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Biomedical subjects

D Santini

Publications and source records attributed to D Santini.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression and endometrial cancer histotypes.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) has been implicated in the growth of endometrial cancer. In the present study, immunostaining of EGF-R was investigated in different endometrial cancer histotypes. For this purpose 34 surgical samples of primary endometrial carcinoma were studied using monoclonal anti-EGF-R antibody. The endometrial carcinomas were classified according to the International Society of Gynaecological Pathology (I.S.G.P.). EGF-R expression was observed in: 1 of 5 classical endometrioid adenocarcinomas (AE), in 8 of 9 endometrial adenocarcinomas with benign squamous metaplasia (AA), and in 3 of 14 adenosquamous adenocarcinomas (AS). In mucinous (M) and serous papillary adenocarcinoma (SP) EGF-R immunostaining was not observed. The EGF-R positivity was observed in endometrial cancer with squamous (SQ) differentiation, especially in those with benign SQ metaplasia. These results suggest that EGF-R immunostaining is related to the endometrial cancer histotype regardless of the tumor grade or extent of miometrial invasion.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunocytochemical study of epidermal growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor alpha, and "squamous differentiation" in human endometrial carcinoma.

The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) was compared with the presence of "squamous differentiation" (SD) visualized in various histotypes of endometrial carcinoma by using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. The results of the current study demonstrate that EGFr and TGF-alpha are present in routinely processed endometrial carcinoma. The highest positive EGFr and TGF-alpha expression was seen in the group of adenocarcinomas with SD. The more intense EGFr and TGF-alpha immunoreactivity was observed in "squamous" foci both in adenoacanthomas (AA) and in adenosquamous carcinomas (AS). These EGFr- and TGF-alpha-positive squamous areas prevalently displayed a "stratification-related" cytokeratin (CK) immunoprofile characterized by the expression of CKs 1, 4, 5, 10, 13, 14, and 16. No correlation was found between EGFr- and TGF-alpha-positive status and depth of myometrial invasion or surgical stage. These results clearly demonstrate that EGFr and TGF-alpha expression is related remarkably to endometrial carcinoma with "squamous" areas both morphologically and immunophenotypically. This specific association leads us to suggest that EGFr and TGF-alpha expression in endometrial carcinoma may be prevalently involved in the equilibrium of cell differentiation of the "squamous" foci commonly observed in this group of neoplasias.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Expression of intermediate filaments in normal and neoplastic exocrine pancreas.

The intermediate filament (IF) proteins present in the normal and pathological exocrine human pancreas were studied by immunolocalization using antibodies to cytokeratins (CKs) and vimentin. Acinar cells of normal pancreas showed a presence of simple CKs 8 and 18. Duct epithelium consistently expressed CKs 7, 8, 18 and 19 whereas centroacinar cells were rather low in CK 7. A subpopulation of CK 4 cells was detected in inter-intralobular ducts. In addition, some ducts contained individual cells or groups of cells that were positive for the stratification-related CKs (CKs 4, 5, 13, 15, 16). All pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas regularly expressed CKs 7, 8, 18, 19 and were also positive for the 34 beta E12 antibody. Cytokeratin 4 was detected in a minor population of tumor cells. Pancreatic carcinoma also contained minor amounts of stratification-related CKs in variable combinations. Mucinous cystoadenocarcinoma showed the presence of CKs 7, 8, 18, 19 and was also positive for 34 beta E12, whereas the serous microcystic tumor presented CKs 8, 18, 19 and a variable amount of CKs 4 and 7. The duct-ductular alterations of the exocrine pancreas contained a different combination and distribution of CK isoforms similar to normal pancreatic ductal system. Mucinous hypertrophy and pyloric gland metaplasia reacted with antibodies to CKs 7, 8, 18 and 19. Vimentin was focally present both in normal and neoplastic tissue. Our results indicate that pancreatic ducts are characterized by an intrinsic "biliary-pancreatic duct type" immunoprofile (CKs 7, 8, 18 and 19), in contrast to acinar cells expressing exclusively CKs 8 and 18. We also detected a subpopulation of ducts regularly expressing CK 4. Surprisingly, several stratification-related CKs were detected both in normal and neoplastic exocrine pancreas. Moreover, the differentiation phenotypes of pancreatic tumors were reminiscent of normal cellular compartments.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Origin of unreactive hyaline bodies from erythrocytes in genital tumors.

Two genital tumors, one a lipid virilizing cell tumor of the ovary, the other an ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with retiform pattern, were studied focusing attention on the numerous eosinophilic hyaline bodies that were present both in the extracellular spaces and within the cytoplasm of the proliferating cells. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry revealed that they were PAS positive and alpha-1-fetoprotein negative. Under electronmicroscopy these hyaline bodies appeared to correspond to variably altered red blood cells: red blood cell ghosts, erythrocytes with Heinz bodies, phagocytosed erythrocytes. Our findings could explain the origin of at least a part of the hyaline bodies found in similar or in other unrelated pathologies.

Adolescent↗

Demonstration of cytokeratin intermediate filaments in oocytes of the developing and adult human ovary.

The intermediate filaments (IF) present in the various cells of human ovaries were studied by immunolocalization using antibodies to cytokeratins (CKs), vimentin, desmin and alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-SM) actin. Oocytes revealed a single paranuclear aggregate, which reacted with antibodies to CKs 8, 18 and 19 both in adult and fetal ovaries. The existence of this aggregate was also documented by electron microscopy. Ovarian surface epithelium and granulosa cells consistently coexpressed CKs 8, 18, 19 and vimentin. During follicle maturation vimentin remained unchanged in the granulosa layer while CKs content decreased, showing variation in the amount and distribution of the different CK-types. Thecal cells of secondary and mature follicles showed alpha-SM actin positivity. These contractile fibres increased in mature follicles. Ordinary fibrous stromal cells showed isolated cells which were desmin and alpha-SM actin positive. A similar pattern of IF expression and distribution existed in all stages of development in fetal and embryonic ovaries. These results indicate that CKs are present in human oocytes and that the coexpression of vimentin and CKs can be regarded as a peculiar feature of all ovarian cell types except oocytes and ordinary stromal cells. Contractile properties have been documented associated with a modification in expression of IF proteins. This is likely to represent an integral part of folliculogenesis along with the functional hormone-dependent changes.

Adult↗

Malignant rhabdoid tumour of the uterus: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

Malignant rhabdoid tumours (MRTs) are highly aggressive neoplasms which most frequently occur in the kidney of young children. Several cases of primary MRT occurring in extra-renal sites have been reported, particularly in the soft tissues. We report a case of primary MRT of the uterus, a very rare site for this neoplasm, with morphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features corresponding to restrictive morphological criteria for MRT. The possible differential diagnoses were considered.

Adult↗

Lysozyme localization in normal and diseased human gastric and colonic mucosa. A correlative histochemical, immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic investigation.

The distribution of lysozyme in normal and pathological human gastric and colonic mucosa was studied by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical techniques and compared with histological and histochemical features. Lysozyme was localized in pyloric glandular epithelial cells, mucous neck cells of fundic glands, Paneth cells and some crypt cells of the mature colonic mucosa. In addition, lysozyme was detected in a large spectrum of "immature" or "regenerative" epithelium: neck cells of the gastric regenerative zone, undifferentiated columnar cells of surface and hyperplastic interfoveolar crests of the stomach, regenerative cells in a healed gastric ulcer, some goblet cells in incomplete intestinal metaplasia, cells of the regenerative zone at the bottom of colonic crypts and, finally, fetal intestinal epithelium. Electron microscopically, we localized lysozyme in the central core of mucous granules in the pyloric gastric glandular epithelium and in the dense mucous granules in gastric mucous neck cells. Lysozyme was also detected in some immature mucin-producing cells of the gastric regenerative zone and in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of surface hyperplastic columnar gastric cells. At the electron microscopic level, a peculiar correlation between the immunopattern of lysozyme and the morphology of mucous granules has been postulated. All our data support and extend the view that the presence of lysozyme may be related to cell immaturity as well as to a regenerative state of the cell. Finally, the lysozyme distribution and its relation to mucosubstances in gastric and colonic carcinoma suggest that lysozyme should not be considered an exclusive marker of cells of gastric derivation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Invasive breast carcinoma with granulomatous response and deposition of unusual amyloid.

AIMS: To report an unusual case of invasive breast ductal carcinoma associated with non-caseating epithelioid granuloma and unusual deposition of amyloid. METHODS: Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue from breast and lymph nodes were stained with a variety of methods. Representative tissue fragments were sampled and fixed in 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde, postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated and embedded in Araldite. Thin sections were viewed under a Phillips 400T transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Multinucleated giant Langhans' cells were found in the granulomatas tissue in both breast carcinoma and metastatic axillary lymph node carcinoma. Electron microscopic examination showed "tubular" amyloid deposition intermingled with invasive carcinoma and granuloma. "Tubular amyloid" was characterised by a mesh of non-branching curving fibrils with hollow profiles. These tended to be located in the cell membranes. CONCLUSION: The presence of an epithelioid granulomatous reaction and deposition of "tubular" amyloid in an invasive breast carcinoma could be related to an abnormal immunological response.

Aged↗

Parathyroid gastrin and parathormone-producing tumour in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome of MEN 1 origin.

A case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) origin with hyperparathyroidism and with a rise in serum gastrin due to an unusual parathyroid "gastrinoma" has been investigated. The patient had multiple endocrine tumours (pituitary and parathyroid), but no evidence of pancreatic or duodenal gastrin-producing neoplasm. Radio-immunoassay, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy showed gastrin in one parathyroid adenoma. These findings, together with a decrease of gastrinaemia after parathyroidectomy suggest that true gastrin was produced by parathyroid tumour cells and that they themselves may be the origin of the hypergastrinaemia. Our ultrastructural investigation extends these observations and the results are discussed.

Adenoma↗

Guillotine needle biopsy as a supplement to endosonography in the diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors.

The presumptive diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors can be made by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) but histological confirmation is still required. A special guillotine biopsy device (Flexi-Temno) which enables collection of adequate submucosal samples by the endoscopic approach was therefore evaluated. After visualization by EUS the guillotine needle biopsy was performed in 21 patients with submucosal tumors of the stomach. There were 2 failures in 2 patients with leiomyomas. The diagnosis suggested by EUS was confirmed by guillotine biopsy in 17 cases. Guillotine biopsy detected 2 cases of unsuspected leiomyosarcoma which were confirmed surgically. In cases of solid submucosal tumors confirmed on EUS, the guillotine needle biopsy enables a definitive histologic diagnosis. Thus malignancies can be detected when EUS findings are not significant.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Atypical polypoid adenomyoma of the uterus. An immunohistochemical study of a case.

We studied one case of atypical polypoid adenomyoma of the uerus immunohistochemically using antisera against keratins, vinentin, S-100 protein, desmin and actin. The stromal cells were reactive with anti-actin and antidesmin antibodies suggesting a muscular phenotype and confirming previous ultrastructural data. Immunohistochemical investigations have proved to be useful in differential diagnosis of APA with invasive adenocarcinoma, adenosarcoma and adenofibroma of the endometrium.

Actins↗

Neoplastic involvement of nipple-areolar complex in invasive breast cancer.

The neoplastic involvement of the nipple-areolar complex was histologically studied in 1,291 available consecutive mastectomy specimens with primary invasive breast carcinoma. Tumor involvement of the nipple-areolar complex was found in 150 specimens (12 percent) and was not suspected on gross examination in 99 patients (8 percent). A significant finding of our study was the relatively high rate of tumor foci in the nipple-areolar complex (7 percent) in those patients with early invasive stage I or II breast carcinoma eligible for conservative therapy. Analysis of nipple-areolar complex involvement with consideration of different clinico-morphologic variables indicates that it was directly associated with tumor size. No significant correlation was found with axillary metastases, tumor histologic type, or with the presence of noninvasive cancer in the vicinity of the dominant tumor. Our estimate of the significant change of finding tumor in the nipple-areolar complex, especially in the patient group eligible for conservative therapy, underlines the need for postoperative radiation.

Adult↗