Reference Curve for the Mean Uterine Artery Pulsatility Index in Singleton Pregnancies.

Introduction: Doppler sonography of the uterine artery (UA) is done to monitor pregnancies, because the detected flow patterns are useful to draw inferences about possible disorders of trophoblast invasion. Increased resistance in the UA is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia and/or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and perinatal mortality. In the absence of standardized figures, the normal ranges of the various available reference curves sometimes differ quite substantially from one another.

Epidermal growth factor receptor changes during breast cancer metastasis.

Background: Since the anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab made its triumphant advance into breast cancer therapy, new selective agents, including pan-HER inhibitors are entering clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: This study investigates the expression of the four HER-family members, HER1-4, in 48 primary breast carcinomas (PBC) and corresponding distant metastases (CDM) by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

Results: Concordance rate between PBC and CDM was 79% for HERI and HER2, 67% for HER3 and 56% or HER4.

Analysis of HER2 and HER4 in human myocardium to clarify the cardiotoxicity of trastuzumab (Herceptin).

Purpose: When combined with anthracyclines, the humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) provides significant clinical benefit for women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. However, its use is limited by severe cardiotoxicity. To clarify whether myocardial HER2 and HER4 expression in response to anthracycline exposure and cardiac damage contributes to cardiotoxicity, we assessed expression of HER2 and HER4 in pathologically altered myocardium.

The prognostic significance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer.

Background: This study investigates the influence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition on prognosis in breast cancer.

Materials And Methods: Eighty breast carcinomas as well as 6 breast cancer cell lines were analysed immunohistochemically for the expression of epithelial keratins (K) K8, K19 and mesenchymal vimentin. Protein expression was correlated with histopathological factors and clinical follow-up.