Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background: The relationship between occupational sun exposure and melanoma risk is complex and multifaceted, with existing evidence yielding contradictory findings. Unlike Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC), for which occupational sun exposure is a well-established risk factor, the link with cutaneous melanoma remains contentious. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate whether, in a cohort of patients with cutaneous melanoma, an association existed between occupational sun exposure and melanoma, specifically with histotype, site of occurrence, and Breslow index. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis conducted to evaluate whether occupational sun exposure constitutes a risk factor for the development of cutaneous melanoma in patients diagnosed between January 2005 and October 2023 at the Dermatology Unit, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Florence. Occupational ultraviolet (UV) exposure was examined by classifying each participant’s job into categories based on solar UV exposure levels—outdoor (e.g., agriculture and construction roles), mixed indoor/outdoor (e.g., trades and public safety professions), and indoor settings (e.g., office-based work). Results: A final total of 1417 patients were analyzed. Occupational categorization revealed that 1171 patients (82.64%) were classified as non-occupationally exposed (indoor), while 246 (17.36%) were occupationally exposed to solar UV radiation (including 14.82% mixed indoor/outdoor and 2.54% outdoor workers). A significant association was observed between occupational sun exposure and lentigo maligna, which was more prevalent among exposed workers and even more so in the outdoor subgroup. Anatomical site distribution exhibited a significant association with occupational sun exposure. Indeed occupationally exposed individuals showed a higher prevalence of melanomas in the head and neck region, a distribution pattern particularly evident among outdoor workers, suggesting that these sites may be more susceptible to chronic sun exposure in outdoor and mixed occupations. Moreover, a significant association was found between occupational exposure and Breslow thickness, with exposed workers presenting with thicker melanomas at diagnosis, suggesting more advanced disease. Conclusions: The finding of this study may reflect variations in occupational sun exposure patterns and warrants further investigation into protective measures and early-detection strategies tailored to occupational groups.

Cutaneous and mucosal angiosarcoma (CMA) is a rare and aggressive tumor of vascular endothelial cells that can occur in any body site, including the skin and mucosa. A history of radiation and chronic lymphedema are well-established risk factors, but the causes of sporadic CMA are less clear. Dermoscopy has emerged as a useful noninvasive tool that can aid in diagnosing cutaneous tumors, including CMA, by providing magnified images of the skin surface and subsurface structures. However, to date, little is known about the dermoscopic patterns of CMA. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and dermatoscopic features of CMA in order to create a classification that can be useful in the early diagnosis of this rare but fearful tumor. A descriptive, retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of histopathologically confirmed cases of CMA. The study population consisted of 10 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of CMA, including 6 males (60%) and 4 females (40%). By analyzing our cases clinically and dermoscopically, we classify them into three configurations to facilitate an early and more accurate diagnosis: melanoma-like pattern, benign vascular-like pattern (both cutaneous and mucosal), and inflammatory-like pattern. The identification of CMA poses a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians, as its clinical presentation often overlaps with other benign and malignant dermatological conditions. Dermoscopy, although it does not provide specific or pathognomonic parameters, may improve the diagnostic accuracy of these lesions in conjunction with clinical and histological features. For the first time in the literature, we have attempted to classify the extreme clinical and dermoscopic polymorphism of angiosarcoma by describing three patterns that can be extremely useful for achieving an early and accurate diagnosis of this fearsome and aggressive tumor.

Most of the literature describing sun protection for children is based on population surveys and questionnaires, and these have shown that parents have considerable knowledge about sun exposure, its correlation with skin cancer, and proper protection. We conducted research to evaluate the habits not of the individual but of the families and the degree to which children and their parents understand sun protection and sun exposure. A cross-sectional descriptive study included the parents of children aged 8 to 10 years attending primary schools. Each student was given a simple questionnaire by the teacher and was instructed to take it to their parents for completion. The questions addressed the type and duration of vacation, knowledge of damage that can be caused by sun exposure, and the use of sun protection devices both in the city and in other situations. Of the 2,985 distributed questionnaires, 1,288 were returned, resulting in a final sample of 1,288 families included in the analysis. Most families reported taking either one week (44%) or two weeks (41%) of holiday. During holidays, 53% stated that they applied sunscreen more than once per day on days with typical sun exposure; however, 72% reported adopting no additional preventive measures during outdoor activities. Considering that most families take no more than two weeks of holiday per year, they remain without adequate protection during outdoor activities for approximately 97% of the year. This suggests a need for more targeted education and awareness campaigns, emphasizing the importance of sun protection measures in various settings, including urban environments and year-round activities.

Despite being early-stage tumors, thin cutaneous melanomas contribute significantly to mortality and have a rising incidence. A retrospective case–control study was performed to identify clinical–dermoscopic and histopathological variables linked to local and distant metastases in melanomas ≤0.8 mm. Data from 1 January 2000 to 22 June 2022 were analyzed from two Italian skin cancer referral centers. Sixteen patients with ≤0.8 mm melanomas developing metastases were studied compared to controls without metastases over 5 years. Statistical analysis involved Pearson’s chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test. Of the 1396 cases, 1.1% progressed. The median diagnosis age was 49 (range 28–83), with 56.3% men and 43.7% women. The torso was the primary tumor site (43.7%). Clinically, lesions were pigmented (>10 mm diameter: 73.3%, ≥3 colors: 80%). Dermoscopically, the common features were white patches (73.3%), atypical vascular patterns (66.5%), blue-gray areas (60%) and absent pigment networks (60%). Histopathologically, all cases had adverse features like regression (87.4%), dermal mitoses (50%), a vertical growth phase (62.5%) and ulceration (12.5%). These findings were statistically significant compared to controls (p < 0.05). In ≤0.8 mm melanomas, specific clinical–dermoscopic traits might indicate higher metastatic potential when paired with adverse histopathological features.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) constitute a group of highly reactive molecules that have evolved as regulators of important signaling pathways. It is now well accepted that moderate levels of ROS are required for several cellular functions, including gene expression. The production of ROS is elevated in tumor cells as a consequence of increased metabolic rate, gene mutation and relative hypoxia, and excess ROS are quenched by increased antioxidant enzymatic and nonenzymatic pathways in the same cells. Moderate increases of ROS contribute to several pathologic conditions, among which are tumor promotion and progression, as they are involved in different signaling pathways and induce DNA mutation. However, ROS are also able to trigger programmed cell death (PCD). Our review will emphasize the molecular mechanisms useful for the development of therapeutic strategies that are based on modulating ROS levels to treat cancer. Specifically, we will report on the growing data that highlight the role of ROS generated by different metabolic pathways as Trojan horses to eliminate cancer cells.Cancer: A Trojan horse to kill cancer cellsHighly reactive molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which at low levels are natural regulators of important signaling pathways in cells, might be recruited to act as “Trojan horses” to kill cancer cells. Researchers in Italy led by Bruno Perillo of the Institute of Food Sciences in Avelllino review the growing evidence suggesting that stimulating production of natural ROS species could become useful in treating cancer. Although ROS production is elevated in cancer cells it can also promote a natural process called programmed cell death. This normally regulates cell turnover, but could be selectively activated to target diseased cells. The authors discuss molecular mechanisms underlying the potential anti-cancer activity of various ROS-producing strategies, including drugs and light-stimulated therapies. They expect modifying the production of ROS to have potential for developing new treatments.

KCI Citation Count: 0

Genes are not randomly dispersed within the nuclear space, instead they occupy precise sites either with respect to the nuclear lamina as well as to each other. This observation stands at the basis of the today well accepted concept of nuclear territories where any chromosome shows reproducible spatial connections with a selection of others in a general picture that meets a functional criterion where genes that answer the same stimuli are grouped in the same sites. In fact, transcription is not visible widely dispersed throughout the nucleus but is gathered in several 'granules', called transcription factories that accommodates ~10 genes concurrently transcribed. This dynamic behavior of chromosomes is allowed by changes in chromatin plasticity that are governed by several classes of proteins that either modify its building or induce post-translational modifications in the protein component of nucleosomes, triggering formation of chromosome loops that modify the location of specific sites along the DNA strand. For example, transcription associated to nuclear receptors benefits of the generation of nuclear ROS that induce nicks following activation of the DNA repair apparatus that enhance helix unfolding and chromosome bridging. In the present review, the role that protocols facing elucidation of chromosome architecture are playing and will play in the near future were highlighted in order to investigate composition of the transcription factories assembled in response of a specific trigger: The estrogen-sensitive transcription was cited but the authors are convinced that the same portrait will be observed with a multitude of (if not all) other stimuli.

Despite the considerable efforts in screening and diagnostic protocols, prostate cancer still represents the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Many patients with localized disease and low risk of recurrence have a favourable outcome. In a substantial proportion of patients, however, the disease progresses and becomes aggressive. The mechanisms that promote prostate cancer progression remain still debated. Many findings point to the role of cross-communication between prostate tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment during the disease progression. Such a connection fosters survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, metastatic spreading and drug-resistance of prostate cancer. Recent years have seen a profound interest in understanding the way by which prostate cancer cells communicate with the surrounding cells in the microenvironment. In this regard, direct cell-to-cell contacts and soluble factors have been identified. Increasing evidence indicates that PC cells communicate with the surrounding cells through the release of extracellular vesicles, mainly the exosomes. By directly acting in stromal or prostate cancer epithelial cells, exosomes represent a critical intercellular communication system. By querying the public database ( https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ) for the past 10 years, we have found more than four hundred papers. Among them, we have extrapolated the most relevant about the role of exosomes in prostate cancer malignancy and progression. Emerging data concerning the use of these vesicles in diagnostic management and therapeutic guidance of PC patients are also presented. Graphical Abstract 1DqfFXj5THWfvfM5dL2yCu Video Abstract

Prostate cancer (PC) remains a widespread malignancy in men. Since the androgen/androgen receptor (AR) axis is associated with the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, suppression of AR-dependent signaling by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) still represents the primary intervention for this disease. Despite the initial response, prostate cancer frequently develops resistance to ADT and progresses. As such, the disease becomes metastatic and few therapeutic options are available at this stage. Although the majority of studies are focused on the role of AR signaling, compelling evidence has shown that estrogens and their receptors control prostate cancer initiation and progression through a still debated mechanism. Epithelial versus mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in metastatic spread as well as drug-resistance of human cancers, and many studies on the role of this process in prostate cancer progression have been reported. We discuss here the findings on the role of estrogen/estrogen receptor (ER) axis in epithelial versus mesenchymal transition of prostate cancer cells. The pending questions concerning this issue are presented, together with the impact of the available data in clinical management of prostate cancer patients.

Background There is a clinical need to identify early predictors for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC and GEJC). Radiomics involves extracting quantitative features from medical images. This study aimed to apply radiomics to build prediction models for the response to NAC. Methods All consecutive patients with non-metastatic GC and GEJC undergoing NAC and surgical resection in an Italian high-volume referral center between 2005 and 2021 were considered eligible. In patients selected, the CT scans performed upon staging were reviewed to segment the tumor and extract radiomic features using MODDICOM. The primary endpoint was to develop and validate radiomic-based predictive models to identify major responders (MR: tumor regression grade TRG 1–2) and non-responders (NR: TRG 4–5) to NAC. Following an initial feature selection, radiomic and combined radiomic-clinicopathologic prediction models were built for the MR or NR status based on logistic regressions. Internal validation was performed for each model. Radiomic models (in the entire case series and according to NAC regimens) were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and negative predictive value (NPV). Results The study included 77 patients undergoing NAC and subsequent tumor resection. The MR prediction model after all types of NAC (AUC of 0.876, CI 95% 0.786 − 0.966, sensitivity 83%, and NPV 96%) was based on a statistical feature. The models predicting NR among patients undergoing epirubicin with cisplatin and fluorouracil (ECF), epirubicin with oxaliplatin and capecitabin (EOX), or fluorouracil with oxaliplatin and docetaxel (FLOT) (AUC 0.760, CI 95% 0.639–0.882), oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (AUC 0.810, CI 95% 0.692–0.928), and FLOT (AUC 0.907, CI 95% 0.818 − 0.995) were based on statistical, morphological and textural features. Conclusions The developed radiomic models resulted promising in predicting the response to different neoadjuvant chemotherapy strategies. Once further implemented on larger datasets, they could be valuable and cost-effective instruments to target multimodal treatment in patients with GC.