1,721,351 research outputs found
The tumor microenvironment: biology of a complex cellular and tissue society
No full textThe tumor microenvironment is a "complex society" of many cell types and their extracellular matrix. All these cell types and the matrix take part to the generation of a tumor "tissue". It is well established that preneoplastic proliferating cells cannot give origin to a tumor without an appropriate blood supply. In fact, angiogenesis could be considered the rate limiting step of tumor growth. In this context microenvironment components play a pivotal role in the regulation of the angiogenic switch and in cancer progression. For these reasons the comprehension of biological and molecular mechanisms involved in the relationship between tumor cells and the microenvironment could unveil new therapeutic and preventive approaches to cancer. In this complex scenario molecular imaging of the microenvironment is crucial to dissect cellular and stromal dynamic contributions
The 'chemoinvasion' assay, 25 years and still going strong: the use of reconstituted basement membranes to study cell invasion and angiogenesis
No full textInvasive and metastatic cells must cross basement membranes (BMs) in order to disseminate to distant sites. The 'chemoinvasion assay' using a reconstituted basement membrane, matrigel, in Boyden blind-well chambers was developed 25 years ago as a tool for invasion and metastasis research. Since then, it was adapted for investigation of how different cells types engage with and penetrate basement membrane, including research in angiogenesis, invasive cell migration, protease functions, and preclinical development of anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic agents. As novel mechanisms of metastasis and angiogenesis come to light and old paradigms are challenged, we examine how the assay can still provide innovative insights. We review established applications and variants of the matrigel invasion assay, highlight key findings derived from it and discuss future developments, including roles for accessory and cancer stem cells
HYPOMETHYLATION OF THE INTERPHOTORECEPTOR RETINOID-BINDING PROTEIN (IRBP) PROMOTER AND 1ST EXON IS LINKED TO EXPRESSION OF THE GENE
No full textStrategies to Prevent "bad Luck" in Cancer
No full textIt is impossible to predict exactly who will develop a cancer and who will not. We know that several "risk factors" may increase the chance of getting cancer and that risk increases with age. However, even with that in mind we seem to be able to explain only a certain number of cancers. Recently, Tomasetti and Vogelstein published a provocative article in Science stating that a large percentage of cancers may be due to "bad luck" (stochastic mutation events during DNA replication) and only a few to carcinogens, pathogens, or inherited genes and that this should impact public health policies. However, their intriguing analysis has numerous limitations, some of which have already been commented upon, including the likely biased subset of cancers and that finding a correlation does not signify a cause-effect mechanism. Here, we point out that there may also be an alternative explanation for the data, the cancer stem cell hypothesis, which postulates that cancers are derived from tissue stem cells and not from somatic differentiated cells. We also highlight the importance of the tissue microenvironment in the growth of transformed cells and outline a table of concurrent factors for several cancers. The message communicated to the public should not be one of helplessness in avoiding cancers, particularly given the now extensive knowledge of known risk factors and several agents/behaviors that can lower risk for specific cancers. While some tumors will still be due to chance, prevention should still be a primary goal for public health policies
Use of extract of vegetation waters for treating damage to cardiovascular system.
No full textThe present invention relates ot a phytocomplex or natural concentrate, rich ni polyphenol compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol and Oleuropein-aglycone di-aldehyde (3,4-DHPA-EDA), derived from the pressing waters of oil olives and/or from pomace from the olive grinding process, for use in the prevention and/or treatment of damage ot the cardiovascular system, preferably in subjects affected by/suffering from hypertension, cardiac decompensation, arrhythmia, heart attacks or those subjected to chemotherapy. The present invention further relates ot a composition comprising said concentrate and ot the concentrate and/or composition formulated for oral use for example as a beverage, pills or the like, or as a support for topical applications, and the use thereof in the prevention and/or treatment of damage ot the cardiovascular system, preferably ni subjects affected by hypertension, cardiac decompensation, arrhythmia, heart attacks or those subjected to chemotherapy
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