17beta-estradiol inhibits forskolin-induced vascular endothelial growth factor promoter in MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor whose expression is induced by the cAMP-dependent signalling pathway in several cell types, and by estrogens in some human breast cancer cells. Here, we investigated the cross-talk between estrogens and cAMP/PKA-dependent signalling pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The results show that, in the absence of any CRE and ERE, forskolin induces whereas estrogens have no effect on VEGF promoter.

Influence of cigarette smoking on P53 gene mutations in bladder carcinomas.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of cigarette smoking on bladder carcinomas.

Patients And Methods: 98 cases of bladder cancers were examined by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis of exons 5 to 9, followed by DNA direct sequencing.

Results: The incidence of p53 gene mutations was not significantly influenced by habitual smoking.

Immunohistochemical detection of p53 protein overexpression versus gene sequencing in urinary bladder carcinomas.

Purpose: Mutations of p53 tumor suppressor gene and nuclear accumulation of p53 protein are common in bladder tumors. The prognostic significance of p53 alterations in bladder tumors has not been established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an immunohistochemical (IHC) method for the routine determination of p53 protein overexpression in human bladder tumors and to determine the relation between nuclear accumulation of p53 with the traditional prognostic indicators and patient survival.