Evaluation of tamoxifen and simvastatin as the combination therapy for the treatment of hormonal dependent breast cancer cells

Folic acid grafted mixed polymeric micelles as a targeted delivery strategy for tamoxifen citrate in treatment of breast cancer

The objective of this study was to develop folic acid (FA) grafted mixed polymeric micelles loaded with Tamoxifen citrate (TMXC) to enhance its antitumor activity in breast tissues. The conjugated folic acid Pluronic 123 (FA-P123) was prepared using carbonyl diimidazole cross-linker chemistry and confirmed using FTIR and 1HNMR. TMXC-loaded P123/P84 (unconjugated) and TMXC-loaded FA-P123/P84 (conjugated) micelles were examined for encapsulation efficiency, particle size, surface charge, in vitro drug release, cytotoxic effect, and cellular uptake by a breast cancer cell line. The conjugated TMXC-loaded micelle exhibited a nanoparticle size of 35.01 ± 1.20 nm, a surface charge of-20.50 ± 0.95 mV, entrapped 87.83 ± 5.10% and released 67.58 ± 2.47% of TMXC after 36 h. The conjugated micelles exhibited a significantly higher cellular uptake of TMXC by the MCF-7 cell line and improved in vitro cytotoxicity by 2.48 folds compared to the TMXC-loaded unconjugated micelles. The results of in vivo studies indicated that TMXC-loaded FA-P123/P84 has a potential antitumor activity, as revealed by a significant reduction of tumor volume in tumor-bearing mice compared to TMXC-loaded unconjugated micelles. In conclusion, the obtained results suggested that conjugated FA-P123/P84 micelles could be an encouraging carrier for the treatment of breast cancer with TMXC.

Utilization of a nanostructured lipid carrier encapsulating pitavastatin-Pinus densiflora oil for enhancing cytotoxicity against the gingival carcinoma HGF-1 cell line

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common epithelial tumor of the oral cavity. Gingival tumors, a unique type of OSCC, account for 10% of these malignant tumors. The antineoplastic properties of statins, including pitavastatin (PV), and the essential oil of the Pinus densiflora leaf (Pd oil) have been adequately reported. The goal of this investigation was to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing PV combined with Pd oil and to determine their cytotoxicity against the cell line of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). A central composite quadratic design was adopted to optimize the nanocarriers. The particle size and stability index of the nano-formulations were measured to evaluate various characteristics. TEM analysis, the entrapment efficiency, dissolution efficiency, and the cytotoxic efficiency of the optimized PV-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier drug delivery system (PV-Pd-NLCs) were evaluated. Then, the optimal PV-Pd-NLCs was incorporated into a Carbopol 940® gel base and tested for its rheological features and its properties of release and cell viability. The optimized NLCs had a particle size of 98 nm and a stability index of 89%. The gel containing optimum PV-Pd-NLCs had reasonable dissolution efficiency and acceptable rheological behavior and acquired the best cytotoxic activity against HGF-1 cell line among all the formulations developed for the study. The in vitro cell viability studies revealed a synergistic effect between PV and Pd oil in the treatment of gingival cancer. These findings illustrated that the gel containing PV-Pd-NLCs could be beneficial in the local treatment of gingival cancer.

Pathological discrimination between luteinized thecoma associated with sclerosing peritonitis and thecoma

BACKGROUND

Similarities between luteinized thecoma associated with sclerosing peritonitis (LTSP) and thecoma, cause difficulty in clinical differential diagnoses. To improve the situation, we selected 10 specified molecular pathological markers that are frequently used in clinical pathology of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors to determine whether they exert a discriminatory effect.

METHODS

Applying immunohistochemistry, we analyzed the expression of alpha-1,6-mannosylglycoprotein 6-beta-n-acetylglucosaminyltransferase B (MGAT5B), nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (NCOA3), proliferation marker protein Ki-67 (MKI67), estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Vimentin, receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2, Catenin beta-1 (β-Catenin), CD99 antigen (CD99) and Wilms tumor protein (WT1) in 102 cases of diseases containing 11 LTSP and 91 thecoma. Whole-exome sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to examine the MGAT5B-NCOA3 fusion gene in LTSP. Statistical analysis was performed using t test, one-way analysis of variance test, and post hoc test.

RESULTS

Six significant markers were verified for the discrimination between LTSP and thecoma, containing 4 upregulating indicators MGAT5B, NCOA3, MKI67, β-Catenin, and 2 downregulating markers CD99 and WT1 in luteinized cells. In addition, the MGAT5B-NCOA3 fusion gene was identified in LTSP for the first time with significantly rich expression compared to thecoma.

CONCLUSIONS

We verified 6 significant molecular pathological markers containing MGAT5B, NCOA3, MKI67, β-Catenin, CD99, and WT1 and identified MGAT5B-NCOA3 fusion gene in LTSP; this work will help clinicians to discriminate between medical conditions and treat patients accurately.

Statins synergize with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors but not with selective estrogen receptor modulators to prevent myofibroblast transformation in an in vitro model of Peyronie's disease

BACKGROUND

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a fibrotic disorder characterized by plaque formation in the tunica albuginea (TA) of the penis, and we have previously shown that inhibition of transformation of TA-derived fibroblasts to myofibroblasts using a combination phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) is effective in slowing the progression of early PD.

AIM

The study sought to investigate whether combinations of statins with PDE5 inhibitors or SERMs would affect myofibroblast transformation in vitro.

METHODS

Primary fibroblasts were isolated from TA of patients with PD and stimulated with transforming growth factor β1 in the absence and presence of a range of concentrations of statins, PDE5 inhibitors, SERMs, and their combinations for 72 hours before quantifying α-smooth muscle actin using in-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

OUTCOMES

The prevention of transforming growth factor β1-induced transformation of TA-derived fibroblasts to myofibroblasts was measured in vitro.

RESULTS

Statins (simvastatin, lovastatin) inhibited myofibroblast transformation in a concentration-dependent manner with half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 0.77 ± 0.07 μM and 0.8 ± 0.13 μM, respectively. Simvastatin inhibited myofibroblast transformation in a synergistic fashion when combined with vardenafil (a PDE5 inhibitor; log alpha >0). Combination of tamoxifen (a SERM) and simvastatin did not show synergy (log alpha <0). When 3 drugs (simvastatin, vardenafil, and tamoxifen) were combined, the effect was not synergistic, but rather was additive.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

A combination of a statin with a PDE5 inhibitor might be useful in the clinic to slow the progression of the disease in patients with early PD; however, caution should be taken with such a combination because of the reported myopathy as a side effect.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

The use of primary human cells from patients with PD is a strength of this study. The mechanisms by which these drug classes exert synergy when used in combination was not investigated.

CONCLUSION

This is the first demonstration of an antifibrotic synergy between statins and PDE5 inhibitors.

Herbal Honey Preparations of Curcuma Xanthorriza and Black Cumin Protect against Carcinogenesis through Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activities in Sprague Dawley (SD) Rats Induced with Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, Curcuma xanthorriza (CX), black cumin seed (BC), and honey have been used by the Indonesian people as medicinal ingredients to treat various health symptoms. CX extracts and BC have been proven in the laboratory as chemopreventive agents, antioxidants, and immunomodulators. In this study, we developed CX extract, BC oil, and honey into herbal honey preparations (CXBCH) and hypothesized that the preparations show chemopreventive activity. The purpose of the study was to determine the CXBCH potential as chemopreventive, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory.

METHOD

In this experimental laboratory research, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic activities were tested on human mammary cancer cell lines (T47D cells) while the chemopreventive activity of the CXBCH preparations on Sprague Dawley (SD) rats induced with dimethylbenzene(a)anthracene (DMBA).

RESULTS

CXBCH preparations demonstrated immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities in T47D, Hela, and HTB-183 cells and in DMBA-induced SD rats, as the preparations inhibited tumor nodule formation, increased the number of CD4, CD8 and CD4CD25 cells, and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, and decreased serum NO levels.

CONCLUSIONS

CXBCH preparations display chemopreventive, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties.

Statins and angiogenesis in non-cardiovascular diseases

Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase by competitively inhibiting the active site of the enzyme, thus preventing cholesterol synthesis and reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Many pleiotropic effects of statins have been demonstrated that can be either related or unrelated to their cholesterol-lowering ability. Among these effects are their proangiogenic and antiangiogenic properties that could offer new therapeutic applications. In this regard, pro- and anti-angiogenic properties of statins have been shown to be dose dependent. Statins also appear to have a variety of non-cardiovascular angiogenic effects in many diseases, some examples being ocular disease, brain disease, cancer, preeclampsia, diabetes and bone disease, which are discussed in this review using reports from in vitro and in vivo investigations.

The dimerization of methyl vanillate improves its effect against breast cancer cells via pro-oxidant effect

Phenolic phytochemicals are a group of organic compounds with potent antioxidant features but can also act as powerful pro-oxidants. These characteristics are effective in reducing metastatic potential in cancer cells, and this effect has been associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methyl vanillate (MV) and its dimer, methyl divanillate (DMV), are potent antioxidants. In the present study, we investigated the effects of MV and DMV on breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 and compared the results using the non-tumor cell line HB4a. Our results indicated that the compounds performed a pro-oxidant action, increasing the generation of ROS. DMV decreased the viability cell, showing a higher apoptotic effect and inhibition of proliferation than MV on both cell lines, with significant differences between groups (p < 0.05). Some modulation of NOX4, NOX5, and DUOX were observed, but the results did not correlate with the intracellular production of ROS. The dimer showed more effectivity and pro-oxidant effect than MV, impacting cell line MCF-7 in higher extension than MDA-MB-231. In conclusion, and corroborating with reported works, the dimerization of natural phenolic compounds was associated with improved beneficial biological effects as a potential cytotoxic agent to tumor cells.

The Optimized Formulation of Tamoxifen-Loaded Niosomes Efficiently Induced Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Breast Cancer Cells

The aim, as proof of concept, was to optimize niosomal formulations of tamoxifen in terms of size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics for further treatment of the breast cancer (BC). Different assays were carried out to evaluate the pro-apoptotic and cytotoxicity impact of tamoxifen-loaded niosomes in two BC cells, MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3. In this study, tamoxifen was loaded in niosomes after optimization in the formulation. The formulation of niosomes supported maximized drug entrapment and minimized their size. The novel formulation showed improvement in storage stability, and after 60 days only, small changes in size, polydispersity index, and drug entrapment were observed. Besides, a pH-dependent release pattern of formulated niosomes displayed slow release at physiological pH (7.4) and a considerable increase of release at acidic pH (5.4), making them a promising candidate for drug delivery in the BC treatment. The cytotoxicity study exhibited high biocompatibility with MCF10A healthy cells, while remarkable inhibitory effects were observed after treatment of cancerous lines, MDA-MB-231, and SKBR3 cells. The IC50 values for the tamoxifen-loaded niosomes were significantly less than other groups. Moreover, treatment with drug-loaded niosomes significantly changed the gene expression pattern of BC cells. Statistically significant down-regulation of cyclin D, cyclin E, VEGFR-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 genes and up-regulation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were observed. These results were in correlation with cell cycle arrest, lessoned migration capacity, and increased caspase activity and apoptosis induction in cancerous cells. Optimization in the formulation of tamoxifen-loaded niosomes can make them a novel candidate for drug delivery in BC treatment.

Anticancer Properties of Platinum Nanoparticles and Retinoic Acid: Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Human Neuroblastoma Cancer

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. The different treatments available for neuroblastoma are challenged by high rates of resistance, recurrence, and progression, most notably in advanced cases and highly malignant tumors. Therefore, the development of more targeted therapies, which are biocompatible and without undesired side effects, is highly desirable. The mechanisms of actions of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and retinoic acid (RA) in neuroblastoma have remained unclear. In this study, the anticancer effects of PtNPs and RA on neuroblastoma were assessed. We demonstrated that treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with the combination of PtNPs and RA resulted in improved anticancer effects. The anticancer effects of the two compounds were mediated by cytotoxicity, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and apoptosis-associated networks. Cytotoxicity was confirmed by leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and intracellular protease, and oxidative stress increased the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO), and protein carbonyl content (PCC). The combination of PtNPs and RA caused mitochondrial dysfunction by decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, number of mitochondria, and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). Endoplasmic reticulum-mediated stress and apoptosis were confirmed by upregulation of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), p53, Bax, and caspase-3 and down regulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl-2). PtNPs and RA induced apoptosis, and oxidative DNA damage was evident by the accumulation of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG). Finally, PtNPs and RA increased the differentiation and expression of differentiation markers. Differentiated SH-SY5Y cells pre-treated with PtNPs or RA or the combination of both were more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin than undifferentiated cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effect of the combination of PtNPs and RA in neuroblastoma cells. PtNPs may be a potential preconditioning or adjuvant compound in chemotherapeutic treatment. The results of this study provide a rationale for clinical evaluation of the combination of PtNPs and RA for the treatment of children suffering from high-risk neuroblastoma.