RhoA and RhoC differentially modulate estrogen receptor α recruitment, transcriptional activities, and expression in breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Purpose: RhoA and RhoC are closely related, small GTPases that are clearly involved in breast cancer tumorigenesis. Nonetheless, their specific roles in the control of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) activities have not been elucidated.

Methods: We used siRNA sequences to specifically down-regulate RhoA and RhoC expression in ERα-positive breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells.

RhoB modifies estrogen responses in breast cancer cells by influencing expression of the estrogen receptor.

Introduction: RhoB has been reported to exert positive and negative effects on cancer pathophysiology but an understanding of its role in breast cancer remains incomplete. Analysis of data from the Oncomine database showed a positive correlation between RhoB expression and positivity for both estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR).

Methods: This finding was validated by our analysis of a tissue microarray constructed from a cohort of 113 patients and then investigated in human cell models.

Tipifarnib plus tamoxifen in tamoxifen-resistant metastatic breast cancer: a negative phase II and screening of potential therapeutic markers by proteomic analysis.

Purpose: Tipifarnib, a farnesyltransferase inhibitor, has antitumor activity in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients. Preclinical data suggest that FTIs could restore tamoxifen responsiveness in tamoxifen-resistant disease. Thus, combining FTIs and tamoxifen may be a promising clinical approach after relapse or progression on tamoxifen.

Aged mice exhibit distinct peripheral B-cell phenotypes differing in apoptotic susceptibility: an ex vivo analysis.

Background: Age-related changes in the antibody response have been classically associated with alterations in T-cell help, but increasing evidence shows that intrinsic B-cell defects exist. This article analyzes the apoptotic susceptibility of peripheral B-cells in aged and young control mice.

Materials And Methods: Freshly isolated lymphocytes from spleen and Peyer's patches (PPs) were labeled for B-cell lineage (B220(+) cells) and germinal center B subset (GCs, B220(+)/PNA(+) cells).

Functional platelet-activating factor receptors in immature forms of leukemic blasts.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid mediator with potent immunoregulatory activities on mature leukocytes. PAF modulates leukocyte cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) through a Gq mediated pathway. We highlight, for the first time, Gq transcripts, PAF receptor (PAF-R) transcripts and protein in blast cells of acute myeloid (AML) and lymphoid (ALL) leukemia patients.

PGE(2) receptor subtype functionality on immature forms of human leukemic blasts.

The ability of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to regulate the immune system is well documented. PGE2 effects are mediated through interactions with four distinct membrane EP receptors (EP(1-4)). We investigated, for the first time, the functionality of EP receptors on immature forms of blast cells of acute myeloid leukemic (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemic (ALL) patients.