Miruna Cristian

Dr. Miruna Cristian

Pathology Department, Spitalul Clinic Judetean de Urgență ”Sf. Apostol Andrei” Constanța, Constanţa, Romania
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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2 April 2025 in Biomedicines
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A(Andreea Daniela Caloian (Gheorghe)
Andreea Daniela Caloian (Gheorghe)
MCMiruna Cristian
Miruna Cristian
ECElena Calin
Elena Calin
APAndreea Raluca Pricop
Andreea Raluca Pricop
SMStelian Ilie Mociu
Stelian Ilie Mociu
LMLaura Mazilu
Laura Mazilu
DLBCL is a testament to the complexity of nature. It is characterized by remarkable diversity in its molecular and pathological subtypes and clinical manifestations. Despite the strides made in DLBCL treatment and the introduction of innovative drugs, around one-third of patients face a relapse or develop refractory disease. Recent findings over the past ten years have highlighted the critical interplay between the evolution of DLBCL and various epigenetic mechanisms, including chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the regulatory roles of non-coding RNAs. These epigenetic alterations are integral to the pathways of oncogenesis, tumor progression, and the development of therapeutic resistance. In the past decade, the identification of dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms in lymphomas has paved the way for an exciting field of epigenetic therapies. Crucially, these epigenetic transformations span beyond tumor cells to include the sophisticated network within the tumor microenvironment (TME). While the exploration of epigenetic dysregulation in lymphoma cells is thriving, the mechanisms affecting the functions of immune cells in the TME invite further investigation. This review is dedicated to weaving together the narrative of epigenetic alterations impacting both lymphoma cells with a focus on their infiltrating immune companions.

16 March 2023 in Diagnostics
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MBMădălina Boșoteanu
Mădălina Boșoteanu
MCMiruna Cristian
Miruna Cristian
MAMariana Așchie
Mariana Așchie
RBRadu-Andrei Baz
Radu-Andrei Baz
AZAlina Marta Zielonka
Alina Marta Zielonka
LBLuana-Andreea Boșoteanu
Luana-Andreea Boșoteanu
(1) Background: A malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (GNET) is an ultra-rare primary neoplasm with a distinctive histopathological, immunohistochemical, molecular, and ultramicroscopic profile, synonymous terminology with clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. This case report aims to describe a case of GNET with challenging mesenchymal, lymphoid, and melanic tumor differential diagnosis. (2) Case presentation: We discuss the case of a 67-year-old male patient who presented with diffuse abdominal pain, intermittent lack of intestinal transit, and frequent episodes of nausea, followed by segmental resection of the jejunum and sigmoid colon. The patient had no relevant medical history. The surgical specimen underwent immunohistochemical staining and morphological evaluation. (3) Results: Histopathological analysis reveals a moderately homogeneous polyhedral-epithelioid and spindle cell neoplastic proliferation with a zonal discohesive pattern and extensive and focal fasciculated architecture. Twenty monoclonal antibodies were used for immunostaining, which allowed GNET to be diagnosed on the basis of the tumoral immune profile, characterized by positive reactivity of S100, SOX10, and CD 56. (4) Conclusions: The poor prognosis of GNET is highlighted in the present study, along with the vital importance of differential diagnosis issues with mesenchymal, lymphoid, and melanic tumors, which make the diagnosis difficult for both pathologists and clinicians.

27 August 2023 in Diagnostics
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MCMiruna Cristian
Miruna Cristian
MAMariana Așchie
Mariana Așchie
MDMariana Deacu
Mariana Deacu
MBMădălina Boșoteanu
Mădălina Boșoteanu
GBGabriela Izabela Bălţătescu
Gabriela Izabela Bălţătescu
COCristian Ionut Orasanu
Cristian Ionut Orasanu
The most common NHL subtype in SEEU is DLBCL (39%), and it manifests with a variety of cellular morphologies and a high proliferation index. Also, the GI tract is the most common site of extranodal NHLs, and most NHLs involving the GI tract are of B-cell lineage, of which diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common subtype, irrespective of location. The last few years have seen digital pathology as a vital technology that has a positive impact on diagnostics, but studies on the use of DP for lymphoma identification, however, are still restricted to only determining whether a tumor is present or absent. Using the example of cases of malignant NHL, we aim to investigate the diagnostic utility of DP using QuPath software in evaluating the proliferation index and the prognostic significance and to show that improved visualization and analysis contribute to the convergence of these complementary diagnostic modalities for lymphomas. The average proliferation index (Ki67) was 58.33% with values between 10% and 85%. After the stratification of the cases, an increased proliferation index was observed in the majority of cases (53.33%), and this aspect was associated with the advanced age of the patients (p = 0.045). Visual assessment provides lower Ki67 values than automated digital image analysis. However, the agreement coefficient between the conventional method and the AI method indicates an excellent level of reliability (ICC1–0.970, ICC2–0.990). The multivariate analysis revealed that in the cases where the proliferation index Ki67 is high (˃70%), the IPI score represents an important risk factor predicting mortality (HR = 10.597, p = 0.033).

13 September 2024 in Medicine
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Elena MateiElena Matei
Elena Matei
AIAnita Cristina Ionescu
Anita Cristina Ionescu
MEManuela Enciu
Manuela Enciu
Violeta PopoviciVioleta Popovici
Violeta Popovici
AMAnca Mitroi
Anca Mitroi
GCGeorgeta Camelia Cozaru
Georgeta Camelia Cozaru
Tumor heterogeneity results in aggressive cancer phenotypes with acquired resistance. However, combining chemical treatment with adjuvant therapies that cause cellular structure and function perturbations may diminish the ability of cancer cells to resist at chemical treatment and lead to a less aggressive cancer phenotype. Applied treatments on prostate hyperplasia primary cell cultures exerted their antitumor activities through mechanisms including cell cycle blockage, oxidative stress, and cell death induction by flow cytometry methods. A 5.37 mM Chloramphenicol dose acts on prostate hyperplasia cells by increasing the pro-oxidant status, inducing apoptosis, autophagy, and DNA damage, but without ROS changes. Adding 6.30 mM vitamin C or 622 µM vitamin E as a supplement to 859.33 µM Chloramphenicol dose in prostate hyperplasia cells determines a significant increase of ROS level for a part of cells. However, other cells remain refractory to initial ROS, with significant changes in apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 or G2/M. When the dose of Chloramphenicol was increased to 5.37 mM for 6.30 mM of vitamin C, prostate hyperplasia cells reacted by ROS level drastically decreased, cell cycle arrest in G2/M, active apoptosis, and autophagy. The pro-oxidant action of 1.51 mM Erythromycin dose in prostate hyperplasia cell cultures induces changes in the apoptosis mechanisms and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. Addition of 6.30 mM vitamin C to 1.51 mM Erythromycin dose in hyperplasia cell cultures, the pro-oxidant status determines diminished caspase 3/7 mechanism activation, but ROS level presents similar changes as Chloramphenicol dose and cell cycle arrest in G2/M. Flow cytometric analysis of cell death, oxidative stress, and cell cycle are recommended as laboratory techniques in therapeutic and diagnostic fields.

12 September 2025 in Medicine
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Journal Article
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SPStefan Pricop
Stefan Pricop
MCMiruna Cristian
Miruna Cristian
RNRadu Adrian Nitu
Radu Adrian Nitu
SDSorin Deacu
Sorin Deacu
Rationale: Accurate identification of victims in postcrash scenarios presents significant forensic challenges, particularly when the remains are extensively burned, fragmented, or carbonized. This study focused on multiple victims of 2 aircraft crashes, highlighting the intricate methods and obstacles encountered during their identification. Patient concerns: Severe thermal damage, widespread tissue degradation, and advanced carbonization have hindered traditional identification techniques, requiring a multidisciplinary forensic approach that combines DNA analysis, dental profiling, tattoo recognition, and artifact examination. Diagnoses: In addition to establishing the causes of death, which also required histopathological examinations, the difficulty involved in assigning the identity of each corpse made the forensic pathologists resort to all the information and details they could observe during the autopsy. Interventions: Personal objects such as jewelry, tattoos, and prosthetic devices helped to reconstruct the identity of each corpse, in some cases being assigned identification by exclusion. Outcomes: Severe cranial fractures, rib and thoracic injuries, and extensive organ damage, such as pulmonary contusions, alveolar hemorrhages, and hepatic lacerations, were consistently observed in all cases. Forensic dental identification, which, in the present case, helped identify one of the victims through dental analysis. Lessons: This study highlights the critical role of the identification of victims in circumstances in which the body is largely destroyed and underlines the importance and necessity of forensic identification through dental identification methods, which potentially represent one of the most effective methods that retain their accuracy regardless of the degree of destruction of the corpse.

25 November 2022 in Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MBMădălina Boșoteanu
Mădălina Boșoteanu
MCMiruna Cristian
Miruna Cristian
MAMariana Așchie
Mariana Așchie
MDMariana Deacu
Mariana Deacu
AMAnca Mitroi
Anca Mitroi
GBGabriela Izabela Bălţătescu
Gabriela Izabela Bălţătescu
Rationale: Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma, formerly known as enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, is an extremely rare, aggressive peripheral extranodal T-cell lymphoma, that is infrequent in native European and Caucasian populations. The current study presents the clinicopathological features, diagnostic approach, and clinical outcomes of this rare entity of lymphoma and highlights the importance of the early diagnosis of monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL). Patient concerns: Main symptoms and/or important clinical findings: We present the case of a 69-year-old male patient presenting with an abdominal mass, intestinal transit disorder, and weight loss. The abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed features suggestive of a malignancy. Following clinical and imaging investigations, surgical resection of the small intestine with other areas of involvement has been performed and further to the histopathological examination and immunohistochemical testing are mandatory. Diagnoses and Interventions: Histopathological evaluation of the tumor revealed a proliferation of medium- to large-sized monomorphic lymphocytes, with vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and a moderate amount of clear to pale eosinophilic cytoplasm, with an association of infrequent Reed-Sternberg-like cells. Immunohistochemical assessment of the aforementioned tumor using CD3, CD8, CD5, CD20, and CD30 confirmed the T cell proliferation line and the monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma diagnosis. Lessons: The current report highlights the importance of early diagnosis of MEITL owing to its poor prognosis and presents histopathological features that help distinguish MEITL from inflammatory bowel diseases and less aggressive T-cell lymphomas.