Rapid spectrophotometric method for quantitation of cytochrome c release from isolated mitochondria or permeabilized cells revisited.

This paper recalls the earlier work by Keilin, Margoliash and others at the beginning of the 20th century and shows how their results can be used for the rapid solution of new problems of modern science. It describes a rapid and simple spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of cytochrome c release from isolated mitochondria or permeabilized cells induced by proapoptotic proteins. For this, the Soret (gamma) peak at 414 nm in the spectrum of cytochrome c is used. The results of spectrophotometric assay of cytochrome c release are in accord with those of oxygraphic determination of cytochrome c-dependent respiration of isolated mitochondria and permeabilized cardiomyocytes.

Immunohistochemical detection of p53 protein in preneoplastic lesions and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Alterations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene are the most frequent genetic abnormalities in human cancers. The p53 protein is present in normal cells, and is assumed to induce G1 arrest or apoptosis in the presence of DNA lesion. The mutant protein lacks this property. Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) are related to carcinogens in tobacco and alcohol, and provide a good model of multiple-step carcinogenesis in association with DNA damage and p53-related tumorigenesis. Stabilization of the mutant p53 protein allows immunohistochemical analyses (IHC) to be routinely used to demonstrate the mutant p53 protein in tissue samples, whereas normal p53 protein is undetectable. Ninety-nine squamous cell carcinomas, 8 in situ carcinomas, 31 preneoplastic lesions and 79 normal carcinogen-exposed mucosas of the head and neck from a total of 107 patients were examined for the expression of p53 tumor suppressor gene protein. Samples were collected before treatment, and stained with p53 specific mono- and polyclonal antibodies (DO-7, Pab 1801 and 240, CM1) using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) provided semiquantitative estimates of proliferation. The main localizations were the pharynx (64/107) and the larynx (21/107). Positive IHC detection of p53 was observed in 9% of normal-appearing carcinogen-exposed mucosas, 37% of hyperplasias, 68% of dysplasias, 75% of in situ carcinomas, and 56/99 (56.5%) of primary tumor samples. Mucosas from 15 control patients under 10 years of age were negative. There was no correlation between p53 IHC and localization, differentiation or TNM staging.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Drug resistance, oncogenes, and anti-oncogenes in epithelial tumors]. / Chimiorésistance, oncogènes et anti-oncogènes dans les tumeurs épithéliales.

Twenty four squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) of stage II to IV were evaluated for the expression of potential markers such as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in drug-resistance behavior. We have analysed the c-myc, c-jun, c-raf and N-ras and p53 expression in total RNA preparation from tumor biopsies obtained before treatment. The patients underwent chemotherapy including 5-fluorouracil and cisplatinum. No significant differences in c-raf and N-ras expression were found in responding or resistant patients. However, resistance to chemotherapy was associated with low expression of c-myc (P < 0.025) or high expression of c-jun (P < 0.001). In addition, p53 mRNA pre-therapeutic level was increased in unresponsive patients to chemotherapy (P < 0.05). Therefore, analysis of the expression of c-myc, c-jun oncogenes and p53 tumor suppressor gene in tumor cells before initiation of therapy may define a subset of patients with potentially better prognosis.

Calculation of individual dosage regimen of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) based on metabolite levels in leukemic cells.

Patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) were treated by continuous infusion of ara-C (100 mg/m2/d x 10 days). During ara-C treatment, cellular arabinofuranosyl cytosine triphosphate (ara-CTP) pharmacokinetics was assessed in the circulating blasts of these patients using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and an associated radioimmunoassay. Since a strong correlation was found between achievement of complete remission and cellular ara-CTP levels, we propose a calculation scheme that allows steady-state adjustment of ara-CTP levels during administration of ara-C. To improve the complete remission rate in patients with low ara-CTP levels, we sought optimum ara-C dosing. In order to achieve an optimal therapeutic response, in vivo ara-CTP formation has to be > 50 microM in leukemic cells. Conversely, using the same pharmacokinetic approach, the infusion rate at which to administer ara-C in order to reach in vivo ara-CTP concentration threshold and to achieve complete remission could be calculated for each patient.