The effect of IL-1ß on MRP2 expression and tamoxifen toxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation is considered to be a risk factor for carcinogenesis, tumor development and metastasis by providing tumor-related factors. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of cytokine interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) as a key mediator of inflammation on multidrug resistance associated protein 2 (MRP2) expression and tamoxifen toxicity in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) MCF-7 breast cancer cells. METHODS: The effects of IL-1ß on tamoxifen toxicity following 20-day treatment of MCF-7 cells with IL-1ß and/or 17ß-estradiol (E2) were measured by MTT assay. Furthermore, the effects of IL-1ß and/or E2 on the mRNA expression and protein levels of MRP2 and NF-κB (p65) in breast cancer cells were evaluated by QRT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment of breast cancer cells with IL-1ß+ E2 decreased the sensitivity to 4-OH tamoxifen compared to both E2-treated and untreated cells. The mRNA expression levels of MRP2 and NF-κB (p65) were significantly increased following treatment with IL-1ß+ E2, compared to control. In addition, breast cancer cells treatment with IL-1ß+ E2 increased protein expression of MRP2 and it had no significant effect on NF-κB/p65 protein expression in these cells. CONCLUSION: Increased expression of mRNA and protein level of MRP2 following 20-day treatment of MCF-7 cells with IL-1ß + E2 might be a possible elucidation for the increased tamoxifen resistance which was observed in these cells. More researches are essential to clarify the molecular mechanisms of inflammation on drug-resistance in the tumor environment in order to reducing or eliminating chemotherapy resistance and developing more effective treatment strategies.

Auraptene Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Cervical and Ovarian Cancer Cells by Repression of Matrix Metalloproteinasas 2 and 9 Activity.

OBJECTIVES: Auraptene, a natural citrus coumarin, found in plants of Rutaceae and Apiaceae families. In this study, we investigated the effects of auraptene on tumor migration, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 enzymes activity. METHODS: The effects of auraptene on the viability of A2780 and Hela cell lines was evaluated by MTT assay. Wound healing migration assay and Boyden chamber assay were determined the effect of auraptene on migration and cell invasion, respectively. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were analyzed by gelatin zymography assay. RESULTS: Auraptene reduced A2780 cell viability. The results showed that auraptene inhibited in vitro migration and invasion of both cells. Furthermore, cell invasion ability suppressed at 100µM auraptene in Hela cells and at 25, 50µM in A2780 cell line. Gelatin zymography showed that for Hela cell line, auraptene suppressed MMP-2 enzymatic activity in all concentrations and for MMP-9 at a concentration between 12.5 to 100µM in A2780 cell line. CONCLUSION: Auraptene inhibited migration and invasion of human cervical and ovarian cancer cells in vitro by possibly inhibitory effects on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of different extracts of Artemisia biennis Willd. on K562 and HL-60 cell lines.

OBJECTIVES: Artemisia is a genus of herbs and small shrubs forms an important part of natural vegetation in Iran. It has been reported that several Artemisia species possess anti-proliferative effects. Considering the value of this genus in anti-cancer researches we have chosen Artemisia biennis for cytotoxic and mechanistic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study we have investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and ethanol: water (1:1 v/v) extracts of A. biennis Willd. on two cancer human cell lines (K562 and HL-60) and J774 as normal cells. RESULTS: CH2Cl2 extract was found to have the highest anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells. IC50 values obtained in AlamarBlue® assay for CH2Cl2 extract were 64.86 and 54.31 µg/ml on K562 and HL-60 cells respectively. In flow cytometry histogram of the cells treated with CH2Cl2 extract, sub-G1 peak was induced. DNA fragmentation, increased in the level of Bax and cleavage of PARP protein all showed the induction of apoptosis with CH2Cl2 extract after 48 hr contact with cells. CONCLUSION: The results can corroborate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the CH2Cl2 extract of A. biennis on the K562 and HL-60 cancer cell lines.

Resveratrol as MDR reversion molecule in breast cancer: An overview.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide; therefore, a strategy to defeat breast cancer is an extremely important medical issue. One of the major challenges in this regard is multidrug resistance (MDR). Resveratrol, a well-known phytoestrogen, may be helpful as part of an overall strategy to defeat breast cancer. The mixed agonist and antagonist role of resveratrol for the estrogen receptor makes it a controversial but interesting molecule in cancer therapy, especially in hormone dependent cancers. Several in vitro investigations have suggested that resveratrol can reverse multidrug resistance. However, poor bioavailability of resveratrol is a potential limitation for resveratrol treatment and cancer outcome in vivo. Fortunately, combination therapy with other selected compounds improves resveratrol's bioavailability and/or a delay in its metabolism. This review summaries the available published literature dealing with the effects of resveratrol on multidrug resistance in cancer and more specifically, breast cancer.

MiR 221/222 as New Players in Tamoxifen Resistance.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women. Despite advances in early detection and treatment, it has the second highest mortality rate after lung cancer. Around 85% of breast carcinomas are ER+; thus, antiestrogens like tamoxifen are beneficial. Although, tamoxifen is useful for many patients, a number of patients respond poorly to initial therapy or recurrence occurs in about 30% of cases, because tamoxifen resistance happens. Drug resistance remains a major clinical obstacle to successful treatment of breast cancer and more than 90% of unsuccessful treatments are because of acquired resistance and MultiDrug Resistance (MDR) is a major contributor. MicroRNAs are members of a novel class of short noncoding RNAs. Besides their various roles in gene expression, miRNAs are considered as important cancer therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Since 2005, when miRNA deregulation was first reported in breast cancer, more than 1000 reports have been published about miRNAs. Increasing number of studies showed the importance of miRNAs in antiestrogen therapy, especially on tamoxifen; thus, it is not surprising that these tiny molecules are involved in drug resistance. Due to the pivotal role of these known RNA molecules, in this review, we tried to illustrate the importance of the miRNAs as a new player in breast cancer pathogenesis. We have also focused on cancer drug resistance mechanisms highlighting the role of important oncomirs, miR 221/222, involved in cell cycle deregulation in breast cancer. The relationship between these oncomiRs with resistance to tamoxifen is also emphasized.

Arsenic cardiotoxicity: An overview.

Arsenic, a naturally ubiquitous element, is found in foods and environment. Cardiac dysfunction is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Arsenic exposure is associated with various cardiopathologic effects including ischemia, arrhythmia and heart failure. Possible mechanisms of arsenic cardiotoxicity include oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, apoptosis and functional changes of ion channels. Several evidences have shown that mitochondrial disruption, caspase activation, MAPK signaling and p53 are the pathways for arsenic induced apoptosis. Arsenic trioxide is an effective and potent antitumor agent used in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia and produces dramatic remissions. As2O3 administration has major limitations such as T wave changes, QT prolongation and sudden death in humans. In this review, we discuss the underlying pathobiology of arsenic cardiotoxicity and provide information about cardiac health effects associated with some medicinal plants in arsenic toxicity.