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1.
Cancer Prev Res (Phila) ; 4(9): 1419-25, 2011 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21680702

ABSTRACT

The phytochemical resveratrol has undergone extensive preclinical investigation for its putative cancer chemopreventive properties. Low systemic availability of the parent compound due to rapid and extensive metabolism may confound its usefulness as a potential agent to prevent malignancies in organs remote from the site of absorption. Micronization allows increased drug absorption, thus increasing availability. Here we describe a pilot study of SRT501, micronized resveratrol, given as 5.0 g daily for 14 days, to patients with colorectal cancer and hepatic metastases scheduled to undergo hepatectomy. The purpose of the study was to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of the formulation. SRT501 was found to be well tolerated. Mean plasma resveratrol levels following a single dose of SRT501 administration were 1,942 ± 1,422 ng/mL, exceeding those published for equivalent doses of nonmicronized resveratrol by 3.6-fold. Resveratrol was detectable in hepatic tissue following SRT501 administration (up to 2,287 ng/g). Cleaved caspase-3, a marker of apoptosis, significantly increased by 39% in malignant hepatic tissue following SRT501 treatment compared with tissue from the placebo-treated patients. SRT501 warrants further clinical exploration to assess its potential clinical utility.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacokinetics , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Stilbenes/pharmacology , Stilbenes/pharmacokinetics , Aged , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/administration & dosage , Caspase 3/metabolism , Combined Modality Therapy/methods , Double-Blind Method , Female , Hepatectomy/methods , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Metastasis , Pilot Projects , Placebos , Postoperative Complications , Resveratrol , Stilbenes/administration & dosage , Titanium/pharmacology
2.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol ; 108(3-5): 213-20, 2008 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17933522

ABSTRACT

Some endocrine disrupting compounds such as phthalates and phenols act non-genomically by inhibiting the sulfotransferase (SULT 1E1 and SULT 1A1) isoforms which inactivate estrogens by sulfonation. A range of environmental phenolic contaminants and dietary flavonoids was tested for inhibition of the human SULT 1A1, 1E1 and 2A1 isoforms. In particular, the plasticisers 4-n-octyl- and 4-n-nonyl-phenol inhibit SULT 1E1 with IC(50) values of 0.16 microM vs. 10nM estradiol while the 2-substituted chlorophenols show similar values. Flavonoids are also SULT inhibitors; tricin is a competitive inhibitor of SULT 1E1 with a K(i) of 1.5+/-0.8 nM. In a small pilot study to determine whether ingestion of soy flavonoids would affect SULT1A1 activity in vivo as well as in vitro, sulfonation of daidzein was reduced in a group of women 'at risk' of breast cancer, as compared with controls, although the SULT 1A1*1/SULT 1A1*2 allele ratio was not different. Endocrine disrupting effects in man may be multifactorial when components from both the diet and the environment act at the same point in steroid metabolism.


Subject(s)
Diet , Endocrine Disruptors/pharmacology , Environmental Exposure , Phytoestrogens/pharmacology , Xenobiotics/pharmacology , Adolescent , Adult , Arylsulfotransferase/antagonists & inhibitors , Arylsulfotransferase/blood , Female , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Humans , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Phenols/pharmacology , Pilot Projects , Sulfotransferases/antagonists & inhibitors , Sulfotransferases/blood , Sulfotransferases/metabolism
3.
Curr Pharm Des ; 13(27): 2744-50, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17897020

ABSTRACT

Drug design based on the structure of specific enzymes playing a role in carcinogenesis, e.g. tyrosine kinases, has been successful at identifying novel effective anticancer drugs. In contrast, no success has been achieved in drug design attempts, in which transcription factors or DNA-transcription factor complexes involved in the pathogenesis of human neoplasms were targeted. This failure is likely to be due to the fact that the mechanism of transcription regulation is probably too complex and still too inadequately understood to be a suitable target for drug design. It seems plausible that the high selectivity of some human tumors to some DNA-interactive anticancer drugs, e.g. cisplatin, is related to an effect on the transcription of genes that are crucial for those tumors. In this article we propose that some natural products have evolutionarily evolved to exert highly specialized functions, including modulation of the transcriptional regulation of specific genes. We discuss in detail the marine natural product Yondelis (Trabectedin, ET-743) that is effective against some soft tissue sarcoma, possibly because it interferes with the aberrant transcription mechanism in these tumors. In addition we highlight the existing evidence that many different natural products are effective inhibitors of NF-kB, a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in inflammation and cancer, indicating that some of these compounds might possess antitumor properties. We propose that large-scale characterization of natural products acting as potential modulators of gene transcription is a realistic and attractive approach to discover compounds therapeutically effective against neoplastic diseases characterized by specific aberrations of transcriptional regulation.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Biological Products/pharmacology , Biological Products/therapeutic use , Neoplasms/enzymology , Neoplasms/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Transcription, Genetic/drug effects , Animals , Biological Products/chemical synthesis , Drug Delivery Systems , Humans , Neoplasms/drug therapy
4.
Ann R Coll Surg Engl ; 89(3): 207-11, 2007 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17394699

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is an excellent target for chemoprevention strategies; given its late age of onset, any delay in carcinogenesis would lead to a reduction in its incidence. This article reviews all the completed and on-going phase III trials in prostate cancer chemoprevention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All phase III trials of prostate cancer chemoprevention were identified within a Medline search using the keywords 'clinical trial, prostate cancer, chemoprevention'. RESULTS: In 2003, the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) became the first phase III clinical trial of prostate cancer prevention. This landmark study was terminated early due to the 24.8% reduction of prostate cancer prevalence over a 7-year period in those men taking the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, finasteride. This article reviews the PCPT and the interpretation of the excess high-grade prostate cancer (HGPC) cases in the finasteride group. The lack of relationship between cumulative dose and the HGPC cases, and the possible sampling error of biopsies due to gland volume reduction in the finasteride group refutes the suggestion that this is a genuine increase in HGPC cases. The other on-going phase III clinical trials of prostate cancer chemoprevention - the REDUCE study using dutasteride, and the SELECT study using vitamin E and selenium - are also reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: At present, finasteride remains the only intervention shown in long-term prospective phase III clinical trials to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. Until we have the results of trials using alternative agents including the on-going REDUCE and SELECT trials, the advice given to men interested in prostate cancer prevention must include discussion of the results of the PCPT. The increased rate of HGPC in the finasteride group continues to generate debate; however, finasteride may still be suitable for prostate cancer prevention, particularly in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Prostatic Neoplasms/prevention & control , Azasteroids/therapeutic use , Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic , Dutasteride , Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Finasteride/therapeutic use , Forecasting , Humans , Male , Selenium Compounds/therapeutic use , Vitamin E/therapeutic use
5.
Br J Cancer ; 96(2): 248-54, 2007 Jan 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17211473

ABSTRACT

Brown rice is a staple dietary constituent in Asia, whereas rice consumed in the Western world is generally white, obtained from brown rice by removal of the bran. We tested the hypothesis that rice bran interferes with development of tumours in TAg, TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) or Apc(Min) mice, genetic models of mammary, prostate and intestinal carcinogenesis, respectively. Mice received rice bran (30%) in AIN-93G diet throughout their post-weaning lifespan. In TAg and TRAMP mice, rice bran did not affect carcinoma development. In TRAMP or wild-type C57Bl6/J mice, dietary rice bran increased kidney weight by 18 and 20%, respectively. Consumption of rice bran reduced numbers of intestinal adenomas in Apc(Min) mice by 51% (P<0.01), compared to mice on control diet. In parallel, dietary rice bran decreased intestinal haemorrhage in these mice, as reflected by increased haematocrit. At 10% in the diet, rice bran did not significantly retard Apc(Min) adenoma development. Likewise, low-fibre rice bran (30% in the diet) did not affect intestinal carcinogenesis, suggesting that the fibrous constituents of the bran mediate chemopreventive efficacy. The results suggest that rice bran might be beneficially evaluated as a putative chemopreventive intervention in humans with intestinal polyps.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Disease Models, Animal , Intestinal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Oryza , Prostatic Neoplasms/prevention & control , Animals , Genes, APC , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Male , Mice
6.
Eur J Cancer ; 42(10): 1484-90, 2006 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16737808

ABSTRACT

Trabectedin is a marine-derived cytoxic alkaloid which has shown promising antitumour activity in a variety of human malignancies including sarcoma. Fifty-four patients with advanced sarcoma (age 43 yrs, range 18-70), all pretreated with prior chemotherapy, were enrolled on a named individual basis for treatment with trabectedin. Diagnosis was adult soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in 46 patients, Ewing's family tumour (EFT) in 4, and osteosarcoma (OS) in 4. The initial 23 patients (total number of courses administered: 68) did not receive premedication prior to trabectedin, while the other 31 patients (total number of courses administered: 134) received premedication with dexamethasone 4 mg po bid 24 hours before therapy. Incidence of toxicity (grade 3-4), expressed as percentage of courses, was as follows: in patients without dexamethasone, elevation of transaminases 34%, neutropenia 24% and thrombocytopenia 25%; in patients with prior dexamethasone, elevation of transaminases 2%, neutropenia 2% and no thrombocytopenia. The median received dose intensity of trabectedin was superimposable in the two groups (404 microg and 400 microg per week, respectively), as well as progression-free survival (19% at 6 months). Among STS patients, 9% had objective responses. In this unselected patient series, premedication with dexamethasone strongly reduced drug-induced hepatotoxicity and myelosuppression.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/adverse effects , Bone Marrow Diseases/chemically induced , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Dioxoles/adverse effects , Premedication , Sarcoma/drug therapy , Steroids/therapeutic use , Tetrahydroisoquinolines/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Bone Marrow Diseases/prevention & control , Disease-Free Survival , Female , Humans , Liver Diseases/prevention & control , Male , Middle Aged , Trabectedin
7.
Invest New Drugs ; 24(6): 459-64, 2006 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16505954

ABSTRACT

DMU-135 (3,4-Methylenedioxy-3',4',5'-trimethoxy chalcone) is a novel anticancer prodrug designed to be activated into a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor by the tumour selective enzyme activity of the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP1B1. CYP1B1 is selectively expressed in a wide variety of tumours including colon. The hypothesis was tested that DMU-135 would inhibit Apc(Min/+) mouse gastrointestinal adenoma formation. From 4-18 weeks of age animals received DMU-135 (0.2% w:w) in AIN93G diet. DMU-135 was well tolerated, induced no systemic side-effects and reduced adenoma multiplicity by 46 +/- 18.3% compared to controls (p < 0.001). Further characterisation of this promising chemopreventive agent is required.


Subject(s)
Adenoma/prevention & control , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Chalcone/analogs & derivatives , Colon/drug effects , Intestinal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Intestine, Small/drug effects , Prodrugs/therapeutic use , Adenoma/pathology , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Chalcone/pharmacology , Chalcone/therapeutic use , Colon/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Genes, APC , Hematocrit , Intestinal Neoplasms/pathology , Intestine, Small/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL/genetics , Prodrugs/pharmacology , Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
8.
Eur J Cancer ; 42(3): 415-21, 2006 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16387490

ABSTRACT

The natural polphenol, curcumin, retards the growth of intestinal adenomas in the Apc(Min+) mouse model of human familial adenomatous polyposis. In other preclinical models, curcumin downregulates the transcription of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and decreases levels of two oxidative DNA adducts, the pyrimidopurinone adduct of deoxyguanosine (M1dG) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG). We have studied COX-2 protein expression and oxidative DNA adduct levels in intestinal adenoma tissue from Apc(Min+) mice to try and differentiate between curcumin's direct pharmacodynamic effects and indirect effects via its inhibition of adenoma growth. Mice received dietary curcumin (0.2%) for 4 or 14 weeks. COX-2 protein, M1dG and 8-oxo-dG levels were measured by Western blot, immunochemical assay and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. In control Apc(Min+) mice, the levels of all three indices measured in adenoma tissue were significantly higher than levels in normal mucosa. Lifetime administration of curcumin reduced COX-2 expression by 66% (P = 0.01), 8-oxo-dG levels by 24% (P < 0.05) and M1dG levels by 39% (P < 0.005). Short-term feeding did not affect total adenoma number or COX-2 expression, but decreased M1dG levels by 43% (P < 0.01). COX-2 protein levels related to adenoma size. These results demonstrate the utility of measuring these oxidative DNA adduct levels to show direct antioxidant effects of dietary curcumin. The effects of long-term dietary curcumin on COX-2 protein levels appear to reflect retardation of adenoma development.


Subject(s)
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli/diet therapy , Curcumin/pharmacology , Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , DNA Adducts/drug effects , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Blotting, Western , Cyclooxygenase 2/drug effects , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL
9.
Br J Cancer ; 93(7): 735-9, 2005 Oct 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16160697

ABSTRACT

The concept of delaying or preventing epithelial transformation remains a viable and attainable goal for the future. Drug-based strategies for chemoprevention of the future may predominantly rely upon targeted therapies with tolerable but defined toxicities for treatment of individuals diagnosed with intraepithelial neoplasias. Foods, diet manipulation strategies, or nutraceuticals may be more appropriate to delay or prevent carcinogenesis progression in healthy populations with genetic or epidemiologic evidence of risk for future transformation.


Subject(s)
Neoplasms/prevention & control , Anticarcinogenic Agents/administration & dosage , Diet , Humans , Neoplasms/drug therapy
10.
Eur J Cancer ; 41(13): 1955-68, 2005 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16081279

ABSTRACT

Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric. It possesses diverse anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties following oral or topical administration. Apart from curcumin's potent antioxidant capacity at neutral and acidic pH, its mechanisms of action include inhibition of several cell signalling pathways at multiple levels, effects on cellular enzymes such as cyclooxygenase and glutathione S-transferases, immuno-modulation and effects on angiogenesis and cell-cell adhesion. Curcumin's ability to affect gene transcription and to induce apoptosis in preclinical models is likely to be of particular relevance to cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy in patients. Although curcumin's low systemic bioavailability following oral dosing may limit access of sufficient concentrations for pharmacological effect in certain tissues, the attainment of biologically active levels in the gastrointestinal tract has been demonstrated in animals and humans. Sufficient data currently exist to advocate phase II clinical evaluation of oral curcumin in patients with invasive malignancy or pre-invasive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the colon and rectum.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Curcumin/therapeutic use , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Anticarcinogenic Agents/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Antioxidants/metabolism , Apoptosis , Biological Availability , Cell Adhesion , Curcumin/chemistry , Curcumin/pharmacokinetics , Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans
11.
Eur J Cancer ; 41(1): 61-70, 2005 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15617991

ABSTRACT

Over the last decade, epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies have implicated oxidative stress in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Oxidative stress may be linked to the effects of androgens, anti-oxidant systems and the pre-malignant condition, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Cyclooxygenase-2 activity has been linked with prostate carcinogenesis. Evidence suggests that oxidative stress and cyclo-oxygenase-2 activity may be mechanistically linked. Agents such as anti-oxidants and cyclo-oxgenase-2 inhibitors may be of value in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer. The feasibility of intervention with such agents will depend on the development and validation of biomarkers for clinical trials, particularly markers of oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). A greater understanding of the molecular events associated with oxidative stress will enhance the development of such biomarkers and should result in better strategies for the chemoprevention of prostate cancer.


Subject(s)
Chemoprevention/methods , Oxidative Stress/physiology , Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases/metabolism , Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia/prevention & control , Prostatic Neoplasms/prevention & control , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Androgens/physiology , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Cyclooxygenase 1 , Cyclooxygenase 2 , DNA Adducts/metabolism , Humans , Lipoxygenase/metabolism , Male , Membrane Proteins , Middle Aged , Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia/drug therapy , Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia/enzymology , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Prostatic Neoplasms/enzymology
12.
Br J Cancer ; 91(7): 1364-71, 2004 Oct 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15316567

ABSTRACT

Tricin, a flavone found in rice bran, inhibits the growth of human-derived malignant MDA-MB-468 breast tumour cells at submicromolar concentrations. As part of the exploration of tricin as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent, we investigated the duration and cell cycle specificity of growth inhibition elicited by tricin in vitro and the effect of tricin on the development of MDA-MB-468 tumours grown in immune-compromised MF-1 mice in vivo. Preincubation of MDA-MB-468 cells with tricin (1-40 microM) for 72 h compromised cell growth after tricin removal, and such irreversibility was not observed in human breast-derived nonmalignant HBL-100 cells. Tricin (>/=5 microM) arrested MDA-MB-468 cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle without inducing apoptosis as adjudged by annexin V staining. In nude mice consumption of tricin with the diet (0.2%, w w(-1)) from 1 week prior to MDA-MB-468 cell implantation failed to impede tumour development. Steady-state levels of tricin in plasma, breast tumour tissue and intestinal mucosa, as measured by HPLC, were 0.13 microM and 0.11 and 63 nmol g(-1), respectively. Cells were exposed to tricin (0.11, 1.1 or 11 microM) in vitro for 72 h and then implanted into mice. The volume of tumours in animals bearing cells pre-exposed to 11 microM tricin was less than a third of that in mice with control cells, while tumours from cells incubated with 0.1 or 1.1 microM tricin were indistinguishable from controls. These results suggest that the potent breast tumour cell growth-inhibitory activity of tricin in vitro does not directly translate into activity in the nude mouse bearing the MDA MB-468 tumour. While the results do not support the notion that tricin is a promising candidate for breast cancer chemoprevention, its high levels in the gastrointestinal tract after dietary intake render exploration of its ability to prevent colorectal carcinogenesis propitious.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Flavonoids/pharmacokinetics , Administration, Oral , Animals , Chemoprevention , Female , Flavonoids/administration & dosage , Humans , Mice , Mice, Nude , Oryza/chemistry , Tumor Cells, Cultured
13.
Br J Cancer ; 91(6): 1213-9, 2004 Sep 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15292928

ABSTRACT

Quercetin (3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavone) is a flavone with putative ability to prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Its metabolism was evaluated in rats and human. Rats received quercetin via the intravenous (i.v.) route and metabolites were isolated from the plasma, urine and bile. Analysis was by high-performance liquid chromatography and confirmation of species identity was achieved by mass spectrometry. Quercetin and isorhamnetin, the 3'-O-methyl analogue, were found in both the plasma and urine. In addition, several polar peaks were characterised as sulphated and glucuronidated conjugates of quercetin and isorhamnetin. Extension of the metabolism studies to a cancer patient who had received quercetin as an i.v. bolus showed that (Quercetin removed) isorhamnetin and quercetin 3'-O-sulphate were major plasma metabolites. As a catechol, quercetin can potentially be converted to a quinone and subsequently conjugated with glutathione (GSH). Oxidation of quercetin with mushroom tyrosinase in the presence of GSH furnished GSH conjugates of quercetin, two mono- and one bis-substituted conjugates. However, these species were not found in biomatrices in rats treated with quercetin. As cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is mechanistically linked to carcinogenesis, we examined whether quercetin and its metabolites can inhibit COX-2 in a human colorectal cancer cell line (HCA-7). Isorhamnetin and its 4'-isomer tamarixetin were potent inhibitors, reflected in a 90% decrease in prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2) levels, a marker of COX-2 activity. Quercetin was less effective, with a 50% decline. Quercetin 3- and 7-O-sulphate had no effect on PGE-2. The results indicate that quercetin may exert its pharmacological effects, at least in part, via its metabolites.


Subject(s)
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases/metabolism , Quercetin/pharmacology , Animals , Anticarcinogenic Agents/blood , Anticarcinogenic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Anticarcinogenic Agents/pharmacology , Biological Transport , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Dinoprostone/metabolism , Humans , Male , Quercetin/blood , Quercetin/pharmacokinetics , Rats , Rats, Inbred F344
14.
Eur J Cancer ; 40(9): 1302-13, 2004 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15177488

ABSTRACT

Angiogenesis is an obligatory event for the growth of tumours beyond 2 mm in diameter, above which simple oxygen diffusion can no longer support the rapid proliferation of malignant cells. Angiogenesis is a fine balance between inhibitory and stimulatory factors, the knowledge of which offers novel targets for the treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasia. A literature search of Pubmed and Medline databases was undertaken, using the keywords colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis therapy. It was found that angiogenesis in primary tumours is a sequential and highly complex cascade of molecular events resulting in the rapid exponential growth of the tumour. Hepatic metastases of primary tumours may be less reliant on traditional angiogenic pathways, by co-opting pre-existing hepatic vasculature. Research into angiogenesis has revealed many different sites that can be targeted by agents such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Many anti-angiogenic agents are undergoing preclinical evaluation, with only a few entering phase I and phase III clinical trials. However, early results suggest that anti-angiogenic therapy could be an important adjunct to conventional chemotherapy treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasia.


Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/blood supply , Neovascularization, Pathologic/drug therapy , Angiogenic Proteins/physiology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Humans , Hypoxia/physiopathology , Liver Neoplasms/physiopathology , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Neoplasm Metastasis/drug therapy , Signal Transduction/physiology
15.
Br J Cancer ; 90(5): 1011-5, 2004 Mar 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14997198

ABSTRACT

Studies in vitro and in animal models of colorectal and hepatocellular cancers suggest that curcumin is an effective chemopreventive agent. In this pilot trial, we investigated whether oral administration of curcumin results in concentrations of the agent in normal and malignant human liver tissue, which are sufficient to elicit pharmacological activity. In total, 12 patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer received 450-3600 mg of curcumin daily, for 1 week prior to surgery. Levels of curcumin and its metabolites were measured by HPLC in portal and peripheral blood, bile and liver tissue. Curcumin was poorly available, following oral administration, with low nanomolar levels of the parent compound and its glucuronide and sulphate conjugates found in the peripheral or portal circulation. While curcumin was not found in liver tissue, trace levels of products of its metabolic reduction were detected. In patients who had received curcumin, levels of malondialdehyde-DNA (M(1)G) adduct, which reflect oxidative DNA changes, were not decreased in post-treatment normal and malignant liver tissue when compared to pretreatment samples. The results suggest that doses of curcumin required to furnish hepatic levels sufficient to exert pharmacological activity are probably not feasible in humans.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Anticarcinogenic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , Curcumin/pharmacokinetics , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Portal Vein/metabolism , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Administration, Oral , Adult , Aged , Biological Availability , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , DNA Adducts/metabolism , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Male , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Mass Spectrometry , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects
16.
Br J Cancer ; 90(3): 736-44, 2004 Feb 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14760392

ABSTRACT

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring polyphenol with cancer chemopreventive properties in preclinical models of carcinogenesis, including those of colorectal cancer. Recently, a variety of analogues of resveratrol have been synthesised and investigated in in vitro assays. One analogue, 3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU 212), showed preferential growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic properties in transformed cells, when compared with their untransformed counterparts. As part of a chemoprevention drug development programme, the pharmacokinetic properties of DMU 212 were compared with those of resveratrol in the plasma, liver, kidney, lung, heart, brain and small intestinal and colonic mucosa of mice. DMU 212 or resveratrol (240 mg kg(-1)) were administered intragastrically, and drug concentrations were measured by HPLC. Metabolites were characterised by cochromatography with authentic reference compounds and were identified by mass spectrometry. The ratios of area of plasma or tissue concentration vs time curves of resveratrol over DMU 212 (AUC(res)/AUC(DMU212)) for the plasma, liver, small intestinal and colonic mucosa were 3.5, 5, 0.1 and 0.15, respectively. Thus, resveratrol afforded significantly higher levels than DMU 212 in the plasma and liver, while DMU 212 exhibited superior availability compared to resveratrol in the small intestine and colon. Resveratrol was metabolised to its sulphate or glucuronate conjugates, while DMU 212 underwent metabolic hydroxylation or single and double O-demethylation. DMU 212 and resveratrol inhibited the growth of human-derived colon cancer cells HCA-7 and HT-29 in vitro with IC(50) values of between 6 and 26 microM. In the light of the superior levels achieved in the gastrointestinal tract after the administration of DMU 212, when compared to resveratrol, the results provide a good rationale to evaluate DMU 212 as a colorectal cancer chemopreventive agent.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacokinetics , Stilbenes/pharmacology , Stilbenes/pharmacokinetics , Animals , Apoptosis , Chemoprevention , Colorectal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Drug Design , Hydroxylation , Isomerism , Mice , Resveratrol , Tissue Distribution
17.
J Chemother ; 16 Suppl 4: 3-6, 2004 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15688599

ABSTRACT

Non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) delay the onset of cancer in rodent models of colorectal carcinogenesis. Clinical trials suggest that they can interfere with preneoplasia in humans; thus they may be chemopreventive agents in humans. As NSAIDs posses unwanted side effects, efforts are being invested in the identification of alternative agents with comparable chemopreventive efficacy but without the toxicity of NSAIDs. Polyphenolic phytochemicals such as curcumin and resveratrol are promising candidates. Like NSAIDs they suppress carcinogenesis in the ApcMin+ mouse model. Clinical pilot studies of curcumin show that it is safe at doses of up to 3.6g daily, and that the levels of curcumin which can be achieved in the gastrointestinal tract exert pharmacological activity. More clinical evaluation will help establish whether polyphenolic phytochemicals are indeed safe and efficacious alternatives to NSAIDs.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Flavonoids/therapeutic use , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Phenols/therapeutic use , Primary Prevention/methods , Animals , Chemoprevention/methods , Clinical Trials as Topic , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Mice , Polyphenols , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity
19.
Br J Cancer ; 88(9): 1480-3, 2003 May 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12778080

ABSTRACT

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug aspirin and the spice curcumin retard adenoma formation when administered long-term to Apc(Min/+) mice, a model of human familial adenomatous polyposis coli. Both agents interfere with cyclooxygenase activity. When aspirin is administered to Apc(Min/+) mice only postweaning, but not before, it is inefficacious, while curcumin given postweaning is active. Here the hypothesis was tested that dietary aspirin (0.05%) or curcumin (0.2%) prevent or delay adenoma formation in offsprings when administered to Apc(Min/+) mothers and up to the end of weaning, but not afterwards. Whereas curcumin was without effect when administered in this way, aspirin reduced numbers of intestinal adenomas by 21%. When aspirin given up to the end of weaning was combined with curcumin administered from the end of weaning for the rest of the animals' lifetime, intestinal adenoma numbers were reduced by 38%. The combination was not superior to intervention postweaning with curcumin alone. These results show that aspirin exerts chemopreventive activity in the Apc(Min/+) mouse during tumour initiation/early promotion, while curcumin is efficacious when given at a later stage of carcinogenic progression. Thus, the results suggest that in this mouse model aspirin and curcumin act during different 'windows' of neoplastic development.


Subject(s)
Adenoma/prevention & control , Aging/physiology , Anticarcinogenic Agents/therapeutic use , Aspirin/therapeutic use , Curcumin/therapeutic use , Genes, APC , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Intestinal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Administration, Oral , Animals , Aspirin/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Transgenic
20.
Eur J Cancer ; 39(8): 1041-52, 2003 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12736102

ABSTRACT

Modern medicine is increasingly focused towards population surveillance for disease, coupled with the implementation of preventative measures applied to 'at-risk' patients. Surveillance in colorectal cancer is limited by the cost and risk of endoscopy. Trials of putative chemopreventive agents in colorectal cancer are hampered by difficulties in following up large cohorts of patients over long periods of time to ascertain the clinical effect. Research into possible pathways of colorectal carcinogenesis has revealed a range of biological intermediates which could be used in surveillance, the identification of high risk populations and early diagnosis of cancer. The aim of this paper was to review the possible role of biomarkers in surveillance and the timing of intervention. A literature review using both Medline and Web of Science was performed from 1995 onwards using keywords: biomarkers, colorectal cancer, carcinogenesis, chemoprevention, surveillance and screening. Research has identified many potential biomarkers, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), oxidative DNA adducts and glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms, which could be applied in a clinical setting to screen for and detect colorectal cancer. Molecular biomarkers, such as COX-2, oxidative DNA adducts and GST polymorphisms offer new prospects in the detection of early colorectal cancer, surveillance of high-risk populations and prediction of the clinical effectiveness of chemopreventive drugs. Their role could be extended into surgical surveillance for potentially operable disease and post-operative follow-up for disease recurrence. Research should be directed at assessing complementary biomarkers to increase clinical effectiveness in determining management options for patients.


Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Colorectal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Base Pair Mismatch , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Clinical Trials as Topic , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Cyclooxygenase 2 , Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/genetics , DNA Adducts/analysis , Feces/chemistry , Genes, APC , Glutathione Transferase/genetics , Humans , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Mass Spectrometry , Membrane Proteins , Neoplasm Staging , Polymorphism, Genetic , Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases/metabolism , Risk Factors
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