Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

R Volpe

Publications and source records attributed to R Volpe.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The use of thallium-201 in the preoperative detection of breast cancer: an adjunct to mammography and ultrasonography.

Thallium-201 breast scans were performed preoperatively in 72 female patients with breast abnormalities detected by mammography and/or ultrasonography (7.5-13 MHz), in order to differentiate benign from malignant breast disease. Informed consent was obtained from each patient. Scintigraphy consisted of anterior and oblique planar images of the affected breast and axilla at 10 min and 3 h following the injection of 201Tl chloride (110 MBq). All 201Tl scans were interpreted without prior knowledge of surgery data. Pathological features of breast malignancies, such as tumour size, axillary lymph node metastases, tumour grading, lymphatic vascular channel invasion and receptor status, were analysed for their association with 201Tl uptake by tumour cells. A total of 76 breast lesions were assessed in the study. On final histological diagnosis, there were 56 malignant tumours, 14 benign nodules (9 fibroadenomas, two cases of adenosis, two cases of focal fibrosis and one case of epitheliosis) and six atypical lesions (atypical ductal or lobular hyperplasia). Thallium scintigraphy was shown to have high accuracy (92%) in detecting breast cancer, better than mammography (74%) and ultrasonography (84%). Almost all (51/56) breast cancers showed greater 201Tl activity than surrounding normal breast tissue while there was no significant increase in 201Tl activity above background in all but one (19/20) case of non-malignant disease. 201Tl activity within breast tumours, calculated as tumour/background (T/B) ratio, ranged between 1.2 and 2.5 with a mean value of 1.45. In our experience the concentration of thallium in the breast cancer seems to be primarily dependent on vascularity and tumour size rather than tumour grading, lymphatic/vascular invasion or receptor status. 201Tl scan sensitivity was 97% for malignant lesions larger than 1.5 cm (n = 35) and 80% for lesions of 1.5 cm or less (n = 21); however, five of the eight breast cancers smaller than 1.0 cm were also detectable by 201Tl scintigraphy, compared with five out of seven by mammography. Thallium scintigraphy would not be useful in evaluating the axilla for lymph node metastases (sensitivity 27%, specificity 77%).

Adult

Long-term treatment of alcoholic liver disease with propylthiouracil. Part 2: Influence of drop-out rates and of continued alcohol consumption in a clinical trial.

Although propylthiouracil has previously been shown to reduce the risk of mortality in alcoholic liver disease by 60%, generalized use of propylthiouracil for this condition has not occurred. Additional data are therefore presented on four aspects to provide a better assessment of its therapeutic effectiveness. First, the characteristics and the prognosis of dropouts were virtually identical in both the drug and placebo groups. Also the methodology and analysis employed, were designed to control for dropouts, thus providing an accurate interpretation of the outcome. Secondly, since 97% of the patients continued to drink, abstinence was not a precondition for the beneficial effect of propylthiouracil. However, the beneficial effect was observed most clearly in those patients who continued to drink at lower levels, whereas lower level drinking per se did not afford protection in placebo patients. Thirdly, serious side effects or clinical hypothyroidism occurred extremely rarely in these patients, many of whom have now received propylthiouracil for over 4 years. Fourthly, we discuss why the outcome in long-term clinical trials in alcoholic liver disease cannot be compared with effects observed in clinical trials lasting only a few weeks. Journal of Hepatology.

Clinical Trials as Topic

High frequency of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 expression in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Ki-1 (CD30)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphomas. Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS and Tumors.

Immunohistochemical detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) was used to identify EBV-associated Ki-1-positive anaplastic large-cell (ALC) lymphomas occurring in 11 patients with and 29 patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In addition, 18 representative cases of other acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related lymphomas and 66 cases of Hodgkin's disease, including 14 patients with HIV infection, were investigated. In patients with HIV infection, LMP-1 was found more frequently in Ki-1-positive ALC lymphomas than in other histotypes, although the difference in EBV association between Ki-1-positive ALC and other lymphomas was not significant. In these patients, the percentage of LMP-1 expressing Ki-1-positive ALC lymphomas was significantly higher than that found in patients without HIV infection (72.7% vs. 24.1%; P < .01), thus suggesting an etiologic role for EBV in a large proportion of AIDS-related Ki-1-positive ALC lymphomas. Moreover, the frequency of LMP-1 expression in Hodgkin's disease cases (71.4% in patients with and 21.1% in patients without HIV infection) was close to that found in Ki-1-positive ALC lymphoma cases, supporting the view that the higher frequency of EBV association with both entities detected in patients with HIV infection may be AIDS-related.

Humans

Sieve-like areas in mature cystic teratomas of the ovary. A histochemical and immunohistochemical study of 7 cases.

The authors describe histologic and immunohistologic features of seven cases of ovarian mature teratomas showing multiple cysts, optically empty, in their walls. These cysts have been detected in 7 out of 31 cases of ovarian teratomas observed from 1985 to 1991 (incidence rate 22%); they measured from less than 0.1 mm up to 5 mm in their largest size, and were lined by flattened cuboidal cell, histiocytes and multinucleate foreign body-type giant cells. Masson trichrome stain revealed a fibrous framework around them. Immunohistochemical stains provided evidence of both macrophagic and endothelial nature of the lining cells of the cysts because of their cytoplasmic positivity for KP1, KIM 6 and, though focally, for FVIII-related antigen. Ovarian teratomas exhibiting such aspects, defined as pneumatosis cystoides-like appearances or multicystic structures, have been previously described. These peculiar morphologic finding are reported in gynecological literature under the heading of sieve-like areas but, generally, little information about the mechanisms of their constitution is available. Etiopathogenic hypotheses are hereafter considered and discussed. The present findings suggest that these multicystic spaces may be the result of a granulomatous lipophagic reaction due to extravasated material (such as lipids or sebum) and/or of a dilatation of lymphatics vessels.

Female

Differential expression of cell adhesion molecules in B-zone small lymphocytic lymphoma and other well-differentiated lymphocytic disorders.

BACKGROUND: Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) may determine the patterns of growth and dissemination of lymphoproliferative disorders. METHODS: The authors have studied, by flow cytometric and immunohistochemical examination, the expression of several CAM, mediating cell-cell and cell-microenvironment interactions, on B-zone small lymphocytic lymphoma (BZSLL) and other B-cell low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), including intermediate lymphocytic/mantle zone lymphoma (ILL/MZL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). RESULTS: Relevant differences in the "adhesion phenotype" of BZSLL compared with other low-grade NHL examined were evidenced. Cells from BZSLL displayed a higher rate of expression and/or a stronger intensity of LFA-1, LFA-3, ICAM-1, and BL-CAM and a lower density of H-CAM and LAM-1 homing receptors, as opposed to SLL or CLL. A lower intensity of H-CAM along with a stronger expression of LFA-1, LFA-3, ICAM-1, and BL-CAM were also detected by comparing BZSLL with ILL/MZL: Malignant cells from BZSLL expressed Leu-CAMb determinants in three cases. BZSLL cells lacked VLA-alpha 5-integrins as opposed to CLL lymphocytes and displayed a stronger reactivity with anti-VLA-alpha 4 antibodies with respect to ILL/MZL and CLL. beta 1-integrins were consistently detected on BZSLL lymphocytes as opposed to ILL/MZL: CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the adhesion phenotype of BZSLL, by favoring homotypic and heterotypic adhesive interactions of tumor cells, might account at least in part for the peculiar intranodal compartmentalization leading to a deceptively benign (reactive) histologic appearance, and for the smoldering clinical course of this lymphoma. The pattern of CAM expression detected by the authors on malignant lymphocytes also is suggestive for a cellular origin of BZSLL from a rare subset of interfollicular or external mantle B-lymphocytes.

Cell Adhesion Molecules

Co-expression of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein and vimentin in "aggressive" histological subtypes of Hodgkin's disease.

The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome in Hodgkin's and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells, as detected using in situ hybridization (ISH) with biotinylated BamHI "V" probes, along with the expression of EBV-encoded latent membrane protein (LMP) and vimentin was examined in paraffin-embedded sections of 39 immunomorphologically characterized cases of Hodgkin's disease (HD). ISH demonstrated EBV in HRS cells in 15 of 39 cases, whereas LMP expression was detected in 11 of 39 cases, only in the presence of EBV genome detection. With the exception of 1 case, in which HRS cells expressed B-cell-associated antigens, the LMP-positive cases included specimens in which HRS cells were of non-B, non-T phenotype. LMP expression showed a stronger association with lymphocyte depletion (LD) (3/3) and mixed cellularity (MC) (6/11) than with lymphocyte predominance (0/5) or nodular sclerosis (2/20) subtypes. Vimentin expression on HRS cells was found in all the LMP-expressing cases and only in a fraction (13/28) of LMP-negative cases. This study supports the view that HD represents a heterogeneous group of diseases also in terms of EBV association, LMP expression being strongly related to the "aggressive" LD and MC histological subtypes. In light of the supposed interactions between vimentin and LMP, their co-expression on HRS cells, as detected in this study, provides further evidence for a significant role of EBV in the development of a proportion of HD cases.

Antigens, CD

KP1 (CD68)-positive large cell lymphomas: a histopathologic and immunophenotypic characterization of 12 cases.

CD68/KP1 antigen expression in a series of 298 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cases, including 41 cases of CD30/Ki-1-positive anaplastic large cell (Ki-1+ ALC) lymphomas, was examined. Among the cases in this series, 12 large cell NHLs, including five centroblastic (G group according to the Working Formulation) NHLs, three immunoblastic (H group) NHLs, and four Ki-1+ ALC lymphomas, were found to express KP1. By extensive immunophenotypic analysis and in situ hybridization, KP1-positive large cell lymphomas of the G and H groups were assigned a B-cell phenotype. The pattern of KP1 staining usually consisted of localized small to medium-sized cytoplasmic dots; only two cases showed diffuse fine granular reactivity. In two of the four Ki-1+ ALC lymphomas tumor cells failed to express a B- or T-cell phenotype and stained positively for lysozyme, whereas in the other two cases they showed a hybrid T/histiocytic, phenotypic profile. KP1 staining of Ki-1+ ALC lymphoma cells was usually intense and showed a diffuse granular cytoplasmic pattern; tumor cells also expressed the CD13 antigen and showed strong reactivity with the anti-CD68 EBM11 antibody. Our results suggest that certain subsets of large "blastic" B-cell lymphomas may simultaneously express the CD68/KP1 histiocyte-specific marker and other myeloid-associated antigens, indicating the necessity of using a multiparameter approach in the determination of cell lineage. Moreover, this study, which demonstrates that the expression of CD68/KP1 and CD30 antigens is not mutually exclusive, supports the view that a fraction of cases diagnosed as Ki-1+ ALC lymphomas (at least those with KP1 expression along with the lack of B- or T-antigen expression) represent true histiocytic lymphomas despite the Ki-1+ phenotype.

Adolescent

Mixed renal tumor with carcinomatous and fibroleiomyomatous components, associated with angiomyolipoma in the same kidney.

A 54-year-old woman, without the stigmas of tuberous sclerosis, underwent radical nephrectomy for simultaneous occurrence of an Angiomyolipoma (AML) and a carcinomatous and fibroleiomyomatous mixed tumor in the same kidney, diagnosed by computerized tomography, selective renal arteriography and anatomopathological examination. The peculiar findings of the mixed neoplasia, characterized by a mixture of carcinomatous and fibroleiomuscular components are stressed. The latter component is considered to be a proliferative element interacting with the carcinomatous one. After review of the pertinent literature, this is the first example of an association of AML and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in which the RCC is constituted by a mixture of carcinomatous and fibroleiomyomatous cells.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell

Demonstration of Epstein-Barr viral genomes by in situ hybridization in acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related high grade and anaplastic large cell CD30+ lymphomas.

From September 1984 through December 1991, of those with human immunodeficiency virus infection seen at the acquired immune deficiency syndrome unit of the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Aviano, Italy, 71 patients had systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The most frequent histotypes were small noncleaved cell, anaplastic large cell (ALC) CD30/BerH2+, and large cell immunoblastic. In 22 representative cases of these histotypes, including 9 of small noncleaved cell, 9 of ALC CD30/BerH2+, and 4 of immunoblastic non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, Epstein-Barr virus genetic information was assessed by in situ hybridization and correlated with histologic and immunophenotypic findings. Expression of B-cell associated markers, usually including CD19, CD20, CD22, CDw75, and CD74, was found in 17 of the 22 evaluated cases. All small noncleaved cell and immunoblastic cases and four cases of ALC lymphomas expressed B-cell immunophenotypes, whereas the remaining ALC cases were immunologically undetermined. In situ hybridization detected Epstein-Barr virus in 12 of 22 cases (54.5%). Seven of nine ALC lymphomas were positive, as were three of five small noncleaved cell type (Burkitt's lymphoma), one of four small noncleaved cell type (non-Burkitt's variant), and one of four large cell immunoblastic type. The results of this study indicate that Epstein-Barr virus genomes might be identified in more than 50% of the evaluated high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas; this association occurred significantly more often in the small noncleaved cell lymphomas resembling endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (60%) and with ALC CD30/BerH2+ lymphomas (77.8%). These findings support the notion that Epstein-Barr virus may play a role in the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in a proportion of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Antigens, CD

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated systemic lymphomas may be subdivided into two main groups according to Epstein-Barr viral latent gene expression.

PURPOSE: We report a pathologic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated systemic lymphomas, including the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in different categories. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were classified according to classic NHL classification and a recent description of morphologic variants of high-grade B-cell NHL. Seventy-one cases were immunophenotypically-genotypically characterized, whereas, in 49 representative cases, the association of EBV was assessed by nonisotopic in situ hybridization (ISH) and the immunohistochemical demonstration of latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1). In addition, 14 Hodgkin's disease (HD) cases, occurring in patients with HIV infection, were investigated for the frequency of LMP-1 expression. RESULTS: Most lymphomas were of B-cell derivation and showed a blastic cell morphology, with (1) small noncleaved cells (SNCCs; 36 cases), (2) large noncleaved cells (10 cases), and (3) immunoblasts, usually polymorphic (12 cases). Moreover, 12 cases were classified as anaplastic large-cell (ALC) Ki-1-positive (Ki-1+) lymphoma. Combined ISH studies (for viral DNA and EBV RNA [EBER]) and immunohistologic demonstration of LMP-1 suggested that there were differences in viral latent gene expression between ALC Ki-1+ or immunoblastic lymphomas (usually EBV+, LMP-1+), and EBV-infected cells of SNCC lymphomas, which did not show LMP-1 expression. A high proportion (10 of 14) of LMP-1+ HD cases was found. CONCLUSION: Differences in EBV association and LMP-1 expression were found between a major group of HIV-associated systemic NHL with blastic cell morphology, including SNCC lymphoma and its variants, and anaplastic cell lymphomas. A proportion of immunoblastic (polymorphic) lymphomas was different in viral latent gene expression from other blastic cell systemic lymphomas. It is concluded that only a group of these lymphomas (most ALC Ki-1+ and HD cases, along with a nonnegligible fraction of immunoblastic lymphomas) seems to be linked etiopathologically to EBV.

Gene Expression Regulation, Viral

Transthyretin-related TTR hereditary amyloidosis of the vitreous body. Clinical and molecular characterization in two Italian families.

Two unrelated Italian families affected by hereditary amyloidosis are described. Molecular genetic characterization demonstrated different mutations of the transthyretin gene. In all patients belonging to the TTR Ala 49 family the vitreous body, the heart and the peripheral nervous system were massively infiltrated by amyloid matter. In the TTR Pro 36 family vitreous opacities were the long-standing isolated manifestations of the disease. Two different patterns of vitreous deposits can be observed in these two families. The authors' data support the hypothesis that different pathological transthyretin proteins may have different affinity for the connective tissue in the vitreous.

Adult

[Response to stress of the MLCu 250 intrauterine device].

The study examined the response to stress of a particular type of intrauterine device (MLCu 250) which had already been evaluated due to a supposed tendency to intracavity fragmentation. The study, which was carried out using original equipment specially designed for this experiment, highlights a reduced resistance to mechanical stress in both new IUDs and in those already subjected to several months' use.

Equipment Failure

Immunohistochemistry of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas with emphasis on the diagnostic significance of the BNH9 antibody reactivity with anaplastic large cell (CD30 positive) lymphomas.

BACKGROUND: Morphologic and immunohistologic studies were performed on a series of 213 lymphoma cases, including CD30-positive anaplastic large cell (ALC) lymphomas (45 cases), other CD30-positive (18 cases) or CD30-negative (72 cases) non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), cases of Hodgkin disease (HD) (73 cases), and an additional 5 cases exhibiting features of both CD30-positive ALC and Hodgkin lymphomas. METHODS: The aim was to assess differential expression by tumor cells of CD30/BerH2, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and other monoclonal antibodies, including BNH9, an epithelial and endothelial marker that has been found to be reactive with ALC lymphoma cells. RESULTS: A significantly greater proportion of cases of ALC lymphoma compared with HD exhibited positive results for CD45, EMA, CD45RO, and CD3 in CD30-positive atypical large cells, whereas Reed-Sternberg cells in HD most frequently coexpressed CD15 and CD30 antigens. ALC lymphoma cells reacted with BNH9 MoAb in 10 of the 42 (23.8%) assessable cases, whereas Reed-Sternberg cells reacted with this antibody in 5 of 73 (6.8%) HD cases. Only 3 of 90 (3.3%) NHL cases had positive results for BNH9; they were CD30-negative high-grade or low-grade lymphomas. It was noteworthy that 9 of 10 BNH9-positive ALC lymphomas also were EMA positive. Four of the five cases with morphologic features intermediate between those of HD and ALC lymphoma showed immunohistologic findings (positive results for CD30 and CD15, negative results for EMA, CD45, and BNH9) similar to those frequently observed in the HD cases; conversely, the remaining case showed a profile (positive results for CD30, CD45, and EMA, negative results for CD15) typically observed in ALC lymphomas. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the differential expression of CD45, EMA, and CD15 could be used in the distinction of ALC lymphomas and HD, whereas it seems that BNH9 antibody reactivity may be of diagnostic use only in that it reinforces the diagnostic value of EMA expression in the differentiation of these entities.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Paraffin section immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease and anaplastic large cell (CD30+) lymphomas.

Morphological and immunohistological studies were carried out on a series of 137 lymphomas including CD30+ anaplastic large cell (ALC) lymphomas (48 cases) and non-lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin's disease (HD) (89 cases), with the aim of assessing in situ expression of a combination of antibodies including anti-CD30/BerH2, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), CD15 and CD45, in addition to other monoclonal antibodies suitable for paraffin tissues. A greater proportion of cases of ALC lymphomas than of HD exhibited positivity for CD45 (91.7% vs 17.6%), EMA (56.2% vs 4.5%), CD43 (53.6% vs 13.1%) and CD45RO (39.5% vs 3.5%), whereas Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells in HD most frequently expressed CD15 (93.2% vs 20.8%) antigen. Moreover, in 35 of 48 (72.9%) ALC lymphomas tumour cells expressed the CD30+, CD45+, CD15-, EMA- or + phenotypic profile, while in the same percentage (62/85) of HD cases RS cells were found to express the CD30+, CD45-, CD15+, EMA- profile. This study suggests that the differential expression of CD45, EMA, and CD15 may be used in the separation of ALC lymphomas and HD. However, co-expression of CD30, CD45 and CD15 antigens by RS cells in HD (14/85 cases, 16.5% in this series) and by tumour cells in ALC lymphomas (9/48 cases, 18.7% in this series) may be encountered in a non-negligible fraction of cases.

Adult

B-zone small lymphocytic lymphoma: a morphologic, immunophenotypic, and clinical study with comparison to "well-differentiated" lymphocytic disorders.

The pathologic, immunologic, and clinical features of five cases of B-zone small lymphocytic lymphoma (BZSLL), characterized by a nondestructive growth pattern with a selective and complete replacement of the B-zone areas of lymph nodes, were examined. These findings were compared with those of 13 cases of intermediate differentiated lymphoma/mantle zone lymphoma (ILL/MZL) and 20 cases of typical small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL). B-zone SLL was characterized histologically by a deceptively benign pattern at a low magnification, the lymph node architecture being substantially preserved, in contrast to the ILL/MZL and SLL/CLL cases, in which complete effacement of the normal architecture usually could be observed. Moreover, in BZSLL the cellular population was rather uniform and lacked either a prolymphocytic component or the small-cleaved lymphoid cells often seen in SLL/CLL and ILL/MZL cases, respectively. The phenotypic profile of the BZSLL clonal cell population studied by the immunoperoxidase method and by single- and double-labeling flow cytometric analyses (SIg+, CD19+, CD20+, CD21+, CD22+, CD24+, CD35+, CD37+, CD74+, CD45+, CD45R+, MB2+, HLA-DR+, Leu-8+, CD9+/-, CDw75+/-, CD5-/+, CD23-/+, CD10-, FMC7-, PCA-1-, CD25-, CD38-, CD43-, CD3-) appeared to be fairly homogeneous and sufficiently distinct from that of ILL/MZL, based on the absence of FMC7 and CD38 molecules, and from that of SLL/CLL due to significantly stronger expression of SIgs (P less than .05), the higher reactivity with anti-CD9 and -CD22 antibodies (P less than .05), the lower reactivity with anti-CD5 and -CD23 antibodies (P less than .05), and the absence of CD25 determinants. Several clinical features of patients with BZSLL, including age group, advanced stage disease, and high frequency of bone marrow and peripheral blood involvement, were similar to those found in the other patients with ILL/MZL and SLL/CLL, but none of the BZSLL patients had an absolute lymphocyte count higher than 15.0 x 10(9)/L at presentation. Based on the architectural pattern, cytologic features, immunophenotypes, and hematologic findings, we conclude that BZSLL is an unusual variant of SLL that is primary in the lymph nodes and should be distinguished from ILL/MZL and CLL.

Adult

Impaired generation of high-affinity interleukin-2 receptors in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in rheumatoid arthritis.

We examined the expression of high-affinity interleukin (IL)-2 receptors (IL-2R) as well as Tac and HLA-DR antigens on peripheral blood (PB) T cells from 11 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 8 healthy controls induced in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). The proportion of HLA-DR- and Tac-bearing T cells and expression of these activation antigens were higher in patients relative to controls (P less than 0.01) in freshly isolated unstimulated PB mononuclear cells. AMLR stimulation of RA T cells failed to induce an increase in the proportion of HLA-DR and Tac-bearing T cells which was observed in health controls. After AMLR stimulation the number of high-affinity IL-2R were significantly lower in RA patients compared with controls (P less than 0.01). The number of high-affinity IL-2R on patient T cells correlated strongly with AMLR reactivity as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation (r = 0.821, P = 0.002). The results suggest that the AMLR defect in RA may result from impaired generation of high-affinity IL-2R.

Adult

An unusual presentation of vulvar carcinoma in a HIV patient.

A report of a case of rapidly growing vulvar cancer associated with vulvar condylomas in a patient with HIV infection is given. This aggressive tumor resembles those epithelial tumors observed in women with iatrogenic immunosuppression and lymphoid neoplasia currently observed in HIV patients.

Adult

Expression of glutathione-S-transferase-pi in human tumours.

Expression of glutathione-S-transferase-pi (GST-pi) gene was quantitatively analysed on various human tumours (renal cell, colorectal, head and neck, ovarian carcinomas, soft tissue sarcomas; non-Hodgkin lymphomas) and on the corresponding normal tissues when available (kidney, colorectum and head and neck). GST-pi mRNA expression level was found to be significantly higher in tumours (P less than 0.01) than in the normal counterparts (mainly 7.3, 3.5- and 3.0-fold in colorectal, head and neck, and renal carcinomas, respectively). Most tumours displayed a significant relationship between higher GST-pi expression level and poor differentiation grade of tumour cells, thus suggesting a relationship between GST-pi activity, neoplastic transformation and cellular differentiation grade. The high requirement of GST-pi activity neoplastic cells displayed was not singularly related to cellular replication rate. Finally, GST-pi gene expression levels were not affected by chemotherapeutic treatments.

Adolescent