The clinical utility of SPECT/CT hybrid imaging on bleeding Meckel's diverticulum in adults.

Technetium-99m pertechnetate planar scintigraphy is the procedure of choice to localize ectopic gastric mucosa. However, single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) provides precise landmarks and scintigraphic findings. We report a case of an adult patient with Meckel's diverticulum involving an atypical location, within the pelvic region, next to the right margin of the urinary bladder.

Interleukin-10 Induces Both Plasma Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis in Multiple Myeloma.

In multiple myeloma the angiogenic process is enhanced by various mediators. Among them interleukin-10 (IL-10), secreted mainly by myeloma-associated macrophages seems to participate in myeloma progression with variable manners. The aim of the study was to measure serum levels of IL-10 in various stages of MM patients and to correlate them with various angiogenic cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-2 and with known proliferation parameters, such as serum levels of B-cell activating factor and bone marrow infiltration by myeloma plasma cells, in order to explore their clinical significance.

Emerging roles of endoglin/CD105 and angiogenic cytokines for disease development and progression in multiple myeloma patients.

Angiogenesis is an essential process for the expansion of multiple myeloma (MM), in which many angiogenic factors participate. Endoglin (CD105) is a transforming growth factor-β co-receptor, being mainly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells and has been used as a marker of tumor angiogenesis, having prognostic potential. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum levels of soluble CD105 (sCD105) in MM patients, both during diagnosis and after effective conventional chemotherapy, in the plateau phase, and to correlate them with the clinical stage of the disease, as well as with the known angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor, angiogenin and interleukin-18 (IL-18).

The significance of non correlation between interleukin-8 serum levels with bone marrow microvascular density in patients with myeloma multiple.

In multiple myeloma (MM), angiogenesis plays a substantial role in disease progression. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory chemokine with potent pro-angiogenic properties, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of MM. The aim of the study is to measure serum levels of IL-8 in MM patients and to correlate them with markers of angiogenesis, such as circulating levels of platelet derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) and angiogenin (Ang), and bone marrow microvascular density (MVD).

Lack of correlation between angiogenic cytokines and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 in patients with multiple myeloma.

There are many growth factors influencing the expansion of multiple myeloma (MM). Angiogenesis is a process that may enhance MM growth, in various manners. Among them, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a major factor, acting in many levels.

Clinical significance of sCD105 in angiogenesis and disease activity in multiple myeloma.

Background: Τhe importance of angiogenesis in malignancies' growth is well recognized. CD105 (Endoglin), a proliferation-associated glycoprotein, is a powerful marker of neovascularization. Elevated amounts of soluble CD105 (sCD105) have been identified in selected solid tumors.

B cell-activating factor: its clinical significance in multiple myeloma patients.

B cell-activating factor (BAFF) is a cytokine that plays a major role in the maintenance of normal B-cell development and homeostasis. It has been suggested that in multiple myeloma (MM) it might have regulatory effects on the proliferation and viability of malignant plasma cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of BAFF in 52 newly diagnosed MM patients, with varying disease severity, in order to see the correlations between BAFF and indices of MM activity, such as interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and beta-2 microglobulin, and to explore the clinical significance of BAFF in predicting the disease activity of MM.

Serum concentrations and clinical significance of soluble CD40 ligand in patients with multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of plasma cells that express the CD40 receptor. Binding of the CD40 by its natural ligand, CD40 ligand (CD40L), produces growth arrest and/or apoptosis in MM. To evaluate serum levels of soluble CD40L (sCD40L) in MM patients and to correlate them with markers of disease activity and angiogenesis, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), proliferation marker Ki-67 proliferation index (Ki-67 PI) and bone marrow plasma cell infiltration, fifty-eight MM patients were studied in diagnosis and 43 of them after completion of treatment.

Role of platelet-derived growth factor-AB in tumour growth and angiogenesis in relation with other angiogenic cytokines in multiple myeloma.

Angiogenesis is a complex process essential for the growth, invasion, and metastasis of various malignant tumours, including multiple myeloma (MM). Various angiogenic cytokines have been implicated in the angiogenic process. Among them, platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) has been reported to be a potent stimulator of angiogenesis in many solid tumours and haematological malignancies, including MM.

[Port site metastasis: a problem in oncologic laparoscopic surgery. Case report and review of the literature].

First success of laparoscopic surgery promoted the application of this technique in the treatment of malignancies. The technique has been associated with less postoperative pain, a better cosmetic result and a shorter period of hospitalization. The early optimism has been followed by the doubts based on the observation of port site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery for neoplastic diseases.