DOX-MTX-NPs augment p53 mRNA expression in OSCC model in rat: effects of IV and oral routes

Notch Signaling Suppression by Golden Phytochemicals: Potential for Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality worldwide. Cancer cells are characterized by unregulated cellular processes, including proliferation, progression, and angiogenesis. The occurrence of these processes is due to the dysregulation of various signaling pathways such as NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB), Wnt/beta-catenin, Notch signaling and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases). Notch signaling pathways cause the progression of various types of malignant tumors. Among the phytochemicals for cancer therapy, several have attracted great interest, including curcumin, genistein, quercetin, silibinin, resveratrol, cucurbitacin and glycyrrhizin. Given the great cellular and molecular heterogeneity within tumors and the high toxicity and side effects of synthetic chemotherapeutics, natural products with pleiotropic effects that simultaneously target numerous signaling pathways appear to be ideal substitutes for cancer therapy. With this in mind, we take a look at the current status, impact and potential of known compounds as golden phytochemicals on key signaling pathways in tumors, focusing on the Notch pathway. This review may be useful for discovering new molecular targets for safe and efficient cancer therapy with natural chemotherapeutics.

Significance of PSCA as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for cancer

One of the contributing factors in the diagnosis and treatment of most cancers is the identification of their surface antigens. Cancer tissues or cells have their specific antigens. Some antigens that are present in many cancers elicit different functions. One of these antigens is the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) antigen, which was first identified in the prostate. PSCA is a cell surface protein that has different functions in different tissues. It can play an inhibitory role in cell proliferation as well as a tumor-inducing role. PSCA has several genetic variants involved in cancer susceptibility in some tissues, so identifying the characteristics of this antigen and its relationship with clinical features can provide more information on diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancers. Most studies on the PSCA have focused on prostate cancer. While it is also expressed in other cancers, little attention has been paid to its role as a valuable diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tool in other cancers. PSCA has several genetic variants that seem to play a significant role in cancer susceptibility in some tissues, so identifying the characteristics of this antigen and its relationship and variants with clinical features can be beneficial in concomitant cancer therapy and diagnosis, as theranostic tools. In this study, we will review the alteration of the PSCA expression and its polymorphisms and evaluate its clinical and theranostics significance in various cancers.

Negative terpinen-4-ol modulate potentially malignant and malignant lingual lesions induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide in rat model

Our aim was to verify the modulative TP-4-ol capacity in 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide induced oral rat cancer. The stereoisomers of TP-4-ol were used against the human tongue squamous cell line and the negative stereoisomer showed lower IC50. Thirty-one Holtzman rats (120-130 g) were cancer-induced by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO/8 weeks/25 ppm) and 32 Holtzman rats (120-130 g) were used to healthy and TP-4-ol toxicity experiments. Six groups were used, healthy, 0.1nL/g of TP-4-ol, 8nL/g of TP-4-ol, 4-NQO, 4-NQO + 0.1nL/g of TP-4-ol, and 4-NQO + 8nL/g of TP-4-ol. We performed the toxicity analysis by biochemical and histopathological analysis. The biochemistry analysis includes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), urea, and creatinine and the histopathology analysis includes the liver, kidney, lung, and spleen. Specifically, for malign modulation, we performed a macroscopic and microscopic analysis. The group exposed to 0.1nL/g of TP-4-ol demonstrated a reduced risk of malignancy in dysplasia considering the criteria of architecture and cytology. Similarly, a drop of percentual rats with SCC diagnosis was observed in 4-NQO + 0.1nL/g (41.6%) when compared to 4-NQO (87.5%). Moreover, the 4-NQO group presented a median of 2.62 SCC/rat and the 4-NQO + 0.1nL/g demonstrated a median of 0.75 SCC/rat. For toxicity analysis, 4-NQO + 0.1nL/g showed focal necrosis in the kidney and 4-NQO showed lung hemorrhagic areas. The concentration of 0.1nL/g was more effective in reducing the tongue induction of potentially malignant and malignant lesions by 4-NQO. A kidney toxicity was observed in healthy animals exposed to 0.1nL/g of TP-4-ol. The negative isoform of terpinen-4-ol negatively modulates the development of potentially malignant and malignant lesions in rats (Rattus nonverdicts albinos, Holtzman) exposed to 4-NQO. (-)-Terpinen-4-ol reduced the mice percentual with squamous cell carcinoma, 87.5 to 41.6%, and decreased the cancer/rat ratio of 2.62 in 4-NQO to 0.75 in 4-NQO + 0.1nL/g. This represents 52.4% by group and 71.3% in the cancer/rat ratio.

Knockdown of c-MYC Controls the Proliferation of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in vitro via Dynamic Regulation of Key Apoptotic Marker Genes

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignant epithelial cancer occurring in the oral cavity, where it accounts for nearly 90% of all oral cavity neoplasms. The c-MYC transcription factor plays an important role in the control of programmed cell death, normal-to-malignant cellular transformation, and progression of the cell cycle. However, the role of c-MYC in controlling the proliferation of OSCC cells is not well known. In this study, c-MYC gene was silenced in OSCC cells (ORL-136T), and molecular and cellular responses were screened. To identify the pathway through which cell death occurred, cytotoxicity, colony formation, western blotting, caspase-3, and RT-qPCR analyzes were performed. Results indicated that knockdown of c-MYC has resulted in a significant decrease in the cell viability and c-MYC protein synthesis. Furthermore, caspase-3 was shown to be upregulated leading to apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway. In response to c-MYC knockdown, eight cell proliferation-associated genes showed variable expression profiles: c-MYC (-21.2), p21 (-2.5), CCNA1(1.8), BCL2 (-1.4), p53(-3.7), BAX(1.1), and CYCS (19.3). p27 expression was dramatically decreased in c-MYC-silenced cells in comparison with control, and this might indicate that the relative absence of c-MYC triggered intrinsic apoptosis in OSCC cells via p27 and CYCS.

Induction of oxidative stress and cell apoptosis by selenium: the cure against oral carcinoma

Oral carcinoma (OC) remains one of the most difficult malignancies to cure. selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral for human and animals, but high concentrations of Se induce apoptosis and oxidative effects. Although cell apoptosis has been evidenced as a critical mechanism mediating the anticancer activity of Se, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. To explore the role of Se in rat OC, we examined the weather the oxidative stress-mediated apoptotic pathway induced by Se was involved in the development of OC. In this study, we successfully constructed the OC rat model by 4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) exposure which reflected from histopathological observations. Se-induced the productions of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was accompanied by the inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) both in vivo and vitro. The anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2) was down-regulated and pro-apoptosis members (Bax, Bak, Cyt-c, caspase9 and caspase3) were up-regulated by Se in OC cells. Meanwhile, we also found that Se could strongly inhibited the cell proliferation of OC lines in vitro. These results suggested that excessive Se could effectively cause oxidative stress and induce apoptosis in OC cells, as a result the OC was also inhibited to some extent. Therefore, the information presented in this study is believed to be helpful in supplementing data for further therapy of OC.

Combination of nanotechnology with vascular targeting agents for effective cancer therapy

As a young science, nanotechnology promptly integrated into the current oncology practice. Accordingly, various nanostructure particles were developed to reduce drug toxicity and allow the targeted delivery of various diagnostic and therapeutic compounds to the cancer cells. New sophisticated nanosystems constantly emerge to improve the performance of current anticancer modalities. Targeting tumor vasculature is an attractive strategy to fight cancer. Though the idea was swiftly furthered from basic science to the clinic, targeting tumor vasculature had a limited potential in patients, where tumors relapse due to the development of multiple drug resistance and metastasis. The aim of this review is to discuss the advantages of nanosystem incorporation with various vascular targeting agents, including (i) endogen anti-angiogenic agents; (ii) inhibitors of angiogenesis-related growth factors; (iii) inhibitors of tyrosine kinase receptors; (iv) inhibitors of angiogenesis-related signaling pathways; (v) inhibitors of tumor endothelial cell-associated markers; and (vi) tumor vascular disrupting agents. We also review the efficacy of nanostructures as natural vascular targeting agents. The efficacy of each approach in cancer therapy is further discussed.

Modulating tumor hypoxia by nanomedicine for effective cancer therapy

Hypoxia, a characteristic feature of tumors, is indispensable to tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and multi drug resistance. Hypoxic avascular regions, deeply embedded inside the tumors significantly hinder delivery of therapeutic agents. The low oxygen tension results in resistance to the current applied anti-cancer therapeutics including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and photodynamic therapy, the efficacy of which is firmly tied to the level of tumor oxygen supply. However, emerging data indicate that nanocarriers/nanodrugs can offer substantial benefits to improve the efficacy of current therapeutics, through modulation of tumor hypoxia. This review aims to introduce the most recent advances made in nanocarrier mediated targeting of tumor hypoxia. The first part is dedicated to the approaches by which nanocarriers could be designed to target/leverage hypoxia. These approaches include i) inhibiting Hypoxia Inducer Factor (HIF-1α); ii) hypoxia activated prodrugs/linkers; and iii) obligate anaerobe mediated targeting of tumor hypoxia. The second part, details novel nanosystems proposed to modulate tumor hypoxia through tumor oxygenation. These methods seek to lessen tumor hypoxia through vascular normalization, or reoxygenation therapy. The reoxygenation of tumor could be accomplished by: i) generation of oxygen filled nanocarriers; ii) natural/artificial oxygen nanocarriers; and iii) oxygen generators. The efficacy of each approach and their potential in cancer therapy is further discussed.

Anti Tumoral Properties of Punica granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Extract in Different Human Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Punica granatum (PG) has been demonstrated to possess antitumor effects on various types of cancer cells. In this study, we determined antiproliferative properties of a seed extract of PG (PSE) from Iran in different human cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A methanolic extract of pomegranate seeds was prepared. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were assessed by colorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity was determined with reference to DPPH radical scavenging activity. The cytotoxicity of different doses of PSE (0, 5, 20, 100, 250, 500, 1000 μg/ml) was evaluated by MTT assays with A549 (lung non small cell carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer cells), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells.

RESULTS

Significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences were observed in comparison to negative controls at all tested doses (5-1000 μg/ml). In all studied cancer cells, PSE reduced the cell viability to values below 23%, even at the lowest doses. In all cases, IC50 was determined at doses below 5 μg/ml. In this regard, SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells were the most responsive to antiproliferative effects of PSE with a maximum mean growth inhibition of 86.8% vs. 82.8%, 81.4% and 80.0% in MCF-7, PC-3 and A549 cells, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Low doses of PSE exert potent antiproliferative effects on different human cancer cells SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells as most and A549 cells ar least responsive regarding cytotoxic effects. However, the mechanisms of action need to be addressed.

Hesa-A Down-Regulates erb/b2 Oncogene Expression and Improves Outcome of Oral Carcinoma in a Rat Model

BACKGROUND

Oral carcinoma (OC) remains one of the most difficult malignancies to cure. Hesa-A is an Iranian herbal-marine compound that has shown promising anti-tumor properties against various human tumors. However, its mechanism of action remains to be addressed. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two doses of Hesa-A on mRNA expression of erb\b2 as a main prognosticator tumor marker for OC in an animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12 animals each. Rats in carcinoma groups received 0, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight doses of Hesa-A 3 times a day. The other two groups were considered as treated and untreated control groups. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and tongue tissues subjected to H and E staining and real time PCR.

RESULTS

Our results showed that compared to the control group, erb\ b2 was over-expressed ~ 30% in the carcinoma group. After treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of Hesa-A , erb\b2 levels dropped by 24.1% and 3.4 % respectively compared to the control carcinoma group (p<0.01, p<0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant relation between erb\ b2 mRNA content and observed pathological changes in studied groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide insight into mechanism(s) by which Hesa-A may improve clinical outcome of oral carcinoma by affecting oncogene erb\b2 expression and suggest Hesa-A as an effective chemotherapeutic agent in treatment of HER+ tumors.

Anti Proliferative Properties of Melissa officinalis in Different Human Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants, especially examples rich in polyphenolic compounds, have been suggested to be chemopreventive on account of their antioxidative properties. Melissa officinalis L. (MO), an aromatic and medicinal plant, is well known in thios context. However, toxicity against cancer cells has not been fully studied. Here, we investigated the selective anticancer effects of an MO extract (MOE) in different human cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

a hydro-alcoholic extract of MO was prepared and total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined by colorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity. MTT assays were used to evaluate cytotoxicity of different doses of MOE (0, 5, 20, 100, 250, 500, 1000 μg/ml) towards A549 (lung non small cell cancer cells), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer cells), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells.

RESULTS

Significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences were observed in comparison to negative controls at all tested doses (5-1000 μg/ml). In all cancer cells, MOE reduced the cell viability to values below 33%, even at the lowest doses. In all cases, IC50 values were below 5μg/ml. The mean growth inhibition was 73.1%, 86.7%, 79.9% and 77.8% in SKOV3, MCF-7 and PC-3 and A549 cells, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that a hydro-alcoholic extract of MO possess a high potency to inhibit proliferation of different tumor cells in a dose independent manner, suggesting that an optimal biological dose is more important than a maximally tolerated one. Moreover, the antiprolifreative effect of MO seems to be tumor type specific, as hormone dependant cancers were more sensitive to antitumoral effects of MOE.

Anti Tumoral Properties of Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Peel Extract on Different Human Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants, especially examples rich in polyphenolic compounds, have been suggested to be chemopreventive on account of antioxidative properties. Punica granatum (PG) (pomegranate) is a well known fruit in this context, but its cytotoxicity in cancer cells has not been extensively studied. Here, we investigated the antiproliferative properties of a peel extract of PG from Iran in different human cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A methanolic extract of pomegranate peel (PPE) was prepared. Total phenolic content(TPC) and total flavonoid conetnt (TFC) were determined by colorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The cytotoxicity of different doses of PPE (0, 5, 20, 100, 250, 500, 1000 μg/ml) was evaluated by MTT assays with A549 (lung non small cell cancer), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells.

RESULTS

Significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences were observed in comparison with negative controls at all tested doses (5-1000 μg/ml). In all studied cancer cells, PPE reduced the cell viability to values below 40%, even at the lowest doses. In all cases, IC50 was determined at doses below 5μg/ml. In this regard, MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells were the most responsive cells to antiprolifreative effects of PPE with a maximum mean growth inhibition of 81.0% vs. 69.4%, 79.3% and 77.5% in SKOV3, PC-3 and A549 cells, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Low doses of PPE exert potent anti-proliferative effects in different human cancer cells and it seems that MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells are the most cells and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells the least responsive in this regard. However, the mechanisms of action need to be addressed.

Hesa-A Improves Clinical Outcome of Oral Carcinoma by Affecting p53 Gene Expression in vivo

BACKGROUND

Oral carcinoma (OC) remains as one of the most difficult malignancies to cure. Hesa-A is an Iranian herbal-marine compound that has shown promising anti-tumor properties on various human cancer cells, although the mechanisms of action remain to be addressed. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two doses of Hesa-A on mRNA expression of p53 as a main prognosticator of OC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

60 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12 animals each. Rats in carcinoma groups received 0, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of Hesa-A three times a day. The two other groups considered as treated and untreated healthy groups. At the end of experiment, animals were sacrificed and tongue tissues subjected to H and E staining and real time PCR.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that compared to healthy group, p53 over expressed ~ 40% in untreated carcinoma group. After treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weights of Hesa-A , p53 level dropped by 53.4% and 13.6 %, respectively, compared to untreated carcinoma group (p<0.05, p<0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant relation between p53 mRNA content and observed pathological changes in studied groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide insights into the mechanism(s) by which Hesa-A improves clinical outcome of oral carcinoma by modulation of p53 expression.

Anti-Proliferative Effects of Hesa-A on Human Cancer Cells with Different Metastatic Potential

BACKGROUND

During the past few years, Hesa-A, a herbal-marine mixture, has been used to treat cancer as an alternative medicine in Iran. Based on a series of studies, it is speculated that Hesa-A possesses special cytotoxic effects on invasive tumors. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the selective anticancer effects of Hesa-A on several cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hesa-A was prepared in normal saline as a stock solution of 10 mg/ml and further diluted to final concentrations of 100 μg/ml, 200 μg/ ml, 300 μg/ml and 400 μg/ml. MTT-based cytotoxicity assays were performed with A549 (lung non small cancer), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells.

RESULTS

All treated cancer cells showed significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences in comparison to negative control at almost all of the tested doses (100-400 μg/ml). At the lower dose (100 μg/ml), Hesa-A reduced cell viability to 66%, 45.3%, 35.5%, 33.2% in SKOV3, A549, PC-3 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Moreover, at the highest dose (400 μg/ml), Hesa-A resulted in 88.5%, 86.6% , 84.9% and 79.3% growth inhibition in A549, MCF-7, PC-3 and SKOV3 cells, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hesa-A exert potent cytotoxic effects on different human cancer cells, especially those with a high metastatic potential.

Oral and IV dosages of doxorubicin-methotrexate loaded- nanoparticles inhibit progression of oral cancer by down- regulation of matrix Methaloproteinase 2 expression in vivo

Oral cancer is one of the most common and lethal cancers in the world. Combination chemotherapy coupled with nanoparticle drug delivery holds substantial promise in cancer therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two dosages of our novel pH and temperature sensitive doxorubicin-methotrexate-loaded nanoparticles (DOX-MTX NPs) with attention to the MMP-2 mRNA profile in a 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide induced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) model in the rat. Our results showed that both IV and oral dosages of DOX-MTX NP caused significant decrease in mRNA levels of MMP-2 compared to the untreated group (p<0.003). Surprisingly, MMP-2 mRNA was not affected in DOX treated compared to cancer group (p>0.05). Our results indicated that IV dosage of MTX-DOX is more effective than free DOX (12 fold) in inhibiting the activity of MMP-2 in OSCCs (P<0.001). Furthermore, MMP-2 mRNA expression in the DOX-MTX treated group showed a significant relation with histopathological changes (P=0.011). Compared to the untreated cancer group, we observed no pathological changes and neither a significant alteration in MMP-2 amount in either of healthy controls that were treated with oral and IV dosages of DOX-MTX NPs whilst cancer group showed a high level of MMP-2 expression compared to healthy controls (p<0.001).Taking together our results indicate that DOX- MTX NPs is a safe chemotherapeutic nanodrug that its oral and IV forms possess potent anti-cancer properties on aggressive tumors like OSCC, possibly by affecting the expression of genes that drive tumor invasion and metastasis.