Oxidative stress may play an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study included 94 adult patients with CRC (52 men and 42 women) and 26 hospitalized patients (12 men and 14 women) in whom CRC was excluded (control group). During hospitalization, blood serum samples were collected from both groups. Apart from that, anthropometric measurements were taken and other clinical data were analyzed. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were assayed. Subsequently, the relationship between the analyzed oxidative stress markers and selected clinical characteristics was investigated in both groups. The evaluation of oxidative stress marker values demonstrated that MDA and TAS levels were significantly higher in the control group than the CRC group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.019, respectively), while TOS levels were significantly higher in the CRC group than the control group (p = 0.005). Significantly lower OSI levels were found in the control group than in the CRC group (p < 0.001). Similar results can be observed when performing ROC analysis (receiver operating characteristic curve). Preliminary statistical analysis demonstrated that MDA levels in the study group depend on the location of the primary tumour (p = 0.035). Based on the post hoc Tukey test, a relationship was demonstrated between the MDA level and the left and right side of the colon (p = 0.040). The results may be evidence for a higher level of oxidative stress, including a compromised antioxidative defence system, in patients with CRC.

Aim. The gene encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is considered in many studies to be a good candidate responsible for susceptibility to several diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). Epidemiological data show that cardiovascular disease is one of the major health problems in Polish society. Basic studies show that genetic factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CAD. We conducted this clinical study to determine if the VDR gene polymorphisms TaqI (rs731236), ApaI (rs7975232), and FokI (rs2228570) could predispose healthy individuals to an increased risk of premature CAD (P-CAD) incidents. Methods. We genotyped 845 subjects in a cohort consisting of 386 healthy volunteers with a documented P-CAD incident in their first-degree relatives and 459 healthy volunteers without family history (FH) of P-CAD. TaqI, ApaI, and FokI polymorphisms in VDR were genotyped using TaqMan assays and the endpoint genotyping method (qPCR). Statistical analyses were performed using the Power Analysis Software STATISTICA v.13.3. Results. Although no statistical significance was found for TaqI and ApaI genotype frequencies, the AA genotype of FokI polymorphism was significantly more frequent in the study group compared to the control group (24.61% vs. 16.99%). The results of logistic regression analysis suggested a significant association between FokI polymorphism and FH of P-CAD in heathy people under the recessive model (OR: 1.26 (1.07-1.49, )) ; however, the frequency of VDR haplotypes did not differ significantly between the control and study populations. Conclusions. FokI polymorphism is may be associated with FH of P-CAD. FokI polymorphism may predispose to the development of P-CAD among healthy people over the next years.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Due to its still undetermined pathogenesis, we are searching for signaling pathways that are important in the development of colorectal cancer. In this article, we present results of study on the role of ADAM proteins in colorectal cancer. The study included 85 adult colorectal cancer patients (48 men, 37 women) and 25 patients in the control group (after diagnostic colonoscopy—without cancer). During hospitalization, a serum sample (3 cm³) was collected from the study and control group, anthropometric measurements were conducted and others clinical data were analyzed. In the serum ADAM10, 12, 17, and 28, protein concentrations were determined and, in the next step, examined the relationship between ADAMs concentrations and selected clinical parameters in both groups. The analysis showed that serum levels of ADAM10 and ADAM28 are significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer and correlate with histopathological grading and with presence of distant metastases. Moreover, noticed the trend to correlate concentrations of adamalysines with higher BMI score. One of the functions of adamalysines is the activation of growth factors involved in cancer, including IGF and TNFα. The increased activity of adamalysines in patients may play a role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Our study highlights the prevalence of metabolic disorders in the group of patients with diagnosed CRC, and this cancer seems to be a further complication of obesity.

Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble cholesterol derivative found in two forms, vitamin D2, and vitamin D3. Cytochrome P450 2R1 (CYP2R1) encoded by the CYP2R1 gene is the major hydroxylase that activates vitamin D by catalyzing the formation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Methods: We collected 89 (100%) subjects, 46 of which (51.69%) had a documented severe deficiency of 25(OH)D (30 ng/mL). We performed Sanger sequencing of three selected fragments of the CYP2R1 gene (Ch11: 14878000–14878499; Ch11: 14880058–14880883 and Ch11: 14885321–14886113) that affect the binding of substrates to this enzyme and analyzed the possible involvement of genetic variation in these regions with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency in healthy Polish individuals. Results: Two substitutions were found within the three fragments. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that one of these (NC_000011.10: g.14878291G>A) may influence the structure and function of CYP2R1. Conclusions: Variant NC_000011.10: g.14878291G>A may have a perturbing effect on heme binding in the active site of CYP2R1 and on the function of 25-hydroxylase and probably affects the concentration of 25(OH)D in vivo. We intend to perform functional verification in a larger patient population to confirm and extend these results.

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) is a common virus worldwide that is an etiologic agent in the development of many diseases, including cancer. Recent reports have shown the association of EBV with tumorigenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Moreover, EBV has been reported to be present in tonsillar tissues, which suggests a close relationship between viral infections and tonsillar diseases, including chronic tonsillitis. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of EBV DNA in 86 patients with HNSCC, in 70 patients with chronic tonsillitis, and in 144 healthy individuals (control group) and the associations between EBV infection and clinicopathological and demographic characteristics and the use of stimulants in all study groups. The objective of this study was also to analyze the prevalence of coinfection with human papillomavirus (HPV). After prior DNA isolation, EBV detection was performed using an EBV kit by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence of EBV infection in patients with HNSCC, patients with chronic tonsillitis, and the control group was 47.7%, 60%, and 24.3%, respectively. Compared to controls, a significantly higher prevalence of EBV in patients with chronic tonsillitis and HNSCC may suggest that EBV is a potential risk factor. No association was found between EBV infection and demographic or clinical data. Further studies are warranted due to inconclusive reports that were mainly related to geographic distribution, sample type, and detection technique. Considering the prevalence of the virus and the risk of serious diseases, attention should be paid to screening diagnosis and prevention of the infection.

Telomerase, undetectable in normal somatic cells, plays a critical role in carcinogenesis of the majority of human tumors including lung carcinoma. The aim of our study was to determine human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in order to estimate its usefulness as diagnostic and/or prognostic factor. hTERT expression was analyzed in a group of 12 females and 28 males with NSCLC using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (QRT-PCR method) in cancerous and non-cancerous lung tissues. Results were analyzed according to clinical data and one-, two-, and five-year survival rates. hTERT expression in the cancerous tissue was significantly higher than in the lung parenchyma free from neoplasm infiltration (p<0.05). There was no significant association between hTERT expression in the tumor tissue and age, gender, grading or clinical stage. A significant difference in hTERT expression between two types of histopathological patterns (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) was detected (p=0.01). No association between hTERT expression in NSCLC specimens and survival rates was found. hTERT mRNA detection by QRT-PCR in tumor and corresponding cancer-free tissues can be used as a diagnostic marker in patients with NSCLC, but seems not to be a prognostic factor.