Changes in epidermal growth factor receptor expression in human bladder cancer cell lines following interferon-alpha treatment

PURPOSE: We examined the regulation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) expression in human bladder cancer cell lines by interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), the ability of IFN-alpha to inhibit cell proliferation and the sensitivity of IFN-alpha pretreated cells to EGF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell proliferation was determined using crystal violet colorimetric and clonogenic assays. EGFR expression was measured by flow cytometry using specific antibody or ligand binding approaches. RESULTS: After IFN-alpha (100 IU/ml) treatment cell surface EGFR expression was upregulated in 6 of 11 and down-regulated in 2 of 11 bladder cancer cell lines. The over expression of cell surface EGFR peaked within 48 to 96 hours and increased by 35% to 241% in individual cell lines. High level cell surface EGFR correlated with intracellular EGFR expression. Cell growth inhibition by IFN-alpha coexisted with EGFR over expression in the 6 lines. IFN-alpha treated cells remained sensitive to EGF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-alpha transiently up-regulates EGFR expression and inhibits in vitro growth in some human bladder cancer cells. IFN-alpha does not prevent EGFR from binding EGF or signal transduction via the EGF-EGFR pathway. This may have clinical implications for improving treatment based on EGFR targeting in select patients with bladder cancer.     

Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor family in normal and malignant urothelium

OBJECTIVE: To compare the immunohistochemically assessed expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family in normal and malignant bladder urothelium, and suggest new hypotheses about their function in the development and progression of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: EGFR, ERBB2, ERBB3 and ERBB4 were evaluated immunohistochemically in normal urothelium (NU, 15), primary non-metastasized invasive TCC (NMC, 19) and in primary invasive TCCs with corresponding metastases (MC, 51, both specimens). RESULTS: All NU samples expressed ERBB4, none expressed ERBB2 and two expressed EGFR; all staining was uniform throughout all cell layers. ERBB2 expression increased and ERBB4 decreased from normal samples to carcinomas. There was no difference between NMCs and MCs in ERBB2, ERBB3 and ERBB4, but the NMCs expressed more EGFR than both NU and MC samples. There were no associations with T category, grade or survival. All combinations of expression levels for the four receptors were detected, with no dominant profile. CONCLUSION: We hypothesise that: (i) ERBB4 is important for differentiation in NU; (ii) ERBB2 is up-regulated with carcinogenesis in the urinary bladder but does not discriminate between bladder cancer with or without metastases; (iii) EGFR may be a marker of indolent disease. A current hypothesis, that superficial layers of NU do not express EGFR and thus protect the basal cells from the mitogenic effect of urinary EGF, is challenged.     

Expression of human epidermal growth factor and its receptor in esophageal cancer

The expression of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) was examined immunohistochemically in 86 esophageal cancer lesions, comprising 67 primary tumors and 19 metastatic lymph nodes. In the normal esophagus, the parabasal and intermediate cell layers showed a weak expression of hEGF, however, hEGF-positive tumor cells were detected in 62 (92.5 per cent) of the 67 primary esophageal carcinomas and in 18 (94.7 per cent) of the 19 metastatic lymph nodes. In this study, the immunoreactivity of hEGF was classified into 4 grades according to the number of stained tumor cells. A significant correlation was observed between the histologic type and the grade of hEGF immunoreactivity (Chisquare test, p<0.01). hEGF immunoreactivity in well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas was significantly higher than in other squamous cell carcinomas, although there were no correlations between other pathological findings and hEGF immunoreactivity. Patients with hEGF immunoreactivities of grades II or III had much worse prognoses than those with grades 0 or I (p<0.05). In 22 esophageal carcinomas and 10 normal esophageal mucosae, EGF receptor (EGFR) contents were measured by the competitive binding assay. The average EGFR content (101.3±35.7 fmol/mg protein, mean±SE) of the esophageal carcinomas was significantly higher than that (5.3±1.2) of the normal esophageal mucosae (p<0.05). Moreover, in hEGF negative tumors, EGFR contents were lower than in hEGF positive tumors. These results suggest that hEGF and EGFR show increased production in squamous cell carcinomas and could to be useful prognostic factors in patients with esophageal cancer.     

MMP2及MMP9在膀胱移行细胞癌尿液中的表达及与侵袭转移关系的研究

目的探讨MMP2及MMP9在膀胱移行细胞癌患者尿液中的表达,并研究它们与膀胱移行细胞癌侵袭转移之间的关系。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)定量检测尿液中MMP2及MMP9的含量,并分析其表达水平与膀胱移行细胞癌临床分期和病理分级之间的关系。结果MMP2在膀胱移行细胞癌患者尿液中的含量明显高于非癌症患者,二者差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);MMP9在膀胱移行细胞癌患者尿液中的含量也明显高于非癌症患者(P<0.01)。MMP9在膀胱移行细胞癌患者尿液中的含量与肿瘤临床分期呈显著正相关(r=0.51361,P<0.01);与肿瘤病理分级也呈显著正相关(r=0.47378,P<0.01)。MMP2在膀胱移行细胞癌者尿液中的含量与肿瘤临床分期呈正相关(r=0.32271,P<0.01);而与肿瘤病理分级不相关(r=0.29818,P>0.05)。MMP2和MMP9在膀胱移行细胞癌患者尿液中的含量呈显著正相关(r=0.55674,P<0.01)。结论膀胱移行细胞癌患者尿液中增高的MMP2及MMP9与肿瘤细胞侵袭能力密切相关。进一步研究对指导临床治疗、判断预后有重要意义。     

A methylation assay for the detection of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrences in voided urine

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Multiple studies report on the detection of methylation in voided urine samples as a possible approach for the follow‐up of non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer patients. Previous studies analyze methylation gene panels in a mixture of primary and recurrent tumours. As primary tumours are larger than recurrent tumours and thus easier to detect in urine, validation of methylation markers in urine samples from patients with primary tumours will result in a test sensitivity that does not reflect the true sensitivity of the assay. This study is the first to select a subset of genes specifically methylated in non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer recurrences and validates the gene panel in two independent sets of urine samples from recurrent patients, thus simulating the disease course according to the clinical presentation.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To develop a methylation‐specific multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MS‐MLPA) assay for the detection of non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recurrences in voided urine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? Genes frequently methylated in NMIBC tumours (n= 37) were selected to develop a BC‐specific MS‐MLPA assay.
• ? Genes methylated in blood from patientswith BC (n= 29) and genes methylated in urine from patients with no history of BC (n= 46) were excluded.
• ? A four‐gene panel with the highest predictive value was selected from the initial assay. This four‐gene panel was tested and validated on urine from patients with a histologically confirmed recurrence (n= 68 test set; n= 49 validation set) and urine samples from patients without BC (n= 91, test set) and urine from recurrence‐free BC (rec‐free BC) patients (n= 60, validation set).
• ? A model was developed to predict the probability of having a recurrence based on methylation of the four‐gene panel and a threshold probability with the highest sensitivity and specificity was determined.
• ? The outcome of the model was validated on BC urine samples (n= 65) and on urine samples from rec‐free BC patients (n= 29).

RESULTS

• ? The BC MS‐MLPA assay consisted of 23 methylation probes. The selected four‐gene panel included: APC_a, TERT_a, TERT_b, and EDNRB. This panel reached an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.82 (test set) and AUC 0.69 (validation set). Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of a concomitant tumour were 63.3% and 58.3% respectively (test set) and 72.3% and 55.2%, respectively (validation set).

CONCLUSIONS

• ? We have developed a methylation detection assay specifically for the detection of recurrences in patients with NMIBC in voided urine.
• ? The findings are promising and improvement of this test could eventually contribute to a more individualized patient friendly surveillance.

     

重组人表皮生长因子对各类皮肤创面的疗效观察

目的:观察重组人表皮生长因子(rhEGF)对各类皮肤创面的治疗作用。方法:应用重组人表皮生长因子(rhEGF)治疗各种烧伤创面及术后创面,观察不同创面的愈合时间、愈合质量、不良反应等指标。结果:共治疗75例,总有效率100%;与对照组相比,普遍愈合时间缩短(P<0.01);创面再生上皮质量较好,瘢痕轻或无;所有病例均无不良反应。结论:在各类皮肤创面的治疗中应用rhEGF,能缩短愈合时间,提高愈合质量。保湿技术可延长rhEGF的作用时间。     

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HER-2是乳腺癌诊疗过程中重要的预后指标和靶向HER-2药物的预测指标,准确判断HER-2状态对于乳腺癌病人治疗方案的制定具有重要的指导作用。临床常规的HER-2检测手段包括免疫组化(IHC)和荧光原位杂交(FISH)两种方法。但是,随着乳腺癌临床治疗理念的不断发展,上述两种方法在检测的时效性、动态性、准确性等方面均无法满足临床的需求。外周血HER-2ECD及循环肿瘤细胞(CTC)的HER-2检测有望弥补IHC和FISH的不足。     

Regulation of DUI45 human prostate cancer cell proliferation by insulin-like growth factors and its interaction with the epidermal growth factor autocrine loop

The DU145 human prostate cancer cell line was shown to possess type I insulin-like growth factor receptors (IGFR). The addition of either IGF-I or IGF-II, but not insulin, to serum-free culture medium increases the rate of thymidine incorporation by the cells, a response which is suppressed by specific blockade of the previously described epidermal growth factor (EGF) autocrine growth regulatory loop. The DU145 cells secrete into conditional medium a specific IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) precipitated by an antibody to IGFBP-1, and whose secretion is also suppressed by interruption of the EGF autocrine loop. This IGFBP may modulate the bioactivity of IGFs arising from endocrine or paracrine sources in vivo. After removal of IGFBPs from the conditioned medium, no secretion of either IGF-I or IGF-II by this prostate cancer cell line is detected by radioimmunoassay and radioreceptor assay, respectively. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The interaction between epidermal growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases induces the development of sweat glands in human fetal skin

BACKGROUND: The development of sweat glands is a very complicated biological process involving many factors. In this study, we explore the interrelationship among epidermal growth factor (EGF), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7), and the development of sweat glands in human embryos. Furthermore, we hope to elucidate the mechanism(s) underlying the induction of epidermal stem cells into sweat gland cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin biopsies of human embryos obtained from spontaneous abortions at different gestational ages from 11 to 31 weeks were used in this study. The dynamic expression of EGF, MMP-2, MMP-7, and keratin-7 (K7) in developing sweat gland cells or extracellular stroma surrounding the sweat gland cells was examined with SP immunohistochemical methods. The localization of the cellular sources of MMP-2 and MMP-7 was examined with in situ hybridization. RESULTS: At 14-20 weeks of gestation, a gradual increase in EGF immunoreactivity was observed not only in developing sweat gland buds but also in extracellular stroma surrounding the buds, and the expression intensity of EGF peaked at 20-22 weeks of gestational age. All mRNA-positive buds or cells in developing sweat glands contained corresponding immunoreactive proteins. Positive immunostaining for K7 appeared in early sweat gland buds at 14-16 weeks of gestation, and from then on, the positive signal of K7 was concentrated in developing sweat gland cords or cells. CONCLUSIONS: The morphogenesis of sweat glands in human fetal skin begins at 14-16 weeks of gestational age, and is essentially complete by 24 weeks. There is a close relationship among EGF, extracellular matrix remodeling, and morphogenesis of the sweat glands. EGF is one of the inducers in the development and maturity of sweat gland buds or cells.     

The correlation of epidermal growth factor with invasion and metastasis in human gastric cancer

We examined the localization of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in 185 specimens of primary human gastric cancer using the avidinbiotin peroxidase complex immunohistochemical method on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. Thirty-four per cent of the gastric cancer specimens were positive for EGF, which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cancer cells and occasionally in the stromal cells, but was not detected in non-cancerous gastric epithelium. Moreover, the presence of EGF in gastric cancer was correlated with gastric wall invasion and lymph node metastasis. EGF was found more often in advanced cancers than in early ones (p<0.01), and also more often in cancers with lymph node metastasis than in those without (p<0.05). The five-year survival of patients with EGF-positive tumors was worse than that of patients with EGF-negative tumors (p<0.05). The presence of EGF in human gastric cancer may thus represent higher malignant potential.     

表皮生长因子与隐睾症关系的临床研究

本文通过临床观察隐睾症儿童术前、术后血清中表皮生长因子（ＥＧＦ）,睾酮（Ｔ）,５α－ＤＨＴ）的浓度变化和隐睾症的关系,以探讨ＣＧＦ在隐睾发病中的作用和二者之间的关系。采用谢射免疫法（ＲＩＡ）对４０例隐睾儿童术前,术后外周期脉血清ＥＧＦ、Ｔ、５α－ＤＨＴ进行了测定,并与２４例正常儿童进行了比较,隐睾症儿童术前组血清ＥＧＦ、Ｔ、５α－ＤＨＴ值明显低于正常儿童,而术后组血清ＥＧＦ、Ｔ、５α－ＤＨＴ明显上     

生长分化因子-9在人膀胱癌组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的：探讨生长分化因子-9（growth differentiation factor-9,GDF-9）在人膀胱癌组织中的表达及其与膀胱癌病理分级和临床分期的关系。方法：运用免疫组化技术检测GDF-9在50例不同分期分级的膀胱癌组织和15例正常膀胱组织之间的蛋白表达情况。结果：①正常人膀胱组织中GDF-9呈高表达,且GDF-9蛋白主要定位于膀胱移行上皮细胞的胞浆中。而膀胱癌组织中GDF-9呈低表达或不表达。②GDF-9阳性表达率在膀胱癌病理分级间分别：I级47．6％（10／21）,II级26．7％（4／15）,III级7．1％（1／14）,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。GDF9阳性表达率在膀胱癌临床分期间分别：Ta～T1期40．6％（13／32）,T2～T3期11．1％（2／18）,差异具有统计学意义（P％0．05）。结论：GDF-9在膀胱癌组织中低表达或不表达,且与膀胱癌病理分级和临床分期呈负相关。GDF-9可能是一个潜在的人膀胱肿瘤抑癌基因。     

Involvement of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor and its downstream antiapoptotic signaling pathway is revealed by dysregulated microRNAs in bladder carcinoma

ObjectiveUrothelial carcinoma is one of the most common pathological types of bladder cancer. Several studies have shown that dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in bladder cancer progression. We performed the present miRNA microarray analysis in samples of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and adjacent normal bladder tissue from Taiwanese patients to investigate dysregulated miRNAs.Materials and methodsTo detect dysregulated miRNAs in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, samples of tumor and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 10 patients. Tissue samples from three patients were subjected to miRNA microarray analysis, and the remaining tissue samples from the other seven patients were used to validate the results obtained from the microarray data. Potential targets of these dysregulated miRNAs were identified using online databases, including MicroCosm and TargetScan.ResultsA panel of 30 differentially expressed miRNAs with at least fourfold differences in expression compared with normal controls, including 19 upregulated and 11 downregulated miRNAs, was generated. The expression levels of miR-30a-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-99a, miR-130b, miR-133b, miR-135b, miR-145, miR-195, miR-204, and miR-214 were experimentally verified using real-time RT-PCR analysis. Using an online miRNA target database, we discovered that these dysregulated miRNAs potentially control components of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling pathway.ConclusionOur results indicate that dysregulated miRNAs may be involved in bladder cancer pathogenesis and are potential biomarkers.     

膀胱移行细胞癌表皮生长因子及其受体表达和意义

目的 探讨表皮生长因子(EGF)、EGF受体(EGFR)在膀胱移行细胞癌(BTCC)中的表达及意义。方法 用免疫组化ABC法对56例BTCC标本和20例癌旁组织EGF、EGFR进行研究。结果 20例癌旁正常膀胱组织中EGF，EGFR几乎不表达；56例ETCC标本中EGF，EGFR表达明显，与正常组比较有显著性差异(P＜0．01)，不同分期和分级BTCC中的阳性表达率均存在显著性差异(P＜0．05)。结论 EGF，EGFR的检测可以作为判断BTCC预后的一个指标。     

重组人表皮细胞生长因子结合仙葫骨炎膏在骨质肌腱外露创面中的应用

目的　观察重组人表皮细胞生长因子 (rhEGF)结合仙葫骨炎膏对骨质肌腱外露创面愈合的疗效。方法　 8例创面应用rhEGF结合仙葫骨炎膏处理 ,作为治疗组。回顾性选择 1 2例相近创面 ,单用仙葫骨炎膏处理 ,作为对照组 ,比较两组创面愈合时间。结果　rhEGF结合仙葫骨炎膏用于骨质肌腱外露创面的治疗 ,明显缩短创面愈合时间 ,较对照组缩短约 2 7d ,差异具有显著性意义 (P <0 0 0 1 )。结论　rhEGF结合仙葫骨炎膏有促进骨质肌腱外露创面愈合的作用     

Chemopreventive effects of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and epidermal growth factor-receptor kinase inhibitor on rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the chemopreventive effects of a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, meloxicam, and a selective epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, gefitinib (as a single agent) on a carcinogen-induced rodent bladder carcinogenesis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 103 male Fisher-344 rats (8 weeks old); after initial carcinogen treatment for 8 weeks with 0.05%N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) in drinking water, the rats were divided into five groups, i.e. group 1, control (vehicle only); group 2, gefitinib high-dose (15 mg/kg by gavage once daily); group 3, gefitinib low-dose (5 mg/kg); group 4, meloxicam high-dose (1.8 mg/kg by gavage once daily); and group 5, meloxicam low-dose (0.6 mg/kg). Twelve weeks later the rats were killed; after fixing the bladder in 10% formalin, the number and size of hyperplasia and carcinoma foci were recorded microscopically in sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, submitted entirely as multiple strips. RESULTS: The incidence of carcinoma, confirmed microscopically, was: control 14/20 (70%); high-dose gefitinib, 7/20 (35%); low-dose gefitinib, 7/20 (35%); high-dose meloxicam 7/21 (33%); and low-dose meloxicam, 12/20 (60%). The mean numbers of carcinomas per bladder in groups 1-5 were 1.2, 0.5, 0.4, 0.5 and 1.1, respectively. The incidence and the mean number of carcinomas per bladder were significantly lower in the treatment groups (P < 0.05) than in the control group, except in the low-dose meloxicam group. There were no significant adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Both meloxicam and gefitinib have inhibitory effects on rat bladder carcinogenesis with no significant adverse effects. A combination of these drugs would be worth studying for their synergistic effects.     

Immunoreactive low-molecular-weight epidermal growth factor in urine of patients with renal cell carcinoma

Summary A specific heterogeneous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been established in order to determine levels of low-molecular-weight epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the urine of patients with renal cell carcinoma who had undergone unilateral radical nephrectomy. Urine specimens, i.e., 20 pre- and postsurgical specimens from a group of patients and 22 from a control group, were assaved after the urine had been freed from high-molecular-weight proteins (>30kDa) and salts. EGF levels were expressed as urinary EGF/creatinine ratios, and a highly significant decrease (=0.0005 by Student's t-test) of urinary EGF was found in the patient group prior to surgery. The cancer patients also showed an additional loss of urinary EGF after unilateral nephrectomy (=0.0005 by Student's t-test). These data correlate with our previous findings that pro-EGF gene expression is decreased in human renal carcinoma and support the concept that low-molecular-weight urinary EGF is derived from high-molecular-weight kidney pro-EGF.Supported by a grant from Deutsche Krebshife, Bonn, FRG (W70/87 Pe-2).     

Plasma matrix metalloproteinase 9 as biomarker of prostate cancer progression in Dunning (Copenhagen) rats

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in invasion and metastatic spread of cancer cells. The objective of this study was to assess MMPs in plasma of Dunning tumor rats as indicators of the progression of prostate cancer and follow-up parameters after treatment. METHODS: Prostate cancer was induced in male Copenhagen rats by either subcutaneous or orthotopic implantation of R3327-MatLyLu cells. During the development of the tumor, plasma MMP-2, and MMP-9 were measured by gelatin-substrate zymography and Western blot technique with densitometry in untreated animals, rats treated with laser-induced hyperthermia, or with the new synthetic MMP inhibitor RO 28-2653. RESULTS: Normal prostatic tissue of the Copenhagen rats predominantly expressed proMMP-2 but not proMMP-9 whereas MMP-9 was only found in cancerous tissue. Elevated plasma MMP-9 values were demonstrated in rats with subcutaneous or orthotopic tumors. Animals with tumors and treated with the MMP inhibitor RO 28-2653 had both a lower tumor volume and a lower plasma MMP-9 concentration compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of plasma MMP-9 in Dunning tumor rats is a useful tool to monitor the progression of prostate cancer and to assess the efficacy of drugs like MMP inhibitors or other treatment protocols.     

The prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in breast cancer

The association between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, clinicopathological variables, silver-stained nuclear organizer region (Ag-NOR) counts, and patient survival was determined in 93 patients with operable breast cancer. The EGFR expression was found to be significantly associated with the presence and number of axillary lymph node metastases (P = 0.0429), but not with age, menopausal status, tumor size, histologic type or grade, or Ag-NOR counts. In a univariate analysis, a significant difference was also observed in the survival of patients stratified by tumor size (P = 0.0091), histologic grade (P = 0.0352), axillarly lymph node metastases (P = 0.0001), and EGFR expression (P = 0.0263). However, a multivariate analysis revealed that axillarly lymph node metastases was the only strong independent predictor ol'survival (P < 0.0001). When axillary lymph node metastases were excluded from the Cox model, the EGFR expression tended to be an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.0558). The results of this study thus indicate that the prognostic value of EGFR expression is limited because the EGFR expression is significantly associated with axillary lymph node metastases.