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Yuji Sakuma

Publications and source records attributed to Yuji Sakuma.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

High incidence of microscopic gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the stomach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms with an annual incidence of approximately 10 to 20 per 1 million cases. Although pathologists have often observed incidental small GISTs in the stomach resected from patients with gastric cancer, no report on the real incidence of gastric GISTs is available. In this study, 100 whole stomachs resected from patients with gastric cancer were sectioned at 5-mm intervals and hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides (a mean of 130 slides for each case) were examined for microscopic GISTs. KIT (CD117), CD34, and desmin expression of the incidental tumors was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and genomic DNA extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor tissues was analyzed for c-kit gene mutations in exon 11. In 35 of the 100 whole stomachs, we found 50 microscopic GISTs, all of which were positive for KIT and/or CD34 and negative for desmin. Most microscopic GISTs (45/50, 90%) were located in the upper stomach. Two of the 25 (8%) microscopic GISTs had c-kit gene mutations. Fifty-one leiomyomas with positive expression for desmin were observed in 28 of the 100 stomachs. Both leiomyomas and GISTs were found in 12 stomachs. These results indicate that microscopic GISTs are common in the upper portion of the stomach. Considering the annual incidence of clinical GISTs, only few microscopic GISTs may grow into a clinical size with malignant potential. Further studies are required to clarify the genetic events responsible for the transformation of microscopic GISTs to clinical GISTs.

Aged↗

Interobserver variability in histologic recognition, interpretation of KIT immunostaining, and determining MIB-1 labeling indices in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and other spindle cell tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

The authors studied the concordance among seven pathologists for the histologic diagnosis, interpretation of KIT immunostaining, and determining MIB-1 labeling indices (LI) in 80 adult patients with primary spindle cell tumors, mainly of the gastrointestinal tract, mesentery, retroperitoneum, and pelvis, based on the review of tissue sections using an immunohistochemical panel of antibodies for KIT/CD117, CD34, desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), and S-100 protein. Tumors included 30 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 10 leiomyomas, 10 leiomyosarcomas, 10 schwannomas, 10 solitary fibrous tumors, and 10 desmoid-type fibromatoses. The overall concordance with the original diagnosis of each histologic type was 97.9%, the kappa value ranging from 0.95 to 1.00 (mean 0.97), indicating a perfect agreement. The overall interlaboratory concordance with the original interpretation of KIT immunostaining was 91.3%, the kappa value ranging from 0.77 to 0.90 (mean 0.86). The overall interlaboratory concordance with the original interpretation of KIT immunostaining was 91.9%, the kappa value ranging from 0.72 to 0.93 (mean 0.85). The overall concordance for determining MIB-1 LI was 90% with the original evaluation, and the overall kappa value ranged from 0.62 to 0.86 (mean 0.77). These results indicate that it is possible to reliably diagnose GIST and other spindle cell tumors of the gastrointestinal tract with the use of an immunohistochemical panel of antibodies for KIT, CD34, desmin, SMA, and S-100 protein. Although there is clearly unavoidable inter-observer and interlaboratory variability in the interpretation of KIT immunostained sections and interobserver variability in the determination of MIB-1 LI, the concordance between observes is very acceptable, and in most instances such variability can be eliminated by careful reviewing of the hematoxylin and eosin and immunostained sections.

Adult↗

Rapid and simple detection of hot spot point mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor, BRAF, and NRAS in cancers using the loop-hybrid mobility shift assay.

A simple and rapid method to detect the epidermal growth factor receptor hot spot mutation L858R in lung adenocarcinoma was developed based on principles similar to the universal heteroduplex generator technology. A single-stranded oligonucleotide with an internal deletion was used to generate heteroduplexes (loop-hybrids) bearing a loop in the complementary strand derived from the polymerase chain reaction product of the normal or mutant allele. By placing deletion in the oligonucleotide adjacent to the mutational site, difference in electrophoretic mobility between loop-hybrids with normal and mutated DNA was distinguishable in a native polyacrylamide gel. The method was also modified to detect in-frame deletion mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor in lung adenocarcinomas. In addition, the method was adapted to detect hot spot mutations in the B-type Raf kinase (BRAF) at V600 and in a Ras-oncogene (NRAS) at Q61, the mutations commonly found in thyroid carcinomas. Our mutation detection system, designated the loop-hybrid mobility shift assay was sensitive enough to detect mutant DNA comprising 7.5% of the total DNA. As a simple and straightforward mutation detection technique, loop-hybrid mobility shift assay may be useful for the molecular diagnosis of certain types of clinical cancers. Other applications are also discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors of neurofibromatosis type I (von Recklinghausen's disease).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), as well as the hyperplastic lesions of intestinal neural tissue and its supporting structures, is a gastrointestinal complication of type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1) (von Recklinghausen's disease). In the present study, we analyzed the histologic and immunohistochemical features, and the c-kit and PDGFRA gene mutations of 36 GISTs derived from 9 NF1 patients. Distinctively, multiple GISTs arose preferentially in the small intestine. The histologic features of NF1-associated GISTs are almost similar to those of non-NF1 GISTs, but characteristically most of the NF1-associated GISTs contained skeinoid fibers. Thirty-three GISTs (92%) showed immunoreactivity for KIT, and 23 tumors (64%) showed diffuse or mosaic-like immunoreactivity for S-100 protein. Hyperplasic lesions, which may be the hyperplasia of interstitial cells of Cajal, were observed around some GISTs. Exons 9, 11, 13, and 17 of the c-kit gene and exons 12 and 18 of the PDGFRA gene were amplified and directly sequenced. Point mutations of c-kit gene or PDGFRA gene were identified only in three (8%) and two (6%) tumors, respectively. NF1-associated GISTs, showing the dual differentiation of interstitial cells of Cajal and Schwann cells, develop in close association with the myenteric nerve structure of gastrointestinal tract of NF1 patients. The point mutations of c-kit and PDGFRA gene may play a limited role in the tumorigenesis of NF1-associated GISTs.

Adult↗

Myxoid epithelioid gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with mast cell infiltrations: a subtype of GIST with mutations of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene.

We analyzed 30 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) that were immunohistochemically weak or negative for KIT. Histologically, all 30 GISTs consisted of epithelioid tumor cells in at least a part of the tumor. The tumor cells showed different morphologies and arranged themselves in different histological patterns. In 20 of the 30 GISTs, round or oval epithelioid tumor cells often showed a less cohesive pattern of growth and showed eosinophilic cytoplasm and peripherally placed nuclei with myxoid stroma, whereas in the remaining 10 cases, tumor cells were arranged in a more cohesive pattern without myxoid stroma. The former type of tumors is called myxoid epithelioid GISTs in this study. Subsequent mutational analyses showed that the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) gene mutations in exon 12 or exon 18 were identified in 20 (66.7%) of the 30 GISTs, and especially in 18 (90%) of the 20 myxoid epithelioid GISTs. Moreover, 17 (85%) of the 20 myxoid epithelioid GISTs were accompanied by mast cell infiltrations within the tumor nodules. In the remaining cases, 2 (6.7%) of the 30 GISTs had c-kit gene mutations in exon 11, and no mutation was found in 8 (26.7%) of 30 GISTs. None of the patients with myxoid epithelioid GISTs died of disease. These results suggest that myxoid epithelioid GISTs are a distinct subtype of GISTs that are closely correlated with the PDGFRA gene mutation and that recognition of such histological characteristics should be helpful for molecular subclassification of GISTs that are important for molecular targeting therapy by imatinib mesylate (STI571).

Adult↗

c-kit gene mutations in intracranial germinomas.

Gain-of-function mutations of the c-kit gene and the expression of phosphorylated KIT are found in most gastrointestinal stromal tumors and mastocytosis. Further, almost all gonadal seminomas/dysgerminomas exhibit KIT membranous staining, and several reports have clarified that some (10-25%) have a c-kit gene mutation. But, whether intracranial germinomas also have a c-kit gene mutation remains unsolved. To elucidate the presence, frequency, and location of c-kit gene mutations in intracranial germinomas, we analyzed five mutational hot spots (exons 9, 10, 11, 13, and 17) in the c-kit genomic DNA of 16 germinomas using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. We found c-kit gene mutations at exon 11 (W557C) or 17 (D816V, D820V, and N822Y) in four germinomas (25.0%), although no statistically significant difference in any clinicopathological factor was found between patients with or without mutations. These results are similar to those seen in gonadal seminoma/dysgerminoma patients, and confirm that intracranial germinomas are exact counterparts of gonadal seminomas/dysgerminomas, as would be expected on histological and immunohistochemical grounds. Moreover, molecular targeting drugs such as imatinib mesylate (STI571), which is a selective inhibitor of KIT, might be promising agents for the treatment of intracranial germinomas with c-kit gene mutations.

Adolescent↗

Alterations of the c-kit gene in testicular germ cell tumors.

Expression and gain-of-function mutation of the c-kit gene, that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT), have been reported in mast cell tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Among human testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs), seminomas and seminoma components of mixed GCTs have also been shown to express KIT, but only one study has found the c-kit gene mutation at exon 17 in seminoma. To elucidate the frequency and location of the c-kit gene mutation of testicular GCTs, we analyzed the whole coding region of the c-kit complementary DNA along with 4 mutational hot spots (exons 9, 11, 13 and 17) of the c-kit genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Somatic mutations were found in 4 pure seminomas of 34 testicular GCTs (11.8%). One mutation was found in exon 11 (W557R) and the others were observed in exon 17 (D816H and D816V). These types of mutations were reported in GISTs (W557R), seminoma (D816H) and mastocytosis (D816V) and were considered to be gain-of-function mutations, although there were no differences of any clinicopathological factors or outcome between patients with and without mutations. Additionally, we also demonstrated coexpression of Gly-Asn-Asn-Lys510-513 (GNNK) + and GNNK - isoforms of the c-kit gene with dominance of the GNNK - transcript in all testicular GCTs. The mutations and/or preferential expression of GNNK - isoform of the c-kit gene might play an important role in the development of testicular GCTs, and these tumors may also be targets for STI571, which is a promising drug for advanced and metastatic GISTs.

Adult↗

[Thoracic actinomycosis: clinical, radiological, and pathological findings in 11 cases].

Most cases of thoracic actinomycosis (TA) have been surgically diagnosed and treated, since it is difficult to distinguish this condition from lung cancer. To clarify the features that are useful for the radiological diagnosis of TA, we analyzed the correlation between the radiological and pathological findings. TA was histologically diagnosed in the 11 patients of the present study, who were admitted to our hospital between 1976 and 2001. In the chest CT, consolidation was observed in 5 cases, a mass-like shadow in 4, a central low attenuation area (LAA) in 7, and bronchial and bronchiolar dilatation in 6. In the pathological findings, all cases showed bronchial dilatation and abscess formation in the bronchi, as well as peribronchial granulation. The evaluation of radiological and pathological correlation revealed that the central LAA in the chest CT corresponded to the abscess formation composing of actinomyces, and the cavity corresponded to the bronchial dilatation. These results suggest that radiological findings, such as LAA and bronchial and bronchiolar dilatation, are characteristic for TA, and can be useful in making a diagnosis of TA.

Actinomycosis↗

Electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Sixteen gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) were studied by immunohistochemical analysis and an ultrastructural procedure. The tumor locations were as follows: esophagus (2), stomach (7), small intestine (3), and large intestine (4). Four of the lesions were classified as malignant, 2 as borderline, and 10 as benign. On the basis of the immunohistochemical analysis, the tumors were classified as follows: 1 as myogenic type, 2 as Schwann cell type, 8 as Cajal cell type (including 2 gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumors, GANTs), and 5 as mixed-cell type. In each subtype the phenotype was compared to the ultrastructural findings. Myogenic and Schwann cell type revealed ultrastructurally smooth muscle differentiation and schwannian tumor. All 8 tumors of the Cajal cell type revealed interdigitating cytoplasmic processes with occasional clusters of filopodia. Two tumors were subdivided as GANT. Five tumors of mixed-cell type were composed of a mixture of cells with variable myogenic features or variable neural differentiation. We confirmed in this study that immunohistochemical analysis reflected electron microscopic findings.

Journal Article↗