nm23 Expression in choroidal melanoma.

nm23 protein expression of choroidal melanoma was investigated to determine its relationship with clinical and histopathological characteristics of the tumour. Thirty-four consecutive choroidal melanoma patients were examined by immunohistochemistry. Although age, sex, tumour cell type, tumour size, pigmentation, necrosis, apoptosis and tumour lymphocytic infiltration were not correlated with nm23 protein expression, tumours with low percentages of nm23-positive cells revealed higher nuclear grades and predominant mitotic figures. nm23 may be associated with melanoma progression, but there is no proof that it plays a role in the metabolic process of the tumour.

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (nm23 protein) expression in retinoblastoma.

Forty-two enucleated eyes of 42 patients with unilateral retinoblastoma were studied histologically, including histochemically examination with anti-nm23 polyclonal antibody which does not recognise cDNA but its product. Primary tumours of >15 mm diameter with less evidence of apoptosis and with the most pleomorphic and anaplastic nuclei were associated with an increased risk of distant metastasis, but rosette formation did not discriminate. A high intensity of nm23 staining also indicated a tendency to metastasize, consistent with childhood neuroblastoma but in contrast to findings in carcinoma of the breast, colon and uterine cervix.

Simultaneous occurrence of chronic myelogenous leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma at diagnosis.

We describe a case with the simultaneous occurrence of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) smears showed typical CML features. Lymph node biopsy exhibited a large-cell NHL. The Philadelphia chromosome or its molecular counterpart, the BCR-ABL gene fusion, by detecting with dual color-(DC) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), was detected reliably both in metaphase spreads from BM and in interphase nuclei from BM and follow-up PB cells, but was not detected in the lymph node cells. Clinical features and laboratory findings show this case having a coexistence of CML and NHL.

Pituitary abscesses. Report of three cases.

Three cases of pituitary abscess are presented. In spite of improvements in radiological evaluation, preoperative diagnosis of pituitary abscess is quite difficult and definite preoperative diagnosis is rare in the literature. In our three cases, diagnosis was made postoperatively. Pituitary abscesses are associated with high mortality and morbidity. When first suspected, prompt antibiotic therapy should be considered. Early operative drainage seems to be an important factor in decreasing this high mortality and morbidity.

Malignant melanoma of the optic nerve head in a case of oculodermal melanocytosis.

Malignant melanoma of the uveal tract, orbit, and brain have been reported to occur in patients with oculodermal melanocytosis. A 60-year-old Caucasian man with oculodermal melanocytosis developed a malignant melanoma of the optic nerve head in the left eye. This case is the first reported example of a malignant melanoma developing in the optic nerve associated with oculodermal melanocytosis. After presentation the patient refused surgery for 19 months and the progression of the tumour necessitated an exenteration of the orbit.

A rare scrotal mass: fibrous pseudotumor of epididymis.

Fibrous pseudotumor, also called multiple fibromata pseudofibromatous periorchitis, is a rare testicular fibromatous condition. It is a benign fibroproliferative lesion with dense hyalinization and sometimes focal calcification. Most of the cases occur in the testicular tunics, whereas a few originate from the epididymis.

Study of the carcinogenicity of large doses of dimethylnitramine, N-nitroso-L-proline, and sodium nitrite administered in drinking water to rats.

Large doses of dimethylnitramine (DMNM), N-nitroso-L-proline (NPRO), and sodium nitrite were administered in the drinking water to MRC Wistar rats for at least 1 year, and the rats were maintained for life. DMNM (total dose, 20 g/kg) produced liver tumors in 25 (69%) of the 36 rats and nasal cavity tumors in 9 (25%) of the rats. NPRO (total dose, 36 g/kg) induced no tumors in 37 treated rats. In the group receiving NaNO2 (3.0 g/liter drinking water; total dose, 63 g/kg), 8 (18%) of 45 rats had forestomach squamous papillomas. The tumor incidence in the NaNO2-treated group was significantly greater than that of 2% in a control group started 11 months earlier, which suggested that the NaNO2 was tumorigenic in this experiment.

Kidney tumors induced in rats by the antischistosomal drug niridazole.

An increased incidence of kidney tumors was found in MRC rats fed the antischistosomal drug niridazole at four dose levels in the diet. Histologically, the adenomas and adenocarcinomas were solid papillary, clear cell, and tubular types, with the latter type predominating. Seven mesenchymal tumors were found among the 107 renal epithelial neoplasms. Severe nephrosclerosis occurred in both treated and control rats and has been suggested as important in renal carcinogenesis. Niridazole is considered a potent inducer of epithelial kidney tumors.

Carcinogenesis in rat esophagus by intraperitoneal injection of different doses of methyl-n-amylnitrosamine.

The carcinogenicity of methyl-n-amylnitrosamine in MRC-Wistar rats was determined after i.p. injection at a variety of dose schedules. After 6 weekly methyl-n-amylnitrosamine injections of 25 mg/kg or 12 weekly injections of either 12.5 or 25 mg/kg, the incidence of esophageal squamous cell papillomas was 85 to 100% and that of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas was 40 to 65%. With 12 injections, the mean survival time was 25 to 31 weeks. Treatment with 1 or 2 doses of 50 mg/kg produced a lesser incidence (less than 20%) of esophageal tumors, with a longer survival time of 67 to 77 weeks. One 85-mg/kg injection caused esophageal carcinomas in 5 of 7 rats. The treated groups also had squamous cell papillomas and carcinomas in the nasal cavity (up to 50% incidence) and trachea (up to 30% incidence). Hence, a 6- or 12-week treatment schedule was adequate for inducing esophageal tumors and could be used for studies on agents modifying esophageal tumor induction by methyl-n-amylnitrosamine.

Carcinogenicity test of six nitrosamides and a nitrosocyanamide administered orally to rats.

Six nitrosamides [ethylnitrosourea (ENU), 2-hydroxyethylnitrosourea (HENU), carboxymethylnitrosourea, 1-nitroso-5,6-dihydrouracil (NDHU), 1-nitrosohydantoin, and N-methyl-N-nitrosobenzamide (MNB)] and ethylnitrosocyanamide (ENC) were administered chronically in sodium citrate-buffered drinking water to MRC Wistar rats. ENU induced tumors of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) (50% incidence), mammary glands, and large intestine. NDHU in drinking water produced hepatocellular carcinomas (96% incidence), but NDHU injected ip caused mostly tumors at the injection sites (54% incidence). HENU produced bone tumors (38% incidence) and RES tumors (28% incidence). ENC produced nasal cavity tumors (36% incidence). Papillomas and/or carcinomas of the forestomach, tongue, and pharynx were induced by most of the compounds, with the highest incidence in the forestomach (47% for MNB); these tumors were attributed to local action when the compounds were ingested. Carcinogenicity was not quantitatively correlated with direct mutagenicity for Salmonella typhimurium TA1535.

Carcinogenic potential of hycanthone in mice and hamsters.

Hycanthone was administered to Schistosoma mansoni-infected and non-infected Syrian golden hamsters and Swiss mice by intraperitoneal and intramuscular injection of amounts up to the maximum tolerated dose. No tumors attributable to treatment were observed in hamsters. In infected mice, the overall incidence of hepatomas and hepatocellular carcinomas increased from 3.4% in untreated mice to 10.6% in those treated with hycanthone. Non-infected control mice developed 0.8% of these tumors compared to 10.2% in mice treated with hycanthone. Despite the use of high dose levels of hycanthone, statistical significance was attained only with non-infected female mice injected intraperitoneally and intramuscularly with hycanthone and then only at confidence levels of 92 and 95% respectively.

Carcinogenic effects of niridazole in rats.

Niridazole was administered in the diet to rats at levels of 0.1, 0.05 and 0.025%. The drug induced adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the kidneys and forestomach papillomas.

Carcinogenic effects of niridazole on rodents infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

The carcinogenicity of 1-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-2-imidazolidinone (niridazole), a widely used schistosomicide, was examined in Swiss mice and Syrian golden hamsters. Schistosoma mansoni infection was evaluated as a cofactor. High incidences of drug-related neoplasms of the forestomach, lungs, mammary glands, urinary tract, and ovaries were found in mice, and tumors of the forestomach and urinary tract were found in hamsters. Infection with schistosomes had no apparent influence on tumor incidence. The results indicated a need for reevaluation of the possible carcinogenicity of this drug in man and suggested that care should be taken during its clinical use.

Chemically induced smooth muscle tumors of the mouse urinary bladder.

Occasional submucosal tumors of indeterminate origin and without definite connection to the overlying mucosa have been reported in mice given various carcinogenic agents. Two Swiss mice fed niridazole developed such tumors. Electron microscopy of 1 of the tumors revealed thin myofilaments with oval dense bodies, marginal dense plaques, and gap junctions, identifying the tumor as originating from smooth muscle cells. No desmosomes, tonofilaments, secretory granules, striated muscle, or collagen were present in the tumor cells. Since the biology of these lesions is unknown, classification as benign or malignant cannot be made at this time. Their recognition is important in evaluating possible bladder carcinogens in mice.

Carcinogenic effects of niridazole.

Swiss mice received chronic treatment with the schistosomacide, niridazole, at 3 dose levels. Tumors were found in several organs, including stomach, lung, manary gland, ovary and bladder. Niridazole is, without doubt, carcinogenic to mice.