Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) is a serine/threonine kinase which is activated upon DNA damage and is implicated in pathways that govern DNA repair, cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to the initial damage. Loss of kinase function has been correlated with different types of cancer, mainly breast cancer. CHEK2 functionality is affected by different missense or deleterious mutations. CHEK2*1100delC and I157T are most studied in populations all over the world. Although these variants have been identified in patients with breast cancer, their frequency raises doubts about their importance as risk factors. The present article reviews the recent advances in research on CHEK2 mutations, focusing on breast cancer, based on the latest experimental data.

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Background: The scientific community has proven the value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as a prognostic factor in the development of cancer and progress to metastases [1–4]. Simultaneously, a new type of cancer stem cell-like (CSC-like) cells has also been established as a progenitor of metastases and relapses in cancer patients [5, 6]. The present research attempts to support the hypothesis that CTCs have all the cellular hallmarks of CSC-like cells which play a crucial role in cancer spreading. Materials and Methods: Two methods have been chosen: a cellular-based and a molecular-based method. The first method is based on the fact that CSCs form microspheres in culture. In the second method, microspheres develop in the presence of specific markers that define the CSC phenotype [6]. Results: In cellular-based assays, it has been shown that microspheres form in semi-suspension in a culture flask. In the second panel of the test, Nanog was chosen as a marker and the tested sample was positive when grown under specific conditions. Conclusion: Our analysis has demonstrated that in this particular case, CSCs-like cells are included in the vast majority of CTCs.

BackgroundClinical and experimental data suggest an association between the presence of bacterial and/or fungal infection and the development of different types of cancer, independently of chemotherapy-induced leukopenia. This has also been postulated for the development of lung cancer, however the prevalence and the exact species of the bacteria and fungi implicated, have not yet been described.AimTo determine the presence of bacterial and fungal microflora in surgically extracted samples of patients with lung cancer.Materials and methodsIn this single-center prospective, observational study, tissue samples were surgically extracted from 32 consecutive patients with lung cancer, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to identify the presence of bacteria and fungi strains.ResultsThe analysis of the electrophoresis data pointed out diversity between the samples and the strains that were identified. Mycoplasma strains were identified in all samples. Strains that appeared more often were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mitis and Bacillus strains, followed in descending frequency by Chlamydia, Candida, Listeria, and Haemophilus influenza. In individual patients Legionella pneumophila and Candida tropicalis were detected.ConclusionsA diversity of pathogens could be identified in surgically extracted tissue samples of patients with lung cancer, with mycoplasma strains being present in all samples. These results point to an etiologic role for chronic infection in lung carcinogenesis. Confirmation of these observations and additional studies are needed to further characterize the etiologic role of inflammation in lung carcinogenesis.

BackgroundPlatinum derivatives are used widely for the treatment of many cancers. However, the toxicity that is observed makes imperative the need for new drugs, or new combinations. Anvirzel™ is an extract which has been demonstrated with experimental data that displays anticancer activity. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the combination of Cisplatin and Anvirzel™ has a synergistic effect against different types of cancer.Materials and methodsTo measure the efficacy of treatment with Cisplatin and Anvirzel™, methyl-tetrazolium dye (MTT) chemosensitivity assays were used incorporating established human cancer cell lines. Measurements were performed in triplicates, three times, using different incubation times and different concentrations of the two formulations in combination or on their own. t-test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsIn the majority of the cell lines tested, lower concentrations of Anvirzel™ induced a synergistic effect when combined with low concentrations of Cisplatin after an incubation period of 48 to 72 h. The combination of Anvirzel™/Cisplatin showed anti-proliferative effects against a wide range of tumours.ConclusionThe results showed that the combination of Anvirzel™ and Cisplatin is more effective than monotherapy, even when administered at low concentrations; thus, undesirable toxic effects can be avoided.

Emergence of coronaviruses poses a threat to global health and economy. The current outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 28,000,000 people and killed more than 915,000. To date, there is no treatment for coronavirus infections, making the development of therapies to prevent future epidemics of paramount importance. To this end, we collected information regarding naturally-occurring variants of the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), an epithelial receptor that both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 use to enter the host cells. We built 242 structural models of variants of human ACE2 bound to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike glycoprotein (S protein) and refined their interfaces with HADDOCK. Our dataset includes 140 variants of human ACE2 representing missense mutations found in genome-wide studies, 39 mutants with reported effects on the recognition of the RBD, and 63 predictions after computational alanine scanning mutagenesis of ACE2-RBD interface residues. This dataset will help accelerate the design of therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, as well as contribute to prevention of possible future coronaviruses outbreaks.

The above experimental data suggest the possible interaction between the four different receptors of Notch signaling pathway. The expression of CD26, cMET and N-methyltransferase Setmar was also changed. Finally, the stemness phenotype was changed in a different way each time, according to the receptor that was down regulated. All Notch receptors and particularly Notch-2 seem to play an important role in cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cell-like cells (CSCs) are cancer cells that have the ability of self-renewal and differentiation into multiple malignant cell types (hierarchy). Thus, can cause relapses and metastasis. CSCs' phenotype is defined by special transcription factors such as Nanog, Oct3/4, Sox2, Nestin, and CD34. The present study aims to determine the change in gene expression of the above markers in correlation with the stage of the disease in breast cancer patients. Initially, whole blood samples from patients with breast cancer were collected, followed by the isolation and culture of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). This was followed by the quantification of CSCs from the above cultures. CSCs' molecular analysis was performed with qPCR, with the use of gene specific primers. At the same time of the analysis, the clinical assessments of the patients were requested from their physicians. The results indicated a linear relationship between the gene expression of stemness markers and the stage of the disease, as well as specific expression patterns by stage. It seems that these genes have an important role in the progression of the disease, thus they might be target for new treatment approaches.