Hepatocyte paraffin 1 antigen as a biomarker for early diagnosis of Barrett esophagus

Dedifferentiation-like tubular and solid carcinoma of the stomach shows phenotypic divergence and association with deficient SWI/SNF complex

Gastric carcinoma showing an abrupt transition from a tubular to solid pattern is an unusual phenomenon reminiscent of dedifferentiation. The phenotypic and molecular characteristics of this transition are still unclear. We retrospectively collected 41 gastric carcinomas exhibiting dedifferentiation-like tubular to solid transition and applied an array of immunohistochemical stains, including neuroendocrine and hepatocytic markers, to delineate their lineage. The status of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections, mismatch repair proteins, SWI/SNF complex proteins and p53 expression levels were examined. The clinicopathologic differences were assessed by statistical analysis. Except for 10 cases with neuroendocrine differentiation and 2 EBV-associated carcinomas, we identified 8 hepatoid carcinomas and 21 solid adenocarcinomas with loss of CDX2 and/or hep-par1 expression in solid part (12/29). A subset of solid adenocarcinoma was associated with MSI (8) and mutant p53 expression was frequent in non-MSI cases (10/13). We found hepatoid carcinomas usually harbored SMARCA2 loss (5/8), MSI-associated cases commonly had ARID1A loss (6/8), and non-MSI solid adenocarcinomas frequently showed SMARCA2/A4 loss (7/13) with a high rate of concurrent ARID1A loss (4/7). Spatial correlation between solid transition and loss of SWI/SNF complex subunits were seen in 63% of tumors (12/19). Dedifferentiation-like tubular and solid carcinoma was associated with a propensity to inferior survival outcomes (p = 0.034), especially hepatoid carcinoma and in the non-MSI/EBV intestinal subgroup. In conclusion, gastric cancer exhibiting dedifferentiation-like tubular to solid transition is a phenotypically divergent group that shares common alterations in the SWI/SNF complex.

Barrett's Esophagus and Intestinal Metaplasia

Intestinal metaplasia refers to the replacement of the differentiated and mature normal mucosal epithelium outside the intestinal tract by the intestinal epithelium. This paper briefly describes the etiology and clinical significance of intestinal metaplasia in Barrett’s esophagus. This article summarizes the impact of intestinal metaplasia on the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of Barrett’s esophagus according to different guidelines. We also briefly explore the basis for the endoscopic diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia in Barrett’s esophagus. The identification techniques of goblet cells in Barrett’s esophagus are also elucidated by some scholars. Additionally, we further elaborate on the current treatment methods related to Barrett’s esophagus.

FABP1 and Hepar expression levels in Barrett's esophagus and associated neoplasia in an Asian population

INTRODUCTION

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Evidence highlights that EAC is associated with an estimated 5-year survival of approximately 10-15%. Therefore, there is a need to determine which biomarkers are of value in the diagnosis of BE and beyond. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical significance of markers known to be expressed across BE and associated neoplasia.

METHODS

Retrospective tissues were obtained from columnar lined esophagus (CLE) without goblet cells (n=22), BE (n=29), dysplasia (n=14), and EAC (n=10). Standardised immunohistochemistry for FABP1, Hepar, CDH17, and CDX2 were performed followed by quantitative staining and statistical analysis.

RESULTS

FABP1 expression was negligible in CLE and was highest in BE, with a further decrease in expression in dysplasia and EAC. Hepar expression was also negligible in CLE and was highest in dysplasia and BE, with a reduced expression in EAC. CDH17 and CDX2 showed a significantly higher expression in BE, dysplasia, and EAC compared to CLE.

CONCLUSION

All 4 markers were excellent diagnostic panels to clearly discriminate BE from CLE. Moreover, as FABP1 and Hepar have different expression levels in dysplasia and EAC, these markers could function as key diagnostic aids in helping to determine the state of disease progression.

Studies on the biological functions of CPS1 in AFB1 induced hepatocarcinogenesis

Carbamyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) was down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as treated by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent hepatocarcinogenesis mycotoxin. In this study, we firstly confirmed that AFB1 down-regulated the expression of CPS1 in a dose-dependent manner. At the meantime, both siRNA knock down of CPS1 and AFB1 treatment inhibited cell proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis. To further analysis the function of CPS1, the interacting proteins of CPS1 were searched by Co-IP, and three interacting proteins including type II cytoskeletal 1 (KRT1), albumin (ALB), and ubiquitin C (UBC) were found. Both KRT1 and ALB were new interacting proteins for CPS1. Our further study showed that CPS1 was regulating interacted and colocalized with KRT1 and ALB, and the intensity correlation was changed by AFB1. KRT1, ALB and CPS1 were all reported to play an important role in differentiation and tissue specialization. These results may offer an increasing understand that CPS1 might have a function in differentiation.

HepPar-1 and Arginase-1 Immunohistochemistry in Adenocarcinoma of the Small Intestine and Ampullary Region

CONTEXT :HepPar-1 and Arginase-1 are urea cycle enzymes used to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from other carcinomas. HepPar-1, but not Arginase-1, is known to be immunoreactive with normal human small intestine.

OBJECTIVES

To better define and compare the immunohistochemical staining patterns of HepPar-1 and Arginase-1 in adenocarcinomas arising in the small intestine, including the ampullary region.

DESIGN

Staining for HepPar-1 and Arginase-1 was performed on 20 nonampullary small intestinal adenocarcinomas and 32 adenocarcinomas from the ampullary region. Ampullary adenocarcinomas were divided into intestinal morphology (15), pancreatobiliary morphology (14), and unclassifiable (3). Nonneoplastic small intestinal mucosa and colorectal adenocarcinomas were used as control groups.

RESULTS

HepPar-1 stained 12 of 20 nonampullary small intestinal adenocarcinomas, with a median of 63% of cells staining in positive cases. It also stained 11 of 15 ampullary carcinomas with intestinal morphology, with a median of 75% of cells staining in positive cases. Two of 14 ampullary carcinomas with pancreatobiliary morphology were positive for HepPar-1. Arginase-1 showed positivity in 2 ampullary region carcinomas and diffuse positivity in 1 duodenal adenocarcinoma. Two of 22 colorectal carcinomas stained for HepPar-1 with none positive for Arginase-1.

CONCLUSIONS

HepPar-1, but not Arginase-1, usually shows positivity in small intestinal adenocarcinomas and ampullary adenocarcinomas with intestinal morphology, but only rarely shows positivity in ampullary adenocarcinomas with pancreatobiliary morphology. HepPar-1 positivity in metastatic adenocarcinoma with intestinal morphology is suggestive of an upper gastrointestinal primary site.