Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0006142 (breast cancer)
 160,383 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The mucin MUC1 is expressed on breast cancers in an underglycosylated form compared to normal tissues and is therefore a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. MUC1 contains multiple tandem repeats of the 20 amino acid (aa) peptide (VTSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHG). The APDTRPA epitope is particularly immunogenic since it is recognized by a variety of murine monoclonal antibodies and by some sera and cytotoxic T-cells from unimmunized patients with epithelial cancers. We have prepared a 30 aa peptide (C)VTSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGVTSAPDTRPA with cysteine at the N-terminal end, and used the cysteine for chemical conjugation to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Six breast cancer patients immunized with this conjugate plus the immunological adjuvant QS-21 have all produced high titre (by ELISA) IgG and IgM antibodies against the 30 aa MUC1 peptide, but these sera reacted moderately, or not at all, with MUC1-positive tumour cells. To understand this specificity better, we prepared a series of smaller peptides to determine the epitopes recognized by these immune sera in inhibition assays. Only peptides containing APDTRPA at the C-terminal end were able to completely inhibit ELISA reactivity for the full 30 aa peptide. No sera were completely inhibited by APDTR, APDTRP, PDTRPA or any other peptides that did not contain the full APDTRPA epitope. Remarkably, sera from all six patients recognized this same epitope and were completely inhibited by only this epitope. The specificity of these sera (1) primarily for C-terminal APDTRPA, and the absence of this epitope at the C-terminal end of any tumour mucins, and (2) the N-terminal APDTRPA alanine, which is normally buried in the beta turn MUC1 assumes in its secondary structure may explain the moderate to weak reactivity of these high titer sera against MUC1-positive tumour cells.
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PMID:Specificity analysis of sera from breast cancer patients vaccinated with MUC1-KLH plus QS-21. 1020 97

The structure of chicken osteostatin or parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) (residues 107-139) containing an Ala/Thr substitution at the N-terminus was studied using two-dimensional proton NMR spectroscopy in an aqueous environment. Osteostatin is a separate circulating domain responsible for a range of activities related to the modulation of bone formation as well as keratinocyte proliferation. Anti-mitogenic properties of osteostatin have been detected in breast cancer cells and cytosolic calcium is used by osteostatin to signal in some neurons through a non-PTH receptor, unlike the separate circulating N-terminal domain. A structural basis for the activity is presented with particular emphasis given to the conformation of the bioactive segment 107-111, forming part of a finger-like projection capable of binding to the non-PTH receptor both in the presence and absence of the remainder of the molecule which appears simply to act as a largely globular carrier.
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PMID:Structure study of osteostatin PTHrP[Thr107](107-139). 1036 29

Although in the past 10 years paclitaxel has emerged as a successful drug in cancer therapy, the overall response rate to this drug in patients with advanced metastatic disease remains low. Therefore, an understanding of the mechanism of the effect of paclitaxel on inducing apoptosis and the discovery of new ways to enhance the effect of paclitaxel will be critical to improving the therapeutic efficiency of this drug. In the present studies, we have determined that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor flavopiridol significantly enhances paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in the human gastric and breast cancer cell lines MKN-74 and MCF-7. Flavopiridol enhances paclitaxel-induced apoptosis only when administered after paclitaxel treatment. The activation of caspases, specifically caspase 3, is enhanced by flavopiridol on paclitaxel-treated cells. In accordance with this, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage is enhanced in combination therapy relative to single-agent paclitaxel. The induction of apoptosis, activation of caspase 3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage in treatment regimens with paclitaxel and paclitaxel followed by flavopiridol were reversed by treatment with the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, which supports the notion that caspases are the executioners of apoptosis in these processes. Paclitaxel alone causes transient mitotic arrest with activation of cdc-2 kinase. Cells exit mitosis in a specific time window without cytokinesis, with a decrease in cdc-2 kinase activity and MPM-2 labeling. Flavopiridol accelerates the mitotic exit when administered after paclitaxel treatment in association with a more rapid decrease in MPM-2 labeling. In contrast, pretreatment with flavopiridol prevents cells from entering mitosis by inhibiting cdc-2 kinase activity, thus antagonizing the paclitaxel effect. Therefore, in this study we show that potentiation of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis by flavopiridol is highly sequence dependent, such that mitotic entry and cdc-2 kinase activation by paclitaxel must precede flavopiridol therapy, and the synergistic effect of flavopiridol on paclitaxel-treated cells is due to enhancement in caspase activation.
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PMID:Sequential dependent enhancement of caspase activation and apoptosis by flavopiridol on paclitaxel-treated human gastric and breast cancer cells. 1043 95

Serum total, different isoforms of both alkaline and acid phosphatases, liver function enzymes, calcium, inorganic phosphate, heamatocrit, white blood cells and platelet counts were determined in 50 female patients suffering from breast cancer. The serum total alkaline and total acid phosphatases within the breast cancer group were variable with significant elevation of both enzymes compared with the corresponding control values. The activities of alanine and aspartate transferases were higher than the control values, while the decreases in serum albumin and heamatocrit were statistically significant. In the breast cancer patients, the increases in the activities of both heat and urea labile alkaline phosphatases were significant. Similarly, in the patients, the tartrate-labile acid phosphatases activity was significantly elevated while the difference in tartrate resistant activity was not significant. In 9 patients (18%), both total alkaline and acid phosphatases were excessively raised when compared with the control. The increased activities of urea-labile and heat-labile alkaline phosphatases as well as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatases are suggestive of increased activities of osteoclast and osteoblasts associated with bone metastasis. A possible diagnostic importance of this observation deserves further investigation, using monoclonal antibody techniques.
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PMID:Abnormal serum alkaline and acid phosphatase isoenzymes in female breast cancer patients. 1045 33

The N-terminal 16K fragments of rat and human PRLs possess angiostatic activity. 16K PRL has also been detected in vivo in both humans and rats. Based on an in vitro study, cathepsin D, an acid protease, has been implicated in the generation of rat 16K PRL. However, the proteolytic cleavage of human PRL has not been demonstrated. Our objective was to identify an enzyme that is capable of forming an angiostatic human 16K PRL. To confirm the angiostatic action of rat 16K PRL, the fragment was generated by incubating 23K PRL with rat mammary microsomal fraction at pH 3.2. Upon incubation with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), rat 16K PRL, but not 23K PRL, inhibited basal- and basic fibroblast growth factor-stimulated cell proliferation. Intact rat and human PRLs were then incubated with cathepsin D or acidified microsomal pellets of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Analysis by SDS-PAGE showed cleavage of rat, but not human, PRL. Next, hormones were incubated with thrombin at pH 7.4. As shown by SDS-PAGE, digestion of both human and rat PRL by thrombin resulted in the formation of 16K fragments. PRL contained within human amniotic fluid was also cleaved by thrombin. Enzyme specificity was supported by prevention of cleavage by the thrombin inhibitor hirudin. When tested with HUVEC, the human 16K PRL was devoid of angiostatic activity. The activity of this fragment in the Nb2 lymphoma bioassay was 10- to 15-fold lower than that of 23K PRL. Mass spectrometry revealed that the fragment has a mass of 16,878.30+/-15.8 Daltons. Subsequent N-terminal sequencing showed that the thrombin cleavage occurred between amino acid residues 53 (Lys) and 54 (Ala), resulting in the formation of a C-terminal, not an N-terminal, 16K fragment. We conclude that, unlike rat PRL, human PRL is resistant to cleavage by cathepsin D. Thrombin at a physiological pH can generate a C-terminal 16K fragment of human PRL that is not angiostatic and retains little mitogenic activity. We suggest that the precise nature of endogenous 16K PRL fragments that are present in human tissues and body fluids should be carefully examined.
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PMID:Proteolysis of human prolactin: resistance to cathepsin D and formation of a nonangiostatic, C-terminal 16K fragment by thrombin. 1046 85

The hormonally active form of vitamin D3, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and its two analogues, EB 1089 and CB 1093, are novel putative anticancer agents with an interesting profile of induction of growth inhibition, differentiation, and apoptosis in tumor cells. To study the signaling pathways mediating these events, we used two human breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 cells, expressing a wild-type p53 tumor suppressor protein, and T47D cells, lacking a functional p53. Vitamin D compounds induced a growth arrest followed by apoptosis in both cell lines at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 nM, indicating that p53 is not necessary for growth-inhibitory effects induced by vitamin D compounds. Surprisingly, apoptosis induced by these compounds occurred also independently of known caspases. Inhibition of caspase activation by overexpression of a cowpox-derived caspase inhibitor CrmA or by addition of inhibitory peptides acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde (200 microM), acetyl-Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-aldehyde (50 microM), and Z-Val-Ala-D,L-Asp-fluoromethylketone (1 microM) showed no effect on the induction of growth arrest or apoptosis by vitamin D compounds under assay conditions in which apoptosis induced by TNF or staurosporine was effectively inhibited. Moreover, overexpression of caspase-3 in MCF-7 cells had no sensitizing effect to vitamin D compounds, and neither caspase-3-like protease activity nor cleavage of a caspase substrate poly(ADP)ribose polymerase was detected in lysates from apoptotic cells following the treatment with these compounds. Contrary to CrmA, overexpression of an antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cells conferred a nearly complete protection from apoptosis induced by vitamin D compounds. Taken together, these data indicate that vitamin D compounds induce apoptosis via a novel caspase- and p53-independent pathway that can be inhibited by Bcl-2. This may prove useful in the treatment of tumors that are resistant to therapeutic agents that are dependent on the activation of p53 and/or caspases.
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PMID:Apoptosis induced by vitamin D compounds in breast cancer cells is inhibited by Bcl-2 but does not involve known caspases or p53. 1051 95

E91 (17 beta-[N-[N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl]-L-alanyl]-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone) (CNC-ala-DHT) is a newly synthesised alkylating compound consisting of N-[N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl]-L-alanine (CNC-ala) as the alkylating moiety and of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a steroid carrier molecule. We studied the antitumour activity of E91 (final concentrations: 0.1, 1, 10 and 30 mumol/l) against freshly explanted human tumours, using an in vitro soft agar cloning system. A total of 54 tumour samples was evaluated using 1 h-exposure and 51 tumour specimens were studied using a continuous exposure for 21-28 days. In addition, the compound's activity was compared with other clinically used anticancer agents. After short-term exposure, 49 of 53 evaluable specimens (92%) had adequate colony formation, as compared with 49 of 50 (98%) after long-term exposure. After short-term exposure, E91 exhibited only marginal antitumour activity. However, in long-term exposure experiments, E91 had marked and concentration-dependent antitumour activity (P < 0.001). At concentrations of > 10 mumol/l, E91 was as active as the other clinically used antineoplastic agents and at 30 mumol/l, E91 was significantly more active than 5-fluorouracil (P = 0.041). E91 showed activity against a wide spectrum of tumour types. The highest activity was observed against colorectal carcinomas (3/4 tumour specimens inhibited at 30 mumol/l). Sensitivity was also high remarkable in breast cancer specimens with 3/6 specimens inhibited at 30 mumol/l. In vitro myelotoxicity was less than that of doxorubicin. At 30 mumol/l, E91 induced a reduction of colony forming units-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) to only 53% of control and of CFU-GEMM to 20% of control. We conclude that because of broad activity and reduced myelotoxicity further clinical development of E91 appears warranted.
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PMID:Preclinical activity of 17 beta-[N-[N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl]-L-alanyl]-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (E91) against tumour colony forming units and haematopoietic progenitor cells. 1053 86

The regulatory peptide gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) may play a role in human cancer as a stimulatory growth factor. To understand the potential role of GRP in human breast cancer, we have evaluated GRP receptor expression in human non-neoplastic and neoplastic breast tissues and in axillary lymph node metastases, using in vitro receptor autoradiography on tissue sections with [(125)I]Tyr(4)-bombesin and with [(125)I]D-Tyr(6), beta Ala(11), Phe(13), Nle(14)-bombesin(6-14) as radioligands. GRP receptors were detected, often in high density, in neoplastic epithelial mammary cells in 29 of 46 invasive ductal carcinomas, in 11 of 17 ductal carcinomas in situ, in 1 of 4 invasive lobular carcinomas, in 1 of 2 lobular carcinomas in situ, and in 1 mucinous and 1 tubular carcinoma. A heterogeneous GRP receptor distribution was found in the neoplastic tissue samples in 32 of 52 cases with invasive carcinoma and 12 of 19 cases with carcinoma in situ. The lymph node metastases (n = 33) from those primary carcinomas expressing GRP receptors were all positive, whereas surrounding lymphoreticular tissue was negative. GRP receptors were also present in high density but with heterogeneous distribution in ducts and lobules from all available breast tissue samples (n = 23). All of the receptors corresponded to the GRP receptor subtype of bombesin receptors, having high affinity for GRP and bombesin and lower affinity for neuromedin B. All tissues expressing GRP receptors were identified similarly with both radioligands. These data describe not only a high percentage of GRP receptor-positive neoplastic breast tissues but also for the first time a ubiquitous GRP receptor expression in nonneoplastic human breast tissue. Apart from suggesting a role of GRP in breast physiology, these data represent the molecular basis for potential clinical applications of GRP analogs such as GRP receptor scintigraphy, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
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PMID:Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors in non-neoplastic and neoplastic human breast. 1059 36

Ligand-dependent down-regulation that leads to rapid and extensive loss of protein is characteristic of several nuclear steroid receptors, including human progesterone receptors (PRs). In breast cancer cells, >95% of PRs are degraded 6 h after the start of progestin treatment. The mechanism for down-regulation is unknown. We examined the role of PR phosphorylation by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in this process. Lactacystin and calpain inhibitor I, specific inhibitors of the 26S proteasome, blocked progestin-induced down-regulation, and ubiquitinated conjugates of PR accumulated in cells. Ligand-dependent PR degradation was also blocked by specific inhibition of p42 and p44 MAPKs. To define the targets of phosphorylation by this kinase, two serine/proline MAPK consensus sites on PR were mutated. We demonstrate that mutation of PR serine-294 to alanine (S294A) specifically and completely prevents ligand-dependent receptor down-regulation. We also find that rapid, ligand-independent degradation of immature PR intermediates occurs by a proteasome-mediated pathway. These results demonstrate that PR destruction, by either of two alternate routes, is mediated by the 26S proteasome. Specifically, down-regulation of mature PRs occurs by a mechanism in which ligand binding activates PR phosphorylation by MAPKs at a unique serine residue, which then targets the receptors for degradation.
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PMID:Phosphorylation of human progesterone receptors at serine-294 by mitogen-activated protein kinase signals their degradation by the 26S proteasome. 1065 79

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) participates in the metabolic activation of a number of procarcinogens including benzo[a]pyrene and the hydroxylation of 17beta-estradiol at the C-4 position. In this study, we investigated the association between CYP1B1 genetic polymorphism and breast or lung cancer incidence. The Ala-Ser polymorphism at codon 119 in presumed substrate recognition site 1 was significantly associated with the incidence of breast or squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. On the other hand, Leu-Val polymorphism at codon 432 did not show any association to the cancers. An allele containing both Ala and Leu simultaneously, comprised 75% of alleles among 315 Japanese healthy controls, was significantly inversely associated with breast cancer incidence. When expressed in a recombinant system, this CYP1B1 cDNA showed the lowest 17beta-estradiol 4-hydroxylase activity among four different variant forms of CYP1B1. Thus, inter-individual differences in activation of procarcinogens or metabolism of oestrogen originating from genetic polymorphisms of the human CYP1B1 gene may contribute to the susceptibility of human cancers.
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PMID:Association of CYP1B1 genetic polymorphism with incidence to breast and lung cancer. 1073 69


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