bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A FAMILY OF MIMETIC FINITE DIFFERENCE METHODS ON POLYGONAL AND POLYHEDRAL MESHES
Authors: BREZZI FRANCO , LIPNIKOV KONSTANTIN , SIMONCINI VALERIA
Published: September 2005

A family of inexpensive discretization schemes for diffusion problems on unstructured polygonal and polyhedral meshes is introduced. The material properties are described by a full tensor. The theoretical results are confirmed with numerical experiments.
REGULATION OF PLATELET FUNCTIONS BY P2 RECEPTORS
Authors: Gachet Christian
Published: September 2005

▪ Abstract  The main role of blood platelets is to ensure primary hemostasis, which is the maintenance of vessel integrity and cessation of bleeding upon injury. While playing a major part in acute arterial thrombosis, platelets are also involved in inflammation, atherosclerosis, and angiogenesis. ADP and ATP play a crucial role in platelet activation, and their receptors are potential targets for antithrombotic drugs. The ATP-gated cation channel P2X1 and the two G protein–coupled ADP receptors, P2Y1 and P2Y12, selectively contribute to platelet aggregation and formation of a thrombus. Owing to its central role in the growth and stabilization of a thrombus, the P2Y12 receptor is an established target of antithrombotic drugs such as clopidogrel. Studies in P2Y1 and P2X1 knockout mice and selective P2Y1 and P2X1 antagonists have shown that these receptors are also attractive targets for new antithrombotic compounds. The potential role of platelet P2 receptors in the involvement of platelets in inflammatory processes is also discussed.
EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF MINORITY RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
Authors: Yancey Antronette K. , Ortega Alexander N. , Kumanyika Shiriki K.
Published: September 2005

▪ Abstract  Our ability, as leaders in public health scholarship and practice, to achieve and measure progress in addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health status and health care is severely constrained by low levels of participation of racial/ethnic minority populations in health-related research. Confining our review to those minority groups federally defined as underrepresented (African Americans/blacks, Latinos/Hispanics, and Native Americans/American Indians), we identified 95 studies published between January 1999 and April 2005 describing methods of increasing minority enrollment and retention in research studies, more than three times the average annual output of scholarly work in this area during the prior 15-year period. Ten themes emerged from the 75 studies that were primarily descriptive. The remaining 20 studies, which directly analyzed the efficacy or effectiveness of recruitment/retention strategies, were examined in detail and provided useful insights related to four of the ten factors: sampling approach/identification of targeted participants, community involvement/nature and timing of contact with prospective participants, incentives and logistical issues, and cultural adaptations. We then characterized the current state of this literature, discussing implications for future research needs and directions.
l-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, diminishes oxidative damage in urinary bladder partial outlet obstruction
Authors: Conners William , Whitebeck Catherine , Chicester Paul , Legget Robert , Lin Alpha Dian-Yu , Johnson Arnold , Kogan Barry , Levin Robert , Mannikarottu Anita
Published: September 2005

Partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) results in cellular damage due to ischemia and reperfusion injury. Our study seeks to establish how early this damage can occur and the role that nitric oxide may play in its pathophysiology. Surgical PBOO (1, 3, and 7 days) were performed on male New Zealand White rabbits. Half of the animals were premedicated for 3 days with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester(l-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase before obstruction. Bladder weight increased with duration of PBOO but was significantly lower at 3 and 7 days in animals treated with l-NAME compared with their untreated counterparts. Contractile function decreased progressively with PBOO duration. At 1 day postobstruction, bladder contractility was significantly lower in the l-NAME rabbits than in the untreated rabbits. At 3 and 7 days, contractility of the l-NAME bladders was equal or higher than the untreated bladders. The level of hypoxia at 1 day after obstruction was significantly higher in the l-NAME-treated animals than in the untreated controls but equal at 3 and 7 days obstruction. Increased nitrotyrosine was seen by Western blot in all obstructed animals. However, the amount was significantly less in the l-NAME-treated animals at 3 and especially at 7 days. Nerve density decreased progressively after obstruction; however, it decreased to a significantly lesser degree in the l-NAME-treated bladders than in the untreated groups. These results suggest that l-NAME pretreatment enhanced ischemic damage at 1 day after obstruction but protected the bladder from nitric oxide-generated free radical damage at the later time periods by inhibiting the generation of nitrotyrosine.
Luminal kidney and intestine SLC6 amino acid transporters of B0AT-cluster and their tissue distribution in Mus musculus
Authors: Romeo Elisa , Dave Mital H. , Bacic Desa , Ristic Zorica , Camargo Simone M. R. , Loffing Johannes , Wagner Carsten A. , Verrey François
Published: September 2005

The B° transport system mediates the Na+-driven uptake of a broad range of neutral amino acids into epithelial cells of small intestine and kidney proximal tubule. A corresponding transporter was identified in 2004 (A. Broer, K. Klingel, S. Kowalczuk, J. E. Rasko, J. Cavanaugh, and S. Broer. J Biol Chem 279: 24467–24476, 2004) within the SLC6 family and named B°AT1 (SLC6A19). A phylogenetically related transporter known as XT3 in human (SLC6A20) and XT3s1 in mouse was shown to function as an imino acid transporter, to localize also to kidney and small intestine and renamed SIT1 or IminoB. Besides these two transporters with known functions, there are two other gene products belonging to the same phylogenetic B°AT-cluster, XT2 (SLC6A18) and rodent XT3 that are still “orphans.” Quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that the mRNAs of the four B°AT-cluster members are abundant in kidney, whereas only those of B°AT1 and XT3s1/SIT1 are elevated in small intestine. In brain, the XT3s1/SIT1 mRNA is more abundant than the other B°AT-cluster mRNAs. We show here by immunofluorescence that all four mouse B°AT-cluster transporters localize, with differential axial gradients, to the brush-border membrane of proximal kidney tubule and, with the possible exception of XT3, also of intestine. Deglycosylation and Western blotting of brush-border proteins demonstrated the glycosylation and confirmed the luminal localization of B°AT1, XT2, and XT3. In summary, this study shows the luminal brush-border localization of the Na+-dependent amino and imino acid transporters B°AT1 and XT3s1/SIT1 in kidney and intestine. It also shows that the structurally highly similar orphan transporters XT2 and XT3 have the same luminal but a slightly differing axial localization along the kidney proximal tubule.
Urinary kidney injury molecule-1: a sensitive quantitative biomarker for early detection of kidney tubular injury
Authors: Vaidya Vishal S. , Ramirez Victoria , Ichimura Takaharu , Bobadilla Norma A. , Bonventre Joseph V.
Published: September 2005

Sensitive and specific biomarkers are needed to detect early kidney injury. The objective of the present work was to develop a sensitive quantitative urinary test to identify renal injury in the rodent to facilitate early assessment of pathophysiological influences and drug toxicity. Two mouse monoclonal antibodies were made against the purified ectodomain of kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1), and these were used to construct a sandwich Kim-1 ELISA. The assay range of this ELISA was 50 pg/ml to 5 ng/ml, with inter- and intra-assay variability of <10%. Urine samples were collected from rats treated with one of three doses of cisplatin (2.5, 5, or 7.5 mg/kg). At one day after each of the doses, there was an approximately three- to fivefold increase in the urine Kim-1 ectodomain, whereas other routinely used biomarkers measured in this study [plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), glycosuria, proteinuria] lacked the sensitivity to show any sign of renal damage at this time point. When rats were subjected to increasing periods (10, 20, 30, or 45 min) of bilateral ischemia, there was an increasing amount of urinary Kim-1 detected. After only 10 min of bilateral ischemia, Kim-1 levels on day 1 were 10-fold higher (5 ng/ml) than control levels, whereas plasma creatinine and BUN were not increased and there was no glycosuria, increased proteinuria, or increased urinary NAG levels. Thus urinary Kim-1 levels serve as a noninvasive, rapid, sensitive, reproducible, and potentially high-throughput method to detect early kidney injury in pathophysiological studies and in preclinical drug development studies for risk-benefit profiling of pharmaceutical agents.
[11C]Methionine Positron Emission Tomography and Survival in Patients with Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas Treated by Carbon Ion Radiotherapy
Authors: Zhang Hong , Yoshikawa Kyosan , Tamura Katsumi , Tomemori Takashi , Sagou Kenji , Tian Mei , Kandatsu Susumu , Kamada Tadashi , Tsuji Hiroshi , Suhara Tetsuya , Suzuki Kazutoshi , Tanada Shuji , Tsujii Hirohiko
Published: September 2005

Purpose: The development of the novel carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) in the treatment of refractory cancers has resulted in the need for a way to accurately evaluate patient prognosis. We evaluated whether l-[methyl-11C]-methionine (MET) uptake and its change after CIRT were the early survival predictors in patients with unresectable bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Experimental Design: MET positron emission tomography was prospectively performed in 62 patients with unresectable bone and soft tissue sarcomas before and within 1 month after CIRT. Tumor MET uptake was measured with the semiquantitative tumor:nontumor ratio (T/N ratio). The MET uptake in the tumor and relevant clinical parameters were entered into univariate and multivariate survival analysis.

Results: The overall median survival time was 20 months. Patients with a baseline T/N ratio of ≤6 had a significant better survival than patients with a baseline T/N ratio >6 (2-year survival rate: 69.4% versus 32.3%; P = 0.01). Patients with a post-CIRT ratio of ≤4.4 had a better survival than that with a post-CIRT ratio >4.4 (2-year survival rate: 63.7% versus 41.3%; P = 0.01). A significant higher survival rate was observed in patients with post-therapeutic MET uptake change of >30% than patients in lower change group (2-year survival rate: 74.6% versus 41.6%; P = 0.049). The multivariate analysis showed that both baseline and post-CIRT T/N ratio were statistically significant independent predictors of patient survival. Tumors with larger T/N ratio had a significantly poorer prognosis.

Conclusions: MET uptake as measured by either baseline or post-CIRT T/N ratio was an independent predictor of survival in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas treated by carbon ion radiotherapy, whereas post-therapeutic MET uptake change might have potential value for the same purpose.
Cell-Free 59 kDa Immunoreactive Integrin-Linked Kinase
Authors: Ahmed Nuzhat , Oliva Karen , Rice Greg E , Quinn Michael A
Published: September 2005

Purpose: We reported that the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is up-regulated in ovarian carcinomas and that ovarian cancer cells have high expression of ILK. In this study, we have examined the expression of cell-free 59 kDa immunoreactive (ir)ILK in the serum and peritoneal fluid (PTF) of patients with ovarian cancer and evaluated its potential as a serum biomarker for early-stage screening and for monitoring clinical status of patients after chemotherapy treatment.

Experimental Design: Thirty-six serum specimens, including normal (n = 6), benign (n = 6), borderline (n = 4), grade 1 (n = 5), grade 2 (n = 5), and grade 3 (n = 10), were evaluated for the expression of irILK by Western blotting. The expression of irILK was evaluated in PTF (n = 10) and peritoneal washings from women with benign ovarian cysts (n = 4). In addition, tissue-conditioned medium obtained from the cultures of primary ovarian tumors (n = 9) was examined for the presence of irILK. Finally, the potential of serum irILK as a biomarker for ovarian cancer screening was evaluated by comparison with cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) concentrations in cancer patients before and after chemotherapy.

Results: irILK expression was present in normal serum and in serum of patients with benign ovarian tumors. irILK expression was 6–9-fold higher in the serum of patients with grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 ovarian cancer than in the serum of healthy volunteers and patients with benign ovarian tumors (P < 0.01). Enhanced expression of irILK in the serum of ovarian cancer patients correlated with the concentration of CA 125. High expression of irILK was present in all 10 PTF tested. Tissue-conditioned medium prepared from malignant ovarian tumors had 4-fold more irILK expression than conditioned medium obtained from borderline and benign tumors (P < 0.01). irILK expression in serum of cancer patients was reduced to basal normal levels after six cycles of Taxol/carboplatin and was consistent with the change of CA 125 levels before and after chemotherapy.

Conclusions: These data suggest that irILK is an ovarian tumor-associated antigen and implicates its potential not only as a biomarker for early-stage screening but also as a marker for monitoring the clinical condition of patients after treatment.
A High Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Level Is Associated with an Adverse Prognosis in Node-Positive Breast Carcinoma
Authors: Leppä Sirpa , Saarto Tiina , Vehmanen Leena , Blomqvist Carl , Elomaa Inkeri
Published: September 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and MMP-9 levels could predict overall and disease-free survival in primary node-positive breast cancer.

Experimental Design: MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were quantitatively measured in serum after surgery from 133 patients with primary node-positive breast cancer using enzyme-linked immunoassays. All of the patients received adjuvant therapy, postmenopausal endocrine treatment (tamoxifen or toremifen for 3 years) and premenopausal six cycles of CMF chemotherapy. The follow-up time for all of the patients was 5 years.

Results: Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were better among patients with low MMP-2 levels than in patients with high levels (OS, 91% versus 75%, P = 0.020; DFS, 82% versus 58%, P = 0.005). The appearance of bone and visceral metastases was also significantly lower in patients with low serum MMP-2 levels (bone metastases, 10% versus 23%, P = 0.050; visceral metastases, 12% versus 34%, P = 0.018). The prognostic value of MMP-2 levels was most pronounced among a subgroup of estrogen receptor-positive patients (OS, 96% versus 78%, P = 0.052; DFS, 85% versus 58%, P = 0.014), whereas no significant difference was found among estrogen receptor-negative patients (OS, 73% versus 69%, P = 0.25; DFS, 73% versus 63%, P = 0.32). In multivariate analysis, MMP-2 level together with nodal status (NS), progesterone receptor (PgR), and tumor size (T) remained independent predictors for DFS (NS, P = 0.002; PgR, P = 0.004; T, P = 0.023; MMP2, P = 0.039) and OS (NS, P = 0.0002; PgR, P = 0.004; T, P = 0.004; MMP2, P = 0.032). MMP-9 levels did not correlate with survival.

Conclusions: The results suggest that serum postoperative MMP-2 level is a predictor of DFS and OS, and could help to stratify breast cancer patients with primary node-positive disease into low- and high-risk groups.
Glutathione
S
-Transferase Polymorphisms and Survival in Primary Malignant Glioma
Authors: Okcu M. Fatih , Selvan Mano , Wang Li-E , Stout Linda , Erana Rodrigo , Airewele Gladstone , Adatto Phyllis , Hess Kenneth , Ali-Osman Francis , Groves Morris , Yung Alfred W. K. , Levin Victor A. , Wei Qingyi , Bondy Melissa
Published: September 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms and survival, and chemotherapy-related toxicity in 278 glioma patients.

Experimental Design: We determined genetic variants for GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 enzymes by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphisms. We conducted Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazard analyses to examine whether the GST polymorphisms are related to overall survival, and logistic regression analysis to explore whether the GST polymorphisms are associated with toxicity.

Results: For patients with anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, and anaplastic ependymoma (n = 78), patients with GSTP1*A/*A-M1 null genotype survived longer than did the rest of the group (median survival “not achieved,” and 41 months, respectively; P = 0.06). Among patients treated with nitrosoureas (n = 108), those with GSTP1*A/*A and GSTM1 null genotype were 5.7 times (95% confidence interval, 0.9–37.4) more likely to experience an adverse event secondary to chemotherapy, compared with the others.

Conclusions: In patients with anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, and anaplastic oligoastrocytoma, combination of germ-line GSTP1*A/*A and GSTM1 null genotype confers a survival advantage. Patients with this genotype also have an increased risk of adverse events secondary to chemotherapy that primarily comprised nitrosourea alkylating agents.
Expression of Ligand-Activated KIT and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor β Tyrosine Kinase Receptors in Synovial Sarcoma
Authors: Tamborini Elena , Bonadiman Lorena , Greco Angela , Gronchi Alessandro , Riva Carla , Bertulli Rossella , Casali Paolo G. , Pierotti Marco A. , Pilotti Silvana
Published: September 2005

Purpose: The use of tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors is increasingly becoming a valuable therapeutic alternative in tumors carrying activated tyrosine kinase receptors. In a previous study, we described a coexpression of KIT and stem cell factor (SCF) mRNA in Synovial sarcomas, (SS) and in a limited number of cases, we demonstrated the presence of an activated receptor. Here, in a wider number of cases, we investigated the expression level and phosphorylation status of two structurally related tyrosine kinase receptors, KIT and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ), at the light of their role as possible targets of tyrosine kinase receptors inhibitor molecules.

Experimental Design: Forty-three SS cases were analyzed for KIT and PDGFRβ expression/activation by immunoprecipitation/Western blotting experiments. The cognate ligands, SCF and PDGFB, were detected by reverse transcription-PCR.

Results: KIT was observed in 48 and 41% (45% total) whereas PDGFRβ in 54 and 33% (45% total) of monophasic and biphasic SS cases, respectively. With respect to the fusion transcript type SYTSSX1 and SYTSSX2, KIT was more expressed in SYTSSX1 carrying cases (48 versus 38%), whereas PDGFRβ resulted more frequently expressed in SYTSSX2 ones (54 versus 37%). When expressed, the receptors were phosphorylated. Their ligands were detected in all of the activated cases.

Conclusions: About 70% of the cases express one of the two activated tyrosine kinase receptors with a mutually exclusive expression trend. Coexpression is not frequent and seems to be restricted to monophasic subtype. These data indicate that a consistent fraction of this tumor type could represent a good candidate for kinase inhibitor molecules effective on KIT and PDGFRβ where their activation is sustained by an autocrine loop.
Bayesian Pharmacokinetically Guided Dosing of Paclitaxel in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: de Jonge Milly E. , van den Bongard H. J. G. Desirée , Huitema Alwin D. R. , Mathôt Ron A. A. , Rosing Hilde , Baas Paul , van Zandwijk Nico , Beijnen Jos H. , Schellens Jan H. M.
Published: September 2005

Purpose: Paclitaxel is a taxane derivative with a profound antitumor activity against a variety of solid tumors. In a previous clinical study in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with paclitaxel, it was shown that paclitaxel plasma concentrations of 0.1 μmol/liter for ≥15 h were associated with prolonged survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of Bayesian dose individualization to attain paclitaxel plasma concentrations >0.1 μmol/liter for ≥15 h.

Experimental Design: Patients with stage IIIb-IV NSCLC were treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin once every 3 weeks for a maximum of six courses. During the first course, a standard paclitaxel dose of 175 mg/m2 was administered i.v. in 3 h. In subsequent courses, the paclitaxel dose was individualized based on observed paclitaxel concentrations in plasma during the previous course(s) using a Bayesian algorithm. The paclitaxel dose of a subsequent course was increased to the lowest dose for which the predicted time period during which the paclitaxel plasma concentration exceeds 0.1 μmol/liter was >15 h.

Results: A total of 25 patients have been included in the study (92 evaluable courses). During the first course, the median time period above the threshold concentration was 16.3 h (range, 7.6–31.6 h), and was <15 h for 9 patients (36%). During subsequent individualized courses, the time period above the threshold concentration was <15 h in 23% (5 of 22), 14% (2 of 14), 23% (3 of 13), 11% (1 of 9), and 11% (1 of 9) of the patients in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth course, respectively. Dose increments, ranging from 5 to 65 mg/m2, were performed in 29 of the 67 individualized courses. Patients with increased individualized doses had similar regimen related toxicities compared with those remaining at a dose of 175 mg/m2. Toxicity was reversible and manageable, and was mainly hematological (granulocytopenia CTC grade 3/4 in 80% of the patients). The objective response rate was 20%.

Conclusions: The results indicate that the applied pharmacokinetically guided dosing strategy for paclitaxel is safe and technically feasible. A randomized study is necessary to demonstrate whether dose individualization may result in improved activity and efficacy in patients with NSCLC.
Pharmacokinetics, Methionine Depletion, and Antigenicity of Recombinant Methioninase in Primates
Authors: Yang Zhijian , Wang Junhua , Yoshioka Takayuki , Li Baoqiu , Lu Quan , Li Shukuan , Sun Xinghua , Tan Yuying , Yagi Shigeo , Frenkel Eugene P. , Hoffman Robert M.
Published: September 2005

Pharmacokinetics, methionine depletion, antigenicity, and toxicity of recombinant methioninase (rMETase), which has shown efficacy in achieving cell kill in a broad range of human tumor models, were examined in macaque monkeys. Dose-ranging studies at 1000, 2000, and 4000 units/kg i.v. identified the 4000 units/kg dose as able to reduce plasma methionine to an undetectable level (less than 0.5 μm) by 30 min, and the level so remained for 8 h. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that rMETase was eliminated with a T1/2 of 2.49 h. A 2-week i.v. administration of 4000 units/kg every 8 h/day for 2 weeks resulted in a steady-state depletion of plasma methionine to less than 2 μm. The only manifest toxicity was decreased food intake and slight weight loss. Serum albumin and red cell values declined transiently during treatment, which may be related to extensive blood sampling. Re-challenge on day 28 resulted in anaphylactic shock and death in one animal. Subsequent pretreatment with hydrocortisone prevented the anaphylactic reaction, although vomiting was frequently observed. Re-challenge was carried out at days 66, 86, and 116. Anti-rMETase antibodies (at 10−3) were found after the first challenge, and these increased to 10−6 after the fourth challenge and decreased to 10−2 by 2 months post therapy. The main rMETase antibody was IgG, and although it has some in vitro features of being a neutralizing antibody, each challenge dose was effective in depleting plasma methionine levels. Thus, rMETase was able to effectively deplete plasma methionine levels with minimal toxicity in a primate model. These data provide the bases for alteration by polyethyleneglycol conjugation (PEGylation) of the enzyme to increase its duration of effect and reduce its immunogenicity.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II Serum Concentrations in Patients with Benign and Malignant Breast Lesions
Authors: Singer Christian F. , Mogg Maurice , Koestler Wolfgang , Pacher Margit , Marton Erika , Kubista Ernst , Schreiber Martin
Published: September 2005

Purpose: Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are potent mitogens for breast cancer cells in vitro, and elevated IGF-I serum levels are a risk factor for breast malignancies. This study evaluated IGF-I and IGF-II serum levels in healthy women and in patients with benign and malignant breast lesions and correlated them with tumor size.

Experimental Design: Serum levels of the total and unbound fractions of IGF-I and IGF-II were analyzed in 65 patients with benign and malignant breast lesions and in 38 women without breast disease. ELISAs were used to detect serum IGF levels, with (total IGF) or without (free IGF) prior acid-ethanol extraction.

Results: Total IGF-I serum concentrations were lower in healthy women than in breast cancer patients (P < 0.001) or patients with benign breast lesions (P = 0.010), but no differences were observed in free IGF-I levels. Conversely, healthy women had higher serum levels of free IGF-II than women with breast lesions (P = 0.003), and the free/total IGF-II ratio was significantly reduced in patients with breast disease (P = 0.001). Although IGF-I or IGF-II serum concentrations of breast cancer patients were similar to those of patients with benign lesions, the size of a malignant tumor was correlated to the ratio free/total IGF-II (P = 0.002).

Conclusions: Malignant breast tumors cannot be distinguished from benign breast lesions by systemic IGF serum levels. However, women with breast lesions have decreased IGF-II concentrations, and free IGF-II levels are clearly correlated to the size of a breast cancer, indicating an involvement in tumor growth.
The Tumor Suppressor Gene
WWOX
at
FRA16D
Is Involved in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis
Authors: Kuroki Tamotsu , Yendamuri Sai , Trapasso Francesco , Matsuyama Ayumi , Aqeilan Rami I. , Alder Hansjuerg , Rattan Shashi , Cesari Rossano , Nolli Maria L. , Williams Noel N. , Mori Masaki , Kanematsu Takashi , Croce Carlo M.
Published: September 2005

Purpose: WWOX (WW domain containing oxidoreductase) is a tumor suppressor gene that maps to the common fragile site FRA16D. We showed previously that WWOX is frequently altered in human lung and esophageal cancers. The purpose of this study was to delineate more precisely the role of WWOX in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Experimental Design: We analyzed 15 paired pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples and 9 pancreatic cancer cell lines for WWOX alterations. Colony assay and cell cycle analysis were also performed to evaluate the role of the WWOX as a tumor suppressor gene.

Results: Loss of heterozygosity at the WWOX locus was observed in 4 primary tumors (27%). Methylation analysis showed that site-specific promoter hypermethylation was detected in 2 cell lines (22%) and treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine demonstrated an increase in the expression of WWOX. In addition, 2 primary tumor samples (13%) showed promoter hypermethylation including the position of site-specific methylation. Transcripts missing WWOX exons were detected in 4 cell lines (44%) and in 2 tumor samples (13%). Real-time reverse transcription PCR revealed a significant reduction of WWOX expression in all of the cell lines and in 6 primary tumors (40%). Western blot analysis showed a significant reduction of the WWOX protein in all of the cell lines. Furthermore, transfection with WWOX inhibited colony formation of pancreatic cancer cell lines by triggering apoptosis.

Conclusion: These results indicate that the WWOX gene may play an important role in pancreatic tumor development.
Endothelin-1-, Endothelin-A-, and Endothelin-B-Receptor Expression Is Correlated with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression and Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer
Authors: Wülfing Pia , Kersting Christian , Tio Joke , Fischer Rudolph-Josef , Wülfing Christian , Poremba Christopher , Diallo Raihanatou , Böcker Werner , Kiesel Ludwig
Published: September 2005

Purpose: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and its receptors (ETAR and ETBR), referred to as the endothelin (ET) axis, are overexpressed in breast carcinomas, and influence tumorigenesis and tumor progression by various mechanisms, including angiogenesis. The objective of the study was to clarify if expression of the ET axis participates in angiogenesis of breast carcinoma

Experimental Design: We analyzed expression of ET-1, ETAR, ETBR, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunohistochemically in 600 tissue array specimens from 200 paraffin-embedded breast carcinomas performing tissue microarray technology. Microvessel density (MVD) was determined by counting microvessels (identified by factor VIII) in each core specimen.

Results: Moderate or strong immunostaining was observed for ET-1 in 25.4%, for ETAR in 43.7%, and for ETBR in 22.2% of breast carcinomas. Of all cases, 44.7% showed significant expression of VEGF. MVD varied between different tumor specimens (range, 0–80; median, 17). We observed a statistically significant correlation between MVD and ET expression status with higher MVD in ET-positive tumors. Moreover, expression of VEGF was found more frequently in tumors with overexpression of the ET axis (each P < 0.001). Staining of VEGF was correlated positively with MVD

Conclusions: These results indicate that increased ET-1, ETAR, and ETBR expression is associated with increased VEGF expression and higher vascularity of breast carcinomas and, thus, could be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis in breast cancer. Our findings provide evidence that the expression pattern of the ET-axis and in particular of ETAR may have clinical relevance in future antiangiogenic targeted therapies for breast cancer.
Carcinoembryonic Antigen Messenger RNA Expression Using Nested Reverse Transcription-PCR in the Peripheral Blood During Follow-up Period of Patients Who Underwent Curative Surgery for Biliary-Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Mataki Yuko , Takao Sonshin , Maemura Kousei , Mori Shinichiro , Shinchi Hiroyuki , Natsugoe Shoji , Aikou Takashi
Published: September 2005

Purpose: Outcome for patients with biliary-pancreatic cancer is still poor, despite curative operation. We investigated the clinical significance of molecular detection of circulating cancer cells in the blood as an early indicator of relapse during follow-up of patients who underwent a curative operation for biliary-pancreatic cancer.

Patients and Methods: We followed 53 patients who underwent a curative operation for biliary-pancreatic cancer between 1996 and 2001. We used reverse transcription-PCR in the peripheral blood to evaluate carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) mRNA expression for molecular detection of circulating cancer cells. Follow-up examinations every 3 months after surgery included CEA mRNA expression in the blood, serum CEA, serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: Sixteen of 53 patients (30.2%) were diagnosed with a recurrence by imaging studies. The CEA mRNA detection rate in the peripheral blood of these 16 patients was 75% compared with 5.4% in the 37 patients without relapse (P < 0.001). Sensitivity of CEA mRNA, CEA, and CA19-9 serum levels was 75.0%, 50.0%, and 68.8%, respectively. Similarly, specificity was 94.6%, 64.9%, and 81.1%, respectively. CEA mRNA was expressed in the blood, even though tumor markers CEA and CA19-9 were within the normal range in patients with relapse. CEA mRNA expression in the blood, as well as the serum level of CA19-9, tended to be detected a few months earlier than detection by imaging modalities.

Conclusions: During the follow-up of patients who undergo a curative operation for biliary-pancreatic cancer, CEA mRNA expression in the peripheral blood might be a useful and early indicator of relapse.
Quantitative Plasma Hypermethylated DNA Markers of Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Wong Thian-Sze , Kwong Dora Lai-Wan , Sham Jonathan Shun-Tong , Wei William Ignace , Kwong Yok-Lam , Yuen Anthony Po-Wing
Published: September 2005

Purpose: Gene-specific methylation is common in primary undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). DNA released from apoptotic or necrotic cell death including those aberrantly methylated promoter DNA of cancer cells is absorbed into the circulation as cell-free plasma DNA of the patient. This study aims at evaluation of the potential use of methylated gene promoter DNA as a serological tumor marker of primary and potentially salvageable local or nodal recurrent NPC.

Experimental Design: The quantity of plasma hypermethylated gene promoters of CDH1, DAPK1, p15, p16, RASSF1A, and MLH1 of 41 NPC patients before treatment and 43 normal individuals were studied using real-time quantitative PCR. The post-treatment plasma hypermethylated CDH1, DAPK1,and p16were also measured in 13 NPC patients with locoregional recurrence and 17 patients in remission.

Results: Concentrations of cell-free circulating DNA were significantly higher in NPC patients than normal controls (28.79 ng/ml versus 16.57 ng/ml, respectively). There was no significant difference in plasma DNA concentration of EBV-positive and -negative normal individuals. Methylated DNA was detectable in plasma of NPC patients before treatment including 46% for CDH1,42% for p16,20% for DAPK1,20% for p15,and 5% for RASSF1A.Hypermethylated MLH1was not detected in plasma of all of the NPC patients and normal individuals. Aberrantly hypermethylated promoter DNA of at least one of the five genes was detectable in 29 of 41 (71%) plasma of NPC patients before treatment. Hypermethylated promoter DNA of at least one of the three genes (CDH1, DAPK1, and p16) was detectable in post-treatment plasma of 5 of 13 (38%) recurrent NPC patients and none of the patients in remission.

Conclusions: Our results suggested that cell-free circulating methylated gene promoter DNA is a possibly useful serological marker in assisting in screening of primary and potentially salvageable local or regional recurrent NPC.
Expression of Extracellular Matrix Components Versican, Chondroitin Sulfate, Tenascin, and Hyaluronan, and Their Association with Disease Outcome in Node-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Suwiwat Supaporn , Ricciardelli Carmela , Tammi Raija , Tammi Markku , Auvinen Paivi , Kosma Veli-Matti , LeBaron Richard G. , Raymond Wendy A. , Tilley Wayne D. , Horsfall David J.
Published: September 2005

Purpose: The purpose is to determine whether the levels of expression of extracellular matrix components in peritumoral stroma are predictive of disease outcome for women with node-negative breast cancer.

Experimental Design: Tumor tissue from 86 patients with node-negative breast cancer was examined by immunohistochemical staining for the expression of versican, chondroitin sulfate (CS), tenascin, and hyaluronan (HA). With the exception of HA, the expression of the extracellular matrix components was measured by video image analysis. Statistical correlation of the immunohistochemical data with clinicopathological characteristics and disease outcome was performed.

Results: All of the extracellular matrix components were present in the peritumoral stroma of the entire study cohort. In contrast, immunoreactivity within the cancer cell was observed in 82% of tumors for HA, 12% for CS, and 4% for tenascin; no immunostaining of cancer cells for versican was observed for any of the tumors. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated that elevated expression of stromal versican predicted increased risk and rate of relapse in this cohort. Elevated expression of tenascin was predictive of increased risk and rate of death only. Although neither CS nor HA were predictive of disease outcome in this cohort, tumor size was predictive of increased risk and rate of both relapse and survival.

Conclusions: Elevated expression within peritumoral stromal matrix of versican and tenascin was predictive of relapse-free and overall survival, respectively, in women with node-negative breast cancer.
CCL21 Chemokine Regulates Chemokine Receptor CCR7 Bearing Malignant Melanoma Cells
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroya , Fujimoto Akihide , Tanaka Maki , Yamano Tomoki , Hsueh Eddy , Hoon Dave S. B.
Published: September 2005

Purpose: The chemokine CC-ligand 21/secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (CCL21/SLC) regulates the homing of naïve T cells and dendritic cells that express CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) from distant sites to lymphoid tissue such as lymph nodes. We hypothesized that CCL21/SLC regulates the migration of CCR7-bearing melanoma cells from a primary lesion to regional tumor-draining lymph nodes.

Experimental Design: Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT) assay and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to assess the level of CCR7 expression in melanoma cell lines and in primary and metastatic melanoma tumors. Cell migration assay using melanoma cell lines was performed under the induction of CCL21/SLC. The CCL21/SLC expression level in tumor-draining sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) was assessed by both qRT assay and IHC.

Results: Melanoma cell lines and tumors demonstrated heterogeneous expression of CCR7 mRNA by qRT assay. There was strong functional correlation between CCR7 mRNA expression and cell migration induced by CCL21/SLC. IHC evidence of CCR7 expression in primary melanomas significantly (P = 0.02) correlated with Breslow thickness. Assessment of SLN from 55 melanoma patients by qRT assay demonstrated that CCL21/SLC mRNA expression level was significantly (P = 0.008) higher in pathologically melanoma-negative SLNs than in melanoma-positive SLNs.

Conclusions: This report demonstrates a potential mechanism for recruitment and homing of CCR7(+) metastatic melanoma cells to tumor-draining lymph nodes, which express CCL21/SLC. The study also suggests that lymph nodes bearing metastasis may suppress CCL21/SLC production.
Death-Associated Protein Kinase Loss of Expression Is a New Marker for Breast Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Lévy Delphine , Plu-Bureau Geneviève , Decroix Yves , Hugol Danielle , Rostène William , Kimchi Adi , Gompel Anne
Published: September 2005

Purpose: Death-associated protein (DAP)-kinase is a new Ser/Thr kinase involved in cell apoptosis and tumor suppression, the expression of which has been correlated to invasive potential and metastasis in several human neoplastic tissues. We analyzed the level of DAP-kinase expression in breast cancer specimens and its correlation with survival.

Experimental Design: One hundred twenty-eight breast cancer specimens were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Patient records were studied retrospectively for demographic characteristics, clinical data, hormonal treatment, outcome, and survival. DAP-kinase protein expression was also studied in normal breast cells primary cultures under estrogen and antiestrogen treatment.

Results: Among the 128 patients, 30 showed a DAP-kinase staining ≤ 20%, whereas 98 had a staining over 20%. Mean follow-up time was 62 months. The association between tumor Scarff-Bloom and Richardson grade (P = 0.009), estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression (P = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively), tumor size (P = 0.05), Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.004), and DAP-kinase immunostaining in the ductal carcinoma group was highly significant. Overall (64 months) and disease-free (63 months) survival in the high DAP-kinase expression group were significantly longer compared with the women whose tumors showed a loss of DAP-kinase expression (51 and 43 months, respectively). DAP-kinase protein was strongly expressed in normal breast tissue and in human breast epithelial cells primary cultures. Estradiol decreased DAP-kinase expression in these cells, arguing for hormonal regulation of the protein.

Conclusions: Loss of DAP-kinase expression negatively correlates to survival and positively correlates to the probability of recurrence in a very significant manner. DAP-kinase thus constitutes a novel and independent prognosis marker for breast cancer.
Characterization of Effusion-Infiltrating T Cells
Authors: Atanackovic Djordje , Block Andreas , de Weerth Andreas , Faltz Christiane , Hossfeld Dieter Kurt , Hegewisch-Becker Susanna
Published: September 2005

Purpose: While naïve T cells circulate between peripheral blood and lymph nodes, memory effector T cells acquire certain surface molecules that enable them to travel to peripheral tissues and exert their effector function. We analyzed whether deficient numbers of effector-type T cells within the malignant effusion might contribute to tumor escape from immunosurveillance.

Experimental Design: We analyzed the expression of a broad range of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors (CD62L, CD56, CCR4, CCR5, CCR7, CXCR3, CLA, and integrin α4β7) on tumor-associated lymphocytes in effusions and peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with malignant ascites (n = 11) or malignant pleural effusion (n = 16). A tumor-associated lymphocyte:peripheral blood lymphocyte ratio was calculated as an indicator for homing of lymphocytes into the effusions and was compared with patients with nonmalignant ascites (n = 17).

Results: Patients with malignancies show an increased enrichment of T cells expressing the phenotype of “naïve” (CD62L+ and CD45RA+CCR7+), “central memory” (CD45RA-CCR7+), and type 2-polarized (CCR4+) T cells within their effusions. In contrast, enrichment of “effector”-type (CD45RA-CCR7− or CD45RA+CCR7−) and presumably type 1-polarized T cells (CCR5+) at the tumor site is deficient. The same is true for natural killer cells and potentially cytotoxic CD56+ T cells.

Conclusions: Here we show for the first time that patients with malignant effusions show a deficient enrichment of T cells expressing the phenotype of type-1-polarized effector T cells at the tumor site. This mechanism is likely to contribute to the escape of tumor cells from immunosurveillance.
Persistent Activation of the Akt Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Amornphimoltham Panomwat , Sriuranpong Virote , Patel Vyomesh , Benavides Fernando , Conti Claudio J. , Sauk John , Sausville Edward A. , Molinolo Alfredo A. , Gutkind J. Silvio
Published: September 2005

Squamous carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) represent the sixth most common cancer among men worldwide and a major cause of morbidity and mortality due to its relatively poor prognosis. As part of ongoing studies addressing the molecular events underlying tumor progression in HNSCC, we have explored the nature of the proliferative pathways in which dysregulation may promote aberrant cell growth in this tumor type. The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt is a downstream target of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and a key regulator of normal and cancerous growth and cell fate decisions. Therefore, in this study, we have examined the status of activation of Akt in different stages of squamous cell carcinoma development in mice and in clinical samples from HNSCC patients. By immunohistochemical analysis, using a recently developed phosphorylation state-specific antibody, we demonstrated that Akt activation correlates closely with the progression of mouse skin squamous cell carcinoma. We also observed that activation of Akt is a frequent event in human HNSCC because active Akt can be detected in these tumors with a pattern of expression and localization correlating with the progression of the lesions. In line with these observations, Akt was constitutively activated in a large fraction of HNSCC-derived cell lines. We also provide evidence that the Akt signaling pathway may represent a biologically relevant target for a novel antineoplastic agent, UCN-01, which recently has been shown to be active in cellular and xenograft models for HNSCC at concentrations safely achievable in clinically relevant situations.
Comparative Study between DNA Copy Number Aberrations Determined by Quantitative Microsatellite Analysis and Clinical Outcome in Patients with Stomach Cancer
Authors: Suzuki Seiji , Egami Kaku , Sasajima Koji , Ghazizadeh Mohammad , Shimizu Hajime , Watanabe Hidehiro , Hasegawa Hirokazu , Iida Shinya , Matsuda Takeshi , Okihama Yuji , Hosone Masaru , Shimizu Kazuo , Kawanami Oichi , Tajiri Takashi
Published: September 2005

Purpose: We detected the relative DNA copy numbers (RCNs) at target loci in patients with stomach cancer with quantitative microsatellite analysis. We additionally clarified the relationship between DNA copy number aberrations and the clinical outcome of the patients.

Experimental Design: Fresh frozen samples were obtained from 30 patients who had undergone surgery for stomach cancer. Seven microsatellite loci in chromosomes 8q, 16q, and 20q and one gene-specific locus (ZNF217) were selected as the target loci. The DNA copy number was obtained relatively to a pooled reference consisting of six microsatellite primer sets selected from the regions where few aberrations have been reported in comparative genomic hybridization analysis. On the basis of the TaqMan PCR system, the internal probes used were carrying donor (6-carboxyfluorescein) and acceptor (6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine) fluorescent molecules complementary to CA repeats in the microsatellite markers and to one gene-specific oligomer in the gene-specific marker.

Results: Chromosome 8q gain, 20q gain, and 16q loss were detected in 18 (60.0%), 8 (26.7%), and 13 (43.3%) cases, respectively. Gains in the RCNs of D8S1801 and D8S1724 were most frequently found (36.7%). There was a significant correlation between the loss of D16S3026 and reduced survival duration (P = 0.0158), and the simultaneous aberrations of D8S1801 gain and D16S3026 loss (double marker positive) was significantly associated with reduced survival duration (P = 0.0008). According to Cox proportional hazards model, the double marker positive was a significant and independent factor indicating an unfavorable prognostic factor (relative risk, 17.176; 95% confidence interval, 2.782–106.026; P = 0.0022).

Conclusion: RCN aberrations in tumor tissues determined by quantitative microsatellite analysis enable identification of the prognostic factors that correlate with clinical outcome of the patients with stomach cancer.