Chromosome 1q25.3 copy number alterations in primary breast cancers detected by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and allelic imbalance assays and its comparison with fluorescent in situ hybridization assays

RGS2 and female common diseases: a guard of women's health

Currently, women around the world are still suffering from various female common diseases with the high incidence, such as ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids and preeclampsia (PE), and some diseases are even with the high mortality rate. As a negative feedback regulator in G Protein-Coupled Receptor signaling (GPCR), the Regulator of G-protein Signaling (RGS) protein family participates in regulating kinds of cell biological functions by destabilizing the enzyme-substrate complex through the transformation of hydrolysis of G Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP). Recent work has indicated that, the Regulator of G-protein Signaling 2 (RGS2), a member belonging to the RGS protein family, is closely associated with the occurrence and development of certain female diseases, providing with the evidence that RGS2 functions in sustaining women's health. In this review paper, we summarize the current knowledge of RGS2 in female common diseases, and also tap and discuss its therapeutic potential by targeting multiple mechanisms.

The role of single- and multi-walled carbon nanotube in breast cancer treatment

Numerous studies have been conducted to design new strategies for breast cancer treatment. Past studies have shown a wide range of carbon-nanomaterials properties, such as single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this regard, the current study aims to review the role of both SWCNTs and MWCNTs in breast cancer treatment and diagnosis. For reaching this goal, we reviewed the literature by using various searching engines such as Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and MEDLINE. This comprehensive review showed that CNTs could dramatically improve breast cancer treatment and could be used as a novel modality to increase diagnostic accuracy; however, no clinical studies have been conducted based on CNTs. In addition, the literature review demonstrates a lack of enough studies to evaluate the side effects of using CNTs.

The toxicity and therapeutic effects of single-and multi-wall carbon nanotubes on mice breast cancer

Herein, we have investigated the toxicity of SWCNTs and MWCNTs in vitro and in vivo, and assessed their therapeutic effects on a typical animal model of breast cancer in order to obtain: first, the cytotoxicity effects of CNTs on MC4L2 cell and mice, second the impact of CNTs on ablation of breast tumor. CNTs especially SWCNTs were toxic to organs and induced death at high dosages. In this case, some of the liver cells showed a relative shrinkage which was also confirmed by Annexin test in MC4L2 cells. Moreover, CNTs decreased the tumor volume. BCL2 gene was down-regulated, and BAX and Caspase-3 were also up-regulated in the treated groups with CNTs. As a result, CNTs especially MWCNT in lower dosages can be used as a promising drug delivery vehicle for targeted therapy of abnormal cells in breast cancer.

Apoptins: selective anticancer agents

Therapies that selectively target cancer cells for death have been the center of intense research recently. One potential therapy may involve apoptin proteins, which are able to induce apoptosis in cancer cells leaving normal cells unharmed. Apoptin was originally discovered in the Chicken anemia virus (CAV); however, human gyroviruses (HGyV) have recently been found that also harbor apoptin-like proteins. Although the cancer cell specific activity of these apoptins appears to be well conserved, the precise functions and mechanisms of action are yet to be fully elucidated. Strategies for both delivering apoptin to treat tumors and disseminating the protein inside the tumor body are now being developed, and have shown promise in preclinical animal studies.

Prognostic and predictive value of copy number alterations in invasive breast cancer as determined by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. About 70 % of breast cancers are estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Blocking estrogen action by tamoxifen has been the treatment of choice in ER positive breast cancers for more than 30 years. In the past, several studies have revealed associations between gene copy number alterations and responsiveness to tamoxifen therapy, but so far no single gene copy number alteration could completely explain the response variation observed between individual breast cancer patients. Here, we set out to perform a simultaneous analysis of copy number alterations of several genes involved in the prognosis and response to therapy by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

METHODS

A case-control study was designed encompassing 170 non-metastatic ER positive breast cancer patients (case group = 85, control group = 85). All patients in the control group had received standard adjuvant tamoxifen treatment for 5 years without any evidence of recurrence. Patients in the case group had experienced early recurrences while receiving tamoxifen treatment. 76 % of the patients of the case group and 73 % of the patients of the control group had received anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Gene copy number alterations detected by MLPA in both groups were compared.

RESULTS

Amplification of CCND1 (OR = 3.13; 95 % CI = 1.35 to 7.26; p = 0.006) and TOP2A (OR = 3.05; 95 % CI = 1.13 to 8.24; p = 0.022) were significantly more prevalent in the case group, compared to the control group. In a multivariate analysis CCND1 (p = 0.01) and TOP2A (p = 0.041) amplifications remained significant predictors of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that CCND1 amplification may serve as a useful biomarker for hormone responsiveness, and that TOP2A amplification may serve as a useful prognostic biomarker.

Reprogramming and carcinogenesis--parallels and distinctions

Rapid progress made in various areas of regenerative medicine in recent years occurred both at the cellular level, with the Nobel prize-winning discovery of reprogramming (generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells) and also at the biomaterial level. The use of four transcription factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc, and Klf4 (called commonly "Yamanaka factors") for the conversion of differentiated cells, back to the pluripotent/embryonic stage, has opened virtually endless and ethically acceptable source of stem cells for medical use. Various types of stem cells are becoming increasingly popular as starting components for the development of replacement tissues, or artificial organs. Interestingly, many of the transcription factors, key to the maintenance of stemness phenotype in various cells, are also overexpressed in cancer (stem) cells, and some of them may find the use as prognostic factors. In this review, we describe various methods of iPS creation, followed by overview of factors known to interfere with the efficiency of reprogramming. Next, we discuss similarities between cancer stem cells and various stem cell types. Final paragraphs are dedicated to interaction of biomaterials with tissues, various adverse reactions generated as a result of such interactions, and measures available, that allow for mitigation of such negative effects.

The protective and therapeutic effects of alpha-solanine on mice breast cancer

Alpha-solanine, a naturally steroidal glycoalkaloid, is found in leaves and fruits of plants as a defensive agent against fungi, bacteria and insects. Herein, we investigated solanine toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and assessed its protective and the therapeutic effects on a typical animal model of breast cancer. The study conducted in three series of experiments to obtain (i) solanine effects on cell viability of mammary carcinoma cells, (ii) in vivo toxicity of solanine, and (iv) the protective and therapeutic effects of solanine on animal model of breast cancer. Alpha-solanine significantly suppressed proliferation of mouse mammary carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). Under the dosing procedure, 5 mg/kg solanine has been chosen for assessing its protective and therapeutic effects in mice breast cancer. Tumor take rate in the solanine-treated group was zero compared with a 75% rate in its respective control group (P<0.05). The average tumor size and weight were significantly lower in solanine-treated animals than its respective control ones (P<0.05). Proapoptotic Bax protein expression increased in breast tumor by solanine compared with its respective control group (P<0.05). Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression found to be lower in solanine-treated animals (P<0.05). Proliferative and angiogenic parameters greatly decreased in solanine-treated mice (P<0.05). Data provide evidence that solanine exerts a significant chemoprotective and chemotherapeutic effects on an animal model of breast cancer through apoptosis induction, cell proliferation and angiogenesis inhibition. These findings reveal a new therapeutic potential for solanine in cancer.