ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) lacks effective medical treatment. Since tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays an important role in NASH pathogenesis, we aimed to investigate drugs affecting TNF-α as possible treatment options during the development of NASH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 35 rats were divided into five groups and evaluated over a 6 week period. One group received a normal diet alone or in combination with the administration of infliximab, adalimumab or pentoxifylline. RESULTS: NASH was successfully established in the MCD diet group. Levels of TNF-α were effectively suppressed in the three groups that received anti-TNF agents. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three agents in terms of the histological NASH score. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the anti-TNF agents infliximab, adalimumab, and pentoxifylline effectively suppress TNF-α. Although these drugs did not prevent the development of NASH, they were able to slightly reverse the NASH histopathology score and positively affect liver function tests.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/drug therapy , Pentoxifylline/therapeutic use , Adalimumab , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology , Infliximab , Male , Pentoxifylline/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/drug effectsABSTRACT
Solitary fibrous tumors are unusual neoplasms that are rarely found in the liver parenchyma. They are usually described as hard, grayish white, well-defined lesions. Predominant cystic change in a solitary fibrous tumor is an unexpected finding, with only a few previous cases reported in the literature, two of which are localized in the head and neck region. Herein, we report a unique case of solitary fibrous tumor of the liver in a 38-year-old female with predominant multiloculated cystic appearance, and discuss the histopathologic differential diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Solitary Fibrous Tumors/pathology , Adult , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Solitary Fibrous Tumors/metabolismABSTRACT
Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (MIFS) is a recently described, rare low-grade sarcoma. Generally located in the upper and lower extremities, MIFS clinically mimics a benign cystic mass and is composed of spindle-like or atypical cells and mixed inflammatory infiltrates located in the fibroblastic myxoid stroma. Radiologic images and macroscopic appearance generally resemble a lobulated mass with irregular margins. We present a case of a tumoral mass with neoplastic cells at the center and a smooth surface with a previously undefined appearance. Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma is significantly difficult to distinguish clinically from benign lesions and the surgeon should consider the possibility of malignancy in lesions located at the extremities.
Subject(s)
Fibrosarcoma/diagnosis , Myxosarcoma/diagnosis , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/diagnosis , Ankle/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Fibrosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Fibrosarcoma/pathology , Humans , Middle Aged , Myxosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Myxosarcoma/pathology , Radiography , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: CD40, a tumor necrosis factor receptor family member, is expressed in a variety of cell types. This widespread expression suggests that CD40 may play an important role in normal physiology and disease pathogenesis. The objective of the current study was to investigate the expression of CD40, and its association with clinicopathological features and survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. METHODOLOGY: CD40 expression was assessed in 53 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma surgical specimens by immunohistochemistry, and expression was correlated with patient clinicopathological parameters and outcome. RESULTS: Among 53 pancreatic cancer specimens, CD40 expression was detected in 13 specimens (24.5%), and peritumoral lymphocytes were present in 45 specimens (84.9%). Patients with CD40-positive tumors exhibited prolonged median disease-free survival (DFS) compared with patients with CD40-negative tumors (15.60 +/- 3.87 versus 10.03 +/- 1.92); however, this was not significant (p = 0.845). Patients with peritumoral lymphocytic reaction exhibited prolonged median DFS compared with patients without peritumoral lymphocytes (10.96 +/- 1.40 vs. 7.60 +/- 0.47); however, this was not significant (p = 0.624). Patients with peritumoral lymphocytic reaction exhibited higher median overall survival compared with patients without peritumoral lymphocytes (15.20 +/- 1.78 vs. 10.13 +/- 1.39); however, again this was not significant (p = 0.100). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CD40 expression on pancreatic cancer cells and peritumoral lymphocytic reaction may serve as prognostic markers.
