Survivin expression in non-small-cell lung carcinomas: correlation with apoptosis and other apoptosis-related proteins, clinicopathologic prognostic factors and prognosis.

The role of survivin that regulates the biological behavior of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is still controversial. We aimed to investigate survivin expression in NSCLC and to define any correlation with expressions of p53, bcl-2, bax, apoptotic index (AI), tumor cell proliferation, clinicopathologic variables, and overall survival. Tumors of 63 patients with NSCLC were examined for expressions of survivin, p53, bcl-2, bax, and Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry. AI was also evaluated. Results for each antibody were correlated with each other, and with clinicopathologic variables including age, sex, histologic subtype, TNM (T: primary tumor, N: regional lymph node metastasis, M: distant metastasis) stage, lymph node status, smoking history, and prognosis. Nuclear survivin expression was inversely correlated with p53 expression (P = 0.04, r = - 0.367), and tumor stage (P = 0.03, r = - 0.273), and positively correlated with tumor cell proliferation (P = 0.009, r = 0.329). Cytoplasmic survivin expression positively correlated with smoking history (P = 0.02, r = 0.282). Survivin/bax ratio was inversely correlated with AI (r: - 0.004). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, TNM stage (P < or = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.04), and Ki-67 index (P < or = 0.001) were associated with survival, whereas survivin was not. In multivariate analysis, only TNM stage was an independent predictor. Although survivin and other apoptosis-related protein expressions fail to predict the clinical outcome, the present findings suggest that survivin is involved in tumor cell apoptosis and proliferation and may play a role in critical steps of cancer progression in NSCLC.     

Prognostic significance of histologic grade and nuclear expression of beta-catenin in synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma, which has a wide spectrum of biologic behavior, warrants accurate grading to assess the patient's prognosis. We studied the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of 44 cases of synovial sarcoma in patients treated primarily or secondarily at the National Cancer Center, Tokyo, to identify independent prognostic factors. There were local recurrences in 16 patients (36%), and 25 (57%) developed metastases, primarily to the lungs. The estimated cumulative 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 68% and 41%, respectively. Variables associated with an adverse outcome included tumor size > 6.7 cm; initial treatment outside the National Cancer Center; poorly differentiated subtype; high nuclear atypia; mitosis count > 27/10 high-power fields; tumor necrosis; absence of stromal calcification; nuclear expression of beta-catenin, which was found in 25 cases (57%); Ki-67 (MIB-1) index > 27%; and histologic grade 3. Nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin as a cell-signaling event may play an important role in the progression of synovial sarcoma and therefore might be predictive of short survival. However, multivariate analysis clearly showed that only histologic grade, as defined by using categorized variables for the MIB-1 index and tumor necrosis, was an independent prognostic factor. Most variables were correlated with lung metastasis and histologic grade. High-grade synovial sarcoma assessed by a histologic grading system based on the proliferative activity of the neoplastic cells can be viewed as high risk with the patients most likely to die of disease within 10 years after surgery and in need of improved chemotherapy. HUM PATHOL 32:257-263.     

Prognostic significance of the proliferative activity in neuroblastoma.

The prognostic significance of the immunohistochemically assessed growth fraction in neuroblastomas was determined in relation to tumor grade and tumor stage. A total of 101 cases of neuroblastoma were examined with the monoclonal antibodies PC10 against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-S5 against the Ki-67 protein. Patients were followed for a mean time of 4.8 years. Expression of both PC10 and Ki-S5 was found to be significantly linked to tumor grade and tumor stage. Prognostically favorable stage IVs was associated with low PCNA and Ki-S5 levels. For ganglioneuroblastoma, significant differences were found between the diffuse and the composite type. In univariate analysis of stage III and IV tumors, Ki-S5 and PCNA scores were significantly correlated with disease-free survival (P < 0.0015), allowing definition of a subset of cases with favorable outcome. As to Shimada's group with poor prognosis, significant differences in the clinical course were found for low and high Ki-S5 scores (P = 0.036) but not for PCNA. In multivariate analysis, only patient age, Shimada's grade, and Ki-S5 scores achieved prognostic significance. We conclude that proliferation marker Ki-S5 may provide substantial prognostic information and might become a useful adjunct for predicting the clinical courses of neuroblastoma.     

Evaluation of expression of apoptosis-related proteins and their correlation with HPV, telomerase activity, and apoptotic index in cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in cervical cancer, and investigate their correlation with the apoptotic index (AI), telomerase activity, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: Fifty cervical cancer samples and 20 normal cervical tissues were assessed for the protein expression of survivin, Bcl-2, Cox-2, p53 and p73 by immunohistochemistry. HPV DNA was detected by PCR, telomerase activity by PCR-ELISA, and AI by TUNEL assay. RESULTS: 46/50 cervical tumors (92%) showed an increased telomerase activity as compared to 3/20 (15%) controls. 45/50 (90%) cervical tumors were positive for HPV, of which 30 were HPV-16 positive and 5 were HPV-18 positive. 24/50 (48%) tumors were positive for survivin, 14 (28%) for Bcl-2, 13 (26%) for Cox-2, 19/45 (42%) for p73, 10/45 (24%) for p53. Telomerase activity was highest in tumors with the poorest grade. A positive correlation was seen between survivin and Bcl-2, survivin and tumor stage, Bcl-2 and Cox-2, p73 and p53 and p73 and the AI. Despite the overexpression of various antiapoptotic proteins, no significant difference was observed in the AI between tumors and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Since deregulation of the apoptotic pathway appears to occur in cervical cancer, some apoptosis-related proteins could be assessed as potential markers for progression/prognosis in cervical cancer. Additionally, newer proteins such as p73 may play a compensatory role for the nonfunctional proteins such as p53.     

Aberrant expression of tight junction-related proteins ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin in synovial sarcoma: an immunohistochemical study with ultrastructural correlation.

Synovial sarcoma demonstrates epithelial differentiation, either by light microscopy (biphasic synovial sarcoma) or by immunohistochemical/ultrastructural methods only (monophasic) and poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma. Although the glands of synovial sarcoma are known to have tight junction-like structures, far less is known about junction formation in the spindled component of synovial sarcomas. Additionally, it is unknown whether the tight junctions of synovial sarcoma are normally constituted. The tight junction is a multiprotein complex consisting of numerous proteins that include ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin. A total of 35 cases of synovial sarcoma (13 biphasic, 14 monophasic and eight poorly differentiated) were immunostained for ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin using commercially available antibodies, heat-induced epitope retrieval and standard avidin-biotin technique. When available, corresponding electron micrographs were reviewed. For five cases, the presence of either an SYT-SSX1 (three cases) or SYT-SSX2 (two cases) gene fusion was known. Positive cases showed particulate membrane staining. The glands of biphasic synovial sarcomas expressed ZO-1 (13/13), claudin-1 (12/13) and occludin (11/13) in a manner identical to normal glandular epithelia, at the apical portion of the lateral membrane. The spindle cells of biphasic synovial sarcomas showed abnormal circumferential membranous expression of ZO-1 (12/13), claudin-1 (6/13) and occludin (3/13). Monophasic synovial sarcomas expressed ZO-1 in a circumferential pattern (13/14) but less often claudin-1 (4/14) or occludin (3/14). Poorly differentiated synovial sarcomas expressed ZO-1 (8/8) and claudin-1 (6/8) but only rarely occludin (2/8). By electron microscopy, recognizable tight junctions were seen only in glands. No correlation was seen between histologic subtype or fusion type and expression of tight junction proteins. We conclude that the glands of biphasic synovial sarcomas show well-organized, true epithelial tight junctions. In contrast, the spindled cells of all synovial sarcomas show significant abnormalities in the expression and localization of tight junction proteins, suggesting partial and/or aberrant epithelial differentiation.     

Radiation-associated synovial sarcoma: clinicopathologic and molecular analysis of two cases.

Development of a soft-tissue sarcoma is an infrequent but well-known long-term complication of radiotherapy. Malignant fibrous histiocytomas, extraskeletal osteosarcomas, fibrosarcomas, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and angiosarcomas are most frequently encountered. Radiation-associated synovial sarcomas are exceptional. We report the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of two radiation-associated synovial sarcomas. One tumor developed in a 42-year-old female 17 years after external irradiation was given for breast carcinoma; the other occurred in a 34-year-old female who was irradiated at the age of 7 years for a nonneoplastic condition of the left hand. Both lesions showed morphologic features of monophasic spindle cell synovial sarcoma, were immunoreactive for cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, CD99, CD117 (c-kit), and bcl-2 and bore the t(X;18) (SYT-SSX1) translocation. We conclude that synovial sarcoma has to be added to the list of radiation-associated soft-tissue sarcomas.     

滑膜肉瘤石蜡包埋组织SYT-SSX融合基因检测的临床病理意义

目的：探讨在石蜡包埋组织中检测SYT－SSX融合基因的可行性及其对滑膜肉瘤的诊断,分型和鉴别诊断的价值。方法：收集滑膜肉瘤标本38例,以恶性周围神经鞘膜瘤,纤维肉瘤,平滑肌肉瘤,尤文肉瘤,血管外皮肉瘤和转移性腺癌作为对照,共40例,均为甲醛固定,石蜡包埋组织,用逆转录－聚合酶链反应（RT－PCR）方法检测SYT－SSX融合基因mRNA表达,以看家基因PBGD作为内对照检测mRNA质量。结果：78例标本中64例（占82．1％）可检出PBGD mRNA表达,38例滑膜肉瘤中33例中可检出SYT－SSX融合基因mRNA表达,对照组无一例检出SYT－SSX基因,去除PBGD及SYT－SSX均阴性病例1例,滑膜肉瘤SYT－SSX融合基因检出率为89．2％（33／37）,33例SYT－SSX阳性滑膜肉中,SYT－SSX1型22例,SYT－SSX2型6例,5例无法区分。融合基因类型与滑膜肉瘤组织学类型有关。10例双相型滑膜肉瘤均为SYT－SSX1型,而18例单相型滑膜肉瘤中SYT－SSX1型12例,SYT－SSX2型6例,二者差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）,结论：（1）从石蜡包埋组织中检测SYT－SSX融合基因对滑膜肉瘤有较高的敏感性和特异性,可用于滑膜肉瘤的诊断和鉴别诊断;（2）SYT－SSX融合基因类型与滑膜肉瘤组织学类型相关,SYT－SSX2型仅见于单相型。     

Molecular and immunohistochemical analysis of ERBB2 expression in correlation with proliferation rate in synovial sarcoma.

The aim of the study was to determine whether or not the tyrosine kinase receptor ERBB2 is overexpressed in synovial sarcomas (SSs). We also focused on the cell cycle-related nuclear protein-Ki-67. Thirty-two samples were available for immunohistochemistry and only 1 case revealed a weak diffuse membrane ERBB-2 staining. The remaining cases showed either no staining (20 cases) or weak focal membrane staining (9 cases). In our 3 highly overexpressed ERBB2 mRNA samples, fluorescence in situ hybridization showed no amplification of the ERBB2 gene. ERBB2 mRNA expression was present in all samples of SSs at a comparable level to that in breast carcinoma control group, with a 2+ or 3+ immunopositivity. The high level of ERBB2 mRNA expression correlated with a high level of Ki-67 mRNA. The level of Ki-67 mRNA correlated with Ki-67 protein expression. The study shows that ERBB2 mRNA expression is very strong in SSs, but the membrane ERBB-2 protein expression is practically absent.     

E-cadherin、β-catenin在神经母细胞瘤中的异常表达及其与临床病理参数的关系

目的研究不同分化程度的神经母细胞瘤（NB）中E-cadherin、β—catenin蛋白的表达情况,初步探讨E-cadherin、B-catenin异常表达的分子生物学机制及其与临床病理参数的关系。方法免疫组织化学EnVision法检测黏附分子E-cadherin、β-catenin在90例石蜡包埋组织中的表达;对7例NB的新鲜样本和24例NB石蜡包埋组织采用甲基化特异性PCR（MSP）方法检测E-cadherin基因启动子CpG岛甲基化状态;运用PCR扩增和测序方法,检测7例NB组织中B-catenin基因第3外显子的突变情况,采用SPSS统计分析软件进行相关性分析。结果分化良好组织类型NB β-catenin的阳性表达率（47／70,67．1％）显著高于分化不良组织类型（8／20,40．0％）;E-cadherin、β-catenin在NB中普遍呈异常表达;有淋巴结转移组中E-cadherin和B-catenin的阳性表达率较无淋巴结转移组显著下降;检测31例NB E—cadherin基因启动子的部分区域均为未甲基化状态;对β-catenin第3外显子PCR扩增产物进行DNA测序,7例NB中1例发生基因重排和点突变,2例发生点突变,其中2例在同一位点（27184）发生T—A的突变。结论NB中黏附分子E-cadherin高异常表达率与实验中检测的启动子区域甲基化无关,是否与该启动子未检测区域CpG岛甲基化有关,还需进一步实验证实;β-catenin的高异常表达率可能与β—catenin基因第3外显子的突变有关。     

Prognostic significance of anti-apoptosis proteins survivin and bcl-2 in non-small cell lung carcinomas: a clinicopathologic study of 102 cases.

Inhibitors of apoptosis, including bcl-2 and survivin (a novel gene encoding a unique apoptosis inhibitor), regulate cell proliferation by promoting cell survival. Although survivin has been detected in several human cancers, its prognostic significance and relationship to bcl-2 are not well characterized in lung cancer. Tissue sections from 102 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) were immunostained using antibodies against survivin and bcl-2. Staining results were correlated with prognostic variables. Immunoreactivity for survivin and bcl-2 was observed in 53% and 21% of NSCLCs, respectively. Fifty-two percent of the 50 squamous cell carcinomas and 54% of the 52 adenocarcinomas expressed survivin. Survivin positivity correlated with tumor stage in squamous cell carcinoma. On univariate analysis, survivin expression correlated with decreased patient survival in NSCLC and in the subset of squamous cell carcinomas, but not in adenocarcinomas. On multivariate analysis, survivin was an independent predictor, along with distant metastasis and large tumor size. Eighteen percent of squamous cell carcinomas and 24% of adenocarcinomas expressed bcl-2. On univariate analysis, bcl-2 expression correlated with increased patient survival in NSCLC and in the subset of squamous cell carcinomas. An inverse correlation between the expression of survivin and bcl-2 was noted. Survivin immunoreactivity is an independent predictor of shortened survival in NSCLC, while bcl-2 protein expression correlated with prolonged patient survival. These findings indicate an inverse relationship between survivin and bcl-2 expression and suggest that these two inhibitors of apoptosis function through different pathways in the regulation of tumorigenesis in NSCLC.     

Angiogenic and lymphangiogenic microvessel density in breast carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathologic parameters and VEGF-family gene expression.

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are essential for breast cancer progression and are regulated by vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). To determine clinical and molecular correlates of these processes, we measured blood and lymphatic vascular microvessel density in 29 invasive carcinomas (22 ductal, six lobular, one papillary), using the vascular marker CD31 and the novel lymphatic marker D2-40. Microvessel density was assessed microscopically and by image cytometry, and was compared with tumor histology, grade, stage, lymph node metastasis, hormone receptors, HER2/neu status, and expression of VEGF, VEGF-C and VEGF-D by immunohistochemistry or quantitative RT-PCR. Strong correlation was observed between visual and image cytometric microvessel density using D2-40 but not CD31 (P=0.016 and 0.1521, respectively). Image cytometric CD31 microvessel density correlated with tumor size, grade, stage and lymph node metastasis (P=0.0001, 0.0107, 0.0035 and 0.0395, respectively). D2-40 microvessel density correlated with tumor stage (P=0.0123 by image cytometry) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.0558 by microscopy). Immunohistochemical VEGF signal in peritumoral blood vessels correlated with image cytometric CD31 and D2-40 microvessel density (P=0.022 and 0.0012, respectively), consistent with the role of VEGF in blood and lymphatic vascular growth. Intratumoral VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression by quantitative RT-PCR correlated with D2-40 (P=0.0291 by image cytometry) but not with CD31 microvessel density, which could suggest a selective role of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in lymphangiogenesis. CD31 and D2-40 microvessel density correlated significantly with several prognostic factors, including lymph node metastasis. Thus, measurements of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis may have utility for breast cancer pathology, particularly for estimation of metastatic risk.     

胃肠道间质瘤156例临床病理学特征与预后的分析

目的探讨胃肠道问质瘤（GIST）的生物学行为,分析临床病理特征对于GIST患者生存率的影响,同时检测c—kit基因11号外显子的突变,试图发现对GIST预后判断有意义的指标。方法收集解放军总医院病理科156例发生于胃与小肠的GIST,总结临床病理特征包括年龄、临床分期、肿瘤直径、核分裂象计数、坏死、风险分级等,并进行统计学分析。套式PCR扩增c—kit基因11号外显子,变性高效液相色谱法筛查,并进行DNA直接测序检测突变。结果胃GIST83例,平均年龄55．4岁,62例获得随访,17例复发或转移,5年生存率为66．5％±17．1％。小肠GIST73例,平均年龄50．6岁,43例获得随访,22例发生复发或转移,5年生存率为61．8％4-18．3％。对于胃GIST患者,年龄小于50岁（P=0．046）,临床分期晚（P=0．0001）,肿瘤直径大（P=0．0001）,核分裂象计数多（P=0．0001）,肿瘤组织出现坏死（P=0．0001）和风险分级高（P=0．004）提示生存率低。COX风险比例模型发现临床分期晚（P=0．001）、肿瘤直径大（P=0．001）、核分裂象计数多（P=0．002）、风险分级高（P=0．018）与患者预后差相关。在小肠GIST中,肿瘤组织坏死（P=0．036）、临床分期晚（P=0．010）与患者生存率低相关,其中临床分期为独立的预后提示因子。c—kit基因11号外显子突变检测发现共25例患者存在突变,胃GIST的突变率为32．0％,主要发生于50岁以上患者,小肠GIST的突变率为22．5％,主要发生于40～49岁患者。结论根据临床病理特征可以对GIST患者的预后进行判断,其中胃GIST患者可以根据临床分期、肿瘤直径、核分裂象计数、风险分级来判断预后,小肠GIST患者可依据临床分期及肿瘤组织坏死来判断预后。小肠GIST比胃GIST更易复发或转移。胃与小肠GIST基因的突变可能与患者的年龄相关。     

Detection of apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related proteins during human intrahepatic bile duct development.

We investigated apoptosis by nick end labeling and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins by immunohistochemistry in fetal development of human intrahepatic bile ducts and hepatocytes. During intrahepatic bile duct development, apoptosis was present at all stages, and its positive ratio was high in the remodeling ductal plate, moderate in the ductal plate, and relatively low in remodeled ducts. The cell proliferative activity as determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen was also high in the remodeling ductal plate, and relatively low in the ductal plate and remodeled ducts. fas antigen and c-myc protein were constantly positive in the ductal plate, remodeling ductal plate and remodeled ducts. Bcl-2 protein was negative or faintly positive in the ductal plate and remodeling ductal plate, but was apparently positive in remodeled ducts. Lewisy as detected by the BM-1 antibody was present in the ductal plate, remodeling ductal plate, and remodeled ducts. p53 protein was not found in any cell types in the liver development. During hepatocyte development, many apoptotic and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive hepatocytes were noted. The developing hepatocytes expressed c-myc protein and fas antigen. Bcl-2 protein and Lewisy antigen were also weakly positive in the developing hepatocytes. These findings showed that balanced cell proliferation and apoptosis are involved in the normal development of intrahepatic bile ducts and hepatocytes, and suggest that c-myc protein, fas antigen, Bcl-2 protein, and Lewisy antigen modulate apoptosis of fetal intrahepatic biliary cells and hepatocytes, probably by stimulative (c-myc protein and fas and Lewisy antigens) or inhibitory (Bcl-2 protein) effects.     

Epithelial differentiation in synovial sarcoma. Correlation with histology and immunophenotypic expression

The epithelial properties of the cells in six cases of synovial sarcoma, five biphasic and one monophasic, were examined. Epithelial cells formed well demarcated glandular nests with a multi- or single-layered lining, poorly defined nest-like clusters, or appeared as scattered single plump cells in a spindle-cell stroma. Keratinization was seen in multi-layered epithelia, and was suggested in single-layered epithelia from the presence of some enlarged eosinophilic cells. Immunohistochemically, epithelia lining glands showed reactivity for both low- and high-molecular-weight (MW) cytokeratins, and the reactions for both were strongest in keratinized cells. Clustered or single plump cells showed low-MW cytokeratin reactivity. All epithelial cells were negative for the largest cytokeratin (no. 1), and occasionally stained positively for vimentin. Spindle-shaped stromal cells usually stained positively for vimentin only. Type IV collagen was distributed linearly around well circumscribed epithelia, but not around poorly defined epithelia or plump cells. Epithelial membrane antigen was distributed linearly along glandular spaces and irregularly or granularly in clustered plump cells. The immunophenotypic epithelialization in synovial sarcoma was restricted, but showed considerable correlation with the histological grade of differentiation.