Erythromycin reverses the daunomycin resistance of MEL-DRTL cells

Expression of IAPs and alternative splice variants in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cells.

IAPs (inhibitors of apoptosis proteins) might have a major role in the apoptotic resistance that marks many cancers. The studies on IAPs in human HCC have focused on survivin or XIAP, indicating that their new or increased expression in this tumor is associated with a more unfavorable prognosis. The present results corroborate these findings, emphasizing the role that the coordinated expression of different IAPs and alternative splice variants might play in the adverse biology of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Does catalase play a role in Adriamycin induced cardiotoxicity?

Summary Adriamycin causes an increase of lipid peroxidation in mouse cardiac homogenates that is dependent on the concentration of the antiblastic. The same phenomenon is not observed in the hearts of mice treated with an elevated dose of Adriamycin in which, conversely, an increase of the antioxidizing enzyme catalase was noticed. The significance of these findings is discussed with relationship to the hypothesis of an enhanced free radicals formation at the basis of Adriamycin induced cardiotoxicity.

Expression of the IAPs in multidrug resistant tumor cells

We have investigated the expression of the IAPs (inhibitory of apoptosis proteins) in the human HL-60 leukemia and in its multidrug resistant, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) over-expressing variant, HL-60R. HL-60R exhibits resistance to apoptosis induced from P-gp substrate drugs and also from other triggers (cisplatin, TNF-alpha, Fas ligation, TRAIL, IFN-gamma and serum starvation) not related to the multidrug transporter. Except for c-IAP-1 mRNA, HL-60R significantly over-expressed both the mRNAs and the proteins of all the IAPs studied, i.e. c-IAP-1, c-IAP-2, XIAP, NAIP and survivin. Determination of the DNA-binding capacity of NF-kappaB (p50 or p65 subunits) indicated that, while HL-60 cells sho…

Resistance to diverse apoptotic triggers in multidrug resistant HL60 cells and its possible relationship to the expression of P-glycoprotein, Fas and of the novel anti-apoptosis factors IAP (inhibitory of apoptosis proteins)

We studied the human HL60 leukemia cell line and its multidrug resistant (MDR) variant HL60R. In contrast to the HL60, HL60R showed an inability to undergo apoptosis from doxorubicin (Dox) or other different stimuli, including cisplatin, Fas ligation and serum withdrawal. HL60R cells lost surface Fas expression, but we found no evidence that Fas/FasL mediates the apoptotic effects of Dox in HL60. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) did not seem to play a major role as a specific inhibitor of apoptosis. In fact, the P-gp inhibitor verapamil reversed only partially the resistance to Dox-induced apoptosis of the MDR cells. In addition, it did not modify the rate of apoptosis induced from the other stimuli i…

Expression of IAPs (Inhibitory of Apoptosis Proteins) and of their alternative splice variants in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and cells

IAPs (inhibitors of apoptosis proteins) might have a major role in the apoptotic resistance that marks many cancers. The studies on IAPs in human HCC have focused on survivin or XIAP, indicating that their new or increased expression in this tumor is associated with a more unfavorable prognosis. The present results corroborate these findings, emphasizing the role that the coordinated expression of different IAPs and alternative splice variants might play in the adverse biology of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Galangin increases the cytotoxic activity of imatinib mesylate in imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant Bcr-Abl expressing leukemia cells

Resistance to imatinib mesylate is an emergent problem in the treatment of Bcr-Abl expressing myelogenous leukemias and additional therapeutic strategies are required. We observed that galangin, a non-toxic, naturally occurring flavonoid was effective as anti-proliferative, and apoptotic agent in Bcr-Abl expressing K562 and KCL22 cells and in imatinib mesylate resistant K562-R and KCL22-R cells. Galangin induced an arrest of cells in G0–G1phase of cell cycle and a decrease in pRb, cdk4, cdk1, cycline B levels; moreover, it was able to induce a monocytic differentiation of leukemic Bcr-Abl+ cells. Of note, galangin caused a decrease in Bcl-2 levels and markedly increased the apoptotic activi…

DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction, but not p53 or NM23-H1 expression, predict outcome in colorectal cancer patients. Result of a 5-year prospective study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine TP53 and NM23-H1 immunoreactivity, DNA ploidy, and S-phase fraction (SPF) in a series of 160 patients undergoing resective surgery for primary operable colorectal cancer (CRC) and to establish whether these alterations have any clinical value in predicting CRC patients' prognosis. Methods: TP53 and NM23-H1 expressions were evaluated on paraffin-embedded tissue by immunohistochemistry and DNA-ploidy and SPF on frozen tissue by flow-cytometric analysis. Results: The median follow-up time in our study group was 71 months (range 34-115 months). P53 protein expression was associated with distal tumors (P < 0.05) and DNA aneuploid tumors (P < …

Influence of Mitoxantrone on the Syntheses of Dna and Proteins of Mouse Tissues

In view of the structural similarity of mitoxantrone to anthracyclines and its ability to intercalate into DNA, we studied its influence on the synthetic processes of DNA and proteins in CD-1 mice tissues. By studying at the DNA level the impairment of 2H-thymidine incorporation and its return to normal, it was found that bone marrow and spleen showed similar behavior, i.e., a rapid return to normal, which occurred before bone marrow cell number and spleen weight returned to basal values. At the cardiac level, the incorporation values of precursors into DNA, reduced by treatment with mitoxantrone, came back very slowly to the control ones. Hepatic DNA showed a lower sensitivity to mitoxant…

Spectrophotofluorometric characterization of adriamycin a new antitumour drug

Summary Adriamycin, a new antitumour drug structurally similar to daunomycin, shows evident spectrophotofluorometric characteristics. A technique previously employed by Kohn for tetracyclines is proposed by the present workers for the identification and estimation of adriamycin in tissues. Furthermore, a transformation of the molecule was revealed in some organs, using the same technique.

Isolated myocardiocytes and DNA synthesis: a possible experimental model to predict the in vivo cardiotoxicity

NAIP-deltaEx10-11: a novel splice variant of the apoptosis inhibitor NAIP differently expressed in drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant HL60 leukemia cells.

Alterations of neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP), a member of the inhibitory of apoptosis protein (IAP) family of inhibitors of apoptosis, have been previously associated with different neurodegenerative disorders. This study indicated the existence of a novel NAIP splice variant. This isoform, NAIP-deltaEx10-11, was found in tumor cell lines of different origin and in normal adult brain. Analysis of the putative protein predicted that the NAIP variant lacks part of the third BIR domain as well as the COOH-terminal tail of regular NAIP. This might suggest that it is endowed with a reduced antiapoptotic activity. This view is supported by the fact that NAIP-deltaEx10-11 mRNA and p…

Nm-23-H1 expression does not predict clinical survival in colorectal cancer patients

The gene Nm23, which encodes for a nucleoside diphosphate kinase, has been defined as a metastasis-suppressor gene because of the inverse correlation between its expression and the metastatic capacity of the tumor cells. For colorectal cancer, however, the findings are equivocal. The aim of our study was to assess, in 160 patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC), the expression of the Nm23-H1 protein and to evaluate its possible associations with traditional clinicopathologic variables, with DNA-ploidy and proliferative activity (S-phase fraction, SPF), and with disease-free and overall survival of patients. Nm23-H1 expressions were evaluated on paraffin-embedded tissue by im…

Programmed cell death (PCD) associated with the stilbene motif of arotinoids: discovery of novel apoptosis inducer agents possessing activity on multidrug resistant tumor cells

Considering that the stereochemistry of the C9-C10 alkenyl portion of natural 9-cis-RA, as the one of the olefinic moiety of the previously described isoxazole retinoid 4, seems of particular importance for their apoptotic activity, we prepared a novel class of TTNPB analogues bearing both the cis or trans configuration of the alkenyl portion. The compounds were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic and apoptotic activities. We discovered that the cis-TTNPB 9c possesses apoptotic activity comparable with that of the retinoid 4. Moreover, the amino arotinoid 16c showed potent apoptotic activity in HL60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Interestingly, 16c proved to be a particularly potent apopt…

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors potentiate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects induced by the novel ribonucleotide reductase (RR) inhibitor 3'-metil-adenosine (3'-Me-Ado) in promyelocitic leukemia cell lines

Multidrug resistance reverting activity and antitumor profile of new phenothiazine derivatives

Abstract A series of easily affordable phenothiazine derivatives bearing a rigid but-2-ynyl amino side chain were synthesized and tested to evaluate the MDR reverting activity and full antitumor profile. Some compounds endowed with remarkable MDR reverting effect were identified, and the most active one ( 6c ) was shown to increase doxorubicin retention in multidrug resistant cells, suggesting a direct interaction with P-glycoprotein. Furthermore, a broad range of cellular activities were observed for different compounds. In particular, the ability of some derivatives to induce antiproliferative effects on resistant cell lines and to interfere with the G 1 phase of the cell cycle, a phase u…

Hydroxamic acid-containing histone deacetylase inhibitors potentiate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects induced by the ribonucleotide reductase R1 inhibitor 3'-C-methyl-adenosine in promyelocytic leukemia cell lines

INFLUENCE OF α-6-DEOXY-5-OXYTETRACYCLINE ON SOME PHARMA-COLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DAUNOMYCIN

(1) Treatment with doxycyline substantially reduces the acute toxicity of daunomycin to the mouse. Treatment with doxycycline alters the distribution of daunomycin amongst the body tissues of the mouse. The ability of the isolated kidney to bind the daunomycin is enhanced by pretreatment with doxycycline. This observation is in agreement with the phenomenon noted in vivo with the same organ. (2) The antineoplastic activity of daunomycin, tested in vivo in mice bearing Sarcoma 180 is not modified by treatment with doxycyctine, nor does doxycycline modify the inhibition of DNA synthesis in isolated Sarcoma 180 cells by daunomycin. (3) The experiments carried out on isolated cell, namely: (a) …

Antitumor effects of curcumin, alone or in combination with cisplatin or doxorubicin, on human hepatic cancer cells. Analysis of their possible relationship to changes in NF-kB activation levels and in IAP gene expression.

The hepatic cancer HA22T/VGH cell line, which constitutively expresses activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB), was chosen as a model to examine the antitumor activity of curcumin, also in relationship to its possible influences on the activation of the transcription factor and on the expression of the inhibitory of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and of other NF-kB target genes. Curcumin exerted cell growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects, related, at least part, to free radical generation and mainly dependent on caspase-9 and -3 activation. The combination of curcumin with cisplatin resulted in a synergistic antitumor activity and that with doxorubicin in additivity or sub-additivity. Curcumin…

The synergistic apoptotic effects of thiophenfurin, an inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor, in combination with retinoids in HL60 cells

New effective cytotoxic agents and combinations are urgently needed in cancer treatment. The enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase is a potentially useful target for drug development, since its activity has been shown to be amplified in malignant cells. Thiophenfurin, an inhibitor of the enzyme synthesized by us, is endowed with a significant apoptotic activity in promyelocytic leukaemia HL60 cells. Since retinoids were successfully employed in the treatment of patients with leukaemia, demonstrating significant differentiation-inducing and apoptotic effects, we carried out this study to evaluate the effects of the combination of thiophenfurin and several retinoid molecules, acting in d…

Histone deacetylase inhibition modulates deoxyribonucleotide pools and enhances the antitumor effects of the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor 3’-C-methyladenosine in leukaemia cells

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are a new class of epigenetic agents that were reported to enhance the cytotoxic effects of classical anticancer drugs through multiple mechanisms. However, which of the possible drug combinations would be the most effective and clinically useful are to be determined. We treated the HL60 and NB4 promyelocytic leukaemia cells with a combination of the ribonucleotide reductase (RR) inhibitor 3'-C-methyladenosine (3'-Me-Ado) and several hydroxamic acid-derived HDAC inhibitors, including two recently synthesized molecules, MC1864 and MC1879, and the reference compound trichostatin A (TSA). The results showed significant growth inhibitory and apoptotic syner…

Antitumor profile of new phenothiazine derivatives

Heterocycle-containing retinoids. Discovery of a novel isoxazole arotinoid possessing potent apoptotic activity in multidrug and drug-induced apoptosis-resistant cells.

In a search for retinoic acid (RA) receptor ligands endowed with potent apoptotic activity, a series of novel arotinoids were prepared. Because the stereochemistry of the C9-alkenyl portion of natural 9-cis-RA and the olefinic moiety of the previously synthesized isoxazole retinoid 4 seems to have particular importance for their apoptotic activity, novel retinoid analogues with a restricted or, vice versa, a larger flexibility in this region were designed and prepared. The new compounds were evaluated in vitro for their ability to activate natural retinoid receptors and for their differentiation-inducing activity. Cytotoxic and apoptotic activities were, in addition, evaluated. In general, …

Chemioterapici antibatterici

HISTONE DEACETYLASE (HDAC) INHIBITION MODULATES INTRACELLULAR DEOXYNUCLEOTIDES (DNTP) POOLS AND POTENTIATES THE ANTITUMOR EFFECTS OF THE RIBONUCLEOTIDE REDUCTASE (RR) INHIBITOR 3’- METHYL-ADENOSINE (3’-ME-ADO) IN PROMYELOCITIC LEUKAEMIA CELL LINES.

HDAC inhibitors are a new class of antitumor agents that were reported to enhance the cytotoxic effects of a number of classical anticancer drugs through multiple mechanisms. In particular, they are capable of modulating the expression of a series of key cellular genes leading to significant antiproliferative and apoptotic effects. However, which of the possible drug combinations would be the most effective and clinically useful is still to be determined. We treated the HL60 and NB4 promyelocitic leukaemia cells with a combination of the RR inhibitor 3’-Me-Ado and several hydroxamic acid–derived HDAC inhibitors, including the two recently synthesized molecules, MC1864 and MC1879, and the re…

Influence of Pharmacokinetic Variations on the Pharmacological Properties of Adriamycin

Whenever it appears impossible to modify the chemical structure of drugs with a high and established therapeutic activity but a low chemotherapeutic index, pharmacological research has to find other ways of improving the chemotherapeutic index. This problem is particularly important in the case of antitumor drugs, thus justifying research into the most suitable choice of dosage and routes of administration, as well as into the pharmacological associations which enable tumor cells to be hit at various stages of the reproductive cycle. Alternatively, the therapeutic index could be improved by the use of antagonistic compounds (like, for example, methotrexate and folinic acid) which act upon t…

Pterostilbene and 3′-hydroxypterostilbene are effective apoptosis-inducing agents in MDR and BCR-ABL-expressing leukemia cells

Pterostilbene and 3,5-hydroxypterostilbene are the natural 3,5-dimethoxy analogs of trans-resveratrol and piceatannol, two compounds which can induce apoptosis in tumor cells. In previous studies we demonstrated the importance of a 3,5-dimethoxy motif in conferring pro-apoptotic activity to stilbene based compounds so we now wanted to evaluate the ability of pterostilbene and 3,5-hydroxypterostilbene in inducing apoptosis in sensitive and resistant leukemia cells. When tested in sensitive cell lines, HL60 and HUT78, 3'-hydroxypterostilbene was 50-97 times more potent than trans-resveratrol in inducing apoptosis, while pterostilbene appeared barely active. However, both compounds, but not tr…

Heterocyclic and Phenyl Double-Bond-Locked Combretastatin Analogues Possessing Potent Apoptosis-inducing activity in HL60 and in MDR Cell lines

Two new series of combretastatin (CA-4) analogues have been prepared. The alkenyl motif of CA-4 was replaced either by a five-membered heterocyclic (isoxazoline or isoxazole) or by a six-membered ring (pyridine or benzene). The new compounds have been evaluated for their effects on tubulin assembly and for cytotoxic and apoptotic activities. Five compounds (18b, 20a, 21a, 34b, and 35b) demonstrated an attractive profile of cytotoxicity (IC501 microM) and apoptosis-inducing activity but poor antitubulin activity. The isoxazoline derivatives 18b, 20a, and 21a, demonstrated potent apoptotic activity different from that of natural CA-4. Their ability to block most cells in the G2 phase suggests…

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of thiophenfurin in combination with retinoids in human promyelocitic leucemia HL60 cells

NF-κB Inhibition Restores Sensitivity to Fas-Mediated Apoptosis in Lymphoma Cell Lines

Failure to perform the Fas-related apoptosis pathway can account for tumor resistance both to chemotherapeutic agents and to immunological effectors. We studied the role of NK-kappaB in Fas-resistance, employing the Fas-sensitive human T-lymphoma HuT78 cell line and its Fas-resistant variants HuT78B1 and HuT78G9. All these cell lines expressed high levels of constitutively activated NF-kappaB. Pretreatment of cells with NF-kappaB inhibitors (PDTC, MG132, or SN50) strongly enhanced CH11-induced apoptosis in HuT78 and Hut78G9 cells, while only MG132 showed a similar potentiating effect in HuT78B1. The described synergism was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with the anti-Fas-blocking a…

Antitumor effects of novel co-drugs linking histone deacetylase and ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors in hematological tumors

Combination therapy is the mainstay of anticancer therapy due to the significant synergistic effects achievable. Now that anticancer drug research turned toward a more molecular targeted approach, the design of dual-target drugs appears to be a new promising strategy with the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the single drug and to reduce the probability of drug induced resistance and cross resistance. In our previous work, we found that 3’-C-methyl-adenosine (3’-Me-Ado), developed by us as a potent ribonucleotide reductase (RR) inhibitor with antitumor activity against both human leukemia and carcinoma cell lines, elicited significant growth inhibitory and apoptotic synergis…

Epigenetic agents as an adjunct to active chemotherapy in hematological tumor cell lines

Epigenetic therapy is a new promising area in cancer research that is based on the use of a series of molecules capable of affecting tumor cell growth, differentiation and death by modifying the cellular mechanisms underlying the control of gene expression. Significant enhancement of traditional anticancer drug effects has been also reported by several authors. Our recent research focused on the identification of new epigenetic agent-containing drug combinations to be employed in the therapy of leukemia. The results showed that the new combination of an histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and the ribonucleotide reductase (RR) inhibitor 3’-methyl-adenosine (3’-Me-Ado) is endowed with a sign…

The CD95/CD95 ligand system is not the major effector in anticancer drug-mediated apoptosis.

Many anticancer drugs are able to induce apoptosis in tumor cells but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. Some authors reported that the p53 tumor suppressor gene may be responsible for drug-induced apoptosis; however, chemotherapy-induced apoptosis can also be observed in p53 negative cells. Recently, doxorubicin (DXR) was reported to induce CD95L expression to mediate apoptosis through the CD95/CD95L system. Thus, an impairment of such a system may be involved in drug resistance. We evaluated the in vitro antitumor activity of several cytotoxic drugs on two human p53-negative T-cell lymphoma cell lines, the HUT78-B1 CD95L-resistant cell line and the HUT78 pare…