Objective: To evaluate the significance of two-color interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using X and Y centromere probe in the engraftment estimation and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). Methods: Samples from 12 cases patients in different periods after alloSCT were detected by interphase FISH. Results: All of the 12 patients were proved to obtain engraftment 22(35 days after alloSCT. While traditional karyotype showed as 100%XX or 100%XY invariably, FISH showed different percentages of donor original sex chromosome. Conclusion: Two-color interphase FISH is a more sensitive and simple test for engraftment evaluation and MRD monitoring post SCT, though, it can not entirely replace traditional karyotype analysis and gene detection by RT-PCR.

Objective: Ajoene, a major compound extracted from crashed garlic, has been shown to have antitumor, antimycotic, antimicrobial, antimutagenic functions in vivo or in vitro and treated as a potential antitumor drug. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the tumor cytotoxicity of ajoene and even garlic substances are poorly defined. In the present study, we aimed to generate gene expression profiles of HL-60 cell treated by ajoene. Methods: A cDNA microarray presenting 2400 of genes amplified from human leukocyte cDNA library was constructed and the gene expression profiles of HL-60 cell induced by ajoene were generated. Results: After data analysis, 28 differentially expressed genes were identified and sequenced. These genes include 21 known genes and 7 ESTs. Most of the known genes are related to cell apoptosis, such as secretory granule (PRG1), beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), 16S ribosomal RNA gene and ribosomal protein S12. Several genes are related to cell differentiation, including the genes similar to H3 histone and ribosomal protein L31. Northern blot analysis was used to verify and quantify the expression of selected genes. Conclusion: Ajoene can induce HL-60 cell apoptosis significantly and may play a role in differentiation. cDNA microarray technology can be a valuable tool to gain insight into molecular events of pharmacological mechanism of herbal medicine.

Objective: To compare the differential expression of mRNA between MKN-28 (highly differentiated) and MKN-45 (poorly differentiated) gastric adenocarcinoma cells and identify genes involved in human gastric adenocarcinoma differentiation. Methods: Differential expression of mRNA between MKN-28 and MKN-45 adenocarcinoma cells was investigated by fluorescent differential display (FDD). Differentially expressed cDNA was analyzed by bio-informatics and confirmed by RT-PCR and Northern-blot. Results: 45 differential fragments were finally attained. One of them (No. 10) was an approximate 750 bp cDNA and highly up-regulated in MKN-45 cells as compared with MKN-28 cells. By using Blastn and UniGene database analysis, we found the fragment was mapped to chromosome 14q11.2(q12 and showed a significant homology to Bcl-2 binding protein gene (BNip3), which was recently identified encoding pro-apoptosis protein located in mitochondrial. Conclusion: The BNip3 induced apoptosis could be suppressed by interacting with bcl-2. The BNip3 gene in tumor cells might be up-regulated by the hypoxia response element through the HIF1a transcription factor, causing death of the hypoxic cells at the center of the tumor where vascularization is usually poor in the process of tumor development.

Objective: To detect of lung cancer micrometastases in peripheral blood and regional lymphatic nodes by using lunx mRNA specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods: RT-PCR was used to detect lunx mRNA in peripheral blood of 26 patients with lung cancer. We also detected 44 regional lymphatic nodes obtained from 25 patients with lung cancer who underwent curative lobectomy. All the 44 regional lymphatic nodes were also examined by histopathology. Micrometastatic tumor cells in the peripheral blood and regional lymphatic nodes were semiquantitatively determined with the ratio of lunx band intensity to the glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase band intensity. Results: The positive detection rate of lunx mRNA in peripheral blood for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients were 60% (12/20) and 67% (4/6) respectively. 16 (36.4%) of regional lymphatic nodes from 44 lung cancer patients were positive by RT-PCR while 6 (13.6%) were positive by histopathology (x2=6.06, P=0.014). However, no blood samples and lymphatic nodes from patients with benign pulmonary diseases or normal volunteers were positive for lunx mRNA. The positive detection rate of lunx mRNA in bone marrow of NSCLC amd SCLC patients were 65% (13/20) and 67% (4/6) respectively. Conclusion: RT-PCR amplification of lunx mRNA is an sensitive and specific means to detect early haematogenous and regional lymphatic nodes dissemination of cancer cells for patients with lung cancer.

Objective: To investigate the antitumor mechanisms of the streptococcal preparation OK-432. Methods: Using C57BL/6 mouse bearing B16 melanoma, we observed the antitumor activity of OK-432 and investigated the effect of OK-432 on multi-cytokine (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-() production of mouse splenocyte both in vitro and in vivo. Results: As compared with control, OK-432 significantly inhibited B16 melanoma growth and lengthened mice survival time (P<0.05). In vitro OK-432 could stimulate splenocyte from tumor bearing mice to secrete IL-6, IL-12, IFN-( and IL-10 remarkably (P<0.01). In vivo OK-432 led to the increased production of IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-( but decreased production of IL-10 (P<0.05). When the splenocytes harvested from OK-432 treated mice were stimulated with OK-432 again in vitro, the production of IFN-( increased and IL-10 decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: OK-432 could boost multiple cytokines production, especially IL-12 which skewed T cells in a Th1 dominant state and enhanced the host antitumor activities.

Objective: High dose chemotherapy supported by autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (AHSCT) has developed dramaticly in recent years and become the most effective approach to improve radical treatment for the chemo-sensitive lymphoma. The purposes of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of preparative regimen BEAC and hematopoietic reconsti- tution after high dose chemotherapy in Chinese patients with advanced and recurrent lymphoma. Methods: After confirmed complete or partial remission from conventional chemotherapy, 24 patients with advanced or recurrent lymphoma including 1 recurrent HD and 23 NHL, 16 male and 8 female with median age of 29 (13(50) years, were enrolled into this study and treated by BEAC regimen (CTX 3600(4000 mg/m2, VP-16 1200 mg/m2. BCNU 300 mg/m2 and Ara-C 1500(2000 mg/m2). 3 patients were supported by ABMT and 21 by APBSCT. Mobilization regimen for APBSCT was CTX 3500 mg/m2 + G-CSF 3.5(5 (g/kg + Dexamethasone 10 mg. Autologous hematopoietic stem cells was re-infused 24(48 h after completion of high dose chemotherapy. Results: MNC 1.3 (1.0(1.7) (108/kg and MNC 1.8 (1.0(4.4) (108, CFU-GM 5.1 (1.9(9.6) (105/kg plus CD34 + cells 2.9 (1.9(8.7) (106/kg were re-infused in the ABMT group and APBSCT group respectively. All patients obtained prompt and sustained hematopoietic reconstitution. ANC (0.5 (109/L and Pt (2.0 (109/L were at day 9 (6(17) and day 10 (0(31) respectively. 16 patients were alive with median 21 (2(69) months follow-up till end of May, 2001. 1, 2 and 3 years survival rate were 60.5%, 50.1% and 50.1%, respectively. Non-hematologic toxicity was mild and tolerable. Conclusions: High dose chemotherapy supported by AHSCT in the treatment of previously-untreated poor- prognostic and recurrent lymphoma was a safe and effective modality. Further investigation was warranted.

Objective: To detect the expression difference of 60 lung cancer associated genes in human bronchial epithelial malignant transformation cell model (BEP2D) induced by alpha-particles. Methods: 60 lung cancer associated genes were collected and micro-arrayed onto the microscope slides using Cartesian PixSys5500 cDNA Microarray machine. Total RNA from BEP2D cells and passage 20 (Rl5H-20), passage 35 (R15H-35) cells derived from BEP2D following 1.5 Gy alpha-particles was extracted and labeled by fluorescent dye. The labeled probe was then hybridized with the cDNA. Results: 40, 47, 20 genes were detected in BEP2D, R15H-20 and R15H-35 respectively. The expression level of tumor suppressor genes decreased greatly in the transformed R15H-35. Most oncogenes decreased slightly in R15H-20. Most growth factors expressed only in R15H-20. Conclusion: In human bronchial epithelial malignant transformed cell model generated by alpha-particles, the loss-function of tumor suppressor genes at initiation stage was dominant, some related oncogenes and growth factors promoted the malignant transformation.

Objective: To observe the mutagenicity of retrovirus and adenovirus as transgenic vectors to evaluate the safety of transgenic tumor cells as tumor vaccines. Methods: Cells were cultured together with the virus. Then DNA and supernatant were tested for mutagenicity by means of genetic toxicological laboratory technique. Results: The results indicated that DNA and supernatant of transgenic cells had no mutagenicity through both in vivo and in vitro tests. Conclusion: The modified virus had no mutagenicity as a transgenic vector.

Objective: To compare gene expression profiles of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissue with that of control tissue by cDNA Array and to discuss possible reasons of TP53 accumulation in NPC tissue. Methods: (1) hybridization of Atlas Human Cancer cDNA Expression Array 7742-1; (2) analysis of Atlas Arrays using Atlasimage 1.01a; (3) verification of results of array by RT-PCR; (4) verification of protein expression alterations by immuno- histochemistry. Results: (1) Of 588 tumor-related genes, 134 genes were upregulated, 88 downregulated; (2) Of 32 TP53-regulated genes, 13 genes were shown differential expression, 11 upregulated, 2 downregulated; (3) ATM and JNK2 were upregulated; (4) mRNA expression of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (M74524) and ubiquitin- conjugating enzyme E2 (L22005) has no evident changes; Conclusion: (1) TP53 dysfunction exists in NPC tissues; (2) ATM and JNK might be the important causes of TP53 accumulation.

Objective: A single mechanistic pathway cannot explain the genesis of drug resistance in cancer. Drug resistance in cancer is a major obstacle to successful chemotherapy. KB cells provide a useful starting point for selection of the multidrug resistant (MDR) cell lines. Methods: We used cDNA microarrays containing 12,720 sequences of known genes, expressed sequence tags and unknown clones to monitor gene expression profiles in MDR KB cells. Results: Preliminary data analysis showed that 18 genes were up-regulated and 18 genes were down-regulated by comparison of expression patterns between KB 3-1 and MDR KB-V1 cells. Furthermore, the highly over-expressed CGA, CLU genes in MDR KB-V1 cell were verified with conventional Northern blot analysis. These genes contain information predictive of drug resistance of cancer cells. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that genome-wide gene expression profiling by using cDNA microarray technique is a valuable approach in obtaining molecular mechanism of drug resistance in cancer cells.

Objective: To study the effect of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on apoptosis of human lung carcinoma cell line GLC-82. Methods: The injury changes in GLC-82 cells after irradiated by EMP (electric field intensity was 60 kV/m with 5 pulses/2 min) were analyzed by cytometry, MTT chronometry and flow cytometry. The immuno- histochemical SP staining was used to determine the expressions of bcl-2 protein and p53 protein. The stained positive cells were analyzed by CMIAS-II image analysis system at a magnification 400. All data were analyzed by SPSS8.0 software. Results: EMP could obviously inhibited lung carcinoma cell line GLC-82 proliferation and increased the number of non-adherent cells. The absorbance value (A570) of MTT decreased immediately, at 0 h, 1 h and 6 h after the GLC-82 cells irradiated by EMP as compared with control group. The highest apoptosis rate was found to reach 13.38% by flow cytometry at 6 h after EMP irradiation. Down-regulation of bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of bax expression were induced by EMP. Conclusion: EMP promoted apoptosis of GLC-82 cells. At same time, EMP can down-regulate bcl-2 expression and up-regulate p53 expression in GLC-82 cells. The bcl-2 and the p53 protein may involve the apoptotic process.

Objective:The Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) play an important role in maintaining immune privilege on malignant tumors. In present study, we investigated the expression of FasL in SW480 and LS174 human colon carcinoma cell lines and twenty primary colon carcinoma specimens. Methods: The expression of FasL in human colon carcinoma cell lines and primary colon carcinomas specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry and Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Results: We found that all of detected human colon carcinoma cell lines and primary colon carcinoma specimens constitutively expressed FasL at the mRNA and protein level. However, the expression of FasL was not found in normal colon epithelial cells. Conclusion: The expression of FasL may occur during malignant transformation from normal colon epithelial cells to colon carcinoma cells. Our results suggest that tumor cells kill cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLS) and natural killer (NK) cells by expression of FasL. It may be a new mechanism for tumor cells to escape the host's immune surveillance. The expression of FasL may contribute to the formation of colon carcinomas.

Objective: To study the expression and the clinical significance of LEA in colorectal carcinoma. Methods: Immunohistochemistry S-P method to detect the expression of LEA and CEA in 140 colorectal cancer specimens and 100 non-cancerous colorectal specimens. Results: The expression of LEA is relative to tumor differentiation degree and exhibits higher selectivity in well-differentiated adeno-carcinoma (P<0.01). CEA has similar selectivity in well, moderately and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (P>0.05). Compared with CEA, the expression of LEA has lower positive rate in non-cancerous tissue (P<0.05). The positive rate of LEA in adenoma is much higher than surrounding non-cancerous mucosa and normal mucosa. In normal mucosa the positive rate of LEA is obviously lower than that of CEA (P<0.05). The expression of LEA and CEA has similar rule except in normal mucosa. In histological diagnosis of colorectal cancer the sensitivity of LEA is 82.9% and the specificity is 48%, while the sensitivity of CEA is 88.6% and the specificity is 35%. Conclusion: The expression of LEA is related to the differentiation degree of colorectal cancer tissue. LEA can be used as an auxiliary index for early diagnosis and a reference for the judgment of the malignancy degree of colorectal carcinoma, thus may be a new tumor marker with applicable clinic value.

Objective: To improve the preparation of adherent lymphokine-activated killer (A-LAK) cells and study the synergistic anti-tumor effect of phenylacetate (PA) and A-LAK cells. Methods: A-LAK cells were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using L-phenylalanine methyl ester (PME) to deplete immunosuppressive monocytes. The proliferation of SMMC7721 cell line treated with PA was studied. A-LAK cells were treated with the supernatant of SMMC7721 cells which had been pretreated with PA and the changes of the proliferation and anti-tumor activity of A-LAK cells were investigated. Results: The expansion of A-LAK cells was significantly higher than that of non-adherent LAK (NA-LAK) cells as well as regular LAK cells. The growth of SMMC7721 cells was significantly suppressed by PA. The supernatant of cultured tumor cells intensively suppressed the proliferation and cytotoxicity of A-LAK cells, but the suppressive effect of supernatant treated with PA previously was decreased. Conclusion: A-LAK cells could be simply prepared by using PME, and showed a synergistic anti-tumor effect with the combination of PA.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate differential pattern of G1-cyclins (D1 and E) in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of human urinary bladder with or without human papillomavirus-18 (HPV-18) infection. Methods: Immunohistochemistry method was used in the detection of the expression of G1-cyclins in 57 cases of TCC (7 normal bladders as control), and HPV-18 DNA was found in 29 cases by polymerases chain reaction (PCR). Results: Cyclin D1 expression was found in 41 of 57 (71.93%) TCCs and it was reverse associated with HPV (x2=8.21, P<0.05). And cyclin D1 expression was found in 16 of 29 (55.17%) in HPV-18 infection group and 25 of 28 (89.29%) in non-HPV infection group. Cyclin E expression was detected in 36 of 57 (63.16%) and the association between the cyclin E expression and HPV infection was not found (x2=0.52, P>0.05). Cyclin E expression was found in 17 of 29 (56.82%) in HPV-18 infection group and 19 of 28 (67.86%) in non-HPV infection group. There was obvious difference in the cyclin D1 and cyclin E expression between the TCC and normal tissue (x2=7.46, P<0.05; x2=7.45, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: These data demonstrated that HPV infection altered the control of G1 cell cycle. And changes of G1 cell cycle regulatory proteins, either by interaction of cellular protein with viral oncoproteins or by changes in the cellular proteins themselves, may be critical for carcinogenesis of TCC of urinary bladder.

Objective: To investigate whether deletion of chromosome 17 is involved in the carcinogenesis of primary glioblastoma multiforme and to localize the possible common deletion region in the aforementioned chromosome. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction-based microsatellite analysis was used to assess loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 17 in 20 primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Fifteen fluorescent dye-labeled polymorphic markers were used. Results: Thirteen of twenty (65%) GBM displayed LOH on at least one marker of chromosome 17p. Two tumors showed either LOH or non-informativeness on all markers tested. The most frequent LOH was observed at loci including D17s799 (53.3%), Dl7s1852 (53.8%), Dl7s938 (63.20/o), Dl7s831 (55.6%). The loci D17s831 (on 17pl3) and D17s799(Dl7sl852 (17p11.2(pl2) are distal and proximal to p53 respectively. The frequencies of LOH at all loci examined on chromosome 17q were relatively low (<30%). None of informative loci exhibited microsatellite instability in this study. Conclusion: Loss of genetic material on chromosome 17p may play an important role in the pathogenesis of GBM. Besides the well-known TSG p53 on 17p, other unknown TSCs associated with GBM may be present on the chromosomal regions 17pl3 and 17p11.2(pl2, which are distal and proximal to p53 respectively.

Objective: To study the active sites of podophyllotoxin derivatives. Methods: Some podophyllotoxin derivatives were analyzed by quantum and mechanics method. Results: Some information was given according to the calculation results about HOMO and LUMO electron density. The C-4 position is the position for effective modification. The B ring and E ring are important active centers. Conclusion: The hole of positive charge in B ring easily combines with an acceptor within the molecular. Some quinolones with similar electronic construction to podophyllotoxin may have antitumor activity.