Biomedical subjects

S E Froschermaier

Publications and source records attributed to S E Froschermaier.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Expression of the extracellular matrix signaling molecule Cyr61 is downregulated in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most common neoplasms in the USA and Europe. We used differential display PCR (DD-PCR) to identify genes related to the development of prostate cancer. METHODS: The RNA of 4 patients with untreated CaP was analyzed for differentially expressed genes. Using DD-PCR, we identified a downregulated cDNA-fragment in these prostate cancer cells. This fragment (N7) was cloned and further analyzed by CMRT-PCR, Northern-blot analysis, and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Sequence analysis revealed that N7 is identical to the 3'-untranslated region of the recently described immediate early gene Cyr61. Comparative multiplex RT-PCR with sequence specific primers showed that Cyr61 is downregulated in the tumor tissue of 7 out of 13 patients. By in situ hybridization we could demonstrate that the expression of Cyr61 is restricted to the epithelium of the prostate. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that Cyr61 protein could be found in the epithelium of normal prostatic tissue, whereas prostate cancer tissue showed a marked decrease of Cyr61 protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: Cyr61 is a member of the emerging family of extracellular signaling proteins and enhances the effect of bFGF. The changed pattern of expression Cyr61 might therefore contribute to the altered interactions between epithelial and stromal cells in prostate carcinoma.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Enhanced external counterpulsation as a new treatment modality for patients with erectile dysfunction.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive treatment modality which can increase arterial blood flow in peripheral and coronary arterial disease. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in the flow of the internal iliacal artery and in carotid and renal perfusion during EECP treatment. We investigated the effect of EECP in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Thirteen patients were treated with EECP for 20 days, 1 h per day. Patients reported a significant improvement of penile rigidity after completion of the EECP treatment and a significant improvement of penile peak systolic flow was measured by Doppler sonography. No adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, EECP seems to be an effective treatment modality in patients with ED.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Screening in prostate carcinoma].

With an increasing incidence, prostate cancer has become the most common cancer in males in the USA. In Germany, 20,000 new cases of prostate cancer were detected in 1995. Only organ confined prostate cancer is curable. Therefore the main intention of screening is an increasing detection rate of clinically significant tumors in time. Cancer specific mortality and morbidity should be decreased by screening. Whether screening can actually achieve this has to be proven in prospective randomized trials, which have only been started recently. Therefore, valid results cannot be expected before the year 2007. Different trials revealed the combination of digital rectal examination and the measurement of prostate specific antigen to be the most useful tools in screening at present. In conclusion, at present, the recommendation is an urological examination once a year in men from 45-50 (depending on risk) to 70-75 years of age--if the patient agrees to the possible diagnostic and therapeutic consequences.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome.

In 1989 the unanticipated agonist effect of antiandrogens on LNCaP prostate cancer cells was detected. A "flutamide withdrawal syndrome" was first described by Kelly and Scher [15], who reported a decrease in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after the removal of flutamide from the treatment regimen. In the last few years the paradoxical response to antiandrogens has also been reported for bicalutamide, chlormadinone acetate and others. Therefore the name of the syndrome has changed to "antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome." Several reasons such as mutations in the androgen receptor or a direct stimulatory effect of the antiandrogen for this effect have been discussed, but the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear. However, in patients with hormonally relapsed prostate cancer, a trial of "withdrawal therapy" is required prior to the initiation of toxic therapies.

Androgen Antagonists↗

PubMed1997

[Significance of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors in therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia with mild to modern symptoms].

Medical therapy in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia has changed very much during the last few years. Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which inhibits the predominant intraprostatic isoenzyme II of 5-alpha-reductase and therefore DHT, which is-among other factors-essential for the physiological growth of the prostate. However, it also has an important influence on developing BPH. It was shown in several studies that finasteride can increase urinary flow rates, decrease the prostate volume, and improve the symptom score and PSA value. The objective improvement in urinary flow rates was only moderate, but better results were obtained in the improvement of patient symptoms. Large multicenter studies will be conducted to see if the efficacy of treatment can be improved by combination therapy with alpha-1-blockers.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed1996

Clinical significance of the determination of noncomplexed prostate-specific antigen as a marker for prostate carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a significant difference consists between patients with and without prostate carcinoma (CaP) regarding the ratio of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in complex with major proteinase inhibitors to noncomplexed (free) PSA (FPSA). METHODS: We analyzed the sera of 29 patients with untreated CaP, 34 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and 33 men with no symptoms of prostate disease for the amount of FPSA and total PSA (TPSA) with the Immulite chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay. RESULTS: FPSA was found only as a minor fraction in all sera tested. Calculation of the percentage of FPSA from TPSA revealed a significant difference between patients with CaP (median, 9.55%) versus patients with BPH (median, 17.07%; P = 0.00001) or versus healthy men (median, 16.11%; P = 0.0006). Considering only patients with PSA values less than 10 ng/mL, the difference between patients with CaP versus patients with BPH remained significant (P = 0.026). The specificity for differentiation between CaP and BPH at a sensitivity level of 89% for the combined evaluation of the proportion of FPSA and TPSA increased from 30% (TPSA considered alone) to 61%. The cutoff level for TPSA was determined at 4 ng/mL and for the proportion of FPSA at 21.1%. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the differentiation between CaP and BPH can be considerably improved by measuring both FPSA and TPSA and calculating the ratio of the one to the other.

Aged↗