Perceptions of Death Among Patients with Advanced Cancer Receiving Early Palliative Care and Their Caregivers: Results from a Mixed-Method Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Oncologists are often concerned that talking about death with patients may hinder their relationship. However, the views of death held by patients have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to describe the perception of death among patients with advanced cancer receiving early palliative care (EPC) and their caregivers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on 2 databases: (a) transcripts of open-ended questionnaires administered to 130 cancer patients receiving EPC with a mean age of 68.4 years and to 115 primary caregivers of patients on EPC with a mean age of 56.8; (b) texts collected from an Italian forum, containing instances of web-mediated interactions between patients and their caregivers. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis shows that: (a) patients and caregivers are not afraid of speaking about death; (b) patients and caregivers on EPC use the word "death" significantly more than patients on standard oncology care (SOC) and their caregivers (P < .0001). For both participants on EPC and SOC, the adjectives and verbs associated with the word "death" have positive connotations; however, these associations are significantly more frequent for participants on EPC (verbs, Ps < .0001; adjectives, Ps < .003). Qualitative analysis reveals that these positive connotations refer to an actual, positive experience of the end of life in the EPC group and a wish or a negated event in the SOC group. CONCLUSIONS: EPC interventions, along with proper physician-patient communication, may be associated with an increased acceptance of death in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.

Changes in Cancer Patients' and Caregivers' Disease Perceptions While Receiving Early Palliative Care: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the underlying mechanisms through which early palliative care (EPC) improves multiple outcomes in patients with cancer and their caregivers. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze patients' and caregivers' thoughts and emotional and cognitive perceptions about the disease prior to and during the EPC intervention, and in the end of life, following the exposure to EPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with advanced cancer and 48 caregivers from two cancer centers participated in semistructured interviews. Their reports were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by the means of the grounded theory and a text-analysis program. RESULTS: Participants reported their past as overwhelmed by unmanaged symptoms, with detrimental physical and psychosocial consequences. The EPC intervention allowed a prompt resolution of symptoms and of their consequences and empowerment, an appreciation of its multidimensional approach, its focus on the person and its environment, and the need for EPC for oncologic populations. Patients reported that conversations with the EPC team increased their acceptance of end of life and their expectation of a painless future. Quantitative analysis revealed higher use of Negative Affects (p < .001) and Biological Processes words (p < .001) when discussing the past; Agency words when discussing the present (p < .001); Positive Affects (p < .001), Optimism (p = .002), and Insight Thinking words (p < .001) when discussing the present and the future; and Anxiety (p = .002) and Sadness words (p = .003) when discussing the future. CONCLUSION: Overall, participants perceived EPC to be beneficial. Our findings suggest that emotional and cognitive processes centered on communication underlie the benefits experienced by participants on EPC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: By qualitative and quantitative analyses of the emotional and cognitive perceptions of cancer patients and their caregivers about their experiences before and during EPC interventions, this study may help physicians/nurses to focus on the disease perception by patients/caregivers and the benefits of EPC, as a standard practice. The analysis of words used by patients/caregivers provides a proxy for their psychological condition and support in tailoring an EPC intervention, based on individual needs. This study highlights that the relationship of the triad EPC team/patients/caregivers may rise as a therapeutic tool, allowing increasing awareness and progressive acceptance of the idea of death.

Evaluation of an Italian Population-Based Programme for Risk Assessment and Genetic Counselling and Testing for BRCA1/2-Related Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer after 10 Years of Operation: An Observational Study Protocol.

Hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is caused by the inheritance of monoallelic germline BRCA1/2 gene mutations. If BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are identified before the disease develops, effective actions against HBOC can be taken, including intensive screening, risk-reducing mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, and risk-reducing medications. The Italian National Prevention Plan mandates the creation of regional BRCA genetic testing programmes. So far, however, only informal data have been reported on their implementation. We have designed a study aimed at evaluating the results of a population-based programme for risk assessment and genetic counselling and testing for BRCA1/2-related HBOC that is underway in the Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). The programme-which is entirely free-includes basic screening with an estimate of the likelihood of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation using a familial risk assessment tool, a closer examination of women with suspected risk increase, an assessment of the need for further genetic counselling and, if needed, genetic testing and risk-reducing interventions. In this paper, the design of the programme and the protocol of the study are presented. The study has an observational, historical cohort design. Eligible are the women found to be at an increased risk of HBOC (profile 3 women). The main objectives are (i) to determine the precision of the programme in measuring the level of risk of HBOC for profile 3 women; (ii) to determine the characteristics of profile 3 women and their association with the risk management strategy chosen; (iii) to compare the age at onset, histologic type, tumour stage, molecular subtype, and prognosis of breast/ovarian cancers observed in the cohort of profile 3 women with the features of sporadic cancers observed in the general female population; (iv) to determine the level and the determinants of adherence to recommendations; and (v) to determine the appropriateness and timing of risk-reducing surgery and medications. Investigating the quality and results of the programme is necessary because the best practices in risk assessment and genetic counselling and testing for BRCA1/2-related cancer and the challenges they encounter should be identified and shared. The study has the potential to provide sound empirical evidence for the factors affecting the effectiveness of this type of service.

Disulfiram, an old drug with new potential therapeutic uses for human hematological malignancies.

Disulfiram (DSF) is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor currently used for the treatment of alcoholism. Here, we show that multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and primary cells from newly diagnosed and relapsed/resistant patients affected by MM, acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia are significantly sensitive to DSF alone and in combination with copper. These effects are present at doses lower than those achievable in vivo after DSF standard administration. The cytotoxic effect achieved by this treatment is comparable to that obtained by conventional chemotherapy and is absent in normal hematopoietic cells. In addition, we found that DSF plus copper induces loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activates executioner caspases. DSF-copper-induced apoptosis and caspases activation are strongly reversed by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, thus indicating a critical role of ROS. These results might suggest the use of the old drug DSF, alone or in combination with copper, in the treatment of hematological malignancies.

Mineral fiber-mediated activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase c in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived alveolar epithelial A549 cells.

Given the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) isozymes in the control of cell growth and differentiation we were prompted to analyze the expression of some of these PLC in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived alveolar epithelial A549 cells. The effects of several fluoro-edenite fibers were compared with those of tremolite, a member of the calcic amphibole group of asbestos that originates from Calabria (Italy), and crocidolite, that, due to its high toxicity, is one of the most studied asbestos amphiboles. Our data show an increased expression of both PLC beta1 and PLC gamma1 in A549 cells treated with asbestos-like fibers, hinting at a role of PLC signalling in those cancerous cells.

Inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 in human whole blood ex vivo and monocyte-macrophage J774 cells by a new group of aminothiopyrimidone derivatives.

We tested a series of 11 new aminothiopyrimidones on the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and prostaglandin G/H synthase-1 and 2 (COX-1 and COX-2) in the whole human blood and monocyte-macrophage J774 cell line. To induce COX-2 and iNOS, blood samples and J774 cells were stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of the test compounds. After incubation, the plasma and the supernatants of culture media were collected for the measurement of TxB(2) and PGE(2) by a specific enzyme-immunoassay and determination of nitrite by a colorimetric assay. Several phenylthieno derivatives of substituted pyrimidone inhibited formation of both COX-2 and iNOS derived products with one of the compounds (compound 11, N-[2-[(2,4-dinitrophenyl)thio]-4-oxo-6-phenylthieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-3(4H)-y]methanesulfonamide) showing a complete inhibition of LPS-stimulated formation of NO and PGE(2).

Antiproliferative activity of methylated analogues of E- and Z-resveratrol.

The stilbenoids E-resveratrol (E-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, 1), E-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (2), E-3,4,4'-trimethoxystilbene (3) and E-3,4'-dimethoxy-5-hydroxystilbene (4) were converted by photoisomerization to their corresponding Z-isomers 5-8. Compounds 1-8 were subjected to antiproliferative activity bioassays towards a set of four different human cancer cell lines, namely DU-145 (androgen not responsive human prostate tumor), LNCaP (androgen responsive human prostate tumor), M-14 (human melanoma) and KB (human mouth epidermoid carcinoma). The methylated analogues of 1 are more active than the natural lead in the majority of bioassays. The most active compound was Z-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (6), which showed against DU-145 and LNCaP cells GI50 values close to those of the anticancer drug vinorelbine; 6 resulted more active than its E-isomer 2 towards DU-145, LNCaP and especially KB cell lines. A number of methylated Z-isomers displayed a higher activity than their E-isomers, but E-resveratrol (1) was more active than Z-resveratrol (5) towards all the tested cell lines.

Toxicity and carcinogenicity mechanisms of fibrous antigorite.

We studied the effects of fibrous antigorite on mesothelial MeT-5A and monocyte-macrophage J774 cell lines to further understand cellular mechanisms induced by asbestos fibers leading to lung damage and cancer. Antigorite is a mineral with asbestiform properties, which tends to associate with chrysotile or tremolite, and frequently occurs as the predominant mineral in the veins of several serpentinite rocks found abundantly in the Western Alps. Particles containing antigorite are more abundant in the breathing air of this region than those typically found in urban ambient air. Exposure of MeT-5A and J774 cells to fibrous antigorite at concentrations of 5-100 microg/ml for 72 hr induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Antigorite also stimulated the ROS production, induced the generation of nitrite and PGE2. MeT-5A cells were more sensitive to antigorite than J774 cells. The results of this study revealed that the fibrous antigorite stimulates cyclooxygenase and formation of hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals. These changes represent early cellular responses to antigorite fibers, which lead to a host of pathological and neoplastic conditions because free radicals and PGE2 play important roles as mediators of tumor pathogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms of the cellular responses to antigorite and other asbestos particles should be helpful in designing rational prevention and treatment approaches.

Genistin inhibits UV light-induced plasmid DNA damage and cell growth in human melanoma cells.

In recent years, genistein has received considerable attention because epidemiologic studies showed that consumption of soybean-containing diets was associated with a lower incidence of certain human cancers in Asian populations. In vitro studies further showed that such chemopreventive and antineoplastic effects were associated with the antioxidant activity of genistein and inhibitor activities on cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Genistein was shown to arrest the growth of malignant melanoma in vitro and to inhibit ultraviolet (UV) light-induced oxidative DNA damage. Recently, it has been demonstrated that genistin, as other flavonoid glycosides, is partly absorbed without previous cleavage and does not have to be hydrolyzed to be biologically active. Therefore, not only isoflavone aglycons, but also glycosides can be of physiological relevance. In the present study, we evaluated in cell-free systems the effect of genistin and daidzin on pBR322 DNA cleavage induced by hydroxyl radicals, generated from UV photolysis of hydrogen peroxide, and their superoxide anion scavenging capacity. In addition, we investigated the growth inhibitory activity of these isoflavones against human melanoma cell line (M14). Under our experimental conditions, genistin and daidzin showed a protective effect on DNA damage and exhibited a superoxide dismutase-like effect, but only genistin was able to reduce significantly the vitality of M14 cells, confirming the importance of the 5,7-dihydroxy structure in the A ring. These results suggest that also genistin, due to its antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties, contributes to the overall biological activity of soy and could have promising applications in the field of dermatology.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tong Len Meditation Practice in Cancer Patients: Evaluation of a Distant Psychological Healing Effect.

CONTEXT: Tong Len meditation is an important therapeutic tool in the Tibetan medicine, and it can be used for self-healing and/or to heal others. Currently, in the West, there is no scientific study concerning the efficacy of a Tong Len distant healing effect on psychological disorders in cancer patients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a distant healing effect of Tong Len meditation on stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and self-perceived quality of life in cancer patients. These psychological objectives were chosen as a consequence of the limited scientific literature of present day. DESIGN: We performed a double-blind randomized controlled trial on 103 cancer patients with tumors. Overall, 12 meditators used Tong Len in aid of 52 patients randomly selected as experimental group, while the remaining 51 patients constituted the control group. Patients and meditators did not know each other. All patients completed profile of mood states (POMS) and European Quality of Life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaires before treatment (T0), after two (T1) and three months of treatment (T2), and one month after treatment cessation (T3). RESULTS: With regard to the parameters related to depression, a statistically significant improvement (P = .003) was observed in the treatment group compared to controls. On the other hand, the vigor/activity parameter saw significant improvements in the control group (P = .009). Both groups exhibited significant improvements in the other factors assessed in the POMS and EQ-5D questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: This study did not provide sufficient evidence supporting an efficacy of Tong Len meditation in distant psychological healing as compared to a control condition. The research highlighted some psychological improvements through Tong Len distant meditation in a group of patients unknown to meditators. Therefore, the enhancement detected in most parameters in both treatment and control groups raises interest on in-depth analysis and evaluation of distant meditation on cancer patients to mitigate psychological problems caused by the disease.

Gefitinib in pretreated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): analysis of efficacy and correlation with HER2 and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between HER2 expression and gefitinib (ZD 1839, Iressa; AstraZeneca, London, United Kingdom) efficacy in terms of response rate, time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with pretreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received gefitinib at a daily dose of 250 mg until disease progression. Tumor tissue specimens obtained at the time of primary diagnosis were collected to determine HER2/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: From February 2001 to June 2002, 63 consecutive patients were enrolled onto the study. The overall disease control rate was 58.7% (partial response [PR], 15.9%; stable disease [SD], 42.8%), median TTP was 3.3 months, and median OS was 4.1 months. Among the 43 patients in whom EGFR/HER2 status was determined, we observed six PRs (14%) and 18 SDs (42%). Disease control, including PR and SD, was 40% in the 15 patients overexpressing HER2 and 64.3% in the 28 patients not overexpressing HER2 (P =.126). No difference was found between the two groups in terms of TTP (3.5 v 3.7 months, respectively) and OS (5.7 v 6.8 months, respectively). In addition, we did not find any difference in TTP, OS, toxicity, and symptom outcome in the group of patients overexpressing both HER2 and EGFR compared with patients who had no overexpression of HER2 CONCLUSION: According to these data, efficacy, toxicity, and symptom outcome in patients with NSCLC treated with gefitinib do not seem to be related to HER2 expression.

Distinct response to ionizing radiation of human prostate cell lines.

The purpose of this study was to determine in vitro the relationship between ionizing radiation (IR) treatment, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) levels, and DNA damage of the human benign prostate hyperplasia BPH-1 cell line, and two prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP, which is androgen-sensitive, and DU-145, which is androgen non-responsive. The cells were analysed after exposure to 1.0 or 2.0 Gy of X-ray radiations. The response to IR treatment was evaluated by examining: ROS production by quantitative analysis with fluorescent probe 5 and 6-carboxy-2'7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate bis acetomethyl ester (DCFH-DA), GSH levels by 2,2'-dinitro-5,5'-dithio-benzoic acid (DTNB), and lipoperoxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) analysis. To study IR-induced DNA damage, Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis or comet assay was performed. DU-145 cells were characterized by higher DNA damage, more evident extent of lipid peroxidation, and slighter levels of ROS and GSH compared to BPH-1 or LNCaP. Human benign BPH-1 and cancer LNCaP and DU-145 cell lines are not equal regarding their capability of IR resistance in terms of ROS production, antioxidant potential, IR-induced lipid peroxidation and DNA damage.

Antioxidant activity and antiproliferative action of methanolic extract of Geum quellyon Sweet roots in human tumor cell lines.

Geum quellyon Sweet, a perennial herb of the Rosaceae family, has been used in the traditional medicine of the Mapuche Amerindians of Chile to treat tooth neuralgia, gastric inflammation, prostatitis and to regulate menstruation, and for its diuretic and aphrodisiac properties. Although many benefits have been claimed for this plant, few scientific studies are available in the literature. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of a methanolic extract of Geum quellyon roots. We also examined the anticancer action of this plant on Caco-2 (colon adenocarcinoma cells), DU-145 (androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells) and KB (oral squamous carcinoma cells) human tumor cell lines. Our data showed that Geum quellyon extract, containing tannins, exhibits interesting antioxidant properties, expressed by its capacity to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical (DPPH) and superoxide anion (O(2)*-), to inhibit xanthine oxidase activity, to chelate metals, and to protect plasmid DNA from cleavage induced by hydroxyl radicals (*OH) and nitric oxide (NO). These results may explain, at least in part, its use in Mapuche traditional medicine for gastric inflammation and prostatitis. The assays on human tumor cell lines demonstrated that this natural product exhibits a inhibitory effect on all human cancer cells examined, and seem to indicate that necrosis cell death is triggered in KB cells and Caco-2, while apoptotic cell demise appears to be induced in DU-145. The effect evidenced in Caco-2 cells can be in part correlated to a modulation of redox-sensitive mechanisms.

Behaviour of the new asbestos amphibole fluor-edenite in different lung cell systems.

The aim of the present research was to determine whether the recently identified and characterized new fibrous amphibole fluoro-edenite may induce a cytopathic response in cultured cells. The final goal was to gain suggestions on the potentiality of fluoro-edenite to be harmful to human beings. Epidemiological studies, in fact, have shown an excess of developing mesothelioma among residents in Biancavilla, a town in eastern Sicily located in the Etna volcanic area. Therefore, we treated human lung fibroblasts, human lung alveolar epithelial cancer cell line A549 and monocyte-macrophage cell line J774 with fluoro-edenite or crocidolite; the latter used as a highly toxic amphibole asbestos reference. Our results show that fluoro-edenite may induce functional modifications and affects some biochemical parameters in tested cell cultures in a concentration and time dependent manner. However, the observed functional modifications induced by fluoro-edenite are generally less dramatic than those induced by crocidolite and more evident on human lung alveolar epithelial cancer cell line A549 with respect to those obtained on human lung fibroblasts or monocyte-macrophage cell line J774. The sequence of the damage is hypothesised to be as follows: at increasing fluoro-edenite concentrations, and/or treatment times, the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production could trigger significant DNA damage in cell cultures, concomitantly with drop in cell metabolism and increase in lactic dehydrogenase release. In conclusion, according to our data, fluoro-edenite appears as a probable carcinogenic agent, responsible for the high incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla.

Nitric oxide production in fluoro-edenite treated mouse monocyte-macrophage cultures.

In the present study, we investigated the involvement of NO in the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caused by fluoro-edenite in mouse monocyte-macrophage cell line J774. Fluoro-edenite is a new asbestos-like amphibole present in the benmoreitic lavas recently extracted from stone quarries in Biancavilla, a village located in the Etnean Volcanic Complex (Catania, Italy) of eastern Sicily, in which an epidemiological survey evidenced a cluster of cases of the mortality due to pleural mesothelioma. Fluoro-edenite appears as a probable carcinogenic agent. Nitrite and nitrate concentration (NO) in the supernatant was quantified by colorimetric assay based on the Griess reaction and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthetase) expression was determined by immunostaining in mouse monocyte-macrophage cell line J774 treated with different concentrations of fluoro-edenite (5, 50 and 100 microg/ml) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Parallel experiments were performed treating the cultures also with lipopolysaccharides (LPS), used as inflammation-inducing molecule. In our experimental conditions, fluoro-edenite did not modify the level of NO and the expression of iNOS at the experimental used concentrations for 24, 48 and 72 h. These parameters were significantly modified at the higher doses (50 and 100 microg/ml) of fluoro-edenite for 96 h and were further more increased, in concentration- and time-dependent manner, when cell cultures were treated with fluoro-edenite and LPS. These findings provide convincing evidence that NO is involved in the fluoro-edenite-induced cytotoxicity and geno-toxicity in mouse monocyte-macrophage cell line J774 when the fiber remain for longer times and particularly in cultures treated with LPS, demonstrating that inflammatory disorders appear to increase the risk for lung cancer induced by fluoro-edenite probably by the involvement of NO.

Rosmarinus officinalis extract inhibits human melanoma cell growth.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. is receiving increasing attention due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative constituents. Our recent studies showed that R. officinalis extract, containing 31.7% of carnosic acid, was able to counteract the deleterious effects of UV-R, by protecting plasmid DNA from hydroxyl radicals generated by UV-A. In this work, we evaluated the effects of this extract on pBR322 DNA cleavage induced by nitric oxide, and the growth inhibitory activity against two human melanoma cell lines, M14 and A375. The extract showed a protective effect on plasmid DNA damage, and at concentrations of 10-80 microg/mL was able to reduce significantly (p<0.001) the growth (MTT assay) of both melanoma cell lines. In addition, our results indicate that apoptotic cell demise is induced in M14 and A375 cells. No statistically significant increase in LDH release was observed in melanoma cells, correlated to a fragmentation of genomic DNA, determined by COMET assay.

Induction of nuclear receptors and drug resistance in the brain microvascular endothelial cells treated with antiepileptic drugs.

Our work contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of drug resistance in epilepsis. This study aimed to investigate i) the levels of expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP)1 and 2, ii) the activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), and iii) the relationship between increased P-gp and MRPs expression and PXR and CAR activation, in immortalized rat brain microvascular endothelial cell lines, GPNT and RBE4, following treatment with the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), topiramate, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, tiagabine, levetiracetam, and phenytoin, using Western blotting and immunocytochemistry methods. Carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin induced the highest levels of P-gp and MPRs expression that was associated with increased activation of PXR and CAR receptors as compared to levetiracetam, tiagabine and topiramate. We conclude that P-gp and MRPs are differently overexpressed in GPNT and RBE4 by various AEDs and both PXR and CAR are involved in the drug-resistant epilepsy induced by carbamazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin.

Fluoro-edenite fibers induce expression of Hsp70 and inflammatory response.

Many asbestos-like mineral fibers have been detected in the air of mountainous and volcanic areas of Italy and other parts of the world. These fibers have been suspected to be the cause of increased incidences of lung cancer and other lung diseases in these areas. However, the mechanisms of the cellular response and defense following exposure to these microscopic fibers have not been characterized. We continue to study these mechanisms to be able to propose preventive strategies in large populations. The objective of the present study was to determine comparatively biological responses of mesothelial Met-5A and monocyte-macrophage J774 cells following exposure to two types of fluoro-edenite fibers having low and high iron content (labeled 19 and 27, respectively) obtained from Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy). The reference fiber was a non-iron fibrous tremolite from Val di Susa (Piemonte, Italy). The cells were treated with 5, 50, and 100 mug of fibrous matter per 1 ml for 72 hr. We identified several key mechanisms by which cells responded and counteracted the injury induced by these fibers. The fibers caused induction of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), stimulated formation of reactive oxygen species (detected by using DCFH-DA as a fluorescent probe) and NO* (measured as nitrite). Exposure of cells to the fibers induced lactate dehydrogenase activity and decreased viability. The fluoro-endenite type 27 was the most potent fiber tested, which indicated that iron and possibly manganese contribute significantly to this fiber toxicity. The J774 cells were more sensitive to fluoro-edenite than Met-5A cells suggesting that the primary site of the fiber-induced inflammatory response could be the macrophage rather than the pulmonary epithelium. Fluoro-edenite produces more biological alterations with respect to non-iron tremolite. Hsp70 and free radicals could be important factors in the context of mineral fiber-induced acute lung injury leading possibly to mutagenic effects. We anticipate that pharmacological blockade of the fiber-dependent cellular responses could in long term offer preventive approach to combat lung diseases induced by these fibers.

Pannarin inhibits cell growth and induces cell death in human prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells.

In the course of our continuing search for new natural anticancer compounds for treatment and/or prevention of prostate cancer, our laboratory has focused its search on poorly investigated lichen metabolites, sphaerophorin, pannarin and epiphorellic acid-1. To this end, we treated DU-145, a cell line resembling the last stage of prostate carcinoma, with different concentrations (6-50 micromol/l) of these compounds for 72 h. Our data clearly evidenced that these lichen metabolites inhibit the growth of human prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells, but pannarin exhibits a higher effect. Our data show an induction of apoptotic death of advanced prostate cancer cells by sphaerophorin, pannarin and epiphorellic acid-1. In fact, a significant (P<0.001) increase in caspase-3 enzyme activity occurred in DU-145 cells treated with all lichen compounds at 12 and 25 micromol/l concentrations, correlated to a high DNA fragmentation, but without the disruption of the plasma membrane, as evaluated by the percentage of lactic dehydrogenase release. Alternatively, we found a low, but significant (P<0.01) lactic dehydrogenase release at higher concentrations (50 micromol/l), suggesting that in these experimental conditions sphaerophorin, pannarin and epiphorellic acid-1 induce necrosis in DU-145 cells, through the increase in reactive oxygen species generation. The experimental evidence is further confirmed by caspase-3 activity results, evidencing a reduction in the activity of this protease at a higher concentration, 50 micromol/l.

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis and cell-growth inhibition activity of resveratrol analogues.

The stilbenoid resveratrol (1) was subjected to regioselective acetylation catalysed by Candida antarctica lipase (CAL) to obtain 4'-acetylresveratrol (2). CAL biocatalysed regioselective alcoholysis of 3,5,4'-triacetylresveratrol (3), 3,5,4'-tributanoylresveratrol (6), and 3, 4, 5'-trioctanoylresveratrol (9) afforded derivatives 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11. Further resveratrol analogues (12-18) were obtained through methylation and hydrogenation reactions, whereas the 3,4,4'-trimethoxystilbene (19) was obtained by complete synthesis. Resveratrol and its lipophylic analogues were subjected to cell-growth inhibition bioassays towards DU-145 human prostate cancer cells. Compounds 2-19 showed cell-growth inhibition activity comparable to or higher than resveratrol (GI(50)=24.09 microM), displaying low or very low toxicity against non-tumorigenic human fibroblast cells. Comparison of the trimethoxy stilbenes 12 (GI(50)=2.92 microM) and 19 (GI(50)=25.39 microM) indicates that the position of the substituents is important for the activity. The marked activity of methyl ethers 12, 13, and 18 in comparison with that of the corresponding esters suggests that the different chemical reactivity, rather than steric factors, strongly influences the activity.