Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Human lung carcinogenesis is accompanied by complex chromosomal changes that may be detected in interphase cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay using recently developed multitarget DNA probes. Touch preparations of 20 non-small cell lung carcinomas, sputum specimens from 3 patients with lung cancer and from 11 ex-smokers without lung cancer, and cultured benign bronchial epithelium of 42 high-risk smokers, 9 of whom had concurrent invasive carcinoma, were tested using a four-color FISH probe (LAVysion) targeting centromere 6, 5p15.2, 7p12 (EGFR), and 8q24 (MYC). Significantly high frequencies of abnormal cells were found in each of the 20 NSCLC (100%) and in the 3 sputum specimens from lung cancer patients. None of the cytologically normal sputa contained FISH abnormalities. Cultured bronchial epithelial cells from 11 of 42 patients (26%) were abnormal for at least one probe. Abnormal FISH patterns had no association with gender, presence of tumor or histology. Multicolor FISH can readily detect chromosomal abnormalities in imprints and sputa from lung carcinomas. Chromosomal aneusomy is also frequent in bronchial epithelial cells from long-term smokers. The prognostic significance of the multicolor LAVysion FISH probe set should be validated in a controlled clinical trial.
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PMID:Chromosomal abnormalities in non-small cell lung carcinomas and in bronchial epithelia of high-risk smokers detected by multi-target interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. 1270 75

To date, no single or multiple molecular markers have been successful in predicting sensitivity of individual patients to anti-cancer drugs. As the nature of a specific cancer is considered to be defined by the proteins being expressed in the tumor cells, systematic analysis of gene-expression profiles may provide information reflecting sensitivity of a given tumor to certain drugs. Recent progress in genome technology has enabled us to examine expression profiles of thousands of genes in a single experiment. We used this approach to examine 13 xenografts of human tumors implanted into nude mice for sensitivity to an orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), ZD1839 (Iressa). To identify genes that might be associated with sensitivity to this drug we used a cDNA microarray representing 23,040 genes to analyze expression profiles of the 13 xenografts and identified 114 genes whose expression levels correlated significantly with sensitivity of the tumors to ZD1839. We then investigated alteration of expression profiles in response to the ZD1839 treatment in four non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) xenografts, of which two (LC6 and LC11) were sensitive and the other two (Lu116 and L27) were resistant to this EGFR-TKI. Systematic analysis of expression at various time points during oral treatment for 14 days, compared with corresponding untreated samples, identified a set of genes whose expression levels changed in the two sensitive tumors but not in the two resistant tumors. The data obtained here should provide useful information on the molecular mechanism underlying clinical responses to EGFR-TKIs, aid the development of novel therapies for lung cancer, and potentially identify predictive molecular markers for sensitivity to ZD1839.
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PMID:Gene-expression profiles of human tumor xenografts in nude mice treated orally with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD1839. 1279 73

Erlotinib HCI (Tarceva; Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA) is an orally available, quinazoline-based agent that competes with adenosine triphosphate for binding with the intracellular catalytic domain of epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) tyrosine kinase, inhibiting phosphorylation. This action blocks downstream signal transduction and inhibits the tumorigenic effects associated with ligand-dependent and ligand-independent HER1/EGFR activation. In preclinical studies, erlotinib has substantial antitumor activity against various human tumor xenografts alone and in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs. Phase I data showed that erlotinib was well tolerated, with encouraging antitumor activity in patients with various types of solid tumors. Furthermore, phase II monotherapy trials in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and head and neck squamous cell cancer, respectively, show favorable activity compared with single-agent chemotherapy in similar patient populations. Phase III trials with erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer are in progress, as are a range of studies in various indications designed to optimize the use of erlotinib alone and in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other targeted agents.
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PMID:Erlotinib (Tarceva): an update on the clinical trial program. 1284 Jul 99

The frequency of increased EGFR-mRNA expression was determined in 57 patients suffering from NSCLC by applying quantitative real-time PCR. The findings were correlated with clinical parameters and the immunohistochemical (IHC) markers EGFR, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, Ki-67 and p53 on cryostat sections. Of the patients 46% showed increased EGFR-mRNA, 35% revealed an increased IHC-EGFR expression; 16% of the patients showed a combined positivity and 35% a combined negativity when applying both methods, and 17 (30%) of the cases revealed increased EGFR-mRNA without IHC-EGFR expression. This subgroup was characterised by p53 coexpression and the highest frequency of deaths (35% vs. 20%) indicating a more aggressive tumour type. In contrast to IHC - where positivity was seen predominantly in squamous cell carcinomas (48% vs. 27%) - EGFR-mRNA expression was observed equally in both histological subtypes (48% vs. 43%). PCR-EGFR and IHC-EGFR tumour typing identifies different tumour characteristics with different clinical courses. Whether this combined typing could help to identify patients who respond to anti-EGFR therapies is worth further testing.
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PMID:Characterisation and predictive value of epidermal growth factor receptor status using quantitative real-time PCR combined with immunohistochemistry on non-small cell lung cancer specimens. 1296 67

A real-time PCR technique with automated computerized analysis (TaqMan ) was tested to detect K-ras mutations in 66 patients suffering from NSCLC. This technology is characterized by high reproducibility of data and a time-saving analysis procedure. In 11% (7/66) of the tumour specimens and 2% (1/58) of adjacent tumour-free lung specimens a K-ras codon 12 mutation was detected. In adenocarcinomas containing > or =40% tumour cells, however, K-ras mutations were seen in 25% of the cases. The point mutations detected in tumours were GGT right curved arrow TGT in five cases and GGT right curved arrow GTT in two cases. As compared with immunohistochemical parameters, the K-ras mutated group was characterized by a c-erbB-2 negativity (p=0.04) and a smaller number of c-erbB-3 (p=0.02) positive cases. EGFR, bcl-2, p53, Ki-67 and p120 expression did not differ significantly. Determination of the K-ras point mutations by automated TaqMan PCR in NSCLC tumour specimens is feasable and highly specific. Due to its high throughput capacity this method represents a valuable tool for routine screening.
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PMID:Automated real-time PCR to determine K-ras codon 12 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer: comparison with immunohistochemistry and clinico-pathological features. 1296 94

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Therapeutic improvements caused by recent cytotoxic agents seem to have reached a plateau. New therapeutic strategies are, therefore, necessary to improve the cure rate. These include receptor-targeted therapy, signal transduction or cell-cycle inhibition, angiogenesis inhibitors, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, gene therapy and vaccines. The antiepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) group includes compounds acting on the extracellular domain of EGFR, such as IMC-C225 and trastuzumab; small molecules inhibiting EGFR phosphorylation, such as ZD 1839 and OSI-774; or compounds that interfere with one of the downstream steps, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Farnesyl transferase inhibitors, such as SCH66336, and protein kinase C inhibitors, such as ISIS 3521, have also shown antitumour activity. Antiangiogenesis inhibitors include matrix metalloprotease inhibitors (MMPIs), suchs as marimastat, AG3340, BAY 12-9566, BMS-275291 and Col-3. Antiangiogenic agents offer great potential for the treatment of lung cancer, as shown in preclinical models, whereas emerging data suggest that there are limits to their use as monotherapy in advanced disease. Molecules targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or its receptor (VEGFR) also seem to control tumour progression and may prolong survival. COX-2 inhibitors are another class of agents currently under evaluation in clinical trials for their chemoprevention role in subjects at high lung cancer risk, and also in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with standard chemotherapeutics. Genetic and immunologic therapies represent two additional promising modalities. All of these therapies are in different phases of clinical testing and have shown encouraging activity alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs.
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PMID:Emerging drugs for non-small cell lung cancer. 1461 Sep 20

Many malignant tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) express or over-express EGFR that have shown correlations with rapid growth, metastases, resistance to conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and poor prognosis. Gefitinib is a potent and selective inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase (EGFRTK). Gefitinib specifically inhibited EGF-stimulated cell proliferation in vitro and it also exhibited a broad anti-tumor spectrum against NSCLC, prostate, colorectal, and ovarian cancers in vivo. Gefitinib showed dose-dependent and reversible reduction of c-fos mRNA level and decreased Ki67 significantly in tumors in vivo. In in vitro studies, gefitinib arrested the cell cycle at G1 phase by inducing intrinsic cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors and following inhibition of cdk2. Apoptosis was also seen in gefitinib-treated tumor cells and skin biopsy samples from clinical study. Gefitinib inhibited VEGF production in tumor cells through inhibition of EGFR signaling, leading to suppression of angiogenesis. In clinical studies, gefitinib demonstrated therapeutic benefit in patients who failed conventional chemotherapy. No correlation has been established between the anti-tumor activity of gefitinib and EGFR expression level, whilst sensitivity factors to gefitinib are yet to be elucidated. Identification of sensitivity factors will be a key for effective use of EGFRTK inhibitors including gefitinib for cancer treatment.
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PMID:EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor "gefitinib (Iressa)" for cancer therapy. 1463 3

Fifteen% or fewer of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survive 5 years. The current standard of care for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC is systemic chemotherapy with a two-drug combination regimen that includes a platinum agent. Although systemic chemotherapy reduces the rate of death attributable to lung cancer, disease progression is inevitable and dose-limiting toxicities restrict their use. New molecularly targeted therapies aim to inhibit specific pathways and key molecules implicated in tumor growth and progression while sparing normal cells. Several therapies, which target signal transduction pathways involved in angiogenesis, metastasis, and apoptosis, are in clinical development to treat lung cancer. Among these targeted therapies are the oral, small-molecule epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib. Both therapies have been validated preclinically as new treatment approaches for NSCLC and have shown single-agent activity against advanced, chemorefractory NSCLC in clinical trials. This article focuses on the biology of the EGFR-TK signal transduction pathway, its role in the proliferation of solid tumors, and the rationale for the clinical development of EGFR-TK inhibitors. We also review clinical trials with EGFR-TK inhibitors in NSCLC and future directions of investigation with these targeted agents.
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PMID:Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor in non-small cell lung cancer. 1467 1

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, the inducible isoform of prostaglandin H synthase, has been implicated in the progression of human lung adenocarcinoma. However, the mechanism underlying COX-2's effect on tumor progression remains largely unknown. Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatic vessels, has recently received considerable attention and become a new frontier of tumor metastasis research. Here, we study the interaction between COX-2 and the lymphangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, in human lung cancer cells and their implication in patient outcomes. We developed an isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible COX-2 gene expression system in human lung adenocarcinoma CL1.0 cells. We found that VEGF-C gene expression but not VEGF-D was significantly elevated in cells overexpressing COX-2. COX-2-mediated VEGF-C up-regulation was commonly observed in a broad array of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. The use of pharmacological inhibitors or activators and genetic inhibition by EP receptor-antisense oligonucleotides revealed that prostaglandin EP(1) receptor but not other prostaglandin receptors is involved in COX-2-mediated VEGF-C up-regulation. At the mechanistic level, we found that COX-2 expression or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) treatment could activate the HER-2/Neu tyrosine kinase receptor through the EP(1) receptor-dependent pathway and that this activation was essential for VEGF-C induction. The transactivation of HER-2/Neu by PGE(2) was inhibited by way of blocking the Src kinase signaling using the specific Src family inhibitor, PP1, or transfection with the mutant dominant negative src plasmid. Src kinase was involved in not only the HER-2/Neu transactivation but also the following VEGF-C up-regulation by PGE(2) treatment. In addition, immunohistochemical staining of 59 lung adenocarcinoma specimens showed that COX-2 level was highly correlated with VEGF-C, lymphatic vessels density, and other clinicopathological parameters. Taken together, our results provided evidence that COX-2 up-regulated VEGF-C and promotes lymphangiogenesis in human lung adenocarcinoma via the EP(1)/Src/HER-2/Neu signaling pathway.
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PMID:Cyclooxygenase-2 induces EP1- and HER-2/Neu-dependent vascular endothelial growth factor-C up-regulation: a novel mechanism of lymphangiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma. 1474 69

Research over the past decade has led to an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of lung cancer. The HER2/neu receptor is a member of the ErbB family of signaling-transduction receptors and appears to play a major role in the development of lung cancer as well as many other solid tumors. HER2/neu is overexpressed in 16% to 57% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and studies have shown that HER2/neu overexpression imparts a poor prognosis in both resected and advanced NSCLC, as it does in breast cancer. Trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes the HER2/neu protein receptor, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for patients with HER2/neu-positive metastatic breast cancer. In NSCLC preclinical studies, marked synergistic growth inhibition occurred when standard cytotoxic chemotherapy was combined with trastuzumab in HER2/neu-expressing cell lines. In the clinical setting, trastuzumab has proven safe and feasible in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in both single-institution and multi-institutional cooperative group studies. Unlike the experience in advanced breast cancer, cardiac toxicity is a marginal concern in this population. However, to date, clinical studies with trastuzumab in patients with NSCLC have not shown a demonstrable advantage for the majority of patients.
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PMID:The role of HER2/neu expression and trastuzumab in non-small cell lung cancer. 1498 84


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