175.68 ng/L,EBC为166.26 ng/L.结论 NSCLC患者中EBC p53蛋白的检测有助于肺癌的诊断.

Abstract：

Objective To study the clinical significance of the detection of p53 protein in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods EBC and plasma of 98 patients with NSCLC were collected,p53 protein expression in EBC and plasma was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the data were compared with those of 98 healthy controls. p53 protein expression in cancer tissue of 98 patients with NSCLC was detected by immunohistochemistry. p53 protein expression in EBC and plasma and positive expression rate of p53 protein in cancer tissue were compared among patients with different lung cancer type,stage,histologic type,tumor size,and lymph node metastasis,smoking history. The specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis of p53 protein in patients with NSCLC were analyzed by ROC curve. Results ① The level of p53 protein in EBC of patients with NSCLC was significantly higher than that in healthy control group [(233.99±7.91) ng/L vs ( 130. 26 ± 4. 73) ng/L,P ＜0. 01]. The level of p53 protein in serum of patients with NSCI.C was significantly higher than that in healthy control group [(292. 58 ± 8. 79) ng/L vs (141. 66±3. 33) ng/L,P ＜0. 01]. ② The level of p53 protein in EBC of patients with central lung cancer was higher than that in patients with peripheral lung cancer [(248. 22 ± 8. 58) ng/L vs (215. 78 ± 6.61) ng/L,P＜0. 01]. ③The level of p53 protein in EBC of patients with positive immunostaining group was higher than that in negative group [(249.77 ± 8.07) ng/L vs (216.86 ± 7.44) ng/L,P ＜ 0. 05]. ④The level of p53 protein in serum of smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers [(310.18 ± 9.04) ng/L vs (254. 55 ± 6. 91) ng/L,P ＜0. 01]. ⑤The positive expression rate of p53 protein in cancer tissue was 47. 96% (47/98). ⑥The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of p53 protein were 95. 90% and 90. 04% in plasma,and those were 92. 90% and 79. 59% in EBC. The cut off values of p53 protein were respectively 175. 68 ng/L and 166. 26 ng/L in EBC and serum. Conclusions The detection of p53 protein in EBC of patients with NSCLC is helpful for the diagnosis of lung cancer.     

胰腺癌HMGB1表达及其与血行转移的关系研究

目的 探讨人胰腺癌高迁移率族蛋白B1(hiish mobility group protein B1,HMGB1)表达及其与血行转移的关系.方法 应用Western blot法检测68例胰腺癌患者、18例CP和21例健康者血清HMGB1水平,并对其中37例胰腺癌患者手术前后的血清HMGB1水平进行比较;应用免疫组织化学法检测67例胰腺癌组织HMGB1和CD31的表达.结果 胰腺癌、CP及健康者血清HMGB1水平分别为(119.7±54.5)ng/ml、(40.2±25.5)ng/ml和(13.1±4.3)ng/ml,相差非常显著(P<0.001).胰腺癌患者术后血清HMGB1水平为(69.3±5.1)ng/ml,显著低于术前的(120.2±8.2)ng/ml(P<0.001).胰腺癌组织HMGB1表达阳性率为43.6%,HMGB1表达与组织分化、TNM分期及转移有关,P均<0.01;HMGB1表达与血管密度呈显著正相关(r=0.76,P<0.0001),免疫组化显示,HMGB1表达阳性的肿瘤细胞多位于有腔血管周围,位于血管内的肿瘤细胞HMGB1阳性表达率为71%.结论 胰腺癌患者HMGB1呈高表达,表达HMGB1的肿瘤细胞易于进入血管内,与其血行转移有关.     

Measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma related antigen and neuron-specific enolase in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with peripheral lung cancer

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma related antigen (SCC) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were measured in 30 patients with peripheral lung cancer, 11 patients with benign lung disease and 19 healthy controls. The mean levels and positive rates of lavaged fluid CEA were 128.0 +/- 16.9 ng/mg and 33.3% in patients with lung cancer, 68.1 +/- 25.9 ng/mg and 9.1% in patients with benign lung disease, and 68.3 +/- 11.6 ng/mg and 5.2% in healthy controls, respectively. The mean levels and positive rates of lavaged fluid CEA in patients with lung cancer were significantly higher than those in patients with benign lung disease (p less than 0.05) and those in healthy controls (p less than 0.05). The mean levels of lavaged fluid SCC and NSE showed no significant difference between cases of lung cancer and benign lung disease or healthy controls. No lavaged tumor marker level in patients with lung cancer showed any close correlation with histologic types and serum levels. In conclusion, measurement of lavaged fluid CEA was considered to be useful in the differential diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer.     

胎盘生长因子在非小细胞肺癌胸腔积液中的表达及其对临床疗效的影响

目的 探讨胎盘生长因子(PlGF)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)并发胸腔积液患者中的表达及其对临床疗效的影响.方法 回顾性分析比较44例NSCLC并发恶性胸腔积液患者血清和胸腔积液中PlGF的表达水平;并与患者的临床疗效做相关分析.结果 NSCLC患者血清中PlGF的表达水平为(545.05±26.35) ng/L,显著高于健康对照者[(478.62±17.82) ng/L].而在NSCLC胸腔积液中PlGF的水平为(1 094.61±176.48) ng/L,显著高于漏出性胸腔积液(100.81±43.97) ng/L;但与炎症性良性胸腔积液中PlGF水平[(933.54±216.29) ng/L]比较,差异无统计学意义.患者治疗后,疗效判定分别为完全缓解13例,部分缓解16例,无效15例;3个疗效组中PlGF表达水平依次升高,完全缓解＜部分缓解＜无效,差异有统计学意义(F=24.62,P＜0.01),而治疗效果则依次递减.结论 PlGF在NSCLC并发恶性胸腔积液患者血清和胸腔积液中呈高水平表达,且与患者的临床疗效呈负相关.PlGF作为促血管生成因子,在NSCLC的发病中可能通过刺激肿瘤血管的生长和渗透性而促进胸腔积液的生成.     

CA125在肺结核、结核性胸膜炎与肺癌鉴别诊断中的价值

目的讨论CA125测定在肺结核、结核性胸膜炎与肺癌鉴别诊断中的价值。方法对27例菌阳肺结核、21例结核性胸膜炎及18例肺癌患者的血清CA125进行检测,同时检测其他11项肿瘤标记物的血清浓度（如CEA、CA199、CA242等）,对以上3组的检测结果进行分析。结果结核性胸膜炎组血CA125浓度（75.43±28.74KU/L）高于肺癌组（42.09±16.41KU/L）及肺结核组（23.26±7.59KU/L）,统计学有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。肺癌组CA125高于肺结核组,两组比较有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。其他肿瘤标记物阳性率：肺癌组（38.9%）高于肺结核组（3.7%）和结核性胸膜炎组（4.76%）,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。结论血CA125检测在肺结核及肺癌鉴别诊断中有重要的临床价值,结合肿瘤标记物其他项目的检测结果及动态观察CA125浓度的变化更有利于明确诊断。     

Usefulness of tumor markers in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage of patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy

To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of simultaneous determinations of 4 tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, calcitonin, creatinine kinase-BB, and DNA), we studied 31 patients with lung cancer, 22 with benign lung disease, and 15 normal volunteers as control subjects. The measurements were made by radioimmunoassay in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and in serum obtained on the same day. The results showed that in serum, only CEA levels were significantly higher in malignancy; in lavage fluids, all 4 markers were abnormally high in cancer patients when compared with control subjects (p less than 0.05); there was no correlation between the levels in lavage and those in the bloodstream. When the mean levels in lavage of the normal control subjects were designated as the limits for a positive test, significant association was found between malignancy and abnormally elevated marker concentration (p less than 0.01). The particular combination of CEA-BAL greater than 35 ng/mg, CEA-serum greater than 4 ng/ml, and calcitonin-BAL greater than 120 pg/mg taken together with the results of bronchoscopy (histologic and cytologic) showed the highest discriminating power between malignant and benign lung disease. The sensitivity of the bronchoscopy procedure increased from 50 to 89%, with at least 2 positive markers, and had a specificity of 71%. When both bronchoscopy and all 3 markers were negative, the results showed a negative predictive value of 100%. We conclude that tumor marker levels in lavage are a useful aid in the diagnosis of malignancy in patients undergoing bronchoscopy.     

Association of serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C and lymphatic vessel density with lymph node metastasis and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer

AIM: To investigate whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor-C (SVEGF-C), VEGF-C, and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in tumor tissues are related to lymph node metastasis (LNM) and prognosis in gastric cancer.METHODS: SVEGF-C levels of 80 gastric cancer patients and 20 healthy donors were examined using ELISA. VEGF-C expression and LVD were examined using immunohistochemical staining. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to determine their influence on the prognosis of the patients. RESULTS: The SVEGF-C level in gastric cancer patients (595.9 ± 201.0 ng/L) was significantly higher (P = 0.000) than controls (360.0 ± 97.4 ng/L). Both SVEGF-C and LVD were significantly higher in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, T3 and T4, LNM, distant metastasis, and pTNM groups Ⅲ and IV (P = 0.000). The sensitivity and specificity of SVEGF-C for predicting LNM were 82.8% and 81.8%, respectively (cut-off = 542.5 ng/L). The positive expression rate of VEGF-C was significantly higher in cancerous than in normal tissues (65% vs 20%; P = 0.001). VEGF-C expression up-regulation was significantly related to differentiation, depth of invasion, LNM, distant metastasis, and pTNM stage (P = 0.000). LVD was 10.7 ± 3.1/200 HP in the experimental group vs 4.9 ± 1.3/200 HP in controls (P = 0.000); LVD in cancerous tissues with and without LNM was 12.0 ± 2.7/200 HP vs 7.6 ± 0.5/200 HP, respectively (P = 0.000). SVEGF-C and LVD were significantly higher in VEGF-C positive than in negative patients (P=0.000); SVEGF-C level was related to LVD (P = 0.000). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis factors predicating poor prognosis were: SVEGF-C level (P = 0.001), VEGF-C expression and LVD (both P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: SVEGF-C level, VEGF-C and LVD are related to LNM and poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. SVEGF-C may be a biomarker for LNM in gastric cancer.     

Usefulness of carcinoembryonic antigen determination in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A comparative study among patients with peripheral lung cancer, pneumonia, and healthy individuals

We compared carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and serum of patients with lung cancer, pneumonia, and healthy individuals to determine the usefulness of CEA in diagnosing lung cancer not visible endoscopically. Cancer patients had CEA lavage fluid levels (4,650 +/- 1,565 ng/mg of albumin) significantly higher than pneumonia patients (755 +/- 346 ng/mg) or healthy individuals, smokers (252 +/- 48 ng/ml), and non-smokers (175 +/- 6 ng/mg). In serum, CEA assay cannot discern between cancer (35 +/- 13 ng/ml) and pneumonia (4.6 +/- 1.4 ng/ml) (p = 0.06). Using 1,000 ng/mg of albumin as the cutting point in BAL fluid, sensitivity and specificity were 77 percent and 94 percent, respectively. In serum, 5 ng/ml provided a sensitivity of 55 percent and specificity of 91 percent. Positive and negative predictive values were 77 percent and 94 percent in BAL, respectively, and 62 percent and 89 percent in serum, respectively. Using a combination of serum and BAL fluid CEA levels, the sensitivity and specificity were 88 percent and positive and negative predictive values were 66 percent and 96 percent, respectively. When used in combination with serum levels of CEA or transbronchial biopsy, the diagnostic yield increased up to 88 percent. Thus, although CEA determination in BAL fluid improves diagnostic yield, it should not be used as the only diagnostic procedure.     

Clinical significance of osteopontin expression in cervical cancer

PURPOSE: New diagnostic markers, other than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, are needed for the detection of cervical cancer. Osteopontin (OPN) is a candidate frequently associated with several human malignancies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of OPN expression as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cervical cancer. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of tissue from 97 cervical cancer cases and 22 healthy subjects was performed in order to determine the source of elevated plasma OPN levels. In addition, plasma OPN levels of 81 patients with cervical cancer, 34 patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the uterine cervix, and those of 283 healthy women were measured with a commercially available solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between OPN levels and clinical features were examined and compared to SCC antigen levels in the cervical cancer cases. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining revealed OPN immunoreactivity in 67.0% (65/97) of cervical cancer tissues, and the immunostaining score in the cervical cancer tissue sections was 2.06 (95% CI, 1.70-2.42). There was no significant difference in immunostaining scores based on age, tumor size, and tumor stage, but higher scores (3.0< score 215.5 ng/ml) were also correlated with disease-free survival (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that plasma OPN levels are potentially useful as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cervical cancer.