Mast cell in colorectal polyps

This work was undertaken to quantify mast cells in order to investigate their role in determining the likelihood of malignant changes in colorectal polyps. The mean number of mast cells showed significant differences in various colonic disorders studied. On ultrastructure background, there was difference in mast cell character between non neolplastic and neoplastic polyps such as the degree of maturity and the intensity of chymase staining reaction. From this study we might speculate that mast cells may play a role in triggering the early phase of malignant changes in colonic polyps. Mast cells may be useful as marker of colorectal neoplasia. The mechanism of action of mast cells has not been yet elucidated

Mast cell chymase: a simple method for identification of acute myelobastic leukemia

Inspite of the modem and sophisticated tools for the immunophenotyping of acute leukemias, yet there are still simpler methods for initial categorization of leukamias into lymphoblastic and non lymphoblastic. The aim of the present study was to identify mast cell chymase as a marker of acute myeloblastic leukemia since they originate from a common progenitor cell. Bone marrow spiration smears from leukemic patients and control were stained for chymase. The normal control had weak positive reaction, the acute lymphoblastic leukemia had negative reactions while in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia, the chymase reaction was strikingly positive and positivity correlated well with the basophilic count in the peripheral blood and bone marrow smears. A very strong reaction was seen in patients with myeloid blast crisis and in those who were resistant to induction chemotherapy. Therefore, the chymase identification method is a very cheap and convenient tool for the cytochemical diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia