Expression of pRb, p16, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E in Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma of the Breast

BACKGROUND: Inactivation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) is a mechanism by which tumor cells can subdue normal growth control. Among the molecules involved in control of pRb phosphorylation, cyclin D1 and cyclin E have been found to be deregulated and overexpressed in various types of cancers. METHODS: Immunohistochemical stains for pRb, p16, cyclin D1 and cyclin E were performed in 73 cases of infiltrating duct carcinomas of the breast. In addition to analysis of their expression rates, the relationships between their expressions and the clinicopathologic parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: pRb, p16, cyclin D1 and cyclin E were positive in 64.7% (44 out of 68 cases), 24.6% (15 out of 61 cases), 43.8% (32 out of 73 cases) and 61.6% (45 out of 73 cases), respectively. Their expression rates were not significantly associated with clinicopathologic prognostic factors. 33 out of 38 cases with p16-negative reactions were pRb positive, while 10 out of 15 cases with pRb-negative reactions were p16 positive. There was a significant inverse relationship between pRb and p16 expressions (P<0.005). 25 out of 32 cases with cyclin E-positive reactions were cyclin D1-positive, and 25 out of 45 cases with cyclin D1-positive reactions were cyclin E-positive. A statistically significant association was observed between cyclin D1 and cyclin E expressions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The main mechanism during tumorigenesis of breast carcinoma depends on the cyclin D1/p16/pRb pathway, but cyclin E might play a role in the absence of cyclin D1. The inverse correlation between the pRb and p16 expressions may represent one of the important mechanisms in tumorigenesis, as well.

Asplenia(right atrial isomerism) diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography: Report of One Case / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The syndromes of left atrial isomerism and right atrial isomerism, called polysplenia and asplenia syndromes, respectively, consist of congenital heart defects with disturbances in normal left right isometry, and the etiology of atrial isomerism remains unclear. Right atrial isomerism is traditionally associated with severe cardiac defects, especially complete atrioventricular septal defect, transposition of great arteries, pulmonary atresia, and total anomalous pulmonary venous return. Recently, we encountered one case of asplenia diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography. We report a case with brief review of the literatures.

Adenomyoepithelioma of the Breast

Adenomyoepithelioma is a rare benign tumor which occurs mainly in the skin, salivary gland and very rarely in the breast. Histologically this tumor demonstrates biphasic differentiation of luminal epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells. We report a case of adenomyoepithelioma occuring in the outer lower quadrant of the right breast of a 56-year-old female, confirmed histologically with an aid of immunohistochemistry. This is the first documented report in Korean literature.

Expression Pattern of the Rb Protein and its Correlation with Prognosis in Primary Lung Cancer

An immunohistochemical stain for the Rb tumor suppressor gene product was performed in pathologic specimens from 72 primary lung cancer patients to study the correlation between its expression and histologic type, cancer differentiation, clinical stage and survival rate. The expression of the Rb protein was positive in 34 cases(47.2%) and negative in 38 cases(52.8%). The Rb protein was not expressed in 16 of 42 cases(38.1%) in squamous cell carcinoma, in 17 of 23 cases(73.9%) in adenocarcinoma, in one of three cases(33.3%) in undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, in two of two cases(100%) in small cell carcinoma, in one of one case(100%) in an adenosquamous carcinoma and in one of one case(100%) in an atypical carcinoid. There were significant difference of the Rb protein expression between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma(p0.05). The two year survival rate for patients with the Rb positive was 65% compared with 37% for those with the Rb negative which was significant(p<0.05). This result suggests that an altered or the absence of the Rb protein in cancer cells can be a valuable prognostic factor in the lung cancer.

Expression Pattern of the Rb Protein and its Correlation with Prognosis in Primary Lung Cancer

An immunohistochemical stain for the Rb tumor suppressor gene product was performed in pathologic specimens from 72 primary lung cancer patients to study the correlation between its expression and histologic type, cancer differentiation, clinical stage and survival rate. The expression of the Rb protein was positive in 34 cases(47.2%) and negative in 38 cases(52.8%). The Rb protein was not expressed in 16 of 42 cases(38.1%) in squamous cell carcinoma, in 17 of 23 cases(73.9%) in adenocarcinoma, in one of three cases(33.3%) in undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, in two of two cases(100%) in small cell carcinoma, in one of one case(100%) in an adenosquamous carcinoma and in one of one case(100%) in an atypical carcinoid. There were significant difference of the Rb protein expression between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma(p0.05). The two year survival rate for patients with the Rb positive was 65% compared with 37% for those with the Rb negative which was significant(p<0.05). This result suggests that an altered or the absence of the Rb protein in cancer cells can be a valuable prognostic factor in the lung cancer.

Angiomyofibroblastoma of the Vulva: A case report

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a distinctive, hitherto uncharacterized, benign soft tissue tumor of the vulva with histology similar to an aggressive pelvic angiomyxoma. It can be distinguished from an aggressive angiomyxoma by its circumscribed borders, higher cellularity, more numerous blood vessels, the frequent presence of plump stromal cells, minimal stromal mucin, and rarity of erythrocyte extravasation. We experienced a case of angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva occurring in a 45-year-old woman. The lesion was a well-defined but not encapsulated mass, 4.5x4.2 cm. Histologically the mass was characterized by alternating hypercellular and hypocellular edematous zones in which abundant blood vessels were irregularly distributed. Immunohistochemically, the spindled, plump spindled, and oval stromal cells were reactive for vimentin and desmin, but not for cytokeratin, or S-100 protein.