Licofelone abolishes survival of carcinogenic fibroblasts by inducing apoptosis

The evaluation of the anti-cancer activity of ixazomib on Caco2 colon solid tumor cells, comparison with bortezomib

Proteasome inhibition has recently emerged as a clinically effective anticancer therapeutic approach. The first proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib (Velcade, PS-341), and new proteasome inhibitors including ixazomib have become more important in the development of targeted cancer therapies. Under physiological conditions, MLN9708 (ixazomib citrate), the stable citrate ester drug substance, hydrolyzes rapidly to MLN2238 (ixazomib), the biologically active boronic acid. It is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, similar to the well-known proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, which is currently being investigated in phase 3 trials as a treatment for multiple Myeloma. Despite the proven efficacy of these drugs in hematologic malignancies, clinical activity is limited to solid tumors such as colon adenocarcinoma. This study is the first to investigate and compare the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of MLN2238 and bortezomib on human colon adenocarcinoma Caco2 cells. The antiproliferative effects of MLN2238 and bortezomib were determined using WST-1; apoptotic effects of this drug were determined by caspase-3 and a mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1) activity assay. Expression levels associated with proteasome inhibition and apoptosis of NF-κB and c-myc mRNA were evaluated by RT-PCR. At 24 and 48 h, MLN2238 showed significant time- and concentration-dependent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on Caco2 cells. Depending on increasing mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-3 activation, MLN2238 induced apoptosis at level similar to that of bortezomib. In addition, MLN2238 downregulated NF-κB and c-myc mRNA expression levels. For the first time, MLN2238 was shown to induce antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on human colon adenocarcinoma cells that are comparable with those of bortezomib; these in vitro data in Caco2 cells support the development of MLN2238 for colon cancer.

Examining impacts of ceranib-2 on the proliferation, morphology and ultrastructure of human breast cancer cells

Acid ceramidases are enzymes with a vital role in metabolizing ceramide to sphingosine-1-phosphate that is an antiproliferative metabolite in the ceramide pathway. Inhibition of exogenous ceramides with ceramidase inhibitors lead to augmented ceramide levels in cells and in turn lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Our study aimed at targeting ceramide metabolic pathway to induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cell line (MCF7) and we examined the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of ceranib-2, an inhibitor of human ceramidase, on this cell line as well ultrastructural and mophological changes. Methods used for our examinations in this study were the colorimetric MTT assay, Annexin V/Propidium iodide and JC-1 staining, transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Ceranib-2 effectively inhibited the viability of MCF7 cells in 24 h in a dose dependent manner leading to apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway by reducing the potential of mitochondrial membrane. Additionally, significant changes on cell morphology and ultrastructure were observed on MCF7 cells exposed to ceranib-2 indicating apoptotic cell death. Collectively, our data demonstrate that ceranib-2 exerts a great potential to be an antineoplastic compound and that the mechanism of its action rely on its apoptosis inducing ability.

Immunomodulatory effectiveness of licofelone in preventing epidural fibrosis in post-laminectomy rat

OBJECTIVE

The object of this study was to investigate the effects of licofelone on the prevention of epidural fibrosis (EF) formation in post-laminectomy rat models.

METHODS

A controlled double-blinded study was conducted in sixty, healthy adult Wistar rats that underwent laminectomy at the L1-L2 vertebrae levels. All the rats were divided randomly into three groups according to the treatment (via oral gavage): (1) licofelone treatment group; (2) vehicle treatment group; (3) sham group (laminectomy without treatment). All rats were euthanized humanely 4 weeks postoperatively. The macroscopic assessment of EF, hydroxyproline content in epidural scar tissue, histological analysis, and the mRNA measurements of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β1 were performed.

RESULTS

The Rydell score, hydroxyproline content, epidural scar density, and inflammatory factors expressions all suggested better results in licofelone group than the other two groups.

CONCLUSION

The application of licofelone could reduce hydroxyproline deposits, inflammatory factors expressions and prevent epidural adhesions in post-laminectomy rats.