Response to chemoradiotherapy and lymph node involvement in locally advanced rectal cancer.

AIM: To establish the association between lymph node involvement and the response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: Data of 130 patients with mid and low locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by radical surgery over a 5-year period were reviewed. Tumor staging was done by endorectal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Tumor response to neoadjuvant therapy was determined by T-downstaging and tumor regression grading (TRG). Pathologic complete response (pCR) is defined as the absence of tumor cells in the surgical specimen (ypT0N0). The varying degrees TRG were classified according to Mandard's scoring system. The evaluation of the response is based on the comparison between previous clinico-radiological staging and the results of pathological evaluation. χ (2) and Spearman's correlation tests were used for the comparison of variables. RESULTS: Pathologic complete response (pCR, ypT0N0, TRG1) was observed in 19 cases (14.6%), and other 18 (13.8%) had only very few residual malignant cells in the rectal wall (TRG2). T-downstaging was found in 63 (48.5%). Mean lymph node retrieval was 9.4 (range 0-38). In 37 cases (28.5%) more than 12 nodes were identified in the surgical specimen. Preoperative lymph node involvement was seen in 77 patients (59.2%), 71 N1 and 6 N2. Postoperative lymph node involvement was observed in 41 patients (31.5%), 29 N1 and 12 N2, while the remaining 89 were N0 (68.5%). In relation to ypT stage, we found nodal involvement of 9.4% in ypT0-1, 22.2% in ypT2 and 43.7% in ypT3-4. Of the 37 patients considered "responders" to neoadjuvant therapy (TRG1 and 2), there were only 4 N+ (10.8%) and the remainder N0 (89.2%). In the "non responders" group (TRG 3, 4 and 5), 37 cases were N+ (39.8%) and 56 (60.2%) were N0 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer is associated with lymph node involvement.

Adenomatosis hepática: una causa infrecuente de trasplante hepático / Hepatic adenomatosis: a rare cause of liver transplant

No disponible

Toll-like receptors 3, 4 and 9 in hepatocellular carcinoma: Relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis.

AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is in the 10 leading cancer types, being difficult to detect as most of patients who develop this tumor have no symptoms other than those related to their long-standing liver disease. The liver is constantly exposed to bacterial products, viral infection, alcohol or other products, which may be the cause of chronic liver damage, and thus an increasing risk for HCC. Toll-like receptors (TLR) have gained an extraordinary interest in cancer research due to their role in several biological processes such as innate immune responses, the induction of adaptive immune responses, regulation of inflammation, would healing and carcinogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression and clinical relevance of TLR3, 4 and 9 in HCC. METHODS: The expression levels of TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9 were analyzed in tumors from 30 patients with HCC. The analysis was performed by immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with various clinicopathological findings and with overall survival. RESULTS: TLR3 was significantly high in large tumors (>4 cm in diameter) compared with small tumors (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that patients whose tumors showed both TLR4 and TLR9 positive immunostaining had poor prognosis. In addition, TLR9 expression by fibroblast-like cells was significantly associated with a shortened overall survival (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated an association between TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9 expression and tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in HCC.

Adenocarcinomas nasosinusales tipo intestinal. Perfil inmunohistoquímico de 66 casos / Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical profile of 66 cases

Introducción y objetivos: Los adenocarcinomas nasosinusales tipo intestinal son tumores epiteliales malignos, que suponen el 8-25% de los tumores malignos nasosinusales. Se relacionan con la exposición al polvo de la madera. Se subdividen histológicamente en papilares, colónicos, sólidos y mucinosos. Realizamos un estudio patológico e inmunohistoquímico con el fin de establecer características con significado pronóstico, diagnóstico e incluso terapéutico, así como comparar con estudios previos. Métodos: Estudiamos 66 muestras tumorales mediante matrices tisulares. Realizamos tinciones inmunohistoquímicas para p53, p16, beta-catenina, E-cadherina, receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico (EGFR), receptor 2 de factor de crecimiento epidérmico humano (HER2/neu) y ciclooxigenasa 2 (COX-2). Resultados: Un 63% de los casos son positivos para p53, el 37% para beta-catenina nuclear, el 100% para E-cadherina, el 98% para beta-catenina membranosa, el 7% para EGFR, el 8% para HER2/neu, el 52% para COX-2 y el 59% pierden la expresión de p16. Conclusiones: La invasión intracraneal es el factor clínico pronóstico más importante. Los tumores de tipo sólido y mucinoso son los que muestran un comportamiento más agresivo, siendo los mucinosos los que mayor invasión intracraneal muestran. No existen diferencias inmunohistoquímicas entre los distintos subtipos histológicos, únicamente la tinción débil para E-cadherina y beta-catenina, más frecuente en los de tipo mucinoso. El EGFR, HER2/neu y COX-2 muestran una positividad menos frecuente que en series previas. La positividad para p16 se asocia a una menor supervivencia y mayor frecuencia de enfermedad metastásica.Palabras clave Adenocarcinoma nasosinusal. Carcinoma nasosinusal. Inmunohistoquímica. p53. p16. beta-catenina. E-cadherina. Receptor del factor de crecimiento epidérmico. Receptor 2 de factor de crecimiento epidérmico humano. Cyclooxigenasa-2 (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinomas are malignant epithelial tumours. Around 8-25% of all sinonasal malignant tumours are intestinal-type adenocarcinomas, which are related to wood dust exposure. Four histological subtypes have been described: papillary, colonic, solid and mucinous. We performed a pathological and immunohistochemical study in order to describe characteristics with prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic value, and also to compare our results with previous studies. Methods: Sixty six tumour samples were analysed and protein expression of p53, p16, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was performed by tissue microarray blocks. Results: The 63% of cases were p53 positive; 37% showed nuclear staining with beta-catenin and 100% with E-cadherin, while 98% showed membrane staining with beta-catenin, 7% with EGFR, 8% with HER2/neu and 52% with COX-2; and 59% of the cases lost p16 expression. Conclusions: Intracranial invasion was the worst prognostic associated event. Solid and mucinous tumours were the most aggressive histological subtypes. Intracranial invasion was more frequent in mucinous subtype tumours. Immunohistochemical results were similar in all tumour subtypes, except for mucinous tumours, which showed weak expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin. Comparing with previous studies, we found a lower expression of EGFR, HER2/neu and COX-2. The p16 expression was associated with worse survival and metastatic disease (AU)

Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical profile of 66 cases.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinomas are malignant epithelial tumours. Around 8-25% of all sinonasal malignant tumours are intestinal-type adenocarcinomas, which are related to wood dust exposure. Four histological subtypes have been described: papillary, colonic, solid and mucinous. We performed a pathological and immunohistochemical study in order to describe characteristics with prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic value, and also to compare our results with previous studies. METHODS: Sixty six tumour samples were analysed and protein expression of p53, p16, E-cadherin, ß-catenin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was performed by tissue microarray blocks. RESULTS: The 63% of cases were p53 positive; 37% showed nuclear staining with ß-catenin and 100% with E-cadherin, while 98% showed membrane staining with ß-catenin, 7% with EGFR, 8% with HER2/neu and 52% with COX-2; and 59% of the cases lost p16 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial invasion was the worst prognostic associated event. Solid and mucinous tumours were the most aggressive histological subtypes. Intracranial invasion was more frequent in mucinous subtype tumours. Immunohistochemical results were similar in all tumour subtypes, except for mucinous tumours, which showed weak expression of E-cadherin and ß-catenin. Comparing with previous studies, we found a lower expression of EGFR, HER2/neu and COX-2. The p16 expression was associated with worse survival and metastatic disease.

Duodenal expression of Toll-like receptors and interleukins are increased in both children and adult celiac patients.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have achieved an extraordinary amount of interest in inflammatory diseases due to their role in the inflammatory activation. By activating the production of several biological factors, TLRs induce type I interferons and other cytokines, which drive the inflammatory response and activate the adaptive immune system. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the expression and clinical relevance of TLRs and interleukins in pediatric and adult celiac disease (CD), defined as intolerance to dietary proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. METHODS: The expression levels of TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7, interleukins, and different transcription factors were analyzed on duodenal biopsies from ten children and 31 adults with CD, and 21 duodenal controls biopsies without CD (ten children and 11 adults). The analyses were performed by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the studied parameters between adults and children. TLR4 expression level was increased twofold in CD specimens compared to controls. CD patients with high levels of TLR4 also showed high levels of interleukins (IL1, IL6, IL8, and IL17) as well as transcription factors (IRAK4, MyD88, and NF-κB). CONCLUSIONS: TLR4 expression is associated with CD independently of age at diagnosis. Pediatric patients and adult patients have a similar inflammatory profile, making it possible to treat both with the same immunological therapy in the future.

Small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the submandibular gland with neuroendocrine features.

This article reports the clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings in a case of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the submandibular gland. The tumor was composed of anaplastic cells slightly larger than lymphocytes without ductal differentiation. On immunohistochemical analysis, the tumor contained cells that reacted positively with antibodies to cytokeratin, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and chromogranin. The present case supports the hypothesis that small cell undifferentiated carcinomas of the salivary glands arise from presumed multipotential ductal stem cells. When this tumor entity is located on the salivary glands, it appears to behave less aggressively than when it is a primary tumor of the bronchial tree.