Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy in men, characterized by significant genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity, which complicates both diagnosis and treatment processes. Epigenetic mechanisms—including DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and dysregulated non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs)—contribute to tumor initiation, progression, and therapy resistance, offering promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker opportunities. Liquid biopsy technologies, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and exosomes, allow minimally invasive, real-time monitoring of tumor evolution and resistance mechanisms, complementing traditional biomarkers like PSA and supporting precision oncology approaches. Clinically implemented assays, including PCA3, ConfirmMDx, and ExoDx Prostate, along with emerging multi-analyte panels, enhance risk stratification, reduce unnecessary biopsies, and guide therapeutic decisions. Integration of epigenetic and liquid biopsy biomarkers into multimodal diagnostic pathways has the potential to support personalized management of prostate cancer; however, many still require further validation and optimization.

Delivery by caesarean section (CS) is increasingly common worldwide and has been associated with altered health outcomes in offspring, which can be partially mitigated with breastfeeding. Interestingly, the mode of delivery itself may influence the composition of human milk. The aim of this narrative review was to comprehensively examine current evidence on the impact of CS on breast milk composition and to discuss its potential implications for neonatal and infant health. A literature search of the MEDLINE database was conducted in July 2025. It identified 1212 studies addressing associations between mode of delivery and human milk components, of which 54 were included in the qualitative synthesis. Available evidence suggests that CS is associated with transient, lactation stage-dependent alterations in breast milk composition, most pronounced in colostrum and transitional milk. Reported changes include differences in macronutrients, mineral content, immune-related molecules, hormones, antioxidants, microbiota, microRNA profiles, and other bioactive components. Findings related to mature milk are less consistent and often influenced by confounding factors. While some CS-associated alterations may slightly reduce the beneficial effect of breastfeeding, e.g., reducing certain antimicrobial or nutritional components, other changes seem to be potentially advantageous for the neonate/infant after CS, in particular in immune-related factors. Overall, the clinical significance of these compositional differences remains unclear, as no studies have directly linked CS-related changes in milk composition to long-term infant outcomes. Further well-designed longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these associations. Regardless of delivery mode, breastfeeding remains the optimal feeding strategy and a key intervention to support infant health after CS.

Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare pulmonary manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is characterized by unexplained dyspnea, restrictive ventilatory defect, and diaphragmatic elevation without interstitial lung disease (ILD). A 32-year-old man with SLE presented with progressive dyspnea initially attributed to pleural and infectious processes. As systemic features evolved, SLE was confirmed. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) showed severe restriction (forced vital capacity—FVC—28%, total lung capacity—TLC—37%), with elevated hemidiaphragm and no alternative pulmonary pathology, supporting the diagnosis of SLS. Treatment with highdose glucocorticoids, rituximab, and mycophenolate mofetil resulted in marked clinical improvement, substantial recovery of lung function (FVC 65%), and successful glucocorticoid withdrawal. A structured literature review (January 2021–March 2026) identified 19 studies reporting 37 SLS cases. Dyspnea was the predominant manifestation, frequently accompanied by pleuritic chest pain and dry cough. Restrictive ventilatory defects were consistently reported, with significantly reduced FVC, TLC, and transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide values. Imaging most commonly demonstrated elevated hemidiaphragm(s) and reduced lung volumes without ILD. Treatment predominantly involved glucocorticoids, often combined with steroid-sparing agents. Rituximab was frequently used as a steroid-sparing agent in severe/refractory cases and was generally associated with clinical and functional improvement. Based on the presented case and cases identified in literature, SLS remains a diagnostic challenge and should be considered in patients with SLE presenting with unexplained dyspnea and restrictive physiology. Early recognition and prompt immunosuppressive therapy may improve outcomes.

Background/Objectives: Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological illness associated with chronic pain, inflammation, and infertility, as ectopic endometrial lesions are formed. No fully effective treatment is available, and the pathogenesis of this disease is unclear. The survival of ectopic endometrial cells is facilitated by their low susceptibility to apoptosis, an immunosuppressive environment, and local angiogenesis. Chromogranin A (CgA), a glycoprotein prohormone, modulates various processes including angiogenesis and innate immunity, and its higher levels are detected in neuroendocrine tumors and inflammatory disorders. Since endometriosis may be considered an autoinflammatory disorder, this study aimed to evaluate serum and peritoneal fluid concentrations of CgA and its derivatives, catestatin and pancreastatin, and to correlate these levels with disease severity. Methods: The study was conducted on samples of serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) obtained from 65 women diagnosed with endometriosis and from 60 control individuals who underwent surgery for other reasons. The concentrations of CgA, catestatin, and pancreastatin were assessed in the collected samples by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: CgA, catestatin, and pancreastatin concentrations were significantly higher in the sera and PF of endometriosis patients compared to controls. There was a correlation between their serum and PF levels, and all tested factors were correlated with each other in both serum and PF. Serum concentrations of CgA, catestatin, and pancreastatin were also associated with disease progression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further confirmed that endometriosis is associated with increased circulating CgA, catestatin, and pancreastatin levels, suggesting that they may be considered markers of endometriosis. Conclusions: The upregulation of CgA and its derivatives in endometriosis may indicate their role in the disease pathogenesis and implicate them as potential diagnostic markers and/or therapeutic targets.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble secosteroid essential for skeletal development and calcium homeostasis, but it also exerts pleiotropic effects on numerous biological processes via its active metabolites. Vitamin D metabolites act as steroid hormones that regulate cell-cycle progression, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, immune responses, and multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Moreover, they modulate the expression of genes involved in carcinogenesis. As circulating vitamin D levels are influenced by diet, fortified foods, and supplementation, they represent a potentially modifiable factor. Whether vitamin D status affects cancer risk or disease progression in carriers of pathogenic BRCA1 variants remains unclear and continues to be actively investigated. Clarifying this relationship could have significant clinical implications for risk stratification and prevention in this high-risk population. This narrative review summarizes current evidence from epidemiological, clinical, and molecular studies examining the role of vitamin D in BRCA1 pathogenic variant carriers. It also highlights key limitations in the existing literature and identifies critical directions for future research, emphasizing the need for well-designed prospective studies in representative cohorts.