OBJECTIVETo investigate the Raman spectral characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma, high-grade epithelial dysplasia and normal mucosa.

METHODSFifty- six fresh samples of oral carcinoma, 50 of high-grade epithelial dysplasia and 32 of normal mucosa were collected. The i-Raman spectrometer with an optical fiber tube was applied to acquire Raman spectrum. The diagnostic model established by principle component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) was used to analyze and classify the spectra of different samples.

RESULTSThere were significant differences among the Raman spectra of these samples. Compared with the spectra of normal mucosa, the spectra of oral carcinoma and dysplasia showed strong peaks which were contributed to nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. The diagnostic models established by PCA-DFA could successfully classify these Raman spectra of different samples with a high accuracy of 96.4% (133/138). The model was evaluated by 'Leave one out' cross-validation and reached a high accuracy of 92.8% (128/138).

CONCLUSIONSThe proliferation and metabolism of oral squamous cell carcinoma and epithelial high-grade dysplasia are more active than normal mucosa. The diagnostic models established by PCA-DFA can classify these Raman spectra of different samples with a high accuracy.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Discriminant Analysis ; Epidermis ; chemistry ; pathology ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; chemistry ; Mouth Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Mucous Membrane ; chemistry ; Principal Component Analysis ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of cluster of differentiation 44 variant 6 (CD(44V6)) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in ocular squamous cell carcinomas.

METHODSStreptavidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemistry was used to explore the expression of CD(44V6) and PCNA in 35 cases of ocular squamous cell carcinomas, 20 cases of papillomas, and 11 cases of normal eyelid tissue.

RESULTSThe CD(44V6) positive rate was 62.9% (22/35) in ocular squamous cell carcinomas, 15.0% (3/20) in papillomas, but not detectable in the 11 cases of normal eyelid tissue. The positive expression rates of CD(44V6) in ocular squamous cell carcinomas were significantly higher than in benign tumors (chi(2) = 11.57, P < 0.01) or control tissue (P = 0.001), and the positive expression rates of CD(44V6) in metastasis were significantly higher than without metastasis (P = 0.049). PCNA labeling indexes (PI) in tumors with CD(44V6) expression were significantly higher than those without (t = 20.21, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOverexpression of CD(44V6) is correlated with the progress and metastasis of ocular squamous cell carcinomas. CD(44V6) protein positive staining is associated with high PI. CD(44V6) and PCNA are useful for evaluating prognosis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Eye Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Glycoproteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; analysis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; analysis ; Skin ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the esophagus.

METHODSTen cases of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus were retrieved from the archival file. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features were studied. The differential diagnosis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe male-to-female ratio was 9: 1. The age of patients ranged from 59 to 76 years. There were 4 cases with tumor located in mid esophagus, 4 cases with tumor located in mid to lower esophagus and the remaining 2 cases in lower esophagus. Low-power histologic examination showed mainly expansive growth pattern, with cribriform, solid and focal tubular architectures identified. The tumor cells showed nuclear hyperchromasia. Both ductal and myoepithelial differentiation was demonstrated. The stroma showed myxoid degeneration in areas. Comedo-type necrosis was observed in 8 cases and moderate to severe squamous dysplasia was present in one case. Three cases showed focal areas of squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for p63 (10/10), CD117 (10/10) and S-100 protein (9/10). There was focal staining for calponin (2/10) and smooth muscle actin (2/10). The ductal structures expressed CK7 (10/10).

CONCLUSIONSAdenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus demonstrates unique morphologic features with expression of S-100 protein and consistent expression of CD117. The above characteristics help to distinguish this entity from basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Aged ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; chemistry ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; S100 Proteins ; analysis

BACKGROUNDBeta-catenin, a 92 kDa protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin, has an essential role in intercellular adhesion and signal transduction. Aberrant expression of beta-catenin has been associated with progression and metastasis of various human cancers. The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression pattern of beta-catenin in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma and examine the correlation between beta-catenin expression and tumor differentiation, histological grade and lymph node status as well as its clinical significances.

METHODSSeventy-six patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and sixteen metastatic lymph nodes were studied. The beta-catenin expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The correlation with clinical, histological data was analyzed statistically.

RESULTSNormal oral epithelium showed strong beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane, but no cytoplasmic or nuclear expression. Different degrees of reduced expression of beta-catenin at the cell membrane were found in 54 cases with squamous cell carcinoma (71%). Cytoplasmic beta-catenin expression was found in 17 tumors (22.4%). Three cases were found with nuclear beta-catenin expression. In sixteen lymph nodes with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, negative beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane was seen in 13 tumors (81.2%) and weak expression in 3 tumors (18.8%). Statistical analysis showed that there was an inverse correlation between beta-catenin expression and lymph node status and histological grade of tumors.

CONCLUSIONSReduced beta-catenin expression at the cell membrane is clearly associated with lymph node metastasis. A reduced expression of beta-catenin may constitute a hallmark of aggressive biological behavior of squamous cell carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Mucosa ; chemistry ; Mouth Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; beta Catenin ; analysis

p53 gene mutations have been known to be highly related to the particular stage of transformation in various types of human cancers. This study was conducted to investigate the p53 mutations at the protein level by an immunohistochemical method using anti-p53 antibody, NCL-p53-DO-7. Twenty-five cancer specimens were obtained surgically from patients with squamous cell cancer of the skin at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital. The cancers were classified according to the possible etiology into two groups, burn scar originated and UV-related cancers. Overexpression of p53 protein was detected in ten (40%) out of 25 cases tested: six (40%) of 15 cases associated with burn scar and four (40%) of ten cases related to UV exposure. In all normal skin cells in specimens, p53 protein was not stained at all. The stages and histological grades were evaluated for their relationship with the overexpression of p53 protein. No significant difference was found between the overexpression of p53 protein and the stages or histological grades. These results demonstrating that 40% of skin cancers were positive for p53 overexpression suggest that the alterations of the p53 gene may play a role and the exact role of p53 gene in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin will be studied.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*chemistry ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; Mutation ; Protein p53/*analysis ; Skin Neoplasms/*chemistr

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of stat3 phosphorylation and p53 expression on human epidermal non-melanoma cutaneous tumours.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry technique was employed to measure the expression of p-stat3 and p53 protein in skin tissue from 30 cases of skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 20 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 20 cases of seborrhoeic keratosis (SK) and 20 normal subjects.

RESULT(1) p-stat3 protein was abnormally increased in SCC and BCC as compared with normal skin and SK. Expression of p-stat3 in SCC was also significantly higher than that in BCC. (2) Expression of p-stat3 was higher in poorly-differentiated cancers than that in well-differentiated cancers in SCC. The positive rate of p-stat3 expression was correlated with the depth of tumor invasion, but not with tumor size. (3) There was no p53 protein expression on normal skin and SK, it was significantly upregulated in SCC and BCC. In SCC, the intensity of p53 expression was associated with tumor differentiation. There was no correlation between the positive rate of p53 expression and the depth of tumor invasion, whereas the positive rate of p53 expression was correlated with the sun-exposure area. (4) There existed positive correlation between the expression intensity of p-stat3 and p53 in SCC (r=0.641, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION(1) The overexpression of p-stat3 may play an important role in the development of epidermal tumors. (2) The abnormal activation of stat3 may be related to metastatic potentials in SCC. (3) Both p53 gene and stat3 may contribute to the pathogenesis of skin SCC.

Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; Skin ; chemistry ; Skin Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between P16 gene (the tumor suppressor gene) and the bcl-2 gene (the apoptosis inhibitor gene) and the incidence and development of malignant eyelid tumors.

METHODSThe streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemistry method was used to study the expression of P16 gene and the bcl-2 gene in 96 cases of malignant eyelid tumors.

RESULTSAmong the 96 cases, there were 40 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), 33 squamous carcinomas and 23 sebaceous carcinoma, with P16 protein positive (nuclear staining) rates 70%, 54.6% and 56.5%, respectively. The P16 positive rate was negatively correlated with the degree of tumor histological differentiation, and the rate difference between the high differentiated carcinomas was significant (P < 0.05). Positive Bcl-2 protein expression was detected in the cytoplasm. All 40 BCC cases were Bcl-2 positive, and nearly all of the tumor cells showed positive cytoplasmic expression, while in the 33 squamous cell carcinoma cases only one showed positive focal reaction, and the staining in the other 32 cases was relatively faint. None of the 23 sebaceous carcinomas expressed Bcl-2.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of the P16 protein was related to the occurrence and degree of differentiation of malignant eyelid tumors. The overexpression of the Bcl-2 protein suggests that suppression of apoptosis might play a role in the tumorigenesis of BCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; chemistry ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; Cell Differentiation ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; analysis ; Eyelid Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo establish a rabbit tumor cell line and to characterize its biological parameters.

METHODSVX2 tumor tissue was used for the primary culture in vitro. After 40 passages, the cell morphology, CK expression (immunohistochemical staining), cell cycle, karyotype and tumorigenecity in rabbits and nude mice were investigated.

RESULTSThe newly established cell line VX2 was maintained in continuous culture for over 70 passages in 10 months. Morphologically, VX2 cells were polygonal to short spindled. Tonal fibril and tight junction were found under the electron microscope. CK was positive. The cell cycle analysis showed 69.3% in G1 phase, 5.6% in G2 phase and 25.1% in S phase. The population doubling time was 34.5 hours. The chromosomal analysis showed a hypotriploidy with a median chromosome number of 58 approximately 62. The tumorigenecity in rabbits and nude mice were both 100%.

CONCLUSIONThe established VX2 cell line derived from rabbit squamous carcinoma could serve as a model system for experimental oncology in the rabbit.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; genetics ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Keratins ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Polyploidy ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and alteration (including homozygous deletion and mutation) of MTS1 gene in precancerous lesions and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of oral mucosa, and to analyse the function of MTS1 gene alteration in oral mucosal carcinogenesis.

METHODSThe expression of p16 protein produced by MTS1 gene was examined with immunohistochemical SP method in 10 normal oral mucosas, 30 precancerous lesions (10 mild, 10 moderate and 10 severe dysplasia respectively) and 45 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCI18, SCCII 19, SCCIII 8). The deletion and mutation of exon1 and exon2 of MTS1 gene were examined with methods of PCR and SSCP in these same samples.

RESULTSAll the precancerous lesions had p16 protein expression and no alteration of MTS1 gene. In SCC, the positive rate of p16 protein was 60.0% with 72.2% in SCCI, 57.9% in SCCII, 37.5% in SCC III, and there were no significant difference among the three groups by chi2 test (P>0.05). Gene homozygous deletion of exon1 and/or exon2 was detected in 10 cases, and gene mutation in 4 cases. The whole rate of gene alteration was 31.1% (14/45). The MTS1 gene alteration rate was 27.8% in SCCI, 31.6% in SCCII, 37.5% in SCC III and there was also no significant difference among the three groups by chi2 test (P>0.05). In SCC with local lymph nodes metastasis, MTS1 alteration rate was 57.1%, while in SCC with no lymph nodes metastasis was 8.3%, and there was significant difference by chi2 test (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMTS1 gene alteration is not an early event in the carcinogenesis of oral mucosa and can not be used as a biology mark to examine oral precancerous lesions. MTS1 gene may play a certain role in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; genetics ; pathology ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; analysis ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mouth Neoplasms ; chemistry ; genetics ; pathology ; Mutation ; Precancerous Conditions ; genetics