Chromogranin A as a diagnostic marker of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This work aims to assess the diagnostic value of chromogranin A (CgA) in the laboratory diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors classified as pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to obtain relevant studies reporting the diagnostic accuracy of CgA in patients with PPGL. The search involved studies written in English between the time of library inception and May 1, 2023. We computed the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were determined. The heterogeneity was assessed using the Chi-square test and the I2 test. The subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the origins of heterogeneity. Stata 15.1 statistical software was used in all data analyses. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 13 studies involving 1470 patients. CgA had a pooled diagnostic sensitivity of 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.91), a specificity of 0.90 (95% CI 0.81-0.95), and a DOR of 57 (95% CI 23-142). CgA had an AUC of 0.93. The studies did not reveal any threshold effect (r = -0.165; p > 0.05). The subgroup analyses revealed that the control group category and the detection method caused the overall heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that CgA is a helpful PPGL biomarker. However, relying solely on CgA for diagnosis is not advisable. A comprehensive approach is essential for accurate diagnosis. Future large-scale research is needed to refine CgA's clinical application.

The Significance of Insulinoma-Associated Protein 1 in the Pathological Diagnosis of Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Biopsy Specimens.

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the clinicopathological diagnostic value of immunohistochemical antibody for insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) in biopsy specimens of SCLC. Methods: Biopsy specimens of SCLC diagnosed at the pathology department of Tangshan Gongren Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected. INSM1 expression was detected and compared with conventional neuroendocrine markers synaptophysin (SYP), chromogranin A (CHGA), and CD56 regarding expression sensitivity and specificity. Results: The sensitivity of INSM1 expression was significantly higher than that of CHGA (95% vs 50%, P = .000), but there was no statistically significant difference in the specificity of INSM1, SYP, CHGA, and CD56 expression (100% vs 94% vs 98% vs 92%, respectively, P = .241, 1.000, .126). Conclusions: INSM1 antibody shows high sensitivity and specificity in the expression of SCLC and serves as a reliable immunohistochemical marker in the clinicopathological diagnosis of SCLC in biopsy specimens.

Non-functional paraganglioma of urinary bladder managed by transurethral resection

ABSTRACT Purpose As a rare bladder tumor, paraganglioma of the urinary bladder (PUB) is frequently misdiagnosed as bladder cancer, particularly for the non-functional type. To date, transurethral resection remains a controversial treatment for non-functional PUB. This study aimed to identify the clinical features, pathological characteristics, prognosis, and safe/effective treatment of non-functional PUB using transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT). Materials and Methods The clinical records, radiological data, pathological characteristics and follow-up times were retrospectively reviewed in 10 patients with clinically and pathologically proven non-functional PUB in our hospital from January 2008 to November 2016. All patients underwent TURBT treatment. Results The incidence of non-functional PUB in patients with bladder cancer was 0.17%. The mean age at diagnosis was 44.5 ± 13.6 years (range, 29-70 years), and the patient population had a female: male ratio of 3: 2. No patients had excess catecholamine (CA) whilst four patients had painless hematuria. All neoplasms were completely resected via TURBT. The majority of samples were positive for immunohistochemical markers including chromogranin A (CgA) and Synaptophysin (Syn), but were negative for cytokeratins (CKs). Only a single recurrence was observed from the mean follow-up period of 36.4 ± 24.8 months. Conclusion Complete TURBT is a safe and efficient treatment that serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry examinations are mandatory for diagnostic confirmation. Long-term follow-up is recommended for patients with non-functional PUB.

Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the degree of gingival inflammation and stress markers related to pregnancy

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of nonsurgical periodontal therapy considering the salivary stress-related hormone and cytokine levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) on pregnant and nonpregnant women. Material and Methods Thirty non-pregnant (control group) and 30 pregnant women (test group) that met the study inclusion criteria were chosen. Only participants with gingivitis were included. Clinical data and samples of GCF and saliva were collected at baseline and after periodontal therapy. The levels of interleukin-1 beta (Κ-1β) and IL-10, and concentration of salivary chromogranin A (CgA) hormone were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The repeated measures analysis of variance was used for intragroup and intergroup analyses. Results A major decrease in the gingival inflammation was observed in both groups after periodontal therapy (p<0.05). Periodontal treatment decreased the level of IL-1β in GCF (p<0.05) in control group, but no statistical difference was determined for GCF IL-1β in the test group. However, after periodontal therapy, the CgA hormone concentration was reduced in both groups (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in salivary CgA concentration, GCF IL-10 levels, and perceived stress scale (PSS)-10 between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, periodontal therapy significantly improved the periodontal status and stress level. In addition, the severity of the gingival inflammation during pregnancy was related to stress. However, further studies will be needed to substantiate these early findings.

Parallel determination of NeuroD1, Chromogranin-A, KI67 and androgen receptor expression in surgically treated prostate cancers

PURPOSE: Neuroendocrine differentiation is a hallmark of prostate cancer. The aim of our study was the detection of the parallel expression of neuroendocrine related markers using a prostate tissue microarray (TMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was aimed at detecting the parallel expression of NeuroD1, Chromogranin-A (ChrA), Androgen Receptor (AR) and Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry on prostate cancer tissue microarray. The data was analyzed using SAS version 8.2 (SAS Inc, Cary, NC). The relationships between NeuroD1, ChrA and AR expressions and patients' characteristics were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Progression and Overall Survival (OS) distributions were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Tissue reactivity for NeuroD1, ChrA and AR concerned 73 percent, 49 percent and 77 percent of the available cases, respectively. Regarding overall survival, there were 87 deaths and 295 patients alive/censored (6 years of median follow-up). Seventy-seven disease progressions occurred at the median follow-up 5.4y. A significant correlation between NeuroD1, ChrA and AR expression was observed (p < 0.001 and p < 0.03, respectively). Additionally, ChrA was strongly associated in multivariate analysis to Gleason score and Ki67 expression (p < 0.009 and p < 0.0052, respectively). Survival analysis showed no association between markers neither for overall nor for cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight that NeuroD1, Chromogranin-A and Androgen Receptor are strongly associated, however their expression does not correlate with overall survival or disease progression.

Detecção de micrometástases em câncer de pulmão não-pequenas células estádio pN0: um método alternativo combinando imunohistoquímica e análise em microsséries / Detection of micrometastases in pN0 non-small cell lung cancer: an alternative method combining tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry

OBJETIVO: Apresentar um método alternativo para detectar micrometástases em linfonodos previamente negativos para câncer de pulmão não-pequenas células (CPNPC) pela coloração de rotina com hematoxilina-eosina. MÉTODOS: Setenta e sete linfonodos hilares e mediastinais ressecados de 18 pacientes portadores de CPNPC foram investigados para a presença de micrometástases associando-se análise em microsséries e imunoistoquímica. RESULTADOS: Micrometástases foram detectadas após a identificação de células neoplásicas citoqueratina e cromogranina positivas em microsséries de linfonodos. Dos 18 pacientes inicialmente estadiados como pN0 pela coloração de rotina com hematoxilina-eosina, 9 (50 por cento) foram reestadiados como N1, e o prognóstico foi reavaliado em função de parâmetros histológicos e clínicos. A comparação das curvas de sobrevida mostrou que os pacientes sem micrometástases tiveram maior sobrevida do que os portadores de micrometástases. Além disso, após a análise multivariada controlada para idade, sexo, tipo histológico e reestadiamento, a presença de micrometástases mostrou-se como um fator independente na sobrevida. Entre os pacientes que haviam sido previamente estadiados como pN0, o risco de morte mostrou-se 7 vezes maior para os que foram posteriormente diagnosticados com micrometástases do que para aqueles nos quais não foram identificadas micrometástases. CONCLUSÃO: A combinação da análise em microsséries com a imunoistoquímica pode representar um método alternativo de baixo custo e menos demorado para identificar metástases ocultas e prever o prognóstico em pacientes portadores de CPNPC pN0 cujos tumores foram cirurgicamente ressecados. São necessários estudos prospectivos randomizados com casuísticas maiores para determinar a acurácia desse método alternativo.

OBJECTIVE: To present an alternative method of detecting micrometastases in lymph nodes previously testing negative for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by routine hematoxylin-eosin staining. METHODS: A total of 77 hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes resected from 18 patients with NSCLC were investigated for the presence of micrometastases using a combination of microarray analysis and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Micrometastases were detected by identifying cytokeratin- and chromogranin-positive cells in lymph node microarrays. Of the 18 patients initially staged as pN0 through routine hematoxylin-eosin staining, 9 (50 percent) were restaged as N1, and the prognoses were re-evaluated in terms of histological and clinical parameters. The comparison of the survival curves revealed that survival was higher in the patients without micrometastases than in those with micrometastases. In addition, in the multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, histological type, and restaging, the presence of micrometastases proved to be an independent predictor of survival. Among patients who had been previously staged as pN0, the risk of death was found to be 7-times greater for those later diagnosed with micrometastases than for those in whom no micrometastases were identified. CONCLUSION: The combination of microarray analysis and immunohistochemistry might represent a low-cost and less time-consuming alternative for identifying occult micrometastases and predicting prognoses in surgically resected patients with pN0 NSCLC. Larger randomized, prospective studies are needed in order to determine the accuracy of this method.