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)

Blood coagulation disorders have been known to be associated with cancer for many years. However, the mechanisms responsible for their relationship have not been understood. Recent work indicates that activation of the MET oncogene, which drives invasion and metastasis in cancer, can promote a cancer-associated thrombohemorrhagic syndrome that is mediated by transcriptional up-regulation of the procoagulation factors plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. These findings reveal a long-sought mechanistic link between coagulation and cancer, highlighting a clinically important perspective on malignant invasion and metastasis.
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PMID:A functional role for hemostasis in early cancer development. 1620 19

Estrogen and progestin combination in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increases the incidence of breast cancer, but decreases the endometrial cancer risk of unopposed estrogen. Therefore, a SERM such as Tibolone, that delivers the beneficial, but not the adverse side effects, of steroid hormones would be clinically advantageous. However, data from the Million Women Study suggests that Tibolone increases the risk of both breast and endometrial cancer. Herein, we assessed the estrogenic and progestagenic actions of Tibolone using transvaginal sonography studies and an in vitro model of breast (ZR-75, MCF7) and endometrial cancer (Ishikawa). The known cancer associated proteins (ER, EGFR, STATS, tissue factor and Bcl-xL) were selected for study. Transvaginal sonography demonstrated that postmenopausal women treated with Tibolone displayed a thinner endometrium than in the late proliferative phase, but had a phenotype characteristic of the secretory phase, thus demonstrating the estrogenic and progestagenic actions of this SERM. In vitro, Tibolone acted as an estrogen in downregulating ER and upregulating Bcl-xL, yet as progesterone, increasing STAT5 and tissue factor in breast cancer cells. The increase in tissue factor by Tibolone correlated with its coagulative potential. Interestingly, EGFR was up-regulated by progesterone in the breast and by estrogen in endometrial cells, while Tibolone increased protein levels in both cell types. In conclusion, this study further demonstrates the estrogenic and progestagenic nature of Tibolone. The pattern of regulation of known oncogenes in cells of breast and endometrial origin dictates caution and vigilance in the prescription of Tibolone and subsequent patient monitoring.
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PMID:In vivo and in vitro estrogenic and progestagenic actions of Tibolone. 1623 3

Progression of human malignancies is accompanied by vascular events, such as formation and remodeling of blood vessels and systemic coagulopathy. Though long appreciated as comorbidity of cancer (Trousseau syndrome), vascular involvement is increasingly recognized as a central pathogenetic mechanism of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. The major outstanding question in relation to this role has been, whether vascular perturbations are simply a reaction to the conditions of the tumor microenvironment, or are linked to the known genetic lesions causal for the onset and progression of malignancy. In this regard, we have previously hypothesized, and recently demonstrated experimentally that deregulation of certain hemostatic mechanisms, namely upregulation of tissue factor (TF) and possibly other changes (e.g. expression of thrombin receptor - PAR-1) are controlled by cancer-associated oncogenic events, such as activation of K-ras, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), or inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in various human cancer cells. It appears that these respective transforming alterations exert their impact on both, cell-associated and soluble/circulating (microvesicle- associated) TF, i.e. may cause a systemic hypercoagulable state. Other genes, which more recently emerged as regulators of cancer coagulopathy include: PML-RARalpha, PTEN, and MET. While the spectrum of procoagulant targets of these genes may vary somewhat it includes: TF, PAI-1, COX-2 and possibly other hemostatic proteins. It is noteworthy that these prothrombotic changes may impact the malignant process directly (e.g. stimulate angiogenesis, tumor growth or metastasis) as a consequence of both coagulation-dependent and -independent effects. The latter are mostly related to cellular signaling events and changes in gene expression which are now known to be induced by the TF/FVIIa/Xa complex, thrombin and PARs, expressed on the surface of cancer cells, as well as tumor-associated endothelium. Interestingly, certain anticoagulants possess antimetastatic and anticancer properties (e.g. LMWH), an observation that further suggests that hypercoagulability may act as an effector mechanism of genetically driven tumor progression. Conversely, we suggest that oncogene-directed (targeted) anticancer agents could, at least in some cases, ameliorate not only cellular transformation itself, but also some of the chronic components of the cancer-related coagulopathy, something that may be relevant to therapeutic efficacy of these drugs. We also postulate that since TF is the oncogene target, circulating TF (microparticles) could serve as surrogate marker of the biological activity oncogene-directed agents exert in vivo. Thus, both genetic and epigenetic factors appear to conspire to activate various components of the hemostatic system in cancer patients, both locally and systemically. These activities act as mediators of cancer coagulopathy, angiogenesis, metastasis and other events involved in disease progression and should be recognized in designing better anticancer therapies.
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PMID:Genetic determinants of cancer coagulopathy, angiogenesis and disease progression. 1663 63

We have previously generated antihuman HER2/neu-humanized IgG3 fused to interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-12, or granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) [monofunctional fusion proteins (mono-AbFP)] or fused to IL-2 and IL-12 or IL-12 and GM-CSF [bifunctional fusion proteins (bi-AbFP)]. These AbFPs retained cytokine and antigen-binding activities. We have now further characterized the AbFPs and determined the heparin-binding activity of the fused cytokines, their ability to trigger IFN-gamma secretion and natural killer (NK) activation, and their direct antitumor efficacy. Flow cytometry revealed heparin-binding activity in the AbFPs containing IL-12 and IL-2, although this activity seems to be decreased in the bi-AbFPs. However, both bi-AbFPs retained the capacity to stimulate IL-12-dependent IFN-gamma secretion in the NK cell line KY-1, and IL-12/IL-2 bi-AbFP induced NK activity in splenocytes. The antitumor effectiveness of bi-AbFPs and mono-AbFP combinations was studied in mice challenged i.p. with three different human HER2/neu murine syngeneic models (D2F2/E2, CT26-HER2/neu, and MC38-HER2/neu). Although a significant variability in the profile of antitumor response was observed in the different tumor models, the combination of IL-12 and GM-CSF mono-AbFPs protected 100% of D2F2/E2-challenged and 75% of CT26-HER2/neu-challenged mice. In contrast, bi-AbFPs protected less than the combination of mono-AbFPs and, in some models, even less than mono-AbFPs alone. However, in all cases, most of long-term survivors showed protection after s.c. rechallenge with the tumors and later with the parental tumors not expressing HER2/neu. These results show that, although the pattern of protection is tumor model dependent, treatments with AbFPs can effectively generate high levels of protection against peritoneal tumors expressing HER2/neu, which may be relevant in patients with primary or metastatic peritoneal carcinomatosis that may be observed in ovarian, colon, stomach, bladder, lung, and breast cancers.
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PMID:Cytokines fused to antibodies and their combinations as therapeutic agents against different peritoneal HER2/neu expressing tumors. 1664 75

The MET proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor that mediates multiple functions such as migration, cycling and survival by binding to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Dysregulation of MET through inappropriate expression or mutation has been shown to play an important role in human cancers. Furthermore, inherited mutations in MET are known to contribute to the development of gastric and renal cancer in humans. Lastly, mouse models of MET mutations lead to the development of a wide variety of cancers including lymphomas, sarcomas and some forms of carcinoma. In the process of cloning canine MET, a novel germline point mutation was found in the juxtamembrane domain (G966S) in two of the templates used for cloning, both of which were derived from Rottweiler dogs, a breed believed to be at high risk for the development of several cancers. Screening of germline DNA from a variety of breeds revealed that this mutation was present in approximately 70% of Rottweiler dogs and <5% of all other breeds examined, suggesting a breed-specific heritable mutation. Stable transfection of the G966S mutant form of MET into NIH3T3 cells resulted in enhanced baseline scattering and migration of the cells, which was further increased in the presence of HGF. This study supports the notion that particular dog breeds may carry germline mutations that contribute to high rates of cancer in a manner similar to heritable, cancer-associated mutations in humans.
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PMID:Identification of a novel germline MET mutation in dogs. 1673 85

We previously identified a novel cancer/testis antigen gene CAGE by screening cDNA expression libraries of human testis and gastric cancer cell lines with sera of gastric cancer patients. CAGE is expressed in many cancers and cancer cell lines, but not in normal tissues apart from the testis. In the present study, we investigated its role in the motility of cells of two human cancer cell lines: HeLa and the human hepatic cancer cell line, SNU387. Induction of CAGE by tetracycline or transient transfection enhanced the migration and invasiveness of HeLa cells, but not the adhesiveness of either cell line. Overexpression of CAGE led to activation of ERK and p38 MAPK but not Akt, and inhibition of ERK by PD98059 or p38 MAPK by SB203580 counteracted the CAGE-promoted increase in motility in both cell lines. Overexpression of CAGE also resulted in a reduction of ROS and an increase of ROS scavenging, associated with induction of catalase activity. Inhibition of ERK and p38 MAPK increased ROS levels in cells transfected with CAGE, suggesting that ROS reduce the motility of both cell lines. Inhibition of ERK and p38 MAPK reduced the induction of catalase activity resulting from overexpression of CAGE, and inhibition of catalase reduced CAGE-promoted motility. We conclude that CAGE enhances the motility of cancer cells by activating ERK and p38 MAPK, inducing catalase activity, and reducing ROS levels.
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PMID:CAGE, a novel cancer/testis antigen gene, promotes cell motility by activation ERK and p38 MAPK and downregulating ROS. 1681 99

Recent improvements in immunohistochemistry panels used for differentiating ovarian serous carcinoma/primary peritoneal carcinoma (OC/PPC) from diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) have resulted in improved diagnostic rates for these tumors in both cytological and histological material. However, little is known about the biological characteristics that differentiate these two cancer types. We performed a comparative analysis of cancer-associated molecule expression data for a cohort consisting of up to 270 serous OC/PPC specimens (only peritoneal lesions) and 32 peritoneal MM. The molecules studied were nerve growth factor receptors (p75, p-TrkA), angiogenic factors (VEGF, IL-8, bFGF, heparanase), laminin receptors (the 67-kDa receptor and the alpha 6 integrin subunit), proteases (MMP-2), immune response mediators (HLA-G), and signaling molecules (the MAPK members ERK, JNK, and p38). The methods used were immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and RT-PCR. DMPM specimens showed significantly higher expression of p75 (P < 0.001), p-TrkA (P < 0.001), and bFGF (P < 0.001), and significantly lower expression of the 67-kDa receptor (P < 0.001), alpha 6 integrin subunit (P = 0.025), VEGF (P < 0.001), IL-8 (P < 0.001), and HLA-G (P = 0.039) compared with OC/PPC. DMPM specimens showed higher activation ratio (phosphorylated/total enzyme ratio) of all three MAPK members (ERK, P = 0.017; JNK, P < 0.001; p38, P = 0.009) compared with OC/PPC. These data document significant differences in the expression of cancer- and metastasis-associated molecules in MM compared with ovarian carcinoma, and suggest that different biological pathways are involved in tumorigenesis and disease progression in these two tumors.
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PMID:The biological differences between ovarian serous carcinoma and diffuse peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. 1704 94

Defining how cancer-associated mutations perturb signaling networks in stem/progenitor populations that are integral to tumor formation and maintenance is a fundamental problem with biologic and clinical implications. Point mutations in RAS genes contribute to many cancers, including myeloid malignancies. We investigated the effects of an oncogenic Kras(G12D) allele on phosphorylated signaling molecules in primary c-kit(+) lin(-/low) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Comparison of wild-type and Kras(G12D) c-kit(+) lin(-/low) cells shows that K-Ras(G12D) expression causes hyperproliferation in vivo and results in abnormal levels of phosphorylated STAT5, ERK, and S6 under basal and stimulated conditions. Whereas Kras(G12D) cells demonstrate hyperactive signaling after exposure to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, we unexpectedly observe a paradoxical attenuation of ERK and S6 phosphorylation in response to stem cell factor. These studies provide direct biochemical evidence that cancer stem/progenitor cells remodel signaling networks in response to oncogenic stress and demonstrate that multi-parameter flow cytometry can be used to monitor the effects of targeted therapeutics in vivo. This strategy has broad implications for defining the architecture of signaling networks in primary cancer cells and for implementing stem cell-targeted interventions.
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PMID:K-RasG12D expression induces hyperproliferation and aberrant signaling in primary hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. 1719 89

Adenosine A(2A) receptors are preferentially expressed in rat striatum, where they are concentrated in dendritic spines of striatopallidal medium spiny neurons and exist in a heteromeric complex with D(2) dopamine (DA) receptors. Behavioral and biochemical studies indicate an antagonistic relationship between A(2A) and D(2) receptors. Previous studies have demonstrated that food-restricted (FR) rats display behavioral and striatal cellular hypersensitivity to D(1) and D(2) DA receptor stimulation. These alterations may underlie adaptive, as well as maladaptive, behaviors characteristic of the FR rat. The present study examined whether FR rats are hypersensitive to the A(2A) receptor agonist, CGS-21680. In Experiment 1, spontaneous horizontal motor activity did not differ between FR and ad libitum fed (AL) rats, while vertical activity was greater in the former. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of CGS-21680 (0.25 and 1.0 nmol) decreased both types of motor activity in FR rats, and returned vertical activity levels to those observed in AL rats. In Experiment 2, FR rats given access to a running wheel for a brief period outside of the home cage rapidly acquired wheel running while AL rats did not. Pretreatment with CGS-21680 (1.0 nmol) blocked the acquisition of wheel running. When administered to FR subjects that had previously acquired wheel running, CGS-21680 suppressed the behavior. In Experiment 3, CGS-21680 (1.0 nmol) activated both ERK 1/2 and CREB in caudate-putamen with no difference between feeding groups. However, in nucleus accumbens (NAc), CGS-21680 failed to activate ERK 1/2 and selectively activated CREB in FR rats. These results indicate that FR subjects are hypersensitive to several effects of an adenosine A(2A) agonist, and suggest the involvement of an upregulated A(2A) receptor-linked signaling pathway in NAc. Medications targeting the A(2A) receptor may have utility in the treatment of maladaptive behaviors associated with FR, including substance abuse and compulsive exercise.
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PMID:The adenosine A2A receptor agonist, CGS-21680, blocks excessive rearing, acquisition of wheel running, and increases nucleus accumbens CREB phosphorylation in chronically food-restricted rats. 1729 68

We have previously reported that the antibody fusion proteins anti-HER2/neu IgG3 fused to IL-12 [(IL-12)-IgG3] or GM-CSF [IgG3-(GM-CSF)] independently or in combination are effective anti-tumor agents against D2F2/E2 murine mammary cancer cells expressing human HER2/neu in the peritoneum. Importantly, the long-term survivors were immune to the subcutaneous challenge with D2F2/E2 and the parental D2F2 not expressing HER2/neu. We now show that these long-term survivors also exhibit significant protection against subsequent subcutaneous challenge with the murine colon carcinoma CT26-HER2/neu, and later against subcutaneous challenge with the parental CT26. These results suggest that the long-term systemic protection against mammary cancer elicited by treatment with antibody-cytokine fusion proteins can be extended to prevent the growth of a tumor from different origin expressing HER2/neu, and that this protection is not limited to this antigen alone, since it also prevented the growth of the parental tumor cells.
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PMID:Long-term immunity elicited by antibody-cytokine fusion proteins protects against sequential challenge with murine mammary and colon malignancies. 1731 Mar 81


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