• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4611-4614
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• 2013

Quercetin is one of the most abundant dietary flavonoids widely present in many fruits and vegetables. Previous in vitro studies has shown that quercetin acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and it has potent anticarcinogenic properties as an apoptosis inducer. In this study we examined apoptotic effects of quercetin on the K562 erythroleukemia cell line. K562 cells were induced to undergo apoptosis by hydrogen peroxide. Cell viability and apoptosis level were assessed by annexin V and PI staining methods using flow cytometry. Viability of K562 cells was increased by low dose of quercetin (5-100 ${\mu}M$) for 3 hours. High doses of quercetin proved toxic (100-500 ${\mu}M$, 24 hours) and resulted in decrease of K562 cell viability as expected (p<0.01). As to results, 100 ${\mu}M$ quercetin was defined as a protective dose. Also, K562 cell apoptosis due to hydrogen peroxide was decreased in a dose dependent manner. As indicated in previous studies, reduction of superoxides by free radical scavengers like quercetin could be beneficial for prevention of cancer but consumption of such flavonoids during cancer treatment may weaken effects of chemotherapeutics and radiotherapy. Especially cancer patients should be carefully considered for traditional phytotherapy during cancer treatment, which can lead to controversial results.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2019

Interleukin-32 (IL-32) was originally identified in natural killer (NK) cells activated by IL-2 in 1992. Thus, it was named NK cell transcript 4 (NK4) because of its unknown function at that time. The function of IL-32 has been elucidated over the last decade. IL-32 is primarily considered to be a booster of inflammatory reactions because it is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulates the production of those cytokines and vice versa. Therefore, many studies have been devoted to studying the roles of IL-32 in inflammation-associated cancers, including gastric, colon cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. At the same time, roles of IL-32 have also been discovered in other cancers. Collectively, IL-32 fosters the tumor progression by nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$)-mediated cytokines and metalloproteinase production, as well as stimulation of differentiation into immunosuppressive cell types in some cancer types. However, it is also able to induce tumor cell apoptosis and enhance NK and cytotoxic T cell sensitivity in other cancer types. In this review, we will address the function of each IL-32 isoform in different cancer types studied to date, and suggest further strategies to comprehensively elucidate the roles of IL-32 in a context-dependent manner.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Human prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, and its incidence rate continues to increase. Advanced prostate cancer is more difficult to treat than early forms due to its chemotherapy resistance. There is need for more effective agents that can inhibit the progression of advanced prostate cancer. Demethoxyfumitremorgin C (DMFTC) was isolated from the fermentation extract of the marine fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Antiproliferative activity of DMFTC against human prostate cancer PC3 cells was examined through cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry, the fluorescent nuclear imaging analysis with propidium iodide (PI), and proteins expression related to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were investigated via Western blotting. DMFTC inhibited PC3 cells growth through G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. It activated the tumor suppressor p53 and the Cdk inhibitor p21, which regulate the cell progression into the G1 phase. Additionally, PI-positive late apoptotic non-viable cells were increased and the expression levels of the G1-positive downstream regulators cyclin D, cyclin E, Cdk2, and Cdk4 were decreased by DMFTC treatment. These results suggest that DMFTC induces G1 arrest and apoptosis induction through regulation of p53/p21-dependent cyclin-Cdk complexes, and it may be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of human advanced prostate cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2024

Gefitinib exerts anticancer effects on various types of cancer, such as lung, ovarian, breast, and colon cancers. However, the therapeutic effects of gefitinib on cervical cancer and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore whether gefitinib can be used to treat cervical cancer and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that gefitinib induced a caspase-dependent apoptosis of HeLa cells, which consequently became round and detached from the surface of the culture plate. Gefitinib induced the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton and downregulated the expression of p-FAK, integrin β1 and E-cadherin, which are important in cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and cell-cell interaction, respectively. Moreover, gefitinib hindered cell reattachment and spreading and suppressed interactions between detached cells in suspension, leading to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, a hallmark of apoptosis. It also induced detachment-induced apoptosis (anoikis) in C33A cells, another cervical cancer cell line. Taken together, these results suggest that gefitinib triggers anoikis in cervical cancer cells. Our findings may serve as a basis for broadening the range of anticancer drugs used to treat cervical cancer.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2006

It was previously found that melittin inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity by reacting with signal molecules of $NF-{\kappa}B$ which is critical contributor in cancer cell growth by induction of apoptotic cell death. We here investigated whether melittin inhibits cell growth of human prostate cancer cells through induction of apoptotic cell death, and the possible signal pathways. Melittin ($0{\sim}1\;{\mu}g/ml$) inhibited prostate cancer cell growth in a dose dependent manner. Conversely related to the growth inhibitory effect, melittin increased the induction of apoptotic cell death in a dose dependent manner. Melittin also inhibited DNA binding activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, an anti-apoptotic transcriptional factor. Consistent with the induction of apoptotic cell death and inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$, melittin increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins caspase-3, and Bax but down-regulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. These findings suggest that melittin could inhibit prostate cancer cell growth, and this effect may be related with the induction of apoptotic cell death via inactivation of $NF-{\kappa}B$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.2919-2923
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• 2017

Objective: Anthocyanins belong to a class of flavonoids, exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions have been reported to have anti-cancer effects. Here, we investigated whether anthocyanins can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in human lung cancer A549 cells, which are critically involved in cancer metastasis. Methods: We used anthocyanins from fruits of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (AIMs) which has been used in Korean folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancers. We have performed cell proliferation assays, cell invasion assay, gelatin zymography, wound healing assay and western blotting to examine whether anthocyanins can inhibit cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in A549 cells. Result: AIMs did not inhibit cancer cell proliferation on A549 cells. Also, AIMs suppressed cancer migration, and invasion by supressing MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. The Immuno-blotting results also revealed that AIMs suppressed the proteins involved in cancer proliferation (COX-2, C-myc, cyclin D1), migration and invasion (MMP-2, MMP-9), anti-apoptosis (XIAP, and c-IAP2), adhesion and angiogenesis (ICAM-1, VEGF). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the anthocyanins isolated from fruits of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat inhibit cancer proliferation, cancer migration, and invasion that is involve in cancer-metastasis. This study provides evidence that AIMs might have anti-cancer effects on human lung cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.594-601
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• 2023

Objective: To demonstrate an improvement in metastatic cancer pain and a decrease in tumor size in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer. Method: A 53-year-old female patient diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in August 2022 underwent integrative cancer treatment (ICT) for two months to decrease the tumor size and improve back pain from bone metastasis. The patient underwent chemotherapy with ICT. Radiologic outcomes were assessed by chest, abdomen, and pelvis computed tomography based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) protocol. Clinical outcomes were assessed using National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (NCI-CTCAE), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), and a numeric rating scale (NRS). Result: During the two months of treatment, the NRS scores for back pain were improved, and the ECOG score improved from grade 2 to 1. The size and metabolic activity of the primary lung tumor decreased and underwent partial remission based on RECIST. No serious side effects of grade 3 or higher were noted on the NCI-CTCAE test. Conclusion: This case suggests that ICT may have a therapeutic effect for cancer pain and a synergetic effect with chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.4929-4934
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• 2016

Cancer, a worldwide epidemic disease with diverse origins, involves abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade other parts of the body. Globally, it is the main cause of mortality and morbidity. To overcome the drawbacks of the commercially available chemotherapies, natural products-loaded nano-composites are recommended to improve cancer targetability and decrease the harmful impact on normal cells. This study aimed at exploring the anti-cancer impacts of Moringa oleifera seed oil in its free- (MO) and nano-formulations (MOn) through studying whether it mechanistically promotes mitochondrial apoptosis-mediating cell death. Mitochondrial-based cytotoxicity and flow cytometric-based apoptosis analyses were performed on cancer HepG2, MCF7, HCT 116, and Caco-2 cell lines against normal kidney BHK-21 cell line. The present study resulted that MOn triggered colorectal cancer Caco-2 and HCT 116 cytotoxicity via mitochondrial dysfunction more powerful than its free counterpart (MO). On the other side, MOn and MO remarkably induces HCT 116 mitochondrial apoptosis, while sparing normal BHK-21 cells with minimal cytotoxic effect. The present results concluded that nano-micelle of Moringa oleifera seed oil (MOn) can provide a novel therapeutic approach for colorectal and breast cancers via mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, while sparing normal and even liver cancer cells a bit healthy or with minimal harmful effect. Intriguingly, MOn induced breast cancer not hepatocellular carcinoma cell death.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2719-2724
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• 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of annexin a1 (ANXA1) and provide molecular evidence to support that decreased ANXA1 expression could enhance cancer migration and invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry of a tissue microarray with 162 surgically resected PDAC specimens was performed to examine the expression of ANXA1. We also investigated the relationship between ANXA1 expression and clinicopathological factors and prognosis of PDAC patients. We further studied the role of ANXA1 in PDAC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by cell proliferation assay, migration assay and matrigel invasion assay with reduced ANXA1 expression by RNAi. Western blotting was used to detect matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression. We also detected MMP-9 enzyme activity by gelatin zymography. Results: Decreased expression of ANXA1 was significantly associated with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage of PDAC patients (p<0.05). Moreover, decreased expression of ANXA1 was correlated with poor survival (p<0.05). Furthermore, we found that ANXA1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest, increased PDAC cell migration and invasion capacity compared with controls. In addition, Western blotting showed that ANXA1 knockdown increased the MMP-9 protein level and decreased TIMP-1 expression. Gelatin zymography showed that MMP-9 enzyme activity was also elevated. Conclusions: Negative ANXA1 expression is a most unfavorable prognostic factor for PDAC patients. ANXA1 knockdown inhibits cell proliferation by inducing G1 phase cell cycle arrest and increases migration and invasion of PDAC cells through up-regulating MMP-9 expression and activity, implying that ANXA1 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PDAC.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 1994

Antineoplastic activity against human gastric and colon carcinoma cell lines was measured in 100 extracts from 90 plants using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethyl thiazo-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) method. Four extracts from four plants have been reported to have antineoplastic effect. Extracts from remaining 86 plants failed to show significant cytotoxic effect at the concentration of less than $230\;{\mu}/ml$.