Clinicopathological significance of cancer stem cell markers CD44 and ALDH1 expression in breast cancer.

Background: CD44 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) has been reputed to be cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in breast cancer. Yet, the clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of these markers remain unclear. In this study, we have investigated the expression of these markers and their relation with conventional clinicopathologic tumor characteristic including molecular subtype.

Stromal CD10 expression in breast cancer correlates with tumor invasion and cancer stem cell phenotype.

Background: Previous investigations have indicated that CD10 is associated with biological aggressivity in human cancers, but the use of this marker for diagnosis and prognosis is more complex. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD10 in breast cancer and its association with the clinicopathological features. In addition, we investigated whether a relationship exists between CD10 expression and cancer stem cells.

miR-10b, miR-26a, miR-146a And miR-153 Expression in Triple Negative Vs Non Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Potential Biomarkers.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs composed of 18-25 nucleotides that can post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and have key regulatory roles in cancer, acting as both oncogenes and tumor suppressors. About 1000 genes in humans encode miRNAs, which account for approximately 3% of the human genome, and up to 30% of human protein coding genes may be regulated by miRNAs. The objective of this article is to evaluate the expression profile of four miRNAs previously implicated in triple negative breast cancer: miR-10b, miR-26a, miR-146a and miR-153, and to determine their possible interaction in triple negative and non triple negative breast cancer based on clinical outcome and the expression of BRCA1.

Prognostic significance of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

Introduction: The prognostic significance of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is still controversial. In this work we sought to examine the prognostic differences between EBV-positive and -negative HL through a series of 131 cases from Tunisia.

Methods: The status of EBV was assessed by EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in situ hybridization.

Changing patterns in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)and Hodgkin lymphoma association in Tunisia.

We compared the features of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) association in Tunisia in two periods of time, 1991-2001 (111 cases) and 2002-2012 (122 cases). The investigation of the EBV status by EBER in situ hybridization showed a significant decrease in the prevalence of EBV-positive HL from 69.3 % for the period 1991-2001 to 40.

DNA methylation patterns in EBV-positive and EBV-negative Hodgkin lymphomas.

Purpose: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by the presence of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is thought to play an important role in the development of HL. Although epigenetic alterations, such as aberrant DNA methylation, are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of various malignancies, little is known about such alterations in HL and their putative relationships with EBV infection.

Investigation of miR9-1, miR9-2 and miR9-3 Methylation in Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Background: miR9 is an important tumor suppressor microRNA regulated by DNA methylation in various types of cancers.

Methods: We analyzed the methylation status of the 3 members of the miR9 family in 58 cases of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in comparison to 15 reactive lymph nodes. We also assessed the relationships between miR9 methylation and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and several clinicopathological parameters.

Assessment and biological significance of JC polyomavirus in colorectal cancer in Tunisia.

Purpose: Several reports have indicated the presence of JC polyomavirus (JCV) in many human tumors, including colorectal cancers (CRCs). The presence of JCV infection in CRC patients has not been investigated in African countries.

Methods: We examined the prevalence and the biological significance of JCV in Tunisian CRC patients.

Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 protein expression correlates significantly with intestinal histological type and gender in gastric carcinomas.

Purpose: Promoter hypermethylation and reduced expression of many genes have been found in gastric cancer. DNA methyltransferases are enzymes potentially affecting promoter hypermethylation.

Material And Methods: We analyzed proteins expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 and 3b by immunohistochemistry in 47 surgically resected gastric cancer samples for which clinicopathological characteristics, patient's outcome and methylation status of 11 selected tumor-related genes have been determined.

Methylation of miR124a-1, miR124a-2, and miR124a-3 in Hodgkin lymphoma.

Deregulation of the microRNA miR124a by DNA methylation has been implicated in various malignancies, but no study reported its methylation status in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). We evaluated the methylation of the three loci encoding for miR124a using methylation-specific PCR in 64 HL patients and 15 reactive lymph nodes obtained from patients with nonmalignant diseases. Results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters.

Methylation of miR-124a-1, miR-124a-2, and miR-124a-3 genes correlates with aggressive and advanced breast cancer disease.

Aberrant DNA methylation on CpG islands is one of the most consistent epigenetic changes in human cancers, and the process of methylation is catalyzed by the DNA methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b. Recent reports demonstrate that deregulation of miR-124a, one of the frequently methylated microRNAs in human cancers, is related to carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequencies of methylation of the three genomic loci encoding the miR-124a in primary breast cancers and to investigate their relationships with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumors and with the expression levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b.

Tropomyosin-4 correlates with higher SBR grades and tubular differentiation in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas: an immunohistochemical and proteomics-based study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate tropomyosin-4 (TM4) expression in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas (IDCAs), as well as its prognostic significance. Using a 2-DE/MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry investigation coupled with an immunohistochemical approach, we have assessed the expression of TM4 in IDCAs, as well as in other types of breast tumors. Proteomic analyses revealed an increased expression of tropomyosin-4 in IDCA tumors.

Calreticulin expression in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas: relationships with disease progression and humoral immune responses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate calreticulin expression in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas (IDCAs), as well as its relationships with clinicopathological parameters of the disease. Using a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry investigation coupled to an immunohistochemical approach, we have assessed the expression of calreticulin in IDCAs, as well as in other types of breast tumors. The humoral immune response against calreticulin was estimated using a serological proteomics-based strategy.

Expression of the molecular chaperone αB-crystallin in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas and the significance thereof: an immunohistochemical and proteomics-based strategy.

This study aims to evaluate αB-crystallin expression in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas (IDCAs), as well as, its prognostic significance. Using a two-dimensional electrophoresis matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry investigation coupled to an immunohistochemical approach, we have assessed the expression of αB-crystallin in IDCAs, as well as, in other types of breast tumors (invasive lobular carcinomas, medullary carcinomas, and in situ ductal carcinomas). Correlation between αB-crystallin expression and clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer has also been investigated.

Assessment of the clinical significance of antigenic and functional levels of α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-Pi) in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas.

Objectives: To determine the clinical significance of α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-Pi) in infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma patients.

Design And Methods: Serum levels of α1-Pi, tryptic specific inhibitory capacity and α1-Pi circulating immune complexes were determined using radial immunodiffusion, BAPNA assays and ELISA, respectively. 2-DE-MS and immunohistochemistry were performed to examine α1-Pi protein expression.

Human ocular filariasis: further evidence on the zoonotic role of Onchocerca lupi.

Background: Among ocular vector-borne pathogens, Onchocerca volvulus, the agent of the so-called "river blindness", affects about 37 million people globally. Other Onchocerca spp. have been sporadically reported as zoonotic agents.

Clinicopathologic significance of DNA methyltransferase 1, 3a, and 3b overexpression in Tunisian breast cancers.

DNA methyltransferase 1, 3a, and 3b affect DNA methylation, and it is thought that they play an important role in the malignant transformation of various cancers. The current study was designed to analyze DNA methyltransferase expression by immunohistochemistry in a series of 94 Tunisian sporadic breast carcinomas. Results were correlated to clinicopathologic parameters and promoter methylation status of 8 tumor suppressor genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, RASSFA1, TIMP3, CDH1, P16, RARβ2, and DAPK).

Investigation of human JC and BK polyomaviruses in breast carcinomas.

We have previously showed the presence of the simian virus 40 (SV40) and the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-like in a significant proportions of Tunisian breast carcinomas. However, to date there are no published studies concerning evaluation of the possible implication of the human polyomaviruses JC (JCV) and BK (BKV) in breast carcinomas. The presence of JCV and BKV DNA was investigated by PCR in a 123 primary breast carcinomas and matched adjacent non-tumor breast tissues.

Investigation of Epstein-Barr virus in breast carcinomas in Tunisia.

Breast carcinoma is a major cause of death among women, and the potential implication of viruses in its pathogenesis remains worth a hypothesis. The potential role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in its pathogenesis is still a subject of continued discussion and investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EBV in sporadic breast cancers in Tunisia, and to determine the clinicopathological characteristics of virus-positive cases.

Tumeur myofibroblastique inflammatoire de la vessie.

La tumeur myofibroblastique inflammatoire est une lésion classée par l'OMS parmi les néoplasies intermédiaires. Elle peut siéger dans différents organes : les poumons, le pancréas, le mésentère et l'utérus. La localisation vésicale est rare.

[Utility of immunohistochemistry in detecting alterations of mismatch repair genes of DNA. A series of 48 cases of colorectal cancer].

Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is associated in more than 95% to a germline mutation in the genes of the mismatch repair (MMR) of DNA. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of immunohistochemistry, a simple and fast technique, in the triage of families where HNPCC is suspected. Tumor samples included in this study were from patients with resection for colorectal cancer, examined in our laboratory between 2004 and 2007.