Analysis of dendritic cells in tumor-free and tumor-containing sentinel lymph nodes from patients with breast cancer

INTRODUCTION: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy allows identification of the first lymph node into which a primary tumor drains. In breast cancer, identification of tumor cells in the SLNs is a predictor of the tumor's metastatic potential. In the present article, we tested the hypotheses that a positive immune response can occur in tumor-free SLNs and that the activation state of dendritic cells (DCs), the major antigen presenting cells within SLNs, predicts the immune status and metastatic potential of the tumor. METHODS: Fifty paraffin-embedded SLN sections, 25 tumor-free and 25 tumor-containing, from patients with breast cancer were analyzed by immunohistochemistry to determine the immune maturation state of their DCs. In addition, 12 lymph nodes from noncancer-containing breasts were analyzed. Tissues were stained with antibodies against CD3, MHC class II, CD1a, CD83, IL-10, and IL-12. Mature DCs were defined by CD83 expression and immature DCs by CD1a expression. RESULTS: We found a trend toward higher numbers of mature CD83-positive DCs in tumor-free SLNs than in tumor-containing SLNs (P = 0.07). In addition, tumor-free SLNs were more likely to contain cells expressing IL-10 (P = 0.02) and, to a lesser extent, IL-12 (P = 0.12). In contrast, when all SLNs, both tumor-free and tumor-containing, were compared with uninvolved lymph nodes, the numbers of mature and immature DCs were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest tumor-free SLNs are immunologically competent and potentially a site of tumor-specific T-cell activation, as evidenced by the presence of greater numbers of mature DCs and cytokine-producing cells in tumor-free SLNs

Sentinel node lymphocytes: tumour reactive lymphocytes identified intraoperatively for the use in immunotherapy of colon cancer

The sentinel node is the first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage from a tumour and is usually the first site of metastases. Today, the sentinel node is used for tumour staging. Here, we focus on its immunological role and investigate lymphocytic function in sentinel nodes, identified intraoperatively by peritumoural dye injection, from 15 patients with colon cancer. Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes, sentinel and nonsentinel lymph node cells and peripheral blood leukocytes were studied by flow cytometry, proliferation assays and interferon-γ secretion after activation with autologous tumour homogenate. Whereas tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were nonresponsive in the proliferation assays, lymphocytes from sentinel nodes proliferated dose dependently and secreted interferon-γ upon stimulation with tumour homogenate. The responses were of varying magnitude and tended to be weaker in metastatic sentinel nodes. Sentinel node lymphocytes represents an enriched source of tumour reactive lymphocytes, and may be useful in future trials of adoptive immunotherapy

Recent Advances in Melanoma Staging and Therapy

Background: Recent advances in the staging and treatment of melanoma were reviewed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41420/1/10434_1999_Article_467.pd

CYTOGENETIC FINDINGS IN 21 MALIGNANT MELANOMAS

Cytogenetic analysis was performed on 21 tumor samples of malignant melanoma to identify the presence of consistent chromosome abnormalities. Four cases had a normal karyotype, and 17 were cytogenetically abnormal. Numerical chromosome alterations were observed in 15 tumors: 12 were hyperdiploid and three were hypodiploid. The most frequent losses consisted of chromosomes 5, 9, 17 and Y. The structural abnormalities were usually complex, consisting mainly of nonreciprocal translocations and deletions affecting 1p, 1q, 3p, and 9p. This study adds further data to previously reported melanoma cases, confirming that chromosomes 1, 3, 6, and 9 are nonrandomly affected

CYTOGENETIC FINDINGS IN 19 MALIGNANT BONE TUMORS

Background. The majority of karyotypes observed in osteosarcomas (OS) and chondrosarcomas (CS) are complex. Specific chromosomal abnormalities have not yet been characterized in either tumor except for a ring chromosome in parosteal OS. The purpose of this study was to determine recurrent chromosomal abnormalities and establish a possible correlation between the cytogenetic changes and the pathologic findings