In this study, we aimed to investigate the influences of conditioned medium from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) on cancer stem cell phenotype of human hepatoma cells. HUVEC and human hepatoma cells (MHCC97H) were cultured, respectively, and then the MHCC97H cells were co-cultured with conditioned medium from HUVEC (EC-CM) with Transwell system. Anti-cancer drug sensitivity, colony-formation, migration/invasion ability, expression of cancer stem cell marker and sphere formation were performed to determine the cancer stem cell phenotype in MHCC97H cells. We found that MHCC97H cells co-cultured with EC-CM exhibited significantly higher colony-formation ability and lower sensitivity of anti-cancer drugs 5-FU and Cis. Transwell assay showed that treatment with EC-CM obviously increased migration and invasion of MHCC97H cells. Moreover, increased sphere forming capability and expression of CD133 in MHCC97H cells were observed after co-cultured with EC-CM. These results suggested that EC-CM could promote cancer stem cell phenotype of hepatoma cells.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Coculture Techniques ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; chemistry ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Phenotype

Objective To assess the feasibility and curative effects of laser surgery in treatment of early-stage glottic carcinoma under self-retaining laryngoscope with nasal endoscopic assistance.Methods Thirteen cases of glottic carcinoma(TisN0M0:2 cases;T1aN0M0:7 cases;T1bN0M0:3 cases;T2N0M0:1 case) extirpated with Nd:YAG laser or Diomed laser from June 1999 to March 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.Because of the poor glottic exposure with self-retaining laryngoscope under general anesthesia,various angular nasal endoscopes were used.The tumor was distinctly displayed on monitor screen with nasal endoscopic assistance and were completely removed through vapourization or removed with Nd:YAG laser or Diomed laser.Results The follow-up period was three to five years.Two patients were found to have local recurrence.One patient received treatment with Nd:YAG laser surgery under electronic laryngoscope with local and superfacial anesthesia,and the patient was followed up for three years without showing recurrence.The other patient underwent vertical hemilaryngectomy and was followed up for three and half years without showing recurrence.All 13 cases were followed up for three years,and all of them were alive.Three-year survival rate was 100%(13/13).When they were followed up for five years,one patient lost track(counted as death),therefore the five-year survival rate was 92.3%(12/13).Conclusions With the assistance of various angular nasal endoscope,the glottic tumors can be exposed distinctly under self-retaining laryngoscope and removed completely.Nd:YAG laser or Diomed laser is an effective and safe procedure with minimal invasion for the treatment of early-stage glottic carcinoma.The advantages of this technique include lower complication rate and high rate of preservation of laryngeal functions,avoidance of tracheotomy and the sequela of laryngeal fissure.

Pulsed electric fields can induce various kinds of biological effects that are essentially different from the normal electric fields, especially the interactions of Nanosecond Pulsed electric field (nsPEF) with cells. The biological effects of different pulsed electric fields on cell membranes, cytoplasmic matrixes, cell growth are introduced in this paper. Based on these effects, some applications of pulsed electric fields in cancer therapy, gene therapy, and delivery of drugs are reviewed in details.
Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Cell Physiological Phenomena ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Electrophysiology ; Electroporation ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Neoplasms ; therapy

In the process of tumor growth, with the proliferation and expansion of cancer cells, the reconstruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) of cancer tissues, the restriction of surrounding tissues and the flow of cancer tissue interstitial fluid, the special stress environment is formed in the tumor tissues. Significant differences are found in the mechanical environment and mechanical characteristics of different regions of tumor tissues, that is, mechanical heterogeneity. The reseach shows that the mechanical properties of tumor tissue invasion frontier areas are more significant and complex. In particular, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells also prefers to concentrate on this area. The mechanical stress generated by the invasion front can induce EMT of tumor cells through TWIST1, TGF-β, WNT and other force signal transduction pathways, and promote tumor cell invasion. From the perspective of tumor biomechanics, this review focuses on the relationship between mechanical heterogeneity of tumor cells and EMT, so as to provide the theoretical basis for mechanoenvironment-targeted therapy of tumors.