姜黄素联合顺铂对人骨肉瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的:观察姜黄素联合顺铂对人骨肉瘤细胞MG-63增殖和凋亡的影响。方法:采用不同浓度的姜黄素、顺铂和姜黄素联合顺铂处理人骨肉瘤细胞MG-63不同时间,通过MTT法检测其对MG-63细胞生长的抑制作用;平板克隆实验检测其对MG-63细胞克隆形成能力的影响;流式细胞仪检测其对MG-63细胞凋亡的影响。结果:单用姜黄素或顺铂均可以时间和浓度依赖性方式抑制骨肉瘤细胞MG-63的增殖。与空白对照组相比,单用10μmol/L姜黄素和2、4μmol/L顺铂可抑制MG-63细胞的增殖,降低其克隆形成率并提高细胞凋亡率(P<0.05);而与姜黄素和顺铂单用处理相比,10μmol/L姜黄素分别与2、4μmol/L顺铂联合应用,可更显著抑制MG-63细胞的增殖,降低其克隆形成率并提高细胞凋亡率(P<0.01)。结论:姜黄素联合顺铂与单药相比能够显著抑制人骨肉瘤细胞MG-63细胞的增值,促进其凋亡,两药对骨肉瘤细胞的杀伤效应具有一定的协同性。     

汉黄芩素抗骨肉瘤143B细胞的实验研究

目的:观察汉黄芩素对人骨肉瘤细胞系143B增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法:采用体外培养人成骨肉瘤细胞系143B,CCK-8实验检测不同浓度汉黄芩素对骨肉瘤143B细胞增殖抑制作用;流式细胞术分析汉黄芩素对癌细胞周期分布及凋亡的影响;Western Blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Bax、Bcl-2、cleaved caspase-9和cleaved caspase-3的表达水平。结果:CCK-8结果显示汉黄芩素以时间、浓度依耐性的方式抑制骨肉瘤143B细胞的增殖;流式细胞术结果表明汉黄芩素可导致骨肉瘤细胞周期阻滞于G0/G1期并以浓度依赖的方式诱导骨肉瘤细胞凋亡;Western Blot检测结果证明,汉黄芩素可上调骨肉瘤细胞中促凋亡蛋白Bax、cleaved caspase-9、cleaved caspase-3的表达,而下调抑制凋亡蛋白Bcl-2。结论:汉黄芩素抑制骨肉瘤细胞增殖、导致细胞周期阻滞,促进其凋亡,并呈现时间和浓度依赖性,汉黄芩素激活Caspase凋亡途径及诱导细胞周期阻滞可能是其抗骨肉瘤的作用机制。     

蛇床子素促进人骨肉瘤细胞株SAOS-2凋亡

目的:观察蛇床子素(osthole)对人骨肉瘤细胞SAOS-2增殖和凋亡的影响及潜在的调控机制。方法:采用MTT法、TUNEL染色技术和流式细胞术检测不同浓度蛇床子素对骨肉瘤细胞凋亡的影响;Western blot检测蛇床子素对骨肉瘤细胞中与细胞凋亡密切相关的蛋白(Bax、Bcl-2)的变化。结果:蛇床子素作用于SAOS-2细胞后,MTT结果显示SAOS-2细胞的活力受到明显抑制,且与蛇床子素浓度和时间相关;Western blot结果显示细胞中的促凋亡蛋白Bax表达上调,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2表达明显减弱,且呈剂量依赖性。结论:蛇床子素可显著抑制人骨肉瘤细胞的增殖且促进其凋亡的作用,可能与上调凋亡蛋白Bax和下调抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达有关。     

阿霉素联合顺铂诱导宫颈癌细胞凋亡实验研究

目的:研究化疗药物阿霉素(ADM)联合顺铂(DDP)对宫颈癌CaSki细胞株的增殖及凋亡的影响,并探讨其可能的相互作用机制。方法:应用MTT比色法检测不同浓度阿霉素、顺铂单独和联合应用对宫颈癌CaSki细胞的增殖抑制作用;同时RT-PCR法在mRNA水平上检测Bcl-2和TNF-α基因表达量的变化。结果:两种药物单独应用均可抑制CaSki细胞的增殖,联合用药(<12μg/mL)时具有协同抑制作用并与各药物单一应用比较具有显著性差异(P<0.05);阿霉素、顺铂作用CaSki细胞后能上调TNF-α基因和下调Bcl-2基因的表达。结论:宫颈癌CaSki细胞在化疗药物阿霉素和顺铂两药联合作用下通过诱导TNF-α和Bcl-2 mRNA表达量的变化发挥协同抑制作用,同时TNF-α的高表达增强了化疗药物阿霉素和顺铂诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡的敏感性,其机制主要与凋亡诱导效应有关。     

莫诺苷对人恶性黑色素瘤细胞增殖及凋亡的调控机制

目的:探究莫诺苷对人恶性黑色素瘤细胞A375增殖及凋亡的影响及作用机制。方法:将莫诺苷作用于A375细胞,采用MTT法测定细胞活力,Annexin-FITC/PI双染色流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡率,Western印迹检测细胞周期蛋白D1、细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶抑制因子P21、凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax的表达水平。结果:与空白对照组比较,顺铂阳性药和高中低浓度莫诺苷均能明显抑制细胞增殖(P0.01),明显下调周期蛋白D1和凋亡因子Bcl-2的表达水平(P0.01或P0.05),明显上调P21和促凋亡因子Bax的表达水平(P0.01)。结论:莫诺苷能抑制人恶性黑色素瘤细胞增殖和促进其凋亡,其机制可能是通过下调周期蛋白D1和Bcl-2蛋白的表达水平,上调P21和Bax蛋白的表达水平,调控周期蛋白D1-CDK-P21通路及凋亡通路,从而促进恶性黑色素细胞的凋亡。     

热疗联合奥沙利铂对SW480细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的:观察奥沙利铂联合热疗对人结肠癌细胞SW480增殖及凋亡的影响,确定联合用药的效果,为临床方案提供参考。方法:采用MTT(四唑盐)法检测热疗、奥沙利铂及联合用药对细胞增殖的影响;瑞士吉姆萨染色法观察细胞形态;流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡和周期;Western blot检测Bax、Bcl-2以及Caspase8蛋白表达量变化;q PCR检测Bax、Bcl-2以及Caspase8 m RNA的积累。结果:热疗联合奥沙利铂可以显著抑制细胞增殖,与对照组相比,热疗组、化疗组、联合组细胞凋亡率分别为16.2%、20.5%和36.1%,具有显著性差异(P0.01);细胞学形态中,热疗组细胞发生皱缩,化疗组细胞膜破裂;化疗将细胞阻滞在G2/M期,热疗和联合组将细胞阻滞S期;Western blot和qPCR显示Bax/Bcl-2比值上升,Caspase8表达量增加,联合组三种蛋白的表达量均与对照组具有显著性差异(P0.01)。结论:热疗联合奥沙利铂可以显著促进细胞凋亡,提高治疗效果,为结肠癌的治疗提供参考。     

金葡菌通过线粒体途径诱导U937细胞凋亡

目的探讨线粒体凋亡途径在金黄色葡萄球菌（简称金葡菌）诱导人巨噬细胞系U937细胞凋亡中的作用。方法当细胞：细菌为1∶20时分别培养0 min,15 min,30 min,60 min和90 min,采用Western blot法检测胞质细胞色素C的表达及细胞内Bcl-2、Bax、caspase-9和caspase-3的表达。结果随着金葡菌感染时间的延长,胞质细胞色素C和Bax的表达逐渐增加;Bcl-2蛋白的表达逐渐降低;caspase-9和caspase-3的表达逐渐增加。结论金葡菌可通过抑制Bcl-2表达和促进Bax表达引起线粒体细胞色素C释放入胞质,激活caspase-9和caspase-3,促进U937细胞凋亡。     

鹅不食草提取物对人鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1增殖抑制和凋亡诱导作用

考察鹅不食草提取物对人高分化鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1增殖的抑制作用,初步探讨其抗鼻咽癌分子机制。95%乙醇提取鹅不食草全草,噻唑蓝(MTT)法观察不同浓度提取物在不同时间对人高分化鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1增殖的抑制作用,Hoechst 33258荧光染色观察CNE-1凋亡情况及形态学变化,Western Blot检测CNE-1细胞内抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2和促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达。结果表明:鹅不食草醇提物能显著抑制CNE-1增殖(P<0.01),并呈现明显的时间-剂量依赖性,其中诱导48和72 h的IC50分别为30.0和25.0μg/mL。阳性对照药顺铂的IC50为0.79μg/mL。Hoechst 33258荧光染色观察发现给药组CNE-1细胞出现不同程度细胞核变圆变亮,核染色质浓缩,产生核小体等明显的凋亡特征。Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量随醇提物浓度的增大而下降,Bax蛋白相对表达量随醇提物浓度的增大而上升,二者与对照组相比均有显著性差异(P<0.01)。鹅不食草醇提物对体外人高分化鼻咽癌细胞CNE-1具有明显的增殖抑制和凋亡诱导作用,其分子作用机制可能与Bcl-2蛋白表达下调、Bax蛋白表达上调有关。     

circ_0001461靶向抑制miR-30a-5p对骨肉瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨circ_0001461对骨肉瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及调控机制。方法：采用实时荧光定量聚合酶反应（qRT-PCR）检测检测circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织和细胞中的表达水平。在U2OS和HOS细胞中转染sh-NC和sh-circ_0001461后,采用CCK8检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况,qRT-PCR检测增殖相关分子Ki-67 mRNA的表达水平,Western Blot检测凋亡相关分子Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白的表达水平。采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p的结合情况。结果：circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织中的表达水平明显高于癌旁正常组织（P<0.05）,circ_0001461在骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS中的表达水平均明显高于成骨细胞NHOst（P<0.05）。低表达circ_0001461能够抑制骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS的增殖和增殖相关分子Ki-67的表达（P<0.05）;促进骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS的凋亡和凋亡相关分子Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白的表达（P<0.05）。双荧光素酶结果显示circ_0001461能够靶向结合miR-30a-5p。低表达circ_0001461能够促进miR-30a-5p的表达（P<0.05）,circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p在骨肉瘤组织中的表达呈负相关（P<0.05）。在U2OS细胞中共转染sh-circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p mimics后能够进一步加强单独转染sh-circ_0001461对U2OS细胞增殖和凋亡的影响（P<0.05）;在HOS细胞中共转染sh-circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p inhibitors后能够逆转单独转染sh-circ_0001461对U2OS细胞增殖和凋亡的影响（P>0.05）。结论：circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织和细胞中明显高表达,低表达circ_0001461能够靶向促进miR-30a-5p的表达进而抑制骨肉瘤细胞增殖和促进细胞凋亡。     

二甲双胍联合奥沙利铂抑制胃癌细胞SGC-7901的增殖和诱导凋亡

探讨体外培养的人胃癌细胞株SGC-7901经由二甲双胍与奥沙利铂联合处理后增殖和凋亡的响应及药物作用机制。采用CCK-8增殖检测法检测药物处理下对细胞的增殖影响并计算出两种药物的IC50值。采用RT-PCR、Western blotting以及流式细胞术检测药物作用下SGC-7901细胞周期相关和凋亡相关蛋白的mRNA水平、蛋白水平和凋亡水平。实验结果显示,二甲双胍和奥沙利铂单独作用都能够抑制SGC-7901细胞的增殖,联合用药组较单独用药组对细胞的抑制率更高。二甲双胍和奥沙利铂单独作用都能够抑制SGC-7901细胞cyclin D1的mRNA和蛋白水平,药物联用后,对细胞cyclin D1的抑制表达效果更明显。与对照组相比较,二甲双胍和奥沙利铂单独作用均能显著诱导SGC-7901细胞发生凋亡(p0.01),联合用药组亡率((50.13±10.75)%)明显高于单独用药的二甲双胍组((35.06±9.17)%)和奥沙利铂组((42.59±11.98)%)。二甲双胍和奥沙利铂单独都能够抑制SGC-7901细胞中抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平,并增加促凋亡蛋白Bax以及凋亡执行caspase3的mRNA和蛋白表达水平,而联合用药组中这种调控效果更加显著。二甲双胍与奥沙利铂能够抑制胃癌细胞的增殖并诱导细胞发生凋亡,可能是通过促进Bax和caspase3的表达,抑制cyclin D1和Bcl-2表达来实现的。     

Viability inhibition effect of gambogic acid combined with cisplatin on osteosarcoma cells via mitochondria-independent apoptotic pathway

We previously demonstrated that gambogic acid (GA) is a promising chemotherapeutic compound for human osteosarcoma treatment. The aim of this study was to detect whether the combination of lower-dose GA (0.3 mg/L) and cisplatin (CDDP) (1 mg/L) could perform a synergistic effect on inhibiting tumor in four osteosarcoma cell lines. Our results showed that the combination between GA at lower dose and CDDP significantly exerts a synergistic effect on inhibiting the cellular viability in MG63, HOS, and U2OS cells. In contrast, an antagonistic character was detected in SAOS2 cells exposed to the combined use of lower-dose GA (0.3 mg/L) and CDDP (1 mg/L). Then, analysis of cell cycle showed the combination of both drugs significantly induced the G₂/M phase arrest, without any difference relative to GA treatment alone, in MG63 cells. Flow-cytometric analysis of cell apoptosis displayed that the apoptotic rate in the combination group is higher than that in GA treatment alone in MG63, HOS, and U2OS cells. The combined use of both drugs had no effect on mitochondrial membrane potential, but promoted the apoptosis-inducing function through triggering of CDDP in the three cell lines. By measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, the activity of caspase-3 and the expressions of caspase-8 and caspase-9, it was showed that the apoptosis-promoting effect of the combined use of both drugs could be dependent on the death receptor apoptosis pathway, not dependent on the mitochondria apoptosis mechanism. This research, for the first time, demonstrates that GA could increase the chemotherapeutic effect of CDDP in human osteosarcoma treatment through inducing the cell cycle arrest and promoting cell apoptosis.     

JTC-801 exerts anti-proliferative effects in human osteosarcoma cells by inducing apoptosis

Background: The research of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a promising strategy for drug discovery. In cancer therapy, there is a need to discover novel agents that can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. JTC-801 is a novel GPCR antagonist with the function of reversing pain and anxiety symptoms. This study aims to investigate the antitumor effects of JTC-801 on human osteosarcoma cells (U2OS) and elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Materials and methods: The Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to detect the viability of U2OS cells treated with JTC-801 in vitro. The cell apoptosis was evaluated using a flow cytometry assay with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The inhibitory effect of JTC-801 on invasion and migration of U2OS cells were determined by the Transwell assays. Western blot assay was performed to measure the levels of proteins related to cell apoptosis and its mechanism.

Results: The JTC-801 significantly decreased the viability of U2OS cells (p?p?p?Conclusions: JTC-801 may exert osteosarcoma cell growth inhibition by promoting cell apoptosis, through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway participation.     

Synergistic antitumor activity of reversine combined with aspirin in cervical carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

A recent report showed that reversine treatment could induce murine myoblasts dedifferentiation into multipotent progenitor cells and inhibit proliferation of some tumors, and other reports showed that apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells could be induced by aspirin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the synergistic antitumor effects of reversine and aspirin on cervical cancer. The inhibition rate of reversine and aspirin on cervical cancer cell lines’ (HeLa and U14) was determined by MTT method, cell cycle of HeLa and U14 cells was analyzed by FACS, mitochondrial membrane potential of HeLa and U14 was detected using a JC-1 kit. HeLa and U14 colony formation was analyzed by soft agar colony formation assay. The expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2/Bax, cyclin D1 and p21 was detected by qRT-PCR and Western Blotting. Moreover, tumor weight and tumor volume was assessed using a murine model of cervical cancer with U14 cells subcutaneously (s.c.) administered into the neck, separately or combined with drug administration via the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. The inhibition rate of cells in the combination group (10 μmol/L reversine, 10 mmol/L aspirin) increased significantly in comparison to that when the drugs were used alone (P < 0.05); moreover, this combination could synergistically inhibit the proliferation of five cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, U14, Siha, Caski and C33A). In the therapeutic mouse model, tumor weight and tumor volume of cervical cancer bearing mice was more reduced when compared with the control agents (P < 0.05) in tumor-bearing mice. The combination of reversine and aspirin exerts synergistic growth inhibition and apoptosis induction on cervical cancers cells.     

基于肝癌细胞线粒体功能受损和caspase-3信号通路探讨罗哌卡因促进肝癌细胞凋亡的作用机制研究

摘要 目的：基于肝癌细胞线粒体功能受损和天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶3（caspase-3）信号通路探讨罗哌卡因促进肝癌细胞凋亡的作用机制。方法：选用细胞株人肝癌细胞BEL-7402进行实验研究。用不同浓度罗哌卡因处理BEL-7402细胞后,采用溴化噻唑蓝四氮唑（MTT）法检测肝癌细胞的增殖情况,光镜及4,6-二苯胺-2-苯吲哚二盐酸盐（DAPI）溶液染色观察细胞形态,台盼蓝染色法测定细胞活力,流式细胞术分析BEL-7402细胞的凋亡情况,电子显微镜下观察细胞线粒体,激光共聚焦显微镜观察caspase-3在BEL-7402细胞中的细胞核迁移情况,蛋白免疫印迹试验评价罗哌卡因对细胞质凋亡相关蛋白、线粒体凋亡相关蛋白、BEL-7402细胞和线粒体凋亡相关蛋白表达的影响。结果：罗哌卡因能够抑制肝癌细胞的生长,并呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性。罗哌卡因可诱导BEL-7402细胞发生凋亡,显著增加BEL-7402细胞的凋亡率。罗哌卡因能够损伤肝癌细胞线粒体功能。激光共聚焦显微镜观察显示caspase-3分子迁移到细胞核。罗哌卡因与caspase-3相互作用,促进caspase-3向细胞核内迁移,刺激caspase-3和聚腺苷二磷酸核糖聚合酶（PARP-1）、天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶9（caspase-9）蛋白的表达,抑制B细胞淋巴瘤-2基因（Bcl-2）的表达,促进凋亡酶激活因子（Apaf-1）的表达,促进线粒体释放细胞色素C（Cytochrome C）,激活caspase-3活性。结论：罗哌卡因具有促进肝癌细胞凋亡的作用,其作用机制可能与破坏肝癌细胞线粒体功能和激活caspase-3信号通路有关。     

二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖和凋亡的影响。方法：MTT法分别检测二甲双胍、阿霉素和二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用;平板克隆实验检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成能力的影响;流式细胞仪检测二甲双胍联合阿霉素对MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡的影响。结果：二甲双胍和阿霉素分别对MDA-MB-231细胞生长有抑制作用,二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用对MDA-MB-231细胞生长的抑制作用更加显著,并且随着药物浓度的增加而增加;二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够明显降低MDA-MB-231细胞克隆形成率,并且促进细胞凋亡。结论：二甲双胍联合阿霉素应用与单药相比能够显著抑制人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231细胞的增值,促进其凋亡,可见两药联用对肿瘤细胞的杀伤具有协同性。     

LncRNA MYU对胶质瘤细胞周期分布、增殖、转移和凋亡以及PI3K/Akt信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：探讨长链非编码RNA（LncRNA）MYU对胶质瘤细胞周期分布、细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭和凋亡的影响,并初步探讨其作用机制。方法：实时荧光定量PCR（RT-qPCR）检测人脑正常胶质细胞HEB和胶质瘤细胞（U-251MG、A172、SHG139）中LncRNA MYU的表达情况。选取SHG139细胞,分为正常对照（NC）组、si-con组、si-LncRNA MYU组进行转染实验,行RT-qPCR检测转染效果。分别采用流式细胞术、细胞计数试剂盒（CCK-8）、Transwell实验检测沉默LncRNA MYU对SHG139细胞周期分布和凋亡、细胞增殖、细胞迁移和侵袭的影响。蛋白免疫印迹（Western blot）法检测基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP-2）、MMP-9、裂解的半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3（Cleaved caspase-3）、Cleaved caspase-9以及磷脂酰肌醇-3-羟激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI3K/Akt）信号通路相关蛋白表达情况。结果：LncRNA MYU在胶质瘤细胞株中比人脑正常胶质细胞中的表达水平显著升高（P＜0.05）,因此选择表达量最高的SHG139细胞进行转染实验。沉默LncRNA MYU能够显著诱导SHG139细胞G0-G1期阻滞、抑制细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭并诱导细胞凋亡（P＜0.05）。沉默LncRNA MYU可显著抑制MMP-2、MMP-9、p-PI3K和p-AKT表达并促进Cleaved caspase-3、Cleaved caspase-9表达（P＜0.05）。结论：沉默LncRNA MYU可诱导胶质瘤细胞G0-G1期阻滞,抑制细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,促进细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路有关。     

Assessment of Interactions between Cisplatin and Two Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in MCF7, T47D and MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines – An Isobolographic Analysis

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) are promising anticancer drugs, which inhibit proliferation of a wide variety of cancer cells including breast carcinoma cells. In the present study, we investigated the influence of valproic acid (VPA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat), alone or in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) on proliferation, induction of apoptosis and cell cycle progression in MCF7, T47D and MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cell lines. The type of interaction between HDIs and CDDP was determined by an isobolographic analysis. The isobolographic analysis is a very precise and rigorous pharmacodynamic method, to determine the presence of synergism, addition or antagonism between different drugs with using variety of fixed dose ratios. Our experiments show that the combinations of CDDP with SAHA or VPA at a fixed-ratio of 1:1 exerted additive interaction in the viability of MCF7 cells, while in T47D cells there was a tendency to synergy. In contrast, sub-additive (antagonistic) interaction was observed for the combination of CDDP with VPA in MDA-MB-231 “triple-negative” (i.e. estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, and HER-2 negative) human breast cancer cells, whereas combination of CDDP with SAHA in the same MDA-MB-231 cell line yielded additive interaction. Additionally, combined HDIs/CDDP treatment resulted in increase in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in all tested breast cancer cell lines in comparison with a single therapy. In conclusion, the additive interaction of CDDP with SAHA or VPA suggests that HDIs could be combined with CDDP in order to optimize treatment regimen in some human breast cancers.