In this study of 64 cases of breast cancer with a clinical follow-up period of more than 5 years, several prognostic factors were evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether any one parameter or group of parameters serves as adequate predictors of tumor behavior and patient's prognosis. Several prognostic factors included clinicopathological variables (patient's age, histologic grade, status of lymph node (LN) metastasis, and tumor size), expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), p53, bcl-2 and CD44 by immunohistochemistry, and DNA ploidy pattern. The results showed that the expression of ER and PR had a significant inverse correlation with the histologic grade (ER, p=0.05; PR, p<0.05). The expression of p53 protein showed a significant relationship with high histologic grade of tumor (p<0.05). The expression of bcl-2 protein was preferably seen in low histologic grade of tumor (p<0.05) and significantly associated with ER positive or PR positive tumors (ER, p<0.05; PR, p<0.05). This results suggest that bcl-2 protein might play significant roles in ER and PR. The CD44 expression showed a significant relationship with tumor size (p<0.05). The large size and aneuploidy pattern of tumor had a tendency to be associated with shorter patient survival. Cox's multivariate analysis showed that overall survival was affected by LN metastasis because of the shorter survival in patients with LN metastasis. In conclusion, tumor size, DNA ploidy pattern, and LN metastasis were themselves significant predictors of breast cancer survival rate.
Aneuploidy ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal* ; DNA* ; Estrogens ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Ploidies* ; Prognosis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Survival Rate

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide and its incidence continues to rise each year. Recent development of molecular biologic method has led to advances in determining the etiologic factors of lung cancer and the establishment of cell lines has provided a lot of information on the through chemosensitivity, radiation biology studies, cytogenetics, and molecular biologic studies, which permits improved treatment for lung cancer. We established a small cell lung cancer cell line, designated JePa-1, obtained from malignant pericardial effusion of small cell lung cancer patient and characterized its morphologic and molecular biologic features. the JePa-1 cell line grew relatively slowly (doubling time 45hrs) as very loosely adherent floating aggregates growing in small clumps with distinct cell outlines and intertwined cords. Also JePa-1 cell line secreted antidiuretic hormones. Electronmicroscopic examination revealed that JePa-1 cell line and xenografts contained electron dense core granules, characteristic of being of neuroendocrine origin. To investigate the tumorigenic capacity, the JePa-1 cell line was injected into SCID and nude mice. Tumors taken from xenografts were observed in 3 out of 4 of the SCID mice and 2 out of 4 of the nude mice. The histologic characteristics of the xenografts were similar to those of the cell line and the original cytologic finding of the pericardial fluid, suggesting small cell carcinoma. The results of immunohistochemical markers showed reactivity for Rb protein, c-myc, TGF-alpha, TGF-beta , EGFR, keratin, NSE, chromogranin, and EMA. The DNA ploidy and the index of the JePa-1 cells was tetraploid and 2.13, respectively. The positive rate for the Rb, c-myc and K-ras proteins of the JePa-1 cell line were 98.9%, 99.3%, and 99.7% respectively as determined by flow cytometry. Cytogenetic analysis using the G-banding technique showed 65 chromosomes with various numerical and structural abnormalities. On examination of the expression of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta , and EGFR by PCR, only the EGFR was positive Through the establishment of JePa-1 cell line, we report in this paper the characterization of a small cell lung cancer such as morphologic and immunocytochemical features, growth characteristics in culture, hormone production, expression of oncoprotein and several growth factors, tumorigenicity, chromosomal abnormalities, and DNA ploidy and index. The JePa-1 cell line will be valuable in vitro studies for the etiology, treatment and the prognostic factors in small cell lung cancer.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Cell Line ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; DNA ; Flow Cytometry ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, SCID ; Pericardial Effusion ; Ploidies ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Radiobiology ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* ; Tetraploidy ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Vasopressins

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins* ; Survival Rate*

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis continues to be a major threat to health throughout the world, with an estimated 8 to 10 million new cases and 3 million deaths annually. And control of the disease is further threatened by the emergence of drug resistance. Recent major advances have been made in unravelling the molecular basis of M. tuberculosis resistance to isoniazid, streptomycin, quinolones and rifampin. And rifampin resistance is the useful indicator for the occurance of the multi-drug resistance. Hence, the rapid detection of rifampin resistant strain of M. tuberculosis is the key to have successful anti-tuberculosis therapy. Here we present our experience using PCR and line probe assay (INNO-LiPA) for easy and rapid detection of rifampin resistance of M. tuberculosis. METHODS: Thirty rifampin resistant and twenty susceptible strains of M. tuberculosis were collected from the routine culture and analyzed with INNO-LiPA. And results were compared with conventional antibiotic susceptibility testing. After amplification of the region of the RNA polymerase(rpoB), the amplified product is hybridized with a set of 10 oligonucleotides immobilized onto a membrane strip. From the pattern obtained the presence or not of rifampin resistance M. tuberculosis can be assessed. RESULTS: Ninety three percent of patients who had rifampin resistant strain revealed the multidrug resistance while only two showed resistance to rifampin only. The INNO-LiPA test results were generally agreeable with that of the conventional susceptibility testing(90%). The mutations in codon 531 (absence of 55 probe) were most commonly observed. In 55.2% of the 31 rifampin resistance M. tuberculosis confirmed on mutation by R-probes on the INNO-LiPA strips. CONCLUSIONS: The line probe assay after polymerase chain reaction is a fast and convenient method to detect both presence of M. tuberculosis complex strains and its resistance to rifampin in clinical specimens. We have suggested that detection of rifampin resistance may play a key role in monitoring multi-drug resistance. Consequently, the INNO-LiPA test may constitute an important tool for the control of tuberculosis.
Codon ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Membranes ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Oligonucleotides ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Quinolones ; Rifampin* ; RNA ; Streptomycin ; Tuberculosis

The retinoblastoma (Rb)/cyclin D1/p16 pathway is an important constituent of cell cycle regulation. Perturbations in this pathway due to a variety of genetic aberrations have been reported in many human cancers including breast cancer. We examined the significance of immunoexpression of p16 protein, cyclin D1 protein, Rb protein (pRb), and p53 protein in 128 cases of invasive breast carcinoma. The results were correlated with survival rate and clinicopathological variables, including age, histologic grade, lymph node status, tumor size, estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PR) content. Abnormal expressions of p16 and pRb which were defined as negative staining were seen in 21% and 43% of tumors, respectively. There was a significant inverse relationship between p16 and pRb expression. There was no correlation between p16 staining and any other parameters, including survival rate, cyclin D1, p53, and clinicopathologic variables. Surprisingly, there was a trend for tumors which were positive for pRb to be grade III ductal carcinomas. Cyclin D1 positivity was noted in 46% of cases. The expression of cyclin D1 protein was significantly higher in lower histologic grade, higher ER and PR expression. The expression of p53 protein showed a significant correlation with high tumor grade. In a Cox multivariate analysis, neither p16, pRb, cyclin D1 nor p53 was an independent predictor, but tumor size and lymph node status were independent predictors of patient outcome.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal* ; Cell Cycle ; Cyclin D1* ; Cyclins* ; Estrogens ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Negative Staining ; Receptors, Progesterone ; Retinoblastoma ; Retinoblastoma Protein ; Survival Rate

Primary malignant lymphoma of the appendix is an unconnnon neoplasm although the gastrointestinal tract is the most common extranodal site of malignant lymphoma. We report a case of primary malignant lymphoma of the appendix in a 54-year-old male, who presented with pain in the right lower abdomen. An appendectomy was performed. The appendix measured 9.5 cm in length and 5.5 cm in diameter. Cut sections showed a solitary circumferential mass in the appendiceal lumen. Light microscopic features were compatible with malignant lymphoma of diffuse large cell type(Working Formulation) and the immunophenotype was B cell type.

Intraductal variant of peripheral cholangiocarcinoma is extremely rare. This variant shows intraductal growth and intraluminal extension without any infiltrative growth. The mode of intraductal growth is not known. The prognosis of this variant is better than that of usual cholangiocarcinoma. We report three cases, one of which is associated with Clonorchis sinensis (CS) infection. The tumors were entirely confined within the dilated peripheral tributaries of the intrahepatic bile duct. Microscopically, the tumors were well to moderately well differentiated, with a papillary or a micropapillary growth pattern. Focal clear cytoplasmic change and mucin production were noted. The tumors showed intraductal spreading without any invasion to the liver parenchyme. Mucosal hyperplasia and dysplasia were noted in the adjacent ducts. The authors assume that intraductal cholangiocarcinoma is a distinct subtype, and persistent irritation, such as, CS infection may undergo a malignant transformation through mucosal dysplasia.
Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Cytoplasm ; Hyperplasia ; Liver* ; Mucins ; Prognosis

Synovial sarcoma is a distinct and generally recognized soft tissue tumor that it’s origin still raises controversy. The synovial origin of synovial sarcoma has not been determined despite the accepted terminology implying synovium as stem cell. Three cases of primary synovial sarcoma (2 fibrous monophasic, 1 biphasic type) were studied with a panel of antibodies against different types of cytokeratin and other markers (EMA, CEA, vimentin, S-100 protein, lysozyme, 1-antichymotrypsin). Spindle shaped-cell in monophasic synovial sarcoma showed reactivity for CK7 and pancytokeratin. Epithelial cells lining of glands in biphasic synovial sarcoma reactive for CK7, pancytokeratin, EMA, and focally CEA but spindle cells only positive for vimentin. By electron microscopy, fibrous monophasic synovial sarcoma showed pseudogland formation with intercellular junctions of paired subplasmalemmal destiny and discontinuous basal lamina. These results indicate that synovial sarcoma showes epithelial differentiation. We believe that synovial sarcoma arises in pluripotential connective tissue cells that is able to be differentiated into both mesenchymal and epithelial components. So, synovial sarcoma have been considered carcinosarcoma of soft tissues depending on the type of differentiation.
Antibodies ; Basement Membrane ; Carcinosarcoma ; Connective Tissue Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Junctions ; Keratins ; Microscopy, Electron ; Muramidase ; S100 Proteins ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; Stem Cells ; Synovial Membrane ; Vimentin

Reactive human mesothelial cells were examined by immunocytochemical stain with intermediate filaments(cytokeratin [CK1, CK7, CK8, CK18, CD19/, vimentin, desmin, actin), epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), MHC class II antigen(HLA-DR), LeuM-1(CD15), alpha1-antitrypsin(ACT), alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACHT), CD68(KP-1) and FcgammaRIII(CD16). The mesothelial cells were isolated from patients with liver cirrhosis and pleural effusion, and short-term cultured in RPMI 1640 media containing 10% heat inactivated fetal calf serum and 1% identical supernatant fluid of the patients' transudates. The results obtained are as follows. 1. The cultured-reactive mesothelial cells were positive for the protein of cytoskeleton such as cytokeratin and vimentin, but negative for desmin and actin. The resting mesothelial cells showed positive reactions for cytokeratin, but negative for vimentin, desmin and actin. 2. The primary antibodies to the cytokeratin were strongly reactive for CK1, CK8 and CK18 but negative for CK7 and CK19 in both reactive and resting mesothelial cells. 3. Resting mesothelial cells showed negative reactions for CEA, but strong positive reactions in cultured-reactive mesothelial cells. 4. The markers for the monocytes\histiocytes (CD11b, CD14, CD16, CD68, lysozyme and alpha1-antitrypsin and alpha1-antichymotrypsin) were nonreactive in resting mesothelial cells, but lysozyme and alpha1-antitrypsin were weakly reactive in reactive and proliferative mesothelial cells. 5. MHC Class II molecule(HLA-DR antigen) was negative in both resting and reactive mesothelial cells. These results suggest that the short-term cultured, reactive mesothelial cells show a newly aberrant expression of the vimentin and carcino-embryonic antigen. The reason of the aberrant expression of the intermediate filament and oncofetal antigen in reactive and proliferative mesothelial cells should be further evaluated.
Actins ; Antibodies ; Cytoskeleton ; Desmin ; Exudates and Transudates ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Intermediate Filaments ; Keratins ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Mucin-1 ; Muramidase ; Pleural Effusion ; Vimentin

Diabetes is a rapidly increasing heath care problem all over the world due to increased prevalence during past decade. Diabetic nephropathy develops in 25-30% of patients with type 1 diabetes and is the leading cause of end stage renal disease. Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by persistent proteinuria, decline in renal function, hypertension and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Early detection of diabetic nephropathy risk is an important goal because early diagnosis and treatment prevent advanced renal damage and other diabetic complications. Increased urinary albumin excretion rate is widely accepted as the first clinical sign of diabetic nephropathy. However, reduced glomerular filtration or hypertension could be the first manifestation in some diabetic patients. We need improved markers and predictors of diabetic nephropathy risk. We report a case of diabetic nephropathy and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) without microalbuminuria occcured in type 1 diabetic patient.
Diabetes Complications ; Diabetic Nephropathies* ; Early Diagnosis ; Filtration ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Proteinuria