Introduction:Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) induces inflammatory reactions in peripheral tissues but its regulatory effects in target tissues is dependent on receptor signalling. Substance P (SP) has a high affinity for the NK-1R, to which it binds preferentially. We aimed to investigate the expression of NK-1R in World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 astrocytomas as well as in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and urothelial carcinoma, and its association with disease progression. Material and methods: The study included tissue samples from 19 brain astrocytomas, 40 OSCCs and 10 urothelial carcinomas. NK-1R expression was quantitatively assessed in the tumour cells using immunohistochemistry. The relationship between NK-1R expression in astrocytomas and recurrence-free interval has been explored. Results: The results showed that the NK-1R was intensely expressed in patients with WHO grade 4 astrocytoma, OSCC and urothelial carcinoma. However, cases clinically diagnosed as a low-grade cancer showed reduced NK-1R expression. Conclusions: NK-1R is overexpressed in all cases of WHO grade 4 astrocytoma, OSCC and urothelial carcinoma. The ubiquitous presence of SP/NK-1R complex during tumour development and progression suggests a possible therapeutic key strategy to use NK-1R antagonist as an adjuvant therapy in the future.

A 68-year-old right-handed male initially presented with a 3-week history of dizziness and blurred vision with unsteadiness on his feet. The dizziness was described as a sensation of the ground moving. No rotational component was described. He had no nausea, vomiting, fever, diplopia, hearing loss, headaches, or preceding viral illness.His medical history was significant for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, remote L5-S1 discectomy, chronic low back pain, chronic bilateral tinnitus (presumed as resulting from occupational noise exposure), anosmia following a remote head injury, and microscopic hematuria (with a negative workup).His medications were escitalopram 20 mg every night at bedtime, amiodarone 200 mg once daily (OD), metoprolol, 50 mg twice daily, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg OD, acetylsalicylic acid 81 OD, and rabeprazole 20 mg OD and acetaminophen with codeine (300 mg and 30 mg, respectively) as needed. He had no known drug allergies.He had a 27 pack-year smoking history. He denied any alcohol intake in the preceding 18 months. He was a retired army/corrections officer, married with three children. His family history was notable for ischemic heart disease.His general examination was normal and his neurological exam was only noteworthy for his unsteadiness. Head CT scans were negative. He was diagnosed with labyrinthitis and treated with prednisone 30 mg × 5 days and betahistine. His symptoms improved and he was discharged home after 5 days to follow-up with the departments of ear, nose, and throat, and ophthalmology.One week after discharge, he began to experience progressive, bilateral lower extremity numbness and weakness, with difficulties in ambulation requiring a walker. He had experienced urinary retention and incontinence and fecal incontinence on one occasion. He noted reduced perianal sensation.The patient was afebrile, with a blood pressure of 126/78 and a heart rate of 68 per minute. The neurological examination was normal for cranial nerves and upper extremities. However, the lower extremity examination was notable for bilateral leg spasticity right > left, mild proximal weakness (4-to 4+ /5), increased reflexes in the knees (3), sustained clonus in the right ankle, and an absent left ankle reflex. Sensory examination revealed a T10 sensory level to pin prick, absent vibration to the right tibial tuberosity, and decreased vibration at the left great toe. His gait was unsteady and he was unable to do a tandem walk. There was no finger to nose ataxia. He had decreased rectal tone and perianal sensation.Initial investigations revealed a normal hemoglobin and white blood cell count, but there was thrombocytopenia (range, 41-86). The mean corpuscular volume was 97.7 fL (normal range, 80-95). Vitamin B12 levels were 97 pmol/L (normal, >156). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 33 and C-reactive protein (CRP) 24.9. His postvoid residual urine volume was 400 ml.A lumbar puncture was performed and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a normal glucose of 3 m...

Nav1.7/SCN9A is a voltage gated sodium ion channel (VGSC), expressed by nociceptive neurons. Its role in pain mechanism was well- established but its involvement in the carcinogenic pathways is still under investigation. We aimed to explore the expression of Nav1.7/ SCN9A receptors in intracranial meningiomas and compare it with urothelial, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Methods: Ten paraffin embedded tissue samples of brain meningioma and 5 cases each of bladder, prostate and ovarian carcinomas were utilized. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using anti-SCN9A antibody. Cases were scored based on the intensity of expression and number of positive tumour cells. A score of (+3) indicated highest intensity, (+2) as moderate and (+1) as weak intensity. Similarly, 50-100% expression in cells was labelled as (+3), moderate, 30-50% as (+2) and 10-20% as weak or (+1) expression, and (0) as negative. Results: Nine cases of meningioma were in grade I and single case was grade III. The nine grade I meningioma were negative for SCN9/Nav1.7 expression while the single grade III case was positive. Tumour cells in urothelial, prostate, and ovarian carcinomas were all strongly positive for SCN9/Nav1.7, having intensity expression as (+3). Conclusions: This study suggests an emerging role of Nav1.7/SCN9A receptor expression in urothelial, prostate, and ovarian cancers as well as grade III meningiomas compared to grade I meningioma. This clarifies that Nav1.7/SCN9A has a possible role in carcinogenesis of most body tumours. Key Words: Nav1.7, sodium channels, Ion channels, Channelopathy, meningioma, carcinoma

Aim of the study: Oligodendrocyte transcriptional factor-2 (Olig2) is an essential marker for oligodendrocytes expression. We aimed to explore the expression of Olig2 in different glial neoplasms and to investigate if diffuse Olig2 expression can replace 1p19q co-deletion for the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma. Material and methods: Olig2 was performed on 53 samples of different glial neoplasms using immunohistochemistry (IHC). 1p/19q deletions were investigated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).Results: Olig2 labelling of different glial neoplasms revealed various expressions, in which 26 tumours showed diffuse expression (≥ 60%) and 23 tumours showed partial focal expression (< 50%). Four tumours showed no expression. Of the 26 tumours, 6 oligodendrogliomas had 1p19q co-deletion and the remaining 3 oligodendrogliomas showed no co-deletion. Three non-oligodendroglial tumours were found to have 19q deletion. The FISH of the remaining tumours (14/26) showed no aberrations. There was no significant difference in the final diagnosis by using 1p19q co-deletion test among glial neoplasms with diffuse Olig2 expression (p = 0.248). Conclusions: Olig2 marker cannot be used as an alternative diagnostic method for 1p19q co-deletion to distinguish oligodendrogliomas from other glial neoplasms. Although some glial tumours showed diffuse Olig2 expression, 1p19q co-deletion testing is the best diagnostic method.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and it is ranked as the first cause of death in more than 100 countries around the world. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitude of the general population in Saudi Arabia toward lung cancer screening. Methods: A cross-sectional study employing an online survey was conducted between November 2021 and February 2022 in Saudi Arabia. This study utilized a previously developed questionnaire instrument. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of positive attitude toward lung cancer screening. Results: A total of 473 participants were involved in this study. The majority of the study participants (74.6%) reported that they are current smokers. Almost 31.5% of the study participants reported that if lung cancer is detected early, the person's chance of surviving is poor to very poor. The majority of the study participants reported that they would be willing to do tests to diagnose lung cancer if you were invited by the Ministry of Health or their doctor. Males, participants aged (24-34 years), and current smokers were more likely to have positive attitude towards lung cancer screening (p ≤ 0.05). On the other hand, patients aged 46 years and over and those with higher education had less positive attitude towards lung cancer screening (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study to look into the general public's attitudes toward lung cancer screening in Saudi Arabia. According to our findings, the majority of people believe that early detection of lung cancer can lead to improved results and have a favourable attitude toward lung cancer screening if it is indicated. Thus, incorporating lung cancer screening into the local guidelines in at-risk population is highly recommended and considering the launch of nation-wide lung cancer screening program is advised.