The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes a three-dimensional network that surrounds all cells, organs and tissues in the body. It forms a biophysical filter for protection, nutrition and cell innervation, as well as the medium for facilitating immune response, angiogenesis, fibrosis and tissue regeneration. It is the mechanism by which mechanical ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is well-known for its highly metastatic characteristics, but little is known of its molecular mechanisms. New biomarkers that predict clinical outcome, in particular the ability of the primary tumor to develop metastatic tumors are urgently needed. The aim of this study is to investigate the ...

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor and is characterized by high invasiveness, poor prognosis, and limited therapeutic options. Biochemical and morphological experiments have shown the presence of caveolae in glioblastoma cells. Caveolae are flask-shaped plasma membrane subdomains that play trafficking, mechanosensing, and signaling roles. Caveolin-1 is ...

At least some cancer stem cells (CSCs) display intrinsic drug resistance that may thwart eradication of a malignancy by chemotherapy. We have explored the genesis of such resistance by studying mouse models of liver cancer driven by either MYC or the combination of oncogenic forms of AKT and NRAS. A ...

The presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in melanomas is correlated with a poor clinical prognosis. However, there is limited information on the characteristics and biological activities of human TAMs in melanomas. In this study, we developed an in vitro method to differentiate human monocytes to macrophages using modified melanoma-conditioned medium ...

Tumor suppressor p53 functions as a "guardian of the genome" to prevent cells from transformation. p53 is constitutively ubiquitinated and degradated in unstressed conditions, thereby suppressing the expression. However, cellular stimuli enable p53 to escape from the negative regulation, and then stably expressed p53 transactivates its target genes to induce ...

The synergistic effects of tamoxifen on the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to daunorubicin have been reported. Whether the effects of daunorubicin on MCF-7/adr cells can be improved by tamoxifen in liposomes and how tamoxifen changes daunorubicin's behavior in vivo remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the ...

PURPOSE: To examine the role of survivin as a therapeutic target in preclinical models of human malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs)EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Survivin protein expression levels and sub-cellular localization were examined immunohistochemically in a MPNST tissue microarray. Human MPNST cells were studied in vitro and in vivo; RTPCR, WB, ...

Tumor suppressor protein p53 induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence in response to cellular stresses. The p53 tetramer formation is essential for its functions. Despite of these crucial functions of p53 for integrity of genome, activation of the p53 signal pathway causes low induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell generation ...

The (99m)Tc (I) tricarbonyl complexes fac-[(99m)Tc(κ(3)-L)(CO)(3)] (Tc1-Tc6) containing N-ethylpyrrolidine and N,N-diethylethylamine groups for melanin binding, were evaluated in vitro and in vivo as radioactive probes for the targeting of melanotic melanoma. Aiming at the modification of their size, topology and lipophilicity, Tc1-Tc6 were obtained based on an S,N,O-donor bifunctional chelator (BFC) derived ...

Tissue factor (TF) expression by tumor cells correlates with metastasis clinically and supports metastasis in experimental settings. However, the precise pathways coupling TF to malignancy remain incompletely defined. Here, we show that clot formation by TF indirectly enhances tumor cell survival after arrest in the lung, during experimental lung metastasis, ...

Pediatric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare entity that can be quite different from its adult counterpart. This report provides a comprehensive review on the diagnosis and management of this tumor in children and adolescents, including its oncogenesis and associated syndromes. Surgery remains a mainstay of treatment, but there ...

ABSTRACT: Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) is a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder with a relatively good prognosis. A small but significant percentage of patients, however, will respond poorly to therapy. A recent gene expression profiling study has identified a macrophage signature which has been correlated with primary treatment failure, and immunohistochemical tissue ...

Antitumoral chemotherapeutic treatments are often impaired by innate or acquired multidrug resistance (MDR). After four decades of MDR research, having underlined its complexity, new knowledge about the mechanisms of tumor resistance to antineoplastic drugs is a prerequisite for improving chemotherapy. Following our observations with a non-pathogenic eukaryotic microorganism, Dictyostelium discoideum, ...

The ability of tumor cells to grow progressively in vivo despite the host immune response remains a major conundrum in tumor immunology. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain how tumors evade immune destruction. The work presented herein shows that simple alterations in plasma membrane phospholipid composition can alter susceptibility ...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of radiofrequency coblation for endoscopic resection of intranasal and sinus tumors. A review was conducted of 15 adult patients with intranasal and or sinus tumors endoscopically treated with radio frequency coblation between November 2008 and ...

Brain tumors produce a variety of signs and symptoms that are often dramatically relieved by glucocorticosteroids ('steroids'). Almost all patients with high-grade gliomas or metastatic brain tumors will receive steroids, usually dexamethasone, at some point in their illness. Despite their ubiquity of use, it is still not clear how steroids ...

Peripheral nerve tumors (PNTs) fall under the broad category of soft-tissue tumors, and hence are managed by a large number of subdisciplines including plastic surgery, dermatology, orthopedics, and neurosurgery. However, PNTs arise or are in close proximity to neural structures, so if not managed properly can lead to significant neurological ...

We discuss the current literature on the role of stereotactic radiosurgery in the multidisciplinary management of brain metastases and focus on the level of evidence that addresses key management questions. We reviewed the literature on the different roles of radiosurgery, radiotherapy, and resection, and in particular the 2009 Guidelines project ...

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of primary cancers which metastasis to the brain frequently, although RCC accounts for only 1% of all cancer. The metastatic tumor from RCC has the propensity of intratumoral hemorrhage and relatively massive surrounding edema compared with other metastatic tumors. These characteristics make an emphasis ...

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a well-established tool in the armamentarium for the treatment of metastatic tumors to the brain. Although SRS has proven to be highly effective in the management of brain metastases, it is not without risk. Despite selective targeting of lesions and the sharp dose fall-off associated with ...

Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumors encountered by physicians. Historically, the mainstays of therapy were limited to surgery and whole brain radiation. Surgery is typically reserved for safely accessible and symptomatic tumors in patients well enough to tolerate a procedure. Whole-brain radiation therapy has proven to have limited ...

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a primary hindrance to curative cancer therapy. Thus, introduction of novel strategies to overcome MDR is of paramount therapeutic significance. Sequestration of chemotherapeutics in lysosomes is an established mechanism of drug resistance. Here, we show that MDR cells display a marked increase in lysosome number. We ...

Among the human genome, p53 is one of the first tumor suppressor genes to be discovered. It has a wide range of functions covering cell cycle control, apoptosis, genome integrity maintenance, metabolism, fertility, cellular reprogramming and autophagy. Although different possible underlying mechanisms for p53 regulation have been proposed for decades, ...

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were (1) to review the management strategy and clinical outcomes of all intraparotid facial nerve (FN) schwannomas (PFNSs) treated at a single tertiary academic center from 1975 to 2010 and (2) to summarize all previously reported cases of PFNS in the international literature. STUDY ...

For dermatologists, evidence-based management guidelines for Spitz tumors have not been established. Despite the lack of a standardized approach, most dermatologists recommend the excision of Spitz tumors occurring in adults and adopt more conservative measures towards pediatric cases. The histopathologic attributes and the clinical scenario are factored into management in ...

To select minimally stressful methods for patients with benign bronchial tumors, and evaluate interventional strategies in relation to location, size, character and morphology. We reviewed the indications and efficacy of various interventional bronchology techniques at our institution, including individual or combined laser resection, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation and high radiofrequency ...

Even though benign tracheobronchial tumors are quite rare, they still can induce airway obstruction, result in suffocation, and need emergent management to remove the obstructing lesions and make the respiratory tracts unobstructed. Although the preferred therapy is surgery, it is still difficult to deal with the tumors in some cases, ...

OBJECTIVE: The management of pituitary tumors has evolved considerably in the past few decades. One of the indices for effective surgical outcome is the size of the tumor on presentation. Reports from West and Central Africa have largely indicated late presentation with very large tumors. In the present study we ...

Objective: Neoplasms of the retroperitoneum may mimic tumors of adrenal origin and create challenges in management. Herein, we report 10 cases of neoplasms that were initially diagnosed as primarily adrenal derived masses, but were later confirmed as masses of a different origin.Methods: Within a 10 year of time period, 235 ...

The surgical management of retroperitoneal tumors extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) can be challenging. Although Wilms' tumor is the most common retroperitoneal tumor extending into the IVC, one must approach these tumors systematically as other diagnoses are possible. We present 4 consecutive cases of retroperitoneal tumors with IVC ...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The last 5 years have seen the number of ultra-high field (UHF; 7 T and beyond) MRI scanners nearly double. Benefits include improved specificity, better sensitivity for signal-starved compounds, and the ability to detect, quantify, and monitor tumor activity and treatment effects. This is especially important in the ...

PURPOSE: To describe our experience with leak-proof extracorporeal drainage through a minilaparotomy for management of large ovarian tumors. METHODS: Twenty patients who had presumed benign ovarian tumors larger than 10 cm were selected to undergo this technique. A 4 cm skin incision was made transversely above the symphysis pubis. After application of ...

The ability to obtain the proper clinical diagnosis in cases of suspected intraocular tumors has greatly advanced during the past 50 years. The clinical characteristics of most intraocular tumors (size, shape, color, and texture) are detectable by skilled ophthalmoscopic examination and, with the use of adjunctive techniques (mainly ultrasonography), the ...

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) arising in the lacrimal sac is a rare neoplasm. Despite radical surgery and radiotherapy, these tumors generally have a poor prognosis due to an often late diagnosis, high rate of loco-regional recurrence and mortality. There are only a relatively small number of documented cases of TCC ...

Aims: Survey the clinical symptoms, radiological features, management, and long-term outcomes of sinonasal and anterior skull base schwannomas. Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of patients with sinonasal schwannomas treated from June 2001 through January 2010 at two academic institutions. Results: There were 4 women and 3 men in this study. ...

Context.-Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract and should be differentiated from other mesenchymal tumors. They harbor specific activating mutations in the KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor α ( PDGFRA ) receptor tyrosine kinases, which makes them responsive to pharmacologic inhibitors, such ...

Tumors arising from the ampulla of Vater can be benign or malignant. Recently, endoscopic papillectomy has been employed in the management of benign ampulla of Vater tumors; however, surgical resection is the treatment of choice. The aim of this study was to define indications and suggest a role for transduodenal ...

Incidental carcinoid tumor of the Meckel's diverticulum is an uncommon event. Herein, a case of a carcinoid tumor in Meckel's diverticulum that was incidentally found in a patient with acute appendicitis is presented. A 42-year-old Caucasian man presented with acute abdomen and clinical signs of acute appendicitis. A typical appendectomy ...

Aims and background. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) is the standard method for the detection of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). It is commonly used in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP-NET) staging, and represents the criterion of choice for treatment with somatostatin (SST) analogs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was reported as a reliable method for the ...

Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas (islet cell tumors) and of the luminal gastrointestinal tract (carcinoids) are a heterogeneous group of epithelial neoplasms that share certain common characteristics. First, they are similar histologically and are difficult to distinguish under light microscopy. Second, they can be associated with hypersecretory syndromes. Third, they ...

Advances in the neurosurgical management of pituitary tumors have included the refinement of surgical access and significant progress in navigation technology to help further reduce morbidity and improve outcome. Similarly, stereotactic radiosurgery has evolved to become an integral part in pituitary tumors not amenable to medical or surgical treatment. The ...

The majority of kidney cancer tumors are small renal masses (SRMs). Partial nephrectomy is now established as the preferred treatment modality. In some patients the potential morbidity may outweigh the oncologic risk. Based on active surveillance studies, restriction of radical therapy to patients with aggressive tumors has been proposed. This ...

Surgical management of bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS) in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is often difficult, especially when both tumors threaten the brainstem. When the largest tumor has been removed, the management of the contralateral VS may become puzzling. To give new insights into the growth pattern of these tumors and ...

Abstract Background and Purpose: The histopathologic diagnosis of a small renal mass (SRM) that is managed with cryoablation relies on preoperative or intraoperative biopsies. Because a considerable number of these SRMs are benign, accurate diagnosis has prognostic and follow-up implications. The main problem in SRMs is the high rate of ...

Human papillomavirus (HPV) positive tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is associated with a favorable clinical outcome. However, the HPV detected in a given tumor may be causal (driver HPV) or an incidental bystander (passenger HPV). There is a need to discriminate these forms of HPV in TSCCs to understand their ...

Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare tumor. Cure is based solely on radical surgery. The general prognosis is poor. The tongue is an unusual site in adults, but not in children. Tumor removal can cause a severe impact on quality of life, even if reconstruction is possible. ASPS is ...

Pineal tumors are relatively rare central nervous system lesions with a predilection for the pediatric population. For the vast majority of these lesions, surgical resection is a critical step in effective treatment. This article discusses current strategies for preoperative evaluation, operative management, and postoperative care of the pediatric patient with ...

Pineal region tumors represent 0.4% to 1.0% of intracranial tumors in American literature. Obtaining a tissue diagnosis is the cornerstone of the rational management of pineal lesions. The initial surgical decision involves choosing between a stereotactic biopsy and open microsurgical procedures. Open resection facilitates the maximal removal of tumor volume ...

The pineal region can harbor highly diverse histologic tumor subtypes. Because optimal therapeutic strategies vary with tumor type, an accurate diagnosis is the foundation of enlightened management decisions. Either stereotactic biopsy or open surgery is essential for securing tissue for pathologic examination. Biopsy has the advantage of ease and minimal ...