Thirty-eight human pancreatic cancer cases were examined by immunohistochemistry for expression of CA 19-9 and DU-PAN-2 antigens by the respective monoclonal antibodies. CA 19-9 was expressed in 82% and DU-PAN-2 in 87% of cases. A combination of two antibodies increased the reactivity to 97%. Six CA 19-9-negative cases were DU-PAN-2 positive and 4 DU-PAN-2-negative cases expressed CA 19-9. In only 1 case (an anaplastic carcinoma), neither of the antibodies was reactive with cancer cells. The reactivity of tumor cells with each of the antibodies varied from case to case, and, within the same tumor, from one area to another. Histologically, all but one tumor were adenocarcinomas. Thirty-five cases showed areas of either a moderate degree of differentiation (16 cases), poor differentiation (11 cases) or anaplastic areas (8 cases). Although both antigens were expressed in a greater number of cancer cells in well differentiated areas, and less frequently in poorly differentiated and anaplastic regions, the difference in antigen expression in relation to the degree of tumor differentiation was not statistically significant. The cellular localization of the antigens varied. DU-PAN-2 was primarily localized within the cytoplasm, whereas CA 19-9 was found mostly on the luminal cell surface and in luminal content of the glandular structure. In tumor-free pancreatic tissue, adjacent to the tumor, CA 19-9 was detected almost exclusively in the cells of large and medium sized ducts, whereas DU-PAN-2 was primarily expressed in terminal ductular and centrocinar cells. The results indicate that a cocktail of CA 19-9 and DU-PAN-2 antibodies could increase the likelihood of identifying a biomarker in most patients with pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroendocrine carcinoma in the nasal cavity of ten dogs.

Neuroendocrine (NE) carcinoma was diagnosed in 10 dogs. In six cases examined by cephalometric radiography and computerized tomography, a large mass was seen to fill the nasal cavity. Histopathologically, sheets, nests or ribbons of neoplastic cells were separated by delicate or thick fibrovascular stroma. The neoplastic cells were round, oval, or spindle-shaped; cytoplasmic granules and hyperchromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli were present. Neoplastic cells were invariably immunohistochemically positive for cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin A and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Eight dogs were positive for S100 protein, seven for synaptophysin, five for protein gene product 9.5, two for somatostatin, and one for Leu-7. Immunolabelling gave negative results for CK 8, CK 19, calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related polypeptide, neurofilaments, serotonin, gastrin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells contained a large number of round, membrane-bounded, densely-cored granules corresponding to neurosecretory granules. These observations were consistent with the neuroendocrine nature of the carcinomas.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

New techniques: splenic artery embolization followed by intraarterial infusion chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

We present a new intraarterial infusion chemotherapy technique for the treatment of inoperable cancer in the body and tail of the pancreas. The spleen was embolized at its hilum with coils to infuse an anti-tumor agent selectively into the pancreatic parenchyma and a catheter was placed into the splenic artery and connected to the reservoir. 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin+diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (MAA+DTPA) was injected into the reservoir and the body and tail of the pancreas were visualized on the image. For inoperable cancer in the body and tail of the pancreas, splenic artery embolization followed by the placement of a catheter into the splenic artery can deliver a highly concentrated anti-tumor agent to the tumor.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗