Novel robust biomarkers for human bladder cancer based on activation of intracellular signaling pathways.

We recently proposed a new bioinformatic algorithm called OncoFinder for quantifying the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. It was proved advantageous for minimizing errors of high-throughput gene expression analyses and showed strong potential for identifying new biomarkers. Here, for the first time, we applied OncoFinder for normal and cancerous tissues of the human bladder to identify biomarkers of bladder cancer.

[Localization of point mutations in the coding part of the VHL gene in clear cell renal cancer].

VHL gene is often inactivated in sporadic clear cell renal cancer (CCRC) due to somatic mutations, and it's germline mutations cause hereditary CCRC--von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Localization of mutations in VHL, identification of new mutations and their influence on CCRC progression and sensitivity to targeted therapy are actual problems in modern oncogenetics. We have provided search and characterization of mutations in 248 primary CCRC using SSCP-analysis and sequencing.

[The fluorescent hybridization in situ as applied in diagnostics of urinary bladder cancer].

The adaptation of techniques of molecular genetic analysis into clinical practice increased the possibilities of diagnostics of urinary bladder cancer at early stage of disease development. The article discusses the results of cytological and cytogenetic examination of urine cells in patients with diagnostics of urinary bladder cancer. The sampling consisted of 44 cytological and 25 cytogenetic tests.

Comparative effectiveness of axitinib versus sorafenib in advanced renal cell carcinoma (AXIS): a randomised phase 3 trial.

Background: The treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma has been revolutionised by targeted therapy with drugs that block angiogenesis. So far, no phase 3 randomised trials comparing the effectiveness of one targeted agent against another have been reported. We did a randomised phase 3 study comparing axitinib, a potent and selective second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, with sorafenib, an approved VEGF receptor inhibitor, as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer.

[Purification and ligand-receptor analysis of insulin-related peptides from pedal ganglion of the mollusc Anodonta cygnea].

Six insulin-related peptides (IRPs) from pedal ganglions of the molluscs Anodonta cygnea have been isolated and purified by reverse-phase chromatography. Each peptide (designated as IRP8-IRP13) showed its own retention time on the HPLC column. The testing of IRPs in radioreceptor systems specific for insulin and insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) showed their ability to bind to both types of receptors.

[Evaluation of efficacy of cyproterone acetate monotherapy in prostatic cancer].

The trial conducted in the Primorsk Regional Cancer Hospital of Vladivostok and P. A. Herzen Moscow Research Cancer Institute studied effectiveness and tolerance of cyproteron acetate (CA) monotherapy and maximal androgenic block (MAB) (CA + surgical or CA + drug castration).

[Intraoperative radiation therapy: its technological support, potentials and prospects].

The authors' experience with intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in 129 patients with a tumorous process at various sites has demonstrated that in most clinical events, single radiation doses of 10-20 Gy is insufficient to have a persistent local effect and requires additional pre- or postoperative remote irradiation. The use of IORT as a single component of radiation exposure does not lead to significant radiation damages to normal tissues. When IORT is combined with remote irradiation (the latter using doses of 30-60 Gy), 30% of patients develop radiation-induced normal tissue lesions.

[Functionally sparing surgery in locally spread malignant maxillary tumors and the use of local chemotherapy].

53 patients underwent functionally sparing operations which imply electrosurgical maxillectomy with alveolar process and hard palate left intact as well as eyeball preserving resections. At termination of the surgical intervention cyanoacrylate glue compounds incorporating cytostatics bleomycin or carminomycin were applied to the walls of the postoperative cavity. Maxillary alveolar process and hard palate were preserved when the tumor arose from maxillary posterior superior segments, ethmoidal labyrinth and upper nasal cavity.

[The growth-stimulating activity of the insulins from teleosts].

Growth-stimulating properties of insulins from cyclostomes, teleosts and mammals were evaluated by their capacity to promote the uptake of [35S]-sulfate by fish branchial cartilages. It was shown that all the tested hormones exhibit promotor properties increasing the uptake of labeled sulfate by 1.5-3 times.

[The current status of the problem and the treatment possibilities in disseminated malignant neoplasms of the maxilla].

A study of the results of treatment of 170 patients makes a case for combined electrosurgical resection of the maxilla and local chemotherapy with deposited cytostatic drugs for localized malignant tumors of this site. No recurrences were detected within the first 12 months in 75.4% of patients and 52%--in control.

[The mitogenic effect of insulin isolated from the mammalian brain on Swiss 3T3 cells].

Mitogenic properties of the insulin derived from pig brain were compared with the action of pancreatic (standard) pig insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) using the culture of Swiss 3T3 cells. The brain insulin, likely as the pancreatic insulin, induced uptake of 14C-thymidine by resting cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentration of 0.5-2.

[Qualitative and quantitative assessment of blood erythrocytes of intact animals under the effect of 5-fluorouracil in solution and in microspheres made of acetylcellulose combined with short-term gas hypoxia].

Resistance of erythrocyte membranes, estimated by means of ultrasound hemolysis, was altered 7 days before the cells quantitative changes after simultaneous treatment of intact animals with 5-fluorouracil, administered as solution or in acetate cellulose drug-containing granules, and short-term gas hypoxia. Simultaneous effect of 5-fluorouracil and hypoxia was less toxic for erythropoiesis, while the long-term form of the drug did not affect considerably the liver tissue functions.

[Certain biochemical characteristics of an insulin-like substance from the bivalve mollusk Anodonta cygnea].

An insulin-like substance (ILS) was isolated from the visceral organs of the bivalve mollusc Anodonta cygnea by chromatography on a sulfocationite CU-23 and purified by reverse phase liquid chromatography. ILS was shown to be made up to several fractions with Mr ranging from 9 to 20 kDa which have identical amino acid composition but different hydrophobicity and N-terminal amino acids. It was supposed that the heterogeneity of ILS fractions is due to its genetical or posttranslational polymorphism.

[Use of cytostatics in polymer-drug complexes in the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the maxilla].

The authors analyze the efficacy of antitumor drugs deposited with cyanoacrylate adhesive solution in therapy of Stages III-IV maxillary tumors. Immediate and late results of therapy with these compositions of 21 patients evidence that such treatment is not associated with the wound or general toxic complications and that wounds may be managed without tampons. Deposition of the drug and its regulated elimination from the composition helps create a high concentration of the agent at the operation site where the tumor elements remained after surgery; this permits expecting better late results.