Topoisomerase IIalpha and APE/ref-1 are associated with pathologic response to primary anthracycline-based chemotherapy for breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of several biological and histological markers (topoisomerase IIalpha, MIB-1, E2F, apoptotic index, APE/ref-1, p53, Her-2/neu, estrogen and porgesterone receptors, and histological grading) as predictors of pathologic response after anthracycline-based chemotherapy for breast cancer. A series of 50 consecutive breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline-based primary chemotherapy were retrospectively studied. Biological markers were assessed by immunohistochemistry (and by TUNEL assay for apoptotic index) in pre-treatment core biopsies and post-treatment surgical samples.

Inducible expression of an antimicrobial peptide of the innate immunity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Epithelia- and leukocyte-associated antimicrobial peptides provide immediate protection against microbial infections by rapidly inactivating potential pathogens. Bac5 is a member of the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides and is stored in the cytoplasmic granules of bovine neutrophils. We investigated the expression of this gene in airway and intestine, and although the gene was not found to be locally expressed in these tissues, a strong Bac5 induction signal was detected by in situ hybridization in neutrophils infiltrating infected lung, consistent with expression of this gene in activated neutrophils.

Balance between cell division and cell death as predictor of survival in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of the balance between apoptosis and proliferation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Paraffin-embedded sections from a consecutive series of radically resected NSCLCs were scored for apoptosis (in situ DNA nick end labeling assay) and proliferation (immunohistochemistry for MIB-1). A total of 1,000 cells were counted per case, to obtain apoptotic (AI) and MIB-1 indices.

A case report of Sertoli cell tumor in a patient with testicular feminization: many dilemmas for the pathologist.

Aims: The aim of this case report is to present the pathological, clinical, and ethic problems due to the diagnosis of an adnexal mass in a female patient with an undetected androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Methods: We employed both commonly used pathologic techniques, such as hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohystochemistry, both fluorescence in situ hybridization on paraffin-embedded tissue sections using probes for chromosomes X and Y.

Main Results: At pathologic evaluation, a diagnosis of Sertoli cell tumor was made.