β-catenin and Gli1 are prognostic markers in glioblastoma.

Glioblastomas (GBMs), the most common primary malignancies of the central nervous system, are highly aggressive and heterogeneous, and remain a dramatic therapeutic challenge. Markers mirroring the complex molecular profile of GBMs that are predictive of patient outcomes are needed to define novel multi-targeted treatment strategies. Resistance to current GBM therapies is partly due to a subpopulation of stem-like and other self-renewing cells (hereafter called glioma stem-like cancer cells, GSCC), which are therefore of key interest as therapeutic entry points.

S100A13 is a new angiogenic marker in human melanoma.

Angiogenesis is critical in melanoma progression and metastasis and relies on the synthesis and release of proangiogenic molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). S100A13 is a small calcium-binding protein that facilitates the release of FGF-1, the prototype of the FGF family. S100A13 is upregulated in astrocytic gliomas, in which it correlates with VEGF-A expression, microvessel density and tumor grading, and promotes a more aggressive, invasive phenotype in lung cancer-derived cell lines.

Beclin 1 and LC3 autophagic gene expression in cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Beclin 1 and LC3 autophagic genes are altered in several human cancer types. This study was designed to assess the expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 in cutaneous melanocytic lesions, in which they have not yet been investigated. In melanoma, we correlated their expression with conventional histopathologic prognostic factors.

Nucleolin protein expression in cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Background: Nucleolin is a major nucleolar argyrophilic protein involved in carcinogenesis. There are only few studies on its tissue expression in human cancer and none in melanoma. We aimed at exploring this protein and its prognostic impact in cutaneous melanocytic lesions.

Utility of tumour-infiltrating CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cell evaluation in predicting local recurrence in vertical growth phase cutaneous melanoma.

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent the local immune response to cancer, however, their correlation with tumour behaviour is not unanimously considered in the literature. Most studies have not characterized TILs, that are known to comprise distinct subsets, bearing different roles in the complex tumour microenvironment. Characterization of patient lymphocytes has been mainly performed in peripheral blood, that is not always representative of the local immune status.

Protein and mRNA expression of autophagy gene Beclin 1 in human brain tumours.

Beclin 1 is is an autophagy gene, the role of which as a tumour suppressor has recently been recognized in a few studies. We examined the expression of Beclin 1 protein in 212 primary human brain tumours, including 97 high-grade glial tumours, 29 low-grade glial tumours, 4 grade III meningiomas, 19 grade II meningiomas, 52 grade I meningiomas, and 11 medulloblastomas. In 94 cases, including 56 glial tumours, 35 meningiomas, and 3 medulloblastomas we also assessed Beclin 1 mRNA expression by real-time RT-PCR.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor protein and mRNA expression in cutaneous melanocytic tumours.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a widely expressed cytokine involved in various biological processes. Although MIF's functions in cancer have not been completely elucidated, its expression has usually been correlated with tumour progression and aggressiveness, and it is currently discussed as a new promising target for novel therapies. Recent studies seem to confirm its active role in melanoma pathobiology; however, its expression has not yet been extensively studied in melanocytic tumours.