Expression of glycolipids bearing Lewis phenotypes in tissues and cultured cells of human gynecological cancers.

Transformation-associated expression of Le(b) (Lewis antigen-b) or Le(Y) in human colorectal carcinomas has been well described. To examine the expression of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) bearing Lewis-phenotypes in human gynecological carcinoma-derived cells, we determined the concentrations of all GSLs. Although neither Le(b) nor Le(Y) was present in HEC-108 cells established from the poorly differentiated type of endometrial adenocarcinoma, other cell lines from moderately or well-differentiated types expressed either Le(b) or Le(Y), or both, at concentrations of 0.01 to 0.03 microg per mg of dry cells, which comprised 0.3 to 1.3% of the total GSLs. In the cervical and ovarian carcinoma-derived cell lines, Lewis phenotypes tended to be carried by nLc(4)Cer, which was accumulated in the cells without sialylation or fucosylation. These results indicated that expression of Le(b)- or Le(Y)-phenotypes was strongly dependent on the metabolic ability to supply the precursor GSLs. Both Le(b) and Le(Y) were successfully detected by monoclonal antibody MSN-1, which was a useful probe for the simultaneous detection of Le(b) and Le(Y). On application of MSN-1, either Le(b) or Le(Y) was detected in tissues from patients with well- and moderately differentiated types of endometrial adenocarcinoma at concentrations of 0.01 to 0.04 microg per mg of dry tissues, but not in the tissues of poorly differentiated type. Normal endometria at the follicular and luteal phases also contained the antigens, but the concentrations and the frequency of antigen expression were lower than those in the well- and moderately differentiated types of endometrial adenocarcinoma.     

Frequency of BRCA mutations in primary peritoneal carcinoma in Israeli Jewish women

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) to ovarian carcinoma (OvC) with regard to BRCA mutation frequencies. METHODS: Incident cases of histologically confirmed cancer of the ovary or peritoneum diagnosed in Israeli Jewish women between March 1, 1994, and June 30, 1999, were identified within the framework of an ongoing nationwide epidemiological study of these neoplasms in Israel. The present study comprises 609 (81.5% of 747) Jewish women with epithelial stage III-IV OvC and 68 (77.3% of 88) Jewish women with PPC who were genetically tested for the BRCA mutations. Data from each patient were collected by the aid of a prestructured questionnaire and medical records. Blood samples or tumor tissue was tested for the 185delAG and 5382insC mutations in BRCA1 and the 6174delT mutations in BRCA2. RESULTS: A carrier rate of 28% of any BRCA 1/2 mutation was observed among the PPC group and of 30% among the invasive stage III-IV OvC. No differences were found between PPC and OvC neither in the overall distribution of BRCA1/2 mutation carrier rates nor according to type of mutation, age, ethnic origin, and histologic subtype. Among women with a positive family history, a higher rate of mutation carriers was observed in the PPC group compared to the OvC group (72.7 vs 43.8%, respectively, P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The similar frequency distribution of BRCA1/2 mutations in PPC and OvC observed in the present study indicates that these mutations may predispose to PPC as well and that this neoplasm is part of the hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome.     

原因不明月经过少雌激素受体α基因多态性及其表达的研究

目的:探讨原因不明月经过少雌激素受体α(estrogen receptor α,ERα)基因多态性及其与表达的关系。方法:选择100名原因不明月经过少患者为实验组,100名月经正常人群为对照组。应用分子生物学的方法分析ERa基因PvuⅡ,XbaⅠ限制性片段长度多态性。通过逆转录-多聚酶链反应(RT-PCR)和Western印迹法分析ERα表达。结果:P基因型频率实验组为47.5%,对照组为30.5%,OR=2.062。X基因型频率实验组为20.5%,对照组为30.5%,OR=0.588。PvuⅡ和XbaⅠ限制性片段长度多态性在两组中均呈多态性分布。实验组ERα的mRNA和蛋白质表达均比对照组低(P<0.05)。结论:ERα基因多态性与原因不明月经过少有关,P等位基因可能是其危险因素,X等位基因可能是其保护因素。ERα在子宫内膜中原因不明月经过少中的表达低于月经量正常子宫内膜,且可能与月经量多少有关。     

Clinical oncology research; Review on contemporary methodology standards

Evaluation of novel treatments through clinical trials remains the backbone of oncological clinical research, but only a minor portion have been tested in Phase III trials. The continued publication of underpowered trials provides an ongoing need for meta-analyses to detect clinically significant outcomes. Although tumor relapse and survival are important issues and easily measured outcomes in trials, they are often not the most relevant indicators for treatment success. As diagnostic technologies and treatments continue to advance, methodologies defining high quality studies have been established, but still enthusiasm to adopt novel technologies that leads to studies holding well-described bias that do not aid the rational use of the studied test. Global awareness of such bias and standard research methodology is the clue toward iconic studies giving rational supporting novel cancer treatments and patients’ support.     

TP在子宫内膜癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的检测子宫内膜癌中胸苷磷酸化酶(TP)的表达情况,探讨它与子宫内膜癌预后的相关性及临床意义。方法采用免疫组化SP法检测15例正常内膜,10例不典型增生内膜,48例子宫内膜癌石蜡标本中的TP蛋白表达情况。结果子宫内膜癌TP表达显著高于正常内膜(PTP=0.029)。TP表达与肿瘤分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴结转移及临床病理分期无相关性(P>0.05)。结论 TP的过度表达可能与子宫内膜癌的预后有关。     

The Role of Amniotic Fluid Analysis

Amniocentesis is a practical tool in daily obstetrics. The rapid and relatively safe procedure can enhance the clinician's judgement in important decisions concerning the fetal maturity, Rh iso-immunization, and genetic counseling and, to a lesser degree, in placenta localization and diagnoses of fetal well-being and congenital abnormalities. The indications and technique for amniotic fluid analysis me presented, and possible complications are discussed.     

A simple method for the early detection of pregnancy: (A) Comparative study with radioimmunoassay of beta-HCG: and (B) Fallacies compared to other immunological pregnancy tests

A simple, sensitive and reliable non-radioactive method for the detection of hCG in concentrated urine for the diagnosis of early pregnancy is reported. Twenty ml of urine were sampled, filtered and concentrated by ultrafiltration with ultra-microporous membrane under reduced pressure (Immersible Molecular Separator, Millipore Co) and the hCG in the concentrate was detected by the ordinary latex agglutination inhibition method using beta-hCG antiserum to avoid cross-reaction with high levels of hLH and hMG. Concentrated and unconcentrated urine samples taken at different periods of amenorrhoea (1, 2 and 3 weeks) were also tested by two-slide pregnancy tests and one-tube pregnancy test. Blood and urine samples taken at one and two weeks amenorrhea were assayed for beta-hCG by a specific RIA. Results were compared to the new method. Retention characteristics and concentration efficacy of the ultra-microporous membrane were checked by performing recovery experiments using commercial hCG and lyophilization procedure. The new test proved to be more sensitive, specific and reliable than other nonradioactive methods in detecting low levels of urinary hCG for diagnosing pregnancy as early as one week after missed period in regularly menstruating women. In addition, it is simpler and safer than the serum RIA presently used to detect low levels of hCG.