Prognostic significance of tissue DF3 antigen and CA15-3 tumor marker in primary breast cancer

The specific monoclonal antibody, DF3, for breast cancer and the corresponding tumor marker CA15-3 were evaluated in 108 patients with primary cancer of the breast. These antigens correlated poorly with the known prognostic parameters. Elevated CA15-3 serum values were associated with the cytoplasmic distribution of the DF3 antigen in the cell. The DF3 distribution pattern and the CA15-3 serum values had prognostic significance for disease-free interval.

Expression of a local immune defense system in the female genital tract. An immunohistochemical study

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of a local immunological defense mechanism of the secretory IgA class in the female genital tract.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied by a streptavidin-biotin method the secretory component (SC) and IgA distribution in paraffin-embedded sections of 90 formalin-fixed specimens. We studied 10 normal and 5 neoplastic cervical specimens, 20 normal, 10 hyperplastic endometrial specimens and 10 endometrial adenocarcinomas, 5 normal ovarian tubes and 30 ovarian epithelial neoplasms, serous and mucinous. A polyclonal SC and (Dako) and a mab IgA (Dako) was used and the reaction was scored from 1-3.

RESULTS

Normal cervical mucosa and atrophic endometria were negative, while the basal portion of the endometrium, focally the proliferative glands, most of the secretory glands and most of the hyperplastic glands were positive for SC. IgA showed a similar distribution and a perivascular stromal reaction. Adenocarcinomas were positive for SC, but the intensity of the reaction was dependent on the differentiation of the tumors. Mucous and most serous neoplasms were negative for SC. IgA showed a similar reaction.

CONCLUSION

There is evidence that the female genital tract has a local defensive immune system that may be hormone dependent. SC is a valuable marker of glandular differentiation.

Stromal sarcoma arising on endometriosis. A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 4 cases

The development of stromal sarcomas on the foci of endometriosis is extremely rare and the differential diagnosis from other tumors of myogenic, vascular, hemopoietic or epithelial origin may present great diagnostic difficulties. We investigated the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of 4 cases of endometrial stromal sarcoma that developed on endometriotic foci of the uterus, vagina and omentum. Thye were classed as high grade (1/4) or low grade (3/4) malignant potential tumors, according to their mitotic activity. Immunohistochemically these tumors gave a positive reaction to vimentin, but were negative to desmin, smooth muscle actin, factor VIII, EMA and LCA. These characteristics permit their identification and a proper therapeutic approach.

Human papilloma virus in verrucus carcinoma of the vulva: an immunopathological study of three cases

The pathological features of three cases of verrucus carcinoma of the vulva, examined in our laboratory during the last decade are presented. Verrucus carcinoma of the vulva is of special interest because of its rarity (6.5% of our cases of malignant lesions of the vulva), its special morphology and the problems in differential diagnosis that are encountered. There is also evidence that there is an association with HPV infection. We present the pathological features of three cases of verrucus carcinoma that we studied in the last decade in our Laboratory among 48 malignant lesions of the vulva. An immunohistochemical detection of HPV was performed by the streptavidine-viotine method and classification by in situ hybridization showed the presence of HPV 6/11 in all cases.

Secretory component in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma

The distribution of secretory component was examined by an immunoperoxidase method in 40 pulmonary adenocarcinomas, 11 malignant pleural mesotheliomas and areas of normal lung adjacent to the tumours. Secretory component was demonstrated in tumour cells in 25 (67%) adenocarcinomas. Its presence correlated with the degree of differentiation but was not related to tumour pattern. In the normal lung secretory component can be demonstrated in bronchial ciliated cells, bronchial gland serous cells, bronchiolar epithelium and hyperplastic alveolar epithelium. Although not usually detectable in normal mucous cells it was frequently present in mucin-producing tumours. None of the mesotheliomas examined contained secretory component and this may be an additional useful feature in the differential diagnosis between mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma.