acid-phosphatase and Thyroid-Neoplasms

We have reviewed several tumor markers that our advocates feel are now clinically useful, involve current assay technology, and are based on already available information. These include, in selected instances, estrogen receptors for breast cancer, thyrocalcitonin for medullary cancer of the thyroid, prostatic acid phosphatase for cancer of the prostate, alpha-fetoprotein for hepatocellular cancer, and carcinoembryonic antigen for monitoring colon cancer. We have considered the potential use of measurement of serum proteases and protein degradation products due to their activity as possible future areas of development, and we have explored measurement of tissue aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase to identify populations at risk of cancer resulting from chemical carcinogenesis. It is clear that the study of tumor markers is already improving patient care in some specific areas and offers exciting potential for the future.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Antigens, Neoplasm; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Blood Proteins; Breast Neoplasms; Calcitonin; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Experimental; Prostate; Prostatic Neoplasms; Rats; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Blood Group Antigens; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Female; Gastrointestinal Hormones; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Male; Neoplasms; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pituitary Hormones; Pregnancy Proteins; Prostatic Neoplasms; Teratoma; Testicular Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms

Ultrasound-guided ethanol injection (PEI) is an effective treatment of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) but little is known about the tissue lesions induced by alcohol. We report morphological changes of an AFTN which was removed after successful PEI treatment. At histological evaluation, the adenoma showed multiple areas of coagulative necrosis with eosinophilic ghost follicles, hemorrhages, small vessel thrombosis and a wedge-shaped hemorrhagic infarction. The peripheral adenomatous tissue and the surrounding thyroid parenchyma were free of regressive changes and/or lympho-monocytic inflammatory reactions. Enzyme histochemistry confirmed the hyperfunctioning character of the lesion and showed reduction of succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome-c-oxydase activity in the viable tissue surrounding the central necrotic areas. By electron microscopy, the hyperfunctioning follicular epithelium showed submicroscopical alterations of the adenomatous cells surrounding the areas of coagulative necrosis. These results suggest that control of hyperthyroidism, after PEI, is due to: a) directly induced, irreversible damage (coagulative necrosis and vascular thrombosis with hemorrhagic infarction) in the central areas of the lesion; b) potentially reversible damage (reduction of intracellular enzyme activity and ultrastructural changes) in the peripheral areas.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenoma; Aged; Electron Transport Complex IV; Ethanol; Female; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Microscopy, Electron; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Thyroid Neoplasms

This paper reports the results of studies on the possible role of biochemical markers in monitoring the effects of ionizing radiations and in the follow-up of cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy. Three different case series were analyzed: patients with head and neck cancer, prostate carcinoma and residual thyroid tumors or uptaking metastases (131-Iodine therapy). Serum TPA and amylase were serially determined in patients with head and neck or thyroid cancer to measure the radiation damage to the salivary glands. In the former group a statistically significant correlation between the increase of both molecules and the total dose administered after the first day of treatment (2, 3, 4 or 6 Gy) was observed. In patients treated for thyroid cancer the damage to the salivary glands was revealed by an increase in TPA and amylase serum levels, dependent on the dose of 131-Iodine administered. Moreover, an association was demonstrated between pretreatment values of TPA in patients with head and neck tumors and prognosis: patients with values below the cutoff have significantly higher survival rates than those with higher values. In patients with prostate carcinoma PSA was confirmed to have better diagnostic and prognostic value than PAP. Patients with metastases show an inversion or lack of negative trend in PSA levels observed in the disease-free patients. This precedes the clinical diagnosis of metastases by 1 to 15 months.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; alpha-Amylases; Antigens, Neoplasm; Biomarkers, Tumor; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms; Peptides; Prognosis; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms; Tissue Polypeptide Antigen

Papillary carcinomas of the thyroid gland induced in rats by combined methylthiouracil (MTU)/nitrosomethylurea treatment were studied electron microscopically and histochemically for their acid phosphatase activity, radioactive iodine uptake and for their thyroglobulin synthesis. The papillary carcinomas accumulated radioactive iodine, synthesized thyroglobulin and showed a perinuclear localization of acid phosphatase activity in the cytoplasm. After omitting the reactive thyrotropic effect (cessation of MTU administration) a decrease of both iodine organification and acid phosphatase activity was observed. The synthesis of thyroglobulin was also reduced. The changes in the ultrastructure of tumour cells corresponded to the respective functional activities. The results suggest that the papillary carcinomas may have a functional dependence on thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Autoradiography; Carcinoma, Papillary; Female; Iodine Radioisotopes; Methylnitrosourea; Methylthiouracil; Microscopy, Electron; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Thyroglobulin; Thyroid Neoplasms

The authors have examined the enzyme histochemical staining of surgically removed human thyroid tissue in an attempt to identify markers that might be useful in the histopathologic diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms. Fresh thyroid glands and other tissues were fixed in cold (4 degrees C) 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in glycol methacrylate. Forty-two specimens were studied in thin sections, which gave excellent histologic detail and enzyme preservation. Cytologic detail was similar to that in Papanicolaou-stained smears, with good definition of nuclear inclusions and grooves, particularly in cases of papillary carcinoma. The enzyme histochemical reactions studied were as follows: adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline and acid phosphatases, alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, and 5'-nucleotidase. Thyroid epithelial cells and the benign neoplasms derived from them were typically positive for 5'-nucleotidase, alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, and acid phosphatase, and negative for adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. Staining for adenosine triphosphatase was present in papillary and follicular carcinomas and was seen in benign glands only under certain circumstances such as Graves' disease. The adenosine triphosphatase reaction therefore appears to be helpful in distinguishing between benign and malignant neoplasms derived from thyroid epithelium in humans and may be a useful adjunct to routine morphology.

Topics: 5'-Nucleotidase; Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Naphthol AS D Esterase; Nucleotidases; Thyroid Neoplasms

Although prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PASP) has been recognized as a specific marker of tissue of prostatic origin, several investigators have pointed out that some of the carcinoid tumours and islet cell tumours of the pancreas reacted immunohistochemically to PSAP. We investigated 50 cases immunohistochemically comprising 44 carcinoids of the G-I tract, 3 of the bronchus, 1 each of the ovary, kidney and middle ear. PSAP positive cases were, 30 in G-I tract, one each in ovary and kidney. Eighty percent of tumours of hindgut origin were positive. Apart from the immunohistochemical study, the content of PSAP in preoperative serum and tumour tissue was estimated in a case with a rectal carcinoid. Extremely elevated PSAP was confirmed in both the serum and tumour tissue. Neuroendocrine tumours such as pheochromocytoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and islet cell carcinoma were investigated as controls. No cells immunoreactive to PSAP were observed in these control cases. Prostate specific antigen was definitely negative in carcinoids. We would emphasize that PSAP may be an excellent marker of carcinoids especially when derived from hindgut.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenoma, Islet Cell; Carcinoid Tumor; Female; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Male; Pheochromocytoma; Prostate; Radioimmunoassay; Rectal Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms

At routine examination, latent carcinoma was found in 147 (11.4%) of 1291 autopsy cases and 142 (14.5%) of 981 patients with malignant neoplasms. The incidence of latent carcinoma with multiple malignant neoplasma was extremely high. Latent prostatic cancer was found in 24 (4.3%) of 560 autopsy cases aged more than 45 and in 22 (5.3%) of 425 surgical specimens of prostatic hypertrophy. Malignant and nonmalignant tissue of the prostate was stained by the immunoperoxidase method of PSA and PAcP. We can distinguish between cancer and normal or benign tissue by observing the positive portion and stained manner in detail.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Antigens, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Prostate; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatic Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms

Twenty medullary carcinomas of the thyroid gland were examined for the presence of immunoreactive calcitonin, thyroglobulin, glucagon, keratin, gastrin/CCK, carcinoembryonic antibody (CEA), insulin, serotonin, adreno-corticotropic hormone (ACTH), prostatic acid phosphatase, and somatostatin using the immunoperoxidase peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. In addition, they were stained with mucicarmine, alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Grimelius, Congo red, crystal violet, and Fontana-Masson stains. Calcitonin-immunoreactive cells were absent in one tumor and present in 19 tumors (95%). Thyroglobulin was present in seven tumors (35%). Twenty tumors contained CEA-immunoreactive cells (100%). Fourteen cases were immunoreactive to serotonin (70%) and 12 were positive for somatostatin (60%). Glucagon- and gastrin/CCK-immunoreactive cells were found in two cases each (10%). Four tumors (20%) contained ACTH-immunoreactive cells and three cases (15%) were positive for prostatic acid phosphatase. Five cases (25%) contained keratin-immunoreactive cells. One case was immunoreactive to insulin (5%). Grimelius-positive cells were present in 19 of the cases (95%). Mucin-containing cells were present in 65% of the cases. The validity of the immunocytochemical localizations was tested by specific absorption of each antibody with the corresponding antigen. The demonstration of immunoreactivity for multiple antigens in each of the 20 cases suggests that the origin of medullary thyroid carcinomas is from a neuroendocrine cell potentially capable of producing numerous hormone substances. In addition, as the neoplastic cells in 35% of the tumors contained hormonal substances as well as thyroglobulin, it is suggested that papillary or follicular tumors mixed with a neuroendocrine component exist more commonly than previously suspected. Finally, psammoma bodies might be present in pure medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Aged; Calcitonin; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Carcinoma; Female; Gastrins; Glucagon; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Mitosis; Serotonin; Somatostatin; Staining and Labeling; Thyroglobulin; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Humans; Macrophages; Naphthol AS D Esterase; Thyroid Neoplasms

The activity of acid phosphatase in thyroid cells obtained by aspiration biopsy with thin needle was studied. The results were compared with those, found by a biochemical method in the operation material of the same cases. It has been proved that there is a significant difference between malignant tumours with cytochemically mostly positive acid phosphatase reaction and colloid adenomas with mostly negative reaction. The results obtained by biochemical method showed significant quantitative differences between malignant and benign tumours. The pattern of acid phosphatase subunits (isoenzymes) in the sera of patients with thyroid malignancies were pathologic and similar to those found in mammary cancers. It can be supposed that the behavior of acid phosphatase in thyreocytes depends on same metabolic properties, perhaps on some process characteristic for malignancy, e.g. growth activity. Even this finding of cytochemically positive acid phosphatase reaction cannot be awaited to be quite specific, it has proved as a useful marker signalizing the possibility of malignancy.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenoma; Biopsy, Needle; Goiter; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroiditis

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; Female; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Animals; Culture Techniques; Densitometry; Glucuronidase; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lysosomes; Stimulation, Chemical; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyrotropin

Proliferation of the C cells of the rat thyroid gland under conditions of prolonged hypercalcemia induced with vit. D3 leading sometimes to a formation of adenoma-like nodules was observed. Metaplasia of the follicular epithelium into the C cells observed in the process of nodules formation seems to point out that the C cells and the follicular cells of the thyroid gland arise from a common maternal cell.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenoma; Animals; Cell Membrane; Male; Rats; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Calcitonin; Carcinoma; Cholinesterases; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase; Histocytochemistry; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Microscopy, Electron; Monoamine Oxidase; NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; Rats; Rodent Diseases; Staining and Labeling; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenoma; Carcinoma; Cytoplasm; Esterases; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Iodides; Iodine Radioisotopes; Microscopy, Electron; Mitochondria; Peroxidases; Subcellular Fractions; Thyroglobulin; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Esterases; Goiter; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Macrophages; Methods; Naphthols; Staining and Labeling; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Alkaline Phosphatase; Amyloidosis; Biogenic Amines; Female; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Glutamate Dehydrogenase; Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Malate Dehydrogenase; Male; Middle Aged; NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Papillary; Cytoplasm; Esterases; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Bilirubin; Colonic Neoplasms; Esophageal Neoplasms; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Leukemia, Myeloid; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Male; Neoplasms; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Phosphatidylcholines; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Phosphatidylinositols; Phospholipids; Prostatic Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms; Sphingolipids; Stomach Neoplasms; Thyroid Neoplasms; Triglycerides; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Biological Assay; Calcitonin; Carcinoma; Catecholamines; Culture Techniques; Cytoplasmic Granules; Esterases; Humans; Lysosomes; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Serotonin; Thyroid Neoplasms

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase; Goiter; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Mitochondria; Monoamine Oxidase; Oxidoreductases; Peroxidases; Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenocarcinoma; Adenosine Triphosphatases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Culture Techniques; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Electron Transport Complex IV; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Glutamate Dehydrogenase; Histocytochemistry; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lymphoma; Malate Dehydrogenase; NAD; NADP; Neoplasms, Experimental; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Thyroid Neoplasms