Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 gene variations affect MMP-1 and -3 serum concentration and associates with breast cancer.

Matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) 1 and 3 have been shown to contribute to the initiation, and progression of different cancers, including breast cancer (BC). In this study, we aimed to examine the relations between polymorphisms of MMP1 (rs1799750) and MMP3 (rs632478) and their circulating levels with BC. The polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-based Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Allele-Specific PCR (AS-PCR) among 100 patients and 100 controls.

Evaluation of emotional distress in breast cancer patients.

Background: Cancer has been known as a class of dangerous diseases which cause tremendous physical and emotional problems to both patients and their families. In spite of medical advances, cancer is still considered to be equal with death and pain. This study aims to analyze the emotional distress and the causes in breast cancer patients.

Soluble VEGFR1 concentration in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer.

Purpose: VEGFR is involved in complex biological processes, including inflammation and cancer development, progression and metastasis. Many proteins, including VEGFR, are proteolytically released from the surface of cells by a process known as ectodomain shedding. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of soluble VEGFR1 (sVEGFR1) in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Comparison of hormone receptor status in primary and recurrent breast cancer.

Background: Systematic treatments such as hormone and chemotherapy are selected according to tumor characteristic after major therapeutic approaches such as surgery. This study attempted to analyze and compare the status of Estrogen Receptor (ER) and Progesterone Receptor (PR) in primary and recurrent sites of breast cancer in patients.

Methods: We reviewed all medical records of breast cancer women who were treated between January 1995 and December 2008.

Clinical relevance of HER-2/neu overexpression in patients with testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumor.

Introduction: Recent scientific attention has focused on the role of growth factors in the progression of cancer. HER-2/neu is an epidermal growth factor receptor that is demonstrated to have correlation with poor prognosis of many cancers. This study evaluated the overexpression of HER-2/neu protein and its clinical importance in nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis.