Comparisons of voided urine cytology, nuclear matrix protein-22 and bladder tumor associated antigen tests for bladder cancer of geriatric male patients in Taiwan, China

Aim： To compare the results of bladder tumor associated antigen （BTA TRAK）, nuclear matrix protein 22 （NMP 22） and voided urine cytology （VUC） in detecting bladder cancer. Methods： A total of 135 elderly male and 50 healthy volunteers enrolled in this study were classified into three groups： （i） 93 patients with bladder cancer; （ii） 42 patients with urinary benign conditions; and （iii） 50 healthy volunteers. BTA TRAK and NMP 22 kits were used to detect bladder cancer. Voided urine cytology was used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the screening tests. Results： The sensitivity and specificity of cytology, BTA TRAK and NMP 22 were 24% and 97%, 51% and 73%, 78% and 73%, respectively. The level of NMP 22 increased with tumor grading. The BTA TRAK kit has the lowest sensitivity among the screening tests. The NMP 22 with the best sensitivity can be an adjunct to cytology for evaluating bladder cancer. Conclusion： The NMP 22 test has a better correlation with the grading of the bladder cancer than BTA TRAK. As cytology units are typically not available in hospitals or in outpatient clinics, NMP 22 might be a promising tool for screening bladder cancer.

HCA520, A NOVEL TUMOR ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN, INVOLVED IN CELL PROLIFERATION AND APOPTOSIS

Objective: Tumor associated antigen encoding gene HCA520 (AF146019) was identified by screening a human hepatocellular carcinoma expressing cDNA library using SEREX technique. In this experiment we studied the effect of HCA520 on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods: Gene HCA520 was gained by PCR and transfected into 293 cells. The stable expression cells were obtained by G418 selection. The cell proliferation was measured by [3H]-TdR uptake and apoptosis assay was measured by FACS. Results: Eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3-HCA520 was constructed and its stable transfectants were obtained. Overexpression of HCA520 inhibited the cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis after serum deprivation. Conclusion: HCA520 is a novel tumor associated antigen that can affect cell proliferation and apoptosis.

A Novel Putative Tumor Associated Antigen

A is a tumor associated antigen. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) against 17 1A has been used in adjuvant therapy of colorectal carcinoma. Using mAb against 17 1A antigen on affinity chromatography, a novel putative tumor associated antigen (P50) whose relative molecular mass is 5 0×10 4 has been isolated from human colorectal tumor tissues which are recognized by mAbs 17 1A and M79, while the relative molecular mass of 17\|1A antigen isolated from several colorectal tumor cell lines is 3 3×10 4. P50 was recognized by mAbs 17 1A and M79 which are specific mAbs against 17 1A antigen.

Cancer stem cell-targeted chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)-T cell therapy: Challenges and prospects

Cancer stem cells(CSCs)with their self-renewal ability are accepted as cells which initiate tumors.CSCs are regarded as interesting targets for novel anticancer therapeutic agents because of their association with tumor recurrence and resistance to conventional therapies,including radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)-T cells are engineered T cells which express an artificial receptor specific for tumor associated antigens(TAAs)by which they accurately target and kill cancer cells.In recent years,CAR-T cell therapy has shown more efficiency in cancer treatment,particularly regarding blood cancers.The expression of specific markers such as TAAs on CSCs in varied cancer types makes them as potent tools for CAR-T cell therapy.Here we review the CSC markers that have been previously targeted with CAR-T cells,as well as the CSC markers that may be used as possible targets for CAR-T cell therapy in the future.Furthermore,we will detail the most important obstacles against CART cell therapy and suggest solutions.