Publications by authors named "Scursoni A"

Introduction: The identification of molecules expressed selectively on the surface of retinoblastoma cells would allow applying targeted therapies. The Ganglioside, N-Glycolyl-GM3 (NeuGc-GM3), is an attractive candidate, as it has been detected in other paediatric neuroectodermic tumours, and it is not expressed in human normal tissues. The 14F7 antibody recognizes specifically the ganglioside NeuGc-GM3.

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Background/aim: Desmopressin (dDAVP) is a synthetic peptide analog of vasopressin with antidiuretic and hemostatic properties. Recent experimental evidence have suggested that dDAVP can inhibit metastasis formation by agonist action on V2 vasopressin receptors present in both tumor and endothelial cells. We have examined the kinetics of dDAVP effect during metastatic colonization and its potential association with hemostasis.

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Immunotherapy targeting ganglioside antigens is a powerful tool for the treatment of high risk neuroblastoma. However, only treatment with anti-GD2 antibodies has been used in clinical practice and other options may be pursued. We report the use of racotumomab, an anti-idiotype vaccine against N-glycolyl neuraminic acid (NeuGc)- containing gangliosides, eliciting an immune response in a child with relapsed neuroblastoma expressing the NeuGcGM3 ganglioside.

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The N-glycolylated ganglioside NeuGc-GM3 has been described in solid tumors such as breast carcinoma, nonsmall cell lung cancer, and melanoma, but is usually not detected in normal human cells. Our aim was to evaluate the presence of NeuGc-GM3 in pediatric neuroectodermal tumors by immunohistochemistry. Twenty-seven archival cases of neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) were analyzed.

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Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a vasopressin peptide analog with hemostatic properties that has been successfully used during surgery in patients with bleeding disorders. Recently published experimental and clinical data indicate that perioperative administration of DDAVP can minimize spread and survival of residual mammary cancer cells. The central aim of this study was to explore the effect of perioperative DDAVP and its relation to histologic grade in bitches with locally advanced mammary carcinoma.

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Gangliosides are glycolipids present on the cell surface. The N-glycolylated ganglioside NeuGc-GM3 has been described in some neoplasms, such as breast carcinoma and melanoma, but is usually not detected in normal human cells. Our aim was to evaluate the presence of NeuGc-GM3 in Wilms tumor by immunohistochemistry.

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Desmopressin (1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin, also known as DDAVP) is a safe haemostatic compound capable of inhibiting lymph node and lung metastasis in a mouse model of mammary tumour manipulation and surgical excision. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy and safety of perioperative DDAVP (1microg/kg) in surgically treated bitches with mammary gland tumours (MGT). Twenty-one, otherwise healthy, intact bitches, with malignant MGT stage III or IV were randomly allocated to DDAVP (n=11) or placebo (n=10) groups.

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We have examined the role of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in tumor-bearing BALB/c mice using the syngeneic F3II mammary carcinoma. In the present model, progression of subcutaneous tumors induced massive myelopoiesis in bone marrow and spleen due to GM-CSF secretion by tumor cells. In vitro, the addition of recombinant mouse GM-CSF (5- 25 ng/ml) caused a significant increase in F3II cell growth, either in the presence or absence of serum.

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We have transfected a full-lenght cDNA-encoding human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) by lipofection in highly invasive F3II mouse mammary sarcomatoid carcinoma cells. In vitro, overexpression of TIMP-1 was associated with abrogation of metalloproteinase activity, extended doubling time, and a more flattened, epithelioid polyhedric morphology. Female Balb/c mice inoculated subcutaneously with TIMP-1 transfectant exhibited a prolonged tumor latency and tumor burden was significantly lower in early stages of tumor growth.

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