PD-L1 and EBV LMP1 expressions in classic Hodgkin lymphomas and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Programmed death pathway leads to T cell anergy. Wide range of malignancies take advantage of this pathway by programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression either on neoplastic cells or on the nonneoplastic cells of tumour microenvironment. New therapeutic approaches have been directed against this pathway. We studied PD-L1 expression on both neoplastic Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and cells of tumour microenvironment in classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) patients and compared it with Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) positivity, clinical data, and survival rates. METHODS: Lymph node excision materials of 56 CHL patients diagnosed between 2007 and 2017 were included in this retrospective study. PD-L1 expression of HRS cells and tumour microenvironment cells were evaluated by immunohistochemical assay. Staining intensity and rate of the PD-L1 expressions were estimated. EBV was examined by immunohistochemistry for latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) antibody. Clinical data of 39 patients and survival data of 34 patients were compared with PD-L1 expressions on tumour cells. RESULTS: PD-L1 expression was present in HRS cells in 89.2% of the cases. There was more than 20% of PD-L1 expression in cells of tumour microenvironment in all the cases. PD-L1 positivity did not show statistically significant difference according to EBV expression, clinical parameters, and prognosis. DISCUSSION: Previous studies showed inconsistent rates for PD-L1 prevalence (20%-95.7%) in CHL patients due to differences in the study methods. Although high prevalence of PD-L1 positivity was found in majority of them, there was no statistically significant difference between PD-L1 positivity on HRS cells and EBV expression, clinical parameters, and prognosis. This high prevalence in patients with various clinical properties makes PD-L1 a potential target for new emerging immunotherapies for CHL.

Dose dependent morphological effects of alpha lipoic acid on vasospastic femoral artery in rats.

AIM: The dose dependent effects of alpha lipoic acid (α-LA) were investigated morphologically on rat vasospasm model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 32 rats were divided into four groups: group I=control; group II=vasospasm; group III=vasospasm +low dose (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneal α-LA administered; and group IV=vasospasm +high dose (100 mg/kg) intraperitoneal α-LA administered. Histological and morphometric examinations were carried out for each groups under light microscope. RESULTS: The mean vascular wall thickness displayed significant increase in group II and III compared with group I (p < .05). Statistical comparison of group II and IV, regarding vascular wall thickness showed a significant decrease in group IV, and regarding vascular lumen area showed a significant increase in group IV (p < .05). CONCLUSION: It is demonstrated α-LA reduces the effects of vasospasm in high dose treatment group by decreasing the wall thickness and increasing the lumen surface area. The present study suggests that adequate dose of α-LA is a potential therapeutic agent in experimental vasospasm model.

Bilateral Leydig cell tumor of the testis: a case report.

Leydig cell tumors are rare testicular tumors of the male gonadal interstitium. Although uncommon, Leydig cell testicular neoplasms are the most common sex cord-stromal tumors and comprise 1-3% of all testicular neoplasms. This tumor is always benign in children and approximately 90% are benign in adults. In most cases, patients present with an incidental finding of a testicular mass on scrotal ultrasonography during evaluation of hydroceles or varicoceles or during diagnostic workup for infertility. Leydig cell tumors have been primarily managed with radical inguinal orchiectomy. However, conservative management with testis-sparing surgery in younger adults and children were reported in the literature. Here we report a case of bilateral Leydig cell tumor of the testis treated with radical orchiectomy who presented with the complaint of infertilityand no disease recurrence in followup for 9 months. The patient is currently disease-free and under androgen supplemantation for androgen insufficiency. We recommend complete exam and diagnostic workup in patients with infertility and azoospermia.

Mesothelial/monocytic incidental cardiac excrescence in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome.

Mesothelial/monocytic incidental cardiac excrescence (MICE) is a rare benign lesion composed of a mixture of histiocytes, mesothelial cells, fibrin, adipocytes and scattered inflammatory cells without a vascular network or supporting stroma. Its pathogenesis is controversial with some authors favoring an artifactual theory while others consider a reactive phenomenon. To date, only 41 cases of MICE have been reported in the literature. We describe an additional case of MICE in a 24-year-old female with antiphospholipid syndrome. A mobile hyperechogenic mass attached to the left ventricular surface of the aortic valve was documented by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The patient did have cardiac catheterization one month before the cardiac surgery. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination showed a lesion composed of histiocytes and mesothelial cells together with fibrin and scattered inflammatory cells. To our knowledge, this is the first case of MICE detected in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome.