RESUMO
We examined 111 cases of neuroblastoma (NB), searching for how NB relates to apoptotic control and other prognostic factors. Immunohistochemistry using avidin-biotin-peroxidase was carried out for bcl-2 and p53 proteins. Apoptosis was analyzed by in situ detection of chromosomal breakdown. DNA ladders were detected by electrophoresis and amplification of MYCN was carried out by PCR and Southern blot. Statistical analyses were performed with Pearson's chi2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests and Cox's regression. We found expression of bcl-2 protein mainly in cases of neuroblastoma without differentiation and in stages 3 and 4. Expression of p53 protein showed a correlation with bcl-2 and the apoptotic phenomenon; apoptosis was found mainly in favorable cases. Multivariate analysis showed bcl-2 protein expression to be the most independent risk factor. The study of apoptosis could be important for the design of therapies to treat neuroblastoma.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Fragmentação do DNA , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Genes p53 , Neuroblastoma/metabolismo , Neuroblastoma/patologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-bcl-2/biossíntese , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Avidina/química , Biotina/química , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Análise Multivariada , Peroxidases/metabolismo , Prognóstico , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
We describe 2 cases of malignant granular cell tumor. A marked discrepancy exists concerning the criteria of malignancy of this rare entity, which was diagnosed in male patients aged 41 and 52 years, respectively. They presented with tumors measuring more then 3.5 cm; one arose in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue in the region of the scapula, whereas the other was situated in deeper soft tissue in the pelvis. One case, with previous diagnosis of benign granular cell tumor, presented local recurrence 2 years after the initial diagnosis. The other case presented a fascicular pattern of growth invading adjacent muscular tissue. Both neoplasms were composed of polygonal and spindle cells, showing abundant cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei with large nucleoli, high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, and pleomorphism. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells of both cases were positive for vimentin, S100 protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and CD68. In addition, high expression of p53 and MiB1 (Ki67) was detected. Herein, we discuss the morphologic and immunohistochemical criteria of malignancy of granular cell tumors. Int J Surg Pathol 9(3):255-259, 2001