Juozaitytė, Elona
Item type:Publication, journal article[2026][S1][M001,N011][13]; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 2026-03-13, vol. 26, no. 1, p. 1-13Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of polymorphisms in cytokine genes on pain severity and pain treatment with palliative radiotherapy.
17 Item type:Publication, research article[2026][S1][M001][9]; The prognostic effect of PD-L1 status in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is uncertain and little is known about PD-L1-positive prevalence and outcomes in the real-world setting.
21 Item type:Publication, research article[2026][S1][M001][18]; ; ; ; ; Complications are frequent in cancer patients and contribute to adverse outcomes and higher healthcare costs, underscoring the need for earlier identification and prediction. This study evaluated the feasibility of using passively generated smartphone sensor data to explore early-warning signals of complications and symptom worsening during cancer treatment. A total of 108 patients were continuously monitored using accelerometer, GPS, and screen on/off data collected through the LAIMA application, while symptoms of depression, fatigue, and nausea were assessed every two weeks and complications were confirmed during clinic visits or emergency presentations. Smartphone data streams were aggregated into variables describing activity and sociability patterns. Machine learning models, including Decision Tree, Extreme Gradient Boosting, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Support Vector Machine, were used for complication prediction, and time-series models such as Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average, Holt–Winters, TBATS, Long Short-Term Memory neural network, and General Regression Neural Network were applied to identify early behavioral changes preceding symptom reports. In this exploratory analysis, the ensemble model demonstrated high sensitivity (89%) for identifying complication events. Smartphone-derived behavioral indicators enabled earlier detection of depression, fatigue, and vomiting by about nine days in a subset of patients. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of passive smartphone sensor data as exploratory early-warning signals, warranting validation in larger cohorts.
12 Item type:Publication, [Naujų gliomoms specifinių m6A RNR žymenų paieška gliomų kamieninėse ląstelėse ir navikuose]doctoral thesis[2025][R1][N010][146]; ; ; ; ; Šio tyrimo tikslas nustatyti gliomoms specifines iRNR N6-metiladenozino modifikacijas gliomos kamieninėse ląstelėse ir navikuose, siekiant atrinkti naujus, kliniškai reikšmingus gliomų molekulinius žymenis. Uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti gliomos kamieninių ląstelių (NCH421k) iRNR N6-metiladenozino (m6A) modifikacijų profilį lyginant su glioblastomos ląstelėmis (U87-MG) ir atrinkti potencialias, m6A metilintas iRNR, susijusias su gliomos kamienišku ir progresavimu. 2. Apibūdinti iRNR molekulių rinkinį su būdingomis m6A epitranskriptominėmis modifikacijomis, susijusiomis su gliomos patogeneze ir paciento prognoze. 3. Ištirti gliomos kamieninėms ląstelėms specifinius m6A metilintus iRNR transkriptus gliomos navikuose, siekiant įvertinti jų poveikį naviko patologijai bei pacientų klinikinėms charakteristikoms. Tyrimai rodo, kad m6A modifikacijos galėtų būti potencialus taikinys gliomų atveju, o terapinis epitranskriptomo modifikacijų reguliavimas gliomos kamieninėse ląstelėse galėtų padėti kontroliuoti jų augimą, atsinaujinimą ir naviko vystymąsi.
55 Item type:Publication, preprint[2025][S1][N010,M001][27]; ; ; ; ; ; Archives of Medical Science, 2025-07-26, vol. 00, no. 00, p. 1-27Introduction Radiotherapy is a vital therapeutic option in the treatment of breast cancer nowadays. However, a major obstacle to the full effectiveness of radiation therapy is still the radioresistance of cancer cells. Various studies have proven sulforaphane's (SFN) beneficial effects against cancer and its possible utilization as a radiosensitizer in radiotherapy. This study aimed to investigate whether SFN has a radiosensitizing effect on breast cancer cells.
Material and methods The anticancer efficiency of SFN and radiosensitizing effect in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were assessed by the MTT assay. Using a flow cytometric assay, the apoptosis level and changes in the cell cycle were measured. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine BCL-2 and BCL-XL genes expresion and proteins level.
Results According to our results, SFN reduced the viability of cells, and combining SFN with radiation therapy (IR) caused much greater anticancer effects on cells. SFN+IR was shown to enhance the number of cells in the G2/M phase and the percentage of cells going through apoptosis. SFN reduced the expression of apoptosis-relative genes BCL-2 and BCL-XL. Consistent with this data, Western blot analysis revealed that BCL-2 and BCL-XL protein levels were decreased in tested cells. As a result of the combination treatment, the downregulation of the BCL-2 protein was observed only in MDA-MB-231 cells.
Conclusions These results indicate that SFN acts as a radiosensitizer by enhancing apoptotic cell death and reducing anti-apoptotic genes in breast cancer cells.
27 Item type:Publication, research article[2025][S1][M001,N010][15]; ; ; ; ; ; International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025-07-11, vol. 26, no. 14, p. 1-15Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by excessive proliferation of one or more myeloid lineages, frequently accompanied by an elevated risk of thrombotic events. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, are implicated in numerous inflammatory and vascular pathophysiological processes. In this study, we analyzed the association between selected MMP polymorphisms, rs1799750, rs243865, rs3025058, rs3918242, and rs17576, and thrombotic risk as well as clinical characteristics in patients with MPNs. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Among the polymorphisms analyzed, a statistically significant association was identified between the MMP-9 rs3918242 CT genotype and an increased risk of arterial thrombosis (OR = 4.206, CI 1.337–13.234, p = 0.014). Moreover, rs3918242 CT was associated with thrombotic events (both arterial and venous thrombosis combined), suggesting a potential contributory role in the prothrombotic phenotype observed in MPNs (OR = 3.200, CI 1.110–9.258, p = 0.031). These findings indicate that genetic variation in MMP-9, particularly rs3918242, may serve as a predictive marker for vascular complications in MPN patients. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to confirm these associations and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the contribution of MMP polymorphisms to thrombosis in MPNs.
11 Item type:Publication, [Analysis of Cardiac Mechanics and Morphometry Concerning Heart Failure Predictors, Genetic Biomarkers, and Outcomes in Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy]doctoral thesis[2025][R1][M001][135]; ; ; ; ; Kardiomiopatijos – viena pagrindinių širdies nepakankamumo (ŠN) priežasčių visame pasaulyje. Neišeminės kilmės dilatacinei kardiomiopatijai (NDKMP) būdingas kairiojo ar abiejų skilvelių išsiplėtimas ir sistolinės funkcijos sutrikimas, neesant išeminės širdies ligos ir būklių, susijusių su perkrova tūriu ar spaudimu. Šiuo metu trūksta tyrimų apie atliktą visų širdies dalių miokardo mechanikos ir morfometrijos analizę. Šiame tyrime vertinta visų širdies dalių mechanika ir morfometrija, jų pokyčiai esant nustatytai NDKMP. Analizuota, kokios yra šių pokyčių sąsajos su pagrindiniais ŠN prognoziniais veiksniais, genetika ir ankstyvosiomis ligos baigtimis bei jų prognozinė reikšmė. Rezultatai parodė, kad prognoziniai ŠN veiksniai daugiausiai sąsajų turėjo su kairiojo skilvelio (KS) išstūmio frakcija, globaliu regurgitacijos tūriu (GRT), dešiniojo skilvelio laisvosios sienelės išilgine įtampa ir kairiojo prieširdžio prisipildymo įtampa. Statistiškai reikšmingų fenotipo skirtumų buvo tarp pacientų, turėjusių šiuos genus: GATAD1, LOX, RASA1, KRAS ir KRIT1. GATAD1, LOX, ir RASA1 genų variantai buvo susiję su geresne miokardo funkcija ir mažesniais širdies ertmių dydžiais, KRAS ir KRIT1 – su blogesniais miokardo mechanikos ir funkcijos rodikliais. Ankstyvių nepageidaujamų NDKMP baigčių nepriklausomi prognoziniai veiksniai buvo KS bendra išilginė įtampa ir GRT.
53 - conference poster[2025][T2][N010,M001][1]
; ; ; ; ; The 58th European Human Genetics Conference (ESHG Annual Meeting 2025) : 24-27 May 2025, Milan, Italy : [Scientific Programme], 2025-05-24, p. 1-1Background: Radiotherapy is frequently used in the treatment of breast cancer. However, radioresistance remains the primary disadvantage of this therapeutic approach. Therefore, the search of chemicals, which could induce radiosensitivity is of great importance. One of these chemicals is resveratrol (RSV). Several investigations revealed RSV’s ability to inhibit the expression of cancer-specific genes, induce changes in the cell cycle, and activate apoptosis. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of RSV on radiosensitivity and the expression of BCL2 gene in the breast cancer. Material and Methods: An X-ray linear accelerator was used to irradiate cells with 2 or 4 Gy doses. The anti-proliferative effect of RSV in MCF-7 cells was determined by colony formation assay. The apoptosis level and changes in the cell cycle were measured using the Muse Cell Analyzer. Real-time PCR was used to quantitatively determine BCL2 gene expression. Results: Our results indicated, that RSV decreased MCF-7 cell viability. When a combination of RSV and radiation therapy (IR) was used, the anticancer effects on cells were noticeably stronger. It was demonstrated that RSV+IR increased the proportion of cells undergoing apoptosis and the number of cells in the G2/M phase. Based on RT-PCR results, RSV+IR combinations statistically significantly reduced BCL2 gene expression compared to RSV-alone or IR-alone treatment. Conclusion: According to the findings of our study, resveratrol is a potential radiosensitizer of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. RSV and IR combinations decreased cell proliferation, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis and reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic BCL2 gene.
7 Item type:Publication, conference poster[2025][T2][N010,M001][1]; ; ; ; ; The 58th European Human Genetics Conference (ESHG Annual Meeting 2025) : 24-27 May 2025, Milan, Italy : [Scientific Programme], 2025-05-24, p. 1-1Background: Pathogenic and likely pathogenic germline variants in genes associated with breast cancer (BC) play an important role in the development, progression, and response to therapy. Therefore, the identification of these variants can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of BC pathogenesis and improve early disease detection, treatment strategies, and patient outcomes. Material and Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on 52 women diagnosed with luminal A or triple-negative BC at the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics. The study used genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples. WES data were analyzed using the Franklin platform by Genoox. Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were assessed in 81 genes, as defined by the ACMG Secondary Findings V3.2 (2023), and in 18 genes associated with BC. Results: A total of ten pathogenic and four likely pathogenic germline variants were identified in the study group. Of these, five variants were detected in the BRCA1 gene, three in the BRCA2 and CHECK2 genes, and one each in the NBN, ATM, and MUTYH genes. Overall, all variants were found in 19 patients, each of whom had only one clinically significant variant. Nine different variants were identified in patients with luminal A breast cancer, and four - in triple-negative breast cancer. Only one pathogenetic variant was identified in both groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, 14 clinically significant germline variants were identified in patients with luminal A or triple-negative breast cancer that may potentially affect tumor pathogenesis.
6 Item type:Publication, conference poster[2025][T1e][M001,N010][2]; ; ; ; 10th Kaunas/Lithuania International Hematology/Oncology Colloquium : 23 May 2025 : Online Poster Abstract Book / Editor Prof. Elona Juozaitytė, 2025-05-23, p. 14-15Background and Objectives Breast cancer remains the most frequent malignancy among women worldwide. The complex tumor microenvironment, aggressive behavior, heterogenous nature, high rate of proliferation, and treatment resistance are among breast cancer's most well-known characteristics. Most of these processes are related to the ability of cancer cells to evade apoptosis. One way cancer cells prevent apoptosis is by overexpressing anti-apoptotic genes. Therefore, reducing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes can activate the apoptosis mechanism and thus increase the sensitivity of cells to cancer treatment. Although chemical treatments are successful in treating cancer, their side effects and resistance often lead to treatment failure. Therefore plant-derived chemicals have attracted a lot of attention due to their ability to efficiently inhibit cancer cell survival and induce sensitivity to cancer treatment. One of these phytochemicals is resveratrol (RSV) which can be found in common foods, such as pistachios, peanuts, bilberries, blueberries, and grapes. RSV is a phytoestrogen that possesses antioxidant, antiinflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Several investigations demonstrated that RSV could trigger apoptosis and suppress the expression of genes specific to malignancy. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of RSV on the expression of anti-apoptotic genes BCL-2, MCL-1 and BCL-XL in breast cancer cells. Material and Method In this study, cell lines from different subtypes of breast cancer were used: the MCF-7 cell line is the luminal A and the MDA-MB-231 cells are the triple negative subtype. To determine the expression of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2, MCL-1, and BCL-XL genes, we used reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Cells were seeded in 6- well plates and incubated overnight. The next day, cells were treated with 50 µM and 80 µM concentrations of RSV or with DMSO as a control (0 µM). After 48 hours of incubation time, the total RNA was extracted from cells using the RNeasy Mini Kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The High-Capacity RNA-to-cDNA Kit was used to produce cDNA from 1 µg of total RNA. RT-qPCR analysis was performed on a QuantStudio3 Real-Time PCR System. Relative gene expression was normalized to β-actin. Statistical significance was established using Student's t-tests. The result was considered statistically significant if p<0.05. Results RT-qPCR analysis showed that RSV significantly reduced the expression of BCL-2, MCL-1 and BCL-XL genes in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. Compared with the untreated control group, after the treatment with 50 µM and 80 µM concentrations of RSV, the BCL-2 gene expression was reduced to 0.76 and 0.73, MCL-1 gene expression decreased to 0.41 and 0.42, BCL-XL gene expression was 0.38 and 0.40, respectively. In MCF-7 cells, only the BCL-2 gene expression decreased to 0.79 and 0.85 after the treatment with 50 µM and 80 µM concentrations of RSV, respectively. The expression of the MCL-1 and BCL-XL genes did not alter significantly. Our findings demonstrate that RSV had a stronger impact on anti-apoptotic genes expression in the MDA-MB-231 cell line, than in MCF-7. Conclusion and recommendations Our study results revealed that RSV reduced the expression of anti-apoptotic BCL-2, MCL-1, and BCL-XL genes in breast cancer cells. However, the effectiveness of RSV depends on the subtype of breast cancer. The triple negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was more sensitive to the effects of RSV and may be a potential target for RSV therapy.
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