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R Montironi

Publications and source records attributed to R Montironi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

OCT4: biological functions and clinical applications as a marker of germ cell neoplasia.

Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, which develop in the gonads as well as in extragonadal sites, that share morphological patterns and an overall good prognosis, owing to their responsiveness to current surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiotherapeutic measures. GCTs demonstrate extremely interesting biological features because of their close relationships with normal embryonal development as demonstrated by the pluripotentiality of some undifferentiated GCT variants. The similarities between GCTs and normal germ cell development have made it possible to identify possible pathogenetic pathways in neoplastic transformation and progression of GCTs. Genotypic and immunophenotypic profiles of these tumours are also useful in establishing and narrowing the differential diagnosis in cases of suspected GCTs. Recently, OCT4 (also known as OCT3 or POU5F1), a transcription factor that has been recognized as fundamental in the maintenance of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and primordial germ cells, has been proposed as a useful marker for GCTs that exhibit features of pluripotentiality, specifically seminoma/dysgerminoma/germinoma and embryonal carcinoma. The development of commercially available OCT4-specific antibodies suitable for immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded specimens has generated increasing numbers of reports of OCT4 expression in a wide variety of gonadal and extragonadal GCTs. OCT4 immunostaining has been shown to be a sensitive and specific marker for seminomatous/(dys)germinomatous tumours and in embryonal carcinoma variants of non-seminomatous GCTs, whether in primary gonadal or extragonadal sites or in metastatic lesions. Therefore, OCT4 immunohistochemistry is an additional helpful marker both in the differential diagnosis of specific histological subtypes of GCTs and in establishing a germ cell origin for some metastatic tumours of uncertain primary. OCT4 expression has also been reported in pre-invasive conditions such as intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified (IGCNU) and the germ cell component of gonadoblastoma. Additionally, OCT4 immunostaining shows promise as a useful tool in managing patients known to be at high risk for the development of invasive GCTs.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Radical prostatectomy for locally advanced prostate cancer: results of a feasibility study (EORTC 30001).

The aim of this open, non-randomised, 2-stage feasibility study was to determine whether radical prostatectomy (RP) was safe and could provide cure for good prognosis patients with clinical T3 prostate cancer, in a multicentre setting. Cure was defined as a 3 months post-operative of undetectable serum PSA in combination with the presence of pathologically negative margins in the surgical specimen. Forty patients were enrolled of whom 38 were eligible. Six patients (5 pN+ and 1 pNx) did not meet the inclusion criteria and were excluded leaving 32 evaluable pN0 patients of whom 19 (59.4%, SE=4.26) achieved a complete response (CR) and in whom only two serious toxic events (STEs) were observed. The results of the first phase of the study passed the toxicity criteria (<3 STE's) but failed on the cure rate (>20 CRs). This resulted in discontinuation of the study after the first stage. The main reason for failure was the incidence of positive margins in the resected specimen. Although the study was stopped after the first phase, 28 of the 32 pN0 patients (87.5%) had undetectable serum PSA at 3 months. We continue to believe that RP with extensive resection can be beneficial as monotherapy for T3aN0M0 prostate cancer.

Adult↗

Cyclin D3 expression in primary Ta/T1 bladder cancer.

Cyclin D3 deregulation has recently been reported in bladder cancer but its prognostic significance remains uncertain. A cohort of 159 patients with stage Ta or T1 primary bladder tumours was investigated to determine the significance of cyclin D3 expression in association with other G1-S phase regulators of the cell cycle (p53, p21Waf1, p27kip1, cyclin D1), including tumour proliferation (ki67-MIB1); its association with conventional clinicopathological parameters; and the relationship between cyclin D3 and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the 9p21 (p16INK4a locus) chromosome region. The end point of the study was progression-free survival. Cyclin D3, other G1-S phase regulators, and tumour proliferation were investigated by immunohistochemistry and measured by the grid-counting method. To validate the immunohistochemical expression, cyclin D3 was additionally assessed by western blotting in selected cases. LOH at the 9p21 chromosome region (marker D9S171) was assessed in 125 cases using an AB Prism 310 genetic analyser and a set of microsatellite fluorescence-labelled primers. Cyclin D3 overexpression was related to larger tumour size (>5 cm; p < 0.0001) and high tumour proliferation (>10%; p = 0.025). Mean cyclin D3 expression increased with 2004 WHO grading categories in stage Ta (p = 0.035, ANOVA) and stage T1 (p = 0.047, t test) tumours. Cyclin D3 was not related to other clinicopathological parameters, G1-S phase modulators, or 9p21 LOH. Cox's multivariate analysis selected cyclin D3 as an independent predictor of progression-free survival (p = 0.0012, relative risk (RR) = 5.2366) together with tumour size (p = 0.0115, RR = 4.4442) and cyclin D1 (p = 0.0065, RR = 3.3023). Cyclin D3 expression had the highest risk ratio. Our results suggest that expression of cyclin D3 is relevant to the progression-free survival of patients with Ta/T1 bladder carcinomas.

Adult↗

A UK-based investigation of inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of Gleason grading of prostatic biopsies.

AIMS: The frequency of prostatic core biopsies to detect cancer has been increasing with more widespread prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. Gleason score has important implications for patient management but morphological reproducibility data for British practice are limited. Using literature-based criteria nine uropathologists took part in a reproducibility study. METHODS: Each of the nine participants submitted slides from consecutive cases of biopsy-diagnosed cancer assigned to the Gleason score groups 2-4, 5-6, 7 and 8-10 in the original report. A random selection of slides was taken within each group and examined by all pathologists, who were blind to the original score. Over six circulations, new slides were mixed with previously read slides, resulting in a total of 47 of 81 slides being read more than once. RESULTS: For the first readings of the 81 slides, the agreement with the consensus score was 78% and overall interobserver agreement was kappa 0.54 for Gleason score groups 2-4, 5-6, 7, 8-10. Kappa values for each category were 0.33, 0.56, 0.44 and 0.68, respectively. For the 47 slides read more than once, intra-observer agreement was 77%, kappa 0.66. The study identified problems in core biopsy interpretation of Gleason score at levels 2-4 and 7. Patterns illustrated by Gleason as 2 tended to be categorized as 3 because of the variable acinar size and unassessable lesional margin. In slides with consensus Gleason score 7, 13% of readings were scored 6 and in slides with consensus 6, 18% of readings were scored 7. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations include the need to increase objectivity of the Gleason criteria but limits of descriptive morphology may have to be accepted.

Biopsy↗

A study of Gleason score interpretation in different groups of UK pathologists; techniques for improving reproducibility.

AIMS: To test the effectiveness of a teaching resource (a decision tree with diagnostic criteria based on published literature) in improving the proficiency of Gleason grading of prostatic cancer by general pathologists. METHODS: A decision tree with diagnostic criteria was developed by a panel of urological pathologists during a reproducibility study. Twenty-four general histopathologists tested this teaching resource. Twenty slides were selected to include a range of Gleason score groups 2-4, 5-6, 7 and 8-10. Interobserver agreement was studied before and after a presentation of the decision tree and criteria. The results were compared with those of the panel of urological pathologists. RESULTS: Before the teaching session, 83% of readings agreed within +/- 1 of the panel's consensus scores. Interobserver agreement was low (kappa = 0.33) compared with that for the panel (kappa = 0.62). After the presentation, 90% of readings agreed within +/- 1 of the panel's consensus scores and interobserver agreement amongst the pathologists increased to kappa = 0.41. Most improvement in agreement was seen for the Gleason score group 5-6. CONCLUSIONS: The lower level of agreement among general pathologists highlights the need to improve observer reproducibility. Improvement associated with a single training session is likely to be limited. Additional strategies include external quality assurance and second opinion within cancer networks.

Humans↗

Ki-67 MIB1 labelling index and the prognosis of primary TaT1 urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder.

AIMS: To evaluate whether ki-67 labelling index (LI) has independent prognostic value for survival of patients with bladder urothelial tumours graded according to the 2004 World Health Organisation classification. METHODS: Ki-67 LI was evaluated in 164 cases using the grid counting method. Non-invasive (stage Ta) tumours were: papilloma (n = 5), papillary urothelial neoplasia of low malignant potential (PUNLMP; n = 26), and low (LG; n = 34) or high grade (HG; n = 15) papillary urothelial carcinoma. Early invasive (stage T1) tumours were: LG (n = 58) and HG (n = 26) carcinoma. Statistical analysis included Fisher and chi2 tests, and mean comparisons by ANOVA and t test. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed according to the Kaplan-Meier method with log rank test and Cox's proportional hazard method. RESULTS: Mean ki-67 LI increased from papilloma to PUNLMP, LG, and HG in stage Ta (p<0.0001) and from LG to HG in stage T1 (p = 0.013) tumours. High tumour proliferation (>13%) was related to greater tumour size (p = 0.036), recurrence (p = 0.036), progression (p = 0.035), survival (p = 0.054), and high p53 accumulation (p = 0.015). Ki-67 LI and tumour size were independent predictors of disease free survival (DFS), but only ki-67 LI was related to progression free survival (PFS). Cancer specific overall survival (OS) was related to ki-67 LI, tumour size, and p27kip1 downregulation. Ki-67 LI was the main independent predictor of DFS (p = 0.0005), PFS (p = 0.0162), and cancer specific OS (p = 00195). CONCLUSION: Tumour proliferation measured by Ki-67 LI is related to tumour recurrence, stage progression, and is an independent predictor of DFS, PFS, and cancer specific OS in TaT1 bladder urothelial cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

High grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia with squamous differentiation.

An unusual variant of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia with prominent and extensive squamous differentiation is described. The lesion was identified in the transition zone of a 79 year old man with a three year history of increasing urinary obstructive symptoms and a clinical diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia who underwent simple prostatectomy. Two years after surgery, prostatic biopsies showed atrophy and mild chronic inflammation, with no evidence of malignancy. This unusual intraepithelial lesion seems not to have been described before and may represent a new variant of high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) with squamous differentiation.

Aged↗

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the urinary bladder: a clinico-pathological study emphasising immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular analyses.

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs) of the bladder are extremely rare and aggressive neoplasms, and only six examples have been reported in the literature. The case of a 21-year-old woman, who remains disease free 3 years after tumour resection, is reported here. Morphological features were found to correspond to a small round blue cell tumour without rosette formation and with extensive areas of necrosis. Strong expression of CD99, vimentin and CD117 (c-kit), and focal reactivity to cytokeratin and S-100 protein was observed in tumour cells. Ultrastructurally, sparse neurosecretory granules were observed. Diagnosis of PNET was supported by molecular genetic analysis, showing the EWS-FLI-1 fusion transcript type 2 by RT-PCR and EWS gene rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridisation. A normal genetically balanced genotype was shown by comparative genomic hybridisation, which, together with the expression of c-kit, a known therapeutic target for imatinib, may have prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Adult↗

Adenoid cystic/basal cell carcinoma of the prostate strongly expresses HER-2/neu.

Adenoid cystic/basal cell carcinoma (ACBCC) is a rare neoplasm in the prostate. Definitive treatment is warranted, as among 19 patients previously reported by us, 5 had extraprostatic extension and 4 were metastatic. The HER-2/neu (c-erbB-2) gene has been reportedly overexpressed in adenoid cystic carcinomas in other organs, but its status in prostatic ACBCC was uncertain. Immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridisation were carried out in 13 patients with ACBCC (11 from transurethral resection, 2 prostatectomy). One patient had metastasis to the lung. Citrate buffer and steam heat were used for antigen retrieval. Ten acinar adenocarcinomas of varying grades were also immunostained as controls. Protein and mRNA expression were 2+ to 3+ (of 3+) in all patients with ACBCC, compared to a breast cancer control with strong reactivity, whereas protein expression was noted in only one acinar carcinoma and mRNA expression was absent in all acinar carcinomas. Benign acini expressed HER-2/neu only in the basal layer. The finding of strong, consistent HER-2/neu expression in ACBCC suggests that treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab) may be effective in patients with this rare tumour.

Adult↗

Karyometry in the early detection and chemoprevention of intraepithelial lesions.

The ideal chemopreventive agent targets pre-neoplastic changes and intraepithelial neoplasia, preventing progression over time without notable side effects. Assessment of success of chemopreventive intervention in the short and medium term remains a challenge, and in this review the suggestion is investigated that karyometric measurements constitute suitable markers of chemopreventive efficacy. Karyometry provides the sensitivity required to detect small differences amidst relatively high biological variability. It can help establish progression curves of intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) to invasive cancer, and thus detect chemopreventive effects. Such effects can be observed in two ways, at the group level (intervention vs. placebo), and at the case (or patient) level. The latter is more difficult to establish, necessitating the development of specialised statistical methods. Analysis of between-case and within-case heterogeneity can reveal useful information about cancer progression and prevention. We suggest that karyometry can objectively quantify IEN progression, providing a framework for statistically securing chemopreventive effects. It can act as an integrating biomarker by detecting chemopreventive activity even when the mechanism for a given progression pathway is unknown, or when multiple pathways exist. The sensitivity of karyometric detection can help optimise the design of clinical trials of novel chemopreventive agents by decreasing trial duration and/or sample size.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Intraoperative frozen section diagnosis in urological oncology.

The intraoperative frozen sections are indicated if the pathological findings change the surgical procedure. In urological oncology is not recommended, as a general attitude, in the tumor diagnosis/staging during the surgery. The assessment of the surgical margins is recommended in partial surgical resections but the literature discourages its systematic use in the radical surgical resections. The assessment of the lymph nodes is specially indicated in the penile cancer with intermediate or high risk and non-palpable nodes, and is debated its utility in non-palpable lymph nodes of cystectomies and prostatectomies.

Female↗

Bladder cancer: epidemiology, staging and grading, and diagnosis.

Bladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease with a variable natural history. At one end of the spectrum, low-grade Ta tumors have a low progression rate and require initial endoscopic treatment and surveillance but rarely present a threat to the patient. At the other extreme, high-grade tumors have a high malignant potential associated with significant progression and cancer death rates. In the Western world, bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in men and the eighth most common in women. In Europe and the United States, bladder cancer accounts for 5% to 10% of all malignancies in men. The risk of developing bladder cancer at <75 years of age is 2% to 4% for men and 0.5% to 1% in women compared with the risk of lung cancer, for example, which is 8% in men and 2% in women. For the geographic and temporal comparison of bladder cancer incidence, it is crucial to separate the low-grade from the high-grade tumors. In epidemiologic studies on risk factors for bladder cancer, it is important to distinguish the low-grade Ta tumors from high-grade carcinoma in situ (CIS) and tumors >T1. Current studies do not support the routine screening for bladder cancer. However, prospective long-term studies are required to evaluate the benefits of bladder cancer screening, particularly in those at high risk. After assessing all available evidence, the Epidemiology and Diagnosis Committee has made recommendations on various diagnostic issues, including pathologic evaluation, urinary cytology, and imaging studies. Optimal resection techniques, role of repeat transurethral resection in high-grade T1 tumors, random bladder biopsy, and prostatic urethral biopsy are discussed, and appropriate recommendations are made according to the strength of available evidence.

Environmental Exposure↗

Prognostic role of Fuhrman grade and vascular endothelial growth factor in pT1a clear cell carcinoma in partial nephrectomy specimens.

PURPOSE: Conventional renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by rich neovascularization and shows a fine vascular network around tumor cells. Nephron sparing surgery has been established as a method of choice or necessity for localized tumors. We investigated the importance of microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (Flk-1) immunohistochemical expression in a large series of small conventional clear cell renal carcinomas treated with partial nephrectomy and assessed the prognostic value of their expression in terms of patients survival at long-term followup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 patients with a mean age +/- SD of 58.2 +/- 9.5 years who had conventional single RCC were considered. Median tumor diameter was 2.92 +/- 0.82 cm (range 1.3 to 5). Disease was grades 1 to 4 in 15, 29, 2 and 2 patients, respectively. Median followup was 92.9 months (range 17 to 186). RESULTS: Four patients (3.9%) had died of metastatic renal cancer at a median followup of 23.5 months, of whom 1 had a grade 2, 1 had a grade 3 and 2 had grade 4 RCC. Patients with MVD expression higher than the median (44.4 vessels per mm) did not show a significant difference in survival compared to patients with MVD expression lower than the median. Patients with VEGF expression higher than 25% in the histological specimen showed worse survival than patients with VEGF expression lower than 25%. Different Flk-1 expression did not determine a significant difference in survival. On univariate analysis of patient survival in relation to the different considered factors Fuhrman grading was the most important factor for survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that recurrence and death are possible even in patients with small renal tumors. MVD, VEGF and Flk-1 expression do not depend on tumor size in pT1a RCC. Therefore, to date Fuhrman grading appears to be the only factor predictive of survival even in small RCC. Thus, Fuhrman grading is predictive of mortality. While VEGF is not predictive of survival as a single parameter, based on its percent of expression (lower or higher than 25%) it can determine 2 groups that are different from the prognostic point of view.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

Basal cell hyperplasia and basal cell carcinoma of the prostate: a comprehensive review and discussion of a case with c-erbB-2 expression.

Prostatic basal cell proliferations range from ordinary basal cell hyperplasia (BCH) to florid basal cell hyperplasia to basal cell carcinoma. The distinction between these forms of BCH, including the variant with prominent nucleoli (formerly called atypical BCH), and basal cell carcinoma depends on morphological and immunohistochemical criteria and, in particular, on the degree of cell proliferation. In florid BCH, the proliferation index is intermediate between ordinary BCH and basal cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry is also useful for identifying the cell composition of the basal cell proliferations, including the basal cell nature of the cells, their myoepithelial differentiation, and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression. Based on the information derived from the literature and on the appearance and follow up of the case presented here, florid BCH might represent a lesion with an intermediate position between ordinary BCH and basal cell carcinoma. However, criteria useful for the identification of those cases with a true precursor nature are not available. In general, basal cell carcinoma is seen as a low grade carcinoma. The immunohistochemical expression of the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, similar to that seen in breast cancer, might have therapeutic importance.

Aged↗

Carboplatin, doxorubicin and etoposide in the treatment of tumours of unknown primary site.

The aim of this study was to assess the activity and toxicity of a platinum-based treatment on a group of patients with unknown primary tumours (UPTs). Patients with a diagnosis of UPT underwent a standard diagnostic procedure. Treatment was started within 2 weeks from diagnosis and consisted of carboplatin 400 mg m(-2) day 1, doxorubicin 50 mg m(-2) day 1, etoposide 100 mg m(-2) days 1-3, every 21 days. Response was evaluated after three courses and treatment continued in case of objective response (OR) or symptom control. A total of 102 patients were eligible. The median age was 59 years, sex male/female 54/48, histology was mainly adenocarcinoma or poorly differentiated carcinoma. Nodes, bone, liver and lung were the most frequently involved sites. In all, 79 patients received at least three courses of treatment; 26 patients received six courses or more. Six complete responses and 21 partial responses were observed, for a total of 27 of 102 ORs or 26.5% (95% confidence interval 18.2-36.1%). The median survival was 9 months and median progression-free survival was 4 months. Toxicity was moderate to severe, with 57.8% of patients experiencing grade III-IV haematological toxicity, mainly leucopenia. The regimen employed has shown activity in tumours of unknown primary site, but was associated with significant toxicity. Such toxicity may be considered unjustified, given the large proportion of patients with tumours not likely to respond. Efforts should therefore be addressed to identify predictors of response to chemotherapy, thus limiting aggressive treatment to those patients who could benefit from it.

Adult↗

Prognostic factors in stage T1 grade 3 bladder cancer survival: the role of G1-S modulators (p53, p21Waf1, p27kip1, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin D3) and proliferation index (ki67-MIB1).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic value of a subset of regulators of the transition from G1-to-S phase of cell cycle in stage T1 grade 3 bladder cancers. METHODS: Fifty-one such cases were investigated to determine the significance on patient's survival of p53, p21Waf1, p27Kip1, Cyclin D1, Cyclin D3, and ki67-MIB1 (proliferation index). The statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier methodology with Log-rank test and Cox' proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: Tumor size (p=0.0034), and the labeling index of ki67-MIB1 (p=0.0034), p53 (p=0.0332), p27kip1 (p=0.0059) and Cyclin D1 (p=0.0103) were associated to disease-free survival. Progression-free survival was related to tumor size (p<0.0001), ki67 (p=0.0163), p53 (p=0.0041), p27kip1 (p=0.0161), Cyclin D1 (p<0.0001) and Cyclin D3 (p<0.0001). Patient's overall survival was associated to Cyclin D3 (p<0.0001), p53 (p=0.0017), p21Waf1 (p=0.0142), Cyclin D1 (p<0.0001), ki67-MIB1 (p=0.0450), and tumor size (p=0.0296). Down-regulation of p27kip1 and Cyclin D3 over-expression (disease-free), over-expression of p53, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin D3 (progression-free), and over-expression of Cyclin D3 (overall survival) were independent predictors by Cox's multivariate analysis. Down-regulation of p27kip1 (p<0.001, R.R. 0.997, 95%C.I. 0.995-0.999), and over-expression of Cyclin D1 (p<0.001, R.R. 1.009, 95%C.I. 1.004-1.014) and Cyclin D3 (p=0.005, R.R. 1.013, 95%C.I. 1.004-1.022) were the main independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of p27kip1 and over-expression of Cyclin D1 and Cyclin D3 might be relevant predictors of survival in stage T1 grade 3 bladder cancers, thus selecting a group of patients at higher risk of malignant behavior.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Karyometry detects subvisual differences in chromatin organisation state between non-recurrent and recurrent papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential.

AIM: To analyse nuclear chromatin texture in non-recurrent and recurrent papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential (PUNLMPs). MATERIALS: Ninety three karyometric features were analysed on haematoxylin and eosin stained sections from 20 PUNLMP cases: 10 from patients with a solitary PUNLMP lesion, who were disease free during at least eight years' follow up, and 10 from patients with unifocal PUNLMP, one or more recurrences being seen during follow up. RESULTS: Kruskal-Wallis analysis was used to search for features showing significant differences between recurrent and non-recurrent cases. Significance was better than p<0.005 for more than 20 features. Based on significance, six texture features were selected for discriminant analysis. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis reduced Wilk's lambda to 0.87, indicating a highly significant difference between the two multivariate data sets, but only modest ability to discriminate (70% correct case classification). A box sequential classifier was used based on data derived from discriminant analysis. The classifier took three classification steps and classified 19 of the 20 cases correctly (95% correct case classification). To determine whether significant case grouping could also be obtained based on an objective criterion, the merged data sets of non-recurrent and recurrent cases were submitted to the unsupervised learning algorithm P-index. Two clusters were formed with significant differences. The subsequent application of a Cooley/Lohnes classifier resulted in an overall correct case classification rate of 85%. CONCLUSIONS: Karyometry and multivariate analyses detect subvisual differences in chromatin organisation state between non-recurrent and recurrent PUNLMPs, thus allowing identification of lesions that do or do not recur.

Algorithms↗