Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Validates the Use of Diagnostic Biopsies as a Suitable Alternative to Resection Material for Mutation Screening in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Mutation testing in the context of neoadjuvant therapy must be performed on biopsy samples. Given the issue of tumour heterogeneity, this raises the question of whether the biopsies are representative of the whole tumour. Here we have compared the mutation profiles of colorectal biopsies with their matched resection specimens.

High nuclear MSK1 is associated with longer survival in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: Mitogen- and stress-activated kinases (MSKs) are important substrates of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinase family. MSK1 and MSK2 are both nuclear serine/threonine protein kinases, with MSK1 being suggested to potentially play a role in breast cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration, invasion and tumour growth. The aim of the current study was to assess MSK1 protein expression in breast cancer tumour specimens, evaluating its prognostic significance.

Immunohistochemical Assessment of Leukocyte Involvement in Angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer and is important for tumor growth, development, and metastasis. Leukocytes, including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, are found invading many solid tumors, and this inflammation is often associated with tumorigenesis. Tumor-associated macrophages have been shown to be involved in tumor migration and metastasis and are modulators of tumor vascularization.

Calpain-1 is associated with adverse relapse free survival in breast cancer: a confirmatory study.

Aims: Calpain-1 is a ubiquitously expressed calcium-activated intracellular cysteine protease. Altered expression of calpain system proteins has been implicated in cancer progression and response to chemotherapy.

Methods And Results: The aim of the current study was to confirm previous data that suggested that calpain-1 expression is associated with relapse-free survival in trastuzumab-treated breast cancer patients (n = 93).