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Introduction: In clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), intravascular extension often results in neoplastic thrombus formation, impacting patient outcomes., Material and Methods: We assessed P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) expression in the primary tumours and thrombi of 82 ccRCC patients., Results: Notably, PSGL-1 expression varied between tumour compartments, with higher prevalence in thrombus tumour cells (TC) and primary tumour-associated immune cells (TAIC). Positive TC PSGL-1 correlated with high-grade histology, while TAIC PSGL-1 was associated with tumour necrosis. Univariate survival analysis identified PSGL-1 positivity in TC of primary tumours and TAIC in thrombi as indicators of poorer overall survival. These findings suggest a potential role for PSGL-1 in the mediation of tumour thrombus formation, highlighting its relevance in biology of ccRCC., Conclusions: The increased expression of PSGL-1 in venous thrombi suggests its potential role in facilitating TC interactions with platelets and endothelium, potentially contributing to metastatic spread and worse outcomes. Understanding these expression patterns may aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies and personalised treatment approaches for ccRCC patients., Competing Interests: None., (Copyright © 2024 Termedia.)

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) on the expression of immune-related genes and prognosis in single hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Material and methods: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were analysed according to the guidelines of the International TILs Working Group in a cohort of 206 patients with single hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Of these, 44.7% were classified as ER+/PgR-/HER2-, 18.4% as ER+/PgR-/HER2+, 26.2% as ER-/PgR+/HER2-, and 10.7% as ER-/PgR+/HER2+. Moreover, in 52 samples the analysis of gene expression profiling was performed using nCounter technology., Results: Most cases (74.3%) showed at least 1% of stromal TILs, with a median of 4%, mean of 16.3%, and interquartile range of 0-20%. ER-/PgR+ tumours displayed significantly higher TILs density than ER+/PgR- cases (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon test), regardless of HER2 status. The abundance of TILs was positively associated with ER-/PgR+ phenotype, higher Ki-67, and higher grade, but not with age, tumour size, or regional and distant metastases at diagnosis. Additionally, in ER+/PgR- subgroup higher TILs were associated with HER2-positive status. Stromal TILs > 5% were associated with better survival in the whole group, but this effect was less prominent in ER-/PgR+ patients. We identified 50 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between single hormone receptor-positive breast tumours with high and low TILs, including 39 up-regulated and 11 down-regulated genes in the high TILs group., Conclusions: The up-regulated expression of immune-related genes was consistent also among separately analysed single hormone receptor-positive groups (ER+/PgR- and ER-/PgR+)., Competing Interests: None., (Copyright © 2024 Termedia.)

Introduction: Galectin-9, a β-galactoside-binding protein, might be a potential target in cancer personalized therapy, but contradicting data exist regarding its prognostic significance in malignancy. Previous studies showed low or absent expression of galectin-9 on tumour cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); thus, we aimed to assess the prognostic impact of its expression on tumour-associated immune cells (TAICs)., Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 62 patients with OSCC. Tissue microarrays were constructed with chemo- and radiotherapy-naïve tissue samples and stained with anti-galectin-9 antibody. Cytoplasmic reactions in TAICs were counted as positive, and the percentage of galectin-9-positive cells was calculated., Results: The expression of galectin-9 was not associated with any demographic factors, other than diabetes mellitus type 2, for which there were lower levels of expression (p = 0.029). Higher levels of galectin-9 were associated with less locally advanced tumours (p = 0.023) and lack of nodal metastases (p = 0.014). Galectin-9 expression positively correlated with PD-L1 expression on TAICs (p = 0.009). Patients with > 50% galectin-9-positive cells were determined to have a superior 5-year overall survival ( p = 0.029)., Conclusions: Future studies are necessary to investigate the effects of galectin-9 on the tumour micro-environment, and galectin-9-targeted treatment may be considered, especially with its correlation to PD-L1 in OSCC., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Termedia.)

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancerous lesion in the oral cavity. During recent years, no significant reduction in the survival rate has been observed., Aim: To systematically review the literature and to summarise correlations between B7 family proteins and prognosis in OSCC., Material and Methods: A systematic review of the literature about B7-H1 (PD-L1) and B7-DC (PD-L2) was carried out, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Thirty-six articles published before 22 May 2020 were included in the systematic review., Results: The biggest study group consisted of 305 patients and the smallest - 10 patients. PD-L1 proved to be a prognostic factor in patients with OSCC. Immunohistochemistry was the most commonly used diagnostic method., Conclusions: Any mutations in the gene encoding PD-L1 and quantitative or functional changes in the status of PD-L1 may be important in the prognosis of OSCC., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

Introduction: Longitudinal melanonychia (LM) is characterized by a tan, brown or black longitudinal streak within nail plate caused by the presence of melanin. LM is relatively common in dark-skinned population, infrequent in Caucasian population, and rare in children., Aim: We report epidemiological, clinicopathological and dermoscopic analysis of 8 cases of childhood LM from Poland, which is the largest series in the Central and Eastern European population., Material and Methods: Three hundred and forty-eight patients presenting with various nail pigmentation (in 2010-2016) were analysed. 72 cases of LM have been identified, including 8 cases of childhood LM (< 16 years of age), which were included in further analysis., Results: Seven patients were boys and one girl, with mean age of 9 years (range: 6-13). More than a half ( n = 5) presented skin phototype II. The most common location of melanonychia was the first left fingernail. Dermoscopy revealed heterogeneity of longitudinal lines colour in 5 cases. The irregularity of longitudinal line thickness in 5 cases and irregularity of parallelism in 5 cases was observed. Histopathological evaluation was performed in 4 patients, in 3 cases it revealed the presence of nail matrix nevus, in one case the presence of melanocytic proliferation of the lentiginous pattern along the dermoepidermal junction., Conclusions: Despite the fact that melanoma was not recognised in any case, such a possibility should always be considered as the cause of LM, even in the paediatric population. Dermoscopy seems to be useful in patient follow-up and management., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2019 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

Introduction: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare, ANCA-associated, systemic disease characterized by necrotizing small and medium vessel vasculitis of unknown etiology associated with granulomatous inflammation affecting the renal, pulmonary, upper airways, ocular systems and other tissues. Histological proof of the granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) can be obtained by biopsy of clinically involved sites. The main purpose of this study was to examine histopathological changes in non-renal biopsies from patients with established diagnosis of GPA and evaluated the histological confirmation at diagnosis of this disease., Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in patients with GPA diagnosed and treated in clinics of the University Clinical Center (UCK) in Gdansk in 1988-2009., Results: In the analyzed group of GPA patients the histopathological examination of biopsies taken from involved tissues (except kidney) was performed in 60% of patients. Thirty-six out of 93 biopsies (39%) were diagnosed as typical of GPA, 10 (10.7%) were suggestive and 51 (54.8%) were non-specific. Considering all biopsies, the diagnosis was confirmed in 24 patients (57% of patients in whom biopsies were taken). Epitheloid cell granulomas were present in 33 biopsies (43%), characteristic necrosis in 27 biopsies (35%), small vessel vasculitis in 18 biopsies (23%), while multinucleated giant cells were identified only in 9 biopsies (12%)., Conclusions: Histopathological examination of the affected tissues remains the gold standard of the diagnosis of GPA. Its usefulness increases, particularly in ANCA-negative patients, in the initial phase of the disease, or in patients with atypical clinical presentation. In many cases, it is necessary to repeat biopsy to establish the diagnosis. The role of the histopathological examination seems to be particularly important when ANCA is negative or clinical symptoms are atypical of GPA., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.