Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0027651 (tumor)
 685,946 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Bax is a homologue of Bcl-2 that promotes apoptosis. Bax protein levels were assessed by immunohistochemical methods in primary tumors derived from 119 women with metastatic breast cancer. These patients had received combination chemotherapy either with a once a month dosage schedule or in 4 weekly divided doses. The BAX immunostaining results were retrospectively compared with overall survival, time to tumor progression (TTP), and response, as well as several laboratory markers. Normal breast epithelium and in situ carcinomas immunostained positively for Bax. Marked reductions in Bax immunostaining were observed in 40 (34%) of 119 evaluable tumors. Reduced Bax correlated with shorter overall survival (median, 8.1 versus 15.7 months; P = 0.04), faster TTP (median, 2.0 versus 6.3 months; P = 0.009), and failure to respond (complete response, partial responses; 6% versus 42%, P = 0.01) in the subgroup of patients who received divided dose therapy. Reduced Bax immunostaining was not significant in the monthly dose group. When the two groups were combined, however, reduced Bax was significantly correlated in univariate analysis with failure to respond (21 versus 43% achieving complete response or partial response; P = 0.02), faster TTP (median, 3.7 versus 9.0 months; P = 0.02), and shorter survival (median, 10.7 versus 17.1 months; P = 0.04). Bax immunostaining was not significantly correlated with tumor histology, S-phase fraction, aneuploidy, p53 HER2, or cathepsin D, but was positively associated with Bcl-2 (P = 0.005). In multivariate analysis (Bax, tumor grade, and treatment group), reduced Bax was strongly associated with faster TTP (P approximately equal to 0.009) and shorter survival (P approximately equal to 0.001). Although highly preliminary, the finding suggest that loss of Bax immunostaining represents a novel prognostic indicator of poor response to chemotherapy and shorter survival in women with metastatic breast cancer, and raise the possibility that the subgroup of women with Bax-negative tumors may benefit from more aggressive therapy.
 ...
PMID:Reduced expression of proapoptotic gene BAX is associated with poor response rates to combination chemotherapy and shorter survival in women with metastatic breast adenocarcinoma. 767 Dec 62

Amplification of HER-2(erbB-2/neu) oncogene was detected in 36 of 142 (25%) breast carcinomas (BC) RNA expression was examined in 42 carcinomas, in 10 of them overexpression was revealed. Amplification was matched by overexpression. No association was found between the increased number of HER-2(erbB-2/neu) copies and tumor size, lymph node involvement, stage of disease, age of onset, and estrogen and progesterone receptor level. HER-2(erbB-2/neu) amplification was shown to be of independent prognostic significance in the group of 32 BC patients with sufficient follow-up (more than 40 months). Six of 7 HER-2(erbB-2/neu) amplification-positive patients and only 2 of 25 HER-2(erbB-2/neu) amplification-negative ones relapsed (p < 0.00005).
 ...
PMID:Amplification of HER-2(erbB-2/neu) oncogene as the most significant prognostic factor in a group of Russian breast cancer patients. 768 67

The HER-2/neu proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor protein whose expression is enhanced in a number of breast and ovarian tumors and correlates with tumor aggressiveness, suggesting that it may play an important role in tumor growth. Recent evidence suggests that HER-2/neu may be a potential candidate for targeted immune intervention. In this report we show that cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) expanded from tumor-associated lymphocytes with HLA-A2+ and HER-2/neu+ tumors can specifically recognize synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acids 971-980 of HER-2/neu protein. This sequence includes a potential amphiphilic area containing both Rothbard's epitode motifs and HLA-A2 anchor residues. Our study provides the first direct evidence of HER-2/neu-reactive CTL in humans. The fact that these HER-2/neu peptide-reactive CTL show significantly lower reactivity with corresponding EGF-R peptides offers new perspectives for understanding the recognition of self-antigens by tumor-reactive T cells.
 ...
PMID:Cytotoxic T cells isolated from ovarian malignant ascites recognize a peptide derived from the HER-2/neu proto-oncogene. 769 18

Amplification of the neu/erbB-2/HER-2 gene and/or overexpression of its receptor tyrosine kinase product, p185neu/erbB-2 (p185), occurs in 15-40% of primary human breast tumors and is variably correlated with poor patient prognosis. Variability in predictive accuracy likely results from activation of p185 by agonist(s) in only a subset of tumors in which it is overexpressed, which may greatly affect outcomes. As a first step toward evaluating this hypothesis, we previously produced a polyclonal antibody that specifically recognizes the activated, tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of p185 and the closely related epidermal growth factor receptor (L. Bangalore et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89: 11637-11641, 1992). We now describe the production of a mAb, PN2A, that specifically recognizes tyrosine-phosphorylated p185 and bears no cross-reactivity with closely related receptors. Furthermore, we demonstrate its reactivity in immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tumor samples. In a series of five p185-overexpressing human tumors examined thus far, PN2A reactivity was detected in two, indicating that p185 is phosphorylated and hence actively signaling in a subset. This reagent will facilitate both clinical and research analyses of p185 activity. Furthermore, this work serves as a prototype for similar analyses of other tyrosine phosphoproteins.
 ...
PMID:Activation state-specific monoclonal antibody detects tyrosine phosphorylated p185neu/erbB-2 in a subset of human breast tumors overexpressing this receptor. 772 65

The purpose of our study was to examine single and serial determinations of five biomarkers in asymptomatic women at risk for epithelial ovarian cancer to define median values and trends in a cancer-free cohort. Women were enrolled in the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California from July 1, 1991, to July 1, 1993. Biomarkers studied include CA-125, LASA, DM-70K, UGP, and HER-2. Biomarker values that were analyzed included those obtained on the first patient visit and in a subset of values evaluated at 6-month follow-ups. A total of 590 women were included in the study; 425 were premenopausal and 165 were postmenopausal. No one in this study group has developed ovarian cancer within a 12-month follow-up period. Postmenopausal women had significantly lower values for CA-125 (12 vs 19 U/ml, P = 0.0001) and higher values of LASA (16.6 vs 15.4 mg/dl, P = 0.0001), DM/70K (11 vs 0 U/ml, P < 0.001), UGP (3.3 vs 0.3 U/ml, P < 0.001), and HER-2 (12 vs 11 U/ml, P = 0.009) than premenopausal women. Less than 5% of the women had elevated tumor marker values on both screens except for CA-125, where 15% of women studied had two consecutive visits with elevated values (> 35 U/ml). Two women demonstrated an exponential rise in CA-125 between visits. Premenopausal women differ in median biomarker values compared to postmenopausal women. Elevations in single tumor markers, combinations of markers, and exponential increases of markers have all produced false-positive results for ovarian cancer within the 12-month follow-up period. Exponential increases produced the smallest false positive rate (n = 2), but further study and follow-up are needed to determine the efficacy of these tests in ovarian cancer screening.
 ...
PMID:Tumor marker trends in asymptomatic women at risk for ovarian cancer: relevance for ovarian cancer screening. 772 42

Growth of human breast cells is closely regulated by steroid hormone as well as peptide hormone receptors. Members of both receptor classes are important prognostic factors in human breast cancer. Clinical data indicate that overexpression of the HER-2 gene is associated with an estrogen receptor-negative phenotype. In this study, we demonstrate that introduction of a HER-2 cDNA, converting non-overexpressing breast cancer cells to those which overexpress this receptor, results in development of estrogen-independent growth which is insensitive to both estrogen and the antiestrogen, tamoxifen. Moreover, activation of the HER-2 receptor in breast cancer cells by the peptide growth factor, heregulin, leads to direct and rapid phosphorylation of ER on tyrosine residues. This is followed by interaction between ER and the estrogen-response elements in the nucleus and production of an estrogen-induced protein, progesterone receptor. In addition, overexpression of HER-2 receptor in estrogen-dependent tumor cells promotes ligand-independent down-regulation of ER and a delayed autoregulatory suppression of ER transcripts. These data demonstrate a direct link between these two receptor pathways and suggest one mechanism for development of endocrine resistance in human breast cancers.
 ...
PMID:HER-2 tyrosine kinase pathway targets estrogen receptor and promotes hormone-independent growth in human breast cancer cells. 778 95

Recently, we reported the development of fully humanized bispecific F(ab')2 antibodies with dual binding specificities to human T-lymphocytes and to tumor cells overexpressing HER2. These antibodies were shown to effectively mediate targeted HER2-overexpressing tumor cell killing by freshly isolated human T-cells. In this report we extend our studies to describe the interaction of the bispecific antibody with activated T-lymphocytes (ATL) maintained in culture for an extended period of time. A microtiter plate radioreceptor assay was used to elucidate the affinity of bispecific antibody binding to ATL. The data show that ATL maintained in vitro for up to 5 weeks continued to express high-affinity CD3 surface markers that bound to bispecific antibody with a Kd of 2.49 nM and exerted cytolytic activities against targets overexpressing HER2. In addition, we demonstrated the specific localization of HER2 x CD3 bispecific antibody to HER2-overexpressing tumor xenografts in nude mice. Furthermore, HER2 x CD3 bispecific antibody has the ability to inhibit the proliferative activities of breast tumor (SKBR-3) cells in vitro. The clinical implications of these data are discussed.
 ...
PMID:Bispecific HER2 x CD3 antibodies enhance T-cell cytotoxicity in vitro and localize to HER2-overexpressing xenografts in nude mice. 782 73

The identification of antigenic peptides presented on the tumor cell surface by HLA class I molecules and recognized by tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes may lead to a peptide vaccine capable of inducing protective cellular immunity. We demonstrate that both HLA-A2-restricted breast and ovarian tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize shared antigenic peptides. At least one of these peptides is derived from the oncogene product of HER2/neu, which is overexpressed in 30-40% of all breast and ovarian cancers. T cells sensitized against this nine-amino acid sequence demonstrate significant recognition of HLA-A2+, HER2/neu+ tumors. Since 50% of the tumor-cell population is HLA-A2+ and many different tumors express HER2/neu, this peptide may be widely recognized and have many clinical applications.
 ...
PMID:Breast and ovarian cancer-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize the same HER2/neu-derived peptide. 783 5

The product of the HER2 protooncogene, p185HER2, represents an attractive target for cancer immunotherapies. We have prepared anti-p185HER2 immunoliposomes in which Fab' fragments of a humanized anti-p185HER2 monoclonal antibody with antiproliferative properties (rhuMAb-HER2) were conjugated to either conventional or sterically stabilized liposomes. These immunoliposomes bind specifically to p185HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells (SK-BR-3 and BT-474). High-affinity binding of anti-p185HER2 immunoliposomes is comparable to that of free rhuMAbHER2-Fab' or the intact antibody. Empty immunoliposomes inhibit the culture growth of p185HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells, and this antiproliferative effect is superior to that of free rhuMAbHER2-Fab', indicating that liposomal anchoring of these anti-p185HER2 Fab' fragments enhances their biological activity. Efficient internalization of anti-p185HER2 immunoliposomes, demonstrated by light and electron microscopy, occurs by receptor-mediated endocytosis via the coated pit pathway and also possibly by membrane fusion. Doxorubicin-loaded anti-p185HER2 immunoliposomes are markedly and specifically cytotoxic against p185HER2-overexpressing tumor cells in vitro. Anti-p185HER2 immunoliposomes administered in vivo in Scid mice bearing human breast tumor (BT-474) xenografts can deliver doxorubicin to tumors. These results indicate that anti-p185HER2 immunoliposomes are a promising therapeutic vehicle for the treatment of p185HER2-overexpressing human cancers.
 ...
PMID:Development of anti-p185HER2 immunoliposomes for cancer therapy. 787 76

Tumorigenic roles were variably suggested for HER-2 and INT-2 oncogene amplifications and the "atypical" aspartate to glycine mutability in the butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) gene in ovarian adenocarcinomas. To examine this notion we searched for correlations between these three phenomena and ovarian tumor classification and aggressiveness, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and direct PCR sequencing. Our findings revealed no alleles carrying the atypical BCHE mutability in 30 European-originated patients with ovarian tumors compared with 11% (2/18) such alleles in Israeli patients with malignant ovarian tumors. This apparently reflected population diversity rather than disease relationship. INT-2 amplification was observed in 14/94 (15%) of the European patients; however, there was no correlation between this phenomenon and clinicopathological indices in the corresponding patients. In contrast, in 94 tumor samples we found that 40% (38/94) of the cases had HER-2 amplification. Moreover, there was a highly significant correlation (P < 0.008) between the over fivefold HER-2 amplification and ovarian tumor severity. These findings demonstrate an informative value for HER-2 amplification tests in tumor DNA, but not for INT-2 amplification or BCHE mutability, for the assessment of treatment.
 ...
PMID:HER-2 amplification but not butyrylcholinesterase multability reflects aggressiveness of European-originated ovarian tumors. 789 86


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