Constitutive expression of IL-12R beta 2 on human multiple myeloma cells delineates a novel therapeutic target.

The interleukin-12 (IL-12) receptor (R) B2 gene acts as tumor suppressor in human acute and chronic B-cell leukemias/lymphomas and IL-12rb2-deficient mice develop spontaneously localized plasmacytomas. With this background, we investigated the role of IL-12R beta 2 in multiple myeloma (MM) pathogenesis. Here we show the following: (1) IL-12R beta 2 was expressed in primary MM cells but down-regulated compared with normal polyclonal plasmablastic cells and plasma cells (PCs).

[Carcinoid tumours of the bile ducts].

Carcinoid tumors of the extrahepatic bile ducts are extremely rare and account for only 0.2-2% of all gastrointestinal endocrine neoplasms. They are particularly difficult to diagnose preoperatively and distinguish from cholangiocarcinoma.

Endogenous IL-12 triggers an antiangiogenic program in melanoma cells.

The IL12RB2 gene acts as a tumor suppressor in human B cell malignancies. Indeed, Il12rb2 knockout (KO) mice develop spontaneously B cell tumors, but also lung epithelial tumors. This latter phenotype may be related to (i) impairment of host IL-12-mediated immunosurveillance and/or (ii) IL-12 inability to inhibit directly the growth of IL-12 unresponsive malignant cells.

Effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on growth of a xenotransplanted human ovarian cancer cell line IGROV-1 in nude mice.

The clonal growth of cell lines derived from human ovarian tumours can be stimulated by GM-CSF in vitro. Among these cell lines one of the most responsive is the IGROV-1 cell line. This report describes the influence of GM-CSF on the in vivo growth of IGROV-1 cell xenografts in nude mice.

[Surgical therapy of liver metastases secondary to colorectal neoplasms].

Of the therapeutic aids currently available for the treatment of liver metastases, surgical treatment, when possible, has acquired an irreplaceable role. The exact criteria needed to establish a correct indication still have to be established. Various factors have been examined so far: number, site, dimensions of the metastases and features of the primary tumour whose prognostic importance does not lend itself to unequivocable interpretation.