Choline phospholipid metabolism: A target in cancer cells?

The experience of treating cancer over the past several decades overwhelmingly demonstrates that the disease continues to evade the vast array of drugs and treatment modalities available in the twenty-first century. This is not surprising in view of the complexity of this disease, and the multiplicities of pathways available to the cancer cell to enable its survival. Although the progression of cancer arrives at a common end point of cachexia, organ failure, and death, common pathways are rare in cancer. Identifying and targeting common pathways that would act across these levels of multiplicity is essential for the successful treatment of this disease. Over the past decade, one common characteristic consistently revealed by magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies is the elevation of phosphocholine and total choline-containing compounds in cancer cells and solid tumors. This elevation has been observed in almost every single cancer type studied with NMR spectroscopy and can be used as an endogenous biomarker of cancer. In this article, we have summarized some of the observations on the choline phospholipid metabolism of cancer cells and tumors, and make a case for targeting the aberrant choline phospholipid metabolism of cancer cells.     

Cancer Mortality in People Treated with Antidepressants before Cancer Diagnosis: A Population Based Cohort Study

BackgroundDepression is common after a cancer diagnosis and is associated with an increased mortality, but it is unclear whether depression occurring before the cancer diagnosis affects cancer mortality. We aimed to study cancer mortality of people treated with antidepressants before cancer diagnosis.ConclusionsInitiation of antidepressive treatment prior to cancer diagnosis is common and is associated with an increased mortality.     

microRNA层面上癌症的公共机制

microRNAs(miRNA)是一类内源性的非编码小RNA。已有研究表明miRNAs的靶基因中有不少癌症的相关基因。为了全面研究miRNA与癌症的关系,作者将19种癌症的相关基因集合分别富集到494个miRNAs靶基因集合上,得到各类癌症所富集的miRNAs。结果发现19种癌症仅集中地富集在144个miRNAs上,由此验证了癌症在miRNAs上的公共机制。在此基础上,作者对癌症富集较多的8个miRNAs做了进一步研究,结果发现这8个miRNAs均为高度保守的miRNAs,且它们的靶基因集合一致富集在基因本体论(gene ontology,GO)的基本生物学过程上,并与转录因子活性以及蛋白激酶活性相关。另一方面,在基于miRNA构建的癌症网络中,前列腺癌与乳腺癌,结肠癌与乳腺癌之间共享较多的miRNAs,表明了这些癌症在miRNA层面上存在密切的关系。     

The comparison of miRNAs that respond to anti-breast cancer drugs and usnic acid for the treatment of breast cancer

This study was designed to compare usnic acid with anti-breast cancer drug molecules (A-BCDM) routinely used in the treatment of breast cancer. The miRNA information of 17 anti-breast cancer drug used in breast cancer treatment was obtained from the Small Molecule-miRNA Network-Based Inferance (SMIR-NBI) tool. We had been determined common and different expressed miRNAs between 17 A-BCDM & usnic acid and were classified according to the common miRNAs to reveal molecular similarity. As a result of the bioinformatic analyzes, 20 common miRNAs were determined between 17 A-BCDM and usnic acid. The common miRNAs were analyzed with bioinformatic tolls for determining pathways and targets. The most common miRNAs for 6 of 17 A-BCDM and usnic acid were determined as miR-374a-5p and miR-26a-5p. We compared the anti-proliferative effect of usnic acid and one of the 17 A-BCDM that tamoxifen on MDA-MB-231 triple negative breast cancer cell with real-time cell analysis system. The real time PCR assay was carried out with miR-26a-5p for evaluate to expression level of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell and MCF-12A non-cancerous epithelial breast cell. As a result of study, usnic acid as novel candidate drug molecule showed high similarity ratio with 5-Fluorouracil, Sulindac Sulfide, Curcumin and Cisplatin A-BCDM used in treatment of breast cancer. miR-26a-5p as common response miRNA of usnic acid and tamoxifen was showed a decreased level of expression by validated qRT-PCR assay. The obtained from study, in addition to 17 A-BCDM, usnic acid has also the potential to be used as a candidate molecule in the treatment of breast cancer. Moreover, miR-26a-5p might be used as a biomarker in the treatment of breast cancer but further analysis is required.     

Limited evidence that cancer susceptibility regions are preferential targets for somatic mutation

BackgroundGenome wide-association studies have successfully identified several hundred independent loci harboring common cancer susceptibility alleles that are distinct from the more than 110 cancer predisposition genes. The latter are generally characterized by disruptive mutations in coding genes that have been established as ‘drivers’ of cancer in large somatic sequencing studies. We set out to determine whether, similarly, common cancer susceptibility loci map to genes that have altered frequencies of mutation.ResultsIn our analysis of the intervals defined by the cancer susceptibility markers, we observed that cancer susceptibility regions have gene mutation frequencies comparable to background mutation frequencies. Restricting analyses to genes that have been determined to be pleiotropic across cancer types, genes affected by expression quantitative trait loci, or functional genes indicates that most cancer susceptibility genes classified into these subgroups do not display mutation frequencies that deviate from those expected. We observed limited evidence that cancer susceptibility regions that harbor common alleles with small estimated effect sizes are preferential targets for altered somatic mutation frequencies.ConclusionsOur findings suggest a complex interplay between germline susceptibility and somatic mutation, underscoring the cumulative effect of common variants on redundant pathways as opposed to driver genes. Complex biological pathways and networks likely link these genetic features of carcinogenesis, particularly as they relate to distinct polygenic models for each cancer type.     

Murine models of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers of humans. To experimentally investigate this common disease, numerous murine models have been established. These models accurately recapitulate the molecular and pathologic characteristics of human colorectal cancers, including activation of the myelocytomatosis oncogene (MYC), which has recently been suggested to be a key mediator of colorectal cancer development. This review focuses on the variety of murine models of human colorectal cancer that are available to the research community and on their use to identify common and distinct characteristics of colorectal cancer.     

Five year cancer incidence in Calabar,Nigeria (2009–2013)

Cancer incidence rates are presented for the Calabar Cancer Registry, a population-based cancer registry (PBCR) covering the population of two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Calabar the capital of Cross-River State, Nigeria. (375,196 inhabitants in 2006). During the period 2009–2013, a total of 719 new cases were registered comprising 320 men (an age standardised incidence rate (ASR) of 78.8 per 100,000) and 399 women (ASR of 86.9 per 100,000).Breast and cervical cancers account for 60.4% of all cancers in women, with breast cancer (ASR 35 per 100,000) almost twice as common as cervix cancer (ASR 21 per 100,000) and occurring in rather younger women. Prostate cancer was the most common cancer in men (ASR 50.8 per 100,000).Hodgkin’s lymphoma was common in both sexes, and there were moderate numbers of HIV-related cancers recorded (Kaposi sarcoma, non Hodgkin lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinomas of conjunctiva).     

The presence of a common antigen between human gastric cancer cells and OK-432

Twenty two surgical specimens of gastric cancer resected after administration of OK-432 for the skin reaction test were examined to determine whether the cancer cells had the same antigens as OK-432, a product of hemolytic streptococcus cells. When the tissues were stained by the PAP method with anti-Su streptococcus antibody used as the primary antibodies, the common antigens were demonstrated in 10 (45.5%) of the 22. The presence or absence of the common antigens was independent of the degree of skin reaction to OK-432, and the relations of the common antigens to other host responses were not clear in this study. This is the first report for the presence of such common antigens between human gastric cancer and OK-432.Abbreviations PAP peroxidase anti-peroxidase - anti-Su anti-Su Streptococcus, Su-strain - TIL tumor infiltration of lymphocytes     

Genome-Wide Association Scan for Variants Associated with Early-Onset Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related mortality for men in the United States. There is strong empirical and epidemiological evidence supporting a stronger role of genetics in early-onset prostate cancer. We performed a genome-wide association scan for early-onset prostate cancer. Novel aspects of this study include the focus on early-onset disease (defined as men with prostate cancer diagnosed before age 56 years) and use of publically available control genotype data from previous genome-wide association studies. We found genome-wide significant (p<5×10⁻⁸) evidence for variants at 8q24 and 11p15 and strong supportive evidence for a number of previously reported loci. We found little evidence for individual or systematic inflated association findings resulting from using public controls, demonstrating the utility of using public control data in large-scale genetic association studies of common variants. Taken together, these results demonstrate the importance of established common genetic variants for early-onset prostate cancer and the power of including early-onset prostate cancer cases in genetic association studies.     

Cloning,Expression and One-Step Purification of a Novel IP-10-(anti-HER2 scFv) Fusion Protein in Escherichia coli

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, worldwide. The correlation between breast cancer malignancy and human epidermal growth...     

长链非编码RNA 在乳腺癌中的研究进展

乳腺癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,且其发病率呈逐年上升的趋势,尽管随着诊疗技术的进步,乳腺癌的死亡率得到了实质性的降低,但它仍是女性肿瘤死亡的第二大原因,目前对乳腺癌的治疗还面临很大的挑战。长链非编码RNA(Longnon-codingRNA,LncRNA)是一类长度超过200个核苷酸的非编码RNA分子,缺乏开放的阅读框,无编码蛋白质的功能。近年来研究发现,LncRNA可能在多种恶性肿瘤的发生、发展、侵袭及转移过程中起调控作用,且目前对其与乳腺癌的关系研究较多,对LncRNA与乳腺癌相关性的研究有望为乳腺癌的诊治提供新思路。现就LncRNA在乳腺癌中的研究进展做一综述。     

MAGE-C2/CT10 promotes growth and metastasis through upregulating c-Myc expression in prostate cancer

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common reproductive cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide. Recently targeted therapy...     

Assessment of YKL-40, lipid profile,antioxidant status,and some trace elements in benign and malignant breast proliferation

Molecular Biology Reports - Breast cancer is mainly the common form of cancer in women and is a leading cause of death worldwide associated with cancer. The objective of this study was to assess...     

Profile of cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean region: The need for action

BackgroundMany countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) are undergoing marked demographic and socioeconomic transitions that are increasing the cancer burden in region. We sought to examine the national cancer incidence and mortality profiles as a support to regional cancer control planning in the EMR.MethodsGLOBOCAN 2012 data were used to estimate cancer incidence and mortality by country, cancer type, sex and age in 22 EMR countries. We calculated age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000) using direct method of standardization.ResultsThe cancer incidence and mortality rates vary considerably between countries in the EMR. Incidence rates were highest in Lebanon (204 and 193 per 100,000 in males and females, respectively). Mortality rates were highest in Lebanon (119) and Egypt (121) among males and in Somalia (117) among females. The profile of common cancers differs substantially by sex. For females, breast cancer is the most common cancer in all 22 countries, followed by cervical cancer, which ranks high only in the lower-income countries in the region. For males, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancer in combination represent almost 30% of the cancer burden in countries that have attained very high levels of human development.ConclusionsThe most common cancers are largely amenable to preventive strategies by primary and/or secondary prevention, hence a need for effective interventions tackling lifestyle risk factors and infections. The high mortality observed from breast and cervical cancer highlights the need to break the stigmas and improve awareness surrounding these cancers.     

胃癌腹膜转移的细胞学及分子生物学检测进展

胃癌是常见的肿瘤之一,在消化道肿瘤中占首位。胃癌的临床病变缺乏特异性,大部分患者就诊时已发生了转移,多数病例就诊时已为进展期或晚期。腹膜转移是胃癌最常见的转移形式,胃癌的腹膜转移是造成患者预后差的主要原因,因此,及时地诊断腹膜转移,从而采取相应治疗,对提高患者术后生存率具有重要意义。     

食管癌术后并发症及其处理

食管癌是我国一种常见的消化道恶性肿瘤,居世界癌症死因第7位,中国癌症死因第4位。其中以中段鳞状细胞癌多见,临床表现以晚期进行性吞咽困难为主,确诊主要以胃镜病理活检为金标准,其治疗方法主要有手术、放疗、化疗及分子靶向治疗等。但目前治疗上仍然以手术为主,术前术后放化疗为辅。然而,随着手术在食管癌治疗中适应症的不断扩大、根治性手术淋巴结的扩大清扫及拥有基础疾病高龄患者的增多,术后并发症的发生率不可避免的随之增加。本文将重点阐述吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄、呼吸及心血管并发症、乳糜胸、胃排空障碍、膈疝、喉返神经损伤及单纯脓胸、严重腹泻、呕血等食管癌术后常见、严重并发症的病因、临床表现与诊断、治疗及其预防。通过对食管癌术后并发症的充分认识及有效预防,从而对食管癌手术成功率及患者术后生存质量的提高、肿瘤预后的改善起到了重要作用。     

Osteoprotegerin blocks bone cancer-induced skeletal destruction, skeletal pain and pain-related neurochemical reorganization of the spinal cord

Bone cancer pain is common among cancer patients and can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. A chief problem in designing new therapies for bone cancer pain is that it is unclear what mechanisms drive this distinct pain condition. Here we show that osteoprotegerin, a secreted 'decoy' receptor that inhibits osteoclast activity, also blocks behaviors indicative of pain in mice with bone cancer. A substantial part of the actions of osteoprotegerin seems to result from inhibition of tumor-induced bone destruction that in turn inhibits the neurochemical changes in the spinal cord that are thought to be involved in the generation and maintenance of cancer pain. These results demonstrate that excessive tumor-induced bone destruction is involved in the generation of bone cancer pain and that osteoprotegerin may provide an effective treatment for this common human condition.     

Generalized common spatial factor model

There are often two types of correlations in multivariate spatial data: correlations between variables measured at the same locations, and correlations of each variable across the locations. We hypothesize that these two types of correlations are caused by a common spatially correlated underlying factor. Under this hypothesis, we propose a generalized common spatial factor model. The parameters are estimated using the Bayesian method and a Markov chain Monte Carlo computing technique. Our main goals are to determine which observed variables share a common underlying spatial factor and also to predict the common spatial factor. The model is applied to county-level cancer mortality data in Minnesota to find whether there exists a common spatial factor underlying the cancer mortality throughout the state.     

Epigenetic modifications of metastasis suppressor genes in colon cancer metastasis

Colon and rectal cancer (colorectal cancer, CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Deaths from CRC account for around 8% of all cancer deaths, making it the fourth most common cause of death from cancer. The high mortality rate of colon cancer is mainly attributable to its metastasis. Efforts have been made to identify metastasis suppressor genes, which encode proteins responsible for inhibiting the metastasis but not suppressing the growth of primary tumors. Studies on metastasis suppressor genes demonstrated that epigenetic modifications, such as DNA promoter methylation and histone modification, play crucial roles in regulating the expression of many metastasis suppressor genes, which indicates the association between aberrant epigenetic alterations and cancer metastasis. This review will focus on the recent findings regarding metastasis suppressors regulated by epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation and histone modification, in CRC metastasis. Also discussed will be recent progress on the suppression of CRC metastasis by genistein, a soy isoflavone, with a focus on epigenetic mechanisms.