Journal of clinical pathology
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Multicenter Study
Expression of p53, p21 and cyclin D1 in penile cancer: p53 predicts poor prognosis.
To evaluate the role of p53, p21 and cyclin D1 expression in patients with penile cancer (PC). ⋯ In patients with PC, the expression of p53 in the primary tumour specimen can be reproducibly assessed and is negatively associated with cancer specific survival.
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The majority of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present with advanced disease, with targeted therapies providing some improvement in clinical outcomes. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase (TK) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which target the EGFR TK domain, have proven to be an effective treatment strategy; however, patient responses to treatment vary considerably. ⋯ A number of techniques have been employed for genotypic assessment of tumour-associated DNA to identify EGFR mutations, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. This review presents an overview of the current methodologies used to identify such molecular markers. Recent developments in technology may make the monitoring of changes in patients' tumour genotypes easier in clinical practice, which may enable patients' treatment regimens to be tailored during the course of their disease, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.
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Review
Isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations in diffuse gliomas: clinical and aetiological implications.
The discovery of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations in gliomas is one example of the large impact that next-generation sequencing is having on the understanding of tumour biology and human disease in general. IDH mutations are early and common events in the development of astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas. IDH mutations are also found in some myeloid malignancies and soft tissue tumours, but are rare in other malignancies. ⋯ The mechanisms of action(s) of mutant IDH are not fully understood, but the understanding is progressing rapidly, and may provide a mechanism to link diverse proneoplastic processes such as oxidative damage and epigenetic dysregulation. There are exciting prospects of novel therapies for glioma patients emerging from the elucidation of these mechanisms. Given the diagnostic and prognostic implications of IDH mutation, and the potential for new therapies, all gliomas should be assessed for IDH mutation status in the future.
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Cinacalcet treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) has demonstrated parathyroid size regression and morphological changes, such as cystic degeneration and hypovascularisation, on ultrasonography. However, there have been very few reports regarding the histopathological alterations of hyperplastic parathyroid glands in patients with SHPT after administration of cinacalcet. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of cinacalcet for histopathological alterations on the parathyroid glands. ⋯ These results suggest that cinacalcet may induce specific qualitative alterations of hyperplastic parathyroid glands in patients with severe SHPT.
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Correct labelling of specimens in a biorepository or research laboratory is vital, especially for translational or clinical studies linking clinical data with biospecimens. While patient privacy must be carefully protected, confusing or inadequate labelling can potentially result in the study of the wrong biospecimens with detrimental effects to the accuracy of published findings or a requirement for invaluable biospecimens to be discarded. ⋯ This approach includes specifying identifier types, types of dates and institutions on the biospecimen labels; using multiple identifiers on each specimen when feasible; and developing a three to four-letter alphanumeric code to aid in label recognition. In addition, steps are being taken to educate recipient laboratories on best practices in labelling.