A combination therapy with mitomycin c, etoposide, doxifluridine and medroxyprogesterone acetate as second line therapy for advanced breast cancer refractory to combination chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and 5 fluorouracil

Thirty-two patients with advanced breast cancer refractory to combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (CPA), doxorubicin (ADR) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (CAF) were treated with the combination of mitomycin C, etoposide, doxifluridine and medroxyprogesterone acetate as second line therapy. Observed responses included 6 patients (18.7%) with complete response (CR) and 7 (21.9%) with partial response (PR). Two (50%) out of 4 patients who had bone pain due to bone metastasis noted pain relief. CR or PR were obtained in 4 out of 12 patients who had not responded to the previous CAF therapy. While grade III myelosuppression was observed in 3 patients, other adverse effects were minimal. It is suggested that this combination therapy may be recommended for advanced breast cancer patients as a second therapy.     

Advantages and safety of local treatment with MMC/Beriplast P for cancer tumors

 To target the treatment of small points of cancer, Beriplast P, already used clinically as a physiological tissue adherent drug carrier, was mixed with the anticancer drug, mitomycin C (MMC). In this in vitro study, MMC did not release quickly from the clot of MMC/Beriplast P. The antitumor effect of this mixture was examined for its effect on cancer growth. In one series of experiments, tumor tissues were inoculated with MMC/100 μl Beriplast P and in another series, MMC/100 μl Beriplast P was injected into tumors at a weight of 300 mg. In the first series of experiments, tumor tissue treated with 0.3 mg MMC/100 μl Beriplast P was replaced with plasma cells and lymphocytes, and no viable cancer cells could be found. In the second series, MMC/100 μl Beriplast P delayed tumor growth, and the survival of Balb/c mice injected with 0.08 mg MMC/100 μl Beriplast P was significantly longer than that of mice injected with 0.08 mg MMC/100 μl saline solution (P=0.026). In addition, the abdominal aorta, vena cava, and intestine around the area of treatment with 1.6 mg MMC/100 μl Beriplast P were not damaged. These results indicate that the mixture of Beriplast P and MMC is more effective than MMC solution alone in the local treatment of residual cancer. Received: 11 August 1995/Accepted: 29 January 1996     

Curcumin attenuates EGF-induced AQP3 up-regulation and cell migration in human ovarian cancer cells

OBJECTIVE: Aquaporin (AQP) water channels are expressed in high-grade tumor cells of different tissue origins. Based on the involvement of AQPs in angiogenesis and cell migration as well as our previous studies which show that AQP3 is involved in human skin fibroblasts cell migration, in this study, we investigated whether AQP3 is expressed in cultured human ovarian cancer cell line CaOV3 cells, and whether AQP3 expression in these cells enhances cell migration and metastatic potential. METHODS: Cultured CaOV3 cells were treated with EGF and/or various reagents and subjected to cell migration assay by phagokinetic track mobility assay or biochemical analysis for expression or activation of proteins by SDS-PAGE/Western blot analysis. RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrate that AQP3 is expressed in CaOV3 cells. EGF induces CaOV3 migration and up-regulates AQP3 expression. EGF-induced cell migration is inhibited by specific AQP3 siRNA knockdown or AQP3 water transport inhibitor CuSO(4) and NiCl(2). We also find that curcumin, a well known anti-ovarian cancer drug, down-regulates AQP3 expression and reduces cell migration in CaOV3, and the effects of curcumin are mediated, at least in part, by its inhibitory effects on EGFR and downstream AKT/ERK activation. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our results provide evidence for AQP3-facilitated ovarian cancer cell migration, suggesting a novel function for AQP3 expression in high-grade tumors. The results that curcumin inhibits EGF-induced up-regulation of AQP3 and cell migration, provide a new explanation for the anticancer potential of curcumin.     

Curcumin causes superoxide anion production and p53-independent apoptosis in human colon cancer cells

Curcumin from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant has chemopreventative activity and inhibits the growth of neoplastic cells. Since p53 has been suggested to be important for anticancer activity by curcumin, we investigated curcumin-induced cytotoxicity in cultures of p53^+/+ and p53^−/− HCT-116 colon cancer cells, as well as mutant p53 HT-29 colon cancer cells. Curcumin killed wild-type p53 HCT-116 cells and mutant p53 HT-29 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, curcumin-treated p53^+/+ HCT-116 cells and mutant p53 HT-29 cells showed upregulation of total and activated p53, as well as increased expression of p53-regulated p21, PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis), and Bax; however, an equivalent cytotoxic effect by curcumin was observed in p53^+/+ and p53^−/− HCT-116 cells, demonstrating that curcumin-induced cytotoxicity was independent of p53 status. Similar results were obtained when the cytotoxic effect of curcumin was assessed in wild-type p53 HCT-116 cells after siRNA-mediated p53 knockdown. Chromatin condensation, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 cleavage and reduced pro-caspase-3 levels in curcumin-treated p53^+/+ and p53^−/− HCT-116 cells suggested that curcumin caused apoptosis. In addition, exposure to curcumin resulted in superoxide anion production and phosphorylation of oxidative stress proteins in p53^+/+ and p53^−/− HCT-116 cells. Collectively, our results indicate that, despite p53 upregulation and activation, curcumin-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells was independent of p53 status and involved oxidative stress. Curcumin may therefore have therapeutic potential in the management of colon cancer, especially in tumors that are resistant to conventional chemotherapy due to defects in p53 expression or function.     

Curcumin inhibits the side population (SP) phenotype of the rat C6 glioma cell line: Towards targeting of cancer stem cells with phytochemicals

The phytochemical curcumin, from the Indian spice turmeric, has many biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. We have examined the effects of curcumin on the rat C6 glioma cell line. Treated and control cells were analyzed by Hoechst 33342 dye and flow cytometry. We observed a decrease in the side population (SP) of C6 cells after daily curcumin treatment of the C6 cells. Direct incubation of curcumin to C6 cells during the Hoechst assay also decreased SP. Since SP has been associated with stem cell populations, curcumin may be a dietary phytochemical with potential to target cancer stem cells.     

Targeting cancer stem cells by curcumin and clinical applications

Curcumin is a well-known dietary polyphenol derived from the rhizomes of turmeric, an Indian spice. The anticancer effect of curcumin has been demonstrated in many cell and animal studies, and recent research has shown that curcumin can target cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are proposed to be responsible for initiating and maintaining cancer, and contribute to recurrence and drug resistance. A number of studies have suggested that curcumin has the potential to target CSCs through regulation of CSC self-renewal pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, sonic hedgehog) and specific microRNAs involved in acquisition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). The potential impact of curcumin, alone or in combination with other anticancer agents, on CSCs was evaluated as well. Furthermore, the safety and tolerability of curcumin have been well-established by numerous clinical studies. Importantly, the low bioavailability of curcumin has been dramatically improved through the use of structural analogues or special formulations. More clinical trials are underway to investigate the efficacy of this promising agent in cancer chemoprevention and therapy. In this article, we review the effects of curcumin on CSC self-renewal pathways and specific microRNAs, as well as its safety and efficacy in recent human studies. In conclusion, curcumin could be a very promising adjunct to traditional cancer treatments.     

姜黄素损伤线粒体诱导食管癌Ec-109细胞凋亡的研究

目的:探讨姜黄素损伤线粒体诱导食管癌Ec-109细胞凋亡的作用机制。方法:80μmol/mL姜黄素作用于食管癌Ec-109细胞不同时间后,流式细胞仪检测细胞亚二倍体凋亡峰变化及线粒体膜电位变化;蛋白质印迹法检测细胞色素C释放及Caspase-9表达。结果:姜黄素呈时间依赖性诱导食管癌Ec-109细胞凋亡,12、24和48 h细胞亚二倍体凋亡峰分别为(15.89±2.12)%、(26.80±1.87)%和(36.97±1.80)%,对照组为(3.23±0.24)%,总体比较差异有统计学意义,F=6.75,P<0.01,各组间比较差异均有统计学意义,P<0.01。姜黄素作用3、6和12 h后线粒体膜电位分别为84.78%、67.03%和63.16%,对照组为97.17%,差异有统计学意义,F=5.12,P<0.05,各组间比较,6 h组与12 h组差异无统计学意义,P=0.062,余各组间有差别;6 h出现细胞色素C表达,12 h表达最高;12 h检测到Caspase-9表达,24 h表达最高。结论:姜黄素呈时间依赖性诱导食管癌细胞凋亡是通过损伤细胞线粒体、使之释放出细胞色素C以及激活Caspase-9实现的。     

Mitomycin C and cisplatin enhanced the antitumor activity of p53-expressing adenovirus in cervical cancer cells

This study investigated the enhanced antitumor activity of Ad5-p53 in combination with mitomycin C (MMC) or cisplatin (DDP) in cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and C-33A. MMC and DDP inhibited the growth of SiHa and C-33A cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the combination of MMC or DDP with Ad5-p53showed a stronger growth inhibition than those treated with either Ad5-p53, MMC, or DDP alone. As evidenced by the formation of the ∼200 bp DNA ladder and the appearance of sub-G1 peak, both MMC and DDP induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Western blot analysis of p53 showed that MMC/DDP did not induce the increase of p53 protein in SiHa cells nor the increase of the cellular and nuclear p53 protein in Ad5-p53 transfected Saos-2 cells. Taken together, these results suggested that the combination of Ad5-p53and MMC/DDP may serve as an effective therapeutic regime for human cervical cancer treatment.     

姜黄素活化caspase-3诱导食管癌Ec-109细胞凋亡的研究

目的探讨姜黄素活化caspase-3诱导食管癌Ec-109细胞凋亡的作用机制。方法20、40、80mmol/L姜黄素作用于食管癌Ec-109细胞,流式细胞仪检测细胞亚二倍体凋亡峰变化及线粒体膜电位变化;Western-blot检测细胞色素C释放及caspase-3表达。结果姜黄素呈剂量依赖性诱导食管癌Ec-109细胞凋亡,20、40、80mmol/L姜黄素作用后,细胞亚二倍体凋亡峰分别为（16.07±1.71）%、（25.54±1.25）%、（37.67±1.09）%,对照组为（3.65%±0.56）%,比较有统计学意义（F=6.14,P〈0.01）。上述浓度姜黄素作用6小时后线粒体膜电位出现降低,比较均有统计学意义（F=5.37,P〈0.05）;12小时出现细胞色素C表达,24小时检测到caspase-3表达,且姜黄素浓度越高,细胞色素C及caspase-3表达越明显。结论姜黄素通过损伤细胞线粒体,使之释放出细胞色素C,激活caspase-3,而且其呈剂量依赖性诱导食管癌细胞凋亡。     

Cytotoxicities of mitomycin C and X rays to aerobic and hypoxic cells in vitro

Aerobic and hypoxic EMT6 mouse mammary tumor cells in exponential growth in vitro were used to study cell survival after treatment with radiation (250kV X rays) and mitomycin C in various combinations. The cytotoxicities of the two agents were found to be additive as judged by comparing dose-response curves for each agent alone with survival curves after combination therapy and by isobologram analysis. The cytotoxicities resulting from combination treatments were found to be independent of the sequence of the treatments or the interval between treatments.     

HER-2 RNA干扰对乳腺癌细胞及其种植肿瘤化疗敏感性的影响

目的:观察RNA干扰(RNAi)下调HER-2受体后乳腺癌细胞及其移植肿瘤对化疗药物表柔比星(epirubicin,EPI)敏感性的变化.方法:构建能够表达HER-2 siRNA 的质粒载体HER-2shRNApU6,转染HER-2 阳性的乳腺癌细胞SKBR-3, RT-PCR 与Western blotting 检测SKBR-3细胞HER-2 mRNA 与蛋白的表达.受转染细胞与不同浓度的化疗药物表柔比星共培养,MTT法检测细胞增殖活性及药物IC50;构建裸鼠乳腺癌模型,观察经HER-2shRNApU6治疗后,肿瘤对化疗的敏感性. 结果:SKBR-3 细胞转染HER-2shRNApU6后,HER-2 mRNA及蛋白表达出现明显下调,细胞增殖活性出现明显下降(P<0.05),治疗组肿瘤细胞对表柔比星的化疗敏感性IC50为0.25 μg/μl,而阴性对照及空白对照分别为3.46 μg/μl和3.69 μg/μl.裸鼠移植肿瘤模型中,治疗组肿瘤重量明显低于空白对照和阴性对照[(2.17±0.58) vs (3.13±0.38)、(3.21±0.89)g].结论:HER-2的RNA干扰显著抑制乳腺癌SKBR-3细胞mRNA和蛋白表达,从而明显提高肿瘤细胞及其种植瘤对表柔比星的敏感性.     

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with mitomycin C and UFT for curatively resected rectal cancer. Results from the Cooperative Project No.7 Group of the Japanese Foundation for Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer

Background. This study was conducted to evaluate the significance of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy using mitomycin C (MMC) and UFT (tegafur; uracil at 1:4 molar ratio) in combination for rectal cancer. Methods. The Japanese Foundation for Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial in 834 patients who had undergone curative resection for rectal cancer (T3 or T4 and/or Nl, N2, or N3 according to TNM classification) from February 1986 to December 1988. The patients were randomly allocated to a treatment group (MMC/UFT, 416 patients) and a control group (surgery alone, 418 patients). For the patients in the treatment group, 20 mg of MMC was sprinkled on the operating field upon completion of surgery. MMC was injected intravenously (6 mg/m²) on day 7, and then once a month for months 1–6 after surgery. UFT was administered at 400mg/day, orally, for 1 year, beginning 3 weeks after surgery. Results. There was no difference, in the 5-year survival rate between the two groups, but the 5-year disease-free survival rate in the MMC/UFT group (68.9%) was significantly higher than that (59.3%) in the control group (P = 0.006). The 5-year cumulative local recurrence rate was significantly lower in the MMC/UFT group (11.6%) than in the control group (19.0%) (P = 0.007). Conclusion. We conclude that the adjuvant use of longterm oral UFT and intermittent MMC (i.v.) improves the disease-free survival rate of patients with curatively resected rectal cancer (T3 or T4 and/or N1, N2, or N3).     

A randomized study: Small cell anaplastic lung cancer treated by combination chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy

Chemotherapy and primary site radiation therapy were compared to chemotherapy alone in a randomized study of 125 patients with small cell cancer of the lung. The sites of initial relapse, as well as disease free and overall survival were analyzed. Radiotherapy to the primary site reduced the rate of local relapse, but median survival was not prolonged in patients with either limited or extensive disease, when the radiation therapy-chemotherapy group was compared to the group that received chemotherapy alone.     

Therapy-related erythroleukemia caused by the administration of UFT and mitomycin C in a patient with colon cancer

 A 54-year-old man with colon cancer underwent hemicolectomy. He received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT (tegafur/uracil at a 1 : 4 molar ratio) and mitomycin C (MMC) for 3 years. Three years and 4 months after the start of chemotherapy, pancytopenia was noted. Bone marrow aspiration smear demonstrated an increased number of immature erythroblasts, including megaloblasts and myeloblasts. Chromosomal analysis demonstrated structural and numerical abnormalities of 5, 7, 15, and 17. Therapy-related erythroleukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), M6, was diagnosed. The disease progressed after 5 months, and the patient was received chemotherapy with cytosine arabinoside, aclacinomycin, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (CAG), and showed a partial hematological response. Careful monitoring for the generation of therapy-related leukemia is needed when UFT and MMC are used for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Received: May 16, 2002 / Accepted: November 11, 2002 Correspondence to:K. Shinohara     

Curcumin inhibits the migration and invasion of human A549 lung cancer cells through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

It is well known that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) act an important role in the invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of cancer cells. Agents suppressed the MMPs could inhibited the cancer cells migration and invasion. Numerous evidences had shown that curcumin (the active constituent of the dietary spice turmeric) has potential for the prevention and therapy of cancer. Curcumin can inhibit the formation of tumors in animal models of carcinogenesis and act on a variety of molecular targets involved in cancer development. There is however, no available information to address the effects of curcumin on migration and invasion of human lung cancer cells. The anti-tumor invasion and migration effects of lung cancer cells induced by curcumin were examined. Here, we report that curcumin suppressed the migration and invasion of human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549) in vitro. Our findings suggest that curcumin has anti-metastatic potential by decreasing invasiveness of cancer cells. Moreover, this action was involved in the MEKK3, p-ERK signaling pathways resulting in inhibition of MMP-2 and -9 in human lung cancer A549 cells. Overall, the above data shows that the anticancer effect of curcumin is also exist for the inhibition of migration and invasion in lung cancer cells.     

Establishment by Adriamycin Exposure of Multidrug-resistant Rat Ascites Hepatoma AH130 Cells Showing Low DT-diaphorase Activity and High Cross Resistance to Mitomycins

A resistant subline (AH130/5A) selected from rat hepatoma AH130 cells after exposure to adriamycin (ADM) showed remarkable resistance to multiple antitumor drugs, including mitomycin C (MMC) and porflromycin (PFM). PFM, vinblastine (VLB), and ADM accumulated in AH130/5A far less than in the parent AH130 (AH130/P) cells. AH130/5A cells showed overexpression of P-glycoprotein (PGP), an increase in glutathione S-transferase activity, and a decrease in DT-diaphorase and glutathione peroxidase activity. The resistance to MMC and VLB of AH130/5A cells was partly reversed by H-87, an inhibitor of PGP. Buthionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthase, did not affect the action of MMC. tert -Butylhydroquinone induced DT-diaphorase activity, increased PFM uptake, and enhanced the growth-inhibitory action of MMC in AH130/5A cells. Dicumarol, an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, decreased PFM uptake and reduced the growth-inhibitory action of MMC in AH130/P cells. These results indicated that the adriamycin treatment of hepatoma cells caused multifactorial multidrug resistance involving a decrease in DT-diaphorase activity.     

The receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor amuvatinib (MP470) sensitizes tumor cells to radio- and chemo-therapies in part by inhibiting homologous recombination

Background and purpose

RAD51 is a key protein involved in homologous recombination (HR) and a potential target for radiation- and chemotherapies. Amuvatinib (formerly known as MP470) is a novel receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets c-KIT and PDGFRα and can sensitize tumor cells to ionizing radiation (IR). Here, we studied amuvatinib mechanism on RAD51 and functional HR.

Materials and methods

Protein and RNA analyses, direct repeat green fluorescent protein (DR-GFP) assay and polysomal fractioning were used to measure HR efficiency and global translation in amuvatinib-treated H1299 lung carcinoma cells. Synergy of amuvatinib with IR or mitomycin c (MMC) was assessed by clonogenic survival assay.

Results

Amuvaninib inhibited RAD51 protein expression and HR. This was associated with reduced ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation and inhibition of global translation. Amuvatinib sensitized cells to IR and MMC, agents that are selectively toxic to HR-deficient cells.

Conclusions

Amuvatinib is a promising agent that may be used to decrease tumor cell resistance. Our work suggests that this is associated with decreased RAD51 expression and function and supports the further study of amuvatinib in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.     

Glucose uptake inhibitor sensitizes cancer cells to daunorubicin and overcomes drug resistance in hypoxia

Purpose A high-rate glycolysis is a fundamental property of solid tumors and is associated with an over-expression of glucose transporters and glycolytic enzymes. We hypothesize that over-expression of glucose transporters in tumors prevents apoptosis, promotes cancer cell survival, and confers drug resistance. Inhibition of glucose transporter will preferentially sensitize the anticancer effects of chemotherapeutic drugs to overcome drug resistance in hypoxia. Methods Glucose transporter expressions were detected in cancer tissues and NCI 60 cancer cells with immunostaining and DNA microarray. Glucose uptake was measured with ³H-2-deoxy-glucose. Cytotoxicity of daunorubicin (DNR) in combination of glucose inhibitor was detected by MTS assay under hypoxic condition. Early stage apoptosis was monitored with Annexin V-FITC staining. Results Immunostaining showed that GLUT1 was significantly increased in hypoxic regions of the human colon and breast tumors. The expression profiles of all glucose transporters in NCI 60 cancer cells exhibited distinct expression patterns. Phloretin exhibited more than 60% glucose uptake inhibition. Hypoxia conferred two to fivefold higher drug resistance in SW620 and K562 to DNR. Inhibition of glucose uptake by phloretin sensitized cancer cells to DNR for its anticancer activity and apoptosis to overcome drug resistance only under hypoxia. Conclusion Cancer cells heavily rely on glucose transporters for glucose uptake to facilitate a high-rate glycolysis under hypoxia for their survival and drug resistance. Combination of glucose transporter inhibitors and chemotherapeutic drugs may provide a preferential novel therapeutic strategy to overcome drug resistance in hypoxia.     

miR-532抑制Sema4C逆转宫颈癌细胞上皮间质转化及增加对顺铂化疗的敏感性

目的:探讨miR-532抑制Sema4C逆转宫颈癌细胞上皮间质转化及增加对顺铂化疗敏感性的作用。方法:检测宫颈癌细胞Caski经过沉默Sema4C表达后EMT标志物表达水平;利用Transwell迁移与侵袭实验检测沉默Sema4C表达所引起的宫颈癌细胞Caski迁移与侵袭能力变化;预测Sema4C是miR-532直接的靶基因并用双荧光素酶实验检测荧光素酶活性;Western blotting及qRT-PCR检测表达miR-532后EMT标志物E-cadherin、Vimentin、Snail的蛋白表达水平及mRNA表达水平;利用Transwell迁移与侵袭实验检测Caski细胞经过转染miR-532 mimic后迁移、侵袭能力的变化;CCK8检测过表达 miR-532及沉默 Sema4C对宫颈癌细胞顺铂化疗敏感性的影响。结果:Sema4C参与调节宫颈癌细胞Caski上皮间质转化,下调Sema4C可逆转这一过程;Sema4C是miR-532直接的靶基因;miR-532可逆转宫颈癌细胞的EMT;过表达miR-532及沉默Sema4C能显著提高宫颈癌细胞对顺铂敏感性。结论:miR-532通过抑制靶基因Sema4C的表达水平在宫颈癌中扮演抑癌基因的角色,逆转了宫颈癌细胞Caski的上皮间质转化及增加对顺铂化疗的敏感性。     

Sensitizing ovarian cancer cells to chemotherapy by interfering with pathways that are involved in the formation of cancer stem cells

Chemotherapy often fails to eradicate cancer stem cells (CSCs) that drive cancer recurrence. In fact, the treated tumors often contain a higher frequency of chemo-resistant CSCs. It is thought that CSC formation is supported by exposure of cancer cells to sub-cytotoxic chemotherapy doses as a result of poor drug penetration in epithelial tumors. We have shown that low-dos cisplatin triggers the transdifferentiation of ovarian cancer cells into CSCs through processes that are also involved in the generation and maintenance of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Considering similarities between CSCs and iPS cells, we screened a library of 60 synthetic small-molecule compounds, designed to influence EMT/MET signaling in iPS cells on primary ovarian cancer cells. Using a Nanog reporter system we identified a series of compounds capable of blocking the cisplatin triggered formation of CSCs. We then focused on compound GHDM-1515, a drug that acts on pathways that regulate histone demethylases. We demonstrated that co-treatment of primary ovarian cancer cells with GHDM-1515 significantly increased cisplatin induced apoptosis, specifically apoptosis of CSCs. GHDM-1515 inhibited EMT and the cisplatin-induced formation of CSCs. This suggests that GHDM-1515 can sensitize ovarian cancer cells to low-dose cisplatin and potentially enhance the efficacy of cisplatin chemotherapy.