Publications by authors named "M S Balis"

Introduction: HE4 protein (human epididymis protein-4), which is the fourth subfraction of human epithelial protein, is a glycoprotein widely used as a tumor marker in ovarian cancer. If was first discovered in the epididymal epithelium and recognized as a protease inhibitor contributing to sperm maturation. The plasma HE4 concentration may also be increased in gynecological pathologies other than ovarian cancer.

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Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate transcription activity of melatonin receptors and genes associated with regulation of their activity in endometrial adenocarcinoma to identify probable diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers.

Material And Methods: The material included endometrial adenocarcinoma tissue samples of histopathological grades G1, G2, G3, and normal endometrium. The molecular analysis was performed on 37 patient samples.

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The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether a single bolus intravenous injection (2000 mg/kg) of uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPG) could affect levels of PRPP in a transplanted mammary adenocarcinoma and in liver of CD8FI mice. Six hours following a single intravenous injection of UDPG, 2000 mg/kg, tumor PRPP was lowered to 80 pmol/mg protein, a 53% decrease compared to saline control tumors. Liver was more sensitive than tumor to the 5-phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP)-depleting effects of a single bolus intravenous injection of UDPG, since significantly lower levels of PRPP were found in liver, but not in tumor, at doses of 500-1000 mg/kg of UDPG.

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As a consequence of the inhibition of de novo purine synthesis by methotrexate (MTX) there is an increase in 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) concentration. In cells where 5-fluorouracil (FUra) is activated via orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRtase), increased PRPP results in greater conversion of FUra to nucleotides. In the murine CD8F1 breast tumor system, MTX markedly enhances the antitumor activity of FUra, increasing both the activation of FUra to FUMP and the incorporation of FUTP into RNA.

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Uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPG) has been shown to have tissue-specific effects that have proved to be of clinical value in the treatment of some liver ailments. In an effort to determine something about the mechanism of action, we investigated the effect of UDPG on the levels of 5-phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) and PRPP synthetase in mouse liver, spleen and transplanted tumors. Three strains of mice were studied with and without tumors under various experimental conditions.

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