Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva: A Subclassification of 97 Cases by Clinicopathologic, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Features (p16, p53, and EGFR).

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the vulva develop through human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated or HPV-independent pathways, but the relationship between pathogenesis, classification, and prognosis of these tumors is controversial. Therefore, we review the morphology, immunophenotype, and select molecular features of a consecutive series of 97 patients with vulvar SCC with a median clinical follow-up of 3.6 years.

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.

Decreased survival in EGFR gene amplified vulvar carcinoma.

Objective: We undertook an extensive molecular characterization of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in vulvar squamous cell carcinomas to investigate EGFR mutation and/or genomic amplification and its association with EGFR protein expression, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) status and clinical outcome.

Methods: A cohort of 51 vulvar cancer patients distributed across all FIGO stages was selected for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization. EGFR expression and gene amplification were correlated with high-risk HPV status, EGFR mutational status and clinical prognostic variables.

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.

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.

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.

Antiproliferative effects of 5-fluorouracil and interferon-alpha in combination on a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line in vitro and in vivo.

Background And Aim: We investigated the antiproliferative effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination on a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line.

Method: In the in vitro study, IFN-alpha and/or 5-FU was added to the culture of the poorly differentiated-type HCC cell line, HAK-1B, and their antiproliferative effects and additional or synergic effects in combination treatment were examined. In the in vivo study, HAK-1B cells were transplanted into nude mice and the changes in tumor volume and weight, apoptosis, BrdU and cyclin A positive cells, and artery-like blood vessels were investigated.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cultured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and surgically resected HCC tissues.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) relate to the growth and infiltration of cancer cells, but the frequency and amount of their expression are not yet fully examined in hepatocellular carcinoma. Expression of MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MT1-MMP, MT2-MMP, MT3-MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP: TIMP-1, TIMP-2) was investigated on cultured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and surgically resected HCC tissues. The cultured cells and tissues expressed MMPs and TIMPs at various degrees, and high expression was observed for MMP-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP and TIMP-2.

Expression and activation of apoptosis-related molecules involved in interferon-alpha-mediated apoptosis in human liver cancer cells.

Interferon (IFN)-alpha directly inhibits proliferation of liver cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, but the molecular mechanisms by which IFN-alpha induces apoptosis in these cells are not fully understood. We examined the effect of broad spectrum caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk, and the caspase activation in IFN-alpha-mediated apoptosis by using 4 liver cancer cell lines that were sensitive or resistant to IFN-alpha-mediated apoptosis. Involvement of apoptosis-related mitochondrial proteins and Bcl-2 family proteins in IFN-alpha-mediated apoptosis was further examined in 1 sensitive cell line (KIM-1).

Antiproliferative effects of interferon-alphaCon1 on ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

Purpose: We examined the antiproliferative effect of IFN-alphaCon1 and its mechanism on ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Design: (a) The effects of IFN-alphaCon1 on growth, morphology, cell cycle, and type I IFN-alpha receptor (IFNAR-2) expression were examined on two ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma cell lines (KOC-5C and KOC-7C) in vitro. (b) KOC-5C or KOC-7C cells were transplanted into nude mice, and changes in tumor volume, tumor weight, apoptosis, necrosis, and microvessel density were investigated.

Interferon-alphaCon1 suppresses proliferation of liver cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo.

Background/aims: We investigated the effects of consensus interferon (IFN-alphaCon1), a nonnaturally occurring type I interferon with higher specific activity than other type I IFNs, on the growth of human liver cancer cells.

Methods: The effect of IFN-alphaCon1 on the proliferation of 13 liver cancer cell lines was investigated in vitro. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells (KIM-1 and HAK-1B) were transplanted subcutaneously into the back of nude mice, then IFN-alphaCon1 was subcutaneously administered to the mice once a day for 2 weeks, and tumor volume and histology were examined.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis with uterine leiomyoma and adenomyosis: a case presentation and brief comment on the histogenesis.

Uterine intravenous leiomyomatosis a rather rare pathologic condition, and a total of 139 cases have appeared in the English literature. Although two proposals for the histologic origin, uterine lyomyoma itself and/or vascular smooth muscle, have been widely accepted, the precise histogenesis still remains unclear. The additional 140th case of intravenous leiomyomatosis is described, and a third postulation for the histogenesis is proposed.

Primary leiomyoma of the ovary--a report of 2 resected cases.

Leiomyoma of the ovary is relatively rare and its origin is still controversial. Here, we report 2 cases of ovarian leiomyoma. Case 1, a 59-year-old woman who complained of abdominal distention.

Metastatic carcinoid tumor in the orbit.

In 1991, a carcinoid tumor of the duodenum with metastasis in the regional lymph nodes was resected in a 39-year-old-man. A metastasis in the mediastinum was found and was resected in 1996. In 1999, a metastasis in the left lung was discovered and was excised.