Immune activation of the monocyte-derived dendritic cells using patients own circulating tumor cells.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cell (DC) therapy counts to the promising strategies how to weaken and eradicate cancer disease. We aimed to develop a good manufacturing practice (GMP) protocol for monocyte-derived DC (Mo-DC) maturation using circulating tumor cells lysates with subsequent experimental T-cell priming in vitro. METHODS: DC differentiation was induced from a population of immunomagnetically enriched CD14 + monocytes out of the leukapheresis samples (n = 6). The separation was provided automatically, in a closed bag system, using CliniMACS Prodigy® separation protocols (Miltenyi Biotec). For differentiation and maturation of CD14 + cells, DendriMACs® growing medium with supplements (GM-CSF, IL-4, IL-6, IL-1B, TNFa, PGE) was used. Immature Mo-DCs were loaded with autologous circulating tumor cell (CTCs) lysates. Autologous CTCs were sorted out by size-based filtration (MetaCell®) of the leukapheresis CD14-negative fraction. A mixture of mature Mo-DCs and autologous non-target blood cells (NTBCs) was co-cultured and the activation effect of mature Mo-DCs on T-cell activation was monitored by means of multimarker gene expression profiling. RESULTS: New protocols for mMo-DC production using automatization and CTC lysates were introduced including a feasible in vitro assay for mMo-DC efficacy evaluation. Gene expression analysis revealed elevation for following genes in NTBC (T cells) subset primed by mMo-DCs: CD8A, CD4, MKI67, MIF, TNFA, CD86, and CD80 (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: Summarizing the presented data, we might conclude mMo-DCs were generated using CliniMACS Prodigy® machine and CTC lysates in a homogenous manner showing a potential to generate NTBC activation in co-cultures. Identification of the activation signals in T-cell population by simple multimarker-qPCRs could fasten the process of effective mMo-DC production.

Relationship between Telomere Length, TERT Genetic Variability and TERT, TP53, SP1, MYC Gene Co-Expression in the Clinicopathological Profile of Breast Cancer.

The molecular mechanisms of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) upregulation in breast cancer (BC) are complex. We compared genetic variability within TERT and telomere length with the clinical data of patients with BC. Additionally, we assessed the expression of the TERT, MYC, TP53 and SP1 genes in BC patients and in BC organoids (3D cell cultures obtained from breast cancer tissues). We observed the same correlation in the blood of BC patients and in BC organoids between the expression of TERT and TP53. Only in BC patients was a correlation found between the expression of the TERT and MYC genes and between TP53 and MYC. We found associations between TERT genotypes (rs2735940 and rs10069690) and TP53 expression and telomere length. BC patients with the TT genotype rs2735940 have a shorter telomere length, but patients with A allele rs10069690 have a longer telomere length. BC patients with a short allele VNTR-MNS16A showed higher expression of the SP1 and had a longer telomere. Our results bring new insight into the regulation of TERT, MYC, TP53 and SP1 gene expression related to TERT genetic variability and telomere length. Our study also showed for the first time a similar relationship in the expression of the above genes in BC patients and in BC organoids. These findings suggest that TERT genetic variability, expression and telomere length might be useful biomarkers for BC, but their prognostic value may vary depending on the clinical parameters of BC patients and tumor aggressiveness.

The effect of population-based screening on the incidence and detection on breast cancer in woman in Lower Silesia over the period 2005-2014.

INTRODUCTION: The National Cancer Control Programme 2006-2015 (NCCP) was implemented to improve the health situation of Polish women in 2006. Its effectiveness was evaluated by analysing trends of changes in incidence rates of pre-invasive (D05) and invasive (C50) breast cancers in three age cohorts: pre-screening cohort (<50), screening cohort (50-69) and post-screening cohort (>69). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical data of 13,089 women with C50 and 738 women with D05 diagnosed in 2005-2014 in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship (LS) were analysed. RESULT: In 2009-2014, incidence rates of C50 (p=0.0224) and D05 (p=0.0003) were found to be higher in the LS than those recorded for Poland. During this period, there were approx. 1,400 cases of C50 and 90-100 cases of D05 per year. After the NCCP had been implemented, there was a gradual increase in the proportion of the female population included in the mammography screening, from 32% in 2007 to 45% in 2014. The age group included in the screening programme experienced a significant increase in the proportion of pre-invasive cancers - from 3% in 2005 to 7-10% in 2010-2013. In that group, cancer was statistically more frequently detected in Tis- or T1- stages (p=0.0002). Beneficial effects of screening were also observed in post-screening women. There was no similar trend in patients aged <50. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis shows positive population effects of mammography screening. The least favourable changes in the detection of early stages of breast cancer were observed in female patients aged less than 50 years. This suggests that some modifications regarding both the age range and the screening interval in the Polish population should be considered.

Improvements in undergraduate oncology education introduced at Polish medical universities between 2004 and 2010 under Poland's "National Program for Combating Neoplastic Diseases".

Cancer patient treatment in Poland remains unsatisfactory when compared to that in other countries. In 2005, this alarming situation prompted the Polish government to launch the "National Program for Combating Neoplastic Diseases" (NPCND). One part of this project was to improve the quality of oncology instruction at the undergraduate level over the years 2006 and 2007 (subsequently extended until 2010 thanks to promising results and the relatively small financial outlay). The program's main aims were to improve existing oncology therapy and to ameliorate the quality of undergraduate oncology education. To evaluate the changes in the quality of undergraduate education as a result of the NPCND program, medical universities were asked to fill out a questionnaire. Responses indicate that the program had a major positive impact on the quality of cancer education mainly as a result of the introduction of a uniform program of training and an increase in the number of classes devoted to oncology. The main unresolved problem is that university hospitals seldom have integrated units catering in-house for surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc., and most such "hands-on" teaching still has to be done externally.

[Analysis of BCRP expression in breast cancer patients]. / Analiza ekspresji BCRP u pacjentek z rakiem piersi.

UNLABELLED: Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) is a xenobiotic half-transporter protein. It is a member of the ATP-binding cassette protein family and functions as an energy-dependent efflux pump. BCRP is involved in multidrug resistance. The study aimed at examining BCRP expression in breast cancers and at defining a relationship between activity of this protein and clinical course of the cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the expression of BCRP in 101 stage II breast cancer patients. All the patients were diagnosed and treated at the Lower Silesia Oncology Centre (LSOC) between January 1993 and June 1994. After the treatment the patients remained under constant control at LSOC. Mean duration of the observation was 14.2 years (ranging between 9.1 and 16.5 years). Data related to relapse of the disease and deaths were obtained from medical documentation stored in LSOC. The immunohistochemical reactions were performed on paraffin sections of primary tumours, using monoclonal antibodies against BCRP. The intensity of immunohistochemical reactions with BCRP antibody was evaluated using the semi-quantitative IRS (ImmunoReactive Score) scale, which took into account the intensity of the colour reaction and percentage of positive cells. Results of the immunohistochemical reactions, pathological and of clinical observations were subjected to statistical analysis. Correlations between these factors and BCRP were analyzed using Spearman and Chi2 tests. In order to estimate the survival rate, we used Kaplan Meier statistics, log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: In our analysis we observed a positive correlation between the expression of the BCRP protein and grade of tumour advancement (r = 0.2 p = 0.03). We found also a negative correlation between the expression of BCRP and the estrogen (r = 0.24 p = 0.02) and progesteron (r = 0.28 p = 0.02) receptors. In a univariate analysis a significantly shorter disease free survival (DFS) and disease specific survival (DSS) was noted in patients with metastases to the lymph nodes (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0006), over the age of 50 years old ((p = 0.02 and p = 0.04) and clearly statistically significant in patients with a high expression of BCRP (p = 0.00044 and p = 0.00005). Overall survival (OS) was shorter in patients over the age of 50 (p = 0.01), with higher stage of the disease - IIB (p = 0.025), with metastases to the lymph nodes (p = 0.003) and also clearly statistically significant in patients with a high expression of BCRP (p = 0.00004). A multivariate analysis allowed to reveal that only higher expression of BCRP and metastases to lymph nodes were typical for cases of DFS (p = 0.,028 and p = 0.00015), DSS (p = 0.00052 and 0.000017) and OS (p = 0.0018 and p = 0.000007) time. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that high BCRP expression level is associated with poor survival in early stage breast cancer patients.

Regulation of ROCK1/2 by long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in different cancer types.

Recent breakthroughs in high-throughput technologies have enabled the development of a better understanding of the functionalities of rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs) under various physiological and pathological conditions. Since their discovery in the late 1990s, ROCKs have attracted the attention of interdisciplinary researchers due to their ability to pleiotropically modulate a myriad of cellular mechanisms. A rapidly growing number of published studies have started to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the regulation of ROCK1 and ROCK2 via long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in different types of cancer. Detailed analyses have suggested that lncRNAs may be characteristically divided into oncogenic and tumor suppressor lncRNAs. Several exciting recent discoveries have also indicated how different lncRNAs and circRNAs modulate ROCK1/2 and mediate multistep cancer onset and progression. The present review chronicles the major advances that have been made in our understanding of the regulatory role of ROCK1/2 in different types of cancer, and how wide-ranging lncRNAs and circRNAs potentiate ROCK-driven signaling by blocking the targeting activities of tumor suppressor microRNAs.

Prognostic role of c-met expression in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor plays an important role in tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. C-met is HGF's high affinity receptor. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the correlations between c-met expression and clinic-pathological factors in breast cancer tissues. Furthermore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR, c-met) expressions in homogenous group of breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor samples were collected from 302 patients with breast carcinoma treated with primary surgery. We have assessed the percentage of tumor cells with c-met expression, the intensity of reaction and the ratio of these two factors-immunoreactivity according to the Remmele score. RESULTS: We have observed no correlations between HGFR immunoreactivities and clinical parameters (tumor size, grade, axillary lymph node status, age). In 5-year observation we have found prognostic value of assessing c-met immunoreactivity in primary tumor. CONCLUSION: Our study has revealed prognostic value of c-met. Unlike in other authors' studies, our patients' group is very homogenous which might contribute to obtained results.

Watch-and-wait strategy in rectal cancer: Is there a tumour size limit? Results from two pooled prospective studies.

BACKGROUND: Frequency and predictive factors for a clinical complete response (cCR) in unselected patients are unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two prospective observational studies were designed and pooled to explore predictive factors for cCR. Both studies evaluated the watch-and-wait strategy in consecutive patients; the first single-institutional study in elderly with a small tumour, the second multi-institutional study in all the patients receiving standard of care preoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety patients were analysed. Short-course radiotherapy alone, or with consolidation chemotherapy or chemoradiation was given to 40.6%, 40.2% and 19.2% of the patients, respectively. The median interval from the radiation start to the first tumour response assessment was 10.2 weeks for short-course radiation and 13.2 weeks for chemoradiation. Seventy-three patients had cCR and 71 underwent w&w with the median follow-up of 24 months. The regrowth rate was 26.8%. cCR rate was 39.0% for low-risk cancer (cT1-2N0), 16.8% for intermediate-risk (cT3 with unthreatened mesorectal fascia [MRF-] or cT2N+) and 5.4% for high-risk (cT4 or MRF+). In the multivariable analysis, tumour volume (or tumour length and circumferential extent) and cN status were significant predictors for cCR. In circular cancers or with a length ≥7 cm (n = 184), cCR rate was only 2.7%, sustained cCR 1.6% and the sensitivity of cCR diagnosis 23.1%. None of 27 patients with a tumour larger than 120 cm3 achieved cCR. CONCLUSIONS: Considering watch-and-wait strategy is questionable in patients with circular tumours or with tumour length ≥7 cm.

[The importance of determining the prognostic marker YKL-40 in serum and tissues]. / Znaczenie rokownicze oznaczania markera YKL-40 W surowicy i tkankach.

YKL-40 is detected in the early nineties not only a glycoprotein secreted by cancer cells, but also of neutrophils, chondrocytes and endothelial cells. Biological function of YKL-40 are not exactly known, it is suggested that this protein participates in many physiological and pathological processes such as proliferation, angiogenesis, mitogenesis and remodelling. It is also a factor antyapoptotic and growth factor for some cells. Increased levels of YKL-40 in serum have been described in many diseases running with inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Crohn's disease, and also in the group of cardiovascular diseases. Determination of the concentration of serum YKL-40 was also used in oncology. The tumors at various sites were found elevated levels of this marker in serum, as well as overexpression in tumor tissue. It was observed that higher titers YKL-40 levels are associated with shorter overall survival and disease-free period. It is suggested that measuring the concentration of YKL-40 in serum and its expression in tumor tissues may serve as a valuable and independent prognostic factor.

Correlation of metallothionein expression with clinical progression of cancer in the oral cavity.

UNLABELLED: This study aimed at finding out whether the expression of metallothionein (MT), laminin, Ki-67 antigen and minichromosome maintenance-2 (Mcm-2) protein changes with growing invasiveness of the tumour. The expression of these markers in primary tumours with no metastases to lymph nodes (PT N-) was compared with the expression in primary tumours with metastases in draining lymph nodes (PT N+). The difference in marker expression was also evaluated between metastatic lymph nodes (LN+) and the corresponding primary tumours (PT N+). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The studies were performed on tumour samples from 39 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity floor or of the oral part of the tongue. All the patients had been subjected to radical surgery, accompanied by the removal of lymph nodes. In 20 patients post-operative histopathology disclosed the presence of metastases in the draining lymph nodes (pN+), while in 19 patients the presence of such metastases was excluded (pN0). RESULTS: The PT N+ group was found to contain a significantly higher percentage of cells with cytoplasmic expression of MT, than the PT N- group. In turn, a significant increase in the intensity of reaction of cytoplasmic MT and an increased percentage of cancer cells demonstrating MT expression in the cell nuclei was demonstrated in the LN+ compared to the PT N+ group. The expression of the remaining parameters did not significantly differ between PT N-, PT N+ and LN+. CONCLUSION: A gradual increase in MT expression (both cytoplasmic and nuclear) takes place with progression of the tumour and the increased nuclear expression of MT in LN+ cells may suggest a role of MT in metastasis development in the studied tumours.

Mastectomy approach with Y-shaped incision: a technique designed for women with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the access to axilla, postoperative complications, and cosmetic results of the modified radical mastectomy with a Y-shaped approach especially designed for women with obesity. METHODS: One hundred seventeen consecutive women with obesity with infiltrating breast cancer were studied. All of them were not eligible for breast-conserving therapy and underwent modified radical mastectomy. Operation was performed using a surgical technique designed to improve the axillary clearance and to eliminate the lateral dog ear deformity. Two oblique incisions were added to the traditional transverse Stewart incision at the lateral part forming the Y-shaped approach. After lateral flap retraction, the axillary dissection was done. Before closing the wound, the triangular flap was advanced medially, whereas superior and inferior areas of redundant skin overlying the latissimus dorsi muscle were excised. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were observed. In each case, the axillary dissection (with level 3 node clearance when needed) was performed with ease. The wound was healed by primary adhesion, giving an excellent cosmetic result without lateral dog ear deformity. Skin flap necrosis was found in 2 elderly patients. Wound hematoma and surgical site infection developed in 1 patient each. Necrosis of the apex of axillary triangle occurred in one woman with diabetes. These rare complications were managed successfully in all the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The Y-shaped approach for modified radical mastectomy is a simple and safe technique. It facilitates the wide access to axilla and improves cosmesis in women with obesity by eliminating lateral dog ear deformity.

The effect of the population-based cervical cancer screening program on 5-year survival in cervical cancer patients in Lower Silesia.

BACKGROUND: Poland is considered among the European countries with an average incidence of cervical cancer (CC; about 3,000-3,500/year) and at the same time with high mortality (5-year survival rate - 55.2%). For this reason, in 2006 Poland introduced a Population-Based Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Program addressed to women aged 25-59 years, in which a cytological test is carried out every 3 years. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the changes in the curability of CC patients brought by the introduction of the Screening Program in the Lower Silesian voivodeship and to identify the subpopulation of women for whom activities aimed at increasing adherence rates must be intensified. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 5-year relative survival in 3,586 CC patients from 2000-2010 registered in the Lower Silesian Cancer Registry was analyzed. RESULTS: In the Lower Silesian voivodeship, a 55.1% 5-year survival rate was recorded in 2000-2004 and 70.5% in 2010. The highest increase in 5-year relative survival rates was found in rural communities (from 53.1% in 2000-2004 to 77.7% in 2010) and in Wroclaw (56.8% and 74.2%, respectively). In the study group, the number of patients with invasive CC (C53) detected in the local stage of the disease increased systematically from 61.5% in 2000-2004 to 74.3% in 2010. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the population-based screening program improved the curability rate in CC patients in the Lower Silesian voivodeship. In order to maintain the recent positive trends, further education should be continued, and activities aimed at increasing adherence to screening tests should be intensified, especially in urban-rural communities.

The effect of YAP expression in tumor cells and tumor stroma on the prognosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity floor and oral surface of the tongue.

Classic prognostic factors, such as clinical advancement of the disease and histological grade of the tumor, continue to have a decisive role in the selection of therapeutic strategy in patients with carcinoma of the oral cavity floor and oral surface of the tongue (OCC). YAP1/Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif, WWTR1 (TAZ) proteins, appear to be promising markers that may be used to develop personalized therapies. The aim of the present study was to analyze the associations between the levels of YAP, TAZ and tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 14 (PTPN14) and to determine whether the increased expression of YAP and TAZ had an effect on tumor cell proliferation, as determined by minichromosome maintenance 7, DNA replication licensing factor 7 expression. Their prognostic value was also assessed. In total, 127 patients who underwent radical surgery and were subjected to adjuvant radiation therapy due to squamous cell OCC were enrolled in the present study. The results demonstrated an evident effect as YAP expression increased in cancer-associated fibroblasts, which induced unfavorable prognosis in patients. In addition, a positive association between proliferation in cancer cells and YAP expression in stromal cells was observed. A lack of YAP expression in the cytoplasm of tumor cells was a factor for poor prognosis with regard to disease-free survival and disease specific survival. No statistically significant correlations between YAP and TAZ expression and PTPN14 expression were identified, nor was a correlation between cell proliferation and the presence of YAP and TAZ in tumor cells observed. The results indicated that YAP expression levels may support the development of personalized therapies for patients.

Evaluation of prognostic value of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in breast cancer--10 years follow-up analysis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and VEGF-D expression in stage II, grade 2 and 3, ductal breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The immunohistochemical staining of 98 tumor samples and 5- and 10-year overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. RESULTS: A significant relationship between VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression (p=0.000002) was noted. No correlations between protein expression and clinical parameters (tumor size, grade, estrogen receptor status, axillaty lymph node metastases and age) or 5- and 10-year DFS or OS were demonstrated. A close to significant correlation (p=0.084) was observed between high expression of VEGF-C and 5-year OS. CONCLUSION: Our study did not reveal any prognostic value of VEGF-C or VEGF-D. Therefore they are not useful as markers for patients with poor prognosis. Unlike in other studies, our patient group was homogenous which might have contributed to the results obtained.

[Prognostic significance of microvessel density in ovarian cancer]. / Wartosc prognostyczna oznaczania gestosci unaczynienia guza w raku jajnika.

UNLABELLED: The antigen of endothelial cell which are the exponent of microvessels density in cancer tumor as CD31, CD34 and CD105 are the most common analysed markers of angiogenesis. The aim of the work was to analyse the expression of CD31, CD34 and CD105 antigens--three basic markers of microvessel density in ovarian cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material included 80 patients with ovarian carcinoma, treated between 1996 and 2001 in Department of Oncology Gynecology of Lower Silesian Centre of Oncology. The median of age was 54.4 years. Most of analyzed cases (n = 53) were serum ovarian carcinoma in III and IV FIGO stage. RESULTS: The correlations between microvessel density (MVD) and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. We have stated that in patients younger than 50 years the microvessel density was lower. This correlation was statistically significant in the estimation of MVD by CD31 and CD34 expression and close to statistically significant by marked CD105 expression. In patients with time of menopause that occurred before 46 years of age, microvessel density marked with CD105 expression was significantly higher and close to significance in CD31 marker. CONCLUSIONS: Cox analysis proved that independent risk factors of death in patients with ovarian cancer were: age over 50 years, low degree of patient performance according to WHO (World Health Organization) scale, high FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage and high expression of CD34 microvessel density.

Prognostic significance of intracellular laminin and Her2/neu overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer.

UNLABELLED: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that Her2/neu expression, the level of intracellular laminin and Ki-67 index are of prognostic importance in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The second aim of the study was to analyse the efficiency of post-operative radiotherapy in the group of patients treated at our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor tissue samples were obtained from 64 patients with primary NSCLC, who were operated on and post-operatively irradiated. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on paraffin blocks of resected lung tissue. Survival of the patients was calculated on the basis of 5-year follow up. RESULTS: From among the analysed factors only the enhanced expression of intracellular laminin, histological grade 3, adenocarcinoma type of cancer and statistically important radiotherapy parameters influenced patient survival. The influence of Her2/neu expression on survival almost reached statistical significance. In multivariate Cox analyses only the level of the intracellular laminin, overexpression of Her2/neu and dose time ratio (DTR) were found to be the independent risk factors for patients survival. CONCLUSION: Enhanced expression of intracellular laminin, Her2/neu overexpression and interruptions during post-operative radiotherapy are detrimental for survival in patients with NSCLC.

Mcm-2 protein expression predicts prognosis better than Ki-67 antigen in oral cavity squamocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed at evaluating the expression intensities of the Mcm-2 protein and Ki-67 antigen in squamocellular carcinomas of the oral cavity and comparing their prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients, operated on and treated with radiotherapy for carcinoma of the oral cavity floor and/or the mobile part of the tongue, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was noted between the expression of Mcm-2 protein and that of the Ki-67 antigen, as well as an absence of such correlations with the remaining examined factors. A significant correlation with worse disease-specific survival period (DSS) in the group of patients demonstrating Mcm-2 protein expression in over 10% of cancer cells was detected (5-year cumulative DSS 50% vs. 76%). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the expression of Mcm-2 protein may be used as a prognostic factor in patients with squamocellular carcinoma of the oral cavity.

[Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) in ovarian carcinomas]. / Ekspresja naczyniowego sródblonkowego czynnika wzrostu C i D (VEGF-C i VEGF-D) w raku jajnika.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the work was to assess vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-C and vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-D expression in ovarian carcinomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical records and preserved specimens from 80 patients with ovarian cacinoma who underwent treatment at Lower Silesia Centre of Oncology were examined consecutively. RESULTS: Most of analysed patients (n=53) had serous adenocarcinomas at III or IV FIGO stage. The median VEGF-C expression analysed semiquantitively using immunohistochemistry method was 3.84, and in 5% of cases expression of marker was not found. Also median VEGF-D expression was 3.71, and reactivity of this cytokine was not found in 16.25% of cases. There was strong correlation between expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Conversely, there was no significant correlation between VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression and clinicopathological features of ovarian carcinoma. Univariate analysis demonstrated that high expression of cytokines wasn't associated with worse survival rate. CONCLUSION: This incresistence indicated that studies on angiogenesis in ovarian carcinomas should be continued.

[Treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. Part I--observation or treatment?]. / Leczenie klinicznie zlokalizowanego raka gruczolu krokowego. Czesc I--obserwacja czy leczenie?

The optimal management of clinically localized (T1, T2) prostate cancer remains controversial. In response to these controversies the American Urological Association guidelines considered surgery, radiotherapy or watchful waiting to be options, because the literature does not provide clear evidence for the superiority of any one treatment. The aim of this paper is presentation of current knowledge regarding this problem.