Immunohistochemical angiogenic biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis: correlation with pathological features.

Objective: To investigate immunohistochemical markers of angiogenesis and their association with pathological prognostic features in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhotic liver.

Methods: Vascular endothelial growth factor, CD105, and cyclooxygenase-2 were immunohistochemically detected in 52 hepatocellular carcinoma tissue samples and 48 cirrhotic liver tissue samples. Semiquantitative measurements of vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase-2 were evaluated considering the degree and intensity of immunostaining based on a 7-point final scoring scale.

Microvascular density of regenerative nodule to small hepatocellular carcinoma by automated analysis using CD105 and CD34 immunoexpression.

Background: Angiogenesis is a proliferative process resulting in the development of new blood vessels from existing endothelial cells and is considered crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. Tumor angiogenesis can be quantified by microvascular density (MVD), which is evaluated in highly vascularized tumor areas (hot spots) by immunohistochemical assays using CD34 and CD31 pan-endothelial antibodies. More recently, CD105 has been successfully used for some tumor types because it could discriminate neovascularization.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: different classifications concordance and relationship between degrees of morphological features and spectrum of the disease.

The morphological features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) range from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Liver biopsy remains the main tool for NASH diagnosis and many histological systems to diagnose and grade NAFLD were proposed. We evaluated the relationship among NAFLD activity score (NAS), histological diagnoses (non-NASH, possible NASH, and definite NASH), and histological algorithm proposed by Bedossa et al.

Transforming growth factor α immunoreactivity. A study in hepatocellular carcinoma and in non-neoplastic liver tissue.

Background: Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) is an important mitogen that binds to epidermal growth factor receptor and is associated with the development of several tumors.

Aims: Assessment of the immunoexpression of TGFα in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in non-neoplastic liver tissue and its relationship to morphological patterns of HCC.

Material And Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of TGFα was studied in 47 cases of HCC (27 multinodular, 20 nodular lesions).

[Multiple focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: mixed hyperplastic and adenomatous subtype].

Focal Nodular Hyperplasia is a benign lesion of the liver, which usually presents with one or two localizations. We report the uncommon case of a 51-year-old female who presents with right upper quadrant pain that worsened in the previous month, without association with feeding. Four hepatic lesions were evidenced at Computerized tomography, the largest being of 8 cm in diameter, of atypical behavior.

Agressive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the liver with underlying schistosomiasis: a case report.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) occurs infrequently in the liver. It is controversial whether it represents a low grade mesenchymal neoplasm or a reactive inflammatory lesion. Local recurrence and metastasis are rare and some tumors are associated with infectious agents.

Solitary fibrous liver tumor: is surgical approach the best option?

Solitary fibrous tumor of the liver is a rare tumor, where the evolution, malignant potential, and invasive growth have not been well defined. Although most cases are benign, there is no strict correlation between histological findings and biological behavior, and follow-up surveillance is necessary. We present the case of a large solitary hepatic fibrous tumor and its clinical outcome after a 4-year follow-up.

Eosinophils involved in fulminant hepatic failure are associated with high interleukin-6 expression and absence of interleukin-5 in liver and peripheral blood.

Background/aims: Although eosinophils are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various parasitic, allergic and autoimmune digestive diseases, their role in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is unknown. Our contribution was to identify and quantify eosinophils and cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-6, IL-5 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha] in liver parenchyma and peripheral blood from FHF patients at pre- and post-transplantation steps.

Methods: Histochemical methods were used to identify/quantify eosinophils in liver samples.

Orthotopic liver transplantation in glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency--Von Gierke disease--with multiple hepatic adenomas and concomitant focal nodular hyperplasia.

Von Gierke disease is occasionally complicated by hepatic adenomas (HAs) causing great concern owing to the current difficulties in monitoring them regarding malignant transformation. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is proposed as a therapeutic tool when multiple HAs and poor metabolic control are present, owing to the lack of a clear-cut criterion to detect early malignant transformation, whether or not associated with growth retardation. Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) has never been described together with multiple adenomas in von Gierke disease.

HBV-DNA levels in HBsAg-positive blood donors and its relationship with liver histology.

Introduction And Objectives: The clinical meaning of viremia, especially at low levels, in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to determine serum HBV-DNA levels and its relationship with liver histology in HBsAg-positive blood donors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 78 blood donors, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBeAg evaluation and quantitative determination of HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (Amplicor, HBV Monitor, Roche; lower limit of sensitivity 1,000 copies/mL).