Synthetic Naphthoquinone Derivatives as Anticancer Agents in Ovarian Cancer: Cytotoxicity Assay and Investigation of Possible Biological Mechanisms Action.

In this study, eight naphthoquinone derivatives were synthesized in yields ranging from 52 to 96% using easy, fast, and low-cost methodologies. All naphthoquinone derivatives were screened for their in vitro anti-proliferative activities against OVCA A2780 cancer cell lines. Amongst all analysed compounds, derivatives 3-5 presented the most prominent cytotoxic potential.

Opening the door to the development of novel Abl kinase inhibitors.

The discovery of the importance of kinase activity and its relationship to the emergence and proliferation of cancer cells, due to changes in normal physiology, opened a remarkable pathway for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia through intense search of drug candidates. Six Abl kinase inhibitors have received the US FDA approval as chronic myelogenous leukemia treatment, and continuous efforts in obtaining new, more effective and selective molecules are being carried out. Herein we discuss the mechanisms of Abl inhibition, structural features and ligand/protein interactions that are important for the design of new Abl kinase inhibitors.

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERS1) SNPs c454-397T>C (PvuII) and c454-351A>G (XbaI) are risk biomarkers for breast cancer development.

There are several risk factors related to Breast Cancer (BC) risks and response to chemotherapy with SERMs. Recently some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on ESR1 gene have been associated to this disease. However, data are still inconclusive.

Metformin synergistically enhances antiproliferative effects of cisplatin and etoposide in NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells.

Objective: To test the effectiveness of combining conventional antineoplastic drugs (cisplatin and etoposide) with metformin in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in the NCI-H460 cell line, in order to develop new therapeutic options with high efficacy and low toxicity.

Methods: We used the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and calculated the combination index for the drugs studied.

Results: We found that the use of metformin as monotherapy reduced the metabolic viability of the cell line studied.

Evaluation of the progesterone receptor status in breast cancer using three different antibodies: a comparison by Allred score system.

Breast cancer (BC) hormonal receptors status is assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), a specific, sensitive, and accessible method that guide breast cancer treatment. In this study, we evaluated progesterone receptor (PR) expression in 53 BC cases using 3 anti-PgR antibodies (AB): monoclonal (SP42 and PgR636) and polyclonal ab62621. Primary BC cases (with signed informed consent) were used to generate tissue microarray platforms, where PR expression was accessed by IHC and evaluated by the Allred score.

Comparison of immunohistochemical analysis with estrogen receptor SP1 and 1D5 monoclonal antibodies in breast cancer.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate estrogen receptor ER-alpha status in 61 breast cancer cases using Sp1 and 1D5 monoclonal antibodies. Tissue array platforms were generated containing samples of breast cancer and positive controls that were assayed by immunohistochemistry applying monoclonal primary antibodies anti-ER alpha, SP1 and 1D5. We noted a high concordance rate (96.

A retrospective analysis of clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics of ovarian tumors in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Background: Ovarian cancer is sixth most common cancer among women and the leading cause of death in women with gynecological malignancies. Despite the great impact ovarian cancer has on women's health and its great impact in public economy, Brazil still lacks valuable information concerning epidemiological aspects of this disease

Methods: We've compiled clinical data of all ovarian tumors registered at the two public hospitals of reference (1997 - 2007), such as: patients' age at diagnosis, tumor histological type, tumor stage, chemotherapy regimens, chemotherapy responsiveness, disease-free survival, and overall survival.

Results: Women's mean age at diagnosis was 54.

Evaluation of PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1) in relation to menstrual cycle timing and reproductive parameters in post-menopausal women.

Objective: To evaluate the association of -397T>C and -351A>G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - also called PvuII and XbaI, respectively - located on estrogen receptor alpha (ERS1) gene with age at menarche, menopause onset, fertility and miscarriage in a population of post-menopausal women.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study with 273 healthy, high miscegenated, post-menopausal women (mean age of 63.1±9.