Hepatic Stem-like Phenotype and Interplay of Wnt/β-Catenin and Myc Signaling in Aggressive Childhood Liver Cancer

SummaryHepatoblastoma, the most common pediatric liver cancer, is tightly linked to excessive Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Here, we used microarray analysis to identify two tumor subclasses resembling distinct phases of liver development and a discriminating 16-gene signature. β-catenin activated different transcriptional programs in the two tumor types, with distinctive expression of hepatic stem/progenitor markers in immature tumors. This highly proliferating subclass was typified by gains of chromosomes 8q and 2p and upregulated Myc signaling. Myc-induced hepatoblastoma-like tumors in mice strikingly resembled the human immature subtype, and Myc downregulation in hepatoblastoma cells impaired tumorigenesis in vivo. Remarkably, the 16-gene signature discriminated invasive and metastatic hepatoblastomas and predicted prognosis with high accuracy

Oral plexiform schwannoma: A case report and relevant immunohistochemical investigation

Schwannomas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors originating from the Schwann cells. Most schwannomas in the head and neck region are solitary; however, multiple schwannomas affecting one or more nerves suggest a possible association with neurofibromatosis type 2 and schwannomatosis. Plexiform schwannoma is a rare variant of conventional schwannoma that is characterized by intraneural multinodular growth. This grow pattern has also been observed with other neural tumors which may make diagnosis more difficult. Herein, we report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented a solitary plexiform schwannoma of great palatine nerve. In the present case, we focused on immunohistochemical analysis in daily practice for the differential diagnosis of schwannomas and their mainly morphological mimics, especially with plexiform neurofibroma, granular cell tumor and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. We also discussed on SMARBC1/IN1 marker usefulness in combination with brain magnetic resonance imaging for the distinction of solitary schwannoma from neurofibromatosis type 2 or schwannomatosis

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight identification ofSchizophyllum commune: perspectives on the review by Chowdharyet al.

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