Glucocorticoids, oxysterols, and cAMP with glucocorticoids each cause apoptosis of CEM cells and suppress c-myc

In clones of the CEM human acute lyumphoblastic leukemic cell line, glucocorticoids, oxysterols and activators of the cAMP pathway acting synergistically with glucocorticoids, each can cause apoptotic cell death. Morphologically and kinetically, these deaths resemble one another. The kinetics are striking: in each case, after addition of the lethal compound(s), an interval of approximately 24 h follows, during which cell growth continues unabated. During this “prodromal” period, removal of the apoptotic agent leaves the cells fully viable. We hypothesize that a sequence of biochemical events occurs during the prodrome which eventually results in the triggering of the full apoptotic response as evidenced by the activation of caspases and DNA fragmentation. At some point, the process is irreversible and proceeds relatively rapidly to cell death. Suppression of c-Myc seems a universal early event evoked by each of these lethal compounds or combinations, and we conclude that the negative regulation of this proto-oncogene is an important aspect of the critical pre-apoptotic events in these cells.     

Recent Male-Mediated Gene Flow over a Linguistic Barrier in Iberia, Suggested by Analysis of a Y-Chromosomal DNA Polymorphism

We have examined the worldwide distribution of a Y-chromosomal base-substitution polymorphism, the T/C transition at SRY-2627, where the T allele defines haplogroup 22; sequencing of primate homologues shows that the ancestral state cannot be determined unambiguously but is probably the C allele. Of 1,191 human Y chromosomes analyzed, 33 belong to haplogroup 22. Twenty-nine come from Iberia, and the highest frequencies are in Basques (11%; n=117) and Catalans (22%; n=32). Microsatellite and minisatellite (MSY1) diversity analysis shows that non-Iberian haplogroup-22 chromosomes are not significantly different from Iberian ones. The simplest interpretation of these data is that haplogroup 22 arose in Iberia and that non-Iberian cases reflect Iberian emigrants. Several different methods were used to date the origin of the polymorphism: microsatellite data gave ages of 1,650, 2,700, 3,100, or 3,450 years, and MSY1 gave ages of 1,000, 2,300, or 2,650 years, although 95% confidence intervals on all of these figures are wide. The age of the split between Basque and Catalan haplogroup-22 chromosomes was calculated as only 20% of the age of the lineage as a whole. This study thus provides evidence for direct or indirect gene flow over the substantial linguistic barrier between the Indo-European and non-Indo-European-speaking populations of the Catalans and the Basques, during the past few thousand years.     

Improved synthesis of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) (MS-275 and CI-994) and inhibitory effects of HDIs alone or in combination with RAMBAs or retinoids on growth of human LNCaP prostate cancer cells and tumor xenografts

We have developed new, simple, and efficient procedures for the synthesis of two promising histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs), CI-994, (N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-acetylaminobenzamide), and MS-275 (N-(2-aminophenyl)4-[N-(pyridine-3-yl-methoxycarbonyl)aminomethyl]benzamide) from commercially available acetamidobenzoic acid and 3-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine, respectively. The procedures provide CI-994 and MS-275 in 80% and 72% overall yields, respectively. We found that the combination of four HDIs (CI-994, MS-275, SAHA, and TSA) with retinoids all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) or 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-CRA) or our atypical retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents (RAMBAs) 1 (VN/14-1) or 2 (VN/66-1) produced synergistic anti-neoplastic activity on human LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The combination of 2 and SAHA induced G1 and G2/M cell cycle arrest and a decrease in the S phase in LNCaP cells. 2+SAHA treatment effectively down-regulated cyclin D1 and cdk4, and up-regulated pro-differentiation markers cytokeratins 8/18 and pro-apoptotic Bad and Bax. Following subcutaneous administration, 2, SAHA or 2+SAHA were well tolerated and caused significant suppression/regression of tumor growth compared with control. These results demonstrate that compound 2 and its combination with SAHA are potentially useful agents that warrant further preclinical development for treatment of prostate cancer.     

(18)F-labelling of A-ring substituted 16alpha-fluoro-estradiols as potential radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging

The 2-methoxy derivative of estradiol is currently in Phase II clinical trial as an anticancer agent while the 4-methyl derivative has been shown to interact with cytoplasmic and nuclear estrogen receptors in rat pituitary gland and hypothalamus. We hypothesize that the 16alpha-(18)F-analogs of these estrogens could be suitable radiotracers to evaluate action mechanisms of the parent compounds. In this study we report the synthesis of the 16alpha-(18)F and 16alpha-(19)F-analogs of the A-ring substituted estradiols in high yield via stereoselective opening of the intermediate 16beta,17beta-O-cyclic sulfones with [(18)F]F(-) or F(-) followed by deprotection.     

Effect of dietary sesame oil as antioxidant on brain hippocampus of rat in focal cerebral ischemia

Oxidative stress may be regarded as an imbalance between free radical production and opposing antioxidant defenses. Free radical oxidative stress is implicated in rat cerebral ischemia and naturaceutical antioxidants are dietary supplements that have been reported to have neuroprotective activity. Many studies have reported dietary sesame oil (SO) as an effective antioxidant. In the present study the neuroprotective effect of dietary SO was evaluated against middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced cerebral ischemia injury in rats. Rats were fed on diet (20% SO) for 15 days. The middle cerebral artery of adult male Wistar rat was occluded for 2 h and reperfused for 22 h. The antioxidant properties of brain were measured as levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxide (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). A decrease in the activity of all the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants was observed along with an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in MCAO group. The neurobehavioral activity of rats was also observed by using videopath analyzer. Dietary SO improved the antioxidant status in MCAO+SO group when compared with MCAO group. The results of neurobehavioral activity also support our biochemical data. The results obtained suggest protective effect of SO against cerebral ischemia in rat brain through their antioxidant properties.     

Synthesis and biological evaluations of putative metabolically stable analogs of VN/124-1 (TOK-001): head to head anti-tumor efficacy evaluation of VN/124-1 (TOK-001) and abiraterone in LAPC-4 human prostate cancer xenograft model

In a continuing study of our clinical candidate 5 VN/124-1 (TOK-001) and analogs as potential agents for prostate cancer therapy, putative metabolites (10, 15 and 18) of compound 5 were rationally designed and synthesized. However, none of these agents were as efficacious as 5 in several in vitro studies. Using western blot analysis, we have generated a preliminary structure–activity relationship (SAR) of 5 and related analogs as androgen receptor ablative agents (ARAAs). In vivo using the androgen-dependent LAPC-4 prostate cancer xenograft model, we demonstrated for the first time that 5 is more efficacious than the 17-lyase inhibitor 3 (abiraterone)/4 (abiraterone acetate) that is currently in phase III clinical trials. In our desire to optimize the potency of 5, compounds 6 (3ξ-fluoro-) and 9 (3β-sulfamate-) designed to increase the stability and oral bioavailability of 5, respectively were evaluated in vivo. We showed, that on equimolar basis, compound 6 was ∼2-fold more efficacious versus LAPC-4 xenografts than 5, but the toxicity observed with 6 is of concern. These studies further demonstrate the efficacy of 5 in a clinically relevant prostate cancer model and justify its current clinical development as a potential treatment of prostate cancer.     

Association of mutation and hypermethylation of p21 gene with susceptibility to breast cancer: a study from north India

p21 gene located at chromosome 6p21.2 is a possible tumour suppressor gene involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Both genetic and epigenetic alterations in p21 have been implicated in breast carcinoma. In the present study, our main aim was to study the impact of these two kinds of alterations of p21 gene in Indian female breast cancer patients. A total of 150 female breast cancer patients of north India were screened by PCR-SSCP followed by direct sequencing and methylation specific PCR. Mutational screening of p21 gene revealed significant amount of mutations [32.66 % (49/150)] in exon 2, whereas p21 promoter was found hypermethylated in 42 of 150 (28 %) breast cancer patients in our population. The intriguing feature of the study was the G>T transition (GAG>TAG) at codon 107 and the A>C transition (AGC>CGC) at codon 146 possibly rendering p21 completely ineffective in its anti- proliferative activity. Our results suggest a significant association between the mutational and hypermethylation profile of p21 gene. Therefore, we show for the first time that the significant association of p21 mutation and hypermethylation leads to the complete inactivation of p21 gene in Indian female breast cancer patients. Complete silencing of the p21 gene seems to be the result not only of genetic alterations but also of epigenetic modification.     

No Correlation between TIMP2 -418 G>C Polymorphism and Increased Risk of Cancer: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis

Aim

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP2) is involved in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and shown to implicate in cancer development and progression. The results from the published studies based on the association between TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism and cancer risk are inconsistent. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the potential association between TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism and cancer risk.

Methodology

We searched PubMed (Medline) and EMBASE web databases to cover all studies based on relationship of TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism and risk of cancer until October 2013. The meta-analysis was performed for selected case-control studies and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for all genetic models.

Results

A total of 2225 cancer cases and 2532 controls were included from ten eligible case-control studies. Results from overall pooled analysis suggested no evidence of significant risk between TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism and cancer risk in any of the genetic models, such as, allele (C vs. G: OR = 1.293, 95% CI = 0.882 to 1.894, p = 0.188), homozygous (CC vs. GG: OR = 0.940, 95% CI = 0.434 to 2.039, p = 0.876), heterozygous (GC vs. GG: OR = 1.397, 95% CI = 0.888 to 2.198, p = 0.148), dominant (CC+GC vs. GG: OR = 1.387, 95% CI = 0.880 to 2.187, p = 0.159) and recessive (CC vs. GG+GC: OR = 0.901, 95% CI = 0.442 to 1.838, p = 0.774) models. No evidence of publication bias was detected during the analysis.

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis suggests that the TIMP2 -418 G>C polymorphism may not be involved in predisposing risk factor for cancer in overall population. However, future larger studies with group of populations are needed to analyze the possible correlation.