Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor, Tissue Factor, and VEGF-R Bound VEGF in Human Breast Cancer In Loco.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin and docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimens used in breast cancer patients are associated with high risk of febrile neutropenia (FN). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) are recommended for both treating and preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Increased thrombosis incidence in G-CSF treated patients was reported; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The principal activator of blood coagulation in cancer is tissue factor (TF). It additionally contributes to cancer progression and stimulates angiogenesis. The main proangiogenic factor is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate granulocyte-colony stimulating factor receptor (G-CSFR), tissue factor (TF) expression and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R) bound VEGF in human breast cancer in loco. MATERIAL AND METHODS: G-CSFR, TF and VEGFR bound VEGF (VEGF: VEGFR) were assessed in 28 breast cancer tissue samples. Immunohistochemical (IHC) methodologies according to ABC technique and double staining IHC procedure were employed utilizing antibodies against G-CSFR, TF and VEGF associated with VEGFR (VEGF: VEGFR). RESULTS: Expression of G-CSFR was demonstrated in 20 breast cancer tissue specimens (71%). In 6 cases (21%) the expression was strong (IRS 9-12). Strong expression of TF was observed in all investigated cases (100%). Moreover, expression of VEGF: VEGFR was visualized in cancer cells (IRS 5-8). No presence of G-CSFR, TF or VEGF: VEGFR was detected on healthy breast cells. Double staining IHC studies revealed co-localization of G-CSFR and TF, G-CSFR and VEGF: VEGFR, as well as TF and VEGF: VEGFR on breast cancer cells and ECs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicate that GCSFR, TF and VEGF: VEGFR expression as well as their co-expression might influence breast cancer biology, and may increase thromboembolic adverse events incidence.

Influence of various forms of physical exercise on bioelectric activity of quadriceps femoris muscle. Pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Recent years have seen a dynamic development of treatment methods targeting the knee joint region. Surgical interventions are becoming increasingly less invasive, being at the same time ever more diverse, which offers the patients possibility of living their lives without any limitations. This is being made possible thanks to diagnostic progress and advances in bioengineering. A rehabilitation programme has to be tailored to the chosen method of treatment, to each patient, his/her lifestyle and expectations. The objective of the present study is to evaluate various forms of physical activity used in rehabilitation following knee surgery with regard to the electrical activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 28 healthy adults (13 men and 15 women) aged 21 to 29 years. The participants were asked to perform 17 kinesiotherapeutic activities that are most commonly administered in the rehabilitation of patients following knee surgery. During the exercises, percutaneous EMG (sEMG) traces were obtained for the vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis muscle (VL). RESULTS: Activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle was highest during isometric exercises performed in extension. Similar activity levels were noted during isometric exercises against resistance applied to the adductor and abductor muscles. Equally high values were obtained during open kinetic chain exercises. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that the exercises under investigation were useful in postoperative rehabilitation following knee surgery. Isometric exercises performed with the knee in extension and possibly with resistance applied to the adductor and abductor muscles of the hip are the most effective in the early postoperative phase because they generate only minor loads.