Kavantzas N

Evaluation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 deregulation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma, based on immunohistochemistry and computerised image analysis.

AIMS To investigate the potential role of caspase-3 and caspase-8 protein expression in the biological behaviour of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted immunohistochemical analyses of 87 specimens of primary tongue squamous cell carcinoma, using monoclonal anti-caspase-3 and anti-caspase-8 antibodies. A digital image analysis assay was also performed in order to evaluate the results. RESULTS Reduced expression of caspase-8 and -3 proteins was observed in 30/87 (34.5 per cent) and 79/87 (90.5 per cent) cases, respectively. Cox regression analysis showed no prognostic significance for the association between overall protein expression of either marker and survival probability (p = 0.174 for caspase-3; p = 0.608 for caspase-8). Interestingly, the size of the examined tumours was strongly correlated with survival status (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous deregulation of caspase-8 and -3 is a frequent event in tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Activation of caspase-3, which is predominantly down-regulated, may be a crucial process for induction of apoptosis and response to therapeutic strategies.

Comparative study of angiogenesis in thyroid glands with Graves disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Angiogenesis entails the sprouting of new vessels from pre-existing vasculature. In adults, angiogenesis occurs in the thyroid gland during disease processes such as hyperplastic goiter, Graves disease, thyroiditis, and cancer. In the present study multiple morphologic characteristics of microvessels were measured in and compared between 18 cases of Graves disease, 29 cases of Hashimotos thyroiditis, and 15 control cases. All histologic sections were immunostained for CD31. Quantification of microvessel density (MVD), major axis length, minor axis length, area, perimeter and shape factor was performed by image analysis. MVD was increased significantly in both forms of autoimmune thyroid disease. Significantly higher values were found in Graves disease in comparison to Hashimotos thyroiditis. In contrast, major axis length, minor axis length, and area had significantly higher values in Hashimotos thyroiditis than in Graves disease. The statistical analysis revealed MVD as the unique significant morphometric factor discriminating the two autoimmune entities.

Immunodetection of gastrin-releasing peptide in malignant melanoma cells.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), the mammalian counterpart of bombesin, was first identified in the nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract. Little is known about its distribution in the human skin or about its function in certain diseases such as malignant melanoma. Recently functional GRP receptors have been found on human melanoma cell lines. We therefore investigated, using immunohistochemistry, whether human melanoma cells express GRP and whether there is a significant change in its distribution among the different clinical types of melanoma and a connection to histopathological features such as growth phase, type of malignant cells, Breslow thickness and Clark level of invasion. We demonstrated the existence of GRP in all clinicopathological types of melanoma; a predilection for quantitatively increased GRP immunostaining was noticed in nodular melanomas (P= 0.007). As well as this, we observed a restriction of GRP expression at a specific level of invasion, i.e. within the reticular dermis (Clark IV) (P= 0.032). GRP immunoreactivity was found to be associated with an increased amount of melanin pigment in malignant cells (P= 0.054). The presence of GRP in malignant melanocytes, along with its association with the various histopathological features, suggests that GRP may play a role in the pathophysiology of this type of cutaneous tumour.