Notch ligand Delta-like 1 promotes the metastasis of melanoma by enhancing tumor adhesion.

Notch signaling plays a vital role in tumorigenicity and tumor progression by regulating proliferation, invasion, and the tumor microenvironment. Previous research by our group indicated that Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (Dll1) is involved in angiogenesis in melanoma, and we noticed that it took a longer time to trypsinize Dll1-expressing B16 melanoma cells than the control cells. In this article, we extended our study to investigate the effects of Dll1 on tumor cell adhesion and metastasis. Dll1 overexpression activated Notch signaling in B16 tumor cells and significantly enhanced the adhering capacity of B16 tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. B16-Dll1 cells also had a higher metastatic potential than their counterpart in the mouse model of lung metastasis. Along with increased Dll1 expression, N-cadherin, but not E-cadherin, was upregulated in B16-Dll1 cells. These data suggested that Notch ligand Dll1 may enhance the adhesion and metastasis of melanoma cells by upregulation of N-cadherin.

Notch ligand Delta-like 1 promotes the metastasis of melanoma by enhancing tumor adhesion

Notch signaling plays a vital role in tumorigenicity and tumor progression by regulating proliferation, invasion, and the tumor microenvironment. Previous research by our group indicated that Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (Dll1) is involved in angiogenesis in melanoma, and we noticed that it took a longer time to trypsinize Dll1-expressing B16 melanoma cells than the control cells. In this article, we extended our study to investigate the effects of Dll1 on tumor cell adhesion and metastasis. Dll1 overexpression activated Notch signaling in B16 tumor cells and significantly enhanced the adhering capacity of B16 tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. B16-Dll1 cells also had a higher metastatic potential than their counterpart in the mouse model of lung metastasis. Along with increased Dll1 expression, N-cadherin, but not E-cadherin, was upregulated in B16-Dll1 cells. These data suggested that Notch ligand Dll1 may enhance the adhesion and metastasis of melanoma cells by upregulation of N-cadherin.

Preliminary report on treatment of bone tumors with microwave-induced hyperthermia.

Between July, 1992, and February, 1995, 62 patients with various bone tumors were treated with microwave-induced hyperthermia. The series had 47 cases of malignant tumors and 15 cases with benign tumors; most of the tumors occurred at or near knee joints (53/62 = 85.4%). The surgical procedure consisted of separating the tumorous segment from surrounding normal tissues with a safe margin, cooling the normal tissues (including the vital neurovascular bundle and the intrajoint structures) with a water circulation system while heating the tumor simultaneously with the microwave antenna array, and providing an adequate soft-tissue cover for the dead bone. The tumor core temperature and the surface temperature reached 108 and 65 degrees C, respectively. The duration of microwave irradiation was usually 40-50 minutes. Meanwhile, the temperature of the normal tissues was kept under 39 degrees C. The minimal and maximal periods of clinical observation were 3 months and 36 months, respectively, and the mean follow-up period was 17 months. The 62 cases were evaluated from both oncological and orthopedic points of view. Five cases had local recurrence and required amputation. The 57 other cases had excellent local control. Six malignancy cases died of lung metastasis during a period of 1-2 years. Pathological fracture occurred at devitalized bone in five cases. In most of the cases, the knee joints functioned well, were stable and painless, and had almost full range of motion. Single-photon emission-computed tomography study in 16 cases revealed that revascularization of the devitalized tumorous bone segment could be accomplished in 1 year or more. These results show that the use of microwave hyperthermia for the treatment of bone tumors can be considered to be a definitive operation procedure that is safe and is well tolerated by patients. The oncological and orthopedic results are very encouraging.