Gene Signal Distribution and Amplification in Gastroesophageal Cancer.

: HER2 serves as an important therapeutic target in gastroesophageal cancer. Differences in gene signal distribution patterns can be observed at the tissue level, but how it influences the amplification status has not been studied so far. Here, we investigated the link between amplification and the different types of gene signal distribution.

Assessment of HER2 amplification status in breast cancer using a new automated HER2 IQFISH pharmDx™ (Dako Omnis) assay.

In breast cancer the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an important target for a number of different HER2 inhibitors. Different slide-based assays are available for assessment of treatment eligibility, which include fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or other in situ hybridization (ISH) methods for assessment of the HER2 gene status. Here we report a summary of the validation data on HER2 IQFISH pharmDx™ (Dako Omnis), a newly developed assay for the automated staining platform Dako Omnis.

Analysis of HER2 status in gastroesophageal tumor specimens using a new automated HER2 IQFISH pharmDx™ (Dako Omnis) assay.

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is an important target for treatment of gastroesophageal cancer. Different slide-based assays are available for assessment of HER2 status. Overexpression of the HER2 protein is assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) whereas amplification of the HER2 gene is assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or other in situ hybridization (ISH) methods.

Lithium induces microcysts and polyuria in adolescent rat kidney independent of cyclooxygenase-2.

In patients, chronic treatment with lithium leads to renal microcysts and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). It was hypothesized that renal cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity promotes microcyst formation and NDI. Kidney microcysts were induced in male adolescent rats by feeding dams with lithium (50 mmol/kg chow) from postnatal days 7-34.

Tissue injury after lithium treatment in human and rat postnatal kidney involves glycogen synthase kinase-3β-positive epithelium.

It was hypothesized that lithium causes accelerated and permanent injury to the postnatally developing kidney through entry into epithelial cells of the distal nephron and inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). GSK-3β immunoreactivity was associated with glomeruli, the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, and collecting ducts in the developing and adult human and rat kidney. In rats, the abundance of inactive, phosphorylated GSK-3β (pGSK-3β) protein decreased during postnatal development.

Angiotensin II promotes development of the renal microcirculation through AT1 receptors.

Pharmacologic or genetic deletion of components of the renin-angiotensin system leads to postnatal kidney injury, but the roles of these components in kidney development are unknown. To test the hypothesis that angiotensin II supports angiogenesis during postnatal kidney development, we quantified CD31(+) postglomerular microvessels, performed quantitative PCR analysis of vascular growth factor expression, and measured renal blood flow by magnetic resonance. Treating rats with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist candesartan for 2 weeks after birth reduced the total length, volume, and surface area of capillaries in both the cortex and the medulla and inhibited the organization of vasa recta bundles.