Novel reduction-sensitive micelles based on poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(N-methacryloyl-N'-(t-butyloxycarbonyl)cystamine) (PEO-b-PMABC) diblock copolymers were developed and applied for triggered intracellular drug release. PEO-b-PMABC block copolymers were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of MABC with dithioester-capped PEO as macroRAFT agent. »
10/10/11

The aim of the study was to investigate the photodynamic effect of the novel photosensitizer chlorophyllin e4 against human bladder cancer cells. T24 and 5637 bladder cancer cell lines were incubated with chlorophyllin e4 and irradiated with a 650-nm laser light. The controls included cells treated with chlorophyllin e4 but without light as well as cells exposed to laser light without chlorophyllin e4. Photocytotoxicity was monitored with MTT assay and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. »
01/26/12

Triple-negative breast cancers lack estrogen receptor α (ERα), progesterone receptor, and do not overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2). They are neither susceptible to endocrine therapy nor to a therapy using the anti-Her-2 antibody, trastuzumab. Therefore, an efficient targeted therapy is warranted. Triple-negative breast tumors frequently express membrane bound estrogen receptor G-protein coupled receptor (GPR30). »
01/31/12

Obesity confers risks to cancer development and progression but the mechanisms underlying these risks remain unclear. In this study, we identify a role for the obesity cytokine leptin, which has been implicated previously in breast cancer development, as a determinant for the tumor-promoting activity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in both wild-type (WT) and K303R mutant ERα-expressing breast cancer cells. »
01/26/12

The 40S ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) is an important regulator of cell growth. Expression of S6K1 is often elevated in breast cancer cells. However, the transcriptional mechanism of S6K1 overexpression is not understood. In this report, we demonstrate that estrogen activates expression of S6K1 via estrogen receptor (ER)α in ER-positive breast cancer cells. »
01/30/12

Oncolytic viral therapy has been explored widely as an option for glioma treatment but its effectiveness has remained limited. CCN1 is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein elevated in cancer cells that modulates their adhesion and migration by binding cell surface receptors. In this study, we examined an hypothesized role for CCN1 in limiting the efficacy of oncolytic viral therapy for glioma, based on evidence of CCN1 induction that occurs in this setting. »
01/26/12

MGMT (O (6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter hypermethylation is a helpful prognostic marker for chemotherapy of gliomas, although with some controversy for low-grade tumors. The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate MGMT promoter hypermethylation status for a series of 350 human brain tumors, including 275 gliomas of different malignancy grade, 21 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines, and 75 non-glial tumors. »
01/28/12

Glucocorticoids are stress-responsive neuroendocrine mediators and play an important role in malignant progression, especially in solid tumors. We demonstrate a novel mechanism by which glucocorticoids modulate p53-dependent miR-145 expression in HPV positive cervical cancer cells through induction of E6 proteins. »
01/27/12

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a devastating disease usually diagnosed at a late stage when cure rates are 40%. We examined a simple and inexpensive molecular tool that may aid HNSCC detection. »
07/11/11

Low serum levels of vitamin D, measured as serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (S-25-OHD), have been observed in several cancers. »
01/27/12