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F Vizoso

Publications and source records attributed to F Vizoso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Cytosolic levels of TFF1/pS2 in breast cancer: Their relationship with clinical-pathological parameters and their prognostic significance.

BACKGROUND: The Trefoil Factor 1 (TFF1/pS2), a peptide consisting of 60 amino acids, is the most abundant estrogen-induced messenger RNA present in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The objective of this work was to evaluate the cytosolic TFF1 content in breast carcinomas, its possible relationship with different clinical-pathological parameters, and its potential prognostic significance and predictive value. METHODS: Cytosolic TFF1 levels were examined by immunoradiometric assay in 1031 patients with invasive breast cancer. The median follow-up period was of 50 months. RESULTS: There was a wide variability of cytosolic TFF1 levels in tumors (0.9-743.2 ng/mg protein). Statistical analysis showed that TFF1 levels were significantly higher in premenopausal patients (p = 0.001), as well as in tumors showing any of the following characteristics: good differentiation (p = 0.0001), ER and PgR positivity (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.001, respectively), diploidy (p = 0.045) and a high S-phase fraction (p = 0.001). In addition, the presence of high intratumoral TFF1 levels (cut-off: 2 ng/mg protein) was independently associated with a shorter overall survival in the group of patients as a whole (p = 0.001) as well as in the subgroup with node-negative breast cancer (p = 0.0004). Likewise, high intratumoral TFF1 levels were associated with a more prolonged overall survival in patients who received adjuvant tamoxifen (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In breast cancer patients, intratumoral TFF1 levels are associated with a better clinical outcome, especially in those with node-negative tumors. In addition, TFF1 levels have a low but significant predictive value in regards to response to adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Expression and prognostic value of EGFR in invasive breast cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a membrane receptor expressed in a variety of solid human cancers and directly related with poor prognosis. The objective of this work was to evaluate the EGFR content in breast carcinomas, its possible relationship with different clinical-pathological parameters, and its potential prognostic significance and predictive value. EGFR levels were examined by radioligand binding assays in 846 patients with invasive breast cancer. The median follow-up period was 50 months. There was a wide variability of EGFR levels among the studied tumors (0.01-403 fmol/mg protein). Statistical analysis showed that EGFR levels were significantly higher in younger patients (p=0.0001). EGFR were also notably higher in ER-negative or PgR-negative tumors than in ER-positive (p=0.0001) or PgR-positive tumors (p=0.001). In addition, the presence of high intratumoral EGFR levels (cut-off: 6 fmol/mg protein) was associated with both shorter relapse-free survival (p=0.04) and overall survival (p=0.01) in the group of patients as a whole, as well as with overall survival in the subgroup of patients without any type of systemic adjuvant treatment (p=0.02). However, EGFR levels did not achieve significance as independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis. There is a wide variability of intratumoral EGFR levels in breast carcinomas, and these protein levels correlated positively with a poor prognosis in the t univariate analysis. However, further studies are necessary in order to assess the possible clinical value of EGFR in combination with other essential components of the EGFR family network.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Clinical significance of tumor content of epidermal growth factor receptor in breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the content of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) using a radioligand method in breast cancer and to analyze the relationship between the EGFR levels and the characteristics of patients and tumors. Prognostic significance was also analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EGFR was measured by a single point radioligand assay in 265 invasive breast carcinomas tissues. In addition, estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) were measured by enzymatic immunoassays. We analyze the relationship of EGFR levels with the different clinico-pathologic parameters. RESULTS: EGFR levels in breast carcinomas varied widely (0.1 to 403) with a median at 4 fmol/mg prot. The significantly higher concentrations of EGFR were detected in patients under 60 years old (p = 0.042), undifferentiated tumors (p = 0.04), and carcinomas with negative ER and PR (p < 0.019 y p < 0018, respectively). In addition, there was a negative correlation between EGFR and the ER and PR levels (p < 0.05). EGFR levels did not show any relationship with the patient's prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: In addition, intratumoral levels of EGFR in breast carcinomas vary widely and the highest concentrations are associated with the most aggresive characteristics of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Clinical significance of the epidermal growth factor receptor and HER2 receptor in resectable gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR or HER1) and its homolog c-erbB-2 (HER2) are membrane receptors. Both EGFR and HER2 genes are overexpressed in a variety of solid human cancers and are related to poor prognosis of the patients. The objective of this work was to evaluate the EGFR and HER2 contents in resectable gastric cancer, their possible relationship with clinicopathologic parameters of tumors, and their prognostic significance. METHODS: This was a prospective analysis of 63 patients with resectable gastric carcinomas, with a mean follow-up period of 40.7 months. Membranous EGFR levels were examined by radioligand binding assays, and cytosolic HER2 levels were examined by means of an immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: There was a wide variability of EGFR (1-1,239 fmol/mg of protein) and HER2 (7-20,863 NHU/mg of protein) levels in tumors. There was no significant correlation between these levels and patient or tumor characteristics. However, high levels of EGFR and HER2 were significantly associated with a shorter overall survival period (P =.03 and P =.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide variability in membranous EGFR levels and in cytosolic HER2 levels in gastric cancer, which seems to be related to the biological heterogeneity of these tumors. In addition, high tumor EGFR and HER2 levels were associated with an unfavorable outcome in patients with resectable gastric cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

[Incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease. Asturian study in 5 areas (EIICEA). Spain].

AIMS: To know and to compare Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Incidence and Prevalence rates in in five areas of Asturias (Spain). We conducted a prospective epidemiologic study of IBD in the Province of Liege (1 million inhabitants). PATIENT AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, populational, collaborative epidemiologic study, retrospective between 1954 and 1993 and prospective between 1994 and 1997. All patients diagnosed according to a standard protocol for case ascertainment and definition of IBD, aged 14 years or more are included, in five areas of Asturias (Spain) (461,965 inhabitants). RESULTS: For the period 1954 to 1997, 1018 IBD have been diagnosed [565 ulcerative colitis (UC) (55.5%), 415 Crohn's disease (CD) (40.8%) and 38 undefined IBD (IC) (3.7%)]; [482 women (47.2%), 536 males (52.8%)]. In the 4 year-prospective period, 306 cases were collected: 176 UC (57.51%), 110 CD (35.94) and 20 IC (6.53%); UC/CD: 1.6. Without appreciable and significant differences between Frequency of illness groups and sexes. IBD incidence rate (per 100,000 per year) (1954-97) is 5.12 (95% CI = 3.05-7.18) (UC: 2.84; CD: 2.08; IC: 0.19; UC/CD 1.36). In the 4 years- prospective study, IBD incidence rate is 16.55 (95% CI = 12.84-20.25), (UC: 9.52; CD: 5.95; IC: 1.08; UC/CD: 1.6). IBD prevalence rate in 1997 is 205.21 (95% CI = 182.14-227.29), (UC: 109.96; CD: 87.45; IC: 7.79). Comparisons have settled down among the studied areas, without finding differences statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory Bowel Disease incidence and prevalence rates of in our region are homogeneous between the cities investigated and superior than those historically reported in Spanish studies. These results were similar to those observed in European studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Epidemiology in inflammatory bowel disease in five areas of Asturias. Spain].

AIMS: The epidemiologic analysis inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a powerful research tool to assess the contribution of environmental factors to its etiology. IBD has been reported to have varying frequencies in different parts of the world, and there seem to be significant differences in the disease pattern and clinical course. The aim of the present study was to assess the disease pattern of IBD in Asturias (Spain). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive epidemiological population based study, retrospective (1954-1993) and prospective (1994-97), was performed to study 1018 patients found, bigger than 14 years, to have IBD, in five areas of Asturias (Spain) (461.965 inhabitants). RESULTS: During the period of time studied, we diagnosed 1018 IBD [565 ulcerative colitis (55.5%), 415 (40.8%) Crohn's disease and 38(3.7%) indeterminate colitis], with 482 females (47.2%), 536 males (52.8%), and male/female: 1.11. Age at diagnosis were 39.49 +/- 1.08 (95% CI : 38.41 +/- 40.57); (UC: 43.95 +/- 1.47; CD: 33.53 +/- 1.51; IC: 38.26 +/- 5.14. p = 0.000. Age at onset previously at diagnosis for UC: 42.84 +/- 1.34; CD: 30.68 +/- 1.40; IC: 36.74 +/- 4.86 (p = 0.000). Diagnosis criteria: UC: syntomatic 97.34% (p = ns), endoscopy 96.63% (p = 0.000 pathology 90.26% (p = 0.000). CD: radiology 83.61% (p =0.000). Study level in CD: 57.57 (p = 0.0005). Family history: 8.4%. The most frequent involvement at diagnosis of UC was proctitis only, in 13.6%, 269% rectum and sigmoid 26% let colitis, 20% pancolitis, and in CD colon only, in 16.7%, 30.3% terminal ileum, 41.3% ileo-colon of the patients. This also helps to explain the differences in severity, need for surgery, and survival noted between community based studies. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the uniformity of distribution of the inflammatory bowel disease in relation to types and sex. The high frequency of familial Crohn's disease suggests a genetic predisposition. Highlighting a bigger morbilidad for the Crohn's Disease reflected in the surgical requirements, but however with smaller mortality that in ulcerative colitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Analysis of the cytosolic content of the pS2 protein in breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze pS2 cytosolic levels in breast carcinomas and their correlation with different clinical characteristics of the patients and their tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cytosolic pS2 levels were measured by radioimmunometric assay in tumours from 168 breast cancer patients. RESULTS: The pS2 values ranged from 0 to 251 ng/mg protein (mean SD: 21.8 38.1; median: 7.9 ng/mg protein). These protein levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in premenopausal patients (27.6 45.2) than in postmenopausal patients (19.5 33.8). Intratumour pS2 levels were also significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with histologic grade of the tumours, and were higher in well diferentiated tumours (grade I: 28.8 42.8) than in moderately differentiated tumours (grade II: 19.7 35.6) and than in poorly differentiated tumours (grade III: 18.9 37.3). Similarly, significant differences in pS2 content were found between positive estrogen receptor (ER) tumours and ER-negative tumours (29.1 46.5 vs 11.3 15.9, respectively; p<0.0001), as well as between positive progesterone receptor (PR) tumours and PR-negative tumours (29.1 49.8 vs 15.3 21.5, respectively; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that pS2 may be a useful prognostic marker in breast cancer, and may also be useful to identify patients who are likely to benefit from hormone therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Collagenase-3 expression in breast myofibroblasts as a molecular marker of transition of ductal carcinoma in situ lesions to invasive ductal carcinomas.

Collagenase-3 (matrix metalloproteinase 13; MMP-13), a protease originally identified in breast carcinoma, is characterized by a potent degrading activity against a wide spectrum of extracellular matrix proteins. The aims of this study were to localize and identify the MMP-13-expressing cells in invasive human breast carcinoma and to evaluate the role of MMP-13 in transition to invasive lesions by studying ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We found expression of MMP-13 in stromal fibroblast-like cells in all 21 invasive ductal carcinomas studied and in 4 of 9 invasive lobular carcinomas. In most carcinomas, expression of MMP-13 was limited to small stromal foci in the tumor area. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed coexpression of alpha-smooth muscle actin immunoreactivity and MMP-13 mRNA in myofibroblasts. In contrast, cytokeratin-positive cancer cells, alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive vascular smooth muscle cells, CD68-positive macrophages, and CD31-positive endothelial cells were all MMP-13 mRNA negative. In situ hybridization for MMP-13 in 17 DCIS lesions revealed expression in 10 cases. Immunohistochemical analysis of all DCIS cases identified microinvasion in 8 of the 17 lesions. Seven of the eight lesions with microinvasion were MMP-13 positive. Further analysis showed that MMP-13 expression was often associated with the microinvasive events. This particular expression pattern was unique for MMP-13 among other MMPs analyzed, including MMP-2, -11, and -14. We conclude that MMP-13 is primarily expressed by myofibroblasts in human breast carcinoma and that expression in DCIS lesions often is associated with microinvasive events. On the basis of these data, we propose that MMP-13 may play an essential role during transition of DCIS lesions to invasive ductal carcinomas.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2001

Lysozyme expression by breast carcinomas, correlation with clinicopathologic parameters, and prognostic significance.

BACKGROUND: Here we evaluate the expression and prognostic value of lysozyme, a milk protein that is also synthesized by a significant percentage of breast carcinomas, in women with breast cancer. METHODS: Lysozyme expression was examined by immunohistochemical methods in a series of 177 breast cancer tissue sections. Staining was quantified by using the HSCORE system, which considers both the intensity and the percentage of cells staining at each intensity. The prognostic value of lysozyme was retrospectively evaluated by multivariate analysis that took into account conventional prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 126 of 177 carcinomas (69.4%) stained positive for this protein, but there were clear differences among them with regard to the intensity and percentage of stained cells. Lysozyme values were higher in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumors than in poorly differentiated tumors (P < .05). Similarly, lysozyme levels were higher in small and node-negative tumors than in large and node-positive tumors (P < .05). Moreover, results indicated that low lysozyme content predicted shorter relapse-free survival and overall survival (P < .005). Separate Cox multivariate analysis in subgroups of patients as defined by node status showed that lysozyme expression was an independent prognostic factor able to predict both relapse-free survival and overall survival in node-negative patients (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Tumoral expression of lysozyme is associated with lesions of favorable evolution in breast cancer. This milk protein may be a new prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Preoperative serum levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and prognosis in colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognostic value of the preoperative serum levels of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in primary colorectal carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative serum levels of CEA were analyzed in 275 colorectal cancer patients, who were followed up for a minimum of 5 years, or until death. RESULTS: The percentage of positivities for the preoperative serum levels of CEA (> 6 ng/ml) was positively and significantly associated with the tumoral stage (A: 10,5%; B: 38,8%; C: 32,2%; y D: 72%; p < 0,0001). In addition, the elevated serum values of the antigen were significantly associated, in the univariate analysis, with short survival in the overall group of patients (p < 0,0001). However, the multivariate analysis only showed an independent prognosis value of the CEA in the subgroup of patients with stage C tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum levels of CEA may be useful to predict tumoral extension, and also for the prognosis regarding stage C colorectal cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Apolipoprotein D expression in endometrial carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein D is a protein component of the human plasma lipid transport system but is also associated with a more favorable prognosis in breast cancer and ovarian cancer women. This study was undertaken to examine the tumoral expression of apolipoprotein D in endometrial cancer and to analyze the possible correlation with tumor and patients characteristics as well as androgen receptors and its prognostic significance. METHODS: Immunohistochemical evaluation was used to examine apolipoprotein D expression in paraffin blocks from 58 endometrial carcinomas. RESULTS: A total of twenty (34%) tumors stained positively. Staining was localized in tumor cells. No significant correlation was found between apo D expression and patients or tumor characteristics and androgen receptor status. In addition, apolipoprotein D expression was not associated with patient prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Apolipoprotein D is expressed by a significant percentage of endometrial carcinomas without apparent association with other clinicopathologic parameters or with outcome of patients.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed2001

[Epidemiology of chronic inflammatory bowel disease in Gijón, Asturias].

AIMS: To determine several aspects of the epidemiology of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including distribution of the various forms of IBD, sex, age at diagnosis considering lag-time to diagnosis, criteria used in the diagnosis, the relationship between educational level and activity, familial aggregation, phenotype (site and clinical type), number of admissions and mean hospital stay/year, surgical requirements and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective (1954-1993) and prospective (1994-97) descriptive epidemiologic population study, in the fifth health district of Gijón in Asturias (Spain), with 225,798 inhabitants. A total of 595 patients diagnosed with chronic IBD according to the diagnostic criteria described by Lennard-Jones and Truelove for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and according to Ashley B. Price's criteria for indeterminate colitis (IC) were studied. In all patients a complete clinical follow-up was performed. RESULTS: During the study period, we diagnosed 595 patients with IBD [305 patients with UC (51.3%), 272 (45.7%) patients with CD and 18 (3%) with IC]. Sex distribution was 287 females (48.2%) and 308 males (51.8%), with a male/female ratio of 1.07. Mean age at presentation was 38.79 +/- 17.44 years (UC: 43.37 +/- 17.55; CD: 33.98 +/- 16.16; IC: 33.73 +/- 13.48), p = 0.000. Age at onset prior to diagnosis was as follows: UC: 42.03; CD: 30.47; IC: 30.99 (p = 0.000). Diagnostic criteria used in UC was symptomatic in 99.01% (p = ns), endoscopic in 95.04% (p = 0.000), and pathologic in 87.21% (p = 0.000); in CD diagnostic criteria used was radiologic in 85.29% (p = 0.000). A total of 29.1% of patients with UC and 66.7% of those with CD had higher education (p = 0.0005). Family history was found in 9.8%. Anatomical site was as follows: in UC: rectum 21%, 28.2% rectum and sigmoid, 22.3% left colitis, 4.2% distal to hepatic flexure and 24% pancolitis; in CD: 32.72% terminal ileum, 19.11% colon, 37.13% ileo-colon, 11.02% extensive intestinal and 3.67% gastro-duodenal. A total of 8.37% of patients with UC and 14.51% of those with CD had been hospitalized during the previous 4 years; mean hospital stay was 1.63 days in UC and 2.27 days in CD. The mean surgical requirements were 0.54 +/- 1.08 (31.59%); UC: 0.11 +/- 0.36 (10.2%); CD: 1.04 +/- 1.38 (56.25%), p = 0.000. The mortality rate was 48.73 deaths/1,000 inhabitants (UC: T = 65.57; CD: T = 33.08; IC:T= 0) p = ns. The standardized mortality ratio was 4.83 (UC: 6.51; CD: 3.28). CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the uniformity of the distribution of IBD in relation to types of disease and sex. Patients with CD had a higher level of education. Genetic components play an important role in these diseases and familial aggregation was high, especially in CD. Complicated situations are infrequent in this group of patients. Morbidity was higher in patients with CD as reflected by surgical requirements and hospital stay. Mortality was lower in CD than in UC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Expression and clinical significance of apolipoprotein D in epithelial ovarian carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: Apolipoprotein D is a protein component of the human plasma lipid transport system but is also associated with a more favorable prognosis in women with breast cancer. This retrospective study was undertaken to examine the tumoral expression of apolipoprotein D in epithelial ovarian cancer and to analyze the possible correlation with tumor and patient characteristics as well as androgen receptors and their prognostic significance. METHODS: Immunohistochemical evaluation was used to examine apolipoprotein D expression in paraffin blocks from 68 epithelial ovarian carcinomas. RESULTS: A total of 18 (26.4%) tumors stained positively. No significant correlation was found between apolipoprotein D expression and patient or tumor characteristics and androgen receptor status. However, apolipoprotein D expression was significantly associated with prognosis in patients with residual tumor greater than 1 cm. Thus, patients with apolipoprotein-D-negative tumors had a poorer overall survival than those with apolipoprotein-D-positive tumors (P = 0.039). In addition, multivariate analysis demonstrated that apolipoprotein D expression was an independent prognostic factor with initial tumor size in this group of patients (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our results led us to consider the existence of apolipoprotein D expression by a significative percentage of ovarian carcinomas, and this protein expression might be of clinical usefulness for identifying lesions with different evolution.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Expression and prognostic significance of pepsinogen C in gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In this study we evaluated the expression and clinical significance of pepsinogen C, an aspartic proteinase involved in the digestion of proteins in the stomach, in patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: Pepsinogen C expression was examined by immunohistochemical methods in a series of 95 gastric carcinomas. The prognostic value of pepsinogen C was retrospectively evaluated by multivariate analysis taking into account conventional prognostic parameters. Follow-up period of patients was 21.4 months. RESULTS: A total of 25 (26.3%) gastric carcinomas stained positively for pepsinogen C. The percentage of pepsinogen C-positive tumors was higher in well-differentiated (50%) than in moderately differentiated (19.5%) and poorly differentiated (21.9%) tumors (P < .05). Similarly, significant differences in pepsinogen C immunostaining were found between node-negative and node-positive tumors (47.1% vs. 14.7%; P < .001). In addition, statistical analysis revealed that pepsinogen C expression was associated with clinical outcome in gastric cancer patients. Low pepsinogen C levels predicted short overall survival periods in the overall group of patients with gastric cancer (P < .001), and in 71 patients with resectable carcinomas (P < .005). Multivariate analysis according to Cox's model indicated that pepsinogen C immunostaining was an independent predictor of outcome for both overall and resectable gastric cancer patients (P < .05, for both). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of pepsinogen C in gastric cancer may represent a useful biological marker able to identify subgroups of patients with different clinical outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Hyaluronic acid as prognostic marker in resectable colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid (HA), an extracellular high molecular mass polysaccharide, is thought to be involved in the growth and progression of malignant tumours. The objective of this work was to evaluate the cytosolic HA content in resectable colorectal cancer, its possible relationship with clinicopathological parameters of tumours and its prognostic significance. METHODS: Cytosolic HA levels were examined by radiometric assay in 120 patients with resectable colorectal cancer. The mean follow-up period was 33.4 months. RESULTS: Cytosolic HA levels of tumours ranged widely, from 30 to 29 412 ng per mg protein. Intratumour HA levels were significantly correlated with Dukes stage (P < 0.005), and were higher in patients with advanced tumours (mean(s.e.m.) 2695(446), 2858(293) and 5274(967) ng per mg protein for stages A, B and C respectively). In addition, Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that tumour HA levels higher than 2000 ng per mg protein predicted shorter relapse-free survival and overall survival periods (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a wide variability in cytosolic HA levels in colorectal carcinomas, which seems to be related to the biological heterogeneity of these tumours. In addition, high tumour cytosolic HA levels were associated with an unfavourable outcome in patients with resectable colorectal cancer. HA may provide additional information to that given by other biochemical markers currently used in colorectal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

C-erbB-2 oncoprotein content in colorectal cancer and in surrounding mucosa: relationship with clinicopathologic parameters and prognostic significance.

BACKGROUND: c-erbB-2 is a transmembrane signaling molecule closely related in structure to the epidermal-growth-factor receptor (EGFR) but biologically distinct from it. c-erbB-2 has been implicated in cell transformation and tumor pathogenesis, but very little is known about its content and clinical significance in colorectal cancer. AIMS: To evaluate the c-erbB-2 content in colorectal cancer and its possible relationship with clinicopathologic parameters from tumors and prognostic significance. METHODS: Membranous and cytologic c-erbB-2 oncoprotein contents were examined by an immunoenzymatic assay in tumors and paired normal surrounding mucosa samples from 131 colorectal cancer patients. In addition, survival analysis were prospectively performed in a subgroup of 69 consecutive patients with resectable colorectal carcinomas, who underwent a mean follow-up period of 28 months. RESULTS: In the overall group of patients, c-erbB-2 levels were significantly higher in membranous than in cytosolic samples, in neoplastic tissues (5,830.4 +/- 1085.3 vs. 934.2 +/- 107.5 NHU/mg protein; p < 0.0001) and in surrounding normal mucosa samples (5,257.8 +/- 646.3 vs. 837.4 +/- 187.4 NHU/mg protein; p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, a significant positive relation was found between membranous and cytosolic oncoprotein levels in these two paired sets (p < 0.0001, for both). There were no significant differences in membranous or cytosolic c-erbB-2 protein levels between neoplastic tissues and surrounding mucosa samples in this overall group of patients. In addition, the results did not show significant correlations of these oncoprotein contents with clinicopathologic parameters from tumors such as location, stage, histologic grade, and DNA content or S-phase fraction. However, the results indicated that low membranous c-erbB-2 content (< 4,500 NHU/mg protein) in tumors predict shorter relapse-free survival and overall survival (p < 0.05, for both) in resectable colorectal cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are a wide variability of both membranous and cytologic c-erbB-2 contents in colorectal carcinomas, which seems to correspond to the biological heterogeneity of these tumors. In addition, our results also demonstrate that high membranous c-erbB-2 levels are associated with lesions of favorable evolution in resectable colorectal cancer patients.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

Comparative study of two androgen-induced markers (apolipoprotein D and pepsinogen C) in female and male breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare tumor in comparison to the same disease in the female population (FBC). Classical prognostic factors (tumor size, node status, estrogen receptor positivity, histological grade) have a similar prognostic value in both tumors, but MBC seems to have a worse outcome. Several markers under estrogen control have been shown with a similar incidence in breast tumors of both sexes, while androgen-induced markers have been detected in a higher percentage of breast tumors in males. AIMS AND METHODS: Our purpose was to compare in 68 MBC and in 68 FBC the expression of Pepsinogen C (Pep C) and Apolipoprotein D (Apo D), two proteins under androgen control, by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Pep C was expressed by 52 of 68 (76.4%) MBC patients, whereas 34 of 68 (50%) FBC showed positive staining. Apo D was expressed by 57 of 68 (83.8%) MBC patients, while 40 of 68 (41.2%) FBC stained positively. Differences between percentages of positive expression were significant (p<0.005 for Pep C; p<0.0001 for Apo D). Moreover, differences between expression levels of Pep C and Apo D in both populations of patients were significant. The mean value of Pep C was significantly higher in male breast tumors (HSCORE = 141.3) than in the females (HSCORE = 80.3) (p<0.0001). Similarly, Apo D mean value was significantly higher in MBC (HSCORE = 161.5) than in FBC (HSCORE = 102.3) (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: These differences can open the field of a more selective hormonal therapy that should not be based on estrogen receptor status only, but also on androgen receptor status.

Adult↗