Peroxisome proliferating activating receptor gamma-independent attenuation of interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 secretion from primary endometrial stromal cells by thiazolidinediones

To assess the effect of thiazolidinediones on the regulation of inflammatory cytokines related to endometriosis in endometrial tissue and determine whether these effects occur via activation of the peroxisome proliferating activating receptor gamma (PPAR)-γ.

CLLU1 expression distinguishes chronic lymphocytic leukemia from other mature B-cell neoplasms

The distinction of CLL from other mature B-cell neoplasms, especially from leukemic forms of mantle cell lymphoma or splenic marginal zone lymphoma, can be difficult but has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. We measured CLLU1 (CLL upregulated gene1) mRNA by qPCR and found a highly significant difference between CLL and other lymphoid neoplasms (AUC 0.96, 95%CI 0.93-0.99). Based on our cut-off values we can predict CLL and other mature B-cell neoplasms with high probability (PPV 99% and 94%). Analysis of CLLU1 expression is a rapid and reliable tool that may facilitate the diagnosis of mature B-cell neoplasms especially in inconclusive cases.

TNM staging of neoplasms of the endocrine pancreas: results from a large international cohort study

Both the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) and the International Union for Cancer Control/American Joint Cancer Committee/World Health Organization (UICC/AJCC/WHO) have proposed TNM staging systems for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. This study aims to identify the most accurate and useful TNM system for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Outcome and prognostic factors in endometrial stromal tumors: a Rare Cancer Network study

To provide further understanding regarding outcome and prognostic factors of endometrial stromal tumors (EST).

Multiple small "imaging" branch-duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) in familial pancreatic cancer: indicator for concomitant high grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia?

Most screening programs for familial pancreatic cancer are currently based on endoscopic ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cystic lesions, especially those suspicious for small intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the branch ducts, can be visualized in up to 40 % of individuals at risk, but their pathological importance in the setting of FPC is yet not well established. Individuals at risk from a prospective screening program for familial pancreatic cancer with small "imaging" IPMNs of the branch-duct type (BD-IPMN) who underwent pancreatic resection were analysed regarding clinico-pathological data and the locations of pancreatic lesions. Five of 125 individuals at risk who underwent screening had multiple small (size 2-10 mm) unicystic lesions and/or multicystic single lesions in the pancreatic body and tail suspicious for BD-IPMNs upon MRI imaging and decided to undergo surgical resection after interdisciplinary counselling, although none fulfilled the consensus criteria for IPMN resection. Histological examination revealed BD-IPMNs with low or moderate dysplasia of the gastric type in combination with multifocal PanIN2 and PanIN3 lesions in 4 individuals. The remaining patient had only tiny ductectasias in the pancreatic tail with multifocal PanIN 2 lesions in the entire gland and one PanIN3 lesion in the pancreatic head. Intriguingly, the location of the most dysplastic histological lesions (PanIN3) did not correspond to the preoperatively detected lesions and were not visible in preoperative imaging. In the setting of FPC, the presence of multiple small "imaging" BD-IPMNs may indicate the presence of high-grade PanIN lesions elsewhere in the pancreas.

Overexpression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in tumor-associated blood vessels of human ovarian neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Peptide receptors, overexpressed in specific cancers, represent new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this study, receptors for the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), and other members of the bombesin-family of peptides, were evaluated in ovarian neoplasms. METHODS: 75 primary, secondary and metastatic ovarian tumors were investigated for their bombesin-receptor subtype expression, incidence, localization and density using in vitro autoradiography on tissue sections with the universal radioligand (125)I-[D-Tyr(6), beta-Ala(11), Phe(13), Nle(14)]-bombesin(6-14) and the GRP-receptor subtype-preferring (125)I-[Tyr(4)]-bombesin. RESULTS: GRP-receptors were detected in 42/61 primary ovarian tumors; other bombesin-receptor subtypes (BB1, bb3) were rarely present (3/61). Two different tissue compartments expressed GRP-receptors: the tumoral vasculature was the predominant site of GRP-receptor expression (38/61), whereas neoplastic cells more rarely expressed GRP-receptors (14/61). GRP-receptor positive vessels were present in the various classes of ovarian tumors; generally, malignant tumors had a higher incidence of GRP-receptor positive vessels compared to their benign counterparts. The prevalence of such vessels was particularly high in ovarian carcinomas (16/19) and their metastases (5/5). The GRP-receptors were expressed in high density in the muscular vessel wall. Normal ovary (n=10) lacked GRP-receptors. CONCLUSIONS: The large amounts of GRP-receptors in ovarian tumor vessels suggest a role in tumoral vasculature and possibly angiogenesis. Further, these vessels might be targeted in vivo with bombesin analogs for diagnosis or for therapy.