1. Determination of copper and other trace elements in serum samples from patients with biliary tract cancers : prospective noninterventional nonrandomized clinical study protocolMartina Reberšek, Nežka Hribernik, Katarina Kozlica, Stefan Marković, Katja Uršič Valentinuzzi, Maja Čemažar, Tea Zuliani, Radmila Milačič Ščančar, Janez Ščančar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Background Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the disease is incurable. Currently used tumor biomarkers have limited diagnostic value for BTCs, so there is an urgent need for sensitive and specific biomarkers for their earlier diagnosis. Deregulation of the homeostasis of trace elements is involved in the carcinogenesis of different cancers, including BTCs. The objective of the study is to determine/compare the total concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) and the proportions of free Cu and Cu bound to ceruloplasmin (Cp) and the isotopic ratio of 65Cu/63Cu in serum samples from healthy volunteers and cancer patients using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry-based methods (ICP-MS).
Keywords: trace elements, copper, predictive biomarkers of response
Published in DiRROS: 26.06.2026; Views: 114; Downloads: 52
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2. Current Operating Procedure (COP) for Bleomycin ElectroScleroTherapy (BEST) of low-flow vascular malformationsTobian Muir, Walter A Wohlgemuth, Maja Čemažar, Giulia Bertino, Aleš Grošelj, Lakshmi Ratnam, Ian McCafferty, Moritz Wildgruber, Bernhard Gebauer, Gregor Serša, 2024, review article Abstract: Bleomycin ElectroScleroTherapy (BEST) is a new approach in the treatment of vascular malformations. After bleomycin is administered to the malformation, electric pulses are applied to the target area to enhance the effectiveness of bleomycin. The mode of action is comparable to the effect of electrochemotherapy on tumour vasculature. For the wider and safer use of BEST in the clinical treatment of low-flow vascular malformations, this Current Operating Procedure (COP) is being prepared. It is a proposal for the clinical standardisation of BEST using the Cliniporator® as the electrical pulse generator with its associated electrodes. The electrical parameters considered in this protocol are those validated by the European Standard Operating Procedures for Electrochemotherapy (ESOPE) with the Cliniporator®. Conclusions General requirements are proposed, and, depending on the type of lesion, local skills and the availability of radiological equipment, two technical approaches of BEST are described based on ultrasound guided intervention or combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic guided intervention.
Keywords: low-flow vascular malformations, bleomycin sclerotherapy, bleomycin electrosclerotherapy
Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 107; Downloads: 43
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3. Sarcopenic obesity in cancerMihaela Jurdana, Maja Čemažar, 2024, review article Abstract: Sarcopenic obesity is a relatively new term. It is a clinical condition characterized by sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and function) and obesity (increase in fat mass) that mainly affects older adults. As the incidence of sarcopenia and obesity increases worldwide, sarcopenic obesity is becoming a greater problem also in cancer patients. In fact, sarcopenic obesity is associated with poorer treatment outcomes, longer hospital stays, physical disability, and shorter survival in several cancers. Oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, and systemic inflammation, as well as altered expression of skeletal muscle anti-inflammatory myokines in sarcopenic obesity, are also associated with carcinogenesis. Conclusions. Reported prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in cancer varies because of heterogeneity in definitions and variability in diagnostic criteria used to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and obesity. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe the definitions, prevalence, and diagnostic criteria as well as the mechanisms that cancer has in common with sarcopenic obesity.
Keywords: sarcopenia, obesity, cancer, inflammation
Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 127; Downloads: 61
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4. Radiation-induced impairment of skeletal muscle regenerationMaja Čemažar, Mihaela Jurdana, 2025, review article Abstract: Background. Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of treatment for various cancers, but often causes collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue, including skeletal muscle. Ionizing radiation leads to oxidative stress and inflammation, which impairs the regenerative capacity of muscle tissue. Irradiation reduces the number and functionality of satellite cells and disrupts the tightly regulated processes of myogenesis and tissue remodelling. In addition, irradiation alters the muscle microenvironment by promoting fibrosis and vascular damage, which further impedes effective regenera-tion. Cytokine signalling pathways are also dysregulated following irradiation, contributing to impaired activation and differentiation of satellite cells. Conclusions. There is evidence that factors such as melatonin and growth factors can improve muscle regenera-tion. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the impairment of muscle regeneration after radiotherapy is crucial for the development of targeted strategies to mitigate side effects and improve patients’ qual-ity of life. Overall, the preservation and restoration of muscle function in irradiated tissue remains a critical challenge that requires multidisciplinary approaches
Keywords: skeletal muscle, radiotherapy, muscle regeneration, melatonine
Published in DiRROS: 17.06.2026; Views: 163; Downloads: 114
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6. Intraoperative electrochemotherapy of the posterior resection surface after pancreaticoduodenectomy : preliminary results of a hybrid approach treatment of pancreatic cancerŽan Čebron, Mihajlo Djokić, Miha Petrič, Maja Čemažar, Maša Omerzel, Gregor Serša, Blaž Trotovšek, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Despite extensive research in recent decades, pancreatic cancer continues to be among the most lethal forms of cancer, with no substantial increase in survival rates. Local recurrences account for approximately 30 per cent of all disease recurrences. With the intent to improve survival, we designed a novel, hybrid treatment strategy consisting of surgical resection and additional intraoperative electrochemotherapy of the posterior resection surface. We present the study protocols and preliminary findings of a prospective pilot study investigating this treatment approach. Methods Consenting patients with resectable pancreatic head ductal adenocarcinoma who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. After surgical resection, electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was performed using plate electrodes to cover the area between anatomical landmarks. Results Electrochemotherapy of the posterior resection surface was feasible in all 7 patients. We observed pancreatic fistula grade B in only one patient; all other noted complications were Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or less. The hospital mortality was 0%. Conclusions Our preliminary results suggest that a hybrid approach combining surgery with intraoperative electrochemotherapy is safe and feasible.
Keywords: pancreatic cancer, intraoperative electrochemotherapy, electroporation
Published in DiRROS: 04.06.2026; Views: 172; Downloads: 142
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9. Effect of bleomycin hydrolase expression in tumor tissue on the therapeutic effectiveness of electrochemotherapyJan Bogataj, Urša Lampreht Tratar, Gregor Serša, Maja Čemažar, Aleš Grošelj, Maša Omerzel, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a cancer treatment that combines application of short electrical pulses with chemotherapy drugs to improve their delivery into tumor cells. Bleomycin is one of the most effective drugs used in ECT, but its success can vary depending on the tumor type. One possible reason is the presence of bleomycin hydrolase (BLMH), an enzyme that inactivates bleomycin. In this study, we measured BLMH levels in different mouse tumor cell lines and tumors grown in animals. Thereafter we compared the levels of BLMH with tumor response to ECT and found a correlation with BLMH content, i.e., tumors with higher BLMH content responded poorly. These findings suggest that levels of BLMH could serve as a predictive marker for ECT effectiveness. Testing for BLMH before treatment may help personalize therapy and identify patients most likely to benefit from ECT.
Keywords: electrochemotherapy, bleomycin hydrolase, predictive biomarker, murine models
Published in DiRROS: 20.04.2026; Views: 248; Downloads: 215
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10. Phase I trial of phIL12 plasmid intratumoral gene electrotransfer in patients with basal cell carcinoma in head and neck regionPrimož Strojan, Tanja Jesenko, Maša Omerzel, Črt Jamšek, Aleš Grošelj, Urša Lampreht Tratar, Boštjan Markelc, Gorana Gašljević, Alojz Ihan, Franc Smrekar, Matjaž Peterka, Maja Čemažar, Gregor Serša, 2025, original scientific article Keywords: phase I clinical trial, phIL12 plasmid, interleukin-12, gene electrotransfer, basal cell carcinoma
Published in DiRROS: 13.04.2026; Views: 260; Downloads: 256
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