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

Interleukin 2 (IL-2), or T-cell growth factor (TCGF), represents the first identified, fully-characterized, purified human interleukin. It is produced mainly by T helper (CD4+) lymphocytes, stimulates cell-mediated immune responses, controls growth and differentiation of B lymphocytes, and intensifies proliferation and activity of all cytotoxic cell clones. IL-2 is a growth factor in vitro and a mediator of self-tolerance in vivo, and therefore interests tumor immunotherapy investigators. The role of IL-2 in the cell cycle of neoplastic cells remains unclear. IL-2 inhibits growth of certain human tumor cells while proliferation of other cells remains intact or is even stimulated. Decreased IL-2 production is often observed in the more advanced clinical stages of human tumors, which provides rational for inclusion of recombinant IL-2 in the immunotherapy for some tumors. On the other hand, tumor cells themselves may produce IL-2 and promote tumor growth. This article summarizes the current physiological role of IL-2 and its role in the pathogenesis of select human diseases. Many papers (including reviews) pertain to the IL-2R receptor. The soluble form of the alpha subunit of the IL-2 receptor (sIL-2Ralpha) is elevated in most proliferative disturbances of the hematopoietic system and in many solid tumors. Special reference to the most important discoveries and our own experience in intracellular detection of IL-2 and IL-2Ralpha are included. IL-2 properties, cellular sources, and targets, including data on its expression in pathological conditions, continue to be supplemented. Attempts to treat tumors are also discussed, using modified varieties of therapy that use IL-2 itself and/or its receptor.
Med Sci Monit 2008 Oct
PMID:Biological properties of interleukin 2 and its role in pathogenesis of selected diseases--a review. 1883 Feb 8

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for cell metabolism as a cofactor to many key metabolic enzymes. Numerous physiological processes rely on the adequate and timely transport of copper ions mediated by copper-transporting ATPases (Cu-ATPases), which are essential for human cell growth and development. Inherited gene mutations of ATP7A and ATP7B result in clinical diseases related to damage in the multiple organ systems. Increased expression of these genes has been recently observed in some human cancer specimens, and may be associated with tumorigenesis and chemotherapy resistance. However, underlying mechanisms of Cu-ATPases in human cancer progression and treatment are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize current progress on the copper transport system, the structural and functional properties of the Cu-ATPases, ATP7A and ATP7B, in copper homeostasis, and their roles in anti-tumor drug resistance and cancer metastasis. This review provides valuable information for clinicians and researchers who want to recognize the newest advances in this new field and identify possible lines of investigation in copper transport as important mediators in human physiology and cancer.
Med Sci Monit 2009 Jan
PMID:Roles and mechanisms of copper transporting ATPases in cancer pathogenesis. 1911 80

Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is an enzyme that degrades components of the extracellular matrix and thus plays a pivotal role in cell migration during physiological and pathological processes (e.g. gastric, pancrcreatic, prostate, and breast cancer). MMP-2 expression is dependent on extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), Her2/neu, growth factors, cytokines, and hormones. Pro-MMP-2 activation needs MT1-MMP and TIMP-2 contribution. The active forms of MMPs subsequently release a cascade of activation of the remaining pro-MMPs. Inactivation of the physiological function of MMPs, or even pro-MMPs, is accomplished by non-covalent TIMP binding. The detection of active MMP-2 alone or the rate of pro-MMP-2 and active MMP-2 is considered a very sensitive indicator of cancer metastasis. Modulation of MMP-2 expression and activation through specific inhibitors and activators may thus provide a new mechanism for breast cancer treatment. Degradation of the cellular network established by adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin or ALCAM/CD166 causes tumor tissue relaxation, increases metastasis, and correlates with shortened survival in patients with primary breast carcinoma. A low level of MMP-2 is linked to favorable prognosis in patients with a hormone receptor-negative tumor, usually associated with high risk. Blocking MMP-2 secretion and activation during breast carcinoma development may decrease metastasis. Besides zoledronic acid and bisphosphonates, the new synthetic metalloproteinase blockers (MMPIs) batimastat, marimastat, and tetracycline derivates have been investigated in anticancer therapy. Recent research shows that modified synthetic siRNA targeting TIMP-2 may also regulate the balance between MMPs and TIMP-2 and thus decrease the degradation of extracellular matrix and prevent distant metastasis.
Med Sci Monit 2009 Feb
PMID:Matrix metalloproteinase-2 involvement in breast cancer progression: a mini-review. 1918 22

The purpose of the present article is to review the links between cancer and cytokine expression. Cytokines are proteins produced by cells that act as mediators of cell-to-cell communication. Many recent reports indicate that uncontrolled, constitutive cytokine expression in tumors contributes to tumor growth, tumor progression and immuno-suppression, activities that dexceed their usual functions in host anti-tumor response. In addition, cancer susceptibility and severity seem to be associated with functional polymorphisms in cytokine genes. Thus, cytokine expression genomics may have clinical applications. Here we propose approaches to cancer detection in the clinic based on altered patterns of cytokine expression. Although the function and diagnostic importance of cytokines needs to be studied in more detail, examining the relationship between aberrant cytokine expression and cancer promises to be extremely useful for the identification of a new generation of biomarkers, and to advance cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Med Sci Monit 2009 Mar
PMID:Cytokine expression and cancer detection. 1924 57

Cetuximab is an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of colorectal and head and neck cancers. Part of the interindividual differences in response may be explained by interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics. An assay measuring cetuximab serum concentrations is therefore needed. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed using microtiter plates sensitized with a recombinant human epidermal growth factor receptor extracellular domain. Lower and upper limits of quantitation and limit of detection were determined. Eight standard calibrators (SCs) and 3 quality controls (QCs), that is, 0.75, 7.5, and 15 mg/L, were tested on 5 occasions on 1 day and on 5 occasions on different days. Trough and peak serum concentrations of cetuximab were measured in 15 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer and 1 patient with undetermined neoplasia undergoing cetuximab-based chemotherapy. Cetuximab concentrations were described using a 2-compartment population pharmacokinetic model. Imprecision and accuracy of SC and QC were < or = 20%, except for the 0 and 0.1 mg/L SC concentrations (< or = 20%). The limit of detection was 0.012 mg/L. Lower and upper limits of quantitation were 0.75 and 15 mg/L, respectively. A total number of 198 blood samples were available from the 16 patients. Median (range) trough and peak concentrations during the treatment were 49.6 (5.8-105.4) and 177.2 (97.5-235) mg/L, respectively. This method is rapid, accurate, and reproducible and may be useful for pharmacokinetic and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic studies, as well as in therapeutic drug monitoring of cetuximab.
Ther Drug Monit 2009 Oct
PMID:An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for therapeutic drug monitoring of cetuximab. 1973 Feb 78

Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a cytosolic binding protein of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. CypA has an activity of peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase, which may play important roles in protein folding, trafficking, assembly, immune-modulator and cell signaling. Secreted form of CypA can act as growth factors in several cell types. On the other hand, CypA also involves in pathogenesis in several diseases including viral infection, cardiovascular disease and cancer. For example, CypA protein displays an unusually high expression in several cancer types and correlates with poor outcome of the patients. In this review, we have focused on the recently available clinical data of altered CypA expression in various tumor tissues and cell lines and discussed contributions and potential molecular mechanisms of CypA to tumor progression and clinical association. CypA could promote cancer cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, cell migration/invasion and drug resistant in various cancer cell types. The mechanism by which CypA contributes to cancer progression appears to involve a complex interplay of proteins and pathways including membrane receptor for CypA, CD147, and CypA binding partners inside the cells. CypA could be used as a molecular target for cancer therapy.
Med Sci Monit 2009 Nov
PMID:Cyclophilin A: potential functions and therapeutic target for human cancer. 1986 66

ABCG2, which encodes an ATP-binding cassette transporter protein, is associated with the phenotype of cancer stem cells and is used to define the pluripotential side population cells by flow cytometry and slide-cytometry. MicroRNAs control a wide array of biological processes (e.g., cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis) whose dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer. MicroRNA-328 (miR-328) is underexpressed in many cancers including glioblastoma multiforme and contributes to tumor resistance to chemotherapy. ABCG2 is associated with multi-drug resistance and is also highly expressed in glioblastoma. Some preliminary studies have shown that ABCG2 is the target gene for miRNA-328. Thus, we hypothesize that modulating ABCG2 expression by targeting miRNA-328 in glioblastoma cancer stem cells could represent a promising strategy for therapeutic manipulation to increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents for glioblastoma, a highly lethal type of cancer.
Med Sci Monit 2010 Oct
PMID:Downregulation of ABCG2 expression in glioblastoma cancer stem cells with miRNA-328 may decrease their chemoresistance. 2088 58

The most prevalent forms of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy have replaced traditional surgical treatments, survival rates have undergone only marginal improvements. Current knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in each type of cancer has led to better approaches in cancer treatment. A number of cell signaling molecules are involved in tumorigenesis, and specific targets have been identified based on these signal transducers. This review highlights some of the important cellular pathways and potential therapeutic targets, tumor site-specific irradiation techniques, and novel drug delivery systems used to administer these drugs.
Med Sci Monit 2011 Aug
PMID:Review of therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. 2180 75

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is a rare tumor that causes devastating disease. In the late stages, this carcinoma primarily invades the portal vein and metastasizes to the hepatic lobes; it is associated with a poor prognosis. HC is diagnosed by its clinical manifestation and results of imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Preoperative hepatic bile drainage can improve symptoms associated with insufficient liver and kidney function, coagulopathy, and jaundice. Surgical margin-negative (R0) resection, including major liver resection, is the most effective and potentially curative treatment for HC. If the tumor is not resected, then liver transplantation with adjuvant management can improve survival. We conducted a systematic review of developments in imaging studies and major surgical hepatectomy for HC with positive outcomes regarding quality of life.
Med Sci Monit 2013 Aug 07
PMID:Advances in diagnosis and treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma -- a review. 2392 71

Gastric cancer is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death in the world and also causes much morbidity. The acquired resistance of cancer cells to drug reagents is becoming a major obstacle for successful cancer therapy. Recently, many studies have revealed that macroautophagy (here referred to as autophagy) may be a prosurvival factor and protect the cancer cell from the development of drug-induced death. Thus, we propose that autophagy may play an important role in the resistance of gastric cancer to therapy. Although the exact role of autophagy in tumor cells is still unclear and further studies are needed to prove the role of autophagy in gastric cancer, recent research findings suggest a new direction in investigating the mechanism underlying resistance of gastric cancer to therapy.
Med Sci Monit 2013 Sep 25
PMID:Autophagy as a novel strategy for treatment of gastric cancer: a hypothesis. 2406 22


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