• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.8
• /
• pp.3713-3716
• /
• 2012

Objective: Transmembrane protein 166 (TMEM166) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and remote normal esophageal tissues was examined to assess any role in tumour biology. Methods: TMEM166 mRNA expression in 36 cases with ESCC (36 tumour samples, 36 remote normal esophageal tissue samples) was detected by RT-PCR. TMEM166 protein expression was analysed in paraffin-embedded tissue samples from the same cases by immunohistochemistry. Results: Semi-quantitative analysis showed TMEM166 mRNA expression in ESCCs to be significantly lower than in remote normal esophageal tissues ($0.759{\pm}0.713$ vs. $2.622{\pm}1.690$, P=0.014). TMEM166 protein expression was also significantly reduced (69.4% vs. 94.4%, P<0.01). Conclusion: TMEM166 mRNA and protein expression demonstrated significant reduction in ESCCs compared with remote esophageal tissues, albeit with no correlation with tumour size, differentiation, stage, and lymph node metastasis, suggesting a role in regulating autophagic and apoptotic processes in the ESCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.1633-1637
• /
• 2014

Background: Lymphoma is a malignant neoplasm of lymphoid tissue classified into Hodgkin's and non- Hodgkin's types. It mostly affects lymph nodes although a considerable proportion of Non-Hodgkin's cases occur in extranodal sites. Materials and Methods: Selected cases diagnosed as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) during the period of 1980 to 2012 were retrieved from the archives of the Oral Pathology Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. The sections from the formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks were stained with H&E as well as with LCA, CD20, and CD3. Results: The mean age was 41.6 years with a male: female ratio of 1.3:1. Out of the forty two cases, nineteen were Malays, eighteen were Chinese, followed by Indians (3) and Indonesians (2). The most common site of involvement was the mandible (22.2%), followed by the maxilla and palate (19.4% each). Most of the lesions presented as a painless progressive swelling. Only thirty six cases were further subdivided into B or T cell types. The majority were B-cell type (26 cases), of these 6 cases were Burkitt's lymphomas. Only ten cases were T-cell lymphoma, with three cases of NK/T-cell lymphoma. Conclusions: In this series of 42 patients diagnosed as extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the lesions appeared as painless swellings, mostly in men with the mandible as the most frequent site of involvement. Majority were B-cell lymphomas with Malays and Chinese being equally affected whereas lymphomas were rare in the Indian ethnicity. T-cell lymphomas were found to be common in the Chinese ethnic group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.9
• /
• pp.4357-4361
• /
• 2016

Background: Whether there is any relationship between human papilloma virus (HPV) and breast carcinoma is not clear. Some previous studies have indicated a possible role in oncogenesis in the breast. In this study, we therefore analyzed the presence of HPV infection in breast tissues of Iranian women from Yazd city. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 87 patients with breast cancer and 84 cases with breast fibrocystic lesions (control group) were selected from a tissue archive. Grade of tumors and fibrocystic tissues were determined by two pathologists. The nested-PCR method was performed for detection of HPVs in samples. HPV genotypes were determined by sequencing and the phylogenetic tree depicted by MEGA software. Results: Of the 87 women with breast cancer, 22.9% (20 isolates) had positive results for HPV DNA. In the control group no HPV was detected. The HPV genotypes in positive samples were HPV-16 (35%) HPV-18 (15%), HPV-6 (45%) and HPV-11 (5%). The data did not approved a significant correlation between tissue pathology of breast cancer and the HPV genotype frequency. Conclusions: The data did not provide any evidence for a role of high risk HPV types in oncogenesis in the breast.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.373-376
• /
• 2015

Background: EVA1A (eva-1 homolog A) is a novel gene that regulates programmed cell death through autophagy and apoptosis. Our objective was to investigate the expression profiles and potential role of EVA1A in normal and neoplastic human pancreatic tissues. Materials and Methods: The expression pattern of EVA1A in normal pancreatic tissue was examined by indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Protein levels in paraffin-embedded specimens from normal and diseased pancreatic and matched non-tumor tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: EVA1A colocalized with glucagon but not with insulin, demonstrating production in islet alpha cells. Itwas strongly expressed in chronic pancreatitis, moderately or weakly expressed in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm in pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma, and absent in normal pancreatic acinar cells. Although the tissue architecture was deformed, EVA1A was absent in the alpha cells of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, mucinous cystadenomas, solid papillary tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Conclusions: EVA1A protein is specifically expressed in islet alpha cells, suggesting it may play an important role in regulating alpha-cell function. The ectopic expression of EVA1A in pancreatic neoplasms may contribute to their pathogenesis and warrants further investigation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.3305-3308
• /
• 2013

Background: The role of inflammation in prostate diseases is suggested by the presence of inflammatory cells within the prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) patients. In addition, bacterial and viral infection may lead to chronic and recurrent inflammation of the prostate. The human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a family of sexually transmitted viruses which have been implicated in the aetiology of cervical cancer and several other malignancies. This study evaluated the frequency of HPV infection in individuals with prostatic disease in Iran. Materials and Methods: The study included formalin fixed paraffin- embedded tissue samples of 196 primary prostate cases, including 29 PCa and 167 BPH samples. HPV DNA was purified and amplified through MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ primers with nested PCR. All patients were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect demographic information. Results: Nested PCR showed that HPV DNA was found in 17.2 percent of PCa samples and 4.8 percent of BPH samples (not significant). Conclusions: Our data do not support a significant role of HPV infection in prostatic disease in Iranian patients, but demographic data indicated a probable association between presence of HPV DNA and risk of inflammation in prostate tissue which might lead to prostate carcinoma. Further studies are required to elucidate any roles of HPV infection in prostatic disease.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.71-84
• /
• 1989

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tricalcium phosphate and Vitapex on the dogs' periapical tissues. Twenty mandibular premolars from 5 healthy dogs were used for this study. After the animals were anesthetized intramuscularly, pulp chambers were open and pulp tissue was extirpated with a barbed broach and H-file. Then the working length of the root canal was measured with H-file and pulp tissue was completely removed. Before the actual canal filling, the root canals of twenty teeth have been experimentally infected with opening the pulp chamber for 5 weeks. Periapical radiographs of the experimental teeth were taken to monitor the periapical pathological condition. Each root apex of 20 premolars was perforated with engine reamer and the root canals were enlarged with No. 30-60 H-files. They were divided into treated as follows. Control group: The root canal was filled with gutta-percha. Experimental group 1: The canal was dried with sterile paper points and mixture of tricalcium phosphate and physiological saline was overfilled beyond the root apex with a lentulo spiral. Then the root canal was filled gutta-percha and lateral condensation and the pulp chamber was filled with Caviton. Experimental group 2: The root canals were overfilled with Vitapex and were treated in the same manner as those in experimental group 1 At 1,2,3, and 8 weeks after experiment, the periapical tissues including the alveolar bone were fixed with 10% formalin solution for I week and decalcified with Plank-Rycho solution for 5 weeks. The specimens were embedded in paraffin and serial sections were cut into a thickness of 6 ${\mu}m$ at the plane of the root apex. Hematoxyline-eosin and Masson's trichrome stain were made for the histo-pathological examinations. The results were as follows: 1. Ingrowth of collagen fiber was observed from 1 week in control group and experimental groups. 2. The rate of bone formation of experimental group 1 was accelerated more than that of experimental group 2. 3. Resorption of cementum was seen in control group, but apposition of cementum was seen in experimental groups.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 2010

To improve accuracy of the immunohistochemical testing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study as well as a routine histology diagnosis in breast cancer, quality improvement for optimal tissue handling is mandatory. We evaluate fraction defective of 7107 blocks from 349 breast cancer patients, who underwent surgical treatment at Samsung Medical Center Seoul, Korea from January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010. We decided pre-improvement period from January, 2009 to June, 2009. In the first quality improvement period (July, 2009 to September, 2009) we made improvements in protocol of gross examination. In the second quality improvement period (October, 2009 to December, 2009) we attempted more effective formalin fixation such as frequent exchange of formalin and use of separate fixation container for each case. In the third quality improvement period (January, 2010 to March, 2010) improvement of tissue processor was performed. We achieved a marked reduction of fraction defective (9-16%) through efforts to improve quality of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks when compared to pre-improvement period.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.126-135
• /
• 2008

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly lethal neoplasm arising in pleura and the peritoneum and a rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial for treatment of the disease. However, the sensitivity of cytological analysis using pleural or ascitic fluid is relatively low, yielding an accurate diagnosis in only $32{\sim}79%$ of cases. We tested the diagnostic value of epigenetic alterations in body fluid cytology as a supplement to conventional methods. Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 21 MM patients and associated body fluid cytology slides considered no evidence of malignancy were used to test for epigenetic alteration. Using methylation-specific PCR, we detected methylation of RASSF1A and p16 in 47.6% (10/21) of both surgically resected tumor samples, respectively. Body fluid samples of MM also showed abnormal methylation of RASSF1A and p16INK4a genes in 38.1% (8/21) and 33.3% (7/21) of cases. The concordance in the rates of RASSF1A and p16INK4a gene-methylation abnormalities determined from cytology samples and tissue samples were 61.9% (13/21) and 66.7% (14/21), respectively. Combining both genes increases the sensitivity of the test to 57.1 % (12 of 21) of cases. Our results suggest that testing for methylation abnormalities in selected individual genes or gene combinations has diagnostic value as an alternative or adjunct method to conventional cytological diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.26-36
• /
• 2016

Objective : This study investigated whether pyrosequencing can be used to determine the methylation status of the MGMT promoter as a clinical biomarker using relatively old archival tissue samples of glioblastoma. We also examined other prognostic factors for survival of glioblastoma patients. Methods : The available study set included formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue from 104 patients at two institutes from 1997 to 2012, all of which were diagnosed histopathologically as glioblastoma. Clinicopathologic data were collected by review of medical records. For pyrosequencing analysis, the PyroMark Q96 CpG MGMT kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) was used to detect the level of methylation at exon 1 positions 17-39 of the MGMT gene, which contains 5 CpGs. Results : Methylation of the MGMT promoter was detected in 43 (41.3%) of 104 samples. The average percentage methylation was $14.0{\pm}16.8%$ overall and $39.0{\pm}14.7%$ for methylated cases. There was no significant pattern of linear increase or decrease according to the age of the FFPE block (p=0.687). In multivariate analysis, age, performance status, extent of surgery, method of adjuvant therapy, and methylation status estimated by pyrosequencing were independently associated with overall survival. Additionally, patients with a high level of methylation survived longer than those with low methylation (p=0.016). Conclusion : In this study, the status and extent of methylation of the MGMT promoter analyzed by pyrosequencing were associated with overall survival in glioblastoma patients. Pyrosequencing is a quantitative method that overcomes the problems of MSP and a simple technique for accurate analysis of DNA sequences.

• Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.369-377
• /
• 2018

Background: Chemokine receptor CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand CXC motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12; stromal cell-derived factor-1) are implicated in tumor growth, metastasis, and tumor cell-microenvironment interaction. A number of studies have reported that increased CXCR4 expression is associated with worse prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but its prognostic significance has not been studied in TNBC patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: Two hundred eighty-three TNBC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Tissue microarray was constructed from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue and immunohistochemistry for CXCR4 and CXCL12 was performed. Expression of each marker was compared with clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome. Results: High cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was associated with younger age (p=.008), higher histologic grade (p=.007) and lower pathologic stage (p=.045), while high CXCL12 expression was related to larger tumor size (p=.045), positive lymph node metastasis (p=.005), and higher pathologic stage (p=.017). The patients with high cytoplasmic CXCR4 experienced lower distant recurrence (p=.006) and better recurrence-free survival (RFS) (log-rank p=.020) after adjuvant chemotherapy. Cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression remained an independent factor of distant recurrence (p=.019) and RFS (p=.038) after multivariate analysis. Conclusions: High cytoplasmic CXCR4 expression was associated with lower distant recurrence and better RFS in TNBC patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. This is the first study to correlate high CXCR4 expression to better TNBC prognosis, and the underlying mechanism needs to be elucidated in further studies.