Role of microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P in hepatocellular carcinoma.

There is an obvious need to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma using novel non-invasive and sensitive biomarkers. In this regard, the aim of this study was to evaluate and correlate both relative quantification of microRNA-7 using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and quantitative analysis of selenoprotein P using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera of hepatocellular carcinoma patients, chronic liver disease patients, as well as normal healthy subjects in order to establish a new diagnostic biomarker with a valid non-invasive technique. In addition, this study aimed to investigate whether changes in selenium supply affect microRNA-7 expression and selenoprotein P levels in human hepatocarcinoma cell line (HepG2). The results showed a highly significant decrease in serum microRNA-7 relative quantification values and selenoprotein P levels in malignant group in comparison with benign and control groups. The best cutoff for serum microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P to discriminate hepatocellular carcinoma group from benign and control groups was 0.06 and 4.30 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, this study showed that changes in selenium supply to HepG2 cell line can alter the microRNA-7 profile and are paralleled by changes in the concentration of its target protein (selenoprotein P). Hence, serum microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P appear to be potential non-invasive diagnostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, the results suggest that selenium could be used as an anticancer therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma by affecting both microRNA-7 and selenoprotein P.

Validation of analytical breast cancer microarray analysis in medical laboratory.

A previously reported microarray data analysis by RISS algorithm on breast cancer showed over-expression of the growth factor receptor (Grb7) and it also highlighted Tweety (TTYH1) gene to be under expressed in breast cancer for the first time. Our aim was to validate the results obtained from the microarray analysis with respect to these genes. Also, the relationship between their expression and the different prognostic indicators was addressed. RNA was extracted from the breast tissue of 30 patients with primary malignant breast cancer. Control samples from the same patients were harvested at a distance of ≥5 cm from the tumour. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis was done on all samples. There was a significant difference between the malignant and control tissues as regards Grb7 expression. It was significantly related to the presence of lymph node metastasis, stage and histological grade of the malignant tumours. There was a significant inverse relation between expression of Grb7 and expression of both oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Grb7 was found to be significantly related to the biological classification of breast cancer. TTYH1 was not expressed in either the malignant or the control samples. The RISS by our group algorithm developed was laboratory validated for Grb7, but not for TTYH1. The newly developed software tool needs to be improved.

Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in lung cancer.

PURPOSE: There is an obvious need to diagnose lung cancer using novel noninvasive and sensitive biomarkers. In this regard, the aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare sputum matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in relation to serum MMP-2 of lung cancer patients and other nonmalignant lung diseases in order to establish a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker with a valid noninvasive technique. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Group 1 included 32 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and group 2 included 20 patients with benign pulmonary diseases. In addition, 38 healthy subjects served as control group. MMP-2 activity levels were evaluated in serum and sputum samples of the studied groups using ELISA and zymography techniques. RESULTS: There was a highly significant increase in serum and sputum MMP-2 levels in malignant group in comparison with benign and control groups. In addition, there was a significant difference in the levels of serum and sputum MMP-2 as regards the different histopathological types of lung cancer and advanced stages of lung cancer. Gelatin zymography was used to confirm the enzymatic activity of MMP-2. A higher MMP-2 activity was detected in lung cancer group in comparison with benign and control groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum and to a larger extent sputum MMP-2 appear to be potential noninvasive markers for detecting lung cancer.

Evaluation of nestin in lung adenocarcinoma: relation to VEGF and Bcl-2.

CONTEXT: Nestin is a marker of multipotent precursor cells that is up regulated in cancer. OBJECTIVE: To explore its diagnostic role and its relationship to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Bcl-2 in lung adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Evaluation of nestin expression in lung biopsies by real-time PCR and serum VEGF and Bcl-2 by ELISA in 27 adenocarcinoma patients and 15 control subjects. RESULTS: Nestin was significantly higher in lung adenocarcinoma patients especially with advanced grade and stage and it was significantly correlated to VEGF and Bcl-2. CONCLUSION: Nestin can be considered as a potential diagnostic marker in lung adenocarcinoma.