Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0406810 (NAME)
 13,345 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A large sporadic melanotic schwannoma was found at the C2-C3 level in a 66-year-old woman who presented a pyramidal syndrome of all four limbs. The diagnosis was established by histology and immunohistochemical studies and confirmed by ultrastructural examination. Thirty-six cases of melanotic schwannoma located in the spinal cord have been reported in the literature, allowing an analysis of the different histological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects. Usually considered as benign tumor, melanotic schwannoma can recur and progress to malignancy, requiring long-term follow-up, specially in patients with multiple tumors and/or Carney's syndrome.
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PMID:[Melanotic schwannoma, a tumor with a unpredictable prognosis: case report and review of the literature]. 1273 78

The antigen Ki-67, which is associated with cell proliferation, has been demonstrated to be useful in predicting the development of human tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of this biomarker in pre-malignant and malignant lesions of the prostate. A total of 162 prostate biopsies taken from patients diagnosed for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n=49), low grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (LGPIN, n=53), high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN, n=25) and carcinoma (CAR, n=35), were studied. Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 was carried out on all the samples and the number of labeled cells was semi-quantitatively evaluated (weak, moderate or intense). In the non-invasive lesions, the presence of Ki-67-positive cells in the luminal layer of the epithelium was evaluated qualitatively as positive or negative. The correlation between the immunolabeling for Ki-67 and the histological diagnosis showed highly significant differences between BPH and CAR, LGPIN and CAR and HGPIN and CAR, with no significant differences being found among the other groups. Analysis of the immunolabeling in luminal cells of non-invasive lesions showed an increase in accordance with the increase in the degree of histological lesion, the greatest percentage being obtained in the HGPIN lesions (88.0%), with significant differences among all the groups. Bearing in mind that Ki-67 is a prognostic biomarker for cell proliferation, our results demonstrating the immunolabeling of Ki-67 in the luminal compartment of non-invasive lesions having the potential to evolve to malignancy, may have prognostic implications.
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PMID:Ki-67 immunolabeling in pre-malignant lesions and carcinoma of the prostate. Histological correlation and prognostic evaluation. 1277 7

Autoantibodies have defined two paraneoplastic visual disorders related to small-cell lung carcinoma: retinopathy ("CAR"-IgG [23kDa, recoverin]) and optic neuritis collapsin response-mediated protein 5 (CRMP-5-IgG [62kDa]). Among 16 patients with CRMP-5-IgG and optic neuritis (aged 52-74 years; all smokers, 9 women), we documented coexisting retinitis in 5. None had CAR-IgG. Fifteen had subacute vision loss, swollen optic discs, and field defects. Vascular leakage was evident at and remote from the disc; 5/5 tested had abnormal electroretinograms. Nine had striking vitreous cells. Vitrectomy showed reactive lymphocytosis (4/4), predominantly CD4(+) (1/1). Most patients had multifocal neurological accompaniments. Cerebrospinal fluid contained lymphocytes (7-32), elevated protein, multiple oligoclonal immunoglobulin bands, and CRMP-5-IgG. Three patients superficially resembled Devic's disease at presentation. One autopsied patient had predominantly CD8(+) T lymphocytes infiltrating optic nerve and spinal cord. Eleven patients had confirmed small-cell carcinoma; 1 had imaging evidence of lung cancer; 3 had renal or thyroid carcinoma. Full-length CRMP-5 protein was identified in normal retina and optic nerve by Western blot analyses. Photoreceptor cells, retinal ganglion cells, and nerve fibers exhibited CRMP-5-specific immunoreactivity. In summary, CRMP-5-IgG defines a paraneoplastic ophthalmological entity of combined optic neuritis and retinitis with vitreous inflammatory cells. Positive serology obviates the need for vitreous biopsy and expedites the search for cancer.
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PMID:Paraneoplastic autoimmune optic neuritis with retinitis defined by CRMP-5-IgG. 1283 19

Using clonal derivatives of spontaneous mammary tumours in C3H/HeJ mice, we had earlier shown that tumour-derived nitric oxide (NO), resulting from endothelial type (e) NO synthase (NOS) expression by tumour cells, promoted tumour growth and metastasis by multiple mechanisms: stimulation of tumour cell invasiveness, migration and angiogenesis. Our present study examined the signaling mechanisms underlying NO-mediated promotion of tumour cell migration in a highly metastatic and high eNOS-expressing C3H/HeJ mammary tumour cell line, C3L5. C3L5 cell migration was reduced in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, NOS inhibitor) in a concentration-dependent manner and restored in the additional presence of excess L-arginine (NOS substrate), confirming a migration-promoting role of endogenous NO. Migratory capacity of C3L5 cells was reduced after treatment with the guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitor 1-H-[1,2,4]oxadiaxolo[4,3-a]quinolalin-1-one (ODQ) and restored in the additional presence of 8-bromoguanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br cGMP, cGMP analogue), demonstrating a pivotal role for GC in C3L5 cell migration. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK; MEK) inhibitor, UO126, blocked migration, demonstrating MEK involvement in C3L5 cell migration. Furthermore, both ODQ and UO126 blocked migration-restoring effects of L-arginine in L-NAME-treated cells, indicating that GC and MAPK pathways are required for endogenous NO-mediated migratory responses. Similarly, L-NAME reduced and additional treatment with excess L-arginine or sodium nitroprusside (SNP, NO donor) stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK(1/2)), demonstrating a role for endogenous and exogenous NO in ERK(1/2) activation. ODQ inhibited ERK(1/2) activation, whereas 8-Br cGMP stimulated ERK(1/2) phosphorylation in L-NAME-treated cells, indicating that cGMP is a downstream effector of NOS for ERK(1/2) activation. Finally, both ODQ and UO126 blocked the capacity of L-arginine to restore ERK(1/2) phosphorylation in L-NAME-treated cells, demonstrating that GC and MEK are both required for endogenous NO-mediated MAPK activation. Together, these results indicate sequential activation of NOS, GC and MAPK pathways in mediating signals for C3L5 cell migration, an essential step in invasion and metastasis. Since NOS activity is positively associated with human breast cancer progression, the present results are relevant for development of therapeutic modalities for this disease.
Int J Cancer 2003 Sep 10
PMID:Nitric oxide-mediated promotion of mammary tumour cell migration requires sequential activation of nitric oxide synthase, guanylate cyclase and mitogen-activated protein kinase. 1284 43

Oncolytic viruses that are replication competent in tumor but not in normal cells represent a novel approach for treating neoplastic diseases. However, the oncolytic potency of replicating agents is determined directly by their capability of infecting target cells. Most adenoviruses used for gene therapy or virotherapy have been based on serotype 5 (Ad5). Unfortunately, expression of the primary receptor for Ad5 (the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor, or CAR) is highly variable on ovarian and other cancer cells. By performing genetic fiber pseudotyping, we created Ad5/3-Delta24, a conditionally replicating adenovirus that does not bind CAR but facilitates entry into and killing of ovarian cancer cells. We show replication of Ad5/3-Delta24 and subsequent oncolysis of ovarian adenocarcinoma lines. Replication was also analyzed with quantitative PCR on three-dimensional primary tumor cell spheroids purified from patient samples. Moreover, in a therapeutic orthotopic model of peritoneal carcinomatosis, dramatically enhanced survival was noted. Finally, Ad5/3-Delta24 achieved a significant antitumor effect as assessed by noninvasive, in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Therefore, the preclinical therapeutic efficacy of Ad5/3-Delta24 is improved over the respective CAR- and integrin-binding controls. Taken together with promising biodistribution and toxicity data, this approach could translate into successful clinical interventions for ovarian cancer patients.
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PMID:Enhanced therapeutic efficacy for ovarian cancer with a serotype 3 receptor-targeted oncolytic adenovirus. 1294 18

The overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been previously reported in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as well as in many cancers. We hypothesized that endogenous nitric oxide (NO) might increase the expression of COX-2 in cancer cells. Therefore, we investigated the cross-talk between NO and the prostaglandin (PG) pathways in HNSCC cell lines. We found that COX-2 and iNOS expressions were elevated simultaneously. On adding the NO donor, SNAP, the PGE2 level was increased 2-20 times due to increased COX-2 expression. This increase of COX-2 expression by SNAP or PMA (potent inducer of both iNOS and COX-2) was blocked to various degrees by NO scavengers and NOS inhibitors (L-NAME and 1400W). Also, the expression of COX-2 in resting cells was inhibited by NOS inhibitors. Moreover, COX-2 expression, induced by SNAP, was inhibited by ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor. The effect of dibutyryl-cGMP on COX-2 expression was similar to that of SNAP. These results imply that endogenous or exogenous NO activates sGC and that the resulting increase of cGMP induces a signaling that upregulates the expression of COX-2 in HNSCC cell lines. We also observed that NO increased COX-2 expression in different cancer cell lines, including cervic and gastric cancer cell lines. These findings further support the notion that NO can be associated with carcinogenesis through the upregulation of COX-2, and that NOS inhibitor may be also useful for cancer prevention.
Int J Cancer 2003 Dec 10
PMID:The effect of nitric oxide on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression in head and neck cancer cell lines. 1456 22

The incidence of malignant melanoma has been increasing. Unfortunately, advanced melanomas are rarely curable with standard therapy; therefore, new forms of treatment such as gene therapy are needed. The success of gene delivery or oncolysis depends on the nature of the vector. Adenoviral vectors are advantageous for several reasons; however, they are dependent on CAR (coxsackie and adenovirus receptor) which is deficient or heterogeneously expressed on melanoma cells in situ. Correspondingly, transduction of freshly purified melanoma cells has been shown to be minimal or variable. In order to overcome this shortcoming, it is necessary to construct tropism modified adenoviral vectors. With this goal in mind, we generated two tropism modified vectors, Ad5lucRGD which has an RGD motif incorporated into the HI loop of the fiber knob and Ad5/3luc1 which contains the tail and shaft domain of the Ad5 fiber and the knob domain of the Ad3 fiber. Herein we demonstrate that Ad5/3luc1 infects CAR-negative primary melanoma cells 1128 times better than Ad5luc1 and 34 times better than Ad5lucRGD. Furthermore we show that Ad5/3luc1 and Ad5lucRGD infect via a CAR independent route by blocking the CAR receptor. In addition, we show that the infectivity of the cells correlates with the expression of CAR and Ad3 receptors determined by FACS analysis. Therefore, Ad5/3 is very attractive as a potential therapeutic vector for malignant melanoma.
Cancer Biol Ther
PMID:Enhanced adenovirus infection of melanoma cells by fiber-modification: incorporation of RGD peptide or Ad5/3 chimerism. 1461 17

Gene therapy is an emerging and promising modality for the treatment of malignant melanoma and other neoplasms for which conventional therapies are inadequate. Various therapeutic genes have shown promise for tumor cell killing. However, successful gene therapy depends on the development of efficient and targeted gene transfer vectors. Here we describe a novel strategy for targeting of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer to melanoma cells. This strategy combines genetic ablation of native adenoviral tropism with redirected viral binding to melanoma cells via a bispecific adapter molecule, a bacterially expressed single-chain diabody, scDb MelAd, that binds to both the adenoviral fiber protein and to the high molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen (HMWMAA). This antigen is widely and specifically expressed on the surface of melanoma cells and its expression is associated with tumor development and progression. Our results showed specific and strong binding of the anti-HMWMAA scFv RAFT3 and the bispecific adapter scDb MelAd to melanoma cells. In adenoviral infection experiments, we demonstrated i) substantially (>50-fold) reduced infectivity of capsid mutant adenoviruses, ii) restored (up to 367-fold increase), CAR-independent and HMWMAA-mediated infectivity of these mutant viruses by scDb MelAd specifically in melanoma cells, and iii) higher levels of transgene expression in melanoma cells by fiber mutant virus complexed with scDbMelAd, relative to a vector with wild-type fibers. We confirmed the utility of this targeting strategy with human primary melanoma cells that represent clinically relevant substrates. These experiments established that the retargeting strategy mediates up to 54-fold increased adenoviral gene transfer to CAR-negative melanoma cells compared to the vector with native tropism. Hence, the HMWMAA-targeted adenoviral vector lacking native tropism exhibits both enhanced specificity and augmented infectivity of gene transfer to melanoma cells, suggesting that it is feasible to use this vector to improve gene therapy for malignant melanoma.
Int J Cancer 2004 Jan 01
PMID:Retargeting of adenoviral infection to melanoma: combining genetic ablation of native tropism with a recombinant bispecific single-chain diabody (scDb) adapter that binds to fiber knob and HMWMAA. 1461 28

Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate gene expression and play a critical role in endocrine signaling. Orphan nuclear receptors belong to this gene super-family but their target genes and physiological function have not been completely elucidated. In recent years, the identification of natural ligands for these orphan receptors, their expression pattern in different tissues and studies with knock-out animals has delineated distinct regulatory functions for these proteins. The orphans belonging to the PPAR, LXR and FXR family function as lipid and bile-acid sensors while PXR and CAR function as xenobiotic sensors. This review will describe the discovery of natural and synthetic ligands for a number of these orphan receptors (excluding the PPARs) and the identification and characterization of novel signaling pathways and new hormone response systems linked to these targets. Small-molecule modulators of LXR and FXR control key genes involved in cholesterol and lipid metabolism. PXR is a highly promiscuous xenosensor that responds to xenobiotic ligands (antibiotics, statins, glucocorticoids) and induces the Cyp3A gene, thereby playing a role in hepatoprotection and bile acid metabolism. A related receptor from the gene subfamily, CAR, displays high ligand selectivity and modulation of its activity in humans may significantly alter metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics. The role of the ER relatives, the ERRs will become more apparent as ligands are identified and linked to target genes and physiological function. These targets offer multiple opportunities for therapeutic intervention with small-molecule drugs, in diseases related to neuronal function, inflammation, lipid homeostasis, metabolic function and cancer.
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PMID:Orphan nuclear receptor modulators. 1468 19

The roles played by host-derived nitric oxide (NO) in the growth and subsequent immune rejection of a immunogenic murine lymphoma were investigated by growing the tumor in mice in which the gene for either inducible NO synthase (iNOS) or endothelial NOS (eNOS) had been ablated. This showed that NO from tumor-infiltrating host cells had no significant effect on either tumor growth or immune rejection, although measurements of tumor nitrite levels and protein nitration showed that there had been significant NO production in the rejected tumors, in both the eNOS and iNOS knockout mice. Inhibition of both tumor and host NOS activities, with an iNOS-selective inhibitor (1400W), a nonselective NOS inhibitor [Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)], or scavenging NO with a ruthenium-based scavenger, significantly delayed tumor rejection, while having no appreciable effect on tumor growth. Incubation of tumor cells with medium taken from cultured splenocytes, that had been isolated from immunized animals and activated by incubating them with irradiated tumor cells, resulted in an increase in tumor cell NOS activity and an increase in tumor cell apoptosis, which could be inhibited using L-NAME. We propose that, during the immune rejection of this tumor model, there is induction of tumor NOS activity by cytokines secreted by activated lymphocytes within the tumor and that this results in increased levels of tumor NO that induce tumor cell apoptosis and facilitate immune rejection of the tumor.
Cancer Res 2004 Jan 01
PMID:Tumor cell-derived nitric oxide is involved in the immune-rejection of an immunogenic murine lymphoma. 1472 19


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