Nerve growth factor modification of the ethylnitrosourea model for multiple schwannomas

Gangliosides modulate the growth rate and cell phenotype of a murine primitive neuro-ectodermal tumour

Intratumoural administration of gangliosides (GSD) into a murine primitive neuro-ectodermal tumour, growing in the epicranial subcutaneous tissue of syngenic rats, results in a decrease in the tumour growth rate and causes a more differentiated phenotype of tumour cell, with immunohistochemical expression of neuronal markers. These findings suggest that the potential usefulness of intralesional administration of GSD for the control of tumours of primitive neuro-epithelial character could be considered.

Gangliosides modulate the development of ethyl-nitrosourea induced brain tumors in rats

The possible effect of gangliosides as biological modifiers of the ethyl-nitrosourea (ENU) model of neurocarcinogenesis in rats is studied. Wistar rats that were exposed to ENU during fetal life, were treated with gangliosides at a postnatal age corresponding to a stage of pretumor or microtumor development. The results obtained suggest that postnatal administration of gangliosides can influence the development of ENU-induced brain tumors, delaying the appearance of symptomatic neoplasms and improving survival with respect to controls. This finding suggests the potential usefulness of gangliosides in the control of neuroectodermal tumors.

Frontotemporal epidural approach to trigeminal neurinomas

From 1980 through 1993 a series of 44 patients with trigeminal neurinomas was treated. Five of them were operated on for the remainder of the tumour as they had undergone previous surgery elsewhere, 35 were operated on for the first time, and 4 were not operated on for various reasons. An epidural approach to the neurinomas originating in the branches of the Vth nerve peripherally to the Gasserian ganglion (GG) was used. In the neurinomas originating in the GG or in the root of the Vth nerve, either an epidural-transdural approach or an epidural-transdural-transpetrous approach was used. All tumours operated on using the approach described in this article were completely removed. In 10 patients, the Vth nerve sensory deficits increased in comparison with preoperative deficits; in 9 their state remained unaltered; and in 11 the sensory function of the Vth nerve improved. In those patients who had experienced pre-operative atypical trigeminal pain, the pain disappeared after surgery. There was no additional treatment: radiosurgery, irradiation or chemotherapy. Histopathological examination did not reveal any malignant changes in the tumours in any of the patients. Based on our own experience and on the published data it is believed that the best treatment for trigeminal neurinomas is complete microsurgical removal of the lesion.

Nerve growth factor receptor immunoreactivity in human benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor

In situ expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors in human dermal and plexiform neurofibroma, schwannoma and traumatic neuroma was examined by an immunohistochemical method using a monoclonal anti-human NGF receptor antibody. Immunoreactivity for the NGF receptor was observed on the principal cells of both neurofibroma and schwannoma. Immunostaining by the anti-S-100 beta protein antibody in adjacent sections suggested that the vast majority of NGF receptor-positive cells were also positive for S-100 beta protein. In traumatic neuroma, staining for the NGF receptor was more intense in the perineurium than in the endoneurial cells.