Cytotoxic effects of the newly-developed chemotherapeutic agents 17-AAG in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine in colorectal cancer cell lines

Fisetin and/or capecitabine causes changes in apoptosis pathways in capecitabine-resistant colorectal cancer cell lines

Capecitabine is recommended as one of the first-line chemotherapy treatments for advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer. Researches have been conducted on capecitabine's impact on the viability of human colon cancer cells and its potential to induce apoptosis. However, even in cases initially responsive to treatment, the development of acquired resistance significantly limits its efficacy. Challenges still exist in effectively treating patients with chemotherapy, and developing new cytotoxic drugs is hindered by drug resistance. Fisetin alters the cell cycle, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, and enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. This work aims to create a plan for reversing capecitabine resistance. For this purpose, the role of capecitabine and/or fisetin combinations in cell proliferation and apoptosis has been determined in both wild-type and capecitabine-resistant HT29 cells (CR/HT29). We developed capecitabine-resistant cell line from wild-type HT29 cells. This study demonstrated the effects of capecitabine, fisetin, and their combinations on both resistant and wild-type cells through experiments including cell survival skills, cell proliferation, wound healing, colony formation, hoechst staining, and western blot analysis. We established capecitabine-resistant cell lines. P-gp expression increased in CR/HT29 cells. Capecitabine effects on a CR/HT29 cells less than wild-type HT29 cells. The combination of fisetin and capecitabine in cell proliferation caused greater reductions in wild-type HT29 cells than in capecitabine-resistant cells. Fisetin has also additive effects on the apoptotic pathway in CR/HT29 cells. This study provides new perspectives on the combination of capecitabine and/or flavonoid treatment in resistant cells.

Beyond cytotoxic potency: disposition features required to design ADC payload

1. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have demonstrated impressive clinical usefulness in treating several types of cancer, with the notion of widening of the therapeutic index of the cytotoxic payload through the minimisation of the systemic toxicity. Therefore, choosing the most appropriate payload molecule is a particularly important part of the early design phase of ADC development, especially given the highly competitive environment ADCs find themselves in today.2. The focus of the current review is to describe critical attributes/considerations needed in the discovery and ultimately development of cytotoxic payloads in support of ADC design. In addition to potency, several key dispositional characteristics including solubility, permeability and bystander effect, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and drug-drug interactions, are described as being an integral part of the integrated activities required in the design of clinically safe and useful ADC therapeutic agents.

Designing a novel drug-drug conjugate as a prodrug for breast cancer therapy: in silico insights

Breast cancer (BC) poses a significant global health threat, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. The ribosomal s6 kinase 2 (RSK2) has emerged as a promising target due to its roles in cell proliferation and survival. This study proposes a drug-drug conjugate prodrug comprising Methotrexate (hydrophobic) and Capecitabine (hydrophilic) for BC treatment. In silico approaches, including Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, MM-PBSA, ADME, and DFT calculations were employed to evaluate the prodrug's potential. The designed MET-CAP ligand exhibits a robust docking score (-8.980 kcal/mol), superior binding affinity (-53.16 kcal/mol), and stable dynamic behavior (0.62 nm) compared to native ligands. The DFT results reveal intramolecular charge transfer in MET-CAP (HLG = 0.09 eV), indicating its potential as a BC inhibitor. ADME analysis suggests satisfactory pharmaceutically relevant properties. The results indicate that the conjugated MET-CAP ligand exhibits favorable binding characteristics, stability, and pharmaceutically relevant properties, making it a potential RSK2 inhibitor for BC therapy. The multifaceted approach provides insights into binding interactions, stability, and pharmacokinetic properties, laying the foundation for further experimental validation and potential clinical development.

Potential anticancer properties and mechanisms of thymoquinone in colorectal cancer

Colorectal neoplasms are one of the deadliest diseases among all cancers worldwide. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a natural compound of Nigella sativa that has been used in traditional medicine against a variety of acute/chronic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, rheumatism, headache, back pain, anorexia, amenorrhea, paralysis, inflammation, mental disability, eczema, obesity, infections, depression, dysentery, hypertension, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal disorders. This review aims to present a detailed report on the studies conducted on the anti-cancer properties of TQ against colorectal cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. TQ stands as a promising natural therapeutic agent that can enhance the efficacy of existing cancer treatments while minimizing the associated adverse effects. The combination of TQ with other anti-neoplastic agents promoted the efficacy of existing cancer treatments. Further research is needed to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of its exact molecular targets and pathways and maximize its clinical usefulness. These investigations may potentially aid in the development of novel techniques to combat drug resistance and surmount the obstacles presented by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Roles of NSAIDs in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of death among men worldwide. Preventing the progression of cancer after treatments such as radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy is a major concern faced by prostate cancer patients. Inflammation, which can be caused by various factors such as infections, the microbiome, obesity and a high-fat diet, is considered to be the main cause of PC. Inflammatory cells are believed to play a crucial role in tumor progression. Therefore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with their effects on the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, can prevent cancer and its progression by suppressing various inflammatory pathways. Recent evidence shows that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. In this review, we discuss the different pathways through which these drugs exert their potential preventive and therapeutic effects on prostate cancer.

Flavonoids nanostructures promising therapeutic efficiencies in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is among the frequently diagnosed cancers with high mortality rates around the world. Polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites which exhibit anti-cancer activities along with anti-inflammatory effects. However, due to their hydrophobicity, sensitivity to degradation and low bioavailability, therapeutic effects have shown poor therapeutic effect. Nano delivery systems such as nanoliposomes, nanomicelles, silica nanoparticles have been investigated to overcome these difficulties. This review provides a summary of the efficiency of certain flavonoids and polyphenols (apigenin, genistein, resveratrol, quercetin, silymarin, catechins, luteolin, fisetin, gallic acid, rutin, and curcumin) on colorectal cancer models. It comprehensively discusses the influence of nano-formulation of flavonoids on their biological functions, including cellular uptake rate, bioavailability, solubility, and cytotoxicity, as well as their potential for reducing colorectal cancer tumor size under in vivo situations.

Effects of Radiotherapy in Combination With Irinotecan and 17-AAG on Bcl-2 and Caspase 3 Gene Expression in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Introduction: In this study, the cytotoxic and anti-cancer effects of Irinotecan as a conventional chemotherapeutic agent compared to 17-(allyl amino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) as possible radiosensitizers in the HCT-116 cell line were investigated. Methods: HCT-116 cells were treated with various concentrations of irinotecan and 17-AAG and also irradiated with a 2-Gy of X-ray radiation. Then, the cell viability was examined by a water-soluble tetrazolium-1 assay after 24 hours. For single therapies and double and triple combination cases, IC50, 0.5×IC50 and 0.25×IC50 concentrations of each drug were selected respectively for a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and other tests. In treated and untreated cells, the caspase 3 and Bcl-2 gene expression ratios were evaluated by the real-time PCR method. Likewise, caspase 3 activity was detected with a colorimetric assay. Results: In all combined treatments, including 17-AAG- radiation, irinotecan - radiation, irinotecan -17-AAG, and irinotecan-17-AAG-radiation, decreased cellular viability and increased TUNEL positive cells were presented versus the control group (P<0.05). There were increased TUNEL positive cells in the triple combination, in concentrations of 0.25×IC50 of each drug, in comparison with single and double agent treatments. Moreover, in triple combination, the caspase 3 mRNA level and caspase 3 activity increased versus related single treatments. Likewise, in the irinotecan-17-AAG-radiation combined treatment and the 17-AAG-radiation double treatment, the Bcl-2 gene expression level decreased in comparison with single therapies. Conclusion: It can be indicated that the combination of chemo-radiotherapy versus single treatments has significant anti-cancer effects.

General insight into cancer: An overview of colorectal cancer (Review)

Cancer is currently among the leading causes of mortality globally. Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second among the most common types of cancer in terms of mortality worldwide. This type of cancer arises from mutations in the colonic and rectal epithelial tissues that target oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and genes related to DNA repair mechanisms. The aim of the present review was to provide an explanation of CRC classification, which is carried out according to the histological subtype, location and molecular pathways implicated in its development. The pathogenic mechanisms implicated in CRC may involve one of three different molecular pathways: Chromosomal instability, microsatellite instability and cytosine preceding guanine island methylator phenotype. In addition, a variety of mutated genes associated with CRC, which affect certain signaling pathways, including DNA mismatch repair, cell cycle checkpoints and apoptotic pathways, were discussed. Moreover, a brief description of the risk factors and the symptoms associated with CRC was also provided. Finally, the treatment approaches to CRC were outlined.

With or without You: Co-Chaperones Mediate Health and Disease by Modifying Chaperone Function and Protein Triage

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a family of molecular chaperones that regulate essential protein refolding and triage decisions to maintain protein homeostasis. Numerous co-chaperone proteins directly interact and modify the function of HSPs, and these interactions impact the outcome of protein triage, impacting everything from structural proteins to cell signaling mediators. The chaperone/co-chaperone machinery protects against various stressors to ensure cellular function in the face of stress. However, coding mutations, expression changes, and post-translational modifications of the chaperone/co-chaperone machinery can alter the cellular stress response. Importantly, these dysfunctions appear to contribute to numerous human diseases. Therapeutic targeting of chaperones is an attractive but challenging approach due to the vast functions of HSPs, likely contributing to the off-target effects of these therapies. Current efforts focus on targeting co-chaperones to develop precise treatments for numerous diseases caused by defects in protein quality control. This review focuses on the recent developments regarding selected HSP70/HSP90 co-chaperones, with a concentration on cardioprotection, neuroprotection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. We also discuss therapeutic approaches that highlight both the utility and challenges of targeting co-chaperones.

WMMDCA: Prediction of Drug Responses by Weight-Based Modular Mapping in Cancer Cell Lines

Due to the high consumption of cost and time for experimental verification in clinical trials, drug response prediction by computational models have become important challenges. The existing drug response data in diverse cell lines enable prediction of potential sensitive associations. Here, we propose a weight-based modular mapping method, named as WMMDCA, to predict drug-cell line associations. The method fully considers the effects of drugs' chemical structural feature, and adds modular information into the network projection. Leave-one-out cross-validation was used to evaluate the predictive ability of WMMDCA, which showed the best performance among several state-of-the-art methods in not only the whole dataset but also the major tissue types of cell lines. Literature support of highly ranked potential associations was found manually, demonstrating the effectiveness of WMMDCA on drug response prediction.

Performance of capecitabine in novel combination therapies in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers throughout the world, and no definitive cure has ever been found. Perhaps a new insight into the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs could help better treat patients. Targeted therapies have significantly improved the median overall survival of colorectal cancer patients. One of the standard chemotherapy regimens used for colorectal cancer is capecitabine, which is important in monotherapy and combination therapies. Capecitabine, with other chemotherapeutic agents (irinotecan, oxaliplatin, perifosine, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, aspirin, celecoxib, statins, quinacrine, inositol hexaphosphate and inositol, cystine/theanine, curcumin, and isorhamnetin), and biological ones (antibodies) plays an important role in the inhibition of some signaling pathways, increasing survival, reducing tumor growth and side effects of capecitabine. However, some drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors, are negatively related to capecitabine; therefore, the purpose of this work is to review and discuss the performance of capecitabine combination therapies in colorectal cancer.

Carboplatin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate synergistically induce cytotoxic effects in esophageal cancer cells

Background and purpose:

We aimed at evaluating the effects of combinatorial treatments with carboplatin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the KYSE-30 esophageal cancer (EC) cell line and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Experimental approach:

EC cells were harvested and exposed to increasing concentrations of carboplatin and EGCG to construct a dose-response plot. Cell inhibitory effects were assessed by the MTT method and apoptosis-related gene expression levels (caspases 8 and 9) and Bcl-2 mRNA were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The lactate levels in the various treated cases were analyzed using the colorimetric assay kit. In addition, total antioxidant capacity was measured.

Findings/Results:

The results indicated that, following treatments with carboplatin in IC₂₀, IC₂₅, and IC₁₀ concentrations when combined with EGCG in similar concentrations, synergistically decreased cell viability versus single treatments of both agents. Also, in combined treatments at IC₂₀ and IC₂₅ of both agents the gene expression ratio of caspases 8 and 9 upregulated significantly compared to monotherapies (P < 0.05). Bcl-2 gene expression ratios were decreased in double agents treated cells versus monotherapies. Following treatment of KYSE-30 cells with carboplatin and EGCG in double combinations, lactate levels were significantly decreased compared with the untreated cells and single treatments (P < 0.05). Also, in IC₂₅, IC₂₀, and IC₁₀ concentrations of both agents the total antioxidant capacity levels were decreased versus monotherapies and untreated cells.

Conclusion and implications:

The presented study determined that treatment with carboplatin and EGCG was capable of promoting cytotoxicity in EC cells and inhibits the cancer progress. Combined treatments with low concentrations of carboplatin and EGCG may promote apoptosis induction and inhibit cell growth. These results confirmed the anticancer effects of carboplatin and EGCG and providing a base for additional use of EGCG to the EC treatment.

HSP90α Mediates Sorafenib Resistance in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Necroptosis Inhibition under Hypoxia

Simple Summary

Hypoxia is one of the characteristics of most solid tumors and induces cell resistant to chemotherapy. In this paper, we established a hypoxia model in both in vitro and in vivo to investigate the mechanisms of Sorafenib resistance in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we observed that necroptosis could be an important target of Sorafenib in liver cancer and necroptosis blocking might be important in Sorafenib resistance under hypoxia. Mechanistically, our work suggests that HSP90α plays a pivotal role in Sorafenib-induced necroptosis by binding with necrosome. HSP90α could promote MLKL chaperone-mediated autophagy degradation in hypoxia, which subsequently decreased necroptosis. Consequently, the inhibition of necroptosis contributes to Sorafenib resistant. The Sorafenib resistance was reversed by HSP90α inhibitor-Demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) in vivo and in vitro. This study highlights the important role of HSP90α in Sorafenib resistance under hypoxia microenvironment, and provides a potential therapy target for liver cancer.

Abstract

As one of the most common malignancies worldwide, Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been treated by Sorafenib, which is the first approved target drug by FDA for advanced HCC. However, drug resistance is one of the obstacles to its application. As a typical characteristic of most solid tumors, hypoxia has become a key cause of resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is important to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Sorafenib resistance under hypoxia. In this study, the morphological changes of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were observed by Live Cell Imaging System and Transmission Electron Microscope; Sorafenib was found to induce necroptosis in liver cancer. Under hypoxia, the distribution of necroptosis related proteins was changed, which contributed to Sorafenib resistance. HSP90α binds with the necrosome complex and promotes chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) degradation, which leads necroptosis blocking and results in Sorafenib resistance. The patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model has been established to investigate the potential therapeutic strategies to overcome Sorafenib resistance. 17-AAG inhibited HSP90α and presented obvious reversal effects of Sorafenib resistance in vivo and in vitro. All the results emphasized that HSP90α plays a critical role in Sorafenib resistance under hypoxia and 17-AAG combined with Sorafenib is a promising therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

8-Hydroxyquinoline platinum(ii) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: synthesis, physicochemical characterization and evaluation of antitumor activity

Among nanosystems, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are one of the most promising carriers for drug delivery.

Combined treatment with silver graphene quantum dot, radiation, and 17-AAG induces anticancer effects in breast cancer cells

We aimed to investigate the possible anticancer effects of radiation in combination with 17-allylamino-17-demethoxy geldanamycin (17-AAG) and silver graphene quantum dot (SQD) in breast cancer (BC) cells. MCF-7 BC cells treated with, or without, different concentrations of 17-AAG and synthesized SQD and cellular viability detected. The growth inhibitory effects of low concentrations of 17-AAG with minimally toxic concentration of SQD in combination with 2 Gy of X-ray radiation were examined. The apoptosis induction assessed by acridine orange/ethedium bromide staining. Likewise, the levels of lactate, hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ), nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated. The relative gene expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Bax/Bcl-2 expression ratio was determined. Moreover, the protein expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was assessed by western blot analysis. Treatment with low concentrations of 17-AAG and SQD at a minimally toxic concentration promoted inhibition of BC cell growth and induced apoptosis. In addition, significant reduction in cell viability was seen in triple combination versus all double and single treatments. Indeed 17-AAG and SQD in combined with radiation significantly increased the H₂ O₂ and NO versus single and double treated cases. In addition, triple combination treatment showed decreased lactate level in compared tomonotherapies. EGFR protein expression levels were found to decreased in all double and triple combined cases versus single treatments. Additionally, in double and triple treatments, Bax/Bcl2 ratio were higher in compared to single treatments. Treatment with low concentrations of 17-AAG and SQD at a minimally toxic concentration tends to induce anticancer effects and increase the radiation effects when applied with 2 Gy of radiation versus radiation monotherapy.

Hsp90 Inhibitor; NVP-AUY922 in Combination with Doxorubicin Induces Apoptosis and Downregulates VEGF in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Objective:

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies and leading causes of females’ mortality worldwide. Because of resistance to various treatment options, new treatments based on molecular targeting has introduced as noticeable strategies in cancer treatment. In this regard, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors are proposed as effective anticancer drugs. The goal of the study was to utilize a combination of the doxorubicin (DOX) and NVP-AUY 922 on the MCF-7 breast cancer model to investigate the possible cytotoxic mechanisms.

Methods:

MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was prepared and treated with various concentrations of DOX and NVP-AUY922 in single-drug treatments. We investigated the growth-inhibitory pattern by MTT assay after continuous exposure to NVP-AUY922 and DOX in order to determine dose-response. Then the combinatorial effects were evaluated in concentrations of 0.5 × IC₅₀, 0.2 × IC₅₀, 1 × IC₅₀ and, 2 × IC₅₀ of each drugs. Based on MTT results of double combinations, low effective doses were selected for Real-time PCR [caspase3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] and caspase 3 enzyme activity.

Results:

A dose-dependent inhibitory effects were presented with increasing the doses of both drugs in single treatments. The upregulation of caspase 3 and downregulation of VEGF mRNA were observed in double combinations of NVP-AUY922 and DOX versus single treatments. Also, in these combinations in low doses of examined drugs (0.5 × IC₅₀, 0.2 × IC₅₀), higher caspase 3 activity were presented in comparison to single treatments (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate an effective action of NVP-AUY922 in combined with DOX in this cell line. These results can predict the treatment outcome in this model.

Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Levels in Colorectal Cancer Cells Treated with a Combination of Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor and Oxaliplatin or Capecitabine

Purpose: Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the principal enzyme in the catabolism of fluoropyrimidine drugs including capecitabine. A recent report has suggested that oxaliplatin chemotherapy is associated with elevated DPD levels and chemoresistance pattern. As a newly developed chemotherapeutic agent, 17-allyloamino-17-demethoxy-geldanamycin (17-AAG) can be effective in combination therapy with oxaliplatin and capecitabine in colorectal cancer (CRC). DPD expression level can be a predictive factor in oxaliplatin and capecitabine-based chemotherapy. We evaluated DPD in mRNA and protein levels with new treatments: 17-AAG in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine in HT-29 and HCT-116 cell lines. Methods: Drug sensitivity was determined by the water-soluble tetrazolium-1 assay in a previous survey. Then, we evaluated the expression levels of DPD and its relationship with the chemotherapy response in capecitabine, oxaliplatin, and 17-AAG treated cases in single and combination cases in two panels of CRC cell lines. DPD gene and protein expression levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting assay, respectively. Results: DPD gene expression levels insignificantly increased in single-treated cases versus untreated controls in both cell lines versus controls. Then, the capecitabine and oxaliplatin were added in double combinations, where DPD gene and protein expression increased in combination cases compared to pre-chemotherapy and single drug treatments. Conclusion: The elevated levels of cytotoxicity in more effective combinations could be related to a different mechanism apart from DPD mediating effects or high DPD level in the remaining resistance cells (drug-insensitive cells), which should be investigated in subsequent studies.

Anti-cancer effects of chemotherapeutic agent; 17-AAG, in combined with gold nanoparticles and irradiation in human colorectal cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

The present study evaluated the anti-cancer effects of irradiation (Ir) alone, Ir after heat shock protein 90 inhibitor; 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) and gold nanoparticle (GNP) treatments in human colorectal cancer cell line (HCT-116), with the targeting of related mechanisms.

METHODS

Water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay was utilized to study the cytotoxic effects of 17-AAG, GNP, Ir in single and combination cases on the cell viability of HCT-116 cells. The cells were examined with DNA fragmentation electrophoresis and evaluated for apoptosis induction. Caspase-3 expression as a critical apoptosis element in protein level was detected by western blotting.

RESULTS

Treatment with 17-AAG in a dose dependent manner for 24 h inhibited the cellular viability of HCT-116 cells. GNP at a dose of 70 μM had the lowest cytotoxic effects and was thus selected for combination treatment studies. Based on the results, GNP at a dose of 70 μM did not have a significant effect on cellular viability of HCT-116. In contrast, the evaluation of double and triple combinations, GNP with Ir (2 Gy of 6 MV X-ray radiation) and 17-AAG in double combinations induced significant cytotoxicity. Both DNA damage pattern and caspase-3 protein upregulation were present in Ir,GNP/17-AAG,GNP and Ir,17-AAG combinations compared to single treatments. Furthermore, in the three combination of GNP,Ir,17-AAG, radiosensitization effects (increased caspase-3 expression) occurred with a minimum concentration of 17-AAG.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of this study, 17-AAG as chemotherapeutic agent in combination with Ir and GNP exerts noticeable anti-cancer effects, inhibited cell viability, and increased apoptosis occurrence by upregulating caspase-3 expression. It is suggested that these combinations should be more evaluated as a promising candidate for colorectal cancer treatment. Graphical abstract Anti-cancer effects of chemotherapeutic agent; 17-AAG, in combined with gold nanoparticles and irradiation in human colorectal cancer cells.

Anticancer Effect of Cisplatin-Loaded Poly (Butylcyanoacrylate) Nanoparticles on A172 Brain Cancer Cells Line

Background: Drug delivery systems have been designed to achieve targeted delivery and control the release rate of the drugs. A serious challenge associated with drug delivery systems is the presence of the blood-brain barrier which limits drugs penetration. In the current study, the effects of cisplatin nanoparticles on A172 brain cancer cell line were investigated. Methods: Cisplatin nanoparticles were produced by miniemulsion polymerization technique and their properties were evaluated. Drug release assay was performed to characterize the nanoparticles’ properties. Here, we examined the effects of cisplatin nanoparticles and free form of cisplatin on A172 cancer cell line. MTT assay was performed for different concentrations of the drug. To measure the apoptosis rate in A172 cell line in the presence of cisplatin nanoparticles or its free from, Annexin V staining method was used. Results: Our results indicated that loading type of cisplatin was physical loading and only 4.7% of cisplatin was released after 68 h. Furthermore, MTT assay showed that cisplatin nanoparticles in all concentrations had more cytotoxic effects on the cells comparing with the free form of cisplatin and control groups. We also showed that cisplatin nanoparticles could increase apoptosis in cancer cells more than the drug in the free form by using flow cytometry technique. Conclusion: Overall, these findings proved that cisplatin loaded on poly (Butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles, was more efficient than the free form of cisplatin in treating A172 cancer cell line.

Dendritic cell vaccine with Ag85A enhances anti-colorectal carcinoma immunity

Dendritic cells (DCs) are able to trigger T-cell activation and thus have been considered important for vaccine production against cancers. Vaccines containing DCs have been reported to be effective for developing immunity against cancer cells. The interactions between DCs and auxiliary agents are critical in the development of second-generation vaccines. In the present study, it was evaluated whether Ag85A-mixed DCs could enhance anti-tumor immunity in laboratory mice with colorectal carcinoma. Functional and phenotypic analyses of the effects of Ag85A-mixed DCs were conducted via flow cytometry and measurement of T-cell proliferation. In addition, interferon (IFN)-γ production was assessed. The therapeutic efficacy of DC vaccination for colorectal carcinoma treatment in mice was investigated. It was identified that Ag85A-mixed DCs exhibited strong upregulation of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class II. Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes with CT26-primed Ag85A-DCs were indicated to induce stronger responses against CT26 tumor cells and trigger IFN-γ production. Furthermore, the Ag85A-mixed DC vaccine exerted a considerable inhibitory effect on tumor progression in mice as compared with the control group. Therefore, DCs in combination with the Ag85A gene may reinforce anti-colorectal carcinoma immunity. The current study provides a novel potential strategy for cancer treatment by enhancing immunity via Ag85A-mixed DC vaccination.

The Sources of Essential Fatty Acids for Allergic and Cancer Patients; a Connection with Insight into Mammalian Target of Rapamycin: A Narrative Review

Background:

Disturbance in essential fatty acids (EFA) metabolism plays a key role in autoimmune diseases, but EFA supplementation with sources of borage, evening primrose, hemp seed and fish oils was not effective in atopic and cancer diseases, as that seen in the case of multiple sclerosis. It seems that two complexes of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, mTORC1 and mTORC2, are congruent with the two bases of the Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) therapy, Cold and Hot nature, which are essential for the efficacy of functional oils for controlling immune responses in autoimmune diseases.

Methods:

We searched PubMed database, Web of Science (WOS), Google Scholar, Scopus and selected studies by predefined eligibility criteria. We then assessed their quality and extracted data.

Results:

The oils controlled by Cold or Hot nature may be helpful in maintaining homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. In summary, studies of randomized controlled trials for allergy and cancer patients found no improvement in the signs or response to tests, despite a remarkable change in EFA fractions in the blood by supplementation with sources of borage, evening primrose, hemp seed and fish oils. In contrast, portulaca oleracea oil exhibited protective effects by anti-inflammatory properties via the PI3K/Akt/mTORC2 pathway with a deviation immune response to Th1 to treat atopic diseases and cancer.

Conclusions:

According to the concept of Traditional Iranian Medicine therapy, in contrast to Cold-nature oils, EFA supplementation with the sources of Hot-nature oilsis not suitable for the treatment of atopic and cancerous diseases.

The potential effects of hemp seed/evening primrose oils on the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 and interferon-gamma genes expression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) has a fundamental role in the metabolism, growth, and regulation of the immune system. The interferon gamma (IFN-γ)derived from T helper 1 (Th1) cells is a prominent pro-inflammatory cytokine in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Due to the exclusive role of rapamycin (RAPA) in mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibition, essentially Th1 differentiation and IFN-γ production, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of hemp seed/evening primrose oils (HSO/EPO) in comparison with RAPA administration in EAE. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of EPO/HSO supplement in comparison with RAPA, EAE was induced using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide and complete Freund's adjuvant in C57BL/6 mice. The weight, clinical score, and histological findings were evaluated. Total mRNA was extracted from local lymph nodes and qRT-PCR was used for the purpose of the genes expression level of regulatory associated protein of TORC1 (RAPTOR) and IFN-γ. Our results indicated that the relative expression of RAPTOR and IFN-γ genes were significantly reduced in HSO/EPO, RAPA, and RAPA + HSO/EPO treated groups in comparison with the untreated group. Interestingly, histological findings have shown that the HSO/EPO treated group remarkably regenerated the myelin sheath, but this did not occur in the case of RAPA or combined RAPA and HSO/EPO treated groups. Our findings suggeste that HSO/HPO can be used as a potent immunomodulator and as a good candidate for re-myelination and downregulation of immune response for treatment of MS.