Aim: To investigate co-expression of ATRX and HIF-1α in kidney neoplasm in relation to its origin. Introduction: A heterogenous group of kidney tumors is believed to arise from a variety of specialized cells along the nephron – proximal tubules [Clear cell Renal Cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and papillary RCC (pRCC)] and collecting tubules [chromophobe RCC (chRCC) and oncocytoma]. ATP-dependent helicase (ATRX) is a chromatin remodeling protein involved in gene regulation and aberrant DNA methylation during cancerogenesis. Activation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) is an early event in most RCC following inactivation of the VHL tumor suppressor gene. Material and Methods: A total of 46 kidney tumors (n=33 ccRCC, n=1 mRCC, n=4 pRCC, n=5 chRCC and n=3 oncocytomas) was immunohistochemically analyzed for ATRX and HIF-1α expression. Results: Diffuse and focal positivity of ATRX expression was found in 51.5% of ccRCC, while 54.5% had HIF-1α positivity. Co-expression of ATRX/HIF-1α was not related to nuclear grade and stage of ccRCC. Metastatic ccRCC had strong expression of both markers. pRCC type II showed weak ATRX/HIF-1α expression, while pRCC type I was negative for both markers. Interestingly, all analyzed oncocytomas and chromophobe RCC were negative for ATRX/HIF-1α. Conclusion: Our results suggest that signaling pathways have different patterns of activation/suppression of ATRX/HIF-1α in oncocytomas and chRCC compared to other RCC types. Downregulation or loss of ATRX/HIF-1α coexpression in benign tumors should be further investigated in order to determinate mechanisms of ATRX/ HIF-1α signaling transport renal neoplasm with different origin.

Aim: To examine the quality of tested lung carcinoma samples, frequency and type of EGFR mutations, and their correlation with patients clinical characteristics (gender, age, smoking habits, clinical stage). Introduction: Mutations in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) have a role in lung carcinoma development and they are more prevalent in women and non-smokers. Evaluation of EGFR mutations in lung carcinomas in mandatory for targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Test performance depends on the quality of tested samples and a test type. Material and Methods: We evaluated reports of EGFR mutation real-time PCR analyses in lung carcinoma samples performed from June 2017 till February 2018. Presence of mutations was correlated with clinical characteristics of lung carcinoma patients. Results: A total of 341 samples was received for testing, among which 40 (11.7%) was unsuitable for analysis due to a low tumor cell content (<5%). Three types of mutations were detected in a total of 24 (8%) cases: L858R in 12 (50%) cases, exon 19 deletion in 10 (41.7%) cases, and G719A/C/S in two cases (8.3%). Mutations were more prevalent in women (13.7%) then in men (4.3%) (p=0.004). Patients with EGFR mutated tumors were older (67,6ą9,4 years), compared to those with non-mutated tumors (62,3ą8,8 years) (p=0,003). Smoking habits and clinical stage were not associated with mutation status in lung carcinomas. Mutations were detected only in adenocarcinomas. Conclusion: Our results suggest the low frequency of EGFR mutations in tested patients, but they are more prevalent in women and older patients.