CD24 expression is a marker for predicting clinical outcome and regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer via both the Akt and ERK pathways.

The degree of peritoneal dissemination and chemotherapy-resistant tumors is related to the prognosis in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. The epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) is a multifaceted pathological program that endows cancer cells with the ability to invade and disseminate. CD24 is frequently overexpressed in various human cancers and is correlated with a poor prognosis.

Fibrates protect against vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy for cancer patients: a pilot study.

Background: Although we previously demonstrated that paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy (TCchem) is associated with vascular toxicities, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Cisplatin is known to inhibit PPARα following microvascular damage to the kidneys. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether TCchem induces vascular endothelial dysfunction via systemic PPARα deficiency.

Ovarian estradiol production and lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women.

Objective: Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menses. Although previous studies demonstrated a slight production of androgens and estrogens by postmenopausal ovaries, the impact of hormone production on lipid metabolism is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the postmenopausal ovary is hormonally active and whether hormone status contributes to lipid metabolism.

Bone mineral loss induced by anticancer treatment for gynecological malignancies in premenopausal women.

Objective: Although surgical menopause may increase the risks of osteoporosis, few studies have investigated the influence of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of treatments for gynecological malignancies on bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: This study enrolled 35 premenopausal women (15 ovarian cancers (OCs), 9 endometrial cancers (ECs), and 11 cervical cancers (CCs)) who underwent surgical treatment that included bilateral oophorectomy with or without adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy in OC and EC patients, or concurrent chemo-radiation therapy (CCRT) in CC patients according to the established protocols at the Osaka Medical College Hospital between 2006 and 2008.

[Influence of pre-analytical storage conditions on four plasma coagulation molecular markers measured using a STACIA automatic coagulation analyzer].

We investigated the effects of specimen storage conditions on the analysis of the coagulation molecular markers, soluble fibrin (SF), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), thrombomodulin (TM) and tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complex (total PAI-1: tPAI). Marker levels were measured using a STACIA automatic coagulation analyzer. Among these four markers in blood from healthy subjects, only tPAI increased gradually with time, and the differences were especially marked when blood samples were stored at room temperature.

Prostate-specific antigen assay using whole blood samples spotted on filter paper and its application to mass screening for prostate cancer.

Aim: The disc assay system for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a novel technique using a small amount of whole blood on filter paper. The accuracy of this assay system and its feasibility for use in prostate cancer mass screening were evaluated.

Methods: In the first arm of the study, to evaluate the accuracy of the disc assay system, PSA values were determined by both a disc assay system and a standard serum assay system using the same blood samples obtained from 420 outpatients.