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Papillary squamous neoplasms of the head and neck.

Papillary squamous neoplasms of the upper respiratory tract are rare variants of squamous cell carcinoma and are related temporally to proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. Fifty-two cases of papillary squamous neoplasms were selected from 2366 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. This is the first study to characterize the biological behavior of papillary squamous neoplasms. Papillary squamous neoplasms exhibit two distinct, yet sometimes overlapping, histologic patterns including an exophytic papillary and an inverting verrucous morphologic appearance. A high rate of synchronous or metachronous lesions were found, especially with the inverting-type of papillary squamous neoplasm. Stage T3 and T4 lesions had a high rate of neck metastasis. Early surgical intervention and close long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Adult↗

p53 immunolocalization in cell block preparations of squamous lesions of the neck: an adjunct to fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, with consequent nuclear p53 protein accumulation, are among the most common genetic abnormalities in human cancers. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of p53 immunostaining as an adjunct to the diagnosis of malignancy in fine-needle aspirations of squamous lesions of the neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a monoclonal antibody to the p53 protein and a standard avidin-biotin complex technique, immunostaining was performed on paraffin-embedded cell blocks of 20 cases with the following cytologic diagnoses: (1) metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (7 cases); (2) atypical squamous cells, SCC cannot be excluded (7 cases); and (3) cytologic findings consistent with branchial cleft cyst (6 cases). Tissue or clinical follow-up was available in all cases. RESULTS: Five (71%) of 7 cases with an unequivocal cytologic diagnosis of metastatic SCC were positive for p53 protein. Tissue follow-up confirmed metastatic SCC in all of these 7 cases. Of the 7 cases with cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells, 2 were negative and 5 (71%) were positive for p53 protein. Subsequent excisional biopsies in these cases revealed metastatic SCC (6 cases) and branchial cleft cyst (1 case). The squamous cells in all 5 cases with cytologic findings consistent with branchial cleft cyst were negative for p53 protein; tissue follow-up confirmed the diagnoses of branchial cleft cyst in 4 cases. In the remaining 2 cases excision was not performed, as the cystic lesion was completely decompressed and, clinically, no recurrences were identified at 14 and 8 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that p53 immunostaining is helpful in differentiating benign and malignant squamous lesions. While negative staining for p53 does not exclude malignancy, positive immunostaining may aid in accurate fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of malignancy in cytomorphologically equivocal squamous lesions of the neck.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Human leukocyte antigen class I expression on squamous cell carcinoma cells regulates natural killer cell activity.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on hematopoietic cancers and melanomas inhibit attack by natural killer lymphocytes, but previous studies have not consistently demonstrated that carcinoma cells are protected by HLA class I expression. We investigated whether HLA class I molecules protect oral and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cells from natural killer lymphocyte attack. Squamous cell carcinoma cell lines expressed varying levels of HLA class I, which correlated inversely with cytolysis by natural killer-enriched polyclonal lymphocytes. Cytolysis was increased by the presence of anti-HLA class I blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb). Subclones of the NK-92 human natural killer lymphoma cell line were derived by treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and limiting dilution cloning. NK-92 subclones expressed distinct sets of HLA class I-specific receptors. Some NK-92 subclones differentially lysed hematopoietic cells and squamous cell carcinoma cells, even in the presence of anti-HLA class I blocking mAb. This suggests that natural killer cells recognize different non-HLA ligands on hematopoietic and squamous cell carcinoma cells. In the presence of anti-HLA class I monoclonal antibody, other NK-92 subclones increased cytolysis of squamous cell carcinoma cells with moderate-to-high HLA class I levels. Anti-HLA class I mAb also increased natural killer cell attack of squamous cell carcinoma cells that were adherent to plastic. These data suggest that natural killer cell recognition of squamous cell carcinoma cells depends upon the balance of stimulatory and inhibitory ligands.

Alleles↗

[The comparison of radiosensitivity between uterine cervical squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the radiosensitivity of uterine cervical squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The shrinkage of tumor and the radiation-induced damage were compared between cervical squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma after twice afterloading radiotherapy. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen index (PI), detected immunohistochemically, was compared before and after radiotherapy between the two tumors. RESULTS: Patients of squamous carcinoma with tumor shrinkage 50% or more accounted for 70% (21/30) and patients of adenocarcinoma accounted for 27% (4/15), which was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The radiation-induced damage grade II b-III accounted for 60% (18/30) in squamous carcinoma and for 20% (3/15) in adenocarcinoma, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05); PI decreased from 53.50% +/- 4.34% to 39.30% +/- 4.02% after radiotherapy in squamous carcinoma (P < 0.001), while PI decreased from 35.47% +/- 3.83% to 31.80% +/- 3.06% in adenocarcinoma (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The radiosensitivity of cervical squamous carcinoma is higher than that of adenocarcinoma. The decrease of PI after radiotherapy may be a biological basis of radiosensitivity for uterine cervical squamous carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Epidemiological studies indicate that the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is closely associated with chronic inflammation of the urinary tract, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is involved in tumorigenesis in many tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of COX-2 in squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder by immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses. COX-2 protein was undetectable in normal bladder samples, but was expressed in 29 of 29 (100%) squamous cell carcinomas and in 8 of 8 (100%) squamous metaplasias. The expression of COX-2 showed intense, homogenous cytoplasmic immunostaining in squamous cell carcinomas. In contrast, COX-2 was heterogeneously expressed in 6 of 12 (50%) cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder combined with squamous cell carcinoma, consistent with previous findings. We provide the first evidence that COX-2 is expressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder and in the precursor lesions, indicating its involvement in the development of this type of malignancy.

Aged↗

Alteration of X and Y chromosomes in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

The incidence of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in males is well-known to be higher than in females and its biological action in male patients is generally much more aggressive than that of the female. Recently, aberrations and/or other abnormalities of the sex chromosomes, especially the Y chromosome, have been postulated to be involved in some of the differences in the incidence and/or biological action of human malignancies between male and female patients. Therefore, in this study, we examined abnormalities of the sex chromosomes in cell smears obtained from 30 male patients diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, TE series cell lines, derived from esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, were studied for sex chromosome abnormalities by utilizing a simultaneous double color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and these findings were correlated with various clinicopathological parameters in order to examine its likely biological significance. In esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, Y chromosome loss was detected in all cases studied (1.6-86.9%, mean 22.98 +/- 22.04%), but the loss of the X chromosome was encountered in only 6 of the cases (7.1-40.6%, mean 15.90 +/- 12.46%). There was no significant association between the rate of Y chromosome loss in carcinoma cells and any of the clinicopathological parameters examined including age and stage of the cancer. Loss of the Y chromosome was observed in only two cases of adjacent non-pathological esophageal squamous cell epithelium. Among the TE series examined, the cell lines derived from male patients demonstrated loss of the Y chromosome in all cell lines (1.4-92.9%, mean 44.92 +/- 42.55%), but the great majority of cell lines derived from female patients were associated with the karyotype of XX. These results indicated that the loss of the Y chromosome is associated with the malignant phenotype in human esophageal squamous epithelium, but possibly not with biological behavior. These results also suggested that at least one X chromosome is indispensable for the survival of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aged↗

[T1, T2 squamous or adenocarcinoma of the lung:characteristics of lymph node metastasis and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency, distribution and features of lymph node metastasis in T(1)/T(2) squamous or adenocarcinoma of the lung, and to provide evidence for extensive dissection of lymph nodes. METHODS: 254 patients with T(1)/T(2) squamous or adenocarcinoma of the lung underwent R2 surgery plus extensive dissection of hilar, interlobular and mediastinal lymph nodes according to the grouping system proposed by Naruke. RESULTS: 1 685 groups of lymph nodes were dissected. The metastatic rates of N(1) and N(2) was 20.0% and 10.2% respectively. Significant difference existed between T(1) and T(2) tumors (P < 0.01). No N(2) metastasis was found in T(1) squamous cell carcinoma. N(2) metastatic rates were 22.0% in squamous cell carcinoma and 40.9% in adenocarcinoma (P < 0.01). 64.3% of squamous carcinoma spread to only one group of N(2) nodes, and over 3 groups of lymph nodes were positive in 46.2% of adenocarcinoma. Saltatory metastasis accounted for 57.5% of N(2) metastasis. 13.6% of N(2)-positive tumors in upper lobes metastasized to the lower mediastinum, whereas 51.6% of N(2)-positive cancers in the lower lobes spread to the upper mediastinum. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of lymph nodes metastasis increases with the growth of tumors. Metastasis in adenocarcinoma occurs more frequently than in squamous carcinoma. Tumor at any site can metastasize to the distant mediastinum. Except for T(1) squamous cancer, radical surgery can be achieved only by extensive dissection of ipsilateral intrapulmonary and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Lymph node metastasis of T1, T2 squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung: characteristics and clinical significance.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the frequency, distribution and features of lymph nodes metastasis in T(1)/T(2) squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung, and to provide evidence for extensive dissection of lymph nodes. METHODS: 254 patients with T(1)/T(2) squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung underwent R2 surgery plus extensive dissection of hilar, interlobular and mediastinal lymph nodes according to the grouping system proposed by Naruke. RESULTS: A total of 1 685 groups of lymph nodes were dissected. The metastatic rates of N(1) and N(2) were 20.0% and 10.2%. The difference was very significant between T(1) and T(2) (P < 0.01). No, N(2) metastasis was found in T(1) squamous carcinoma. N(2) metastatic rates were 22.0% in squamous carcinoma and 40.9% in adenocarcinoma (P < 0.01). 64.3% of squamous carcinomas spread to only one group of N(2) nodes, and over 3 groups of lymph nodes were positive in 46.2% of adenocarcinomas. Saltatory metastasis accounted for 57.5% of N(2) metastasis. 13.6% of N(2)-positive tumors in the upper lobes metastasized to the lower mediastinum, whereas 51.6% of N(2)-positive tumors in the lower lobes spread to the upper mediastinum. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of lymph node metastasis increases with the growth of tumors. Metastasis occurs more frequently in adenocarcinoma than in squamous carcinoma. Tumor at any site can metastasize to the distant mediastinum. Except for T(1) squamous carcinoma, radical surgery can be achieved only by extensive dissection of ipsilateral intrapulmonary and mediastinal lymph nodes.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Atypical squamous cells: improvement in cytohistological correlation by the 2001 Bethesda System.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To evaluate the advantages of the 2001 Bethesda System over the 1991 Bethesda System in the management of atypical squamous cells. METHODS: The cytology files of the 8,748 patients were reviewed for diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) at Zeynep Kamil Hospital. Seventy-two of the 259 smear specimens with the diagnosis of ASCUS were reviewed and reclassified according to Bethesda 2001. RESULTS: Of the 8,748 specimens, 259 (2.96%) were diagnosed as ASCUS. In re-evaluation of the 72 specimens according to the 2001 Bethesda system, the number of cervical smears with a diagnosis of atypical squamous cells (ASC) decreased to 21 in number. Of the 21 cervical smears with an ASC category, eight patients (38.1%) had high-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions (HSIL) and six (28.6%) had low-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions (LSIL) in histopathological specimens. The detection rates of squamous abnormalities (chi2 = 24.79, p < 0.0001) and high-grade squamous abnormalities (chi2 = 8.31, p = 0.0039) were significantly higher according to Bethesda 2001. CONCLUSION: The 2001 Bethesda System seems to reduce the number of cervical smear diagnoses of ASC, without causing any impairment in the diagnosis of HSIL thus decreasing the number of unneccesary interventions like cervical biopsy and decreasing the cost, inconvenience, anxiety and discomfort.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

[Expression of metastasis suppressor gene KAI1/CD82 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and its clinical significance].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Metastasis suppressor gene KAI1/CD82 plays an important role in infiltration and metastasis of several types of human cancers, while the researches on its relation with cervical carcinoma are far from adequate now. Therefore, immunohistochemical techniques were employed in this study to determine the expression of KAI1 gene, and explore its clinical significance in cervical squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: SP immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of KAI1 gene in 99 specimens of cervical squamous cell carcinoma, 25 specimens of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN) II-III, and 18 specimens of normal cervix. Correlations of expression of KAI1 gene to clinicopathologic factors, and prognosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The rates of negative, weak, moderate, and strong expression of KAI1 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma were 52.5% (52/99), 16.2% (16/99), 15.2% (15/99), and 16.2% (16/99), respectively, significantly lower than those in normal cervix, and CIN II-III (P=0.000). Expression of KAI1 has no correlation with FIGO stage, age, pelvic lymph node metastasis, tumor histological grade, depth of cervical infiltration, serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) level, tumor size, and gross type of cervical lesion (P>0.05). Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed expression of KAI1 has no correlation with prognosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: KAI1 gene may be an early event in development of cervical cancer, and has no correlation with prognosis of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

[Expression and clinical significance of CD1a+ dendritic cells in glottic squamous cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most important antigen-presenting cells. CD1a, a marker of immature DCs, plays a role in tumorigenesis. This study was designed to explore the correlation of CD1a(+) DCs to pathologic degree, T stage, local recurrence, and prognosis of glottic squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Clinical and follow-up data of 111 patients with glottic squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. The expression of CD1a(+) DCs in the 111 specimens of glottic squamous cell carcinoma and 17 specimens of non-tumor tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Correlations of CD1a(+) DCs to pathologic degree, T stage, local recurrence, and prognosis of glottic squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed. RESULTS: Positive rates of CD1a(+) DCs were 59.46% in glottic squamous cell carcinoma tissues, and 0 in non-tumor tissues; it was significantly higher in well-differentiated group than in moderately-and poorly-differentiated group [71.43% (55/77) vs. 28.57% (11/34), P<0.05], higher in T1-T2 group than in T3-T4 group [67.16% (45/67) vs. 47.73% (21/44), P<0.05], and higher in non-recurrence group than in local recurrence group [65.06% (54/83) vs. 42.86% (12/28), P<0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: The lower pathologic degree and higher T stage of glottic squamous cell carcinoma, the lower expression of CD1a(+) DCs. The positive rate of CD1a(+) DCs is low in recurrent glottic tumor. High expression of CD1a(+) DCs may indicate better prognosis of glottic squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

[Expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in oral verruvous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of MMP2 mRNA in oral verruvous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty cases were divided into 3 groups: verruvous carcinoma (n = 10), well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (n = 15) and moderately or poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (n = 5). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to test the expression of MMP2 mRNA in the carcinoma tissues and matched normal tissues from 3 groups above. RESULTS: The expression of MMP2 mRNA in the carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in their matched normal tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of MMP2 mRNA in verruvous carcinoma was significantly higher than that in well-differentiated and moderately or poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.05). However, the expression of MMP2 mRNA was not obviously different between well-differentiated and moderately or poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of MMP2 mRNA in oral verruvous carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in their matched normal tissues. The expression of MMP2 mRNA in verruvous carcinoma was significantly higher than that in squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

[Comparison by dynamic enhancement in spiral CT to differentiate peripheral squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma of the lung].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the manifestations of peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma by CT dynamic enhancement with that of adenocarcinoma, and evaluate the difference of CT dynamic enhancement to distinguish peripheral lung squamous cell carcinomas from adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Thirty peripheral lung squamous cell carcinomas and 40 adenocarcinomas were examined with dynamic contrasted CT, enhancement at various phases recorded, based on which the time-intensity curves were produced. The enhancement patterns were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the enhancement degree and peak time between peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (P > 0.05). The difference in enhancement pattern between these two different types of carcinoma was not statistically significant when the lesion was larger than 3 cm in diameter (P > 0.05), whereas it became statistically significant when the lesion is less than 3 cm (P < 0.05). Most of the squamous cell carcinoma showed heterogeneous enhancement or peripheral enhancement in the tumor zone, however, most of the adenocarcinomas had homogenous enhancement. CONCLUSION: The maximum enhancement and the peak time are not helpful in differentiating peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma. When the lesion is less than 3 cm in diameter, the enhancement pattern of peripheral squamous cell carcinomas is different from that of adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Comparative proteome analysis of human lung squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to establish the two-dimensional electrophoresis profiles with high resolution and reproducibility from human lung squamous cell carcinoma tissue and paired tumor-adjacent normal bronchial epithelial tissue, and to identify differential expression of tumor-associated proteins by using proteome analysis. METHODS: Comparative proteome analysis of human lung squamous carcinoma and paired normal bronchial mucosa adjacent to tumors from 20 cases were carried out. Total proteins of the carcinoma tissue and normal bronchial mucosa were separated by means of immobilized pH gradient-based two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). RESULTS: (1) Seventy-six differentially expressed proteins were screened by analyzing the electrophoretic maps of the 20 carcinoma and control mucosa tissues. (2) Sixty-eight differential proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF). Some proteins were products of oncogenes and others were involved in the regulation of cell cycle and signal transduction. (3) The expression of three proteins mdm2, c-Jun and EGFR, correlated with lung squamous carcinoma, were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis. The results showed that the expression of mdm2, c-Jun and EGFR were up-regulated in lung squamous carcinomas, whereas down-regulated in control normal mucosa. It was consistent with our proteome analysis results. Those results suggested that those proteins may play roles in the carcinogenesis of lung squamous carcinoma. CONCLUSION: sixty-eight differentially expressed proteins were successfully characterized by comparative proteome analysis. Those results may provide scientific foundation for screening the molecular biomarkers which can be used in diagnosis and treatment of lung squamous carcinoma, as well as to improve patients' prognosis and provide a new clue for carcinogenesis research of lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult↗

Spindle cell squamous carcinoma of the thyroid: an unusual anaplastic tumor associated with tall cell papillary cancer.

Five cases of spindle cell squamous carcinoma of the thyroid associated with tall cell papillary carcinoma were examined. The unusual spindle cell squamous carcinoma in these cases resembles those previously described in other sites, including the breast and oropharynx. Three patients demonstrated concurrent spindle cell squamous anaplastic carcinoma and tall cell papillary carcinoma at initial diagnosis, whereas two patients developed concurrent tumor morphologies subsequent to initial diagnoses of only papillary carcinoma. The mean age of the patients was 77 yr, with a female:male ratio of 4:1. Thyroglobulin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the tall cell papillary component of each case but was absent in both the squamous and spindle cell components. Low molecular weight cytokeratin immunoreactivity was strongly and diffusely present in the tall cell papillary and squamous components, whereas the spindle cell areas demonstrated only focal weak to negative reactivity. Only the squamous cell component demonstrated consistent immunoreactivity with high-molecular-weight keratin antibodies. These unusual tumors have not been previously described in the thyroid, and the association of spindle cell squamous anaplastic carcinoma with tall cell papillary carcinoma in five independent cases may indicate a particular relationship.

Aged↗

Squamous cell carcinoma related antigen in uterine cervical carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen (SCC-Ag), first described by Kato and Torigoe in 1977, has been cited by various workers as a serological marker for some epithelial neoplasms. The most well-studied is its association with carcinoma of the uterine cervix. In January 1989, we embarked on a prospective, multivariate study at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur to assess the usefulness of serologically assaying SCC-Ag (using the Abbott RIA diagnostic kit) in our patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix. We were also interested to ascertain whether SCC-Ag is a 'general' marker for all histological types of cervical carcinoma or specific for squamous carcinoma. From the time of commencement to June 1990, 35 newly-diagnosed and histologically-proven cases were entered into the study. Of these, 4 were keratinising squamous carcinoma, 18 large cell non-keratinising carcinoma, 3 adenosquamous carcinoma, 7 adenocarcinoma and 3 carcinoma-in-situ. Our preliminary results show that all keratinising squamous carcinoma and 1/3 each of large cell non-keratinising carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and carcinoma-in-situ had positive pre-therapy serum SCC-Ag levels (i.e greater than 2 ng/ml, 2 ng/ml being an arbitrarily selected 'cut-off' value). In contrast, no adenocarcinoma was serologically positive. In addition, keratinising squamous carcinoma had the highest mean pre-therapy serum SCC-Ag level. The results imply that serum SCC-Ag is related to the (1) presence of squamous and not glandular differentiation and (2) degree of squamous differentiation.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Modulation of the production of a parathyroid hormone-like protein in human squamous carcinoma cell lines by interaction with fibroblasts.

Normal human keratinocytes as well as human squamous cell carcinomas produce a parathyroid hormone-like protein (PLP). However, PLP production by these cells is not a constant phenomenon. Since nothing is known about factors which regulate the production of PLP, in vitro studies were performed with normal keratinocytes and squamous carcinoma cell lines in order to establish conditions under which PLP production may vary. PLP was measured as cyclic AMP production in parathyroid hormone target cells (osteoblasts) which could be inhibited by a parathyroid hormone antagonist. The presence of PLP was confirmed using a radioimmunoassay specific for PLP. Results from the bioassay correlated very well with the data obtained by radioimmunoassay for PLP. The results confirm that human squamous carcinoma cells and normal keratinocytes produce PLP. PLP production appeared to be very sensitive to modulation of coculture of squamous carcinoma cells with fibroblasts. The effect of fibroblasts was not mediated by an effect on squamous carcinoma cell viability. Murine transformed fibroblasts (3T3 cells) as well as human normal foreskin fibroblasts were equally effective in inducing PLP production in these cells. The fibroblastic factor was apparently present in a soluble form in the coculture system which prevented direct cell-cell contact but allowed communication through the medium. Nevertheless, conditioned medium from 3T3 cells failed to induce PLP production by squamous carcinoma cells. This suggests a more complicated interaction between the two cell types than a one way message from fibroblasts to keratinocytes. Production of PLP by a number of squamous carcinoma cell lines was variable and not evidently correlated with the ability of these carcinoma cells to differentiate. Production of parathyroid hormone-like protein not only is the expression of a disturbed metabolism of a specific cell type but also reflects the cell-cell interaction in tumor tissue.

Animals↗

[Study of NK cell activity in patients with oral maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma].

NK cell activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes against K562 cell line were tested with 125IUdR release assay in 50 normal controls and 50 patients with oral maxillofacial benign tumors and 178 patients with oral maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma. The data show NK cell activity of patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma is lower than that of normal controls and that of patients with benign tumors (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.001). NK cell activity of patients with benign tumors is not different from that of normal controls (P greater than 0.05). NK cell activity of patients with II and III grade squamous cell carcinoma is lower than that of patients with I grade squamous cell carcinoma (P less than 0.01). Stage-related NK cell activity is not observed and there is no significant difference between patients with and without lymph-node metastasis. NK cell activity of patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma is not only lower than non-recurrent patients and normal controls (P less than 0.001) but also lower than primary squamous cell carcinoma patients (P less than 0.01). The non-recurrent patients have normal NK cell activity. The results indicate that the patients with oral maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma have impairment of NK cell function. NK cell activity of the patients depresses within one week of operation and returns preoperative level two weeks after operation. Chemotherapy inhibits NK cell activity, which may not return two weeks after chemotherapy. These give reference to clinicians. NK cell activity may be a parameter in monitoring the immunofunction of oral maxillofacial malignant tumor patients.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗