Influence of stathmin 1 (STMN1) expression on neoangiogenesis in colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Stathmin1 is a microtubular regulatory protein. The expression disorders of this protein result in significant changes in cell migration, invasion, adhesion and colony formation in many malignant tumors. The aim of our research was to investigate the effects of Stathmin1 expression on neoangiogenesis in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Biopsy material that was obtained by the resection of colorectal carcinoma was used. The experimental group consisted of operative biopsies of colorectal cancer (n = 72), and the control group (n = 72) consisted of biopsies of adjacent non-tumor colon tissue. The biopsy material was taken from an operative preparation submitted to the Department of Pathology. After histopathological treatment, classical Hematoxylin- Eosin and immunohistochemical ABC methods with anti-Stathmin1, anti-VEGF and anti CD105 antibodies were applied on 4 µm thick sections. High expression of Stathmin1 is associated with severe (91.9%) and moderate (8.1%) expression of VEGF in a significantly high number of cases. This relation is defined by a highly significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.768; p = 0.000). High expression of Stathmin1 is associated with a high microvascular density index (mvdIDX) in a significant number of cases (73.0%) while low expression of Stathmin1 is in relation with low mvdIDX in a significant 73.7% of cases. This relationship is also defined by a highly significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.566; p = 0.000). ROC analysis showed that the sensitivity for Stathmin1 was 97.4% and the specificity was 91.4%. Based on Stathmin1 expression, it is possible to differentiate patients with increased risk for metastatic disease. The highly significant association of Stathmin1 expression with VEGF expression and microvascular density (MVD) suggests that Stathmin1 may be a serious candidate for therapeutic target.

Clinical significance of microvessel density and proliferation in prostate cancer core biopsy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the microvessel density (MVD) and proliferation in prostate cancer (PC) core biopsies. METHODS: Core biopsy samples of PC tissue from 45 patients were routinely processed and embedded in paraffin. The samples of PC formed the investigated group (n=25), while samples of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) served as controls (n=20). From paraffin blocks, 3-5 µm-thick sections were made and routine hematoxylin-eosin method and immunohistochemical ABC method with Ki67 and CD34 antibodies were applied. Immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 and CD34 was stereometrically quantified. RESULTS: The median number of Ki67 and CD34 positive cells per mm2 in PC were significantly higher in comparison to the median of these cells in BHP. The average age and Gleason score in patients with high proliferation index (proIDX) and MVD index (mvdIDX) was significantly greater in comparison to those with low proIDX and low mvdIDX. The absolute values of Ki67 expression were in highly positive and significant correlation with the absolute values of CD34 expression. Highly significant correlation was found between Gleason score and proIDX and mvdIDX. CONCLUSION: This study showed that PC expressed significantly higher values of Ki67 and CD34 in comparison to BPH. The values of proIDX and mvdIDX obtained by core biopsy could clearly show the level of cancer progression expressed through highly correlated Gleason score. In this way it is possible to identify the patients at high risk for disease progression.

Involvement of leptin receptors expression in proliferation and neoangiogenesis in colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study tested whether there exists a correlation between leptin receptors (LEPR) expression with proliferation and neoangiogenesis in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Enrolled were 75 patients with colorectal carcinoma, who underwent surgical tumor resection. After routine histopathological preparation, sections 3-4 µm thick were prepared. Routine H&E and immunohistochemical ABC method with anti-LEPR, anti-Ki67 and anti-CD 105 antibodies were performed. RESULTS: Pronounced or moderate LEPR expression in colorectal carcinoma was found in 77.3% of the cases. Absence of expression of LEPR correlated with low rate of proliferation in 94.1% of the cases, while high proliferation rate showed 92% of the cases with pronounced LEPR expression. Low grade neoangiogenesis correlated with absence of LEPR expression in 88.2% of the cases. In 92% of the cases with pronounced LEPR expression, high rate of angiogenesis was observed. The LEPR expression correlated significantly (p<0.001) with proliferation index (proIDX) and neoangiogenesis index (mvdIDX). The corresponded correlation coefficients indicated considerable strength of association between variables (r=0.63 and r=0.66). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that LEPR expression in colorectal carcinoma significantly corresponded to proliferation index of tumor cells and neoangiogenesis, which could have significant therapeutic and prognostic implications.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and microvascular density assessment in different histotypes of basal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor microvascular density (MVD) in different histotypes of basal cell skin carcinoma (BCC). METHODS: We used a total 101 histological archival specimens, including superficial, nodular, cystic, keratinocytic, adenoid infiltrative types and cases of metatypical BCC. Routine hematoxylin/eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical ABC method with NOT AE1/AE3, anti VEGF anti CD34 antibodies were used. VEGF expression in tumor cells was studied in relation to the BCC histotype and demographic characteristics. For statistical analysis ANOVA (F test), Student's t-test, and Karl Pearson coefficient were used. RESULTS: VEGF expression was significantly lower in the superficial histotype compared to all other types of BCC. No significant difference in VEGF expression between infiltrative, metatypical, adenoid and nodular types was found, but the highest expression of VEGF was seen in the infiltrative and metatypical types. Significantly higher MVD was found in infiltrative, adenoid, metatypical and nodular types. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the angiogenic potential of BCC correlated with tumor histotype, and histological growth pattern BCC enable distinction of the patients with increased risk of recurrence and / or metastasis.

Cadmium effects on the thyroid gland.

Cadmium has been listed as one of the 126 priority pollutants and a category I carcinogen. Carcinogenic effects of cadmium on the lungs, testicles, and prostate are widely recognized, but there has been insufficient research on the effect of cadmium on the thyroid gland. Cadmium has the affinity to accumulate not only in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas but also in the thyroid gland. It has been established that cadmium blood concentration correlates positively with its accumulation in the thyroid gland. Women of fertile age have higher cadmium blood and urine concentrations than men. In spite of its redox inertia, cadmium brings about oxidative stress and damage to the tissue by indirect mechanisms. Mitochondria are considered to be the main intracellular targets for cadmium. Colloid cystic goiter, adenomatoid follicular hyperplasia with low-grade dysplasia and thyroglobulin hypo- and asecretion, and parafollicular cell diffuse and nodular hyperplasia and hypertrophy are often found in chronic cadmium toxicity.

Focal neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic gland carcinoma with basaloid pattern.

INTRODUCTION: Prostatic gland basal cell proliferations exhibit morphological continuum ranging from basal cell hyperplasia to basal cell carcinoma. In the following report, we described clinical features, morphological spectrum, neuroendocrine differentiation and histogenesis of prostatic gland basal cell carcinoma in our patient. CASE REPORT: Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Alcian blu-periodic acid schiff (AB-PAS) at pH 2.5 stained sections and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC), were performed on prostate gland paraffin-embedded tissue. Monoclonal antibodies directed against cytokeratin (34betaE12) which selectively stains basal cells, prostate specific antigen (PSA), chromogranine A, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin and CD56, were used. Basal cell proliferations exhibited a morphological continuum ranging from basal cell hyperplasia to prostatic gland carcinoma. In these prostatic lesions, positive reactivity was demonstrated for 34betaE12 and CD56. These findings indicate that the basaloid cells of basal cell hyperplasia, florid basal cell hyperplasia, atypical basal cell hyperplasia and basal cell carcinoma are derived from basal cells of the normal prostate gland suggesting a continuum in the progression of hyperplasia to benign and then malignant neoplasia. The presence of CD56 protein in the discovered lesions may be related to their neuroendocrine differentiation. CONCLUSION: The fact, that our patient was well six years after the radical prostatectomy supports the belief of some authors that basal cell carcinoma represents a low grade carcinoma with an excellent prognosis.

Cutaneous tuberculosis and squamous-cell carcinoma.

The incidence of all forms of cutaneous tuberculosis, including lupus vulgaris (the most common form) decreased progressively in developed countries during the twentieth century, this change being attributed to improved living standards and specific therapy. Despite the decrease in cutaneous tuberculosis, some cases are still found and correct diagnosis and management are fundamental, both for the patients and for public health. Long lasting, misdiagnosed or untreated cutaneous tuberculosis may lead to different forms of cancer. This case report involves a 74-year old male farmer with lupus vulgaris on his face. During anti-tuberculosis treatment he developed a tumor on his forehead, which was histologically confirmed as a squamous cell carcinoma.

Cutaneous tuberculosis and squamous-cell carcinoma / Tuberculose cutânea e carcinoma de células escamosas

The incidence of all forms of cutaneous tuberculosis, including lupus vulgaris (the most common form) decreased progressively in developed countries during the twentieth century, this change being attributed to improved living standards and specific therapy. Despite the decrease in cutaneous tuberculosis, some cases are still found and correct diagnosis and management are fundamental, both for the patients and for public health. Long lasting, misdiagnosed or untreated cutaneous tuberculosis may lead to different forms of cancer. This case report involves a 74-year old male farmer with lupus vulgaris on his face. During anti-tuberculosis treatment he developed a tumor on his forehead, which was histologically confirmed as a squamous cell carcinoma.

A incidência de todas as formas de tuberculose cutânea, incluindo o lúpus vulgar (a forma mais comum) diminuiu progressivamente nos países desenvolvidos durante o século XX e esta mudança foi atribuída a melhores condições de vida e uso de terapia específica. Apesar da diminuição da TBC cutânea, alguns casos ainda são detectados hoje em dia e o diagnóstico acurado e o tratamento apropriado são fundamentais para os doentes e a saúde pública. A TBC cutânea quando prolongada, diagnosticada erroneamente ou não tratada pode levar a diferentes neoplasias. Este é o relato de um caso de lúpus vulgar na pele do rosto de uma paciente do sexo masculino, agricultor, de 74 anos de idade. Durante a terapia antituberculosa ele desenvolveu um tumor na pele da testa, histologicamente confirmado como carcinoma de células escamosas.