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  • 2000-2004  (251)
  • 1920-1924
  • 1830-1839
  • breast cancer  (140)
  • apoptosis  (117)
  • 1
    ISSN: 1436-2813
    Keywords: Key Words: genetic changes ; prognostic factor ; breast cancer ; amplification ; loss of heterozygosity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: ERBB2 , INT2, and MYC genes, in 131 patients with breast carcinoma, 49 of whom had lymph node involvement, but none of whom had distant metastases. Among the several chromosome arms tested, LOH at 17q was correlated with lymph node metastasis. Amplification of the ERBB2, MYC, and INT2 genes was found more frequently in tumors from patients with lymph node metastases than in tumors from those without lymph node metastases. Univariate analysis demonstrated that LOH at 17q and INT2 amplification were factors influencing disease-free survival (DFS). A multivariate analysis was performed on 89 tumors that were able to be evaluated for both LOH at 17q and INT2 amplification, and the results showed that patients who had tumors with these genetic changes were more likely to have a poor prognosis. The findings of this study suggest that investigating genetic changes, in addition to conventional clinicopathologic factors, may contribute to defining groups of breast cancer patients with differences in prognosis.
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  • 2
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: BRCA1 ; breast cancer ; p53 ; survival
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:The association between BRCA1 germ-linemutations and breast cancer prognosis is controversial. A historical cohortstudy was designed to determine the prognosis for women with axillary lymphnode negative hereditary breast cancer. Patients and methods:We tested pathology blocks from 118Ashkenazi Jewish women with axillary lymph node negative breast cancer for thepresence of the two common BRCA1 founder mutations, 185delAG and5382insC. Patients were followed up for a median of 76 months. SomaticTP53mutations were screened for by immunohistochemistry, and directsequencing was performed in the BRCA1-positive tumours. Results:Sixteen breast cancer blocks (13.6%) carried aBRCA1 mutation. Young age of onset, high nuclear grade, negativeestrogen receptor status and over-expression of p53 were highly associatedwith BRCA1-positive status (P-values all 〈0.01).BRCA1 mutation carriers had a higher mortality than non-carriers(five-year overall survival, 50% and 89.6%, respectively,P = 0.0001). Young age of onset, estrogen receptor negative status,nuclear grade 3, and over-expression of p53 also predicted a poor outcome. Coxmultivariate analyses showed that only germ-line BRCA1 mutationstatus was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P= 0.01). Among nuclear grade 3 tumours, the BRCA1 mutation carrierstatus was a significant prognostic factor of death (risk ratio 5.8,95% confidence interval: 1.5–22, P = 0.009). Sequencingof BRCA1-related breast cancers revealed one TP53missensemutation not previously reported in breast cancer. Conclusions:Using a historical cohort approach, we haveidentified BRCA1 mutation status as an independent prognostic factorfor node negative breast cancer among the Ashkenazi Jewish women. Thosemanaging women carrying a BRCA1 mutation may need take these findingsinto consideration. Additionally, our preliminary results, taken together withthe work of others suggest a different carcinogenic pathway inBRCA1-related breast cancer, compared to non-hereditary cases.
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  • 3
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: BCL-2 ; breast cancer ; HER-2 ; p53 ; predictive factor
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:The selection of therapies for breast cancer is todaybased on prognostic features (chemotherapy, radiotherapy), hormone receptorstatus (hormonal therapy) and HER-2 status (trastuzumab therapy). HER-2,p53and BCL-2are tumour-related proteins that have thepotential to further improve individualisation of patient management, bypredicting response to chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiotherapy. Materials and methods:This paper reviews the rationale for theuse of these proteins as predictive factors, as well as the publishedliterature addressing the use of each one to predict response to hormonaltherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results:HER-2, p53and BCL-2remaininadequately assessed as predictive factors in breast cancer. HER-2 evaluationis required for the selection of patients for trastuzumab (Herceptin®)therapy, as trials of this therapy have been limited to HER-2 overexpressors.HER-2 overexpression may be predictive of resistance to hormonal therapy.Anthracyclines are effective therapy for breast cancer regardless of HER-2status, but patients whose tumours overexpress HER-2 appear to receive thegreatest relative benefit from this therapy. Studies of HER-2 as a predictorof response to CMF and to radiotherapy are inconclusive at this time. No datayet exist to support the use of p53or BCL-2as predictivefactors in the therapy of breast cancer. Conclusions:At this point in time, there is inadequate evidenceto support the use of HER-2, p53or BCL-2to guide theselection of hormonal therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy for breast cancer.
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  • 4
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; camptothecins ; colorectal cancer ; GI147211 ; non-small-cell lung cancer ; topoisomerase I
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:GI147211 is a water-soluble synthetic analogue ofcamptothecin showing promising in vivoand in vitroantitumor activity and an acceptable toxicity profile. Patients and methods:Between April 1995 and November 1996, 67eligible patients with pretreated breast cancer (25 patients) andchemo-naïve colorectal (19 patients) and non-small-cell lung cancer (23patients) were entered into three multicentric, non-randomized phase IItrials. Treatment schedule consisted of intravenous GI147211 administered ata dose of 1.2 mg/m2/day for five consecutive days every threeweeks. Results:Hematological toxicity was common with grade 3–4neutropenia in 54% of patients and neutropenic fever together or notassociated with infection in 14.5% of patients. Grade 3–4thrombocytopenia and grade 2–4 anemia were observed in 20% andin 68% of patients, respectively. Non-hematological toxicity wasgenerally mild to moderate and consisted mainly of gastrointestinal toxicity,asthenia and alopecia. A dose-escalation to 1.5 mg/m2/d wasfeasible in 17 (25%) patients. The antitumor activity of GI147211 wasmoderate in breast cancer patients (3 partial responses (PRs), response rate(RR) 13%) and minimal in non-small cell lung cancer patients (2 PRs,RR 9%). No objective responses were obtained in colorectal patients. Conclusions:GI147211, at the dose and schedule employed in thisstudy, showed an acceptable safety profile but a modest antitumor activity inthe examined tumor types.
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  • 5
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Biomedical microdevices 2 (2000), S. 305-316 
    ISSN: 1572-8781
    Keywords: membranes ; breast cancer ; oncology ; cell column regulation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine , Technology
    Notes: Abstract Using microfabrication technology, we have developed a new experimental apparatus and technique which allow isolation of individual cells and which facilitate the study of kinetic volume changes and membrane permeability. The key component of the apparatus is a microdiffusion chamber which was constructed using silicon microfabrication technology and standard photolithography. The central unit of the chamber is a 1 μ m thick silicon nitride membrane with a center hole on the order of 2–3 μ m in diameter. The device is novel in its analysis of a single cell, instead of the traditional array of cells, and its avoidance of the damage artifacts and computational difficulties which are inherent in other, commonly used methods of cellular analysis. The device is used in conjunction with a predictive computer model which simulates the response of the entire membrane or a portion of the membrane to various permeant and impermeant concentrations. This study introduces the apparatus and the model, and illustrates the effectiveness of the new procedure by determining several membrane permeability coefficients for HBL-100 (healthy human breast line). The empirical data and theoretical data were combined to yield a water permability (L p) of 1.1 ± 0.5μ m/(min-atm) (mean ± 1 standard deviation) (N= 5) during the uncoupled transport of water at 22 ±C. In the presence of 6 M glycerol, the water permeability (L p), permeability coefficient (P S), and the reflection coefficient (σS) were determined to be 2.0 ± 0.63 μ m/(min-atm), 2.7E-5 ± 6.1E-6 cm-sec-1, and 0.76 ± 0.5 (N = 6). No previous values of these coefficients could be found for HBL-100 cells.
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  • 6
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: biological/pathological characteristics ; breast cancer ; prognosis ; progression ; symptomatic/asymptomatic patients
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:It is well known that mammographic screening reducesbreast cancer mortality. One possible explanation for this effect is thatscreening makes it possible to detect smaller breast cancers with fewerinvolved nodes, but another hypothesis is that some screening-detected tumorsare in a pathologically and biologically different phase of evolution fromthose that are detected clinically. The aim of the present study was tocompare the biological, pathological and clinical characteristics ofsymptomatic vs. asymptomatic breast cancers. Patients and methods:The study considers a series of 1916consecutive patients who underwent surgery for stage I and II infiltratingbreast cancer at Verona hospitals after having undergone ultrasound andmammography (at least one of which was positive). They were divided into twogroups on the basis of why they decided to undergo the imaging examinations:group A refers to the 1247 patients with a palpable lump, and group B to the616 who were asymptomatic. Results:The patients in group A were older, and had larger tumorsand a higher percentage of positive nodes than those in group B; they also hadsignificantly higher grade tumors, higher Ki-67 levels, and a higherpercentage of ER and PgR negative and c-erbB-2 positive tumors (allof the P-values were significant). A logistic regression analysisadjusted for tumor diameter and age showed a reduction in the significance ofeach of the considered variables, but all of them remained significantlyassociated with the modality of diagnosis except ER, PgR andc-erbB-2. Conclusions:Our results suggest that asymptomatic tumors arebiologically different from their clinically presenting counterparts, thusconfirming the hypothesis that progression towards greater malignancy mayoccur during the natural history of breast cancer.
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  • 7
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: 4-OH-IF ; breast cancer ; drug combination ; human cell lines ; primary cultures ; VNB
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Vinorelbine and ifosfamide are active drugs againstbreast cancer, but the best treatment schedule has yet to be defined bypreclinical or clinical studies. The antitumor activity of4-hydroxy-ifosfamide (4-OH-IF), the active form of ifosfamide, and vinorelbine(VNB) and their interaction were investigated in two established breast cancercell lines (MCF-7 and BRC-230) and in 10 primary breast cancer cultures. Materials and methods:Cytotoxic activity was evaluated by ahighly efficient clonogenic assay (HECA). The median-effect principle wasapplied to evaluate synergistic and antagonistic interactions and thecorresponding combination index values were calculated. Cell cycleperturbations were analysed by flow cytometry. Results:In MCF-7 and BRC-230 cell lines the sequence VNB for 4hours followed by 4-OH-IF for 24 hours produced an antagonistic effect.Conversely, the inverse sequential scheme, 4-OH-IF → VNB providedsynergistic effects on both cell lines. The synergism was associated with astrong block in the G2-M phase. Synergistic activity of 4-OH-IF → VNBsequence was confirmed in 7 of 10 primary breast cancercultures. Conclusions:In conclusion, the sequence 4-OH-IF → VNBappeared to be the most effective scheme both in established cell lines andin primary breast cancer cultures.
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  • 8
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: adjuvant treatment ; breast cancer ; tamoxifen
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Aim:Immediate adjuvant tamoxifen reduces disease recurrence andimproves survival in patients with early breast cancer. However, is it toolate to administer tamoxifen to patients who have already undergone treatment,but were unable to benefit from this adjuvant therapy? The French NationalCancer Centers (FNCLCC) have investigated the efficacy of delayed tamoxifenadministration in a randomized controlled trial. Patients and methods:From September 1986 to October 1989, womenwith primary breast cancer, who had undergone surgery, radiotherapy, and/orreceived adjuvant chemotherapy but not hormone therapy more than two yearsearlier, were randomized to receive either 30 mg/day tamoxifen or notreatment. The 10-year disease-free and overall survival rates of the twogroups of patients and of various subgroups were determined according to theKaplan–Meyer method and compared by the log-rank test. Results:This intention-to-treat analysis comprised 250 women inthe tamoxifen group and 244 in the control group. Patient characteristics(age, T stage, number of positive nodes, receptor status, and interval sincetumor treatment) were comparable in both groups. Delayed adjuvant tamoxifensignificantly improved overall survival only in node-positive patients and inpatients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) or progesteronereceptor-positive (PR+) tumors. Disease-free survival, however, wassignificantly improved in the global population and in several patientsubgroups (node-positive, ER+, PR+). Patients in whom the interval betweenprimary treatment and delayed adjuvant tamoxifen was greater than five yearsalso had significantly improved disease-free survival. Conclusions:Overall and disease-free survival results indicatethat delayed adjuvant tamoxifen administration (30 mg/day) is justified inwomen with early breast cancer, even if this treatment is initiated two ormore years after primary treatment.
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  • 9
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Annals of oncology 11 (2000), S. 1349-1351 
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; radiotherapy ; tumor lysis syndrome
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a rare serious acute complication of cancertherapy, reported mainly following chemotherapy in patients with large tumorload and chemosensitive disease. These are mainly patients with non-Hodgkin'slymphoma, leukemia and rarely in solid tumors. It is less frequently describedafter radiotherapy for lymphoid and hematological malignancies. TLS followingradiotherapy for solid tumors is a very rare complication. In thisreport/review we describe a seventy-three-year-old male patient withprogressive metastatic carcinoma of the breast to the lungs, liver and bone.He was referred for radiotherapy because of generalized bony pains. Thepatient was planned for sequential hemi-body irradiation starting with themore symptomatic upper half body. After premedication, he was given 8.5 Gy tothe mid point at the maximum chest separation with anterior lung attenuatorlimiting uncorrected lung dose to 6.15 Gy. A further 3.5 Gy electron boost tothe fungating breast tumor was given to the 100%. Forty-eight hours after irradiation he developed hyperkalemia,hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, hypocalcemia and renal failure. Theseclinical and biochemical changes are typical of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).Despite hydration, and treating the hyperuricemia, the patient developed comaand died eight days after irradiation. The prophylaxis and management of TLS and in high-risk patients aredescribed to avoid this frequently fatal complication.
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  • 10
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; erbB2 ; HER-2/neu ; tamoxifen ; therapy resistance
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Aim:We aimed to study the importance of erbB2 status in earlystage postmenopausal breast cancer for patients who participated in a trialof five vs. two years of adjuvant tamoxifen. Patients and methods:We analysed the erbB2 status of the tumoursfrom 577 patients participating in the trial, either by a DNA amplificationassay (n = 181) or by measurement of the protein level with flowcytometry (n = 396). Results:ErbB2 was overexpressed or gene amplified in 102 of thepatients (18%). Overall, erbB2-positive patients had a significantlylower recurrence-free probability than others, 62% at five years ascompared to 83%, and showed a significantly decreased breast cancersurvival rate (P = 0.0007). ErbB2 status was significantlyassociated with recurrence and death in Cox multivariate analysis, adjustingfor nodal status, tumour size and estrogen receptor status. The relative riskof recurrence (RR) for five vs. two years of tamoxifen was analysed inrelation to erbB2 status for patients still disease-free two years aftersurgery. Whereas erbB2-negative patients showed significant benefit fromprolonged treatment (RR = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.42–0.93), no benefit was evident for erbB2-positive patients (RR= 1.1, 95% CI: 0.41–3.2). When the same analysis was restrictedto ER-positive patients a similar difference in relative hazard was obtainedbut the difference was not strictly significant (P = 0.065). Conclusions:For early stage breast cancer patients treated withadjuvant tamoxifen, overexpression of erbB2 is an independent marker of poorprognosis. The results suggest that overexpression decreases the benefit fromprolonged tamoxifen treatment.
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  • 11
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; cyclophosphamide ; elderly ; idarubicin ; oral chemotherapy
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
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  • 12
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: adjuvant therapy ; breast cancer ; docetaxel ; feasibility
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background and purpose:Docetaxel is an active agent in thetreatment of metastatic breast cancer. We evaluated the feasibility ofdocetaxel-based sequential and combination regimens as adjuvant therapies forpatients with node-positive breast cancer. Patients and methods:Three consecutive groups of patients withnode-positive breast cancer or locally-advanced disease, aged ≤70 years,received one of the following regimens: a) sequential A → T → CMF:doxorubicin 75 mg/m2 q 3 weeks × 3, followed by docetaxel 100mg/m2 q 3 weeks × 3, followed by i.v. CMF days 1 + 8 q 4weeks × 3; b) sequential accelerated A → T → CMF: A and T wereadministered at the same doses q 2 weeks; c) combination therapy: doxorubicin50 mg/m2 + docetaxel 75 mg/m2 q 3 weeks × 4,followed by CMF × 4. When indicated, radiotherapy was administeredduring or after CMF, and tamoxifen started after the end of CMF. Results:Seventy-nine patients have been treated. Median age was48 years. A 30% rate of early treatment discontinuation was observedin patients receiving the sequential accelerated therapy (23% duringA → T), due principally to severe skin toxicity. Median relativedose-intensity was 100% in the three treatment arms. The incidence ofG3–G4 major toxicities by treated patients, was as follows: skintoxicity a: 5%; b: 27%; c: 0%; stomatitis a: 20%;b: 20%; c: 3%. The incidence of neutropenic fever was a:30%; b: 13%; c: 48%. After a median follow-up of 18months, no late toxicity has been reported. Conclusions:The accelerated sequential A → T → CMFtreatment is not feasible due to an excess of skin toxicity. The sequentialnon accelerated and the combination regimens are feasible and under evaluationin a phase III trial of adjuvant therapy.
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  • 13
    ISSN: 1432-2013
    Keywords: Key words vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) ; apoptosis ; human articular chondrocytes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Chondrocytes present in articular cartilage survive as a resident cell population throughout the lifespan of the individual organism. However, articular chondrocytes as other cells also undergo apoptosis and there is an ever increasing list of diverse stimuli that can induce this phenomenon in vitro. Our main interest was to investigate potential cytotoxic effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) on human articular chondrocytes. The present study suggests that vitamin C can induce apoptosis in a cell culture of chondrocytes after 18 h of cultivation. Apoptosis-inducing activity of L-ascorbic acid is dose dependent and significantly affected by the presence of serum. The increased number of vitamin C induced apoptotic cells was associated with DNA fragmentation and morphological changes of the cells.
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  • 14
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; combination therapy ; paclitaxel ; vinorelbine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose:To evaluate the anti-tumour activity and tolerance of thecombination of paclitaxel plus vinorelbine in metastatic breast cancer (MBC)patients previously treated with anthracyclines. Patients and methods:Fifty-six MBC patients who have had at leastone previous anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimen were enrolled inthis phase II trial. Patients received paclitaxel (135 mg/m2 overone-hour infusion) and vinorelbine (30 mg/m2) both on day 1 of eachthree-week course of therapy (maximum eight courses or until diseaseprogression was evident). Results:Six complete and nineteen partial responses were observedamong the fifty-four assessable patients (response rate of 46%,95% CI: 33%–60%). Responses were observed in alldisease sites and in all subsets of patients. The response rates whenpaclitaxel plus vinorelbine were used as first, second and third-linechemotherapy for metastases were 67%, 41% and 35%,respectively. The response rate among anthracycline-refractory patients was46% (6 of 13). Median time to progression in the overall patient groupwas 28 weeks. The main toxicities (CTC grade 2 or more) were alopecia,myelosuppression and peripheral neuropathy (85%, 46% and19% of patients, respectively). Nine patients (17%) hadneutropenic fever in fifteen of the three hundred twenty-eight coursesadministered (5%). Conclusions:The combination of paclitaxel and vinorelbine on day1 every three weeks is active in MBC patients with prior anthracyclineexposure. The regimen is safe, well tolerated and convenient for the patients.
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  • 15
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; cyclophosphamide ; fluorouracil ; mitoxantrone ; radiation therapy ; secondary leukemia
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:The topoisomerase II-targeted drugs,epipodophyllotoxins and anthracyclines, have been shown to inducetherapy-related AML (t-AML) characterized by a short latency period afterchemotherapy, the absence of prior myelodysplastic syndrome and stereotypedchromosome aberrations. Few reports have been published on patients treatedwith the anthracenedione mitoxantrone which also targets topoisomerase II. Weobserved 10 cases of such t-AML over a 7-year-period in breast cancer patientstreated with mitoxantrone combined with fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide andregional radiotherapy, and in three cases with vindesine. Patients and methods:We retrospectively analyzed patientsreferred to our hospital for AML with a past history of polychemotherapy forbreast cancer, including mitoxantrone, either as adjuvant (8patients)/neoadjuvant (1 patient) therapy or for metastatic disease (1patient). We studied the probability of developing t-AML in a prospectiveseries of 350 patients treated with an adjuvant FNC regimen (mitoxantrone,fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide) and radiation therapy. Results:The median age was 45 years (range 35–67). t-AMLdeveloped 13–36 months (median 16) after beginning chemotherapy forbreast cancer, and 4–28 months (median 10.5) after ending treatment. Asdescribed in t-AML following treatment with epipodophyllotoxins oranthracyclines, we found a majority of FAB M4, M5 and M3 phenotypes (7 of 10),and characteristic karyotype abnormalities that also can be found in denovoAML: breakpoint on chromosome 11q23 (3 patients), inv(16)(p13q22)(2 patients), t(15;17)(q22;q11) (1 patient), t(8;21)(q22;q22) (1 patient) anddel(20q)(q11) (1 patient). The prognosis was poor. All patients died of AMLshortly after diagnosis. Since two patients had been enrolled in a prospectivetrial for the treatment of breast cancer which included 350 patients, theprobability of developing t-AML was calculated to be 0.7% from25–40 months, using the Kaplan–Meier method (95% confidenceinterval (95% CI): 0.1–4.5). Conclusions:The combination of mitoxantrone withcyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, and radiation therapy can induce t-AML, aswith other topoisomerase II-targeted drugs. Despite a low incidence, theprognosis appears to be poor.
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  • 16
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Annals of oncology 11 (2000), S. 1255-1262 
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: age ≤35 years ; breast cancer ; single institution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Early-onset breast cancer may differ with respect toetiology, clinical features and outcome compared with breast cancer in olderwomen. To gain further insight, we retrospectively reviewed the clinicalfeatures and outcome of women ≤35 years with primary breast cancer seen atour institution over a 30-year period. Patients and methods:Charts were reviewed for women with operablebreast cancer diagnosed ≤35 years of age seen at the Princess MargaretHospital (PMH), Toronto from 1965–1994. Results:One thousand eighty-six women with non-metastaticinvasive breast cancer, aged 18.3–35.6 years (median 32.1 years) werereferred to PMH. Symptoms at presentation included: self-detected breast lump(83%), other breast symptom (10%), physician diagnosis(4%) and unknown (3%). Tumor size was known in 936 (〉2 cm in61%) and nodal status in 888 (lymph node positive in 52%).Modified radical mastectomy was performed in 568 (57%) andbreast-conservation surgery (BCS) in 422 (42%). Five hundred sixteen(51%) patients received adjuvant radiotherapy and five hundredthirty-four (53%) adjuvant systemic therapy. Two hundred ninety-three(29%) patients had a family history of breast cancer (FH).Contralateral breast cancer (CBC) occurred more frequently in women with FH(Prange 0.042–0.008). Local recurrence (LR) was 37% and73% at 10 years in those treated by BCS with and without radiotherapy,respectively. At 10 years, disease-free survival (DFS) was 30% andoverall patient survival 48%. Conclusions:In this cohort, breast cancer was usuallyself-diagnosed and tumors were 〉2 cm at presentation in approximatelytwo-thirds of cases, suggesting the possibilities of a delay in diagnosis,more aggressive tumors or both. Our results are compatible with the knownassociation of breast cancer FH with increased CBC. Our data also corroboratesthe suggestion that positive genetic testing in this age group should lead toconsideration of more aggressive ipsilateral and contralateral breastmanagement. In those receiving adjuvant irradiation after BCS, the LR rate washigh, but did not impact on overall survival.
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  • 17
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; carboplatinum ; chemotherapy ; continuous 5-fluorouracil
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract We performed a trial using the combination of epirubicin 50mg/m2/day 1, carboplatinum AUC 5/day 1 and continuous5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 200 mg/m2/day (every 4 weeks for6 months) to confirm the efficacy and low toxicity profile of thisregimen in breast cancer. In 51 patients with metastatic(n = 33) or locally advanced (n = 18)breast cancer the overall response rate was 86% (95% confidenceinterval (95% CI): 73%–94%): 94% in locallyadvanced and 81% metastatic disease. Grade 3–4 toxicity was low:4% of patients presented with febrile neutropenia, 16% withsevere palmar-plantar syndrome, 10% with Port-a-cath thrombosis. This study confirms the high efficacy of infusional 5-FU-based regimens andjustifies further research into novel promising oral 5-FU derivatives.
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  • 18
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: adjuvant chemotherapy ; breast cancer ; doxorubicin ; elderly patients
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicaloutcome of doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly breast cancerpatients and to compare results in elderly patients with those in youngerpatients. Patients and methods:We retrospectively reviewed the records ofall patients aged 50 years or older treated in trials of doxorubicin-basedadjuvant chemotherapy between 1974 and 1988. Old age was not an exclusioncriterion for these trials. Patient characteristics, hematologic andnonhematologic side effects, patterns of recurrence, and causes of death weredetermined for patients aged 50–64 years and for patients aged 65 yearsor older, and results were compared between these two groups.Kaplan–Meier survival curves were plotted, and tested by the generalizedWilcoxon test. Results:A total of 390 patients aged 50 years or older weretreated with doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy during the study period.Of these, 325 were aged 50–64 years (group 1), and 65 were aged 65 yearsor older (group 2). The median follow-up period for group 1 was 185 months(range 29–272+ months), and the median follow-up period for group 2 was169 months (range 128–240+ months). There were no statisticallysignificant differences between the two groups with respect to performancestatus, hormone receptor profile, tumor size, nodal status, or type oflocoregional therapy. There also were no statistically significant differencesbetween the two groups in recurrence patterns, disease-free survival, oroverall survival. The granulocyte and platelet nadirs of cycles 1, 3, and 6were similar between the two groups. No cumulative hematologic side effectswere seen in either group. The occurrence of second malignancies was extremelylow in both groups. In both groups, the majority of deaths were due toprogression of disease. Conclusions:Adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy is welltolerated in elderly breast cancer patients who have good performance statusand normal cardiac ejection fraction. Adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapyin these patients results in disease-free and overall survival rates similarto those seen in younger patients.
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  • 19
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; hot flashes ; paroxetine ; serotonin uptake inhibitors ; survivors
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Many breast cancer survivors suffer debilitating hotflashes. Estrogen, the drug of choice in perimenopausal women, is generallynot recommenced to breast cancer survivors. Nonhormonal treatments are mostlydisappointing. Anecdotal reports in our institution suggested that theselective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor, paroxetine hydrochloride, might beefficacious in alleviating hot flashes. Patients and methods:Thirty women with prior breast cancer whowere suffering at least two hot flashes a day entered a single institutionpilot trial to evaluate paroxetine's efficacy in reducing the frequency andseverity of hot flashes. After completing daily diaries for one week on notherapy, the women received open-label paroxetine, 10 mg daily for one week,followed by four weeks of paroxetine, 20 mg daily. The women completedhot-flash daily diaries throughout the study period, and a health-relatedsymptom-assessment questionnaire and a quality-of-life rating scale in thefirst and sixth week of the study. Results:Twenty-seven women completed the six-week study period.The mean reduction of hot flash frequency was 67% (95%confidence interval (95% CI): 56%–79%). The meanreduction in hot flash severity score was 75% (95% CI:66%–85%). There was a statistically significantimprovement in depression, sleep, anxiety, and quality of life scores.Furthermore, 25 (83%) of the study participants chose to continueparoxetine therapy at the end of study. The most common adverse effect wassomnolence, resulting in drug discontinuation in two women, and dose reductionin two women. One woman discontinued drug due to anxiety. Conclusions:Paroxetine hydrochloride is a promising new treatmentfor hot flashes in breast cancer survivors, and warrants further evaluationin a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.
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  • 20
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; socio-economic status ; stage
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:This study describes and compares the pathologicalprognostic factors and surgeon assessment of stage of breast cancer of womenliving in affluent and deprived areas to assess whether clinical stage atpresentation may explain the known poorer survival outcomes for deprivedwomen. Patients and methods:A population-based review of the caserecords of 417 women with breast cancer was carried out. Results:No difference in pathological criteria was found betweenthe 88% of women living in affluent and deprived areas for whom suchdata were available. Clinical assessment of the remaining 50 cases showed thatwomen living in deprived areas were more likely to present with locallyadvanced or metastatic disease. Conclusion:The poorer survival of women from deprived areas withbreast cancer may be explained by more deprived women presenting with advancedcancers.
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  • 21
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; choice ; decision-making process ; patient–physician relationship
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Shared decision-making is increasingly advocated asan ideal model. However, very few studies have tested the feasibility ofgiving patients the opportunity to participate in the choice of treatment. Patients and methods:Women, with non-metastatic breast cancer,eligible for non-intensified adjuvant chemotherapy attending our hospital wereproposed two administrations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy: a sequentialand a concomitant one. Two patient-questionnaires were used to elicitmotivations for their choice and their degree of comfort with the process ofdecision-making and one questionnaire to test physicians' ability to predictpatients' choice. Results:Participation rate in the study was 75.3%(n = 64). Majority (64%) of patients chose the concomitanttreatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with a lower level ofeducation, who discussed the choice with social circle, and who most fearedside-effects were more likely to choose the sequential treatment. Physicianswere able to predict patients' choice in 66% of cases. 89% ofpatients declared that they were "fully satisfied" with having participatedin the choice of treatment and 79% supported shared decision-making. Conclusions:Results are in favour of promoting activeparticipation of cancer-patients in medical decision-making. The adequatedegree of such participation remains however to be elicited and tested fortherapeutic choices implying more difficult trade-offs between quantity andquality of life.
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  • 22
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: adjuvant therapy ; breast cancer ; second cancer ; tamoxifen
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Women treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer are atincreased risk of endometrial cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohortstudy to evaluate the risk of second primary cancers after adjuvant tamoxifentherapy for breast cancer in Japan. Patients and methods:The subjects of the study were 6148 womenwho had been diagnosed with stage I, II, or IIIA unilateral primary breastcancer and had received surgical treatment during the period from January 1982through December 1990 at nine institutions in Japan. The information on eachpatient was obtained from medical records or a prospectively compiled computerdatabase at each institution. Results:Of the 6148 women, 3588 (58.4%) were administeredtamoxifen as an adjuvant treatment and 2560 (41.6%) were notadministered. Median follow-up periods were 7.64 years for tamoxifen-treatedpatients and 8.10 years for non-tamoxifen-treated patients, respectively. Theduration of tamoxifen treatment was mostly two years or less (80.7%),and few patients received tamoxifen for more than five years. The cumulativeincidence rates of all second cancers at 10 years were 4.61% and4.09% among tamoxifen-treated and non-tamoxifen-treated patients(P = 0.62), respectively, and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) forall second cancers was 1.06 (95% confidence interval (CI):0.77–1.47) after adjustment of several covariates. The numbers ofendometrial cancers was 9 and 3 among tamoxifen-treated andnon-tamoxifen-treated patients, respectively, and the IRR was 2.37 (95%CI: 0.64–8.77, P = 0.20). Of the 12 patients who developedendometrial cancer, 4 died of cancer (for 3 of them, the cause of death wasbreast cancer), and the other 8 patients were alive as of March 1996. Stomachcancer was the most frequent second cancer and the IRR was 1.34 (95%CI: 0.76–2.38, P = 0.31). There was no substantialincrease in any other type of gastrointestinal cancer such as colorectal andliver cancers among tamoxifen-treated patients. Conclusions:The incidence and risk of second primary cancersassociated with tamoxifen therapy is low. The potential benefit of adjuvanttamoxifen therapy in breast cancer patients outweighs the risk of secondprimary cancers for Japanese breast cancer patients.
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  • 23
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; docetaxel ; epirubicin
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose:In a previous phase I trial we evaluated the toxicity anddetermined the maximum tolerated doses of the docetaxel (D)–epirubicin(Epi) combination. We conducted a multicenter phase II study to evaluate theefficacy and tolerability of this regimen as front-line treatment in womenwith advanced breast cancer (ABC). Patients and methods:Fifty-four women with ABC stage IIIB (4patients) or IV (50 patients) received front-line treatment with Epi 70mg/m2 on day 1 and D 90 mg/m2 on day 2. The median agewas 55 years, performance status (WHO) was 0–1 in 49 patients andvisceral disease was present in 45 (83%). Results:All patients were evaluable for toxicity and 50 forresponse. In an intent-to-treat analysis complete remission was observed in5(9%) patients, partial remission in 31 (57%) (overall responserate 66%, 95% confidence interval: 54%–79%),stable disease in 9 (17%) and disease progression in 9 (17%).After a median follow-up of 11.5 months, the median duration of responses was8 months, the median time to disease progression 11.5 months and the mediansurvival has not yet been reached. The probability of one-year survival was65%. Three hundred six cycles of treatment were administered (median6 cycles per patient). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed in 8(15%) and 31 (57%) patients, respectively, and febrileneutropenia in 19 (35%). Prophylactic rh-G-CSF was used in 45(83%) patients or 226 (74%) cycles. Other hematologic ornon-hematologic toxicities were usually mild. In five (9%) patients theleft ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was decreased by more than10% with the treatment. Two patients died during the treatment ofrespiratory failure without associated neutropenia. Conclusions:The combination of docetaxel–epirubicin is aneffective and well tolerated front-line treatment in patients with ABC.
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  • 24
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: 5-fluorouracil ; antifolates ; apoptosis ; DNA repair ; p53 ; thymidylate synthase
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Thymidylate synthase (TS) is an essential enzyme for the de novo synthesis of thymidylate and subsequently DNA synthesis. TS has been usedas a target for cancer chemotherapy in the development of fluoropyrimidinessuch as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-fluorodeoxyuridine and of novelfolate-based TS inhibitors such as ZD1694 (Tomudex, Raltitrexed), ZD9331,LY231514 (ALIMTA, Pemetrexed), AG337 (Thymitaq, Nolatrexed) and AG331.Although TS has been considered as a target for chemotherapy, the precisemechanism by which TS inhibition leads to cell death is still not completelyresolved. TS inhibition results in depletion of dTTP, an essential precursorfor DNA, and an increase in dUTP. This results in the so-called thymine-lessdeath due to misincorporation of dUTP into DNA; its excision, catalysed byuracil-DNA glycosylase, results in DNA damage. Both this imbalance indTTP/dUTP and DNA damage can result in induction of downstream events, leadingto apoptosis. On the other hand a specific interaction exists betweenoncogenes and TS, by binding of TS protein to the p53and c-mycRNA, while wt p53can also inhibit TS promotor activity. TSinhibition by either 5-FU or antifolates can also result in a depression ofTS protein mediated inhibition of TS mRNA translation leading to induction ofmore TS protein synthesis, and p53protein may further deregulatethis process. These complex indirect and direct interactions between oncogenesand TS may have as yet unclear clinical implications, since most data arebased on in vitroor in vivo studies and some results arecontradictive. In some preliminary clinical studies evidence was postulatedfor a combined prognostic role for TS and p53.This knowledge shouldbe used to design clinical studies with the aim to deliver effective treatmentto potentially sensitive patients both in the adjuvant setting and in advancedstage disease.
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  • 25
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; p53 ; prognostic factors
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:There is heterogeneity of methods and conflictingresults concerning the prognostic value of p53 in node-negativebreast cancer. The clinical value of a quantitative method for measuringtumoral p53 content still needs to be evaluated. Patients and methods: A long-term retrospective study wasconducted on 297 node-negative patients with a median follow-up greater than10 years (11 years, 101–172 months). Classic prognostic factors wereconsidered including age, tumor size, histoprognostic grade and estradiol (ER)and progesterone receptors (PR). In addition, the value of p53 determination (immunoluminometric assay in tumor cytosol) was assessed forthis long follow-up period. Results: p53 concentrations were significantly linked tothe histological grade (P = 0.001), to tumor size (P = 0.02)and ER status (P = 0.01). Higher p53 tumoral concentrationswere found in tumors with large size, pejorative histological grade andnegative ER status. In contrast, p53 tumoral concentrations were notinfluenced by menopausal or PR status. Multivariate Cox analysis demonstratesthat tumor size was the only significant predictor of disease-free survival(P = 0.049) with a risk factor at 1.38. As regards specific survival,univariate Cox analysis indicates that p53 taken as a continuousvariable is a significant predictor (P = 0.024) together withhistological grade, tumor size and ER status. In a multivariate Cox analysisthere were two significant and independent variables for predicting overallsurvival: tumor size (P = 0.031) and ER status (P = 0.015)with the highest risk factor (RR = 2.14). Conclusions:The present investigation points out that theprognostic power of p53 tumor determination evaluated at more than10 years median survival is not higher than the well-recognized classicprognostic factors in node-negative breast cancer. The present data highlightthe need to assess the prognostic value of potentially new biological factorsin node-negative breast cancer on cohorts of patients followed over periodsin excess of 10 years.
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  • 26
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; genetic counselling ; risk assessment
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:With the identification of genes predisposing tohereditary breast cancer, the accurate and consistent estimation of a woman'srisk of developing breast cancer based on her family history is of paramountimportance if national service guidelines are to be developed. Patients and methods:The residual lifetime risk of developingbreast cancer was estimated for 200 women attending a breast cancer geneticassessment clinic by three different methods currently in use in the UK. Riskswere computed on the basis of the Cancer and Steroid Hormone (CASH) study dataand were classified as ‘low/moderate’ (〈20%) or ‘high’(〉20%). These risk categories are representative of those currentlyused to allocate surveillance and genetic testing. Risks were then comparedto estimates derived by other methods used in current clinical practice,including those of Houlston and Murday. Results:The CASH data-based method ascribed 27% to thehigh risk category, as compared to 53% for the combined Houlston andMurday methods. A method based on the number of affected relatives aloneascribed only 14% to the high risk category. Overall, 108 (54%)women were placed in the same risk category by all three methods. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that there is a significantdegree of variability between methods currently used to estimate breast cancerrisk which has serious implications for individual patient management, serviceprovision and multicentre studies evaluating the benefits of genetic testingfor breast cancer susceptibility.
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  • 27
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    Annals of oncology 11 (2000), S. 495-496 
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; gemcitabine ; metastases ; vinorelbine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose:Gemcitabine (GEM) and vinorelbine (VNR) are both activeagainst advanced breast cancer (ABC), being able to induce a median ORR of25% and 40%, respectively. Because of their different mechanismof action and good tolerability, the combination of GEM and VNR has beentested in ABC. Patients and methods:Twenty-nine ABC patients pretreated withanthracycline-taxane were treated with GEM 1000 mg/m2 on day 1, 8,15, and VNR 25 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8 every twenty-eight days.Analysis of toxicity pattern, response rate, TTP and OS were carried out. Results:Twenty-nine patients were enrolled into the trial. TheORR was 48% (95% CI: 29–67): a CR was observed in threepatients (10%; 95% CI: 2–27), while eleven patients(38%; 95 CI: 21–58) achieved PR, eight (28%) had a SD, andseven (24%) progressed. Toxicity was mainly hematological and included:grade 3 leukopenia in 48% of cases without episodes of neutropenicfever, grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia in 10%, and grade 2 anemia in7%. Non-hematological toxicities were mild and rather infrequent. Conclusions:The GEM–VNR combination seems to be active inpretreated ABC with an acceptable toxicity pattern, and may well reppresentan interesting therapeutic choice after anthracycline/taxane regimens.
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  • 28
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    Annals of oncology 11 (2000), S. 469-474 
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; Prognostic factors ; psychosocial factors
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Research interest in psychosocial predictors of theonset and course of cancer has been active since the 1950s. Recently wereported associations between psychological factors and survival in patientswith metastatic melanoma. We now report a replication of this study in asample of women with metastatic breast cancer. Patients and methods:Ninety-nine patients with metastatic breastcancer completed questionnaires measuring cognitive appraisal of threat,coping, psychological adjustment, perceived aim of treatment, social supportand quality of life, approximately four months after diagnosis. Survival wasmeasured from date of study entry to date of death or censored at the date oflast follow-up for surviving patients. Results:In a multivariate analysis, four factors independentlypredicted outcome. Patients with metastases in the liver, lung or pleurasurvived for a shorter duration (P 〈 0.001); older patients(P 〈 0.001) and those with a better appetite (P 〈0.05) also lived for a shorter time. Patients who minimised the impact ofcancer survived longer (a median of 29.1 vs. 23.9 months after study entry,P 〈 0.01). Conclusions:Minimisation was also significantly associated withoutcome in patients with metastatic melanoma who participated in anidentically designed study, reported elsewhere. This suggests thatminimisation may have a general impact on cancer progression and deservescloser scrutiny in other cancers.
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  • 29
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: 5-FU ; breast cancer ; metastatic ; navelbine ; protracted continuous infusion
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:The protracted continuous infusion (PCI) of5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has proven in several studies an active and welltolerated treatment for advanced, pretreated breast cancer. Navelbine has alsoactivity in this setting. Patients and methods:Heavily pretreated patients with metastaticbreast carcinoma were eligible for the study. Treatment consisted of 5-FU 250mg/m2 given as a PCI by an elastomeric pump and navelbine 20mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, every four weeks. Eighty-three patients(median age 54 years; range 32–82 years) entered the study. The mediannumber of metastatic tumour sites was 2, with visceral involvement in 56patients. Apart from five patients with contraindications, all patients hadbeen pretreated with anthracyclines. Thirty-one patients had received taxanesand seventy-four bolus 5-FU. Results:A median of 5 cycles (range 1–14) per patient wasadministered. The median duration of 5-FU infusion was 17 weeks (range, 4-90).In the 80 evaluable patients (3 not yet evaluable) 12 complete remissions and24 partial remissions occurred (response rate, 45%). Median durationof response was 9 months. Toxicity was mild. Median survival was 20 months. Conclusions:PCI–5-FU combined with navelbine offers areasonable chance of tumour regression with modest side effects in patientswith heavily pretreated breast cancer.
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  • 30
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: adjuvant chemotherapy ; attitudes ; breast cancer ; consensus
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:A worldwide variation in policy is seen regardingadjuvant systemic treatment for node negative breast cancer (NNBC). After thefirst presentations of the 10-year EBCTCG results, a study was carried out inthe Netherlands to assess patterns of care and to obtain the views ofoncologists as to what constitutes a worthwhile benefit from treatment. Methods:A questionnaire regarding patterns of use of andpreferences for adjuvant chemotherapy in younger women was mailed to surgical,medical and radiation oncologists in the Netherlands. Results:Thirty-five percent stated that NNBC patients under 50in their hospital never received adjuvant chemotherapy. The majorityconsidered a 10-year survival gain of 6%–10% sufficientto warrant the use of chemotherapy in patients under 50. Surgical oncologistsrequired a larger benefit from treatment than radiotherapists and medicaloncologists. The more frequently oncologists treated patients in a researchcontext, the less benefit they required from treatment to make it worthwhile. Conclusions:Data such as these are valuable input into theprocess of guideline development, and may help discussion within theprofession as to what benefit offsets the burden of treatment.
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  • 31
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; clinical trial ; docetaxel ; hepatic metastases
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Previous phase II studies of docetaxel have indicatedthat hepatic metastases from breast cancer respond well to first-linetreatment with docetaxel. The objective of this prospective, open label phaseII study therefore was specifically to evaluate the activity and safety ofdocetaxel in this indication. Patients and methods:The study recruited 47 women (mean age 50years, range 33–66 years) with hepatic metastases from breast cancer whofulfilled the eligibility criteria. After premedication with steroids,patients received a one-hour intravenous infusion of docetaxel 100mg/m2 at three-weekly intervals for up to eight cycles. Responseto treatment during medication was assessed after three, six and whereappropriate, eight cycles and every three month follow-up thereafter, untildisease progression or death. Results:The best overall response rate (ORR) for evaluablepatients was 64.3% (95% CI: 48.0%–78.5%).In terms of the primary efficacy parameters, the ORR at the sixth cycle oftreatment was 62% (95% CI: 45%–80%) with17% complete responses. The median duration of response was 139 days(95% CI: 111–216 days) and the median survival durationcalculated on an intent-to-treat basis was 335 days (227–568 days,95% CI). One (2%) toxic death was reported. Conclusions:Docetaxel is a highly effective cytotoxic agent inthe treatment of patients with liver metastases from breast cancer.
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  • 32
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; lymph nodes ; sentinel lymph node biopsy
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) has been proposed as analternative to axillary lymph-node dissection (ALND) in breast cancer. Beforeimplementing SNB in our practice, we wished to test its validity by comparingit to the standard ALND, both in our hands and with other reported series. Patients and methods:One hundred thirty-two patients wereincluded prospectively. SNB and immediate ALND were performed. For SNB, atechnetium-colloid was used to produce preoperative lymphoscintigraphy andintraoperative gamma-probe search for the SN. Serial sectioning andimmunostains were used on the SN. A comprehensive review of the literature wasdone in order to run a meta-analysis of diagnostic tests using a summaryreceiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) to calculate the pooledparameters of sensitivity and associated 95% confidence interval(95% CI), including our own data. Results:Our technical success rate was 96%. Localsensitivity was 96%, with a 95% CI from85%–99%. Seven patients were upstaged by the SNB. Aliterature search identified 18 studies published from 1996–1999.Estimates of sensitivity ranged from 83%–100%. The pooleddata meta-analysis gave a global sensitivity of 91%, with a 95%CI from 89%–93%. The area under the global SROC curve was0.9967. Conclusions:The minimally invasive SNB was shown to be apractical alternative to ALND. We propose to use local as well as globalsensitivity and associated 95% CI to test the validity of SNB in theclinical setting. Due to limitations of ALND as the golden standard, SNB canin fact be considered a more accurate method for nodal staging.
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  • 33
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: docetaxel + gemcitabine ; docetaxel + vinorelbine ; phase I ; breast cancer
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose:The objective of this study was to determine thedocetaxel MTD when combined with gemcitabine or vinorelbine in advanced breastcancer patients who had received previous anthracycline-based chemotherapy foradvanced disease. Patients and methods:Advanced breast cancer patients aged between18 and 70 with ECOG PS 0–2 who had not responded to, or had relapsedafter, first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy, were randomized to receiveeither gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 or vinorelbine 25 mg/m2in combination with escalating doses of docetaxel (starting from 30mg/m2), all on days 1 and 8 every three weeks. Escalation wasstopped if 〉33% of patients treated at a given dose level showed DLTat the first cycle. Results:A total of 34 patients with locally advanced (8) ormetastatic disease (26) were treated, for a total of 94 cycles delivered.Nineteen patients received docetaxel in combination with gemcitabine and 15with vinorelbine. All patients had been pretreated with anthracyclines, and24 of 34 had also received weekly dose-dense paclitaxel. A docetaxel dose of40/m2 proved to be safe when combined on days 1 and 8 withgemcitabine, while a dose of 35 mg/m2 was tolerated in combinationwith vinorelbine. Overall, nine episodes of DLT, all of them neutropenia,occurred at the first cycle. Considering all 94 cyles, grades 3 or 4neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 15 (44%), and 7(20%) patients. Non-hematologic toxicity was mild, except for threecases of grade 2 peripheral neuropathy. All patients were assessed forresponse on an 'intent-to-treat' basis. Overall, five partial responses wererecorded (docetaxel + gemcitabine = 3 and docetaxel + vinorelbine = 2), fora 15% (95% CI: 5%–31%) overall responserate. Only 1 of 24 (4%) patients who had received weekly dose-densepaclitaxel responded to treatment. Conclusions:The weekly docetaxel administration in combinationwith either gemcitabine or vinorelbine is a well-tolerated treatment forheavily pretreated advanced breast cancer patients. This approach, althoughsometimes capable of achieving a major response, does not seem advisable inadvanced breast cancer patients refractory to both anthracyclines andpaclitaxel.
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  • 34
    ISSN: 1569-8041
    Keywords: breast cancer ; estrogen receptor ; progesterone receptor ; preoperative chemotherapy
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background:We recently demonstrated that in premenopausalpatients with estrogen receptors (ER)-absent tumors, early initiation ofsystemic chemotherapy after primary surgery might improve outcome. These dataindicate a different responsiveness to chemotherapy for tumors not expressinghormone receptors. To test this hypothesis we evaluated the responsiveness topreoperative chemotherapy in patients with ER and progesterone receptors(PgR)-absent tumors. Patients and methods:Patients with biopsy-provenT2–T3, N0–2 breast cancertreated at a single institution from January 1995 to August 1999 withpreoperative chemotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. ER and PgR weredetermined immunohistochemically and classified for this purpose as absent(0% of the cells positive) or positive (≥1% of the cells). Results:On 117 evaluable patients 72 had an objective response(61%). A significant difference in response was observed for patientswith ER and PgR absent compared with those with ER and/or PgR-positive tumors(82% vs. 57%,P = 0.03 Fishers's exact test).Pathological complete remission rates were also significantly different in thetwo groups (23% vs. 7%, respectively; P = 0.04). Conclusions:The different degree of response according to hormonereceptors expression supports the hypothesis that tumors not expressing bothER and PgR might represent a different clinical entity in terms ofchemotherapy responsiveness.
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  • 35
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: endosulfan ; cytotoxicity ; mitochondria ; apoptosis ; Jurkat cells
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Several organochlorinated pesticides including DDT, PCBs and dieldrin have been reported to cause immune suppression and increase susceptibility to infection in animals. Often this manifestation is accompanied by atrophy of major lymphoid organs. It has been suggested that increased apoptotic cell death leading to altered T-B cell ratios, and loss of regulatory cells in critical numbers leads to perturbations in immune function. The major objective of our study was to define the mechanism by which endosulfan, an organochlorinated pesticide, induces human T-cell death using Jurkat, a human T-cell leukemic cell line, as an in vitro model. We exposed Jurkat cells to varying concentrations of endosulfan for 0-48 h and analyzed biochemical and molecular features characteristic of T-cell apoptosis. Endosulfan lowered cell viability and inhibited cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. DAPI staining was used to enumerate apoptotic cells and we observed that endosulfan at 10-200 μM induced a significant percentage of cells to undergo apoptotic cell death. At 48 h, more than 90% cells were apoptotic with 50 μM of endosulfan. We confirmed these observations using both DNA fragmentation and annexin-V binding assays. It is now widely being accepted that mitochondria undergo major changes early during the apoptotic process. We examined mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) in endosulfan treated cells to understand the role of the mitochondria in T-cell apoptosis. Within 30 min of chemical exposure, a significant percentage of cells exhibited a decreased incorporation of DiOC6(3), a cationic lipophilic dye into mitochondria indicating the disruption of ΔΨm. This drop in ΔΨm was both dose- and time-dependent and correlated well with other parameters of apoptosis. We also examined whether this occurred by the down regulation of bcl-2 protein expression that is likely to increase the susceptibility of Jurkat cells to endosulfan toxicity. Paradoxically, the intracellular expression of bcl-2 protein was elevated in a dose dependent manner suggesting endosulfan-induced apoptosis occurred by a non-bcl-2 pathway. Based on these data, as well as those reported elsewhere, we propose the following sequence of events to account for T-cell apoptosis induced by endosulfan: uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation → excess ROS production → GSH depletion → oxidative stress → disruption of ΔΨm → release of cytochrome C and other apoptosis related proteins to cytosol → apoptosis. This study reports for the first time that endosulfan can induce apoptosis in a human T-cell leukemic cell line which may have direct relevance to loss of T cells and thymocytes in vivo. Furthermore, our data strongly support a role of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in endosulfan toxicity.
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  • 36
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    Molecular and cellular biochemistry 204 (2000), S. 83-88 
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: FHIT ; cell cycle ; ecdysone ; tumor suppressor ; apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The mechanism of tumor suppressor action of the fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene is unknown. Disruption of cell cycle regulation leads to the tumor formation and many tumor suppressor genes suppress tumorigenesis through their effect on cell cycle regulation. We examined the expression of FHIT during the cell cycle, and determined whether overexpression of FHIT affects cell cycle kinetics and apoptosis. The FHIT cDNA was cloned into the ecdysone-inducible expression vector in both the sense and antisense orientations. Overexpression of the sense or antisense construct did not affect cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution or apoptosis in human 293T cells. Analysis of the FHIT expression in 293T cells collected at various cell cycle phases showed that the expression of FHIT is not under cell cycle regulation. These results indicate that the tumor suppressor activity of the FHIT gene may be independent of an effect on the cell cycle and apoptosis mechanisms.
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  • 37
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    Molecular and cellular biochemistry 212 (2000), S. 19-28 
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: melanoma ; transcription factors ; CREB ; invasion ; apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the role of CREB and its associated proteins in melanoma progression. We used MeWo human melanoma cells transfected with a dominant negative construct of CREB, KCREB. KCREB has a mutation in its DNA-binding domain and can not bind the CRE element. Expression of KCREB yields proper heterodimerization with CREB and its associated proteins, but the proteins associated with KCREB do not confer the same degree of transcriptional activity as they would in the case of wild-type CREB. Here, we demonstrate that expression of KCREB in MeWo melanoma cells leads to a decrease in their tumorigenicity and metastatic potential in nude mice. We identified two mechanisms that explain at least partially this effect of KCREB. The first, is one in which CREB and its associated proteins play an essential role in invasion. We showed that the invasive properties of KCREB-transfected MeWo cells were reduced due to the downregulation of the CRE-dependent expression of the type IV collagenase MMP-2 and the adhesion molecule MCAM/MUC18. In the second mechanism, CREB and its associated proteins act as survival factors for human melanoma cells. Here we demonstrated that expression of KCREB in MeWo cells rendered them susceptible to apoptosis induced by thapsigargin, which in turn increased the intracellular level of Ca2+. Thapsigargin induced CREB and ATF-1 phosphorylation and activated CRE-dependent transcription in MeWo cells. Collectively, our data demonstrate that CREB and its associated proteins play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis of human melanoma.
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  • 38
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: T-type Ca2+ channel ; polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor ; CAG trinucleotide repeats ; spinobulbar muscular atrophy ; apoptosis ; motorneuron ; cell lines ; neuroblastoma
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract We have analyzed Ca2+ currents in two neuroblastoma-motor neuron hybrid cell lines that expressed normal or glutamine-expanded human androgen receptors (polyGln-expanded AR) either transiently or stably. The cell lines express a unique, low-threshold, transient type of Ca2+ current that is not affected by L-type Ca2+ channel blocker (PN 200-110), N-type Ca2+ channel blocker (ω-conotoxin GVIA) or P-type Ca2+ channel blocker (Agatoxin IVA) but is blocked by either Cd2+ or Ni2+. This pharmacological profile most closely resembles that of T-type Ca2+ channels [1-3]. Exposure to androgen had no effect on control cell lines or cells transfected with normal AR but significantly changed the steady-state activation in cells transfected with expanded AR. The observed negative shift in steady-state activation results in a large increase in the T-type Ca2+ channel window current. We suggest that Ca2+ overload due to abnormal voltage-dependence of transient Ca2+ channel activation may contribute to motor neuron toxicity in spinobulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). This hypothesis is supported by the additional finding that, at concentrations that selectively block T-type Ca2+ channel currents, Ni2+ significantly reduced cell death in cell lines transfected with polyGln-expanded AR.
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  • 39
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: retinoic acid ; RARβ ; protein kinase A ; apoptosis ; caspase
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Both cAMP and retinoids play a role in cell differentiation and the control of cell growth. A site-selective cAMP analog, 8-Cl-cAMP and retinoic acid synergistically inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in certain cancer cells. In advanced or recurrent malignant diseases, retinoic acid (RA) is not effective even at doses that are toxic to the host. The objective of our present study was to examine the mechanism(s) of synergistic effects of retinoic acid (9-cis, 13-cis or all-trans RA) and 8-Cl-cAMP on apoptosis in human ovarian cancer NIH: OVCAR-3 and OVCAR-8 cells. RA induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in OVCAR-3 and OVCAR-8 cells. 8-Cl-cAMP acted synergistically with RA in inducing and activating retinoic acid receptor β (RARβ) which correlates with growth inhibition and apoptosis in both cell types. In addition, induction of apoptosis by RA plus 8-Cl-cAMP requires caspase-3 activation followed by cleavage of anti-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Furthermore, mutations in CRE-related motif within the RARβ promoter resulted in loss of both transcriptional activation of RARβ and synergy between RA and 8-Cl-cAMP. RARβ expression appears to be associated with induction of apoptosis. Introduction of the RARβ gene into OVCAR-3 cells resulted in gain of RA sensitivity. Loss of RARβ expression, therefore, may contribute to the tumorigenicity of human ovarian cancer cells. Thus, combined treatment with RA and 8-Cl-cAMP may provide an effective means for inducing RARβ expression leading to apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.
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  • 40
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    Molecular and cellular biochemistry 203 (2000), S. 59-71 
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: PTEN tumor suppressor ; cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors ; apoptosis ; chemosensitivity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The recently discovered tumor suppressor gene PTEN has been found mutated in many types of advanced tumors. When introduced into tumor cells that lack the wild-type allele of the gene, PTEN was able to suppress the growth of these cells. Here, we have analyzed how PTEN might alter cell cycle-regulatory controls to achieve this growth-inhibitory effect. We found that overexpression of PTEN stimulates the synthesis of three inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases, p21WAF1, p27KIP1, and p57,KIP2. This effect is very specific, as the expression of other components of the cell cycle engine, various cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases, is not affected. For p21WAF1 we show that this induction is due to the p53-independent transcriptional activation of its promoter. In addition, increased expression of PTEN rendered the cells more sensitive to apoptotic cell death. Therefore, our data suggest a two-fold mechanism of growth inhibition by PTEN: one that acts via the increased expression of CKIs such as p21WAF1, and another that augments the cellular propensity for apoptotic cell death.
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  • 41
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: tumour necrosis factor ; receptors ; subtypes ; calcium ; apoptosis ; cancer
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) receptors mediate a variety of effects dependent on cell type. A role for Ca2+ in TNF-induced death remains uncertain. Here we investigated restricting intracellular/extracellular Ca2+ in HeLa epithelial carcinoma cells expressing low and high levels of p75TNFR receptor subtype and KYM-1 rhabdomyosarcoma cells, models of rapid TNF-induced apoptosis. Ca2+-chelators EGTA and BAPTA-AM as well as microsomal Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, did not alter TNF-induced death. TNF was also unable to alter resting [Ca2+]i levels which remained 〈 200 nM even during times when these cells were undergoing apoptotic cell death. These findings indicate no role for modulated Ca2+ concentrations in TNF-induced apoptotic cell death.
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  • 42
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    Journal of clinical immunology 20 (2000), S. 229-239 
    ISSN: 1573-2592
    Keywords: Aging ; apoptosis ; TNF receptor ; Fas ; Fas ligand ; mitochondria
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The cellular and molecular basis of immune senescence is unclear. A number of mechanisms have been proposed. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Immunology, some of the mechanisms for various immunologic abnormalities in aging are presented. In this article, various molecular steps of both death receptor and mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis in general are reviewed. In particular, the role of apoptosis in T-cell immune senescence is discussed.
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  • 43
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: etoposide ; Bcl-XL ; Bax ; apoptosis ; K562 cells
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Etoposide is a potent anticancer agent that is used to treat various tumors. We have investigated the dose-dependent effect of etoposide on apoptosis using chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells treated with low (5 μM) or high (100 μM) concentrations of the drug. At a low concentration, etoposide induced little apoptosis at 24 h, while about 20% of the cells showed apoptosis morphologically at a high concentration. Processing of caspase-3 was slightly detected from 12 h and became obvious at 24 h with 100 μM etoposide. Caspase-3-like protease activity was detected at 24 h with a high concentration. Moreover, these changes were accompanied by cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). Changes of the mRNA levels of most apoptosis-regulating genes were not prominent at both concentrations, except for the rapid induction of c-IAP-2/HIAP-1 and the down-regulation of Bcl-XL by 100 μM etoposide. The downregulation of Bcl-XL protein occurred from 6 h, while Bax protein conversely showed a slight increase from 6 h. Taken together, the present findings show that the dose-dependent apoptotic effect of etoposide is based on a change in the balance between Bcl-XL and Bax, which precedes the activation of caspase-3.
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  • 44
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    Molecular and cellular biochemistry 207 (2000), S. 19-27 
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: PKC ; apoptosis ; bile acid ; hepatocyte
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The effect of GCDC-induced apoptosis on PKC activity and PKC's role in GCDC-induced hepatocyte apoptosis is unclear. The specific aims of this study were to determine if GCDC-induced apoptosis changed intracellular PKC activity and if modulation of PKC activity affected GCDC-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. Apoptosis was induced in isolated hepatocytes using GCDC. PKC activity was measured and specific PKC and calpain inhibitors were used to study the effects of PKC and calpain modulation on GCDC-induced apoptosis. After 4 h exposure, 50 μM GCDC induced apoptosis in 42% of hepatocytes. Intracellular PKC activity decreased to 44% of controls 2 h after exposure of hepatocytes to GCDC (p 〈 0.001). Pre-incubation of hepatocytes with the calpain protease inhibitor restored PKC activity in GCDC exposed hepatocytes to 91± 5% of control cells. Pre-incubation of hepatocytes with a calpain inhibitor decreased GCDC-induced apoptosis as did pre-incubation with the PKC activating phorbol ester, PMA. The combination of calpain inhibition and PMA further reduced GCDC-induced apoptosis but caused low level hepatic apoptosis. Inhibition of PKC with chelerythrine also substantially reduced GCDC-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. GCDC-induced apoptosis is associated with decreases in total cellular PKC activity, which appear to be dependent on intracellular calpain-like protease activity. The combination of protease inhibition and phorbol ester pretreatment preserved total cellular PKC activity and decreased GCDC-induced apoptosis but induced low level apoptosis in the absence of GCDC exposure. PKC inhibition also decreased GCDC-induced hepatocyte apoptosis highlighting the complex interactions of PKC and proteases during GCDC-induced apoptosis.
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  • 45
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: phosphatidylserine ; base exchange ; apoptosis ; thymocytes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The exposure of phosphatidylserine toward the external surface of the membrane is a well-established event of programmed cell death. The possibility that an apoptotic stimulus influences the metabolism of this phospholipid could be relevant not only in relation to the previously mentioned event but also in relation to the capability of membrane phosphatidylserine to influence PKC activity. The present investigation demonstrates that treatment of mouse thymocytes with the apoptotic stimulus dexamethasone, enhances the incorporation of [3H]serine into phosphatidylserine. Cell treatment with dexamethasone also enhanced the activity of serine base exchange enzyme, assayed in thymocyte lysate. Both the effects were observed at periods of treatment preceding DNA fragmentation. The addition of unlabelled ethanolamine, together with [3H]serine to the medium containing dexamethasone-treated thymocytes lowered the radioactivity into phosphatidylserine. Serine base exchange enzyme activity was influenced by the procedure used to prepare thymocyte lysate and was lowered by the addition of fluoroaluminate, that is widely used as a G-protein activator. The increase of serine base exchange enzyme activity induced by dexamethasone treatment was observed independently by the procedure used to prepare cell lysate and by the presence or absence of fluoroaluminate.
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  • 46
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    Molecular and cellular biochemistry 212 (2000), S. 35-43 
    ISSN: 1573-4919
    Keywords: cAMP ; CRE ; Cox-2 ; NO ; apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Chemistry and Pharmacology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Previous studies revealed that expression and activation of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) conveyed a protective principle in murine macrophages, thus attenuating pro-apoptotic actions of chemotherapeutic agents or programmed cell death as a result of massive nitric oxide (NO) generation. Expression of Cox-2 was achieved by treatment of cells with lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ or nontoxic doses of NO releasing agents. We reasoned E-type prostanoid formation, and in turn an intracellular cAMP increase as the underlying protective mechanism. To prove our hypothesis, we analyzed the effects of lipophilic cAMP-analogs on NO, cisplatin, or etoposide induced apoptosis in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Selected apoptotic parameters comprised DNA fragmentation (diphenylamine assay), annexin V staining of phosphatidylserine, caspase activity (quantitated by the cleavage of a fluorogenic caspase-3-like substrate Ac-DEVD-AMC), and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation (ΔΨ). Western blots detected accumulation of the tumor suppressor protein p53, relocation of cytochrome c to the cytosol, and expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Prestimulation with lipophilic cAMP-analogs attenuated apoptosis with the notion that cell death parameters were basically absent. To verify gene induction by cAMP in association with protection we established activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) by gel-shift analysis and moreover, treated macrophages with oligonucleotides containing a cAMP-responsive element (CRE) in order to scavenge CREB. Decoy oligonucleotides, but not control oligonucleotides, attenuated cAMP-evoked protection and reestablished pro-apoptotic parameters. We conclude that gene induction by cAMP protects macrophages towards apoptosis that occurs as a result of excessive NO formation or addition of chemotherapeutica. Attenuating programmed cell death by the cAMP-signaling system may be found in association with Cox-2 expression and tumor formation.
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  • 47
    ISSN: 1573-4978
    Keywords: apoptosis ; CD95 ; human hepatoma cell ; hydrogen peroxide ; p53
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in cell death induced by many different stimuli. Direct exposure of human hepatoma cell line SMMC-7221 to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can induce apoptosis characterized by morphological evidence and fragmentation of DNA assayed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase assay (TUNEL assay). Analysis of flow cytometry indicated that H2O2 can decrease the level of CD95(APO-1/Fas), and it is confirmed that H2O2 can also activate the differential expression of some specific gene such as p53 by means of RT-PCR technique. The results indicated that CD95 signal transduction system may be involved in the H2O2-induced apoptosis, and can regulate some specific genes associated with apoptosis in transcription and translation levels such as p53.
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  • 48
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    Molecular biology 34 (2000), S. 875-887 
    ISSN: 1608-3245
    Keywords: antisense oligonucleotides ; oncogenesis ; therapy of cancer ; apoptosis ; bcl family
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Members of the bcl-2 family genes are thought to be central regulators of apoptosis. Overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins, such as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, contributes not only to the development of cancer but also to its resistance against a wide variety of anticancer agents. Thus, downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL can potentially be used to improve therapeutic approaches to advanced cancer. The use of antisense biotechnology to downregulate antiapoptotic bcl family members in diverse cancers in vitro and in vivo is reviewed. The effects and potential limitations of antisense strategies are also discussed in the context of a critical view of recent research in the field.
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  • 49
    ISSN: 1618-2545
    Keywords: apoptosis ; caspase-3 ; E2F factor ; Lentinula edodes ; mycelial culture broth
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Extracts fromshiitake (Lentinula edodes) mycelial culture broth, by an organic solvent ethyl acetate, inhibited the proliferation of cultured cells. At lower concentrations (1.25–15 μg/ml), this inhibition, measured by the MTT assay, was dose- and cell line-dependent. Inhibition of tumor cells, such as Caski, SiHa, HeLa, HP-1 and A375, byL. edodes-436 extracts was stronger than inhibition of normal cells (3T3). At 20 μg/ml, the extracts induced changes in cell shape, DNA-fragmentation and the activation of caspase-3. The extracts also inhibited the binding of E2F protein to its promoter. The results suggest that extracts ofL. edodes culture broth contain substances that have the ability to induce apoptosis in the cultured cells.
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  • 50
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    Cytotechnology 34 (2000), S. 131-139 
    ISSN: 1573-0778
    Keywords: apoptosis ; bcl-xL ; cell growth ; cell viability ; hybridoma ; myeloma
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Abstract While the ectopic expression of the anti-apoptoticprotein Bcl-2 has been shown to significantly increaseboth cell viability and antibody production in batchculture, some cell lines are refractory to thesemanipulations. For example, the NS/O and theP3x63Ag8.653 murine myelomas, which express highendogenous levels of the Bcl-2 homologue Bcl-xL, areboth resistant to the anti-apoptotic effect of Bcl-2.This indicates that, in these cells, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xLmay be functionally redundant. In order to define therole which Bcl-xL plays in hybridoma cultures, we usedthe Sp2/0-Ag14 cell line. This murine hybridomaexpresses low levels of Bcl-xL and is highly sensitiveto apoptosis induction by cycloheximide (CHX) and byamino acid depletion. Bcl-xL-transfected Sp2/0-Ag14cells were more resistant than the wild type and theplasmid-containing cells to apoptosis induced by CHXand by glutamine depletion. Moreover, when compared tothe vector-transfected control, Bcl-xL-Sp2/0 cellsexhibited a substantial increase in viability instationary batch culture. Interestingly, Sp2/0-Ag14cells overexpressing Bcl-xL showed a growth behaviourthat was similar to the parent myeloma cell lineP3x63Ag8.653. Our results suggest that Bcl-xLexpression levels are sufficient to account for therelative robustness of some hybridoma cell lines instationary batch cultures.
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  • 51
    ISSN: 1573-0778
    Keywords: antisense ; apoptosis ; cell cycle ; c-jun ; protein production
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Abstract Expression of c-jun gene induces apoptosis ofcells cultured in serum-free medium. It also promotescell-cycling in serum-containing medium, leading cellsto die by overgrowth. Previously, we established anapoptosis-suppressible, cell-cycle arrestable cellline, c-jun AS, by transfecting Friend murineerythroleukemia (F-MEL) cells with adexamethasone-inducible antisense c-jun gene.Induction of the antisense c-jun transcriptionwith dexamethasone suppressed c-jun expression.As a result, c-jun AS cells survived inserum-free medium containing dexamethasone for a longtime, while F-MEL cells died quickly in the presenceor absence of dexamethasone. In serum-containingmedium, the growth of c-jun AS cells was viablyblocked by inducing antisense c-juntranscription, and the cells survived at thenon-growth state avoiding overgrowth. In the presentstudy, protein productivity of c-jun AS cellswas examined in comparison with that of wild typeF-MEL cells. C-jun AS and F-MEL cells werefurther transfected with a vector for expressingalkaline phosphatase as a protein to be produced, andnamed c-jun AS-SEAP and F-MEL-SEAP cells,respectively. In the serum-free medium withdexamethasone, c-jun AS-SEAP cells produced theprotein for up to 6 days, while F-MEL-SEAP cellsstopped production on day 3 due to cell death causedby serum deprivation. In the serum-containing mediumwith dexamethasone, c-jun AS-SEAP cells wereviably arrested in the cell cycle, and cell death dueto overgrowth was avoided. As the result, they couldproduce the protein for up to 18 days, whileF-MEL-SEAP cells stopped production within 7 days dueto cell death caused by overgrowth.
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  • 52
    ISSN: 1573-4986
    Keywords: sialidase ; sialyltransferase ; apoptosis ; Jurkat cells ; etoposide
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract The present study investigated the mechanism underlying alterations of cell surface sugar chains of Jurkat cells by inducing apoptosis with etoposide, an inhibitor of topoisomerase II. Within 3[emsp4 ]h of etoposide treatment, flowcytometric analysis revealed a decrease in Maackia amurensis agglutinin recognized α2,3-linked sialic acid moieties and an increase in Ricinus communis agglutinin recognized galactose. The results suggested that asialo-sugar chains on glycoconjugates were rapidly induced on the etoposide-treated cell surface. To clarify the desialylation mechanism, we studied α2,3-sialyltransferase mRNA expression and the activity of sialidase on the cell surface during etoposide-induced apoptosis. The expression of hST3Gal III and hST3Gal IV mRNAs were down-regulated and sialidase activity on the cell surface increased threefold within 2[emsp4 ]h of etoposide treatment. Moreover, the decrease in α2,3-linked sialic acid levels was significantly suppressed in the presence of 2,3-dehydro-2-deoxy-N-acetylneuraminic acid, an inhibitor of sialidase. These results suggested that activation or exposure of sialidase on the cell surface was induced by etoposide treatment and was the main cause of the decrease in sialic acids.
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  • 53
    ISSN: 1573-7276
    Keywords: bone sialoprotein ; osteopontin ; breast cancer ; metastasis ; bone metastases ; immunohistochemistry ; in situ hybridization
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN) are prominent, mineral-associated proteins in the extracellular matrix of bone that have been implicated in the metastatic activity of cancer cells. The expression of BSP, which is normally restricted to mineralizing tissues, has been observed in cancers with a high propensity for forming bone metastases. To investigate the relationship between BSP expression and the formation of bone metastases we have conducted an initial study of the expression of BSP in 10 intraductal breast carcinoma bone metastases using immunostaining and in situ hybridization, and compared the expression with OPN. The metastases were characterized by the infiltration of tumour cells into bone with extensive bone resorption evident. Moderate to strong staining for BSP was observed in all (100%) carcinomas, which also expressed BSP mRNA as determined by in situ hybridization. Variable staining for BSP was also observed in the mineralized bone and expression of BSP mRNA could be observed in osteoblastic cells on the bone surface and in some osteocytes at sites of bone remodelling. Contrary to a previous report, BSP expression could be demonstrated by PCR in three breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7, T47-D and MDA-MB-231. Moreover, in sub-cutaneous tumours formed by MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells injected into athymic mice, higher immunostaining for BSP was seen in large ulcerating tumours in which mineral deposits were formed. In contrast to BSP, staining for OPN in bone metastases was generally restricted to the interface between tumor cells and bone surface of the carcinomas. While OPN staining was also observed in the cytoplasm of osteoclasts, which showed strong hybridization to a digoxygenin-labelled OPN cRNA probe, expression of OPN was not clearly detectable in the tumour cells. These studies provide the first demonstration of BSP expression by tumour cells in bone metastases and support the concept that BSP may have a role in targeting metastatic cells to bone. Expression of OPN in bone metastases appears to be related to increased bone resorptive activity by osteoclasts.
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  • 54
    ISSN: 1573-7276
    Keywords: apoptosis ; Bcl-2 ; cell cycle ; invasion ; metastasis ; mobility ; melanoma B16-BL6 cells
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Quercetin has been known to have anti-tumor and anti-oxidation activities. In the present study, we have investigated its in vitro anti-metastatic activity. Quercetin inhibited the invasion and mobility of murine melanoma B16-BL6 cells in a dose-dependent manner but did not affect their adhesion to either laminin, fibronectin, or type VI collagen. Moreover, quercetin significantly inhibited the proliferation of B16-BL6 cells only in the case of time incubation longer than 48 h. Quercetin dose-dependently decreased the cell rates in S and G2–M phases of cell cycle. The effect of quercetin to cause a remarkable apoptosis of B16-BL6 cells was also demonstrated by flow cytometric assay as well as DNA fragmentation with a typical 180-bp ladder band in agarose electrophoresis and a quantitative analysis. Furthermore, quercetin markedly inhibited the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 but hardly influenced Bcl-XL. These results suggest that the inhibition of quercetin on invasiveness and migration of B16-BL6 cells are closely associated with the arrest of cell cycle as well as the induction of apoptosis by decreasing the Bcl-2 expression.
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  • 55
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    Clinical & experimental metastasis 18 (2000), S. 573-580 
    ISSN: 1573-7276
    Keywords: breast cancer ; cell motility ; KGF ; metastasis ; MCF-7 ; T-47D ; ZR-75-1
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Endogenous growth factors and cytokines are known to have a major influence on the progression, motility and invasiveness of tumor cells. We have reported previously that conditioned media from mouse fibroblasts increases the motility of breast cancer cells. Further, we determined that keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was an active factor from mouse fibroblasts responsible for most of the motility response in breast cancer cells. The present study examined the effect of human KGF on the motility of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative human breast cancer cell lines in culture using time-lapse videomicroscopy to quantify cell motility. In the present study we observed that recombinant human KGF enhanced several parameters of cellular motility in ER-positive cells but not in ER-negative cell lines. Further, we observed that the level of KGF receptor (KGFR) expression in ER-positive cells was much greater than in the ER-negative cell lines. The motility response to KGF was found to be both dose-and time-dependent. Of the three ER-positive breast cancer cell lines tested, MCF-7 cells were the most responsive to KGF stimulation. Finally, MCF-7 cells grown in estrogen-depleted media did not respond to KGF. These results suggest that KGF from stromal tissue surrounding a primary tumor mass can enhance tumor cell motility and may be an early signal in the progression of breast cancer cells to a more motile and metastatic phenotype. Thus, KGF, KGFR and/or the KGF signaling pathway may be important therapeutic targets for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer metastasis.
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  • 56
    ISSN: 1573-7276
    Keywords: apoptosis ; butyrate ; cell cycle ; cholesteryl butyrate ; drug delivery ; melanoma ; solid lipid nanospheres
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Literature data show that butyric acid derivatives bear a dose-dependent differentiative anti-proliferative activity on cancer cell lines and that apoptosis induction may play a major role. Although it was recently shown that solid lipid nanospheres (SLNs) are a suitable tool for several in vivo drug administration routes, there is little available information on melanoma cell lines. This study was aimed at evaluating the anti-proliferative and apoptotic in vitro effects of cholesteryl butyrate (chol-but) SLNs on melanoma cells. Increasing concentrations of chol-but SLNs were used to test two melanoma cell lines. Both cell lines were treated with Na-butyrate (Na-but) and chol-but SLNs for viability. Those tested with chol-but SLNs were more effective than Na-butirate (3 to 72 h). The apoptotic effects of chol-but SLNs were evaluated between 3 and 72 h by annexin-V (ANX-V)/propidium iodide (PI) staining and the antiproliferative effect by PI staining. Apoptosis anti-proliferative-regulatory proteins as bcl-2, Fas/APO1 (CD95) and PCNA (PC10) were also investigated. Flow cytometric analyses evidenced a G0/1-S transition block and a `sub-G0/1' apoptotic peak from 0.5 to 1.0 mM butyric acid. In ANX-V/PI flow cytometric staining, a dose- and time-dependent increase in the apoptotic cell percentage (ANX-V+) coupled with a down-regulation of PC10 and bcl-2 and a parallel up-regulation of Fas/APO1 (CD95) were found in both lines started after 3 to 24 h of chol-but SLNs treatment. Results show that chol-but SLNs exerts a dose/time-dependent effect in melanoma cell apoptosis induction between 3 and 24 h and a dose but not time-dependent effect after 24 h of treatment.
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  • 57
    ISSN: 1573-7276
    Keywords: breast cancer ; chromosome 11q13 ; gap junctions ; metastasis suppressor gene ; motility
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Introduction of normal, neomycin-tagged human chromosome 11 (neo11) reduces the metastatic capacity of MDA-MB-435 human breast carcinoma cells by 70–90% without affecting tumorigenicity. Differential display comparing MDA-MB-435 and neo11/435 led to the discovery of a human breast carcinoma metastasis suppressor gene, BRMS1, which maps to chromosome 11q13.1–q13.2. Stable transfectants of MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells with BRMS1 cDNA still form progressively growing, locally invasive tumors when injected in mammary fat pads of athymic mice but exhibit significantly lower metastatic potential (50–90% inhibition) to lungs and regional lymph nodes. To begin elucidating the mechanism(s) of action, we measured the ability of BRMS1 to perturb individual steps of the metastatic cascade modeled in vitro. Consistent differences were not observed for adhesion to extracellular matrix components (laminin, fibronectin, type IV collagen, type I collagen, Matrigel); growth rates in vitro or in vivo; expression of matrix metalloproteinases, heparanase, or invasion. Likewise, BRMS1 expression did not up regulate expression of other metastasis suppressors, such as NM23, Kai1, KiSS1 or E-cadherin. Motility of BRMS1 transfectants was modestly inhibited (30–60%) compared to parental and vector-only transfectants. Ability to grow in soft agar was also decreased in MDA-MB-435 cells by 80–89%, but the decrease for MDA-MB-231 was less (13–15% reduction). Also, transfection and re-expression of BRMS1 restored the ability of human breast carcinoma cells to form functional homotypic gap junctions. Collectively, these data suggest that BRMS1 suppresses metastasis of human breast carcinoma by complex, atypical mechanisms.
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  • 58
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: apoptosis ; DNA ; glioma ; estramustine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The drug effect of estramustine phosphate (EMP), an anti-microtubule agent on human glioma cells has been studied with the focus being mainly its cytotoxity or its targeting of organelles. However, the pharmacological knowledge of estramustine with respect to its cytotoxity and mechanism is limited. To acquire such knowledge, the present study investigates the ability of EMP to induce apoptosis in a human malignant glioma cell line. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were examined to monitor periodic changes. Agarose gel electrophoresis was also examined. Cellular DNA fragmentation ELISA was performed to investigate the DNA fragmentation rates and an MTT assay was studied to evaluate the ID50. A TEM study revealed condensing and fragmentation of the chromatin. Laddering of the bands was observed in all EMP exposure groups in agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA fragmentation in all EMP groups began at 0.5 h following an exposure with EMP and increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner as revealed by DNA ELISA fragmentation. ID50 at 24 h was 5.0 µM according to the MTT assay, a value close to 4.8 µM of ID50 was revealed by the DNA fragmentation assay. None of the above mentioned changes was observed in the control group. These results indicated that EMP caused a drug-induced apoptosis in the human malignant glioma cell line, U87MG.
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  • 59
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: selenium ; human glioma cells ; mitochondria ; apoptosis ; fibroblasts ; ultrastructure ; MTT
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract We examined the effect of the trace element selenium on human glioma cell lines: T98G, U373MG, and U87MG, in addition to dermal fibroblast cells. Cultures were incubated with sodium selenite, and the following parameters were studied: cell growth, mitochondrial function, and ultrastructure. Cell growth was assayed by counting the number of viable cells after treatment with selenium. Mitochondrial function was analyzed using the MTT (tetrazolium salt reduction) assay. Apoptosis was determined by evaluating nuclear chromatin condensation by electron microscopy. The results indicated that selenium had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of the tumor cells but had little effect upon dermal fibroblasts which had been passaged numerous times. Selenium also induced mitochondrial damage as shown by MTT assay in two brain tumor cell lines and in minimally passaged fibroblasts, but it had little effect upon the high-passage fibroblasts. Ultrastructurally, mitochondria had electron-dense inclusions resulting from selenium treatment. High rates of apoptosis were induced by selenium in the tumor cell lines and in the minimally passaged fibroblasts, whereas the fibroblasts with a high number of passages had some resistance to selenium treatment. This study correlates the adverse effects of selenium on mitochondrial function, inhibition of cell growth, and apoptosis and shows that selenium similarly affects three different brain tumor cell lines and minimally passaged fibroblasts. Further, the results with fibroblasts show that some types of cells after repeated passages can develop resistance to selenium damage.
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  • 60
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: choroidal metastasis ; leptomeningeal carcinomatosis ; breast cancer ; docetaxel ; mitoxantrone
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Choroidal metastases from breast cancer represent an unusual metastatic presentation that has been traditionally treated with radiation therapy. Herein, we report a case of metastatic breast cancer presenting with pulmonary, cutaneous, lymph node and symptomatic choroidal metastases treated with systemic combination chemotherapy incorporating docetaxel and mitoxantrone without induction or consolidation radiation therapy to control visual symptoms from choroidal metastases. The patient experienced a durable complete remission in all metastatic sites that was maintained for 21 months since the initiation of chemotherapy, afterwhich she developed isolated leptomeningeal carcinomatosis managed successfully with intensive intrathecal methotrexate and whole brain irradiation leading to a new complete remission maintained until this report; 11 months after its presentation. This is the first case to our knowledge reporting complete regression of choroidal metastases with docetaxel-based chemotherapy as the only treatment modality and subsequent isolated leptomeningeal carcinomatosis recurrence.
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  • 61
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    Journal of neuro-oncology 47 (2000), S. 31-38 
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: glioma ; apoptosis ; vitamin K ; reactive oxygen intermediates ; Fas/APO-1 ; flow cytometry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Congeners of vitamin K have been found to inhibit growth in various rodent and human tumor cells, but the mechanisms of the inhibitory action are still not well understood. To investigate the modes of actions of vitamin K, we used several vitamin K analogs and examined their cytotoxic effect for human glioma cell lines RBR17T and U251. The analogs included vitamin K1 (VK1), vitamin K2 (VK2), vitamin K3 (VK3), and geranylgeraniol (GGO) which form an unsaturated side chain of VK2. Cell viability was estimated by MTT assay. DNA fragmentation was demonstrated by gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. In order to study the mechanism of apoptosis, we measured the changes of intracellular reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and Fas/APO-1 expression by flow cytometry. The results showed: (1) VK2, VK3, and GGO inhibited cell growth; (2) VK3 had a more potent cytotoxic effect than VK2, and VK3 enhanced the cytotoxic effect of antitumor agents (ACNU and IFN-beta) in RBR17T cells; (3) VK2, VK3, and GGO induce apoptosis; (4) VK3 increased the expression of Fas/APO-1 although VK2 and GGO did not increase its expression in glioma cells; (5) VK3 increased the production of intracellular ROI. Catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) inhibited production of intracellular ROI and antagonized inhibition of cell-growth induced by VK2, but failed to antagonize that of VK2 and GGO. We hypothesize that VK3 induces apoptosis by promoting the generation of intracellular ROI and Fas/APO-1 expression. On the other hand, VK2 and GGO induce apoptosis but most likely by some other unknown pathway.
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  • 62
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    Journal of neuro-oncology 47 (2000), S. 153-160 
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: tumour ; apoptosis ; incidence ; p53 ; bax ; immunohistochemistry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract We sought to determine the relative incidence of meningiomas compared to other central nervous system tumours in an Asian surgical series, as well as the demographic and biological characteristics of these meningiomas. A review of 655 consecutive cases of central nervous system tumours from 583 patients representing the last five years admissions to one hospital in Singapore was undertaken. A total of 33 malignant/atypical tumours from 19 patients and 196 benign meningiomas from 187 patients were identified. Twenty malignant/atypical and 20 benign tumours were selected at random and subjected to histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies directed against p53, bax and 3′-DNA hydroxy groups (TUNEL). Meningiomas comprised some 35.2% of all central nervous system tumours with malignant/atypical meningiomas representing 9.2% of meningiomas. Histochemically, necrosis was the predominant finding. However, peri-necrotic areas displayed p53 positivity in 10% of cases and bax positivity in 25% of cases. Apoptotic cells were detected in the peri-necrotic areas in 90% of benign and 75% of malignant/atypical meningiomas. Meningiomas represent the predominant form of central nervous system tumour in the Singaporean population, and aberration of p53 expression is not associated with tumour formation or progression. There was a slight but non-significant reduction in apoptosis in the progression from benign to malignant meningioma, suggesting that in contrast to many other tumour types disruption of cellular apoptosis is not a predominant driving force in Asian meningioma tumourigenesis.
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  • 63
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    Journal of neuro-oncology 46 (2000), S. 135-144 
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: apoptosis ; cRGDfV ; human gliomas ; integrin αVβ3 ; mouse glioma model
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent malignant brain tumor in adults and is invariably fatal. We have investigated the effect of cyclo-(Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Val) (cRGDfV) peptide on survival of human malignant glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed the presence of αVβ3 integrin on U-87MG and U-373MG cells, but minimal expression on U-251MG cells. Treatment of U-87MG and U-373MG cells in vitro with cRGDfV (20 µg/ml), but not the linear peptide, resulted in the appearance of rounded and loosely attached cells with subsequent cell death. By comparison, neither this cyclic peptide nor its linear homolog had any significant effect on growth and morphology of U-251MG cells. The death of cRGDfV-treated (20 µg/ml) glioma cells was blocked by pretreatment (10 µM) of cells with DEVD-FMK and LEHD-FMK, inhibitors of caspase-3 and caspase-9, respectively. Moreover, when glioma cells grown as spheroids were treated with cRGDfV (50 µg/ml), spheroid formation was markedly reduced. Further, treatment of intracranial U-87MG tumors in scid mice with cyclic peptide significantly (p〈0.001) prolonged their survival. These results indicated (i) that cRGDfV induced apoptosis of human glioma cells by binding αVβ3 integrin expressed on their cell surfaces and (ii) that cRGDfV may be an effective and non-toxic direct anti-tumor therapy for αVβ3-expressing GBMs.
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  • 64
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: apoptosis ; proliferation ; p53 ; Bcl-2 ; transglutaminase ; immunohistochemistry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Several protocols for the adjuvant treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are currently being evaluated. In this context, little is known about the influence of radiochemotherapy on apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in vivo. We have analyzed the incidence of apoptosis using in situ nick translation (ISNT) and expression of Ki-67 (MIB-1), p53 (DO-1 and DO-7), Bcl-2 and transglutaminase II (TGase II) by immunohistochemistry in 41 patients with GBM and their matched relapses. Sixteen patients received radiochemotherapy, 18 irradiation and 7 no treatment. Radiochemotherapy resulted in an increase in Bcl-2+ cells (p=0.013). Irradiation caused the reduction of MIB-1+ (p=0.0015), DO-7+ (p=0.0043) and the increase of Bcl-2+ cells (p=0.016). We calculated a positive correlation between high TGase II scores in patients preceding radiochemotherapy (p=0.0186) and no treatment (p=0.0158), low ISNT scores (p=0.0018) and high DO-1 scores (p=0.0233) in patients preceding irradiation and short time to progression. These data show that distinct postsurgical radiochemotherapy protocols differentially alter cellular proliferation and expression of p53 and Bcl-2 in GBM relapses. Furthermore, we show that ISNT, DO-1 and TGase II labeling scores are therapy-specific predictors of time to progression in GBM patients.
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  • 65
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    Journal of neuro-oncology 49 (2000), S. 117-129 
    ISSN: 1573-7373
    Keywords: apoptosis ; chemotherapy resistance ; bcl-2 ; bax ; glioma ; nucleolus
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract To investigate the role of apoptosis suppression in glioma chemotherapy resistance, protein levels and subcellular localization of bcl-2 family members were investigated in 2 pairs of sensitive cell lines and their in vitro generated resistant derivatives. The alkylating agent, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), induced apoptosis in both sensitive cell strains and apoptosis was suppressed in both resistant derivatives. Both resistant cell lines contained altered regulation of a bcl-2 related protein consistent with the suppression of apoptosis. Independent of which bcl-2 family member was dysregulated, resistance was associated with altered regulation in the subcellular localization of bax protein. Following BCNU treatment, bax accumulated in nucleoli and a nuclei containing fraction of sensitive cells but not their resistant derivatives. Nuclear accumulation was an early event in apotosis induction. These data indicates altered subcellular localization of bax may play a role in resistance. In addition, the association between an early, nucleolar localization of bax and the induction of apoptosis suggests that localization of bax to nucleoli may play a role in apoptosis-induction of glioma cells.
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  • 66
    ISSN: 1573-8469
    Keywords: apoptosis ; bacteria ; chromatin condensation ; DNA degradation analysis ; plant ; programmed cell death
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Ultrastructural details of the hypersensitive reaction induced by infiltration with avirulent race 2 Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria in pepper ‘Early Calwonder-10R’ leaves (incompatible interaction) are reported. Affected cells displayed plasmalemma undulations and disruption, lysis of the chloroplast membrane, degeneration of other organelles, general cytoplasm disorganisation and, often, protoplast shrinkage. The nuclei contained large masses of electron-dense material, apparently formed by chromatin aggregation. In many cases a single chromatin-like layer was deposited on the inner side of the nuclear envelope leaving a finely granular matrix in the centre of the nucleus; the nucleolus usually disappeared. The nuclear envelope was sometimes ruptured and the internal matrix leaked into the cytoplasm. The content of many affected cells eventually coagulated and became very electron-dense. The walls often collapsed. All these alterations were especially visible in spongy mesophyll cells at sites where bacteria occurred in the intercellular spaces. Although some of the nuclear and cytoplasmic alterations recall certain aspects of apoptotic cell death, molecular determinations did not reveal any DNA degradation in hypersensitively reacting tissues. The first cell alterations in leaves infected with the virulent bacterial race 1 (compatible interaction) were observed only 27 h after inoculation, when the cytoplasm of some cells showed limited internal disorganisation and plasmolysis at sites where bacterial colonies developed.
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  • 67
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    Cancer and metastasis reviews 19 (2000), S. 97-107 
    ISSN: 1573-7233
    Keywords: angiogenesis ; angiostatin ; cancer biology ; cancer therapy ; proteolysis ; apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The study of angiogenesis, and the promise of angiogenesis inhibition as a means of cancer therapy, has dramatically accelerated in the last several years. The discovery and publication of angiostatin by O'Reilly and colleagues in Judah Folkman's lab in 1994 has greatly contributed to this progress. Angiostatin is a kringle-containing fragment of plasminogen, which is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis in-vivo, and selectively inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and migration in-vitro. There have been a number of proposed proteolytic mechanisms by which plasminogen is cleaved to form angiostatin, and the resulting cleavage products contain different NH2 and COOH termini of the angiostatin. Therefore, it is possible that there are more than one angiostatin isoforms (or angiostatin-related proteins) which occur in one or more normal or pathophysiological situations. It is also possible that some of the proteolytic processes which can convert plasminogen to angiostatin-like proteins are simply laboratory artifacts. Angiostatin-related proteins exert potent endothelial cell inhibitory activity, including the induction of apoptosis, and inhibition of migration, and the intact kringle structures are believed to be necessary for the antiangiogenic activity. Efforts are now underway to translate the understanding of the biology of angiostatin to clinical practice, which includes phase 1 clinical trials with recombinant angiostatin K1–3 (kringles 1–3) as well as phase 1 trials of an Angiostatin Cocktail, which induces the direct in vivo conversion of plasminogen to angiostatin 4.5 (kringles 1–4, plus most of kringle 5). The translation of the basic science of angiostatin and angiostatin-related proteins to clinical trial promises to provide an important new tool in the treatment of cancer by inhibition of angiogenesis.
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  • 68
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    Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia 5 (2000), S. 351-364 
    ISSN: 1573-7039
    Keywords: Human ; breast cancer ; premalignant
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Most human invasive breast cancers (IBCs)4 arise from preexisting benign lesions. There are many types of benign lesions in the human breast and only a few appear to have significant premalignant potential (atypical hyperplasias and in situ carcinomas). These lesions are relatively common and only a small proportion progress to IBC. They are currently defined by their histological features and their prognosis is imprecisely estimated from indirect evidence based on epidemiological studies. Although lesions within specific categories look alike, they must possess morphologically silent biological differences motivating some to remain stable and others to progress. Understanding the biological changes responsible for the development and progression of premalignant disease is a very active area of medical research. Progress in this area may provide new opportunities for breast cancer prevention by providing strategies to treat premalignant lesions before they develop or become cancerous. A large number of biological features have been evaluated in this setting during the past decade. This review discusses a few features that appear to be particularly important and have been studied in a relatively comprehensive manner.
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  • 69
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    Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia 5 (2000), S. 409-420 
    ISSN: 1573-7039
    Keywords: Pre-malignancy ; breast cancer ; experimental model ; rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract While a number of agents have been shown to induce mammary carcinogenesis in the rat, premalignant stages of the disease have been best characterized in chemically-induced models, specifically those initiated by either 7,12 dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA)4 or 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU). In general, it appears that epithelial cells in mammary terminal end buds or terminal ductules are the targets of carcinogenic initiation, and that a series of morphologically identifiable steps are involved in the development of mammary carcinoma. The premalignant steps include ductal hyperplasia of the usual type and carcinoma in situ of the cribriform or comedo type; atypical ductal hyperplasia has not been reported. Thus the histogenesis of lesions occurring in chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis in the rat is similar to that observed in the human; although, the spectrum of lesions observed in the rat is limited. Opportunities to investigate the biological and molecular characteristics of premalignant breast disease in the rat are presented.
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  • 70
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 203-209 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; lens development ; organelle loss ; denucleation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The lens represents an ideal model system for studying many of the cellular and molecular events of differentiation. It is composed of two ectodermally-derived cell types: the lens epithelial cells and the lens fibre cells, which are derived from the lens epithelial cells by differentiation. Programmed removal of nuclei and other organelles from the lens fibre cells ensures that an optically clear structure is created, while the morphology of the degenerating nuclei is similar to that observed during apoptosis and is accompanied by DNA fragmentation. These observations suggest the existence of biochemical parallels between the process of lens fibre cell organelle loss and classical apoptosis. For example, proteins encoded by the bcl-2 and caspase gene families are expressed in developing lenses and nuclear degeneration in lens fibre cells can be inhibited in vivo by overexpression of bcl-2 and in vitro by incubation of differentiating lens epithelial cell cultures with caspase inhibitors. Thus, the developing lens may represent a particularly useful model system for researchers interested in apoptosis. In this review, the recent literature pertaining to lens fibre cell organelle loss and its relationship to apoptosis is reviewed and possible future research directions are suggested.
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  • 71
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    Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia 5 (2000), S. 139-163 
    ISSN: 1573-7039
    Keywords: breast cancer ; pathology atlas
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract This article illustrates the most common benign and malignant lesions in the breast, and is intended for the biologist working in the area of breast cancer and breast biology, not for the practicing pathologist. The atlas covers benign proliferative lesions, atypical lesions, variants of in situ cancer, the main types of invasive cancers, spindle cell lesions, and examples of vascular and lymphatic spread. Some entities are included to illustrate a point of particular relevance to the biology and histogenesis of the lesions. Some controversial diagnostic areas are considered, along with the relative risk of developing breast cancer associated with some of the proliferative lesions. The content of this atlas should be read in conjunction with the companion article by Howard and Gusterson in this issue. Their article covers the cellular origin of epithelial and stromal tumors and presents a description of some of the common benign proliferative lesions that are considered to be components of the normal spectrum of changes seen at postmortem or in biopsies.
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  • 72
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    Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia 5 (2000), S. 341-349 
    ISSN: 1573-7039
    Keywords: Premalignancy ; risk ; breast cancer
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Premalignant breast disease in humans is a concept that admits to a broad range of elements and possible determinants predicting the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Most of these elements are relative, such as the risk of breast cancer for women that is 130 times that of men and peaks at a younger age by about 10 years. Breast cancer is clearly a stochastic, multifactorial process that evolves over many years in which we must make predictions by likelihood. This review will present the most specially defined and reliably proven of these elements, highlighting anatomic and molecular factors.
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  • 73
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 217-220 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: Daxx ; apoptosis ; Fas ; PML ; ND10
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Several reports describing Daxx and its putative role have emerged without a unifying theme. While Daxx has been implicated in apoptosis, it remains unclear whether Daxx is pro- or anti-apoptotic, and whether its role in apoptosis is direct or indirect. Moreover, whether Daxx plays alternative or additional roles in regulating transcription, centromere binding or any number of other activities within the cell, is uncertain. The ability of Daxx to interact with a wide variety of molecules in yeast-interaction trap systems (Table 1) has allowed for this range of speculation. The fact that Daxx contains no significant homology to other known proteins has rendered its study all the more challenging.
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  • 74
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; cyclin B1/CDC 2 ; G2/M arrest ; MAD 2 ; paclitaxel
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Paclitaxel (Taxol™) is a microtubule-interfering agent that induced persistent and transient G2/M arrest before apoptosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells at high and low concentrations, respectively. In this study, we intended to explore the underlying molecular events and found that cellular cyclin B1/CDC 2 kinase activity was increased and persisted for 〉6 h upon paclitaxel treatment both at high and low concentrations. Furthermore, activation of MAD 2 checkprotein could account for the loss of cyclin B1 ubiquitination and the persistence of cyclin B1/CDC 2 activation in the cases. To investigate the involvement of cyclin B1 and MAD 2 activation in paclitaxel-induced apoptosis, we introduced affinity-purified anti-cyclin B1 and MAD 2 antibodies into NPC cells by electroporation before the further paclitaxel treatment. The antibodies against cyclin B1 and MAD 2 indeed attenuated paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity and DNA fragmentation. Our study suggests that activation of cyclin B1/CDC 2 and MAD 2 were the M-phase events required for paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in NPC cells. The dys-regulated cyclin B1/CDC 2 activation could enhance the prometaphase progression, but activation of MAD 2 rendered cells inable to exit from the metaphase. Under this circumstance, cells were probably going to “mitotic catastrophe” and ultimately, destined to apoptosis.
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  • 75
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 211-215 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: adenovirus ; E4orf4 ; apoptosis ; protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) ; caspases ; cancer ; gene therapy
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Adenovirus E4orf4 protein is a multifunctional viral regulator that induces p53-independent apoptosis in transformed cells, but not in normal cells. E4orf4-induced apoptosis can occur without activation of known caspases, although E4orf4 induces caspase activity in some cell lines. The interaction of E4orf4 with a specific subpopulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) molecules that contain B subunits, but not with those that contain B′ subunits, is required for induction of apoptosis. This review suggests the potential use of E4orf4 in cancer therapy, and discusses whether E4orf4-induced apoptosis plays a role in the viral life cycle. Future research directions are also highlighted.
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  • 76
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: Amphibia ; apoptosis ; cancer ; cell cycle
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Spontaneous and induced cancers are rare in non-isogeneic or inbred amphibians. Neoplastic cells become immortalized through loss of a normal capacity to die by apoptosis. Mature lymphocytes of mammals require activation and entry into the cell cycle in order to become susceptible to apoptosis. Whether Xenopus lymphocytes differ from mammalian lymphocytes in this regard is examined. In vitro exposure of PMA, or its analogue, MPMA, to adult splenocytes of Xenopus laevis was used to affect apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis of FITC-Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence (apoptosis) and BrdU uptake (DNA synthesis) were assayed concurrently in the same lymphocyte population over time. Significant increases in apoptotic levels were induced throughout a 72 hour period in PMA-treated cells only. Lymphocytes were also separated by size for analysis. Several sub-populations of lymphocytes were identified, the most interesting of which was small and apoptotic within 4 hours, after PMA exposure. PMA-induced DNA synthesis did not become elevated until after 24 hours. “Direct” apoptosis, i.e. without cell cycle entry, was found only in these small, mature lymphocytes. Since small lymphocytes make up the vast majority of those being analyzed, “direct” apoptosis may be a determining mechanism in the resistance to neoplasia observed in Amphibia. Cells that die more readily are less likely to transform into neoplastic cells.
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  • 77
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; caspase-3 ; nuclease ; endo-exonuclease
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Single-strand DNase and poly rAase, activities characteristic of endo-exonuclease, were co-activated in nuclear fractions of HL-60 cells by caspase-3. Activation was accompanied by cleavages of large soluble polypeptides (130–185 kDa) and a 65 kDa inactive chromatin-associated polypeptide related to the endo-exonuclease of Neurospora crassa as detected on immunoblots. The major products seen in vitro were a 77 kDa soluble polypeptide and an active chromatin-associated 34 kDa polypeptide. When HL-60 cells were induced to undergo apoptosis by treating with 50 μM etoposide (VP-16) for 4 hours, 77 kDa and 40 kDa polypeptides accumulated in nuclear fractions. Chromatin DNA fragmentation activity was also activated in cytosol and nuclear extract either by pre-treating the cells in vivo with VP-16 or by treating the cytosol in vitro with caspase-3 or dATP and cytochrome c. Endo-exonuclease activated by caspase-3 in cytosol-derived fractions augmented chromatin DNA fragmentation activity in vitro. Endo-exonuclease is proposed to act in vivo in conjunction with the caspase-activated DNase (CAD) to degrade chromatin DNA during apoptosis of HL-60 cells.
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 307-314 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; cancer ; cross-priming ; cross-tolerance ; dendritic cells ; T lymphocytes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Induction of cell death by apoptosis, also called programmed cell death, and clearance of apoptotic bodies by scavenger cells has long thought to be an efficient means to dispose of unwanted cells without causing inflammatory responses able to mediate specific reactions. However, a number of evidences have been accumulated suggesting that apoptotic cell death is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic and organ specific autoimmune diseases. In addition, recognition and engulfement of apoptotic cells by professional antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, and their interaction with effector immune cells have been recently described to result in apoptotic cell-derived antigen specific tolerance. This review will summarise the most recent findings on the immunogenic potential of cells undergoing programmed death.
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  • 79
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: Angiogenesis ; angiopoietins ; apoptosis ; integrins ; vascular endothelial growth factor
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Angiogenesis is essential for the growth and metastasis of solid tumors. The balance of endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and apoptosis is a major determinant in tumor angiogenesis. Recently, several studies demonstrated that numerous angiogenic factors not only induce angiogenesis but also function as EC survival factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic factor, is also an EC survival factor in embryonic vasculogenesis and tumor angiogenesis. VEGF activates specific intracellular survival pathways in ECs including Bcl-2, A1, IAP, Akt, and Erk. Integrins may function as EC survival factors by preventing anoikis by enhancing binding to the extracellular matrix. In addition, integrins may function in concert with VEGF to promote EC survival. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) has recently been shown to stabilize EC networks by binding to the EC-specific tyrosine kinase receptor Tie-2. Pericytes also function as EC survival factors, by cell-cell contact, secretion of survival factors, or both. Targeting any of the above mechanisms for EC survival may provide novel antineoplastic strategies.
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  • 80
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; antimicrotubule agent ; cell cycle ; dolastatin 10 ; TZT-1027
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract TZT-1027, a newly synthesized dolastatin 10 derivative, is a potent antitumor agent which inhibits microtubule polymerization and perturbs microtubule dynamics. In this report, we investigated whether TZT-1027 inhibited the growth of various human cancer cells, and the cell death caused by TZT-1027 was due to apoptosis. In addition, we elucidated the apoptosis machinery induced by treatment with TZT-1027. The 50% growth-inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values) of TZT-1027 on cancer cells derived from various sources were not more than 5.9 ng/ml. TZT-1027 showed superior cytotoxicity than any other antitumor agents. Next, we evaluated morphological nuclear change, namely, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. We used three cancer cell lines derived from different types in view of having apoptosis related protein, human leukemia HL-60 (in the presence of both Caspase-3 and Bcl-2), human breast cancer MCF-7 (in the absence of Caspase-3), and human prostate cancer DU145 (in the absence of Bcl-2). TZT-1027 induced DNA fragmentation in the presence but not absence of Caspase-3. Nevertheless, apoptic chromatin condensation was observed in all cancer cells even if there was no Caspase-3. Furthermore, we examined whether TZT-1027, microtubule-disrupting agent, influenced cell cycle progression. Flow cytometric analysis revealed the cells treated with TZT-1027, and with the other antimicrotubule agents, to be arrested at the G2/M phase and subsequently to show fragmented DNA smaller than that of G1 phase cells. Moreover, we tested TZT-1027 for its ability to induce Bcl-2 phosphorylation in human cancer cell lines. TZT-1027 and other agents which interacted with microtubules induced Bcl-2 phosphorylation, whereas DNA-damaging agents did not. The present results suggested an association of the growth-inhibitory effect of TZT-1027 with the induction of apoptosis and indicated that the apoptosis induced by TZT-1027 was followed by G2/M arrest even if there was no Caspase-3 or Bcl-2.
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  • 81
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; chemotherapy resistance ; clonogenicity ; ras
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Mutationally activated Ras is involved in tumor progression and likely also in drug resistance. Using survival, viability and apoptosis assays, we have here compared the cisplatin sensitivities of FR3T3 rat fibroblasts and a 12V-H-ras transformed subline (Ras2:3). Around 24 h after cisplatin treatment Ras2:3 cells showed higher apoptosis levels and lower viability than FR3T3. This increased sensitivity correlated with weaker cisplatin-induced activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In contrast to apoptosis assays, colony formation assays showed that Ras2:3 were more resistant to cisplatin than were FR3T3. This was partly due to the increased cisplatin sensitivity of FR3T3 seeded at low densities, as required in colony formation assays. In addition, Ras2:3 cisplatin survivors had a higher relative proliferative capacity. Cell cycle analyses showed that FR3T3 cells initially responded with a dose-dependent G2 arrest, while Ras2:3 accumulated in S-phase. Experiments with an anti-apoptotic mutant of MEKK1 suggested that the apoptotic response of Ras2:3 cells is not specific to the S-phase fraction. In summary, the cisplatin response of ras-transformed fibroblasts is distinct from that of parental cells, in that they show increased apoptosis, a different cell cycle response and increased post-treatment proliferative capacity. The results illustrate the need to carefully consider methods and protocols for in vitro studies on chemotherapy sensitivity.
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  • 82
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 415-418 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; death receptors ; inflammation ; reactive oxygen species (ROS)
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondria play an important role in apoptosis induction under both physiologic and pathologic conditions. Interestingly, mitochondria are both source and target of ROS. Cytochrome c release from mitochondria, that triggers caspase activation, appears to be largely mediated by direct or indirect ROS action. On the other hand, ROS have also anti-apoptotic effects. This review focuses on the role of ROS in the regulation of apoptosis, especially in inflammatory cells.
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  • 83
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 419-424 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; diabetes ; Fas ; organ-specific auto-immunity ; thyroiditis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) is a broadly expressed death receptor involved in a variety of physiological and pathological apoptotic processes. Since its discovery, defects in CD95/CD95L system have been proposed as major pathogenic factors responsible for impaired immunological tolerance to self antigens and autoimmunity. Later, analysis of altered sensitivity to CD95-induced apoptosis in cells targeted by the immune response has revealed an unexpected role for CD95 and CD95L in organ-specific autoimmunity. CD95 has been shown to be expressed and functional in virtually all cell types that are target of the organ-specific autoimmune response. Here we review some of the major findings concerning the role of CD95 in autoimmunity, in dysfunctions due to increased or decreased CD95-induced apoptosis.
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  • 84
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 443-449 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; autoimmunity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Apoptosis is a physiological form of cell death required to ensure that the rate of cell division is balanced by the rate of cell death in multicellular organisms. Dysregulation of apoptosis is associated with the pathogenesis of a wide array of diseases: cancer, neurodegeneration, autoimmunity, heart disease and others. In this review we collect arguments supporting a hypothesis of a dysregulated apoptosis leading to development of autoimmunity like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This notion is supported by occurence of known autoantigens in apoptotic blebs, in vitro findings of an increased rate of apoptotic lymphoblasts despite optimal cytokine stimulation combined with a defective in vitro clearance of apoptotic bodies by SLE phagocytes. Moreover, we and others could generate histone-specific lymphocytic cell lines from cells after activation with autologous apoptotic material. These lymphocytes could stimulate autologous B-lymphocytes to produce of anti-dsDNA antibodies, a diagnostic hallmark for SLE. Finally, antibodies against phospholipids like phosphatidylserine are often associated with systemic autoimmunopathies like SLE and others. Phosphatidylserine is exposed on apoptotic cells as early sign of programmed cell death and serves as phagocyte recognition molecule for apoptotic cells. Formation of immune complexes and deposition in tissues might lead to organ damage and disease. This scenario will be discussed in this review in detail.
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  • 85
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 9-16 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: Aging ; Alzheimer's disease ; amyloid precursor protein ; apoptosis ; Bcl-2 ; caspase ; presenilin ; transcription factor ; β amyloid.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common human neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive deterioration of cognition and memory in association with the presence of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and massive loss of neurons. Most cases of AD are late-onset and sporadic, but in some cases the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Four different genes, the amyloid precursor protein, apolipoprotein E, and presenilins 1 and 2 have been implicated in the etiology of familial AD. It is now generally accepted that massive neuronal death due to apoptosis is a commmon characteristic in the brains of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases, and apoptotic cell death has been found in neurons and glial cells in AD. This review summarizes the current findings regarding the evidence for apoptosis in AD and discusses the possible involvement of apoptosis-regulating factors in the pathology of AD. Modification of the apoptotic cascade could be considered as a primary therapeutic strategy for the disease.
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  • 86
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: Anti-tumor drugs ; apoptosis ; cancer ; caspases ; necrosis.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The majority of current anticancer therapies induce tumor cell death through the induction of apoptosis. Alterations in the apoptotic pathways may determine tumor resistance to these therapies. Activation of the proteolytic cascade involving caspase family members is a critical component of the execution of cell death in apoptotic cells. However, recent studies suggest that cell death can proceed in the absence of caspases. In this review we describe the role of caspase-dependent and -independent pathways as targets for anticancer treatment; better understanding of diverse modes of tumor cell death will help to avoid ineffective treatment and provide a molecular basis for the new strategies targeting caspase-independent death pathways in apoptosis-resistant forms of cancer.
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  • 87
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: Anti-Fas antibody ; antisense homology box-derived peptide ; apoptosis ; Fas ligand ; ovarian cancer.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract We found that a short synthetic peptide corresponding to the “antisense homology box” of Fas ligand induced apoptotic cell death of Fas-expressing human ovarian cancer cell lines. The peptide was deduced from residues 256–265 of human Fas ligand, based on the hypothesis that it should contain a specific binding site to the corresponding Fas. Interestingly, the ovarian cancer cell line NOS4, which was sensitive to anti-Fas antibody induced apoptosis, was not affected by the peptide, whereas another cell line, SKOV-3, which was insensitive to anti-Fas antibody, was killed by the peptide. Thus, this short peptide was shown to have a unique activity to induce apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells in a manner different from anti-Fas antibody.
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  • 88
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; Bax ; ceramide ; mitochondria ; pH
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Ceramide can induce apoptosis through a caspase independent pathway. Bax has been described as able to kill cells in the absence of caspase activity, therefore we measured Bax in situ during ceramide-induced apoptosis using anti-Bax antibodies and flow cytometry analysis. An early (〈30 min) increase in Bax labeling was observed after the addition of several ceramide species to several hemopoietic-related cell types. On U937, this increase was not due to antigens synthesis or processing, but rather an increased accessibility or reactivity of Bax antigens for antibodies. This increased immuno-reactivity of Bax was not inhibited by Z-VAD-fmk nor leupeptin, and preceded nuclear fragmentation by several hours. Such an increase in immuno-reactivity was also observed after Fas ligation, but it occurred later (〉2 h) accompanying nuclear apoptosis, and was inhibited by Z-VAD-fmk. Bax immuno-reactivity was found to be related to intracellular pH (pHi), and C2-Ceramide (C2-Cer) induced a very early (〈10 min) transitory increase in pHi. Both Bax immuno-reactivity and pHi increases were dependent on the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) status. It was concluded from these results that C2-Cer induced a transitory increase in pHi in relation to the PTP. This rise in pHi led to conformational changes in Bax which could be responsible for further apoptosis in the C2-Cer pathway while it was a consequence of caspase activation in the Fas pathway.
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  • 89
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; macrophages ; Chagas disease ; Trypanosoma cruzi ; T lymphocytes ; vitronectin receptor ; transforming growth factor-beta ; prostaglandins
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
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  • 90
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: anesthetics ; apoptosis ; barbiturates ; benzodiazepines ; ethanol ; GABAA receptors ; ketamine ; NMDA receptors ; phencyclidine ; synaptogenesis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract It has been known for three decades that ethanol, the most widely abused drug in the world, has deleterious effects on the developing human brain, but progress has been slow in developing animal models for studying this problem, and the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Recently, we have shown that during the synaptogenesis period, also known as the brain growth spurt period, ethanol has the potential to trigger massive neuronal suicide in the in vivo mammalian brain. The brain growth spurt period in humans spans the last trimester of pregnancy and first several years after birth. The NMDA antagonist and GABAmimetic properties of ethanol may be responsible for its apoptogenic action, in that other drugs with either NMDA antagonist or GABAmimetic actions also trigger apoptotic neurodegeneration in the developing brain. Our findings provide a likely explanation for the reduced brain mass and neurobehavioral disturbances associated with the human fetal alcohol syndrome. Furthermore, since NMDA antagonist and GABAmimetic drugs are sometimes abused by pregnant women and also are used as anticonvulsants, sedatives or anesthetics in pediatric medicine, our findings raise several complex drug safety issues. In addition, the observation that ethanol and several other drugs trigger massive neuronal apoptosis in the developing brain provides an unprecedented opportunity to study both neuropathological aspects and molecular mechanisms of apoptotic neurodegeneration in the in vivo mammalian brain.
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  • 91
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 379-388 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; ATP depletion ; cell acidification and shrinkage ; CpG-specific megabase fragmentations ; DCNP (2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol) ; housekeeping genes ; microarray (genechip) ; zVAD-fmk
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Previous suggestions of CpG-specific apoptotic commitment implied critical epigenetic modulation of house-keeping genes which have canonical CpG islands at 5′ promoter regions. Differential housekeeping gene activity however has not been shown. Using a focussed microarray (genechip) of 22 housekeeping genes we show this in apoptosis induced in human Chang liver cells by DCNP (2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol), a non-genotoxic inhibitor of sulfate detoxification. 3–7 folds downregulation of 9 genes in glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle and the respiratory electron transport chain suggested gene-directed energy depletion which was correlated with observed ATP depletion. 4 folds downregulation of the pyruvate dehydrogenease gene suggested gene-directed metabolic acidosis which was correlated with observed cell acidification. Other differential housekeeping gene activity, including 4 folds upregulation of microtubular alpha-tubulin gene, and 2 folds upregulation of ubiquitin, also had a bearing on apoptosis. Broadspectrum zVAD-fmk caspase inhibition abolished 200 bp DNA ladder fragmentations but not the CpG-specific megabase fragmentations and other hallmarks of cell destruction, suggesting a caspase-independent cell death. Death appeared committed at gene-level.
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  • 92
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; concanavalin A ; cytochrome c release ; mitochondria
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Concanavalin A (ConA), normally a mitogen of T-lymphocytes, was found to be a cell cycle-independent apoptosis-inducing agent in cultured murine macrophage PU5-1.8 cells. This assertion is based on the following observations: (1) ConA increased the number of cells with hypo-diploid DNA in a dose dependent manner as revealed by flow cytometry; (2) ConA elicited DNA fragmentation and the cytotoxicity of ConA was suppressed by α-D-methylmannoside which blocks the lectin site of ConA; (3) ConA was able to release cytochrome c (cyto c) into the cytosol of PU5-1.8 cells. When isolated mitochondria were incubated with ConA, release of cyto c was observed too. Interestingly, clustering of mitochondria was found in the cytosol under a confocal microscope after ConA treatment. When cells were incubated with ConA-FITC and subsequently with mitotracker red (a probe for mitochondria), co-localization of fluorescence signals was observed. These results suggest that ConA was delivered to the mitochondria, induced mitochondrial clustering and released cyto c. Our results also show that introduction of exogenous cyto c electroporationally into ConA-untreated cells elicited DNA fragmentation. On the other hand, introduction of specific antibody against cyto c into PU5-1.8 cells suppressed the ConA-mediated cell death. Taken together, our results indicate that ConA induced apoptosis in PU5-1.8 cells through mitochondrial clustering and release of cyto c and the release of cyto c was sufficient to elicit apoptosis in PU5-1.8 cells.
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  • 93
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 435-441 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: activation ; apoptosis ; death receptors ; glucocorticosteroids ; mast cells ; survival factors
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Apoptosis is a physiological process of cell death that occurs in all multicellular organisms. Its dysregulation has been postulated as one of the main causes in the development of diseases such as cancer, AIDS, autoimmune diseases and allergy. Apoptosis has been mainly studied in the inflammatory cells that participate in the late and chronic stages of allergy (eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages) as a new way to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disease. Nevertheless, much less it is known about the regulation of apoptosis in the “initiators” of the allergic process: The Mast Cells. In normal conditions, mast cells are described as long-living cells that keep a constant number of cells in tissues. However, increased numbers of mast cells are observed in the late phase of asthma and in both the inflammatory and in the repair/remodeling stage of various inflammatory/fibrotic disorders. In this report, we discuss the possible mechanisms that regulate the apoptotic process in normal conditions and disease, such as survival factors and death receptors. A link between mast cell activation, during the early stages of the allergic process, and triggering of anti-apoptotic signaling pathways is also suggested as an important contributor to the extended life of mast cells.
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  • 94
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; asthma ; inflammation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Asthma is a disease characterized by a chronic inflammation of the airways and by structural alterations of bron-chial tissues, often referred to as airway remodelling. The development of chronic airway inflammation in asthma depends upon the continuous recruitment of inflammatory cells from the bloodstream towards the bronchial mucosa and by their subsequent activation. It is however increasingly accepted that mechanisms involved in the regulation of the survival and apoptosis of inflammatory cells may play a central role in the persistent inflammatory process characterizing this disease. Increased cellular recruitment and activation, enhanced cell survival and cell:cell interactions are therefore the key steps in the development of chronic airway inflammation in asthma, and represent the major causes for tissue damge, repair and remodelling.
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  • 95
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 491-507 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; Bcl-2 ; caspases ; death receptors ; DNA damage ; p53
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Because of the singular importance of DNA for genetic inheritance, all organisms have evolved mechanisms to recognize and respond to DNA damage. In metazoans, cells can respond to DNA damage either by undergoing cell cycle arrest, to facilitate DNA repair, or by undergoing cell suicide. Cell death can either occur by activation of the apoptotic machinery or simply be a consequence of irreparable damage that prevents further cell division. In germ cells, mechanisms for limiting alterations to the genome are required for faithful propagation of the species whereas in somatic cells, responses to DNA damage prevent the accumulation of mutations that might lead to aberrant cell proliferation or behavior. Several of the genes that regulate cellular responses to DNA damage function as tumor suppressors. The clinical use of DNA damaging agents in the treatment of cancer can activate these tumor suppressors and exploits the cellular suicide and growth arrest mechanisms that they regulate. It appears that in some but not all types of tumors the propensity to undergo apoptosis is a critical determinant of their sensitivity to anti-cancer therapy. This review describes current understanding of the molecular control of DNA damage-induced apoptosis with particular attention to its role in tumor suppression and cancer therapy.
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  • 96
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; protection ; protein A ; pro- and anti-apoptotic factor
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The word “Apoptosis” or pragrammed cell death is described as the ultimate end of multiple cellular events converging from numerous initiating events to the ultimate death of a cell or organism. Several processes, such as initiation of death signals at the plasma membrane, expression of pro-apoptotic oncoproteins, activation of death proteases, endonucleases etc., that ultimately coalesce to a common irreversible execution phase, lead to cell demise. Counteracting the death signals are cell survival factors. A balance between the cell death and cell survival factors plays a major role in the decision making process as to whether a cell should die or must live. It is, therefore, hypothesized that if the balance can be shifted in favor of cell survival, one might be able to arrest the aging process, save the injured cells or else if the balance is shifted toward cell-kill it might help destroy tumors and other undesirable cells. Protein A (PA) of Staphylococcus aureus has been found to have multifarious biological response modifying properties. It has been shown to possess anti-tumor, anti-toxic, anti-parasitic and antifungal activities. It also acts as a potent immunostimulator. PA can protect bone marrow progenitor cells from zidovudin(AZT)-induced apoptosis and can stimulate immunocyte proliferation, thereby helping to replenish/restore the depleted hematopoietic cell pool. Such ability to replenish hematopoietic cells is a common property of PA observed against a number of toxic drugs/chemicals, such as cyclophosphamide, benzene, aflatoxin, salmonella endotoxin, etc. Interestingly, it was further demonstrated in our laboratory that PA can selectively kill tumor cells without affecting normal cells of the host. A search for the mechanisms of PA action revealed that this bacterial protein could shift the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in favor of survival in normal cells, but in favor of cell death in tumor cells at a particular dose level. This unique property of PA suggests that controlled use of such type of Biological Response Modifier might help in controlling both cell growth and death phenomena.
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  • 97
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 523-529 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; ATM ; DNA damage ; ionizing radiation ; p53
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Ataxia-telangiectasia is a human syndrome resulting from mutations of the ATM protein kinase that is characterized by radiation sensitivity and neurodegeneration. Although neuroprotective, the molecular details of ATM function in the nervous system are uncertain. However, in the mouse, Atm is essential for ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis in select postmitotic populations of the developing nervous system. Atm-dependent apoptosis in the nervous system also requires p53, consistent with the well-established link of p53 as a major substrate of ATM. Furthermore, the proapoptotic effector Bax is also required for most, but not all, Atm-dependent apoptosis. Therefore, after DNA damage in the developing nervous system, Atm initiates a p53-dependent apoptotic cascade in differentiating neural cells. Together, these data suggest ATM-dependent apoptosis may be important for elimination of neural cells that have accumulated genomic damage during development, thus preventing dysfunction of these cells later in life.
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  • 98
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    Apoptosis 5 (2000), S. 265-275 
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; DNA fragmentation ; necrosis ; phosphorylation ; protease inhibitors
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The objective of this study was to establish whether apoptosis in 5123tc rat hepatoma cells required the caspase-3 dependent pathway. Apoptosis was induced by either growth factor deprivation or treatment with a topoisomerase II inhibitor, VM26, in the absence or presence of caspase inhibitors (DEVD-fmk, z-VAD-fmk and BAF). The results indicated that, although these inhibitors at 10 μM concentration completely blocked caspase-3 activity, they had no effect on either the rate of cell death or on any other apoptotic features, e.g., chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, protein cleavage, suggesting that caspase-3 was not required to mediate nuclear destruction in these hepatoma cells. At higher concentrations, up to 100 μM, z-VAD-fmk and BAF, but not DEVD-fmk, did block apoptosis, however, they also caused cell swelling and membrane permeabilization, which are the hallmarks of necrotic cell death. Clearly, high concentrations of these inhibitors must have interfered non-specifically with other metabolic pathways, e.g., z-VAD-fmk at a high concentration blocked protein phosphorylation, and caused cell death by a different mechanism.
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  • 99
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; atherosclerosis ; cell culture ; endothelial function ; mitochondria
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Objective. Cell death is generally classified into two large categories: apoptosis, which represents active, physiological programmed cell death, and necrosis, which represents passive cell death without underlying regulatory mechanisms. Apoptosis plays an important role in tissue homeostasis and its role in endothelium integrity can be influenced by the functional status of endothelial cells. Homocysteine, a sulfated amino-acid product of methionine demethylation, is an independent risk factor for vascular disease (arterial and venous thombosis). Our goal was to investigate the thiol-derivatives effect on the endothelial cell apoptosis. Methods. Three parameters were measured: mitochondrial membrane potential using DiOC6(3) as the probe, DEVDase activation, and phosphatidylserine exposure on the cell surface with fluorosceinated annexin V labeling which allows apoptosis to be distinguished from necrosis. Results. Homocysteine-thiolactone induced endothelial cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner (range: 50–200 μ M), independently of the caspase pathway. Only homocysteine-thiolactone, among the thiol derivatives tested, induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was not influenced by the serum concentration in culture medium, suggesting that the observed apoptotic process could occur in vivo. None of the inhibitors used (e.g., leupeptin, fumosinin Bl, catalase, or z-VAD-fmk) was able to prevent homocysteine-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. Conclusion. The apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells induced by high concentration of homocysteine-thiolactone might be one step atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and contribute to its complication.
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  • 100
    ISSN: 1573-675X
    Keywords: apoptosis ; inflammation ; neutrophil ; PI-3-kinase ; PKC ; T-cell
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Neutrophils play a central role in host defense and are recruited in vast numbers to sites of infection where they phagocytose and kill invading bacterial pathogens. Neutrophils have a short half-life that is extended at the inflamed site by pro-inflammatory cytokines and contact with bacterial cell walls. Normal resolution of inflammation involves the removal of neutrophils and other inflammatory cells by the induction of apoptosis. Spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis does not require Fas ligation, but is mediated by caspases 3, 8 and possibly caspase 9 and also involves activation of protein kinase C-δ. With chronic inflammatory disease, neutrophil apoptosis is delayed by pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to persistence of neutrophils at the inflamed site and non-specific tissue damage. Here we discuss the evidence for inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis via signaling though PI-3-kinase and downstream pathways, including PDK-1 and PKB. Therapeutic strategies to resolve chronic inflammation could therefore usefully target neutrophil apoptosis and the PI-3-kinase or PKC-δ signaling pathways.
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