Pathological chemotherapy response score is prognostic in tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data.

OBJECTIVE: There is a need to develop and validate biomarkers for treatment response and survival in tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). The chemotherapy response score (CRS) stratifies patients into complete/near-complete (CRS3), partial (CRS2), and no/minimal (CRS1) response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Our aim was to review current evidence to determine whether the CRS is prognostic in women with tubo-ovarian HGSC treated with NACT. METHODS: We established an international collaboration to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis, pooling individual patient data from 16 sites in 11 countries. Patients had stage IIIC/IV HGSC, 3-4 NACT cycles and >6-months follow-up. Random effects models were used to derive combined odds ratios in the pooled population to investigate associations between CRS and progression free and overall survival (PFS and OS). RESULTS: 877 patients were included from published and unpublished studies. Median PFS and OS were 15 months (IQR 5-65) and 28 months (IQR 7-92) respectively. CRS3 was seen in 249 patients (28%). The pooled hazard ratios (HR) for PFS and OS for CRS3 versus CRS1/CRS2 were 0·55 (95% CI, 0·45-0·66; P < 0·001) and 0·65 (95% CI 0·50-0·85, P = 0·002) respectively; no heterogeneity was identified (PFS: Q = 6·42, P = 0·698, I2 = 0·0%; OS: Q = 6·89, P = 0·648, I2 = 0·0%). CRS was significantly associated with PFS and OS in multivariate models adjusting for age and stage. Of 306 patients with known germline BRCA1/2 status, those with BRCA1/2 mutations (n = 80) were more likely to achieve CRS3 (P = 0·027). CONCLUSIONS: CRS3 was significantly associated with improved PFS and OS compared to CRS1/2. This validation of CRS in a real-world setting demonstrates it to be a robust and reproducible biomarker with potential to be incorporated into therapeutic decision-making and clinical trial design.

Immunohistochemical expression of heparanases 1 and 2 in benign tissue and in invasive neoplasia of the endometrium: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to compare the expression of heparanase isoforms, in normal and in neoplastic endometrium. In a pioneering way, we sought to evaluate the expression of heparanase 1 (HPSE1) and heparanase 2 (HPSE2) in glandular and in stromal tissues. METHODS: This is a case-control study, conducted retrospectively in a public hospital, using paraffin blocks of endometrial tissue from patients admitted from 2002 to 2011 with and without endometrial cancer, with regard to the immunohistochemical expression of HPSE1 and HPSE2. The paraffin blocks were used for tissue microarray analysis and immunohistochemistry study in glandular and stromal tissues. RESULTS: In the study period, 195 participants were enrolled, 75 with and 120 without cancer. There was no significant difference between them regarding HPSE1 expression, both in gland and in stromal tissues. Heparanase 1 expression in the glandular tissue was more frequent among those with high-grade carcinoma, compared with patients with carcinoma type I. The difference in the expression of HPSE2 was significant between groups: it was less frequent in the controls than in the patients with cancer in the glandular tissue. In the stromal tissue, HPSE2 expression was significantly higher in the controls than in the patients with cancer and different when patients of the secretory endometrium subgroup were compared with those with hypotrophic, proliferative endometriums or with architectural disorders. No significant difference was found in the heparanase expressions in patients with cancer according to prognosis factors. CONCLUSIONS: Heparanase 1 is more intensely expressed in the glandular tissue of high-grade compared with type I carcinomas. Heparanase 2 is more intensely expressed in the glandular tissue of cancer than in nonneoplastic endometrium, whereas the HPSE2 expression in the stromal tissue is higher in the nonneoplastic controls compared with the group of patients with cancer mainly in the secretory endometrium. This suggests that HPSE2 might be stimulated by progesterone, with a possible antineoplastic role, antagonist to HPSE1, to be further investigated.

Oestrogen receptor alpha expression in neovaginal tissue of women following modified Abbé-McIndoe technique and in premenopausal women.

The aim of the study was to compare the expression of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in neovaginal tissue of patients with vaginal agenesis following neovaginoplasty using regenerated, oxidised cellulose in premenopausal women. A prospective, observational case-control study was performed on eight patients with vaginal agenesis following modified Abbé-McIndoe neovaginoplasty and 10 control premenopausal women following benign gynaecologic surgery. 6F11 monoclonal antibody was used to determine ERα expression in the vaginal mucosa. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations were performed, respectively, in vaginal epithelium and stroma. The thickness of the vaginal epithelium was determined as the vertical distance between the basal layer cells and the apical surface of the superficial layer. The percentage of ERα-expressing cells was higher in the control group, except in the superficial zone of the epithelium. In the stromal tissue, ERα was detected in only one patient from the neovagina group compared with nine women in the control group. The neovagina group had a statistically thinner epithelium. Our study suggests that women with vaginal agenesis following modified Abbé-McIndoe neovaginoplasty using regenerated oxidised, cellulose experience relatively local hypo-oestrogenism in the first year after surgery, with repercussion in vaginal trophism.

Role of estrogen receptor alpha on vaginal epithelialization of patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome submitted to neovaginoplasty using oxidized regenerated cellulose.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) on the neovaginal tissue of patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome submitted to modified Abbé-McIndoe neovaginoplasty using oxidized regenerated cellulose. METHODS: The current study involved eight subjects with MRKH syndrome. Serial samples of the neovagina were obtained after the surgery and immunohistochemical detection of ERα was performed using antibody NCL-L-ER-6F11. RESULTS: The operation was performed successfully in all subjects without complications. A total of 22 samples of neovaginal tissue were analyzed. The expression of ERα was detected only 6 months after the surgery, when the neovagina acquired characteristics of normal vagina. CONCLUSION: In our study, the expression of ERα occurred when complete epithelialization of vaginal tissue was observed. Other mechanisms may be involved in the formation of vaginal epithelium in patients with MRKH syndrome.

The immunoexpression of heparanase 2 in normal epithelium, intraepithelial, and invasive squamous neoplasia of the cervix.

OBJECTIVE: Heparanase 2 (HPSE2) is expressed in various tissues, including the brain, intestine, prostate, breast, and endometrium. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HPSE2 in cervical carcinogenesis, which has not been clarified to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immunoexpression of HPSE2 in normal and neoplastic cervical squamous epithelia was determined using a semiquantitative (SQ) method and an index of expression (IE) method, using Image Lab Software. A total of 230 cervical tissue samples were analyzed and segregated into the following diagnostic groups: normal (27.4%), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN 1, 15.2%), CIN 2 (16.5%), CIN 3 (15.2%), and invasive neoplasia (25.7%). The mean HPSE2 expression in the normal group was significantly lower than that of the other groups individually or combined (p < .001, for all combinations). The immunoexpression via the SQ method was significantly greater in the CIN 3 group compared with that in the CIN 1 group (p = .02). The mean immunoexpression of the high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion groups was significantly greater than those of the normal and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion groups (p < .001) and lower compared with that of the invasive neoplasia group (p < .001). There were no statistically significant differences in the immunoexpression of HPSE2 among the different clinical states within the invasive neoplasia group. CONCLUSIONS: The SQ method produced a greater sensitivity and specificity than did the index of expression method. There was a progressive increase in the mean HPSE2 immunoexpression according to the severity of the cervical lesion from the low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion group to the invasive neoplasm group, whereas the normal group displayed the lowest level of expression. This is a novel study concerning HPSE2 in the cervix and cervical cancer carcinogenesis.

Comparison of topical fractional CO2 laser and vaginal estrogen for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser therapy with topical estrogen therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal genitourinary syndrome of menopause. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial involving 25 postmenopausal women. Participants were aged between 50 and 65 years with at least 1 year of amenorrhea and follicle-stimulating hormone levels of >40 IU/L. The women were randomized into two groups: the laser therapy group (n = 13) and the vaginal topical estrogen therapy group (n = 12). Changes in the vaginal epithelium thickness, Frost index, and cell maturation were analyzed in both the groups. The female sexual quotient of each woman was also evaluated. Subjective evaluation was performed through a physical examination. RESULTS: Histological analysis showed a significant increase in the vaginal epithelium thickness at the end of treatment in females in both the laser therapy (P < 0.001) and topical estrogen therapy (P = 0.001) groups. The topical estrogen therapy group tended to present a higher maturation index at the end of treatment when compared with that of the other group. Sexual function increased significantly over time in both the topical estrogen therapy (P < 0.001) and laser therapy (P < 0.001) groups. Subjective evaluation through physical examination showed a significant improvement in atrophy in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Despite the nonequivalence with topical estrogen therapy, our data suggest that laser therapy is an effective method for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy.

Assessment of Preoperative Endometrial Histopathological Sampling as a Predictor of Final Surgical Pathology in Endometrial Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the agreement between the histopathological diagnoses of preoperative endometrial samples and surgical specimens and correlate the agreement between the diagnoses with the impact on surgical management and the survival of patients with endometrial adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Sixty-two patients treated for endometrial cancer at a university hospital from 2002 to 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. The histopathological findings of preoperative endometrial samples and of surgical specimens were analyzed. The patients were subjected to hysterectomy as well as adjuvant treatment, if necessary, and clinical follow-up, according to the institutional protocol. Lesions were classified as endometrioid tumor (type 1) grades 1, 2, or 3 or non-endometrioid carcinoma (type 2). RESULTS: The agreement between the histopathological diagnoses based on preoperative endometrial samples and surgical specimens was fair (Kappa: 0.40; p < 0.001). However, the agreement was very significant for tumor type and grade, in which a higher concordance occurred at a higher grade. The percentage of patients with lymph nodes affected was 19.2%. Although most patients presenting with disease remission or cure were in the early stages (90.5%), there were no significant differences between those patients who had a misdiagnosis (11/16; 68.8%) and those who had a correct diagnosis (25/33; 75.8%) based on preoperative endometrial sampling (p = 0.605). CONCLUSION: Our findings corroborate the literature and confirm the under staging of preoperative endometrial samples based on histopathological assessment, especially for lower grade endometrial tumors. We suggest that the preoperative diagnosis should be complemented with other methods to better plan the surgical management strategy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a concordância entre os diagnósticos histopatológicos de amostras endometriais pré-operatórias e cirúrgicas de pacientes com adenocarcinomas endometriais e avaliar o impacto da concordância entre os diagnósticos no planejamento cirúrgico e sobrevida das pacientes. MéTODOS: Dados de 62 pacientes com câncer de endométrio operadas entre 2002 a 2011 em um hospital universitário foram avaliadas retrospectivamente. As pacientes foram submetidas à histerectomia e tratamento adjuvante, se necessário, e acompanhadas clinicamente de acordo com o protocolo institucional. Foram avaliados os resultados das análises histopatológicas das amostras endometriais pré-operatórias e cirúrgicas. As lesões foram classificadas como tumor endometrioide (tipo 1) graus 1, 2 ou 3 ou carcinoma não endometrioide (tipo 2). RESULTADOS: De modo geral, houve uma concordância baixa entre os diagnósticos histopatológicos das amostras endometriais pré-operatórias e cirúrgicas (Kappa: 0,40; p < 0,001). Entretanto, uma alta concordância entre os diagnósticos foi observada nos tumores de graus mais elevados. Comprometimento de linfonodos ocorreu em 19,2% das pacientes e a maioria das que apresentaram remissão ou cura foram diagnosticadas nos estágios iniciais da doença (90,5%). Não houve diferença significativa na taxa de remissão ou cura entre as pacientes que tiveram concordância (25/33; 75,8%) ou divergência (11/16; 68,8%) entre os resultados histopatológicos pré-operatórios e cirúrgicos (p = 0,605). CONCLUSãO: Nossos achados corroboram a literatura e confirmam o sub-estadiamento de amostras endometriais pré-operatórias com base na avaliação histopatológica, especialmente para tumores endometriais de baixo grau. Outros métodos complementares são necessários para um diagnóstico pré-operatório mais preciso a fim de melhorar o planejamento cirúrgico.

Dual p16 and Ki-67 Expression in Liquid-Based Cervical Cytological Samples Compared to Pap Cytology Findings, Biopsies, and HPV Testing in Cervical Cancer Screening: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to verify the sensitivity and specificity of dual immunocytochemistry staining for p16 and Ki-67 in liquid-based samples (the "dual" assay) for cervical lesion screening, compared to biopsy findings and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA molecular detection. STUDY DESIGN: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values for the "dual immunocytochemistry assay" were calculated and compared to histopathological results and to high-risk HPV DNA detection in adult women or teenagers submitted to cervical cancer screening. RESULTS: A total of 151 women were included. The majority (96.2%) of those with negative dual assay results had lower biopsy grades (p < 0.001). Women with cytology results suggestive of cervical cancer had positive dual immunocytochemistry assay results more frequently (p < 0.001), and these positive results were also significantly associated with biopsy findings (p < 0.001) and with high-risk genotype HPV infection (p = 0.007). Specificity and PPV for the dual assay were 0.972 (0.855-0.999) and 0.800 (0.284-0.995), respectively, and 1.000 (0.590-1.000) and 1.000 (0.631-1.000) for HPV detection. CONCLUSIONS: The dual immunocytochemistry assay had high specificity and PPV. It reveals a persistent HPV infection, avoiding the need for new tissue collections for biopsies or hybrid capture.

Expression of CK7 and CDKN2 in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Correlation with Clinical Outcome.

AIM: To evaluate cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) and cytokeratin 7 (CK7) expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) formalin-fixed samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Staining with antibody clones G175-405 for CDKN2A and OV-TL 12/30 for CK7 were evaluated and the detection of protein expressions were compared in 147 patients with CIN. RESULTS: Clinical follow-up of patients with CIN1 and CIN2 showed that most patients had a favorable outcome. Single CDKN2A or CK7 expression and their combined expression had a greater sensitivity and negative predictive value in CIN1, corresponding to the non-development of the disease. The positive predictive value of CDKN2A was greater than that of CK7. Combined expression of CDKN2A and CK7 showed that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values had their maximum index in the CIN1 group. Analysis of combined expression of CDKN2A and CK7 showed that 85.7% of patients presented unfavorable clinical outcomes, with positive expression for both markers identified in CIN2. CONCLUSION: Combined expression of CK7 and CDKN2A was associated with a better diagnosis of CIN, and negative expression in CIN1/2 groups had a greater negative predictive value for patient clinical outcome.

Immunohistochemical Expression of VEGF and Podoplanin in Uterine Cervical Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions.

VEGF and podoplanin (PDPN) have been identified as angiogenesis and/or lymphangiogenesis regulators and might be essential to restrict tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluate the association between the expression of these markers and CIN grade. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 234 uterine cervical samples using conventional histologic sections or TMA with the monoclonal antibodies to VEGF (C-1 clone) and podoplanin (D2-40 clone). Positive-staining rates of VEGF in 191 CIN specimens were significantly associated with histological grade (P < 0.001). Negative and/or focal immunostaining for PDPN were more frequent in CIN 3 (P = 0.016). We found that patients with CIN 3 more frequently had strong and more diffuse staining for VEGF and diminished staining for PDPN (P = 0.018). Strong and more diffuse VEGF immunoexpressions in CIN 2 and CIN 3 were detected when compared to CIN 1. Negative and/or focal PDPN immunoexpression appear to be more frequent in CIN 3. Moderate to strong VEGF expression may be a tendency among patients with high-grade lesions and diminished PDPN expression.

An interesting finding in the uterine cervix: Schistosoma hematobium calcified eggs.

Schistosoma hematobium infection is an endemic parasitic disease in Africa, which is frequently associated with urinary schistosomiasis. The parasite infection causes epithelial changes and disruption, facilitating the infection by the human papilloma virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The authors report the case of a 44-year-old African HIV-positive woman who presented an abnormal routine Pap smear. Colposcopy examination revealed dense acetowhite micropapillary epithelium covering the ectocervix, iodine-negative, an erosion area in endocervical canal, and atypical vessels. Histologic examination of the surgical specimens showed numerous calcified schistosome eggs (probably S. hematobium) and a high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The relation between S. hematobium infection and bladder cancer is well known; however, this relationship with cervical cancer remains controversial. The symptoms of schistosomiasis of the female genital tract are rather non-specific, and are often misdiagnosed with other pelvic diseases. The familiarity of health professionals with schistosomiasis of the female genital tract is less than expected, even in endemic regions. Therefore, great awareness of this differential diagnosis in routine gynecological practice is of paramount importance.

Cervical cancer screening in young and elderly women of the Xingu Indigenous Park: evaluation of the recommended screening age group in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occurrence of atypia in the cytology/histology examinations of young women under the age of 25 years and of elderly women aged over 64 years, in the Xingu Indigenous Park and to evaluate, in a subjective manner, if the age range for screening established by the Ministry of Health and the Instituto Nacional de Câncer is appropriate for this population. METHODS: The Xingu/UNIFESP Project, in partnership with the Center for Gynecological Disease Prevention, develops programs to prevent cervical cancer. The exploratory, retrospective and descriptive study of cytological and histopathological examinations of young (12-24 years) and elderly (aged 64 and over) women of the Xingu Indigenous Park, between 2005 and 2011. RESULTS: There was low occurrence of cytological atypia in the elderly female population, but there were occasional high-grade lesions in the indigenous youth. CONCLUSION: Interrupting screening at the limit age of 64 years, as established by the Ministry of Health and the Instituto Nacional de Câncer is justified. However, screening of young women should begin at an earlier age.

Cervical cancer screening in young and elderly women of the Xingu Indigenous Park: evaluation of the recommended screening age group in Brazil / Rastreamento do câncer de colo uterino em jovens e idosas do Parque Indígena do Xingu: avaliação quanto à faixa etária preconizada no Brasil

Objective To analyze the occurrence of atypia in the cytology/histology examinations of young women under the age of 25 years and of elderly women aged over 64 years, in the Xingu Indigenous Park and to evaluate, in a subjective manner, if the age range for screening established by the Ministry of Health and the Instituto Nacional de Câncer is appropriate for this population. Methods The Xingu/UNIFESP Project, in partnership with the Center for Gynecological Disease Prevention, develops programs to prevent cervical cancer. The exploratory, retrospective and descriptive study of cytological and histopathological examinations of young (12-24 years) and elderly (aged 64 and over) women of the Xingu Indigenous Park, between 2005 and 2011. Results There was low occurrence of cytological atypia in the elderly female population, but there were occasional high-grade lesions in the indigenous youth. Conclusion Interrupting screening at the limit age of 64 years, as established by the Ministry of Health and the Instituto Nacional de Câncer is justified. However, screening of young women should begin at an earlier age. .

Objetivo Analisar a ocorrência de atipias nos exames citológicos e histológicos de jovens e idosas indígenas, e também avaliar se a faixa etária preconizada pelo Ministério da Saúde e pelo Instituto Nacional de Câncer em rastreamento do câncer de colo uterino é adequada para essa população. Métodos O Projeto Xingu/UNIFESP, em parceria com o Núcleo de Prevenção de Doenças Ginecológicas, desenvolve programas de prevenção do câncer do colo de útero. Foi realizado estudo exploratório, retrospectivo e descritivo de exames cito/histopatológicos em jovens do Parque Indígena do Xingu de 12 a 24 anos e em idosas a partir dos 64 anos, no período de 2005 a 2011. Resultados Em idosas, houve baixa ocorrência de atipias citológicas, mas nas jovens indígenas, ocorreram casos eventuais de lesão de alto grau. Conclusão Justifica respeitar o limite de 64 anos para a interrupção do rastreamento, como o estabelecido pelo Ministério da Saúde/Instituto Nacional de Câncer, mas, nas jovens, seria importante iniciar o rastreamento mais precocemente. .

Expression of COX-2 in stomach carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer is a frequent cause of cancer in Brazil. The understanding of gastric carcinogenesis is not completely known but the progress of the molecular biology has provided that the initiation and progression of gastric cancer process is a consequence of a cumulative series of multiple gene alterations. AIM: The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship among cytoplasmatic COX-1 and COX-2, Bcl-2 and nuclear P53 in chronic gastritis, metaplasia, and intestinal and gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: COX-1, COX-2, P53, and Bcl-2 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 34 gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) tissues obtained from gastric resection, 21 tissues of patients with chronic gastritis (CG), and 34 with intestinal metaplasia (IM) obtained from endoscopic biopsies. RESULTS: COX-1 and COX-2 were expressed in more than 85% of the tissues. A correlation between COX-1 and COX-2 were observed (r = 0.66). P53 was positive in 29% CG, 20% of IM and in 59 % of GA. Bcl-2 was negative in all the CG, in 88% of IM, and in 85% of GA. P53 staining was expressed more frequently in gastric cancer when compared to CG (p = 0.05) or IM (p = 0.003). The expression of Bcl-2 was also higher in gastric cancer (p = 0.002) and in intestinal metaplasia (p = 0.04) when compared to CG. There were no difference between metaplasia and chronic gastritis for P53 or Bcl-2. The immunoreactivity of COX-2 in gastric cancer was higher in the intestinal type (58%) than in diffuse type. A higher expression of COX-2 was found in advanced gastric cancer (p = 0.019). P53 was also more frequent in node positive cancer (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: COX-2 is probably involved in gastric carcinogenesis, being an early alteration in cancer. Although we observed in this study a correlation between COX-2 and depth of cancer, this association as a prognostic marker is not well defined. P53 and Bcl-2 was expressed mainly in gastric cancer, being probably a latest alteration in gastric development.

Estudo de p27, p21, p16 em epitélio escamoso normal, papiloma escamoso e carcinoma de células escamosas da cavidade oral / Comparative analysis of the immunohistochemistry expression of p27, p21WAF/Cip1, and p16INK4a in oral normal epithelium, squamous papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: O tipo de câncer oral mais frequente é o carcinoma de células escamosas, que corresponde a 95 por cento dos casos(9). O papiloma escamoso oral é uma neoplasia benigna normalmente associada à infecção pelo papilomavírus humano (HPV)(21). A análise da literatura mostra alterações nos genes reguladores do ciclo celular p27, p21WAF/Cip1 e p16INK4a, porém sem uma definição de seus papéis na carcinogênese oral. O objetivo foi caracterizar imuno-histoquimicamente p27, p21WAF/Cip1 e p16NK4a em epitélio escamoso normal, papilomas escamosos e carcinomas de células escamosas da cavidade oral. MÉTODOS: Imuno-histoquímica para p27, p21WAF/Cip1 e p16NK4a em 32 casos de epitélio escamoso normal, 30 casos de papiloma escamoso e 34 de carcinoma de células escamosas da cavidade oral. RESULTADOS: p27: 97,06 por cento dos casos de carcinoma de células escamosas apresentaram imunopositividade focal. O grupo papiloma escamoso apresentou 33,33 por cento e o grupo controle, 18,75 por cento. p21WAF/Cip1: 100 por cento de imunopositividade focal tanto no grupo controle como no grupo carcinoma de células escamosas, e 90 por cento no grupo papiloma escamoso. p16INK4a: 100 por cento de imunopositividade focal para os grupos controle e papiloma escamoso, e 94 por cento para o grupo carcinoma de células escamosas. CONCLUSÃO: Imuno-histoquimicamente demonstrou-se diferença significativa para p27 quando feita comparação dos grupos controle e papiloma escamoso com o grupo carcinoma de células escamosas. O p21WAF/Cip1 não demonstrou poder de diferenciar os grupos analisados. O p16INK4a apresentou imunopositividade difusa em uma minoria dos casos do grupo carcinoma de células escamosas. O grupo papiloma escamoso se comportou de maneira similar ao grupo controle em relação aos três marcadores.

INTRODUCTION: The most frequent type of oral cancer is the squamous cell carcinoma, which corresponds to 95 percent of the cases(9).The oral squamous papilloma is a benign neoplasia, commonly associated with infections caused by the human papilloma virus(21). The analysis of medical literature shows changes in cell cycle regulatory genes (p27, p21WAF/Cip1 and p16INK4a), but does not define their roles in oral carcinogenesis. Objective: Characterize the immuno-histochemical expression of p27, p21WAF/Cip1 and p16INK4a in oral normal squamous epithelium, oral squamous papilloma and oral squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Immuno-histochemical evaluation of p27, p21WAF/Cip1 and p16INK4a in 32 samples of oral normal squamous epithelium, 30 of oral squamous papilloma and 34 of oral squamous cell carcinoma. RESULTS: 97.06 percent of the oral squamous cell carcinoma group, 33.33 percent of the squamous papilloma group and 18.75 percent of the control group showed focal immunopositivity for p27. 100 percent of both control and oral squamous cell carcinoma groups and 90 percent of the oral squamous papilloma group showed focal immunopositivity for p21WAF/Cip1. 100 percent of both control and oral squamous papilloma groups and 94 percent of the oral squamous cell carcinoma group showed focal immunopositivity for p16INK4a. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a statistically significant difference for p27 expression when comparing the control and oral squamous papilloma groups with the oral squamous cell carcinoma group. p21WAF/Cip1 did not prove to be useful to differentiate the groups. p16INK4a showed diffuse immunopositivity in a minority of the oral squamous cell carcinoma cases. The oral squamous papilloma group behaved similarly to the control group as to the three markers.

Premature ovarian failure: morphological and ultrastructural aspects

Os autores analisaram, através de microscopia de luz e de microscopia eletrônica, os ovários de mulheres com insuficiência ovariana prematura. Observaram que säo constituídos por tecido conjuntivo denso e raros corpos albicantes. Oito dos 10 casos näo apresentavam folículos primordiais; en un caso verificou-se a presença de folículos ovarianos atípicos e, em outro identificou-se corpo lúteo (após estimulaçäo com gonadotrofina exógena). A ultra-estrutura, verificou-se que os fibroblastos achavam-se unidos uns aos outros através de prolongamentos celulares, formando un sincício celular

Ultrastructural aspects of the remodeling process of the Corpus albicans in the recent postmenopausal period

To study the cytophysiology of the corpus albicans in the recent postmenopausal period, the authors analyzed the ovarian ultrastructure of ten patients submitted to oophorectomy due to non-malignant gynecological diseases. Evidence of a remodeling process with connective tissue substitution of the corpora albicantia was observed. The remodeling process appears to depend on the activity of three essential cell types: the fibroblasts, which provide collagen synthesis; the macrophages, which phagocytize the flaky material; and the myofibroblasts, mainly located in the peripheral region of the corpora albicantia, which may have a retracting action on the remodeling site of the corpus albicans.

Fibroma de vulva (molluscum pendulum). Relato de Caso / Vulvar fibroma. Case report

É apresentado um caso de fibroma de vulva, modalidade molluscum pendulum, em uma jovem de 20 anos. O tumor desenvolveu-se após a menarca com evoluçäo lenta e progressiva. Ao exame físico, observou-se volumosa massa pediculada, indolor, com inserçäo no terço superior do grande lábio esquerdo, de consistência elástica, com diâmetro maior em sua parte distal de 12 cm por 23 cm de comprimento. Como tratamento, optou-se pela exérese pela base do pedículo, sob anestesia local. O tumor apresentou o peso de 950 g. Complementa-se com revisäo de literatura.