0000000000006534
AUTHOR
C La Rosa
Methylation decrease of BECN1 gene induced by phytochemical Indicaxantin in Caco2 cells: an epigenetic hypothesis of autophagy
Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process that degrades and recycles intracellular components through the lysosomes [1]. The role of this process in tumorigenesis and tumor progression is controversial: in the early stages, it can block tumor growth and conversely it can promote its progression in the later stages [2]. The tumor suppressor BECN1 gene, encodes the protein Beclin 1, a marker of autophagy down-regulated in several types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer [3]. There are a lot of both genetic and environmental risk factors for colorectal cancer, including diet: for this reason, in accordance with epidemiological studies, consumption of foods rich in phytochemicals is w…
IL-1β maintains the DNA hypermethylation of anti-inflammatory IL-10 gene in a human intestinal epithelial cell line
Intestinal inflammation is a natural process crucial to maintain gut integrity, but its deregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of severe intestinal disorders[1]. Intestinal epithelial cells play a crucial role in the inflammatory response, modulating the immune cell exposure to antigens and by their ability to secrete many inflammatory mediators. IL-1β represents a pivotal player: secreted by infiltrated leucocytes, it induces the expression of several pro-inflammatory genes. Also the anti-inflammatory IL-10, whose function is to terminate the inflammatory process, modulates the intestinal physiology[2]. Recent clinical reports showed that patients with ulcerative colitis in remission…
Carcinoma of the lung, stage III. Experience with the new TNM-AJCC classification.
The records of 228 patients who underwent surgery for primary lung cancer in 1970–1986 were reviewed. In 115 cases (94 men, 21 women) the disease was in stage III according to the 1978 classification of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). These 115 cases were retrospectively reassessed, using a recently proposed new TNM classification with subdivision of stage III into IIIa, in which the patients may benefit from surgery, and IIIb, in which surgery is not advisable. Stage IIIa disease was present at operation in 87 cases and stage IIIb in 28. Actuarial analysis of survival rates showed that the new subclassification permits identification of those stage III patients who may benef…