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1.
Int J Clin Oncol ; 22(4): 793-800, 2017 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28386794

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer chemotherapy is associated with a variety of side effects/adverse events. It is very important that patients adhere to the planned chemotherapy regimen, which necessitates a minimum of side effects and that these side effects be kept under control. We have investigated patients' concerns and symptoms during chemotherapy with the aim to seek solutions that will improve patients' quality of life during chemotherapy. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with malignant diseases on parenteral antineoplastic agents were sequentially enrolled in this study. These patients completed a questionnaire consisting of 42 items related to non-physical concerns and 52 items of physical symptoms related to chemotherapy. Each patient was also asked to select the three items among these 94 items which affected him/her the most. RESULTS: The median age of the cancer patients was 62 years and the male-to-female ratio was 18:31. Among the non-physical concerns, the most frequently chosen concern was 'affects my family or partner,' followed by anxiety related to treatment. Regarding the physical symptoms, the most frequent complaints were fatigue, alopecia and constipation, while the most troublesome symptoms were nausea, poor taste and paresthesia. Overall, the most frequently expressed concerns were 'affects my family or partner' and anxiety related to treatment. Male patients suffered most from fever, fatigue and nausea, and female patients complained more of poor taste and gastrointestinal problems. CONCLUSION: Patient perceptions of adverse events associated with cancer chemotherapy apparently have changed from physical symptoms to non-physical concerns. In our patient cohort 'affects my family or partner' was the most important concern. One important point to note is that female patients often complained of poor taste because this meant they were unable to cook well.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alopecia/chemically induced , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Anxiety , Fatigue/chemically induced , Female , Gastrointestinal Diseases/chemically induced , Humans , Japan , Male , Middle Aged , Nausea/chemically induced , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires
2.
Clin. transl. oncol. (Print) ; 17(9): 702-709, sept. 2015. tab, ilus
Article in English | IBECS | ID: ibc-140328

ABSTRACT

Purpose. Gefitinib is an effective first-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. However, whether second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment shows similar effects to first-line platinum combination chemotherapy in these patients remains unclear. Therefore, we here aimed to investigate the efficacy of platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. Methods/patients. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical effects of second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R mutation) at five institutions. All patients were initially treated with gefitinib (250 mg/day) followed by platinum combination chemotherapy as second-line chemotherapy. Results. Between January 2006 and December 2012, 42 patients [8 men, 34 women; median age, 63 years (range 39–75 years)] were enrolled. The overall response rate, disease control rate, and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 26.2, 61.9 %, and 5.1 months, respectively, after the second-line treatment. The corresponding values for first-line gefitinib treatment were 69.0, 95.2 %, and 11.1 months, respectively. Moreover, second-line platinum combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed or bevacizumab-containing regimens was independently associated with improved PFS. Conclusions. Second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations was effective and showed equivalent outcomes to first-line platinum combination chemotherapy. After failure of first-line gefitinib therapy, second-line platinum combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed or bevacizumab might result in improved PFS (AU)


No disponible


Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Combined Modality Therapy , Platinum Compounds/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Genes, erbB-1 , Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy , Retrospective Studies , Mutagenesis , Carboplatin/therapeutic use , Kaplan-Meier Estimate
3.
Clin Transl Oncol ; 17(9): 702-9, 2015 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25990507

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Gefitinib is an effective first-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. However, whether second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment shows similar effects to first-line platinum combination chemotherapy in these patients remains unclear. Therefore, we here aimed to investigate the efficacy of platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. METHODS/PATIENTS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical effects of second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R mutation) at five institutions. All patients were initially treated with gefitinib (250 mg/day) followed by platinum combination chemotherapy as second-line chemotherapy. RESULTS: Between January 2006 and December 2012, 42 patients [8 men, 34 women; median age, 63 years (range 39-75 years)] were enrolled. The overall response rate, disease control rate, and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 26.2, 61.9%, and 5.1 months, respectively, after the second-line treatment. The corresponding values for first-line gefitinib treatment were 69.0, 95.2%, and 11.1 months, respectively. Moreover, second-line platinum combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed or bevacizumab-containing regimens was independently associated with improved PFS. CONCLUSIONS: Second-line platinum combination chemotherapy after first-line gefitinib treatment in NSCLC patients harboring sensitive EGFR mutations was effective and showed equivalent outcomes to first-line platinum combination chemotherapy. After failure of first-line gefitinib therapy, second-line platinum combination chemotherapy with pemetrexed or bevacizumab might result in improved PFS.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , ErbB Receptors/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Mutation/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/mortality , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adult , Aged , Bevacizumab/administration & dosage , Carboplatin/administration & dosage , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gefitinib , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Paclitaxel/administration & dosage , Pemetrexed/administration & dosage , Prognosis , Quinazolines/administration & dosage , Retrospective Studies , Survival Rate , Gemcitabine
4.
Tissue Cell ; 41(1): 79-84, 2009 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18722634

ABSTRACT

To investigate formation of the three primary germ layers in mouse embryoid bodies (EBs), we observed changes in structure and gene expression over a 7-day culture period. We compared these changes using two methods for EB formation: hanging drop (HD) and static suspension culture (SSC). Light microscopy showed that a stratified columnar epithelial layer developed on the surface of EBs formed using the HD method. From Day 3 in culture, ultrastructural changes occurred in the aligned cellular membranes. Condensation of actin filaments was followed by formation of complicated adherent junctions and dilatation of intercellular canaliculi containing well-developed microvilli. These changes were more marked in EBs formed by the HD method than the SSC method. On Day 5 of culture, Brachyury gene expression, a marker for mesoderm formation, was detected only with the HD method. Nestin, an ectoderm marker, and Foxa2, an endoderm marker, were expressed with both methods. These results suggest that in EBs formed with the HD method, actin formation and Brachyury gene expression mark the transition from two to three primary germ layers. Additionally, the HD method promotes more rapid and complete development of mouse EBs than does the SSC method. While the SSC method is simple and easy to use, it needs improvement to form more complete EBs.


Subject(s)
Embryonic Development/genetics , Embryonic Stem Cells/physiology , Embryonic Stem Cells/ultrastructure , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Actin Cytoskeleton/physiology , Actin Cytoskeleton/ultrastructure , Animals , Biomarkers , Cell Line , Ectoderm/embryology , Ectoderm/physiology , Ectoderm/ultrastructure , Endoderm/embryology , Endoderm/physiology , Endoderm/ultrastructure , Intercellular Junctions/physiology , Intercellular Junctions/ultrastructure , Mesoderm/embryology , Mesoderm/physiology , Mesoderm/ultrastructure , Mice , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
5.
Dig Liver Dis ; 36(3): 195-8, 2004 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15046189

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We often come across patients with complicated appendicitis (perforation, abscess formation, or peritonitis) and it is essential to get accurate and detailed information on these patients preoperatively. In this study, we investigated whether or not preoperative computed tomography is useful for identifying these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Plain and intravenously-contrasted helical computed tomography was obtained preoperatively in 94 (75%) of 125 patients who underwent appendectomy. Twenty-eight (30%) of the 94 patients had complicated appendicitis (Compli(+) group). We compared clinical factors and computed tomography findings of the Compli(+) group with those of 66 other patients (Compli(-) group). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the Compli(+) and Compli(-) groups in gender, white blood cell count, the present rate of an enlarged appendix, or appendicolith. Fat stranding and free fluid on computed tomography were significantly associated with complicated appendicitis by both univariate and multilogistic regression analysis. Fourteen (70%) of the 20 patients with fat stranding and free fluid on computed tomography had complicated appendicitis and only 1 (4%) of the 28 Compli(+) patients had neither fat stranding nor free fluid on computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Our study has indicated that fat stranding and free fluid on computed tomography are significant for complicated appendicitis and helical computed tomography is a powerful tool for identifying patients with complicated appendicitis preoperatively.


Subject(s)
Appendicitis/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adult , Appendicitis/diagnosis , Appendix/diagnostic imaging , Appendix/pathology , Female , Humans , Male , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tomography, Spiral Computed
6.
Ann Oncol ; 15(2): 252-6, 2004 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14760118

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cyclin B1 has an important role in the G2-M phase transition of the cell cycle. Wee1 delays mitosis by suppressing the activity of the Cyclin B1/cdc2 complex. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of Cyclin B1 and Wee1 expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: An immunohistochemical assessment of Cyclin B1 and Wee1 expression was performed in 79 patients with NSCLC. RESULTS: The expression of Cyclin B1 was correlated with differentiation (P = 0.0423) and vascular invasion (P = 0.001). Patients with overexpression of Cyclin B1 had higher mean values for both the Ki-67 proliferative index (Ki-Index) (P <0.0001) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA-LI) (P <0.0001), and a poorer prognosis (P = 0.0068). Patients lacking expression of Wee1 had a higher recurrence rate (P = 0.0084) and a poorer prognosis (P = 0.0457), and tended to have higher Ki-Index and PCNA-LI values. Multivariate analysis suggested that both Cyclin B1 (P = 0.0244) and Wee1 (P = 0.0444) expression were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that Cyclin B1 expression could be a significant prognostic parameter in NSCLC. The loss of Wee1 expression may have a potential role in promoting tumor progression and may be a significant prognostic indicator in NSCLC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Cell Cycle Proteins , Cyclin B/biosynthesis , Cyclin B/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/biosynthesis , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics , Adult , Aged , Cyclin B/pharmacology , Cyclin B1 , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Nuclear Proteins , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prognosis , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/pharmacology , Survival Analysis
7.
Int J Oncol ; 17(4): 723-8, 2000 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10995883

ABSTRACT

Mutations of the transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII) gene and Smad family genes have been observed in several human cancers. However, there has been no report on mutation analysis of the entire coding regions of these genes in esophageal cancer, and the role of these genes in the development of esophageal cancer remains unknown. We performed polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis of TGFbetaRII, Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 genes and microsatellite assay in 20 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC). We detected polymorphisms at exon 2 of Smad3 and intron 6 of Smad4. No mutation was found in TGFbetaRII, Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 genes. These results suggest that mutation of TGFbetaRII, Smad2, Smad3 and Smad4 genes is a rare event in ESCC.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Genes/genetics , Base Sequence , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , DNA Mutational Analysis , DNA, Neoplasm/chemistry , DNA, Neoplasm/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Female , Humans , Loss of Heterozygosity , Male , Microsatellite Repeats , Mutation , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II , Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Smad2 Protein , Smad3 Protein , Smad4 Protein , Trans-Activators/genetics
8.
Cancer Res ; 60(16): 4507-12, 2000 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10969799

ABSTRACT

Several proteins, including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) receptor type I (RI), TGF-beta receptor type II (RII), Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4/DPC4, have been identified in the transduction pathway of the tumor suppressor TGF-beta. Mutations in TGF-beta RI, TGF-beta RII, Smad2, and Smad4/DPC4 genes are associated with several human cancers. The present study examines these gene mutations in 32 human ovarian cancers and 14 patient-matched normal tissues. For the first time, mutations in the Smad2 and Smad4 genes were analyzed in relation to human ovarian cancer. Gene mutations of TGF-beta RI, TGF-beta RII, Smad2, and Smad4 were analyzed using specific primers by PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP), and the results revealed a frameshift mutation at codons 276-277 (CTCTGG-->CTGCGTGG) in exon 5 of TGF-beta RI in 10 of 32 tumor samples (31.3%). This mutation was associated with reduced or absent expression of TGF-beta RI protein and p53 protein in tumor tissues. We detected SSCP variants of TGF-beta RII in exon 2 in 20 of 32 tumors. Sequence analysis of these variants revealed an A to G transition at the seventh band of intron 2. In this A to G polymorphism in intron 2, 12 samples (37.5%) had A/A alleles, 12 (37.5%) had A/G alleles, and 8 (25%) had G/G alleles. We detected Smad2 SSCP variants in exon 4 in 12 of 32 tumors (37.5%). Sequence analysis revealed a 2-bp deletion in the polypyrimidine tract of intron 3, which is located at position -39 to -56 in the splice acceptor site of the intron 3-exon 4 junction. No SSCP variants were detected in the Smad4 gene. These findings suggest that mutations in the TGF-beta RI and in its signal transduction pathway are likely responsible for human ovarian carcinogenesis.


Subject(s)
Activin Receptors, Type I , Frameshift Mutation/genetics , Loss of Heterozygosity/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Signal Transduction/genetics , Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Blotting, Western , DNA Mutational Analysis , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Genetic , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II , Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Signal Transduction/physiology , Smad2 Protein , Smad4 Protein , Trans-Activators/genetics , Transforming Growth Factor beta/physiology
10.
Int J Oncol ; 15(5): 949-53, 1999 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10536178

ABSTRACT

The Smad3 gene is a member of the Smad family, vertebrate homologues of Drosophila Mad, and its gene product is a cytoplasmic element in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway. Mutations in TGF-beta receptors and their cytoplasmic elements of transduction signals commonly accompany various cancers. Using PCR-SSCP analysis we searched for the presence of Smad3 gene mutations in 36 human ovarian cancers, and found that 15 cases (41. 7%) had a polymorphism at codon 103. Because this mutation was not accompanied by amino acid replacement, the present results show that the mutations in the Smad3 gene are unlikely to be involved in human ovarian cancers.


Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Mutation , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Trans-Activators/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Animals , DNA Primers , Drosophila , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Signal Transduction , Smad3 Protein , Transforming Growth Factor beta/physiology , Vertebrates
11.
Int J Oncol ; 14(1): 127-31, 1999 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9863018

ABSTRACT

Mutations in the transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII), Smad2, and Smad4 genes have been detected in several human cancers. However, there are no reports of mutation analysis of the entire coding regions in these genes in hepatocellular carcinoma, and the roles of these genes in hepatocarcinogenesis remain unknown. We screened 30 hepatocellular carcinomas for mutations of these genes using polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism. We detected no mutations, but did find 3 cases of loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 17p13.1. These results suggest that mutations of the TGFbetaRII, Smad2, and Smad4 genes are rare, and that genetic instability is uncommon in human hepatocellular carcinoma.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Mutation , Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Trans-Activators/genetics , Female , Humans , Male , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II , Smad2 Protein , Smad4 Protein
12.
Kansenshogaku Zasshi ; 73(11): 1104-9, 1999 Nov.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10624089

ABSTRACT

To investigate the incidence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli among E. coli strains screened by commercially available O-antigen antisera, we used PCR to isolate 8 virulence genes (eae, bfpA, IpaH, LT, ST, VT1, VT2, and aggR) in 184 E. coli strains sampled from sporadic diarrheal children in our district. eae and bfpA are the localized adherence factor genes of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). IpaH is the invasion antigen gene of enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), LT and ST are the toxin genes of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), VT1 and VT2 are the toxin genes of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and aggR is the adherence factor gene of enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC). The results were as follows: eae, 7 (3.8%); bfpA, 0 (0%); IpaH, 0 (0%); LT, 0 (0%); ST, 2 (1.1%); VT, 5 (2.7%); aggR, 8 (4.3%). Seven isolates with eae did not have bfpA, and did not show a localized adherence to HeLa cells. Seven of the 8 isolates with aggR showed aggregative adherence to HeLa cells, while their O-serotypes of them were O111:H21 or O111:HUT. Because of the low incidence of the virulence gene, the commercially available O-antigen antisera was not expected to be useful for the screening of diarrheagenic E. coli, except for EHEC and EAggEC. EAggEC may be important as a pathogen of sporadic diarrhea of children as well as EHEC.


Subject(s)
Diarrhea/microbiology , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/pathogenicity , Genes, Bacterial , Child , Escherichia coli/classification , Humans , Incidence , Serotyping , Virulence
13.
Carcinogenesis ; 19(5): 803-7, 1998 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9635866

ABSTRACT

In mammals, one of the Mad homologues, Smad2, was reported to be a mediator of TGF-beta signaling, and was found mutated in some cases of colon and lung cancers. To extend the analysis of this gene, we previously investigated the genomic organization of the human Smad2 gene and defined the structure of 12 exons and flanking introns. In this study, we designed 11 sets of intron-based primers to examine the entire coding region of the Smad2 gene. By the PCR-SSCP method using these primers, we screened genomic DNA sequences of colorectal cancers for mutations of the Smad2 gene. Though there was no mutation within all exons of the Smad2 gene, two of 60 sporadic colorectal cancers displayed deletions in the polypyrimidine tract preceding exon 4. Deletions of this region were also detected in colon cancer cell lines, and were clustered within cells exhibiting microsatellite instability. Deletions in the polypyrimidine tract had various effects on pre-mRNA splicing, but had no effect on the splicing of the Smad2 gene in these cases. However, our data support the idea that the polypyrimidine tract in the splicing acceptor site is a target of mutations in mismatch repair-deficient tumors.


Subject(s)
Colonic Neoplasms/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA/genetics , Introns , Trans-Activators , Base Sequence , Colonic Neoplasms/pathology , DNA Primers , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Smad2 Protein , Tumor Cells, Cultured
14.
J Cell Physiol ; 175(3): 305-13, 1998 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9572475

ABSTRACT

Retinoblastoma cells are resistant to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) activity due to the absence of TGF-beta binding. To further elucidate the mechanism of TGF-beta resistance, we studied the expression of the TGF-beta receptors and SMADs by using the Y79 and WERI-Rb-1 retinoblastoma cell lines. Binding of 125I-TGF-beta1 to serine/threonine kinase receptor type II (TbetaR-II) and TbetaR-I was not seen in the retinoblastoma cells. TbetaR-II mRNA was not expressed in these cells, but TbetaR-I mRNA was detected. Mutation analysis revealed no mutation in the coding region of the TbetaR-II gene, and TbetaR-II mRNA could be induced after the differentiation of Y79 cells. Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4, which are involved in TGF-beta signaling, were expressed in the retinoblastoma cells. Transcriptional activation of the TGF-beta-responsive genes was not seen by the transfection of either receptor cDNA alone but could be induced by transfection of both TbetaR-II and TbetaR-I. These data suggest that the defect in the TGF-beta response is caused by the lack of TbetaR-II in the retinoblastoma cells. In addition, TbetaR-I may be functionally inactivated in these cell lines.


Subject(s)
Activin Receptors, Type I , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Retinoblastoma/genetics , Animals , Cell Line , DNA Mutational Analysis , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Humans , Mink , Mutation , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/analysis , RNA, Neoplasm/analysis , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II , Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Retinoblastoma/metabolism , Signal Transduction/physiology , Smad2 Protein , Smad3 Protein , Smad4 Protein , Trans-Activators/genetics , Transcriptional Activation/physiology , Transfection , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Tumor Cells, Cultured
15.
Oncol Rep ; 5(2): 367-71, 1998.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9468559

ABSTRACT

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) binds the type II TGFbeta growth factor receptor (TGFbetaRII) to inhibit the growth of most epithelial tissues. Most human colon and gastric cancers with microsatellite instability (MI) have frameshift mutations in polynucleotide repeats within the TGFbetaRII coding region; these mutations truncate the receptor protein and disable the serine/threonine kinase to produce TGF-beta resistance. To further investigate the type, frequency and tissue distribution of TGFbetaRII gene mutations, in this study, we examined 36 sporadic breast cancers. We previously produced eight intron based primer pairs for mutational analysis of the entire coding region of the TGFbetaRII gene. Using these primers, we developed protocols for polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis of PCR products from genomic DNA samples of 36 breast cancer patients and we tested them for microsatellite instability (MI) at eight microsatellite loci. One case demonstrated MI (2.8%) and we found no mutations. These and other recent data indicate that TGFbetaRII mutations are essentially confined to colon and gastric cancers with MI. The narrow spectrum of tissues containing RII mutations illustrates the complexity of genetic checkpoints in human carcinogenesis.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/genetics , Carcinoma/genetics , Mutation , Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Base Sequence , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma/pathology , DNA Mutational Analysis , DNA Primers/chemistry , DNA, Neoplasm/analysis , DNA, Satellite/genetics , Female , Humans , Microsatellite Repeats , Molecular Sequence Data , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
16.
Oncol Rep ; 5(1): 77-80, 1998.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9458298

ABSTRACT

Mutations in the transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TGFbetaRII) gene have been detected in several human cancers that represent the phenotype of genomic instability. To establish a basis for diagnosis of cancer patients, we previously determined the exon-intron organization of the TGFbetaRII gene. The results indicated that TGFbetaRII protein is encoded by 567 codons in 7 exons. In this study, we further determined the nucleotide sequences surrounding these 7 exons and designed 8 sets of intron-based primers to examine the entire coding region of the TGFbetaRII gene. By using these primers, we screened for mutations of the TGFbetaRII gene in DNAs of 32 sporadic gastric cancer patients in whom one case showed MI+ (3.1%) at two loci. We found no mutations, and these data support other recent evidence that TGFbetaRII mutations rarely occur except in colon and gastric tumors with MI.


Subject(s)
Introns , Microsatellite Repeats , Mutation , Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Stomach Neoplasms/genetics , Chromosome Mapping , DNA Primers , DNA, Neoplasm/chemistry , DNA, Neoplasm/genetics , Exons , Humans , Neoplasm Staging , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology
17.
Genomics ; 48(1): 1-11, 1998 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9503010

ABSTRACT

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily is a family of multifunctional cytokines that transduce signals via serine/threonine kinase receptors. Recent studies revealed that Mothers against dpp (Mad) in Drosophila and its homologs play important roles in the intracellular signal transduction of the serine/threonine kinase receptors. In mammals, one of the Mad homologs, MADH2 (also termed Smad2), was reported to be a mediator of TGF-beta and activin signaling and was found mutated in some of the colon and lung cancer cases. We describe here the genomic organization of the human MADH2 gene. The gene is composed of 12 exons; 2 exons 1, i.e., exon 1a and 1b, are used separately or in conjunction to form exon 1a-exon 1b-exon 2 alternatively spliced mRNA. The 2 exons 1 are closely located, and the MADH2 mRNAs are transcribed from two promoters in one CpG island. The promoter activity in the 5' upstream sequence was confirmed by the luciferase assay. The 3' end of the mRNA is heterogenous, and we found several polyadenylation signals. Northern blot analysis revealed high expression of the MADH2 mRNA, e.g., in skeletal muscle, heart, and placenta. RT-PCR assay using primers in exons 2 and 4 and direct nucleotide sequencing proved that exon 3 is spliced out in about 10% of MADH2 in human placenta. These data will be valuable for studying the MADH2 function in both normal cells and cancer cells.


Subject(s)
DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Inhibins/metabolism , Repressor Proteins , Signal Transduction/genetics , Trans-Activators , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Activins , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors , Blotting, Northern , COS Cells , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics , Exons , Humans , Introns , Molecular Sequence Data , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Promoter Regions, Genetic , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Smad2 Protein
18.
Anticancer Res ; 17(6D): 4563-9, 1997.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9494569

ABSTRACT

The accumulation of alpha 1-->2fucosylated antigens such as Le(b) and Y and the presence of aberrant alpha 1-->2 fucosyltransferase(s) (alpha 12FT) which showed new substrate specificities and must be involved in the accumulation of alpha 1-->2fucosylated antigens in colorectal carcinoma has been observed in our previous studies. In this study, we examined the substrate specificities of purified alpha 12FT from Colo201 cells and COS-1 cells transfected with the Fuc-TIII (Le) gene from a patient with colorectal carcinoma. It was demonstrated that activities of not only the Le gene related alpha 1-->3/4-fucosyltransferase but also the aberrant alpha 12FT were present in the purified preparation and in the extract of transfected COS-1 cells on which the Le(b) activity was expressed. These results suggested that the aberrant alpha 12FT was associated with the Le enzyme and that both enzymes could be encoded by the Fuc-TIII gene.


Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms/enzymology , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Fucosyltransferases/genetics , Fucosyltransferases/metabolism , Animals , COS Cells , Carbohydrate Sequence , DNA Primers , Fucosyltransferases/isolation & purification , Humans , Kinetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Oligosaccharides/chemistry , Oligosaccharides/metabolism , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis , Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purification , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Substrate Specificity , Transfection , Tumor Cells, Cultured , Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase
19.
Pediatr Infect Dis J ; 16(12): 1140-4, 1997 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9427459

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Viridans group streptococci, especially penicillin-resistant strains, have been emerging as pathogens of bacteremia in neutropenic patients with hematologic malignancies. OBJECTIVES: To survey the penicillin susceptibilities of viridans group streptococci in Japanese children with and without oncohematologic diseases and to evaluate the effect of the short term administration of beta-lactam agents on the antibiotic susceptibility. METHODS: We tested 113 isolates of viridans group streptococci by the microdilution method for the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to 10 antibiotics. We isolated 40 isolates from the throats of children with an upper respiratory infection (URI) before beta-lactam antibiotic treatment, 32 isolates after the treatment, 33 isolates in hospitalized children with oncohematologic diseases and 8 isolates from blood. RESULTS: Twenty-five isolates (62.5%) from the children with URI before treatment were penicillin-intermediate or -high level resistant (MIC > or = 0.25 microg/ml). The prevalence of those isolates after antibiotic treatment (87.5%) was significantly increased compared with that before treatment (P = 0.03). The prevalences of the penicillin-high level resistant isolates (MIC > or = 4 microg/ml) in the children with oncohematologic diseases (39.4%) and in the isolates from blood (62.5%) were significantly higher than that in the children with URI before treatment (12.5%) (P < 0.01). Decreased susceptibilities to other beta-lactam agents were observed in the penicillin-high level resistant strains. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of penicillin-intermediate or -high level resistant viridans group streptococci in healthy Japanese children was documented. The administration of beta-lactam agents decreased the prevalence of penicillin-susceptible isolates in the children with URI. High prevalences of penicillin-high level resistant isolates were observed in the oncohematologic patients and in the isolates from blood.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Hematologic Neoplasms/complications , Penicillin Resistance , Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy , Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Streptococcus/drug effects , beta-Lactams
20.
FEBS Lett ; 373(2): 135-40, 1995 Oct 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-7589452

ABSTRACT

Effects of various types of protein kinase inhibitor on the adhesion and spreading of BALB/c mouse 3T3 cells and on the phosphorylation and stability of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the cells were studied. Inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate and herbimycin A, inhibited tyrosine-phosphorylation of FAK and the adhesion of 3T3 cells to fibronectin. Among inhibitors of serine/threonine kinases tested, calphostin C, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, inhibited cell spreading rather than cell adhesion, and it induced the decrease of intracellular FAK within 30 min. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinase, A kinase, G kinase, and myosin light chain kinase did not induce such a rapid and specific decrease of FAK. When calphostin C (20 microM) was added to sub-confluent monolayer cultures, serine-phosphorylation of FAK was inhibited by 67% within 2 h, and decrease in the amount of FAK and rounding up of the cells began after 4 h. Label-chase experiments indicated that about 60% of 35S-labeled FAK degraded within 1-2 h after addition of calphostin C to monolayer cultures. These results indicated that serine-phosphorylation of FAK induced by protein kinase C was important in the regulation of metabolic stability of FAK.


Subject(s)
Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism , Protein Kinase C/metabolism , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism , 3T3 Cells , Animals , Benzoquinones , Cell Adhesion/drug effects , Cell Adhesion/physiology , Cinnamates/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Enzyme Stability , Fibronectins , Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 , Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases , Kinetics , Lactams, Macrocyclic , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Naphthalenes/pharmacology , Phosphorylation , Phosphoserine/analysis , Phosphotyrosine/analysis , Phosphotyrosine/metabolism , Protein Kinase C/antagonists & inhibitors , Protein Kinase Inhibitors , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Quinones/pharmacology , Rifabutin/analogs & derivatives
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