Analyses of protein extracts of human breast cancers: changes in glycoprotein content linked to the malignant phenotype.

The protein and glycoprotein composition of Triton X-100 extracts of breast biopsies from 17 women with benign breast disease and from 11 women with invasive breast carcinoma were investigated using electrophoresis in SDS-containing gradient polyacrylamide gels, followed by Coomassie Blue (CB) staining and the binding of radio-iodinated wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). Patterns were analysed after the CB-step for differences in protein composition, and after the WGA-step for differences in glycoprotein composition. Tissue extracts from patients with benign breast disease have less CB stained bands than similar extracts from the cancer patients.

Polyoma virus transformation and two-dimensional electrophoresis patterns of baby hamster kidney cell native proteins.

The protein extracts of baby hamster kidney cells (BHK 21/C13) before and after malignant transformation by polyoma virus were resolved by isoelectric focusing in the first dimension and electrophoresis on concave 4-24% (w/v) polyacrylamide gradient gels in the second dimension. The resulting two-dimensional patterns were visualised by ultrasensitive silver staining. Major differences were observed in the protein distribution patterns of the two cell lines.

Serial use of aprotinin and incidence of allergic reactions.

Allergic reactions to aprotinin, a polypeptide, have been reported on several occasions. A survey of 136 courses of aprotinin, given to patients with gastric cancer as a protease inhibitor, has shown an incidence of less than 1% of acute anaphylaxis and a similar incidence of minor allergic responses. Two cases of acute allergic responses are described.

Cyclic GMP in urine to monitor the response to ovarian cancer to therapy.

Guanosine 3':5'-phosphate (cycle GMP) in urine has been used to monitor the response of patients with ovarian cancer to treatment. Changes in the cyclic GMP level appear to correlate well with clinical status in that the disappearance of clinically detectable tumour is associated with a drop in the level whereas a tumour recurrence is associated with an elevation. Serially measured cyclic GMP is valuable for detecting a recurrence of tumour growth in patients in clinical remission and can predate any clinical signs by as much as 10 months.

Urine cyclic nucleotide concentrations in cancer and other conditions; cyclic GMP: a potential marker for cancer treatment.

Cyclic guanosine 3',5' monophosphate (cyclic GMP) and cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphate (cyclic AMP) have been determined in random urine specimens from 95 healthy individuals, 60 patients with non-cancerous conditions, 52 patients with benign tumours, and 74 patients with malignant tumours. Concentrations of cyclic GMP have also been determined in a number of other groups, including some undergoing cancer treatment. Ninety-three per cent of cancer patients had raised urinary cyclic GMP concentrations compared to the reference range for healthy subjects.