Usefulness of ploidy, AgNOR and immunocytochemistry for differentiating benign and malignant cells in serous effusions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the value of different markers in differentiating reactive mesothelial cells from metastatic adenocarcinomatous cells in serous effusions (SE).

Methods: Forty-five SE were processed for morphological examination (Papanicolaou stain), assessment of ploidy, AgNOR counting and immunocytochemical assay of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epithelial membrane antigens (EMA), Ber-EP4 and Leu-M1. Ploidy was established in an image-analyser in smears stained by the Feulgen stain method.

[Genomic medicine. Polymorphisms and microarray applications].

This update shows new concepts related to the significance of DNA variations among individuals, as well as to their detection by using a new technology. The sequencing of the human genome is only the beginning of what will enable us to understand genetic diversity. The unit of DNA variability is the polymorphism of a single nucleotide (SNP).

Elevated levels of angiostatin in effusions from patients with malignant disease.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of angiostatin in ascitic and pleural effusions from cancer patients, as well as of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), both involved in angiostatin generation in in vitro models. Ascitic fluids, pleural exudates, and sera from 21 cancer patients were analyzed for the presence of angiostatin by western blot, whereas gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, and uPA were evaluated by zymography. Our study revealed elevated levels of angiostatin in effusions of cancer patients, contrasting with mostly intermediate levels in less than half of their sera, and undetectable levels in normal sera.

[Serum testosterone: a possible marker for colorectal cancer].

A reduction of circulating testosterone has been reported in lung, stomach and pancreatic carcinoma. In order to evaluate the concentration of this hormone in patients with colorectal cancer, we studied 58 men with histologically confirmed disease. Seric testosterone, estradiol and carcinoembryogenic antigen were simultaneously measured in 24 patients under pre-surgical evaluation (group I) and in 34 patients after surgical resection (group II).