• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.838-842
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• 1997

Atypical bronchopulmonary carcinoid is an uncommon pulmonary tumor, an intermediate form between low grade malignant typical carcinoid and high grade malignant small cell carcinoma which is considered neuroendocrine in origin and may produce various hormones. We describe an asymptomatic middle aged women with no elevated hormone level. Based on bronchoscopic biopsy initial diagnosis of atypical carcinoid with oncocytic change was established. The patient underwent right lower and middle lobe bilobectomy and medi stinal Iymph node dissection. Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy was performed in 4 weeks.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.360-364
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• 2023

A 7-year-old castrated male Yorkshire Terrier presented for a palpable mass of the right neck with ophthalmic signs of conjunctival hyperemia and anisocoria with fixed mydriatic pupil of the right eye. Clinical examination findings included the absence of direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes, external and internal ophthalmoplegia, and corneal hypoesthesia with incomplete blinking of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed a mass extending from the right cavernous sinus to the orbital fissure with neighboring bone lysis. Cytological examination of fine-needle aspiration samples of the mass revealed a neuroendocrine tumor. The owner declined further diagnosis and did not wish to care for the dog receiving chemotherapy. This study describes the importance of investigating neuro-ophthalmic findings, which might provide clues for the localization of lesions, including tumors, to aid in diagnosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.502-510
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• 1992

Background: Neuron specific enolase (NSE) is a neuronal form of the glycolytic enzyme enolase which was first found in extracts of brain tissue, and later in a variety of APUD cells and neurons of the diffuse endocrine system. SCLC shares many APUD properties with normal neuroendocrine cells. NSE immunostaining and serum NSE measurement may be a useful marker of neuroendocrine differentiation in lung tumors and diagnosis of small cell carcinoma. Methods: NSE immunohistochemical staining was done and at the same time serum NSE levels were measured in 22 small cell lung cancer and 21 non small cell lung cancer which were confirmed histologically. Results: 1) NSE immunoreactivity was detected in 9 of the 18 (50%) small cell lung cancer, in 5 of the 16 non small cell lung cancer. 2) Whereas the mean value in non-small cell lung cancer group was $11.79{\pm}4.47\;ng/ml$, the mean level of serum NSE in small cell lung cancer increased up to $59.3{\pm}77.8\;ng/ml$. In small cell lung cancer patients, mean value of limited disease group was $20.19{\pm}12.91\;ng/ml$, while mean value of extended disease group was $91.9{\pm}94.2\;ng/ml$ showing statistically significant difference. If serum levels above 20 ng/ml were tentatively defined as positive, 16 of 22 (73%) patients with SCLC had positive serum NSE level, but only one patient with NSCLC did. There was no correlation between serum NSE level and immunoreactivity of NSE. Conclusion: These studies indicate that serum NSE measurement may be a useful marker for the diagnosis and disease extent and NSE immunostaining can be used to demonstrate the neuroendocrine components of lung tumor.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.373-376
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• 2015

Background: EVA1A (eva-1 homolog A) is a novel gene that regulates programmed cell death through autophagy and apoptosis. Our objective was to investigate the expression profiles and potential role of EVA1A in normal and neoplastic human pancreatic tissues. Materials and Methods: The expression pattern of EVA1A in normal pancreatic tissue was examined by indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Protein levels in paraffin-embedded specimens from normal and diseased pancreatic and matched non-tumor tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: EVA1A colocalized with glucagon but not with insulin, demonstrating production in islet alpha cells. Itwas strongly expressed in chronic pancreatitis, moderately or weakly expressed in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm in pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma, and absent in normal pancreatic acinar cells. Although the tissue architecture was deformed, EVA1A was absent in the alpha cells of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, mucinous cystadenomas, solid papillary tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Conclusions: EVA1A protein is specifically expressed in islet alpha cells, suggesting it may play an important role in regulating alpha-cell function. The ectopic expression of EVA1A in pancreatic neoplasms may contribute to their pathogenesis and warrants further investigation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1053-1059
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• 2002

In post-genome period, the technique for identifying gene expression has been changed to high throughput screening. In the field of molecular nutrition, the need for this technique to clarify molecular function of the specific nutrient is essential. In this study, we have tested the zinc-regulated gene expression in zinc-deficient U937 cells, using cDNA microarray which is the cutting-edge technique to screen large numbers of gene expression simultaneously. The study result can be used for the preliminary gene screening data for clarifying, using monocyte U937 cell line, molecular Zn aspect in atherosclerosis. U937 cells were cultured in Zn-adequate (control, 12 $\mu$M Zn) or Zn-deficient (experimental, 0 $\mu$M Zn) ESMI media during 2 days, respectively. Cells were harvested and RNA was extracted. Total RNA was reverse-transcriptinized and synthesized cDNA probe labeled with Cy-3. fluorescent labeled cDNA probe was applied to microarray slide for hybridization slide, and after then, the slide was scanned using fluorescence scanner. ‘Highly expressed genes’ in Zn-deficient U937 cells, comparing to Zn-adequate group, are mainly about the genes for motility protein, immune system protein, oncogene and tumor suppressor and ‘Less highly expressed genes’ are about the genes for transcription, apoptosis associated protein, cell cycle, and several basic transcription factors. The results of this preliminary study imply the effectiveness of cDNA microarray for expression profiling of a singly nutrient deficiency, specially Zn. Furthur study, using tailored-cDNA array and capillary endothelial cell lines, would be beneficial to clarify molecular Zn function, more in detail.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.441-448
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• 2019

Background Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine malignancy affecting the skin, for which timely diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential. MCC has most often been reported in Caucasians, and case reports in Asians are rare. This study presents our experiences with the surgical treatment and radiotherapy of MCC in Asian patients. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven MCC patients between 2000 and 2018 from a single institution, and analyzed patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, surgical treatment, sentinel lymph node evaluation, reconstruction, adjuvant radiation therapy, and prognosis. Results Eight MCC lesions occurred in seven patients, most commonly in the head and neck region. All patients underwent surgical excision with reconstruction. The final surgical margin was 1.0 cm in most cases, and reconstruction was most commonly performed with a splitthickness skin graft. Five patients received adjuvant radiotherapy, and two patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy. During the follow-up period, three patients remained well, two died from other causes, one experienced recurrence, and one was lost to follow-up. Conclusions We treated seven Asian MCC patients and our series confirmed that MCC is a very dangerous cancer in Asians as well. Based on our experiences, thorough surgical excision of MCC with histopathological clearance should be considered, with sentinel lymph node evaluation if necessary, followed by appropriate reconstruction and careful postoperative observation. Adjuvant radiation therapy is also recommended for all Asian MCC patients. The results of this case series may provide guidance for the treatment of Asian MCC patients in the future.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.90.1-90.12
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• 2018

Objective: We performed small-scale mutation and large genomic rearrangement (LGR) analysis of BRCA1/2 in ovarian cancer patients to determine the prevalence and the characteristics of the mutations. Methods: All ovarian cancer patients who visited a single institution between September 2015 and April 2017 were included. Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to comprehensively study BRCA1/2. The genetic risk models BRCAPRO, Myriad, and BOADICEA were used to evaluate the mutation analysis. Results: In total, 131 patients were enrolled. Of the 131 patients, Sanger sequencing identified 16 different BRCA1/2 small-scale mutations in 20 patients (15.3%). Two novel nonsense mutations were detected in 2 patients with a serous borderline tumor and a large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. MLPA analysis of BRCA1/2 in Sanger-negative patients revealed 2 LGRs. The LGRs accounted for 14.3% of all identified BRCA1 mutations, and the prevalence of LGRs identified in this study was 1.8% in 111 Sanger-negative patients. The genetic risk models showed statistically significant differences between mutation carriers and non-carriers. The 2 patients with LGRs had at least one blood relative with breast or ovarian cancer. Conclusion: Twenty-two (16.8%) of the unselected ovarian cancer patients had BRCA1/2 mutations that were detected through comprehensive BRCA1/2 genetic testing. Ovarian cancer patients with Sanger-negative results should be considered for LGR detection if they have one blood relative with breast or ovarian cancer. The detection of more BRCA1/2 mutations in patients is important for efforts to provide targeted therapy to ovarian cancer patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 1994

From December 1989 to February 1993, 108 patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers(NSCLC) were studied retrospectively to evaluate radiotherapeutic significance of serum levels of NSE. We considered elevated serum neuron specific enolase(S-NSE) level as one of the neuroendocrine features in NSCLC. Histopathologic evaluation revealed 86 squamous cell carcinomas, 11 adenocarcinomas.3 large cell carcinomas, 3 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, and 5 unknown pathology. Eight Patients had stage 1,40 stage IlIA, and 60 stage lIIB.S-NSE level greater than 15 ng/ml was considered as elevated, and below this considered as normal. All patients recieved radiotherapy as primary treatment modality. The responders to radiotherapy had significantly higher mean S-NSE level than non-responders (28.5 ng/ml vs 20 ng/ml, p=0.01). Overall 2-year survival rate(YSR) was 23.6$ \% $. According to radiotherapy response, 2 YSR for Patients with CR, PR, and NR were 39.2$ \% $, 28.6$ \% $, and 6.2$ \% $ respectively(p=0.001). 2 YSR for patients with elevated and normal S-NSE were 14.6$ \% $ and 31.7$ \% $(p=0.02). The patients with NR showed no difference in survival according to S-NSE level. When we considered all patients, S-NSE level showed no significant impact on response. But for squamous cell carcinomas alone, patients with elevated S-NSE had more responders(80$ \% $ vs 61$ \% $, p=0.05). There was no correlation between tumor characteristics and S-NSE level. But the patients with elevated S-NSE had more patients with higher nodal stage, Based on our and other datas, NSCLC with neuroendocrine features have different response to treatment and clinical behavior compared to other NSCLC. Thus, this subgroup may need different treatment modality, and S-NSE level may have prognostic significance.