Glucocorticoids alter neuronal differentiation of human neuroepithelial-like cells by inducing long-lasting changes in the reactive oxygen species balance.

Prenatal exposure to excess glucocorticoid has been shown to have adverse effects on the developing nervous system that may lead to alterations of fetal and adult neurogenesis, resulting in behavioral changes. In addition, an imbalance of the redox state, with an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress, has been observed in rodent neural stem cells exposed to the synthetic glucocorticoid analog dexamethasone (Dex). In the present study, we used the induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSC)-derived lt-NES AF22 cell line, representative of the neuroepithelial stage in central nervous system development, to investigate the heritable effects of Dex on reactive oxygen species (ROS) balance and its impact on neuronal differentiation.

Tumor cell-specific BRCA1 and RASSF1A hypermethylation in serum, plasma, and peritoneal fluid from ovarian cancer patients.

Because existing surgical and management methods can consistently cure only early-stage ovarian cancer, novel strategies for early detection are required. Silencing of tumor suppressor genes such as p16INK4a, VHL, and hMLH1 have established promoter hypermethylation as a common mechanism for tumor suppressor inactivation in human cancer and as a promising target for molecular detection in bodily fluids. Using sensitive methylation-specific PCR, we screened matched tumor, preoperative serum or plasma, and peritoneal fluid (washes or ascites) DNA obtained from 50 patients with ovarian or primary peritoneal tumors for hypermethylation status of the normally unmethylated BRCA1 and RAS association domain family protein 1A tumor suppressor genes.

Detection of breast cancer in nipple aspirate fluid by CpG island hypermethylation.

Purpose: New approaches to the early detection of breast cancer are urgently needed as there is more benefit to be realized from screening. Nipple aspiration is a noninvasive technique that yields fluid known to contain breast epithelial cells. Silencing of tumor suppressor genes such as p16(INk4a), BRCA1, and hMLH1 have established hypermethylation as a common mechanism for tumor suppressor inactivation in human cancer and as a promising target for molecular detection.

Promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes in urine from kidney cancer patients.

Kidney cancer confined by the renal capsule can be surgically cured in the majority of cases, whereas the prognosis for patients with advanced disease at presentation remains poor. Novel strategies for early detection are therefore needed. Molecular DNA-based tests have successfully used the genetic alterations that initiate and drive tumorigenesis as targets for the early detection of several types of cancer in bodily fluids, including urine.