The methylation of arginine has been implicated in many cellular processes, such as regulation of transcription, mRNA splicing, RNA metabolism and transport. The enzymes responsible for this modification are the protein arginine methyltransferases. The most abundant methyltransferase in human cells is protein arginine methyltransferase 1. Methylation processes appear to interfere in the emergence of several diseases, including cancer. During our study, we examined the expression pattern of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 gene in colon cancer patients. The emerging results showed that the expression of one of the gene variants is associated with statistical significant probability to clinical and histological parameters, such as nodal status and stage. This is a first attempt to acquire an insight on the possible relation of the expression pattern of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 and colon cancer progression.

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In this study, we examined several molecular markers in prostate and breast cancer patients and in normal individuals. The markers tested were: variations in the quantity of plasma DNA, glutathione-S-transferase P1 gene (GSTP1), Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A), and ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) methylation status in plasma, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma samples from prostate cancer patients. DNA quantification in plasma was performed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). We assessed the methylation status of GSTP1 in plasma DNA using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) assay, while the methylation status of RASSF1A and ATM genes was examined by the MethyLight technology. RT-PCR analysis was used for the detection of mRNA, PSMA, and CEA. In 58.3% of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients and 26.7% of prostate cancer patients under therapy, plasma DNA levels were increased. Additionally, 48.5% of breast cancer patients showed plasma DNA levels above the cutoff limit. GSTP1 Promotor hypermethylation was detectable in 75% of plasma samples obtained from patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and in 36.8% of patients under therapy, whereas 26% and 14% of the breast cancer patients tested were positive for RASSF1A and ATM methylation, respectively. The combination of DNA load and promotor methylation status identified 88% of prostate cancer patients and 54% of breast cancer patients. This study shows that free-circulating DNA can be detected in cancer patients compared with disease-free individuals, and suggests a new, noninvasive approach for early detection of cancer.

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Metastatic involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract secondary to breast cancer is rare. Reported herein is the case of a 74-year-old woman with metastatic lobular breast carcinoma to the rectum presenting with obstruction. The breast tumour was diagnosed nine years prior to the presentation of rectal metastases. Endoscopy was repeated twice until a diagnosis was established. Examination of endoscopy material revealed infiltration of the rectum by malignant signet ring cells identical to those of the primary breast tumour. The patient did not respond to chemotherapy and underwent laparotomy with a defunctioning colostomy. Literature review revealed only a few more cases of metastatic breast carcinoma to the rectum. Awareness of this condition may lead to accurate diagnosis and early initiation of systemic treatment, thus avoiding surgical intervention.