ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is the most potent member of IAP family that exerts antiapoptotic effects by interfering with activities of caspases. Recently, XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) and two mitochondrial proteins, Smac/DIABLO and HtrA2, have been identified to negatively regulate the caspase-inhibiting activity of XIAP. We explore the candidacy of XAF1, Smac/DIABLO and HtrA2 as a tumor suppressor in cervical carcinogenesis and determine the mechanisms of altered XAF1 expression. METHODS: We investigated the expression and mutation status of the genes in 64 cervical cancer tissues, 5 cervical cancer cell lines and 10 normal cervical tissues. RESULTS: XAF1 transcript was not expressed or extremely low levels in 40% (2/5) of cancer cell line and in 31% (20/64) of primary carcinomas whereas Smac/DIABLO and HtrA2 are normally expressed in all cells. As somatic mutations of the gene was not detected, expression of XAF1 transcript was reactivated in all nonexpressor cell lines after 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine treatment. Bisulfite DNA analysis for CpG sites in the promoter region revealed a strong association between CpG sites hypermethylation and gene silencing. CONCLUSION: XAF1 undergoes epigenetic silencing in a considerable proportion of cervical carcinomas by aberrant promoter hypermethylation rather than genetic alterations, and closely associated with reduced gene expression. Although additional studies are required to determine the biological significance of XAF1 inactivation, it will be valuable to examine the expression status of XAF1 could be a clinically useful marker for cancer treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Apoptosis , Carcinogenesis , Caspases , Cell Line , DNA , Epigenomics , Gene Expression , Gene Silencing , Mitochondrial Proteins , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Uterine Cervical NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Ritodrine hydrochloride (Yutopar) is commonly used for the treatment of preterm labor. Published reports claim that many complications of prematurity have been averted by the administration of this drug. However, ritodrine hydrochloride has many side effects, including cardiovascular problem and metabolic error. Only a few reports have described the transient hepatitis (elevated transaminase) all over the world. The clinical significance and incidence of this side effect are still unclear. In this report, we present a case of elevated serum transaminase levels associated with the use of ritodrine during pregnancy with a brief review of the literatures.
Subject(s)
Female , Pregnancy , Hepatitis , Incidence , Obstetric Labor, Premature , RitodrineABSTRACT
Malignant melanoma is a neoplasm of the skin and mucous membrane which very rarely occurs in the ovary. Malignant melanomas occurring in the ovary must be differentiated from primary and metastatic malignant melanoma. Primary malignant melanoma of the ovary is extremely rare and is thought to originate from a cystic teratoma. Malignant melanoma of ovary without evidence of residual teratoma must be considered metastatic even in the absence of a previously cutaneous or mucocutaneous lesion. Opinions about its histogenesis, diagnostic criteria and elective treatment are controversial because of rare manifestations, and the prognosis remains poor in spite of the variety of therapeutic measures. After thoroughly surveying the specific literature, we report case of malignant melanoma with multiple metastases located in the stomach, the omentum and both ovaries with unknown site of primary origin.
Subject(s)
Female , Melanoma , Mucous Membrane , Neoplasm Metastasis , Omentum , Ovary , Prognosis , Skin , Stomach , TeratomaABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Measure the over-expression of p73 and analyze as the prognostic as well as angiogenic factor of cervical cancer by comparing the degree of expression of VEGF and TSP-1 by RT-PCR. METHODS: 7 normal and 37 cervical cancer specimens were put through RT-PCR and the expression of p73, VEGF and TSP-1 were measured. After immunohistochemical staining, the number of microvessels was counted. With the level of expression, investigated the relationship with the clinicopathological characteristics and the number of microvessels. RESULTS: 57% of cancer tissues showed abnormally high levels of p73 mRNA. In quantitative genomic DNA PCR, the p73 was over-expressed in the transcription level. Through allotyping with Sty I polymorphism, the over-expression of p73 was due to the transcription activity of the silent allele. In RT-PCR-SSCP analysis of over-expressed specimens, sequence alterations was not seen. In 73%, VEGF was over-expressed while TSP-1 was under-expressed in 35%. There was no association between the number of microvessels with the over-expression of p73 and VEGF, but inversely associated with the under-expression of TSP-1. There was no correlation between the over-expression of p73 and the clinicopathological characteristics. The over-expression of p73 coincided 80% with the over-expression of VEGF, and 40% with the under-expression of TSP-1. CONCLUSION: These data support the expression of p73 was increased in cervical cancer tissues and was associated with the over-expression of the VEGF but not associated with the under-expression of TSP-1. The biological and clinical significance of the over-expression of p73 should be studied further in the future.
Subject(s)
Alleles , Angiogenesis Inducing Agents , DNA , Microvessels , Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA, Messenger , Thrombospondin 1 , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor AABSTRACT
A case of fibroepithelial polyp on vulvoperineal area is described. Her age is 20 year old and the tumor measured 9 cm in its largest diameter and was connected to the left labium majus. This case is very unusual in that almost all reported vulvar fibroepithelial polyps are small and sessile, and should distinguish from malignant cancer. We have experienced an unusually large vulvoperineal mass that was surgically excised and histologically diagnosed as benign fibroepithelial polyp and present this case with a brief review of literature.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , PolypsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to analyze the demographic profile and clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients with invasive cervical cancer who had undergone radical hysterectomy. METHODS: Records of 285 patients with invasive cervical cancer who had undergone radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection at Kyung Hee University Hospital from January 1986 to March 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathologic characteristics such as age, FIGO stage, histologic type, nodal metastasis, treatment modalities, complications, recurrence rates, and the overall 5-year survival rates et al. by using univariate anaysis and Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Ages ranged from 28 to 78. The mean age was 50.6. The number of patients of 285 being in FIGO stage Ia was 34 (11.9%), Ib 146 (51.2%), IIa 78 (27.4%), IIb 27 (9.5%). In the distribution of histological type, the number of squamous cell carcinoma was 258 (90.5%), adenocarcinoma 20 (7.0%), adenosquamous carcinoma 7 (2.5%). LN involvement was present in 5.9% with stage Ia, 16.4% with Ib, 24.4% with IIa, 25.9% with IIb. Obturator LN was the most frequently involved among pelvic lymph node. Urinary tract infection was the most common complication after surgery, occupying 15.1%. 26 cases (9.1%) developed recurrence. The recurrence rate was 0% in stage Ia, 8.2% in stage Ib, 11.5% in stage IIa, 18.5% in stage IIb. The overall 5-year survival rate was 100% in stage Ia, 89.4% in stage Ib, 80.0% in stage IIa and 72.2% in stage IIb. FIGO stage, tumor mass size, resection margin, lymph node involvement had a statistical prognostic significance (P<0.01).
Subject(s)
Humans , Adenocarcinoma , Carcinoma, Adenosquamous , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Hysterectomy , Lymph Node Excision , Lymph Nodes , Neoplasm Metastasis , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Survival Rate , Urinary Tract Infections , Uterine Cervical NeoplasmsABSTRACT
The incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been increasing for many years and ectopic pregnancy is still a leading cause of maternal death although its mortality is reduced significantly with improved early diagnosis and treatment. Intraligamentous pregnancy, a subset of ectopic pregnancy, is one of the most unusual accident so that the diagnosis of intraligamentous pregnancy is hardly ever made prior to laparotomy. We experienced intraligamentous pregnancy with hemoperitoneum. So we presented a case with brief review of literature.
Subject(s)
Female , Pregnancy , Diagnosis , Early Diagnosis , Hemoperitoneum , Hemorrhage , Incidence , Laparotomy , Maternal Death , Mortality , Pregnancy, EctopicABSTRACT
The incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been increasing for many years and ectopic pregnancy is still a leading cause of maternal death although its mortality is reduced significantly with improved early diagnosis and treatment. Intraligamentous pregnancy, a subset of ectopic pregnancy, is one of the most unusual accident so that the diagnosis of intraligamentous pregnancy is hardly ever made prior to laparotomy. We experienced intraligamentous pregnancy with hemoperitoneum. So we presented a case with brief review of literature.