There is sufficient evidence that blood group related Lewis antigens are tumor-associated molecules. We have conducted immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of Lewis antigens in breast cancer tissue as an indicator of the degree of malignancy and as a prognostic factor. The studies were performed by examining 43 female patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Postoperative specimens were stained immunohistochemically using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for tumor-associated antigens: sialosyl LewisA, LewisA, LewisB, Lewisx, and LewisY. The aims of the study were to compare the appearance of metastases, degree of cancer stage (pTNM), and its histologic differentiation with the expression of Lewis phenotype. The evaluation of antigen expression was performed quantitatively and independently by two pathologists. Statistical significance was defined by Mann-Whitney test. The presented analysis of Lewis antigens showed higher expression of LeB and LeA (p = 0.03) in patients in stage N2 than in stage N1. The expression of LeB and LeY was higher in patients in stage T4 than in stage T1 (p = 0.02). No differences were observed for histologic differentiation. These data suggest that the expression of sialosyl-LeA and LeB antigens in breast cancer may predict metastases to lymph nodes.

Overexpression of p16 is accepted as a surrogate diagnostic marker for detecting HPV infection in oropharyngeal cancer. However, one should remember about existence of the small subgroups of p16 positive but HPV negative tumors, with relatively worse prognosis. Immunostaining for p16, however useful on everyday basis, should be complemented with other techniques in terms of reliable identification of the HPV infection.

The PDT is a very effective therapeutic method in LS treatment.

The authors assessed proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p-53 oncoprotein and morphologic tumor front grading (TFG) in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), of the larynx and a poor prognosis and tried to find a correlation with tumor stage, the Broders grading system, local and neck lymph node metastases, as well as nodal and local recurrences. In addition, utility of the parameters investigated was evaluated in developing a prognostic factor model, using uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Included in this study were 54 patients (mean age 57 years +/- 8.6). PCNA-positive staining was found in all but one patient with advanced disease, while p-53 stained positively in only 24 subjects (44.4%). The PCNA index ranged from 4.6 to 59.0% (mean, 23.4 +/- 11. 0) and the p-53 index varied from 4.0 to 42.0% (mean, 17.2 +/- 8.6). The TFG score ranged from 9 to 23 points (mean, 15.1 +/- 3.2). PCNA, p-53 and TFG were found to be the markers that provided significant additional information about the biological behavior of tumor cells. The high variability of the results (PCNA, p-53) and high percentage of negatively stained cells (p-53) reduced their application in clinical use. PCNA correlated with tumor grade, G (r = 0.38; P < 0. 01), but negatively with nodal (N) disease(r = -0.37; P < 0.01). The mean values of PCNA and p-53 index were higher in the subgroup with local recurrences. Our present attempt to develop a useful prognostic factor model failed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate semiquantitative and qualitative analysis of lymphocytic infiltrations in a neoplasm microenvironment in patients with laryngeal cancers and the correlation analysis between the intensitivity degree and composition of lymphocytic infiltration in foreseeing a survival time and probability of the appearance of lymph node metastases. Postoperative specimens from 43 patients (Upper Silesia region) operated on for laryngeal cancer in the 2nd ENT Department, Silesian Medical University in Zabrze between 1985 and 1995 all had unfavorable courses due to tumor recurrences. The patients' ages ranged from 39 to 79 years (mean 57 years). Tissue specimens were subjected to routine processing. The degree of pathological changes was ascertained and immunohistochemical preparations of laryngeal tissue were prepared according to generally accepted methods. The following primary monoclonal antibodies were used: CD 3, CD 20, CD 43, CD 45 RO, CD 56. The distribution analysis of the intensity of the phenotype CD 43 evaluated the lymphocytic infiltration in relation to differentiation of the whole study group. The intensity of CD 43 cell infiltration increased in the group of patients with lymph node metastases. In patients with stage IV disease, a relationship was found between survival time and intensity of cell infiltrations with CD 43 and CD 45 RO lymphocytes. The influence of these two lymphocyte phenotypes in the patient subgroups - one after total laryngectomy with confirmed lymph node metastases and the other group without lymph node metastases - showed their prognostic value. Our analysis of lymphocytic infiltration, mostly of CD 43 cells, in the neoplasm microenvironment indicated a prognostic value for determining a shorter survival time and the possibility of lymph node metastases in patients with recurrences of cancer.