Materials and Methods: This work was focused on diagnosing osteosarcoma (OS), a common bone cancer, on MXene-modified multiple junction triangles by dielectrode sensing. Survivin protein gene is highly correlated with OS, identified on this sensing surface. Capture DNA was immobilized on MXene by using 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as an amine linker and duplexed by the target DNA sequence.
Results: The limitation and sensitivity of detection were found as 1 fM with the acceptable regression co-efficient value (y=1.0037⨰ + 0.525; R2=0.978) and the current enhancement was noted when increasing the target DNA concentrations. Moreover, the control sequences of single- and triple-mismatched and noncomplementary to the target DNA sequences failed to hybridize on the capture DNA, confirming the specificity. In addition, different batches were prepared with capture probe immobilized sensing surfaces and proved the efficient reproducibility.
Conclusion: This microgap device with Mxene-modified multiple junction triangles dielectrode surface is beneficial to quantify the survivin gene at its lower level and diagnosing OS complication levels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 450 women newly diagnosed with Stage 1 to 3 invasive breast cancer in a single centre from July 2013 to Dec 2014 were included in this study. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between Ki-67 (positive defined as 14% and above) and age, ethnicity, grade, mitotic index, ER, PR, HER2, lymph node status and size. All analyses were performed using SPSS Version 22.
RESULTS: In univariable analysis, Ki -67 index was associated with younger age, higher grade, ER and PR negativity, HER2 positivity, high mitotic index and positive lymph nodes. However on multivariable analysis only tumour size, grade, PR and HER2 remained significant. Out of 102 stage 1 patients who had ER positive/PR positive/HER2 negative tumours and non-grade 3, only 5 (4.9%) had a positive Ki-67 index and may have been offered chemotherapy. However, it is interesting to note that none of these patients received chemotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Information on Ki67 would have potentially changed management in an insignificant proportion of patients with stage 1 breast cancer.
METHOD: Relevant studies detecting SMAD4 expression in cancer patients treated with chemo-drugs up till December 2020 were systematically searched in four common scientific databases using selected keywords. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) was the ratio of hazard rate between SMAD4neg population vs SMAD4pos population. The HRs and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to explore the association between SMAD4 expression losses with drug resistance in cancers.
RESULT: After an initial screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis. There were a total of 2092 patients from all the included studies in this analysis. Results obtained indicated that loss of SMAD4 expression was significantly correlated with drug resistance with pooled HRs (95% CI) of 1.23 (1.01-1.45), metastasis with pooled RRs (95% CI) of 1.10 (0.97-1.25) and recurrence with pooled RRs (95% CI) of 1.32 (1.06-1.64). In the subgroup analysis, cancer type, drug type, sample size and antibody brand did not affect the significance of association between loss of SMAD4 expression and drug resistance. In addition, there was no evidence of publication bias as suggested by Begg's test.
CONCLUSION: Findings from our meta-analysis demonstrated that loss of SMAD4 expression was correlated with drug resistance, metastasis and recurrence. Therefore, SMAD4 expression could be potentially used as a molecular marker for cancer resistance.
CASE REPORT: We described a case of extragonadal vaginal YST in a one year and seven months old girl who presented with vaginal discharge and bleeding, and discuss its differential diagnosis and potential pitfalls in immunohistochemistry. She was found to have a suprapubic mass on examination. The serum alpha fetoprotein was 11919.4 ng/mL. Computed tomography of the pelvis revealed a large 6.4 cm heterogenous pelvic mass. Colposcopic examination of the pelvis showed a fungating vaginal mass that was subsequently confirmed as a yolk sac tumour. Immunohistochemically, the malignant cells were positive toward CKAE1/AE3, AFP and glypican-3, as well as CD117.
DISCUSSION: Solid pattern extragonadal vaginal YST may morphologically resemble dysgerminoma that is also CD117 positive, while the glandular pattern YST may have clear cytoplasm and is positive for cytokeratin; hence, may resemble clear cell carcinoma. Being mindful of these potential diagnostic caveats is necessary to prevent misdiagnosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17 patients were selected fulfilling one of the Bethesda criteria: colorectal cancer diagnosed in a patient aged less than 50 years old, having synchronous and metachronous colorectal cancer or with a strong family history. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin embedded tumour tissue samples using four antibodies: MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2.
RESULTS: Twelve out of 17 patients (70.6%) were noted to have a family history. A total of 41% (n=7) of the patients had abnormal immunohistochemical staining with one or more of the four antibodies. Loss of expression were noted in 13 tumour tissues with a negative staining score <4. Of 13 tumour tissues, four showed loss expression of MLH1. For PMS2, loss of expression were noted in five cases. Both MSH2 and MSH6 showed loss of expression in two tumour tissues respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Revised Bethesda criteria and immunohistochemical analysis constituted a convenient approach and is recommended to be a first-line screening for Lynch syndrome in Malay cohorts.
METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional study using 100 samples of archived formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of invasive ductal carcinoma and stained them with immunohistochemistry for PITX2, ER, PR and HER2. All HER2 with scoring of 2+ were confirmed with chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH).
RESULTS: PITX2 protein was expressed in 53% of invasive ductal carcinoma and lack of PITX2 expression in 47%. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between PITX2 expression with PR (p=0.001), ER (p=0.006), gland formation (p=0.044) and marginal association with molecular subtypes of breast carcinoma (p=0.051). Combined ER and PR expression with PITX2 was also significantly associated (p=0.003) especially in double positive cases. Multivariate analysis showed the most significant association between PITX2 and PR (RR 4.105, 95% CI 1.765-9.547, p=0.001).
CONCLUSION: PITX2 is another potential prognostic marker in breast carcinoma adding significant information to established prognostic factors of ER and PR. The expression of PITX2 together with PR may carry a very good prognosis.