MMP13 is a potential prognostic marker for colorectal cancer.

Matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, is considered to play a role in the tumor cell proliferation and invasion. The purpose of this study was to verify the expression of MMP13 in colorectal cancer (CRC) in vitro and in vivo, and subsequently analyze whether the MMP13 expression levels correlate with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of CRC patients. We assessed MMP13 mRNA expression profile in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines by quantitative RT-PCR, and further verified if it was a secreted protein or not by Western blot analysis of cell culture medium.

Differential gene expression profile of MAGE family in taiwanese patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: The melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) gene family consists of different expression patterns in various tumor types. They are considered tumor-specific antigens and are ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy. The purpose of this study is to identify the expression profiles of the MAGE family genes in Taiwanese colorectal cancer patients.

Enhancing detection of circulating tumor cells with activating KRAS oncogene in patients with colorectal cancer by weighted chemiluminescent membrane array method.

Background: In 2008, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network suggested conducting a KRAS mutations test in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients prior to administering therapy that uses anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody. However, tests of KRAS mutations have been limited when traditional molecular techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined direct sequencing, are used to obtain and analyze patients' cancer tissues. If the primary tumor or metastatic tissues of patients with mCRC is unavailable, then such analysis will not be feasible.

MMP13 is potentially a new tumor marker for breast cancer diagnosis.

Within the past decade, the incidence of breast cancer in Taiwan has been rising year after year. Breast cancer is the first most prevalent cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Taiwan. The early stage of breast cancer not only have a wider range of therapeutic options, but also obtain a higher success rate of therapy than those with advanced breast cancer.

A fast and convenient new technique to detect the therapeutic target, K-ras mutant, from peripheral blood in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Activating mutation of the K-ras gene was one of the earliest discoveries of genetic alterations in lung cancer. Moreover, K-ras somatic mutations might be suggested for predicting resistance to molecular antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, activated K-ras mutant detection methods are limited to traditional techniques.

Significance of the glycolytic pathway and glycolysis related-genes in tumorigenesis of human colorectal cancers.

We investigated gene expressions involved in the glycolytic pathways in colorectal cancer. The study was designed to use gene ontology and its relevant bioinformatics tools to analyze the microarray data obtained from CRC tissues and their corresponding normal tissues, in order to explore the correlation between the glycolytic metabolic pathway and possible pathogenesis of this disease. The overexpression of glycolysis-related genes was observed in over 76% of CRC tissues.

Differential expression profile of MAGE family in non-small-cell lung cancer.

The expression of the melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) genes consists of variables in all tumor types, such as lung cancer, which are relevant to be silent in all normal tissues except germ cells. They are considered as tumor-specific antigens, and are ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy. A complete MAGE genes differential expression profile analysis of lung cancer can provide this study not only various target genes for immunotherapy, but also valuable markers for further diagnosis and prognosis.