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Clemens Tempfer

Publications and source records attributed to Clemens Tempfer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Weak expression of focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) in patients with cervical cancer is associated with poor disease outcome.

PURPOSE: The pp125 focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a pivotal role in tumor cell signaling. FAK expression has been linked to tumor cell invasion and metastasis, but data on cervical cancer are inconclusive. Our goal was to investigate FAK expression in cervical cancer and to assess whether its expression correlates with prognosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: FAK expression was examined using immunohistochemistry with sections from 162 resected cervical cancer specimens. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to determine the significance of FAK expression in the prognosis of cervical cancer patients. RESULTS: Specific FAK expression was found in the tumor cells, whereas normal cervical epithelium showed barely any FAK expression. Of 162 invasive cervical cancer specimens, 55 (34%) revealed weak expression of FAK, whereas moderate and strong expression was found in 63 (39%) and 44 (27%) tumors, respectively. Patients with tumors expressing weak amounts of FAK were characterized by a significantly poorer overall survival compared with those with moderate and high intratumoral FAK expression (P = 0.002). Weak expression of FAK correlated with pelvic lymph node metastasis (P = 0.026) and recurrent disease (P = 0.013). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed decreased FAK expression and pelvic lymph node metastasis to be significant independent factors predictive of poor disease outcome (hazard ratio, 0.36; P = 0.005; hazard ratio, 2.38; P = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Weak expression of FAK in invasive cervical cancer is a strong independent predictor of poor patient outcome. Further studies are warranted to elucidate whether FAK expression analysis is a suitable tool identifying patients at high risk even at an early clinical stage.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene in breast cancer.

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be critically involved in breast carcinogenesis. Genetic polymorphisms of the gene encoding for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (Nos3), the enzyme catalyzing the production of the NO, are known to predispose to malignant disease. Whether these polymorphisms also influence breast cancer risk is unknown. In the present case-control study, we ascertained 2 polymorphisms of the Nos3 gene cluster (Nos3 exon 7 Glu298Asp and a 27-base pair repeat in intron 4 of Nos3) in 269 Caucasian patients with breast cancer and 244 healthy controls using pyrosequencing and PCR, respectively. Presence of the exon 7 Nos3 polymorphism predisposed women to breast cancer (p=0.03, Odds ratio [95% Confidence Intervals]=1.9 [1.1-3.6]), but was not associated with any clinico-pathological parameters. No significant associations were ascertained with respect to the intron 4 Nos3 polymorphism. In our series, presence of the mutant exon7 Nos3 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk for breast cancer in Caucasian women.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2006

Genotype distribution of estrogen receptor-alpha, catechol-O-methyltransferase, and cytochrome P450 17 gene polymorphisms in Caucasian women with uterine leiomyomas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the presence of uterine leiomyomas and three functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and cytochrom P450 17 (CYP17A) genes, which have been described to modify the estrogen metabolism. DESIGN: Prospective case control study. SETTING: Academic research institution. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirty women with clinically and surgically diagnosed uterine leiomyomas and 139 population controls. INTERVENTION(S): Peripheral venous puncture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Polymerase chain reaction and pyrosequencing were performed to genotype women with respect to the ESR1 IVS1-397 T/C (PvuII), COMT G158A, and the CYP17A 34T-->C SNPs. RESULT(S): Comparing women with uterine leiomyomas and controls, no statistically significant differences with respect to allele frequency and genotype distribution were ascertained for ESR1 IVS 1-397 T/C (PvuII) (P=0.9 and P=0.6, respectively), COMT G158A (P=0.3 and P=0.6, respectively), and CYP17A 34T-->C (P=0.1 and P=0.5, respectively). When all two-way interactions of investigated SNPs were ascertained, no significant interactions were observed. In a multivariate model, no SNP was significantly associated with leiomyomas. CONCLUSION(S): Carriage of the ESR1 IVS1-397 T/C (PvuII), COMT G158A, and the CYP17A 34T-->C SNPs is not associated with the susceptibility to uterine leiomyoma in a Caucasian population.

Adenine↗
PubMed2005

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in uterosacral ligaments is associated with pelvic organ prolapse.

The uterosacral ligaments are an important part of the pelvic support system and connective tissue alterations are thought to contribute to the development of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The objective of this study was to compare the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1 and 2 in these ligaments in women with and without POP. We analyzed the tissue samples obtained from left and/or right uterosacral ligaments of 17 women with POP and 18 controls by immunohistochemistry. There was no difference in MMP-1 expression between women with POP and those without. In contrast, the MMP-2 expression was significantly related to the presence of POP (p=0.004) rather than to age or parity. There was no difference in MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression between left and right uterosacral ligaments in women with POP compared to controls. Our findings strongly indicate that increased MMP-2 expression in uterosacral ligaments is associated with POP.

Female↗
PubMed2005

A polymorphism in the matrix metalloproteinase-1 gene promoter is associated with the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 is involved in ovarian carcinogenesis. A common guanine insertion-deletion promoter polymorphism within the gene encoding MMP-1 (MMP1) has been suggested to be a candidate gene for ovarian cancer. We investigated whether this common polymorphism can also serve as independent prognostic parameter in a large series of affected women. METHODS: The MMP1 promoter polymorphism was examined in 151 Caucasian patients with epithelial ovarian cancer using polymerase chain reaction. Results were correlated with clinical data. RESULTS: No associations were ascertained between the MMP1 polymorphism and tumor stage (P = 1.0, odds ratio [OR] 1.08), lymph node involvement (P = 1.0, OR 0.8), tumor grading (P = 0.2, OR 0.5), and patient's age at diagnosis (P = 1.0, OR 1.04). Besides the clinically established prognosticators, tumor stage and histological grade, presence of the MMP1 polymorphism was associated with a shortened disease-free and overall survival in a univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis (P = 0.01) and a multivariate Cox regression model (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Presence of the MMP1 gene promoter polymorphisms was found to be a negative prognostic parameter in patients with ovarian cancer.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 gene polymorphisms and the risk of breast cancer in caucasian women.

PURPOSE: Genetic polymorphisms of cytokine-encoding genes are known to predispose to malignant disease. Interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 are crucially involved in breast carcinogenesis. Whether polymorphisms of the genes encoding IL-1 (IL1) and IL-6 (IL6) also influence breast cancer risk is unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In the present case-control study, we ascertained three polymorphisms of the IL1 gene cluster [-889 C/T polymorphism of the IL1alpha gene (IL1A), -511 C/T polymorphism of the IL1beta promoter (IL1B promoter), a polymorphism of IL1beta exon 5 (IL1B exon 5)], an 86-bp repeat in intron 2 of the IL1 receptor antagonist gene (IL1RN), and the -174 G/C polymorphism of the IL6 gene (IL6) in 269 patients with breast cancer and 227 healthy controls using PCR and pyrosequencing. RESULTS: Polymorphisms within the IL1 gene cluster and the respective haplotypes were not associated with the presence and the phenotype of breast cancer. The IL6 polymorphism was significantly associated with breast cancer. Odds ratios for women with one or two high-risk alleles versus women homozygous for the low-risk allele were 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.3; P = 0.04) and 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.6; P = 0.02), respectively. No association was ascertained between presence of the IL6 polymorphism and various clinicopathologic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Although polymorphisms within the IL1 gene cluster do not seem to influence breast cancer risk or phenotype, presence of the -174C IL6 allele increases the risk of breast cancer in Caucasian women in a dose-dependent fashion.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Autologous heterotopic transplantation of ovarian tissue in sheep.

The aims of this study were [1] to test the feasibility of autologous heterotopic transplantation of large ovarian tissue samples (approximately 2 cm in diameter and 2 or 3 mm thick) without vascular anastomosis and [2] to compare follicle count and microvessel density in fresh and grafted 2-mm vs. 3-mm tissue samples in an animal model. After transplantation, we observed regular menstrual cycles and ovulation proved by high E(2) levels and intermittent P peaks in all Suffolk sheep, and histologic examination revealed no statistically significant differences in the number of primordial follicles and microvessel density between samples 2 mm and 3 mm in diameter.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Polymorphism of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is associated with susceptibility to uterine leiomyoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the presence of uterine leiomyoma and two single nuclear polymorphisms of the p53 tumor suppressor and the angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2) genes. DESIGN: Prospective case control study. SETTING: Academic research institution. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirty-two women with clinically and surgically diagnosed uterine leiomyomas and 280 controls. INTERVENTION(S): Peripheral venous puncture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-based amplification of the Arg and Pro variants at codon 72 of the p53 gene and by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the G/G and G/A alleles in exon 4 of the ANGPT2 gene. RESULT(S): Comparing women with uterine leiomyomas and controls, no statistically significant difference with respect to allele frequency and genotype distribution were ascertained for the ANGPT2 polymorphism (P=.2 and P=.5, respectively). However, for the p53 tumor suppressor gene polymorphism, statistically significant differences in terms of a higher Pro allele frequency and a higher prevalence of the Pro/Pro genotype among women with uterine leiomyoma (32.0% vs. 16.0%, respectively, and 21.3% vs. 4.7%, respectively) were ascertained (P=.001, OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.24-2.45, P=.001; OR 3.84, 95% CI 1.81-8.14; respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Carriage of the p53 polymorphism at codon 72 predicts the susceptibility to leiomyoma in a Caucasian population and may contribute to the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ten polymorphisms of estrogen-metabolizing genes and a family history of colon cancer--an association study of multiple gene-gene interactions.

Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. Therefore, we evaluated the following ten estrogen metabolism-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by sequencing-on-chip technology using solid-phase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on oligonucleotide microarrays: catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met G-->A, 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD17) vlV A-->C, cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 17 A2 allele T-->C, CYP1A1 MspI RFLP T-->C, CYP1A1 Ile462Val A-->G, CYP19 Arg264Cys C-->T, CYP19 C1558T C-->T, CYP 1B1 Leu432Val, CYP1B1 Asn453Ser, and estrogen receptor (ER) alpha IVS1 -401-->C in 76 patients with a family history of colon cancer and 722 healthy controls. Using stepwise logistic regression models, we found that none of the investigated SNPs is associated with a family history of colon cancer in a univariate and multivariate logistic regression model. In addition, when all two-way interactions of the investigated SNPs were ascertained, no significant interactions between SNPs were observed. In conclusion, we found no association between the carriage of one or multiple SNPs of the estrogen metabolism and a family history of colon cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ultrasound morphology of invasive lobular breast cancer is different compared with other types of breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound (US) morphology of invasive lobular breast carcinomas (ILC) in comparison to that of invasive tumors of other histologic differentiation (TOD). Images of 406 breast lesions were included in this retrospective study. A total of 10 US criteria (shape, orientation, echogenicity, echo pattern, calcifications, margin, margin contour, lesion boundary, surrounding tissue and posterior acoustic features) were defined and determined. Tumors were stratified into ILC (n = 69) vs. TOD (n = 337). The correlation between the sonographically and pathologically measured size of the tumors was analyzed. Irregular shape was found in 88% of ILC vs. 67% of TOD (p < 0.001). Margins were indistinct in 94% of ILC compared to 76% of TOD (p = 0.001). Posterior shadowing was observed in 84% of ILC and 58% of TOD (p = 0.001). Irregular margin contour, hyper- or isoechoic pattern and architectural distortion were more frequent in ILC. Underestimation of tumor size by US was significantly more frequent in ILC (5.4 +/- 12.2 mm) than in TOD (1.4 +/- 12.0 mm) (p = 0.015). In summary, we found that histologic differentiation significantly influences ultrasonographic appearance of breast cancer. The underestimation of tumor size of ILC might compromise the operative strategy.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2004

Recurrent pregnancy failure is associated with a polymorphism in the p53 tumour suppressor gene.

BACKGROUND: The p53 tumour suppressor gene is a well-known factor regulating apoptosis in a wide variety of cells and tissues. Alterations in the p53 gene are among the most common genetic changes in human cancers. In addition, recent data provide evidence that p53 plays a critical role in mediating pregnancy by regulating steroid hormone activation. In idiopathic recurrent miscarriages (IRM), causes and associations are much debated as the exact pathophysiological mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we assess whether an established polymorphism in the p53 gene is associated with the occurrence of IRM. METHODS: Genotyping was performed by PCR-based amplification of the p53 Arg and Pro variants at codon 72 in 175 cases of IRM and 143 controls. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant association between carriage of the Pro allele and the occurrence of IRM (P = 0.03, odds ratio 1.49, confidence interval 1.04-2.14). Distribution of genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate an over-representation of the Pro allele of the p53 gene in women with IRM, giving support to the theory that p53 has a potential role during pregnancy.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed2004

Assisted reproductive techniques in patients with Klinefelter syndrome: a critical review.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the existing experience with the use and success rate of assisted reproductive techniques (ART), in particular testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in Klinefelter patients. DESIGN: A systematic review of the literature, including all published case reports to date. PATIENT(S): Thirty-nine reported successful pregnancies fathered by nonmosaic Klinefelter patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The overall risk of transmitting a chromosomal abnormality to the offspring of Klinefelter patients. RESULT(S): In nonmosaic and mosaic Klinefelter patients, chromosomally normal sperm cells can be extracted from testicular tissue and used for ICSI. CONCLUSION(S): The application of ART to Klinefelter patients can be recommended as a method to achieve reproduction in this selected infertility patient cohort.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed2004

Lack of association of TNFalpha gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss in Caucasian women.

The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) gene plays an important role in immunology and inflammation. Variant alleles of TNFalpha are associated with altered RNA and serum protein levels in humans. Conflicting results have been obtained regarding the role of TNFalpha during pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This study investigated the relationship between RPL and two polymorphisms in the promoter of the TNFalpha gene (TNFalpha -308 and -863). Genotyping was performed in 168 RPL women and 212 ethnically matched healthy individuals. In addition, we performed analysis of TNFalpha serum protein levels. We demonstrate that neither the polymorphism -308 nor the polymorphism -863 of the TNFalpha gene is associated with RPL in Caucasian women. In addition, we did not find any association between TNFalpha serum levels and the occurrence of RPL in a subset of 36 RPL women and 36 healthy individuals. We conclude that TNFalpha polymorphisms and resting blood TNFalpha levels do not correlate with the propensity to recurrent pregnancy loss in Caucasian women.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed2004

Genetic polymorphisms associated with thrombophilia and vascular disease in women with unexplained late intrauterine fetal death: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: We determined whether gene polymorphisms associated with thrombophilia and vascular disease as etiologic factors were involved in the pathogenesis of pregnancy-associated complications. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter case-control study in which we studied 94 women with late unexplained intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and 94 healthy women with at least one uncomplicated full-term pregnancy and no history of IUFD. We obtained blood samples from all subjects and analyzed their DNA for 12 common polymorphisms of thrombophilic and vascular genes (factor V Leiden, factor V H1299R, prothrombin G20210A, factor XIII V34L, MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, beta-fibrinogen-455 G to A, PAI-1 4G/5G, GPIIIa L33P, HFE C282Y, apolipoprotein B R3500Q, and apolipoprotein E2/E3/E4). RESULTS: We found no significant association between any of the polymorphisms investigated and IUFD. Subgroup analyses involving various combinations of polymorphisms and in which gestational age and fetal weight were corrected for also showed no significant results. CONCLUSIONS: Our data represent the largest study to date with respect to thrombophilic and vascular gene polymorphisms in IUFD. In accordance with others, we challenge the importance of thrombophilic and vascular gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of this condition.

Adult↗