Endocannabinoid System Components of the Female Mouse Reproductive Tract Are Modulated during Reproductive Aging.

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has gained ground as a key modulator of several female fertility-related processes, under physiological/pathological conditions. Nevertheless, its modulation during reproductive aging remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of the main receptors (cannabinoid receptor 1,CB; cannabinoid receptor 2, CB; G-protein coupled receptor, GPR55; and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel, TRPV1) and metabolic enzymes (N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D, NAPE-PLD; fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH; monoacylglycerol lipase, MAGL; and diacylglycerol lipase, DAGL-α and -β) of this system in the ovaries, oviducts, and uteri of mice at prepubertal, adult, late reproductive, and post-reproductive stages through quantitative ELISA and immunohistochemistry.

Do Aging and Parity Affect VEGF-A/VEGFR Content and Signaling in the Ovary?-A Mouse Model Study.

In this study, the effects of aging and parity on VEGF-A/VEGFR protein content and signaling in the mice ovaries were determined. The research group consisted of nulliparous (virgins, V) and multiparous (M) mice during late-reproductive (L, 9-12 months) and post-reproductive (P, 15-18 months) stages. Whilst ovarian VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 remained unchanged in all the experimental groups (LM, LV, PM, PV), protein content of VEGF-A and phosphorylated VEGFR2 significantly decreased only in PM ovaries.

The Alternative TrkAIII Splice Variant, a Targetable Oncogenic Participant in Human Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma.

Post-therapeutic relapse, poor survival rates and increasing incidence justify the search for novel therapeutic targets and strategies in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Within this context, a potential oncogenic role for TrkA in CMM is suggested by reports of amplification, enhanced TrkA expression and intracellular TrkA activation associated with poor prognosis. TrkA, however, exhibits tumour-suppressing properties in melanoma cell lines and has recently been reported not to be associated with CMM progression.

Multidisciplinary Treatment, Including Locoregional Chemotherapy, for Merkel-Polyomavirus-Positive Merkel Cell Carcinomas: Perspectives for Patients Exhibiting Oncogenic Alternative Δ exon 6-7 TrkAIII Splicing of Neurotrophin Receptor Tropomyosin-Related Kinase A.

Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) are rare, aggressive, cutaneous neuroendocrine tumours, approximately 80% of which are caused by the genomic integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). MCPyV-positive MCCs carry poor prognosis in approximately 70% of cases, highlighting the need for greater understanding of the oncogenic mechanisms involved in pathogenesis, progression and post-therapeutic relapse, and translation into novel therapeutic strategies. In a previous pilot study, we reported a potential relationship between gene expression and oncogenic alternative Δ exon 6-7 TrkAIII splicing in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) MCC tissues from a 12-patient cohort of >90% MCPyV-positive MCCs, diagnosed at San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy, characterising a new MCC subgroup and unveiling a novel potential MCPyV oncogenic mechanism and therapeutic target.

A pilot study of alternative TrkAIII splicing in Merkel cell carcinoma: a potential oncogenic mechanism and novel therapeutic target.

Background: Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) are rare, aggressive, therapeutically-challenging skin tumours that are increasing in incidence and have poor survival rates. The majority are caused by genomic Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) integration and MCPyV T-antigen expression. Recently, a potential oncogenic role for the tropomyosin-related tyrosine kinase A receptor (TrkA) has been proposed in MCC.

Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine rectal carcinoma with uncommon immune-histochemical features and clinical presentation with a subcutaneous metastasis, treated with first line intensive triplet chemotherapy plus bevacizumab FIr-B/FOx regimen: an experience of multidisciplinary management in clinical practice.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are heterogeneous, widely distributed tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells. Gastrointestinal (GI)-NETs are the most common and NETs of the rectum represent 15, 2% of gastrointestinal malignancies. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of the GI tract are uncommon.

Advantage of laparoscopic resection for pelvic Schwannoma: Case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Single pelvic schwannomas are rare tumor arising from the retrorectal, lateral or obturatory space. Laparoscopic approach to schwannoma located in lateral pelvic space has been previously described only in one case report. We present a case of a successful laparoscopic resection of pelvic schwannoma emphasizing the advantages of such a minimal invasive approach.

Does Locoregional Chemotherapy Still Matter in the Treatment of Advanced Pelvic Melanoma?

Pelvic Melanoma relapse occurs in 15% of patients with loco regional metastases, and 25% of cases do not respond to new target-therapy and/or immunotherapy. Melphalan hypoxic pelvic perfusion may, therefore, be an option for these non-responsive patients. Overall median survival time (MST), stratified for variables, including BRAF V600E mutation and eligibility for treatments with new immunotherapy drugs, was retrospectively assessed in 41 patients with pelvic melanoma loco regional metastases.

Intraluminal ileal tumour after right hemicolectomy for cancer: An implantation recurrence or a new cancer? A case report.

Introduction: Extra-anastomotic intraluminal recurrence of the colon cancer after curative surgery was rarely reported but intraluminal ileal relapse has not been described to date.We report a case of intraluminal ileal tumor arising after curative right hemicolectomy that could be ascribed to an implantation of exfoliated cancer cells.

Case Report: A 71-years old man was admitted with no metastatic stenotic adenocarcinoma of the hepatic flexure and submitted, without preoperative bowel preparation, to right hemicolectomy using a "no-touch" technique.

Melphalan hypoxic perfusion with hemofiltration for melanoma locoregional metastases in the pelvis.

Background: For patients with melanoma metastases in the pelvic and groin regions, the median survival time (MST) was 8 mo with old treatments, whereas today is approximately 20 mo with new target therapy and novel immunotherapy. Unfortunately, approximately 30% of patients are nonresponsive to these new drugs.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six patients, previously progressing after standard treatments, collectively received 146 melphalan (30 mg/m) hypoxic pelvic perfusions with hemofiltration, in association with palliative excision in most cases.

MGMT methylation correlates with melphalan pelvic perfusion survival in stage III melanoma patients: a pilot study.

Approximately 25% of melanoma patients with locoregional metastases are nonresponsive to new molecular target therapy and immunotherapy. When metastases are located in the pelvis, melphalan hypoxic perfusion can be an optional treatment. Because methylation of MGMT promoter increases the efficacy of alkylating agents, studies on melanoma outcome of patients treated with melphalan regional chemotherapy should consider this epigenetic change.

Dorsal extradural meningioma: Case report and literature review.

Background: Extradural spinal mass lesions are most commonly metastatic tumors. Extradural meningiomas are rare, accounting for approximately 2.5-3.