by Cheng Yuen Yee. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [106]-113). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Research out puts --- p.v / Abbreviations --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.viii / List of Tables --- p.xiii / Table of contents --- p.xiv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction & Hypothesis / Chapter 1.1. --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Hypothesis --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3. --- Objectives --- p.4 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- An Overview of Giant Cell Tumour of Bone / Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2. --- Pathobiological features of GCT --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Radiological appearances and clinical classifications of GCT --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Histological characteristics --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Metastatic GCT --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3. --- Histogenesis of GCT --- p.14 / Chapter 2.4. --- Treatment --- p.19 / Chapter 2.5. --- Summary --- p.22 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Pharmacological aspect of bisphosphonates / Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2. --- Chemical structures of bisphosphonates --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3. --- Mechanisms and actions --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Bisphosphonates induce osteoclast apoptosis --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Bisphosphonates induce cell apoptosis --- p.32 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Apoptosis --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.3.1. --- Morphological characteristic of apoptosis --- p.35 / Chapter 3.4. --- Clinical applications of bisphosphonates --- p.36 / Chapter 3.5. --- Bisphosphonates used in this study --- p.38 / Chapter 3.6. --- Summary --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Materials and methods / Chapter 4.1. --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2. --- Primary GCT cell culture and maintenance --- p.46 / Chapter 4.3. --- Drug preparation --- p.46 / Chapter 4.4. --- MTT assay --- p.47 / Chapter 4.5. --- Annexin-V-flous staining assay --- p.48 / Chapter 4.6. --- Haematoxyline and Eosin staining --- p.51 / Chapter 4.7. --- TUNEL assay (Terminal deoxynucleotidyltrasferase - mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labelling) --- p.52 / Chapter 4.8. --- TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) --- p.54 / Chapter 4.9. --- Statistical analysis --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Bisphosphonates induce apoptosis in giant cell tumour of bone -in vitro study / Chapter 5.1. --- Introduction --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2. --- Experimental design --- p.57 / Chapter 5.3. --- Results / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Bisphosphonates reduce cell viability of GCT stromal tumour cell --- p.59 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Bisphosphonates induce morphological changesin GCT primary culture --- p.59 / Chapter 5.3.3. --- Bisphosphonate significantly induce apoptosis in GCT stromal cells in a dose dependent manner --- p.62 / Chapter 5.4. --- Discussions and Summary --- p.68 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Bisphosphonates induce apoptosis in giant cell tumour of bone -in vivo study / Chapter 6.1. --- Introduction --- p.73 / Chapter 6.2. --- Experiment design --- p.74 / Chapter 6.3. --- Results / Chapter 6.3.1. --- H & E observations / Chapter 6.3.2. --- Pamidronate significantly induce apoptosis in both osteoclast-like giant cells and stromal tumour cells by TUNEL labelling assay --- p.79 / Chapter 6.3.3. --- Pamidronate induced cellular ultrastructural changes of GCT by TEM examination --- p.83 / Chapter 6.3.4. --- Pamidronate reduce the recurrent characteristic of GCT --- p.95 / Chapter 6.4. --- Discussions and Summary --- p.97 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Summary and Future Study / Chapter 7.1. --- Summary --- p.101 / Chapter 7.2. --- Future directions --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Reference --- p.105 / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Appendix - solution preparation