High expression of both desmoplastic stroma and epithelial to mesenchymal transition markers associate with shorter survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer and oligonucleotide therapy: Exploring novel therapeutic options and targeting chemoresistance

Pancreatic cancer (PC) represents a malignancy with increased mortality rate, as less than 10% of patients survive for 5 years after diagnosis. Current evolution in basic sciences has revealed promising results by decrypting genetic loci vulnerable to mutations, as potential targets of novel treatment choices. In this regard, the "Oligonucleotide therapeutics", based on synthetic nucleotides, modify the function and expression of their targets. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNAs (miRNAs), aptamers, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and decoys comprise the main representatives of this emerging technology, by regulating oncogenes' expression, restoring DNA repairment mechanisms, sensitizing cancer cells in chemotherapy, and inhibiting PC progress. A plethora of genetic treatment molecules and respective targets have been described and are currently studied, thus providing a broad range of probable pharmaceutical options. This narrative review illuminates the main parameters of genetic treatment molecules for PC and underlines their deficiencies, to clarify the upcoming future and trigger further investigation in PC management.

Immunohistochemical expression of p53, Ki67, α-SMA, CD44 and CD31 in different histological subtypes of basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common, locally invasive tumor that arises within sun-damaged skin and rarely develops on the palms and soles or mucous membranes. Men generally have higher rates of BCC than women. Incidence also increases with age and the median age of diagnosis is 68 years old. Mortality from BCC is rare and cases of aggressive, local destructive, metastatic BCCs are more likely from tumors with aggressive histopathological (HP) patterns. The aim of this study was to investigate and correlate the immunohistochemical expression of p53, Ki67, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), cluster of differentiation (CD)44 and CD31 with both aggressive and nonaggressive types of BCCs. In our study, we observed a varied staining pattern for p53, with the highest reactivity noticed in the peripheral palisading zone. The staining pattern for Ki67 was similar to p53, with a more pronounced reaction in the periphery of the tumor. We found different Ki67 and p53 expression among the various subtypes of BCC. The CD31 reactivity, mostly seen in the stroma, was positive in all BCCs and varied significantly between its different HP subtypes. Regarding stromal expression of α-SMA, the adenoid and basosquamous types had the most intense reaction in our study. The CD44 tumor expression was correlated in our study to the aggressive pattern of BCCs.