Neuropathology
Maryam Mohebbi; Mansoureh Shokripour; Maral Mokhtari
Abstract
Background & Objective: Brain tumors are the most frequent solid tumors in children. High-grade tumors are more challenging in diagnosis. Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) may be mistaken for other high-grade brain tumors. Molecular genetic analysis of ATRT has shown deletion and mutation in ...
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Background & Objective: Brain tumors are the most frequent solid tumors in children. High-grade tumors are more challenging in diagnosis. Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) may be mistaken for other high-grade brain tumors. Molecular genetic analysis of ATRT has shown deletion and mutation in the hSNF5/INI1 gene in most of the cases. The INI1 protein expression can be helpful for the accurate diagnosis.Methods: In this study, immunohistochemical staining (IHC) using INI1 antibody was performed to determine the possibility of ATRT misdiagnosis. Totally, 147 tumors including 6 ATRTs, 81 medulloblastomas, and 60 other CNS tumors were examined in children between 0 and 17 years old.Results: No nuclear staining was found in the six ATRT cases, while most of other CNS tumors demonstrated nuclear staining. Five cases were previously diagnosed with medulloblastoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), and anaplastic oligodendroglioma, while the diagnoses were changed to ATRT based on the re-evaluation of the H&E slides and INI1 study. Additionally, two cases were recurrent tumors whose features were consistent with those of ATRT. The INI1 immunostaining was negative in these cases.Conclusion: INI1 was very helpful in distinguishing ATRT from its mimickers in challenging cases. All known ATRT cases in this study were immunonegative for INI1. Thus, INI1 is recommended to be used in the initial IHC panel for the high-grade brain tumors, especially in children under the age of three years, so that they can benefit from intensified therapeutic regimens.
Neuropathology
Meysam Forouzandeh; Mohammad Reza Bigdeli; Hossein Mostafavi; Samad Nadri; Mehdi Eskandari
Abstract
Background & Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which the cause is attributed to the alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation due to the decreased rate of autophagy. Due to the many advantages, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), such as the secretion ...
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Background & Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which the cause is attributed to the alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation due to the decreased rate of autophagy. Due to the many advantages, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), such as the secretion of neurotrophic factors, have been proposed for PD cell therapy. The present study, in continuation of the previous study, aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of human-derived Conjunctival MSCs (CJ-MSCs) on the clearance of α-Syn by the microRNA-149(miR-149)/Akt/mTOR/ pathway.Methods: Stereotaxic 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) was injected directly into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) to induce Parkinson's disease. An apomorphine-induced rotation test was used to confirm the model establishment. CJ-MSCs were encapsulated in alginate microgel using a microfluidic system. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled CJ-MSCs were encapsulated, and free cells were transplanted into the rats' right striatum. Behavioral and molecular analyses evaluated the potency of CJ-MSCs (encapsulated and free cells) in PD rats. Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to investigate the expression of the miR-149-5p, Akt, mTOR, and α-Syn.Results: Our obtained results indicated that transplantation of CJ-MSCs leads to a decrease in the number of rotations while raising the balance and motor abilities. The gene expression evaluation showed a significant reduction in Akt, mTOR, and α-Syn mRNA levels and a significant increase in the level of miR-149-5p compared to the control group. Conclusion: It seems that CJ-MSCs can promote the degradation of intracellular α-Syn by miR-149-5p/Akt/mTOR pathway and improve rats' motor functions.
Neuropathology
Roshanak Ghaffarian Zirak; Hurie Tajik; Jahanbakhsh Asadi; Pedram Hashemian; Hossein Javid
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer with aggressive and invasive nature. Such features result from increased proliferation and migration and also poor apoptosis of glioma cells leading to resistance to current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In recent studies, micro RNAs have been ...
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Glioblastoma is a type of brain cancer with aggressive and invasive nature. Such features result from increased proliferation and migration and also poor apoptosis of glioma cells leading to resistance to current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In recent studies, micro RNAs have been introduced as a novel target for treating glioblastoma via regulation of apoptotic signaling pathway, remarkably PI3K/AKT, which affect cellular functions and blockage or progression of the tumor. In this review, we focus on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and other related apoptotic processes contributing to glioblastoma and investigate the role of micro RNAs interfering in apoptosis, invasion and proliferation of glioma through such apoptotic processes pathways. Databases NCBI, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for published English articles using keywords such as 'miRNA OR microRNA', 'Glioblastoma', 'apoptotic pathways', 'PI3K and AKT', 'Caspase signaling Pathway' and 'Notch pathway'. Most articles were published from 7 May 2015 to 16 June 2020. This study focused on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway affecting glioma cells in separated subparts. Also, other related apoptotic pathways as the Caspase cycle and Notch have been also investigated. Nearly 40 miRNAs were found as tumor suppressors or onco-miRNA, and their targets, which regulated subcomponents participating in proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of the tumoral cells. Our review reveals that miRNAs affect key molecules in signaling apoptotic pathways, partly PI3K/AKT, making them potential therapeutic targets to overcome the tumor. However, their utility as a novel treatment for glioblastoma requires further examination and investigation.
# Roshanak Ghaffarian Zirak and Hurie Tajik are equally the first authors.
Neuropathology
Seyed Abbas Tabatabaei Yazdi; Masoomeh Safaei; Mehran Gholamin; Alireza Abdollahi; Fatemeh Nili; Mehdi Jabbari Nooghabi; Kazem Anvari; Majid Mojarrad
Abstract
Background & Objectives: Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignancy of the brain, the prognosis of which is poor. Immunotherapy with cancer/testis (CT) antigens is a novel therapeutic approach for glioblastoma. This study aimed to investigate the expression rate of MAGE-E1, GAGE, and SOX-6 ...
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Background & Objectives: Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignancy of the brain, the prognosis of which is poor. Immunotherapy with cancer/testis (CT) antigens is a novel therapeutic approach for glioblastoma. This study aimed to investigate the expression rate of MAGE-E1, GAGE, and SOX-6 in glioblastoma tumors using the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Materials & Methods: Expression of MAGE-E1, GAGE, and SOX-6 were determined by IHC in 50 paraffin blocks of glioblastoma. The results were compared between variables including age, gender, tumor location, and Karnofsky performance status (Kps) score. Survival analysis was also performed. Results: The expression levels of SOX-6, MAGE-E1, and GAGE were 82%, 78%, and 76%, respectively. The relationship between CT antigens and age, gender, and tumor location was not significant, while the association between MAGE-E1 expression and age was statistically significant (p =0.002). High expression levels of SOX-6 and MAGE-E1 were associated with low Kps scores (p =0.034 and p <0.001, respectively). Survival analysis showed that age >40 and Kps score p =0.005 and p =0.018, respectively). Expression of MAGE-E1 and GAGE was negatively associated with overall 2-year survival (p =0.001 and p =0.021, respectively). Conclusion: The expression of all the three CT antigens, especially MAGE-E1 and SOX-6, was high in patients with glioblastoma. It can be concluded that these markers are ideal targets for immunotherapy in these patients. MAGE-E1 and SOX-6 can be considered as important markers in determining the prognosis of glioblastoma.
Neuropathology
Arezoo Eftekhar Javadi; Elham Nazar; Hedieh Moradi Tabriz
Abstract
Introduction: Chondroma is a benign cartilaginous tumor. It is found very rarely in the head and neck. Case presentation: This report describes a 25-year-old woman who presented with generalized headache from 4 months ago. The patient underwent excisional surgery. The histological examinations revealed ...
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Introduction: Chondroma is a benign cartilaginous tumor. It is found very rarely in the head and neck. Case presentation: This report describes a 25-year-old woman who presented with generalized headache from 4 months ago. The patient underwent excisional surgery. The histological examinations revealed benign cartilage forming tumor, compatible with chondroma. The radiologic and histologic correlation confirmed the diagnosis. Based on the diagnosis, the patient received no more treatment. Conclusion: We concluded that intracranial chondroma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a calcified mass on skull imaging. Proper diagnosis is necessary for further patient management.
Neuropathology
Elham Jafari; Shiva Didehban; Shahriar Dabiri; Behshad Mofid
Abstract
A heterogeneous group of CNS tumors are characterized by mixed neuroepithelial and mesenchymal features. Glial tumors manifesting this phenomenon are referred to as gliosarcoma. These tumors are usually mistaken for cerebral metastases or meningioma at operation. Their histological studies have revealed ...
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A heterogeneous group of CNS tumors are characterized by mixed neuroepithelial and mesenchymal features. Glial tumors manifesting this phenomenon are referred to as gliosarcoma. These tumors are usually mistaken for cerebral metastases or meningioma at operation. Their histological studies have revealed an admixture of gliomatous and sarcomatous tissues, which leads to a biphasic pattern. The mesenchymal component can present in different forms such as fibrosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, chondro-osteogenic, and myogenic differentiation, as well as angiosarcomatous and liposarcomatous types. Squamous differentiation, adenoid formations and glandular structures may also be displayed.Herein, we report a rare case who was admitted to the emergency room with decreased consciousness resembling methadone poisoning. Clinical work-up showed a temporoparietal mass on radiological investigation. Histopathological evaluation of the brain mass revealed a gliosarcoma with adenoid formations and a mesenchymal component, which manifested as chondrosarcomatous differentiation. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed the histologic diagnosis through positivity for EMA, GFAP, S100, and vimentin expression in different components.
Neuropathology
atieh zandnejadi; Arezoo Eftekhar-Javadi; HEDIEH MORADI TABRIZ
Abstract
Glioblastoma (WHO grade IV) is the most common malignant tumor of neural tissues in adults as a primary tumor. Because of blood brain barrier and short median survival of patients with glioblastoma, metastasis of this tumor is very rare. A 46-year-old man was admitted to Sina hospital with chief complaint ...
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Glioblastoma (WHO grade IV) is the most common malignant tumor of neural tissues in adults as a primary tumor. Because of blood brain barrier and short median survival of patients with glioblastoma, metastasis of this tumor is very rare. A 46-year-old man was admitted to Sina hospital with chief complaint of headache and visual impairment. After neuro-radiologic evaluation the patient underwent surgery. Pathologic examination of the tumor confirmed the diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme. Cytogenetic study of the tumor cells confirmed GBM IDH1 wild type with TERT mutation and EGFR amplification. Two months after surgical resection, the tumor recurred with involvement of the dura matter. After the second operation, metastasis to the pelvic cavity and cervical lymph node was found. Almost all cases of glioblastoma metastasis had undergone surgery or any manipulation; this fact suggests that iatrogenic intra-vascular seeding of tumor cells at the time of resection and disruption of blood brain barrier could cause extra-neural metastasis.
Neuropathology
Girish Solanke; Vidya Monappa; Ranjini Kudva
Abstract
Background & Objective: Meningiomas are the most frequently encountered primary non-glial tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). The Ki67 labelling index (Ki67LI) is a proliferation marker that may prove useful in determining the histological grade. This study aims at: 1) Studying the frequency, ...
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Background & Objective: Meningiomas are the most frequently encountered primary non-glial tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). The Ki67 labelling index (Ki67LI) is a proliferation marker that may prove useful in determining the histological grade. This study aims at: 1) Studying the frequency, grade and histomorphological spectrum of meningiomas, 2) Evaluating 20 histological parameters and determining its utility in grading meningiomas and 3) Comparing the Ki67LI in the various subtypes and WHO grades. Methods: The cases of meningiomas diagnosed in our Department from June 2009 to May 2014 were included. The clinical details, grade and 20 histological parameters: mitosis, vesicular nuclei, macronucleoli, nuclear pleomorphism, scattered bizarre nuclei, hypercellularity, sheeting, lymphocytes, small cell change, foam cells, ossification, necrosis, papillary change, lipidization, psammoma bodies, vascularization, brain invasion, dural invasion, bone invasion and other soft tissue invasion were recorded for each case. The average and highest Ki67LI was recorded as percentage and number per high power field. Results: A total of 175 cases of meningioma were included: grade I (145), grade II (30). Atypical histological features like hypercellularity, sheeting, etc. were common in grade II tumors. Increased vascularity, lymphocytes and psammoma bodies were common in grade I tumors. Ki67LI (highest) ranged from 1-6% in grade I and 5-12% in grade II tumors. Conclusion: Among different methods showing mitotic activity, Ki67% (highest) was the most statistically significant LI in differentiating grade I and grade II tumors. The median Ki67% (highest) was 4% for grade I and 7% for grade II tumors.
Neuropathology
Masoumeh Shafiei; Ahmad Mafi; Yalda Nilipour; Ainaz Sourati; Pegah Sasanpour; Morteza Tabatabaeefar
Abstract
Background & Objective:Gliomas are the most common type of primary intracranial tumors in adults. The expression of estrogen receptors varies in different grades of glial tumors, and some studies have suggested that this expression might have a prognostic value. It seems that estrogen receptor expression ...
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Background & Objective:Gliomas are the most common type of primary intracranial tumors in adults. The expression of estrogen receptors varies in different grades of glial tumors, and some studies have suggested that this expression might have a prognostic value. It seems that estrogen receptor expression negatively correlates with the histological grade of gliomas. In the present study, we aimed to determine the expression of estrogen receptor in different glial tumors in Iranian patients and to find a possible correlation between its expression and the grade of glial tumors.Methods:The brain tumors pathology reports from 2014 to 2017 in the Pathology Department of Shohaday-e Tajrish Hospital in Tehran, Iran were evaluated and 104 different gliomas: 79 cases of astrocytoma and 25 cases of oligodendroglioma were selected. All the samples were re-evaluated by a neuropathologist in order to accurately determine the tumor grade. The immunohistochemistry was carried out to detect the expression of estrogen receptor alpha and beta on brain tumors.Results:None of the samples expressed estrogen receptor alpha. In the case of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), all samples showed various degrees of positivity: 9% weak, 40% moderate, and 51% strong expressions. The level of ERβ expression was found to be conversely correlated with tumor grade.Conclusion:Our study demonstrated that ERβ is expressed in the majority (if not all) of the glial tumors and its expression was conversely related to the tumor grade. Because of well-tolerability and acceptable adverse effects, ER agonists might be considered as therapeutic agents for the patients with glial tumors.
Neuropathology
Hiva Saffar; atieh khorsand-rahimzadeh; Morteza Faghihjouibari; Seyed Mohammad Tavangar
Abstract
Teratoma is a type of multipotential cell tumor, which includes a mixture of two or three germinal layers of ectodermis, endodermis, and mesodermis. Although neonatal sacrococcygeal teratoma has been frequently reported, its occurrence in older age is not common. In this study, we report a rare case ...
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Teratoma is a type of multipotential cell tumor, which includes a mixture of two or three germinal layers of ectodermis, endodermis, and mesodermis. Although neonatal sacrococcygeal teratoma has been frequently reported, its occurrence in older age is not common. In this study, we report a rare case of spinal intradural mature cystic teratoma in a 16-year-old male, emphasizing on considering this unusual condition in differential diagnosis of spinal cord cystic tumors.