Sinomenine reduces growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells and improves the survival of tumor-bearing mice through suppressing the SHh pathway.

In this study, the suppressive effect of sinomenine on the activation of SHh and the progression of breast cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo was investigated. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were treated with sinomenine and/or cyclopamine a proven SHh inhibitor. Sinomenine and cyclopamine both suppressed cell proliferation and migration, but sinomenine had a stronger suppressive effect in MDA-MB-231. In addition, sinomenine could suppress the activation of NF-κB and SHh signaling pathways, but cyclopamine could not suppress the activation of NF-κB. Subsequently, a mouse breast cancer-lung metastasis model was established. Our data on tissue examination and gene detection showed that SHh signaling was markedly activated in the metastatic model mice. The progression of lung metastasis was suppressed when mice were fed sinomenine and/or cyclopamine, while sinomenine had a stronger suppressive effect than cyclopamine in the model mice. In conclusion, sinomenine has a better effect than cyclopamine on the inhibition of breast cancer metastasis to lung in vivo and vitro, and inhibits NF-κB activation and NF-κB-mediated activation of SHh signaling pathway.

Latest research progress in the correlation between baicalein and breast cancer invasion and metastasis.

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly occurring female malignant tumors. According to the 2012 GLOBOCAN statistics, produced by the International Agency for Research On Cancer ('IARC'), nearly 1.7 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer, with 522,000 related deaths: An increase in the incidence of breast cancer and associated mortality by nearly 18% from 2008. Metastasis is the final step in breast cancer progression, and represents the most common cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, a search for low-toxicity, safe and effective anti-breast cancer drugs in the form of natural compounds has become an intense focus of research. Baicalein, a widely used Chinese herbal medicine, has extensive antitumor activity. The present review briefly describes the research that has been performed on the association between baicalein and breast cancer metastasis, and further illustrates the influence of baicalein on the underlying mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis, adding a novel theory basis for baicalein antitumor research. In conclusion, baicalein may represent a promising target for the prevention and therapy of breast cancer.

Effect of baicalein on the expression of SATB1 in human breast cancer cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of baicalein on the protein expression of SATB1 in the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with various concentrations of baicalein (0, 10, 20, 40 µM). Following treatment, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and wound healing assay were used to detect the changes in cell proliferation and migration. In addition, western blot analysis was performed to detect the changes in the protein expression levels of SATB1 in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. With the prolongation of administration time and the increase in drug concentration, the inhibitory effect of baicalein on the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells gradually increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, baicalein was shown to markedly decrease the protein expression levels of SATB1 in the MDA-MB-231 cells. With increasing drug concentrations, the protein expression levels of SATB1 decreased gradually (P<0.05). Therefore, baicalein was demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells and downregulate the protein expression of SATB1, indicating that baicalein can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells by downregulating the expression of SATB1.

DADS suppresses human esophageal xenograft tumors through RAF/MEK/ERK and mitochondria-dependent pathways.

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is a natural organosulfur compound isolated from garlic. DADS has various biological properties, including anticancer, antiangiogenic, and antioxidant effects. However, the anticancer mechanisms of DADS in human esophageal carcinoma have not been elucidated, especially in vivo. In this study, MTT assay showed that DADS significantly reduced cell viability in human esophageal carcinoma ECA109 cells, but was relatively less toxic in normal liver cells. The pro-apoptotic effect of DADS on ECA109 cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Flow cytometry analysis showed that DADS promoted apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and the apoptosis rate could be decreased by caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO. Xenograft study in nude mice showed that DADS treatment inhibited the growth of ECA109 tumor in both 20 and 40 mg/kg DADS groups without obvious side effects. DADS inhibited ECA109 tumor proliferation by down-regulating proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). DADS induced apoptosis by activating a mitochondria-dependent pathway with the executor of caspase-3, increasing p53 level and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and downregulating the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway in ECA109 xenograft tumosr. Based on studies in cell culture and animal models, the findings here indicate that DADS is an effective and safe anti-cancer agent for esophageal carcinoma.

[Effects of activated PPARgamma on the expression of PTEN gene in pancreatic cancer cells].

AIM: To explore the relationship between the expression of PTEN gene and the expression of PPARgamma, and the human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1 were cultured in vitro. METHODS: The effects of rosiglitazone and GW9662 on the expression of PTEN gene and PTEN protein in the human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1 were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. In addition, the percentage of the expression of PTEN protein was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The expression of PTEN gene and PTEN protein in human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1 were all increased significantly after treated with rosiglitazone. While those were markedly reduced in GW9662 treated groups, and it has a dose-effect relationship between them. CONCLUSION: The expression of PTEN gene were paralleled with the expression of PPARgammain human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1, which may be related to its inhibitory effects on pancreatic tumor cells.

[HER-2 expression in local advanced breast cancer and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between HER-2 expression and the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in local advanced breast cancer. METHODS: Different neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens, namely CMF, CEF, and NEF, were administered in 132 patients with local advanced breast cancer for 2 cycles, each lasting for 28 days. According to the criteria recommended by WHO, the efficacy and safety of the regimens were evaluated after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. HER-2 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry using specific monoclonal antibodies before chemotherapy and after surgery. RESULTS: The overall response rate (RR) of CMF, CEF, and NEF regimens were 39.5% (17/43), 54.3% (25/46) and 72.1% (31/43), with incidence of leukopenia of 34.9% (15/43), 58.7% (27/46) and 60.5% (26/43), respectively. Other adverse effects including decreased hemoglobin (Hb) level, thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal irritation and alopecia were similar between the 3 groups (P>0.05). No significant variation in HER-2 expression occurred after administration of the 3 regimens. The overall RR to CMF regimen in HER-2-negative breast cancer patients was significantly higher than that in HER-2-positive patients, but showed no significant difference with CEF and NEF regimens. CONCLUSION: HER-2 expression is not decreased after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, and HER-2-positive breast cancer can be resistant to CMF regimen, but not to CEF and NEF regimens.

[Chemopreventive effect of celecoxib against DMBA-induced breast cancer and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the chemopreventive effect of celecoxib, a specific cyclooxegenease-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, on chemically induced breast cancer of rats and its effect on COX-2 expression. METHODS: 7, 12-dimethylbenz anthracene (DMBA) was administered intragastrically in SD female rats to establish breast cancer models, which were divided subsequently into control group, tamoxifen group and celecoxib group to receive different treatments accordingly. The occurrence rate of breast cancer was observed and the effect of celecoxib on COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions assayed by immunohistochemical SP method. RESULTS: The incidence of breast cancer in tamoxifen group (48.15%) and celecoxib group (50.00%) were both significantly lower than that in the control group (85.71%; P=0.003 and P=0.004, respectively). The positivity rate of COX-2 expression in celecoxib group (28.57%) was significantly lower than those of tamoxifen group (48.15%) and control group (83.33%; P=0.001 and P=0.035, respectively). The positivity rate of VEGF expression in celecoxib group (42.86%) was significantly lower than that of control group (79.17%, P=0.023), but comparable with that in tamoxifen group (46.15%, P=0.863). CONCLUSION: Celecoxib can significantly suppress DMBA-induced breast cancer in female rats possibly through down-regulation of COX-2 and VEGF expressions.

[Chemopreventive effect of tamoxifen combined with celecoxib on DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer can be prevented partly by tamoxifen. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is expressed in many kinds of tumors, and correlated to the occurrence and progress of tumors. This study was to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of tamoxifen combined with celecoxib, a COX-2 selective inhibitor, on 7,12-dimethylbenz anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer in rats. METHODS: DMBA was irrigated into the stomach of SD female rats to build breast cancer model. The rats were divided into 4 groups: control group, tamoxifen group, celecoxib group, and combination group; each group contained 30 rats. Tumor occurrence, latency period, number and volume of breast cancer were observed. RESULTS: The tumor occurrence rates in tamoxifen group (48.15%, 13/27) and celecoxib group (50.00%, 14/28) were lower than that in control group (85.71%, 24/28), and higher than that in combination group (21.43%, 6/28). The latency periods of tamoxifen group [(97.54+/-1.85) days] and celecoxib group [(96.79+/-2.89) days] were longer than that of control group [(89.50+/-5.99) days], and shorter than that of combination group [(103.67+/-3.39) days]. The tumor numbers of tamoxifen group (1.77+/-0.73) and celecoxib group (1.71+/-0.61) were less than that of control group (3.50+/-1.62), and more than that of combination group (1.17+/-0.42). The tumor volumes of tamoxifen group [(1.78+/-0.71) cm(3)] and celecoxib group [(2.05+/-1.04) cm(3)] were smaller than that of control group [(6.42+/-3.96) cm(3)], and larger than that of combination group [(0.71+/-0.96) cm(3)]. All differences were significant (P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Celecoxib and tamoxifen could effectively prevent the occurrence of DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats; the combination of them has better chemopreventive effect.

[Effects of siRNA targeted to survivin in suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in breast cancer MCF-7 cells].

OBJECTIVE: Blocking the expression of survivin with RNA interference techniques, the effects of suppressing proliferation and inducing apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells were investigated. METHODS: A siRNA eukaryotic expression vector against survivin was constructed and transfected into breast cancer MCF-7 cells with lipofectamine 2000. The changes of survivin expression were detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The effect of suppressing proliferation of MCF-7 cell was detected by MTT assay. The effect of inducing MCF-7 cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. RESULTS: The sequence-specific siRNA can efficiently block the expression of survivin both at mRNA and protein levels. The expression inhibition rate was 64.9% at mRNA level detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and 79.7% at protein level detected by immunohistochemistry. Blocking the expression of survivin can suppress proliferation of MCF-7 cells significantly. At 24 and 48 h after the cells were reseeded, the proliferation inhibition rates were 31.6% and 33.0%, respectively. At 24 h after transfection, apoptosis was induced in 12.9% of the cells as detected by TUNEL assay. CONCLUSION: Blocking the expression of survivin with RNA interference technology can significantly suppress proliferation of MCF-7 cells and induce apoptosis to a certain degree. RNAi targeted to survivin has a potential value in gene therapy of breast cancer.

Knockdown of survivin expression by small interfering RNA suppresses proliferation of two human cancer cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: To construct an expression vector of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against survivin and observe its effects on survivin expression and proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cell line PC-2 and breast cancer cell line MCF-7. METHODS: Constructed an expression vector of siRNA against survivin and transfected it into PC-2 and MCF-7 cells using lipofectamine 2000. The expression of survivin was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and its effects on proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells were detected by MTT assay. RESULTS: The introduction of sequence-specific siRNA could efficiently suppress survivin expression at both mRNA and protein levels in the two cancer cell lines. In PC-2 cells, the expression inhibition rates were 81.25% at mRNA level and 74.24% at protein level. In MCF-7 cells, the expression inhibition rates were 64.91% at mRNA level and 79.72% at protein level. The proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells was also suppressed, and 24 and 48 hours after the cells were reseeded, the proliferation inhibition rates of PC-2 cells were 28.00% and 33.38%, and that of MCF-7 cells were 31.58% and 33.02%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The expression vector of siRNA against survivin can block survivin expression in PC-2 and MCF-7 cells efficiently and specifically. Down regulation of survivin expression can suppress proliferation of PC-2 and MCF-7 cells. Survivin RNAi may have potential value in gene therapy of human cancers.

Down-regulation of survivin expression by small interfering RNA induces pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis and enhances its radiosensitivity.

AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the expression of survivin in pancreatic cancer cell line PC-2 and the role of siRNA in inducing PC-2 cell apoptosis and enhancing its radiosensitivity. METHODS: A siRNA plasmid expression vector against survivin was constructed and transfected into PC-2 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The down regulation of survivin expression was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical SP method and the role of siRNA in inducing PC-2 cell apoptosis and enhancing its radiosensitivity was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The sequence-specific siRNA efficiently and specifically down-regulated the expression of survivin at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression inhibition ratio was 81.25% at mRNA level detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and 74.24% at protein level detected by immunohistochemical method. Forty-eight hours after transfection,apoptosis was induced in 7.03% cells by siRNA and in 14.58% cells by siRNA combined with radiation. CONCLUSION: The siRNA plasmid expression vector against survivin can inhibit the expression of survivin in PC-2 cells efficiently and specifically. Inhibiting the expression of survivin can induce apoptosis of PC-2 cells and enhance its radiosensitivity significantly. RNAi against survivin is of potential value in gene therapy of pancreatic cancer.

[siRNA against survivin coupling with epirubicin enhances to induce breast cancer cell MCF-7 to apoptosis].

OBJECTIVE: To use the sequence-specific siRNA knocking down the expressions of Survivin gene and inducing breast cancer MCF-7 cell line to apoptosis, and to couple the siRNA with Survivin for investigating the effects of MCF-7 cell induced to apoptosis and the chemotherapy sensitivity of breast cancer cell treated to epirubicin. METHODS: The molecular cloning technique was applied to construct the eukaryotic expression vector of siRNA against Survivin, and lipofectamine 2000 was used to transfect MCF-7 cell. Survivin expressions were detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and immunohistochemical SABC methods. The effects of inducing MCF-7 cell apoptosis and enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity to epirubicin were assessed by TUNEL method. RESULTS: The sequence-specific siRNA can, effectively and specifically, knock the expressions of Survivin gene down at both mRNA and protein levels, in which the expression inhibition rates were 64.91 and 79.72% respectively. After 48 h, 8.75% cells transfected with siRNA expression vector were induced to apoptosis; Coupling siRNA against Survivin with epirubicin can induce the cell apoptosis rate up to 24.21%. CONCLUSIONS: In the study, the siRNA against Survivin can, effectively and specifically, decrease the expressions of Survivin gene in MCF-7 cell; blocking the expressions of Survivin can, in certain degree, induce MCF-7 cell to apoptosis and enhance cell chemotherapy sensitivity to epirubicin significantly; Survivin RNAi has a great potential value in the gene therapy of breast cancer.

[siRNA targeted against survivin induces apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a sequence-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) in suppressing survivin expression and cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis of PC-2 cells. METHODS: The plasmid expression vector of siRNA targeted against survivin was constructed and transfected into PC-2 cells with Lipofectamine 2000. The changes of survivin expression were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical SP methods. The effect of siRNA in suppressing the proliferation of PC-2 cells was detected by MTT assay, and its role in inducing PC-2 cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The sequence-specific siRNA effectively suppressed survivin expression at both mRNA and protein levels with inhibition rate of 81.25% at mRNA level and 74.24% at protein level. Survivin expression suppression significantly inhibited the proliferation of PC-2 cells, and at 24 and 48 h after cell seeding, the proliferation inhibition rate was 28.00% and 33.38% respectively; 24, 48 h after the transfection, apoptosis occurred in 8.46% and 7.53% of the cells, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The plasmid expression vector for the siRNA against survivin constructed in the study can effectively and specifically suppress survivin expression in PC-2 cells, and blocking survivin expression suppresses PC-2 cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis. siRNA targeted against survivin has a potential value in gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.