Perspectives on mTOR inhibitors for castration-refractory prostate cancer.

The phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway contributes to prostate cancer progression and transition to androgen-independent disease. Furthermore, recent microarray analysis demonstrates that this pathway is often deregulated during prostate cancer progression. Thus, targeting of PI3K/AKT/mTOR may present a promising therapy for castration-refractory prostate cancer (CRPC).

Disease family history and modification of breast cancer risk in common BRCA2 variants.

A number of BRCA1 and BRCA2 polymorphisms have been extensively studied in order to test their association with breast cancer risk. Subsequently, discordant results were reported. In the present study, the genotypes of one BRCA1 (Q356R) and three BRCA2 (203G>A, N372H, IVS21-66T>C) common variants were evaluated in a series of 252 breast cancer patients, 155 age-matched controls and analysed in relation to family history (low- or high-risk) and BRCA1/2 mutation status.

Results of a population-based screening for hereditary breast cancer in a region of North-Central Italy: contribution of BRCA1/2 germ-line mutations.

BRCA1/2 mutation status is of paramount importance to identify families at risk of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC). Most HBOC and BRCA1/2 mutation studies have focused on highly selected sub-populations, and few data are available for large population cohorts. For this reason, as part of a regional cancer prevention strategy in North-Central Italy, we set up a population-based screening programme to identify all resident HBOC families, and to determine their BRCA1/2 mutation status.

Stress induction of HSP30, the plasma membrane heat shock protein gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, appears not to use known stress-regulated transcription factors.

More than one transcription factor contributes to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae heat shock response. Many genes are induced through the activation of heat shock factor (Hsf1), a protein that is constitutively bound to heat shock promoter elements (HSEs). Other genes are switched on by Msn2/Msn4-dependent activation of a quite separate promoter element (the stress response element, STRE).