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G Burg

Publications and source records attributed to G Burg.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Necrotizing granulomatosis of the breast.

We describe a case of necrotizing granulomatosis of Wegener's type involving the breasts of a 40-year-old man. There were no signs of generalized disease. Involvement of the breast is rare in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). To date, 17 cases have been reported, and all were women. They predominantly presented with a unilateral breast mass, and mammary malignancy was the principal concern. In the majority of cases, breast lesions of WG have been a presenting sign of, or preceded, disseminated disease. Our patient is unusual in that the necrotizing granulomas developed as an isolated finding in a site remote from those usually affected by WG, and, as far as we are aware, represents the first case of Wegener's type granulomatosis involving the male breast.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Lack of expression of the recombination activating genes RAG-1 and RAG-2 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: pathogenic implications.

Analyses of the karyotype and genome of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) cells have shown that they contain chromosome breaks and translocations. The sequence analyses of such DNA breakpoints found in various kinds of leukaemias have suggested that some of the observed translocations have been caused by illegitimate V(D)J (v = Variability; D = diversity; J = joining) recombination. To study whether illegitimate V(D)J recombination is responsible for the continuously increasing number of DNA breaks in CTCL, we used reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyse three CTCL cell lines and biopsies from 14 CTCL patients for the expression of the RAG-1 and RAG-2 genes which are essential for V(D)J recombination. We found no RAG gene expression in any of the 17 samples analysed, indicating that illegitimate V(D)J recombination may not be the reason for the increased number of chromosomal aberrations and translocations in CTCL cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Modern tumor therapy as seen in melanoma].

Modern therapy of melanoma should always consider the prognosis of the disease. Primary low-risk melanomas with tumor-thickness below 1 mm can be treated by surgery with a safety margin of 1 cm. If the tumor-thickness is more than 2 mm the safety margin should be at least 3 cm. After the resection of lymph node metastases adjuvant treatment using Interferon-alpha should be considered. Palliative therapy of metastases includes surgery, radiotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy. Recent progress in understanding the immunobiology of melanoma and the development of gene therapy has offered new perspectives for future therapeutical intervention.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗
PubMed1996

Lack of the t(2;5) or other mutations resulting in expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase catalytic domain in CD30+ primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders and Hodgkin's disease.

The t(2;5) (p23;q35) chromosomal translocation has been found in a high proportion of lymph node-based CD30+ large cell lymphomas of T-cell lineage. This translocation is believed to result in the expression of a fusion protein containing the catalytic domain of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) under the control of the promoter for nucleophosmin, a nucleolar phosphoprotein. Expression of ALK activity, which does not normally occur in lymphocytes, is postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of lymphomas bearing the t(2;5) translocation. Several primary cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders and Hodgkin's disease are also known to contain CD30+ large lymphoid cells. To determine the role of the t(2;5) translocation in these diseases, we developed a DNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/Southern blot assay to detect this translocation at the genomic level in lymphomatoid papulosis (14 cases), primary cutaneous CD30+ large cell lymphoma of T-lineage (10 cases) and Hodgkin's disease (13 cases). Two cases of pityriasis lichenoides were also studied. The t(2;5) translocation was not present in any of these specimens. To determine if some other somatic mutation might have resulted in inappropriate expression of ALK catalytic domain, we devised an RNA-based reverse transcriptase-PCR assay to detect transcripts encoded by this ALK region. None were found in the six additional cases of lymphomatoid papulosis that were studied. In aggregate, these results strongly suggest that inappropriate expression of ALK is not involved in the pathogenesis of these CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders, and that lymph node-based CD30+ large cell lymphoma is a disease that is biologically distinct from skin-based CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders and Hodgkin's disease. Using methods developed for this report, we also cloned and sequenced the t(2;5) genomic junctional sequences present in the SUP-M2 and SU-DHL-1 cell lines. These intron sequences will be useful for mapping t(2;5) breakpoint clusters.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Sézary syndrome T-cell clones display T-helper 2 cytokines and express the accessory factor-1 (interferon-gamma receptor beta-chain).

Sézary syndrome (SS) is a leukemic variant of low-grade cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). The clonal T cells in this lymphoproliferative disorder are poorly characterized. Using antibodies against the variable region of the T-cell receptor (TCR V alpha/beta), we identified four predominant T-cell clones (two V beta 8+ clones, one V beta 5.1+, and one V alpha 2(a)+) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of SS patients. Their phenotype was CD3+, CD4+, CD5+, CD45RO+. Clonal T cells were purified, and cytokine transcription and secretion was analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by hybridization with biotinylated probes and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The interleukin-10 (IL-10) PCR product was cloned and sequenced and found to be identical to the published cDNA sequence. The presence of accessory factor-1 (AF-1, or interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] receptor beta-chain) encoding mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR and immunostaining using serum of rabbits immunized with the extracellular domain of a recombinant human AF-1 protein followed by APAAP staining. Clonal T cells transcribe and secrete mainly T-helper 2 cytokines (IL-10, -5, and -13). mRNA from purified SS clones but not mRNA from SS total PBMC was positive for AF-1 in an agarose gel and/or after hybridization. AF-1 transcription was associated with membrane-bound immunoreactivity for AF-1 in SS clones. SS-derived T-cell clones display T-helper 2 cytokines. This weakens cell-mediated immunosurveillance, and explains the clinical and immunologic abnormalities in SS patients. The T-helper 2 cytokine spectrum of all clones investigated is associated with overexpression of AF-1. This suggests that AF-1 is a potential marker for these clones (and eventually other T-helper 2 lymphocytes) and might represent a target for treatment of the disease.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Clonal disease in extracutaneous compartments in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. A comparative study between cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and pseudo lymphomas.

Extracutaneous involvement is a sign of poor prognosis in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). Unfortunately it becomes clinically and histologically manifest only late in the course of the disease. It was the purpose of this study to detect clonality in peripheral blood, lymph nodes and bone marrow samples at times when extracutaneous involvement cannot otherwise be demonstrated. In addition to skin biopsies, peripheral blood, lymph node and bone marrow samples from a total of 25 patients were analysed by Southern blotting for clonal gene rearrangement of the T-cell receptor beta-chain. Six of the patients were suffering from mycosis fungoides (MF), four from non-MF CTCL (pleomorphic T-cell lymphomas), seven from Sézary syndrome (SS), eight from pseudolymphoma (insect bites) (PSL), and one from lymphomatoid papulosis (LP). Clonal TcR b gene rearrangements were found in patients with MF in four of five skin probes as well as in two of two lymph node samples and in one of two peripheral blood samples. In SS patients, all skin probes (seven of seven), lymph node samples (six of six), peripheral blood samples (six of six) and one bone marrow specimen had a clonal TcR beta gene rearrangement. In patients with non-MF CTCL, two of four skin, zero of two peripheral blood and one of one bone marrow samples with clonal T cells were detected. All investigated patients showed exactly the same rearrangement pattern at extranodal sites and in the skin, which is proof for the same clone in all compartments. In contrast, no rearrangements were detected in LP and PSL (zero of eight skin probes, zero of two peripheral blood samples). Our results provide strong evidence for an early systemic spread of neoplastic cells in CTCL. However, an initial tumour burden has to be reached in order to lead to a clinically and prognostically relevant manifestation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Incidence and in-vivo relevance of anti-interferon antibodies during treatment of low-grade cutaneous T-cell lymphomas with interferon alpha-2a combined with acitretin or PUVA.

Interferon-alpha combined with retinoid or PUVA is used for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Anti-IFN-alpha antibodies (IFN ab) occur regularly during IFN-alpha treatment. We investigated the incidence of neutralizing and binding IFN ab and analysed their relationship with clinical and immunological parameters. A group of 17 CTCL patients were treated with IFN alpha-2a three times weekly subcutaneously at a dose of 3 Mill. I.U. combined either with retinoid (acitretin, Neotigason; 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight) daily or with 5-methoxypsoralen (1.2 mg/kg bodyweight) plus UVA radiation three times weekly. Prior to and during treatment we monitored stage, skin involvement by a tumour burden index, serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin, neopterin, binding and neutralizing IFN ab, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2r) and the CD4/CD8 ratio of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We observed two complete, two partial and six minor responses, four patients with stable disease and three patients with progressive disease. Of the 17 patients, 7 developed binding IFN ab, but only 2 had neutralizing IFN ab which were associated with high titres of binding IFN ab. IFN ab formation was more frequent in patients with normal CD4/CD8 ratios and a high tumour burden index and showed a trend to be more frequent in PUVA-cotreated patients than in retinoid-cotreated patients. Responses were more frequently seen in IFN ab-negative patients. IFN ab developed in patients treated with PUVA or retinoid combined with IFN. Binding as well as neutralizing IFN ab may have an impact on the treatment success in CTCL patients.

Acitretin↗
PubMed1996

[Levodopa and malignant melanoma--case report and review of the literature. A contribution to causal relationship between levodopa and the development of malignant melanoma].

A 72-years old man with Parkinson's disease was treated with levodopa for 14 years. A superficial spreading melanoma (Breslow depth 1,8 mm Clark level IV) was diagnosed, developing on the back from a pigment lesion which had present for more than 10 years. Other case reports suggest a relationship between the administration of levodopa and the growth of malignant melanoma. On the other hand, epidemiological studies found no correlation. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown a possible anti-tumor effect of levodopa. Critical analysis of the literature leads to the conclusion, that there is no increased melanoma risk from levodopa.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I (Thévenard's disease).

Radiographic and MR findings of two cases of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I are reported. This rare disease has a non-specific radiographic and MR appearance. Differential diagnosis includes other types of hereditary and acquired sensory neuropathies affecting small myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers, as well as vascular abnormalities and lesions of the spinal cord.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

MIB-1 immunoreactivity correlates with metastatic dissemination in primary thick cutaneous melanoma.

BACKGROUND: The proliferation rate of transformed cells is a putative prognostic indicator. MIB-1 is a murine monoclonal antibody to a Ki-67 epitope that detects a nuclear antigen found only in proliferating cells. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test for a correlation between MIB-1 immunoreactivity and the metastatic potential of malignant melanoma. METHODS: MIB-1 reactivity (% total tumor nuclei) was assessed in 34 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary cutaneous melanomas and correlated with metastatic potential and overall survival (follow-up, 10.5 +/- 1.8 years). RESULTS: Whereas no correlation was found between MIB-1 reactivity and metastases in primary thin cutaneous melanoma (Breslow thickness, < 0.75 mm; mean thickness, 0.39 +/- 0.16 mm), good correlation was found (p = 0.0001) in primary thick cutaneous melanoma (Breslow thickness, > 1.5 mm; mean thickness, 3.0 +/- 1.3 mm). MIB-1 reactivity was 12.3% +/- 7.7% and 0.7% +/- 1.3% with and without metastases, respectively, and was highest in the primary melanomas that later metastasized. However, overall survival in patients with thick cutaneous melanoma and metastases did not correlate with MIB-1 reactivity. CONCLUSION: MIB-1 proliferative activity is a useful prognostic indicator in primary cutaneous melanomas thicker than 1.5 mm and may predict the development of metastases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1996

Circulating interleukin-2 receptors are a group of multimeric proteins with immunoreactivity for interleukin-2 receptor alpha, beta, and gamma chains.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) alpha chain serum levels as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) are commonly used to monitor various inflammatory and neoplastic disorders associated with lymphocytic proliferation and activation. The in vivo structure of this soluble receptor species, however, is not characterized. We investigated sera with elevated sIL-2R serum levels of patients with histologically proven cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and high-dose IL-2-treated melanoma patients and healthy donors. Purified recombinant IL-2R alpha and beta chain molecules, produced by transfection of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and CHO cells, served as positive controls for purification and detection procedures. For selective enrichment of IL-2R molecules from supernatants and sera, affinity columns were prepared by coupling recombinant IL-2 or monoclonal antibodies against the alpha and the beta chain of the IL-2R complex to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose. Western blotting with affinity-purified fractions under reducing and nonreducing conditions revealed proteins that showed immunoreactivity for IL-2R alpha, beta, and gamma chain using several detection antibodies against these molecules. We conclude that the composition of sIL-2R in vivo is more complex than that of recombinant sIL-2R and can include all three IL-2R chains.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1996

T-cell receptor beta variable region (V beta) usage in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) in comparison to normal and eczematous skin.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders. We investigated the variable region (V beta) of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in CTCL and compared it to the V beta repertoire in normal and eczematous skin. We used a panel of 21 anti-V beta antibodies and investigated 84 biopsies of 71 CTCL patients (4 parapsoriasis en grandes plaques (PA), 1 lymphomatoid papulosis, 29 mycosis fungoides (MF), 13 Sezary syndrome (SS), 1 CD8+ CTCL, 11 pleomorphic CTCL (PLEO), 12 CTCL nor classified). Six biopsies of normal skin and 6 of eczematous skin lesions served as controls. We determined the frequency of the V beta in normal and inflamed skin and compared it to the percentage of the respective V beta in the malignant clone of the CTCL patients. The percentage of the V beta positive CD4+ cells in relation to the total number of T cells in normal skin and inflamed skin differed from the distribution of the V beta families in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Out of 71 CTCL cases, the clone was identified in 23 (32%). We identified the following clones: 1 V beta 3.1 (16MF), 7 V beta 5.1 (1 CD8+ CTCL, 1 CTCL not classified, 1 MF, 1 PA, 3 SS), 1 V beta 6.7 (1 SS), 7 V beta 8.1/8.2 (2 CTCL not classified, 1 PLEO, 2 MF, 2 SS), 1 V beta 12.1 (1 PLEO), 3 V beta 17.1 (2 CTCL not classified, 1 MF), 2 V beta 22.1 (1 CTCL not classified, 1 MF), 1 TCR delta (SS). The frequency of the malignant clone V beta usage corresponded well to the repertoire of V beta in eczematous skin but not to the repertoire in PBMC. In 6 patients, the malignant clone was mainly localized in the epidermis. In 17 cases, the clone-specific cells were distributed in epidermis and dermis equally. A retrospective analysis showed that preferential epidermal homing of the clone was associated with a non-aggressive clinical course. The V beta usage of CTCL and eczema suggests a special cutaneous microenvironment which might be co-created by certain (bacterial?) superantigens. A preferential epidermal homing of the clone might have prognostic implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Lack of expression of dopamine D2 receptors in malignant melanoma: evidence for interaction of iodobenzofurans with melanin.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare scintigraphy using the new dopamine D2 receptor binding radioligand iodobenzofuran (IBF) versus whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) in demonstrating metastasizing melanoma, and (2) to determine, for the first time using a panel of histochemical techniques, whether the ability of D2 receptor binding radioligands to detect melanoma metastases is due to tumor-expressed D2 receptors. METHODS: Seven patients with metastatic melanoma were examined using 123I-IBF scintigraphy. Findings were compared to the results of PET and metastasis histochemistry: D2 receptor mRNA assay (metastases: n = 5; melanoma cell lines: n = 4) using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) versus D2 receptor-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cell controls: in vitro 125I-IBF binding (n = 19), and immunohistochemical staining for dopamine D2 receptor protein (n = 19). RESULTS: IBF scintigraphy detected 2/10 melanoma metastases detected by PET (sensitivity 20%). No dopamine D2 receptor mRNA was found in melanoma cells using RT-PCR. The binding of 125I-IBF correlated with the amount of melanin present in the metastases; two amelanotic melanomas both failed to bind 125I-IBF. Immunohistochemical staining was negative in all metastases. CONCLUSION: Melanoma cells do not appear to express dopamine D2 receptors. Although IBF had high dopamine D2 receptor affinity, its ability to detect melanoma metastases is more likely explained by low affinity binding to melanin than by the presence of dopamine receptors.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Eruptive vellus hair cyst and steatocystoma multiplex: hybrid cysts.

Steatocystoma multiplex (SM) and eruptive vellus hair cyst (EVHC) are known as clinically similar but histologically distinct entities, first described by Jamieson in 1873 and Esterly et al. in 1977, respectively. Herein we describe a 24-year-old female patient with both lesions on the anterior chest wall. The biopsy showed portions of two cysts close together with features of SM in one part and features of EVHC in the other part. Our case gives further evidence that these two conditions are closely related. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case where such an anatomically close relationship between these two types of cysts has been described.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

HPV-11- and HPV-16-associated oral verrucous carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Verrucous carcinoma is a slowly growing, well-differentiated neoplasm with a predilection for the oral cavity. OBJECTIVE: Data on the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with oral verrucous carcinoma are very scarce. We searched for the presence of HPV in different stages of the tumour in a patient repeatedly treated by means of surgery, cryotherapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy over a decade. METHODS: HPV DNA was detected in archival tumour tissue by nested PCR. HPV types were identified based on restriction fragment analysis. RESULTS: HPV type 11 was found in 1 early-stage and HPV 16 in 2 late-stage biopsy specimens of the tumour. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide further evidence for a role of HPV in oral verrucous carcinoma. The case history emphasizes the importance of a joint clinicopathological approach to this tumour.

Aged↗