Expression mechanism of human uterine endometrial cancer-specific fucosylated carbohydrate chains - aberrant alpha-1-]4-fucosyl-transferases in uterine endometrial cancer-derived cell-lines with type-I carbohydrate chain

Cells of uterine endometrial cancer cell line SNG-II were classified into two groups according to their reactivity with anti-uterine endometrial cancer monoclonal antibody (MSN-1), whose recognition antigen is mainly the Lewis(b) antigens; those that strongly reacted with MSN-1 (SNG-S group) and those that weakly reacted with it (SNG-W group). The SNG-S showed a higher activity of a 1-->4-fucosyltransferase activity than that of the SNG-W. The expression of Lewis(b) antigen was stronger in the SNG-S than that in the SNG-W. Therefore, the expression of uterine endometrial cancer-specific fucosylated carbohydrate could be mainly controlled by alpha-fucosyltransferase activities.

Expression of human beta 1,4-galactosyltransferase in gynecological cancer cell lines

We examined the expression of beta 1,4-GT gene products in 11 gynecological cancer cell lines. A 4.7 kb mRNA and protein (54,000 Da and 57,000 Da) were detected by Northern blot and Western blot. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that beta 1,4-GT was localized in the Golgi or ER of tumor cells. An intense beta 1,4-GT mRNA signal was detected in ovarian and cervical cancer cells, whereas the level of beta 1,4-GT mRNA was very low in uterine endometrial cancer cells. We also confirmed that expression of beta 1,4-GT mRNA corresponded to expression of beta 1,4-GT protein. These results suggest that expression of the beta 1,4-GT gene products is higher in human cervical and ovarian cancer cells than in uterine endometrial cancer cells.

Digital colposcopy for the diagnosis of cervical adenocarcinoma using a narrow band imaging system

INTRODUCTION

Although the colposcopic features of cervical glandular disease and cervical adenocarcinoma are not widely well known, unique microvascular patterns are reportedly useful for identifying such diseases. The narrow band imaging (NBI) system used in endoscopy can be used to obtain high-contrast vascular images. Therefore, we examined the utility of NBI colposcopy and compared the results with those of conventional colposcopy.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with adenocarcinoma in situ or early invasive adenocarcinomas were examined using digital NBI colposcopy, and the photo records were compared with those of conventional colposcopy. The histological examination and immunohistochemistry with anti-CD31 antibody confirmed the microvascular pattern.

RESULTS

Digital NBI colposcopy depicted the fine vascular texture on the surface of the cervix more clearly than conventional colposcopy. The vascular pattern was depicted in 86% (18/21) of glandular disease cases. The characteristic fine vascular patterns were critical for identifying cervical glandular diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital NBI colposcopy was useful for identifying early cervical adenocarcinoma as well as adenocarcinoma in situ. This system yields cervical glandular disease-related colposcopic findings that may be useful for both clinical and educational purposes.

Ancillary testing of liquid-based cytology specimens for identification of patients at high risk of cervical cancer

Integration of human papillomavirus DNAs into the host genome is crucial to the development of cervical cancer. Overexpression of the P16 protein has been reported in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) as well as cervical cancer. Such molecular biomarkers have been utilized for ancillary testing of liquid-based cytology specimens; however, their clinical application remains controversial. To detect CIN 2 or more advanced lesions, 153 liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimens were investigated to determine the physical status of the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by in situ hybridization (ISH) and to detect overexpression of the P16 protein by immunocytochemistry combined with HPV genotyping by polymerase chain reaction. The combination of ISH, P16 immunocytochemistry, and LBC showed high sensitivity (89.3%) as well as high specificity (92.6%). We confirmed the usefulness of P16 immunocytochemistry combined with ISH and HPV genotyping as ancillary molecular-biological tests of LBC specimens for identifying patients at high risk of cervical cancer.

Relationship of aberrant DNA hypermethylation of CHFR with sensitivity to taxanes in endometrial cancer

The relationship of aberrant DNA hypermethylation of cell cycle checkpoint genes with the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs is a question of current interest. In this study, we investigated the relationship between aberrant hypermethylation of the CHFR (checkpoint with forkhead-associated and ring finger) mitotic checkpoint gene and sensitivity to taxanes in endometrial cancer. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) indicated aberrant hypermethylation of CHFR in 12.0% (6/50) of endometrial cancer specimens, and suggested that aberrant hypermethylation is significantly more frequent in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (G3) (p<0.05). Of six culture cell lines, SNG-II and HEC108 cells showed aberrant hypermethylation and reduced expression of CHFR. These cells had high sensitivity to taxanes but became resistant after demethylation. Cancer specimens with aberrant hypermethylation of CHFR also exhibited high sensitivity to taxanes. To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine aberrant hypermethylation of CHFR in endometrial cancer, and our results suggest that the methylation status of CHFR may be a new molecular index that will allow design of personalized treatment in endometrial cancer. This may be particularly important in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (G3), which is known to have a poor prognosis.

Use of the Collagen Gel Droplet Embedded Drug Sensitivity Test to Determine Drug Sensitivity against Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma with Malignant Transformation to Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

The collagen gel droplet embedded drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) is a new anticancer drug sensitivity test that only requires a small number of cells. We report the use of this test in the choice of adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of a rare case of ovarian cancer involving malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma.

CASE REPORT

The patient was a 70-year-old female with an ovarian tumor, pleural effusion, carcinomatous ascites and a chest wall tumor. The histopathological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, mature cystic teratoma with malignant transformation, stage IV. Paclitaxel/carboplatin therapy was selected as adjuvant chemotherapy based on CD-DST results. Upon completion of 6 courses, no increases in carcinomatous ascites or recurrent lesions were evident, and the chest wall tumor had disappeared completely.

CONCLUSION

The CD-DST may be particularly useful for selecting preoperative chemotherapeutic drugs for patients with ovarian cancer in which the histological type of the primary tumor is unknown.

Relationship of the aberrant DNA hypermethylation of cancer-related genes with carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer

Epigenetic abnormalities including the aberrant DNA hypermethylation of the promoter CpG islands play a key role in the mechanism of gene inactivation in cell carcinogenesis. To identify the genes associated with aberrant DNA hypermethylation in endometrial carcinogenesis, we studied the hypermethylation of the promoter regions of five genes: hMLH1, APC, E-cadherin, RAR-beta and p16. The frequencies of aberrant hypermethylation were 40.4% (21/52) in hMLH1, 22% (11/50) in APC, 14% (7/50) in E-cadherin, and 2.3% (1/44) in RAR-beta in endometrial cancer specimens. No aberrant DNA methylation was found in p16. In atypical endometrial hyperplasia, the frequencies of aberrant methylation were 14.3% (2/14) in hMLH1 and 7.3% (1/14) in APC, whereas normal endometrial cells showed no aberrant hypermethylation of any of the five genes. The high frequencies of the aberrant DNA hypermethylation of hMLH1, APC and E-cadherin suggest that the methylation of the DNA mismatch repair and Wnt signal-related genes may be associated with endometrial carcinogenesis.

Intratumor injection of small interfering RNA-targeting human papillomavirus 18 E6 and E7 successfully inhibits the growth of cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 is related not only to squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, but also to adenocarcinoma and small cell carcinoma of the cervix, in which prognosis is known to be poor. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) that targets HPV18 E6 and E7 was tested in HPV18-positive cell lines to investigate its effect and investigate its mechanism of action. Nude mice were also tested in a combination of siRNA and atelocollagen to determine whether it might be useful as a new molecule-targeting therapy for cervical cancer. siRNAs targeting HPV18 E6 and E7 were transfected into cervical cancer cells in vitro and they were investigated for cell growth inhibition, expression of E6 and E7 mRNA, expression of retinoblastoma protein, and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining. Sequence-specific siRNA inhibited cell growth. Decreased expression of E6 and E7 mRNA followed with E7 protein was observed in the transfected cells, but the expression of retinoblastoma protein and the beta-galactosidase staining increased, suggesting cell growth inhibitory effect through senescence. Treatment of xenografts established from SKG-II cells with siRNA specific for E6 and E7 obviously suppressed tumor growth in vivo. These results indicate that atelocollagen-mediated delivery of siRNA HPV18 E6 and E7 can be used as a novel therapeutic approach for cervical cancer.

Overexpression of p16 INK4a as an indicator for human papillomavirus oncogenic activity in cervical squamous neoplasia

Overexpression of p16(INK4a) has been observed when retinoblastoma protein is inactivated by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoprotein E7. We investigated overexpression of p16(INK4a) and HPV infection in cervical squamous neoplasia to evaluate the oncogenic potential among various HPV subtypes. The high-risk HPV was detected by PCR in 69.8% (37/53), 97.5% (39/40), 91.7% (44/48), and 100% (16/16) of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)1, CIN2, CIN3, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), respectively. The p16(INK4a) overexpression was investigated immunohistochemically using a p16(INK4a)-specific monoclonal antibody (clone E6H4). In high-risk HPV positive cases, 32.4% (12/37) of CIN1, 82.1% (32/39) of CIN2, 93.2% (41/44) of CIN3, and all (16/16) SCC showed p16(INK4a) overexpression. The incidence of p16(INK4a) overexpression was significantly different between CIN1 and CIN2, suggesting that the disorder of cell cycle regulation by HPV frequently occurred from CIN2. As for CIN1 cases, p16(INK4a) overexpression was observed more frequently in HPV16 and HPV52 than in HPV51 and HPV35. Using p16(INK4a) as a bio marker of HPV oncogenic activity, we demonstrate that the level of pRb dysfunction by high-risk HPV varied from subtypes and was getting more frequent from CIN2.

8-1A, a human monoclonal antibody that reacts with intact human chorionic gonadotropin

The incidence of choriocarcinoma has decreased over time and therapeutic results have improved about 90% complete remission in patients without extensive metastasis. However, some choriocarcinomas metastasize to other organs and show resistance to chemotherapy, having a poor prognosis despite multidisciplinary treatment. Better methods of early diagnosis for recurrence or micrometastasis, and treatment against cases with intractable gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) are needed to improve the prognosis. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone composed of two dissimilar subunits and a tumor marker to make a diagnosis and monitor therapeutic effect in GTN. Even when hCG levels in the serum become too low to measure with the hCG beta-CTP system which is the most sensitive assay, there are estimated to be approximately 10,000 trophoblastic cells in the body. Residual trophoblast cells may cause symptoms such as bleeding or undergo malignant transformation to choriocarcinoma. Since most monoclonal antibodies developed so far are murine, administration creates human anti-mouse antibodies, resulting in clinical failure. More recent mouse/human chimeric antibodies or humanized antibodies still possess substantial immunogenicity that makes repeated administration difficult. In the present study, KM mice that can produce completely human monoclonal antibodies were used to prepare hCG-specific human monoclonal antibody. This yielded 8-1A, a human monoclonal antibody capable of reacting with intact hCG. In the future, new diagnostic techniques and treatments for chorionic diseases may be developed using this kind of human monoclonal antibody.

Successful analysis of anticancer drug sensitivity by CD-DST using pleural fluid and ascites from patients with advanced ovarian cancer: case reports

In vitro anticancer drug sensitivity tests have been performed for various types of cancers, and a relationship with clinical response has been observed. The collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) is a new in vitro anticancer drug sensitivity test by Yabushita et al., recently reported to be useful in ovarian cancer. CD-DST allows analysis of a small number of cells, compared to other anticancer drug sensitivity tests. Here, we report a successful analysis of anticancer drug sensitivity by CD-DST using cancerous ascites and pleural fluid samples from 2 patients with advanced ovarian cancer. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of the application of CD-DST in ovarian cancer, and our results suggest that CD-DST could be helpful in the selection of anticancer drugs for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer.

Comparison between in situ hybridization and real-time PCR technique as a means of detecting the integrated form of human papillomavirus 16 in cervical neoplasia

Integration of the human papillomavirus (HPV) genome is thought to be one of the causes of cancer progression. However, there is controversy concerning the physical status of HPV 16 in premalignant cervical lesions, and there have been no reports on the concordance between detection of the integrated form of HPV16 by real-time PCR and by in situ hybridization. We investigated specimens of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive carcinomas for the physical status of HPV 16 by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. The presence of the integrated form was detected by both real-time PCR and in situ hybridization in zero of four cases of CIN1, three of six cases of CIN2, nine of 27 cases of CIN3, and two of six cases of invasive carcinomas. Integrated HPV 16 was present in some premalignant lesions but was not always present in carcinomas. The concordance rate between the two methods for the detection of the presence of the integrated form was 37 of 43 (86%) cases. Real-time PCR and in situ hybridization were found to be complementary and convenient techniques for determining the physical status of the HPV genome. We conclude that a combination of both methods is a more reliable means of assessing the physical status of the HPV genome in cervical neoplasia.

Is laser conization adequate for therapeutic excision of adenocarcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix?

AIMS

To determine the safety of uterine-preserving operations for adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix.

METHODS

Fifteen cases of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) were diagnosed using neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser conization. The accuracy of preconization histology or cytology was evaluated in 15 AIS cases. In these AIS cases, we investigated how far the tumor was located from the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) and the endocervix. Fourteen cases of the 15 AIS-affected patients were treated using laser conization alone. These patients were closely followed up.

RESULTS

Precise agreement between preconization diagnosis and conization histology was seen in 46.7% (7/15) of the AIS cases. In 14 of the 15 cases of AIS (93.3%), the tumor was adjacent to the transitional zone, within 3 mm of the SCJ, and in the other case (6.7%), the tumor was between 0 and 5 mm away from the SCJ. In all subjects, cone height was 8-18 mm (mean 13.1 mm). None of the 15 patients showed any recurrence of AIS during follow up ranging from 15 to 75 months (43.1 months on average).

CONCLUSIONS

Women with AIS who want to preserve their fecundity might be treated with laser conization alone.

Alterations in the glycolipid composition and cellular properties of ovarian carcinoma-derived RMG-1 cells on transfection of the alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase gene

Transfection of the mouse Fut1 and Fut2, and human FUT1 genes into human ovarian carcinoma-derived RMG-1 cells resulted in 20-30-fold increases in cellular alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase activity, and in alteration of the glycolipid composition, including not only fucosylated products, but also precursor glycolipids. Although globo-series glycolipids were not significantly affected by the transfection, the major glycolipids belonging to the lacto-series type 1 chain family in RMG-1 cells and the transfectants were the Lc4Cer, Lewis a (Le)a and Leb, and H-1 glycolipids, respectively, suggesting that fucosylation of Lc4Cer to the H-1 glycolipid prevents the further modification of Lc4Cer to Lea and Leb in the transfectants. Also, the lacto-series type 2 chains in RMG-1 cells were LeX, NeuAc-nLc4Cer and NeuAc-LeX, and those in the transfectants were LeX and LeY, indicating that the sialylation of nLc4Cer and LeX is restricted by increased fucosylation of LeX. As a result, the amount of sialic acid released by sialidase from the transfectants decreased to 70% of that from RMG-1 cells, and several membrane-mediated phenomena, such as the cell-to-cell interaction between cancer cells and mesothelial cells, and the cell viability in the presence of an anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil, for the transfectants was found to be increased in comparison to that for RMG-1 cells. These findings indicate that cell surface carbohydrates are involved in the biological properties, including cell-to-cell adhesion and drug resistance, of cancer cells.

HMMC-1

PURPOSE

The purpose of this research was to generate a human monoclonal antibody specific to gynecological cancers and to evaluate such an antibody as therapy for gynecological cancers.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Transchromosomal KM mice were immunized with the human uterine endometrial cancer cell line SNG-S. Hybridomas were constructed between spleen cells from KM mice and mouse myeloma cells. Reactivity of the antibody was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of pathological specimens of gynecological cancers. Cytotoxicity of HMMC-1 against SNG-S cells was tested by in vitro cytotoxicity assays. The epitope of HMMC-1 was determined by transfection with a panel of glycosyltransferase cDNAs and by inhibition assays with chemically synthesized oligosaccharides.

RESULTS

HMMC-1 is a human IgM monoclonal antibody that reacts positively with mullerian duct-related carcinomas with positive rates of 54.6% against uterine endometrial adenocarcinoma, 76.9% against uterine cervical adenocarcinoma, and 75.0% against epithelial ovarian cancer. HMMC-1 does not react with normal endometrium at proliferative or secretory phases, normal uterine cervix, or normal and malignant tissue from other organs, whereas it reacts weakly with the epithelium of the gall bladder and the collecting duct of the kidney. HMMC-1 exhibits antigen-dependent and complement-mediated cytotoxicity. Upon cotransfection with cDNAs encoding two glycosyltransferases required for fucosylated extended core 1 O-glycan, mammalian cells express HMMC-1 antigen. Finally, binding of HMMC-1 to SNG-S cells is inhibited by synthetic Fucalpha1-->2Galbeta1-->4GlcNAcbeta1-->3Galbeta1-->3GalNAcalpha1-octyl.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that HMMC-1 specifically recognizes a novel O-glycan structure. The unique specificity and cytotoxicity of HMMC-1 strongly suggest a therapeutic potential of this antibody.

Alteration in the metastatic potential of ovarian cancer cells by transfection of the antisense gene of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase

beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4-GT) has been reported to be activated in ovarian carcinoma cells and an isoform of this enzyme has been used as a tumor marker for ovarian cancer. The present study was undertaken to clarify how beta-1,4-GT affected the cell biological characteristics of ovarian cancer. To this end, we transfected an ovarian tumor cell line with an antisense gene of beta-1,4-GT. Proliferative potential and morphology of the cells transfected with the antisense gene did not differ from those of the control cells. Adhesive potential to the constituents of extracellular matrix was reduced in the antisense gene transfectants. In a nude mouse, the number of peritoneal dissemination foci of the antisense transfectants was smaller than that of the control cells. These results indicated that beta-1,4-GT is closely related to the invasive and metastatic potentials of ovarian cancer while it is not involved in the proliferative potential.

Peptides inhibitory for the transcriptional regulatory function of human papillomavirus E2

PURPOSE

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are associated with cervical neoplasia. Cellular and viral proteins are known to interact with the papillomavirus E2 protein to initiate transcription and DNA replication in the HPV life cycle. Our aim was to identify peptides that bind to the HPV16 E2 protein and thereby inhibit its ability to alter the transcriptional activity of other genes.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The HPV16 E2 protein was expressed and purified to near homogeneity in bacteria. We screened a phage display library of random peptides for ones that bound to HPV16 E2 protein. Among the isolated phage clones, we found that tryptophan-rich peptide sequences appeared repetitively in successive cycles of phage library panning. Replacement of the tryptophan amino acids in these dodecapeptides reduced the degree to which these peptides bound to the E2 protein. These E2-binding peptides were tested for their ability to inhibit the transcriptional regulatory function of E2 in a test cell line, which contained an E2 gene and a luciferase reporter gene driven by an E2-dependent transcriptional promoter.

RESULTS

Delivery of four of the E2 binding peptides into the intracellular compartment of the test cell line resulted in suppression of the E2-dependent luciferase expression. Deletion of the tryptophan residues from these peptides reduced their E2 binding and their ability to suppress E2-dependent luciferase expression in the test cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a strategy for the development of chemical inhibitors of E2-dependent transcription of viral genes in HPV-infected cells as an approach to the therapy of chronic HPV infections.

P16 overexpression and human papillomavirus infection in small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Carcinogenesis of cervical cancer has been investigated, and p16(INK4a) overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix has been reported as a result of infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) (eg, HPV 16), and the consequence of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein inactivation by HPV E7 protein. However, to our knowledge, there have been no studies on the relation between p16(INK4a) overexpression associated with HPV and small cell carcinoma of the cervix, which behaves more aggressively clinically than squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether p16(INK4a) is overexpressed in small cell carcinoma, and if p16(INK4a) is overexpressed, the types of HPV that are related to this cancer. We reviewed 10 cases of small cell carcinoma and examined them for p16(INK4a) overexpression by immunohistochemistry. We also performed HPV typing with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing analysis and in situ hybridization and found that p16(INK4a) was overexpressed in every case. PCR-sequencing analyses revealed that all cases were HPV-positive and that 9 cases were positive for HPV 18. Five of the 9 cases positive for HPV 18 were also positive by in situ hybridization and yielded a punctate signal, considered to represent the integrated form. In conclusion, p16(INK4a) was overexpressed and HPV 18 was frequently detected in an integrated form in small cell carcinoma. Therefore, inactivation of Rb protein by HPV 18 E7 protein may be associated with carcinogenesis of small cell carcinoma the same as inactivation of Rb protein by HPV 16 E7 protein is associated with carcinogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma.

Correlation of p16INK4A Overexpression with Human Papillomavirus Infection in Cervical Adenocarcinomas

SUMMARY

As human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and overexpression of p16INK4a occurs when retinoblastoma protein is inactivated by high-risk HPV, the authors studied the association of HPV infection and expression of p16INK4a in cervical adenocarcinomas. Specimens of cervical glandular neoplasias were immunostained with a p16INK4a-specific monoclonal antibody (clone E6H4). Approximately 80% of glandular neoplasms showed overexpression of p16INK4a. Exfoliated cells from 14 adenocarcinomas were further examined by p16INK4a-specific immunocytochemistry, and 12 cases showed overexpression of p16INK4a, suggesting that immunostaining for p16INK4a may be a useful diagnostic tool for cervical adenocarcinomas. The authors further examined HPV DNA in cervical adenocarcinomas with the polymerase chain reaction method. Overexpression of p16INK4a was positive in 94% of cases in which HPV16 or 18DNA was positive, a finding suggesting that HPV16 or 18 may play an important role in cervical adenocarcinomas. Overexpression of p16INK4a may be an indicator of pathogenic activity of high-risk HPVs.

Estrogen sulfotransferase and sulfatase: Roles in the regulation of estrogen activity in human uterine endometrial carcinomas

The regulation of estrogen activity through the formation and cleavage of sulfoconjugates of estrogens is known to be related to the progression and metastasis of estrogen-dependent breast carcinomas, but the involvement of sulfoconjugates in the steroid stimulation of endometrial functions and the progression of endometrial adenocarcinomas is not clearly understood yet. Estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) in the uterine endometria during the follicular phase was more active than during the luteal phase, but estrogen sulfate (ES) sulfatase exhibited lower activity during the follicular phase than during the luteal phase. However, ES sulfatase activities in cancerous tissues were lower than those in normal endometria and endometrial adenocarcinoma-derived cells, among which the activity was exceedingly high in Ishikawa cells, suggesting that ES sulfatase in Ishikawa cells contributes to the estrogen-dependent growth of these cells. EST activities higher than that in Ishikawa cells were found in only 3 of 24 cancerous tissues. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the EST and ES sulfatase genes in carcinoma-derived cells demonstrated the extensive expression of both genes in Ishikawa cells. The isolated EST gene was transfected into Ishikawa cells with a mammalian expression vector to establish cell clones with enhanced EST activity, and the estrogen-dependent cell growth of the resultant cell clones was found to be abolished, due to the enhanced sulfoconjugation of estrogen. Since ES sulfatase activity in cancerous tissues was significantly lower than that in Ishikawa cells, it might be not involved in the enhancement of estrogen activity associated with the pathogenesis of endometrial adenocarcinoma tissues.

Papanicolaou tests and molecular analyses using new fluid-based specimen collection technology in 3000 Japanese women

A fluid-based Papanicolaou test has been established to improve sample collection and preparation. This study was the first large-scale investigation in Japan to examine the feasibility of using fluid-based Papanicolaou specimens to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) using Hybrid Capture II and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three thousand patients who visited Keio University Hospital between October 2000 and February 2001 were enrolled in the study. The results of the fluid-based Papanicolaou tests corresponded well with those of conventional Papanicolaou smears (96.8% concordance). The sensitivities of cervical neoplasia detection using the fluid-based Papanicolaou test (73.9%) and Hybrid Capture II (76.3%, P=0.55) were not significantly different. Among the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 and squamous cell carcinoma specimens, HPV 16 and HPV 52 were predominantly detected using the PCR method. Although some DNA samples extracted from the fluid-based specimens were degradaded, PCR and direct sequencing could be performed without difficulty even after 1 year of specimen storage. We conclude that fluid-based Papanicolaou specimens can be applied to investigate HPV infection.

Involvement of H type 1 carbohydrate antigen in cell adhesion to vascular endothelial cells of human endometrial cancer

A number of previously published studies have suggested that blood-group-related carbohydrate antigens, expressed on cancer cell membranes, may be related to the cytobiological characteristics (invasiveness, metastasizing potential, etc.) of cancer. In our previous study, we divided SNG-II, a human endometrial cancer cell line, into SNG-S and SNG-W and compared their properties. In that study, we found that H type 1 carbohydrate antigen, which is scarcely expressed on SNG-S but strongly expressed on SNG-W, may play a significant role in the adhesion of SNG-W to vascular endothelial cells. In the present study, we clarified in some detail, the relationship between H type 1 carbohydrate antigen and endothelial cell adhesion, and also compared the propensity for hematogenous metastasis of these two cell lines in vivo. The following results were obtained: 1. The adhesion of SNG-W to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (1), was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the addition of one H type 1 monoclonal antibody. 2. In the flow cytometric analysis using single carbohydrate-conjugated fluorescent beads, it was shown that H type 1 carbohydrate-attached beads adhered to HUVECs. On the other hand, beads conjugated with Lewis, Lewis, or H type 2 carbohydrate antigen did not adhere to HUVECs. 3. In an in vivo study using a nude mouse model of lung metastasis, SNG-W was found to show a significantly greater propensity for blood-borne metastasis than SNG-S. These results suggest that the H1 carbohydrate antigen expressed on the cancer cell membrane serves as an adhesion factor for vascular endothelial cells, and that endometrial cancer expressing high levels of this antigen has a high propensity for blood-borne metastasis, suggesting that the expression of this antigen on the cancer cells may serve as an indicator of poor prognosis.

Expression of glycolipids bearing Lewis phenotypes in tissues and cultured cells of human gynecological cancers

Transformation-associated expression of Le(b) (Lewis antigen-b) or Le(Y) in human colorectal carcinomas has been well described. To examine the expression of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) bearing Lewis-phenotypes in human gynecological carcinoma-derived cells, we determined the concentrations of all GSLs. Although neither Le(b) nor Le(Y) was present in HEC-108 cells established from the poorly differentiated type of endometrial adenocarcinoma, other cell lines from moderately or well-differentiated types expressed either Le(b) or Le(Y), or both, at concentrations of 0.01 to 0.03 microg per mg of dry cells, which comprised 0.3 to 1.3% of the total GSLs. In the cervical and ovarian carcinoma-derived cell lines, Lewis phenotypes tended to be carried by nLc(4)Cer, which was accumulated in the cells without sialylation or fucosylation. These results indicated that expression of Le(b)- or Le(Y)-phenotypes was strongly dependent on the metabolic ability to supply the precursor GSLs. Both Le(b) and Le(Y) were successfully detected by monoclonal antibody MSN-1, which was a useful probe for the simultaneous detection of Le(b) and Le(Y). On application of MSN-1, either Le(b) or Le(Y) was detected in tissues from patients with well- and moderately differentiated types of endometrial adenocarcinoma at concentrations of 0.01 to 0.04 microg per mg of dry tissues, but not in the tissues of poorly differentiated type. Normal endometria at the follicular and luteal phases also contained the antigens, but the concentrations and the frequency of antigen expression were lower than those in the well- and moderately differentiated types of endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Frequent detection of human papilloma viruses in cervical dysplasia by PCR single-strand DNA-conformational polymorphism analysis

BACKGROUND

To clarify the pathogenicity of multiple human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, we applied SSCP (single-strand DNA conformation polymorphism) analysis for cervical neoplastic lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and sixty-six cervical swab specimens from normal cervix (n=64), cervical dysplasia (n=95), carcinoma in situ (n=79) and cervical cancer (n=28), were studied by nested PCR-SSCP analysis using L1 consensus primers.

RESULTS

In 95 samples of cervical dysplasia, HPV infection was detected in 98.9% (94 out of 95), multiple HPV infection was detected in 38.3% (36 out of 94). In 19 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 9 adenocarcinomas, the detection rate of HPV infection was 84.2% (16 out of 19) and 55.6% (5 out of 9), respectively, and all HPV-positive cases showed infection of a single HPV, among which HPV 16 occupied 68.6% (11 out of 16) in SCC and HPV 18 occupied 100% (5 out of 5) in adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Multiple HPV infections may be concerned with pathogenicity in cervical dysplasia; however, the single infection with only a few HPV types, such as type 16 in SCC and type 18 in adenocarcinoma, may play a role in cervical carcinogenesis.

Expression of an isoform of the testis-specific estrogen sulfotransferase in the murine placenta during the late gestational period

Cytosolic sulfotransferases play essential roles in regulating the activities and transfer of steroids. To evaluate their biological significance in the murine uterus and placenta during the course of gestation, we determined their activities with several steroids as substrates. Activated estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) was found in the placenta and uterus during the late gestational period. Reverse-transcribed cDNA of murine placental EST (mpEST) was isolated from mouse placenta at 18 days of gestation and its expression in the tissue coincided with a change in its enzyme activity. The open-reading frame of mpEST encodes a protein composed of 296 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 35.5 kDa and was revealed to be an isoform of the murine testis-specific EST gene (99.7%). Also, the amino acid sequence of mpEST showed 49.6 and 77.9% homology with human placental and endometrial EST, respectively, showing that it corresponds to human endometrial EST. COS-7 cells transfected with mpEST exhibited sulfotransferase activity with the phenolic hydroxy groups of steroids and artificial substrates. The best acceptor substrate was estrogen.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue therapy for peritoneal inclusion cysts after gynecological surgery

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this report is to estimate the effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (Gn-RHa) therapy for peritoneal inclusion cysts.

METHODS

Patients who had cystic masses that developed after gynecological surgery and were strongly suspected of being peritoneal inclusion cysts based on the results of ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and tumor marker studies, were treated with a Gn-RHa (buserelin acetate or leuprorelin acetate). Buserelin acetate was administered at a dose of 900 microg/day, and leuprorelin acetate at a dose of 3.75 mg/month. Ultrasonography was performed in the outpatient clinic every 2 weeks after the start of administration to measure the diameter of cysts.

RESULTS

We treated 8 patients with peritoneal inclusion cysts conservatively with a Gn-RHa. The cysts resolved in 7 of the patients. Two of them developed a recurrence, but further Gn-RHa therapy was followed by complete resolution of the cysts in one patient and we resume Gn-RHa therapy to the other patient. The peritoneal inclusion cysts failed to shrink in only one patient.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that Gn-RHa therapy is effective in some cases of peritoneal inclusion cysts.

Selective cytotoxicity of adriamycin immunoconjugate of monoclonal antibody MSN-1 to endometrial adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Missile therapy, which destroys cancer cells specifically, has been regarded as an effective treatment modality for carcinoma. The monoclonal antibody MSN-1 (IgM), which reacts strongly with endometrial adenocarcinomas, was combined with adriamycin (ADM) by a disulfide bond using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) and 2-iminothiolane. Its selective cytotoxicity against SNG-II was examined in a colony formation in vitro, and on athymic mice in vivo. The results of our study suggest that the <inhibitory concentration> or IC50, of the MSN-1-ADM immunoconjugate against SNG-II to be 57 times that of ADM alone in vitro. The reductions in resected weights of target tumor cells, at the local site of the MSN-1-ADM immunoconjugate treatment, were 25% with caudal vein administration, and 38% with local administration, as compared with the untreated group, in vivo. There was no weight loss in treated mice. Our results suggest that this MSN-1-ADM immunoconjugate has potential clinical application in the treatment of endometrial adenocarcinomas.

Changes of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase with the development of endometrial cancer

To elucidate the mechanism of the type 2 carbohydrate chain accompanying the development of endometrial cancer, we studied the expression of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4GT) in normal endometrial and endometrial cancer tissues. An immunohistochemical study revealed that beta-1,4GT was diffusely positive in the cytoplasm of endometrial cancer cells, and that the level of its expression was increased compared with that in normal endometrium. Also, beta-1,4GT mRNA corresponding to 4.7 kb was very low in normal endometrium, while an intense signal was detected in endometrial cancer. Our results suggest that the increase of beta-1,4GT contributes to the expression of the type 2 carbohydrate chain in endometrial cancer.

Inhibition of attachment and chemotactic invasion of uterine endometrial cancer cells by a new vinca alkaloid, conophylline

The effect of conophylline, a new vinca alkaloid that inhibits ras expression, on tumour cell adhesion and infiltration was evaluated using a human endometrial cancer cell line. When SNG-II, a highly differentiated human endometrial cancer cell line, was exposed to conophylline, the cells developed filamentous processes at concentrations which did not affect cell proliferation (0.03-0.3 microgram/ml). After exposure to conophylline (0.3 microgram/ml), cells adherent to matrigel- and type IV collagen-coated wells respectively decreased to 26.9% and 33.3% of the number in the untreated control culture (p < 0.01). In an in vitro invasion assay using a Boyden chamber, infiltration of cells exposed to conophylline decreased to 19.4% (0.3 microgram/ml) (p < 0.01) of the control. In a wound assay, conophylline inhibited the movement of cells at 24 hr after wounding. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that expression of integrin beta 1 was not altered by conophylline, but E-cadherin and CD44 were decreased. The expression of E-cadherin and CD44 could be changed by conophlline.

Selection of human ovarian carcinoma cells with high dissemination potential by repeated passage of the cells in vivo into nude mice, and involvement of Le(x)-determinant in the dissemination potential

Cells of the human tumor cell line RMG-1, derived from a clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the ovary, were injected intraperitoneally into nude mice, and the cells obtained from the tumor nodules in the mesenterium were found to form a larger number of, and larger-sized, tumor nodules than the original RMG-1 cells. The RMG-1-h cells, transferred into culture from the tumor nodules after a 4th in vivo passage, showed a dissemination potential as high as that of cells disseminating directly from the tissues, and exceedingly higher than that of RMG-1 cells. To assess the molecular bases of the different biological properties of RMG-1 and RMG-1-h cells, we compared the content and expression of various carbohydrate antigens in both cells. The chromosomal profile of RMG-1-h cells revealed their human origin and was identical to that of the original RMG-1 cells. In contrast to the broad histogram for the Le(x)-bearing cells among RMG-1 cells in flow cytometry, the weakly and moderately positive cells toward anti-Le(x) antibody were found to be eliminated from the histogram for the RMG-1-h cells, resulting in the enrichment of cells strongly expressing Le(x), which may account for the high dissemination potential. In addition, the adhesion of RMG-1 cells to mesothelial cells was found to be significantly inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with anti-Le(x) antibody, indicating Le(x)-mediated cell-to-cell interaction between ovarian cancer cells and mesothelial cells. By TLC-immunostaining, two Le(x)-glycolipids, III3Fuc alpha-nLc4Cer and V3Fuc alpha-nLc6Cer were detected in both RMG-1 and RMG-1-h cells, and their total concentrations were not significantly different from each other. However, the hydrophobic moieties of Le(x)-glycolipids in RMG-1-h cells were different from those in RMG-1 cells, suggesting that a difference in the structure of the hydrophobic moieties of Le(x) is partly involved in the enhanced reactivity of RMG-1-h cells toward anti-Le(x) antibody. Thus, the high dissemination potential of ovarian cancer cells was shown to be mediated by the Le(x)-determinant and the Le(x)-bearing cells are enriched by repeated in vivo passage of the cells into nude mice.

Effect of gelonin immunoconjugate with monoclonal antibody MSN-1 to endometrial adenocarcinoma on antigen-producing tumor cells in vivo

Missile therapy, which destroys cancer cells specifically, has been advocated as an effective modality for the treatment of carcinoma. We have developed an immunoconjugate consisting of the monoclonal antibody MSN-1 (IgM), which reacts strongly with endometrial adenocarcinomas, combined with a plant hemitoxin named gelonin via a disulfide bond using N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate and 2-iminothiolane, and examined its selective cytotoxicity in athymic mice. The reductions in resected weights of target tumor cells, at the local site of MSN-1-gelonin immunoconjugate treatment, were 96% with local administration and 75% with caudal vein administration, as compared with the untreated group. There was no weight loss in treated mice. Our results suggest that this MSN-1-gelonin immunoconjugate has potential clinical applications in the treatment of endometrial adenocarcinomas.

Alteration of acidic lipids in human sera during the course of pregnancy: characteristic increase in the concentration of cholesterol sulfate

In this study, we determined the concentrations of acidic lipids, including cholesterol sulfate (CS), sulfatide and GM3 ganglioside, in human sera of non-pregnant state and during the course of pregnancy. In human sera of non-pregnant women, GM3 was present at a concentration of 8 nmol/ml and the concentrations of CS and sulfatides were less than 20% of that of GM3. The concentration of sulfatides in sera at the second trimester of gestation was decreased, but CS gradually increased from the first to the third trimester of gestation with a correlation coefficient of 0.66, and a correlation between the concentration of CS and weeks of gestation (p<0.01). CS was also contained in the placental villi, and its concentration increased from the first to the third trimester of gestation, suggesting that placental CS is one of the source of CS in the blood by shedding.

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (MSN-3) for uterine endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinoma

A monoclonal antibody (MSN-3) was raised using HEC-108 cells derived from poorly differentiated endometrial carcinoma as the immunogen. The immunoglobulin subclass of MSN-3 was IgGr1. The target antigen of MSN-3 was a protein with a molecular weight of 77 kDa, and it was shown to be localized in the cytoplasm. MSN-3 only reacted with 14% of normal proliferative endometrium cells, but it showed a high positivity rate of 66% for endometrial carcinoma. The target antigen of MSN-3 increased as endometrial cells became more malignant, and the possibility of changes in localization was also suggested. Moderately and poorly differentiated endometrial carcinoma showed a high positivity rate for MSN-3. MSN-3 reacted rarely or not at all with normal cervical glandular tissue, but the positivity rate for cervical adenocarcinoma (especially endocervical adenocarcinoma) was a high rate of 59%. The patterns of staining of endocervical adenocarcinoma by MSN-3 included diffuse staining of the whole cytoplasm and not only that near the glandular lumen, as well as staining of the basal cytoplasm. Changes in the localization of the target antigen were clearly associated with carcinogenesis of the cervical glandular cells. The MSN-3-positive rate was high in patients with lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion. Among the staining patterns, the basal and diffuse patterns tended to increase with malignacy. The basal pattern of staining was characteristic of MSN-3, suggesting that it might assist in the diagnosis of cervical adenocarcinoma.

High expression of uridine diphosphate-galactose: Lc3Cer beta 1-3 galactosyltransferase in human uterine endometrial cancer-derived cells as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and thin-layer chromatography-immunostaining

We have developed a new procedure for the selective determination of beta 1-3 and beta 1-4 galactosyltransferases with Lc3Cer as the substrate and the microsomes of fetal and adult porcine livers as the enzyme sources. This method was based on the detection of such products as Lc4Cer for beta 1-3 galactosyltransferase (beta 1-3GT) and nLc4Cer for beta 1-4 galactosyltransferase (beta 1-4GT), with monoclonal anti-Lc4Cer and anti-nLc4Cer antibodies, respectively. This method thus enabled us to differentiate the activity of beta 1-3GT from that of beta 1-4GT with a high degree of sensitivity. The method was then used to determine the activities of both enzymes in human gynecological carcinoma-derived cells. Four of the five cell lines derived from uterine endometrial cancer expressed significantly high levels of specific activity of beta 1-3GT among the cell lines examined, while their beta 1-4GT activities were less than 20% of that for beta 1-3GT in the endometrial carcinoma-derived cells. On the other hand, a higher specific activity of beta 1-4GT than that of beta 1-3GT was detected in the cell lines derived from uterine cervical and ovarian cancers. These findings were thus found to correlate closely with the rate of expression of Lc4Cer- and nLc4Cer-based carbohydrate chains in the cell lines based on the results of immunohistochemical staining.

Effects of gelonin immunoconjugate of monoclonal antibody MSN-1 to endometrial adenocarcinoma on antigen-producing tumor cells in vitro

Missile therapy, which destroys cancer cells specifically, has been considered to be an effective modality for treatment of carcinoma. We have developed a monoclonal antibody MSN-1 (immunoglobulin class: IgM), of which the immunogen is the endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line SNG-II, which strongly reacts with endometrial adenocarcinomas. We describe an immunoconjugate consisting of the MSN-1 and a plant hemitoxin named gelonin which has revealed to assume selective cytotoxicity against the SNG-II in a colony formation assay in vitro. The results of our study suggest that the 'inhibitory concentration' or IC50, of the MSN-1-gelonin immunoconjugate against the SNG-II was 188 fold that of gelonin alone. These results indicated that the MSN-1-gelonin immunoconjugate exhibited highly selective cytotoxicity to endometrial adenocarcinoma, which expressed an epitope against the MSN-1, and it is suggested that the MSN-1-gelonin immunoconjugate has possibility of clinical application to treatment of endometrial adenocarcinomas.

Flow cytometric analysis of cell surface antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody (MSN-1) in normal, hyperplasia, and carcinoma of endometrial cells: its diagnostic value for endometrial carcinoma

A monoclonal antibody, MSN-1, was used for flow cytometric analysis of cells from normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma. The 90th percentile of the specimen control was used as a threshold. Reactivity was defined by the percentage of stained cell about the thresholds, adjusted for the expected percentage. A sample was considered positive if the reactivity exceeded 10%. The positivity rate for normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma specimens was 9.2%, 19.2%, and 84.6%, respectively. The mean (+/-SD) reactivity rate of MSN-1 for normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma was 3.3 +/- 6.2%, 7.4 +/- 13.8%, and 34.4 +/- 24.2%, respectively. There was a significant difference of the reactivity rates between normal endometrium and endometrial hyperplasia, and between endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma (P < 0.01). In the subgroup of endometrial carcinoma patients with confined muscular invasion, the reactivity and the positivity rates were also analyzed. There was no relationship between the depth of muscular invasion and the reactivity rate or the positivity rate. In endometrial carcinoma patients who simultaneously underwent endometrial cytology, the relationship of the results of cytology and the positivity rate was also analyzed. When the results of cytology and flow-cytometric analysis were combined, the positivity rate of endometrial carcinoma was 100% (30/30). In conclusion, flow-cytometric analysis of endometrial cells employing MSN-1 could be a useful supplementary diagnostic method for endometrial carcinoma.

Menstrual cycle-associated regulation of anabolic and catabolic enzymes causes luteal phase-characteristic expression of sulfatide in human endometrium

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to investigate the metabolic background of the expression of sulfoglycolipids in human endometrium during the luteal phase.

STUDY DESIGN

We investigated the expression of sulfoglycolipids by thin-layer chromatography immunostaining and the activities of galactosylceramide sulfotransferase and arylsulfatase A, which regulate the synthesis and degradation of sulfoglycolipid. In addition, arylsulfatase A messenger ribonucleic acid was studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Sulfoglycolipid expression showed a marked increase in the luteal phase but not in the follicular phase, whereas sialoglycolipids remained relatively constant. The increase of sulfoglycolipids was found to be due to 4.5-fold increased activation of sulfotransferase and a concurrent reduction of arylsulfatase A activity in the luteal phase. Arylsulfatase A messenger ribonucleic acid was detected in both phases and showed no significant changes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that increased sulfoglycolipid expression in the luteal phase is due to the simultaneous regulation of sulfotransferase and arylsulfatase A, probably by sex steroid hormones.

Expression of GalCer sulfotransferase by human uterine endometrial carcinoma cell lines

We investigated the expression of sulfoglycolipids in several gynecological cancer cell lines by metabolic labeling with S-35-sulfate as well as the activity of GalCer sulfotransferase (ST) and arylsulfatase A (ASA), enzymes which are responsible for the synthesis and degradation of sulfoglycolipids. The endometrial carcinoma cell lines expressed sulfoglycolipids and showed ST activity, indicating that increased synthesis of sulfoglycolipids due to elevated ST activity is a characteristic of endometrial carcinoma that distinguishes it from other carcinomas. These cell lines could provide a useful model for studying the functions of sulfoglycolipids as well as biological properties of ST in cancer cells.

[Applications of tumor markers to the screening of endometrial and ovarian cancers]

Several new trials, using tumor markers in the screening for gynecological malignancies, have been conducted. For assisting the cytological diagnosis of uterine endometrial cancers, the new EIA method using cytological specimens and the monoclonal antibody against endometrial cancer cells, MSN-1, was developed. This method could help to discriminate between cancer and normal cells, so this would result in decrease the numbers of suspicious cases on cytological diagnosis. For ovarian cancers, especially to identify high-risk groups, two carbohydrate-related antigens, CA602 and CA546, were employed. The combined use of these two markers showed a high potentiality to detect ovarian cancers. GAT (galactosyltransferase associated with tumor), an isoform of galactosyltransferase, could rescue the false-positive cases with endometriotic cysts. These new methods with tumor markers are supposed to be handy tools in the screening for gynecological malignancies.

Establishment of a quantitative assay of abnormal glycolipid expression in endometrial cells, and its diagnostic value for endometrial carcinoma

We developed a new quantitative method for detecting abnormal glycolipid expression in endometrial cells using a monoclonal antibody (MSN-1) and analyzed the glycolipid antigen recognized by MSN-1 in 173 clinical endometrial cell samples (66 normal endometria, 39 endometrial hyperplasias, and 68 endometrial adenocarcinomas). The mean glycolipid antigen levels in normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma were 0.42 +/- 1.37, 2.13 +/- 3.84, and 19.4 +/- 25.8 (mean +/- SD) units, respectively. If the cutoff rate of this assay was fixed at 1.8 units, the positivity rates for patients with normal endometrium, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial carcinoma were 6.1% (4/66), 28.2% (11/39), and 76.5% (52/68), respectively. In 35 endometrial carcinoma patients, endometrial smears were simultaneously performed, and there were 22 positive smears (62.9%). When the cytological diagnosis was combined with our assay, 94.3% (33/35) of the carcinomas were detected. Thus, this assay seems to be a supplementary diagnostic method for endometrial carcinoma.

The major E6/E7 transcript of HPV-16 in exfoliated cells from cervical neoplasia patients

HPV-16 is implicated in the development of progressive cervical neoplasia, and E6 and E7 proteins of this virus play important roles in its oncogenic activity. Reverse transcriptase-nested-polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) method was applied to detect the major transcript (E6*I/E7) from E6/E7 ORFs of HPV-16 in the exfoliated cervical and vaginal cells from cervical neoplasia patients. The incidence of the E6*I/E7 transcript was proportional to the class of cytologic diagnosis. Further analysis revealed that the incidence of the E6*I/E7 transcript in Pap smears of class I or II was 5/28 (18%) patients who had previously been diagnosed as having cervical neoplasia but was 1/37 (3%) patients who had never been diagnosed (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that some patients followed up for cervical neoplasia were infected with transcriptionally active HPVs even when their Pap smears were negative. In addition, the E6*I/E7 transcript could not be detected after surgical treatment in any of the cases that were able to be followed up. The E6*I/E7 transcript in the exfoliated cells may prove valuable for epidemiological studies of the pathogenesis of HPV infection.

[Abnormal expression of carbohydrate chain and its mechanism in endometrial cancer]

An increased rate of expression of Lewis group antigens, particularly Lewisb antigen, was observed in endometrial cancers compared with its expression in normal endometria. In order to elucidate the expression mechanism of Lewisb antigen in endometrial cancer, the level of fucosyltransferase (FT) was examined. The levels of alpha 1-2FT alpha 1-3FT and alpha 1-4FT were higher in endometrial cancer than those in normal endometrium. Endometrial cancer with a poor prognosis tended to react poorly to anti-endometrial cancer monoclonal antibody designated MSN-1, suggesting the possibility that the reactivity to MSN-1 is useful as a new prognostic factor for endometrial cancer. Cells of uterine endometrial cancer cell line SNG-II were classified into two groups according to their reactivity with MSN-1, whose antigen recognized is mainly Lewisb antigen. Using these classified cells of endometrial cancer cell line, it has revealed that the cells which strongly express H type antigen have more tendency to attach to endothelial cells and to cause metastasis than the cells which strongly express Lewisb antigen.