1. Cancer burden in Slovenia with the time trends analysisVesna Zadnik, Maja Primic-Žakelj, Katarina Lokar, Katja Jarm, Urška Ivanuš, Tina Žagar, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Background The aim of our study was to describe cancer burden and time trends of all cancers combined, the most frequent as well as the rare cancers in Slovenia. Patients and methods The principal data source was the population-based Cancer Registry of Republic of Slovenia. The cancer burden is presented by incidence and prevalence for the period 1950%2013 and by mortality for years 1985%2013. The time trends were characterized in terms of an average annual percent change estimated by the log-linear joinpoint regression. The Dyba-Hakulinen method was used for estimation of incidence in 2016 and the projections of cancer incidence for the year 2025 were calculated applying the Globocan projection software. Results In recent years, near 14,000 Slovenes were diagnosed with cancer per year and just over 6,000 died; more than 94,000 people who were ever diagnosed with cancer are currently living among us. The total burden of cancer is dominated by five most common cancer sites: skin (non-melanoma), colon and rectum, lung, breast and prostate, together representing almost 60% of all new cancer cases. On average the incidence of common cancers in Slovenia is increasing for 3.0% per year in last decade, but the incidence of rare cancers is stable. Conclusions Because cancer occurs more among the elderly, and additionally more numerous post-war generation is entering this age group, it is expected that the burden of this disease will be growing further, even if the level of risk factors remains the same as today. Keywords: cancer burden, cancer registry, incidence, prevalence Published in DiRROS: 24.05.2024; Views: 76; Downloads: 56
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2. Electrotransfer of plasmid DNA radiosensitizes B16F10 tumors through activation of immune responseMonika Savarin, Urška Kamenšek, Maja Čemažar, Richard Heller, Gregor Serša, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: Tumor irradiation combined with adjuvant treatments, either vascular targeted or immunomodulatory, is under intense investigation. Gene electrotransfer of therapeutic genes is one of these approaches. The aim of this study was to determine, whether gene electrotransfer of plasmid encoding shRNA for silencing endoglin, with vascular targeted effectiveness, can radiosensitize melanoma B16F10 tumors. Materials and methods. The murine melanoma B16F10 tumors, growing on the back of C57Bl/6 mice, were treated by triple gene electrotransfer and irradiation. The antitumor effect was evaluated by determination of tumor growth delay and proportion of tumor free mice. Furthermore, histological analysis of tumors (necrosis, apoptosis, proliferation, vascularization, presence of hypoxia and infiltration of immune cells,) was used to evaluate the therapeutic mechanisms. Results. Gene electrotransfer of plasmid silencing endoglin predominantly indicated vascular targeted effects of the therapy, since significant tumor growth delay and 44% of tumor free mice were obtained. In addition, irradiation had minor effects on radioresistant melanoma, with 11% of mice tumor free. The combined treatment resulted in excellent effectiveness with 88% of mice tumor free, with more than half resistant to secondary tumor challenge, which was observed also with the plasmid devoid of the therapeutic gene. Histological analysis of tumors in the combined treatment group, demonstrated similar mode of action of the gene electrotransfer of plasmid encoding shRNA for silencing endoglin and devoid of it, both through the induction of an immune response. Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that irradiation can in radioresistant melanoma tumors, by release of tumor associated antigens, serve as activator of the immune response, besides directly affecting tumor cells and vasculature. The primed antitumor immune response can be further boosted by gene electrotransfer of plasmid, regardless of presence of the therapeutic gene, which was confirmed by the high radiosensitization, resulting in prolonged tumor growth delay and 89% of tumor free mice that were up to 63% resistant to secondary challenge of tumor. In addition, gene electrotransfer of therapeutic plasmid for silencing endoglin has also a direct effect on tumor vasculature and tumors cells; however in combination with radiotherapy this effect was masked by pronounced immune response. Keywords: gene therapy, electrotransfer, plasmid, irradiation, immune response, melanoma Published in DiRROS: 24.05.2024; Views: 79; Downloads: 32
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3. The last sanctum of archetypes : rethinking dreams in the light of ancient knowledge and artificial intelligenceMaja Gutman Mušič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Despite numerous attempts to integrate dream research into a vast array of sci-entific disciplines, there appears to be no consensus on why and how we dream. This millennia-old universal human phenomenon appears to be too elusive to be thoroughly understood by a single scientific discipline and too complex and data--rich to be studied only theoretically. However, another dimension to dreams and dreaming could promise an integrative approach: the culture-historical compo-nent that merges with recent advances in artificial Intelligence. This paper briefly examines conceptual understandings of dreams before the dawn of modern science – specifically, the Native american, Mesopotamian, ancient Greek, and Hippocra-tic principles of dream practices and knowledge – in an attempt to understand the contemporary dream research field better and to outline future avenues for a data-driven approach while remaining grounded in its epistemological foundation. Keywords: ancient dreaming, archetypes, artificial intelligence, dream data, cross-cultural dream analysis Published in DiRROS: 13.05.2024; Views: 82; Downloads: 73
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4. Discovery of 'click' 1,2,3-triazolium salts as potential anticancer drugsIvana Steiner, Nikolina Stojanović, Aljoša Bolje, Anamaria Brozović, Denis Polančec, Andreja Ambriović Ristov, Marijana Radić Stojković, Ivo Piantanida, Domagoj Eljuga, Janez Košmrlj, Maja Osmak, 2016, original scientific article Keywords: triazoles, 1, 2, 3-triazolium salts, anticancer activity, cell cycle, ROS Published in DiRROS: 09.05.2024; Views: 95; Downloads: 68
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6. Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin is effective in BRAF mutated melanoma cells and interacts with BRAF inhibitorsTanja Jesenko, Lara Prosen, Maja Čemažar, Tjaša Potočnik, Gregor Serša, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of the study was to explore the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy (ECT) during the treatment of melanoma patients with BRAF inhibitors. Its effectiveness was tested on BRAF mutated and non-mutated melanoma cells in vitro and in combination with BRAF inhibitors. Materials and methods. ECT with bleomycin was performed on two human melanoma cell lines, with (SK-MEL-28) or without (CHL-1) BRAF V600E mutation. Cell survival was determined using clonogenic assay to determine the effectiveness of ECT in melanoma cells of different mutation status. Furthermore, the effectiveness of ECT in concomitant treatment with BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib was also determined in BRAF mutated cells SK-MEL-28 with clonogenic assay. Results. The survival of BRAF V600E mutated melanoma cells was even lower than non-mutated cells, indicating that ECT is effective regardless of the mutational status of melanoma cells. Furthermore, the synergistic interaction between vemurafenib and ECT with bleomycin was demonstrated in the BRAF V600E mutated melanoma cells. Conclusions. The effectiveness of ECT in BRAF mutated melanoma cells as well as potentiation of its effectiveness during the treatment with vemurafenib in vitro implies on clinical applicability of ECT in melanoma patients with BRAF mutation and/or during the treatment with BRAF inhibitors. Keywords: electrochemotherapy, BRAF inhibitors, vemurafenib, melanoma Published in DiRROS: 30.04.2024; Views: 160; Downloads: 36
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7. Bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in elderly patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer : single center experienceJanja Ocvirk, Maja Ebert Moltara, Tanja Mesti, Marko Boc, Martina Reberšek, Neva Volk, Jernej Benedik, Zvezdana Hlebanja, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is mainly a disease of elderly, however, geriatric population is underrepresented in clinical trials. Patient registries represent a tool to assess and follow treatment outcomes in this patient population. The aim of the study was with the help of the patients% register to determine the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab plus chemotherapy in elderly patients who had previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients and methods. The registry of patients with mCRC was designed to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy as well as selection of patients in routine clinical practice. Patient baseline clinical characteristics, pre-specified bevacizumab-related adverse events, and efficacy data were collected, evaluated and compared according to the age categories. Results. Between January 2008 and December 2010, 210 patients with mCRC (median age 63, male 61.4%) started bevacizumab-containing therapy in the 1st line setting. Majority of the 210 patients received irinotecan-based chemotherapy (68%) as 1st line treatment and 105 patients (50%) received bevacizumab maintenance therapy. Elderly (% 70 years) patients presented 22.9% of all patients and they had worse performance status (PS 1/2, 62.4%) than patients in < 70 years group (PS 1/2, 35.8%). Difference in disease control rate was mainly due to inability to assess response in elderly group (64.6% in elderly and 77.8% in < 70 years group, p = 0.066). The median progression free survival was 10.2 (95% CI, 6.7%16.2) and 11.3 (95% CI, 10.2%12.6) months in elderly and < 70 years group, respectively (p = 0.58). The median overall survival was 18.5 (95% CI, 12.4%28.9) and 27.4 (95% CI, 22.7%31.9) months for elderly and < 70 years group, respectively (p = 0.03). Three-year survival rate was 26% and 37.6% in elderly vs. < 70 years group (p = 0.03). Overall rates of bevacizumab-related adverse events were similar in both groups: proteinuria 21/22 %, hypertension 25/19 %, haemorrhage 2/4 % and thromboembolic events 10/6 %, for elderly and < 70 years group, respectively. Conclusions. In routine clinical practice, the combination of bevacizumab and chemotherapy is effective and welltolerated regimen in elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Keywords: metastatic colorectal cancer, bevacizumab, chemotherapy, elderly Published in DiRROS: 30.04.2024; Views: 136; Downloads: 34
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8. Recurrence rate in regional lymph nodes in 737 patients with follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasmsAndrej Vogrin, Hana Bešič, Nikola Bešić, Maja Marolt-Mušič, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: . Preoperative ultrasound (US) evaluation of central and lateral neck compartments is recommended for all patients undergoing a thyroidectomy for malignant or suspicious for malignancy cytologic or molecular findings. Our aim was to find out how frequent was recurrence in regional lymph nodes in patients with follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm and usefulness of preoperative neck US investigation in patients with neoplasm. Patients and Methods. Altogether 737 patients were surgically treated because of follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasms from 1995 to 2014 at our cancer comprehensive center. Altogether 207 patients (163 females, 44 males; mean age 52 years) had thyroid carcinoma. Results. Carcinoma was diagnosed in follicular and Hürthle cell neoplasm in 143/428 and 64/309 of cases, respectively. A recurrence in regional lymph nodes occurred in 12/207 patients (6%) during a median follow-up of 55 months. Among patients with carcinoma a recurrence in regional lymph nodes was diagnosed in follicular and Hürthle cell neoplasms in 2% and 14%, respectively (p=0.002). Recurrence in regional lymph nodes was diagnosed in 3/428 (0.7%) of all patients with follicular neoplasm and 9/309 (3%) of all patients with Hürthle cell neoplasm. Recurrence in lymph nodes was diagnosed in 0.7% of patients with a preoperative diagnosis of follicular neoplasm and 3% of patients with a Hürthle cell neoplasm. A recurrence in regional lymph nodes is rare in patients with carcinoma and preoperative diagnosis of follicular neoplasm. Keywords: ultrasonography, thyroid neoplasms, diagnosis, pathology Published in DiRROS: 30.04.2024; Views: 111; Downloads: 65
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9. Effectiveness of electrochemotherapy after IFN-[alpha] adjuvant therapy of melanoma patientsAndrejc Hribernik, Maja Čemažar, Gregor Serša, Maša Omerzel, Marko Snoj, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: The combination of electrochemotherapy with immuno-modulatory treatments has already been explored and proven effective. However, the role of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) adjuvant therapy of melanoma patients and implication on electrochemotherapy effectiveness has not been explored yet. Therefore, the aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electrochemotherapy after the previous adjuvant treatment with IFN-alpha in melanoma patients. Patients and methods. The study was a retrospective single-center observational analysis of the patients with advanced melanoma, treated with electrochemotherapy after previous IFN-alpha adjuvant therapy. Five patients, treated between January 2008 and December 2014, were included into the study, regardless of the time point of IFN-alpha adjuvant therapy. Results. Electrochemotherapy of recurrent melanoma after the IFN-alpha adjuvant therapy proved to be a safe and effective treatment. Patients with one or two metastases responded completely. Among patients with multiple metastases, there was a variable response rate. In one patient all 23 metastases responded completely, in second patient more than 85% of all together 80 metastases responded completely and in third patient all 5 metastases had partial response. Taking into account all metastases from all patients together there was an 85% complete response rate. Conclusions. The study showed that electrochemotherapy of recurrent melanoma after the IFN-alpha adjuvant therapy is a safe and effective treatment modality, which results in a high complete response rate, not only in single metastasis, but also in multiple metastases. The high complete response rate might be due to an IFN-alpha immune-editing effect, however, further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to support this presumption. Keywords: electrochemotherapy, IFN-alpha, melanoma Published in DiRROS: 30.04.2024; Views: 106; Downloads: 33
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