[Thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase expression and histological effects of preoperative UFT in gastric cancer patients].
During DNA synthesis in tumors, fluoropyrimidine anticancer agents target thymidylate synthase (TS) that catalyze the synthesis of dTMP from dUMP and are metabolized by dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). We administered UFT to patients with gastric cancer preoperatively to prevent cancers from advancing while they await surgery or down staging.


METHODS
We administered UFT to 24 gastric cancer patients at 360 mg/m(2)/day for longer than 3 weeks as a preoperative chemotherapy. TS and DPD expression in the tumor were measured by immunohistochemistry staining before and after (during surgery) chemotherapy and compared with the results of histological assessment.


RESULTS
TS and DPD expression decreased significantly after UFT administration (p<0.05). Histological assessment showed Grade 1 b or 2 in 11 of 24 patients (46%). Eight of 15 patients with high DPD (53.3%) exhibited Grade 1 b or 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Histological assessment revealed the efficacy of UFT, through a DPD-inhibitory fluoropyrimidine (DIF) effect, in patients with high DPD. This suggests that preoperative administration of UFT can be a useful clinical measure.
Uyama
Ryo
R
Dept. of Surgery, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital.
Yoshizawa
Yasuo
Y
Tajiri
Takuma
T
Endo
Yutaka
Y
Mitsuya
Toshiyuki
T
Sanada
Yutaka
Y