Chronic inflammatory responses have long been observed to be associated with various types of cancer and play decisive roles at different stages of cancer development. Inflammasomes, which are potent inducers of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 during inflammation, are large protein complexes typically consisting of a Nod-like receptor (NLR), the adapter protein ASC, and Caspase-1. During malignant transformation or cancer therapy, the inflammasomes are postulated to become activated in response to danger signals arising from the tumors or from therapy-induced damage to the tumor or healthy tissue. The activation of inflammasomes plays diverse and sometimes contrasting roles in cancer promotion and therapy depending on the specific context. Here we summarize the role of different inflammasome complexes in cancer progression and therapy. Inflammasome components and pathways may provide novel targets to treat certain types of cancer; however, using such agents should be cautiously evaluated due to the complex roles that inflammasomes and pro-inflammatory cytokines play in immunity.
Animals ; Carcinoma ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Melanoma ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Skin Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma in Situ ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Precision Medicine ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinicopathological features of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (C-HCC-CC) with neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) differentiation and to review the literature.

METHODSThe clinical data, histological manifestations and immunohistochemical staining results of two cases of C-HCC-CC were analyzed along with a review of the current literature.

RESULTSBoth patients were male with an average age of 57.5 years. Both patients were positive for hepatitis B virus antigen. The tumors of both cases demonstrated the following 3 unequivocal mixed elements: (1) polygonal epithelial tumor cells growing in nests or trabeculae with positive staining for Hepatocyte and AFP, diagnostic of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cytoplasmic bile production was present in the tumor cells in one case; (2) elliptic or short spindle-shape small blue tumor cells growing in nests or organoid pattern with Syn/CgA/CD56 positivity confirming the presence of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) component; (3) oval tumor cells growing in nests or glandular forms with positivity of CK19 and CK7 confirming differentiation of cholangiocarcinoma (CC). In both cases, the tumors contained at least 20% of each of HCC, NEC and CC components.

CONCLUSIONC-HCC-CC with NEC is a rare form of primary malignancy of the liver with a poor prognosis.

Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mixed Tumor, Malignant ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; standards ; Mutation ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinicopathologic features of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with synchronous carcinoma and the treatment principle.

METHODSNineteen cases of GIST with synchronous carcinoma were collected from 113 cases of GIST from 2002 to 2008. The clinicopathologic features were studied and the expression of CD117, CD34, smooth muscle actin and S-100 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry using EliVision method. The expression of proliferation marker Ki-67 was also studied. GIST with synchronous carcinoma and those without carcinoma were compared.

RESULTSNineteen cases (16.8%) of GIST with synchronous carcinoma were found, including 11 males and 8 females (male to female ratio 1.38: 1.00). The age of the patients ranged from 43 to 66 years (median age 57 years). Five of 19 cases were located in the inferior segment of esophagus and 14 were in the gastric wall. The diameter ranged from 0.6 to 3.8 cm [mean (1.91 ± 0.92) cm]. Three of 19 cases showed low grade dysplasia, and there was no dysplasia in the remaining 16 cases. The number of mitosis ranged from 0 to 4/50 HPF [mean (0.74 ± 1.07)/50 HPF]. The Ki-67 proliferative index (number of Ki-67 positive cell/HPF) ranged from 0 to 7.72% [mean (2.51 ± 2.20)%]. The synchronous carcinomas included two esophageal carcinomas and 17 gastric cancers.In contrast, patients of GIST without carcinoma included 52 males and 42 females (male to female ratio 1.24: 1.00). The age of patients ranged from 43 to 71 years (median age 55 years). Seventy-nine of the 94 cases were located in the stomach, 10 were in the intestine and 5 were in the esophagus. The diameter ranged from 2.4 to 15.5 cm [mean (5.42 ± 6.17) cm].Seventy-nine of the 94 cases showed variable degrees of dysplasia, and 12 cases were of high malignant potential. The number of mitosis ranged from 0 to 53/50 HPF [average (3.78 ± 10.22)/50 HPF]. The Ki-67 proliferative index ranged from 0 to 37.54% [mean (6.78 ± 12.45)%]. Comparing these two groups, the male to female ratio of GIST with synchronous carcinoma was higher than that of GIST without carcinoma. The average diameter of GIST with synchronous carcinoma was smaller than of those without carcinoma. The number of mitosis and Ki-67 proliferative index of GIST with synchronous carcinoma were significantly lower than those without carcinoma (t' = 2.809, P < 0.05; t' = 3.095, P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSSixteen point eight percent of GIST may be associated with synchronous carcinoma. There are no special clinical symptoms in most of GIST with synchronous carcinoma, as these GIST are usually incidental findings. The Ki-67 proliferative index of GIST with synchronous carcinoma is significantly lower than that of GIST without synchronous carcinoma. Most GIST with synchronous carcinoma can be treated by the standard treatment for the accompanying carcinoma, and do not require specific additional treatments.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Esophagectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of primary testicular yolk sac tumor (YST).

METHODSWe studied 8 cases of primary testicular YST by microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe 8 cases of primary testicular YST, including 2 consultation cases, were confirmed from 1998 to 2013, accounting for 10.7% (8/75) of all the testicular germ cell tumors diagnosed in our hospital. The patients ranged in age from 7 to 43 years, 23.9 years on average. The main clinical manifestation of the patients was painless unilateral testis swelling. Microscopically, reticular tissues, schiller-duvaI (S-D) bodies, and eosin-stain transparent bodies were seen in the tumors. One of the cases was confirmed to be simple YST, while the other 7 mixed YST. AFP was a characteristic immunophenotype marker of the tumors.

CONCLUSIONPrimary testicular YST is a rare malignancyr with poor prognosis. Its diagnosis depends on preoperative AFP test and postoperative pathology. Comprehensive treatment, including orchiectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, can prolong the survival of the patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Orchiectomy ; Rare Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Testicular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic characteristics of sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma (SRMS) and its distinction from embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS).

METHODSThe clinical, histologic and immunohistochemical features of 4 cases of SRMS were studied. The literature was reviewed.

RESULTSAll the 4 cases occurred in adults. The age of patients ranged from 20 to 54 years (mean = 41.5 years). The male-to-female ratio was 1:1. The tumor was located in the left wrist, right thigh, right face and right cheek respectively and the tumor size varied from 2.5 cm to 10 cm in dimension (mean = 5.7 cm). Histologically, SRMS was characterized by the presence of large amounts of heavily hyalinized matrix, mimicking osteoid or chondroid tissue. The tumor cells were composed predominantly of primitive small round cells which were arranged in diverse growth patterns, including fascicular, cord-like, single-file, trabecular, microalveolar and pseudovascular structures. A few rhabdomyoblasts were identified in 1 case. A second spindle cell component was focally found in 2 cases, resembling spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma or peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Immunohistochemically, all cases showed diffuse staining for Myo D1 and focal staining for desmin. The staining for myogenin was often negative. Three of the cases also expressed muscle-specific actin and 2 cases were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin. They were all negative for h-caldesmon, S-100 protein, CD31, CD34, AE1/AE3 and anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein.

CONCLUSIONSSRMS differs from ERMS and ARMS morphologically. Recent cytogenetic studies however suggest a histogenetic relationship with ERMS. Familiarity with its morphologic features and immunophenotype may help to distinguish this peculiar variant of rhabdomyosarcoma from a variety of lesions with abundant sclerosing matrix.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Chondrosarcoma ; pathology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Facial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangiosarcoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; MyoD Protein ; metabolism ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar ; classification ; pathology ; Rhabdomyosarcoma, Embryonal ; classification ; pathology ; Sclerosis ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; CD79 Antigens ; metabolism ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; virology ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; virology ; Plasmacytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; virology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and treatments of urothelial-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate (UMAP).

METHODSWe reported a case of UMAP, reviewed relevant literature, and analyzed the clinicopaothological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.

RESULTSThe patient was a 60-year-old male and underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for dysuria. Postoperative pathology indicated mucinous adenocarcinoma and sigmoidoscopy revealed no primary colon cancer. Immunohistochemical staining showed the negative expressions of PSA and P504s and positive expressions of CK7, CK34 β E12, CK20, and CDX2. Thus UMAP was confirmed and treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Then the patient was followed up for 30 months, which showed desirable therapeutic result, with neither local progression nor distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONUMAP has a bad prognosis and its diagnosis depends on pathological and immunohistocchemical examinations. It responds well to radical prostatectomy but is not sensitive to endocrine therapy. Radiotherapy can be considered for those who are not fit to receive radical prostatectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Racemases and Epimerases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features of leiomyosarcoma with prominent osteoclast-like giant cells.

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic features of 7 cases of leiomyosarcoma with prominent osteoclast-like giant cells were analyzed. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed. The literature was reviewed.

RESULTSAll cases occurred in adults, with a mean age of 63 years. There was no significant sex predilection (male-to-female ratio = 4:3). The tumor involved subcutaneous soft tissue of thigh (number = 2), left back (number = 1), retroperitoneum (number = 1), small intestine (number = 1), breast (number = 1) and uterus (number = 1). Histologic examination showed that the tumor was composed of relatively uniform spindly cells arranged in interlacing fascicles. The hallmark was the presence of prominent osteoclast-like giant cells, either intimately admixed with the spindly cells (number = 6) or forming giant cell tumor-like nodules (number = 1). Immunohistochemically, the spindly cells expressed smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, desmin and h-caldesmon in various degrees, whereas the osteoclast-like giant cells expressed CD68. Ultrastructural study showed smooth muscle differentiation in the spindly cells and histiocytic differentiation in the osteoclast-like giant cells. Follow-up data were available in 6 cases. There were local recurrences and/or metastases in all the 6 patients. Three patients were alive with unresectable or recurrent/metastatic disease and two patients died of the disease.

CONCLUSIONSLeiomyosarcoma with prominent osteoclast-like giant cells is a rare variant of leiomyosarcoma which should be distinguished from the so-called giant cell variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The osteoclast-like giant cells are of histiocytic differentiation. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of management of this high-grade sarcoma.

Actins ; metabolism ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Back ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Leiomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoclasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thigh ; Uterine Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism