Clinicopathological evaluation of intralesional methotrexate in different subtypes of basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin tumor. While slowly growing, it can cause major skin disfigurement. Therefore, novel cosmetically acceptable treatment options, other than surgery require investigation. The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of intralesional methotrexate (MTX) as a convenient modality for BCC treatment clinically and pathologicaly. A total of 20 patients with BCC of any clinical variant underwent intralesional MTX injection at a maximum 1 mL of 25 mg/mL MTX per session. Histopathological assessments were performed before and 1 month after treatment. Forty percent of patients showed >50% clinical improvement after 1-4 sessions. Intralesional MTX is a suitable and safe treatment modality for BCC and may be used as an adjuvant to surgery.

Value of immunohistochemical IMP3 expression with endoscopic ultrasound-guided-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in diagnosing pancreatic lesions: Review Article

Pancreatic cancer (PC), a lethal condition with a poor prognosis, ranks fourth among the most common causes of cancer-related mortality as early diagnosis of PC is so tricky. Consequently, most cases at the time of initial diagnosis already harbor metastasis. PC cases' early detection and survival depend mainly on improving diagnostic approaches. This review sheds light on the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) as a minimally invasive method in early PC diagnosis and differentiation between different pancreatic lesions. The discovery of new diagnostic and prognostic markers for PC will raise the accuracy of proper diagnosis, and in turn, patients will gain better survival and prognosis. Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA binding protein3 (IMP3) is overexpressed in several malignant tumors, including pancreatic cancer, which may raise its role in diagnosis and prognosis as well as its therapeutic benefit for PC.

Protective effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on cisplatin and oxaliplatin primary toxicities in male albino rats.

Cisplatin and oxaliplatin are widely used anticancer drugs. Their use is restricted by their dose-limiting side effects: nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity, respectively. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) are promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. To test the possible ameliorative impact of CONPs on the toxic effect of cisplatin and oxaliplatin in male albino rats. Forty eight rats were divided into 6 groups: control group, CONPs group, cisplatin group, cisplatin and CONPs group, oxaliplatin group, and oxaliplatin and CONPs group. After 4 weeks, serum urea and creatinine, renal tissue level of interleukin 10 (IL10), and total antioxidant (TAO) were measured in control, CONPs, and cisplatin groups. The other kidney was used for histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. The right sciatic nerves and the lumbar spinal cord of rats from control, CONPs, and oxaliplatin groups were used for immunohistochemical evaluations of nitrotyrosine, myelin basic protein (MBP), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Cisplatin significantly increased serum urea and creatinine levels, significantly decreased the kidney level of IL10 and TAO with marked tubular necrosis, hemorrhage and renal damage. Also, it decreased IL10 immunohistochemical expression. CONPs significantly decreased the serum urea and creatinine level and increased IL10 and TAO with lower renal damage and strong IL10 expression compared with cisplatin group. Oxaliplatin significantly decreased MBP immunoreactivity and increased nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity. In the lumbar spinal cord, GFAP immunoreactivity was significantly increased. CONPs significantly increased MBP and decreased nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity. GFAP immunoreactivity was significantly decreased. CONPs ameliorated cisplatin and oxaliplatin primary toxicities through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Fatty Acid Synthase and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Primary Colorectal Cancer: a Clinicopathological Study.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a valuable lipid enzyme involved in lipid biosynthesis and suggested to contribute in tumor carcinogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered a serious angiogenic growth factor in the angiogenic pathway which is a very important in tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, inhibition of lipid biosynthesis and tumor angiogenesis can be new goals for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. AIM OF THE WORK: The assessment of the expression of FAS and VEGF protein and the relationship between them in CRC with the clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: The present retrospective study included 63 paraffin blocks previously diagnosed as primary cases of CRC. The slides were subjected to FAS and VEGF immunohistochemical staining using a streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase. The relationships among FAS and VEGF expression and clinicopathological parameters were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The expression rate of FAS was 81% and VEGF was 84.1% in the studied cases. FAS expression was significantly associated with histopathological type (p = 0.02) and grade (p = 0.04), and highly associated with lymph node metastasis and stage (p < 0.001).VEGF was significantly associated with histopathological type (p = 0.01) and tumor depth (p = 0.02); highly associated with grade, lymph node metastasis, and stage (p < 0.001). There was a positive association between FAS and VEGF expression in CRC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: FAS and VEGF showed a highly significant expression in the studied primary CRC cases. A significant association was observed between their expressions, suggesting the involvement of FAS in tumor angiogenesis. So they constitute potential targets in cancer prevention and treatment and make FAS an attractive antiangiogenic target.