Objective To study the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features of breast hamartomas. Methods The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological diagnosis. SP technique was used in the immunohistochemical study.Results We have 8 cases of breast hamartomas with well defined borders microscopically, histologically composed of ducts, lobules, fibrous stroma, adipose tissue. None of the epithelial elements showed any evidence of atypia. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that there was a variable number of epithelial cells showing a nuclear staining for estrogen receptor(ER) in all cases.Conclution Mammary hamartomas are benign tumor like lesions, histologically dissimillar from other breast tumors. It is affected by hormonal factors. The diagnosis is achieved by combining clinical, radiological and pathologic results.

Objective　To evaluate the inhibition effect of immunoconjugate of doxorubicin(DXR) with a monoclonal antibody, 5F11 on human lung cancer cells and its reversal effect on resistant lung cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drug. Methods　DXR was attached to 5F11 using dilute glutaraldehyde crossing.The antitumor activity of immunoconjugate, 5F11-DXR, against the sensitive antigen-positive cell line, A2, drug-resistant antigen-positive cell lines, 801-D and 801-DDXR, and antigen-negative cell line, ascite cancer cell was evaluated by human tumor cell cloning assay and dye exclusion assay. Results　According to the results of various assays, comparing with single DXR, 5F11-DXR could significantly increase the cytotoxicity to A2, 801-D and 801-DDXR cell lines with a DXR concentration of 0.4*!μg／ml(P＜0.05), and this difference was even more distinct to A2 cell line with lower concentration of DXR (0.04*!μg/ml). However, there was no remarkable difference between 5F11-DXR and single DXR in cytotoxicity to antigen-negative ascite cancer cell(P＞0.05). Conclusion　5F11-DXR can remarkably increase the cytotoxicity of DXR to the sensitive target cells and even effectively reverse the drug-resistant cell lines to DXR. There is no significant difference between 5F11-DXR and DXR in killing antigen-negative cancer cells.

OBJECTIVETo study the morphological characteristics and immunophenotype of highly cellular leiomyoma (HCL) of uterus, compared with that of uterine endometrial stromal tumors (EST).

METHODSHE and immuno-stained sections EnVision method from 20 cases of HCL, 21 cases of EST and 1 case of stromomyoma were reviewed. Monoclonal antibodies against h-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, desmin and smooth muscle actin (SMA) were used for immunohistochemistry studies.

RESULTSOn microscopic examination, HCL were densely cellular and composed of cells that ranged from spindle-shaped to round with scanty cytoplasm. A focal fascicular pattern was present in all cases. Blood vessels with large, thick muscular walls were a conspicuous feature of the majority of tumors. Cleft-like spaces were present in 9 tumors and 15 cases exhibited irregular focal extensions into the adjacent myometrium. ESTs were composed of cells that resembled endometrial stromal cells of proliferative endometrium. These cases included a significant component of delicate blood vessels similar to spiral arterioles. All 20 low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma cases had infiltrative growth to adjacent myometrium. Immunoreactivities of HCL for h-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, Desmin and SMA were 80.0% (16/20), 100% (20/20), 0 (0/20), 95.0% (19/20) and 100% (20/20), respectively, whereas the positive rates of EST were 4.7% (1/21), 23.8% (5/21), 66.7% (14/21), 23.8% (5/21) and 19.0% (4/21), respectively (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSHighly cellular leiomyomas have distinct morphologic features. H-caldesmon, calponin, CD10, desmin and SMA are helpful in the differential diagnosis of HCL and EST.

Adult ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; Desmin ; analysis ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrial Stromal Tumors ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leiomyoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Microfilament Proteins ; Middle Aged ; Neprilysin ; analysis ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

BACKGROUNDGensing Rg3 is an active component from ginseng. The aim of this study is to observe the clinical anticancer effect of Rg3 in combination with chemotherapy regimen NP (vinorelbine+cisplatin) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSStage III-IV NSCLC patients confirmed by pathology or cytology all received vinorelbine plus cisplatin for at least two cycles, and were randomized into two groups: patients in arm A also received placebo twice a day, while patients in arm B received two tablets of Rg3 twice a day for at least two months. The endpoints of the study were the efficacy, survival and tolerance of patients.

RESULTSFrom July 2000 to May 2002, 115 patients were enrolled into the trial. The patients' characteristics were well balanced in the two groups. Sex of patients: male, 79; female 36. Types of pathology: adenocarcinoma, 71; squamous cell carcinoma, 29; adenosquamous carcinoma, 8; others, 7. TNM stage: stage III, 45; stage IV, 70. Prior chemotherapy: with, 17; without, 98. Prior radiotherapy: with, 15; without, 100. Prior surgical treatment: with, 23; without, 92. Nine patients discontinued from the trial due to severe adverse effects (5) and other reasons (4), so there were 106 patients evaluable for clinical efficacy. The response rate was 14.5% (8/55) in arm A, and 33.3% (17/51) in arm B (P=0.011). The survival time in arm A was 9.7 months (mean) and 8.0 months (median), and 15.3 months (mean) and 10.0 months (median) in arm B (P=0.0088).

CONCLUSIONSPreliminary results show improvements in response rate and survival time (median and mean) in Rg3 arm compared with placebo arm. It is worthy to confirm the results in further clinical trials.

Objective　 To study the distinctive clinicopathologic and immunohis tochemical difference between ovarian metastatic carcinomas and primary ovarian carcinom as. Methods　 The clinical and pathological features of 27 cases of ovaria n metastatic carcinomas (gastric carcinomas 12 cases, colon carcinomas 11 cases, others 4 cases) obtained from our department were reviewed. Immunostaini ngs for CK(AE1/AE3), CK7, CK20,CEA, vimentin, nm23 were performed with SP staini ng methods. Results　 On gross examination, metastasis from gastric adenocarcinoma were usually bilateral, while solid (11/12) and metastases from colonic adenoca rcinoma were more often unilateral and cystic (7/11). Microscopically, metastases fr om gastric adenocarcinoma revealed signet ring cells or poorly differentiated adenocarcinom as (12/12), whereas metastases from colonic adenocarcinomas showed similar morph ology of endometrioid adenocarcinoma (8/11). The majority of ovarian metastases of gastr ic car cinoma (7/12) and colon carcinoma (8/11) were CK20 positive. In particular, CK20 was invariably expressed in colon cancer metastases. Most of the ovarian metastatic carcinomas from the gastrointestinal tract failed to react with immunostaining of CK7. A combined use of CEA, vimentin and nm23 had made a correct classification for 11/ 12 cases of the gastric carcinoma, 10/11 cases of the colonic cancer. Conclusions　 CK7 and CK20 have been proved to be useful antibodies in distinguishing b etween metastatic carcinomas and primary carcinomas of the ovary. Combined use of a panel of antibodies can give more significant results.