Background Oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Exploring markers predict tumor behavior, help in diagnosis, and therapy is crucial. Actinin alpha 1 (ACTN1) is known to be a prognostic biomarker in acute myeloid leukemia. It also plays a role in many tumors. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition has been suggested as one of the mechanisms of action for ACTN1. The role of ACTN1 in OSCC is still unclear. This study aimed at evaluating the role of ACTN1 in OSCC. Materials and methods This study was performed on 68 OSCC cases and 68 normal-tissue samples. Immunohistochemical staining of ACTN1 and E-cadherin was done and evaluated. Correlation to clinicopathologic parameters and survival was statistically analyzed. Results ACTN1 expression was high in 47 (69.1%) cases. E-cadherin expression was high in 27 (39.7%) cases with a significant inverse correlation between both expressions. Cases with high ACTN1/low E-cadherin expressions were significantly associated with tumor grade, stage, presence of tumor buds, lymph-node metastasis, recurrence, and distant metastasis. They also show statistically significant shorter overall survival and disease-free survival. Conclusion ACTN1 is a promising prognostic marker that correlates with tumor staging, node metastasis, and poor survival. It might also serve as a therapeutic target in OSCC. Its role in epithelial–mesenchymal transition is strongly suggested by this study.

Background Clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) represents the majority of renal neoplasms with usual late presentation. Metastasis of ccRCC is very common owing to the vascular nature of this tumor. Identifying markers that could predict tumor behavior and metastatic potential is crucial to improve patient prognosis. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a recently identified vascular marker that is expressed in many cancer types. This study aimed at evaluation of its clinicopathologic role in ccRCC. Materials and methods A total of 40 cases of ccRCC were recruited and subjected to immunohistochemical staining for PSMA. Statistical analysis was performed to assess its expression and its relationship with different clinicopathologic parameters. Results PSMA expression was positive in 72.5% of all cases. High expression was detected in 52.5% of cases, with positive correlation with high tumor grade (P=0.01), stage (0.04), and lymphovascular invasion (P=0.03). PSMA expression was positive in 83.3% of cases of tumor thrombus tissue, and 50% of these cases showed high expression. Two (50%) cases of metastatic lesions showed low positive expression for PSMA with high PSMA expression in 75% of the corresponding primary lesions. Conclusion PSMA is specifically expressed in the vasculature of ccRCC, showing a positive correlation with poor prognostic parameters. This renders PSMA as a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target.

Background Sometimes differentiation between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and metastatic pancreaticobiliary carcinoma (mPBC) could be challenging, and it is of great importance owing to different treatment modalities. We aimed to measure the diagnostic accuracy of MUC5A, von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), and S100p in differentiating ICC from mPBC in hepatic focal lesions. Patients and methods The study included 70 cases of liver biopsies presented as hepatic focal lesions divided into two groups: group 1: 40 cases of mPBC and group 2: 30 cases of ICC. Results There was a highly statistically significant difference regarding MUC5A, S100P, and VHL expression between both groups (P<0.001). mPBC showed MUC5A in 87.5%, S100P in 95%, and VHL in 5%. However, cases of ICC showed positive MUC5A in 10%, S100P in 29.6%, and VHL in 80%. Regarding the validity of diagnosing mPBC, S100P had the highest sensitivity (95%), whereas both panels of (MUC5A−/S100P+/VHL−) and (MUC5A+/S100P+/VHL−) showed the highest specificity and positive predictive values (100%). Regarding the validity for diagnosing ICC, VHL had the highest sensitivity (80%), whereas (MUC5A−/S100P−/VHL+) showed the highest specificity and positive predictive value (100%). Conclusion These results indicate the validity of combined MUC5A, S100P, and VHL as a highly sensitive and specific panel for differentiating ICC from mPBC.

Background Bladder cancer is the tenth most common cancer in the world, and its incidence is increasing worldwide, particularly in the developed countries. Various markers have an important role in assessing the risk of bladder cancer, and their identification may have an impact on the prognosis or treatment of the tumour. Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is well known as a marker for prostatic carcinoma. Cyclin D1 is a cell cycle regulator that control G1–S phase progression. Materials and methods Our study was retrospective, including 60 cases of urothelial carcinoma. Immunohistochemical expression was done and evaluated using AMACR and Cyclin D1. Correlations with clinicopathologic parameters were statistically assessed. Results AMACR expression was positive in 31 (51.7%) cases. Cyclin D1 expression was positive in 36 (60%) cases. Positive AMACR expression was significantly correlated with tumour size, high grade, advanced tumour stage, and muscle invasion. Positive Cyclin D1 expression was significantly correlated with papillary histologic type and perivesical soft tissue invasion. A significant correlation was reported between the concordance of positive immunohistochemical expression of both AMACR and Cyclin D1 and tumour grade. Conclusions AMACR expression results suggest the potential for AMACR to be used as a poor prognostic indicator as well as a therapeutic target in urothelial carcinomas. Cyclin D1 expression results implies a function in tumour invasiveness and progression. A significant correlation between concordance of expression of both markers and high tumour grade was reported. Therefore, an interaction between AMACR and Cyclin D1 could be present that has a specific impact on tumour grade.