No abstract

Cervical cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, supporting the need for identification of novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers to predict the risk of developing of this malignancy or predict the prognosis of patients. Against this background, the activation of the Wingless-type (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway has been suggested as the main dysregulated pathways, which is involved in the multistep process of cervical carcinogenesis, suggesting its value as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target. The aim of current review is to give an overview about the potential application of WNT pathway and its value which is differentially expressed in cervical cancer versus non-tumorigenic tissue as biomarker for risk stratification and predict the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3028-3033, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the third most common malignancy in women globally, and persistent infection with the oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) is recognized as the major risk factor. The pathogenesis of CC relies on the interplay between the tumorigenic properties of the HPV and host factors. Host-related genetic factors, including the presence of susceptibility loci for cervix tumor is substantial importance. Preclinical and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported the associations of genetic variations in several susceptibility loci for the development of cervical cancer. However, many of these reports are inconsistent. In this review, we discuss the findings to date of candidate gene association studies, and GWAS in cervical cancer. The associations between these genetic variations with response to chemotherapy are also discussed.

BackgroundExperience on sentinel node mapping in ovarian tumors is very limited. We evaluated the sentinel node concept in ovarian tumors using intra-operativeTc-99m-Phytate injection and lymphoscintigraphy imaging.MethodsThirty-five patients with a pelvic mass due to an ovarian pathology were included in the study. The radiotracer was injected just after laparotomy and before removal of the tumor either beneath the normal cortex (10 patients) or in the utero-ovarian and suspensory ligaments of the ovary just beneath the peritoneum two injections of the radiotracer (25 patients). For malignant masses, the sentinel nodes were identified using a hand held gamma probe. Then standard pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed. In case of benign pathologies or borderline ovarian tumors on frozen section, lymphadenectomy was not performed. The morning after surgery, all patients were sent for lymphoscintigraphy imaging of the abdomen and pelvis.ResultsSentinel node was identified only in 4 patients of the cortical injection group. At least one sentinel node could be identified in 21 patients of the sub-peritoneal group. Sentinel nodes were identified only in the para-aortic area in 21, pelvic/para-aortic areas in 2, and pelvic only area in 2 patients. Three patients had lymph node involvement and all had involved sentinel nodes (no false negative case).ConclusionSentinel node mapping using intra-operative injection of the radiotracer (in the utero-ovarian and suspensory ligaments of the ovary just beneath the peritoneum) is feasible in ovarian tumors. Technical aspects of this method should be explored in larger multicenter studies in the future.

Because of low sensitivity, diagnostic utility of (18)F-FDG PET imaging is limited in primary tumor detection and lymph node staging of endometrial cancer patients. However, high specificities ensure high positive predictive values in these 2 indications. Diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET imaging is much better in detection of distant metastases. Larger studies with better design are needed to draw any more definite conclusion.