Circulating tumor cells as Trojan Horse for understanding, preventing, and treating cancer: a critical appraisal.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are regarded as harbingers of metastases. Their ability to predict response to therapy, relapse, and resistance to treatment has proposed their value as putative diagnostic and prognostic indicators. CTCs represent one of the zeniths of cancer evolution in terms of cell survival; however, the triggers of CTC generation, the identification of potentially metastatic CTCs, and the mechanisms contributing to their heterogeneity and aggressiveness represent issues not yet fully deciphered.

PIWI family proteins as prognostic markers in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: P-element-induced-wimpy-testis-(PIWI)-like proteins are implicated in germ cells' regulation and detected in numerous cancer types. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to associate, for the first time, the prognosis in cancer patients with intratumoral expression of PIWI family proteins.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases were searched, and studies investigating the association between intratumoral mRNA or protein expression of different PIWI family proteins and survival, metastasis, or recurrence of various cancer types were reviewed.

Phase I/II prospective trial of cancer-specific imaging using ultrasound spectrum analysis tissue-type imaging to guide dose-painting prostate brachytherapy.

Purpose: To assess the technical feasibility, toxicity, dosimetry, and preliminary efficacy of dose-painting brachytherapy guided by ultrasound spectrum analysis tissue-type imaging (TTI) in low-risk, localized prostate cancer.

Methods And Materials: Fourteen men with prostate cancer who were candidates for brachytherapy as sole treatment were prospectively enrolled. Treatment planning goal was to escalate the tumor dose to 200% with a modest de-escalation of dose to remaining prostate compared with our standard.

Interactions of sex hormone-binding globulin with target cells.

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was initially described as a plasma protein synthesized in, and secreted by, the liver. It was discovered by its ability to bind certain androgens and estrogens and, for many years, was believed to serve as a transporter/reservoir for the steroids which it bound. Subsequently, it became clear that the cell membranes of selected tissues contained a receptor for SHBG (R(SHBG)).

Human sex hormone-binding globulin gene expression- multiple promoters and complex alternative splicing.

Background: Human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) regulates free sex steroid concentrations in plasma and modulates rapid, membrane based steroid signaling. SHBG is encoded by an eight exon-long transcript whose expression is regulated by a downstream promoter (P(L)). The SHBG gene was previously shown to express a second major transcript of unknown function, derived from an upstream promoter (P(T)), and two minor transcripts.

Sex hormone-binding globulin influences gene expression of LNCaP and MCF-7 cells in response to androgen and estrogen treatment.

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a plasma protein that binds androgens and estrogens, also participates in the initial steps of a membrane-based steroid signaling pathway in human prostate and breast. We have recently shown that SHBG is expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in the prostate and breast. In this study, we addressed whether locally expressed SHBG: (1) Functions to regulate activation of membrane-based steroid signaling and (2) influences activation of the androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptors.

Long-term 6-year experience with finasteride in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objectives: To summarize the 6-year clinical trial data with finasteride. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a chronic and progressive disease and therefore assessment of long-term safety and efficacy is important.

Methods: The North American and International Phase III Finasteride trials enrolled symptomatic men with enlarged prostate glands.

Long-term treatment with finasteride in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: 10-year follow-up.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of finasteride 5 mg during a 10-year period in men with enlarged prostates from a single center who participated in the double-blind and extension phases of the multicenter, Phase III, North American benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) trial. It is important that the long-term safety and efficacy of drugs intended for chronic administration in men with BPH be well understood.

Methods: The Phase III North American BPH trial involved a 1-year, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, followed by a 5-year open extension with finasteride 5 mg/day.

Sex hormone-binding globulin is synthesized in target cells.

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a multifunctional protein that acts in humans to regulate the response to steroids at several junctures. It was originally described as a hepatically secreted protein that is the major binding protein for sex steroids in plasma, thereby regulating the availability of free steroids to hormone-responsive tissues. SHBG also functions as part of a novel steroid-signaling system that is independent of the classical intracellular steroid receptors.

Sex hormone-binding globulin in the human prostate is locally synthesized and may act as an autocrine/paracrine effector.

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a plasma protein synthesized and secreted by the liver. Its initial description stemmed from its ability to bind estrogens and androgens and its capacity to regulate the free concentration of the steroids that bind to it. Additionally, it participates in signal transduction for certain steroid hormones at the cell membrane.

Sex hormone-binding globulin mediates steroid hormone signal transduction at the plasma membrane.

Sex hormone-binding globulin is a plasma glycoprotein that binds certain estrogens and androgens with high affinity. Over the past several years it has been shown that, in addition to functioning as a regulator of the free concentration of a number of steroid hormones, SHBG plays a central role in permitting certain steroid hormones to act without entering the cell. The system is complex.

Androgen and estrogen signaling at the cell membrane via G-proteins and cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

Androgens and estrogens are well-known to initiate their actions by binding to specific intracellular receptors. The steroid-receptor interaction, the receptors, and the details of transcriptional activation consequent to the binding of these steroids with their respective receptors have been, and continue to be, intensively studied. More recently, it has become increasingly apparent that steroids may interact with cells by other than this classic pathway.

Efficacy of finasteride is maintained in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated for 5 years. The North American Finasteride Study Group.

Objectives: The purpose of this open-label study extension was to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of finasteride in the treatment of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: A Phase III North American BPH trial originally enrolled 895 men, 297 of whom were randomized to receive finasteride 5 mg. An enlarged prostate gland by digital rectal examination, symptoms of urinary obstruction, and a maximal urinary flow rate of less than 15 mL/s were required for entry.

Treatment with finasteride preserves usefulness of prostate-specific antigen in the detection of prostate cancer: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. PLESS Study Group. Proscar Long-term Efficacy and Safety Study.

Objectives: To evaluate prostate cancer detection and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with finasteride.

Methods: Three thousand forty men 45 to 78 years of age with PSA less than 10 ng/mL and no history of prostate cancer were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to finasteride (n = 1524) or placebo (n = 1516) for up to 4 years. A prerandomization biopsy negative for prostate cancer was obtained in 98% of patients with a screening PSA of 4.

Estradiol activates the prostate androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen secretion through the intermediacy of sex hormone-binding globulin.

These experiments were designed to examine the relationship between the effects of steroid hormones mediated by classic intracellular steroid hormone receptors and those mediated by a signaling system subserved at the plasma membrane by a receptor for sex hormone-binding globulin. It is known that unliganded sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) binds to a receptor (RSHBG) on prostate membranes. The RSHBG.

5 alpha-Androstan-3 alpha,17 beta-diol is a hormone: stimulation of cAMP accumulation in human and dog prostate.

5 alpha-Androstan-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol) is a well known metabolite of dihydrostestosterone (DHT) and the concentration of its glucuronide in serum is looked upon as a marker of DHT activity in skin and prostate. The data in this communication show that 3 alpha-diol is a potent agonist of the human and canine prostatic SHBG-[SHBG receptor]. It causes a robust rise in intracellular cAMP within minutes; the 1/2 max.

The effect of extracts of the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) on the interaction of SHBG with its receptor on human prostatic membranes.

Extracts from the roots of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The mechanisms underlying this treatment have not been elucidated. We set out to determine whether specific extracts from U.

Estradiol causes the rapid accumulation of cAMP in human prostate.

Androgens are widely acknowledged to be central to the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). However, BPH increases in prevalence as men age, at precisely the stage of life when plasma androgens are decreasing. The decrease in total plasma androgens is amplified by an age-related increase in plasma sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) that results in a relatively greater decrease in free androgens than in total androgens.

Prostatic acid phosphatase. Biomolecular features and assays for serum determination.

Approximately 30 years ago, the finding that prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) was antigenically distinct from other acid phosphatases opened an era in the measurement of prostate cancer. Many immunoassays have been developed but their clinical significance has been limited. Studies comparing one or more assays in the same population of men with prostate cancer population have concluded that no differences were found in the sensitivities of the assays when the upper limits of normal were selected to provide equal specificities.

Main renal vein invasion by a transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis: documentation with CT.

Invasion of the main renal vein by transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis is an infrequently reported event. No accurate clinical frequency of this phenomenon is available. Extensive invasion of the renal parenchyma by the tumor usually is present by the time it presents in the renal vein.

Sex hormone-binding globulin: anatomy and physiology of a new regulatory system.

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a plasma glycoprotein that binds a number of circulating steroid hormones (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and estradiol) with high affinity, thus regulating their free concentration in plasma. In addition to binding steroids, SHBG itself binds to receptor sites on plasma membranes with somewhat unusual kinetics. Both the off and on rates are quite slow.

Epididymal metastasis from prostatic adenocarcinoma mimicking adenomatoid tumor.

A case of epididymal metastasis from prostatic carcinoma is presented. The initial histologic findings were suggestive of adenomatoid tumor, but a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma of prostatic origin has been established by prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen immunoperoxidase staining.