Front-Line Bevacizumab plus Chemotherapy with or without Maintenance Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Observational Study by the Hellenic Oncology Research Group.

Front-line bevacizumab (BEV) in combination with taxanes offers benefit in progression-free survival (PFS) in metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The medical records of mBC patients, treated with front-line BEV-based chemotherapy, were retrospectively reviewed in order to generate real life safety and efficacy data. Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative mBC treated with front-line BEV in combination with chemotherapy were eligible.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunohistochemical study of calreticulin in colorectal adenocarcinoma and mirror biopsies.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse the polypeptide patterns of colorectal adenocarcinomas and mirror biopsies and to investigate the expression of calreticulin and the relationship of this chaperon to colon cancer.

Materials And Methods: The investigation was carried out on 21 adenocarcinomas and 21 mirror biopsies using high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis and immunohistochemical PAP method.

Results: 2D electrophoresis revealed several polypeptide patterns that were shown to be upregulated in colorectal adenocarcinomas compared to their mirror biopsies.

Immunoelectron study of pancreatic carcinomas using antibodies to gastrointestinal hormones.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural appearance of pancreatic adenocarcinoma combined with glucagon and gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK) expression. The authors investigated the ultrastructure and the immunocytochemistry of 12 human pancreatic cancer specimens and used 3 chronic pancreatitis samples and 6 adjacent histological normal pancreatic tissues (away from the tumor) as controls. The ultrastructural study revealed that chronic pancreatitis tissues were characterized by alterations of the secretory cells.

Surface topography and ultrastructural changes of mucinous carcinoma breast cells.

Mucinous carcinoma of the breast (MCB) is histologically classified into 2 groups: (1) pure MCB and (2) mixed MCB. Pure MCB carries a better diagnosis than mixed MCB. This research relates to the cell surface topography and ultrastructure of the cells in the above cases and aims to find the differences between them, by means of two methods: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Metaphase and interphase cytogenetics in fibroadenomas of the breast.

Short-term cultures of fifty-two samples of fibroadenomas were cytogenetically analyzed. Thirty-three of the successfully karyotyped fibroadenomas were further investigated for the presence of amplifications in the CCND1, c-MYC and HER/2-neu genes by means of FISH analysis. Compared to carcinomas, fibroadenomas seem to have less complex cytogenetic rearrangements and limited alterations on HER-2/neu, CCND1 and c-MYC loci.

Electron immunocytochemical demonstration of serotonin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, bombesin, somatostatin and glucagon in mirror biopsies from primary colorectal adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural appearance of mirror biopsies from primary colorectal adenocarcinomas combined with serotonin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, bombesin, somatostatin and glucagon expression in order to clarify the histology and immunology of these tissues compared with colorectal adenocarcinomas. The investigation was carried out in 90 cases of mirror biopsies by electron microscope immunocytochemistry. The ultrastructural study revealed that some cases (30%) of mirror biopsies were characterized by the presence of intracellular changes compared to normal tissues.

Immunoelectron study of somatostatin, gastrin and glucagon in human colorectal adenocarcinomas and liver metastases.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role and function of somatostatin, glucagon and gastrin in 35 colorectal adenocarcinoma and 25 liver metastases. The investigation was carried out at the electron immunocytochemistry level. Our results showed that well-differentiated tissues have the highest somatostatin levels compared to poorly-differentiated tumors while glucagon levels remain high.

Comparative study of serotonin and bombesin in adenocarcinomas and neuroendocrine tumors of the colon.

The aim of this study was to investigate serotonin and bombesin expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas and neuroendocrine colorectal tumors to clarify their role in the progression of colon cancer. The investigation was carried out by electron microscope immunocytochemistry. The ultrastructural study revealed that some cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas were characterized by the presence of amphicrine cells containing endocrine granules and mucus granules.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in an adult presenting as lung abscess.

The case of a 21-year-old male with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation is presented. His medical history started after his birth with recurrent pulmonary infections during his infancy. Lung abscess of the right lower lobe was suspected and right lower lobectomy was performed to remove a sizeable mass infiltrating the largest part of the lobe.