Wen-Chiuan Tsai

Association of Cortactin and Fascin-1 Expression in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Correlation With Clinicopathological Parameters:

Cortactin and fascin-1 are important factors in tumor progression. We tested the hypothesis that cortactin and fascin-1 expression correlates with clinicopathological parameters of gastric adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of cortactin and fascin-1 was done using tissue microarrays of 100 surgical specimens, including 20 well-differentiated, 20 moderately differentiated, and 60 poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas. Among the 20 well-differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas, 15 cases (75%) showed negative or weak staining (1+); 5 cases (25%) had moderate (2+) or strong (3+) cortactin expression. Among the 60 poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas, more than three-quarters of the cases (76.7%) had moderate or strong cortactin expression; 14 cases (23.3%) had weak staining. Of 20 well-differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma cases, 14 (70%) showed negative or weak staining of fascin-1, whereas nearly one-third (30%) had moderate or strong expression. Among the 60 poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas, 32 (53.3%) exhibited moderate or strong fascin-1 expression; fewer than half of the cases showed negative or weak staining. Higher intensity of cortactin and fascin-1 staining correlated directly with more-advanced cancer stages (TNM) and inversely with survival rates. Our findings suggest the possibility that pharmacological inhibitors of cortactin and fascin-1 activity may slow down tumor progression and prolong survival time in patients with gastric adenocarcinomas.

Correlation between magnetic resonance imaging grading and pathological grading in meningioma

OBJECT This study investigated the specific preoperative MRI features of patients with intracranial meningiomas that correlate with pathological grade and provide appropriate preoperative planning. METHODS From 2006 to 2012, 120 patients (36 men and 84 women, age range 20-89 years) with newly diagnosed symptomatic intracranial meningiomas undergoing resection were retrospectively analyzed in terms of radiological features of preoperative MRI. There were 90 WHO Grade I and 30 WHO Grade II or III meningiomas. The relationships between MRI features and WHO histopathological grade were analyzed and scored quantitatively. RESULTS According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, age ≥ 75 years, indistinct tumorbrain interface, positive capsular enhancement, and heterogeneous tumor enhancement were identified factors in the prediction of advanced histopathological grade. The prediction model was quantified as a scoring scale: 2 × (age) + 5 × (tumor-brain interface) + 3 × (capsular enhancement) + 2 × (tumor enhancement). The calculated score correlated positively with the probability of high-grade meningioma. CONCLUSIONS This scoring approach may be useful for clinicians in determining therapeutic strategy and in surgical planning for patients with intracranial meningiomas.

Association of EMMPRIN and fascin expression in renal cell carcinoma: correlation with clinicopathological parameters

EMMPRIN and fascin are important factors in tumor invasion and progression. We tested the hypothesis that expression of EMMPRIN and fascin correlate with clinicopathological parameters of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Immunohistochemical analysis of EMMPRIN and fascin were performed in tissue microarrays of 100 surgical specimens, including 35 clear-cell RCC (CRCC), 21 clear-cell RCC with granular differentiation (GRCC), 12 chromophobe RCC (ChRCC), 8 papillary RCC (PRCC), 9 carcinoma of the collecting duct of Bellini (CDC), 10 clear-cell RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation (SRCC), and 6 metastatic RCC. Average immunoscores of EMMPRIN were 100.8 in CRCC, 195.2 in GRCC, 298.4 in ChRCC, 219.2 in PRCC, 186.1 in CDC, 226.9 in SRCC, and 151.7 in metastatic RCC. Among all included cases, average EMMPRIN immunoscores were 84.6 in grade I, 130.4 in grade II, 184.3 in grade III, and 223.5 in grade IV. Additionally, average immunostaining scores of fascin were 53.6 in CRCC, 289.3 in GRCC, 193.3 in ChRCC, 151.8 in PRCC, 181.3 in CDC, 275.4 in SRCC, and 131.7 in metastatic RCC. Average fascin immunoscores were 59.3 in grade I, 91.6 in grade II, 130.2 in grade III, and 194.7 in grade IV. Higher EMMPRIN and fascin immunoscores also correlated significantly with TNM stages and survival rates in RCC. Significant correlation was found between EMMPRIN and fascin expression. In conclusion, higher expression of EMMPRIN and fascin correlate significantly with histological grades, clinical stages, and survival rates of RCC

Overexpression of Fascin-1 in Advanced Colorectal Adenocarcinoma: Tissue Microarray Analysis of Immunostaining Scores with Clinicopathological Parameters

Objective: Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein that promotes cell proliferation, adhesion and motility. We tested the hypothesis that fascin-1 expression correlates with clinicopathological parameters of colorectal adenocarcinomas. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of fascin-1 was performed in tissue microarrays of 91 surgical specimens, including 32 well, 33 moderately, and 26 poorly differentiated colorectal adenocarcinomas; and in 22 specimens from colorectal adenomas with dysplasia. Results: Scattered fascin-1 expression was demonstrated in 9 control specimens of normal colonic glandular epithelia. Higher fascin-1 immunostaining scores were significantly associated with advanced dysplasia in colorectal adenomas (mild 4.2 ± 1.3, moderate 13.5 ± 5.3, and severe 22.5 ± 6.7) and high-grade histopathological differentiation of colorectal adenocarcinomas (grade I 88.6 ± 9, grade II 101 ± 11, and grade III 144 ± 13). Higher immunostaining scores of fascin-1 were also significantly associated with advanced T stage (T1: 42 ± 10, T2: 60 ± 12, T3: 108 ± 12, and T4: 142 ± 15). Higher fascin-1 scores were related with more advanced M and N stages of colorectal carcinomas, but not significant correlation. Conclusions: Higher expression of fascin-1 correlates significantly with tumor grades and TNM stages in colorectal adenocarcinomas and also with levels of dysplastic change in colorectal adenomas.

EMMPRIN and fascin overexpression associated with clinicopathologic parameters of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma in Chinese people

The aim of this study was to test whether expression of EMMPRIN and fascin correlates with clinicopathologic parameters of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of EMMPRIN and fascin was performed in 100 surgical specimens obtained from Chinese patients, including 18 well‐differentiated, 62 moderately differentiated, and 20 poorly differentiated pancreatic and biliary adenocarcinomas. Neither EMMPRIN nor fascin was detectable in normal pancreatic and biliary glandular epithelia. However, EMMPRIN and fascin immunoreactivity was observed on the cell membrane and within the cytoplasm in pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas. Higher immunostaining scores of EMMPRIN and fascin were strongly associated with advanced grades of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas (36.1 and 51.3 for grade I, 95.5 and 110.1 for grade II, and 133.7 and 165.8 for grade III). In addition, higher immunostaining scores of EMMPRIN and fascin were associated with advanced T stages (29.8 and 43.6 for T1, 86.3 and 93.2 for T2, 107.6 and 117.6 for T3, and 129.5 and 156.5 for T4). Higher EMMPRIN and fascin scores were associated with shorter survival times and more advanced M and N stages of pancreatiobiliary adenocarcinomas. A higher expression of EMMPRIN and fascin was found to correlate well with histologic grades and clinical stages of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas.

CD10, Actin, and Vimentin Expression in Breast Phyllodes Tumors Correlates with Tumor Grades of the WHO Grading System

The discrimination of borderline from malignant primary breast phyllodes (PT) tumor is still unclear. We studied 22 PT cases to investigate the immunohistochemical expression (staining of stromal CD10, SMA [smooth muscle actin], and vimentin) as well as the features of focal glandular atypia to determine whether these correlated with the histopathologic grading system. In our results, the stromal staining of CD10 was positive in 4 of 6 malignant and 2 of 5 borderline PT cases, but negative in all benign PT cases. Stromal actin and intraglandular vimentin-expressive tumor cells were found in 5 of 6 malignant PT cases but not in borderline and benign PT cases. There is a significant difference in the panel of stromal CD10, actin, and vimentin expression between borderline and malignant PT (p<0.05). Besides, the progression of malignant potential breast phyllodes tumor may cause glandular epithelium atypia with loss of polarity.

Matriptase and Survivin Expression Associated with Tumor Progression and Malignant Potential in Breast Cancer of Chinese Women: Tissue Microarray Analysis of Immunostaining Scores with Clinicopathological Parameters

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the expression of matriptase and survivin in breast carcinoma and correlate with clinicopathological parameters. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of matriptase and survivin were performed in tissue microarray slides of 290 cases, including 11 normal breast tissue; 27 fibrocystic disease; 17 fibroadenoma; 6 atypical ductal hyperplasia; 39 ductal carcinoma in situ, low grade (DCIS, low grade); 39 ductal carcinoma in situ, high grade (DCIS, high grade); 27 invasive ductal carcinoma, grade I (IDC, grade I); 78 invasive ductal carcinoma, grade II (IDC, grade II); and 46 invasive ductal carcinoma, grade III (IDC, grade III). Results: The average immunostaining scores of matriptase were 44.1 in normal breast tissue, 52.7 in fibrocystic disease, 76.5 in fibroadenoma, 81.7 in atypical ductal hyperplasia, 133.7 in low-grade DCIS, and 155.8 in high-grade DCIS. Among 151 breast IDC cases, the average immunostaining scores of matriptase were 172.7 in grade I, 211.7 in grade II, and 221.2 in grade III. Additionally, the average immunostaining scores of surviving also correlate with tumor grades and stages. Conclusions: Higher expressions of matriptase and survivin correlate significantly with clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer and the malignant potential in premalignant lesions. In addition, higher survivin expression had poorer prognosis of breast IDC cases.

Association between Osteopontin and EGFR Expression with Clinicopathological Parameters in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Osteopontin (OPN) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are important factors associated with tumor progression, invasion and metastasis in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of OPN and EGFR expression with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Expression of OPN and EGFR was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 100 HCC specimens. Immunostaining scores (0 to 400) were calculated from the percentage of cells (0 to 100) at each immunostaining intensity and the immunostaining intensity (0 to 4). The average immunostaining score for OPN was correlated with tumor grade (56.1 for grade I, 104.6 for grade II, and 141.2 for grade III; P = 0.023) and T stage (58.6 for stage T1, 85.9 for stage T2, 126.8 for stage T3, and 189.1 for stage T4; P = 0.029). Similarly, the average immunostaining score for EGFR was correlated with tumor grade (80.5 for grade I, 142.1 for grade II, 230.6 for grade III; P = 0.011) and T stage (96.4 for stage T1, 135.5 for stage T2, 221.3 for stage T3, and 261.4 for stage T4; P = 0.026). In addition, OPN and EGFR immunostaining scores were also correlated with M, N, and AJCC stages. In conclusion, higher expression of OPN and EGFR is significantly associated with advanced histological grades, advanced pathological stages and poorer survival rates in HCC. OPN and EGFR may be used as novel biomarkers for diagnosis or monitoring of progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Association of Cortactin, Fascin-1 and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Expression in Ovarian Carcinomas: Correlation with Clinicopathological Parameters

Cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR are recognized as important factors in tumor progression. We tested the hypothesis that cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR expression correlates with clinicopathological parameters of the four most common ovarian surface epithelial carcinomas – serous cystadenocarcinoma, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and clear cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR was performed using tissue microarrays of 172 specimens comprising 69 serous cystadenocarcinomas, 44 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, 45 endometrioid adenocarcinomas and 14 clear cell carcinomas. All ovarian carcinomas showed significant expression of cortactin, fascin-1 and EGFR in staining intensity, tumor percentages and immunostaining scores. In addition, higher immunostaining scores of fascin-1 correlated with more advanced cancer stages (TNM), poorer histological differentiation and poorer survival rate of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Similarly, higher immunostaining scores of cortactin correlated with T stages and histological differentiation of serous cystadenocarcinoma. The immunostaining scores of EGFR did not correlate with TNM stages, tumor differentiation or prognosis in the four ovarian surface epithelial carcinomas. Our findings suggest that cortactin and fascin-1 may serve as good biomarkers in evaluating aggressiveness of ovarian serous and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. And the pharmacological inhibitors of fascin-1 activity may slow down tumor progression and prolong survival time in patients with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.

The association of osteopontin and LMX1A expression with World Health Organization grade in meningiomas and gliomas

Tsai W‐C, Lee H‐S, Lin C‐K, Chen A, Nieh S & Ma H‐I 
(2012) Histopathology 61, 844–856