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L Kaklamanis

Publications and source records attributed to L Kaklamanis.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Loss of major histocompatibility complex-encoded transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP) in colorectal cancer.

Presentation of endogenous antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is mediated by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. These antigenic peptides derived from the cytoplasmic protein pool are transported by the recently described MHC-encoded transporters (TAP1 and TAP2) into a pre-Golgi region where they take part in the assembly of MHC class I molecules. Using an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody (AK1.7) for TAP1, we analyzed 81 colorectal carcinomas, 32 adenomas, and the respective nonneoplastic mucosa. Loss of the transporter molecule (TAP1) was observed in 14% (11 of 81) of the carcinomas, either complete (7 of 11) or focal (4 of 11), whereas adenomas and normal mucosa were always positive. This study adds further information to the understanding of the mechanisms related to the defective presentation of the MHC class I molecules by tumor cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

The influence of high dose hydroxyurea on the incorporation of 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IUdR) by human bone marrow and tumour cells in vivo.

Resistance to cytotoxics precludes the successful treatment of many solid tumours. Inhibition of DNA synthesis in normal tissues with antimetabolites such as hydroxyurea (HU) may be a useful means of improving the selective uptake of toxic thymidine analogues by the relatively resistant tumour cells. HU also inhibits DNA repair by the critical depletion of intracellular deoxyribonucleotides. Twenty-five patients with various malignancies received 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IUdR) 100 mg m-2 as a 20 min i.v. infusion and the uptake of IUdR was determined 1 h later immunocytochemically. Of these patients, 14 received IUdR 23 h from the start of a continuous i.v. infusion of HU (36 g over 36 h). Uptake of IUdR was equally suppressed in bone marrow and tumour aspirates, 0.1% (+/- 0.2%) of marrow precursor cells and 0.5% (+/- 0.4%) of tumour cells respectively, in patients who received HU compared to the uptake of IUdR in 11 patients who were not given HU 6.8% (+/- 1.1%) and 12.2% (+/- 1.8%) respectively. Mean HU plasma concentrations at the time of IUdR administration was 1.7 +/- 0.2 mM. The growth fraction of tumour cells (using Ki67 labelling) was not changed after treatment with HU. It is concluded that (1) since DNA synthesis is effectively inhibited by HU in tumour cells, differential uptake of radiolabelled IUdR by those cells will not be feasible using the current schedule of HU administration, (2) HU may be used as an inhibitor of DNA repair in vivo since the degree of inhibition correlates with that required to inhibit repair experimentally and that (3) Ki67 labelling index is not useful in studying cell kinetics in patients treated with HU.

Adenocarcinoma↗

p53 expression in colorectal adenomas.

To assess the expression of p53 in premalignant lesions, we examined by immunohistochemistry benign colorectal adenomas (n = 72, measuring more than 6 mm and less than 95 mm in diameter) from patients without (group I, n = 23) or with (group II, n = 49) concurrent sporadic colorectal carcinomas. Using a panel of three monoclonal antibodies (PAb 240, PAb 421, PAb 1801) and two polyclonal antibodies (CM1, C19) immunohistological staining was demonstrated in 26% of the cases (19 of 72 adenomas, 7 of 23 from group I and 12 of 49 from group II). In the majority of the cases, p53 positive foci in the adenomas occurred in the most dysplastic areas, although focal positivity was detected in glands that were histologically normal. Expression of p53 protein was also detected in 21 of 30 (70%) colorectal carcinomas of group II. In two cases focal positive staining was observed in the polyps but not in the concurrent carcinomas. Non-neoplastic colonic mucosa and stromal lymphoid cells were negative in all cases examined. Over-expression of p53 in neoplastic tissues detected by immunocytochemistry is generally believed to correlate with the presence of mutation in the gene. This may not be an absolute rule, because in some hemopoietic malignancies, there is evidence that p53 protein may be detectable in the absence of an underlying mutation. These findings therefore represent the highest incidence in colorectal adenomas of abnormalities in the p53 protein expression, probably largely due to underlying mutations. This study also suggests that immunocytochemical demonstration of p53 protein may be a suitable method for the routine detection of subpopulations of cells which, by clonal expansion, could acquire a growth advantage within an adenoma during the neoplastic process.

Adenoma↗

ICAM-3 expression on endothelium in lymphoid malignancy.

Intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM-3), the third receptor for lymphocyte function-associated antigen molecule-1 and a new member of the immunoglobulin superfamily has been recently characterized using specific monoclonal antibodies. In the present study, we show immunocytochemically that ICAM-3 is present on T and B cells in the mantle zones and on a subpopulation of follicular center cells in reactive lymph nodes and only occasionally in endothelium. In 52 cases of Hodgkin's disease, ICAM-3, although present on the majority of the reactive lymphoid cells, was absent from the Reed-Sternberg cells and their variants. However, in 28 cases (54%), there was prominent endothelial staining in small vessels. Similar findings were noted in 16 out of 49 cases (33%) of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. This finding suggests that analogous to ICAM-1 and ICAM-2, ICAM-3 expression can be induced on endothelial cells in lymphoid neoplasms, probably by an as yet unidentified cytokine-mediated mechanism.

Antigens, CD↗

Molecular analysis of APC mutations in familial adenomatous polyposis and sporadic colon carcinomas.

Mutations in the APC gene give rise to familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and also occur in many, perhaps most, sporadic colon cancers. By screening with single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis we identified several mutations in a small region of the APC gene in both FAP and sporadic cancers. These mutations were either point mutations or small deletions or insertions causing frameshifts, and all generated stop codons. One 5 base-pair deletion was found in a sporadic colon tumour, a colorectal cancer cell line derived from a sporadic colon tumour, and in four unrelated FAP patients. This mutation produces distinctive heteroduplex bands, which can be detected with a simple non-radioactive assay. Our findings suggest that highly localised short sequences, essentially runs that code for adenine and thymine, may account for up to 20% of all observed APC mutations.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Loss of HLA class-I alleles, heavy chains and beta 2-microglobulin in colorectal cancer.

Using immunohistochemical methods, we have analysed colorectal biopsies of normal mucosa, metaplastic polyps (5 cases), adenomas (15 cases) and adenocarcinomas (70 cases) with 13 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to allelic products of the HLA-A, B, C loci. Nine of the 70 carcinomas showed total loss of HLA Class-I molecules due to an underlying defect regarding not only the expression of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), but also the heavy chains of HLA A, B and C loci, or both. Much commoner was a loss of one or more Class-I alleles as follows: A1/Aw36 (completely lost in 4 of 29 cases and focally lost in another 2), A2 (in 1 of 37 cases), A3 (in 2 of 14 cases), A1 1/28/31/33 (in 3 of 11 cases), B7 (in 3 of 13 and focally in 1 other case), B17 (in 1 case), Bw4 (in 8 of 45 and focally in another 6), Bw6 (in 9 of 62 and focally in another 3). Focal selective loss (Bw6 and a combined A1-Bw6), was observed in 2 adenomas. Normal colonic mucosa, as well as stromal and lymphoid cells present between the neoplastic glands, were studied in each case as a control. A particular allele was only considered to be lost by the malignant cells if it was still expressed on these adjacent tissues.

Alleles↗

Interleukin-4 receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in colorectal cancer.

Interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) and Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (EGFR) were assessed as factors associated with adenoma-carcinoma progression in colorectal cancer and tumour invasion. A monoclonal antibody (MR6) was applied to detect IL-4R in: metaplastic polyps (five cases), adenomas (15 cases), and carcinomas (44 adenocarcinomas and one squamous cell). Positive labelling was obtained in all polyps, adenomas and in 40/45 carcinomas. Normal colonic mucosa of these patients, as well as macrophages and lymphocytes infiltrating the tumour stroma, were also positively labelled with MR6. Four out of five poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas did not show IL-4 receptor expression. No significant correlation was found with tumour size, lymph node stage and IL-4 receptor expression. On the above specimens a parallel detection of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) by a monoclonal antibody (EGFR 1) was carried out. Expression of EGFR was found in 14/20 polyps and in 22/45 carcinomas. All but one of the EGFR positive malignant tumours showed coexpression of IL-4 receptor. Lymph node involvement by tumour cells was detected in 25 out of 45 patients. Eighteen of these 25 cases were positive with EGFR1.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Measuring proliferation in routine fine needle aspirates. Immunocytochemical detection of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and Ki-67 expression in breast aspirates.

Two simple quantitative means of measuring tumour proliferation which can be applied to cytological material are described. One method involves immunocytochemical staining of cytological smears prepared from breast aspirates with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. The other method involves incubation of aspirated material with 5-Bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Direct measurement of the S phase of the cell cycle is feasible in breast fine needle aspirates by Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and subsequent immunocytochemical detection. The proliferation indices obtained correlate with those derived from Ki-67 staining. This technique is suitable for routine use in the assessment of tumour proliferation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis on frozen tumour tissue sections.

The application of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to the molecular genetic analysis of solid tumours has been restricted by the requirement for whole single cells as a DNA source. A simple technique which allows for the direct analysis of histologically characterised solid tumour material by pulsed field gel electrophoresis was developed. Single frozen tissue sections obtained from colonic carcinoma specimens were embedded without further manipulation in molten, low melting temperature agarose. The tumour DNA contained within the agarose plug was subjected to restriction enzyme digestion and PFGE. Sufficient high molecular weight DNA is yielded by this method to obtain a hybridisation signal with a single copy probe. Histological examination of adjacent tissue sections may also be carried out, permitting correlation between molecular analysis and tumour histology.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

MHC loss in colorectal tumours: evidence for immunoselection?

The reason for MHC loss in colorectal tumours remains uncertain. Strong evidence that the downregulation is due to immunoselective pressure would be provided by the finding of deletions or mutations directly involving MHC heavy chain or beta 2m genes. However, although in contrast to studies on cell lines (Brodsky et al, 1979a; Travers et al, 1986; D'Urso et al, 1991), our findings are in agreement with other evidence (Doyle et al, 1985; Blanchet et al, 1990; Henseling et al, 1990) that the most common mechanism of downregulation is regulatory, mostly at a transcriptional level. Does this imply that MHC loss in tumours can be incidental? The answer to this question will depend on the nature of the initial lesion identified. The existence of cis-acting regulatory mechanisms and dominant negative trans-acting mechanisms suggests that a single mutational event could result in transcriptional changes affecting a number of genes. Thus, selective pressure could result in tumour variants whose loss of MHC is due to transcriptional regulatory changes. As these mechanisms are unravelled, it may be possible to draw conclusions about the aetiology of MHC loss in colorectal tumours. Meanwhile, in the absence of demonstrated CTL to colorectal tumours, the case for immunoselective pressure remains unproven.

Animals↗

[Solitary mastocytoma with generalized symptoms].

The physical examination of a 9 1/2 months old infant with repeated attacks of flushing, hypotonia and tachycardia, beginning at the age of 3 months revealed two indurated, brown coloured skin areas, each with a diameter of 2 cm, situated on the left side of the back and on the left buttock, respectively. The histological findings proved the clinically suspected diagnosis of a "solitary mastocytoma". No more generalised symptoms were observed after the surgical removal of the skin lesions during a follow up period of 24 months until today.

Buttocks↗

Assessment of vascular maturation in lung and breast carcinomas using a novel basement membrane component, LH39.

LH39, is a monoclonal antibody recognizing an epitope located at the lamina lucida of mature small veins and capillaries but not in newly- formed vessels of several pathological conditions including cancer. We examined the ratio of mature/immature vessels in 50 breast and 81 lung carcinomas and correlated the vascular maturation index (VMI) to different clinicopathological variables including angiogenesis. Mature vessels were defined by staining with antibodies to both LH39 and CD31, using double immunohistochemistry, whereas immature vessels stained only for CD31. VMI was defined as the percentage fraction of mature vessels (LH39 positive)/total number of vessels (CD31 positive). VMI in breast carcinomas ranged from 0-47% (median 8.75%), which was significantly lower than that observed in the normal breast cases (range 54%-70%; median 68%). The median VMI in the non-small cell lung carcinomas was 46% (range 15%-90%). There was a significant inverse correlation between high tumor VMI and absence of nodal involvement in both breast and lung tumors examined (p=0.01). Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression, but not vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, was related to a low VMI showing an intense vascular remodeling in TP expressing cases. Thus, assessment of vessel maturation might be complementary to microvessel number to aid the identification of patients who might benefit from specific antiangiogenic therapies or vascular targeting treatment.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Angiosarcoma of the heart: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Primary angiosarcoma of the heart is an extremely rare malignant disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 32-year-old female with primary angiosarcoma of the heart at an advanced stage with lung and bone metastases is presented. The tumor showed extensive expression of c-erb-B2 and a moderate expression of c-kit. Chemotherapy (cisplatin, epirubicin and ifosfamide) was administered. Herceptin as well as glivec were added to the above combination. RESULTS: There was a good partial response and the lung deposits almost disappeared. The duration of response was 6 months. CONCLUSION: This case of angiosarcoma of the heart is presented because of the extreme rarity of this disease, and its responsiveness to chemotherapy in combination with imatinib and herceptin.

Adult↗

Non-small cell lung cancer: c-erbB-2 overexpression correlates with low angiogenesis and poor prognosis.

Tumour angiogenesis is an important prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer. Recently, EGFR and c-erbB-2 protein was found to regulate cell adhesion and the invasive growth of cancer through its association with the cadherin-catenin complex. The role of c-erbB-2 protein in cell migration has been also reported. In this study we investigate the combined role of tumoral neoangiogenesis and c-erbB-2/EGFR expression in the metastatic behaviour and prognosis of operable non-small cell lung cancer. 107 tumour samples from patients suffering from operable non small cell lung cancer were examined. EGFR and c-erbB-2 were not correlated with each other. C-erbB-2 expression was associated with low angiogenesis, approaching statistical significance in adenocarcinomas (p = 0.08). The absence of expression of both c-erbB-2 and EGFR oncogenes in tumours with high angiogenesis, was most frequently observed in node negative cases (p = 0.04). C-erbB-2 overexpression defined a subgroup of node negative patients with low angiogenesis and prognosis similar to patients with tumours bearing high angiogenesis. These findings support the hypothesis that expression of the erb genes is a mechanism activated in non-small cell lung cancer to enable cancer cell migration. This pathway seems to be activated mainly in tumours with poor vasculature presumably lading to an unfavourable intratumoral nutritional and oxygen ambience.

Aged↗

Focal expression of thymidine phosphorylase associates with CD31 positive lymphocytic aggregation and local neo-angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PDECGF) also called thymidine phosphorylaze (TP) has been shown to have considerable angiogenic activity. 141 cases of early stage non-small cell lung cancer were stained for TP and vascular grade using the P-GF.44C and JC70 MoAbs, respectively. The early steps of TP activation could be identified in 27 cases, where one or two foci of cancer cell TP overexpression occurred within a general pattern of negative/weak staining. Thirty-three foci of overexpression were analyzed for the local microvessel density in the adjacent stroma, assessed by microvessel counting (MC) and Chalkley Score (CS) comparatively with the remaining TP negative tumor areas. The degree of local inflammatory (lymphocyte and macrophage) infiltration was also assessed. A statistically significant increase of mean MC and mean CS was observed in areas of TP overexpression in both low and high angiogenesis cases. Overall, the mean MC in overexpressing areas, assessed in 250x fields, was 20.4 +/- 12.8 vs. 13.6 +/- 9.5 in areas with no TP expression (p = 0.0001). The mean CS was 5.7 +/- 3.3 and 4.0 +/- 2.1, respectively (p = 0.0003). Ten out of 19 (54%) cases with low lymphocytic infiltration showed marked stromal lymphocytic infiltration in the area of focal TP overexpression (p = 0.01). The present study provides further evidence of a direct association of TP and the process of angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗