Uterine leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: Histopathological and cytological observations

A 56 year old woman presented with abnormal uterine bleeding. Except for a myomatous uterus, no other abnormalities were noted on physical examination and in radiographic and serologic studies. The hysterectomy specimen revealed an 8 cm uterine fundic tumor composed of two histologically different patterns that merged with one another; one was a well differentiated leiomyosarcoma and the other a mixture of osteoclast-like giant cells (OGC) and plump spindle cells whose cell borders blended, resembling the histology of giant cell tumor of bone. lmmunohistochemical studies showed positive staining for muscle actin, α-smooth muscle actin, and KP-1 (CD68) in both the spindle cells and OGC. The latter also stained for α-1-antitrypsin and α-1-antichy-motrypsln. These findings suggested that OGC may be formed by the fusion of spindle cells of leiomyosarcoma and also express histiocytic markers.     

Giant cell tumor of bone: An immunohistochemical comparative study

Forty-seven cases of giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone were reviewed pathologically to elucidate the origin of spindle-shaped stromal cells or the hlstogenesls of mononuclear histiocytic stromal cells and osteoclast-like giant cells (OCGC). To clarify the histogenesis of OCGC, eight cases of sarcoma associated with OCGC were reviewed for a comparative study. Spindle-shaped stromal cells sometimes produced minute foci of osteoid matrix. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was observed In spindle-shaped stromal cells and mononuclear histlocytic stromal cells, but not in OCGC. Matrix metalloprotelnase (MMP)-9 was expressed by mononuclear histiocytic stromal cells and OCGC, and its expression was correlated with the lung metastasis rate. In both GCT and sarcomas with OCGC, mononuclear histiocytic stromal cells and OCGC expressed CD68, parathyroid hormone-like protein (PTH-LP), MMP-1 and MMP-9. Immunoreactivity of mononuclear histiocytic stromal cells and OCGC to CD68, PTH-LP, MMP-1 and MMP-9 was similar between GCT and sarcomas with OCGC. These observations may suggest that mononuclear histiocytic stromal cells and OCGC are reactively Induced with several cytokines acting in an autocrine or paracrine fashion and that these cells are closely related with the biologic aggressiveness of GCT.     

Giant cell tumor of the lung: An autopsy case report with immunohistochemical observations

Tumors resembling giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone are well known to occur in other organs and many cases have been reported to date. While GCT occurring as primary lesions in the lung are extremely rare, the authors experienced such a tumor at an autopsy of a 77 year old woman and subsequently performed histological and immunohistochemical examinations. The clinical and morphologic characteristics of this case are documented, and the literature concerning this type of tumor is reviewed. The present tumor of the lung was histologically characterized by proliferation of benign-looking osteoclast-like giant cells in association with slightly atypical mononuclear cells. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for histlocytic markers but negative for epithelial markers. This case appears to be the first reported benign giant cell tumor of the lung in which histiocytic differentiation of mononuclear cells was suggested by immunohistochemistry.     

Comparison of cytologic features of giant-cell tumor and giant-cell tumor of tendon sheath

The cytologic features in twelve cases of giant-cell tumor (GCT) and five cases of giant-cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS) diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are described. All of these cases were histopathologically confirmed. The aspirates of GCT are composed of a dual population of mononucleated spindle cell and multinucleated giant cells. The peripheral adherence of giant cells to the spindle cell is the feature of diagnostic significance in GCT. In GCTTS, the aspirate consists of a polymorphic population composed of mononuclear histiocyte-like cells, hemosiderin laden macrophages, foamy macrophages, and a few multinucleated giant cells. FNAC can be used as a diagnostic tool for an early and accurate detection of these two giant cell-rich lesions, since the cytologic features when evaluated in conjunction with the clinical and radiologic features are sufficiently diagnostic.     

骨巨细胞瘤组织中端粒酶活性的原位检测及意义

目的:探讨骨巨细胞瘤(GCT)石蜡切片中端粒酶活性检测的可行性以及端粒酶在GCT生物学特性中的意义。方法:采用针对人端粒酶hTERT寡核苷酸探针序列, 对27例GCT石蜡标本进行原位杂交, 检测端粒酶逆转录酶(hTERT)mRNA的表达情况。结果:27例GCT中8例hTERTmRNA表达阳性, 石蜡切片中基质细胞、部分多核巨细胞hTERTmRNA表达阳性。结论:采用原位杂交技术检测GCT石蜡切片中hTERT表达, 证实GCT中可能存在肿瘤性巨细胞。     

Primary giant cell tumor of soft tissues similar to bone giant cell tumor: A case report and literature review

In this report we describe a primary giant cell tumor (GCT) of soft tissues located in the left dorsal wrist of a 52-year-old man. Plain radiographs did not reveal any lesion in his carpal or hand bones. Although the tumor was clinically considered a ganglion initially, the microscopic features were identical to those found in classic GCT of bone. Light microscopy showed a lesion composed of a homogeneously mixed proliferation of spindle and polygonal mononucleated stromal cells and evenly distributed multinucleated, osteoclast-like giant cells. Whereas most bone tumors have an extraosseous counterpart, only 13 cases of GCT in soft tissues had been published until 1998. Moreover, 64 new cases have been reported in three series. Nevertheless, most major reviews and textbooks do not consider this tumor as a specific entity and regard it as a low grade variant of malignant GCT of soft tissue. We describe the clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of this rare benign neoplasm emphasizing the differential diagnosis with its malignant soft tissue counterpart, an ominous tumor.     

Regulation of MMP-9 (92 kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase B) expression in stromal cells of human giant cell tumor of bone

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important regulatory role in tissue morphogenesis, cell differentiation, tumor invasion and metastasis. Several authors have reported a direct correlation between the production of 72 kDa (MMP-2) and 92 kDa (MMP-9) type IV collagenases/gelatinases and the metastatic potential of cancer cells. Recently, we have identified the expression of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 in primary cultures of human giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone in vitro, and in tissue extracts in vivo. Interestingly, MMP-9 is not secreted by late-passaged GCT cells. It is possible that the production of MMP-9 is regulated by certain factor(s) secreted by the multinucleated giant cells in the primary culture. In order to test this hypothesis, the effect of primary-culture-conditioned medium on the expression of MMP-9 by late-passaged mononuclear stromal cells was examined. Adding conditioned medium from the primary GCT culture to the late-passaged stromal cells induced MMP-9, as evidenced by the presence of lytic bands at Mr 92000 and 72000 on a gelatin zymogram. These enzyme activities were inhibited by EDTA, a well-known inhibitor of the MMPs. We confirmed these results by Western blotting using specific antibodies and RT-PCR for MMP-2 and MMP-9. Immunofluorescence studies with specific antibodies to MMP-9 further confirmed its expression by the passaged stromal cells cultured in the primary-culture-conditioned medium. The data indicate that MMP-2 and MMP-9 are produced by the mononuclear stromal cells when cultured in GCT primary-culture-conditioned medium. This suggests that multinucleated giant cells in primary cultures secrete a factor(s) that stimulates stromal cells to produce MMP-9, which, in turn, may contribute to the aggressive behavior of GCT.     

Giant cell tumor of the skin: a morphologic and immunohistochemical study of five cases

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the skin is a rare entity that possesses similar gross and histologic features to GCT of bone. When located predominantly in the dermis GCT has been mistaken for benign fibrous histiocytoma and atypical fibroxanthoma. We report the clinical, morphologic, and immunohistochemical features of five cases of GCT of the skin. With one exception, all tumors are confined to the dermis. Patients' ages range from 6 to 78 years (median, 73 years) with a male to female ratio of 3:2. Gross and histologic features of the lesions are similar to those of GCT of bone (eg, brown fleshy tumor and a biphasic population of mononuclear cells admixed with osteoclast-like giant cells, respectively). The nuclei of the giant cells are similar to those of the mononuclear cells. A fascicular pattern with focal storiform arrangement of spindle neoplastic cells is noted in two cases. The osteoclast-like giant cells and some of the mononuclear cells are strongly positive for CD68, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. Only the mononuclear cells express smooth muscle actin focally in one case. Both the osteoclast-like giant cells and the mononuclear cells are negative for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3 and CAM5.2) and S-100 protein in all cases. One patient developed lung metastases at presentation and local recurrence 4 months status post surgery. All patients are without evidence of disease 1 month to 12 years status post surgery. Cutaneous GCTs are low-grade sarcomas that can recur locally and infrequently metastasize. These tumors should be distinguished from a variety of cutaneous neoplasms that contain multinucleated giant cells.     

骨巨细胞瘤TIMP-3启动子甲基化的研究

目的 检测骨巨细胞瘤(GCT)中TIMP—3启动子甲基化及其蛋白表达，探讨该肿瘤组织TIMP—3蛋白表达缺失的原因和TIMP-3启动子甲基化与GCT分级和复发的关系。方法 用免疫组织化学SP法和蛋白免疫印迹检测TIMP—3在GCT组织中的表达，用甲基化特异的PCR(MSP)法检测TIMP—3基因启动子的甲基化状态。结果 TIMP—3主要在单核基质细胞和多核巨细胞的胞质表达，后者的表达具有明显的极向性。17例GCT中有5例(29．4％)TIMP—3蛋白丢失，其中4例的TIMP—3启动子发生异常甲基化，且均为组织学分级为Ⅱ级的病例。结论 GCT的局部骨质破坏，可能与TIMP—3丢失有关；而TIMP—3启动子的异常甲基化，是TIMP—3基因失活和蛋白丢失的重要机制。     

Similarities between giant cell tumor of bone, giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, and pigmented villonodular synovitis concerning ultrastructural cytochemical features of multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear stromal cells

The authors investigated ultrastructural cytochemical features of multinucleated and mononuclear stromal cells in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS), and pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). Specimens of each tumor, respectively numbering 4, 4, and 3, were stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) reactions and examined with an electron microscope. In GCTB and GCTTS, multinucleated cells, including some relatively small giant cells, showed TRAP activity and cytoplasmic features characteristic of osteoclasts, and also sometimes abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and siderosomes. A few giant cells with macrophage-like features and slight TRAP activity were demonstrated in GCCTS and PVNS. In each tumor type, mononuclear cells showing TRAP activity shared cytoplasmic features with osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells, while some others had macrophage-like features, and still others were poorly differentiated; a few mononuclear cells showed cell-to-cell contact. Ultrastructural similarities of TRAP-positive mononuclear cells in the three tumor types, and those between TRAP-positive multinucleated cells in GCTB and GCTTS, suggest a common cell lineage capable of multinucleated giant cell formation in the 3 tumors, despite differing histogenesis.     

Gastric carcinoma with osteoclast‐like giant cells. Lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma with Epstein–Barr virus infection is the predominant type

Osteoclast‐like giant cells (OGC) are rare in gastric carcinomas. Histopathological study of seven gastric carcinomas with OGC demonstrated three distinct types: lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (LELC), non‐LELC, and giant cell tumor (GCT) types. LELC is a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with prominent lymphoid stroma. The LELC type (n= 4) showed similar histology to LELC of the stomach, except that they were accompanied by OGC and granulomatous reaction. Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection was demonstrated by EBV‐encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization (ISH) in all the neoplastic cells. The non‐LELC type (n= 2) consisted of EBV‐negative carcinoma cells with inflammatory infiltrates. OGC and granulomas were frequently observed in the glandular lumens with accumulated mucus. The GCT type (n= 1) was a neuroendocrine carcinoma, containing many OGC with metaplastic bone formation, which showed typical morphological features of OGC in GCT of the bone. In all three types, OGC expressed CD68, but not cytokeratin, indicating that OGC had a reactive histiocytic lineage. Both LELC and non‐LELC types are included in the differential diagnosis of isolated granulomatous gastritis, and EBER‐ISH was useful for the identification of LELC type. Both LELC and no‐LELC types were also suggested to have better prognoses, but the behavior of the GCT type needs to be further characterized.     

Hepatic giant cell carcinoma. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study

Hepatocellular carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (hepatic giant cell carcinoma [HGCC]) is a rare entity, with only three cases reported. The tumor is histologically similar to giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone, and the origin of the multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear stromal cells has not been determined. The purpose of this report is to present a case of this rare tumor and compare its ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features with those of a conventional GCT of bone. Histologically, the HGCC consists of sheets of osteoclast-like giant cells with a background of mononuclear cells. The giant cells lack the pleomorphism seen in hepatocellular carcinomas with anaplastic giant cells. At the light microscopic level, most of this tumor was nearly identical to a GCT of bone, but several microscopic fields (less than 5% of the tumor) had the histologic appearance of a "usual" hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatic tumor was negative for HAM 56, epithelial cytokeratins, muramidase, and alpha-1-antitrypsin, with only focal positivity for chymotrypsin in mononuclear and giant cells. The GCT was strongly positive for alpha-1-antitrypsin and chymotrypsin in both the mononuclear and giant cells and showed focal, weak staining for AE1 and AE3 in the mononuclear stromal cells. Ultrastructurally, both mononuclear and giant cells of the HGCC showed features typical of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the patient presented in this report died, the pattern of growth was different from most hepatocellular carcinomas. The overall histologic features of this tumor are distinctive and appear to justify separating this variant from other types of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

解整合素-金属蛋白酶1 2基因在骨巨细胞瘤组织中的表达及意义

目的 检测解整合素-金属蛋白酶12（ADAM12）基因在骨巨细胞瘤组织中的表达和定位,探讨其对骨巨细胞瘤中多核巨细胞形成的作用。方法 用逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测18例、用RNA原位杂交检测12例骨巨细胞瘤患者的瘤组织、6倍体外培养骨巨细胞瘤瘤细胞、2例胚胎横纹肌和5例成人横纹肌组织的ADAM12mRNA。结果 RT-PCR显示,18例骨巨细胞瘤组织中,12例（67%）有ADAM12mRNA表达;RNA原位杂交则显示12例骨巨细胞瘤组织全部呈ADAM12阳性反应,并且位于几乎所有的多核巨细胞和单核基质细胞质中。随着骨巨细胞瘤培养细胞传代次数的增多和多核巨细胞的消失,ADAM12mRNA的表达也逐渐消失。结论 骨巨细胞瘤中的多核巨细胞可能是由单核基质细胞融合而成,ADAM12基因参与这一融合过程。     

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts: A morphological and immunohistochemical study

A case is presented of ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts (OFMTSP) which occurred in the left cheek of a 59 year old Chinese woman. Histologically, the tumor was located in the subcutis with a fibrous pseudocapsule that contained discontinuous rims of mature trabecular bone. The tumor cells were small, round to ovoid with a uniform, round nucleus and a pale or slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. Most of the cells were arranged In a random manner, some in a vague lace-like pattern. Mitotic figures were extremely rare. The stroma appeared fibromyxoid with scattered foci of mucinous lakes. Immunohistochemically, most of the neoplastic cells displayed immunoreactivities for S-100 protein, S-100 protein α, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin; many tumor cells were positive for desmin. The tumor also showed stromal immunoreactivity for type IV collagen and was negative for cytokeratlns, epithelial membrane antigen, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilaments, muscle-specific actin, Leu-7, myelin-basic protein, osteocalcin and melanoma-specific antigen. The immunophenotypes expressed by the present OFMTSP seem to reflect two lineages of neoplastic cell differentiation, that is of nerve sheath and of smooth muscle; at the present stage, it is premature to diagnose this lesion as either nerve sheath or smooth muscle tumor.     

Osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of the pancreas: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

We report a rare case of osteoclast-like giant cell tumor of the pancreas in a 70-year-old Japanese woman. The tumor was composed of a proliferation of ovoid to spindle-shaped mononuclear cells admixed with osteoclast-like giant cells. The tumor cells were immunore-active for vimentin, ±₁-antitrypsin, and CD68. In ultrastructural examination, the giant cells resembled osteoclasts, and the mononuclear stromal cells had fibroblastic and histiocytic features. No elements of epithelial differentiation were found in this tumor. These findings suggest that this tumor had a derivation similar to giant cell tumor of bone.This study was presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Clinical Electron Microscopy Society of Japan, Osaka, October 17–19, 1996.     

HISTOCHEMICAL, IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL INVESTIGATIONS OF GIANT CELL TUMORS OF BONE

The origin and characteristics of so-called stromal cells (stromal cell) and the osteoclast-like giant cell series of 19 cases of giant cell tumor (G.C.T.) of bone were studied. Immunohistochemically, two interesting cases were found. The stromal cells of one case were α-1-antitrypsin positive and those of the other case were α-1-antichymotrypsin positive. The histiocytic stromal cells of the latter case seemed to be surely neoplastic since they showed mild to moderate cell atypism. There were foci consisting of fibroblastic cells or osteoid and osteoblasts within the tumor. Those cells in the foci were apparently continuous with the surrounding stromal cells, and they were, therefore, also considered to be neoplastic. These findings strongly indicate that the stromal cells originate from the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the bone marrow and may differentiate to osteoblastic, fibroblastic, and histiocytic cells. All cells of these three series were not stained for a high stable form of acid phosphatase (SAPhase). SAPhase activity was demonstrated only in osteoclast-like giant cells and some mononuclear cells, which are recently believed to be non-neoplastic. Therefore, the cell atypia of SAPhase negative stromal cells is considered to have a prognostic value.     

Histogenesis of giant cell tumors

The giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) is a local osteolytic tumor with variable degrees of aggressiveness. In rare cases pulmonary metastases can be observed. The lesion most frequently occurs in the epiphysis of long tubular bones of the knee region, predominantly affecting young adults after closure of the growth plate. The characteristic histological appearance of GCT displays a high number of osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells, which resulted in the classification "osteoclastoma" or "giant cell tumor". Apart from the multinucleated giant cells, there are two mononuclear cell types in the GCT. The first one has a round morphology and resembles a monocyte. The second cell type is the spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like stromal cell. Cell culture experiments with GCT cells revealed the stromal cell to be the proliferating component of the GCT. The other two cell types, the monocyte and the multinucleated giant cell, were lost after a few cell culture passages. Furthermore, latest results from GCT reveal that the stromal cells secrete a variety of cytokines and differentiation factors, including MCP1, ODF and M-CSF. These molecules are monocyte chemoattractants and are essential for osteoclast differentiation, suggesting that the stromal cell stimulates blood monocyte immigration into tumor tissue and enhances their fusion into osteoclast-like, multinucleated giant cells. The multinucleated giant cell itself demonstrates properties of a normal osteoclast that is able to resorb bone leading to extended osteolysis. This new model of GCT genesis supports the hypothesis that the stromal cell is the neoplastic component whilst the monocytes and the multinucleated giant cells are just a reactive component of this tumor. Taking this into consideration, the nomenclature of the "giant cell tumor" needs to be reconsidered.     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the duodenum exhibiting hemangiopericytoma-like histological pattern

Reported herein is a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) that exhibited a hemangiopericytoma (HPC)-like histological pattern. Such a morphological variant of GIST has not been described previously. A 57-year-old woman presented with bloody stools. On upper digestive tract endoscopy a submucosal tumor of diameter 2 cm was detected at the duodenal bulb, and enucleated. Grossly, the tumor was well-circumscribed, grayish to whitish, and solid, and its central portion was ulcerated. Histology indicated round to fusiform tumor cells that had proliferated around branching vessels that had a staghorn configuration. Immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin and KIT; partially positive for CD34 and muscle actin; and negative for α-smooth muscle actin. On mutation analysis a 42 bp deletion was found from codons 560 to 573 of exon 11 of the KIT gene, which is a mutational hot spot of GIST. In diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract tumors with an HPC-like histological pattern, pathologists should consider the possibility of GIST.     

Granular cell tumor expressing myogenic markers in the prostate

A granular cell tumor in the prostate of a 72 year old male is reported. The tumor nest was composed of large polygonal tumor cells, possessing cytoplasmlc eoslnophlllc granules which were positive with PAS stain and resistant to diastase digestion. Immunohistochemically, most tumor cells were strongly positive with anti-α-smooth muscle actin and -neuron specific enolase antibodies. Only a few scattered tumor cells were reacted with antt-S-100 protein antibody. These find-Ings might suggest smooth muscle differentiation of this case, and provide an additional Insight into the histogenesis of granular cell tumors, especially In their heterogeneity.     

Comparison of the anti-tumor effects of denosumab and zoledronic acid on the neoplastic stromal cells of giant cell tumor of bone

Abstract

Denosumab and Zoledronic acid (ZOL) are two antiresorptive drugs currently in use for treating osteoporosis. They have different mechanisms of action but both have been shown to delay the onset of skeletal-related events in patients with giant cell tumor of bone (GCT). However, the anti-tumor mechanisms of denosumab on the neoplastic GCT stromal cells remain unknown. In this study, we focused on the direct effects of denosumab on the neoplastic GCT stromal cells and compared with ZOL. The microscopic view demonstrated a reduced cell growth in ZOL-treated but not in denosumab-treated GCT stromal cells. ZOL was found to exhibit a dose-dependent inhibition in cell growth in all GCT stromal cell lines tested and cause apoptosis in two out of three cell lines. In contrast, denosumab only exerted a minimal inhibitory effect in one cell line and did not induce any apoptosis. ZOL significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in two GCT stromal cell lines whereas their protein levels remained unchanged. On the contrary, denosumab did not regulate RANKL and OPG expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, the protein expression of Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (M-CSF), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and Collagen α1 Type I were not regulated by denosumab and ZOL either. Our findings provide new insights in the anti-tumor effect of denosumab on GCT stromal cells and raise a concern that tumor recurrence may occur after the withdrawal of the drug.