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1.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 12(9)2024 Aug 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39339989

ABSTRACT

Intratumoural oncolytic virotherapy may have promise as a means to debulk and downstage inoperable tumours in preparation for successful surgery. Here, we describe the unique case of a 50-year-old self-experimenting female virologist with locally recurrent muscle-invasive breast cancer who was able to proceed to simple, non-invasive tumour resection after receiving multiple intratumoural injections of research-grade virus preparations, which first included an Edmonston-Zagreb measles vaccine strain (MeV) and then a vesicular stomatitis virus Indiana strain (VSV), both prepared in her own laboratory. The intratumoural virus therapy was well tolerated. Frequent imaging studies and regular clinical observations documenting size, consistency and mobility of the injected tumour demonstrate that both the MeV- and VSV-containing parts of the protocol contributed to the overall favourable response. Two months after the start of the virus injections, the shrunken tumour was no longer invading the skin or underlying muscle and was surgically excised. The excised tumour showed strong lymphocytic infiltration, with an increase in CD20-positive B cells, CD8-positive T cells and macrophages. PD-L1 expression was detected in contrast to the baseline PD-L1-negative phenotype. The patient completed one-year trastuzumab adjuvant therapy and remains well and recurrence-free 45 months post-surgery. Although an isolated case, it encourages consideration of oncolytic virotherapy as a neoadjuvant treatment modality.

2.
Glob Med Genet ; 11(3): 233-240, 2024 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39040623

ABSTRACT

Background Previous research on connection between the ABO blood group and bladder cancer has been based on determining the ABO phenotype. This specific research is extended to the molecular level, providing more information about particular ABO alleles. Aim To investigate the impact of the ABO blood group genotype or phenotype as a risk factor for urinary bladder cancer. Materials and Methods In the case-control study, we included 74 patients who underwent surgery for a urinary bladder tumor at the Urology Clinic, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, in 2021 and 2022. The control group comprised 142 asymptomatic and healthy blood donors. ABO genotyping to five basic alleles was done using a polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. We compared ABO phenotypes, genotypes, and alleles between patients and the healthy controls and investigated their distribution according to the clinical and histological stage and recurrence rate. Results No statistically significant difference was found among the groups, nor for the observed disease stages in terms of the phenotype and genotype. At the allele level, the results show a significantly lower proportion of malignancy in O1 ( p < 0.001), A1 ( p < 0.001), and B ( p = 0.013), and a lower proportion of metastatic disease in A2 (0%, p = 0.024). We also found significantly higher proportions of high-grade tumors in patients with O1 (71.4%, p < 0.001), A1 (70.1%, p = 0.019), of nonmuscle invasive tumors in patients with O1 (55.1%, p < 0.001), O2 (100%, p = 0.045), and recurrent tumors in patients with O1 (70.2%, p < 0.001) and A1 (74.2%, p = 0.007) alleles. Conclusion We did not find an association between the ABO blood group genotype or phenotype as a genetic risk factor for urinary bladder cancer. However, an analysis at the allelic level revealed a statistically significant association between certain alleles of the ABO blood group system and urinary bladder tumors, clinical or histological stage, and recurrence rate, respectively.

3.
Acta Clin Croat ; 62(Suppl2): 60-67, 2023 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38966035

ABSTRACT

The aim is to present our case series documenting indications, laparoscopic technique, surgical and endocrinologic outcomes of laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy. In the period from April 2011 until October 2021, we performed 39 procedures. The patients were divided into three groups: unilateral adrenal gland tumor with a normal contralateral gland (group 1), tumor of the solitary adrenal gland (group 2), and adrenal cysts (group 3). There were 20 patients in group 1, 6 patients in group 2, and 13 patients in group 3. The most common histology in group 1 was adenoma (40%), all tumors in group 2 were renal cell carcinoma metastases, and all cysts in group 3 were benign. There were no major complications (Clavien Dindo grade ≥2) in the whole cohort. All patients in groups 1 and 3 had favorable endocrinologic outcomes, and 50% of group 2 patients required lifelong hydrocortisone replacement therapy. The procedure is safe and feasible with favorable outcomes in the hands of a high volume adrenal surgeon.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms , Adrenalectomy , Cysts , Laparoscopy , Humans , Adrenalectomy/methods , Laparoscopy/methods , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Cysts/surgery , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/surgery , Aged , Adult , Adrenal Gland Diseases/surgery , Treatment Outcome , Organ Sparing Treatments/methods
4.
Acta Clin Croat ; 61(2): 359-363, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36818916

ABSTRACT

Scrotal thermography is a diagnostic method for varicocele. In short, there are five diagnostic thermographic criteria for varicocele, i.e., pattern of scrotal thermographic image indicative of varicocele, temperature at pampiniform plexus ≥34 C°, temperature difference between left and right pampiniform plexus ≥0.5 C°, enhancement of image during Valsalva maneuver, and temperature at pampiniform plexus ≥ temperature at ipsilateral thigh. Three or more positive signs are indicative of varicocele. The aim of this report is to present the use of digital thermography as a diagnostic method to evaluate the outcome of varicocele repair. We present a case of a student diagnosed with varicocele grade III, and assessed preoperatively and followed up postoperatively by scrotal thermography. According to thermographic indicators, our patient was positive for varicocele diagnosis before surgical treatment. Three months after varicocele repair, the patient did not show positive thermographic indicators of varicocele while physical examination and color Doppler ultrasound were equivocal. This case report suggests that infrared digital thermography of scrotum could be very valuable for monitoring patients in the period after surgery for varicocele, however, it should be confirmed in a larger number of patients.


Subject(s)
Scrotum , Varicocele , Male , Humans , Varicocele/diagnosis , Varicocele/surgery , Thermography/methods , Physical Examination , Treatment Outcome
5.
J Transl Med ; 18(1): 478, 2020 12 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33308241

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mammary carcinogenesis is partly regulated by the transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) signaling pathway. Its function in cancer progression and metastasis is highly dependent on disease stage, and it is likely modulated by the ratio of membrane-bound vs. soluble TGFßrIII (sTGFßrIII). In this prospective observational study, we assessed tissue expression and plasma levels of sTGFßrIII in healthy women, women with benign breast lesions and in early-stage breast cancer patients. METHODS: In a preliminary study, plasma sTGFßrIII levels were determined in 13 healthy women (age 19-40 years) at different phases of the ovarian cycle, and in 15 patients (age 35-75 years) at different times of the day. The main study assessed plasma concentrations of sTGFßrIII in: (i) 158 healthy women in whom breast lesions were excluded; (ii) 65 women with benign breast lesions; (iii) 147 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer classified as American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stages 0 to IIB. Completers provided blood samples before surgery and at 10-30 and 160-180 days after surgery. Plasma sTGFßrIII concentrations were determined using an indirect ELISA kit. Part of the removed tissues underwent immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and analysis of tissue TGFßrIII expression. RESULTS: There appeared no relevant variations in plasma sTGFßrIII levels at different times of the day or different ovarian cycle phases. Before surgery, breast cancer patients had somewhat higher sTGFßrIII than healthy women, or those with benign breast lesions (by 14.5 and 26 ng/mL, respectively), with a tendency of larger differences at higher age. This correlated with lower expression of TGFßrIII in breast cancer vs. healthy tissue samples. At 160-180 days after surgery, plasma sTGFßrIII levels in breast cancer patients declined by 23-26 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma sTGFßrIII levels do not seem to relevantly vary during the day or the ovarian cycle. The coinciding higher plasma levels in newly diagnosed cancer patients than in healthy subjects and lower TGFßrIII expression in the malignant than in healthy breast tissue suggest ectodomain shedding as a source of circulating sTGFßrIII. Decline in plasma levels after tumor removal supports such a view.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Adult , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Prospective Studies , Young Adult
7.
J Clin Monit Comput ; 34(2): 311-318, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31062131

ABSTRACT

To determine the effect of various PEEP levels on electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measured differences in regional ventilation, hemodynamics, lung mechanics and parameters of alveolar gas exchange. Thirty three patients scheduled for elective urologic surgery in general anesthesia in lateral decubitus position were randomized into three groups-PEEP 0, 5 and 10 mbar. EIT recording, arterial blood gas analysis and hemodynamic parameters were captured at three timepoints-before induction (T0), 5 min after lateral positioning (T1) and 90 min after positioning (T2). Dynamic compliance (Cdyn) was measured at T1 and T2. Offline EIT data analysis was performed to calculate EIT derived parameters of ventilation distribution. Patients ventilated with PEEP of 10 mbar had a significantly lower A-a (alveolo arterial) gradient over measurements and symmetrical distribution of ventilation measured by EIT. There was no significant difference in Cdyn, center of ventilation indices and inhomogeneity index between groups. There was no difference of mean arterial pressure, cardiac index and heart rate between groups. Patients with 5 mbar of PEEP had higher stroke volume index compared to 0 and 10 mbar at baseline and over measurements. Nondependent/dependent TV ratio as well as global inhomogeneity index were correlated with A-a gradient. Dynamic compliance showed no correlation to A-a gradient. In our study, a PEEP level of 10 mbar improved alveolar gas exchange without compromising hemodynamic stability in patients mechanically ventilated in the lateral decubitus position. EIT measured parameters may be used to determine optimal ventilation parameters in these patients with inhomogeneous lung mechanics. Further studies are needed in patients with various lung pathologies.


Subject(s)
Electric Impedance , Positive-Pressure Respiration , Tomography/methods , Adult , Aged , Anesthesia, General , Female , Hemodynamic Monitoring , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Intraoperative , Patient Positioning , Prospective Studies , Pulmonary Gas Exchange , Respiratory Mechanics , Single-Blind Method
8.
Sci Rep ; 9(1): 12470, 2019 08 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31462745

ABSTRACT

Unlike other tumours, TP53 is rarely mutated in melanoma; however, it fails to function as a tumour suppressor. We assume that its functions might be altered through interactions with several families of proteins, including p53/p73, NME and GLI. To elucidate the potential interplay among these families we analysed the expression profiles of aforementioned genes and proteins in a panel of melanoma cell lines, metastatic melanoma specimens and healthy corresponding tissue. Using qPCR a higher level of NME1 gene expression and lower levels of Δ40p53ß, ΔNp73, GLI1, GLI2 and PTCH1 were observed in tumour samples compared to healthy tissue. Protein expression of Δ133p53α, Δ160p53α and ΔNp73α isoforms, NME1 and NME2, and N'ΔGLI1, GLI1FL, GLI2ΔN isoforms was elevated in tumour tissue, whereas ∆Np73ß was downregulated. The results in melanoma cell lines, in general, support these findings. In addition, we correlated expression profiles with clinical features and outcome. Higher Δ133p53ß and p53α mRNA and both GLI1 mRNA and GLI3R protein expression had a negative impact on the overall survival. Shorter overall survival was also connected with lower p53ß and NME1 gene expression levels. In conclusion, all examined genes may have implications in melanoma development and functional inactivity of TP53.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Melanoma/metabolism , Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase/biosynthesis , Tumor Protein p73/biosynthesis , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/biosynthesis , Cell Line, Tumor , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Male , Melanoma/genetics , Melanoma/mortality , Melanoma/pathology , Neoplasm Metastasis , Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase/genetics , Survival Rate , Tumor Protein p73/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
9.
Acta Clin Croat ; 58(1): 107-112, 2019 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31363332

ABSTRACT

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is usually associated with premature infants; however, it has been estimated to occur in up to 5% of infants born at term and may be associated with different prenatal, perinatal and postnatal risk factors. The present retrospective study included toddlers aged 13-24 months, born at term (≥36 weeks), referred to the Department of Rheumatology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Zagreb, Croatia, because they had at least two risk factors for neurodevelopmental delay. A total of 63 patients without hemorrhage were control subjects, while 103 case patients were children with IVH. The ordinal logistic regression revealed that neurodevelopmental outcome in term infants was associated with IVH grade (p<0.05). Although more boys than girls suffered from severe IVH (grades III and IV), there were no statistically significant gender differences in the distribution of IVH or in neurodevelopmental outcomes (p>0.05).


Subject(s)
Infant, Premature/growth & development , Intracranial Hemorrhages/complications , Neurodevelopmental Disorders/diagnosis , Child, Preschool , Croatia , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant , Infant, Premature, Diseases/physiopathology , Male , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex Factors
10.
Int J Surg Case Rep ; 20: 84-6, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26826932

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are present in 1-2% of newborn infants. The size of CMN defines the risk of developing melanoma which is estimated from 5-10%, especially in lesions that are located across the spine. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Herein we report a case where nodular melanoma was discovered on the periphery of medium sized CMN in a high risk patient. After complete excision, the defect was reconstructed with random pattern, triple rhomboid flap. DISCUSSION: Melanoma that arose within medium sized CMN would leave a complex posterior lower trunk defect. We used a triple Limberg flap which was proven to be straightforward and simple method when large defects are to be covered with vital tissue. We have also showed that this type of reconstruction is suitable for high risk patients that could not withstand any complex procedures. CONCLUSION: In our case, the method we choose to reconstruct the defect proved to be simple, safe and easy, especially when surgery is performed in a high risk patient.

11.
Acta Clin Croat ; 55(3): 501-504, 2016 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29046017

ABSTRACT

Occurrence of bilateral pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema during gynecologic laparoscopic procedure is very rare. We report a case of a 23-year-old woman who developed bilateral pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Carbon dioxide extravasations outside the peritoneal cavity during laparoscopy may have fatal consequences. Careful monitoring, immediate diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial for patient safety.


Subject(s)
Laparoscopy/adverse effects , Ovarian Cysts/surgery , Pneumothorax/diagnostic imaging , Subcutaneous Emphysema/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Pneumothorax/etiology , Pneumothorax/therapy , Subcutaneous Emphysema/etiology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Young Adult
12.
Acta Med Croatica ; 66(4): 315-20, 2012 Oct.
Article in Croatian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23814975

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to analyze the TNM classification factors of invasive breast cancer that can be affected by the national program for early detection of breast cancer in the Republic of Croatia. The other analyzed factors related to histology and immunohistochemistry have no such impact as they are related to biological behavior and aggressiveness of malignant breast tumors, thus providing useful predictive and prognostic information. The study was performed at Department of Oncologic Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, and included 75 patients surgically treated for invasive breast cancer during the period of one month in 2011, mean age 64 +/- 11.36 (range 36-86) years. Most of the patients (68%) with malignant breast disease were diagnosed in a localized stage, which is consistent with the reports from developed European countries. The size of the newly discovered tumors showed continuation of a trend of detecting tumors of ever less size and a lower percentage of pT3 pT4 tumors. This result proved superior to those reported from many European countries. The results of correlation analysis, tumor size, estrogen and progesterone receptor, HER-2 protein, Ki-67, and histologic tumor grade, tumor size did not show significant correlation with any of these parameters. Concordant expression of phenotype (ER+, PR+) receptor pairs and negative HER-2 was recorded in most study patients. The second most frequent group had tumors with so-called 'triple-negative' immunohistochemistry negative phenotype (ER-, PR-, HER-2). In conclusion, the program of early detection of breast cancer in the Republic of Croatia and at the University Hospital for Tumors justifies its existence for revealing malignant breast tumors at an earlier stage of the disease considering the size local stage of newly diagnosed tumors.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Breast Neoplasms/chemistry , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Middle Aged , Prognosis
13.
Coll Antropol ; 35 Suppl 1: 339-43, 2011 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21648358

ABSTRACT

Primary malignant schwannoma of the small and large intestine is an extremely rare disease. Therefore, we are going to report an aggressive multifocal malignant intestinal schwannoma in a 66-year old female patient, that was primarily diagnosed as the gynecological tumor that, even after the surgical treatment, had a very quickly recurrence. Small intestine tumors may show images similar to an adnexal tumor, so it is difficult to differentiate one from another prior to the surgery. The patient did not suffer from neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), disease that increases occurrence of malignant schwannoma in comparison with general population. These tumors are often diagnosed late, and radical surgical intervention does not guarantee longer survival. After surgical removal of macroscopically visible tumor masses from this patient, tumor formation within one month after the operation had reached the sizes of 83x66 mm and 85x75 mm respectively, with the occurrence of metastases in the liver, and thereafter the patient died. In differential diagnosis of adnexal tumor small intestine tumor has to be considered, especially if nonspecific symptoms are present.


Subject(s)
Genital Neoplasms, Female/diagnosis , Intestinal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Intestinal Neoplasms/pathology , Intestinal Neoplasms/surgery , Intestine, Small/pathology , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Neurilemmoma/diagnosis , Neurilemmoma/pathology , Neurilemmoma/surgery
14.
Hum Exp Toxicol ; 26(5): 391-9, 2007 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17623763

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous and chemotherapy-induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCES) and lymphocyte proliferation rate index (PRI) in cultured peripheral lymphocytes were evaluated in 30 patients with diagnosed breast cancer before and after adjuvant chemotherapy and in 30 healthy women with no known familial history of breast cancer. Before chemotherapy, the breast cancer patients had a significantly increased background level of SCE, and lowered PRI as compared with the healthy women. Marked inter-individual variations were observed in both endpoints among the patients. Significantly elevated frequency of SCE and depressed PRI were recorded in blood samples collected after the first cycle of chemotherapy, with high inter-individual variations in the responses to the chemotherapy. FAC (5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide) protocol was the most genotoxic of the protocols studied, but also AC (adriamycin, cyclophosphamide) and CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) clearly increased SCE. All protocols significantly retarded lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. Our findings indicate that both SCE and PRI may serve as sensitive biomarkers for the routine detection of critical lesions produced by the administration of antineoplastic drugs in the clinical setting, as well as for possible screening of high-risk individuals among patients who have successfully completed chemotherapy.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cytogenetic Analysis , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Sister Chromatid Exchange/drug effects , Adult , Breast Neoplasms/blood , Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Cells, Cultured , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant/adverse effects , Drug Monitoring/methods , Female , Humans , Kinetics , Lymph Node Excision , Mastectomy , Middle Aged , Treatment Outcome
15.
Acta Med Croatica ; 57(4): 315-7, 2003.
Article in Croatian | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14639868

ABSTRACT

A 62-year old patient was treated at our hospital for a palpable change in the upper part of the left breast. The clinical finding was preoperatively confirmed by radiologic, ultrasound and cytology studies, however, the potential biologic process (malignant/benign) was not thus verified. Considering undefined diagnostic nature of the process, biopsy, pathohistology and immunoanalysis were performed to indicate leiomyosarcoma mammae. The incision interspace at certain sites was less than two centimeters, indicating radical breast excision in toto (ablation with evacuation of the contents of the axilla). At the time of scheduled surgery, the patient sustained cardiologic discomfort, so tumorectomy was supplemented by locoregional radiotherapy. Leiomyosarcoma of the breast is a very rare primary malignant breast tumor, with only 14 cases reported in the literature. Considering the rare occurrence of leiomyosarcoma of the breast, in radical surgery we used attitudes like in other breast tumors and leiomyosarcoma of other localizations.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Leiomyosarcoma , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Female , Humans , Leiomyosarcoma/diagnosis , Leiomyosarcoma/therapy , Middle Aged
16.
Clin Cancer Res ; 9(3): 1070-6, 2003 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12631609

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose is to identify biological markers that predict brain metastasis and treatment outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Samples were obtained from the primary tumors, lymph nodes, and brain metastases of 29 patients with NSCLC who had undergone resection of both the pulmonary tumors and the brain lesions. Samples from 29 patients matched for age, sex, and histology whose pulmonary tumors were resected served as controls. Samples were stained with H&E as well as immunohistochemical stains for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and BAX. Comparisons were made between patients with and without brain metastasis. Independent investigators determined the percentage of positive cells. RESULTS: There was positive correlation in expression of all three biomarkers between primary lung tumors and lymph node metastases. Significantly higher levels of EGFR were found in lymph node metastases in the control group (P = 0.0147). COX-2 expression in brain lesions correlated with expression in primary tumors (P = 0.023). BAX levels were lower in poorly differentiated tumors in lymph node metastases in the control group (P = 0.01) and in brain metastases (P = 0.045). Low EGFR expression and high COX-2 expression in lymph node metastasis were associated with poorer treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of EGFR, COX-2, and BAX in primary lung tumors did not differ between patients with brain metastases from NSCLC and those without brain metastases. These three biomarkers cannot be used to predict brain metastasis. Studies of other biomarkers are under way in an effort to predict brain metastasis among patients with NSCLC.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/secondary , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/enzymology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , ErbB Receptors/biosynthesis , Isoenzymes/biosynthesis , Lung Neoplasms/enzymology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases/biosynthesis , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 , Proto-Oncogene Proteins/biosynthesis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers, Tumor , Cyclooxygenase 2 , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Lymphatic Metastasis , Male , Membrane Proteins , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Metastasis , Proportional Hazards Models , bcl-2-Associated X Protein
17.
Tumori ; 88(4): 300-12, 2002.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12400982

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the individual sensitivity of cancer patients to different antineoplastic drugs administered in standard protocols by assessing their acute cytogenetic effects on peripheral blood lymphocytes. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In 12 patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy, acute cytogenetic effects on peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated by analysis of structural chromosome aberrations and micronuclei. All patients were given antineoplastic drugs, mainly as polychemotherapy. The frequencies of both cytogenetic biomarkers determined after the first chemotherapy cycle were compared with their pre-treatment (baseline) values. RESULTS: All chemotherapy protocols employed induced clear cytogenetic effects in both tests studied. The results obtained indicate interindividual variations between cytogenetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes among cancer patients. Statistically significant increases in the total number of structural chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in lymphocytes analyzed after chemotherapy compared to pre-therapy samples were observed in almost all patients studied. The highest level of chromosome damage as well as the highest incidence of micronuclei was observed following administration of the ACOP protocol (adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and vincristine). The proportions of signal-positive and signal-negative micronuclei were evaluated using DAPI staining, while silver staining revealed Ag-NOR+ and Ag-NOR- micronuclei. In some patients the incidence of signal-positive and Ag-NOR+ micronuclei after treatment was increased, indicating a more pronounced susceptibility of particular chromosomes to damage caused by antineoplastic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: With regard to the results obtained we may conclude that both parameters used in the present study on peripheral lymphocytes are sensitive biomarkers and can be successfully employed for biomonitoring of acute cytogenetic effects induced by antineoplastic drugs in standard clinical protocols for cancer treatment.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Chromosome Aberrations , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Azure Stains , Biomarkers , Female , Humans , Indoles , Lymphocytes/ultrastructure , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/genetics , Silver Staining/methods , Staining and Labeling/methods
18.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys ; 53(5): 1216-24, 2002 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12128123

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to determine whether immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67, p53, and bcl-2 in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer is associated with a higher rate of brain metastases and whether the intrapatient expression of these biomarkers (in the primary tumors vs. brain lesions) is similar. METHODS AND MATERIALS: At the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, tumors from 29 case patients with primary lung tumor and brain metastasis and 29 control patients with primary lung tumor but no brain metastasis were resected and examined for immunohistochemical expression. Ki-67, p53, and bcl-2 were analyzed in resected primary lung, lymph node, and metastatic brain tumors. Each control patient was matched by age, gender, and histology to a patient with brain metastasis. RESULTS: No significant differences in patient survival characteristics were detected between the case group and control group. Also, difference in patient outcome between the two groups was not generally predicted by biomarker analysis. However, when the groups were combined, the biomarker analysis was predictive for certain patient outcome end points. Using median values as cutoff points between low and high expression of biomarkers, it was observed that high expression of Ki-67 (>40%) in lung primaries was associated with poorer disease-free survival (p = 0.04), whereas low expression of p53 in lung primaries was associated with poorer overall survival (p = 0.04), and these patients had a higher rate of nonbrain distant metastases (p = 0.02). The patients with brain metastases were particularly prone to developing nonbrain distant metastases if the percentage of p53-positive cells in brain metastases was low (p = 0.01). There was a positive correlation in the expression of Ki-67 (p = 0.02)(r(2) = 0.1608), as well as p53 (p < 0.001) (r(2) = 0.7380), between lung primaries and brain metastases. Compared to Ki-67 and p53, bcl-2 was the least predictive. CONCLUSION: Differences in biomarker expression between the case and control groups did not serve as significant predictors of brain metastasis or patient survival. There was a strong correlation between lung primary biomarker expression and brain metastasis expression for Ki-67 and p53. Univariate analysis showed that low p53 and high Ki-67 expression predicted poor prognosis. This study shows that there may be a strong correlation between biomarker expression in non-small-cell lung cancer primary tumors and their brain metastases.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/metabolism , Ki-67 Antigen/biosynthesis , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/biosynthesis , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/biosynthesis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brain/pathology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnosis , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Metastasis , Prognosis
19.
Teratog Carcinog Mutagen ; 22(1): 13-30, 2002.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11754384

ABSTRACT

The alkaline comet assay was employed to assess the pre- and post-treatment levels of in vivo DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of cancer patients. During the study all patients were given antineoplastic drugs, mainly as polychemotherapy. To quantify the DNA damage, two different comet parameters were evaluated: the tail length and the tail moment. Our results indicate marked interindividual variations between baseline DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes recorded among cancer patients prior to the chemotherapy. After intravenous administration of various antineoplastic drugs, a significantly increased level of DNA damage in all cancer patients compared to their pre-treatment values was recorded The highest level of DNA damage was seen following administration of 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, and cisplatin (FAP protocol). The results indicate that administration of antineoplastic drugs in standard protocols is accompanied by significant DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes. In order to diminish the potential risks of developing second neoplasms, a continuous biomonitoring of cancer patients after the ending of chemotherapy becomes important. Despite their limitations, present results confirm the usefulness of the alkaline comet assay as a sensitive biomarker of exposure that enables rapid and simple detection of primary DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of cancer patients. Together with standard cytogenetic endpoints, the comet assay provides a powerful technique for the routine detection of critical DNA lesions produced after administration of antineoplastic drugs in the clinical settings.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology , Comet Assay/methods , DNA Damage/drug effects , DNA, Neoplasm/drug effects , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Adult , DNA Repair , Female , Humans , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neoplasms/genetics
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