Search

Background/aims: Recently, it has been reported that WNT5A methylation was frequently detected in colorectal cancers. However, the relationship between the WNT5A methylation and the characteristics of gastric cancer remains unknown., Methodology: Methylation status of the WNT5A gene was examined in primary carcinomas and the corresponding normal tissues derived from 38 patients with gastric cancer using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) and the correlation between the methylation status and the clinicopathological findings was evaluated., Results: Aberrant methylation of the WNT5A gene was detected in 7 out of the 38 (18%) primary gastric carcinomas, suggesting that the methylation of WNT5A is observed in gastric carcinomas as well as colorectal ones. The clinicopathological data were correlated with the methylation results. A significant difference was observed in the extent of tumor (p=0.0226). Moreover, a trend was shown towards early TNM stages in methylated tumors (p=0.209)., Conclusions: WNT5A was more frequently methylated in early gastric carcinomas.

Background/aims: Gemcitabine is widely used as a first-line therapy for biliary tract cancer (BTC). However, few studies have been conducted to analyze second- line therapies., Methodology: From 33 patients who had been administered gemcitabine following resection between May 2005 and August 2007, we retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of S-1 in 11 cases who received S-1 as second-line therapy due to recurrence or relapse of the primary disease., Results: Among the adverse events (AEs) observed during S-1 administration, the most common was a decrease in the concentration of hemoglobin, followed by thrombocytopenia. No Grade 4 AEs or worse were detected. In addition, the AEs and their respective severity strongly resembled those of gemcitabine used as a first-line therapy. There were 7 cases that could be evaluated according to RECIST criteria, of which 1 was considered in the partial response and 3 as stable disease. The medians of time to progression after S-1 administration and survival after S-1 administration were 5.6 months and 31 months, respectively., Conclusions: S-1 could be taken safely as a second-line therapy without provoking severe AEs. By preventing the cessation of S-1 administration due to its AEs, more continued S-1 administration could lead to a better prognosis for BTC.