EG-VEGF maternal levels predict spontaneous preterm birth in the second and third trimesters in pregnant women with risk factors for placenta-mediated complications.

Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic women remains a great challenge for the public health system. The aim of the study was to determine the informational value of EG-VEGF circulating levels for prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in the second and third trimesters in pregnant women at high risk for placenta-mediated complications. A prospective multicenter cohort study including 200 pregnant patients with five-serum sampling per patient. Women with spontaneous preterm birth have higher concentrations of serum EG-VEGF than uncomplicated patients at 24 weeks, 28 weeks and 32 weeks (p = 0.03, 0.02 and < 0.001). The areas under the curve reached 0.9 with 100% sensitivity at 32 weeks for the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth. Serum EG-VEGF concentrations could be considered as a reliable biomarker of spontaneous preterm birth in high-risk for placenta-mediated complications pregnant women.

The Multifaceted Functions of Prion Protein (PrPC) in Cancer.

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a glycoprotein anchored to the cell surface by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). PrPC is expressed both in the brain and in peripheral tissues. Investigations on PrPC's functions revealed its direct involvement in neurodegenerative and prion diseases, as well as in various physiological processes such as anti-oxidative functions, copper homeostasis, trans-membrane signaling, and cell adhesion. Recent findings have revealed the ectopic expression of PrPC in various cancers including gastric, melanoma, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, as well as rare cancers, where PrPC promotes cellular migration and invasion, tumor growth, and metastasis. Through its downstream signaling, PrPC has also been reported to be involved in resistance to chemotherapy and tumor cell apoptosis. This review summarizes the variance of expression of PrPC in different types of cancers and discusses its roles in their development and progression, as well as its use as a potential target to treat such cancers.