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Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of blood plasma in heart transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine: an early prognosis test of long-term graft tolerance.

BACKGROUND: Previous results have established the potential interest of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of plasma lipoproteins in the detection of rejection processes after heart transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine whether MRS can provide a relevant long-term prognosis factor as early as 1 week after transplantation. METHODS: Eighteen patients were monitored for a mean period of 16 months after transplantation. The ratio of the sum of the MRS total line widths (TLW) for lipoprotein moieties, obtained 1 week after transplantation and cyclosporine administration, over the same sum obtained on the day of transplantation (TLW(8/0)), as well as the ratio between the corresponding intensities of methyl and methylene moieties (IR) were used to quantify the lipoprotein spectral profile. RESULTS: TLW(8/0), with a cutoff value of 0.8, seemed to have the most value in predicting rejection processes (RP) several months later. All six patients with no RP (good prognosis) and all five patients with three or more RPs (poor prognosis) during the entire 16-month follow-up period were correctly detected as early as 8 days after transplantation. The seven patients with only one or two RPs, mainly occurring during the first months after transplantation, were usually classified by MRS as having good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The magnetic resonance spectrum depends on both qualitative and quantitative variations in the different lipoprotein fractions, known to be carriers of cyclosporine. The magnetic resonance spectrum could thus be an early expression of the ability of these lipoproteins to modulate the cyclosporine-mediated immunosuppression.

Biopsy↗

ICAM-1 Hypomethylation Predicts Poor Prognosis in Patients With Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.

Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is associated with a high short-term mortality rate. Therefore, early and accurate prognostic prediction is crucial for precise clinical management. This study aims to investigate the expression patterns of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and its predictive value for the short-term prognosis of patients with HBV-ACLF. The Methylight method was used to quantitatively detect ICAM-1 promoter methylation level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs) of 286 participants. Meanwhile, the mRNA and plasma expression levels of ICAM-1 were determined using RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. The ICAM-1 promoter methylation levels in PBMCs of HBV-ACLF patients were significantly lower than those in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and healthy controls (HCs), whereas the mRNA and plasma expression levels of ICAM-1 were markedly elevated. The ICAM-1 methylation levels in HBV-ACLF patients correlated with specific clinical parameters. Among HBV-ACLF patients, ICAM-1 methylation levels were significantly lower in the non-survivor groups at both 28 and 90 days. The study further revealed that ICAM-1 methylation level serves as an independent influencing factor for the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients at 28 and 90 days. Based on ROC curve and Kaplan-Meier curves, ICAM-1 methylation levels demonstrated excellent performance in predicting 28- and 90-day mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF. In conclusion, patients with HBV-ACLF exhibit hypomethylation of the ICAM-1 promoter. The combination of ICAM-1 promoter methylation level and MELD score can effectively enhance the predictive ability for the short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients.

Humans↗

Comprehensive analysis suggests CRIF1 is a potential target in breast cancer associated with prognosis and immune infiltration.

BACKGROUND: CRIF1 is a multifunctional factor that regulates cell biological processes such as the cell cycle, cell proliferation, and energy metabolism, and it is a new molecule that contributes to the poor prognosis of many malignancies. However, its involvement in breast cancer development is not fully known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate the relationship between CRIF1 expression, prognosis, and clinical characteristics using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-BRCA). The relationship between CRIF1 expression and the immunological microenvironment was investigated using CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE. Breast tissue and CRIF1 expression were validated by IHC. A tiny interfering plasmid was designed to transiently transfect breast cancer cell lines, and proliferation-related functional tests were carried out. The effect of sh CRIF1 on tumor formation was confirmed using a subcutaneous tumor experiment in naked mice. RESULTS: We discovered that CRIF1 was highly elevated in breast cancer tissues and associated with a poor prognosis. CRIF1 stimulates breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Knockdown decreased PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, which boosted autophagy activity. Immune infiltration research revealed that patients with high CRIF1 expression had higher CD8+ T cell expression but reduced macrophage M2 expression. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of CRIF1 in breast cancer cells enhances malignant behavior, which may be mediated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and is linked to cellular autophagy.

Humans↗

Meningococcal disease in a large urban population (Barcelona, 1987-1992): predictors of dismal prognosis. Barcelona Meningococcal Disease Surveillance Group.

CONTEXT: Studies on meningococcal disease in large urban communities have rarely been performed and are usually based on passive epidemiologic surveillance. Active surveillance may provide new insights. OBJECTIVES: To determine epidemiologic, clinical, and bacteriological characteristics and predictors of dismal prognosis (death and sequelae) in meningococcal disease. DESIGN: Prospective, population-based study. SETTING: All the acute care hospitals (n = 24) in Barcelona, Spain. PATIENT: The 643 patients whose conditions were diagnosed from 1987 through 1992 were detected by 2 active surveillance methods. OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and notification to Public Health Service. Clinical and bacteriological features were determined. Dismal prognosis predictors were determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: Average annual incidence was 6.41 per 100,000 inhabitants, with no clear trend of change (P = .08). Sensitivity of the Public Health Service surveillance system was 69.1%. Children younger than 10 years from the inner city were at higher risk than those from the highest income district (relative risk, 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.84-5.06). Increasing annual incidence of serogroup C (0.82-1.29/100,000; P = .008) and decreasing incidence of serogroup B (5.11-2.82/100,000; P = .004) was noted. Average annual mortality was 0.40 per 100,000 inhabitants, while the annual average potential years of life lost was 18 per 100,000 inhabitants. Overall case-fatality rate was 6.4%. Independent predictors of death were hemorrhagic diathesis (odds ratio [OR], 63; 95% CI, 21-194), focal neurologic signs (OR, 10; 95% CI, 3-30), and age 60 years or older (OR, 6; 95% CI, 2-17), whereas preadmission antibiotic therapy was associated with favorable outcome (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.3). Four percent of survivors presented with sequelae. Independent predictors of sequelae were hemorrhagic diathesis (OR, 21; 95% CI, 3-131), focal neurologic signs (OR, 16; 95% CI, 5-53), age 60 years or older (OR, 7; 95% CI, 2-26), and age between 15 and 59 years (OR, 5; 95% CI, 2-14), whereas preadmission antibiotic therapy had a protective effect (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.04-0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Active epidemiologic surveillance significantly improved detection of cases and allowed us to observe that meningococcal disease still causes much morbidity and mortality, especially among children living in the inner city. Hemorrhagic diathesis, focal neurologic signs, and age were independent predictors of dismal prognosis, whereas preadmission antibiotic therapy had a protective effect.

Adolescent↗

Does laparoscopic cholecystectomy worsen the prognosis of unsuspected gallbladder cancer?

BACKGROUND: Several reports claim that there is a risk that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) might worsen the prognosis of unsuspected gallbladder cancer. HYPOTHESIS: Several factors rather than LC could influence prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective clinicopathologic study was performed on 20 patients, 9 patients (3 men and 6 women, aged from 36 to 75 years [mean age, 62.3 years]) undergoing LC and 11 patients (2 men and 9 women, aged from 53 to 91 years [mean age, 65.3 years]) undergoing open cholecystectomy (OC), with postoperatively diagnosed gallbladder cancer. The correlation was evaluated between cumulative survival rates and the following 7 prognostic factors: age, sex, histopathological grade, pathologic stage, occurrence of bile spillage, type of cholecystectomy (LC or OC), and additional surgical treatments. RESULTS: Seven patients (87%) after LC and 9 patients (82%) after OC had cancer recurrence: the difference is of no statistical significance (P =.9). There were no recurrences of cancer in the abdominal wall after either LC or OC. Survival rate was statistically correlated to tumor stage (P =.007) and to the occurrence of bile spillage (P =.002). Survival rate did not change according to whether the operation was carried out using LC or OC (P =.60). CONCLUSION: These results would seem to lend support to the opinion that LC does not worsen the prognosis for unsuspected gallbladder cancer.

Aged↗

Prognosis and treatment of peritonitis. Do we need new scoring systems?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical significance of present scoring systems for prognosis and treatment in patients with secondary bacterial peritonitis and to define risk factors for patient survival and outcome not included in the scores. A secondary objective was to review our therapeutic regimens and the need for reoperation with regard to outcome. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital, secondary referral center. PATIENTS: From 1992 to 1995, 92 patients with secondary peritonitis were examined at the University Surgical Clinic, Vienna, Austria. the populations as a whole consisted of 56 men and 36 women with an average age of 56 +/- 19 years. Forty-four percent of patients had postoperative peritonitis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality, multiple organ system failure (MOSF), relaparotomy. RESULTS: The mortality rate in patients with an APACHE II (Adult Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) score of less than 15 was 4.8%, while mortality rose to 46.7% in those with a score of 15 or higher (P = .001). The average total mortality rate was 18.5%. The prognosis for patients without organ failure or with failure of one organ system was excellent (mortality rate, 0%); quadruple organ failure, however, had a mortality rate of 90%. Initial thrombocytopenia ( < 60 x 10(9)/L), four-quadrant peritonitis, and diabetes mellitus were associated with significantly higher mortality. Leukopenia (white blood cells, < 6 x 10(9)/L) and inappropriate antibiotic therapy as determined by the antibiogram were mildly significant for higher mortality. The need for relaparotomy resulted in substantially higher mortality (P < .001). The impossibility of definitive operative resolution of the intra-abdominal pathologic findings at initial operation had no significant effect on mortality, possibly because planned reoperations were always carried out in those cases. For patients with definitive resolution at initial operation, it was possible to reduce the traditionally high mortality rate associated with relaparotomy on demand by making the decision for reexploration promptly, within the first 48 hours. Nevertheless, the 52.4% mortality rate observed in those cases was still much higher than the 33% found in patients who were not free of disease after the initial operation. CONCLUSION: The prognosis in peritonitis is decisively influenced by the health status of the patient at the beginning of treatment and by any concomitant risk factors. As a result, a fairly accurate prediction of the outcome of the disease can initially be made on the basis of the APACHE II score and the MOSF score according to Goris. However, the certainty that severely ill patients with high scores often die has little clinical relevance, since it does not provide any therapeutic alternatives to the attending physician. The decision to perform a relaparotomy must be made as soon as possible, at least before MOSF emerges. Already existing MOSF will lead to the "point of no return."

APACHE↗

Relationship between cancer patients' predictions of prognosis and their treatment preferences.

CONTEXT: Previous studies have documented that cancer patients tend to overestimate the probability of long-term survival. If patient preferences about the trade-offs between the risks and benefits associated with alternative treatment strategies are based on inaccurate perceptions of prognosis, then treatment choices may not reflect each patient's true values. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that among terminally ill cancer patients an accurate understanding of prognosis is associated with a preference for therapy that focuses on comfort over attempts at life extension. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Five teaching hospitals in the United States. PATIENTS: A total of 917 adults hospitalized with stage III or IV non-small cell lung cancer or colon cancer metastatic to liver in phases 1 and 2 of the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments (SUPPORT). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of patients favoring life-extending therapy over therapy focusing on relief of pain and discomfort, patient and physician estimates of the probability of 6-month survival, and actual 6-month survival. RESULTS: Patients who thought they were going to live for at least 6 months were more likely (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-3.7) to favor life-extending therapy over comfort care compared with patients who thought there was at least a 10% chance that they would not live 6 months. This OR was highest (8.5; 95% CI, 3.0-24.0) among patients who estimated their 6-month survival probability at greater than 90% but whose physicians estimated it at 10% or less. Patients overestimated their chances of surviving 6 months, while physicians estimated prognosis quite accurately. Patients who preferred life-extending therapy were more likely to undergo aggressive treatment, but controlling for known prognostic factors, their 6-month survival was no better. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with metastatic colon and lung cancer overestimate their survival probabilities and these estimates may influence their preferences about medical therapies.

Adult↗

Doubling time of serum CA 19-9 in the clinical course of patients with pancreatic cancer and its significant association with prognosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic cancer is generally a disease with a poor prognosis, and relationship between change of serum CA 19-9 level and progression of this disease was investigated with regard to clinical pace of disease and tumor growth. METHODS: CA 19-9 doubling time was examined in 75 patients with pancreatic cancer, including 41 inoperable cases. Then, its relation with their prognosis and change in tumor was evaluated. RESULTS: The doubling time of CA 19-9 and CEA could be calculated in 90.2% and 58.5% of patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. CA 19-9 doubling time was clearly associated with survival time in inoperable and palliatively operated cases, but not with sex, age, site of the lesion, or liver metastasis, and was significantly correlated with the tumor volume doubling time. CONCLUSIONS: Examination of CA 19-9 doubling time may be useful in clinical evaluation of the prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer and could possibly prove valuable in terms of the analysis of the growth process in this disease.

Adult↗

Apoptosis in breast cancer and its relationship to clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Apoptosis is essential to maintain homeostasis in living organisms and occurs in a variety of tissues in response to both physiological and pathological stimuli. In breast cancer, most cytotoxic drugs and hormonal treatments induce apoptosis. We studied the relationships between apoptosis and clinicopathological variables or prognosis in 143 patients with operable breast cancer. METHODS: Apoptosis was numerically graded in 5 consecutive 40x high-power fields (HPF) of hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) stained sections, since we showed that there was a significant correlation of H&E staining with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. RESULTS: The average number of apoptotic cells was 19.9 (0 approximately 168)/5 HPF, and cases were classified into 3 groups based on the number of apoptotic cells/5HPF: 0 to 10, 11 to 30, and 31+. The level of apoptosis increased with increasing size of the tumor, and apoptosis was rarely seen in tumors with positive ER or lower proliferative activity, as assessed by DNA polymerase alpha. As shown by DNA content analysis, apoptotic cells were observed more frequently in tumors with low G1 and high S-phase fractions. In addition, apoptosis was correlated with overexpression of p53 and poor prognosis. Although apoptosis did not correlate with EIC (extensive intraductal component) status, tumors with comedo component had higher values of apoptosis than those without comedo component. CONCLUSIONS: In breast cancer, apoptosis might reflect biological behavior, namely a higher degree of biological aggressiveness and unfavorable prognosis.

Adult↗

Apoptosis and proliferation in relation to histopathological variables and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The prognosis of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma depends mainly on the anatomical extent of the tumour and on the general condition of the patient. Given the growing evidence that proliferation indices may be of prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinomas and that parameters of cell loss (usually, but not exclusively, due to programmed cell death) are biologically relevant, the identification and quantitation of proliferative capacity and apoptosis may be of prognostic importance. In this study four different methods have been used to assess proliferation in a series of 193 curatively (R0) resected hepatocellular carcinomas: mitotic count, immunohistochemical assessment of MIB-1 (Ki-67), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs). Apoptosis was assessed using the in situ-end labelling (ISEL) technique in combination with morphological criteria. Patients who received liver transplantation were excluded. The results obtained were compared with histopathological stage (according to UICC), Edmondson grade, several other histopathological factors, and survival rate. Significant statistical correlations were seen between the mitotic index, the rate of nuclear positivity for MIB-1 and PCNA, and the number of AgNOR dots. In univariate survival analysis, tumour stage and Edmondson grade, mitotic index, MIB-1 and PCNA index, and mean AgNOR number were significant factors influencing patients' survival. On multivariate Cox survival analysis, mitotix index, concomitant cirrhosis, Edmondson grade, and patient age were the only significant independent prognostic factors. Apoptosis was not related to prognosis or to other parameters examined. These results indicated that mitotic index is an additional prognostic parameter which could provide auxiliary information for patients' outcome. MIB-1 and PCNA immunostaining and AgNORs showed a good correlation among themselves. Apoptosis did not predict prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Apoptosis↗

Overexpression of resistance-related proteins (metallothioneins, glutathione-S-transferase pi, heat shock protein 27, and lung resistance-related protein) in osteosarcoma. Relationship with poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis for patients with osteosarcoma has improved over the past 20 years, mainly due to developments in chemotherapy. Some proteins have been reported to show drug resistance. Theoretically, overexpression of some of these proteins makes treatment difficult, leading to poorer outcome. METHODS: Specimens taken from conventional osteosarcomas of the extremity bones from 60 patients younger than 30 years were used. In all cases, preoperative oncostatic chemotherapy was undertaken after biopsy. If available, biopsy specimens were also used for sequential comparison. Among resistance-related proteins, expression of metallothioneins (MTs), glutathione-S-transferase pi (GST pi), heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), and lung resistance-related protein (LRP) was evaluated immunohistochemically in paraffin sections. The log rank test was used for univariate analysis and the Cox regression model for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: At biopsy, only overexpression of Hsp27 was associated with poor prognosis. At surgery, a relationship was observed between poor prognosis and overexpression of GST pi, Hsp27, and LRP. Groups overexpressing one protein tended to overexpress another. Overexpression of these proteins in surgical specimens also correlated with histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy and clinical stage. In multivariate analysis, Hsp27 overexpression at biopsy was an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Inherent overexpression of Hsp27 is independently related to poor outcome in osteosarcoma patients. Overexpression of GST pi, Hsp27, and LRP at surgery might be associated with failure of preoperative chemotherapy. Control of the expression of these proteins may improve the outcome for patients with osteosarcoma.

Adolescent↗

Prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer and borderline tumours diagnosed in Norway between 1954 and 1993.

The Scandinavian countries exhibit some of the highest incidence rates of ovarian cancer in the world. Prognosis is poor, and the crude 5-year relative survival was 36% in the Nordic countries in the 1980s. Histology-specific prognostic trends in 5-year relative survival of patients with ovarian cancer and borderline tumours were examined, based on data from the population-based Cancer Registry of Norway. Relative risks (RRs) of dying were derived from Cox regression models. Logistic regression analysis on the proportion of cases with a localised tumour was performed. The 5-year relative survival rate of patients with ovarian cancer increased steadily from 1954 to 1993, being most pronounced in women below the age of 65 at the time of diagnosis. No improvement was seen for women older than 75. For all patients with ovarian cancer, an RR of dying of 0.48 (95% CI = 0.44-0.53) was estimated in 1989-1993 compared with 1954-1958. For patients with epithelial cancer, an RR of 0.63 (95% CI = 0.57-0.69) was seen in 1989-1993 compared with 1970-1973. Patients with mucinous, endometrioid and clear cell tumours had the highest odds of having a localised tumour. The age-adjusted 5-year relative survival rate of patients with borderline tumours was almost constant between 1970 and 1993, at about 93%. The prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer in Norway has improved since the 1950s. The very favourable prognosis of patients with borderline tumours has remained unchanged since the 1970s.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cox multivariate regression models for estimating prognosis of patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus who underwent thorough surgical staging.

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) adopted surgical staging criteria in 1988. Many studies have shown that histologic grade, nuclear grade, lymph-vascular space invasion and cell type are also important predictors of survival. It has not been clarified, however, how to integrate these histopathologic variables into the process of estimating individual prognosis. We performed Cox multivariate regression analysis to create models that incorporate various histopathologic factors for estimating the prognoses of patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus. Our study was based on data from 206 patients who underwent complete surgical staging, including systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection. Two models resulted: one included depth of myometrial invasion, para-aortic node metastasis and the number of sites involved by the tumor among the cervix, ovary and pelvic lymph nodes (which we designated as extracorporeal spread score, ECS) and the other incorporated nuclear grade and lymph-vascular space invasion as variables. These 2 models enabled the prognosis for patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma to be stratified into several levels according to hazard ratio. Comprehensive integration of the histopathologic prognostic factors, categorized into those relating to tumor extent and those relating to tumor virulence, should facilitate the estimation of individual prognosis more accurately than FIGO staging alone.

Adenocarcinoma↗

P-glycoprotein is positively correlated with p53 in human oral pre-malignant and malignant lesions and is associated with poor prognosis.

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) encoded by the MDR1 gene, a predictor of chemoresistance, may also serve as a prognosticator of clinical outcome in cancer patients. The mutant tumour-suppressor p53 protein has been shown to activate the MDR1 promoter, whereas the wild-type p53 represses this activity in cultured cells. We have described the differential expression of Pgp and p53 proteins in betel- and tobacco-related oral tumorigenesis in the Indian population. Herein, Pgp expression was analysed in relation to p53 protein accumulation in pre-malignant and malignant oral lesions by immunohistochemical and flow-cytometric analyses. The relationship between Pgp and p53 protein accumulation and clinicopathological parameters as well as prognosis was determined. Expression of Pgp was observed in 81% of oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and 71% of pre-malignant lesions. Sixty-five of 75 p53-positive oral SCCs and 21/24 p53-positive pre-malignant lesions showed expression of Pgp. Significant correlation between Pgp and p53 expression was found not only in oral SCCs but also in pre-malignant lesions. Co-expression of Pgp and p53 proteins was indicative of poor prognosis. Follow-up studies of 35 patients showed that 7 of 10 oral SCCs with accumulation of Pgp and p53 proteins also exhibited shorter disease-free survival (recurrence/metastases). Our findings provide clinical evidence for a significant association between Pgp and p53 protein expression in oral tumorigenesis and may account for the aggressive nature of the tumour and poor prognosis.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Factors associated with melanoma incidence and prognosis.

Melanoma has a reputation as an unpredictable disease, but investigation has demonstrated a multiplicity of factors which are independently associated with melanoma incidence and prognosis. Major factors associated with melanoma incidence include those related to race and ethnicity, sunlight exposure, and genetic and familial predisposition. Major factors associated with melanoma prognosis include tumor thickness, ulceration, anatomic location, and patient's sex. These factors are clinically important in designing appropriate screening and prevention programs, as well as in selecting appropriate treatment and follow-up for the individual melanoma patient. There is an increasing need to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying these clinically defined etiologic and prognostic factors so that we may treat patients more effectively and more selectively. Available evidence indicates that the mechanisms of melanoma etiology include a loss of tumor suppressor genes. Mechanisms of melanoma progression include the accumulation of oncogene mutations, perhaps as a result of sun exposure, the development of autocrine and paracrine loops involving cytokines and growth factors, and alterations in cell-surface antigen expression. Finally, an antigen-specific immune response to melanoma appears to be important in the prognosis of some patients. Critical regulatory components of the melanoma immune response include antibodies, T-cells, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules.

Adult↗

nm23-H1 protein expression in anal canal carcinoma: does it correlate with prognosis?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anatomic extent is not the sole axis of classification of tumors and of tumor patients relevant to treatment planning and estimation of prognosis. This results in the need to demonstrate an improvement in prognostic assessment and choice of therapy achieved by consideration of factors other than TNM. nm23 protein does prevent tumor from metastasizing and may also play a role in the control of growth and development. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of nm23 expression in human anal canal carcinoma and to evaluate its influence on the outcome of patients after surgery or radiochemotherapy. METHODS: Twenty-two patients affected by anal canal carcinoma were evaluated. Each section was incubated with monoclonal antibody nm23 NDPK-A. Immunostaining was considered positive when at least 10% of the tumor cells were immunostained. RESULTS: nm23 immunoreactivity was detected in 6/22 (27.3%) tumors. No significant association was found between nm23 expression and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms causing enhanced nm23-H1 expression in anal canal carcinoma are unknown. Although the level and expression were not correlated with prognosis, activation of nm23-H1 gene might be a prerequisite for oncogenesis in this type of tumor, while an alternate possibility is the modification of cellular characteristics in relation to proliferation and/or differentiation as a consequence of oncogenesis.

Aged↗

Relationship between histopathological features, MYCN amplification, and prognosis: a UKCCSG study. United Kingdom Children Cancer Study Group.

Histological sections from 231 patients with neuroblastoma were reviewed and morphological features and their relationship to age, stage, MYCN amplification (in 128 tumours by Southern analyses), and clinical outcome (based on Shimada risk grouping) determined. Stage 4 disease was associated with poorly differentiated and undifferentiated tumours (P = 0.001), an MKI of >2% (P< 0.001), and Shimada unfavourable histology (UHi) P< 0.0001. In univariate analysis MKI was significant in predicting a poorer relapse-free survival (RFS), low vs. intermediate and high (P< 0.001). Age, MYCN amplification, and Shimada UH also emerged as significant variables. There was a higher proportion of MYCN-amplified tumours with Shimada UH (P = 0.03), and this group had a decreased RFS (P = 0.002). In patients with Shimada FH, MYCN amplification did not significantly predict a poor prognosis. In those with stage 4 disease, Shimada classification was not significant in predicting survival (P = 0.97); the same was true for those over the age of 1 year (P = 0.66). In multivariate analysis, MYCN amplification and Shimada UH both emerged as independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, morphological features assigned some subsets of patients to prognostic risk groups. Most MYCN-amplified tumours have unfavourable histology and a poorer prognosis. However, in patients with stage 4 disease and those over the age of 1 year, other factors that may influence prognosis should be determined.

Age Factors↗

Prognosis in malignant melanoma of the skin. Significance of stage of disease, anatomical site, sex, age and period of diagnosis.

The prognosis in malignant melanoma of the skin has been studied in relation to stage, anatomical site, sex, age and period of diagnosis. A total of 2,956 cases diagnosed in Norway 1953-1971 were analyzed. The final date of follow-up was December 31, 1973. The disease is amenable to cure for localized as well as nonlocalized cases, the cure rates being about 60% for the former and 15% for the latter group. Even within the group of localized cases large deviations in prognosis were found, the survival rates varying according to anatomical site, sex and age. The interaction between sex and age in prognosis is discussed in detail. A rise in survival was observed from the period of diagnosis 1953-1963 to that of 1964-1971. Detailed analysis points to earlier diagnosis or therapeutic progress in the later study period rather than a lower degree of malignancy of registered cases.

Adolescent↗