Background and objectives: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and its mortality is increasing. Therefore, research to improve treatment is of paramount importance. One method of treatment is photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy selectively stimulates apoptosis in photosensitizer-treated neoplastic breast cells as a result of cytotoxic singlet oxygen generation via collisions between triplet excited state photosensitizer and triplet ground state oxygen upon tissue irradiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of photodynamic action on cancerous breast tissue samples as a model of photodynamic therapy. Materials and Methods: Breast cancer tissue samples were obtained from post-operative material and the patterns of histopathological changes in breast cancer tissue before and after photodynamic action on post-chemotherapy tissue were evaluated. Excised tissue samples were obtained from 48 female breast cancer patients who had previously undergone chemotherapy. Breast cancer tissues for this study were taken from macroscopically visible tumors larger than 10 mm. Histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate any morphological changes prior to and after photodynamic action on the post-chemotherapy tissue samples. Eighteen breast cancer tissue samples were analyzed before chemotherapy, fifteen after chemotherapy, and fifteen samples were analyzed after chemotherapy and application of photodynamic action. The photosensitizer Rose Bengal was applied to the samples subjected to photodynamic action. Results: Photodynamic action on post-chemotherapy neoplastic tissue showed histological changes under a light microscope. The results showed that morphological changes in breast cancer tissues after chemotherapy and photodynamic action were dependent on the concentration of Rose Bengal. In all cases, follow-up imaging showed tumor shrinkage of an average of 35% from baseline size. Conclusions: Histopathological examination revealed photosensitizer-concentration-dependent changes after photodynamic action in excised post-chemotherapy tissue. The effects of photodynamic action observed in this study suggest that the application of photodynamic therapy after chemotherapy can aid in breast cancer cell eradication.

Introduction and aim. The subject of this article is milk thistle – a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Due to its properties, it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of important organs and systems of the human body. The aim of this paper was to review information on milk thistle, its use in medicine and the description of some of the chemical compounds due to which it owes its healing properties. Material and methods. The article is a review of the publicly available literature on milk thistle, the chemical composition of its compounds and its use in medicine. Analysis of the literature. Current information about “Silybum marianum” is presented. Conclusion. Milk thistle is a valuable medicinal plant due to the presence of numerous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. The benefits of supplementation with ingredients derived from milk thistle, their negligible interaction with other drugs and the lack of significant side effects, known so far, indicate that the plant described in the article can be a good medicine and a preventive measure against diseases affecting our society.

Introduction and aim. Paired box 8 (PAX-8) is a specific transcription factor known as a protein product gene that plays an essential role in organogenesis and oncogenesis. The aim of this paper was to discuss structure and function of PAX-8. The aim of this study is to determine the utility of PAX-8 in cytology effusions with metastatic tumor. Material and methods. This article is a review done in regards to discuss the role knowledge on PAX-8 especially in oncogenesis and organogenesis. Analysis of the literature. Current information about PAX-8 is presented. Conclusion. The PAX family of genes plays an important role in the formation of tissues and organs during embryonic development and in maintaining the proper functioning of certain cells after birth.