Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1): a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1), a transcriptional regulator with a zinc-finger DNA-binding domain, has been validated as a cytoplasmic marker for neuroendocrine differentiation of tumor cells. Next to its abundant expression in the fetal pancreas, it is expressed in brain tumors, pheochromocytomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, insulinomas and pituitary and small-cell lung carcinomas. INSM1 is not expressed in normal adult tissues and/or most non-neuroendocrine tumors.

Pharmacological activities of antroquinonol- Mini review.

Antrodia camphorata is an expensive mushroom that grows on the inner cavity of an endangered native tree of Taiwan namely Cinnamomum kanehirai Hayata. It is used as a traditional medicine in Taiwan and has several health benefits including free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, and free radical-induced DNA damage protecting activities. Antroquinonol is a tetrahydro ubiquinone derivative found predominately in the mycelium of Antrodia camphorata, and is characterized by numerous biological and pharmacological activities.