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F Sopracordevole

Publications and source records attributed to F Sopracordevole.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Intra-epithelial and invasive cervical neoplasia during HIV infection.

Patients affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection present an elevated risk of developing cancer. In the last 10 years, the relationship between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and female cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) has been established. Several studies have described an increased prevalence of both cervical HPV infection and CIN among HIV-positive women compared to HIV-negative ones. A high recurrence rate of CIN after standard treatment has been noted in HIV-infected women and the severity of these lesions seems to be inversely correlated to immune function. Taking into account these data, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) since 1993 have included invasive cervical carcinoma among the AIDS-defining conditions. Once cervical cancer develops in HIV-positive women, the disease may be aggressive and less responsive to treatment. A primary means by which HIV infection may influence the pathogenesis of HPV-associated cervical pathology is by molecular interaction between HIV and HPV genes. Although these have not been well defined, an upregulation of HPV E6 and E7 genes expression by HIV proteins (such as tat) has been postulated by some authors. Cervical cytology appears to be adequate as a screening tool for the cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia in HIV-positive women, but the high recurrence rate and multifocality of this disease reinforces the need for careful evaluation and follow-up of the entire anogenital tract in these women. Probably in the next few years, cervical tumours will represent one of the most frequent complications of HIV infection, a part of progression through AIDS. This points to a need for greater interdisciplinary co-operation for a best disease definition and for the development of effective prevention measures.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, CD4 serum level, cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and risk factors for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related dysplasia in HIV-positive women. STUDY DESIGN: All 51 eligible patients who were seen at the Colposcopic Outpatient Service, Aviano Cancer Center, Aviano, Italy, from July 1, 1993, to June 30, 1994, were studied for risk factors for HPV and HIV infection and had cervical cytologic smears, colposcopy with cervical biopsy and a serum CD4 count. RESULTS: Thirty of 51 patients (59%) had cytohistologically confirmed SIL. The prevalence of SIL was higher in HIV Centers for Disease Control stage IV disease than stages II and III (22/29 vs. 8/22 P < .05). There was no significant difference in the CD4 count between women with or without SIL (321 +/- 310 vs. 401 +/- 295/mm3 [mean +/- SD]). No relationship was found between CD4 count and severity of SIL (low grade SIL, 210 +/- 203/mm3; high grade SIL, 580 +/- 357/mm3). CONCLUSION: In our series there was no relationship between CD4 count and cervical SIL, suggesting that the expression of HPV-related dysplasia is a complex process in which risk factors for genital SIL play an important role, while the role of HIV must be defined again.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Suppressive role of the metastasis-related nm23-H1 gene in human ovarian carcinomas: association of high messenger RNA expression with lack of lymph node metastasis.

The nm23-H1 gene has been proposed as a metastasis suppressor gene. It is located on the long arm of chromosome 17, which is frequently deleted in ovarian cancer, and shows altered expression and structure in some advanced neoplasms. To evaluate the role of nm23-H1 in ovarian carcinogenesis, we have analyzed this gene in 66 primary human ovarian carcinomas at both the DNA and RNA levels. Despite the high frequency (76%) of nm23-H1 loss of heterozygosity (LOH), the complete absence of gene mutations in the coding portions of the retained allele clearly indicated that, in ovarian carcinomas, this gene does not function in the same way as do classic oncosuppressor genes. The relationship of clinicopathological parameters with nm23-H1 gene deletions and expression levels was also investigated. LOHs were more common in the serous and endometrioid histotypes (85 and 93%, respectively), and the highest LOH frequency was detected in poorly differentiated tumors (89%). A significant relationship between nm23-H1 mRNA expression and lymph node metastasis was observed in high-grade tumors, which are intrinsically more invasive than are low-grade tumors. In particular, among the poorly differentiated tumors showing areas of undifferentiated solid carcinoma (classified as G3/G4), lymph node-negative tumors displayed expression levels that were significantly higher than those of lymph node-positive tumors (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our data suggest that the nm23-H1 gene product may exert an inhibitory effect on the lymphatic dissemination of human ovarian tumors. However, several other factors, biological or time and patient dependent, influence the complex metastatic progression of ovarian tumors and may cooperate with nm23-H1 in the promotion or inhibition of this process.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Diagnostic and biological determinants in undifferentiated and poorly differentiated ovarian carcinomas.

Six ovarian undifferentiated carcinomas (UCs) and 19 poorly differentiated serous (14 cases) and endometrioid (5 cases) carcinomas with areas of solid diffuse carcinomas have been considered for the study. Pathological findings were analyzed in conjunction with molecular analysis concerning the structure and expression of nm23-H1 gene. Differences in the frequency of loss of heterozigosity (LOH) of this gene have been observed between the two groups, UCs displaying lower percentage of LOH (1/5) as compared to poorly differentiated tumors (17/17). The remaining 3 cases (1 UC and 2 poorly differentiated carcinomas) were homozygotes, i.e., noninformative. UCs might occur as a consequence of cellular dedifferentiation, being at the end of the differentiation spectrum of epithelial ovarian tumors. Nevertheless, this study suggests that, in a fraction of cases, UCs could represent a distinct entity not involved in the malignant progression, associated with peculiar DNA anomalies, one possibly being that of the nm23-H1 deletion. In other words, a noticeable subset of UCs, not harboring nm23-H1 alterations, may be histologically uncommitted "ab initio". Moreover, nm23-H1 LOHs could be considered early events in the ovarian carcinogenesis, because similar molecular patterns were found both in primary and metastatic sites of the same tumor.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1994

Squamous cell carcinoma in ovarian endometriosis. A case report.

A primitive squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary arose in ovarian endometriosis. The patient underwent a radical hysterectomy and radiotherapy. The other few similar reported cases had a poor prognosis. In our case the patient died 11 months after surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Laser conization guided by endocervical staining with methylene blue].

The authors report their experience of the use of a vital stain--methylene blue--as a surgical guide in laser cervical conization for CIN2-CIN3/CIS. During the period 1 October 1991-31 December 1992 a total of 40 laser cervical conizations were performed under local anesthesia using a CO2 laser connected to a microhandpiece and colposcope in patients with exo-endocervical lesions which were histologically positive for CIN2-CIN3/CIS. In 33/40 patients an aqueous solution of 1% methylene blue was introduced preoperatively in the endocervix using a cotton-wool bud with consequent impregnation of the pseudoglandular crypts: laser biopsy was performed along the guidelines of the stain itself. This enabled the direction of resection to be varied: in 3 patients due to an anomalous and eccentric direction of cervical canal; in 10 patients to remove glandular structures surrounding or underneath lesions; in 8 patients following pseudoglandular section to carry out deep vaporization (3 patients) or correct cutting edges (5 patients). The apex and edges of the cone were always intact. Fourteen patients completed a 12-month follow-up and a further 6 were followed up for 9 months; only 1/14 patients (with AIDS) showed recidivation after 1 year. In the authors' experience the use of a vital stain as a guide during laser cervical cone biopsy is an easily used method which ensures the greatest possible respect for healthy cervical structures, also in order to preserve fertility in young patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Papanicolau smear chances to be diagnostic for cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) with or without detectable HPV DNA at in situ hybridization analysis.

The Authors have correlated 39 cervical diagnostic biopsies for squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) with correspective Papanicolau smears (PS), with relation to the presence or the absence of HPV of oncogenic type (HPV-one) detected by in situ hybridization (ISH). Agreement between cytological and histological diagnosis was present in 14 of 16 cases with detectable HPV-one and only in 12 of 23 cases without detectable HPV-one at ISH. The importance of the HPV type in the SILs with relation to the diagnostic accuracy of Papanicolaou smears has been discussed.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed1992

Chromosomal localisation of two putative 11p oncosuppressor genes involved in human ovarian tumours.

In this study, 44 primary or metastatic human ovarian tumours were tested for allelic deletions on the short arm of chromosome 11. Analysis of 12 polymorphic loci by Southern blotting evidenced loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in at least one locus in 41% of cases. Moreover, two hot spots of deletions were tentatively mapped on 11p13 and 11p15.5. Our results demonstrated that LOH at 11p is a common event in ovarian carcinomas and were indicative of the possible existence in 11p of two oncosuppressor genes involved in ovarian carcinogenesis. The similarity observed with 11p allelic losses in Wilms tumours, clustered in 11p13 and 11p15.5 too, suggests that deletion and possibly inactivation of the same growth regulatory genes (WT genes) could also contribute to development of the malignant phenotype in ovarian carcinomas. Finally, a statistically significant association (P = 0.005) between 11p deletions and hepatic involvement was suggested by the analysis of distribution of 11p LOH relative to different clinical and pathological parameters of the tumour patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Histological diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related dysplasia: quality control by in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis.

The Authors studied 54 cervical biopsies using in situ hybridization (ISH) to identify HPV related lesions. 26 biopsies lacked clear cut koilocytotic atypia on histological examination and 28 had a diagnosis of grades 1 and 2 intraepithelial neoplasia. Histological diagnosis of HPV-related dysplasia were studied using ISH with biotinylated probes (Phatogene DNA probe assay Enzo Diagnostics). Probes included HPV types 6/11, 16/18 and 31/35/51. HPV DNA were detected in 18 of 28 (64.3%) cervical biopsies with diagnosis of grade 1 and grade 2 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with koilocytotic atypia. None of the 26 cervical biopsies equivocal for koilocytotic atypia had detectable HPV DNA with ISH. These results suggest that ISH can be used for the quality control in the histological diagnosis of koilocytotic atypia.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1992

[Local anesthesia in cervix biopsy].

The Authors evaluated the perception of pain in a group of 35 patients undergoing cervical biopsy and the efficacy of using 40 mg of lydocaine (xylocaina spray) in 24 patients compared to a control group. Pain perception was evaluated using Scott-Huskissons's visual analogous scale. It was observed that this diagnostic method was painful and that premedication using topical anesthesia was an efficacious method of significantly reducing painful symptoms.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1991

[True knots in the umbilical cord: clinical implications].

A study was performed to study the behavior of various parameters of fetoplacental functions and fetal and neonatal well-being in 51 cases with the presence of true knots in the umbilical cord at birth. No statistically significant difference was observed when these cases were compared to a control group without this pathology. The Authors underline the need for precise statistical evaluations in order to reassess the clinical significance of such umbilical alterations.

Cardiotocography↗
PubMed1989

[Bilateral hydrothorax with hydromediastinum after cannulation of the left internal jugular vein].

A rare case of combined bilateral hydrothorax and hydromediastinum was encountered during Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) via incannulation of the left internal jugular vein in a patient with advanced cancer of the portio. The possible anatomical and technical causes of this very serious complication were investigated in order to assess the importance of specific manual technique and to supply appropriate instrumental back-up that could prevent the recurrence of this sometimes fatal complication of TPN.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗
PubMed1987

Intermittent pelvic arterial infusion with peptichemio, doxorubicin, and cisplatin for locally advanced and recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

The preliminary results of intraarterial chemotherapy with peptichemio, doxorubicin, and cisplatin as part of a multimodality treatment in locally advanced and recurrent cervical carcinomas are reported. Treatment consisted of a bilateral sequential infusion of peptichemio 20 mg, doxorubicin 10 mg and cisplatin 20 mg in a 6-hour period via an external infusion pump. After a rest period of 4 days, treatment restarted until maximum response or toxicity. Twenty-five patients, 12 with primary advanced (four Stage IIb, eight Stage III) and 13 with recurrent tumors were treated. All previously untreated patients obtained objective response. In particular, two patients with Stage IIb and III disease, respectively, achieved a complete response. Nine of 13 patients with recurrent disease (69%) were responsive, too, and therefore an overall objective response rate of 84% was achieved. Responses were noted after a median of five cycles of chemotherapy, whereas hematologic toxicity observed in all but one patient, was encountered after a median of four cycles. Toxicity of grade 1 and 2 was noted in 19 patients (76%), whereas of grade 3 and 4 in only 5 (20%). One treatment-related death, due to sepsis during myelosuppression, was reported. Catheter-related toxicity was noted in four patients causing femoral thrombosis in two. In one case a bypass operation was required. After intraarterial chemotherapy, all 21 responsive patients were eligible for radical surgery and 18 (86%) underwent both surgery and postoperative radiation therapy. Surgery was excluded in three patients. In these three cases radiation therapy alone was employed. In this series, the schedule of intraarterial chemotherapy employed was very effective. Patient accrual is ongoing in order to confirm the response rate so far obtained and to evaluate, with a longer follow-up, the impact of this multidisciplinary approach on local control and survival.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

CA-125 serum level in the diagnosis of pelvic masses: comparison with other methods.

The Authors have evaluated the diagnostic contribution offered by the serum dosage of the antigen CA-125 in the diagnostics of pelvic masses. This method has been compared with the objective and echographic evaluation, as a noninvasive method of enquiry in the diagnosis of malignant neoplasias of the ovary. The Authors endorse the increase in diagnostic sensitivity brought about by the evaluation of this marker, above all if it is inserted into an integrated diagnosis.

Adult↗