• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권7호
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• pp.3185-3189
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer evolution and tumor progression are controlled by complex interactions between steroid receptors and growth factor receptor signaling. Aberrant growth factor receptor signaling can augment or suppress estrogen receptor function in hormone-dependent breast cancer cells. Thus, we aimed to investigate antitumor effects of sorafenib and lapatinib alone and in combination on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of the sorafenib and lapatinib was tested in MCF-7 cells by XTT assays. 50, 25, 12.5 and $6.25{\mu}M$ concentrations of sorafenib and 200, 100, 50 and $25{\mu}M$ concentrations of lapatinib were administered alone and in combination. Results were evaluated as absorbance at 450nM and $IC_{50}$ values are calculated according to the absorbance data Results: Both sorafenib and lapatinib showed concentration dependent cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells. Sorafenib exerted cytotoxic effects with an $IC_{50}$ value of $32.0{\mu}M$; in contrast with lapatinib the $IC_{50}$ was $136.6{\mu}M$. When sorafenib and lapatinib combined, lapatinib increased cytotoxic effects of sorafenib at its ineffective concentrations. Also at the concentrations where both drugs had cytotoxic effects, combination show strong anticancer effects and killed approximately 70 percent of breast cancer cells. Conclusions: Combinations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and cytotoxic agents or molecular targeted therapy has been successful for many types of cancer. The present study shows that both sorafenib and lapatinib alone are effective in the treatment of breast cancer. Also a combination of these two agents may be a promising therapeutic option in treatment of breast cancer.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.63-69
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• 2013

IL-12 is a secretory heterodimeric cytokine composed of p35 and p40 subunits. IL-12 p35 and p40 subunits are sometimes produced as monomers or homodimers. IL-12 is also produced as a membrane-bound form in some cases. In this study, we hypothesized that the membrane-bound form of IL-12 subunits may function as a costimulatory signal for selective activation of TAA-specific CTL through direct priming without involving antigen presenting cells and helper T cells. MethA fibrosarcoma cells were transfected with expression vectors of membrane-bound form of IL-12p35 (mbIL-12p35) or IL-12p40 subunit (mbIL-12p40) and were selected under G418-containing medium. The tumor cell clones were analyzed for the expression of mbIL-12p35 or p40 subunit and for their stimulatory effects on macrophages. The responsible T-cell subpopulation for antitumor activity of mbIL-12p35 expressing tumor clone was also analyzed in T cell subset-depleted mice. Expression of transfected membranebound form of IL-12 subunits was stable during more than 3 months of in vitro culture, and the chimeric molecules were not released into culture supernatants. Neither the mbIL-12p35-expressing tumor clones nor mbIL-12p40-expressing tumor clones activated macrophages to secrete TNF-${\alpha}$. Growth of mbIL-12p35-expressing tumor clones was more accelerated in the $CD8^+$ T cell-depleted mice than in $CD4^+$ T cell-depleted or normal mice. These results suggest that $CD8^+$ T cells could be responsible for the rejection of mbIL-12p35-expressing tumor clone, which may bypass activation of antigen presenting cells and $CD4^+$ helper T cells.

• 약학회지
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• 제60권3호
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• pp.135-140
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• 2016

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a ubiquitous molecular chaperone, which is associated with stabilization of many oncogenic proteins for cancer cell survival. Hsp90 is overexpressed 2-10 fold higher in cancer cells than normal cells. Due to its potential to simultaneously disable multiple signaling pathway, Hsp90 has been identified as a validated target for cancer therapy. Accordingly, we designed and synthesized 2',4'-dimethoxychalcone derivatives to inhibit Hsp90 chaperone function. Among 2',4'-dimethoxychalcone derivatives, we found that compound 1g disrupted Hsp90 chaperoning function and impaired the growth of cancer cells. These findings indicated that 1g could serve a potential lead compound to target Hsp90 in cancer chemotherapy.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.129-136
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A variety of immunomodulators can improve the efficacy of low-dose chemotherapeutics. Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), a mushroom mycelia extract, has been shown to be a strong immunomodulator. Whether AHCC could enhance the antitumor effect of low-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) via regulation of host immunity is unknown. MATERIALS/METHODS: In the current study Hepatoma 22 (H22) tumor-bearing mice were treated with PBS, 5-FU ($10mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, i.p), or AHCC ($360mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$, i.g) plus 5-FU, respectively, for 5 d. $CD^{3+}$, $CD^{4+}$, $CD^{8+}$, and NK in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. ALT, AST, BUN, and Cr levels were measured by biochemical assay. IL-2 and $TNF{\alpha}$ in serum were measured using the RIA kit and apoptosis of tumor was detected by TUNEL staining. Bax, Bcl-2, and TS protein levels were measured by immunohistochemical staining and mRNA level was evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Diet consumption and body weight showed that AHCC had no apparent toxicity. AHCC could reverse liver injury and myelosuppression induced by 5-FU (P < 0.05). Compared to mice treated with 5-FU, mice treated with AHCC plus 5-FU had higher thymus index, percentages of $CD^{3+}$, $CD^{4+}$, and NK cells (P < 0.01), and ratio of $CD^{4+}$/$CD^{8+}$ (P < 0.01) in peripheral blood. Radioimmunoassay showed that mice treated with AHCC plus 5-FU had the highest serum levels of IL-2 and $TNF{\alpha}$ compared with the vehicle group and 5-FU group. More importantly, the combination of AHCC and 5-FU produced a more potent antitumor effect (P < 0.05) and caused more severe apoptosis in tumor tissue (P < 0.05) compared with the 5-FU group. In addition, the combination of AHCC and 5-FU further up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) (P < 0.01), while it down-regulated the expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the claim that AHCC might be beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.335-340
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• 2015

Here, we investigated the role of zerumbone, a natural cyclic sesquiterpene of Zingiber zerumbet Smith, on angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Zerumbone inhibited HUVECs proliferation, migration and tubule formation, as well as angiogenic activity by rat aorta explants. In particular, zerumbone inhibited phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, which are key regulators of endothelial cell function and angiogenesis. In vivo matrigel plug assay in mice demonstrated significant decrease in vascularization and hemoglobin content in the plugs from zerumbone-treated mice, compared with control mice. Overall, these results suggest that zerumbone inhibits various attributes of angiogenesis, which might contribute to its reported antitumor effects.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.318-321
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• 2007

광역동요법 (photodynamic therapy, PDT)은 악성종양을 치료하기 위해 광과민제와 레이저광을 이용하는 표적지향적 항암치료법이다. 본 연구에서는 PDT에 적용할 수 있는 새로운 광과민제를 스크리닝하기 위해 4종의 phthalocyanine계 광과민제 (silver phthalocyanine, iron (III) phthalocyanine, copper (II) phthalocyanine, nickel (II) phthalocyanine)을 이용하여 폐암과 유방암 세포주에 대한 항암활성 테스트를 수행하였다. 연구결과 phthalocyanine계 광과민제들은 폐암보다 유방암에 높은 활성을 나타냈으며, 그 중 silver phthalocyanine (AgPc)는 정상세포에 대해서는 세포독성이 낮으면서도 물에 용해할 경우 청색증을 유발하지 않아 유방암에 대한 항암제로서의 개발가능성을 확인하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.433-445
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• 2012

During the course of evolution, animals encountered the harmful effects of fungi, which are strong pathogens. Therefore, they have developed powerful mechanisms to protect themselves against these fungal invaders. ${\beta}$-Glucans are glucose polymers of a linear ${\beta}$(1,3)-glucan backbone with ${\beta}$(1,6)-linked side chains. The immunostimulatory and antitumor activities of ${\beta}$-glucans have been reported; however, their mechanisms have only begun to be elucidated. Fungal and particulate ${\beta}$-glucans, despite their large size, can be taken up by the M cells of Peyer's patches, and interact with macrophages or dendritic cells (DCs) and activate systemic immune responses to overcome the fungal infection. The sampled ${\beta}$-glucans function as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on innate immune cells. Dectin-1 receptor systems have been incorporated as the PRRs of ${\beta}$-glucans in the innate immune cells of higher animal systems, which function on the front line against fungal infection, and have been exploited in cancer treatments to enhance systemic immune function. Dectin-1 on macrophages and DCs performs dual functions: internalization of ${\beta}$-glucan-containing particles and transmittance of its signals into the nucleus. This review will depict in detail how the physicochemical nature of ${\beta}$-glucan contributes to its immunostimulating effect in hosts and the potential uses of ${\beta}$-glucan by elucidating the dectin-1 signal transduction pathway. The elucidation of ${\beta}$-glucan and its signaling pathway will undoubtedly open a new research area on its potential therapeutic applications, including as immunostimulants for antifungal and anti-cancer regimens.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.183-193
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• 2020

Recently, as a natural substance has been emphasized interest in research to enhance the immune function. Green lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a popular vegetable used fresh and it contains various phytochemicals and antioxidant compounds, and has been reported to have various physiological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor and anti-mutagenic. However, only a few studies have investigated on the mechanism of action of immune-enhancing activity of lettuce. Therefore, in this study, the immunomodulatory activities and potential mechanism of action of Green lettuce extracts (GLE) were evaluated in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. GLE significantly increased NO levels by RAW264.7 cells, as well as expressions of immunomodulators such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and MCP-1. Although GLE activated ERK1/2, p38, JNK and NF-κB, GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators was dependent on p38, JNK and NF-κB. In addition, TLR4 inhibition blocked GLE-mediated expressions of immunomodulators and activation of p38, JNK and NF-κB. Taken together, these results demonstrated that TLR4-MAPK/NF-κB signalling pathways participated in GLE-induced macrophage activation and GLE could be developed as a potential immunomodulating functional food.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.2665-2669
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• 2015

CD4+CD25+regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in regulation of immnue response and maintenance of self-tolerance. Studies have found Tregs could suppress tumor-specific T cell-mediated immune response and promote cancer progression. Depletion of Tregs can enhance antitumor immunity. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells and capable of activating antigen-specific immune responses, which make them ideal candidate for cancer immunotherapy. Now various DC vaccines are considered as effective treatment for cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate variation of Tregs in BALB/C mice with hepatocellular carcinoma and investigate the interaction between tumor-derived Tregs, effector T cells (Teff) and splenic DCs. We found the percentages of Tregs/CD4+ in the peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice were higher than in normal mice. Tumor-derived Tregs diminished the up-regulation of costimulatory molecule expression on splenic DCs, even in the presence of Teff cells and simultaneously inhibited IL-12 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion by DCs.

• 생약학회지
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.262-269
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• 2018

Sparassis crispa (Wulf.) is an edible/medicinal mushroom and has been reported to biological activities such as antitumor, anti-angiogenesis, antioxidant and wound healing. However, there have not been many researches on osteoarthritis of S. crispa. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of S. crispa extract on rats with osteoarthritis induced by MIA. Osteoarthritis is a gradually developmental disease that early stage, causes joint stiffness and complains of joint pain. In addition, it gives rise to edema and hypo-function. The results of this study, S. crispa extract effectively inhibited ROS production, increased the production of antioxidant protein SOD and catalase in knee joint cartilage tissue. In addition, S. crispa extract inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes such as NOX4 and $P47^{phox}$, which are involved in the expression of COX-2, iNOS and the production of ROS. Also, S. crispa extract inhibited the destruction of synovial tissue, cartilage tissue and proteoglycans in articular cartilage in rats.