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Effect of ovariectomy and sex hormones replacement on tumour marker enzymes under administration of chemical carcinogens in the rat

Zarida H, Wan Zurinah WN, Zanariah J, Michael LK, Khalid BA

Exp. Toxicol. Pathol., 1994 Mar;46(1):31-6.
PMID: 7916223

The effect of ovariectomy and sex hormone/s replacement in female rats was investigated by the determination of the tumour marker enzymes gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This was compared to ovariectomized rats receiving sex hormone replacement and treated with carcinogen. Ovariectomy significantly increased the activity of plasma GGT. Plasma and microsomal ALP and microsomal GGT were unchanged. When replacements of estrogen (E), or progesterone (Prog), or combinations of both estrogen and progesterone were given to ovariectomized rats, the activity of plasma GGT was brought to the level of normal intact females. Treatment with carcinogen increased the PGGT activities in intact rats. In ovariectomized rats receiving carcinogen, the PGGT activities were significantly lower than in intact females and rats receiving both hormone replacement and carcinogen (p < 0.01). Carcinogen treatment in case of estrogen or progesterone replacement, either individually or in combination, showed GGT activities comparable to intact females receiving carcinogen. Both plasma and microsomal ALP were not affected by carcinogen administration. These results showed that ovariectomy reduced the severity of hepatocarcinogenesis while sex hormone replacement worsened the process.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Spectrum of malignant lymphomas in Klang Hospital, a public hospital in Malaysia

Peh SC, Kim LH, Thanaletchimy N, Chai SP, Poppema S

Malays J Pathol, 2000 Jun;22(1):13-20.
PMID: 16329532

Lymphoma is a relatively common group of neoplasms diagnosed in hospital practice. This study aims to elucidate the pattern of this disease encountered in a public service hospital of the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Cytology of mucinous carcinoma of breast: a report of 28 cases with histological correlation

Jayaram G, Swain M, Chew MT, Yip CH, Moosa F

Malays J Pathol, 2000 Dec;22(2):65-71.
PMID: 16329537

Pure mucinous carcinoma (MC) of the breast is a relatively uncommon variant of breast carcinoma with distinctive histological and cytological features. In this study we have analysed fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytological material from 28 cases of MC of breast and correlated the cytomorphological features with histopathology. The 28 patients consisted of 27 females and one male patient. 14 patients were Chinese, 10 were Indian and four were Malay. Their ages ranged from 38 to 90 with a mean at 52 years. The left breast was involved in 17 and the right in 11 cases. The duration of the lump varied from two weeks to 10 years. The cytological picture was characterized by abundant extracellular mucin giving a "sea of mucin" or "whirlpools of mucin" effect, in which were seen floating clusters of tumour cells with relatively bland cytological features. Myxo-vascular fragments were seen in 12 cases. Dissociated tumour cells showed a plasmacytoid appearance with eccentric nuclei. In four cases, the mucin was scanty in amount and the cellularity was high while in two cases, the cellularity was very low. Psammoma bodies were seen in cytological smears in one case. Histological study of excision or mastectomy specimens confirmed all 28 cases to be pure MC. Knowledge of the distinctive cytomorphological appearance of MC would enable correct identification of these lesions as malignant and prompt treatment that could further enhance the survival of these prognostically good breast cancers.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
The role of CD30, CD40 and CD95 in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma

Kim LH, Eow GI, Peh SC, Poppema S

Pathology, 2003 Oct;35(5):428-35.
PMID: 14555388

AIMS: CD30, CD40 and CD95 are members of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Ligation to their respective ligands (CD30L, CD40L, CD95L) will generate a diverse set of signalling cascades. We aim to study the expression pattern of CD30, CD40 and CD95 in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) and to correlate the expressions with proliferation and apoptosis in the Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells of cHL with or without associated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
METHODS: A total of 66 cHL cases were retrieved from the archives. Expressions of CD30, CD40, CD95 and proliferation by Ki-67 expression were detected with an immunohistochemical staining method. Apoptosis index was assessed by in situ TUNEL staining technique on 30 randomly selected cases and the presence of EBV was determined by EBER in situ hybridisation.
RESULTS: Expression of CD30, CD40 and CD95 in the H/RS cells was observed in a high proportion of the cases (100, 93.9, 90.5%, respectively). There was no significant association or correlation of the expression of these molecules with the presence of EBV. Expression of CD40 was associated with expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 (P=0.044), whereas strong (intermediate and high) expression of CD30 showed a significant correlation with proliferation in the EBV-negative cases only (P=0.025). No correlation was observed for the expression of CD30 and CD40 with apoptosis of the H/RS cells. The childhood cases showed weaker CD95 expression in the H/RS cells than the adult cases, and the expression of CD95 was weaker than that of CD40 in the childhood group.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that CD30, CD40 and CD95 are highly expressed in the H/RS cells of the majority of cases of cHL. The expression patterns seem to be independent of EBV and do not correlate with apoptosis of the H/RS cells.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Clinical usefulness of tumour markers

Lai LC, Cheong SK, Goh KL, Leong CF, Loh CS, Lopez JB, et al.

Malays J Pathol, 2003 Dec;25(2):83-105.
PMID: 16196365

Tumour markers are substances related to the presence or progress of a tumour. An ideal tumour marker is (1) detectable only when malignancy is present, (2) specific for the type and site of malignancy, (3) correlates with the amount of malignant tissue present and (4) responds rapidly to a change in tumour size. At present, no tumour marker fulfills all of the above criteria. The first part of the review discusses the clinical usefulness of the commonly requested serum tumour markers, namely, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), CA 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 125, CA 15-3, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and alpha-foetoprotein (AFP). It is hoped that this review article will decrease the abuse and misuse of these commonly requested serum tumour markers. The second part of the review discusses the clinical usefulness of catecholamines and their metabolites, calcitonin, thyroglobulin, parathyroid hormone, prolactin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, oestrogen and progesterone receptors, p53, HER-2/c-erbB2, BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Telomerase activity in Malaysian patients with central nervous system tumors

Isa MN, Sulong S, Sidek MR, George PJ, Abdullah JM

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2003 Dec;34(4):872-6.
PMID: 15115103

Telomerase, the enzyme that stabilizes telomere length is reactivated with almost all cancer types, and may be a useful diagnostic marker for malignancy. Telomerase activity has been detected in germ line cells and most cancer cells, whereas most normal somatic cells have no clearly detectable telomerase activity. In our study, we aim to detect telomerase activity in 20 human central nervous system tumors from Malaysian patients. Telomerase activity was detected based on a highly sensitive procedure consisting of a CHAPS detergent-based extraction from frozen tissues and a PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) using a TRAPEZE Telomerase Detection Kit (Intergen, Co). Telomerase activity was considered positive when a ladder of products was observed starting at 50bp, with 6bp increments. The activity was detected in 30% of the samples analysed, included glioblastoma multiforme, meduloblastoma, paraganglioma and oligodendroglioma. The result of Fisher's exact test indicated that there was a significant association between telomerase activity status with tumor grade (p=0.003). These results suggest that telomerase activity may be an important marker for tumor malignancy.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Potential anticancer effect of red spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus) extract

Sani HA, Rahmat A, Ismail M, Rosli R, Endrini S

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2004;13(4):396-400.
PMID: 15563447

The objective of this study was to determine the anti cancer effects of red spinach (Amaranthus gangeticus Linn) in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro study, microtitration cytotoxic assay was done using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenil tetrazolium bromide (MTT) kit assay. Results showed that aqueous extract of A gangeticus inhibited the proliferation of liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The IC(50) values were 93.8 mu g/ml and 98.8 mu g/ml for HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively. The inhibitory effect was also observed in colon cancer cell line (Caco-2), but a lower percentage compared to HepG2 and MCF-7. For normal cell line (Chang Liver), there was no inhibitory effect. In the in vivo study, hepatocarcinogenesis was monitored in rats according to Solt and Farber (1976) without partial hepatectomy. Assay of tumour marker enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), uridyl diphosphoglucuronyl transferase (UDPGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were carried out to determine the severity of hepatocarcinogenesis. The result found that supplementation of 5%, 7.5% and 10% of A. gangeticus aqueous extract to normal rats did not show any significant difference towards normal control (P <0.05). The exposure of the rats to chemical carcinogens diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) showed a significant increase in specific enzyme activity of GGT, GST, UDPGT and ALP compared to normal control (P <0.05). However, it was found that the supplementation of A. gangeticus aqueous extract in 5%, 7.5% and 10% to cancer-induced rats could inhibit the activity of all tumour marker enzymes especially at 10% (P <0.05). Supplementation of anti cancer drug glycyrrhizin at suggested dose (0.005%) did not show any suppressive effect towards cancer control (P <0.05). In conclusion, A. gangeticus showed anticancer potential in in vitro and in vivo studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Expression of retinoblastoma protein and P16 proteins in classic Hodgkin lymphoma: relationship with expression of p53 and presence of Epstein-Barr virus in the regulation of cell growth and death

Kim LH, Peh SC, Poppema S

Hum Pathol, 2006 Jan;37(1):92-100.
PMID: 16360421

Deregulation of several genes involved in cell cycle control has been reported in classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). This study aimed to investigate the expression of tumor suppressor proteins (P16(INK4A), retinoblastoma protein, and p53) in cHL in relation to the proliferation and apoptosis of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells, correlating with the status of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A total of 66 cHL cases and 10 nonneoplastic reactive lymphoid tissues were retrieved from the archives. Immunohistochemistry technique was used for the detection of protein expression. Presence of EBV infection was detected by EBV early RNA in situ hybridization. p16(INK4A) gene deletion status was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. Expression of P16(INK4A) was observed in 49.2% of the cases, whereas positive retinoblastoma protein and p53 expressions in the H/RS cells were detected in 89.1% and 81.5% of the cases, respectively. Epstein-Barr virus positivity was detected in 53.0% of the cases. Proliferation marker, Ki-67 expression, was observed in 86.7% of the cases. There was no significant correlation between the expression of the various tumor suppressor proteins and Ki-67. Retinoblastoma protein and p53 were also not associated with the presence of EBV. An inverse relationship was observed between the expression of P16(INK4A) and the presence of EBV. There were no significant homozygous or hemizygous deletions of the p16(INK4A) gene. However, an aberrant copy number of chromosome 9 with the loss of one or more p16(INK4A) loci was detected in all cases assessable by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Loss of function of one or more tumor suppressor proteins may be involved in defective cell regulation of H/RS cells. Epstein-Barr virus may have a role in inhibiting P16(INK4A) expression, thus resulting in a perturbed p16(INK4A)-Rb cell cycle checkpoint.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Fulltext The pattern of CD15, CD30 and Bcl-2 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Eow GI, Kim LH, Peh SC

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Oct;61(4):416-21.
PMID: 17243518 MyJurnal

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogenous entity. The pattern of CD15, CD30 and Bcl-2 expression is not well documented, especially in local population. We investigated 67 consecutive cases of DLBCL by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1 with median age of 55 years, and more common nodal than extranodal in presentation. Only 3 of 67 cases expressed CD15. In addition, three cases showed weak membrane staining for CD30. Only one of these three cases was noted to have co-expression of CD15 and with occasional tumour cells showing weak CD30 expression. Bcl-2 protein was expressed in 43 of 67 (64%), more frequently in nodal than in extranodal tumours. In conclusion, CD15 and CD30 expressions are infrequent in DLBCL, and co-expression is rare. Bcl-2 protein expression is common in DLBCL.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Fulltext CD44 expression and axillary lymph node metastasis in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast

Looi LM, Cheah PL, Zhao W, Ng MH, Yip CH

Malays J Pathol, 2006 Dec;28(2):83-6.
PMID: 18376796 MyJurnal

Metastasising ability connotes one of the most important life-threatening properties of malignant neoplasms. Recent studies indicate that CD44 proteins, multifunctional cell adhesion molecules which contribute to "homing" of lymphocytes to lymph nodes as well as cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, are potential markers of tumour progression. However, whether CD44 expression by human tumours contribute to increased metastatic risk remains controversial. In an attempt to clarify its role in breast cancer, we have investigated the correlation between CD44 expression by breast carcinoma and the presence of axillary lymph node metastases. CD44 expression was detected using a standard immunoperoxidase method on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, primary infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma tissues taken from 60 female patients who underwent mastectomy with axillary node clearance. Tumours were graded according to the modified Bloom and Richardson criteria. 62% of patients had histologically-proven lymph node metastasis. 40% of primary cancers exhibited cytoplasmic membrane immunopositivity for CD44. 46% of primary tumours which have metastasied to axillary lymph nodes were CD44 positive whereas 30% of tumours which have not metastasised expressed CD44. CD44 positivity was expressed by 20% of grade 1, 31% grade 2 and 58% grade 3 tumours. Our results suggest that CD44 may have a role in the progression of breast cancer and emphasise the need to investigate its interaction with other mechanisms of cancer advancement.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Fulltext p53 and p21/WAF-1 overexpressions in prostatic adenocarcinoma

Wan Muhaizan WM, Ahmad PK, Phang KS, Arni T

Malays J Pathol, 2006 Dec;28(2):93-9.
PMID: 18376798 MyJurnal

This study was carried out to determine the role of p53 and p21 in the pathogenesis of prostatic adenocarcinoma and their association with tumour grade.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Clear cell "sugar" tumour of the lung: a case report

Shiran MS, Tan GC, Arunachalam N, Sabariah AR, Pathmanathan R

Malays J Pathol, 2006 Dec;28(2):113-6.
PMID: 18376801

We report a case of clear cell "sugar" tumour of the lung (CCTL) occurring in a 26-year-old lady. The patient was asymptomatic and the lesion was picked up in the course of a pre-employment medical examination. A well-defined 5 cm nodule in the right lower lobe was detected on routine chest X-Ray. Microscopical examination of the coin lesion showed clear cells containing abundant diastase-sensitive intracytoplasmic glycogen, as demohstrated with periodic acid-Schiff stains. Tumour immunoreactivity for HMB-45 and non-reactivity for cytokeratin support the histological diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of CCTL in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Fulltext Expression of Galectin-3 and Galectin-7 in thyroid malignancy as potential diagnostic indicators

Than TH, Swethadri GK, Wong J, Ahmad T, Jamil D, Maganlal RK, et al.

Singapore Med J, 2008 Apr;49(4):333-8.
PMID: 18418527

It has been suggested that Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and Galectin-7 (Gal-7) are potential tumour markers for differentiating thyroid carcinoma from its benign counter part. Galectins are beta-galactoside-binding proteins with Gal-3 being a redundant pre-mRNA splicing factor. They are supposed to be p53-related regulators in cell growth and apoptosis, being either anti-apoptotic or pro-apoptotic. Although the value of Gal-3 has been studied extensively, there is little knowledge regarding the expression of Gal-7 in thyroid malignancy.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Fulltext Isolation, identification and quantification of differentially expressed proteins from cancerous and normal breast tissues

Othman MI, Majid MI, Singh M, Man CN, Lay-Harn G

Ann. Clin. Biochem., 2008 May;45(Pt 3):299-306.
PMID: 18482919 DOI: 10.1258/acb.2007.007104

Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDCA) is the most common type of breast cancer accounting for 85% of all invasive breast cancers.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Clinical relevance of CD10, BCL-6 and multiple myeloma-1 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas in Malaysia

Peh SC, Gan GG, Lee LK, Eow GI

Pathol. Int., 2008 Sep;58(9):572-9.
PMID: 18801072 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1827.2008.02273.x

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and it is recognized to constitute a heterogenous group of neoplasms. It can be divided into germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB subgroups. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of immunophenotype subgrouping of DLBCL in a cohort of multi-ethnic Asian patients. A total of 84 reconfirmed de novo DLBCL were immunostained for the expression of CD10, BCL-2, BCL-6 and multiple myeloma-1. Thirty-three (39.3%) had the GCB phenotype, and the remainder (60.7%), the non-GCB phenotype. The results concur with most reports using a similar method of stratification. Forty-five patients had complete demographic and phenotype studies and 42 patients did not have rituximab treatment and had sufficient data for survival rate analysis. Similar to other studies, patients with combined low and low-intermediate International Prognostic Index score had better overall survival (P = 0.006). But patients with GCB phenotype did not have better prognosis, and BCL-2 expression was not associated with better prognosis. The expression of BCL-6 was associated with lower overall survival rate (P = 0.038). No apparent difference in overall and disease-free survival was noted between patients with GCB and non-GCB disease. BCL-6 expression by tumor cells appears to be associated with poorer prognosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Minichromosome maintenance protein 2 is a reliable proliferative marker in breast carcinoma

Reena RM, Mastura M, Siti-Aishah MA, Munirah MA, Norlia A, Naqiyah I, et al.

Ann Diagn Pathol, 2008 Oct;12(5):340-3.
PMID: 18774496 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2008.04.001

This is a study aimed to examine the distribution pattern of a specific minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2) in benign and malignant breast tissue. We also aim to correlate the frequency of expression of MCM2 with the degree of tumor differentiation. We used immunohistochemistry to examine the distribution and expression pattern of MCM2 on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections of benign (n = 30) and malignant breast tissue (n = 70) (IDC 56, DCIS 4, ILC 2, nonductal 4, mixed type 4). We quantified MCM2 expression by calculating a labeling index, which represents the percentage of epithelial nuclei that stained positively. Immunoreactivity was heterogenous in all the 70 malignant cases examined. Epithelial cells in cycle are most frequent at the tumor periphery. Labeling index of MCM2 was greatest in grade 3 (poorly differentiated) and lowest in grade 1 tumors (well differentiated). Minichromosome maintenance protein 2 expression in breast cancer showed a positive association with histologic grade (P < .05). In all the benign breast tissue examined, no proliferating compartments could be characterized. Minichromosome maintenance protein 2 is a useful proliferative marker of breast carcinoma. The frequency of expression of MCM2 showed an inverse correlation with the degree of tumor differentiation.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
C-erbB-2 onco-protein expression in breast cancer: relationship to tumour characteristics and short-term survival in Universiti Kebansaan Malaysia Medical Centre

Sharifah NA, Lee BR, Clarence-Ko CH, Tan GC, Shiran MS, Naqiyah I, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2008 Oct-Dec;9(4):663-70.
PMID: 19271345

Breast cancer is the commonest cancer affecting females in Malaysia, contributing 31% of all newly diagnosed cases amongst Malaysian women. The present retrospective cohort study evaluated the relationship between cerbB- 2 onco-protein overexpression with various tumour characteristics and survival rate of breast cancer patients treated at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) between 1996-2000. CerbB- 2 oncoprotein overexpression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and tumors showing 2+ positivity were verified by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH). One hundred and seventy two patients were eligible for the study with a short-term follow-up (median) of 5.1 years. C-erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression correlated with lymph node positivity, oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) negativity. Univariate analyses showed shorter disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with cerbB- 2 oncoprotein overexpression, Malay ethnicity, higher tumour grade, lymph node positivity, ER and PR negativity. In a subgroup of patients with c-erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression, a shorter OS was observed in those with lymph node positivity, ER and PR negativity. In multivariate prognostic analysis, lymph node status, ER status and tumour grading were the strongest independent prognostic factors for both OS and DFS. However, c-erbB-2 status was not a significantly independent prognostic factor, even in subsets with lymph node positive or negative group. C-erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression correlated well with lymph node status, ER and PR. Shorter OS and DFS were significantly observed in patients with c-erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression. Lymph node status, ER status and tumour grading were the only three independent prognostic factors for OS and DFS in this study. Although c-erbB-2 expression is obviously important from a biological standpoint, multivariate analysis showed that it is not an independent prognostic indicator in breast carcinoma in the local population.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
Fulltext Extra-adrenal paraganglioma: presentation in three uncommon locations

Mun KS, Pailoor J, Chan KS, Pillay B

Malays J Pathol, 2009 Jun;31(1):57-61.
PMID: 19694315 MyJurnal

Extra-adrenal paragangliomata are uncommon entities. They can be classified into four basic groups according to their anatomical sites, i.e. branchiomeric, intravagal, aorticosympathetic and visceral autonomic. Similar tumours may arise in sites away from the usual distribution of the sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia, e.g. orbit, nose, small intestine and even in the pancreas. We report three instructive cases of extra-adrenal paraganglioma which were found in unusual sites such as urinary bladder, thyroid gland and on the wall of the inferior vena cava.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Fulltext Dendritic cell distribution in lymphomas

Hussin HN, Zulkifli FN, Phang KS, Cheong SK

Malays J Pathol, 2009 Dec;31(2):105-12.
PMID: 20514853 MyJurnal

Dendritic cells (DC) are specialized antigen presenting cells (APC) that have important roles in host defenses and in generating anti-tumour immune response. Altered frequency and maturation of DC have been reported in malignant tumours. We studied the distribution and maturation status of DC by immunohistochemistry, on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lymph node tissues of 32 histologically diagnosed lymphomas and 40 inflammatory conditions that were retrieved from the Department of Pathology, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Our study showed a significant reduction in the total DC counts in the lymphoma tissues compared to the inflammatory conditions. The mature and immature DC counts were both significantly reduced (p = 0.008 and 0.001 respectively), although a greater reduction was observed in mature DC numbers. We also observed compartmentalization of DC where the immature DC were seen within the tumour tissues and the mature DC were more in peri-tumoural areas. Our findings were similar to other reports, suggesting that reduced numbers of DC appears to be a factor contributing to lack of tumour surveillance in these cases.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
Factors associated with HER2 overexpression in breast cancer: Experience in an Asian developing country

Tan GH, Choo WY, Taib NA, Yip CH

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2009;10(5):837-40.
PMID: 20104975

INTRODUCTION: The HER2 gene is amplified in up to 30% of human breast cancers, leading to overexpression of the HER2 protein on the cell surface. Overexpression of HER2 is associated with a more aggressive cancer and hence a poorer overall survival.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between clinico-pathological features and HER2 overexpression in breast cancer.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Surgery, University Malaya Medical Centre. The association between HER2 overexpression, determined by immunohistochemistry, and other clinicopathological factors was evaluated in 996 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer treated from 2005 to 2007 using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: HER2 overexpression occurred in 30.3% of patients. On bivariate analysis, HER2 overexpression was inversely related to ER expression (p<0.01) and PR expression (p<0.01). This overexpression was associated with a higher tumour grade, lymphovascular positivity and infiltrating ductal carcinoma subtype. On multivariate analysis, HER2 overexpression was significantly associated with higher tumour grade (p= 0.018, CI 1.25-11.04), PR negativity (p= 0.002, CI 0.30-0.77) and lymphovascular positivity (p= 0.042, CI 1.01-2.12).
CONCLUSIONS: HER2 overexpression was observed in 30.3% of Malaysian female breast cancer patients. This group of patients represents a more aggressive subtype of breast cancer with higher tumour grade, PR negativity and lymphovascular positivity. No significant relationship was established between HER2 overexpression and age, race, lymph node, ER, pathology subtype and stage of disease from this study.

Matched MeSH terms: Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

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