[The importance of stem cells in the initiation and development of cancer]. / Znaczenie komórek macierzystych w inicjacji i rozwoju nowotworów.

Initiation of cancer may be the result of mutations occurring in stem cells, which causes blocking the differentiation of these cells. Many common properties of the stem cells and some tumor cells suggests that cancer stem cells may be responsible for the initiation and progression of cancer. The special properties of CSC is the ability to self-renewal and cell proliferation, which are the major cause of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Signaling pathways (Wnt, Notch, Shh) and pluripotency- connected transcription factors (Oct-4, Nanog) are primarily responsible for cell proliferation. Understanding the causes of initiation and progression of cancer is crucial for improving treatment of these life-threatening diseases.

[Photodynamic method of cancer diagnosis and therapy--mechanisms and applications]. / Metoda fotodynamiczna diagnostyki i leczenia nowotworów--mechanizmy i zastosowania.

Cancers are diagnosed in over few millions patients annually. Due to inter alia weak antigenicity as well as drug-fastness of most cancers, PDT can become an effective alternative or complementary method to surgery. Photodynamic method requires tree elements: photosensitizer, light energy source and oxygen. Photodynamic therapy is successfully used method in many clinics all over the world, also in Poland. PDT is used in treatment of oncological (cancers of head, neck, lung, oesophagus, pancreas, urinary bladder and ginecological cancers) as non oncological diseases (lischen sclerosus, staphylococcus aureus, papillomatosis).