Challenging tumour immunological techniques that help to track cancer stem cells in malignant melanomas and other solid tumours.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The arsenal of questions and answers about the minor cancer initiating cancer stem cell (CSC) population put responsible for cancer invasiveness and metastases, has left with an unsolved puzzle. Specific aims of a complex project were partly focused on revealing new biomarkers of cancer. We designed and set up novel techniques to facilitate the detection of cancerous cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As a novel approach, we investigated B cells infiltrating breast carcinomas and melanomas (TIL-B) in terms of their tumour antigen binding potential. By developing the TIL-B phage display technology we provide here a new technology for the specific detection of highly tumour-associated antigens. Single chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragment phage ELISA, immunofluorescence (IF) FACS analysis, chamber slide technique with IF confocal laser microscopy and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in paraffin-embedded tissue sections were set up and standardized. RESULTS: We showed strong tumour-associated disialylated glycosphingolipid expression levels on various cancer cells using scFv antibody fragments, generated previously by uniquely invasive breast carcinoma TIL-B phage display library technology. CONCLUSIONS: We report herein a novel strategy to obtain antibody fragments of human origin that recognise tumour-associated ganglioside antigens. Our investigations have the power to detect privileged molecules in cancer progression, invasiveness, and metastases. The technical achievements of this study are being harnessed for early diagnostics and effective cancer therapeutics.

[Need for developing a new strategy in the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients; the micro RNAs (miRNAs), as potential new biomarkers of early detection]. / Új követési stratégia kidolgozásának szükségessége a vastag- és végbélrákos betegek követésére; a mikroRNS-ek (miRNS) mint a korai felismerés lehetséges új biomarkerei.

In the mortality statistics of European countries colorectal cancers are known to assume the 2nd place after lung cancer. The mortality indices are particularly unfavourable in Hungary. Early detection is therefore of vital importance to the patient either the detection of the primary or recurrence after successful surgery is concerned. The latter is only feasible within a proper follow-up strategy. The present review focuses on follow-up due after surgical removal of the tumour with special emphasis on the efficacy of a new biomarker group (miRNAs) and their potential combination with the traditional markers. It is a model in the follow-up strategy that considers the results of risk assessment, as well. Since the methodology and strategy of follow-up are still controversial matters it is obvious that the development of a new follow-up strategy is imperative.

[Recurrent acral lentigous melanoma successfully treated with Mohs' micrographic surgery. Case report and review of the literature]. / Recidív acralis lentiginosus melanoma sikeres eltávolítása Mohs-féle mikrográfikus sebészi technikával. Esetismertetés és irodalmi áttekintés.

Mohs' micrographic surgery is an approach to selected skin cancer removal that aims to achieve the best prospect of total tumor excision simultaneously with maximal functional and cosmetic preservation. The advantage of the technique is that 100% of the surgical margin of the specimen, including the periphery and deep surface, can be examined intraoperatively by horizontally oriented frozen sections. This method offers cure rates significantly higher than conventional excision or other modalities. Mohs' micrographic surgery is the method of choice for removal of large, recurrent or incompletely excised skin cancers or for tumors located in functional and aesthetic relevant anatomic regions. The authors present a case of a 75-year-old man with a second time recurrent plantar invasive malignant melanoma successfully treated with Mohs' micrographic surgery technique and an immediate reconstruction using split-thickness skin graft.

[Long-term experience with therapy of a female patient with Gardner's syndrome, first presenting with extra-abdominal desmoid tumor, and review of the literature]. / Extraabdominalis desmoid tumorral megjeleno Gardner-syndromás beteg kezelésével szerzett hosszú távú tapasztalataink és irodalmi áttekintés.

Gardner's syndrome is a clinical subgroup of familial adenomatous polyposis, an autosomal dominant disease. It is characterized by gastrointestinal polyps and extra-intestinal manifestations including multiple osteomas, skin and soft tissue tumours. Aggressive desmoid tumours can be very difficult to manage in patients with Gardner's syndrome. We present a case of a 17-year-old female who presented with an aggressive desmoid tumor arising of the lumbar area as part of her Gardner's syndrome. She was treated with surgery, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tamoxifen and radiotherapy, and was followed up for 80 months. We conclude that desmoid tumors can precede gastrointestinal manifestations of familial adenomatous polyposis or Gardner's syndrome. Such patients should be evaluated with genetic testing followed by colonoscopy. Desmoid tumours should be managed in a multidisciplinary setting, as well.

[Significance of endoscopic biopsy and cytology in the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]. / Az endoszkópos biopszia és citológia jelentôsége a nyelôcsô laphámrákos daganatainak diagnosztikájában.

We have tested the role and significance of histology combined with cytology in the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Biopsy specimens and samples for cytological smear were taken by a fiberoptic flexible endoscope. In order to minimise the loss of biological sample, the residue from the brush was removed with rinsing fluid. From 1973 to 2005 we examined 820 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Endoscopic biopsy yielded positive result in 97.2%. Cytology performed in 724 patients turned out to be positive in 90.3%. Both examinations were conducted in 648 patients (79%), and yielded positive result in 572 patients (88.3%). Negative biopsy result was obtained in 22 patients, however, 14 of them had positive cytological diagnosis. Both biopsy and cytology were negative in 8 cancer patients (1%). No complication was observed with either diagnostic technique. In our material cancer was diagnosed in 776 patients by histology. However, in a further 14 of 22 patients with negative histology, cancer was detected by cytology. This means that the presence of cancer was also confirmed on the basis of morphological features in 790 cases, i.e. in 96.3% of the patients. Our results show that the combined use of biopsy and cytology in malignant tumours yields high diagnostic accuracy. Since abrasion exfoliate cytology is a quick and useful diagnostic measure it should be a routine examination in the evaluation of abnormal changes in the esophageal mucosa. The examination of the rinsing fluid of the sampling brush, introduced by us, yielded additional diagnostic information.

[Role of tumour markers in monitoring and follow-up of colorectal cancer patients]. / A tumormarkerek szerepe a vastagés végbélrákos betegek követésében és ellenôrzésében.

The authors describe the significance of colorectal cancers in public health in Hungary and at international level. This is followed by the discussion of the latest aspects of patients' monitoring and continual follow-up with special emphasis on its clinical significance. In addition to CEA, the most important tumour marker in the present clinical practice, the authors review other tumour markers that might be used in controlling cancer treatment and patients' status. The estimation of treatment effectiveness should be combined with tumour marker level determinations at regular intervals because they are capable of demonstrating the dynamics of malignant processes and, if applied in adequate combinations, indicate the presence of a recurrence or metastasis. The integration of a "tumour marker panel" into the practice of follow-up may help early cancer detection and reduce health care expenses.