Biomedical subjects

Bjørn Risberg

Publications and source records attributed to Bjørn Risberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Genomic aberrations in mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinomas.

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma of the kidney is a new diagnostic entity. We present the pathologic and genomic characteristics of three such low-malignant tumors. Two of the tumors were found in women aged 19 and 52 years, the third tumor was found in an 80-year-old man, and the tumor stages were pT2N0MX, pT2NXMX, and pT1NXMX, respectively. Findings by immunohistochemistry were similar but not identical for the three cases; markers for both proximal and distal parts of the nephron were expressed in each tumor, a finding that is in agreement with data from previous studies. The Ki-67-labeling index was below 5 in all three cases. Two of the tumors were predominantly hypodiploid (DNA-indexes 0.77 and 0.80), whereas the third tumor was hypertriploid (1.57) as measured by DNA-image cytometry. From the latter tumor live cells were available making it possible to establish its karyotype: 62-70,XXX,+del(X)(q11),-1,+2,+4,-5,-6,+7,-8,-9,-10,-11,+12,-13,-14,-15,+16,+17,+18,-19,+20,+21,-22[cp15]. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses with centromere-specific probes for chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 18, 20, and X showed that the two hypodiploid tumors had disomic and monosomic chromosome populations, whereas the karyotyped, near-triploid tumor was dominated by trisomic chromosome populations. Comparative genomic hybridization analysis was normal for the karyotyped tumor but abnormal for the two others. We conclude that multiple numerical chromosome aberrations may be a feature of mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinomas of the kidney, but beyond that no clear-cut karyotypic aberration pattern is so far discernible.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMed2005

Nordic immunohistochemical quality control.

The use of immunohistochemistry by pathologists has been steadily, almost logarithmically increasing during the last decade. There is no scientific indication that this trend will reverse or slow down. At the same time, quality control issues have not followed this tempo. In particular, external quality control has been neglected. In 1999, nine Scandinavian laboratories established organization, Nordic Quality Control (NordiQC), to provide external quality control in immunohistochemistry for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. This commentary briefly describes the work of this organization.

Humans↗

PubMed2004

Kallikrein 4 is a predominantly nuclear protein and is overexpressed in prostate cancer.

Kallikreins (KLKs) are highly conserved serine proteases that play key roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. KLKs are secreted proteins that have extracellular substrates and function. For example, prostate-specific antigen (or KLK3) is a secreted protein that is widely used as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer. KLK4 is a recently identified member of the kallikrein family that is regulated by androgens and is highly specific to prostate for expression. Here, we show that the gene product of KLK4, hK4, is the first member of the KLK family that is intracellularly localized. We provide strong evidence that the previously assigned first exon that was predicted to code for a signal peptide that would target hK4 for secretion is not part of the physiologically relevant form of KLK4 mRNA. In addition to detailed mapping of the KLK4 mRNA 5' end by RT-PCR, this conclusion is supported by predominantly nuclear localization of the hK4 protein in the cell, documented by both immunofluorescence and cell fractionation experiments. Furthermore, in addition to androgens, hK4 expression is regulated by estrogen and progesterone in prostate cancer cells. Finally, in situ hybridization on normal and hyperplastic prostate samples in tissue microarrays indicate that KLK4 is predominantly expressed in the basal cells of the normal prostate gland and overexpressed in prostate cancer. These data suggest that KLK4 has a unique structure and function compared with other members of the KLK family and may have a role in the biology and characterization of prostate cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Expression of Ephb2 and Ephb4 in breast carcinoma.

Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their cell-surface-bound ligands, the ephrins, play key roles in diverse biological processes. Eph receptors comprise the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases consisting of eight EphA receptors (with five corresponding ephrinA ligands) and six EphB receptors (with three corresponding transmembrane ephrinB ligands). Originally identified as neuronal pathfinding molecules, EphB receptors and ephrinB ligands are later proved to be crucial regulators of vasculogenesis and embryogenesis. More studies indicate that Eph receptors are involved in angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. This study aimed to investigate the expression of EphB2 and EphB4 in breast carcinomas. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to examine the expression patterns of EphB2 and EphB4. Clinicopathological and survival correlations were statistically analyzed in a series of 94 breast carcinomas, 9 normal specimens and 4 breast carcinoma cell lines. 1(1%), 16(17%), 29(31%), 48(51%) of the 94 tumors were negative, weak, moderate and strong EphB2 protein expression, respectively. 6(6%), 27(29%), 28(30%), 33(35%) of the tumors were negative, weak, moderate and strong EphB4 expression, respectively. Both EphB2 and EphB4 RTPCR products could be detected in all specimens. Increased EphB2 protein expression was negatively associated with overall survival, and there was a trend that increased EphB2 protein expression was correlated with shorter disease free survival, while EphB4 protein expression was associated with histological grade and stage. EphB4 membrane staining was increased with S phase fraction and associated with DNA aneuploidy. These findings indicate that both EphB2 and EphB4 are involved in the development of breast cancer and that both molecules could be potential predictive markers.

Aneuploidy↗

PubMed2004

Kallikrein 4 is associated with paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Carcinoma of the ovary is the most fatal malignancy of the female genital tract in western countries. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is limited by the acquisition of drug resistance. Several members of the kallikrein (KLK) family were recently shown to be expressed in ovarian cancer and implicated in disease prognosis. One of these is KLK4, whose increased mRNA expression was identified as a poor prognostic marker in ovarian cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate if KLK4 protein (hK4) is expressed in ovarian carcinoma lesions and if it is associated with paclitaxel resistance. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to assess hK4 expression. The 126 lesions were from a cohort of 46 patients with platinum-resistant tumors, which were treated with weekly paclitaxel for recurrent disease. The overall response rate to weekly paclitaxel was 52% (24 of 46) and for patients with tumors resistant to standard three weekly paclitaxel treatment 48% (16 of 33). RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry indicated that 85% (79 of 93) of lesions from paclitaxel-resistant patients expressed hK4, while only 61% (20 of 33) of lesions were positive for hK4 from paclitaxel sensitive patients. Statistical analysis showed that the intensity of hK4 staining was significantly associated with paclitaxel resistance (P = 0.005), whereas hK4 staining extent showed marginal significance (P = 0.05), but was significantly correlated with higher histological grade (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These data show that hK4 is expressed in ovarian cancer and suggest that hK4 expression might be a predictive marker for paclitaxel resistance.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Analysis of androgen regulated homeobox gene NKX3.1 during prostate carcinogenesis.

PURPOSE: NKX3.1 is an androgen regulated gene that is largely specific to the prostate for expression and it is predicted to encode a homeobox protein. Null alleles of NKX3.1 in mice results in impaired prostate development as well as hyperplasia and dysplasia of the prostate. In addition, the NKX3.1 gene maps to a region of high loss of heterozygosity in prostate cancer in humans, suggesting that NKX3.1 might have a direct role in prostate carcinogenesis, possibly functioning as a tumor suppressor protein. Previous studies of the levels of NKX3.1 mRNA or protein in prostate cancer specimens have resulted in conflicting findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To resolve this issue we assessed NKX3.1 expression by mRNA in situ analysis and immunohistochemistry on the same prostate cancer tissue arrays. RESULTS: Data showed that NKX3.1 mRNA and protein levels in prostate cancer specimens are correlated, suggesting that most regulation is at the transcriptional level. There was no correlation of NKX3.1 expression levels with tumor grade or clinical stage. In general there was a suggestion that worse clinical features at surgery were associated with lower IHC stain scores. In particular, extracapsular extension but not seminal vesicle invasion inversely correlated with NKX3.1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Together these data suggest that NKX3.1 does not function as a typical tumor suppressor protein in prostate cancer but it may still have important regulatory roles during prostate cancer progression.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Expressions of thymidine phosphorylase, thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase in breast cancer and their correlations with prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of thymidine phosphorylase (TP), thymidylate synthase (TS) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) mRNA in breast cancer and its correlation with prognosis. METHODS: Expression levels of TP, TS and DPD mRNA in 86 micro-selected breast cancer tissues and 9 normal breast tissues were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: The median expression levels of TP, TS and DPD mRNA in tumor tissue and in normal tissues were 16.54, 0.38, 2.47 and 11.75, 0.25, 8.33, respectively, there were no significant differences (P >0.05). The expression levels of TP, TS and DPD mRNA showed no association with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, pathological grade and clinical stage, except that of DPD showed a negative association with patients' ages. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival or overall survival between the patients with high and low TP or DPD mRNA levels. Disease-free survival tends to be better in the patients with low TS mRNA level than those with high TS mRNA, but the difference was not significant (P=0.069), while the overall survival showed a statistically difference (59.00 month and 70.30 month) (P=0.0496). CONCLUSION: The expression level of TS mRNA may serve as a prognostic marker for breast cancer patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Fine-needle aspiration cytology or core biopsy when diagnosing tumours of the breast].

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is an established, highly accurate method for diagnosing breast lesions. In recent years, core biopsy (CB) has been increasingly used. The aim of this study was to compare the quality assessment parameters of FNA and CB in palpable and non-palpable breast lesions. METHODS: Data on FNA and CB results were retrieved from the pathology database and 4367 FNA samples and corresponding histology results from 1275 lesions were compared. Quality assessment parameters were calculated using the methodology detailed in the National Health Service breast screening programme guidelines. RESULTS: High absolute and complete specificity, absolute and complete sensitivity and low inadequate rates were found for CB compared with FNA. Low specificity for FNA was particularly seen in collagenous lesions and in submitted specimens sampled by doctors without particular experience with the FNA procedure. INTERPRETATION: CB may be an alternative method for preoperative diagnosis when experienced cytopathologists are not available. CB is superior to FNA in fibrotic and collagenous lesions such as lobular carcinoma and radial scar due to low cellularity. FNA is the more accurate method when an immediate assessment by a cytopathologist is performed for evaluation of adequate material so that additional aspirations can be done if needed.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2003

Fine-needle aspiration cytology vs. core biopsy in the diagnosis of breast lesions.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an established, highly accurate method for diagnosing breast lesions. However, in recent years there has been increased use of core biopsy (CB) in this setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of FNAC and compare the quality assessment parameters of FNAC and CB in palpable and nonpalpable breast lesions. Data regarding FNAC, CB, and excision biopsy (EB) diagnoses were retrieved from the archives of our department. A total of 4,367 FNAC samples from the years 1999-2001 was reviewed. Of these, corresponding histology results were available for 1,275 lesions, of which 1,248 were primary breast epithelial lesions (788 EB, 199 CB, 261 EB+CB). All cases were analyzed for sensitivity and specificity of FNAC. Cases with both FNAC and CB were compared and quality assessment parameters were calculated using the methodology detailed in the National Health Service Breast Screening Program guidelines. High specificity and sensitivity, as calculated for satisfactory specimens, were achieved with the use of both FNAC and CB. False-positive and false-negative diagnoses were seen in 7/404 (1.7%) and 45/635 (7.1%) of biopsy-proven specimens sampled by FNAC. The corresponding values for CB were 0% and 5.7%, respectively. Inadequate sampling (15.1%) with use of FNAC was particularly seen in collagenous lesions and in submitted specimens sampled by physicians lacking experience with the FNAC procedure. FNAC is a valuable method, although moderately less sensitive than CB. CB is the preferred method for preoperative diagnosis when sampling FNAC provides scarce material and suspicion of a fibrotic and collagenous lesion such as lobular carcinoma and radial scar arises. FNAC is most accurate when experienced cytologists are available and when immediate assessment by professionals is performed for evaluation of material adequacy, so that additional aspirations can be done when needed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2003

Genome profiles of bilateral dysgerminomas, a unilateral gonadoblastoma, and a metastasis from a 46, XY phenotypic female.

We present a case report of a 16-year-old, phenotypic female with bilateral dysgerminomas, a unilateral gonadoblastoma, and a peritoneal metastasis. The patient's constitutional karyotype was 46,XY. The chromosomal copy number, examined by the comparative genomic hybridization technique, showed 3 gains in the dysgerminoma of the right ovary, 6 gains in the dysgerminoma of the left ovary, and 2 gains and 1 loss in the gonadoblastoma of the left ovary. The metastasis showed 5 gains of which 4 were also observed in the dysgerminoma of the left ovary. The DNA ploidy classifications of the gonadoblastoma and the dysgerminoma in the right ovary were tetraploid, whereas the dysgerminoma in the left ovary and the metastasis were aneuploid. We therefore propose that the metastasis most probably developed from the dysgerminoma of the left ovary.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

AlphaV- and beta1-integrin subunits are commonly expressed in malignant effusions from ovarian carcinoma patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study expression of alphav- and beta1-integrin subunits in effusions, primary tumors, and solid metastases of ovarian carcinoma patients, as well as to evaluate its potential association with previously studied metastasis-associated molecules and clinicopathologic parameters. METHODS: Sections from 121 malignant effusions and 30 corresponding primary and metastatic lesions were evaluated for protein expression of the alphav- and beta1-integrin subunits using immunohistochemistry (IHC). A subset of effusions was additionally studied using immunoblotting (IB) and flow cytometry (FCM). mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH) was performed in 58 effusions and 30 biopsies. RESULTS: Protein expression of alphav- and beta1-integrin subunits was detected in carcinoma cells in 116/121 (96%) and 113/121 (93%) effusions, respectively. alphav protein expression was limited to carcinoma cells. IB and FCM confirmed IHC results. mRNA for alphav- and beta1-integrin subunits was detected in carcinoma cells in 37/58 (64%) and 33/58 (57%) effusions, respectively. Both protein and mRNA expression were higher in peritoneal effusions, significantly for alphav mRNA (P = 0.042) and beta1 protein (P = 0.023). beta1 protein expression in effusions was more frequently detected in better-differentiated tumors (P = 0.006). alphav-integrin subunit expression correlated with that of the previously studied matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) (P = 0.006) and the MMP inducer EMMPRIN (P = 0.001). Expression of beta1-integrin subunit showed an association with that of EMMPRIN (P = 0.029), basic fibroblast growth factor (P < 0.001), and the MMP inhibitor TIMP-2 (P = 0.025). In carcinoma cells of solid lesions, alphav protein was uniformly present, while beta1 expression was limited to 15/30 (50%) specimens. As in effusions, protein expression of alphav subunit was cancer-specific, while beta1 protein was detected also in stromal fibroblasts and endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: The alphav- and beta1-integrin subunits are frequently expressed in ovarian carcinoma cells in effusions, and the alphav-integrin subunit is a powerful diagnostic marker for carcinoma cells. The reduced expression of the beta1-integrin subunit in solid lesions may be attributed to the role of other subunits at these stages, such as the beta3 subunit as part of the alphavbeta3-vitronectin receptor. The high expression of integrin subunits with a role of binding mesothelium, invasion, and angiogenesis in carcinoma cells in both peritoneal and pleural effusions suggests that cells at both sites have metastatic potential.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Coordinated expression of integrin subunits, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), angiogenic genes and Ets transcription factors in advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma: a possible activation pathway?

The events that mediate tumor progression in ovarian carcinoma are poorly understood to date. This review summarizes our results studying metastasis-associated molecules in advanced-stage ovarian carcinomas, details the co-expression of mRNA of these genes, and discusses their prognostic role. Fifty-five primary and metastatic FIGO stage III-IV ovarian carcinomas were analyzed for the expression of alpha v and beta1 integrin subunits, the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP, the MMP inhibitor TIMP-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), PEA3 and Ets-1 using mRNA in situ hybridization. Tumor and adjacent stromal cell expression was scored. The association between integrin subunit expression and the expression of MMP, TIMP-2, angiogenic genes, PEA3 and Ets-1 was statistically analyzed. Alpha v integrin subunit mRNA expression in carcinoma cells showed significant association with that of MMP-2 and IL-8 in this cellular compartment, while the presence of beta1 integrin subunit mRNA showed similar association with that of PEA3, Ets-1, IL-8, bFGF and MMP-2. Expression of beta1 integrin subunit mRNA in stromal cells was associated with that of TIMP-2 and Ets-1 in this compartment. In addition, significant intercellular associations were found between alpha v integrin subunit mRNA expression in carcinoma cells and stromal cell expression of Ets-1, as well as between stromal cell expression of alpha v integrin subunit and labeling for IL-8 in carcinoma cells. The presence of beta1 integrin subunit mRNA in carcinoma cells showed a significant association with that of Ets-1, IL-8 and bFGF in stromal cells, while the presence of beta1 integrin subunit mRNA in stromal cells was associated with tumor PEA3 mRNA expression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence for coordinated autocrine and paracrine expression of members of these four families of metastasis-associated genes in human cancer. The results of this analysis support experimental data regarding cross-talk between carcinoma cells and peritumoral fibroblasts. They also suggest the existence of a putative activation sequence of metastatic genes, involving the beta1 (and possibly alpha v) integrin subunits, IL-8, PEA3, Ets-1 and MMP in ovarian carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMed2003

Information technology in action: the example of Norway.

In Europe, Norway has played since the 1990 a pioneering role in applying telemedicine in healthcare services. 4.5 millions occupy a country nearly as large as the former West Germany with a coast line as long as the equator and stretching 2500 km from the south to the north. The most northern counties are very sparsely populated. Therefore the government decided to build a national research centre for telemedicine at the regional hospital of Tromsø north of the polar circle with the aim of exploring the new telemedicine techniques in the different branches of medicine. Later political support was based on the wish to increase quality and safety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and of saving costs.

Medical Informatics Applications↗

PubMed2002

Estrogen and progesterone hormone receptor status in breast carcinoma: comparison of immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry.

We evaluated the correlation between histologic and cytologic specimens in the determination of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status in breast carcinoma and investigated the causes of clinically significant discrepancies. We analyzed 70 immunoassays for ER and 60 for PR from 71 patients with breast carcinoma. Concordance between cytology and histology was 89% for ER and 63% for PR using scores from pathology reports. Concordance between cytology and histology was 98% for ER and 91% for PR using consensus scores (obtained after reevaluation by the team of pathologists). Thirty of 130 (23%) tests had clinically relevant discrepancies, 53% of which were caused by wrong interpretation of cytologic findings, 10% by wrong interpretation of histologic findings, 17% by sampling error and 20% were not available for reevaluation. Wrong interpretation of the results for ER and PR status in cytology was a far more frequent cause of clinically relevant discrepancies than sampling errors. The use of strict criteria is recommended.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

PubMed2002

EGFR family expression in breast carcinomas. c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-4 receptors have different effects on survival.

One hundred patients with breast carcinoma followed for 7-11 years were included in the present study of EGFR family members, using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. By immunohistochemistry, 36%, 27%, 26%, and 82% of the tumours were positive for EGFR, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, and c-erbB-4. All the immunoreactive tumours were confirmed positive by RT-PCR. Tumour size, histological grade, lymph node status, S-phase fraction, and stage were confirmed to be significantly associated with both disease-free and cancer-specific survival in the present study. Methods of treatment, histological type, and ploidy had no significant effect on survival. Statistical analysis of EGFR family members in these tumours showed a significant association between c-erbB-2 expression and reduced disease-free and cancer-specific survival. c-erbB-4 expression was associated with a more favourable outcome. Co-expression of c-erbB-2 and EGFR was associated with a worse prognosis. c-erbB-4 expression, however, showed an antagonistic effect on the clinical influence of c-erbB-2 expression. In conclusion, c-erbB-2 expression in breast carcinomas is associated with an unfavourable clinical course and EGFR expression has a synergistic effect. However, c-erbB-4 antagonizes the c-erbB-2 effect on clinical course in breast carcinomas. To achieve best results with immunotherapy against the c-erbB-2 receptor, clarifying the status of c-erbB-4 expression may be of significance.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Interleukin-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and protein levels are down-regulated in ovarian carcinoma cells in serous effusions.

Angiogenic factors are involved in tumor growth and spread. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of angiogenesis-related genes in malignant serous effusions of patients with advanced-stage (FIGO stage III and IV) ovarian carcinoma. In addition, to compare the results for carcinoma cells in effusions with corresponding primary tumors and metastatic lesions, and analyze their prognostic role. Sections from 66 effusions and 90 primary and metastatic lesions from 62 ovarian and primary peritoneal carcinoma patients, were evaluated for expression of basic fibroblast factor (bFGF), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH). Protein expression was evaluated in a subset of specimens using immunohistochemistry (IHC). ISH results were correlated with clinical parameters. In both effusions and solid tumors, bFGF mRNA was the most commonly expressed factor (93% of effusions and 95% of solid tumors) followed by IL-8, while VEGF was expressed in a minority of the specimens (P < 0.001 for bFGF vs. IL-8 and VEGF). In solid tumors, angiogenic mRNA expression was seen in both tumor and stromal cells in the majority of positive cases. ISH results did not differ in primary and metastatic tumors. However, carcinoma cells in effusions showed down-regulated expression of VEGF, when compared with both primary tumors (P = 0.029) and metastases (P = 0.015). IL-8 showed a similar down-regulation in effusions, when compared with metastases (P = 0.005). IHC showed excellent agreement with mRNA findings on protein level. In the study of clinico-pathologic parameters, IL-8 mRNA expression in effusions was associated with higher tumor grade (P = 0.044). Angiogenic gene expression in effusions showed no correlation with patient age, previous treatment, residual tumor size, FIGO stage or disease outcome in survival analysis (P > 0.05). Peritoneal and pleural effusions showed similar expression patterns. In conclusion, bFGF is the major angiogenic factor expressed in ovarian carcinoma at the mRNA level. It is highly expressed in both solid tumors and serous effusions, while IL-8 and VEGF are down regulated in carcinoma cells in effusions, possibly due to the lack of interaction with stromal cells. mRNA expression of VEGF, bFGF, and IL-8 does not appear to be a predictor of disease outcome in advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma. Carcinoma cells in pleural and peritoneal effusions show a similar metastatic expression profile, in agreement with our previous findings, supporting the true metastatic nature of ovarian carcinoma cells in ascites.

Ascitic Fluid↗

PubMed2002

The expression of EGFR family ligands in breast carcinomas.

Expression of EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha, HRG-alpha, HRG-beta1, and HRG-beta3 in 100 frozen breast carcinoma materials was immunohistochemically studied. Among these tumors, 67% were positive for EGF, 53% for HB-EGF, 57% for TGF-alpha, 60% for HRG-alpha, 53% for HRG-beta1, and 63% for HRG-beta3 in the neoplastic epithelial cells. No significant associations between expression of the growth factors and clinicopathological features like tumor size, histologic grade, node status, ploidy, ER status, and c-erbB-4 expression were observed, with the exceptions that significant relations were present between EGF expression and tumor size (p = 0.01) and between HRG-beta3 expression and node status (p = 0.02). The expressions of these growth factors showed no association with cancer-specific survival by the Kaplan Meier analysis.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Detection of malignant epithelial cells in effusions using flow cytometric immunophenotyping: an analysis of 92 cases.

We compared the efficiency of immunophenotyping using flow cytometry (FCM) and a combination of morphologic and immunocytochemical studies for detecting malignant cells in 92 effusions. Cytologic results were as follows: carcinoma cells, 43 specimens; benign, 42 specimens; suggestive of nonepithelial malignancy, 7 specimens. After immunocytochemical analysis, 5 benign specimens were reclassified as malignant and 4 malignant epithelial specimens as benign. With FCM, cells positive for Ber-EP4, B 72.3, AH6, and HB-TN were detected in 28 to 36 (64%-82%) of 44 carcinomas but only 2 to 12 (5%-29%) of 41 benign specimens. Significant association was seen for coexpression. Ber-EP4 and AH6 were the most sensitive; Ber-EP4 was the most specific. The presence of cells positive for 3 of 4 markers strongly suggested malignancy (34/44 carcinoma specimens [77%]; 3/41 reactive specimens [7%]). The presence of cells positive for all 4 markers was diagnostic of malignancy (17/44 malignant specimens [39%]; 0/41 reactive effusions [0%]). FCM and immunocytochemical resultsfor Ber-EP4 expression showed excellent association. FCM is a powerful tool for diagnosing difficult effusions and can quantify coexpression of various markers in fresh specimens. By using established cellular markers coupled with biological markers, FCM also has great promise for experimental purposes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗