Small-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a clinicopathologic study of 11 cases

We report the clinical profiles and immunohistochemical features of small-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Eleven cases that we have encountered at the Department of Gynecology, Kitasato University Hospital, between 1971 and 2003 are presented. Of 1370 invasive carcinomas of the uterine cervix, the incidence of small-cell carcinoma was 0.8%. Patient ages ranged between 32 and 65 years, with a mean age of 46.3 years. The clinical stages at diagnosis were Ib in four patients, IIb in three, IIIb in three, and IVb in one. All patients presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Two patients who are alive with no evidence of disease for 12 years and 3 years 6 months, while eight patients died of primary carcinoma between 4 and 25 months after treatment. Histopathologic findings showed solid nests with marked peripheral palisading pattern and rosette formation. Small tumor cells with scant cytoplasm demonstrated a very high nuclear/cytoplasm ratio and indistinct cell borders. The nuclei were round to oval and demonstrated increased but fine granular chromatin. Nucleoli were indistinct in all cases. Immunohistochemical findings were positive in 81.8% each for neuron-specific enolase and protein gene product 9.5, 72.7% for synaptophysin, 63.6% for chromogranin A, and 54.5% for neural cell adhesion molecule. All specimens were positive for at least one of the above. In conclusion, small-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix revealed poor prognosis. Making an accurate diagnosis of small-cell carcinoma before performing treatment is of great significance but often difficult. Immunohistochemical analysis using several kinds of neuroendocrine markers is helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis in addition to focusing on characteristic histo- and cytopathologic features.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated gastric carcinoma in Lima, Peru

We examined 254 gastric carcinomas (GCs) diagnosed in four hospitals in Lima, Peru, and its suburban area during the period between 1994-2001. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) was identified by the in situ hybridization (ISH) technique to detect EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) in gastric tissue. EBVaGCs, where EBER ISH staining was observed in all carcinoma cells, accounted for 3.9% (10/254) of gastric adenocarcinomas, the lowest frequency ever reported in Latin American countries. EBVaGC incidence rates in Peru, which we estimated on the basis of the present study and cancer incidence in Lima, were 0.8 per 100,000 among men and 0.5 per 100,000 among women. These estimates are much lower than those reported in our previous studies in Colombia (4.1 and 1.4 per 100,000 among men and women, respectively), a neighboring country, and in Japan (6.4 and 1.1 per 100,000 among men among women, respectively). Interestingly, EBVaGC in Peru showed no evident male predominance, as opposed to the findings reported in a majority of studies. Other clinicopathological features of EBVaGC in Peru were similar to those found in literature: EBVaGC showed no age dependence, a predominance in the non-antrum part of the stomach, and high frequencies in histological subtypes of moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma and solid poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. There was a case of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma showing a partial EBER-1-positive staining. In this carcinoma, the tumor in the body (middle third of the stomach) was EBER-1 positive but the tumor in the stomach antrum showed no noticeable EBER-1 ISH staining. We suspect this was a case of synchronous double carcinomas. Further studies are needed to identify the cause of the low frequency and lack of male predominance of EBVaGC in Peru.

Small-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a clinicopathologic study of 11 cases

We report the clinical profiles and immunohistochemical features of small-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Eleven cases that we have encountered at the Department of Gynecology, Kitasato University Hospital, between 1971 and 2003 are presented. Of 1370 invasive carcinomas of the uterine cervix, the incidence of small-cell carcinoma was 0.8%. Patient ages ranged between 32 and 65 years, with a mean age of 46.3 years. The clinical stages at diagnosis were Ib in four patients, IIb in three, IIIb in three, and IVb in one. All patients presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding. Two patients who are alive with no evidence of disease for 12 years and 3 years 6 months, while eight patients died of primary carcinoma between 4 and 25 months after treatment. Histopathologic findings showed solid nests with marked peripheral palisading pattern and rosette formation. Small tumor cells with scant cytoplasm demonstrated a very high nuclear/cytoplasm ratio and indistinct cell borders. The nuclei were round to oval and demonstrated increased but fine granular chromatin. Nucleoli were indistinct in all cases. Immunohistochemical findings were positive in 81.8% each for neuron-specific enolase and protein gene product 9.5, 72.7% for synaptophysin, 63.6% for chromogranin A, and 54.5% for neural cell adhesion molecule. All specimens were positive for at least one of the above. In conclusion, small-cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix revealed poor prognosis. Making an accurate diagnosis of small-cell carcinoma before performing treatment is of great significance but often difficult. Immunohistochemical analysis using several kinds of neuroendocrine markers is helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis in addition to focusing on characteristic histo- and cytopathologic features

Lymph node pathway in the spread of endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the sentinel nodes of endometrial carcinoma, the spread pathway was clarified. The correlation between lymph node spread and other clinicopathological variables was also analyzed.

METHODS

Dissected lymph node samples in 342 patients who underwent pelvic and selective paraaortic lymphadenectomy were reviewed. Pelvic and paraaortic node (PLN and PAN) status was compared with clinicopathological parameters.

RESULTS

Lymph node metastasis was demonstrated in 52 patients, including 46 cases with PLN metastasis and six patients with independent PAN metastasis. The metastatic sites were most frequent in the obturator and internal iliac nodes. Eleven of 49 patients who underwent PAN dissection were positive for metastasis. Sixteen of 23 cases with parametrial metastasis also metastasized in the retroperitoneal lymph node.

CONCLUSION

The lymph node spread pathway in endometrial carcinoma consists of a major route via the obturator node or internal iliac node with or without parametrial involvement, and rarely a direct PAN pathway.

Cyclin D1 expression in endometrioid-type endometrial adenocarcinoma is correlated with histological grade and proliferative activity, but not with prognosis

To elucidate carcinogenesis in the endometrium, we investigated cyclin D1 immunoreactivities in 20 normal endometria, 20 endometrial hyperplasias and 141 endometrioid-type endometrial adenocarcinoma. We also evaluated the correlation of cyclin D1 expression with Ki-67, cyclin E, cyclin A, cdk2, p27 and p53, and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. Cyclin D1 expression increased significantly with histological grade, and the labeling index (LI) for cyclin D1 was 121 +/- 23.4% in G1, 12.7 +/- 23.7% in G2 and 15.7 +/- 18.5% in G3. The LIs were significantly correlated with those for cyclin E, cyclin A and Ki-67, but not with the LIs of cdk2, p27 or p53. In contrast, high cyclin D1 expression was significantly correlated with low p53 expression. Cyclin D1 expression was not significantly correlated with any of the clinicopathological parameters except histological grade. Cyclin D1 expression was significantly correlated with histological grade and proliferative activity, but not clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Different clinicopathological courses of two recipients of kidneys retrieved from the same non-heart beating donor

We report the clinicopathological courses of two recipients of kidneys retrieved from the same non-heart beating donor (NHBD). A 52-year-old man received a renal transplant from an NHBD. The donor was a 66-year-old woman who died of subarachnoid haemorrhage. The recipient was immunosuppressed by basiliximab, tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), methyl prednisolone (MP), and antilymphocyte globulin (ALG). On post-operative day (POD) 21, haemodialysis therapy was withdrawn, however, their serum creatinine (s-Cr) level failed to improve. Four transplant biopsies were performed (1 h and POD 46, 74, and 114). The biopsy showed tubular degeneration but no evidence of TAC nephrotoxicity. The last biopsy after discontinuation of TAC demonstrated acute rejection of borderline grade. The s-Cr level at discharge was 5.0 mg/dL. The contra-lateral kidney was transplanted into a 31-year-old female and showed early functioning, with an s-Cr level at discharge of 1.8 mg/dL. Biopsy examination on POD 38 showed a recovery of tubular degeneration. The causes of delayed graft function and persistently high level of s-Cr in Case 1 remain unclear. Various factors, including donor-related factors, recipient-related factors, TAC nephrotoxicity, acute rejection, and urinary tract infection could all be associated with this condition.

PTEN immunohistochemical expression is suppressed in G1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus

PURPOSE

PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene that inhibits cell proliferation by regulating intracellular signaling pathways, and this activity can be abolished by mutations of the PTEN gene. This study was designed to examine the correlation of PTEN expression with the expression of cell cycle regulators and with clinicopathological parameters in endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus.

METHODS

Tissue samples of 117 endometrioid adenocarcinomas in addition to those of 19 normal endometria and 20 endometrial hyperplasias were used for the study. Immunohistochemical staining for PTEN protein was performed with the labeled streptavidin-biotin method on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples. PTEN expression was represented as the staining score.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry showed that the nuclei of cells were positive for PTEN. The PTEN staining score of normal endometrium was significantly higher in the proliferative phase than in the secretory phase. The scores of various endometrial hyperplasias were not significantly different from each other, regardless of the type of hyperplasia. The PTEN staining scores of endometrioid adenocarcinomas were 7.6+/-5.2 in G1, 9.6+/-5.2 in G2, and 11.9+/-3.7 in G3, and increased significantly as the histological grade increased. PTEN staining score was not significantly correlated with clinicopathological parameters such as FIGO stage, myometrial invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI), lymph node metastasis or group, but was significantly correlated with labeling indices (LIs) of cell cycle regulators such as Ki-67, cdk2, cyclin A, cyclin D1, cyclin E, p27, and p53. The PTEN staining score of p53-wild cases was significantly lower than that of p53-mutant ones, but there was no significant difference of the score in cases with different PTEN gene status. PTEN expression was significantly lower in cases with both high levels of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor.

CONCLUSION

PTEN protein expression was decreased in well-differentiated and less growth-aggressive endometrial carcinoma with wild-type p53 gene and high levels of ER and PR. This suggests that disturbed PTEN expression occurs in an early phase of the tumorigenesis of well-differentiated endometrial carcinoma.

Conjugation of Enzymes on Polymer Nanoparticles Covered with Phosphorylcholine Groups

We investigated the bioconjugation of enzymes on polymer nanoparticles covered with bioinert phosphorylcholine groups. A water-soluble amphiphilic phospholipid polymer (PMBN) was specially designed for preparation of nanoparticles and conjugation with enzymes on them. The PMBN was prepared by random copolymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), n-butyl methacrylate, and p-nitrophenylester bearing methacrylate. The PMBN was used as an emulsifier and a surface modifier to prepare the poly(l-lactic acid) nanoparticles by a solvent evaporation technique in aqueous medium. The nanoparticles covered with phosphorylcholine groups were stably dispersed in an aqueous solution and a phosphate buffered saline. The diameter and surface zeta-potential of the nanoparticles were ca. 200 nm and -6 mV, respectively. The p-nitrophenyl ester groups, which are active ester units for the amino groups of the protein, were located at the surface of the nanoparticles. Both acetylcholine esterase and choline oxidase were co-immobilized (dual-mode conjugation) by the reaction between the p-nitrophenyl ester group and the amino group of these enzymes. The enzymatic reactions on the nanoparticles were followed using a microdialysis biosensor system with a microtype hydrogen peroxide electrode in the probe. The nanoparticles conjugated with these enzymes could detect the acetylcholine chloride as hydrogen peroxide, which is a product of the enzymatic reactions on the surface of the nanoparticles in the probe. Namely, continuous enzyme reactions could be occurring on the surface of the nanoparticles. It is concluded that the nanoparticles are a promising tool for a highly sensitive and microdiagnostic system.

Establishment and characterization of two cell lines (HEC-155, HEC-180) derived from uterine papillary serous adenocarcinoma

Uterine papillary serous adenocarcinoma (UPSC) is an uncommon histologic subtype of endometrial cancer that characteristically behaves aggressively with a poor prognosis. We established two novel cell lines derived from UPSC designated HEC-155 and HEC-180. Both cell lines have been growing steadily in monolayer cultures for over ten years. Overexpression of p53, Ki67 and p27 was detected in both cell lines by immunohistochemistry. Using a DNA sequencing technique, a point mutation of p53 was detected in exon 8, codon 286 in HEC-155 and in exon 6, codon 195 in HEC-180. These newly established cell lines should be useful for investigating the characteristics of UPSC.

Quantitative study on the correlation between p53 gene mutation and its expression in endometrial carcinoma cell lines

Mutant p53 protein is not degradated but accumulates in the nuclei. However, the relation between p53 gene mutation and quantity of p53 protein has not been clarified yet in endometrial carcinoma. We investigated the correlation between p53 gene mutation and its protein expression quantitatively using 11 cell lines of endometrial adenocarcinoma, endometrioid type and two serous-type cell lines. To examine p53 mutation, PCR-SSCP analysis in exon 5 to 8 and direct sequence were carried out. p53 expression was determined by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. The percentage of positive staining in the nuclei by immunocytochemistry was calculated as a labeling index (LI). The amount of p53 detected by immunoblotting was expressed as a comparative value of Ishikawa cells. Point mutation of p53 gene was detected in four of 11 (36.4%) cell lines of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and all two of serous adenocarcinoma. There was a significant positive correlation between p53 LI and p53 values. The LI and the values of p53 were significantly higher in the mutant group than the wild one, thus showing a quantitative correlation between p53 protein expression and p53 gene mutation in endometrial carcinoma cell lines. It is plausible that immunohistochemical analysis of p53 could be qualified to be a convenient indicator of p53 gene mutation on clinical materials, if p53 LI is more than 40 (M-SD in mutant p53).

Establishment and characterization of two different types of new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell lines (HEC-251 and HEC-265)

OBJECTIVE

Endometrial carcinomas are grouped into two types of carcinogenic entities. These two different types of cell lines designated as HEC-251 and HEC-265 were established from human endometrial adenocarcinoma. We report their characteristics.

MATERIALS

HEC-251 was derived from moderately differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma and HEC-265 from well-differentiated adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

These cell lines grow well and serial passages can be successively carried out more than 100 times. The monolayer cultured cells reveal neoplastic and pleomorphic features, and grow in multilayers. HEC-251 cells are immuno-cytochemically positive for p53 and HEC-265 cells for PgR. Both cell lines are transplantable to nude mice and reflect the original histopathologic characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The cell lines HEC-251 and HEC-265 will contribute to clarifying the characteristics of two different types of human endometrial carcinomas.

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst: a rare case showing the characteristic imaging feature of milk of calcium

Bronchogenic cysts are rare congenital anomalies of the primitive foregut that are usually found above the diaphragm, and a retroperitoneal location is extremely unusual. Due to the low prevalence of these pathologies, their imaging features have seldom been described. We report a rare case of retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst showing characteristic imaging features of milk of calcium on plain abdominal radiography and computed tomography.

Independence of the prognostic value of tumor suppressor protein expression in ovarian adenocarcinomas: A multivariate analysis of expression of p53, retinoblastoma, and related proteins

Accurate estimation of prognosis of ovarian cancer is difficult. For this report, in a group of 73 patients with ovarian adenocarcinomas, clinical factors and protein expression status of p53, retinoblastoma (Rb), and related proteins were evaluated for potential prognostic values. Clinical factors included FIGO stage, age, histopathologic type, and protein expression of p53, Rb, MDM2, p14ARF, p21WAF(1)/CIP(1) was determined by an immunohistochemical technique. Univariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine the significant prognostic value of FIGO stage (P < 0.0001), p53 status (0.0021), and patient age (P = 0.0255), and we report here, for the first time, the significant (P = 0.0072) prognostic value of Rb status. Histopathologic type and MDM2, p14ARF, p21WAF(1)/CIP(1) status did not show any prognostic value. To examine further the independence of prognostic values, we next applied multivariate analysis: We found that FIGO stage (P < 0.0001) and p53 status (P = 0.0108) were independent prognostic factors, while age and Rb status were not. Independence of prognostic value of p53 has heretofore been controversial, but we found a definite independent prognostic value for p53 status in ovarian adenocarcinomas. We also found that selection of appropriate antibodies for immunohistochemistry was essential to obtain significant results. We used five kinds of antibodies for p53 immunolocalization, and correlation with prognosis was obtained by three of these with different grades of statistical significance.

Polarization-modulated smectic liquid crystal phases

Any polar-ordered material with a spatially uniform polarization field is internally frustrated: The symmetry-required local preference for polarization is to be nonuniform, i.e., to be locally bouquet-like or "splayed." However, it is impossible to achieve splay of a preferred sign everywhere in space unless appropriate defects are introduced into the field. Typically, in materials like ferroelectric crystals or liquid crystals, such defects are not thermally stable, so that the local preference is globally frustrated and the polarization field remains uniform. Here, we report a class of fluid polar smectic liquid crystals in which local splay prevails in the form of periodic supermolecular-scale polarization modulation stripes coupled to layer undulation waves. The polar domains are locally chiral, and organized into patterns of alternating handedness and polarity. The fluid-layer undulations enable an extraordinary menagerie of filament and planar structures that identify such phases.

Effect of p53 gene transfection on vascular endothelial growth factor expression in endometrial cancer cells

It has been reported that tumor suppressor gene p53 regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, but the relation between them in endometrial carcinoma remains unclear. We investigated VEGF expression in 11 endometrial carcinoma cell lines and the effect of p53 gene transfection on VEGF expression in the p53-mutated endometrial carcinoma cell line, HEC-50B. Immunoblotting for detecting VEGF, p53, and beta-actin was performed. Wild type p53 gene was transfected using the SuperFect method. The mean VEGF value of 0.8 +/- 0.3 (n = 6) in p53 wild-type group was significantly lower than the 1.6 +/- 0.8 (n = 5) that was found in the p53 mutant group (P < 0.05). Levels of VEGF in the culture medium were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). VEGF levels in the p53 gene-transfected HEC-50B cells and the conditioned medium were decreased at 48 h after p53 gene transfection. VEGF expression was downregulated by p53 in endometrial carcinoma cells.

Successful induction of immune tolerance in a patient with haemophilia B with inhibitor

We describe successful induction of immune tolerance (IT) in a 10-month-old boy with severe haemophilia B. Urticaria developed soon after starting prophylactic treatment and was associated with an inhibitor at 7 Bethesda units mL(-1). Initially, we tried low dose factor IX therapy to induce IT with only a transient effect. The patient experienced an intracranial haemorrhage. A simple bolus dose of FIX eradicated the inhibitor. Thereafter he has been free from inhibitor and nephrotic syndrome for more than 5 years, although he receives FIX three times a week.

Immunohistochemical expression of cyclin E in endometrial adenocarcinoma (endometrioid type) and its clinicopathological significance

PURPOSE

Cyclin E is known as a G1-S phase regulatory protein and its abnormal expression has been implicated in cellular proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of cyclin E expression with tumorigenesis of the endometrium, proliferative activity, and clinicopathological features of endometrial adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining for cyclin E in addition to cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2), Ki67, p27, and p53 was performed by the labeled streptavidin-biotin method on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of normal endometria (20 cases), endometrial hyperplasias (20 cases), and endometrial adenocarcinomas (endometrioid type) (127 cases). Positive staining was expressed as a labeling index (LI) based on percentages of positive nuclei in tumor cells.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemistry showed that the nuclei of the cells were positive for cyclin E. Both proliferative and secretory endometria, and endometrial hyperplasia regardless of type were negligible for cyclin E expression. The expression in normal endometrium and hyperplasia was significantly less than that in endometrial adenocarcinomas (P<0.0001). LIs of cyclin E in well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinomas were 31.5+/-33.3%, 37.8+/-31.9%, and 51.1+/-30.8%, respectively. Cyclin E expression increased significantly more in histological grades. The LI of cyclin E in carcinoma was positively correlated with that of cdk2, Ki67, and p53 but not with p27. The cyclin E expression was correlated with myometrial invasion and lymph-vascular space involvement, but not with FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, coexisting endometrial hyperplasia, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and menopause.

CONCLUSION

Cyclin E as a complex with cdk2 is associated with carcinogenesis and disease progression in endometrial adenocarcinoma, and might be a prognostic indicator of endometrial adenocarcinoma.

VEGF expression and its reguration by p53 gene transfection in endometrial carcinoma cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that activates endothelial cell growth induces angiogenesis, which is indispensable to tumor igenesis and tumor progression. On the other hand, tumor suppressor gene p53 has been considered to regulate VEGF expression, but the detailed relationship between them remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to study VEGF expression in endometrial carcinoma cells and the effect of p53 gene transfection on VEGF expression using p53-mutated endometrial carcinoma cell line, HEC-50B. Immunoblotting for detecting VEGF protein, p53 protein and beta-actin was performed using 11 endometrial carcinoma cell lines. Levels of VEGF in the cultured media were measured by Enzyme immunoassay(EIA). Transfection of wild p53 gene was carried out by SuperFect method in HEC-50B cells, which had mutant p53 gene and did not express p53 protein. The results of immunoblotting were analyzed by NIH image and expressed as values. The results of EIA were expressed as the relative value. The VEGF value was 0.8 +/- 0.3 (n = 6) in p53-wild group, whereas in p53-mutant group it was 1.6 +/- 0.8 (n = 5). VEGF expression was correlated significantly with p53 status (P < 0.05). VEGF levels in p53 gene-transfected cells and the conditioned medium were decreased in 48 hours after p53 gene transfection. VEGF expression was down-regulated by p53 in endometrial carcinoma cells.