Clin Cancer Res
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This aims of this study are to establish an ultra-rapid quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) protocol that enables the diagnosis of i.p. cancer spread during operation, to reveal the mechanisms of peritoneal metastasis from non-serosa-invasive gastric carcinoma, and to evaluate the effect of the extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage (EIPL) using the ultra-rapid quantitative RT-PCR as a prophylactic strategy for peritoneal metastasis. ⋯ The present study proved that lymph node dissection opened lymphatic channels and spread viable cancer cells into the peritoneal cavity. It is suggested that the combination of the novel detection system with the intraoperative therapy of EIPL can be a useful prophylactic strategy for peritoneal metastasis from gastric carcinoma.
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The aim of this study was to investigate whether expression of particular drug resistance genes in primary operable breast cancer correlates with response to first-line chemotherapy in advanced disease. ⋯ In this pilot study, MDR1 expression in primary breast tumors was inversely related with the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy, and high expression level was a significant predictor of poor prognosis for patients with advanced disease. Apart from MDR1, the expression levels of BCRP, LRP, and MRP1 might have some additional predictive value for clinical outcome.
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Sphingolipid metabolites, such as sphingosine and ceramide, are highly bioactive compounds and are involved in diverse cell processes, including cell-cell interaction, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the physiological roles of phytosphingosine are poorly understood. In this study, we report that phytosphingosine can potently induce apoptotic cell death in human cancer cells via caspase activation and caspase-independent cytochrome c release. ⋯ These findings indicate that phytosphingosine induces apoptotic cell death in human cancer cells by direct activation of caspase 8, and by mitochondrial translocation of Bax and subsequent release of cytochrome c into cytoplasm, providing a potential mechanism for the anticancer activity of phytosphingosine.