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L Andrac

Publications and source records attributed to L Andrac.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

c-erbB-2 oncoprotein detected by automated quantitative immunocytochemistry in breast carcinomas correlates with patients' overall and disease-free survival.

The prognostic significance of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression detected in tumours by immunocytochemical assays (ICAs) was investigated in 148 breast carcinomas. ICAs were performed under optimal technical conditions with frozen tissue sections and included automated immunoperoxidase technique and computer-assisted analysis (densitometry) of digitized coloured microscopic images. Results of quantitative ICAs (expressed in percentages of c-erbB-2-positive surfaces and mean optical densities) were correlated with the patients' follow-up in axillary lymph node-positive (N+) and node-negative (N-) subgroups of patients. Patients' follow-up ranged from 9 months (for the first death) to 101 months (for the 121 alive patients) with a 62.5 months mean overall follow-up. It was shown that marked c-erbB-2 immunocytochemical expression in tumours (cut-off point 35%) significantly correlated with the patients' poor overall survival in N+ and in N- patients (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test, P = 0.045 and P = 0.015). Also, marked c-erbB-2 immunohistochemical expression correlates with short disease-free (P = 0.005), recurrence-free (P = 0.048) and metastasis-free survival (P = 0.05) (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test) in N+, but not in N- subgroups. It is concluded that in optimal conditions (automated and quantitative ICAs on frozen sections) c-erbB immunohistochemical expression is a significant prognostic indicator in terms of overall and disease-free survival. The c-erbB-2 protein prognostic significance is independent of node status in terms of overall survival, but not of disease-free survival.

Adult↗

Automated and quantitative immunocytochemical assays of Bcl-2 protein in breast carcinomas.

Expression of the bcl-2 gene was investigated in 218 human breast carcinomas by immunohistochemical analysis. Immunodetections were assessed using (1) frozen sections, (2) documented commercially available monoclonal antibody (bcl-2/124, Dako), (3) automation of immunoperoxidase technique (Ventana) and (4) quantitative evaluation of results by image analysis (SAMBA) and statistical analysis of quantitative data (BMDP software). Bcl-2 protein expression was correlated with current prognostic indicators and with molecular markers detected by the same procedure as for Bcl-2. It was shown that Bcl-2 expression is not related to patients' age, tumour size and type or lymph node status, but an inverse relationship was observed between Bcl-2 and tumour grade (P < 0.0001). An inverse relationship was also observed between Bcl-2 expression and p53 (P < 0.0001), Ki67/MIB1 antigen- (P = 0.0012), and P-gp- (P = 0.002) positive immunoreactions. In contrast, anti-Bcl-2 positive reaction was significantly associated with ER-positive (P < 0.001) and with ER/PR-positive or ER/PR/pS2-positive immunoreactions (P < or = 0.005). Bcl-2 expression was independent of CD31 and cathepsin D expression. Thus, Bcl-2 protein, thought to be antiapoptotic, exhibits parodoxical expression in human breast carcinomas. It is strongly detected in low-grade tumours (well-differentiated) with low (MIB1) growth fraction, but is independent of the tumour progression (size, node status, CD31, and cathepsin D). Bcl-2 acting on apoptosis is related to p53 gene abnormalities in breast carcinomas. Bcl-2 protein expression may also be involved in response to endocrine therapy (associated to ER/PR/pS2 positive immunoreactions) and probably with chemoresistance mechanisms (inverse relationship with P-gp).

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Infantile digital fibroma--report on eleven cases.

Infantile digital fibroma is a benign lesion, but it is sometimes a locally aggressive proliferative lesion. After having examined the literature, we analysed 11 cases of infantile digital fibroma among children between 1 to 16 years, with a long-term follow-up (14 years). We had 4 recurrences. Treatment was surgical. The histological diagnosis has required special stains to put in evidence the typical cytoplasmic eosinophil elements. Surgery usually involved excision and grafting. We also discuss therapeutic measures.

Adolescent↗

CD31/PECAM automated and quantitative immunocytochemical assays in breast carcinomas: correlation with patient follow-up.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of quantitative CD31 immunohistochemical assays. CD31 assays were performed on a series of 167 breast carcinoma specimens under optimal technical conditions that involved frozen sections, an automated immunoperoxidase technique, and computer-assisted analysis of digitized colored microscopic images. Results of automated quantitative immunohistochemical assays were correlated with patient follow-up (9.6 years). Patients were divided into two subgroups: those who had axillary lymph node-positive (N+) disease and those who had lymph node-negative (N-) disease. The marked immunocytochemical expression of CD31 in tumors (cutoff point, 20%) was significantly (P = .033) associated with a poor overall survival rate (Kaplan-Meier, log rank test); however, a significant association was not observed in the N+ and N- subgroups. CD31-immunostained tumor cell surfaces larger than 20% correlated with the metastasis-free survival rate (P = .004) in all patients and in the N+ subgroup (P = .005) but not in the N- subgroup. In addition, marked immunocytochemical expression of CD31 correlated with the short-term disease-free survival rate (P = .04) in the N+ subgroup but not in the N- subgroup. In multivariate analysis (proportional hazards regression, Cox model) the prognostic significance of CD31 was independent of tumor size and histologic type but not of grade. The results suggest that, under optimal technical conditions (automated and quantitative immunohistochemical assays on frozen sections), immunohistochemical expression of CD31 is a significant prognostic indicator of overall and metastasis-free survival rates. CD31 has limited prognostic value, however, and is not a completely independent prognostic indicator because it is related to nodal status.

Adult↗

Cathepsin D detected by automated and quantitative immunohistochemistry in breast carcinomas: correlation with overall and disease free survival.

AIM: To determine the prognostic significance and clinical relevance of cathepsin D detected by immunocytochemical assays (ICAs) in breast carcinomas. METHODS: 151 patients presenting with palpable or impalpable breast carcinomas and who had not received any kind of adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy who were operated from January 1986 to May 1987 were studied. ICAs of tumour specimens were performed in optimal technical conditions (frozen sections, automated immunoperoxidase technique (Ventana), and computer assisted analysis of digitised coloured microscopic images (SAMBA)) to determine cathepsin D immunocytochemical expression. Results of quantitative ICAs were correlated with overall and disease free survival over 8.4 years of follow up in axillary lymph node positive and negative patients. RESULTS: Cathepsin D immunocytochemical expression in tumours of 15% or more was significantly associated with poor overall survival in the whole group and in node positive patients (Kaplan Meier, log rank test p = 0.003 and p = 0.007); however, it was not correlated with survival in node negative patients. Cathepsin D immunocytochemical expression (> 15%) correlated with short disease free (p = 0.015) and short recurrence free survival (p = 0.021) in the group as a whole but not when node positive and negative patients were evaluated separately. CONCLUSIONS: In optimal conditions (automated and quantitative ICAs on frozen sections) cathepsin D immunohistochemical expression is a significant prognostic indicator in terms of overall, disease free, and recurrence free survival; however, there is no correlation when node negative patients are considered separately.

Adult↗

Quantitative immunocytochemical assays on frozen sections of p53: correlation to the follow-up of patients with breast carcinomas.

A series of 222 tumor samples stored at -80 degrees C in the authors' tumor library were investigated with anti-p53 (PA 1801) and streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. The p53 immunoprecipitates were quantified by densitometry assessed by image analysis of digitized microscopic images. Two parameters, percentage of positive surface and mean optical densities, were compared with the patient's outcome (follow-up = 96.8 months) (life table method, Mantel Cox test, BMDP statistical software). The p53 expression significantly correlated with a poor overall survival (P = .0063), metastasis-free survival (P = .024), and recurrence-free survival (P = .022) at a 20% cutoff point of positive immunoreactive tumor surface. A strong prognostic significance was observed in the node-positive subset of patients but not in the node-negative subset, except for recurrence-free survival (P = .047). The results indicate the clinical relevance p53 evaluated by quantitative immunocytochemistry.

Adult↗

Cutaneous panniculitis and relapsing polychondritis: two cases.

We report 2 uncommon cases of skin panniculitis (Pa) occurring during the course of relapsing polychondritis (RP). Skin histological findings were characterized by septal and lobular involvement associated with vasculitis. Chondritis and Pa lesions both regressed with steroid therapy and showed parallel clinical courses. To our knowledge, this type of cutaneous involvement has never been reported in RP.

Adult↗

p53 quantitative immunocytochemical analysis in breast carcinomas.

A series of 200 breast carcinomas was investigated on frozen sections using PAb 1801 p53 monoclonal antibody and streptavidin biotin peroxidase complex. Densitometric analysis of the immunoprecipitates was assessed by processing digitized microscopic images. p53 was observed in the nucleus of 48% of the tumors. Some tumors (14 of 91) tested in parallel on paraffin sections were negative, although positive on frozen sections. Image analysis showed that the surfaces positive with anti-p53 and the staining intensity were decreased (P < .01) on paraffin sections. The p53 tumor expression was independent of patient age, tumor size, axillary lymph node status, HER-2/neu and cathepsin D expression, and nuclear morphometric parameters. However, p53 correlated with high histological grade (P < .01), lack of estrogen receptor (ER) (P = .0015) and progesterone (PR) (P = .0065) antigenic sites, pS2 detection (P = .03), high Ki-67 immunoreactivity (P = .018), large silver-stained nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) nuclear surface ratio (P < .02), and degree of hyperploidy (P < .03), and was more often observed in the comedocarcinomas. The results suggest that p53 expression in breast carcinomas is not a totally independent prognostic indicator and that the clinical relevance and prognostic significance of p53 expression in breast carcinomas can be reliably assessed provided that the procedures are standardized, particularly with regard to the use of frozen sections and image analysis processing of the immunodetection.

Adult↗

[Kaposi disease, limited to the skin, in ulcerated hemorrhagic rectocolitis].

We report the first case of limited cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma during ulcerative colitis, in a HIV-negative 68 year-old man without any risk factors for this tumor. In our case, the steroid-therapy necessitated by the colitis is the most important aetiological factor of the sarcoma and its withdrawal leads to a complete remission of the tumor. The link between steroid-therapy and Kaposi's sarcoma is well known. A link between ulcerative colitis and Kaposi's sarcoma can be discussed but not proven. The possible occurrence of this cutaneous tumor during ulcerative colitis is of interest.

Aged↗

CD31 quantitative immunocytochemical assays in breast carcinomas. Correlation with current prognostic factors.

The distribution of PECAM-1/CD31 molecule was investigated in 133 breast carcinomas using monoclonal antibody and frozen sections. Anti-CD31 labels endothelial cells and reflects stromal angiogenesis. The CD31 immunoreactivity was evaluated by computer-assisted analysis of digitized microscopic images. The automatic screening of the whole preparation and the measurements of the mean CD31 immunostained surface was performed in each case. A similar procedure was achieved for p53, cathepsin D, P-gp, pHER-2/neu, Ki67, pS2 estrogen and progesterone antigenic sites immunodetection. The image analysis of positive CD31 surface was variable, ranging from 4% to 33% (mean 14.7%, SD = 5.43). The CD31 positive surface correlated (P < .01) with the Nottingham prognostic index, but not with the tumor size, the node status, the tumor grade, nor with the patient age. Also the CD31 immunoreactivity was independent of the pHER-2/neu, Ki67 antigen, p53, ER, PR and pS2 immunodetectable expression in tumors, but correlates with that of cathepsin D (P = .024) and P-gp (P = .028), which reflects the multi-drug resistance capacity of tumor cells. In conclusion, CD31 positive vessels assessed on frozen sections by image analysis constitute an excellent method of evaluating tumor stromal angiogenesis, and can be further used for clinical purposes. The results also suggest that the CD31/PECAM molecule may be involved in the spread of tumor by interacting with extracellular matrix lysis that results from the tumor cell proteasic activity and with multidrug resistance.

Adult↗

Multiple lateral meningoceles, distinctive facies and skeletal anomalies: a new case of Lehman syndrome.

We describe a 19-year-old boy who presented with facial dysmorphism, multiple lateral meningoceles, skeletal abnormalities and normal intelligence. Neurofibromatosis and Marfan syndrome were excluded. Electron microscopy of the skin showed non-specific abnormalities suggesting a connective tissue disorder. The features of this boy closely resemble those in a mother and daughter with Lehman syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Digitization of microcalcifications in breast radiographs. Correlation with pathologic data.

A series of 104 nonpalpable breast lesions detected by mammograms and containing microcalcifications were studied. Intraoperative radiographs of intact and sliced specimens were assessed, followed by microscopic diagnosis on frozen sections of areas containing microcalcifications. Microcalcifications detected on mammograms and radiographs of the specimens were digitized and evaluated in accordance with morphometric parameters, including the mean surface, shape factor, bend energy, envelope surface and total surface, total number and concentration of microcalcifications. Benign disorders, atypical hyperplasia and carcinomas accounted for 47.2%, 4.8% and 48% of the tissue lesions, respectively, but the disorders were most often heterogeneous and mixed. Most, but not all, parameters significantly correlated with the three types of radiographs, although radiographs of the sliced specimens provided images of the best quality. Only two parameters, mean size and bend energy, were significantly different (P = .008, .0036) in benign and malignant lesions. It is concluded that image analysis of digitized microcalcifications in radiographs may provide quantitative data helpful in mammogram interpretation.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Quantitative immunocytochemical assays of P-glycoprotein in breast carcinomas: correlation to messenger RNA expression and to immunohistochemical prognostic indicators.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy failure that is due to cellular drug resistance remains a major problem in most cancer patients. One type of drug resistance that has been characterized is the multidrug resistance phenomenon, which demonstrates a reduced ability of cancer cells to accumulate drugs as a result of the effects of an energy-dependent unidirectional drug efflux pump with a broad substrate specificity. This drug pump is composed of a 170-kd transmembrane glycoprotein referred to as the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that uses energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate to transport drugs through a channel formed by transmembrane segments. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to detect the levels of P-gp expression in frozen untreated breast carcinomas by immunocytochemical assays and to correlate these levels to current prognostic indicators and, in a few cases, to MDR1 (also known as PGY1) mRNA expression by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: The immunocytochemical expression of the multidrug resistance gene, P-gp, was investigated using a specific monoclonal antibody (JSB1) against P-gp in 5-microns frozen sequential sections of breast carcinomas obtained from 213 patients. Microscopic images of immunostained preparations were evaluated by image analysis and were compared with MDR1 transcription (mRNA) assessed by PCR in 16 patients. Quantitative P-gp immunocytochemical assays were correlated to histoprognostic factors and immunocytochemical indicators. RESULTS: Among the 213 breast carcinomas tested, 113 (53%) were P-gp positive, but in 28% of the tumors, the immunostained surface accounted for less than 5% of the total area stained. Quantitative immunocytochemistry reflecting the amount of intracellular P-gp antigen strongly correlated (r = 0.865; two-sided, P < .0001; Pearson's test) with the quantitative evaluation of the scanner analysis of mRNA transcripts. The P-gp expression was significantly (two-sided, P < .001) correlated with p53 expression in tumors, to cathepsin D and Ki67 (two-sided, P < .01) immunoreactivity, and to a lesser extent, the detection of estrogen receptor antigenic sites (two-sided, P = .019). P-gp expression was found to be independent of expression of progesterone receptor and pS2, pHER-2/neu, and CD31 in tumors and from patient age, tumor size, histologic types, grades and Nottingham prognostic index, and nodal status. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative immunocytochemical assays of P-gp are correlated to PCR analysis of MDR1 expression, and such correlations can be useful in evaluating potential multidrug resistance in breast cancer. However, the clinical significance of P-gp immunodetections remains to be further determined.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Reappraisal of breast hamartomas. A morphological study of 41 cases.

Mammary hamartomas are breast disorders currently underestimated and not well recognized. Forty-one hamartomas diagnosed among 5,834 breast biopsies, histologically examined during the last 7 years, are reported. Hamartomas accounted for 1.2% of benign lesions and 4.8% of benign breast tumors. Clinically, hamartomas were revealed by breast palpable lump, usually painless. Typically, but inconsistently, mammography showed sharply circumscribed density, separated from adjacent normal breast by a thin radiolucent zone. Macroscopically, hamartomas were slightly larger and softer than common adenofibromas, were well limited, whitish, pinkish and fleshy, with yellow islands of fat tissue. Histologically, hamartomas exhibited pushing borders with a pseudoencapsulation, and consisted of a combination of variable amount of stromal and epithelial components. Stromal components mainly consisted in a prominent fibrohyalin feature usually associated to small islands of adipose tissue and edematous changes. Epithelial structures showed variable features of benign breast disease. The overall architecture was lobulated but not nodular. The histological diagnosis was mainly a diagnosis of exclusion and hamartomas diagnosis relies on clinical, radiological and pathological criteria. Hamartomas result more from breast dysgenesis than from tumorous process.

Adolescent↗

Electron-beam therapy in scleredema adultorum with associated monoclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia.

We report a case of scleredema adultorum (Buschke's disease) associated with an IgA kappa monoclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia. A significant improvement in the skin was obtained with electron-beam therapy. Scleredema would appear to be linked to monoclonal hypergammaglobulinaemia, but the relationship between the skin disorder and the immunoglobulin abnormality remains to be elucidated.

Adolescent↗