Lymph vascular invasion in invasive mammary carcinomas identified by the endothelial lymphatic marker D2-40 is associated with other indicators of poor prognosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Immunohistochemical studies of lymphatic vessels have been limited by a lack of specific markers. Recently, the novel D2-40 antibody, which selectively marks endothelium of lymphatic vessels, was released. The aim of our study is to compare lymphatic and blood vessel invasion detected by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) versus that detected by immunohistochemistry, relating them with morphologic and molecular prognostic factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We selected 123 cases of invasive mammary carcinomas stratified into three subgroups according to axillary lymph node status: macrometastases, micrometastases, and lymph node negative. Lymphatic (LVI) and blood (BVI) vessel invasion were evaluated by H&E and immunohistochemistry using the D2-40 and CD31 antibodies, and related to histologic tumor type and grade, estrogen and progesterone receptors, E-cadherin, Ki67, p53, and Her2/<it>neu </it>expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LVI was detected in H&E-stained sections in 17/123 cases (13.8%), and in D2-40 sections in 35/123 cases (28.5%) (Kappa = 0.433). BVI was detected in H&E-stained sections in 5/123 cases (4.1%), and in CD31 stained sections in 19/123 cases (15.4%) (Kappa = 0.198). LVI is positively related to higher histologic grade (p = 0.013), higher Ki67 expression (p = 0.00013), and to the presence of macrometastases (p = 0.002), and inversely related to estrogen (p = 0.0016) and progesterone (p = 0.00017) receptors expression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>D2-40 is a reliable marker of lymphatic vessels and is a useful tool for lymphatic emboli identification in immunostained sections of breast carcinomas with higher identification rates than H&E. Lymphatic vessel invasion was related to other features (high combined histologic grade, high Ki67 score, negative hormone receptors expression) associated with worse prognosis, probable reflecting a potential for lymphatic metastatic spread and aggressive behavior.</p

An algorithm based on peripheral CD34+cells and hemoglobin concentration provides a better optimization of apheresis than the application of a fixed CD34 threshold

BACKGROUND: Optimization of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection for autologous bone marrow transplantation is necessary for a good standard of care and cost-effectiveness. An algorithm was validated for prediction of the day of maximum peripheral CD34+ cell concentration after mobilization chemotherapy (Day(CD34peak)). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study compared mobilization and collection variables of a cohort of patients where apheresis was started at the Day(CD34peak) predicted by the algorithm with a patient group where PBSCs were collected when PB CD34+ cell concentration reached 10 per mu L per day (Day(CD34threshold)). Day(CD34peak) was calculated according to the equation Day(CD34peak) = -0.41 x Hb(D0) + 0.99 x Day(CD34threshold) + 7.8 (with Hb(D0) representing the hemoglobin value on Day 0). RESULTS: The mean number of apheresis procedures per patient based on the Day(CD34threshold) was 1.74, but decreased to 1.35 when applying the new method (Day(CD34peak)). For lymphomas, the mean number of apheresis procedures decreased from 1.98 to 1.47 (p = 0.03), while in patients with multiple myeloma it did not change significantly (1.23 and 1.26, respectively). Age and primary disease influenced the number of apheresis procedures needed to achieve the collection target. CONCLUSION: The application of our algorithm can lower the number of apheresis procedures by improving the timing, especially in patients suffering from malignant lymphomas with a poor marrow potential after several chemotherapy lines.4861133113

Inherited pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 in chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukaemia

The simultaneous occurrence of two specific acquired chromosomal abnormalities in chronic or acute leukaemias is rare. Inherited chromosomal abnormalities are also rare events in the general population. In chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), characterised by the t(9;22)(q34;q11), the inv(16)(p13q22) has been described associated with the acceleration of disease or onset of blast crisis. We report on a patient with chronic phase of CML and both acquired t(9;22)(q34;q11) and inherited inv(16)(p13q22), who obtained a complete remission of the disease after bone marrow transplant. Therefore, it is worth to comment that an additional chromosomal abnormality in disease does not obligatory mean transformation of the disease to a more aggressive form, since chromosomal abnormalities are also seen in normal individuals. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.30111511

Orbital Lymphoma Mimicking Ophthalmopathy in a Patient With Graves'

The objective of this case report is to present a rare association of a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma masquerading as Graves' orbitopathy in a patient with autoimmune hyperthyroidism, without evidence of Graves' ophthalmopathy. A 66-year-old male patient had pain and swelling of the right eye. Evaluation of serum thyroid hormone revealed low thyrotropin, elevated free thyroxin and antithyroperoxidase antibody levels, confirming the diagnosis of Graves' disease. Computed tomographic scan showed intraorbital muscle asymmetry. Biopsy demonstrated a low-grade, B-cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Treatment included radiotherapy and chemotherapy, with regression of the orbital lesion and medical treatment with methimazole and I-131. Detailed orbital evaluation should be considered in all patients who present any atypical signs and symptoms of the eyes, to prevent missing important and progressive diagnoses.344541842

Risk factors for impaired gonadal function in female Hodgkin lymphoma survivors: final analysis of a retrospective multicenter joint study from Italian and Brazilian Institutions.

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common types of cancer in the young and one of the most curable forms of cancer. Therefore, there has been an increasing interest in the study of long-term morbidities. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for impaired gonadal function in a retrospective cohort of 238 HL female survivors from Italy and Brazil and to analyse the role of oral contraceptives (OC) and GnRH-analogues. Besides data collection from HL databases, a specific questionnaire was administered to collect data on gonadal function. The median age at diagnosis was 25 years and the median follow-up was 7 years. Overall, 25% of the patients developed impaired gonadal function. Older age at diagnosis, front-line therapies containing alkylating agents and more than one treatment were independent risk factors, whereas the use of OC or GnRH-a reduced independently the risk of impaired gonadal function. The fertility rate among fertile survivors was low when compared with the general population. We confirmed that older age, type of front-line chemotherapy and a higher number of therapies are associated with gonadal function impairment in terms of infertility and premature menopause in female HL survivors. Also, the use of GnRH-a or OC was independently identified as a protective factor. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the barriers to parenthood in HL survivors

Risk factors for impaired gonadal function in female Hodgkin lymphoma survivors: final analysis of a retrospective multicenter joint study from Italian and Brazilian Institutions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common types of cancer in the young and one of the most curable forms of cancer. Therefore, there has been an increasing interest in the study of long-term morbidities. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for impaired gonadal function in a retrospective cohort of 238 HL female survivors from Italy and Brazil and to analyse the role of oral contraceptives (OC) and GnRH-analogues. Besides data collection from HL databases, a specific questionnaire was administered to collect data on gonadal function. The median age at diagnosis was 25years and the median follow-up was 7years. Overall, 25% of the patients developed impaired gonadal function. Older age at diagnosis, front-line therapies containing alkylating agents and more than one treatment were independent risk factors, whereas the use of OC or GnRH-a reduced independently the risk of impaired gonadal function. The fertility rate among fertile survivors was low when compared with the general population. We confirmed that older age, type of front-line chemotherapy and a higher number of therapies are associated with gonadal function impairment in terms of infertility and premature menopause in female HL survivors. Also, the use of GnRH-a or OC was independently identified as a protective factor. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the barriers to parenthood in HL survivors. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.312332338Associazione Angela Serra per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Modena, ItalyFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Faperj [102.900/2008]CNPq [302708/2008-1