Transplantable rat thyroid cancer cell line FRTC transformed with muramyl dipeptide

A case of primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid: molecular evidence of its origin

Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the thyroid is very rare, and its origin has not been fully determined. We report a case of MEC, the origin of which was demonstrated by thyroid specific genes expressed in a metastatic lymph node. A 52-year-old male presented with chest pain, weight loss and diffuse goitre. Ultrasonography showed the thyroid to be diffusely enlarged with numerous small calcifications. The tumour was found to be infiltrating the thyroid, lung, lymph nodes and first thoracic vertebra. A variant type of papillary thyroid carcinoma was suspected by fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid. An open biopsy specimen from an axillary lymph node revealed the tumour to be composed of three distinct cell types: mucin-producing cells, intermediate cells and a small amount of epidermoid cells with scattered psammoma bodies. Immunohistochemical studies showed the tumour cells to be negative for thyroglobulin and calcitonin, but positive for CEA. To examine the primary origin of the tumour, the expression of thyroid specific genes in the lymph node specimen was examined by RT-PCR. TTF-1, TTF-2, Pax-8, Na-I symporter and thyroid peroxidase mRNA were detected. The presence of these thyroid-specific mRNAs indicates that this MEC originated from thyroid follicular epithelium. This is the first molecular evidence of dedifferentiation from thyroid follicular cells to MEC.

A phase II trial of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and vinorelbine in the treatment of advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Vinorelbine (Navelbin; N) has proven to be active in patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) and cyclophosphamide (C) and epirubicin (Epiadriamycin: E) are still among the main cytostatic agents against this tumor. On this basis was carried out a study to determine the activity and toxicity of the combination of these three agents (CEN).

PATIENTS AND METHOD

From April 1996 to March 1998, 59 patients with ABC were recruited of whom 56 were found eligible and evaluable for toxicity and 55 for activity. The treatment regimen was C: 400 mg/m2, E: 30 mg/m2 and N: 25 mg/m2 administered intravenously on days 1 and 8 of a 28-day cycle.

RESULTS

The median number of cycles administered was 6 (range: 1-16). The most common hematological toxicity was grade (G) 3 and 4 neutropenia occurring in 36% of patients, associated with fever in 7% of them. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia and anemia occurred in 5% and 7%, respectively. Other G2-G3 non hematologic toxicities were: N/vomiting in 34%, alopecia in 73% and mucositis in 11% of patients. An objective response was achieved in 28 of 56 patients (50%) (95% confidence interval (CI): 37-63%): complete response (CR) in 9%, partial response (PR) in 41%. The median duration of response, time to progression and overall survival time was 54, 47 and 90 weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The CEN combination at these doses and treatment schedule appears to have acceptable tolerability but there is no apparent improvement in therapeutic efficacy when compared to other regimens used as first line treatment in ABC.

Morphology of FRTL-5 cell colonies in a semi-solid medium

For the first time, 3, 7 and 10 days growth of normal thyroid follicular FRTL-5 cell colonies in a semi-solid medium of 0.6% methocel over 1% agar base was morphometrically analyzed. It was found that the areas of FRTL-5 colonies as well as their perimeters and maximum diameters increased, while according to their form factors the FRTL-5 colonies were regular in shape. After 10 days in a semi-solid medium, 83% of the FRTL-5 colonies had maximum diameters greater than 50 microm. It is obvious that after long culturing of FRTL-5 cells under the influence of the pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) these cells are not uniform anymore and that they grow in a semi-solid medium.