Basic fibroblast growth factor induces cholangiocarcinoma cell migration via activation of the MEK1/2 pathway.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles played by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the induction of cholangiocarcinoma cell progression and to identify the signal transduction molecules that are activated by bFGF in cholangiocarcinoma cells. FGF receptor-2 (FGFR2) was shown to be expressed in two cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (RMCCA1 and KKU-100). Samples from RMCCA1 and KKU-100 were assayed for the mRNA.

Prognostic relevance of circulating CK19 mRNA in advanced malignant biliary tract diseases.

Aim: To determine the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in prediction of the overall survival of patients with advanced malignant biliary tract obstruction.

Methods: We investigated the prognostic value of CTCs by examining two markers, cytokeratin (CK) 19 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA, in 40 patients diagnosed with advanced malignant biliary tract diseases. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CK19 and hTERT mRNA in the peripheral blood of these patients.

Serum NGAL to Clinically Distinguish Cholangiocarcinoma from Benign Biliary Tract Diseases.

Aim. To determine whether the serum level of NGAL can discriminate cholangiocarcinoma from benign biliary tract disease in patients. Methods.

Serum AFP and AFP-L3 in clinically distinguished hepatocellular carcinoma from patients with liver masses.

Objective: To determine the ability of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and AFP-L3% serum level in discriminating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other types of liver mass.

Material And Method: This study was performed according to a prospective-specimen-collection, retrospective-blinded-evaluation (PRoBE) design. A total of 109 HCC patients and 51 patients with other types of liver mass were consecutively selected.

Expression of CD24 in cholangiocarcinoma cells is associated with disease progression and reduced patient survival.

Cholangiocarcinoma is frequently found to invade local tissues and metastasize to distal organs. We investigated the expression of CD24 in cholangiocarcinoma samples and its prognostic significance. In addition, the cellular function of CD24 was studied in the RMCCA1 cholangiocarcinoma cell line.

Strong expression of CD133 is associated with increased cholangiocarcinoma progression.

Aim: To determine the role of CD133 in cholangiocarcinoma progression.

Methods: CD133 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 34 cholangiocarcinoma specimens. In addition, proliferation, chemoresistance and invasive properties of CD133-enriched (CD133(+)) and CD133-depleted (CD133(-)) RMCCA1 cholangiocarcinoma cells were studied and compared.

Prospective study of MMP7 serum levels in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Aim: To determine whether the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7) has the potential to diagnosis cholangiocarcinoma from benign biliary tract diseases.

Methods: This study was performed according to the PRoBE (a prospective-specimen-collection, retrospective-blinded-evaluation) design. A total of 187 patients with obstructive jaundice were consecutively enrolled.

Induction of MKP-1 prevents the cytotoxic effects of PI3K inhibition in hilar cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Purpose: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumor) is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. We demonstrate activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, which is a critical pathway for cell survival, in hilar cholangiocarcinoma cells. However, inhibition of PI3K has little effect on hilar cholangiocarcinoma cell survival.

Proteomic profiles of mesenchymal stem cells induced by a liver differentiation protocol.

The replacement of disease hepatocytes and the stimulation of endogenous or exogenous regeneration by human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for liver-directed cell therapy. In this study, we isolated MSCs from adult bone marrow by plastic adhesion and induced differentiation with a liver differentiation protocol. Western blot analyses were used to assess the expression of liver-specific markers.

The dual effects of delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol on cholangiocarcinoma cells: anti-invasion activity at low concentration and apoptosis induction at high concentration.

Currently, only gemcitabine plus platinum demonstrates the considerable activity for cholangiocarcinoma. The anticancer effect of Delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal active component of cannabinoids has been demonstrated in various kinds of cancers. We therefore evaluate the antitumor effects of THC on cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Detection of serum MMP-7 and MMP-9 in cholangiocarcinoma patients: evaluation of diagnostic accuracy.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive tumor with a tendency for local invasion and distant metastases. Timely diagnosis is very important because surgical resection (R0) remains the only hope for a cure. However, at present, there is no available tumor marker that can differentiate cholangiocarcinoma from benign bile duct disease.

Inhibition of PI3K increases oxaliplatin sensitivity in cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Background: Resistance of cholangiocarcinoma to chemotherapy is a major problem in cancer treatment. The mechanism of resistance is believed to involve phosphoinositide-3- kinase (PI3K)/Akt activation. Although the platinum-containing compound oxaliplatin has been extensively used in the treatment of several solid tumors, recent data regarding its use to treat cholangiocarcinoma are ambiguous.

Roles of the MEK1/2 and AKT pathways in CXCL12/CXCR4 induced cholangiocarcinoma cell invasion.

Aim: To evaluate the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its signaling cascades, which were previously identified as a key factor for cancer cell progression and metastasis, in cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.

Methods: The expression of CXCR4 and its signaling cascades were determined in the cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (RMCCA1 and KKU100) by Western blotting. The invasion assays and the detection of actin polymerization were tested in these cholangiocarcinoma cells treated with CXC chemokine ligand -12 (CXCL12).