Ovarian cancer: diagnostic accuracy and tumor types distribution in East Africa compared to North America.

Background: Ovarian cancer is a spectrum of several histologically distinct tumor types that differ in etiology, response to therapy, and prognosis. In resource-limited settings, the diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be challenging. This study describes the distribution of ovarian cancer tumor types in East Africa as well as assessing the diagnostic accuracy by using contemporary methods.

Changes in survival of colorectal cancer patients in Świętokrzyskie Province (Southern Poland) from the second half of the 1990s to the early 21st century - a population-based study.

Introduction And Objectives: For years, the increase in cancer incidence and deaths has constituted a significant health and social problem. Variation in the burden in cancers in different regions of the world requires constant monitoring of the epidemiological situation in this regard. Assessing survival in cancer patients is a valuable source of information for patients and physicians alike, as well as for politicians who have a direct impact on the shaping of health policy and health systems.

Imperatorin as a Promising Chemotherapeutic Agent Against Human Larynx Cancer and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells.

Naturally occurring coumarins are bioactive compounds widely used in Asian traditional medicine. They have been shown to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and/or enhance the cytotoxicity of currently used drugs against a variety of cancer cell types. The aim of our study was to examine the antiproliferative activity of different linear furanocoumarins on human rhabdomyosarcoma, lung, and larynx cancer cell lines, and dissolve their cellular mechanism of action.

BRAF and MEK inhibitors rechallenge as effective treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma.

Despite considerable progress made in the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma, the majority of the patients treated with BRAF and mitogen-activated protein inhibitors (BRAFi and MEKi) experience a disease progression due to acquired resistance. Currently, ongoing studies explore the possibility to overcome or reverse this process. Our multicenter retrospective analysis included 51 patients with metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma who had previously progressed on BRAFi/MEKi than had progressed on immunotherapy (anti-progression disease-1 or anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) and next were rechallenged with BRAFi/MEKi.

TdT Expression Is a Marker of Better Survival in Merkel Cell Carcinoma, and Expression of B-Cell Markers Is Associated With Merkel Cell Polyomavirus.

Objectives: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare but very aggressive cutaneous tumor. We evaluated the prognostic potential of B-cell markers (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TdT], PAX5, CD117), follicular stem cell markers (CK15, CK19), p63, p53, RB, and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV; CM2B4) in 136 primary cutaneous Merkel cell carcinomas.

Methods: Clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed.

Monte Carlo dosimetry using Fluka code and experimental dosimetry with Gafchromic EBT2 and XR-RV3 of self-built experimental setup for radiobiological studies with low-energy X-rays.

The aim of this research was to simulate self-built experimental setup for radiobiological research using X-ray diffraction C-tech tube and PW 3830 generator (PANalytical, Netherlands) and to calculate absorbed dose and to compare it with experimental dose measurements. The maximum X-ray energy was 60 keV. Petri dish was specially adapted to hold biological cells during the irradiation process.

Analysis of elements secreted by CHO-K1 cells exposed to gamma radiation under different treatments.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of elements using the two methods: total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) in two media, DMEM + and PBS+. Tests were carried out at 37 and 0 °C, irradiated by gamma radiation doses of 0, 0.25, 0.

Outcome of a Real-Life Population of Patients With Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Treated According to the PETHEMA Guidelines: The Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG) Experience.

Background: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has a favorable prognosis. However, results of randomized studies do not necessarily reflect the outcomes of a real-life population.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 283 unselected APL patients treated in 20 Polish hospitals between 2005 and 2017.

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for DNA Biosensors-How Far Are We?

A sensitive and accurate identification of specific DNA fragments (usually containing a mutation) can influence clinical decisions. Standard methods routinely used for this type of detection are PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction, and its modifications), and, less commonly, NGS (Next Generation Sequencing). However, these methods are quite complicated, requiring time-consuming, multi-stage sample preparation, and specially trained staff.

Decreased Activity of Blood Acid Sphingomyelinase in the Course of Multiple Myeloma.

Acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) is involved in the generation of metabolites that function as part of the sphingolipid signaling pathway. It catalyzes the breakdown of sphingomyelin into ceramide, a bioactive lipid that, among other roles, is involved in regulation of apoptosis. Dry drop blood test (DBS) and colorimetric 2-step enzymatic assay were used to assess the activity of human blood aSMase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-glucosidase, these enzymes are lysosomal hydrolases that catalyze the degradation of related sphingolipids, of sphingolipid signaling molecules.

Assessment of the nuclear medicine personnel occupational exposure to radioiodine.

Purpose: To physically and cytogenetically screen medical personnel of Department of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Holy Cross Cancer Center, Kielce, Poland (DENM) who are occupationally exposed to I.

Materials And Methods: The exposure was monitored by whole-body and finger ring dosimeters. The thyroid iodine intake was measured by a whole-body spectrometer equipped with two semiconductor gamma radiation detectors.

Classification of aggressive and classic mantle cell lymphomas using synchrotron Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is regarded as an incurable neoplasm, even to the novel drug strategies. It is known MCL has two morphological variants- classic and aggressive. Aggressive MCL is characterized by a higher mitotic index and proliferation rate, and poor overall survival in comparison to classic subtype.

New strategy for the gene mutation identification using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

An early and accurate diagnosis of a specific DNA mutations has a decisive role for effective treatment. Especially, when an immediate decision on treatment most needs to be made, the rapid and precise confirmation of clinical findings is vital. Herein, we show a new strategy for the gene mutation (BRAF c.

Defective Sphingolipids Metabolism and Tumor Associated Macrophages as the Possible Links Between Gaucher Disease and Blood Cancer Development.

There is a rising number of evidence indicating the increased risk of cancer development in association with congenital metabolic errors. Although these diseases represent disorders of individual genes, they lead to the disruption of metabolic pathways resulting in metabolite accumulation or their deficiency. Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive sphingolipidosis.

CALIBRATION OF LOW ENERGY X-RAY EXPERIMENTAL SETUP WITH STRONGLY FILTERED BEAM USING DATA FROM A SEMICONDUCTOR AND A THERMOLUMINESCENT DETECTORS.

The calibration of low energy X-ray experimental setup with strongly filtered beam dedicated to radiobiological research was performed using the absorbed dose calculated from the data collected by two types detectors. For this purpose a semiconductor (Amptek, USA) and a thermoluminescent (Institute of Nuclear Physics, Krakow, Poland) detectors were applied. The absorbed dose in water values estimated by both detectors are in good agreement.

Biological effects of mixed-ion beams. Part 2: The relative biological effectiveness of CHO-K1 cells irradiated by mixed- and single-ion beams.

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values were determined for single- and mixed-ion beams containing carbon and oxygen ions. The CHO-K1 cells were irradiated with beams with the linear energy transfer (LET) values of 236-300 and 461-470 keV/μm for C and O ions, respectively. The RBE was estimated as a function of dose, survival fraction (SF) and LET.

TLR2 Expression on Leukemic B Cells from Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Antigenic stimulation is considered as a possible trigger of neoplastic transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). B-cell receptor plays a key role in the interactions between the microenvironment and leukemic cells; however, an important role has also been attributed to Toll-like receptors (TLRs). It is believed that disorders of TLR expression may play a part in the pathogenesis of CLL.

Low Doses of Polyethylene Glycol Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Cause Significant Elemental Changes within Main Organs.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the elemental changes occurring in the main rat organs (kidneys, spleen, heart, brain) as a result of polyethylene glycol-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (PEG-IONPs) administration. For this purpose, 24 animals were divided into four equinumerous groups, and the three of them were intravenously injected with PEG-IONPs dispersed in 15% solution of mannitol in dose of 0.03 mg of Fe per 1 kg of body weight.

Biological effects of mixed-ion beams. Part 1: Effect of irradiation of the CHO-K1 cells with a mixed-ion beam containing the carbon and oxygen ions.

Carbon and oxygen ions were accelerated simultaneously to estimate the effect of irradiation of living cells with the two different ions. This mixed ion beam was used to irradiate the CHO-K1 cells, and a survival test was performed. The type of the effect of the mixed ion beam on the cells was determined with the isobologram method, whereby survival curves for irradiations with individual ion beams were also used.

High baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio predicts worse outcome in patients with metastatic BRAF-positive melanoma treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to be prognostic in several solid malignancies. There are limited data regarding its value during novel therapies in patients with melanoma. The aim of the study was to assess the practical utility of this ratio in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma treated with a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi).

Landscape of oncoplastic breast surgery across Poland.

Oncoplastic and reconstructive techniques are essential tools in the armamentarium of contemporary breast surgeons. The aim of the study was to identify oncoplastic reconstructive patterns in breast cancer centers across Poland. A questionnaire of 18 questions was sent by email to the members of the Polish Society of Surgical Oncology and the Polish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery via their dedicated websites.

New EPCAM founder deletion in Polish population.

It is well known that founder mutations associated with cancer risk have useful implications for molecular diagnostics. We report the presence of a founder mutation in EPCAM involved in the etiology of Lynch syndrome (LS). The mutation extends nearly 8.

Measurement of I activity in thyroid of nuclear medical staff and internal dose assessment in a Polish nuclear medical hospital.

This paper presents results of I thyroid activity measurements in 30 members of the nuclear medicine personnel of the Department of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine Holy Cross Cancer Centre in Kielce, Poland. A whole-body spectrometer equipped with two semiconductor gamma radiation detectors served as the basic research instrument. In ten out of 30 examined staff members, the determined I activity was found to be above the detection limit (DL = 5 Bq of I in the thyroid).

A common variant within the HNF1B gene is associated with overall survival of multiple myeloma patients: results from the IMMEnSE consortium and meta-analysis.

Diabetogenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have recently been associated with multiple myeloma (MM) risk but their impact on overall survival (OS) of MM patients has not been analysed yet. In order to investigate the impact of 58 GWAS-identified variants for type 2 diabetes (T2D) on OS of patients with MM, we analysed genotyping data of 936 MM patients collected by the International Multiple Myeloma rESEarch (IMMENSE) consortium and an independent set of 700 MM patients recruited by the University Clinic of Heidelberg. A meta-analysis of the cox regression results of the two sets showed that rs7501939 located in the HNF1B gene negatively impacted OS (HRRec= 1.