BACKGROUND: Overexpression of the cell cycle control gene, cyclin D1 may, at least in some tumor types, provide a prognostic marker. Cyclin D1 is expressed during the G1 phase of the cell cycle and becomes associated with its catalytic partner CDK4 or CDK6. This association may overcome the G1 arrest. OBJECTIVES: To establish the frequency of cyclin D1 protein overexpression and to evaluate its correlation with cyclin D1 gene amplification and its correlation with clinico-pathologic variables that are used in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cyclin D1 gene amplification was estimated with the differential polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and cyclin D1 protein overexpression was evaluated with immunohistochemical study in 32 cases of resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). The presence or absence of cyclin D1 protein overexpression was correlated with anatomical sites, T stage, nodal involvement, pathologic grade and survival rate. RESULTS: Six SCC cases(18.7%) showed the amplification of cyclin D1 gene. A highly statistical correlation between cyclin D1 gene amplification and cyclin D1 protein overexpression was noted(p<0.05). However in seven cases(21.9%) there was cyclin D1 protein overexpression without gene amplification. There was no correlation between cyclin D1 protein overexpression and known clinicopathologic variables(T and N stages, pathologic grade)(p>0.05). But overexpression of cyclin D1 protein was associated with a poor survival of these cases(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of cyclin D1 is the independent prognostic factor for the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The cyclin D1 gene amplification results in the overexpression of cyclin D1 protein. But additional genetic mechanisms are involved in the protein overexpression. Therefore, cyclin D1 oncogene may be important in tumorigenesis in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins* ; G1 Phase ; Gene Amplification ; Genes, bcl-1 ; Head* ; Neck* ; Oncogenes ; Survival Rate

To define the basic sequential events of the healing process in normal fracture and evaluate the role of growth regulatory molecules and extracellular matrix components, the expression of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β), platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF), type I and II collagen, and chemistry during the healing process of an experimental fracture of tibia in 41 adult rats for 7 weeks using ABC methods. The phases of inflammation, reparation, and remodeling followed each other in sequence. The inflammatory phase was characterized by hemorrhage, edema, and infiltration of inflammatory cells on the first day. During the reparative phase, the undifferentiated mesenchyme undergoes rapid chondrogenesis, followed by endochondral ossification and supplemented by appositional bone formation. At day 3, the expression of TGF-β and PDGF was noted in the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and from day 5, these two growth factors were detected in the osteoblasts and extracellular matrix in areas of endochondral ossification and newly formed periosteal bone. From day 3, the expression of type I collagen and osteonectin was noted in the osteoblasts and extracellular matrix in both endochondral ossification and appositional bone growth as a marker of ossification. From day 3, type III collagen was mainly expressed in the plump mesenchymal cells showing chondroid differentiation and chondroid matrix as a marker of cartilaginous reparative phase. From day 14, these growth factors and extracellular matrix components were decreased in staining intensity and at the 5th week, the histology and immunostaining pattern were similar to the mature bone.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Development ; Chemistry ; Chondrogenesis ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; Collagen ; Edema ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fracture Healing ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mesoderm ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteonectin ; Rats ; Tibia ; Transforming Growth Factors

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the expressions of osteopontin (OPN) and clusterin in a transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder, and then compare their expression rates with the tumor invasiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five superficial and 25 invasive TCC were used for immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: All 25 non-invasive TCC showed a strong positive reaction for OPN. Twenty of the invasive TCC showed a strong positive reaction for OPN, but 5 showed only a weak positive reaction. OPN expression was significantly decreased in the invasive TCC (p=0.02). Eighteen superficial TCC showed a weak positive reaction for clusterin, with 7 showing a negative reaction. Nine invasive TCC showed a strong positive reaction for clusterin, and 11 showed only a weak positive reaction. Five invasive TCC showed a negative reaction for clusterin. Clusterin expression was significantly increased in the invasive TCC (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results may suggest that OPN and clusterin could be used as markers to predict the biological behavior of a TCC.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Clusterin* ; Osteopontin* ; Urinary Bladder*

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that mast cells are involved in the tumor growth and progression by production of a variety of enzymes and growth factors. They were studied in the 10-dimethyl-1,2 benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumors, and evaluated in relation with the production of tryptase, chymase, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. METHODS: Preneoplastic and neoplastic breast tissues of Sprague-Dawley female rats were obtained every week after DMBA treatment for 12 weeks. Toluidine blue stain was used for the identification of mast cells. Mast cell tryptase was studied by immunohistochemistry, and chymase by esterase stain. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: The numbers of mast cells in breast cancers were higher than in preneoplastic tissues, and there was a positive correlation between the numbers of tryptase-positive cells and the tumor size. MMP-9 quantity was correlated with the numbers of toluidine blue and chymase positive cells, but not with tryptase-positive cells and tumor size. Both active and inactive forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were identified in zymogram. CONCLUSIONS: The mast cells are increased in the DMBA-induced breast cancers, and their tryptase and chymase may play a role in tumor progression with or without participation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Breast ; Chymases ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mast Cells* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tolonium Chloride ; Tryptases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible role of DNA content abnomrality in solid tumors as a diagnostic indicator in Korean patients, the incidence of aneuploidy in the major organs were analyzed and compared with the incidences which have been reported in the literatures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content were performed on the 1673 fresh tissues of neoplastic lesions which were obtained for the last five years in Hospital. RESULTS: The frequency of aneuploidy was more than 50% in the primary malignant tumors of the stomach, colon, esophagus, liver, biliary tract, pancreas, head and neck organs, salivary gland, lung, breast, ovary, CNS and urinary tract. However, the frequency of aneuploidy was as low as 7% in papillary carcinoma of thyroid and about 30% in renal cell carcinoma and malignant lymphomas. High frequency of aneuploidy (more than 70%) was seen in the metastatic tumors in liver, brain, ovary and lymph nodes. Aneuploidy was also found in benign tumors of salivary gland, adenomas of endocrine organs, meningiomas, smooth muscle tumors and schwannomas. CONCLUSION: The results of present study were in concordant with those of the other domestic and foreign studies. Although aneuploidy can be observed in some benign tumors, DNA ploidy pattern is considered to be an important diagnostic and prognostic factors in malignant lesions of the various organs.
Adenoma ; Aneuploidy ; Biliary Tract ; Brain ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Colon ; Diploidy ; DNA* ; Esophagus ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Meningioma ; Neck ; Neurilemmoma ; Ovary ; Pancreas ; Ploidies* ; Salivary Glands ; Smooth Muscle Tumor ; Stomach ; Thyroid Gland ; Urinary Tract

Uterine stromal tumors with features of ovarian sex-cord differentiation are relatively rare. The neoplasms composed of sex cord-like components in more than 50% of the tumor are classified as group II. We report the cytologic findings of a case of uterine tumor resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor. The cervical smears of a 62-year-old woman with submucosal tumor showed loose aggregates of spindle cells as well as glandular or tubular structures of round cells with a distinct cell membrane and a prominent small nucleolus. Because uterine stromal tumor can have sex cord differentiation, its possibility should be considered in the interpretation of cervical smears.
Cell Membrane ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Uterus ; Vaginal Smears

We report here on the multiple genital tract neoplasms in a 41-yr-old Korean woman with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS). The patient presented with lower abdominal pain. Her previous medical history was PJS and breast cancer. Pelvic ultrasound showed a multilocular cyst at the right adnexal region, diagnosed as bilateral ovarian mucinous borderline tumors. An ovarian sex cord tumor with annular tubules was incidentally diagnosed together with a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix and mucinous metaplasia of both the Fallopian tubal mucosa and the endometrium. Although the cases of multiple genital tract tumors with PJS has rarely been reported, the present case appears to be the first in Korea in which the PJS syndrome was complicated by multiple genital tract tumors and infiltrating carcinoma of the breast. The clinical significance of the multiple genital tract tumors and breast cancer associated with PJS is reviewed.
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/complications/*pathology ; Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors/complications/pathology ; Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome/complications/*pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms/complications/*pathology ; Metaplasia ; Korea ; Humans ; Female ; Fallopian Tubes/pathology ; Endometrium/pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/complications/pathology ; Breast Neoplasms/complications/*pathology ; Adult ; Adenocarcinoma/complications/pathology

Paraganglioma is a generic term applied to tumors of paraganglia, regardless of location, and composed largely of paraganglionic chief cells. It is a rare tumor, especially in the spinal region. When it appears in the craniospinal axis, it is restricted to the cauda equina or filum terminale, and less commonly, the spinal nerve root. We report a case of oncocytic paraganglioma in the spinal nerve root of 13-year-old girl. The tumor was located in intradural and extramedullary areas from the 12th thoracic to the 1st lumbar vertebra. Histologically, the tumor cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasms show diffuse compact clusters, which are surrounded by fibers in a reticulin stain, like a nested pattern. The nuclei are round to ovoid in shape with mild atypia. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells are positive for synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase and vimentin but are negative for cytokeratin, chromogranin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Some cells are positive for S-100 protein. The MIB-1 labeling index is low. Ultrastructurally, dense core neurosecretory granules are not found but mitochondrias are commonly noted.
Adolescent ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cauda Equina ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Humans ; Keratins ; Mitochondria ; Paraganglioma* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Reticulin ; S100 Proteins ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; Spine ; Synaptophysin ; Vimentin

PURPOSE: In squamous cell carcinomas of the lung, the angiogenesis and the expression rates of metalloproteinase were measured to examine whether they can be useful as prognostic markers and therapeutic potentials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The angiogenesis and the expression rates of metalloproteinase were analyzed by counting the number of microvessels and immunohistochemically positive cells of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in 54 squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. RESULTS: Lymph node meatastasis group showed higher angiogenesis than non-metastasis one (p=0.008). Angiogenesis were elevated with increasing clinical stage. However, MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression rate as the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and the clinical stages were statistically insignificant, respectively. Angiogenesis failed to demonstrate any significant correlation with the expression rates of MMPs. CONCLUSION: Our results suggests that angiogenesis level may provide informaton relevant to prognosis as well as treatment decisions.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum protein of innate immunity. Its genetic mutations lead to deficiency of serum MBL and recurrent pyogenic infection in childhood. However, little is known about the frequency of its gene mutations or serum levels in Korean population and patients with cancers. METHODS: We studied the mutational genotypes of MBL exon 1 codon 52, 54, and 57 or serum MBL levels from 102 normal adults and 228 cases of breast, stomach, colon, uterine cervical, and lung cancers by allele-specific PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: MBL gene mutations were found in 32 of 102 normal adults (31.4%), and were restricted only to exon 1 codon 54 showing homozygous (n=5, 4.9%) or heterozygous mutations (n=27, 26.5%). Mean and median serum MBL in the patients with cancers were increased (2,647+/-1,742 and 2,915 ng/mL, mean+/-S.D. and median) than those of normal adults (1,906+/-1,359 and 1,758 ng/mL). Serum MBL level was significantly increased in the patients with stomach, uterine cervical, colon, and lung cancers. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the frequency and pattern of MBL gene mutations and its serum level is very similar among northeastern Asian populations. In addition, MBL might be involved in an immunologic response against common cancers, although further studies are needed.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast ; Codon ; Colon ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Exons ; Genotype ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mannose ; Mannose-Binding Lectin* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach