Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0027819 (neuroblastoma)
 27,800 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

KIF1a is a member of the kinesin superfamily proteins that are microtubule-dependent molecular motors involved in important intracellular functions such as organelle transport and cell division. We previously determined the structure of the human KIF1Bbeta gene, which was found to be a homologue of the murine Kif1bbeta, and demonstrated that the human KIF1Bbeta is a causative gene of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A although we did not prove that it is a tumor suppressor gene of neuroblastoma. Here, we identified another isoform of the human KIF1B gene, KIF1Balpha. The KIF1Balpha and KIF1Bbeta are alternative splicing products of the KIF1B gene located on 1p36.2. The KIF1Balpha is distinct from KIF1Bbeta in the C-terminal cargo-binding domain; however, they have the same N-terminal motor domain. We found that the transcript of approximately 7.8 kb of KIF1Balpha was expressed in several tissues, especially in skeletal muscle, by Northern blot analysis. To determine whether this gene is one of the candidate tumor suppressor genes for neuroblastoma (NB) or other pediatric solid tumors, we performed mutational screening of KIF1Balpha in 25 NB, 9 rhabdomyosarcoma, 12 Ewing sarcoma and 24 other pediatric solid tumor cell lines. Using RT-PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing we detected a missense mutation (M807I) in 1 NB cell line (SK-N-SH), 3 silent mutations in 2 NB cell lines and 1 primitive neuroectodermal tumor cell line, respectively. RT-PCR analysis revealed that KIF1Balpha was obviously expressed in almost all of the tumor cell lines examined except NB-1. Furthermore, real-time quantitative RT-PCR showed that there was no significant difference in KIF1Balpha expression between 14 early-stage (stage I and II) and 14 advanced-stage (stage III and IV) NB fresh tumor specimens. These results suggest that KIF1Ba in addition to KIF1Bbeta may not be a candidate tumor suppressor gene for NB.
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PMID:Genomic structure and mutational analysis of the human KIF1Balpha gene located at 1p36.2 in neuroblastoma. 1288 11

Neuroblastoma (NB) and the Ewing sarcoma (ES)/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) family are pediatric cancers derived from neural crest cells. Although NBs display features of the sympathetic nervous system, ES/PNETs express markers consistent with parasympathetic differentiation. To examine the control of these differentiation markers, we generated NB x ES/PNET somatic cell hybrids. NB-specific markers were suppressed in the hybrids, whereas ES/PNET-specific markers were unaffected. These results suggested that the Ews/Fli-1 fusion gene, resulting from a translocation unique to ES/PNETs, might account for the loss of NB-specific markers. To test this hypothesis, we generated two different NB cell lines that stably expressed the Ews/Fli-1 gene. We observed that heterologous expression of the Ews/Fli-1 protein led to the suppression of NB-specific markers and de novo expression of ES/PNET markers. To determine the extent of changes in differentiation, we used the Affymetrix GeneChip Array system to observe global transcriptional changes of genes. This analysis revealed that the gene expression pattern of the Ews/Fli-1-expressing NB cells resembled that observed in pooled ES/PNET cell lines and differed significantly from the NB parental cells. Therefore, we propose that Ews/Fli-1 contributes to the etiology of ES/PNET by subverting the differentiation program of its neural crest precursor cell to a less differentiated and more proliferative state.
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PMID:The Ews/Fli-1 fusion gene switches the differentiation program of neuroblastomas to Ewing sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors. 1497 77

A therapeutic role of STI571 (imatinib mesylate) has been anticipated in patients with c-Kit positive neuroectodermal tumors. We examined the efficacy of STI571 to inhibit expansion of c-Kit positive neuroectodermal tumor cell lines in vitro and in a mouse model inoculated with ES (Ewing sarcoma) derived tumor cells, and investigated the molecular mechanism of STI571 action. Eleven tumor lines of ES, PNET (primitive neuroectodermal tumors) and NB (neuroblastoma) were assayed in the presence of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 micro M STI571 for 24, 48, 72 h and 7 days. The mechanism of STI571 action was investigated using a microphysiometer cytosensor that determines cellular metabolic rates in the presence of STI571. c-Kit and global protein phosphorylation was assayed by immunoprecipitation and a direct enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay after 72 h of 10 micro M STI571. Apoptosis was investigated by propidium iodide (PI), Annexin V staining and by enzymatic activity of caspase-3. Moreover, apoptotic gene expression was investigated using microarray technology. In nude mice, tumor volume and histology were analyzed in STI571 treated and untreated mice, and apoptotic gene expression analysis was performed on tumor masses. A decrease in cell proliferation and increase of cell apoptosis was caused by STI571 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Cytosensor microphysiometer and immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated a time- and concentration-dependent decrease of cellular metabolic activity and global protein dephosphorylation after STI571 exposure. The inhibition by STI571 appeared at least to some extent independent of c-Kit inhibition since cells remained sensitive to SCF stimulation. Tumor volume was significantly reduced in STI571-treated mice compared to tumors from control inoculated non-treated mice. The apoptosis pathway in response to STI571 appeared not to be dependent on caspase activation, while gene expression profiles suggested accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in cell death after exposure to STI571. The results point to the potential relevance of STI157 for neuroectodermal tumor therapy in view of its inhibitory effect on tumor cell growth, in spite of the observation that the inhibition of the c-Kit signaling pathway is not critically involved.
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PMID:Imatinib mesylate (STI571) interference with growth of neuroectodermal tumour cell lines does not critically involve c-Kit inhibition. 1528 88

Immunophenotypic study is critical for the diagnosis of adult small-round-cell tumors (SRCTs). We describe three patients with Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) and one patient with neuroblastoma in which flow cytometry immunophenotyping (FCI) on the fine-needle aspirate (FNA) and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) demonstrated an abnormal population of cells that were CD45(-) and CD16/CD56(+). Four patients with mean age of 30 years, three male and one female, clinically suspicious for a lymphoma or SRCT are described. FNA, BMA, and biopsy specimens were obtained for routine cytologic and histologic evaluation. Fresh tissue was studied by FCI. In all cases, the cytology smears showed small cells with round nuclei, slightly irregular nuclear membranes, fine chromatin, and scant cytoplasm. FCI showed CD16/56(+) and CD45(-) neoplastic cells in all cases. In one case, 76% of these cells were CD99(+). The diagnoses of ES/PNET were confirmed by immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and cytogenetic studies. ES/PNET in FNA and BMA can be efficiently and rapidly diagnosed by combining cytologic examination with FCI using a panel including CD45, CD16/56, and CD99.
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PMID:Fine-needle aspiration of adult small-round-cell tumors studied with flow cytometry. 1534 82

Ovarian small cell carcinoma of hypercalcemic type (OSCCHT) is a rare neoplasm with an aggressive behavior, broad differential diagnosis, and unknown histogenesis. To add to knowledge concerning the possible aid of immunohistochemistry in resolving problems in differential diagnosis and to further explore whether that modality points to any specific histogenesis, we undertook an immunohistochemical study of this neoplasm. Fifteen OSCCHTs (including four of the ''large cell" variant) were stained with a range of antibodies, some of which have not been investigated previously in this neoplasm. Cases were stained with AE1/3, EMA, BerEP4, CK5/6, calretinin, WT1, chromogranin, CD56, synaptophysin, CD99, NB84, desmin, S100, CD10, alpha inhibin, TTFI, and p53. Staining was classified as 0 (negative), 1+ (<5% cells positive), 2+ (5% to 25% cells positive), 3+ (26% to 50% cells positive), or 4+ (>50% cells positive). All cases were positive with p53 (two 1+, five 3+, eight 4+), 14 of 15 cases were positive with WT1 (one 1+, thirteen 4+), 14 of 15 with CD10 (three 1+, four 2+, two 3+, five 4+), 13 of 15 with EMA (three 1+, three 2+, two 3+, five 4+), 11 of 15 with calretinin (nine 1+, one 3+, one 4+), 9 of 15 with AE1/3 (eight 1+, one 2+), 4 of 15 with CD56 (one 1+, two 2+, one 4+), 3 of 15 with BerEP4 (two 2+, one 4+), 2 of 15 with synaptophysin (two 1+), and 1 of 15 with S100 (4+). All cases were negative with CK5/6, chromogranin, CD99, NB84, desmin, alpha inhibin, and TTF1. The only noticeable difference in the immunophenotype between typical OSCCHT and the large cell variant was that there was 4 +EMA positivity in three of four cases of large cell variant compared with two of 11 cases of typical OSCCHT. OSCCHT is characteristically positive with AE1/3, EMA, CD10, calretinin, WT1, and p53. Combined EMA and WT1 positivity, the latter usually intense and diffuse, may be of diagnostic value, inasmuch as only a few of the neoplasms in the differential diagnosis are positive with both antibodies. Negative staining with CD99, desmin, NB84, alpha-inhibin, and TTF1 may aid in the cases in which primitive neuroectodermal tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, intraabdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor, neuroblastoma, a sex cord-stromal tumor, and metastatic pulmonary small cell carcinoma are in the differential. Calretinin positivity precludes its use in the differential with granulosa cell tumors. The results of this investigation do not settle the issue of histogenesis, which remains enigmatic. The typical age distribution, follicle formation, and calretinin positivity are consistent with a sex cord origin. On the other hand, WT1 and EMA positivity and negative staining with alpha-inhibin would be unusual in a sex cord-stromal neoplasm and can be used as an argument for a surface epithelial origin. Germ cell and neuroendocrine origins seem highly unlikely.
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PMID:An immunohistochemical analysis of ovarian small cell carcinoma of hypercalcemic type. 1538 2

Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a pro-apoptotic protein originally identified as a gene product upregulated in prostate tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. Down-regulation of Par-4 has been linked to several cancers. Since Par-4 also plays a crucial role in neuronal apoptosis, we investigated the expression of Par-4 in tumor cell lines derived from representative tumor types of the CNS, including primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma and glioma of human, rat and murine origin. We show that Par-4 is frequently down-regulated, either transcriptionally or post-transcriptionally in the CNS tumor cell lines. Moreover, we demonstrate that ectopic expression of Par-4 is sufficient to directly induce apoptosis in these CNS tumor cells, in contrast to other cancer cells where replenishment of Par-4 levels only sensitizes the cells to apoptotic stimuli. Induction of apoptosis by Par-4 in the neural tumor cell lines is independent of endogenous Bcl-2 levels and PKCzeta activity, although it has been proposed that Par-4 can exert its pro-apoptotic function by down-modulation of Bcl2 expression and inhibition of PKCzeta. Co-expression of Par-4 and a dominant-negative mutant of FADD resulted in a slight reduction of apoptosis in some tumor cell lines, indicating that Par-4 may partially induce apoptosis via the Fas death pathway. Furthermore, these data suggested that the pro-apoptotic function of Par-4 involves (an)other yet unidentified apoptotic pathway(s) in the CNS tumor cell lines. Since Par-4 by itself is not sufficient to induce apoptosis in non-tumor cells, reintroduction of Par-4 into primary CNS tumors or reactivation of the pathways of Par-4-mediated apoptosis represent promising targets in anti-tumor therapy.
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PMID:Ectopic expression of Par-4 leads to induction of apoptosis in CNS tumor cell lines. 1558 36

Cdk9 is a member of the Cdc2-like family of kinases. Its cyclin partners are members of the family of cyclin T (T1, T2a and T2b) and cyclin K. The Cdk9/Cyclin T complex appears to be involved in regulating several physiological processes. Recently, Cdk9 has been identified as a regulator of the differentiation program of several cell types, such as muscle cells, monocytes and lymphocytes, suggesting that it may have a function in controlling specific differentiative pathways. We analyzed whether Cdk9 and Cyclin T1 may be involved in the regulation of neuron and astrocyte differentiation. Cdk9 and Cyclin T1 expression levels were monitored during the differentiation program of neuroblastoma and astrocytoma cell lines. Our results suggest that Cdk9/Cyclin T1 complex may be required for neuron differentiation induced by retinoic acid, because the expression level of the complex varies during differentiation, but no significant changes were observed in its expression in the astrocytoma cell line. In addition, the expression of Cdk9 and Cyclin T1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in samples of neuroblastoma, PNET (Primary Neuroectodermal Tumor) and astrocytoma tumors of different grades, in order to assess whether there was a correlation between Cdk9 expression and tumor grading. Our results show that in neuroblastoma and PNET tumor samples Cdk9 is more expressed the more differentiated the tumor is. Conversely, no significant alteration of Cdk9 expression was observed in astrocytoma tumor samples of different grades, thus confirming the results obtained for the cell lines.
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PMID:Cdk9 regulates neural differentiation and its expression correlates with the differentiation grade of neuroblastoma and PNET tumors. 1575 51

In 1918, Stout defined the lesion in which small round cells originating from the ulnar nerve formed a rosette as neuroepithelioma. It was claimed that this tumor originated from neuroectodermis and was different from the classical neuroblastoma. The term primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) involves a group of tumors of the soft tissue originating from neural crest and resulting from the brain, spinal cord and branches of the sympathetic nervous system. Extracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumors originate from neural crest cells outside the sympathetic and central nervous system. PNET also has some distinctive histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features. It is usually encountered in children and young adults; most frequently located in thoracopulmonary region (Askin's tumor). The second most commonly involved body part is the extremities. It is very rarely located on the face. PNET is an aggressive tumor. In fact, the disease has a rapid progression, causes local or distant metastases and 50% of the patients die within two years of the presentation. It is treated with aggressive surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this report, we presented a case of PNET located on the right cheek with multiple distant metastases. Clinicians should be on alert when treating facial tumors, not to skip PNET, which is a very aggressive one.
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PMID:A primitive neuroectodermal tumor on the face: case report. 1603 49

Neuroectodermal tumor cells, like neural crest (NC) cells, are pluripotent, proliferative, and migratory. We tested the hypothesis that genetic programs essential to NC development are activated in neuroectodermal tumors. We examined the expression of transcription factors PAX3, PAX7, AP-2alpha, and SOX10 in human embryos and neuroectodermal tumors: neurofibroma, schwannoma, neuroblastoma, malignant nerve sheath tumor, melanoma, medulloblastoma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and Ewing's sarcoma. We also examined the expression of P0, ERBB3, and STX, targets of SOX10, AP-2alpha, and PAX3, respectively. PAX3, AP-2alpha, and SOX10 were expressed sequentially in human NC development, whereas PAX7 was restricted to mesoderm. Tumors expressed PAX3, AP-2alpha, SOX10, and PAX7 in specific combinations. SOX10 and AP-2alpha were expressed in relatively differentiated neoplasms. The early NC marker, PAX3, and its homologue, PAX7, were detected in poorly differentiated tumors and tumors with malignant potential. Expression of NC transcription factors and target genes correlated. Transcription factors essential to NC development are thus present in neuroectodermal tumors. Correlation of specific NC transcription factors with phenotype, and with expression of specific downstream genes, provides evidence that these transcription factors actively influence gene expression and tumor behavior. These findings suggest that PAX3, PAX7, AP-2alpha, and SOX10 are potential markers of prognosis and targets for therapeutic intervention.
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PMID:Temporally regulated neural crest transcription factors distinguish neuroectodermal tumors of varying malignancy and differentiation. 1603 8

This study retrospectively examines the spectrum of sacrococcygeal tumors reported in a tertiary paediatric pathology department during a 15-year period. There were 85 sacrococcygeal tumors identified in total, including 79 (93%) sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors, of which 62 (78%) were benign, whereas 17 (22%) contained malignant yolk sac tumor elements. The median age at examination in cases with malignant elements present was significantly greater than in those with benign sacrococcygeal teratoma only (median 2 years, range birth--3 years versus median 1 week, range birth--10 years, respectively; p < .01). Of the 85 cases of total sacrococcygeal lesions 6 (7%) represented pathologies other than sacrococcygeal teratoma, including one case each of neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, myxopapillary ependymoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, lipomatous tumor, and unclassifiable inflammatory tumor. Of these 6 cases 3 were malignant (50%) compared with 17 of the 79 cases of sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors (22%; Z =1.59, p = .08). The median age in the group of non-germ-cell sacrococcygeal masses was 3 years (range 5 months to 13 years).
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PMID:Sacrococcygeal tumors in infancy and childhood; a retrospective histopathological review of 85 cases. 1613 66


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