Elevated levels of angiostatin in effusions from patients with malignant disease.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of angiostatin in ascitic and pleural effusions from cancer patients, as well as of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), both involved in angiostatin generation in in vitro models. Ascitic fluids, pleural exudates, and sera from 21 cancer patients were analyzed for the presence of angiostatin by western blot, whereas gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, and uPA were evaluated by zymography. Our study revealed elevated levels of angiostatin in effusions of cancer patients, contrasting with mostly intermediate levels in less than half of their sera, and undetectable levels in normal sera. Despite the observation of enhanced levels of HMW-uPA and MMP-2 in malignant effusions from cancer patients, their analysis in individual samples showed no association between angiostatin presence and the enzymes, suggesting that the latter would not play an unimportant role, if any, in in vivo generation of angiostatin.

[Genomic medicine. Polymorphisms and microarray applications]. / Medicina genómica. Aplicaciones del polimorfismo de un nucleótido y micromatrices de ADN.

This update shows new concepts related to the significance of DNA variations among individuals, as well as to their detection by using a new technology. The sequencing of the human genome is only the beginning of what will enable us to understand genetic diversity. The unit of DNA variability is the polymorphism of a single nucleotide (SNP). At present, studies on SNPs are restricted to basic research but the large number of papers on this subject makes feasible their entrance into clinical practice. We illustrate here the use of SNPs as molecular markers in ethnical genotyping, gene expression in some diseases and as potential targets in pharmacological response, and also introduce the technology of arrays. Microarrays experiments allow the quantification and comparison of gene expression on a large scale, at the same time, by using special chips and array designs. Conventional methods provide data from up to 20 genes, while a single microarray may provide information about thousands of them simultaneously, leading to a more rapid and accurate genotyping. Biotechnology improvements will facilitate our knowledge of each gene sequence, the frequency and exact location of SNPs and their influence on cellular behavior. Although experimental efficiency and validity of results from microarrays are still controversial, the knowledge and characterization of a patient's genetic profile will lead, undoubtedly, to advances in prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases.

Medicina genómica. Aplicaciones del polimorfismo de un nucleótido y micromatrices de ADN. / [Genomic medicine. Polymorphisms and microarray applications]

This update shows new concepts related to the significance of DNA variations among individuals, as well as to their detection by using a new technology. The sequencing of the human genome is only the beginning of what will enable us to understand genetic diversity. The unit of DNA variability is the polymorphism of a single nucleotide (SNP). At present, studies on SNPs are restricted to basic research but the large number of papers on this subject makes feasible their entrance into clinical practice. We illustrate here the use of SNPs as molecular markers in ethnical genotyping, gene expression in some diseases and as potential targets in pharmacological response, and also introduce the technology of arrays. Microarrays experiments allow the quantification and comparison of gene expression on a large scale, at the same time, by using special chips and array designs. Conventional methods provide data from up to 20 genes, while a single microarray may provide information about thousands of them simultaneously, leading to a more rapid and accurate genotyping. Biotechnology improvements will facilitate our knowledge of each gene sequence, the frequency and exact location of SNPs and their influence on cellular behavior. Although experimental efficiency and validity of results from microarrays are still controversial, the knowledge and characterization of a patients genetic profile will lead, undoubtedly, to advances in prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases.

Testosterona sérica: posible marcador en el cáncer colorrectal / Serum testosterone: a possible marker for colorrectal cancer

En la última década se ha descripto el descenso de la testosterona circulante en tumores de páncreas, estómago y pulmón. Por ello nos propusimos estudiar el comportamiento de algunos esteroides séricos en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal, así como su utilidad para el diagnóstico y monitoreo post-quirúrgico de la enfermedad. A tal efecto medimos la concentración sérica de testosterona, estradiol y antígeno carcinoembrionario en varones con cáncer de colón o recto, comparándola con un grupo testigo portador de patología gastrointestinal benigna. El análisis estadístico mostró diferencias altamente significaticas entre testosterona de la población tumoral y el grupo control, las que se mantuyvieron al comparar el grupo testigo con los pacientes prequiúrgicos y con los post-quirúgicos. Se observaron valores patológicos de testosterona en el 59 por ciento de los pacientes con cáncer. Esto indicaría una mayor sensibilidad diagnóstica que la del antígeno carcinoembrionario, que se hallaba incrementado en el 56,9 por ciento de los casos. El uso conjunto de ambos marcadores permitió detectar el 86,2 por ciento de los enfermos. La concentración del estradiol sérico no evidenció diferencias significativas respecto a la del grupo control. Se concluye que el descenso de la testosterona sérica podría constituir un valioso complemento diagnóstico en el cáncer colorrectal y que la determinación simultánea con el antígeno carcinoembrionario incrementa la capacidad de detección de esta neoplasia en indivíduos de sexo masculino (AU)

Testosterona sérica: posible marcador en el cáncer colorrectal / Serum testosterone: a possible marker for colorrectal cancer

En la última década se ha descripto el descenso de la testosterona circulante en tumores de páncreas, estómago y pulmón. Por ello nos propusimos estudiar el comportamiento de algunos esteroides séricos en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal, así como su utilidad para el diagnóstico y monitoreo post-quirúrgico de la enfermedad. A tal efecto medimos la concentración sérica de testosterona, estradiol y antígeno carcinoembrionario en varones con cáncer de colón o recto, comparándola con un grupo testigo portador de patología gastrointestinal benigna. El análisis estadístico mostró diferencias altamente significaticas entre testosterona de la población tumoral y el grupo control, las que se mantuyvieron al comparar el grupo testigo con los pacientes prequiúrgicos y con los post-quirúgicos. Se observaron valores patológicos de testosterona en el 59 por ciento de los pacientes con cáncer. Esto indicaría una mayor sensibilidad diagnóstica que la del antígeno carcinoembrionario, que se hallaba incrementado en el 56,9 por ciento de los casos. El uso conjunto de ambos marcadores permitió detectar el 86,2 por ciento de los enfermos. La concentración del estradiol sérico no evidenció diferencias significativas respecto a la del grupo control. Se concluye que el descenso de la testosterona sérica podría constituir un valioso complemento diagnóstico en el cáncer colorrectal y que la determinación simultánea con el antígeno carcinoembrionario incrementa la capacidad de detección de esta neoplasia en indivíduos de sexo masculino