Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents an extremely chemoresistant tumour type. Here, authors analysed the immunophenotype of GBM tumours by flow cytometry and correlated the immunophenotypic characteristics with sensitivity to chemotherapy. The expression of selected neural and non-neural differentiation markers including A2B5, CD34, CD45, CD56, CD117, CD133, EGFR, GFAP, Her-2/neu, LIFR, nestin, NGFR, Pgp and vimentin was analysed by flow cytometry in eleven GBM (WHO gr.IV) patients. The sensitivity of tumour cells to a panel of chemotherapeutic agents was tested by the MTT assay. All tumours were positive for A2B5, CD56, nestin and vimentin. CD133, EGFR, LIFR, NGFR and Pgp were expressed only by minor tumour cell subpopulations. CD34, CD45, CD117, GFAP and Her-2/neu were constantly negative. Direct correlations were found between the immunophenotypic markers and chemosensitivity: A2B5 vs lomustine (r(2) = 0.642, P = 0.033), CD56 vs cisplatin (r(2) = 0.745, P = 0.013), %Pgp(+) vs vincristine (r(2) = 0.846, P = 0.008), and %NGFR(+) vs daunorubicine (r(2) = 0.672, P = 0.047) and topotecan (r(2) = 0.792, P = 0.011). In contrast, inverse correlations were observed between: EGFR vs paclitaxel (r(2) = -0.676, P = 0.046), CD133 vs dacarbazine (r(2) = -0.636, P = 0.048) and LIFR vs daunorubicine (r(2) = -0.878, P = 0.004). Finally, significant associations were also found among sensitivities to different chemotherapeutic agents and among different immunophenotypic markers. In conclusion, histopathologically identical GBM tumours displayed a marked immunophenotypic heterogeneity. The expression of A2B5, CD56, NGFR and Pgp appeared to be associated with chemoresistance whereas CD133, EGFR and LIFR expression was characteristic of chemosensitive tumours. We suggest that flow cytometric imunophenotypic analysis of GBM may predict chemoresponsiveness and help to identify patients who could potentially benefit from chemotherapy.

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Introduction:Bipolar disorder (BD) is chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by remission and exacerbations of mood disturbances. Treatment of BD is often complicated and includes in the first step treatment with lithium, after with other ”mood stabilizers“, antipsychotics, antidepressants.The aim of study:To assess the changse of treatment with lithium over the period of timeThe number of hospitalizations in the patients with BD and differences in using of lithium, age and type of first episodePatients and Methods:Retrospective survey of in-patient's files(1997 - 2007) with typical limitations for restrospective case survey:BD, n = 125 (67% women with BD, DSM-IV)Number of hospitalizations, average number hospitalizations/year, type of treatment, using of lithiumResults:The first episode was depressive in 62% of patients and average number of episodes: 6,2There was a steady decrease in use of mood stabilizers medication over the time(68% vs 82%)We observed increase in prescription of atypical antipsychotics (in 80% of patients; last 6 years = 93%)The using of lithium was in 52% of patients (in 41% patients during first hospitalization) with average dose 1250mg of lithium and average surface of lithium in blood: 0,64mmol/lConclusion:We find out trend in using of lithium in 52% patients with BD last time again with average dose 1250mg per day and average surface of lithium in blood 0,64mmol/l and increasing of prescription of atypical antipsychotics (last 6 years = 93%).

Introduction: Increasing numbers of reports concerning lipid dysregulation, diabetes and hyperglycaemia in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics have raised concerns about a possible association between these metabolic effects and treatment with these medications. Objectives: The available literature notes that ziprasidone is a weight-neutral antipsychotic and that lipids anomalies improve when patient are switched from other atypical antipsychotics to ziprasidone. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of treatment with ziprasidone and changes in serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, serum levels of glucose and BMI changes. Methods: Prospective, cohort, multicenter, open design in 373 in-and outpatients treated with ziprasidone for broad spectrum of psychotic disorders in flexible dose manner. The analysis was done in group of patients with no previous antipsychotic treatment or discontinuation of antipsychotic treatment longer than 3 months compared to group of patients directly switched from another antipsychotic treatment to ziprasidone. Results: Changes in fasting serum levels of total cholesterol were significant from baseline at week 24 in subgroup of patients directly switched from another antipsychotic treatment to ziprasidone (5,12 vs 4,94 mmol/l, p< 0,05, ANOVA). Conclusions: We have observed statistical significant difference in fasting serum levels of total cholesterol in patients directly switched from another antipsychotic treatment to ziprasidone.