scholarly journals Recent Advances in Berberine Inspired Anticancer Approaches: From Drug Combination to Novel Formulation Technology and Derivatization

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 1426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Habtemariam
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Cell Cycle Checkpoint ◽  
Anticancer Effect ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Cellular Targets ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Berberine is multifunctional natural product with potential to treat diverse pathological conditions. Its broad-spectrum anticancer effect through direct effect on cancer cell growth and metastasis have been established both in vitro and in vivo. The cellular targets that account to the anticancer effect of berberine are incredibly large and range from kinases (protein kinase B (Akt), mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), cell cycle checkpoint kinases, etc.) and transcription factors to genes and protein regulators of cell survival, motility and death. The direct effect of berberine in cancer cells is however relatively weak and occur at moderate concentration range (10–100 µM) in most cancer cells. The poor pharmacokinetics profile resulting from poor absorption, efflux by permeability-glycoprotein (P-gc) and extensive metabolism in intestinal and hepatic cells are other dimensions of berberine’s limitation as anticancer agent. This communication addresses the research efforts during the last two decades that were devoted to enhancing the anticancer potential of berberine. Strategies highlighted include using berberine in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents either to reduce toxic side effects or enhance their anticancer effects; the various novel formulation approaches which by order of magnitude improved the pharmacokinetics of berberine; and semisynthetic approaches that enhanced potency by up to 100-fold.

scholarly journals Non-viral delivery of therapeutic microRNAs to glioma cells using chitosan nanocomplexes

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv16-iv16
Author(s):  
Marjorie Boissinot ◽  
Sarra Limam ◽  
Maria Collado-González ◽  
Yadira Gonzalez-Espinosa ◽  
Heiko Wurdak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
3D Analysis ◽  
Cellular Targets ◽  
Mature Microrna ◽  
Efficient Delivery ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Reverse Transfection

Abstract One of the biggest challenges when treating brain tumours is achieving efficient delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain and more specifically to the cancer cells. MicroRNA-1300 was identified in our group as a very promising therapeutic microRNA given its cytotoxic effect when introduced in both established as well as cancer-stem-like patient-derived glioblastoma cultures, while not affecting differentiated glioblastoma cells. We are now collaborating to assess the potential efficiency of the natural biopolymer chitosan to form nanocomplexes containing the mature form of microRNA-1300 for delivery. Chitosan has been established as a highly attractive biocompatible polymer to deliver both in vitro and in vivo therapeutic nucleotides intracellularly. In previous studies, we have shown chitosan’s efficacy to form spherical nanocomplexes with microRNA and apply them to the downregulation of JAMA-A mRNA in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Chitosan can also be chemically conjugated to introduce affinity towards a wide range of cellular targets (e.g. with aptamers). Methods We have optimised of the composition and characterised the biophysical properties of chitosan-microRNA nanocomplexes of varying (+/-) charge ratios using both a control nontargeting microRNA coupled to a fluorochrome (CS-miRdy547, efficiency of cell entry) and mature microRNA-1300 (CS-mi1300, efficient release and biological effect). We have tested the nanocomplexes in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroid cultures on established U251 as well as two patient-derived cultures. Reverse transfection was used as positive control. Results The control nanoparticles of CS-miRdy547 are taken up by the patient-derived cultures in 2D and 3D. Analysis is ongoing using the CS-miR-1300 nanoparticles.

scholarly journals A Review of the Potential of Phytochemicals from Prunus africana (Hook f.) Kalkman Stem Bark for Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy of Prostate Cancer

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Komakech ◽  
Youngmin Kang ◽  
Jun-Hwan Lee ◽  
Francis Omujal
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Prostate Cancer Cells ◽  
Prunus Africana

Prostate cancer remains one of the major causes of death worldwide. In view of the limited treatment options for patients with prostate cancer, preventive and treatment approaches based on natural compounds can play an integral role in tackling this disease. Recent evidence supports the beneficial effects of plant-derived phytochemicals as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents for various cancers, including prostate cancer. Prunus africana has been used for generations in African traditional medicine to treat prostate cancer. This review examined the potential roles of the phytochemicals from P. africana, an endangered, sub-Saharan Africa plant in the chemoprevention and chemotherapy of prostate cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided strong pharmacological evidence for antiprostate cancer activities of P. africana-derived phytochemicals. Through synergistic interactions between different effective phytochemicals, P. africana extracts have been shown to exhibit very strong antiandrogenic and antiangiogenic activities and have the ability to kill tumor cells via apoptotic pathways, prevent the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, and alter the signaling pathways required for the maintenance of prostate cancer cells. However, further preclinical and clinical studies ought to be done to advance and eventually use these promising phytochemicals for the prevention and chemotherapy of human prostate cancer.

Estrogen receptor β represses breast tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10101-10101
Author(s):  
J. Hartman ◽  
K. Lindberg ◽  
J. Inzunza ◽  
J. Wan ◽  
A. Ström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Breast Tumor ◽  
Breast Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Breast Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Angiogenic Effect

10101 Background: Estrogens are well known stimulators of breast cancer cell growth in vitro as well as in vivo. Two different estrogen receptors exist, namely estrogen receptor (ER) α and β. ERα mediates the proliferative effect of estrogen in breast cancer cells and we have earlier shown that ERβ inhibits cell-cycle progression in vitro. Estrogens are well known stimulators of in vivo breast cancer cell growth as well as angiogenesis, and the effect is mediated through ERα. The function of ERβ in this context is not well understood. Methods: We have used ERα-positive T47D breast cancer cells stably transfected with a Tet/Off regulated ERβ expression vector system. The ERβ-inducible tumor cells are studied in vitro as well as in vivo. Results: By transplanting ERβ-inducible breast cancer cells into SCID-mice, we show that ERβ inhibits tumor growth and reduces the volume of established tumors. Furthermore, we show by immunohistochemistry, that the number of blood microvessels in the tumor periphery is decreased by ERβ expression, counteracting the well-known pro-angiogenic effect of ERα. By Western blot analysis on tumor extracts, we show that the concentration of the important pro-angiogenic growth factors VEGF and bFGF, normally expressed by breast tumor cells, is decreased in the ERβ-expressing tumors compared to the normal tumors. To exclude that the observed anti-angiogenic effect is just a result of reduced tumor growth, we incubated Tet/Off regulated ERβ expressing cells in vitro, during non-hypoxic conditions. We found that the expression of ERβ leads to decreased expression of VEGF and PDGFβ at the mRNA and protein-levels. In transient transfection assays, we found estrogen-ERα mediated up regulation of VEGF, PDGFβ and bFGF-promoter activities in T47D cells, and these activities were all suppressed following co-transfection with an ERβ-expression vector. Conclusions: We conclude that ERβ inhibits growth factor expression at transcriptional level in breast cancer cells; taken together, our data indicates that ERβ inhibits growth and angiogenesis of tumors formed by T47D breast cancer cells. This makes ERβ an interesting therapeutic target in breast cancer and perhaps treatment with the newly designed ERβ-selective ligands might work as a new anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic therapy. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Targeting MUS81 promotes the anticancer effect of WEE1 inhibitor and immune checkpoint blocking combination therapy via activating cGAS/STING signaling in gastric cancer cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengguo Li ◽  
Qian Shen ◽  
Peng Zhang ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Weizhen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Anticancer Effect ◽  
Gastric Cancer Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Value

Abstract Background Identification of genomic biomarkers to predict the anticancer effects of indicated drugs is considered a promising strategy for the development of precision medicine. DNA endonuclease MUS81 plays a pivotal role in various biological processes during malignant diseases, mainly in DNA damage repair and replication fork stability. Our previous study reported that MUS81 was highly expressed and linked to tumor metastasis in gastric cancer; however, its therapeutic value has not been fully elucidated. Methods Bioinformatics analysis was used to define MUS81-related differential genes, which were further validated in clinical tissue samples. Gain or loss of function MUS81 cell models were constructed to elucidate the effect and mechanism of MUS81 on WEE1 expression. Moreover, the antitumor effect of targeting MUS81 combined with WEE1 inhibitors was verified using in vivo and in vitro assays. Thereafter, the cGAS/STING pathway was evaluated, and the therapeutic value of MUS81 for immunotherapy of gastric cancer was determined. Results In this study, MUS81 negatively correlated with the expression of cell cycle checkpoint kinase WEE1. Furthermore, we identified that MUS81 regulated the ubiquitination of WEE1 via E-3 ligase β-TRCP in an enzymatic manner. In addition, MUS81 inhibition could sensitize the anticancer effect of the WEE1 inhibitor MK1775 in gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, when MUS81 was targeted, it increased the accumulation of cytosolic DNA induced by MK1775 treatment and activated the DNA sensor STING-mediated innate immunity in the gastric cancer cells. Thus, the WEE1 inhibitor MK1775 specifically enhanced the anticancer effect of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in MUS81 deficient gastric cancer cells. Conclusions Our data provide rational evidence that targeting MUS81 could elevate the expression of WEE1 by regulating its ubiquitination and could activate the innate immune response, thereby enhancing the anticancer efficacy of WEE1 inhibitor and immune checkpoint blockade combination therapy in gastric cancer cells.

scholarly journals Cancer-associated fibroblasts actively compress cancer cells and modulate mechanotransduction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Barbazan ◽  
Carlos Perez-Gonzalez ◽  
Manuel Gomez-Gonzalez ◽  
Mathieu Dedenon ◽  
Sophie Richon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Intrinsic Property ◽  
Cancer Associated Fibroblasts ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Force Measurements ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Mechanical Signaling ◽  
Actomyosin Contractility

During tumor progression, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) accumulate in tumors and produce excessive extracellular matrix (ECM), forming a capsule that enwraps cancer cells. This capsule is a barrier that restricts tumor growth leading to the buildup of intratumoral pressure. Combining genetic and physical manipulations in vivo with microfabrication and force measurements in vitro, we found that the CAFs capsule is not a passive barrier but instead actively compresses cancer cells using actomyosin contractility. Cancer cells mechanosense CAF compression, resulting in an altered localization of the transcriptional regulator YAP. Abrogation of CAFs contractility in vivo leads to the dissipation of compressive forces and impairment of capsule formation. By mapping CAF force patterns in 3D, we show that compression is a CAF-intrinsic property independent of cancer cell growth. Supracellular coordination of CAFs is achieved through fibronectin cables that serve as scaffolds allowing force transmission. Our study unveils that the contractile capsule actively compresses cancer cells, modulates their mechanical signaling, and reorganizes tumor morphology.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial supercomplex assembly promotes breast and endometrial tumorigenesis by metabolic alterations and enhanced hypoxia tolerance

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Ikeda ◽  
Kuniko Horie-Inoue ◽  
Takashi Suzuki ◽  
Rutsuko Hobo ◽  
Norie Nakasato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle ◽  
Hypoxia Tolerance ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth

Abstract Recent advance in cancer research sheds light on the contribution of mitochondrial respiration in tumorigenesis, as they efficiently produce ATP and oncogenic metabolites that will facilitate cancer cell growth. Here we show that a stabilizing factor for mitochondrial supercomplex assembly, COX7RP/COX7A2L/SCAF1, is abundantly expressed in clinical breast and endometrial cancers. Moreover, COX7RP overexpression associates with prognosis of breast cancer patients. We demonstrate that COX7RP overexpression in breast and endometrial cancer cells promotes in vitro and in vivo growth, stabilizes mitochondrial supercomplex assembly even in hypoxic states, and increases hypoxia tolerance. Metabolomic analyses reveal that COX7RP overexpression modulates the metabolic profile of cancer cells, particularly the steady-state levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Notably, silencing of each subunit of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex decreases the COX7RP-stimulated cancer cell growth. Our results indicate that COX7RP is a growth-regulatory factor for breast and endometrial cancer cells by regulating metabolic pathways and energy production.

scholarly journals The REGγ inhibitor NIP30 increases sensitivity to chemotherapy in p53-deficient tumor cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Gao ◽  
Qingwei Wang ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Jiang Liu ◽  
Shuang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemotherapy Resistance ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Serine Phosphorylation ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Rich Domain ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Growth Inhibitory

Abstract A major challenge in chemotherapy is chemotherapy resistance in cells lacking p53. Here we demonstrate that NIP30, an inhibitor of the oncogenic REGγ-proteasome, attenuates cancer cell growth and sensitizes p53-compromised cells to chemotherapeutic agents. NIP30 acts by binding to REGγ via an evolutionarily-conserved serine-rich domain with 4-serine phosphorylation. We find the cyclin-dependent phosphatase CDC25A is a key regulator for NIP30 phosphorylation and modulation of REGγ activity during the cell cycle or after DNA damage. We validate CDC25A-NIP30-REGγ mediated regulation of the REGγ target protein p21 in vivo using p53−/− and p53/REGγ double-deficient mice. Moreover, Phosphor-NIP30 mimetics significantly increase the growth inhibitory effect of chemotherapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo. Given that NIP30 is frequently mutated in the TCGA cancer database, our results provide insight into the regulatory pathway controlling the REGγ-proteasome in carcinogenesis and offer a novel approach to drug-resistant cancer therapy.

Metformin-induced anticancer activities: recent insights

2018 ◽  
Vol 399 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Safe ◽  
Vijayalekshmi Nair ◽  
Keshav Karki
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Cell Growth And Migration ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

AbstractMetformin is a widely used antidiabetic drug, and there is evidence among diabetic patients that metformin is a chemopreventive agent against multiple cancers. There is also evidence in human studies that metformin is a cancer chemotherapeutic agent, and several clinical trials that use metformin alone or in combination with other drugs are ongoing.In vivoandin vitrocancer cell culture studies demonstrate that metformin induces both AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent genes/pathways that result in inhibition of cancer cell growth and migration and induction of apoptosis. The effects of metformin in cancer cells resemble the patterns observed after treatment with drugs that downregulate specificity protein 1 (Sp1), Sp3 and Sp4 or by knockdown of Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4 by RNA interference. Studies in pancreatic cancer cells clearly demonstrate that metformin decreases expression of Sp1, Sp3, Sp4 and pro-oncogenic Sp-regulated genes, demonstrating that one of the underlying mechanisms of action of metformin as an anticancer agent involves targeting of Sp transcription factors. These observations are consistent with metformin-mediated effects on genes/pathways in many other tumor types.

scholarly journals Arginine is an epigenetic regulator targeting TEAD4 to modulate OXPHOS in prostate cancer cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Lin Chen ◽  
Sheng-Chieh Hsu ◽  
Tan-Ya Chung ◽  
Cheng-Ying Chu ◽  
Hung-Jung Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Prostate Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell Growth ◽  
Prostate Carcinogenesis ◽  
Arginine Deprivation ◽  
Epigenetic Regulator

AbstractArginine plays diverse roles in cellular physiology. As a semi-essential amino acid, arginine deprivation has been used to target cancers with arginine synthesis deficiency. Arginine-deprived cancer cells exhibit mitochondrial dysfunction, transcriptional reprogramming and eventual cell death. In this study, we show in prostate cancer cells that arginine acts as an epigenetic regulator to modulate histone acetylation, leading to global upregulation of nuclear-encoded oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes. TEAD4 is retained in the nucleus by arginine, enhancing its recruitment to the promoter/enhancer regions of OXPHOS genes and mediating coordinated upregulation in a YAP1-independent but mTOR-dependent manner. Arginine also activates the expression of lysine acetyl-transferases and increases overall levels of acetylated histones and acetyl-CoA, facilitating TEAD4 recruitment. Silencing of TEAD4 suppresses OXPHOS functions and prostate cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Given the strong correlation of TEAD4 expression and prostate carcinogenesis, targeting TEAD4 may be beneficially used to enhance arginine-deprivation therapy and prostate cancer therapy.

An update on chemical classes targeting ERK1/2 for the management of cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly Pathania ◽  
Ravindra K Rawal
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Research ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Anticancer Effect ◽  
Structure Activity ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Multiple Signaling ◽  
Resistance To Chemotherapy

Cancer, still in the limelight due to its dreadful nature, shows overexpression of multiple signaling macromolecules leading to failure of many chemotherapeutic agents and acquired resistance to chemotherapy. These factors highlight the significance of shifting toward targeted therapy in cancer research. Recently, ERKs (ERK1 and 2) have been established as a promising target for the management of various types of solid tumors, due to their aberrant involvement in cell growth and progression. Several ERKs inhibitors have reached clinical trials for the management of cancer and their derivatives are being continuously reported with noteworthy anticancer effect. This review highlights the recent reports on various chemical classes involved in the development of ERKs inhibitors along with their in vitro and  in vivo activity and structure–activity relationship profile.

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