RGD-motif acts as a specific integrins-ligand and regulates a variety of cell-functions via extracellular action affecting cell-adhesion properties. However, increasing evidence identifies additional RGDS-functions at intracellular level. Previous reports show RGDS-internalization in endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes and lymphocytes, indicating intracellular targets such as caspase-8 and caspase-9, and suggest RGDS specific activity at cytoplasmic level. »
04/22/10

Hypoxic microenvironments in tumors contribute to transformation, which may alter metabolism, growth, and therapeutic responsiveness. The alpha-enolase gene encodes both a glycolytic enzyme (alpha-enolase) and a DNA-binding tumor suppressor protein, c-myc binding protein (MBP-1). »
04/22/10

We previously identified serine protease HtrA1 as a downregulated gene in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but the functional consequence of loss of HtrA1 in EOC remains largely unclear. Here, we report that loss of HtrA1 attenuates anoikis—a critical physiologic barrier for tumor metastasis. »
04/15/10

KISS1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may play important roles as metastasis suppressor and metastasis promoter genes, respectively, in a variety of malignancies. However, there is little information about their possible roles in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The goals of this study were to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of KISS1 and MMP-9 in NSCLC and their relations to metastasis and prognosis. »
03/01/10

PED/PEA-15 (PED) is a death effector domain family member of 15 kDa with a broad antiapoptotic function found overexpressed in a number of different human tumors, including lung cancer. To date, the mechanisms that regulate PED expression are unknown. Therefore, we address this point by the identification of microRNAs that in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) modulate PED levels. »
04/13/10

Karyopherin-alpha 2 (KPNA2) is a member of the importin alpha family and has recently been reported to play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the clinicopathological significance of immunohistochemical expression of KPNA2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). »
03/01/10

Management of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is often based on clinical parameters, with little appreciation of the underlying tumour biology. Single biological marker studies fail to acknowledge the complexity of these tumours. Our aim was to define a profile of biological markers associated with outcome. »
04/01/10

Aesculetin (1) is an important coumarin found in various plant materials. It has been shown to have antiproliferative effects on several types of human cancer cells, but its effect on cervical cancer cells in vitro is unknown. »
03/01/10

From September 2008, older adolescent girls in the UK are eligible to have the HPV vaccine as part of the HPV vaccination 'catch-up' programme. Six months before they were due to be offered the vaccine 16-18 year old girls (N=617) from eight further education/sixth-form colleges reported their intentions to have the HPV vaccine and reasons for this decision. »
02/17/10

The chemokine CXCL12/stromal cell-derived factor-1 and its receptor CXCR4 play a major role in tumor invasion, proliferation, and metastasis. Recently, CXCR7 was identified as a novel, alternate receptor for CXCL12 and CXCL11/I-TAC. Because both chemokines are expressed abundantly in human astrocytomas and glioblastomas, we investigated the occurrence and function of both receptors in astroglial tumors. »
04/15/10