Background. The primaryobjectives of this studyon carcinomas with equivocal HER2 expression were to assess the impact of distinct recommendations with regard to identifying patients eligible for anti-HER2 agents by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and to elucidate whether multiplex ligationdependent probe amplification (MLPA) may be of support in assessing HER2 gene status.

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFT), originally described in the pleura, were subsequently recognized in numerous extrapleural sites. This suggests that a common stem cell, present in various organs and tissues, may be at the origin of SFT and that specific factors may be involved in the proliferation of such cells. Recently it has been described that steroid hormone receptors, progesterone receptors in particular, are expressed by extrapleural SFT. In addition, progesterone may participate as growth factor in many CD34(+) stromal neoplasms, which express low levels of the hormone receptors. The present study analysed the expression of androgen (AR), oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors in a series of 32 pleural SFT, 10 mesotheliomas and in reactive tissue of chronic pleuritis. ER and AR were never expressed by SFT or by chronic pleuritis, whereas PR were demonstrated in 2/16 "large" (>8 cm) and in 6/16 "small" (< or =8 cm) pleural SFT (all expressing CD34, bcl-2 and CD99). PR(+) SFT had a significantly higher proliferative activity (p = 0.04) (Ki-67 mean value 6.5%) and lower p27(kip1) (mean value 51.5%) expression than the PR(-) cases (Ki-67 mean value 3.81% and p27(kip1) mean value 57.86%). One of the cases expressing a high level of PR (80%) recurred 1 year after first surgery and the recurrence was PR(+) as well, but with a lower percentage of nuclear receptor expression (12%). In addition, in chronically inflamed subserosal tissue, a subpopulation of CD34(+) endothelial and interstitial dendritic cells was identified, which also expressed PR. These findings suggest that the CD34(+) submesothelial interstitial dendritic cells, activated during reactive processes, may be the stem cells that give rise to SFT, and that progesterone might participate in the growth of SFT through modulation of its specific receptors.

BACKGROUND Pleural malignant mesothelioma (PMM) is a rare and highly aggressive tumor, whose development is strictly related to occupational exposure to asbestos. The prognosis of PMM is generally poor (median survival, 4–12 months), but a few have a relatively long survival. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the cell cycle–related proteins p27kip1 and MIB‐1 as prognostic indicators of survival in PMMs. METHODS Of 621 PMMs, the authors selected 27 cases with a relatively long‐term survival (> 24 months) and a control group of 36 PMMs having a shorter (usual) survival (< 24 months). RESULTS The expression of the p27kip1 was significantly higher in the long‐term survival group compared with the control (short survival) group (81.41% vs. 31.94%; P < 0.0001). The PMMs of epithelioid histotype had a significantly higher p27kip1 immunoreactivity compared with those of biphasic type (59.24% vs. 38.94%; P = 0.02). In agreement with the data in the literature, the proliferative activity (as detected by MIB‐1 immunoreactivity) was significantly higher in short than long survival PMMs (43.53% vs. 14.11%; P < 0.0001) and in the biphasic histotype than in the epithelioid type (43.19% vs. 26.02%; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS The combined expression of high/low p27kip1 and low/high Ki‐67 values identified with 100% specificity and sensitivity long versus short survivors. p27kip1 represents a reliable additional predictive factor for PMMs and a useful marker to identify patients having a more favorable prognosis. Cancer 2001;92:1245–50. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT), first described as a pleural lesion, has been reported in several extrathoracic sites over the past 10 years. We describe a SFT of the left adrenal gland incidentally discovered in a 23-year-old, 22-week pregnant woman and characterised by a rapid growth during the third trimester of pregnancy. Elevated serum and urinary levels of cortisol and elevated blood levels of delta 4 androstendione and 17-OH progesterone were observed. After spontaneous delivery, the patient underwent laparoscopic resectioning of the mass and of the left adrenal gland from which the tumour was apparently originating. The kidney was not involved, and no other abdominal tumours were found. Histological and immunohistochemical features were typical of SFT of pleura and other locations. Only one case of adrenal SFT is on record, and the adrenal gland is to be added to the long list of extrathoracic locations of SFT. The association with pregnancy was a previously unrecognised event in SFT. The focal expression of progesterone receptors in the tumour cells may be related to pregnancy. This observation prompted an analysis of steroid hormone receptors in SFT of classical sites (pleura). Two of five cases had focal progesterone receptors too, a finding which deserves further investigations in a much larger series of SFTs.

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