Correlation of astrocyte elevated gene-1, basic-fibroblast growth factor, beta-catenin, Ki-67, tumor necrosis factor-alfa with prognostic parameters in ductal carcinomas and ductal intraepithelial neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most frequent cancer in the world. Although it is widely accepted that the etiology of breast cancer includes both genetic and environmental factors, the molecular mechanism of its development and progression remains poorly understood, and thus far, no specific signature of breast cancer gene expression has been reported to allow for patient-tailored therapy strategies. Hence, it is of great clinical value to further understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of breast cancer and to identify effective early markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease as well as novel therapeutic targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on a total of 90 paraffin-embedded breast tumor samples. Immunohistochemical stains for astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), beta-catenin, Ki-67, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were performed on tissue microarray using standard procedures. Each patient age, grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) status, size, lymphovascular invasion, metastasis of lymph node (LNM), nipple and ductal hyperplasia areas were assessed. RESULTS: We observed significant relationship between the age and LNM or FGF (P = 0.018, 0.035, respectively). The relationship between histological and nuclear grade, LNM, ER, PR, HER-2 and prognostic parameters was evaluated in cases of ductal carcinomas (DC). There was a significant positive correlation between TNF-α, size, LNM (P ≤ 0.0001, 0.002, 0.005). We found that significant relationship between AEG-1 and TNF-α. There was a significant positive correlation between FGF and Ki-67 and negative correlation AEG-1. Although, FGF, TNF-α, AEG-1 staining in DC were observed higher than ductal intraepithelial neoplasms, this observation could not statistically (P ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present work aims to investigate the relationship between the expression of AEG-1, b-FGF, beta-catenin, Ki-67, TNF-α other prognostic parameters in DC and ductal intraepithelial neoplasm. We found a relationship between these factors.

Relationship among expression of basic-fibroblast growth factor, MTDH/astrocyte elevated gene-1, adenomatous polyposis coli, matrix metalloproteinase 9,and COX-2 markers with prognostic factors in prostate carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The etiopathogenesis of prostate cancer (PC) is still not clear, but hormonal, genetic, and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the tumor pathogenesis. Astrocyte elevated gene-1(AEG-1) as a novel transmembrane protein is predominantly located in the perinuclear region and endoplasmic reticulum. It has been found that AEG-1 upregulation increases the invasive ability of glioma and prostate cancer. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2), and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) are very important in tumor progression as well. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 97 radical prostatectomy specimens. IHC stains for bFGF, MMP-9, COX-2, APC, and AEG-1 were performed on the tissue microarray using standard procedures. For each patient, the age, Gleason score, tumor volume, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, surgical margin, and the invasion of vesiculoseminalis areas were assessed. Analyses were performed using the statistical PASW (ver. 18). RESULTS: Statistically significant positive relationships were found MMP-9 and COX-2 (r = 0.242 and P = 0.017), between MMP-9 and APC (r = 0.207 and P = 0.043), and between bFGF and AEG-1 (r = 0.295 and P = 0.004). However, the relationships between age and staining results and tumor volume and staining results were not found to be significant. Although a positive correlation was found between the Gleason score and tumor volume and the Gleason score and age (r = 0.415 and P = 0.0001; r = 0.246 and P = 0.015, respectively), we did not find a statistically significant relationship between other stains and other prognostic parameters (lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, surgical margin, or vesiculoseminalis invasion). CONCLUSION: The relationships we found between MMP-9 and COX-2, between MMP-9, and APC and between bFGF and AEG-1 as independent prognostic parameters could be helpful in the development of new therapeutic procedures.

Cyclooxygenase-2 and survivin in superficial urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and correlation with intratumoural microvessel density.

This study was designed to investigate the protein levels of cyclooxyogenase-2 (COX-2) and survivin in superficial urothelial carcinoma (UC) and their correlation with microvessel density (MVD). High-grade UC was positive for both COX-2 and survivin protein, and the proportion of tumours positive for both proteins increased with increasing tumour grade. The presence of COX-2 protein was significantly correlated with the presence of survivin protein. Both COX-2 and survivin positivity were significantly correlated with MVD in all patients regardless of tumour grade, but there was no correlation between MVD and COX-2 and survivin positivity by individual tumour grade. Although there was no significant difference in the proportion of COX-2-positive tumours when patients were stratified by tumour stage, a significantly higher proportion of patients with pT1 stage tumours were survivin-positive compared with patients with pTa stage tumours. COX-2 and survivin positivity were significantly correlated in all patients regardless of tumour grade or stage. COX-2 and survivin were significantly correlated in patients with pTa, but there was no correlation in pT1 tumours. These findings demonstrate that together, COX-2, survivin and MVD may play an important role in UC.

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: analysis of 32 cases.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, some clinicopathologic characteristics and the outcome of patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT) were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical charts and pathologic reports of 32 patients with MOGCT treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty of Dicle University, Turkey from 1983 to 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (40.6%) had dysgerminoma, nine (28.1%) had immature teratoma (four grade 1, three grade 2, and two grade 3), eight (25%) had endodermal sinus tumor, and two (6.3%) patients had mixed germ cell tumors. Site of involvement was unilateral in 30 (19 on the right and 11 on the left) and bilateral in two. All patients underwent primary surgery and 26 patients combination chemotherapy. There seemed to be a relationship between pathologic findings and clinical outcome, and MOGCT histologic types may affect the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Dysgerminoma had a better prognosis than the nondysgerminomatous group (p < 0.05). This study provides additional data in confirmation of previous reports that management of MOGCT with fertility preservation is safe.

Cavernous hemangioma of the uterus (a case report).

Cavernous hemangioma of the uterus is an extremely rare lesion. We report a postmenopausal patient with abnormal uterine bleeding due to hemangioma and simple endometrial hyperplasia.

Expressions of p53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and Ki-67 in gestational trophoblastic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine whether the expressions of p53, PCNA, and Ki-67 could differentiate spontaneous abortions with hydropic changes from gestational trophoblastic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty partial hydatidiform moles, 21 complete hydatidiform moles, nine invasive hydatidiform moles, three choriocarcinomas and 19 first trimester hydropic spontaneous abortions were evaluated by means of immunohistochemical methods with antibodies to p53, PCNA, and Ki-67 in this study. RESULTS: The Ki-67, PCNA, and p53 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the gestational trophoblastic disease group than in the spontaneous abortion group with hydropic changes. None of the three parameters provided reliable discrimination among gestational trophoblastic disease subgroups. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that expressions of Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p53 can be used to differentiate between spontaneous abortion with hydropic changes and gestational trophoblastic disease when all three markers are used together.

Survival and reproductive function after treatment of immature ovarian teratoma.

We conducted a clinical and pathologic review of nine patients with immature ovarian teratoma. The histologic grade of the tumor seemed to be a reliable indicator of prognosis. Low stage and low grade immature ovarian teratomas have an excellent prognosis. Platinum-based chemotherapy has been confirmed to be effective in the management of patients with ovarian germ cell tumors. Low grade pure ovarian immature teratoma is a potentially curable disease and a fertility-sparing surgical approach is possible.

Mucinous tumors of the ovary: analysis of 38 cases.

Ovarian mucinous tumors stem from ovarian surface epithelium and are divided into benign, borderline and malignant. It is difficult to differentiate borderline and malignant mucinous tumors. Thirty-eight cases of ovarian mucinous tumors which were diagnosed at the Pathology Department of Dicle University Medical Faculty were reviewed. Of these, 18 (47.3%), six (15.7%) and 14 (36.8%) were benign, borderline and malignant, respectively. The patients' ages ranged from 18 to 67 (average 44.5) years. Bilaterality was detected in 1/18 (5.5%), 0/6 and 4/14 (28.5%) of benign, borderline and malignant mucinous tumors, respectively. Mean tumor size was 26.4 cm. Microscopically, there was no stratification in the benign tumors. The borderline tumors had papillary infoldings and 2-3 layers of atypical epithelial cells but no invasion of the stroma. Malignant tumors had four or more layers of atypical epithelial cells and stromal invasion.

Diffuse lipomatosis of thyroid gland.

A case of diffuse lipomatosis of the thyroid gland is presented. Previously documented cases of this rare disorder are reviewed. Diffuse lipomatosis of the thyroid, amyloid goiter with adipose tissue, and the relationship between lipomatosis and adenolipoma are discussed.

Echinococcosis multilocularis in south-eastern Anatolia, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the human prevalence, elucidate possible risk factors and present other epidemiological parameters of human alveolar echinococcosis in the south-eastern region of Turkey. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTINGS: South-eastern region (Anatolia) of Turkey by two medical centres: Dicle University Medical Faculty in Diyarbakir and Harran University Medical Faculty in Urfa. SUBJECTS: Forty seven cases of human alveolar echinococcosis were presented between the period of 1980 and 2000. METHODS: For the majority of our patients, personal anamnestic, clinical data and addresses were available from their files, and we visited their villages to investigate the risk factors for human alveolar echinococcosis. Epidemiological parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The 47 cases consisted of 18 (38.3%) males and 29 (61.7%) females. The average age was 34.6 years. In all cases, lesions occurred in the liver. No village or district had more than one case. The majority of patients (73.8%) were farmers and 33 had a history of dog ownership. CONCLUSION: This region has a higher incidence than Turkey as a whole, and domestic dogs and free-ranging dogs seem to be the main source of infection.

Protruding urethral leiomyoma obscuring vaginal introitus: case report.

Leiomyoma is quite rare in the female urethra. We report an additional case to 29 reported in the literature. A multiparous woman presented with a complaint of a gradually enlarging mass causing dyspareunia for the last seven months. The mass was originating from the upper part of the distal urethra with a relatively thin stalk covered by squamous epithelia, and immunohistopathological examination confirmed it as leiomyoma.

Experimental study on effects of deferoxamine mesilate in ameliorating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

PURPOSE: Cisplatin (CCDP), an indispensable agent of several chemotherapy protocols, has serious dose limiting side effects, including nephrotoxicity. In this experimental study, we used deferoxamine mesilate (DFO), an iron chelating agent, to ameliorate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty adult male bulb-c mice were divided in 6 equal groups. Group 1 received distilled water, group 2 received 100 mg/kg DFO, group 3 received 0.9 mg/kg CCDP, group 4 received 100 mg/kg DFO one hour before 0.9 mg/kg CCDP, group 5 received 1.8 mg/kg CCDP, and group 6 received 200 mg/kg DFO one hour before 1.8 mg/kg CCDP transperitoneally for 10 days. The next day, blood and urine samples were obtained, and all the animals were sacrificed, the kidneys and testes were removed, and histopathologic and biochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Low-dose and high-dose CCDP treated mice had significantly more extensive proximal tubular degeneration (p < 0.001) when compared to control animals. Moreover, these changes were significantly less extensive in the mice taking DFO than mice taking CCDP. DFO showed no effect on cisplatin induced testicular histopathology. The cisplatin administration significantly increased the serum urea and plasma creatinin concentrations, and DFO administration prior to CCDP significantly decreased serum urea and plasma creatinin concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DFO administration may be safe and useful for ameliorating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Castleman's disease in the porta hepatis.

We report the CT, ultrasonographic, and pathologic features of a localized forms of Castleman's disease in the porta hepatis due to their unusual location. Our report suggests that the CT and the ultrasonographic features of Castleman's disease in these locations without calcifications is nonspecific.