Tumor Weight (tumor + weight)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the maxillary sinus,A case report and nude mouse transplantable model,

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 5 2002
Kazuma Noguchi DDS
Abstract Background A rare case of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) arising in the maxillary sinus is presented, and a SNEC tumor line serially transplantable in nude mice was established. Tumor marker for SNEC is also discussed. Methods The tumor tissues obtained from operated material were heterotransplanted subcutaneously into nude mice. Histopathologic studies and immunoradiometric assays for NSE and pro-GRP in serum were performed. Results The primary lesion was composed of tumor nests of small cells with hyperchromatic nuclei and was positive for NSE and chromogranin A immunohistochemically. Serum levels of NSE and pro-GRP changed dynamically, reflecting the clinical status. Nude mouse tumor showed similar histologic features to those of original tumor and expressed NSE. Neuroendocrine granules were detected in tumor cells in electron microscopy. Serum NSE level in nude mice was elevated in proportion to the relative tumor weight. Conclusions Serum NSE and pro-GRP were useful tumor markers for extrapulmonary SNEC. A SNEC tumor transplantable in nude mice would provide a valuable model for characterization of this lesion. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Mesenchymal stem cells enhance growth and metastasis of colon cancer

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 10 2010
Kei Shinagawa
Abstract Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were reported to migrate to tumor stroma as well as injured tissue. We examined the role of human MSCs in tumor stroma using an orthotopic nude mice model of KM12SM colon cancer. In in vivo experiments, systemically injected MSCs migrated to the stroma of orthotopic colon tumors and metastatic liver tumors. Orthotopic transplantation of KM12SM cells mixed with MSCs resulted in greater tumor weight than did transplantation of KM12SM cells alone. The survival rate was significantly lower in the mixed-cell group, and liver metastasis was seen only in this group. Moreover, tumors resulting from transplantation of mixed cells had a significantly higher proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index, significantly greater microvessel area and significantly lower apoptotic index. Splenic injection of KM12SM cells mixed with MSCs, in comparison to splenic injection of KM12SM cells alone, resulted in a significantly greater number of liver metastases. MSCs incorporated into the stroma of primary and metastatic tumors expressed ,-smooth muscle actin and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-, as carcinoma-associated fibroblast (CAF) markers. In in vitro experiments, KM12SM cells recruited MSCs, and MSCs stimulated migration and invasion of tumor cells through the release of soluble factors. Collectively, MSCs migrate and differentiate into CAFs in tumor stroma, and they promote growth and metastasis of colon cancer by enhancing angiogenesis, migration and invasion and by inhibiting apoptosis of tumor cells. [source]


In vitro and in vivo antitumor effect of 2-methoxyestradiol on human melanoma

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 5 2004
Judit Dobos
Abstract 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is an endogenous metabolite of estradiol with estrogen-receptor-independent antitumor and antiangiogenic activity. We examined the effects of 2ME2 on the cellular proliferation of 8 human melanoma cell lines. We show that 2ME2 inhibited cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and an arrest in the G2/M phase, and the mechanism of action involved microtubules, mitochondrial damage and caspase activation. In male SCID mice, 2ME2 was effective in reducing primary tumor weight and the number of liver metastases after intrasplenic injection of human melanoma cells. In the metastases, we found a significantly higher rate of apoptotic cells after 2ME2 treatment. These findings on the antitumor effect of 2ME2 in cell culture as well as in an animal model may have implications for designing alternative treatment options for patients with advanced malignant melanoma. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Metastasis suppressor gene Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) is a novel prognostic marker in prostate cancer

THE PROSTATE, Issue 3 2006
Zheng Fu
Abstract BACKGROUND Diminished expression of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), an inhibitor of the Raf signaling cascade, promotes prostate cancer (PCa) metastasis in a murine model, suggesting that it is a metastasis suppressor gene. However, the prognostic significance of RKIP expression and its association with metastasis in PCa patients is unknown. METHODS To investigate RKIP protein expression is a prognostic marker in PCa we performed immunohistochemical staining for RKIP expression in tissue microarrays consisting of 758 non-neoplastic prostate tissues, primary tumors and metastases from 134 PCa patients. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to adjust for covariates including Gleason score, tumor volume, tumor weight, clinical stage, digital rectal exam findings, serum PSA level and surgical margins. RESULTS RKIP expression was low in approximately 5%, 48%, and 89%of non-neoplastic prostate, primary tumors and metastases, respectively. Low RKIP expression in primary tumors was a strong positive predictive factor for PCa recurrence based on PSA levels. In patients whose primary tumors expressed high RKIP levels, the 7-year PSA recurrence rate was <,10%; whereas in patients with tumors with low RKIP expression the recurrence rate was 50% (P,<,0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed RKIP was an independent prognostic factor (P,<,0.001). CONCLUSION In contrast to increased expression of pro-tumorigenic genes, these results demonstrate decreased protein expression of a gene, for example, RKIP, can serve as a prognostic marker in PCa patients. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Anti-tumour and immuno-stimulating activities of the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica, a new type of Cordyceps spp.

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2003
Kuk Hyun Shin
Abstract The anti-tumor and immuno-stimulating activities of the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica (PJ), grown on silk-worm larvae and of Cordyceps sinensis (CS), a wild form of Cordyceps Fungi, were investigated. Ethanol extracts of both fungi, when administered for 9 consecutive days, at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p., caused a signi,cant increase in life span and a signi,cant decrease in tumor weights and volumes, in mice inoculated with Sarcoma-180 tumor cells. Both fungal extracts were demonstrated to exhibit phagocytosis enhancing activity as measured by carbon clearance in mice. PJ extracts, when administered i.p. at 50 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days, exhibited a signi,cant enhancement of phagocytosis, its potency as expressed by the regression coef,cient ratio, RCtr/RCc, being 1.64 (the phagocytosis index = 2). This was approximately the same for that of zymosan (RCtr/RCc = 1.55, PI = 2), a typical phagocytosis enhancer, whereas CS extracts exhibited a moderate phagocytosis enhancing activity at the same dose level (RCtr/RCc = 1.30, PI = 1). Both fungal extracts caused a signi,cant increase in an acid phosphatase activity, representing lysosomal enzymes, in macrophages at 20 and 100 µg/ml in vitro, in compliance with in vivo results. These results suggest that the anti-tumor activity of both fungi might be related to an immuno-stimulating function. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]