Tag Archives: tumor
Molecular classification of glioma stem cells
Comprehensive genetic analysis of glioblastomas by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) has proposed a new classification based on genetic abnormalities. The characteristic genetic abnormalities identified in the TCGA are promising candidates for novel molecularly targeted therapies, and
Exercise inhibits cancer: the mechanosensitive state of tumor cells
Surprisingly, researchers find that tumor cells are sensitive to mechanical stresses. This may provide new ways to treat cancers without the severe side-effects of many therapies. Because mechanosensitivity of cancer cells is found quite generally, it appears
Specific and non-specific biomarkers in neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of rare malignancies that can arise in almost all organs, although gastroenteropancreatic site (GEP) is the most common. Symptoms are rarely specific, and clinical manifestations may be evident only in
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor transition to KIT-independence is enabled by a Cyclin D1 dependent proliferation program
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs generally contain oncogenic gain-of-function KIT (~85%) or PDGFRA (~5-10%) mutations which are crucial for GIST proliferation and survival, as underscored by the
Force and morphogenesis
Plant tissue culture has been used to propagate plants on culture media present within petri dishes. This is the propagation of plants in vitro. Using particular plant hormones added to such media in certain concentrations, buds and
Enlightening the importance of the NDRGs in the (cancerous) gut
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is one of the most complex organs of the human body. With its approximate 5m length, a diversity of specialized epithelial cell types (the ‘lining’ of the GI tract), about 80% of our
Tumor regression in a high-mortality mouse pancreatic cancer (xenograft) model with aminosteroid RM-581
Pancreatic cancer is classified as a high-mortality cancer with a five-year relative survival rate of only 9%. Although most cancer type survival rates have improved over the past decades, pancreatic cancer morbidity has been stable, which illustrates
An integrated genomics approach for identifying breast cancer patients with highly aggressive tumors
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women with over 2 million new cases worldwide in 2018. Three kinds of receptors are usually found on the surface of breast cancer cells: a receptor for female hormone
Duodenal neuroendocrine tumors: what we really know about them? An Italian multicentre experience
Duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms (dNENs) are heterogeneous tumors and represent up to 3% of all duodenal tumors and 2–3% of all gastrointestinal tumors. Despite clear differences, dNENs have been always treated together with either gastric neuroendocrine tumors or,
Skewed signaling through RAGE strength the tumor growth-promoting activities of M2 macrophages
Tumors are complex tissues composed by both non-cellular components, mainly matrix proteins, and different stromal cell types, which are under an active cross talk with tumor cells. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the major leukocyte population among the
Oxygen starvation promotes pro-tumorigenic cytokine expression
Identification of the factors that trigger tumor formation and metastasis is a problem that has persisted in cancer research since its inception. To date, studies have focused on chemical signaling compounds that are part of the secretome
Wilms tumor and aneuploidy
Wilms’ tumor or nephroblastoma is an embryological tumor of infancy that belongs to the category of “small round blue cell tumors” (Fig. 1). Such tumors are characterized by an accentuated basophilia of the nuclei with a notable
Compressed ultrasound imaging: finding tumors with a few transducers
Currently, ultrasound imaging is predominantly done by a probe that possesses many transducers, which are small devices that transmit, and then receive, acoustic waves. Decreasing the number of transducers, while maintaining image quality, is surely a desirable
How to stain E-selectin ligands in tumor tissue
Cancer affects millions of people around the world. Nowadays they have more chances to survive, but still, the most frightful scenario are metastases. Few patients with metastases survive, and there is an unmet clinical need for new
Molecular targeted therapy in alveolar soft part sarcoma
Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a malignant and rare tumor that includes about 1% of all STS (soft tissue sarcoma), and usually occurs in adolescents and young adults. This type of cancer has tendency toward distant metastasis
Fine needle aspiration cytology for neck masses in childhood. An important tool in pediatrics
Neck masses can be incidental or the reason for significant concern for parents and physicians. The technique of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology (FNAC) may be crucial in such settings. In 1981, the first FNA biopsy performed in
Targeting microRNAs for thyroid cancer therapy
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped endocrine organ located at the base of the throat, just below the Adam´s apple. Its function is to concentrate dietary iodine from the bloodstream and produce thyroid hormones, which have
Lernaean hydra puzzle in compensatory angiogenesis and tumor drug resistance
Before we proceed to apply the analogy of Lernaean hydra to compensatory angiogenesis and tumor drug resistance against anti-angiogenic drugs (AADs), let us have a cursory look at the interesting mythology of this hydra. According to Greek
How can we make nanoparticles more effective against cancer?
Chemotherapy is an integral part of the present cancer treatment paradigm, despite its common and severe side effects. Nanotechnology provides a plethora of promising avenues for overcoming chemotherapy limitations. Drug encapsulation within nanoparticles helps to retain it
Colorectal cancer and enteric neurons: Should tumors be nervous?
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent types of cancer in the world and is associated with a high mortality rate with over 700.000 deaths per year. Throughout the past decades, the development of CRC
