Proteomic profiling of fetal esophageal epithelium, esophageal cancer, and tumor-adjacent esophageal epithelium and immunohistochemical characterization of a representative differential protein, PRX6

AIM To understand the molecular mechanism of esophageal cancer development and provide molecular markers for screening high-risk populations and early diagnosis. METHODS Two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry were adopted to screen differentially expressed proteins in nine cases of fetal esophageal epithelium, eight cases of esophageal cancer, and eight cases of tumor-adjacent normal esophageal epithelium collected from fetuses of different gestational age, or esophageal cancer patients from a high-risk area of esophageal cancer in China. Immunohistochemistry(avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method) was used to detect the expression of peroxiredoxin(PRX)6 in 91 cases of esophageal cancer, tumoradjacent normal esophageal tissue, basal cell hyperplasia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, as well as 65 cases of esophageal epithelium from fetuses at a gestational age of 3-9 mo.RESULTS After peptide mass fingerprint analysis and search of protein databases, 21 differential proteins were identified; some of which represent a protein isoform. Varying degrees of expression of PRX6 protein, which was localized mainly in the cytoplasm, were detected in adult and fetal normal esophageal tissues, precancerous lesions, and esophageal cancer. With the progression of esophageal lesions, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend(P < 0.05). In fetal epithelium from fetuses at gestational age 3-6 mo, PRX6 protein expression showed a declining trend with age(P < 0.05). PRX6 protein expression was significantly higher in well-differentiated esophageal cancer tissues than in poorly differentiated esophageal cancer tissues(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION Development and progression of esophageal cancer result from interactions of genetic changes(accumulation or superposition). PRX6 protein is associated with fetal esophageal development and cancer differentiation.

Clinical effects of apatinib mesylate for treatment of multiple brain micrometastases:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Apatinib is a small-molecule multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor.Apatinib has demonstrated encouraging antitumor activities.This study aimed to observe the efficacy and safety of apatinib for the treatment of multiple brain micrometastases.CASE SUMMARY We report two patients with multiple brain micrometastases after failure of second-line treatment.Both patients had extracerebral metastases.When the patients took 250 mg/d apatinib orally,the intracerebral lesions disappeared.The extracerebral lesions were partially alleviated.Both patients had a progressionfree survival of more than 12 mo and were still stable.The safety was good.The main adverse events(AEs)were mild hypertension and proteinuria,which could be controlled.CONCLUSION Apatinib has clear efficacy and good tolerance in patients with multiple brain micrometastases after failure of second-line treatment.