The presence of Helicobacter pylori in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

A definitive relationship between Helicobacter pylori (HP) and upper respiratory tract disorders has not been established. In this case-control study, we investigated the relationship between HP and laryngeal carcinoma by real-time PCR method in Turkey. 74 subjects were enrolled from patients who were admitted to the Otolaryngology Department. Formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded tissue samples with laryngeal cancer were used and all samples were evaluated by real-time PCR method. Our study population included 72 males and 2 females with a mean age range of 62.7 years. Helicobacter Pylori was detected in only one case. The positive case was also investigated with histopathologic evaluation and HP immunohistochemistry. However, we could not detect HP in this case with both methods. This study revealed that HP might not contribute to the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma. A definitive relationship between HP and upper respiratory tract disorders has not been established.

Is there any association of glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) gene polymorphism with gastric cancers?

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) are enzymes catalyzing reactions including carcinogens. GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes are polymorphic in humans. The relations between polymorphism of some GST genes and cancer have been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the distribution of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms in a group of gastric cancer patients. The study group consisted of 50 patients (21 females, 29 males) with gastric adenocarcinoma from the archives of the pathology department of a training hospital. Fifty-seven healthy control subjects were included in the study as a control group. DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood of control subjects and from the paraffin blocks of cases. Genotyping of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes was performed with duplex polymerase chain reaction. No differences in the frequencies of GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotypes were observed between patients and healthy subjects (GSTM1: 52% vs. 43.85%, OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.55-2.96; GSTT1: 38.46% vs. 28.07%, OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.25-1.96). Moreover, simultaneous carriage of both genotypes was almost identical in both groups. GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotypes were not different in diffuse or intestinal type gastric cancer. Our data suggest that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms are not associated with gastric cancer in a small group of the Turkish population.

Objective risk definition for endometrial lesion spectrum: a diagnostic algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: Investigations for risk definition in endometrial lesion spectrum still go on. In this study, molecular, morphometric, immunohistochemical techniques were combined with conventional morphology to realize whether an algorithm is definable for risk assessment to progress an invasive carcinoma in endometrial glandular lesion spectrum is possible. METHODS: The study was carried out on 20 benign endometria, 35 hyperplasias, and 20 adenocarcinoma cases. Clonality of glandular cells, the volume percent of endometrial stroma (VPS), PTEN inactivation, and proliferative index (PI) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was evaluated to set an objective algorithm. RESULTS: All benign tissues had polyclonal (PC), whereas all malignant tissues had monoclonal (MC) glandular epithelium. Of hyperplasias, 19 were MC, and 16 were PC. VPS value of 55% had 100% sensitivity, and 80% specificity (n=67) to distinguish MC from PC. Neither PTEN nor PI data augmented the specificity or the sensitivity of clonal distinction. CONCLUSION: Clonality and VPS values were found to be significant in differential of endometrial lesions. With this rationale, a diagnostic algorithm for endometrial risk lesions was set. This algorithm is based on HE morphology, VPS and clonality findings, and has 100% sensitivity and specificity to discriminate neoplastic endometrium from hyperplasia.