PubMed · 8186901
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L Molins. 1994. [Interventional video thoracoscopy].. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0300-2896(15)31102-9
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Genetic abnormalities in SCCHNs are frequent and may be useful for screening, follow-up and prognosis. A biopsy or resection generally is utilized to identify these alterations but analysis of scraped or exfoliated tumor cells has been proposed as simpler and more versatile. It is unknown how well genetic abnormalities in scrapes reflect those in the tumor. Therefore, we compared DNA alterations in tumor scrapes obtained prior to treatment with alterations in microdissected tumor biopsies. Eight primary squamous-cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHNs) were examined at 14 loci to determine loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at sites on 3p, 9p, 11p, 11q and 17p and amplification of cyclin D1 (CCND1). All biopsies contained DNA alterations, but only 3/8 scrapes contained unequivocal abnormalities; 4/8 contained subtle alterations that could not have been definitively identified without comparison to the paired biopsies. Overall, 22 alterations were detected in the biopsies: 8/22 were found unequivocally in the scrapes; 7/22 were identifiable in scrapes only after the biopsy alterations were defined and 7/22 were absent from scrapes. One LOH in scrape, but not biopsy, DNA was found. Discrepancies between scrapes and tumors tended to increase if multiple tumor samples were examined. We conclude that DNA alterations can be detected in scrapes of SCCHNs but may inaccurately reflect the tumor's complex genetic abnormalities. This may be due to contamination of scrapes with normal cells or to genetic heterogeneity within the tumor not represented in the scrape. Although examining scrapes of SCCHNs is an attractive technique, its clinical utility may have limitations.
The Melanoma Staging Committee of the AJCC has proposed major revisions of the melanoma TNM and stage grouping criteria. The committee members represent most of the major cooperative groups and cancer centers worldwide with a special interest in melanoma; the committee also collectively has had clinical experience with over 40,000 patients. The new staging system better reflects independent prognostic factors that are used in clinical trials and in reporting the outcomes of various melanoma treatment modalities. Major revisions include 1) melanoma thickness and ulceration, but not level of invasion, to be used in the T classification; 2) the number of metastatic lymph nodes, rather than their gross dimensions, the delineation of microscopic versus macroscopic lymph node metastases, and presence of ulceration of the primary melanoma to be used in the N classification; 3) the site of distant metastases and the presence of elevated serum LDH, to be used in the M classification; 4) an upstaging of all patients with Stage I,II, and III disease when a primary melanoma is ulcerated; 5) a merging of satellite metastases around a primary melanoma and in-transit metastases into a single staging entity that is grouped into Stage III disease; and 6) a new convention for defining clinical and pathologic staging so as to take into account the new staging information gained from intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy. The AJC Melanoma Staging Committee invites comments and suggestions regarding this proposed staging system before a final recommendation is made.
BACKGROUND: Chronic rejection is a major cause of graft dysfunction after kidney transplantation. This fibroproliferative disease may be promoted by overproduction of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Previous studies have suggested that CsA might increase production of this growth factor. The current study was designed to measure the expression of TGF-beta(b) in renal transplant biopsy specimens from patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy with either CsA or tacrolimus (FK506). METHOD: Paraffin-embedded renal biopsy specimens were sectioned, dewaxed, and incubated with primary antibody against TGF-beta(b)1 latency-associated protein and active TGF-beta(b1). After washing, the sections were treated with secondary antibody conjugated with FITC. In each case, the sections were assessed by semi-quantitative scanning laser confocal microscopic method. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in latent TGF-beta(b) expression between biopsy specimens from patients receiving CsA and patients receiving FK506. However, biopsy specimens from patients receiving CsA expressed significantly more active TGF-beta(b1) than biopsy specimens from patients receiving FK506 (P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney test). DISCUSSION: The increased level of active TGF-beta1 expression in renal biopsy specimens of patients receiving CsA may indicate a mechanism of chronic rejection. However, these biopsies were performed to assess deranged renal function; therefore, the specimens may reflect events rather than differences in medication.