Immunoexpression of Bmi-1, CK15, Bcl-2 in different types of basal cell carcinomas.

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) occurs in aggressive and non-aggressive forms. The expression of immunohistochemical markers varies in different types of BCC. Aim: Immunohistochemical analysis of selected proteins in BCCs. Material and methods: The immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of Bmi-1, CK15 and Bcl-2 in 56 cases of BCC divided into four groups. Results: Positive Bmi-1 staining 3-4+ level (nodular type) was seen in 91.3% of samples, 4+ (infiltrative) in 92.3%, 4+ (nodular/infiltrative) - 69.2%, 3+ - 30.8%, in BSC 3+ - 42.8%, and 28.6% each for 2+ and 4+. Low grade positivity (0-1+) in CK15 staining was present in 52.1% of nodular BCC, 46.2% - nodular/infiltrative, 92.3% - infiltrative, and 100% - BSC, but levels 2-3+ in nodular BCC in 47.8%, nodular/infiltrative BCC - 53.8%, infiltrative - 7.7%. Bcl-2 positivity (3-4+) was revealed in nodular BCC in 95.6%, (1-2+) in 100% of BSC, infiltrative and infiltrative/nodular BCC, but the lowest (0-1+) in 76.9% of nodular/infiltrative BCC, 71.4% of BSC, and in 38.4% of infiltrative BCC. Conclusions: Positive Bmi-1 staining was the highest in the aggressive infiltrative subtype of BCCs, whereas the lowest in basosquamous cell carcinomas (BSC). Infiltrative BCC was characterized by a lower level of CK15 expression than nodular BCC and nodular/infiltrative BCC. Differentiation of Bcl-2 expression depended on the type of tumour; the highest level was found in nodular BCC, low grade in nodular/infiltrative and infiltrative BCCs, and BSC.

Immunoexpression and clinical significance of the PTEN and MLH1 proteins in endometrial carcinomas.

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process resulting from mutations in genes controlling the cellular growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and genome integrity maintenance. We investigated relationships between the PTEN and MLH1 immunoreactivity in the cancer cells and the histological subtypes of endometrial carcinoma as well as the survival times of the affected women. The PTEN and MLH1 protein immunoexpression was also examined separately in both clinicopathological groups of endometrial carcinoma. We estimated the practical use of the proteins as diagnostic and predictive markers. The histoclinical analysis was performed on 104 patients. The follow-up in all the cases was well known. To assess the expression of both proteins in the cancer cells we adopted a semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis. We proved that the incidence of the PTEN and MLH1 nuclear positive cells was significantly higher in the serous type than in the endometrioid one. We also demonstrated a strong correlation between both cytoplasmic and nuclear PTEN immunoexpression and the survival times in the entire cohort. In conclusion, the PTEN and MLH1 immunohistochemical analysis broadens the microscopic diagnosis of the endometrial carcinomas. However, the PTEN and MLH1 antibodies tests cannot determine the recognition of the cancer, and they should not be regarded as independent prognostic factors.

[Pten gene expression in the endometrial mucosa]. / Ekspresja genu pten w blonie sluzowej trzonu macicy.

The opinions about the causes of the endometrial carcinoma have changed since 1995, due to molecular biology progress. The findings concerning the recently discovered suppressor PTEN gene localized on the chromosome 10 -10q23.3, the product of which is a specific phosphatase are especially valuable. The loss of the gene function is directly linked with the genesis and progression of endometrial carcinoma, as well as cancers of other tissues and organs, including thyroid, breast, ovary, prostate or skin. Immunohistochemical studies with the use of the 6H2.1 antibody directed against the protein coded by the PTEN gene indicate that the protein cannot be found in more than half of the patients with endometrial carcinoma and its precursor--EIN. Mutations of the PTEN gene have also been detected in many young women with normal microscopic structure of the endometrial mucosa. Thus, a test for the absence of the PTEN gene product in the endometrial cells may be used for precise identification of early stages of carcinogenesis.