OBJECTIVEUnder the premise of smoke inhalation injury, to explore the effects of microRNA-146a on Fas-associated factor 2 (FAF-2) and inflammatory factors in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells under the stimulation of cigarette smoke extract (CSE).

METHODS(1) The pMIR-FAF-2 recombinant plasmid and the pMIR-FAF-2 recombinant mutated plasmid were constructed. Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells of the third passage were divided into 3 groups according to the random number table, with 5 wells in each group. Cells in plasmid+ microRNA control group were transfected with pMIR-FAF-2 recombinant plasmid, pRL-TK plasmid, and microRNA control; cells in plasmid+ microRNA-146a group were transfected with pMIR-FAF-2 recombinant plasmid, pRL-TK plasmid, and microRNA-146a mimics; cells in mutated plasmid+ microRNA-146a group were transfected with pMIR-FAF-2 recombinant mutated plasmid, pRL-TK plasmid, and microRNA-146a inhibitor. After culture for 24 h, the relative luciferase activity in cells was assessed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. (2) Human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells of the third passage were divided into 3 groups according to the random number table, with 4 wells in each group. Cells in microRNA control group were transfected with microRNA control; cells in microRNA-146a enhancement group were transfected with microRNA-146a mimics; cells in microRNA-146a inhibition group were transfected with microRNA-146a inhibitor. After culture for 24 h, the mRNA expression levels of microRNA-146a and FAF-2 in cells were determined with real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. (3) A549 cells of the third passage were stimulated by 0.8% CSE for 24 h after being divided and treated with the same method used in experiment (2). The mRNA expression levels of FAF-2, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and growth-regulated oncogene-α (GRO-α) in cells were determined with real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The protein expression levels of IL-8, MCP-1, and GRO-α in A549 cell culture supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expression level of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) of cells was assessed by Western blotting. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test.

RESULTS(1) The pMIR-FAF-2 recombinant plasmid and pMIR-FAF-2 recombinant mutated plasmid were confirmed with successful construction. The relative luciferase activity in HEK-23 cells of plasmid+ microRNA control group was close to that of mutated plasmid+ microRNA-146a group (P>0.05). The relative luciferase activity in HEK-23 cells of plasmid+ microRNA-146a group was significantly lower than that of plasmid+ microRNA control group and mutated plasmid+ microRNA-146a group (with P values below 0.01). (2) The expression level of microRNA-146a in A549 cells of microRNA control group was close to that of microRNA-146a inhibition group (P>0.05), and they were both significantly lower than the expression level of microRNA-146a in A549 cells of microRNA-146a enhancement group (with P values below 0.01). The mRNA expression level of FAF-2 in A549 cells of microRNA control group was close to that of microRNA-146a inhibition group (P>0.05), and they were both significantly higher than the mRNA expression level of FAF-2 in A549 cells of microRNA-146a enhancement group (with P values below 0.05). (3) After stimulation of CSE, the mRNA expression level of FAF-2 in A549 cells of microRNA control group (1.46±0.21) was close to that of microRNA-146a inhibition group (1.43±0.34, P>0.05), which were both significantly higher than the mRNA expression level of FAF-2 in A549 cells of microRNA-146a enhancement group (0.57±0.11, with P values below 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of IL-8, MCP-1, and GRO-α in A549 cells of microRNA-146a enhancement group were significantly lower than those of microRNA control group and microRNA-146a inhibition group (with P values below 0.01). The mRNA expression levels of IL-8, MCP-1, and GRO-α in A549 cells of microRNA-146a inhibition group were significantly higher than those of microRNA control group (with P values below 0.05). The protein expression levels of IL-8, MCP-1, and GRO-α in A549 cell culture supernatant of microRNA-146a enhancement group were significantly lower than those of microRNA control group and microRNA-146a inhibition group (with P values below 0.05). The protein expression level of IL-8 in A549 cell culture supernatant of microRNA-146a inhibition group was close to that of microRNA control group (P>0.05), while the protein expression levels of MCP-1 and GRO-α in A549 cell culture supernatant of microRNA-146a inhibition group were significantly lower than those of microRNA control group (with P values below 0.05). The protein expression level of COX-2 in A549 cells of microRNA-146a enhancement group was significantly lower than the levels of microRNA control group and microRNA-146a inhibition group (with P values below 0.05). The protein expression level of COX-2 in A549 cells of microRNA control group was close to that of microRNA-146a inhibition group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIn A549 cells, after being transfected with microRNA-146a and stimulated by CSE, microRNA-146a can decrease the expression of FAF-2 through integrating with the 3'-untranslated region of target gene FAF-2, thereby decrease the expression of inflammatory factors.

Adenocarcinoma ; chemically induced ; Blotting, Western ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; MicroRNAs ; analysis ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Smoking ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of circulating microRNAs in 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl) -1-butanone (NNK)-induced early stage lung carcinogenesis.

METHODSA lung cancer model of male F344 rats was induced with systemic NNK and levels of 8 lung cancer-associated miRNAs in whole blood and serum of rats were measured by quantitative RT-PCR of each at weeks 1, 5, 10, and 20 following NNK treatment.

RESULTSNo lung cancer was detected in control group and NNK treatment group at week 20 following NNK treatment. The levels of some circulating miRNAs were significantly higher in NNK treatment group than in control group. The miR-210 was down-regulated and the miR-206 was up-regulated in NNK treatment group. The expression level of circulating miRNAs changed from week 1 to week 20 following NNK treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe expression level of circulating miRNAs is related to NNK-induced early stage lung carcinogenesis in rats and can therefore serve as its potential indicator.

Adenocarcinoma ; chemically induced ; Animals ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation ; physiology ; Humans ; Lung ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nitrosamines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of miR-155 and its target genes in colitis-associated carcinogenesis.

METHODSColitis-associated colon cancer was induced by azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in C57BL/6 mice. Mice of three different stages during the development of colon cancer were obtained, named AD1, AD2 and AD3, respectively. A control group of mice without any treatment and a DSS only group representing chronic inflammation without cancer were set up as well. Colon tissue was collected and expression of miR-155 in the colon tissues was measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. TargetScan and PicTar were used to predict potential target genes of miR-155, which were then preliminarily screened with our gene expression microarray database of AOM-DSS mouse model. Regular PCR was used to confirm the changes of the expression of these potential target genes in AOM-DSS mouse model.

RESULTSColitis-associated colon cancer was effectively induced by azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium in C57BL/6 mice. Histological examination revealed that the evolution process was sequentially from normal, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia, and severe dysplasia to adenocarcinoma in the AOM-DSS mouse model. The level of miR-155 was gradually elevated with the formation of colitis-associated colon cancer. There was no significant difference between the levels of miR-155 expression in the DSS group (0.005 6 ± 0.003 7) and control group (0.012 0 ± 0.005 1) (P > 0.05), but the level of miR-155 in the AD3 group (0.054 4 ± 0.027 0) was significantly higher than that of the DSS group (0.005 6 ± 0.003 7)(P < 0.01). No significant change of miR-155 expression was found in the DSS only group. The relative expression levels of miR-155 in the control group, DSS only group and AD3 group were 0.012 0 ± 0.005 1, 0.005 6 ± 0.003 7, 0.054 4 ± 0.027 0, respectively. Data analysis with the gene expression microarray showed that Tle4, Kcna1, Itk, Bcorl1, Cacna1c, Rspo2 and Foxo3 were potential target genes of miR-155 in the AOM-DSS mouse model. Changes of Kcna1 and Cacna1c in the AOM-DSS mouse model were validated to be consistent with the changes obtained with the gene expression microarray.

CONCLUSIONThe up-regulation of miR-155 is related to colitis-associated carcinogenesis, but is irrelevant to chronic inflammation in the mouse model.

Adenocarcinoma ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Azoxymethane ; toxicity ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; Cocarcinogenesis ; Colitis ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Colon ; metabolism ; Colonic Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dextran Sulfate ; toxicity ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Precancerous Conditions ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment for HER-2-positive chemo-refractory advanced gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

METHODSTwenty consecutive cases of chemo-refractory advanced gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma treated in Peking University Cancer Hospital between 2009 June and 2013 August were included in this study. The patients with adenocarcinoma were previously confirmed and were eligible if their tumor showed overexpression of HER-2+++ by immunohistochemistry or HER-2 gene amplification-positive by FISH, and if they failed to at least one previous chemotherapy. Response and toxicities were evaluated with RECIST 1.0 and CTC AE 3.0 criteria.

RESULTSThe twenty patients received trastuzumab plus second- or later-line chemotherapy, consisting of nine platinum with fluoropyrimidines, five paclitaxel with fluoropyrimidines, three fluoropyrimidines monotherapy, two irinotecan monotherapy, and one docetaxel monotherapy. In these 20 cases, 3 PR (15.0%) and 10 SD (50.0%) were achieved, with a disease control rate of 65.0%. The median PFS was 6.1 months (95%CI 3.0-9.2) and median OS was 11.1 months (95%CI 8.4-13.7). The median cycle number of Trastuzumab administration was 6.5. The patients treated with Trastuzumab ≥ 6 times had a median OS of 13.8 months, significantly longer than that of 9.5 months in the patients treated <6 times (P < 0.001). The patients treated with Trastuzumab ≥ 6 times had a median PFS of 7.8 months, significantly longer than that of 3.7 months in patients treated <6 times (P = 0.029). Among the 20 cases, loss of appetite (13 cases of grade 1-2), neutropenia (12 cases of grade 1-2 and 3 cases of grade 3-4) and fatigue (9 cases of grade 1-2 and 3 cases of grade 3-4) were the most frequent adverse events. No cardiac events including asymptomatic decreases in LVEF ≥ 10% and no treatment-related death were recorded.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of trastuzumab with chemotherapy is effective and safe in patients with HER2-positive advanced chemo-refractory gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarninoma. However, prospective studies are warranted to further confirm its efficacy and safety.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; secondary ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Anorexia ; chemically induced ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Disease Progression ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Fatigue ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; secondary ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Trastuzumab

OBJECTIVETo observe the gene expression of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSVl-tk) in rat malignant ovarian tumor tissues and the therapeutic effect of ganciclovior (GCV) after intra-arterial infusion of HSVl-tk gene therapy mediated by GE7-delivery system.

METHODSA GE7-polylysine/pCMV-HSV1-tk/polylysine-HA20 4-element complex was constructed. Eighteen rats with DMBA-induced ovarian tumor were divided into 3 groups as Atk, ANS and Vtk groups. The 4-element complex GE7-polylysine/pCMV-HSV1-tk/polylysine-HA20 was injected via the ovarian artery into the rats of Atk group, saline buffer was injected in the ANS groups, and the 4-element complex was injected via the tail vein into the rats of Vtk group. All rats received intraperitoneal injection of GCV in a dose of 50 mg/kg daily for 10 days. The rats were sacrificed 3 days after the final dose of GCV, and the tumor weight was measured and tumor growth inhibition rate was calculated. Flow cytometry was used to assess the cell cycle and apoptosis.

RESULTSThe tumor weight in the rats of Atk group was (4.77 ± 2.31) g, significantly lower than that of ANS group [(14.66 ± 6.26) g, P < 0.01] and Vtk group [(17.53 ± 7.19) g, P < 0.01]. The tumor growth inhibition rate of the Atk group was 67.5%, while that of Vtk group was -19.6%. The flow cytometry showed that S-phase tumor cells in the Atk group were (54.32 ± 9.65)%, significantly higher than that in the ANS (27.43 ± 9.22)% and (30.16 ± 11.57)% in the Vtk group (both P < 0.01). The tumor cell apoptosis rate in the Atk group was (39.15 ± 12.16)%, significantly higher than that in the ANS group [(11.86 ± 5.28)%, P < 0.01] and Vtk group [(14.32 ± 6.43)%, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONHSV1-tk/GCV gene therapy system mediated by GE7 non-viral delivery system via ovarian arterial infusion effectively causes cell cycle arrest at S phase and enhances cell apoptosis, therefore, exerts an inhibitory effect on tumor growth.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Adenocarcinoma ; chemically induced ; pathology ; therapy ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Female ; Ganciclovir ; pharmacology ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; genetics ; metabolism ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; pathology ; therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the gene and protein expression of herpes simplex virus type I-thymidine kinase (HSV(1)-tk) in the ovarian tumor tissues and other organs after arterial infusion of HSV(1)-tk gene mediated by GE7 delivery system.

METHODSGE7-polylysine/pCMV-HSV(1)-tk/polylysine-HA20 complexes were constructed. Nine rats with induced ovarian tumor were divided into 3 groups, injecting the 4-element complexes or saline buffer through the ovarian artery and complexes through the tail vein, respectively. The ovarian tumors, hearts, livers, spleens, lungs and kidneys were obtained at 72 hours after injection. RT-PCR and Western Blot were preceeded to determine the expression of HSV(1)-tk gene and protein in the tumor tissues and other organs.

RESULTSIn the group of arterial injection with 4-element complexes, the HSV(1)-tk gene and protein were expressed strongly in the tumor tissues, while little or none was detected in other organs. In the group of arterial injection with saline buffer, no HSV(1)-tk gene and protein was detected in both tumor tissues and other organs. In the group of tail vein injection, none was detected in tumor tissues and only little was found in the livers, spleens, lungs and kidneys.

CONCLUSIONHigh target and gene transfer rates can be obtained when HSV(1)-tk gene is transferred via the artery route mediated by GE7 delivery system. HSV(1)-tk protein can be expressed after the gene transfer. The results may provide a new strategy for target killing of HSV(1)-tk/GCV system in ovarian tumors.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Adenocarcinoma ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; genetics ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thymidine Kinase ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy and safety of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) and unclear K-ras status.

METHODSClinical data of 102 ACRC patients, treated by cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in Sun Yat-sen Cancer Center from March 2005 to December 2008, were collected. The cumulative survival rate, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) of the cases were calculated. The difference in ORR, DCR, PFS and oval survival (OS) between the regimens used as first-line and non-first-line treatment, and between the regimens including oxaliplatin and irinotecan were compared.

RESULTSThe overall ORR of cetuximab plus chemotherapy was 43.1%, DCR 73.5%, median PFS 4.0 months, OS 28.5 months, and the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rate was 89.2%, 50.9% and 27.5%, respectively. The differences in ORR (50.0% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.344), DCR (78.1% vs. 72.9%, P = 0.571) and OS (51.0 months vs. 35.0 months, P = 0.396) between the regimens as first line and as non-first line treatment were not statistically significant. However, the PFS of the regimen as first-line was longer than that as non-first-line treatment (PFS 5.5 months vs. 3.0 months, P = 0.001). The differences in ORR (54.2% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.223), DCR (79.2% vs. 74.7%, P = 0.654), PFS (5.0 months vs. 3.0 months, P = 0.726) and OS (36.0 months vs. 40.0 months, P = 0.759) between cetuximab plus oxliplatin and irinotecan were not statistically significant. The most common side effects of cetuximab plus chemotherapy were acneiform eruption (80.4%, grade 3-4 in 9.8%), neutropenia (66.7%, grade 3-4 in 18.6%), and diarrhea (19.6%, grade 3-4 in 5.9%). No treatment-related death was recorded.

CONCLUSIONPatients with advanced colorectal cancer and unclear K-ras treated by cetuximab combined with chemotherapy have good ORR and OS, and the regimen is safe with less adverse events for them. There is no significant difference between the efficacies of regimens as first line and as non-first line treatment, and between cetuximab plus oxliplatin and cetuximab plus irinotecan regimens.

Acneiform Eruptions ; chemically induced ; Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Cetuximab ; Colonic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Rectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Remission Induction ; Survival Rate ; ras Proteins ; metabolism

Adenocarcinoma ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein C ; metabolism ; Sterigmatocystin ; toxicity

During carcinogenesis, NF-kappaB mediates processes associated with deregulation of the normal control of proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Thus, suppression of NF-kappaB has been linked with chemoprevention of cancer. Accumulating findings reveal that heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone and a component of the IkappaB kinase (IKK) complex that plays a central role in NF-kappaB activation. HSP90 also stabilizes key proteins involved in cell cycle control and apoptosis signaling. We have determined whether the exogenous administration of isoflavone-deprived soy peptide prevents 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis and investigated the mechanism of action. Dietary administration of soy peptide (3.3 g/rat/day) significantly reduced the incidence of ductal carcinomas (50%), the number of tumors per multiple tumor-bearing rats (49%; P < 0.05), and extended the latency period of tumor development (8.07 +/- 0.92 weeks) compared to control diet animals (10.80 +/- 1.30; P < 0.05). Our results have further demonstrated that soy peptide (1) dramatically inhibits the expression of HSP90, thereby suppressing signaling pathway leading to NF-kappaB activation; (2) induces expression of p21, p53, and caspase-3 proteins; and (3) inhibits expression of VEGF. In agreement with our in vivo data, soy peptide treatment inhibited the growth of human breast MCF-7 tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. Taken together, our in vivo and in vitro results suggest chemopreventive and tumor suppressive functions of isoflavone-deprived soy peptide by inducing growth arrest and apoptosis.
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; Adenocarcinoma/*prevention & control ; Animals ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms/chemically induced/pathology/*prevention & control ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chemoprevention ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Humans ; Isoflavones/chemistry ; NF-kappa B/genetics/metabolism ; Peptides/chemistry/isolation & purification/therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Soybean Proteins/chemistry/*isolation & purification/*therapeutic use ; Soybeans/chemistry

AIMTo study the effect of combined androgen block therapy on hemoglobin and hematocrit values in patients with prostate cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six patients with adenocarcinoma of prostate were treated with combined androgen block (orchiectomy and flutamide 250 mg, tid). Complete blood counts were determined before and after 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of therapy.

RESULTSThe hemoglobin and hematocrit levels declined significantly in all patients and at all the time points after treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONProstate cancer patients treated with combined androgen block would develop obvious anemia. Recombinant human erythropoietin can be used to treat patients with severe anemia.

Adenocarcinoma ; complications ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Adult ; Androgen Antagonists ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anemia ; chemically induced ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Flutamide ; therapeutic use ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; analysis