Cancer cell CCL5 mediates bone marrow independent angiogenesis in breast cancer.

It has recently been suggested that the chemokine receptor (CCR5) is required for bone marrow (BM) derived endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mediated angiogenesis. Here we show that suppression of either cancer cell produced CCL5, or host CCR5 leads to distinctive vascular and tumor growth defects in breast cancer. Surprisingly, CCR5 restoration in the BM alone was not sufficient to rescue the wild type phenotype, suggesting that impaired tumor growth associated with inhibiting CCL5/CCR5 is not due to defects in EPC biology. Instead, to promote angiogenesis cancer cell CCL5 may signal directly to endothelium in the tumor-stroma. In support of this hypothesis, we have also shown: (i) that endothelial cell CCR5 levels increases in response to tumor-conditioned media; (ii) that the amount of CCR5+ tumor vasculature correlates with invasive grade; and (iii) that inhibition of CCL5/CCR5 signaling impairs endothelial cell migration, associated with a decrease in activation of mTOR/AKT pathway members. Finally, we show that treatment with CCR5 antagonist results in less vasculature, impaired tumor growth, reduced metastases and improved survival. Taken as a whole, this work demonstrates that directly inhibiting CCR5 expressing vasculature constitutes a novel strategy for inhibiting angiogenesis and blocking metastatic progression in breast cancer.

MicroRNAs regulate tumor angiogenesis modulated by endothelial progenitor cells.

Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) contribute to the angiogenesis-dependent growth of tumors in mice and humans. EPCs regulate the angiogenic switch via paracrine secretion of proangiogenic growth factors and by direct luminal incorporation into sprouting nascent vessels. miRNAs have emerged as key regulators of several cellular processes including angiogenesis; however, whether miRNAs contribute to bone marrow-mediated angiogenesis has remained unknown. Here, we show that genetic ablation of miRNA-processing enzyme Dicer, specifically in the bone marrow, decreased the number of circulating EPCs, resulting in angiogenesis suppression and impaired tumor growth. Furthermore, genome-wide deep sequencing of small RNAs revealed tumor EPC-intrinsic miRNAs including miR-10b and miR-196b, which have been previously identified as key regulators of HOX signaling and adult stem cell differentiation. Notably, we found that both miR-10b and miR-196b are responsive to vascular endothelial growth factor stimulation and show elevated expression in human high-grade breast tumor vasculature. Strikingly, targeting miR-10b and miR-196b led to significant defects in angiogenesis-mediated tumor growth in mice. Targeting these miRNAs may constitute a novel strategy for inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.

Synthesis and NMDA-receptor affinity of 4-oxo-dexoxadrol derivatives.

A synthesis of novel dexoxadrol analogues is described, which allows modifications of the piperidine substructure. The key step of the synthesis is a hetero Diels-Alder reaction of the imine 12 with Danishefsky's diene 6. After separation of the diastereomeric piperidones 14a and 14b, the relative configuration of the unlike configured piperidone 15b was determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. In receptor binding studies the like configured secondary amine 15a (racemate) showed considerable affinity toward the phencyclidine binding site of the NMDA receptor (Ki=470 nM).

Relationships between the structure of dexoxadrol and etoxadrol analogues and their NMDA receptor affinity.

In the mid 1960s the (dioxolan-4-yl)piperidine derivatives dexoxadrol ((S,S)-1a) and etoxadrol ((S,S,S)-2a) were synthesized. Their pharmacological potential as analgesics, anesthetics and local anesthetics was evaluated in animal models and later on in clinical trials with patients. However, severe side effects including psychotomimetic effects, unpleasant dreams and aberrations stopped the clinical evaluation of dexoxadrol and etoxadrol. Both dioxolane derivatives represent NMDA receptor antagonists, which possess high affinity to the phencyclidine binding site within the NMDA receptor associated ion channel. In this review relationships between the structure of acetalic dexoxadrol analogues and homologues and their affinity toward the phencyclidine binding site of the NMDA receptor are summarized. In particular, high affinity is attained with compounds bearing two phenyl residues or one phenyl residue and an alkyl residue with two or three carbon atoms at the acetalic center. At least one oxygen atom of the oxygen heterocycle is necessary. Instead of the entire piperidine ring aminoalkyl substructures are sufficient for strong receptor interactions. Compounds with a primary amino moiety generally display the highest receptor affinity, whereas tertiary amines possess low affinity. Enlargement of the 1,3-dioxolane ring to a 1,3-dioxane ring or elongation of the oxygen heterocycle / amino group distance results in compounds with considerable NMDA receptor affinity.

Essential steps and practical applications for database studies.

As the information that is collected from health care encounters becomes more available, managed care pharmacy will have greater insights on the impact of pharmaceutical policy on patient outcomes. Database studies provide valuable information that depicts actual health care consumption and provides a tool to help manage the health care benefit. As compared with clinical trials, one of the strengths of database studies is that they are nonintrusive to patients and providers. However, the integrity of the data and any subsequent analysis are dependent on accurate and consistent coding practices at the time of data entry into the system. This article describes the 6 main steps required to complete a database study.