scholarly journals Antitumor and Antiangiogenic Activities of Curcumin in Cervical Cancer Xenografts in Nude Mice

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pornphrom Yoysungnoen-Chintana ◽  
Parvapan Bhattarakosol ◽  
Suthiluk Patumraj

To evaluate the effects of curcumin (CUR) on tumor progression and angiogenesis in cervical cancer- (CaSki-) implanted nude mice and on the angiogenic biomarkers: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). CaSki cells were subcutaneously injected in nude mice to establish subcutaneous tumors. One month after injection, mice were orally administered vehicle or 500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg of CUR daily × 30 consecutive days. Tumor volume was measured every 3-4 days. At the end of the study, tumor microvasculature was observed under confocal microscope, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect CD31, VEGF, COX-2, and EGFR. CUR at the doses of 1,000 and 1,500 mg/kg showed significant tumor growth retardation (21.03% and 35.57%) versus CaSki + vehicle group. The microvascular density (MVD) in CaSki + vehicle group was significantly increased versus Control + vehicle group and significantly reduced by CUR (1,000 and 1,500 mg/kg). VEGF, COX-2, and EGFR expressions were upregulated in CaSki + vehicle group and attenuated significantly by CUR (1,000 and 1,500 mg/kg). In conclusion, high dose CUR inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis in CaSki-implanted mice probably mediated by the downregulation of VEGF, COX-2 and EGFR. CUR may have a role in treating human cervical cancer and should be explored further.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhornprom Yoysungnoen ◽  
Parvapan Bhattarakosol ◽  
Chatchawan Changtam ◽  
Suthiluk Patumraj

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is a stable metabolite of curcumin (CUR) in physiological systems. The mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of THC is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of THC on tumor growth and cellular signaling in cervical cancer xenografts in nude mice. Cervical cancer cells (CaSki) were subcutaneously injected in nude mice to establish tumors. One month after the injection, mice were orally administered vehicle or 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of THC daily for 30 consecutive days. Relative tumor volume (RTV) was measured every 3-4 days. COX-2, EGFR, p-ERK1&2, p-AKT, and Ki-67 expressions were measured by immunohistochemistry whereas cell apoptosis was detected by TUNELS method. THC treatments at the doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg statistically retarded the RTV by 70.40%, 76.41%, and 77.93%, respectively. The CaSki + vehicle group also showed significantly increased COX-2, EGFR, p-ERK1&2, and p-AKT; however they were attenuated by all treatments with THC. Ki-67 overexpression and a decreasing of cell apoptosis were found in CaSki + vehicle group, but these findings were reversed after the THC treatments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14652-e14652
Author(s):  
Michael Molyneaux ◽  
John Xu ◽  
David M. Evans ◽  
Patrick Lu

e14652 Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary cancer and although there have been advances recently there is a need for additional treatment methods for patients. Over expressions of TGF-β1 and COX-2 have been reported to play key roles in tumorigenesis of CCA. We studied the effect of STP705 on the growth of HuCCT-1 xenograft tumors in nude mice. STP705 is a TGF-β1/COX-2 specific siRNA combination product formulated in Histidine-Lysine co-Polymer nanoparticle delivery system. Methods: HuCCT-1 xenograft tumors were implanted subcutaneously into 24 BALB/c nude female mice (n = 8/group). Group 1 received vehicle control, group 2 (low-dose) received 8µg of STP705, and group 3 (high-dose) received 16µg of STP705. Intratumoral test article administration and tumor volume measurements were conducted twice a week for 3-weeks. Qualitative analysis was performed on H&E, Picrosirius red (PSR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stained sections of tumor tissues. Results: High- and low- dose groups of STP705 reported significantly lower mean tumor volume at day 21 (p = 0.005 & p = 0.036, respectively) as compared to control group. High-dose group reported significantly lower tumor volume at days 11 (p = 0.042), 15 (p = 0.003), and 18 (p = 0.007) as compared to the control group. IHC assessment demonstrated that STP705-treated animals had significantly lower (H-score ± SEM) TGF-β1, COX-2, HSP70, Bcl-xL and MMP-9 staining (52±9, 39±4, 178±8, 25±7 & 7±1, respectively) as compared to control animals (94±11, 66±8, 213±7, 59±8 & 11±2, respectively – with p < 0.05). Assessment of Caspase-3 and H&E (necrosis and inflammation) slides reported higher mean score for STP705-treated animals, while PSR staining reported lower fibroplasia for STP705-treated animals as compared to the control animals. Conclusions: The data suggests that STP705-treatment suppresses TGF-β1 and COX-2 expression resulting in inhibition of (i) tumor cell survival, (ii) fibrosis, (iii) promotes apoptosis, and (iv)decreased invasiveness of tumor cells. Overall, STP705 is an innovative siRNA-based treatment that results in significant suppression of tumor growth in a HuCCT-1 xenograft mouse tumor model.


2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor Johanson ◽  
Håkan Ahlman ◽  
Peter Bernhardt ◽  
Svante Jansson ◽  
Lars Kölby ◽  
...  

Hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is caused by germline mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, resulting in constitutive activation of the RET tyrosine kinase. A substantial proportion of sporadic MTCs also have RET mutations, making the RET tyrosine kinase a potential therapeutic target in MTC. We have established a transplantable MTC in nude mice from a sporadic human MTC carrying a RET C634R mutation. Transplanted tumors had an exponential growth rate with an approximate doubling time of about 3 weeks, and expressed a neuroendocrine phenotype characteristic of MTC, e.g., expression of calcitonin, chromogranin A (CgA), synaptophysin, synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2), vesicular monoamine transporter-1 and -2, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin 8/18, epithelial cadherin, and neural cell adhesion molecule. Plasma calcitonin and CgA levels were elevated in tumor-bearing mice and correlated with tumor size. Cytogenetic analysis, including spectral karyotyping, confirmed the human origin of the xenografted tumors and demonstrated an abnormal, near triploid karyotype. Treatment of tumor-bearing nude mice with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD6474, which specifically inhibits RET, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelium growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinases, resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth. Oral ZD6474 given once daily (250 mg/kg, 5 days/week) reduced tumor volume to 11% when compared with controls after 4 weeks. Our results show that this transplantable MTC, designated GOT2, represents a novel and useful model for studies of MTC and RET tyrosine kinase-dependent tumor growth.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhornprom Yoysungnoen ◽  
Parvapan Bhattarakosol ◽  
Suthiluk Patumraj ◽  
Chatchawan Changtam

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), one of the importantin vivometabolites of curcumin, inhibits tumor angiogenesis. Its effects on angiogenesis in cervical cancer- (CaSki-) implanted nude mice and its mechanisms on hypoxia-inducible factor-1αand vascular endothelial growth factor expression were investigated. Female BALB/c nude mice were divided into control (CON) and CaSki-implanted groups (CaSki group). One month after the injection with cervical cancer cells, mice were orally administered vehicle or 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of THC daily for 30 consecutive days. The microvascular density (MVD) was evaluated using the CD31 expression. VEGF, VEGFR-2, and HIF-1αexpression were also detected by immunohistochemistry. The MVD in CaSki + vehicle group was significantly increased compared to the CON + vehicle group. Interestingly, when treated with THC at all doses, the CaSki group showed a significant smaller number of the MVD. The CaSki + vehicle group also showed significantly increased VEGF, VEGFR-2, and HIF-1αexpressions, but they were downregulated when mice were treated with THC at all doses. THC demonstrated an inhibitory effect against tumor angiogenesis in CaSki-implanted nude mice model. This effect is likely to be mediated by the downregulation of HIF-1-α, VEGF expression, and its receptor. THC could be developed into a promising agent for cancer therapy in the future.


2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (1) ◽  
pp. G111-G119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina L. Hirota ◽  
France Moreau ◽  
Vadim Iablokov ◽  
Michael Dicay ◽  
Bernard Renaux ◽  
...  

Proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)2, a G protein-coupled receptor activated by serine proteinases, has been implicated in both intestinal inflammation and epithelial proliferation. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is overexpressed in the gut during inflammation as well as in colon cancer. We hypothesized that PAR2 drives COX-2 expression in intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment of Caco-2 colon cancer cells with the PAR2-activating peptide 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-NH2 (2fLI), but not by its reverse-sequence PAR2-inactive peptide, for 3 h led to an increase in intracellular COX-2 protein expression accompanied by a COX-2-dependent increase in prostaglandin E2 production. 2fLI treatment for 30 min significantly increased metalloproteinase activity in the culture supernatant. Increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation was observed in cell lysates following 40 min of treatment with 2fLI. The broad-spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitor marimastat inhibited both COX-2 expression and EGFR phosphorylation. The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor PD153035 also abolished 2fLI-induced COX-2 expression. Although PAR2 activation increased ERK MAPK phosphorylation, neither ERK pathway inhibitors nor a p38 MAPK inhibitor affected 2fLI-induced COX-2 expression. However, inhibition of either Src tyrosine kinase signaling by PP2, Rho kinase signaling by Y27632, or phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase signaling by LY294002 prevented 2fLI-induced COX-2 expression. Trypsin increased COX-2 expression through PAR2 in Caco-2 cells and in an EGFR-dependent manner in the noncancerous intestinal epithelial cell-6 cell line. In conclusion, PAR2 activation drives COX-2 expression in Caco-2 cells via metalloproteinase-dependent EGFR transactivation and activation of Src, Rho, and PI3 kinase signaling. Our findings provide a mechanism whereby PAR2 can participate in the progression from chronic inflammation to cancer in the intestine.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4683
Author(s):  
Geng-Ruei Chang ◽  
Chan-Yen Kuo ◽  
Ming-Yang Tsai ◽  
Wei-Li Lin ◽  
Tzu-Chun Lin ◽  
...  

Zotarolimus is a semi-synthetic derivative of rapamycin and an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Currently, zotarolimus is used to prolong the survival time of organ grafts, but it is also a novel immunosuppressive agent with potent anti-proliferative activity. Here, we examine the anti-tumor effect of zotarolimus, alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil, on HCT-116 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells implanted in BALB/c nude mice. Compared with the control mice, mice treated with zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU showed retarded tumor growth; increased tumor apoptosis through the enhanced expression of cleaved caspase 3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; reduced inflammation-related factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein; and inhibited metastasis-related factors such as CD44, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Notably, mice treated with a combination of zotarolimus and 5-FU showed significantly retarded tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and increased tumor inhibition compared with mice treated with 5-FU or zotarolimus alone, indicating a strong synergistic effect. This in vivo study confirms that zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU can be used to retard colorectal adenocarcinoma growth and inhibit tumorigenesis. Our results suggest that zotarolimus may increase the chemo-sensitization of tumor cells. Therefore, zotarolimus alone and zotarolimus combined with 5-FU may be potential anti-tumor agents in the treatment of human colon adenocarcinoma. Future research on zotarolimus may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4562
Author(s):  
Ching-Feng Wu ◽  
Ching-Yang Wu ◽  
Robin Y.-Y. Chiou ◽  
Wei-Cheng Yang ◽  
Chuen-Fu Lin ◽  
...  

Zotarolimus is a semi-synthetic derivative of rapamycin and a novel immunosuppressive agent used to prevent graft rejection. The pharmacological pathway of zotarolimus restricts the kinase activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which potentially leads to reductions in cell division, cell growth, cell proliferation, and inflammation. These pathways have a critical influence on tumorigenesis. This study aims to examine the anti-tumor effect of zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line implanted in BALB/c nude mice by estimating tumor growth, apoptosis expression, inflammation, and metastasis. We established A549 xenografts in nude mice, following which we randomly divided the mice into four groups: control, 5-FU (100 mg/kg/week), zotarolimus (2 mg/kg/day), and zotarolimus combined with 5-FU. Compared the results with those for control mice, we found that mice treated with zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU retarded tumor growth; increased tumor apoptosis through the enhanced expression of cleaved caspase 3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; decreased inflammation cytokines levels (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6); reduced inflammation-related factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA; enhanced anti-inflammation-related factors including IL-10 and inhibitor of NF-κB kinase α (IκBα) mRNA; and inhibited metastasis-related factors such as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), CD44, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Notably, mice treated with zotarolimus combined with 5-FU had significantly retarded tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and increased tumor inhibition compared with the groups of mice treated with 5-FU or zotarolimus alone. The in vivo study confirmed that zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU could retard lung adenocarcinoma growth and inhibit tumorigenesis. Zotarolimus and 5-FU were found to have an obvious synergistic tumor-inhibiting effect on lung adenocarcinoma. Therefore, both zotarolimus alone and zotarolimus combined with 5-FU may be potential anti-tumor agents for treatment of human lung adenocarcinoma.


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