| 1. |
- Cunningham, Janet Lynn, et al.
(författare)
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Malignant ileocaecal serotonin-producing carcinoid tumours : the presence of a solid growth pattern and/or Ki67 index above 1% identifies patients with a poorer prognosis
- 2007
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 46:6, s. 747-756
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Patients with malignant serotonin-producing carcinoid tumours in the jejunum, ileum and caecum generally have long survival expectancy. In some patients, however, tumour progression is more rapid and there is a need to identify them at an early stage. The purpose of this study was to determine if histopathological characteristics and/or Ki67 and apoptotic indices are of prognostic value in cases of metastatic disease. Eighty-one patients with this tumour were included in the study; all had metastases and their survival range was 1-223 months. Five growth patterns were identified and described. For 57 patients whose tumour material was available, the Ki67 and apoptotic indices were calculated for ten randomly selected tumour areas and 'hot spots'. A Cox regression analysis was used to test if histopathology and/or Ki67 index ≥1% could identify patients whose survival might be shorter than anticipated. One of the histopathological growth patterns-the solid (non-organoid) cell pattern-was correlated to shorter survival in both primary tumours and metastases, when compared with the organoid growth patterns (hazard ratio 2.9 and 2.3, p≤0.01). In 75% of primary tumours and 67% of metastases, the average Ki67 index was<0.5%. Ki67 index in 'hot spots' ranged from 0.1 to 14%. Ki67 index ≥1%, in both primary tumour and metastases, identified patients at increased risk of shorter survival (hazard ratio 5.4 and 2.5, p≤0.01). The apoptotic index was very low in all cases. We conclude that in patients with metastazising serotonin-producing carcinoids, two independent criteria, a solid growth pattern and Ki67 index ≥1%, can be used to identify patients with a poorer prognosis. This study also showed that Ki67 index <2% cannot, as previously suggested, be used to indicate a benign progression for this tumour category.
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| 2. |
- Cunningham, Janet L., et al.
(författare)
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Tachykinins in endocrine tumors and the carcinoid syndrome
- 2008
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Ingår i: European Journal of Endocrinology. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 159:3, s. 275-282
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveA new antibody, active against the common tachykinin (TK) C-terminal. was used to study TK expression in patients with endocrine tumors and a possible association between plasma-TK levels and symptoms of diarrhea and flush in patients with metastasizing ileocecal serotonin-producing carcinoid tumors (MSPCs).MethodTK, serotonin and chromogranin A (CgA) immunoreactivity (IR) was studied by immunohistochemistry in tissue samples from 33 midgut carcinoids and 72 other endocrine tumors. Circulating TK (P-TK) and urinary-5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid (U-5HIAA) concentrations were measured in 42 patients with MSPCs before treatment and related to symptoms in patients with the carcinoid syndrome. Circulating CgA concentrations were also measured in 39 out of the 42 patients.ResultsAll MSPCs displayed serotonin and strong TK expression. TK-IR was also seen in all serotonin-producing lung and appendix carcinoids. None of the other tumors examined contained TK-IR cells. Concentrations of P-TK, P-CgA, and U-5HIAA were elevated in patients experiencing daily episodes of either flush or diarrhea, when compared with patients experiencing occasional or none of these symptoms. In a Spearman partial rank test, the correlation of P-TK with daily diarrhea was independent of both U-5HIAA and CgA levels.ConclusionWe found that TK synthesis occurs in serotonin-IR tumors and that P-TK levels are significantly correlated with symptoms of flush and diarrhea in patients with MSPCs. This is. to our knowledge, the first report demonstrating an independent correlation of P-TKs with carcinoid diarrhea, a symptom that is customarily regarded as serotonin mediated. Further investigations may present opportunities for new therapeutic possibilities.
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| 3. |
- Cunningham, Janet Lynn, 1974-
(författare)
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Tumour Biological Factors Characterizing Metastasizing Serotonin-producing Ileocaecal Carcinoids
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this study, metastasizing serotonin-producing ileocaecal carcinoid tumours (MSPCs) were examined for biological characteristics that could be used to define clinically relevant subgroups within this patient population. Possible targets for new treatment options were also explored.It was found that MSPCs share several biological characteristics such as expression of serotonin, tachykinins (TKs), chromogranin A, islet autoantigen-2 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). TKs and serotonin were demonstrated in the same endocrine tumours in the gut and lung. IA-2 expression was shown to be up-regulated in MSPCs, possibly in connection with active hormone secretion. CTGF expression was high in tumour areas adjacent to extensive stroma expressing alpha-smooth muscle actin. This indicated myofibroblast differentiation, which may be associated with fibrosis-related complications prevalent in patients with MSPCs. When compared with other endocrine tumours, MSPCs behaved as a relatively homogeneous group, though within the MSPC population several subgroups could be defined. Patients with tumours displaying either a solid growth pattern and/or a Ki67 index ≥1% had a less favourable prognosis than those who did not. Another group of patients, who had increased plasma TK concentrations, were more likely to suffer from severe diarrhea. This information should be considered when discussing clinical treatment and when undertaking tumour biological studies. New treatment possibilities, such as drugs that specifically target TK receptors and antibodies to CTGF, are also discussed.In conclusion, MSPCs comprise a clinically relevant tumour group with similar biological features that are distinct from other endocrine tumours. Subgroups of patients within this patient category can be defined which may be relevant when establishing prognosis and when selecting future treatment modalities.
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| 4. |
- Vikman, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Gene expression in midgut carcinoid tumors : potential targets for immunotherapy
- 2005
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 44:1, s. 32-40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Classical midgut carcinoids are serotonin-secreting tumors derived from enterochromaffin cells in the gut. Metastatic disease represents a therapeutic challenge and immunotherapy implies a novel approach for treatment. In order to define antigens suitable for T-cell therapy with a preferential expression in midgut carcinoid tissue a broad screening of genes with preferential neuroendocrine restriction, genes described as over-expressed in various malignancies, and genes encoding cancer-testis associated antigens was performed. The expression of 32 genes was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 28 midgut carcinoid specimens, in the cell line BON and in normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate protein expression. Expression is shown of genes that have previously not been observed in midgut carcinoid tumors, such as Survivin and GAGEs. Also the expression is confirmed of genes that encode pivotal proteins in enterochromaffin cells, such as TPH1 and VMAT1, and their tissue-restricted expression is indicated. In addition, gene expression of IA-2 and CDX-2 in normal gastrointestinal (GI) tract and in tumor is shown. Protein expression of TPH, VMAT1, and Survivin was detected in tumor tissue. This study elucidates that TPH1, VMAT1, and Survivin should be further investigated as potential target antigens for T cell-mediated immunotherapy of midgut carcinoids.
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| 5. |
- Welin, Staffan, et al.
(författare)
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Elevated Plasma Chromogranin A is the First Indication of Recurrence in Radically Operated Midgut Carcinoid Tumours
- 2009
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Ingår i: Neuroendocrinology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0028-3835 .- 1423-0194. ; 89:3, s. 302-307
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:Patients with malignant midgut carcinoids are occasionally diagnosed with limited tumor spread, and surgery with radical intention is performed. Despite curative intent, recurrences occur frequently, motivating long-term biochemical and radiological follow-up. This study aimed to compare the usefulness of various methods in detecting such recurrences.Methods:This retrospective study included 56 patients with radically operated midgut carcinoids referred to our University Hospital for evaluation and follow-up between 1985 and 2004. Patients were monitored 1-3 times per year using plasma-chromogranin A (P-CgA), urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (U-5HIAA) concentrations as well as radiological examinations, including ultrasonography, computerized tomography or magnetic resonance investigation. In a subset of cases, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and/or positron emission tomography with 5-hydroxytryptophan was performed. Time from operation until established recurrence was recorded.Results:Tumor recurrence was established in 33 of 56 patients after a median of 32 months (range 6-217). Elevated P-CgA was the first marker to become pathologically elevated in 28 of these 33 patients (85%). In 3 of these 28 patients, radiology was simultaneously positive for a recurrence.Conclusion:P-CgA was the first marker to indicate tumor recurrence in the majority of radically operated midgut carcinoid patients. To avoid unnecessary and costly examinations in asymptomatic patients, we suggest that follow-up should comprise measurements of P-CgA twice a year and annual ultrasonography until P-CgA is elevated or clinical symptoms occur, at which time all efforts should be made to identify recurrent tumor lesions in order to give the patient the best possible treatment which, if possible, should be surgical removal of the recurrence.
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