The prognostic value of spontaneous apoptosis, Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 in oral squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

BACKGROUND: Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 proteins are involved in the regulation of apoptosis and have been reported to correlate with prognosis in several tumor types. METHODS: Bax, Bcl-2, p53, and the level of spontaneous apoptosis were evaluated in formalin fixed, paraffin embedded pretreatment specimens from 85 T1-4 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the tongue by immunohistochemical methods. The percentage of apoptotic cells labeled by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP labeling (TUNEL) method was expressed as an apoptotic index (AI). For Bax and Bcl-2 evaluation, the fraction of tumor cells stained and the staining intensities were given scores that were added together, resulting in a final score. p53 immunostaining was expressed as a percentage of positive cells. RESULTS: High AI was significantly associated with high Bax expression (P = 0.0122) and highly differentiated tumors (P = 0.0062). No correlation was found between AI and Bcl-2 expression. There was no correlation between p53 positivity and any of the other apoptosis-related parameters. Whereas low AI scores and low Bax expression correlated significantly with poor prognosis (P = 0.0053 and P = 0.0012, respectively), a low Bcl-2 expression was associated with a favorable clinical outcome (P = 0.0262). Patients with a high Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio had a significantly poorer prognosis than those with a low ratio (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that Bax expression, the Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio, and the T and N classifications were significantly independent prognostic variables. The Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio was the strongest independent prognostic parameter. CONCLUSIONS: AI, individual Bax and Bcl-2 expression, and particularly the Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio have prognostic value in SCC of the tongue.     

Telomerase activity in germ cell cancers and mature teratomas.

BACKGROUND: An inverse relationship has been reported between the presence of telomerase enzymatic activity and the induction of differentiation in human tumor cell lines. Male germ cell tumors represent an attractive clinical model to assess this relationship further because high telomerase activity is present in normal germ cell progenitors and in embryonal carcinomas that can differentiate into mature teratomas. To investigate how telomerase activity and the differentiation state of germ cell tumors are related, telomerase activities and telomere lengths were measured in benign testicular tissues, germ cell cancers, and mature or immature teratomas. METHODS: By use of a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay, telomerase activity was measured in four specimens of benign testicular tissue, in 27 germ cell cancers, in seven mature teratomas, and in one immature teratoma. Telomere lengths were measured in all specimens by restriction digestion of genomic DNA and Southern blot hybridization analysis. Associations between telomerase activity and tissue histopathology were assessed with two-sided Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was detected in all examined germ cell cancers and in the benign testicular tissue specimens. In marked contrast, telomerase activity was not detected in any mature teratoma (P<.0001). Very long telomeres were detected in some mature teratomas, consistent with telomerase repression as a late event in teratoma formation. The immature teratoma, with malignant transformation, had high telomerase activity. CONCLUSION: Telomerase is active in germ cell cancers and repressed in mature teratomas. The absence of telomerase activity may contribute to the limited proliferative capacity of mature teratomas. These findings support the existence of an inverse relationship between telomerase activity and the differentiation state of clinical germ cell tumors.     

DNA ploidy analysis and cell proliferation in congenital sacrococcygeal teratomas

BACKGROUND: Congenital sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common germ cell tumor in infants and children. It usually is diagnosed at birth, is benign, and consists of fully differentiated mature tissues. Congenital sacrococcygeal teratomas (SCTs) also may contain immature tissues, most commonly of neural origin. The proportion of malignant teratomas increases with advancing age, but the relation between mature and immature SCTs is not well understood. Thus, it is very important to determine proliferative activity, DNA ploidy, and DNA index to predict biologic behavior of these tumors. METHODS: DNA ploidy and cell proliferation were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 were analyzed immunohistochemically on paraffin embedded tissue. RESULTS: All the tumors that were surgically treated within 3 months after birth, including immature teratoma, were diploid. Strongly positive PCNA immunostaining was found in both immature teratomas, and weakly positive PCNA was found in nine cases. Weak positivity for Ki-67 was observed in 2 cases, and moderate positivity was observed in 6 cases including immature teratomas. CONCLUSION: The value of flow cytometry in the prediction of biologic behavior of congenital SCT should be analyzed further. Our results suggest that Ki-67 and especially PCNA may reflect the proliferative activity of these tumors.     

Chemosensitivity and p53-dependent apoptosis in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although p53 gene mutation frequently is observed in ovarian carcinoma, the function of the p53 gene in chemosensitivity has not been defined conclusively. The objective of the current study was to elucidate the relation between chemotherapy-induced apoptosis through the p53 pathway and chemosensitivity to ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: Tumor samples were obtained from 24 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma before and after chemotherapy with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Mutations in the p53 gene were screened by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and determined by cycle sequencing. Expression of the p53, Bax, and bcl-2 proteins and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Apoptotic cells were detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick-end labeling method. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 12 responded to chemotherapy and 12 did not. p53 gene mutation was observed in ten nonresponders and two responders. The incidence of p53 protein expression in tumors with the gene mutation was 58% (7 of 12) and was 17% (2 of 12) in tumors without the gene mutation. A significant reverse correlation between apoptotic index (AI) and labeling index (LI), determined by the percentage of PCNA positive cells, was observed in tumors after chemotherapy. AI was found to increase significantly after chemotherapy in tumors with the wild-type p53 gene (3.84 +/- 1.64 vs. 7.13 +/- 5.23) but LI did not change in either tumor type. The expression of Bax protein was significantly greater in tumors with the wild-type p53 gene after chemotherapy. bcl-2 protein expression did not relate to p53 gene status before or after chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that p53-dependent apoptosis in tumors is strongly related to the chemosensitivity in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.     

p53 expression and tumor proliferative activity in testicular germ-cell tumors

We evaluated p53 expression and tumor proliferative activity (TPA) using monoclonal antibodies to Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 26 patients with seminomatous and nonseminomatous testicular germ-cell tumors (GCTs). Correlation between p53 expression and TPA, as well as the clinical correlation with the expression of these proteins were also assessed. There were eight cases of pure seminoma and 18 cases of nonseminomatous GCTs, collectively consisting of 45 tumors or tumor components. The nonseminomatous GCTs were mixed or pure and included choriocarcinoma (CC), embryonal carcinoma (EC), immature teratoma (IMT), mature teratoma (MT), seminoma, and yolk sac tumor (YST). The ages of the patients with seminomatous GCTs ranged from 24 to 47 years (mean, 34 years) and those for patients with nonseminomatous GCTs ranged from 17 to 43 years (mean, 29 years). Sixteen (44%) of the 36 nonseminomatous GCTs or tumor components were positive for p53 protein. Ten (91%) of eleven ECs, three (38%) of eight YSTs, two (20%) of ten MTs, and the single case of CC were positive for p53 protein. All nine seminomas and three of six IMTs were only focally positive for p53 protein. The p53 expression in ECs and YSTs was significantly higher than that in IMTs, MTs, and seminomas (P=0.0001). TPA was present in the majority of the seminomatous and nonseminomatous GCTs, and was significantly higher in ECs and YSTs than in seminomas, MTs, and IMTs (Ki-67, P=0.0001; PCNA, P=0.0006). In the majority of the cases PCNA expression was higher than Ki-67 expression (P=0.0001). The mean TPA percentage was significantly higher in the p53-positive tumors or tumor components (EC and YST) when compared with the mean TPA percentage in those neoplasms that were focally positive or negative for p53 protein (Ki-67, P=0.003; PCNA, P=0.046). p53 expression was also associated with histologically aggressive tumors (ECs and YSTs) that also exhibit high TPA. No relationship appears to exist between the three tumor markers and the clinical stage or the patients' follow-up and outcome in this small series. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the roles of p53 and proliferation markers in testicular tumorigenesis and as prognostic markers.     

肿瘤标志物检测对鉴别卵巢畸胎瘤的临床意义

目的:探讨肿瘤标志物CA125、HE4、AFP、CA199血清检测对鉴别卵巢成熟与未成熟性畸胎瘤的临床意义。方法:分析2010年1月至2017年6月安徽省立医院收治卵巢未成熟性畸胎瘤患者20例和成熟性畸胎瘤患者247例临床资料，分别计算CA125、HE4、AFP、CA199及CA125+HE4+AFP诊断未成熟性畸胎瘤的灵敏度、特异度，并通过绘制受试者工作曲线（ROC曲线）评估诊断准确性。结果:未成熟组患者CA125、HE4、AFP血清水平均高于成熟性组（P＜0.05），CA199血清水平在两组间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05），CA125诊断未成熟性的敏感性最高（60.0%），而HE4的特异度最高（100%），联合CA125和HE4、AFP的敏感度及特异度分别为76.4%、88.9%。 CA125、HE4、AFP、CA199、CA125+HE4+AFP对应的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.856、0.799、0.833、0.509、0.899。结论:CA125诊断未成熟性畸胎瘤的灵敏度较HE4、AFP更高，且具有较高的特异度，但联合CA125、HE4、AFP诊断未成熟性畸胎瘤时灵敏度明显高于单项肿瘤标志物检测，特异度较高,对诊断有一定的意义。CA199对于鉴别诊断卵巢成熟性及未成熟性畸胎瘤无明显临床意义。     

Molecular determinants of treatment response in human germ cell tumors.

PURPOSE: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are highly sensitive to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. This feature is unexplained, as is the intrinsic chemotherapy resistance of mature teratomas and the resistant phenotype of a minority of refractory GCTs. Various cellular pathways may influence the efficacy of chemotherapy. Their impact has not been investigated in a comprehensive study of tumor samples from clinically defined subgroups of GCT patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated proteins involved in regulation of apoptosis (p53, BAX, BCL-2, and BCL-X(L)), cell cycle control [p21 and retinoblastoma protein (RB)], and drug export and inactivation [P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) 1, MRP2, breast cancer resistance protein, lung resistance protein, metallothionein, and glutathione S-transferase pi] immunohistochemically in samples of unselected GCT patients (n = 20), patients with advanced metastatic disease in continuous remission after first-line chemotherapy (n = 12), and chemotherapy-refractory patients (n = 24). Mature teratoma components (n = 10) within tumor samples from all groups were analyzed separately. The apoptotic index was studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling assay. RESULTS: Invasive GCTs of all groups showed a correlation between wild-type p53 and apoptotic index (r(s) = 0.66; P < 0.001). The levels of the antiapoptotic proteins BCL-2 and BCL-X(L) were generally low. p21 was hardly detectable and did not correlate with p53 (r(s) = 0.29; P = 0.07). No significant differences among the three patient groups were identified regarding any of the investigated parameters (all Ps were >0.08), even though only individual samples from chemotherapy-resistant cases showed a strong staining for MRP2 and GSTpi. In contrast to other components, mature teratomas showed an intense p21 and RB staining and were mostly positive for MRP2, lung resistance protein, and GSTpi. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a multifactorial basis for the chemosensitivity of GCTs with lack of transporters for cisplatin, of antiapoptotic BCL-2 family members, of p21 induction by p53, and of RB and an intact apoptotic cascade downstream of p53. These findings suggest a preference for apoptosis over cell cycle arrest after up-regulation of p53. None of the examined parameters offers a general explanation for the chemotherapy-resistant phenotype of refractory tumors. The up-regulation of various factors interfering with chemotherapy efficacy and ability for a p21-induced cell cycle arrest may explain the intrinsic chemotherapy resistance of mature teratomas.     

膀胱移行细胞癌中p53突变、bcl-2和PCNA表达的临床意义(英文)

目的探讨膀胱癌中 bcl-2、p53、PCNA 表达与细胞增殖、凋亡和临床病理学参数之间的关系。方法 SABC 免疫组化分折62例(T1G1-G339例,T2-T4aG3 NOM023例)甲醛固定和石蜡包埋的膀胱癌标本 bcl-2、p53和 PCNA 蛋白的免疫反应性。平均随访37个月,24例复发。增殖指数(PI)表示肿瘤细胞中 PCNA 阳性细胞百分比。TUNEL 法检测细胞凋亡,凋亡指数(AI)表示肿瘤细胞中凋亡细胞的百分比。结果 62例膀胱癌中,50例(80.0%)发生 p53突变,与 G1(72.7%)和 G2(78.5%)相比较 G3(91.3%)更多见(P<0.05);pT2期(95.7%)p53突变率较 pTa-1期(74.3%)高(P<0.01)。14例(22.5%)发现有 bcl-2表达,bcl-2表达阳性率 G3明显高于 G1和 G2(P<0.05),与分期无关(P>0.05)。Bcl-2表达与 p53突变无关。在膀胱癌中,PI 为17.2%～41.8%(平均为22.4%),AI 为1.9%～3.5%(平均为2.9%)。统计分析显示 PI 与肿瘤分级、分期关系密切,AI 与肿瘤的分级有明显关系。结论结果表明,p53突变与浸润性行为呈正相关。在膀胱癌中 p53和 PCNA 过表达可能能提供有价值的预后信息。随着肿瘤的进展,肿瘤细胞过度增殖可能伴有频繁的凋亡,但增殖指数的增加明显强于凋亡指数的增加。     

膀胱移行细胞癌中p53突变、bcl-2和PCNA表达的临床意义

目的　　探讨膀胱癌中bcl-2、p53、PCNA表达与细胞增殖、凋亡和临床病理学参数之间的关系。方法　　SABC 免疫组化分折62例(T1GI —G339 例,T2-T4aG3　NOM023例)甲醛固定和石蜡包埋的膀胱癌标本bcl-2、p53 和PCNA蛋白的免疫反应性。平均随访37个月,24例复发。增殖指数(PI)表示肿瘤细胞中PCNA阳性细胞百分比。TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,凋亡指数(AI)表示肿瘤细胞中凋亡细胞的百分比。结果　　62例膀胱癌中,50例(80.0%)发生p53突变,与G1(72.7%)和G2(78.5%)相比较G3(91.3%)更多见(P<0.05);pT2期(95.7%)p53突变率较pTa-1期(74.3%)高(P<0.叭)。14例(22.5%)发现有bel-2表达,bcl-2表达阳性率G3明显高于G1和G2(P<0.05),与分期无关(P>0.05)。Bcl-2表达与p53突变无关。在膀胱癌中,PI 为17.2%～41.8%(平均为22.4%),AI为1.9%-3.5%(平均为2.9%)。统计分析显示PI与肿瘤分级、分期关系密切,AI与肿瘤的分级有明显关系。结论　　结果表明,p53突变与浸润性行为呈正相关。在膀胱癌中p53和PCNA过表达可能能提供有价值的预后信息。随着肿瘤的进展,肿瘤细胞过度增殖可能伴有频繁的凋亡,但增殖指数的增加明显强于凋亡指数的增加。     

Extent, relationship and prognostic significance of apoptosis and cell proliferation in synovial sarcoma.

AIMS: To analyse the extent, relationship and clinical significance of apoptosis and cell proliferation in synovial sarcoma. METHODS: Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL, and expression of Ki-67, Bcl-2, Bax and p53 was examined immunohistochemically in 72 synovial sarcomas. Their relation and correlation with clinicopathological parameters and survival rate were analysed. RESULTS: The average values of apoptosis index (AI) and Ki-67 labelling index (LI) were 0.76% and 28.30%, respectively. Both AI and Ki-67 LI in large-volume, high-grade and advanced-stage synovial sarcomas were significantly higher than those in small-volume, low-grade and early-stage ones (P<0.05 for all). And there was a linear relationship between AI and Ki-67 LI (r=0.751, P<0.001). All examined synovial sarcomas were positive for Bcl-2 and Bax, and only 20.8% cases showed expression of p53 protein. The expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and p53 were also significantly correlated with AI (P=0.005, P=0.002, P=0.037, respectively). In addition, patients with high AI (>0.76%) had poor prognosis (log-rank test; P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in apoptosis and cell proliferation activity might be responsible for the pathogenesis and behaviour of synovial sarcoma. Increased rate of apoptosis in synovial sarcoma was considered to be an indicator of poor prognosis. In addition, apoptosis in synovial sarcoma may be controlled by multiple apoptosis-regulating mechanisms, including the Bcl-2 family and p53 protein.     

Histogenetic analysis of ovarian germ cell tumors by DNA fingerprinting.

The histogenesis of ovarian germ cell tumors (11 mature teratomas, three malignant transformations of mature teratomas, two immature teratomas, and four dysgerminomas) was investigated genetically using minisatellite DNA probes 33.15 and 33.6 for person-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (DNA fingerprint) analysis. The DNA fingerprints of six ovarian teratomas were identical with those of mononuclear cells from each host, while some polymorphic bands observed in the host mononuclear cells were lost in the DNA fingerprints of the other five cases. The cases of malignant transformation of mature teratoma and immature teratoma showed that some polymorphic bands of DNA fingerprints from the host mononuclear cells were absent in the tumor tissues. In four cases with dysgerminomas, the DNA fingerprints of tumors were completely identical with those of the respective host mononuclear cells. The present results suggest that mature cystic teratomas of the ovary arise from germ cells arrested at various stages of meiosis, while immature teratomas are derived from postmeiotic germ cells. Malignant transformation may occur exclusively in the mature teratomas arising from postmeiotic germ cells. Dysgerminomas develop from premeiotic oogonia (primordial germ cells). Thus, DNA fingerprints are a useful and sensitive tool for identifying the pathogenesis of germ cell tumours.     

膀胱移行细胞癌中p53突变、bcl-2和PCNA表达的临床意义

To correlate the frequency of p53 mutations, bcl-2 expression and the proliferation status (proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA) in patients with bladder cancer with cell proliferation, apoptosis and their clinico-pathologic findings. Paraffin-embedded sections from 39 superficial (T1G1-G3) and 23 invasive (T2-T4a G3 N0M0) primary transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) in the bladder were investigated immunohistochemically for p53, bcl-2 and PCNA. The median follow-up was 37 months; 24 had recurrences. The proliferation index (PI) was expressed as a percentage of the PCNA-positive cells in the tumor cells. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxy-nucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), and the apoptotic index (AI) was expressed as a percentage of the TUNEL-positive tumor cells. p53 mutation was identified in 50 patients (80.6%). The mutation was most common in tumors grade 3 (91.3%) as compared to grade 2 (78.5%) and grade 1 (72.7%, P<0.05). Stage pT2 tumors had a higher frequency of p53 mutation (95.7%) as compared to pTa-1 tumors (74.3%, P<0.01). Only 14 tumors (22.5%) expressed bcl-2; grade 3 tumors expressed bcl-2 significantly more frequently (P<0.05); there was no correlation between bcl-2 and tumor stage. There was no interrelation between p53 mutation and bcl-2 expression (P>0.05). The PI ranged from 17.2% to 41.8% (median 22.4%) and the AI from 1.9% to 3.5% (median 2.9%) in bladder cancer. Statistical analyses revealed a close associations between PI, AI and tumor grade and stage of bladder cancer. p53 mutation correlates with invasion. p53 and PCNA overexpression may offer valuable additional prognostic information in bladder tumors. With the progression of the tumor grade, cell proliferation may be accompanied by frequent apoptosis in bladder cancer, but the PI increased much more than the AI.     

Expression of apoptosis-related proteins, p53, and DNA fragmentation in sarcomas of the pulmonary artery

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is a common feature in a variety of pathologic conditions. Induction of apoptosis through apoptotic stimuli such as, chemotherapy or radiation, presents new insights into tumor biology and therapy. In particular, members of the Bcl-2 family as well as the Fas system are known to be involved in the regulation of apoptosis in different tumor entities. METHODS: In the current study, the expression of the apoptosis-related molecules p53, Bax, Bcl-2, Fas (CD95), Fas-Ligand and perforin was examined in 7 patients with a sarcoma of the pulmonary artery. Furthermore, the TUNEL-method for the detection of apoptotic cells was applied as well as sequencing of the p53 gene. RESULTS: In the TUNEL assay, approximately 10% of the sarcoma cells displayed DNA fragmentation. In addition, Bax was expressed in tumor cells. Accumulation of p53 was evident in 4 of 7 patients (pAB 240 antibody), and 2 of them were positive for the pAB 1801 antibody. Only 1 case had a point mutation in Exon 5 of the p53 sequence. A few tumor cells showed a double labeling of Bax and p53. Bcl-2 could be detected only in tumor-associated lymphocytes. Finally, several lymphocytes could be stained with perforin, but none of the specimens showed a reactivity for Fas or Fas-Ligand. CONCLUSION: The expression of Bax indicated a possible role of this molecule in programmed cell death in pulmonary sarcomas. The limited coexpression of Bax and p53 suggested that induction of Bax can occur independently of p53. The detection of perforin in lymphocytes suggested a possible role for this molecule in apoptosis of the sarcoma cells. In contrast, the Fas system did not seem to play an essential role in sarcomas of the great vessels.     

Retroperitoneal germ cell tumors in childhood. A clinical and pathologic study of 11 cases

During the last 54 years at the Children's Hospital 11 children (10 female, 1 male) had been treated for an extragonadal germ cell tumor arising in the retroperitoneum. There were eight teratomas (five mature, three immature), two endodermal sinus tumors and one tumor with a mixture of both components. Abdominal pain or discomfort was the usual presenting complaint, with the average age at diagnosis being 18 months. On physical examination, each child had a palpable abdominal mass usually localized in the upper quadrants. The finding of calcification, bone or teeth, on radiologic study was most helpful in establishing a preoperative diagnosis of teratoma. The preferred treatment for children with mature and immature teratomas is complete surgical resection; decisions regarding adjuvant therapy for patients with immature tumors must be evaluated on an individual basis. The prognosis remains guarded for children with unresectable primaries or those with endodermal sinus tumor. Of three tumor-related deaths, two were due to metastatic endodermal sinus tumor and one resulted from extensive local growth by immature teratoma. Successful management of children with endodermal sinus tumor requires surgery aimed at debulking or complete resection in combination with aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy.     

Immature teratomas: identification of patients at risk for malignant recurrence

We investigated the significance of immature elements in an otherwise benign teratoma in 28 patients with immature teratomas diagnosed and treated at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles from 1941 to 1986. Different characteristics, including age, sex, primary tumor site, type of surgery (complete resection vs. partial resection or biopsy), and preoperative levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were analyzed to evaluate their association with risk of subsequent local malignant recurrence. After a median follow-up of 6 years, 21 patients are alive with no recurrence of the tumor (72% event-free survival). One patient died from infection after surgery and six patients had local malignant tumor recurrence within 1 year from diagnosis. Of the 28 patients, 12 had AFP levels measured at diagnosis. Eight patients had normal levels with no further evidence of tumor recurrence, and four had elevated levels with three tumor recurrences. Our experience demonstrates that only at the time of diagnosis do AFP levels correlate with a subsequent malignant behavior of these tumors (P = .004). Those patients with immature teratomas and elevated AFP levels at diagnosis should receive adjuvant chemotherapy after the initial surgical resection.     

Prognostic value of p53 mutations, bax, and spontaneous apoptosis in maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Many researchers have attempted to correlate p53 mutation and spontaneous apoptosis with the effectiveness of radiochemotherapy and with prognosis in several malignancies. METHODS: The current study group consisted of 70 Japanese patients with maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Fifty seven patients were treated with radiochemotherapy followed by total or partial maxillectomy, and the remaining 13 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone. Tumor biopsy specimens at pretreatment status were examined for apoptosis-related proteins such as p53 protein, Fas, bax, bcl-x, and apoptosis using immunohistologic methods. The proportion of apoptotic cells labeled by single stranded DNA antibody was expressed as an apoptotic index (AI). p53 mutations at exons 5 through 8 were analyzed by direct sequence on polymerase chain reaction amplified products obtained from laser microdissected tissues. The effectiveness of radiochemotherapy was investigated histologically on surgically dissected specimens. RESULTS: p53 mutations were identified in 20 (29%) of 70 patients. p53 protein was overexpressed in 39 patients (56%), Fas in 20 patients (29%), bax in 40 patients (57%), and bcl-x in 33 patients (47%). Overexpression of bax was associated with negativity of bcl-x (P = 0.015) and with high AI (P = 0.024). Low AI and/or p53 mutation in the pretreatment tissues correlated with low histologic effectiveness of radiochemotherapy (P = 0.048, P = 0.019, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis as well as univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model showed that low histologic effectiveness of radiochemotherapy (P = 0.0281, P = 0.0284, respectively), p53 mutations (P = 0.0095, P = 0.0187, respectively), negativity of bax (P = 0.0069, P = 0.0191, respectively), and low AI (P = 0.0134, P = 0.0407, respectively) were significantly related to worse disease-free survival. Multivariate analysis showed AI as an independent factor predicting for disease-free survival (P = 0.0455). CONCLUSIONS: The p53 mutations, expression of bax, and levels of spontaneous apoptosis have prognostic value in maxillary sinus SCC; AI especially is an independent factor for disease-free survival. A high level of spontaneous apoptosis induced by overexpression of bax may increase sensitivity of radiochemotherapy resulting in good prognosis, while p53 mutation may lead to resistance against radiochemotherapy, resulting in poor prognosis.     

Imaging of ovarian teratomas: Appearances and complications

Ovarian teratomas are the most common germ cell neoplasm. Subtypes of teratoma include mature cystic, immature and the monodermal teratomas. The benign cystic teratoma shows typical imaging manifestations and can be complicated by torsion, rupture and uncommonly malignant degeneration. Uncommon subtypes of teratomas include the immature, which is usually malignant at diagnosis. The growing teratoma syndrome is an uncommon complication reported in patients treated for immature teratomas. The monodermal teratomas which include the struma ovarii may also have specific imaging characteristics that should be recognised on imaging. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review describing the spectrum of imaging findings of these ovarian tumours and associated complications     

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) demonstrated in the immature glands of mediastinal teratocarcinoma: a case report

A 21-year-old man with mediastinal teratocarcinoma showed high levels of serum tumor markers: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). After modified VAC chemotherapy (vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide), AFP and HCG levels in the serum were reduced significantly, while serum CEA increased gradually to the level of 6.5 ng/ml. Histopathologic study of the tumor obtained by surgical resection and autopsy revealed teratocarcinoma (a combination of embryonal carcinoma and teratoma). By the indirect immunoperoxidase technique, the antigens AFP, HCG, and CEA were stained in the immature glandular tissues of teratoma. By serial section of the tumor, the antigens tested were found in the same gland of the tumor. In addition, the tumor contained high levels of AFP (17353.8 ng/g.wt.), beta-HCG (beta-HCG) (125.05 ng/g.wt.), and CEA (11.37 ng/g.wt.).     

siRNA封闭IGF1R增加人肝癌细胞对丝裂霉素敏感性的研究

目的:探讨人胰岛素样生长因子1类受体(insulin-like growth factor receptor,IGF1R)的短发夹环RNA质粒(pSUPER-siRNA-IGF1R)增加人肝癌细胞株SMMC7721对丝裂霉素诱导细胞凋亡的作用及可能的机制。方法:设计并合成特异性靶向IGF1R的siRNA片段并构建pSUPER-siRNA-IGF1R表达质粒,将其转染SMMC7721细胞,通过G418筛选出稳定株。丝裂霉素处理后,通过CCK-8法检测肝癌细胞对化疗药物敏感性的影响,流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡指数,Western印迹检测凋亡相关基因的变化。结果:丝裂霉素诱导细胞凋亡的作用明显增强,凋亡指数明显升高(P<0.05)。实验组野生型p53蛋白,bax蛋白表达比对照组明显上调,而bcl-2蛋白表达明显下降。结论:构建的pSUPER-siRNA-IGF1R具有RNA干扰作用,并能增强丝裂霉素诱导的细胞凋亡。