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Neuro-oncology Aug 2021The fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS), published in 2021, is the sixth version of the international standard for the... (Review)
Review
The fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS), published in 2021, is the sixth version of the international standard for the classification of brain and spinal cord tumors. Building on the 2016 updated fourth edition and the work of the Consortium to Inform Molecular and Practical Approaches to CNS Tumor Taxonomy, the 2021 fifth edition introduces major changes that advance the role of molecular diagnostics in CNS tumor classification. At the same time, it remains wedded to other established approaches to tumor diagnosis such as histology and immunohistochemistry. In doing so, the fifth edition establishes some different approaches to both CNS tumor nomenclature and grading and it emphasizes the importance of integrated diagnoses and layered reports. New tumor types and subtypes are introduced, some based on novel diagnostic technologies such as DNA methylome profiling. The present review summarizes the major general changes in the 2021 fifth edition classification and the specific changes in each taxonomic category. It is hoped that this summary provides an overview to facilitate more in-depth exploration of the entire fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System.
Topics: Brain; Central Nervous System; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Humans; Pathology, Molecular; World Health Organization
PubMed: 34185076
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab106 -
Dermatologic Clinics Jan 2023Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer although surgery is often curative when combined with early screening and prevention. In recurrent or advanced cancer,... (Review)
Review
Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer although surgery is often curative when combined with early screening and prevention. In recurrent or advanced cancer, the emergence of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors has demonstrated promising clinical outcomes. Such approaches can remarkably halt the progression of disease for many years, although are limited by the acquisition of resistance. The development and approval of combination therapies has further changed the treatment paradigm for certain melanomas. This review focuses on the current state of melanoma epidemiology and recent advancements in melanoma screening, histopathological classification, staged excision (i.e. wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and Mohs micrographic surgery), and systemic treatment.
Topics: Humans; Molecular Medicine; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Mohs Surgery
PubMed: 36410983
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2022.07.017 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jun 2023
Review
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Molecular Medicine
PubMed: 37379136
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra2204787 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Osteoporosis is a major public health concern affecting millions of people worldwide and resulting in significant economic costs. The condition is characterized by... (Review)
Review
Osteoporosis is a major public health concern affecting millions of people worldwide and resulting in significant economic costs. The condition is characterized by changes in bone homeostasis, which lead to reduced bone mass, impaired bone quality, and an increased risk of fractures. The pathophysiology of osteoporosis is complex and multifactorial, involving imbalances in hormones, cytokines, and growth factors. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying osteoporosis is essential for appropriate diagnosis and management of the condition. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the normal cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone homeostasis, followed by an in-depth discussion of the proposed pathophysiology of osteoporosis through the osteoimmunological, gut microbiome, and cellular senescence models. Furthermore, the diagnostic tools used to assess osteoporosis, including bone mineral density measurements, biochemical markers of bone turnover, and diagnostic imaging modalities, are also discussed. Finally, both the current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment algorithms and management options for osteoporosis, including an exploration of the management of osteoporotic fragility fractures, are highlighted. This review reveals the need for further research to fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the condition and to develop more effective therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Humans; Pathology, Molecular; Osteoporosis; Osteoporotic Fractures; Bone Density; Bone and Bones
PubMed: 37834025
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914583 -
EMBO Molecular Medicine Nov 2020Sarcomas are heterogeneous and clinically challenging soft tissue and bone cancers. Although constituting only 1% of all human malignancies, sarcomas represent the... (Review)
Review
Sarcomas are heterogeneous and clinically challenging soft tissue and bone cancers. Although constituting only 1% of all human malignancies, sarcomas represent the second most common type of solid tumors in children and adolescents and comprise an important group of secondary malignancies. More than 100 histological subtypes have been characterized to date, and many more are being discovered due to molecular profiling. Owing to their mostly aggressive biological behavior, relative rarity, and occurrence at virtually every anatomical site, many sarcoma subtypes are in particular difficult-to-treat categories. Current multimodal treatment concepts combine surgery, polychemotherapy (with/without local hyperthermia), irradiation, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapeutics. Recent scientific advancements have enabled a more precise molecular characterization of sarcoma subtypes and revealed novel therapeutic targets and prognostic/predictive biomarkers. This review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the molecular biology of sarcomas and their effects on clinical oncology; it is meant for a broad readership ranging from novices to experts in the field of sarcoma.
Topics: Adolescent; Bone Neoplasms; Child; Humans; Molecular Medicine; Osteosarcoma; Sarcoma; Soft Tissue Neoplasms
PubMed: 33047515
DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911131 -
EMBO Molecular Medicine Apr 2017Incoming Chief Editor Philippe Sansonetti shares his vision of the role of the journal in the burgeoning areas of molecular medicine.
Incoming Chief Editor Philippe Sansonetti shares his vision of the role of the journal in the burgeoning areas of molecular medicine.
Topics: Editorial Policies; Humans; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Molecular Medicine; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Periodicals as Topic
PubMed: 28314782
DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201707746 -
Chemical Society Reviews Dec 2015
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Molecular Medicine; Neoplasms
PubMed: 26595319
DOI: 10.1039/c5cs90123e -
Journal of Experimental & Clinical... Jun 2020Accumulating evidence indicates that intratumoral heterogeneity contributes to the development of resistance to anticancer therapeutics. Fibroblasts, which are... (Review)
Review
Accumulating evidence indicates that intratumoral heterogeneity contributes to the development of resistance to anticancer therapeutics. Fibroblasts, which are components of the paraneoplastic stroma, play a crucial role in the wound-healing process. Activated fibroblasts accumulate in the wound and are involved in many aspects of the tissue remodeling cascade that initiates the repair process and prevents further tissue damage. The pathophysiological roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment have attracted increasing interest. CAFs play crucial roles in tumor progression and the response to chemotherapy. Several cytokines and chemokines are involved in the conversion of normal fibroblasts into CAFs, and some of these form a feedback loop between cancer cells and CAFs. In addition, the physical force between tumor cells and CAFs promotes cooperative invasion or co-migration of both types of cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), are secreted by both cancer cells and CAFs, and mediate the epigenetic modification of CAFs. This enhances the pro-tumorigenic function of CAFs mediated by promoting actomyosin contractility and extracellular matrix remodeling to form the tracks used for collective cancer cell migration. The concept of intra-tumoral CAF heterogeneity refers to the presence of inflammatory CAFs with low levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and high levels of IL-6 expression, which are in striking contrast to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-dependent myofibroblastic CAFs with high α-SMA expression levels. CAF populations that suppress tumor growth and progression through stroma-specific Hedgehog (Hh) activation have been detected in different murine tumor models including those of the bladder, colon, and pancreas. A new therapeutic strategy targeting CAFs is the "stromal switch," in which tumor-promoting CAFs are changed into tumor-retarding CAFs with attenuated stromal stiffness. Several molecular mechanisms that can be exploited to design personalized anticancer therapies targeting CAFs remain to be elucidated. Strategies aimed at targeting the tumor stroma as well as tumor cells themselves have attracted academic attention for their application in precision medicine. This novel review discusses the role of the activation of EGFR, Wnt/β-catenin, Hippo, TGF-β, and JAK/STAT cascades in CAFs in relation to the chemoresistance and invasive/metastatic behavior of cancer cells. For instance, although activated EGFR signaling contributes to collective cell migration in cooperation with CAFs, an activated Hippo pathway is responsible for stromal stiffness resulting in the collapse of neoplastic blood vessels. Therefore, identifying the signaling pathways that are activated under specific conditions is crucial for precision medicine.
Topics: Animals; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts; Humans; Neoplasms; Pathology, Molecular; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32546182
DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01611-0 -
Diagnostic Cytopathology Jan 2023In the era of personalized medicine, molecular testing plays a critical role in patient care. The rapid advance of molecular techniques, especially next-generation...
In the era of personalized medicine, molecular testing plays a critical role in patient care. The rapid advance of molecular techniques, especially next-generation sequencing, makes molecular diagnosis feasible in daily practice. Molecular testing can be used as a valuable ancillary test to increase diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, especially in small biopsy or cytology samples. In addition, molecular testing plays an important role in selecting patients for appropriate treatment by detecting therapeutic and predictive biomarkers in tissue or cytology samples. Molecular studies can be applied in all cytology samples, sometimes with better results than histology. As molecular testing has become essential for patient care and is often requested to be performed in cytology samples, it is critical for cytopathologists to understand the basics of molecular diagnostic methods, indications for molecular testing, and how to best utilize different cytologic samples for this purpose. In this special issue, experts in various areas of cytopathology and molecular pathology review the literature and discuss the basics of molecular techniques and the application of molecular testing in various types of cytology samples. It is our hope that after reading the articles in this special issue, the readers can know better about the possibilities of molecular cytology, a very exciting field of pathology.
Topics: Humans; Pathology, Molecular; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
PubMed: 36367273
DOI: 10.1002/dc.25071 -
Trends in Molecular Medicine Sep 2020
Topics: Humans; Molecular Medicine
PubMed: 32857967
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2020.07.003