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B F Banner

Publications and source records attributed to B F Banner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Cathepsin B expression and its correlation with tumor-associated laminin and tumor progression in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Cathepsin B, a lysosomal cysteine proteinase, is associated with degradation of laminin. Its activity has been shown to be increased in gastric carcinomas. Laminin is one of the major components of basement membrane involved in cell-matrix interactions and tumor progression. The objectives of this study were to correlate cathepsin B expression in tumor cells with tumor-associated laminin and to further correlate the two with tumor progression. DESIGN AND SETTING: Resected gastric carcinomas (n = 29) taken from the surgical pathology files of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, were immunostained with cathepsin B and laminin using the avidin-biotin complex technique. Statistical analysis was performed using the exact linear by linear association test and exact Kruskal-Wallis test. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted, and survival analysis was performed using a nonparametric log-rank test. RESULTS: Cathepsin B was expressed in 27 (93%) of 29 tumors (11 weak and 16 strong). Staining of tumor-associated laminin showed patterns ranging from almost continuous (n = 4) to moderately discontinuous (n = 11) and highly fragmented (n = 14). The degree of cathepsin B staining in tumor cells significantly correlated with the laminin distribution pattern (P = .0001). The association between increased cathepsin B, decreased laminin, and higher tumor stage was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: Increased cathepsin B expression by tumor cells associated with decreased tumor-associated laminin may suggest a mechanism for local tumor progression and metastasis. Staining for cathepsin B and laminin may be of prognostic value in gastric carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cathepsin B and tumor-associated laminin expression in the progression of colorectal adenoma to carcinoma.

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase associated with degradation of laminin. It is increased in colorectal carcinoma (CA). Laminin is a major component of basement membrane involved in cell-matrix interactions and tumor progression. The aim of this study was to correlate cathepsin B and tumor-associated laminin in colorectal adenomas (ADs) with increasing grades of dysplasia and in invasive CAs. Forty-five ADs (8 tubular, 16 tubulovillous, 21 villous), 13 adenomas with high-grade dysplasia/carcinoma in situ (AHDs), and 17 invasive CAs were immunostained with polyclonal antibodies to cathepsin B and laminin. Statistical analysis was performed using exact linear by linear association test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Cathepsin B-positive tumor cells were seen in 30 (67%) ADs, 13 (100%) AHDs, and 17 (100%) CAs. The grade of cathepsin B staining was significantly increased in AHDs and CAs, compared with ADs (P < .0001). Laminin was continuous in all of the ADs and discontinuous or fragmented in the AHDs and CAs (P < .0001). The degree of cathepsin B staining in tumor cells also correlated with breakdown of laminin. Increased cathepsin B expression and decrease in tumor-associated laminin might suggest a mechanism for progression of ADs to CAs.

Adenoma↗

Inflammatory markers in chronic hepatitis C.

To test the hypothesis that inflammation in hepatitis C follows mechanisms common to immune-activated pathways, the distributions of T and B cells, adhesion molecules and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) were assessed in liver biopsies with chronic inflammation due to hepatitis C (HCV, n = 8) and other causes (non-HCV, n = 10). Frozen sections were immunostained using primary antibodies to CD2, CD20, CD4, CD8, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, HLA-DR, lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1, and TGF-beta. Inflammatory cells positive for each immunophenotypic marker were counted, and positive staining for adhesion molecules, HLA-DR and TGF beta was graded in triads and lobules and compared in HCV and non-HCV biopsies. In all biopsies, T cells were more frequent than B cells, both in triads and lobules. CD20+, CD4+, CD8+ and LFA-1+ cells were increased in HCV compared to non-HCV biopsies. Portal lymphoid aggregates were present in 6 of 8 HCV biopsies and 3 of 10 non-HCV biopsies. Aggregates consisted of CD20+, CD4+, CD8+ and LFA-1+ cells, and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were increased. Sinusoidal lining cells in HCV biopsies and non-HCV biopsies with inflammation expressed HLA-DR, ICAM-1, and CD4. TGF-beta was increased in foci of necrosis. Inflammation in chronic HCV involves common immune-mediated cellular effector pathways and the inflammation in the portal triads represents aggregation of both T and B cells, mediated in part by upregulation of adhesion molecules on portal stromal cells; this is possibly in response to antigens draining from necroinflammatory foci in the lobules. TGF-beta is increased in active necroinflammatory foci, but not in portal lymphoid aggregates.

Adult↗

Effect of interferon therapy on bile duct inflammation in hepatitis C.

Inflammation of the bile ducts was studied in liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C to determine whether the frequency of inflamed bile ducts changes with therapy and correlates with other histological variables and expression of class I and II MHC antigens on ductal epithelium. Twenty patients treated at UMMC between 1991 and 1994 underwent needle biopsies of the liver before and after therapy with interferon alpha 2B (IFN). A complete response to therapy was defined as a return to normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels occurring and persisting during therapy. The number of inflamed bile ducts/total ducts (%IBDs), presence of piecemeal necrosis and lymphoid aggregates, and grade of inflammation were assessed in each high-power field in all areas with bile ducts. The frequencies of these variables were compared in cirrhotics and non-cirrhotics and in patients with complete or incomplete responses to IFN. Frozen sections of biopsies from 5 patients were immunostained using antibodies to HLA-DR and B-2 microglobulin, and positive staining was noted on bile ducts. Before therapy, the %IBD was slightly greater in patients with cirrhosis. After IFN, both %IBD and serum alkaline phosphatase levels decreased in non-cirrhotics who responded to IFN. The change in frequency of IBD with IFN paralleled the changes in the other histological features. No correlation was noted between bile duct inflammation and expression of class I and II antigens. The conclusion is that inflammation of the bile ducts occurs frequently in chronic hepatitis C, correlates with other features of inflammation in the triads, and decreases in response to IFN therapy.

Adult↗

Iron in liver diseases other than hemochromatosis.

There is growing evidence that normal or only mildly increased amounts of iron in the liver can be damaging, particularly when they are combined with other hepatotoxic factors such as alcohol, porphyrogenic drugs, or chronic viral hepatitis. Iron enhances the pathogenicity of microorganisms, adversely affects the function of macrophages and lymphocytes, and enhances fibrogenic pathways, all of which may increase hepatic injury due to iron itself or to iron and other factors. Iron may also be a co-carcinogen or promoter of hepatocellular carcinoma, even in patients without HC or cirrhosis. Based on this and other evidence, we hope that the era of indiscriminate iron supplementation will come to an end. Bloodletting, a therapy much in vogue 2 centuries ago, is deservedly enjoying a renaissance, based on our current understanding of the toxic effects of iron and the benefits of its depletion.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas presenting as acute pancreatitis.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms are rare pancreatic exocrine tumors with distinct clinicopathologic features. They usually present with a long history of chronic pancreatitis-like symptoms, which are often associated with weight loss, diarrhea, and malabsorption. We report a case of benign intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with focal squamous metaplasia presenting as acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The clinicopathologic features are discussed in a brief review of the literature.

Acute Disease↗

Adult pancreatoblastoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Pancreatoblastoma is an uncommon pediatric neoplasm with distinct acinar and squamoid cell differentiation. This tumor often contains neuroendocrine and/or mesenchymal components. Pancreatoblastoma is exceedingly rare in adults, with only eight cases described (Table 1). We report a 68-yr-old white female with adult pancreatoblastoma, the oldest patient, to date, diagnosed with this unusual malignancy.

Aged↗

Distribution of iron in the liver predicts the response of chronic hepatitis C infection to interferon therapy.

Recent evidence suggests that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (CHCV) who respond to interferon-alpha (IFN) therapy have a lower hepatic iron concentration than those who do not. The object of this study was to assess the concentration and distribution of iron in liver biopsies from 15 patients with CHCV seen at the authors' medical center between June 1992 and March 1993. Patients with complete response to IFN were compared to those with non-complete response with respect to quantitative hepatic iron concentration, serum iron indices, and a detailed analysis of histologic features of hematoxylin-and-eosin and iron-stained pre-IFN biopsies. Patients with non-complete response had significantly higher scores for stainable iron in sinusoidal cells (P = .02) and portal tracts (P = .05) than did patients with complete response. Total hepatic iron scores, mean quantitative hepatic iron, and mean serum ferritin were higher in patients with noncomplete response, but the differences were not significant. In conclusion, iron deposition in sinusoidal cells and portal tracts is significantly less frequent in patients with complete response to IFN than in those with poor or no response, and may be a useful, objective predictor of response to IFN therapy.

Adult↗

A detailed analysis of the Knodell score and other histologic parameters as predictors of response to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

UNLABELLED: The Knodell score is inaccurate at predicting response to interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy in patients with hepatitis C. Our aim was to see if specific histologic parameters, including iron deposition in liver biopsies, are better predictors of response to IFN-alpha than the total Knodell score. Thirty-five unselected patients were studied who had hepatitis C treated with IFN-alpha between 1990 and 1993, and pretreatment serum iron indices and liver needle biopsies performed. Biopsies were divided for light microscopy and quantitative iron determination. H&E-stained slides were graded for components I, II, III, IV, and total Knodell score. Quantitative determinations were percentage of portal triads with inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, lymphoid aggregates, and inflamed bile ducts; percentage of lobules with inflammation or acidophilic bodies; and percentage of triads with positive iron stain. Complete responders (CR) to IFN-alpha were defined by normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase (< or = 40 IU/liter), and noncomplete responders (NCR) by partial or no response. Data were analyzed statistically. CR had < 40% of triads positive for iron (P = 0.02) and lower serum ferritin (P = 0.05) and higher scores for lobular necrosis (P = 0.04). The percentage of iron-positive triads correlated only with cirrhosis. Addition of cirrhosis to percentage of iron-positive triads did not improve the predictive power of the portal iron. CR and NCR did not differ with respect to total Knodell score or any of the other individual parameters except Knodell II. CONCLUSIONS: (a) Individual features of lobular necrosis and iron staining in portal triads are better predictors of response to IFN-alpha than the total Knodell score.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Characterization of the inflammatory cell populations in normal colon and colonic carcinomas.

UNLABELLED: Little is known about the nature of the mucosa-associated immune system within the normal colon, or about the immune response to colon carcinoma. In this study inflammatory cells (ICs) in 14 normal colons and 14 carcinomas were characterized. Overall inflammation, lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils were graded in routine H & E sections. Frozen sections were stained by an immunoperoxidase technique using antibodies to the T cell associated antigens CD2, CD7, CD4, CD8, and T cell receptors alpha beta and gamma delta. B cells were identified with CD20, macrophages with CD68, and Class II antigen with anti-HLA DR. Each cell type was semiquantitatively graded in 10 high power fields (HPFs) in the lumenal half (LH) or basal half (BH) of the normal mucosae, and in epithelium or stroma of the carcinomas. In normal colons, ICs were more frequent in LH than in BH. Plasma cells, lymphocytes and monocytes predominated. Subtyping of lymphocytes showed that CD4+ TCR alpha beta + T lymphocytes were most numerous in the lamina propria. Lymphocytes within the epithelium were CD8+ T cells. Around carcinomas the overall grade of ICs was 1+ in the majority of cases. Plasma cells, CD4+ and CD8+ cells with the TCR alpha beta receptor, and macrophages were most frequent. Lymphoid aggregates of both T and B cells were frequent. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Normal colon contains a diffuse luminally oriented population of TCR alpha beta+ CD4+ T cells, plasma cells, macrophages and class II antigen-expressing cells in the lamina propria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗

An immunophenotypic study of the inflammatory cell populations in colon adenomas and carcinomas.

There is increasing interest in the host immunologic response to colon carcinoma as immunotherapeutic techniques are being developed. We studied the inflammatory cells in 27 specimens of normal mucosa, 16 hyperplastic polyps, 21 tubular adenomas, 19 tubulovillous adenomas, 12 villous adenomas, and 17 invasive carcinomas using immunohistochemical techniques in paraffin-embedded tissue. UCHL-1-positive T-cells predominated in the lamina propria of all specimens. In polyps and carcinomas, reactive lymphoid follicles composed of L26-positive B-cells, and UCHL-1-positive T-cells were a prominent feature and UCHL-1-positive cells were increased in the epithelial compartment. Cells bearing surface immunoglobulins were widely distributed in all specimens, with IgA predominating. There was a relative increase in IgG-positive cells in the carcinomas. KP1-positive macrophages, S-100-positive dendritic cells, and HLA-DR-positive cells were oriented toward the lumenal surface in normal mucosa and hyperplastic polyps, suggesting a diffuse antigen presenting system. Macrophages and dendritic cells were increased and dispersed in the neoplasms. HLA-DR expression was increased in the neoplasms, mainly in the stromal cells. We conclude that there is an activated immune response in adenomas and carcinomas of the colon compared to normal mucosa. This is represented by expansion and reorganization of both the T- and B-cell compartments and the macrophage-cell systems.

Adenoma↗

Glomerulonephritis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

Two cases of glomerulonephritis associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are described. The first patient presented with the nephrotic syndrome and normal renal function, whereas the second suffered from recurrent acute renal failure together with a unique pattern of IgM deposition within glomerular capillaries. Our review of the literature suggests that this association, although rare, has been documented in a sufficient number of cases to show that it is more than coincidental. Whereas the most common renal lesion associated with Hodgkin's disease is minimal change disease, more advanced glomerular changes are found in the patients with NHL. This is reflected in the higher incidence of renal failure in the latter patients. Treatment of the lymphomas has been shown to result in improvement or even cure of the renal disease, although long-term follow-up is rarely available in the reported cases.

Aged↗

Quantitative DNA analysis of small renal cortical neoplasms.

DNA aneuploidy is common in large renal cortical neoplasms (RCNs), but the incidence in small RCNs is not known. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the traditional 3.0-cm size distinction between small (benign) and large (malignant) tumors might have an objective correlate in the form of abnormal DNA content. Quantitative DNA analysis was performed retrospectively, by image analysis, on 59 RCNs measuring 5.0 cm or less from 30 nephrectomy specimens with solitary tumors and 17 with multiple tumors. DNA indices and the proportion of cells with DNA content greater than that of the G0/G1 population were evaluated with respect to tumor size, stage, and histologic parameters. There was a relationship between the presence of detectable nondiploid stem lines (NDSLs) and tumor size, stage, nuclear grade, and proportion of non-G0/G1 cells, but not histologic pattern. The relationship of NDSLs to tumor size was more apparent in the solitary tumor group, while the relationship of a high proportion of non-G0/G1 cells to tumor size was stronger in the multiple tumor group. Our results show that the incidence of NDSLs increases with tumor size and nuclear grade, and suggest that as RCNs enlarge, the emergence of NDSLs heralds potential biologic aggressiveness. Further, solitary tumors and multiple synchronous tumors may be biologically different in terms of etiologic factors and growth potential.

Adenoma↗

Immunohistochemical localization of metallothionein in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Metallothionein is a metal binding protein thiol found in high concentrations in the liver and kidney. Recent evidence has linked overexpression of cellular metallothionein with tumor cell resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, such as alkylating agents and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin). We studied the metallothionein content of 9 human transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder with immunohistochemical methods. All tumors stained positive for metallothionein and the staining was localized almost exclusively to the cytoplasm. Uroepithelium displaying dysplastic changes or carcinoma in situ demonstrated the greatest intensity of staining, while staining in the invasive portions of the tumor was weak and variable. These findings were of interest, since combination chemotherapy of invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder often is ineffective against carcinoma in situ. Normal uroepithelium stained strongly in all 3 patients who experienced disease progression and death, and in only 1 of the 5 who are currently without evidence of disease.

Aged↗