Molecular analyses of cell origin and detection of circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood in alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a distinct, rare soft tissue tumor with an unknown histogenesis and a tendency for late widespread metastases to lung, bone, and brain. It is now clear that they are caused by a specific unbalanced translocation, der(17)t(X;17)(p11;q25), which results in the formation of an ASPSCR1-TFE3 (alias ASPL-TFE3) fusion gene. The rearrangement results in the expression of chimeric transcripts, which can be identified by means of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Antitumor activity of a combination of trastuzumab (Herceptin) and oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing pancreatic cancer.

The cytotoxic effect of trastuzumab in combination with oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing human pancreatic cancer cell line TRG in vitro and in vivo was investigated. HER2 expression in TRG was analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. For in vitro experiments, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was used instead of S-1.

Expression of MMP-7 and MT1-MMP in peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

Background/aims: In this study, we examined the expression of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MT1-MMP in peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer, so as to clarify a possible role of these MMPs in developing peritoneal dissemination, using culture cells and an animal model with peritoneal dissemination.

Methodology: Total RNA was extracted from tumor tissues of disseminated foci from 7 patients with gastric cancer and human gastric cancer cell lines of STSA, STKM-1, MKN-28, MKN-45, and KATOIII. Expressions of mRNA for MMP-2, MMP-7, and MT1-MMP were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

Evaluation of soluble adhesion molecules CD44 (CD44st, CD44v5, CD44v6), ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 as tumor markers in head and neck cancer.

Purpose: Standard CD44 (CD44st), CD44 variant 5 (CD44v5), and CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6), intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM-1) are expressed in human malignant cells and tissues. Their mechanism remains unclear but has been reported to be associated with the progression and metastasis of malignancies.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we investigated any correlations between the soluble adhesion molecule CD44 (st, v5, and v6), ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 and the clinicopathologic variables (eg, age, sex, histological grading, tumor size, lymph node status, distant metastasis, and TNM staging) and evaluated the difference between the pretreatment level in the patients with head and neck cancer and that in the control group.

Expression of SPARC in tongue carcinoma of stage II is associated with poor prognosis: an immunohistochemical study of 86 cases.

SPARC (secretory protein acidic and rich in cysteine), also known as osteonectin or BM-40, associates with progression in various kinds of tumors. We have examined whether SPARC expression can be a prognostic marker for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HN-SCC). We examined immunolocalization of SPARC in 86 clinical specimens of tongue carcinoma.

The F(ab)'2 fragment of an Abeta-specific monoclonal antibody reduces Abeta deposits in the brain.

This work examines whether administering the F(ab' )2 fragment of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the N-terminal 1-13 amino acids of the beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta mAb) reduces amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The F(ab')2 fragment was injected intraperitoneally or intracranially into Tg2576 mice, a murine model of human AD. Both routes of administration significantly reduced Abeta plaque formation in the brain, as determined immunohistochemically and by monitoring levels of Abeta1-40 and Abeta1-42 peptide.

Soluble CD44 standard, CD44 variant 5 and CD44 variant 6 and their relation to staging in head and neck cancer.

Conclusion: The possible roles of CD44st, CD44v5 and CD44v6 in the prognosis of head and neck cancer deserve further elucidation and evaluation with long-term patient follow-up.

Objective: Standard CD44 (CD44st), CD44 variant 5 (CD44v5) and CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) are expressed in human malignant cells and tissues. The mechanism of their expression remains unclear, but has been reported to be associated with the progression and metastasis of malignancies.

Induction of lymphokine-activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes stimulated by dendritic cells and autologous tumor from a patient with gastric cancer and their effects in vitro.

Background/aims: The purpose of the study was to generate lymphokine-activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes stimulated by dendritic cells (DC) and autologous tumor from a patient with gastric cancer and to clarify their cytotoxic effects in vitro.

Methodology: DC was induced by interleukin-4 (IL-4) and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Then, PBMC was incubated with mitomycin C-treated tumor cells and DC, and following that was activated with IL-2 and anti-CD3.

Reovirus oncolysis in human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells.

Objective: To determine whether reovirus, a double-standed RNA virus is effective on the growth of a human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line.

Designs: In vitro cell proliferation assay, KB cells, a human oral floor squamous cell carcinoma cell line, were treated with reovirus and the number of cells was quantitated by an assay, using trypan blue staining. In vivo tumor growth assay, KB cells were injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice, which were given an intratumoral injection of reovirus to a maximum four times in every week.

Effects of TS-1 on peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer in nude mice.

Background/aims: We investigated the effects of TS-1 on the survival of nude mice developing peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer.

Methodology: MKN-45 cells were injected into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice and a model of peritoneal dissemination was developed. TS-1 was administered orally every day from day 1 to day 10 or day 10 to day 19.

Prognostic impact of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in plasma of patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in plasma has been reported to be related to disease progression in patients with colorectal cancer. However, the prognostic significance of plasma TIMP-1 has not been clarified.

Patients And Methods: Concentrations of TIMP-1 protein were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in plasma samples of 87 preoperative patients who subsequently underwent resection, and prognosis was compared.

Expression of E-cadherin, and CD44s and CD44v6 and its association with prognosis in head and neck cancer.

Objectives: In the current study, the expression of E-cadherin, CD44s, and CD44v6 has been noted as markers for tumor metastasis and prognosis in several tumors, so we examined whether or not E-cadherin, CD44s, and CD44v6 are useful markers for evaluating the prognosis of mesopharyngeal cancer patients.

Methods: The expression of E-cadherin, CD44s, and CD44v6, was evaluated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against epitopes of standard and variant proteins, in paraffin-embedded mesopharyngeal cancer tissues from 57 patients who had received curative therapy.

Results: Tumor tissues from 47 (82.

Reduction of in vivo tumor growth by MMI-166, a selective matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, through inhibition of tumor angiogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of head and neck.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in tumor invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. We have recently shown that MMI-166, a new orally active MMP inhibitor specific for MMP-2 and -9, suppressed experimental metastasis of Lewis lung cancer, C-H1 human colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer without affecting tumor growth in vitro. In the present study, we determined whether oral administration of MMI-166 reduces tumor growth not only in such tumors but also in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN).