Effects of suramin on metastatic ability,proliferation, and production of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 in human renal cell carcinoma cell line SN12C-PM6

Effects of suramin, a polysulfonated naphthylurea compound, on metastatic ability, proliferation, and production of plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitors were studied using the highly metastatic human renal cell carcinoma cell line, SN12C-PM6. After renal subscapular implantation of tumor cells in nude mice, suramin significantly inhibited metastasis of tumor cells to the lungs and liver. In vitro growth of tumour cells was inhibited by suramin in a dose-dependent manner, at relatively low doses (ID₅₀ = 105 µg/ml). Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) production by tumor cells was enhanced by suramin (100 µg/ml), whereas urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) production was suppressed. Thus, the increase in PAI-2 and the decrease in uPA production correlated with the inhibitory effects on tumour growth and metastasis by suramin. Therefore suramin may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with an early stage of renal cancer with potential risk of metastasis.     

Urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder with a component of acinar/tubular type differentiation simulating prostatic adenocarcinoma

We report a case of an 83-year-old man with a high-grade carcinoma of the urinary bladder who underwent cystoprostatectomy. The invasive carcinoma showed mixed, morphologically distinct patterns consisting of conventional high-grade urothelial carcinoma, glandular differentiation resembling enteric type adenocarcinoma, and acinar/tubular type differentiation, morphologically similar to Gleason grade 3 prostatic adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the acinar/tubular component of the tumor to be negative for prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase, but positive for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, high molecular weight cytokeratin (34 beta E12), and thrombomodulin, consistent with origin from the bladder rather than the prostate. Although bladder carcinomas composed of mixed morphologic patterns are not uncommon, to our knowledge, the presence of acinar/tubular type features simulating prostatic adenocarcinoma in such tumors has not been described elsewhere.     

Argyrophil cell carcinoma (apudoma) of the esophagus

Summary In a series of 79 cases of primary esophageal carcinoma resected at The Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, there were six tumors with specific histopathologic features valid for the diagnosis of argyrophil cell carcinoma. Of the 6 tumors, 3 were studied electron microscopically and assay for ACTH content was performed on 4 tumors.Clinically, the ages of the 6 patients ranged from 56 to 71 years; two were women and four men. Four of the 6 patients died with widespread tumor recurrences within 9 months of operation.Microscopically, the 6 tumors were composed largely or almost entirely of small, spindle-shaped cells resembling those of oat cell carcinoma of the lung, and were characterized by the arrangement of tumor cells in solid sheets or anastomosing cords, the presence of argyrophil tumor cells, and the deposits of amyloid. Electron microscopically, the three tumors contained neurosecretory-type granules. Using bioassay or radioimmunoassay ACTH activity in the tumor tissues was detected in 3 out of the 4 tumors determined.From the light and electron microscopic characteristics and the assay evidence, it seems reasonable to conclude that the 6 tumors are endocrine polypeptide producing tumors (apudomas) that arise from argyrophil cells normally found among the basal cells of the esophageal mucosa, and that they represent a distinct histopathologic entity clearly distinguishable from other types of esophageal carcinomas.Supported in part by a Grant-in Aid for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, JapanThe authors are grateful to Prof. H. Imura and Dr. Y. Hirate, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine for their interest and performing the assays for ACTH on the tumor tissues.     

Spinothalamic and propriospinal neurones in the upper cervical cord of the rat: terminations of primary afferent fibres on soma and primary dendrites

Summary Experiments were performed on rats to determine whether primary afferents from the upper cervical region terminate directly on Spinothalamic and propriospinal neurones. The central terminations of primary afferents from the upper cervical region were identified by diffusely filling their axons with horseradish peroxidase. Spinothalamic neurones or propriospinal neurones were identified in the same experimental animals by using retrograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. Approximately 3–11 % of Spinothalamic cells in laminae 4–6 of spinal segments C2–4 received apparent synaptic contacts from primary afferents on the soma or primary dendrites. Approximately 18–36% of propriospinal neurones with axons descending to lower thoracic or lumbar levels received apparent synaptic contacts on the soma or primary dendrites. These data provide anatomical evidence that Spinothalamic and long propriospinal neurones in the upper cervical cord are excited directly by primary afferents. The data also help to clarify the neural circuitry underlying somatic sensation and reflex movements evoked by neck receptors.     

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of multiple myeloma in a patient with renal-cell carcinoma: A case report

A case of multiple myeloma diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and confirmed by laboratory studies in a patient with a history of renal-cell carcinoma is presented. The patient was diagnosed with renal-cell carcinoma of the right kidney and a radical nephrectomy was performed. Eighteen months after this diagnosis was made, the patient developed chest wall pain and was found to have osteolytic bone lesions of the ribs and vertebral bodies. FNA of an osteolytic rib lesion disclosed multiple myeloma. Additional laboratory studies confirmed the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. This case report demonstrates the value of FNA as a diagnostic tool for the follow-up of cancer patients, the subsequent discrimination between metatastic lesions and a second primary malignancy, and the cytology of multiple myeloma.     

抑癌基因PTEN与食管癌

PTEN是近年发现的一种与细胞信号传导途径有关的具有双特异性磷酸酶活性的新型抑癌基因。研究表明,该基因的突变与人类多种恶性肿瘤的发生发展密切相关。近年来国内外的学者在食管癌组织中发现,虽然该基因发生突变的频率较低,但其蛋白表达却普遍下降,表达程度与食管癌的恶性程度及预后密切相关。因此,PTEN的低表达可能参与了食管癌的发生发展过程。     

Light and Electron Microscopic Study of an Invasive Cribriform Carcinoma with Extensive Microcalcification Developing in a Breast with Silicone Augmentation

Although recent epidemiologic studies suggest that silicone augmentation of the breast is not associated with an increased risk of mammary carcinoma, cases of breast carcinoma arising in augmented breasts are being increasingly encountered as a large number of patients who had augmentation are getting older. A case of a 51-year-old woman with a 20-year history of breast augmentation who developed an invasive cribriform carcinoma associated with extensive microcalcification is presented. The patient had submammary silicone implants 20 years ago that were replaced, because of local complications, in subpectoral positions 10 years later. Dispersive X-ray microanalysis failed to demonstrate silicone in sections of the tumor and adjacent breast tissue. Appropriately fixed tumor tissue was available for electron microscopic examination. The tumor cells were rich in mitochondria, and their luminal surfaces were endowed with abundant microvilli, but the cell surfaces that came closest to the calcified microspheriols were devoid of microvilli and had cellular buddings between the microspheriols. It is suggested that the tumor cells might have been actively involved in the process of microcalcification.     

HLA antigens in East African black patients with Burkitt's lymphoma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma and in controls: A pilot study

A pilot study is reported of HLA-A, B, and C antigens in 141 East African Blacks comprising patients with Burkitt's lymphoma or nasopharyngeal carcinoma, either with active disease or in long-term remission, together with comparable controls. This study forms part of a wider program investigating host factors in these diseases. A protocol was selected for optimal testing of cells processed and cryopreserved between 1972 and 1976, largely under field conditions, which employed a two-color fluorochromasia typing procedure. Antigen distribution and computed haplotype frequencies in the total unrelated population are given. New findings include an approximately equal frequency of Aw23 and Aw24, a high (18%) incidence of Bw21, and the gametic associations of Aw36 with Bw44, and Aw30 with Bw45. Of the major group of B15-related antigens reported earlier, SV is the most common, and there are strong linkages of SV with Cw2 and Bw with Cw3. The possible presence of further variants at the A- and B-loci is reported. The proportion of B-locus antigen “blanks” in this study is 5.9%. Relationships have been sought between the HLA antigens and diseases studied: the antigen A29, possibly in linkage with Bw42, shows a correlation with disease susceptibility, and associations are suggested between Bw44 (in possible combination with Aw36) and resistance to both BL and NPC, and between Bw45 and long-term remission in NPC.     

Metastatic prostatic carcinoma presenting as left-sided cervical lymphadenopathy: a series of 11 cases

Eleven cases of metastatic prostatic carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes as a primary presenting sign were identified in a survey of 250 cervical lymph node biopsies from men. The diagnosis was clinically unsuspected in all cases. All occurred on the left side of the neck. These 11 cases represented 11% of all metastatic carcinomas in the neck and 20% of those with left-sided involvement. The diagnosis was readily confirmed by immunostaining for prostate specific antigen and prostate specific acid phosphatase. Six patients are alive and well at an average of 25.8 months and five others survived for an average of 34.4 months, the combined survival being 29.7 months. This contrasts with the dismal fate of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma from other sites who all died at an average of 2 months from diagnosis. Prostatic carcinoma should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes in elderly men, as appropriate treatment results in worthwhile prolongation of life.