BRAF mutation in sporadic colorectal cancer and Lynch syndrome.

The aim of the study was to detect mutations of BRAF oncogene in colorectal cancer and to use this information to identify Lynch syndrome patients. Consecutive cases of primary colorectal cancer (n = 137) were analyzed for MLH1 protein expression using immunohistochemistry (IHC). BRAF V600E mutation was detected by IHC using a specific monoclonal antibody (VE1) and by qPCR.

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 causes regression of gastric adenomas in trefoil factor 1 deficient mice.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression is a marker of reduced survival in gastric cancer patients, and inhibition of Cox-2 suppresses gastrointestinal carcinogenesis in experimental animal models. To investigate the role of Cox-2 in gastric carcinogenesis in vivo, we utilized trefoil factor 1 (Tff1) deficient mice, which model the neoplastic process of the stomach by developing gastric adenomas with full penetrance. These tumors express Cox-2 protein and mRNA, and we have now investigated the effects of genetic deletion of the mouse Cox-2 gene [also known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2)] and a Cox-2 selective drug celecoxib.

Role of RNA binding protein HuR in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

HuR is a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein that modulates gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. It is predominantly nuclear, but can shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. While in the cytoplasm HuR can stabilize its target transcripts, many of which encode proteins involved in carcinogenesis.

Basal cytokeratins in breast tumours among BRCA1, BRCA2 and mutation-negative breast cancer families.

Introduction: Finding new immunohistochemical markers that are specific to hereditary breast cancer could help us to select candidates for BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation testing and to understand the biological pathways of tumour development.

Methods: Using breast cancer tumour microarrays, immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin (CK)-5/6, CK-14 and CK-17 was evaluated in breast tumours from BRCA1 families (n = 46), BRCA2 families (n = 40), non-BRCA1/BRCA2 families (n = 358) and familial breast cancer patients with one first-degree relative affected by breast or ovarian cancer (n = 270), as well as from patients with sporadic breast cancer (n = 364). Staining for CK-5/6, CK-14 and CK-17 was compared between these groups and correlated with other clinical and histological factors.

Prognostic role of HuR in hereditary breast cancer.

Purpose: HuR is an mRNA-binding protein that enhances the stability of certain transcripts and can regulate their translation. Elevated cytoplasmic expression of HuR protein has been linked to carcinogenesis and is associated with reduced survival in breast, ovarian, and gastric adenocarcinomas.

Experimental Design: Here, we have explored the relevance of HuR in familial breast cancer.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 is regulated by glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in gastric cancer cells.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is a marker of poor prognosis in gastric cancer patients, and its inhibition suppresses gastric tumorigenesis in experimental animal models. The mechanism that leads to COX-2 overexpression in this tumor type is unknown. We have now shown that inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by LY294002 suppresses both basal and phorbol myristate acetate-induced COX-2 expression in TMK-1 and MKN-28 gastric cancer cells.

Cytoplasmic HuR expression correlates with epithelial cancer cell but not with stromal cell cyclooxygenase-2 expression in mucinous ovarian carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression has been found to associate with poor prognosis in several types of carcinomas. HuR is an mRNA stability protein and it regulates the expression of COX-2.

Objectives And Methods: We analyzed the expression of COX-2 and HuR in 64 mucinous ovarian carcinoma specimens by immunohistochemistry.

Breast cancer patients with p53 Pro72 homozygous genotype have a poorer survival.

Purpose: The p53 R72P polymorphism has been suggested to play a role in many cancers, including breast cancer. Our aim was to evaluate association of R72P with breast cancer risk as well as histopathologic features of the breast tumors and survival.

Experimental Design: The germ line R72P genotype was defined among 939 Finnish familial and 888 unselected breast cancer patients and 736 healthy population controls.

Cytoplasmic HuR expression is a prognostic factor in invasive ductal breast carcinoma.

HuR is a ubiquitously expressed mRNA-binding protein. Intracellular localization of HuR is predominantly nuclear, but it shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm it can stabilize certain transcripts.