A multiparameter analysis of 706 cases of acute leukemia (AL) over a two-year period revealed only six cases (0.86 per cent) with coexpression of lymphoid and myeloid phenotypes. In three cases, expression of both lymphoid and myeloid markers by the majority of the blast cells suggested a 'biphenotypic' pattern while in the remaining three cases, the lymphoid and myeloid phenotypes were segregated into two morphologically distinct populations of blast cells indicating a 'biclonal' distribution. The poor response to anti-acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapy in five of these six cases underlines the bad prognostic significance of coexpression of lymphoid and myeloid phenotypes in AL. The incidence of 'mixed lineage' phenotype in the present series appears very low.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in Kuwait. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections of primary gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a panel of antibodies to determine muscle and neural differentiation, the incidence of CD117 and CD34 expression, as well as bcl-2 and cytokeratin expression. Each stain was interpreted as negative or positive. The staining intensity of positive cases was graded as weak, moderate or strong. RESULTS: The age range was 25-80 with an average age of 54 and a male:female ratio of 3:2. The stomach was the most common site for these tumors, followed by the small intestine. Histologically, 46% were classified as malignant and 54% were benign. Most of the malignant tumors occurred in males, particularly in the stomach or small intestine. There was no significant difference in patient age between malignant and benign tumors. The most sensitive markers were muscle-specific actin for muscle differentiation and glial fibrillary acidic protein for neural differentiation. CD117 expression was seen in 81% and CD34 in 54% of all tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that the stomach is the most common site for these tumors, that malignant tumors are more likely to occur in the small intestine than in the stomach, and that there is no difference between benign and malignant tumors with regard to age. Our findings are comparable to those of other workers, although our male:female ratio was slightly higher.

Actins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

BRCA1 gene expression in breast cancer in Kuwait: correlation with prognostic parameters.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the BRCA1 gene expression in breast cancer in Kuwait, and compared it with other known prognostic factors for the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight random samples of archival paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissues were studied for BRCA1 gene expression. Immunohistochemical method utilizing antibodies against different epitopes on the BRCA1 protein was used to study BRCA1 protein expression. In addition, for 29 patients, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect BRCA1 mRNA expression. BRCA1 expression was correlated with age, histological type and grade of breast cancer, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and C-erbB-2 expression. RESULTS: No demonstrable BRCA1 mRNA and protein expression was found in 79 and 83% of the breast cancer tissues, respectively. A positive relationship was demonstrated between lack of BRCA1 (mRNA and protein) expression and high histological grade, negative estrogen and progesterone receptor status, and overexpression of C-erbB-2 in the breast cancer tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated lack of BRCA1 gene expression (mRNA and protein) in the majority of breast cancers in Kuwait and confirmed the inverse relationship between BRCA1 expression and parameters that determine poor prognosis in breast cancer.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Free fat interpositional graft in acute physeal injuries: the anticipatory Langenskiöld procedure.

Free fat graft interposition has been used extensively in management of physeal injuries with established growth disturbances. The use of this technique as part of the management of acute physeal injuries has not been reported. Here we report on its application in acute physeal injuries, where it has prevented the formation of an anticipated physeal arrest.

Child↗