Identification of non-small-cell lung cancer with activating EGFR mutations in malignant effusion and cerebrospinal fluid: rapid and sensitive detection of exon 19 deletion E746-A750 and exon 21 L858R mutation by immunocytochemistry.

Background: Recently, we have reported that EGFR mutation-specific antibodies performed well in immunohistochemical analysis, with good sensitivity. We investigated whether this method could detect non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carrying EGFR mutations in malignant effusions and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), comparable to the peptide nucleic acid-locked nucleic acid (PNA-LNA) PCR clamp assay. Furthermore, we compared activating EGFR mutations between primary and recurrent NSCLC.

Nuclear β-catenin expression in basal cell adenomas of salivary gland.

Background: Nuclear localization of β-catenin is known in a wide variety of human neoplasms; however, there are few reports in basal cell adenoma of the salivary gland. Our objective was to confirm the nuclear localization of β-catenin in basal cell adenoma and to examine whether nuclear β-catenin expression could be a useful marker in the diagnosis of basal cell adenoma.

Methods: To evaluate the nuclear localization of β-catenin in basal cell adenomas, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and mutation analysis of CTNNB1 were performed in 22 and 21 cases, respectively.

Characteristic expression pattern of oxidative stress in livers with cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma.

The mechanism responsible for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the setting of oxidative stress has yet to be clearly defined. We studied the role of oxidative stress in hepatocarcinogenesis in subjects without underlying chronic viral hepatitis. The subjects were 24 patients negative for serum hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody tests, who underwent hepatic resection for HCC (Group N).

Infiltration of thymidine phosphorylase-positive macrophages is closely associated with tumor angiogenesis and survival in intestinal type gastric cancer.

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), an enzyme catalyzing the reversible phospholysis of thymidine, deoxyuridine and their analogs at their respective bases and 2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate, thus promoting angiogenesis, is often expressed in macrophages present in tumor stroma. In this study, we investigated whether infiltration of TP-positive macrophages as well as tumor-associated macrophages affected tumor angiogenesis. TP was expressed in human macrophage-like cells, but not in gastric cancer cells in culture.

The ratio of serum placenta growth factor to soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 predicts the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Angiogenesis plays crucial roles in development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Placenta growth factor (PLGF), belonging to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, is involved in angiogenesis associated with cancer. Soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR1) has been thought to be an intrinsic negative regulator for PLGF.

Collision of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma and primary gastric extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in the remnant stomach.

Reported herein is a case of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma with primary gastric extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma). A 69-year-old Japanese man was found to have an ulcer lesion in his stomach on endoscopy, and a biopsy indicated malignancy. He underwent gastrectomy.

The close correlation between 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and epidermal growth factor receptor activating mutation in non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer harboring mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, including delE746-A750 and L858R, are highly sensitive to therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor-targeting drugs, such as gefitinib and erlotinib, in comparison with those harboring wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor. It remains unclear how such epidermal growth factor receptor mutations are induced. In this study, we examined whether 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a representative oxygen nucleotide of DNA, could play a role in activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene and also whether Y-box binding protein-1 and 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase that are involved in repair of oxidative stimuli-induced DNA damages could play any role in epidermal growth factor receptor activating mutations.

Accelerated expression of a Myc target gene Mina53 in aggressive hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: Expressions of the myc target genes Mina53 and mimitin are high in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and colon cancer, and their relationship to cell proliferation and patient prognosis has been reported. Because c-myc gene expression is closely related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth or formation and/or maintenance, we examined the Mina53 and mimitin expressions in HCC.

Methods: Surgically resected 53 HCC tissues were immunohistochemically examined for Mina53 and mimitin expressions and their relationship to clinicopathological factors.

Cytological features of cystadenocarcinoma in cyst fluid of the parotid gland: Diagnostic pitfalls and literature review.

Cystadenocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumor, with an estimated incidence of 2% of malignant salivary gland tumors. Cytological diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma is important for differential diagnosis between benign lesions and malignant tumors with cystic growth. We report a case of cystadenocarcinoma causing difficulty in cytological diagnosis.

Ossifying synovial sarcoma.

Although intralesional calcification is a common finding of synovial sarcoma, ossification is an unusual phenomenon in such a soft tissue sarcoma. Here we report a case of ossifying synovial sarcoma arising in the back of a young adult man. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of spindle or oval cells together with foci of atypical polygonal cells in small nests or cord-like structures, displaying an epithelial appearance.

N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1)/Cap43 enhances portal vein invasion and intrahepatic metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1)/Cap43 is a 43 kDa protein that is widely distributed in the body. Its expression is regulated by nickel, cobalt, hypoxic condition and others; it is reported to be weaker in tumors than normal tissues; and NDRG1/Cap43 is considered to act suppressively to tumor metastasis. This current study immunohistochemically examined NDRG1/Cap43 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and analyzed its relationship to clinicopathologic factors and prognosis.

Growth inhibitory effects of pegylated IFN-alpha2b and 5-fluorouracil in combination on renal cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo.

We investigated the effects of pegylated IFN-alpha2b (PEG-IFN-alpha2b) alone and PEG-IFN-alpha2b plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in vitro on the proliferation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines. After the transplantation of RCC cells into nude mice, we administered IFN (PEG-IFN-alpha2b or IFN-alpha2b) alone, 5-FU alone, or IFN (PEG-IFN-alpha2b or IFN-alpha2b) plus 5-FU; and investigated tumor volume, tumor weight, the numbers of apoptotic cells and artery-like blood vessels, relative mRNA expression levels of enzymes which relate to 5-FU metabolism, angiogenesis factor, and type I interferon receptor. RCC cells in vitro were generally and relatively resistant to the anti-proliferative effects of PEG-IFN-alpha2b, but the addition of 5-FU augmented IFN-induced anti-proliferative effects with the induction of apoptosis.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of soft tissue tumors: usefulness of the apparent diffusion coefficient for differential diagnosis.

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to differentiate soft tissue tumors.

Materials And Methods: We examined 88 histologically proven tumors (44 benign, 8 intermediate, 36 malignant) using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images. Images of the tumors were obtained using a single-shot, spin-echo type echo-planar imaging sequence.

Fucoidan, a major component of brown seaweed, prohibits the growth of human cancer cell lines in vitro.

Fucoidan, the general term for sulfated polysaccharides, is reported to engage in various biological activities having anti-tumor, anti-coagulation and anti-viral effects. Though it has been investigated, the mechanism of its anti-tumor effects remains elusive. The current study examined the anti-tumor effects of fucoidan extracted from Okinawa mozuku on 15 human cancer cell lines (6 hepatocellular carcinomas, 1 cholangiocarcinoma, 1 gallbladder cancer, 2 ovarian cancers, 1 hepatoblastoma, 1 neuroblastoma and 3 renal cancers) using an MTT assay.

Salivary duct carcinoma cytologically diagnosed distinctly from salivary gland carcinomas with squamous differentiation.

It has been difficult cytologically to distinguish salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) from high-grade carcinoma. We investigated the microscopic cytological findings, morphometric image analyses, and immunohistochemical features of SDC, focusing on how we achieved an accurate differential diagnosis distinguishing SDC from salivary gland carcinomas with squamous differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for androgen receptor (AR), gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP15), mammaglobin, human gastric mucin, MUC1, MUC2, p63, and cytokeratin high molecular weight.

Serum C-reactive protein levels predict survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: C-reactive protein (CRP) was recently identified as a prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgical resection. We investigated the relationship between the serum levels of high sensitivity CRP (H-CRP) and the prognosis of HCC patients.

Method: We conducted a cohort study of 90 HCC patients enrolled from 1997 to 1998.

Overexpression of the myc target gene Mina53 in advanced renal cell carcinoma.

The myc target gene Mina53 was reported to be overexpressed in esophageal cancer with a poor prognosis. The purpose of the present study was to examined Mina53 expression and its relationship to clinicopathological parameters in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Mina53 and Ki-67 expression was examined on immunohistochemistry for 64 surgically resected RCC and non-cancerous tissue.

Growth inhibitory effects of IFN-beta on human liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

We investigated the effects of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) on the growth of human liver cancer cells. The effects of IFN-beta with or without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the proliferation of 13 liver cancer cell lines were investigated in vitro. Chronologic change in IFN-alpha receptor 2 (IFNAR-2) expression was monitored in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (HAK-1B) cultured with IFN-beta.

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and XIAP-associated factor-1 expressions and their relationship to apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma and non-cancerous liver tissues.

The X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) belongs to the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family, and the action of XIAP is inhibited by XIAP-associated factor-1 (XAF1). In the present study, XIAP and XAF1 protein expressions and their relationship to apoptosis were investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We examined immunohistochemical expressions of XIAP and XAF1, and the number of apoptotic HCC cells in surgically resected tissues of 24 HCCs, consisting of 7 well-, 10 moderately and 7 poorly differentiated HCCs.

Effects of IFN-alpha on alpha-fetoprotein expressions in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

We investigated the effects of pegylated (PEG)-IFN-alpha2b on alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) expression as demonstrated by protein and mRNA levels in six human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. The number of KIM-1 cells in culture with PEG-IFN-alpha2b decreased between 24 amd 240 h, whereas the levels of intracellular and secreted AFP per cellular protein increased (except at 192 h), with levels 1.9-fold and 2.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of basal cell adenoma of the parotid gland: characteristic cytological features and diagnostic pitfalls.

We retrospectively studied the cytological features of aspiration cytology in 12 cases of basal cell adenoma (BCA) and 5 cases mistakenly diagnosed as BCA. On macroscopic findings, the 12 cases of BCA included 7 cases of solid type and 5 cases of cystic type. The characteristic cytological features of solid type BCA were three-dimensional clusters in 71%, sharp-angle small clusters in 86%, basement membrane- like material in 71%, and cell crush in 86%.

Growth inhibitory effects of interferon-alpha subtypes vary according to human liver cancer cell lines.

Background: Interferon (IFN)-alpha preparations used in the treatment of viral and neoplastic disease consist of single or multiple IFN-alpha subtypes that may possess different biological activity, but there are no data on liver cancer cells.

Methods: Antiproliferative effects and the mechanisms of growth inhibition of five IFN-alpha subtypes (alpha1, alpha2, alpha5, alpha8 and alpha10) were examined in vitro using 13 human liver cancer cell lines.

Results: The antiproliferative effect of each IFN-alpha subtype was different in each cell line.

Growth inhibitory effects of pegylated IFN alpha-2b on human liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of pegylated IFN-alpha2b (PEG-IFN-alpha2b) on the growth of human liver cancer cells.

Methods: The effect of PEG-IFN-alpha2b on the proliferation of 13 liver cancer cell lines was investigated in vitro. Chronological changes in growth and IFN-alpha receptor-2 (IFNAR-2) expression were monitored in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (HAK-1B) cultured with PEG-IFN-alpha2b.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) is thought to be an important factor in tumor angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been fully investigated.

Methods: We immunohistochemically examined VEGF-C expression in surgically resected tissues of 90 HCC.

Results: In the 78 HCC with a single histological grade, VEGF-C expression was significantly stronger in poorly differentiated HCC than in well- (P=0.

SEN virus: epidemiology and characteristics of a transfusion-transmitted virus.

SEN virus (SEN-V) is a blood-borne, single-stranded, nonenveloped DNA virus. Although its prevalence varies by geographic region, it has been detected in as many as 30 percent of postoperative transfusion recipients, compared to 3 percent of postoperative patients who did not receive transfusions. A significant association has been observed between transfusion volume and the occurrence of SEN-V infection.