Human-correlated genetic models identify precision therapy for liver cancer.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. HCC occurs typically from a background of chronic liver disease, caused by a spectrum of predisposing conditions. Tumour development is driven by the expansion of clones that accumulate progressive driver mutations, with hepatocytes the most likely cell of origin.

IL6 and IL6R as Prognostic Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed malignancy worldwide and survival outcomes remain poor. Research is focused on the identification of novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers to improve clinical practice. There is robust evidence in the literature that inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL6) is elevated systemically in CRC patients and that this phenomenon is a predictor of poor survival outcome.

Complications of cerebrospinal fluid drainage in thoracoabdominal aortic procedures.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage is used to reduce spinal cord ischemia (SCI) in patients undergoing thoracoabdominal aortic procedures. Recent literature has found high rates of complication associated with CSF drainage, which has led to changes in practice. The aim of this study was to investigate rates of CSF drain-related complications in patients undergoing a thoracoabdominal aortic procedure with perioperative placement of a CSF drain.

Targeting the PREX2/RAC1/PI3Kβ Signaling Axis Confers Sensitivity to Clinically Relevant Therapeutic Approaches in Melanoma.

Metastatic melanoma remains a major clinical challenge. Large-scale genomic sequencing of melanoma has identified bona fide activating mutations in RAC1, which are associated with resistance to BRAF-targeting therapies. Targeting the RAC1-GTPase pathway, including the upstream activator PREX2 and the downstream effector PI3Kβ, could be a potential strategy for overcoming therapeutic resistance, limiting melanoma recurrence, and suppressing metastatic progression.