scholarly journals Functional apoptosis profiling identifies MCL-1 and BCL-xL as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in advanced thymomas and thymic carcinomas

BMC Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Müller ◽  
Paolo Mazzeo ◽  
Raphael Koch ◽  
Mark-Sebastian Bösherz ◽  
Stefan Welter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Prognostic Marker ◽  
Prognostic Markers ◽  
Driver Mutations ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Bh3 Mimetics ◽  
Novel Treatment ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Thymic Carcinomas

Abstract Background Multi-omics studies have shown a high and lack of common driver mutations in most thymomas (TH) and thymic carcinomas (TC) that hamper the development of novel treatment approaches. However, deregulation of apoptosis has been proposed as a common hallmark of TH and TC. BH3 profiling can be utilized to study the readiness of living cancer cells to undergo apoptosis and their dependency on pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins. Methods We screened a cohort of 62 TH and TC patient samples for expression of BCL-2 family proteins and used the TC cell line 1889c and native TH for dynamic BH3 profiling and treatment with BH3 mimetics. Results Immunohistochemical overexpression of MCL-1 and BCL-xL was a strong prognostic marker of TH and TC, and BH3 profiling indicated a strong dependency on MCL-1 and BCL-xL in TH. Single inhibition of MCL-1 resulted in increased binding of BIM to BCL-xL as an escape mechanism that the combined inhibition of both factors could overcome. Indeed, the inhibition of MCL-1 and BCL-xL in combination induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner in untreated and MCL-1-resistant 1889c cells. Conclusion TH and TC are exquisitely dependent on the pro-survival factors MCL-1 and BCL-xL, making them ideal candidates for co-inhibition by BH3 mimetics. Since TH show a heterogeneous dependency on BCL-2 family proteins, upfront BH3 profiling could select patients and tailor the optimal therapy with the least possible toxicity.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors suppress the growth of gastric cancer xenografts via induction of apoptosis in nude mice

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (6) ◽  
pp. G1061-G1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Sawaoka ◽  
Sunao Kawano ◽  
Shingo Tsuji ◽  
Masahiko Tsujii ◽  
Edhi S. Gunawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Nude Mice ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Cox 2 Inhibitors

To clarify the role of mitogen-inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in the development of malignant tumors, we investigated the effects of COX-2 inhibitors on the growth of gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice in vivo. MKN45 gastric cancer cells (5 × 106cells/animal) that overexpress COX-2 were inoculated subcutaneously into athymic mice. NS-398, a specific COX-2 inhibitor, or indomethacin, a nonspecific COX-2 inhibitor, was administered orally to animals every day for 20 days. These drugs reduced the tumor volume significantly. Immunohistochemistry using bromodeoxyuridine, nick end labeling, and electron microscopy showed that NS-398 induced apoptosis in cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and inhibited cancer cell replication slightly. Indomethacin also induced apoptosis and suppressed replication of tumor cells. There was a significant negative correlation between tumor volume and apoptotic cell number within the tumor. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that COX-2 inhibitors suppress growth of gastric cancer xenografts mainly by inducing apoptosis and suppressing replication of the neoplastic cells. It follows that COX-2 plays an important role in the development of gastric cancer.

scholarly journals Artemisinin Derivatives Stimulate DR5-Specific TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis by Regulating Wildtype P53

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2514
Author(s):  
Xinyu Zhou ◽  
Sietske N. Zijlstra ◽  
Abel Soto-Gamez ◽  
Rita Setroikromo ◽  
Wim J. Quax
Keyword(s):  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Death Receptor 5 ◽  
Novel Therapy ◽  
Artemisinin Derivatives ◽  
The Status ◽  
Cervical Cancer Cells ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Artemisinin derivatives, widely known as commercial anti-malaria drugs, may also have huge potential in treating cancer cells. It has been reported that artemisinin derivatives can overcome resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis in liver and cervical cancer cells. In our study, we demonstrated that artesunate (ATS) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) are more efficient in killing colon cancer cells compared to artemisinin (ART). ATS/DHA induces the expression of DR5 in a P53 dependent manner in HCT116 and DLD-1 cells. Both ATS and DHA overcome the resistance to DHER-induced apoptosis in HCT116, mainly through upregulating death receptor 5 (DR5). We also demonstrate that DHA sensitizes HCT116 cells to DHER-induced apoptosis via P53 regulated DR5 expression in P53 knockdown assays. Nevertheless, a lower effect was observed in DLD-1 cells, which has a single Ser241Phe mutation in the P53 DNA binding domain. Thus, the status of P53 could be one of the determinants of TRAIL resistance in some cancer cells. Finally, the combination treatment of DHA and the TRAIL variant DHER increases cell death in 3D colon cancer spheroid models, which shows its potential as a novel therapy.

scholarly journals Lemongrass Extract Possesses Potent Anticancer Activity Against Human Colon Cancers, Inhibits Tumorigenesis, Enhances Efficacy of FOLFOX, and Reduces Its Adverse Effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 153473541988915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Ruvinov ◽  
Christopher Nguyen ◽  
Benjamin Scaria ◽  
Caleb Vegh ◽  
Ola Zaitoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Colon Cancer ◽  
Anticancer Activity ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Human Colon ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Anticancer Efficacy ◽  
Colon Cancers ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Current chemotherapeutics for metastatic colorectal cancers have limited success and are extremely toxic due to nonselective targeting. Some natural extracts have been traditionally taken and have shown anticancer activity. These extracts have multiple phytochemicals that can target different pathways selectively in cancer cells. We have shown previously that lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus) extract is effective at inducing cell death in human lymphomas. However, the efficacy of lemongrass extract on human colorectal cancer has not been investigated. Furthermore, its interactions with current chemotherapies for colon cancer is unknown. In this article, we report the anticancer effects of ethanolic lemongrass extract in colorectal cancer models, and importantly, its interactions with FOLFOX and Taxol. Lemongrass extract induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells in a time and dose-dependent manner without harming healthy cells in vitro. Oral administration of lemongrass extract was well tolerated and effective at inhibiting colon cancer xenograft growth in mice. It enhanced the anticancer efficacy of FOLFOX and, interestingly, inhibited FOLFOX-related weight loss in animals given the combination treatment. Furthermore, feeding lemongrass extract to APCmin/+ transgenic mice led to the reduction of intestinal tumors, indicating its preventative potential. Therefore, this natural extract has potential to be developed as a supplemental treatment for colorectal cancer.

scholarly journals Increased Expression of Death Receptors 4 and 5 Synergizes the Apoptosis Response to Combined Treatment with Etoposide and TRAIL

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer B. Gibson ◽  
Ryan Oyer ◽  
Aaron C. Spalding ◽  
Steven M. Anderson ◽  
Gary L. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Death Receptor ◽  
Death Receptors ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Death Receptor Ligand ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

ABSTRACT Chemotherapeutic genotoxins induce apoptosis in epithelial-cell-derived cancer cells. The death receptor ligand TRAIL also induces apoptosis in epithelial-cell-derived cancer cells but generally fails to induce apoptosis in nontransformed cells. We show here that the treatment of four different epithelial cell lines with the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide in combination with TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) induces a synergistic apoptotic response. The mechanism of the synergistic effect results from the etoposide-mediated increase in the expression of the death receptors 4 (DR4) and 5 (DR5). Inhibition of NF-κB activation by expression of kinase-inactive MEK kinase 1(MEKK1) or dominant-negative IκB (ΔIκB) blocked the increase in DR4 and DR5 expression following etoposide treatment. Addition of a soluble decoy DR4 fusion protein (DR4:Fc) to cell cultures reduced the amount of etoposide-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of a soluble TNF decoy receptor (TNFR:Fc) was without effect, demonstrating the specificity of DR4 binding ligands in the etoposide-induced apoptosis response. Thus, genotoxin treatment in combination with TRAIL is an effective inducer of epithelial-cell-derived tumor cell apoptosis relative to either treatment alone.

scholarly journals A New Highlight of Ephedra alata Decne Properties as Potential Adjuvant in Combination with Cisplatin to Induce Cell Death of 4T1 Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fairouz Sioud ◽  
Souheila Amor ◽  
Imène ben Toumia ◽  
Aida Lahmar ◽  
Virginie Aires ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
4T1 Breast Cancer ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Cellular Modifications

Despite major advances in the last 10 years, whether in terms of prevention or treatment, the 5 year survival rate remains relatively low for a large number of cancers. These therapeutic failures can be the consequence of several factors associated with the cellular modifications or with the host by itself, especially for some anticancer drugs such as cisplatin, which induces a nephrotoxicity. In the strategy of research for active molecules capable both of exerting a protective action against the deleterious effects of cisplatin and exerting a chemosensitizing action with regard to cancer cells, we tested the potential effects of Ephedra alata Decne extract (E.A.) rich in polyphenolic compounds towards a 4T1 breast cancer model in vitro and in vivo. We showed that E.A. extract inhibited cell viability of 4T1 breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner, which involved intrinsic pathways. Very interestingly, we observed a synergic antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic action with cisplatin. These events were associated with a strong decrease of breast tumor growth in mice treated with an E.A./cisplatin combination and simultaneously with a decrease of hepato- and nephrotoxicities of cisplatin.

HIF-1 Supports the Survival of Multiple Myeloma Cells through the Induction of Survivin Gene.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 110-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keita Kirito ◽  
Hu Yongzhen ◽  
Kozue Yoshida ◽  
Toru Mitsumori ◽  
Kei Nakajima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Survivin Mrna ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Survivin Gene ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract In spite of the recent development of therapeutic strategies, multiple myeloma (MM) still remains incurable. Several cytokines and chemokines contribute to progression of the disease and acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy. These humoral factors support the growth and survival of myeloma cells through the regulation of transcription factors including NF-κB, Stat3 and FOXO3a. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is an important transcription factor that is activated under low oxygen tension and controls dozens of genes involved in angiogenesis, energy production and resistance to apoptosis. Interestingly, HIF-1 is frequently activated in cancer cells even under normoxic condition and it is well established that HIF-1 expression and activation correlates with tumor progression and resistance to cancer treatments. In this study, we investigated whether HIF-1 is involved in the biology of multiple myeloma. To this end, we used three MM cell lines U266, RPMI8226 and KMM-1. After informed consent, we also prepared primary MM cells from bone marrow samples of patients (n=5) using anti-CD138 magnetic beads. Initially, we treated MM cells with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IL-6, both of which are major growth and survival factors for myeloma cells. Treatment with IGF-1 and, to be a lesser degree, IL-6 clearly enhanced expression of HIF-1α, a subunit of HIF-1, in all three cell lines. Similar results were obtained from isolated primary MM cells. Based on several lines of evidence that survivin, a member of inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family protein, is transcriptionally regulated by HIF-1 in breast cancer cells, and that this anti-apoptotic factor is important for growth of MM cells, we examined whether HIF-1 supports the survival of MM cells through the induction of survivin. Quantitative RT-PCR assay revealed that IGF-1 increased survivin mRNA both in MM cell lines and in primary MM cells. In addition, IGF-1 activated survivin gene promoter containing a HIF-1-binding site. To confirm that IGF-1-induced activation of survivin gene is mediated by HIF-1, we treated MM cell lines with echinomycin, an inhibitor of DNA-binding activity of HIF-1. As expected, echinomycin inhibited IGF-1-induced survivin gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitor also induced apoptosis of MM cells, and IGF-1 could not rescue the MM cells from echinomycin-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, echinomycin enhanced melphalan-induced apoptosis of MM cells. To further examine the involvement of HIF-1 in IGF-1-induced survivin gene expression, we generated three independent HIF-1α knockdown KMM-1 clones using siRNA system. Survivin mRNA was not detected in the HIF-1α knockdown cells, and these clones easily underwent apoptosis even in the presence of IGF-1, compared to the parental cells. Taken together, HIF-1 plays a pivotal role in survival of MM cells through the induction of survivin gene. In conclusion, HIF-1 might be an attractive therapeutic target for MM.

The Potential Role of STAT's in Anti-Leukemic Therapy with Different Drugs

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 5120-5120
Author(s):  
Hatice Demet Kiper ◽  
Burcin Tezcanli Kaymaz ◽  
Ozlem Purclutepe ◽  
Ceyda Tunakan Dalgic ◽  
Nur Selvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Line ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Drug Exposure ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Blue Dye ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Down Regulation ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract Abstract 5120 STAT pathways play a pivotal role in oncogenesis and leukemogenesis, thus targeting STAT signalling appears to be an effective anticancer treatment strategy. It has been described that constitutive activation of STAT3 and STAT5 plays a pro-oncogenic role both in acute and chronic myeloid neoplasms. In this study, we aimed to clarify the potential relationship between drug-induced apoptosis with different agents and STAT pathway. A third-generation bisphosphonate; zoledronate, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I); enalapril, a proteasome inhibitor which is used for treatment of multiple myeloma; bortezomib and a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor; dasatinib were examined in this goal. Cell viability and cytotoxicity tests were conducted by using Trypan blue dye exclusion and XTT assays, respectively. Apoptotic analyses were performed by AnnexinV-EGFP staining method and fluorescence microscopy. Expression levels of STAT3, −5A and −5B genes were analysed in myeloid cell lines by qRT-PCR. The results showed that zoledronate; bortezomib and dasatinib decreased viability and proliferation and induced apoptosis in CML cell line K562 in a dose- and time-dependent manner which is associated by prominent decrease of STAT3, STAT5A and STAT5B mRNA expressions. Enalapril was also found to be cytotoxic and induced apoptosis in APL cell line HL60 in a dose- and time-dependent manner and the expression levels of STAT5A gene have significantly reduced in enalapril-treated HL60 cells as compared to untreated controls. Treatments of cell lines with other drugs were also associated with significant apoptosis in certain time points. The results and changes in expression of STAT's in mRNA level at 72nd hours are summarized in table. Taken together all these data showed that targeting STAT pathways by different drugs may be an appropriate approach in anti-leukemic therapy. This finding is important to propose that discovery or identification of novel agents targeted STATs may open new windows to the other hematological and solid malignancies which are associated with aberrant STAT expression. Table: The changes in STAT expressions after drug exposure in time-dependent manner with the dose of IC50. DRUGS CELL LINE IC50 APOPTOSIS (%) STAT3 mRNA Down Regulation (%) STAT5A mRNA Down Regulation (%) STAT5B mRNA Down Regulation (%) ENALAPRIL HL-60 7 μM 20 20* 76 5* ZOLEDRONATE K562 60 μM 34 63 31 57 BORTEZOMIB K562 177 μM 37 98 100 99 DASATINIB K562 3,314 nM 75 NA 33 78 * : Not significant NA: not applied Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Coumestrol suppresses proliferation of ES2 human epithelial ovarian cancer cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 228 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whasun Lim ◽  
Wooyoung Jeong ◽  
Gwonhwa Song
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Clear Cell ◽  
Serous Carcinoma ◽  
Ovarian Cancer Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pi3k Inhibitors ◽  
Novel Treatment ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Preventive Effects

Coumestrol, which is predominantly found in soybean products as a phytoestrogen, has cancer preventive activities in estrogen-responsive carcinomas. However, effects and molecular targets of coumestrol have not been reported for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In the present study, we demonstrated that coumestrol inhibited viability and invasion and induced apoptosis of ES2 (clear cell-/serous carcinoma origin) cells. In addition, immunoreactive PCNA and ERBB2, markers of proliferation of ovarian carcinoma, were attenuated in their expression in coumestrol-induced death of ES2 cells. Phosphorylation of AKT, p70S6K, ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p90RSK was inactivated by coumestrol treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner as determined in western blot analyses. Moreover, PI3K inhibitors enhanced effects of coumestrol to decrease phosphorylation of AKT, p70S6K, S6, and ERK1/2. Furthermore, coumestrol has strong cancer preventive effects as compared to other conventional chemotherapeutics on proliferation of ES2 cells. In conclusion, coumestrol exerts chemotherapeutic effects via PI3K and ERK1/2 MAPK pathways and is a potentially novel treatment regimen with enhanced chemoprevention activities against progression of EOC.

scholarly journals Periplocin Extracted from Cortex Periplocae Induced Apoptosis of Gastric Cancer Cells via the ERK1/2-EGR1 Pathway

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1939-1951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Li ◽  
Lian-Mei Zhao ◽  
Su-li Dai ◽  
Wen-Xuan Cui ◽  
Hui-Lai Lv ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Tunel Staining ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Gastric Cancer Cells ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Background/Aims: Periplocin is extracted from the traditional herbal medicine cortex periplocae, which has been reported to suppress the growth of cancer cells. However, little is known about its effect on gastric cancer cells. Methods: Gastric cancer cells were treated with periplocin, and cell viability was assessed using MTS assay. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate apoptosis, and protein expression was examined by western blotting. Microarray analysis was used to screen for changes in related genes. Results: We found that periplocin had an inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Periplocin inhibited cell viability via the ERK1/2-EGR1 pathway to induce apoptosis. Periplocin also inhibited the growth of tumor xenografts and induced apoptosis in vivo. Conclusion: Our results show that periplocin inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, indicating its potential to be used as an antitumor drug.

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