Alterations in the regulation of apoptosis may contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer and resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy. In mammalian cells, nonreceptor-mediated apoptosis occurs predominantly via assembly of a cytochrome c-dependent apoptosome complex containing caspase-9 and apoptotic protease-activating factor-1 (Apaf-1). We show here that cytosolic extracts from human ovarian ...

PURPOSE Cisplatin and its platinum derivatives are first-line chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of ovarian cancer; however, treatment is associated with tumor resistance and significant toxicity. Here we investigated the antitumoral activity of lipoplatin, one of the most promising liposomal platinum drug formulations under clinical investigation. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In vitro effects o...

Previous research demonstrated a relationship between the temporal pattern of heterosexual activity and an index of ovarian functioning. In the current study, this relationship was investigated in 147 menstruating heterosexual women (aged 19-53). They kept prospective daily records of menses, basal body temperature, sexual activity, and other behaviors for three consecutive menstrual cycles. In...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ovarian tissue vitrification and two-step in vitro culture on the metaphase II (MII) oocyte reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) expression and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity. After collection of neonatal mouse ovaries, 45 ovaries were vitrified and the others (n = 45) were...

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Active immunisation against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) provides a reversible method for control of oestrous behaviour and fertility in mares. Previous reports failed to demonstrate the interval to resumption of cyclic ovarian activity after GnRH-vaccination. HYPOTHESIS Administration of the GnRH-vaccine Improvac in a large group of mares of various age...

The RAS-RAF-MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway plays a pivotal role in various cellular responses, including cellular growth, differentiation, survival and motility. Constitutive activation of the ERK pathway has been linked to the development and progression of human cancers. Here, we reported that mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MKP)-3, a negative regulator ...

Ovarian cancer is the major cause of death from gynecological malignancy, and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic targets. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway has been strongly implicated in the genesis of ovarian cancer. However, to identify and evaluate potential targets for therapeutic intervention, it is critical to understand the mechanism by which the PI3K/AKT pat...

Metastatic dissemination of ovarian tumors involves the invasion of tumor cell clusters into the mesothelial cell lining of peritoneal cavity organs; however, the tumor-specific factors that allow ovarian cancer cells to spread are unclear. We used an in vitro assay that models the initial step of ovarian cancer metastasis, clearance of the mesothelial cell layer, to examine the clearance abili...

We show here that elevated levels of gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone), as found in menopause or after ovariectomy, promote growth of human ovarian carcinoma by induction of tumor angiogenesis. Human epithelial ovarian cancer tumors progressed faster in ovariectomized mice. This induced growth could be attributed to the elevated levels of gonadotropins associa...