Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in a Leishmania Scar

The BRCT Domain from the Homologue of the Oncogene PES1 in Leishmania major (LmjPES) Promotes Malignancy and Drug Resistance in Mammalian Cells

Around 15% of cancer cases are attributable to infectious agents. Epidemiological studies suggest that an association between leishmaniasis and cancer does exist. Recently, the homologue of PES1 in Leishmania major (LmjPES) was described to be involved in parasite infectivity. Mammalian PES1 protein has been implicated in cellular processes like cell cycle regulation. Its BRCT domain has been identified as a key factor in DNA damage-responsive checkpoints. This work aimed to elucidate the hypothetical oncogenic implication of BRCT domain from LmjPES in host cells. We generated a lentivirus carrying this BRCT domain sequence (lentiBRCT) and a lentivirus expressing the luciferase protein (lentiLuc), as control. Then, HEK293T and NIH/3T3 mammalian cells were infected with these lentiviruses. We observed that the expression of BRCT domain from LmjPES conferred to mammal cells in vitro a greater replication rate and higher survival. In in vivo experiments, we observed faster tumor growth in mice inoculated with lentiBRCT respect to lentiLuc HEK293T infected cells. Moreover, the lentiBRCT infected cells were less sensitive to the genotoxic drugs. Accordingly, gene expression profiling analysis revealed that BRCT domain from LmjPES protein altered the expression of proliferation- (DTX3L, CPA4, BHLHE41, BMP2, DHRS2, S100A1 and PARP9), survival- (BMP2 and CARD9) and chemoresistance-related genes (DPYD, Dok3, DTX3L, PARP9 and DHRS2). Altogether, our results reinforced the idea that in eukaryotes, horizontal gene transfer might be also achieved by parasitism like Leishmania infection driving therefore to some crucial biological changes such as proliferation and drug resistance.

The Investigation of the Association of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Biopsy Specimens of the Patients with Granulomatous Disease and Skin Cancer Using the Molecular Method

Background

Clinically, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) can be confused with granulomatous diseases and skin cancers, and it may lead to erroneous diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis based and histopathology can have some difficulties due to low number of parasites, especially in chronic CL cases. We aimed to emphasize the necessity of considering CL in the differential diagnosis for cases of granulomatous diseases and basal cell carcinoma, particularly in areas where CL is endemic.

Methods

One hundred and seven paraffin-embedded tissue biopsy specimens were selected from the archive, as of 2002, of Pathology Department, School of Medicine, University of Hatay Mustafa Kemal in Hatay, Turkey. After DNA isolation, performed with the samples were used for PCR analysis with specific 13A, 13B primers targeting kinetoplastid DNA (kDNA) found in all Leishmania species. Another PCR was performed with LITSR and L5.8S primers targeting ITS-1 internal-transcribed-spacer-1 (ITS-1) region to subtype positive samples. Then these samples were further analyzed for subtyping with PCR-RFLP using HaeIII enzyme (BsuRI).

Results

Ten out of 107 tissue specimens were positive via kDNA-PCR. Lupus vulgaris, sarcoidosis, skin lymphoma and Leishmania cutis appeared in 9 out of 10 positive specimens. One of the cases presented with a mass on the cheek and was pre-diagnosed with hemangioma, but leishmaniasis did not appear. All of 10 specimens were diagnosed as granulomatous dermatitis. Two out of 10 samples, found positive with kDNA-PCR, were analyzed with ITS-1-PCR and identified as L. infantum/donovani after RFLP.

Conclusion

Molecular methods should be utilized in the differential diagnosis of CL to eliminate false diagnoses of granulomatous diseases and skin cancers.

Incisional squamous cell carcinoma after total knee arthroplasty

With the rising number of total knee arthroplasties being performed annually, the number of complications associated with this procedure will also continue to rise. The most common reasons for revision include infection, instability, and aseptic loosening. Fortunately, wound complications are rare, and in this case report, we describe the development of a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthomatous type, within the surgical incision of a total knee arthroplasty several months after the index procedure.

[Squamous cell carcinomas of the scrotum: about 7 cases with review of the literature]

Quoique rare le carcinome épidermoïde du scrotum a un mauvais pronostic. Les Carcinomes du scrotum induite et - liées au travail sont moins fréquentes en raison d'une meilleure hygiène, vêtements de protection, et la sensibilisation de la cancérogénicité des huiles industrielles. L’épidémie à l'HPV a induit une augmentation de l'incidence. Le traitement de dépend toujours exérèse locale de la lésion primaire. La radiothérapie a peu de bénéfice thérapeutique dans le traitement d'un carcinome épidermoïde du scrotum. La bléomycine peut être utile comme traitement adjuvant pour les maladies ilio-inguinal généralisée avant la tentative exérèse, même si cela n'a pas encore été prouvé. Entre janvier 2011 au 1^er janvier 2013, 7 patients atteints de carcinome épidermoïde ont été pris en charge, Trois patients ont présenté une localisation ganglionnaire. Les sept patients ont eu un traitement chirurgical par exérèse large avec reconstruction, Deux patients ont été adressé pour chimiothérapie.2 patients ont présenté une récidive, dont un est décédé.

A case report of scrotal carcinoma and review of the literature

Scrotal carcinoma is a rare tumor. We report one case of such disease in a 60-year-old man presenting with an ulcerated-bleeding lesion on the left side of the scrotum and an enlarged lymph node in the left inguinal region. Biopsy of the ulcerated lesion found squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum. He underwent initial tumor resection and left inguinal lymph node biopsy followed by postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum and lymph node metastasis. Five months after the treatment, the size of the lymph node was dramatically decreased, with no signs of tumor progression. Surgical treatment combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy may be an appropriate management approach to achieve palliative symptom relief for this disease.

Aspects of the association between leishmaniasis and malignant disorders

Given the prevalence of leishmaniasis and cancer, the co-existence of these two diseases may be merely coincidental. However, a number of epidemiological, experimental and laboratory studies suggest that an association between these two entities does exist. The aim of this review is to summarise the occurrence of leishmaniasis as an opportunistic infection associated with malignant disorders and to present the available literature potentially linking this infection with the development of cancerous lesions. We searched electronic databases and evaluated 37 studies involving 44 patients. Four different types of association between leishmaniasis and cancer were established: leishmaniasis mimicking a malignant disorder, such as lymphoma; leishmaniasis arising as a difficult to diagnose and treat infection among patients receiving chemotherapy for various malignant disorders; simultaneous diagnosis of leishmaniasis and a neoplastic disorder in the same tissue samples of immunocompromised patients; and direct involvement of Leishmania spp. in the pathogenesis/occurrence of malignant lesions, especially of the skin and mucous membranes. The main conclusion of this review is that leishmaniasis can directly or indirectly affect the presentation, diagnosis and course of various malignant disorders and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of malignancies in geographic areas where it is endemic and/or in patients with travel history to these areas.

Increased DNA damage and oxidative stress in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a chronic infectious and granulomatous disease caused by the Leishmania parasite that invades the skin. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) produced during an inflammatory response are an important part of host-defense strategies of organisms to kill the parasite. However, it is not well known whether these intermediates cause DNA damage in CL patients. We investigated the effect of Leishmania infection on basal levels of DNA strand breaks and on the oxidative/anti-oxidative status of patients with CL, and compared the data with those of healthy subjects. Twenty-five CL patients and 19 age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. We used the single-cell gel electrophoresis (also called comet assay) to measure DNA strand breaks in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. Plasma protein carbonyl (PC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total peroxide (TP) concentrations were measured to determine oxidative status and total anti-oxidative response (TAR) in plasma was measured to determine anti-oxidative status. The mean values of DNA damage and MDA and TP concentrations were significantly higher in CL patients than in the control group (p<0.001, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). PC levels were also higher in patients, but this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation between plasma MDA and DNA damage (r=0.524, p<0.01), and a negative correlation between TAR and TP levels (r=-0.790, p<0.001) in the patient group. These findings support the notion that ROS and RNS produced by the organism as a defense strategy may amplify the leishmanicidal activity in patients with CL. However, these intermediates not only cause the killing of the parasite but also induce oxidative damage in non-infected cells. Therefore, these patients must be treated urgently to counteract the oxidative DNA damage.

Squamous cell carcinoma developing in the scar of Fournier's gangrene--case report

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum is rare and its development in the scar of Fournier's gangrene is still rarer.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 65-year-old gentleman presented with a small non-healing ulcer developing on right hemi-scrotum two years after the treatment for Fournier's gangrene. On histological examination it was found to be squamous cell carcinoma. He was successfully managed by surgery in the form of wide local excision and ilio-inguinal lymph node dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Squamous cell carcinoma can develop in the scar of Fournier's gangrene after a long delay, which differentiates it from other scar carcinomas or Marjolin's ulcer.