ABSTRACT
The efficient recognition and isolation of rare cancer cells holds great promise for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In nature, pollens exploit spiky structures to realize recognition and adhesion to stigma. Herein, a bioinspired pollen-like hierarchical surface is developed by replicating the assembly of pollen grains, and efficient and specific recognition to target cancer cells is achieved. The pollen-like surface is fabricated by combining filtering-assisted assembly and soft lithography-based replication of pollen grains of wild chrysanthemum. After modification with a capture agent specific to cancer cells, the pollen-like surface enables the capture of target cancer cells with high efficiency and specificity. In addition, the pollen-like surface not only assures high viability of captured cells but also performs well in cell mixture system and at low cell density. This study represents a good example of constructing cell recognition biointerfaces inspired by pollen-stigma adhesion.
Subject(s)
Biomimetic Materials/chemistry , Cell Adhesion , Cell Separation/methods , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Pollen/chemistry , Pollen/ultrastructure , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Materials Testing , Surface PropertiesABSTRACT
Selenium and palladium containing compounds separately exert multifunctional effects on cells. While selenium containing compounds usually exert antioxidative properties, palladium(II) containing compounds are cytotoxic and prooxidative. Here we investigated biological effects of bicyclic seleno-hydantoin cis-7a-ethyl-5-methyl-5-phenylselanylmethyl-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole-1,3-dione (Hid-Se), and its palladium(II) complex, trans-bis-(cis-7a-ethyl-5-methyl-5-phenylselanylmethyl-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole-1,3-dionato) palladium(II) chloride ((Hid-Se)2Pd) on human colon HCT-116 and breast MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. Hid-Se and (Hid-Se)2Pd showed prooxidative and cytotoxic character. In all performed experiments (Hid-Se)2Pd proved to be more active, i.e. this substance exerted greater prooxidative effect, cytotoxicity and influence on cell migration potential. Even though Hid-Se and (Hid-Se)2Pd enhanced migration of HCT-116 cells, very important feature of these substances is the strong antimigratory potential on metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells.
Subject(s)
Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Palladium/administration & dosage , Selenium/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Compounding/methods , HCT116 Cells , Humans , Hydantoins/chemistry , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Oxidants/administration & dosage , Palladium/chemistry , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Selenium/chemistry , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We present a microfluidic chip that generates linear concentration gradients of multiple solutes that are orthogonally-aligned to each other. The kinetics of gradient formation was characterized using a fluorescent tracer matching the molecular weight of small inhibitory drugs. Live-cell signalling and motility experiments were conducted to demonstrate the potential uses and advantages of the device. A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells, where EGF induces apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, were simultaneously exposed to gradients of MEK inhibitor and EGF receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. By monitoring live caspase activation in the entire chip, we were able to quickly assess the combinatorial interaction between MEK and EGFR pathways, which otherwise would require costly and time consuming titration experiments. We also characterized the motility and morphology of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells exposed to orthogonal gradients of EGF and EGFR inhibitor. The microfluidic chip not only permitted the quantitative analysis of a population of cells exposed to drug combinations, but also enabled the morphological characterization of individual cells. In summary, our microfluidic device, capable of establishing concentration gradients of multiple compounds over a group of cells, facilitates and accelerates in vitro cell biology experiments, such as those required for cell-based drug combination assays.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Biological Assay/instrumentation , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/instrumentation , Flow Injection Analysis/instrumentation , Lab-On-A-Chip Devices , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Movement/physiology , Drug Combinations , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Humans , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Signal Transduction/physiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Early detection of tumor response to therapy is crucial to the timely identification of the most efficacious treatments. We recently developed a novel apoptosis imaging tracer, (18)F-C-SNAT (C-SNAT is caspase-sensitive nanoaggregation tracer), that undergoes an intramolecular cyclization reaction after cleavage by caspase-3/7, a biomarker of apoptosis. This caspase-3/7-dependent reaction leads to an enhanced accumulation and retention of (18)F activity in apoptotic tumors. This study aimed to fully examine in vivo pharmacokinetics of the tracer through PET imaging and kinetic modeling in a preclinical mouse model of tumor response to systemic anticancer chemotherapy. METHODS: Tumor-bearing nude mice were treated 3 times with intravenous injections of doxorubicin before undergoing a 120-min dynamic (18)F-C-SNAT PET/CT scan. Time-activity curves were extracted from the tumor and selected organs. A 2-tissue-compartment model was fitted to the time-activity curves from tumor and muscle, using the left ventricle of the heart as input function, and the pharmacokinetic rate constants were calculated. RESULTS: Both tumor uptake (percentage injected dose per gram) and the tumor-to-muscle activity ratio were significantly higher in the treated mice than untreated mice. Pharmacokinetic rate constants calculated by the 2-tissue-compartment model showed a significant increase in delivery and accumulation of the tracer after the systemic chemotherapeutic treatment. Delivery of (18)F-C-SNAT to the tumor tissue, quantified as K1, increased from 0.31 gâ (mLâ min)(-1) in untreated mice to 1.03 gâ (mLâ min)(-1) in treated mice, a measurement closely related to changes in blood flow. Accumulation of (18)F-C-SNAT, quantified as k3, increased from 0.03 to 0.12 min(-1), proving a higher retention of (18)F-C-SNAT in treated tumors independent from changes in blood flow. An increase in delivery was also found in the muscular tissue of treated mice without increasing accumulation. CONCLUSION: (18)F-C-SNAT has significantly increased tumor uptake and significantly increased tumor-to-muscle ratio in a preclinical mouse model of tumor therapy. Furthermore, our kinetic modeling of (18)F-C-SNAT shows that chemotherapeutic treatment increased accumulation (k3) in the treated tumors, independent of increased delivery (K1).
Subject(s)
Benzothiazoles/pharmacokinetics , Blood Flow Velocity , Caspase 3/metabolism , Caspase 7/metabolism , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Oligopeptides/pharmacokinetics , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods , Animals , Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/therapeutic use , Doxorubicin/therapeutic use , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , HeLa Cells , Humans , Kinetics , Metabolic Clearance Rate , Mice , Molecular Imaging/methods , Neoplasm, Residual , Neoplasms, Experimental/diagnostic imaging , Radiopharmaceuticals/pharmacokinetics , Tissue Distribution , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Interesting antimicrobial data from the stem bark of Sclerocarya birrea, which support its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases, have been delineated. The current study was aimed to further study some pharmacological and toxicological properties of the plant to scientifically justify its use. Anticancer activity of water and acetone extracts of S. birrea was evaluated on three different cell lines, HT-29, HeLa, and MCF-7 using the cell titre blue viability assay in 96-well plates. Apoptosis was evaluated using the acridine orange and propidium iodide staining method, while morphological structure of treated cells was examined using SEM. The acetone extract exhibited remarkable antiproliferative activities on MCF-7 cell lines at dose- and time-dependent manners (24 h and 48 h of incubation). The extract also exerted apoptotic programmed cell death in MCF-7 cells with significant effect on the DNA. Morphological examination also displayed apoptotic characteristics in the treated cells, including clumping, condensation, and culminating to budding of the cells to produce membrane-bound fragmentation, as well as formation of apoptotic bodies. The acetone extract of S. birrea possesses antiproliferative and apoptotic potential against MCF-7-treated cells and could be further exploited as a potential lead in anticancer therapy.
Subject(s)
Acetone/administration & dosage , Anacardiaceae/chemistry , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Acetone/chemistry , Feasibility Studies , HT29 Cells , HeLa Cells , Humans , MCF-7 Cells , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Comprehensive therapy based on the integration of hyperthermia, radiation, gene therapy and chemotherapy is a promising area of study in cancer treatment. Using PEI-Mn(0.5)Zn(0.5)Fe(2)O(4) nanoparticles (PEI-MZF-NPs) as a gene transfer vector, the authors transfected self-prepared pEgr1-HSV-TK into HepG2 cells and measured the expression of the exogenous gene HSV-TK by RT-PCR. The results showed that HSV-TK was successfully transfected into HepG2 cells and the expression levels of HSV-TK remained stable. Besides, PEI-MZF-NPs were used as magnetic media for thermotherapy to treat hepatoma by magnet-induced heating, combined with radiation-gene therapy. Both in vitro and in vivo results suggest that this combined treatment with gene, radiation and heating has a better therapeutic effect than any of them alone. The apoptotic rate and necrotic rate of the combined treatment group was 51.84% and 15.45%, respectively. In contrast, it was only 20.55% and 6.80% in the radiation-gene group, 7.49% and 3.62% in the radiation-alone group, 15.23% and 7.90% in the heating-alone group, and only 3.52% and 2.16% in the blank control group. The inhibition rate of cell proliferation (88.5%) of the combined treatment group was significantly higher than that of the radiation-gene group (59.5%), radiation-alone group (37.6%) and heating-alone group (60.6%). The tumor volume and mass inhibition rate of the combined treatment group was 94.45% and 93.38%, respectively, significantly higher than 41.28% and 33.58% of the radiation-alone group, 60.76% and 52.18% of the radiation-gene group, 79.91% and 77.40% of the heating-alone group. It is therefore concluded that this combined application of heating, radiation and gene therapy has a good synergistic and complementary effect and PEI-MZF-NPs can act as a novel non-viral gene vector and magnetic induction medium, which offers a viable approach for the treatment of cancer.
Subject(s)
Genetic Therapy/methods , Hyperthermia, Induced/methods , Magnetic Field Therapy/methods , Nanocapsules/administration & dosage , Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy , Radiotherapy/methods , Thymidine Kinase/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy/methods , Hep G2 Cells , Humans , Nanocapsules/chemistry , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Thymidine Kinase/genetics , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
In this study, impedance spectroscopy measurements of silicon-based open-gate field-effect transistor (FET) devices were utilized to study the adhesion status of cancer cells at a single cell level. We developed a trans-impedance amplifier circuit for the FETs with a higher bandwidth compared to a previously described system. The new system was characterized with a fast lock-in amplifier, which enabled measuring of impedance spectra up to 50 MHz. We studied cellular activities, including cell adhesion and anti-cancer drug induced apoptosis of human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial (H441) cells. A well-known chemotherapeutic drug, topotecan hydrochloride, was used to investigate the effect of this drug to tumor cells cultured on the FET devices. The presence of the drug resulted in a 20% change in the amplitude of the impedance spectra at 200 kHz as a result of the induced apoptosis process. Real-time impedance measurements were performed inside an incubator at a constant frequency. The experimental results can be interpreted with an equivalent electronic circuit to resolve the influence of the system parameters. The developed method could be applied for the analysis of the specificity and efficacy of novel anti-cancer drugs in cancer therapy research on a single cell level in parallelized measurements.
Subject(s)
Biosensing Techniques/instrumentation , Dielectric Spectroscopy/instrumentation , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/instrumentation , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Topotecan/therapeutic use , Transistors, Electronic , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Separation/instrumentation , Cell Survival/drug effects , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Flow Cytometry/instrumentation , Humans , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Antiangiogenic strategy is promising for malignant glioma. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) are unique anticancer agents that exhibit antiangiogenic effects. The in vitro and in vivo antiangiogenic effects of HDACIs, valproic acid (VPA), were investigated in malignant glioma in the brain. In vitro, VPA preferentially inhibited endothelial cell proliferation compared to glioma cell proliferation at the optimum concentration in a dose-dependent manner. VPA reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion of glioma cells in a dose-dependent manner under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. VPA was also found to inhibit tube formation in the angiogenesis assay. In vivo, treatment with VPA combined with irinotecan reduced the number of vessels expressing factor VIII in the brain tumor model. VPA inhibits glioma angiogenesis by direct (inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation) and indirect (decreased secretion of VEGF by glioma cells) mechanisms. These data suggest a potential role for VPA as an adjuvant therapy for patients with malignant glioma.
Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Glioma/drug therapy , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Valproic Acid/pharmacology , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Animals , Anticonvulsants/pharmacology , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Brain Neoplasms/blood supply , Brain Neoplasms/physiopathology , Cell Line, Transformed , Cell Line, Tumor , Female , Glioma/blood , Glioma/physiopathology , Humans , Neoplasms, Experimental/blood supply , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Neovascularization, Pathologic/physiopathology , Neovascularization, Pathologic/prevention & control , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Valproic Acid/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Lack of compensatory or even reduced food intake is frequently observed in weight-losing cancer patients and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Our previous work has shown increased transcription factor expression in the hypothalamus and ventral striatum of anorectic rats bearing small tumors. mRNA expression of molecules known to be involved in pathways regulating appetite in these structures was therefore assessed in this study. Given that pain, pro-inflammatory cytokines and metabolic hormones can modify food intake, spinal cord cellular activation patterns and plasma concentrations of cytokines and hormones were also studied. Morris hepatoma 7777 cells injected subcutaneously in Buffalo rats provoked a 10% lower body weight and 15% reduction in food intake compared to free-feeding tumor-free animals 4 weeks later when the tumor represented 1-2% of body mass. No differences in spinal cord activation patterns or plasma concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines were observed between groups. However, the changes in plasma ghrelin and leptin concentrations found in food-restricted weight-matched rats in comparison to ad libitum-fed animals did not occur in anorectic tumor-bearing animals. Real-time PCR showed that tumor-bearing rats did not display the increase in hypothalamic agouti-related peptide mRNA observed in food-restricted weight-matched animals. In addition, microarray analysis and real-time PCR revealed increased ventral striatal prostaglandin D synthase expression in food-restricted animals compared to anorectic tumor-bearing rats. These findings indicate that blunted hypothalamic AgRP mRNA expression, probably as a consequence of relatively high leptin and low ghrelin concentrations, and reduced ventral striatal prostaglandin D synthesis play a role in maintaining cancer-associated anorexia.
Subject(s)
Appetite Regulation/physiology , Basal Ganglia/metabolism , Cachexia/metabolism , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism , Hypothalamus/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Adaptation, Physiological , Agouti-Related Protein/genetics , Agouti-Related Protein/metabolism , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Body Weight/physiology , Cachexia/etiology , Cachexia/physiopathology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/physiopathology , Cytokines/blood , Disease Models, Animal , Eating/physiology , Gene Expression Regulation , Ghrelin/genetics , Ghrelin/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Leptin/genetics , Leptin/metabolism , Lipocalins/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/complications , Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology , Male , Matched-Pair Analysis , Neoplasms, Experimental/complications , Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Pain Perception/physiology , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Rats , Rats, Inbred BUF , Spinal Cord/metabolism , Weight Loss/physiologyABSTRACT
The circadian timing system (CTS) coordinated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus regulates daily rhythms of behavior, physiology, as well as cellular metabolism and proliferation. Altered circadian rhythms predict for poor survival in cancer patients. An increased incidence of several cancers has been reported in flight attendants and in shift workers. To explore the contribution of the CTS to tumor growth, we developed experimental models of disrupted or enhanced circadian coordination through stereotaxic destruction of the SCN, modifications of photoperiodic or feeding synchronizers and/or the administration of pharmacologic agents. SCN ablation or exposure to experimental chronic jetlag (CJL, consisting of an 8-hour advance of the light-dark cycle every 2 days) caused alterations in circadian physiology and significantly accelerated tumor growth. CJL suppressed or altered the rhythms of clock gene and cell cycle gene expression in mouse liver. It increased p53 and decreased c-Myc expression, a result in line with the promotion of diethylnitrosamine -initiated hepatocarcinogenesis in jet-lagged mice. The accelerating effect of CJL on tumor growth was counterbalanced by the regular timing of food access over the 24-h. Meal timing prevented the circadian disruption produced by CJL and slowed down tumor growth. In synchronized mice, meal timing reinforced host circadian coordination, phase-shifted the transcriptional rhythms of clock genes in the liver of tumor-bearing mice and slowed down cancer progression. These results support the role of the CTS in cancer progression and call for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing or treating circadian clock dysfunctions.
Subject(s)
Circadian Rhythm , Jet Lag Syndrome/complications , Neoplasms, Experimental/etiology , Animals , Chronic Disease , Circadian Rhythm/genetics , Disease Models, Animal , Disease Progression , Food , Jet Lag Syndrome/physiopathology , Male , Mice , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Photoperiod , Suprachiasmatic Nucleus/physiopathologyABSTRACT
A purified saponin mixture (PSM) from Astragalus corniculatus Bieb. protected significantly hamsters against the experimental Graffi myeloid tumor. The application of PSM increased the survival rates, prolonged mean survival time and the tumor growth was markedly reduced. A purified saponin mixture (PSM) of Astragalus corniculatus Bieb. was evaluated for its immunostimulating potentials on the phagocytic cells in Graffi-tumor bearing hamsters. The number, migration and phagocytic indexes of peritoneal macrophages (pMøs) and of blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were evaluated in healthy and Graffi-tumor bearing hamsters (G-TBH) treated with PSM. It was established that the Graffi myeloid tumor induced suppression of the phagocytic abilities of pMøs and PMNs. The number and migration of pMøs was significantly decreased during the whole period of observation. All tested parameters-number, migration and phagocytic activities of pMøs, as well as phagocytic ability of PMNs increased significantly in healthy and G-TBH after i.p. application of the 50 mg/kg body weight PSM. The PMS extracts from Astragalus corniculatus Bieb. are isolated and examined and their immunostimulating and immunorestorating impact on phagocitic cells was proven for the first time. This effect could be due to their high content of purified saponins.
Subject(s)
Astragalus Plant/chemistry , Macrophages, Peritoneal/drug effects , Neutrophils/drug effects , Saponins/pharmacology , Animals , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cricetinae , Female , Iron Carbonyl Compounds , Iron Compounds/metabolism , Macrophages, Peritoneal/physiology , Male , Neoplasm Transplantation , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Neutrophils/physiology , Phagocytosis/drug effects , Saponins/isolation & purification , Staphylococcus aureusABSTRACT
Serotonin (5-HT) is an anorectic monoamine and its regulatory effects on feeding are mediated primarily via 5-HT1B-receptors localized in the hypothalamic nuclei, which, apart from the brain stem, are among the most crucial areas of food intake regulation. The distribution of 5-HT1B-receptors in the hypothalamic nuclei was studied in tumor-bearing (TB) rats at the onset of anorexia and in sham-operated control rats, using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase immunocytochemical method and specific polyclonal antiserum. Semiquantitative image analysis of 5-HT1B-receptor immunostaining was performed on high-resolution digital photomicrographs using the NIH Scion Image analysis program and the data were compared using Student's t-test. Immunostaining detected 5-HT1B-receptor proteins in the same hypothalamic structures in the Controls as in the TB rats. Qualitative and semiquantitative analysis revealed a significant increase in 5-HT1B-receptor expression in the magnocellular neurons of paraventricular and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei in TB rats versus Controls. In contrast, changes were not significant in the parvocellular portion of paraventricular nucleus or in the lateral hypothalamus including perifornical region. These findings emphasize serotonin's influence on the magnocellular hypothalamic nuclei during developing of cancer anorexia, which is associated with a decrease in food intake.
Subject(s)
Anorexia/etiology , Hypothalamus/metabolism , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B/biosynthesis , Animals , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Immunohistochemistry , Male , Rats , Rats, Inbred F344ABSTRACT
Psychological factors, e.g., depression and psychological stress have been implicated in the progress of cancer. Similarly, the pineal gland and its principal secretion, melatonin, are known to influence the initiation and progress of cancer. Furthermore, changes in melatonin secretion have been linked with psychological stress and depression, and both the pineal gland and the cerebral cortex act via the limbic system in producing their effects. Both psychological stress and melatonin affect the immune system, as does the hypothalamus and the autonomic nervous system. The pineal gland has both a direct effect on cancer, and via the immune system. Psychological treatment and melatonin treatment have both been found to alleviate the course of cancer clinically. It is thus hypothesized that the pineal gland, and melatonin, are involved in the mechanism of psychological effects in the promotion of the progress of cancer.
Subject(s)
Depression/physiopathology , Models, Biological , Models, Psychological , Neoplasms/psychology , Pineal Gland/physiopathology , Stress, Psychological/physiopathology , Amygdala/physiopathology , Animals , Autonomic Nervous System/physiopathology , Depression/complications , Depression/psychology , Disease Progression , Emotions , Hormones/metabolism , Humans , Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/injuries , Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiopathology , Limbic System/physiopathology , Melatonin/metabolism , Neoplasms/etiology , Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasms/physiopathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/etiology , Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Neuroimmunomodulation , Pineal Gland/metabolism , Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiopathology , Psychoneuroimmunology , Rats , Stress, Psychological/complications , Stress, Psychological/psychologyABSTRACT
Experimental tumor models constitute a prerequisite toward chronotherapy testing in cancer patients. Studies in experimental models are required to understand the relation between tumor rhythms and antitumor treatments efficacy. In healthy tissues, cell proliferation, and differentiation processes are regulated precisely and exhibit marked circadian rhythmicity. Experimental and human tumors can retain circadian rhythms or display altered oscillations. Healthy tissues can also display rhythm modifications, possibly related to cancer stage. Cellular rhythms modulate the metabolism of cytotoxic agents and the cellular response to them; hence, they determine the chronopharmacology of anticancer drugs. Circadian rhythms in host tolerability and/or cancer chemotherapy efficacy have been demonstrated with nontoxic doses of drugs in several experimental tumor models, while in other ones a circadian-time effect was only seen within a specific dose range. The usual coupling between tolerability and efficacy rhythms of anticancer agents has resulted in significant improvement of their therapeutic index. Results of laboratory animal studies have been extrapolated to the design of clinical cancer therapy trials involving a chronobiological approach.
Subject(s)
Chronotherapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity , Cell Cycle , Cell Division , Circadian Rhythm , Drug Tolerance , Humans , Mice , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , RatsABSTRACT
This article reviews the experimental and clinical data that form the basis for the chronotherapy of lung carcinoma, specifically, nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Circadian rhythms in cell kinetics, immunological and endocrinological endpoints, and tumor markers are reviewed. Chronopharmacology and chronotolerance studies on laboratory animals and clinical observations on cancer patients involving the main drugs active in lung carcinoma have prompted prospective Phase I-III studies to evaluate the application of chronobiologic concepts in the treatment of NSCLC. Circadian rhythmicity in host tolerance (chronotolerance) to medications has been confirmed in two prospective randomized lung cancer trials; a large phase II study has established the value of chronobiologic concepts to improve the therapeutic index of advanced NSCLC.
Subject(s)
Chronotherapy , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/physiopathology , Cell Cycle , Chronobiology Phenomena , Clinical Trials as Topic , Drug Tolerance , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/physiopathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Accumulated evidence from prospective studies, intervention trials and studies on animal models of cancer have suggested a strong inverse correlation between selenium intake and cancer incidence. Several putative mechanisms have been suggested to mediate the chemopreventive activities of selenium: of these, the inhibition of cellular proliferation and the induction of apoptosis are particularly attractive. The mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are known to be important regulators of cell death and our recent work has focused on the involvement of these pathways in selenium-induced apoptosis in primary cultures of oral cancers and corresponding normal mucosa derived from biopsy material. Using this system, the oral carcinoma cells were found to have enhanced sensitivity to apoptosis when treated with certain selenium compounds compared to normal oral mucosa. Induction of Fas ligand was associated with selenium-induced apoptosis. Signal transduction studies suggests that selenium induces several changes in the MAPK signalling pathways but functional intervention/inhibitor studies indicate that activation of the JNK pathway seems to be most important.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/physiology , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Selenium/physiology , Signal Transduction/physiology , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Death/physiology , Humans , MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasms/physiopathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/prevention & control , Selenium/pharmacologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of selenium-enriched garlic (Se-garlic), garlic, Na2SeO3, and garlic + Na2SeO3 on growth of human gastric carcinoma cells. METHODS: In vivo and in vitro assays were carried out in the cultured human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 transplanted in the nude mice by cell count, flow cytometry, Western blot and neoplasm volume measurement. RESULTS: The inhibition effect of garlic was similar to that of Se-garlic, but Na2SeO3 was weaker than Se-garlic. Combination of garlic and Na2SeO3 was stronger than Se-garlic. In flow cytometry assay, the proportion of G1 phase was increased after 24 hour treatment of Se-garlic, garlic and Na2SeO3 in the non-synchronized cells. However, the proportion of S phase was increased in the synchronized cells. The proportion of G2 + M phase was increased both in non-synchronized and synchronized cells on treatment with the combination of garlic and Na2SeO3. The amount of Cdk2-CyclinE complex and Cdk4-CyclinD1 complex was decreased in all treated synchronized cells in immunoprecipitation and immunoblot assays. The growth of MGC803 tumor in male Balb/c nude mice was inhibited by administration of 1.67% of Se-garlic (Se 2 micrograms/g) in diet with an inhibition rate of 29.92% in tumor weight. Treatment of either 0.83% of Se-garlic or 1.67% of garlic or 4.38 micrograms/g of Na2SeO3 (Se 2 micrograms/g) could not appreciably inhibit the growth of tumor. Wrapping of a number of monocytes around the tumor was induced in 62.50% of tumors in 0.83% of the Se-garlic group. CONCLUSION: In vitro, Se-garlic is able to inhibit the growth of MGC803 cell through action of garlic. In vivo, Segarlic is able to inhibit growth of MGC803 tumor in nude mice by being better than garlic and selenite.
Subject(s)
CDC2-CDC28 Kinases , Garlic , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins , Stomach Neoplasms/physiopathology , Animals , Cell Division/drug effects , Cyclin D1/metabolism , Cyclin E/metabolism , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 , Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Selenium , Selenium Compounds/pharmacology , Selenium Oxides , Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Tumor Cells, CulturedABSTRACT
The paper considers whether it is advisable to use the new acting preparations adaptogens, including phytoadaptogens, in oncological care for prevention of cancer. The adaptogens are shown to have a regulating action, to be able to activate the protective properties of the body, to protect it from extreme exposures and to stimulate regenerative processes. The author associates the antitumor effect of adaptogens with the immunomodulating (they can activate macrophages, natural killer cells, antigen-dependent T lymphocytes) and interferonogenic actions and with the their ability to suppress experimental tumor growth, to enhance tissue differentiation, to improve intercellular adhesion, to reduce the likelihood of metastasis spreading. Furthermore, the use of adaptogens, and phytoadaptogens in particular, decreases the toxic effects of chemotherapy and improves drug tolerance.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological/drug effects , Neoplasms, Experimental/prevention & control , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Adaptation, Physiological/immunology , Animals , Humans , Neoplasm Metastasis , Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasms/physiopathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Plant Extracts/pharmacologyABSTRACT
This study presents the development and testing of an experimental set-up for simultaneous measurements of pH (intracellular by MR and extracellular by fibre-optic pH meter), tumour bio-energetics (by MR), and core/tumour temperatures (by thermocouples) in tumour-bearing mice. Potential sources of measurement errors when using these techniques concurrently in an MR set-up are discussed. Emphasis is placed on simple practical solutions to these problems.
Subject(s)
Hyperthermia, Induced , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology , Animals , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Mice , ThermometersABSTRACT
Although limited data exist, electrode-measured pH values of human tumors and adjacent normal tissues, which are concurrently obtained by the same investigator in the same patient, consistently show that the electrode pH (believed to represent tissue extracellular pH primarily) is substantially and consistently lower in tumor than in normal tissue. In contrast, the 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy-estimated intracellular pH is essentially identical or slightly more basic in tumor compared with normal tissue. As a consequence, the cellular pH gradient is substantially reduced or reversed in these tissues. This difference provides an exploitable avenue for the treatment of cancer. The extent to which drugs exhibiting weakly acid or basic properties are ionized depends on their ionization potential (pKa) and the pH of their milieu. Weakly acidic drugs that are lipid soluble in their nonionized state diffuse freely across the cell membrane and on entering a relatively basic intracellular compartment become trapped and accumulate within the cell. This may lead to substantial (10-fold or more) differences in the intracellular-to-extracellular drug distribution between tumor and normal tissue for cytotoxics, hypoxic cell sensitizers, or other drugs exhibiting appropriate pKa. Experimental in vitro evaluation of these predictions confirms both the predicted pH gradient-dependent changes in cellular drug accumulation and toxicity.