scholarly journals Evaluation of the PTEN and circRNA-CDR1as Gene Expression Changes in Gastric Cancer and Normal Cell Lines Following the Exposure to Weak and Moderate 50 Hz Electromagnetic

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Mansoury ◽  
Nahid Babaei ◽  
Soheila Abdi ◽  
Maliheh Entezari ◽  
Abbas Doosti

Background: Attention to the electromagnetic exposure as a targeted tumor therapy has been recently increasing. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of continuous and discontinuous electromagnetic fields on cell viability as well as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and circular (circ)-RNA CDR1as genes expression in the normal and gastric cancer (GC) cell lines. Methods: After preparing gastric cancer cell lines (AGS) and normal cells (HU02 line), they were exposed to magnetic flux densities of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mT continuously and discontinuously (1h on/1h off) for 18 hours. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazoyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate cell viability. In addition, after designing the primers, the expression of the PTEN and circ-CDR1as genes was studied using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time-PCR) technique. The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Results: The exposed normal and tumor cells to discontinuous electromagnetic fields resulted in increasing of cell survival rate in both normal and tumor cells. In contrast, the exposure of continuous electromagnetic field showed no effect on the viability of the normal and tumor cells at intensities of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mT. The electromagnetic field showed a significant effect on the expression of the circ-CDR1as gene and this effect depended on the intensity of the electromagnetic field used and the cell type. We have found that the activity of PTEN gene in the normal and tumor cells increased and decreased with increasing intensity of discontinuous electromagnetic field, respectively. Conclusions: In general, the effect of electromagnetic field on gastric cancer seems to depend on the kind of exposure as well as an extent of intensity and can be used for cancer therapeutic purposes. However, more research is needed on this subject.

Marine Drugs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bittkau ◽  
Dörschmann ◽  
Blümel ◽  
Tasdemir ◽  
Roider ◽  
...  

Fucoidans extracted from brown algae exert manifold biological activities paving the way for the development of numerous applications including treatments outside tumor therapy such as age-related macular degeneration or tissue engineering. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effects of fucoidans extracted from six different algae (Fucus vesiculosus, F. serratus, F. distichus subsp. evanescens, Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus, Laminaria digitata, Saccharina latissima) as well as three reference compounds (Sigma fucoidan, heparin, enoxaparin) on tumor (HL-60, Raji, HeLa, OMM-1, A-375, HCT-116, Hep G2) and non-tumor (ARPE-19, HaCaT) cell lines. All fucoidans were extracted according to a standardized procedure and tested in a commercially available MTS assay. Cell viability was measured after 24 h incubation with test compounds (1–100 µg/mL). Apart from few exceptions, fucoidans and heparins did not impair cell viability. In contrast, fucoidans significantly increased cell viability of suspension cell lines, but not of adherent cells. Fucoidans slightly increased viability of tumor cells and had no impact on the viability of non-tumor cells. The cell viability of HeLa and ARPE-19 cells negatively correlated with protein content and total phenolic content (TPC) of fucoidans, respectively. In summary, none of the tested fucoidans turned out to be anti-proliferative, rendering them interesting for future studies and applications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 168 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-555
Author(s):  
Jin Dou ◽  
Daoyuan Tu ◽  
Haijian Zhao ◽  
Xiaoyu Zhang

Abstract MiR-301a is as an oncogene involved in the regulation of gastric cancer (GC) progression, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. This study was to explore the lncRNA PCAT18/miR-301a/TP53INP1 axis in regulating the GC cell proliferation and metastasis. In the present study, GC tissues and cell lines were collected for the detection of PCAT18 expression. Herein, we found that PCAT18 is significantly decreases in human GC tissues and five GC cell lines. Overexpression of PCAT18 inhibits cell viability, invasion and migration of GC cells and tumour growth of GC xenograft tumours. PCAT18 negatively regulates the expression level of miR-301a. The interaction between PCAT18 and miR-301a is confirmed by RIP and RNA pull down. MiR-301a mimic increases cell viability and promotes cell migration and invasion and reverses the inhibitory action of PCAT18. TP53INP1 expression is negatively regulated by miR-301a and TP53INP1/miR-301a is involved in GC viability, migration and invasion. The promoting of PCAT18 on TP53INP1 expression is abolished by miR-301a overexpression. In conclusion, lncRNA PCAT18 acts as a tumour suppressor for GC and lncRNA PCAT18, miR-301a and TP53INP1 comprise a signal axis in regulating GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 4986-4986
Author(s):  
Haiming Chen ◽  
Mingjie Li ◽  
Jennifer Li ◽  
Kevin Delijani ◽  
Danielle Rauch ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4986 Background: Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that carries out a series of cascading signals via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)s, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphorylation of PI3K. Activation of the JAK2 pathway plays an important role in both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. The JAK pathway ha been shown to play a key role in multiple myeloma (MM). JAK2 has been specifically implicated in signaling by members of the type II cytokine receptor family (interferon [IFN] receptor), GM-CSF receptor (IL-3R, IL-5R, and GM-CSF-R), gp130 receptor family interleukin-6 (IL-6R) and single chain receptors (Epo-R, Tpo-R, GH-R, and PRL-R). IFN-α inhibits MM cell proliferation in association with cell cycle arrest at G1 and limits the clonogenic growth of both MM cell lines and primary MM patient specimens. SAR503 (Sanofi-Aventis) is a potent, highly selective JAK2 inhibitor. Thus, we evaluated the anti-MM effects of SAR503 as a single agent and in combination with other anti-MM drugs and evaluated gene and protein expression in MM cells exposed to these drugs. Experiment design: The MM cell lines RPMI8226, U266, and MM1s were cultured in RPMI1640 with standard nutrition supplements. Bone marrow aspirates were obtained from MM patients following informed consent. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) were isolated by using density-gradient centrifugation with Histopaque-1077 (Sigma, St Louis). Cells were plated in 96 well plates at a concentration of 6 × 104 cells/100 ml/well, and incubated for 24 hours prior to drug treatment, after which time the drugs were added in replicates of six for 48 hours. BMMCs were incubated in the presence of media, SAR503, doxorubicin, melphalan, dexamethasone, bortezomib, or IFN-α alone or the combination of SAR503 with one of these anti-MM agents. Following the 48-hour drug incubation, cell viability was assessed utilizing the cell proliferation MTS assay. For gene expression studies, total RNA was isolated MM tumor cells with or without drug exposure. RNA was reverse-transcribed into cDNA and amplified using the Thermo-Script RT-PCR System and PCR performed again using the GeneAmp PCR System 9700. Protein phosphorylation of MM tumor cells with or without drug exposure was determined with Western blot analysis. Results: SAR503 alone inhibited MM tumor cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent fashion. The 50% growth inhibition (IC50) of cells from MM cell lines at 48 hours varied (IC50: RPMI8226 1mM; U266 0. 5mM; MM1s 10mM). IC50 of primary MM tumor cells treated with SAR503 ranged from approximately 5 to 10mM in different patients. Notably, the combination of SAR503 and either doxorubicin or melphalan showed markedly reduced cell viability compared to either drug alone in all three MM cell lines and primary tumor cells from MM patients. Since this effect may have resulted from decreased cell proliferation due to inhibition of the JAK2 pathway and cell cycle arrest or increased cell death, we further determined cell apoptosis of MM tumor cells treated with SAR503 alone by using flow cytometric analysis to detect Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Our data showed SAR503 increased MM tumor cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent fashion. The combination of SAR503 and dexamethasone or bortezomib only slightly reduced tumor cell viability in both MM cell lines and primary MM tumor cells more than single agent treatment, and the combination of SAR503 with IFN-α did not enhance the anti-MM effects compared to single drug treatment. Notably, RT-PCR results showed marked decreases in both AKT1 and mTOR gene expression in MM tumor cells treated with SAR503. Conclusion: The combination of the JAK2 inhibitor SAR503 with doxorubicin or melphalan markedly reduces MM tumor cell viability more than single agent treatment. The results from these studies suggest that enhanced anti-MM activity may be observed when SAR503 is combined with conventional treatment for MM. We are currently evaluating the anti-MM effects of SAR503 in these combination treatments in vivo using our MM xenograft models. Disclosures: Berenson: Onyx: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2268-2268
Author(s):  
Maria Patra-Kneuer ◽  
Akito Nakamura ◽  
Keli Song ◽  
Stephen Grossman ◽  
Andrea Polzer ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction TAK-981 is a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the SUMO activating enzyme currently in Phase I/II clinical trials. TAK-981 has been shown to increase NK cell activation and M1 macrophage polarization via upregulation of Type I interferon (IFN) signaling, leading to enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) in combination with rituximab (Nakamura 2019, AACR). Tafasitamab (MOR208) is a CD19-targeting antibody with enhanced Fc effector function mediating ADCC, ADCP and direct cytotoxic activities against B-lymphoma cells. Based on the Phase II clinical study L-MIND (Salles et al., 2020 and Duell et al., 2021), tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide received accelerated approval by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of transplant-ineligible adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Due to the potential for TAK-981 to enhance the activity of tafasitamab via activation of innate effector cells, we aimed to investigate the effects of this drug combination on ADCC, ADCP and tumor cell viability in vitro. Additionally, combinatorial activity of TAK-981 plus tafasitamab was evaluated in lymphoma xenograft models. Methods A panel of 9 aggressive lymphoma cell lines was analyzed (7 DLBCL and 2 Burkitt lymphoma). For ADCC, PBMC effector cells from healthy human donors were pre-treated with 0.1 or 1 µM TAK-981 or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control for 24 hours. Tumor cells were incubated with/without 1 nM tafasitamab in the presence of TAK-981 pretreated PBMCs at effector-to-target (E:T) ratios of 5:1 to 10:1 for 2 hours. Degranulation of NK cells was determined via CD107a surface expression after co-incubation of TAK-981 pre-treated PBMCs with tumor cells and 0.1 or 10 nM tafasitamab for 3 hours. Cytokine levels in the supernatant were investigated upon incubation of PBMCs with lymphoma cells, 1 µM TAK-981 and/or 10 nM tafasitamab for 24 hours. For the ADCP assays, in vitro differentiated macrophages were treated with 1 µM TAK-981 for 24 hours. Next, macrophages were incubated with lymphoma cells and 1 or 10 nM tafasitamab at an E:T ratio of 2:1 for 3 hours. For cell viability assays, tumor cells were treated with 1-1000 nM TAK-981 and/or 5 nM tafasitamab for 24 hours in the absence of effector cells. Cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, degranulation and cytokine release were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell viability was assessed by determination of ATP levels. For in vivo analysis, effects of TAK-981 (7.5 mg/kg IV twice weekly) in combination with tafasitamab (3, 10 or 20 mg/kg IP twice weekly) on tumor growth were evaluated in Daudi and WSU-DLCL2 xenograft models of Burkitt lymphoma and DLBCL grown in SCID mice. Results In ADCC experiments, increased cytotoxicity was observed upon combination treatment with TAK-981 and tafasitamab compared to the respective mono treatments in 5/8 tested lymphoma cell lines (Daudi, SU-DHL-2, SU-DHL-6, TMD8, OCI-LY10). Moreover, TAK-981 plus tafasitamab enhanced degranulation of NK cells and cytokine release compared to mono treatments. In ADCP assays, combination of TAK-981 and tafasitamab resulted in increased phagocytosis rates in comparison to mono treatments in 2/2 tested cell lines (Daudi, Ramos). Cell viability analysis revealed a combination benefit by increased direct cytotoxic effects against SU-DHL-6 cells. Finally, TAK-981 and tafasitamab were investigated in Daudi and WSU-DLCL2 xenograft models with 3 weeks of dosing. In the Daudi model, the combination treatments of TAK-981 with 10 or 20 mg/kg tafasitamab performed better than either treatment alone, and in the WSU-DLCL2 model, the combination treatments of TAK-981 with 3, 10 or 20 mg/kg tafasitamab performed better than the single agent treatments. Conclusions The combination of TAK-981 with tafasitamab significantly enhanced anti-tumor effects compared to the respective monotherapies in vitro and in vivo. These preclinical data support a clinical evaluation of this drug combination in patients with lymphoma including aggressive subtypes such as Burkitt lymphoma and DLBCL. The study was funded by MorphoSys AG and Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. Disclosures Patra-Kneuer: MorphoSys AG: Current Employment. Nakamura: Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.: Current Employment. Song: Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.: Current Employment. Grossman: Takeda Development Center, Cambridge MA: Current Employment. Polzer: MorphoSys: Current Employment. Ginzel: MorphoSys: Current Employment. Steidl: MorphoSys AG: Current Employment. Berger: Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.: Current Employment. Proscurshim: Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Current Employment, Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company. Heitmüller: MorphoSys AG: Current Employment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angie C. Romero-Arias ◽  
Luis G. Sequeda-Castañeda ◽  
Andres F. Aristizábal-Pachón ◽  
Ludis Morales

Ginger is a plant that is native to southern China. In the last decade and research on the components of ginger has significantly increased; of these components, 6-shogaol exhibits the greatest potential antitumor capacity. However, the molecular mechanism through which 6-shogaol exerts its effects has not yet been elucidated. In this study, the effect of 6-shogaol on tumor cells that were derived from human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) was evaluated. Cell viability was determined by a (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay testing different concentrations of 6-shogaol (2.5–150 μM). Subsequently, the effect of 6-shogaol on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glucose uptake, and protein expression of the signaling pathway phosphatase and tensin homolog/ protein kinase B /mammalian target of rapamycin (PTEN/Akt/mTOR) was measured. 6-Shogaol reduced the viability of the tumor cells and caused an increase in ROS production, which was attenuated with the addition of N-acetylcysteine, and the recovery of cell viability was observed. The increase in ROS production in response to 6-shogaol was associated with cell death. Similarly, glucose uptake decreased with incremental concentrations of 6-shogaol, and an increase in the expression of mTOR-p and Akt-p proteins was observed; PTEN was active in all the treatments with 6-shogaol. Thus, the results suggest that cells activate uncontrolled signaling pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR, among other alternative mechanisms of metabolic modulation and of survival in order to counteract the pro-oxidant effect of 6-shogaol and the decrease in glucose uptake. Interestingly, a differential response was observed when non-cancerous cells were treated with 6-shogaol.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1821-1826
Author(s):  
Xiaosheng Jin ◽  
Peipei Cai ◽  
Zhengchao Shi ◽  
Fangpeng Ye ◽  
Tingting Ji ◽  
...  

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most frequent tumors with high mortality rate, worldwide. A proper understanding of the mechanism  underlying its progression is required for its diagnosis and development of novel treatment option. MicroRNAs are associated with the development and advancement of different types of cancer, including GC. The current research was aimed at investigating the molecular and biological function of miR-148a-3p in GC development.Methods: A human normal gastric epithelial cell line, GES-1 (control) as well as four GC cell lines (NUGC-4, SNU-520, STKM-2 and MKN-74) were employed for the study. MiR-148a-3p and ATP6AP2 expression levels in GC cell lines were examined by RT-qPCR technique. Transfection procedure was used to upregulate miR-148a-3p expression in the MKN-45 cell line. MTT assay was utilized to evaluate cell viability in GC cell lines. The molecular interaction between miR-148a-3p and ATP6AP2 was predicted using bioinformatics system and the prediction was then validated by luciferase reporter assay.Results: Expression levels of miR-148-3p was low, whilst that of ATP6AP2 was high in GC cell lines. MiR-148a-3p overexpression resulted in the reduction of cell viability in GC cell lines. More so, it was confirmed that miR-148-3p, as a post-transcriptional regulator inhibited ATP6AP2 expression by having a negative association with it in GC cells. More so, ATP6AP2 was found to be a direct target of miR-148a-3p.Conclusion: Our results revealed that miR-148a-3p plays a crucial function in GC development through targeting ATP6AP2. This finding could be explored in the discovery of new therapeutic approaches for GC treatment. Keywords: ATP6AP2, Cell viability, Gastric cancer, miR-148a-3p, Progression


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3717-3717
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Barth ◽  
Cory Mavis ◽  
Francisco J. Hernandez-Ilizaliturri ◽  
Myron S. Czuczman

Abstract Abstract 3717 The incorporation of combined-modality therapy, risk-stratified chemotherapy selection, high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support (HDC-ASCS), and monitoring treatment response by functional imaging are factors that have contributed to the improvement in clinical outcomes in HL patients. Unfortunately, those patients not eligible for or that have failed HDC-ASCS remain a challenge for the treating oncologist, stressing the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Significant improvements in the understanding of the biology of HL have been achieved, including cellular pathways altered in HL (e.g. the ubiquitin-proteasome system) and the role of the tumor microenvironment. MLN4924 is an investigational small-molecule inhibitor of NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE). NAE is an enzyme responsible for activating NEDD8, an ubiquitin-like molecule in the neddylation cascade that is responsible for cullin-ring ligase (CRL) mediated polyubiquitination of proteins targeting them for proteasomal degradation. In order to better understand the activity of MLN4924 in HL, we performed pre-clinical testing in IkB wild type (L-1236), IkB mutated (KM-H2 and L-428) HL cell lines, and in primary tumor cells derived from a HL patient. Malignant cells were exposed to escalating doses of MLN4924 and changes in cell viability were quantified at different time periods by alamar Blue reduction assay. Patient tumor cells were incubated with MLN4924 for 48 hrs and cell viability was determined using the CellTiterGlo assay. Induction of apoptosis in HL cell lines following exposure to MLN4924 was determined by flow cytometry for Annexin-V and propidium iodide (PI) staining and western blot for caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry using PI staining. Inhibition of NAE by MLN4924 in HL cell lines was measured by western blot for NEDD8-cullin. Finally, changes in NF-kB activity following MLN4924 exposure were determined by p65 nuclear localization using Image stream technology. MLN4924 exhibited a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability in all HL cell lines at nM concentrations. No differences in anti-tumor activity were observed between IkB-wild type (L-1236 IC50 = 250nM) and IkB–mutated HL cell lines (KM-H2 IC50 = 250nM and L-428 IC50 = 300nM). MLN4924 induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in all cell lines tested. In addition, MLN4924 induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and inhibition of NAE was demonstrated by a decrease in NEDD8 conjugated CRL. L1236 cells exposed to MLN4924 also demonstrated a decrease in degradation of IκBα as evidenced by increased levels of p-IκBα following exposure to MLN4924 with a corresponding decrease in p65 nuclear translocation. Surprisingly KMH-2 cells, which carry a mutated IκBα protein that is truncated and non-functional, had a decrease in nuclear p65 following exposure to MLN4924, suggesting an alternative mechanism of NF-kB inhibitory activity by MLN4924. In summary, MLN4924 demonstrates activity against HL cells in vitro through inhibition of NF-kB, and is a promising novel agent for the treatment of HL. We continue to investigate the pre-clinical activity of MLN4924 both as a single-agent and in combination with traditional chemotherapy and other novel agents. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 2114-2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiming Chen ◽  
Eric Sanchez ◽  
Mingjie Li ◽  
Cathy Wang ◽  
Abby Gillespie ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: The JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (RUX) is an inhibitor of the Janus kinase family of protein tyrosine kinases (JAKs) that is effective for the treatment of myeloproliferative diseases. Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) including lenalidomide (LEN) and corticosteroids have shown efficacy for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). The JAK-STAT signaling pathway plays key roles in the growth and survival of malignant plasma cells in MM. In this study, we evaluated the preclinical anti-MM effects of RUX in combination with LEN and corticosteroids, both in vitro and in vivo, and in a patient with MM and polycythemia rubra vera (PRV). Methods: The human MM cell lines U266, RPMI8226 and MM1S cells were derived from ATCC. Primary MM tumor cells were isolated from MM patients’ bone marrow aspirates. The cells were seeded at105 cells/100ul/well in 96-well plates and incubated for 24 h in the presence of vehicle, RUX, LEN or dexamethasone (DEX) alone, RUX + LEN, RUX + DEX, or all three drugs together for 48 h. Cell viability was quantified using the MTS cell proliferation assay. In vitro, synergy between ruxolitinib and lenalidomide or dexamethasone was assessed using the median effect method of Chou and Talalay. For the in vivo studies, the human myeloma tumors (LAGκ-1A or LAGκ-2) were surgically implanted into the left superficial gluteal muscle of anaesthetized naive SCID mice. Mice were blindly assigned to one of the experimental groups, and treatment was initiated 7–21 d after tumor implantation. LEN was administered via oral gavage daily (30 mg/kg). RUX (3 mg/kg) was given via intraperitoneal (IP) injection twice daily. Dexamethasone was administered daily (1.5mg/kg) via IP injection. An 88 year old MM patient with PRV who developed MM on RUX alone and then progressed on LEN+DEX was treated with the combination of all three drugs. Results: In vitro, RUX induced concentration-dependent inhibition of viability in all three MM cell lines (U266, RPMI8226 and MM1S) at RUX 50 mM and inhibition of primary MM tumor cells at a higher concentration (100 mM). In contrast, RUX had negligible cytotoxic effects on normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We next examined cell viability in the presence of RUX plus LEN or DEX. First, U266 cells were incubated with a fixed concentration of LEN (30 mM) or DEX (40 mM) with increasing concentrations of RUX (0.1–100 mM) for 48 h. At RUX 50 mM, the cytotoxic effects of LEN were enhanced and at RUX 1 mM, the anti-myeloma effect of DEX was increased. Moreover, the cytotoxic effects of RUX, LEN and DEX were greater than RUX in combination with either LEN or DEX in U266 cells. Similar results were obtained using the RPMI8226 and MM1S cell lines as well as primary MM tumor cells. Next, we evaluated RUX in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in vivo using SCID mice bearing either the human LAGκ-1A or LAGκ-2 MM xenografts. RUX (3mg/kg), LEN (15mg/kg) or DEX (1mg/kg) alone did not inhibit tumor growth in either mice bearing LAGκ-1A or LAGκ-2. In contrast, the combination of RUX with DEX but not LEN slightly decreased tumor volume. However, the combination of all three drugs at the same doses showed a marked reduction of tumor size and delay of tumor growth in both human MM xenograft models. In addition, a patient with MM and PRV experienced sustained and ongoing reductions in his serum M-protein, IgG, and 24-urine M-protein with achievement of a partial response on low doses of RUX (2.5 mg twice daily), LEN (2.5 mg daily), and methylprednisolone (20 mg daily) that has been ongoing for more than 12 months after developing MM on RUX alone and then progressing on the combination of LEN and methylprednisolone. Conclusion: This study illustrates that the combination of the JAK2 inhibitor RUX, LEN and corticosteroids shows both preclinical and promising clinical results for the treatment of MM. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhou ◽  
Xiao Zheng ◽  
Lujun Chen ◽  
Bin Xu ◽  
Xin Yang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) plays a major role in tumorigenesis. MicroRNA-181b (miRNA-181b) is a multifaceted miRNA that has been implicated in many cellular processes such as cell fate determination and cellular invasion. This study aimed to confirm the relationship of miRNA-181b and the TGF-β-Smad2/3/4 pathway with the induction of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer. Methods: This study investigated the ability of TGF-β to induce migration by wound healing and transwell invasion assays in human gastric cancer cell lines. miRNA expression was altered using miRNA-181b mimic and inhibitor in the same system. Expression of miRNA-181b, the hypothetical target gene Timp3 and EMT-related markers were analyzed by real-time real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Immunoblotting was used to investigate the levels of phospho-Smad2 and Smad4. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to confirm the direct binding of miRNA-181b to Timp3. Results: miRNA-181b was significantly upregulated in response to TGF-β treatment in gastric cancer cell lines. Overexpression of miR-181b mimic induced an in vitro EMT-like change to a phenotype similar to that following TGF-β treatment alone and was reversed by miRNA-181b inhibitor. Inhibition of TGF-β−Smad2/3 signaling with SD-208 significantly attenuated the upregulation of miRNA-181b. Knockdown of Smad4 in gastric cancer cells strongly attenuated the upregulation of miRNA-181b. Moreover, miR-181b was found to directly target the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of Timp3 mRNA affecting TGF-β-induced EMT. Conclusions: Our results elucidate a novel mechanism through which the TGF-β pathway regulates the EMT of gastric cancer cells by increasing the levels of miRNA-181b to target Timp3 via the Smad2/3/4-dependent pathway. These findings provide insights into the cellular and environmental factors regulating EMT, which may guide future studies on therapeutic strategies targeting these cells.


2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. E11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Shimamura ◽  
Syed R. Husain ◽  
Raj K. Puri

✓ Targeting cell surface receptors with cytotoxins or immunotoxins provides a unique opportunity for brain tumor therapy. The authors have discovered that receptors for two cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, are overexpressed on tumor biopsy samples and on cell lines derived from a variety of human tumors, including brain tumors. These investigators have demonstrated that the structure of these cytokine receptors on tumor cells is different from that found on normal immune cells. In human solid tumor cells, IL-4 binds to two chains (IL-4Rα and IL-13Rα1), whereas IL-13 binds to three chains in many solid tumor cells, including glioma cells (to IL-4Rα, IL-13Rα1, and IL-13Rα2). To target IL-4Rs and IL-13Rs, the authors generated two recombinant fusion cytotoxins composed of IL-4 or IL-13 and a mutated form of pseudomonas exotoxin (PE), which for simplicity are called IL4-PE and IL13-PE in this paper. These chimeric cytotoxins are highly toxic in vitro to human tumor cell lines and primary cell cultures, including glioma cells, and in vivo to animal models of human tumors, including gliomas. In contrast, normal cells, including immune, endothelial, and brain cells, are spared from their cytotoxic effects. Based on numerous preclinical studies, IL13-PE (also known as IL13-PE38QQR or cintredekin besudotox) has been tested in four Phase I/II clinical trials. The agent IL13-PE was administered intracranially by using convection-enhanced delivery (CED). The drug was delivered through catheters placed either directly into the tumor bed or in the peritumoral region after resection of the lesion. The CED of IL13-PE was fairly well tolerated, with a reasonable benefit/risk profile for treatment of patients with glioma. Based on Phase I/II clinical trials, the Phase III Randomized Evaluation of CED of IL13-PE Compared to Gliadel Wafer with Survival Endpoint Trial (also known as the PRECISE Trial) in patients with initial recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme has recently been completed. Patients are being monitored for safety of the agents, duration of overall survival, and quality of life.


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