muramidase and Prostatic-Neoplasms

A summary is presented of those organ specific enzyme assays traditionally used in evaluation of the patient with cancer. In addition, the use of certain serum enzymes such as gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, phosphohexose isomerase or 5'-nucleotidase as aids in following the course of the disease, particularly in patients with metastatic spread to the liver is outlined. Also considered is the utility of enzyme analysis in biopsy tissue, biologic fluids, and washings of body cavities. Newer enzymes are considered which might, in the future, be developed as diagnostic tools or as probes for the understanding of the etiology of cancer.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Amylases; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Bone Neoplasms; Clinical Enzyme Tests; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Humans; Isoenzymes; Isomerases; Leucyl Aminopeptidase; Lipase; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Muramidase; Neoplasms; Nucleotidases; Oxidoreductases; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Sulfatases

Genistein is an isoflavanoid from soybeans and promising cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Genistein exposure varies widely because of cultural differences in diet. Hypothetically, this could account for differential cancer risk across ethnic populations. Genistein inhibits the growth of many different cancer cell lines by increasing apoptosis, inducing cell cycle delays, and modulating intracellular signaling pathways. Data from recent studies suggest that the therapeutic potential of genistein extends to cancers that affect blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. The objective of this paper is to provide background information on genistein, and discuss its potential as a therapeutic agent for treating hematological malignancies.

Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Genistein; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Mitochondrial Membranes; Models, Molecular; Muramidase; Prostatic Neoplasms; Receptors, Estrogen

CTCF is a widely expressed 11-zinc finger (ZF) transcription factor that is involved in different aspects of gene regulation including promoter activation or repression, hormone-responsive gene silencing, methylation-dependent chromatin insulation, and genomic imprinting. Because CTCF targets include oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, we screened over 100 human tumor samples for mutations that might disrupt CTCF activity. We did not observe any CTCF mutations leading to truncations/premature stops. Rather, in breast, prostate, and Wilms' tumors, we observed four different CTCF somatic missense mutations involving amino acids within the ZF domain. Each ZF mutation abrogated CTCF binding to a subset of target sites within the promoters/insulators of certain genes involved in regulating cell proliferation but did not alter binding to the regulatory sequences of other genes. These observations suggest that CTCF may represent a novel tumor suppressor gene that displays tumor-specific "change of function" rather than complete "loss of function."

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Base Sequence; Breast Neoplasms; CCCTC-Binding Factor; Cell Cycle Proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins; DNA, Neoplasm; Female; Genes, Tumor Suppressor; Globins; Humans; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Muramidase; Mutation, Missense; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Prostatic Neoplasms; Protein Conformation; Repressor Proteins; Substrate Specificity; Transcription Factors; Wilms Tumor; Zinc Fingers

Five cases of pronounced histiocytic reaction in pelvic lymph nodes after hip replacement are demonstrated. Two patients subsequently underwent radical prostatectomies with bilateral lymph node dissections for adenocarcinoma. In three patients, the change was found during autopsy. The sinuses and interfollicular spaces were distended by numerous large macrophages that had bulky eosinophilic cytoplasm. The cells displayed immunoreactivity to KP1 antigen, alpha-1-antitrypsin and lysozyme, providing support for their histiocytic derivation. Polarization microscopy revealed birefringent needle-like particles in their cytoplasm. We think that the histologic appearance of lymph nodes represents a foreign body reaction to fragments of polyester or polyethylene derived from joint prostheses. It is necessary to be aware of this characteristic foreign body reaction in order to avoid confusion with other types of lymph node histiocytosis or with a metastatic tumor.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Biomarkers; Birefringence; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Histiocytosis; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymph Nodes; Male; Microscopy, Polarization; Muramidase; Polyesters; Polyethylenes; Prostatic Neoplasms

Paneth cell-like change (PCLC) of the prostatic glandular epithelium was focally observed in one case of normal glandular epithelium, two cases of glandular and stromal hyperplasia, one case of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and four cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma. The distinctive cells were characterized by bright, eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules on routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained material. The cytoplasmic granules in the benign prostatic epithelium were periodate-Schiff's procedure (PAS)-positive and diastase resistant and immunohistochemically negative for lysozyme, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, and serotonin. The eosinophilic granules in the prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and adenocarcinoma cases were immunohistochemically positive for chromogranin, serotonin, and neuron-specific enolase, and negative for lysozyme. By electron microscopy the eosinophilic granules represented exocrine-like or lysosomal-like vesicles in the benign epithelium and neuro-endocrine granules in the malignant epithelium. The lesion represents a prostatic epithelial PCLC rather than a Paneth cell metaplasia. PCLC is the common histological manifestation of two different phenomena: (a) a PAS-positive and diastase-resistant eosinophilic cytoplasmic granular change in benign prostatic epithelium, and (b) endocrine differentiation with neuroendocrine granules in dysplastic and malignant prostatic epithelia. The importance of recognizing PCLC lies in its differentiation from other possible prostatic cytoplasmic inclusions.

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adenocarcinoma; Aged; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; Antigens, Neoplasm; Carcinoma in Situ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Chromogranins; Cytoplasmic Granules; Epithelium; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Prostate; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatic Neoplasms; Serotonin

Topics: Adenoma; Carcinoma; Creatinine; Dysgerminoma; Female; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Male; Multiple Myeloma; Muramidase; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Penile Neoplasms; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatic Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Urogenital Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms; Vaginal Neoplasms