Colon carcinoma cells harboring PIK3CA mutations display resistance to growth factor deprivation induced apoptosis.

PIK3CA, encoding the p110alpha catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), is mutated in a variety of human cancers. We screened the colon cancer cell lines previously established in our laboratory for PIK3CA mutations and found that four of them harbored gain of function mutations. We have now compared a panel of mutant and wild-type cell lines for cell proliferation and survival in response to stress.

Comparative study of ovarian cancer histopathology by registry pathologists and referral pathologists: a study by the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is a significant difference in the pathology diagnoses of women in the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry between the two expert Registry pathologists and the referral pathologist. Inaccuracies in verification that ovarian cancer did occur in family members could lead to unnecessary prophylactic surgery or genetic testing.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of (1) site of malignancy; (2) histopathology of malignancy; (3) grade of malignancy; and (4) the presence or absence of malignancy between the Registry and referral pathologists.

Paraesophageal omental hernia mimics pleural lipomatous tumor.

Paraesophageal omental herniation (POH) is uncommon. CT scan and MRI are complementary in diagnosis. We present a posterior mediastinal mass in a 43 year old male with a history of myxoid liposarcoma raising the suspicion of latent secondary tumor.

Renal cell carcinoma treated with continuous-infusion interleukin-2 with ex vivo-activated killer cells.

High-dose recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) results in tumor responses in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma ranging from 9 to 31%. Continuous infusion regimens of rIL-2 may be less toxic and may result in greater in vivo lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell production. The current trial used a continuous infusion of rIL-2 with ex vivo LAK cells.