CaSm-mediated cellular transformation is associated with altered gene expression and messenger RNA stability.

CaSm (cancer-associated Sm-like) was originally identified based on elevated expression in pancreatic cancer and in several cancer-derived cell lines. CaSm encodes a 133 amino acid protein that contains two Sm motifs found in the common small nuclear RNA proteins and the LSm (like-Sm) family of proteins. Compared with normal human prostate tissue and primary prostate epithelial cells, some primary prostate tumors and prostate cancer-derived cell lines have elevated CaSm expression.

Establishing a murine pancreatic cancer CaSm model: up-regulation of CaSm is required for the transformed phenotype of murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

We have recently shown that the cancer-associated Sm-like protein (CaSm) is overexpressed in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC). However, the role of CaSm in the process of neoplastic transformation remains unclear. To define further the role of CaSm in PC transformation, we have established a murine model based on the murine pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc02 and Panc03.

CaSm antisense gene therapy: a novel approach for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a major clinical problem with few effective treatment options. In the United States 29,000 cases are diagnosed annually with an associated mortality rate greater than 90%. Given this dismal prognosis, a better understanding of the molecular controls that govern pancreatic cancer is clearly needed in order to develop more effective therapies.

The factor V leiden mutation and the risk of venous thromboembolism in gynecologic oncology patients1.

Objective: To measure the strength of the association between the factor V Leiden mutation and venous thromboembolism in gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study of gynecologic cancer patients in a referral center who were group matched for demographics, tumor type, and treatment. The prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation was determined in both cases and controls, and an odds ratio was calculated.