Analysis of the expression of human tumor antigens in ovarian cancer tissues

Biomarkers for early detection of cancer have great clinical diagnostic potential. Numerous reports have documented the generation of humoral immune responses that are triggered in response to changes in protein expression patterns in tumor tissues and these biomarkers are referred to as tumor associated antigens (TAAs). Using a high-throughput technology, we previously identified 65 proteins as diagnostically useful TAAs by profiling the humoral immune responses in ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients. Here we determined the expression status of some of those TAAs in tissues from OVCA patients. The protein expression patterns of 4 of those 65 antigens, namely NASP, RCAS1, Nijmegen breakage syndrome1 (NBS1) and eIF5A, along with p53 and Her2 (known molecular prognosticators) and two proteins that interact with NBS1, MRE11 and RAD50, were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). NASP and RCAS1 proteins were more frequently expressed in ovarian cancer tissues than with normal ovarian tissue and serous cystadenomas and MRE11 was less frequently expressed. When evaluated simultaneously, only NASP and MRE11 remained statistically significant with sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 89%. None of these proteins’ expression levels were prognostic for survival. Together, our results indicate that occurrence of humoral immune responses against some of these TAAs in OVCA patients is triggered by antigen protein overexpression

Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Vulva: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare malignant cutaneous neoplasm that is most commonly arises in the ocular region. Although it can occur in extraocular sites, sebaceous carcinoma is rarely encountered in the vulva. The use of immunohistochemical staining is very crucial to exclude other differential diagnoses including primary cutaneous and metastatic neoplasms. Unlike ocular sebaceous carcinoma, little is known about the clinical behavior and the prognostic factors in vulvar sebaceous carcinoma. Herein, we present a case of vulvar sebaceous carcinoma in a 27-year-old female, who presented with a labial tumor with lung metastases. To the best of our knowledge, only 11 similar cases were previously reported in the literature

Imaging Patterns in Breast Cancer for Women Under 40 Years: A Descriptive Cohort Study

Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the most frequently occurring malignant disease in women and remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the imaging findings of breast cancer in women under the age of 40 and analyze their pathological patterns. Method: A retrospective study was conducted from 2013 to 2019, involving 120 patients below 40 years of age with pathologically confirmed primary epithelial breast cancers. The data were collected from the electronic records of a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mammograms were performed for 115 patients, ultrasounds were conducted for all patients, and MRI scans were carried out for 47 patients. Results: All radiological findings and clinical characteristics of the 120 cases were retrieved from our digital-based system. The majority of breast cancer patients (83.4%) were between 30 and 40 years old, and the most common clinical presentation was a mass (45.8%). Out of the 73 patients who underwent genetic tests, 32.9% tested positive for gene mutations. No statistically significant correlation was found between specific age groups and breast composition (P = 0.216), specific mammogram abnormalities such as masses (P = 0.262), or microcalcifications (P = 0.421). Ultrasonography was performed for all patients, with abnormalities detected in only one patient who was diagnosed with Paget’s disease of the nipple. Masses, with or without parenchymal changes, were the predominant feature in 88.3% of cases. Conclusion: The imaging findings in breast cancer cases typically involve masses with suspicious features, irregular shape, and spiculated margins on mammograms, and irregular shape with microlobulated or angular margins on ultrasound. MRI features commonly include masses with irregular shape and heterogeneous enhancement. The luminal B subtype was identified as the most prevalent pathological feature, characterized by a high proliferative index (Ki-67%). Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]The publication of this article was funded by Qatar National Library (QNL)

Accuracy and Added Value of Triage Beyond Segregating Potentially Neoplastic Effusions in Immediate Wet Preparation

Objective: To study the accuracy and value of immediate wet preparation (WP) procedure on effusion and washing cytologic specimens. Study Design: Two hundred specimens were identified over 3 months in our cytology laboratory, including 102 pleural effusion, 59 peritoneal effusion, 28 pelvic washing and 11 pericardial fluid specimens. WP slides were prepared, stained with toluidine blue (TB) and evaluated. Findings were reported as negative, suspicious or positive for malignant cells. For negative specimens, the remaining prepared slides were stained together. For suspicious or positive interpretation, slides were stained separately. Accuracy and additional benefits from this immediate triage step were studied. Results: Interpretation of slides resulted in 152 negative, 34 positive and 14 suspicious for malignancy. Analysis for additional values resulted in immediate interpretation relayed to clinicians, additional fluid centrifuged for adequate sediment in samples with scant cellularity, selection of bloody specimens for acid washing procedures, selection of cases to optimize cell block preparation when pivotal histologic evaluation or immunohistochemistry was anticipated and selection of cases for potentially needed ancillary studies. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were high. Conclusion: WP using the TB is accurate, sensitive and highly specific and has considerable value beyond segregating potential neoplastic cases

Fine Needle Aspiration of Head and Neck Masses in the Operating Room: Accuracy and Potential Benefits

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the operating room is a convenient optional diagnostic approach. Our objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and study the potential benefits of fine needle aspiration in the operating room. Retrospective review of all intraoperative FNA that were requested and performed by pathologists over 20-month period was carried out. Immediate smears were interpreted by the cytopathology team after staining with Diff Quik stain. All cases were reviewed and correlation with subsequent tissue diagnosis was done. Accuracy was calculated and potential benefits were discussed. The number of aspirates was 32. Adequate material for immediate and final interpretation was achieved in 31 cases (sensitivity 97%). In 20 cases (63%), malignancy was diagnosed while a benign diagnosis was rendered in 12 (37%). All cases had a follow up tissue diagnosis. No false-positive cases were identified (specificity 100%). The information gained from this approach was considered helpful to the surgeons. We concluded that FNA of head and neck masses in the operating room is an accurate and sensitive diagnostic approach. The service provides helpful information to surgeons and is an additional optional diagnostic approach

Analysis of the expression of human tumor antigens in ovarian cancer tissues

Biomarkers for early detection of cancer have great clinical diagnostic potential. Numerous reports have documented the generation of humoral immune responses that are triggered in response to changes in protein expression patterns in tumor tissues and these biomarkers are referred to as tumor associated antigens (TAAs). Using a high-throughput technology, we previously identified 65 proteins as diagnostically useful TAAs by profiling the humoral immune responses in ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients. Here we determined the expression status of some of those TAAs in tissues from OVCA patients. The protein expression patterns of 4 of those 65 antigens, namely NASP, RCAS1, Nijmegen breakage syndrome1 (NBS1) and eIF5A, along with p53 and Her2 (known molecular prognosticators) and two proteins that interact with NBS1, MRE11 and RAD50, were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). NASP and RCAS1 proteins were more frequently expressed in ovarian cancer tissues than with normal ovarian tissue and serous cystadenomas and MRE11 was less frequently expressed. When evaluated simultaneously, only NASP and MRE11 remained statistically significant with sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 89%. None of these proteins’ expression levels were prognostic for survival. Together, our results indicate that occurrence of humoral immune responses against some of these TAAs in OVCA patients is triggered by antigen protein overexpression