The Influence of Tumor-Specific Markers in Breast Cancer on Other Blood Parameters.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women, responsible for the highest number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is limited data available related to serum tumor markers in breast cancer and other blood parameters or other glandular laboratory parameters. This study aims to evaluate the correlation of tumor-specific markers for breast cancer with other blood parameters and how these correlations could impact clinical management. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective study represents a data analysis from 1 January 2020 to 31 May 2023, in the County Hospital of Timisoara, Romania. We reviewed all the cases where, in the laboratory analyses, the serum tumor specific biomarkers for breast cancer were analyzed. RESULTS: A statistical analysis was performed in order to identify a possible relationship between CA 15-3 and the various biomarkers and blood parameters included in the present study. Values were classified according to reference ranges. The tests revealed no statistically significant associations between CA 15-3 values and the levels of CA125 (χ2(1) = 1.852, p = 0.174), CEA (χ2(1) = 1.139, p = 0.286), AFP (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.341), fT4 (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.310), TSH (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.177), or PTH (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.650). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a lack of strong correlation between CA 15-3 and CA125, CEA, AFP, thyroid function markers, or PTH within this cohort.

External Cephalic Version-A Chance for Vaginal Delivery at Breech Presentation.

Background and Objectives: In recent years, the rate of caesarean section (CS) has increased constantly. Although vaginal breech delivery has a long history, breech presentation has become the third most common indication for CS. This study aims to identify factors associated with the success of external cephalic version (ECV), underline the success rate of ECV for breech presentation and highlight the high rate of vaginal delivery after successful ECV. Material and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 113 patients with singleton fetuses in breech presentation, who underwent ECV from January 2016 to March 2021 in the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diakonieklinikum Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. Maternal and fetal parameters and data related to procedure and delivery were collected. Possible predictors of successful ECV were evaluated. Results: The success rate of ECV was 54.9%. The overall rate of vaginal birth was 44.2%, regardless of ECV outcome. The vaginal birth rate after successful ECV was 80.6%. Overall, 79.0% of women with successful ECV delivered spontaneously without complications, 19.4% delivered through CS performed during labor by medical necessity, and 1.6% delivered through vacuum extraction. ECV was performed successfully in three of the four women with history of CS. Gravidity, parity, maternal age, gestational age, fetal weight, and amniotic fluid index (AFI) were significantly correlated with the outcome of ECV. Conclusions: ECV for breech presentation is a safe procedure with a good success rate, thus increasing the proportion of vaginal births. Maternal and fetal parameters can be used to estimate the chances of successful ECV.

Ovarian cancer health politics in Romania and Germany: A comparative study.

Ovarian cancer is known to have a poor prognosis, being the 7th most common cancer type in women with regard to incidence and mortality worldwide. The present study underlines the importance of early diagnosis and prevention management of ovarian cancer. This study is a hospital-based case-control study that was conducted at the same time in two similar hospitals from different countries, Romania and Germany, over three years. The results showed that significant differences were identified for the two groups with regards to the age factor (P<0.001). A risk analysis was performed to determine whether the patients from Romania were exposed to a risk factor. The risk of developing deadly diseases was deemed much higher owing to insufficient protocols or informative programs in Romania. The medical information, early diagnosis and standardized therapy with optimum treatment based on health policy and health care systems, play a key role concerning the management and prognosis of ovarian cancer which are different from country to country.

Antiproliferative and antibacterial potential of tetrahexylammonium bromide-based ionic liquids.

Ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit cytotoxic effects on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In this study, the antibacterial and antiproliferative activities of tetrahexylammonium bromide-based ILs were investigated. In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these ionic liquids, firstly microbiological assay using both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were conducted by employing Disk-Diffusion and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chlorine (TTC) methods to assess the antimicrobial effects. Likewise, the antitumor effects on 2D and 3D cell culture systems were assessed using the human colon cancer Caco-2 cell line and cytotoxic activity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Alamar blue assays. Results obtained showed that [CH3(CH2)5]4N(Br) possesses an antibacterial potential, particularly in the case of two bacteria, S. aureus (Gram+) and H. influenzae (Gram-). Preliminary screening of antiproliferative activity showed moderate activity, except for the concentration of 10 mM. Furthermore, regarding the effect of [CH3(CH2)5]4N(Br) on tumor cell aggregation, positive outcomes were noted. [CH3(CH2)5]4N(Br) presents promising and under-explored potential to improve antibacterial or anticancer therapies.

First clinical experience with CDK4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer therapy.

For hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients with metastatic or advanced disease, therapy with CDK4/6 inhibitors in addition to aromatase inhibitors (AIs) or to the estrogen receptor (ER) downregulator fulvestrant has resulted in an additional therapy option and a longer progression-free survival. In the Gynecologic-Oncology Clinic, Diakonie-Klinikum Schwäbisch Hall, we followed and registered our initial clinical experience with CDK4/6 inhibitors, following the side effects and tumor response over two years since they were officially approved for general use in Germany. Differences were observed when palbociclib or ribociclib was used in combination with letrozole or anastrozole or fulvestrant. The dynamic side effects and tumor response under therapy with palbociclib or ribociclib were found to be comparable with the main reported data in the official drug information. The CDK4/6 inhibitors have an important and promising role in the therapy of breast cancer patients. Patient age and therapy duration do not influence the use of palbociclib or ribociclib, although it may be important which AI is used in combination with palbociclib.

Podoplanin as Key Player of Tumor Progression and Lymph Vessel Proliferation in Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Podoplanin plays a key role in tumor progression and metastasis. We evaluated lymphatics proliferation rate and podoplanin expression in tumor cells of ovarian carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five paraffin-embedded specimens of ovarian cancer were immunohistochemically assessed in order to quantify peritumoral (LMVDP) and intratumoral (LMVDT) lymphatic microvessel density of proliferating lymphatics and for podoplanin variability in tumor cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: LMVDT correlated with proliferating tumor vessels located in the peritumoral area (p=0.024) and with the number of mature vessels located in the intratumoral area (p<0.0001), while LMVDP correlated with peritumoral mature vessels (p<0.000l). Proliferating tumor cells at the invasive front were highly positive for podoplanin. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first assessment of lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation correlated with podoplanin expression in tumor cells from ovarian cancer. Our data support podoplanin as a potential target that may help reduce ovarian cancer dissemination and lymphatic metastasis.