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。     

IL-2、IFN-α、IFN-γ对肾透明细胞癌786-0细胞中B7-H4表达的影响

目的：探究IL-2、IFN-α和IFN-γ对人肾透明细胞癌786-0细胞B7-H4表达的影响。方法：IL-2、IFN-α、IFN-γ处理786-0细胞24 h后,RT-PCR法检测 B7-H4 mRNA的表达,ELISA法、免疫细胞化学法、流式细胞术检测B7-H4蛋白的表达。结果：RT-PCR结果显示,IL-2组（0.75±0.06）、IFN-α组（0.68±0.05）、IFN-γ组（0.95±0.08）786-0细胞中B7-H4 mRNA的表达均明显高于未处理组细胞（0.30±0.03）（P<0.05）。免疫细胞化学染色结果显示,于786-0细胞膜与细胞质均可检测到B7-H4蛋白表达,IL-2、IFN-α、IFN-γ处理均可增加786-0细胞B7-H4蛋白的表达。ELISA结果显示,IL-2组\[（44.89±0.97）ng/ml\]、IFN-α组\[（46.74±2.25） ng/ml\]、IFN-γ组\[(47.31±1.12) ng/ml\] 786-0细胞上清液中分泌型B7-H4的表达明显高于未处理组\[（34.42±1.69）ng/ml\]（P<0.05）。流式细胞术检测结果表明,IL-2组\[（44.89±0.94）%\]、IFN-α组\[（46.41±0.55）%\]、IFN-γ组\[（54.18±1.42）%\] 786-0细胞表面B7-H4蛋白的阳性表达率明显高于未处理组\[（30.45±0.96）%\]（P<0.05）。结论：IL-2、IFN-α、IFN-γ在转录与翻译两个环节均可上调786-0细胞B7-H4的表达水平,其中以IFN-γ上调能力最强。     

γ-分泌酶抑制剂诱导B淋巴瘤细胞凋亡

目的： 探讨γ-分泌酶抑制剂（gamma-secretase inhibitor,GSI）对伯基特淋巴瘤（Burkitt lymphoma,BL）Namalwa细胞增殖与凋亡的影响及其可能的作用机制。方法： GSI处理Namalwa细胞后,MTT法检测细胞增殖抑制率,流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡,Western blotting法检测凋亡相关蛋白caspase-9、caspase-3以及Notch信号通路中Notch1蛋白胞内片段的表达。建立裸鼠移植瘤模型,观察GSI对裸鼠移植瘤生长的抑制作用。结果： GSI处理Namalwa细胞48、72 h的 IC50值分别为2.14和0.61 μmol/L,GSI对Namalwa细胞的增殖抑制作用呈剂量和时间依赖性。GSI（1.25 μmol/L）处理Namalwa细胞24 h后,其凋亡率明显高于对照组\[（17.71±1.87）% vs （3.42±0.95）%,P<0.01\];处理48 h后与对照组差异更为显著\[（43.68±053）% vs （4.65±0.8）%,P<0.01\]。GSI处理Namalwa细胞24、48 h后,凋亡蛋白caspase-3、caspase-9蛋白前体表达下降,caspase-9活性片段表达上调,Notch1蛋白胞內片段表达下降。GSI处理后裸鼠移植瘤体积明显小于对照组 \[13 d时,（2.199±0.183） vs （ 1.15±0.399）cm3,P<0.01];瘤组织中Namalwa细胞的凋亡率明显高于对照组\[（5.3±0.48）% vs （2.1±0.26）%,P<0.01\]。结论： GSI能够有效抑制BL细胞株Namalwa细胞的增殖及促进其凋亡,caspase-3和caspese-9凋亡蛋白以及Notch信号通路可能参与GSI诱导Namalwa细胞凋亡的过程。     

沉默 ABCE1 基因对人食管癌EC109细胞凋亡、增殖、侵袭及迁移的影响

目的：探讨电转法沉默ATP结合盒转运子E1（ATP-binding cassette protein E1, ABCE1 ）基因的表达对人食管癌EC109细胞凋亡、增殖、侵袭及迁移的影响。方法：合成靶向 ABCE1 的siRNA序列（ABCE1-siRNA）以及阴性对照序列（NC-siRNA）,电转法转染至EC109细胞,分别形成ABCE1-EC109、NC-siRNA-EC109细胞。RT-PCR、Western blotting检测转染后EC109细胞中 ABCE1 mRNA与蛋白的表达情况,流式细胞术检测EC109细胞周期及凋亡,CCK-8法、划痕愈合实验、Transwell法分别检测EC109细胞的增殖、迁移以及侵袭的能力。结果： ABCE1-EC109细胞中 ABCE1 mRNA和蛋白表达较NC-siRNA-EC109细胞明显降低\[(0.47±0.04) vs (0.67±0.05),(0.63±0.09) vs (0.86±0.11);均P<0.05\]。与NC-siRNA-EC109细胞相比,ABCE1-EC109细胞的增殖速度明显减慢\[（2.20±0.10） vs （2.91±0.13）,P<0.05\],细胞周期阻滞在G0/G1期细胞数目明显增多\[（76.5±3.1)% vs (56.1±2.7)%, P<0.05）\];细胞的凋亡率明显升高\[（15 .46±3.12）% vs (0.54±024）%,P<001\],迁移、侵袭能力均显著下降\[迁移：（8.12±0.23） vs （1.91±0.11）μm,P<0.05;侵袭：（42.56±4.68） vs (68.78±6.98)个,P<001\]。结论：电转法沉默 ABCE1 基因的表达可促进食管癌EC109细胞的凋亡,抑制其体外增殖、侵袭及迁移。     

褪黑素联合顺铂通过诱导细胞凋亡抑制人胶质瘤细胞U251和SHG-44增殖

目的：研究褪黑素（melatonin,MT）和顺铂（cisplatin,DDP）单独或联合应用对人胶质瘤细胞U251和SHG-44增殖及凋亡的影响。方法：采用不同质量浓度MT和DDP单独或联合处理U251和SHG-44细胞,并设对照组（不加任何药物）及乙醇组（加入乙醇）;以CCK-8法检测细胞的增殖,流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡和细胞周期,采用两药相互作用指数（coefficient of drug interaction,CDI）评估MT是否影响U251和SHG-44细胞对DDP的敏感性。结果：CCK-8结果显示,单用MT或DDP可浓度依赖性抑制U251和SHG-44细胞的增殖,MT还可协同增强DDP对U251和SHG-44细胞的增殖抑制作用（CDI<1）。流式细胞术检测结果显示,MT可促进U251和SHG-44细胞的凋亡,MT可增强DDP对U251和SHG-44细胞的凋亡诱导作用,0.5 mmol/L MT联合20 μg/ml DDP组U251和SHG-44的细胞凋亡率显著高于20 μg/ml DDP组\[（66.3±1.0）% vs （45.9±1.7）%,（35.5±0.8）% vs （15.5±0.8%）;均P<0.01\];而且0.5 mmol/L MT联合20 μg/ml DDP 组U251和SHG-44细胞的G1期比例显著高于20 μg/ml DDP组\[（52.4±2.1）% vs （27.9±1.5）%,（39.7±1.5）% vs （27.7±1.3）%;均P<001\]。结论：MT能显著增强DDP对人胶质瘤细胞U251和SHG-44的凋亡诱导作用,从而协同增强DDP对细胞增殖的抑制作用,有望成为人胶质瘤化疗的辅助药物。     

姜黄素对人多发性骨髓瘤ARH-77细胞外源性凋亡通路的影响

目的：探讨姜黄素（curcumin,Cur）对人多发性骨髓瘤ARH-77细胞外源性凋亡通路的影响。方法：ARH-77细胞经6.25、12.5、25、50、100、200 μmol/L Cur处理12、24、48 h,MTT法检测Cur对ARH-77细胞增殖的抑制作用,Hoechst 33258染色法观察Cur处理24 h后ARH-77细胞凋亡的形态学改变,流式细胞术检测ARH-77细胞周期和Fas/FasL、TRAIL/TRAIL-R的表达,分光光度法检测ARH-77细胞caspase-8的活性。结果：Cur对ARH-77细胞的增殖有时间和剂量依赖的抑制作用。25 μmol/L Cur处理ARH-77细胞可观察到凋亡小体,Cur阻滞细胞周期于G0/G1期,并且有凋亡峰。其促凋亡作用呈浓度依赖性,6.25、12.5、25 μmol/L Cur作用24 h后,ARH-77细胞凋亡率均显著高于对照组\[（10.35±0.35）%、（14.35±1.34）%、（36.65±1.06）% vs（3.83±0.32）%,F=500.432, P=0.000\];实验组细胞内caspase 8的活化程度均显著高于对照组\[（0223±0.018）、（0.263±0.019）、（0.240±0.035） vs （0.154±0.007）;F=9.059,P=20.03\]。12.5 μmol/L Cur作用24 h后,ARH-77细胞表面Fas\[（99.05±0.49）% vs（92.10±0.70）%,t=15.404, P=0.000\]、FasL \[（9.05±0.78）% vs（1.73±119）%,t=9.487, P=0.008\]、TRAIL\[（1.35±0.07）% vs（0.55±0.07）%,t=-11.317, P=0.008\]、DR4、DcR1和DcR2的表达均显著升高,DR5表达显著降低\[（0.95±0.07）% vs（7.70±0.29）%,t=32.742, P=0.001\];进一步提升Cur浓度至25 μmol/L,却降低了DcR1\[（4.35±120）% vs （14.25±021）%;t=5.692, P=0.008\]及DcR2\[（0.75±0.21）% vs （1.65±071）%;t=11.470, P=0.03\]的表达。结论：Cur能明显抑制人多发性骨髓瘤ARH-77细胞的增殖,其机制可能与激活外源性凋亡通路从而诱导细胞凋亡有关。     

沉默 AQP-5 对人结肠癌HT-29细胞的增殖、凋亡及其化疗敏感性的影响

目的： 探讨小干扰RNA（small interference RNA,siRNA）沉默水通道蛋白-5（aquaporin-5, AQP-5 ）的表达对人结肠癌HT-29细胞增殖、凋亡及化疗药敏感性的影响。 方法： 以合成的AQP-5-siRNA序列转染HT-29细胞,采用Western blotting检测AQP-5-siRNA的转染效率,磺酰罗丹明（sulphorhodamine B, SRB）染色法检测各组细胞的增殖抑制率,流式细胞术检测HT-29细胞的凋亡。分光光度法检测HT-29细胞caspase-3活性,real-time PCR和Western blotting检测AQP-5-siRNA转染后HT-29细胞中 PCNA和P53 在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达。选用5-氟尿嘧啶（5-fluorouracil,5-FU）和顺铂（cisplatin,DDP）刺激AQP-5-siRNA转染细胞,SRB染色法检测细胞的增殖抑制率,以金正均法计算两药联合作用的Q值。 结果： 与NC-HT-29细胞相比,AQP-5-siRNA-HT-29细胞中AQP-5蛋白的表达显著下降（P<0.05）。SRB检测显示,AQP-5-siRNA-HT-29细胞的增殖抑制率显著增加\[（9.23±0.51)% vs 0,P<0.05\]。流式细胞术检测显示,AQP-5-siRNA-HT-29细胞的凋亡率显著升高\[（1081±1.32)% vs (0.99±0.18）%, P<0.05\];caspase-3活性显著升高\[（0.19±0.03） vs （009±0.01）, P<0.05\]。Real-time PCR和Western blotting结果显示,AQP-5-siRNA-HT-29细胞中PCNA mRNA和蛋白表达明显下降（P<0.05）,同时,P53 mRNA和蛋白表达明显上升（P<0.05）。AQP-5-siRNA+5-FU组细胞的增殖抑制率显著高于AQP-5-siRNA组和5-FU组\[（44.93±2.28)% vs (9.11±0.32）%、（25.68±1.71）%,均P<0.05\],AQP-5-siRNA+DDP组细胞的增殖抑制率显著高于AQP-5-siRNA组和DDP组\[（39.01±1.76)% vs (9.11±0.32）%、（18.47±1.25）%, P<0.05\],而且,AQP-5-siRNA与5-FU或DDP联用的Q值分别为1.38和1.51,均表现为协同作用。 结论： AQP-5-siRNA能抑制HT-29细胞增殖、促进其凋亡、并提高HT-29细胞对5-FU和DDP的化疗敏感性。     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂联合紫杉醇抑制宫颈癌细胞增殖的体外实验

目的：研究组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂SAHA联合紫杉醇对宫颈癌HeLa细胞增殖的抑制效果及其机制。方法：设置空白对照组、紫杉醇（10 nmol/L）、SAHA（10 μmol/L）、紫杉醇（10 nmol/L）+SAHA（10 μmol/L）联合组，采用四甲基噻唑蓝（MTT）法检测各组HeLa细胞的生长抑制率，计算紫杉醇对HeLa细胞的IC₅₀。RT-PCR法检测各组HeLa细胞中抑癌基因p27 mRNA的相对表达，Western blot检测HeLa细胞乙酰化组蛋白H4（Ac-H4）的表达。结果：紫杉醇、SAHA、紫杉醇+SAHA联合组处理HeLa细胞24 h的相对抑制率分别为25.93%±5.32%、46.38%±3.66%、54.27%±4.02%，联合组抑制率与紫杉醇组相比明显升高，差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.01）；48 h的抑制率分别为29.12%±3.09%、65.26%±3.03%、77.02%±3.86%，联合组抑制率最强，显著高于SAHA组和紫杉醇组（P < 0.01）。经SAHA预处理后紫杉醇对HeLa细胞的IC₅₀较单独紫杉醇组均显著下降（P < 0.05或P < 0.01）。紫杉醇组、SAHA组、紫杉醇+SAHA联合组细胞中p27 mRNA的相对表达量分别为5.845±0.548、0.978±0.117和10.601±0.673，乙酰化组蛋白H4（Ac-H4）的相对表达分别为0.878±0.068、1.148±0.018、1.282±0.033，联合组中表达量均显著高于SAHA组和紫杉醇组（P均 < 0.01）。结论：SAHA联合紫杉醇在体外能显著抑制宫颈癌细胞HeLa的增殖，增强组蛋白乙酰化水平，诱导抑癌基因的表达。     

sTie2通过阻抑血管生成拟态抑制结肠癌HCT116细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的：探讨可溶性Tie2（soluble Tie 2, sTie2）对结肠癌HCT116细胞血管生成拟态（vascular mimicry,VM）形成、增殖、迁移及侵袭能力的影响。方法：将重组质粒pBLAST49-hsTie2及对照质粒pBLAST49通过脂质体转染至HCT116细胞,分别形成hsTie2-HCT116细胞和Ctrl-HCT116细胞。通过3D模型培养、SRB法、细胞划痕实验及Transwell法分别检测HCT116细胞的VM形成、增殖、迁移及侵袭能力,采用Western blotting法检测HCT116细胞中VE-cadherin蛋白的表达。结果：pBLAST49-hsTie2重组质粒成功转染至结肠癌HCT116细胞。与Ctrl-HCT116细胞相比,hsTie2-HCT116细胞中VM的形成\[（0.75±0.45） vs （7.50±0.52）个/视野, P<0.01\]及VE-cadherin蛋白的表达\[（1.23±0.08） vs （1.73±0.02）, P<0.05\]显著降低;细胞增殖率也显著降低\[（32.57±4.57）% vs （88.24±21.94）%,P<0.01\];细胞迁移能力\[（0.37±0.07）vs（0.80±0.03）mm, P<0.01\]及侵袭能力\[（57.25±3.17） vs （127.25±6.25）个/视野, P<0.01\] 均显著减弱。结论：sTie2通过阻抑VM形成抑制结肠癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,有望成为既抗血管生成又抗VM形成的双靶向治疗结肠癌的药物。     

二甲双胍对急性早幼粒细胞白血病NB4细胞增殖及凋亡的影响

目的：探讨二甲双胍对急性早幼粒细胞白血病（acute promyelocytic leukemia, APL）NB4细胞增殖与凋亡的影响及其可能的机制。方法：二甲双胍单独或联合多柔比星处理NB4细胞后,采用MTT法检测NB4细胞的增殖,采用流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡,采用Western blotting法检测凋亡相关蛋白caspase-9及caspase-3的活化。结果：二甲双胍可剂量（r=0952,P<0.01）和时间（r=0.967,P<0.01）依赖性抑制NB4细胞的增殖,处理72 h后,其对NB4细胞的IC50值为（6.39±037）mmol/L。二甲双胍可增加NB4细胞对多柔比星的化疗敏感性,0.625 mmol/L二甲双胍联合0.02 μmol/L的多柔比星对NB4细胞的增殖抑制率明显高于单用多柔比星组\[（29.84±0.21）% vs （10.68±0.45）%,P<0.05\]。5 mmol/L二甲双胍处理48 h后,NB4细胞的凋亡率明显高于未处理对照组\[（43.95±0.29）% vs （7.12±0.29）%,P<0.01\];二甲双胍处理NB4细胞后,凋亡蛋白caspase-3、caspase-9活化片段表达上调。结论：二甲双胍能够有效抑制APL细胞株NB4的增殖、促进其凋亡,并能增强其对多柔比星的化疗敏感性,caspase-3和caspese-9凋亡蛋白可能参与二甲双胍诱导NB4细胞凋亡的过程。     

The human tumor clonogenic assay in human breast cancer

The human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA) was evaluated in 407 fresh samples of breast cancer from 288 patients. Seventy samples were inadequate for testing. Adequate in vitro growth for drug testing (greater than 30 colonies/plate) was obtained in 91 (27%) of the 337 viable samples, inadequate growth for drug evaluation (5 to 30 colonies/plate) in 17%, and no colony formation (less than 5 colonies/plate) in 56%. Operationally defining a greater than or equal to 50% inhibition of colony formation as in vitro drug sensitivity, the in vitro response rates to 12 anticancer drugs tested against ten to 36 different cancers (arranged in decreasing order according to the number of tests performed) were as follows: doxorubicin (14%), bisantrene (54%), vinblastine (33%), mitomycin (36%), interferon clone A (23%), 5-fluorouracil (20%), methotrexate (17%), leukocyte interferon (33%), mitoxantrone (42%), cyclophosphamide (25%), m-AMSA (16%), and melphalan (10%). Among 25 patients receiving single-agent therapy, there were ten (59%) of 17 with in vitro sensitivity who responded; resistance was correctly predicted in nine patients (100%), P = .01. Among 34 patients treated with combination chemotherapy, seven (50%) of 14 with in vitro sensitivity responded, and resistance was predicted in 13 (65%) of 20 patients. Difficulties in using the HTCA in breast cancer (including small specimen size, difficulties in disaggregation, and inadequacy of growth) will require additional research. Nonetheless, the assay appears to detect in vitro activity as well as resistance of a variety of anticancer agents and appears to predict clinical responsiveness to standard as well as some investigational single agents.     

Isolating human antibody against human hepatocellular carcinoma by guided-selection

OBJECTIVE: With the pComb3X-displaying Fab antibody libraries, to achieve the humanization of murine HAb18 against HCC by guided selection. METHODS: With the optimized primers, the human Fd and C(L) repertoire genes were amplified by RT-PCR from PBMC of HCC patients. The Fd repertoire genes were paired with murine HAb18 C(L) gene to construct pComb3X-displaying hybrid Fab library. The recombinant HAb18GE was used as antigens to select the target antibodies and got the Fd fragments. Then the human C(L) genes were paired with the selected human Fds to construct human Fab library. After the panning, the complete human Fab antibodies were got and analyzed. RESULTS: With the murine HAb18 C(L) gene as template, the heavy chain Fd shuffling was achieved by panning the hybrid Fab library. Then with the selected Fds as template, the human Fabs were obtained through the light chain shuffling. Two of the resulting human Fabs (HuFab2 and HuFab11), with same Fd and different light chains, bound to HAb18G/CD147 specifically. The competitive ELISA, Western blotting, FCM, fluorescent cell staining and so on demonstrated that the human Fabs resembled its parental murine Fab in that they both perhaps recognized the same epitope. K(D) indicated (HuFab2=210 nm and HuFab11=280 nm) the selected Fabs had available affinity. CONCLUSION: Through guided-selection, we got the available human Fab antibodies for the subsequent research. These results suggest that guided selection is a promising strategy in murine mAb humanization.     

Lack of association of human polyomaviruses with human brain tumors

Summary Brain tumors, primarily glioblastoma multiforme, were examined for the presence of BKV DNA. DNAs extracted from 33 fresh-frozen tumors and from an additional 47 paraffin-embedded tumor tissues were tested for BKV sequences using two different primer pairs. One primer pair amplified highly conserved sequences in the early region coding for BKV and JCV T antigens. The other primer pair amplified the regulatory region of BKV-IR, a variant previously associated with human brain tumors. None of the tumors were positive for BKV or JCV DNA.     

Biologic effect of human hepatocyte growth-factor on human gastric-carcinoma cell-lines

Toxicity of polyphenols against rat 3Y1 fibroblasts and the cells transformed by human adenovirus (Ad12-3Y1), its EIA gene (EIA-3Y1), or simian virus 40 (SV-3Y1) was examined. Among the diphenol compounds examined, pyrocatechol (o-diphenol) and hydroquinone (p-diphenol) showed selective toxicity against Ad12-3Y1 and EIA-3Y1 cells, while resorcinol (m-diphenol) showed a much weaker non-specific toxicity against these cells. Another o-diphenol (dopamine) and triphenols (gallic acid and pyrogallol) were less toxic but showed selective toxicity. At lower concentrations where they were not toxic, all polyphenols attenuated toxicity of phosphatidylcholine against EIA-3Y1 cells. Among antioxidants examined, ascorbic acid reduced the toxicity of pyrocatechol, but alpha-tocopherol and butyrated hydroxytoluene did not. Oxidation of pyrocatechol was not enhanced in the presence of 3Y1 or EIA-3Y1 cells and their homogenates. These results suggest that the selective toxicity of polyphenols against Ad12-3Y1 and E1A-3Y1 cells is not related to their oxidation velocity but other factors such as the activity of active oxygen-scavenging enzymes.     

Interactions between human papillomavirus and human immunodeficiency virus infections.

An increasing body of information permits certain conclusions to be drawn about the nature and magnitude of the interactions between HPV and HIV infections and their influence on the genesis of intraepithelial neoplasia and, to a lesser extent, cancer. Importantly, findings tend to be consistent across a number of independent studies. While HPV infection probably does not significantly alter the course of HIV infection, HIV-induced immunosuppression does increase the severity and duration of anogenital warts, increase their infectiousness and reduce treatment efficacy. However, in developed countries the countervailing effects of enhanced HPV infectiousness and declining rates of unsafe sexual behaviour have resulted in stable or declining incidence rates of anogenital warts. Advanced immunosuppression due to HIV infections results in highly significant increases in rates of HPV-associated CIN and AIN. In developed countries, population-based secular trend analyses point to increasing incidence rates of anal cancer in single men in areas of high HIV prevalence, but not yet of cervical cancer in women.     

Ectopic production of human chorionic gonadotrophin by human breast tumours

The incidence of tumours ectopically producing the human chorionic gonadotrophins was studied in patients with breast cancer. Specific radioimmunoassay of subunits of HCG was utilized. Nine out of 65 patients with carcinoma of breast showed the presence of circulating HCG. Patients with other pathological conditions of breast tissue did not show any evidence of circulating HCG.