To assess the diagnostic utility of glypican-3 (GPC-3) in comparison to Hep Par 1 in the diagnosis of liver tumours, a cross-sectional study involving 66 resected liver tumours were tested for the protein expression of these markers by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies. Of the 66 cases, 26 (39.4%) were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 4 (6.1%) were intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 36 (54.5%) were metastatic tumours. Hep Par 1 and GPC-3 expressions in HCC were 24/26 (92.3%) and 19/26 (73.1%) respectively. In contrast, of non-HCC cases, only 2/40 cases (5.0%) expressed Hep Par 1, including a metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma and a metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. GPC-3 was expressed in 3/40 cases (7.5%), i.e. a metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown origin, a metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The sensitivity and specificity for Hep Par 1 were 92.3% and 95% respectively while that of GPC-3 was 73.1% and 92.5% respectively. GPC-3 is a useful marker in the diagnosis of HCC. However it is not superior to Hep Par 1 in its sensitivity and specificity. We recommend that it is utilized together with Hep Par 1 as a panel in the diagnosis of HCC.
The angiogenic potential of native skin (NS), keratinocytes single skin equivalent (SSE-K), fibroblasts single skin equivalent (SSE-F) and bilayered skin equivalent secreting angiogenic growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the in vitro systems at 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days was compared using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Bilayered skin equivalent exhibit highest release of growth factors within 24 hours to 7 days of culture compared to NS, SSE-K and SSE-F. This proved the potential of bilayered skin equivalent in producing and sustaining growth factors release to enhance angiogenesis, fibroblasts proliferation, matrix deposition, migration and growth of keratinocytes.
Topoisomerases are nuclear enzymes that regulate topology of DNA by facilitating the temporary cleavage and ligation cycle of DNA. Among all forms of topoisomerases, TOP-IIA is extensively associated with cell proliferation and therefore is an important therapeutic target in diseases that involved cellular proliferation such as cancers. Nearly half of present-day antitumor regimens contain at least one prescription that act as a topoisomerase inhibitor. Generally, tumor cells show divergent expression of TOP-IIA compared to normal cells. The remarkable expression of TOP-IIA in various carcinomas provides a significant biomarker toward understanding the nature of malignancy. TOP-IIA expression and amplification studies help in diagnosing cancer and to observe the disease progression, overall survival (OS) of patients, and response to therapy. This review highlights the research output and analysis in exploring the standing of TOP-IIA in various carcinomas. As some reports show contradiction within the same field of interest, the outline of that may help to induce researchers for further investigation and clarification. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first overview briefly summarizing the prognostic feature of TOP-IIA in various types of cancer.
Over the last few decades, major efforts in cancer research and treatment have intensified. Apart from standard chemotherapy approaches, immunotherapy has gained substantial traction. Personalized immunotherapy has become an important tool for cancer therapy with the discovery of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Traditionally, tumor-associated antigens are used in immunotherapy-based treatments. Nevertheless, these antigens lack specificity and may have increased toxicity. With the advent of next-generation technologies, the identification of new tumor-specific antigens is becoming more important. In colorectal cancer, several tumor-specific antigens were identified and functionally validated. Multiple clinical trials from vaccine-based and adoptive cell therapy utilizing tumor-specific antigens have commenced. Herein, we will summarize the current landscape of tumor-specific antigens particularly in colorectal cancer.