Early treatment of endometriosis with GnRH-agonists: impact on time to recurrence

In a study, 52 patients with histologically confirmed endometriosis underwent a "three-step" therapy. The follow-up period was up to 60 months (median 33.5 months). If r-AFS-score was posttherapeutically 0, recurrence occurred latest after 36 months (median 18 months), if stage III was found posttherapeutically, recurrence occurred already latest after 18 months (median 8 months), (log-rank test P=0.0072). In our study we could confirm a clear relationship of recurrence of symptomatic endometriosis to the post-therapeutically achieved r-AFS-score.

[Detection of endometriosis during cesarean section for HELLP syndrome in the 32nd week of pregnancy]

The rare case of a decidualized endometriosis of the appendix vermiformis is reported in a woman who developed HELLP syndrome during the 32nd week of a twin pregnancy. Cesarean section and simultaneous appendectomy were performed. An inspection of the appendix should always be carried out if an endometriosis-associated anamnesis is known. No pathophysiological correlations between the HELLP syndrome and the endometriosis of the appendix vermiformis could be found.

[Long-term side-effects following cyproterone acetate containing therapy in gynecology]

It has been suggested that cyproterone acetate (CPA) has a mutagenic potency. It has been postulated that a threshold dosage of CPA has mutagenic effects, but in the same way data have been published documenting that a continuous low dosage of cyproterone acetate leads to a reduction of mutagenic episodes. Despite published data about higher levels of DNA adduct creations due to CPA an international multicentre study analysing 2,506 patients with 7,971 patient-years that used CPA could not find any liver cell cancers, even if due to epidemiological data 6 liver cell cancers should have occurred upon this study group. The present study deals with the evaluation of 57 women which received CPA in combination with EE2 11-13 years before. The daily dosage was 2 mg CPA in combination with 35 mg or 50 mg EE2. In Germany these drugs were registered under the name of Diane 35 or Diane 50. Long-term follow-up evaluation concerning side effects, especially the appearance of liver cell carcinomas, were the aim of this study. With the records of 32% (18/57) of the above mentioned patient group the following long-term follow-up side effects could be observed: 1) weight gain, 2) headache, 3) migraine, 4) gastrointestinal disorders, 5) mood affections/depressions, 6) oedema of the legs, 7) skin affections, 8) mastodynia. No benign liver tumor or liver cell carcinoma was detected upon our group of investigated patients. In conclusion we can affirm that the use of CPA in a dosage of 2 mg per day does not lead to serious side effects under long-term follow-up observation conditions and that it's use does not correlate with a higher appearance of liver cell carcinomas.

Reduced proliferation and cell adhesion in endometriosis

Endometriosis is defined as endometriotic tissues growing outside the uterine cavity. The cell biological processes responsible for the pathogenesis of this disease are not well understood. In order to detect differences in proliferative activity between endometria and endometriotic lesions, Ki67 staining was analysed. In addition, expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor was examined using immunohistochemistry. For dedifferentiation processes pointing to invasive properties of the uterine epithelium, the presence of the adhesion complex E-cadherin with the associated alpha- and beta-catenin was investigated. Specimens of endometrium in the proliferative phase of 36 patients without, and 79 patients with, endometriosis together with endometriotic lesions were studied. The study revealed a significantly reduced proliferation activity in uterine epithelium within the ectopic lesions but no differences between eutopic endometria of non-affected and affected patients. Furthermore, a lower expression of both EGF and its receptor in the epithelial cells of the ectopic glands was observed. The adhesion complex E-cadherin, together with alpha-, and beta-catenin, was slightly reduced in uterine epithelial cells of women with endometriosis and less expressed in endometriotic lesions. The results indicate that epithelial cells of endometriotic lesions are not hyperproliferative, but do appear to dedifferentiate, displaying an invasive character.

E- and P-selectin expression in endometriotic tissues and the corresponding endometria

Endometriosis is one of the most frequent diseases in gynecology. It is histologically defined as a non-malignant pathology in which endometrial-like tissue is found outside the uterus. The pathogenesis and mechanisms involved in the development of endometriosis-associated pain symptoms are still under investigation. A local peritoneal inflammation seems to play an important role in the origin of these symptoms. Selectins belong to a group of cell adhesion molecules that mediate the localization of circulating leukocytes on the endothelium at the sites of inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of E- and P-selectins in endometriotic tissues and the corresponding endometria. Thirty endometriotic samples, 13 corresponding endometria and six endometria of patients without endometriosis were analyzed using an immunohistochemical technique. Just two endometriotic tissues expressed E-selectin, while five samples were positive for P-selectin. The selectin expression of the corresponding endometria was also very weak. No correlations between the revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) score or the hormonal situation of the patients at the time of biopsy and the selectin expression could be found. In conclusion, the selectin expression in endometriotic glands does not play an important role in the initiation of inflammatory processes caused by endometriosis. This inflammation must be considered as a secondary reaction after the implantation of the endometriotic glands, so that endometriotic tissues are not able to induce, by the expression of selectins, a direct inflammation.

Expression of the cell adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the cytosol of breast cancer tissue, benign breast tissue and corresponding sera

OBJECTIVE

Cellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 have been implicated in tumor progression and metastasis. As the sequential interaction of neoplastic cells with the endothelium of tumor neovascularisation is believed to be essential for tumor metastasizing processes, we analysed the concentration of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the cytosol of patients with human breast cancers and their corresponding sera. We compared the obtained values with established prognostic parameters for breast cancer. Benign breast tissues were also analyzed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 of 62 patients with invasive breast cancer and 17 patients with benign breast tissue were measured using commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassays with monoclonal antibodies. To establish a reference and control group, levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured in the sera of 66 women without breast tumors.

RESULTS

The mean cytosol concentration of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was significantly higher in the breast cancer specimens than in the tissue of patients with benign breast diseases. This could be found not only in the tumor cytosol but also in the corresponding sera of the patients. No correlations between the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions and established prognostic parameters could be observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that malignant breast cancer cells could induce neovascularisation with subsequent high expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. These upregulations of adhesion molecules might contribute to changes in invasive phenotypes by promoting endothelial cell adhesion and angiogenesis, as well as being responsible for the recognition of tumor cells by the human immune system. Prognostic relevance for the development of breast cancer could not be established.

Expression pattern of integrin adhesion molecules in endometriosis and human endometrium

Integrins are cell adhesion molecules that undergo cell-specific dynamic changes during the normal menstrual cycle in the human endometrium. Here, using immunohistochemistry, we have investigated the expression pattern of the integrins alphav, alpha2beta1, alpha3beta1, alpha3, alpha6, beta1, beta2 and beta3 in the human ectopic endometrium of 30 patients and in nine cases in the corresponding eutopic endometrium. The biopsies were obtained during the early or late follicular phase (25 cases), during the corpus luteum phase (four cases) and in one case after 6 months' treatment with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. The integrin expression was independent of the ovarian steroid situation at the time of biopsy. The integrin alpha6 was expressed in all endometriotic and endometrium samples. The integrin alpha3 was absent in all endometrium tissues of patients with endometriosis. However, the corresponding endometriotic lesions re-expressed this adhesion molecule in 15 cases. No change in integrin beta3 expression pattern could be demonstrated in either endometriotic lesions or endometrium samples, regardless of the menstrual cycle phase. A correlation between serum oestradiol and progesterone concentrations and the expression of the investigated integrins was not observed, thus indicating that these two hormones play a minor role in the regulation of the cell adhesion molecules examined. Our investigation suggests that endometriosis is a dedifferentiated disease as it expressed different integrins in comparison with the eutopic endometrium, and independently of the hormonal situation. The ability of endometriotic tissues to express integrins may explain the high recurrence rates in patients with endometriosis, as these samples retain their adhesion potency after retrograde menstruation and are thus able to establish cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions with the surrounding peritoneum.

[Endometriosis: clinical, histological and morphometric findings before and after Gn-RH agonist therapy]

After bioptical diagnosis of endometriosis, 81 patients were treated with GnRH-agonists buserelin or leuprolide for six months. Biopsies before and after treatment were used to test a semiquantitative score-system, regarding atrophy of glands and stroma cells. Furthermore glandular diameter, circumference and area of nuclei were examined morphometrically using a microscopic semiautomatical measuring system. Morphometrical and histological alterations during therapy were evaluated. Additionally, data suitable for predicting a possible therapeutic success were described. After therapy 40 patients still showed endometriotic implants (partial responder) in contrast to 41 cases without foci (total responder). Therapeutic effect of GnRH-agonists was proved in every respect: clinical complaints decreased markedly during GnRH-agonists therapy. Both buserelin and leuprolide treated groups revealed increase of atrophy and reduction of extension of stroma. Correspondingly morphometrical analysed parameters such as diameter, circumference and area of glands decreased during therapy as well as area of cytoplasm and nuclei. Except the diameter of glands, the leuprolide treated partial responder group (residual foci after GnRH-therapy) revealed a stronger therapeutic effect than the buserelin treated partial responder group. Obviously this effect seems to be produced by the stronger estradiol suppression of leuprolide. Pretherapeutic comparison of measured values pointed out a minor distinct endometriosis in the total responder group. Success or failure of therapy seems to depend more on the pretherapeutic degree of expression of endometriosis. Obviously the kind of applicated GnRH-agonist plays a minor distinct role. Morphometrical data of endometriotic foci appear to be appropriate to predict a possible therapeutic success of GnRH-agonist therapy. But because of many exceptions only a roughly estimated prediction is possible.

The role of age in the course of breast cancer

BACKGROUND AND QUESTION: A retrospective study was performed. To check the hypothesis whether there is an inverse connection between age and prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We investigated a total group of 1000 cases with breast cancer primarily and consecutively treated between 1968 and 1986. After grouping the patients by tumor stage and median age various life table analyses were performed to calculate and compare the overall survival. Entry date was the date at diagnosis of a first breast cancer or date at first diagnosis of distant metastasis.

RESULTS

Young patients with a tumor size T1 and T2 had a significantly better prognosis than older patients with the same tumor stage. Influence of age became significantly weaker in patients with a T3 and T4 tumor. At least in the patients with a primarily M1 stage hardy any more dependence of age could be demonstrated. Similar results were obtained for the 198 patients which presented a distant recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Better general life expectancy of young patients is the cause of substantially better overall survival in curable stages. Advanced breast cancer is a strongly life-threatening factor. The fatal influence of large tumor mass is independent of age.

Uterine leiomyomata and sterility: therapy with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and leiomyomectomy

The aim of this study was to obtain data about the pregnancy rate in patients with uterine leiomyomata after treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists followed by myomectomy. Between 1987 and 1993, 61 patients with uterine leiomyomata and sterility underwent 6 months' GnRH agonist treatment, in part with a surgical intervention. Sixty-two per cent of the patients suffered from concomitant endometriosis. After hormonal therapy 41 patients underwent a myomectomy. According to sonographic and clinical criteria, there was no indication for the enucleation of the leiomyomata for the remaining 20 patients. Owing to the combined therapy, consisting of primary treatment of uterine leiomyomata with GnRH agonists, followed by surgical intervention, 25 patients (41%) suffering from long-term sterility (average 4 years) became pregnant. An early abortion occurred in only three cases (12%). No patient who underwent a myomectomy developed new myomata during the following pregnancy. Four patients suffering from a single leiomyoma became pregnant within the first 3 months after myomectomy, all of them conceiving spontaneously. Considering the high rate of spontaneous conceptions and the low abortion and complication rates during pregnancy, the combined therapy of GnRH agonists followed by myomectomy represents a major step forwards in the effective treatment of sterility in patients with uterine leiomyomata.

Long-term follow-up on the treatment of endometriosis with the GnRH-agonist buserelinacetate. Long-term follow-up data (up to 98 months) of 42 patients with endometriosis who were treated with GnRH-agonist buserelinacetate (Suprecur), were evaluated in respect of recurrence of pain symptoms and pregnancy outcome

OBJECTIVE

In our previous study, 119 patients with histologically confirmed endometriosis underwent a 'three-step' therapy between 1987 and 1989, where surgical removal of endometriosis was followed by a 6 month treatment with 3 x 300 microgram buserelinacetate daily intranasally and a second look laparoscopy or laparotomy with removal of residuals. Long-term follow-up data in respect of recurrence of symptoms and pregnancy outcome were investigated.

STUDY-DESIGN

Long-term follow-up data of 42 out of 119 treated patients on the post-treatment effect were obtained using a special questionnaire. Recurrence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and pelvic pain was defined as recurrence of disease. The follow-up period was up to 98 months with a median time of 82.5 months.

RESULTS

Out of the 42 patients, 23 complained of infertility. Fourteen out of these 23 patients became pregnant during the follow-up period, resulting in 23 pregnancies with 18 newborns, 4 miscarriages and one ectopic pregnancy. Ten patients conceived spontaneously, stimulation program became necessary in the rest of patients. Twenty-eight of the 42 patients complained recurrence of symptoms with median first onset at 10.7 months. Improvement on quality of life and subjective conditions were reported by 30 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that the 'three-step' therapy of endometriosis with GnRH-agonist buserelinacetate leads to a significant improvement on the quality of life and well being in the majority of the patients and to a high pregnancy rate. This treatment represents a favourable approach in the management of endometriosis.

Aberrant expression pattern of gap junction connexins in endometriotic tissues

The expression of gap junction connexins (Cx) in the female reproductive tract of rodents and in the human endometrium is highly regulated by steroid hormones. Here we have investigated the distribution and regulation properties of Cx43, Cx26 and Cx32 in the human ectopic endometrium of 41 patients, using immunohistochemistry. The biopsies were obtained during the early or late follicular phase (26 cases), during the corpus luteum phase (five cases) and after a 6 month treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (three cases) or progestin (seven cases). Aberrant expression of Cx43 was found in the epithelium of nearly all endometriotic glands whereas Cx26, typical for human uterine epithelium cells, was only detected in 18 cases; in 17 it was co-expressed with Cx43. The stromal compartment of the tissues did not express any connexins investigated. Staining for Cx32 was absent in all endometriotic tissues. Strong expression of Cx43 was correlated with a high serum value of 17 beta-oestradiol, whereas a strong expression of Cx26 was found with high values of progesterone mainly in patients after progestin treatment. The epithelium of endometriotic implants collected after GnRH agonist treatment expressed Cx26 and Cx43 only moderately. The patterns described demonstrate an aberrant connexin expression and a different hormonal regulation pattern in endometriotic tissues compared to the normal cyclic uterine endometrium, thus indicating a high dedifferentiation from the normal situation. However, endometriosis still remains a hormonally-dependent benign disease, and hence, can be treated hormonally.

Expression of the CD44 variant isoforms 6 and 4/5 in breast cancer. Correlation with established prognostic parameters

Eighty one invasive breast cancers were analysed immunohistochemically to detect if they expressed the adhesion molecules CD44 v6 and v4/5, and the results were evaluated using the semiquantitative IR-score. The results were further divided into four groups: negative, weak positive, moderate positive and strong positive. Fifteen benign breast tumors were also analysed. Sixty eight breast cancers were CD44v6 and v4/5 positive. T3 and T4 cancers showed statistically significant higher positive CD44 rates than T1 and T2 cancers (P < 0.05). We also found a statistically significant correlation between the estrogen receptor and the CD44 status and between the CD44 status and the cathepsin-D status, whereas no correlation between CD44 and the lymph node status, the M status, the grading of the tumors, the progesterone receptor and the menopausal status could be found. Eleven benign tumors were CD44v6 and v4/5 positive. We could not establish any correlation between the expression of CD44 and the metastasizing capacity of breast cancer.

Estrogen and progesterone receptor content of GnRH analogue pretreated and untreated uterine leiomyomata

OBJECTIVES

The steroid receptor concentration and the histological morphology of uterine leiomyomata in premenopausal patients undergoing myomectomy therapy with and without a preoperative GnRH analogue, was analysed to evaluate whether the GnRH analogue therapy leads to important hormonal receptor changes, histomorphological changes and a significant shrinkage of the leiomyomata.

STUDY DESIGN

Sixty-one GnRH analogue pretreated leiomyomata and 28 untreated leiomyomata were analysed. To determine the estrogen and progesterone receptor concentrations, immunohistochemical techniques were used and quantified with the immuno-reactive score (IRS-score). The leiomyomata were divided into cellular rich, normal, hyaline or cystic degenerated and necrotic according to their histology.

RESULTS

The GnRH analogue pretreated leiomyomata group showed higher levels of estrogen and progesterone receptors than the untreated group (37.7% of the GnRH analogue group had a high positive and 29.5% a moderate positive estrogen receptor status whereas high levels of estrogen receptor could be found in only 14.3% of the untreated group). The leiomyomata of both groups with the exception of the necrotic ones, were estrogen and progesterone receptor positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that pretreatment of uterine leiomyomata leads to a significant increase in the hormonal receptor concentration of these benign tumors. If pretreated leiomyomata are not removed surgically immediately after the therapy, a rapid regrowth can occur and again cause clinical symptoms.

Immunohistochemical detection of estrogen and progesterone receptors in endometriotic tissue. A comparative study of paraffin embedded and fresh frozen tissues

30 formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded and 20 fresh frozen samples of endometriotic tissue were analysed immunohistochemically for the concentration of estrogen and progesterone receptors. In the formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded group only 37% of the samples were estrogen receptor positive whereas 63% were receptor negative. In contrast, we found that 67% of the samples had a positive progesterone receptor status. In the fresh frozen group 60% of endometriotic tissues were estrogen receptor positive and 75% of the tissues had a positive progesterone receptor status. We could not find any correlation between the site or severity of the endometriosis or the hormonal receptor status. We were able to demonstrate that the immunohistochemical detection of hormonal receptors in endometriotic tissues is possible and that better results were obtained if fresh frozen rather than formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded tissues were analyzed.

[Granisetron, a new and potent antiemetic for treatment of cytostatic drug-induced vomiting in gynecological malignancies]

The efficacy of Granisetron, a new and selective 5HT3-receptor-antagonist in the treatment of cytostatic induced emesis, was tested in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics of the University of Essen on 77 patients. The patients received cytostatic drugs with a high emetogenic potency (for example cisplatin) or with a moderately high emetogenic potency (for example cyclophosphamide). We were able to demonstrate the high antiemetic efficacy of Granisetron. We had in 63% of the cases a "complete response" during the first 24 h after the chemotherapy and a "complete response" of 60% for the "delayed emesis". The observed adverse reactions such as constipation and headache were easily solved with standard laxatives or standard analgesics. Because of the high efficacy of Granisetron, which was combined with a low rate of side effects, it was possible to give to all the 77 patients the complete and necessary chemotherapy, so that no patient refused to receive the chemotherapy just because of nausea or emesis. The use of Granisetron is therefore a major step forward in the care of patients receiving chemotherapy because nausea and emesis can be treated effectively.