Telomere length as a predictor of therapy response and survival in patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma.

Impaired telomere length (TL) maintenance in ovarian tissue may play a pivotal role in the onset of epithelial ovarian cancer (OvC). TL in either target or surrogate tissue (blood) is currently being investigated for use as a predictor in anti-OvC therapy or as a biomarker of the disease progression, respectively. There is currently an urgent need for an appropriate approach to chemotherapy response prediction.

Targeted DNA sequencing of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma reveals association of TP53 mutations with platinum resistance when combined with gene expression.

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common subtype of ovarian cancer and is among the most fatal gynecological malignancies worldwide, due to late diagnosis at advanced stages and frequent therapy resistance. In 47 HGSC patients, we assessed somatic and germline genetic variability of a custom panel of 144 known or suspected HGSC-related genes by high-coverage targeted DNA sequencing to identify the genetic determinants associated with resistance to platinum-based therapy. In the germline, the most mutated genes were DNAH14 (17%), RAD51B (17%), CFTR (13%), BRCA1 (11%), and RAD51 (11%).

Molecular Screening in Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Analysis, Next-Generation Sequencing Fusion Gene Detection, and T-Cell Receptor Immunoprofiling.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL) originates from the T-lineage and is marked by rearrangements of the ALK gene. More than 10 fusion partners with the ALK gene are known, with the most common being the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation resulting in the NPM1::ALK fusion. In 10% to 20% of the ALK+ ALCL cases, the ALK gene fuses with various other partners.

Integrative analysis of mRNA and miRNA expression profiles and somatic variants in oxysterol signaling in early-stage luminal breast cancer.

Oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, act in breast cancer (BC) as selective estrogen receptor modulators and affect cholesterol homeostasis, drug transport, nuclear and cell receptors, and other signaling proteins. Using data from three highly overlapping sets of patients (N = 162 in total) with early-stage estrogen-receptor-positive luminal BC-high-coverage targeted DNA sequencing (113 genes), mRNA sequencing, and full micro-RNA (miRNA) transcriptome microarrays-we describe complex oxysterol-related interaction (correlation) networks, with validation in public datasets (n = 538) and 11 databases. The ESR1-CH25H-INSIG1-ABCA9 axis was the most prominent, interconnected through miR-125b-5p, miR-99a-5p, miR-100-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-199b-5p, miR-376a-3p, and miR-376c-3p.

Complex molecular profile of DNA repair genes in epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients with different sensitivity to platinum-based therapy.

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is known for high mortality due to diagnosis at advanced stages and frequent therapy resistance. Previous findings suggested that the DNA repair system is involved in the therapeutic response of cancer patients and DNA repair genes are promising targets for novel therapies. This study aimed to address complex inter-relations among gene expression levels, methylation profiles, and somatic mutations in DNA repair genes and EOC prognosis and therapy resistance status.

Whole-exome sequencing of epithelial ovarian carcinomas differing in resistance to platinum therapy.

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is highly fatal because of the risk of resistance to therapy and recurrence. We performed whole-exome sequencing of blood and tumor tissue pairs of 50 patients with surgically resected EOC. Compared with sensitive patients, platinum-resistant patients had a significantly higher somatic mutational rate in <i>TP53</i> and lower in several genes from the Hippo pathway.

Germline and somatic genetic variability of oxysterol-related genes in breast cancer patients with early disease of the luminal subtype.

Oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, have been implicated in multiple pathologies, including cancer. In breast cancer, the link is especially strong due to interactions between oxysterols and estrogen receptor activity. Here, we provide the first dedicated study of 113 oxysterol-related genes in breast cancer patients of the luminal subtype, in terms of both their somatic and germline variability, using targeted high-throughput DNA sequencing of 100 normal-tumor pairs with very high coverage.

The Role of TRIP6, ABCC3 and CPS1 Expression in Resistance of Ovarian Cancer to Taxanes.

The main problem precluding successful therapy with conventional taxanes is de novo or acquired resistance to taxanes. Therefore, novel experimental taxane derivatives (Stony Brook taxanes; SB-Ts) are synthesized and tested as potential drugs against resistant solid tumors. Recently, we reported alterations in , , and gene expression in a breast cancer cell line resistant to paclitaxel.

Determination of biological behavior of solitary fibrous tumors: correlation of expression of Ki-67, TPX2 and TERT mRNA subunit level and NAB2-STAT6 fusion compared to morphological aspects of SFTs.

We present a retrospective study of 65 cases of solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) of several localizations including the most common site of origin in the pleura and lungs. SFTs are mesenchymal fibroblastic tumors with an unpredictable biological potential ranging from benign to malignant. We investigated morphologic characteristics, proliferation activity evaluated by immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 antigen, and the existence of NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene together with Ki-67, TPX2, and TERT mRNA expression levels.

Next generation sequencing - a science tool or routine pathology?

Molecular assays for translocation detection in different tumors have gradually been incorporated into routine diagnostics. However, conventional methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcriptase-PCR come with several drawbacks. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can provide in-depth detection of numerous gene alterations.

Development of high‑resolution melting analysis for ABCB1 promoter methylation: Clinical consequences in breast and ovarian carcinoma.

Multidrug resistance to anticancer drugs, which is often associated with enhanced expression of the ATP‑binding cassette (ABC) transporter P‑glycoprotein (encoded by the ABCB1 gene) may limit the effects of cancer therapy. Epigenetic regulation of ABCB1 expression may thus have a clinical impact. A detailed assessment of ABCB1 promoter methylation is of importance for predicting therapy outcome and prognosis.

Primary retroperitoneal Ewings sarcoma.

The Ewings sarcoma (EWS) family tumors are small, round, cell tumors with different degrees of neuroectodermal differentiation with a peak incidence in children and young adults. About 10-20% of cases are extraskeletal EWS.

An undifferentiated sarcoma with BCOR-CCNB3 fusion transcript - pathological and clinical retrospective study.

The BCOR-CCNB3 positive sarcoma is a recently identified sarcoma morphologically and clinically similar to Ewing sarcoma in adolescents and young adults. The BCOR-CCNB3 fusion transcript originates from a paracentric inversion on the X chromosome with an in-frame fusion between the last codon of BCOR and the exon 5 of CCNB3 gene. We report morphological and molecular genetic analysis of 8 undifferentiated sarcomas positive for the BCOR-CCNB3 fusion.

[Non-Hodgkin´s B-lymphoma of the ovaries with an unfavourable prognosis - incidental finding during caesarean section].

Objective: Presentation of a rare finding non-Hodgkin´s B-lymphoma of the ovary in a patient during caesarean section.

Design: Case report.

Settings: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Regional Hospital Liberec, a.

Expression of oxysterol pathway genes in oestrogen-positive breast carcinomas.

Objective: This study investigated whether gene expression levels of key modulators of the oxysterol signalling pathway modify the prognosis of patients with oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast carcinomas via interaction with endocrine therapy.

Context: The prognosis of patients with ER+ breast carcinoma depends on several factors. Previous studies have suggested that some oxygenated forms of cholesterol (oxysterols) bind to oestrogen receptor and anti-oestrogen binding site which may deregulate cholesterol homoeostasis and influence effect of therapy.

A t(4;19) pediatric undifferentiated sarcoma with a novel variant of the CIC-DUX4 fusion transcript.

We report cytogenetic and molecular genetic analysis of a pediatric tumor positive for the CIC-DUX4 fusion. The tumor belongs to a rare, diagnostically challenging subgroup of undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas. A balanced t(4;19)(q35;q13.

[Clinical and Functional Importance of Selected CASP8 and CASP9 Polymorphisms in Breast Carcinoma].

Background: Caspase-8 and caspase-9 (encoded by CASP8 and CASP9) are executive caspases of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Dysregulation of apoptosis plays an important role in cancer development, progression, and resistance to anticancer therapy. The goal of this work was to evaluate potential associations between polymorphisms in CASP8 and CASP9, previously linked to breast cancer risk, and the transcript levels of these genes (including their alternative anti-apoptotic variants) in tumor tissues and the clinical characteristics of the patients.

Genetic and functional analyses do not explain the association of high PRC1 expression with poor survival of breast carcinoma patients.

Microtubules are vitally important for eukaryotic cell division. Therefore, we evaluated the relevance of mitotic kinesin KIF14, protein-regulating cytokinesis 1 (PRC1), and citron kinase (CIT) for the prognosis of breast carcinoma patients. Transcript levels were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR in tissues from two independent groups of breast carcinoma patients and compared with clinical data.

Transcript expression and genetic variability analysis of caspases in breast carcinomas suggests CASP9 as the most interesting target.

Background: Apoptosis plays a critical role in cancer cell survival and tumor development. We provide a hypothesis-generating screen for further research by exploring the expression profile and genetic variability of caspases (2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10) in breast carcinoma patients. This study addressed isoform-specific caspase transcript expression and genetic variability in regulatory sequences of caspases 2 and 9.

The role of cytochromes p450 and aldo-keto reductases in prognosis of breast carcinoma patients.

Metabolism of anticancer drugs affects their antitumor effects. This study has investigated the associations of gene expression of enzymes metabolizing anticancer drugs with therapy response and survival of breast carcinoma patients. Gene expression of 13 aldo-keto reductases (AKRs), carbonyl reductase 1, and 10 cytochromes P450 (CYPs) was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in tumors and paired adjacent nonneoplastic tissues from 68 posttreatment breast carcinoma patients.

[Soft tissue tumors - the view of the molecular biologist].

Soft tissue tumors (SSTs) constitute a broad spectrum of neoplasms with diverse biological properties. Rare or unusual types are often difficult to classify. Recent studies show, that a significant subset of SSTs including many types of sarcomas are associated with specific genetic changes such as chromosomal translocations producing chimeric genes, which play a role in the pathogenesis of SSTs.

[A complex diagnostic approach in lymphomas: practical aspect in short case reports].

Complex laboratory investigation is necessary for the diagnosis and relevant classification of lymphomas. The classical histopathological morphology and cytology investigation is essential, but further investigations such as immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization are necessary. It is also important to employ flow cytometry as a method of investigation running synchronously or preceding the histopathological approach.

[Fluorescence in situ hybridization on histologic sections].

I-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization on interphasic nuclei) represents a laboratory method linking morphological investigations (histological sections of formaldehyde fixed and paraffin embedded tissues) with molecular techniques (sequence specificity of nucleic acids bases for a certain locus). I-FISH is relatively undemanding for a laboratory workout, but offering a lot of important information about the investigated cells. Within a scope of pathology departments I-FISH is utilized mostly in diagnostics of neoplasms.

The association of taxane resistance genes with the clinical course of ovarian carcinoma.

Taxane and platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are standard treatment for advanced ovarian carcinoma. Expression levels of putative markers of taxane resistance in carcinoma tissues and paired peritoneal samples (n=55) and in 16 samples of ovaries without signs of carcinoma were compared with clinical data and the patients' time to progression. KIF14, PRC1, CIT and ABCC1 genes were significantly overexpressed in carcinomas when compared with normal ovarian tissues, while ABCB1 and CASP9 expression was decreased.

Importance of transcript levels of caspase-2 isoforms S and L for breast carcinoma progression.

Aim: A role of caspase-2 in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis has been suggested. Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic and predictive importance of caspase-2 isoforms in breast cancer patients.

Materials & Methods: Caspase-2L and -2S transcript levels were determined in paired tumor and non-malignant control tissues from 64 patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 100 pretreatment patients (general set) by real-time PCR with absolute quantification.