Tumor markers in urogynaecological tumors.

Cathepsin D, B and L circulating levels as prognostic markers of malignant progression

Growing evidence indicates that lysosomal Cathepsins D (CD), B (CB) and L (CL) may promote carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Therefore, we evaluated their potential value as biochemical parameters of malignant progression in patients with benign diseases which may undergo malignant transformation, such as liver cirrhosis (LC) and chronic pancreatitis (CHP) as well as in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic cancer (DPC). CD, CB and CL serum levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assays in LC, CHP, HCC or DPC patients and correlated with a number of biochemical and clinical parameters of these diseases. CD serum levels were increased in LC, CHP and HCC, but not in the DPC grou…

Effects of zoledronic acid on proteinase plasma levels in patients with bone metastases.

Background: The effects of the bisphosphonate derivative zoledronic acid (ZA) on the > circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metallo-proteinases-9 > (MMP-9), cathepsin B (Cath B) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in > patients with bone metastasis (BMTS) and the possible correlation with the symptomatic > response induced by this drug in these patients were evaluated. Patients and Methods: > Proteinase levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the > plasma of 30 patients with painful bone metastases from breast or prostate cancer > undergoing multiple treatment with ZA (4 mg i.v., every 4 weeks). Healthy subjects > (HS) of…

Influence of quercetin and luteolin on the activity of the catalase: study ex vivo about erythrocytes in smokers and non-smokers

Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds with different chemical structure and properties. These compounds may scavenge free radical species and other oxidants. In previous studies, we have observed that some polyphenols are able to cross the erythrocyte’smembrane and this process is influenced by the plasmatic albumin; in fact quercetin intracellular concentrations is albumin dose depending. The influence of flavonoids on catalase activity has been reported in some papers but the results are contradictory. Some authors have found an increase of catalase activity in cell in the presence of flavonoids. Others have observed any effect or even a decrease of catalase activity.The presen…

Effects of amsacrine (m-AMSA), a new aminoacridine antitumor drug, on the rabbit heart.

There is emerging clinical evidence that amsacrine (m-AMSA) administration may be associated with cardiotoxic effects such as severe, even fatal, ventricular arrhythmias and impairment of the inotropic performance of the heart. Information on the cardiac effects of m-AMSA in animals is scanty. Studies on mice, dogs, and monkeys have not evidenced the cardiotoxicity of the compound. The data presented in this paper show that m-AMSA causes acute ECG alterations in normal rabbits and a dose-related negative inotropic effect on the isolated rabbit heart, suggesting that this species may be a useful model for the study of the cardiac actions of this antiblastic.