Efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in skin B16-F0 melanoma tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice

Aspirin-Fisetin Combinatorial Treatment Exerts Cytotoxic and Anti-Migratory Activities in A375 Malignant Melanoma Cells

Background and Objectives: Malignant melanoma (MM) remains one of the most aggressive cancers worldwide, presenting a limited number of therapeutic options at present. Aspirin (ASA), a broadly used non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicine, has recently emerged as a candidate for repurposing in cancer management, due to its therapeutic potential in the treatment of several neoplasms which include MM. Fisetin (FIS) is a flavonoid phytoestrogen instilled with multispectral pharmacological activities, including a potent anti-melanoma property. The present study aimed to assess the potential improved anti-neoplastic effect resulting from the association of ASA and FIS for MM therapy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using the A375 cell line as an experimental model for MM. Cell viability was assessed via the MTT test. Cell morphology and confluence were evaluated using bright-field microscopy. The aspect of cell nuclei and tubulin fibers was observed through immunofluorescence staining. The irritant potential and the anti-angiogenic effect were determined on the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken fertilized eggs. Results: The main findings related herein demonstrated that the ASA 2.5 mM + FIS (5, 10, 15, and 20 µM) combination exerted a higher cytotoxicity in A375 MM cells compared to the individual compounds, which was outlined by the concentration-dependent and massive reduction in cell viability, loss of cell confluence, cell shrinkage and rounding, apoptotic-like nuclear features, constriction and disruption of tubulin filaments, increased apoptotic index, and suppressed migratory ability. ASA 2.5 mM + FIS 20 µM treatment lacked irritant potential on the chorioallantoic membrane and inhibited blood-vessel formation in ovo. Conclusion: These results stand as one of the first contributions presenting the anti-melanoma effect of the ASA + FIS combinatorial treatment.

Discovery of Novel Diesters Incorporating Kojic Acid With NSAIDs and Palmitic Acid as Dual Inhibitor of Melanogenesis and Inflammation

Our study focuses on creating hybrid compounds and assessing their suitability for use in skincare products. The synergistic combination of Kojic acid, NSAIDs, and Palmitic acid proved to be an effective approach in inhibiting melanin production, making it a promising solution for individuals with hyperpigmentation concerns with Kojic acid (KA) Ibuprofen monoester (IBUM) and Ibuprofen-Kojic acid-Palmitic acid diester (IBUD) exhibiting a potential tyrosinase (38 % and 49 % inhibition at 200 µM) and anti-melanogenesis activity (77 % and 79 % inhibition at 100 µM). Furthermore, these compounds exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects, Kojic acid-Diclofenac monoester (DICM) and Diclofenac-Kojic acid-Palmitic acid diester (DICD) offering potential benefits for inflammation by lowering the paw volume. A stability study under chemical conditions and enzymatic conditions was also performed, wherein DICM and DICD showed a better half-life of 515, 593 h under chemical stability and 6.3, 7.5 h under enzymatic stability studies respectively. The diester hybrids IBUD, DICD, Naproxen-Kojic acid-Palmitic acid diester (NAPD) showed a better permeation and penetration profiles compared to their parent drugs. In-vitro cell line studies were conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of these hybrid esters, with promising results. The dual inhibitor demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity and remarkable anti-melanogenic and anti-inflammatory activities, showing its potential as a versatile agent in addressing both melanogenesis and inflammation.

Design cytotoxicity: The effect of silver nanoparticles stabilized by selected antioxidants on melanoma cells

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared and stabilized by diverse biologically active substances seem to be especially useful in diverse biological and medical applications. The combination of AgNPs with bioactive substances, such as antioxidants, can lead to the development of new systems of desired anticancer properties. In this research, AgNPs were prepared with the use of diverse antioxidant combinations including gallic acid (GA), (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and caffeine (CAF). The insightful physicochemical characteristic revealed that each type of AgNPs exhibited spherical shape, comparable size distribution and negative surface charge. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) delivered the information about the chemistry of AgNP stabilizing layers, which turned out to be a crucial factor tuning toxicity of AgNPs toward murine B16 melanoma cells (B16-F0) and human skin melanoma (COLO 679) cells. EGCGAgNPs were the most cytotoxic among all the investigated AgNPs. They strongly reduced the activity of mitochondria, damaged cell membrane integrity, and penetrated inside the cells causing DNA damage. In turn, the toxicity of GAAgNPs strongly manifested via the induction of oxidative stress in the cells. It was found that CAFGAAgNPs exhibited the lowest toxicity toward the melanoma cells, which proved that a proper combination of antioxidants enable to prepare AgNPs of differentiated toxicity. It was established that human skin melanoma cells were significantly more sensitive to AgNPs than the murine melanoma cells.

In Vitro Effects of Selective COX and LOX Inhibitors and Their Combinations with Antineoplastic Drugs in the Mouse Melanoma Cell Line B16F10

The constitutive expression or overactivation of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes results in aberrant metabolism of arachidonic acid and poor prognosis in melanoma. Our aim is to compare the in vitro effects of selective COX-1 (acetylsalicylic acid), COX-2 (meloxicam), 5-LOX (MK-886 and AA-861), 12-LOX (baicalein) and 15-LOX (PD-146176) inhibition in terms of proliferation (SRB assay), mitochondrial viability (MTT assay), caspase 3-7 activity (chemiluminescent assay), 2D antimigratory (scratch assay) and synthesis of eicosanoids (EIA) in the B16F10 cell line (single treatments). We also explore their combinatorial pharmacological space with dacarbazine and temozolomide (median effect method). Overall, our results with single treatments show a superior cytotoxic efficacy of selective LOX inhibitors over selective COX inhibitors against B16F10 cells. PD-146176 caused the strongest antiproliferation effect which was accompanied by cell cycle arrest in G₁ phase and an >50-fold increase in caspases 3/7 activity. When the selected inhibitors are combined with the antineoplastic drugs, only meloxicam provides clear synergy, with LOX inhibitors mostly antagonizing. These apparent contradictions between single and combination treatments, together with some paradoxical effects observed in the biosynthesis of eicosanoids after FLAP inhibition in short term incubations, warrant further mechanistical in vitro and in vivo scrutiny.

Inflammatory cell-associated tumors. Not only macrophages (TAMs), fibroblasts (TAFs) and neutrophils (TANs) can infiltrate the tumor microenvironment. The unique role of tumor associated platelets (TAPs)

It is well known that various inflammatory cells infiltrate cancer cells. Next to TAMs (tumor-associated macrophages), TAFs (tumor-associated fibroblasts) and TANs (tumor-associated neutrophils) also platelets form the tumor microenvironment. Taking into account the role of platelets in the development of cancer, we have decided to introduce a new term: tumor associated platelets-TAPs. To the best of our knowledge, thus far this terminology has not been employed by anyone. Platelets are the first to appear at the site of the inflammatory process that accompanies cancer development. Within the first few hours from the start of the colonization of cancer cells platelet-tumor aggregates are responsible for neutrophils recruitment, and further release a number of factors associated with tumor growth, metastasis and neoangiogenesis. On the other hand, it also has been indicated that factors delivered from platelets can induce a cytotoxic effect on the proliferating neoplastic cells, and even enhance apoptosis. Undoubtedly, TAPs' role seems to be more complex when compared to tumor associated neutrophils and macrophages, which do not allow for their division into TAP P1 and TAP P2, as in the case of TANs and TAMs. In this review we discuss the role of TAPs as an important element of tumor invasiveness and as a potentially new therapeutic target to prevent cancer development. Nevertheless, better exploring the interactions between platelets and tumor cells could help in the formulation of new therapeutic goals that support or improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid present anticancer properties against melanoma by promoting nitric oxide-dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis

Melanoma is the most aggressive and fatal type of skin cancer due to being highly proliferative. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; Aspirin) and salicylic acid (SA) are ancient drugs with multiple applications in medicine. Here, we showed that ASA and SA present anticancer effects against a murine model of implanted melanoma. These effects were also validated in 3D- and 2D-cultured melanoma B16F10 cells, where the drugs promoted pro-apoptotic effects. In both in vivo and in vitro models, SA and ASA triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which culminates with the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). These effects are initiated by ASA/SA-triggered Akt/mTOR/AMPK-dependent activation of nitric oxide synthase 3 (eNOS), which increases nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production inducing ER stress response. In the end, we propose that ASA and SA instigate anticancer effects by a novel mechanism, the activation of ER stress.

Acetylsalicylic Acid Exerts Potent Antitumor and Antiangiogenic Effects in Cutaneous and Uveal Melanoma Cell Lines

Introduction

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been investigated for a potential anticancer role in several cancers, such as colorectal, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. Moreover, ASA has been shown to abrogate various processes that contribute to tumor growth and progression.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ASA on cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM).

Methods

Human CM and UM cells were treated with 5 mM ASA and assessed for changes in cellular functions. Antiangiogenic effects of ASA were determined using an ELISA-based assay for 10 proangiogenic cytokines, and then validated by Western blot. Finally, proteomic analysis of ASA-treated cells was performed to elucidate the changes that may be responsible for ASA-mediated effects in melanoma cells.

Results

Treatment with ASA significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration capabilities, and caused a significant decrease in angiogenin and PIGF secretion in both CM and UM. Mass spectrometry revealed 179 protein changes associated with ASA in the CM and UM cell lines.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ASA may be effective as an adjuvant therapy in metastatic CM and UM. Future studies are needed to determine the regulating targets that are responsible for the antitumor effects of ASA.

Aspirin Induces Mitochondrial Ca2+ Remodeling in Tumor Cells via ROS‒Depolarization‒Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Entry

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and its metabolite salicylate, have an anti-melanoma effect by evoking mitochondrial dysfunction through poorly understood mechanisms. Depolarization of the plasma membrane potential leads to voltage-gated Ca²⁺ entry (VGCE) and caspase-3 activation. In the present study, we investigated the role of depolarization and VGCE in aspirin’s anti-melanoma effect. Aspirin and to a lesser extent, salicylate (≥2.5 mM) induced a rapid (within seconds) depolarization, while they caused comparable levels of depolarization with a lag of 2~4 h. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation also occurred in the two-time points, and antioxidants abolished the early ROS generation and depolarization. At the same concentrations, the two drugs induced apoptotic and necrotic cell death in a caspase-independent manner, and antioxidants and Ca²⁺ channel blockers prevented cell death. Besides ROS generation, reduced mitochondrial Ca²⁺ (Ca²⁺_m) and mitochondrial membrane potential preceded cell death. Moreover, the cells expressed the Ca_v1.2 isoform of l-type Ca²⁺ channel, and knockdown of Ca_v1.2 abolished the decrease in Ca²⁺_m. Our findings suggest that aspirin and salicylate induce Ca²⁺_m remodeling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death via ROS-dependent depolarization and VGCE activation.

Aspirin Suppresses PGE2 and Activates AMP Kinase to Inhibit Melanoma Cell Motility, Pigmentation, and Selective Tumor Growth In Vivo

There are conflicting epidemiologic data on whether chronic aspirin (ASA) use may reduce melanoma risk in humans. Potential anticancer effects of ASA may be mediated by its ability to suppress prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production and activate 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). We investigated the inhibitory effects of ASA in a panel of melanoma and transformed melanocyte cell lines, and on tumor growth in a preclinical model. ASA and the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib did not affect melanoma cell viability, but significantly reduced colony formation, cell motility, and pigmentation (melanin production) in vitro at concentrations of 1 mmol/L and 20 μmol/L, respectively. ASA-mediated inhibition of cell migration and pigmentation was rescued by exogenous PGE₂ or Compound C, which inhibits AMPK activation. Levels of tyrosinase, MITF, and p-ERK were unaffected by ASA exposure. Following a single oral dose of 0.4 mg ASA to NOD/SCID mice, salicylate was detected in plasma and skin at 4 hours and PGE₂ levels were reduced up to 24 hours. Some human melanoma tumors xenografted into NOD/SCID mice were sensitive to chronic daily ASA administration, exhibiting reduced growth and proliferation. ASA-treated mice bearing sensitive and resistant tumors exhibited both decreased PGE₂ in plasma and tumors and increased phosphorylated AMPK in tumors. We conclude that ASA inhibits colony formation, cell motility, and pigmentation through suppression of PGE₂ and activation of AMPK and reduces growth of some melanoma tumors in vivo This preclinical model could be used for further tumor and biomarker studies to support future melanoma chemoprevention trials in humans. Cancer Prev Res; 11(10); 629-42. ©2018 AACR.

Acetylsalicylic acid inhibits the growth of melanoma tumors via SOX2-dependent-PAF-R-independent signaling pathway

Acquired resistance to standard therapies remains a serious challenge, requiring novel therapeutic approaches that incorporate potential factors involved in tumor resistance. As cancers including melanoma express inflammatory cyclooxygenases generating prostaglandins implicated in tumor growth, we investigated mechanism of anti-inflammatory drug, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) which has been shown to inhibit various tumor types, however, its effects against highly aggressive melanoma model are unclear. Given our reports that an activation of platelet-activating factor-receptor (PAF-R) augments the growth and impede efficacies of therapeutic agents in experimental melanoma, we also sought to determine if PAF-R mediates anti-melanoma activity of ASA. The current studies using stably PAF-R-positive (B16-PAFR) and negative (B16-MSCV) murine melanoma cells and PAF-R-expressing and deficient mice, demonstrate that ASA inhibits the in-vitro and in-vivo growth of highly aggressive B16F10 melanoma via bypassing tumoral or stromal PAF-R signaling. Similar ASA-induced effects in-vitro were seen in human melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells positive or negative in PAF-R. Mechanistically, the ASA-induced decrease in cell survival and increase in apoptosis were significantly blocked by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) agonists. Importantly, PCR array and qRT-PCR analysis of B16-tumors revealed significant downregulation of sry-related high-mobility-box-2 (SOX2) oncogene by ASA treatment. Interestingly, modulation of SOX2 expression by PGF2α agonists and upregulation by fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) rescued melanoma cells from ASA-induced decreased survival and increased apoptosis. Moreover, PGF2α-receptor antagonist, AL8810 mimics ASA-induced decreased melanoma cells survival which was significantly blocked by PGF2α and FGF-1. These findings indicate that ASA inhibits the growth of aggressive melanoma via SOX2-dependent-PAF-R-indepedent pathway.

Platelet-targeted pharmacologic treatments as anti-cancer therapy

Platelets act as multifunctional cells participating in immune response, inflammation, allergy, tissue regeneration, and lymphoangiogenesis. Among the best-established aspects of a role of platelets in non-hemostatic or thrombotic disorders, there is their participation in cancer invasion and metastasis. The interaction of many different cancer cells with platelets leads to platelet activation, and on the other hand platelet activation is strongly instrumental to the pro-carcinogenic and pro-metastatic activities of platelets. It is thus obvious that over the last years a lot of interest has focused on the possible chemopreventive effect of platelet-targeted pharmacologic treatments. This article gives an overview of the platelet-targeted pharmacologic approaches that have been attempted in the prevention of cancer development, progression, and metastasis, including the application of anti-platelet drugs currently used for cardiovascular disease and of new and novel pharmacologic strategies. Despite the fact that very promising results have been obtained with some of these approaches in pre-clinical models, with the exclusion of aspirin, clinical evidence of a beneficial effect of anti-platelet agents in cancer is however still largely missing. Future studies with platelet-targeted drugs in cancer must carefully deal with design issues, and in particular with the careful selection of patients, and/or explore novel platelet targets in order to provide a solution to the critical issue of the risk/benefit profile of long-term anti-platelet therapy in the prevention of cancer progression and dissemination.

Antiplatelet agents for cancer treatment: a real perspective or just an echo from the past?

The association between coagulation and cancer development has been observed for centuries. However, the connection between inflammation and malignancy is also well-recognized. The plethora of evidence indicates that among multiple hemostasis components, platelets play major roles in cancer progression by providing surface and granular contents for several interactions as well as behaving like immune cells. Therefore, the anticancer potential of anti-platelet therapy has been intensively investigated for many years. Anti-platelet agents may prevent cancer, decrease tumor growth, and metastatic potential, as well as improve survival of cancer patients. On the other hand, there are suggestions that antiplatelet treatment may promote solid tumor development in a phenomenon described as "cancers follow bleeding." The controversies around antiplatelet agents justify insight into the subject to establish what, if any, role platelet-directed therapy has in the continuum of anticancer management.

Meeting Report EuroG20 Meeting on Cancer-Associated Thrombosis (CAT) Bergamo, Italy 7 April 2016

The EuroG20 meeting on cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) convened in Bergamo, Italy on 7 April 2016 to discuss a selection of controversial topics in CAT management. This satellite meeting besides ICTHIC in Bergamo has the objective to propose an European Guidance on CAT in various complex situations where evidence-based guidelines are lacking, driven by eminence-based thoughts of 20 experts and key opinion leaders in thrombosis from EU area and 8 experts from the rest of the world.

Indomethacin inhibits melanogenesis via down-regulation of Mitf mRNA transcription

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit several divergent biological effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of indomethacin on melanin synthesis using B16F1 melanoma cells. Indomethacin inhibited α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-enhanced melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis revealed that indomethacin significantly suppressed tyrosinase and Mitf protein levels. In a luciferase reporter assay, we found that indomethacin reduced tyrosinase promoter activity. Moreover, real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that indomethacin lowered mRNA levels of melanogenic genes, including Mitf. Together, our findings indicate that indomethacin inhibits melanogenesis via the suppression of Mitf transcription.

Addition of aspirin to a fish oil-rich diet decreases inflammation and atherosclerosis in ApoE-null mice

Aspirin (ASA) is known to alter the production of potent inflammatory lipid mediators, but whether it interacts with omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) from fish oil to affect atherosclerosis has not been determined. The goal was to investigate the impact of a fish oil-enriched diet alone and in combination with ASA on the production of lipid mediators and atherosclerosis. ApoE(-/-) female mice were fed for 13weeks one of the four following diets: omega-3 FA deficient (OD), omega-3 FA rich (OR) (1.8g omega-3 FAs/kg·diet per day), omega-3 FA rich plus ASA (ORA) (0.1g ASA/kg·diet per day) or an omega-3 FA deficient plus ASA (ODA) with supplement levels equivalent to human doses. Plasma lipids, atherosclerosis, markers of inflammation, hepatic gene expression and aortic lipid mediators were determined. Hepatic omega-3 FAs were markedly higher in OR (9.9-fold) and ORA (7-fold) groups. Mice in both OR and ORA groups had 40% less plasma cholesterol in very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein fractions, but aortic plaque area formation was only significantly lower in the ORA group (5.5%) compared to the OD group (2.5%). Plasma PCSK9 protein levels were approximately 70% lower in the OR and ORA groups. Proinflammatory aortic lipid mediators were 50%-70% lower in the ODA group than in the OD group and more than 50% lower in the ORA group. In summary, less aortic plaque lesions and aortic proinflammatory lipid mediators were observed in mice on the fish oil diet plus ASA vs. just the fish oil diet.

Finding New Tricks for Old Drugs: Tumoricidal Activity of Non-Traditional Antitumor Drugs

Chemotherapy, a traditional method, plays an important role in tumor therapy. Currently, common clinical antitumor drugs have several defects like poor efficacy, side effects, etc. Furthermore, developing new antitumor drugs takes a long time and requires many resources. Recent studies have found that oldies are newbies for the oncologist, such as flavonoid, metformin, aspirin, etc. These non-traditional antitumor drugs (NTADs) are widely used in management of non-cancer diseases, which gained FDA approval for treatment of patients. Increasingly, studies about antitumor action of NTADs have attracted many researchers' interests. A giant amount of studies showed a decrease in cancer incidence in NTAD-treated patients. Several reports outlined a direct inhibitory effect of NTADs on cancer cell growth and antitumoral actions. This review summarized the research progress on antitumor effects of ten NTADs. Retrospective and meta-analyses of trials also showed that these NTADs had preventive effects against cancer in vitro and in vivo. These drugs represent a promising option for cancer treatment, which have clear benefits including clinical safety, obvious curative effect, and saving medical and health resources. Judged from previous reports, future studies will yield valuable data about the profitable effects of these drugs. With a better understanding of its mechanisms of antitumor activity, NTADs may become available for combination with chemotherapy or targeted therapy in clinic.

Role of platelets in cancer and cancer-associated thrombosis: Experimental and clinical evidences

The primary hemostatic function of platelets has been recognized for more than a century, but increasing experimental and clinical evidences suggest that platelets are also important mediators of cancer. Cancer indeed influences platelet physiology, and activated platelets participate in each step of cancer development by promoting tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, and cancer-associated thrombosis. Based on both the results of numerous experimental models addressing the involvement of platelets in cancer progression and the results of epidemiologic studies on the use of anti-platelet drugs to prevent cancer, platelets have been proposed as a potential target to reduce the short-term risk of cancer, cancer dissemination and cancer mortality. However, the cancer-associated thrombosis and the risk of bleeding due to anti-platelet drugs are not enough evaluated in experimental models. Therefore, the interesting contribution of platelets to cancer and cancer-associated thrombosis requires the standardization of preclinical and clinical models.

The relevance of piroxicam for the prevention and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer and its precursors

Piroxicam (PXM), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is an enolic benzothiazine and a potent member of the oxicam series. The drug suppresses the synthesis of proinflammatory enzymes, such as cyclo-oxygenases-1 and -2 (COX-1 and 2), downregulates the production of prostaglandins (PGs) and tromboxanes, and inhibits polyamines production by blocking ornithine decarboxylase induction involved in nonmelanoma skin carcinogenesis. In addition, PXM is able to induce tumor cell apoptosis and suppresses metalloproteinase 2 activities. Skin carcinogenesis is a multistep process in which the accumulation of genetic events leads to a gradually dysplastic cellular expression, deregulation of cell growth, and carcinomatous progression. COX-1 upregulation plays a significant role in PG and vascular epidermal growth factor production supporting tumor growth. Increased level of PGs in premalignant and/or malignant cutaneous tumors is also favored by upregulation of COX-2 and downregulation of the tumor suppressor gene 15-hydroxy-prostaglandin dehydrogenase. Chemoprevention can be a hopeful approach to inhibit carcinoma occurrence before an invasive tumor develops. The chemopreventive effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on nonmelanoma skin cancers has been established. In this study, we highlighted the different modalities of action of PXM on the pathogenesis of nonmelanoma skin cancer, analyzing and evaluating binding modes and energies between COX-1 or COX-2 and PXM by protein–ligand molecular docking. Our clinical experience about the local use of PXM on actinic keratoses and field cancerization is also reported, confirming its efficacy as target therapy.