miR-17 in imatinib resistance and response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia cells.

PURPOSE: In this study we examined the expression levels of miR-17 which possesses oncogenic activities through downregulation of CDKN1A, p21 and E2F1 tumor suppressor genes, in imatinib sensitive and resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells. On the other hand, we also determined the expression levels of miR-17 in response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib used for the treatment of CML. METHODS: The expression profiles of miR-17 were analysed by Stem-Loop reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The results revealed significant increase in the expression levels of miR-17 in imatinib sensitive and resistant cells compared to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). On the other hand, significant decrease was observed in miR-17 levels in response to imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib. CONCLUSION: These results may imply that miR-17 can be used for diagnosis and treatment of CML.

Imatinib-induced apoptosis: a possible link to topoisomerase enzyme inhibition.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Imatinib is a specific BCR/ABL inhibitor, commonly used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a hematological malignancy resulting from a chromosomal translocation that generates the BCR/ABL fusion protein. Recent studies showed that the imatinib has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on many BCR/ABL-negative cancers. Numerous compounds with cytotoxic potential exert their functions by interfering with the DNA topoisomerase. In this study, we examined the effects of imatinib on tumour cell-killing in relation to DNA topoisomerase enzyme inhibition. METHODS: We determined the cytotoxicity by cell proliferation assay (XTT; tetrazolium hydroxide), using the human K562 CML cells, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential by monitoring the changes in caspase-3 enzyme activity. Type I and II topoisomerase activities were measured by supercoiled plasmid relaxation and minicircle DNA decatenation assays respectively. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Imatinib-induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that the imatinib was effective in both type I and type II topoisomerase reactions to a varying degree between 94% and 7% for the concentration range of 1 mm-0.02 mm in a dose-dependent manner. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the inhibition of topoisomerases may be a significant factor in imatinib-induced apoptosis in CML.

The roles of antiapoptotic sphingosine kinase-1 and glucosylceramide genes in drug induced cell death of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE: Sphingolipids are important signaling molecules mediating cell survival, proliferation, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Ceramide is the most vital sphingolipid which induces growth arrest, senescence, and apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the roles of sphingosine kinase-1 (SK-1) and glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) genes in paclitaxel, doxorubicin, tamoxifen, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel induced apoptosis in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. METHODS: IC50 values (drug concentration inhibiting cell growth by 50%) of the anticancer agents were calculated using XTT cell proliferation assay. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were determined using JC-1 assay kit. Changes in the mRNA levels of SK-1 and GCS genes were measured by using RT-PCR technique. RESULTS: The results demonstrated significant decrease in cellular proliferation and increase in loss of MMP in a dose-dependent manner. Paclitaxel, doxorubicin, tamoxifen, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel application downregulated SK-1 expression while paclitaxel, tamoxifen, cyclophosphamide and docetaxel but not doxorubicin downregulated GCS comparing to untreated control cells. CONCLUSION: These results show for the first time that these agents induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by downregulating the antiapoptotic SK-1 and GCS genes that may result in accumulation of apoptotic ceramides.

Docetaxel/zoledronic acid combination triggers apoptosis synergistically through downregulating antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein level in hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells.

Docetaxel, a semi-synthetic taxane analogue, is used effectively in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Zoledronic acid, the most potent member of bisphosphonates, has shown pleiotropic anti-tumoral effects on prostate cancer cells. We have explored the possible additive/synergistic effects and the apoptotic pathways induced by combination treatment of docetaxel and zoledronic acid in hormone and drug refractory, PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells. Combination of docetaxel and zoledronic acid synergistically inhibits cell growth in PC-3 and DU-145 cells. Moreover, this effect was due to downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in PC-3 and DU-145 cells. In conclusion, docetaxel/zoledronic acid combination is potentially a novel and effective approach for the treatment of prostate cancer.

More anxious or more shy? Examining the social anxiety levels of adolescents with primary enuresis nocturna: a controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Enuresis nocturna (EN) is very common worldwide, and psychiatric disorders are 1.3-4.5 times higher in children with EN. When the authors focus on symptoms of individuals with EN, they figured out that the individuals were impaired in social and emotional skills because of the dramatic consequences of EN. The authors presume that, despite a lack of psychiatric comorbidity, primary enuresis nocturna (PEN) itself and its consequences may increase adolescents' social anxiety (SA), leading to adulthood mental diseases. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the authors aimed to investigate the presence of SA of adolescents with monosymptomatic PEN without any psychiatric comorbidity by comparing them with their healthy peers. METHODS: The study was composed of 56 children who applied to pediatric nephrology outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with monosymptomatic PEN and 42 healthy controls. The psychiatric diagnoses were made by a child psychiatrist, with the help of a semistructured interview (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version, K-SADS-PL), and patients were required to fill out the Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Disorders, Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A), and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) scales with the help of a clinical psychologist. The physical examination made by a pediatric nephrologist and dysfunctional voiding and incontinence scoring system questionnaire were used to evaluate the voiding dysfunction in children. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the total depression and anxiety scores between the groups (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the subscale of SA (t = 2.67 p = 0.009) (Table). Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (p < 0.001) and subscales of SAS-A (Fear of Negative Evaluation [p < 0.001], General Social Avoidance and Distress [p = 0.003], Social Avoidance and Distress in New Situations [p < 0.001]) scores were significantly higher in the patient group. DISCUSSION: The authors want to emphasize the comorbid SA of adolescents diagnosed with PEN. This anxiety may disturb adolescents' health in two ways: first, with the help of direct consequences of the SA and second, being late for seeking help for the EN and possible delay in EN treatments. The main limitation of this study is the assessments of the prior mental status of subjects were made by K-SADS-PL, thus remaining a recall bias. A follow-up study may be more objective. CONCLUSION: So all adolescents diagnosed with PEN should require a detailed mental examination to prevent further negative consequences and provide more comprehensive treatment. Also, the study needed to be repeated in larger samples, and prospective studies should be designed to enhance authors' understanding.

Hesperidin promotes programmed cell death by downregulation of nongenomic estrogen receptor signalling pathway in endometrial cancer cells.

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common malignant gynecologic tumor in women. EC is thought to be caused by increasing estrogen levels relative to progesterone in the body. Hesperidin (Hsd), a biologically active flavonoid, could be extracted from Citrus species. It has been recently shown that Hsd could exert anticarcinogenic properties in different cancer types. However, the effects of Hsd and its molecular mechanisms on EC remain unclear. In this study, the antiproliferative, apoptotic and genomic effects of Hsd in EC and its underlying mechanisms were identified. We found that Hsd significantly suppressed the proliferation of EC cells in dose and time dependent manner. Mechanistic studies showed that Hsd could contribute apoptosis by inducing externalization of phosphatidyl serine (PS), caspase-3 activity and loss of mitochondrial membrane (MMP). Furthermore, we examined that Hsd could also significantly upregulate the expression of proapoptotic Bax subgroup genes (Bax and Bik) while downregulating the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in EC cell lines. According to GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes in Hsd treated EC cells, we identified that Hsd could promote cell death via downregulation of estrogen receptor I (ESRI) that was directly related to ERK/MAPK pathway. Taken together, our study first showed that Hsd could be an antiestrogenic compound that could modulate nongenomic estrogen receptor signaling through inhibition of EC cell growth. Our findings may provide us a novel growth inhibitory agent for EC treatment after verifying its molecular mechanism with in vivo studies.

Localizing infection with a technetium-99m-labeled peptide: initial results.

In vitro-labeled leukocyte imaging is useful for the detection of infection, but an in vivo labeling method is preferable. This study sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a leukocyte-avid peptide for the detection of infection, to determine the effects of peptide dose on performance and to compare the peptide with in vitro-labeled leukocytes. A 23-amino acid peptide, P483, containing the platelet factor-4 heparin-binding sequence, was labeled with 99mTc and complexed with heparin (P483H). Thirty patients were injected with 29 microg (n = 11), 145 microg (n = 10) or 290 microg (n = 9) of labeled peptide, and imaged 15 min and 90-120 min later. Early and late images were interpreted individually and jointly. Twenty patients underwent (111)In-labeled leukocyte scintigraphy. Fourteen patients had infection: osteomyelitis (n = 7), vascular graft (n = 2), abscess (n = 2), joint replacement (n = 1), surgical wound (n = 1) and pneumonia (n = 1). There were 10 adverse events in six patients; all were mild and resolved spontaneously, and without any intervention. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were the same for both early and late imaging: 0.86, 0.81 and 0.83, respectively. Interpreting early and late images together did not improve the results. No relationship between peptide dose and study accuracy was found. In patients undergoing both examinations, the accuracies of the peptide and in vitro-labeled leukocyte imaging were identical: 0.80. In summary, 99mTc-P483H safely, rapidly and accurately detected focal infection, was comparable with in vitro-labeled leukocyte imaging and therefore merits further investigation.

5-Fluorouracil signaling through a calcium-calmodulin-dependent pathway is required for p53 activation and apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an anti-metabolite that is in clinical use for treatment of several cancers. In cells, it is converted into three distinct fluoro-based nucleotide analogs, which interfere with DNA synthesis and repair, leading to genome impairment and, eventually, apoptotic cell death. Current knowledge states that in certain cell types, 5-FU-induced stress is signaling through a p53-dependent induction of tumor necrosis factor-receptor oligomerization required for death-inducing signaling complex formation and caspase-8 activation. Here we establish a role of calcium (Ca(2+)) as a messenger for p53 activation in response to 5-FU. Using a combination of pharmacological and genetic approaches, we show that treatment of colon carcinoma cells stimulates entry of extracellular Ca(2+) through long lasting-type plasma membrane channels, which further directs posttranslational phosphorylation of at least three p53 serine residues (S15, S33 and S37) by means of calmodulin (CaM) activity. Obstructing this pathway by the Ca(2+)-chelator BAPTA (1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane- N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) or by inhibitors of CaM efficiently reduces 5-FU-induced caspase activities and subsequent cell death. Moreover, ectopic expression of p53 S15A in HCT116 p53(-/-) cells confirmed the importance of a Ca(2+)-CaM-p53 axis in 5-FU-induced extrinsic apoptosis. The fact that a widely used therapeutic drug, such as 5-FU, is operating via this pathway could provide new therapeutic intervention points, or specify new combinatorial treatment regimes.

Novel agents targeting bioactive sphingolipids for the treatment of cancer.

Sphingolipids are a class of lipids that have important functions in a variety of cellular processes such as, differentiation, proliferation, senescence, apoptosis and chemotherapeutic resistance. The most widely studied bioactive shingolipids include ceramides, dihydroceramide (dhCer), ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), glucosyl-ceramide (GluCer), sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Although the length of fatty acid chain affects the physiological role, ceramides and sphingosine are known to induce apoptosis whereas C1P, S1P and GluCer induce proliferation of cells, which causes the development of chemoresistance. Previous studies have implicated the significance of bioactive shingolipids in oncogenesis, cancer progression and drug- and radiation-resistance. Therefore, targeting the elements of sphingolipid metabolism appears important for the development of novel therapeutics or to increase the effectiveness of the current treatment strategies. Some approaches involve the development of synthetic ceramide analogs, small molecule inhibitors of enzymes such as sphingosine kinase, acid ceramidase or ceramide synthase that catalyze ceramide catabolism or its conversion to various molecular species and S1P receptor antagonists. These approaches mainly aim to up-regulate the levels of apoptotic shingolipids while the proliferative ones are down-regulated, or to directly deliver cytotoxic sphingolipids like short-chain ceramide analogs to tumor cells. It is suggested that a combination therapy with conventional cytotoxic approaches while preventing the conversion of ceramide to S1P and consequently increasing the ceramide levels would be more beneficial. This review compiles the current knowledge about sphingolipids, and mainly focuses on novel agents modulating sphingolipid pathways that represent recent therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer.

Cross-resistance to cytosine arabinoside in human acute myeloid leukemia cells selected for resistance to vincristine.

AIM: The goals of the study were to reveal the involvement of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the product of multidrug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) in cellular resistance to vincristine (VCR) and investigate cross-resistance against cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) in HL60 and HL60/VCR cell lines. METHODS: HL60 cells (human acute myeloid leukemia cell line) were cultured on medium with 1-50 nM of VCR for 4-6 weeks, and VCR resistant cells (HL60/VCR) were selected. The viability of cells was assessed by MTT assay and the expression of MDR1 gene was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: No expression of MDR1 gene was revealed in HL60 cells, but MDR1 started to be expressed after incubation of cells with 2 nM of VCR and its expression level elevates with increase of agent concentration. MTT test has shown that HL-60/VCR cells were 75-fold more resistant to VCR and 42-fold higher resistant to cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) compared to sensitive HL60 cells. CONCLUSION: Aquired resistance to VCR and cross-resistance to Ara-C correlates with MDR1 gene expression in vitro.