Maria Isabela Sarbu

A case of disseminated cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma in an immunocompetent patient

Background Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a tumor derived from the endothelial cell lineage caused by Kaposi sarcomaassociated virus (KSHV), also known as human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8). Four subtypes of KS have been described: classical KS, African endemic KS, immunosuppression-associated KS and AIDS-associated KS. Over 95% of the lesions have been found to be infected with HHV-8, regardless of the clinical subtype. Classical KS usually occurs in elderly men from the Mediterranean region. It is a chronic, slowly progressing disorder, usually confined to the skin, which only rarely affects other organs.

New Insights in the Pathogenesis of HPV Infection and the Associated Carcinogenic Processes: The Role of Chronic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a small double-stranded DNA virus with tropism for epithelial cells. To this date, over 150 genotypes are known and are classified into two major groups, low-risk and high-risk strains, depending on the ability of the virus to induce malignant transformation. The hosts immunity plays a central role in the course of the infection; therefore, it may not be clinically manifest or may produce various benign or malignant lesions. The pathogenic mechanisms are complex and incompletely elucidated. Recent research suggests the role of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) in the pathogenesis of HPV infection and the associated carcinogenic processes. Chronic inflammation induces OS, which in turn promotes the perpetuation of the inflammatory process resulting in the release of numerous molecules which cause cell damage. Reactive oxygen species exert a harmful effect on proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Viral oncogenes E5, E6, and E7 are involved in the development of chronic inflammation through various mechanisms. In addition, HPV may interfere with redox homeostasis of host cells, inducing OS which may be involved in the persistence of the infection and play a certain role in viral integration and promotion of carcinogenesis. Knowledge regarding the interplay between chronic inflammation and OS in the pathogenesis of HPV infection and HPV-induced carcinogenesis has important consequences on the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumor of the vulva in a patient with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

Background Buschke-Lowenstein tumor (BLT) is a very rare sexually-transmitted disease associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) type 6 and 11, but rare cases of oncogenic HPV types including HPV 16 and HPV 18 were also reported. It is characterized by slow, locally invasive growth and clinically presents as exophytic masses with a cauliflower-like morphology. It usually occurs in uncircumcised men and location in sites other than the penis is very rare. It is a premalignant disorder with a low incidence of metastasis but with a considerable risk of malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).