Relationship Between Thymidylate Synthase and p53 and Response to FEC Versus Taxane Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Carcinoma

Many drugs can be used for adjuvant therapy of breast cancer, including anthracyclines, cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil (5-fU) and, recently, taxanes (TXT) have shown promising results. 5-FU blocks thymidylate synthase (TS) which cross-links p53 mRNA, inhibiting its synthesis. TS overexpression is one of the main mechanisms involved in 5-FU drug resistance. Enough p53 mutations can confer resistance to chemotherapy using anthracyclines and 5-FU, while are associated with improved responses to TXT. The aim of this study was to examine the TS and p53 levels in tumor samples and to compare the efficacy of FEC (5-FU, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) and TXT chemotherapy in a group of patients wit…

Resolution of Ménétrier’s Disease after<i> Helicobacter pylori</i> Eradicating Therapy

Some cases of Ménétrier’s disease associated with <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (HP) have recently been reported in the literature. We report here the case of a 51-year-old man with a diagnosis of Ménétrier’s disease who had previously been unsuccessfully treated with H<sub>2</sub> antagonists. A subsequent demonstration of HP infection led us to treat the patient with an eradicating therapy which prompted complete regression of clinical symptoms, resolution of the gastric endoscopic picture, and absence of HP on gastric histology. This result, in accordance with others in the literature, indicates an eventual association of HP infection with Ménétrier’s disease and tha…

Cellular schwannoma of the retroperitoneum with cystic degeneration, mimicking an ovarian cyst, with CKAE1/AE3 and desmin expression.

Schwannoma is an encapsulated benign tumour usually presenting as a solitary mass on the flexor surfaces of the extremities, neck, mediastinum, posterior spinal roots and cerebellopontine angle, an...

Immunohistochemical Localization of Epithelial, Endothelial and Muscular Cell Differentiation Markers in Human Umbilical Cord

Introduction. Since time [1], our group studies through immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis the expression of many genes and the localization of the corresponding proteins in the human umbilical cord [2], with the aim to create a map of the presence of the different molecules in the different territories of this organ. In this work we investigate the expression and localization of several cell differentiation markers in the different territories of the human umbilical cord. Materials and methods. The presence of E-Cadherin, CD31, CD68, AE1-AE3, Desmin, Actin ML, HHF35 and MIB-1 was studied through immunohistochemistry. Results. The expression of E-Cadherin (epithelial cell marker) has …

Histological features and ki-67 index in cervical atypical lesions

One of the most frequent challenges in routine diagnostic assessment of cervical biopsies consists of some lesions in which histological features of HPV infection are either inconsistently present or only mildly/focally evident. We named them Atypical Lesions (AL) because differential diagnosis with metaplastic/reactive lesions and LSIL is difficult. It would be important to identify among them those lesions that are really HPV-associated. We studied 52 AL cases to evaluate whether the morphological features and the proliferation index, assessed by Mib1 (Ki67) immunostaining, would be useful to better understand the real nature of AL, with relation to the HPV presence and to the proliferati…

Difference in ki67 and Thimidylate Synthase expressin in primary tumour compared with metastatic nodes in breast cancer patients

Amelanotic conjunctival melanoma

Conjunctival melanoma is a rare condition of the eye pigment predominantly affecting white adults. We describe a 32-year-old white man with an amelanotic malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva that is not associated with primary acquired melanosis (PAM) or melanocytic nevus. The patient presented with a 2-year history of nonpigmented vascularized nodules of the right eye. Results of hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining of the lesion showed an invasive nodule with vertical spreading, invasion of the substantia propria corneae, and ulceration. S100 protein was expressed in the cells of the invasive nodule. HMB45 protein was highly positive in the melanoma cells. The de novo amelanotic mali…

Diagnosi precoce del carcinoma prostatico in sicilia e calabria. Dati preliminare di uno studio osservazionale del GSTU e della SSCU.

Ottimizzazione del timing bioptico dopo primo riscronto di HG-PIN

Relationship between thymidylate synthase expression and p53 levels with the treatment of cyclophsphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy ( CMF)versus docetaxel ( TXT) in locally advanced carcinoma of the breast

10546 Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy is used in the treatment of breast carcinoma independently of axillar node involvement. Different drug combinations such as CMF, FAC, FEC are still used; recently new drugs such as TXT (NEJM 332:1004,1997) show activity and are used also in adjuvant chemotherapy. 5 Fluorouracil (5Fu), a drug involved in main therapeutic regimens, blocks Thymidylate Synthase (TS), an enzyme involved in the DNA synthesis. TS not only links its own mRNA, but also p53 mRNA, inhibiting post transcriptional p53 protein synthesis. TS protein overexpression (Cancer Res 55:1407,1995), and/or its absence (Cancer Res 61:1421,2001) are some of the main mechanisms of 5-Fu drug re…

DIFFERENCE IN KI67 AND THYMIDYLATE SYNTHASE, P53 LEVELS AND THE TREATMENT BY CMF DRUG COMBINATION VERSUS TAXANES IN THE LOCALLY ADVANCED CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST

Morphometric Study of the Bone Marrow in Polycythemia Vera Following Interferon-Alpha Therapy

Bone marrow cellularity and extent of fibrotic change were determined in nineteen patients with polycythemia vera, treated with interferon-alpha (IFN) for 1 year. The cellularity was evaluated with an interactive semiautomatic method using Leitz TAS plus microscope: in particular, number and size of megakaryocytes were evaluated after immunostaining with Y2/51 (CD 61); reticulin content was studied by light microscope with a semiquantitative method. Before IFN therapy mean cellularity was 80.5% (+/- 13.7). After 6 and 12 months mean cellularity was 75.4% and 68.4% respectively. Six months after cessation of IFN therapy the cellularity was 69.1%. A decrease of the number, density and morphom…

Keratin 7 expression as an early marker of reflux-related columnar mucosa without intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus

BACKGROUND: The role of Barrett esophagus in carcinogenesis is widely accepted, but the significance of esophageal columnar mucosa without histological intestinal metaplasia, known as columnar-lined esophagus, is debated. MATERIAL/METHODS: We studied 128 patients free of Helicobacter pylori with reflux-related symptoms and columnar mucosa in the esophagus at endoscopy, 106 patients with Barrett esophagus (referred to as the Barrett group) and 22 patients without intestinal metaplasia (columnar group). Samples from 20 subjects free of H. pylori were used as controls. Immunostaining for keratin 7 (KRT7), keratin 20 (KRT20), caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2), mucin 2, oligomeric mucus/gel-forming …

Ruolo della terapia di mantenimento e fattori di rischio ambientale nel carcinoma vescicale superficiale. Pazienti sottoposti a chemioterapia endovescicale adiuvante. Risultati preliminari di uno studio randomizzato su 577 pazienti.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha expression is increased in infected positive HPV16 DNA oral squamous cell carcinoma and positively associated with HPV16 E7 oncoprotein.

Abstract Background There is increasing evidence for the role of High Risk (HR) Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). The E6 and E7 oncogenes from HR HPVs are responsible for the deregulation of p53 and pRB proteins involved in cell cycle and apoptotic pathways. In cell lines experiments, the HPV E7 protein seems to be able to enhance Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) activity, normally involved in the response to hypoxia and able to enhance angiogenesis. Results We studied tumor specimens from 62 OSCC; a higher prevalence of tumors in TNM stage II and also in pT2 class between OSCC infected positive HPV16 DNA than non-infected ones w…

LOW CELL PROLIFERATION AND LOW THYMIDYLATE SYNTHASE LEVELS IN THE HIGLY AGGRESSIVE SIGNET RING CELL VARIANT HISTOTYPE OF COLORECTAL CARCINOMA

Risultati a lungo termine del trattamento con TUR e terapia endovescicale adiuvante nell’urotelioma vescicale T1G3. Recidiva, progressione e sopravvivenza in 236 pazienti

CD10 and HHF35 actin in the differential diagnosis between Collagenous Spherulosis and Adenoid-Cystic Carcinoma of the breast

Collagenous Spherulosis (CS) and Adenoid-Cystic Carcinoma (AdCC) of the breast consist of cribriform proliferations of epithelial and myoepithelial cells with an immunophenotypic overlap of some myoepithelial markers, such as p63 and smooth muscle actin (SMA). To our knowledge, CD10 and HHF35 actin have not been assessed in the differential diagnosis of these two breast lesions. We performed an immunohistochemical study on 6 cases of CS and 9 cases of AdCC. We found CD10, muscle-specific actin (HHF35), Estrogen and Progesterone receptors (ER and PR) to be strongly expressed in CS, but not in AdCC; C-kit was diffusely positive in AdCC and scanty in CS; SMA, p63 and Cytokeratine 5/6 (CK5/6) w…

Lymph node metastases displaying lower Ki-67 immunostaining activity than the primary breast cancer

The aim of the study was to verify by Ki-67 immunostaining if any difference exists in the cell proliferating fraction between primary breast tumors (PTs) and matching positive axillary lymph nodes (ALNs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry with the monoclonal antibody against Ki-67 was performed in 160 node-positive breast carcinomas and in their respective lymph node metastases. RESULTS: An increase of Ki-67 immunoreactive cells in ALN compared with that of PTs was observed in 84% of cases (ALN: mean 17%, PTs: mean 8%; p < 0.001), whereas 16% of the cases showed Ki-67 value two to six times lower in the ALNs than in the corresponding PTs (ALN: mean 3.2%, PTs mean 12.5%; p < 0.005)…

Attività lavorativa e fattori di rischio ambientale in pazienti affetti da carcinoma vescicale superficiale.

Clinical relevance of thymidylate syntetase expression in the signet ring cell histotype component of colorectal carcinoma

Thymidylate Synthase (TS) is the key enzyme for DNA synthesis pathways and is inhibited by 5-fluorouracil (5FU). The aim of this work was to study TS expression and the proliferation rate in the different histological types of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). 50 patients with CRC were included in this study and evaluated immunohistochemically using the monoclonal antibodies, TS106 and Ki67. 20 tumours were of the intestinal type, 15 cases were signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCCs) and 15 cases were "mixed-type", with at least two different histological components. Intestinal and mucinous histotypes were positive for TS and Ki67, while "signet ring cell" samples were negative or showed only weak and…

Rari tumori mesenchimanli. Descrizione di 2 casi clinici.

Relationdhip between the thymidylate synthase, P53 levels and the treatment by CMF drug combination versus taxanes in the locally advanced carcinoma of breast

Survival risk factors in T1G3 non-muscle-invasive (NMI) bladder cancer consevatively treated. Long term results.

Introduction: The most relevant risk factor in T1G3 NMI transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCCB) is the presence of Tis. The long term results of conservative management still are a matter of controversy. The role of BCG in preventing progression and death in this category of NMI TCCB is not definitely proved. The published experiences of conservative treatment of high risk TCCB often include unselected patients, small numbers and short follow-up. Immediate radical cystectomy is advocated by many urologists. Objectives: The aim of the study is to identify the survival risk factors in 236 selected patients conservatively treated. Methods: Between January 1976 and December 2005, 236 …

Fattori di rischio ambientali nella storia naturale del carcinoma vescicale superficiale.

Role of antimicrobial tratment in patients with elevated PSA and normal digital rectal examination.

Il carcinoma prostatico in Calabria e Sicilia.

Decreased expression of thymidylate synthase and low proliferation index assessed by ki67 in " signet ring cell component" of colorectal carcinomas

RARI TUMORI MESENCHIMALI- DESCRIZIONE DI 2 CASI CLINICI

Studio retrospettico esteso ad oltre 20 anni su BCG o chemioterapia endovescicale in pazienti selezionati affetti da urotelioma vescicale T1G3. Recidiva, progressione e sopravvivenza.

Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis

Summary Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XC) is a chronic inflammatory lesion of the gallbladder histologically characterized by the presence of varying amounts of foamy histiocytes in the inflammatory infiltrate. In this study a review of 63 cases selected from 1207 surgically removed gallbladders is presented; the percentage found (5.2%) is slightly higher than that of previous reports showing that XC is less uncommon than generally believed. A detailed microscopic study is performed: the authors observed according to the histological features particularly the different patterns of distribution of the inflammatory infiltrate and postulate the existence of three subtypes of XC: multinodu…

Glut-1 Expression and In Situ CD1a/CD57 Immunologic Deficit in Keratoacanthoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Immunocompetent Patients

It is not easy to reach a differential diagnosis between keratoacanthoma (KA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and furthermore there is still considerable discussion about the relationship of these 2 tumors with immunity. To facilitate such a diagnosis, we assessed the Glut-1 antibody, reported to be strongly and diffusely expressed in SCC but never assessed in KA. We studied 43 lesions of immunocompetent patients: 17 SCCs, 13 typical KAs (tKAs), and 13 atypical KAs (aKAs), with histologic features of SCC in less than 30% of the lesions. In tKA, Glut-1 stained only the basal layers of the squamous nests (basal pattern) whereas in SCC the squamous nests were randomly and diffusely stained (…

The significance of the Thymidylate Synthase expression in the Signet Ring Cell component of colorectal carcinoma

DIFFERENT EXPRESSION OF E-CADHERINE, BETA-CATENIN, AND FIBRONECTIN IN SIGNET RING CELL AND INTESTINAL COLORECTAL CARCINOMA.

Chemioterapia adiuvante e fattori di rischio ambientale nel carcinoma vescicale superficiale a medio rischio di recidiva. Uno studio prospettico randomizzato del Gruppo Studi Tumori Urologici (GSTU)