The NOGO receptor NgR2, a novel αVβ3 integrin effector, induces neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer

Androgen deprivation therapies aimed to target prostate cancer (PrCa) are only partially successful given the occurrence of neuroendocrine PrCa (NEPrCa), a highly aggressive and highly metastatic form of PrCa, for which there is no effective therapeutic approach. Our group has demonstrated that while absent in prostate adenocarcinoma, the αVβ3 integrin expression is increased during PrCa progression toward NEPrCa. Here, we show a novel pathway activated by αVβ3 that promotes NE differentiation (NED). This novel pathway requires the expression of a GPI-linked surface molecule, NgR2, also known as Nogo-66 receptor homolog 1. We show here that NgR2 is upregulated by αVβ3, to which it associates; we also show that it promotes NED and anchorage-independent growth, as well as a motile phenotype of PrCa cells. Given our observations that high levels of αVβ3 and, as shown here, of NgR2 are detected in human and mouse NEPrCa, our findings appear to be highly relevant to this aggressive and metastatic subtype of PrCa. This study is novel because NgR2 role has only minimally been investigated in cancer and has instead predominantly been analyzed in neurons. These data thus pave new avenues toward a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of integrin-directed signaling during PrCa progression toward a NE phenotype.

A comprehensive review of the functions of YB-1 in cancer stemness, metastasis and drug resistance

The Y Box binding protein 1 (YB-1) is a member of the highly conserved Cold Shock Domain protein family with multifunctional properties both in the cytoplasm and inside the nucleus. YB-1 is also involved in various cellular functions, including regulation of transcription, mRNA stability, and splicing. Recent studies have associated YB-1 with the regulation of the malignant phenotypes in several tumor types. In this review article, we provide an in-depth and expansive review of the literature pertaining to the multiple physiological functions of YB-1. We will also review the role of YB-1 in cancer development, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance in various malignancies, with more weight on literature published in the last decade. The methodology included querying databases PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar for Y box binding protein 1, YB-1, YBX1, and Y-box-1.

Incidence of adenocarcinoma and mortality in patients with Barrett's oesophagus diagnosed between 1976 and 1986: implications for endoscopic surveillance

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and its contribution to mortality in patients with Barrett's oesophagus, and to identify a subgroup of patients who may benefit from endoscopic surveillance. This was a retrospective study of a cohort of 70 patients diagnosed in the endoscopy unit of a Scottish teaching hospital as having Barrett's oesophagus between 1976 and 1986. Information was obtained from case notes, endoscopy records, histology reports and death certificates. Patients were included if they had: (a) columnar-lined oesophagus of at least 3 cm; (b) histological confirmation; and (c) absence of cancer when endoscopically diagnosed as having Barrett's oesophagus. The main outcome for the patients was development of adenocarcinoma or death. Information was available for 59 of 70 patients (84%). Forty-four patients were confirmed to have Barrett's oesophagus and were followed up for 418 patient-years. Only two patients developed oesophageal adenocarcinoma, resulting in an incidence of one case in 209 patient-years, a 55-fold risk compared with age- and sex-matched population in Scotland. Both these patients had intestinal metaplasia and Barrett's ulcer. The majority (90%) of patients died as a result of causes unrelated to adenocarcinoma of oesophagus. In patients under 70 years with intestinal metaplasia, 189 annual endoscopies would have been required to detect one cancer. Adenocarcinoma is an uncommon cause of mortality in patients with Barrett's oesophagus. Endoscopic surveillance is unlikely to alter overall mortality in patients with Barrett's oesophagus. However, by limiting endoscopic surveillance to patients under 70 years with intestinal metaplasia, the estimated cost per cancer detected can be reduced to ł23000.

Outpatient management of deep vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) could be satisfactorily treated on an outpatient basis with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin and warfarin.

DESIGN

A 22 month prospective study of adults attending St Peter's Hospital accident and emergency department with DVT.

RESULTS

1093 patients were referred and assessed; 160 were venogram positive, of which 159 patients between the ages of 22 and 89 years of age have now been treated with LMW heparin as outpatients. Direct liaison with community nurses has minimised the impact on general practitioner workload.

CONCLUSIONS

1272 bed days were saved during this period (an estimated 320,000 pounds). The outpatient treatment of thromboembolism has been shown to be effective and safe.

It's not cricket

Images

Evaluation of lesions suitable for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty after thrombolytic therapy of acute myocardial infarction

Forty-two patients of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and clinically successful thrombolysis underwent coronary angiography 7.6 +/- 3.6 days after the AMI. The infarct related artery was patent in 33 of 42 (78.5%) patients, and 27 of these 33 (82%) had residual diameter stenosis of 70 per cent or more. Arteries showing more than 70 per cent luminal diameter narrowing were considered suitable for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) if the lesion was less than 1 cm in length and there was no significant left main or distal lesion. Based on the above criteria, 22 of the 33 patients (66%) with recanalised infarct-related artery were found to have lesions suitable for PTCA. Thus, after successful thrombolysis, significant proportion of patients of acute myocardial infarction have residual lesions that are suitable for PTCA.

Colonic tuberculosis

A case of tuberculosis of the colon is described. Attention is drawn to the similarity between this and other inflammatory diseases of the bowel. Colonic tuberculosis is now a rarity even where mycobacterial infection is endemic, and may mimic other inflammatory diseases of the bowel with important consequences for treatment and prognosis. Such a case is now described.