No abstract

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common malignancy in men. Common characteristic involved in PC pathogenesis are disturbed lipid metabolism and abnormal cholesterol accumulation. Cholesterol can be further utilized for membrane or hormone synthesis while cholesterol biosynthesis intermediates are important for oncogene membrane anchoring, nucleotide synthesis and mitochondrial electron transport. Since cholesterol and its biosynthesis intermediates influence numerous cellular processes, in this review we have described cholesterol homeostasis in a normal cell. Additionally, we have illustrated how commonly deregulated signaling pathways in PC (PI3K/AKT/MTOR, MAPK, AR and p53) are linked with cholesterol homeostasis regulation.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm among men. Since it often resembles benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), biomarkers with a higher differential value than PSA are required. Epigenetic biomarkers in liquid biopsies, especially miRNA, could address this challenge. The absolute expression of miR-375-3p, miR-182-5p, miR-21-5p, and miR-148a-3p were quantified in blood plasma and seminal plasma of 65 PCa and 58 BPH patients by digital droplet PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of these microRNAs were determined using ROC curve analysis. The higher expression of miR-182-5p and miR-375-3p in the blood plasma of PCa patients was statistically significant as compared to BPH (p = 0.0363 and 0.0226, respectively). Their combination achieved a specificity of 90.2% for predicting positive or negative biopsy results, while PSA cut-off of 4 µg/L performed with only 1.7% specificity. In seminal plasma, miR-375-3p, miR-182-5p, and miR-21-5p showed a statistically significantly higher expression in PCa patients with PSA >10 µg/L compared to ones with PSA ≤10 µg/L. MiR-182-5p and miR-375-3p in blood plasma show higher performance than PSA in discriminating PCa from BPH. Seminal plasma requires further investigation as it represents an obvious source for PCa biomarker identification.

Among testicular germ cell tumors, teratomas may often be very aggressive and therapy-resistant. Our aim was to investigate the impact of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) on the in vitro growth of experimental mouse teratoma by treating their embryonic source, the embryo-proper, composed only of the three germ layers. The growth of teratomas was measured for seven days, and histopathological analysis, IHC/morphometry quantification, gene enrichment analysis, and qPCR analysis on a selected panel of pluripotency and early differentiation genes followed. For the first time, within teratomas, we histopathologically assessed the undifferentiated component containing cancer stem cell-like cells (CSCLCs) and differentiated components containing numerous lymphocytes. Mitotic indices were higher than apoptotic indices in both components. Both HDACi treatments of the embryos-proper significantly reduced teratoma growth, although this could be related neither to apoptosis nor proliferation. Trichostatin A increased the amount of CSCLCs, and upregulated the mRNA expression of pluripotency/stemness genes as well as differentiation genes, e.g., T and Eomes. Valproate decreased the amount of CSCLCs, and downregulated the expressions of pluripotency/stemness and differentiation genes. In conclusion, both HDACi treatments diminished the inherent tumorigenic growth potential of the tumor embryonal source, although Trichostatin A did not diminish the potentially dangerous expression of cancer-related genes and the amount of CSCLC.

<p>The aim of this review is to provide a brief overview of some current approaches regarding diagnostics, pathologic features, treatment, and genetics of prostate carcinoma (PCa). Prostate carcinoma is the most common visceral tumor and the second most common cancer-related cause of death in males. Clinical outcomes for patients with localized prostate cancer are excellent, but despite advances in prostate cancer treatments, castrate-resistant prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer patients have a poor prognosis. Advanced large-scale genomic studies revealed a large number of genetic alterations in prostate cancer. The meaning of these alterations needs to be validated in the specific prostate cancer molecular subtype context. Along these lines, there is a critical need for establishing genetically engineered mouse models, which would include speckle type BTB/POZ protein and isocitrate Dehydrogenase (NADP (+)) 1 mutant, as well as androgen receptor neuroendocrine subtypes of prostate cancer. Another urgent need is developing highly metastatic prostate cancer models, as only up to 17% of available models dis- play bone metastases and exhibit a less typical neuroendocrine prostate cancer or sarcomatoid carcinoma. Moreover, androgen deprivation and relapse should be mimicked in the genetically engineered mouse models, as androgen independence may yield a better model for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The development of such refined animal models should be guid- ed by comparative genomics of primary versus corresponding metastatic tumors. Such an approach will have the potential to illuminate the key genetic events associated with specific molecular prostate cancer subsets and indicate directions for effective therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>. Despite excellent results in the treatment of localized prostatic carcinoma, castrate-resistant prostate can- cer and metastatic prostate cancer have a poor prognosis. Advanced large-scale genomic studies revealed a large number of ge- netic alterations in PCa. Experimental models of prostate carcinoma in genetically modified mice could provide new data about the genetic changes in such cancers and help in developing better animal models for treatment resistant prostate carcinomas.</p>

Background: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common young male malignancy with a steadily rising incidence. Standard clinical practice is radical orchidectomy of suspicious lumps followed by histopathological diagnosis and tumor subtyping. This practice can lead to complications and quality of life issues for the patients. Liquid biopsies, especially cell-free DNA (cfDNA), promised to be true surrogates for tissue biopsies, which are considered dangerous to perform in cases of testicular tumors. In this study, we have performed a systematic review on the potential of cfDNA in TGCT patient management, its potential challenges in translation to clinical application and possible approaches in further research. Materials & Methods: The review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines on EuropePMC and PUBMED electronic databases, with the last update being on October 21, 2021. Due to the high heterogeneity in identified research articles, we have performed an overview of their efficacy. Results: Eight original articles have been identified on cfDNA in TGCT patients published from 2004 to 2021, of which six had more than one TGCT patient enrolled and were included in the final analysis. Three studies investigated cfDNA methylation, one has investigated mutations in cfDNA, two have investigated cfDNA amount, and one has investigated cfDNA integrity in TGCT. The sensitivity of cfDNA for TGCT was found to be higher than in serum tumor markers and lower than miR-371a-3p, with comparable specificity. cfDNA methylation analysis has managed to accurately detect teratoma in TGCT patients. Conclusion: Potential challenges in cfDNA application to TGCT patient management were identified. The challenges relating to the biology of TGCT with its low mutational burden and low cfDNA amounts in blood plasma make next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods especially challenging. We have also proposed possible approaches to help find clinical application, including a focus on cfDNA methylation analysis, and potentially solving the challenge of teratoma detection.

Research background. Oral microbiota has become an important factor in obesity, but its association with obesity-related diseases and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] and B complex levels is still uncertain. The main aim of the paper was to determine variation in oral microbiota composition regarding vitamin status and obesity-related diseases in obese females from Croatia. We hypothesized that the prevalence of probiotic or pathogen bacteria in the oral cavity of obese women in Croatia depends on vitamin B9 (folic acid), B12, and 25(OH)D serum levels and/or hypertension, diabetes, and prediabetes diagnosis. Experimental approach. To test the defined research hypothesis, female individuals with body mass index (BMI) ?30 kg/m2 (N=70) were recruited to participate in this study. Obese women were divided into groups according to BMI value, diagnosis of obesity-related diseases, and micronutrients blood levels. For the quantitative determination of folic acid, vitamin B12, and 25(OH)D serum levels, an electrochemiluminescence protein binding assay (ECLIA) was performed. Isolated microorganisms from the saliva of obese women were analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. Results and conclusions. The present results do not support the hypothesis that the prevalence of probiotic or pathogen bacteria in the oral cavity of obese women in Croatia depends on the level of micronutrients in obese women from Croatia. On the other hand, hypertension and diabetes/prediabetes diagnosis favor the growth of oral pathogens, specifically increased levels of Candida sp. Novelty and scientific contribution. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing the relationship between obesity, micronutrient level, oral microbiota composition, and the incidence of obesity-related disease. We included only obese women from Croatia, so it is regionally specific. Also, we have shown that oral microbiota composition is not connected with micronutrient deficiencies but only with obesity-related diseases.

High prevalence and mortality of prostate cancer (PCa) are well known global health issues. Novel biomarkers for better identifying patients with PCa are the subject of extensive research. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) shows low specificity in screening and diagnostics, leading to unnecessary biopsies and health costs. Eighty patients with PCa and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) were included in the study. We analyzed CAV1 gene expression and methylation in tissue. CAV1 cfDNA methylation from blood and seminal plasma was accessed as a potential PCa biomarker. Although methylation in blood plasma did not differ between PCa and BPH patients, methylation in seminal plasma showed better PCa biomarker performances than tPSA (AUC 0.63 vs. AUC 0.52). Discrimination of BPH and Gleason grade group 1 PCa patients from patients with higher Gleason grade groups revealed very good performance as well (AUC 0.72). CAV1 methylation is useful biomarker with potential for further seminal plasma cfDNA research, but its diagnostic accuracy should be improved, as well as general knowledge about cfDNA in seminal plasma.