IRF-1 responsiveness to IFN-γ predicts different cancer immune phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence suggest a dichotomy between immune active and quiescent cancers, with the former associated with a good prognostic phenotype and better responsiveness to immunotherapy. Central to such dichotomy is the master regulator of the acute inflammatory process interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1. However, it remains unknown whether the responsiveness of IRF-1 to cytokines is able to differentiate cancer immune phenotypes. METHODS: IRF-1 activation was measured in 15 melanoma cell lines at basal level and after treatment with IFN-γ, TNF-α and a combination of both. Microarray analysis was used to compare transcriptional patterns between cell lines characterised by high or low IRF-1 activation. RESULTS: We observed a strong positive correlation between IRF-1 activation at basal level and after IFN-γ and TNF-α treatment. Microarray demonstrated that three cell lines with low and three with high IRF-1 inducible translocation scores differed in the expression of 597 transcripts. Functional interpretation analysis showed mTOR and Wnt/ß-cathenin as the top downregulated pathways in the cell lines with low inducible IRF-1 activation, suggesting that a low IRF-1 inducibility recapitulates a cancer phenotype already described in literature characterised by poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the central role of IRF-1 in influencing different tumour phenotypes.

Short-term kinetics of tumor antigen expression in response to vaccination.

The melanoma patient's immune response to tumor has been extensively studied. Yet, the frequently observed coexistence of tumor-associated Ag (TAA)-specific T cells with their target cells in vivo remains unexplained. Loss of TAA expression might contribute to this paradox. We studied TAA expression in metastases by obtaining fine-needle aspirations from 52 tumor lesions in 30 patients with melanoma before and soon after immunotherapy. Limitations due to low amounts of starting material were overcome with a high fidelity antisense RNA amplification method. TAA expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR of anti-sense RNA. Decrease in gp100/Pmel-17 TAA preceded tumor disappearance in several instances and could be best explained by immune selection because most patients had received gp100/Pmel-17-specific vaccination. Conversely, immune selection was absent in nonregressing lesions. These observations suggest that vaccination, when successful, triggers a broad inflammatory reaction that can lead to tumor destruction despite immune selection. Additionally, lack of clinical response might be attributed to lack of this initiating event rather than immune escape. This study provides an insight into the natural history of tumors and defines a strategy for the characterization of gene expression in tumors during therapy.

Diagnosis of unexpected acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a case report demonstrating the perils of restricted panels in flow cytometric immunophenotyping.

We report on the flow cytometric identification of concomitant acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in cytology specimens submitted with minimal clinical information. A 64-year-old man presented with fever and progressive dyspnea on exertion. Chest X-ray and computed tomography scan showed a left upper lobe pulmonary mass. Pulmonary capillary pullback specimens were collected to determine infectious verses neoplastic etiology. The pulmonary capillary pullback specimens showed atypical mononuclear cells with enlarged, slightly irregular nuclei; visible nucleoli; and basophilic cytoplasm. Flow cytometric analysis of the specimen for lymphoma was requested. Flow cytometric immunophenotypic studies showed that 78% of the cells were CD34 positive, CD45 dim positive and CD11c positive, consistent with acute myeloid leukemia. About 0. 75% of the cells expressed CD5 as well as dim CD20 and were monoclonal for kappa light chains: consistent with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. At this time the clinician communicated a history of myelodysplastic syndrome of refractory anemia subtype. Peripheral blood was obtained for further immunophenotyping and the patient was immediately treated for his acute myeloid leukemia. This case demonstrates that a diagnostic antibody panel should allow evaluation of all cell types as per the U.S./Canadian consensus recommendations on the immunophenotypic analysis of hematologic neoplasia by flow cytometry (Stewart et al.: Cytometry 30:231-235, 1997). Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Detection of circulating tumor cells and micrometastases in stage II, III, and IV breast cancer patients utilizing cytology and immunocytochemistry.

Evaluation for circulating tumor cells and bone marrow micrometastases has generated considerable interest due to a potential association with disease recurrence and poor prognosis. In this study, we examined bone marrow and apheresis samples from Stage II, III, and IV patients (n 120) enrolled in various clinical breast cancer trials at the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute. For each patient sample, two Diff-Quik-stained cytospins were reviewed for morphology, and approximately 1 x 10(6) cells were analyzed for the expression of cytokeratins using an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. Keratin-positive malignant cells appearing as single cells or in small clusters were detected in bone marrow samples from Stage IV patients only (9/68, 13%) and detected in apheresis samples from both Stage III and IV patients (13/245, 5%). These findings indicate that the combination of cytomorphology with immunocytochemistry can be utilized for the investigation of circulating tumor cells and bone marrow micrometastases, and that positive results appear to correlate with high tumor stage/burden.

Individual specimen triage of effusion samples: an improvement in the standard of practice, or a waste of resources?

The standard of practice in cytopathology does not include an individual specimen triage (IST) for sample optimization, but rather prescribes a uniform procedure, e.g., for smears, cell blocks, and cytospins. IST requires additional resources. We sought to evaluate whether IST would result in enhanced diagnostic accuracy and specimen turnaround time in effusions. In order to evaluate the efficacy of IST, 50 effusion samples (31 pleural, 16 peritoneal, and 3 pericardial), each with a minimum volume of 50 ml, were utilized. Each sample was prepared via IST to include at least two initial prepared Diff-Quik-stained cytospins on which the IST was based, as well as a standard cytopreparation protocol for nontriaged samples (NTS) which was limited to 3 smears (2 Papanicolaou-stained, and 1 Diff-Quik-stained) and a hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained cell block section. All triaged and NTS were reviewed retrospectively to determine if IST offered any advantages over the standard cytopreparation protocol for effusion samples. Each was evaluated for diagnostic concordance, turnaround time for final diagnosis, and optimal preparation. In 46 cases, diagnoses in IST and NTS were 100% concordant. Four cases showed minor discrepancies between the original and the NTS diagnoses. In general, the discordant cases were due to sparse cellularity in a specimen composed largely of blood. There was no difference in turnaround time for final diagnosis. Based on a review of all samples, the combination of cell block preparation and cytospins (stained with Diff-Quik and Papanicolaou stains) were considered optimal for microscopic evaluation. IST offers no practical advantage over the NTS standard specimen preparation in relation to the accuracy of final diagnosis or turnaround time. The lysing of grossly bloody fluids with subsequent preparation of cytospins yielded superior preparations for microscopic evaluation over NTS. The standard preparation of effusion samples should include the preparation of a cell block, and cytospins stained with Diff-Quik and Papanicolaou stains, for optimal microscopic evaluation.

Viral infections in interferon-gamma receptor deficiency.

Interferon-gamma receptor deficiency is a recently described immunodeficiency that is associated with onset of severe mycobacterial infections in childhood. We describe the occurrence of symptomatic and often severe viral infections in 4 patients with interferon-gamma receptor deficiency and mycobacterial disease. The viral pathogens included herpes viruses, parainfluenza virus type 3, and respiratory syncytial virus. We conclude that patients with interferon-gamma receptor deficiency and mycobacterial disease have increased susceptibility to some viral pathogens.

The Tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid: cytologic features and loss of heterozygosity of metastatic and/or recurrent neoplasms and primary neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: The Tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (TCV) is characterized by the proliferation of oxyphilic, tall, columnar cells with a height-to-width ratio of at least 2:1. TCV exhibits more aggressive clinical behavior than conventional thyroid papillary carcinoma (CPC). Cytologic features suggestive of TCV have been described in fine-needle aspiration material from primary tumors. Similarly, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for chromosome 1 (D1S243) and the p53 gene (TP53) have been reported in TCV but not in CPC, thus making exploitation of this genetic feature a potential tool for molecular discrimination between these two neoplasms. METHODS: Cytology samples of metastatic and/or recurrent neoplasms (M/R) (12 cases) and 7 cases of primary TCV obtained from 12 patients were evaluated. The cytologic findings of these cases were compared with previously published findings. Microdissection and polymerase chain reaction for LOH for chromosome 1 and p53 (D1S243 and TP53 markers) were performed on cytologic smears from 6 cases of M/R tumors and 3 cases of primary tumors. RESULTS: More then 50% of M/R showed atypical follicular cells with enlarged nuclei, granular chromatin, nuclear grooves, pseudoinclusions, and abundant finely granular cytoplasm. Cells were disposed in monolayers (58%) and papillary clusters (50%). Similar findings were present in cases of primary TCV. LOH studies showed that 4 of 6 M/R were noninformative and 2 of 3 cases of primary TCV were informative for the D1S243 marker; however, in contrast with previously published reports, no LOH was detected for the markers evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: M/R and primary TCV have similar cytologic features. Additional studies of larger series of M/R and primary TCV should be performed to delineate further any potential application of LOH for chromosome 1 and the p53 gene as a tool for diagnosing TCV with cytologic preparations. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)

Use of microdissection and molecular genetics in the pathologic diagnosis of retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Retinoblastoma results from mutations or loss of both alleles of the retinoblastoma gene. Although retinoblastoma is usually recognized clinically, some forms of the disease can elude diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of molecular genetics to detect a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the retinoblastoma gene could assist the ocular pathologist in the diagnosis of this malignancy. METHODS: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was obtained from tumor cells microdissected from three ocular specimens from two patients with diffuse retinoblastoma. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect two microsatellite markers (D13S153 and D13S118) of the retinoblastoma gene. Loss of heterozygosity was identified when one of the two polymorphic alleles was present in the DNA from normal tissue but absent or reduced in the DNA obtained from tumor cells. RESULTS: Loss of heterozygosity was identified in all three specimens from the two patients with diffuse retinoblastoma. In one patient, the diagnosis of retinoblastoma was based on identification of LOH from tumor cells obtained from vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that identification of LOH in retinoblastoma cells not only can contribute to our understanding of the molecular genetics of this tumor, but also can help the ocular pathologist in the diagnosis of atypical forms of the disease.

Melanoma-associated antigen recognized by T cells (MART-1): the advent of a preferred immunocytochemical antibody for the diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma with fine-needle aspiration.

BACKGROUND: HMB-45, an antibody directed against a premelanosome glycoprotein, has thus far been considered the most specific antibody for the immunocytochemical substantiation of the diagnosis of malignant melanoma (MM). A recently described antigen, MART-1, is a transmembrane protein that is present in normal melanocytes and widely expressed in MM. Antibodies to MART-1 have recently become commercially available. Both HMB-45 and MART-1 form the basis of ongoing immunotherapy protocols at the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute. METHODS: The authors evaluated 207 lesions from 160 patients with metastatic MM procured via fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for expression of MART-1 (clone M2-7C10) and HMB-45 prior to commencement of immunotherapy. FNAs were performed on subcutaneous soft tissue masses (190 lesions), lung (8 lesions), liver (5 lesions), pancreas (3 lesions), and brain (1 lesion). To test the specificity of the monoclonal antibody directed against MART-1, the authors evaluated its reactivity in normal tissues as well as in various nonpigmented neoplasms that are often included in the differential diagnosis of MM. RESULTS: Of all lesions tested, 13 (6%) were negative for both MART-1 and HMB-45. Of all patients tested, 20% had 1 or more lesions that were non-immunoreactive with HMB-45, whereas only 10% had 1 or more lesions that were nonimmunoreactive for MART-1. Eight percent of the lesions tested were negative for MART-1 only, whereas 16% of lesions tested were negative for HMB-45 only. In 35% of the lesions, MART-1 stained more cells than HMB-45. In 13%, MART-1 stained fewer cells than HMB-45, and in 52% both antibodies stained an equivalent number of cells. All samples of normal tissue were negative for staining with MART-1, as were the nonpigmented lesions tested. Melanocytes in normal skin samples stained positively for MART-1. CONCLUSIONS: The MART-1 antibody is a superior immunohistochemical marker for the diagnosis of MM. It has the potential to become the preferred antibody over HMB-45 for the diagnosis of metastatic MM in FNA material, as MART-1 stains a higher percentage of lesions in a higher percentage of patients than does HMB-45.

Tumor growth of FGF or VEGF transfected MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells correlates with density of specific microvessels independent of the transfected angiogenic factor.

We have previously shown that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1-, FGF-4-, or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF/VPF)-transfected MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells growing as tumors in nude mice are tamoxifen resistant and/or estrogen independent. These transfectants provide opportunity for study of in situ tumor-induced angiogenesis promoted by the individual angiogenic factors under growth-promoting versus growth-inhibiting hormonal conditions. In the present study, vessels in tumors harvested at varying times after tumor cell injection were immunohistochemically highlighted and vessel morphology and topography were scored on a scale of 0 to 4 by blinded observers. In tumors produced by all cell lines under all growth-promoting hormonal conditions, there was significantly increased abundance (P < 0.05) of edge-associated and intratumor microvessels, but not of stromally located microvessels, when compared with tumor nodules harvested under growth-inhibiting conditions, regardless of the identity of the angiogenic factor or the hormonal treatment. Image analysis of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled nuclei of tumors produced by all cell lines under all hormonal conditions harvested at early time points showed that mean labeling indices were highest for hormonal conditions that produced the most robust growth in that particular cell line, implying that a high BrdU labeling index is a predictor of future tumor growth in individual tumors. These results confirm previous studies that established the importance of neovascularization for tumor growth and provide validation for use of these cell lines to study the process of angiogenesis in vivo. Study of gene expression in endothelial cells in edge-associated or intratumor vessels using this model might reveal mechanisms important in tumor-induced angiogenesis in human breast cancer.

Morphologic diversity in malignant melanoma: the potential use of microdissection and the polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis.

Malignant melanoma (MM) can mimic soft tissue (ST) and epithelial neoplasms. An immunoperoxidase (IP) panel and a morphologic comparison of the primary are used in diagnosis, which can be difficult when the morphologic and IP profiles of a metastatic lesion simulate those of an ST neoplasm. Through the comparison of known genetic abnormalities in primary and metastatic neoplasms, a definitive diagnosis can be suggested on the basis of the finding of identical allelic losses through the use of microdissection (MD) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genetic alterations involving the p16 gene on chromosome 9p21 have been observed in MM. We present the case of a 56-year-old man with known MM in whom multiple metastatic lesions to the skin and an adrenal gland developed during a 5-year period. A fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of a new ST buttock lesion was performed; the specimen had cytologic features different from those of the primary neoplasm and simulated a possible primary ST neoplasm. We attempted to make a definitive diagnosis of MM in the FNA of the ST buttock lesion through a genetic comparison with the primary neoplasm as well as with the other metastatic sites. Direct-visualization MD was performed on histologic glass slides of the primary and adjacent tissue (normal control), and the metastatic lesions, along with malignant cell clusters from the buttock lesion FNA. DNA was extracted and PCR amplified with primers D9S171 and IFNA for the p16 locus at the 9p21-22 region. Loss of heterozygosity for the D9S171 marker at the p16 gene locus was identified in all of the neoplastic tissue tested. Normal skin elements did not show deletion. The combination of MD and PCR are powerful tools that can be used for the comparison of genetic abnormalities in primary and metastatic neoplasms with unusual morphologic features to help support a diagnosis with a noncontributory IP.

If cells could talk. The application of new techniques to cytopathology.

Cytopathology is no longer simply a screening modality limited to the "Pap mills" of yore. The news in cervicovaginal cytology is automation. The news in FNA cytology is the application of molecular techniques. Whether it is the detection of specific proteins/antigens for definitive diagnoses/treatment guidance in immunotherapy, or it is "reading nucleic acids," the cytopathologist of the future will be called upon to gather and report more detailed and precise information. As we develop methods for extrapolating the secrets previously locked within the individual cells, it becomes evident that the cells were talking all along, we just did not know how to listen.

Thyroid gland abnormalities in patients with the syndrome of spotty skin pigmentation, myxomas, endocrine overactivity, and schwannomas (Carney complex)

Carney complex is a multiple neoplasia and lentiginosis syndrome that affects endocrine glands, including the pituitary, adrenals, and testes; thyroid gland involvement has not been unequivocally demonstrated. In the present study, the medical records of 12 families with Carney complex (53 affected patients) were reviewed for evidence of thyroid abnormality; 2 patients with thyroid carcinoma (1 papillary and 1 follicular; 3.8%) and 1 with follicular adenoma were identified in 3 unrelated kindreds. Six affected members of these kindreds were then screened for the presence of thyroid disease (familial cases). We also studied 5 patients with the complex who had no affected relatives (sporadic cases). These 11 patients consisted of 5 adults [mean age, 33.2 +/- 9.2 (+/- SD) yr] and 6 children and adolescents (mean age, 13.8 +/- 2.5 yr). All had normal results of physical and biochemical examination of the thyroid gland (total and free T4, T3, and TSH levels). Thyroid ultrasonography showed hypoechoic, cystic, solid, or mixed lesions in 3 of the 5 adults (60%) and 4 of the 6 children (67%). Two patients underwent fine needle aspiration biopsy, which identified follicular lesions. Thyroid gland abnormalities were documented in 5 siblings and 1 parent-child pair. We conclude that thyroid gland pathology is 1) common in patients with Carney complex; 2) includes a spectrum of abnormalities ranging from follicular hyperplasia and/or cystic changes to carcinoma; and 3) is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, like the other manifestations of the syndrome, it is therefore, a candidate component of the syndrome. Ultrasonography is useful in the detection and clinical follow-up of these lesions.

Immunoreactivity of S100 protein, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and CD68 in adult and congenital granular cell tumors.

Some benign tumors categorized as "granular cell tumors" (GCTs) may have heterogenous origins despite their uniform morphologic appearance. Adult GCTs (the usual type), presumed to be of Schwannian origin, are reported to be positive for S100 protein (S100) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Congenital GCTs are S100- and NSE-negative and of unknown but probable non-Schwannian origin. To elucidate the histogenesis of adult and congenital GCT, we undertook a comparative immunohistochemical study using paraffin-embedded tissue from 10 cases of GCTs, of which 3 were the congenital type, 6 were the adult type, and 1 was an unusual multiple GCT involving the colonic mucosa. All of the GCTs were negative for keratin, smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, desmin, CD57, CD15, and MAC387. All of the adult and multifocal GCTs involving the colonic mucosa were positive for S100, NSE, alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT), CD68, and vimentin. Congenital GCTs, on the other hand, were negative for S100 and NSE but positive for A1AT, CD68, and vimentin. Our study suggests that these two types of GCT have different histogeneses because S100 and NSE are positive in the adult type but negative in the congenital type. They share, however, a common immunophenotype of positive A1AT, CD68, and vimentin. Although this may seem to indicate a common histiocytic origin for adult and congenital GCT, another macrophage marker, MAC387, is negative. Furthermore, CD68 is closely related to the glycoprotein of the lysosomal membrane and is not completely specific for histiocytic cells; for example, it is positive in reactive and neoplastic Schwann cells. Thus, we conclude that positive immunoreactivity for A1AT and CD68 in GCT may be a reflection of the intracytoplasmic accumulation of phagolysosomes and that it does not imply a histiocytic origin for this tumors. We confirm that adult GCT is of Schwannian origin and that congenital GCT is of uncommitted mesenchymal cell origin.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Brazil. Necropsy findings.

According to the 15 autopsies performed at the Department of Pathological Anatomy, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil, it was confirmed that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs preferably in young homosexual males, who die in a short period of time of the disease, which leads to a consumptive state verified by cachexia of the cadavers. The most affected organs of this series were the lungs and encephalum, exactly the ones responsible for the immediate cause of death. In this series of autopsies there were 9 types of microorganisms represented by virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoans and two types of tumors, Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoma of the central nervous system. From the microorganisms, the most frequent was the Cytomegalovirus and, from the tumors, Kaposi's sarcoma. The various types of microorganisms were frequently associated, principally in the central nervous and digestive systems. There was also association of microorganisms with tumors. Besides the lesions produced by microorganisms there were other associated alterations as brown atrophy of neuronia, which was related to the infiltration of cerebral lymphoma, and the lymphocytic depletion of lymphoid organs due to immunological exhaustion. Cellular reaction to microorganisms was practically none, principally with Pneumocystis carinii and Cryptococcus neoformans, the first one behaving as an inert mould in the pulmonary alveoli and the second proliferating freely in tissues. In two cases there was no granulomatous reaction to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The primary lymphoma of the central nervous system should be interpreted as a microglioma, i.e., a reticulosarcoma of this system according to Hortega's school.

PIP: Clinical and autopsy findings obtained from 15 male patients treated for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at 3 hospitals in Sao Paulo provided a clearer profile of AIDS cases in Brazil. Of the 12 patients whose sexual orientation was recorded, 9 were homosexual and 3 were bisexual. 75% were between the ages of 22-36 years; 14 were white. The duration of diseases ranged from 14 days-7 months in this series, confirming the rapid evolution of AIDS from 1st symptom to death. The most common clinical manifestations of disease were fever, cough, weight loss, diarrhea, and lymphadenopathy. Organs most frequently involved were the lungs (13 cases) and encephalum (9 cases). Microscopic findings revealed 9 types of microorganisms, fungi, and protozoa, the most common of which was Cytomegalovirus (7 cases). The cause of death was meningoencephalitis in 7 cases and panlobar pneumonia in 3 cases. The incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (2 cases) was surprisingly low in this series. In addition to lesions produced by microorganisms, there were important associated lesions represented by lymphocytic depletion, acute myocarditis, brown atrophy of neuronia, acute pancreatitis, and liver cirrhosis. Several microorganisms and tumors in these AIDS patients were discovered only at autopsy, confirming the importance of necropsy to the study of the natural history of this disease. An unexpected pathological finding in this series was the absence of cellular reactions to microorganisms, particularly Pneumocystis carinii, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.