The FHIT and WWOX genes encompass the FRA3B and FRA16D fragile sites at chromosomes 3p14.2 and 16q23.3, respectively. Reduced Fhit and Wwox expression has been reported in approximately two-thirds of invasive breast tumors. Expression of these fragile gene products, as well as ErbB2 and p53, were evaluated immunohistochemically in 44 pure and 31 adjacent-to-invasive ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) cases. Reduced Fhit and Wwox expression were observed in (i) 70% and 68% of pure DCIS; (ii) 52% and 55% of DCIS adjacent-to-invasive tumor cases; and (iii) 20% and 50% of adjacent normal tissue in pure DCIS cases. Reduced Wwox expression in adjacent normal tissue was observed in 30% of cases in the DCIS adjacent-to-invasive group. Reduced Fhit and Wwox expression was observed in 61% of adjoining invasive tumors. In all normal, pure DCIS, and DCIS adjacent-to-invasive lesions, Fhit and Wwox expression was positively associated (P = 0.034, P = 0.042, P = 0.004, respectively) and in the invasive component there was a positive trend toward association (P = 0.075). Fhit and Wwox were more frequently reduced in high-grade lesions in the DCIS adjacent-to-invasive (P = 0.025, P = 0.004, respectively). In the pure DCIS group, there was a statistically significant negative association between Fhit and ErbB2 expression in DCIS (P = 0.035). In summary, reduced Fhit and Wwox expression in in-situ breast cancer was associated, which may contribute to the high-grade DCIS-invasive tumor pathway.

No abstract

Summary. Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a clinicopathologically heterogenous group of lymphoid proliferations. The majority are of B-cell origin and associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. In contrast, the development of T-cell PTLD is much less common and EBV does not appear to be involved in pathogenesis. In this report we describe three patients who developed large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukaemia after renal transplantation. These patients had clonal expansionLGL. We were unable to detect CMV antigen or find evidence for EBV or human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma virus genome in the LGL from these patients. These data show that LGL leukaemia should be included as one of the types of T-cell proliferations which can occur post transplant.

The classic histologic features of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) in lung include necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and necrotizing vasculitis. Recently, several histologic variants have been recognized, including cases characterized by bronchocentric inflammation, a marked eosinophil infiltrate, alveolar hemorrhage, and capillaritis or interstitial fibrosis. We report 16 cases of another variant in which bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia (BOOP)-like fibrosis represents the main histologic finding. The extensive geographic necrosis characteristic of Wegener's granulomatosis was absent in all cases, although small suppurative granulomas, minute foci of bland necrosis, and microabscesses were common. All cases showed the typical necrotizing vasculitis of Wegener's granulomatosis. Other frequent findings included darkly staining multinucleated giant cells, prominent acute inflammation, aggregates of epithelioid histiocytes, hemosiderin-filled macrophages, and areas of nonspecific parenchymal fibrosis. The clinical and radiographic features of this variant of Wegener's granulomatosis appear to be indistinguishable from the classic type. Pathologists need to be aware that Wegener's granulomatosis can occasionally manifest histologic changes suggestive of BOOP. The diagnosis will not be overlooked if additional features, especially vasculitis, suppurative granulomas, tiny necrotic zones, microabscesses, and multinucleated giant cells, are appreciated.