Experimental Oncology, 2017, № 2

Expression of cancer-associated genes in prostate tumors

2018-06-23T00:03:12Z

Expression of cancer-associated genes in prostate tumors Rosenberg, E.E.; Gerashchenko, G.V.; Hryshchenko, N.V.; Mevs, L.V.; Nekrasov, K.A.; Lytvynenko, R.A.; Vitruk, Y.V.; Gryzodub, O.P.; Stakhovsky, E.A.; Kashuba, V.I. Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common male cancers in Western countries and takes the third place in morbidity in Ukraine. It is a highly heterogeneous disease. Aim: To analyze relative expression levels of the TGFB1, IL1B, FOS, EFNA5, TAGLN, PLAU, and EPDR1 genes in malignant and non-malignant prostate tissues. Materials and Methods: Total RNA was isolated from 16 prostate adenomas, 37 prostate adenocarcinomas, and 29 conventionally normal prostate tissues. To analyze relative gene expression levels the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed. Results: The significant alterations in the relative expression levels were found in all analyzed sample groups for 4 genes: FOS, EFNA5, IL1B, and TGFB1. We have found that FOS and EFNA5 were more frequently overexpressed in carcinomas with Gleason score ≤ 7, compared with adenomas. On contrary, PLAU expression levels were decreased more frequently in prostate cancers, compared with conventionally normal tissues. Noteworthy, we found positive correlation between IL1B expression level and PSA (for patients with slight PSA increase, no more than 20.0 ng/ml). Conclusion: The EFNA5, FOS, IL1B, PLAU, and TGFB1 genes that showed significant expression alterations in prostate tumors, compared with conventionally normal prostate tissue, may play role in prostate cancer development and should be further investigated.

Influence of exogenous lactoferrin on the oxidant/ antioxidant balance and molecular profile of hormone receptor-positive and -negative human breast cancer cells in vitro

2018-06-19T00:05:39Z

Influence of exogenous lactoferrin on the oxidant/ antioxidant balance and molecular profile of hormone receptor-positive and -negative human breast cancer cells in vitro Zalutski, I.V.; Lukianova, N.Y.; Storchai, D.M.; Burlaka, A.P.; Shvets, Y.V.; Borikun, T.V.; Todor, I.M.; Lukashevich, V.S.; Rudnichenko, Y.A.; Chekhun, V.F. Aim: To investigate the mechanisms of cytotoxic activity and pro-/antioxidant effect of lactoferrin on hormone receptor-positive and receptor-negative breast cancer cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on receptor-positive (MCF-7, T47D) and receptor-negative (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468) human breast cancer cell lines. Immunocytochemical staining, flow cytometry, low-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance, and the Comet assay were used. Results: Upon treatment with lactoferrin, the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p < 0.05), NO generation rate by inducible NO-synthase (p < 0.05) and the level of “free” iron (p < 0.05) were observed. Moreover, the effects of lactoferrin were more pronounced in receptor-negative MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. These changes resulted in increased expression of proapoptotic Bax protein (p < 0.05), reduced expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein (p < 0.05) and level of not-oxidized mitochondrial cardiolipin (1.4–1.7-fold, p < 0.05). This, in turn, caused an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells (by 14–24%, p < 0.05). Cytotoxic effects of lactoferrin were accompanied by an increase in the percentage of DNA in the comet tail and blocking cell cycle at G₂/M phase, especially in receptor-negative cell lines. Conclusion: The study showed that exogenous lactoferrin causes a violation of an antioxidant balance by increasing the level of ROS, “free” iron and NO generation rate, resalting in the blocking of cell cycle at G₂/M-phase and apoptosis of malignant cells.

Generic imatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia: two years’ experience in latvia

2018-06-18T00:12:40Z

Generic imatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia: two years’ experience in latvia Lejniece, S.; Udre, I.; Rivkina, A. Background: Imatinib is tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and as a targeted anti-cancer agent has significantly changed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) prognosis and patient survival. Currently TKI is the main therapy in CML Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph-positive) cases. When generics of imatinib appeared in the pharmaceuticals market, reimbursement policies in many countries switched to using generics or encouraged use of generic imatinib to lower the expenses. Cost savings were substantial; however, for doctors and CML patients the efficacy, safety and quality of generic imatinib were an issue of concern. Objective: Since the global number of CML patients, who in the future will have to switch from original imatinib to generic imatinib, is high, the aim of study was to monitor, whether during 24 months of generic imatinib usage patients maintain the achieved major molecular response (MMR) or whether the treatment results are inferior. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, which included CML patients, who were above 18 years of age and who until May 2013 had used at least for 2 years (24 months) the original imatinib, and following that used at least for 24 months one of the generic imatinib medicines. In 2013, before switching to generic imatinib, all patients had reached MMR in accordance with European LeukemiaNet (ELN) Guidelines. Every three months blood count, BCR-ABL fusion gene (BCR-ABL), biochemical analysis and side effect were monitored. Results: Our study proved that CML patients, who had achieved MMR by original imatinib therapy, retained MMR during 24 months of generic imatinib therapy. Nobody was switched to second line generation TKI. During observation period neither haematological, nor non-hematological toxicity was found. Conclusion: Our study proved that CML patients, who had achieved MMR by original imatinib therapy, retained MMR during 24 months of generic imatinib therapy. This demonstrates that generic imatinib is not inferior to original imatinib. As to expenses, the annual costs of generic imatinib are lower by 96%, which is a significant benefit to health-care financing.

Genome-wide association study of loss of heterozygosity and metastasis-free survival in breast cancer patients

2018-06-18T00:12:55Z

Genome-wide association study of loss of heterozygosity and metastasis-free survival in breast cancer patients Deryusheva, I.V.; Tsyganov, M.M.; Garbukov, E.Y.; Ibragimova, M.K.; Kzhyshkovska, Ju.G.; Slonimskaya, E.M.; Cherdyntseva, N.V.; Litviakov, N.V. One of the factors providing the diversity and heterogeneity of malignant tumors, particularly breast cancer, are genetic variations, due to gene polymorphism, and, especially, the phenomenon of loss of heterozygosity (LOH). It has been shown that LOH in some genes could be a good prognostic marker. Aim: To perform genome-wide study on LOH in association with metastasisfree survival in breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The study involved 68 patients with breast cancer. LOH status was detected by microarray analysis, using a high density DNA-chip CytoScanTM HD Array (Affymetrix, USA). The Chromosome Analysis Suite 3.1 (Affymetrix, USA) software was used for result processing. Results: 13,815 genes were examined, in order to detect LOH. The frequency of LOH varied from 0% to 63%. The association analysis identified four genes: EDA2R, PGK1, TAF9B and CYSLTR1 that demonstrated the presence of LOH associated with metastasis-free survival (log-rank test, p < 0.03). Conclusions: The presence of LOH in EDA2R, TAF9B, and CYSLTR1 genes is associated with metastasis-free survival in breast cancer patients, indicating their potential value as prognostic markers.