• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.577-583
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• 2014

The recent discovery of tiny microRNAs (miRNAs) has brought about awareness of a new class of regulators of diverse pathways in many physiological and pathological processes, such as tumorigenesis. They modulate gene expression by targeting plethora of mRNAs, mostly reducing the protein yield of a targeted mRNA. With accumulation of information on characteristics of miR-205, complex and in some cases converse roles of miR-205 in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis are emerging. miR-205 acts either as an oncogene via facilitating tumor initiation and proliferation, or in some cases as a tumor suppressor through inhibiting proliferation and invasion. The aim of this review is to discuss miR-205 roles in different types of cancers. Given the critical effects of deregulated miR-205 on processes involved in tumorigenesis, they hold potential as novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.821-824
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in tuberculous pleural effusions (TPEs) and malignant pleural effusions (MPEs). Pleural effusion (PE) samples from 100 patients were classified on the basis of diagnosis as TPE (n=57) and MPE (n=43). The activity of SOD was determined by pyrolgallol assay. A significant difference was observed in SOD activity (P<0.01) between TPE and MPE, levels of being significantly higher in TPE compared to MPE. With a threshold value of 41 U/L, the area under the ROC curve was 0.653, SOD had a sensitivity of 61.4% and a specificity of 61.0% for differential diagnosis. Thus, SOD activity in PE was not a good biomarker in differentiating TPE and MPE. To the best of our knowledge, five SOD isoforms may be present in PE. Identification of which SOD contributes to the difference of SOD level between TPE and MPE is very important for illustrating mechanisms and improving the differential diagnostic value.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2019

To develop a biomarker predicting tumor treatment efficacy is helpful to reduce time, medical expenditure, and efforts in oncology therapy. In clinics, microvessel density using immunohistochemistry has been proposed as an indicator that correlates with both tumor size and metastasis of cancer. In the preclinical study, we hypothesized that vascular morphometrics using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) could be potential indicators to estimate the treatment efficacy of breast cancer. To verify this hypothesis, a 13762-MAT-B-III rat breast tumor was grown in a dorsal skinfold window chamber which was applied to a nude mouse, and the change in vascular morphology was longitudinally monitored during tumor growth and metronomic cyclophosphamide treatment. Based on the daily OCTA maximum intensity projection map, multiple vessel parameters (vessel skeleton density, vessel diameter index, fractal dimension, and lacunarity) were compared with the tumor size in no tumor, treated tumor, and untreated tumor cases. Although each case has only one animal, we found that the vessel skeleton density (VSD), vessel diameter index and fractal dimension (FD) tended to be positively correlated with tumor size while lacunarity showed a partially negative correlation. Moreover, we observed that the changes in the VSD and FD are prior to the morphological change of the tumor. This feasibility study would be helpful in evaluating the tumor vascular response to treatment in preclinical settings.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.312-317
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• 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. MiR-371 has recently emerged as an important regulator in tumorigenesis, and may serve as a biomarker for malignant tumors. We transfected miR-371 or its inhibitor in two human HCC cell lines, then used 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, soft agar colony formation, and transwell migration assays to evaluate the effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We found that miR-371 was positively correlated with HCC metastasis and poor prognosis in the inflicted patients, and the high expression of miR-371 was promoted, whereas a low level of miR-371 depressed cell proliferation and invasion. We found PTEN to be a direct target of miR-371. The overexpression or knockdown of PTEN exhibited the opposite effects from those of miR-371 on cell proliferation and migration. Our study demonstrates that miR-371 promotes proliferation and metastasis in HCC by targeting PTEN.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1187-1192
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• 2014

Background: To correlate breast cancer subtypes with prognostic factors, microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and clinical features. Materials and Methods: One hundred cases of primary breast carcinoma were classified using biomarkers on tissue microarray as: luminal A [estrogen receptor (ER)+, HER2-, $Ki-67{\leq}14%$], luminal B [ER+, HER2+ or ER+, HER2-, Ki-67>14%], HER2, triple negative basal-like (TNB) [any basal cytokeratins (CKs, 5, 14, 17) and/or endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression], and TN without such markers [TNN, null], and assessed for p53, vimentin, VEGF and CD31 immunoperoxidase. Results: Of the 100 cases (mean age, 51 years; mean tumor size, 3.2cm; 56% with nodal metastasis; 89 invasive ductal carcinomas, not otherwise specified, 4 invasive lobular carcinomas, 3 metaplastic carcinomas, and 4 other types) there were 39 luminal A, 18 luminal B, 18 HER2, 15 TNB and 10 TNN. The positivities of basal-like markers in the basal-like subtype were 78.3% for CK5, 40% for CK14, 20% for CK17, 46.7% for EGFR. There was no significant difference in age distribution, tumor size, degree of tubular formation, pleomorphism, lymphovascular invasion, nodal metastasis, MVD, VEGF expression and survival among subgroups. TNs demonstrated significantly higher tumor grade, mitotic count, Ki-67 index, p53 and vimentin and decreased overall survival compared with nonTN. Conclusions: The distribution of breast cancer subtypes in this study was similar to other Asian countries with a high prevalence of TN. The high grade character of TN was confirmed and CK5 expression was found to be common in our basal-like subtype. No significant elevation of MVD or VEGF expression was apparent.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9283-9289
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• 2014

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer diagnosed in children and represents approximately 25% of cancer diagnoses among those younger than 15 years of age. Materials and Methods: This study investigated alterations in the displacement loop (d-loop) region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as a risk factor and diagnostic biomarker for early detection and diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Using mtDNA from 23 subjects diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the first 450 bp of the d-loop region were amplified and successfully sequenced. Results: This revealed 132 mutations at 25 positions in this region, with a mean of 6 alterations per subject. The d-loop alterations in mtDNA in subjects were all identified as single nucleotide polymorphisms in a homoplasmic distribution pattern. Mutant alleles were observed in all subjects with individual frequency rates of up to 95%. Thirteen mutant alleles in the d-loop region of mtDNA occurred with a high frequency. Novel alleles and locations were also identified in the d-loop of mtDNA as follows: 89 G insertions (40%), 95 G insertions (13%), 182 C/T substitutions (5%), 308 C insertions (19%), and 311 C insertions (80%). The findings of this study need to be replicated to be confirmed. Conclusions: Further investigation of the relationship between mutations in mitochondrial d-loop genes and incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is recommended.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2711-2715
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• 2013

Background: Cancer of the gallbladder is a relatively rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis. The exact mechanisms of its genesis are not known and very little information is available on molecular events leading to labeling this as an orphan cancer. Materials and Methods: In this prospective case control study we evaluated the expression of p16, pRb and cyclin D1 by immunohistochemistry to study the G1-S cell-cycle check point and its possible role in gallbladder carcinogenesis. A total of 25 patients with gallbladder carcinoma (group I), 25 with cholelithiasis (group II) and 10 normal controls. were enrolled Results: Cyclin D1 expression was seen in 10 (40%) patients each with carcinoma and cholelithiasis while only in 2 (20%) of the normal gallbladders but differences were not statistically significant (p value=0.488). p16 was expressed in 12% patients of carcinoma of the gallbladder and 28% of cholelithiasis, however this difference was not statistically significant (p value=0.095). Retinoblastoma protein was found to be expressed in 50% of normal gallbladders and 6 (24%) of carcinoma and 8 (32%) of gallstones. The present study failed to demonstrate any conclusive role of cyclin D1/RB/ p16 pathway in carcinoma of the gallbladder. Conclusions: The positive relation observed between tumor metastasis and cyclinD1 expression and p16 with nodal metastasis suggested that higher cyclin D1/p16 expression may act as a predictive biomarker for aggressive behavior of gallbladder malignancies.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.679-683
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• 2013

Background: Dysplasia and adenocarcinoma developing in Barrett's esophagus (BE) are not always endoscopically identifiable. Molecular markers are needed for early recognition of these focal lesions and to identify patients at increased risk of developing adenocarcinoma. The aim of the current study was to correlate increased telomerase activity (TA) with dysplasia and adenocarcinoma occurring in the setting of BE. Materials and Methods: Esophageal mucosal biopsies were obtained from patients (N=62) who had pathologically verified BE at esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Mucosal biopsies were also obtained from the gastric fundus as controls. Based on histopathology, patients were divided into three groups: 1) BE without dysplasia (n=24); 2) BE with dysplasia (both high grade and low grade, n=13); and 3) BE with adenocarcinoma (n=25). TA was measured by a PCR-based assay (TRAPeze$^{(R)}$ ELISA Telomerase Detection Kit). Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni testing. Results: TA was significantly higher in biopsies of BE with dyplasia and BE with adenocarcinoma than in BE without dysplasia. Subgroup analyses did not reveal any significant correlations between TA and patient age, length of BE, or presence of gastritis. Conclusions: Telomerase activity in esophageal mucosal biopsies of BE may constitute a useful biomarker for the early detection of esophageal dysplasia and adenocarcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5361-5365
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of a genetic variant in the multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. This case-control study was conducted in a Chinese population of 645 HCC cases and 658 cancer-free controls. The genotype of the c.3751G>A genetic variant in the MDR1 gene was investigated by created restriction site-polymerase chain reaction (CRS-PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. Our data demonstrated significantly differences detected in the allelic and genotypic frequencies between HCC cases and those of cancer-free controls. Association analyses indicated that there were statistically increased risk of HCC in the homozygote comparison (AA versus (vs.) GG: OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.51-3.27, ${\chi}^2$=16.90, P<0.001), dominant model (AA/GA vs. GG: OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.00-1.55, ${\chi}^2$=3.98, P=0.046), recessive model (AA vs. GA/GG: OR=2.14, 95% CI 1.47-3.09, ${\chi}^2$=16.68, P<0.001) and allele comparison (A vs. G: OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.13-1.57, ${\chi}^2$=11.66, P=0.001). The allele-A and genotype-AA may contribute to HCC susceptibility. These preliminary findings suggest that the c.3751G>A genetic variant in the MDR1 gene is potentially related to HCC susceptibility in a Chinese Han population, and might be used as a molecular marker for evaluating HCC susceptibility.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2014

Liquid chromatography based mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a key technology for analyzing highly complex and dynamic proteome samples. With highly accurate and sensitive LC-MS analysis of complex proteome samples, efficient data processing is another critical issue to obtain more information from LC-MS data. A typical proteomic data processing starts with protein database search engine which assigns peptide sequences to MS/MS spectra and finds proteins. Although several search engines, such as SEQUEST and MASCOT, have been widely used, there is no unique standard way to interpret MS/MS spectra of peptides. Each search engine has pros and cons depending on types of mass spectrometers and physicochemical properties of peptides. In this study, we describe a novel data process pipeline which identifies more peptides and proteins by correcting precursor ion mass numbers and unifying multi search engines results. The pipeline utilizes two open-source software, iPE-MMR for mass number correction, and iProphet to combine several search results. The integrated pipeline identified 25% more proteins in mouse epididymal adipose tissue compared with the conventional method. Also the pipeline was validated using control and colitis induced colon tissue. The results of the present study shows that the integrated pipeline can efficiently identify increased number of proteins compared to the conventional method which can be a breakthrough in identification of a potential biomarker candidate.