Survivin is not induced by novel taxanes

Synthesis and Evaluation of Paclitaxel-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery

The synthesis of a series of thiolated paclitaxel analogs is described as part of a novel nanomedicine program aimed at developing formulations of paclitaxel that will bind to gold nanoparticles for tumor targeted drug delivery. Preliminary evaluation of the new nanomedicine composed of 27 nm gold nanoparticles, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG-thiol), and one of several thiolated paclitaxel analogs is presented.

Pomegranate extract inhibits the bone metastatic growth of human prostate cancer cells and enhances the in vivo efficacy of docetaxel chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Docetaxel treatment is the only first-line chemotherapy with a survival benefit in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (PCa). Nonetheless, most patients become docetaxel resistant and inevitably progress with no cure. In this study, we investigated the potential of pomegranate extract (PE) in targeting metastatic castration-resistant PCa and improving docetaxel chemotherapy.

METHODS

The in vitro and in vivo effect of POMx, a PE formula currently approved for clinical trials, in metastatic castration-resistant PCa cells was evaluated in experimental models.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that POMx exhibited potent in vitro cytotoxicity in metastatic castration-resistant PCa cells. Mechanistic studies identified survivin as a novel molecular target that may mediate the anti-cancer activity of POMx, presumably through the inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. The in vivo administration of POMx treatment effectively inhibited survivin, induced apoptosis, retarded C4-2 tumor growth in skeleton and significantly enhanced the efficacy of docetaxel in athymic nude mice.

CONCLUSION

These results provide the first preclinical evidence that POMx may be effective in treating metastatic castration-resistant PCa and enhancing the efficacy of docetaxel chemotherapy. Prostate © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Gene therapy for C-26 colon cancer using heparin-polyethyleneimine nanoparticle-mediated survivin T34A

BACKGROUND

Gene therapy provides a novel method for the prevention and treatment of cancer, but the clinical application of gene therapy is restricted, mainly because of the absence of an efficient and safe gene delivery system. Recently, we developed a novel nonviral gene carrier, ie, heparin-polyethyleneimine (HPEI) nanoparticles for this purpose.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HPEI nanoparticles were used to deliver plasmid-expressing mouse survivin-T34A (ms-T34A) to treat C-26 carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. According to the in vitro studies, HPEI nanoparticles could efficiently transfect the pGFP report gene into C-26 cells, with a transfection efficiency of 30.5% ± 2%. Moreover, HPEI nanoparticle-mediated ms-T34A could efficiently inhibit the proliferation of C-26 cells by induction of apoptosis in vitro. Based on the in vivo studies, HPEI nanoparticles could transfect the Lac-Z report gene into C-26 cells in vivo. Intratumoral injection of HPEI nanoparticle-mediated ms-T34A significantly inhibited growth of subcutaneous C-26 carcinoma in vivo by induction of apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

This research suggests that HPEI nanoparticle-mediated ms-T34A may have a promising role in C-26 colon carcinoma therapy.