Evaluation of NTHL1, NEIL1, NEIL2, MPG, TDG, UNG and SMUG1 genes in familial colorectal cancer predisposition

Background  

The observation that germline mutations in the oxidative DNA damage repair gene MUTYH cause colorectal cancer (CRC) provides strong evidence that dysregulation of the base excision repair (BER) pathway influences disease susceptibility. It is conceivable that germline sequence variation in other BER pathway genes such as NTHL1, NEIL1, NEIL2, MPG, TDG, UNG and SMUG1 also contribute to CRC susceptibility.     

Breast Cancer Research non-peer-review research depository

Announcement

Breast Cancer Research non-peer-review research depository     

CpG methylation of the FHIT, FANCF, cyclin-D2, BRCA2 and RUNX3 genes in Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) of ovarian origin

Background  

Granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are relatively rare and are subtypes of the sex-cord stromal neoplasms. Methylation induced silencing in the promoters of genes such as tumor suppressor genes, DNA repair genes and pro-apoptotic genes is recognised as a critical factor in cancer development.     

Postdoctoral Positions for 2015Collaborative Innovative Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center

The"Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine,"co-established by Sun Yat-sen University,Fudan University,Peking Union Medical College and the National Institute of Biological Sciences,follows a national initiative to improve medical sciences and technologies for cancer care in China.The purpose is to establish a leading international center for innovation to conduct competitive and large-scale outstanding research with a multidisciplinary team of oncology     

Association of genetic polymorphisms of MK, IL-4, p16, p21, p53 genes and human gastric cancer in Taiwan

AIMS: To assess gastric cancer risk and clinical-pathological factors associated with genetic polymorphisms of MK, IL-4, p16, p21 and p53 genes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for 123 patients who had recently developed primary gastric cancer. Clinical data and pathological findings were collected, genetic polymorphisms of MK, IL-4, p16, p21 and p53 genes were analysed, and the associations of genetic polymorphisms with gastric cancer carcinogenesis were evaluated. RESULTS: There was significant association of genetic polymorphisms between gastric cancer and control groups in p53 genes. After further stratification of the cancer group into different clinical-pathologic parameters, there were significant associations in the sex and LN involvement groups in MK gene; alcohol consumption group in p16 gene; age and cell differentiation groups in p21 gene; age and tumour location groups in p53 gene; but we fail to find any significant association with IL-4 gene polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic susceptibility testing is a tool to evaluate the association of genetic polymorphisms with gastric cancer carcinogenesis.     

Undergraduate Cancer Training Program for Underrepresented Students: Findings from a Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership

Students from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in graduate programs in biomedical disciplines. One goal of the Minority Institution/Cancer Center partnership between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) is to expand the number of underrepresented students who are trained in cancer research. As part of the collaboration, a summer internship program has been organized at the FHCRC. The program runs for 9 weeks and involves mentored research, research seminars, coffee breaks, social activities, and a final poster session. This study examined the graduate school attendance rates of past interns, explored interns’ perceptions of the training program, and identified ways to improve the program. Thirty undergraduate students enrolled at NMSU participated in the internship program from 2002 to 2007 and telephone interviews were conducted on 22 (73%) of them. One-third of the students were currently in graduate school (32%); the remaining were either working (36%), still in undergraduate school (27%), or unemployed and not in school (5%). Students rated highly the following aspects of the program: mentored research, informal time spent with mentors, and research seminars. Students also reported the following activities would further enhance the program: instruction on writing a personal statement for graduate school and tips in choosing an advisor. Students also desired instruction on taking the GRE/MCAT, receiving advice on selecting a graduate or professional school, and receiving advice on where to apply. These findings can inform the design of internship programs aimed at increasing rates of graduate school attendance among underrepresented students.     

Outpatient clinic in Saitama Cancer Center

The achievements of the Outpatient Clinic Center in Saitama Cancer Center from April 1999 to March 2000 were reanalyzed, and their characteristics are discussed. Outpatients used the Outpatient Clinic Center a total of 9,862 times. The treatments and procedures were 923 blood transfusions, 4,308 infusions without anticancer drugs, and 4,409 consultations from outpatients. In addition, a total of 4,036 chemotherapies were performed in this outpatient setting. Fifty-seven percent of the chemotherapies done by the Pulmonary Section contained the new agents of docetaxel, irinotecan, vinorelbine and gemcitabine (206, 187, 72 and 135 times, respectively). Irinotecan began to be used in outpatient settings after the use of the Oral Alkalization and Control of Defecation was initiated (Proc ASCO 18: 492a, 1999). These drugs were safely given to outpatients. No paclitaxel was used in our Outpatient Clinic Center because of the difficulty of its premedication in Japan, indicating the necessity of development of a new and simple premedication.