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Biomedical subjects

A Vecchione

Publications and source records attributed to A Vecchione.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Correlation between ploidy status, Erb-B2 and p53 immunohistochemical expression in primary breast carcinoma.

In the present study we evaluated the prognostic significance and correlation between ploidy status, lymph node status, estrogen-progesterone receptor status and the expression of Erb-B2 and p53 protein in 77 primary breast carcinomas. Quantitation of DNA ploidy was determined on Feulgen-stained touch imprints with an image analyzer, whereas localization of the immunohistochemical reaction of Erb-B2 and p53 protein was evaluated in paraffin-embedded tumor specimens with microscopy. The DNA histogram was diploid in 17 cases, poly/tetraploid in 24 and aneuploid in 36. We observed no correlation between ploidy status and hormone receptor content or lymph node status. The expression of Erb-B2 protein was observed exclusively in the membrane and in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells and was uniformly distributed. Overexpression was observed in 89.2% of cases. Aneuploid tumors intensively expressed the oncogene in 20.3% of cases. A statistically significant correlation was observed between lymph node metastasis and Erb-B2 overexpression. The expression of p53 protein was expressed as nuclear staining in 17.6% of the cases, with variable intensity, mainly in ductal histotypes. Among these, 62% were aneuploid. Lymph node status and steroid receptor status did not correlate significantly with p53. From these data we conclude that DNA ploidy and Erb-B2 and p53 expression correlate with cell proliferation and differentiation and therefore may identify breast carcinoma patients with more aggressive disease.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

Biologic characteristics of T1 papillary bladder cancer. Flow cytometric study of paraffin-embedded material.

DNA ploidy, proliferative activity (evaluated in terms of the proliferative index [PI]) and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) expression in primary bladder cancer in 52 patients were studied by means of flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Forty of the 52 tumors yielded evaluable DNA histograms: 22 were diploid (55%) and 18 aneuploid (45%) (median DNA index = 1.5). Ninety-five percent of the tumors were positive for EGF-R expression. The median PI value of the entire case series, estimated with a mathematical model, was 5.4%, or 6.7% in diploid tumors and 12.1% in aneuploid ones. EGF-R expression was higher in aneuploid than diploid tumors. Most of the well-differentiated tumors were diploid, while aneuploid populations and positivity for EGF-R expression were more frequent in poorly and moderately differentiated tumors. No differences in proliferative activity were observed in relation to grade. Overexpression of EGF-R in aneuploid tumors and a relationship between it, proliferative activity and grading were observed. The disease-free survival rates were 72% and 91% for patients with aneuploid and diploid tumors, respectively.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed1995

DNA ploidy, proliferative index, and epidermal growth factor receptor: expression and prognosis in patients with gastric cancers.

BACKGROUND: The 5-year survival rate of patients with stomach cancer is usually around 20%. The clinico-pathological features that are presently used to assess patient prognosis are not sufficient to define gastric tumor behavior. Therefore, an accurate analysis of different biological characteristics of gastric cancer cells could allow the course of disease to be predicted and may help to improve treatment strategies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The prognostic values of DNA ploidy, proliferative activity and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) expression were studied in gastric tumors from a series of 63 patients. DNA ploidy and proliferative activity, evaluated in terms of DNA index (DI) and proliferative index (PI), respectively, were determined by flow cytometry on paraffin-embedded tumor tissues. EGF-R expression was detected by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tumor sections of the same specimens. The clinico-pathological and the biological parameters were then correlated, and the patients overall survival was calculated using a chi-square test and the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: DNA ploidy abnormal cell clones were found in 44% of cases (median DI = 1.4, range 1.04-2.5). Aneuploid tumors showed high PI more frequently than diploids (71% versus 36%, p = 0.01). The analysis of the expression of EGF-R revealed that 88% of aneuploid tumors were positive for receptor expression. On the contrary, diploid tumors showed the presence of EGF-R only in 56% of cases (p = 0.01). DI, PI, and EGF-R expression were not related to histological grade. Conversely, the three biological parameters were significantly correlated to clinical stage and tumor invasion. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a 73% 5-year survival rate in patients with diploid tumors whereas only 33% of patients with aneuploid lesions had a good prognosis (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that DNA ploidy, PI, and EGF-R expression are closely related to some pathological and clinical characteristics in gastric cancer. The close relationship between aneuploidy, EGF-R positive expression, node involvement, and tumor invasion suggests that these parameters may be indicators of high malignancy. Finally, the results also show that aneuploidy and EGF-R-positive expression are indicative of a worse prognosis in gastric cancer patients. The study of these parameters might allow a more accurate stratification of patients, so that a targeted therapeutic protocol may be defined.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

p53 expression and genetic evidence for viral infection in intraepithelial neoplasia of the uterine cervix.

Infections with high-risk strains of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV 2), as well as inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene, are important cofactors in cervical carcinogenesis. We analyzed 41 paraffin-embedded cervical intraepithelial lesions, including 25 cases of low-grade cervical intraepithelia neoplasia (CIN), and 16 cases of high-grade CIN for the presence of HPV 16/18 and HSV 2 genomic sequences and for the nuclear accumulation of the p53 protein. HPV 16 DNA was detected in 24.% of low-grade CINs and in 43.7% of high-grade CINs. HPV 18 was found only in 8.% of low-grade CINs. None of the cases tested scored positive for HSV 2 DNA. Nuclear accumulation of p53 was found in 4% of low-grade CINs, and in 31.2% of high-grade CINs, including 57.1% of the lesions that were positive for HPV 16. These results indicate that HPV 16 infection was over sixfold more common than HPV 18 infection and that p53 overexpression was significantly associated with high-grade lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Detection of human papillomavirus type 16 DNA sequences in paraffin-embedded tissues from the female urinary tract.

We investigated the presence of human papillomavirus-related DNA sequences (HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18) in 33 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies from the urinary tract of female patients with recurrent and persistent urethritis and cystitis, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The samples for PCR reaction were selected among tissues examined for histological diagnosis on the basis of the presence of microscopic changes consistent with HPV infection. Sequences homologous to HPV 6, 11 and 18 genome were not found, while HPV 16-related DNA sequences were identified in 25/33 lesions with histopathological diagnosis of metaplasia (1 from the urethra, 23 from the trigone and 1 from the bladder). The results suggest that the spread of HPV in the female urinary tract may not be uncommon and point to the need for further research on the possible pathogenic role in recurrent female disturbances.

Cystitis↗
PubMed1994

High frequency of human papillomavirus detection in urinary bladder cancer.

We investigated the presence of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) types 16 and 18 DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from the urinary bladder (46 transitional carcinomas and 10 non-neoplastic normal urinary samples) to find a possible role for HPV types in urinary tract cancerogenesis. The analysis was performed using polymerase chain reaction followed by filter hybridization with oligonucleotide-specific probes. The HPV16 and/or HPV18 genomes were detected in 23 of 46 (50%) bladder carcinomas and in none of 10 (0%) non-neoplastic urinary samples. These results suggest that HPV16 and 18 may carry a risk for the development of malignancy in the urinary tract as it occurs in the anogenital regions.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1993

Integrin beta 4 expression in the neoplastic progression of cervical epithelium.

Integrin alpha 6 beta 4, a putative laminin receptor, is expressed in normal squamous epithelium and in squamous cell carcinomas. We evaluated by immunohistochemistry the topography of the beta 4 subunit in 35 biopsy samples representative of the sequence from normal exocervical epithelium to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. In normal and metaplastic squamous cervical epithelium, in condylomas, and in squamous epithelium with low-grade dysplasia (CIN 1), beta 4 was detected in basal and parabasal cells. In high-grade CIN (2-3) there was enhanced beta 4 expression and upward shift of beta 4 topography to the whole epithelial thickness. The beta 4 chain was diffusely expressed in most invasive squamous cell carcinomas. These observations suggest that profound alterations in the expression of the alpha 6 beta 4 adhesion glycoprotein occur in the intraepithelial phase of cervical carcinogenesis.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1993

Microcolposcopy vs colposcopy in evaluating abnormal Pap smear. Comparison with histological findings.

Microcolposcopy is a microscopic examination which permits the observation of in vivo normal and dysplastic cells. A comparison was made between colposcopy and microcolposcopy in terms of sensitivity, specificity and predictive value in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Seventy-eight patients with abnormal cervical smears were submitted to colposcopy, microcolposcopy and one or more biopsies on the microcolposcopically suspected areas. Currents classifications were used for the colposcopy and microcolposcopy. A comparison was made between the colposcopic description of abnormal transformation zone, and the microcolposcopic grade 2. The findings suggests that microcolposcopy is more sensitive and has more diagnostic accuracy than colposcopy in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Microcolposcopy is a good alternative to colposcopy in evaluating abnormal cervical cytology.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Sample preparation for bivariate flow cytometric analysis of breast tumor specimens.

The availability of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against functional or phenotypic cell markers can improve the suitability of flow cytometry (FCM) in assessing and validating prognostic parameters of human neoplasia. The major problems encountered in this type of study, when performed on solid tumors, are the recovery of a large and representative number of tumor cells and the possibility of performing a DNA analysis on antigen-selected populations. A panel of MAbs was chosen on the basis of the recognized membrane antigens important to the biologic characterization of human breast cancer cell populations. The possibility of performing bivariate FCM analysis of cell surface antigens and DNA content was investigated on 4 breast tumor cell lines and 10 fresh breast biopsies. Different fixations and tumor disaggregation procedures were considered. The results indicate that ethanol fixation is the most effective procedure for performing biparametric FCM analysis and that a combined enzymatic-mechanical disaggregation procedure applied on breast tumor specimens allows great recovery of intact cells without affecting antigen detection or DNA distribution.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

[Viral and/or intraepithelial lesions of the lower female genital tract: diagnostic and prognostic value of in situ molecular hybridization].

Fourteen patients (mean age 37 years) suffering from viral and/or intraepithelial cervico-vagino-vulvar pathologies underwent colposcopic and cyto-histological tests and molecular hybridization. The following types of HPV were assayed: 6/11-16/18-31/35/51 in cytological tissues (exocervical scraping) and biopsy material immersed in paraffin and fixed in formalin buffered with 10% PBS. The aim of the study was to identify different types of HPV using molecular hybridisation in situ. The paper reports the results and correlations with colposcopic, cytological and histological diagnosis, and then discuss the clinico-biological and prognostic aspects of this method.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Flow cytometric nuclear DNA content of fresh and paraffin-embedded tissues of breast carcinomas and fibroadenomas.

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy level in fresh tissue samples of human breast tumors has been carried out extensively. Recently, investigations regarding the prognostic value of nuclear DNA content have been facilitated by using nuclei isolated from paraffin-embedded tissues. The aim of our study was to monitor the possible differences between the analysis in fresh and fixed paraffin-embedded tissues in the same tumor and to investigate the possible prognostic implications obtained with this new approach. Nuclei suspensions were obtained, according to the method proposed by Hedley et al. with minor modifications, from 45 carcinomas and 5 fibroadenomas. Flow cytometric analysis revealed diploidy in 57% of carcinomas, while the remaining 43% showed cytometric aneuploidy. Corresponding results were observed between fresh and paraffin-embedded tissue in 26/35 cases. Moreover, a fairly good correlation between the DNA indices of fresh and paraffin-embedded carcinoma samples was observed. Furthermore, the frequency of recurrence was higher in the aneuploid group. Finally, 4 fibroadenomas were diploid and one was aneuploid. Our results confirm that this approach permits retrospective studies to evaluate the potential prognostic significance of nuclear DNA content monitored by flow cytometry.

Adenofibroma↗
PubMed1990

Flow cytometric DNA analysis of the human cervix affected by human papillomavirus and/or intraepithelial neoplasia.

The relative DNA contents of 164 cellular samples from 59 patients affected by the viral cytopathic effects (VCE) of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and/or by cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 12 cellular samples from 12 normal donors were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) with the aim of correlating the cytometric measurements with the morphologic and etiologic parameters. The unselected group of 59 patients was found to be characterized by statistically significant differences in average ages in the VCE and CIN (31.4 years) and CIN only (44.8 years) subgroups. Of the pathologic samples, 32 (54%) exhibited at least one cell subpopulation with an abnormal DNA content; in all but 2 of those cases, a diploid cell subpopulation was also present. The results indicate a relationship between the FCM ploidy and the morphologic classification, as shown by the increase in the occurrence of subpopulations with abnormal DNA contents from VCE only (38%) to VCE + CIN 1 (57%), to VCE + CIN 2/3 (70%). These results suggest that cytometric parameters, in association with the determination of the HPV types and in parallel to the colpocytohistopathologic criteria, can contribute to a more accurate characterization of cervical lesions in diagnostic and prognostic terms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The rationale for treatment of cervical lesions (HPV +/- CIN).

In the laser surgery service of the 2nd Department of the Obstetric and Gynecologic Clinic of the University of Rome "La Sapienza", from October 1984 to March 1987, we have treated with CO2 laser surgery (vaporization and conization) 228 patients affected with cervical lesions (HPV +/- CIN). The choice of the treatment must be based on two parameters: site and extension of the lesion. The results we have obtained with CO2 laser vaporization (201 cases) are most satisfactory (92%); patients have been followed-up from two to twenty-six months. As far as the CO2 laser conization is concerned (27 cases), patients were followed-up from two to twenty-two months and the percentage of success was 96.1%. The Authors evaluated also the side effects of the CO2 laser surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Inflammatory changes in conjunctival scrapings after allergen provocation in humans.

This study was performed to investigate the inflammatory changes occurring in the human conjunctiva at different time periods after allergen provocation. Twenty-three ryegrass-sensitive patients with allergic conjunctivitis (19 with hayfever and four with vernal conjunctivitis) were challenged by topical administration of ryegrass antigen to the eye. Allergen concentrations were increased in increments until an immediate ocular allergic reaction was elicited. Numbers of various inflammatory cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes) found in conjunctival scrapings were quantified and correlated with the clinical profile, total serum IgE, and serum IgE to Rye I antigen. Twenty minutes after some level of antigen topical challenge to the eye, all patients had ocular redness, tearing, and itching. Compared with findings in seven control subjects, significant inflammatory cells were found in the conjunctival scrapings of patients before challenge (p less than 0.05) and 20 minutes (p less than 0.001) and 6 hours (p less than 0.002) after effective challenge. Significant increases in neutrophils of patients occurred after 20 minutes (p less than 0.001), and in eosinophils at 6 hours (p less than 0.005), compared with values of control subjects. When each case was evaluated individually, nine of the 23 patients had highly evident inflammatory changes 6 hours after allergen provocation. The levels of total serum IgE and serum IgE to Rye I antigen of these nine patients did not differ significantly from the other patients in the study. Our data provide the first evidence in humans that significant inflammatory changes in conjunctival scrapings are present long after allergen exposure has ended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Preneoplastic lesions and prognostic factors of breast cancer.

The Authors have investigated preneoplastic lesions and the problem of the identification of benign lesions considered with or without preneoplastic potential, comparing for the occasion the presence of transformation markers in these lesions with the positivity of tumor markers in neoplastic tissue. The dosages have been valued on neoplastic tissue (180 cases), dysplastic tissue (50 cases), on cystic fluid (70 cases), and on nipple discharge (80 cases). The data obtained show a marked positivity to the tumor markers and the ionic and hormonal content (K+, Na+ DHEAS, PRL evaluation). The positivity of some lesions, not properly preneoplastic (or atypical) towards some markers of neoplasia could show some differences of great interest between benignity and malignity.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1986

Flow cytometrically determined DNA content of breast carcinoma and benign lesions: correlations with histopathological parameters.

The relative DNA content of cellular samples from 54 patients affected by breast carcinomas and 20 affected by benign breast lesions (including 11 fibroadenomas) was measured by flow cytometry. All normal tissue samples and 17/20 (85%) specimens from benign lesions exhibited a cytometrically diploid DNA distribution, 3/20 (15%) benign lesions an abnormal DNA content, and 35/54 (65%) carcinomas at least one aneuploid cell subpopulation. Furthermore, 9/54 (17%) tumors were characterized by the presence of more than one aneuploid cell subpopulation. The results also indicate that flow cytometry can be used to recognize lymph nodes infiltrated by aneuploid cells. Statistically significant correlations were evidenced between the occurrence of aneuploidy or the ploidy level measured as DNA index and the nodal infiltration status. The percentage of S cells can also be extracted from DNA content distribution histograms. Statistically significant differences (p less than 0.01) were also observed for the percentage of S cells between normal tissues (6.2 +/- 3.2 SD) and benign lesions (11.1 +/- 6.6 SD), normal tissues (6.2 +/- 3.2 SD) and aneuploid tumors (19.7 +/- 10.3 SD), benign lesions (11.1 +/- 6.6 SD) and aneuploid tumors (19.7 +/- 10.3 SD), and diploid (7.9 +/- 4.0 SD) and aneuploid tumors (19.7 +/- 10.3 SD).

Adult↗