bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulatory Nodes That Integrate and Coordinate Signaling as Potential Targets for Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Cui Xiaojiang , Lee Adrian V. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Blockade of the estrogen receptor (ER) with antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors is effective in the treatment of breast cancer. Why ER plays such a dominant role in breast cancer and represents such an excellent target remains to be defined. The ability of ER to respond to multiple inputs and to control expression of multiple downstream genes may be one of the reasons why ER is such a powerful target for breast cancer treatment. The recent modest performance of a number of targeted therapies in breast cancer has raised the question whether we will ever develop therapies that have such success as antiestrogens. Targeted therapies tend to inhibit a single pathway that is probably altered in only a subset of patients. Even within this subset, only a limited number of patients respond. The evidence that virtually all pathways can cross-talk and that they exhibit several layers of redundancy reveals a complexity of signaling networks that may defy the generation of targeted therapies with efficacy similar to antiestrogens. However, there are clearly regulatory nodes that can integrate multiple upstream inputs and elicit diverse downstream outputs. We provide evidence and rationales for integrins, insulin receptor substrates (IRSs), and cyclin D1 as potential therapeutic targets. These proteins, similar to ER, can integrate and coordinate multiple signals in breast cancer cells and thus mediate diverse aspects of breast cancer progression. New treatment targets will emerge in light of more global models of signal transduction that fully integrate all aspects of cell biology such as the role of the extracellular matrix and will hopefully result in the development of targeted therapies that show efficacy similar to antiestrogens.
Soluble CD40 Ligand Plasma Levels in Lung Cancer
Authors: Roselli Mario , Mineo Tommaso C. , Basili Stefania , Martini Francesca , Mariotti Sabrina , Aloe Simona , Del Monte Girolamo , Ambrogi Vincenzo , Spila Antonella , Palmirotta Raffaele , D’Alessandro Roberta , Davì Giovanni , Guadagni Fiorella , Ferroni Patrizia 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: Tumor-induced platelet activation may cause the release of various cytokines, including CD40 ligand (CD40L). Activation of the CD40/CD40L pathway in human tumors may result in thrombin generation, which is known to be involved in angiogenesis. Thus, we investigated whether soluble (s)CD40L levels are increased in patients with lung cancer as a result of platelet and/or coagulation activation.
Experimental Design: Citrated plasma samples were obtained from 120 patients with different stages and histotypes of lung cancer and 60 age- and sex-matched control subjects. sCD40L, sP-selectin (marker of platelet activation), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, and thrombin-antithrombin III complex levels (both markers of coagulative activation) were measured in all samples.
Results: Patients with lung cancer had median sCD40L levels higher than in control subjects (0.46 versus 0.13 ng/ml; P &lt; 0.0001), although correlation with the stage of disease was not evident. Nonetheless, sCD40L levels were significantly higher in squamous cancer compared with adenocarcinoma (0.75 versus 0.27 ng/ml; P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, median sCD40L levels were higher in stage IV compared with nonmetastatic squamous lung cancer (1.02 versus 0.61 ng/ml; P &lt; 0.05). sCD40L levels significantly correlated with sP-selectin (P &lt; 0.001), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (P &lt; 0.001), or thrombin-antithrombin III complex (P &lt; 0.05) in squamous lung cancer, but only sP-selectin (P = 0.011) was independently related to sCD40L.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that elevated sCD40L levels can be preferentially found in patients with advanced squamous cancer and provide evidence that increased levels of this cytokine are associated to the occurrence of in vivo platelet activation.
Monitoring of Serum Her-2/
neu
Predicts Response and Progression-Free Survival to Trastuzumab-Based Treatment in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Köstler Wolfgang J. , Schwab Barbara , Singer Christian F. , Neumann Rainer , Rücklinger Ernst , Brodowicz Thomas , Tomek Sandra , Niedermayr Monika , Hejna Michael , Steger Günther G. , Krainer Michael , Wiltschke Christoph , Zielinski Christoph C. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: The present pilot study was performed to elucidate whether early changes in serum Her-2/neu extracellular domain (ECD) levels during trastuzumab-based treatment would predict the clinical course of disease in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Experimental Design: Sera from 55 patients with Her-2/neu-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer obtained immediately before each weekly administration of trastuzumab were analyzed by a serum Her-2/neu ELISA.
Results: Whereas response rates were significantly higher in patients with elevated (≥15 ng/ml) ECD levels before initiation of treatment (35% versus 7%, P = 0.045), progression-free and overall survival did not differ significantly between patients with normal and elevated ECD levels. In patients responding to treatment, ECD levels decreased significantly as early as from day 8 of treatment onwards (all P for weekly measurements versus baseline &lt;0.001). In contrast, no significant change in ECD levels was observed in patients with progressive disease. Multiple logistic regression analyses identified kinetics of ECD levels as the only factor that allowed for the accurate prediction of response likelihood as early as from day 8 of trastuzumab-based treatment onwards (P = 0.020). In addition, determination of serial ECD levels allowed for the prediction of the risk for disease progression within the observed period as early as day 15 of treatment (P = 0.010).
Conclusions: Serial monitoring of the ECD may represent a valuable tool for early prediction of the probability of response and progression-free survival to trastuzumab-based treatment and is thus likely to contribute to an optimization of treatment and resource allocation.
Imatinib (STI571)-Mediated Changes in Glucose Metabolism in Human Leukemia BCR-ABL-Positive Cells
Authors: Gottschalk Sven , Anderson Nora , Hainz Carsten , Eckhardt S. Gail , Serkova Natalie J. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
The therapeutic efficacy of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is based on its specific inhibition of the BCR-ABL oncogene protein, a widely expressed tyrosine kinase in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells. The goal of this study was to evaluate glucose metabolism in BCR-ABL-positive cells that are sensitive to imatinib exposure. Two human BCR-ABL-positive cell lines (CML-T1 and K562) and one BCR-ABL-negative cell line (HC-1) were incubated with different imatinib concentrations for 96 hours. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy on cell acid extracts was performed to evaluate [1-13C]glucose metabolism, energy state, and changes in endogenous metabolites after incubation with imatinib. Imatinib induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation in CML-T1 (IC50, 0.69 ± 0.06 μmol/L) and K562 cells (IC50, 0.47 ± 0.04 μmol/L), but not in HC-1 cells. There were no metabolic changes in imatinib-treated HC-1 cells. In BCR-ABL-positive cells, the relevant therapeutic concentrations of imatinib (0.1–1.0 μmol/L) decreased glucose uptake from the media by suppressing glycolitic cell activity (C3-lactate at 0.25 mmol/L, 65% for K562 and 77% for CML-T1 versus control). Additionally, the activity of the mitochondrial Krebs cycle was increased (C4-glutamate at 0.25 μmol/L, 147% for K562 and 170% for CML-T1). The improvement in mitochondrial glucose metabolism resulted in an increased energy state (nucleoside triphosphate/nucleoside diphosphate at 0.25 μmol/L, 130% for K562 and 125% for CML-T1). Apoptosis was observed at higher concentrations. Unlike standard chemotherapeutics, imatinib, without cytocidal activity, reverses the Warburg effect in BCR-ABL-positive cells by switching from glycolysis to mitochondrial glucose metabolism, resulting in decreased glucose uptake and higher energy state.
The Effect of Megestrol Acetate on Growth of HepG2 Cells
In vitro
and
In vivo
Authors: Zhang Kai , Chow Pierce K. H. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is generally considered as a sex hormone-dependent tumor, and hormonal therapy has been proposed as a strategy for the treatment of HCC. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of megestrol acetate, a synthetic progesteronal agent, on growth of HepG2 cells in vitro and in vivo.
Experimental Design: Cell growth in vitro was assessed by a colormetric method, and cell growth in vivo was assessed by tumor volumetrics.
Results: Megestrol acetate was shown to inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells in vitro in dose- and time-dependent manners with an IC 50 of 260 μm (24-h incubation). The growth of HepG2 cell-transplanted tumors in nude mice was also inhibited by i.p. injection of megestrol acetate (10 mg/kg/day). The tumor volumes of the megestrol acetate-treated group regressed to 59% of controls by week 6 and to 41% of controls by week 13. Apoptosis following G1 arrest was observed in megestrol acetate-treated cells and may be a mechanism through which megestrol acetate inhibits HepG2 cells. Megestrol acetate was also demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on the weight gain of tumor-bearing nude mice, and the mean weight of the megestrol acetate-treated animals was higher than that of controls from week 4 of the treatment period, and the differences were statistically significant in week 5 and 6 (P &lt; 0.05, compared with controls). No significant survival advantage was, however, demonstrated in the treatment group.
Conclusions: This study showed that megestrol acetate inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells grown in vitro and in vivo. These data provide useful information for clinical study of megestrol acetate for the treatment of HCC.
The Na+/I− Symporter Mediates Iodide Uptake in Breast Cancer Metastases and Can Be Selectively Down-Regulated in the Thyroid
Authors: Wapnir Irene L. , Goris Michael , Yudd Anthony , Dohan Orsolya , Adelman Donna , Nowels Kent , Carrasco Nancy 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: The Na+/I− symporter (NIS) is a key plasma membrane protein that mediates active iodide (I−) transport in the thyroid, lactating breast, and other tissues. Functional NIS expression in thyroid cancer accounts for the longstanding success of radioactive iodide (131I) ablation of metastases after thyroidectomy. Breast cancer is the only other cancer demonstrating endogenous functional NIS expression. Until now, NIS activity in breast cancer metastases (BCM) was unproven.
Experimental Design: Twenty-seven women were scanned with 99mTcO4− or 123I− to assess NIS activity in their metastases. An 131I dosimetry study was offered to patients with I−-accumulating tumors. Selective down-regulation of thyroid NIS was tested in 13 patients with T3 and in one case with T3 + methimazole (MMI; blocks I− organification). NIS expression was evaluated in index and/or metastatic tumor samples by immunohistochemistry.
Results: I− uptake was noted in 25% of NIS-expressing tumors (two of eight). The remaining cases did not show NIS expression or activity. Thyroid I− uptakes were decreased to ≤2.8% at 24 h in T3-treated patients and 1/100 normal with T3/MMI. Uptake (2.9%) was calculated in a peribronchial metastasis on 131I dosimetry scans at 4 h with disappearance of the signal by 24 h. We estimated a therapeutic dose of 3000 cGy could be achieved in this metastasis with 100 mCi of 131I if the tumor exhibited the same dynamics as the T3/MMI-suppressed thyroid.
Conclusions: This is the first article of in vivo, scintigraphically detected, NIS-mediated I− accumulation in human BCM. T3/MMI down-regulation of thyroid NIS makes 131I-radioablation of BCM possible with negligible thyroid uptake and radiation damage.
BNIP3 Expression Is Linked with Hypoxia-Regulated Protein Expression and with Poor Prognosis in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Giatromanolaki Alexandra , Koukourakis Michael I. , Sowter Heidi M. , Sivridis Efthimios , Gibson Spencer , Gatter Kevin C. , Harris Adrian L. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
BNIP3 is a proapoptotic protein regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1. We analyzed BNIP3 expression in 105 tumor samples from early operable, non-small lung cancer and the relationship of expression to hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, other hypoxia-regulated pathways, and prognosis. There was strong cytoplasmic expression in &gt;10% of cells in 40 of 105 cases. BNIP3 expression was associated significantly with high hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (P = 0.003), carbonic anhydrase 9 (P = 0.04), and was inversely associated with bcl-2 expression (P = 0.009). High BNIP3 expression was a major independent factor for overall survival. Thus, high expression of a hypoxia regulated proapoptotic pathway was associated with a selection of an aggressive phenotype in vivo.
Anti-Invasive, Antitumoral, and Antiangiogenic Efficacy of a Pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione Derivative, an Orally Active and Selective Matrix Metalloproteinases Inhibitor
Authors: Maquoi Erik , Sounni Nor Eddine , Devy Laetitia , Olivier Fabrice , Frankenne Francis , Krell Hans-Willi , Grams Frank , Foidart Jean-Michel , Noël Agnès 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: The implication of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the major stages of cancer progression has fueled interest in the design of synthetic MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) as a novel anticancer therapy. Thus far, drugs used in clinical trials are broad-spectrum MMPIs the therapeutic index of which proved disappointingly low. The development of selective MMPIs for tumor progression-associated MMPs is, thus, likely to offer improved therapeutic possibilities.
Experimental Design: The anti-invasive capacity of a series of pyrimidine-trione derivatives was tested in vitro in a chemoinvasion assay, and the most potent compound was further evaluated in vivo in different human tumor xenograft models. The activity of this novel selective MMPI was compared with BB-94, a broad-spectrum inhibitor.
Results: Ro-28-2653, an inhibitor with high selectivity for MMP-2, MMP-9, and membrane type 1 (MT1)-MMP, showed the highest anti-invasive activity in vitro. In vivo, Ro-28-2653 reduced the growth of tumors induced by the inoculation of different cell lines producing MMPs and inhibited the tumor-promoting effect of fibroblasts on breast adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, Ro-28-2653 reduced tumor vascularization and blocked angiogenesis in a rat aortic ring assay. In contrast, BB-94 up-regulated MMP-9 expression in tumor cells and promoted angiogenesis in the aortic ring assay.
Conclusion: Ro-28-2653, a selective and orally bioavailable MMPI with inhibitory activity against MMPs expressed by tumor and/or stromal cells, is a potent antitumor and antiangiogenic agent. In contrast to broad-spectrum inhibitors, the administration of Ro-28-2653 was not associated with the occurrence of adverse side effects that might hamper the therapeutic potential of these drugs.
Uracil/Tegafur Plus Cisplatin with Concurrent Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ichinose Yukito , Nakai Yushi , Kudoh Shoji , Semba Hiroshi , Yoshida Susumu , Nukiwa Toshihiro , Yamamoto Hidehiko , Yamane Yoshio , Niitani Hisanobu ,   UP-RT Study Group
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a novel combination treatment using concurrent radiotherapy with cisplatin plus UFT, which is comprised of uracil and tegafur, in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
Experimental Design: In this Phase II trial, patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were treated with the oral administration of UFT (400 mg/m2/d tegafur) on days 1–14 and days 29–42 whereas 80 mg/m2 cisplatin was administered i.v. on days 8 and 36. Radiotherapy, with a total dose of 60 Gy, was delivered in 30 fractions from day 1.
Results: Seventy patients were enrolled and eligible, as follows: 57 males/13 females; mean age 61 ranging from 36 to 74; performance status 0/1:45/25; stage IIIA/IIIB, 14/56. A complete response was observed in two patients and a partial response in 54 patients, and the overall response rate was 81% (95% confidence interval; 70–89%). The median survival, the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 16.5 months, 67% and 33%, respectively. Grade 3/4 leukopenia occurred in 14%/1% of the patients. Grades 3 non-hematological toxicities were only reported in three patients with nausea, two with esophagitis and one with pneumonitis whereas no grade 4 non-hematological toxicity was observed.
Conclusions: UFT plus cisplatin with concurrent radiotherapy is considered to be a feasible and effective treatment for locally advanced NSCLC patients. Additional study of this concurrent chemoradiotherapy is warranted.
ABCG2 Pharmacogenetics
Authors: de Jong Floris A. , Marsh Sharon , Mathijssen Ron H. J. , King Cristi , Verweij Jaap , Sparreboom Alex , McLeod Howard L. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: The ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 (breast cancer resistance protein) is an efflux protein that plays a role in host detoxification of various xenobiotic substrates, including the irinotecan metabolite 7- ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38). The ABCG2 421C&gt;A polymorphism has been associated with reduced protein expression and altered function in vitro. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ethnic distribution and potential functional consequence of the ABCG2 421C&gt;A genotype in cancer patients treated with irinotecan.
Experimental Design: ABCG2 genotyping was performed using Pyrosequencing on DNA from 88 American Caucasians, 94 African Americans, 938 Africans, and 95 Han Chinese, as well as in 84 European Caucasian patients treated with irinotecan undergoing additional blood sampling for pharmacokinetic studies.
Results: Significant differences in allele frequencies were observed between the given world populations (P &lt; 0.001), the variant allele being most common in the Han Chinese population with a frequency as high as 34%. The mean area under the curve of irinotecan and SN-38 were 19,851 and 639 ng × hour/mL, respectively. The frequency of the variant allele (10.7%) was in line with results in American Caucasians. No significant changes in irinotecan pharmacokinetics were observed in relation to the ABCG2 421C&gt;A genotype, although one of two homozygous variant allele carriers showed extensive accumulation of SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide.
Conclusions: The ABCG2 421C&gt;A polymorphism appears to play a limited role in the disposition of irinotecan in European Caucasians. It is likely that the contribution of this genetic variant is obscured by a functional role of other polymorphic proteins.
Treatment of Relapsed Central Nervous System Lymphoma with High-Dose Methotrexate
Authors: Plotkin Scott R. , Betensky Rebecca A. , Hochberg Fred H. , Grossman Stuart A. , Lesser Glenn J. , Nabors L. Burt , Chon Brian , Batchelor Tracy T. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: Over the past decade, high-dose methotrexate has emerged as the single most effective agent in the initial treatment of primary nervous system lymphoma. However, the majority of patients who respond initially to treatment relapse. The optimal management of these patients has not been determined. We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of high-dose methotrexate in patients with relapsed central nervous system lymphoma.
Experimental Design: Patients with relapsed disease were eligible if they achieved a complete response to initial treatment with methotrexate-based chemotherapy or received methotrexate after gross total resection or interstitial radiation. All of the patients were retreated with a regimen containing high-dose methotrexate (≥3 g/m2).
Results: Twenty-two patients with a median age of 58 years were included in the study. Overall response rates were 91% to first salvage (20 of 22 patients) and 100% to second salvage (4 of 4 patients). Median survival was 61.9 months after first relapse (95% confidence interval, 42.1–∞) and 91.9 months overall (95% confidence interval, 47.2–∞). Toxicity was primarily hematologic with 10 episodes of grade 3 or 4 toxicity during 566 cycles of chemotherapy.
Conclusions: These results indicate that high-dose methotrexate remains effective for relapsed central nervous system lymphoma in patients who initially respond to methotrexate and raise the possibility of deferring more toxic salvage regimens in this select group of patients.
Promoter Hypermethylation Profile of Kidney Cancer
Authors: Dulaimi Essel , de Caceres Inmaculada Ibanez , Uzzo Robert G. , Al-Saleem Tahseen , Greenberg Richard E. , Polascik Thomas J. , Babb James S. , Grizzle William E. , Cairns Paul 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Purpose: Promoter hypermethylation is an important mechanism of inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in cancer cells. Kidney tumors are heterogeneous in their histology, genetics, and clinical behavior. To gain insight into the role of epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor and cancer genes in kidney tumorigenesis, we determined a hypermethylation profile of kidney cancer.
Experimental Design: We examined the promoter methylation status of 10 biologically significant tumor suppressor and cancer genes in 100 kidney tumors (50 clear cell, 20 papillary, 6 chromophobe, 5 collecting duct, 5 renal cell unclassified, 7 oncocytoma, 6 transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis, and 1 Wilms’ tumor) by methylation-specific PCR. The hypermethylation profile was examined with regard to clinicopathological characteristics of the kidney cancer patients.
Results: Hypermethylation of one or more genes was found in 93 (93%) of 100 tumors. A total of 33% of kidney tumors had one gene, 35% two genes, 14% three genes, and 11% four or more genes hypermethylated. The frequency of hypermethylation of the 10 genes in the 100 tumor DNAs was VHL 8% (all clear cell), p16INK4a 10%, p14ARF 17%, APC 14%, MGMT 7%, GSTP1 12%, RARβ2 12%, RASSF1A 45%, E-cadherin 11%, and Timp-3 58%. Hypermethylation was observed in all of the histological cell types and grades and stages examined. No hypermethylation was observed in specimens of normal kidney or ureteral tissue from 15 patients. Hypermethylation of VHL was specific to clear cell tumors. RASSF1A methylation was detected at a significantly higher frequency in papillary renal cell tumors and in high-grade tumors of all cell types. MGMT methylation was more frequent in nonsmokers. Simultaneous methylation of five or more genes was observed in 3 (3%) of 100 tumors and may indicate a methylator phenotype in kidney cancer. In addition, the CpG island in the promoter of the fumarate hydratase (FH) tumor suppressor gene was bisulfite sequenced and was found to be unmethylated in 15 papillary renal tumors.
Conclusions: Promoter hypermethylation is common, can occur relatively early, may disrupt critical pathways, and, thus, likely plays an important role in kidney tumorigenesis. A hypermethylation profile may be useful in predicting a patient’s clinical outcome and provide molecular markers for diagnostic and prognostic approaches to kidney cancer.