Detection of B cell lymphoma 2, tumor protein 53, and FAS gene transcripts in blood cells of patients with breast cancer

Anticancer Profile of Rhodanines: Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) and Molecular Targets-A Review

The rhodanine core is a well-known privileged heterocycle in medicinal chemistry. The rhodanines, as subtypes of thiazolidin-4-ones, show a broad spectrum of biological activity, including anticancer properties. This review aims to analyze the anticancer features of the rhodanines described over the last decade in the scientific literature. The structure–activity relationship of rhodanine derivatives, as well as some of the molecular targets, were discussed. The information contained in this review could be of benefit to the design of new, effective small molecules with anticancer potential among rhodanine derivatives or their related heterocycles.

Bcl-2 gene expression in human breast cancers in iran

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is among the five most common cancers and ranks first among cancers diagnosed in Iranian women. Screening and treatment of this disease with molecular methods, especially regarding high incidences at early age and advanced stage, is essential. Several genes with altered expression have been identified by cDNA microarray studies in breast cancer, with the Bcl-2 gene indicated as a likely candidate. In this study, we studied Bcl-2 gene expression levels in parallel tumor and non-tumor breast tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty samples including 21 tumor, 16 non tumor (marginal) and 3 benign breast tissues which were all pathologically diagnosed, were subjected to RNA extraction and polyA RT-PCR with the expression level of Bcl-2 quantified using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

There is higher expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene in tumor samples compared with marginal samples, but not attaining significance(p>0.05). Bcl-2 expression in 14 (66.7%) of the cases of tumor samples and 9 (56.3%) cases of the marginal samples were positive. Comparison of the expression of the Bcl-2 gene in histological grade showed that a high expression of Bcl-2 was associated with a high histological grade (p<0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggests that dysregulated Bcl-2 gene expression is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Using gene expression analysis may significantly improve our ability for screening cancer patients and will prove a powerful tool in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of the disease whilst aiding the cooperative group trials in the Bcl-2 based therapy project.