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One of the hallmarks of cancer cells is increased energy requirements associated with the higher rate of cellular proliferative activity. Metabolic changes in rapidly dividing cancer cells are closely associated with increased uptake of glucose and abnormal activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which regulates the processing of glucose to lactic acid. As serum LDH levels were found to be commonly increased in cancer patients and correlated with poor clinical outcome and resistance to therapy, the determination of LDH has become a standard supportive tool in diagnosing cancers or monitoring the effects of cancer treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about methods and the practical utility for measuring both the total LDH and LDH isoenzymatic activities in the diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of cancer diseases.

To better understand the role of membrane- associated proteolytic systems in the development of esophageal cancer, we studied the expression of two serine proteases, fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) and three metalloproteinases, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP in 24 primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and paired non-cancer tissues. Using reverse-transcription PCR, western blotting and zymography, we showed that both serine proteases and all three metalloproteinases were highly altered in ESCC. A positive correlation between the expression of FAP-α and DPPIV and the activity of both gelatinases was found. This may indicate that these proteolytic systems are tightly linked to each other and collectively are involved in the process of ECM degradation that facilitates cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

A two-stage esophagectomy with an interval for reconstruction of the esophagus creates an opportunity for the esophageal stump to recover from vessel injury and allows the formation of granulation tissue rich in proangiogenic factors, including transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which may have an impact on anastomosis healing. The present study comprised 25 patients (27 in total, 2 succumbed to complications following surgery) who underwent two-stage esophagectomy for squamous cell carcinoma in the Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Wrocław Medical University (Wrocław, Poland) between January 2007 and December 2012. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF-A and TGF-β was performed to evaluate esophageal wall specimens at the time of esophagostomy construction and prior to anastomosis, in which the cervical esophagus was connected with the colon or ileum. At the time of reconstructive surgery, a significant increase in microvessel density was observed in all esophageal specimens (P<0.03). Significant differences were also identified in the immunohistochemical staining intensity of TGF-β and VEGF-A in the epithelium of all esophageal specimens between biopsies obtained from normal esophageal tissues at the time of esophagectomy and during reconstructive surgery. Delayed anastomosis construction provides an advantage for the esophageal stump to accumulate proangiogenic growth factors, which overlap with the subsequent proliferative stage of the anastomosed tissue and thus supports its recovery, creating an optimal environment for the healing of any fistulas.