Multi-Targeting Anticancer Activity of a New 4-Thiazolidinone Derivative with Anti-HER2 Antibodies in Human AGS Gastric Cancer Cells.

Combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy still remains a regimen in anticancer therapy. Novel 4-thiazolidinone-bearing hybrid molecules possess well-documented anticancer activity, and together with anti-HER2 antibodies, may represent a promising strategy in treating patients with gastric cancer with confirmed human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. The aim of the study was to synthesize a new 4-thiazolidinone derivative (Les-4367) and investigate its molecular mechanism of action in combination with trastuzumab or pertuzumab in human AGS gastric cancer cells. AGS cell viability and antiproliferative potential were examined. The effect of the tested combinations as well as monotherapy on apoptosis and autophagy was also determined. Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were also demonstrated by the ELISA technique. We proved that pertuzumab and trastuzumab were very effective in increasing the sensitivity of AGS gastric cancer cells to novel Les-4367. The molecular mechanism of action of the tested combination is connected with the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, the anticancer activity is not associated with the autophagy process. Decreased concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, MMP-2 and ICAM-1-were observed. The novel combination of drugs based on anti-HER2 antibodies with Les-4367 is a promising strategy against AGS gastric cancer cells.

LC-PDA-MS and GC-MS Analysis of Scorzonera hispanica Seeds and Their Effects on Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Scorzonera hispanica is an herbaceous perennial cultivated in Central and Southern Europe. This study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the composition of oil, extracts, and fractions (SH1-SH12) obtained from S. hispanica seeds. Furthermore, an evaluation of biological activities in breast cancer cell lines was also performed. GC-MS analysis revealed that the primary components of the seed oil (SH12) were fatty acids and ß-sitosterol. In the evaluation of extracts (SH1-SH3, SH8-SH10) and fractions (SH4-SH7, SH11) composition, the presence of apigenin, derivatives of p-coumaric and caffeic acids, was reported. In the biological assays, methanolic extract (SH1), diethyl ether (SH4), and chloroform (SH11) fractions exhibited cytotoxicity toward cells. The highest activity was observed for fatty acids- and 3,4-dimethoxycinnamate-rich SH11 (IC50: 399.18 µg/mL for MCF-7, 781.26 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231). SH11 was also observed to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells (52.4%). SH1, SH4, and SH11 attenuate signaling pathways and affect the expression of apoptosis-, autophagy-, and inflammation-related proteins. SH12 was non-toxic toward either cancer or normal cell lines in concentrations up to 1 mg/mL. The results suggest that S. hispanica seeds exhibit a wide range of potential uses as a source of oil and bioactive compounds for complementary therapy of breast cancer.

Synergistic action of cisplatin and echistatin in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

The aim of our study was to determine whether the use of cisplatin in the presence echistatin in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells leads to a reduction of toxic effects associated with the use of cisplatin. The expression of ß1-integrin and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-IR), signaling pathway protein expression: protein kinase B (AKT), mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1/ERK2), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and caspase-3 and -9 activity was measured after 24 h of incubation with tested compounds to explain detailed molecular mechanism of induction of apoptosis. The viability of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining assay was performed to detect the induction of apoptosis. Inhibition DNA biosynthesis was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. The expression of of ß1-integrin, IGF-IR, AKT, ERK1/ERK2, NFκB, caspase-3 and -9 was evaluated using Western blot. The results suggest that treatment of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells for 24 h cisplatin plus echistatin severely inhibits cell growth and activates apoptosis by upregulation of caspase-3 and -9 expressions. The effect was stronger than treatment cisplatin and echistatin alone. In this study, we have found that cisplatin plus echistatin treatment decreases collagen biosynthesis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells stronger than the individual compounds. The inhibition was found to be dependent on the ß1-integrin and IGF receptor activation. A significant reduction of ERK1/ERK2, AKT expression in cancer cells after cisplatin plus echistatin treatment was also found. The cancer cells treated by echistatin, cisplatin, and in particular the combination of both compounds drastically increased expression of NFκB transcription factor. Our results suggest that combined therapy cisplatin plus echistatin is a possible way to improve selectiveness of cisplatin. This mechanism probably is due to downregulation of expression of ß1-integrin and IGF-IR receptors, and the signaling pathway proteins induced by these receptors. Our results suggest that therapy cisplatin plus echistatin is a possible way to improve selectiveness of cisplatin.

The effect of a novel dinuclear platinum complex with berenil and 2-picoline ligands on growth of human breast cancer cells.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of a novel dinuclear platinum(II) complex of formula Pt2(2-picoline)4(berenil)2 employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated that the complex was more potent anti-proliferative agent than cisplatin. Data from the ethidium displacement assay indicated that the complex showed specificity for AT base pairs of DNA. Our study showed that Pt2(2-picoline)4(berenil), was a potent catalytic inhibitor of topoisomerase II in opposition to cisplatin.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel amidine analogues of bis(2-chloroethyl)amine.

Novel nitrogen mustard agents 7-12 involving 4-(N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenyl)propylamine linked to a 5-(4-N-alkylamidinophenyl)-2-furancarboxylic acid moiety by the formation of an amide bond have been synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their in-vitro cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of 7-12 employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA demonstrated that these compounds exhibit remarkable cytotoxic effects in comparison with 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid. Compounds 7 and 9, which possess a cationic amidine and 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol function moiety are approximately ten times more potent than 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid. The new compounds were evaluated as DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors. The cytotoxicity of the compounds 7-12 correlates with their DNA-binding affinities and their relative potency as topoisomerase II inhibitors.

Synthesis, DNA-binding affinity and cytotoxicity of the dinuclear platinum(II) complexes with berenil and amines ligands.

A series of platinium(II) complexes of formula [Pt2L4(berenil)2]Cl4.4HCl.2H2O where L is piperidine (1), 4-picoline (2), 3-picoline (3) or isopropylamine (4) was prepared and their cytotoxicity have been tested against the growth of human breast cancer cells. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of these compounds employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated that these compounds were more active than cisplatin. Data from the ethidium displacement assay indicated that these compounds show moderate specificity for AT base pairs of DNA. Compounds 1-4 were also potent topoisomerase II inhibitors, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) ranging from 5 to 50 microM.

DNA-binding activity and cytotoxicity of Pt-berenil compounds in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

The compounds of formula [Pt2Cl4(berenil)2]Cl4 and [Pt2Cl2(NH3)2(berenil)2]Cl4 were examined for cytotoxicity in breast cancer cell cultures and for inhibition of topoisomerases I and II. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of these compounds employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated that these compounds were more active than cisplatin. The DNA-binding ability of these compounds was evaluated by an ultrafiltration method using calf thymus DNA, poly(dA-dT)2 and poly(dG-dC)2, indicated that these compounds show strong specificity for AT base pairs. Binding studies indicate that these compounds bind more tightly to double-stranded DNA than cisplatin. The degree to which these compounds inhibited cell growth breast cancer cells was generally consistent with their relative DNA binding affinity. Mechanistic studies revealed that these compounds act as topoisomerase II (topo II) inhibitors in plasmid relaxation assays.

Cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis of human breast cancer cells by novel platinum(II) complexes.

The current work investigates the influence of novel dinuclear platinum(II) compounds of structure: Pt2(3-ethylpyridine)4(berenil)2 (Pt10) and Pt2(3-butylpyridine)4(berenil)2 (Pt11) on growth and viability of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells as well as their putative mechanism of cytotoxicity. Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of Pt10 and Pt11 employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated that these compounds were more potent antiproliferative agents than cisplatin. In our study the induction of apoptosis by Pt10 and Pt11 in human breast cancer cells was confirmed by several biochemical markers, such as: phosphatidylserine externalization, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential ΔΨm, caspase-3, -8, -9 activity, and DNA degradation. Pt10 and Pt11 induce apoptosis of breast cancer cells via mechanisms dependent on caspases activation and associated with mitochondrial membrane potential disruption.

Cytotoxic activity of G3 PAMAM-NH2 dendrimer-chlorambucil conjugate in human breast cancer cells.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of a novel G3 PAMAM-NH(2) dendrimer-chlorambucil conjugate employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated that the conjugate was more potent antiproliferative agent than chlorambucil. It was found that dendrimer-chlorambucil conjugate was more active inhibitor of collagen biosynthesis than chlorambucil. Our experiments carried out with flow cytometry assessment of annexin V binding and fluorescent microscopy assay revealed that PAMAM-CH conjugate inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-231 malignant cells by increasing the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells. The apoptotic effect of PAMAM-CH conjugate was found to be stronger than that caused by chlorambucil.

Cytotoxic efficacy of a novel dinuclear platinum(II) complex in human breast cancer cells.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of a novel dinuclear platinum(II) complex of formula Pt(2)(2-picoline)(4)(berenil)(2) employing a MTT assay and inhibition of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated that the complex was more of a potent antiproliferative agent than cisplatin. The DNA-binding ability of Pt(2)(2-picoline)(4)(berenil)(2) estimated by an ethidium displacement assay indicated that the complex showed strong specificity for AT base pairs in the minor groove of DNA. Our study showed that Pt(2)(2-picoline)(4)(berenil)(2) was a potent catalytic inhibitor of topoisomerase II in opposition to cisplatin. Pt(2)(2-picoline)(4)(berenil)(2) was found to be a more active inhibitor of collagen biosynthesis than cisplatin. The up regulation of beta(1)-integrin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor expression by the complex was shown to be accompanied by an increase in the expression of mitogen activated protein kinases in breast cell lines. The phenomenon was related to the increased expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NuF-kappaBeta) by Pt(2)(2-picoline)(4)(berenil)(2) as shown by the Western immunoblot analysis. Flow cytometric analysis and a fluorescent microscopy assay demonstrated that cell death appeared to result from apoptosis, with the possibility of secondary necrosis. The data presented suggested that Pt(2)(2-picoline)(4)(berenil)(2) impaired growth and metabolism of breast cancer cells more efficiently than cisplatin. These results indicated also the different properties of Pt(2)(2-picoline)(4)(berenil)(2) and cisplatin.

Novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes targets NFkappaB signaling pathway to induce apoptosis and inhibit metabolism of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Four novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes of formula [Pt2L4(berenil)2]Cl4 (Pt1-Pt4) where L is piperazine (Pt1), 4-picoline (Pt2), 3-picoline (Pt3) or isopropylamine (Pt4) were compared to cisplatin in respect to collagen biosynthesis, beta1- integrin receptor, IGF-I receptor, phosphorylated MAP-kinases (ERK1/ERK2 and p38), phosphorylated Akt kinase expression and appearance of apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. It was found that Pt1-Pt4 were more active inhibitor of collagen biosynthesis than cisplatin. The expression of IGF-I and beta1 integrin receptor, as well as phosphorylated MAPK, (ERK1 and ERK2 and p38) was significantly increased in cells incubated for 24 h with 20 muM Pt1-Pt4 compared to the control, not treated cells. The phenomenon was related to the increase expresion of NFkappaB by Pt1-Pt4 as shown by Western immunoblot analysis. Experiments made with annexin V-FITC and detection of apoptosis by a fluorescent microscopy assay revealed that novel dinuclear platinum(II) complexes (Pt1-Pt4) inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by increasing the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells.