Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis gene Livin and its relationship with expression of P53,Bcl-2 in esophageal carcinoma tissues. Methods The expression of Livin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in 36 esophageal carcinoma tissues and 18 paracancerous tissues were measured by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) combined with silver staining technique. The expression of Livin, P53 and Bcl-2 proteins were detected by immunohistochemical method (streptavidin-peroxidase). Results RT-PCR results: Livin mRNA positive expression of esophageal carcinoma tissues was more evident than that of paracancerous tissues, the expression of both variants was simultaneous basically. Immunohistochemical results: the Livin protein positive expression rate of esophageal carcinoma tissues was higher evidently than that of paracancerous tissues(Plt;0.01). Livin protein positive expression rate of external coat of esophagus invaded by carcinoma was higher than that of tunica muscularis esophagi invaded by carcinoma(Plt;0.05); Livin protein positive expression rate of lymph node metastasis was higher than that of normal lymph node (Plt;0.05). The expression of Livin protein was not related to the expression of P53 protein（χ2=1.00,P=0.505）,but it was positively related to the expression of Bcl-2 protein（χ2=10.60，P=0.003）. Conclusion Aberrant expression of Livin may be a new target for diagnosis and gene treatment of esophageal carcinoma.The aberrant expression of Livinand apoptosis related gene Bcl-2 may play synergetic roles in process of carcinogenesis of esophageal carcinoma.
Objective To explore the expression of CD105 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and it＇s relationship with P53 protein. Methods Using streptavidin biotinperoxidase （SP） method, the expression of CD105 protein and P53 protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were examined in normal esophageal tissues （n=10） and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues（n=86）. Results The expression positive rate of CD105 protein was 74. 4%（64/86） in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma , 0% in normal esophageal epithelium. Expression positive rate of CD105 protein was 66. 1%（37/56） in early stage （stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ ）, 90.0% （27/30） in later stages （stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ ）. The expression of CD105 protein were bly associated with P53 protein（P〈0. 05）. Conclusion CD105 protein may participate in the onset and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. CD105 protein could he a new diagnostic /therapeutic target in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Increasing evidence suggests that many types of cancers contain a population of cells that display stem cell properties. These cells are called cancer stem cells （CSCs），which are closely related to tumor initiation，growth，metastasis and chemoresistance. CSCs are also found in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC）. These cells are characterized by potential of self-renewal and differentiation，tumor formation in nude mice and chemotherapy resistance，and thus may play an important role in targeted cancer therapies. Current methods for culturing and sorting CSCs in ESCC mainly include fluorescence activated cell sorting （FACS），magnetic activated cell sorting （MACS），suspension culture，and side population （SP） cell sorting. In this review，we focus on current research methods for CSCs in ESCC，their biological characteristics and areas for improvement. We believe that a combination of multiple cell-surface makers is needed for research of CSCs in ESCC.
Abstract: Objective To study the expression of E-selectin on vascular endothelial cells of nude mice liver induced by esophageal carcinoma cells, in order to find out the function of E-selectin in the metastasis of esophageal carcinoma into the liver. Methods Twelve Balb/c nude mice aged from 6 to 8 weeks with their weight ranged between 20 and 25 grams were selected in our research. The mice were equally distributed into the experimental group and the control group(n=6). EC9706 cell solution (5×10.6/0.02 ml) were injected beneath the splenic capsule of the mice in the experimental group. One hour later, spleen was removed. For the mice in the control group, after laparotomy, phosphate buffer without EC 9706 was injected beneath the splenic capsule and spleen was also removed one hour after the injection. Eight hour later, we resected the liver of the nude mice, and expression of E-selectin on vascular endothelial cells of the liver was detected with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results In the experimental group, 8 hours after injection of EC9706 cells (5×10.6), the results of RT-PCR showed expression of E-selectin mRNA in the liver, and IHC showed a positive protein expression of E-selectin in the cytosol and membrane of hepatic sinus vessels.However, no E-selectin mRNA expression was found in the control group and IHC showed a negative protein expression of E-selectin. Conclusion Human esophageal carcinoma cell line EC9706 can induce balb/c mice liver vascular endothelial cell E-selectin expression, which shows that EC9706 may stay in the liver and form etastatic focus.
Objective To compare short-term quality of life and postoperative complications in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with different routes reconstruction after McKeown esophagectomy. Methods The clinical data of 144 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received McKeown esophagectomy in Shanghai Chest Hospital from January 2016 to October 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them 93 patients accepted retrosternal approach (a RR group, 71 males and 22 females at an average age of 63.5±7.7 years) and 51 patients accepted posterior mediastinal approach (a PR group, 39 males and 12 females at an average age of 62.3±8.0 years). Short-term surgical outcomes were compared and a Quality of Life Questionnaire of Patients Underwent Esophagectomy 1.0 was performed at postoperative 1st and 3rd month. Results There was no difference in two groups in sex, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), and location and clinical stage of tumors (P>0.05). The neoadjuvant therapy was more performed in the RR group (16.1%vs. 5.9%, P=0.075). There were more robot-assisted esophagecctomy operations performed in the PR group (52.9% vs. 45.2%, P=0.020). No significant difference was noted in operation duration, intraoperative blood loss or length of ICU stay between the RR and PR groups (251.3±59.1 min vs. 253.1±27.7 min, P=0.862; 223.7±75.1 ml vs. 240.0±75.1 ml, P=0.276; 3.7±6.6 d vs. 2.3±2.1 d, P=0.139). The patients in the PR group had more lymph nodes dissected and shorter hospital stay (P<0.001). Rate of R1/2 resection was higher in the RR group (12.9%vs. 5.9%, P=0.187). No surgery-related mortality was observed in both groups. The anastomotic leak and the anastomotic stricture was higher in the RR group than that in the PR group (25.8% vs. 5.9%, P=0.003). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the quality of life at postoperative 1st and 3rd month. However, the quality of life at postoperative 3rd month significantly improved in both groups (P<0.001). Compared with the PR group, the dysphagia was more severe in the RR group at postoperative 1st month (3.3±1.5 vs. 2.6±1.1, P=0.007), while the reflux symptom was lighter at postoperative 3rd month (3.0±1.8 vs. 3.6±1.6, P=0.045). Conclusion The two different routes reconstruction after McKeown esophagectomy are both safe and feasible. The anterior mediastinal approach increases the risk of anastomotic leak, but with low incidence of reflux symptom.
Conduit failure and conduit airway fistula are rare complications after esophagectomy, however they can be catastrophic resulting in high mortality. Survivors can expect a prolonged hospital course with multiple interventions and an extended period of time prior to being able to resume oral nutrition. High index of suspicion can aid in early diagnosis. Conduit failure usually requires a period of proximal esophageal diversion and staged reconstruction. Conduit airway fistulas may be amenable to endoscopic repair but this has a high failure rate and many patients will require surgical repair with closure of the fistula and interposition of vascularized tissue to minimize recurrence.
Esophagectomy and extensive lymphadenectomy still remain effective treatment strategies for patients with resectable esophageal carcinoma (EC). However,traditional esophagectomy is performed via open approaches and associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. In order to reduce morbidity and mortality after esophagectomy,various minimally invasive techniques have been introduced to esophagectomy by many medical centers,and minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has been widely developed in thoracic surgery. MIE has been proven to be a safe and feasible approach for the treatment of EC. Compared with open esophagectomy,MIE can reduce surgical blood loss,achieve complete and standardized tumor resection and lymph node dissection,and obtain equivalent long-term survival results. However,there are still controversies in some aspects of MIE for the treatment of EC,and the superiority of MIE has not been fully demonstrated. In this review,we focus on five aspects of MIE for the treatment of EC,including MIE techniques,perioperative outcomes,completeness and standard of tumor resection,long-term survival results and current problems.
Objective To study the molecular characteristics of RNA binding protein aldehyde dehydrogenase 18 family member A1 (ALDH18A1) in esophageal carcinoma cells (KYSE150 cells) and its effect on tumor growth. MethodsHuman esophageal squamous cell (KYSE150 cells) was cultured in vitro. At the same time, RNA co-immuno precipitation technology was used to study the binding of RNA and protein in the cell, and the corresponding RNA-protein complex was precipitated by the antibody of the target protein to separate and purify the captured RNA. The molecular characteristics of ALDH18A1 binding RNA were analyzed, and KyotoEncyclopedia of Genes and Genomes cluster analysis was performed for ALDH18A1 binding target genes. Results Protein immunoblotting experiments showed that the target protein was well enriched by antibodies. ALDH18A1 had extensive RNA binding activity, with significant enrichment in regions such as coding sequences, intron, and 5’untranslated region. ALDH18A1 mainly bound to the UGUAAUC motif of RNA. The cluster analysis showed that the RNA molecules bound to ALDH18A1 mainly participated in focal adhesion, central carbon metabolism in cancer, cell cycle, spliceosome, RNA transport, and ubiquitin mediated protein hydrolysis. Conclusion ALDH18A1 has the function of binding to RNA molecules and may play a role in the expression of esophageal cancer-related genes and related biological processes.
Great progress has been made in immunotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in recent years. However, for thoracic surgeons, immunotherapy is still a new thing and they lack enough experience. Therefore, this paper attempts to discuss some hot issues of immunotherapy, including the indications, side effects, clinical efficacy and evaluation of efficacy. The author hopes that this article will help and attract the attention of thoracic surgeons.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma after surgical resection.MethodsA retrospective study of patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma undergoing surgical resection from January 2009 to June 2015 in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sichuan Provincial Fourth People's Hospital and Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University was performed. Survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Cox regression model was used for identifying independent prognostic factors.ResultsA total of 53 patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma were included for analysis. The mean age was 58.4 ± 8.3 years and there were 42 male patients and 11 female patients. Forty-two patients were diagnosed as pure esophageal small cell carcinoma while 11 patients were diagnosed with mixed esophageal small cell carcinoma, who were all mixed with squamous cell carcinoma. Most of the esophageal small cell carcinomas were located in the middle (58.5%) and lower (32.1%) segments of the esophagus. Thirty patients (56.6%) were found to have lymph node metastasis, and 7 patients (13.2%) were found to have lymphovascular invasion. According to the 2009 TNM staging criteria for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, there were 12 patients with stage Ⅰ disease, 19 patients with stage Ⅱ disease, and 22 patients with stage Ⅲ disease. Most of the patients underwent left thoracotomy with two-field lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, only twenty-two patients (41.5%) received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The median survival time of these patients was 20.1 months, and the 1- and 3-year survival rate was 75.5% and 33.1%, respectively. For prognosis, age, gender, pathological type, tumor location, and lymphovascular invasion had no significant impact on long-term survival of these patients. However, TNM stage (1 year survival rate: stage Ⅰ: 91.7%; stage Ⅱ: 78.9%; stage Ⅲ: 63.6%; P=0.004) and postoperative adjuvant therapy (1 year survival rate: 81.8% vs. 71.0%; P=0.005) had significant impact on the survival of patients with esophageal small cell carcinoma. In multivariate analysis, TNM stage and postoperative adjuvant therapy were independent prognostic factors for long-term prognosis of patients with esophageal small cell carcinoma.ConclusionEsophageal small cell carcinoma is very rare, with high malignancy and poor prognosis. For patients with resectable esophageal small cell carcinoma, the TNM staging system of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma can be used to direct the choice of treatment options. For early stage esophageal small cell carcinoma (stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ), surgery plus postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy can be the prior therapeutic choice, while for locally advanced esophageal small cell carcinoma (stage Ⅲ), chemoradiotherapy should be the preferred treatment.