Detection accuracy for epithelial dysplasia using an objective autofluorescence visualization method based on the luminance ratio

The autofluorescence visualization method （AVM） uses blue excitation light to assist in the diagnosis of epithelial dysplasia. It detects epithelial dysplasia as a black area, which is known as fluorescence visualization loss （FVL）. In this study, we evaluated the detection accuracy for epithelial dysplasia of the tongue using the objective AVM and assessed its possible clinical utility. Seventy-nine tongue specimens clinically suspected to have leukoplakia or squamous cell carcinoma （SCC） were analyzed. First, the AVM was subjectively performed using the Visually Enhanced Lesion scope （VELscope）, and the iodine-staining method was then performed. After biopsy, the histopathological results and the luminance ratio between the lesion and healthy tissue were compared, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was created. The cutoff value for the objective AVM was determined; the lesion was considered FVL-positive or -negative when the luminance ratio was higher or lower than the cutoff value, respectively. The histopathological diagnoses among the 79 specimens were SCC （n = 30）, leukoplakia with dysplasia （n = 34）, and leukoplakia without dysplasia （n= 15）. The cutoff value of the luminance ratio was 1.62, resulting in 66 FVL-positive and 13 FVL-negative specimens. The luminance ratio was significantly higher in the epithelial dysplasia-positive than -negative group （P〈O.O00 1）. The objective AVM showed much higher consistency between histopathological results than did the two methods （kappa statistic = 0.656）. In conclusion, objective autofluorescence visualization has a potential as an auxiliary method for diagnosis of epithelial dysplasia.

Possible involvement of leptin and leptin receptor in developing gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM： To investigate the expression of leptin and leptin receptor （ob-R） in intestinal-type gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, and to explore the possible mechanism and role of the leptin system in developing intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma.METHODS： Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the expression of leptin and leptin receptor in archival samples of gastric adenocarcinoma and preneoplastic lesions, including intestinal metaplasia and mild to severe gastric epithelial dysplasia. Positive staining was identified and percentage of positive staining was graded.RESULTS： Dual expression of leptin and leptin receptor were detected in 80% （16/20） intestinal metaplasia, 86.3% （25/30） mild gastric epithelial dysplasia, 86.7% （26/30） moderate gastric epithelial dysplasia, 93.3% （28/30） severe gastric epithelial dysplasia, 91.3% （55/60） intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma and 30.0% （9/30） diffuse-type gastric carcinoma. The percentage of dual expression of leptin and leptin receptor in intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma （χ^2 = 37.022, P〈0.01）.CONCLUSION： Our results indicate the presence of an autocrine loop of leptin system in the development of intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma.

Ulcerative colitis: From inflammation to cancer. Do estrogen receptors have a role?

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a condition at increased risk for colorectal carcinoma(CRC) development. Nowadays, screening and follow-up programs are routinely performed worldwide to promote the early detection of CRCs in subjects with well known risk factors(extent, duration and severity of the disorder). The diffusion of these procedures is presumably the main reason for the marked reduction of cancer incidence and mortality in the course of UC. In addition, chemoprevention has been widely investigated and developed in many medical fields, and aspirin has shown a preventive effect against CRC, while mesalazine has been strongly invoked as a potential chemopreventive agent in UC. However, available studies show some limitations due to the obvious ethical implications of drug withdrawal in UC in order to design a control group. The estrogenreceptors(ER) alpha/beta balance seems to have a relevant influence on colorectal carcinogenesis and ER beta appears to parallel apoptosis, and hence an anticarcinogenic effect. Phytoestrogens are compounds acting as ER beta agonists and have shown a promising chemopreventive effect on sporadic as well as genetically inherited CRC. There is evidence suggesting a role for ERs in UC-related carcinogenesis. In this perspective, since these substances can be considered as dietary supplements and are completely free from side effects, phytoestrogens could be an interesting option for CRC prevention, even when the disease is a consequence of long-term chronic inflammation, as in the course of UC. Further studies of their effects are warranted in both the basic research and clinical fields.

Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Moluodan(摩罗丹)for the Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis with Dysplasia

Objective： To assess the efficacy and safety of Moluodan （摩罗丹~） in treating dysplasia in chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） patients. Methods： This was a multi-centered, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. The total of 196 subjects were assigned to receive either Moluodan or folic acid in a 2：1 ratio by blocked randomization. Mucosa marking targeting biopsy （MTB） was used to insure the accuracy and consistency between baseline and after 6-month treatment. Primary outcomes were histological score, response rate of pathological lesions and dysplasia disappearance rate. Secondary endpoints included gastroscopic findings, clinical symptom and patient reported outcome （PRO） instrument. Results： Dysplasia score decreased in Moluodan group （P=0.002）, significance was found between groups （P=0.045）. Dysplasia disappearance rates were 24.6% and 15.2% in Moluodan and folic acid groups respectively, no significant differences were found （P=0.127）. The response rate of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were 34.6% and 23.0% in Moluodan group, 24.3% and 13.6% in folic acid group. Moluodan could improve erythema （P=0.044）, and bile reflux （P=0.059）, no significance between groups. Moluodan was better than folic acid in improving epigastric pain, epigastric suffocation, belching and decreased appetite （P〈0.05）, with symptom disappearance rates of 37% to 83%. Conclusions： Moluodan improved dysplasia score in histopathology, and erythema and bile reflux score in endoscopy, and superior to folic acid in improving epigastric pain, epigastric suffocation, belching and decreased appetite.