CD44V6 and K167 expression in nodal and disseminated

CD44 is a multifunctional cell surface adhesion molecule family, expressed in many cell types. High expression of the standard CD44s and its variant form CD44v6 has been reported to be associated with tumor dissemination in non Hodgkin 's lymphoma The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD44v6 and Ki67 in disseminated and localized nodal B-cell lymphomas, and their relation to tumor histopathological grading and clinical staging. We examined 70 cases of B-cell NHL [36 disseminated, stages IlI IV and 34 nodal, stages I, H]for expression of CD44v6 and Ki67 immunohistochemically. We found that CD44v6 was expressed in [18/70 cases, 25.7%] of the studied group with 14 cases from the CD44v6 positive cases of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma type, p<0. 005]. Ki67 was expressed in [58/70 cases, 82.8%] of the studied cases with [48 Ki67 positive cases] of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma type, p<0.005]. We concluded that CD44v6 expression is associated with lymphoma cell dissemination, advanced clinical stage and high histological grading

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor-1 in chronic schistosomal urinary bladder lesions

Over expression of growth factors including epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], have been implicated in bladder cancer biology. This study was conducted in a trial to a better understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying the proliferative, the premalignant and malignant changes frequently displayed in chronic schistosomal cystitis [ChSC] and schitosoma associated carcinoma of the bladder. The study included 58 Egyptian patients [15 ChSC and 43 bladder cancer], and 5 normal urothelial specimens as control. The bladder cancer specimens were selected included adjacent normal mucosa or dysplastic areas [27 squamous cell carcinoma SCC and 16 transitional cell carcinoma TCC]. Level of expression of EGFR was analyzed using an immunohistochemical approach and the results compared with histological pattern, grading and pathological staging. In normal epithelium EGFR expression was only limited to the basal layer, but in dysplastic epithelium adjacent to tumour tissue all cells stained for EGFR. Bilharzial associated TCC exhibit very low expression, EGFR expression was weak cytoplasmic or even absent. The majority of SCC expressed strong membrane staining for EGFR and almost all cells were positive for the receptor. However, the intensity of staining was increasing with a significant statistical correlation with grade [p < 0.01] and with invasiveness of the tumour [p < 0.001]. In conclusion over expression of EGFR [high intensity] in human bladder cancer may be associated with poor differentiation and with invasion that could be implicated in the pathway of oncogenesis for schitosoma associated SCC of the bladder

Prognostic value of Ki 67 antigen in bilharzial urinary bladder carcinoma: an immunohistochemical analysis

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of tumour proliferation marker [ki-67 antigen] and its relation to the traditional prognostic indicators in patients with urinary bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy. Samples were obtained from 46 patients [39 men and 7 women, mean age 47.7 years, range 25-73]. All samples [32 SCC, 12 TCC and 2 adenocarcinoma] were associated with bilharzial infestation. Ki-67 was assessed using an immunohistochemical approach. The relation between Ki-67 expression and prognostic variables [grade, stage, age and type] was investigated by Chi-square, analysis of variance and Kruskal Wallis non-parametric test. The frequency of high Ki-67 expression [> 10%] increased with grade and stage. There was a strong overall correlation with grade [p=0.000] and stage [p=0.005] respectively but not with age. Tumour histological type SCC significantly correlated with grade and stage [p= 0.0001 and 0.001], TCC correlates with grade [0.01] but not stage, while TCC has a higher Ki-67 index. These results suggest that immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67 is a useful prognostic indicator in patients with Schistosoma associated urinary bladder cancer. Abbreviation: SCC, squamous cell carcinoma; TCC, transitional cell carcinoma