Tocilizumab in a patient with tophaceous gout resistant to treatment.

Gout is a disease characterized by acute episodes of pain, which occurs as the result of monosodic urate crystal deposit in the joint and periarticular tissue. In some cases, gout behaves as a severe inflammatory arthopathy that is difficult to manage, generating structural joint damage and functional impairment. We report the case of a 44 years old man with gouty arthritis for 12 years, not responding to NSAIDs, alopurinol, colchicine or corticosteroids.

Regulation of expression of the early growth response gene-1 (EGR-1) in malignant and benign cells of the prostate.

Background: Expression of the early growth response gene-1 (EGR-1) is elevated in prostate cancer and correlates with tumor progression. This study provides insight into the mechanism(s) that regulate EGR-1 expression and activity in malignant and benign prostate cells.

Methods: Western blotting and in vitro pulse labeling were used to examine EGR-1 protein levels and half-life in malignant (PC-3) and benign (BPH-1) prostate cell lines.

The cytoskeleton differentially localizes the early growth response gene-1 protein in cancer and benign cells of the prostate.

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men. Early growth response gene-1 (EGR-1) plays a crucial role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. The presented data show that EGR-1 differs in cellular localization in benign cells compared with malignant prostate cells and that this localization is critical for the transcriptional activation of EGR-1-dependent genes.

Transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by enhanced PAR expression.

Prostate androgen regulated (PAR) is a 1038bp novel gene located on chromosome 1 in epidermal differentiation complex. The gene is ubiquitously expressed in normal tissues and is overexpressed in most of their malignant counterparts. PAR cellular function is unknown.

Androgenic Activity of Antiandrogens Predicted by Fit into DNA.

Computer modeling including graphics and energy calculations were employed for the first time to examine the stereochemical fit of antiandrogens into double-stranded DNA. In this study, we assessed the relative fit of antiandrogens in the cavity between base pairs known to accommodate androgens. When compared to testosterone which was given a normalized value of 100%, the antiandrogens manifested the following order of fit: RU23908 (88%) > hydroxyflutamide (71%) > cyproterone acetate (41%).