Absolute Quantification of Selected microRNAs Expression in Endometrial Cancer by Digital PCR.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are involved in the process of carcinogenesis, including the development of endometrial cancer (EC). This study aimed to investigate the association between the expression of three miRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-205-5p, and miR-222-3p) in endometrial cancer tissues. In addition, the stability of expression of SNORD48 and U6, which were initially planned to be used as reference miRNAs for normalization, was investigated. Endometrial tissue was obtained from 111 patients with EC during hysterectomy and from 19 patients undergoing surgery for uterine fibroids or pelvic organ prolapse as a control group without neoplastic changes. Our study was based on calculations made with a digital PCR method (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) to measure the absolute expression. In the endometrial cancer tissue, miR-205-5p was upregulated, while miR-222-3p and SNORD48 were downregulated compared to the control group. We detected statistically significant correlation of miR-205-5p, U6, and SNORD48 expression with different histological grades; the expression of miR-205-5p increases with the histopathological grade advancement (intraepithelial neoplasia- EIN = 1590, G1 = 3367.2, G2 = 8067 and G3 = 20,360), while U6 and SNORD expression decreases from EIN to G2 and increases again in the G3 grade (U6: EIN = 19,032, G1 = 16,482.4, G2 = 13,642.4, G3 = 133,008; SNORD48: EIN = 97,088, G1 = 59,520, G2 = 43,544, G3 = 227,200). Our study suggests that upregulation of miR-205-5p and downregulation of miR-222-3p and SNORD48 may influence development of endometrial cancer. Moreover, miR-205-5p, U6, and SNORD48 expression changes may be associated with progression of endometrial cancer. The results also indicate that SNORD48 and U6, commonly used as internal references, may influence endometrial cancer development and progression; therefore, they should not be used as references. However, it is important to note that further research is required to understand their role in endometrial cancer.

A Preliminary Study of FTIR Spectroscopy as a Potential Non-Invasive Screening Tool for Pediatric Precursor B Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Early detection of the most common pediatric neoplasm, B-cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), is challenging and requires invasive bone marrow biopsies. The purpose of this study was to establish new biomarkers for early screening to detect pediatric leukemia. In this small cohort study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were obtained from blood sera of 10 patients with BCP-ALL and were compared with the control samples from 10 children with some conditions other than neoplasm. Using various analytical approaches, including a new physical model, some significant differences were observable. The most important include: the different peak area ratio 2965/1645 cm-1 (p = 0.002); the lower average percentage of both ß-sheet and ß-turn protein structures in the sera of BCP-ALL patients (p = 0.03); an AdaBoost-based predictive model for classifying healthy vs. BCP-ALL patients with 85% accuracy; and the phase shift of the first derivative in the spectral range 1050-1042 cm-1 correlating with white blood cell (WBC) and blast cell count in BCP-ALL patients contrary to the samples obtained from healthy controls. Although verification in larger groups of patients will be necessary, these promising results suggest that FTIR spectroscopy may have future potential for the early screening of BCP-ALL.

Improvement in outcomes of breast cancer patient treatment in Poland in the 21st century.

Breast cancer accounts for 22%-25% of all female cancers diagnosed worldwide. The aim of study was to compare the 5-year relative survival rates for breast cancer patients treated in the years 2008-2010, 2000-2002, and 2005-2007, and to determine their relationships with the methods and costs of treatment. Data were collected from the National Cancer Registry and the Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia (National Health Fund) data bases. An increase in the 5-year survival rate was observed. The results show the impact of some factors on the survival and treatment costs. It is necessary to create data bases being a platform for further comprehensive analyses.

Dysregulation of microRNAs in triple-negative breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. TNBC is usually diagnosed at a relatively young age and is characterized by high risk of developing metastases. Some epigenetic regulation of gene expression is associated with TNBC. Expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as a potential tool for identifying critical biomarkers in TNBC. The aim of our study is to examine expression of selected miRNAs in TNBC and to assess the relationship between miRNA expression and clinicopathological factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression levels of 19 selected miRNAs were compared between cancerous and normal breast tissues by use of qPCR method. We have evaluated the relationship between the expression level of miRNAs and clinicopathological factors such as: age, tumor size and lymph node status. RESULTS: We found that in TNBC tissues, when compared with normal breast tissues, the expression of miR-190a, miR- 136-5p and miR-126-5p was significantly reduced (p = 0.0041, p = 0.0007, p = 0.0007, respectively) whereas expression of miR-135b-5p and miR-182-5p was significantly increased (p = 0.0194, p = 0.0041, respectively). We found a linear trend for tumor size and expression of miR-126-5p (p = 0.0296) and miR-135b-5p (p = 0.0241). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that miRNA expression profile is dysregulated in TNBC patients compared to healthy controls. MiR-190a, miR-136-5p, miR-126-5p, miR-135b-5p and miR-182-5p may be associated with development and progression of TNBC.

The Promotive and Inhibitory Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Endometrial Cancer Course-A Review.

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours in women. The development of this tumour is associated with several genetic disorders, many of which are still unknown. One type of RNA molecules currently being intensively studied in many types of cancer are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). LncRNA-coding genes occupy a large fraction of the human genome. LncRNAs regulate many aspects of cell development, metabolism, and other physiological processes. Diverse types of lncRNA can function as a tumour suppressor or an oncogene that can alter migration, invasion, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune system response. Recent studies suggest that selected lncRNAs are important in an endometrial cancer course. Our article describes over 70 lncRNAs involved in the development of endometrial cancer, which were studied via in vivo and in vitro research. It was proved that lncRNAs could both promote and inhibit the development of endometrial cancer. In the future, lncRNAs may become an important therapeutic target. The aim of this study is to review the role of lncRNAs in the development of carcinoma of uterine body.

Two oncomiRs, miR-182-5p and miR-103a-3p, Involved in Intravenous Leiomyomatosis.

Leiomyomas, also referred to as fibroids, belong to the most common type of benign tumors developing in the myometrium of the uterus. Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) tends to be regarded as a rare type of uterine leiomyoma. IVL tumors are characterized by muscle cell masses developing within the uterine and extrauterine venous system. The underlying mechanism responsible for the proliferation of these lesions is still unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of the two epigenetic factors, oncomiRs miR-182-5p and miR-103a-3p, in intravenous leiomyomatosis. This study was divided into two stages: initially, miR-182-5p and miR-103a-3p expression was assessed in samples coming from intravenous leiomyomatosis localized in myometrium (group I, n = 6), intravenous leiomyomatosis beyond the uterus (group II; n = 5), and the control group, i.e., intramural leiomyomas (group III; n = 9). The expression level of miR-182-5p was significantly higher in samples coming from intravenous leiomyomatosis (group I and group II) as compared to the control group (p = 0.029 and p = 0.024, respectively). In the second part of the study, the expression levels of the studied oncomiRs were compared between seven samples delivered from one woman during a four-year observation. The long-term follow-up of one patient demonstrated significantly elevated levels of both studied oncomiRs in intravenous leiomyomatosis in comparison to intramural leiomyoma samples.

Potential Prognostic Value of GATA4 Depends on the p53 Expression in Primary Glioblastoma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Primary glioblastoma is characterized by an extremely poor prognosis. The promoter methylation of GATA4 leads to the loss of its expression in many cancer types. The formation of high-grade astrocytomas can be promoted by the concurrent loss of TP53 and GATA4 in normal human astrocytes. Nevertheless, the impact of GATA4 alterations with linkage to TP53 changes in gliomagenesis is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate GATA4 protein expression, GATA4 promoter methylation, p53 expression, TP53 promoter methylation, and mutation status in patients with primary glioblastoma and to assess the possible prognostic impact of these alterations on overall survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with primary glioblastoma were included. GATA4 and p53 expressions were determined immunohistochemically, and GATA4 and TP53 promoter methylations were analyzed via methylation-specific PCR. TP53 mutations were investigated via Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The prognostic value of GATA4 depends on p53 expression. Patients without GATA4 protein expression were more frequently negative for TP53 mutations and had better prognoses than the GATA4 positive patients. In patients positive for GATA4 protein expression, p53 expression was associated with the worst outcome. However, in patients positive for p53 expression, the loss of GATA4 protein expression seemed to be associated with improved prognosis. GATA4 promoter methylation was not associated with a lack of GATA4 protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that there is a possibility that GATA4 could function as a prognostic factor in glioblastoma patients, but in connection with p53 expression. A lack of GATA4 expression is not dependent on GATA4 promoter methylation. GATA4 alone has no influence on survival time in glioblastoma patients.

An Assessment of Serum Selenium Concentration in Women with Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Available studies on the effect of serum selenium levels on the risk of malignancies show some conflicting results. In this study, we investigated the correlation between serum selenium levels and ovarian cancer occurrence. METHODS: 314 women (157 diseased patients and 157 healthy ones) matched in terms of age and BMI were included in the study. The measurements of selenium in the collected blood samples were performed using an ICP mass spectrometer. Univariable and multivariable analyzes were performed to determine the relationship between the factors under the study and the occurrence of ovarian cancer. RESULTS: The mean concentration of selenium was lower among diseased ones than among controls (53.31 µg/L vs. 78.99 µg/L). A decrease in selenium concentration was noticed with the advancement of ovarian cancer. In univariable and multivariable analyzes, a clear relationship between low selenium concentration and the occurrence of ovarian cancer was found (35.3 (95% CI: 11.2-111; p < 0.001) and 45.8 (95% CI: 12.8-164; p < 0.001)). CONCLUSION: The studied patients with ovarian cancer are characterized by statistically significant lower serum selenium levels than patients from the control group. Among the study group, a decrease in selenium concentration was observed with an increase in the FIGO stage. The determination of the role of selenium as a prophylactic factor in ovarian cancer requires further prospective studies.

Study of Serum Copper and Zinc Levels and Serum Cu/Zn Ratio among Polish Women with Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrients are important components for the homeostasis of the human body. The studies available in the literature of the subject on their impact on the risk of population diseases, including malignant neoplasms, are ambiguous. In this paper, the relationship between Cu and Zn serum levels and the occurrence of endometrial cancer have been analyzed. METHODS: 306 patients (153 test group and 153 control group) matched for age were analyzed for Cu and Zn levels. Microelements levels were determined for sera collected during the hospitalization of patients by means of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, the Cu/Zn ratio in the population included in the study was analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analyzes were used to examine the relationship between the factors under study and the incidence of endometrial cancer. RESULTS: Lower levels of elements were observed in the study group compared with the control group (Cu: 959.39 µg/L vs. 1176.42 µg/L, p < 0.001; Zn: 707.05 µg/L vs. 901.67 µg/L, p < 0.001). A statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of endometrial cancer was observed for Cu and Zn. The patients with the lowest Cu level had a significantly higher occurrence of endometrial cancer compared with reference tertile (OR 8.54; p < 0.001). Similarly, compared with the reference tertile, the patients with the lowest Zn levels had a significantly greater incidence of endometrial cancer (OR 15.0; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest an association of endometrial cancer occurrence with lower Cu and Zn serum levels.

Characterisation of breast cancer molecular signature and treatment assessment with vibrational spectroscopy and chemometric approach.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is regarded as the most aggressive breast cancer subtype with poor overall survival and lack of targeted therapies, resulting in many patients with recurrent. The insight into the detailed biochemical composition of TNBC would help develop dedicated treatments. Thus, in this study Fourier Transform Infrared microspectroscopy combined with chemometrics and absorbance ratios investigation was employed to compare healthy controls with TNBC tissue before and after chemotherapy within the same patient. The primary spectral differences between control and cancer tissues were found in proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids. Amide I/Amide II ratio decrease before and increase after chemotherapy, whereas DNA, RNA, and glycogen contents increase before and decrease after the treatment. The chemometric results revealed discriminatory features reflecting a clinical response scheme and proved the chemotherapy efficacy assessment with infrared spectroscopy is possible.

An Assessment of GPX1 (rs1050450), DIO2 (rs225014) and SEPP1 (rs7579) Gene Polymorphisms in Women with Endometrial Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies indicate a relationship between the presence of GPX1 (rs1050450), DIO2 (rs225014) and SEPP1 (rs7579) gene polymorphisms and the development of chronic or neoplastic diseases. However, there are no reports on the influence of these polymorphisms on the development of endometrial cancer. METHODS: 543 women participated in the study. The study group consisted of 269 patients with diagnosed endometrial cancer. The control group consisted of 274 healthy women. Blood samples were drawn from all the participants. The PCR-RFLP method was used to determine polymorphisms in the DIO2 (rs225014) and GPX1 (rs1050450) genes. The analysis of polymorphisms in the SEPP1 (rs7579) gene was performed by means of TaqMan probes. RESULTS: There was a 1.99-fold higher risk of developing endometrial cancer in CC homozygotes, DIO2 (rs225014) polymorphism (95% Cl 1.14-3.53, p = 0.017), compared to TT homozygotes. There was no correlation between the occurrence of GPX1 (rs1050450) and SEPP1 (rs7579) polymorphisms and endometrial cancer. CONCLUSION: Carriers of the DIO2 (rs225014) polymorphism may be predisposed to the development of endometrial cancer. Further research confirming this relationship is recommended.

An Assessment of Serum Selenium Concentration in Women with Endometrial Cancer.

Background: Numerous studies have shown a relationship between low serum selenium levels and an increased risk of developing cancer. Methods: A total of 306 women participated in the study: 153 patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 153 healthy women who were matched, in terms of birth year (+/−3 years), to the patients from the study group. The quantitative measurement of selenium content in the collected blood samples was performed using a mass spectrometer with excitation in inductively coupled plasma. In order to determine the relationship between the risk factors and the incidence of endometrial cancer, analyses based on single- and multi-factor conditional logistic regression models were performed. Results: The mean concentration of selenium was lower in patients with endometrial cancer than in healthy controls (60.63 µg/L (0.77 µmol/L) vs. 78.74 µg/L (0.99 µmol/L), respectively). When compared in quartiles, a significant association of lower selenium concentration with the incidence of endometrial cancer was recorded. The highest OR was observed in the first and second quartiles (OR-22.0, p-value < 0.001; medium selenium level 46.95 µg/L (0.59 µmol/L), and OR-5.94; p-value < 0.001; medium selenium level 63.60 µg/L (0.80 µmol/L), respectively). Conclusion: A strong correlation between the level of selenium in the blood serum and the risk of endometrial cancer indicates that patients with low levels should be a candidate group requiring appropriate preventive examinations. Further research on a larger group of patients is required.

MicroRNA gene methylation landscape in pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant DNA methylation is an important mechanism by which the normal patterns of microRNA expression are disrupted in human cancers including B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL), the most common pediatric malignancy. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the methylation profile landscape of microRNA genes in BCP ALL patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We employed Infinium® MethylationEPIC BeadChip Arrays to measure the methylation of microRNA genes from bone marrow samples of children with BCP ALL (n = 38) and controls without neoplasms (n = 4). RESULTS: This analysis revealed differential methylation of the microRNA genes in the pediatric BCP ALL when compared to the control. A subcluster amongst BCP ALL patients with TCF3-PBX1 genetic subtype was also observed. No other differences were observed in association with age, gender or risk group. Several interesting leukemia-related phenotypes are enriched by the genes with hyperand hypomethylated sites located in promoters as well as gene bodies. The top 3 miRNA genes, promoters of which were the most statistically significantly hypermethylated in BCP ALL were MIR1273G, MIR1304 and MIR663, and the top 3 hypomethylated were MIR4442, MIR155 and MIR3909. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a different microRNA genes methylation landscape was shown in pediatric BCP ALL compared to children without neoplasms. A visible subcluster among BCP ALL samples consisted of individuals with TCF3-PBX1 genetic subtype. No other differences were observed in association with age, gender or risk group. Several interesting leukemia-connected phenotypes were found, associated with genes with hyperand hypomethylated sites located on promoters as well as gene bodies.

Evaluation of the association between angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and the risk of endometrial cancer in and characteristics of Polish women.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm of the female reproductive organs. A dysfunctional endometrial renin-angiotensin system (RAS) might contribute to the growth and spread of endometrial cancer. The RAS-related gene polymorphisms, including the polymorphism of insertion/deletion (I/D) in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene, influence RAS activity. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we examined the association between the I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and endometrial cancer risk in Polish women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Genotype analysis of the ACE I/D polymorphism was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on 142 endometrial cancer type 1 patients and 68 cancer-free subjects. The results of the analyses were correlated with clinical data. RESULTS: The frequency of DD, DI and II ACE genotypes did not vary significantly between the experimental group and the control group (40 (28%), 61 (43%) and 41 (29%) vs 18 (26%), 31 (46%), and 19 (28%), respectively; p = 0.935). In addition, the incidence of the DD, DI and II polymorphisms in the ACE gene did not vary significantly between the experimental subgroups when stratified by cancer grade - G1, G2 and G3 endometrioid carcinoma - and the control group. Furthermore, the ACE polymorphism was not significantly associated with hypertension, diabetes or lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The ACE I/D gene polymorphism was not associated with endometrial cancer risk or the clinicopathological features in Polish women.

The distinguishable DNA whole genome methylation profile of 2 cases of pediatric precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP ALL) with prodromal, preleukemic phase: A case report.

RATIONALE: A prolonged, prodromal phase before definitive paediatric precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP ALL) diagnosis is rarely observed. PATIENTS CONCERNS: In the first, the patient presented with an aplastic preleukemic phase, whilst the second presented with a rheumatic-like preliminary phase. DIAGNOSES: The case reports of two patients with BCP ALL with a prodromal phase lasting a few weeks are presented. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: DNA whole genome profile methylation analysis of bone marrow cells obtained at diagnosis revealed a pattern of methylation that was readily distinguishable from both healthy and standard course BCP ALL bone marrow samples. LESSONS: The biological implication of this observation remains unclear, with many differentially methylated loci involved in many processes like neurogenesis, cell projection organization and adhesion along with leucocyte activation and apoptosis. The prevalence and clinical significance of these methylation changes is unknown but this data indicates that the epigenetic basis of BCP ALL with a prolonged, prodromal phase requires a more detailed assessment.

Whole-genome DNA methylation characteristics in pediatric precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL).

In addition to genetic alterations, epigenetic abnormalities have been shown to underlie the pathogenesis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-the most common pediatric cancer. The purpose of this study was to characterize the whole genome DNA methylation profile in children with precursor B-cell ALL (BCP ALL) and to compare this profile with methylation observed in normal bone marrow samples. Additional efforts were made to correlate the observed methylation patterns with selected clinical features. We assessed DNA methylation from bone marrow samples obtained from 38 children with BCP ALL at the time of diagnosis along with 4 samples of normal bone marrow cells as controls using Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip Array. Patients were diagnosed and stratified into prognosis groups according to the BFM ALL IC 2009 protocol. The analysis of differentially methylated sites across the genome as well as promoter methylation profiles allowed clear separation of the leukemic and control samples into two clusters. 86.6% of the promoter-associated differentially methylated sites were hypermethylated in BCP ALL. Seven sites were found to correlate with the BFM ALL IC 2009 high risk group. Amongst these, one was located within the gene body of the MBP gene and another was within the promoter region- PSMF1 gene. Differentially methylated sites that were significantly related with subsets of patients with ETV6-RUNX1 fusion and hyperdiploidy. The analyzed translocations and change of genes' sequence context does not affect methylation and methylation seems not to be a mechanism for the regulation of expression of the resulting fusion genes.