Recent proteomic studies identified Transferrin (Tf) as a potential biomarker for cancer. We examined the efficacy of the newly developed Tf dipstick for detecting colorectal cancer and premalignant lesions, and compared that to Immuno Fecal Occult Blood test (IFOBT). Fecal samples from 110 patients including 40 colorectal cancer, 36 premalignant subjects (including 16 with high-risk adenomas and 20 with ulcerative colitis), and 34 low-risk subjects were collected before colonoscopic examination. Compared with IFOBT, Tf had a significantly higher positive rate in patients with colorectal cancer and premalignant lesions (76% for Tf versus 61% for IFOBT, respectively; χ 2 = 4.38; P < 0.05). The difference of positivity was mainly observed in patients with premalignant lesions (72% for Tf versus 44% for IFOBT; χ 2 = 5.71; P < 0.05), whereas the positive rates in cancer group and in low-risk group were similar (both P > 0.05). Combining Tf with IFOBT together (either/or) had 90% positive rate in cancer patients, 78% in premalignant patients, and 29% in low-risk subjects. The overall accuracy of IFOBT and Tf tests for detecting colorectal cancer and premalignant lesion was 69.0% and 76.4%, respectively. Tf dipstick test seems to be a highly sensitive test for detecting not only cancer, but also premalignant lesions, and provides an additional tool for colorectal cancer screening. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2182-5)

OBJECTIVE:  Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the pathogenesis of gastric MALT lymphoma and the present study aimed to analyze this correlation in Chinese patients. METHODS:  Thirty‐five cases of primary gastrointestinal non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma that had been surgically resected and pathologically examined during the past 20 years were collected. The tissue samples were re‐examined by a physician from the pathology department. Immunohistochemical staining and H. pylori tests were conducted. The clinical diagnosis of gastric MALT lymphoma and the results of therapy were analyzed. RESULTS:  According to the immunohistochemistry results, 21 cases were MALT lymphoma, and of these 16 were gastric MALT lymphoma, one was intestinal MALT lymphoma and four were colonic MALT lymphoma. Of the 16 samples of gastric MALT lymphoma, 13 were positive for H. pylori infection and three could not be evaluated because the sample was full of cancer cells. Of the cases of gastric MALT lymphoma, two were stage I1, five were stage II1, and nine were stage IIE. Eleven patients underwent endoscopy: three were misinterpreted as gastric carcinoma, one was diagnosed as Menetrier's disease, one as chronic atrophic gastritis, and only six cases were correctly diagnosed before surgery. Eradication of H. pylori in one patient with gastric MALT lymphoma resulted in regression of the lesion; that patient was followed up for 3 years without relapse. Fifteen cases underwent surgery and 10 were followed up for 5 years: four relapsed within 1−2 years after operation and six remained well. CONCLUSION:  There is a close relationship between H. pylori infection and gastric MALT lymphoma. Early gastric MALT lymphoma can be cured after eradication of H. pylori. The depth of the lesion should be diagnosed by echoendoscopy and therapy should be chosen on the basis of the stage of the disease.