ABSTRACT
Endometrial large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a highly malignant tumor that presents with neuroendocrine function. It is difficult to diagnose at an early stage. Moreover, the diagnosis depends on the pathological and immunohistochemical findings. It is also prone to distant metastasis, but is difficult to treat and shows poor prognosis. Presently, there exists no unified treatment plan, and the prognosis of this disease is also poor. We reported here an analysis and literature review of a case of endometrial LCNEC to facilitate the comprehension of this disease and provide help toward clinical diagnosis and treatment.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating angiogenesis in a xenograft nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) model in nude mice and the evolution of CEUS parameters according to the growth of NPC. METHODS: Nude mice were divided into three groups according to experiments conducted at various times from tumor implantation (8 mice/group; group A: 4 weeks from implantation; group B:6 weeks from implantation; group C:8 weeks from implantation). CNE-2 cells were transplanted in 24 nude mice and CEUS evaluations of the tumors were performed at 4, 6 or 8 weeks from implantation. CEUS parametric perfusion images and pathological findings were recorded. R version 3.4.4 software was used to analyze the CEUS parameters and pathological findings. RESULTS: One-way anova analysis indicated statistically significant differences among the three groups with the parameters of peak intensity (PI) (p<0.001), area wash in (AWI) (p<0.001), area wash out (AWO) (p<0.001) and tumor volumes (p<0.001).Pearson correlation coefficient analysis indicated that microvessel density (MVD) was correlated with tumor volume (r = 0.644, p = 0.001), PI (r = 0.904, p<0.0001), AWI (r = 0.547, p = 0.008) and AWO (r = 0.744, P<0.0001). Tumor volume was correlated with MVD (r = 0.644, p = 0.001), PI (r = 0.625, p = 0.002), AWI (r = 0.528, p = 0.012) and AWO (r = 0.784, p<0.001). The percentage of necrosis in histological sections was correlated with the percentage of CEUS unperfused area (r = 0.446,p = 0.038). Spearman rank correlation coefficient analysis indicated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was correlated with PI (r = 0.462, P = 0.032). Welch t test indicated PI, AWI and AWO parameters were significantly lower than that of kidneys (p<0.001, p = 0.009, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The CEUS parameters PI, AWI and AWO indirectly reflect the MVD and the tumor volume in our model of subcutaneous transplanted NPC in nude mice, providing precious information on angiogenesis and tumor growth. VEGF may play a role in promoting angiogenesis of NPC.
Subject(s)
Contrast Media/chemistry , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/blood supply , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/diagnostic imaging , Neovascularization, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Kidney/diagnostic imaging , Kidney/pathology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , Microvessels/diagnostic imaging , Microvessels/pathology , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/pathology , Neoplasm Staging , Perfusion , Tumor BurdenABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphism has been reported to be associated with endometriosis risk. The purpose of the present study was to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis to explore whether VEGF gene polymorphisms confer risk to endometriosis. METHODS: By searching PubMed and EMBASE databases, a total of 11 studies were identified. Crude odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for VEGF gene polymorphisms and endometriosis risk were calculated. RESULT: An association of VEGF gene +936TC polymorphism with endometriosis was found (Fixed-effect model: TT + TC vs. CC: OR 1.184, 95% CI 1.027-1.366, P = 0.020; TC vs. CC: OR 1.187, 95% CI 1.024-1.375, P = 0.023. Random-effect model: TT + TC vs. CC: OR 1.203, 95% CI 1.003-1.443, P = 0.046; TC vs. CC: OR 1.188, 95% CI 1.021-1.382, P = 0.026). No association between VEGF genes -460CT, +405CG, -2578AC, -1154GA polymorphisms and endometriosis was observed. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that VEGF +936TC gene polymorphism is a risk factor for endometriosis, and not -460CT, +405CG, -2578AC, -1154GA.
