HER2-neu Expression and Survival in Colorectal Cancer in the South of Egypt; Immunohistochemistry and Genetic Study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health problem and one of leading cancer related death all over the world. One of the prognostic parameters that play a role in different types of cancer is HER2. However, the role of HER2 in CRC and its relation with clinicopathological features and survival is conflicting. We hypothesize that HER2 has different patterns of expression in CRC which may affect the prognosis of patients. MATERIAL & METHODS: We studied sixty specimens of colorectal carcinoma for HER2 immunohistochemistry and gene amplification and correlate it with clinicopathological features and patients` survival. RESULTS: Our data showed that negative HER2 expression was statistically associated with female gender (P = 0.010) and low & intermediate tumor budding (P = 0.030). There was a statistically significant relation between HER2 IHC and HER2 FISH amplification (P=0.000). Although neither HER2 immunoexpression and FISH amplification showed significant relation with overall survival nor disease free survival, HER2 amplified CRCs tended to have a worse survival compared with negative CRCs (40 months versus 50 months). The presence of male gender, lymphovascular invasion, nodal metastasis and distant metastasis (P = 0.013, 0.006, 0.006 and 0.000 respectively) were significantly statistically associated with poor overall survival. The presence of tumor grade III and high tumor budding (P = 0.035 and 0.007 respectively) were significantly statistically associated with shorter disease free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that HER2 IHC 3+ staining is highly predictive of HER2 gene amplification in colorectal carcinomas. There is a tendency towards poorer prognosis in amplified HER2 CRC cases.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Autophagy-Related Marker (LC3B) and Stem Cell Marker (CD44) in Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is among the most prevalent aggressive type of malignancy affecting females worldwide. Despite the advance in early detection and management of BC; recurrence, metastasis and mortality remains high. This may be attributed to heterogeneity of BC which explained by the presence of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). BCSCs is characterized by their ability of self-renewal, unlimited proliferation and their differentiation potential.  BCSCs maintain their activity through process of autophagy. Autophagy is a catabolic pathway important for maintenance of cellular hemostasis in response to different stressful conditions. Autophagy allows BCSCs to adapt to different stressful conditions. So, it protects BCSCs from cytotoxic effects of anti-cancer therapy and anticancer resistance. METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded fifty specimens of Invasive duct carcinoma of no special type(IDC/NST) of breast was selected and immunostained with stem cell marker CD44 and autophagy related marker LC3B antibodies. Correlation with different clinicopathological, histopathological characteristics and molecular subtypes of studied specimens were evaluated. RESULTS: Both CD44 and LC3B expression were significantly associated with lymph nodal metastasis (p =0.001 and 0.010 respectively), advanced pathological stage (p= 0.045 and 0.004 respectively) and with triple negative molecular subtype of BC (p=0.044 and 0.048 respectively). Statistically positive correlation was also found between both tumor markers expression. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggests that CD44 and LC3B expression play a role in the clinical behavior and progression of different molecular subtypes of BC.

Relationship between vitamin D and coronary artery disease in Egyptian patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported conflicting results about the association of vitamin D (VD) level with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to study the association of VD with atherosclerotic CAD in Egyptian individuals. RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 188 consecutive CAD patients with a median age of 55(50-62) years; 151(80.3%) were male. All patients were diagnosed by cardiac catheterization and were compared with 131 healthy controls. VD levels were measured in serum samples of all participants. Compared to controls, CAD patients had a significantly lower median VD level, 14.65 (9.25-21.45) versus 42.0 (32.0-53.0) ng/mL, p < 0.001. VD was correlated with the number of diseased coronary arteries and lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, p < 0.001 for each). By multivariate analyses, VD was an independent predictor of CAD [OR 1.22 (95% CI 1.07-1.4), p = 0.003, optimal cut-off value 30 ng/mL (AUC 0.92, sensitivity 81% and specificity 81.4%), p < 0.001], and the number of diseased coronary arteries, p < 0.001, especially three-vessel disease [OR 0.83 (95% CI 0.72-0.95), p = 0.008]. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that low VD should be considered a non-traditional risk factor for CAD in Egyptian individuals. Low VD was correlated with coronary atherosclerosis, especially in patients with multivessel effects.

Amoebicidal effect of Allium cepa against Allovahlkampfia spelaea: A keratitis model.

Allovahlkampfia spelaea (A. spelaea) is a free-living amoeba, proved to cause Acanthamoeba-like keratitis with quite difficult treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the amoebicidal effect of Allium cepa (A. cepa) on A. spelaea trophozoites and cysts both in vitro and in vivo using Chinchilla rabbits as an experimental model of this type of keratitis. Chemical constituents of the aqueous extract of A. cepa were identified using Liquid Chromatography-mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). In vitro, A. cepa showed a significant inhibitory effect on trophozoites and cysts compared to the reference drug, chlorhexidine (CHX) as well as the non-treated control (P < 0.05) with statistically different effectiveness in terms of treatment durations and concentrations. No cytotoxic effect of A. cepa on corneal cell line was found even at high concentrations (32 mg/ml) using agar diffusion method. The in vivo results confirmed the efficacy of A. cepa where the extract enhanced keratitis healing with complete resolution of corneal ulcers in 80% of the infected animals by day 14 (post infection)pi compared to 70% recovery with CHX after 20 treatment days. The therapeutic effect was also approved at histological, immune-histochemical, and parasitological levels. Our findings support the potential use of A. cepa as an effective agent against A. spelaea keratitis.

Increased Expression of Fibroblast Activation Protein is Associated with Autophagy Dysregulation and Oxidative Stress in Obese Women with Uterine Fibroids.

Uterine fibroids (UF) represent an immense health burden throughout the world. Obesity is considered one of the risk factors for UF development; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. We investigated the effect of obesity on fibroblast activation and its association with inflammation, autophagy dysfunction, and oxidative stress in UF patients. Thirty-five pre-menopausal UF patients were included in this study and classified into non-obese group (BM1 ≤ 30 kg/m2, n = 15) and obese group (BMI > 30 kg/m2, n = 20). Tissue samples were collected from fibroids and adjacent normal myometrium. Our results showed increased expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) together with markers of autophagy, inflammation, and oxidative stress in UF patients, which were all more markedly upregulated in obese compared to non-obese patients. In addition, BMI was significantly positive correlated with FAP and autophagy markers. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that obesity-associated autophagy dysregulation together with increased FAP expression may increase the risk of UFs in obese women.

Effect of Hesperidin against Induced Colon Cancer in Rats: Impact of Smad4 and Activin A Signaling Pathway.

SCOPE: To evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of hesperidin (Hsd) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) and demonstrate its role in mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4(Smad4) and activin A signaling pathways. METHODS AND RESULTS: A CRC rat model was established by DMH exposure, and the animals were randomly divided into five groups: Control group, Hsd, DMH, DMH + Hsd, and DMH followed by Hsd. The resected colon was subjected to macroscopic, microscopic, molecular, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examination. Activin A, Smad4, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in tissues were also measured. The DMH group exhibited a significant increase in the gene and protein expression of activin A as well as MDA and NO levels in tissues. There was a significant reduction in the gene and protein expression of Smad4 as well as GSH and SOD levels in tissues. Administration of Hsd significantly upregulated Smad4 and activin A gene expressions in both the DMH + Hsd and DMH followed by Hsd groups. Moreover, Hsd improved the antioxidant status of the former two groups. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the chemopreventive effect of Hsd against CRC by modulating Smad4 and activin A signaling in vivo. Further studies are needed to demonstrate its clinical value and explore its possible role in advanced malignancy.

Efficacy of topical calcipotriol betamethasone dipropionate as a new adjuvant therapy to follicular unit extraction technique in treatment of stable vitiligo: clinical, dermoscopic and immunohistological study.

BACKGROUND: Follicular unit extraction (FUE) grafting is a surgical procedure which provides the vitiliginous patches with undifferentiated stem cells of the hair follicles. It has been postulated that adjuvant therapy enhances the results. This is the first study to assess two different adjuvant therapies vs FUE alone. AIMS: To study the efficiency of FUE alone or combined with either topical calcipotriol betamethasone dipropionate (CBD) or NB-UVB phototherapy in cases of nonsegmental stable vitiligo. To assess the role of dermoscopy in monitoring the pattern and degree of repigmentation. PATIENTS/ METHODS: 53 patients with 94 lesions with stable nonsegmental vitiligo were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 16) with 30 lesions received FUE alone. Group 2 (n = 18) with 32 lesions received FUE plus topical CBD. Group 3 (n = 19) with 32 lesions received FUE plus NB-UVB phototherapy. Assessment was done by grades of repigmentation, color match, percent of size reduction, and immunohistochemical evaluation of perilesional CD8+T lymphocytes. RESULTS: The fastest onset of repigmentation was observed in both groups 2 and 3 in the second week (16.7%, 10.5%, respectively).Group 2 achieved the best response by all methods of assessment. Perifollicular diffuse repigmentation was the commonest dermoscopic pattern in 60 lesions (63.8%). There was a statistically significant decrease in perilesional CD8+T lymphocytes after 4 months. CONCLUSION: FUE is an effective method of surgical treatment of stable vitiligo, and topical CBD as a new adjuvant therapy is successful in targeting the immunological background of vitiligo. Dermoscopy has an essential role in monitoring the repigmentation response.

Do BRAFV600E mutation and sodium-iodide symporter expression affect the response to radioactive iodine therapy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma?

OBJECTIVE: To report on the associations between BRAF and sodium iodide symporter expressions and treatment outcomes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Inclusion criteria included a pathologic diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma of any stage, thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine therapy, and follow-up for at least 12 months after initial therapy. Events were classified as persistent or recurrent disease based on a clinical or investigational evidence of disease within or after, respectively, 1 year from initial therapy. Disease-free survival was calculated between the dates of surgery and confirmed event. Patients with no evidence of disease were censored at their last follow-up (censored group). BRAF mutation and sodium-iodide symporter expressions were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The study included 78 patients (60 females, 18 males) with median age 36 years (range: 20-70 years). BRAF was positive in 78%, equivocal in 13%, and negative in 9%. Sodium-iodide symporter was positive in 88%. BRAF mutation was significantly associated with increasing tumor size, presence of lymphovascular invasion, classic subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma, thyroid capsular infiltration, and lymph node metastasis. Sodium-iodide symporter expression was not associated with any clinical or pathologic characteristics. Patients with negative or equivocal BRAF had significantly better disease-free survival (82%, 3 events) compared to the positive group (41%, 33 events; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: In patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, BRAF mutation is associated with high-risk pathological characteristics and worsened disease-free survival.

Eugenol, a potential schistosomicidal agent with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects against Schistosoma mansoni, induced liver pathology.

INTRODUCTION: Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in developing countries. Although chemotherapy is one of the main strategies in controlling the disease, it is less effective in reversal of schistosome-induced pathology especially in the chronic and advanced stages of schistosomiasis. New strategies and prospective therapeutic agents with antifibrotic effects are needed. Eugenol has a wide anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated the possible antischistosomal effect of eugenol on Schistosoma mansoni. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The murine model of S. mansoni was established in three groups of adult male Balb-c mice; group I (infected non-treated group) and groups II and III (infected groups) treated orally with eugenol and praziquantel (PZQ), respectively. The expression of the sensitive immunohistochemical marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in schistosome-infected tissues was determined. In addition, parasitological, biochemical, and histological parameters that reflect disease severity and morbidity were examined. RESULTS: Eugenol treatment showed significant reduction in total worm burden by 19.2%; however, the oogram pattern showed no marked difference compared to that of the PZQ group. Yet, eugenol significantly reduced the serum levels of hepatic enzymes: aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Histopathological examination revealed a significant reduction in both numbers and diameters of hepatic granulomata, which was consistent with reduction in collagen fiber deposition. Additionally, the antifibrotic effect of eugenol was validated by its considerable reduction in the expression of the sensitive marker α-SMA in both eugenol- and PZQ-treated groups. CONCLUSION: Although eugenol could not totally eradicate adults of S. mansoni, the significant amelioration of liver enzymes and hepatic fibrosis potentiate eugenol's role as a promising antifibrotic and a complementary antischistosomal agent.

Aberration of Nrf2­Bach1 pathway in colorectal carcinoma; role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression.

Nrf2 and Bach1 are important transcriptional factors that protect against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although aberration of these molecules was associated with malignant transformation and progression, their aberration pattern in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is not yet fully studied. In this study, Nrf2 and Bach1 were immunohistochemically examined in 93 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of colonic tumors (65 carcinoma with their corresponding surgical margins and 28 adenomas). Nrf2 expression was gradually increased in the apparently normal mucosa (57 ±â€¯41)-adenoma (90 ±â€¯36)-carcinoma (198 ±â€¯78) direction and only showed significant higher mean of expression in CRC with brisk inflammatory peritumoral response. The mean of Bach1 expression was highest in apparently normal colonic mucosa (267 ±â€¯16), lowest in adenoma (53 ±â€¯31) and high in carcinoma tissues (194 ±â€¯93). Significant higher mean of expression was detected in carcinoma with: LN metastasis (p = 0.04), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.024); perineural invasion (p = 0.03) and advanced pathological stage (p < 0.001). Significant higher mean of expression of Nrf2 and Bach1 was detected in adenoma specimens with high grade dysplasia (p = 0.016 and p = 0.024) respectively. In conclusion, Nfr2 and Bach1 expression are altered in CRC but in different way. Nrf2 is gradually increasing from normal mucosa to adenoma and was highest in carcinoma but was not associated with features of tumor invasiveness. Bach1 was highest in normal mucosa; less in adenoma then increased in carcinoma and was associated with features of tumor invasiveness and metastasis. This may indicate a possible role of Nrf2 in CRC carcinogenesis and a role of Bach1 in CRC progression.

Role of miRNA-210, miRNA-21 and miRNA-126 as diagnostic biomarkers in colorectal carcinoma: impact of HIF-1α-VEGF signaling pathway.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of death worldwide. Novel non-invasive, high diagnostic value screening test is urgently needed to improve survival rate, treatment and prognosis. Stable, small, circulating microRNA (miRNA) offers unique opportunities for the early diagnosis of several diseases. It acts as tumor oncogenes or suppressors and involve in cell death, survival, and metastasis. Communication between miRNA and carcinogenesis is critical but it still not clear and needs further investigation. The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of miR-210, miR-21, miR-126, as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for screening, early detection of CRC, studying their correlation with prognostic variables, and clarifying the roles of miRNAs on HIF-1α-VEGF signaling pathway. The expression of miR-210, miR-21 and miR-126 was performed using qRT-PCR in adenocarcinoma (no = 35), adenomas (no = 51), and neoplasm free controls (no = 101). Serum levels of VEGF and HIF-1α was determined by ELISA Kit. The results show that the expression of miR-210, miR-21, VEGF, HIF-1α was significantly up-regulated while that miRNA-126 was down-regulated in both adenocarcinoma and adenomas compared with controls (p < 0.001 for each). No significant difference was noted comparing patients with adenocarcinoma and adenomas. The three miRNAs correlated with VEGF, HIF-α. The miR-210 and miR-21 associated with TNM classification and clinical staging of adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001) and they show high diagnostic value with sensitivity and specificity 88.6%, 90.1% and 91.4%, 95.0% respectively. Our study revealed that circulating miR-210, miR-21 were up-regulated while miR-126 was down-regulated in CRC and adenomas patients, they all correlated with TNM staging and they had high diagnostic value. HIF-1α VEGF signaling pathways regulated by miRNAs played a role in colon cancer initiation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of this miRNAs panel in CRC in our community. These data suggested that these biomarkers could be a potential novel, non-invasive marker for early diagnosis, screening and predicting prognosis of CRC. Understanding the molecular functions by which miRNAs affect cancer and understanding its roles in modulating the signaling output of VEGF might be fruitful in reducing the incidence and slowing the progression of this dark malignancy.

Expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in renal cell carcinoma; immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Galectins comprise a large family of calcium independent lectins. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 contribute to neoplastic transformation, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis in some cancers. This study aimed at studying the immunohistochemical expression of both galectin-1 and galectin-3 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) variants and detecting the possible association of galectins with various clinicopathological parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sections from 67 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of RCC variants were stained with galectin-1 and galectin-3. Expression was assessed in tumor tissue and adjacent renal parenchyma and was correlated with clinicopathological criteria. RESULTS: In apparently normal renal parenchyma adjacent to tumor tissue, galectin-1 was expressed in 27 (40.2%) of specimens in renal tubules and glomeruli, while 34 (50.7%) of specimens showed galectin-3 expression in renal tubules sparing glomeruli. In tumor tissue, galectin-1 showed high expression in 47 (70.1%) and low expression in 20 (29.9%) of specimens. Galectin-3 had high expression in 15 (22.4%) and low expression in 52 (77.6%) of specimens. Significant association was detected between expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 and the type of RCC (P = 0.032) and (P = 0.006), respectively. Significant inverse association was detected between the expression of galectin-3 and the presence of tumor haemorrhage and necrosis (P = 0.014) and (P = 0.039), respectively. CONCLUSION: Galectin-1 and galectin-3 are overexpressed in RCC with different percentage in different subtypes. Galactin-1expression is more in tumor tissue than surrounding renal parenchyma suggesting that it has a carcinogenic role. Galectin-1 and galectin-3 overexpression in chromophobe RCC suggests that they may have diagnostic role.

Expression and localization of estrogen receptors in human renal cell carcinoma and their clinical significance.

This study aims to (1) evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of ERα, ERα36 and ERß in combination in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and nearby non-tumorous tissue (2) correlate their expression pattern with the clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of the patients; this may provide a new insight into prediction of the disease outcome and understanding its progression. The three markers showed positive cytoplasmic (± membranous) staining pattern in tumor cells. The tubules in the nearby non-tumorous tissue showed either nuclear (± cytoplasmic) staining pattern (ERα and ERß) or only cytoplasmic staining pattern (ERα36). The mean of cytoplasmic expression of ERα, ERα36 and ERß was significantly higher in association with poor prognostic factors: larger tumor size (P<0.0001) for each, late clinical stage (P<0.0001) for each, higher nuclear grade (P = 0.003, P = 0.002 and P = 0.022) respectively, and presence of lymphovascular invasion (P<0.0001, P = 0.006 and P<0.0001) respectively. We have demonstrated for the first time that patients whose tumors express high cytoplasmic levels of ERα, ERα36 or ERß experience shorter overall survival and disease-free survival. The independent role of ER subunits as markers of poor prognosis is proven only for ERß and ERα36 but not ERα. In conclusion, our results indicate that the main staining pattern of ERα, ERα36 and ERß in RCC is cytoplasmic with relation of this pattern to bad prognosis. So we can suggest the assessment of these receptors as markers of poor prognosis in RCC patients.