The Expression of HPV-16 E5 Oncoprotein Impacts the Transcript Profiles of FGFR2 and EMT-Related Genes in Preneoplastic Anal Epithelium Lesions.

Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCA) is a rare Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-associated carcinoma whose pathogenesis is still poorly understood. Recent studies based on biopsy and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches have linked the viral episomal status to aggressive SCCA phenotypes, suggesting a potential role of the 16E5 oncoprotein in tumor development. Our previous findings indicated that 16E5 induces Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 (FGFR2) isoform switching, aberrant mesenchymal FGFR2c expression, Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), and cell invasion in various in vitro human keratinocyte models, as well as in the in vivo context of cervical Low-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (LSILs).

Interobserver agreement in the interpretation of anal cytology.

Background: Anal cytology represents a tool for anal cancer screening in high-risk populations. In addition to accuracy, the reproducibility of the interpretation is of key importance. The authors evaluated the agreement of anal cytologic interpretation between two cytopathologists.

Incidence of abnormal anal cytology in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected men who have sex with men.

Introduction: Anal cytology is used in the prevention of anal cancer, which disproportionally affects men who have sex with men (MSM). Data on the incidence of cytologic abnormalities in these individuals are scant.

Methods: MSM with baseline negative anal cytology and at least one further adequate cytology were included.

Immunogenicity and Safety of BNT162b2 Homologous Booster Vaccination in People Living with HIV under Effective cART.

Data on COVID-19 boosting vaccination in people living with HIV (PLWH) are scant. We investigated the immunogenicity and safety of the BNT162b2 homologous boosting vaccination. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies (LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG test, DiaSorin®), CD4+, CD8+ and viraemia were monitored at T0 (pre-vaccination), T1 (4 weeks after the second dose), T2 (pre-booster) and T3 (4 weeks after the booster dose).

Optimizing the Illumina COVIDSeq laboratorial and bioinformatics pipeline on thousands of samples for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern tracking.

The SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern tracking via Whole Genome Sequencing represents a pillar of public health measures for the containment of the pandemic. The ability to track down the lineage distribution on a local and global scale leads to a better understanding of immune escape and to adopting interventions to contain novel outbreaks. This scenario poses a challenge for NGS laboratories worldwide that are pressed to have both a faster turnaround time and a high-throughput processing of swabs for sequencing and analysis.

Notch signaling in female cancers: a multifaceted node to overcome drug resistance.

Drug resistance is one of the main challenges in cancer therapy, including in the treatment of female-specific malignancies, which account for more than 60% of cancer cases among women. Therefore, elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms is an urgent need in gynecological cancers to foster novel therapeutic approaches. Notably, Notch signaling, including either receptors or ligands, has emerged as a promising candidate given its multifaceted role in almost all of the hallmarks of cancer.

Incidence and clearance of anal high-risk Human Papillomavirus infection and their risk factors in men who have sex with men living with HIV.

HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) display the highest prevalence of anal infection by high-risk Human Papillomaviruses (hrHPVs) and incidence of anal carcinoma. Anal specimens were genotyped by the Linear Array. Incidence and clearance of anal infection by hrHPVs, hrHPVs other than HPV16, low-risk HPVs, and four individual types (6,11,16,18) were estimated using a two-state Markov model.

Human Papillomavirus Oral Infection: Review of Methodological Aspects and Epidemiology.

Oral infection by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) has recently gained great attention because of its involvement in the development of a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The role of specific Alpha-HPVs in this regard has been well established, whereas the contribution of other genera is under investigation. Despite their traditional classification as "cutaneous" types, Beta and Gamma HPVs are frequently detected in oral samples.

Concurrent and Concordant Anal and Oral Human PapillomaVirus Infections Are Not Associated with Sexual Behavior in At-Risk Males.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) harbor the highest prevalence of anal and oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly if HIV-infected. We investigated anal and oral HPV infections in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected MSM, to assess concurrent (HPV detected at both sites, irrespective of the genotypes), and concordant infections (same genotype[s] detected at both sites). Matched anal and oral samples from 161 MSM (85 HIV-infected, and 76 HIV-uninfected) were tested with the Linear Array.

Predictors of Oral Infection by Mucosal and Cutaneous Human Papillomaviruses in HIV-Infected and Uninfected Men Who Have Sex with Men of the OHMAR Study.

Mucosal Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) play a role in the development of a subset of head and neck cancers. Cutaneous HPVs are abundantly present in the oral cavity. The determinants of these infections have not been extensively investigated.

Anal and oral human papillomavirus infection in men who have sex with men: implications for risk-targeted vaccination.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) harbor a significant burden of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases that could be prevented by vaccination. Prevalence of HPVs targeted by the quadrivalent (4vHPV) and nonavalent vaccines (9vHPV) was assessed in anal (n = 443) and oral (n = 193) specimens of immunocompetent, sexually active MSM, using the Linear Array. Of the anal samples, 34.

Notch3 contributes to T-cell leukemia growth via regulation of the unfolded protein response.

Unfolded protein response (UPR) is a conserved adaptive response that tries to restore protein homeostasis after endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Recent studies highlighted the role of UPR in acute leukemias and UPR targeting has been suggested as a therapeutic approach. Aberrant Notch signaling is a common feature of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), as downregulation of Notch activity negatively affects T-ALL cell survival, leading to the employment of Notch inhibitors in T-ALL therapy.

Current Trends in ATRA Delivery for Cancer Therapy.

All-Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) is the most active metabolite of vitamin A. It is critically involved in the regulation of multiple processes, such as cell differentiation and apoptosis, by activating specific genomic pathways or by influencing key signaling proteins. Furthermore, mounting evidence highlights the anti-tumor activity of this compound.

Genes and environment in attachment.

In the last two decades, there has been increasing research interest in disentangling the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to individual differences in attachment, and in identifying the genes involved in shaping attachment. Twin studies suggest that as attachment changes during the course of development, genetic factors may play a progressively more important role, while shared environmental effects might decrease. However, most of this literature is limited by low power, measurement issues, and cross-sectional design.

Vaccine-preventable anal infections by human papillomavirus among HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

Aim: HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) show the highest prevalence of anal HPV infection. Anal prevalence of the HPVs targeted by the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV) and nonavalent HPV vaccine (9vHPV) was estimated in this population.

Materials & Methods: Anal specimens were collected from HIV-infected MSM attending a sexually transmitted infection/HIV center.