Thymidine phosphorylase induction by ionizing radiation antagonizes 5-fluorouracil resistance in human ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) frequently contributes to failure of systemic therapy. While the radiosensitizing properties of 5-fluorouracil (FU) are well known, it is unknown whether ionizing radiation (IR) sensitizes towards FU cytotoxicity. Here, we hypothesize that upregulation of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) by IR reverses FU chemoresistance in PDAC cells.

Blockage of Cholinergic Signaling via Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor 3 Inhibits Tumor Growth in Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

Cholinergic signaling via the muscarinic M3 acetylcholine receptor (M3R) is involved in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study aimed to analyze the blocking of M3R signaling in CRC using darifenacin, a selective M3R antagonist. Darifenacin effects were studied on HT-29 and SW480 CRC cells using MTT and BrdU assays, Western blotting and real time RT-PCR.

Raloxifene inhibits pancreatic adenocarcinoma growth by interfering with ERβ and IL-6/gp130/STAT3 signaling.

Purpose: Currently, the exact role of estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in pancreatic cancer is unknown. Recently, we showed that expression of phosphorylated ERβ correlates with a poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we hypothesized that raloxifene, a FDA-approved selective ER modulator (SERM), may suppress PDAC tumor growth by interfering with ERβ signaling.

Extrinsic intestinal denervation modulates tumor development in the small intestine of Apc(Min/+) mice.

Background: Innervation interacts with enteric immune responses. Chronic intestinal inflammation is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer. We aimed to study potential extrinsic neuronal modulation of intestinal tumor development in a mouse model.

Case report: actinomycosis of the appendix--an unusual cause of acute appendicitis in children.

Abdominal actinomycosis in children is a rare disease, which is occasionally found on histologic examination after an operation for acute appendicitis. Because of its nonspecific clinical and radiological signs and symptoms and low prevalence, the diagnosis is hardly ever made before the patient undergoes an operation and tissue is available for pathologic evaluation. When the diagnosis is made, the patient should be treated with the appropriate long-term antibiotics.