[Autoimmunization and carcinogenesis].

The connections between autoimmunization and carcinogenesis have been observed in many patients' cases for numerous years. Various autoimmune diseases precede the diagnosis of neoplasm, however the mechanisms of autoimmunization may also be useful in anti-cancer defence. This review presents the analysis of links between the mentioned processes and their possible application in modern anti-neoplasmatic immunotherapy.

[Immunity and cancer associated thrombosis].

In cancer patients, thrombosis is commonly found complication. There are many established risk factors which may be responsible for thrombosis in this group of patients. Especially the factors connected with treatment and the cancer itself, seem to be significant in the pathogenesis of thromboembolism. On the other hand, the reactions between cancer, hemostasis and immunological system seem to be important in initiation of the thrombotic process. In this review, on the basis of current literature, we have analyzed the relationship between neoplasmatic thrombosis and immunological disorders. The lack of balance between immunological system and haemostasis in neoplasms is the key issue to solve, in order to correct the long term cancer survival.

The presence of particular criteria and noncriteria antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with uterine malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there have been limited data on the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in patients with uterine malignancies (UMs). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether criteria and noncriteria aPLs are present in patients with UMs and associated with the thrombotic risk, as compared with patients with noncancerous gynecological diseases (NCGDs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 151 women scheduled for gynecological surgery. The patients were divided into the UM group (n = 70) and the NCGD group (n = 81). The Antiphospholipid 10 Dot assay was used to detect criteria and noncriteria aPLs before surgery. The study patients were considered positive for thrombosis if they exhibited signs of thrombosis within the 2­year follow­up period after surgery. RESULTS: Positive results for aPLs were obtained in 17/70 patients with UMs (24.3%) and in 6/81 patients with NCGDs (7.4%) (P = 0.008). Particular noncriteria aPLs (antiphosphatidic acid, antiphosphatidylserine, anti-annexin V, and antiprothrombin antibodies) yet no criteria aPLs (anticardiolipin and anti-ß2­glycoprotein I antibodies) were more frequently found in patients with UMs than in those with NCGDs. Thrombosis was diagnosed in 9/70 patients (12.9%) in the UM group and in 3/81 patients (3.7%) in the NCGD group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Antiphospholipid antibodies were present at significant levels in patients with UMs. Noncriteria aPLs yet no criteria aPLs were more frequently found in patients with UMs than in those with NCGDs. The incidence of thrombosis was significantly higher in patients with UMs.