In order to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms, several methods including, flow cytometric, western blot and quantitative real-time PCR analyses were employed. AITC-induced cell growth inhibition in SW620 cells was mainly caused by G2/M arrest, which was accompanied by regulatory proteins modifications. Results of western blot and quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed clear downregulation of pivotal phosphatases Cdc25B and Cdc25C at both transcriptional and post-translational levels in AITC-treated cells. Subsequently, accumulation of inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdc2 on Thr14 and Tyr15 were resulted. Furthermore, an AITC induced apoptosis after prolonged exposure was observed. It was a caspase-mediated apoptosis as evidenced by the activation of initiator caspases (-8 and -9), effector caspases (-3 and -7) and cleavage of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Besides in vitro studies, the antitumor activity of AITC was further illustrated by a nude mice xenografts experiment. Treatment with 10 micromol AITC could effectively suppress the growth of SW620 xenografts in vivo. Taken together, our results suggest that AITC is an attractive candidate for future research in chemotherapy and chemoprevention. / Many epidemiological studies indicate that a high intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables and their digested products are suggested to play an important role in such chemoprevention. When plant tissue is physically damaged, glucosidic bonds are cleaved by endogenous myrosinase to produce various products. Among these products, isothiocyanates (ITCs) draw most of the attention because of their potent antitumor activities. But the molecular mechanism leading to such effects has not yet been defined. / The objective of this study was to investigate the chemotherapeutic potential of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) towards human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Another commonly founded ITC, phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) was employed as a reference sample. The growth inhibitory effects of ITCs on different colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were investigated using in vitro cell models. Both AITC and PEITC were found to inhibit the growth and proliferation of Caco-2, COLO 201 and SW620 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Based on sensitivity, the most vulnerable SW620 cells were chosen for further studies. In the following BrdU assay, IC50 values for 24-h AITC and PEITC treatments were determined to be 30.2 and 9.21 microM, respectively. At the same time, the effects of ITCs on human normal skin fibroblast Hs68 cells were also investigated. It was found that the survival of Hs68 cells was not affected by the treatments of AITC. However, the survival of Hs68 cells was greatly affected by PEITC-treatments in a dose- and time-dependent manner. / Lau, Wing Sze. / Adviser: Wong Yum Shing. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-128). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. However, adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents exhibit poor accumulation in the tumor mass and frequently result in serious side effects due to nonspecific damage to normal organs. Therefore, the development of more selective anticancer drugs with targeted delivery to tumor sites is the current trend in cancer therapies. Among these sites, tumor neovasculature is an attractive target for anticancer agents. It is because tumor growth is largely limited by blood supply which is dependent on the extent of angiogenesis in the tumor. / Experimental analysis suggested that TCP-1 phage and synthetic TCP-1 peptide specifically homed to colorectal cancer tissues and co-localized with the tumor vasculature. Moreover, TCP-1 peptide also recognized the vasculature of human colorectal cancer specimens. Subsequently, the homing abilities of TCP-1 phage were extensively tested in other cancer models. Results showed that TCP-1 peptide could also target the vasculature of orthotopic gastric cancer induced by human colon cancer cell line (MKN45) in BALB/c nude mice. Meanwhile, TCP-1 phage exhibited binding activity to colorectal cancer cells such as colon 26 and SW1116. TCP-1 peptide could carry a pro-apoptotic peptide into these cells and markedly enhanced its pro-apoptotic action. / In summary, we have used the phage display technology to isolate two unique peptides TCP-1 and TCP-2, which targeted the vasculature of orthotopic colorectal cancer and also recognized the vasculature of human colorectal cancer. Moreover, they could deliver fluorescein or pro-apoptotic peptide only to the tumor vasculature but not to other normal tissues, for imaging detection and targeted therapy. In conclusion, both TCP-1 and TCP-2 may have significant clinical applications as carriers in diagnostic imaging and ligand-mediated targeted therapy for human colorectal cancer. / Similarly, TCP-2 phage or its peptide also targeted specifically the orthotopic colorectal cancer, and co-localized with the tumor vasculature in mice. Meanwhile, TCP-2 peptide recognized the vasculature of human colorectal cancer specimens. FITC-labeled TCP-2 peptide could also be used to detect cancer tissues in tumor-bearing mice. / To identify specific ligands targeting the tumor neovasculature, in vivo phage display technology has been extensively used. Several dozens of peptides homing to normal or diseased vasculature have been identified through this technology. However, these peptides target mainly the tumors growing at distant sites but not at the primary organ, thus limiting their clinical application. To obtain specific peptides targeting the neovasculature of colorectal cancer growing in situ, we established an orthotopic colorectal cancer model in normal BALB/c mice by using syngeneic colon cancer cells (colon 26). Subsequently, in vivo phage display technology was utilized to isolate peptides which specifically recognized the vasculature of the cancer. Four peptides (termed TCP-1, 2, 3, 4) were enriched more than once after four-round selections. Further investigation disclosed that TCP-1 and TCP-2 phages had relatively stronger binding abilities to cancer tissues among the four phage clones. They were chosen for further study. / We further demonstrated that TCP-1 could serve as a carrier for image detection and drug delivery. FITC-labeled TCP-1 could specifically produce a strong fluorescence signal in the tumors after intravenous injection into the orthotopic tumor-bearing mice. Moreover TCP-1, when conjugated with a pro-apoptotic peptide, could also specifically induce apoptosis of tumor vasculature in vivo. / Li, Zhijie. / Adviser: Cho Chiltin. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 194-221). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

The purpose of this naturalistic inquiry was to understand factors that influence patients’ commitment to colorectal cancer screening, specifically colonoscopy. Fifteen personcentred interviews were conducted: 10 with individuals who had completed screening, and 5 with individuals who declined. Three subthemes (relationship, motivation, and human agency) were associated with the overarching theme of regard or disregard for vulnerability. Participants who perceived a disregard for their vulnerability by their health care provider (HCP) frequently chose to decline screening even though they showed a high level of commitment to health promotion. Participants who perceived a regard for vulnerability by their HCP frequently chose to accept screening. The nursing profession can show a regard for patient vulnerability by enhancing communication techniques and concentrating on being attentive to patient concerns which will build a trusting relationship with patients and enhance screening rates. Persistence in the relationship can change a patient’s decision in time. / 132 leaves : col. ill. ; 29 cm

Due to the constantly increasing epidemiological burden of our population on oncological diseases, nationwide preventive programs for selected types of malignant tumors have been introduced within the Czech health system. The aim of this thesis is to analyze and evaluate these screenings, such as mammographic screening, cervical screening and screening of the colon and rectum. The subject of the analysis is the mortality rates for breast cancer (C50), cervix (C53) and colon and rectum cancer (C18-21) between 1994 and 2015. The main focus is on question of whether the development of the mortality rate for selected neoplasms depends on the degree of coverage rate by a preventive program.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Carboxylesterases (CES) are enzymes that metabolize a wide variety of compounds including esters, thioesters, carbamates, and amides. In humans there are three known carboxylesterase genes CES1, CES2, and CES3. Irinotecan (CPT-11) and capecitabine are important chemotherapeutic prodrugs that are used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Of the three CES isoenzymes, CES2 has the highest catalytic efficiency for irinotecan activation. There is large inter-individual variation in response to treatment with irinotecan. Life-threatening late-onset diarrhea has been reported in approximately 13% of patients receiving irinotecan. Several studies have reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the CES2 gene. However, there has been no consensus on the effect of different CES2 SNPs and their relationship to CES2 RNA expression or irinotecan hydrolase activity. Three CES2 mRNA transcripts of approximately 2kb,3kb, and 4kb have been identified by multi-tissue northern analysis. The expressed sequence tag (EST) database indicates that CES2 undergoes several splicing events that could generate up to six potential proteins. Four of the proteins CES2, CES2458-473, CES2+64, CES21-93 were studied to characterize their expression and activity. Multi-tissue northern analysis revealed that CES2+64 corresponds to the 4kb and 3kb transcripts while CES21-93 is located only in the 4 kb transcript. CES2458-473 is an inactive splice variant that accounts for approximately 6% of the CES2 transcripts in normal and tumor colon tissue. There is large inter-individual variation in CES2 expression in both tumor and normal colon samples. Characterization of CES2+64 identified the protein as normal CES2 indicating that the signal peptide is recognized in spite of the additional 64 amino acids at the N-terminus. Sub-cellular localization studies revealed that CES2 and CES2+64 localize to the ER, and CES21-93 localizes to the cytoplasm. To date CES2 SNP data has not provided any explanation for the high inter-individual variability in response to irinotecan treatment. Multi-tissue northern blots indicate that CES2 is expressed in a tissue specific manner. We have identified the CES2 variants which correspond to each mRNA transcript. This information will be critical to defining the role of CES2 variants in the different tissues.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: The ability of different polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially n-3 PUFAs, to prevent the development of cancer has been under intense investigation the past three decades. Numerous studies have shown that these fatty acids can kill cancer cells in vitro as well as in vivo whilst normal cells remain unaffected. Unfortunately, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are still poorly understood. This study investigated the signalling pathways modulated by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in an adenocarcinoma cell line, in order to shed some light on these unknown mechanisms. Materials & Methods: NCM460 (normal colon epithelial) and CaCo2 (colon adenocarcinoma) cells were cultured and treated with low doses of palmitic acid (PMA), oleic acid (OA), arachidonic acid (AA), and DHA. The effects of these fatty acids on the proliferation of the cells were measured with the MTT assay. The composition of membrane phospholipids of CaCo2 cells was determined after 48h supplementation with different fatty acids by gas chromatography. Also, CaCo2 cells were treated with DHA (10 μM) only and proteins were harvested at fixed time points ranging from 2 minutes to 48 hours. The protein inhibitors wortmannin (PI3 kinase inhibitor), PD 98059 (MEK inhibitor) and SB 203580 (p38 inhibitor) and also RNA interference (RNAi) of the p38 MAPK protein were used to investigate cross-talk between signalling pathways. ERK, p38 MAP kinase, Akt, and p53 were then analysed by Western blotting using phospho-specific and total antibodies. The cleavage of the apoptotic proteins, caspase-3 and PARP were also analysed. Results and discussion: MTT assays revealed that none of the fatty acids were toxic to normal cells. In addition, DHA was shown to be most effective to kill CaCo2 cells whilst protecting NCM460 cells and a subsequent dose response experiment revealed that lower concentrations are most suitable for this purpose. DHA was also shown to be readily incorporated into phospholipids, along with AA. This is associated with increased membrane fluidity, which could affect the localisation, and downstream effects, of various signalling proteins within the membrane. Western blot analysis revealed a rapid increase in activity in most proteins under investigation, especially ERK and Akt (Ser473). Long-term DHA supplementation suppressed the full activation of Akt. This down regulation of survival signalling could lead to cell death in CaCo2 cells. In addition, it was shown that after 48h, DHA induced the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, which is indicative of apoptosis. RNAi experiments suggested a possible role for p38 MAPK in the phosphorylation of p53 at Ser15, a site which is associated with DNA damage. Conclusion: DHA exerts its effects by means of cellular signal transduction pathways, particularly by suppression of the important survival-related kinase, Akt. This could have implications for future therapeutic interventions in cancer patients, as fatty acids are safe to use and do not interfere with the functionality of normal tissue. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Die vermoë van verskillende poli-onversadigde vetsure (POVSe), veral n-3 POVSe, om die ontstaan van kanker te voorkom, is intens nagevors die afgelope drie dekades. Menigte studies het aangevoer dat hierdie vetsure kankerselle in vitro asook in vivo kan doodmaak, terwyl normale selle nie daardeur beïnvloed word nie. Ongelukkig word die sellulêre and molekulêre meganismes onderliggend tot hierdie verskynsel nie goed begryp nie. Hierdie studie het verskeie seintransduksie-paaie wat deur dokosaheksaenoësuur (DHS) in ‘n adenokarsinoom sellyn gemoduleer word, ondersoek. Materiale & Metodes: NCM460 (normale kolonepiteel) en CaCo2 (kolon adenokarsinoom) selle is onderhou in ‘n selkultuur-laboratorium en behandel met lae dosisse palmitiensuur (PMS), oleïensuur (OS), aragidoonsuur (AS), en DHS. Die invloed van hierdie vetsure op die proliferasie van die selle is d.m.v. die MTT toets bepaal. The samestelling van membraan-fosfolipiede van CaCo2 selle is na 48h behandeling met die verskillende vetsure bepaal deur middel van gaschromatografie. Die CaCo2 selle is ook met DHA (10 μM) alleenlik behandel en teen vaste tydpunte wat wissel van 2 minute tot 48h, waarna proteïene geëkstraeer is. Die proteïen-inhibitore wortmannin (PI3 kinase inhibitor), PD 98059 (MEK inhibitor), en SB 203580 (p38 inhibitor) asook RNAinterferensie (RNAi) teen die p38 MAPK proteïen is ingespan om oorvleueling tussen seintransduksie–weë te ondersoek. ERK, p38 MAPK, Akt, en p53 is geanaliseer deur middel van die Western–klad metode met fosfo–spesifieke en totale antiliggame. Die kliewing van die apoptotiese proteïene caspase-3 en PARP is ook bepaal. Resultate en bespreking: MTT toetse het ontul dat geen vetsure toksies was vir die normale selle nie. Daar is ook gevind dat DHS die mees effektiewe vetsuur was om CaCo2 selle te dood, terwyl NCM460 selle beskerm word. Gevolglik het ‘n dosis-respons eksperiment getoon dat laer konsentrasies die beste geskik is vir hierdie doel. Daar is ook gevind dat DHA maklik in fosfolipiede geïnkorporeer word, tesame met AS. Dit word geassosieer met verhoogde membraan-vloeibaarheid, wat die ligging, en ook stroom-af werking, van verskeie seintransduksie proteïene in die membraan, kan beïnvloed. Westernklad analises het ‘n vinnige verhoging in die aktiwiteite van die meeste proteïene onder die soeklig, getoon, veral ERK en Akt (Ser473). Langdurige DHS behandeling het die maksimale aktiwiteit van Akt onderdruk. Hierdie afname van oorlewing-gerigte seine kan lei tot seldood in CaCo2 selle. Daar is boonop geving dat DHS die kliewing van caspase-3 en PARP geïnduseer het na 48, wat dui op apoptose. Uit die RNAi eksperiment kon daar ook ‘n moontlike rol vir p38 MAPK in die fosforilering van p53 by Ser15, wat geassosieer word met DNS-skade, getoon word. Gevolgtrekking: DHS beoefen sy effekte deur middel van seintransduksie paaie, veral deur die oorlewing-geassosieerde kinase, Akt, te onderdruk. Dit kan implikasies hê vir toekomende terapeutiese ingrypings in kankerpasiënte, aangesien vetsure veilig is om te gebruik en nie skadelik is vir normale weefsel nie.

Wong, Wai Ki Vicky. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-131). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / 摘要 --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Table of contents --- p.vii / List of tables --- p.xii / List of figures --- p.xiii / List of abbreviations --- p.xiv / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Colorectal cancer / Chapter 2.1 --- Literature Review / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Colorectal cancer --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Incident rate of colorectal cancer --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Hereditary colorectal cancer --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Sporadic colorectal cancer and Wnt signaling pathway --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Chemotherapy treatment of colorectal cancer --- p.11 / Chapter 2.1.5.1 --- 5-Fluorouracil --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.5.2 --- Oxaliplatin --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.5.3 --- Irinotecan --- p.14 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Biomarkers for colorectal cancer --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.6.1 --- Thymidylate synthase --- p.15 / Chapter 2.1.6.2 --- Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.6.3 --- Thymidine phosphorylase --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.6.4 --- Microsatellite-instability status --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1.6.5 --- Clinical uses of biomarkers for colorectal cancer --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Choice of cell line as colorectal cancer model --- p.17 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- Aims of study --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Verification of SW480 as a nuclear β-catenin positive cell line / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Maintenance of cell lines --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Antibody --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Agar block preparation for SW480 and CCD-18C0 cells --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.1.4 --- Immunocytochemical staining --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Effect of anti-cancer drugs on cell viability / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Maintenance of cell lines --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- MTT cell viability assay --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results / Chapter 2.3.1 --- SW480 is a β-catenin positive cell line --- p.24 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Antiproliferative effects of cytotoxic drugs in SW480 cells / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- 5-Fluorouracil --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Oxaliplatin --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Irinotecan --- p.31 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 2.4.1 --- SW480 as a nuclear β-catenin positive cell line --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Antiproliferative effects of 5-fluorouracil in SW480 cells --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Summary --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Effect of 5-fluorouracil on mRNA expression in SW480 cells / Chapter 3.1 --- Literature Review / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Application of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in cancer research / Chapter 3.1.1.1 --- Principles of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1.1.2 --- Advantages of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction over conventional polymerase chain reaction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1.1.3 --- Determination of colorectal cancer biomarkers by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Determination of the effect of 5-fluorouracil on mRNA expression in SW480 cells / Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Treatment of cells --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Extraction of total RNA from SW480 cells --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.1.3 --- Removal of genomic DNA --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.1.4 --- Determination of the efficiency of genomic DNA removal --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.1.5 --- Determination of the purity and concentration of RNA --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.1.6 --- Determination of the integrity of RNA --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.1.7 --- First strand cDNA synthesis --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.1.8 --- Real-time polymerase chain reaction using human Wnt signaling pathway RT2 ProfileŕёØ PCR array --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.1.9 --- Calculation of the fold-change in genes expression between the 5-FU treated and control SW480 cells --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.1 --- The quality and quantity of RNA --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effects of 5-fluorouracil on genes expression in SW480 cells --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Alterations in mRNA expression in 5-fluorouracil treated SW480 cells --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Extracellular signaling molecules --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Canonical Wnt signaling pathway --- p.56 / Chapter 3.4.1.3 --- Regulators of cell cycle --- p.57 / Chapter 3.4.1.4 --- Regulators of growth and proliferation --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4.1.5 --- Regulators of transcription --- p.58 / Chapter 3.4.1.6 --- Regulators of Wnt receptor signaling pathway --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4.1.7 --- Other genes involved in Wnt signaling --- p.61 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Limitations of Q-RT-PCR --- p.61 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Summary --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Effect of 5-fluorouracil on proteins expression in SW480 cells / Chapter 4.1 --- Literature Review / Chapter 4.1.1 --- From mRNA to proteins --- p.63 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Application of proteomics in cancer research --- p.63 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Principles of MALDI TOF mass spectrometry --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- Peptide mass fingerprinting --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- Drug response proteins detected by proteomics in colorectal cancer cell lines --- p.65 / Chapter 4.1.7 --- Detection of biomarker in colorectal cancer formation using proteomics --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Determination of the effect of 5-fluorouracil on proteins expression in SW480 cells / Chapter 4.2.1.1 --- Treatment of cells --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.1.2 --- Cell lysis --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.1.3 --- Protein quantitation of cell lysate --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.1.4 --- Sample preparation for two-dimensional electrophoresis --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.1.5 --- Two-dimensional electrophoresis --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.1.6 --- Silver staining --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.1.7 --- Image analysis --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.1.8 --- In-gel protein digestion --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.1.9 --- Peptide mass fingerprinting using mass spectrometry --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Protein expression patterns of 5-fluorouracil treated and untreated SW480 cells by 2-dimensional electrophoresis --- p.72 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Identification of the differentially expressed proteins after 5-fluorouracil treatment in SW480 cells --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Effects of 5-fluorouracil on protein expression in SW480 cells --- p.82 / Chapter 4.4.1.1 --- Identified upregulated proteins after 5-fluorouracil treatment in SW480 cells / Chapter 4.4.1.1.1 --- Cyclophilin A --- p.83 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.2 --- Cytokeratin 19 --- p.83 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.3 --- Cytokeratin 8 --- p.84 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.4 --- RAN --- p.84 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.5 --- Heat shock protein 27 --- p.84 / Chapter 4.4.1.1.6 --- Peroxiredoxin 6 --- p.85 / Chapter 4.4.1.2 --- Identified dowiiregulated proteins after 5-fluorouracil treatment in SW480 cells / Chapter 4.4.1.2.1 --- Heat shock protein 60 --- p.86 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.2 --- Cytokeratin 18 --- p.86 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.3 --- Cytokeratin 9 --- p.86 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.4 --- Carbamoylphosphate synthetase I --- p.87 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.5 --- a-Enolase --- p.87 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.6 --- Heat shock protein 70 --- p.87 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.7 --- nm23 --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4.1.2.8 --- β-actin --- p.88 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Limitations of proteomics profiling --- p.89 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Summary --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Verification of proteinśة identities by immunocytochemical staining / Chapter 5.1 --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Antibodies --- p.91 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Treatment of cells --- p.91 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Agar block preparation of SW480 cells --- p.92 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Immunocytochemical staining and evaluation --- p.92 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Polymer-based immunohistochemical detection system --- p.93 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- Statistical analyses --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2 --- Results / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Confirmation of proteomic findings using immunocytochemical stainings in paraffin-embedded sections of 5-fluorouracil treated and untreated SW480 cells --- p.94 / Chapter 5.3 --- Discussion / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Immunocytochemical staining to verify proteomics findings of 5-fluorouracil treated and untreated SW480 cells --- p.99 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Limitations of ICC staining --- p.100 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Summary --- p.100 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Conclusions and future perspectives / Chapter 6.1 --- Significance of study --- p.101 / Chapter 6.2 --- Future perspectives --- p.102 / References --- p.105

The role of meat consumption in the development of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC), has been subject of much investigation in recent years. The observation of geographical variation in CRC incidence and increased CRC risks in populations consuming high levels of meat prompted researchers to hypothesise a link between meat and CRC. An area of particular interest in CRC pathogenesis is the meat-derived compounds such are heterocyclic amines (HCAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and meatderived mutagenic activity. Australia is among the countries with high incidence of CRC and also high levels of per capita meat consumption. Hence, clarifying the possible link between meat consumption and the risk of CRC in order that this can be translated into preventive dietary recommendations for the public is important. The objective of this thesis was to examine whether meat consumption is related to risk of CRC in an Australian population. The term meat consumption in this thesis means meaures of consumption of red and white meat that incorporate frequency and cooking method. The following hypotheses were investigated: 1. Increasing intake of meat prepared by methods that involve higher cooking temperature and time is positively associated with the risk of CRC; 2. Increasing exposure to meat-derived heterocyclic amines (HCAs) is positively associated with the risk of CRC; 3. Higher levels of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from meat consumption is a risk factor for CRC; 4. Exposure to meat-derived mutagens increases the risk of CRC.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is an important family of transcription factors whose aberrant activation has been found in many types of cancer, including CRC. Therefore, understanding the regulation of NF-κB is of ultimate importance for cancer therapy. Using a novel validation-based insertional mutagenesis (VBIM) strategy, our lab has identified the novel adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) like protein (ALP) gene as a negative regulator of NF-κB. Preliminary studies from our lab demonstrated that overexpression of ALP led to decreased NF-κB activity by κB reporter assay and electrophoresis mobility gel shift assay (EMSA). The current project aims to further evaluate the role of ALP in the regulation of NF-κB signaling in CRC cells. We found that overexpression of ALP in human CRC HT29 cells greatly reduced both the number and the size of colonies that were formed in a soft agar assay. ALP overexpression also decreased the cell growth rate and cell migration ability, while shRNA mediated knockdown of ALP showed opposite effects, confirming that ALP is a tumor suppressor in CRC HT29 cells. Overexpression of ALP led to decreased NF-κB activity by κB reporter assay and condition media assay in CRC HT29 cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis with human colon vii tissues revealed that there is a gradual loss of ALP protein with tumor progression. We also found that ALP predominantly localizes in the cytoplasm, and binds to the p65 subunit of NF-κB, and might be functioning downstream of IκB kinase (IKK). In summary, in this study, we provide evidence regarding the tumor suppressor role of ALP in CRC by functioning as novel negative regulator of NF-κB. This discovery could lead to the establishment of ALP as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. There are three types of treatment available to patients, either individually or in combination. Treatments are radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. In a Phase II clinical trial at IUSM, a multimodality approach was chosen. The patients with locally advanced rectal cancer received preoperative treatment with capecitabine and irinotecan (CPT-11) combination followed by chemoradiation with capecitabine and finally surgery to improve response and decrease local recurrence. Irinotecan and Capecitabine are both prodrugs activated in vivo to SN-38 and 5-FU, respectively. Identification of the molecular markers for 5-FU and Irinotecan efficacy and toxicity is important for the development of more efficient and less toxic treatment strategies for patients with colorectal cancer. The goal of this study was to determine the expression levels of the genes involved in activation and metabolism of capecitabine and irinotecan in pre and post treatment specimens from these patients. The genes quantitated by real-time PCR were carboxylesterase 1 and 2 (CES1 and CES2), thymidylate synthase (TS), β-glucoronidase (β-GUS), thymidine phosphorylase (TP), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) and topoisomerase I (Topo I). The UGT1A1*28 polymorphism in UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 is associated with SN-38 toxicity. Therefore, the UGT1A1*28 polymorphism status in patients was determined by PCR-sequencing. Correlative analysis of gene expression and UGT1A1*28 mutation with clinical outcome in this Phase II study was completed.