An assay to determine the mechanism of regulation of embryonal carcinoma cells by the blastocyst, which is based on a comparison of tumors produced when the cancer cells are cloned alone or after incorporation into blastocysts, was refined by labeling embryonal carcinoma cells with fluorescent microspheres and by following their fate after injection into the blastocysts. Through the use of the ...

BACKGROUND Although, substantial experimental evidence related to diagnosis and treatment of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms have been demonstrated, the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease remains scarce. Recent microRNA (miRNA)-based research reveals the involvement of miRNAs in various aspects of CNS development and proposes that they might compose k...

The mechanisms causing persistence of embryonal cells that later give rise to tumors is unknown. One tumorigenic factor in the embryonal childhood tumor neuroblastoma is the MYCN protooncogene. Here we show that normal mice developed neuroblast hyperplasia in paravertebral ganglia at birth that completely regressed by 2 weeks of age. In contrast, ganglia from MYCN transgenic (TH-MYCN) mice demo...

BACKGROUND The prognosis of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in children and adolescents has improved since the introduction of multi-agent chemotherapy. However, outcome data of adults with RMS are scarce. This multicenter retrospective study investigated the effect of age on outcome of RMS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data were collected from three Dutch University Medical Centers between 1977-2009. The eff...

Medulloepithelioma is a rare embryonal tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). Its distinct appearance is characterized by papillary and tubular arrangements of malignant singleto multi-layered columnar epithelium surrounded by an outer basement membrane. For years, this tumor has been viewed as an embryonal tumor that recapitulates the earliest stage of CNS development, namely the neural tu...

We studied the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are known to accumulate in patients with diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or those who smoke, on embryonal development. Pronuclear (PN) embryos were obtained by flushing the fallopian tubes of rats after superovulation and mating. The cleavage rate and blastocyst yield were evaluated at 24, 72, 96, and 120 h of culture. Glyox...

The key role of vitamin A in embryonal development is reviewed. Special emphasis is given to the physiological action of retinoids, as evident from the retinoid ligand knockout models. Retinoid metabolism in embryonic tissues and teratogenic consequences of retinoid administration at high doses are presented. Physiological and pharmacological actions of retinoids are outlined and explained on t...

Diffuse embryoma of the testis is a very rare, distinct form of mixed germ cell tumor. I report here on a case of diffuse embryoma in a 22-year-old male who presented with painful scrotal swelling. The resected testis was entirely occupied by a non-encapsulated tumor mass. The cut surface of the tumor was grey or whitish pink, soft and granular with foci of hemorrhage and necrosis. Microscopica...

PURPOSE Up to 50% of patients diagnosed with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) harbor occult metastases. Patients are managed by surveillance with chemotherapy at relapse or adjuvant treatment up front. Late toxicities from chemotherapy are increasingly recognized. Based on a potential biologic role in germ cells/tumors and pilot data, our aim was to evaluate tumor expression of...

Testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) are the most frequent malignancy in young adults and arise from intratubular germ cell neoplasia undetermined (IGCNU, also referred to as carcinoma in situ, CIS). To determine the transcriptional programs involved in the transition from normal germ cells to GCT, and to further elucidate genetic differences between seminomas and non-seminomatous GCT the global e...