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Biomedical subjects

J L Rodriguez-Peralto

Publications and source records attributed to J L Rodriguez-Peralto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

beta-Catenin, Nf-kappaB and FAS protein expression are independent events in head and neck cancer: study of their association with clinical parameters.

In spite of much effort, no good markers have yet been found for predicting prognosis or response to therapy in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCs) patients. beta-catenin, a protein involved in the cytoskeleton, cell-cell adhesion and gene transcription, is a factor associated with tumour progression. Recently, an interaction has been reported between beta-catenin, and NF-kappaB coupled with an inverse association of beta-catenin, and FAS (CD95/APO-1) protein expression in breast and colorectal tumours. To confirm these observations and to test their clinical impact in HNSCCs we have evaluated the expression of beta-catenin, NF-kappaB and FAS proteins. We used tissue microarrays to simultaneously analyse the levels of these proteins immunohistochemically in 118 HNSCCs. Among the 113 tumours evaluable for beta-catenin, increased and decreased levels were detected in 41 (36%) and 62 (55%) of the tumours, respectively. beta-catenin, protein staining was mainly membranous but 10 tumours (9%) showed the clear presence of protein in the cytoplasm, and none in the nucleus. Moreover, 81% of the tumours had decreased FAS protein expression, indicating that loss of FAS protein is a common feature of HNSCCs. Abnormal or nuclear NF-kappaB staining was observed in 24% of the tumours. No association was detected between the expression levels of the proteins evaluated. Regarding clinical associations, tumours from the hypopharynx had significantly lower levels of beta-catenin expression than those from other locations (P<0.05). Moreover, our data revealed that patients whose tumours had low levels of beta-catenin protein expression had decreased survival probability (24.8 months vs. NR, P=0.03) and reduced response to therapy (15.4 vs. 43 months; P=0.01) compared with patients whose tumours had high levels of beta-catenin. Taken together, our observations indicate that beta-catenin, NF-kappaB and FAS expression are independent events during HNSCC development and that levels of beta-catenin protein may identify subsets of advanced HNSCCs patients with different prognosis and response to therapy capabilities.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Cutaneous follicular B-cell lymphoma: description of a series of 18 cases.

The lack of precise and homogeneous criteria for the recognition of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma has hindered gaining data on the frequency and clinical and molecular features of this entity. In the course of a review of a series of primary cutaneous lymphoma from different Spanish hospitals, we collected a series of 18 cases of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma and analyzed its clinical, morphologic, and biologic characteristics. In this review only cases with a follicular pattern of growth, germinal center cytology, and restriction to the skin in a minimum follow-up of 6 months have been included. Cases of primary cutaneous follicular lymphoma were characterized by the expression of classic markers of the germinal center, such as bcl6, CD10, and the presence of aggregates of follicular dendritic cells. They frequently express bcl2 protein, although classical t(14;18) was not found in any of the cases analyzed. Analysis of the bcl6 noncoding first exon showed somatic mutations in two of four cases analyzed, as would be expected in lymphoma deriving from the germinal center. Clinically, most cases showed initial involvement of the head and neck, with relapses in eight cases (involving the skin in five cases, both skin and lymph node in two cases, and lymph node in one case). No death attributable to the tumor was recorded. These data seem to imply that follicular lymphoma may present initially in the skin, lacking the characteristic t(14;18) and having a relatively indolent course. Recognition of these tumors and elucidation of their molecular alterations could lead to properly adapted staging and treatment protocols for these patients.

Adult↗

Aggressive granulomatous mycosis fungoides with clinical pulmonary and thyroid involvement.

We report a patient with granulomatous mycosis fungoides (MF) that progressed to a tumoral pattern and finally developed clinical pulmonary and thyroid involvement, despite multiple and intensive treatments. We emphasize the visceral involvement in this case, which was manifest as dyspnoea simulating pneumonia and by palpable thyroid nodules. These features are very unusual even in classic MF, and this is the first case in our knowledge of thyroid involvement in granulomatous MF.

Adult↗

Primary epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of bone. Case report and literature review.

We describe an epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of bone located in the right knee of a 51-year-old woman. Plain radiograph and CT scan revealed a poorly defined lytic and destructive mass in the upper metaepiphyseal right tibia which involved surrounding soft tissues. The lesion was composed of proliferating monotonous round cells with a high mitotic activity with scanty intersecting spindle cell fascicles. Immunohistochemistry of both areas demonstrated a strong positivity for actin (HHF-35 and alpha-SMA) and vimentin, and negative reactions for desmin, keratin (AE1 AE3), epithelial membrane antigen, S-100 protein, factor VIII-related antigen, CD 31 and CD 34. Ultrastructural study confirmed a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. This is the first detailed description of the microscopic and radiological features of primary epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of bone.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Bronchial mucoepidermoid tumor in a 3-year-old child.

A 3-year-old girl was evaluated for persistent middle lobe atelectasis. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a spherical mass occupying the middle-lobe bronchus. The biopsy specimen disclosed a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. A lobectomy was performed. The patient is in good condition 2 years after the operation. Mucoepidermoid tumors are rare bronchial adenomas comprising 1% of all lung neoplasms. Children are very infrequently affected. The clinical behavior of these tumors is controversial. Surgical resection of the low-grade-type tumor has an excellent prognosis.

Bronchi↗

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy and proliferative index (MIB-1 index) in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

The DNA content and proliferative index of 61 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were measured by image analysis and correlated with the lesion's clinicopathological features and patient's survival. DNA analysis was performed on cytospin single-cell preparations obtained from the paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. MIB-1 was the proliferation marker used on paraffin sections. DNA aneuploidy was detected in 12 tumors (18%), and high MIB-1 index (>22%) in 12 lesions (18%). DNA aneuploidy and high MIB-1 index statistically correlated with high mitotic rate (> or = 5 x 10 high-power field [HPF]) (P < .001) and with the presence of necrosis (P < .05). The patient's survival was significantly correlated with DNA ploidy (P < .01), MIB-1 index (P < .00001), mitotic rate (P < .00001), presence of necrosis (P < .0001), and size of the tumor (P < .01). Multivariate regression analysis showed that only MIB-1 index was an independent parameter in predicting the clinical outcome for patients with GIST. The mitotic rate was the only other independent prognostic factor when MIB-1 index was not allowed to enter the model.

Adult↗

Cutaneous macular amyloidosis associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A.

Cutaneous amyloidosis and multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN 2A) have been previously reported in several families. A genetic linkage of both disorders has recently been described. Notalgia paraesthetica has been suggested to be involved in the aetiology of amyloidosis in such patients. We report such an association in a 48-year-old woman with several relatives suffering from MEN 2A. Treatment with topical capsaicin, which has been shown to be effective in notalgia paraesthetica, was not useful in our patient.

Amyloidosis↗

Tumor vascularization, mitotic index, histopathologic grade, and DNA ploidy in the assessment of 114 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of tumor vascularization recently has been shown to a parameter of potential clinical significance. Several basic and clinical studies have demonstrated that tumor growth correlates significantly with angiogenesis. METHODS: To determine the utility of quantification of tumor vascularization and mitotic index for the pathobiologic assessment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, a prospective study of 114 consecutively recruited primary neoplasms was performed. Tumors were also studied for differentiation, keratinization, nuclear atypia, growth pattern, inflammation, desmoplasia, vascular tumor emboli, and DNA content. RESULTS: In this cohort, tumor vascularization was correlated with mitotic index (P < 0.001), nuclear grade (P = 0.03), presence of tumor emboli in the peripheral microvessels (P = 0.05), and lymph nodal status (P = 0.03). A strong relationship between poor differentiation and high N classification (P < 0.001), differentiation and keratinization (P < 0.001) and tumor cell emboli and clinically involved lymph nodes (P = 0.01) was also observed. Emboli were more rare in laryngeal and oropharynx/oral cavity tumors than in hypopharynx/epilarynx (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that tumor vascularization, differentiation, and tumor emboli in peripheral microvessel network are important histologic parameters in the assessment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Adult↗

Cutaneous plasmacytosis: report of a case in a white man.

We describe a 40-year-old white man with a peculiar skin eruption in association with polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. No underlying disease was detected. A skin biopsy specimen showed a proliferation of mature plasma cells intermingled with some lymphocytes and histiocytes, an appearance consistent with cutaneous plasmacytosis. This disease had been previously described only in Japanese patients. In our patient the disease progressed slowly. Lymph node infiltration by mature plasma cells was later noted.

Adult↗

Case report 806: Monostotic Paget's disease of the hand (fifth metacarpal).

Monostotic Paget's disease of bone is an uncommon disease, reported in the hand in only a few instances. We have described an additional case involving a metacarpal bone in a 43-year-old man. We believe this disease should be considered in the radiological differential diagnosis of lytic expansile, subchondral lesions of the hand.

Adult↗