Galectin-9 expression links to malignant potential of cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose  Galectin-9 (Gal-9) induces adhesion and aggregation of certain cell types and can be a prognostic factor in the patients with melanoma and breast cancer. We assessed the experiments to resolve whether Gal-9 expression in cervical neoplasm links to malignant potential of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. Methods  Gal-9 expression was examined with immunohistochemical techniques in 23 normal cervical squamous epithelia, 17 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 38 cervical SCC compared to E-cadherin. CIN was divided into low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (8 LSIL and 9 HSIL), and SCC was into well-, moderately and poorly differentiated SCC (6 WSCC, 20 MSCC and 12 PSCC). Results  Gal-9 and E-cadherin were evidently detected in normal epithelium and endocervical glands, but those in CIN and SCC were significantly faint. Moreover, both the Gal-9 and E-cadherin expressions in HSIL were significant lower than those in LSIL, suggesting their association with malignant transformation. Unexpectedly, Gal-9 and E-cadherin in WSCC were significantly high compared to those in HSIL. Furthermore, those in SCC were inversely correlated with the grade of differentiation (WSCC >> MSCC >> PSCC), implying the possible involvement of Gal-9 and E-cadherin in the differentiation of SCC. In contrast, they were not different among the FIGO stage. Gal-9 expression was well correlated with E-cadherin expression in CIN and SCC but not in normal cervical epithelia. Conclusion  The present results suggest that decreased Gal-9 expression is inversely associated with malignant potential or differentiation of cervical CIN and SCC as a differentiation biomarker.     

宫颈鳞癌组织中pSTAT3、Cyclin D1、VEGF表达变化及意义

目的 观察宫颈鳞癌组织中磷酸化信号转导和转录激活因子3 （pSTAT3）、细胞周期素D1（Cyclin D1）及血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）蛋白的表达变化,并探讨其临床意义.方法 采用免疫组化SP法检测40例宫颈鳞癌（癌症组）、20例宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN组）和15例正常宫颈鳞状上皮（对照组）组织中的pSTAT3、Cyclin D1和VEGF蛋白.结果 在癌症组及CIN组,pSTAT3过表达率分别为20.0％、62.5％ （P ＜0.05）,Cyclin D1过表达率分别为30.0％、72.5％ （P ＜0.05）,VEGF过表达率分别为40.0％、82.5％（P＜0.05）;对照组均无过表达者.pSTAT3、Cyclin D1蛋白过表达与宫颈鳞癌病理分级、临床分期及淋巴结转移有关（P均＜0.05）,VEGF蛋白过表达与宫颈鳞癌病理分级、淋巴结转移有关（P均＜0.05）.宫颈鳞癌组织中,pSTAT3与Cyclin D1及VEGF蛋白过表达呈正相关（r分别为0.531、0.618,P均＜0.05）.结论 宫颈鳞癌组织中pSTAT3、Cyclin D1及VEGF蛋白表达增高,三者共同参与了宫颈鳞癌的发生、发展.     

STAT3和CyclinD1在宫颈癌组织中的表达及意义

目的探讨信号转导和转录激活因子3（STAT3）和细胞周期蛋白D1（CyclinD1）表达与宫颈癌生物学行为的关系及意义。方法用免疫组化S-P法检测12例正常宫颈、24例宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN）、60例宫颈癌中STAT3与CyclinD1的表达。结果宫颈癌组织STAT3、CyclinD1的阳性表达率均明显高于正常宫颈组织与CIN组织（P〈0．01,〈0．05）;STAT3和CyclinD1的表达呈正相关（r=0．327,P〈0．05）;STAT3、CyclinD1异常表达率随着病理分级和临床分期的增加而增加,两者的表达均与淋巴转移有关（P〈0．01,〈O．05）。结论STAT3可能通过激活其下游靶基因CyclinD1,引起宫颈癌细胞异常增殖和分化失控。     

Fragile histidine triad protein expression in nonsmall cell lung cancer and correlation with Ki-67 and with p53.

Fragile histidine triad (FHIT) is a tumour suppressor gene, which is altered in a variety of epithelial tumours, including lung cancer. Biochemical and functional pathways of its tumourigenicity are not yet understood. Its role in tumour proliferation is particularly controversial. The purpose of this study was to correlate the expression of FHIT protein in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tumour proliferation as estimated by Ki-67 antigen and with p53, a suppressor gene. FHIT, Ki-67 and p53 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 119 resected NSCLC. Altogether, 58 tumours were negative (expression <10%) for FHIT. The median expression in tumours was 15% positive cells, in comparison with 100% in normal matched lung tissue. The expression was as strong as in normal tissue in only 19 cases. FHIT expression was significantly lower in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (5%) than in adenocarcinoma (ADC) (64%). The median expression of Ki-67 was 20% and 69% of tumours were positives (expression >10%). Ki-67 expression was significantly higher in SCC (33.3%) than in ADC (10%). The loss of FHIT protein was not correlated with the expression of p53 (median: 7.5%, 58% of positive tumours for a cut-off of 10% of positive cells) or Ki-67. But percentage of labelled cells for p53 and Ki-67 were significantly correlated. The results suggest that for fragile histidine triad, the pathway of tumourigenesis is independent of p53 and of tumoural proliferation, as reported previously in vitro.     

宫颈鳞癌组织中HSP70和Bcl-2的表达及意义

目的探讨热休克蛋白（HSP）70和Bcl-2在宫颈鳞癌组织中的表达及意义。方法采用免疫组化法检测HSP70、Bcl-2在60例宫颈鳞癌、18例宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN）、7例正常宫颈组织中的表达。结果宫颈鳞癌组织中HSP70、Bcl-2阳性表达率显著高于CIN和正常宫颈组织（P均〈0．05）；宫颈鳞癌组织中HSP70的阳性表达与病理分级、临床分期、淋巴转移密切相关（P均〈0．05）；HSP70与Bcl-2在宫颈鳞癌组织中的表达密切相关（P〈0．05）。结论HSP70、Bcl-2均在宫颈鳞癌发生和发展中起重要作用，两者具有协同作用；HSP70可作为判断宫颈癌预后的重要指标。     

Aberrant expression of minichromosome maintenance proteins 2 and 5, and Ki-67 in dysplastic squamous oesophageal epithelium and Barrett's mucosa

BACKGROUND: Minichromosome maintenance (Mcm) proteins are essential for eukaryotic DNA replication, and their expression implies potential for cell proliferation. Expression is dysregulated in dysplastic states but data for oesophageal squamous mucosa and Barrett's mucosa have not been published. AIM: To test the hypothesis that Mcm proteins are downregulated together with the proliferation marker Ki-67 in differentiating epithelial compartments of non-dysplastic squamous and Barrett's epithelium, and that this process does not occur in dysplastic mucosae. METHODS AND CASES: Forty five patients with Barrett's oesophagus included 20 with glandular dysplasia (10 low grade, eight high grade, two both, and four with invasive adenocarcinoma). Twenty five other patients included 12 with oesophageal squamous dysplasia (three low grade, six high grade, three both, and four with invasive squamous carcinoma). Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections from biopsy series and resections were immunostained using antibodies to Mcm2, Mcm5, and Ki-67. Percentage of nuclei positive for Mcm2, Mcm5, and Ki-67 was estimated and scored from 0 to 6 as: 0, none +; 1, <10%+; 2, 10-30%+; 3, 30-70%+; 4, 70-90%+; 5, >90%+; 6, all+. Four separate epithelial strata were scored: in squamous epithelium the basal layer and thirds to the surface, in Barrett's mucosa the luminal surface, upper and lower crypt, and deep glands. RESULTS: In non-dysplastic squamous epithelium and Barrett's mucosa, high level expression of Mcm2, Mcm5, and Ki-67 proteins was largely confined to the proliferative compartments and downregulated in differentiated compartments. Expression persisted up to the mucosal surface in dysplastic squamous epithelium and Barrett's mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent expression of Mcm2, Mcm5, and Ki-67 proteins in luminal compartments of dysplastic oesophageal squamous epithelium and dysplastic Barrett's mucosa may be diagnostic markers and imply disruption of cell cycle control and differentiation in these dysplastic epithelia.     

Relationship between proliferative activity of cancer cells and clinicopathological factors in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To assess whether the molecular markers of malignant tumors could improve the understanding of tumor characteristics, and to observe the characteristics of expression of cell cycle markers Ki-67 and cyclin A in esophageal carcinoma and to analyze the relationship between proliferative activity of cancer cells and clinicopathological factors. METHODS: Seventy of surgically resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were examined by immun-ohistochemistry utilizing commercially available antibodies. Nuclear staining was regarded as a positive result. At least 50 fields in each tumor and non-tumor section were evaluated at a medium power (×200) to determine the proportion of tumor cells and the staining intensity of nuclei in the entire sections. RESULTS: Ki-67 and cyclin A were only expressed in base cells of normal esophageal mucosa. The positive immuno-staining of nuclei of SCC was significantly higher than that in normal esophageal mucosa (t = 13.32 and t = 7.52, respectively, P<0.01). The distribution of positively stained was more diffuse and stronger in poorly differentiated SCC. Both Ki-67 and cyclin A expressions were related to histological grades of tumors (t = 3.5675 and t = 3.916; t = 2.13, respectively, P<0.05) but not to the sex and age of the patients, tumor size, lymphatic invasion, location, or stage grouping. CONCLUSION: The proliferative activity of cancer cells may be understood by immunohistochemistry of Ki-67 and cyclin A in Chinese patients with esophageal SCC. These cell cycle markers may serve as an indicator of cancer cell proliferation rate. The overexpression of cell cycle markers Ki-67 and cyclin A suggests the poor SCC differentiation in patients with esophageal carcinoma.     

Assessment of relationships among clinicopathological characteristics,morphological computer tomography features,and tumor cell proliferation in stage I lung adenocarcinoma

BackgroundSurgically resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) has wide variation in prognosis. It is significant to identify high-risk patients and optimize therapeutic strategy. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among histological grade, serum tumor marker index (TMI), morphological computer tomography (CT) features, and a well-established prognosticator cell proliferation (Ki-67) in stage I ADC.MethodsPreoperative CT was performed in 182 patients with stage I ADC confirmed by pathology. The Ki-67 expression was acquired by immunohistochemistry. TMI was the square root of standardized serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1) values. Tumor shadow disappearance rate (TDR) and other morphological CT features were interpreted by two radiologists. Histological grade, TMI, CT features were statistically evaluated to explore the associations with Ki-67 expression.ResultsIn univariate analysis, gender, smoking history, pack-year, histological grade, TNM stage (IA and IB), serum CEA and CYFRA 21-1 status, TMI status, as well as TDR, long-axis diameter, short-axis diameter, lobulation, spiculation, attenuation types, vacuolation, vascular invasion, vascular convergence, thickened bronchovascular bundles, pleural attachment and peripheral fibrosis were significantly associated with Ki-67 expression (all P<0.05). Solid-predominant ADC had the highest Ki-67 expression, followed by micropapillary, papillary and acinar-predominant ADC, while lepidic-predominant ADC had the lowest Ki-67 expression (P<0.001). TDR was negatively correlated with Ki-67 (r =−0.478, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, histological grade, TDR and attenuation types were independent factors associated with Ki-67 expression.ConclusionsKi-67 expression differed distinctly according to ADC histological subtypes. High Ki-67 expression is independently associated with male patients of stage I ADC with worse differentiation, lower TDR and solid tumors, which might be of prognostic value for poor prognosis in stage I ADC.     

ACF在结肠癌早期病变中的变化及其与PPAR-γ和β-catenin的关系

目的: 观察结肠癌前病变序列的增殖凋亡演变过程及其与PPAR-γ、β-catenin异常表达的关系.方法: 选用SPF级SD大鼠,经改良的DMH结肠肿瘤诱导方法诱导结肠ACF和腺瘤,然后对"正常-ACF-腺瘤"序列各阶段的组织进行免疫组织化学分析其PPAR-γ和β-catenin的表达,同时选择Ki-67表示增殖水平,Bcl-2表示凋亡水平.结果: 在DMH诱导的"正常-ACF-腺瘤"序列中,Ki-67在"正常-ACF"转变阶段即出现异常高表达,呈整个隐窝广泛分布,显著高于正常隐窝,而接近腺瘤组织. Bcl-2则在"ACF-腺瘤"转变阶段才出现异常高表达,呈广泛的胞质阳性颗粒. PPAR-γ在"正常-ACF"转化阶段发生广泛的高表达,呈广泛的核阳性.β-catenin则是在"ACF-腺瘤"转化阶段出现异常表达,呈广泛的核阳性.结论: 在"正常-ACF"转化阶段主要是增殖水平的升高,而且可能与PPAR-γ的异常表达有关. 在"ACF-腺瘤"转化阶段主要是凋亡抑制增加,β-catenin与Bcl-2同期出现异常表达对腺瘤的形成可能有一定的协同作用.     

Effect and mechanism of miR-34a on proliferation,apoptosis and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells

Objective: To discuss the effect and mechanism of miR-34 a on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells. Methods: The laryngeal squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells were transiently transfected with miR-34 a mimics and miR-34 a NC. The MTT, colony-forming assay, Hoechst staining and Annexin V-PI double staining flow cytometry were employed to detect the effect of miR-34 a on the viability and apoptosis of laryngeal squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells; Transwell assay to defect the effect of miR-34 a on the migration and invasion of laryngeal squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells; western blot and RTPCR assay to defect the effect of miR-34 a mimics on the expression of survivin and Ki-67 m RNA in laryngeal squamous carcinoma Hep2 cells. Results: Compared with miR-34 a NC group, the cell viability in miR-34 mimics group was significantly decreased(P0.01), the cell apoptosis rate was significantly increased(P0.01), the abilities of cell migration and invasion were significantly reduced(P0.01) and the expression of survivin and Ki-67 m RNA was significantly decreased(P0.01). Conclusions: The increased expression of miR-34 a can induce the apoptosis of Hep2 laryngeal carcinoma cells and inhibit the cell proliferation and invasion, which is related to the down-regulated expression of survivin and Ki-67.     

Expression of Ki-67, transforming growth factor beta1, and B-cell lymphoma-leukemia-2 in liver tissue of patients with chronic liver diseases

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present paper was to assess expression of proliferation, fibrosis and apoptosis markers in different phases of chronic liver diseases. METHODS: Sixty-six adults with chronic liver diseases (chronic hepatitis C, n = 48; chronic hepatitis B, n = 10; alcohol chronic liver disease, n = 8) treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology from 1999 to 2001, composed the study group. Liver biopsy specimens were used for immunohistochemical assessment of expression of Ki-67, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and B-cell lymphoma-leukemia-2 (Bcl-2). Grade of liver inflammation and stage of fibrosis were evaluated according to the Scheuer scale. RESULTS: Expression of Ki-67 in hepatocytes was most intensive in patients with grade 2 and 3 inflammation. The expression in patients with grade 4 inflammation was low. The expression of Ki-67 in lymphocytes was most intensive in patients with grade 2 inflammation. Expression of TGF-beta1 in hepatocytes reached a maximum in patients with grade 2 or 3 inflammation and dropped in patients with grade 4 inflammation. There was a statistically significant correlation between stage of fibrosis and expression of TGF-beta1 in liver stromal cells. A very strong correlation was found between the expression of Bcl-2 in bile ductules epithelium and the grade of inflammation (P = 0.006). The expression of Bcl-2 in hepatocytes was observed only in patients with very intense liver inflammation (grade 3) and in patients with stage 3 or 4 fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Processes of proliferation, fibrosis and apoptosis are not directly correlated to progression of liver disease. Expression of studied markers can be used for analysis of dynamics of these processes.     

Estrogen receptor β2 is inversely correlated with Ki-67 in hyperplastic and noninvasive neoplastic breast lesions

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to compare expression levels of ΕRα, ERβ1, ERβ2 and cell proliferation marker Ki-67 in normal breast and hyperplastic and noninvasive neoplastic breast lesions.

Materials and methods

Routinely processed breast tissue from 55 patients provided 65 cases of noninvasive lesions, namely, epithelial hyperplasia of usual type (HUT), apocrine metaplasia (AM), atypical hyperplasia (AH) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 14 cases of adjacent normal breast tissue. Expression of ERα, ERβ1 and ERβ2 were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and correlated with Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) and menopausal status of the patients.

Results

Compared with normal breast, ERα expression increased in low to intermediate-grade DCIS (DCIS1/2) and tended to decrease in high-grade DCIS, while ERβ1 expression decreased in DCIS irrespective of grade. Mean Ki-67 LI in HUT, low to intermediate-grade DCIS and high-grade DCIS was higher than in normal breast. Higher than normal Ki-67 LI correlated with low ERβ2 expression in the whole set of cases and with high ERα expression and low ERβ2 expression in the postmenopausal cases of the subset that is generated by excluding AM and high-grade DCIS. Postmenopausal status correlated with low ERβ1 expression in the whole set and with higher than normal Ki-67 LI, high ERα expression and low ERβ1 expression in the subset.

Conclusions

These findings are in accordance with an ERα-opposing oncosuppressive role of ERβ2 in mammary carcinogenesis along the HUT-AH-DCIS1/2 pathway.     

Abnormal cell proliferation in the p75NTR‐positive basal cell compartment of the esophageal epithelium during squamous carcinogenesis

The low affinity neurotrophin receptor p75NTR is known to be expressed in the mitotically quiescent basal layer (BL) of the normal esophageal epithelium. The aim of the present study was to detect oncogenic changes in the p75NTR‐positive BL during esophageal squamous carcinogenesis. The normal epithelium (NE), low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGN), high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGN), and esophageal squamous carcinoma (SCC), in which invasion was limited to the muscularis mucosa, were obtained from surgically removed esophagi. The expression of p75NTR, the proliferation marker ki67, hTERT, p53, and p63 was examined immunohistochemically. The expression of p75NTR was detected in these tissues with average staining indexes (number of stained cells/100 nucleated cells; SI) of 1.00, 0.99, 0.81, and 0.73, respectively. The expression of ki67 in the BL significantly increased with the progression from LGN to HGN. The expression of hTERT and p53 significantly increased with the progression from NE to LGN, and then increased in a stepwise manner in HGN and SCC, with SI (hTERT/p53) of 0.10/0.11, 0.32/0.45, 0.50/0.72, and 0.65/0.61, respectively. The expression of p63 showed no significant difference among NE, LGN, HGN, and SCC, with SI of 0.82, 0.77, 0.85, and 0.87, respectively. A correlation was observed between the expression of ki67 and p53 (P = 0.005), while a negative correlation was found between p75NTR and hTERT (P = 0.01). Our results demonstrated that phenotypic changes from quiescent to active proliferation in the p75NTR‐positive BL occurred during the progression from LGN to HGN. The altered expression of hTERT and p53 in the BL was detected in LGN, which suggested that additional oncogenic events that disrupt mitotic regulation in the p75NTR‐positive quiescent BL may play a crucial role in malignant transformation. Further investigations using the isolation and tracing of p75NTR‐positive cells in precancerous epithelia may provide us with a better understanding of squamous carcinogenesis.     

PcG蛋白EZH2在胃癌发生发展过程中的表达及其临床意义

背景:EZH2是表观遗传调控因子PcG蛋白的核心成分,可通过催化组蛋白H3氨基末端第27位赖氨酸发生三甲基化而抑制靶基因表达。研究发现EZH2在前列腺癌、乳腺癌、胃癌等恶性肿瘤组织中表达增高,并与肿瘤进展和预后差相关。目的:探讨EZH2在胃癌发生、发展中的作用和临床意义及其与细胞增殖的关系。方法:应用免疫组化技术检测32例正常胃黏膜、34例慢性非萎缩性胃炎、33例慢性萎缩性胃炎、40例异型增生和69例胃癌组织中EZH2、Ki-67的表达情况,分析EZH2与Ki-67和胃癌临床病理特征之间的相关性。结果:EZH2在正常胃黏膜和慢性胃炎组织中主要表达于腺颈部,在正常胃黏膜、慢性非萎缩性胃炎、慢性萎缩性胃炎和异型增生组织中,其表达水平逐渐增高(P0.05),异型增生与胃癌组织间则无明显差异(P=0.678)。各病变组织中,EZH2与Ki-67的表达水平均呈正相关(P0.01),所有组织中EZH2总体表达水平显著高于Ki-67(P0.01)。胃癌组织中EZH2的表达水平与肿瘤大小、浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期相关(P0.05)。结论:EZH2过表达是胃癌发生过程中的早期分子事件,其可能通过促进胃腺上皮增殖参与了胃癌的发生、发展过程。     

宫颈未成熟鳞状上皮化生和高级别鳞状上皮内病变中细胞角蛋白及Ki-67的表达

目的探讨细胞角蛋白（CK）和增殖细胞核抗原Ki-67在鉴别宫颈未成熟鳞状上皮化生（ISM）与高级别鳞状上皮内病变（HGSIL）中的意义。方法应用免疫组化Power Vision二步法检测Ki-67和CK7、CK10/13、CK17在ISM和HGSIL中的表达情况,并以正常宫颈鳞状上皮（NSE）做对照。结果 CK7、CK17、Ki67在HGSIL的阳性表达率均明显高于ISM（P均=0.000）,CK10/13在HGSIL的阳性表达率均明显低于ISM（P=0.000）。结论 CK7、CK10/13、CK17和Ki-67的联合检测有助于ISM和HGSIL的鉴别诊断。     

Histochemical study of vascular endothelial growth factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of VEGF expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODOLOGY: Tissues samples were taken from 52 patients with esophageal SCC after surgery. VEGF expression in these SCCs was examined immunohistochemically. Microvessels in the tumor stained for Factor VIII-related antigen were counted. Ki-67 antigen as a proliferative marker was immunostained with MIB-1, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling was performed for the evaluation of apoptosis. Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and apoptotic index were then calculated. RESULTS: VEGF expression was observed in 30 of the patients (57.7%). The microvessel count was significantly higher (p = 0.007), and the apoptotic index was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the SCC with VEGF expression than in the SCC without it, but no significant difference was observed in the Ki-67 LI between these groups. There was an inverse correlation between the microvessel count and the apoptotic index (p = 0.007). In the clinicopathologic factors, histologic venous invasion of cancer cells (p = 0.039) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.049) were significantly correlated with VEGF expression. The survival rate after curative surgery was better in the patients without VEGF expression (p < 0.05), and distant organ metastasis after surgery was frequently observed in the patients with VEGF expression (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that VEGF expression is associated with angiogenesis in esophageal SCC, and may be a prognostic factor in patients with esophageal SCC. Furthermore, apoptosis may be influenced by angiogenesis in esophageal SCC.     

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse in Galicia,Spain: HPV 16 prevalence and vaccination impact

Introduction

The etiology of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) can influence the efficacy of Public Health preventive strategies. This study aimed to determine the high-risk papillomavirus (HR-HPV) prevalence in CIN2+ cases in unvaccinated women in Galicia (Spain), the expected impact of bivalent vaccination, and the distribution of HPV 16 in squamous lesions.

Material and methods

Ninety-four histologically confirmed cases of CIN2+ (2009–2010) were retrospectively studied: 23 CIN2, 58 CIN3− squamous carcinoma in situ (CIN3-CIS), 5 adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), and 8 invasive squamous cervical cancer (SCC). Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) was performed on the cervical specimens. Bivalent vaccination impact was calculated, based on regional vaccination coverage data, local HR-HPV prevalence, and reported efficacy (direct and cross-protection) of the vaccine.

Results

HR-HPV prevalence was 96.8%. The most frequent genotypes were HPV 16 (48.8–58.2%) and HPV 31 (9.3%–12.1%), considering single infections or single-multiple infections, respectively (hierarchical attribution). In squamous lesions, HPV 16 prevalence in women younger than 45 years of age increased in severe lesions (CIN3-CIS/SCC, OR 4.2), and was higher than in older women (OR 5.5). The vaccine could reduce the cumulative incidence of CIN2+ by 50.6% (direct protection), or by 62.7% (direct and cross-protection).

Conclusion

HPV vaccination could have a great impact in women younger than 45 years of age due to the high prevalence of HPV 16 in their lesions.     

Coexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor and p53 protein in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

OBJECTIVE: p53 plays a role in tumor angiogenesis, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis. The aim of the present study was to clarify how expression of p53 protein participates in angiogenesis, and whether the coexpression of VEGF and p53 protein has a significance for angiogenesis and the clinicopathological features in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Tissues samples were taken from 60 patients with esophageal SCC after surgery. The expression of VEGF and p53 protein in these SCC was examined immunohistochemically. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by counting microvessels in tumor sections stained for Factor VIII-related antigen. Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was calculated, based on Ki-67 antigen immunostaining, as a proliferative marker. Apoptotic index (AI) was calculated, based on the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling, to evaluate apoptosis. RESULTS: VEGF expression was observed in 58.3%, and p53 protein expression was observed in 61.7% of the 60 patients. VEGF and p53 protein were significantly coexpressed in 26 (43.4%). Histological venous invasion (p < 0.01) and distant metastasis (p < 0.05) were significantly correlated with p53 protein expression. The two parameters were more frequently observed in the SCC with VEGF/p53 coexpression than in those without the coexpression. The MVD and Ki-67 LI were significantly higher (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001), and the AI was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the SCC with p53 protein expression than in the SCC without it. The MVD and Ki-67 LI were higher, and the AI was lower in the SCC with VEGF/p53 coexpression than in those without the coexpression. The 5-yr survival rate in patients with the coexpression was poorer than in the other patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that mutant p53 expression is associated with angiogenesis and distant metastasis in esophageal SCC, and that the coexpression of p53 and VEGF may play an important role in angiogenesis, and have important clinical significance.     

E4 expression of human papillomavirus in cervical samples with different cytology categories

In some circumstances, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV type 16 (HPV16), progresses to cervical cancer. Viral E4 expression reflects viral replication and translation and its presence may rule out a latent infectious stage. Twenty cervical cytology samples with known HPV 16 infection of each cytological category namely, negative for intraepithelial lesion (NIL), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and squamous carcinoma (SCC) were investigated by single-step quantitative RT PCR for HPV 16 E4 mRNA, which was not found in any NIL sample but in all LSIL and HSIL samples. Thus, E4 expression assay should be useful for determining precancerous states and may be suitable as an adjunct in cervical HPV testing.     

Significance of macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 expression and macrophage infiltration in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

OBJECTIVES: Macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine-inducing infiltration of macrophages, which can play several roles in tumor growth and metastasis. We have attempted to clarify the relationship between MCP-1 expression and macrophage infiltration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections of tissue samples taken from 56 patients with esophageal SCC after curative surgery were immunohistochemically stained for MCP-1, CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR-2), and thymidine phosphorylase (TP). Macrophage recruitment in SCC was evaluated by monocytic count based on CD68 immunostaining. Microvessels immunostained for Factor VIII-related antigen were counted in SCC, and microvessel density (MVD) was determined. Ki-67 labeling index was calculated based on Ki-67 immunostaining, and an apoptotic index was calculated based on the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling. RESULTS: MCP-1 was expressed in cancer cells of 31 SCC (55.4%) and in stromal cells mainly identified as macrophages of 16 SCC (28.6%). CCR-2 was expressed in stromal cells of all SCC and in vascular endothelial cells of 15 SCC (26.8%). There was a significant correlation between the expression of MCP-1 in cancer cells and of CCR-2 in stromal cells. TP was expressed in stromal cells in 76.7% of the SCC. Monocytic count, MVD, and Ki-67 LI in SCC with MCP-1 expression in cancer cells were higher than that without, and apoptotic index in SCC with MCP-1 expression in cancer cells were lower than that without. Furthermore, the monocytic count was positively correlated with MVD, while it was inversely correlated with apoptotic index. Clinicopathologically, MCP-1 expression in cancer cells was correlated with venous invasion, distant metastasis, and lymph node metastasis. Monocytic count in SCC with venous invasion, distant metastasis, or lymph node metastasis was higher than that without them. Five-year survival rate in the patients with high monocytic count or MCP-1 expression was worse than that with a low monocytic count or without MCP-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MCP-1 expression and macrophage infiltration is associated with angiogenic promotion in esophageal SCC. MCP-1 expression may be interactively associated with macrophage infiltration in esophageal SCC; MCP-1 may play an important role in tumor angiogenesis through production of angiogenic factors, such as TP, by recruited macrophages in esophageal SCC. Furthermore, CCR-2 expression in vascular endothelial cells may participate partially in angiogenesis. Clinicopathologically, esophageal SCC patients with MCP-1 expression have no favorable prognosis.