Scientists at the German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, have found that expression of L1, a glycoprotein adhesion molecule, in ovarian and uterine tumors is strongly associated with a poor prognosis. They report that L1 expression is associated with poorly differentiated tumors and with advanced disease stage. Further, a soluble form of L1 was found in serum samples from patients with stage III/IV disease.
Source: The Lancet September 13, 2003;362:869-875.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester have found that uric acid may be the danger signal released by damaged cells that triggers inflammation and a strong immune response. Uric acid is present in urine and has been recognized for decades as the molecule that is found at high levels in the joints of people with gout. These are very early findings that may lead to new sources of therapy and diagnostics for autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis and organ transplant rejection.
Source: Nature, September 7, 2003.