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Biomedical subjects

L Mariuzzi

Publications and source records attributed to L Mariuzzi.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Biology and differentiation of lymphocytes in the classification of lymphomas].

The classifications of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are briefly discussed and the processes of proliferation and differentiation of B and T lymphocytes are analyzed. The B and T lymphocytes engaged in the immune response arise from precursor cells through a two-cycle process of proliferation and differentiation: the first cycle produces cells with antigen receptors of varying specificity (resting circulating B and T lymphocytes); the second cycle produces B and T type effector cells and "memory" cells. Each phase of B and T differentiation can give rise to a type of lymphoma; in fact, malignant lymphomas can be divided into categories of precursor B and T cell lymphomas, resting B and T cell lymphomas and activated B and T cell lymphomas. Hodgkin's lymphoma could be considered a lymphoma arising from activated cells with atypical phenotype, i.e. Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells secrete cytokines which recruit lymphocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils and plasma cells which form the cellular background typical of this tumor.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Reproducibility of DNA measurements in imprints of thyroid adenoma. Variation sources.

DNA measurement represents a type of quantitative analysis which allows us to gain prognostic information on malignant tumors and to study the natural history of the epithelial neoplasia. However, there are sources of variation in evaluating the DNA content. These include variation due to field selection, variation between observers (interobserver variation), and variation between laboratories (interlaboratory variation). The influence of various variation sources was studied in 4 experiments. When DNA measurements were made from the same microscopic fields, the results did not differ remarkably. However, observer training proved to be important. Intra- and interobserver variation was lower among experienced morphometrists than among inexpert observers. Different laboratories and image analyzers may give different results when the same case is measured. To overcome at least part of the potential variation sources, undergraduates and postgraduates at the Departments of Pathology of Ancona and Kuopio Universities are specially trained in the use and application of morphometry. Special sampling rules should be applied and observers encouraged to follow the rules as uniformly as possible.

Adenoma↗

[A case of malignant pancreatic apudoma producer of serotonin and pancreatic polypeptide].

Taking as their starting point the observation of a pancreatic malignant endocrine neoplasm with mixed production of serotonin and pancreatic polypeptide, the authors go on to review the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic apudomas. The possibility of performing an extempore intraoperative histological examination makes it possible to obtain a correct diagnosis of endocrine neoplasm and thus to proceed with surgery which could not be contemplated in adenocarcinomatous forms at an equivalent stage. Chemotherapy may then provide additional therapeutic possibilities, using specific markers for malignancies of the APUD system in order to detect possible recurrences.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗

Retrospective analysis of 23 cases with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified: clinical characteristics and outcome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are a heterogeneous group of post-thymic malignancies relatively uncommon in the Western world and their prognosis and therapeutic approach are still not well defined. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical, hematological and histological features at diagnosis, the relevance of the International Prognostic Index and the outcome of a group of 23 patients affected by peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified (PTCL-U), according to the Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL), observed between September 1985 and April 1995 at our Institution. METHODS: Patients were separated into different prognostic groups according to Ann Arbor stage, cell size and International Prognostic Index. All patients had been treated with multiagent combination chemotherapy, mainly CHOP (9 cases) and F-MACHOP (9 cases), and were evaluable for response. The treatment was intensified with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in 1 patient and with autologous BMT in 4 patients. RESULTS: Median age was 55 (range 18-77) years and 70% of the patients were males. Four patients were in stage II (17%), 5 in stage III (22%) and 14 in stage IV (61%). Patient risk was classified according to the International Prognostic Index as follows: 8 cases (35%) low risk, 2 cases (9%) low-intermediate, 8 cases (35%) high-intermediate, 5 cases (21%) high. Median follow-up time was 20 months (range 2-132). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all the patients studied were 10 and 34 months, respectively. Stage IV was associated with a poorer response rate and a shorter PFS (median 6 months) and OS (median 32 months). No statistical correlation was found between cell size and overall response (complete + partial remission), PFS (p = 0.38) or OS (p = 0.59), although a better trend was observed for the large cell group. A less favorable outcome was observed in patients in the high-intermediate + high risk groups, where median PFS and OS were 7 and 24 months, respectively, than in patients in the low + low-intermediate risk groups. No difference in response or outcome was detected between patients treated with the CHOP and the F-MACHOP regimens, while all 5 patients given high-dose chemotherapy and BMT are alive and in CR. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our experience shows that PTCL-U are rare lymphomas frequently having an aggressive presentation. The response to conventional polychemotherapeutic regimens like CHOP or F-MACHOP is generally poor, especially in those cases with advanced stage and a high-intermediate or high International Prognostic Index. The observation that all five patients who were treated with bone marrow transplantation are alive and in complete remission suggests using this strategy, particularly in young patients with a poor International Prognostic Index.

Adolescent↗