Dendritic Stromal Cells Research Articles

Malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: A narrative review of clinical characteristics, diagnosis and therapeutic options

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that originates from CD34+ dendritic stromal cells. While the majority of SFTPs are considered benign, an estimated 10%-20% are malignant. Malignant SFTP (MSFTP) is highly invasive and has propensities for local recurrence and distant metastasis. In recent years, an increasing number of MSFTPs have been reported. However, the diagnosis of MSFTP can be difficult owing to a lack of typical clinical manifestations and imaging features. To facilitate its diagnosis, the clinical, imaging, and histopathological characteristics of MSFTP are reviewed herein, followed by the clinical management such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drugs and immunotherapy. Detection of NAB2-STAT6 fusion and expression of nuclear STAT6 can facilitate the diagnosis of SFTP. Furthermore, the recurrence risk stratification and prediction models of MSFTP as well as progress will be discussed. An improved understanding of these factors may contribute to more efficient diagnosis and management of MSFTP patients.

Stromal SPARC Expression Patterns and Diagnostic Potential in Mucocutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) is a key player in the stromal remodeling associated with invasive carcinomas, and its detection by immunohistochemistry may prove diagnostically useful in detecting invasion. The present study explores stromal SPARC expression patterns in invasive mucocutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The patterns are then compared to those of SMA, a relatively well-studied but imperfect marker of cancer-associated stroma. Methods: Nineteen cases of infiltrating keratinizing SCCs from skin and mucous membranes were assessed semi-quantitatively for immunoreactivity with anti-SMA or anti-SPARC antibodies in tumor-free and tumor-associated stroma. Results: All cases of invasive SCCs (n=19) demonstrated stromal expression of both SMA and SPARC. However, SPARC showed more diffuse reactivity than SMA, with SPARC demonstrating a mean percentage reactivity range of 50-75%, versus 25-50% for SMA. In tumor-free stroma, SMA was negative in all cases, whereas SPARC was positive in up to 5% of dendritic stromal cells in more than half of the cases. Conclusions: Stromal SPARC overexpression is a consistent finding in invasive SCC, and SPARC is more sensitive but less specific for cancer-associated stroma than SMA. While H&E examination remains the gold standard for determining whether invasion is present, stromal SPARC expression patterns may serve as an adjunct to the histopathologic impression.

Multiple expression of tissue markers in mucoepidermoid carcinomas and acinic cell carcinomas of the salivary glands

The distribution of various tissue antigens was studied in mucoepidermoid carcinomas (n = 74) and acinic cell carcinomas (n = 38) by means of immunocytochemistry. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas were generally positive for cytokeratin and showed double expression for cytokeratin and vimentin in 31.1% and triple expression for cytokeratin, vimentin and GFAP in 24.1%. CEA was studied using new monoclonal antibodies which distinguish between epitopes that are present on CEA alone and those which are present on nonspecific cross reacting antigens as well. The monospecific CEA antibody was completely negative in mucoepidermoid carcinomas, while nonspecific cross reacting antigens (NCAs) were positive in mucoepidermoid carcinomas to a varying degree. Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, a marker formerly thought to be specific for tissues for histiocytic origin, was positive in 85.1% of mucoepidermoid carcinomas. Twenty three percent of mucoepidermoid carcinomas showed focal infiltration by S-100 positive dendritic stromal cells, tumour cell being negative. Leu-M1 antigen was positive in 58.1% of mucoepidermoid carcinomas. Acinic cell carcinomas were generally positive for cytokeratin and in single cases showed double expression for cytokeratin and vimentin and triple expression for cytokeratin, vimentin and GFAP. Monospecific CEA antibody positivity could be demonstrated in 24.2% of acinic cell carcinoma, while nonspecific cross reacting antigens (NCAs) were positive in acinic cell carcinomas to a varying degree. Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin was positive in 97.4% of acinic cell carcinomas. 2.5% of acinic cell carcinomas showed focal infiltration by S-100 positive dendritic stromal cells, 2.5% of acinic cell carcinomas were positive for S-100 protein with no dendritic stromal cells present. Leu-M1 antigen was positive in 86.8% of acinic cell carcinomas. For S-100 protein and Leu-M1, no correlation with the clinical course, as reported previously for other tumours, could be observed.