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Background/Objectives: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with an emerging molecular classification based on the expression of the transcription factors ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3. This study aimed to explore the relationship between these novel subtypes and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), particularly CD8+ and CD4+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Methods: In 51 cases of patients with SCLC, immunohistochemical (IHC) stains for ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3, CD56, Ki67, CD8, and CD4 were performed. H-scores for the novel transcription factors were calculated to determine tumor subtype. CD8+ and CD4+ TIL counts were averaged across 10 high-power fields. The Kruskal–Wallis test and subsequent post hoc Dunn tests were used to determine the differences in transcription factor expression and TILs across subtypes. Results: In our cohort, 68.62% of our cases were SCLC-A, 9.80% were SCLC-N, 7.84% were SCLC-P, and 13.72% were SCLC-I. Significant differences were observed in the expression of ASCL1, NEUROD1, and POU2F3 across subtypes. CD8+ TILs were more abundant in SCLC-P and SCLC-I. CD8+ TILs were negatively correlated with ASCL1 expression (p < 0.05) and positively correlated with POU2F3 expression (p < 0.005). Conclusions: This study highlights the need to integrate the novel SCLC classification with data regarding the TIME to better inform patient prognosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sigmoid diverticulitis is a common disease characterized by a well-standardized diagnostic approach and treatment. Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide, irrespective of gender. In 2020, CRC global-related mortality rate was estimated at 935 173 cases, with an incidence of 9.3% in men and 9.5% in women. The diagnosis of acute diverticulitis is always made by performing a contrast-enhanced-computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen. Current diagnosis guidelines do not recommend the use of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for further and more precise assessment of a suspected sigmoid diverticulitis diagnosed by CT. Early lower-gastrointestinal (lower-GI) endoscopy is rarely conducted; thus, the diagnosis delay could have a negative impact over the oncological outcome of the disease. Few and scarce data can be found related to this issue, with only a recent Swedish study paying attention towards early identification of neoplastic disease residing on a background of sigmoid diverticulitis, facilitated by MRI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of systematically performing an abdominal MRI included in the primary assessment of acute diverticulitis already diagnosed by CT, in order to argument in favor of an early lower-GI endoscopy where a positive MRI for neoplasia is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer (LC) is a highly invasive malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as its most prevalent histological subtype. Despite all breakthroughs achieved in drug development, the prognosis of NSCLC remains poor. The mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade (MAPKC) is a complex network of interacting molecules that can drive oncogenesis, cancer progression, and drug resistance when dysregulated. Over the past decades, MAPKC components have been used to design MAPKC inhibitors (MAPKCIs), which have shown varying efficacy in treating NSCLC. Thus, recent studies support the potential clinical use of MAPKCIs, especially in combination with other therapeutic approaches. This article provides an overview of the MAPKC and its inhibitors in the clinical management of NSCLC. It addresses the gaps in the current literature on different combinations of selective inhibitors while suggesting two particular therapy approaches to be researched in NSCLC: parallel and aggregate targeting of the MAPKC. This work also provides suggestions that could serve as a potential guideline to aid future research in MAPKCIs to optimize clinical outcomes in NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm worldwide, with more than 2.2 million cases and 680,000 deaths each year. Despite all clinical advances, the prognosis of patients with metastatic disease remains poor, with a five-year survival rate of 25%. Breast tumors profiling has led to the association of microRNAs with various biological processes such as the immune response, a reaction specific to early stages, highlighting their potential as prognostic biomarkers. In this regard, based on a molecular interaction network and on an in silico expression analysis, our study evaluated the abundance level of miR-21-5p, miR-155-5p and miR-181a-5p, looking for its correlation with the immune profile rendered by CCL20, EGR1, TGF-β and TNF-α genes in 30 cases of stage T1/2 breast cancer. According to our results, both the panel of microRNAs and genes associated with proinflammatory reactions were found to be overexpressed in tumor tissues compared to non-tumoral ones. Moreover, according to literature, CCL20, EGR1, TGF-β and TNF-α genes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of breast cancer. Therefore, the overexpression of miR-21-5p, miR-155-5p and miR-181a-5p could have a negative prognostic value in early stages and could help stratify patients. However, our observations require further validations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]