Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / The present view of the lipid metabolism of tumors appears to be, as stated by Gore and Popjak (32) and Gore (11), that tumors in general lack the capacity to utilize acetate for the biosynthesis of lipids. The results of Medes et al. (12), Busch (13), and Busch and Baltrush (14), lend support to the view expressed by Gore and Popjak. However, evidence to the contrary, namely that the lipid metabolism in tumors is not impaired, also exists. In this regard the results of Trew and Begg (16), Jablonski and Olson (17), Olson et al. (54), and Haven (19,20) are of special significance. The lack of agreement in the results of various investigators was attributed by Henderson and LePage (15) to differences between the tumors studied, but it was felt that the discrepancies in the results could also be attributed to differences in the conditions of incubation, the importance of which was emphasized by Busch (27) [TRUNCATED]. / 2031-01-01

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:38:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GUILHERME PETITO.pdf: 1076353 bytes, checksum: 35ed726e32ffa4f2f32eee9bafc7c8a7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-06-25 / The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with the risk and prognosis of oral cavity and oropharynx carcinomas. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV 16 and 18 in oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinomas, as well as their associations with clinical and histopathological factors of tumors. It is a retrospective descriptive study, with gathered data analysis of 82 medical records and paraffin blocks containing specimens of oral cavity carcinomas and oropharynx diagnosed at the Hospital Araújo Jorge (HAJ), in Goiânia-GO, between 2005 and 2007. The chain reaction polymerase (PCR) was used for HPV detection and genotyping. Among the 82 evaluated patients, 78% were male. The average age of patients was 58 years. Risk factors, like smoking (78 %) and ethylism (70.8 %), were registered in the studied group. HPV DNA was detected in 21 cases (25.6%; 95% CI: 16.9 to 36.6) of which 33.3% were HPV 16 and 14.3% HPV 18. The presence of metastases lymph node and deaths were less common in tumors with HPV, suggesting a better prognosis for these cases, however, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. The data described in the present study, regarding the presence of the HPV genome, and the high risk oncogenic genotypes, HPV16 and HPV18, in oral cavity and oropharynx carcinomas highlights the importance of vaccination against HPV in such tumours. / O Papilomavírus humano (HPV), tem sido associado com o risco e o prognóstico dos carcinomas da cavidade oral e orofaringe. Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a prevalência e a distribuição genotípica do HPV 16 e 18 em carcinomas de cavidade oral e orofaringe, bem como suas associações aos fatores clínicos e histopatológicos dos tumores. É um estudo retrospectivo descritivo, com dados coletados análise de 82 prontuários e de blocos de parafina contendo espécimes de carcinomas de cavidade oral e orofaringe diagnosticados no Hospital Araújo Jorge (HAJ), em Goiânia-GO, entre 2005 e 2007. A reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi usada para detecção e genotipagem do HPV. Dentre os 82 pacientes avaliados, 78% eram do sexo masculino. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 58 anos. Fatores de risco, como tabagismo (78%) e etilismo (70,8%) foram registrados no grupo estudado. O DNA do HPV foi detectado em 21 casos (25,6%; IC 95%: 16,9 36,6) dos quais 33,3% eram o HPV 16 e 14,3% o HPV 18. A presença de metástases linfonodais e os óbitos foram menos frequentes nos tumores que apresentaram HPV, sugerindo um melhor prognóstico para esses casos, porém, as diferenças entre os grupos não foram estatisticamente significativas. Os dados descritos no presente estudo, com relação à presença do genoma do HPV, incluindo os genótipos de alto risco, HPV16 e HPV18, destacam a importância de vacinação contra o HPV no controle dos carcinomas de cavidade oral e orofaringe.

INTRODUÇÃO: O carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) é o mais frequente tipo de câncer primário do fígado e a sua incidência vem aumentando nas últimas décadas, , tornando-o hoje a terceira causa de morte por câncer no mundo. Em cerca de 70 a 80% dos pacientes, o CHC é precedido pelo desenvolvimento de cirrose hepática. Existe um consenso de que a ressecção cirúrgica do tumor é a única terapêutica efetivamente comprovada. Esta ressecção pode ser realizada tanto através de uma hepatectomia como pelo transplante hepático. Atualmente, apenas 30 a 40% dos pacientes se beneficiam dos tratamentos ditos curativos e, mesmo entre esses pacientes, a sobrevida em cinco anos continua baixa, em torno de 60 a 70%, com taxa de recorrência do tumor em torno de 50% em três anos. Alguns estudos mostraram um pior prognóstico para os pacientes com CHC cuja etiologia é a infecção por vírus B ou C. Isso nos leva à questão sobre a existência de uma diferença entre as diversas etiologias do CHC e o seu prognóstico. OBJETIVOS: Comparar o prognóstico (sobrevida global e livre de doença em cinco anos) de pacientes submetidos à hepatectomia para o tratamento do CHC com relação às diversas etiologias da hepatopatia e estudar fatores prognósticos nesse grupo de pacientes. MÉTODO: Foi realizado um levantamento de prontuários dos pacientes submetidos à hepatectomia entre 2000 e 2014 para tratamento de CHC, seguido de análise estatística desse banco de dados, visando a avaliação de parâmetros clínicos, laboratoriais e cirúrgicos. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupos de acordo com a etiologia da hepatopatia, sendo feita uma análise de sobrevida para comparação. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante de prognóstico entre os grupos de pacientes divididos conforme a etiologia do CHC. A sobrevida global e livre de doença em cinco anos dos pacientes dessa amostra foi de 49,9% e 40,7%, respectivamente. As variáveis prognósticas estatisticamente significantes para sobrevida global foram nível sérico de alfafetoproteína (p=0,043), nível sérico de CA19.9 (p=0,028), invasão da cápsula tumoral (p=0,030), margem livre (p=0,004) e presença de complicações pós-operatórias (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Pelos dados dessa amostra, pudemos constatar que não houve diferença em relação ao prognóstico entre os grupos de pacientes das diversas etiologias de CHC. As variáveis nível sérico de alfafetoproteína e de CA 19.9, invasão da cápsula tumoral, margem livre e complicações pósoperatórias podem ser consideradas preditoras de pior prognóstico / INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of primary liver cancer and its incidence is increasing around the world in the last decades, making HCC the third cause of death by cancer in the world. In about 70 to 80% of patients, HCC is preceded by cirrhosis of the liver. It is believed that hepatic resection is the single proven curative treatment. This resection can be done in the form of a hepatectomy or liver transplantation. Nowadays, only 30 to 40% of HCC patients can benefit from these curative treatments and, among them, survival in five years is still around 60 to 70%, with tumor recurrence rate around 50% in three years. Some studies have shown a worse prognosis for HCC patients whose etiology is viral. That brings us to the question about the existence of a difference between the various etiologies of HCC and its prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To compare the prognosis (overall and disease-free survival at five years) of patients undergoing hepatectomy for the treatment of HCC with respect to various etiologies of liver disease and to study prognostic factors in this group of patients. METHOD: We performed a review of medical records of patients undergoing hepatectomy between 2000 and 2014 for the treatment of HCC, followed by statistical analysis of this database for evaluation of clinical, laboratory and surgical parameters. Patients were divided into groups according to the etiology of liver disease followed by overall and disease-free survival analysis for comparison. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the outcomes of the groups of patients divided according to the etiology of HCC. Overall and disease-free survival at five years of patients in this sample was 49.9% and 40.7%, respectively. Statistically significant prognostic variables for overall survival were serum alpha-fetoprotein (p = 0.043), serum CA19.9 (p = 0.028), invasion of the tumor capsule (p = 0.030), resection margins (p = 0.004) and presence of postoperative complications (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: From the data of this sample, we could verify that there was no prognostic differences between the groups of HCC patients of the various etiologies. The variables serum alphafetoprotein and CA 19.9, invasion of the tumor capsule, resection margins and presence of postoperative complications can be considered predictive of worse prognosis

Chen, Juan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-154). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Leung Siu Wai. / Bibliography: leaves 135-150 / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1984

by Kin-mang Lau. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-167). / Chapter I --- ABSTRACT --- p.1 / Chapter II --- INTRODUCTION --- p.3 / Chapter II. 1 --- Epidemiology of prostate cancer --- p.3 / Chapter II.2 --- Anatomy of the human prostate --- p.13 / Chapter II.3 --- Pathology of prostate diseases --- p.14 / Chapter II.3.1 --- Prostatic Hyperplasia / Chapter II.3.2 --- Atypical Hyperplasia / Chapter II.3.3 --- Prostatic Carcinoma / Chapter II.4 --- Tumour Suppressor Gene - Human p53 --- p.19 / Chapter II.4.1 --- General aspects / Chapter II.4.2 --- Human p53 gene - Historical perspectives / Chapter II.4.3 --- Human p53 gene - Structure / Chapter II.4.4 --- Human p53 protein - Structure / Chapter II.4.5 --- Wild-type p53 protein - Biochemical functions / Chapter II.4.6 --- Wild-type p53 protein - Biological function / Chapter II.4.7 --- Regulation of p53 function / Chapter II.4.8 --- p53 mutations in Human cancers / Chapter II.4.9 --- Properties of mutant p53 protein / Chapter II.5 --- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) --- p.38 / Chapter II.5.1. --- Virion Structure / Chapter II.5.2 --- Classification / Chapter II.5.3. --- Papillomaviruses in Human Cancers / Chapter II.5.4. --- Relationship between p53 alteration and HPV infection / Chapter II.6 --- p53 alteration and Prostate cancers --- p.42 / Chapter II.6.1. --- Cytogenetic studies / Chapter II.6.2. --- Hybridization analysis / Chapter II.6.3. --- p53 alterations and Prostatic cell lines / Chapter III. --- OBJECTIVES OF STUDY --- p.46 / Chapter IV --- MATERIALS & METHODS --- p.47 / Chapter IV.1 --- Patients and Materials --- p.47 / Chapter IV.2 --- Histological Grading --- p.47 / Chapter IV.2.1 --- Gleason grading / Chapter IV.2.2 --- W.H.O. grading (Mostofi) / Chapter IV.3 --- Staging of Prostatic carcinoma --- p.48 / Chapter IV.4 --- Collection of Blood and Tissue samples --- p.49 / Chapter IV.5 --- Immunohistochemical studies of Prostatic lesions --- p.50 / Chapter IV.5.1 --- Antibodies used / Chapter IV.5.2 --- Methods in frozen sections / Chapter IV.5.3 --- Methods in paraffin sections / Chapter IV.5.4 --- Controls / Chapter IV.5.5 --- Immunohistochemical evaluation / Chapter IV.6 --- Extraction of DNA from tissues and blood samples --- p.52 / Chapter IV.6.1 --- Extraction of genomic DNA from blood / Chapter IV.6.2 --- Extraction of genomic DNA from tissue / Chapter IV.7 --- Hybridization analysis --- p.54 / Chapter IV.7.1 --- Preparation of Cloned Probe DNA / Chapter IV.7.2 --- Transformation of CaCl2-treated competent cell / Chapter IV.7.3 --- Cultures of Transformants / Chapter IV.7.4 --- Isolationof plasmid DNA from transformant cultures / Chapter IV.7.5 --- Purification of DNA Probe by electroelution / Chapter IV.7.6 --- Radioactive labelling of DNA Probes / Chapter IV.7.7 --- Purification of radioactive labelled DNA Probes / Chapter IV.7.8 --- Southern Blotting Technique / Chapter IV.7.9 --- Hybridization of DNA Blots with labelled DNA Probe / Chapter IV.8 --- Polymerase Chain Reaction - Single Stranded Conformational Polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) --- p.63 / Chapter IV.8.1 --- 5'-radioactive labelling of primer / Chapter IV.8.2 --- Amplification of target sequence by PCR / Chapter IV.8.3 --- Nondenaturing Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis / Chapter IV.8.4 --- Direct DNA sequencing of PCR products with p53 mutation / Chapter IV.8.5 --- Controls / Chapter IV.9 --- PCR method for detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) --- p.71 / Chapter IV.9.1 --- PCR-Amplification / Chapter IV.9.2 --- DNA alkali Blotting Technique / Chapter IV.9.3 --- Preparation of Radioactive labelled Oligoprobes / Chapter IV.9.4 --- Hybridization of DNA Blots with radioactive labelled Oligoprobes / Chapter IV.9.5 --- Controls / Chapter IV.9.6 --- Sensitivity of HPV 18 detection by PCR / Chapter V --- RESULTS --- p.76 / Chapter V.1 --- Grading and Staging of patients with prostatic carcinoma --- p.76 / Chapter V.2 --- Immunohistochemistry in prostatic lesions --- p.80 / Chapter V.3 --- Results of hybridization analysis --- p.81 / Chapter V.4 --- PCR-SSCP findings in prostatic hyperplasia and carcinoma --- p.97 / Chapter V.5 --- PCR detection of HPV in human prostate --- p.110 / Chapter VI --- DISCUSSION --- p.125 / Chapter VII --- CONCLUSION --- p.146 / Chapter VIII --- REFERENCES --- p.148 / Chapter IX --- APPENDIX --- p.168 / Chapter X --- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.172

by Kam-Ming Au. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves 87-101. / LIST OF TABLES / LIST OF FIGURES / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS / ABSTRACT / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Normal calcium homeostasis --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- The incidence and common causes of hypercalcemia in hospital population --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hypercalcemia in primary hyperparathyroidism --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4 --- Hypercalcemia of malignancy --- p.13 / Chapter 1.5 --- Pathophysiology of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy --- p.16 / Chapter 1.6 --- Pathogenesis of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy-evidence for a parathyroid hormone-related peptide --- p.20 / Chapter 1.7 --- Hypercalcemia in primary hepatocellular carcinoma --- p.27 / Chapter 1.8 --- Physiological role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate --- p.28 / Chapter 1.9 --- Aim of the present study --- p.29 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.30 / Chapter 2.1 --- Patients --- p.30 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Hepatocellular carcinoma patients --- p.30 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Cirrhotic patients --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2 --- Healthy control subjects --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3 --- Collection of blood and urine specimens --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4 --- Methods --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Routine chemistries --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Plasma and urine cyclic adenosine monophosphate --- p.33 / Chapter - --- commercial urine controls --- p.34 / Chapter - --- scintillation cocktail --- p.34 / Chapter - --- imprecision study --- p.34 / Chapter - --- accuracy study --- p.34 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Nephrogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate and total urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate / 100 ml glomerular filtrate --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Total urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate : creatinine ratio --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Components of hypercalcemia --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Urinary hydroxyproline : creatinine ratio --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Renal phosphate threshold --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.8 --- Serum parathyroid hormone --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4.9 --- Serum parathyroid hormone-related peptide --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.39 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- RESULTS --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1 --- Method validation for cyclic adenosine monophosphate assay --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Standard curve of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate assay --- p.40 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Results of imprecision study --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Results of accuracy study --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2 --- "Results of hypercalcemic and normocalcemic hepatocellular carcinoma patients, cirrhotic patients, and healthy control subjects" --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- "Results of serum calcium, albumin adjusted calcium, serum albumin and serum alkaline phosphatase" --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- "Results of serum phosphate, renal phosphate threshold and serum parathyroid hormone" --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Results of plasma cyclic adenosine monophosphate --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- "Results of nephrogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate , total urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate / 100 ml glomerular filtrate and total urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate : creatinine ratio 59" / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Results of urinary calcium : creatinine ratio and urinary hydroxyproline : creatinine ratio --- p.66 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Factors contributing to hypercalcemia in hepatocellular carcinoma patients 71 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Results of serum parathyroid hormone-related peptide --- p.75 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- DISCUSSION --- p.77 / REFERENCES --- p.87

by Chung-Pui Cheng. / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 142-163.

Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV, is a human herpesvirus that is nearly universally present in most of the human population. The infection rate in adults is quickly approaching an astonishing 95% worldwide. While the most common clinical manifestation of EBV infection is infectious mononucleosis, there are multiple malignancies strongly associated with the virus, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A contemporary problem in public health is the scarcity of markers to predict the development of EBV-associated malignancies, which prevents a possible cure or a suitable treatment. Of the approximately 85 proteins that the virus expresses, EBV serological tests rely on detection of antibodies against only three antigens: BFRF3 (viral capsid antigen or VCA), BMRF1 (early antigen or EA), and BKRF1 (nuclear antigen or NA). Antibodies against two of these antigens, VCA and NA, are produced by almost all EBV carriers for their entire lifetime, and so detection of these antibodies can make it difficult to differentiate between non-cancerous EBV carriers and EBV-associated cancer patients. To address this problem, the project aimed to identify a set of markers to diagnose NPC and treat it. To test this, 3 EBV genes were cloned with a 3X FLAG-tag into a mammalian expression vector, then expressed and detected by immunoblotting with a monoclonal FLAG antibody and each of the 9 human serum samples used in this study. Our results were generally inconclusive, and further studies are warranted to explore possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Previous data have unveiled a novel autoregulatory feedback loop between iASPP and p63 in the stratified epithelia; this involves two microRNAs, miR-574-3p and miR-720, and is critical for epidermal homeostasis. The iASPP oncoprotein, an inhibitory member of the ASPP (apoptosis stimulating protein of p53) family, is a key inhibitor of p53 and NF-κB and is highly expressed in many cancers. Non-melanoma skin cancer, comprising of cutaneous squamous carcinoma (cSCC) and basal cell carcinoma, is currently the most common malignancy in the UK. In view of this newly-identified iASPP-p63 axis, I hypothesised a potential role for dysregulation of this feedback loop in the pathogenesis of cSCC and aimed to assess the role of iASPP in human cSCC. Protein and mRNA expression patterns were assessed in a panel of 10 cSCC cell lines generated by our group. In addition, immunostaining of iASPP and p63 was performed in 107 cSCC clinical samples of variable differentiation status. The data reveal an overall increase in expression of iASPP and ΔNp63 in cSCC but also suggest a significant alteration of the cellular localisation of iASPP dependent on the differentiation status of the tumour. To further assess the effects mediated by the iASPP/p63 axis, iASPP and p63 have been silenced by RNAi technology in a subset of cSCC cell lines. Whilst data shows the direct effects of iASPP and p63 upon each other's expression are maintained in cSCC, epigenetic dysregulation of the feedback loop at the microRNA level may be occurring via a novel p63 regulator, miR-211-5p. Functionality of iASPP in cSCC (proliferation, apoptosis, cell motility/migration and invasiveness) provides evidence for a role of iASPP in preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cSCC via a p63/miR-205-5. These findings provide potential future directions for development of clinical biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for cSCC and may ultimately provide the tools for tackling the increasing morbidity and mortality associated with this malignancy.