• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1449-1455
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• 2004

Bufonis venenum (dried toad venom; Chinese name, Chan su) is a traditional Chinese medicine obtained from the skin venom gland of the toad. It has long been used in treating arrhythmia and other heart diseases in China and other Asian countries. Additionally, Bufonis venenum has been reported to selectively inhibit the growth of various lines of human cancer cells. In the present study, it was examined the effects of extract of Bufonis venenum (EBV) on the growth of human bladder carcinoma cell line T24 in order to investigate the anti-proliferative mechanism and induction of apoptosis by EBV. Treatment of T24 cells to EBV resulted in the growth inhibition, morphological change and induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that EBV treatment caused G2/M phase arrest of the cell cycle and down-regulation of cyclin A, cyclin B1 and Cdc2, which was associated with a marked up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) inhibitor p21 (WAF1/CIP1) in a p53-independent manner. The Cdc25C expression was also significantly inhibited by EBV treatment, however Wee1 kinase expression was not affected. The induction of apoptotic cell death by EBV was connected with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-XS/L expression without alteration pro-apoptotic Bax expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that EBV may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for the control of human bladder carcinorma cells and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-cancer activity of EBV.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2024

Licochalcone C (LCC; PubChem CID:9840805), a chalcone compound originating from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, has shown anticancer activity against skin cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the therapeutic potential of LCC in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Chemotherapy for CRC is challenging because of the development of drug resistance. In this study, we examined the antiproliferative activity of LCC in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells, oxaliplatin (Ox) sensitive and Ox-resistant HCT116 cells (HCT116-OxR). LCC significantly and selectively inhibited the growth of HCT116 and HCT116-OxR cells. An in vitro kinase assay showed that LCC inhibited the kinase activities of EGFR and AKT. Molecular docking simulations using AutoDock Vina indicated that LCC could be in ATP-binding pockets. Decreased phosphorylation of EGFR and AKT was observed in the LCC-treated cells. In addition, LCC induced cell cycle arrest by modulating the expression of cell cycle regulators p21, p27, cyclin B1, and cdc2. LCC treatment induced ROS generation in CRC cells, and the ROS induction was accompanied by the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 kinases. Moreover, LCC dysregulated mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the disruption of MMP resulted in the release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm and activation of caspases to execute apoptosis. Overall, LCC showed anticancer activity against both Ox-sensitive and Ox-resistant CRC cells by targeting EGFR and AKT, inducing ROS generation and disrupting MMP. Thus, LCC may be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of Ox-resistant CRC cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1427-1433
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• 2006

The antioxidant activity, nitrite scavenging effect, and angiotensine I-converting enzyme inhibiting activity of solvent extracts of soybean isoflavone were investigated. Also anticarcinogenic activities of them were examined by MTT assay using human cancer cell line. Isoflavone aglycones showed relatively high antioxidant activity in order of glycitein, genistein, and daidzein. Methanol extract of soybean actively scavenged free radicals and was shown excellent nitrite scavenging effect. Glycitein and methanol extract of soybean inhibited the growth of human cancer cell such as stomach carcinoma (SNU-1) and colon carcinoma (SNU-C4) effectively. Genistein, daidzein and methanol extracts of soybean inhibited the growth of cancer cell such as stomach carcinoma (SNU-1), but had weak activities to colon carcinoma (SNU-C4). To applicate the soybean isoflavone as an enhancer for food quality and processibility, the stabilities on heat and pH of isolated isoflavone, isoflavone in soybean flour and isoflavone concentrate of soybean were investigated. Stability of isoflavone concentrate of soybean was decreased in pH extreme (below 3, above 8) during sterilization, but isoflavone in soybean flour showed higher stability in all pH range. All kinds of isoflavone tested in this study were very stable during the heat treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.318-324
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• 2019

Squamous cell carcinoma is the primary tumor type in head and neck cancers, the fifth most common malignant neoplasm world-wide. Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, is highly expressed in head and neck carcinoma patients and correlated with more aggressive forms. In this study, we investigated whether YM155, a specific survivin inhibitor, could induce apoptosis in head and neck AMC-HN4 cells. YM155 was found to markedly induce apoptosis and cleavage of PARP, a marker of apoptosis. Furthermore, YM155 promoted apoptosis in other cancer cells, such as glioma (U251MG) and renal carcinoma (Caki) cells. In contrast, YM155 had no effect on apoptosis in normal mesangial cells. YM155 significantly induced caspase activation, and pan caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk markedly blocked apoptosis, PARP cleavage, and caspase-3 cleavage. Therefore, YM155 was seen to instigate caspase-dependent apoptosis in head and neck AMC-HN4 cells, inducing downregulation of survivin as well as other apoptotic proteins such as c-FLIP and Mcl-1. In addition, the induction of apoptosis and PARP cleavage by YM155 treatment was effectively inhibited in survivin-, c-FLIP- and Mcl-1-over-expressing head and neck AMC-HN4 cells. In conclusion, YM155 is a potent candidate for inducing cell death in head and neck AMC-HN4 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.589-597
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• 2006

Genistein, a natural isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, is a strong inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase and DNA topoisomerase activities. There are several studies documenting molecular alterations leading to cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis by genistein as a chemopreventive agent in a variety of cancer cell lines; however, its mechanism of action and its molecular targets on human bladder carcinoma and leukemic cells remain unclear. In the present study, we have addressed the mechanism of action by which genistein suppressed the proliferation of T24 bladder carcinoma and U937 leukemic cells. Genistein significantly inhibited the cell growth and induced morphological changes, and induced the G2/M arrest of the cell cycle in both T24 and U937 cells with a relatively stronger cytotoxicity in U937. The G2/M arrest in T24 cells was associated with the inhibition of cyclin A, cyclin B1 and Cdc25C protein expression without alteration of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1). However, the inhibitory effects of genistein on the cell growth of U937 cells were connected with a marked inhibition of cyclin B1 and an induction of Cdk inhibitor p21 proteins by p53-independent manner. These data suggest that genistein may exert a strong anticancer effect and additional studies will be needed to evaluate the different mechanisms between T24 and U937 cells.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.82-95
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• 1990

A clinico-statistical study was made of 237 case, 186 male and 51 female of oral and maxillofacial malignant cancer patients at Presbyterian Medical Center in Chon-ju between 1984 January and 1988 December. In 204 cases of the carcinoma, 154 cases were pathologically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. More than 65% of the cases were clinically adbanced cases (stage III or IV), and 154 cases of 237 cases were treated. Most cases were treated by surgery (S)+radiation (R)+chemotherapy (C) or S+R or R+C. The expired cases were 20 cases. 11 cases of them were found in stage III.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4943-4952
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• 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies, with a very poor prognosis. Despite significant improvements in diagnosis and treatment in recent years, the long-term therapeutic efficacy is poor, partially due to tumor metastasis, tecurrence, and resistance to chemo-or radio-therapy. Recently, it was found that a major feature of tumors is a combination of unrestrained cell proliferation and impaired apoptosis. There are now 8 recogized members of the IAP-family: NAIP, c-IAP1, c-IAP2, XIAP, Survivin, Bruce, Livin and ILP-2. There proteins all contribute to ingibition of apoptosis, and provide new potential avenues of cancer treatment. As a powerful tool to suppress gene expression in mammalian cells, RNAi species for inhibiting IAP genes cab be directed against cancers. This review will provide a brief introduction to recent developments of the application IAP-siRNA in tumor studies, with the aim of inspiring future treatment of HCC.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.800-805
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• 1989

The roentgenologic appearance of carcinoma of the lung may vary considerably from case to case. And when it forms cavitary lesion, it is frequently confused with benign lesions and treated conservatively. Twenty-seven patients with cavitary bronchogenic carcinoma were treated in our St. Marys Hospital during the period 1984-1989. There were 24 males and 3 females. They ranged in age from 43 to 76 years. Symptoms of cough, blood-streaked sputum or pleuritic chest pain were present in all patients one month to 6 months before hospital admission and 7 patients among them were delayed in recognition of the malignancy from z month to 3 months. Of 27 malignancies with cavity, 22[81.5 %] were squamous cell ca., 3[11.1%] were large cell ca., and 2[7.4%] were adenoca. And of 22 squamous cell carcinomas, 5 were well differentiated, 13 were moderately and 4 were poorly. All lobes except Rt. middle lobe were involved [RUL 2 cases, RLL 13 cases, LUL 3 cases and LLL 9 cases]. We explored 16 patients and performed 7 lobectomy, 4 bi-lobectomy, 2 pneumonectomy and 3 08zC. Post-operative follow-up examination of the resected 13 patients indicated one and two year survival rates of 69.1 %[9/13 cases] and 37.5%[3/8 cases] respectively, and now 6 survivors whose post-operative periods were from 4 months to 37 months.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.261-276
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• 2009

Lactacystin, a microbial natural product synthesized by Streptomyces, has been commonly used as a selective proteasome inhibitor in many studies. Proteasome inhibitors is known to be preventing the proliferation of cancer cells in vivo as well as in vitro. Furthermore, proteasome inhibitors, as single or combined with other anticancer agents, are suggested as a new class of potential anticancer agents. This study was undertaken to examine in vitro effects of cytotoxicity and growth inhibition, and the molecular mechanism underlying induction of apoptosis in SCC25 human tongue sqaumous cell carcinoma cell line treated with lactacystin. The viability of SCC25 cells, human normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and human gingiva fibroblasts (HGF-1 cells), and the growth inhibition of SCC25 cells were assessed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay respectively. The hoechst staining, hemacolor staining and TUNEL staining were conducted to observe SCC25 cells undergoing apoptosis. SCC25 cells were treated with lactacystin, and Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, FAScan flow cytometry, MMP activity, and proteasome activity were performed. Lactacystin treatment of SCC25 cells resulted in a time- and does-dependent decrease of cell viability and a does-dependent inhibition of cell growth, and induced apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, lactacytin remarkably revealed cytotoxicity in SCC25 cells but not normal cells. And tested SCC25 cells showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation such as nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, the reduction of MMP and proteasome activity, the decrease of DNA contents, the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) onto nuclei, the up-regulation of Bax, and the activation of caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP, lamin A/C and DFF45 (ICAD). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that lactacystin resulted in G1 arrest in cell cycle progression which was associated with up-regulation in the protein expression of CDK inhibitors, $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$ and $p27^{KIP1}$. We presented data indicating that lactacystin induces G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptois via proteasome, mitochondria and caspase pathway in SCC25 cells. Therefore our data provide the possibility that lactacystin could be as a novel therapeutic strategy for human tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.187-193
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• 2016

A tyrosine kinase is an enzyme that can transfer a phosphate group from ATP to a protein in a cell. It functions as an "on" or "off" switch in many cellular functions. This study aims to show that the actions of growth factors associated with PDGFR-${\alpha}$, PDGFR-${\beta}$, VEGFR-2, c-KIT, and c-ABL, which are used in veterinary medicine, are expressed in canine intractable tumors. This study used archival cases of canine paraganglioma, gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma. Tissues had been immunohistochemical analysis. The antibodies used were PDGFR-${\alpha}$, PDGFR-${\beta}$, c-kit, VEGFR-2, and c-Abl. PDGFR-${\alpha}$ was expressed only in HCC, and PDGFR-${\beta}$ was expressed in all tumors. VEGFR was also only expressed in HCC, and c-KIT has been expressed in HCC, paraganglioma, and small intestinal adenocarcinoma. c-Abl was expressed in all cancers, but was weakly expressed in paraganglioma, while more than moderately expressed in other tissues. In conclusion, this study investigated how TKIs used in human medicine can be applied to canine intractable tumors, through immunohistochemistry. The results indicate that there may be an application for TKIs in treating canine intractable tumors.