Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dennis M. Timmerman, Thomas F. Eleveld, Ad J. M. Gillis, Carlijn C. Friedrichs, Sanne Hillenius, Tessa L. Remmers, Sruthi Sriram, Leendert H. J. Looijenga
Summary: Germ cell tumors (GCTs) have varying responses to platinum-based chemotherapy depending on their anatomical origin, with mediastinal GCTs showing resistance compared to testicular GCTs. TP53 mutations may play a role in causing cisplatin resistance in mediastinal GCTs, suggesting a potential target for treatment. The study provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of TP53 mutant and mediastinal GCTs for alternative treatment approaches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andre van Helvoort Lengert, Leticia do Nascimento Braga Pereira, Eduardo Ramos Martins Cabral, Izabela Natalia Faria Gomes, Lais Machado de Jesus, Maria Fernanda Santiago Goncalves, Aline Oliveira da Rocha, Tiago Alexandre Tassinari, Luciane Sussuchi da Silva, Ana Carolina Laus, Daniel Onofre Vidal, Mariana Tomazini Pinto, Rui Manuel Reis, Luiz Fernando Lopes
Summary: This study explored new strategies for treating cisplatin-resistant testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). Differential mRNA expression profiles were evaluated in a CDDP-resistant cell line and a parental cell line. The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 demonstrated cytotoxic activity and enhanced the sensitivity of the cell lines to cisplatin, increasing apoptosis.
FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE-LANDMARK
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeeshan Fazal, Ratnakar Singh, Fang Fang, Emmanuel Bikorimana, Hannah Baldwin, Andrea Corbet, Megan Tomlin, Cliff Yerby, Nabil Adra, Costantine Albany, Sarah Lee, Sarah J. Freemantle, Kenneth P. Nephew, Brock C. Christensen, Michael J. Spinella
Summary: The study suggests that the global remodelling of DNA methylation is a key factor in mediating cisplatin hypersensitivity and resistance in TGCTs, emphasizing the potential for hypomethylation therapy in refractory TGCT patients.
Article
Pathology
Yan Zhou, Aimi Rothrock, Paari Murugan, Faqian Li, Lihong Bu
Summary: PRAME preferentially expresses in pure seminomas or the seminomatous component of mixed GCT, making it a potential diagnostic marker for seminomas.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marco De Martino, Paolo Chieffi, Francesco Esposito
Summary: Testicular germ cell tumors are the leading form of solid cancer and death among males aged 20 to 40. The deregulation of miRNAs plays a key role in TGCTs, making them potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for testicular tumors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zuzana Orszaghova, Katarina Kalavska, Michal Mego, Michal Chovanec
Summary: Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) are highly sensitive to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, but some patients develop cisplatin resistance. Multiple potential therapeutic targets have been identified, but their effectiveness in clinical trials remains limited.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kira Kirchner, Christoph Seidel, Finn-Ole Paulsen, Bianca Sievers, Carsten Bokemeyer, Davor Lessel
Summary: The CHEK2 gene is associated with susceptibility to testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and has moderate penetrance. The frequency of CHEK2 gene variants was found to be significantly higher in TGCT cases compared to the control group, and patients with CHEK2 variants developed TGCT at a younger age. Additionally, another CHEK2 variant related to TGCT susceptibility was identified.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milena Urbini, Sara Bleve, Giuseppe Schepisi, Cecilia Menna, Giorgia Gurioli, Caterina Gianni, Ugo De Giorgi
Summary: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy combinations have greatly improved the outcome of metastatic testicular germ cell tumor patients. However, predicting the prognosis of patients who relapse after first-line therapy remains complex. Molecular selection of patients and validated biomarkers are needed to improve risk stratification and identify novel therapeutic approaches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Jennifer King, Nabil Adra
Summary: The article discusses the history and efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplant in testicular germ cell tumors. It highlights that this treatment can effectively cure the majority of patients with relapsed disease.
CURRENT ONCOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Pathology
Charles C. Guo, Bogdan Czerniak
Summary: The development of somatic-type malignancy in testicular germ cell tumor is a major challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer. Most somatic-type malignancies are derived from teratoma and occur more frequently in metastases. Different histologic types can be observed, and their prognosis varies. Timely surgical resection is an effective treatment for most patients.
Article
Developmental Biology
Nicholas J. Webster, Rebecca L. Maywald, Susan M. Benton, Emily P. Dawson, Oscar D. Murillo, Emily L. LaPlante, Aleksandar Milosavljevic, Denise G. Lanza, Jason D. Heaney
Summary: NANOS2 plays a crucial role in coordinating the differentiation of germ cells, and its absence may increase susceptibility to tumors. Developmental phenotypes necessary for tumorigenesis typically occur in germ cells failing to express NANOS2.
Article
Cell Biology
Ruijing Sun, Eun Joo Lee, Seonock Lee, Gamin Kim, Jungho Kim
Summary: This study demonstrates that the Pin1 inhibitor KPT6566 has significant antiproliferative and antitumor effects in TGCT cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic approach for TGCTs.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Ratnakar Singh, Zeeshan Fazal, Sarah J. Freemantle, Michael J. Spinella
Summary: This minireview focuses on the role of epigenetics in testicular cancer, suggesting that epigenetic pathways may be utilized to tackle chemoresistance. The main genetic drivers of TGCT remain largely unknown, but there is increasing recognition of the important role of epigenetics in the etiology and chemosensitivity of TGCT.
Article
Oncology
Nianyu Xue, Guoyao Wang, Shengmin Zhang, Yijun Lu
Summary: Unlike younger patients, seminoma is not common in patients with primary testicular tumors over the age of 50. The diagnostic value of conventional ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in these patients was compared. The CEUS method showed higher accuracy in distinguishing between germ cell tumors and non-germ cell tumors.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Zeyad R. Schwen, James L. Liu, Andrew T. Gabrielson, Hiten D. Patel, Mohit Gupta, Steven P. Rowe, Amin S. Herati, Phillip M. Pierorazio
Summary: The study found that testicular ultrasound significantly underestimated the pathologic size of masses less than 2 cm, while tumor volume measurements may be more accurate in predicting benign pathology compared to maximum diameter measurements. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
WORLD JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Alena Furdova, Miron Sramka, Bozena Smolkova, Robert Furda, Denisa Jurenova, Paulina Plesnikova, Darina Lyskova
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Lucia Demkova, Andrea Soltysova, Viera Horvathova Kajabova, Zuzana Dankova, Karin Jasek, Dana Dvorska, Pavel Babal, Alena Furdova, Bozena Smolkova
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Andrea Soltysova, Patricia Begerova, Kristina Jakic, Katarina Kozics, Monika Sramkova, Eckart Meese, Bozena Smolkova, Alena Gabelova
Summary: The unique physicochemical properties of inorganic nanoparticles make them an exciting tool in diagnosis and disease management. However, their difficulty in degradation and excretion may lead to unintended accumulation in tissues and adverse health effects. This study provides a methylome-transcriptome framework for assessing the chronic effects of commonly used inorganic nanoparticles in human kidney cells, revealing deregulated genes related to immune response, DNA damage, and cancer pathways.
CELL BIOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lenka Kalinkova, Nataliia Nikolaieva, Bozena Smolkova, Sona Ciernikova, Karol Kajo, Vladimir Bella, Viera Horvathova Kajabova, Helena Kosnacova, Gabriel Minarik, Ivana Fridrichova
Summary: This study investigates the prognostic features for invasion and metastasis in breast cancer. It identifies miR-205-5p and ZEB1 gene as potential markers for metastatic potential in ductal breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Urbanova, Verona Buocikova, Lenka Trnkova, Sabina Strapcova, Viera Horvathova Kajabova, Emma Barreto Melian, Maria Novisedlakova, Miroslav Tomas, Peter Dubovan, Julie Earl, Jozef Bizik, Eliska Svastova, Sona Ciernikova, Bozena Smolkova
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by severe hypoxia, and DNA methylation plays an important role in PDAC aggressiveness and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Inhibiting DNA methylation can reactivate silenced genes and potentially be targeted for PDAC progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Verona Buocikova, Eleonora Marta Longhin, Eleftherios Pilalis, Chara Mastrokalou, Svetlana Miklikova, Marina Cihova, Alexandra Poturnayova, Katarina Mackova, Andrea Babelova, Lenka Trnkova, Naouale El Yamani, Congying Zheng, Ivan Rios-Mondragon, Martina Labudova, Lucia Csaderova, Kristina Mikus Kuracinova, Peter Makovicky, Lucia Kucerova, Miroslava Matuskova, Mihaela Roxana Cimpan, Maria Dusinska, Pavel Babal, Aristotelis Chatziioannou, Alena Gabelova, Elise Runden-Pran, Bozena Smolkova
Summary: This study investigates the impact of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors on the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to anthracycline antibiotics. The results demonstrate that this combination therapy can reduce tumor growth and decrease DNA methylation levels.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alena Opattova, Sabine A. S. Langie, Mirta Milic, Andrew Collins, Asgeir Brevik, Erdem Coskun, Maria Dusinska, Isabel Gaivao, Ela Kadioglu, Blanca Laffon, Ricard Marcos, Susana Pastor, Jana Slyskova, Bozena Smolkova, Zsofia Szilagyi, Vanessa Valdiglesias, Pavel Vodicka, Katarina Volkovova, Stefano Bonassi, Roger W. L. Godschalk
Summary: Levels of DNA damage represent the dynamics between damage formation and removal. A study analyzed a pooled database of studies with data on base excision repair (BER) to characterize an individual's ability to recognize and properly remove DNA damage. The study found significant sex differences in BER, with higher levels in women, and a relationship between BER and BMI. Moreover, higher BER activity was associated with lower levels of DNA damage detected by the comet assay. These findings highlight the importance of considering BER as a parallel endpoint in future studies.
MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Bozena Smolkova, Agapi Kataki, Julie Earl, Ignacio Ruz-Caracuel, Marina Cihova, Maria Urbanova, Verona Buocikova, Sandra Tamargo, Vita Rovite, Helvijs Niedra, Joerg Schrader, Yvonne Kohl
Summary: Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) pose significant management challenges, including late diagnosis, lack of early recurrence markers, difficulty in identifying potential benefit from adjuvant therapy, and timely treatment response assessment. Liquid biopsy, with its potential to refine pNEN diagnosis and personalize treatment, has been underexplored in this field. Preclinical research models are discussed in the context of biomarker research for pNENs.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ONCOLOGY HEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Nina Lamers-Kok, Denise Panella, Anna-Maria Georgoudaki, Haiping Liu, Didem Ozkazanc, Lucia Kucerova, Adil Doganay Duru, Jan Spanholtz, Monica Raimo
Summary: This review summarizes the clinical status of allogeneic NK cell-based therapies for hematological and solid tumors, discusses different cell sources, engineering methods, and combination therapies. It also reviews regulatory challenges and the competitive landscape, providing a comprehensive overview.
JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marcello Ceppi, Bozena Smolkova, Marta Staruchova, Alena Kazimirova, Magdalena Barancokova, Katarina Volkovova, Andrew Collins, Anton Kocan, Zuzana Dzupinkova, Alexandra Horska, Verona Buocikova, Jana Tulinska, Aurelia Liskova, Miroslava Lehotska Mikusova, Zora Krivosikova, Ladislava Wsolova, Daniel Kuba, Elise Runden-Pran, Naouale El Yamani, Eleonora Martha Longhin, Erika Halasova, Soterios Kyrtopoulos, Stefano Bonassi, Maria Dusinska
Summary: As part of a large human biomonitoring study, occupational monitoring was conducted in a glass fibre factory in Slovakia, comparing the exposure of shopfloor workers and administrators to glass fibres and PAHs. The study investigated the impact of exposure on various genetic factors and found that even low levels of exposure to these fibres can cause significant genetic damage.
MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS
(2023)
Review
Biology
Iveta Mikolaskova, Tatjana Crnogorac-Jurcevic, Bozena Smolkova, Luba Hunakova
Summary: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with a poor prognosis. This review evaluates the therapeutic potential of four natural products and a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in PDAC and diabetes treatment. The results showed effectiveness in diabetes treatment, but no significant improvement in PDAC patients. However, the natural products and diet have the potential to improve diabetes treatment and potentially reduce the risk of cancer development in PDAC patients.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Julie Earl, Agapi Kataki, Bozena Smolkova
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jana Jakubechova, Bozena Smolkova, Alena Furdova, Lucia Demkova, Ursula Altanerova, Andreas Nicodemou, Tatiana Zeleznikova, Daniela Klimova, Cestmir Altaner
Summary: This study focused on the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from uveal melanoma (UM) cells. UM cells were infected with a retrovirus carrying a suicide gene, resulting in continuous secretion of EVs containing mRNA of the suicide gene. These EVs were able to be internalized by tumor cells and convert a prodrug into a cytotoxic drug. The EVs not only had therapeutic effects on UM cells, but also inhibited the growth of other melanoma cell lines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Oncology
Andrea Soltysova, Dana Dvorska, Viera Horvathova Kajabova, Martina Pecimonova, Klaudia Cepcekova, Andrej Ficek, Lucia Demkova, Verona Buocikova, Pavel Babal, Ivan Juras, Katarina Janikova, Ivana Kasubova, Marek Samec, Dusan Brany, Darina Lyskova, Jela Valaskova, Zuzana Dankova, Bozena Smolkova, Alena Furdova
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
