Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of lung: its incidence and analysis of clinical, glycohistochemical and structural features including newly defined growth regulators and vascularization.
BACKGROUND
Adenomatous hyperplasia of the peripheral lung has been suggested to be a preneoplastic lesion leading to peripherally localized lung carcinomas. The paucity of data about cellular and vascular characteristics of this lesion in comparison to normal lung prompted this investigation.


METHODS
We describe results of two investigations comprising 75 cases and 70 cases, respectively, with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) of the lung, respectively: (a) a prospective study part with thorough analysis of surgical lung specimens (lobes and lungs) for light microscopical detection of the lesion; and (b) a retrospective study part with immuno- and lectin histochemical analysis of AAH and non-neoplastic lung parenchyma monitoring expression of growth-related markers and changes in vascularization patterns. Sections of the individual cases were examined by an image-analyzing system including automated measurement of staining intensities and structure analysis.


RESULTS
The prospective study part revealed an incidence of AAH in 2/31 cases with squamous cell carcinoma and in 5/32 cases with adenocarcinomas. No relation to pT- or pN stages was detectable, high grade AAHs were seen to be close to the tumor lesions (<2 cm distance) and those with low grade at greater distances. Statistically significantly increased levels of expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) capable to suppress p53 activities, heparin-binding lectin, interleukin-2, galectin-1 and of binding sites for the endogenous lectins galectins-1, -3 and -7 were determined. In addition, alveolar-lining cells, which express these markers, formed spatial clusters, which harbor different levels of structural entropy. AAH displayed an increased level of vascularization characterized by regular size and increased number of newly formed vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
The prospective and retrospective study parts point to a close association of AAH with peripherally localized adenocarcinoma of the lung. AAH is characterized by pronounced alteration of expression of several growth-related markers and probably non-reversible changes in vascularization.
UICC-TPCC, Institute of Pathology, Charité, Humboldt University, Schumannstr. 20-23, D-10117 Berlin, Germany. klkayser@lung.de
Klaus
K
Kayser
Johnson Obiefune
JO
Nwoye
Zdravko
Z
Kosjerina
Thorsten
T
Goldmann
Ekkehard
E
Vollmer
Herbert
H
Kaltner
Sabine
S
André
Hans-Joachim
HJ
Gabius
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000236:Adenoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D019254:Genes, bcl-2; D016158:Genes, p53; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015994:Incidence; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006133:Growth Substances