Expression of phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) in endometrioid cancer and lymph nodes metastases

PurposeWe identify the expression of PRL-3 in primary endometrioid endometrial cancer and metastases in relation to the clinicopathological characteristics.Material/MethodsThe study involved 30 patients with type I endometrial cancer. Twelve of them were diagnosed with metastases in various localization of abdomen. The PRL-3 expression was evaluated on the basis of immunohistochemistry results by the use of monoclonal antibody anti-PRL3 clone 3B6.ResultsThe intensity of PRL-3 expression in correlation with tumor stage was statistically significant (p = 0.024). The strongest reaction was noted in cases classified as a 1a and 1b stage defined by FIGO. The strength of PRL-3 expression is significantly associated with the degree of histological tumor grade (p = 0.035).ConclusionsThe strong expression of PRL-3 in the primary tumor that was significantly correlated with the grade and clinical stage suggest that PTP4A3 participates in the process of endometrial carcinogenesis.     

The Prevalence of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Obese Children Varies Depending on the Method Utilized to Determine Left Ventricular Mass

Obesity and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have been identified as independent risk factors for cardiovascular events. The definition of LVH depends on the geometric algorithm used to calculate LV mass (LVM) by echocardiography and the method used to normalize LVM for body size. This study evaluates the effect of these methods on the prevalence of LVH in obese children. LVM for 109 obese and 109 age-matched non-obese children was calculated using M-mode or two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). LVM was then normalized to height 2.7 as indexed LVM (LVMI), to body surface area (BSA), height, and lean body mass (LBM) as LVM Z-scores. LVH was defined as LVMI >95th ‰ using age-specific normal reference values or LVM Z-scores ≥2. The prevalence of LVH by LVMI and LVM Z-scores was compared. There was a correlation between LVM determined by M-mode and by 2DE (R ² = 0.91), although M-mode LVM was greater than 2DE LVM. However, the difference between these values was greater in obese children than in non-obese children. Based on the method of normalization, the prevalence of LVH among obese children was 64 % using LVMI, 15 % using LVM Z-scores for height, 8 % using LVM Z-scores for BSA and 1 % using LVM Z-scores for LBM. Height-based normalization correlates with obesity and hypertension. The methods used to measure and normalize LVM have a profound influence on the diagnosis of LVH in obese children. Further study is needed to determine which method identifies children at risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.     

Identification of estrogen-responsive genes involved in breast cancer metastases to the bone

Bone metastasis is the most common metastasis in breast cancer patients. Clinical observations propose strong association between estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumors and the development of bone metastases. We hypothesized of biologically diverse sets of hormone-dependent tumors predisposed to bone metastases and of possible role of ER-signaling pathways in the development and progression of bone metastases. We developed a novel in vitro estrogen (E2)-responsive model system, in which breast cancer cells and bone cells express high levels of either ERα or ERβ. Using co-culture approach and gene array technology we identified E2-responsive genes involved in the interaction between cancer cells and bone cells. We detected 13 genes that were altered solely by ERα and 11 genes that were regulated solely by ERβ in cancer cells. Only 5 genes were modified by both ERα and ERβ. Interestingly, the majority of genes in bone cells were altered through ERβ. Two genes, namely MacMarcks and Muc-1, whose changes in expressions in cancer cells in response to E2 were highly significant, were selected for immunohistochemical analysis using tissue microarrays of 59 infiltrating ductal carcinomas. Our results indicated that both MacMarcks and Muc-1 were expressed at high frequency in ER-positive tumors. The correlation between ERα- and ERβ-status of hormone-dependent tumors with combined expression of these two markers might suggest a more aggressive tumor phenotype associated with bone metastases. Further analysis of tissues with clinicopathological characteristics and known bone metastatic disease will indicate potential prognostic values of these and other markers in the development of bone metastases in a subgroup of “bad” hormone-dependent breast cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.