Cancer research
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Deregulation of the cell cycle commonly occurs during tumorigenesis, resulting in unrestricted cell proliferation and independence from mitogens. Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors have the potential to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. CYC202 (R-roscovitine) is a potent inhibitor of CDK2/cyclin E that is undergoing clinical trials. ⋯ It can be concluded that although CYC202 can act as a CDK2 inhibitor, it also has the potential to inhibit CDK4 and CDK1 activities in cancer cells through the down-regulation of the corresponding cyclin partners. This provides a possible mechanism by which CYC202 can cause a reduction in retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation at multiple sites and cell cycle arrest in G(1), S, and G(2)-M phases. In addition to providing useful insights into the molecular pharmacology of CYC202 in human cancer cells, the results also suggest potential pharmacodynamic end points for use in clinical trials with the drug.
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Energy restriction reduces prostate tumor growth in transplantable tumor models in rodents, which suggests that excessive energy intake may contribute to the risk of prostate cancer. The association of total energy intake across the normal range with prostate cancer has not been consistent in epidemiological studies. We prospectively evaluated the joint associations of energy intake and body size or physical activity with prostate cancer. ⋯ Also, the association of energy intake with metastatic and fatal prostate cancer was restricted to men who were younger [in stratum
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Failure to control localized prostate cancer can result not only in localized disease progression but also distant metastatic spread. Whereas significant advances in both surgical technique and radiation therapy have improved local control rates with decreased morbidity, consistent long-term control remains elusive. This study investigates the potential of 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin (17AAG), a geldanamycin derivative, to sensitize tumor cells to ionizing radiation, permitting a significant improvement to targeted radiotherapies of prostate carcinoma. ⋯ Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Ki67 staining of spheroid sections revealed the increased growth control to be a function of spheroids failing to re-enter the cell cycle. For all 6 Gy experiments, cells remaining from each of the spheroids that failed to regrow were transferred to adherent dishes to evaluate clonogenicity; growth-controlled spheroids also failed to form colonies within 2 weeks of being plated. These results suggest that significant gains in treatment effectiveness may be obtained by combining these treatment modalities, warranting additional preclinical investigation.
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LEC/chTNT-3, a chemokine fusion protein generated previously in our laboratory, produces a 40-60% reduction in well-established solid tumors of the BALB/c mouse. In this study, CD25(+) T-cell depletion was used in combination with LEC/chTNT-3 treatment to enhance the therapeutic value of this approach. In two tumor models (Colon 26 and RENCA), this combination immunotherapy produced complete regression of established s.c. tumors after 5 consecutive days of i.v. treatment. ⋯ Other studies using real-time PCR, ex vivo proliferation, and intracellular cytokine staining with lymphocytes from tumor draining lymph nodes, suggested that this combination treatment was associated with increased T-helper 1 cytokine expression, enhanced T-cell activation, and increased IFN-gamma production by T cells. Rechallenge experiments showed that combination LEC/chTNT-3 treatment and CD25(+) depletion produced long-acting memory cells capable of preventing re-engraftment of the same but not different tumor cell lines. These studies suggest that LEC/monoclonal antibody fusion proteins, when used in combination with CD25(+) T-cell depletion, is a viable method of immunotherapy for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Interleukin-6 -174G-->C polymorphism is associated with improved outcome in high-risk breast cancer.
Axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer is a marker of recurrence risk. Despite aggressive adjuvant therapy, recurrence in patients with four or more involved lymph nodes approaches 50% at 5 years from diagnosis. Markers that can distinguish those likely to relapse from those likely to be cured are needed to tailor therapy and provide accurate prognostic information to patients. ⋯ IL-6 genotype modulated the effect of ER status on outcome. These results support the hypothesis that IL-6 may play an important role in the control of micrometastatic disease in breast cancer. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results and elucidate the mechanisms responsible for these differences.