Project description:Plasmodium and Toxoplasma are parasites of major medical importance that belong to the Apicomplexa phylum of protozoa. These parasites transform into various stages during their life cycle and express a specific set of proteins at each stage. Although still little is known of how gene expression is controlled in Apicomplexa, histone modifications, particularly acetylation, are emerging as key regulators of parasite differentiation and stage conversion. Here, we investigated the anti-Apicomplexa effect of FR235222, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. We show that FR235222 is active against a variety of Apicomplexa genera, including Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, and is more potent than other HDACi such as TSA and the clinically relevant compound, pyrimethamine. We identify TgHDAC3 as the target of FR235222 in Toxoplasma tachyzoites and demonstrate the crucial role of the conserved and Apicomplexa HDAC-specific residue TgHDAC3 T99 in the inhibitory activity of the drug. We also show that FR235222 induces differentiation of the tachyzoite (replicative) into the bradyzoite (non replicative) stage. Additionally, via its anti-TgHDAC3 activity, FR235222 influences the expression of ~370 genes, a third of which are stage-specifically expressed. These results identify FR235222 as a potent HDAC inhibitor of Apicomplexa, and establish HDAC3 as a central regulator of gene expression and stage conversion in Toxoplasma and likely other Apicomplexa.
Project description:Docetaxel is an adjuvant chemotherapy drug widely used to treat multiple solid tumors, however its toxicity and side-effect limits its clinical efficacy. Herein, the docetaxel-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (DSNs) were developed to reduce systemic toxicity while still keeping its anti-cancer activity. To evaluate its anti-cancer activity and toxicity and understand the molecular mechanisms of DSNs, different cellular, molecular and whole genome transcription analysis approaches were utilized. The DSNs showed lower cytotoxicity compared with the commercial formulation of docetaxel-Taxotere and induced more apoptosis at 24 h treatment in vitro. It can cause the treated cancer cells arrested at G2/M phase in a dose-depend manner as Taxotere. The DSNs can also suppress tumor growth very effectively in a murine breast cancer model. Systemic analysis of gene expression profiles by microarray and the following verification experiments suggested that both DSNs and Taxotere regulate expression of series genes and these genes functions involved in DNA replication, DNA damage response, cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Some of these genes expressed differentially at protein level although their transcription level was similar under TAX and DSNs treatment. Moreover, DSNs improved main side-effect of Taxotere by greatly lowering myelosuppression toxicity to bone marrow cells from mice. Taken together, our results expound the anti-tumor efficacy and the potential working mechanisms of DSNs in its anti-cancer activity and toxicity, which provide a theoretical foundation to develop and apply more efficient docetaxel formulation to treat cancer patients.
Project description:Purpose: To determine whether docetaxel therapy of advanced prostate cancer can be improved by using docetaxel in combination with Aneustat (OMN54), a multivalent botanical drug candidate undergoing a Phase-I Clinical Trial, and to identify the molecular action of this drug combination. Experimental Design: Human metastatic, androgen-independent C4-2 prostate cancer cells and NOD-SCID mice bearing PTEN-deficient, metastatic and PSA-secreting, patient-derived subrenal capsule LTL-313H prostate cancer tissue xenografts were treated with docetaxel and Aneustat, either alone or in combination. Culture growth (at 48 hours) and xenograft size (at 3 weeks) were determined and animal health monitored. Xenografts were gene expression profiled using gene expression microarrays. Androgen receptor (AR) expression and AKT phosphorylation were examined. Results: Aneustat markedly inhibited C4-2 cell replication in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, reducing AR expression and AKT phosphorylation. Aneustat was not as effective as docetaxel in inhibiting LTL-313H xenograft growth. When combined, Aneustat and docetaxel markedly and synergistically enhanced anti-tumor activity without inducing major host toxicity, even leading to complete growth inhibition and tumor shrinkage not obtained with the single drugs. AR expression and AKT signalling in the xenografts were inhibited by docetaxel+Aneustat, but not by the single agents. Expression microarray analysis indicated that docetaxel+Aneustat led to expanded anticancer activity, in particular to targeting of cancer hallmarks that were not affected by the drugs on their own. Conclusion: Our findings, obtained with a clinically relevant prostate cancer model, suggest, for the first time, that docetaxel-based therapy of advanced human prostate cancer may be improved by combining docetaxel with Aneustat.
Project description:To investigate the fibrotic effect on BMSCs by CTGF and TGFβ1 treatment, and the anti-fibrotic effect of docetaxel on fibrotic chondrocytes. We established BMSCs primary culture and treated CTGF and TGFβ1, then treated by docetaxel.
Project description:Anticancer drug clustering in lung cancer based on gene expression profiles. We performed gene expression analysis in lung cancer cell lines. (used: Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 Array Set HG-U133A). We also examines the sensitivity of these cell lines to commonly used anti-cancer agents (docetaxel, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, 5-FU, SN38, cisplatin, and carboplatin) via MTT assay. We related the cytoxic activity of each of these agents to corresponding expression pattern in each of the cell lines using modified NCI program. Experiment Overall Design: gene expression analysis in lung cancer cell lines
Project description:Relapsed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) unrelated to HPV infection carries a poor prognosis. Novel approaches are needed to improve the clinical outcome and prolong survival in this patient population which has poor long-term responses to immune checkpoint blockade. This study evaluated the chemokine receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, as potential novel targets for the treatment of HPV-negative HNSCC. Expression of IL-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 was investigated in HNSCC tissues and human cell line models. Inhibition of CXCR1/2 with the clinical stage, small molecule inhibitor, SX-682, was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using human xenografts and murine models of HNSCC, both as a monotherapy and in combination with the taxane chemotherapy, docetaxel. High levels of IL-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 expression were observed in HPV-negative compared to HPV-positive HNSCC tumors or cell lines. Treatment of HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines in vitro with SX-682 sensitized the tumor cells to the cytotoxic activity of docetaxel. In vivo, treatment of HNSCC xenograft models with the combination of SX-682 plus docetaxel led to strong anti-tumor control resulting in tumor cures. This phenomenon was associated with an increase of microRNA-200c and a decreased expression of its target, tubulin beta-3, a protein involved in resistance to microtubule-targeting chemotherapies. In vivo treatment of a murine syngeneic model of HNSCC with SX-682 plus docetaxel led to potent anti-tumor efficacy through a simultaneous decrease in suppressive CXCR2+ polymorphonuclear, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and an increase in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in the combination therapy treated tumors compared to controls. This study reports, for the first time, mechanistic findings through which the combination of CXCR1/2 inhibition and docetaxel chemotherapy exhibits synergy in models of HPV-negative HNSCC. These findings provide rationale for the use of this novel combination approach to treat HPV-negative HNSCC patients and for future combination studies of CXCR1/2 inhibition, docetaxel, and immune-based therapies.
Project description:Relapsed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) unrelated to HPV infection carries a poor prognosis. Novel approaches are needed to improve the clinical outcome and prolong survival in this patient population which has poor long-term responses to immune checkpoint blockade. This study evaluated the chemokine receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2, as potential novel targets for the treatment of HPV-negative HNSCC. Expression of IL-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 was investigated in HNSCC tissues and human cell line models. Inhibition of CXCR1/2 with the clinical stage, small molecule inhibitor, SX-682, was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using human xenografts and murine models of HNSCC, both as a monotherapy and in combination with the taxane chemotherapy, docetaxel. High levels of IL-8, CXCR1, and CXCR2 expression were observed in HPV-negative compared to HPV-positive HNSCC tumors or cell lines. Treatment of HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines in vitro with SX-682 sensitized the tumor cells to the cytotoxic activity of docetaxel. In vivo, treatment of HNSCC xenograft models with the combination of SX-682 plus docetaxel led to strong anti-tumor control resulting in tumor cures. This phenomenon was associated with an increase of microRNA-200c and a decreased expression of its target, tubulin beta-3, a protein involved in resistance to microtubule-targeting chemotherapies. In vivo treatment of a murine syngeneic model of HNSCC with SX-682 plus docetaxel led to potent anti-tumor efficacy through a simultaneous decrease in suppressive CXCR2+ polymorphonuclear, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and an increase in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in the combination therapy treated tumors compared to controls. This study reports, for the first time, mechanistic findings through which the combination of CXCR1/2 inhibition and docetaxel chemotherapy exhibits synergy in models of HPV-negative HNSCC. These findings provide rationale for the use of this novel combination approach to treat HPV-negative HNSCC patients and for future combination studies of CXCR1/2 inhibition, docetaxel, and immune-based therapies.
Project description:Using gene expression profiling of mammary tumors generated in a mouse model for BRCA1-associated breast cancer we have searched for markers that correlate with response to the anti-cancer drugs docetaxel or cisplatin. To validate the results, the analysis was done on 2 different platforms (39K Mouse Exonic Evidence Based Oligonucleotide (MEEBO), and 45K Illumina Sentrix mouse V6 single-channel bead arrays). Moreover, we analyzed mouse mammary tumors that had acquired docetaxel resistance on the MEEBO platform.
Project description:Using gene expression profiling of mammary tumors generated in a mouse model for BRCA1-associated breast cancer we have searched for markers that correlate with response to the anti-cancer drugs docetaxel or cisplatin. To validate the results, the analysis was done on 2 different platforms (39K Mouse Exonic Evidence Based Oligonucleotide (MEEBO), and 45K Illumina Sentrix mouse V6 single-channel bead arrays). Moreover, we analyzed mouse mammary tumors that had acquired docetaxel resistance on the MEEBO platform.