Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:O76050 (neu)
 3,969 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Tumor-associated antigens that can be recognized by the immune system include the MAGE-family, p53, MUC-1, HER2/neu and p21ras. Despite their expression of these distinct antigens, tumor elimination by the immune system is often inefficient. Postulated mechanisms include insufficient expression of co-stimulatory or adhesion molecules by tumor cells, or defective processing and presentation of antigens on their cell surfaces. Tumor cells may also evade immune attack by expressing CD95 (APO-1/Fas) ligand or other molecules that induce apoptosis in activated T cells. Here we describe RCAS1 (receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells), a membrane molecule expressed on human cancer cells. RCAS1 acts as a ligand for a putative receptor present on various human cell lines and normal peripheral lymphocytes such as T, B and NK cells. The receptor expression was enhanced by activation of the lymphocytes. RCAS1 inhibited the in vitro growth of receptor-expressing cells and induced apoptotic cell death. Given these results, tumor cells may evade immune surveillance by expression of RCAS1, which would suppress clonal expansion and induce apoptosis in RCAS1 receptor-positive immune cells.
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PMID:Inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptotic cell death by the human tumor-associated antigen RCAS1. 1042 6

The molecular changes associated with the transition of melanoma cells from radial growth phase (RGP) to vertical growth phase [(VGP), metastatic phenotype] are not very well defined. We previously demonstrated that expression of the cell-surface adhesion molecule MCAM/MUC18 correlates directly with the metastatic potential of human melanoma cells. In addition, the progression of human melanoma towards the metastatic phenotype is associated with loss of expression of the tyrosine-kinase receptor c-KIT. In this review, I will summarize our recent studies demonstrating that the expression of both genes is regulated by the AP-2 transcription factor. Moreover, we have observed a loss of AP-2 expression in metastatic melanoma cells. Re-expression of AP-2 in the highly metastatic A375SM cells decreased their tumorigenicity and inhibited their metastatic potential in nude mice. MCAM/MUC18 mRNA and protein expression was significantly down-regulated while c-KIT expression was up-regulated in the AP-2-transfected cells. To further investigate the role of AP-2 in the progression of human melanoma, we attempted to inactivate AP-2 in primary cutaneous melanoma by using a dominant-negative AP-2, or the AP-2B gene. Expression of AP-2B in SB-2 cells augmented their tumorigenicity in nude mice, and upregulated MMP-2 expression and activity. As AP-2 also regulates other genes that are involved in the progression of human melanoma such as E-cadherin, p21/WAF-1, HER2/neu, Bcl-2, FAS/APO-1, IGF-R-1, VEGF and the thrombin receptor (PAR-1), we therefore propose that loss of AP-2 is a crucial event in the development of malignant melanoma. In addition, the transition of melanoma cells from RGP to VGP is also associated with over-expression of the transcription factors CREB and ATF-1. The notion that the balance between AP-2 and CREB/ATF-1 expression determines the progression of melanoma cells towards the metastatic phenotype will be discussed.
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PMID:Gene regulation in melanoma progression by the AP-2 transcription factor. 1131 Jul 95

Immunology takes reliable place in the system of diagnostics and therapy of oncological and haematological diseases. It should be noted that serodiagnostics of tumors achieved its methodological limit, since all tumor-associated antigens are already known, and the search of new serum immunological markers seems to fail. New markers have attracted attention of investigators: cytoplasmic and surface proteins and glycoproteins, being products of different genes, which control cell viability, such as Pgp170, p53, Bcl-2, CD95 (Fas/APO-1), Her-2/neu and others. All these proteins may be identified by monoclonal antibodies. At present, the identification of these biomarkers by immunohistochemical methods is beginning to use for individualization of therapy. New direction in oncohematology is biotherapy of tumors. Tumor biotherapy means the treatment of oncological patients with vaccines, immunomodulators, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies and so on. Cancer vaccinotherapy took new design due to the achievements in molecular biology and gene engineering. The great success was achieved in the therapy of tumors and leukemias by interferon preparations. Again, the great expectations seem to be in the field of cancer therapy with immunomodulators. Thus, the achievements in the treatment of oncohaematological diseases are as usual related to the achievements in immunology.
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PMID:Immunological Problems of Diagnostics and Therapy in Hematology and Oncology. 1268 51