Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that P2X7 receptor induced apoptosis may be specific for cancerous cells. Treatment with the P2X7 ligand BzATP, increased cellular apoptosis with no associated inflammatory changes or abnormal skin or systemic effects. In mice treated with DMBA/TPA, BzATP decreased papilloma skin formation. BzATP also induced involution of developed papillomas and stimulated apoptosis in keratinocytes outgrowing at the base of developed papillomas. These data show that (a) P2X7 regulates apoptosis of epidermal cells; (b) in vivo, local administration of a drug that activates the P2X7 receptor can inhibit development and progression of epidermal premalignant lesions.

Abstract: A relationship between cancer and ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulation is described by determining intracellular levels of niRN A regulators. Generally, mRNA levels are decreased in cancer cells that may be a reflection of either reduced mRNA expression and/or increased mRNA degradation. miRNAs are identified that hybridize to an mRNA that are suspected to mediate intracellular mRNA steady state levels. Alternatively, ribonucleic acid binding protein (RBP) levels may also mediate intracellular mRNA steady state levels. In particular, this invention demonstrates an effective clinical management strategy for uterine cell cancers may be implemented by taking advantage of an exemplary relationship between P2X7 mRNA and miRNAs including, but not limited to, miR-186 and/or miR-150.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that P2X7 receptor induced apoptosis may be specific for cancerous cells. Treatment with the P2X7 ligand BzATP, increased cellular apoptosis with no associated inflammatory changes or abnormal skin or systemic effects. In mice treated with DMBA/TPA, BzATP decreased papilloma skin formation. BzATP also induced involution of developed papillomas and stimulated apoptosis in keratinocytes outgrowing at the base of developed papillomas. These data show that (a) P2X7 regulates apoptosis of epidermal cells; (b) in vivo, local administration of a drug that activates the P2X7 receptor can inhibit development and progression of epidermal premalignant lesions.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that P2X7 receptor induced apoptosis may be specific for cancerous cells. Treatment with the P2X7 ligand BzATP, increased cellular apoptosis with no associated inflammatory changes or abnormal skin or systemic effects. In mice treated with DMBA/TPA, BzATP decreased papilloma skin formation. BzATP also induced involution of developed papillomas and stimulated apoptosis in keratinocytes outgrowing at the base of developed papillomas. These data show that (a) P2X7 regulates apoptosis of epidermal cells; (b) in vivo, local administration of a drug that activates the P2X7 receptor can inhibit development and progression of epidermal premalignant lesions.

Abstract: Methods/reagents for detecting and/or treating cancers or potential cancers are disclosed. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for detecting truncated forms of P2X7 protein in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for increasing the amount and/or activity of full-length P2X7 in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for decreasing the amount and/or activity of truncated P2X7 in cells are described.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that P2X7 receptor induced apoptosis may be specific for cancerous cells. Treatment with the P2X7 ligand BzATP, increased cellular apoptosis with no associated inflammatory changes or abnormal skin or systemic effects. In mice treated with DMBA/TPA, BzATP decreased papilloma skin formation. BzATP also induced involution of developed papillomas and stimulated apoptosis in keratinocytes outgrowing at the base of developed papillomas. These data show that (a) P2X7 regulates apoptosis of epidermal cells; (b) in vivo, local administration of a drug that activates the P2X7 receptor can inhibit development and progression of epidermal premalignant lesions.

Abstract: Methods/reagents for detecting and/or treating cancers or potential cancers are disclosed. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for detecting truncated forms of P2X7 protein in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for increasing the amount and/or activity of full-length P2X7 in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for decreasing the amount and/or activity of truncated P2X7 in cells are described.

Abstract: A relationship between cancer and ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulation is described by determining intracellular levels of niRN A regulators. Generally, mRNA levels are decreased in cancer cells that may be a reflection of either reduced mRNA expression and/or increased mRNA degradation. miRNAs are identified that hybridize to an mRNA that are suspected to mediate intracellular mRNA steady state levels. Alternatively, ribonucleic acid binding protein (RBP) levels may also mediate intracellular mRNA steady state levels. In particular, this invention demonstrates an effective clinical management strategy for uterine cell cancers may be implemented by taking advantage of an exemplary relationship between P2X7 mRNA and miRNAs including, but not limited to, miR-186 and/or miR-150.

Abstract: Methods/reagents for detecting and/or treating cancers or potential cancers are disclosed. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for detecting truncated forms of P2X7 protein in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for increasing the amount and/or activity of full-length P2X7 in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for decreasing the amount and/or activity of truncated P2X7 in cells are described.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that P2X7 receptor induced apoptosis may be specific for cancerous cells. Treatment with the P2X7 ligand BzATP, increased cellular apoptosis with no associated inflammatory changes or abnormal skin or systemic effects. In mice treated with DMBA/TPA, BzATP decreased papilloma skin formation. BzATP also induced involution of developed papillomas and stimulated apoptosis in keratinocytes outgrowing at the base of developed papillomas. These data show that (a) P2X7 regulates apoptosis of epidermal cells; (b) in vivo, local administration of a drug that activates the P2X7 receptor can inhibit development and progression of epidermal premalignant lesions.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing ovulation in a female mammal comprises measuring the pH of the ectocervix of the female mammal and comparing the pH measured of the ectocervix to a reference value.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and tools for collecting cells to screen for disease, such as cancer. In one method of screening for a disease a flush fluid is injected into a human cavity, such as a uterus. The flush fluid and entrained cells from the cavity are withdrawn from the cavity and collected. The intermixed cells may be separated from the fluid and analyzed to determine whether the cells have a characteristic that is indicative of the presence of a disease. One tool for applying and withdrawing a fluid includes a nozzle, a screening fluid supply and fluid withdrawal mechanism. The nozzle includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The screening fluid supply supplies a screening fluid through the outlet port. The withdrawal mechanism withdraws fluid through the outlet port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying medication to internal human tissue. One drug delivery member (24) for applying medication (20) to internal human tissue includes a medication impermeable barrier (26) and a medication-carrying matrix (28). The medication impermeable barrier is shaped to conform to a contour of the internal tissue. The medication-carrying matrix releases the medication to the human tissue upon being applied to the internal human tissue. The matrix may be adapted to adhere to the internal human tissue.

Abstract: Methods/reagents for detecting and/or treating cancers or potential cancers are disclosed. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for detecting truncated forms of P2X7 protein in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for increasing the amount and/or activity of full-length P2X7 in cells are described. In one embodiment, methods and reagents for decreasing the amount and/or activity of truncated P2X7 in cells are described.

Abstract: A system for accurately obtaining cervical cells from a patient and quickly screening the sample includes a collector for collecting a spatially arranged cell sample from a target tissue, and an analyzer that examines the cell sample for abnormal cells while the cell sample remains on a surface of the collector.

Abstract: Cervical cells can be sampled in such a way as to retain the spatial relationships that existed between the cells prior to sampling. The cells can be collected by using a cervical cell collector that samples a cervix in a spatially resolved manner. The cervix is sampled by placing a sampling balloon in position adjacent to a cervix and inflating the sampling balloon to force a sampling surface of the sampling balloon into contact with the cervix, thereby transferring cervical cells from the cervix to the sampling surface of the sampling balloon. The sampling balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. Then, the adhered cervical cells are treated with a marker and are optically analyzed.

Abstract: A system for accurately obtaining cervical cells from a patient and quickly screening the sample includes a collector for collecting a spatially arranged cell sample from a target tissue, and an analyzer that examines the cell sample for abnormal cells while the cell sample remains on a surface of the collector.

Abstract: Cellular samples can be evaluated in a manner in which the spatial relationships existing between said cells in-vivo are preserved and can be used to guide subsequent follow-up and treatment where abnormalities are detected. An instrument for analyzing cervical cells includes receiving means for receiving a topological array of cervical cells, reagent application means for applying one or more reagents to the topological array of cervical cells, analysis means for optically analyzing the topological array of cervical cells, and reporting means for reporting results of the analysis means.

Abstract: Cervical cells can be sampled in such a way as to retain the spatial relationships that existed between the cells prior to sampling. The cells can be collected by using a cervical cell collector that includes sampling means for sampling a cervix in a spatially resolved manner, supporting means for supporting the sampling means, and inflation means for reversibly inflating and deflating the sampling means. The cervix is sampled by placing a sampling balloon in position adjacent to a cervix and inflating the sampling balloon to force a sampling surface of the sampling balloon into contact with the cervix, thereby transferring cervical cells from the cervix to the sampling surface of the sampling balloon. The sampling balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. Then, the adhered cervical cells are treated with a marker and are optically analyzed.