Overview of angiogenesis and oxidative stress in cancer

Anti-angiogenic and anti-oxidant effects of 2-NTI indole derivative vs. suramin in ex vivo, in vivo, and in vitro studies

Angiogenesis is an intricate pathway that involves the formation of new blood capillaries from old, functioning ones. Improper angiogenesis is a feature of numerous maladies, including malignancy and autoimmune disorders. Indole-related derivatives are believed to interfere with the mitotic spindle, inhibiting the multiplication, and invasion of cancerous human cells. 5-bromo-2-(5-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-1H-indole (2-NTI) is one of such compounds with outstanding anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative properties. To evaluate 2-NTI's antiangiogenic and anti-oxidant activities and potential mechanisms of action in comparison with the standard agent, suramin. The rat aortic ring (RAR) and Chick chorioallantois membrane (CAM) assays were employed to determine antiangiogenic efficacy and dose response, while the DPPH assay estimated free radical scavenging activity. Besides, an MTT test was performed to evaluate antiproliferative activity in HUVECs; however, RT-PCR assessed the gene expression level of VEGF in HCT116 cells. 2-NTI displayed a significant and dose-dependent suppression of angiogenesis (83.04%) at 100 μg/mL concentration versus the negative controls in the RAR assay. 2-NTI also showed no toxicity in the HUVEC cell line, with an IC50 of 876.6 μg/mL, but it significantly reduced the formation of free radicals (IC50 of 135.2 µg/mL) and VEGF gene expression (at doses of 200 and 400 µg/mL) versus the negative controls and suramin. In CAM model, 2-NTI generated considerable blood vessel regression as compared to the negative control. 2-NTI possesses potent anti-angiogenic actions, which might be explained by its profound anti-proliferative and free radical detoxifying activities.

Dynamic Soluble IL-6R/Soluble gp130 Ratio as a Potential Indicator for the Prostate Malignancy Phenotype-A Multicenter Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

Prostate tumors, if prostate cancer or adenoma, represent a major public health challenge. Progress in research on inflammation has revealed a connection between inflammation, immunity, and cancer. In this context, this study aimed to find IL-6 signaling systemic abnormalities in the inflammatory tumor microenvironment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was case-controlled, multicentered, and included 86 patients, 43 diagnosed with BPH and 43 diagnosed with PCa, between January 2019 and January 2020. The study group was homogenous and the studied parameters were IL-6 complex (IL-6, soluble receptor IL-6R, soluble glycoprotein gp130), acute phase proteins (C reactive protein-CRP, acid alpha1 glycoprotein-AGPA, ferritin, albumin, transferrin), and oxidative stress-associated variables (malondialdehyde-MDA, carbonylated protein-PCO, 8-hydroxy-deoxy guanosine-8-OHdG, total antioxidant status-bTAS).

RESULTS

The inflammatory microenvironment determined IL-6 signaling alterations (over-regulation of sIL-6R and suppression of sgp130 in PCa versus BPH), changes in acute phase reaction markers (increased serum levels of CRP, AGPA, ferritin, and decreased serum levels of albumin, transferrin) that were much more evident in PCa compared to BPH, an imbalance between macromolecular oxidative damage (MDA, PCO, 8-OHdG) and endogenous antioxidants (TAS) that was more accentuated in PCa compared with BPH, and a representative association between the sIL-6R/sgp130 ratio and inflammatory/oxidative stress-related factors only in PCa patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reconfirms the anterior concept that IL-6 promotes prostatic tumorigenesis. In this study, we first demonstrated that a high sIL-6R/sgp130 ratio facilitates prostate malignancy.