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Carcinogênese é um fenômeno de múltiplas fases. A literatura recente aceita, baseada em evidências epidemiológicas, que a progressão neoplásica em direção ao carcinoma invasor da mama inicia-se em estados hiperplásicos do epitélio ductal, passando pelo carcinoma in situ. Questões abertas na literatura no que concerne à relação existente entre o carcinoma intraductal e o carcinoma ductal invasivo referem-se aos fatores envolvidos nos processos que levam à invasão tumoral. Quatro modelos de progressão de doença foram propostos baseados na morfologia dessas lesões. Três deles descreveriam diferentes vias de progressão direta do carcinoma intraductal para o carcinoma invasor. O quarto modelo propõe que a evolução do carcinoma intraductal e do carcinoma invasor se faz independentemente, \"em paralelo\", a partir de uma terceira lesão precursora comum que, na verdade, gera um tumor de colisão in situ e invasor. O presente trabalho estudou retrospectivamente o tecido tumoral da mama de 46 pacientes do sexo feminino que continham carcinoma intraductal associado ao componente invasor na mesma lesão. Foram determinados o conteúdo de DNA nuclear por citometria estática e o grau nuclear de ambas as lesões, assim como o padrão arquitetural do componente intraductal e o índice de formação de túbulos do componente invasor. Os resultados mostraram relação estatisticamente significante (kappa=0,713; p<0,001) para o grau nuclear entre os grupos, o mesmo acontecendo com o conteúdo de DNA nuclear (kappa=0,5018 p=0,0002). Ao compararmos o aspecto arquitetural do componente intraductal com o índice de formação de túbulos do componente invasor, não encontramos correlação estatisticamente significante (p=0,1033). Os resultados permitem especular que as características nucleares de um dado carcinoma invasor de ductos mamários são possivelmente determinados em fases pré-invasivas, enquanto que alterações arquiteturais provavelmente se desenvolvem em estágios avançados, após a célula tumoral adquirir o fenótipo invasor. / Carcinogenesis is a multiple stage phenomenon. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that progression to invasive breast cancer begins in hyperplastic states of the epithelium passing by in situ carcinoma. The actual relationship that exists between ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and the factors that lead to the tumor invasion process are questions that remain unanswered in the literature. Four models have been developed to explain the progression of the neoplastic disease in the breast tissue. Three of them propose that there is a direct pathway of progression from ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma. The fourth one suggests that there is a common precursor lesion and both carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma progress in an independent fashion with no relationship between each other. The present work retrospectively studied 46 tumor tissues of the female breast with coexisting ductal carcinoma in situ and ductal invasive carcinoma. DNA ploidy as well as nuclear were determined in both lesions. The architectural pattern of the in situ component and the degree of tubule formation of the invasive component were determined also. Our results showed that there are no statistically significant differences in both nuclear parameters studied (DNA ploidy, k=0,713,p<0,001; nuclear grade, k=0,5018, p=0,0002). When we compared the architectural features of ductal carcinoma in situ with the degree of tubule formation in the invasive component we found a statistically significant different between the groups (p=0,1033). The results lead us to conclude that the nuclear features of a given invasive breast cancer are possibly determined in a preinvasive level, while architectural changes probably develop in a late stage, after the acquisition of the invasive phenotype.

Carcinogênese é um fenômeno de múltiplas fases. A literatura recente aceita, baseada em evidências epidemiológicas, que a progressão neoplásica em direção ao carcinoma invasor da mama inicia-se em estados hiperplásicos do epitélio ductal, passando pelo carcinoma in situ. Questões abertas na literatura no que concerne à relação existente entre o carcinoma intraductal e o carcinoma ductal invasivo referem-se aos fatores envolvidos nos processos que levam à invasão tumoral. Quatro modelos de progressão de doença foram propostos baseados na morfologia dessas lesões. Três deles descreveriam diferentes vias de progressão direta do carcinoma intraductal para o carcinoma invasor. O quarto modelo propõe que a evolução do carcinoma intraductal e do carcinoma invasor se faz independentemente, \"em paralelo\", a partir de uma terceira lesão precursora comum que, na verdade, gera um tumor de colisão in situ e invasor. O presente trabalho estudou retrospectivamente o tecido tumoral da mama de 46 pacientes do sexo feminino que continham carcinoma intraductal associado ao componente invasor na mesma lesão. Foram determinados o conteúdo de DNA nuclear por citometria estática e o grau nuclear de ambas as lesões, assim como o padrão arquitetural do componente intraductal e o índice de formação de túbulos do componente invasor. Os resultados mostraram relação estatisticamente significante (kappa=0,713; p<0,001) para o grau nuclear entre os grupos, o mesmo acontecendo com o conteúdo de DNA nuclear (kappa=0,5018 p=0,0002). Ao compararmos o aspecto arquitetural do componente intraductal com o índice de formação de túbulos do componente invasor, não encontramos correlação estatisticamente significante (p=0,1033). Os resultados permitem especular que as características nucleares de um dado carcinoma invasor de ductos mamários são possivelmente determinados em fases pré-invasivas, enquanto que alterações arquiteturais provavelmente se desenvolvem em estágios avançados, após a célula tumoral adquirir o fenótipo invasor. / Carcinogenesis is a multiple stage phenomenon. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that progression to invasive breast cancer begins in hyperplastic states of the epithelium passing by in situ carcinoma. The actual relationship that exists between ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and the factors that lead to the tumor invasion process are questions that remain unanswered in the literature. Four models have been developed to explain the progression of the neoplastic disease in the breast tissue. Three of them propose that there is a direct pathway of progression from ductal carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma. The fourth one suggests that there is a common precursor lesion and both carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma progress in an independent fashion with no relationship between each other. The present work retrospectively studied 46 tumor tissues of the female breast with coexisting ductal carcinoma in situ and ductal invasive carcinoma. DNA ploidy as well as nuclear were determined in both lesions. The architectural pattern of the in situ component and the degree of tubule formation of the invasive component were determined also. Our results showed that there are no statistically significant differences in both nuclear parameters studied (DNA ploidy, k=0,713,p<0,001; nuclear grade, k=0,5018, p=0,0002). When we compared the architectural features of ductal carcinoma in situ with the degree of tubule formation in the invasive component we found a statistically significant different between the groups (p=0,1033). The results lead us to conclude that the nuclear features of a given invasive breast cancer are possibly determined in a preinvasive level, while architectural changes probably develop in a late stage, after the acquisition of the invasive phenotype.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:42:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1076965 bytes, checksum: 39f371186cedd4587ea0ad27b341a26b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-16 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The anther culture has been applied in tomato as an attempt to induce callogenesis followed by regeneration of haploid and doubled haploid plants. By this technique, homozygous lines can be obtained, which has been considered relevant to breeding programs and molecular techniques. The androgenetic response can be influenced by several factors, especially the development stage of microsporogenesis. In this perspective, this study adapted a protocol by associating of flow cytometry and cytogenetic techniques in order to relate the development stages of microsporogenesis in tomato anthers to their size, aiming to select anthers profiles to be inoculated into culture medium. After a flow cytometry protocol was adapted for calli obtained in vitro, in order to monitor the DNA ploidy level. The nuclear suspensions analyzed by flow cytometry were obtained from digestion of anther cells and further homogenization using a mini mixer. The histograms showed low CV s, being considered suitable for cytometric analysis. Thus, anthers small (0.5 0.7 mm), showing cells in interphase/prophase I, exhibited a histogram profile similar to that observed in diploid leaf, and anthers large (1.6 1.9 mm), containing tetrad and microspores, showed an haploid peak and a G2 peak enlarged due to the presence of tetrads. From these analyzes, anthers of flower buds 1 5 mm, with size corresponding to those analyzed by flow cytometry and cytogenetics (0.5 1.9 mm), were inoculated in the callogenesis induction medium, to identify the phases more responsive to the condition in vitro. The basal MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 AIA and 1 mg L-1 2 ip, induced 21.7% of callogenesis, and the highest percentage of calli was obtained from anthers of flower buds 2.0 3.9 mm, corresponding to the phases prophase I to anaphase II. The calli were analyzed by flow cytometry to identify the DNA ploidy. The chopping performed on calli afforded the nuclei isolation, and histograms with CV s considered suitable were obtained. The cytometric analysis revealed that the all calli were multiploids, each of which presented one of five classes of DNA ploidy levels, namely: 2C-4C-8C-16C; 2C-4C-8C-16C-32C; 4C-8C; 4C-8C-16C; 8C-16C-32C. A total of 44.4% of calli analyzed showed five levels of DNA ploidy. A statistical test of interaction showed that the size of flower buds had no effect on polyploidization occurred in the calli. These data evidence the somaclonal variation occurrence, which, probably, results from the interaction of genotype with growth regulators added to the induction medium. / A cultura de anteras tem sido aplicada em tomate como tentativa à indução de calogênese seguida da regeneração de plantas haplóides e duplo-haplóides. Por meio desta técnica, linhas homozigóticas podem ser obtidas, o que tem sido considerado relevante para programas de melhoramento e técnicas moleculares. A resposta androgenética pode ser influenciada por diversos fatores, destacando-se, dentre eles, o estádio de desenvolvimento da microsporogênese. Nesta perspectiva, este estudo adaptou um protocolo associando técnicas de citometria de fluxo e citogenética para relacionar as fases de desenvolvimento da microsporogênese em anteras de tomate com o tamanho das mesmas. O objetivo desta associação foi selecionar perfis de anteras a serem inoculadas em meio de cultura. Posteriormente, adaptou-se um protocolo de citometria de fluxo para os calos obtidos in vitro, a fim de monitorar o nível de ploidia de DNA. As suspensões nucleares analisadas pela citometria de fluxo foram obtidas com digestão das anteras e posterior homogeneização das células usando um mini mixer. Os histogramas obtidos mostraram baixos CV s, sendo considerados adequados para a análise citométrica. Dessa forma, anteras pequenas (0,5 0,7 mm), na fase de intérfase/prófase I, apresentaram um perfil de histograma semelhante ao observado em folha diplóide, e anteras grandes (1,6 1,9 mm) na fase de tétrades e micrósporos apresentaram um pico haplóide e um aumento em G2 em função da presença de tétrades. A partir destas análises, as anteras de botões florais de 1 5 mm, com tamanho correspondente aos daquelas analisadas por citometria de fluxo e citogenética (0,5 1,9 mm) foram inoculadas em meio de indução de calogênese, visando identificar as fases mais responsivas a esta condição in vitro. O meio MS basal, suplementado com 2 mg L-1 de AIA e 1 mg L-1 de 2 ip, induziu 21,7% de calogênese, e o maior percentual de calos foi obtido a partir de anteras de botões florais com 2,0 3,9 mm, correspondendo às fases prófase I a anáfase II. Os calos foram analisados pela citometria de fluxo a fim de identificar a ploidia de DNA. O chopping realizado nos calos proporcionou o isolamento dos núcleos, e histogramas com CV s considerados adequados foram obtidos. A análise citométrica evidenciou que todos os calos eram multiplóides, sendo que cada um apresentou uma das cinco classes de níveis de ploidia de DNA, a saber: 2C-4C-8C-16C; 2C-4C-8C-16C-32C; 4C-8C; 4C-8C-16C; 8C-16C-32C. Um total de 44,4% dos calos analisados apresentaram cinco níveis de ploidia de DNA. Um teste estatístico de interação mostrou que o tamanho dos botões florais não influenciou na poliploidização ocorrida nos calos. Estes dados evidenciam a ocorrência de variação somaclonal que, provavelmente, é resultado da interação do genótipo com os reguladores de crescimento acrescidos ao meio de indução.

Introdução O diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno (DPM) se baseia no achado de células tumorais no líquido ou no tecido pleural. Resultados falsos positivos ou falsos negativos influenciam na escolha da melhor conduta terapêutica a ser tomada, além de alterar substancialmente o prognóstico desses pacientes. A sensibilidade do exame citológico é geralmente inferior a 70%, motivo pelo qual, métodos complementares são frequentemente associados. Fatores como tipo histológico, sítio primário e grau de invasibilidade do tumor são os principais responsáveis por esta variação. Dentre os exames complementares propostos, destacam-se a dosagem de marcadores tumorais no líquido pleural (LP), as técnicas citoquímicas, imunocitoquímicas e de marcadores de proliferação celular em células do LP, a análise da ploidia de DNA por citometria de fluxo (CF) ou estática (CE) e, mais recentemente, as técnicas de citogenética e de biologia molecular, como a técnica de hibridação in situ por fluorescência (FISH) e a técnica de amplificação multiplex por sondas ligação - dependentes (MLPA) estas, capazes de detectar alterações em regiões gênicas consideradas \"alvo\" para o desfecho neoplásico. Objetivos 1) Padronizar as técnicas de DNA ploidia, FISH e MLPA em amostras frescas de líquido pleural; 2) Testar a eficiência diagnóstica dos métodos da DNA ploidia e da FISH no diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno e 3) Avaliar alterações no número de cópias no gene EGFR em metástases pleurais utilizando a técnica de MLPA. Métodos Foram incluídos 200 pacientes adultos portadores de derrame pleural (DP) com indicação de toracocentese. O diagnóstico histológico foi o padrão ouro para malignidade. Características clínicas, radiológicas, histológicas e de seguimento clínico foram considerados para a exclusão de malignidade, de maneira que 130 casos foram classificados como malignos e 70 como benignos. As 200 amostras de LP foram submetidas ao exame citológico e à FISH utilizando sondas centroméricas para os cromossomos 11 e 17. A análise da ploidia de DNA por CF foi realizada em 45 casos de DP e a MLPA com o kit do gene do receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR) em 50 casos. Resultados A análise da ploidia de DNA por CF apresentou sensibilidade inferior ao exame citológico, com especificidade próxima (57,0%vs 96,2%; 70,0% vs 66,7%, respectivamente). A FISH isoladamente apresentou sensibilidade de 98,5% e especificidade de 98,6% e de 98,0% e 99,% quando associada ao exame citológico, com apenas um caso falso positivo e dois casos falsos negativos. A técnica de MLPA, padronizada para LP, demonstrou alterações na sequência do gene do EGFR em 28,2% dos casos malignos. Nenhuma amostra de líquido pleural dos casos benignos (controle) apresentou alteração no número de cópias e/ou rearranjos estruturais. Conclusão A análise citogenética de amostras frescas de líquido pleural por FISH é um valioso complemento ao exame citológico no diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno, particularmente nos casos em que o resultado da citologia oncótica é inconclusiva / Introduction The diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is based on the finding of tumor cells in the pleural fluid or tissue. False positive or false negative results influence the choice of the best therapeutic approach to be used with these patients and substantially change their prognosis. The sensitivity of the cytology is generally lesser than 70%, for which complementary methods are often associated. Factors such as tumor histological type, staging, primary site and potential of invasiveness are responsible for this variation. Among the proposed ancillary tests, we highlight the dosage of tumor markers in pleural fluid (PF), the cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques, including markers of cell proliferation, DNA ploidy analysis by flow cytometry (FC) or static cytometry (EC) and more recently, the cytogenetics and molecular techniques, as the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the multiplex ligation - dependent probe amplification (MLPA), capable of detecting changes in gene regions considered \"target\" for the neoplastic outcome. Objectives 1) To standardize the techniques of DNA ploidy, FISH and MLPA in fresh samples of pleural fluid; 2) To test the diagnosis efficiency of DNA ploidy and FISH in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and 3) To evaluate changes in the copy number of the EGFR gene by using the MLPA technique in cases of pleural metastases. Methods We included 200 adult patients with pleural effusion and clinical indication for thoracentesis. The histological diagnosis was considered the gold standard for malignancy. Clinical follow-up, radiological and histological characteristics were considered for exclusion of malignancy, which ranked de cases as 130 malignant effusions and 70 as benign ones. All cases were submitted to cytology and FISH using centromeric probes for the chromosomes 11 and 17. Analysis of DNA ploidy by FC was performed in 45 cases and the MLPA for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in 50 cases. Results DNA ploidy analysis showed less sensitivity than PF cytology, with similar specificity (57.0% vs 96.2% and 70.0% vs 66.7%, respectively). FISH alone had a sensitivity of 98.5% and specificity of 98.6%, and of 98.0% and 99% when associated with cytology. Only one false positive and two false negative cases were observed. The MLPA technique, standardized for PF, showed changes in the EGFR gene in 28.2% of the malignant cases. No samples of pleural fluid from benign cases (control) showed changes in copy number and/or structural rearrangements. Conclusion The cytogenetic analysis of fresh pleural fluid samples by FISH seems to be a valuable method to be associated to cytology in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion, particularly in cases of inconclusive cytological results

Introdução O diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno (DPM) se baseia no achado de células tumorais no líquido ou no tecido pleural. Resultados falsos positivos ou falsos negativos influenciam na escolha da melhor conduta terapêutica a ser tomada, além de alterar substancialmente o prognóstico desses pacientes. A sensibilidade do exame citológico é geralmente inferior a 70%, motivo pelo qual, métodos complementares são frequentemente associados. Fatores como tipo histológico, sítio primário e grau de invasibilidade do tumor são os principais responsáveis por esta variação. Dentre os exames complementares propostos, destacam-se a dosagem de marcadores tumorais no líquido pleural (LP), as técnicas citoquímicas, imunocitoquímicas e de marcadores de proliferação celular em células do LP, a análise da ploidia de DNA por citometria de fluxo (CF) ou estática (CE) e, mais recentemente, as técnicas de citogenética e de biologia molecular, como a técnica de hibridação in situ por fluorescência (FISH) e a técnica de amplificação multiplex por sondas ligação - dependentes (MLPA) estas, capazes de detectar alterações em regiões gênicas consideradas \"alvo\" para o desfecho neoplásico. Objetivos 1) Padronizar as técnicas de DNA ploidia, FISH e MLPA em amostras frescas de líquido pleural; 2) Testar a eficiência diagnóstica dos métodos da DNA ploidia e da FISH no diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno e 3) Avaliar alterações no número de cópias no gene EGFR em metástases pleurais utilizando a técnica de MLPA. Métodos Foram incluídos 200 pacientes adultos portadores de derrame pleural (DP) com indicação de toracocentese. O diagnóstico histológico foi o padrão ouro para malignidade. Características clínicas, radiológicas, histológicas e de seguimento clínico foram considerados para a exclusão de malignidade, de maneira que 130 casos foram classificados como malignos e 70 como benignos. As 200 amostras de LP foram submetidas ao exame citológico e à FISH utilizando sondas centroméricas para os cromossomos 11 e 17. A análise da ploidia de DNA por CF foi realizada em 45 casos de DP e a MLPA com o kit do gene do receptor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR) em 50 casos. Resultados A análise da ploidia de DNA por CF apresentou sensibilidade inferior ao exame citológico, com especificidade próxima (57,0%vs 96,2%; 70,0% vs 66,7%, respectivamente). A FISH isoladamente apresentou sensibilidade de 98,5% e especificidade de 98,6% e de 98,0% e 99,% quando associada ao exame citológico, com apenas um caso falso positivo e dois casos falsos negativos. A técnica de MLPA, padronizada para LP, demonstrou alterações na sequência do gene do EGFR em 28,2% dos casos malignos. Nenhuma amostra de líquido pleural dos casos benignos (controle) apresentou alteração no número de cópias e/ou rearranjos estruturais. Conclusão A análise citogenética de amostras frescas de líquido pleural por FISH é um valioso complemento ao exame citológico no diagnóstico de derrame pleural maligno, particularmente nos casos em que o resultado da citologia oncótica é inconclusiva / Introduction The diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is based on the finding of tumor cells in the pleural fluid or tissue. False positive or false negative results influence the choice of the best therapeutic approach to be used with these patients and substantially change their prognosis. The sensitivity of the cytology is generally lesser than 70%, for which complementary methods are often associated. Factors such as tumor histological type, staging, primary site and potential of invasiveness are responsible for this variation. Among the proposed ancillary tests, we highlight the dosage of tumor markers in pleural fluid (PF), the cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques, including markers of cell proliferation, DNA ploidy analysis by flow cytometry (FC) or static cytometry (EC) and more recently, the cytogenetics and molecular techniques, as the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the multiplex ligation - dependent probe amplification (MLPA), capable of detecting changes in gene regions considered \"target\" for the neoplastic outcome. Objectives 1) To standardize the techniques of DNA ploidy, FISH and MLPA in fresh samples of pleural fluid; 2) To test the diagnosis efficiency of DNA ploidy and FISH in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and 3) To evaluate changes in the copy number of the EGFR gene by using the MLPA technique in cases of pleural metastases. Methods We included 200 adult patients with pleural effusion and clinical indication for thoracentesis. The histological diagnosis was considered the gold standard for malignancy. Clinical follow-up, radiological and histological characteristics were considered for exclusion of malignancy, which ranked de cases as 130 malignant effusions and 70 as benign ones. All cases were submitted to cytology and FISH using centromeric probes for the chromosomes 11 and 17. Analysis of DNA ploidy by FC was performed in 45 cases and the MLPA for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in 50 cases. Results DNA ploidy analysis showed less sensitivity than PF cytology, with similar specificity (57.0% vs 96.2% and 70.0% vs 66.7%, respectively). FISH alone had a sensitivity of 98.5% and specificity of 98.6%, and of 98.0% and 99% when associated with cytology. Only one false positive and two false negative cases were observed. The MLPA technique, standardized for PF, showed changes in the EGFR gene in 28.2% of the malignant cases. No samples of pleural fluid from benign cases (control) showed changes in copy number and/or structural rearrangements. Conclusion The cytogenetic analysis of fresh pleural fluid samples by FISH seems to be a valuable method to be associated to cytology in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion, particularly in cases of inconclusive cytological results

<p>From January, 1988, to December, 1993, 113 patients with FIGO stage IA-IIC epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 74 months. Tumor recurrences were recorded in 33 cases (30%). The cancer-specific survival rate was 72%. Tumor grade was a significant (P = 0.007) and independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis. In a smaller series of 106 patients, a number of prognostic factors (age, FIGO stage, histopathological type, and tumor grade) were studied in relation to regulators of apoptosis (p53, bcl-2, and bax) and growth factor receptors (HER-2/neu and EGFR). Immunohistochemical techniques were used. In a separate series of 103 patients, the DNA content (flow cytometry) and p53 status of the tumors were also studied and related to the same clinicopathological factors. P53 was associated with tumor grade (P = 0.007) and survival status (P = 0.046). In a Cox multivariate analysis, tumor grade (P = 0.0006), bax status (P = 0.020), and EGFR status (P = 0.018) were significant and independent prognostic factors. DNA ploidy of the tumors was strongly associated with tumor grade. </p><p>From January, 1994, to December, 1998, a series of 109 patients with ovarian carcinomas (FIGO IA-IIC) were treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The same prognostic factors were studied in this series. The median follow-up was 48 months and the cancer-specific survival rate was 75%. Twenty-five (25%) tumor recurrences were recorded. The most favorable survival rate was seen in patients with tumors negative for p53 and positive for bcl-2 or bax. In a multivariate analysis, tumor grade (P = 0.014) and p53 status (P = 0.020) were independent prognostic factors.</p><p>Clinical, histopathological and biological prognostic factors should be combined in prognostic models to render patient-tailored therapy possible and to define different prognostic groups for future clinical studies of adjuvant therapy in early stage ovarian carcinomas.</p>

From January, 1988, to December, 1993, 113 patients with FIGO stage IA-IIC epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. The median follow-up period was 74 months. Tumor recurrences were recorded in 33 cases (30%). The cancer-specific survival rate was 72%. Tumor grade was a significant (P = 0.007) and independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis. In a smaller series of 106 patients, a number of prognostic factors (age, FIGO stage, histopathological type, and tumor grade) were studied in relation to regulators of apoptosis (p53, bcl-2, and bax) and growth factor receptors (HER-2/neu and EGFR). Immunohistochemical techniques were used. In a separate series of 103 patients, the DNA content (flow cytometry) and p53 status of the tumors were also studied and related to the same clinicopathological factors. P53 was associated with tumor grade (P = 0.007) and survival status (P = 0.046). In a Cox multivariate analysis, tumor grade (P = 0.0006), bax status (P = 0.020), and EGFR status (P = 0.018) were significant and independent prognostic factors. DNA ploidy of the tumors was strongly associated with tumor grade. From January, 1994, to December, 1998, a series of 109 patients with ovarian carcinomas (FIGO IA-IIC) were treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The same prognostic factors were studied in this series. The median follow-up was 48 months and the cancer-specific survival rate was 75%. Twenty-five (25%) tumor recurrences were recorded. The most favorable survival rate was seen in patients with tumors negative for p53 and positive for bcl-2 or bax. In a multivariate analysis, tumor grade (P = 0.014) and p53 status (P = 0.020) were independent prognostic factors. Clinical, histopathological and biological prognostic factors should be combined in prognostic models to render patient-tailored therapy possible and to define different prognostic groups for future clinical studies of adjuvant therapy in early stage ovarian carcinomas.