Novel Immunohistochemical Profiling of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Correlations Between Tumor Subtypes and Immune Microenvironment.

Background/objectives: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with an emerging molecular classification based on the expression of the transcription factors ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3. This study aimed to explore the relationship between these novel subtypes and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), particularly CD8+ and CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).

Methods: In 51 cases of patients with SCLC, immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3, CD56, Ki67, CD8, and CD4 were performed.

5-Azacytidine treatment inhibits the development of lung cancer models via epigenetic reprogramming and activation of cellular pathways with anti-tumor activity.

Background And Aims: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment is challenged by late detection and limited therapeutic options. Aberrant DNA methylation, a common epigenetic alteration in NSCLC, offers new therapeutic avenues. This study aims to evaluate the combined effects of 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza), an epigenetic modifier, and ionizing radiation (IR) on NSCLC, exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

Next-generation sequencing as a valuable tool for mutational spectrum in advanced-stage NSCLC patients.

Background And Aim: Lung cancer remains one of the most threatening malignancies, ranking as the second most diagnosed cancer, and it continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Challenges persist with late diagnosis and the high mutational burden characteristic of lung cancer.

Methods: Our study focuses on identifying the mutational spectrum of a cohort of advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using a minimally invasive method through blood collection.

Personalizing Therapy Outcomes through Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer (LC) is a highly invasive malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as its most prevalent histological subtype. Despite all breakthroughs achieved in drug development, the prognosis of NSCLC remains poor. The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade (MAPKC) is a complex network of interacting molecules that can drive oncogenesis, cancer progression, and drug resistance when dysregulated.

Minimal Change Disease: Pathogenetic Insights from Glomerular Proteomics.

The mechanism underlying podocyte dysfunction in minimal change disease (MCD) remains unknown. This study aimed to shed light on the potential pathophysiology of MCD using glomerular proteomic analysis. Shotgun proteomics using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) renal biopsies from two groups of samples: control (CTR) and MCD.

The Evaluation of a 5-miRNA Panel in Patients with Periodontitis Disease.

Introduction: Side by side with tooth decay, periodontitis remains one of the most common oral diseases and is increasingly recognized as a serious public health concern worldwide.

Objectives: The present study aims at comparing the levels of 5 specific miRNAs (miR-29b-3p, miR-34a-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-181a-5p, and miR-192-5p) in patients with periodontal disease and healthy controls.

Methods: The pathogenic mechanism is related to the activation of immune response and significant alteration of coding and noncoding genes, including miRNA.

Differential effect of the duration of exposure on the carcinogenicity of cadmium in MCF10A mammary epithelial cells.

The carcinogenic role of cadmium (Cd) in breast cancer is still debatable. Current data points to duration of exposure as the most important element. In our study, we designed an in vitro model to investigate the effects of 3 weeks versus 6 weeks of low-level CdCl exposure on MCF10A cells.

The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in Epigenetic Dysregulation in Glioblastoma Development.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary brain tumor arising from glial cells. The tumor is highly aggressive, the reason for which it has become the deadliest brain tumor type with the poorest prognosis. Like other cancers, it compromises molecular alteration on genetic and epigenetic levels.

The Glioblastoma CircularRNAome.

Glioblastoma remains one of the most aggressive cancers of the brain, warranting new methods for early diagnosis and more efficient treatment options. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are rather new entities with increased stability compared to their linear counterparts that interact with proteins and act as microRNA sponges, among other functions. Herein, we provide a critical overview of the recently described glioblastoma-related circRNAs in the literature, focusing on their roles on glioblastoma cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion and metastasis, metabolic reprogramming, and therapeutic resistance.

MicroRNAs expression profile in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in NSCLC using a co-culture model.

Clinical application of chemotherapy in lung cancer is constrained by side effects, notably cardiotoxicity, the mechanisms of which remain elusive. This study assessed the potential of specific miRNAs as biomarkers for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in lung cancer. We employed two lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (Calu6 and H1792) and ventricular normal human cardiac fibroblasts (NHCF-V) in single and co-culture experiments.

Going circular: history, present, and future of circRNAs in cancer.

To date, thousands of highly abundant and conserved single-stranded RNA molecules shaped into ring structures (circRNAs) have been identified. CircRNAs are multifunctional molecules that have been shown to regulate gene expression transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally and exhibit distinct tissue- and development-specific expression patterns associated with a variety of normal and disease conditions, including cancer pathogenesis. Over the past years, due to their intrinsic stability and resistance to ribonucleases, particular attention has been drawn to their use as reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Distinct Morphological and Molecular Profiles of NAFLD and NAFLD-associated HCC Revealed by Immunohistochemistry and MicroRNA Analysis.

Background And Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common hepatic condition that can progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-cirrhotic livers. To better understand the development of NAFLD-associated HCC, we performed an integrated morphological and molecular analysis to identify new insights that can improve the follow-up of NAFLD patients.

Methods: Our study included a cohort of 14 NAFLD-associated HCC and 41 NAFLD patients.

New perspective on DNA response pathway (DDR) in glioblastoma, focus on classic biomarkers and emerging roles of ncRNAs.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent type of primary brain cancer, having a median survival of only 15 months. The current standard of care includes a combination of surgery, radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy with temozolomide, but with limited results. Moreover, multiple studies have shown that tumour relapse and resistance to classic therapeutic approaches are common events that occur in the majority of patients, and eventually leading to death.

Melanoma Cellular Signaling Transduction Pathways Targeted by Polyphenols Action Mechanisms.

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Although different anti-melanoma treatments are available, their efficacy is still improvable, and the number of deaths continues to increase worldwide. A promising source of antitumor agents could be presented by polyphenols-natural plant-based compounds.

Identification of Potential microRNA Panels for Male Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Identification Using Microarray Datasets and Bioinformatics Methods.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still one of the types of cancer with the highest death rates. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in NSCLC development. This study evaluates miRNA expression patterns and specific mechanisms in male patients with NSCLC.

The Implications of Noncoding RNAs in the Evolution and Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)-Related HCC.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver pathology worldwide. Meanwhile, liver cancer represents the sixth most common malignancy, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as the primary, most prevalent subtype. Due to the rising incidence of metabolic disorders, NAFLD has become one of the main contributing factors to HCC development.

Recent Advances on the Roles of PCSK-9 Inhibitors in the Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) represents an important cause of disability and death. Since only a minor percentage of patients with AIS are eligible for acute therapy, the management of risk factors is mandatory. An important risk factor of AIS is hyperlipemia.

Fulminant necrotizing streptococcal myositis with dramatic outcome - a rare case report.

Necrotizing myositis represents a rare, aggressive form of bacterial-induced soft tissue necrotizing infection. We present a fulminant case of a 44-year-old patient with a necrotizing soft tissue infection and a history of rheumatoid arthritis transferred to our service, Cluj-Napoca Emergency County Hospital, from a local hospital where he had been admitted two days before with chills and light-headedness after an accidental minor blunt trauma in the right thigh region. After admission to our hospital and first assessment, broad spectrum antibiotherapy was started with Meropenem, Vancomycin and Metronidazole along with surgical debridement.

Stem Cells in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment -Part of the Cure or Part of the Disease? Ontogeny and Dichotomy of Stem and Immune Cells has Led to better Understanding.

Stem cells are at the basis of tissue homeostasis, hematopoiesis and various regenerative processes. Epigenetic changes in their somatically imprinted genes, prolonged exposure to mutagens/carcinogens or alteration of their niche can lead to the development of an enabling environment for tumor growth and progression. The involvement of stem cells in both health and disease becomes even more compelling with ontogeny as embryonic and extraembryonic stem cells which persist into adulthood in well established and specific niche may have distinct implications in tumorigenesis.

KRAS mutations as essential promoters of lymphangiogenesis via extracellular vesicles in pancreatic cancer.

Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) gene mutations are present in more than 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). KRASG12D is the most frequent alteration, promoting preneoplastic lesions and associating with a more aggressive phenotype. These tumors possess increased intratumoral lymphatic networks and frequent lymph node (LN) metastases.

Cellular and Molecular Profiling of Tumor Microenvironment and Early-Stage Lung Cancer.

Lung cancers are broadly divided into two categories: non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), which accounts for 80-85% of all cancer cases, and small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), which covers the remaining 10-15%. Recent advances in cancer biology and genomics research have allowed an in-depth characterization of lung cancers that have revealed new therapy targets (, , , and mutations) and have the potential of revealing even more biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and targeted therapies. A new source of biomarkers is represented by non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs).

Next-Generation Sequencing in Lung Cancer Patients: A Comparative Approach in NSCLC and SCLC Mutational Landscapes.

Background: Lung cancer remains one of the most diagnosed malignancies, being the second most diagnosed cancer, while still being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Late diagnosis remains a problem, alongside the high mutational burden encountered in lung cancer. Methods: We assessed the genetic profile of cancer genes in lung cancer using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets for mutations and validated the results in a separate cohort of 32 lung cancer patients using tumor tissue and whole blood samples for next-generation sequencing (NGS) experiments.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of KRAS G12C-Mutated Lung Adenocarcinomas.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the major subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, accounting for approximately 60% of cases. Molecular analysis of LUADs showed that the gene is mutated in up to 30% of cases; such cases were previously considered "undruggable". The KRAS G12C mutation has become a hot topic of research after initial, promising, phase I and II trials with targeted inhibitors.

The Roles of the Colon Cancer Associated Transcript 2 (CCAT2) Long Non-Coding RNA in Cancer: A Comprehensive Characterization of the Tumorigenic and Molecular Functions.

Colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) is an intensively studied lncRNA with important regulatory roles in cancer. As such, cumulative studies indicate that CCAT2 displays a high functional versatility due to its direct interaction with multiple RNA binding proteins, transcription factors, and other species of non-coding RNA, especially microRNA. The definitory mechanisms of CCAT2 are its role as a regulator of the TCF7L2 transcription factor, enhancer of MYC expression, and activator of the WNT/β-catenin pathway, as well as a role in promoting and maintaining chromosome instability through the BOP1-AURKB pathway.