1. Thymidine kinase as a biomarker of chemoresistance in epithelial ovarian cancer using the KELIM modelDavid Lukanović, Joško Osredkar, Erik Škof, Diana Cviič, Aleš Jerin, Kaja Lešnik, Miha Matjašič, Leon Meglič, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with platinum sensitivity being a key determinant of treatment outcomes. The KELIM model, derived from CA-125 kinetics, is a promising biomarker for predicting chemosensitivity. Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1), a proliferation marker, has shown relevance in various cancers but its role in chemotherapy response for OC is unclear.Methods: In this retrospective study, we assessed the association between TK1 protein (TK1p) and enzymatic activity (TK1a) and chemosensitivity (KELIM), platinum-free interval (PFI), and chemotherapy response score (CRS) in 28 patients with epithelial OC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Biomarker dynamics were measured at multiple timepoints. KELIM was calculated using CA-125 kinetics; relationships with CRS and PFI were evaluated.Results: KELIM demonstrated robust predictive performance (correlating with favorable CRS [rho = 0.731, p = 0.011] and longer PFI [rho = 0.437, p = 0.007]). TK1p and TK1a showed no significant correlations with KELIM, PFI, or CRS. ROC analysis for preoperative TK1p yielded an AUC of 0.6941, indicating moderate discriminative potential. TK1a increased postoperatively but lacked predictive value for chemoresistance.Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the value of KELIM as a reliable predictor of platinum sensitivity in OC. TK1 dynamics reflect tumor proliferation but did not significantly predict chemotherapy response. Larger cohorts and further research are required to explore whether TK1 can complement established biomarkers.
Keywords: biomarker, CA-125, chemoresistance, epithelial ovarian cancer, KELIM, ovarian cancer, thymidine kinase
Published in DiRROS: 05.05.2026; Views: 134; Downloads: 126
 Full text (2,28 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
2. Integrating chronic inflammation and hypoxia : the potential role of HIF-1α in tumor behavior and therapy response in high-grade serous ovarian cancerSara Polajžer, David Lukanović, Erik Škof, Borut Kobal, Katarina Černe, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is marked by late diagnosis and chemoresistance, partly driven by chronic inflammation and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1a) is a key regulator of these processes; however, its spatial distribution, interaction with inflammation, and effect on chemotherapy response in HGSOC remain unclear. This retrospective study included 28 advanced HGSOC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Samples were collected at primary surgery (PS) (ovarian and peritoneal tissue, plasma, ascites) and post-NACT at interval debulking surgery (IDS) (omentum, peritoneal tissue, plasma). HIF-1a mRNA expression varied by site, with higher levels in omental and peritoneal tissues compared to ovarian tissue. Plasma and ascites concentrations were significantly correlated, although the mean ascites concentration was lower. Elevated HIF-1a concentration in ascites and plasma at baseline correlated with ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) >30 mm/h, which was also correlated with BRCA mutation status. No correlation was found between HIF-1a and CRP (C-reactive protein) levels. Higher HIF-1a concentrations in ascites and plasma were linked to poor chemotherapy response (CRS1) at IDS. No significant changes in plasma HIF-1a, ESR, or peritoneal HIF-1a mRNA expression were observed before and after chemotherapy. Increased peritoneal HIF-1a at baseline showed a trend toward shorter progression-free survival. These findings suggest that HIF-1a may reflect hypoxia-inflammation crosstalk associated with chemoresistance and progression in HGSOC. The hypoxic-inflammatory microenvironment appears to persist despite chemotherapy and could contribute to ongoing disease activity. However, these observations require validation in independent cohorts before any prognostic or predictive implications can be considered.
Keywords: body fluids, chronic inflammation, HIF-1a, high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tumor tissue
Published in DiRROS: 26.03.2026; Views: 218; Downloads: 160
Full text (750,43 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. Ovrednotenje cirkulirajočih tumorskih celic in celičnih skupkov pri bolnicah s primarnim, napredovalnim seroznim rakom jajčnika visokega gradusa pred neoadjuvantnim sistemskim zdravljenjemSimona Miceska, Tanja Jesenko, Nina Pišljar, Erik Škof, Cvetka Grašič-Kuhar, Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik, 2025, published scientific conference contribution abstract Keywords: citopatologija, diagnostična dejavnost, onkologija
Published in DiRROS: 11.03.2026; Views: 286; Downloads: 146
Full text (104,64 KB) |
4. Analiza cirkulirajočih tumorskih celic v krvi bolnic z napredovalim rakom jajčnika visokega gradusa ob diagnoziTanita Kranjc, Simona Miceska, Erik Škof, Maja Krajec, Brigita Gregorič, Breda Škrbinc, Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik, 2024, published scientific conference contribution abstract Keywords: rak jajčnikov, eksperimentalna onkologija, onkologija
Published in DiRROS: 25.02.2026; Views: 418; Downloads: 129
Full text (84,75 KB) |
5. A three-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine regime produces both suitable immunogenicity and satisfactory efficacy in patients with solid cancersUrška Janžič, Urška Bidovec, Peter Korošec, Katja Mohorčič, Loredana Mrak, Marina Čakš, Maja Ravnik, Erik Škof, Matija Rijavec, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Background: The recommended booster third dose of vaccination against COVID-19 in cancer patients seems reasonable to protect them against a severe disease course. A prospective study was designed to assess the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of COVID-19 vaccination in this cohort. Methods: Patients with solid malignancies on active treatment were followed up after the primary course and booster third dose of vaccination to assess their anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG levels, efficacy in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and safety. Results: Out of 125 patients receiving the primary course of vaccination, 66 patients received a booster third dose of mRNA vaccine, with a 20-fold increase in median anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG levels compared to Ab levels six months post-primary course of vaccination (p < 0.0001). After the booster third dose, anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG levels were comparable to healthy controls (p = 0.113). There was a decline in Ab levels 3 (p = 0.0003) and 6 months (p < 0.0001) post-third booster dose. No patients had either a severe disease course or a lethal outcome in the case of SARS-CoV-2 infection after the third booster dose. Conclusion: The third booster vaccination dose against COVID-19 in solid cancer patients triggers substantial immunogenicity and is safe and effective for preventing a severe COVID-19 disease course.
Keywords: solid cancer, COVID-19 vaccination, booster third dose
Published in DiRROS: 25.02.2026; Views: 442; Downloads: 224
Full text (1,55 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
6. Priporočila za obravnavo bolnic z rakom jajčnikov, jajcevodov in s primarnim peritonealnim seroznim rakom v SlovenijiNina Kovačević, Barbara Šegedin, Sebastjan Merlo, Sonja Bebar, Ana Blatnik, Andrej Cokan, Branko Cvjetičanin, Nina Fokter Dovnik, Barbara Gazić, Biljana Grčar-Kuzmanov, Brigita Gregorič, Matej Horvat, Vid Janša, Jure Knez, Borut Kobal, Manja Šešek, Mateja Krajc, Maja Krajec, Mateja Lasič Pecev, Srdjan Novaković, Maja Pakiž, Maja Ravnik, Špela Smrkolj, Ksenija Strojnik, Erik Škof, Iztok Takač, Gregor Vivod, Vesna Zadnik, Helena Barbara Zobec Logar, 2022, professional article Keywords: rak (medicina), ginekološki raki, ginekologija, onkologija, epidemiologija, histopatologija, preživetje, diagnostika, zdravljenje, kirurgija
Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2026; Views: 392; Downloads: 266
Full text (9,77 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
7. |
8. Association of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and inflammation status with survival outcome in patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinomaSimona Miceska, Cvetka Grašič-Kuhar, Snježana Frković-Grazio, Erik Škof, Praveen Krishnamoorthy, Dineo Khabele, Veronika Kloboves-Prevodnik, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In this study, we investigated the association between tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), inflammation status, and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with primary high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC). We assessed the percentages of different intraepithelial and stromal TIL subtypes using both manual and digital methods, following established recommendations for TIL assessment. In addition, we evaluated inflammation status through several immune scores, including the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV). Our results suggest that stromal CD3+ and CD8+ TILs, as well as PIV, may serve as potential prognostic indicators in HGSC, as they remained potential independent markers in multivariate analysis.
Keywords: ovarian carcinoma, high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, prognostic factors
Published in DiRROS: 05.12.2025; Views: 1044; Downloads: 185
 Link to file |
9. |
10. Olaparib za zdravljenje raka jajčnikovErik Škof, Breda Škrbinc, Brigita Gregorič, 2023, dictionary, encyclopaedia, lexicon, manual, atlas, map Keywords: rak jajčnikov, zaviralci PARP, olaparib, gen dovzetnosti za pojav raka dojk, BRCA
Published in DiRROS: 08.08.2025; Views: 738; Downloads: 263
Link to file |
