scholarly journals Novel Mechanistic Insight into the Anticancer Activity of Cucurbitacin D against Pancreatic Cancer (Cuc D Attenuates Pancreatic Cancer)

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Sikander ◽  
Shabnam Malik ◽  
Sheema Khan ◽  
Sonam Kumari ◽  
Neeraj Chauhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Cucurbitacin D

Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is one of the leading causes of death from cancer in the United States. The current standard treatment for pancreatic cancer is gemcitabine, but its success is poor due to the emergence of drug resistance. Natural products have been widely investigated as potential candidates in cancer therapies, and cucurbitacin D (Cuc D) has shown excellent anticancer properties in various models. However, there is no report on the therapeutic effect of Cuc D in PanCa. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the Cuc D on PanCa cells in vitro and in vivo. Cuc D inhibited the viability of PanCa cells in a dose and time dependent manner, as evident by MTS assays. Furthermore, Cuc D treatment suppressed the colony formation, arrest cell cycle, and decreased the invasion and migration of PanCa cells. Notably, our findings suggest that mucin 13 (MUC13) is down-regulated upon Cuc D treatment, as demonstrated by Western blot and qPCR analyses. Furthermore, we report that the treatment with Cuc D restores miR-145 expression in PanCa cells/tissues. Cuc D treatment suppresses the proliferation of gemcitabine resistant PanCa cells and inhibits RRM1/2 expression. Treatment with Cuc D effectively inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors. Taken together, Cuc D could be utilized as a novel therapeutic agents for the treatment/sensitization of PanCa.

Hyperglycemia Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Initiation and Progression by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiming Chen ◽  
Junfeng Zhao ◽  
Ningning Jiang ◽  
Zheng Wang ◽  
Chang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Precancerous Lesions ◽  
Clinical Specimen ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Initiation

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal diseases, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10% because of the limited knowledge of tumor-promoting factors and their underlying mechanism. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia are risk factors for many cancers, including PDAC, that modulate multiple downstream signaling pathways, such as the wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, whether hyperglycemia promotes PDAC initiation and progression by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we used bioinformatics analysis and clinical specimen analysis to evaluate the activation states of the Wnt/βcatenin signaling pathway. In addition, colony formation assays, Transwell assays and wound-healing assays were used to evaluate the malignant biological behaviors of pancreatic cancer cells (PCs) under hyperglycemic conditions. To describe the effects of hyperglycemia and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on the initiation of PDAC, we used pancreatitis-driven pancreatic cancer initiation models in vivo and pancreatic acinar cell 3-dimensional culture in vitro. Results: Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related molecules were overexpressed in PDAC tissues/cells and correlated with poor prognosis in PDAC patients. In addition, hyperglycemia exacerbated the abnormal activation of β-catenin in PDAC and enhanced the malignant biological behaviors of PCs in a Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-dependent manner. Indeed, hyperglycemia accelerated the formation of pancreatic precancerous lesions by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: Hyperglycemia promotes pancreatic cancer initiation and progression by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Metformin Inhibited Growth, Invasion and Metastasis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Vitro and in Vivo

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 1276-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Liang ◽  
Yu-Gang Wang ◽  
Changcheng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Plasma Glucose Level ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Metformin Treatment ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
And Migration

Background/Aims: This study aimed at investigating the effects of metformin on the growth and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Two human ESCC cell lines EC9706 and Eca109 were selected and challenged with metformin in this study. Western blot assay was performed to detect th level of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3. Scratch wound assay, transwell assay and Millicell invasion assay were used to assay the invasion and migration of EC9706 and Eca109 cells. Nude mice tumor models were used to assay the growth and lung metastasis of ESCC cells after metformin treatment. The plasma glucose level was also assayed. Results: We found that metformin significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of both ESCC cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated and Bax and Caspase-3 were up-regulated. Metformin significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of EC9706 and Eca109 cells (p < 0.05). mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased significantly upon treatment with metformin of 10mM for 12, 24 and 48h in a time-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In line with in vitro results, in vivo experiments demonstrated that metformin inhibited tumorigenicity, inhibited lung metastasis and down-regulated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, we showed that metformin treatment did not cause significant alteration in liver and renal functions and plasma glucose level. Conclusion: Our study for the first time demonstrated the anti-invasive and anti-metastatic effects of metformin on human ESCC cells both in vitro and in vivo, which might be associated with the down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9. As a whole, our results indicate the potential of metformin to be developed as a chemotherapeutic agent for patients with ESCC and might stimulate future studies on this area.

scholarly journals IFN-γ down-regulates the PD-1 expression and assist nivolumab in PD-1-blockade effect on CD8+ T-lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer

BMC Cancer ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoping Ding ◽  
Tao Shen ◽  
Chen Yan ◽  
Mingjie Zhang ◽  
Zhengrong Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
T Lymphocytes ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cytotoxic Activities ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Cd8 T Lymphocytes ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and evasion of immune surveillance. Although programmed cell death 1 receptor (PD-1) blockade has achieved certain success in immunogenic cancers, the responses to the PD-1 antibody are not effective or sustained in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods Firstly, PD-1 expressions on peripheral CD8+ T-lymphocytes of patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy donors were measured. In in vitro study, peripheral T-lymphocytes were isolated and treated with nivolumab and/or interferon-γ, and next, PD-1-blockade effects, proliferations, cytokine secretions and cytotoxic activities were tested after different treatments. In in vivo study, mice bearing subcutaneous pancreatic cancer cell lines were treated with induced T-lymphocytes and tumor sizes were measured. Results PD-1 protein expression is increased on peripheral CD8+ T cells in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma compared with that in health donor. PD-1 expression on CD8+ T-lymphocytes was decreased by nivolumab in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro. IFN-γ could directly down-regulate expression of PD-1 in vitro. Furthermore, the combination therapy of nivolumab and IFN-γ resulted in greatest effect of PD-1-blockde (1.73 ± 0.78), compared with IFN-γ along (18.63 ± 0.82) and nivolumab along (13.65 ± 1.22). Moreover, the effects of nivolumab plus IFN-γ largest promoted the T-lymphocytes function of proliferations, cytokine secretions and cytotoxic activities. Most importantly, T-lymphocytes induced by nivolumab plus IFN-γ presented the best repression of tumor growth. Conclusions IFN-γ plus a PD-1-blockading agent could enhance the immunologic function and might play a crucial role in effective adoptive transfer treatments of pancreatic cancer.

Activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor inhibits growth and promotes apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells in a cAMP-dependent manner

2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (12) ◽  
pp. E1431-E1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hejun Zhao ◽  
Rui Wei ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Qing Tian ◽  
Ming Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Human Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Tumor Tissues ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide ◽  
Glucagon Like Peptide 1

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) promotes pancreatic β-cell regeneration through GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) activation. However, whether it promotes exocrine pancreas growth and thereby increases the risk of pancreatic cancer has been a topic of debate in recent years. Clinical data and animal studies published so far have been controversial. In the present study, we report that GLP-1R activation with liraglutide inhibited growth and promoted apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro and attenuated pancreatic tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model in vivo. These effects of liraglutide were mediated through activation of cAMP production and consequent inhibition of Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in a GLP-1R-dependent manner. Moreover, we examined GLP-1R expression in human pancreatic cancer tissues and found that 43.3% of tumor tissues were GLP-1R-null. In the GLP-1R-positive tumor tissues (56.7%), the level of GLP-1R was lower compared with that in tumor-adjacent normal pancreatic tissues. Furthermore, the GLP-1R-positive tumors were significantly smaller than the GLP-1R-null tumors. Our study shows for the first time that GLP-1R activation has a cytoreductive effect on human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, which may help address safety concerns of GLP-1-based therapies in the context of human pancreatic cancer.

Association of gender, age, and ethnicity with survival in patients with pancreas cancer

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15587-e15587
Author(s):  
M. Ottochian ◽  
D. Yang ◽  
A. El-Khoueiry ◽  
S. Iqbal ◽  
A. Pohl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lymph Node Involvement ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Age Group

e15587 Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. However little is still known about factors that influence its development and progression. Recent data suggest that PC is, at least in part, an estrogen- dependent disease; there is growing epidemiological evidence that aspects of reproductive history and hormonal exposure are associated with risk of this disease. It was shown that age at menarche of <13 is associated with less risk of PC. However no data are available whether gender is associated with outcome in patients with PC. The purpose of this study was to test whether age, gender or ethnicity influence the outcome in PC. Methods: The data of the 50,302 adults diagnosed with PC between 1988 and 2004 were extracted from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results public use database. These included 24,240 patients diagnosed with localized pancreatic cancer (LPC) and 26,062 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC). Demographic, clinical variables and survival time were retrieved. The primary endpoint was overall survival. We constructed Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate association between patient characteristics and survival in LPC and MPC separately. Pair interactions were also tested. Results: On multivariate analysis gender, age, race, marital status, tumor size, grade, histology, type of treatment and lymph node involvement were found to be independent predictors of survival. Females had a significant longer survival, with an HR of 0.959 (95% CI: 0.932–0.987) among patients with LPC and an HR of 0.918 (95%CI: 0.894–0.942) among patients with MPC. Each age group displayed a significant longer survival than its correspondent older age group. When we combined age and gender in the analysis, females had a longer survival than males in each single age group in the MPC group. In the LPC group the longer survival of female patients was only observed in the youngest age group. Conclusions: This is the first and largest study to address gender and outcome in PC. Our data suggest that the estrogen pathway may play an important prognostic role in patient with this disease. These data also warrant further in vitro and in vivo investigations on the mechanisms of estrogen and pancreas progression. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Long noncoding RNA LINC01111 suppresses pancreatic cancer aggressiveness by regulating DUSP1 expression via microRNA-3924

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shutao Pan ◽  
Ming Shen ◽  
Min Zhou ◽  
Xiuhui Shi ◽  
Ruizhi He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cell Invasion ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Cancer Aggressiveness ◽  
And Migration

AbstractDysfunction in long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is reported to participate in the initiation and progression of human cancer; however, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms through which lncRNAs affect pancreatic cancer (PC) are largely unknown. Here, we report a novel lncRNA, LINC01111, that is clearly downregulated in PC tissues and plasma of PC patients and acts as a tumor suppressor. We found that the LINC01111 level was negatively correlated with the TNM stage but positively correlated with the survival of PC patients. The overexpression of LINC01111 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and cell invasion and migration in vitro, as well as tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Conversely, the knockdown of LINC01111 enhanced cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and cell invasion and migration in vitro, as well as tumorigenesis and metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, we found that high expression levels of LINC01111 upregulated DUSP1 levels by sequestering miR-3924, resulting in the blockage of SAPK phosphorylation and the inactivation of the SAPK/JNK signaling pathway in PC cells and thus inhibiting PC aggressiveness. Overall, these data reveal that LINC01111 is a potential diagnostic biomarker for PC patients, and the newly identified LINC01111/miR-3924/DUSP1 axis can modulate PC initiation and development.

scholarly journals microRNA-21-5p from M2 macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles promotes the differentiation and activity of pancreatic cancer stem cells by mediating KLF3

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Chang ◽  
Hanjun Li ◽  
Zhongchao Zhu ◽  
Pei Mei ◽  
Weimin Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
M2 Macrophage ◽  
M2 Macrophages ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Oct4 Expression

Abstract Aim Given the fact that tumor-associated macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are attributable to tumor aggressiveness, this research intends to decode the mechanism of M2 macrophage-derived EVs in the differentiation and activities of pancreatic cancer (PaCa) stem cells via delivering microRNA (miR)-21-5p. Methods Polarized M2 macrophages were induced, from which EVs were collected and identified. miR-21-5p expression in M2 macrophage-derived EVs was tested. After cell sorting, CD24+CD44+EpCAM+ stem cells were co-cultured with M2 macrophages, in which miR-21-5p was upregulated or downregulated. The effects of M2 macrophage-derived EVs and miR-21-5p on Nanog/octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) expression, sphere formation, colony formation, invasion and migration capacities, apoptosis, and in vivo tumorigenic ability were examined. Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) expression and its interaction with miR-21-5p were determined. Results M2 macrophage-derived EVs promoted PaCa stem cell differentiation and activities. miR-21a-5p was upregulated in M2 macrophage-derived EVs. miR-21a-5p downregulation in M2 macrophage-derived EVs inhibited Nanog/Oct4 expression and impaired sphere-forming, colony-forming, invasion, migration, and anti-apoptosis abilities of PaCa stem cells in vitro and tumorigenic ability in vivo. miR-21-5p targeted KLF3 to mediate the differentiation and activities of PaCa stem cells, and KLF3 was downregulated in PaCa stem cells. Conclusion This work explains that M2 macrophage-derived exosomal miR-21a-5p stimulates differentiation and activity of PaCa stem cells via targeting KLF3, paving a novel way for attenuating PaCa stemness. Graphical abstract

The Anticancer Effect of Huaier Extract in Renal Cancer 786-O Cells

Pharmacology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 316-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Wei ◽  
Zhengfang Liu ◽  
Luchao Li ◽  
Yanbin Zhang ◽  
Zhiqing Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Renal Cancer ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Cell Counting ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Anticancer Effect ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Background: Trametes robiniophila Murr (Huaier) has been used as an adjuvant therapy of tumor in traditional Chinese medicine for many years, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In the present study, we tested the inhibitory effect of Huaier extract on renal cancer 786-O cells and explored the possible mechanisms. Methods: 786-O cells were treated by gradient concentrations of Huaier extract, cell viability, invasion, migration and apoptosis were assessed by cell counting kit 8, cell scratch, transwell, and flow cytometry assay in vitro. The changes in protein level were detected by western blot analysis. Finally, the anticancer effect of Huaier was tested in vivo by nude mouse tumorigenicity assay. Results: Viability of 786-O cells was suppressed by Huaier in a time- and dose-dependent manner; cell invasion and migration were also dramatically inhibited. Flow cytometry assays showed that Huaier could induce cell apoptosis. Western blotting analysis indicated that Huaier suppressed the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 signaling pathway. We also found that Huaier could partly reverse the epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In vivo experiment indicated that tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model was suppressed by Huaier. Conclusion: Huaier plays an anticancer effect partially through the suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 pathway and by reversing the EMT process. Huaier may act as an effective agent for treating renal cell carcinoma.

Can antisense oligonucleotides targeted K-ras gene downregulate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in orthotopically implanted pancreatic cancer in Syrian golden hamsters

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 14147-14147
Author(s):  
C. Y. Morioka ◽  
F. P. Costa ◽  
S. Saito ◽  
E. M. Lima ◽  
A. Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Antisense Oligonucleotides ◽  
Gelatin Zymography ◽  
Good Choice ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Ras Gene ◽  
Golden Hamsters ◽  
Syrian Golden Hamsters

14147 Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), especially MMP-2 and MMP-9, are thought to play major roles in pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis.Ras activates a multitude of downstream activities with roles in cellular processing, including invasion and metastasis.Therefore, antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) targeting K-ras gene may be a therapeutic approach. Aim: To elucidate the effectiveness of this gene therapy in growth, invasiveness,and expression of MMPs,in hamster experimental pancreatic cancer model. Materials and Methods: HaP-T1,a cell line derived from BHP-induced pancreatic cancer was used.Transfection with ASO were performed.MTT and MTT agarose assays were performed.MMP-2 and MMP-9 production by HaP-T1 was determined by gelatin zymography.For in vivo experiments,subcutaneously resected tumors were implanted orthotopically in Syrian golden hamsters,which were divided in 3 groups:Positive control (PC),Sense treated hamsters (STH), and Antisense treated hamsters (ATH).Follow up was done.Animals of each group were sacrificed at Days 10,17,24,31,and 38,to study local response and metastatic sites.Survival time was studied. Specimens were studied histopathologically.Orthotopic pancreatic tumor MMP production was measured by gelatin zymography. Results: ASO inhibited the tumoral growth.They downregulated active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a dose dependent manner in vitro.PC,STH,and ATH survived in average 72.7, 74,3, and 82,7 days,respectively.Spontaneous lymph node metastases were found from 31 days in ATH group,while PC and STH groups showed metastases and direct invasion to adjacent organs from 17 days.After death,metastatic sites were similar in the 3 groups.ASO downregulated the activation of MMP-9, more than MMP-2 in vivo. Conclusions: ASO targeted K-ras gene suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.ASO also downregulated the activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in vitro.However, it downregulated more MMP-9 than MMP-2 in vivo.Nevertheless, it can be a good choice in management of pancreatic cancer because MMP play an important role in the process of metastasis. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Status and Challenges of Plant-Anticancer Compounds in Cancer Treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Garcia-Oliveira ◽  
Paz Otero ◽  
Antia Gonzalez Pereira ◽  
Franklin Chamorro ◽  
Maria Carpena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Anticancer Compounds ◽  
Negative Side ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Clinical Stages ◽  
Negative Side Effects

Nowadays, cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, which has been estimated to cause 9.9 million deaths in 2020. Conventional treatments for cancer commonly involve mono-chemotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and mono-chemotherapy. However, the negative side effects of these approaches have been extensively reported and have prompted the search of new therapeutic drugs. In this context, scientific community started to look for innovative sources of anticancer compounds in natural sources, including traditional plants. Currently, numerous studies have evaluated the anticancer properties of natural compounds derived from plants, both in vitro and in vivo. In pre-clinical stages, some promising compounds could be mentioned, such as the sulforaphane or different phenolic compounds. On the other hand, some phytochemicals obtained positive results in clinical stages and were further approved for cancer treatment, such as vinca alkaloids or the paclitaxel. Nevertheless, these compounds are not exempt of limitations, such as low solubility, restricted effect on their own, negative side-effects, etc. This review aims to compile the information about the current phytochemicals used for cancer treatment and also promising candidates, main action mechanisms and also reported limitations. In this sense, some strategies to face the limitations have been considered, such as nano-based formulations to improve solubility or chemical modification to reduce toxicity. In conclusion, although more research is still necessary to develop more efficient and safe phytochemical drugs, more of these compounds might be used in future cancer therapies.

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