BACKGROUND & AIMS: Conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) with submucosal injection is the current standard for the resection of large, nonmalignant colorectal polyps. We investigated whether underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) is superior to CEMR for large (20-40mm) sessile or flat colorectal polyps. METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled study, patients with sessile or flat colorectal polyps between 20 and 40 mm in size were randomly assigned to UEMR or CEMR. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate after 6 months. Secondary outcomes included en bloc and R0 resection rates, number of resected pieces, procedure time, and adverse events. RESULTS: En bloc resection rates were 33.3% in the UEMR group and 18.4% in the CEMR group (P ¼ .045); R0 resection rates were 32.1% and 15.8% for UEMR vs CEMR, respectively (P ¼ .025). UEMR was performed with significantly fewer pieces compared to CEMR (2 pieces: 45.5% UEMR vs 17.7% CEMR; P ¼ .001). The overall recurrence rate did not differ between both groups (P ¼ .253); however, subgroup analysis showed a significant difference in favor of UEMR for lesions of >30 mm to 40 mm in size (P ¼ .031). The resection time was significantly shorter in the UEMR group (8 vs 14 minutes; P < .001). Adverse events did not differ between both groups (P ¼ .611). CONCLUSIONS: UEMR is superior to CEMR regarding en bloc resection, R0 resection, and procedure time for large colorectal lesions and shows significantly lower recurrence rates for lesions >30 mm to 40 mm in size. UEMR should be considered for the endoscopic resection of large colorectal polyps.

Background Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the standard treatment of ampullary and nonampullary duodenal adenomas. EMR of large (10–29 mm) and giant (≥ 30 mm) lesions carries a risk of complications such as delayed bleeding and perforation. Prospective data on duodenal EMR are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic procedures (clipping and coagulation of visible vessels) to prevent complications after EMR of large and giant lesions. Methods 110 patients with 118 adenomas (29 ampullary and 89 nonampullary) were included prospectively. Results 15 lesions were small (12.7 %), 68 were large (57.6 %), and 35 were giant (29.7 %). Endoscopic prevention of delayed complications was performed in 81.4 % (n = 96) of all lesions and 94.3 % (n = 33) of giant lesions. Complete resection was achieved in 111 lesions (94.1 %). Complications were 22 delayed bleedings (18.6 %), 3 intraprocedural perforations (2.5 %), 2 delayed perforations (1.7 %), and 1 stricture (0.8 %). Major complications were associated with lesions size ≥ 30 mm (28.6 % vs. 9.6 %; P = 0.02) and ampullary adenomas (27.6 % vs. 11.2 %; P = 0.07). All minor bleeding and 75 % of major bleeding episodes were treated endoscopically; 25 % of major bleedings needed radiologic embolization. Two fatal courses were observed when delayed perforation occurred after EMR of giant lesions. Residual adenoma was detected in 20.4 % at first follow-up. Conclusions EMR of giant duodenal neoplasia carries a substantial risk of major complications and recurrences. Resection technique and prevention of delayed complications need to be improved. Further measures should be evaluated in randomized studies.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is the main leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Present data suggest that plant-derived anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of an anthocyanin-rich extract from bilberries on colorectal tumour development and growth in the administration of azoxymethan (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse model. METHODS Colonic carcinogenesis was induced by AOM and DSS 3 or 5%, respectively, in 50 female Balb/c mice. Mice received either normal food (controls) or a diet containing either 10 or 1% anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract. Colonoscopy took place at week 4 and 9 after initiation of carcinogenesis. After termination at week 9, colon samples were analysed macroscopically and microscopically. RESULTS Mice receiving 10% anthocyanins showed significantly (p < 0.004) less reduced colon length (12.1 cm [8.5-14.4 cm]) as compared to controls (11.2 cm [9.8-12.3]) indicating less inflammation. Mice fed with 10% anthocyanin-rich extract revealed significantly less mean tumour numbers (n = 1.2) compared to control (n = 14) and anthocyanin 1% treated mice (n = 10.6, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Anthocyanins prevented the formation and growth of colorectal cancer in AOM/DSStreated Balb/c mice. Further studies should investigate the mechanisms of how anthocyanins influence the development of colorectal cancer.

Background and Aims: Transketolase-like (TKTL) 1 is one of the key enzymes for anaerobic sugar degradation even in the presence of oxygen (aerobic glycolysis). Transketolase-dependent reactions supply malignant tumors with ribose and NADPH. Therefore, TKTL1 activity could be crucial for tumor proliferation and survival. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of TKTL1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its regulation under hypoxic conditions. Methods: We studied TKTL1 mRNA and protein expression in CRC cell lines and human CRC biopsies by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Regulation of TKTL1 under oxygen depletion was analyzed by cultivating cells either in a three-dimensional spheroid model or in a hypoxia incubator chamber. Results: TKTL1 mRNA was heterogeneously expressed in monolayers of cells with high levels in HT-29 and SW480. TKTL1 protein was also clearly detectable in HT-29 and SW480. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 protein expression correlated with TKTL1 protein expression in SW480 spheroids over time. On the one hand, induction of hypoxia in T84 spheroids did not induce TKTL1; on the other hand, hypoxia by incubation at 1% O2 in a hypoxia incubator chamber clearly showed an upregulation of TKTL1. In 50% of CRC patients, TKTL1 protein expression was upregulated in tumor compared to non-tumor tissue. The immunohistochemical staining of TKTL1 in CRC patient samples resulted in 14 positive and 30 negative samples. Conclusions: TKTL1 expression correlated with HIF-1 protein expression and was induced upon hypoxic conditions which could facilitate energy supply to tumors under these circumstances. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

New endoscopic techniques for hemostasis in nonvariceal bleeding were introduced and known methods further improved. Hemospray and Endoclot are two new compounds for topical treatment of bleeding. Initial studies in this area have shown a good hemostatic effect, especially in active large scale oozing bleeding, e.g., tumor bleedings. For further evaluation larger prospective studies comparing the substanced with other methods of endoscopic hemostasis are needed. For localized active arterial bleeding primary injection therapy in the area of ​​bleeding as well as in the four adjacent quadrants offers a good method to reduce bleeding activity. The injection is technically easy to learn and practicable. After bleeding activity is reduced the bleeding source can be localized more clearly for clip application. Today many different through-the-scope (TTS) clips are available. The ability to close and reopen a clip can aid towards good positioning at the bleeding site. Even more important is the rotatability of a clip before application. Often multiple TTS clips are required for secure closure of a bleeding vessel. One model has the ability to use three clips in series without changing the applicator. Severe arterial bleeding from vessels larger than 2 mm is often unmanageable with these conventional methods. Here is the over-the-scope-clip system another newly available method. It is similar to the ligation of esophageal varices and involves aspiration of tissue into a transparent cap before closure of the clip. Thus a greater vascular occlusion pressure can be achieved and larger vessels can be treated endoscopically. Patients with severe arterial bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract have a very high rate of recurrence after initial endoscopic treatment. These patients should always be managed in an interdisciplinary team of interventional radiologist and surgeons.