CD133 positive endothelial progenitor cells contribute to the tumour vasculature in non-small cell lung cancer.

Aims: Recent results generated in a mouse model suggest that tumour angiogenesis/vasculogenesis can be initiated and maintained by bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells. This present study investigated the distribution and frequency of CD133 positive endothelial progenitor cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (tumour tissue and tumour free lung regions) and healthy controls using fresh frozen specimens. The novel marker CD133 identifies human haemopoetic precursor cells, in addition to human endothelial progenitor cells.

Immunohistochemical typing of non-small cell lung cancer on cryostat sections: correlation with clinical parameters and prognosis.

Aims: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of a panel of biologically relevant markers in patients with non-small cell lung cancer using fresh frozen specimens and to test their prognostic relevance for identification of patients at risk.

Methods: Seventy nine tumour infiltrated lung cancer specimens and 66 adjacent histologically tumour free tissues were analysed; 11 postmortem specimens from patients who did not suffer from a malignant disease served as a control group. Cryostat sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, CD82, Ki-67, p120, p53, bcl-2, and CD31.

Automated real-time PCR to determine K-ras codon 12 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer: comparison with immunohistochemistry and clinico-pathological features.

A real-time PCR technique with automated computerized analysis (TaqMan ) was tested to detect K-ras mutations in 66 patients suffering from NSCLC. This technology is characterized by high reproducibility of data and a time-saving analysis procedure. In 11% (7/66) of the tumour specimens and 2% (1/58) of adjacent tumour-free lung specimens a K-ras codon 12 mutation was detected.

Characterisation and predictive value of epidermal growth factor receptor status using quantitative real-time PCR combined with immunohistochemistry on non-small cell lung cancer specimens.

The frequency of increased EGFR-mRNA expression was determined in 57 patients suffering from NSCLC by applying quantitative real-time PCR. The findings were correlated with clinical parameters and the immunohistochemical (IHC) markers EGFR, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, Ki-67 and p53 on cryostat sections. Of the patients 46% showed increased EGFR-mRNA, 35% revealed an increased IHC-EGFR expression; 16% of the patients showed a combined positivity and 35% a combined negativity when applying both methods, and 17 (30%) of the cases revealed increased EGFR-mRNA without IHC-EGFR expression.

Phenotype and topography of human thymic B cells. An immunohistologic study.

Using single and double labeling immunohistochemical techniques and a large panel of monoclonal antibodies against B-cell differentiation antigens, including those newly defined at the Fourth International Leucocyte Typing Workshop, we have examined the immunophenotype and tissue distribution of human thymic B-cells. The existence of a distinct B-cell population as a constant constituent of the thymic microenvironment has been noted only recently. We found a significant population of B-lymphocytes in the thymic medulla expressing the B-cell restricted antigens CD19, CD20, CD22, CD37, CD72, CD76 and IgM and IgD.