Expression of CD133 as a cancer stem cell marker in invasive gastric carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer is considered to be the fourth most common malignancy worldwide and the second cause of cancer deaths. Regarding the cancer stem cells (CSCs) theory, they are a small group of tumor cells with unrestricted self-renewal and differentiation abilities that help tumor formation. There is an interest in the utility of CD133 as a promising marker to detect the tumor stem cell population for a variety of solid malignancies including gastric cancer. Tumors that express stem cell markers such as CD133 are found to be more aggressive tumors with poor prognosis and high liability for recurrence. This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD133 in invasive gastric carcinoma and study the relation between CD133 immunohistochemical expression and different clinicopathological parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 77 cases of gastric carcinoma were collected from the surgical pathology unit at the Gastroenterology Center, Mansoura University, Egypt. CD133 expression in tumor tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: CD133 expression positively correlated with tumor metastasis and recurrence. Multivariate analysis revealed CD133 positivity to be an independent prognostic factor for tumor recurrence (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: CD133 is a good marker that can predict tumor recurrence and metastasis in gastric carcinoma. Even though, studies regarding CSCs are still in their initial stages especially those related to CD133 in gastric cancer.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in bilharzial patients: a report of 25 cases.

The preoperative diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is difficult due to its similarities to other renal diseases. Also, its relationship to bilharziasis to the best of our knowledge has never been studied. We attempted to explore these 2 problems by reviewing the files and pathological slides of 25 patients whose diagnosis was proved histopathologically to be xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. We concluded that the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis preoperatively still is difficult. We believe that bilharziasis is an etiologic factor for the disease by increasing the incidence of urinary tract obstruction, infection and stone formation. We plan to study this relationship further by examining the freshly removed kidneys immunohistologically.

Histopathological and histochemical studies on experimentally infected hamsters with Stictodora tridactyla.

Histopathological changes in the intestinal mucosa in the form of inflammation with atrophic changes in the villi and foci of cellular reaction were seen at the sites of experimental infection in hamsters with Stictodora tridactyla. The activity of succinic dehydrogenase, non specific esterase and alkaline phosphatase enzymes in the villi and the activity of acid phosphatase in the glands were markedly reduced. These changes suggest a disturbance in both digestive and absorptive mechanisms of the small intestine.