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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)
1. The antiangiogenic and antitumor properties of Grateloupia longifolia polysaccharide (GLP), a new type of polysaccharide isolated from the marine alga, were investigated with several in vitro and in vivo models. Possible mechanisms underlying its antiangiogenic activity were also assessed. 2. GLP dose-dependently inhibited proliferation of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), with IC50 values of 0.86 and 0.64 mg ml(-1), respectively. In tube formation and cell migration assays using HMEC-1 cells, noncytotoxic doses of GLP significantly inhibited formation of intact tube networks and reduced the number of migratory cells. Inhibition by GLP was VEGF-independent. 3. In the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, GLP (2.5 microg egg(-1)) reduced new vessel formation compared with the vehicle control. GLP (0.1 mg plug(-1)) also reduced the vessel density in Matrigel plugs implanted in mice. 4. The levels of pan and phosphorylated receptors for VEGF, VEGFR-1 (flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (
KDR
) were not significantly altered by 5 mg ml(-1) GLP treatment of HMEC-1, although tissue factor (TF) showed significant decreases at both mRNA and protein levels following GLP treatment. 5. In mice bearing
sarcoma
-180 cells, intravenous administration of GLP (200 mg kg(-1)) decreased tumor weight by 52% without obvious toxicity. Vascular density in sections of the tumor was reduced by 64% after GLP treatment. 6. Collectively, these results indicate that GLP has antitumor properties, associated at least, in part, with the antiangiogenesis induced by downregulation of TF.
...
PMID:Grateloupia longifolia polysaccharide inhibits angiogenesis by downregulating tissue factor expression in HMEC-1 endothelial cells. 1671 23
Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is characterized by the abnormal growth and accumulation of mast cells (MC) in one or more organs. The interaction between the cytokine stem cell factor (SCF) and its cognate receptor, the c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT), plays a central role in regulating MC growth and differentiation. Whereas germline and somatically acquired activating mutations of KIT have been identified in SM, the issue as to whether individual KIT mutation(s) are necessary and sufficient to cause MC transformation remains unclear based on currently available data. Activating mutations of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (FIP1 L1-
PDGFRA
) are identified in a significant number of SM cases that have associated eosinophilia. To date, as with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, activating mutations of KIT and
PDGFRA
appear to be alternative and mutually exclusive genetic events in SM. The World Health Organization has specified criteria for classification of SM into six major subtypes: cutaneous mastocytosis, indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM), systemic mastocytosis with an associated clonal hematological non-mast-cell disorder (SM-AHNMD), aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM), mast cell leukemia, and mast cell
sarcoma
. The ability to molecularly classify individual SM cases based on the presence or absence of specific mutations allows for molecularly targeted therapy in a growing number of cases. Imatinib mesylate therapy might result in complete remission of SM cases with wild-type KIT, certain KIT mutations, such as F522C, or the FIP1L1-
PDGFRA
fusion gene, but not of D816V-KIT-bearing SM. For the latter, interferon-alpha and 2-CdA are potential first- and second-line therapeutic options. Other drugs under investigation include novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors, as well as NF-kappaB inhibitors, which might display greater selectivity towards D816V-KIT as compared to wild type KIT. The pathogenesis of mastocytosis, its major clinical subtypes, and recent treatment advances are discussed in this chapter.
...
PMID:Pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment advances in mastocytosis. 1678 90
To better elucidate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)(165) in
soft tissue sarcoma
(
STS
) growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance, we generated stably transfected human
STS
cell lines with VEGF(165) to study the effect of VEGF(165) on
STS
cells in vitro and the effect of culture medium from these cells on human umbilical vascular endothelial cells. Severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing xenografts of transfected cell lines were used to assess the effect of VEGF overexpression and the effect of VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 2 inhibition on
STS
growth, metastasis, and response to doxorubicin. VEGF(165)-transfected xenografts formed highly vascular tumors with shorter latency, accelerated growth, enhanced chemoresistance, and increased incidence of pulmonary metastases. Blockade of
VEGFR2
signaling using DC101 anti-
VEGFR2
monoclonal antibody enhanced doxorubicin chemoresponse; this combined biochemotherapy inhibited tumor growth and decreased pulmonary metastases without overt toxicity. Combined therapy reduced microvessel counts while increasing vessel maturation index. VEGF overexpression did not affect on the
sarcoma
cells per se; however, conditioned medium from VEGF transfectants caused increased endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and chemoresistance. Addition of DC101 induced endothelial cell sensitivity to doxorubicin and suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinases secreted by endothelial cells. We therefore conclude that VEGF is a critical determinant of
STS
growth and metastasis and that
STS
chemoresistance, in our model, is a process induced by the interplay between
STS
cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells.
STS
growth and metastasis can be interrupted by combined low-dose doxorubicin and anti-
VEGFR2
, a strategy that attacks
STS
-associated endothelial cells. In the future, such therapeutic approaches may be useful in treating
STS
before the development of clinically apparent metastases.
...
PMID:Vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression by soft tissue sarcoma cells: implications for tumor growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance. 1695 Nov 93
Cytogenetic discoveries of balanced translocations in soft tissue tumors have opened the way to molecular genetic definition of these translocations as gene fusions from the late 1980s. Many sarcomas are known to have such fusions, and the demonstration of the fusion transcripts in tumor tissue is of great value in specific diagnosis of synovial sarcoma (SYT-SSX), Ewing sarcoma (EWS-Fli1), clear cell
sarcoma
(EWS-ATF1), myxoid liposarcoma (FUS-CHOP), and other sarcomas. These translocations are believed to be disease-specific and pathogenetic forces, despite occasional observations to the contrary. Demonstration of SYT-SSX and EWS-ATF1 fusion assists in the diagnosis of synovial and clear cell sarcomas in unusual locations, such as the gastrointestinal tract, where these tumors occur with low frequency. Demonstration of
sarcoma
translocations and their fusion by different assays is well established; use of in situ hybridization is limited by availability of specific probes. In two exceptional instances, the same translocation and gene fusion occurs in two unrelated diseases: ETV6-NTRK fusion in infantile fibrosarcoma and secretory carcinoma of the breast, and
ALK
-TPM3 fusion in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor and large cell anaplastic lymphoma. Thus, the target cell of the genetic change is an important factor to define the resulting disease. Activating mutations in two related receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs),
KIT
, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) is central to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), and countering the mutational activation by specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as Imatinib mesylate, is now standard treatment for metastatic GISTs.
KIT
exon 11 mutations (in frame deletions, point mutations, and duplications) occur in GISTs of all locations, whereas a characteristic exon 9 insertion-duplication AY502-503 is nearly specific for intestinal vs gastric tumors. In contrast, PDGFRA mutations are nearly specific for gastric GISTs, especially those with epithelioid morphology. Mutation type influences therapy responsiveness, but fortunately very few GISTs carry primarily Imatinib-resistant mutations. Secondary drug resistance acquired during Imatinib treatment based on new, Imatinib-resistant mutations is a major problem limiting treatment success. Loss of NF2 tumor suppressor gene in a biallelic fashion is believed to be central in the pathogenesis of neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) associated and sporadic schwannomas and meningiomas. The mechanism includes nonsense or missense mutation in NF2 gene, and loss of the other NF2 allele as a part of losses in chromosome 22q. Schwannoma types may differ in their pathogenesis: gastrointestinal schwannomas lack NF2 changes suggesting a different pathogenesis. Intraneural and sclerosing perineuriomas display similar NF2 gene alterations as seen in meningioma, indicating a similar pathogenesis and molecular homology. Specific viral sequences of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) are diagnostic markers for Kaposi sarcoma (KS), and are absent in angiosarcoma. Despite discovery on simian virus SV40 sequences in mesothelioma as a possible pathogenetic factor, recent studies suggest that the presence of these sequences may be artifactual and based on common presence of some SV40 sequences as PCR contaminants.
...
PMID:From morphological to molecular diagnosis of soft tissue tumors. 1716 60
Availability of
KIT
tyrosine kinase inhibitors for specific treatment of GISTs has magnified the importance of accurate differential diagnosis of GIST from other tumors occurring in the GI tract and abdomen. The general problems in this distinction include histological mimicry of other mesenchymal tumors with GIST, occasional
KIT
-negativity of GIST, and
KIT
-positivity of non-GISTs. Up to 5% to 10% gastric GISTs and <2% of intestinal GISTs can be
KIT
-negative. The identification of these tumors as GISTs is based on knowledge of the spectrum of GIST morphology, and can be supported by molecular diagnosis of
KIT
and
PDGFRA
mutations (the latter pertain to gastric tumors). True smooth muscle tumors (rare in GI tract except in esophagus and colon) can be separated from GISTs by the eosinophilic tinctorial quality of tumor cells, positivity for smooth muscle markers, and negativity for
KIT
. Desmoids can form large GIST-like masses, but are composed of spindled or stellate-shaped cells in a densely collagenous stroma. Negativity for
KIT
and nuclear positivity for beta-catenin are differentiating features. GI schwannomas, melanoma, and rare primary clear cell
sarcoma
are S100-positive, usually with characteristic histology. The latter two can be
KIT
-positive.
KIT
-positive non-GISTs include some sarcomas, especially angiosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, extramedullary myeloid tumor, seminoma, and a few carcinomas, notably small cell carcinoma of lung. Spurious
KIT
-positivity, seen with some polyclonal
KIT
antibodies, has been a source of confusion leading to probable false-positive results in fibroblastic tumors and occasional other sarcomas, such as leiomyosarcomas. Integration of histological features with carefully standardized immunohistochemistry, supported by
KIT
and
PDGFRA
mutation analysis, is the cornerstone of state-of-the art differential diagnosis of GIST. To comprehensively capture all GISTs,
KIT
immunostains should be performed on all unclassified epithelioid and mesenchymal tumors of the abdomen. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.
...
PMID:Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: differential diagnosis. 1719 24
RET
/papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) oncoproteins result from the in-frame fusion of the
RET
receptor tyrosine kinase with protein dimerization motifs encoded by heterologous genes. Here, we show that
RET
/PTC1 activates the Rap1 small GTPase. The activation of Rap1 was dependent on the phosphorylation of
RET
Tyr(1062).
RET
/PTC1 recruited a complex containing growth factor receptor binding protein 2-associated binding protein 1 (Gab1), CrkII (v-crk
sarcoma
virus CT10 oncogene homologue II), and C3G (Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1). By using dominant-negative and small interfering duplex (small interfering RNA) oligonucleotides, we show that
RET
/PTC1-mediated Rap1 activation was dependent on CrkII, C3G, and Gab1. Activation of Rap1 was involved in the
RET
/PTC1-mediated stimulation of the BRAF kinase and the p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Proliferation and stress fiber formation of
RET
/PTC1-expressing PC Cl 3 thyroid follicular cells were inhibited by the dominant-negative Rap1(N17) and by Rap1-specific GTPase-activating protein. Thus, Rap1 is a downstream effector of
RET
/PTC and may contribute to the transformed phenotype of
RET
/PTC-expressing thyrocytes.
...
PMID:RET/papillary thyroid carcinoma oncogenic signaling through the Rap1 small GTPase. 1721 Jul 21
Undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma (UES) is a high-grade
sarcoma
that lacks specific differentiation. Here, we present a unique case of UES that temporarily responded to imatinib mesylate. A 61-year-old woman presented with a pelvic mass, which rapidly increased in size over the course of 3 months. The mass in the hysterectomy specimen consisted of pleomorphic cells that did not show any endometrial stromal or smooth muscle differentiations; thus, the diagnosis of UES was made. Multiple regional recurrences around the urinary bladder were noted after 5 months, and treatment with imatinib mesylate was started, based on the provisional interpretation of
KIT
immunoreactivity on a biopsy specimen of the recurrent tumor. Two weeks later, the tumor shrunk significantly, as evaluated by computed tomography. However, they became enlarged under the therapy after 3 months since imatinib was first started.
KIT
immunohistochemical staining on the previously mentioned biopsy was reviewed thereafter, but it was not convincing. We also investigated for aberrations of c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha by polymerase chain reaction with direct sequencing, but no aberration was observed. Instead, focal but definite immunoreactivity to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was observed. In addition, EGFR gene amplification was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. We speculated that imatinib was temporarily effective on the clone with amplified EGFR, and that it became ineffective after this clone was eradicated. The amplified EGFR in UES has not been reported previously, and further studies are necessary to consider the possibility of EGFR-targeted therapy in such sarcomas.
...
PMID:KIT-negative undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma with the amplified epidermal growth factor receptor gene showing a temporary response to imatinib mesylate. 1724 Mar 8
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue
sarcoma
of childhood. The simultaneous loss of Ink4a/Arf function and disruption of Met signaling in Ink4a/Arf-/- mice transgenic for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) induces RMS with extremely high penetrance and short latency. To address the roles of
MET
and CDKN2A (p16INK4A/p14ARF) in human RMS, we performed mutational analyses in 39 samples of RMS by PCR-SSCP. No mutations were detected in exons 14-21 of
MET
whereas a nonsense mutation at codon 80 of p16(INK4A) was identified in an alveolar RMS cell line. We also quantified the relative expression levels and DNA copy numbers of these genes in seven cell lines and 17 fresh tumors by real-time quantitative PCR. Expression of
MET
was detected in all samples; however, more than 10-fold difference was found in the samples with higher or lower expression level, despite a normal DNA copy number. The protein expression level was consistent with that of mRNA, and in cell lines with a higher expression level,
MET
was constitutively activated. Notably, the expression level of
MET
was significantly higher in patients who died (P = 0.02), in patients with stage IV (P = 0.04), as well as in patients with PAX3-FKHR chimeric transcript (P = 0.04). On the other hand, reduced or absent expression of p16INK4A and/or p14(ARF) showed no significant correlation with the clinicopathological parameters, except for the age at diagnosis. Our data suggest that
MET
plays a role in the progression of RMS.
...
PMID:Mutation and expression analyses of the MET and CDKN2A genes in rhabdomyosarcoma with emphasis on MET overexpression. 1724 66
Specific chromosomal translocations encoding chimeric transcription factors are considered to play crucial oncogenic roles in a variety of human cancers but the fusion proteins themselves seldom represent suitable therapeutic targets. Oncogenic TFE3 fusion proteins define a subset of pediatric renal adenocarcinomas and one fusion (ASPL-TFE3) is also characteristic of alveolar soft part
sarcoma
(ASPS). By expression profiling, we identified the
MET
receptor tyrosine kinase gene as significantly overexpressed in ASPS relative to four other types of primitive sarcomas. We therefore examined
MET
as a direct transcriptional target of ASPL-TFE3. ASPL-TFE3 binds to the
MET
promoter and strongly activates it. Likewise, PSF-TFE3 and NONO-TFE3 also bind this promoter. Induction of
MET
by ASPL-TFE3 results in strong
MET
autophosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In cancer cell lines containing endogenous TFE3 fusion proteins, inhibiting
MET
by RNA interference or by the inhibitor PHA665752 abolishes HGF-dependent
MET
activation, causing decreased cell growth and loss of HGF-dependent phenotypes.
MET
is thus a potential therapeutic target in these cancers. Aberrant transcriptional up-regulation of
MET
by oncogenic TFE3 fusion proteins represents another mechanism by which certain cancers become dependent on
MET
signaling. The identification of kinase signaling pathways transcriptionally up-regulated by oncogenic fusion proteins may reveal more accessible therapeutic targets in this class of human cancers.
...
PMID:TFE3 fusions activate MET signaling by transcriptional up-regulation, defining another class of tumors as candidates for therapeutic MET inhibition. 1728 22
Six new highly oxygenated eremophilane-type sesquiterpene derivatives (1-6), including a norbisesquiterpene, were isolated from an extract of the roots of Ligularia lapathifolia, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The structure of 1 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In addition, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 was evaluated against selected cancer cell lines, including human stomach carcinoma (MGC-803), human hepatoma (
HEP
-G2), and murine
sarcoma
(S-180) cell lines.
...
PMID:Eremophilane-type sesquiterpene derivatives from the roots of Ligularia lapathifolia. 1728 71
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