BackgroundBasal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, characterized by its low metastatic potential yet considerable diversity in clinical and dermatoscopic presentation. Advances in dermatoscopy have significantly improved the early detection of BCC, revealing specific patterns that guide diagnosis and management. Parallelly, immunohistochemical markers have been explored for their potential to elucidate the underlying tumor biology and prognosis, with particular focus on angiogenesis, melanocytic activity, and lymphangiogenesis.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the correlations between dermatoscopic features and the immunohistochemical expressions of CD34, CD31, Melan-A, and D2-40 in BCC, through a comprehensive analysis of 100 cases We sought to determine whether visual dermatoscopic patterns correlate with the molecular characteristics defined by immunohistochemical staining, potentially enhancing diagnostic accuracy.MethodsA total of 100 cases of clinically and histopathologically confirmed BCC were prospectively analyzed, employing standard dermatoscopic techniques for lesion evaluation and immunohistochemical staining for CD34, CD31, Melan-A, and D2-40 to assess tumor angiogenic potential, melanocytic activity, and lymphangiogenesis. The study was conducted with adherence to ethical standards and informed consent from all participants.ResultsDermatoscopic examination revealed a variety of vascular patterns and pigmented features across different BCC anatomical locations. However, the comprehensive correlation analysis predominantly found a lack of significant associations between dermatoscopic appearances and expressions of the targeted immunohistochemical markers, with the notable exception of a correlation between observed hemorrhage and the Melan-A marker.ConclusionsThe lack of significant correlations between dermatoscopic features and immunohistochemical marker expressions in BCC suggests that the biological behavior and angiogenic, melanocytic, and lymphangiogenic activities within BCC lesions may be influenced by factors beyond those assessed in this study. Despite the exploratory nature of these findings, they underscore the complexity of BCC biology and highlight the need for further research incorporating additional markers and advanced imaging techniques.

Abstract Purpose Chitinase-like proteins have multiple biological functions that promote tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Expression of CHI3L2, which is similar in structure to CHI3L1, is detected in glioma cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in glioma and breast cancer. However, its exact role remains unclear. Methods We analyzed the expression of CHI3L2 in 74 invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC) tumors, breast cancer and macrophages cell cultures using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot and PCR methods. Clinicopathologic data were included in the analysis. Results The results obtained show that CHI3L2 expression decreases with increasing degree of tumor grade and negative status of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Furthermore, CHI3L2 is significantly and positively correlated with phosphorylation of STAT-3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, but negatively correlated with macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, CHI3L2 is expressed both in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and in macrophages. Analysis of the clinicopathologic data revealed that CHI3L2 levels had no effect on patient survival. Discussion CHI3L2 expression may be specific for cancer cells in IDC and involved in cross-talk with the tumor microenvironment. Our study has shown that IDC cancer cells express the CHI3L2 protein, possibly indicating a novel function of this protein.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 10 million fatalities occurred in 2023. Breast cancer (BC) ranked first among malignancies with 2.26 million cases, lung cancer (LC) second with 2.21 million cases, and colon and rectum cancers (CC, CRC) third with 1.93 million cases. These results highlight the importance of investigating novel cancer prognoses and anti-cancer markers. In this study, we investigated the potential effects of alpha-2 macroglobulin and its receptor, LRP1, on the outcomes of breast, lung, and colorectal malignancies. Immunohistochemical staining was used to analyze the expression patterns of A2M and LRP1 in 545 cases of invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC) and 51 cases of mastopathies/fibrocystic breast disease (FBD); 256 cases of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) and 45 cases of non-malignant lung tissue (NMLT); and 108 cases of CRC and 25 cases of non-malignant colorectal tissue (NMCT). A2M and LRP1 expression levels were also investigated in breast (MCF-7, BT-474, SK-BR-3, T47D, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-231/BO2), lung (NCI-H1703, NCI-H522, and A549), and colon (LS 180, Caco-2, HT-29, and LoVo) cancer cell lines. Based on our findings, A2M and LRP1 exhibited various expression patterns in the examined malignancies, which were related to one another. Additionally, the stroma of lung and colorectal cancer has increased levels of A2M/LRP1 areas, which explains the significance of the stroma in the development and maintenance of tumor homeostasis. A2M expression was shown to be downregulated in all types of malignancies under study and was positively linked with an increase in cell line aggressiveness. Although more invasive cells had higher levels of A2M expression, an IHC analysis showed the opposite results. This might be because exogenous alpha-2-macroglobulin is present, which has an inhibitory effect on several cancerous enzymes and receptor-dependent signaling pathways. Additionally, siRNA-induced suppression of the transcripts for A2M and LRPP1 revealed their connection, which provides fresh information on the function of the LRP1 receptor in A2M recurrence in cancer. Further studies on different forms of cancer may corroborate the fact that both A2M and LRP1 have high potential as innovative therapeutic agents.

Chitinase-like proteins have multiple biological functions that promote tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Expression of CHI3L2, which is similar in structure to CHI3L1, is detected in glioma cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in glioma and breast cancer. However, its exact role remains unclear. We analyzed the expression of CHI3L2 in 74 invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC) tumors, breast cancer and macrophages cell cultures using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot and PCR methods. Clinicopathologic data were included in the analysis. The results obtained show that CHI3L2 expression decreases with increasing degree of tumor grade and negative status of estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Furthermore, CHI3L2 is significantly and positively correlated with phosphorylation of STAT-3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, but negatively correlated with macrophage infiltration. CHI3L2 is expressed both in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and in macrophages and may regulate STAT-3 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in breast cancer cell lines. Analysis of the clinicopathologic data revealed that CHI3L2 levels had no effect on patient survival. CHI3L2 expression may be specific for cancer cells in IDC and involved in cross-talk with the tumor microenvironment. Our study has shown that IDC cancer cells express the CHI3L2 protein, possibly indicating a novel function of this protein.

Background: The rising incidence of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), especially among individuals with significant sun exposure, underscores the need for effective and minimally invasive treatment alternatives. Traditional surgical approaches, while effective, often result in notable cosmetic and functional limitations, particularly for lesions located on the face. This study explores High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as a promising, non-invasive treatment option that aims to overcome these challenges, potentially revolutionizing BCC treatment by offering a balance between efficacy and cosmetic outcomes. Methods: Our investigation enrolled 8 patients, presenting a total of 15 BCC lesions, treated with a 20 MHz HIFU device. The selection of treatment parameters was precise, utilizing probe depths from 0.8 mm to 2.3 mm and energy settings ranging from 0.7 to 1.3 Joules (J) per pulse, determined by the lesion’s infiltration depth as assessed via pre-procedure ultrasonography. A key component of our methodology included dermatoscopic monitoring, which allowed for detailed observation of the lesions’ response to treatment over time. Patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction levels were systematically recorded, providing insights into the comparative advantages of HIFU. Results: Initial responses after HIFU treatment included whitening and edema, indicative of successful lesion ablation. Early post-treatment observations revealed minimal discomfort and quick recovery, with crust formation resolving within two weeks for most lesions. Over a period of three to six months, patients reported significant improvement, with lesions becoming lighter and blending into the surrounding skin, demonstrating effective and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Patient satisfaction surveys conducted six months post-treatment revealed high levels of satisfaction, with 75% of participants reporting very high satisfaction due to minimal scarring and the non-invasive nature of the procedure. No recurrences of BCC were noted, attesting to the efficacy of HIFU as a treatment option. Conclusions: The findings from this study confirm that based on dermoscopy analysis, HIFU is a highly effective and patient-preferred non-invasive treatment modality for Basal Cell Carcinoma. HIFU offers a promising alternative to traditional surgical and non-surgical treatments, reducing the cosmetic and functional repercussions associated with BCC management. Given its efficacy, safety, and favorable patient satisfaction scores, HIFU warrants further investigation and consideration for broader clinical application in the treatment of BCC, potentially setting a new standard in dermatologic oncology care. This work represents a pilot study that is the first to describe the use of HIFU in the treatment of BCC.

Background/Aim: Chitinase 3 like 1 (CHI3L1) is a secretion glycoprotein. Elevated levels of this protein are observed in cancer diseases. The biological role of CHI3L1 is not yet fully known, but the connection between CHI3L1 and angiogenesis has been shown. Recent reports also describe the association of Nogo isoforms and Nogo-B receptor (NgBR) with a proliferative potential, cancer cell invasiveness, and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of CHI3L1, Nogo-A, Nogo-A/B, and NgBR and correlate them with clinical-pathological data, to study their role in angiogenesis in invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC). Materials and Methods: A total of 77 IDC cases were used in the study. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the level of expression of CHI3L1, Nogo-A, Nogo-A/B, NgBR and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFA, VEGFC and VEGFD). The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis including clinicalpathological data. Results: A statistically significant positive correlation of CHI3L1 and Nogo-A expression (r=0.474, p>0.0001) and a positive correlation of Nogo-A and VEGFC expression (r=0.280, p=0.013) were found. Conclusion: CHI3L1 and Nogo-A are important in angiogenesis in IDC.

BACKGROUND/AIM P-Element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI) proteins in complex with PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) are involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression in germline cells. Aberrant expression of piRNA and PIWI proteins have been identified in various types of tumour cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression profiles of PIWI-like protein-1, -2 (PIWIL1 and PIWIL2), their immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics in ductal breast cancer, and determine their correlation with clinicopathological parameters of this type of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Material for IHC studies comprised of 101 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) cases and 31 mastopathy tissues. Frozen fragments of paired tissue specimens (tumour and adjacent non-malignant breast tissue) taken from 55 patients with IDC and 18 samples of mastopathy were used for molecular studies using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS A statistically significantly higher level of PIWIL1 and PIWIL2 was found in IDC compared to mastopathy samples (p≤0.0001). Increased expression of PIWIL1 was correlated with increased PIWIL2 expression in breast cancer tissue. Surprisingly, PIWIL1 mRNA was detected only in cancer and mastopathy, but was not found in most normal breast tissues, although it is noteworthy that the PIWIL2 mRNA level was statistically significantly lower in mastopathy and IDC samples compared to normal breast tissues. CONCLUSION Our results affirm the hypothesis that reactivation of PIWI expression in various caner types is crucial for cancer development.

BackgroundWe have previously shown that galactosylceramide (GalCer) affects the tumourigenic and metastatic properties of breast cancer cells by acting as an anti-apoptotic molecule. Since GalCer is a precursor molecule in the synthesis of sulfatides, the present study was aimed to define the role of sulfatides in apoptosis and breast cancer progression.MethodsExpression of GAL3ST1 in breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer tissue specimens was analysed using real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry analysis. The amount of sulfatide, GalCer and ceramide was analysed by thin-layer chromatography binding assay and by the modified hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry methodology. The tumourigenicity of cancer cells was analysed by an in-vivo tumour growth assay. Apoptotic cells were detected based on caspase-3 activation and the TUNEL assay. The interaction of breast cancer cells with P-selectin or E-selectin was analysed using the flow adhesion assay. The ability of sulfatide-expressing cells to activate and aggregate platelets was studied using the flow-cytometry-based aggregation assay.ResultsUsing two models of breast cancer, T47D cells with blocked synthesis of sulfatide and MDA-MB-231 cells with neosynthesis of this glycosphingolipid, we showed that high sulfatide levels resulted in increased sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptosis induced by hypoxia and doxorubicin in vitro, and decreased their tumourigenicity after transplantation into athymic nu/nu mice. Accordingly, a clinical study on GAL3ST1 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma revealed that its elevated level is associated with better prognosis. Using MDA-MB-231 cells with neosynthesis of sulfatidewe also showed that sulfatide is responsible for adhesion of breast cancer cells to P-selectin-expressing cells, including platelets. Sulfatide also acted as an activating molecule, increasing the expression of P-selectin.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that increased synthesis of sulfatide sensitises cancer cells to microenvironmental stress factors such as hypoxia and anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin. However, sulfatide is probably not directly involved in apoptotic cascades, because its increased synthesis by GAL3ST1 decreased the amounts ofits precursor, GalCer, a known anti-apoptotic molecule. On the other hand, our data support the view that sulfatides are malignancy-related adhesive molecules involved in activating and binding P-selectin-expressing platelets to breast cancer cells.

Background/Aim: An impaired cell-cycle control and genetic material organization are crucial elements of carcinogenesis. p16 is a tumor suppressor protein which decelerates promotion of the cells from G1 to S phase, whereas special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) is a nuclear matrix protein that binds to specific regions of the DNA and ensures its proper organization and function. Increased levels of both markers are observed in various types of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of p16 and SATB1 proteins in regard to expression of the Ki-67 antigen and available clinicopathological data (i.a. receptor status, staging and grading). Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 130 samples of archived invasive ductal breast cancers. Immunohistochemical reactions were performed on freshly prepared tissue microarrays and subsequently scanned by a histologic scanner. Reactions were evaluated separately in the cytoplasm (p16c, SATB1c) and nucleus (p16n, SATB1n, Ki-67) with use of a quantification software under researcher supervision. Results: Expression was observed for Ki-67 in 100%, p16c in 90%, p16n in 89.2%, SATB1c in 98.5% and SATB1n in 87.7% of cancer cases. Statistical analysis showed strong positive correlations: p16c vs. p16n and SATB1c vs. SATB1n (p<0.001 for both) and weak positive correlations: p16c vs. SATB1c and p16c vs. SATB1n (p=0.008, p=0.027; respectively). Expression of p16n was stronger in G1 vs. G2 (p=0.034) while Ki-67 expression was stronger in cases with negative progesterone receptor status (p=0.011). All other analyzed associations were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: A weak association between immunohistochemical expression of p16 and SATB1 indicated limited possibility of their independent usage. Further studies concerning determination of a wider panel of proteins controlling cell cycle should be considered.

Periostin (POSTN) is a protein involved in multiple processes important for cancer development, both at the stage of cancer initiation and progression, as well as metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of POSTN in the cells of non-invasive ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and to correlate it with clinicopathological data Immunohistochemical studies (IHC) were conducted on 21 cases of fibrocystic breast change (FC), 44 cases of DCIS and 92 cases of IDC. POSTN expression at mRNA (real-time PCR) and protein level (western blot analysis) was also confirmed in selected breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and BO2). Statistically significant higher level of POSTN expression in IDC and DCIS cancer cells compared to FC was noted. Also, the level of POSTN expression in the cytoplasm of IDC cells was shown to increase with the increasing degree of tumour malignancy (G) and significantly higher expression of POSTN was observed in each degree of tumour malignancy (G) relative to FC. Statistically significant higher POSTN expression was observed in tumours with estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) and progesterone receptor-negative (PR-) phenotypes in comparison to estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and progesterone receptor-positive (PR+) cases, as well as significant negative correlation between POSTN expression in cancer cells and expression of ER and PR (p<0.05). Additionally, statistically significant differences in POSTN expression were shown between particular breast cancer cell lines, both at mRNA and protein level. Observed POSTN expression was the lowest in the case of MCF-7, and the highest in MDA-MB-231 and BO2 of the most aggressive potential clinically corresponding to G3 tumours. POSTN expression in the cytoplasm of IDC cancer cells may play an important role in cancer transformation mechanism.

Metallothionein 3 (MT-3) has the ability to regulate the growth of nerve cells, but the significance of MT-3 expression outside the central nervous system and its participation in carcinogenesis have not yet been clarified. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of MT-3 in ductal breast cancer and to determine its relationship with well-defined clinicopathological factors in this type of tumor. The study was conducted on 134 cases of invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC), 42 samples of non-malignant breast tissue (NMBT), and 26 cases of mastopathy. Moreover, selected breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, SKBR-3, MDA-MB-231, BO2) and normal human breast epithelial cells (hTERT-HME1) were used. The expression of MT-3 was examined on the protein level using immunohistochemistry and on the mRNA level using real-time PCR. It was shown that the MT-3 protein in cells of IDC and mastopathy appeared in the cytoplasm as well as in the cell nuclei. Both the cytoplasmic and nuclear expression of MT-3 was significantly lower in IDC than in the mastopathies (p<0.0001 and p<0.001). However, no significant correlation was demonstrated between the level of MT-3 protein and the studied clinicopathological factors. The mRNA expression of MT-3 in IDC was also lower than in non-malignant breast tissue (p<0.0001). Furthermore, in the cases of IDC with lymph node metastasis, the level of MT-3 mRNA was significantly lower than in the cases without metastasis (p=0.0199). The expression of MT-3 mRNA in breast cancer cell lines was significantly lower than in the normal human breast epithelial cell line (p<0.001). These results suggest that MT-3 may play a role in the malignant transformation of breast epithelial cells and in tumor progression.

BACKGROUND:Neurite outgrowth inhibitor type B (NOGO-B) and its receptor (NGBR) were shown to regulate various crucial cellular processes and may be therefore potential factors influencing carcinogenesis.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Expression of NOGO-A, NOGO-A/B and NGBR was studied in benign melanocytic lesions and primary tumors and metastases of malignant melanoma (MM).RESULTS:Cytoplasmic expression of the studied antigens was detected in melanocytes and MM cells. NOGO-A/B expression was significantly lower in metastatatic MM cases compared to primary MM tumors (p<0.01) and bening melanocytic lesions (p<0.001). In primary MM tumors, NOGO-A expression intensity positively correlated with NOGO-A/B (r=0.32, p<0.05) and NGBR expression (r=0.53, p<0.0001). NOGO-B and NGBR immunoreactivity correlated negatively with depth of primary MM infiltration (both p<0.01). Moreover, low NOGO-A/B expression was a factor of poor prognosis of primary MM.CONCLUSION:NOGO-A/B may be a negative prognostic factor of MM.

Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) is a nuclear matrix protein which interacts with specific regions of DNA, ensuring its proper organization and function in the cell. The expression of SATB1 was primarily found in thymocytes, but its increased levels were observed in various types of cancers. However, the knowledge of the function and application possibilities of this protein is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of SATB1 protein using immunohistochemistry and tissue microarray (TMA) technique and determine its possible relationship with the proliferative marker Ki-67, estrogen a (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors as well as grade of histological malignancy (G). The study was performed on material of 48 archival invasive ductal breast cancers (IDC). The TMAs were prepared with the use of 0.6 mm diameter punches. Immunohistochemical reactions were carried out using antibodies against Ki-67, ER, PR and SATB1 proteins. The intensity of the nuclear reaction was evaluated using a light microscope and computer-assisted image analysis. Expression of Ki-67 and SATB1 protein was observed in 89.58% and 31.25% of cancer cases, respectively. 62.5% of tumors were classified as ER-positive, and 47.92% as PR-positive. Statistical analysis showed a moderate positive correlation between Ki-67 and SATB1 expression (r = 0.291, p = 0.045 independently on the receptor status, and r = 0.392, p = 0.032 in ER-negative tumors). The expression of the Ki-67 antigen increased with higher grade of histological malignancy (G). The results suggest that SATB1 protein may play an indirect role in the cell proliferation and should be evaluated in relation to the other markers. Further studies concerning determination of its role in cancer progression and metastasis, in terms of application as therapeutic target and prognostic marker, are recommended.

Background. The assessment of HER2 status is particularly important for qualifying patients for trastuzumab treatment of invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC). HER2 assessment in core needle biopsies (CNBs) of IDC could contribute to a better therapy schedule.Objectives. The study aimed at examining the relationship between HER2 immunohistochemistry assessment scores in paired CNBs and whole tissue sections of IDC.Material and Methods. The study was performed on paired samples of CNBs and whole tissue sections from 49 IDC patients operated on at the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wroclaw, Poland.Results. Discrepancies in HER2 scores were noted in eleven (22.45%) of the paired samples analyzed. Three cases (6.12%) were underscored in the CNB specimens as compared to the surgical HER2 specimens, whereas eight cases (16.33%) were overscored in the CNB specimens.Conclusions. Based on the high level of discrepancy between the tested pairs of IDC tissues, the authors recommend caution in assessing HER2 in CNB tissue specimens as a standard procedure. Wherever possible whole tissue sections should be utilized for HER2 assessment (Adv Clin Exp Med 2013, 22, 1, 27-31).

Purpose SOX18 is a transcription factor known to be involved in hair follicle, blood and lymphatic vessel development, as well as wound healing processes (together with SOX7 and SOX17). In addition, it has been reported that SOX18 may affect the growth of cancer cells in vitro. Until now, the exact role of SOX18 expression in invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC) has remained unknown.Methods In this study, we have investigated SOX18 expression in cancer cells and endothelial cells in 122 IDC samples using immunohistochemistry (IHC). SOX18 expression was also determined using real-time PCR and Western blotting in a series of breast cancer-derived cell lines (i.e., MCF-7, BT-474, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231, BO2).Results Using IHC, we observed SOX18 nuclear expression in cancer cells, as well as in blood and lymphatic vessels of the IDC samples tested. SOX18 expression in the IDC samples correlated with a higher malignancy grade (Grade 2 and Grade 3 versus Grade 1; p=0.02 and p=0.009, respectively) and VEGF-D expression (r=0.27, p=0.007). SOX18 expression was also associated with HER2 positivity (p=0.02). A significantly higher SOX18 expression was found in the HER2-positive cell line BT-474, and a significantly lower expression in the triple negative cell lines MDA-MB-231 and BO2. Laser capture microdissection of IDC samples revealed significantly higher mRNA SOX7, SOX17 and SOX18 expression levels in the vessels as compared to the cancer cells (p=0.02 and p=0.0002, p<0.0001, respectively). SOX18 positive intratumoral and peritumoral microvessel counts (MVC) were associated with higher malignancy grades (p=0.04 and p=0.02, respectively). Moreover, peritumoral SOX18 positive MVC were found to act as an independent marker for a poor prognosis (p=0.04).Conclusion SOX18 expression may serve as a marker for a poor prognosis in IDC.

Background. The assessment of HER2 status is particularly important for qualifying patients for trastuzumab treatment of invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC). HER2 assessment in core needle biopsies (CNBs) of IDC could contribute to a better therapy schedule. Objectives. The study aimed at examining the relationship between HER2 immunohistochemistry assessment scores in paired CNBs and whole tissue sections of IDC. Material and Methods. The study was performed on paired samples of CNBs and whole tissue sections from 49 IDC patients operated on at the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wroclaw, Poland. Results. Discrepancies in HER2 scores were noted in eleven (22.45%) of the paired samples analyzed. Three cases (6.12%) were underscored in the CNB specimens as compared to the surgical HER2 specimens, whereas eight cases (16.33%) were overscored in the CNB specimens. Conclusions. Based on the high level of discrepancy between the tested pairs of IDC tissues, the authors recommend caution in assessing HER2 in CNB tissue specimens as a standard procedure. Wherever possible whole tissue sections should be utilized for HER2 assessment (Adv Clin Exp Med 2013, 22, 1, 27–31).

Background: Podoplanin, a small mucin-type transmembrane protein has been shown in several studies to be expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and affect patient outcome. Materials and Methods: We evaluated podoplanin expression in CAFs in a cohort of 257 patients with invasive ductal breast carcinomas (IDCs) using three different assessment scales based on the number of positive cells alone or in combination with the reaction intensity. Results: Two of the utilized scales yielded prognostic information concerning patients' overall survival (OS), but scores were not independent prognostic factors in the multivariate analysis. On the contrary, two scales based on the combination of cell positivity and reaction intensity had no significant impact on patients' OS, but they were significantly correlated with a greater number of analysed clinicopathological parameters. Conclusion: In summary, podoplanin expression in CAFs may be considered a possible marker of poor prognosis in IDC, however, caution should be taken as the results varied regarding the utilized scales.

AIM:Investigation of the relationship between expression of Ki-67 antigen and minichromosome maintenance 2 (MCM-2) protein by using an immunohistochemical study on whole sections (WS) and sections of invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC) obtained in the tissue microarray (TMA) technique.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Material consisted of 51 archival paraffin blocks of IDC. Tissue microarrays were composed of 0.6 mm core punches. Reactions were performed using specific antibodies (anti-Ki-67 and anti-MCM-2). Intensity of the marker expression was evaluated using computer-assisted image analysis. For statistical purposes, three different tests were used.RESULTS:Spearman rank correlation revealed a strong positive correlation between expression of tested markers: Ki-67 (TMA) vs. Ki-67 (WS) (r=0.91, p<0.05) and MCM-2 (TMA) vs. MCM-2 (WS) (r=0.87, p<0.05). Mann Whitney U-test showed no significant differences between the two markers in both analysed techniques. Moreover, the Bland-Altman plot demonstrated a low level of bias between the analysed methods.CONCLUSION:This study shows that TMA could have a great potential in evaluation of proliferative activity in IDC and that MCM-2 protein might be a specific and sensitive marker of cell proliferation.

The aim of this study was to determine the intensity of Hsp27 protein expression in fibrocystic breast changes (FC) and invasive ductal breast carcinoma (IDC) and to examine its impact on patients' clinico-pathological characteristics and overall survival. Immunohistochemical reactions were conducted on archival samples of 20 cases of FC and 101 cases of IDC treated in 1999-2002. Nuclear-cytoplasmic Hsp27 expression was observed in 92 (92.1%) of the examined cases of IDC, and all the cases of FC. Significantly higher Hsp27 expression was observed in G2 (p < 0.01) and G3 cases (p < 0.0001) compared to FC. HER-2 positive cases had higher Hsp27 expression (p = 0.0153), than HER-2 negative cases. Our research showed that Hsp27 could have an impact on tumor malignancy. Moreover, a positive correlation between the expression of Hsp27 and HER-2 positive cases was demonstrated.