Clinicopathological features and prognostic significance of CTNNB1 mutation in low-grade, early-stage endometrial endometrioid carcinoma.

Low-grade and early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) have an overall good prognosis but biomarkers identifying patients at risk of relapse are still lacking. Recently, CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation has been identified as a potential risk factor of recurrence in these patients. We evaluate the prognostic value of CTNNB1 mutation in a single-centre cohort of 218 low-grade, early-stage EECs, and the correlation with beta-catenin and LEF1 immunohistochemistry as candidate surrogate markers. CTNNB1 exon 3 hotspot mutations were evaluated by Sanger sequencing. Immunohistochemical staining of mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6), p53, beta-catenin, and LEF1 was performed in representative tissue microarrays. Tumours were also reviewed for mucinous and squamous differentiation, and MELF pattern. Nineteen (8.7%) tumours harboured a mutation in CTNNB1 exon 3. Nuclear beta-catenin and LEF1 were significantly associated with CTNNB1 mutation, showing nuclear beta-catenin a better specificity and positive predictive value for CTNNB1 mutation. Tumours with CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation were associated with reduced disease-free survival (p = 0.010), but no impact on overall survival was found (p = 0.807). The risk of relapse in tumours with CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation was independent of FIGO stage, tumour grade, mismatch repair protein expression, or the presence of lymphovascular space invasion. CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation has a negative impact on disease-free survival in low-grade, early-stage EECs. Nuclear beta-catenin shows a higher positive predictive value than LEF1 for CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation in these tumours.

A limited panel of INSM1 and LEF1 immunostains accurately distinguishes between pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) and well differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) can show significant cytomorphological overlap. In this study, we evaluated the role of INSM1 and LEF1 immunohistochemical stains in distinguishing between these two tumors. 22 SPN and 25 PNET surgically resected cases were stained for both INSM1 and LEF1. All the 22 cases of SPN showed strong and diffuse nuclear staining for LEF1 (in >95 % of tumor cells), while all 25 PNET were negative for LEF1. All 25 PNET cases were positive for INSM1 (moderate to strong intensity nuclear staining in >50 % of the tumor cells), while all 22 cases of SPN were negative for INSM1. The results of our study show that a limited panel comprising of INSM1 and LEF1 immunostains accurately distinguishes between SPN and PNET.

[Diagnostic Utility of LEF1 Immunostain in Cytology Specimens of Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of Pancreas].

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm. Diagnosis of SPN requires an integrated approach with aid of radiology, biopsy, cytology, and immunohistochemical stains. Although morphological features in combination with nuclear positivity of ß-catenin IHC have been the gold standard of SPN diagnosis, but overlapping morphology and immunohistochemical findings with other entities in differential diagnoses such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma make the diagnosis of SPN difficult particularly in limited cytology specimens. Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1), a key player in the Wnt signaling pathway, has shown promising diagnostic utility in SPN in recent literatures. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of LEF1 IHC in SPN in cytology specimens. LEF1 IHC was performed and compared with ß-catenin, synaptophysin, and chromogranin immunostains in 13 SPN and 23 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) cytology cases with retrievable cell blocks. RESULTS: LEF1 was positive in 13 of 13 (100%) SPNs and was negative in all PanNETs (0%). CONCLUSION: LEF1 shows 100% sensitivity and specificity in cytology specimens for SPN and can be valuable immuno-stain in the diagnosis of SPN in cytology cell blocks.

Striking Association of Lymphoid Enhancing Factor (LEF1) Overexpression and DUSP22 Rearrangements in Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) are broadly classified into ALK-positive and ALK-negative. ALK-negative ALCL is composed of DUSP22-rearranged, TP63-rearranged, and triple-negative cases. While lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (LEF1) plays a crucial role in T-cell maturation, limited data exist on its expression in T-cell lymphomas, including ALCL. We characterized the expression of LEF1 in ALCL by immunohistochemistry. LEF1 nuclear expression in the neoplastic cells was graded as negative (0), weak (1+), intermediate (2+), or strong (3+), with the percentage of LEF1-positive neoplastic cells recorded. A total of 45 ALCL cases were evaluated, of which 16 were DUSP22-rearranged. About 93.8% (15/16) DUSP22-rearranged cases showed strong expression of LEF1 in >75% tumor cells, compared with 3.4% (1/29) non-DUSP22-rearranged ALCL (P<0.0001). The striking association of LEF1 protein overexpression with DUPS22 rearrangement in ALCL was further confirmed by a gene expression profiling study which revealed significantly higher LEF1 expression in DUSP22-rearranged ALCL compared with other ALCL subtypes (P=0.0001). Although LEF1 is a nuclear mediator of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, CTNNB1 RNA and protein levels were not overexpressed in LEF1-positive cases, suggesting the LEF1 overexpression in ALCL may not be involved in the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. The strong and uniform LEF1 expression pattern has a high positive predictive value (93.8%) and high negative predictive value (96%) for DUSP22 rearrangement in ALK-negative ALCL. The combination of characteristic morphologic and molecular features of DUSP22-rearranged cases with the high LEF1 expression further emphasizes that DUSP22-rearranged ALCL represents a distinct clinicopathologic subset of ALCL.

Downregulation of Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1) expression (by immunohistochemistry and/ flow cytometry) in chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia with atypical immunophenotypic and cytologic features.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1) overexpression has been recently remarkably reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and has shown utility in distinguishing CLL/SLL from other B-cell lymphomas. CLL has a well-defined immunophenotype, yet, some cases of CLL demonstrate atypical morphology/ phenotype reflected by low Matutes score (atypical CLL). Till date, LEF1 expression has not been systematically studied in cases of CLL with atypical features. METHODS: In this study, LEF-1 expression was assessed by two different techniques, (immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry), to investigate the expression profile of LEF-1 in cases of CLL/SLL, in comparison with other low-grade B-lymphomas and CLL with atypical features, including atypical immunophenotype and CLL with increased prolymphocytes or morphologically atypical cells. RESULTS: We found that LEF-1 expression is downregulated in CLL with atypical immunophenotype/features compared to classic CLL; Chi-Square P < .0001. The ratio for LEF-1 expression in malignant B-cells/NK (by flow cytometry) in CLL/SLL with classic immunophenotype was higher than atypical CLL and is significantly higher in other small B-cell lymphomas (P < .01). Absence of LEF-1 expression in CLL/SLL is correlated (P < .05) with downregulation of CD5, CD23, CD200, expression of FMC7, brighter expression of CD79b, brighter expression of surface light chain, increased prolymphocytes and lower Matutes score. CONCLUSION: As downregulation of LEF-1 expression is well correlated with atypical CLL, we suggest adding LEF-1 to Matutes score as a beneficial marker to differentiate classic from atypical CLL LEF-1 could also serve as a potential prognostic indicator for CLL clinical course.

Role of the Wnt signaling pathway in keratoacanthoma.

BACKGROUND: Keratoacanthoma (KA) has a unique life cycle of rapid growth and spontaneous regression that shows similarities to the hair follicle cycle, which involves an active Wnt signaling during physiological regeneration. We analyzed the expression of the Wnt signaling proteins ß-catenin, Lef1, Sox9, and Cyclin D1 in young and old human KAs to investigate a possible role for Wnt signaling in KAs. AIM: To investigate the role of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in human KAs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 67 KAs were analyzed for protein expression using immunohistochemistry. The majority of KAs were positive for Sox9 and Cyclin D1 but not for nuclear-localized ß-catenin or Lef-1. No significant differences in protein expressions were seen between young and old KAs. However, we found a significant association between Ki67 and Cyclin D1 proteins (P= .008). CONCLUSIONS: The Wnt signaling pathway does not appear to play a significant role in the biogenesis of human KA. Sox9 overexpression may be indicative of inhibition of Wnt signaling. Sox-9 and Cyclin D1 are proliferation markers that are most likely transactivated by alternate signaling pathways.

Diagnostic Utility of LEF1 Immunohistochemistry in Differentiating Deep Penetrating Nevi From Histologic Mimics.

Deep penetrating nevi (DPNs) are intermediate grade lesions which have the capacity to recur, metastasize, or progress to melanoma. Differentiating DPN from other melanocytic lesions including blue and cellular blue nevi can be diagnostically challenging, and markers to distinguish these entities can be useful. Mutations of the ß-catenin and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways have recently been elucidated as distinctive of DPN. This pathway can subsequently activate lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1), a transcription factor shown to facilitate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition to propagate tumorigenesis. Seventy-two cases in total were examined on hematoxylin and eosin sections and with ß-catenin and LEF1 immunohistochemistry. This included: DPN (14), cellular blue nevi (19), blue nevi (15), congenital melanocytic nevi (12), and melanoma (12). Nuclear expression of LEF1, present throughout the entire depth of the lesion, was noted in 13/14 (93%) of DPN, 0/19 (0%) of cellular blue nevi, 0/15 (0%) of blue nevi, 1/12 (8%) of congenital melanocytic nevi, and 9/12 (75%) of melanoma cases. Nuclear expression of ß-catenin, present throughout the entire depth of the lesion, was noted in 14/14 (100%) of DPN, 0/18 (0%) of cellular blue nevi, 0/15 (0%) of blue nevi, 1/12 (8%) of congenital melanocytic nevi, and 1/12 (8%) of melanoma cases. A majority of congenital melanocytic nevi demonstrated a gradient of LEF1 and ß-catenin expression with more intense staining superficially and loss of staining with increasing depth. Deep, uniform nuclear LEF1 combined with ß-catenin immunohistochemical staining can be useful in distinguishing DPN from histologic mimics.

The usefulness of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 and androgen receptor in diagnosing solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas on cytopathology.

BACKGROUND: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is an uncommon tumor that is challenging to diagnose on cytology due to morphologic overlap with other pancreatic neoplasms. Recently, putative diagnostic markers for SPN have been reported in the surgical pathology literature, with nuclear positivity for lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) and androgen receptor (AR) identified in >90% and >80% of cases, respectively. In the current study, the authors sought to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of LEF1 and AR on SPN cytology specimens and available corresponding surgical resection specimens. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies against LEF1 and AR on 19 SPN cytology cases and 15 corresponding follow-up surgical resection specimens from 2 institutions. To evaluate specificity, the authors stained 23 non-SPN tumors diagnosed on cytology with corresponding surgical specimens (4 acinar cell carcinomas, 9 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and 10 ductal adenocarcinomas). Positivity for LEF1 and AR was defined as any nuclear staining within neoplastic nuclei. RESULTS: LEF1 was found to be positive in 18 of 19 cytology cases (94.7%) and 15 of 15 corresponding surgical resection specimens (100%). AR was positive in 4 of 16 cytology cases (25.0%) and 4 of 15 corresponding surgical resection specimens (26.7%). Among non-SPN tumors, LEF1 demonstrated a specificity of 87% whereas the specificity for AR was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: LEF1 for SPN on cytology material was found to demonstrate a sensitivity of 94.7% and a specificity of 87%. Although AR was found to have a specificity of 100%, its sensitivity was lower (25%). LEF1 could be a valuable immunostain on cytology cell block material for the diagnosis of SPN. However, the same may not hold true for AR.

Expression of LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) proteins associates with clinical progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

AIMS: Our previous study has demonstrated that ß-catenin pathway was abnormally activated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The purposes of the present study are to investigate whether the alterations of LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) proteins, the important components of the canonical Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, are associated with clinicopathological features and prognostic implications. METHODS: We collected 391 cases of NPC, 53 non-cancerous control nasopharyngeal mucosa and 28 pairs of NPC and their matched metastases, detected expression of LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) proteins in these tissues by immunohistochemistry.  RESULTS: Results showed that there were significantly increased expression of both LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) proteins and coexpression of LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) in NPC than these in non-cancerous nasopharyngeal mucosa (all p<0.001), as well as LEF1 and coexpression of LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) in matched metastasis NPCs than these in the primary NPCs (p=0.003 and p=0.014, respectively). In addition, expression of LEF1 and the coexpression of LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) proteins were positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.001 and p=0.020, respectively), advanced clinical stage (p<0.003 and p=0.027, respectively) and poor survival status of patients with NPC (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis identified that the positive expression of LEF1 was the independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival of patients with NPC (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of LEF1 associated positively with TCF1 (TCF7) and clinical progression of NPC, and positive expression of LEF1 protein may act as valuable independent biomarker to predict poor prognosis for patients with NPC.

Consistent LEF-1 and MYB Immunohistochemical Expression in Human Papillomavirus-Related Multiphenotypic Sinonasal Carcinoma: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (HMSC) is a distinct, newly-described sinonasal tract neoplasm characterized by a salivary gland tumor-like appearance with myoepithelial and ductal cells, frequent surface squamous dysplasia, and relatively indolent behavior. When considering a diagnosis of HMSC, aggressive high-grade salivary gland carcinomas, particularly those with a basaloid morphology such as basal cell adenocarcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma, enter the differential diagnosis. The full morphologic and immunophenotypic profile of HMSC continues to be unraveled. In this series of ten cases, we demonstrate that this tumor has consistent, strong immunohistochemical expression of LEF-1 yet lacks nuclear expression of ß-catenin, and also has consistent yet variable expression of MYB protein. While LEF-1 expression may be a useful diagnostic adjunct, it can also be a pitfall, as other salivary tumors such as basal cell adenocarcinoma have been previously shown to express LEF-1. Additionally, MYB protein expression is not a discriminatory marker when trying to separate HMSC from adenoid cystic carcinoma.

ß-catenin (CTNNB1) mutation and LEF1 expression in sinonasal glomangiopericytoma (sinonasal-type hemangiopericytoma).

Sinonasal glomangiopericytoma (SN-GPC) is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor with myoid differentiation. Recently, mutations in exon 3 of the gene coding for ß-catenin (CTNNB1) and its nuclear expression were discovered in SN-GPC. ß-catenin protein is a key regulatory molecule of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. The expression of ß-catenin target proteins is not well characterized in SN-GPC. We examined three SN-GPCs by immunohistochemistry and CTNNB1 mutation analysis. All cases expressed nuclear ß-catenin. We identified CTNNB1 exon 3 mutations in two analyzable cases. Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1), a protein downstream from ß-catenin, was also expressed in all cases. Our results further characterized the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway caused by CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation and suggest the utility of LEF1 immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of SN-GPC.

CDX2 and LEF-1 expression in pilomatrical tumors and their utility in the diagnosis of pilomatrical carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The Wnt signaling pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pilomatrical tumors. Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF-1) is a downstream component of this pathway, and Caudal-related homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) has been postulated to regulate it, but little is known about expression of these transcription factors in pilomatrical tumors. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for CDX2, ß-catenin, LEF-1, CK19, CK5, Special AT-rich sequence- binding protein 2 (SATB2), cadherin 17 and androgen receptor was performed on pilomatricomas (PMs) (N = 12), pilomatrical carcinomas (PMCAs) (N = 12) and non-pilomatrical cutaneous tumors (N = 18). RESULTS: PMs and PMCAs were positive for CDX2 (9/12 PMs, sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 100%; 11/12 PMCAs, sensitivity = 92%, specificity = 100%; P < 0.01), ß-catenin (12/12 PMs, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 94%; 10/12 PMCAs, sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 94%; P < 0.01) and LEF-1 (12/12 PMs, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 56%; 12/12 PMCAs, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 56%; P < 0.01). CDX2 expression was commonly focal, within a discrete subpopulation of squamoid cells. The LEF-1 expression pattern was different and discernable between pilomatrical tumors (strong, diffuse) and non-pilomatrical tumors (weak, patchy). CONCLUSION: This study reaffirms the importance of the Wnt signaling pathway in the tumorigenesis of pilomatrical tumors, and this introduces CDX2 as a possible regulator and marker of pilomatrical tumorigenesis. LEF-1 and CDX2 performed at least as well as ß-catenin, if not better when taking into account expression pattern, as a diagnostic marker for PMCA, and should be considered in the workup of ambiguous primitive-appearing cutaneous tumors.

LEF-1 is a Sensitive Marker of Cribriform Morular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Cribriform morular variant of PTC (CMV-PTC) frequently shows activation of the CTNNB1/Wnt pathway with nuclear accumulation of beta catenin. The utility of LEF-1, also in the CTNNB1/WNT pathway, in the diagnosis of CMV-PTC has not been previously studied. LEF-1 immunohistochemistry was performed on seven CMV-PTC, 52 benign cases and 101 malignant thyroid neoplasms. LEF-1 was scored by stain intensity (0 = no nuclear stain, 1 = weak nuclear stain, less than lymphocyte and 2 = strong nuclear stain, intense as lymphocyte) and percentage of positive cells at each intensity, for a maximum total score of 200. Sensitivity and specificity of LEF-1 stain for all cases and to differentiate between regular PTC and CMV-PTC was also calculated. Six of the seven CMV-PTCs showed ≥ 30% strong (2+) nuclear LEF-1 staining and a total score over 100. Beta catenin also showed strong and diffuse nuclear staining in these cases. One CMV-PTC was negative for both LEF-1 and beta catenin and did not have a history of FAP. All control PTC cases uniformly lacked LEF-1 staining at 2+ intensity. LEF-1 had a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 98% for the diagnosis of CMV-PTC. LEF-1 is highly sensitive and specific marker for CMV-PTC, especially when used in the setting of a PTC neoplasm. The pattern of staining is important with ≥ 30% of cells showing strong 2+ nuclear staining having the highest combined sensitivity and specificity.

LEF1 is preferentially expressed in the tubal-peritoneal junctions and is a reliable marker of tubal intraepithelial lesions.

Recently it has been reported that serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), the likely precursor of ovarian/extra-uterine high-grade serous carcinoma, are frequently located in the vicinity of tubal-peritoneal junctions, consistent with the cancer-prone features of many epithelial transitional regions. To test if p53 (aka TP53)-signatures and secretory cell outgrowths (SCOUTs) also localize to tubal-peritoneal junctions, we examined these lesions in the fallopian tubes of patients undergoing salpingo-oophorectomy for sporadic high-grade serous carcinomas or as a prophylactic procedure for carriers of familial BRCA1 or 2 mutations. STICs were located closest to the tubal-peritoneal junctions with an average distance of 1.31 mm, while SCOUTs were not detected in the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube. As many epithelial transitional regions contain stem cells, we also determined the expression of stem cell markers in the normal fallopian tube, tubal intraepithelial lesions and high-grade serous carcinomas. Of those, LEF1 was consistently expressed in the tubal-peritoneal junctions and all lesions, independent of p53 status. All SCOUTs demonstrated strong nuclear expression of ß-catenin consistent with the LEF1 participation in the canonical WNT pathway. However, ß-catenin was preferentially located in the cytoplasm of cells comprising STICs and p53 signatures, suggesting WNT-independent function of LEF1 in those lesions. Both frequency of LEF1 expression and ß-catenin nuclear expression correlated with the worst 5-year patient survival, supporting important role of both proteins in high-grade serous carcinoma. Taken together, our findings suggest the existence of stem cell niche within the tubal-peritoneal junctions. Furthermore, they support the notion that the pathogenesis of SCOUTs is distinct from that of STICs and p53 signatures. The location and discrete patterns of LEF1 and ß-catenin expression may serve as highly sensitive and reliable ancillary markers for the detection and differential diagnosis of tubal intraepithelial lesions.

Diagnostic Utility of Lymphoid Enhancer Binding Factor 1 Immunohistochemistry in Small B-Cell Lymphomas.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) is a useful marker for chronic lymphocytic B-cell leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Yet, it is not still being widely used in a diagnostic setting. In this study, we document the experience with LEF1 immunohistochemistry during routine diagnostics. METHODS: In total, 191 B-cell lymphoma cases from Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust (London, UK) were investigated by immunohistochemistry for LEF1 during routine diagnostic workup. These cases included both bone marrow trephines and lymph node biopsy specimens. The monoclonal antibody clone EPR2029Y was used. RESULTS: LEF1 expression was strong and diffuse (>70% of cells) in most cases. Few CLL cases showed a staining in proliferation centers only. Seventy-seven of 80 CLL cases expressed LEF1. Other entities expressing LEF1 included one of 38 follicular lymphomas, two of 33 marginal zone lymphomas, and one diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a background of follicular lymphoma grade 3B. Sensitivity for LEF1 for the diagnosis of CLL was 0.96, and specificity was 0.93. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we could demonstrate the diagnostic utility of LEF1. LEF1 is a sensitive and specific marker for CLL and is helpful in the diagnosis of diagnostically challenging small B-cell lymphomas.

Metformin-Induced Generalized Fixed Drug Eruption With Cutaneous Hemophagocytosis.

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) consists of recurrent dusky-red to brownish macules or patches at the same sites after the readministration of the causative drug. It usually presents as a solitary lesion, but generalized eruptions have been described. The most frequently implied drugs are antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and analgesics. Only 2 cases due to metformin have been reported. Histopathologic features of FDE include vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer, necrotic keratinocytes, and superficial and deep perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. Cutaneous hemophagocytosis in the context of a FDE has not been previously reported. We describe the case of an 86-year-old man who developed a pruritic generalized macular eruption of reddish to violaceous patches. Skin biopsy was performed and the dermal infiltrate was immunohistochemically studied. Histopathology showed interface dermatitis with vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer, necrotic keratinocytes, and superficial and deep perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate. In deep dermis, histiocytes with engulfed cells inside their cytoplasm were seen. Lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 immunostain demonstrated that most of these cells were lymphocytes. We present the first case with cutaneous hemophagocytosis in the context of a metformin-induced generalized FDE. In this particular case, hemophagocytosis was just a histopathologic finding with no systemic consequences for the patient.

Expression and colocalization of ß-catenin and lymphoid enhancing factor-1 in prostate cancer progression.

The purpose of this study was to objectively investigate ß-catenin and LEF1 abundance, subcellular localization, and colocalization across benign and staged prostate cancer (PCa) specimens. A tissue microarray containing tumor-adjacent histologically benign prostate tissue (BPT; n = 48 patients), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN; n = 25), localized PCa (n = 42), aggressive PCa (n = 31), and metastases (n = 22) was stained using multiplexed immunohistochemistry with antibodies toward E-cadherin, ß-catenin, and LEF1. Multispectral imaging was used for quantitation, and protein expression and colocalization was evaluated across PCa progression. Stromal nuclear ß-catenin abundance was greater in HGPIN and PCa compared with BPT (P < .05 for both), and epithelial nuclear ß-catenin abundance was lower in metastatic PCa than in BPT (P < .05 for both). Epithelial and stromal nuclear LEF1 abundance was greater in HGPIN compared with BPT, whereas epithelial nuclear LEF1 was also greater in metastases. The proportion of epithelial and stromal nuclear double-positive ß-catenin(+)/LEF1(+) cells was greater in HGPIN compared with BPT. In addition, the proportion of epithelial ß-catenin(+)/LEF1(+) cells was greater in localized PCa and metastases compared with BPT. A significant amount of stromal cells were positive for LEF1 but not ß-catenin. ß-Catenin and LEF1 abundance were negatively correlated in the epithelium (P < .0001) but not the stroma (P > .05). We conclude that ß-catenin and LEF1 colocalization is increased in HGPIN and metastasis relative to BPT, suggesting a role for ß-catenin/LEF1-mediated transcription in both malignant transformation and metastasis of PCa. Furthermore, our results suggest that LEF1 abundance alone is not a reliable readout for ß-catenin activity in prostate tissues.

Flow cytometric analysis of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 in diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: Nuclear overexpression of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1) assessed by immunohistochemistry has been shown to be highly associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) among small B-cell lymphomas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of flow cytometric analysis of LEF1 in the diagnosis of CLL/SLL. METHODS: Normal peripheral blood was used to validate the test. Flow cytometric analysis of LEF1 was performed in 64 patient samples qualitatively and quantitatively by comparing the staining intensity and the ratios of the median fluorescence intensities (MFIs) of LEF1 in B cells of interest to the internal reference cell populations. The results were correlated with the pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: Proper sample processing ensured sufficient separation of positive LEF1 staining in T cells from negative staining in normal B and natural killer (NK) cells. Qualitative analysis of patient samples showed that all 25 cases of CLL/SLL but none of the other small B-cell lymphomas were positive for LEF1. Using a B/NK MFI ratio of 1.5 and B/T MFI ratio of 0.45 separated CLL/SLL cases from non-CLL lymphomas. CONCLUSIONS: Flow cytometric analysis of LEF1 is sufficient to differentiate CLL/SLL from other small B-cell lymphomas and may serve as a useful tool in the diagnosis of CLL/SLL.

Wnt signaling transcription factors TCF-1 and LEF-1 are upregulated in malignant astrocytic brain tumors.

Since the discovery of the TCF/LEF family of transcription factors, their functions have been under intensive investigation in the area of cancer biology. The work presented in this paper focused on the changes in TCF-1 and LEF-1 expression levels in a set of astrocytic brain tumors. Protein expression was detected using immunohistochemistry and then evaluated by Ellipse software (ViDiTo, Slovakia). Statistical evaluations were performed with the SPSS statistical package, version 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Strong TCF-1 and LEF-1 expression was observed in 51.6% and 71% of glioblastoma samples. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in protein expression levels associated to 3 important values, weak expression of TCF-1, weak expression of LEF-1 and strong expression of LEF-1. Analysis of variances performed on the total sample also indicated significant differences in the values of TCF-1 weak (F=2.804; p=0.045), LEF-1 weak (F=4.255; p=0.008) and LEF-1 strong (F=5.498; p=0.002) with regard to malignancy grade. Thus, glioblastomas were characterized by -in relative terms- the lowest values for weak expression of TCF-1 and LEF-1, combined with the highest values of LEF-1 strong expression. The F-ratios for two variables (LEF-1 strong and LEF-1 weak) indicated that differences between astrocytomas (II, III) and glioblastomas were statistically significant (p<0.02). Discriminant function analysis further showed that strong LEF-1 expression alone could discriminate between astrocytomas (II, III) and glioblastomas. Elevated TCF-1 and LEF-1 expression is characteristic of malignant gliomas. LEF-1, in particular, may serve as a potential marker for malignant transformation.