Biomedical subjects

N J Agnantis

Publications and source records attributed to N J Agnantis.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Localization of metallothionein in urothelial carcinoma of the human urinary bladder: an immunohistochemical study including correlation with HLA-DR antigen, p53, and proliferation indices.

Metallothionein (MT) is a low-molecular-weight cysteine-rich protein, which has the ability to bind and sequestrate heavy metal ions. Synthesis of MT is induced in a variety of tissues by these metal ions, as well as by endogenous factors such as glucocorticoids, interferon, interleukin-1 and vitamin D. Several lines of evidence show that MT may play a role in carcinogenesis. In this study MT expression was detected immunohistochemically, using a monoclonal antibody (E9) against a conserved epitope of I and II isoforms, in a series of 63 cases of urothelial carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Correlation between MT expression and HLA-DR antigen expression, p53, proliferation indices (PCNA and MIBI) as well as the various clinicopathological parameters, such as age, sex, squamous metaplasia, tumor grade, stage and recurrence were studied. In a semiquantitative analysis MT expression (> 10% of neoplastic cells) was observed in 12.7%, focal MT positivity in 11.1% and almost completely lack of MT expression in 76.2% of tumors. The incidence of MT expression was significantly higher (p=0.0002) in cases with high pathological tumor grades. MT values were significantly correlated with tumor stage (p=0.0009). A statistically significant positive correlation between MT expression and the HLA-DR antigen expression (p=0.001) was also detected. The data suggested that MT expression was correlated with a more aggressive behavior in urothelial bladder cancer.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Large loop excision of the transformation zone for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a 12-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Although the existing evidence suggests that there is no obviously superior conservative method for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), one of the most widely used is the large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 897 women who were treated with LLETZ at our colposcopy clinic from 1989 to 2000 were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: Forty women did not have significant cervical pathology (4.5% over-treatment rate). Clear margins of excision were obtained in 748 (88.5%) of the 845 cases of CIN or microinvasive cancers. Treatment failure rates were 4.7% for clear margins and 26.8% for involved or uncertain. CONCLUSION: LLETZ is a fast and reliable method of treating CIN and microinvasive carcinoma. Generalized cauterization of the resulting crater should be avoided and satellite HPV lesions ablated. Involved margins have a higher treatmentfailure rate, therefore a larger excision is recommended as cervical craters regenerate. Treatment in pregnant women can be delayed until postpartum provided they have adequate surveillance during pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Transvaginal uterine ultrasonography compared with endometrial biopsy for the detection of endometrial disease in perimenopausal women with uterine bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Almost 70% of all gynecological consultations in perimenopausal women are related to irregular uterine bleeding. In this prospective study, we compared endometrial assessment by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) in perimenopausal women with irregular uterine bleeding to histological assessment and tested whether the TVS was effective as a diagnostic tool for the detection of endometrial pathology in these women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty consecutive perimenopausal women complaining of irregular uterine bleeding participated in the study. The women were evaluated by transvaginal scans, performed immediately before endometrial biopsy. The ultrasonographic results were compared with the histological diagnosis obtained from the endometrial biopsy. RESULTS: Sixty-seven out of 80 women (83.7%) had normal histological findings, whereas 13 (16.3%) had abnormal findings. No endometrial cancer was diagnosed in this cohort of women. In the 67 women with a histological diagnosis of normal endometrium, mean+/-SD endometrial thickness was 10.5+/-4.0 mm (range 4.0-18.5 mm), whereas the corresponding value in the 13 women with abnormal findings was 18.7+/-3.8 mm (range 13.5-22.5 mm). If a 13 mm cut-off limit was used for endometrial thickness, which would include all abnormal cases, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values were 100%, 71.64% and 40.62%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TVS can identify women with perimenopausal bleeding in which the likelihood of endometrial pathology is high and in which tissue sampling should be performed. Thus, TVS can be a primary method of selecting women with perimenopausal bleeding who must be further investigated with more invasive methods such as endometrial biopsy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Screening transvaginal uterine ultrasonography for identifying endometrial pathology in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) has become a widely-used technique for the evaluation of endometrial histology. The purposes of this study were to compare transvaginal sonographic evaluation of the endometrium with histology obtained by endometrial biopsy in asymptomatic postmenopausal women and to determine whether screening transvaginal sonography might be useful in the evaluation of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 59 unselected asymptomatic postmenopausal women who attended the outpatient clinic for annual cervical cytology at Ioannina University Hospital Greece. The women were evaluated by transvaginal scans, performed immediately before endometrial biopsy. RESULTS: In the 43 women with a histopathological diagnosis of normal endometrium/inadequate for assessment/atrophy, the mean endometrial thickness was 5.1 +/- 3.3 mm (range 0.8-13.8 mm) whereas the corresponding value in the 16 women with abnormal findings was 17.6 +/- 4.3 mm (range 9.4-24.6 mm) (p<0.001). If a 9 mm cut-off limit was used for endometrial thickness, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 100%, 90.69% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TVS is a sensitive test for determining endometrial disease in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. However, well-designed studies should be conducted, completed, analysed and validated before a mass-screening program using TVS is implemented.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Screening transvaginal uterine ultrasonography for identifying endometrial pathology in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) has become a widely-used technique for the evaluation of endometrial histology. The purposes of this study were to compare transvaginal sonographic evaluation of the endometrium with histology obtained by endometrial biopsy in asymptomatic postmenopausal women and to determine whether screening transvaginal sonography might be useful in the evaluation of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 59 unselected asymptomatic postmenopausal women who attended the outpatients' clinic for annual cervical cytology at Ioannina University Hospital, Greece. The women were evaluated by transvaginal scans, performed immediately before endometrial biopsy. RESULTS: In the 43 women with a histopathological diagnosis of normal endometrium/inadequate for assessment/atrophy, the mean endometrial thickness was 5.1 +/- 3.3 mm (range 0.8-13.8 mm) whereas the corresponding value in the 16 women with abnormal findings was 17.6 +/- 4.3 mm (range 9.4-24.6 mm) (p<0.001). If a 9-mm cut-off limit was used for endometrial thickness, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 100%, 90.69% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TVS is a sensitive test for determining endometrial disease in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. However, well-designed studies should be conducted, completed, analysed and validated before a mass-screening program using TVS is implemented.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Updated diagnostic criteria for partial and complete hydatidiform moles in early pregnancy.

Hydatidiform moles are genetically abnormal conceptions which are associated with an increased risk of development of persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma. With the introduction of ultrasound examination as part of the routine clinical management of early pregnancy complications, the majority of molar pregnancies are now evaluated in the first trimester before the classical clinical or pathological features have developed. Diagnosis of both complete and partial hydatidiform mole at this early stage of pregnancy requires the use of appropriate, updated histopathological features which are different from those described in later pregnancy.

Choriocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Genetic alterations of the APC gene in familial adenomatous polyposis patients of the hellenic group for the study of colorectal cancer.

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)-a premalignant clinical entity inherited as an autosomal dominant trait-is characterized by the development of hundreds to thousands of adenomatous polyps of the colorectum during the second and third decade of life. Approximately 80% of the FAP patients harbour truncating germ-line mutations in the APC tumor suppressor gene (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli). We tested 48 members from 9 families. Two novel truncating mutations were identified-2601delGA, R923X--and five already known mutations R564X, R876X, Q1045X, 3927-3931delAAAGA and D1822V were found. Our method for testing was PCR amplification from genomic DNA extracted from whole blood, followed by automated DNA sequencing.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tumor markers. An update approach for their prognostic significance. Part I.

Identification of prognostic tumor markers is a main strategy for planning treatment and predicting outcome of patients with various malignancies. This article reviews a panel of proliferation markers, hormone receptors, oncogene products and apoptosis regulators that have shown potential as prognostic indicators in common human cancers. At present, steroid receptors and the c-erbB-2 gene are the only tissue-based markers accepted in clinical practice, having an established role in breast cancer prognosis. Other markers e.g., the p53 gene, look promising as prognostic factors in different kinds of cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CD44 family and gynaecological cancer.

CD44 refers to a multifunctional family of type I transmembrane proteins. The CD44 gene contains at least 21 exons, 11 of which can be variably spliced and produce a variety of heavily glycosylated cell surface proteins, known as CD44 variant isoforms. These proteins have been implicated in many biological processes, such as cell adhesion, cell substrate, cell to cell interactions, including lymphocyte homing haemopoiesis, cell migration and metastasis. These abilities are of great importance in chronic inflammation and in cancer. Published data have shown that CD44 has the ability to recruit leucocytes to vascular endothelium at sites of inflammation, which is one of the first steps in the inflammatory response. In cancer, deregulation of the adhesion mechanisms increases the ability of tumor cells to metastasis. This behavior seems to be explained by the existing relationship between hyaluronan, a basic component of the extracellular matrix and CD44, which is its major cell surface receptor. There are CD44 variant isoforms which are expressed on different types of normal cells. In addition some isoforms are overexpressed on tumor cells including breast, cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer. This property seems to be correlated with the metastatic potential of these cells. This review summarizes the available data on the possible prognostic role of the polymorphic CD44 protein family and its role as a tumor marker in gynaecological cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CD44s expression, in benign, borderline and malignant tumors of ovarian surface epithelium. Correlation with p53, steroid receptor status, proliferative indices (PCNA, MIB1) and survival.

AIM: To investigate the role of CD44s in the biological behavior of surface epithelial ovarian tumors and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters, prognosis, p53, steroid receptor status and proliferative indices (PCNA, MIB1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed a total of 83 patients with ovarian surface epithelial tumors, for the immunohistochemical expression of CD44s and the possible correlation with clinicopathological factors and patients' outcome. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was found between the expression of CD44s, which was higher in cancer cases than in benign cystadenomas (p<0.0001) and, between cancer cases, which was lower in borderline tumors, (p=0.05). No statistical correlation was found between CD44s expression and the examined markers. In overall survival analysis we did not detect a statistically significant correlation with the expression of CD44s. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that CD44s may be functionally involved in the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian lesions.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tumor markers in cancer patients. an update of their prognostic significance. Part II.

The primary determinant of outcome in patients with cancer is the development of distant metastasis. Metastasis is a multistep process involving disruption of cell-matrix adhesion, dissolution of the extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, invasion in the blood vessel wall, extravasation and establishment of a secondary growth. Nowadays, a large number of biochemical and cell biological studies have indicated the important role of extacellular matrix adhesion molecules, proteinases and angiogenic factors in the dissemination of cancer. Cell adhesion molecules, such as integrins, E-cadherin, catenins and CD44 appear to have some prognostic significance, especially in gastric, colorectal and lung cancer patients. Since matrix degrading proteinases are involved in cancer spread, they should be good candidates as prognostic factors. The proteinase which has been investigated in greatest detail is uPA in breast cancer. As a marker of cancer, its main value is to aid in selecting the subgroups of node-negative breast cancer patients that are unlikely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Cathepsin D and metalloproteinases (MMPs) look promising prognostic markers but further work is needed to establish their utility. Intratumoral angiogenesis is a putative prognostic indicator for some types of cancer. High expression of the angiogenic factor VEGF is associated with angiogenesis and an unfavourable survival.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors p21(WAF1) and p27(KIP1) in benign, premalignant and malignant laryngeal lesions. correlation with cell cycle regulatory proteins.

BACKGROUND: Cell cycle progression and transition of cells from the first gap phase (G1) to the DNA replication phase (S) depend on a finely tuned balance between the levels of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 57 squamous cell invasive carcinomas of the larynx, 10 in situ carcinomas, 56 cases of dysplasia, 11 papillomas and 26 keratosis. We investigated: a) the immunohistochemical expression of CDKIs, p21 and p27, b) any possible relation between normal and abnormal immunoprofiles of these proteins and p53 protein and proliferation status as determined by the expression of Ki67 and PCNA, and c) their presence in pre-malignant and malignant laryngeal lesions. RESULTS: Expression of p21 and p27 was observed in 58.9% and 89.5% of the laryngeal carcinomas, respectively. High levels of p21 were significantly correlated with increased cyclin D (p=0.001), cyclin E (p<0.001) and Ki67 (p<0.001), while increased expression levels of p27 were associated with p53 accumulation (p=0.02) and with increased proliferation status as expressed by Ki67 (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Due to the increased expression levels of CDKIs in laryngeal carcinomas, we suggest the existence of a mechanism by which tumor cells tolerate the inhibitory effect of these proteins on cell cycle progression.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of fine-needle aspiration biopsy in the management of patients with thyroid nodules.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid gland is the most cost-effective examination in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to present our experience from all patients who underwent thyroid FNA in the University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece, in the period 1993-2003, and its value in the diagnostic management of patients with thyroid nodules. FNA was performed in 900 patients of whom 753 were females and 147 males. The cases were classified according to diagnosis into five groups: benign/negative 628, primary carcinoma 28, metastatic carcinoma 5, suspicious/indeterminate 60 and non-diagnostic 179. Cytological findings were compared with histopathological findings and the statistical analysis in our data yielded the following results: sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 93.2%. These results are in accordance with the already published data in the international literature. In cases of differential diagnosis between adenomatoid hyperplasia and follicular neoplasia, four cases were diagnosed as hot nodules. In the benign group, three cases were diagnosed as nodular hyperplasia with cystic degeneration on FNA, but, after surgical treatment, histologically were diagnosed as papillary carcinomas. In the group of suspicious/indeterminate, two cases were diagnosed as suspicious for follicular neoplasia on FNA and, after surgical treatment, were diagnosed histopathologically as medullary carcinomas. In conclusion, we suggest that routine measurement of serum calcitonin is useful and mandatory in the detection of medullary carcinoma among patients with nodular thyroid diseases. Taking into consideration the clinical data can minimize false-positive and false-negative rates. We conclude that FNA is an effective screening test in the evaluation of the necessity for surgical treatment in patients with thyroid nodules.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High levels of c-myc protein in human breast tumours determined by a sensitive ELISA technique.

We have previously examined the expression of (H-ras) oncogene related transcripts (Spandidos and Agnantis: Anticancer Res 4: 269-272, 1984) and also the activation of the H-ras oncogene (Spandidos: Anticancer Res 7: 991-996, 1987) in human malignant breast cancers. Our results revealed overexpression of the H-ras transcripts in malignant compared to normal tissues, while in the same tumour specimens certain point mutations and other genetic changes have been found in the H-ras gene. In this paper we have investigated c-myc oncoprotein expression in the same tumour samples using an ELISA technique (Moore et al: Oncogene Res 2: 65-80, 1989). Elevated c-myc oncoprotein expression was found in all of the tumour specimens compared with normal breast tissues from a patient with no evidence of the disease. A correlation was found between T stage and c-myc expression in both the normal tissue from the resection margin and in the breast tumour specimens. However, no correlation was found between survival and elevated c-myc expression.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Elevated expression of the myc gene in human benign and malignant breast lesions compared to normal tissue.

Expression of the c-myc gene in human breast lesions and in adjacent normal tissue was studied by immunohistochemical analysis. The previously described monoclonal antibody Myc1-9E10 (1) which recognizes the p62 c-myc protein was used in paraffin tissue sections. A total of 101 cases of breast disease examined included 38 simple and complex cystic disease, 18 simple and hyperplastic fibroadenomas, 36 ductal and lobular carcinomas and 9 in situ carcinomas. Whereas the adjacent normal tissue was slightly positive, 25 out of 38 cystic disease, 7 out of 18 fibroadenoma, 36 out of 36 carcinoma and 9 out of 9 in situ carcinoma specimens showed moderate to high levels of p62 c-myc expression as indicated by staining intensity. These results suggest that the c-myc protein may play a role in breast neoplasia.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical study of the ras oncogene expression in human breast lesions.

An immunohistochemical study of ras oncogene expression in human breast lesions was carried out using a monoclonal antibody, Y13 259, to the ras encoded p21 protein. A total of 75 cases of breast disease examined included: 33 simple and complex cystic disease; 22 simple and hyperplastic fibroadenomas; 18 ductal, lobular and mixed carcinomas and 2 in situ carcinomas. Most of the complex cystic disease, hyperplastic fibroadenomas and all types of carcinomas showed high p21 expression as indicated by staining intensity. These results suggest that elevated ras expression may play an important role in the development of some premalignant and malignant breast lesions.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Human malignant tumours of the breast, as compared to their respective normal tissue, have elevated expression of the Harvey ras oncogene.

Analysis of expression of Harvey-ras related oncogenes in human malignant breast tumours and in their respective normal tissue has revealed a significant elevation of Harvey-ras transcripts in malignant as compared to normal tissue. In contrast, the sis oncogene is not expressed significantly in either type of malignant or normal tissue. These results suggest that Harvey-ras oncogene may be specifically activated in the development of human malignant breast tumours.

Breast↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative immunohistochemical study of ras-p21 oncoprotein in adenomatous hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland.

The present study assessed the immunohistochemical expression of ras p21 oncoprotein in 41 cases of benign and cancerous lesions of the prostate gland and correlated p21 expression with survival of patients operated for prostate cancer. Our results show that p21 is detected in both categories of patients, the expression being weak in adenomatous hyperplasia and more intense in cancer. We were also able to show an inverse relation between ras p21 positivity and the degree of differentiatin. Follow-up study revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlation between 5 year survival and p21 expression.

Adenocarcinoma↗