Browsing by Subject "Brain tumor"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    A rapid intraoperative estimation of the proliferative activity in brain tumors
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1991) Vaquero, J.; Martínez, R.; Arias, A.; Oya, S.
    A technique for staining the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in tumor cells applied to smears from brain tumor biopsy specimens is described. This technique provides a rapid intraoperative evaluation of the proliferative activity in cerebral neoplasms and is a valuable complement to hematoxylineosin stained smears, supporting the critera of benignity or malignancy in these tumors.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Astrocytes in brain tumours. Differentiation or trapping
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 1994) Escalona Zapata, J.
    Adult astrocytes have been described in several types of gliomas, being accepted as high differentiated cells. Their presence is specially important concerning the concept of undifferentiated neuroectodermal tumours (PNET). We have studied two series of brain tumors and compared and contrasted them with silver impregnation (89 cases) and GFAP (127 cases). These are our conclusions: these astrocytes show the same morphology not only in neuroectodermal tumours, but also in CNS parenchyma around meningiomas, metastasis and brain lymphomas; many of these astrocytes are mature, normal cells with involutive features, lying among tumoral cells without transitional stages; their presence is directly related to a prominent peritumoral gliosis, a high proliferation rate and an infiltrating growth. On this basis, it is suggested that most of them are astrocytes belonging to the invaded CNS tissue and not true tumoral cells.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Expression of E-cadherin-catenin complex in human benign schwannomas
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2002) Hasegawa, M.; Muramatsu, N.; Tohma, Y.; Fukaya, K.; Fujisawa, H.; Hayashi, Yoshihiro; Tachibana, Osamu; Kida, S.; Yamashita, J.; Saito, K.
    The Ca2+-dependent cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin has been known to express in normal and reactive Schwann cells in rodents, and to play an important role in Schwann cell-Schwann cell adhesion and maintenance of peripheral nervous tissue architecture. However, little is known about expression of E-cadherin in schwannomas. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular expression and localization of E-cadherin, and its associated protein, alpha E-, alpha N- and beta-catenins in human schwannomas, which are supposed to derive from Schwann cells. We tested the hypothesis that these proteins might show an altered expression/distribution in schwannoma cells which correlates with their neoplastic behavior, including sparse cell-cell contact, as seen those in meningiomas and various carcinomas. In human schwannomas, however, E-cadherin, alpha E-catenin, and beta-catenin were detected by western blotting and i m m u n o h i s t o c h e m i s t r y, whereas alpha N-catenin was not. Immunoprecipitation using anti-E-cadherin antibody resulted in alpha E-catenin forming a complex with Ecadherin. SSCP analysis revealed no mutations in the transmembrane domain or in intracellular cateninbinding site of E-cadherin. These data suggest that the Ecadherin- alpha E-catenin complex is well preserved in human schwannoma cells, which is compatible with its benign behavior, and these molecules might be used as additional cell markers of Schwann cell-derived tumors.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Moderate-to-strong expression of FGFR3 and TP53 alterations in a subpopulation of choroid plexus tumors
    (Universidad de Murcia, Departamento de Biologia Celular e Histiologia, 2020) Granberg, Kirsi J.; Raita, Annina; Lehtinen, Birgitta; Tiihonen, Aliisa M.; Kesseli, Juha; Annala, Matti; Rodriguez-Martinez, Alejandra; Nordfors, Kristiina; Zhang, Wei; Visakorpi, Tapio; Nykter, Matti; Haapasalo, Hannu K.
    Deregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is tightly associated with numerous human malignancies, including cancer. Indeed, FGFR inhibitors are being tested as anti-tumor drugs in clinical trials. Among gliomas, FGFR3 fusions occur in IDH wild-type diffuse gliomas leading to high FGFR3 protein expression and both, FGFR3 and FGFR1, show elevated expression in aggressive ependymomas. The aim of this study was to uncover the expression of FGFR1 and FGFR3 proteins in choroid plexus tumors and to further characterize FGFR-related as well as other genetic alterations in FGFR3 expressing tumors. Expression levels of FGFR1 and FGFR3 were detected in 15 choroid plexus tumor tissues using immunohistochemistry of tissue microarrays and 6 samples were subjected to whole mount FGFR3 staining. Targeted sequencing was used for deeper molecular analysis of two FGFR3 positive cases. Moderate expression of FGFR1 or FGFR3 was evidenced in one third of the studied choroid plexus tumors. Targeted sequencing of a choroid plexus carcinoma and an atypical choroid plexus papilloma, both with moderate-to-strong FGFR3 expression, revealed lack of protein-altering mutations or fusions in FGFR1 or FGFR3, but TP53 was altered in both tumors. FGFR3 and FGFR1 proteins are expressed in a subpopulation of choroid plexus tumors. Further studies using larger cohorts of patients will allow identification of the clinicopathological implications of FGFR1 and FGFR3 expression in choroid plexus tumors.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Primary central nervous system lymphomas in immunocompetent patients
    (Murcia : F. Hernández, 2004) Guinto, G.; Félix, I.; Aréchiga, N.; Arteaga, V.; Kovacs, K.
    Primary Central nervous system lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin’s tumor of the brain that has been traditionally found in patients with immunodeficiency syndromes. However, there are several immunocompetent patients that have also been reported with this neoplasm. In this group of patients, the mean age of diagnosis is around 60-year old, with a very slight predominance in women. Macroscopically, most of the tumors are unique and mainly located in the supratentorial region in the proximity of the cerebrospinal fluid circulation. The typical histological pattern is a perivascular distribution of tumor cells, within a network of reticulin fibers. Even though they are usually well defined masses, it is not rare to find tumor invasion beyond the macroscopic margin. Coagulative necrosis is not as common as in immunodeficiency-related cases. Immunohistochemistry has demonstrated that most of the tumor cells are Blymphocytes and the electron microscopic findings do not differ from those reported in systemic non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. There are several histological classifications of these tumors, some of them with recent modifications to facilitate the analysis, but unfortunately, up now with a little or no clinical significance. The diagnosis is based on the histological study of the specimen obtained mainly through a Stereotactic biopsy. The treatment is based on a combination of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, but the mortality rate is still high.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage as presentation of atypical central neurocytoma: the role of angiogenesis through the characterization of tumor endothelial cells
    (Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, 2018) Marfia, Giovanni; Pirola, Elena; Navone, Stefania Elena; Beretta, Matteo; Guarnaccia, Laura; Trombetta, Elena; Franzini, Andrea; Rampini, Paolo; Campanella, Rolando
    A 36-year-old white man presented with sudden-onset headache and rapid deterioration of consciousness. Computer tomography revealed a right capsular intra-parenchimal hemorrhage with an intraventricular component; therefore, emergency surgery was performed. Once the hematoma was evacuated, the cause of the hemorrhage was identified as a tumor mass and it was resected. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the surgical specimen disclosed a diagnosis of atypical central neurocytoma. By using a protocol recently set up in our laboratory, we succeeded in isolating and propagating, for the first time, human endothelial cells from central neurocytoma (CN-ECs). Different analyses revealed that isolated CNECs consist of a pure endothelial cell population, with the expression of endothelial markers (CD31, CD309/VEGFR2, CD105, eNOS) and with angiogenic properties, such as the uptake of LDL. Moreover, CNECs spontaneously organize in a vascular-like structure. The goal of this case report is to stress the need for further studies focused on understanding the causes of the onset of an intra-parenchimal hemorrhage in the presence of an atypical central neurocytoma in order to tailor treatments to each single patient and achieve the best clinical outcome.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    Open Access
    The preventive effects of broccoli bioactives against cancer: Evidence from a validated rat glioma model
    (Elsevier, 2023-10-13) Baenas, Nieves; Vega-García, Angélica; Manjarrez-Marmolejo, Joaquín; Moreno, Diego A.; Feria-Romero, Iris A.
    The aggressive and incurable diffuse gliomas constitute 80% of malignant brain tumors, and patients succumb to recurrent surgeries and drug resistance. Epidemiological research indicates that substantial consumption of fruits and vegetables diminishes the risk of developing this tumor type. Broccoli consumption has shown beneficial effects in both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. These effects are partially attributed to the isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN), which can regulate the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, stimulate detoxifying enzymes, and activate cellular antioxidant defense processes. This study employs a C6 rat glioma model to assess the chemoprotective potential of aqueous extracts from broccoli seeds, sprouts, and inflorescences, all rich in SFN, and pure SFN as positive control. The findings reveal that administering a dose of 100 mg/kg of broccoli sprout aqueous extract and 0.1 mg/kg of SFN to animals for 30 days before introducing 1 × 104 cells effectively halts tumor growth and progression. This study underscores the significance of exploring foods abundant in bioactive compounds, such as derivatives of broccoli, for potential preventive integration into daily diets. Using broccoli sprouts as a natural defense against cancer development might seem idealistic, yet this investigation establishes that administering this extract proves to be a valuable approach in designing strategies for glioma prevention. Although the findings stem from a rat glioma model, they offer promising insights for subsequent preclinical and clinical research endeavors.