Death receptors (DRs) and the participants of DR-mediated signaling are characterized by a large number of mRNA isoforms generated by alternative splicing. Due to their high labor intensity and high cost, conventional methods (RT-PCR and RT-PCR in real time) are ineffective when the simultaneous detection of a plurality of mRNA isoforms is needed. In this regard, the use of DNA biochips is has prospective applications in analyzing the expression of many genes simultaneously. In this paper, we suggest an optimal strategy of probes selection aimed at detecting the maximum number of mRNA splice variants generated by major participants of DR-signaling. The objects of the study were 185 genes that form 1134 mRNA isoforms. As a result, a biochip design was developed that enables the detection of 499 mRNA isoforms (44% of total mRNA splice variants). The proposed strategy combines a high degree of modularity, the use of modern high-performance computers, and broad opportunities for setting up the selection criteria in accordance with the objectives of the study.

It is shown that an increase in serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 in colorectal cancer patients is not associated with the presence of the alternative form of ICAM-1 mRNA in primary colorectal tumors. The alternative form is characterised by a deletion in the transmembrane region and encodes soluble ICAM-1. The presence of mRNA encoding soluble ICAM-1 in tumor cells, however, may be associated with a reduced risk of metastases.

Endometrial cancer patients had higher serum concentrations of IL-10 and adhesion molecule soluble complexes CD18-CD54. The content of CD8+, CD25+, CD38+ and CD54+ mononuclear cells, IL-12, IFN-ƒ, soluble CD8 molecules, oligolmeric CD50 molecules and soluble CD54 molecules were elevated in endometrial cancer as well as in uterine myoma. Only uterine myoma patients had higher levels of CD18+ and CD50+ mononuclear cells.

The mRNA expression of 6 MAGE-A (MAGE-A1-A6) antigens by the tumor focal cells and cancer cells circulating in blood was studied in solid malignant and benign neoplasms. MAGE- A1-A6 mRNA expression was detected in the tumor focal cells in more than 90% of cases of cancer of the breast, lung, and stomach and melanoma cell lines. The detection rate of peripheral blood MAGE-A1-A6-positive tumor cells was 95% in lung cancer, 53% in corpus uteri cancer, 67% in gastric cancer, 63% in breast cancer, 33% in melanoma, and 42% in uterine myoma. MAGE-A3 and MAGE-A4 mRNA expression was more commonly observed.