Medical Pathology Commons^™

Comparison Of Two Quantitative Image Analysis Systems For Breast Cancer Immunohistochemistry, Reid H. Phillips, Bs, Sue Direnzo, Bs, Charalambos C. Solomides, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

Automated image analysis systems for breast cancer immunohistochemistry promise efficiency and reliability in the quantification of therapy targets such as the estrogen receptor (ER) or human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her2). Thomas Jefferson University Hospital owns two such systems, the Aperio ScanScope AT (Leica Biosystems) and Ventana iScan Coreo (Roche). A comparison study was performed to determine if choice of system affects target quantification and subsequent clinical tumor classification. Tumor expressions of ER, progesterone receptor (PR), proliferation marker Ki67, and Her2 were quantified with both systems for tissue samples from twenty breast cancer patients. Positive tumor classification was based on …

Evaluating The Utility Of Thyroglobulin Wash Testing In The Management Of Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma, Katelyn M. Seither, Rossitza Draganova-Tacheva, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

Introduction

• Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasm worldwide, representing 1.7% of new cancer diagnoses and 0.5% of cancer deaths each year (Baldini et al.)
• The majority of thyroid cancers are primary (originating within the gland itself), are well-differentiated, and are derived from follicular epithelial cells
• Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common subtype

70-80% of all thyroid cancers

Peak incidence in women of child-bearing age

Generally indolent behavior, excellent prognosis with total thyroidectomy

30-90% of patients exhibit recurrent or persistent metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes (Torres et al.) and 20% of cases present with occult cancer that …

The Intersection Between Hpv And Hiv Infections: Is There An Increased Susceptibility To Hiv Acquisition In Hpv-Infected Women?, Montida Fleming, Ba, Fred Gorstein, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

It has been well documented that HIV infection is associated with HPV infection and the progression to cervical carcinoma. Since the spread of HIV/AIDS epidemic, HPV-related cervical carcinoma had such a high prevalence in HIV-infected individuals that it became established as an AIDS-defining illness. Cervical cancer is the most common AIDS-related malignancy, and the sixth most common presenting AIDS-defining illness in women.¹ Additionally, HIV infection leads to a 5-fold increase in multiple new HPV infections within 6 weeks of seroconversion.² Not only does HIV impact acquisition of HPV at molecular and cellular levels, HIV and HPV viruses interact …

20 Year-Old Male With Destructive Lesion Of Orbital Roof, Paris A. Barkan, Bs, Lawrence C. Kenyon, Md, Phd

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

Patient History

Mr. G.R. is a 20-year-old man with no significant past medical history. He presented in July of 2013 with two months of worsening pain over the right orbit. Periorbital edema was also present. Initial treatment with eye drops, antibiotics (erythromycin followed by cephalexin), and steroids (prednisone) failed to control his symptoms.

In October of 2013, CT and MRI scans revealed a permeative destructive lesion centered in the right orbital roof with extension into the superior orbit and the floor of the anterior cranial fossa. There was no abnormal enhancement in the visualized brain parenchyma.

The radiologic appearance of …

Mechanisms That Modify Immune Response In Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia, Robert Cooper, Jay H. Herman

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

What is NAIT?

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is a form of fetal and neonatal thrombocytopenia caused by maternal-fetal platelet antigen incompatibility that results in placental transfer of maternal IgG alloantibodies against the platelet antigen. Currently, there are 28 human platelet antigen systems (HPA) that are polymorphisms of various membrane glycoprotein (GP) integrins. The first HPA and most immunogenic was discovered in the 1960’s and is now termed HPA-1, a diallelic system with HPA-1a and HPA-1b on the GPβ3 subunit of the fibrinogen receptor (Murphy). Approximate HPA-1 phenotype frequencies are: homozygous 1a,1a (~70%); heterozygous 1a,1b (~28%); homozygous 1b,1b (~2%).

Typically an …

Lead Toxicity: What Is It And How Is It Happening?, Kimberly A. Parada, Ba, Jay S. Schneider, Phd

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Lead poisoning accounts for 0.6% of the global burden of disease.

In Pennsylvania in 2010, 148,751 children under 72 months of age were tested for blood lead levels. Of those children, 19,176 had blood lead levels greater than 5 μg/dl.

• A lower socioeconomic status increases the chances for lead exposure.
• Lead toxicity is an under-appreciated problem that is entirely preventable.

Hiv Associated Neurocognitive Disorders In An Antiretroviral Therapy Era, Molly Halloran, David S. Strayer, Md, Phd

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

HIV emerged as a major threat to world health over 30 years ago, and while its effects on the immune system are widely known, HIV also has broad and devastating effects on the nervous system. Despite our potent antiretroviral therapies (ART), these HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) continue to afflict HIV infected individuals. With over 33 million people infected worldwide and evidence that neurological damage can accrue in virologically well controlled individuals, HAND is a pressing challenge. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered about this spectrum of disorders.

Her-2 Heterogeneity In Breast Cancer: A Case Study, Kinnari Patel, Theodore Parsons

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

CASE

The patient is a 75 year-old female with a history of stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma of the left breast measuring 1.2 cm. Core biopsy of the mass demonstrated Nottingham grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma; ER negative, PR negative, HER-2 negative (1+). The patient underwent mastectomy in April 2013. Mastectomy confirmed Nottingham grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma pT1c/pN0/pMX with peritumoral lymphovascular invasion and invasive tumor less than 1 mm from the superoanterior margin. Due to comorbidities the patient was not considered a candidate for adjuvant chemotherapy.

In January 2014 the patient presented with a mastectomy site recurrence. Needle core …

Plasmapheresis And Hiv-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy: An Institutional Review, Megan Fisher, Ms2, Nancy Edger Hall, Rn, Mba, Jennifer Webb, Md, Julie Karp, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a systemic disorder that classically results from a deficiency in the von Willebrand factor-cleaving enzyme, ADAMTS13. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a secondary cause of TTP. It has been recognized that some patients with HIV-associated TTP do not have a deficiency in ADAMTS13 activity. The role of plasmapheresis (PLEX) in these patients is unclear. This study reviewed 8 cases of HIV-associated TTP at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. All patients responded to treatment; however, we were unable to make any conclusions regarding the use of PLEX in patients with normal ADAMTS13 activity. HAART initiation is …

Molecular Profiling Of Patients With Non Small Cell Lung Cancer At Jefferson University Hospital, Erin Bange, Renu Bajaj, Ms, Phd, Cg (Ascp), Cm, Facmg

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

Companion diagnostics is the use of specific tests whose results are linked to a particular drug. It allows clinicians the ability to better target the mechanism of pathology in the patient and follow it up with a therapy specifically designed to treat the disease process at hand. This approach to medicine has particularly been championed in the field of oncology with the development of such drugs as Zelboraf for the treatment of metastatic melanoma with the BRAFV600 mutation or Xalkori for late stage lung cancer expressing an abnormal ALK protein. In the case of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Jefferson …

Personalized Immune Therapy For Cancer A Potential Game-Changing Treatment, Emily Evron, Emanual Rubin, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

T-CELL RECEPTOR, NORMALLY

T-cell receptors reside on the surface of T-cells, and recognize a specific antigen presented by an MHC molecule

Next, the T-cells become either CD4 or CD8 cells

Co-stimulation is a key step in activating the T-cell; B7 proteins on the surface of antigen-presenting cells interact with CD28/CTLA-4 receptors on the T-cell.

Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Arising From Age-Related Ebv-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorder (Ar-Ebvlpd), Alaina Chodoff, Msii, Guldeep Uppal, Md, Jerald Z. Gong, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

In the setting of underlying immune suppression, Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) is a well-recognized oncogenic agent that induces the malignant proliferation of B-cells. EBV-lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) have recently been linked to immunosenescence. We present a unique case of Age-Related EBV-Lymphoproliferative Disorder (AR-EBVLPD) in a 70 year old female that deviates from the characteristic progression of this disease. Over the course of 18 months, the patient’s clinical condition worsened without a definitive diagnosis to explain the severe, atypical widespread chronic inflammation spanning her gastrointestinal tract, from esophagus to small bowel. The diagnosis of AR-EBVLPD, polymorphic extranodal subtype, was delayed until the …

Giant Cell Tumor Of Soft Tissue: A Case Study, Rachel Schneider, Brian J. O'Hara

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

BACKGROUND

Giant cell tumors of soft tissue are relatively uncommon tumors. They are considered to be the soft tissue counterpart to giant cell tumors of bone. Both tumors consist of multi-nucleated giant cells evenly distributed throughout a background of epithelioid mononuclear cells, and are usually benign, but can be locally invasive. Giant cell tumors of soft tissue typically occur in patients over age 40, and show no gender or racial predilection. They present as firm, well demarcated masses, which are not connected to the underlying muscle, tendon, or bone. Giant cell tumors of soft tissue are generally small, and tend …

Fibrosing Cholestatic Hepatitis C Post-Liver Transplantation: A Case Study, Layla Hatem, Wei Jiang, Md, Phd

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

Introduction:

Liver Transplantation:

• Hepatitis C infection is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the US
• HCV infection of the liver allograft occurs within hours from circulating virions.

-Serum RNA levels are observed in the first several weeks.

-Acute hepatitis occurs in 2-6 months

-Chronic hepatitis occurs in 3-9 months

***Persistence of HCV infection is the rule after transplantation due to immune suppression

Chronic recurrent HCV infection post transplantation

• There are four distinct patterns of recurrent chronic HCV in the liver allograft.

-Usual chronic HCV (>70%)

-Fibrosing Cholestatic Hepatitis C (5-10%)

-Plasma cell-rich HCV

-HCV overlapping with rejection …

Small Cell Carcinoma Of The Breast, Victor Carlson, Paolo Cotzia, Md, Juan P. Palazzo, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

INTRODUCTION

Small cell carcinoma of the breast (SCCB) is a rare, highly aggressive neoplasm first reported in 1983. With striking histologic similarity to small cell carcinoma of the lung, it is comprised of small cells with relatively large, hyperchromatic nuclei and scanty cytoplasm. While capable of hormone secretion, this is a rare occurrence in this variant of small cell carcinoma. Patients typically present with a suspicious breast mass confirmed on imaging, with variable lymph node invasion.

Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Rationale, Development, And Jefferson’S Method, Susan Mcilvaine, Dolores Grosso, Rn, Crnp, Dnp, Beth Colombe

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

INTRODUCTION

There are many indications for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In addition to hematologic malignancies, transplants are performed in certain non-hematologic malignancies, for marrow disorders such as Sickle Cell Anemia, and for various inherited disorders such as SCID. Traditionally, transplants have been performed between donors and recipients that are a complete HLA match (typically matched siblings). That is, patients have identical HLA alleles on both copies of chromosome 6. HLA alleles code for major histocompatibility complex molecules, which are the proteins that cause transplant rejection when a mismatch between donor and recipient is present. Thus, matched transplants have been historically …

Small Cell Carcinoma Of The Bladder: A Rare Entity, Andrew H. Matthews, Ruth Birbe, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

BACKGROUND

Primary small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is a rare tumor, accounting for less than 1% of the annual 70,000 cases of urinary bladder cancer.¹ Accordingly, little data is available beyond case series to guide diagnosis or treatment. Overall prognosis remains poor with five year survival often markedly below 50%. Current staging and treatment remains largely based on extrapolation from small cell carcinoma of the lung. We review two recent cases of bladder small cell carcinoma with a focus on comparing and contrasting with lung small carcinoma.

Burkitt Lymphoma In A Pediatric Patient With Hereditary Multiple Exostose, Sara D. Prince, Portia A. Krieger, Md, Andrew W. Walter, Ms, Md

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Introduction

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the growth of multiple bony tumors. These tumors include benign osteochondromas and less commonly, malignant tumors that arise from transformation of exostoses into secondary osteosarcomas and chondrosarcomas [1,3]. There have been no reported cases of lymphoma in the pediatric HME population. We report a case of a 10 year old boy with HME who developed Burkitt lymphoma of the abdomen.

Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: A Rare Entity With Variable Pathologic Features And Prognosis, Sharif A. Ali Md, Miriam L. Enriquez Md, Shereen M. Gheith Md

Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Hypoxic Signals In The Ischemic Myocardium: Role Of Galectin-1 And Galectin-3, Satwat Hashmi

Dissertations

Myocardial infarction is the most serious manifestation of coronary artery disease and the cause of significant levels of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Galectin-1 (GAL-1) and Galectin-3 (GAL-3) are beta galactoside binding lectins with diverse functions. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor mediating early and late responses to myocardial ischemia. We aim to study the direct effects of ischemia on GAL-1, GAL-3 and HIF-1α in the heart. Male C57B6/J and GAL-3 knockout mice were used for our two disease models. In the Myocardial infarction (MI) model, the left anterior descending artery of the heart is permanently ligated to …