It is known that interferon-g (IFN-g) is produced by activated T and NK lymphoid cells, mononuclear cells, and macrophage and dendritic cells. Our previous studies have shown that IFN-g-like immunoreactivity also appears in human adrenal cortical tumour and phaeochromocytoma. To investigate whether human tumour cells can produce IFN-g, we examined 429 biopsy specimens of 30 kinds of tumour and tumour-surrounding tissues in adrenal glands and in kidneys by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation. IFN-g immunoactivity was shown in 34.3% of the adrenal cortical adenomas, 50% of the adrenal cortical carcinomas, 26.7% of the phaeochromocytomas, 26.7% of the clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), 22% of the adrenal cortexes and 40% of medullas adjacent to tumours. The positive samples and expression areas were well overlapped between the IFN-g mRNA and the immunohistochemistry staining. Western blot analysis has further confirmed the immunohistochemistry results by showing a distinct IFN-g band corresponding to 17.4 kDa in tissue extracts from adrenal cortical adenoma, phaeochromocytoma and clear cell RCCs. These results indicate that IFN-g is produced by some types of tumour cells, suggesting it may play a dual role in the development of these tumours.

BackgroundGranulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) is characterized by nonspecific chronic inflammation concentrated in breast lobules. Surgical resection is one of the most common treatment options for GLM. On the basis of our previous use of Breast Dermo-Glandular Flap (BDGF), we designed a new surgical approach for GLM, especially for cases where the focus is close to the nipple. Here we describe this new treatment approach.MethodsIn Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) and Beijing Dangdai Hospital during January 2020—June 2021, we enrolled all 18 GLM patients who underwent surgery with the use of Dermis-Retained BDGF. All patients were women; most of the patients were 18–50 years old (88%); and the most common clinical manifestation of GLM was breast mass (60%). Then, we collected and analyzed data about the surgery and outcomes (drainage tubes moving time, relapse, patients’ shape satisfaction). We regarded GLM recurrence on the same side as relapse. If there was no complication and the patient's satisfaction was excellent or good, we rated the surgery as successful. We recorded the occurrence of all common postsurgical complications of the breast.ResultsThe debridement area was 3–5.5 (4.3 ± 0.7) cm; surgery time was 78–119 (95.6 ± 11.6) min; and mean debridement time (27.8 ± 8.9 min) was shorter than the time to obtain and transplant the flap (47.5 ± 12.9 min). Blood loss was less than 139 ml. As for bacterial culture, two patients had positive results, but they had no symptoms. No surgery-related complications happened. In terms of the outcomes, all of the drainage tubes were removed in less than 5 days, and only one patient experienced relapse after 1 year of surgery during the follow-up. The patients’ satisfaction with the breast shape was as follows: excellent (50%), good (22%), acceptable (22%), and poor (6%).ConclusionFor GLM patients refractory to conservative therapy or former unsatisfactory surgical management whose lesion is in the vicinity of the nipple and larger than 3 cm, Dermis-Retained BDGF is a suitable approach to fill the after-debridement defect below the nipple-areola and achieve a relatively satisfactory cosmetic outcome.