A549 Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma Research Articles

NF-κB in the Radiation Response of A549 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells to X-rays and Carbon Ions under Hypoxia.

Cellular hypoxia, detectable in up to 80% of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) tumors, is a known cause of radioresistance. High linear energy transfer (LET) particle radiation might be effective in the treatment of hypoxic solid tumors, including NSCLC. Cellular hypoxia can activate nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), which can modulate radioresistance by influencing cancer cell survival. The effect of high-LET radiation on NF-κB activation in hypoxic NSCLC cells is unclear. Therefore, we compared the effect of low (X-rays)- and high (12C)-LET radiation on NF-κB responsive genes' upregulation, as well as its target cytokines' synthesis in normoxic and hypoxic A549 NSCLC cells. The cells were incubated under normoxia (20% O2) or hypoxia (1% O2) for 48 h, followed by irradiation with 8 Gy X-rays or 12C ions, maintaining the oxygen conditions until fixation or lysis. Regulation of NF-κB responsive genes was evaluated by mRNA sequencing. Secretion of NF-κB target cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, was quantified by ELISA. A greater fold change increase in expression of NF-κB target genes in A549 cells following exposure to 12C ions compared to X-rays was observed, regardless of oxygenation status. These genes regulate cell migration, cell cycle, and cell survival. A greater number of NF-κB target genes was activated under hypoxia, regardless of irradiation status. These genes regulate cell migration, survival, proliferation, and inflammation. X-ray exposure under hypoxia additionally upregulated NF-κB target genes modulating immunosurveillance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Increased IL-6 and IL-8 secretion under hypoxia confirmed NF-κB-mediated expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Therefore, radiotherapy, particularly with X-rays, may increase tumor invasiveness in surviving hypoxic A549 cells.

MiR-29b-3p targetedly regulates VEGF to inhibit tumor progression and cisplatin resistance through Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a common type of lung cancer. Prior investigations have elucidated the pivotal role of miR-29b-3p in restraining tumor growth and metastasis. Nonetheless, it remains to be determined whether miR-29b-3p can effectively suppress NSCLC progression and enhance the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to cisplatin. This investigation sought to determine the mechanism by which miR-29b-3p inhibited the advancement of NSCLC and mitigated resistance to cisplatin. We initially assessed miR-29b-3p and VEGF levels in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Next, miR-29b-3p expression was elevated in NSCLC cell lines H1975 and A549 by overexpression plasmid transfection. Following this, a sequence of molecular biology experiments was conducted to evaluate the impact of miR-29b-3p on the biological behaviors of NSCLC cells and their resistance to cisplatin. Additionally, we predicted VEGF was a target gene of miR-29b-3p by bioinformatics analysis. We next employed western blot to evaluate the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in NSCLC cells. Finally, we elucidated the effects of VEGF and Nrf2/HO-1pathway on NSCLC progression and cisplatin resistance by in vitro assays. In comparison to paracancerous tissues and human normal lung epithelial cells, the expression of miR-29b-3p was notably reduced and VEGF expression was clearly elevated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Moreover, miR-29b-3p upregulated obviously suppressed the biological activities of NSCLC cells and increased their sensitivity to cisplatin. Furthermore, in NSCLC cells, miR-29b-3p bound to VEGF and negatively regulate its transcription. Additionally, miR-29b-3p overexpression also inhibited the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Finally, the overexpression of VEGF and the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway reversed miR-29b-3p-mediated inhibitory effect on biological behaviors of NSCLC cells and increased the cisplatin resistance. Our findings indicate that miR-29b-3p impedes NSCLC cells' biological behaviors and augments their sensitivity to cisplatin by targeting VEGF to modulate the Nfr2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Abstract 510: Flow cytometry evaluation of cell cycle arrest in A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells and tumors following treatment with cell cycle inhibitors: A multifaceted approach to targeting cancer

Abstract The contemporary landscape of cancer treatment has witnessed significant progress with FDA-approved targeted drugs. The FDA's Project Optimus has underscored the growing need for innovative pharmacodynamic endpoints to determine the optimal biological dose in clinical development. Flow cytometry, a potent analytical tool in clinical and preclinical labs, now plays a leading role in cancer research, enabling the evaluation of new drug effects on cell cycle regulation and consideration of rational drug combinations with approved drugs. At TD2, we strive to enhance the translatability of in vitro induced cell cycle arrest studies to in vivo biomarker proof of concept and efficacy. We employ a comprehensive approach, utilizing flow cytometry to assess cell cycle dynamics in cultured cells and in vivo tumor models after treatment with approved and novel drugs. This abstract focuses on the translational relevance of combined in vitro and in vivo testing of well-known drugs that disrupt the cell cycle, laying the foundation for optimized treatment strategies and potentially personalized cancer therapies. Human A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma cells were treated with either thymidine (2.0mM) or the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole (100ng/ml) for 18 hours, then examined by flow cytometry. Thymidine induced a greater than 85% S-phase arrest, while nocodazole induced a greater than 88% G2/M-phase arrest. A549 cells (5 × 106 cells/mouse) were subcutaneously implanted in SCID mice, followed by treatment with an FDA-approved cell cycle inhibitor, Palbociclib, or cisplatin chemotherapy. Palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, and low-dose cisplatin treatment resulted in an increased accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase, greater than 80% for each. Both treatments exhibited promising anti-cancer activity, with tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of 69% and 87%, respectively. Our findings highlight flow cytometry's multifaceted utility in assessing cell cycle arrest, providing a comprehensive view of agent effects on cancer cells in culture and within the complex in vivo tumor microenvironment. Determining the impact of any new drug on specific cell cycle checkpoints could allow for a more strategic plan for combination therapy. Integrating flow cytometry could enable early biomarker monitoring of tumor cell cycle changes, offering insights into the therapeutic potential of new agents alone or in combination. This multidimensional evaluation contributes to understanding cancer biology and has the potential to guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies, optimize treatment regimens to identify optimal biological doses, and improve patient outcomes in the era of precision medicine. Citation Format: Erin E. Trachet, Emily Cluff, Ana Lemos de Matos, Damaris Diaz, Chelsea Holmquist, Paul Gonzales. Flow cytometry evaluation of cell cycle arrest in A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells and tumors following treatment with cell cycle inhibitors: A multifaceted approach to targeting cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 510.

Deciphering fibroblast-induced drug resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma through patient-derived organoids in agarose microwells.

Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) serve as invaluable 3D tumor models, retaining the histological complexity and genetic heterogeneity found in primary tumors. However, the limitation of small sample volumes and the lack of tailored platforms have hindered the research using PDOs. Within the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts play a pivotal role in influencing drug sensitivity. In this study, we introduce an agarose microwell platform designed for PDO-based tumor and tumor microenvironment models, enabling rapid drug screening and resistance studies with small sample volumes. These microwells, constructed using 3D printing molds, feature a U-shaped bottom and 200 μm diameter. We successfully generated co-culture spheroids of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells, including NCI-H358 or A549, and NSCLC PDOs F231 or F671 with fibroblast cell line, WI-38. Our results demonstrate the production of uniformly-sized spheroids (coefficient of variation <30%), high viability (>80% after 1 week), and fibroblast-induced drug resistance. The PDOs maintained their viability (>81% after 2 weeks) and continued to proliferate. Notably, when exposed to adagrasib, a KRASG12C inhibitor, we observed reduced cytotoxicity in KRASG12C-mutant spheroids when co-cultured with fibroblasts or their supernatant. The fibroblast supernatant sustained proliferative signals in tumor models. Taking into account the physical features, viability, and drug resistance acquired through supernatants from the fibroblasts, our platform emerges as a suitable platform for in vitro tumor modeling and the evaluation of drug efficacy using patient-derived tissues.

The anticancer/cytotoxic effect of a novel gallic acid derivative in non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals and lung cancer patients.

Gallic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring polyphenol with a strong antioxidant capacity. GA stimulates the apoptosis of cancer cells, thereby suppressing cancer cell invasion. However, the low oral permeability of GA limits its therapeutic use. In order to enhance the antioxidant capacity and oral permeability of GA, a series of compounds analogous to GA were synthesized: 4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (MBS), 3,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (DMBS) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (TMBS). In the new compounds, hydroxyl groups were replaced with various numbers of methoxy groups (stronger electron-donating groups), to increase hydrophobicity and oral permeability compared to GA. In addition, the carboxylic group was replaced with a sulfonyl group (a stronger electron-withdrawing group), to increase the molecular polarity and antioxidative activities of the compounds. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of GA, MBS, DMBS, and TMBS on cell proliferation and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals and non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells. Additionally, the comet assay was used to assess the genotoxicity of these compounds in PBMCs from healthy individuals, lung cancer patients, and A549 cells. Compared to untreated cells, TMBS reduced DNA damage more effectively than GA in PBMCs from lung cancer patients and healthy donors. Furthermore, in comparison to GA, TMBS was more cytotoxic in A549 cells. Moreover, TMBS was not cytotoxic in healthy PBMCs, suggesting that TMBS demonstrates therapeutic potential in cancer.

Comparative DNA-/BSA-binding, DNA cleavage, and cytotoxic properties of copper(II) amino/salicyl-phenolate Schiff bases (phen) complexes that induce generation of phenoxyl radicals

A series of mixed-ligand Cu(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L1-5)(diimine)(H2O)](ClO4) (1–5) and [Cu(L6)(diimine)](ClO4) (6), where HL1-HL4 are aminophenolate Schiff base ligands viz., 2-(benzylideneamino)phenol (HL1, 1), 2-(4-fluorobenzylideneamino)phenol (HL2, 2), 2-(4-chlorobenzylideneamino)phenol (HL3, 3), and 2-(4-nitrobenzylideneamino)phenol (HL4, 4) whereas HL4 and HL5 are salicyl-phenolate Schiff base ligands viz.,2-((phenylimino)methyl)phenol (HL5, 5) and (E)-2-(((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)imino)methyl)phenol (HL6, 6) as primary ligands and the diimine 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as co-ligand have been isolated. TheSchiffbaseligandsand their mixedligandchelates were characterizedby spectral techniques (UV–Visible, IR, mass, 1H, and 13C NMR), elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) techniques. The molecular structure of 6, which alone formed appreciable crystals, was determined by single-crystal X-ray studies, and two crystallographically independent molecules (a and b) existed in square pyramidal distorted trigonal bipyramidal (SPDTBP) geometry. The complexes 1–4 showed a reversible (ΔEp for 3; 64), quasi-reversible (2; 105 and 4; 115), and irreversible (1; 181 mV) oxidation waves discernible at E1/2 ranging from + 0.035 V to −0.120 V (DPV) which are attributed to the formation of copper(II)-phenoxyl radical species. Among them, 2 and 3 showed a well-defined reversible phenoxyl radical formation in CV and DPV. Also, these two complexes exhibited more stable phenoxyl radical in the presence of CAN (cerium ammonium nitrate). The DNA binding studies revealed that the fluoro- and chloro-substituted complexes 2 and 3 exhibited higher DNA binding propensity than the other complexes. All the complexes displayed moderate to high oxidative DNA cleavage property in the presence of H2O2, wherein complexes 2 and 3 exhibited higher DNA cleavage than the others. Interestingly, complex 3 exhibited less AC50 value (18.26 µM) than complex 2 (43.3 µM). The mechanistic study led to the inference that the DNA cleavage is possibly mediated via copper(II)-bound phenoxyl-radical. The cytotoxicity of complexes 1–6 was investigated in A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma cell. The amino-phenolate complexes 2 (IC50 = 3.52 µM) and 3 (IC50 = 3.4 µM) brought about higher cytotoxicity and ≈ 3.8-times more potency than cisplatin. The complex 3 showed to be 47-times less toxic to non-cancerous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Fluorescent staining assay revealed that the complexes 1–6 induced apoptotic cell death with some degree of necrosis. JC-1 staining assay revealed that complex 3 efficiently depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential. Put together, the results substantiate that amino-phenolate-containing copper(II) mixed ligand complexes are more cytotoxic than salicyl-phenolate-containing copper(II) complexes.

P38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 enhances anticancer activity of PARP inhibitor olaparib in a synergistic way on non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells

The Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (PARPi) olaparib gives promising results against various types of cancers in clinical trials. The combination of drugs always increases therapeutic efficacy because of targeting multiple pathways of cancer progression. Our objective was to explore the potential synergistic anticancer activities of olaparib combined with p38 MAPK inhibitor (MAPKi) SB203580 on non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) A549 cells. The effects of the individual compound and their combination on cell survival, DNA damage as detected by γH2AX foci, expression of key proteins in Homologous Recombination (HR) and Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) repair, caspase 3 activation, nuclear fragmentation and telomerase regulation were studied in A549 cells. The results showed that olaparib and SB203580 individually reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner but combined treatment synergistically reduced cell viability. Olaparib combined with SB203580 significantly reduced error-free HR repair via reducing MRE11-RAD50 and promoted error-prone NHEJ repair by increasing Ku70-Ku80 leading to increased DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Notably, the alteration of proteins in HR/NHEJ pathways, DNA damage and induction of apoptosis was significant by combined treatment but not by 1 μM olaparib treatment alone. In addition, combined treatment reduced telomerase activity more than single treatment via reducing telomerase subunits. These data implicated that the anticancer potential of olaparib was significantly increased by combining SB203580 through increasing DNA damage-induced apoptosis and inhibiting telomerase activity.

Coleus aromaticus Ethanolic Leaves Extract Mediates Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells

Lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortalities globally. Failure in diagnosis at early stages and limited effective chemotherapeutics has severely impeded the clinical management of patients suffering from lung carcinoma. At present, researchers across the world are focused on exploring biologically active natural products for treating various cancers, which can thus be further investigated for their chemotherapeutical potential. Coleus aromaticus is a common herb used in culinary practices and has previously been shown to possess various medicinal characteristics. In the present study, the anti-cancer effects of ethanolic extract of C. aromaticus leaves (EtOH-LCa) against non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) A549 cells were screened. It was observed that EtOH-LCa reduced the viability of A549 cells and obstructed the cell cycle progression in a concentration-dependent manner. Importantly, EtOH-LCa succeeded in instigating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p &lt; 0.001) within A549 cells. The elevation in ROS levels was concomitantly followed by the disruption of nuclear morphology and the loss in mitochondria viability within A549 cells. In addition, EtOH-LCa was successful in increasing the activity of caspases-3, which further aided in increasing apoptosis. Most importantly, EtOH-LCa decreased NF-κB expression (p &lt; 0.05) along with modulating mRNA expression of pro-/anti-apoptotic genes; Bax, Bad, Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL within NSCLC A549 cells. Collectively, it could be concluded that EtOH-LCa possessed considerable anti-cancer effects against NSCLC A549 cells; however, further molecular studies are warranted to completely establish the chemotherapeutical potential of EtOH-LCa.

Abstract 3898: Synergistic combination of the iron chelator deferasirox with cisplatin and doxorubicin chemotherapies against nonsmall cell lung carcinoma

Abstract Lung cancer is the second most common and leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with 85% of these cases being non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Unfortunately, despite improvements in NSCLC outcomes, many of these tumors develop resistance against principal chemotherapies (e.g., cisplatin (CisPt) and doxorubicin (Doxo)), inducing abysmally low survival prognosis. Deferasirox (Def), an FDA-approved iron chelation therapy, is a drug under study for cancer therapy due to iron plays a key role in cell growth and energy production. Herein, we determined the effect of Def alone and in combination with CisPt and Doxo on NSCLC A549 cells. Viability assays results showed that Def has synergistic cytotoxic effects in combination with CisPt and Doxo at low uM concentrations after 24 h of incubation using the Chou Talalay method. In addition, qPCR gene expression studies showed that Def induced a significant downregulation of EGFR, VEGF, MMP9, MMP2, CHD4 genes related to resistance and metastatic process. In addition, we determined the overexpression of NDRG1 gene mediated by Def confirming the chelation of iron and disruption of iron metabolism. Overall, this work will set the basis for adjuvant therapies against chemoresistance and metastasis processes using an iron chelator. Citation Format: Natalia I. Ortiz Alvelo, Grace Torres, Sthephanie Estrada, Daraishka Pérez, Yancy Ferrer, Yamixa Delgado. Synergistic combination of the iron chelator deferasirox with cisplatin and doxorubicin chemotherapies against nonsmall cell lung carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3898.

Cationic amphiphilic antihistamines inhibit STAT3 via Ca2+-dependent lysosomal H+ efflux.

Commonly used antihistamines and other cationic amphiphilic drugs (CADs) are emerging as putative cancer drugs. Their unique chemical structure enables CADs to accumulate rapidly inside lysosomes, where they increase lysosomal pH, alter lysosomal lipid metabolism, and eventually cause lysosomal membrane permeabilization. Here, we show that CAD-induced rapid elevation in lysosomal pH is caused by a lysosomal H+ efflux that requires P2RX4-mediated lysosomal Ca2+ release and precedes the lysosomal membrane permeabilization. The subsequent cytosolic acidification triggers the dephosphorylation, lysosomal translocation, and inactivation of the oncogenic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) transcription factor. Moreover, CAD-induced lysosomal H+ efflux sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis induced by STAT3 inhibition and acts synergistically with STAT3 inhibition in restricting the tumor growth of A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma xenografts. These findings identify lysosomal H+ efflux and STAT3 inhibition as anticancer mechanisms of CADs and reinforce the repurposing of safe and inexpensive CADs as cancer drugs with a drug combination strategy.

Preparation of biocompatible nanobubbles carrying quercetin and their inhibitory effects on non-small-cell lung carcinoma

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), major lung cancer is currently considered one of the leading causes of mortality and has become a progressively serious global public health burden. However, the conventional drug delivery approaches were unable to efficiently inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Exploiting Nanobubbles (NBs) as a novel drug delivery system has recently a research hotspot mainly due to their outstanding characteristics such as small size, biosafety and competent drug-transporting ability. The present study aimed to establish a novel biocompatible approach for Nanobubble constructions by the water-in-oil method and loading quercetin inside the obtained micelles. Dextran coating was used for more stability of NBs and the effectiveness of drug delivery to A549 NSCLC and HeLa cells was evaluated. Ultrasound waves were used to stimulate the Nano bubble to release the drug. The approximate size of NBs was 0.149 nm that reach by dynamic light scattering dominantly with a spherical shape visualized by TEM. Excellent drug-loading capacity and ultrasound-mediated release of quercetin were confirmed by a UV spectrophotometer with an absorption of about 1.6. NBs efficiently inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells in a concentration-dependent manner as well as the capability to achieve ultrasound enhancement. This experiment showed that obtained NBs effectively delivered quercetin into lung cancer cells promoted by ultrasound irradiation. In conclusion, proposed biocompatible quercetin-loaded NBs are suitable for ultrasound-targeted drug delivery and are thus a promising strategy for their noninvasive clinical application.

Anti-migratory effect of curcumin on A-549 lung cancer cells via epigenetic reprogramming of RECK/ matrix metalloproteinase axis.

The aim of this study was to investigate theeffects of curcumin on the viability, migration, andapoptosis of A549 lung cancer cells. Furthermore, RECK/MMPs axis as a probable regulator of cancer cell migration was assessed. In this study, effect of curcumin on viability changes, cell migration, and percentage of apoptosis of A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma was examined. The methylation status of RECK gene was investigated using MS-HRM technique. Moreover, expression changes of genes involved in apoptosis and migration (including CASP3, CASP8, CASP9, BAX, BCL2, MMP9, MMP2, and RECK) were investigated by quantitative Real-Time PCR. The results of MTT assay showed that the cytotoxic effect of curcumin was in a dose dependent manner. Flow cytometry results demonstrated a significant increase in thepercentage of apoptotic cells in curcumin treated group. In addition, curcumin inhibited migration rate in lung cancer cells. qRT-PCR revealed that expression of the candidate genes was in line with suppressed growth andmigration. This could be due to, decreased methylation ofthe RECK gene promoter after curcumin treatment. Curcumin inhibited lung cancer cells through various molecular pathways. RECK/MMPs axis as a regulator of cancer cell migration was modulated after curcumin treatment and invasion of lung cancer cells was decreased.

Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effect of Rubus chingii Leaf Extract against Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells

Rubus chingii is a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal that has been used since ancient times for its great dietary and medicinal values. Recent reports have underscored the promising cytotoxic effect of R. chingii extracts against a wide variety of cancer cells. Therefore, in the current study, we aim to explore the anticancer potential of the Rubus chingii ethanolic leaf extract (RcL-EtOH) against non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. RcL-EtOH efficiently exerted a cytotoxic effect against A549 cells in a dose dependent manner, whilst, it exhibited non-significant toxic effects on normal murine macrophage cells, signifying its safety against normal cells. The reduced viability of A549 cells was reaffirmed by the acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining, which confirmed the induction of apoptosis in RcL-EtOH-treated A549 cells. In addition, RcL-EtOH instigated the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) with mutual escalation in ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, RcL-EtOH increased caspase-3, caspase-9 levels in A549 cells post-exposure to RcL-EtOH, which was concomitantly followed by altered mRNA expression of apoptotic (anti-apoptotic: Bcl-2, BclXL; pro-apoptotic: Bax, Bad). To sum up, the RcL-EtOH-instigated apoptotic cell death within A549 cells was assumed to be accomplished via targeting mitochondria, triggering increased ROS generation, with subsequent activation of caspase cascade and altering the expression of gene regulating apoptosis. Collectively, RcL-EtOH might represent a plausible therapeutic option for the management of lung cancer.

Hydrophilic platinum(II) complexes containing 5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine: Spectroscopic and in vitro cytotoxic characterization

Mononuclear platinum(II) complexes with 5,7-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dmtp) of the general formula cis-[Pt(X)2(dmtp)2], where X - acetate (1), trichloroacetate (2), trifluoroacetate (3), nitrate (4) have been synthesized and characterized by multinuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 15N, 195Pt) and infrared spectroscopy methods. Spectroscopic parameters indicated the presence of the PtO2N2 chromophore system with two monodentate N(3)-bonded 5,7-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines, and two monodentate O-donor ligands (carboxylate or nitrate).A cytotoxicity assay of hydrophilic platinum(II) complexes (1–4) against three human tumour cell lines A549 (non-small cell lung carcinoma), T47D (breast cancer), HT-29 (colon adenocarcinoma), and normal murine embryonic fibroblast cells (BALB/3T3) was performed.Considering the cytotoxic parameters of the studied complexes, the best in vitro results against the human breast tumour cells (T47D) were found for cis-[Pt(OOCCCl3)2(dmtp)2] although all the tested complexes (except complex (4)) exhibited moderate in vitro activity.

Targeting the SREBP-1/Hsa-Mir-497/SCAP/FASN Oncometabolic Axis Inhibits the Cancer Stem-like and Chemoresistant Phenotype of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Cells.

Background: Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, with an annual global mortality rate of 18.4%. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) continues to be characterized by a poor prognosis. This may be associated with the enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the development of chemoresistance—a double-edged challenge that continues to impede the improvement of long-term outcomes. Metabolic reprogramming is a new hallmark of cancer. Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) play crucial regulatory roles in the synthesis and uptake of cholesterol, fatty acids, and phospholipids. Recent evidence has demonstrated that SREBP-1 is upregulated in several cancer types. However, its role in lung cancer remains unclear. Objective: This study investigated the role of SREBP-1 in NSCLC biology, progression, and therapeutic response and explored the therapeutic exploitability of SREBP-1 and SREBP-1-dependent oncometabolic signaling and miRNA epigenetic regulation. Methods: We analyzed SREBP-1 levels and biological functions in clinical samples and the human NSCLC cell lines H441 and A549 through shRNA-based knock down of SREBP function, cisplatin-resistant clone generation, immunohistochemical staining of clinical samples, and cell viability, sphere-formation, Western blot, and quantitative PCR assays. We conducted in-silico analysis of miRNA expression in NSCLC samples by using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE102286) database. Results: We demonstrated that SREBP-1 and SCAP are highly expressed in NSCLC and are positively correlated with the aggressive phenotypes of NSCLC cells. In addition, downregulation of the expression of tumor-suppressing hsa-miR-497-5p, which predictively targets SREBP-1, was observed. We also demonstrated that SREBP-1/SCAP/FASN lipogenic signaling plays a key role in CSCs-like and chemoresistant NSCLC phenotypes, especially because the fatostatin or shRNA targeting of SREBP-1 significantly suppressed the viability, cisplatin resistance, and cancer stemness of NSCLC cells and because treatment induced the expression of hsa-miR-497. Conclusion: Targeting the SREBP-1/hsa-miR-497 signaling axis is a potentially effective anticancer therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

Abstract 182: Bridging gaps in translational biology: Exploring pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic/efficacy relationships and combination treatments in 3D tumor models using a microphysiological system

Abstract Accurate profiling of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) parameters is critical in the discovery and development of new oncology drugs, schedules and combinations. Predicting these parameters pre-clinically is essential to determine efficacious doses required in clinical treatment. The PK/PD/efficacy relationship has traditionally been characterized in xenograft models, owing to an absence of viable in vitro alternatives. However, murine/human PK parameters can vary for many compounds. To explore PK/PD/efficiency relationships on 3D tumor models and organoids, we have developed a microphysiological system (MPS) able to mimic or reverse translate clinical/in vivo drug exposure (PK) profiles on an in vitro system. The MPS can deliver up to two different drugs to tumor models in monotherapy or combinations, using customizable PK profiles and treatment schedules, by stepwise addition and removal of cell culture medium in a regular 24-well plate format. We first recapitulated the in vivo PK/PD relationship for a PI3K inhibitor (BYL719- t1/2 6 hours, equivalent to 50 mg/kg murine oral dose), used to treat an A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma model. Following BYL719 exposure in the MPS device cellular p-AKT levels (biomarker of PI3K pathway activity) fell by up to 90%, but then recovered to pre-dosed levels over a 24-hour period as drug concentrations in the tumor reduce, as observed in vivo. This effect lacks in standard in vitro bolus experiments. Next, we explored whether the MPS could recapitulate in vivo effects of combining topoisomerase inhibitors with DNA-damage-response inhibitors (DDRi) in the treatment of colorectal tumors. Being almost non-toxic to normal cells, DDRi’s enhance DNA damage induced by topoisomerase inhibitors. 3D colorectal tumor models were treated by the MPS device for six days with monotherapy or combination therapy of the two compounds (SN38 Cmax = 20 nM, DDRi Cmax = 162 nM), recapitulating their in vivo PK profiles. Viability assays showed the benefits of combination therapy (viability 48.5% vs controls) over topoisomerase inhibitor monotherapy (viability 58.3% compared vs controls), with efficacy rates consistent with in vivo observations, rather than static 2D in vitro cultures which were over predictive. Overall, our MPS is able to accurately capture PK/PD/efficacy relationships using in vitro cultures. This approach will enable a greater understanding of drug properties and optimal treatment regimens to ultimately enable better design of clinical studies. Citation Format: Tudor Petreus, Tomasz Kostrzewski, Dharaminder Singh, David Hughes. Bridging gaps in translational biology: Exploring pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic/efficacy relationships and combination treatments in 3D tumor models using a microphysiological system [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 182.

Abstract 1098: Structure-activity relationship of pentacyclic triterpenes against chemoresistance and metastasis on non-small lung adenocarcinoma cells

Abstract Lung cancer is the second most common and leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, 85% of these cases being non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Although chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for lung cancer, its effectiveness is hampered by the dose-limiting toxic effects, chemoresistance, and metastatic process. Recently, plant-derived cyclic triterpenoids (eg, cholesterol-structure like compounds) have shown a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, especially their potential against different cancer cells. Herein, we investigated the structure-activity relationship of several pentacyclic triterpenes: oleanolic acid (OleA), ursolic acid (UrA), betulinic acid (BeA), Asiatic acid (AsA), betulin (BeN), lupeol (Lupe), diosgenin (Dio), stigmasterol (Stg) and β-sitosterol (β-Sito) on NSCLC A549 cells. From our studies, the IC50 for OleA, UrA, BeA, AsA, BeN, Lupe, Dio were in the low µM range (from 10-75 µM) after 24h of incubation. β-Sito and Stg did not show any significant cytotoxic pattern in this µM range. In addition, BeA showed the highest cytotoxic pattern in these cells. We performed metabolic activity assays to determine the mechanism of action of these triterpenes. Mitochondrial membrane and caspases activity assays showed that all the cytotoxic triterpenes induced activation of caspase-3 and decline in the mitochondrial potential, except BeA and AsA. Our results also show that all the cytotoxic triterpenes disrupt cell membrane, except for OleA. However, there is no reactive oxygen species production for all of them. Gene expression assays of chemoresistance- and metastasis-related genes (EGFR, VEGF, MMP9, Pgp, TP53, NDRG1, CHD4) using qPCR demonstrated the downregulation of all of these genes after the incubation with the cytotoxic triterpenes. These results demonstrated that even slight structural changes in these triterpenes could influence the cytotoxic and metabolic pathways responses. This study opens promising perspectives for further research on the role of phytochemical triterpenes, which ultimately will contribute to a more rational application in lung cancer therapy. Citation Format: Yamixa Delgado, Daraishka Perez, Grace Torres. Structure-activity relationship of pentacyclic triterpenes against chemoresistance and metastasis on non-small lung adenocarcinoma cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1098.

U2AF1 mutation connects DNA damage to the alternative splicing of RAD51 in lung adenocarcinomas.

The recurrent mutation (S34F) in splicing factor U2AF1 is frequently observed in lung adenocarcinoma, but its function remains largely unknown. To determine the mechanistic basis and consequences of U2AF1 mutations, we established non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cell lines with exogenous expression of wildtype (U2AF1-WT) or mutant (U2AF1-S34F). Splicing analysis revealed that U2AF1-S34F mainly caused aberrant exon usage and affected splicing of numerous DNA damage repair genes. Compared to A549 cells expressing U2AF1-WT, cells expressing U2AF1-S34F showed enhanced DNA damage and cell death in response to ATR inhibitors (ATRi). Mechanistically, U2AF1-S34F induced mis-splicing and downregulation of a key homologous recombination protein RAD51. Overexpression of RAD51 could largely rescue the defective DNA damage response in cells expressing U2AF1-S34F. Moreover, A549 cells expressing U2AF1-S34F, but not U2AF1-WT, were highly sensitive to treatment even with low dose of RAD51 inhibitor on ATRi-induced DNA damage. Our results suggest that U2AF1-S34F causes mis-splicing of DNA damage repair factors in lung cancer and sensitizes cells to RAD51 inhibition.

Effects of Methadone on the Toll-like Receptor 4 Expression in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Cell Line Using In-silico and In vitro Techniques.

In this study, the effects of methadone and naloxone on the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene have been evaluated in human non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cell line migration using in-silico and in vitro techniques. Lung cancer A549 cell cultures were stimulated for 24 h with methadone (5, 10, and 20 μM) and naloxone (20 and 40 μM) concentrations. The level of TLR4 expression was determined by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Migration of the A549 cells was investigated after a 4-h incubation period with methadone using the Boyden Chamber assay. Migration rate of the A549 cells treated with 5 (P < 0.05) and 20 (P < 0.01) μM methadone was, respectively, increased and decreased with 20 μM naloxone (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the TLR4 expression was enhanced with 5 (P < 0.05) and 20 (P < 0.01) μM methadone and decreased with 20 (P < 0.05) and 40 μM naloxone (P < 0.01). In addition, in silico docking analysis revealed docking of methadone to MD-2 and TLR4. According to the present DATA, methadone affects the TLR4 expression. It may however cause adverse consequences by increasing the TLR4 expression. Therefore, the useful analgesic properties of methadone should be separated from the unwanted TLR4-mediated side effects.

Evodiamine suppresses the progression of non-small cell lung carcinoma via endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis pathway in vivo and in vitro.

BackgroundEvodiamine (EVO) is one of the major components isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.). Recent studies have shown that EVO has an anti-cancer effect. However, the pharmacological mechanism by which EVO impacts cancer is still poorly understood.ObjectivesThis study focused on asking the anti-cancer effect of EVO in human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), and in particular to investigate whether EVO acts via modulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-mediated apoptosis pathway.Materials and MethodsA Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumor-bearing mouse model was treated with low-dose EVO (5 mg/kg) and high-dose EVO (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 14 d. The effects of EVO on tumor growth, apoptosis, and ERS were assessed. In addition, NSCLC A549 and LLC cells were treated with EVO in vitro. The effects of EVO on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and ERS were investigated. Finally, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), an ERS inhibitor, was used to validate whether EVO induced apoptosis of NSCLC cells by modulating ERS.ResultsEVO treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth in LLC tumor-bearing mice. H&E staining indicated that EVO treatment reduced the number of tumor cells and the nucleo-plasmic ratio. Immunostaining showed that EVO treatment significantly decreased the expression of Ki-67. TUNEL staining revealed that EVO induced apoptosis in the tumor. Likewise, EVO treatment up-regulated the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins and increased activation of the ERS pathway in the tumor. Additionally, EVO inhibited cell proliferation and increased cell apoptotic rates in A549 and LLC cells. EVO also increased the expression levels of genes and proteins associated with ERS-mediated apoptosis pathway in vitro. The effects of EVO on apoptosis were abolished by 4-PBA treatment.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that EVO suppresses the progression of NSCLC by modulating the ERS-mediated apoptosis pathway.