Analysis of prognostic significance of merkel cell polyomavirus in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a ubiquitous DNA tumor virus, has been found to be associated with Merkel cell carcinoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Previous studies have reported conflicting results on the frequency and potential pathogenetic role of MCPyV in CLL. The aim of this study was to evaluate MCPyV's association with CLL and its prognostic significance.

Detection of minimal residual disease in lung cancer.

Background: Even after successful radical treatment of lung cancer, patients in stages I and II of the TNM system very frequently suffer recurrence, which end lethally. Detection of subclinical residual disease after surgery is thus one of the most important emerging diagnostic methods. Minimal residual disease (MRD) is defined as the presence of isolated tumor cells or circulating cells in a patient after curative primary tumor removal and at the same time, no clinical signs of cancer.

Different effect of sodium butyrate on cancer and normal prostate cells.

Sodium butyrate, as a naturally occurring inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACI), is a non-toxic agent, with an ability to change histone acetylation and expression of large number genes. This study shows different effects of sodium butyrate on expression and transcription activity of the androgen receptor in cancer (LNCaP, C4-2) and normal (RWPE-1) prostate cells. Moreover, we studied the coregulator expressions and histone acetylation alteration in cancer and normal cells.

Occult tumour cells in peritoneal lavage are a negative prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer.

Aims: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that occult tumour cells in peritoneal lavage are a negative prognostic factor in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Real-time RT-PCR analysis of CEA, EGFR and hTERT transcript levels was used to identify occult tumour cells in peritoneal lavage samples from 96 pancreatic cancer patients.

Results: We found significant association between CEA expression levels in peritoneal lavage and clinical stage.

[Possibility of using the determination of minimal residual disease in pancreatic adenocarcinoma using real-time RT-PCR--a pilot study].

Background: Minimal residual disease in patients with pancreatic cancer is defined as the presence of isolated tumor cells in the patient's body, in which the primary tumor was removed and is currently without clinical signs of disease. These isolated tumor cells may be described as precursors of micrometastases. Assessment of MRD in patients with this highly malignant disease could eliminate burdensome implementation of surgery in patients with systematic dissemination of molecular disease and provide a more precise prognosis.