Malignant salivary gland tumours are rare histologically and clinically heterogeneous group of tumours, missing prognostic factors and therapeutic targets. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs, and posttranscriptional regulators of mRNA are poorly described in different subtypes of salivary gland tumours. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), an important therapeutic target and target of certain miRNAs (i.e., miR-133b), shows variable degrees of expression in salivary gland tumours. Our study included 70 parotid gland tumours of different histological subtypes. Expression, mutations, and copy number variations (CNVs) of EGFR were determined using immunohistochemistry, single-stranded conformation polymorphism, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Expression of miR-99b, miR-133b, miR-140, miR-140-3p, and let-7a was analyzed using qPCR. Expression of EGFR was observed in 37% of tumours with low and 40% of tumours with high malignant potential. There were no mutations, with the majority of samples showing polysomy of chromosome 7. Based on histological subtypes, we found differential expression of all five miRNAs. We confirmed association of reactivity of EGFR, miR-133b, miR-140, miR-140-3p, and let-7a with CNV of EGFR and a positive association between miR-133b/let-7a and reactivity of EGFR. Age and need for postoperative radiotherapy were characterized as significant in multivariate survival analysis.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33333209
Mortality and morbidity associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing globally, partly due to lack of early detection of the disease. The screening is usually performed with colonoscopy, which is invasive and unpleasant, discouraging participation in the screening. As a source of noninvasive and easily accessible biomarkers, liquid biopsies are emerging. Blood-based biomarkers have the potential as diagnostic and prognostic tool in CRC. Early stage detection of CRC with high sensitivity and specificity would likely lead to higher participation in the screening test. It would also improve the prognosis of the disease and improve the recurrence risk. In this review, we summarize the potential biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of CRC.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33492697
Cancer development and progression include many cellular processes, among which cellular signaling networks play crucial roles. The hallmarks of cancer cells are gained through the deregulation of these signaling pathways, which result in the evasion of apoptosis, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and increased proliferation. Signaling network activity can be changed with many diverse mechanisms at different levels. Signal transduction is also regulated by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNA (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). miRNAs function as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression, while lncRNAs can function as transcriptional, posttranscriptional, or epigenetic gene regulators. As gene regulators, ncRNAs are included in promoting or suppressing different cell processes and biological functions during cancer development. In this chapter, we will discuss miRNAs and lncRNAs as regulators in signaling networks.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33481689