Affect Cancer Cell Viability Research Articles

Anticancer activity of new water-soluble sulfonated thiosemicarbazone copper(II) complexes targeting disulfide isomerase

Copper complexes have shown promising anticancer properties, but they are often poorly soluble in aqueous solutions, thus limiting their possible medical developments and applications. We have recently isolated some copper(II) complexes with salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone ligands exhibiting remarkable nanomolar cytotoxic activity, but in vivo tests evidenced several difficulties related to their poor solubility. To overcome these limitations and increase solubility in aqueous solution, herein we report the synthetic strategy that led to the introduction of the sulfonic group on the ligands, then separated as salts (NaH2L1 - NaH2L5), as well as the synthesis and characterization of the related copper(II) complexes. The characterization of the complexes is completed by the analysis of the structures obtained by X-rays diffraction on single crystals on the species [Cu(HL5)(H2O)]2.2H2O, [Cu(HL2)(H2O)2].2H2O, and [Cu(HL1)(H2O]2.2H2O. While the uncoordinated ligands do not affect cancer cell viability, copper(II) complexes exhibit low to sub-micromolar cytotoxic activity, which is maintained in 3D (HCT-15 and 2008) spheroidal models of cancer cell. Notably, copper(II) complexes were selective towards cancer cells, showing high selectivity indexes. Investigations focused on elucidating the mechanism of action evidenced the protein disulfide-isomerase as an innovative molecular target for this class of water-soluble copper(II) complexes. Finally, preliminary in vivo experiments performed with the most representative derivative in the murine Lewis Lung Carcinoma, highlight its significant antitumor efficacy and better tolerability profile with respect to the reference metallodrug, suggesting for this sulfonated Cu(II) complex a potential clinical relevance.

Synergistic Effect of Chemotherapy and Magnetomechanical Actuation of Fe-Cr-Nb-B Magnetic Particles on Cancer Cells.

The present study is aimed at developing an innovative method for efficient cancer cell destruction by exploiting the magnetomechanical actuation (MMA) of Fe-Cr-Nb-B magnetic particles (MPs), which are loaded with clinically approved chemotherapeutic drugs. To achieve this objective, Fe68.2Cr11.5Nb0.3B20 magnetic nanoparticles were produced by mechanically grinding amorphous ribbon precursors with the same composition. These nanoparticles display high anisotropy, a parallelepipedic shape with an amorphous structure, and a ferromagnetic behavior. MPs were loaded with the antitumoral drugs mitoxantrone (MTX) or doxorubicin (DOX). In our study, we used adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and human osteosarcoma cells to test drug-loaded MPs for their biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and cellular internalization. Further tests involved exposing cells to magnetomechanical actuation and simultaneous MPs-targeted chemotherapy followed by cell viability/death assays, such as MTT and LDH, and live/dead cell staining. Results demonstrate that cancer cell death was induced by the synergistic action of chemotherapeutic drugs and magnetomechanical actuation. The nanoparticle vehicles helped overcome drug resistance, decreasing the high dose of drugs used in conventional therapies as well as the time intervals needed for MMA to affect cancer cell viability. The proposed approach highlights the possibility of using a new, targeted, and effective cancer treatment with very few side effects.

Post-marketing surveillance safety analysis of patients with CNS malignancies treated with tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy between 2011–2022.

2049 Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) has a poor prognosis. Standard treatments are associated with systemic toxicity, further increasing the disease burden in this patient population. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are electric fields that disrupt cancer cell processes which affect cancer cell viability, and are generated by a portable, wearable device which is locoregional and noninvasive. TTFields therapy was approved by the FDA for the treatment of newly diagnosed (nd) and recurrent (r) GBM based on the phase 3 EF-14 (TTFields therapy 200 kHz + temozolomide) and EF-11 (TTFields 200 kHz) studies, respectively. TTFields therapy is also approved for pleural mesothelioma. We report an updated global, post-marketing surveillance (PMS) safety analysis of patients with CNS malignancies treated with TTFields therapy over an 11-year timeframe. This analysis represents the largest dataset of TTFields therapy use to date. Methods: Unsolicited safety data were collected from routine post-marketing activities for patients (N = 25,898) in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Japan, from October 2011 to March 2022. AEs were stratified by diagnosis, age, and sex and categorized using MedDRA version 25.1. Results: Diagnoses were ndGBM (68%), rGBM (26%), anaplastic astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma (4%) and other (2%). Baseline demographics were reflective of real-world practice: median (range) age was 59 (3–103) years; two-thirds of patients were male. Most (69%) patients were 18–65 years; 0.4% were < 18 years, and 30% were > 65 years. All-cause and TTFields-related AEs occurred in 18,798 (73%) and 14,599 (56%), patients, respectively. The most common device-related AE was skin reaction (43% patients overall). There were no major differences in occurrence of this AE between pediatric, adult, and elderly groups (39%, 42%, and 45%, respectively), or between males and females (41% and 46%, respectively). The incidence of device-related skin reactions was higher in ndGBM than rGBM (46% vs 34%, respectively), in line with previous reports. Only 405 (2%) of patients overall reported an AE of treatment-related ‘quality-of-life decreased’. In line with the phase 3 studies, there were no treatment-related systemic AEs. Conclusions: In this updated global PMS safety analysis, TTFields therapy demonstrated a tolerable safety profile in patients with CNS malignancies, with no new safety findings. In line with previous real-world and clinical data, most AEs were localized, non-serious skin events, which were consistent between age groups. Such events can typically be managed easily using prophylaxis and topical therapies, together with optimization of caregiver techniques. Importantly, no TTFields therapy-related systemic AEs were detected.

The effect of propofol on chemosensitivity of paclitaxel in cervical cancer cells.

Propofol is a drug with potential anticancer effect. This study aimed to explore the effect of propofol on chemosensitivity of cervical cancer cells to paclitaxel. HeLa and CaSki cells were selected for drug experiments. Cell viability was evaluated via CCK-8 assay, and the combination index (CI) was calculated by CompuSyn software. A clinically relevant concentration and IC30 of propofol were selected in combination with 5 nM paclitaxel. BrdU incorporation, transwell, and flow cytometry assays were utilized to evaluate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. The expression of β-tubulin, stathmin 1, and GAPDH proteins was evaluated by Western blot. The stathmin 1 cDNA plasmid was used to establish stathmin 1-overexpressing CaSki cells. At clinically relevant concentrations (0-80 μM), propofol did not affect cancer cell viability, but high concentrations (100-800 μM) reduced cell viability. The CI values of propofol with IC30 (200 μM in HeLa; 400 μM in CaSki) combined with 5 nM paclitaxel were <1. The effect of propofol with IC30 combined with paclitaxel on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were stronger than individual effect, while 30 μM propofol had no effect. The Western blot results showed 30 μM propofol did not affect β-tubulin and stathmin 1 expression in cells, although paclitaxel upregulated β-tubulin expression while downregulating stathmin 1 expression. Compared with paclitaxel alone, cotreatment with propofol at its IC30 and paclitaxel decreased stathmin 1 expression but had no effect on β-tubulin expression. High stathmin 1 expression weakened the effect of paclitaxel on cell viability and apoptosis, while propofol partially reversed these effect. Propofol at clinically relevant concentrations had no effect on the malignant biological behaviors of cervical cancer cells, while propofol at high concentrations decreased.Propofol with IC30 and paclitaxel had synergetic effect on cancer cells through a reduction in stathmin 1 expression.

Abstract 2826: Electromagnetic fields and hyperthermia induce lysosomal permeabilization and death in different cancer cell models: in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract Introduction: Non-ionizing radiations (NIR), e.g. tumor-treating fields, high intensity focused ultrasounds (HIFU) or high frequency microwaves, have potential applications in Oncotherapy. Nevertheless, as today, their efficacy is limited. We investigated whether externally applied magnetic fields and non-ablative hyperthermia affect cancer cell viability and growth. Methods: Under in vitro conditions, human A2058 melanoma, AsPC1 pancreas carcinoma, and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells were treated with electromagnetic fields (EMFs, using solenoids) and/or hyperthermia (HT, using a thermostated water bath). The effect of both energies was also studied in combination with standard chemotherapy and targeted therapy. An experimental system combining EMFs and HIFU-induced HT was developed and tested in vivo. Results: EMFs (25 μT, 4h) or HT (52ºC, 40 min) quite moderately affect cancer cell viability. However, their combination decreased viability to approx. 16%, 50%, and 21% of controls values in A2058, AsPC1, and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively). Increased lysosomal permeability, release of cathepsins into the cytosol and activation of the mitochondria-dependent cell death are the underlying mechanisms. Cancer cells were completely eliminated combining EMFs, HT and standard chemotherapy or EMFs, HT and anti-Hsp70-targeted therapy. In vivo experiments, using pancreatic cancer xenografts growing in nude mice, show that combination of EMFs, HIFU-induced HT and gemcitabine induces a drastic cancer regression (to approx. 3-4% of control values). Conclusion: Non-invasive NIR (EMFs and HIFU-induced HT) can complement current Oncotherapies. This strategy, associated to current chemotherapy or anti-Hsp70-targeted therapy, may facilitate the elimination of tumors that can be previously located using standard imaging techniques (CT scan and NMR). These results may help to overcome the limitations in the use of different NIR in Oncotherapy. Citation Format: Elena Obrador, Ali Jihad-Jebbar, Rosario Salvador-Palmer, Rafael López-Blanch, María Oriol-Caballo, María Paz Moreno-Murciano, Enrique Navarro, Rosa Cibrián, Jose M. Estrela. Electromagnetic fields and hyperthermia induce lysosomal permeabilization and death in different cancer cell models: in vitro and in vivo studies [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 2826.

Abstract 3843: Potent human ClpP protease agonists with anticancer properties bind the enzyme with improved structural complementarity and alter the mitochondrial N-terminome

Abstract The mitochondrial ClpP protease is responsible for mitochondrial protein quality control through specific degradation of proteins involved in several metabolic processes. ClpP overexpression is also required in many cancer cells to eliminate ROS-damaged proteins and to sustain oncogenesis. Targeting ClpP to dysregulate its function using small molecule agonists is a novel strategy in cancer therapy. Here, we synthesized novel imipridone-derived compounds and related chemicals, which we characterized using biochemical, biophysical, and cellular studies. Using X-ray crystallography, we found that these compounds have enhanced binding affinities due to their greater shape and charge complementarity with the surface hydrophobic pockets of ClpP. N-terminome profiling of cancer cells upon treatment with one of these compounds revealed the global proteomic changes that arise and identified the structural motifs preferred for protein cleavage by compound-activated ClpP. Together, our studies provide the structural and molecular bases by which dysregulated ClpP affects cancer cell viability and proliferation. Citation Format: Mark F. Mabanglo, Keith S. Wong, Marim M. Barghash, Lee M. Graves, Edwin J. Iwanowicz, Walid A. Houry. Potent human ClpP protease agonists with anticancer properties bind the enzyme with improved structural complementarity and alter the mitochondrial N-terminome. [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 3843.

Potent ClpP agonists with anticancer properties bind with improved structural complementarity and alter the mitochondrial N-terminome

The mitochondrial ClpP protease is responsible for mitochondrial protein quality control through specific degradation of proteins involved in several metabolic processes. ClpP overexpression is also required in many cancer cells to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-damaged proteins and to sustain oncogenesis. Targeting ClpP to dysregulate its function using small-molecule agonists is a recent strategy in cancer therapy. Here, we synthesized imipridone-derived compounds and related chemicals, which we characterized using biochemical, biophysical, and cellular studies. Using X-ray crystallography, we found that these compounds have enhanced binding affinities due to their greater shape and charge complementarity with the surface hydrophobic pockets of ClpP. N-terminome profiling of cancer cells upon treatment with one of these compounds revealed the global proteomic changes that arise and identified the structural motifs preferred for protein cleavage by compound-activated ClpP. Together, our studies provide the structural and molecular basis by which dysregulated ClpP affects cancer cell viability and proliferation.

High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Suppresses Cancer Growth by Regulating Skeletal Muscle-Derived Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors.

High-intensity aerobic exercise (90% of the maximal heart rate) can effectively suppress cancer cell proliferation in vivo. However, the molecular effects of exercise and its relevance to cancer prevention remain uninvestigated. In this study, mice with colorectal cancer were subjected to high-intensity aerobic exercise, and mRNA-seq analysis was performed on the heart, lungs, and skeletal muscle tissues to analyze the genome-wide molecular effects of exercise. The skeletal muscle-derived genes with exercise-dependent differential expression were further evaluated for their effects on colorectal cancer cell viability. Compared to the results obtained for the control groups (healthy and cancer with no exercise), the regular and high-intensity aerobic physical activity in the mice produced positive results in comprehensive parameters (i.e., food intake, weight gain, and survival rate). A heatmap of differentially expressed genes revealed markedly different gene expression patterns among the groups. RNA-seq analysis of 23,282 genes expressed in the skeletal muscle yielded several anticancer effector genes (e.g., Trim63, Fos, Col1a1, and Six2). Knockdown and overexpression of selected anticancer genes repressed CT26 murine colorectal carcinoma cell proliferation by 20% (p < 0.05). Our findings, based on the aerobic exercise cancer mouse model, suggest that high-intensity aerobic exercise results in a comprehensive change in the expression patterns of genes, particularly those that can affect cancer cell viability. Such an approach may identify key exercise-regulated genes that can help the body combat cancer.

Manikya Bhasma is a nanomedicine to affect cancer cell viability through induction of apoptosis

BackgroundAyurveda is an ancient medicine system practiced in the Indian sub-continent. Ayurvedic Bhasma is incinerated herbo-metallic/mineral preparations that consist of the particles in the range of nano/micrometers with therapeutic effects against different diseases. Manikya Bhasma (MB) is composed of purified ruby, orpiment, and purified arsenic sulfide. ObjectiveThis study was conducted to identify the potential of MB as a nanomedicine that can be used for the treatment of cancer. Materials and methodsBiophysical characterization to determine the morphology and composition of bhasma particles was done using several techniques such as DLS, FTIR, FETEM, FESEM, EDX, and XRD. Cell viability assays were conducted to identify the cytotoxic effect of MB against different cancer cell lines and also to determine the mode of death caused by MB. ResultsThe biophysical characterization of MB indicates that it is crystalline with a particle size of 70 nm. MB exhibits anticancer activity against MDAMB-231, HeLa, HCT-116, DLD-1, MG-63 cancer cells with an IC50 in the range of 105–155 μg/mL. MB induces oxidative stress in cancer cells, which in turn affects their cell-cycle with an accumulation of cells in the G1-phase. Also, apoptosis induced by MB involves loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the release of Cyt c, activation of caspases, and DNA degradation. ConclusionOur study highlights the dual potential of MB as a nano-carrier to deliver the drugs and exerting cytotoxic effects against cancer cells.

Roles of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and D-amino acids in cancer cell viability.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are widely present in the central nervous system, have also been found to be up-regulated in a variety of cancer cells and tumors and they can play active roles in cancer cell growth regulation. NMDA receptor antagonists have been found to affect cancer cell viability and interfere with tumor growth. Moreover, cancer cells also have been shown to have elevated levels of some D-amino acids. Two human skin cell lines: Hs 895.T skin cancer and Hs 895.Sk skin normal cells were investigated. They were derived from the same patient to provide tumor and normal counterparts for comparative studies. The expression of specific NMDA receptors was confirmed for the first time in both skin cell lines. Dizocilpine (MK-801) and memantine, NMDA receptor channel blockers, were found to inhibit the growth of human skin cells by reducing or stopping NMDA receptor activity. Addition of D-Ser, D-Ala, or D-Asp, however, significantly reversed the antiproliferative effect on the human skin cells triggered by MK-801 or memantine. Even more interesting was the finding that the specific intracellular composition of a few relatively uncommon amino acids was selectively elevated in skin cancer cells when exposed to MK-801. It appears that a few specific and upregulated D-amino acids can reverse the drug-induced antiproliferative effect in skin cancer cells via the reactivation of NMDA receptors. This study provides a possible innovative anticancer therapy by acting on the D-amino acid pathway in cancer cells either blocking or activating their regulatory enzymes.

Clinicopathological and functional implications of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins survivin and XIAP in esophageal cancer.

Based on their overexpression and important roles in progression and therapy-resistance in malignant diseases, the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family (IAP) members, survivin and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), represent attractive candidates for targeted therapy. The present study investigated the prognostic and biological relevance of survivin and XIAP in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Survivin and XIAP expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays containing 120 ESCC and 90 EAC samples as well as the corresponding non-neoplastic esophageal mucosa samples. IAP expression levels were then correlated to clinicopathological parameters and overall survival to identify any associations. In addition, esophageal cancer cell lines were treated with the survivin inhibitor YM155, and the XIAP inhibitors Birinapant and GDC-0152 in vitro. Survivin and XIAP expression were significantly increased in EAC and ESCC when compared with tumor-adjacent mucosa. In patients with ESCC XIAP expression was associated with female gender and advanced tumor stages, and nuclear survivin expression was associated with poor grading. High XIAP expression was identified as an independent negative prognostic marker in ESCC. By contrast, XIAP inhibitors did not affect cancer cell viability in vitro, and the small molecule survivin inhibitor YM155 significantly reduced cell viability and proliferation in esophageal cancer cell lines. Western blot analysis revealed a dose dependent decrease of survivin accompanied by an increased poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase cleavage following YM155 treatment. These findings underline the potential role of survivin and XIAP in the oncogenesis of esophageal cancer and provide a rationale for future clinical studies investigating the therapeutic efficacy of IAP directed therapies in patients with esophageal cancer.

Novel Kiteplatin Pyrophosphate Derivatives with Improved Efficacy.

Two new Pt(II) derivatives of kiteplatin ([PtCl2(cis-1,4-DACH)]) with pyrophosphate as carrier ligand, one mononuclear (1) and one dinuclear (2), were synthesized with the aim of potentiating the efficacy of kiteplatin. Complex 1 resulted to be remarkably stable at physiological pH, but it undergoes a fast hydrolysis reaction at acidic pH releasing free pyrophosphate and (aquated) kiteplatin. The dinuclear compound 2 resulted to be less stable than 1 at both neutral and acidic pH forming 1 and (aquated) kiteplatin as first step. Both compounds (1 and 2) do not react as such with 5'-GMP, whereas their hydrolysis products readily form adducts with the nucleotide. The in vitro cytotoxicity assays against a panel of six human cancer cell lines showed that complex 2 affects cancer cell viability even at nanomolar concentrations. The cytotoxic activity of 2 is greater (up to 2 orders of magnitude) than that of cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and kiteplatin, whereas the mononuclear complex 1 has shown a cytotoxic activity comparable to that of oxaliplatin and kiteplatin, but higher than cisplatin. The latter result is not surprising, since the presence of two negative charges reduces the uptake of 1 into the tumor cells as compared to the neutral compound 2. The remarkable activity of 2 against the pancreatic cell line BxPC3 (average IC50 = 0.07 μM) deserves further investigation.

CD200-positive cancer associated fibroblasts augment the sensitivity of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor mutation-positive lung adenocarcinomas to EGFR Tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play important roles in the chemotherapeutic process, especially through influencing the resistance of tumor cells to molecular targeted therapy. Here we report the existence of a special subpopulation of patient-specific-CAFs that augment the sensitivity of EGFR gene mutation-positive lung cancer to the EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), gefitinib. When cocultured with EGFR mutation positive lung cancer cells, these CAFs increased the apoptic effect of gefitinib on cancer cells, whereas, in the absence of gefitinib, they did not affect cancer cell viability. The assay using different single cell-derived clones demonstrated that the aforementioned sensitizing ability is clone-specific. Microarray analysis revealed that CD200 was expressed at much higher levels in this CAFs. Knocking down of CD200 expression deprived CAFs of their sensitizing potential, suggesting that CD200 is the functional molecule responsible for the effect. Immunohistochemical analysis of samples from patients receiving postoperative gefitinib treatment revealed that the individuals whose resected lung adenocarcinomas contained CD200-positive CAFs tended to have longer progression free survival of gefitinib when they recurred after surgery. These results suggest that CD200-positive CAFs can augment the sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs and may possess far reaching applications in the therapeutic use of EGFR-TKIs.

Superparamagnetic Gadolinium Ferrite Nanoparticles with Controllable Curie Temperature – Cancer Theranostics for MR‐Imaging‐Guided Magneto‐Chemotherapy

A facile polyol approach for preparing low‐Curie‐temperature (TC) gadolinium‐doped iron oxide nanoparticles (GdIO NPs) for targeted magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy coupled with T1–T2 dual‐model magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (where T1 and T2 are the longitudinal and transverse relaxation times, respectively) is reported. A small amount of Gd doping decreases the TC of iron oxide down to about 400 K. In the presence of ethanolamine, controlled polyol synthesis leads to the formation of low‐TC, highly magnetic (52.87 emu g–1), and size‐controlled (ca. 10 nm) GdIO NPs. A further conjugation with folate and a chemotherapeutic drug has been developed, and the whole system is used for in vitro magneto‐chemotherapy (magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy) for cancer treatment. The synthesized GdIO NPs are stable colloids that are hemocompatible and cytocompatible over a wide concentration range and have a high affinity towards cancer cells. The release of a chemotherapeutic drug from the GdIO NPs significantly affects cancer cell viability, and the T1–T2 dual‐model magnetic resonance enhances bioimaging in a breast cancer cell model. We suggest that the chemotherapeutic‐drug‐conjugated GdIO NPs have great potential for cell targeting and magnetic resonance imaging in cancer magneto‐chemotherapy.

갈색거저리 유충 추출물의 간암세포에 대한 세포독성 효능

본 연구에서 우리는 갈색거저리 유충 추출물의 암세포 선택적인 세포독성 활성을 암세포주를 대상으로 하는 in vitro 및 in vivo 실험으로 증명하였다. 먼저 갈색거저리 유충의 에탄올 추출물은 정상세포라 할 수 있는 primary hepatocyte에 대한 독성은 미미하였으나 암세포주들에 대한 세포독성과 함께 다른 정상세포인 primary cardiomyocyte에 대한 독성도 가지고 있었다. 에탄올 추출물을 hexane, butanol, ethyl acetate, 물을 이용하여 liquid-liquid partition으로 추가로 분획, 구성물질들을 분리하였고 이들 분획물 중에서 hexane 분획물은 다양한 암세포들(PC3, 22Rv1, HeLa, PLC/PRF5, HepG2, Hep3B, SK-HEP-1, HCT116, NCI-H460, MDA-MB231, SKOV3)에 대한 독성을 유지하면서 cardiomyocyte에 대한 독성이 상당히 줄어들었다. 0.4mg/mL 에탄올 추출물이 cardiomyocyte를 대부분 죽이는 독성을 보였으나 동일조건에서 hexane 분획물은 약 20%정도의 세포독성만을 보여주어 독성이 상당히 감소된 것을 확인하였다. 이렇게 비특이적인 세포독성이 물질분리 및 분획을 함으로써 줄어들 수 있다는 것을 확인하였다. 두 번째로 hexane과 ethyl acetate 분획물들이 아포토시스, 세포괴사, 오토파지와 같은 대표적인 세포죽음 기전들을 활성화시킬 수 있는 것으로 확인하였다. 더불어 hexane 분획물의 세포죽음 유도활성은 현재 임상에서 널리 처방되고 있는 항암물질들과 함께 간암세포주에 처리되었을 때 항암활성을 증대시킬 수 있는 것으로 확인하였다. 이와 같은 실험 결과를 바탕으로 갈색거저리 유충 추출물들이 단독으로 혹은 다른 세포독성 약물들과 함께 항암활성을 가질 수 있음을 확인하였다. 마지막으로 hexane 분획물의 항암활성을 in vivo xenograft 실험쥐 모델에서 확인하였는데, 간암세포주인 SK-HEP-1을 이식한 실험쥐에서 hexane 분획물을 15일간 복강주사 하였을 때 종양의 성장을 뚜렷하게 억제하는 것을 확인하였고, 앞선 정상세포에 대한 제한적인 영향과 일치하게 몸무게의 감소 등 부작용이라 할 수 있는 증상은 확인되지 않았다. 이상의 결과들을 종합하면 갈색거저리 유충 추출물의 항암활성을 in vitro와 in vivo에서 확인할 수 있었으며, 새로운 항암활성을 가지는 물질 발굴을 위해 추가적인 분획과 물질 분석이 필요하다고 사료된다.

High Potency of a Novel Resveratrol Derivative, 3,3',4,4'-Tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene, against Ovarian Cancer Is Associated with an Oxidative Stress-Mediated Imbalance between DNA Damage Accumulation and Repair.

We explored the effect of a new resveratrol (RVT) derivative, 3,3′,4,4′-tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene (3,3′,4,4′-THS), on viability, apoptosis, proliferation, and senescence of three representative lines of ovarian cancer cells, that is, A2780, OVCAR-3, and SKOV-3, in vitro. In addition, the mechanistic aspects of 3,3′,4,4′-THS activity, including cell redox homeostasis (the production of reactive oxygen species, activity of enzymatic antioxidants, and magnitude of DNA damage accumulation and repair), and the activity of caspases (3, 8, and 9) and p38 MAPK were examined. The study showed that 3,3′,4,4′-THS affects cancer cell viability much more efficiently than its parent drug. This effect coincided with increased generation of reactive oxygen species, downregulated activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and excessive accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and its insufficient repair due to decreased expression of DNA glycosylase I. Cytotoxicity elicited by 3,3′,4,4′-THS was related to increased incidence of apoptosis, which was mediated by caspases 3 and 9. Moreover, 3,3′,4,4′-THS inhibited cancer cell proliferation and accelerated senescence, which was accompanied by the activation of p38 MAPK. Collectively, our findings indicate that 3,3′,4,4′-THS may constitute a valuable tool in the fight against ovarian malignancy and that the anticancer capabilities of this stilbene proceed in an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism.

HDAC inhibitors and immunotherapy; a double edged sword?

Epigenetic modifications, like histone acetylation, are essential for regulating gene expression within cells. Cancer cells acquire pathological epigenetic modifications resulting in gene expression patterns that facilitate and sustain tumorigenesis. Epigenetic manipulation therefore is emerging as a novel targeted therapy for cancer. Histone Acetylases (HATs) and Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) regulate histone acetylation and hence gene expression. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are well known to affect cancer cell viability and biology and are already in use for the treatment of cancer patients. Immunotherapy can lead to clinical benefit in selected cancer patients, especially in patients with limited disease after tumor debulking. HDAC inhibitors can potentially synergize with immunotherapy by elimination of tumor cells. The direct effects of HDAC inhibitors on immune cell function, however, remain largely unexplored. Initial data have suggested HDAC inhibitors to be predominantly immunosuppressive, but more recent reports have challenged this view. In this review we will discuss the effects of HDAC inhibitors on tumor cells and different immune cell subsets, synergistic interactions and possible mechanisms. Finally, we will address future challenges and potential application of HDAC inhibitors in immunocombination therapy of cancer.

Abstract 3049: miR-10a regulates PI3K signaling and paclitaxel response in NSCLC.

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are enzymes involved in diverse cellular functions including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, motility, survival and apoptosis. Many of these functions relate to class I PI3Ks, heterodimers composed of regulatory and catalytic subunits that convert extracellular cues to intracellular responses upon activation. Overall, this signaling pathway is under extremely tight regulation and even slight perturbations can lead to aberrant pathway activation, which is the case in a majority of cancers. We are interested in whether PI3K signaling is regulated by one or more microRNAs and whether those miRNAs affect cancer cell viability and drug response in PI3K-driven oncogenesis. We identified miR-10a as a regulator of PIK3CA, the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of PI3K. In NSCLC cell lines, we found that manipulation of intracellular levels of miR-10a results in significant changes in both mRNA and protein levels of PIK3CA; PIK3CA was confirmed as a direct target by luciferase reporter assay. Using functional assays, we found that increasing miR-10a levels leads to a reduction in PI3K enzymatic activity and modulation of cellular metabolism. Additionally, increasing miR-10a levels inhibits colony formation, while decreasing miR-10a levels increases it. We then investigated if inhibition of the PI3K pathway using miR-10a mimic affects the response of NSCLC cell lines to paclitaxel, which is a front-line therapy for advanced NSCLC. We observed a 10-fold decrease in cell viability in the presence of miR-10a mimic relative to paclitaxel alone, while inhibiting miR-10a resulted in a 10-fold increase, suggesting that high levels of miR-10a may be prognostic for response to taxanes. To assess prognostic value, we assessed expression in NSCLC tumors and found that high miR-10a levels correlate with longer overall patient survival. MicroRNAs can target hundreds of genes, meaning that miR-10a may regulate PIK3CA expression both directly and indirectly. We identified the transcription factor GATA6 as both a target of miR-10a with a predicted miR-10a target site in its 3’UTR and a regulator of PI3K expression, with several conserved binding sites in the promoter of PIK3CA. siRNA knockdown of GATA6 reduced both PI3K mRNA and protein levels. Manipulating miR-10a levels showed that miR-10a negatively regulates both mRNA and protein levels of GATA6; direct interaction was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. These findings demonstrate that miR-10a regulates the PI3K pathway at two distinct levels. The identification of a miR-10a as a modulator of cellular response to paclitaxel through its inhibition of PI3K, both directly and indirectly through GATA6, defines a novel regulatory pathway modulating paclitaxel sensitivity in lung cancer. This may provide novel adjuvant strategies for taxane regimens in the treatment of lung cancer as well as biomarkers for predicting taxane response in NSCLC. Citation Format: Christopher DeSevo, Liqin Du, Carmen Behrens, Ignacio Wistuba, John Minna, Alexander Pertsemlidis. miR-10a regulates PI3K signaling and paclitaxel response in NSCLC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3049. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3049

Abstract A15: Proteomic profiling of early mammary carcinogenesis: Targeting dysregulated protein pathways with tailored therapies

Abstract Over the last 50 years, the number of cancer related deaths has decreased by only 2%. One of the most promising approaches to reduce breast cancer mortality is to develop tools for early detection and early intervention of breast cancers. Normal mammary gland homeostasis requires the coordinated regulation of signaling networks; whereas, dysregulation of signaling networks occurs during breast cancer initiation. Reverse-phase protein microarray (RPPM) is a high-throughput proteomic tool, developed to test for dysregulation of protein signaling networks in human biopsy specimens. For example, ErbB2/HER2/neu, Erb3, EGFR, Akt, Erk1/2 receptor tyrosine kinases all play a role in cancer cell growth and survival, and developing targeted therapies against these pathways is a promising tailored approach to breast cancer treatment. To test which tyrosine kinases are activated in early mammary carcinogenesis, reverse phase protein microarray analysis (RPPM) was performed on 31 random periareolar fine needle aspirates (RPFNA) obtained from a cohort of asymptomatic high-risk women, testing 59 antibody endpoints related to cell growth and survival pathways, including ER, EGFR, Her2, Erb3, Akt and Erk1/2, to test for patterns of differential protein expression. RPFNA allows for serial sampling of breast cytology and subsequent histology from asymptomatic women at high risk for developing breast cancer and also provides the ability to monitor response to preventative treatments. Epithelial cell clusters from RPFNA samples were isolated using AutoPix automated laser capture microdissection. RPPM uses denatured lysate so antigen retrieval, which is a limitation for tissue arrays, is not a problem. In addition, each sample is printed in serial dilution, providing an internal standard, and RPPM does not require direct labeling of the sample, thus improving reproducibility, sensitivity, and robustness. An interrogation of phosphorylated versus non-phosphorylated state of proteins was performed using a Wilcoxon rank sum test. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to estimate the association between RPPM total- and phospho-protein expression as a function of cytology; a 2-sided p value &amp;lt; 0.05 was used to determine if a significant positive or negative association exists. Four distinct clusters of phospho-proteins were identified amongst the 31 RPFNA samples. Varying cell lines, including 15hTert, MDA231, T47D, were then treated with inhibitors based on the protein pathways identified in these clusters. Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant, was shown to affect cancer cell viability as well as the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 pathway in a concentration and time dependent manner. Diagnosing cancers based on proteomic signatures in addition to histopathology will allow for individualized selection of therapeutic combinations that can best target the entire disease-specific errant protein network of a patient. This proteomic signature has great potential for daily clinical practice considering the RPPM technology is commercially available through Theranostics Health and could be used every time a woman undergoes a routine biopsy. In addition, understanding a key protein pathway and how it is wired could have a profound effect on both functional biology and on the understanding of cancer mechanisms as a whole. Citation Information: Clin Cancer Res 2010;16(14 Suppl):A15.

대장암 세포주에서 genistein과 daidzein의 병합처리에 의한 상승적인 세포독성 효과

콩의 대표적인 이소플라본인 genistein과 daidzein에 의해 암세포 생존율에 미치는 영향을 확인하기 위하여, HCT116 세포주에 genistein과 daidzein을 농도 의존적으로 처리하였다. Genistein은 처리한 농도 의존적으로 암세포 생존율을 감소시켰으며, 이에 반해 daidzein은 세포생존율에 큰 변화를 보여주지는 못하였다. 이전의 마이크로어레이 실험 결과에 의하면, <TEX>$50{\mu}M$</TEX>의 genistein에 의해 2배 이상 증가되는 유전자 71개, 2배 이상 감소되는 유전자 64개가 검색되었다. 이중 3개의 유전자(DKK-1, ATF3 그리 고 NAG-1)를 선택하여, 마이크로어레이 실험 결과를 검증하기 위하여 RT-PCR을 수행하였다. RT-PCR 결과 마이크로어레이 결과와 모두 일치함을 증명하였다. 한편, genistein과 daidzein에 의한 병합처리에 의해 암세포생존에 미치는 영향을 확인하였다. 그 결과 병합처리에 의한 상승적인 세포독성 효과를 확인하였다. RT-PCR과 real-time PCR의 결과 genistein과 daidzein의 병합처리에 의해 항암유전자인 NAG-1 유전자가 상승적으로 발현이 증가됨을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 이소플라본뿐만 아니라 대두제품에 의한 암 화학예방법의 기전을 이해하는 도움을 줄 것으로 생각된다. To investigate whether isoflavone genistein and daidzein could affect cancer cell viability, human colorectal HCT116 cells were incubated with genistein or daidzein in a dose-dependent manner. Genistein decreased cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, whereas daidzein did not show dramatic cytotoxic effects. We also found that 71 genes were up-regulated more than 2-fold, whereas 64 genes were down-regulated more than 2-fold with 24 hr of <TEX>$50{\mu}M$</TEX> genistein treatment by our previous microarray data. Among the up-regulated genes, we selected 3 genes (DKK1, ATF3 and NAG-1) and performed RT-PCR to confirm microarray data. The results of RT-PCR were highly correlated with those of the microarray experiment. In addition, we investigated whether a combination treatment of genistein and daidzein could affect cancer cell viability. Surprisingly, the combination treatment did show synergistic cytotoxic effects detected by MTS assay. The results of RT-PCR and real-time PCR indicate that a combination of genistein and daidzein can synergistically induce NAG-1 expression in HCT116 cells. This result implies that NAG-1 induction is highly associated with synergistic cytotoxic effects induced by a combination treatment of genistein and daidzein. Overall, these results may provide a clue in explaining the anti-cancer activity of soy bean in human colorectal cancer.