In response to various stimuli, neutrophils and eosinophils can release neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) consisting of proteolytic enzymes, DNA and other components of the cell nucleus. The NETosis process has been characterized as a mechanism of programmed cell death, which leads to chromatin decondensation and disintegration of organelles, followed by lysis of the cell membrane. In recent years the significant role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of cancer has been highlighted. The presence of two subpopulations of TAN with different phenotypes and functions - acting antitumor "N1" and the pro-cancerous "N2" - has been discovered. By the release of cytokines and chemokines neutrophils may affect angiogenesis and contribute to escape of tumor cells from immune surveillance. Interactions between cells and the microenvironment are of vital importance both for the preservation of homeostasis in normal tissue and tumor growth. They affect the initiation of disease progression and prognosis. The impact of NETosis on the process of metastasis is evaluated in the context of the functions of the individual components of the NET (MMP-9, CG, NE). Furthermore, presumably the pro- or anti-tumor effect of NETosis depends on many factors including the status of the immune system or tumor microenvironment. Probably the cancer cells can be captured by the NET microenvironment in the same manner as microorganisms. However, the high concentration of proteins released during NETosis can induce their proliferation and inhibit apoptosis, thus promoting tumor growth. A better understanding of NETosis function in tumor progression may lead to the emergence of new prognostic factors and targets for therapy in many types of cancer.

BackgroundPatients with uterine malignancies (UM) are at a higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than the general population. The malignancy itself, the treatment modalities including medication, surgery and also increased levels of leukocytes, platelets, and tissue factor-positive microvesicles contribute to the risk of developing VTE.ObjectivesSeveral authors have shown that the antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) can be detected in peripheral blood of patients (pts) with malignancies. However, whether or not the aPLs could induce thrombosis in pts with UM is not yet known.The aim of our study was to determine whether the presence of aPLs in patients with uterine malignancies is associated with higher VTE risk than in pts with non-cancer gynecological disorders (NCGD). MethodsThe study involved 151 female pts scheduled for gynecological surgery divided into two groups:Group I with UM (70 pts) confirmed by histopathological examination after surgery; group II with non-cancer gynecological disorders (NCGD) (81pts). The presence of aPLs was detected in patients’ serum before surgery using the commercially available test aPL-immunodot assay Anti-Phospholipid 10 Dot, for the qualitative detection of IgG or IgM antibodies. The statistical data analysis was performed using Statistica v13.0.The following aPLs were assessed in the study groups: IgM and IgG of a- cardiolipin; a-phosphatidic acid; a-phosphatidylcholine; a-phosphatidylethanolamine; a- phosphatidylglycerol; a-phosphatidylinositol; a-phosphatidylserine; a-annexin V; a-ß 2-GP I and a-prothrombin.ResultsThe VTE occurred significantly more frequently in pts with UM, compared to pts with NCGD.In UM group VTE was diagnosed before surgery in 9/70 (12.9%) pts; in NCGD group VTE was diagnosed in 3/81 (3.7%) pts, p=0.0001.We have obtained positive test results for classic and novel aPLs significantly more frequently in group I pts with UM (mainly a-ß 2-GP I IgM and IgG; a-prothrombin IgM, a-annexin V IgM) than in group-II NCGD pts. The positive test for classic or novel aPLs was detected in 17/70 pts with UM (24,3%) and in 6/81 pts with NCGD (7.4%). The differences were statistically significant (p=0.003). All pts with thrombosis in group I (9 pts UM) were positive for at least 3 aPls (a-ß 2-GP I IgM and IgG; a-prothrombin IgM, a-annexin V IgM).ConclusionThe classic and novel aPLs are found more frequently in pts with uterine malignancies than in pts with non-cancer gynecological disorders. The higher risk of thrombosis is connected with malignancy and the presence of classic and novel aPLs.The better understanding of the relationships between thrombosis in cancer patients and its immunological determinants (presence of aPLs) may lead to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with thrombosis in cancer and non-cancer gynecological disorders. We suggest that aPLs could be a novel biomarker of thrombosis risk in gynecological malignancies.Disclosure of InterestsAndrzej Majdan: None declared, Magdalena Dryglewska: None declared, Jan Kotarski: None declared, ...

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Background Calprotectin (S100A8/A9 or myeloid-related protein 8/14) is a heterodimeric S100 complex expressed in leukocytes. Calprotectin participates in development of the inflammatory response by binding to receptors for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and Toll-like receptors (TLR). The clinical activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is evaluated using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). This Polish single-center case-control study aimed to evaluate serum levels of calprotectin as a rapid diagnostic biomarker of SLE (59 patients with SLE were compared with 52 healthy controls). Material/Methods Calprotectin concentration was measured with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The SLE activity of the patients was assessed by the SLEDAI scale. Statistical analysis of the results was carried out using MedCalc 15.8 software. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A significantly higher concentration of calprotectin was found in the study group compared to the control group (medians: 3.11 vs 2.45 ng/ml; P =0.0013). We found that calprotectin has high sensitivity (89.83%) and specificity (53.85%) in differentiating between SLE patients and healthy volunteers. We found that calprotectin has very high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (82.46%) in detection of patients with moderate and severe SLE assessed using SLEDAI. Conclusions Consistent with previous studies, serum calprotectin level was revealed to have potential as a rapid diagnostic biomarker of disease activity in patients with SLE.

A rare case of aortic involvement in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) evaluated in contrast-enhanced ultrasound, superb microvascular imaging and magnetic resonance