Choriocarcinoma News Headlines

Uterine artery embolization as treatment for life-threatening haemorrhage from a cervical choriocarcinoma: A case report.

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2008 Jul 21;

Authors: Frati A, Ducarme G, Wernet A, Chuttur A, Vilgrain V, Luton D

PMID: 18649986 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Expression of glypican 3 in ovarian and extragonadal germ cell tumors.

Am J Clin Pathol. 2008 Aug;130(2):224-30

Authors: Zynger DL, Everton MJ, Dimov ND, Chou PM, Yang XJ

Germ cell tumors (GCTs), rare malignancies that occur in a wide range of locations and display variable histologic patterns, may pose diagnostic challenges. Glypican 3 (GPC3), a membrane-bound heparan sulfate proteoglycan, has been shown to be a novel diagnostic marker in testicular GCT. However, GPC3 expression in ovarian and extragonadal GCT has not been reported. We evaluated GPC3 immunoreactivity in GCTs from 63 patients (57 children and 6 adults), including 14 ovarian and 20 extragonadal primary GCTs and 8 metastases along with 21 primary testicular GCTs for comparison. All 33 yolk sac tumors (YSTs) and both choriocarcinomas were immunoreactive for GPC3. In contrast, a minority of immature (4/10) and mature (4/35) teratomas were positive. No positivity was seen in 6 embryonal carcinomas or 5 germinomas. GPC3 is differentially expressed in ovarian and extragonadal GCTs, with expression predominantly observed in YSTs and choriocarcinoma.

PMID: 18628091 [PubMed - in process]

[Impact of Instantaneous Uniformity of SonoVue Microbubbles on Binding Characteristics of A New Contrast Agent Targeted to Choriocarcinoma Cells In Vitro.]

Ai Zheng. 2008 Jul;27(7):692-7

Authors: Zhou LX, Ding H, Jia CX, Li Y, Wei Q

BACKGROND & OBJECTIVE: At present, the investigation of microbubble contrast agents is a hot spot. Although these contrast agents can increase the ultrasound detection rate of tumor vessels, they lack tissue specificity. This study was to evaluate the impact of instantaneous uniformity of SonoVue microbubbles on binding characteristics, including the adhesion rate and stability, of a new contrast agent targeted to choriocarcinoma cells (JARs) in vitro, in order to establish a foundation to explore targeted ultrasound imaging for localization of tumor cell antigens and increase the early diagnostic rate for tumors. METHODS: The objects were divided into three groups: the uneven microbubble group (n=10), the uniform microbubble group (n=10) and the tiny microbubble group (n=10). The rosette formation rate was counted. JARs were calculated by flow cytometry (FCM). The shape of the rosette was recorded. The targeted contrast agent was prepared by mixing SonoVue microbubbles of different uniformity with rabbit anti-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) antibody. The binding rates of the contrast agent to JARs before and after PBS rinse were analyzed. RESULTS: The binding rate was significantlylower in the uneven microbubble group (60.4+/-1.5)% than in the uniform microbubble group (84.3+/-5.5)% and the tiny microbubble group (90.6+/-6.8)% (P<0.05). The binding rates of different microbubbles to JARs before and after PBS rinse were different. The uniform microbubbles were the most stable ones, with the binding rate of (84.3+/-5.5)% and (82.4+/-3.7)% before and after PBS rinse (P>0.05). The binding rates of the targeted microbubbles labeled with fluorescence to JARs were 72.9%, 81.03% and 88.5% in the uneven microbubble group, the uniform microbubble group and the tiny microbubble group, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The binding capacity of the targeted SonoVue microbubbles to JARs is related to instantaneous uniformity of the microbubble, which is determined by the shaking method before preparation. Improving instantaneous uniformity of SonoVue microbubbles may increase the binding rate and stability of targeted microbubbles to JARs, thus to improve the image of JARs.

PMID: 18606060 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles

The Role of Homeobox Protein Distal-Less 3 and Its Interaction with ETS2 in Regulating Bovine Interferon-Tau Gene Expression-Synergistic Transcriptional Activation with ETS2.

Biol Reprod. 2008 Jul;79(1):115-24

Authors: Ezashi T, Das P, Gupta R, Walker A, Roberts RM

Distal-less 3 (DLX3), a homeodomain transcription factor required for placental development in the mouse, modestly transactivates hCG-alpha subunit gene (hCGA) expression in human choriocarcinoma cells. Because hCG and interferon-tau (IFNT) are expressed in trophectoderm of primates and ruminants, respectively, we have tested the hypothesis that DLX3 regulates the genes for IFNT (IFNT). A bovine IFNT1 promoter (-457 to +66), linked to a luciferase (luc) reporter, was transactivated approximately 20-fold by overexpressing DLX3 in human JAr cells. Elimination of a potential DLX3-binding site (-54 GATAATGAG -46) by either truncation or mutagenesis abolished this effect. A sequence (-59 to -44) encompassing this site bound DLX3 specifically. Coexpression of DLX3 and ETS2, which is known to be a key regulator of IFNT expression, increased reporter activity by more than 250-fold, whereas deletion of the established ETS2 site (-79 to -70) eliminated the ability of DLX3 to transactivate the gene. Conversely, mutation of the DLX3 site significantly reduced the transactivational effects of ETS2. Both DLX3 and ETS2 are coexpressed in JAr cells and in an IFNT-producing, bovine trophoblast cell line, CT-1. The two can be immunoprecipitated together as a complex from CT-1 cells, and RNAi-mediated, partial knockdown of DLX3 expression reduced the production of IFNT by approximately 50+. Together, these results suggest that DLX3 has a central role in controlling IFNT gene expression by associating with ETS2 on the IFNT promoter.

PMID: 18322277 [PubMed - in process]

Related Articles

Expression and Function of PDCD1 at the Human Maternal-Fetal Interface.

Biol Reprod. 2008 Jun 11;

Authors: Taglauer ES, Trikhacheva AS, Slusser JG, Petroff MG

The failure to reject the semiallogenic fetus by maternal T lymphocytes suggests that potent mechanisms regulate these cells. PDCD1 is a CD28 family receptor expressed by T cells, and its ligand CD274 is strongly expressed by trophoblast cells of the human placenta. In this study, we examined whether human maternal T cells express PDCD1. Immunofluorescence examination of uterine tissues revealed PDCD1 expression on CD3(+) cells was low in non-pregnant endometrium but increased in first trimester decidua and remained elevated in term decidua (P < 0.05). In addition, higher relative proportions of term decidual CD8(bright), CD4(+), and regulatory T cells expressed PDCD1 in comparison to autologous peripheral blood (P < 0.05). Term decidual T cells also expressed full length and soluble PDCD1 mRNA isoforms more abundantly than their peripheral blood counterparts (P </= 0.05). We also examined the effects of PDCD1:CD274 interactions in decidual T cells. Jar choriocarcinoma cells were transfected with CD274 and co-cultured with activated decidual CD4(+) or CD8(bright) T cells for 72 hours followed by analysis of cytokine concentration and decidual T cell apoptosis. As compared to empty vector transfected cells, CD274-transfected Jar cells caused a significant suppression of IFNG (IFN-gamma) and TNFA (TNF-alpha) production by CD4(+) (P < 0.05) but not CD8(bright) T cells, while having no effect on secretion of IL10 or T cell apoptosis. These results suggest that the PDCD1:CD274 pathway functions in modification of maternal decidual lymphocyte cytokine secretion during pregnancy.

PMID: 18550794 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles

Endoglin (CD105) expression is regulated by the liver X receptor alpha (NR1H3) in human trophoblast cell line JAR.

Biol Reprod. 2008 Jun;78(6):968-75

Authors: Henry-Berger J, Mouzat K, Baron S, Bernabeu C, Marceau G, Saru JP, Sapin V, Lobaccaro JM, Caira F

Human implantation involves invasion of the uterine wall and remodeling of uterine arteries by extravillous cytotrophoblasts. Defects in these early steps of placental development lead to poor placentation and are often associated with preeclampsia, a frequent complication of human pregnancy. One of the complex mechanisms controlling trophoblast invasion involves the activation of the liver X receptor beta (or NR1H2, more commonly known as LXRbeta) by oxysterols known as potent LXR activators. This activation of LXRbeta leads to a decrease of trophoblast invasion. The identification of new target genes of LXR in the placenta could aid in the understanding of their physiological roles in trophoblast invasion. In the present study, we show that the endoglin (ENG) gene is a direct target of the liver X receptor alpha (NR1H3, also known as LXRalpha). ENG, whose gene is highly expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts, is part of the transforming growth factor (TGF) receptor complex that binds several members of the TGFbeta superfamily. In the human placenta, ENG has been shown to be involved in the inhibition of trophoblast invasion. Treatment of human choriocarcinoma JAR cells with T0901317, a synthetic LXR-selective agonist, leads to a significant increase in ENG mRNA and protein levels. Using transfection and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrate that LXR (as a heterodimer with the retinoid X receptor) is able to bind the ENG promoter on an LXR response element and mediates the activation of ENG gene expression by LXRalpha in JAR cells. This study suggests a novel mechanism by which LXR may regulate trophoblast invasion in pathological pregnancy such as preeclampsia.

PMID: 18276933 [PubMed - in process]

Combined choriocarcinoma, neuroendocrine cell carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma in the stomach.

World J Gastroenterol. 2008 May 28;14(20):3269-72

Authors: Hirano Y, Hara T, Nozawa H, Oyama K, Ohta N, Omura K, Watanabe G, Niwa H

We described a patient with adenocarcinoma of the stomach combined with choriocarcinoma and neuroendocrine cell carcinoma. An 85-year-old man visited our hospital because of appetite loss. Gastric fiberscopy revealed a large tumor occupying the cardial region and anterior wall of the gastric body. The patient underwent total gastrectomy with lymphnode dissection and partial resection of the liver. Choriocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma existed in the gastric tumor. The choriocarcinomatous foci contained cells positive for beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG) and human placental lactogen mainly in syncytiotrophoblastic cells. The small cell carcinomatous foci contained cells positive for synaptophysin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and chromogranin A. The prognosis for gastric adenocarcinoma with choriocarcinoma and neuroendocrine cell carcinoma is exceedingly poor. This patient died about 2 mo after the first complaint from hepatic failure. This is the first reported case of gastric cancer with these three pathological features.

PMID: 18506939 [PubMed - in process]

Metastatic choriocarcinoma with multiple neoplastic intracranial microaneurysms.

J Neurosurg. 2008 May;108(5):1014-7

Authors: Chang IB, Cho BM, Park SH, Yoon DY, Oh SM

check markThe authors report on a case of a metastatic choriocarcinoma that mimicked systemic necrotizing vasculitis on a cerebral angiogram. A 35-year-old woman presented with right hemiplegia and a drowsy mental state. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an intracerebral hemorrhage in the left frontal region. A cerebral angiogram showed multiple microaneurysms arising from the bilateral anterior cerebral arteries and middle cerebral arteries, and the renal angiogram showed multiple microaneurysms arising from the left distal renal artery. A chest CT scan revealed multiple metastatic lesions in the left lower lung field. The hematoma and microaneurysms were surgically removed. Choriocarcinoma was diagnosed after histological examination. Despite receiving postoperative chemotherapy, the patient died 1 month after the operation.

PMID: 18447721 [PubMed - in process]

Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding From Pure Metastatic Choriocarcinoma in Patient with Mixed Germ Cell Tumor with Subclinical Intestinal Metastasis.

Urology. 2008 Apr 11;

Authors: Cicin I, Ozyilmaz F, Karagol H, Yalcin F, Uzunoglu S, Kaplan M

Although testicular germ cell tumors have become curable neoplasms, a better understanding of the clinicopathologic features is needed for the rare manifestations associated with treatment failure. We report a rare case of metastatic pure choriocarcinoma involving the small intestine arising from a testicular mixed germ cell tumor. In a patient who developed massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage during treatment, the intestinal metastases and focus of bleeding could only be determined by laparotomy. We propose an approach for the determination of subclinical intestinal metastases of testicular germ cell tumor; the case is discussed in light of similar reports in literature.

PMID: 18407327 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

[Breast metastasis: Anatomoclinical study of six cases.]

J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 2008 Apr 10;

Authors: Charfi S, Makni SK, Khanfir A, Abbes K, Gouiaa N, Fakhfakh I, Guermazi M, Daoud J, Frikha M, Sellami-Boudawara T

INTRODUCTION: Breast metastases are rare. They represent 0.4 to 6% of all breast cancers. Our aim is to discuss the means of diagnosis and the clinicopathological features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report a retrospective survey of six cases of breast metastases diagnosed over a period of 11 years (1992-2003) in the laboratory of anatomy and pathological cytology of the university hospital of Sfax. The diagnosis was carried on a material of cytoponction in two cases, a biopsy in three cases, a surgery specimen in one case. Immunohistochemical study was performed in four cases. Clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data were collected from the files of patients. RESULTS: Metastases to the breast constituted 0.43% of all breast cancers. The primary tumors understood a case of gingival-maxillary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a case of retroauricular melanoma, a case of soft tissue leiomyosarcoma, a case of uterine choriocarcinoma, a case of rectal neuroendocrine carcinoma and a case of gastric signet cell carcinoma. All patients were women, the middle age was 45.5 years. In three cases the metastases to the breast was concomitant to the diagnosis of the primitive tumour. Clinically it was a nodule in five cases, the size average was 2.3cm, and a subareolar thickening in one case. The mammary involvement was bilateral in two cases. The middle survival after the diagnosis was eight months. CONCLUSION: Metastases to the breast must be distinguished from primary breast cancers whose treatment and outcome are different. A confrontation of clinical and pathological data is recommended for an accurate diagnosis. Immunohistochemical study is of great interest particularly when the breast tumour is revealing the disease.

PMID: 18406542 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

RESISTIN MODULATES GLUCOSE UPTAKE AND GLUCOSE TRANSPORTER-1 (GLUT-1) EXPRESSION IN TROPHOBLAST CELLS.

J Cell Mol Med. 2008 Apr 9;

Authors: Di Simone N, Di Nicuolo F, Marzioni D, Castellucci M, Sanguinetti M, D'Ippolito S, Caruso A

The adipocytokine resistin impairs glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Here, we examine the effect of resistin on glucose uptake in human trophoblast cells and we demonstrate that transplacental glucose transport is mediated by glucose transporter (GLUT)-1. Furthermore, we evaluate the type of signal transduction induced by resistin in GLUT-1 regulation. BeWo choriocarcinoma cells and primary cytotrophoblast cells were cultured with increasing resistin concentrations for 24 hours. The main outcome measures include glucose transport assay using [(3)H]-2-deoxy glucose, GLUT-1 protein expression by Western Blot analysis and GLUT-1 mRNA detection by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Quantitative determination of phospho(p)-ERK1/2 in cell lysates was performed by an Enzyme Immunometric Assay and Western Blot analysis. Our data demonstrate a direct effect of resistin on normal cytotrophoblastic and on BeWo cells: resistin modulates glucose uptake, GLUT-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression in placental cells. We suggest that ERK1/2 phosphorylation is involved in the GLUT-1 regulation induced by resistin. In conclusion, resistin causes activation of both the ERK1 and 2 pathway in trophoblast cells. ERK1 and 2 activation stimulated GLUT-1 synthesis and resulted in increase of placental glucose uptake. High resistin levels (50-100 ng/ml) seem able to affect glucose-uptake, presumably by decreasing the cell surface glucose transporter.

PMID: 18410529 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Related Articles

Male choriocarcinoma with metastasis to the jejunum: a case report and review of the literature.

J Nippon Med Sch. 2008 Apr;75(2):116-21

Authors: Yokoi K, Tanaka N, Furukawa K, Ishikawa N, Seya T, Horiba K, Kanazawa Y, Yamada T, Ohaki Y, Tajiri T

We report on a patient with male choriocarcinoma. The patient was a 31-year-old male patient with jejunal choriocarcinoma that metastasized from the mediastinum. He was admitted complaining of melena and severe anemia. Upper and lower gastrointestinal endosocopy was performed, but no source of bleeding was seen. Chest X-ray and CT revealed a mediastinal tumor 7 cm in size anterior to the arotic arch. Superior mesenteric arteriography showed irregularities and macular opacity in the jejunal artery. An emergency laparatomy was performed because of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. A jejunal tumor approximately 4 cm in size was resected and numerous metastases were observed in the liver and mesentery. Histopathological examination showed metastatic jejunal choriocarcinoma. Gynecomastia was not present and the testes were normal. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was at an abnormally high level of 4,396 ng/mL. Because of metastases to the brain and invasion to the trachea, he died on postoperative day 20. We report this rare case of a male patient with metastases of choriocarcinoma to the gastrointestinal tract from the mediastinum, together with a review of the literature.

PMID: 18475033 [PubMed - in process]