BCSC-1 过表达抑制肝癌Bel-7402细胞的增殖、侵袭、黏附和迁移

目的：研究人乳腺癌候选抑癌蛋白1基因（breast cancer suppressor candidate 1,BCSC-1）过表达对肝癌Bel-7402细胞的增殖、侵袭、黏附和迁移的影响,并探讨其可能的机制。方法：将pcDNA3.1/v5-HisB-BCSC-1和空质粒pcDNA3.1/v5-HisB转染的Bel-7402细胞作为BCSC-1组和空载体组,Bel-7402细胞为野生型组。MTT法、Transwell实验、体外黏附实验和划痕实验分别检测BCSC-1过表达对Bel-7402细胞增殖、侵袭、黏附和迁移的影响,Real-time PCR检测BCSC-1过表达对Bel-7402细胞中与细胞增殖、黏附相关的 ICAM-1、PTTG、骨桥蛋白（osteopontin,OPN）mRNA表达的影响。结果：转染pcDNA3.1/v5-HisB-BCSC-1后Bel-7402细胞中 BCSC-1 mRNA的表达水平显著高于空载体组和野生组细胞\[（10.58±0.56）vs（1.10±022）、（1.00±0.01）,均P＜0.01\],成功制备 BCSC-1 稳定过表达的Bel-7402细胞株。与空载体组和野生型组相比, BCSC-1组Bel-7402细胞生长速度明显减慢\[72 h：（0.29±0.003） vs （0.34±0.014）、（0.35±0.013）,均P<0.05\];侵袭率\[（76.20±1.85）% vs（93.42±3.24）%、（100.00±1.05）%,均P<0.01）\]、黏附率\[（58.57±0.84）% vs（97.14±0.84）%、（100.00±130）%,均P<0.01\]显著降低,迁移距离显著降低\[（116.60±10.58） vs （231.33±10.26）、（237.96±11.58）μm,均P<001\];同时过表达 BCSC-1的Bel-7402细胞的OPN mRNA表达量明显降低\[（0.12±0.06) vs (0.95±0.14）、（1.00±0.08）,均P<001\], ICAM-1、PTTG mRNA表达无明显变化。结论： BCSC-1过表达能够抑制Bel-7402细胞的增殖、侵袭、黏附和迁移能力,其机制可能与OPN基因表达下降有关。     

慢病毒介导 EGFL7 沉默对肺癌A549细胞体外生物学行为的影响

目的：通过慢病毒介导沉默表皮生长因子样结构域7基因 (epidermal growth factor-like domain 7, EGFL7 )在肺癌A549细胞的表达,探讨 EGFL7对A549细胞的增殖、凋亡、侵袭和血管生成的影响。 方法： 利用慢病毒介导靶向 EGFL7的shRNA 转染A549细胞,实验分三组： LV-RNAi组（转染LV-RNAi）,LV-NC组（转染空病毒）和对照组（A549细胞）。Real-time PCR和Western blotting分别检测LV-RNAi感染对A549细胞 EGFL7 mRNA和蛋白水平表达的影响,MTT法和流式细胞术分别检测沉默〖STBX〗EGFL7〖STBZ〗对A549细胞增殖和凋亡的影响,Transwell侵袭实验和鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜（chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane,CAM）实验分别检测沉默 EGFL7 对A549细胞侵袭和血管生成能力的影响。 结果： 慢病毒稳定高效地转染A549细胞,LV-RNAi组细胞内 EGFL7 mRNA\[（0.18±0.03） vs （0.98±0.05）、（1.03±0.09）,P<0.05\]和蛋白表达较LV-NC组和对照组显著降低。与LV-NC组及对照组相比,沉默EGFL7 对LV-RNAi组A549细胞的增殖活力\[感染120 h 时：（073±0.22） vs （0.79±0.08） vs （0.81±0.11）,P>0.05\]与和凋亡率\[感染120 h 时：（1.92%±0.06） vs （2.11%±0.07） vs （1.85%±0.13）, P>0.05\]均无显著影响;同时,LV-RNAi组A549细胞侵袭入下室细胞数\[（61.7±14.5） vs （272.8±215）、（286.6±40.0）/mm2,P<0.05\]与血管生成指数\[（31.7±4.1） vs （96.3±4.4）、（103.3±6.5）,P<0.05\]均显著减少。 结论： 沉默 EGFL 基因能够抑制A549细胞侵袭和血管生成能力,但不影响其增殖与凋亡。     

miRNA-126真核表达载体的构建及其对乳腺癌细胞增殖和迁移的抑制作用

目的： 构建miRNA-126的重组真核表达载体,研究其对小鼠乳腺癌4T1细胞增殖和迁移的影响。 方法: 设计合成miRNA-126的正义和反义寡核苷酸,构建真核表达载体pcDNA6.2-miR-126,体外瞬时转染至4T1细胞,荧光显微镜下观测转染效率。Real-time PCR检测4T1细胞中miRNA-126的表达,MTT法和克隆形成实验检测4T1细胞的增殖和克隆形成能力,划痕法观察4T1细胞的体外迁移。 结果： 成功构建pcDNA6.2-miR-126真核表达载体,其可在4T1细胞中有效表达miR-126。与转染空质粒组（pcDNA6.2-Ctrl）相比,瞬时转染72 h后,pcDNA6.2-miR-126转染组4T1细胞的体外增殖能力受到明显抑制\[(030±0.03) vs (0.51±0.04),P<0.05\];瞬时转染48 h后,pcDNA6.2-miR-126组4T1细胞迁移能力也受到明显抑制\[(817±2.30) vs (28.33±2.16)个,P<0.05\]。 结论： miRNA-126过表达可抑制乳腺癌4T1细胞的增殖及迁移。     

miRNA-210对人乳腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

目的： 探讨miRNA-210（miR-210）在人乳腺癌组织中的表达及其对人乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。 方法： 收集2011年10月至2012年6月期间昆明医科大学第一附属医院20例乳腺癌患者组织标本,real-time PCR检测乳腺癌组织和癌旁组织以及乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231和正常乳腺细胞MCF-10a中miR-210的表达。采用LipofectamineTM 2000将miR-210 inhibitor转染至MDA-MB-231细胞中,通过荧光显微镜检测miR-210的转染效率,MTT和软琼脂克隆形成实验检测MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖,流式细胞术检测细胞周期和凋亡,Transwell法检测细胞的迁移、侵袭能力。 结果： miR-210在乳腺癌组织和MDA-MB-231细胞中的表达水平均显著高于癌旁组织和正常乳腺细胞（P<0.01）。miR-210 inhibitor成功转染MDA-MB-231细胞,转染效率为（88.29±2.98）%,转染miR-210 inhibitor后MDA-MB-231细胞的增殖和克隆形成能力明显减弱（P<0.05）,被阻滞于G0/G1期的细胞数明显增多\[（64.23±3.12）% vs （55.53±0.96）%,P<0.01\],凋亡细胞比例也显著增加\[（31.90±3.05）% vs （15.98±0.63）%,P<0.01\],细胞的迁移\[（291.00±43.12） vs （1137.38±83.49）个,P<001\]、侵袭\[（131.63±32.01） vs （647.88±31.20）个,P<0.01\]均受到明显抑制。 结论： miR-210在乳腺癌组织和细胞中过表达,转染miR-210 inhibitor后乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力明显减弱。     

抑制miR-21表达对结肠癌HCT116细胞生物学行为的影响

目的：探讨抑制 miR-21 表达对结肠癌HCT116细胞增殖、周期、凋亡、侵袭和迁移等生物学行为的影响。方法：实验分为3组,以miR-21抑制剂转染HCT116细胞为转染抑制组（IN）,另设阴性对照组（NC）、空白对照组（MOCK）,以Real-time PCR检测转染后HCT116细胞中miR-21的表达,应用MTT法、流式细胞术、Transwell侵袭和迁移实验检测转染后HCT116细胞的增殖、周期、凋亡、侵袭、迁移;以Western blotting检测转染后HCT116细胞PTEN的表达,荧光素酶报告实验检测转染后HCT116细胞PTEN的活性。结果：miR-21抑制剂转染后,HCT116细胞中miR-21的表达较NC和MOCK组细胞明显降低。下调miR-21后,HCT116细胞的增殖能力明显降低\[72 h时：（1.05±0.45） vs （1.43±0.02）,（1.45±0.01）;t=13.83,P=0000 159;t=14.88,P=0.000 119\],细胞凋亡率显著增加\[（16.30±1.00）% vs（1.87±0.53）%,（1.86±0.12）%;t=25.01,P=0.000 015 2;t=24.985,P=0.000 015 2\],细胞周期阻滞于G0/G1期,细胞的侵袭\[（50±2.0） vs （115±3.0）,（111±3.0）个;t=29.09,P=0.000 008 31;t=31.23,P=0.000 006 27\]和迁移能力\[（22±2.0） vs （52.3±2.5）,（53.0±1.0）个;t=2401,P=0.000 017 8;t=16.34,P=0.000 082 0\]明显下降。miR-21抑制剂转染的HCT116细胞中PTEN的表达及其荧光素酶相对活性均显著增加。结论：miR-21可能通过抑制PTEN进而调控大肠癌细胞生物学行为,PTEN可能是miR-21的靶基因之一。     

miRNA-21调节PTEN表达影响宫颈癌HeLa细胞的生物学行为

目的： 探讨抑制miRNA-21表达对宫颈癌HeLa细胞中PTEN的表达及细胞增殖、侵袭能力的影响。 方 法： 以脂质体介导anti-miRNA-21（anti-miRNA-21转染组）、anti-miRNA-21-neg（阴性对照组）转染HeLa细胞,同时设空白对照组（未转染组）。应用Real-time PCR技术检测3组细胞中miRNA-21的表达,Western blotting 检测3组细胞中PTEN的表达,MTT法检测3组细胞的增殖能力,Transwell实验检测3组细胞的侵袭能力。结果： Anti-miR-21转染组与阴性对照组相比,HeLa细胞中miRNA-21的表达量明显降低\[（0.187±0.027）vs （0.861±0.144）,P＜0.01\]。转染 anti-miRNA-21 96 h后,HeLa细胞增殖抑制率明显升高\[（49.44±1.97）% vs （4.36±0.64）%,P＜0.01\]。Anti-miR-21转染组与阴性、空白对照相比, Hela细胞的侵袭细胞数明显减少\[（29.4±2.1）vs （40.4±2.9）、（41.2±2.6）个,均P＜0.01\];PTEN蛋白的表达则明显增加\[（1766.00±35.56）vs（726.00±5.48）、（729.25±17.73）,均P<0.01\]。 结论： 抑制miRNA-21的表达后,宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖、侵袭能力明显下降,其机制可能与上调PTEN的表达有一定关系。     

RNA干扰下调Slug表达对肺癌细胞A549的细胞周期、增殖和侵袭的影响

目的：应用RNA干扰技术下调肺癌A549细胞中Slug基因的表达,探讨其对A549细胞增殖、细胞周期和细胞侵袭能力的影响。方法：构建靶向Slug基因的shRNA真核表达质粒pGPU6-GFP-Neo-Slug,与阴性对照质粒pNeg-shRNA分别用脂质体法转染A549细胞。Real-time PCR和Western blotting验证转染后Slug mRNA和蛋白的表达。CCK-8法、流式细胞术和Transwell实验分别检测下调Slug表达对A549细胞增殖、细胞周期和侵袭能力的影响。结果：成功构建pGPU6-GFP-Neo-Slug载体并转染A549细胞,转染率达90%。与pNeg-shRNA组和空白对照组相比,pSlug-shRNA组A549细胞中Slug mRNA\[（0.23±0.01）vs（0.97±0.08）、（1.0±0.09）,P＜0.05\]和蛋白\[（0.20±0.09 ）vs（1.0±0.32）、（1.13±0.26）,P＜0.05\]表达量显著降低;细胞增殖抑制率明显上升\[（35.3±5.4）% vs（1.5±0.2）%、（3.3±0.7）%,均P< 0.01\];细胞增殖指数显著降低 \[（32.92±0.69）% vs（48.19±0.71）%、（42.88±0.75）%,均P<0.05\],并且处于G1期细胞数明显增多\[（67.08±092）% vs（52.81±0.78）%、（56.12±0.73）%,均P<0.05\];细胞侵袭能力显著降低\[穿透基底膜细胞数：（55±9）vs（169±12）、（173±15）,均P<0.01\]。结论: pGPU6-GFP-Neo-Slug转染肺癌A549细胞能有效下调Slug基因的表达,从而抑制A549的增殖侵袭能力、阻滞细胞周期于G1期。     

慢病毒介导NDRG2基因过表达抑制人膀胱癌T24细胞的侵袭和迁移

目的： 观察N-Myc下游调节基因-2（N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 2, NDRG2）过表达对人膀胱癌T24细胞体外侵袭和迁移的影响。 方法： 采用携带NDRG2基因的慢病毒Lenti-NDRG2感染T24细胞,构建稳定过表达NDRG2的细胞株。Western blotting检测T24细胞中NDRG2、基质金属蛋白酶（matrix metalloproteinase,MMP）-2和MMP-9的表达,Transwell体外迁移和侵袭实验观察过表达NDRG2对T24细胞体外迁移和侵袭的影响。 结果： 建立了稳定过表达NDRG2的T24细胞株。与Lenti-Lacz组和空白对照组相比,Lenti-NDRG2组NDRG2蛋白的表达\[(30.1±1.27) vs (9.9±1.24)、(8.2±1.28), P<001\]明显提高;Lenti-NDRG2组MMP-2 \[(13.5±1.32) vs (30.7±1.29)、(28.8±1.30), 均P<0.01\]和MMP-9 \[(11.7±127) vs (25.2±1.28)、(26.4±1.31), 均P<0.01\]的表达明显降低;Lenti-NDRG2组T24细胞的侵袭细胞数\[(18.1±3.4) vs (88.5±4.2)、(90.2±4.1)个,均P<0.01\]和迁移细胞数\[(20.1±3.5) vs (109.4±5.6)、(113.0±4.9)个,均P<0.01\]明显减少。 结论： 慢病毒介导的NDRG2基因过表达可能通过降低MMP-2和MMP-9的表达而抑制人膀胱癌T24细胞的转移与侵袭。     

siRNA沉默 KLF4 的表达促进食管癌KYSE140细胞的增殖及迁移

目的： 探讨体外沉默Kruppel样因子4（Kruppel like factor 4, KLF4 ）基因的表达对食管癌KYSE140细胞增殖及迁移的影响。 方法: Western blotting法检测人食管癌细胞株KYSE140、KYSE150、EC109及EC9706及食管永生化细胞NE3中KLF4蛋白的表达,化学合成2对靶向 KLF4 的siRNA（KLF4-siRNA1,KLF4-siRNA2）,并设对照siRNA（Ctrl-siRNA）,分别体外转染至高表达 KLF4 的食管癌KYSE140细胞中,形成KLF4-siRNA1-KYSE140、KLF4-siRNA2-KYSE140 及Ctrl-siRNA-KYSE140细胞,通过MTT实验、Transwell实验分别检测转染后食管癌 KYSE140细胞的增殖及迁移。 结果: 食管癌细胞株KYSE140 中 KLF4蛋白的表达明显高于KYSE150、EC109及EC9706细胞株\[（5.62±0.02） vs （1.71±0.23）、（3.24±0.35）、（3.16±041）,均P<005\]。KLF4-siRNA1-KYSE140、KLF4-siRNA2-KYSE140与Ctrl-siRNA-KYSE140细胞相比,KLF4蛋白表达明显降低\[（0.49±0.18）、（0.32±0.09） vs （0.98±0.19）,均P<0.05\],细胞增殖能力明显增高\[（1.2±0.8）、（1.4±0.1） vs （06±0.1）,均P<005\],迁移细胞数量也明显增加\[(780±22)、（475±25） vs （83±17）个,P<0.05\]。 结论： KLF4 在人食管癌细胞的增殖和迁移过程中起着负调控作用。     

CD40L+肺癌细胞抗原负载DC诱导同源肺癌免疫

目的：探讨CD40L+肺癌细胞抗原负载由人外周血单个核细胞（peripheral blood mononuclear cell,PBMC）诱导的DC对同源肺癌的免疫增强作用及其机制。方法：常规方法从正常成人外周血中分离PBMC、诱导分化成DC,以重组载体pDNA3.1-CD40L+转染A549肺癌细胞,制备已转染肺癌细胞抗原对DC进行负载刺激,通过流式细胞术检测DC的CD83、CD86及HLA-DR分子表达,ELISA法检测DC的IL-12分泌水平,再以MTT法检测DC对同源T淋巴细胞增殖状态以及A549肺癌细胞增殖影响,并与空载转染的A549细胞抗原诱导DC的相同功能进行对比。结果：将PBMC成功诱导分化出成熟的DC。重组CD40L诱导组DC的CD83、CD86及HLA-DR分子表达水平明显高于空载组\[(4.78±1.5）% vs （3.38±1.5）%、（9.79±5.27）% vs （5.53±2.17）%和 （11.84±8.31）% vs （537±5.48）%,均P<0.05\];IL-12分泌水平也高于空载组和未转染组（P<0.05)。CD40L+DC可促进T淋巴细胞的增殖(P<0.05),并导致同源T细胞对肺癌A549细胞增殖的抑制作用强于对照组、未转染组和空载组（P<0.05）。结论： CD40L转染肺癌细胞抗原诱导成熟的DC可以增强同源肺癌细胞的特异免疫能力。     

Oncogénétique et psycho-oncologie, une collaboration recommandée...

Résumé: La possibilité depuis 1994, de connaître la probabilité individuelle de développer certains cancers a permis de proposer de nouvelles modalités de prévention, de traitements et contribué au développement actuel de loncogénétique. Une meilleure connaissance des répercussions psychologiques tant pour les patients que pour les apparentés est désormais possible et limplication des psycho-oncologues dans ce cadre de la réalisation des tests prédictifs, recommandée. La mission de «messager» qui incombe au «cas-index» doit faire lobjet dune attention particulière. La complexité de linformation et la dimension paradoxale que peut avoir parfois la communication à propos des choix, rend difficile lévaluation de la qualité du consentement. La situation particulièrement délicate dune aide à la décision à légard de la chirurgie prophylactique, exige une collaboration étroite des généticiens et des psycho-oncologues.Les soins de support en oncologie     

The role of papillomaviruses in human cancers

This review comprehensively evaluates the influence of gene-gene, gene-environment and multiple interactions on the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods of studying these interactions and their limitations have been discussed herein. There is a need to develop biomarkers of exposure and of risk that are sensitive, specific, present in the pathway of the disease, and that have been clinically tested for routine use. The influence of inherited variation (polymorphism) in several genes has been discussed in this review; however, due to study limitations and confounders, it is difficult to conclude which ones are associated with the highest risk (either individually or in combination with environmental factors) to CRC. The majority of the sporadic cancer is believed to be due to modification of mutation risk by other genetic and/or environmental factors. Micronutrient deficiency may explain the association between low consumption of fruit/vegetables and CRC in human studies. Mitochondrial modulation by dietary factors influences the balance between cell renewal and death critical in colon mucosal homeostasis. Both genetic and epigenetic interactions are intricately dependent on each other, and collectively influence the process of colorectal tumorigenesis. The genetic and environmental interactions present a good prospect and a challenge for prevention strategies for CRC because they support the view that this highly prevalent cancer is preventable.     

Antifungal combination therapy in localized candidosis

A mouse model of localized candidosis in air-filled subcutaneous cysts imitating thrush has been developed. We have now tested various antifungal combinations in this animal model. Flucytosine (5-FC) + amphotericin B (Amph B) showed the highest efficacy, a clear additive or even synergistic effect was seen. The combination of 5-FC + imidazole or triazole derivative was less efficacious, an additive effect was rare. The combination of 5-FC + Amph B was also tested against Candida albicans strains showing various degrees of 5-FC-resistance. A significant reduction in 5-FC-resistant mutants was seen after the treatment with the combination.     

Les génériques en cancérologie: à molécule identique, médicaments identiques? Les biosimilaires, des super-génériques?

Résumé: Les biosimilaires vont bientôt voir leur apparition en Europe. Comment un laboratoire peut-il aborder le développement de son dossier dAMM? Quelles sont les bases légales et les recommandations officielles? Comment la similarité et/ou le caractère générique peuvent-ils être démontrés? Les règles sont-elles identiques à celles des produits chimiques conventionnels pour lesquels, notamment en cancérologie, il existe des médicaments génériques? Comment faire pour que la sécurité et lefficacité des médicaments biosimilaires soient assurées pour les patients?     

Cancer immunotherapy

Unprecedented progress has seen made in the last decade in the field of cancer immunotherapy. The recent approval of nivolumab （Opdivo）, the first anti-programmed cell death-1 （PD-1） antibody, for metastatic melanoma in Japan, marked a milestone in the rapidly advancing field of cancer immunotherapy. Nivolumab together with ipilimumab （Yervoy）, the anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 （CTLA-4） antibody, are the first 2 drugs in the class of ＂immune checkpoint inhibitors＂ that have delivered impressive responses in patients with metastatic melanoma and renal cell cancer （RCC） as well as a variety of solid tumors.     

Effect of tumor therapeutic irradiation on the mechanical properties of teeth tissue

Tumor irradiation of the head-neck area is accompanied by the development of a so-called radiation caries in the treated patients. In spite of conservative therapeutic measures, the process results in tooth destruction. The present study investigated the effects of irradiation on the demineralization and remineralization of the dental tissue. For this purpose, retained third molars were prepared and assigned either to a test group, which was exposed to fractional irradiation up to 60 Gy, or to a non-irradiated control group. Irradiated and non-irradiated teeth were then demineralized using acidic hydroxyl-cellulose gel; afterwards the teeth were remineralized using either Bifluorid12 or elmex gelee. The nanoindentation technique was used to measure the mechanical properties, hardness and elasticity, of the teeth in each of the conditions. The values were compared to the non-irradiated control group. Irradiation decreased dramatically the mechanical parameters of enamel and dentine. In nonirradiated teeth, demineralization had nearly the same effects of irradiation on the mechanical properties. In irradiated teeth, the effects of demineralization were negligible in comparison to non-irradiated teeth. Remineralization with Bifluorid12 or elmex gelee led to a partial improvement of the mechanical properties of the teeth. The enamel was more positively affected by remineralization than the dentine.     

Consultation multidisciplinaire pour les patients atteints d’une pathologie tumorale (carcinome infiltrant ou lésion précancéreuse) liée à HPV : la consultation multidisciplinaire papillomavirus

Given the recent increase in the number of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cancers in other locations than gynaecological, the number of patients with two cancers at distinct sites, and because of the lack of exhaustive data, we decided to create a multidisciplinary network around an HPV consultation at the Georges-Pompidou European Hospital (HEGP). This network aims to set up the best tools for detecting HPV-associated “multisite” precancerous lesions in order to determine the possible impact of dedicated care for this at-risk population. This monthly consultation was created at the HEGP in June 2014. It is currently organized around five consultations: gynaecological, ENT, urological, digestive and immunological. Every patient who has been diagnosed with HPV-related cancer and whose care is provided at the HEGP is offered this particular follow-up: systematically, once the initial lesion has been treated, the patient is convened annually for a day during which it benefits from the consultations mentioned above. A consultation with a psychologist is systematically proposed. Local samples are taken at each site: a cytological examination, the analysis of known predictive and prognostic virological markers are carried out. This study fits more broadly in a theme of clinical and fundamental research around cancers related to HPV.     

Differentiation state and invasiveness of human breast cancer cell lines

Summary Eighteen breast cancer cell lines were examined for expression of markers of epithelial and fibroblastic differentiation: E-cadherin, desmoplakins, ZO-1, vimentin, keratin and ₁ and ₄ integrins. The cell lines were distributed along a spectrum of differentiation from epithelial to fibroblastic phenotypes. The most well-differentiated, epithelioid cell lines contained proteins characteristic of desmosomal, adherens and tight junctions, were adherent to one another on plastic and in the basement membrane matrix Matrigel and were keratin-positive and vimentin-negative. These cell lines were all weakly invasive in anin vitro chemoinvasion assay. The most poorly-differentiated, fibroblastic cell lines were E-cadherin-, desmoplakin- and ZO-1-negative and formed branching structures in Matrigel. They were vimentin-positive, contained only low levels of keratins and were highly invasive in thein vitro chemoinvasion assay. Of all of the markers analyzed, vimentin expression correlated best within vitro invasive ability and fibroblastic differentiation. In a cell line with unstable expression of vimentin, T47D_CO, the cells that were invasive were of the fibroblastic type. The differentiation markers described here may be useful for analysis of clinical specimens and could potentially provide a more precise measure of differentiation grade yielding more power for predicting prognosis.