Cytology for PD-L1 testing : A systematic review

Medical writing support, which was in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines, was provided by Craig Turner, MSc, of Cirrus Communications (Macclesfield, UK), an Ashfield company, and was funded by AstraZenecaPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Aggressive Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report and a Comprehensive Literature Review

Background. We present the case of a 35-year-old gentleman who presented with an aggressive cardiomyopathy with normal coronary arteries. He was later diagnosed with systemic lupus-related cardiomyopathy. Methods. We undertook an extensive review of the literature regarding cardiac manifestations of lupus and used over 100 journals to identify the key points in pathology, diagnosis, and treatment. Results. We have shown that cardiac lupus can be rapidly progressive and, unless treated early, can have severe consequences. The predominant pathologies are immune complex and accelerated atherosclerosis drive. Treatment comprised of high-level immunosuppression

COL1A1, PRPF40A, and UCP2 correlate with hypoxia markers in non-small cell lung cancer

Collagen 1A1 (COL1A1), RNA-binding and pre-mRNA Processing Factor (PRPF40A), and Uncoupling Protein 2 (UCP2) were identified as downstream effectors of cytoglobin (CYGB), which was shown implicated in tumour biology. Although these three genes have been previously associated with cancer, little is known about their status in lung malignancies.Hereby, we investigated the expression and promoter methylation of COL1A1, PRPF40A, and UCP2 in 156 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and adjacent normal tissues.We demonstrate that COL1A1 and PRPF40A mRNAs are significantly overexpressed in NSCLC (p < 1 × 10-4), while UCP2 exhibits a trend of upregulation (p = 0.066). Only COL1A1 promoter revealed hypermethylation in NSCLCs (36%), which was particularly evident in squamous cell carcinomas (p = 0.024) and in the tumours with moderate-to-good differentiation (p = 0.01). Transcript level of COL1A1, as well as PRPF40A and UCP2, exhibited striking association (p ≤ 0.001) with the expression of hypoxia markers. In addition, we demonstrate in lung cancer cell lines exposed to hypoxia or oxidative stress that COL1A1 transcription significantly responds to oxygen depletion, while other genes showed the modest upregulation in stress conditions.In conclusion, our data revealed that COL1A1, UCP2, and PRPF40A are novel players implicated in the complex network of hypoxia response in NSCLC

Odkrycie i zastosowanie pegwisomantu: antagonisty hormonu wzrostu

Growth hormone (GH) is a well established participant in several complex physiological processes including growth, differentiation, and metabolism. Recombinant human GH is a drug that has been approved for use for several clinical conditions where the action of GH is diminished or completely lacking. Thus there is considerable interest in developing novel drugs that modify the function of GH. Only in the last several decades have the detailed structural features of GH along with its interaction with its receptor been elucidated. In this review we summarise the basic structural and functional properties of GH, its receptor and their interaction. In addition, we discuss the discovery and development of an effective GH receptor antagonist, pegvisomant, and summarise potential therapeutic uses of this drug. (Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (4): 322-329)Hormon wzrostu (GH, growth hormone) uczestniczy w wielu fizjologicznych procesach dotyczących wzrastania, różnicowania i metabolizmu. Leczenie rekombinowanym ludzkim GH jest akceptowane w wielu schorzeniach wiążących się z całkowitym brakiem lub zmniejszeniem działania GH. Wynika stąd znaczne zainteresowanie rozwojem nowych leków mogących modyfikować czynność GH. Dopiero niedawno wyjaśniono dokładną strukturę GH i jego interakcje z receptorem. W niniejszej pracy autorzy podsumowują wiedzę dotyczącą podstawowej budowy GH, jego receptora i interakcji między nimi. Ponadto, omówiono odkrycie i rozwój skutecznego antagonisty receptora GH, pegvisomantu i przedstawiono potencjalne możliwości zastosowania terapeutycznego tego leku

Pleural inflammatory myofibroblastoma: a locally aggressive intra-thoracic tumour

A 41-year old non-smoking woman presented with persistent pleural effusion. Pleural fluid was hemorrhagic and fluid cytology was negative for malignant cells. A working diagnosis of chronic haemothorax was made and standard right thoracotomy was performed to identify the source of bleeding. A 10 × 10 cms poorly circumscribed mass containing blood clots, altered blood, fibrous tissue, and gelatinous debris was found and demonstrated features of inflammatory myofibroblastoma on immunohistochemistry. Thirteen months later, the patient developed a local recurrence, which was treated surgically. Semi-solid physical appearance of this tumour has not been reported previously. This case report further adds to the diagnostic dilemma related with this tumour