In search of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies of human renal cell carcinoma by real-time PCR.

Background: Housekeeping genes are commonly used as endogenous reference genes for the relative quantification of target genes in gene expression studies. No conclusive systematic study comparing the suitability of different candidate reference genes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma has been published to date. To remedy this situation, 10 housekeeping genes for normalizing purposes of RT-PCR measurements already recommended in various studies were examined with regard to their usefulness as reference genes.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation and donor lymphocyte infusions are currently under clinical investigation as an innovative therapeutic option for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A variety of trials have proven the clinical efficacy of allogeneic stem cell transplantation using reduced-intensity conditioning protocols and donor lymphocyte infusions, as demonstrated by the induction of objective remissions in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. However, despite clinical remissions, reduced-intensity conditioning protocols and donor lymphocyte infusions were associated with a high treatment-related mortality rate of approximately 17%.

Diagnostic and prognostic validity of serum bone turnover markers in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of bone markers in the serum of patients with renal cell carcinoma to detect bone metastases and evaluate the prognostic potential concerning renal cell carcinoma caused mortality.

Materials And Methods: The bone formation markers total and bone specific alkaline phosphatase, the bone resorption markers cross-linked N-terminal and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoenzyme 5b, and the osteoclastogenesis markers osteoprotegerin and ligand of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB, were measured in the serum of 72 patients with renal cell carcinoma, including 28 with pN0M0, 8 with pN1M0 and 36 with M1, and in 32 female and 36 male controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Data were evaluated by receiver operating characteristics and survival analysis.

Decreased RECK expression indicating proteolytic imbalance in prostate cancer is associated with higher tumor aggressiveness and risk of prostate-specific antigen relapse after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: Decreased expression of reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) was recently shown in several cancer types. To evaluate its potential role for prostate carcinoma, we investigated RECK expression in prostate cancer (pCA) samples.

Methods: RECK messenger RNA levels in 15 microdissected normal/tumor matches were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.