Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a heterogeneous group of malignancies consisting essentially of adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although the diagnosis and treatment of ADC and SCC have been greatly improved in recent decades, there is still an urgent need to identify accurate transcriptome profile associated with the histological subtypes of NSCLC. The present study aims to identify the key dysregulated pathways and genes involved in the development of lung ADC and SCC and to relate them with the clinical traits. The transcriptional changes between tumour and normal lung tissues were investigated by RNA-seq. Gene ontology (GO), canonical pathways analysis with the prediction of upstream regulators, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify co-expressed modules and hub genes were used to explore the biological functions of the identified dysregulated genes. It was indicated that specific gene signatures differed significantly between ADC and SCC related to the distinct pathways. Of identified modules, four and two modules were the most related to clinical features in ADC and SCC, respectively. CTLA4, MZB1, NIP7, and BUB1B in ADC, as well as GNG11 and CCNB2 in SCC, are novel top hub genes in modules associated with tumour size, SUVmax, and recurrence-free survival. Our research provides a more effective understanding of the importance of biological pathways and the relationships between major genes in NSCLC in the perspective of searching for new molecular targets.

Incomplete understanding of the metastatic process hinders personalized therapy. Here we report the most comprehensive whole-genome study of colorectal metastases vs. matched primary tumors. 65% of somatic mutations originate from a common progenitor, with 15% being tumor- and 19% metastasis-specific, implicating a higher mutation rate in metastases. Tumor- and metastasis-specific mutations harbor elevated levels of BRCAness. We confirm multistage progression with new components ARHGEF7/ARHGEF33. Recurrently mutated non-coding elements include ncRNAs RP11-594N15.3, AC010091, SNHG14, 3’ UTRs of FOXP2, DACH2, TRPM3, XKR4, ANO5, CBL, CBLB, the latter four potentially dual protagonists in metastasis and efferocytosis-/PD-L1 mediated immunosuppression. Actionable metastasis-specific lesions include FAT1, FGF1, BRCA2, KDR, and AKT2-, AKT3-, and PDGFRA-3’ UTRs. Metastasis specific mutations are enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling, cell adhesion, ECM and hepatic stellate activation genes, suggesting genetic programs for site-specific colonization. Our results put forward hypotheses on tumor and metastasis evolution, and evidence for metastasis-specific events relevant for personalized therapy.

Infection of human cells by pathogens, including SARS‐CoV‐2, typically proceeds by cell surface binding to a crucial receptor. The primary receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 is the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), yet new studies reveal the importance of additional extracellular co‐receptors that mediate binding and host cell invasion by SARS‐CoV‐2. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein that is increasingly recognized as being present on the extracellular surface of a subset of cell types, where it can bind to and facilitate pathogens’ cellular uptake. Biophysical and cell infection studies are done to determine whether vimentin might bind SARS‐CoV‐2 and facilitate its uptake. Dynamic light scattering shows that vimentin binds to pseudovirus coated with the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein, and antibodies against vimentin block in vitro SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus infection of ACE2‐expressing cells. The results are consistent with a model in which extracellular vimentin acts as a co‐receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein with a binding affinity less than that of the spike protein with ACE2. Extracellular vimentin may thus serve as a critical component of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein‐ACE2 complex in mediating SARS‐CoV‐2 cell entry, and vimentin‐targeting agents may yield new therapeutic strategies for preventing and slowing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Obesity is a new risk factor, to which more and more research is devoted, related to the development of cancer. Many studies of recent years have drawn attention to the role of adipose tissue as an important internal endocrine organ. In the adipose tissue proteins are produced, referred to by the common name as adipokines. In the case of obesity, the neoplasm cells are constantly stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, among which leptin dominates. The studies show that leptin can affect the cancer cells through numerous phenomena, e.g. inflammation, cell proliferation, suppression of apoptosis and angiogenesis. In this literature review we examined the role of leptin in the development of the individual cancers: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and brain neoplasms: glioma and meningioma. However, leptin has very complicated mechanisms of action which require better understanding in certain types of cancer.

Meningiomas constitute up to 13% of all intracranial tumors. The predictive factors for meningioma have not been unambiguously defined; however some limited data suggest that the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be associated with the presence of peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) and worse clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to analyze the expressions of MMP-9 and VEGF in a group of meningiomas of various grades and to study associations between these two markers and PTBE. The study included patients with supratentorial meningiomas. The patients were divided into low- (G1) and high-grade meningiomas (G2 and G3). PTBE was assessed on MRI. The expressions of VEGF and MMP-9 were determined immunohistochemically. The expression of MMP-9 was observed significantly more often in G3 meningiomas than in lower grade tumors. The presence of stage II or III PTBE was associated with a significant increase in MMP-9 expression. The expression of VEGF did not differ across the PTBE stages. Our findings point to a significant role of MMP-9 and VEGF in the pathogenesis of peritumoral brain edema in low- and high-grade meningiomas.

Purpose. To assess FGF-β, TGF-β, and COX2 expression and immunocompetent cells in the orbital tissue of patients with severe and mild Graves' orbitopathy. Patients and Methods. Orbital tissue was taken from 27 patients with GO: (1) severe GO (n = 18), the mean clinical activity score (CAS) being 8.5 (SD 2.5); and (2) mild GO (n = 9), the mean CAS being 2.2 (SD 0.8), and from 10 individuals undergoing blepharoplasty. The expression of CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and CD68 and FGF-β, TGF-β, and COX2 in the orbital tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemical methods. Results. We demonstrated predominant CD4+ T cells in severe GO. CD68 expression was observed in the fibrous connective area of mild GO and was robust in severe GO, while the prominent TGF-β expression was seen in all GO. Increased FGF-β expression was observed in the fibroblasts and adipocytes of severe GO. No expression of COX2 was found in patients with GO. Conclusions. Macrophages and CD4 T lymphocytes are both engaged in the active/severe and long stage of inflammation in the orbital tissue. FGF-β and TGF-β expression may contribute to tissue remodeling, fibrosis, and perpetuation of inflammation in the orbital tissue of GO especially in severe GO.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), despite their well-known roles in cell survival and proliferation, can also weakly enhance apoptosis. To study the relationships between the IGF-IR and Bax as well as Bak, 144 cases of colorectal cancer were examined by immunohistochemistry, using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. The results were correlated with selected clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer and with the expression of IGF-IR, Bax, and Bak in normal colon mucosa. In Bax-, Bak-, or IGF-IR-positive cancers, the adjacent colorectal mucosa revealed positive immunostaining for these proteins. In the majority of Bax-, Bak-, or IGF-IR-negative tumors, we observed no staining for these proteins in adjacent mucosa. The strong immunostaining for IGF-IR, Bax, and Bak was noted in 50.8, 55.5, and 49.3% of tumors, respectively. We observed positive correlations between IGF-IR and Bax (P < 0.002, r = 0.302), between IGF-IR and Bak (P < 0.0001, r = 0.407), and between Bax and Bak (P < 0.0001, r = 0.474). No relationship was noted between IGF-IR expression and tumor grade, stage, or lymph node status. We found negative associations between Bax, Bak, and tumor grade (P < 0.01 and P < 0.003, respectively), but no relationships between Bax and Bak and tumor stage or between Bax and Bak and lymph node status. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to overexpressed IGF-IR, there are relationships between IGF-IR and proapoptotic proteins in colorectal carcinomas that could contribute to increased cell turnover and the progression of colorectal cancer.

Meningiomas are common primary brain tumors. However, they are often complicated by significant peritumoral brain edema, which leads to surgery difficulties and prolonged hospitalization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of mast cells and expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in correlation with the grade of meningioma and presence of peritumoral brain edema. Immunohistochemistry was performed with specific antibodies against tryptase (mast cells) and HIF-1 in low grade meningiomas (estimated as G1) and high grade meningiomas (estimated as G2 or G3). Peritumoral brain edema observed in MRI was graded using Steinhoff classification. Tryptase expression was observed in 40.4 % low grade meningiomas and in 90 % high grade cases; HIF-1 in 55.7 % low grade and in 84 % high grade meningiomas. There was a statistically significant correlation between HIF-1 and tryptase expression in both groups (p = 0.003). Presence of peritumoral brain edema statistically correlated with tryptase (p = 0.001) and HIF-1 expression (p = 0.004). Mast cells as well as hypoxia are involved in meningioma progression, and may be associated with the formation of peritumoral brain edema leading to surgery complication and recovery. Therefore, they may be useful markers in predicting the clinical course of meningioma cases.