crossing96/oncoscreening huggingface dataset:
Effects of cyclooxygenase-2 on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.	AIM: To study the relationship between the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 gene and the proliferation and apoptosis of esophageal squamous carcinoma EC109 cells. METHODS: The techniques of RNA interference (RNAi) and cell transfection, as well as the levels of oncogenicity in nude mice, were used to study the role of COX-2 in the esophageal squamous carcinoma cell (ESCC) line EC109. Following RNAi and transfection, Western blotting analysis was used to determine the expression of the COX-2 protein. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay was used to evaluate cell growth, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Western blotting analysis demonstrated that COX-2 expression was significantly reduced in EC109 cells treated with COX-2-specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) but was increased in EC109 cells transfected with COX-2. Furthermore, COX-2 siRNA treatment inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0.01) and induced apoptosis in EC109 cells, as determined by an MTT assay and by flow cytometry, respectively. In contrast, transfected COX-2 led to increased cell proliferation (P < 0.05) and decreased apoptosis in EC109 cells. In addition, combination treatment of cells with COX-2 siRNA and aspirin had a synergistic effect (P < 0.01). For experiments measuring tumorigenicity, xenograft tumors of a greater volume and weight were found in the COX-2 group compared with other groups (P < 0.05). A large dose of aspirin inhibited tumor growth in nude mice effectively (P < 0.05), and the rate of tumor suppression was 51.8% in the high-dose aspirin group. CONCLUSION: COX-2 plays a very critical role in ESCC carcinogenesis, and COX-2 siRNA combined with aspirin has the potential to be an anticancer therapy for the treatment of ESCC.	esophagus
Increased expression of VEGF, COX-2, and Ki-67 in Barrett's esophagus: does the length matter?	BACKGROUND: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a major complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease due to its neoplastic potential. The length of the metaplastic epithelium has been associated with cancer risk. Angiogenesis, inflammation, and increased cell proliferation are early events in the malignant sequence. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Ki-67 are indirect markers of these complex mechanisms. AIMS: To examine the expression of VEGF, COX-2 and Ki-67 in BE and investigate whether there is an association to Barrett's length. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for VEGF, COX-2, and Ki-67 was performed in well-characterized Barrett's samples, evaluated using a qualitative scale and compared between long (LSBE) and short (SSBE) segments. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 98 patients (78 men). LSBE and SSBE was diagnosed in 33 (33.7%) and 65 (66.3%) cases, respectively. VEGF was expressed in vascular endothelium of all Barrett's specimens. COX-2 and Ki-67 expression in metaplastic epithelia was strong in 81.6 and 61.2% of the samples, respectively. Ki-67 expression was significantly stronger in LSBE (p = 0.035), whereas VEGF expression was significantly increased in SSBE (p = 0.031). COX-2 expression was not associated with Barrett's length. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF, COX-2, and Ki-67 were overexpressed in the majority of Barrett's samples. The length was inversely associated with VEGF expression and directly associated with Ki-67 expression.	esophagus
Association of nitrogen compounds in drinking water with incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Shexian, China.	The incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which is the eighth most common malignancy worldwide, is highest in China. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between nitrogen compounds in drinking water with the incidence of ESCC by geographical spatial analysis. The incidence of ESCC is high in Shexian county, China, and environmental factors, particularly nitrogen-contaminated drinking water, are the main suspected risk factors. This study focuses on three nitrogen compounds in drinking water, namely, nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia, all of which are derived mainly from domestic garbage and agricultural fertilizer. The study surveyed 48 villages in the Shexian area with a total population of 54,716 (661 adults with ESCC and 54,055 non-cancer subjects). Hot-spot analysis was used to identify spatial clusters with a high incidence of ESCC and a high concentration of nitrogen compounds. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors for ESCC incidence. Most areas with high concentrations of nitrate nitrogen in drinking water had a high incidence of ESCC. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between nitrate concentration and ESCC (P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis also confirmed that nitrate nitrogen has a significantly higher odds ratio. The results indicate that nitrate nitrogen is associated with ESCC incidence in Shexian county. In conclusion, high concentrations of nitrate nitrogen in drinking water may be a significant risk factor for the incidence of ESCC.	esophagus
Adherence to dietary recommendations and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a case-control study in Iran.	BACKGROUND/AIM: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans Adherence Index (DGAI) 2005 was developed to assess the contribution of dietary patterns to chronic disease risk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of dietary patterns as measured by the DGAI 2005 with the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) risk in Iran. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 50 ESCC cases and 100 hospital controls aged 40-75 years. Participants were interviewed using validated food frequency questionnaires and the DGAI score was calculated subsequently. RESULTS: Generally, the mean DGAI 2005 score for this population was low (9.54 ± 1.79) and the control group scored significantly higher compared to the ESCC cases (p < 0.001). Being in the highest tertile of DGAI scores reduced the risk of ESCC by 31%. Consumption of salty, peppery, and sour foods in combination increased the ESCC risk by 7.23%, followed by consumption of fried/barbecued meals (OR 3.79; 95% CI 1.10-5.44; p < 0.001) and high-temperature food/beverages (OR 3.68; 95% CI 1.20-8.99; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of a diet in accordance with dietary recommendations was associated with a lower risk of ESCC. Preventive strategies to reduce the ESCC risk in high-risk regions of the world should focus on overall dietary patterns and dietary habits in order to be effective.	esophagus
Oesophageal cancer treatment in a tertiary referral hospital evaluated by indicators for quality of care.	BACKGROUND: Studies on quality of care for oesophageal cancer patients usually include only traditional outcome parameters. The aim of the study was to address quality of care in a broader perspective. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2008, 821 oesophageal cancer patients were referred to our institute. Indicators to measure quality of care (i.e., process and outcome measures) were defined and comparisons between two time periods were made. RESULTS: 335 patients came for a second opinion only, 382 patients received palliative treatment and 104 (13%) patients underwent potentially curative treatment. The median time between the first hospital visit and start of treatment decreased from 24 days in period I to 18 days in period II (P = 0.03). Of patients who underwent potentially curative treatment, 81% in period I and 86% in period II were discussed during a weekly multidisciplinary meeting (P = 0.54). Compliance with the national guideline was comparable in both periods (84% vs. 80%, P = 0.27). There were non-significant improvements in completion of chemoradiation (85% vs. 91%), postoperative complication rates (57% vs. 33%) and 3-year survival (40% vs. 46%). CONCLUSION: By evaluating different dimensions of health care quality, we have identified which steps in the multidisciplinary care path need more attention in order to raise the whole level of care. Efforts for improvement should focus primarily on process measures rather than on outcome measures for which high-quality standards are already met.	esophagus
The efficacy of endoscopic triamcinolone injection for the prevention of esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection.	BACKGROUND: Use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for management of widespread superficial esophageal carcinomas may be complicated by the development of severe strictures, which may require serial treatment with endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD). OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of endoscopic triamcinolone injection (ETI) for the prevention of stricture formation after ESD. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral center. PATIENTS: A total of 41 consecutive patients who had a semi-circumferential mucosal defect that arose after ESD for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas were enrolled in this study. INTERVENTIONS: EBD and ETI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Incidence of stricture and frequency of required EBD. RESULTS: ETI was performed in one group of patients (study group, n = 21) but not in the other (control group, n = 20). The incidence of stricture was significantly lower in the study group (19.0%) than in the control group (75.0%; P < .001). The number of required EBDs was also lower in the study group (mean, 1.7; range, 0-15) than in the control group (mean, 6.6; range 0-20). There were no side effects or complications associated with ETI. LIMITATIONS: Nonrandomized study design and small number of patients in a single endoscopic center. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that ETI is safe and effective for the prevention of esophageal stricture in patients undergoing ESD for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.	esophagus
[Intraepithelial neoplasia of Barrett's esophagus: prognosis of potential malignancy].	Adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus mainly develop from intestinal metaplasia (Barrett's esophagus) through intermediate steps of low-grade and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. Histopathological examination of endoscopic biopsies constitutes the gold standard for estimating the cancer risk of a patient with Barrett's esophagus. Several prospective biomarker phase IV studies have demonstrated the predictive value of e.g. allelic loss of TP53, tetraploidy and aneuploidy as well as cyclin D1 expression. Among the relevant biomarkers from retrospective phase III studies are polysomy and specific DNA gains and losses, markers of proliferation (Mib-1) and methylation markers. As there are conflicting results in the literature and these analyses are costly, their use in routine patient care cannot yet be recommended. However, immunostaining for several markers may assist in the classification of intraepithelial neoplasia in individual difficult cases.	esophagus
Randomized phase II trial of lyophilized strawberries in patients with dysplastic precancerous lesions of the esophagus.	Dysplasia is a histologic precursor of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We previously showed that dietary freeze-dried, or lyophilized, strawberry powder inhibits N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced SCC in the rat esophagus. On the basis of this observation, we conducted a randomized (noncomparative) phase II trial in China to investigate the effects of two doses of freeze-dried strawberries in patients with esophageal dysplastic lesions in a high-risk area for esophageal cancer. We randomly assigned 75 patients identified by endoscopy to have dysplastic esophageal premalignant lesions to receive freeze-dried strawberry powder at either 30 g/d (37 patients) or 60 g/d (38 patients) for six months; the powder was mixed with water and drunk. After six months, we assessed the changes in histologic grade of these lesions (primary endpoint) in a blinded fashion. The dose of 30 g/d, did not significantly affect histology or any other measured parameter. The dose of 60 g/d, however, reduced the histologic grade of dysplastic premalignant lesions in 29 (80.6%) of the 36 patients at this dose who were evaluated for histology (P < 0.0001). The strawberry powder was well tolerated, with no toxic effects or serious adverse events. Strawberries (60 g/d) also reduced protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by 79.5% (P < 0.001), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by 62.9% (P < 0.001), phospho-nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)-p65 (pNFκB-p65) by 62.6% (P < 0.001), and phospho-S6 (pS6) by 73.2% (P < 0.001). Freeze-dried strawberries (60 g/d) also significantly inhibited the Ki-67 labeling index by 37.9% (P = 0.023). Our present results indicate the potential of freeze-dried strawberry powder for preventing human esophageal cancer, supporting further clinical testing of this natural agent in this setting.	esophagus
Cellular changes in the tumor microenvironment of human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.	The growth, invasiveness, and metastasis of human cancers are not only determined by the cancer cells but also by their microenvironment. The purpose of this study was to extend our previous studies and to examine the cellular changes in tumor microenvironment (stroma) of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). The proliferative activity, cellular components, and angiogenesis status in different compartments (non-tumor stroma, tumor stroma, and tumor periphery stroma) of ESCCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The results revealed a hyperproliferative rate labeled by Ki-67 in stromal cells in tumor area as compared with that in stromal cells in non-tumor area, which resulted in the increased densities of myofibroblasts (labeled by smooth muscle actin (SMA)-alpha), lymphocytes (labeled by CD3), macrophages (labeled by CD68), and the activation of angiogenesis characterized by increased microvessel density (MVD) and the increased expression of the proangiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin 8) in the tumor stroma. Further analysis showed that the changes of stromal cell density were more significant in the area of periphery tumor stroma than that of stroma between tumor nests. Most cellular changes were significantly associated with lymph node involvement. Double immunohistochemistries with PCNA/CD3, PCNA/CD68, and PCNA/SMA-alpha revealed that these cells present in the ESCC tumor stroma had a proliferative capacity. The cells present in the tumor microenvironment of ESCCs were greatly activated, suggesting that microenvironmental components may be involved in the cancer growth and progression.	esophagus
Cigarette smoking and esophageal cancer risk: an evaluation based on a systematic review of epidemiologic evidence among the Japanese population.	OBJECTIVE: Although cigarette smoking is considered as an important risk factor for esophageal cancer, the magnitude of the association might be varied among geographic areas. Therefore, we reviewed epidemiologic studies on the association between cigarette smoking and esophageal cancer among the Japanese population. METHODS: Original articles were obtained from MEDLINE searched using PubMed or from searches of the Ichushi database, complemented by manual searches. Evaluation of associations was based on the strength of evidence ('convincing', 'probable', 'possible' or 'insufficient') and the magnitude of association ('strong', 'moderate', 'weak' or 'no association'), together with biological plausibility as previously evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. RESULTS: We identified four cohort studies and 11 case-control studies. All cohort studies and eight case-control studies showed strong positive associations between esophageal cancer and cigarette smoking. All cohort studies and five case-control studies showed that cigarette smoking had dose-response relationships with esophageal cancer. Meta-analysis of 12 studies indicated that the summary estimate for ever smokers relative to never smokers was 3.01 (95% confidence interval: 2.30-3.94). Summary relative risk for current and former smokers relative to never smokers was 3.73 (2.16-6.43) and 2.21 (1.60-3.06), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is convincing evidence that cigarette smoking strongly increases the risk of esophageal cancer in the Japanese population.	esophagus
Deciphering the signature of selective constraints on cancerous mitochondrial genome.	In accordance with the hypothesis that cancer formation is a process of somatic evolution driven by natural selection, signature of positive selection has been detected on a number of cancer-related nuclear genes. It remains, however, controversial whether a similar selective pressure has also acted on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a small molecule in mitochondrion that may play an important role in tumorigenesis by altering oxidative phosphorylation. To better understand the mutational pattern on cancerous mtDNA and decipher the genetic signature left by natural selection, a total of 186 entire mitochondrial genomes of cancerous and adjacent normal tissues from 93 esophageal cancer patients were obtained and extensively studied. Our results revealed that the observed mutational pattern on the cancerous mtDNAs might be best explained as relaxation of negative selection. Taking into account an additional 1,235 cancerous (nearly) complete mtDNA sequences retrieved from the literature, our results suggested that the relaxed selective pressure was the most likely explanation for the accumulation of mtDNA variation in different types of cancer. This notion is in good agreement with the observation that aerobic glycolysis, instead of mitochondrial respiration, plays the key role in generating energy in cancer cells. Furthermore, our study provided solid evidence demonstrating that problems in some of the published cancerous mtDNA data adequately explained the previously contradictory conclusions about the selective pressure on cancer mtDNA, thus serving as a paradigm emphasizing the importance of data quality in affecting our understanding on the role of mtDNA in tumorigenesis.	esophagus
Changes in age, stage distribution, and survival of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma over three decades in the United States.	BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the changes in age, stage distribution, and overall survival (OS) of patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) over time. METHODS: Patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database aged ≥ 20 with invasive EAC, diagnosed from 1973-2003 were reviewed. Survival follow-up ended in 2006. RESULTS: There were 11,620 patients; 6580 (57%) aged ≥ 65. The stage distribution was 22%, 35%, and 43% for localized, regional, and distant metastasis for patients aged <65, and 33%, 33%, and 34% for patients aged ≥ 65. The number of patients ≥ 65 years with localized stage increased over time. Three-year OS for localized, regional, and distant disease increased from 19%, 10%, and 1% in 1973-1976, to 34%, 13%, and 2% in 1987-1991, and to 45%, 25%, and 4% in 2002-2003 (P < 0.001). A sub-analysis of 5475 patients from 1988-2002 showed better survival for patients with esophagectomy for all stages. Three-year OS for 2074 patients with esophagectomy improved every 5 years from 1988-2002 (39%, 43% to 54%, P < 0.001). Stratified by stage, year and esophagectomy status, patients aged <65 had better survival compared to patients aged ≥ 65 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a substantial improvement in overall survival among patients with invasive EAC over the last 3 decades. Patients receiving esophagectomy had longer survival. Survival with esophagectomy improved in each time period. Although younger EAC patients were diagnosed at more advanced stages over time, they had better survival.	esophagus
Meta-analysis: risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma with medications which relax the lower esophageal sphincter.	Reasons for the rising annual incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remain uncertain. Previous studies have given conflicting results, but some have suggested that drugs which relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) may increase the risk of EAC. This study is to determine systematically the risk of EAC associated with individual medications which relax the LES and compare risks with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA). Relevant published studies were identified by systematic searching PubMed for case-control studies reporting on risk of EAC, ESCC or GCA with use of medications known to reduce LES pressure. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each malignancy. Data were analyzed from four case-control studies involving 9,412 participants. EAC was significantly associated with theophylline use (OR 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-2.28; P= 0.03, I(2) = 0%) and anticholinergic medications (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.13-2.44; P= 0.01, I(2) = 84%). This effect was not observed in cases of ESCC or GCA. Other drug groups including calcium channel modulators and nitrates did not increase the risk of EAC. An inverse relationship was observed between ESCC and nitrates and between GCA and benzodiazepines. The lack of increased EAC risk with many commonly used medications is reassuring. However, a significant correlation was found between EAC and the use of anticholinergics and theophyllines. This may reflect common causality between obstructive lung disease and EAC, and further studies to explore these relationships are warranted.	esophagus
Transthoracic oesophagectomy with lymphadenectomy in 100 oesophageal cancer patients: multidisciplinary approach.	OBJECTIVES Analysis of the results on the treatment of esophageal cancer by transthoracic esophagectomy by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and oncologists. METHODS Between January 1990 and December 2009, 100 consecutive patients underwent transthoracic esophagectomy. Data were collected prospectively and clinical, pathological and histological features of the tumors were analyzed as well as the results of postoperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS The average patient age was 55 years (range 31- 83 years). In 59 cases the tumor was located in the lower third and in 41 cases in the middle third. Forty-six patients had adenocarcinoma and 54 squamous cell carcinoma. In 54 cases radio-chemotherapy was planned preoperatively. Classifi cation according to pathological tumor stage was: stage 0 in 21 patients, stage I in 10 patients, stage IIa in 28, stage IIb in 9, stage III in 21 and stage IV in 11. The mean number of lymph nodes examined was 14 (range 0-28). Hospital mortality occurred in 4 cases and postoperative complications in 29 patients (33%). The most frequent postoperative complication was pulmonary complications in 17 cases. The average hospital stay was 15.2 days (range 10-40 days) CONCLUSIONS The results of esophageal cancer have been improved in recent years due to the formation of multidisciplinary teams in this pathology. In our study we have shown that the results obtained with the transthoracic technique for cancer of the esophagus are within the ranges reported in the literature for teams with high prevalence of the disease.	esophagus