Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) responsible for the extracellular matrix remodeling, the activation of various growth factors, and angiogenesis play an important role in the colorectal cancer (CRC) development. In the present work the comparative analysis of MMP-7, -8, -9, and -11 mRNA as well mRNA of the Ki-67 proliferation marker in tissue samples obtained from CRC patients and healthy individuals. Employing the real time PCR method the expression levels of several MMPs (MMP-7, -8, -9, and -11) and cell proliferation marker, Ki-67, were simultaneously measured in 256 tissue samples obtained from 112 patients with CRC: 112 samples of the primary tumor (CRC), 112 samples of the most distant border of morphologically normal colonic mucosa (MNT), 16 samples of liver metastases) and from 16 healthy volunteers who underwent colonoscopy and biopsy. The expression of both MMPs studied and Ki-67 was found to be elevated in CRC primary tumors and liver metastases compared with the normal mucosa. CRC tumor and metastatic cells exhibited similar proliferative activity. The metastases are characterized by the highest cross-correlation of MMPs among tissue types tested. For the first time it was shown that normal mucosa from healthy individuals and CRC patients varied in the MMP-8 expression level. They also had dissimilar MMP correlation patterns thus suggesting that epithelial cells adjusted to CRC tumor differ from mucosal epithelial cells of healthy individuals.

Рак молочной железы (РМЖ) является одной из наиболее распространенных форм солидных опухолей. Анализ особенностей патогенеза РМЖ на молекулярном уровне с применением современных методов генетического анализа и на разных стадиях заболевания позволяет получить новые данные для их дальнейшего применения в клинической практике. Молекулярное профилирование с применением технологий высокопроизводительного секвенирования все чаще применяют в качестве клинического теста при подборе таргетных препаратов для лечения пациентов с высокорезистентными к терапии опухолями при РМЖ. Целью работы было провести таргетное секвенирование генов BRCA1 и BRCA2 в составе панели онкогенов. Из 66 образцов ДНК пациентов с опухолями молочной железы, мутации BRCA1/2 обнаружены у 39 пацентов. Найдено 78 уникальных генетических вариантов, из них 30 мутаций в гене BRCA1 и 48 мутаций в гене BRCA2. Идентифицировано 33 мутации, оказывающие влияние на сайты посттрансляционной модификации белков (PMT-мутации).

Purpose. To reflect the current understanding of the frequency, molecular mechanisms, and means of overcoming alopecia in cancer patients, taking into account the fundamental data of recent years on the physiology of the hair follicle and the pharmacological profile of the toxicity of anticancer drugs.Material and Methods. A literature search using Medline, Pubmed, etc. databases was carried out. More than 200 publications devoted to the study of alopecia were found, of which 42 were included in this review.Results. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is a common adverse effect in cancer patients undergoing treatment. The frequency and molecular mechanism of the development of alopecia are related to the pharmacological features of the drug-based treatments, initial nutritional premorbid status, and predisposing polymorphisms of genes involved in drug conversion and excretion. Focal or diffuse alopecia may be the first sign of malignant growth within the paraneoplastic syndrome, primary or metastatic malignancies of the scalp, or be a manifestation of nutritional insufficiency. Baldness negatively affects the psycho-emotional state of patients, exacerbating depressive disorders, anxiety, reducing self-esteem and adherence to treatment. Thus, prevention or rapid overcoming of alopecia can significantly improve the quality of life of cancer patients. The use of scalp cooling or ‘cold caps’ is proven to be an effective way of combating chemotherapy-induced hair loss.Conclusion. Further studies are needed to prevent and treat alopecia in cancer patients.

Aim. To improve the surgical treatment results among patients with synchronous liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. Materials and methods. From 2012 to 2019, the analysis of the results of treatment of 60 patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous metastatic liver disease was carried out. The study sample was divided into 2 groups of patients. The group 1 consisted of 30 patients who got simultaneous resection of liver metastases and primary colorectal cancer. The group 2 consisted of other 30 patients who got stage resections: surgery for the primary tumor at the first stage, and liver surgery for metastases at the second.Results. The median operative time was 340 ± 21.1 minutes in the group 1. In the group 2 it was 255 ± 21.1 minutes and only the liver resection stage was assessed. The median blood loss in patients of the group 1 was 520,0 [200,0;800,1] ml, in the group 2 it was 500,0 [175,0;1300,0] ml. In general, we identified 5 cases of complications. In the postoperative period, 4 patients died. The average follow-up period is 23 months. One-year survival in group 1 was 92.6%, in group 2 – 100%, three-year – 85.2% and 89.6%. One-year disease-free survival in group 1 is 70%, in group 2 – 83.3%, three-year disease-free survival – 43.3% and 36.7%.Overall and disease-free survival rates didn’t differ significantly between the two treatment strategies. We detected significant effect on the disease-free and overall survival of regional lymph nodes metastasis (both p < 0.05).Conclusion. The long-term and immediate results of simultaneous surgery of synchronous liver metastasis of colorectal cancer are comparable to the results of the staged method of treatment. It indicates the safety and effectiveness of simultaneous procedure.