Background: Recent in vitro studies provide evidence that the cell cycle molecules pRb, p53 and MDM2 form a tightly regulated protein network. In this study, we examined the relationship of this protein network in a series of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), with the kinetic parameters, including proliferative activity or proliferation index (PI) and apoptotic index (AI), and ploidy status of the tumors. Material and Methods: A total of 87 NSCLCs were examined using immunohistochemical and molecular methods in order to estimate the status of the pRb-p53-MDM2 network. The kinetic parameters and the ploidy status of the tumors were assessed by in situ assays. The possible associations between alterations of the network, kinetic parameters and ploidy status of the carcinomas were assessed with a series of statistical methods. Results: Aberrant expression of pRb (Ab) and overexpression of p53 (P) and MDM2 (P) proteins were observed in 39%, 57%, and 68% of the carcinomas, respectively. The comprehensive analysis revealed that concurrent alterations in all three cell cycle regulatory molecules were the most frequent pattern, pRb(Ab)/p53(P)/MDM2(P); this "full abnormal" phenotype represented approximately 27% of the cases. This immunoprofile obtained the highest

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The FHIT gene, located at the FRA3B fragile site of chromosome 3p14.2, encodes a 16.8 kD homologue of the yeast enzyme diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap(4)A) hydrolase. Frequent allelic losses at this region in various malignancies, including non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs), imply that FHIT may represent a tumour suppressor gene (TSG). Increasing evidence suggests that multiple TSG impairment has a synergistic effect on tumour growth. The present study of 67 NSCLCs investigated the allelic imbalance (AIm) within the FHIT locus and its relationship with p53 abnormalities, kinetic parameters [proliferative activity or proliferation index (PI) and apoptotic index (AI)], and ploidy status of the carcinomas. Allelic imbalance at FHIT was observed in 35 out of 55 informative (heterozygous: H) cases (64%). Similar frequencies of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) were noticed among squamous cell lung carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. The high percentage of AIm in stage I tumours (71%) is indicative of its relatively early involvement in NSCL carcinogenesis. No association was found between LOH at FHIT, kinetic parameters, and ploidy status of the tumours. Concurrent loss at FHIT and p53 overexpression [FHIT(LOH)/p53(P)] was the most frequent pattern and was observed in 39% of the informative cases. The latter pattern was not associated with smoking, supporting the hypothesis that in patients with a history of tobacco exposure, FHIT allelic loss may not be a consequence of p53 checkpoint defects, but the outcome of tobacco-induced mutagenesis. Statistically significant differences in the presence of FHIT(LOH)/p53(P) and FHIT(LOH)/p53(N) patterns were noted at the proliferative and apoptotic level, whereas ploidy was similar amongst all groups, implying that wild-type (wt) p53 may play a safeguard role against altered FHIT function. However, the possibility of a masking effect from wt p53 cannot be excluded, since the FHIT(LOH)/p53(P) profile demonstrated a higher growth index (GI=PI/AI mean value ratio) than FHIT(H)/p53(P) (32 vs. 8), although this was not significant. Further studies are needed in order to elucidate the role of FHIT and its relationships with other cell-cycle regulatory molecules involved in NSCL carcinogenesis.

BackgroundAn epidermoid cyst in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen is a rare lesion. Despite advances in radiologic techniques, in most cases it has been diagnosed preoperatively as a possible pancreatic neoplasm.Case presentationHerein, we present a 63-year-old Caucasian woman, diagnosed preoperatively with enhanced-contrast abdominal computed tomography, as having a potential cystic tumor in the tail of the pancreas. The patient underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, and the histological examination revealed the presence of an epidermoid cyst of an accessory intrapancreatic spleen.ConclusionsFamiliarity with the imaging features, the clinical presentation and the location of the cyst are important to consider if this rare entity is to be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic neoplasms of the pancreas.

c-mos proto-oncogene is expressed in a significant proportion of lung carcinomas and may play a role in its development. The fact that its expression is associated with a relatively good prognosis may be indicative of a negative impact on tumour growth.

Hepatic tuberculosis as a part of disseminated tuberculosis is seen in 50-80% of cases. Isolated hepatic tuberculosis is very uncommon even in countries with high prevalence of tuberculosis. It can occur as a primary case or due to reactivation of an old tubercular focus. We report a case of a 59-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with persistent right upper quadrant pain and a hepatic lesion on an abdominal CT. She had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis 15 years ago with localised lung tuberculosis treated with lobectomy and antituberculous drugs.

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This 52-year-old woman complained of lower trunk and limb numbness 2 months before admission. She presented with deteriorating leg weakness and urinary incontinence. Spastic quadriparesis, with impaired pinprick sensation below the T-2 dermatome, was demonstrated.Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the cervical spine with slight Gd enhancement revealed a diffuse intramedullary tumor extending from C-5 to T-3. Brain and lumbosacral MR images were negative. The tumor was radically resected via a posterior cervicothoracic laminectomy and midline myelotomy by the senior surgeon (C.E.G.) (Fig. 1). The gross appearance of the lesion was that of an intramedullary astrocytoma. At surgery, the tumor was easily dissected from the normal spinal cord. There was no distinct tumor capsule. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful, and the patient's neurological condition remarkably improved. She underwent rehabilitation for 3 months and has been followed for 8 months. She remains in excellent neurological condition without evidence of tumor recurrence. Histopathological examination showed a vascularized neoplasm composed of nonatypical vacuolated cells with clear cytoplasm and displaced deep-colored nuclei. Immunohistochemical analysis for S100 protein, vimentine, keratin AE1, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) was positive, whereas it was negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (Fig. 2). The conclusion was that the tumor was a chordoma.Chordomas are tumors arising from the embryological remnants of the notochord. The presence of chordomas as intradural extramedullary lesions of the spine without osseous involvement is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, our case represents the first report of a purely intramedullary spinal chordoma. 1-4