Antitumoral Potential of Artepillin C, a Compound Derived from Brazilian Propolis, against Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide with limited treatment options. Artepillin C (3,5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) is one of the main constituents of Brazilian propolis presenting different activities, including antitumoral effects against various types of cancer. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the antitumoral potential and mechanisms of action of artepillin C against two distinct human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, to explore a new therapeutic candidate. METHODS: Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and the long-term cytotoxicity was performed by clonogenic assay. The morphological changes were observed by light microscopy, analysis of cell death pathway by Annexin V FITC/propidium iodide (PI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by colorimetry, DNA fragmentation by agarose gel and senescence by ß-galactosidase. Detection of total reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fluorescence microscopy and determination of mitochondrial transmembrane potential by flow cytometry were also performed. RESULTS: Artepillin C presented a strong and dose-time-dependent cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, with cytotoxicity more evident in MCF-7. In both cancer cell lines, the clonogenic potential was significantly reduced and the morphology of the cells was changed. The treatment also induced death by necrosis and late apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 and induced cell senescence in MCF-7. Also, artepillin C increased total ROS in both cancer cells and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in MDA-MB-231 cells. CONCLUSION: Artepillin C presented antitumoral potential in two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231, suggesting a new promising option for the treatment and/or chemopreventive strategy for breast cancer.

Multicenter study of the natural history and therapeutic responses of patients with chikungunya, focusing on acute and chronic musculoskeletal manifestations - a study protocol from the clinical and applied research in Chikungunya (REPLICK network).

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya is associated with high morbidity and the natural history of symptomatic infection has been divided into three phases (acute, post-acute, and chronic) according to the duration of musculoskeletal symptoms. Although this classification has been designed to help guide therapeutic decisions, it does not encompass the complexity of the clinical expression of the disease and does not assist in the evaluation of the prognosis of severity nor chronic disease. Thus, the current challenge is to identify and diagnose musculoskeletal disorders and to provide the optimal treatment in order to prevent perpetuation or progression to a potentially destructive disease course. METHODS: The study is the first product of the Clinical and Applied Research Network in Chikungunya (REPLICK). This is a prospective, outpatient department-based, multicenter cohort study in Brazil. Four work packages were defined: i. Clinical research; ii) Translational Science - comprising immunology and virology streams; iii) Epidemiology and Economics; iv) Therapeutic Response and clinical trials design. Scheduled appointments on days 21 (D21) ± 7 after enrollment, D90 ± 15, D120 ± 30, D180 ± 30; D360 ± 30; D720 ± 60, and D1080 ± 60 days. On these visits a panel of blood tests are collected in addition to the clinical report forms to obtain data on socio-demographic, medical history, physical examination and questionnaires devoted to the evaluation of musculoskeletal manifestations and overall health are performed. Participants are asked to consent for their specimens to be maintained in a biobank. Aliquots of blood, serum, saliva, PAXgene, and when clinically indicated to be examined, synovial fluid, are stored at -80° C. The study protocol was submitted and approved to the National IRB and local IRB at each study site. DISCUSSION: Standardized and harmonized patient cohorts are needed to provide better estimates of chronic arthralgia development, the clinical spectra of acute and chronic disease and investigation of associated risk factors. This study is the largest evaluation of the long-term sequelae of individuals infected with CHIKV in the Brazilian population focusing on musculoskeletal manifestations, mental health, quality of life, and chronic pain. This information will both define disease burden and costs associated with CHIKV infection, and better inform therapeutic guidelines.

Selective photodynamic effects on cervical cancer cells provided by P123 Pluronic®-based nanoparticles modulating hypericin delivery.

At present, cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer among women worldwide with no effective treatment options. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hypericin (HYP) encapsulated on Pluronic® P123 (HYP/P123) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a comprehensive panel of human cervical cancer-derived cell lines, including HeLa (HPV 18-positive), SiHa (HPV 16-positive), CaSki (HPV 16 and 18-positive), and C33A (HPV-negative), compared to a nontumorigenic human epithelial cell line (HaCaT). Were investigated: (i) cell cytotoxicity and phototoxicity, cellular uptake and subcellular distribution; (ii) cell death pathway and cellular oxidative stress; (iii) migration and invasion. Our results showed that HYP/P123 micelles had effective and selective time- and dose-dependent phototoxic effects on cervical cancer cells but not in HaCaT. Moreover, HYP/P123 micelles accumulated in endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and lysosomes, resulting in photodynamic cell death mainly by necrosis. HYP/P123 induced cellular oxidative stress mainly via type II mechanism of PDT and inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion mainly via MMP-2 inhibition. Taken together, our results indicate a potentially useful role of HYP/P123 micelles as a platform for HYP delivery to more specifically and effectively treat cervical cancers through PDT, suggesting they are worthy for in vivo preclinical evaluations.

Cervical and oral human papillomavirus infection in women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and matched HIV-negative controls in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Despite the demonstrated role of human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the etiology of cervical cancer and the strong evidence suggesting the importance of HPV in the development of oropharyngeal cancer, several aspects of the interrelationship between HPV infection in both body sites remain unknown, specifically in female human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive (HIV+) patients. We aimed to assess the prevalence, distribution, and concordance of cervical and oral HPV in HIV+ women and matched HIV-negative (HIV-) controls in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cervical and endocervical samples for cytological screening and HPV detection and oral samples were collected from 115 HIV+ women using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 139 HIV-matched controls (HIV-) in Maringá City, Brazil. Risk factors were assessed using a standardized questionnaire, and the data regarding HIV infection were obtained from the patients' medical records. HPV detection and typing were performed using the Kit Multiplex XGEN Multi HPV Chip HS12. RESULTS: HIV infection was well controlled in this cohort, but women who exhibited detectable HIV loads were significantly associated with HPV-positive status overall (P = 0.03) and in cervical mucosa (P = 0.01). HIV+ women had significantly more abnormal cytological findings (P = 0.04) than HIV- women. Of the 115 HIV+ women, 48.7% were positive for cervical and/or oral HPV DNA; of the 139 HIV- women, 41% were positive for cervical and/or oral HPV (P = 0.25). Both HIV+ and HIV- women had a statistically higher prevalence of cervical HPV infection than oral infection. The concurrent HPV infection in two anatomical sites was similar in HIV+ and HIV- women; however, HPV type concordance was not observed. HPV type distribution was different between the anatomical sites in both groups, and HIV+ women presented less common types, mainly in oral mucosa. CONCLUSION: Our data support the importance of testing HPV infection in HIV+ women, even when the HIV infection is well controlled. Prospective studies are required to better understand the natural history of HPV infection in both anatomical sites, specifically in HIV+ women.

Simultaneous detection of human papillomavirus integration and c-MYC gene amplification in cervical lesions: an emerging marker for the risk to progression.

PURPOSE: The persistence of high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and its integration into the host genome are key steps in the induction of malignant alterations. c-MYC chromosome region is a frequent localization for HPV insertion that has been observed in chromosome band 8q24 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We report the HPV viral integration and amplification patterns of the c-MYC gene in cytological smears with FISH as a potential biomarker for the progression of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL). METHODS: HPV detection and genotyping by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and FISH analysis by "Vysis Cervical FISH Probe" kit (ABBOTT Molecular Inc.) were performed in 37 cervical samples including 8 NILM, 7 ASC-US, 7 LSIL, 3 ASC-H, 7 HSIL and 5 SCC. RESULTS: The results show concordance between FISH and PCR techniques for HPV detection. The majority of the samples contained HR-HPV, the majority being -16 and -18 genotypes. HPV integration as determined by FISH was most frequent in high-risk lesions. The c-MYC gene amplification was found only in HPV-positive samples and was detected primarily in high-risk lesions and in cells with an integrated form of HPV. CONCLUSIONS: HPV integration and c-MYC gene amplification detected by FISH could be an important biomarker for use in clinical practice to determine SIL with a risk of progression.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and cervical cancer immunoediting: a candidate molecule for therapeutic intervention and prognostic biomarker?

While persistent infection with oncogenic types of human Papillomavirus (HPV) is required for cervical epithelial cell transformation and cervical carcinogenesis, HPV infection alone is not sufficient to induce tumorigenesis. Only a minor fraction of HPV infections produce high-grade lesions and cervical cancer, suggesting complex host-virus interactions. Based on its pronounced immunoinhibitory properties, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G has been proposed as a possible prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target relevant in a wide variety of cancers and viral infections, but to date remains underexplored in cervical cancer. Given the possible influence of HLA-G on the clinical course of HPV infection, cervical lesions and cancer progression, a better understanding of HLA-G involvement in cervical carcinogenesis might contribute to two aspects of fundamental importance: 1. Characterization of a novel diagnostic/prognostic biomarker to identify cervical cancer and to monitor disease stage, critical for patient screening; 2. Identification of HLA-G-driven immune mechanisms involved in lesion development and cancer progression, leading to the development of strategies for modulating HLA-G expression for treatment purposes. Thus, this systematic review explores the potential involvement of HLA-G protein expression and polymorphisms in cervical carcinogenesis.