Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P04626 (erbB-2)
 5,251 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

To gain insight into the role of the CCN genes in human breast carcinomas, we quantified connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), WISP-1, CYR61, and human NOV (NOVH) mRNA expression levels in samples from 44 primary breast tumors and seven normal breasts using quantitative real-time PCR assay. Overexpression of CTGF, WISP-1, CYR61, and NOVH was found in 55 (24 of 44), 46 (20 of 44), 39 (17 of 44), and 11% (5 of 44) primary breast tumors, respectively. Statistical univariate analysis was performed to explore the links between expression of the CCN genes and clinical and pathological parameters. Interestingly, significant associations were found between CTGF expression versus stage, tumor size, lymph node status, and age at diagnosis; WISP-1 mRNA levels versus stage, tumor size, lymph node, and HER-2/neu overexpression; and CYR61 expression with stage, tumor size, lymph node, age, and estrogen receptor expression. In contrast to CTGF, WISP-1, and CYR61, no significant correlation was found between NOVH expression and any of the clinical and pathological factors. Furthermore, multivariate classification tree model analysis showed that stage and lymph node involvement were important for predicting CTGF expression in breast cancers; the stage, age, and HER-2/neu status were key factors for WISP-1 expression; and the stage, age, and estrogen receptor were valuable predictors for CYR61 expression. In summary, these results suggest that CTGF, WISP-1, and CYR61 may play a role in the progression of breast cancer and might serve as a valuable tool for monitoring tumor status of breast cancer patients.
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PMID:Elevated levels of connective tissue growth factor, WISP-1, and CYR61 in primary breast cancers associated with more advanced features. 1175 17

One of the defining features of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the presence of extensive desmoplasia. The desmoplastic stroma consists of proliferating fibroblasts and pancreatic stellate cells that produce and deposit fibronectin and collagens, inflammatory cells and macrophages that produce chemokines and cytokines, nerve fibers that release nerve growth factors, and marrow-derived stem cells. Stroma production is facilitated by the abundance of growth factors, including fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligands, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) isoforms, and connective tissue growth factor. Due to its location in the pancreas, stromal cells and pancreatic cancer cells are also exposed to high insulin levels. The stromal compartment stores and synthesizes multiple growth factors and the heparan sulfate proteoglycans glypican-1 and syndecan-1. This unique microenvironment harbors and nourishes the cancer cells, facilitating their invasive and metastatic potential. Targeting the stroma may thus provide novel therapeutic options in this deadly malignancy.
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PMID:Pancreatic cancer-associated stroma production. 1790 52

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a cysteine-rich matricellular protein that belongs to the CCN (CYR61, CTGF, NOV) protein family. It is highly expressed by human rhabdomyosarcoma cells and sustains their survival. In this study we investigated CCN2 expression in a mouse model of spontaneous rhabdomyosarcomagenesis that combines HER-2/neu oncogene activation and p53 oncosuppressor gene inactivation (BALB-p53neu mice). Murine rhabdomyosarcoma cells showed a 4-26 fold increase in CCN2 mRNA expression regarding to normal thigh muscle. Moreover, they expressed CCN2 protein at levels comparable to human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Therefore BALBp53neu mice might be useful for the evaluation of the role played by CCN2 in rhabdomyosarcoma in vivo.
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PMID:Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in a mouse model of rhabdomyosarcomagenesis. 1815 69