Background. Galectin‐3 is an endogenous galactose‐binding protein that is expressed in a wide range of normal and neoplastic tissues and is thought to be involved in cellular adhesion and growth regulation. Conflicting data have been reported regarding the expression of galectin‐3 during carcinogenesis in the colon. Methods. The authors studied the expression of galectin‐3 in 153 tissue specimens, including 29 adenomas containing early cancer, 66 colon carcinomas of known Dukes' stage with available long term patient survival data, and 23 additional primary carcinomas with 35 associated metastases. An immunohistochemical scoring system was used that considers tumor heterogeneity and yields an integrated numeric score subject to statistical analysis. Genetically related colon cancer cells with different metastatic capabilities also were compared by Western blot analysis. Results. Galectin‐3 expression was significantly higher in high grade dysplasia and early invasive cancers compared with the adenomatous tissues from which they evolved (mean staining score, 2.33 vs. 1.15; P = 0.001). Galectin‐3 expression in invasive cancers varied according to Dukes' stage, indicating a linear relationship with advancing stage (P = 0.008). Enhanced expression correlated with decreased long term patient survival (P = 0.021). Metastases expressed a higher level of galectin‐3 compared with the primary cancers from which they evolved (P < 0.005) as did cultured cells of high metastatic capability compared with their counterparts with low metastatic potential. Conclusion. Galectin‐3 expression in colonic mucosa is related to neoplastic transformation and metastatic progression. Cancer 1995;75:2818–26.

No abstract

INTRODUCTIONPeptic oesophageal stricture is a consequence of chronic erosive oesophagitis. 1, 2 The non-surgical approach is directed at dilating the luminal diameter by serial bougienage 1 followed by therapy with a proton pump inhibitor. 3±7 A prospective and controlled study was performed in order to compare the effects of omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole in the maintenance treatment of complicated gastro-oesophageal re¯ux disease. METHODSWe recruited outpatients with endoscopically con®rmed severe oesophagitis and peptic stricture. Inclusion criteria were: grade 4 oesophagitis according to the Savary±Miller classi®cation (oesophagitis with multiple circumferential erosions and stricture 8 ) and one or more of four symptoms (heartburn, pain, regurgitation and solid food dysphagia). Exclusion criteria included age under 18 years; pregnancy; malignant oesophageal stenosis; oesophagogastric surgery; serious renal, cardiac, hepatic or pulmonary disease; and expected poor compliance with treatment. SUMMARYBackground: Proton pump inhibitors are effective for the healing of oesophagitis. Standard doses of omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole are suf®cient for healing in mild to moderate cases of oesophagitis. Aim: To compare the ef®cacy of double the standard doses of omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole for maintenance treatment of severe oesophagitis complicated by a stricture. Methods: Thirty-six patients with re¯ux oesophagitis and stricture con®rmed by endoscopy were included in a prospective study comparing three maintenance therapies. In all cases weekly dilatation of the stenosis was performed and patients were treated with omeprazole 20 mg b.d. until healing of oesophagitis and dysphagia relief were achieved. Thirty participants responded to therapy and were then randomly assigned

No abstract

No abstract