Mouse coding region determinant-binding (mCRD-BP)and human IGF-II mRNA-binding 1 (hIMP-1) proteins are orthologous mRNA-binding proteins that recognize c-myc and IGF-II mRNA, respectively, and regulate their expression posttranscriptionally. Here, we confirm that human CRD-BP/IMP-1 binds to c-myc mRNA and that it is predominantly expressed in fetal tissues. Moreover, hCRD-BP/IMP-1 expression was detected in cell lines of neoplastic origin and in selected primary tumors. In a series of 33 malignant and 10 benign mesenchymal tumors, 73% and 40%, respectively, were found to express hCRD-BP/IMP-1. In particular, expression was significant in 14 Ewing's sarcomas, all of which were positive. The data suggest that hCRD-BP/IMP-1 plays a role in abnormal cell proliferation in mesenchymal tumors.

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Based on our data we suggest that VEGF is not useful for predicting recurrence or progression in superficial bladder cancer. Microvessel density determination may help to predict progression of grade 3 patients to muscle invasive disease but not as an independent prognostic factor.

The aim of this study was to investigate serotonin and bombesin expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas and neuroendocrine colorectal tumors to clarify their role in the progression of colon cancer. The investigation was carried out by electron microscope immunocytochemistry. The ultrastructural study revealed that some cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas were characterized by the presence of amphicrine cells containing endocrine granules and mucus granules. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and liver metastases were poorly granulated compared with highly differentiated tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors nevertheless were characterized by the presence of numerous malignant neuroendocrine cells filled with secretory granules and mucus granules. Bombesin appeared to be located in enterochromaffin-like endocrine cells, which are primarily responsible for the production of serotonin. In colorectal adenocarcinomas there was an inverse correlation between serotonin levels and the degree of differentiation. High serotonin levels characterized colorectal adenocarcinomas with composite phenotype and colorectal neuroendocrine tumors. Increased bombesin expression was correlated with colorectal adenocarcinomas exhibiting poor histological grade and their liver metastases. In conclusion, the findings suggest that high serotonin levels may be an indicator of neuroendocrine differentiation, and bombesin may be a useful marker for colorectal adenocarcinomas with aggressive behavior,

Predicting future tumour behaviour has always been a major task when treating bladder cancer. Ki67 monoclonal antibody has been reported to be a good marker of proliferative activity in a variety of tumours. We have studied the association of growth fractions defined by the monoclonal antibody with tumour grade, category and recurrence rate of superficial lesions in 34 patients with bladder cancer and 15 normal controls. Mean Ki67 indexes (% stained cells) were 0.07 +/- 0.02% in normal urothelium, 1.27 +/- 1.55% in grade 1, 12.23 +/- 8.32% in grade 2 and 16.42 +/- 11.82% in grade 3 tumours, while the values were 5.45 +/- 5.87%, 12.66 +/- 9.81% and 17.18 +/- 12.41% in categories pTa, pT1 and T2-T3 respectively. Recurrence and non-recurrence groups of patients showed indexes of 13.29 +/- 9.49% and 4.15 +/- 5.0% respectively. Statistically significant differences in Ki67 values between normal urothelium and tumour, between tumours of different grades and categories as well as between recurrence and non-recurrence groups of patients led to the conclusion that Ki67 monoclonal antibody is a good tool in defining tumour behaviour in bladder cancer.