Does obesity modify the expression of cyclin D1 and pten in endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women?

OBJECTIVE: To assess cyclin D1 and PTEN immunoexpression in benign endometrial polyps (EPs) in asymptomatic postmenopausal women and its correlation with obesity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on data from a sample of 52 patients diagnosed with EP between February 2018 and January 2019. The women included in this study were amenorrheal for at least 1 year and were asymptomatic (no postmenopausal bleeding). Obesity defined by body mass index (BMI) was investigated for correlation with Cyclin-D1 and PTEN gene expression (immunohistochemistry) in glandular and stromal compartments of polyps. Results: No significant differences among groups were identified in any clinical and epidemiological parameter (age, age of menopause, time since menopause, number of gestations, polyp size, leucocyte count, fasting blood glucose and basic pathologies), except for BMI. Body mass index did not alter PTEN or Cyclin D1 immunoexpression. Conclusion: Our study shows that obesity does not appear to be a relevant factor in the immunoexpression of PTEN and Cyclin D1 in benign EP, in either the stromal or glandular compartments.

Estrogen Receptor ß as a Prognostic Marker of Tumor Progression in Colorectal Cancer with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Sporadic Polyps.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is lower in women than in men, and sex steroids can be considered contributing factors because oral contraception usage and estrogen replacement therapy are associated with decreased risk. Conversely, colorectal polyp development in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) begins during puberty. The objectives were to evaluate the relationship between the expression of these hormone receptors and adenoma-carcinoma progression, CRC stage and overall survival. We studied 120 A.C. Camargo Cancer Center patients diagnosed with either FAP-associated or spontaneous adenomatous polyps or CRC to determine the immunohistochemical expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ER-ß and the progesterone and androgen receptors (480 analyses). The ER-ß expression levels differed between the groups: the group with FAP polyps had lower ER-ß expression than that of the sporadic polyp group. With transformation of the sporadic polyps to cancer, there was a considerable decrease in ER-ß expression (from 90% with strong expression to 80% with absent or weak expression) (p < 0.001). The ER-ß expression was lower in T3/T4 tumors than in T1/T2 tumors (p = 0.015). The 5-year overall survival of CRC patients positively expressing ER-ß exceeded that of patients without detectable expression levels (74.8% vs. 44.3%, respectively; p = 0.035). There was no significant expression of the androgen or progesterone receptor or ER-α among the groups. Differences in ER-ß expression represent a potential mechanism through which estrogen might alter the susceptibility to colon cancer, thereby confirming the possibility of a protective role of estrogen against colorectal carcinogenesis.

Expression of hormone receptors, Bcl­2, Cox­2 and Ki67 in benign endometrial polyps and their association with obesity.

The present study examined the immunoexpression of the estrogen receptor (ER), the progesterone receptor (PR), B­cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2), cyclooxygenase­2 (Cox­2) and Ki67 in endometrial polyps and their association with obesity. In total, 515 premenopausal and postmenopausal females undergoing hysteroscopy with histological diagnosis of benign polyps were included. The immunohistochemical expression of the ER, PR, Bcl­2, Cox­2 and Ki67 was compared between obese and non­obese females. The median final score demonstrated a higher PR expression in the stromal and glandular compartments of postmenopausal obese females as compared with no­obese females. However, in this group, there was no difference in regard to the ER. No difference in hormone receptor expression was identified among premenopausal females. In postmenopausal females, the immunoexpression of Cox­2 and Bcl­2 in the glandular epithelium was higher in obese than in non­obese females. Among premenopausal females, obese females demonstrated a higher Bcl­2 expression in the glandular epithelium than non­obese females. There were no differences in Ki67 expression between obese and non­obese females. Polyps from obese females had a higher PR expression in the glandular and stromal compartments. The expression of Cox­2 and Bcl­2 was higher in the glandular compartment. These data suggested that the etiology and pathogenesis of polyps in obese females appear to be associated with the PR, the inhibition of apoptosis and cellular mechanisms linked with inflammation.

Is the immunohistochemical expression of proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (Bcl-2) markers and cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) related to carcinogenesis in postmenopausal endometrial polyps?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of Ki-67, Bcl-2 and COX-2 expression in the glandular epithelium and stroma of malignant and benign endometrial polyps in postmenopause. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 390 postmenopausal women underwent surgical hysteroscopy; women with endometrial polyps were included. Polypoid lesions were histologically classified as benign, premalignant or malignant lesions. Ki-67, Bcl-2 and COX-2 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry according to percentage of stained cells, staining intensity, and final score. RESULTS: The prevalence of malignancy in endometrial polyps was 7.1% and was associated with postmenopausal bleeding. The final score showed that only mean COX-2 expression was higher in malignant polyps both in the glandular epithelium (6.1 +/- 2.5) (p < 0.001) and stroma (2.4 +/- 3.0) (p < 0.01). There was a higher Bcl-2 expression, especially in the glandular epithelium, with no differences between benign polyps and premalignant/malignant polyps. Ki-67 expression was low in both benign polyps and premalignant/malignant polyps. CONCLUSION: Polyps in postmenopause have a high COX-2 expression that is higher in malignant polyps than in benign polyps. There was no difference in Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression between malignant polyps and premalignant/malignant polyps.

Differential expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrial polyps and adjacent endometrium in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunoexpression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in gland and stromal cells of endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty postmenopausal patients underwent operative hysteroscopies because of benign endometrial polyps. The polyps were identified and subsequently completely removed. A section of normal-appearing endometrium adjacent to the polyp base was also obtained for the control group. The presence of ER and PR was investigated in the gland and stromal cells in the polyps and adjacent endometrium using immunohistochemistry. The slides were evaluated by semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: Endometrium and endometrial polyps showed a significantly higher proportion of positive cells in the glands than in the stroma for both ER (p < 0.000 and p < 0.000, respectively) and PR (p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively). Polyps showed a significantly higher proportion of positive cells in glands and stroma than in the endometrium, concerning ER (p < 0.000 and p = 0.001, respectively) and also for PR (p = 0.021 and p = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that steroid receptors present a crucial role in the physiopathology of the endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women.

Immunohistochemical study of stromal and vascular components of tonsillar polyps: high endothelial venules as participants of the polyp's lymphoid tissue.

Tonsillar polyps are nonneoplastic lesions usually composed of variable amounts of lymphoid and vascular and connective tissues. All of them are generally assumed to be hamartomatous proliferations, but the profile of vascular and connective components has yet to be explored. The vascular system of the tonsils is complex and includes highly specialized structures (i.e., high endothelial venules (HEVs)) involved in lymphocyte homing into lymphoid tissues. In 14 tonsillar polyps and 26 control tonsils, an immunohistochemical study was performed using CD34 (blood vessels and HEVs), MECA-79 (HEVs), D2-40 (lymphatic vessels), Ki-67, collagens I and III, fibronectin, and tenascin-C. The polyps showed increased total lymphatic area, whereas the number of blood vessels and lymphatics and the blood vascular area did not differ significantly from those of control tonsils. Rare Ki-67+ endothelial cells were found. In the polyps, we detected, possibly for the first time, HEVs amid lymphoid tissue, and that the amount of the latter correlated positively with HEV density. The polyps also presented lesser amounts of fibronectin and collagens I and III than in normal tonsils, which were distributed in a disorganized fashion. Tenascin-C expression was uncommon in the polyps and control tonsils. Tonsillar polyps are composed of disorganized connective tissue and lymphatic channels which can be considered hamartomatous proliferations. However, the lymphoid component is possibly reactive due to its relationship with the HEVs. The highly differentiated phenotype of the HEVs and their complex biology are not in agreement with what would be expected for a component of hamartomatous nature.

Expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 proteins in endometrial polyps of postmenopausal women treated with tamoxifen.

This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of p53, Ki-67, and CD31 proteins in endometrial polyps of postmenopausal women treated with tamoxifen (TAM). Postmenopausal women with endometrial polyps treated with TAM (n = 20), postmenopausal women with endometrial polyps without hormone use (n = 20), postmenopausal women with atrophic endometrium (n = 20), and postmenopausal women with endometrial adenocarcinoma (n = 20) were prospectively investigated. Tissue samples were immunohistochemically evaluated by monoclonal antibodies for p53, Ki-67, and CD31. The data were analyzed using the Student t test, analysis of variance, and χ2 to evaluate significant differences between the groups. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. There was no difference in the expression of p53 between the groups (P = 0.067). The expression of Ki-67 was higher in the polyp samples from TAM-treated women compared with those from the women using no hormone (P = 0.0047) and those from the women with atrophic endometrium (P = 0.008). Samples from the women with endometrial cancer was associated with higher Ki-67 expression compared with the polyp samples from TAM-treated women (P = 0.004). The expression of CD31 was higher in the polyp samples of TAM-treated women compared with that of the samples from the women with atrophic endometrium (P < 0.001) and similar to the polyp samples from the women using no hormone (P = 0.319) and to the samples from the women with endometrial cancer (P = 0.418). The use of TAM in postmenopausal women might be associated with increased cellular proliferation in endometrial polyps without interfering angiogenesis or inactivation of tumor suppressor proteins.

[Effects of tamoxifen on the expression of TGF-beta and p27 proteins in polyps and adjacent endometrium in postmenopausal women]. / Efeitos do tamoxifeno sobre a expressão das proteínas TGF-beta e p27 em pólipos e endométrio adjacente de mulheres após a menopausa.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the effects of tamoxifen on the expression of TGF-beta and p27 proteins in polyps and adjacent endometrium of women after menopause. METHODS: prospective study with 30 post-menopausal women with diagnosis of breast cancer, taking tamoxifen (20 mg/day), presenting diagnosis of suspect endometrial polyps through transvaginal ultrasonography, and submitted to diagnostic and surgical hysterectomy to withdraw the polyps and adjacent endometrium. A immunohistochemical study has been done to verify the expression of the TGF-beta and p27 proteins in the polyps and adjacent endometrium. These proteins' quantification has been done by morphometry. RESULTS: the patients' average age was 61.7 years old; their average age at the menopause onset was 49.5; and the average of using tamoxifen was 25.3 months. The average concentration of positive cells for TGF-beta protein in the glandular and stroma polyp epithelium was 62.6+/-4.5 cells/mm(2). For the p27, in the glandular polyp epithelium, it was 24.2+/-18.6 cells/mm(2) and for the stroma, 19.2+/-15.2 cells/mm(2). There was no significant difference between the expression of TGF-beta and p27 in the glandular epithelial form the polyps and the adjacent endometrium. The expression of proteins in the polyp and adjacent endometrium with its respective glandular and stroma epithelium showed a significant difference for the p27 protein (r=0.9, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: we have concluded that the TGF-beta expression is not related to the effect of tamoxifen on the growing of endometrial polyps, but the absence of polyps' malignization by tamoxifen may be explained by the high expression of p27 protein in its glandular epithelium.

Efeitos do tamoxifeno sobre a expressão das proteínas TGF-β e p27 em pólipos e endométrio adjacente de mulheres após a menopausa / Effects of tamoxifen on the expression of TGF-β and p27 proteins in polyps and adjacent endometrium in postmenopausal women

OBJETIVO:avaliar os efeitos do uso do tamoxifeno sobre a expressão das proteínas TGF-β e p27 em pólipos e endométrio adjacente de mulheres após a menopausa. MÉTODOS: estudo prospectivo, com 30 mulheres, após a menopausa com diagnóstico de câncer de mama, usuárias de tamoxifeno (20 mg/dia), que apresentavam diagnóstico de pólipo endometrial suspeito por meio de ultrassonografia transvaginal, submetidas à histeroscopia diagnóstica e cirúrgica para retirada dos pólipos e do endométrio adjacente. Realizado estudo imunoistoquímico para verificar a expressão das proteínas TGF-β e p27 nos pólipos e no endométrio adjacente. A quantificação dessas proteínas foi realizada por morfometria. RESULTADOS: a média de idade foi 61,7 anos; média da idade na menopausa, 49,5 anos; e o tempo médio de uso do tamoxifeno, de 25,3 meses. A concentração média de células positivas para proteína TGF-β no pólipo epitélio glandular e estroma foi 62,6±4,5 células/mm². Para a p27, no pólipo epitélio glandular, foi de 24,2±18,6 cel/mm² e estroma 19,2±15,2 cel/mm². Não houve diferença significante entre a expressão do TGF-β e p27 nos epitélios glandulares dos pólipos e do endométrio adjacente. A expressão das proteínas do pólipo e endométrio adjacente com os seus respectivos epitélios glandular e estromal apresentou diferença significativa para a proteína p27 (r=0,9, p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: concluímos que a expressão do TGF-β não está relacionada ao efeito do tamoxifeno sobre o crescimento dos pólipos endometriais, mas a ausência de malignização dos pólipos induzida pelo tamoxifeno pode ser explicada pela alta expressão da proteína p27 no seu epitélio glandular.

PURPOSE: to evaluate the effects of tamoxifen on the expression of TGF-β and p27 proteins in polyps and adjacent endometrium of women after menopause. METHODS: prospective study with 30 post-menopausal women with diagnosis of breast cancer, taking tamoxifen (20 mg/day), presenting diagnosis of suspect endometrial polyps through transvaginal ultrasonography, and submitted to diagnostic and surgical hysterectomy to withdraw the polyps and adjacent endometrium. A immunohistochemical study has been done to verify the expression of the TGF-β and p27 proteins in the polyps and adjacent endometrium. These proteins' quantification has been done by morphometry. RESULTS: the patients' average age was 61.7 years old; their average age at the menopause onset was 49.5; and the average of using tamoxifen was 25.3 months. The average concentration of positive cells for TGF-β protein in the glandular and stroma polyp epithelium was 62.6±4.5 cells/mm². For the p27, in the glandular polyp epithelium, it was 24.2±18.6 cells/mm² and for the stroma, 19.2±15.2 cells/mm². There was no significant difference between the expression of TGF-β and p27 in the glandular epithelial form the polyps and the adjacent endometrium. The expression of proteins in the polyp and adjacent endometrium with its respective glandular and stroma epithelium showed a significant difference for the p27 protein (r=0.9, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: we have concluded that the TGF-β expression is not related to the effect of tamoxifen on the growing of endometrial polyps, but the absence of polyps' malignization by tamoxifen may be explained by the high expression of p27 protein in its glandular epithelium.

Analysis of estrogen- and progesterone-receptor expression in endometrial polyps.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in the glandular epithelium and stroma of endometrial polyps in women who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy. DESIGN: Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3. SETTING: Hospital de Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo "Francisco Morato de Oliveira." PATIENTS: Forty-eight patients with a solitary endometrial polyp who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy and resection of an endometrial fragment. INTERVENTION: The estrogen and progesterone receptor expression, in the polyp, was compared with the endometrial hormone expression of the same patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The percentage of staining cells was determined as follows: grade I, 0% to 25%; grade II, 26% to 50%; grade III, 51% to 75%; and grade IV, 76% to 100% of stained nuclei. The intensity of nuclear staining was classified as grade I, absent; grade II, weak; grade III, strong; and grade IV, very strong staining. The sum of both grades was the histochemical score. The total scores of polyp and endometrium were statistically compared. The total scores of ER of glandular epithelium were 258 in polyp and 211 in endometrium. As to stroma, it was 155 in polyp and 163 in endometrium. The total scores of PR of glandular epithelium were 286 in polyp and 211 in endometrium. As to stroma, the totals were 76 in polyp and 77 in endometrium. In immunohistochemistry, the concentrations of both ER and PR in glandular epithelium were significantly higher in endometrial polyp than in normal endometrium. The concentrations of ER and PR in the stroma were similar in the polyp and endometrium. The concentrations of these receptors in the glandular epithelium and stroma were similar in postmenopausal and premenopausal patients. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of ER and PR in glandular epithelium were significantly higher in endometrial polyp than in normal endometrium. The concentrations of these receptors in the glandular epithelium and stroma were similar in the postmenopausal and pre-menopausal patients.

Lymphoid polyps of the palatine tonsil.

Tonsillar lymphoid polyps are uncommon lesions that have rarely been studied. The authors describe the clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features of 6 tonsillar polyps in which lymphoid tissue represented more than 80% of the lesion. Presenting symptoms were tonsillar mass and/or dysphagia. No predisposing factor was detected. Microscopically, all polyps contained follicles with germinal centers, crypts lined by lymphoepithelium, and a small amount of fibrous tissue in the center of the lesion. B cells (CD20+), T cells (CD45RO+), plasma cells (kappa+ and lambda+) and vessels (lymphatic, D2-40+; blood, CD34+) presented distribution and architectural patterns as expected for lymphoid tissue of a palatine tonsil. Tonsillar lymphoid polyps are possibly hamartomas characterized by overgrowth of lymphoid elements, which maintain an architectural pattern and cellular composition similar to those of the palatine tonsil.

Aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in endometrial polyps during the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVES: To study the changes in aromatase, Ki-67 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression during the menstrual cycle in both endometrial polyps and normal endometria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 118 premenopausal patients were submitted to immunohistochemistry for measurement of aromatase, COX-2 and Ki-67 expression. Fifty cases of endometrial polyps and 68 cases of disease-free endometrium were included. RESULTS: The presence of aromatase expression was significantly higher in endometrial polyps than in disease-free endometria. On the other hand, changes in COX-2 and Ki-67 expression followed a similar pattern during the menstrual cycle in both groups, expression peaking during the proliferative phase and falling during the late luteal phase. CONCLUSION: A significantly higher proportion of endometrial polyps express aromatase compared with disease-free endometrium; however, no correlation was found between aromatase expression and changes in either Ki-67 or COX-2 expression during the menstrual cycle.

The expression of the hormone receptors in the endometrium and endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women and its relationship to body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and the immunoexpression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) in endometrial polyps (EP) and endometrium, in gland and stromal cells of postmenopausal women. METHODS: Thirty-five postmenopausal women with benign endometrial polyps, who had not been taking medication with hormonal effects for at least 6 months, were submitted to operative hysteroscopy. The presence of ER and PR were evaluated by immunohistochemical method using a semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: BMI was significantly higher among patients with lower expression of ER in the glands of endometrium (p=0.02). EP and adjacent endometrium showed significantly higher proportion of positive cells in the glands than in the stroma, for both ER (p=0.0015 and 0.0018, respectively) and PR (p=0.0176 and p<0.0001, respectively). Glands and stroma cells showed significantly higher proportion of positive cells in polyps than in the endometrium, for ER (p<0.0001 and p=0.0034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The higher proportion of positive gland cells for ER in EP as compared to endometrium supports an implication of these receptors in the pathogenesis of polyps. Association of higher BMI with lower expression of ER in endometrial glands, but not in EP, may indicate that factors influencing ER expression do not affect EP, supporting an autonomous function of polyps.

Estudio inmunocitoquímico de Receptores de Estrógeno Fracción Alfa y de Progesterona en Pólipos Endometriales / Immunocytochemistry Study of Estrogen Receiver Alfa Fraction and Progesterone in Endometrial Polyps

Los pólipos endometriales son causa frecuente de metrorragia y, en algunos casos, pueden ser responsables de esterilidad. Su patogenia es poco conocida, dando origen a masas sésiles o pedunculadas que protruyen en la cavidad uterina y que histológicamente corresponden a endometrio proliferativo de estroma fibroso dentro del cual se encuentran glándulas de tipo estrógenico en proporción variable que pueden mostrar irregularidad y, ocasionalmente, hiperplasia. La acción hormonal es fundamental para el desarrollo del endometrio tanto normal como patológico. Alteraciones cuantitativas a nivel de los receptores de estrógeno y progesterona podrían contribuir a la patogenia de los pólipos; siendo ellos el resultado de esta alteración. Su expresión podría corresponder a un aumento localizado de receptores de estrógeno (RE), de una disminución de receptores de progesterona (RP) o de ambos factores. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar mediante método inmunocitoquímico, la presencia de receptores de estrógeno fraccion alfa y receptores de progesterona, en 9 pacientes portadoras de pólipos endometriales. La intensidad de la tinción fue evaluada como intensa, moderada, débil o negativa y comparada con muestras control de endometrio normal. Se observó un aumento de RE a en el estroma, en el epitelio glandular y en el endotelio de pequeños vasos que rodean a las glándulas endometriales. Los RP fueron negativos o no cuantificables, en el estroma y en el tejido glandular. Concluimos que los pólipos endometriales presentan una alteración de la distribución de los receptores con un aumento localizado de los REa en el estroma y en el epitelio glandular y una disminución de los RP, destacándose la presencia de REa en las células perivasculares y en el endotelio de pequeños vasos.

The endometrial polyps are a frequent cause of anormal bleeding and in same cases responsible of sterility. Their pathogenesis is poorly understand. They are masses sessiles or pedunculated that protrudes into the endometrial cavity.Thehistologic pattern resembles proliferative endometrium with fibrous stroma and estrogenic glands that can show irregularity and occasionally hyperplasia. The hormonal action is fundamentalfor the development of normal and pathologic endometrium. Quantitativealterations of the estrogen and progesterone receptors contributes to the pathogenesis of endometrial polyps. They could arise from localized overexpression of estrogen receptors (ER), reduced expression of progesterone receptors (PR) or both. This study was undertaken to evaluate with inmunocytochemistry the presence of estrogen receptors alfa and progesterone receptors in endometrial polyps of 9 patients. The intensity of staining was record on a scale high, moderate and weak or negative and compared with the staining in normal endometrium. High levels of ER a was seen in glandular epithelium, stroma and endothelial cells of capillaries that are surrounding the glands. The PR are negatives or very weak in stoma and glands. We conclude that endometrial polyps have a alterate distribution of the receptors with and increase number of stromal and glandular epitheliumlER alfa and a decrease of PRdetaching the large number of ER a in perivascular cells and in endotelial cells.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in endometrial polyps during menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is expressed in endometrial polyps during menopause and how previous hormone use may affect this expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two postmenopausal patients with endometrial polyps were enrolled for this study. Eighteen patients had no history of previous hormone use, while the remaining patients had used vaginal conjugated estrogens for short periods of time (n = 25) or were long-term users of tibolone (n = 5) or tamoxifen (n = 4). The endometrial polyps were removed by hysteroscopy, and COX-2 and Ki-67 expression were measured in tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Endometrial polyps expressed COX-2 in the glandular epithelium and this expression was not significantly greater in patients who had previously used tibolone, tamoxifen or vaginal estrogens. However, Ki-67 expression was greater in the group using vaginal estrogens compared with the group of non-users; while in the other two treatment groups Ki-67 expression was less than in hormone never-users. CONCLUSION: COX-2 expression is present in endometrial polyps during menopause and may play a role in their growth regulation.

Effect of previous hormone replacement therapy on endometrial polyps during menopause.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the expression of Ki-67, bcl-2 and c-erb.B2 in endometrial polyps during menopause. Sixteen patients using HRT and 24 untreated controls with endometrial polyps were enrolled in this study. Polypectomy was carried out by hysteroscopy. The presence of c-erb.B2, bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. HRT was found to decrease Ki-67 and bcl-2 expression in endometrial polyps without affecting the c-erb.B2 staining reaction. HRT may cause endometrial polyp involution by decreasing proliferation and stimulating apoptosis.

Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometrial polyps and adjacent endometrium in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the presence of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors in endometrial polyps and adjacent endometrium in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-four consecutively enrolled postmenopausal patients were submitted to operative hysteroscopy. These patients had diagnosed benign endometrial polyp. The presence of ER and PR was determined in endometrial samples and polyps by immunohistochemical method and the slides were evaluated using a semiquantitative analysis. RESULTS: In the glandular epithelium, the median of the ER score was 7.0 in the polyps and 5.0 in the endometrium (P<0.0001) and the median of the PR was 6.0 in the polyps and 4.0 in the endometrium (P<0.0001). In the stroma, the median of the ER score was 6.0 in the polyps and 5.0 in the endometrium (P=0.021) and the median of the PR score was 4.0 in the polyps and 4.5 in the endometrium (P=0.34 ). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that steroids receptors present a crucial role in the phisiopathology of the endometrial polyps in postmenopausal women, specially the estrogen receptors.

Origin of stellate giant cells in oral fibrous lesions determined by immunohistochemical expression of vimentin, HHF-35, CD68 and factor XIIIa.

AIMS: To determine the origin of mono-, bi- and multinucleate stellate giant cells in giant cell fibroma, fibrous hyperplasia and fibroepithelial polyp of the oral mucosa. METHODS: Ten cases of each lesion were studied immunohistochemically using anti-vimentin, -HHF-35, -CD68 and -factor XIIIa antibodies. Immunoreactivity of the cells was determined in the papillary and reticular lamina propria of these lesions. RESULTS: Vimentin positivity in both the papillary and reticular lamina propria was observed for most samples, especially giant cell fibroma cases. CONCLUSIONS: The immunohistochemical findings of the present study suggest that the mono-, bi- or multinucleate stellate giant cells observed in the lesions studied derived from the fibroblastic lineage.

Proliferation profile of endometrial polyps in post-menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not the presence of c-erbB2 over-expression in endometrial polyps affects the percentage of cells positive for Ki-67 proliferation marker. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with endometrial polyps were submitted to polypectomy by hysteroscopy. Ki-67 and c-erbB2 over-expression were investigated in the polyps by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The presence of c-erbB2 over-expression by immunohistochemistry was observed in 80% of endometrial polyps and was associated with higher proliferation rates as determined by the number of positive Ki-67 cell nuclei. In c-erbB2-negative polyps, the proliferation rates were low. CONCLUSION: Ki-67 and c-erbB2 over-expression are frequent in endometrial polyps in post-menopausal women.

Hysteroscopic and immunohistochemical findings in type I and type II endometrial carcinomas.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether types I and II endometrial carcinomas have different precursor lesions recognized at hysteroscopy and immunohistochemistry. DESIGN: Single center case study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: A private, university affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred forty-six postmenopausal women with endometrial pathology diagnosed by hysteroscopy and biopsy. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopy and immunohistochemical determination of p53 overexpression. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The number of cells showing p53 overexpression was low in endometrial polyps, hyperplasia, and G1 endometrioid carcinomas. A marked increase was seen only in high-grade G2-G3 endometrioid carcinomas and in cases of uterine papillary serous carcinoma. In the latter, strong p53 overexpression was detected in early forms still confined to endometrial polyps. Hysteroscopy could not differentiate between high- and low-grade endometrioid carcinomas. CONCLUSION: The p53-driven pathway plays an important role in the origin of papillary serous carcinoma but not in G1 endometrioid cancer that evolves from estrogen-stimulated endometrium. However, this pathway is important for progression of low-grade endometrioid carcinomas to higher-grade tumors.