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Biomedical subjects

F Barbieri

Publications and source records attributed to F Barbieri.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Control of cyclin D1 expression by antisense oligonucleotides in three ovarian cancer cell lines.

Cyclin D1 is a critical gene controlling the G1 phase progression through the cell cycle. Alterations of cyclin D1 have been demonstrated in a variety of cancer types. We recently reported that increased cyclin D1 expression is associated with malignancy also in ovarian tumors. Three human ovarian cancer cell lines (SW626, OVCAR-3, IGROV1), expressing high levels of this gene, were used to investigate the effects induced by antisense oligonucleotides to cyclin D1 as antiproliferative compounds. Unmodified 18 mer oligomers, targeted to the translation start site of the cyclin D1 cDNA, were able to inhibit the growth of the three cell lines after a single administration of 40 microM. The pattern of cell number reduction ranged between 30 and 55% after 48 h of treatment. Moreover, by RT-PCR and Western blotting, a marked decrease of the cyclin D1 transcript and protein (up to 77% in the SW626) was detected after 24 and 48 h, respectively, from antisense exposure. Conversely, no relevant inhibition was reported in the sense-treated cells. The present data confirm the role of cyclin D1 expression in the proliferative behavior of ovarian cancer and provide additional information that might be helpful in the search for new therapeutic strategies of this disease.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1998

Synthesis and biological activity of gold and tin compounds in ovarian cancer cells.

We have investigated the patterns of in vitro cytotoxicity, induced by six newly synthesized gold and tin compounds, in three human ovarian cancer cell lines (SW 626, IGROV 1 and OVCAR-3). Four gold compounds, i.e. gold(I)lupinylsulfide hydrochloride [1] (containing a naked gold atom), triethylphosphinogold(I)lupinylsulfide hydrochloride [2], triphenyl-phosphinogold(I)lupinylsulfide hydrochloride [3] and 1 ,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane bis[gold(I)lupinylsulfide] dihydrochloride [4] (all containing a gold atom coordinated with different phosphines), were prepared. Moreover, the triethylphosphinogold(I)(2-diethylamino)ethylsulfide hydrochloride [5] in which the simple diethylaminoethylthiol replaced the bulky lupinylthiol was synthesized. The tin compound, triethyltin(IV)lupinylsulfide hydrochlorlde [6], was also studied. Comparative tests with cisplatin, the most widely used antitumor agent in ovarian cancer, were carried out in biological Investigations. In vitro cytotoxicity, by MTT assay, showed that compound [4] and compound [6] exhibited interesting antiproliferative activity in all the three cell lines (mean IC50=1.3 and 0.7 microM, respectively) compared to cisplatin (mean IC50=4.8 microM). In addition, the PA-1 cell line, more sensitive to cisplatin (IC50=0.6 microM), was included as a comparison in the study. Cell count assays confirmed the cytotoxic properties of compounds [4] and [6] against the four cell lines, reporting higher growth Inhibition potency than cisplatin, with IC50 values in the sub-micromolar range.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Vaginal-sigmoid fistula caused by diverticular disease].

A case of a 66 years old patient suffering from a sigmoido-vaginal fistula and diverticulosis, previously treated with a total laparohysterectomy, is reported. Retrograde studies demonstrated the presence of fistula, whereas colonoscopy and barium enema failed. After laparotomy and an appropriate bowel preparation, surgery was restricted to the bowel resection and anastomosis, whereas the vaginal defect was not closed.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Antisense oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents.

The potential for modulating gene expression by the use of antisense oligonucleotides has become increasingly interesting in recent years. Antisense oligonucleotides are complementary nucleic acid fragments that hybridize to target sequences within RNA to form a DNA-RNA duplex, resulting in the block of translation of messenger RNA into the protein. Advances in chemistry and molecular biology have provided the basis to develop antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and improve their selectivity, stability and specificity of action. The antisense technology has been extensively used in vitro and in vivo as a tool to study the regulatory mechanisms in biologic processes and as potential therapeutic agents in cancer, viral infections and genetic disorders. In the present review, the various approaches for the use of antisense molecules in oncology, virology, genetic and inflammatory diseases are described; several studies, supporting the in vitro and in vivo applications of this technology, are also presented. Moreover, the potential clinical use of antisense therapies is discussed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Expression of cyclin D1 correlates with malignancy in human ovarian tumours.

Cyclin D1 is a cell cycle regulator of G1 progression that has been suggested to play a relevant role in the pathogenesis of several human cancer types. In the current study, the expression of cyclin D1 has been investigated in a series of 33 patients, with benign (10 patients), borderline (five patients) and malignant (18 patients) ovarian disease. Cyclin D1 protein and mRNA content were analysed by Western blotting and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction respectively. The levels of cyclin D1 protein were undetectable in patients with benign disease, detectable in the majority of patients with borderline disease and elevated in those with ovarian carcinomas, being significantly related to the degree of malignancy (carcinoma vs benign, P = 0.0001; benign vs borderline, P = 0.0238). A significant relationship between cyclin D1 expression and tumour proliferative activity was also found (P = 0.000001). Moreover, eight benign lesions, two borderline tumours and 11 carcinomas proved to be suitable for the analysis of cyclin D1 transcript, and emerging data demonstrated significant agreement between protein abundance and mRNA expression. Results from the current study suggest that cyclin D1 expression is associated with the degree of transformation and most probably plays a role in the early development of ovarian malignancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Establishment and characterization of three new cell lines derived from the ascites of human ovarian carcinomas.

Three human cancer cell lines (OC 314, OC 315, and OC 316) were newly established in permanent culture from the ascites of patients with serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. OC 314 was derived from an untreated tumor presenting with ascites at diagnosis; OC 315 was isolated from a neoplasm progressing after cisplatin-containing regimen; and OC 316 was collected from a patient with pleural metastasis at diagnosis, resistant to different chemotherapeutic treatments including Taxol. These cell lines were repetitively subcultured once to twice a week through 75-80 passage generations. Tumor cells grew as monolayers and displayed epithelial-like morphology, consistent with a feature of adenocarcinoma, which was then confirmed by the expressions of cytokeratins and vimentin. The cell lines proved highly tumorigenic when transplanted into nude mice, both subcutaneously and intraperitoneally. In addition, the mice inoculated with subcutaneous OC 316 developed extremely aggressive tumor, also invading the peritoneum, which correlated with the malignant behavior of the original tumor. Drug sensitivity, evaluated by the MTT assay, showed that the three cell lines expressed similar sensitivity to doxorubicin. Responses to cisplatin essentially reported low sensitivity of OC 314 and OC 315 and resistance of OC 316, thus reflecting the original sensitivity at the clinical level.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type I: multimodal electrophysiological study and comparison between SCA1 and SCA2 patients.

A multimodal electrophysiological study was performed on 41 patients from 24 families with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia type I (ADCA I). Upper- and lower-limb motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to transcranial magnetic stimulation, median and tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (Mn and Tn-SSEPs), orthodromic sensory (SCV) and motor conduction (MCV) velocity along median and tibial nerve, brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs), and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were examined. Molecular analysis showed 2 SCA1 families and 2 families linked to the SCA2 locus. A sural nerve biopsy was performed in 5 patients. Brainstem damage of the auditory pathway was observed in 79% of patients examined. VEP abnormalities possibly of central origin were found in 52% of patients. MEP and SSEP abnormalities were differently distributed along the pathways examined: the longer the pathway, the higher the occurrence and severity of impairment. Peripheral dying-back neuropathy (confirmed by nerve bioptic data) was a frequent finding (56%). A progressive degenerative process involving first the longest tracts of the central motor and central and peripheral branches of somatosensory pathways is hypothesized in ADCA I. MEP abnormalities were more frequent in SCA1, and the sensory-motor neuropathy was more severe in SCA2.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Inhibition of DNA polymerase alpha expression and cell growth, a possible triple helix mechanism.

The antiproliferative effects mediated by a 14-mer homopyrimidine oligonucleotide (5' CTTTCT-CTTTTCTC3'), designed to form DNA triplex with a purine region of the DNA polymerase alpha promoter, were evaluated on the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 231. In order to stabilize the triple complex under physiologic conditions, replacement of cytosines by methylcytosines in the oligomer sequence was carried out. Band-shift analyses demonstrated a complete triplex formation between the radiolabeled target duplex DNA and the methylcytosine-modified oligomer at the concentration of 0.1 microM under physiologic pH and temperature. A single exposure of MDA-MB 231 cells to 0.5 microM methylcytosine-modified oligonucleotide was able to markedly reduce the cell number and the percentage of cells in DNA synthesis up to 58% and 66%, respectively, compared with controls. Furthermore, a 48% reduction in the amount of the DNA polymerase alpha mRNA was reported after treatment with the oligomer. In conclusion, data from the present study demonstrate that an oligonucleotide to DNA polymerase alpha promoter, designed to form a triple helix with target double-stranded DNA, inhibits the expression of the reporter gene at the biologic and molecular levels, suggesting a possible triplex-mediated mechanism of action.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with 5-fluorouracil and levamisole adjuvant therapy for colon cancer. A report of two cases and review of the literature. The INTACC. Intergruppo Nazionale Terpia Adiuvante Colon Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Since 1990 the combination of 5-fluorouracil plus levamisole has been considered the standard therapy for stage B2-C resected colon cancer in the adjuvant setting. Since 1992, 14 cases of multifocal leukoencefalopathy following 5-fluorouracil and levamisole therapy have been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two cases of this rare but severe neurological syndrome, observed at our Institution within the scope of the INTACC (Intergruppo Nazionale Terapia Adiuvante Colon Carcinoma, Italy) 01 study, are described. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and radiological features of the syndrome and the relationships between therapy (with the possible pivotal role played by levamisole) and onset of the multifocal leukoencephalopathy are analyzed in light of the literature data.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗
PubMed1995

Has spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 a distinct phenotype? Genetic and clinical study of an Italian family.

The gene for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is mapped to chromosome 12q23-24.1. Using D12S79 and D12S105, we performed linkage analysis in nine individuals including six affected members of a four-generation family in which we excluded SCA1 by direct mutation analysis. We obtained a lod score = 2.37 at theta = 0.00 for the compound haplotype. The clinical picture appeared homogeneous, showing the absence of corticospinal signs and the presence of peripheral neuropathy. The present study suggests that this SCA2 family is clinically different from most SCA1 families.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Blood transfusion in benign obstetric-gynecologic disorders].

Objective of our study was to determine the incidence of blood transfusions in patients treated with abdominal or vaginal surgery for benign pathologies, because of high risks (especially infections) connected to this practise, and to evaluate the possibility of a simple medical treatment in patients with anemia and not to use blood transfusions. Examining our activity in a five-year period, from 1988 to 1992, we report that the use of blood was required for only 21 women, 1.5 percent of patients with gynecological problems (10 over 639) and 0.17 percent of pregnant patients (11 over 6208). We had more anemia in the abdominal approach than in the vaginal way. A group of 20 young women, with the efficient cardiovascular system, with severe-mild anemia too, were treated with simple medical support, obtaining, in a short time, good clinical conditions.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1994

Autosomal recessive motor and sensory neuropathy with excessive myelin outfolding in two siblings.

Two siblings, a 35-year-old male and a 37-year-old female, offspring of first cousins, presented with a hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with type I clinical features which began to manifest at about age 10 years. Nerve biopsy in the proband showed it to be a type characterized by excessive myelin outfolding. Morphometric study revealed hypomyelination with focal thickenings due to outfoldings. Clinical, electrophysiological and morphological findings are virtually identical to those described by Ohnishi et al. The peculiarity of the neuropathological picture suggests a particular form of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

POEMS syndrome: clinical, pathological and immunological study of a case.

A young Italian woman with a POEMS syndrome is described. The patient had a plasma cell dyscrasia without clinical or laboratory evidence of multiple myeloma. The phenotypic analysis of bone marrow cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes revealed a normal pattern. The immunological study of CSF showed high levels of interleukin-6, whereas this cytokine was not detectable in the serum. Electrophysiological studies and sural nerve biopsy showed a mixed, demyelinating-axonal sensorimotor neuropathy with marked loss of large myelinated fibres. Long-term treatment with prednisone gave some clinical improvement.

Adult↗