An increasing number of studies support the presence of stem−like cells in human malignancies. These cells are primarily responsible for tumor initiation and thus considered as a potential target to eradicate tumors. CD133 has been identified as an important cell surface marker to enrich the stem−like population in various human tumors. »
02/19/10

The BMI1 oncogene is overexpressed in several human malignancies including gastric cancer. In addition to BMI1, mammalian cells also express Mel−18, which is closely related to BMI1. We have reported that Mel−18 functions as a potential tumor suppressor by repressing the expression of BMI1 and consequent downregulation of activated AKT in breast cancer cells. »
02/21/10

Cyclooxygenase (COX)−2, the inducible isoform of prostaglandin (PG) synthase, has been implicated in tumor metastasis. Interaction of COX−2 with its specific EP receptors on the surface of cancer cells has been reported to induce cancer invasion. However, the effects of COX−2 on migration activity in human chondrosarcoma cells are mostly unknown. In this study, we examined whether COX−2 and EP interaction are involved in metastasis of human chondrosarcoma. »
02/23/10

PMS2 expression loss was reported in a variety of human. However, its importance has not been fully understood in cervical carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of PMS2 in cervical carcinoma and evaluate the significance of mismatch repair gene PMS2 regulated by glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK−3beta) in chemosensitivity. »
02/23/10

Mutations within the tumor suppressor TP53 gene are one of the most common genetic alterations present at high frequency in human tumors and have been shown to be associated with resistance to radio−chemotherapy. The lack of the wild type TP53 gene in cancer cells could be exploited for therapeutic advantage using a sequence of two antagonistic drugs. »
02/23/10

We have recently described the correlation between quantitative measures of HER2 expression or HER2 homodimers by the HERmark assay and ob−jective response (RR), time−to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) in an ex−panded access cohort of trastuzumab−treated HER2−positive patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who were stringently selected by fluorescence in situ hybri−dization (FISH). »
02/23/10

Non−Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a hematologic malignancy for which good diagnostic markers are lacking. Despite continued improvement in our understanding of NHL, efforts to identify diagnostic markers have yielded dismal results. Here, we translated low−mass−ion information in urine samples from patients with NHL into a diagnostic marker. »
02/23/10

Human oesophageal carcinoma is considered to be one of the most aggressive malignancies and has a very poor prognosis. The incidence of oesophageal cancer shows a gender bias and is higher in males compared with females, the ratio between males and females varying from 3:1 to 7:1. This sex ratio is not entirely attributable to differences in the prevalence of known risk factors between the sexes. »
02/10/10

Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare, yet potentially aggressive disease. Although literature regarding female breast cancer (FBC) is extensive, little is known about the etiopathogenesis of male breast cancer. Studies from our laboratory show that MBCs have a distinct immunophenotypic profile, suggesting that the etiopathogenesis of MBC is different from FBCs. The aim of this study was to evaluate and correlate the immunohistochemical expression of cell cycle proteins in male breast carcinoma to significant clinico−biological endpoints. »
02/12/10

Primary carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is rare and comprises less than 1% of all carcinoid tumors. Preoperative diagnosis of carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder is difficult. The imageology findings are similar to those in other gallbladder cancers. »
02/23/10