Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor as a novel prognostic marker and its implication as a cotarget in the treatment of human adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) and human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER2) receptor expression has been found to be a key regulator of tumorigenesis. The purpose of our study was to establish the prognostic significance of IGF‐1R in esophageal cancer and to determine the effect of IGF‐1R and HER2 targeting with α‐IR3 and Herceptin? antibodies on the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells in vitro. IGF‐1R expression and clinicopathological correlations were analyzed with a tissue microarray containing 234 esophageal cancer specimens (133 adenocarcinomas and 101 squamous cell carcinomas). Proliferation changes associated with Herceptin? and α‐IR3 blockage were evaluated with the unique human esophageal cancer cell lines Pt1590 and LN1590. IGF‐1R and HER2 expression levels, activation and phosphorylation status of downstream signaling proteins involved in the activation pathways were analyzed by Western blotting. IGF‐1R overexpression was detected in 121 (52%) of the 234 esophageal tumors examined. In the subgroup of 87 HER2‐positive tumors, 93.1% showed concordant overexpression for IGF‐1R. IGF‐1R was identified as a variable associated with reduced overall survival for adenocarcinoma (p = 0.05), but not for squamous cell carcinoma. The combination of Herceptin? and α‐IR3 was more effective in inhibiting in vitro proliferation than treatment with either agent alone (p < 0.01). This was associated with a decrease in HER2 and IGF‐1R protein levels and suppression of Akt‐ and MAP kinase phosphorylation. IGF‐1R expression can be used as a novel prognostic marker for adenocarcinomas of the esophagus. Cotreatment with IGF‐1R and HER2 antibodies might become a valuable and effective treatment option in esophageal adenocarcinoma.     

Dietary intake and plasma concentrations of PUFA and LC-PUFA in breastfed and formula fed infants under real-life conditions

Background  

The breastfed infant is usually used as standard for formula feeding, also regarding long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). Here, plasma fatty acid concentrations in formula fed infants and the effects of LC-PUFA supplementation were investigated under real-life conditions.     

Glutamine as indispensable nutrient in oncology: experimental and clinical evidence

Background  

In hypermetabolic situations, glutamine is intensively used by rapidly dividing cells such as enterocytes, lymphocytes, and fibroblasts as nitrogen source and/or alternative energy fuel. It is hypothesized that in cancer patients the increased glutamine demands of the host increase the capacity of endogenous production resulting in a strong glutamine deprivation with detrimental effects on organ functions. In long-term periods of cancer cachexia, an adequate nutrition support including glutamine can essentially contribute to cover glutamine needs and, thus, to spare energy reserves of the host and to retard severe complications such as multi-organ failure. Due to the early in vitro knowledge that cancer cells preferably consume glutamine, oncologists often refuse to supply glutamine to the tumor-bearing host to avoid any potential risk. An objective evaluation whether supplemental glutamine supports tumor growth in vivo is, however, still lacking.     

The prevalence of current sunbed use and user characteristics: the SUN-Study 2008

Objectives  

Although sunbed use is common in many developed countries, little is known about the characteristics of sunbed users.     

Clinical characteristics indicating adenomyosis at the time of hysterectomy: a retrospective study in 291 patients

Purpose

To better characterize adenomyosis as a disease entity.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of women undergoing hysterectomy with a histologic diagnosis of adenomyosis, adenomyosis and leiomyomas, and leiomyomas alone.

Results

The study included 291 women: 38 with adenomyosis alone, 56 with adenomyosis and leiomyomas, and 197 with leiomyomas alone. In univariate analysis, women with adenomyosis were younger (p?=?0.018) and had lower uterine weights (p?p?=?0.008). In multinomial logistic regression analysis, a lower uterine weight (OR 0.99, CI 95% 0.99–1.0), pelvic pain (OR 4.8, CI 95% 1.5–15.2), a history of smoking (OR 2.6, CI 95% 1.1–6.5) and at least one delivery (OR 4.3, CI 95% 1.5–12.3) were associated with a greater likelihood of having adenomyosis but not leiomyomas alone.

Conclusions

Women undergoing hysterectomy with adenomyosis alone have different clinical characteristics from women with adenomyosis and leiomyomas and from those with only leiomyomas.     

Patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer have similar live birth rates in spontaneous and artificial cycles

Purpose

To evaluate the outcome of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) when freezing takes place at the pronuclear stage, a retrospective analysis was performed comparing spontaneous and artificial cycles.

Methods

148 women received FET in a spontaneous cycle (Group A) and 55 women received FET in an artificial cycle (Group B) induced by administering estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P). Pregnancy rates, endometrial thickness and serum levels of E2, P and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured. Statistical analysis included the mean, the standard deviation, the Chi-squared test and the T-test.

Results

The clinical pregnancy rate was 34.5% for Group A and 21.8% for Group B (p = 0.084), with a live birth rate of 20.9% and 12.7% respectively (p = 0.15). There was no difference in endometrial thickness or the P levels, while LH and E2 levels were significantly higher in group B (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our retrospective study shows a trend towards higher pregnancy rates and live birth rates with the administration of FET during a spontaneous cycle compared to FET during an artificial cycle. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this trend.