Analysis of the estrogen receptor gene structure in human breast cancer

We studied the structure of the human estrogen receptor (ER) gene by Southern blot analysis in 34 tumor samples and normal breast tissues or peripheral blood samples from the same patients. No rearrangement or amplification of the ER gene was seen in either ER-positive or ER-negative breast tumors. One patient showed an apparent constitutional deletion of a non-allelic ("invariant") restriction fragment in DNAs from both normal leukocytes and bilateral breast tumors. Of 20 patients constitutionally heterozygous for an ER gene RFLP, only one showed tumor-specific loss of heterozygosity. This is consistent with the ER gene change we noted overall. At the c-myb locus on chromosome 6q adjacent to the ER gene, allele loss occurred in 1 out of 15 informative cases. In addition, tumor-specific allelic loss at the c-H-ras1 locus on chromosome 11p occurred in 4 of 22 informative cases, and at the D17S28 locus on chromosome 17p in 2 of 7 informative cases.

A monoclonal antibody cocktail for detection of micrometastatic tumor cells in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients

We investigated whether monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) reactive against both acidic and basic cytokeratins alone were sufficient to detect minimal numbers of contaminating epithelial tumor cells in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients. Monoclonal anti-cytokeratin antibodies (AE1 and AE3) were used to stain 14 breast carcinomas by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Nine tumors (64.3%) showed high reactivity and five (35.7%) showed low or moderate reactivity. Nine MoAbs that proved to be unreactive to light density bone marrow cells by immunoalkaline phosphatase histochemistry were screened for reactivity to breast carcinomas having only low or moderate positivity to cytokeratin antibodies. Three of nine MoAbs showed high percentages of positivity and were selected to supplement the anti-cytokeratin antibodies for immunohistochemical detection of minimal marrow disease in breast cancer patients. A MoAb cocktail was prepared, further tested for reactivity to another five breast carcinomas, and compared with cytokeratin staining alone. The cocktail labeled 100% of carcinoma cells in all the examined specimens. To determine the sensitivity of this panel for detecting minimal numbers of contaminating tumor cells in bone marrow, in vitro mixing experiments were performed. T47D breast carcinoma cells were mixed with bone marrow mononuclear cells at ratios from one tumor cell per 10 bone marrow cells up to one tumor cell per 1 x 10(6) marrow cells, and cytospin preparations were subsequently stained with the MoAb cocktail by the immunoalkaline phosphatase method. Our approach could detect one tumor cell in 1 x 10(5) hematopoietic cells.

New spectrum of fungal infections in patients with cancer

We report on 44 cancer patients who had serious infections with unusual fungal pathogens and who were cared for at our cancer center between 1974 and 1986. Twelve different fungal species accounted for these infections, including Trichosporon beigelii, Fusarium species, Geotrichum candidum, Curvularia species, Drechslera species, Penicillium species (but not Penicillium marneffei), Rhodotorula rubra, Pseudallescheria boydii, Pichia farinosa, Torulopsis pintolopesii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Cunninghamella bertholletiae. Skin lesions were noted in seven patients, and sinusitis occurred in four. Twenty-four patients had disseminated infection, 12 had involvement of a single organ, and eight had fungemia alone. Features that correlated with a poor prognosis were persistent neutropenia and disseminated visceral infection but not fungemia alone. We suggest that unusual fungi have now emerged as significant pathogens in this patient population. Fungal sinusitis, previously caused by Aspergillus species and the phycomycetes, also occurs as a result of some of these newly recognized fungi. A high level of suspicion should be maintained when any of these unusual fungi are cultured from clinical specimens from immunocompromised patients.

SIS/PDGF-B expression in benign and malignant human breast lesions

Northern blots with poly(A)-selected RNAs were prepared from four primary human breast carcinomas and hybridized with a SIS/PDGF-B gene probe. High expression of a normal-sized 3.7 kb SIS/PDGF-B transcript was observed in three samples. These three carcinomas were all T3 (greater than 5 cm) lesions and were histologically infiltrating ductal carcinomas accompanied by moderate to marked desmoplasia. Furthermore in situ hybridization with photobiotinylated probes was performed and demonstrated that the SIS/PDGF-B expression was localized within the epithelial cells of malignant as well as benign lesions. It is possible that SIS/PDGFB expression within the epithelial cell components of nonmalignant as well as malignant breast lesions may be in part responsible for the stromal reaction.

Reduction to homozygosity at the SIS/PDGF-2 locus in human mesenchymal tumors

Enhanced expression of the human SIS/PDGF-2 gene has been reported in a number of human cell lines, sarcomas, and glioblastomas. We have analyzed the SIS/PDGF-2 gene for structural alterations in fresh human tumors. DNA samples from 79 patients with solid tumors (63 mesenchymal tumors, 12 lung carcinomas, 4 breast carcinomas) were examined and compared with DNA samples from 50 leukemia patients and 14 unrelated individuals without malignant neoplasms. When DNA samples were digested with a HindIII restriction endonuclease, Southern blot analysis demonstrated two distinct bands (21kb and 18kb) after hybridization to the SIS/PDGF-2 gene probe. A pedigree analysis of a 43-member family indicated that these allelic variants segregated in a Mendelian fashion. There was, however, tumor specific allele loss in 18% of the mesenchymal tumors analyzed, which may indicate a common etiology for this tumor type.

Multiple restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the human epidermal growth factor receptor gene

We have examined the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor gene for structural alterations in fresh human tumors. DNA samples from 92 patients with solid tumors (lung cancer, 37; breast cancer, 24; head and neck cancer, 17; other tumors, 14) were analyzed and compared with those from 22 leukemia patients and 14 individuals without malignant neoplasms. When DNA samples were digested with HindIII restriction endonuclease, Southern blot analysis demonstrated 3 distinct polymorphic bands (9.8, 11, and 12 kilobases) after hybridization to the HER-A64-1 probe and another 2 distinct polymorphic bands (4.9 and 5.2 kilobases) after hybridization to the HER-A64-3 probe. Pedigree analysis of 43 members of a single family and comparative analysis of tumor and normal DNA samples from the same patients demonstrated that the variations in fragment size observed were due to 2 independent restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the region of the EGF receptor gene. Amplification of the EGF receptor gene was detected in 3 cases of breast cancer, but not in other tumors studied. We conclude that the human EGF receptor gene has multiple restriction fragment length polymorphisms and that in fresh human tumor samples rearrangement and amplification of the gene occur infrequently, if ever, within the region encompassed by the 2 complementary DNA probes used.

The emerging role of Fusarium infections in patients with cancer

Infection due to Fusarium species is an increasing cause of serious potentially fatal disease in patients with cancer. We described 9 patients with infection caused by Fusarium species during a 4-year period at the M. D. Anderson Hospital. The spectrum of infections included disseminated disease in 4 patients, skin or soft-tissue infections in 3, pneumonia in 1, and fungemia in 1. All 4 patients with disseminated infection had culture- and biopsy-proven skin lesions caused by Fusarium species and the blood cultures yielded the organism in 3 of these 4 patients. Maxillary sinusitis was the presenting manifestation of Fusarium infection in 2 of these 4 patients, suggesting that paranasal sinuses are potential portals of entry for the infection. Eight patients had a hematological malignancy and 7 were neutropenic at the onset of their infection. Patients with deep-seated infections remained neutropenic and died from infection despite treatment with amphotericin B. All 5 isolates tested in vitro showed resistance to ketoconazole and miconazole, whereas 3 were susceptible to amphotericin B. Fusarium species could play a role in producing myelosuppression and fungal cultures are required to differentiate it from the more commonly encountered Aspergillus species. Fusarium species are emerging as a serious, potentially fatal, pathogen in patients with cancer.

Amplified and overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor gene in uncultured primary human breast carcinoma

We analyzed the epidermal growth factor receptor gene using a complementary DNA probe of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in 21 uncultured primary breast carcinomas and found that the gene was amplified in three of these tumors. We further demonstrated by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to the epidermal growth factor receptor that the receptor protein product of this gene was overexpressed and displayed elevated kinase activity. Our data indicate that one of the molecular mechanisms for overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor in human breast cancer is epidermal growth factor receptor gene amplification without rearrangement in a subset of tumors.

Disseminated Geotrichum candidum infection

The pathogenicity of the fungus Geotrichum candidum in humans has not been clearly defined. A patient with acute leukemia who developed a fatal disseminated G. candidum infection while neutropenic is described. At autopsy examination, this patient was misdiagnosed on the basis of histopathology as having disseminated candidiasis until G. candidum was isolated from postmortem culture specimens. The emergence of this organism as an occasional pathogen in leukemic patients is of interest and illustrates the importance of obtaining fungal cultures. There is a need for more effective drugs for antifungal prophylaxis and therapy.

An examination of the ability of d-tubocurarine to evoke contraction and mediator release from superfused trachea and parenchymal strips isolated from the guinea pig

The relationship between curare-induced mediator release and contraction in superfused guinea pig trachea and parenchymal strips was examined. In trachea, curare produced histamine release and contraction with peak release occurring in the first 90 sec (collection period 1) after challenge. Peak contraction developed later (collection periods 4-6). Curare-induced contraction of parenchymal strips was inconsistent and smaller than that found in trachea. No histamine could be detected in parenchymal strip superfusate samples. Curare also was selective in releasing histamine from monodispersed airway cells vs. peripheral lung cells. No leukotriene bioactivity or immunoreactivity could be detected after curare challenge of tissues or cell suspensions. Tracheal contractions, but not histamine release, occurring early (first 5 or 6 collection periods) after challenge were antagonized by mepyramine, 10(-6) M, and phenoxybenzamine, 3 X 10(-5) M. Combination of FPL55712, 10(-5) M, with mepyramine did not further alter tracheal contraction. Contractions occurring later after challenge and total histamine release were enhanced by indomethacin, 5 X 10(-6) M. Indomethacin also increased contractions in the presence of mepyramine. With mepyramine and indomethacin, LY171883, 1 and 3 X 10(-6) M, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid, 3 X 10(-5) M, antagonized tracheal contractions to curare, 3 X 10(-3) M, but not to 1 X 10(-3) M, without altering histamine release. Indomethacin prolonged return to base line of tracheal tension after challenge with exogenous histamine. After addition of LY171883 or nordihydroguaiaretic acid, the return of tracheal tension after histamine was not different from that seen without drug pretreatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrastructural observations on smooth muscle tumors

The ultrastructure of a series of primary and metastatic smooth muscle tumors is reviewed. Myofilaments and other smooth muscle features were present in all primary leiomyosarcomas of the soft tissues and uterus. They were also present but were less plentiful in most of the metastatic leiomyosarcomas. Electron microscopy is therefore a useful method to establish the diagnosis of a suspected leiomyosarcoma. Stromal tumors of the gastro-intestinal tract may require correlated immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies for their identification: 9 of the 50 cases examined were positive with immunostaining for S-100 protein, and 16 tumors with epithelioid transformation did not show evidence of smooth muscle differentiation by electron microscopy.

Structure-activity relationship of cardiac steroids having a doubly linked sugar and related compounds for the inhibition of Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase

Forty-three different cardiac steroids having a doubly linked sugar and related compounds were tested for inhibition of Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase from guinea pig heart, and the structure-activity relationship has been discussed. The doubly linked glycosides showed higher activities than the respective genins. The inhibitory activities of these compounds were also dependent upon the presence of ring C substituents. The bufadienolide rhamnosides exhibited greater than three times the inhibitory activity of the parent genin, while the glucosyl residue exerted no significant activity.

S-100 protein and myoepithelial neoplasms

Besides advancing our knowledge of histogenesis, immuno-cytochemical studies of salivary gland tumors have added an important objective component to the diagnosis and classification of the tumors. Cellular localization of S-100 protein now allows identification of myoepithelial cells and tumors composed of these cells. The four tumors presented in this report illustrate the diagnostic advantages afforded by S-100 protein immunocytochemistry.

Nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid heterogeneity of ovarian borderline malignant serous tumors

Sixteen borderline malignant serous ovarian tumors and seven well-differentiated invasive serous ovarian carcinomas were examined with the technique of Feulgen microspectrophotometry for the determination of nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy patterns (diploid versus aneuploid) and ploidy levels of the stem cell lines. Of the nine stage I-II borderline malignant tumors, only one (11%) was aneuploid. In contrast, four of seven (57%) stage III borderline malignant neoplasms and all stage III carcinomas were aneuploid. The stem cell modal values in all borderline serous tumors were less than triploid (3N) while in five of seven carcinomas stem cell modal values were greater than triploidy. This contrast in ploidy patterns and ploidy levels may explain the differences in biologic behavior between borderline malignant serous tumors and invasive serous carcinomas of the ovary.

Structure-activity relationship of bufotoxins and related compounds for the inhibition of Na+, K+ -adenosine triphosphatase

Forty kinds of bufotoxins and related compounds were tested for inhibition of Na+, K+ -adenosine triphosphatase from guinea pig heart, and the structure-activity relationship has been discussed. The inhibitory activities of bufotoxins were dependent upon the dicarboxylic acid and amino acid components. The compounds having both the arginine and suberic acid moieties showed the higher inhibitory activities. The sulfates and glucuronides of cardiac steroids exhibited much less potency than the parent genins. The mode of inhibition was determined by means of the Dixon and Lineweaver-Burk plots.

New Cleavage Methods for Cardiac Glycosides having a Doubly Linked Sugar1

New cleavage methods for cardiac glycosides having a doubly linked sugar are described. Treatment with pyridine, alumina, or phenylhydrazine gave the desired genin in reasonable yield. The reaction products were separated and determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The mechanism of the cleavage reaction has also been discussed.

Pulmonary scar carcinoma. A clinicopathologic analysis

To delineate differences between scar and non-scar pulmonary carcinoma, the charts, autopsy protocols and chest roentgenograms of 80 male patients (autopsied) between 1975 and 1980, were reviewed. Nineteen patients (24%) had documented scar carcinomas. The comparison revealed scar carcinomas to possess certain distinctive features: A higher histologic distribution of adenocarcinoma (58% versus 15% in non-scars) and the frequent presentation (53%) with only nonpulmonary symptoms and signs related to metastasis. In scar carcinomas both bronchoscopy and sputum cytology were ineffective as initial diagnostic tools since chest findings were absent or minimal. Chest x-ray was negative in 9 of the 19 patients with scar cancer and remained negative until death in seven. In 10 of 19 instances, pulmonary scar carcinomas presented with only nonpulmonary symptoms and showed a tendency to metastasize while clinically undetectable. The differences noted between scar and non-scar carcinomas of the lung appear to depend on the peripheral location of these tumors and not on the adenocarcinoma histology.

Effect of indomethacin on collagen metabolism of rat fracture callus in vitro

The collagen metabolism of callus tissue from closed, non-immobilized rat femoral fractures was studied in vitro after in vivo treatment with indomethacin 2 mg/kg/day for 6, 9 and 12 days after fracture. Total hydroxyproline synthesis and incorporation of hydroxyproline into collagen were found to be significantly increased after indomethacin treatment, whereas no significant difference was found regarding collagen resorption. The results suggest that the recently demonstrated inhibition of fracture healing by indomethacin is not brought about by an inhibition of collagen synthesis.