Relationship of eosinophils and plasma cells to biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: This study investigates the relationship of eosinophils and plasma cells to biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). A prospective observational study was performed at the Keck Hospital, University of Southern California, Department of Otolaryngology, Los Angeles, CA.

Methods: A total of 29 patients, 20 undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS and 9 control patients undergoing septoplasty for nasal obstruction without history or evidence of CRS, were included in this study.

Increased radiation sensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with sphingosine kinase 1 inhibition.

Background: Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is an important regulator of apoptosis, survival, and proliferation in cancer cells. SphK1 expression in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) cell lines and tumor tissue was assessed, and the efficacy of SphK1 knockdown in increasing tumor radiosensitivity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Expression of SphK1 was determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 34 prospectively collected HNSCC tumor samples.

Expression and significance of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in bladder cancer.

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor has a critical role in maintaining tumor microvasculature and, as such, is an attractive target for anti-angiogenic therapy. Aberrant expression of VEGF receptors, especially VEGFR2, on epithelial tumor cells allows VEGF to stimulate growth and migration of tumor cells in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner. Therefore, we studied the expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 in bladder cancer, and the relationship to disease characteristics.

Up-regulation of EphB4 in mesothelioma and its biological significance.

Purpose: Mesothelioma is a rare malignancy that is incurable and carries a short survival despite surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. This study was designed to identify novel targets for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches.

Experimental Design: The expression and functional significance of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphB4 was studied in vitro and in a murine model of mesothelioma.

EphB4 expression and biological significance in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Advanced prostate cancer spreading beyond the gland is incurable. Identifying factors that regulate the spread of tumor into the regional nodes and distant sites would guide the development of novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets.

Natural killer cell cytolytic activity is necessary for in vivo antitumor activity of the dipeptide L-glutamyl-L-tryptophan.

A dipeptide, L-glutamyl L-tryptophan (L-glu-L-trp), was identified in a screen for immunomodulators in the soluble fraction of the thymus. L-glu-L-trp inhibits tumor growth in mice without showing direct cellular toxicity in a variety of human tumor cell lines. L-glu-L-trp antitumor activity in vivo requires the presence of natural killer (NK) cells.

Malignant mesothelioma growth inhibition by agents that target the VEGF and VEGF-C autocrine loops.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a locally aggressive tumor that originates from the mesothelial cells of the pleural and sometimes peritoneal surface. Conventional treatments for MM, consisting of chemotherapy or surgery give little survival benefit to patients, who generally die within 1 year of diagnosis. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of alternative therapies.