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Vranic S, Gatalica Z. Tumor-type agnostic, targeted therapies make a new step forward: The first tumor-agnostic approval of a HER2-targeted therapy. Biomol Biomed 2024. [PMID: 38656302 DOI: 10.17305/bb.2024.10641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Oncologic treatment has recently undergone substantial therapeutic paradigm shifts, from classical tumor-specific and biomarker-agnostic approaches to more molecular, biomarker-specific, and tumor-agnostic. Tumor-type (histology) agnostic drugs work across cancer types and present a novel shift in precision oncology. Compared with traditional cancer therapies, this novel approach implies molecularly informed treatment strategies and enables targeted treatment regardless of tumor histology (type). Such drugs are usually utilized in small clinical cohorts with diverse tumor types sharing a common genomic event (molecular biomarker). One of the key elements of this approach is the presence of a common biomarker across many tumor types. Biomarker predicts response to the targeted drugs, as well as deciphers potential resistance mechanisms. Read more in the PDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zoran Gatalica
- Reference Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America
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Zvizdic Z, Jonuzi A, Glamoclija U, Vranic S. The Predictive Value of Plasma Sodium and Other Laboratory Parameters in Determining Complicating Appendicitis in Children. Med Princ Pract 2024:000538778. [PMID: 38593764 DOI: 10.1159/000538778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Finding a reliable preoperative predictor of complicated acute appendicitis (AA) has been a challenging diagnostic problem. The present study aimed to identify potential factors that may predict complicated AA in the pediatric emergency department (ED) based on routine, widely available laboratory tests on admission to the ED, including plasma sodium concentration. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed clinical and laboratory data of pediatric patients with AA who underwent emergency surgery at our department between January 2020 and December 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: histopathologically proven complicated AA (n = 80), and non-complicated AA (n = 155). RESULTS Complicated AA was associated with reduced plasma sodium and chloride concentrations (p < 0.001, both), decreased values of lymphocytes (p = 0.002), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) ( p < 0.001), elevated values of white blood cells (WBC) and neutrophils (p = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). In binomial logistic regression, increased levels of CRP and WBC, and decreased levels of sodium were predictors of complicated AA. The area under the ROC curve was 0.825 (95% CI 0.764, 0.886). CONCLUSION We identified mild hyponatremia and elevated CRP and WBC values as potential markers for distinguishing complicated from uncomplicated pediatric AA with implications for surgical approaches for treating complicated AA and conservative approaches for treating uncomplicated AA.
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Zvizdic Z, Hukic L, Ljubovic AD, Milisic E, Jonuzi A, Vranic S. Epidemiology and early bacterial colonization of minor and moderate pediatric burns: A retrospective study from a developing country. Burns 2024; 50:623-629. [PMID: 37981486 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Infection is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among burn patients worldwide. Isolation and identification of pediatric burn wound bacterial colonizers can prevent infection and improve burn trauma treatment. In this study, we explored early microbial colonizers within the burn wounds and the susceptibility of those isolates to antibiotics among hospitalized pediatric patients with minor and moderate burns, clinically significant infections and outcomes. METHODS A retrospective analysis of pediatric patients admitted to the inpatient pediatric surgical ward and treated for minor and moderate burns from 2009 to 2018 was performed. RESULTS One hundred six patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 3.6 ± three years (0.2-14.1 years). The most common type of burn was scald burns (82.1%). The mean TBSA of the hospitalized pediatric burn cases was 8.5% (IQR, 6-12%). Seventy-nine (74.5%) patients had positive wound cultures at admission, regardless of the hospital admission day. Fifty-eight (73.4%) had one bacterial growth (mono isolate), while 21 (26.6%) had mixed growth or poly isolates. Among patients with mixed growth or poly isolate, 16 had two bacteria, three had three bacteria, and one had four bacteria isolated, totaling 105 isolated microorganisms (14 different species, 70.5% Gram-positive bacteria and 29.5% Gram-negative bacteria). Twelve patients (11%) developed clinically significant infections (eleven got burn wound infection, and one had septicemia). All patients received prophylactic systemic antibiotics. Only 35.2% of the isolated bacteria from the wounds were sensitive to the prophylactic antibiotics, and only ∼17% in case of clinically significant infections. We found a statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay between patients with initially colonized samples of burn wounds compared with patients with initial negative samples (p = 0.008). All patients in the cohort survived hospital discharge. CONCLUSION Despite common bacterial colonization of acute burn wounds, only ∼10% of the patients developed clinically significant infections, a minority of which were sensitive to prophylactic antibiotics. Our findings indicate the need to refine the antibiotic approach in pediatric patients with minor/moderate burns in our local setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Lamija Hukic
- Public Institution Health Center of the Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amela Dedeic Ljubovic
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Emir Milisic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Asmir Jonuzi
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Zvizdic Z, Vranic S. Response to Commentary "The correlation between ureteric orifice morphology and primary vesicoureteral reflux grade and the impact on the effectiveness of endoscopic reflux correction". J Pediatr Urol 2024; 20:302. [PMID: 38087725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2023.11.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Zvizdic Z, Catic A, Zivojevic S, Jonuzi A, Glamoclija U, Vranic S. The correlation between ureteric orifice morphology and primary vesicoureteral reflux grade and the impact on the effectiveness of endoscopic reflux correction. J Pediatr Urol 2024; 20:295-301. [PMID: 37940510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2023.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early diagnosis and treatment of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) are essential for preserving renal function. OBJECTIVES The study explored whether preoperative cystoscopic grading of refluxing ureteric orifices (UO) correlated with their shape in an institution with non-performance of hydrodistention of the UO in the diagnosis and grading of VUR. We also assessed the relationship between the UO shape and VUR grade with the effectiveness of endoscopic correction of primary VUR in children. METHODS This retrospective study included consecutive patients ≤15 years treated for primary VUR. The reflux grade was based on the results of preoperative voiding cystourethrography as mild, moderate, or severe. RESULTS Fifty-one patients with 77 renal refluxing units (RRU) underwent endoscopic treatment with Deflux®. VUR was bilateral in 51 % of patients. VUR was mild in 13 %, moderate in 53 %, and severe in 34 % of cases. The patients with mild and moderate VUR had stadium-shaped UOs in 60 % and 54 % RRUs, respectively. Horseshoe-shaped UOs constituted 42 % of UOs in patients with severe VUR, followed by 31 % of golf-hole UOs. The reflux resolution rate after the first endoscopic injection was 84 %. The preoperative VUR grade correlated with UOs shape (p < 0.001). No significant correlation between UOs configuration and the outcome of endoscopic treatment was seen (p = 0.452). The preoperative VUR grade negatively correlated with a favorable endoscopic treatment (p = 0.043). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our data indicate ureteral orifice shapes are closely related to preoperative VUR grade. There was no correlation between the UO configuration and the success rate of endoscopic treatment of VUR, in contrast to the significant negative correlation between the VUR grade and the success rate of endoscopic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Adna Catic
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Cytology and Human Genetics, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Selma Zivojevic
- Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Asmir Jonuzi
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Una Glamoclija
- Scientific Research Unit, Bosnalijek d.d., Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department for Biochemistry and Clinical Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Tomic K, Krpina K, Baticic L, Samarzija M, Vranic S. Comprehensive molecular and clinical insights into non-small cell lung cancer transformation to small cell lung cancer with an illustrative case report. J Drug Target 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38506620 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2024.2332733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Histologic transformation to small cell lung cancer (tSCLC) is a rare but increasingly recognised mechanism of acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Beyond its acknowledged role in TKI resistance, histologic transformation to SCLC might be an important, yet under-recognised, mechanism of resistance in NSCLC treated with immunotherapy. Our review identified 32 studies that investigated tSCLC development in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC treated with TKI therapy and 16 case reports of patients treated with immunotherapy. It revealed the rarity of tSCLC, with a predominance of EGFR exon 19 mutations and limited therapeutic options and outcomes. Across all analysed studies in EGFR-mutated NSCLC treated with TKI therapy, the median time to tSCLC development was ∼17 months, with a median overall survival of 10 months. Histologic transformation of EGFR-mutated NSCLC to SCLC is a rare, but challenging clinical problem with a poor prognosis. A small number of documented cases of tSCLC after immunotherapy highlight the need for rebiopsies at progression to diagnose this potential resistance mechanism. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon and to develop more effective treatment strategies for patients with tSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kresimir Tomic
- Department of Oncology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Kristina Krpina
- Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lara Baticic
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Miroslav Samarzija
- Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Gatalica Z, Kuzmova N, Rose I, Ulamec M, Peric-Balja M, Skenderi F, Vranic S. The assessment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in invasive apocrine carcinoma of the breast in relation to the HER2 status. Biomol Biomed 2024; 24:256-261. [PMID: 37782562 PMCID: PMC10950344 DOI: 10.17305/bb.2023.9868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
In the current study, we assessed the prevalence and molecular features of HER2-low phenotype in the apocrine carcinomas of the breast (ApoCa) and its relationship with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). A cohort of 64 well-characterized therapy-naïve ApoCa was used. The TIL distribution was assessed using the hematoxylin and eosin whole slide/scanned images following the international TILs working group recommendations. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed in a subset of HER2-low ApoCa. All patients were women, with a mean age of 62 years. Forty-three carcinomas were pure apocrine carcinoma (PAC; ER-/AR+), and the remaining 21 were classified as apocrine-like carcinomas (ALCs; ER+/-, AR+/-). HER2/neu was positive (score 3+ by IHC and/or amplified by FISH) in 20/43 (47%) PAC and 4/21 (19%) ALC. The prevalence of HER2-low expression (scores 1+ or 2+ without HER2 amplification) in ApoCa was 39% without significant differences between PAC and ALC (P = 0.14); however, the HER2-low phenotype was more prevalent in triple-negative PAC than in ALC (P < 0.001). Levels of TILs were low (≤10%) in 74% of ApoCa (median 5%, range 0%-50%). TIL levels were significantly higher in ALC than in PAC (P = 0.02). HER2 status had no impact on TIL distribution (P = 0.45). The genomic profile of HER2-low ApoCa was similar to other subtypes of ApoCa. ApoCa has predominantly low TIL, particularly PAC. The prevalence of the HER2-low phenotype in ApoCa is high, which should have therapeutic and clinical implications given the recently approved therapies with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for HER2-low breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Gatalica
- Reference Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, USA
| | | | - Inga Rose
- Reference Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Monika Ulamec
- Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Pathology and Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Melita Peric-Balja
- Oncological Pathology Department, Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Faruk Skenderi
- Department of Pathology, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Kheraldine H, Gupta I, Cyprian FS, Vranic S, Al-Farsi HF, Merhi M, Dermime S, Al Moustafa AE. Targeting HER2-positive breast cancer cells by a combination of dasatinib and BMS-202: Insight into the molecular pathways. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:94. [PMID: 38431613 PMCID: PMC10909263 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03195-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent investigations have reported the benefits of using a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, dasatinib (DA), as well as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors in the management of several solid tumors, including breast cancer. Nevertheless, the outcome of the combination of these inhibitors on HER2-positive breast cancer is not explored yet. METHODS Herein, we investigated the impact of DA and PD-L1 inhibitor (BMS-202) combination on HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, SKBR3 and ZR75. RESULTS Our data reveal that the combination significantly inhibits cell viability of both cancer cell lines as compared to monotreatment. Moreover, the combination inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression and reduces cancer cell invasion by restoring E-cadherin and β-catenin expressions and loss of vimentin, major biomarkers of EMT. Additionally, the combination reduces the colony formation of both cell lines in comparison with their matched control. Also, the combination considerably inhibits the angiogenesis of the chorioallantoic membrane model compared with monotreatment. Molecular pathway analysis of treated cells shows that this combination blocks HER2, AKT, β-catenin, and JNK1/2/3 activities. CONCLUSION Our findings implicate that a combination of DA and BMS-202 could have a significant impact on the management of HER2-positive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadeel Kheraldine
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | - Farhan Sachal Cyprian
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Halema F Al-Farsi
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maysaloun Merhi
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, Interim Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, P. O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
- Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Zvizdic Z, Zaimovic E, Milisic E, Jonuzi A, Glamoclija U, Vranic S. The Frequency, Severity, and Risk Factors of Hickman CatheterRelated Complications in Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Experience from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Turk Arch Pediatr 2024; 59:144-149. [PMID: 38454222 DOI: 10.5152/turkarchpediatr.2024.23179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the frequency, severity, and risk factors associated with Hickman catheter-related complications in children with hemato-oncological malignancies at the largest pediatric tertiary care unit in Bosnia and Herzegovina. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of pediatric cancer patients who underwent Hickman central venous catheters (CVCs) between January 2019 and December 2022. Mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic Hickman catheter-related complications were evaluated and analyzed. We also investigated possible risk factors associated with these complications. RESULTS Seventy-one Hickman CVCs were inserted in 68 children (44 boys and 24 girls) at a mean age of 6.9 ± 4.6. Forty (58.8%) children had hematological malignancies and 28 (41.2%) solid cancers. The median follow-up after Hickman CVC insertion was 190 days (95% CI [160-212]) for 12 644 catheter days. During follow-up, 10 (14.1%) mechanical, 7 (9.9%) infectious, and 1 (1.4%) thrombotic complications were recorded (0.8, 0.48, and 0.08 for mechanical, infectious, and thrombotic complications per 1000 catheter days, respectively). A slightly higher incidence of complications was recorded in children with hematological malignancies (1.59 per 1000 catheter days) compared with children with solid cancers (1.22 complications per 1000 catheter days). CONCLUSION Using Hickman CVCs for long-term venous access in infusional chemotherapy for pediatric cancer patients is safe but is associated with significant morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Emin Zaimovic
- University of Sarajevo Faculty of Medicine, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Public Health Center Breza, Breza, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Emir Milisic
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Asmir Jonuzi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Una Glamoclija
- Scientific Research Unit, Bosnalijek d.d., Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Analysis, University of Sarajevo Faculty of Pharmacy, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- QU Health, Qatar University College of Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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Ibisevic N, Tomic K, Humackic A, Guzin Z, Lukic B, Vranic S. Breast lump as the initial presentation of metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma: a case report and comprehensive literature review. Croat Med J 2024; 65:51-58. [PMID: 38433512 PMCID: PMC10915770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare but aggressive cancer with a high metastatic potential and an unfavorable prognosis. A 54-year-old woman with a history of uterine fibroids clinically presented with a painless, palpable left breast mass measuring 20 mm. A core biopsy of the breast mass demonstrated a cellular spindle cell neoplasm (a potentially malignant smooth muscle neoplasm; B4). A wide local breast-mass excision was performed, revealing grade-2 leiomyosarcoma. A re-review of the uterine fibroids revealed that the largest one (200 × 130 mm), initially diagnosed as symplastic leiomyoma, was morphologically identical to the breast lesion. Additional diagnostic work-up revealed multiple liver and pulmonary metastases with a suspected metastatic sclerotic lesion in the L3 projection. The patient was subsequently treated with chemotherapy protocol for metastatic uLMS. The latest follow-up in September 2023 confirmed stable disease. This case highlights the importance of considering unusual metastatic patterns when evaluating breast masses, particularly in patients with a history of non-specific uterine conditions. Comprehensive diagnostic work-up, including imaging and histopathologic examinations, is crucial for an accurate diagnosis of uLMS and appropriate treatment selection. Further studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and optimal management strategies for metastatic uLMS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Semir Vranic
- Semir Vranic, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar,
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Kane T, Ford J, Al Saady RM, Vranic S, Musa OAH, Suliman S. What Matters Most: Determinants Associated with the Selection of Medical Residencies in Qatar. Adv Med Educ Pract 2024; 15:141-151. [PMID: 38434442 PMCID: PMC10909370 DOI: 10.2147/amep.s429758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Purpose There have been several studies into medical student career decision making in occidental countries (eg US, UK), but medical career selection in a Middle Eastern context has not been as well studied. This study aims to explore determinants underpinning medical students' residency choice in Qatar. Patients and methods During the Fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year, all (n=358) medical students from the College of Medicine at Qatar University were invited to participate in an online explorative questionnaire about students' career choices and the factors determining their selection. Results Of the 358 students, 184 responded (51%). Respondents had a mean age of 20 years; the majority were female (73.9%), Qatari (54.3%), unmarried (97.3%), and enrolled in a pre-clerkship year (55.0%). The most important career determinant was specialty-specific factors. The relative importance of other determinants differed by gender and stage of training. Among our respondents, male students were more likely to rate role models and influencers as being important to their choice, while female students and Qatari students overall were more likely to cite societal obligation. Medical students in Qatar seemed to have career preferences in mind upon entry into medical education. Later-year students were more likely to identify the importance of work-life balance and place of practice, but were less likely to rank prestige and income as an important determinant. Conclusion The results of this baseline study suggest that socioeconomic and cultural context influence medical student career decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Kane
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jason Ford
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Omran A H Musa
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shireen Suliman
- Medicine Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Zvizdic Z, Milisic E, Bilalovic N, Ibisevic N, Bukvic M, Vranic S. Lipofibromatosis arising in a right labiocrural fold in a 14-month-old female: a case report study with a 3-year follow-up. J Surg Case Rep 2024; 2024:rjad728. [PMID: 38213409 PMCID: PMC10781935 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjad728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Lipofibromatosis (LF) is a rare benign fibrofatty tumor of infancy and childhood with a predilection for distal extremities, poor margination, and a high local recurrence rate. We report a toddler who presented with an LF involving her right labiocrural fold. Imaging showed a soft tissue mass extending through the right labiocrural fold with possible infiltration into the underlying muscles. The mass was excised entirely, preserving adjacent structures. The histopathologic report revealed the mass to be LF. A 3-year follow-up revealed no disease recurrence. No other cases of LF in this localization have been presented in the literature. Despite its rarity, LF should be considered in diagnosing soft tissue neoplasms in children. Accurate diagnosis and proper surgical management with complete resection are essential to reduce the postoperative recurrence risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Emir Milisic
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nurija Bilalovic
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nermina Ibisevic
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Melika Bukvic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo 71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, Q.U. Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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13
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Kheraldine H, Hassan AF, Alhussein H, Al-Thawadi H, Vranic S, Al Moustafa AE. Effects of neratinib on angiogenesis and the early stage of the embryo using chicken embryo as a model. Biomol Biomed 2023. [PMID: 38158791 DOI: 10.17305/bb.2023.9869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the process of forming new blood capillaries from pre-existing vessels. Even though it is essential during normal development, it plays a major role in cancer progression. Neratinib is a pan-human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) inhibitor that has recently been approved for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. However, its effects on angiogenesis and embryogenesis remain unknown. This study examined the antiangiogenic effects of neratinib using the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos. We also evaluated neratinib's toxicity during the early stages of normal development using the chicken embryos, primary embryonic fibroblasts (EFBs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Our findings revealed that neratinib significantly inhibited the CAM angiogenesis compared to controls by reducing vessel percentage area and the average vessel length. Furthermore, neratinib downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key mediator of angiogenesis. At lower concentrations, neratinib was well-tolerated during early stages of normal development. Additionally, EFBs treated with neratinib showed no morphological or viability changes when compared to controls. However, at the highest concentration tested, neratinib treatment reduced HUVEC cell viability. This effect may be associated with the dysregulation of key apoptotic genes, including caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) gene. Our findings indicate a novel potential application of neratinib as an antiangiogenic agent, exhibiting tolerable toxicity in the early stages of embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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14
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Zvizdic D, Nisic F, Ljaljevic S, Zvizdic Z, Vranic S. Spontaneous closure of the large idiopathic full-thickness macular hole. Asian J Surg 2023; 46:5580-5581. [PMID: 37591753 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Denisa Zvizdic
- Eye Clinic, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Faruk Nisic
- Eye Clinic, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Sanida Ljaljevic
- Eye Clinic, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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15
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Fojnica A, Vranic S. Precise and insufficient scientific endeavour: COVID-19 pandemic experience from Bosnia and Herzegovina. J Glob Health 2023; 13:03055. [PMID: 37917872 PMCID: PMC10622116 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.03055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Fojnica
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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16
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Fojnica A, Ljuca K, Akhtar S, Gatalica Z, Vranic S. An Updated Review of the Biomarkers of Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5084. [PMID: 37894451 PMCID: PMC10605355 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is primarily a disease of the elderly Caucasian, with most cases occurring in individuals over 50. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) treatment has shown promising results in MCC patients. Although ~34% of MCC patients are expected to exhibit at least one of the predictive biomarkers (PD-L1, high tumor mutational burden/TMB-H/, and microsatellite instability), their clinical significance in MCC is not fully understood. PD-L1 expression has been variably described in MCC, but its predictive value has not been established yet. Our literature survey indicates conflicting results regarding the predictive value of TMB in ICI therapy for MCC. Avelumab therapy has shown promising results in Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV)-negative MCC patients with TMB-H, while pembrolizumab therapy has shown better response in patients with low TMB. A study evaluating neoadjuvant nivolumab therapy found no significant difference in treatment response between the tumor etiologies and TMB levels. In addition to ICI therapy, other treatments that induce apoptosis, such as milademetan, have demonstrated positive responses in MCPyV-positive MCC, with few somatic mutations and wild-type TP53. This review summarizes current knowledge and discusses emerging and potentially predictive biomarkers for MCC therapy with ICI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Fojnica
- Institute of Virology, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Kenana Ljuca
- Health Center of Sarajevo Canton, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Saghir Akhtar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Zoran Gatalica
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73019, USA;
- Reference Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85040, USA
| | - Semir Vranic
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
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17
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Elshoeibi AM, Elsayed B, Kaleem MZ, Elhadary MR, Abu-Haweeleh MN, Haithm Y, Krzyslak H, Vranic S, Pedersen S. Proteomic Profiling of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5005. [PMID: 37894372 PMCID: PMC10605593 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The accurate diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is crucial, as treatment strategies differ from those of other lung cancers. This systematic review aims to identify proteins differentially expressed in SCLC compared to normal lung tissue, evaluating their potential utility in diagnosing and prognosing the disease. Additionally, the study identifies proteins differentially expressed between SCLC and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), aiming to discover biomarkers distinguishing between these two subtypes of neuroendocrine lung cancers. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Studies reporting proteomics information and confirming SCLC and/or LCNEC through histopathological and/or cytopathological examination were included, while review articles, non-original articles, and studies based on animal samples or cell lines were excluded. The initial search yielded 1705 articles, and after deduplication and screening, 16 articles were deemed eligible. These studies revealed 117 unique proteins significantly differentially expressed in SCLC compared to normal lung tissue, along with 37 unique proteins differentially expressed between SCLC and LCNEC. In conclusion, this review highlights the potential of proteomics technology in identifying novel biomarkers for diagnosing SCLC, predicting its prognosis, and distinguishing it from LCNEC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Basel Elsayed
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar (M.N.A.-H.); (S.V.)
| | - Muhammad Zain Kaleem
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar (M.N.A.-H.); (S.V.)
| | | | | | - Yunes Haithm
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar (M.N.A.-H.); (S.V.)
| | - Hubert Krzyslak
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar (M.N.A.-H.); (S.V.)
| | - Shona Pedersen
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar (M.N.A.-H.); (S.V.)
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18
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Ahmed MB, Al Lahham S, Aljassem G, Asnaf AAH, Alyazji ZTN, Omari RY, Al-Mohannadi FS, Alsherawi A, Vranic S. Surgical management and outcomes of traumatic global brachial plexus injury: A concise review and our center approach. Open Med (Wars) 2023; 18:20230817. [PMID: 37808165 PMCID: PMC10552910 DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Global brachial plexus injury (GBPI) mainly affects adults and causes severe life-changing consequences that lead to the deterioration of patients' quality of life. Several surgical approaches have been described and reported in the literature to improve patients' functional ability. A literature review is done on PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase using specific keywords to retrieve relevant articles assessing different surgical approaches for GBPI management. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and eligible articles were included in the review. The literature survey revealed that various surgical options had been used to manage GBPI patients. In this concise review, we discuss and compare the different surgical approaches related to GBPI and its outcome in terms of restoring elbow flexion and extension, shoulder abduction, and wrist and hand function. The primary surgical intervention relies mainly on transferring single or multiple nerves with/without nerve grafts to restore the function of the targeted muscle. Different techniques using a variety of nerve donors and recipients are compared to assess the functional outcomes of each option. Moreover, further options are addressed for delayed GBPI injuries or failed nerve transfer procedures, as in free functional muscle transfer techniques. In addition, information about brachial plexus injury cases faced in our center is presented along with our center's approach to diagnosing and managing partial and GBPI cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Badie Ahmed
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Plastic Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salim Al Lahham
- Plastic Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghanem Aljassem
- Plastic Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayman A. H. Asnaf
- Plastic Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zaki T. N. Alyazji
- Plastic Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rand Y. Omari
- Plastic Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Abeer Alsherawi
- Plastic Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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19
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Ziegler C, Mir A, Anandakrishnan S, Martin P, Contreras E, Slemons I, Witkowski B, DeSilva C, Farmer A, Vranic S, Gatalica Z, Richardson D, Derkach DN. Assay-agnostic spatial profiling detects tumor microenvironment signatures: new diagnostic insights for triple-negative breast cancer. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:1953-1961. [PMID: 37666492 PMCID: PMC10552887 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in immuno-oncology has driven demand for technologies that deliver in situ, or spatial, molecular information. Compartmentalized heterogeneity that traditional methods miss is becoming key to predicting both acquired drug resistance to targeted therapies and patient response to immunotherapy. Here, we describe a novel method for assay-agnostic spatial profiling and demonstrate its ability to detect immune microenvironment signatures in breast cancer patients that are unresolved by the immunohistochemical (IHC) assessment of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) on immune cells, which represents the only FDA microenvironment-based companion diagnostic test that has been approved for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Two distinct physiological states were found that are uncorrelated to tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), PD-L1 expression, and intrinsic cancer subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alain Mir
- Takara Bio USASan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU HealthQatar UniversityDohaQatar
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20
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Tomic K, Karan Krizanac D, Skenderi F, Krpina K, Carapina Bilic A, Galic K, Gatalica Z, Vranic S. Comprehensive genomic profiling of a metastatic small cell lung carcinoma with a complete and long-term response to atezolizumab: A case report. Respir Med Case Rep 2023; 45:101920. [PMID: 37810185 PMCID: PMC10558768 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor outcome. We present the case of a 57-year-old male patient with extensive-stage (ES-SCLC) treated with chemotherapy and atezolizumab. A complete response was achieved with a long remission of ∼three years. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of the tumor revealed high tumor mutation burden (13 mutations/Mb) and mutations of TP53, RB1 and ERCC4 genes. This case study confirms that a complete response to chemoimmunotherapy may be achieved in the case of ES-SCLC. It further provides the additional value of CGP and predictive testing in the management of ES-SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kresimir Tomic
- Department of Oncology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dragana Karan Krizanac
- Department of Pathology, Cytology and Forensic Medicine, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Faruk Skenderi
- Department of Pathology, UniMed Clinic, Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Kristina Krpina
- Clinic for Respiratory Diseases Jordanovac, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andrea Carapina Bilic
- Department of Family Medicine, Health Care Center Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Kristina Galic
- Department for Lung Diseases, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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21
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Fojnica A, Gromilic Z, Vranic S, Murkovic M. Anticancer Potential of the Cyclolinopeptides. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3874. [PMID: 37568690 PMCID: PMC10416992 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel therapeutic agents to combat cancer is an active area of research, as current treatment options have limitations in efficacy and tolerability. One of these therapeutic agents in our immediate environment is cyclolinopeptides (CLPs). CLPs have several advantages that make them suitable for daily consumption and potential therapeutics in cancer research. They are natural compounds, having high specificity, low toxicity, low cost, and an overall simple extraction process. Over the years, numerous in vitro studies in cancer cells demonstrated CLPs to possess anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects, as well as the ability to induce cell cycle arrest and inhibit cancer cell growth in various cancer types, including breast cancer, gastric cancer, and melanoma. This paper provides an overview of the significance and potential of CLPs as therapeutic agents, emphasizing their promising role in cancer treatment based on different cancer cell lines. The mechanism of action of CLPs in cancer cells is multifaceted. It involves the modulation of multiple signaling pathways, including inhibition of protein kinases, modulation of apoptosis-related proteins, and regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Fojnica
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Zehra Gromilic
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Michael Murkovic
- Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria;
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22
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Queenie F, Gupta I, Murshed K, Samra HA, Al-Thawadi H, Vranic S, Petkar M, Babu GR, Moustafa AEA. Incidence and association of high-risk HPVs and EBV in patients with advanced stages of colorectal cancer from Qatar. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023:2220626. [PMID: 37293893 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2220626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) are present and involved in several types of human carcinomas, including cervical and, head and neck cancers. Nevertheless, their presence and association in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer is still nascent. The current study explored the association between the high-risk HPVs and EBV and tumor phenotype in colorectal cancers (CRCs) in the Qatari population. We found that high-risk HPVs and EBV are present in 69/100 and 21/100 cases, respectively. Additionally, 17% of the cases showed a copresence of high-risk HPVs and EBV, with a significant correlation only between the HPV45 subtype and EBV (p = .004). While the copresence did not significantly associate with clinicopathological characteristics, we identified that coinfection with more than two subtypes of HPV is a strong predictor of advanced stage CRC, and the confounding effect of the copresence of EBV in such cases strengthens this association. Our results indicate that high-risk HPVs and EBV can co-present in human CRCs in the Qatari population where they could plausibly play a specific role in human colorectal carcinogenesis. However, future studies are essential to confirm their copresence and synergistic role in developing CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernandes Queenie
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care & Research/Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khaled Murshed
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hayan Abo Samra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mahir Petkar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Oncology Department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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23
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Hawthorne J, Cubro H, Farabee E, Al-Quran SZ, Al-Kawaaz M, Vranic S, Goldsberry W, Metzinger D, Todd S. Bilateral adnexal masses: A case report of acute myeloid leukemia presenting with myeloid sarcoma of the ovary and review of literature. Gynecol Oncol Rep 2023; 47:101202. [PMID: 37251785 PMCID: PMC10209116 DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2023.101202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
•We report a case of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) presenting as myeloid sarcoma.•This patient with bilateral adnexal masses was managed via total robotic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.•There are a limited number of reports of bilateral ovarian occurrences that exist in the literature.•Myeloid sarcoma of the ovaries may present with vaginal bleeding to dysmenorrhea, dysuria, and palpable abdominal mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenci Hawthorne
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, University of Louisville, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, 550 South Jackson Street, Ambulatory Care Building, Second Floor, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Hajrunisa Cubro
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, University of Louisville, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, 550 South Jackson Street, Ambulatory Care Building, Second Floor, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Elizabeth Farabee
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, University of Louisville, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, 550 South Jackson Street, Ambulatory Care Building, Second Floor, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Samer Z. Al-Quran
- University of Louisville, Department of Pathology, Abell Administration Building, 323 East Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Mustafa Al-Kawaaz
- University of Louisville, Department of Pathology, Abell Administration Building, 323 East Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, 2713 Doha, Qatar
| | - Whitney Goldsberry
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, University of Louisville, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, 550 South Jackson Street, Ambulatory Care Building, Second Floor, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Daniel Metzinger
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, University of Louisville, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, 550 South Jackson Street, Ambulatory Care Building, Second Floor, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Sarah Todd
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, University of Louisville, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, 550 South Jackson Street, Ambulatory Care Building, Second Floor, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
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24
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Vranic S. Sacituzumab govitecan expands its therapeutic spectrum among breast cancer subtypes. Biomol Biomed 2023; 23:189-190. [PMID: 36786279 PMCID: PMC10113938 DOI: 10.17305/bb.2022.8874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel, highly potent drugs composed of a small molecule of an anticancer drug (payload)attached to humanized antibody recognizing an epitope on the surface of cancer cells. ADCs are rapidly expanding in the oncology field. By 2022, >180 ADC-based clinical trials have been conducted [1]. Most of these clinical trials are in phases I or II [1]. Several ADCs have been approved and used for the treatment of various malignancies (e.g., brentuximab vedotin (BV) for the treatment of CD30+ lymphomas, trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) for advanced/metastatic/or early-stage high-risk HER2-positive breast cancer with residual disease after neoadjuvant treatment) [2].
Read more in the PDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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25
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Fernandes Q, Gupta I, Murshed K, Abo Samra H, Al-Thawadi H, Vranic S, Petkar M, Babu GR, Al Moustafa AE. Coinfection of HPVs Is Associated with Advanced Stage in Colorectal Cancer Patients from Qatar. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030424. [PMID: 36986346 PMCID: PMC10053117 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are considered risk factors in the origin of several human malignancies, such as breast, cervical, head and neck, as well as colorectal cancers. However, there are no data reported on the HPV status in colorectal cancer in the State of Qatar. Therefore, we herein examined the presence of high-risk HPVs (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 51, 52, and 59), using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a cohort of 100 Qatari colorectal cancer patients, and their association with tumor phenotype. We found that high-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31, 35, 45, 51, 52, and 59 were present in 4, 36, 14, 5, 14, 6, 41, and 17% of our samples, respectively. Overall, 69 (69%) of the 100 samples were HPV positive; among these, 34/100 (34%) were positive for single HPV subtypes, while 35/100 (35%) of the samples were positive for two or more HPV subtypes. No significant association was noted between the presence of HPV and tumor grade, stage, or location. However, the presence of coinfection of HPV subtypes strongly correlated with advanced stage (stage 3 and 4) colorectal cancer, indicating that the copresence of more than one HPV subtype can significantly worsen the prognosis of colorectal cancer. The results from this study imply that coinfection with high-risk HPV subtypes is associated with the development of colorectal cancer in the Qatari population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Queenie Fernandes
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Translational Cancer Research Facility, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Khaled Murshed
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Hayan Abo Samra
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Hamda Al-Thawadi
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Mahir Petkar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | | | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Oncology Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +974-4403-7817
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Ibisevic N, Halebic NJ, Udovicic-Gagula D, Murtezic S, Vranic S. Advanced adult granulosa cell tumor with prominent fibromatous stroma: A case report. Asian J Surg 2023:S1015-9584(23)00298-1. [PMID: 36878777 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.02.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nermina Ibisevic
- Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nadina Jakirlic Halebic
- Department of Radiology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dalma Udovicic-Gagula
- Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Senad Murtezic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Zvizdic Z, Jonuzi A, Milisic E, Hadzimehmedagic A, Vranic S. A Long-Term Outcome of the Patients with Sacrococcygeal Teratoma: A Bosnian Cohort. Turk Arch Pediatr 2023; 58:168-173. [PMID: 36856354 PMCID: PMC10081131 DOI: 10.5152/turkarchpediatr.2023.22268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sacrococcygeal teratoma is an extragonadal germ cell tumor that develops during fetal and neonatal periods and is associated with significant perinatal morbidity and even mortality. This study aimed to determine the clinicopathologic characteristics, the clinical outcomes, and postoperative complications of sacrococcygeal teratoma cases in the low-volume pediatric surgery service in a developing country. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included data from all sacrococcygeal teratoma cases diagnosed from 2011 to 2020. All the relevant clinicopathologic data were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 7 pediatric (5 females and 2 males) patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma were identified, ranging in age from 3 to 222 days. A prenatal diagnosis was made in 57.1% of cases. The mean gestational age for all cases was 37.1 weeks (34-38 weeks), and the mean birth weight was 3285 g (range, 2300-4700 g). Preoperative alpha-fetoprotein levels had a mean value of 24.327 ng/mL (range, 649.7-110.600 ng/mL). The surgery involved resection of the primary tumor and coccygectomy in all cases. Three (42.9%) tumors were classified as Altman type II lesions, 2 (28.6%) tumors were type IV, and 2 remaining cases were types I and III, respectively. Histology was benign in 4 (57.1%) and immature in 3 patients (42.9%). The mean follow-up time was 101.4 months (30-146 months), with 2 recurrences of high-grade immature teratomas at 11 and 30 months following the surgery. Three patients had postoperative bladder and rectal dysfunctions. CONCLUSION Sacrococcygeal teratomas are rare tumors associated with frequent postoperative dysfunctions. Recurrences may also be seen, particularly in immature, high-grade forms of sacrococcygeal teratomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Asmir Jonuzi
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Emir Milisic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amel Hadzimehmedagic
- Clinic of Cardiovascular Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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28
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Vranic S, Gatalica Z. PD-L1 testing by immunohistochemistry in immuno-oncology. Biomol Biomed 2023; 23:15-25. [PMID: 35964287 PMCID: PMC9901897 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2022.7953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, based on immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and/or Programmed Death Receptor 1 (PD-1), has substantially improved the outcomes of patients with various cancers. However, only ~30% of patients benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors. Tumor PD-L1 expression, assessed by immunohistochemistry, is the most widely validated and used predictive biomarker to guide the selection of patients for immune checkpoint inhibitors. PD-L1 assessment may be challenging due to the necessity for different companion diagnostic assays for required specific immune checkpoint inhibitors and a relatively high level of inter-assay variability in terms of performance and cutoff levels. In this review, we discuss the role of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry as a predictive test in immunotherapy (immuno-oncology), highlight the complexity of the PD-L1 testing landscape, discuss various preanalytical, analytical and clinical issues that are associated with PD-L1 assays, and provide some insights into optimization of PD-L1 as a predictive biomarker in immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Correspondence to Semir Vranic:
| | - Zoran Gatalica
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
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29
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Zvizdic Z, Bukvic M, Vranic S. A late-diagnosed complete intravaginal testicular torsion with preserved blood flow and viable testis in an adolescent: A case report. Asian J Surg 2023:S1015-9584(23)00113-6. [PMID: 36732177 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.01.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Melika Bukvic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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30
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Zvizdic Z, Aganovic A, Milisic E, Jonuzi A, Zvizdic D, Vranic S. The Role of Demographic and Clinical Characteristics in Distinguishing Testicular Torsion from Torsion of the Appendix Testis: A Single-center Retrospective Study. Prague Med Rep 2023; 124:255-264. [PMID: 37736949 DOI: 10.14712/23362936.2023.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The acute scrotum (AS) in the pediatric population is a medical emergency. AS is usually caused by testicular torsion (TT) and torsion of the appendix testis (TAT). The current study explored which demographic and clinical characteristics can help distinguish between TT and TAT. We analyzed all children ≤16 years who underwent surgical exploration for AS. The patients were divided into Group 1/TT and Group 2/TAT. Ninety patients were included in the study (24 with TT and 66 with TAT). The peak incidence of TT was significantly higher than in the TAT group (p<0.001). Scrotal pain was more prevalent in the TAT group (p=0.02), whereas systemic signs (nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain) affected more frequently the TT patients (p=0.003 and p<0.001, respectively). The duration of symptoms was significantly longer in the TAT group (p<0.001). The duration of symptoms in the TT cohort significantly impacted the testicular salvage (p=0.008). Color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) findings of absent/decreased testicular blood flow in the affected testis strongly favored the diagnosis of TT (p<0.001). The older age, shorter duration of symptoms, systemic signs, and CDUS findings can help distinguish between the two most common acute scrotum causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Emir Milisic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Asmir Jonuzi
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Denisa Zvizdic
- Eye Clinic, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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31
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Paric A, Karan-Krizanac D, Saric I, Vranic S. A Chromosome 9p24.1 Amplification in Colorectal Cancer with Metastases to the Kidney and Adrenal Gland: A Case Report. Case Rep Oncol 2023; 16:803-810. [PMID: 37900784 PMCID: PMC10601774 DOI: 10.1159/000533377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. The Food and Drug Administration recently designated pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) against a programmed death-1 receptor, as a breakthrough drug for the treatment of patients with mCRC whose tumors have deficient mismatch-repair gene expression (as evidenced by microsatellite instability-high) and patients with solid tumors with a high tumor mutational burden with ≥10 mutations/megabase. We present a patient with metastatic CRC having renal and adrenal gland metastases. Comprehensive molecular profiling performed on a site of metastatic CRC in the kidney revealed multiple genomic alterations characteristic of CRC and rare chromosome 9p24.1 amplification, resulting in a co-amplification of the PDL1, PDL2, and JAK2 genes. Although this genomic alteration may predict the response to ICI, the lack of pembrolizumab prevented the patient from receiving targeted treatment and succumbing to the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paric
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dragana Karan-Krizanac
- Department of Pathology and Cytopathology, University Hospital Center Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ivan Saric
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Center Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University Doha, Doha, Qatar
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32
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Sola IM, Karin-Kujundzic V, Paic F, Lijovic L, Glibo M, Serman N, Duic T, Skrtic A, Kuna K, Vranic S, Serman L. WNT5A, β‑catenin and SUFU expression patterns, and the significance of microRNA deregulation in placentas with intrauterine growth restriction. Mol Med Rep 2022; 27:28. [PMID: 36524356 PMCID: PMC9813565 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental insufficiency is a common cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). It affects ~10% of pregnancies and increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although Wnt and Hh pathways are crucial for embryonic development and placentation, their role in the pathology of IUGR is still not sufficiently explored. The present study analyzed the expression of positive regulators of the Wnt pathway, WNT5A and β‑catenin, and the expression of the Hh pathway negative regulator suppressor of fused (SUFU). Immunohistochemical and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR (RT‑qPCR) assays were performed on 34 IUGR and 18 placental tissue samples from physiologic singleton‑term pregnancies. Epigenetic mechanisms of SUFU gene regulation were also investigated by methylation‑specific PCR analysis of its promoter and RT‑qPCR analysis of miR‑214‑3p and miR‑378a‑5p expression. WNT5A protein expression was higher in endothelial cells of placental villi from IUGR compared with control tissues. That was also the case for β‑catenin protein expression in trophoblasts and endothelial cells and SUFU protein expression in trophoblasts from IUGR placentas. The SUFU gene promoter remained unmethylated in all tissue samples, while miR‑214‑3p and miR‑378a‑5p were downregulated in IUGR. The present results suggested altered Wnt and Hh signaling in IUGR. DNA methylation did not appear to be a mechanism of SUFU regulation in the pathogenesis of IUGR, but its expression could be regulated by miRNA targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Marija Sola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Valentina Karin-Kujundzic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Correspondence to: Dr Valentina Karin-Kujundzic, Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Salata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, E-mail:
| | - Frane Paic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lada Lijovic
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, General Hospital Fra Mihovil Sučić, 80101 Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mislav Glibo
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Serman
- Zagreb Emergency Medicine Service, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tihana Duic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anita Skrtic
- Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Department of Pathology, University Hospital Merkur, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Krunoslav Kuna
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, 2713 Doha, Qatar
| | - Ljiljana Serman
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia,Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Padmanabhan R, Kheraldine H, Gupta I, Meskin N, Hamad A, Vranic S, Al Moustafa AE. Quantification of the growth suppression of HER2+ breast cancer colonies under the effect of trastuzumab and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor. Front Oncol 2022; 12:977664. [PMID: 36568154 PMCID: PMC9769711 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.977664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-based therapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment by fostering successful immune surveillance and effector cell responses against various types of cancers. However, patients with HER2+ cancers are yet to benefit from this therapeutic strategy. Precisely, several questions regarding the right combination of drugs, drug modality, and effective dose recommendations pertaining to the use of ICB-based therapy for HER2+ patients remain unanswered. Methods In this study, we use a mathematical modeling-based approach to quantify the growth inhibition of HER2+ breast cancer (BC) cell colonies (ZR75) when treated with anti-HER2; trastuzumab (TZ) and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (BMS-202) agents. Results and discussion Our data show that a combination therapy of TZ and BMS-202 can significantly reduce the viability of ZR75 cells and trigger several morphological changes. The combination decreased the cell's invasiveness along with altering several key pathways, such as Akt/mTor and ErbB2 compared to monotherapy. In addition, BMS-202 causes dose-dependent growth inhibition of HER2+ BC cell colonies alone, while this effect is significantly improved when used in combination with TZ. Based on the in-vitro monoculture experiments conducted, we argue that BMS-202 can cause tumor growth suppression not only by mediating immune response but also by interfering with the growth signaling pathways of HER2+BC. Nevertheless, further studies are imperative to substantiate this argument and to uncover the potential crosstalk between PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and HER2 growth signaling pathways in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hadeel Kheraldine
- College of Medicine, Qatar University (QU) Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, Qatar University (QU) Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nader Meskin
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,*Correspondence: Nader Meskin, ; Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa,
| | - Anas Hamad
- Pharmaceutical Department at Hamad Medical Corporation, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, Qatar University (QU) Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, Qatar University (QU) Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,*Correspondence: Nader Meskin, ; Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa,
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34
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Zvizdic Z, Becirovic N, Milisic E, Jonuzi A, Terzic S, Vranic S. Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of selected congenital anomalies at the largest Bosnian pediatric surgery tertiary center. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e32148. [PMID: 36482591 PMCID: PMC9726290 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital anomalies (CA) are any abnormality present at birth, either structural or functional, that may potentially affect an infant's health, development, and/or survival. There is a paucity of studies on clinical characteristics and outcomes of CA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, mainly due to the lack of a nationwide congenital malformations monitoring system. A 5-year hospital-based study was conducted to determine the prevalence at birth and clinical characteristics of selected major CA in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ninety-one CA were observed from 2012 to 2016 (the overall prevalence was 39.6 cases/10,000 live births). The mean age of neonates at diagnosis was 3 days. The gastrointestinal tract was the most commonly affected system (76.9%), with esophageal atresia (EA) being the most frequent (17.6% of all CA). Major CA were more prevalent among preterm infants than term infants (P = .001), particularly in males (61.5% vs. 38.5%; P = .028; M:F ratio was 1.59). Multiple CA were seen in 37.4% of neonates. The overall mortality rate of neonates was 11%, and the median length of hospital stay was 19.8 days. Our study revealed the distribution and clinical patterns of common major CA in the largest tertiary care facility in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also confirmed a relatively high mortality rate, which requires further efforts to improve the quality of neonatal care in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Naida Becirovic
- Department of Surgery, General Hospital “Prim. Dr Abdulah Nakas,” Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Emir Milisic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Asmir Jonuzi
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Sabina Terzic
- Pediatric Clinic, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- * Correspondence: Semir Vranic, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar (e-mail: )
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Vranic S, Basu GD, Hall DW, Gatalica Z. Tumor-Type Agnostic, Targeted Therapies: BRAF Inhibitors Join the Group. Acta Med Acad 2022; 51:217-231. [PMID: 36799315 PMCID: PMC10116180 DOI: 10.5644/ama2006-124.392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present review, we briefly discuss the breakthrough advances in precision medicine using a tumor-agnostic approach and focus on BRAF treatment modalities, the mechanisms of resistance and the diagnostic approach in cancers with BRAF mutations. Tumor-type agnostic drug therapies work across cancer types and present a significant novel shift in precision cancer medicine. They are the consequence of carefully designed clinical trials that showed the value of tumor biomarkers, not just in diagnosis but in therapy guidance. Six tumor-agnostic drugs (with seven indications) have been approved through October 2022 by FDA. The first tumor-agnostic treatment modality was pembrolizumab for MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors, approved in 2017. This was followed by approvals of larotrectinib and entrectinib for cancers with NTRK fusions without a known acquired resistance mutation. In 2020, pembrolizumab was approved for all TMB-high solid cancers, while a PD-L1 inhibitor dostarlimab-gxly was approved for dMMR solid cancers in 2021. A combination of BRAF/MEK inhibitors (dabrafenib/trametinib) was approved as a tumor-agnostic therapy in June 2022 for all histologic types of solid metastatic cancers harboring BRAFV600E mutations. In September 2022, RET inhibitor selpercatinib was approved for solid cancers with RET gene fusions. CONCLUSION: Precision cancer medicine has substantially improved cancer diagnostics and treatment. Tissue type-agnostic drug therapies present a novel shift in precision cancer medicine. This approach rapidly expands to provide treatments for patients with different cancers harboring the same molecular alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Department of Medical Sciences, Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. ;
| | - Gargi D Basu
- Exact Sciences, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - David W Hall
- Exact Sciences, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Zoran Gatalica
- Exact Sciences, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America
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Karin-Kujundzic V, Covarrubias-Pinto A, Skrtic A, Vranic S, Serman L. New insight into the role of PTCH1 protein in serous ovarian carcinomas. Int J Oncol 2022; 61:145. [PMID: 36205138 PMCID: PMC9581113 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2022.5435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is essential for normal embryonic development, while its hyperactivation in the adult organism is associated with the development of various cancers. The role of the Hh signaling pathway in ovarian cancer has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of protein patched homolog 1 (PTCH1), a component of the Hh signaling pathway, and changes in the promoter methylation status of the corresponding gene in a cohort of low-(LGSC) and high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSC) and HGSC cell lines (OVCAR8 and OVSAHO). PTCH1 protein expression level was analyzed using immunohistochemistry in tissue samples and immunofluorescence and western blotting in cell lines. DNA methylation patterns of the PTCH1 gene were analyzed using methylation-specific PCR. PTCH1 protein expression was significantly higher in HGSCs and LGSCs compared with controls (healthy ovaries and fallopian tubes). Similarly, ovarian cancer cell lines exhibited significantly higher PTCH1 protein expression compared with a normal fallopian tube non-ciliated epithelial cell line (FNE1). PTCH1 protein fragments of different molecular weights were detected in all cell lines, indicating possible proteolytic cleavage of this protein, resulting in the generation of soluble N-terminal fragments that are translocated to the nucleus. DNA methylation of the PTCH1 gene promoter was exclusively detected in a proportion of HGSC (13.5%) but did not correlate with protein expression. PTCH1 protein was highly expressed in serous ovarian carcinoma tissues and cell lines, while PTCH1 promoter methylation was only detected in HGSC. Further investigation is required to elucidate the possible mechanisms of PTCH1 activation in serous ovarian carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana Covarrubias-Pinto
- Institute of Biochemistry II, School of Medicine, Goethe University, D‑60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anita Skrtic
- Centre of Excellence in Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, 2713 Doha, Qatar
| | - Ljiljana Serman
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Zvizdic Z, Milisic E, Jonuzi A, Bukvic M, Vesnic S, Milisic L, Pasic IS, Vranic S. Successful minimally invasive management of nonvascular grade IV blunt renal trauma with complete transection in a 7-year-old girl. Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.epsc.2022.102455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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38
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Gatalica Z, Stafford P, Vranic S. Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) protein is upregulated in early proliferative lesions of the breast irrespective of apocrine differentiation. Hum Pathol 2022; 129:40-46. [PMID: 35998819 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR/P504S) is a mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzyme involved in the branched-chain fatty acid and bile acid metabolism. AMACR is a useful diagnostic biomarker for prostate carcinomas and several other malignancies. Its expression in apocrine breast lesions had been previously reported, but its role in breast cancer progression has not been fully investigated. One hundred fifty breast samples (80 with invasive carcinomas) were studied. The expression of AMACR protein was analyzed using the immunohistochemical method (IHC). Lesions were considered positive if AMACR was detected in ≥10% of the cells at any intensity comprising a histologically defined normal epithelial structure or a pathologic lesion. In addition, AMACR mRNA relative expression was calculated from the whole-transcript RNA-Seq performed on >20,000 diverse tumor samples using a 20,000+ hybrid-capture NGS assay with the transcript capture panel based on the Agilent SureSelect Human All ExonV7. Expression of AMACR protein was restricted to epithelia. It was uncommon in the normal breast (7/81 samples, 9%). Increasing AMACR expression was observed with proliferative epithelial lesions (18% of usual ductal hyperplasias/adenosis, 70% of atypical lesions and 72% of DCIS/LCIS). Invasive ductal carcinomas NST and invasive lobular carcinomas expressed AMACR in 64% and 46%, respectively. The highest AMACR expression was observed in luminal B and HER2-positive breast carcinomas (86-100%). Triple-negative breast carcinomas exhibited AMACR in 50% of the cases. Apocrine lesions showed strong, nearly uniform overexpression of AMACR (100% of metaplasias, hyperplasias and in situ carcinomas and 88% of invasive apocrine carcinomas were positive). RNA-Seq analysis also confirmed AMACR expression in breast carcinomas, although its median value was substantially lower with a lower standard deviation than in prostate carcinomas. Over-expression of AMACR characterizes various proliferative, preinvasive and invasive breast lesions and is not specific to the apocrine morphology. It points to altered lipid metabolism (branched fatty acids) as one of the general characteristics of breast carcinogenesis, like several other malignancies. Its early detection may represent a potential target for cancer progression intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Gatalica
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States
| | | | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar.
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Ajkunic A, Skenderi F, Shaker N, Akhtar S, Lamovec J, Gatalica Z, Vranic S. Acinic cell carcinoma of the breast: A comprehensive review. Breast 2022; 66:208-216. [PMID: 36332545 PMCID: PMC9636467 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinic cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare special subtype of breast cancer in the category of salivary gland-type tumors. It is morphologically similar to acinic cell carcinomas of salivary glands and pancreas and has a triple-negative phenotype (estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative, and Her-2/neu negative). Its molecular genomic features are more similar to triple-negative breast cancer of no special type than to its salivary gland counterpart. However, the clinical course of the mammary acinic cell carcinoma appears to be less aggressive than the usual triple-negative breast carcinomas. This review comprehensively summarizes the current literature on the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of this rare and distinct subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Ajkunic
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Faruk Skenderi
- Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nada Shaker
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Saghir Akhtar
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Janez Lamovec
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zoran Gatalica
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Corresponding author. College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Redzepagic J, Karavdic K, Firdus A, Kuric H, Bulja D, Ibisevic N, Zvizdic Z, Vranic S. A Giant Polypoid Gastric Heterotopia of the Ileum as a Cause of Intussusception in an Adolescent. Acta Med Acad 2022; 51:132-133. [PMID: 36318006 PMCID: PMC9982848 DOI: 10.5644/ama2006-124.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
No abstract available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Redzepagic
- Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Kenan Karavdic
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Alena Firdus
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Haris Kuric
- Department of Radiology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Deniz Bulja
- Department of Radiology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nermina Ibisevic
- Department of Pathology, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Zlatan Zvizdic
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar. ;
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Gupta I, Pedersen S, Vranic S, Al Moustafa AE. Implications of Gut Microbiota in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Progression: A Concise Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122964. [PMID: 35740629 PMCID: PMC9221329 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recently, the interactions between microbiota and the host have been reported to induce the onset and progression of human cancer via epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In contrast, some microorganisms can protect against cancer growth, indicating an anticancer therapeutic action of such microbiota. In the review, we summarize findings from the literature, exploring the underlying mechanisms by which pathogenic microorganisms induce EMT. We also highlight the potential of exploiting these complex interactions for developing new biological therapies. Abstract Advancement in the development of molecular sequencing platforms has identified infectious bacteria or viruses that trigger the dysregulation of a set of genes inducing the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) event. EMT is essential for embryogenesis, wound repair, and organ development; meanwhile, during carcinogenesis, initiation of the EMT can promote cancer progression and metastasis. Recent studies have reported that interactions between the host and dysbiotic microbiota in different tissues and organs, such as the oral and nasal cavities, esophagus, stomach, gut, skin, and the reproductive tract, may provoke EMT. On the other hand, it is revealed that certain microorganisms display a protective role against cancer growth, indicative of possible therapeutic function. In this review, we summarize recent findings elucidating the underlying mechanisms of pathogenic microorganisms, especially the microbiota, in eliciting crucial regulator genes that induce EMT. Such an approach may help explain cancer progression and pave the way for developing novel preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.P.); (S.V.)
- Correspondence: (I.G.); (A.-E.A.M.); Tel.: +974-4403-6643 (I.G.); +974-4403-7817 (A-E.A.M.)
| | - Shona Pedersen
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.P.); (S.V.)
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.P.); (S.V.)
| | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (S.P.); (S.V.)
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Correspondence: (I.G.); (A.-E.A.M.); Tel.: +974-4403-6643 (I.G.); +974-4403-7817 (A-E.A.M.)
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Skenderi F, Alahmad MAM, Tahirovic E, Alahmad YM, Gatalica Z, Vranic S. HER2-positive apocrine carcinoma of the breast: a population-based analysis of treatment and outcome. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022; 193:523-533. [PMID: 35355162 PMCID: PMC9090698 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06578-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Apocrine carcinoma of the breast (APO) expresses HER2 in 30-50% of cases. This study explored the clinicopathological features and outcome of HER2+/APO and matched HER2+/NST cohort. METHODS We used the SEER database to explore the cohorts. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the survival. Based on ER and PR [steroid receptors/SR/] and HER2 status, we divided the cohorts to match the intrinsic molecular subtypes for comparisons. RESULTS We retrieved 259 cases of HER2+/APO. Most HER2+/APO were SR negative (65%). HER2+/APO were more prevalent in the 80+ age group (24.7% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.001). HER2+/SR-/APO had a significantly lower histological grade than the HER2+/SR-/NST (p < 0.001). Breast cancer-related deaths were more prevalent in HER2+/NST (7.8% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.019). This was particularly evident between SR- subgroups (10.4% in HER2+/SR-/NST vs. 4.2% in HER2+/SR-/APO, p = 0.008) and was reaffirmed in breast cancer-specific survival in univariate analysis (p = 0.03). Other than race and SR status, HER2+/APO subgroups did not differ in clinicopathological parameters. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the rarity of the APO and reveals that SR status in APO does not affect these patients' prognosis. HER2+/APO tumors tend to have a less aggressive phenotype and a more favorable outcome despite a markedly lower ER/PR positivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruk Skenderi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Emin Tahirovic
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, International University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Yaman M Alahmad
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Medical Education, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zoran Gatalica
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Zvizdic Z, Sefic-Pasic I, Ibisevic N, Murtezic S, Vranic S. Large uterine juvenile cystic adenomyoma in an adolescent. Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.epsc.2022.102258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Gupta I, Al-Sarraf R, Farghaly H, Vranic S, Sultan AA, Al-Thawadi H, Al Moustafa AE, Al-Farsi HF. Incidence of HPVs, EBV and MMTV-like Virus in Breast Cancer in Qatar. Intervirology 2022; 65:188-194. [PMID: 35640537 DOI: 10.1159/000525277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and mouse mammary tumor virus-like virus (MMTV-like virus) can be present and contribute to breast cancer development and progression. However, the role of these oncoviruses and their crosstalk in breast cancer is still unclear. METHODS We explored the co-presence of high-risk HPVs, EBV, and MMTV-like virus in 74 breast cancer samples from Qatar using PCR. RESULTS We found the presence of HPV and EBV in 65% and 49% of our cancer samples cohort; 47% of the samples are positive for both oncoviruses. The MMTV-like virus alone was detected in 15% of the samples with no significant association with clinicopathological features. The three oncoviruses were co-present in 14% of the cases; No significant association was noted between the co-presence of these viruses and the clinicopathological features. CONCLUSION Despite the presence of the oncoviruses, additional studies are necessary to understand their interactions in human breast carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Reem Al-Sarraf
- Department of Pathology, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hanan Farghaly
- Department of Pathology, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali A Sultan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,
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Sheikh E, Tran T, Vranic S, Levy A, Bonfil RD. Role and Significance of c-KIT Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Cancer: A Review. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2022; 22:683-698. [PMID: 35490363 PMCID: PMC9519160 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2021.7399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
c-kit is a classical proto-oncogene that encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that responds to stem cell factor (SCF). C-KIT signaling is a critical regulator of cell proliferation, survival, and migration and is implicated in several physiological processes, including pigmentation, hematopoiesis, and gut movement. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulated c-KIT function, caused by either overexpression or mutations in c-kit, promotes tumor development and progression in various human cancers. In this review, we discuss the most important structural and biological features of c-KIT, as well as insights into the activation of intracellular signaling pathways following SCF binding to this RTK. We then illustrate how different c-kit alterations are associated with specific human cancers and describe recent studies that highlight the contribution of c-KIT to cancer stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and progression to metastatic disease in different experimental models. The impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in treating c-KIT-positive tumors and limitations due to their propensity to develop drug resistance are summarized. Finally, we appraise the potential of novel therapeutic approaches targeting c-KIT more selectively while minimizing toxicity to normal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emana Sheikh
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
| | - Tony Tran
- Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arkene Levy
- Department of Medical Education, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
| | - R Daniel Bonfil
- Department of Medical Education, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
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Zvizdic Z, Jonuzi A, Pasic IS, Vranic S. Bilateral Morgagni hernia in a two-month-old infant with a history of umbilical cord hernia status repair as a neonate. Asian J Surg 2022; 45:1603-1604. [PMID: 35331589 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2022.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zlatan Zvizdic
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Asmir Jonuzi
- Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Irmina Sefic Pasic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Vranic S. Comment on the manuscript “Histological subtype is associated with PD-L1 expression and CD8+ T-cell infiltrates in triple-negative breast carcinoma” by Salisbury et al. (Ann Diagn Pathol 2022; 57: 151901, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.151901). Ann Diagn Pathol 2022; 58:151938. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.151938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Gupta I, Nasrallah GK, Sharma A, Jabeen A, Smatti MK, Al-Thawadi HA, Sultan AA, Alkhalaf M, Vranic S, Al Moustafa AE. Correction to: Co-prevalence of human Papillomaviruses (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in healthy blood donors from diverse nationalities in Qatar. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:45. [PMID: 35093069 PMCID: PMC8801089 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02459-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Sharma V, Moinuddin Z, Summers A, Shenoy M, Plant N, Vranic S, Prytula A, Zvizdic Z, Karava V, Printza N, Vlot J, van Dellen D, Augustine T. Surgical management of Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) in children: international case series and literature review. Pediatr Nephrol 2022; 37:643-650. [PMID: 34448023 PMCID: PMC8921033 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-021-05243-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) is a rare phenomenon in paediatric patients with kidney failure treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study highlights clinical challenges in the management of EPS, with particular emphasis on peri-operative considerations and surgical technique. METHODS Retrospective analysis of all paediatric patients with EPS treated at the Manchester Centre for Transplantation. RESULTS Four patients were included with a median duration of 78 months on PD. All patients had recurrent peritonitis (> 3 episodes), and all had symptoms within three months of a change of dialysis modality from PD to haemodialysis or transplant. In Manchester, care was delivered by a multi-disciplinary team, including surgeons delivering the adult EPS surgical service with a particular focus on nutritional optimisation, sepsis control, and wound management. The surgery involved laparotomy, lavage, and enterolysis of the small bowel + / - stoma formation, depending on intra-abdominal contamination. Two patients had a formal stoma, which were reversed at three and six months, respectively. Two patients underwent primary closure of the abdomen, whereas two patients had re-look procedures at 48 h with secondary closure. One patient had a post-operative wound infection, which was managed medically. One patient's stoma became detached, leading to an intra-abdominal collection requiring re-laparotomy. The median length of stay was 25 days, and patients were discharged once enteral feeding was established. All patients remained free of recurrence with normal gut function and currently two out of four have functioning transplants. CONCLUSIONS This series demonstrates 100% survival and parenteral feed independence following EPS surgery. Post-operative morbidity was common; however, with individualised experience-based decision-making and relevant additional interventions, patients made full recoveries. Health and development post-surgery continued, allowing the potential for transplantation. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Videha Sharma
- Department of Renal and Pancreas Transplantation, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.
| | - Zia Moinuddin
- grid.498924.a0000 0004 0430 9101Department of Renal and Pancreas Transplantation, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Angela Summers
- grid.498924.a0000 0004 0430 9101Department of Renal and Pancreas Transplantation, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Mohan Shenoy
- grid.498924.a0000 0004 0430 9101Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicholas Plant
- grid.498924.a0000 0004 0430 9101Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Semir Vranic
- grid.412603.20000 0004 0634 1084College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar ,grid.412603.20000 0004 0634 1084Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Agnieszka Prytula
- grid.410566.00000 0004 0626 3303Paediatric Nephrology and Rheumatology Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Zlatan Zvizdic
- grid.411735.50000 0004 0570 5069Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Vasiliki Karava
- grid.4793.90000000109457005Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikoleta Printza
- grid.4793.90000000109457005Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - John Vlot
- grid.5645.2000000040459992XSophia Children’s Hospital, Erasmus MC: University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David van Dellen
- grid.498924.a0000 0004 0430 9101Department of Renal and Pancreas Transplantation, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK ,grid.462482.e0000 0004 0417 0074Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Titus Augustine
- grid.498924.a0000 0004 0430 9101Department of Renal and Pancreas Transplantation, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK ,grid.462482.e0000 0004 0417 0074Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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Cimic A, Smithgall MC, Khoury-Collado F, Liu-Jarin X, Vranic S. Value of additional sections: Tissue handling of small biopsies in detecting squamous dysplasia of the uterine cervix. Ann Diagn Pathol 2021; 56:151872. [PMID: 34896888 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2021.151872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Cervical cancer screening is currently based on high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) molecular testing, Pap cytology testing, and histologic evaluation of cervical biopsies. As primary HPV screening for cervical cancer becomes widely used, some of the recommended screening guidelines propose colposcopy and biopsies following positivity for HPV16/18 without cytologic triage. In such instances, a biopsy would be the only tissue sample available for informing further management. The use of additional histologic levels on cervical biopsies is commonly employed to achieve a diagnosis, although no set criteria for when to obtain additional levels exist. In this study, we evaluated the value of additional sections in cervical biopsy and endocervical curetting, as well as clinical and histologic features that should be considered when ordering additional levels. Additional levels were obtained for the following scenarios: benign mucosa with Pap discrepancy (HSIL or ASC-H interpretation), size discrepancy with the gross description, suspicious atypia for a high-grade lesion, and long-standing high-risk HPV infection. A change in diagnosis was observed in 21.4% of the cases, with an upgrade to a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (CIN2-3) in 12.1% of cases. An initial impression of atypia significantly correlated with both a change in diagnosis and an upgrade to CIN2-3. In the era of primary HPV screening, when evaluating tissue samples following positive HPV test, small, atypical foci should be followed by additional levels. We recommend six (6) initial levels on all cervical biopsies, particularly if there is no loss of tissue between the levels, to ensure an accurate interpretation. This will be crucial in the timely and accurate identification of HPV-related intraepithelial lesions and proper subsequent management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Cimic
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Marie C Smithgall
- Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Fady Khoury-Collado
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Xiaolin Liu-Jarin
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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