The short arm of human chromosome 3 is involved in the development of many cancers including lung cancer. Three bona fide lung cancer tumor suppressor genes namely RBSP3 (AP20 region), NPRL2 and RASSF1A (LUCA region) were identified in the 3p21.3 region. We have shown previously that homozygous deletions in AP20 and LUCA subregions often occurred in the same tumor (P<10−6). »
03/01/10

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer related death. Gene copy number alterations play an important role in the development of gastric cancer and a change in gene copy number is one of the main mechanisms for a cancer cell to control the expression of potential oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. »
03/01/10

Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) therapy is an effective treatment for early−stage breast cancer. Doxorubicin is a substrate for ABCB1 and SLC22A16 transporters. Cyclophosphamide is a prodrug that requires oxidation to 4−hydroxycyclophosphamide, which yields a cytotoxic alkylating agent. The initial oxidation is catalysed by cytochrome P450 enzymes including CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A5. Polymorphic variants of the genes coding for these enzymes and transporters have been identified, which may influence the systemic pharmacology of the two drugs. It is not known whether this genetic variation has an impact on the efficacy or toxicity of AC therapy. »
02/23/10

Hot flashes in breast cancer survivors (BCS) receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy are common, but risk factors for these symptoms are ill−defined. This study tested if body size is associated with hot flashes in BCS on AI therapy. A cross−sectional study of postmenopausal BCS receiving adjuvant AI therapy was performed. The primary outcome was occurrence of patient−reported hot flashes. The primary exposures of interest were current body size and weight change since breast cancer diagnosis. »
02/25/10

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States. Although there are effective drugs for treating advanced stages of breast cancers, women eventually develop resistance. One of the approaches to control breast cancer is prevention through diet, which inhibits one or more neoplastic events and reduces cancer risk. In this study, we have used human breast cancer cells, MCF−7 and MDA−MB−231, and primary human mammary epithelial cells as an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) extract (BME) as an anticancer agent. »
02/23/10

Docetaxel administered 3−weekly with cisplatin and 5−fluorouracil leads to better survival than does standard therapy in patients with oesophagogastric cancer, but leads to high rates of haematological toxicity. Weekly docetaxel is associated with less haematological toxicity. This randomised phase II study tested weekly docetaxel−based combination chemotherapy regimens, with the aim of maintaining their activity while reducing toxicity. »
02/02/10

HER2 amplification occurs in 18% to 27% of gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers. Lapatinib, a potent ATP−competitive inhibitor simultaneously inhibits both EGFR and HER2. To explore the role of HER family biology in upper gastrointestinal cancers, we evaluated the effect of lapatinib, erlotinib, and trastuzumab in a panel of molecularly characterized human upper gastrointestinal cancer cell lines and xenografts. »
02/23/10

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we investigated the prognostic relevance of MMP−7 in urinary bladder cancer. MMP−7 gene expression was measured in tissue samples of 101 patients using quantitative real−time PCR. Circulating MMP−7 serum levels of 98 individuals (79 patients and 19 controls) were analyzed by enzyme−linked immunosorbent assay. »
01/20/10

Although nearly half of bladder cancer cases are due to smoking, the cause of nearly half is unexplained. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine whether an inverse association exists between ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance and incidence rates of bladder cancer worldwide. »
03/01/10

odoplanin expression is attracting interest as a marker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. We therefore investigated the expression pattern and clinical significance of podoplanin during the development and progression of laryngeal carcinomas. »
03/02/10