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Ambrogio Fassina

Publications and source records attributed to Ambrogio Fassina.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Establishment and characterization of xenografts and cancer cell cultures derived from BRCA1 -/- epithelial ovarian cancers.

The BRCA1 gene is responsible for a high number of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers that cluster in families with a strong genetic predisposition. Despite intense investigation, the accumulating findings on BRCA1 biological functions have not yet been translated into specific therapeutic approaches, also due to the lack of suitable experimental models. The purpose of this study was to establish and characterize cell cultures and xenografts from patients with BRCA1 -/- ovarian cancers. We derived two ovarian cancer cell lines, termed PD-OVCA1 and PD-OVCA2, both from patients previously treated with chemotherapy, that propagate in SCID mice as well as in vitro for a limited number of passages. Both cell lines expressed cytokeratins and the CA125 tumour marker. A detailed molecular characterization highlighted both constitutive and somatic genetic events that abrogate BRCA1 gene function. Both cell lines were shown to lose the wild type BRCA1 allele; intriguingly, these deletions were apparently accompanied by gain of one or more copies of the mutant alleles. Finally, a genomic profile of major chromosomal aberrations was obtained by the Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) technique, which disclosed chromosomal imbalances targeting specific genes in each cell line. The PD-OVCA1 and PD-OVCA2 ovarian cancer cell lines will provide a valuable tool for new experimental models for the study of BRCA1-associated tumour biology.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Retroperitoneal fibrosis after chemotherapy.

We report the case of a patient with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, who after a standard chemotherapy protocol, developed retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) in the absence of radiotherapy or other known causes. The final diagnosis was reached with the microscopic examination of tissue obtained by fine-needle aspiration and true-cut biopsy of the retroperitoneal mass. RPF can be related to chemotherapy alone.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Expression of telomerase (hTERT) in aldosterone-producing adrenocortical tumors.

Telomerase was found in cancers and immortalized cell lines, but only occasionally in normal tissues, thus suggesting that measurement of its hTERT subunit might help distinguishing benign from malignant tumors. Data on hTERT expression in adrenocortical tumors are scant and mostly confined to non-functioning tumors. Therefore, we investigated whether hTERT expression may predict malignancy in aldosterone producing adrenocortical tumors. We measured hTERT mRNA with a real-time one-step reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, based on the use of hTERT-specific fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes, in 19 adrenalectomized patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs), in whom long-term follow-up (median 7 years, range 5-14 years) data were available. We also studied two rare aldosterone-producing carcinomas (APCs), eight adrenocortical carcinomas (ACs), twelve normal adrenal cortexes, and two malignant cell lines (NCI-295H and SW-13). Telomerase activity and hTERT immunoreactivity were also investigated. Of interest, we detected hTERT mRNA in 58% of APAs at levels similar to those of malignant tumors, which all consistently showed hTERT expression. In hTERT expressing tumors, immunocytochemistry showed the nuclear expression of hTERT. No hTERT expression was found in the normal adrenocortical tissue. No histopathology differences were observed between hTERT-positive and -negative APAs; however, a patient originally held to have an hTERT-positive APA was retrospectively classified as APC because of metastatic spread. In conclusion, RT-PCR measurement of hTERT mRNA is a hallmark of malignant adrenocortical tumors, but identifies also a subset of hTERT-expressing APAs that might show metastatic spread at long-term follow-up.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Identification of the mineralocorticoid receptor in human spermatozoa.

Aldosterone seems to play a role in the regulation of the electrolyte content of sperm and in the motility of spermatozoa. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in human ejaculated spermatozoa. We have assayed MR on spermatozoa of freshly ejaculated sperm from healthy donors. The identification of MR was made by using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses, while MR mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR assay. The immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analyses showed positive staining both in the midpiece and in the tail of the spermatozoa. Relative quantification of MR by using real-time PCR shows that the mRNA expression of MR in spermatozoa is lower than in mononuclear leukocytes (positive controls). Sequencing showed complete identity between the sequence obtained from spermatozoa and the human MR cDNA sequence. Further studies should be performed in order to elucidate a possible physiological role of aldosterone in regulating electrolyte concentration, and the pro-oxidant effect of excess aldosterone in this new target tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma: an unusual cause of Conn's syndrome with an ominous clinical course.

Aldosterone-producing adrenocortical carcinoma (APAC) is a rare cause of hypertension often diagnosed late because of paucity of information. Thus, we delineated its clinical course and survival rates based on two cases referred to us that featured diverging clinical courses, and on a scrutiny of the literature since 1955 when the first case of APAC was identified. Data on demography, imaging results, hormonal assessment, histology, and clinical course were extracted independently by the investigators. We included in our database 58 cases, most presenting with Conn's syndrome. Plasma aldosterone levels were on average increased 14-fold; plasma renin activity was suppressed in 55% of cases. The tumor showed extremely variable size and weight, and no gender or side preference. Metastases were present in 10% of all cases at initial diagnosis and in an additional 48% of cases at follow-up. Median survival was 546 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 240-851); median time to either recurrence or death was 212 days (95% CI: 29-395). No clinical or histological signs predicted survival with Cox regression analysis. We concluded that, although an ominous course with a poor survival rate is common, no sign accurately predicts the course of APAC. Thus, molecular studies to identify diagnostic markers of survival are mandatory.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Isolated pancreatic metastasis from kidney carcinoma: report of 2 clinical cases].

Isolated metastases to the pancreas are rare. Renal cell carcinoma is one of the few tumours that metastasis to the pancreas. Since 2001 we have observed two cases of isolated metastases to the pancreas from renal cell carcinomas, both of which were surgically resected with a diagnostic and therapeutic intent. The aim of this report was to examine the clinical manifestations and radiological appearances of these metastases through the presentation of our two cases and a review of the literature, in addition to assessing the respective roles of FNAB in the diagnostic phase and of surgery in the therapeutic phase.

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