MUC1 based breast cancer vaccines: role of post translational modifications

Vaccine development is one of the most promising fields in cancer research. After autologous transplantation, due to low tumour burden, patients are more likely to respond immunologically to a cancer vaccine[7]. MUC1 with its adhesive and antiadhesive functions, immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive activities, is therefore a good candidate for breast cancer vaccine. A structure-based insight into the immunogenicity of natural MUC1 glycoforms, of its sub-domains, motifs and post translational modification like glycosylation and myriostoylation may aid the design of tumour vaccines. Primary sequences of human MUC1 were retrieved from the SWISSPROT data bank. Protein pattern search: The primary sequence of Human MUC1 was searched at PROSITE [a dictionary of protein sites and patterns] database. Our study observes that post-translational modifications play an important role in presenting MUC1 as a candidate for breast cancer vaccine. It is found that the phosphrylation and glycosylation of important functional motifs of MUC1 may take part in the production of cytokines that may provide immunization

To study the significance of apoptotic enzyme granzyme H in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. The rising global incidence, morbidity and mortality from breast cancer have led to intensified efforts in search for etiological factors of the disease. Present study tried to find out the significance of apoptotic enzyme granzyme H in breast cancer patients. It was a cross sectional study. Fifty women with pre/post menopausal status were included in the study. Their physiological characteristics including age at menarche, menopause, life style and receptor status including oestrogen, progesterone and HER 2-neu were recorded. Level of serum granzyme H was estimated. It was observed that there is a variation in physiological characteristics. Level of serum granzyme was increased in patients before chemotherapy that may be decreased after treatment but not as much decreased as in normal control subjects. Increased level of granzyme H after chemotherapy may indicate the response of treatment. A direct relationship of oestrogen with granzyme H was also observed. However further study is suggested to reach a better conclusion

Serum urate in local population

Serum urate levels studied in normal individuals of both sexes of various age groups. In both sexes, serum urate increased after puberty, reached a plateau in early twenties and remained stable up to the age of sixty years thereafter a sharp decline was observed. Analysis for variance by sex showed a significant difference [P <0.01] in serum urates. Significant correlation was found between serum urate and body weight [r = 0.503] and surface area [r = 0.518]