Fascin over expression is associated with dysplastic changes in sinonasal inverted papillomas: a study of 47 cases.

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is a primary benign lesion with a tendency for local recurrence. Malignant transformation may develop in up to 15% of cases. Fascin (Fascin 1) is an actin cross-link binding protein required for the formation of actin-based cell-surface protrusions and cell motility. Fascin up-regulation in lung, gastric, breast and hepatobiliary carcinomas correlates with aggressiveness and decreased survival. Here we evaluate immunohistochemical expression of fascin in 47 sinonasal IPs from 34 patients. Fascin over-expression is significantly more common in sinonasal IP with high-grade dysplasia than in those with no dysplastic or low-grade dysplastic epithelium (P = 0.0001). No significant change in fascin expression is seen with recurrence. Over expression of fascin in high-grade dysplastic epithelium in IP may be associated with tumor progression and malignant transformation.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion MR imaging measurements of endothelial permeability: differentiation between atypical and typical meningiomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The measurement of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and the volume transfer constant (K(trans)) by means of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) perfusion MR imaging (pMRI) can be useful in characterizing brain tumors. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the utility of these measurements in differentiating typical meningiomas and atypical meningiomas. METHODS: Fifteen patients with pathologically confirmed typical meningiomas and seven with atypical meningiomas underwent conventional imaging and DCE pMRI before resection. rCBV measurements were calculated by using standard intravascular indicator dilution algorithms. K(trans) was calculated from the same DCE pMRI data by using a new pharmacokinetic modeling (PM) algorithm. Results were compared with pathologic findings. RESULTS: Mean rCBV was 8.02 +/- 4.74 in the 15 typical meningiomas and 10.50 +/- 2.1 in the seven atypical meningiomas. K(trans) was 0.0016 seconds(-1) +/- 0.0012 in the typical group and 0.0066 seconds(-1) +/- 0.0026 in the atypical group. The difference in K(trans) was statistically significant (P <.01, Student t test). Other parameters generated with the PM algorithm (plasma volume, volume of the extravascular extracellular space, and flux rate constant) were not significantly different between the two tumor types. CONCLUSION: DCE pMRI may have a role in the prospective characterization of meningiomas. Specifically, the measurement of K(trans) is of use in distinguishing atypical meningiomas from typical meningiomas.

Antinociception following implantation of mouse B16 melanoma cells in mouse and rat spinal cord.

B16 F1C29 melanoma cells, which are thought to contain and release catecholamines, were implanted in mouse and rat spinal subarachnoid space. B16 F1C29 cell implants augmented the antinociceptive effect of morphine in tail-flick test, and this interaction was blocked by either the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist idazoxan or the opioid antagonist naloxone. B16 F1C29 cell implants also augmented the antinociceptive effect of the catecholamine re-uptake blocker desipramine. Substance P-induced biting and scratching behaviors were inhibited in mice receiving B16 F1C29 cell implants, and this effect of B16 F1C29 cell implants was blocked by the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist idazoxan. Mice receiving B16 F1C29 cell implants showed tolerance to intrathecal administration of the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist UK 14304. These results suggest that B16 cell implant-induced antinociception was mediated by catecholamines secreted from the cell implants and acting at spinal alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. Spinal implantation of catecholamine-releasing cells may provide an alternative approach for the therapy of chronic intractable pain and a useful model to study alpha 2-adrenergic receptor tolerance.