Expression and prognostic significance of cox-2 and p-53 in hodgkin lymphomas: a retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cyclooxygenase (cox) is the rate-limiting enzyme, which catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and contributes to the inflammatory process. Cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2), which is one of the two isoforms, plays a role in tumor progression and carcinogenesis. p53 contributes to apoptosis, DNA renewal and cell cycle. Studies concerning the relationship of cox-2 and p53 expressions and carcinogenesis are available, but the association between cox-2 and p53 in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is not exactly known.</p> <p>In our study, we examined the association of cox-2 and p53 expression, with age, stage, histopathological subtype, and survival in HL. We also examined correlation between cox-2 and p53 expression.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cox-2 and p53 expressions in Hodgkin-Reed Sternberg cells (HRS) were examined in 54 patients with HL depending on cox-2 expression, stained cases were classified as positive, and unstained cases as negative. Nuclear staining of HRS cells with p53 was evaluated as positive. The classifications of positivity were as follows: negative if<10%; (1+) if 10-25%; (2+) if 25-50%; (3+) if 50-75%, (4+) if >75%.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cox-2 and p53 expressions were found in 49 (80%) and 29 (46%) patients, respectively. There were differences between histological subtypes according to cox-2 expression (p = 0.012). Mixed cellular (MC) and nodular sclerosing (NS) subtypes were seen most of the patients and cox-2 expression was evaluated mostly in the mixed cellular subtype.</p> <p>There were no statistically significant relationships between p53 and the histopathological subtypes; or between p53, cox-2 and the factors including stage, age and survival; or between p53 and cox-2 expression (p > 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Considering the significant relationship between the cox-2 expression and the subtypes of HL, cox-2 expression is higher in MC and NS subtypes. However the difference between these two subtypes was not significant. This submission must be advocated by studies with large series</p

Immune Thrombocytopenia in a Child with Neuroblastoma

Thrombocytopenia is a frequent finding in patients with solid tumors. It is usually caused by bone marrow infiltration or by myelosuppression due to anticancer therapy; however immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) associated with solid tumors is rare. Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Here we report the case of a two-year-nine-month-old patient with adrenal neuroblastoma who presented with ITP. Paraneoplastic ITP was considered in the differential diagnosis. Bone marrow infiltration and other causes of thrombocytopenia were excluded and the patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and tumor resection. Platelet count increased rapidly after surgery and complete remission of ITP was achieved

Is valganciclovir really effective in primary effusion lymphoma: case report of an HIV(-) EBV(-) HHV8(+) patient

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) associated lymphoproliferative disease characterized by effusions in body cavities, and lack of tumor mass. Valganciclovir is a treatment option in PEL, however, little is known about its clinical efficacy. Ganciclovir has been reported to be effective in HHV8(+) multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) by decreasing the plasma HHV8 load, which is an important factor in the induction and persistence of MCD, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), and PEL. But there is no information about the efficacy of valganciclovir on HHV8 associated lymphoproliferative diseases. Here, we present the first EBV and HIV negative, HHV8 positive PEL case treated with valganciclovir; for whom it initially reduced the viral load leading to a transient partial improvement in the clinical status, but failed to induce a complete and durable remission

Burkitt lymphoma with a granulomatous reaction: an M1/Th1-polarised microenvironment is associated with controlled growth and spontaneous regression

Aims Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma that, in some instances, may show a granulomatous reaction associated with a favourable prognosis and occasional spontaneous regression. In the present study, we aimed to define the tumour microenvironment (TME) in four such cases, two of which regressed spontaneously. Methods and results All cases showed aggregates of tumour cells with the typical morphology, molecular cytogenetics and immunophenotype of BL surrounded by a florid epithelioid granulomatous reaction. All four cases were Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-positive with type I latency. Investigation of the TME showed similar features in all four cases. The analysis revealed a proinflammatory response triggered by Th1 lymphocytes and M1 polarised macrophages encircling the neoplastic cells with a peculiar topographic distribution. Conclusions Our data provide an in-vivo picture of the role that specific immune cell subsets might play during the early phase of BL, which may be capable of maintaining the tumour in a self-limited state or inducing its regression. These novel results may provide insights into new potential therapeutic avenues in EBV-positive BL patients in the era of cellular immunotherapy