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DNAzymes, Novel Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Therapy: A Review of Concepts to Applications. J Nucleic Acids 2021; 2021:9365081. [PMID: 34760318 PMCID: PMC8575636 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9365081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The past few decades have witnessed a rapid evolution in cancer drug research which is aimed at developing active biological interventions to regulate cancer-specific molecular targets. Nucleic acid-based therapeutics, including ribozymes, antisense oligonucleotides, small interference RNA (siRNA), aptamer, and DNAzymes, have emerged as promising candidates regulating cancer-specific genes at either the transcriptional or posttranscriptional level. Gene-specific catalytic DNA molecules, or DNAzymes, have shown promise as a therapeutic intervention against cancer in various in vitro and in vivo models, expediting towards clinical applications. DNAzymes are single-stranded catalytic DNA that has not been observed in nature, and they are synthesized through in vitro selection processes from a large pool of random DNA libraries. The intrinsic properties of DNAzymes like small molecular weight, higher stability, excellent programmability, diversity, and low cost have brought them to the forefront of the nucleic acid-based therapeutic arsenal available for cancers. In recent years, considerable efforts have been undertaken to assess a variety of DNAzymes against different cancers. However, their therapeutic application is constrained by the low delivery efficiency, cellular uptake, and target detection within the tumour microenvironment. Thus, there is a pursuit to identify efficient delivery methods in vivo before the full potential of DNAzymes in cancer therapy is realized. In this light, a review of the recent advances in the use of DNAzymes against cancers in preclinical and clinical settings is valuable to understand its potential as effective cancer therapy. We have thus sought to firstly provide a brief overview of construction and recent improvements in the design of DNAzymes. Secondly, this review stipulates the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of DNAzymes developed against major hallmarks of cancers tested in preclinical and clinical settings. Lastly, the recent advances in DNAzyme delivery systems along with the challenges and prospects for the clinical application of DNAzymes as cancer therapy are also discussed.
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Malavia N, Kuche K, Ghadi R, Jain S. A bird's eye view of the advanced approaches and strategies for overshadowing triple negative breast cancer. J Control Release 2020; 330:72-100. [PMID: 33321156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive form of breast cancer. It is characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptors. The main issue with TNBC is that it exhibits poor prognosis, high risk of relapse, short progression-free survival and low overall survival in patients. This is because the conventional therapy used for managing TNBC has issues pertaining to poor bioavailability, lower cellular uptake, increased off-target effects and development of resistance. To overcome such pitfalls, several other approaches are explored. In this context, the present manuscript showcases three of the most widely used approaches which are (i) nanotechnology-based approach; (ii) gene therapy approach and (iii) Phytochemical-based approach. The ultimate focus is to present and explain the insightful reports based on these approaches. Further, the review also expounds on the identified molecular targets and novel targeting ligands which are explored for managing TNBC effectively. Thus, in a nutshell, the review tries to highlight these existing treatment approaches which might inspire for future development of novel therapies with a potential of overshadowing TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilesh Malavia
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Kaushik Kuche
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Rohan Ghadi
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Sanyog Jain
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, S.A.S Nagar, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Rao CV. Protective Effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Against Breast Cancer: How Can We Use This Information to Prevent/Treat the Disease? Reprod Sci 2016; 24:1102-1110. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719116676396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. V. Rao
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Reproduction and Development Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Reproduction and Development Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproduction and Development Program, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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Liao XH, Wang Y, Wang N, Yan TB, Xing WJ, Zheng L, Zhao DW, Li YQ, Liu LY, Sun XG, Hu P, Zhang TC. Human chorionic gonadotropin decreases human breast cancer cell proliferation and promotes differentiation. IUBMB Life 2014; 66:352-60. [PMID: 24753159 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein produced by placental trophoblasts. Previous studies indicated that hCG could be responsible for the pregnancy-induced protection against breast cancer in women. It is reported that hCG decreases proliferation and invasion of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Our research also demonstrates that hCG can reduce the proliferation of MCF-7 cells by downregulating the expression of proliferation markers, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and proliferation-related Ki-67 antigen (Ki-67). Interestingly, we find here that hCG elevates the state of cellular differentiation, as characterized by the upregulation of differentiation markers, β-casein, cytokeratin-18 (CK-18), and E-cadherin. Inhibition of hCG secretion or luteinizing hormone/hCG receptors (LH/hCGRs) synthesis can weaken the effect of hCG on the induction of cell differentiation. Furthermore, hCG can suppress the expression of estrogen receptor alpha. hCG activated receptor-mediated cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway. These findings indicated that a protective effect of hCG against breast cancer may be associated with its growth inhibitory and differentiation induction function in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Hua Liao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, College of Biotechnology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China; Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Noronha SMR, Correa-Noronha SAA, Russo IH, de Cicco RL, Santucci-Pereira J, Russo J. Human chorionic gonadotropin and a 15 amino acid hCG fragment of the hormone induce downregulation of the cytokine IL-8 receptor in normal breast epithelial cells. Horm Mol Biol Clin Investig 2011; 6:241-5. [PMID: 25961261 DOI: 10.1515/hmbci.2011.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cytokine receptors are associated with tumor cell growth by increasing proliferation, metastasis and regulating self-renewal of cancer stem cells (SCs). There is a strong association between cytokine IL-8 receptor (CXCR1) over-expression and cells displaying SC characteristics. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) causes differentiation, inhibition of cell proliferation and increased apoptosis of the breast epithelium. hCG receptor (LHCGR) expression in breast tumors and in breast cancer cell lines is undetectable or low. In this study, our objective was to assess and compare the effects of hCG and a 15 amino acid hCG fragment of the hormone on mRNA expression of CXCR1 and LHCGR on normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10F) by real time RT-PCR after treatment with hCG or a hCG fragment for 15 days. Cell proliferation was also measured. hCG and the hCG fragment decreased cell proliferation in both groups. The compounds upregulated LHCGR expression and downregulated CXCR1 expression. It is possible to postulate that an increase of LHCGR mRNA seems to respond to the decrease of CXCR1 expression. These genes probably act synergistically to reduce the amount of cancer SCs in the mammary gland. Thereby, the use of hCG or the hCG fragment as a therapeutic or preventive tool should be considered.
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Kanatani I, Lin X, Yuan X, Manorek G, Shang X, Cheung LH, Rosenblum MG, Howell SB. Targeting granzyme B to tumor cells using a yoked human chorionic gonadotropin. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2011; 68:979-90. [PMID: 21327682 PMCID: PMC3180622 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-011-1573-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) is found in abundance on human ovarian, breast, endometrial and prostate carcinomas but at only low levels on non-gonadal tissues. To selectively kill LHR-expressing tumors, granzyme B (GrB) was linked to a protein in which both chains of human chorionic gonadotropin were yoked together (YCG). Methods GrB-YCG was expressed and secreted from insect Sf9 cells. Its GrB enzymatic activity and binding affinity for hLHR were then characterized. The differential cytotoxicity of GrB-YCG versus GrB alone was tested in a panel of LHR-expressing tumor cells by SRB assay, and the mechanisms involved in the cell death were investigated by confocal fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and western blot analysis. Results GrB-YCG was successfully expressed and secreted from Sf9 insect cells and purified from cell culture supernatants. The serine protease activity of GrB-YCG was equivalent to that of human recombinant GrB. An in vitro hormone binding assay revealed that the GrB-YCG molecule also retained the ability to bind to the LHR receptor with an affinity similar to that of native hCG. Upon cell binding, GrB-YCG was rapidly internalized into LHR-expressing human ovarian cancer cells and produced selective and potent tumor cell killing by inducing apoptosis through activation of caspase-3. Conclusions These results validate LHR as a therapeutic target and indicate that delivery of the human pro-apoptotic enzyme GrB to tumor cells by yoked hCG has substantial selectivity and therapeutic potential for human tumors that express high levels of LHR such as ovarian carcinomas. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00280-011-1573-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isao Kanatani
- Department of Medicine and the Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0819, USA
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Iles RK, Delves PJ, Butler SA. Does hCG or hCGβ play a role in cancer cell biology? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 329:62-70. [PMID: 20654692 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2010] [Revised: 06/22/2010] [Accepted: 07/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The role that hCG might play in the oncogenic process in cancer is certainly complex. We know that the expression of hCG and its beta subunit is a widespread phenomenon which has been described in many cancer subtypes. However, hCG's involvement in breast cancer has been antithetical: the detection of ectopically expressed hCG(β) by breast tumors has been employed as a biomarker of malignancy, and hCG has been proposed as a ligand vehicle for toxic drugs, with the aim of targeting the LH/hCG receptor which is reported to be expressed by malignant breast tissue. However, it has also been proposed that hCG is a protective agent against the development of breast cancer, leading some to advocate hCG administration to non-pregnant women as a prophylactic measure against cancer. Nevertheless, suggestions that hCG is involved in the angiogenesis, metastasis and immune escape that are central to cancer progression - are phenomena which clearly apply to breast cancer. Indeed, a tumor vaccine based upon hCG has very recently been shown to protect against mammary tumors in mice. We propose that this apparent paradox is resolved if the free beta subunit of hCG produced by tumors acts as an autocrine anti-apoptotic and angiogenic growth factor, whilst intact heterodimeric hCG, as in pregnancy, is part of developmental signaling that initiates tissue differentiation (including breast ductal tissue development), and hence reduces the population of stem-like cells which are susceptible to oncogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Iles
- Centre for Investigative and Diagnostic Oncology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London NW4 4BT, UK.
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Kuijper TM, Ruigrok-Ritstier K, Verhoef-Post M, Piersma D, Bruysters MW, Berns EM, Themmen AP. LH receptor gene expression is essentially absent in breast tumor tissue: implications for treatment. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2009; 302:58-64. [PMID: 19356624 PMCID: PMC2692988 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2008] [Revised: 12/08/2008] [Accepted: 12/20/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequently occurring malignancy in women. Early age at full term pregnancy has a protective effect against breast cancer. Evidence coming from a rat breast cancer model suggests a possible role for the pregnancy hormone hCG, a ligand of the LH receptor, as a mediator for this effect. In a previous study, we found that a common polymorphism in the LH receptor associates with tumor progression in premenopausal breast cancer patients, as carriers of the variant receptor showed a shorter disease free survival compared to non-carriers. How hCG and its receptor exert their effects on breast cancer, however, is unclear. One possibility is that these effects take place through LH receptors present in the ovaries, thereby influencing steroid hormone production. Another possibility is that the effects take place through LH receptors present in breast tumor cells themselves, as some studies have detected the receptor in both normal and neoplastic breast tissues and in breast cancer cell lines. To investigate whether a direct effect of LH signaling in breast cancer is likely, we measured LH receptor mRNA expression levels in 1551 breast tumors and 42 different human breast cancer cell lines using a qRT-PCR with a wide dynamic range. In addition, associations between LH receptor expression and clinico-pathologic factors were investigated. Assay validation showed that as little as ?10 copies per reaction volume of LH receptor cDNA could still be detected by our assay. We show that LH receptors are undetectable in 62% of breast tumor samples and 41 of 42 breast cancer cell lines. For the remaining samples we found expression levels to be very low. Although low, expression of the LH receptor appears to be associated with normal breast cells, favorable tumor characteristics and low tumor percentage. Since expression of the LH receptor in breast cancer cells is very low, it almost excludes the possibility of direct signaling effects. We therefore conclude that signaling effects of the LH receptor on breast cancer most likely take place by an indirect pathway through the ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Martijn Kuijper
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Miriam Verhoef-Post
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Djura Piersma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn W.P. Bruysters
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Els M.J.J. Berns
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Axel P.N. Themmen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Lopez D, Sekharam M, Coppola D, Carter WB. Purified human chorionic gonadotropin induces apoptosis in breast cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:2837-44. [PMID: 18790764 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Agents that induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells have great potential to facilitate chemotherapeutic intervention and improve patient outcomes. In this study, the effects of injecting purified human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) directly into human breast cancer xenografts grown in nude mice were examined. It was shown that intratumoral injection of purified hCG increased the apoptotic index in breast cancer xenografts. These results were supported by the findings that exposure of breast cancer cells to purified hCG decreased cell viability in five different breast cancer cell lines. In some of these cell lines, the effects of hCG in cell viability appear to correlate with activation/expression of the hCG/luteinizing hormone receptor. Preoperative apoptotic induction by factors such as purified hCG may improve local control or work synergistically with neoadjuvant chemotherapy to improve complete pathologic response of locally advanced breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayami Lopez
- Don and Erika Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, WCB-2, Tampa, FL 33612-9416, USA
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Huhtaniemi I, Rulli S, Ahtiainen P, Poutanen M. Multiple sites of tumorigenesis in transgenic mice overproducing hCG. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2005; 234:117-26. [PMID: 15836960 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2004.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2004] [Accepted: 10/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We have produced transgenic (TG) mice expressing under the ubiquitin C promoter either the glycoprotein hormone common alpha-subunit (C(alpha)) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta-subunit. C(alpha) overexpression alone had no phenotypic effect, but the hCG(beta) expressing females, presenting with moderately elevated levels of bioactive LH/hCG, due to dimerization of the TG hCG(beta) with endogenous C(alpha), developed multiple gonadal and extragonadal neoplasias. Crosses of the C(alpha) and hCG(beta) mice (hCG(alpha)beta) had >1000-fold elevated hCG levels, due to ubiquitous transgene expression, and presented with more aggressive tumour formation. The ovaries displayed initially strong luteinisation of all somatic cell types, leading to formation of luteomas, and subsequently to germ cell tumours (teratomas). The pituitary glands of TG females were massively enlarged, up to >100 mg, developing macroprolactinomas with very high prolactin (PRL) production. This endocrine response probably induced breast cancers in the mice. In contrast to the females, similar high levels of hCG in male mice had only marginal effects in adulthood, with slight Leydig cell hyperplasia and atrophy in the seminiferous epithelium. However, clear Leydig cell adenomas were observed in postnatal mice, apparently originating from fetal Leydig cells. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate marked tumorigenic effects of supraphysiological hCG levels in female mice, but clear resistance to similar changes in males. The extragonadal tumours were induced by hCG stimulated aberrant ovarian endocrine function, rather than by direct hCG action, because gonadectomy prevented all extragonadal phenotypes despite persistent hCG elevation. The phenotypes of the TG mice apparently represent exaggerated responses to hCG/LH and/or gonadal steroids. It remains to be explored to what extent they simulate respective responses in humans to pathophysiological elevation of the same hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20540 Turku, Finland.
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Mitchell A, Dass CR, Sun LQ, Khachigian LM. Inhibition of human breast carcinoma proliferation, migration, chemoinvasion and solid tumour growth by DNAzymes targeting the zinc finger transcription factor EGR-1. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 32:3065-9. [PMID: 15181171 PMCID: PMC434432 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkh626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
DNAzymes (synthetic catalytic DNA) have emerged as a new class of nucleic acid-based gene silencing agent. Using DNAzymes targeting the human mRNA of the immediate-early gene and C2H2-class zinc finger transcription factor early growth response-1 (EGR-1), we demonstrate here that EGR-1 plays an indispensable role in breast cancer proliferation, migration, chemoinvasion and xenograft growth in nude mice. DNAzyme inhibition of these tumorigenic processes and EGR-1 protein expression in breast carcinoma cells is sequence-specific and EGR-1 transcription-independent. These agents inhibit breast carcinoma cell migration and chemoinvasion in microchemotaxis chambers and solid tumour growth in athymic nude mice. Thus, DNAzymes targeting specific genes can inhibit multiple key tumorigenic processes in vitro and in vivo and may serve as useful anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainslie Mitchell
- Department of Haematology, Centre for Vascular Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Rao CV, Li X, Manna SK, Lei ZM, Aggarwal BB. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Decreases Proliferation and Invasion of Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells by Inhibiting NF-κB and AP-1 Activation. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:25503-10. [PMID: 15044447 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m400683200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidemiological data suggest that breast cancer risk decreases in women who complete full-term pregnancy at a young age. Studies on a rat breast cancer model indicate that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that is present in very high levels during pregnancy, could be responsible for this decrease. These findings, as well as those demonstrating the presence of functional luteinizing hormone (LH)/hCG receptors in human breast cells, prompted us to investigate the anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects of hCG in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by down-regulating NF-kappaB and AP-1 transcription factors. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with highly purified hCG resulted in a modest dose-dependent and hormone-specific decrease in cell proliferation. hCG treatment also decreased cell invasion, which was more dramatic than the decrease in cell proliferation. These hCG actions were abrogated when receptor synthesis was inhibited by treatment with antisense hCG/LH receptor phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide. hCG treatment prevented the tumor necrosis factor-dependent NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation, which paralleled a decrease in the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha. The findings that hCG treatment increased cAMP synthesis and activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase, dibutyryl cAMP mimicked hCG in preventing NF-kappaB activation, and dideoxyadenosine, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, prevented the hCG effect on NF-kappaB suggested that the hCG actions are mediated via the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A signaling pathway. In summary, our results demonstrate that hCG has anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects in MCF-7 cells by down-regulating NF-kappaB and AP-1. These findings support the premise that hCG could be responsible for the pregnancy-induced protection against breast cancer in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ch V Rao
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
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Leuschner C, Enright FM, Gawronska B, Hansel W. Membrane disrupting lytic peptide conjugates destroy hormone dependent and independent breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2003; 78:17-27. [PMID: 12611453 DOI: 10.1023/a:1022169525521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
We have prepared conjugates of a membrane disrupting lytic peptide (hecate) and a 15-amino acid segment of the beta-chain of CG and hecate and the decapeptide, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH). We have tested the concept that these conjugates will target breast cancer cells expressing LH/CG or LHRH receptors. In previous studies, we were able to destroy prostate cancers in vitro and in vivo with lytic peptide conjugates. Hecate, hecate-betaCG and LHRH-hecate were added to cultures of the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435S. Hecate and its conjugates showed concentration dependent toxicity to both cell lines. The lytic peptide alone showed similar EC50 values for both cell lines; however, there was a significant difference between the EC50 values when the conjugates were tested. The hormone dependent MCF-7 cell line was less sensitive to the betaCG conjugate than to the LHRH conjugate; the reverse was found for the hormone independent MDA-MB-435S cells. Removal of steroids decreased the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to both lytic peptide conjugates and this sensitivity could be restored by adding estradiol. Activation of protein kinase C further increased the sensitivity to the drug. MDA-MB-435S xenografts were established in intact female athymic nude mice, which were treated once a week for 3 weeks with hecate-betaCG via the lateral tail vein. The ability of hecate-betaCG to destroy xenografts of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-435S) in nude mice was demonstrated for the first time. We conclude that hecate-betaCG and LHRH-hecate conjugates could serve as useful drugs for the treatment of breast cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Cell Membrane/drug effects
- Cell Membrane/pathology
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human/analogs & derivatives
- Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human/pharmacology
- Female
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/analogs & derivatives
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/pharmacology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/physiopathology
- Melitten/analogs & derivatives
- Melitten/pharmacology
- Mice
- Mice, Nude
- Models, Animal
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/physiopathology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Leuschner
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Agricultural Experiment Station, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA.
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Gebauer G, Fehm T, Beck EP, Berkholz A, Licht P, Jäger W. Cytotoxic effect of conjugates of doxorubicin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2003; 77:125-31. [PMID: 12602911 DOI: 10.1023/a:1021301001208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic activity of drug conjugates of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and doxorubicin alone was investigated compared to doxorubicin in breast cancer cells with and without expression of hCG receptors. Expression of hCG receptor was determined in MCF-7 and MB231 breast cancer cell line using a multiplex nested rt-PCR approach. The entire sequence of mRNA encoding for hCG receptor was detected in MCF-7 but not in MB231 breast cancer cell line. Cytostatic effect of doxorubicin-hCG conjugates was investigated in these cell lines in comparison to unconjugated doxorubicin. The number of viable cells was determined after 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120h. To exclude non-specific uptake of the carrier hCG from the culture media, a similar experiment was performed with albumin-doxorubicin conjugates. The number of viable cells decreased in a concentration depending manner after doxorubicin and hCG-doxorubicin conjugate treatment. However, the cytotoxic effect of hCG-doxorubicin conjugate was 10-fold increased compared to unconjugated doxorubin in hCG-receptor positive MCF-7 but not in hCG-receptor negative MB231 cells. Albumin-doxorubicin conjugates showed no increased toxicity compared to doxorubicin. We conclude that the cytotoxic effect of hCG-doxorubicin conjugates is mediated specifically via the hCG receptor. By using hCG conjugates, the development of more selective cytostatics can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Gebauer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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DOES FULL-TERM PREGNANCY AT A YOUNG AGE PROTECT WOMEN AGAINST BREAST CANCER THROUGH HCG? Obstet Gynecol 2000. [DOI: 10.1097/00006250-200011000-00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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