The extracellular matrix is increasingly recognized as an essential player in cancer development and progression. Collagens are one of the most important components of the extracellular matrix, and have themselves been implicated in many aspects of neoplastic transformation. Collagen XI is a minor collagen whose main physiologic function is to regulate the diameter of major collagen fibrils. The α1 chain of collagen XI (colXIα1), has known pathogenic roles in several musculoskeletal disorders. Recent research has highlighted the importance of colXIα1 in many types of cancer, including its roles in metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance, as well as its potential utility in screening tests and as a therapeutic target. High levels of colXIα1 overexpression have been reported in multiple expression profile studies examining differences between cancerous and normal tissue, and between beginning and advanced stage cancer. Its expression has been linked to poor progression-free and overall survival. The consistency of this data across cancer types is particularly striking, including colorectal, ovarian, breast, head and neck, lung, and brain cancers. This review discusses the role of collagen XIα1 in cancer and its potential as a target for cancer therapy.

A subset of ISGs was found to be differentially expressed in normal liver by IL28B genotype. This suggests a relationship between IL28B genotype and gene expression before HCV infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is presently the leading indication for liver transplantation in Western countries. Treatment for HCV infection includes a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin, which produces highly variable response rates. This reflects the lack of information regarding the roles of host and viral components during viral pathogenesis. Vital processes regulated by the liver, including metabolism, lipid homeostasis, cellular proliferation, and the immune response, are known to be systematically dysregulated as a result of persistent HCV infection. Nuclear receptors and their ligands are recognized as indispensable regulators of liver homeostasis. Pathways mediated by the nuclear receptor superfamily have been shown to be profoundly disrupted during HCV infection, leading to an increased importance in elucidating the exact nature of this complex relationship. Expanded understanding of the role of nuclear receptors in HCV infection may therefore be an essential step in the search for a more universally effective treatment.

Increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients have led to a corresponding rise in the incidence of invasive Aspergillus infections. Despite advances in antifungal therapy coupled with reduction in immunosuppression, invasive aspergillosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although surgical debulking has proven effective in difficult-to-treat cases, patient comorbidities may prevent such intervention. Non-invasive alternatives to surgery are needed. Microwave ablation has many advantages over other ablative techniques, including convection profile, faster heating time, and higher intra-lesion temperatures, which may be associated with greater therapeutic efficacy. We report a case of microwave ablation as an adjunct to medical therapy in angioinvasive renal aspergilloma.