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S Poggi

Publications and source records attributed to S Poggi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Pyothorax-associated lymphoma: description of the first two cases detected in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Pyothorax-associated lymphoma (PAL) is a rare, but distinct, clinico-pathologic entity which occurs most often in Japanese people; to the best of our knowledge, only six cases of it have been reported in Western countries. The tumour develops several decades following artificial pneumothorax or chronic pleuritis due to tuberculous infection, produces pleural effusion associated with extensive local lymphomatous infiltrates, and is sustained by a polymorphic large B-cell clonal proliferation showing EBV integration in the genoma of the neoplastic cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Herein we describe two cases of PAL observed in Italian patients, both extensively studied on the clinical, pathological, phenotypic, virological, and molecular levels. RESULTS: The two cases occurred, respectively, 45 and 50 years after therapeutic pneumothorax because of tuberculous pleuritis and were characterized by a pleural mass extending to the thoracic wall, which on histological examination were seen to consist of large elements with immunoblastic morphology. Immunohistochemistry show monotypic restriction of Ig light chains, as well as the expression of CD45, B-cell markers (CD20, CD79a, CD45RA), bcl-2 oncogene product, EBNA-2 and, partially, LMP-1. The ratio of cycling cells was extremely high as was the number of mitotic figures. In situ hybridization displayed the presence in the neoplastic cells of the EBV-related small RNAs EBER 1 and 2, which in turn, along with the positivity for EBNA-2 and LMP-1, further strengthened the close relationships between PAL and latent viral infection. Molecular studies revealed, on one hand, clonal rearrangement of the Ig heavy chain J region genes, and on the other, negativity for HHV8 in one case and positivity in the other. CONCLUSIONS: These cases of PAL are the first to be documented in Italy; they serve to direct attention to the fact that this condition is not confined to Japanese people, and that its occurrence in Western countries might be underestimated.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Stage-related differences of mitotic and apoptotic indices, and bcl-2 protein expression in diffusely growing non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

The present study examined whether growth characteristics of diffusely growing non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) may differ as a function of stage. Among 105 NHL of various types and sub-types (REAL [Revised European-American Lymphoma] classification), localized (Ann Arbor pathologic stages I + II) lymphomas exhibited clearly higher indices for mitotic activity, apoptosis and cell turnover, as well as a significantly lower percentage of cells containing immunohistochemically detectable bcl-2 protein, than disseminated (stages III + IV) NHL. A similar pattern emerged when high-grade (Kiel classification) lymphomas only were evaluated. Low-grade NHL showed analogous, but less marked, stage-dependent characteristics, with the exception of median percentages of bcl-2+ cells, which remained comparable in all stages. Our findings are consistent with the notion that dissemination of diffusely growing NHL is usually associated with reduced cell turnover and, in high-grade lymphomas, with the generation of longer-lived cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Neoplastic cells of Hodgkin's disease show differences in EBV expression between Kenya and Italy.

The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin's disease (HD). However, the association of EBV with this disease varies greatly from series to series and from country to country. Epidemiological studies have shown differences in HD occurring in different parts of the world. In particular, it has been reported that HD in developing countries differs from HD in Western countries in terms of epidemiological, pathological and clinical characteristics. These discrepancies among populations suggest an interaction with environmental factors and a direct role of different etiological agents. At present, there are no data on the frequency of association of EBV with HD in equatorial Africa. In this study, a large series of HD cases have been collected at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and at the Universities of Bologna and Siena, Italy. The cases have been reviewed and classified according to the REAL Classification and the presence of EBV has been assessed by in situ hybridization (ISH). A statistical difference in EBV expression was found between HD from Kenya and HD from Italy. EBV-positive neoplastic cells were detected in 92% of Kenyan cases, whereas only 48% of Italian cases showed EBER1/2 positivity in the neoplastic cells. Our results suggest that, in Kenya, EBV plays a more direct role in the pathogenesis of HD, as it does for endemic Burkitt lymphoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Mycobacteria in HIV-infected patients in Buenos Aires.

SETTING: F. J. Muñiz Hospital and Department of Phthisiopneumonology, in Buenos Aires. OBJECTIVE: To analyze bacteriological findings concerning tuberculosis and other mycobacteriosis, in association with HIV infection and AIDS. DESIGN: From June 1985 to December 1991, 2521 samples from 1259 HIV-seropositive and AIDS patients were analyzed: 1133 samples were of bronchopulmonary origin and the remaining 1388 of extrapulmonary origin. Drug susceptibility tests were performed using the proportions method. RESULTS: Mycobacterial disease was confirmed by culture in 240 of the 1259 HIV/AIDS patients (19%). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 223 of these cases (92.9%) and M. bovis in two, while M. avium-complex (MAC) strains were identified as the cause of disease in 14 patients (5.8%). In only one case was disease due to M. kansasii. Blood cultures were positive in 21.2% of these 240 cases. Resistance of M. tuberculosis to antituberculosis drugs was found in 9.4% of the 223 isolates. In only one case was multidrug resistance detected, in a patient who had received previous treatment. CONCLUSION: Smear examination, although less sensitive than in HIV-negative patients, was still a simple and reliable tool for the rapid diagnosis of mycobacterial disease. Blood culture aided in the successful diagnosis of about half of the cases of disseminated tuberculosis and of all cases of MAC disease. An alarming spread of tuberculosis was detected among a group of HIV-positive prisoners, and the possible emergence of multidrug resistance should be anticipated.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Is Hodgkin's disease a unique entity?

The theoretical bases of Hodgkin's disease (HD) have recently been revised in the light of new findings obtained by means of immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis. These findings have questioned the concept that HD is a unique entity and have made the borders between HD and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas unclear. The clinical relevance of nodular lymphocyte predominance HD (LP-HD), the distinction between T-cell rich B-cell lymphoma and diffuse LP-HD, and the relationships between HD and anaplastic large cell lymphoma are reviewed and discussed.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1995

Bone marrow findings further support the hypothesis that essential mixed cryoglobulinemia type II is characterized by a monoclonal B-cell proliferation.

One-hundred-sixteen consecutive bone-marrow biopsies were taken from 76 patients with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia type II (type II cryo), whose median follow-up was 97 months. Fifty-four out of fifty-six subjects who underwent ELISA and RIBA tests for HCV, were found to be positive. At conventional light microscopic examination, 64/76 patients showed discrete lymphoid infiltrates consisting of small elements with plasmacytoid differentiation and with frequent paratrabecular location. Thirty-nine biopsies were studied by immunohistochemistry that revealed the B-cell nature of the infiltrates (CD20+, CD45RA+, CD79 alpha+, CD3-, CD45RO-), with demonstrable monotypic Ig light-chain restriction in 22 cases. It is worthy of note that the lymphoid elements usually appeared protected against apoptosis, because of the strong expression of the bcl-2 oncogene product, and provided with a very low proliferative capacity, the Ki-67 index being lower that 3%. The latter findings are in keeping with the indolent behaviour of the clonal lymphoid population observed in type II cryo and allow some speculation as to the need for environmental stimuli for its maintenance as well as further mutagenic events for its eventual transformation into an overt lymphoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma: update of findings.

The problem of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is extensively reviewed by depicting the clinical, pathological and biological characteristics of the four main varieties of ALCL: common, Hodgkin's like/Hodgkin-related, lympho-histiocytic, and giant-cell rich. Special emphasis is given to the differential diagnosis between ALCL Hodgkin like and Hodgkin's disease in the light of possible therapeutical differences.

Genotype↗
PubMed1994

Centrocytic-like lymphoma associated with localized amyloidosis of the large intestine.

A case of low-grade centrocytic-like (CCL) B-cell lymphoma involving the large intestine, the regional lymph nodes and the spleen is reported. In the large intestine the lymphomatous infiltrate was restricted to sites of intense antigenic stimulation (diverticula, appendix, ileo-caecal valve) and was associated with marked plasma cell differentiation and massive amyloid deposits. The immunophenotype was CD20, CD21, CD45RA/MB1/MT2, CD68, CD45 related/Ki-B3 and HLA-DR positive, and MB2, DBA.44 reactive regarding the CCL cell lymphoma subpopulation; and IgG-lambda positive regarding its plasma cell fraction.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (CD30 +/Ki-1+): results of a prospective clinico-pathological study of 69 cases.

Sixty-nine anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs) were selected from an Italian comparative trial on MACOP-B and F-MACHOP. As no significant difference in effectiveness of the protocols emerged, they were considered homogeneously treated. The ALCLs were divided into two groups according to previously defined criteria: 41 were common type (ALCLs-CT) and 28 Hodgkin-related (ALCLs-HR). T-cell phenotype was most common (58%), while B-cell, null and hybrid forms accounted for 27%, 13% and 2%. Clinically, ALCLs CT and HR differed as to mean age (27 v 34.3 years) and presentation; all ALCLs-HR showed mediastinal involvement, with bulky disease in 57%, and more frequent occurrence in stage II. In contrast, ALCLs-CT showed mediastinal masses in 58.5%, infrequently revealed bulky disease (24%), and were not specifically associated to stage. Among the ALCLs-CT, 68.4% achieved complete remission (CR), 24.4% partial remission (PR), one (2.4%) was resistant to therapy, and two (4.8%) had fatal drug toxicity. Of the ALCLs-HR, 67.8% reached CR, 14.3% PR, and 17.9% did not respond. In CR, ALCLs-CT showed a greater tendency to relapse (32.1% v 14.2%). At present, 65.8% of ALCLs-CT and 67.8% of ALCLs-HR are alive with overall survival/disease-free survival averages of 31/27 and 29/24 months respectively. Our data emphasize that, independently of subtype, ALCLs benefit from the application of third-generation protocols for high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. Conceptual and diagnostic assessment].

The authors critically review the concept of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). In particular, they provide the guidelines to the morphologic identification of the four main varieties of the tumour: common, giant-cell-rich, lympho-histiocytic, and Hodgkin's-like. The phenotypic and molecular characteristics of the neoplasm are discussed with special emphasis to those which can assist in the differential diagnosis between ALCL and Hodgkin's disease. Finally, the clinical features are presented along with the results obtained in the course of long-term prospective therapeutical trials.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1994

Retreatment with 2-CdA of progressed HCL patients.

Thirty seven hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients, 35 males and 2 females with a median age of 53 years, were treated with a single course of 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg daily for 7 days by continuous infusion. Twenty nine (78%) achieved a complete remission (CR) and 8 (22%) a partial remission (PR); four of the latter progressed after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. All have been retreated with 2-CdA and 2 achieved a CR, 1 a PR and the last one is not yet evaluable. The overall median duration of response was 18 months, ranging from 4 to 30 months from the end of therapy. Circulating hairy cells and spleen enlargement, when present, disappeared within 2 weeks after completing treatment. A significant neutropenia was observed in almost all patients mainly in those who had less than 1,000/microliters neutrophils when treatment was started, together with a significant lymphocytopenia which lasted for more than 12 months. The hemoglobin and platelet levels were marginally affected. Fever was observed in 14 patients; in 8 of them it was short-lived (< or = 48 hours) and apparently not infection-related, while in the remaining 6 it was attributed to infection. Clinical tolerance was very good and none of the patients complained of nausea, vomiting or hair loss. In conclusion, our study confirms the efficacy of 2-CdA in HCL, including patients who progressed after treatment with 2-CdA.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Bone-marrow biopsy in hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) patients. Histological and immunohistological analysis of 46 cases treated with different therapies.

Serial bone-marrow biopsies were obtained from 46 hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) patients at different time intervals during the course of their disease. The patients were treated according to the following schemes: 14 received alpha-lymphoblastoid interferon (alpha-IFN), 11 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine (2CdA), and 21 alpha-IFN first, followed by 2CdA. All the biopsies were studied by immunohistochemical means for the detection of minimal residual disease. The administration of 2CdA produced the highest reduction of both the tumor burden and HC index, with residual hairy cells (HCs) being undetectable at conventional light microscopy in most cases. In addition, 2CdA induced a higher degree of hypocellularity than alpha-IFN: the reduction in the amount of normal bone-marrow, however, was less pronounced in patients who had alpha-IFN before 2CdA. Of 9 patients who received both alpha-IFN and 2CdA and were followed for more than 2 years, 3 relapsed, while the remaining 6 continued to show rare HCs 2 years after 2CdA administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Comparison between the monoclonal antibodies Ki-67 and PC10 in 125 malignant lymphomas.

The monoclonal antibody (MAb) Ki-67 detects a nuclear proliferation-associated antigen which corresponds to a non-histone protein with a molecular weight of 395 and 345 kD. Its prognostic relevance has been assessed in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid tumours. The MAb PC10 picks up the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which is a 36 kD nuclear protein associated with the cell cycle. Whereas Ki-67 works only in fresh material, PC10 detects a fixation-resistant epitope of PCNA. Preliminary data have revealed a linear relationship between Ki-67 and PC10 reactivity in normal lymphoid tissue and in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs). We applied Ki-67 and PC10 to frozen and routine sections, respectively, from 25 examples of Hodgkin's disease (HD) (14 nodular sclerosis, 6 lymphocyte predominance, 5 mixed cellularity) and 100 NHLs (corresponding to the main varieties of the updated Kiel classification). The results obtained can be summarized as follows: (1) both MAbs gave rise to extremely variable results within the same category of NHLs; (2) most Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells (50-98 per cent) were labelled by the reagents; (3) Ki-67 and PC10 stained a similar ratio of neoplastic cells in 65 and 76 per cent of NHL and HD cases, respectively; in the remaining instances, no correspondence was observed, the PC10-positive elements usually outnumbering the Ki-67-positive ones significantly. These discrepancies, which might be due to low PCNA catabolism and/or PCNA expression by quiescent cells, underline the need for further kinetic and clinico-pathologic studies in order to define the specific relevance of PC10.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1993

Antigen unmasking on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections.

Enzymatic and non-enzymatic treatments for antigen unmasking on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, dewaxed sections were optimized and compared by the use of a panel of antibodies of diagnostic relevance (anti-cytokeratins, vimentin, S-100, T- and B-cell receptors, Ki-67/MIB 1, muscle actin). Non-enzymatic unmasking was obtained by boiling the slides in a microwave oven in 0.01 M salt solution (pH 6) or in 6 M urea. Trypsin or pronase digestion was used for comparison and found to be necessary for some of the reagents. The investigation was then extended to 256 antibodies; the epitopic amino acid sequence was known for 48 of them. We found that enzymatic and non-enzymatic antigen unmasking are not dependent on the epitope sequence, but some antigens benefit selectively from one treatment but not from the other. Denaturation of proteins is the likely mechanism which leads to immunodetection on microwave oven-boiled slides; this suggestion is supported by the use of denaturating solutions and by the observation that endogenous enzymes were inactivated and a few antigens were no longer immunodetectable after boiling. Non-enzymatic methods for antigen unmasking are a powerful new tool for broadening the use of antibodies for immunostaining formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections and should be used in parallel with the traditional enzymatic methods.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1992

Meningeal sarcoma with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation: case report.

A case of primary neoplasm of the meninges with unusual histological and clinical features, which occurred in a 61-year-old man is described. Although conventional light microscopy revealed an undifferentiated tumor consisting of small- to medium-sized elements, it did not allow any definitive histogenetic interpretation. Immunohistochemistry showed that the neoplastic cells were positive for actin, desmin, myoglobin, and vimentin, thus leading to the diagnosis of meningeal sarcoma with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation. This interpretation was also supported by electron microscopy, in dewaxed tissue samples, which revealed the presence of abortive Z-lines. It is noteworthy that retrospective microscopic examination of all the slides obtained both at initial presentation and at relapses demonstrated in some fields that the undifferentiated population was associated with typical meningiomatous features, as was also shown by the staining for the epithelial membrane antigen. Clinically, the tumor was characterized by an exceedingly long course (10 years). The histogenesis of the tumor and the diagnostic relevance of immunohistochemical techniques are discussed.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗
PubMed1990

Primary non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma of the esophagus. A case with peculiar endoscopic ultrasonographic pattern.

We report a case of primary esophageal non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma in a young white female. At admission, endoscopy revealed large, irregularly shaped, esophageal ulcerations with super imposed candidiasis. Endoscopic ultrasonography to assess submucosal alterations and periesophageal involvement revealed a diffuse hypoechogenic thickening (up to 5 mm) of the esophageal wall, a pattern consistent with lymphomatous infiltration. Definitive diagnosis was made with the aid of histology and immunohistochemistry.

Adolescent↗