No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate protein expression of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) in primary and metastatic serous ovarian carcinoma. The expression of beta-catenin and E-cadherin was additionally analyzed. One hundred and thirteen primary (n = 56) and metastatic (n = 57) lesions were immunohistochemically stained for APC, E-cadherin, and beta-catenin. Staining extent was scored. Possible differences in immunoreactivity in primary and metastatic sites and the association between the proteins analyzed were evaluated statistically. Cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for APC was found in 67/113 (59%) tumors, most often in the majority (> 50%) of cells. E-cadherin was detected in 102/113 (90%) carcinomas, while beta-catenin was expressed in 109/113 (97%) specimens. Nuclear expression of beta-catenin was seen in 3/113 (3%) specimens, all negative for APC. APC and beta-catenin were often coexpressed, but this finding failed to reach statistical significance (p = 0.11). A significant association was seen between E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression (p = 0.001). APC expression was comparable in primary and metastatic tumors (p > 0.05). In conclusion, APC expression is absent in a considerable number of both primary and metastatic ovarian carcinomas, but this finding is only rarely coupled to nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin. These findings support the role for beta-catenin signaling via the Wingless/Wnt pathway in ovarian carcinoma. The mechanism behind the down-regulated expression of APC in serous ovarian carcinoma and its significance has yet to be elucidated.

Cell-surface antigen expression of hematopoietic stem cells has a crucial role in characterizing cell subpopulation with distinct functional properties. The Eph receptors are the largest receptor tyrosine kinase family being involved in processes like vascular remodelling during development and physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Some EphlEphrin members are expressed in hematopoietic cells. The ability to isolate purified cell populations co-expressing CD34 and CD133 antigens as most commonly used markers for identification of hematopoietic progenitors has provided the opportunity to identify their surfacereceptor profile, As positively expressed CD34 and CD133 cells take place not only in hematopoietic but also in endothelial differentiation, we aimed to define the EphlEphrin characteristic ofthese cells and relate these findings to new therapy strategies. Positive selections of CD34 and CD133 cells from PBPC in lymphoma patients were performed using magnetic beads and AutoMACS (Miltenyi Biotec) device. The purity of isolated cells was tested by flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry was used to assess the EphlEphrin expression profile of positively selected samples. Our study revealed that all samples (10 from CD34+ and 8 from CD133+ cells) expressed one or more of EphlEphrin antigens in different proportions. AU CD34 + cell samples, and 6 of 8 in the CD133+ cell fraction were strongly immunoreactive for EphA2. EphB2 was strongly expressed in all CD133+ cases, but 50% of the CD34 positive group lacked or weakly expressed this receptor. EphB4 was negative in 9 of 10 CD34+ cases and in all CD133 +cells. Thus, we have shown the surface marker profile of positively selected CD34 and CD133 cells in leukapheresis samples from lymphoma patients with regard to EphlEphrin receptors and discussed their biological clinical potential.

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Germinomas are the most frequent type of germ cell tumors that constitute only 2-5% of all central nervous system malignancies. Most of them arise in the pineal and suprasellar regions but in about 5% to 10% the simultaneous location is found. Although their strategic location, they respond well to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy and the prognosis is very good. We report a case of 23years young male presented with gait disturbance, weakness in lower extremities, visual impairment and moderate fatigue. His medical history revealed that he was symptomatic by DI (polyuria, polydypsia and weight loss) and received treatment with adiuretin for a period of 3 years. Computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated well circumscribed tumor lesions with a homogeneous contrast enhancement in the suprasellar and pineal regions. A germinoma was verified histologically. A good treatment response to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and management of endocrine insufficiency was achieved. The postoperative neurological, CT and immunological follow-up corresponded with the clinical course of the disease and the results of therapeutic procedures.

To assess the antibiotic policies of Central European countries, we performed an overview of antibiotic stewardship, prescription habits and antibiotic prescription regulatory procedures. Since most Central European countries have had centralized health care and drug policies, the situation 10 years after decentralization is surprising. Only 3 of 10 Central European countries have some regulation of prescription of antibiotics, only 4 restrict some antibiotics, only 5 have hospital and only 3 national antibiotic policies. In all but 3 countries physicians can prescribe quinolones and/or 3rd generation oral cephalosporins as first-line antibiotics. Information on local and national antibiotic policies in Central and Eastern European countries is given including prescription guidelines for antibiotic use in community and hospital.

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by recurrent attacks and remissions, but as a rule they progress and eventually cause a severe disability and death. The present chapter contains general characteristics of autoimmune disease pathogenesis, ways to cause immune tolerance by hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), clinical aspects of the treatment for established autoimmune diseases with a special attention to multiple sclerosis (MS) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). A profound analysis of authors' point of view and of the available literature has been performed. The promising results allows to consider HCT as a relevant treatment option for a certain autoimmune diseases.

Treatment of cancer is currently based on three main modalities surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most solid tumours can only be cured at an early stage, due to the lack of effective systemic treatment. Surgery and radiotherapy are highly effective for eradicating localized tumours, but unfortunately cannot target disseminated disease. Chemotherapy represents systemic treatment, but the clinical use of current drugs is to a large extent hampered by their limited specificity.Over the last two decades, immunotherapy has emerged as an interesting novel approach. Contrary to the traditional treatment modalities, the immune system combines inherent specificity with a systemic range of action.The term vaccine is traditionally used to describe substances that protect against the development of infectious diseases. In cancer therapy, this term refers to both therapeutic and prophylactic approaches for eliciting immunological and anti-tumour responses.Prophylactic vaccines have only been developed in a few cancer forms, mainly cancers related to viral infection, such as cervical and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therapeutic vaccines, given to patients after the development of the disease, are however investigated in a number of cancer forms. Some of the therapeutic vaccines may also be used for prophylaxis, particularly in patients with increased risk of cancer process. This paper throws light and depicts the international experience of a number of distinguished researchers in the field of development and testing of vaccines against some tumours, mainly malignant melanoma and prostate cancer.