Analysis of chromosome 6 deletions in lymphoid malignancies provides evidence for a region of minimal deletion within a 2-megabase segment of 6q21

Fluorescence in situ hybridization has been used to define deletion breakpoints within chromosome bands 6q16–21 incases of lymphoid malignancy. Previous evidence suggested that the region might contain a tumour-suppressor gene. Six yeast artificial chromosome probes, each selected using a single marker, were localized to 6q16–21 and the following order was confirmed; D6S330–D6S283–D6S301–D6S447–D6S246–FYN. Of 32 cases of lymphoid malignancy, 30 showed deletion of D6S246 and, in the two cases in which D6S246 was retained, the adjacent marker, D6S447, was deleted. These observation simply that a region of minimal deletion is located within a 2-megabase segment of 6q21, between D6S447 and D6S246, providing a candidate region for the location of a tumour-suppressor gene.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Malignant glomus tumor of the lung

Primary malignant glomus tumors of the lung are extremely rare, and to our knowledge, only three cases have been described to date. We report one such case in a 53-year-old man who presented with a persistent dry cough. Chest computed tomography scans demonstrated an irregularly shaped mass in the right lower lobe of the lung. Many small nodules were distributed from the main tumor to the periphery, along with bronchovascular bundles. Right lower lobectomy was performed under the diagnosis of lung tumor. The tumor was located in the proximal portion of the right lower lobe and extended along the pulmonary arteries. Histological examination revealed a sheet-like proliferation of epithelioid glomus cells and fascicles of spindle cells. The presence of increased mitotic activity, tumor necrosis and prominent intravascular invasion suggested malignancy. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for vimentin, calponin, h-caldesmon, and alpha-smooth muscle actin, which indicated definitive smooth muscle differentiation. We believe that this is the fourth reported case of malignant glomus tumor of the lung.     

Bizarre leiomyoma of the prostate

Summary Obstruction of the urethra, caused by a prostatic tumour necessitated prostatectomy in a 49-yr-old man. Histology revealed a moderately cellular and vascular tumour with marked cellular atypia. After a follow-up for three years, the results of both the clinical investigations and prostatic needle biopsy were negative. Thus the original opinion of malignant prostatic mesenchymal tumour was revised, resulting in the diagnosis of bizarre leiomyoma. Subsequently the smooth muscle cell origin and the benign nature of the tumour were demonstrated by electron microscopy and Feulgen-cytophotometry, respectively. This is the first prostatic bizarre leiomyoma in which malignancy was excluded by demonstrating euploid polyploidy. This case also calls the attention to the need of more sophisticated methods in everyday diagnostic pathology.     

Cell cannibalism: diagnostic marker of malignancy

In this study, we tried to find out the cytological relevance of cannibalism as a dependable feature of malignancy in effusion and urine cytology. We randomly selected a total of 40 cases consisting of 10 each of malignant effusion, benign effusion, malignant urine samples, and benign urine samples. These smears were assessed for the presence of cell cannibalism. The number of cannibalistic cells/100 tumor cells was counted. The cannibalistic cells were seen more commonly in malignant effusion cases (3.4/100 cells) compared with malignant urine cases (2/100 cells). There was not a single cannibalistic cell in benign conditions. The finding of an increased number of cannibalistic cell was highly significant in malignant versus benign samples (P > 0.0000, Student's t-test). The present study highlights the significance of cannibalism in malignant urine and effusion cytology. We suggest that cell cannibalism is a dependable cytological feature of malignancy.     

78例老年恶性血液系统疾病医院感染情况分析

目的　探讨老年恶性血液系统疾病医院感染的状况。方法　对该院 9年内收治的老年恶性血液系统疾病共 78例进行回顾性调查。结果　医院感染率为 5 0 % ,急性白血病 (AL)组感染率 (6 7.4% )明显高于非AL组(2 8.6 % ) ,常见感染部位为呼吸系统 (37% )、败血症 (2 4.1% )、口腔 (14.8% )。病原菌为革兰阳性菌 (43.3% )、真菌 (2 9.7% )和革兰阴性菌 (2 7% )。结论　老年恶性血液系统疾病医院感染发病率高 ,疾病性质、白细胞减少、住院时间长是导致医院感染的重要因素。革兰阳性球菌所致感染居首位 ,应积极采取防治措施。     

PCNA、p53、pRb基因产物的表达与间叶组织肿瘤良恶性关系研究

采用免疫组化法检测１２７例间叶组织肿瘤中ＰＣＮＡ、ｐ５３、ｐＲｂ基因产物的表达与间叶组织肿瘤恶性程度的相关性。结果：８５例恶性间叶组织肿瘤中,ＰＣＮＡ、ｐ５３、ｐＢｂ基因产物的阳性表达率分别为８４．７％（７２／８５）,５４．１％（４６／８５）,５８．８％（５０／８５）;４２例良性间叶组织肿瘤中,ＰＣＮＡ、ｐ５３、ｐＢｂ基因产物的阳性表达率分别为４０％（１７／４２）,１６．７％（７／４２）,２１．４     

Malignancy-associated immune responses: Lessons from human inborn errors of immunity

It is widely understood that cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite numerous available treatments, prognosis for many remains poor, thus, the development of novel therapies remains essential. Given the incredible success of many immunotherapies in this field, the important contribution of the immune system to the control, and elimination, of malignancy is clear. While many immunotherapies target higher-order pathways, for example, through promoting T-cell activation via immune checkpoint blockade, the potential to target specific immunological pathways is largely not well researched. Precisely understanding how immunity can be tailored to respond to specific challenges is an exciting idea with great potential, and may trigger the development of new therapies for cancer. Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) are a group of rare congenital disorders caused by gene mutations that result in immune dysregulation. This heterogeneous group, spanning widespread, multisystem immunopathology to specific immune cell defects, primarily manifest in immunodeficiency symptoms. Thus, these patients are particularly susceptible to life-threatening infection, autoimmunity and malignancy, making IEI an especially complex group of diseases. While precise mechanisms of IEI-induced malignancy have not yet been fully elucidated, analysis of these conditions can highlight the importance of particular genes, and downstream immune responses, in carcinogenesis and may help inform mechanisms which can be utilised in novel immunotherapies. In this review, we examine the links between IEIs and cancer, establishing potential connections between immune dysfunction and malignancy and suggesting roles for specific immunological mechanisms involved in preventing carcinogenesis, thus, guiding essential future research focused on cancer immunotherapy and providing valuable insight into the workings of the immune system in both health and disease.     

A familial reciprocal translocation t(3;7) (p21.1;p13) associated with the Greig polysyndactyly-craniofacial anomalies syndrome

A translocation t(3;7) (p21.1;p13) segregating through four generations was found to be invariably associated with the Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GS). High resolution chromosome analyses using G and R banding did not uncover any imbalance of the affected chromosomes, nor were the late replicating patterns changed. One girl with the GS died of a medulloblastoma.     

Correlation of presenting symptoms and patient characteristics with endometrial cancer prognosis in Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patient characteristics and presenting symptoms could be prognostic indicators for endometrial cancer in Japanese women. METHODS: Review of the medical charts, which included presenting symptoms and other patient characteristics, of 242 women who underwent surgical treatment for FIGO stage I-IV endometrial cancer. RESULTS: FIGO stage, histologic grade, and lower abdominal pain were found to be significant independent factors for progression-free and overall survival. In contrast, abnormal uterine bleeding, comorbidities, and prior malignancy were not found to be prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Lower abdominal pain was found to be an independent prognostic factor in endometrial cancer among Japanese women.     

氧化苦参碱预防胃肠癌辅助化疗中的毒副作用

目的 探讨氧化苦参碱在预防胃肠癌化疗过程中血液以及肝肾毒副作用中的临床价值。方法 选择2002年1月至2005年1月间的60例胃肠癌手术后病人，随机分为两组，每组30例，治疗组在化疗的同时应用氧化苦参碱600mg／d，d1-12，不加用氧化苦参碱的为对照组。化疗结束后，查血常规、肝肾功能，对两组之间的毒副作用的差异进行评估。结果 治疗组的28例历经148次化疗，骨髓造血、肝肾功能无明显变化，而对照组29例历经158次化疗，骨髓造血和肝肾功能有明显变化。结论 氧化苦参碱可有效地预防胃肠癌术后化疗过程中出现的毒副作用，提高化疗的安全性。