The purpose of this review is to illustrate some of the technical and biological hurdles that need to be addressed when developing new gene therapy based clinical trials. Gene transfer approaches can be used to mark cells to monitor their persistence in vivo in patients, to protect cells from toxic chemotherapeutic agents, correct a genetic defect within the target cell, or to confer a novel function on the target cell. Selection of the most suitable vector for gene transfer depends upon a number of factors such as the target cell itself and whether gene expression needs to be sustained or transient. The TCR gene transfer approach described here represents one innovative strategy being pursued as a potential therapy for metastatic melanoma. Tumor reactive T cells can be isolated from the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of melanoma patients. A retroviral vector has been constructed containing the T cell receptor (TCR) &agr; and &bgr; chain genes from a MART-1<INF>(27-35)</INF>-specific T cell clone (TIL 5). Jurkat cells transduced with this virus specifically release cytokine in response to MART-1<INF>(27-35)</INF> peptide pulsed T2 cells, showing that the virus can mediate expression of a functional TCR. HLA-A2 transgenic mice are being used to examine whether transduced bone marrow progenitor cells will differentiate <I>in vivo</I> into mature CD8<SUP>+</SUP> T cells expressing the MART-1<INF>(27-35)</INF>-specific TCR. Expression of the human TCR &agr; and &bgr; chain genes has been detected by RT-PCR in the peripheral blood of HLA-A2 transgenic mice reconstituted with transduced mouse bone marrow. Expression of the TIL 5 TCR genes in the peripheral blood of these mice was maintained for greater than 40 weeks after bone marrow reconstitution. TIL 5 TCR gene expression was also maintained following transfer of bone marrow from mice previously reconstituted with transduced bone marrow to secondary mouse recipients, suggesting that a pluripotent progenitor or lymphocyte progenitor cell has been transduced.
Seventy three cases of Kaposis sarcoma (KS) from the 3 histological subtypes (patch, plaque and nodular) were assessed for bcl-2 and p53 protein expression. The aim was determine the level of expression of these proteins in KS and in the different subtypes. Commercially available antibodies to bcl-2 and p53 were applied after both microwave and pressure cooking antigen retrieval. Bcl-2 immunoexpression increased from the patch stage (36%) to the plaque stage (45%) to the nodular stage (70.83%). Better immunostaining for bcl-2 was obtained after pressure cooking. p53 on the other hand, was not expressed in the patch or plaque stages, but 54.16% of cases in the nodular stage were immunopositive. These results show a progression of immunoexpression of both bcl-2 and p53 from the early histological stages to the late tumor stage, implying that these proteins are upregulated late in the evolution of KS.
The genetic alterations frequently involved in glial malignancies are in the tumor suppressor genes, Rb and p53. An altered Rb expression or p53 overexpressions is thought to indicate defective tumor supression and subsequently more aggressive tumors. Therefore, to assess the alterations in the conjoint expression of Rb and p53 proteins in formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections, 64 astrolytic tumors were studied (16 astrocytomas, 7 gemistocytic astrocytomas, 19 anaplastic astrocytomas and 22 glioblastomas) using the avidin biotin immunoperoxidase technique. Fifty two cases (81.25%) were found to be positive for p53 protein. Seventeen of these showed aberrant heterogenous staining for pRb, of which 7 were glioblastomas. Only one case of astrocytoma showed aberrant expression of both p53 and Rb. Thus, of the 64 tumors, simultaneous aberrant expression of both p53 and Rb was seen in 21.9% of cases. This was more commonly observed among glioblastoma cases (7/22). No statistical difference was found between the survival rate of heterogenous pRb and p53 positivity in different grades of tumors. In glioblastomas, the survival rate appeared to be less in patients expressing heterogenous pRb, but this was not statistically significant. These results lead us to suspect that p53 and pRb pathways are inactivated, either throught mutation or as part of the neoplastic process in astrocytic tumors.
The prevalence of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in men who underwent surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) before and after the Chernobyl nuclear accident was studied. BPH samples were obtained by adenomectomy from 45 patients operated in 1984 before the accident (Group I), and 47 patients from the low contamined Kiev City (Group II) and 76 from high contaminated area (Group III) operated between 1996 and 1998. Their BPH samples were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. The incidences of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and high grade PIN (HGPIN) were 15.5 and 11.1% in Group I, 29.8 and 14.9% in Group II, and 35.5 and 19.7% in Group III. The difference between the incidences of PIN in Group I and III is signficant (p<0.02). There was increased apoptosis in areas of PIN in Group II and III as compared to Group I (p<0.001). Since apoptosis has been shown to be associated with ionizing radiation and it is now found to be associated with PIN in patients diagnosed after the Chernobyl nuclear accident, this suggests that lon-term low dose internal ionizing radiation potentially may cause prostate cancer.
Distinction between benign reactive mesothelial cells and metastatic breast adenocarcinoma cells in effusions from patients with a known prior history of breast cancer is not the easiest task in diagnostic pathology. Here, we report the usefulness of testing the expression of class I HLA antigens (HLA A, B, C) in this respect. Cytospins were prepared from effusions of patients without the history of breast cancer (5 cases) and from effusions of patients with infiltrating ductal carcinoma (11 cases). Three effusions from cancerous patients were not malignant cytologically. The expression of HLA-A, B, C, HLA-DR and ß2-microglobulin as well as the macrophage antigen, CD14, was evaluated by immunocytochemistry. In 10 of 11 effusions the cytologically malignant cells expressed very weak or undetectable HLA-A,B,C as compared to the mesothelial cells and macrophages. The paucity of expression of HLA-A, B, C was detectable in those 3 cases where a definitive cytological diagnosis of malignancy could not be established. In contrast, mesothelial cells and macrophages from all samples were uniformly and strongly positive for both HLA-A, B, C and ß2-microglobulin. We conclude that the paucity of HLA-I antigens provides a marker helpful in distinguishing metastatic breast carcinoma cells from reactive mesothelial cells in effusions.
The aim of this study is to present a histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of primary gastric lymphomas which were reclassified according to the concept of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). The resected specimens from 41 patients with primary gastric lymphoma were investigated retrospectively. Immunohistochemical study was done to analyze the immunophenotype and bcl-2 and p53 proteins expression. Twenty three of the cases had tumors mainly located in the antrum. Histologically, 12 were low grade and 20 were high grade B-cell lymphoma of MALT, 9 other B-cell nonHodgkin’s lymphomas. Helicobacter pylori was identified in 72% of the cases. According to Musshoff’s modification, most of the MALT lymphoma cases had stage I or II disease. There was significant difference between low and high grade cases, in respect to depth of invasion in gastric wall. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells in all MALT lymphomas, expressed B-cell phenotype. bcl-2 protein was found to be expressed in 59% and p53 protein expression was detected in 72% of cases. Among the B-cell lymphoma of MALT, bcl-2 positivity decreased and p53 positivity increased significantly as the histological grade advanced. So, an inverse correlation was observed between the expression of bcl-2 and p53. In conclusion, most primary gastric lymphomas are low or high grade B-cell MALT lymphomas and appear to arise in MALT acquired as a reaction to Helicobacter pylori infection. Expression of bcl-2 and p53 in gastric lymphomas may be associated with transformation from low-grade to high-grade disease.
Glomus tumors are significantly rare tumors of carotid body. The great majority of these tumors are benign in character. Here we present two brothers with hereditary glomus jugulare tumor who had consanguineous parents. Radiotherapy was applied approximately 8 and 10 years ago for treatment in both cases. Eight years later, one of these cases came to our notice due to relapse. The mutation pattern of p53, p57<SUP>KIP2</SUP>, p16<SUP>INK4A</SUP> and p15<SUP>NK4B</SUP> genes which have roles in the cell cycle, was analyzed in tumor samples obtained from the two affected cases in the initial phase and from one of these cases at relapse. The DNA sample obtained from the case in initial diagnosis phase revealed no p53, p57<SUP>KIP2</SUP>, p16<SUP>INK4A</SUP> or p15<SUP>INK4B</SUP> mutation. He is still in remission phase. Despite the lack of p53, p57<SUP>KIP2</SUP>, p16<SUP>INK4A</SUP> and p15<SUP>INK4B</SUP> mutation at initial diagnosis the tumor DNA of the other case in relapse revealed p53 codon 243 (ATG->ATC; met->ile) and p16 codon 97 (GAC->AAC; asp->asn) missense point mutations. No loss of heterozygosity in p53 and p16<SUP>INK4A</SUP> was observed by microsatellite analysis of tumoral tissues in these cases. P53 and p16I<SUP>INK4A</SUP> mutations observed in relapse phase were in conserved regions of both genes. No previous reports have been published with these mutations in glomus tumor during progression. The mutation observed in this case may due to radiotherapy. In spite of this possibility, the missense point mutations in conserved region of p53 and p16<SUP>INK4A</SUP> genes may indicate the role of p53 and p16<SUP>INK4A</SUP> in tumor progression of glomus tumors.
An attempt has been made to evaluate the normal and cancer blood samples of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mouse skin carcinoma by spectrofluorimetric method. Analysis of acetone extracts of plasma, erythrocyte and erythrocyte membrane showed an alteration around 630 nm when excited at 400 nm by cancer samples, compared to normal samples. The ratio of fluorescent intensity at 530 nm/630 nm was found to be decreased in erythrocyte and plasma and increased in erythrocyte membrane. These changes are not detectable in both hemolysates. It has been suggested that erythrocyte may be the carriers of fluorophors that accumulate in the cancer tissue and may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies.
We determined the effects of low dose radiation (<200 cGy) on the cell-cell integrity of confluent monolayers of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMEC). We observed dose- and time-dependent reversible radiation induced injuries to PMEC monolayers characterized by retraction (loss of cell-cell contact) mediated by cytoskeletal F-actin reorganization. Radiation induced reorganization of F-actin microfilament stress fibers was observed >30 minutes post irradiation and correlated positively with loss of cell-cell integrity. Cells of irradiated monolayers recovered to form contact inhibited monolayers >24 hours post irradiation; concomitantly, the depolymerized microfilaments organized to their pre-irradiated state as microfilament stress fibers arrayed parallel to the boundaries of adjacent contact-inhibited cells. Previous studies by other investigators have measured slight but significant increases in mouse lung wet weight >1 day post thoracic or whole body radiation (>500 cGy). Little or no data is available concerning time intervals <1 day post irradiation, possibly because of the presumption that edema is mediated, at least in part, by endothelial cell death or irreversible loss of barrier permeability functions which may only arise >1 day post irradiation. However, our in vitro data suggest that loss of endothelial barrier function may occur rapidly and at low dose levels (<200 cGy). Therefore, we determined radiation effects on lung wet weight and observed significant increases in wet weight (standardized per dry weight or per mouse weight) in <5 hours post thoracic exposure to 50-200 cGy x-radiation. We suggest that a single fraction of radiation even at low dose levels used in radiotherapy, may induce pulmonary edema by a reversible loss of endothelial cell-cell integrity and permeability barrier function.
This paper reports a case of the rare entity of an extraneural metastasizing ependymoma of the spinal cord. The tumor which arose in the conus medullaris and in the cauda equina was first diagnosed in 1956 when a thoracolumbar myeloresection was performed. At autopsy, 40 years after the primary diagnosis, a massive local tumor recurrence with extraneural metastases in the lungs, the pleura, the liver, and the thoracal and abdominal lymph nodes were found. Immunohistochemical stains of the extraneural metastases showed a strongly cytoplasmatic expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Neither the primary tumor nor its metastases showed any of the conventional morphological criteria of malignancy. Reviewing the literature we discuss the possible mechanism of extraneural tumor spread and the incidence of metastases with regard to the tumor type.
There seems to be a world-wide increase in the incidence of tumors among immunosuppressed patients. Of 1350 renal allografts transplanted in the past 23 years at the Department of Transplantation and Surgery, 56 cases had malignant tumors. The case of a 58-year-old female patient is reported, with disseminated primary carcinoid in the liver detected 86 days after renal transplantation. According to the literature only 39 patients with primary liver carcinoids have been reported until 1997, but this is the first where the carcinoid developed in an immunosuppressed patient. The rapid progression of the carcinoid could be associated with the immunosuppression.
One of the main diagnostic problems in thyroid pathology is to distinguish between follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma. Thorough sampling of the nodules capsule is recommended in order to identify capsular ínvasion. However, during the hardening of the tissue, by the usual fixatives the capsule shrinks and rolls downwards and sometimes the capsule separates from the remaining tissue. The present work evaluates the use of Lymph Node Revealing Solution (LNRS) for the rapid fixation (2h) of different thyroid lesions as compared to that of formalin. Fifty-one unselected consecutive cases of thyroid nodules, which included various benign and malignant lesions, were examined. Each specimen was cut in two equal parts; one was fixed in LNRS, the other in formalin. Fixation in LNRS for 2 hours gave adequate results in sectioning and staining of the tissue, and excellent immunostains. Its advantage over formalin is the conservation of the natural relationship between the capsule and the rest of the tissue, on the same plane, as well as the short time required for the final diagnosis.
Human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposis sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a new member of the gamma-herpesvirus family. It is an unusual herpesvirus in that it carries a large number of genes that encode oncoproteins or cell signaling proteins. In addition to being the causative agent of both HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated Kaposis sarcoma this DNA tumor virus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. These include multiple myeloma (MM), Waldenströms macroglobulinemia (WM), multicentric Castlemans disease (MCD), body cavity-based lymphoma (BCBL), and various other conditions such as sarcoidosis and pemphigus. While the causative role of the viral infection is fairly certain in the development of BCBL and multicentric Castlemans disease, HHV-8 may act through a different mechanism to induce plasma cell malignancies. It has been suggested - though the finding is still controversial - that infection of bone marrow stromal dendritic cells by HHV-8 might be a key factor in the etiology and pathogenesis of monoclonal gammopathies. The aim of this review is to provide a short introduction into the tumorigenic potential of HHV-8 as well as to detail the available data and possible mechanisms on the involvement of this virus in different hematologic diseases.
Twenty cases of primary Fallopian tube endometrioid carcinoma (PFTEC) are presented in the paper. This accounts for 42.5% of all histologic forms of primary Fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) found in our Department. The youngest patient was 38, and the oldest 68 years (mean: 56 years). Seven patients were nulliparas. Only two cases were bilateral. According to FIGO staging, 13 cases were evaluated as stage I, 4 as II, and 3 as stage III. Due to the histologic grading, 8 tumors were classified as well, 7 as moderately, and 5 as poorly differentiated. In the time of preparation of the manuscript, 12 women were still alive, 2 of them with recurrent disease. The follow-up of patients without recurrence ranged from 4 to 120 months (median: 63). Eight patients had died (survival time: from 4 to 65 months; median: 26). Metastases were found in 8 patients, especially to ovaries. In 14/20 cases of PFTEC various forms of tubal wall invasion were observed. Blood or lymphatic vessels involvement was found in 9 patients. Six out of them had died and one is alive with the symptoms of disease. Immunohistochemical detection of the mutant form of p53 protein and oncogene product, c-erbB-2, was studied in 17 cases. Nine patients exhibited simultaneous p53 protein accumulation and c-erbB-2 expression. 2/9 of these patients are alive with recurrent tumors and 4/9 died. Endometrioid carcinoma of the Fallopian tube can be characterized by a tendency to superficial invasion of tubal wall and in a half of the cases by invasion of vessels. The majority of these tumors were diagnosed at an early stage tumors.
Thymomas are usually found in the anterior mediastinum, the normal location of the thymus. Involvement of the pericardium by thymic tumors is seen in invasive or metastasized thymoma. Very rarely, thymomas arise primarily in the pericardium. These tumors are believed to derive from thymic tissue which was misplaced in the pericardium during embryologic development. In contrast to patients with orthotopic thymoma who commonly suffer from paraneoplastic diseases, especially myasthenia gravis, patients with intrapericardial thymoma manifestations mainly have symptoms of congestive heart failure which are caused by local complications of tumor growth. In this study, we present two cases of thymoma involving the pericardium. Both tumors were polygonal-oval cell thymomas. In one of the cases diagnosis of an entirely intrapericardial thymoma was established by autopsy. In the other case, explorative thoracotomy revealed massive pericardial and pleural tumor manifestations. The latter tumor showed a peculiar histological pattern with multiple glomeruloid bodies, a finding reported only once for thymomas.
Management of the axilla in breast cancer patients is a controversial issue. Axillary sampling and sentinel lymphadenectomy are both conservative surgical approaches which aim to stage the disease. These procedures target selective treatment of node-positive patients and seem to allow the omission of axillary clearance in node-negative ones. In this way, they reduce the rate of complications in an otherwise overtreated subset of patients. Forty consecutive patients with palpable T1 and T2 breast carcinoma underwent sentinel lymphadenectomy following mapping with Patent blue dye, with subsequent axillary clearance and excision of the tumor or mastectomy. Then the largest/firmest 3,4,5 and 6 nodes were selected from all the lymph nodes in order to model an axillary sample. It was suggested that these are the nodes that are the most likely to be included in the specimen during sampling, because of their size and consistency. The probability of the sentinel lymph nodes falling into the sample of the 3-6 largest/firmest nodes was calculated. The sentinel nodes predicted the axillary nodal status in 95%, while the samples of the largest 3, 4, 5 and 6 nodes were predictive in 95, 96, 98 and 98%, respectively. The two methods of evaluation displayed a considerable overlap, as the sentinel node would have been included in the 3–6 largest/firmest nodes in 79–92% of the cases, depending on the number of largest nodes evaluated. The overlap was greater after fine needle aspiration of the primary tumor. Although the two alternative staging procedures of 3, 4, 5 or 6 node sampling and sentinel lymphadenectomy with the vital blue dye technique cannot be simultaneously done without one influencing the other, and the first method was only modeled, the results suggest that there is a considerable overlap between the two; axillary sampling may often remove the sentinel lymph nodes.
Amplification and overexpression of the c-erbB-2 gene has been demonstrated in several tumors and thought to be important determinants of biologic behaviors of carcinomas. In this study, correlation between c-erbB-2 expression und histopathologic parameters, including proliferative activity of gastric carcinomas was evaluated. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 62 patients who underwent curative resection of gastric carcinoma were analyzed immunohistochemically for the expression of c-erbB-2 and Ki-67. Strong membrane staining for c-erbB-2 was detected in 11 of 62 gastric carcinomas (17,7%) and no positive reaction was evident in noncancerous tissue. The incidence of c-erbB-2 pos- itivity in intestinal type carcinomas (24,3%) washigher than that of diffuse type carcinomas (4,76%). Positive staining for c-erbB-2 was present in one of the 9 (11,1%) early gastric carcinomas and 10 of 53 (18,8%) advanced gastric carcinomas. However, no statistically significant relationships were found between c-erbB-2 expression and histopathologic type, depth on invasion, the tumor size or lymph node metastases. Among the metastatic lymph nodes, 3 were positively stained with c-erbB-2 whereas the primary tumors of two cases had been found to be negative. Additionally, no correlation was found between c-erbB-2 reactivity and proliferative activity of carcinoma cells. The results suggest that expression of c-erbB-2 protein may occur selectively in intestinal type of gastric carcinomas. However, c-erbB-2 expression is not a reliable marker of malignant potential in gastric carcinomas.
Central neurocytoma is a benign neuronal tumor of young adults in the lateral cerebral ventricles with characteristic X ray and light microscopic findings. In many respects typical central neurocytoma is reported below, with recurrence in the third month requiring reoperation. Death ensued in the fifth postoperative month. Subsequent histology proved progressive vascular proliferation and increasing, unusual glial differentiation of the neuronal tumor. At autopsy tumorous seeding blocked the liquor circulation. A thin tumorous layer covered the surface of all ventricles, the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. The GFAP positive cells out-numbered the synaptophysin positive ones. Increase of GFAP positivity and vascular proliferation of the central neurocytoma may be alarming signs suggesting a malignant course in addition to the other atypical features.
In rats within the first week of partial hepatectomy reconstruction of the normal histological structure of the liver already starts. To approach the possible role of endogenous glucocorticoids in the process of regeneration we measured the changes in the expression of steroid glucocorticoid receptor gene after various regeneration intervals. After partial hepatectomy, between 0.5–168 hours from the surgery, the gene expression (mRNA) of glucocorticoid receptor was determined by reverse transcription followed by PCR and normalized to that of glycerolphoshate dehydrogenase. Two peaks of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA were detected first, between 3 and 6 hours (first peak) and a second between 24 and 36 hours. Immunoreactive glucocorticoid receptor was detected by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal anti-glucocorticoid receptor. Three days after the surgery immunohistochemical studies showed substantially more immunoreactive GcR protein in the regenerated liver than in the controls. These semiquantitative data provide evidence suggesting elevation of glucocorticoid receptor expression during regeneration of liver at mRNA and protein levels.
A distinct non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) entity that grow in the body cavities as lymphomatous effusions in the absence of clinically identifiable tumor masses has been defined as primary effusional lymphoma (PEL). This lymphoma characterized by distinetive morphology, immunophenotype, genotype and association with Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KHSV)/human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection. In this minireview, the clinico-pathological and biological characteristics of PELs are summarized.
The frequency of HLA class-I and class-II antigens was investigated in 32 Iranian patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), using the microlymphocytotoxicity method. A significant increase in the HLA-B13 (P<0.01) and DR53 (P < 0.05) and a significant negative association with the A11 (P < 0.05), B35 (P < 0.05), Cw3 (P < 0.05), and DR1 (P < 0.02) antigens were observed in these patients, compared to the control normal population. These results suggest involvement of some HLA antigens in the multifactorial process of predisposition to B-CLL.
The relationship between apoptosis, apoptosis regulatory proteins, cell proliferation and human papillomavirus infection during various phases of tumor progression in the uterine cervix was studied. Apoptosis was defined by morphological criteria and the TUNEL assay. Expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, cyclin D1, Ki 67 and E6 protein was evaluated by immunocytochemistry. Presence of mutant p53 was detected using a mutant specific ELISA. Type of HPV infection was determined by PCR using type specific primers. Apoptosis showed significant negative correlation with increasing histological abnormality (p=0.0005). Higher tumor cell proliferation was associated with increasing histological abnormality (p=0.001 for Ki 67 and cyclin D1). There was significant correlation between histological grade and immunoreactivity of p53 (p=0.0001 ) and bcl-2 (p=0.0002). However, mutant p53 was expressed by only 12 of the 230 samples. Expression of bax and the bax/bcl-2 ratio showed an inverse correlation to histological grade (p=0.0003 and 0.0001, respectively). There was also an inverse correlation between extent of apoptosis and immunoreactivity of p53 (p=0.0001) and bcl-2 (p=0.0001). A significant positive correlation between expression of the bax protein and apoptosis was evident (p=0.0001). HPV infection significantly correlated to the extent of histological abnormality (p=0.0001). High risk HPV-E6 protein also showed this significant correlation (p=0.0002). There was an inverse correlation between apoptosis and HPV infection (p=0.0002). High risk HPV infection was associated with decreased apoptosis and also increased human cell proliferation. Lowest levels of bax/bcl-2 ratio was also associated with HPV 16 and 18 infection (p=0.0001). Modulation of apoptosis and apoptotic regulatory proteins by high risk HPV infection may be an important factor in the development of cervical cancer.
Bone marrow involvement is a frequent finding in malignant lymphoma. Bone marrow biopsy of the posterior iliac crest is routinely performed for staging. Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals of bone marrow was also reported to be indicative of bone marrow involvement. This study included 60 patients with malignant lymphoma. Unilateral bone marrow biopsy of the posterior iliac crest was performed. MRI of lumbar spine was studied within 24 hours of bone marrow biopsy. 22 healthy controls were used for the detection of MRI objectivity during visual evaluation. In 83% of patients (50/60), biopsy and MRI results agreed completely. In two patients, histologic sections failed to show any evidence of bone marrow involvement despite abnormal MRI signals suggestive of involvement. In three patients, MRI was completely normal despite biopsy proven bone marrow infiltration. False negativity (3/60) and false positivity (2/60) rates were very low. Negative biopsy findings with positive or equivocal MRI results should not exclude bone marrow involvement and needs further evaluation with bilateral or guided biopsy. Thus, we conclude that MRI of bone marrow is a fairly sensitive, noninvasive modality and might be of potential value in detecting bone marrow infiltration in malignant lymphoid neoplasms which can be utilized as a useful adjunct to standard staging procedures.
The <I>in vitro/in vivo</I> growth capacity and phenotype of TS/A and the IL4-transfected TS/A-IL4 cell lines were studied by cell cycle analysis, expression of ICAM-1/CD54, transferrin receptor/CD71 and E-cadherin and by histology of the primary tumors. TS/A-IL4, unlike the TS/A line, shows <I>in vitro</I> a marked increase in the fibroblastoid cell type and a decreased E-cadherin expression. Administration of conditioned medium containing IL4 obtained from the TS/A-IL4 cell line, stimulates CD54 expression in the TS/A cell line. TS/A-IL4 tumors grow more slowly <I>in vivo</I> and are ultimately rejected. These processes are accompanied by a marked increase in collagen and extracellular matrix proteins and increased recruitment and degranulation of mast cells. The paracrine effect of IL4, released by the transfected tumor cells, might be responsible for the reduced <I>in vivo</I> growth of the TS/A cell line in the presence of TS/A-IL4 cells.
Authors report on a 75-year-old man with bilateral testicular lymphoma. He complained of painless right testicular enlargement. Orchidectomy was indicated by ultrasound examination and the diagnosis (large cell, non-Hodgkin lymphoma B-cell origin) was established by histology and immunohistochemistry. Two months later, the left testis enlarged, orchidectomy was performed, and a lymphoma with identical histology was found. PET revealed retroperitoneal spread of the tumor. Irradiation (18 Gy) was applied. Three months later, because of gastric metastases of the lymphoma the patient underwent CVP and CAVP (Cyclophosphamide, Adriablastin, Vincristin, Prednisolone) chemotherapy. Despite of the repeated courses, eleven months after the primary diagnosis the patient died due to of multiple metastases.
An in vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index (LI) was estimated in 43 cases of astrocytic tumors and mixed gliomas by one hour intra-operative intravenous infusion at a dose of 200 mg/m<SUP>2</SUP> and correlated with (a) histological grading using a computer aided malignancy classifier TESTAST-268; and (b) histological typing using WHO classification. The lowest BrdU LI was seen in pilocytic and gemistocytic astrocytomas followed by astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforme in that order. Mixed oligoastrocytomas followed the pattern of their astrocytic counterparts. Tumors of similar histological type showed different BrdU LI values especially amongst astrocytomas and glioblastomas. A statistically significant difference in the BrdU LI was also noted between the higher TESTAST grades of astrocytomas (T III and IV) versus the lower TESTAST grades (T II). Unlike earlier reports in literature, in the present study the category of BrdU LI of <1 contained no case of anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme (TESTAST grades III and IV). Likewise, the category of BrdU LI >5 contained only anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme (TESTAST grades III and IV). Maximum spread of cases was seen in the BrdU LI category of 1-5, not only in terms of histological types but also TESTAST grades. Thus there appeared to be a positive trend of increasing BrdU LI values both with histological types and increasing TESTAST grades. Further, an interesting observation was that by using a combination of TESTAST grades and BrdU LI, the histologically homogenous glioblastoma group could be further subdivided into 4 categories which showed a trend towards prognostic correlation. Thus, this study though preliminary with number of cases being small in some groups, highlights the possible usefulness of combined histological typing, TESTAST grading and in vivo BrdU LI for prognostication of gliomas especially glioblastoma multiforme.
P53 and cyclin D1 are interacting regulatory genes and both are frequently altered in breast cancer. We analysed p53 mutation by SSCP and sequencing methods as well as p53 protein accumulation immunohistochemically in 34 consecutively operated breast tumors. None of 4 fibroadenomas revealed p53 mutation or p53 protein accumulation. Mutation of p53 was present in 7 carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry revealed accumulation of p53 protein in 6 carcinomas and there was a significant correlation between p53 mutation and protein accumulation. Overexpression of cyclin D1 protein was observed in 11 carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and no correlation was observed between cyclin D1 overexpression and p53 mutation or accumulation. Our data support the concept that the p53-cyclin D1 signal pathway and the cyclin D1 cascade are disregulated in breast cancer.
An unusual cluster of 8 breast cancer and 8 other malignant tumor cases (ovarian, uterus, lung, colon and brain tumors and malignant melanoma) developed in a period of 12 years among 98 nurses exposed to ethylene oxide (EtOx) for 5–15 years in a unit using gas sterilizer in a hospital of the archiepiscopal city of Eger, Hungary. EtOx concentration in air samples of the working area varied from 5 to 150 mg/m<SUP>3</SUP>. The question was, if there was any causal relationship between the elevated incidence of breast cancer and the EtOx exposure, the other possibility was, that this cluster appeared accidentally. EtOx is a human carcinogen, however, no increased breast cancer incidence in EtOx-exposed subjects was reported in the literature. We followed up for two consecutive years the 27 non cancer patients, EtOx-exposed nurses and 11 unexposed hospital controls with the aid of a multiple genotoxicology monitor including chromosomal aberration, sister-chromatide exchange, HPRT point mutation and DNA repair studies. The results were compared with data from 30 local historical controls, 48 historical controls from Budapest, 14 hospital controls and 9 EtOx exposed nurses from Budapest. Significantly high chromosome aberration yields (especially chromosome type exchanges) were alike detected in EtOx-exposed and the two other control groups in Eger. These results could not be interpreted as a consequence of EtOx exposure only, since in the EtOx-exposed group from Budapest, beside an increased total aberration frequency, the obtained exchange type aberration yields were as low as the historical controls. A plausible explanation can be the natural low dose radioactivity (<SUP>222</SUP>Rn) of the local tap-water due to a specific geological situation in Eger. The spontaneous breast cancer incidence in Hungary doubled in the last 10 years compared with the previous 20 years (1960–1980), especially in Eger. The appearence of the high breast cancer incidence in the hospital of Eger indicates the combined effect of EtOx and a more common local etiologic factor, such as the naturally radioactive tap-water. However, since the reported studies did not involve the investigation either of the genetic predisposition, or the effects of other possible environmental, occupational, and/or life style confounding factors, further studies (partly in progress) are necessary to clarify the importance of these factors.
Xenografted human pancreatic tumors (5 ductal adenocarcinomas, 1 leiomyosarcoma, altogether 26 samples) were investigated about their immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), somatostatin (SS) and bcl-2 protein. The expression of the EGFR varied from tumor to tumor. One originally negative carcinoma became immunoreactive during passagings, one tumor has lost its early positive expression, and in 3 cancer lines a phenotypically constant pattern was seen. SS immunoreactivity was practically absent in all tumor samples. Concerning bcl-2 expression, different staining patterns were observed among the carcinomas, but the leiomyosarcoma has retained its strong positivity during xenograftings. In the PZX-5 carcinoma line that was originally negative, the one month Sandostatin treatment induced the strong expression of bcl-2 protein suggesting a development of an acquired resistance against programmed cell death in this tumor.
Mammalian DNA topoisomerase I is a multifunctional enzyme which is essential for embryonal development. In addition to its classical DNA nicking-closing activities which are needed for relaxation of supercoiled DNA, topoisomerase I can phosphorylate certain splicing factors. The enzyme is also involved in transcriptional regulation through its ability to associate with other proteins in the TFIID-, and possibly TFIIH-, transcription complexes, and is implicated in the recognition of DNA lesions. Finally, topoisomerase I is a recombinase which can mediate illegitimate recombination. A crucial reaction intermediate during relaxation of DNA is the formation of a DNA-topoisomerase I complex (the cleavable complex) where topoisomerase I is covalently linked to a 3’-end of DNA thereby creating a single stranded DNA break. Cleavable complexes are also formed in the vicinity of DNA lesions and in the presence of the antitumor agent, camptothecin. While formation of cleavable complexes may be necessary for the initial stages of the DNA damage response, these complexes are also potentially dangerous to the cell due to their ability to mediate illegitimate recombination, which can lead to genomic instability and oncogenesis. Thus the levels and stability of these complexes have to be strictly regulated. This is obtained by maintaining the enzyme levels relatively constant, by limiting the stability of the cleavable complexes through physical interaction with the oncogene suppressor protein p53 and by degradation of the topoisomerase I by the proteasome system. Emerging evidence suggest that these regulatory functions are perturbed in tumor cells, explaining at the same time why topoisomerase I activities so often are increased in certain human tumors, and why these cells are sensitized to the cytotoxic effects of camptothecins.
In order to test the hypothesis that increased apoptotic activity is connected with neuroendocrine differentiation and low differentiation degree in large cell carcinoma (LCLC) and is regulated by bcl-2 family proteins, we analysed the extent of apoptosis and tumor necrosis and their relation to the expression of bcl-2, bax, bak and mcl-1 in 35 LCLCs, of which 20 were classified as large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinomas (LCNEC) and 15 as large cell non-neuroendocrine lung carcinomas (LCNNEC). The extent of apoptosis was determined by detecting and counting the relative and absolute numbers of apoptotic cells and bodies using in situ 3-end labelling of the apoptotic DNA. The extent and intensity of expression of the bcl-2, bax, bak and mcl-1 proteins were studied by immunohistochemistry. Also the relative volume density of necrosis was evaluated and correlated with the other parameters. Finally, all the parameters were evaluated as prognostic markers and correlated with data on the survival of the patients. Relatively high apoptotic indices were seen in both tumor types (average for both 2.53%, range 0.09–27.01%). Significantly higher bcl-2 and bak indices were detected more often in LCNECs than in LCNNECs. Immunohistochemically detected bax, bcl-2 and bak expression was independent of apoptotic index in both tumor types, while there was a statistically significant positive association between mcl-1 expression and apoptotic index in LCNNEC but not in LCNEC. There was a statistically significant association between high apoptotic index and shortened survival in LCLC. However, no association was found between tumor stage and apoptosis. The patients with LCNEC and low bcl-2 protein expression had a significantly shorter survival time than those with high bcl-2 indices. There was also a clear association between shortened survival and necrotic LCNNEC. LCLCs show relatively high apoptotic activity, which is associated with shortened survival. The expression of bcl-2, bak and mcl- 1 is associated with neuroendocrine differentiation in LCLC. Finally, our results support some previous reports suggesting that bcl-2 expression in combination with some other markers involved in apoptosis and/or proliferation may be of prognostic value in cases of lung carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation.
Most of the ovarian cancers originate from the ovarian surface epithelium derived from the coelomic mesothelium. The Met proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor (Met) that has the capacity to regulate cell proliferation and differentation and it is activated by hepatocyte growth factor. Trisomy of chromosome 7 and Met protein overexpression have been were observed in ovarian carcinomas, the papillary renal cancers and other solid tumors. Frequent mutations of Met proto-oncogene have been found in hereditary papillary renal cancer (HPRC) and most of the mutations are located in the tyrosine kinase domain. The aim of this study to perform a mutation analysis of exons 17–19 of Met proto-oncogene in epithelial ovarian tumors (EOTs). We have examined 24 tumor samples from patients, operated with EOTs. Mutation was detected in exon 18 in only one sample of 24 EOTs. Our results indicate that mutations located in the Met proto-oncogene is not a common event in EOT. It is not clear whether the mutation plays a role in the tumorigenesis or progression of EOT or not.
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between p53 and cyclin A immunostaining in squamous carcinomas of the oesophagus. It has been shown that both these proteins are overexpressed in poorly differentiated endometrial carcinomas. Fifty oesophagectomy specimens were analysed for p53 and cyclin A immunoexpression. This was correlated with patient age and gender and tumor stage and grade. Forty-two percent of cases were p53 positive, while 94% of the squamous cancers expressed cyclin A protein. Neither protein showed any statistically significant correlation with clinicopathological parameters. This study has demonstrated that only 42% of oesophageal squamous carcinomas from South Africa express p53 protein, while the vast majority (94%) express cyclin A protein. Neither of these proteins showed any relationship to each other or any clinical feature or the tumor grade or stage.
The morphology, cell growth, antigenic expression and tumorigenicity of cell subpopulations from the A549 lung adenocarcinoma isolated by Percoll gradient separation have been analysed. Four subpopulations were obtained (subpopulations A, B, C and D). Immunocytochemical analysis of several antigens was performed with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): MUC1 mucin (C595, HMFG1 and HMFG2), MUC5B (PANH2); gp230 (PANH4); carbohydrate antigens including sialyl Lewis x (KM93), Tn antigen (83D4), Lewis y (C14); 5, 6, 8, 17 and 19 cytokeratins and p53. The cell population D tended to form cell aggregates that piled up on the monolayer similar to overgrowth cultures of the A549 parental cell line, whereas A, B and C cell subpopulations formed well spread monolayers. Both parental A549 and subpopulation D secreted abundant mucus. The topographic distribution and secretion production were correlated with tumorigenic assays since only subpopulation D grew in nude mice exhibiting reduced latency period; these characteristics correlated with the fast growth of the subpopulation D in vitro. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that subpopulation D showed greater expression of MUC1 mucin and carbohydrate antigens such as Tn antigen, sialyl Lewis x and Lewis y and less expression of cytokeratins, p53, MUC5B and gp230; conversely, subpopulations A, B and C showed the opposite antigenic profile. Our results illustrate heterogeneity in the A549 cell line; subpopulations A, B and C retained characteristics of more differentiated adenocarcinoma while subpopulation D displayed features of a less differentiated tumor line.
Intestinal carcinoids are potentially malignant neoplasms. Their histogenesis and pathogenesis are currently uncertain. The morphological and histochemical characteristics of twenty intestinal carcinoids are studied. The primary sites of three mucin-producing tumors were examined by electron microscope. Furthermore 11 appendiceal carcinoids were analysed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of ras and p53 point mutations. Microscopically all carcinoids were of mixed type. Focal mucin production was evident in three carcinoids that metastasised to regional lymph nodes. HID-Alcian blue staining proved that mucin in both primary and secondary foci did not belong to the sulphated group. The secretory granules and mucin droplets found in a single neoplastic cell suggest that carcinoids of the small intestine and some of the appendix arise from the endoderm. Neither ras nor p53 mutations were detected. It seems that ras oncogenes are probably not involved in the pathogenesis of appendiceal carcinoids.
Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is a member of the recently identified unique membrane-type subgroup in the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family. MT1-MMP has proteolytic activity against components of the extracellular matrix and activates progelatinase A (MMP-2) at the cell surface. In this study, we analyzed the expression of MT1-MMP mRNA in 45 cases of laryngeal carcinoma by RT-PCR and investigated the relationship between MT1-MMP expression and survival in 18 cases. The result showed that the expression of MT1-MMP mRNA was higher in tumor tissue than in corresponding normal tissue. The tumoral expression in clinical stage III was higher than in stage II. The tumoral expression level of MT1-MMP mRNA in patients with lymph node metastasis was signigicantly higher than those with negative lymph nodes. The patients with high expression level showed significantly poorer 5 year survival than those with low expression level. Collectively, our findings suggest that the high level of MT1-MMP expression is closely related to the invasion and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma, and indicates poorer prognosis.
Serum S-100 protein is widely used as a marker of melanoma and since 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) is a precursor of melanin its serum and urinary levels can reflect melanoma progression. In this study we examined the concentration changes of serum S-100 protein and 5-S-CD in 252 melanoma patients of different clinical stages. Serum samples were taken from 252 melanoma patients at 860 times, from June 1996 to July 1998. The serum S-100 protein was measured by the immunoluminometric assay, levels of 5-S-CD was determined by HPLC. The value of S-100 protein in patients with primary melanoma (0.11m mg/l) and in patients without symptoms (0.15 m mg/l) ranged around the normal level (0.01–0.12 m mg/l). There was a significant difference between the values of patients with or without symptoms. There was a similarly significant difference between the S-100 values of clinical Stage I (0.11 mg/l) and Stage III (2.91 mg/l) as well as between those of clinical Stage II (0.47 mg/l) and Stage III (2.91 mg/l), respectively. Analyzing the values of patients with symptoms we observed significant difference between the S-100 protein values of patients with primary tumor and those with solitary or multiple distant metastases. In case of 5-S-CD significant difference was found between clinical Stage I and III as well as clinical Stage II and III. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between the mean marker values of patients with primary tumor, lymph node, lung metastasis and clinical stage III.
The 21-aminosteroids (lazaroids) are a new family of steroid compounds that inhibit lipid peroxidation reactions. They are novel antioxidant agents, which have been shown to have antiproliferative properties on cancer cells and also are thought to prevent free radical-mediated blood-brain barrier damage. In order to understand the effect of lazaroids on glioma, we tested U-83836E and U-74389G at doses ranging between 0.1–100 m mM on primary cultures of glioblastoma multiforme from three patients, rat C6 glioma cell line, and 5 th subculture established from one of the patients. The effects of both compounds on cell proliferation were determined using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. U-83836E in the primary cultures was found to have 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50 ) of 6.30, 6.75 and 6.50 m mM, respectively. The IC50 value of U-74389G was calculated as 91 m mM in only one of the patients. On C6 glioma cells, while the IC50 of U-83836E was 45 m mM, U-74389G showed no cytotoxic effect. On the 5 th subculture, U-83836E had an IC50 of 37.5 m mM, but the cytotoxic effects of U-74389G was less than in that of the primary culture. In conclusion, these compounds were found to be more cytotoxic in primary culture than the cell lines and there were also differences between their members in the inhibition of cell survival.
Our two patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (AlloBMT) had both Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In the first patient, liver enzymes elevated three months after AlloBMT, and GVHD was diagnosed. Two weeks after the diagnosis of GVHD, HBsAg appeared in his serum. At that time, liver biopsy was not able to discriminate two disorders, but his sequential liver biopsies disclosed GVHD. Despite the patient was treated with cyclosporin A (CsA), he died for chronic GVHD. In contrast to the first patient, the second patient had HBsAg prior to GVHD. His liver enzymes deterioration was detected in the first month after AlloBMT, and reached the highest level in the third month while withdrawing CsA. In the fifth month he developed scleradermatous skin changes, and skin biopsy revealed chronic GVHD, whereas concurrent liver biopsy revealed chronic active hepatitis. This observation showed that immunosuppressive conditions such as GVHD or its prophylaxis may affect the appearance of liver pathology caused by HBV, which depends on the time of GVHD development, and the duration and depth of GVHD prophylaxis.
Two cases with capillary hemangioma of the trachea and the left upper lobe bronchus are presented. The adult patients were referred to the hospital because of hemoptysis and cough. The chest radiographs were normal in both cases. The bronchoscopic examination revealed circumscribed lesions with a capillarized surface protruding into the lumen of the trachea and the left upper lobe bronchus, respectively. The lesions were excised in toto with flexible bronchoscopic forceps. The specimens contained typical capillary hemangiomas without any signs of malignancy. Capillary hemangioma in the bronchial tree is an extremely rare benign lesion in adults. Nevertheless, it should be considered as a possible cause of hemoptysis and cough.
Two Taiwanese patients with gallbladder small cell carcinoma are reported. One is a 79 year-old male, the other, a 86 year-old female. They both presented with the symptom/signs of acute cholecystitis and underwent cholecystectomy. An intramural mass in the gallbladder neck region was found in the first patient, while the second patient had a transmural indurated tumor in the gallbladder body with extension to the neck region. Characteristic histological and immunohistochemical features of small cell carcinoma were present in both, and electron dense neurosecretory granules were identified in the second. To our knowledge, the second patient is the oldest ever reported. The first patient received chemotherapy directed toward the initial erroneous diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and developed liver metastasis in two months. The second patient did not receive chemotherapy due to her poor general condition and local recurrence occurred in six weeks. Both passed away three and five months after surgery, respectively.
The term amphicrine refers to cells, and tumors, which show both exocrine and endocrine features. Author’s aim was to analyse the characteristics of these neoplasms. 40 suspicious cases were reviewed. Mucin-stains (PAS, diastase-PAS, Stains-all, Alcian-blue), immunohistochemistry (antibodies against Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE), and Chromogranin A (CGA), and electronmicroscopic studies were performed to demonstrate exocrine and/or endocrine features of the tumor cells. By means of these methods, 16 cases turned out to be amphicrine tumors. Among them, there were 4 sinonasal, 1 bronchial, 1 mediastinal, 8 gastrointestinal and 2 suprarenal gland neoplasms. In connection to the subject, a brief review is given of amphicrine tumor, regarding its etiological and pathological aspects. These tumors form a distinct clinicopathological entity and should be separated from both neuroendocrine tumors and adenocarcinomas.
Although most cases of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) are characterized by the chromosomal translocation t(2;13)(q35;q14), several cases have been reported with a variant t(1;13)(p36;q14). We present the clinical, morphological and cytogenetic features of an alveolar RMS in a 4-year-old boy. Chromosomal analysis revealed a hypertriploid to hypotetraploid karyotype with a t(1;13)(p36;q14) in all tumor cells. It appears that alveolar RMS with t(1;13) occurs in younger children and displays a higher incidence to upper and lower extremity than tumors with t(2;13).
The erbB2 oncogene belongs to the type I trans-membrane tyrosine kinase family of receptors. Its medical importance stems from its widespread over-expression in breast cancer. This review will focus on the signal transduction through this protein, and explains how the overexpression of erbB2 may result in poor prognosis of breast cancer, and finally it will summerize our current understanding about the therapeutic potential of receptor-targeted therapy in breast cancer. ErbB2 does not have any known ligand which is able to bind to it with high affinity. However the kinase activity of erbB2 can be activated without any ligand, if it is overexpressed, and by heteroassociation with other members of the erbB family (erbB1 or epidermal growth factor receptor, erbB3 and erbB4). This interaction substantially increases the efficiency and diversity of signal transduction through these receptor complexes. In addition, erbB2 forms large scale receptor clusters containing hundreds of proteins. These receptor islands may take part in recruiting cytosolic factors which relay the signal towards the nucleus or the cytoplasm. Overexpression of erbB2 was linked to higher transforming activity, increased metastatic potential, angiogenesis and drug resistence of breast tumor in laboratory experiments. As a corollary of these properties, erbB2 amplification is generally thought to be associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. These early findings lead to the development of antibodies that down-regulate erbB2. Such a therapeutic approach has already been found effective in experimental tumor models and in clinical trials as well. Further understanding of the importance of erbB2 and growth factor receptors in the transformation of normal cells to malignant ones may once give us a chance to cure erbB2 over-expressing breast cancer.
Thebcl-2oncogene plays an important role in carcinogenesis by inhibiting cell death (apoptosis). It was initially discovered in follicular B cell lymphoma with t(14,18), and subsequently found in other malignant and premalignant lesions. Alteration of the normal controls of cell proliferation is also a significant factor in the multistep process of tumorigenesis. The proliferative activity of a given lesion is commonly valuated by MIB1, a monoclonal antibody to Ki67 proliferation antigen. Immuno-histochemical (IHC) staining expression of bcl-2 and Ki67 was retrospectively investigated in a series of 52 colorectal carcinomas and 56 adenomas according to the avidin-biotin-complex method. The aim of the study was twofold: 1) to investigate any correlation between MIB1 and bcl-2 immunostaining expression in colonic adenomas and carcinomas, 2) to identify any relationship between either marker and several histopathologic parameters including tumor size, pathologic stage, lymph node metastasis, angio-lymphatic invasion, tumor grade and differentiation in colon carcinomas. Bcl-2 was consistently higher in adenomas than in carcinomas. There were 44/56 (78.6%) adenomas, and 27/52 (51.9%) carcinomas positive for bcl-2 (p=0.004).The mean Ki67 labeling index (LI) was 30.05±7.6 and 38.12±11.01 in adenomas and carcinomas, respectively (p=0.0001). Expression of bcl-2 in carcinoma was significantly associated with a lower mean Ki67 LI and with favorable histopathologic parameters. We conclude that bcl-2 oncoprotein expression is probably an early step in the process of colon carcinogenesis, and its expression may be associated with a favorable clinical course. Furthermore, an inverse relationship exists between bcl-2 and Ki67 in colonic neoplasia. Evaluation of bcl-2 and Ki67 IHC expression in colonic carcinoma should be performed prospectively to determine if their expression is of value in predicting the clinical course in these patients.
Data concerning the expression of p53 in cervical carcinoma, one of the leading cause of death in developing countries, are still confusing. This study was designed to identify p53 in Egyptian cervical carcinoma in an attempt to evaluate its prognostic significance. Eleven chronic cervicitis and 38 invasive carcinoma (31 squamous cell carcinoma (sqcc) and 7 adenocarcinoma, ranging from stage IB to IVB), were stained with the monoclonal antibody anti p53, DO7, using the microwave for antigen retrieval. No immunoreactivity was detected in chronic cervicitis, while nuclear p53 reactivity was detected in all carcinoma and in squamous intra-epithelial lesions (SIL) overlying 8 sqcc. P53 immunohistochemical (IHC) expression was more pronounced in early clinical stages (p=0.007) and in adenocarcinoma compared to sqcc (p=0.015). A positive correlation was present between p53 and heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) expressions (p=0.005). No correlation could be found between p53 expression and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, the presence or absence of either schistosomiasis or HPV infections. It can be concluded, that in the Egyptian population, p53 immunoreactivity appears to be an early event in cervical neoplasm, and seems to play an important role together with other cell regulatory proteins in the process of carcinogenesis, which could be different between sqcc and adenocarcinoma.
Many studies have revealed the frequency of p53 abnormalities in lung cancer. However, clinico-pathological studies of p53 abnormalities have yielded conflicting results. We examined the p53 immunoreactivity and studied the correlations of p53 status and clinicopathological parameters in 76 primary lung cancers. By using DO-7 antibody, different degrees of p53 immunoreactivity was detected in 8 of 30 small cell lung cancer (SCLC, 26.6%) and 22 of 46 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, 47.8%), 6 of 19 adenocarcinoma, 16 of 27 epidermoid carcinoma cases. In the whole group, no correlation was detected between the p53 status and the histological types of tumor, local tumor invasion, nodal status, and distant metastasis and patient characteristics, such as age, gender or smoking habit. P53 status was also found to have no effect on survival. However, in the NSCLC group, there was a significantly higher p53 immunoreactivity in well- and moderately-differentiated tumors (p<0.05). Patients with p53 immunoreactivity had a poor therapeutic response in the whole group. We concluded that, although p53 immunreactivity may be found in NSCLC, this does not correlate with clinicopathological parameters except therapeutic response. In SCLC p53 immunreactivity can be negligible.
Retrospective data analysis was performed to determine the minimum number of lymph nodes required for the staging of colorectal carcinomas, and a prospective feasibility study was carried out to identify sentinel nodes in order to clarify whether these may predict the nodal status. From among 240 colorectal carcinoma specimens investigated between 1996 and 1998, 224 tumors were analyzed for their nodal status. Lymphatic mapping with vital patent blue dye injection into the peritumoral sub-serosal layer was performed in 25 patients. Blue nodes were identified by the pathologist in the unfixed specimen immediately after the resection of the bowel and were assessed separately. Of the 123 node-positive carcinomas, 40 had more than 3 nodes involved. The nodal positivity increased substantially when more than 6 nodes were assessed. The cumulative percentage analysis demonstrated that ideally 16 and 13 nodes should be obtained for the identification of any nodal involvement or the involvement of more than 3 nodes, respectively. Lymphatic mapping was successful in 24 patients (96%). Blue nodes were predictive of the nodal status in 19 cases (79%), and were the only sites of metastasis in 2 patients (15% of the node-positive cases). Lymphatic mapping with the vital blue dye technique does not seem to facilitate the staging of colorectal cancers, at least in our patient population with relatively large and deeply infiltrating tumors, and unless the technique is improved or other selective features of lymph nodes are found, all lymph nodes should be assessed. A minimum of 6 nodes, and an optimum of 16 nodes or more, are suggested from these series.
Proliferative crypt changes have been noted in mucosa bordering colonic carcinomas, but their biological significance is disputed. We anticipated that zonal patterning of histological changes and cell cycle marker expression would provide clues to the pathogenesis of these border changes. 81 specimens were examined including carcinomas, adenomatours polyps, adenomas with early carcinoma, flat adenomas and aberrant crypt foci. The spatial distribution and frequency of micro-architectural features, and mucosal thickness were determined in a border domain of 150–300 sequential crypts/specimen. Immunocytochemical expression of Ki67 and p53 antigens in crypts also was semi-quantitatively examined. We found that in 100% of carcinomas two histologically abnormal zones (Proximate and Middle) separated tumor from normal mucosa. Differences in the feature frequency between zones were statistically significant (p<0.05). Both zones showed mild increases in crypt cell expression of Ki67, with a statistically significant relationship to zonal patterning (p<0.005). Weak expression of p53 only appeared in rare cells. Crypt elongation with mucosal thickening (1.9x normal, p<0.001) in the Proximate and Middle zones distinguished carcinomas from border changes in all benign lesions, except flat adenomas. Since this change occurs in all cases of carcinoma, there is no correlation with tumor stage or grade. Also in carcinomas, elaborate complexes of attached crypts (connected crypt structures) were characteristic of the Middle zone, so that proximate zone was always architecturally simpler. We conclude, that despite continuous carcinoma growth, the invaded border mucosa maintains a prototypical zonal organization of molecular and histological crypt changes This spatially organized reaction pattern is likely to reflect an interplay between regulated growth and destructive processes in response to advancing carcinoma. Compared to the edges of benign colonic tumors, the edges of carcinomas are distinctive and consistent enough to be diagnostically useful.
Despite the fact that the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)with an increased risk of gastric cancer has been well documented, the exact mechanisms of this association have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present prospective study was to contribute to the exploration of these mechanisms by studying the relationship between H. pylori infection and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining in endoscopic biopsies in gastric antrum. Furthermore, we examined the impact of H. pylorieradication on this relationship. We studied 28 H. pyloripositive patients and the results were compared with 22 endoscopically and histologically normal H. pylorinegative patients (control group) who were comparable to the H. pyloripositive group for age and sex. In addition all H. pyloripositive patients were examined before and after treatment aiming to eradicate H. pylori. In the H. pylori(+) patients the median PCNA index was 35 (range 8-58) and this was significantly higher than the respective number in the control group [5.5 (2–14), p<0.001]. In patients studied before and after successful eradication of H. pylori(n=10) the corresponding numbers were 35 (8-56) and 7 (4–13) (p<0.01) the latter not being significantly different from the control group of H. pylori(-)patients. On the contrary, in patients without successful H. pylori eradication (n=18) the PCNA indices before and after treatment were similar [35.5 (21-58) vs 31.5 (20-56)]. It is concluded that H. pyloriinfection alters the replication cycle of the gastric mucosa inducing hyperproliferation, which return towards normal after successful H. pylori eradication.
Angiogenesis or the generation of new blood vessels, is an important factor regarding the growth of a tumor. Hence, it becomes a necessary parameter of any kind in therapeutic studies. Glutamine is an essential nutrient of tumor tissue and glutamine related therapy involves clearance of circulatory glutamine by glutaminase. So, whether this enzyme has any effect on angiogenesis of a tumor or not becomes an obvious question. To address this question, this study has been carried out with different murine tumor models.The results indicate that purified glutaminase reduces tumor volume as well as restricts the generation of new blood vessels. Glutaminase is effective in the case of solid as well as ascites tumor models. In the case of induced cancer, the host exhibits delayed onset of neoplasia following enzyme treatment and tumor host interactions determine the intensity of the neovascularisation process. Therefore, it can be concluded that this enzyme might be an effective agent against cancer metastasis.
A case of Warthin-like tumor of the thyroid (WaLTT) with cervical lymph node metastasis is presented. The problems of the FNA diagnosis of this type of tumor is discussed as well as the histogenesis, nature and behaviour of this peculiar tumor.
The ovary is the sixth most frequent site of cancer in women in Denmark with an incidence of approximately 600 cases per year. Carcinomas predominate whereas sarcomas are rare. We describe a case of the combination mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and hemangiosarcoma in a 37-year old woman, who had a right-sited oophorectomy because of a cyst. Clinically there was no suspicion of malignancy. The macro- and microscopic findings are described as well as the immunohistochemical stainings performed to confirm the diagnosis. The case shows the importance of careful sampling at the macroscopic examination, especially from areas with a striking appearance.
A single, exophytic, cutaneous tumor on the thigh of a 52-year-old man was examined by light microscopy, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. It demonstrated distinct areas of verruca and of seborrheic keratosis-like morphology simultaneously. Focally, architectural abnormalities were noted in some deeper parts of the tumor, but there was no morphological evidence of malignancy. The patient has remained disease-free for two and a half years after surgery. Biotinylated full genomicDNA probes of HPV confirmed the presence of types 6/11 exclusively in the verrucous portion of the neoplasm. In the verrucous component p53 protein was overexpressed and, additionally, increased Ki-67 immunopositive signals were detected, being localized below the HPV-DNA-expressing spinous cells.
This review on aging is focused on those cellular and molecular mechanisms which concern age related pathologies. The central question addressed is the relationship between normal aging and age-related pathologies such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, emphysema, malignant tumors and cognitive decline, dementias. The mechanisms recognized as most important in cell and tissue aging are briefly outlined. Emphasis is laid on the importance of post-synthetic modifications of the macromolecules of the extracellular matrix and on cell matrix interactions. Loss of intercellular communication and cell-matrix interactions as a result of receptor decay and receptor uncoupling were recently recognized as key events. Unavoidable poly-pathology at advanced age may be the answer to the above question.
Metastasis is a sequence of events including proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion and subsequent metastatic growth of tumour cells in distant organs. We previously showed that highly metastatic variants of murine melanoma cells express higher levels of the basement membrane proteoglycan perlecan than low or non metastatic variants and expression of an antisense perlecan can reduce metastatic potential. In contrast, antisense expression of perlecan in fibrosarcoma cells was reported to enhance tumorigenesis. To better understand the role of perlecan in angiogenesis we have transfected KS-IMM, an immortalized cell line derived from a human Kaposi’s sarcoma, with an antisense perlecan construct and investigated the positive/negative role of perlecan in KS. KS-IMM cells were transfected with either empty vector (neo) or the antisense perlecan construct and clones were isolated. Immuno-blot analysis showed a reduction of perlecan levels in two (AP3 and AP4) isolated clones, in Northern blot analysis endogenous perlecan was undetectable in the AP3 and AP4 clones, while it was present in the neo control clones. AP clones had a reduced migration to HGF in Boyden chambers as compared to neo clones. Proliferation in low serum or serum-free conditions was strongly reduced in the AP clones as compared to the neo control cells. The neotransfected cells showed rapid proliferation in low serum supplemented with HGF and VEGF, while antisense transfected clones showed little response. Finally, AP-trasfected KS-IMM cells had significantly reduced migration to VEGF and HGF with respect to controls. In contrast, when the AP transfected cells were injected in nude mice they paradoxically showed enhanced tumor growth as compared to controls. Our preliminary data indicate that perlecan reduction plays a crucial role on Kaposi’s sarcoma cell migration and proliferation in vitro. However, in vivo KS-IMM depleted of perlecan had a growth advantage. A possible hypothesis is that perlecan is necessary for growth of KS-IMM cells in vitro, however its down-regulation might promote angiogenesis through increased angiogenic growth factor diffusion, resulting in enhanced tumor growth in vivo.
TNFa is a highly active cytokine which plays an important role in the regulation of apoptotic cell death, a mechanism involved in the pathophysiology of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In this study we investigated the expression of TNFa of the bone marrow trephine biopsies by immunohistochemical method and the TNFa production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by ELISA method in 15 patients affected by MDS. Five of seven patients without excess of blasts showed high or intermediate TNFa expression in the bone marrow biopsies, whereas two patients with excess of blasts were negative and one had low expression. The five CMML patients revealed low or intermediate expression. The production of TNFa by the PBMC was analysed in 10 patients, four patients with RA and two with CMML produced higher level of TNFa which increased after stimulation with phorbol myristic acetate, but none of the RAEB patients revealed increase in TNFa production. In conclusion we suppose that increased TNFa expression and production by PBMC may be an indirect evidence of the role of increased apoptosis in low risk MDS patients.
Production of SPARC/osteonectin/BM-40 was determined in mouse B16 melanoma clones BL6 and F10 (high metastatic) and F1 (low metastatic). SPARC was produced greater amount in BL6 and F10 than in F1 cells, showing a good agreement with their metastatic potentials. Moreover, SPARC production was not influenced by culture pH, even in the acidic conditions (=pH 5.9). Although tumor tissues show often low pH due to excessive amount of acidic metabolites such as lactate, most studies have been done in neutral pH. High SPARC production in the acidic medium, therefore, is thought to be an important potential for tumor invasive behaviour.
C8166 cells express T lymphocyte markers, a monocyte-specific esterase, taxpolypeptide of HTLV-I. In spite of this transactivator, their HIV-1 yield is low. Their culture conditions were modified, and infected cells were immobilized on a poly-L-lysine sheet under semisolid overlays to study their phenotypic alterations and HIV-1 production by microscopy and electron microscopy. Another lymphoid cultures (MT-4, CEM, CEM-ss, AdCEM) similarly treated were infected with either HIV-1/RF or IIIB. Specificity of HIV-1 was compared to the effects of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Unlike other cultures, HIV-1/RF infected C8166 cells in Eagle’s MEM exhibited surface projections resembling hairy leukemia cells, which was followed by balloon degeneration and apoptosis. Immobilized HIV-1 infected cultures formed flat syncytia with several interdigitating dendritic projections. Syncytia shrunk with condensed nuclear material and axon-like filaments characteristic for infected macrophages. VSV induced enlargement and necrotic lysis of all cell types. Early postinfection with HIV-1, electron microscopy revealed irreversible membrane fusion above cell nuclei, and transient fusion between filaments. Transient presence of coated vesicles containing intact HIV-1 particles, Birbeck granule-like structures of Langerhans cells, fibrillar-lamellar structures resembling hairy leukemia or Sézary cells were detected. Late postinfection, high proportion of HIV-1 bud from polarized cytoplasm was empty particle, while that bud and entrapped in cytoplasmic vacuoles contained two or multiple cores in a fused envelope. The effect of early gene products of HIV-1 on HTLV-I and C8166 cells might elicit their latent potentials for monocyte or interdigitating dendritic cells, while in the later phase HTLV-I products might alter HIV-1 virion assembly.
Blood serum cytokines: TNFa a, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 as well as CRP were investigated in patients with colorectal cancer, prior treatment and 1, 10 and 42 days after surgery. There was an increase of the levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-10 in most patients 24 hours after surgery. The levels of IL-1ra were elevated in patients in stage C and in several patients in stage B of the disease and there was a decrease of circulating TNFa ain stage B patients. On day 10 and 42 after surgery, the levels of cytokines followed various patterns.
The incidence of malignant melanoma has been steadily increasing over the past decades. CD 44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is implicated in a number of adhesive and migratory events. Downregulation of CD 44 is implicated in the metastatic process. P-Selectin is a member of the selectin family of cell surface molecules. The levels of P-Selectin in biological fluids may be elevated in subjects with a variety of pathological conditions. In malignant melanoma, elevation of the plasma level of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) has been associated with a reduction in disease-free survival. This study was performed to investigate the differences in the serum concentrations of the adhesion molecules in patients with malignant melanoma.The study group consisted of 52 patients with malignant melanoma and 20 healthy subjects. No meaningful difference was observed for P-selectin and sICAM 1 levels. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the cancer patients for serum CD 44 levels.
Classification and grading of astrocytic tumors has been the subject of several controversies and no universally accepted classification system is yet available. Nevertheless, acceptance of a common system is important for assessing prognosis as well as easy comparative evaluation and interpretation of the results of multi-center therapeutic trials. We report the results of a single center study on comparative survival evaluation along with assessment of inter-classification concordance in 102 cases of supratentorial astrocytic tumors in adults (³ ³16 years of age). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides of these 102 cases were reviewed independently by two pathologists and each case classified or graded according to four different classification systems viz. Kernohan, Daumas-Duport (SAM-A), TESTAST-268 and WHO. The histological grading was then correlated with the survival curves as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The most important observation was that similar survival curves were obtained for any one grade of tumor by all the four classification systems. Fifty three of the 102 cases (51.9%) showed absolute grading concordance using all 4 classifications with maximum concordant cases belonging to grades 2 and 4. Intra-classification grade-wise survival analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between grade 2 and grades 3 or 4, but no difference between grades 3 and 4 in any of the classification systems. It is apparent from the results of this study that if specified criteria related to any of the classification systems is rigorously adhered to, it will produce comparable results. Hence, preferential adoption of any one classification system in practice will be guided by the relative ease of histologic feature value evaluation with maximum possible objectivity and reproducibility. We recommend the Daumas-Duport (SAM-A) system since it appears to be the simplest, most objectivized for practical application and highly reproducible with relative ease.
In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of tumors of the head and neck. Their successful treatment is one of the greatest challenges for physicians dealing with oncotherapy. An organic part of the complex therapy is preoperative or postoperative irradiation. Application of this is accompanied by a lower risk of recurrences, and by a higher proportion of cured patients. Unfortunately, irradiation also has a disadvantage: the development of osteoradionecrosis, a special form of osteomyelitis, in some patients (mainly in those cases where irradiation occurs after bone resection or after partial removal of the periosteum). Once the clinical picture of this irradiation complication has developed, its treatment is very difficult. A significant result or complete freedom from complaints can be attained only rarely. Attention must therefore be focussed primarily on prevention, and the oral surgeon, the oncoradiologist and the patient too can all do much to help prevent the occurrence of osteoradionecrosis. Through coupling of an up-to-date, functional surgical attitude with knowledge relating to modern radiology and radiation physics, the way may be opened to forestall this complication that is so difficult to cure.
The aim of the present study was to immunohistochemically investigate the prognostic value of neovascularization (expressed as microvessel count-MVC) and tumor cell proliferation (expressed as PCNA labeling index – PLI and Ki-67 labeling index – KLI) in gastric adenocarcinoma. Correlations with clinicopathologic features were also evaluated. Tumor specimens from 74 patients diagnosed as gastric adenocarcinoma were included in this study. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections stained immunohistochemically with F-VIII, PC10 and MIB-1 monoclonal antibodies. By ocular grid subdivided into 100 areas, number of microvessels and PC10, MIB-1 positive and negative cells were counted at x400 magnification. Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier method and cox regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that, MVC and PLI had a significant correlation with invasion and lymph node metastasis. The prognosis was significantly worse in patients with high MVC (>14 ) and with high PLI (>49%). However any relationship was not observed between KLI (38%) and clinicopathologic parameters, so KLI failed to predict the prognosis. Cox model showed that, MVC and PLI were independent prognostic variables. Ki-67 labeling index in gastric carcinomas has no prognostic relevance. However, the evaluation of microvessel count and proliferating cell nuclear antigen index in gastric carcinomas could be reliable indicators of prognosis.
Increased expression of a key cell cycle regulator, cyclin D1, may have relevance to carcinogenesis and clinicopathological characteristics of some cancers. This study represents the first application of in situ hybridization, ISH, to detect cyclin D1 mRNA in tissue sections from colorectal carcinomas. This approach was selected because of its unique potential to clarify whether increased expression of cyclin D1 mRNA correlates with clinical and pathological parameters. The ISH ofa non-radioactive oligonucleotide probe (Biogenex) was immunocytochemically detected in paraffin embedded sections from biopsy or resection specimens. Tumors ranged from well to poorly differentiated, and from stages A, B, C, and D. Ten year survival data were available on the majority of patients. Intensity of tumor and background (smooth muscle) signals were independently scored from 0 to 3. Overexpressed cyclin D1 mRNA was seen in 86% of cases compared to background. This frequency is similar to that reported for pancreatic carcinoma. The average signal intensity score in tumor foci was 1.9 with a background score of 0.05 (p<001). All cases showed specific staining judged by the cytoplasmic localization and a tumor signal:background ratio > 1. Expression did not differentiate cancers based on grade, stage or survival (p>1), but did differentiate carcinoma and severe dysplasia from mild dysplasia. We conclude that ISH of cyclin D1 mRNA is an effective and relatively specific means of detecting activity of this gene in colonic neoplasms. The high frequency of overexpression implies that gene activity by itself is not likely to predict a tumor’s biological or clinical behavior. On the other hand, these data suggest that increased cyclin D1 gene activity may be an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis. They also are consistent with findings showing cyclin D1 is inducible by a variety of oncogene products.
Among organ transplant recipients there is a world wide increase in the number of de novo tumors as well as a decrease in the time of the first appearance after the transplantation. Between 1973 and the 31th of August 1999 1709 cadaver renal allograft transplantations were perfomed in our Department. Four thyroid cancers were detected among the renal transplanted patients. Two of them proved to be papillary microcarcinomas. Although the elevated risk of thyroid cancers is well established in the literature papillary microcarcinomas have never been reported before in an immunosuppressed patient. Authors highlight that the thyroid gland should always be carefully checked in organ transplant recipients, since better survival might be achieve even in the immunosuppressed population. Metastatic tumor is relatively benign which is in correlation with the literature, but there has been little experience in organ transplanted patients so far.
The existence of tumor cell-lined sinuses (vascular channels) in various experimental and human cancer is known for almost a half a century described by a Hungarian pathologist, Béla Kellner. Meanwhile, even the existence as well as the pathomechanism and the possible functional significance of these sinuses are heavily challenged in the recent literature. Ultrastructural studies however provide evidence for the presence of tumor cell-lined sinuses in human melanoma and breast cancer. The generation of such sinuses can be suggested in two ways: by de novoformation, when tumor cells recapitulate an embryonic geno- and phenotype by reexpressing endothelial genes or by a secondary mechanism, where the incorporated microvessels degenerate due to the predominant expression of anti-angiogenic factors. Literature data are available for the potential diagnostic and clinical significance of the tumor sinuses (vascular channels) stimulating further studies on this issue.
Bcl-2 is an oncogenic protein that plays a central role in apoptosis. The association of Bcl-2 expression and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear, with some studies showing improved outcome whilst others show no survival advantage. We evaluated 178 surgically resected NSCLC specimens for Bcl-2 and p53 immunoexpression. Bcl-2 staining was present in 34.9% of cases (weakly staining 24.2%, strongly staining 10.7%), nuclear p53 in 43.3% and cytoplasmic p53 in 10.7%. There was no association between p53 and survival. Bcl-2 immunoexpression correlated with improved outcome (p=0.04). A sub-group of strongly Bcl-2 staining cases had a poor survival compared to those that stained weakly (p=0.01). The strongly staining cases had a similar survival to negative cases. Immunointensity may therefore account for the disparity in results regarding the prognostic significance of Bcl-2 demonstrated in previous studies.
The progression from uncontrolled cell proliferation to invasion and metastasis of epithelial tumors is partially understood. Alteration of epithelial mucin expression have been described in different malignant localizations but only few attempts have been made to identify mucin expression in malignant laryngeal tumors. In the present report, results are shown of studies on the expression of mucins and carbohydrate related antigens in laryngeal cancer and on the isolation of MUC1 mucin from this tumor tissue. Malignant laryngeal specimens were processed for immunohistochemical analysis and for extranuclear membrane fractions (ENM) which were obtained by ultracentrifugation. Subsequently, ENM samples were centrifuged in density-gradient; the analysis of fractions was performed by means of SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting. The panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) included anti MUC1 mucin, anti Lewis x, anti sialyl Lewis x, anti Lewis y, anti MUC-5B, anti oral mucin (gp230), anti Tn hapten, anti p53 and anti cytokeratins. By immunohistochemistry, it was possible to detect MUC1 mucin, Lewis x and Lewis y showing strong reactions while sialyl-Lewis x and Tn antigen only reacted weakly in a few cells; cytokeratins were detected in all samples. In ENM derived fractions obtained by CsCl centrifugation, MUC1 was demonstrated by Western blotting. Conclusions: (1) laryngeal cancer antigenic expression comprises mostly MUC1 mucin, Lewis x, Lewis y as well as Tn antigen and (2) the methodology here employed is useful to isolate MUC1 from tumor samples.
In discriminating benign and malignant origins of cytologically suspicious effusion smears a panel of antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Fibronectin (F) and MOC-31 was used with immuno-cytochemical techniques. One hundred and thirty seven effusions were studied of which 107 had a malignant and 30 a benign aetiology as determined by clinical and histological examination. Cytologically 24 were diagnosed as benign, 97 as malignant and 14 as suspicious. Staining for F was positive in all effusions of benign and 3 of malignant origin. MOC-31 was positive in 95 (88.8%) of effusions of malignant origin but none of benign origin. Positive CEA was observed in 43% of effusions of malignant origin and in 10 of benign origin. The combination of MOC-31 positivity measured the sensitivity and specificity of the cytological examination in cases where the cytological examination result was suspicious as did F positivity improve the sensitivity for a benign origin of the effusion. Positivity or negativity for CEA is less valuable than the other parameters.
The purpose of this study was a complementary method to the diagnosis and prognosis of complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) and differentiate it from the other cases of gestational trophoblatic diseases. This was done by examining the quality and quantity of the total and the placental alkaline phosphatase activity. The ALP in the tissues and sera from 12 patients were compared with 13 control normal non-pregnant and 30 control pregnant females. The enzyme activities were determined by biochemical and histochemical examination.The placental tissues were obtained from uterine curettage, or after delivery which then were frozen in a liquid nitrogen and processed for biochemical study. Cryosections were histochemically stained for ALP and PLAP by the azo coupling method. Isoenzyme specificity was evaluated by heating the tissue at 65°C for 15 min while the including L-phenylalanine (50 mM), D-phenylalanine (50 mM) and L-homoarginine (50 mM) were used for chemical inhibition study. The activity of ALP and PLAP of patients were reduced in comparison with pregnant control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the patients and non-pregnant control (P<0.05) group. The localization of enzyme activities in cryosections of all groups were in the basal, apical, and the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblast cells. The ALP in all the groups was thermostable (65°C for 15 min) and was inhibited by L-phenylalanine, but no inhibition was seen with L – homoarginine in patients group only. These findings suggest that the PLAP is a useful marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of hydatidiform mole.
Systematic random rectal ultrasound directed map-biopsy of the prostate was performed in 77 RDE (rectal digital examination) positive and 25 RDE negative cases, if applicable. Hypoechoic areas were found in 30% of RDE positive and in 16% of RDE negative cases. The score for carcinoma in the hypoechoic areas was 6.5% in RDE positive and 0% in RDE negative cases, whereas systematic map biopsy detected 62% carcinomas in RDE positive, and 16% carcinomas in RDE negative patients. The probability of positive diagnosis of prostate carcinoma increased in parallel with the number of biopsy samples/case. The importance of systematic map biopsy is emphasized.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs) constitute a heterogeneous group of lymphoid neoplasms and a majority of them in India are of B-cell phenotype. Varying numbers of T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells are consistently present within the lymph nodes (LNs). The role of these reactive cells is becoming understood. TIA-1 is a cytotoxic granule associated RNA binding protein, the expression of which is restricted to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and NK cells. Snap frozen lymph node biopsies obtained from 41 B-cell NHLs were localized for intra-tumoral TIA-1 + cytolytic cells by immunohistochemistry. Distribution of T cell subsets and NK cells were also quantified. Cells expressing TIA-1 antigen was observed in all the cases, seen as a strong granular cytoplasmic signal. Results indicate significantly higher number of TIA-1 cytolytic cells outside (periphery of the follicle and interfollicular areas) than within the neoplastic follicle in follicular lymphomas (p<0.001). In small lymphocytic lymphomas, cytolytic cells were mainly seen as uniformly scattered single cells, distributed throughout the tumor environment. In mantle cell and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas these were most often seen as small clusters and less frequently as singly scattered cells. Higher numbers of CD4 + than the CD8 + T cells were observed in most cases. Contrary to the follicles in follicular hyperplasia, CD57 + NK cells were predominantly observed outside the neoplastic follicle in follicular lymphomas (FLs). These results outline specific interactions between the potential anti-tumoral cytolytic and the malignant cells of B-cell NHLs.
Aims of the study were: 1. to establish the prevalence of CD44 protein expression in human astrocytomas; 2. to compare the distribution of the extracellular matrix in these tumors; 3. to investigate the relation between CD 44, the extracellular matrix proteins and the histological grade of the tumor. CD44, Type IV Collagen (Col IV), Laminin (LN), Fibronectin (FN), and Tenascin (TN) expression were detected by immunohistochemistry in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue samples of 52 astrocytic tumors: 35 glioblastomas (GB), 7 Anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and 10 astrocytomas (A). The localization of Col IV was observed in the basement membrane of the vessel walls in most of the astrocytomas (88.4%) with a similar pattern obtained with LN staining. 7 of 10 A (70%), 2 of 7 AA (28%) and 9 of 35 GB (25.7%) showed LN positivity. There was a negative correlation between LN expression and tumor grade (p=0.03). FN was either localized in the basement membrane or showed thick multi-layered immunoreactivity of the vessel walls. FN expression was seen in 6 A (60%), 4 AA (57%) and all of 35 GB (100%). The FN distribution was not uniform and its staining intensity showed decrease in GB. 3A (30%), 3 AA (42%), 27 GB (77.1%) showed TN expression in the vessel walls and in some tumor cells of 19 GBs. TN expression was positively correlated with the degree of vascular endothelial proliferation in GB (p<0.05). The expression of CD44s wasseen as plasma membrane positivity of glioma cells in 5 of 10A (50%), 3 of 7AA (42.3%) and 29 of 35 GB (82.8%). The intensity of immunoreaction was quite strong especially near the vessels. There was a good correlation between TN and CD44s expression in human astrocytic tumors (p=0.005). No relationship was observed between GFAP, ECM proteins and CD44s expression. Both CD44s and TN expression showed increase with malignancy in astrocytomas. These findings indicated that the histological malignancy of the astrocytomas was correlated with expression of TN and CD44s. It was suggested that in astrocytomas there was a biological relationship only between CD44 and TN, but none with the other ECM proteins. TN may play a role in angiogenesis in human astrocytic tumors.
Eleven cases with mucinous noncystic carcinoma (MC) of the pancreas were studied by histology and mucin immunohistochemistry, to elucidate the mechanism, or route of development, and pre-existing histological type of MC of the pancreas. These MCs were observed in close approximation to, or surrounding, intraductal papillary-mucinous carcinomas (IPMCs), and were centrally situated among ductal adenocarcinomas (DAs). Hence, the 11 cases originated from 8 IPMCs and 3 DAs. The mechanism and routes to MC were divided into four types as follows: IPMC directly invaded the stroma (4 cases), over-production of mucin in IPMC expanded the branches of the pancreatic duct possibly resulting in rupture (3 cases), DA underwent extreme mucinous degeneration (3 cases), and a recurrent form, as MC, at the surgical stump of IPMC (one case). The outcomes of MC cases with IPMC had variable survival rates, while those from DA had short durations. MUC immunoreactivity in MC was divided into three categories; anti-MUC1-positive only (2 IPMCs, 2 DAs), mixed anti-MUC1 and anti-MUC2-positive (3 IPMCs, one DA) and anti-MUC-positive only (3 IPMCs). Pre-existing MC histological types included both IPMC and DA. These two pre-existing types of MC involved mucin overproduction and mucinous degeneration. MUC immunoreactivity in MC revealed three patterns, which may be related to variable outcomes.
While the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common phenomenon at the end of the acute phase of disease, the persistence of HBV is characteristic for chronic hepatitis (CHB). Recent evidence indicates that the elimination of HBV is achieved by FAS/FAS-L induced apoptosis of infected hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that HBV persistence in the hepatocytes of CHB patients is due to the delayed onset of apoptosis caused by altered FAS/FAS-L interactions between lymphocytes and hepatocytes. The expression of FAS, FAS-L, BAX, BCL-2, ICE and PCNA in the liver biopsies of 55 patients (14 HBsAg positive, 20 patients with alcoholic hepatopathy, 21 patients with other hepatopathies) was tested by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of hepatocytes was evaluated by morphological as well as by TUNEL method. The results were correlated with a grading/staging score and analysed statistically using a one way analysis of variance and the Duncan test. Significantly highernumbers of BAX positive hepatocytes were observed in HBsAg positive patients when compared to control groups. Similarly, both BAX and FAS positive lymphocytes were more frequent in HBsAg positive patients. FAS-L positive lymphocytes and hepatocytes were numerous in all patient groups. Increased numbers of BAX positive hepatocytes in CHB may reflect the increased readiness of these cells to undergo apoptosis. However, the increased numbers of both BAX and FAS positive lymphocytes in CHB suggest that these cells may be particularly sensitive to FAS-L mediated apoptosis potentially resulting in lowered viability of these lymphocytes. This may explain, at least in part, the defective removal of virus-infected cells in chronic hepatitis. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that survival of hepatocytes during CHB may be due to other mechanisms such as defects in apoptosis activation triggered by CD40, defects involving DNase and/or other caspases downstream in the apoptotic cascade within these cells, or to defects in CTL function.
Lipomatous ependymoma is a recently described entity and only 3 cases of this variant have been reported in the literature. We report 5 cases of this rare variant of ependymoma. Patients’ age ranged from 4 years to 45 years and, interestingly, all of them were males. Two tumors were supratentorial in location, 2 in the fourth ventricle and 1 was intramedullary. Microscopically all of them showed the classical histology of ependymoma along with lipomatous differentiation. The lipomatous component was composed of cells with a large clear vacuole pushing the nucleus to the periphery and giving a signet ring cell appearance. This component demonstrated positivity for GFAP and S-100 protein thereby confirming its glial lineage. Three of the 5 tumors were high grade (WHO-grade III), had a high MIB-1 labelling index (MIB-1 LI) and showed recurrence on follow-up. However, 2 were low grade (WHO grade II) and patients are free of disease till the last follow up.
About ten cases of filariosis have recently been recorded in the Hungarian medical literature, six of them caused by Dirofilaria repens. Dirofilaria repensis a mosquito-transmitted filaroid worm in the subcutaneous tissue of dogs and cats in the temperate areas of the Old World. It accidentally infects man, too, and can remain unidentified due to physicians , poor knowledge of the parasite. In the last two years six new Dirofilaria repensinfections have been found in various parts of the country: five localised dermally and one in the deep tissues. Two of the cases might have been acquired in Italy during summer travels. Four patients, however, have never been abroad, these cases must be considered autochtonous infections. The thickness of the multilayered cuticle of the worm, diameter of the body and the size, form and number of the longitudinal ridges on its surface are used in the histological diagnosis of the the parasite.
Cystic lymphangioma of the small-bowel mesentery is a rare manifestation of an intraabdominal tumor in elderly patients. We present a case of a small-bowel mesentery lymphangioma, causing fever and chills and present clinical and pathologic features. Furthermore, etiology and differential diagnosis of this tumor are discussed.
In line with the UK General Medical Council recommendations, the traditional, taught curriculum at Liverpool was replaced from 1996 by a new one using problem-based learning (PBL) as its principal method of information transfer. There is integration of clinical and preclinical studies, coupled with a reduction in the factual knowledge content and the disappearance of identifiable separate subject courses. Learning is now student-centred. This requires a new approach to the acquisition of pathology knowledge. 1. Pathology is included in all relevant PBL case scenarios by pathology representation on module planning and review committees. 2. Special study modules (SSMs) allow students to observe the practice of pathology including surgical and autopsy work, carry out a detailed study and write a dissertation. Career selectives are provided for individual students in the final year. 3. Clinicopathological (CPC) teaching meetings are held, with the discussion of case examples, clinicians and students contributing. 4. Assessments include the input of appropriate pathology content, integrated with other subjects. 5. A pathology teaching website is provided, containing images, notes, self-assessment questions, handouts, timetables and information. Although the 1996 intake have not yet completed their studies, the results of in-course assessments have been encouraging. The response to the pathology SSMs has been very positive, and the level of presentations and dissertations reached is of a high standard. With the disappearance of a separate subject course in pathology, the subject is being learned by other routes, and the students will complete their undergraduate course with a sound basis for proceeding with their further studies.
Abciximab (ReoPro) is a mouse-human chimeric monoclonal antibody Fab fragment of the parent murine monoclonal antibody 7E3, and was the first of these agents approved for use as adjunct therapy for the prevention of cardiac ischemic complications in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Abciximab binds with high avidity to both the non-activated and activated form of the GPIIb/IIIa receptor of platelets, the major adhesion receptor involved in aggregation. Additional cardiovascular indications for abciximab are unstable angina, carotid stenting, ischemic stroke and peripheral vascular diseases. Abciximab also interacts with two other integrin receptors; the a av b b3 receptor, which is present in low numbers on platelets but in high density on activated endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and a aMb b2 integrin which is present on activated leukocytes. Cell types that express integrins GPIIb/IIIa and a av b b3 such as platelets, endothelial and tumor cells have been implicated in angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. Since abciximab interacts with high avidity to integrins GPIIb/IIIa and a av b b3 , it is reasonable to assume that it may possess anti-angiogenic properties in angiogenesis-related diseases, as well as anti-metastastatic properties in case of disseminating tumors expressing the target integrin receptors.
The authors describe the retrospective analysis of treatment by 5-fluorouracil and interferon-a aof 34 patients with advanced colorectal cancer. An average of 4.6 treatment cycles (3–12) was applied. Complete remission was not observed; partial remission was observed in 8 patients; in 13 patients no change occurred and progression was detected in 14 cases. Remission rate was 22.8%, mean response time was 5.2 (3–12) months, mean progress-free survival 5.6 (0–22) months. Mean survival from the start of treatment was 11.9 (1–42) months and from the establishment of the diagnosis 26.1 (3–60) months. Severe life-threatening side-effects did not occur; other side-effects such as fever, nausea, diarrhea, leucopenia, and anemia responded to drugs. Treatment by 5-FU and interferon, in accordance with other authors’ findings, improved survival and well-being of patients but no breakthrough has been achieved.
Biotechnology uses lectin genes to transfect into crop plants for protection against insects and nematodes. On the other hand, the information is limited on lectin-binding properties of cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, binding of a panel of FITC-labelled plant lectins to gastrointestinal cells of the rat was studied. In the stomach, cytoplasmic staining of parietal cells by PHA appeared to be due to glycoproteins attached to the tubulovesicles. PNA also stained the parietal cells, but only in the isthmus and neck regions, reacting with desialylated glycoproteins. WGA bound to the mucous neck cells with higher affinity than to the surface and foveolar mucous cells. The mucous cells were also stained by SNA-I, UEA-I and, less intensively, by LCA. Chief cells did not show detectable reaction with any of the applied lectins. Binding of PHA to gastric cells showed differences when compared with the results of in vivostudies. Small intestinal brush border was stained with UEA-I and SNA-I, the latter lectin also strongly stained the surface of small intestinal crypts. Both lectins reacted with the mucus of goblet cells. In the large intestine UEA-I and SNA-I stained the goblet cells at the base and upper part of the crypts, respectively. Accordingly, we provided evidences for the unique lectin-binding phenotype of the various segments of the gastrointestinal tract.
The frequency of expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) variable region heavy (VH ) chain gene products was studied in 43 Iranian patients with mutiple myeloma (MM). The expressed VH gene families and associated cross-reactive idiotypes (CRI) were analysed by immunoblotting and ELISA, using peptide-induced polyclonal antibodies specific for VH 1-VH 6 gene families and monoclonal antibodies (MAb) recognising CRI linked to theVH 1, VH 3, VH 4 and VH 6 gene families. The results revealed that the VH 3 family (60.5%) was the most predominant gene family. In contrast, no paraproteins were encoded by genes from the VH 2 gene family and only 2.3% were encoded by the VH 5 family. The panel of paraproteins tested rarely expressed the probed VH -associated CRI. Our results suggest that: 1-The Ig VH genes, may not be randomly expressed in the malignant plasma cells from Iranian patients with MM. 2- Some of the genes seem to be negatively selected or highly mutated, as evidenced by the lack of expression of the probed CRI.
Incidental prostatic carcinoma (ICP) has good prognosis related to low stage at diagnosis. Few rogressive cases demanding aggressive treatment need early identification. Neoangiogenesis proved its predictive role in prostatic carcinoma after radical prostatectomy. To reveal its value in ICP authors investigated specimens after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). Retrospective study was performed on 68 ICP diagnosed in years 1985–1989. Microvessels highlighted by factor VIII were counted in a x200 microscope field (0,8012 mm 2 ) in most active areas of neovascularisation. Microvessel count was correlated with tumor differentiation degree, Gleason score, disease stage, and patients’ survival in at least 9 years after diagnosis. Higher maximal microvessel counts were associated with lower degree of tumor differentiation (p=0,005), Gleason score (p=0,001), and disease stage (0,003). No association with disease progression and patients’ survival was found. Mean microvessel counts showed less significant values when correlated with tumor differentiation degree (p=0,003) and Gleason score (p=0,01), and no correlation with other variables. Microvessel density in TURP specimens of ICP retains its prognostic value already demonstrated in carcinoma of peripheral prostatic lobes. Maximal microvessel counts were prognostically more reliable than mean values.
Utilization of telepathology systems to cover distant geographical areas has increased recently. However, the potential usefulness of similar systems for closer distances does not seem to be widely appreciated. In this study, we present data on the use of a simple telepathology system connecting the pathology department and the intra-operative consultation room within the operating theaters of the hospital. Ninety-eight frozen section cases from a past period have been re-evaluated using a real-time setup. Forty-eight of the cases have been re-evaluated in the customary fashion; allowing both ends to communicate and cooperate freely. Fifty of the cases, however, were evaluated by the consultant while the operating room end behaved like a robot; moving the stage of the microscope, changing and focusing the objectives. The deferral rate was lower than the original frozen section evaluations. Overall, the sensitivity was 100%, specificity 98%, negative predictive value 96,5% and positive predictive value 100%. No significant difference was found for the diagnostic performances between the cooperative and robotic simulation methods.Our results strengthen the belief that telepathology is a valuable tool in offering pathology services to remote areas. The far side of a hospital building can also be a remote area and a low cost system can be helpful for intraoperative consultations. Educational value of such a system is also commendable.
Tenascin is generally classified as an anti-adhesive protein. Many cells do not adhere to tenascin or if they adhere they do not spread. In this study we analysed the stromal expression of tenascin-C in primary, second primary and recurrent breast carcinomas and the ability of tenascin-C to stimulate the focal adhesion plaques in MDA-MB-435 breast carcinoma cell line. To assess the tenascin-C expression formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of 20 specially selected breast carcinomas and their recurrences (14) or a second primary breast cancer of the same patient (6) were examined with immunohistochemical methods. We also studied the effect of tenascin-C on focal adhesion plaques added to MDA-MB-435 breast carcinoma cell line. During a median 2,9-year patient follow up 14 local recurrences and 6-second primary breast carcinomas developed in the 20 patients. In 3 cases a second recurrence occurred. The presence of tenascin in tumor cells, in the proliferating and some normal ducts, near to the tumor cell nests, in the stroma and in ductal carcinoma in situ component of the invasive carcinoma may suggest the role of tenascin played in tumor cell migration. Soluble tenascin added to the cell culture had minimal or no effect on focal adhesion plaques. Tenascin only seems not to be of prognostic value in predicting the local recurrence of breast cancer.
The aim of this study was to determine the possible prognostic significance of tumor angiogenesis (TA) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Fifty-five NPC patients were evaluated in relation to survival. Endothelial cells were immunohistochemically stained with anti-von Willebrand factor (F-VIII), CD-31 and CD-34 antibodies, and microvessels counted in the most active areas of tumor neovascularization or hotspotsusing both a manual and an automatic method. Overall survival analysis calculated by the Kaplan–Meiertest revealed that both methods were correlated with a statistical significance between intratumoral microvessel density (IMD) and overall survival, using either manual (p=0.0141) or automatic counting (p=0.0117). Other angiogenic parameters studied were perimeter, roundness and accumulative area of the microvessels using a morphometric analyzer. Moreover, our results show that cases with high IMD demonstrated a prognostic significance in relation to the accumulative area (p=0.0072).
Phosphate dependent glutaminase was purified from ascites fluid of ovarian cancer patients. The purified enzyme showed a final specific activity of 110 unit / mg protein with 72 fold purification and 21% yield. Purified enzyme gives one dark band of Mr ~65.5 KD and two light bands of Mr ~47.5 KD and ~45 KD respectively on 10% SDS-PAGE. One major immunoreactive band was found in trans-immunoblot analysis using antibodies against rat kidney and ascites fluid glutaminase raised in rabbit and mice respectively. Phosphate dependent glutaminase enzyme purified from mitochondria of malignant and non malignant ovarian tissue also showed bands of same molecular weight on 10% SDS-PAGE and gave same immunoreactive bands in trans-immunoblot like the purified glutaminase from ascites fluid. This result was confirmed by using the specific activity stain for glutaminase, which indicates that same enzyme activity is probably due to leakage of the same enzyme from malignant tissue into the ascites fluid. The purified enzyme from human peritoneal fluid showed a high specificity toward glutamine, therefore is a true glutaminase. Moreover, ascites fluid taken from patients of different age group with different stages of ovarian carcinoma revealed the presence of same glutaminase on 10% SDS-PAGE, and exhibited immunoreaction on ELISA, trans-immunoblot and dot immunoblot analysis.
Hepatic angiomyolipomas are rare tumors, especially in comparison with those occurring in the kidney. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of their existence, especially when occurring in the liver, where they might have different subtypes. Not infrequently they are composed of rather irregular cells with epithelioid appearance. In these cases hepatocellular carcinoma or the possibility of other malignant tumors has to be ruled out, with the aid of numerous immunohistochemical reactions. The authors present a case of a female patient, whose liver lesion was first diagnosed on cytological examination as a hepatocellular carcinoma. Based on the preoperative cytological diagnosis, a large liver lobe resection was performed. Histological examination found an angiomyolipoma of the above-mentioned type, and the final diagnosis was ascertained with the aid of vimentin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), and HMB-45.
A 11-year-old boy with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AaS), Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection and long-term antiviral treatment suffered from a disorder of contractility of the left ventricle of the heart. Following severe unmanageable vomiting, the patient died and the postmortem examination showed marked involution of the lymphatic system, multiple foci of fibrosis of both ventricles of the heart, and regressive changes of the thyroid gland. Biochemical values of the thyroid gland function were, however, not altered. Neither human immunodeficiency virus-related p24 antigen, nor VZV DNA sequences were found in the thyroid gland. Regressive changes of the thyroid gland can probably occur before its function fails. By analyzing the possible etiologies, the endocrine toxicity of a long-term antiviral treatment should be taken into account.
Sarcomas of the great vessels are rare. Altogether 400 such cases have been described in the aorta, the pulmonary artery, and inferior vena cava. The clinical symptoms are generally related to embolic phenomena, aneurysm formation, and widespread metastases, especially to bones. With improved diagnostic modalities more cases are diagnosed and treated surgically. Resection of the tumor may prolong the patient’s life. In this paper authors present two cases of such rare sarcomas. In our first case a tumor has developed in the thoracic aorta with symptoms of imminent aortic dissection. The tumorous nature of the lesion was revealed only histologically, since neither the operation, nor macroscopic picture gave any clue to its tumorous nature. The second case was a male patient with a huge retroperitoneal tumor arising from the inferior vena cava, which was clinically suspected to be a carcinomaarising in the adrenal gland.
Blood formation by pluripotent stem cells and their progeny is thought to be regulated by receptor-ligand interactions between cell-substrate, cell-cell and cell-matrix in the bone marrow. Primitive stem cells form progenitors and, in their turn, these give rise to haemopoietic progeny which are more specifically committed in that they can form progressively fewer types of blood cells. Recently we have estab-lished that direct cell-cell communication via gap junctions may be part of this regulatory system. Con-nexin43 gap junctions metabolically couple the three dimensional meshwork of bone marrow stromal cells to form a functional syncytium in which some blood-forming cells are also coupled. The expression of gap junctions in the bone marrow is markedly upregulated when there is an urgent and substantial demand for blood-formation; for example, following cytotoxic injury after 5-fluorouracil or irradiation; or during neonatal blood-formation and in the epiphysis of growing bones. Chemical blockade of gap junctions blocks blood-formation in long-term cultures but is reversible after the blockade has been relieved. This short review highlights briefly the known regulatory mechanisms of blood-formation with especial attention to gap junctional communication.
Keratinocytes release a number of cytokines interacting with other intra- and subepidermal cells during the initiation and the perpetuation of skin inflammatory reactions. Cultured human keratinocytes overexpressing the transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) assumed a spindled morphology and displayed increased locomotion. Moreover, the receptor for TGF-alpha, the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), is important for autocrine growth, promotion of cell survival, and regulation of cell migration. The expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR has not been widely studied in human developing skin and their roles in geno-dermatosis are not known. In this study, we investigated the expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR by immunohistochemistry in human developing skin at different gestational ages (14 th week, 20 th week, and 34 th week), in six patients with psoriasis, and, for the first time, in an infant affected with restrictive dermopathy, a very rare lethal genodermatosis, characterized by abnormal skin growth and differentiation with thin, tightly adherent skin. TGF-alpha and EGFR were expressed in the basal layer at the 14 th week and in all epidermal layers at the 20 th and 34 th week of gestation. In psoriasis, TGF-alpha was overexpressed in all layers of epidermis, while EGFR was expressed in the basal and first suprabasal layers. In restrictive dermopathy, we observed no expression of both TGF-alpha and EGFR at the level of the skin. The other organs showed comparable patterns to those of an age-matched infant. In conclusion, TGF-alpha and EGFR interact strictly to promote skin development during the intrauterine life. An interactive autocrine growth cycle between TGF-alpha and EGFR is present in psoriasis. A skin-localized alteration of the expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR may be at the basis of restrictive dermopathy. The delay of growth and differentiation of the skin in restrictive dermopathy may be related to the absent expression of TGF-alpha, which is probably due to a down regulation of EGFR by an abnormal autocrine mechanism.
This study describes the incidence of Bax protein expression in a series of 106 cases of breast cancer including 56 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 50 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Relationships of Bax expression to the histological grades of DCIS & IDC, and to the expression of Ki67, ER, p53, cerbB2 & Bcl2 are described. The expression of Bax, Ki67, ER, p53, cerbB2 and Bcl2 proteins is determined immunohistochemically. Cases were regarded positive for Bax, Bcl2 and cerbB2 when they showed either moderate or strong staining for these markers. The nuclear stains (Ki67, ER, and p53) were quantified in terms of percentage positive cells and cases for ER and p53 were considered positive when more than 10% cells were labelled. DCIS were graded histologically as well (n=18), intermediately (n=18), and poorly differentiated (n=20) Invasive ductal carcinoma was graded as grade I (well-differentiated) n=7, grade II (intermediate) n=24 and grade III (poorly differentiated) n=19. 65/106 cases (61%) were Bax positive including 37/56 (66%) of DCIS and 28/50 (56%) of IDC. Bax expression did not correlate to increasing histological grades of either DCIS or IDC. It did not correlate to Ki67, ER, p53 or cerbB2 but positive correlation was seen with Bcl2 (p=0.003). Bcl2 immunostaining displayed a negative correlation with increasing histological grades both of DCIS and IDC (p=0.026), (p=0.041) respectively. There was a trend of negative correlation of Bcl2 with Ki67 (p=0.062). It correlated positively with Bax (p=0.003) and ER (p<0.0001). Results suggest that the regulation of apoptosis is important in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast as well as invasive ductal carcinomas. Bcl2 is associated with good prognostic markers in both DCIS and IDC, whereas the regulation of Bax is complex and does not necessarily correlate with mutant p53.
Lectins are sugar-binding proteins that bind to specific cellular carbohydrates, commonly affecting cellular physiology. Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA), ulex europaeus isoagglutinin-I (UEA-I), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and peanut agglutinin (PNA) are among the most well studied lectins in various tissues. The purpose of this study was to detect the above lectins’ binding sites and so examine alterations in glycoconjugate expression in neoplastic cells of 52 colorectal adenomas with various clinicopathologic characteristics and proliferation rates. Lectin histochemistry was performed in paraffin sections with and without neuraminidase treatment. Proliferative fraction was determined by immunolabelling for Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen. PHA was the more frequently positive lectin in the examined specimens; however, it was simultaneously detected in normal colonic mucosa and so was WGA. The frequency of high grade dysplasia was significantly greater in older patients and in samples with UEA-I positivity without neuraminidase pretreatment. UEA-I-reactive adenomas were generally characterized by high cell proliferation rates. A statistical model based on patients’ age and UEA-I binding without neuraminidase treatment can generally predict grade of dysplasia in 83% of adenomas and particularly high grade dysplasia in up to 93% of adenomas; so, such a model may be potentially useful for the early detection of neoplasia, for instance in exfoliative cells from the large intestine.
Mutations in p53 gene are the most frequent gene alterations in human cancer. In this study, we have used the monoclonal antibody (DO7) to evaluate the role of the p53 gene mutation in the progression of basal cell carcinomas towards invasion. We tested the positivity for p53 protein in tumor cells in six cases of basosquamous cell carcinoma (BSCC), in twelve cases of infiltrative basal cell carcinoma (IBCC) and twenty-four cases of non-infiltrative basal cell carcinoma (NIBCC) in order to evaluate its potential prognostic significance. We also tested the expression of p53 protein in normal epithelia adjacent to carcinomas in order to determine its role in tumor progression. p53 protein staining with some peripheral accentuation was identified in 42,9% of all groups. No correlation was found between the immunreactivity of p53 protein and recurrence, pattern of tumor, diameter of the tumors and sex. However, there were statistically significant differences in positivity of p53 protein in normal epithelia adjacent to carcinomas and age of patients (t value: 2,21; p: 0,034). Results of the study suggest that the increasein p53 mutation frequency of morphologically normal epidermis was related to age and was independent of the degree of differentiation of BCC.
Comparison of immunohistochemical methods for detection of protein p53 accumulation and molecular techniques for analysis p53 gene mutation in colorectal cancer is presented. Thirty eight patients were included: all underwent surgery without preoperative treatment. Sex of patients, tumor localisa-tion, macro and microscopic type of cancer and staging according to Astler-Coller and Jass classifications were evaluated. Protein p53 accumulation was detected by the streptavidin-biotin method using DO-7 (Dako) antibody. The number of cells stained were classified semiquanititatively according to a scoring system: (–)no positive cells, (+) : 10-30% positive cells, (++) : 40-70% positive cells, (+++) : >70% positive cells. For all cancer samples, exons 5 to 9 of p53 gene were amplified from isolated genomic DNA. PCR products were subjected to single standed conformational polymorphism analysis. All product were also directly sequenced on ABI PRISM 377 apparatus using fluorescent dideoxyterminators chemistry. The protein p53 accumulation was detected in 53% (20/38), whereas p53 gene mutation was seen in 55% (21/38). Among them, 15 patients (39%) with overexpression showed mutation in exon 5-8 gene p53. Discrepancies between results were noted in 29%. In conclusion, the necessity of both methods – immunohistochemical and molecular – is indicated for the objective evaluation of functional and structural status of p53 gene and protein.
Our purpose was to establish a reproducible xenogeneic chimera model to observe tumors similar to the well-known human posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (LPD). First we followed the original protocol injecting Epstein-Barr virus positive (EBV+) human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) intraperitoneally into immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Human cells showed T cell phenotype in majority one week after the transfer, whereas one month later a shift towards B cell phenotype was evident according to immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analysis. At this stage the intraperitoneal mass of cells suggested a biologically malignant behaviour infiltrating the liver and the spleen of the host animal. Immunohistochemistry indicated proliferating human lymphatic cells expressing EBV associated proteins and characteristic patterns of invasion within the affected organs. Eventually LPD was lethal to the host animals in 46-67 days. However, the microscopic appearance of experimental LPD was different from the human haemopoietic malignancies: the basic structures of lymphatic organs were preserved and the human T and B cells repopulated the normally T and B dependent areas in mice. The phenotypes of the proliferating cells were human and characteristic for the mature T- and B-lymphocytes. No dominant clone developed during in vitroculturing of the biologically invasive mass of cells removed from the tumor-bearing mice. The results of microscopical, immunological, and flow cytometrical analysis suggested a mature but uncontrolled proliferation of human lymphocytes in SCID mice. The original method for the induction of post-transplant LPD in SCID mice was modified in our further experiments to standardise the experimental technique increasing the efficiency of B cell proliferation and the reducing the number of unspecific factors. Subsequent in vivo EBV superinfection was carried out after the intraperitoneal transfer of a reduced quantity of human PBL from different donors. The same disease developed in our modified chimera model as by the use of original protocol except for some valuable differences. All hosts developed LPD regardless the significantly reduced amount of transplanted PBL and it was lethal in a shorter period of time (41-43 days) compared to the original model. The decreased quantity of transplanted human lymphatic cells was formerly insufficient using the original protocol. Therefore this modified and standardised protocol can lead to a more predictable and reproducible model allowing us to examine fine details of posttransplant lympho-proliferative disease.
A case of a metachronous epithelioid sarcoma and pleomorphic liposarcoma in a young woman is described. The first tumor was an epithelioid sarcoma (ES) with focal rhabdoid features localised in the left calf while the second lesion developed seven years later in the same region was diagnosed as pleomorphic liposarcoma resembling myxofibrosarcoma (myxoid variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma) predominantly composed of moderately differentiated spindle cells. Multiple foci of uni- and plurivacuolated lipoblasts were seen. Following the resection of ES the patient received 57 Gy radiation to the region, therefore we regarded the second tumor as a radiation induced liposarcoma. A further interesting feature of this case is that the development of pleomorphic liposarcoma preceded by 6 months the solitary right parabronchial metastasis of ES and after 4 months of metastasectomy a third tumor developed at the site of the first lesion. This tumor showed dedifferentiation toward pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Our case represents a unique case of postirradiation liposarcoma developed on the base of ES.
Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is the rarest disease of the gestational trophoblast. Our two cases will be interesting not only because of the rarity of the disease, but because both were recognized before operation. Since the tumor cells are lined up tightly side by side, this disease must be distinguished primarily from tumors of epithelial origin. The authors highlight that the diagnosis should rely on intense hPL-positivity as well as the ultrastructural image of the tumor. In histologically equivocal cases, the determination of hPL, hCG, and MIB-1 immunologic markers can be recommended as routinely performed morphological examinations. Serum hCG monitoring is recommended to follow the evolution of the tumor.
We report the association of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and a residual acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) activity of about 35% in a 23 months old Hungarian boy. Besides the classical triad of exomphalos, macroglossia and gigantism some other BWS-related features: polyhydramnios (known from the praenatal history), hemihypertrophy, craniofacial dysmorphy, a mild mental retardation, bilaterally undescended testes, cardiac anomalies and a terminally developed, fatal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma were present in the patient. The decreased activity of the ASM was measured in the patient’s skin fibroblasts. This result, with hepatomegaly, mental retardation, feeding problems, a failure to thrive and muscle-hypotony, partially resembled the ASM-deficient forms of Niemann-Pick disease (NPD). Morphological analysis of the bone-marrow cells gave normal results. There was no chromosomal alteration found by conventional karyotyping of the patient’s lymphocytes.BWS-associated genes as well as the human ASM gene (SMPD1) are all located at 11p15. DNA-studies by region specific markers as well as mutational analysis for the most common NPD-mutations are planned in the future. This is the first report on the simultaneous occurrence of BWS and ASM-deficiency.
Coagulation disorders are a common problem in neoplastic patients and many factors contribute to increase the risk of thromboembolic events in these patients. An hypercoagulable state is induced by malignant cells interacting directly with hemostatic system and activating the coagulation cascade. More sensitive tests to assess an hypercoagulable state in cancer patients have been developed; even though these tests are always altered in cancer patients, none of them possess a clinical significance in terms of predictive value for the occurence of thromboembolism and disease prognosis in the individual patient. The most frequent thromboembolic complications in cancer patients are deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities and pulmonary embolism; therefore, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or haemolytic uremic syndrome are special manifestations of neoplastic disease. Diagnosis of idiopathic deep vein thrombosis, in the absence of other risk factors, could indicate the presence of occult malignant disease; however, the need for an extensive work-up to detect malignancy is still controversial. Neoplastic patients showing a thromboembolic event should be treated with unfractioned heparin or, alternatively, with low molecular weight heparins. In order to prevent recurrence, the administration of heparin should be associated and followed by an oral anticoagulant drug. In recent years new approaches in anti-aggregation therapy have been studied, such as COX-inhibitors, cicaprost and ReoPro; further studies are needed to determine the usefulness of these molecules in treatment of malignancies.
The author investigated the possible role of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) gene (SMPD1) in the regulation of growth, in connection with an experiment of nature. The association of a decreased ASM activity and an overgrowth disorder, Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS) with hemihypertrophy has been described at a 23 months old boy in a recent case report (Réthy et al, in this issue). ASM catalyses the production of ceramide, a key molecule of apoptosis, from sphingomyelin. Based on these data it is suggested that the ASM gene (SMPD1) can suppress/counterbalance the anti-apoptotic effects of BWSrelated growth-promoters, like IGF-II, under normal circumstances. Recent literary data support this view. ASM deficient lymphoblasts derived from patients with Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) fail to undergo apoptosis in response to external signals and Fas cross-linking. BWS-related genes are considered to be regulated by genomic imprinting. Therefore the author compared some characteristics of both SMPD1 and imprinted genes. The analyzed features of SMPD1 gene (few and small introns, Alu 1 repeat element, CC-rich regulatory region, alternative splicing) are characteristic to imprinted genes. Hemihypertrophy, mentioned in the referred BWS-case, is distinctive to the involvement of the maternal allele of the second BWS chromosomal region (BWSCR2) at 11p15.3. The SMPDI gene has been localized just distal to the B05 breakpoint of BWSCR2. Furthermore, in BWS-associated tumors, the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) found on 11p15 was always maternal. Thus, in the case referred to with ASM deficiency the maternal allele has certainly been effected. These conclusions are in accordance with the cluster-model of imprinting as well as with the conflict theory of imprinting. Taken together, the above mentioned clinical and experimental data suggest that SMPD1, most likely at 11p15.4, is an imprinted, maternally expressed, BWS- and apoptosis-related growth suppressor gene. Further studies are necessary to prove this hypothesis.
In the past few years our knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer has significantly increased. There are several molecular mechanisms involved in the multistage carcinogenesis through which respiratory epithelial cells become preneoplastic and then invasive cancer. In this review we summarize some of these changes including, genomic alterations such as loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite alterations, autocrine-paracrine loops, alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, tumor angiogenesis, aberrant promoter methylation and inherited predisposition to lung cancer. Translation of these findings to the clinic is also discussed.
Although a considerable amount of effort has been placed on discovering the etiologies of cancer, the majority of the basic cancer research existing today has focused on understanding the molecular mechanism of tumor formation and metastasis. Metastatic spread of tumors continues to be a major obstacle to successful treatment of malignant tumors. Approximately 30% of those patients diagnosed with a solid tumor have a clinically detectable metastasis and for the remaining 70%, metastases are continually being formed throughout the life of the tumor. Even after the tumor is excised, the threat of death is attributable to the metastasis that may occur through the remaining tumor cells. In addition, treating the metastasis often proves futile since metastasis often vary in size, composition, and anatomical location. New treatments blocking the formation of metastasis will provide greater chances of survival for cancer patients. One family of enzymes that has been shown over the years to play a role in tumor progression is the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family. The main function of MMPs, also known as matrixins, is degradation of the extracellular matrix physiologic function involving MMPs include wound healing, bone resorption and mammary involution. MMPs, however, also contribute to pathological conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, and cancer. Tumor cells are believed to utilize the matrix degrading capability of these enzymes to spread to distant sites. In addition, MMPs also are thought to promote the growth of these tumor cells once they have metastasized. This review will discuss the role of MMPs and their inhibitors in tumor invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis with special emphasis on the gelatinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9.
Several studies have been demonstrated the value of c-ErbB-2 and Bcl-2 in predicting the biological behaviour of tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate Bcl-2 and c-ErbB-2 expression in colorectal carcinomas and the correlation between their presence and other clinicopathologic parameters. Eighty-six colorectal carcinomas and 17 adenomas were stained with Bcl-2 and c-ErbB-2 immunohistochemically. Staining patterns were assessed semi-quantitatively and correlated with tumor size, Duke’s classification, tumor differentiation, mucinous characteristic and anatomic locations. We detected Bcl-2 expression in 10 of 17 adenomas (58.8 %) and 31 of 86 carcinomas (36.04 %). Positive staining in normal mucosa was observed only in the compartment of cryptic cells. However neither the difference in the rates of Bcl-2 positivity in adenoma and carcinoma groups, nor the correlation with other mentioned clinicopathological parameters, were found statistically significant. Bcl-2 expression was found to be significantly high in mucinous carcinomas. Expression of c-ErbB-2 was observed in 12 of 86 (13.95 %) carcinomas. It was not detected in adenomas and normal mucosa. Although the incidence of c-ErbB-2 in nonmucinous carcinoma was higher than that of mucinous carcinoma, this was not significant. In addition we were unable to show any significant relation between c-ErbB-2 expression and other clinicopathologic features. Our result suggest that c-ErbB-2 protein expression in colorectal carcinomas, is not very frequent event. There is no correlation between c-ErbB-2 expression and malignant potential of colorectal carcinomas. Higher expressions of Bcl-2 in adenomas than carcinomas suggest us a possible role of Bcl-2 in early carcinogenesis of colon. However since we were unable to find any significant correlation between Bcl-2 expression and other parameters the impact of this gene on biological behavior is still unclear for us.
Relevant prognostic factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are tumor extension (pT), occurrence of lymph node metastases (pN) and grade of differentiation (G). We tried to correlate these histological characteristics with numerical aberrations of whole chromosomes as demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques (FISH). Therefore, we investigated isolated interphase cells from paraffin sections of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region from 46 patients with centromeric DNA probes for chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, X and Y. The majority of tumor samples showed aneuploidy for most chromosomes analyzed. The main chromosomal abnormality was loss of chromosomal material, predominantly of chromosomes 3 (28%), 6 (20%), 9 (26%), 10 (24%) and 18 (33%). Multiple deletions could be demonstrated more frequently in poorly differentiated carcinomas (88% G3-tumors with more than one deletion in contrast to 66% G2-tumors). The occurrence of multiple deletions may also correlate with progression in lymph node metastasis (66% in pN0-tumors vs. 85% in pN2-tumors), whereas the differences between the stages of primary tumor extension were not so obvious. Despite of a some-what disproportionate distribution of tumors in the different pT- and pN-stages and the rather low number of cases, our results suggest a relationship between the quantity of chromosomal underrepresentation, grade of differentiation and higher lymph node stage. Therefore, they underline the importance of chromosomal deletions as a possible additional prognostic marker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
It has been reported that cases of ovarian endometriosis those with epithelial cytological atypia have potential for malignant transformation. This study was planned to determine the incidence of atypical endometriosis and its cytological criteria, to evaluate the malignant potential of atypical endometriosis via immunohistochemical methods (p53). In this study we evaluated 140 samples obtained from 120 cases of ovarian endometriosis and 10 ovarian endometrioid carcinomas that have been previously diagnosed histopathologically. We re-evaluated endometriosis cases with respect to their epithelial and stromal features, existence of acute or chronic inflammatory cells in endometriotic epithelium or stroma and other accompanying histological findings. We observed atypia in 7 (5.8%) cases; reactive atypia in 37 (30.8%) cases, no atypia in 76 (63.4%) cases. We evaluated immunohistochemical p53 expression in 7 atypical cases, 37 reactive atypical cases, and in 10 of those without atypia and in 10 endometrioid carcinoma cases. We noted no staining in cases with atypia, reactive atypia and without atypia while 3 cases of endometrioid carcinoma had positive staining for p53. We concluded that prominent nucleolus and angulation of nuclear contour could be added to criteria of atypia that were mentioned before in the literature. In our study, even though p53 expression could not be shown with immunohistochemical methods in atypical endometriotic cases; it can not be determined that atypical endometriosis lesions are not premalignant. Still, endometriosis cases should be evaluated carefully by the pathologist for foci of cytological atypia and it should be kept in mind that malignant transformation might occur in these atypical endometriosis cases.
Breast cancer is considered a major malignancy among women worldwide. The contribution of genetic elements to the onset of familial breast cancer has already been established. The current study investigate the alfele frequency of HLA-DRB 1 in 36 primary operable female breast cancer patients from southern Iran by polymerase chain reaction using sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP). Results were compared with those of 36 female control subjects. Statistical analysis was performed and P values were determined for each character. Our results indicated that the frequency of HLA-DRB 1*12 allele is significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.03) compared to the control group. In addition, HLA-DRB1*11 appeared to be as the most frequent allele in the control group (29.2%) and had approximately the same distribution among the patient group (22.5%).
Human clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) is characterized by specific von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene alterations and immunogenic features. In the present study, the immunohistochemical expression of the von Hippel-Lindau gene protein (pVHL) was compared with the presence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC I-II), tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and tumoral immune complexes (TIC) in CCRCC. Native tumor tissues of 132 RCC patients (95 with the common clear cell subtype), diagnosed according to the Heidelberg classification, were obtained for immunohistochemistry. Tumor stainings with pVHL, MHC I-II and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (T and B lymphocytes, monocytes) were detected by immunoperoxidase methods using monoclonal antibodies. Tumoral immune complexes (IgG, IgA, IgM and C1q, C3 complement proteins) were visualized by fluorescent polyclonal antibodies. Immune stainings were semiquantitatively evaluated. Specificity and sensitivity of these markers in relation to the common histological subtype of RCC (CCRCC) were calculated. CCRCC was characterized by specific pVHL expression. At the same time, CCRCC was associated with constitutional MHC I-II expression and highly specific degree of TIL and TIC. It is concluded that specific pVHL expression of CCRCC is frequently associated with immunogenic features. Immunohistochemical analysis aims the initial tumor staging of RCC patients to achieve better patient selection for immunotherapy. However, the association of pVHL expression with the immunogenic CCRCC is statistically relevant, the mechanism and its clinical relevance in immunotherapy still remains to be tested.
Computerized image analysis (IA) system has emerged in recent years as a very powerful tool for objective and reproducible quantification of histological features. It has shown considerable potential for diagnostic application in diverse histological situations. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the discriminatory diagnostic efficiency of computerized image analysis based quantitative subvisual nuclear parameters in papillary and follicular neoplasms of thyroid. A total of 60 cases were studied. Forty-four cases belonged to training set and 16 cases belonged to a test set. A minimum of 100 nuclei was analyzed in each case using uniform 5 m mm thick hematoxylin stained sections. The IA workstation comprised of an Olympus microscope, a 10 bit digital video camera, an image grabber card and a pentium 120 MHz computer. Optimas 5.2 software was utilized for data collection on 8 morphometric and 8 densitometric parameters. Multivariate stepwise discriminant statistical analysis of data was done with the help of BMDP statistical software release 7.0. Results from a training set revealed correct classification rates of 98.0%, 84.5% and 61.2% for the histological groups of hyperplastic papillae versus papillae of papillary carcinoma (group I), follicular variant of papillary carcinoma versus the broad category of follicular neoplasms consisting of both follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma (group II) and follicular adenoma versus follicular carcinoma (group III), respectively. Results of test set revealed correct classification rates of 100%, 80% and 50% for groups I, II and III respectively. It was concluded that computerized nuclear IA parameters have potential usefulness for discriminating benign versus malignant papillary lesions of thyroid, follicular variant of papillary carcinoma versus follicular adenoma and/or follicular carcinoma but are of no value in discriminating between follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma.
The progression of bladder cancer to invasive disease is highly dependent on its ability to penetrate basement membrane of urothelium. Studies on diabetic nephropathy have shown a reduction in pro-teoglycan content of the glomerular basement membrane. Based on the well-known fact that proteoglycans are one of the main components of basement membrane and extracellular matrix we assessed the relationship between diabetes mellitus, bladder cancer incidence and its behavior. These studies include 252 patients with microscopically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma of bladder, and 549 patients with other urological disorders who served as controls. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in each group was assessed. The group of patients suffering from transitional cell carcinoma was divided according to etiological risk factors such as cigarette smoking, diabetes and patients that were non-smokers and did not suffer from diabetes mellitus. We assessed the features of bladder cancer behavior in each group. Logistic regression model estimation for statistical analysis was used, with transitional cell carcinoma as a dependent binary variable and age, sexes smoking and diabetes as independent variables. Statistical significance was considered at two levels: p £ £0.001 and p £ £0.05. Odds ratio (OR) adjusted to age, sex, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were calculated for TCC. In the TCC group 22.2% of the patients suffered from diabetes mellitus. In the control group 10.38% suffered from diabetes mellitus. Logistic regression analysis, OR and 95% CI showed a statistically significant relationship between diabetes and TCC. These data are comparable only with smoking (OR – 2.3; 95% CI – 1.6 – 3.5 and OR– 1.58; 95% CI – 1.08 – 2.4 correspondingly). Based on these data we suggest that diabetes mellitus may be considered an etiological risk factor for bladder cancer development.
Germ cell tumors constitute a very complicated group of tumors of the ovary and their histogenesis is not yet clarified. Besides their histological heterogeneity, sarcomatous areas have also been described. A right ovarian mass was found in a 23-year-old female, who was being treated in the hospital for miscarriage. Disseminated omental metastases were detected during abdominal laparotomy. Pathological examination of the dissected material revealed the tumor to be a mixed germ cell tumor (immature teratoma and dysgerminoma) with sarcomatous component. Areas resembling granulosa cell tumor were also encountered. This ovarian tumor with many different histopathological features is presented with a review of the literature. The importance of thorough sampling in determining the type and extent of the malignant components is also emphasized due to their direct relation with the prognosis.
Poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor. We studied a case arising in the pleural cavity of a young subject, characterised by the presence of spindle cell, small cell, and large epithelioid cell areas. We performed stains for mucosubstances and analysed the expression of cytokeratins 5/6, 7, 8, 18, 19, CEA, CD34, Ber-Ep4 and calretinin to characterize the phenotype of this neoplasm. We furthermore assessed immunohistochemically the presence of p53, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase 3, four apoptotic markers, to evaluate a relationship between apoptotic activity and the behaviour of this tumor. Our findings showed a strong presence of calretinin, p53 and Bcl-2 in all three areas. The possibility that poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma could be calretinin-positive was a new data, to our knowledge, and it could be of some importance in diagnostic pathology. Moreover, the negligible positivity for Bax and caspase 3 suggested that the minor role of programmed cell death could be one of the causes of the aggressive behaviour of this tumor. These data also suggest that the reduction of apoptotic phenomena in poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma could be considered one of the major mechanisms of tumoral growth.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) represent about 25% of primary central nervous system tumors in childhood, but congenital PNETs are rare. Cytogenetic studies and studies on molecular pathology have identified several genetic alterations in medulloblastoma, but molecular investigations on supratentorial PNETs are infrequent. We present a male newborn with a large congenital PNET of the right cerebral hemisphere and the molecular analysis of the tumor. Tumor tissue was investigated by routine histology and immunohistochemistry. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization was carried out on native tumor tissue to investigate deletions on chromosome 17p and to analyze c-Myc or N-Myc amplifications. Histologic examination revealed a primitive neuroectodermal tumor with massive extension covering almost the entire right hemisphere. Genetic analysis of the native tumor tissue of our patient excluded a deletion of chromosome 17p. An amplification of the c-Myc or N-Myc oncogene was absent using fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Despite unremarkable genetic analysis in our case prognosis was poor, suggesting that there are additional, yet unknown constitutional genetic aberrations in the pathogenesis of congenital supratentorial PNET.
Authors present a case of giant adrenal myelolipoma, where the tumor was hormonally inactive but caused abdominal and flank pain. The huge tumor, a 20x18x10 cm mass, was surgically removed. The ipsilateral kidney was preserved.
Tuberculous involvement of the pituitary gland is rare. We report a unique case of a composite lesion consisting of pituitary adenoma and intrasellar tuberculoma. A 24-year-old lady presented with features of acromegaly and amenorrhea. Serum growth hormone levels were found to be raised. Radiological investigations were consistent with a pituitary adenoma. Decompression of the lesion was done through trans-sphenoidal approach. Histological examination revealed a growth hormone secreting pituitary adenoma in association with a granulomatous lesion suggesting of pituitary tuberculoma. No other evidence of tuberculosis was found in the brain or spinal cord. This type of dual pathology has been reported only once in the earlier literature.
The discovery of the molecular mechanisms of physiological vasculogenesis and pathological angiogenesis helped to recognize two classes of diseases: one where the therapeutic angiogenesis can repair the tissue damages (arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, limb ischemia) and the other one where inhibition of pathological angiogenesis can cure the disease or delay its progression (retinopathies, benign and malignant angiogenic tumors, progression of malignant tumors). Although there are an exponentially growing number of new synthetic molecules characterized mainly by antiangiogenic properties, the discovery of a large battery of natural pro- and anti-angiogenic factors suggests that this may provide a more physiological approach to treat both class of angiogenesis-dependent diseases in the near future.
Death ligands (TNF, FasL, TRAIL) and their respective death receptor signaling pathways can be used to induce tumor cells to undergo apoptosis. Chemotherapeutic drugs can induce apoptosis and the upregulation of death ligands or their receptors. Downstream events following cytotoxic stress-induced DNA damage and the signaling pathways that lead to the induction of apoptosis may be either dependent or independent of death receptor signaling. The involvement of the Fas signaling pathway in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis has been the most extensively studied, with the current emergence of information on the TRAIL signaling pathway. Fas-mediated and chemotherapy-induced apoptosis can converge at the level of the receptor, FasL, DISC formation, activation of the initiator caspase-8, at the level of the mitochondria, or at the level of downstream effector caspase activation. Convergence is influenced by the specific form of DNA damage, the cellular environment, and the specific pathway(s) by which death receptor-mediated or drug-mediated apoptosis are induced. This review discusses the different levels of interaction between signaling pathways in the different forms of cell death.
One of the major liver functions is the ability of hepatocytes to store glucose in the form of glycogen for various purposes. Beside glucose production and secretion, the synthesis of glucuronides and ascorbate has been reported to be dependent on the extent of the glycogen stores and on the rate of glycogenolysis in the liver. It is common that the final steps of these pathways are catalysed by intraluminally orientated enzymes of the endoplasmic reticulum, which are supported by transporters for the permeation of substrates and products. On the basis of the close morphological and functional proximity of glycogen, glycogen-dependent pathways and the (smooth) endoplasmic reticulum we propose to use the term glycogenoreticular system for the description of this export-orientated hepatocyte-specific metabolic unit.
Serum from patients with different malignancies contain an abnormal concentration of a a1-acidic-glycoprotein (AAG) and also, increased levels of AAG are associated with the presence of tumor mass. In the present report, serum levels of AAG were measured by radial immunodiffusion in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) patients taking into account disease status parameters such as tumor localization, stage and extension of disease. Immunohistochemical methods, SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting were employed to study the expression of AAG and a carbohydrate related antigen (sialyl Lewis x) in tumor tissues and derived fractions. AAG showed abnormal levels in 7/15 oral cavity tumor patients’ sera, 2/5 oropharynx and 5/10 larynx tumors; increased AAG serum levels belonged to patients with disseminated disease. On the other hand, the presence of AAG and sialyl Lewis x were demonstrated in carcinoma cells and in derived fractions from tumor tissues belonging to patients with elevated AAG serum levels. In the present study, we have found elevated levels of AAG in serum samples from SCCHN patients; these neoplastic cells are capable to express AAG.
Recent development on the fields of molecular genetics and immunology of human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have resulted in more successful treatment of advanced and metastatic RCCs. Re-evaluation of the prognostic/predictive data aim the initial tumor staging of RCC patients to achieve better patient selection for immune and gene therapy. 125 RCC patients diagnosed according to the Heidelberg histological classification, graded, Robson staged, immune treated (Interferon-a a+ Vinblastin or Broncho-Waxom/Decaris) were followed-up clinically for 36 months. Tumor immunity markers by immunohistochemistry of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were detected by immunoperoxidase methods using monoclonal antibodies. Tumoral immune complexes (TIC) were visualized by fluorescent polyclonal antibodies. Histologically oncocytomas defined a better (p<0.02) and sarcomatous RCCs a worse (p<0.01) follow-up prognosis. Basically, the metastatic status (related with the stage and grade) determined the clinical outcome (p<0.00002) of the RCC patients. Tumoral immune complexes (TIC) were weak positive, while tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) weak negative predictors of the succes of Broncho-Waxom/Decaris immune therapy. Molecular genetic based histological classification, grade, stage and metastatic status parameters together with some tumor immunity parameters (TIL, TIC) can predict the success of immunotherapy of RCC patients.
An analysis was made to evaluate the significance of DNA ploidy in the biology and prognosis of breast carcinoma. This was done by estimating the correlation of DNA ploidy with other established prognostic markers of breast cancer, namely tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node metastasis and S-phase fraction. From 1995 up to year 2000 ploidy analysis was performed on 218 consecutive cases of infiltrating breast carcinoma by flow cytometry using formalin fixed paraffin embedded material. From the laboratory record, data regarding other pathological variables was retrieved. No correlation could be found between DNA ploidy and tumor grade, nor could there be found a correlation with tumor size. For lymph node metastasis there was a significant difference between the proportion of aneuploids and diploids having metastasis in more than 4 lymph nodes. However, no significant difference was found in axillary lymph node positive and negative groups when number of positive lymph nodes was not taken into account. The mean value of S-phase fraction for the aneuploids and the diploids was also insignificantly different. In conclusion DNA ploidy alone did not add much to predict tumor behaviour in terms of known pathologic variables.
The formation of new blood vessels is essential for tumor growth and progression. Until today there are only few studies of the immunohistochemical assessment of angiogenesis in gastric cancer by the evaluation of the expression of CD34 antigen. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between microvessel density (MVD) expressed as the mean count of CD34 immunostained vessels and clinicopathologic features of gastric tumors (the histological type according to the Lauren classification, tumor grade – G; presence of lymph node metastases – N; depth of tumor invasion; stage of disease (UICC-AJCC 1988–1992), p53 expression, tumor cell proliferative activity described as the Ki67 labelling index and apoptotic index of tumor cells – TUNEL method). We assessed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples obtained during potentially radical gastrectomy from 58 patients with primary gastric adenocarcinoma. The representative tissue blocks from each tumor were used for the immunohistochemical assay and examined by two pathologists independently. MVD was counted in five tumor areas of the most intensive neovascularization (x 200 field by light microscopy) and the mean counts were recorded. The mean MVD (CD34 expression value±SD) in this study was 43,15±19,8 per x 200 field. The study demonstrated the statistically significant correlation between MVD and two main histological parameters: tumor grading (p < 0.001) and tumor histological type according to Lauren’s classification (p<0.05). In well – and moderately – differentiated tumors (G1/2) MVD was significantly lower in comparison to the group of poorly differentiated cancer – G3 (mean value: 31,62 vs. 49,89). MVD was higher in diffuse type of gastric cancer comparing to intestinal type (50.05±19,03 vs. 39.17±20,09). However, the authors failed to find a significant correlation between MVD and other investigated histopathological features in malignant gastric tumors. The close relationship between CD34 immunostaining, gastric cancer tumor vascularity and main histological parameters was shown in this study. It can be stated that analysis of expression of angiogenesis in gastric cancer may be helpful for better estimation of hematogenous recurrence and the selection of the group of patients for adjuvant antiangiogenic treatment.
Increased prevalence of HCV infection in some lymphoproliferative diseases has been recently reported. In the present study, the frequency of anti-HCV antibody (Ab) together with hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen (Ag) and anti-HBs Ab were determined in 42, 45 and 23 patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC), multiple myeloma (MM) and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), respectively. Thirty hospitalized patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were also included as a control. Specific antibodies to HCV antigens were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and positive results were confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA). Our results demonstrated anti-HCV positivity in 69%, 11% and 4.3% of the EMC, MM and B-CLL samples tested, respectively. None of the RA patients were found to be anti-HCV positive. No significant differences were observed between the patients’ groups regarding the frequency of HBs Ag and anti-HBs Ab. Considering the low incidence of HCV infection in the control group and the normal population, these results confirm and extend previous reports on the possible role of HCV infection in the etiology of EMC and further suggest involvement of this virus in a subset of MM.
Heat shock protein 60 representation in the corpora amylacea of the brain was investigated in five different neurological diseases. In the cases with cerebral infarct, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and primary tumors of the nervous system the corpora amylacea showed similar appearance with strong HSP-60 positivity in all investigated disorders at the predilection sites. In the inflammatory diseases, besides corpora amylacea, several cellular elements exhibited HSP-60 immunostaining too. In these cases, the widespread HSP-60 immunoreactivity associated with relative moderate corpora amylacea production as compared to other diseases. From this contradiction we concluded the corpora amylacea participate in the cellular stress reaction but stress protein synthesis certainly is not the primary event in corpora amylacea formation. In the development of the corpora amylacea the incipient process is most probably degenerative in nature, which later on is accompanied by stress protein synthesis and slow growing of these round structures designated for a protective role in the brain. However, the role of the stress protein synthesis in the corpora amylacea formation and growth was not unequivocally answered in this study. It is necessary to perform further comparative investigations of the stress protein representation and corpora amylacea formation in different diseases which may help in discovering useful pathogenetic data and the biological role of this degenerative structure.
During the semiquantitative evaluation of the occurrence of the corpus amylaceum (CA) in a large quantity of autopsy and biopsy material (1,407 cases), electromicroscopical (EM) and scanning EM examinations were carried out on 8 autopsied cases where CA was demonstrated. The EM examinations appeared to underline the astrocytic origin of the CA formation, which is initiated in the astrocytic fiber system by glycogen and other carbohydrate polymers. The biophysics of the development of the CA is indicative of the same mechanisms as for (mainly intracellular) inclusion bodies. The large amount of CA that develops at the predilection sites is a consequence of metabolic damage, a large quantity of cerebrospinal fluid and recurring disturbances in the barrier functions. The abundant CA may cause secondary blood-brain barrier disturbances. This working hypothesis demands further investigations and the continuation of research by modern immunocytochemical and ultrastructural methods recommended.
Leiomyosarcomas of the breast are rare tumors. Less than 15 such cases have been reported in the literature so far. In this paper authors describe a case of leiomyosarcoma of a female breast presenting as a firm lobulated mass, mimicking a phylloid tumor radiographically. By fine needle aspiration biopsy, on the smears discohesive malignant looking cells were conclusive to a poorly differentiated invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. The mastectomy specimen contained a lobulated mass, microscopically showing a partly epithelioid spindle cell tumor, immunoreactive for vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin antibodies, and negative for epithelial markers, hormone and growth factor receptors. Axillary lymph nodes were free of tumor. A primary leiomyosarcoma of the breast was diagnosed.
Telomeres are the specialized ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, thought to have many functions, most importantly serving as a clock signaling entry into cellular senescence. These structures are maintained by the reverse transcriptase telomerase, a peculiar enzyme in both structure, since it contains its own template RNA and function, since it is inactivated in most normal tissues but activated in the vast majority of malignant tumors. These features have made telomerase a subject of intense investigation, both to understand its cellular role and regulation and to exploit its activation in cancer to develop drugs or diagnostic methods based on telomerase. This work gathers all the information currently available in the biological and clinical fields of telomerase research.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of expression of the erbB/HER family of growth factor receptors, their ligand heregulin, and the two different signaling pathways p38 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), as well as the status of HER-2 phosphorylation in tumor specimens from patients with primary breast cancer. The level of expression of these proteins was measured by quantitative immunohistochemistry combined with microscope-based image analysis in paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissue from 35 patients. The frequency of expression was: EGFR (51%), HER-2 (54%), P-HER-2 (48%), HER-3 (48%), HER-4 (57%), heregulin (48%), p38 (17%), MAPK (48%). There was evidence of associations among the coexpression of heregulin, EGFR, HER-2, and HER-3. Also, there was evidence of a positive association between P-MAPK and HER-4. HER-3 was expressed at high levels in patients younger than 50 years of age. There was a trend for expression of higher levels of HER-4 in tumors larger than 2 cm. The expression of EGFR, HER-2, heregulin, p38 and MAPK was independent of age, tumor size, number of lymph nodes involved or hormone receptor status. The HER family of growth factor receptors appear to be regulated independently in invasive breast cancer. Assessing the expression of multiple tumor markers by quantitative immuno-histochemistry is feasible. Further research is needed to determine the prognostic and predictive roles of the various associations between HER receptors, their ligands and signal transduction molecules in patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most meaningful risk factor in chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBxAg) is a multifunctional protein with many important functions in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. A monoclonal anti-HBxAg antibody was developed in our laboratory and characterized by different methods. Using this antibody HBxAg was detected in formaldehyde fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections of 72 liver biopsies from patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The co-expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) and HBxAg was compared. The histological and cytological localization of the detected HBxAg showed a characteristic distribution in different stages of HBV infection. Strong and diffuse nuclear reaction was detected in PHC cases in contrast to the focal, cytoplasmic and nuclear labeling in the acute and chronic B hepatitis cases. Our antibody seems to be a suitable prognostic marker for routine pathohistological diagnosis and for comparative pathological and epidemiological research on the development of PHC.
Beneficial effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in cancer therapy is partly mediated via its antiangiogenic activity. The same is true for the antitumoral action of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. We have studied two liposoluble drugs, MPA and the analgesic ibuprofen, on glioma vascularization in vivo. In this study we have shown that, until the sacrifice at 27. day after tumor inoculation in the right hemisphere, MPA had a slight though insignificant activity to reduce the fatality of C6 glioma, growing in right cerebral hemisphere of male Wistar rats. But ibuprofen both alone or with MPA had no effect on survival with gavage application of a 30 mg/kg/day dosing regime. On histological analysis, intra- and peritumoral vessels were counted. Progesterone seemed to lower intratumoral, but to increase peritumoral vessels, especially glomeruloids, around the tumor mass. Coadministration of ibuprofen acted to suppress the peritumoral vessel increase, and to enhance lymphomonocytic infiltration around tumor vessels.
Breast cancer is an increasingly important cause of illness and death among women. In recent years several novel prognostic determinants of breast cancer have been identified, including c-ErbB-2. In this study, expression of c-ErbB-2 in breast carcinoma was correlated with axillary lymph node metastases and disease outcome. The expression of c-ErbB-2 oncoprotein was analysed in 315 tumor specimens of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast. They were categorized according to the modified Bloom and Richardson criteria into three histological grades. These patients also had axillary lymph nodes sampling. The expression of c-ErbB-2 oncoprotein was analysed immunohistochemically. Over expression of c-ErbB-2 were observed in 39.36% tumors. Axillary lymph node metastasis had significant correlation with intensified positivity of c-ErbB-2. C-ErbB-2 positive patients did show resistance to chemotherapy when compared for recurrence and distant metastases following surgery (p< 0.05). At a median follow-up of 48 months in c-ErbB-2 positive patients, the overall survival was 3.0 years and disease free survival was 2.5 years. c-ErbB-2 negative tumor patients showed a far better survival. In this group the overall survival was 4.44 years and the disease free survival was 3.78 years. These findings reinforce the view that c-ErbB-2 immunohistochemical detection is of help in detecting a subgroup of breast carcinoma patients who are at high risk. This may also be of particular relevance in decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy to these patients.
The stability of homeostasis is important to keep a balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis. A disorder of homeostasis leads to different physiological changes and causes different diseases such as cardiopathies and malignant tumors. Cardiopathies is characterized by a hypercoagulation. In the malignant tumors, besides the hypercoagulation due to plasminogen activators (PA) formed inside the tumor, a disorder of homeostasis leads also to acceleration of the fibrinolysis. The variety of internal and external factors in both cases determine the deviation of time for the clots formation, as well as the lyses of blood and fibrin clots. In this study the venous blood as well as the blood and the fibrin clots, derived from healthy dogs, the dogs with cardiopathies and with malignant tumors, were examined for the time of coagulation and fibrinolysis by adding different substances. In these experiments we used a glycolipoprotein extract from earthworm tissue homogenate (G-90) and the proteolytic enzymes P I and P II, isolated from G-90. The efficacy of the tested substances was comparable with the clinically administered anticoagulants. The most significant differences in clotting time among the three tested groups of dogs were obtained by application of the original G-90. The results suggest a possibility that G-90, along with the fibrinolytic enzymes and other biologically active factors, also contains a factor that decelerates the formation of clot in a specific medium, such as the blood from the dogs with malignant tumors.
In view of the significance of MDM2 as a regulator as well as critical target of wild type p53, this study was undertaken to determine the alteration in MDM2 expression in esophageal squamons cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relationship to clinicopathological parameters as well as p53gene and protein status. Immunohistochemical analysis of MDM2 and p53 proteins on paraffin embedded sections from 64 surgically resected ESCCs and matched histologically normal tissues showed overexpression of MDM2 protein in 23/64 (36%) ESCCs, while the histopathologically normal esophageal tissues did not show detectable level of MDM2 immunoreactivity. Interestingly, MDM2 – /p53 + phenotype was observed in 37/64 (58%) cases. None of the cases with p53 mis-sense mutations (12/30, 40%) showed detectable level of MDM2 protein. Missense p53 mutations were significantly associated with discordant p53 + /MDM2 – immunophenotype (p= 0.004). The most intriguing feature of the study was accumulation of MDM2 in the absence of detectable p53 in 11% of and overexpression of MDM2 and p53 in 25% of ESCCs, suggesting a p53-independent role for MDM2 in a subset of tumors. These results underscore the involvement of MDM2 in p53-dependent and -independent pathways in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer in the Indian population.
Cellular proliferation programmed cell death (apoptosis) are associated with tumor growth in general, and prostate cancer growth in particular. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of the apoptosis regulating genes bcl-2 and p53 and Gleason score in core needle biopsy specimens of prostate cancer using immunohistochemistry. We studied bcl-2 and p53 expression in 12 cases of low grade (Gleason score 2-5), 12 cases of intermediate grade (Gleason score 6-7) and 8 cases of high grade (Gleason score 8-10) prostate cancer. Overexpression of bcl-2 was noted in 3 of 32 patients (9.32%). One of them was high grade; others were intermediate grades. Expression of p53 was observed in 3 of low grades; others were high grade. The statistical analysis of present data suggest that there is no significant relation between p53 and bcl-2 expression and Gleason score in prostate cancer.
Benign phyllodes tumors and fibroadenomas are two types of fibroepithelial tumors of breast that are usually difficult to differentiate. The purpose of this study is to evalute the proliferative activity of these tumors and to find out if it helps in differential diagnosis. Thirty-one benign phyllodes tumors and twelve cellular fibroadenomas were retrieved from the archives of Pathology Department of Akdeniz University, School of Medicine. Proliferating activity of epithelial and stromal cells were evaluated by using labeling index (LI) of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 antigen by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with other clinicopathologic findings. There was not any significant difference between the proliferating activity of phyllodes tumor and cellular fibroadenomas. Mean LI of PCNA was 28.01 (±22.85) in stromal cells and 56.57 (±30.98) in epithelial cells of phyllodes tumor where it was 28.92 (±24.02) and 62.53 (±32.56) in fibroadenomas. Ki-67 indices were 0.05 (±0.19) in stromal cells, 2.65 (±12.53) in epithelial cells of phyllodes tumors and 0.0 (±0) in stromal cells, 0.43 (±0.63) in epithelial cells of fibroadenomas. There was no correlation between the diameter of tumors and proliferating activity in both groups. Proliferating activity, determined by immunohistochemistry with PCNA and Ki-67 antibodies did not reveal significant difference between phyllodes tumor and fibroadenoma.
Millenium reviews of oncology agreed that the last century produced major developments mainly in the management of the primary tumor, but despite all of these results, cancer still remains among the leading causes of death due to the failure of clinical management of disseminated disease. This failure is primarily due to the lack of detailed information on the molecular mechanisms of tumor metastasis. Therefore, one of the hottest fields in experimental oncology is metastasis research, which provides more and more information about the molecular mechanisms. However, this information is fragmented and is not yet exploited in clinical practice. A new field of diagnostic pathology recently emerged, which translates basic research data to diagnostic practice to provide clinically relevant information on the biological potential (in this case metastatic potential) of the malignant tumors. Since tumor cell-extracellular matrix interactions are key features of tumor dissemination, expression of genes responsible for them can define the metastatic potential of malignant tumors. This review summarizes our recent knowledge on the metastatic geno- and phenotype of major human solid tumors: lung, colon, breast, prostate cancers and malignant melanoma.
In this article, we review the current status, indication, technical aspects, controversies, and future prospects of boost irradiation after breast conserving surgery (BCS). BCS and radiotherapy (RT) of the conserved breast became widely accepted in the last decades for the treatment of early invasive breast cancer. The standard technique of RT after breast conservation is to treat the whole breast up to a total dose of 45 to 50 Gy. However, there is no consensus among radiation oncologists about the necessity of boost dose to the tumor bed. Generally accepted criteria for identification of high risk subgroups, in which boost is recommended, have not been established yet. Further controversy exists regarding the optimal boost technique (electron vs. brachytherapy), and their impact on local tumor control and cosmesis. Based on the results of numerous retrospective and recently published prospective trials, the European brachytherapy society (GEC-ESTRO), as well as the American Brachytherapy Society has issued their guidelines in these topics. These guidelines will help clinicians in their medical decisions. Some aspects of boost irradiation still remain somewhat controversial. The final results of prospective boost trials with longer follow-up, involving analyses based on pathologically defined subgroups, will clarify these controversies. Preliminary results with recently developed boost techniques (intraoperative RT, CT-image based 3D conformal brachytherapy, and 3D virtual brachytherapy) are promising. However, more experience and longer follow-up are required to define whether these methods might improve local tumor control for breast cancer patients treated with conservative surgery and RT.
Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive malignant disease, shows a strong desmoplastic reaction characterized by a remarkable proliferation of interstitial connective tissues. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a 450 kDa platelet and matrix glycoprotein, has been implicated in tumor invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. TSP-1 and MMP-9 expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and control pancreas tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry. TSP-1 expression in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells was measured by a competitive TSP-1 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of TSP-1 on MMP-9 production in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines was measured by zymography and Western blot analysis. Eighty five per cent (23/27) of cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma showed increased TSP-1 staining in the desmoplastic stroma adjacent to tumor cells. No specific positive staining for TSP-1 was observed in the normal pancreatic tissues and the inflammatory areas. TSP-1 localized in tumor stroma surrounding the tumor cells expressing MMP-9. Using TSP-1 competitive ELISA, the secretion of TSP-1 by different pancreatic cancer cell lines into culture medium varied from 11.45 ± 14.08 to 275.82 ± 45.56 ng/10 6 cells/24 hours. The amounts of TSP-1 detected in both culture media and cell extracts from fibroblasts or endothelial cells were at least 2-3 fold higher than those from pancreatic cancer cells. TSP-1 augmented the production of matrix metalloproteinase-9, a matrix degrading enzyme, in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Stromally-derived TSP-1 up-regulates the production of MMP-9 by pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These data are consistent with the conclusion that TSP-1-rich stroma is involved in regulating matrix remodeling in tumor invasion.
Decorin, a member of the family of small leucin-rich proteoglycans, has originally been described as a secreted proteoglycan component of the connective tissues, and has been implicated in the negative regulation of cell proliferation directly or via interactions with TGF-b. It was reported to be generally absent from tumor cells. Here we show that human melanoma cell lines express a decorin-like molecule. We detected decorin mRNA by RT-PCR in 7 out 7 human melanoma lines characterized by various metastatic potential. Using polyclonal antiserum against the core protein of decorin, the typical 80-120 kD glycanated form as well as a high molecular weight aberrant version (200-210 kD) of decorin were demonstrated by Western blot technique in the culture supernatants as well as in lysates of human melanoma cells. Finally, decorin epitope was also demonstrated immunohistochemically in human melanoma xenografts, as well as in tumor cells of surgically resected melanomas but not in melanocytes of nevi.The expression of this aberrant decorin did not inhibit the in vitroor in vivogrowth of human melanoma cells, and it was independent of their metastatic potential. Human melanoma cell lines expressing aberrant decorin retained sensitivity to the antiproliferative and gelatinase-stimulatory effects of exogenous TGF-b b.
This is a study of 64 cases of recurrent astrocytic tumors of all four WHO grades wherein a comparative evaluation of initial vs. recurrent tumor was done with respect to histological grading, MIB-1 labeling index (LI) and apoptotic index (AI). The aim was to identify factor/s that could influence interval to recurrence and/or malignant progression. Recurrence was noted in all grades and upon recurrence, 93.3% of grade II (low grade diffuse) astrocytomas and 63.6% of grade III anaplastic astrocytomas underwent malignant progression. However, none of the Grade I tumors showed evidence of malignant progression. Though interval to recurrence varied considerably, there was a correlation with histological grade of the initial tumor in that grade I and II tumors had a significantly longer mean interval to recurrence (43 months and 54.8 months respectively) as compared to grade III and IV (glioblastoma multiforme) tumors (17.6 and 12.8 months respectively). The interval to recurrence was also longer for grade II and III tumors which showed progression on recurrence (55.3 months for Grade II->Grade III; 54 months for Grade II->Grade IV and 20.6 months for Grade III->IV) as compared to tumors which recurred to the same grade (12.5 months for Grade III->Grade III and 12.8 months for Grade IV->Grade IV). A statistically significant inverse correlation of MIB-1 LI with interval to recurrence was noted. Higher the MIB-1 LI, shorter was the interval to recurrence. Further a cut off MIB-1 LI value of 2.8% could be proposed in predicting recurrence free survival. Interestingly, MIB-1 LI of grade II tumors, which had progressed to grade IV was significantly higher than MIB-1 LI of grade II tumors which had progressed to grade III. Thus, this study establishes the potential role of MIB-1 LI of the initial tumor in determining interval to recurrence. However, apoptotic index has no role in predicting either interval to recurrence or malignant progression.
Genomic amplification and oncoprotein overexpression of Her-2/neuwas studied on ultrasound core needle biopsy specimens of the infiltrative ductal carcinomas of the breast. We performed two colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for Her-2/neuand chromosome 17 and compared the FISH results with the immunohistochemical overexpression of Her-2/neuprotein by 2 antibodies (DAKO HercepTest and the BioGenex monoclonal antibody AM 134-5M). Furthermore, following radical mastectomy with axillary dissection, Her-2/neustatus of the patients were compared with the well known histopathological prognostic factors such as histologic grade, tumor stage, lympho/ vascular invasion, surgical margin status and Paget’s disease. Amplification was demonstrated 27% of the cases. Her-2/neu protein overexpression was detected in 47% and 80% of the cases with CB11 and HercepTest respectively. We revealed statistically significant association between the tumor, oncoprotein expression and oncogene amplification (p<0.05). The results of our study showed that combination of IHC and FISH methods enhances the evaluation of tumor genetics at both gene and protein level for the analysis of Her-2/neuin breast carcinoma.
An immunological analysis to study MUC1 mucin core protein and carbohydrate associated antigens as tissue tumor markers in head and neck carcinoma was performed. Twenty nine patients with the following tumor localizations were included: tongue (n=10), larynx (n=8), oral cavity (n=4), maxillary sinus (n=3), tonsillar ring (n=3) and pharynx (n=1); seven samples of epithelium obtained from normal organs at the same localizations were studied as controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed following standard procedures and reaction was graded according to staining intensity and distribution. From each tissue section, membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear moieties were obtained by differential centrifugation with subsequent