Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases

About: Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pancreatic cancer & Cancer. The organization has 965 authors who have published 1396 publications receiving 58994 citations.

Pathobiological Implications of Mucin (MUC) Expression in the Outcome of Small Bowel Cancer

Abstract: Mucins have been associated with survival in various cancer patients, but there have been no studies of mucins in small bowel carcinoma (SBC). In this study, we investigated the relationships between mucin expression and clinicopathologic factors in 60 SBC cases, in which expression profiles of MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC6 and MUC16 in cancer and normal tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry. MUC1, MUC5AC and MUC16 expression was increased in SBC lesions compared to the normal epithelium, and expression of these mucins was related to clinicopathologic factors, as follows: MUC1 [tumor location (p = 0.019), depth (p = 0.017) and curability (p = 0.007)], MUC5AC [tumor location (p = 0.063) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.059)], and MUC16 [venous invasion (p = 0.016) and curability (p = 0.016)]. Analysis of 58 cases with survival data revealed five factors associated with a poor prognosis: poorly-differentiated or neuroendocrine histological type (p<0.001), lymph node metastasis (p<0.001), lymphatic invasion (p = 0.026), venous invasion (p<0.001) and curative resection (p<0.001), in addition to expression of MUC1 (p = 0.042), MUC5AC (p = 0.007) and MUC16 (p<0.001). In subsequent multivariate analysis with curability as the covariate, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, and MUC5AC and/or MUC16 expression were significantly related to the prognosis. Multivariate analysis in curative cases (n = 45) showed that SBC with MUC5AC and/or MUC16 expression had a significantly independent high hazard risk after adjusting for the effects of venous invasion (hazard ratio: 5.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.8–17). In conclusion, the study shows that a MUC5AC-positive and/or MUC16-positive status is useful as a predictor of a poor outcome in patients with SBC.

Comparative studies on expression of CA 19-9 and DU-PAN-2 in pancreatic cancer tissue.

Abstract: Thirty-eight human pancreatic cancer cases were examined by immunohistochemistry for expression of CA 19-9 and DU-PAN-2 antigens by the respective monoclonal antibodies. CA 19-9 was expressed in 82% and DU-PAN-2 in 87% of cases. A combination of two antibodies increased the reactivity to 97%. Six CA 19-9-negative cases were DU-PAN-2 positive and 4 DU-PAN-2-negative cases expressed CA 19-9. In only 1 case (an anaplastic carcinoma), neither of the antibodies was reactive with cancer cells. The reactivity of tumor cells with each of the antibodies varied from case to case, and, within the same tumor, from one area to another. Histologically, all but one tumor were adenocarcinomas. Thirty-five cases showed areas of either a moderate degree of differentiation (16 cases), poor differentiation (11 cases) or anaplastic areas (8 cases). Although both antigens were expressed in a greater number of cancer cells in well differentiated areas, and less frequently in poorly differentiated and anaplastic regions, the difference in antigen expression in relation to the degree of tumor differentiation was not statistically significant. The cellular localization of the antigens varied. DU-PAN-2 was primarily localized within the cytoplasm, whereas CA 19-9 was found mostly on the luminal cell surface and in luminal content of the glandular structure. In tumor-free pancreatic tissue, adjacent to the tumor, CA 19-9 was detected almost exclusively in the cells of large and medium sized ducts, whereas DU-PAN-2 was primarily expressed in terminal ductular and centrocinar cells. The results indicate that a cocktail of CA 19-9 and DU-PAN-2 antibodies could increase the likelihood of identifying a biomarker in most patients with pancreatic cancer.

Mouse genetics in the 21st century: using gene targeting to create a cornucopia of mouse mutants possessing precise genetic modifications.

Abstract: Over 1500 mouse mutants have been identified, but few of the genes responsible for the defects have been identified. Recent developments in the area of gene targeting are revolutionizing the field of mouse genetics and our understanding of numerous genes, including those thought to be involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Gene targeting was developed as a method for producing a predetermined mutation in a specific endogenous gene. Advances in the design of targeting vectors and in the use of embryonic stem cells have permitted the production of numerous mutant mice with null mutations in specific genes. These mutant mice will be critical for investigating the in vivo functions of many genes that have been cloned in recent years. This review discusses a wide range of new developments in the field of gene targeting with a focus on issues to be considered by those planning to use this new technology. It also examines some of the lessons learned from recent gene targeting studies and discusses different applications of the technology that are likely to generate scores of new animal models for a wide range of human diseases.