Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0027627 (metastases)
103,950 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A 59-year-old man who had received chronic hemodialysis developed left occipital pain and hypoglossal nerve palsy. He was diagnosed as having skull base metastasis from renal cell carcinoma related to acquired cystic kidney. Retrospective analysis revealed the patient had had elevated serum C-reactive protein and alkaline phosphatase levels before the symptoms appeared. Radiotherapy to the skull base relieved the pain. Finally he died with generalized metastases. Serum interleukin-6 levels measured during admission had been elevated, and interleukin-6 mRNA was detected in the autopsy specimen of renal cell carcinoma. Interleukin-6 might be involved in the etiology of paraneoplastic signs.
...
PMID:Renal cell carcinoma with skull base metastasis preceded by paraneoplastic signs in a chronic hemodialysis patient. 1157 58

(89)SrCl(2) is currently used as a systemic radioactive palliative treatment for painful osseous metastases associated with an osteoblastic reaction in bone. However, the biological mechanism by which (89)SrCl(2) mediates pain palliation remains unclear. In this study, attempts were made to elucidate the mechanisms by which (89)SrCl(2) might influence pain at these sites. Both the direct radiotoxic effects of (89)SrCl(2) on cell viability and its influence on cellular biosynthetic activity were investigated. The direct radiotoxic effects of (89)SrCl(2) and X-rays were compared using the prostate carcinoma cell line, PC-3. Comparable effects upon PC-3 cell viability were seen in response to exposure to an equivalent dose given by (89)SrCl(2) and X-rays (2 Gy). Experiments to investigate the indirect action of (89)SrCl(2) exposure employed the MC3T3-E1 cell line and focused on their production of Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Exposure of the MC3T3-E1 cell line to (89)SrCl(2) resulted in an increased production of PGE(2) in a concentration-dependent manner. No increased PGE(2) production was seen by the MC3T3-E1 cells in response to X-ray exposure either in the presence or absence of SrCl(2). IL-6 was produced by the MC3T3-E1 cells in response to (89)SrCl(2) exposure via a PGE(2)-mediated pathway. This study demonstrates the release of potent biochemical modifiers of bone turnover in response to the systemically applied radiotherapeutic (89)SrCl(2). This strongly suggests the mechanism of pain palliation by (89)SrCl(2) is likely to result from a complex interaction of direct and indirect radiation-induced effects.
...
PMID:Biochemical responses in cultured cells following exposure to (89)SrCl(2): potential relevance to the mechanism of action in pain palliation. 1172 Aug 44

Plasma levels of D-dimer are elevated in cancer patients. Activation of the extrinsic coagulation system and the fibrinolytic cascade within a tumour is thought to be related with growth, invasion and metastasis. We have investigated the relationship between these markers of fibrin metabolism, standard clinicopathological variables and serum levels of angiogenic cytokines in three cohorts: group A (n=30) consisted of 30 healthy female volunteers, group B (n=23) of consecutive patients with operable breast cancer and group C (n=84) of patients with untreated or progressive metastatic breast cancer. Plasma D-dimers, fibrinogen, IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor and calculated vascular endothelial growth factor load in platelets are clearly increased in patients with breast cancer. D-dimers were increased in nearly 89% of patients with progressive metastatic disease. The level of D-dimers was positively correlated with tumour load (P<0.0001), number of metastatic sites (P=0.002), progression kinetics (P<0.0001) and the cytokines related to angiogenesis: serum vascular endothelial growth factor (P=0.0016, Spearman correlation=0.285), calculated vascular endothelial growth factor load in platelets (P<0.0001, Spearman correlation=0.37) and serum interleukin-6 (P<0.0001, Spearman correlation=0.59). Similarly increased D-dimer levels were positively correlated with increased fibrinogen levels (P<0.0001, Spearman correlation=0.38). The association between markers of fibrin degradation in patients with progressive breast cancer suggests that the D-dimer level is a clinically important marker for progression and points towards a relation between haemostasis and tumour progression. A role of interleukin-6, by influencing both angiogenesis and haemostasis, is suggested by these observations.
...
PMID:Plasma fibrin D-dimer levels correlate with tumour volume, progression rate and survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer. 1187 5

In local or metastatic cancer, a prognostic tumour marker could be a valuable tool in the selection of different treatments. In renal cell cancer (RCC) no such markers have been available. We therefore evaluated the association between several pretreatment serum markers, tumour classification and short term survival in RCC patients. Serum samples were collected before surgery and three months thereafter from 24 RCC patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL- 12, soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were measured in serum samples using specific commercial enzyme immunoassay kits. Serum IL-6, sIL-2R and sICAM-1 levels before nephrectomy were significantly higher in non-local tumours than in local ones (mean IL-6 53 pg/ml versus 6.3 pg/ml, and sICAM-1 443 ng/ml versus 290 ng/ml, sIL-2R 3779 pg/ml versus 1796 pg/ml). In contrast, IL-12 levels were higher in local tumours (148 versus 102 pg/ml) and the levels increased significantly (P < 0.005) after removal of the primary tumour in patients with local disease. All patients with local tumours had normal IL-6 values, while only one with a non-local tumour had IL-6 levels below 10 pg/ml. In addition, IL-6 and sICAM-1 levels before operation were significantly higher in patients with short (less than one year) survival (p=0.007 to IL-6 and p=0.006 to sICAM-1). In contrast, patients with shorter survival had significantly lower IL-12 (p=0.03) levels. Our findings suggest that RCC induces changes in several immunological parameters. These soluble immunological factors, IL-6, IL-12, sIL-2R and sICAM-1, might have a role as prognostic factors in RCC.
...
PMID:Soluble immunological parameters and early prognosis of renal cell cancer patients. 1187 46

Clinical trials of recombinant human interleukin-12 (rhIL-12) delivered by intravenous administration have shown dose-limiting toxicities with limited tumor responses at the doses tested. We have previously reported that intratumoral injection of an adenovirus vector expressing murine interleukin-12 (Adv.RSV-mIL-12) was effective in inducing antitumor immune responses, tumor regression, and long-term survival in mice with established metastatic cancer in the liver. We now report additional studies in the same murine tumor model to assess the safety of intratumoral Adv.RSV-mIL-12 injection. At vector doses that were previously shown to be therapeutically effective, no inflammation in the liver or lungs, and no significant elevations in serum creatinine and aminotransferases were seen after vector injection. Serum elevations of IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were 17- and 19-fold lower than peak levels after intravenous recombinant IL-12 at the maximal tolerated dose in clinical trials. No elevations in serum proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were noted up to 2 weeks after vector injection. No systemic dissemination of the vector was detected on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays at therapeutically effective vector doses. At higher supratherapeutic vector doses of Adv.RSV-mIL-12, however, inflammation in the liver and lungs with elevation in serum aminotransferases were seen, but not in controls injected with the equivalent particle number of an empty adenoviral vector. These results support the cautious testing in patients with hepatic metastases of adenovirus mediated IL-12 gene delivery by intratumoral injection.
...
PMID:Intratumoral delivery of adenovirus-mediated interleukin-12 gene in mice with metastatic cancer in the liver. 1193 72

An empirically established chemoimmunotherapy for metastatic melanoma combines the systemic administration of the chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine (DTIC) with the epifocal application of the contact sensitizer 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on cutaneous metastases. Although this therapy yields high response rates resulting in prolonged survival, the mechanisms involved remain unknown. Here, we investigated whether treatment of tumor-bearing mice with DTIC and DNCB resulted in a specific immune response against the tumor. Subcutaneous (s.c.) tumors and lung metastases were induced in C57BL/6 mice by injecting syngeneic B16-melanoma cells s.c. or into the lateral tail vein, respectively. Mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of DTIC followed by epifocal application of DNCB. This therapeutic approach significantly reduced the growth of s.c. tumors as well as lung metastases. Our data showed that the effector mechanisms involved are dependent on T cells. No therapeutic effect was observed in immunodeficient RAG-1(-/-) mice, or when the contact sensitizer DNCB was replaced by skin irritants (croton oil or tributyltin). Splenic lymphocytes obtained from treated mice displayed a three-fold higher specific cytolytic activity against B16 cells than in tumor-bearing controls. Both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells were able to lyse B16 cells. No changes were observed in natural killer (NK) cell activity. Likewise, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of treated mice showed higher cytolytic activity than that of controls. Analysis of cytokine expression in s.c. tumors revealed increased mRNA levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in treated tumors. Together, these findings demonstrate the ability of DTIC/DNCB treatment to induce an effective T cell-dependent host immune response against a syngeneic tumor.
...
PMID:Chemoimmunotherapy for melanoma with dacarbazine and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene elicits a specific T cell-dependent immune response. 1220 4

The androgen receptor (AR), a transcription factor that mediates the action of androgens in target tissues, is expressed in nearly all prostate cancers. Carcinoma of the prostate is the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm in men in industrialized countries. Palliative treatment for non-organ-confined prostate cancer aims to down-regulate the concentration of circulating androgen or to block the transcription activation function of the AR. AR function during endocrine therapy was studied in tumor cells LNCaP subjected to long-term steroid depletion; newly generated sublines could be stimulated by lower concentrations of androgen than parental cells and showed up-regulation of AR expression and activity as well as resistance to apoptosis. Androgenic hormones regulate the expression of key cell cycle regulators, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and 4, and that of the cell cycle inhibitor p27. Inhibition of AR expression could be achieved by potential chemopreventive agents flufenamic acid, resveratrol, quercetin, polyunsaturated fatty acids and interleukin-1beta, and by the application of AR antisense oligonucleotides. In the clinical situation, AR gene amplification and point mutations were reported in patients with metastatic disease. These mutations generate receptors which could be activated by other steroid hormones and non-steroidal antiandrogens. In the absence of androgen, the AR could be activated by various growth-promoting (growth factors, epidermal growth factor receptor-related oncogene HER-2/neu) and pleiotropic (protein kinase A activators, interleukin-6) compounds as well as by inducers of differentiation (phenylbutyrate). AR function is modulated by a number of coactivators and corepressors. The three coactivators, TIF-2, SRC-1 and RAC3, are up-regulated in relapsed prostate cancer. New experimental therapies for prostate cancer are aimed to down-regulate AR expression and to overcome difficulties which occur because of the acquisition of agonistic properties of commonly used antiandrogens.
...
PMID:Androgen receptors in prostate cancer. 1223 44

The mechanisms by which surgery increases metastatic proliferation remain poorly characterized, although endotoxin and immunocytes play a role. Recent evidence suggests that endothelial adherence of tumor cells may be important in the formation of metastases. Soluble receptors of interleukin-6 (sIL-6R) shed by activated neutrophils exert IL-6 effects on endothelial cells, which are unresponsive under normal circumstances. This study examined the hypothesis that sIL-6R released by surgical stress increases tumor cell adherence to the endothelium. Neutrophils (PMN) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Soluble IL-6R release was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Colonic tumor cells transfected with green fluorescent protein and endothelial cells were exposed to sIL-6R, and tumor cell adherence and transmigration were measured by fluorescence microscopy. Basal release of sIL-6R from PMN was 44.7 +/- 8.2 pg/ml at 60 min. This was significantly increased by endotoxin and CRP (131 +/- 16.8 and 84.1 +/- 5.3, respectively; both P < 0.05). However, tumor necrosis factor-alpha did not significantly alter sIL-6R release. Endothelial and tumor cell exposure to sIL-6R increased tumor cell adherence by 71.3% within 2 h but did not significantly increase transmigration, even at 6 h. Mediators of surgical stress induce neutrophil release of a soluble receptor for IL-6 that enhances colon cancer cell endothelial adherence. Since adherence to the endothelium is now considered to be a key event in metastatic genesis, these findings have important implications for colon cancer treatment strategies.
...
PMID:Soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL-6R) mediates colonic tumor cell adherence to the vascular endothelium: a mechanism for metastatic initiation? 1238 57

Metastasis of prostate cancer to bone is a common complication of progressive prostate cancer. Skeletal metastases are often associated with severe pain and thus demand therapeutic interventions. Although often characterized as osteoblastic, prostate cancer skeletal metastases usually have an underlying osteoclastic component. Advances in osteoclast biology and pathophysiology have led toward defining putative therapeutic targets to attack tumor-induced osteolysis. Several factors have been found to be important in tumor-induced promotion of osteoclast activity. One key factor is the protein receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), which is required to induce osteoclastogenesis. RANKL is produced by prostate cancer bone metastases, enabling these metastases to induce osteolysis through osteoclast activation. Another factor, osteoprotegerin, is a soluble decoy receptor for RANKL and inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Osteoprotegerin has been shown in murine models to inhibit tumor-induced osteolysis. In addition to RANKL, parathyroid hormone-related protein and interleukin-6 are produced by prostate cancer cells and can promote osteoclastogenesis. Finally, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secreted by prostate cancer cells and promote osteolysis primarily through degradation of the nonmineralized bone matrix. MMP inhibitors have been shown to diminish tumor establishment in bone in murine models. Thus, many factors derived from prostate cancer metastases can promote osteolysis, and these factors may serve as therapeutic targets. The importance of osteoclasts in the establishment and progression of skeletal metastases has led to clinical evaluation of therapeutic agents to target them for slowing metastatic progression. Bisphosphonates are a class of compounds that decrease osteoclast life span by promoting their apoptosis. The bisphosphonate pamidronate has proven clinical efficacy for relieving bone pain associated with breast cancer metastases and has a promising outlook for prostate cancer metastases. Another bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid, appears to directly target prostate cancer cells in addition to diminishing osteoclast activity at the metastatic site. In addition to bisphosphonates, other novel therapies based on studies that delineate mechanisms of skeletal metastases establishment and progression will be developed in the near future.
...
PMID:The role of osteoclastic activity in prostate cancer skeletal metastases. 1253 87

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that activates the signaling pathways of Janus kinases-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) and/or mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in various tumors. Thus, it modulates cell growth and apoptosis. IL-6 levels are elevated in tissues and sera from prostate cancer patients and IL-6 receptor expression has been detected in prostate cancer cell lines and clinical specimens. Continuous exposure of prostate cancer cells to IL-6 might alter their responsiveness to this cytokine. To gain more insight into the function of IL-6 in prostate carcinoma, we have inoculated LNCaP-IL-6+ cells, generated after prolonged treatment with IL-6, into nude mice (total n = 16, two independent experiments). Controls included animals bearing LNCaP-IL-6- cells, passaged at the same time as LNCaP-IL-6+ cells without supplementation of IL-6. LNCaP-IL-6+ tumor volumes were larger than those of their counterparts at all time points. There were no signs of cachexia in any of the experimental animals and all mice were free of metastases. To better understand the mechanisms responsible for accelerated growth of LNCaP-IL-6+ tumors, we have investigated the expression of cell-cycle regulatory molecules by Western blot analysis. The levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 were elevated in LNCaP-IL-6+ cells. There was a strong down-regulation of cyclins D1 and E in the LNCaP-IL-6+ subline. The cell-cycle inhibitor p27 was expressed at a low level in LNCaP-IL-6+ cells and could not be up-regulated by addition of IL-6. Most notably, LNCaP-IL-6+ cells exhibited a reduced expression of the hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Accelerated tumor growth in our model system was also associated with alterations in IL-6-signaling pathways. The ability of IL-6 to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 was abolished in the LNCaP-IL-6+ subline. In contrast, the levels of the MAPK extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 increased in cells generated after long-term IL-6 treatment. The inhibitor of MAPK kinase PD 98059 retarded the proliferation of LNCaP-IL-6+ but not that of control cells. In summary, we show in the present study that chronic exposure of prostate cancer cells to IL-6 facilitates tumor growth in vivo by abolishment of the growth control by pRb and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. These findings could be relevant to understand the role of IL-6 in prostate cancer progression.
...
PMID:Accelerated in vivo growth of prostate tumors that up-regulate interleukin-6 is associated with reduced retinoblastoma protein expression and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. 1254 23


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>