Fibrous Histiocytoma

Data from Hiroshima University advance knowledge in malignant fibrous histiocytoma

"We investigated a series of forty-three soft-tissue malignant fibrous histiocytoma samples from forty-three patients with regard to telomere length, telomerase activity, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression. Tumor samples were obtained from surgical specimens and were stored at -800 degrees C until use. Univariate analysis of the tumor samples from patients for whom data were available on age, sex, histological grade, tumor size, surgical margin, recurrence, and telomere factors was performed with use of the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis with only significant variables was then performed. Telomerase activity was detectable in 79.1% of the tumor samples, hTERT expression was demonstrated in 90.7% of the tumor samples, and evidence of engagement of the ALT mechanism of telomere length maintenance was observed in 32.6% of the tumor samples. Among the variables tested, ALT-positive status emerged as the only independent prognostic factor for death of the patient (hazard ratio, 0.275; 95% confidence interval, 0.104 to 0.724; p = 0.0089). There were no significant differences in survival rates between patients with ALT-positive, telomerase-positive tumors and those with ALT-positive, telomerase-negative tumors (p = 0.301) or between patients with ALT-positive tumors that showed above-average telomerase activity and those with ALT-positive tumors that showed below-average telomerase activity (p = 0.900). Therefore, telomerase activity does not affect the prognosis in patients with ALT-positive malignant fibrous histiocytoma. High telomerase expression is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with ALT-negative malignant fibrous histiocytoma (p = 0.0027)," wrote T. Matsuo and colleagues, Hiroshima University.

The researchers concluded: "More detailed analysis will be needed to identify the most valuable prognostic factor in patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and a more thorough understanding of telomere biology may give an indication of telomeretargeting therapy in the future."

Matsuo and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American Volume (Telomere-Maintenance Mechanisms in Soft-Tissue Malignant Fibrous Histiocytomas. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American Volume, 2009;91A(4):928-937).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting T. Matsuo, Hiroshima University, Graduate School Biomedical Science, Dept. of Artificial Joints & Biomaterials, Minami Ku, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Hiroshima 7348551, Japan.

The publisher of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American Volume can be contacted at: Journal Bone Joint Surgery Inc., 20 Pickering St., Needham, MA 02192, USA.

Keywords: Japan, Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma, Bone, Carcinoma, Enzyme Research, Enzymes, Enzymology, Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, Oncology, Proteins, Proteomics, Reverse Transcriptase, Surgery, Telomerase, Transcriptase, Hiroshima University.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.