Studies by A. Lachenmayer and co-authors describe new findings in adrenocortical cancer
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- According to recent research published in the journal Hormone and Metabolic Research, "Expression of the intermediate filament, nestin, was long believed to be restricted to neuroectodermal stem cells. However, nestin expression has recently been detected in several tumors." "Since adrenocortical carcinoma, a tumor entity still very difficult to classify, may gain the ability to aberrantly express neuroectodermal proteins including chromogranin A and synaptophysin, we asked the question whether nestin might also be detected in adrenocortical carcinomas, and if so, whether it might serve as a tool for clinical pathology. Therefore, we Studied the expression of nestin in normal adrenal glands, adrenocortical adenomas, and adrenocortical cancers using specific immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Immunostaining was nestin-positive in I Out Of 9 normal adrenal glands (11%), 2 out of 20 adrenocortical adenomas (10%), and 13 Out Of 16 adrenocortical carcinomas (81%). Expression of nestin mRNA could be detected in all micro-dissected tissues, independently of their grade of dedifferentiation," wrote A. Lachenmayer and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Our findings provide further evidence that nestin, as a marker, is not restricted to neuronal stem cells and nestin expression is worth to be studied in adrenocortical tumors." Lachenmayer and colleagues published their study in Hormone and Metabolic Research (Nestin as a Marker in the Classification of Adrenocortical Tumors. Hormone and Metabolic Research, 2009;41(5):397-401). For additional information, contact H.S. Willenberg, University of Hospital Dusseldorf, Dept. of Endocrinol Diabetes & Rheumatol, Moorenstr 5, D-40225 Dusseldorf, Germany. The publisher's contact information for the journal Hormone and Metabolic Research is: Georg Thieme Verlag kg, Rudigerstr 14, D-70469 Stuttgart, Germany. Keywords: Germany, Dusseldorf, Adenoma, Adrenocortical Cancer, Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Clinical Pathology, Endocrinology, Hormones, Oncology, Stem Cell Research. This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.
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