Genome sequencing of pancreatic cancer: differential expression by location

The results demonstrated that pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC) of the body/tail was associated with more transcriptional and genomic changes, and correlated with worse prognosis, than PDAC of the pancreatic head. The different mutation types and gene expression of tumour locations provide deep insight into the carcinogenesis or metastasis of PDAC, and suggest different early diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. SNV, single-nucleotide variations; NLS, Nuclear localization sequence; MB, million base-pairs; UTR, untranslated region.

Gemcitabine and capecitabine as third-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of irinotecan and oxaliplatin

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Background: There is no standard chemotherapeutic regimen for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) progressing after combination regimens including irinotecan and oxaliplatin and having good performance status. 5-FU and gemcitabine are synergistic in preclinical studies of colon cancer cells. And gemcitabine also increases intracellular release of 5-FU from capecitabine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of the gemcitabine/capecitabine combination as third-line treatment for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods: Between May 2007 and September 2009, the data on 12 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after failure of irinotecan- and oxaliplatin-containing regimens reviewed retrospectively. The median patient age was 54.0 years (range 37-77). The ECOG performance status was 0, 1 or 2. All patients has 2 or more previous chemotherapy. Patients received GemCap regimen (oral capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1 to 14 plus Gem 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks). Eleven patients were evaluable for the response and all patients were evaluable for toxicity.

Results: No partial response was achieved and disease stabilization in 4 (36.4.3%) cases. Median progression-free survival and median overall survival were 9.1 weeks (range 3.0-18.0) and 22.3 weeks (range 10.5- 53.0). Four patients with disease stabilization had longer median progression-free survival than those with disease progression (13 weeks vs. 6.2 weeks). No toxic deaths occurred. Grade 3 toxicities were thrombocytopenia (in 2 patients), neutropenia (in 2 patients) and mucositis (in 1 patient), hand-foot syndrome (in 1 patient) and GI toxicity (in 2 patients).

Conclusions: The combination of gemcitabine and capecitabine was found to be a safe palliative regimen for heavily pretreated patients with metastatic CRC. Despite no patients had radiologic response, patients with disease stabilization achieved better progression-free survival. This regimen seems to be potentially effective regimen in the treatment of CRC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Synthesis and insecticidal evaluation of N-tert-butyl-N'-thio[1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-2-nitroiminoimidazolidine]-N,N'-diacylhydrazines

A series of novel N-tert-butyl-N'-thio[1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-2-nitroiminoimidazolidine]-N,N'-diacylhydrazines were synthesized by the reaction of chlorosulfenyl(N-tert-butyl-N,N'-diacylhydrazines) with 1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-2-nitroiminoimidazolidine (imidacloprid) in the presence of sodium hydride. Their larvicidal activities were evaluated. All of them exhibited insecticidal activities against Oriental armyworm and bean aphids. Toxicity assays indicated that at higher concentrations (200 mg L(-1)) the title compounds can kill aphids as fast as the parent imidacloprid in 2 h, whereas at lower concentration (10 mg L(-1)), the title compounds can induce a premature, abnormal and lethal larval moult after 3 days of treatment, like the parent diacylhydrazines.

Design, synthesis, and bioactivity study of novel benzoylpyridazyl ureas

A series of novel benzoylpyridazyl ureas were designed and synthesized from maleic anhydride and hydrazine monohydrate. These benzoylureas were identified by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and element analysis. The bioactivities of the new compounds were evaluated. These compounds exhibited larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm, and in particular, compound 13 displayed comparable activity to the commercial insecticide Hexaflumuron. Most of these compounds also had some larvicidal activities against mosquito. Interestingly, some compounds showed good plant growth regulatory activities.

Design, synthesis, and insecticidal activities of new N-benzoyl-N'-phenyl-N'-sulfenylureas

A series of new N'-alkylaminothio, N'-arylaminothio (or dithio), and N',N'-thio (or dithio) derivatives of N-benzoyl-N'-phenylureas were designed and synthesized as insect-growth regulators with sulfur dichloride or disulfur dichloride as the original reactant. The new compounds were identified by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonancee (NMR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis [or high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)], and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The X-ray results demonstrated that there exist N-S-N or N-S-S-N bonds in these new compounds. In comparison to the parent N-benzoyl-N'-phenylureas, these derivatives displayed better solubility. The insecticidal activities of the target compounds were evaluated. The results of bioassays showed that compounds 1-24 retained the larvicidal activities of the corresponding benzoylphenylureas (BPUs) and some compounds exhibited better larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm and mosquitoes than the parent BPUs. The larvicidal activities of the selected target compounds 1 and 24 against diamondback moth were better than that of the corresponding parent compounds E and triflumuron.

Synthesis and insecticidal activities and SAR studies of novel benzoheterocyclic diacylhydrazine derivatives

Two series of novel N'-tert-butyl-N'-substituted benzoyl-N-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carbohydrazide derivatives were synthesized, their activities and different insecticidal action modes for different Lepidopteral larvicidal assays were evaluated carefully. The results of larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm and mosquito indicate that different benzoheterocyclic analogues of diacylhydrazide have different structure-activity relationships according to the types and patterns of substitution on the benzene, and 3,5-dimethyl is the most efficient substituent for benzoheterocyclic diacylhydrazine. Among them, N'-tert-butyl-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N-2,4-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carbohydrazide (Ii) stood out as the best compound with high activity. Compound Ii and N'-tert-butyl-N'-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-N-5-chloro-6-chromanecarbohydrazide (F) have higher contact activities against diamond-back moth and stomach toxicities against cotton bollworm than ANS-118 and JS-118. Compound F has higher contact toxicity against beet armyworm than ANS-118 and JS-118. These results indicate that different heterocycles and substitutents on the benzene rings of benzoheterocyle moiety not only influence the larvicidal activities strongly but also are very sensitive to the insecticidal action modes for different Lepidopteran larvicidal insects.

Design, synthesis, bioactivity, and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of novel benzoylphenylureas containing oxime ether group

Novel benzoylphenylureas containing an oxime ether group were designed and synthesized by four schemes. These benzoylphenylureas were identified by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and element analysis (or HRMS). The bioactivities of the new compounds were evaluated. These benzoylphenylureas exhibited excellent larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm, some of which were much better in comparison with the commercial Flucycloxuron. In particular, the larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm of compounds 1 and 23 were 5-10 times better than that of Flucycloxuron. Most of these benzoylphenyureas exhibited excellent larvicidal activities against mosquito. At the same time, some of these compounds have good plant growth regulatory activities as well.

Synthesis and insecticidal activities of novel N-sulfenyl-N'-tert-butyl-N,N'-diacylhydrazines. 3. N-(alkyldithio), n-(aminothio), and N,N-dithio derivatives

A series of novel N-(alkyldithio) and N-aminothio derivatives of N'-tert-butyl-N,N'-diacylhydrazines were designed and synthesized as insect growth regulators via the key intermediates N-chlorosulfenyl-N'-tert-butyl-N,N'-diacylhydrazines. A series of novel N,N-dithio derivatives were also designed and synthesized with N'-tert-butyl-N,N'-diacylhydrazines and sulfur chloride in the presence of sodium hydride. Compared to the parent compounds, these derivatives displayed better solubility and improved hydrophobicities. The insecticidal activities of the target compounds were evaluated. The results of bioassays showed that the target compounds possessed comparable activities against oriental armyworm with the corresponding parent compounds. In particular, N-(morpholinosulfenyl)-N'-tert-butyl-N-4-ethylbenzoyl-N'-3,5-dimethylbenzoylhydrazide (IIIk) has higher toxicities against oriental armyworm and diamondback moth than the parent compound, RH-5992.

Synthesis, insecticidal, and acaricidal activities of novel 2-aryl-pyrrole derivatives containing ester groups

A series of novel 2-aryl-pyrrole derivatives containing ester groups were synthesized, and their structures were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm, mosquito, diamondback moth, green rice leafhopper, and bean aphids and acaricidal activities against spider mite of these new compounds were evaluated. The results of bioassays indicated that some of these title compounds exhibited excellent insecticidal and acaricidal activities. The insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm of compounds IVa, IVd, IVe, IVf, IVg, IVi, IVk, and IVp were equal to commercialized Chlorfenapyr, and the insecticidal activities of most of compounds IVb, IVc, IVd, IVf, IVg, IVj, IVk, IVl, IVs, IVt, IVu, IVw, IVx, IVz, and Chlorfenapyr against mosquito at 0.10 mg kg (-1) were 100%, and the acaricidal activities of compounds IVd, IVe, IVf, IVg, IVh, IVi, and IVk were equal or superior to Chlorfenapyr. Especially, the results indicated that the acaricidal activity of [4-bromo-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-cyano-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrrol-1-yl]methyl 3-methylbutanoate ( IVg) against spider mite was 2.65-fold as high as that of Chlorfenapyr from the value of LC 50.

Synthesis, crystal structure, and insecticidal activity of novel N-alkyloxyoxalyl derivatives of 2-arylpyrrole

Two series of novel N-alkyloxyoxalyl derivatives of 2-arylpyrrole were synthesized, and their structures were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The insecticidal activities of the new compounds were evaluated. The results of bioassays indicated that some of these title compounds exhibited excellent insecticidal activities, and their insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm, mosquito, and spider mite are comparable to those of the commercialized Chlorfenapyr.

Synthesis and insecticidal activities of novel N-sulfenyl-N'-tert-butyl-N,N'-diacylhydrazines. 2. N-substituted phenoxysulfenate derivatives

A series of novel N-substituted phenoxysulfenyl- N'- tert-butyl- N, N'-diacylhydrazines were designed and synthesized as insect growth regulators via the key intermediates N-chlorosulfenyl- N'- tert-butyl- N, N'-diacylhydrazines. Compared to the parent compounds, these N-substituted phenoxysulfenyl derivatives displayed better solubility and improved hydrophobicities. The insecticidal activities of the new compounds were evaluated. The results of bioassays showed that the title compounds possessed a combination of strong stomach as well as contact poison property higher than the corresponding parent compounds. In particular, N-(4-chlorophenoxy)sulfenyl -N'- tert-butyl- N-4-ethylbenzoyl- N'-3,5-dimethylbenzoylhydrazide ( IIIi) as a field testing candidate has higher stomach toxicities against oriental armyworm and tobacco cutworm than the corresponding parent compound RH-5992. Furthermore, the compound IIIi exhibits higher contact activities against Asian corn borer, tobacco cutworm, and cotton bollworm than RH-5992.

Synthesis and insecticidal activities of novel N-sulfenyl-N'-tert-butyl-N,N'-diacylhydrazines. 1. N-alkoxysulfenate derivatives

A series of novel N-alkoxysulfenyl-N'-tert-butyl-N, N'-diacylhydrazines were designed and synthesized as insect growth regulators by the key intermediates N-chlorosulfenyl-N'-tert-butyl-N, N'-diacylhydrazines, which were prepared for the first time. Compared to N'-tert-butyl-N, N'-diacylhydrazines, these N-alkoxysulfenyl derivatives displayed better solubility and improved hydrophobicities. The insecticidal activities of the new compounds were evaluated. The results of bioassays showed that the title compounds possessed a combination of strong stomach as well as contact poison property higher than the corresponding parent compounds. In particular, N-methoxysufenyl-N'-tert-butyl-N-4-ethylbenzoyl-N'-3,5-dimethylbenzoylhydrazide (IIIf) as a field testing candidate has higher stomach toxicities against oriental armyworm and beet armyworm than the corresponding parent compound RH-5992. Furthermore, the compound IIIf exhibits higher contact activities against oriental armyworm, Asian corn borer, tobacco cutworm, and cotton bollworm than RH-5992. The sulfenyl substituent was essential for high larvacidal activity.

Insecticidal benzoylphenylurea-S-carbamate: a new propesticide with two effects of both benzoylphenylureas and carbamates

New propesticides with two effects of both benzoylphenylureas and carbamates were designed and synthesized by the key intermediate N-chlorosulfenyl-N-methylcarbamate, which was prepared for the first time. These benzoylphenylurea-S-carbamates were identified by 1H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The bioactivities of the new compounds were evaluated. These benzoylphenylurea-S-carbamates exhibited excellent larvicidal activities against Oriental armyworm, some of which were good as compared to the parent benzoylphenylureas. Toxicity assays indicated that these benzoylphenylurea-S-carbamates had knockdown activities of carbamates at higher concentrations and insect growth regulator activities of benzoylphenylureas at lower concentrations. We found that the title compounds exhibited good systemic larvicidal activities against Oriental armyworm, which were especially advantageous when combating sucking pests. Some of these title compounds can kill aphids and mosquitoes as well.

Synthesis and insecticidal evaluation of propesticides of benzoylphenylureas

Two series of benzoylphenylurea derivatives were synthesized as candidate propesticides by a nucleophilic addition reaction between 2,6-difluronbenzoyl isocyanate and N-substitutedaniline. The new compounds were identified by 1H NMR spectroscopy, electron ionization-mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. The bioactivities of the new compounds were evaluated. All of the propesticides reported here were soluble in most organic solvents, and their hydrophobicities were improved obviously. The result of the bioactivities of the new compounds against Oriental armyworm showed that some of the new compounds are good as compared to diflubenzuron and penfluron.

Reversion of the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer cell SGC7901 by c-erbB-2-specific hammerhead ribozyme

The c-erbB-2/neu-encoded protein p185 is closely related to the growth and metastasis of adenocarcinoma. We sought to reverse the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer cell line SGC7901 with c-erbB-2-specific ribozyme. We designed the ribozyme and generated the in vitro transcription vectors of the ribozyme and its substrate. In vitro cleavage reaction indicated that the ribozyme catalyzed 79.3% target RNA in 1 hour at 37 degrees C. Then, we generated the eucaryotic expression vectors of the ribozyme and transfected them into SGC7901 cells, which highly express p185. Analyses showed that the c-erbB-2 mRNA and p185 were reduced remarkably in the ribozyme-transfected cells. The growth rate of the ribozyme-transfected cells was much lower than that of the control group. Tumorigenicity was also decreased dramatically in nude mice. The results demonstrated that c-erbB-2-specific ribozyme may inhibit the malignancy of gastric cancer cells SGC7901.

Autoinhibition mechanism of proto-Dbl

The dbl oncogene encodes a prototype member of the Rho GTPase guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) family. Oncogenic activation of proto-Dbl occurs through truncation of the N-terminal 497 residues. The C-terminal half of proto-Dbl includes residues 498 to 680 and 710 to 815, which fold into the Dbl homology (DH) domain and the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, respectively, both of which are essential for cell transformation via the Rho GEF activity or cytoskeletal targeting function. Here we have investigated the mechanism of the apparent negative regulation of proto-Dbl imposed by the N-terminal sequences. Deletion of the N-terminal 285 or C-terminal 100 residues of proto-Dbl did not significantly affect either its transforming activity or GEF activity, while removal of the N-terminal 348 amino acids resulted in a significant increase in both transformation and GEF potential. Proto-Dbl displayed a mostly perinuclear distribution pattern, similar to a polypeptide derived from its N-terminal sequences, whereas onco-Dbl colocalized with actin stress fibers, like the PH domain. Coexpression of the N-terminal 482 residues with onco-Dbl resulted in disruption of its cytoskeletal localization and led to inhibition of onco-Dbl transforming activity. The apparent interference with the DH and PH functions by the N-terminal sequences can be rationalized by the observation that the N-terminal 482 residues or a fragment containing residues 286 to 482 binds specifically to the PH domain, limiting the access of Rho GTPases to the catalytic DH domain and masking the intracellular targeting function of the PH domain. Taken together, our findings unveiled an autoinhibitory mode of regulation of proto-Dbl that is mediated by the intramolecular interaction between its N-terminal sequences and PH domain, directly impacting both the GEF function and intracellular distribution.

Oligomerization of DH domain is essential for Dbl-induced transformation

The dbl oncogene product (onco-Dbl) is the prototype member of a family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for Rho GTPases. The Dbl homology (DH) domain of onco-Dbl is responsible for the GEF catalytic activity, and the DH domain, together with the immediately adjacent pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, constitutes the minimum module bearing transforming function. In the present study, we demonstrate that the onco-Dbl protein exists in oligomeric form in vitro and in cells. The oligomerization is mostly homophilic in nature and is mediated by the DH domain. Mutagenesis studies mapped the region involved in oligomerization to the conserved region 2 of the DH domain, which is located at the opposite side of the Rho GTPase interacting surface. Residue His556 of this region, in particular, is important for this activity, since the H556A mutant retained the GEF catalytic capability and the binding activity toward Cdc42 and RhoA in vitro but was deficient in oligomer formation. Consequently, the Rho GTPase activating potential of the H556A mutant was significantly reduced in cells. The focus-forming and anchorage-independent growth activities of onco-Dbl were completely abolished by the His556-to-Ala mutation, whereas the abilities to stimulate cell growth, activate Jun N-terminal kinase, and cause actin cytoskeletal changes were retained by the mutant. The ability of onco-Dbl to oligomerize allowed multiple Rho GTPases to be recruited to the same signaling complex, and such an ability is defective in the H556A mutant. Taken together, these results suggest that oligomerization of onco-Dbl through the DH domain is essential for cellular transformation by providing the means to generate a signaling complex that further augments and/or coordinates its Rho GTPase activating potential.

[Reversion of the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer by c-erbB-2 specific ribozyme]

OBJECTIVE

To probe the effect of c-erbB-2 specific ribozyme to the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer.

METHODS

The eucaryotic expression vector of c-erbB-2 specific ribozyme RZ1 was designed by computer and named pDOR-RZ1. The transfection of the gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was mediated by Lipofect AMINE. Flow cytometry was used to analyse the expression of the c-erbB-2 product P185. In vivo study of tumorogenecity of the transfected cells was performed in nude mice.

RESULTS

pDOR-RZ1 was successfully transfected into the gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and then the single clones were selected by G418 and named SGC/RZ1. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the expression of P185 was suppressed by 62.7%. The growth rate of SGC/RZ1 was inhibited by 55%. The tumor-forming time in SGC/RZ1 in nude mice was delayed remarkably and the tumor size was also much smaller than that in the control group, indicating the inhibition of the tumorogenecity of SGC/RZ1 in nude mice.

CONCLUSION

c-erbB-2 specific ribozyme is very efficient in reversing the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer. This might provide a new approach for gene therapy of gastric cancer.

[In vitro cleavage action of c-erbB-2 oncogene-specific ribozyme]

OBJECTIVE

To construct in vitro transcription vectors of genes of c-erbB-2 specific ribozyme and its substrate and to probe its in vitro cleavage action.

METHODS

According to the computer design, a specific restriction site EcoR V was added to the 3' end of the ribozyme gene (RZ1). Then, the RZ1 gene and its substrate gene were cloned into the in vitro transcription vector pGEM3Zf(-) separately. The recombinants containing RZ1 gene were first screened by agrose ge1 electrophoresis through EcoR V digestion and was identified by automatic sequencing. The products of in vitro transcription were labeled with 32P. In vitro cleavage reaction was performed at 37 degrees C for 1 h under the presence of Mg++. The cleavage product was analyzed by polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis. After autoradiography, the cleavage rate was counted by image analysis.

RESULTS

The recombinants containing the RZ1 gene were successfully selected by the EcoR V digestion and were designated as pGM3Z-RZ1. The automatic sequence analysis proved that the synthesized RZ1 gene was correct. The target gene was also cloned into the pGEM3Zf(-) under SP6 promoter. After in vitro transcription, the cleavage reaction was shown to have cut off 79.3% target RNA in 1 h.

CONCLUSION

The c-erbB-2 oncogene-specific ribozyme has a high activity in vitro. It lays a foundation for the study of the therapeutic use of ribozyme in gene therapy of cancer.

[Analysis of the stereoisomers of 14 pyrethroids by capillary gas chromatography]

The separation of stereoisomers of 14 pyrethroids has been studied by capillary gas chromatography. The pyrethroids are cypermethrin (P1), phenothrin (P2), allethrin (P3), prallethrin (P4), tetramethrin (P5), permethrin (P6), cyfluthrin (P7), fenvalerate (P8), flucythrinate (P9), bromofenvalerate (P10), fluvalinate (P11), methothrin (P12), resmethrin (P13) and py115 (P14). The gas chromatographic conditions were as follows. Column 1: fused silica, 10m x 0.53mm x 1.0microm film (QF-1); columntemperature: 180 degrees C-260 degrees C depending on the pyrethroids analysed; the temperature of injector and detector: 280 degrees C; carrier gas: H2 4.6mL/min; detector: FID; spilt ratio: 5:1, sample size 1.0 L. The stereoisomers of P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P8, P9, P10, P12 and P10 can be completely separated by QF-1 column. However the stereoisomers of P11 can not be separated and the three peaks of P1 and P7 have been only separated by column 1. In comparing with packed column of QF-1, there are advantages in superior resolution, lower oven temperature and shorter analysis time for capillary column of QF-1. Column 2: fused silica HP-5 (crosslinked 5% phenyl methyl silicone) 25m x 0.32mm x 1.0microm film; column temperature: P1 and P7 250 degrees C, P11 260 degrees C, and P14 200 degrees C; carrier gas: H2 2.6mL/min. Other conditions were the same as the column 1 described. The stereoisomers of P1, P7, P11 and P14 can be separated, but the separation of stereoisomers was not sufficient. The stereoisomers of P2, P5, P6, P8, P9, P10, P12 and P13 can be completely separated by HP-5 capillary column. However separation on the HP-5 capillary column is not sufficient for diastereoisomers of P3 and P4.