Cutaneous reactions to chemotherapy and their management

Acetyl tributyl citrate attenuates 5-fluorouracil-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in human keratinocytes

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a commonly used chemotherapy drug that effectively destroys cancer cells. Despite its widespread use and efficacy, it also presents considerable challenges, particularly with adverse effects on rapidly dividing normal cells, such as keratinocytes. These detrimental effects are attributed to inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic potentials, leading to severe skin disorders. Due to the lack of specific remedies for 5-FU-induced dermatological side effects, conventional treatments are applied instead, which provide limited relief and have drawbacks. This study investigated the impact of acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) in 5-FU-treated human keratinocytes. The findings indicated that ATBC substantially reduced inflammation caused by 5-FU, as demonstrated by nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B and expression of its downstream genes, including tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1 beta (IL1B), and IL6. ATBC also markedly decreased oxidative stress, indicated by reactive oxygen species levels and the antioxidant gene expression such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), SOD2, and heme oxygenase 1 in 5-FU-treated cells. Furthermore, ATBC attenuated 5-FU-induced apoptosis, as determined by lactate dehydrogenase release and Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry, with the potential involvement of interferon-related genes. Following this, protein kinase C delta was predicted as a possible molecular target of ATBC. These findings propose ATBC as a therapeutic agent for managing the cutaneous side effects associated with 5-FU treatment.

Electrochemotherapy for head and neck cancers: possibilities and limitations

Head and neck cancer continues to be among the most prevalent types of cancer globally, yet it can be managed with appropriate treatment approaches. Presently, chemotherapy and radiotherapy stand as the primary treatment modalities for various groups and regions affected by head and neck cancer. Nonetheless, these treatments are linked to adverse side effects in patients. Moreover, due to tumor resistance to multiple drugs (both intrinsic and extrinsic) and radiotherapy, along with numerous other factors, recurrences or metastases often occur. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) emerges as a clinically proven alternative that offers high efficacy, localized effect, and diminished negative factors. Electrochemotherapy involves the treatment of solid tumors by combining a non-permeable cytotoxic drug, such as bleomycin, with a locally administered pulsed electric field (PEF). It is crucial to employ this method effectively by utilizing optimal PEF protocols and drugs at concentrations that do not possess inherent cytotoxic properties. This review emphasizes an examination of diverse clinical practices of ECT concerning head and neck cancer. It specifically delves into the treatment procedure, the choice of anti-cancer drugs, pre-treatment planning, PEF protocols, and electroporation electrodes as well as the efficacy of tumor response to the treatment and encountered obstacles. We have also highlighted the significance of assessing the spatial electric field distribution in both tumor and adjacent tissues prior to treatment as it plays a pivotal role in determining treatment success. Finally, we compare the ECT methodology to conventional treatments to highlight the potential for improvement and to facilitate popularization of the technique in the area of head and neck cancers where it is not widespread yet while it is not the case with other cancer types.

A new formulation of Ni/Zn bi-metallic nanocomposite and evaluation of its applications for pollution removal, photocatalytic, electrochemical sensing, and anti-breast cancer

Nanocomposites have gained attention due to their variety of applications in different fields. In this research, we have reported a green synthesis of a bi-metallic nanocomposite of nickel and zinc using an aqueous extract of Citrus sinensis in the presence of chitosan (Ni/Zn@orange/chitosan). The nanocomposite was characterized using different techniques. We have examined various applications for Ni/Zn@orange/chitosan. The NPs were manufactured in spherical morphology with a particle range size of 17.34-90.51 nm. Ni/Zn@orange/chitosan showed an acceptable ability to remove dyes of Congo red and methyl orange from an aqueous solution after 80 min furthermore, it uptaking the drug mefenamic acid from a solution. Ni/Zn@orange/chitosan also exhibited great photocatalytic activity in synthesizing benzimidazole using benzyl alcohol and o-phenylenediamine. Ni/Zn@orange/chitosan was found as a potent electrochemical sensor to determine glucose. In the molecular and cellular section of the current research, the cells with composite nanoparticles were studied by MTT way about the anti-breast adenocarcinoma potentials malignant cell lines. The IC50 of composite nanoparticles were 320, 460, 328, 500, 325, 379, 350, and 396 μg/mL concering RBA, NMU, SK-BR-3, CAMA-1, MCF7, AU565, MDA-MB-468, and Hs 281.T breast adenocarcinoma cell lines, respectively. The results revealed the newly synthesized nanocomposite is a potent photocatalyst, dye pollution removal agent, and an acceptable new drug to treat breast cancer.

Mucocutaneous Findings in Hematolymphoid Neoplasms: An Observational Study

Background

Cutaneous manifestations of hematological neoplasms can be divided into three broad categories - direct infiltration, paraneoplastic conditions, and those due to the treatment of hematological cancers.

Objectives

To study the frequency and patterns of mucocutaneous manifestations in patients with hematolymphoid neoplasms and those due to chemotherapy.

Materials and Methods

This was an observational study done with 172 patients. Categorization of mucocutaneous manifestations was done into malignancy-associated and chemotherapeutic drugs-associated and data was analyzed.

Results

Out of a total of 172 patients, 15.6% (27/172) had malignancy-related mucocutaneous manifestations. Among these, 4.6% (8/172) had direct infiltration of malignant cells into the skin and 11% (19/172) had paraneoplastic manifestations. The most common chemotherapy-related mucocutaneous manifestations were nail changes - 47.1% (81/172), of which transverse melanonychia was the most common (20.9%). About 44.2% (76/172) had a cutaneous infection, the commonest of which was a fungal infection (15.1%). Chemotherapy-induced alopecia was noted in 46.5% (80/172) and found to be significantly associated with cytarabine, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, methotrexate, and vincristine. Cutaneous hyperpigmentation was found to be significantly associated with cytarabine, doxorubicin, and vincristine.

Conclusion

Mucocutaneous manifestations cause additional discomfort to a patient undergoing chemotherapy. Early recognition and timely and appropriate management facilitate symptom control and prevent treatment-related morbidity. A multidisciplinary approach involving hemato-oncologists and dermatologists can help achieve this target.

Inflamed Actinic Keratoses as a Biomarker in Repositioning of Chemotherapeutics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Inflammation of actinic keratoses (AK) was originally described with systemic 5-fluorouracil, and led to the development of topical fluorouracil. Similar observations using different chemotherapeutics may point to other drugs with a potential for repositioning.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate chemotherapeutic agents linked to inflammation-induced cure of AK.

METHODS

This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022346168) and followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search for eligible original articles written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals until July 13, 2022 was conducted in MEDLINE and Embase.

RESULTS

28 articles met inclusion criteria accounting for 36 patients (mean age 68.4 ± 8.3 years) with inflamed AK, exposed to 21 different chemotherapeutic agents - 21/36 (58.3%) received monotherapy and 15/36 (41.7%) received multidrug combinations. Regression was complete in 13/28 (46.4%) and partial in 14/28 (50.0%) of inflamed AK. Cure rates of inflamed AK in multidrug combinations were not superior to monotherapies (p = 0.252), leading to observation that the majority of the former (14/15; 93.3%) encompassed one of five chemotherapeutic agents linked to AK inflammation also as a monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Overall, inflammation partially/completely cured AK in 96.4% of patients (27/28). Taxanes, pemetrexed and doxorubicin might have potential for the management of AK.

Cutaneous Toxicities in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy and Targeted Agents--An Observational Clinical Study

BACKGROUND

Systemic chemotherapy and targeted agents are associated with various cutaneous toxicities. Even though cutaneous toxicities are manageable, it often results in treatment discontinuation and worsens the patients' quality of life.

AIM

The study aimed to determine the spectrum of cutaneous toxicities in patients receiving systemic chemotherapy and targeted agents for breast cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 250 out of 720 patients with breast cancer who developed various cutaneous toxicities to chemotherapeutic or targeted agents were included in the study.

RESULTS

Among 250 patients, 57 patients were on neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 89 patients were on adjuvant chemotherapy, 68 were on palliative chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer and 36 were on targeted treatment for metastatic breast cancer. The most frequently affected site was hair (96%), followed by skin (92%), nail (34%), and mucosa (26%). The most common dermatological toxicity noticed in our study involved the hair in the form of chemotherapy induced alopecia (anagen effluvium) in 93.6%, followed by skin toxicity with generalized xerosis in 92% and, nail toxicity in 34%, and mucosal toxicity in 26%. The most common chemotherapeutic agent which caused frequent cutaneous toxicities in our patients was docetaxel followed by paclitaxel, capecitabine, doxorubicin, epirubicine, cyclophosphamide, 5-flurouracil and targeted agents like lapatinib, everolimus, and tamoxifen.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous toxicities are common following systemic chemotherapy and targeted agents. Early recognition of cutaneous side effects of these agents and prompt early interventions can reduce the significant morbidity, cosmetic disfigurement, unnecessary treatment interruptions, and psychological distress in women treated for breast cancers.

Adverse cutaneous reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs

Drug reactions resulting from chemotherapy agents are common and frequently affect the skin. Although often benign, a select few of these cutaneous reactions may necessitate immediate changes to the antineoplastic regimens. Given the diversity of chemotherapeutic skin reactions and their complex implications on patient management, an organized conceptual schema is imperative for proper patient care. We evaluate a number of commonly seen chemotherapy-induced skin toxicities organized by pathogenic mechanism and drug class, providing a framework for the identification and categorization of adverse events to prevent unrecognition. Groupings of these reactions include direct cytotoxicity and/or drug accumulation, immunologic hypersensitivity, and aberrant molecular signaling.

In vivo detection of changes in cutaneous carotenoids after chemotherapy using shifted excitation resonance Raman difference and fluorescence spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Various cutaneous toxicities under chemotherapy indicate a local effect of chemotherapy by secretion after systemic application. Here, changes in the fluorescence and Raman spectral properties of the stratum corneum subsequent to intravenous chemotherapy were assessed.

METHODS

Twenty healthy subjects and 20 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included. Measurement time points in cancer patients were before the first cycle of chemotherapy (T_base ) and immediately after intravenous application of the chemotherapy (T₁ ). Healthy subjects were measured once without any further intervention. Measurements were conducted using an individually manufactured system consisting of a handheld probe and a wavelength-tunable diode laser-based 488 nm SHG light source. Hereby, changes in both skin fluorescence and shifted excitation resonance Raman difference spectroscopy (SERRDS) carotenoid signals were assessed.

RESULTS

Healthy subjects showed significantly (P < .001) higher mean concentrations of carotenoids compared to cancer subjects at T_base . An increase in fluorescence intensity was detected in almost all patients after chemotherapy, especially after doxorubicin infusion. Furthermore, a decrease in the carotenoid concentration in the skin after chemotherapy was found.

CONCLUSION

The SERRDS based noninvasive detection can be used as an indirect quantitative assessment of fluorescent chemotherapeutics. The lower carotenoid SERRDS intensities at T_base might be due to cancerous diseases and co-medication.

Drug eruptions associated with tumor therapy: Great imitators

Many studies have investigated cutaneous reactions to antitumor drugs and found them to be quite numerous. We describe drug eruptions that may be associated with different therapies by class: antimetabolite chemotherapeutics, genotoxic agents, spindle inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors, and immunotherapies. Methotrexate is most often associated with mucocutaneous reactions, alkylating antimetabolite agents with hyperpigmentation, and platinum antimetabolite agents with type I IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Anthracycline derivatives can induce the hand-foot syndrome in patients, and bleomycin is associated with a bleomycin-induced flagellate erythema. Taxane spindle inhibitors can result in acneiform eruptions, which may also be seen with use of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Imatinib and its derivatives can cause a truncal maculopapular eruption, whereas multikinase inhibitors can produce a hand-foot-skin reaction. Vemurafenib can result in squamous cell carcinomas and photosensitivity. First-generation mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors may cause a maculopapular eruption initially involving the face and neck. Programmed death (PD)-1-ligand and receptor inhibitors are associated with bullous pemphigoid. Ipilimumab, targeting Cytotoxic -T- Lymphocyte- associated (CTLA-4) receptors, can cause a morbilliform reaction, whereas Interleukin -2 (IL-2) analogs can create the capillary leak syndrome. Chemotherapeutic drug eruptions classically can manifest in the aforementioned ways; however, it is important to understand that they are associated with myriad cutaneous adverse effects, which may be mistaken for organic skin disease. Oncologists prescribing these medications should be familiar with the cutaneous side effects of these medications, and so they may counsel patients to be on the lookout for them.

Mucocutaneous Adverse Reactions of Cancer Chemotherapy and Chemoradiation

Background:

With the introduction of newer anti-cancer agents, the adverse effects have become more rampant which call for concern in the treatment of patients with cancer. Hence, the assessment and management of dermatological adverse effects of anti-cancer therapy have become a significant part of the care of patients with cancer and require proper and close collaboration between the dermatologists and the oncologists.

Aims:

To assess the frequency and pattern of mucocutaneous adverse reactions to cancer chemotherapy and chemoradiation and grade them according to their severity and to identify hematological and biochemical changes related to cancer chemotherapy-induced mucocutaneous adverse reactions.

Materials and Methods:

This was a descriptive study done among 226 patients in an Indian tertiary care hospital, who presented with mucocutaneous adverse reactions to either chemotherapy alone or combination of chemotherapy and radiation to dermatology, medical oncology and radiotherapy outpatient departments. Detailed history and examination were undertaken. Visual analog score (VAS) was employed to quantify pain and pruritus. Correlation of various biochemical and hematological parameters with chemotherapy-induced adverse reactions was attempted and grading of adverse reactions was done based on the severity scale of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).

Results:

The common cutaneous adverse reactions observed in our study were nail changes (194 patients; 85.84%), followed by skin changes (191; 84.51%), hair changes (159, 70.35%), mucosal changes (34, 15.04%), and other miscellaneous manifestations. Grade 1 manifestations comprised of 49.91% of total manifestations followed by Grade 2 (45.45%) and Grade 3 (5.64%). In addition to bleomycin, other chemotherapeutic agents also had been shown to produce flagellate dermatitis in our study.

Conclusion:

Nail changes, skin changes, hair changes and mucosal changes occurred frequently as a significant side effect of chemotherapy, which a physician should be aware of, while selecting a chemotherapeutic drug.

The use of nanoparticulates to treat breast cancer

Breast cancer is a major ongoing public health issue among women in both developing and developed countries. Significant progress has been made to improve the breast cancer treatment in the past decades. However, the current clinical approaches are invasive, of low specificity and can generate severe side effects. As a rapidly developing field, nanotechnology brings promising opportunities to human cancer diagnosis and treatment. The use of nanoparticulate-based platforms overcomes biological barriers and allows prolonged blood circulation time, simultaneous tumor targeting and enhanced accumulation of drugs in tumors. Currently available and clinically applicable innovative nanoparticulate-based systems for breast cancer nanotherapies are discussed in this review.

Dermatological adverse events with taxane chemotherapy

Taxanes (docetaxel and paclitaxel) are among the most commonly prescribed anticancer drugs approved for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced breast, non-small cell lung, prostate, gastric, head and neck, and ovarian cancers, as well as in the adjuvant setting for operable node-positive breast cancers. Although the true incidence of dermatological adverse events (AEs) in patients receiving taxanes is not known, and has never been prospectively analysed, they clearly represent one of the major AEs associated with these agents. With an increase in the occurrence of cutaneous AEs during treatment with novel targeted and immunological therapies when used in combination with taxanes, a thorough understanding of reactions attributable to this class is imperative. Moreover, identification and management of dermatological AEs is critical for maintaining the quality of life in cancer patients and for minimizing dose modifications of their antineoplastic regimen. This analysis represents a systematic review of the dermatological conditions reported with the use of these drugs, complemented by experience at comprehensive cancer centres. The conditions reported herein include skin, hair, and nail toxicities. Lastly, we describe the dermatological data available for the new, recently FDA-and EMA- approved, solvent-free nab-paclitaxel.

Skin manifestations associated with chemotherapy in children with hematologic malignancies

Chemotherapy used in the treatment of malignancies produces multiple mucocutaneous adverse reactions that may be clinically challenging. These mucocutaneous reactions are common and sometimes not diagnosed. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical patterns of the mucocutaneous manifestations during and after chemotherapy in children with a hematologic malignancy and to determine whether nutritional status influences the clinical presentation. We recruited patients aged 6 months to 16 years diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma from a pediatric hematology outpatient clinic between November 2008 and May 2010. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, recently diagnosed patients, included in the study before receiving chemotherapy, and Group 2, patients in surveillance who had not had chemotherapy for at least 3 months. A dermatologic examination was performed, and biopsy and mycological and bacteriological tests were conducted if necessary, with 6 months of follow-up. We evaluated 89 patients and included 65 in the study: 40 boys and 25 girls with an average age of 8.3 years. All patients had skin lesions at some time during their baseline assessment or follow-up. The manifestations found were anagen effluvium, xerosis, and acral hyperpigmentation. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative study of skin manifestations associated with chemotherapy in a Mexican pediatric population. The mucocutaneous manifestations associated with chemotherapy are important causes of morbidity. All of the children in our study had skin lesions on assessment. We did not find an association between skin manifestations and nutritional status.

Grading dermatologic adverse events of cancer treatments: the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0

Dermatologic adverse events to cancer therapies have become more prevalent and may to lead to dose modifications or discontinuation of life-saving or prolonging treatments. This has resulted in a new collaboration between oncologists and dermatologists, which requires accurate cataloging and grading of side effects. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 is a descriptive terminology and grading system that can be used for uniform reporting of adverse events. A proper understanding of this standardized classification system is essential for dermatologists to properly communicate with all physicians caring for patients with cancer.

Ipilimumab, a promising immunotherapy with increased overall survival in metastatic melanoma?

Malignant melanoma (MM) is one of the most aggressive skin cancer. The therapeutic options remain limited for advanced MM, and those directed to the neoplastic cells have not brought major survival advantage so far. Immunotherapy is another targeted option. Ipilimumab, a monoclonal antibody directed to CTLA-4 present on cytotoxic T cells boosts immunity, particularly its anti-MM activity. Under treatment, the overall survival of patients with MM metastases is moderately but significantly increased. The immuno-related adverse effects may be severe and life threatening.

Reações tegumentares adversas relacionadas aos agentes antineoplásicos: parte I

O tratamento local e sistêmico das neoplasias pode causar alterações na pele, membranas mucosas, cabelos e unhas. O diagnóstico preciso e o tratamento adequado destes efeitos colaterais requerem conhecimento dos padrões das reações adversas mais comuns para as medicações que o paciente está utilizando. O dermatologista deve estar familiarizado com as manifestações tegumentares das neoplasias, bem como com os efeitos adversos mucocutâneos dos tratamentos antineoplásicos.

Annular erythema as a sign of recurrent breast cancer

Three women with known breast cancer presented with very similar annular erythemas of their chest walls. All women were in remission from their breast cancer for at least 6 months. Their breast cancers had initially responded well to multi-modality treatment with no clinical or radiologic evidence of recurrence, until the development of the annular erythema. In the first case, the annular erythema was treated unsuccessfully as a dermatitis and then as tinea corporis. In the second case, subacute cutaneous lupus was considered but lupus antibodies were negative. In the third case, the annular erythema was promptly recognized and biopsied. Histology in all three cases revealed identical findings of invasive ductal carcinoma involving the lymphatics of the skin. Immunohistochemical staining of the carcinoma was positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 but negative for oestrogen and progesterone receptors. Annular erythema can pose a wide differential but rarely has it been described as a sign of locally recurrent cancer. These cases highlight the importance of recognizing this entity in the oncologic patient, where prompt skin biopsies can confirm the diagnosis and allow early initiation of therapy.

Functioning and health in patients with cancer on home-parenteral nutrition: a qualitative study

Background

Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with cancer. One possible strategy to prevent malnutrition and further deterioration is to administer home-parenteral nutrition (HPN). While the effect on survival is still not clear, HPN presumably improves functioning and quality of life. Thus, patients' experiences concerning functioning and quality of life need to be considered when deciding on the provision of HPN. Currently used quality of life measures hardly reflect patients' perspectives and experiences. The objective of our study was to investigate the perspectives of patients with cancer on their experience of functioning and health in relation to HPN in order to get an item pool to develop a comprehensive measure to assess the impact of HPN in this population.

Methods

We conducted a series of qualitative semi-structured interviews. The interviews were analysed to identify categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) addressed by patients' statements. Patients were consecutively included in the study until an additional patient did not yield any new information.

Results

We extracted 94 different ICF-categories from 16 interviews representing patient-relevant aspects of functioning and health (32 categories from the ICF component 'Body Functions', 10 from 'Body Structures', 32 from 'Activities & Participation', 18 from 'Environmental Factors'). About 8% of the concepts derived from the interviews could not be linked to specific ICF categories because they were either too general, disease-specific or pertained to 'Personal Factors'. Patients referred to 22 different aspects of functioning improving due to HPN; mainly activities of daily living, mobility, sleep and emotional functions.

Conclusions

The ICF proved to be a satisfactory framework to standardize the response of patients with cancer on HPN. For most aspects reported by the patients, a matching concept and ICF category could be found. The development of categories of the component 'Personal Factors' should be promoted to close the existing gap when analyzing interviews using the ICF. The identification and standardization of concepts derived from individual interviews was the first step towards creating new measures based on patients' preferences and experiences which both catch the most relevant aspects of functioning and are sensitive enough to monitor change associated to an intervention such as HPN in a vulnerable population with cancer.

Is disease management right for oncology?

The disease management (DM) model for the treatment of chronic conditions has been around for many years and has been found to be effective for diseases of high prevalence and high cost (eg, diabetes, asthma, heart disease). With an increasing number of people living with cancer and the continual escalation of treatment costs, DM vendors have begun to implement DM concepts into cancer care. However, the multitude of cancer types, treatment options, and adverse effects have all presented barriers to oncology DM, and data reflecting the effectiveness of oncology DM have remained scarce. Oncology costs, the lack of congruence between provider and patient expectations of treatment, the lack of prevention and early detection for many cancers, and, most importantly, the inability of people to adhere to healthy lifestyles are additional obstacles that must be overcome. Moreover, when designing an oncology DM program, it is imperative to look at cancers individually as the etiology, treatment, and impact of cancer can be markedly different from one patient to the next. An effective oncology DM program is one that acts to decrease fatigue, reduces nosocomial infections, deals with dehydration and pain, manages anemia, identifies and treats skin infections, recognizes and treats depression and other psychological distress, provides patients access to palliative care services, facilitates informed decision making and end-of-life transitions, and promotes communication between patients and their providers as well as between physicians. Moving forward, DM vendors and health insurance companies capable of incorporating DM with medical management will be in the best position to provide optimal cancer care.

Atypical cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia induced by chemotherapy in a patient with advanced colon carcinoma

Some conditions are predisposed to excessive lymphocyte responses, which can progress to a benign condition, ie, atypical cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia (ACLH), or a malignant lymphoma. Clinical diagnosis of drug-associated pseudolymphoma can be based on a temporal association between drug ingestion and lesion onset followed by resolution without recurrence after discontinuation of drug administration. Herein, we report the case of a 66-year-old man with advanced colon carcinoma with ACLH developed while receiving chemotherapy regimen with oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin. The authors postulate that chemotherapy can promote an aberrant immune response to an antigen that can be the drug itself or other self-antigens.

Apoptotic pathway induced by noscapine in human myelogenous leukemic cells

It has been shown that noscapine, an opium-derived phthalideisoquinoline alkaloid that is currently being used as an oral antitussive drug, induces apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cells. The molecular mechanism responsible for the anticancer effects of noscapine is poorly understood. In the current study, the apoptotic effects of noscapine on two myeloid cell lines, apoptosis-proficient HL60 cells and apoptosis-resistant K562 cells, were analyzed. An increase in the activity of caspase-2, -3, -6, -8 and -9, poly(ADP ribose) polymerase cleavage, detection of phosphatidylserine on the outer layer of the cell membrane, nucleation of chromatin, and DNA fragmentation suggested the induction of apoptosis. Noscapine increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio with a significant decrease of Bcl-2 expression accompanied with Bcl-2 phosphorylation. Using an inhibitory approach, the activation of the caspase cascade involved in the noscapine-induced apoptosis was analyzed. We observed no inhibitory effect of the caspase-8 inhibitor on caspase-9 activity. In view of these results and taking into consideration that K562 cells are Fas-null, we suggested that caspase-8 is activated in a Fas-independent manner downstream of caspase-9. In conclusion, noscapine can induce apoptosis in both apoptosis-proficient and apoptosis-resistant leukemic cells, and it can be a novel candidate in the treatment of hematological malignancies.

Polymeric micelles in oral chemotherapy

Oral administration of anticancer agents is preferred by patients for its convenience and potential for use in outpatient and palliative setting. In addition, oral administration facilitates a prolonged exposure to the cytotoxic agents. Enhancement of bioavailability of emerging cytotoxic agents is a pre-requisite for successful development of oral modes of cancer treatment. Over the last decade, our studies have focused specifically on the utilization of large (MW>10(5)) and non-degradable polymers in oral chemotherapy. A family of block-graft copolymers of the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) Pluronic(R) polyethers and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) bound by carbon-carbon bonds emerged, wherein both polymeric components are generally recognized as safe. Animal studies with Pluronic-PAA copolymers demonstrated that these molecules are excreted when administered orally and do not absorb into the systemic circulation. The Pluronic-PAA copolymers are surface-active and self-assemble, at physiological pH, into intra- and intermolecular micelles with hydrophobic cores of dehydrated PPO and multilayered coronas of hydrophilic PEO and partially ionized PAA segments. These micelles efficiently solubilize hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel and steroids and protect molecules such as camptothecins from the hydrolytic reactions. High surface activity of the Pluronic-PAA copolymers in water results in interactions with cell membranes and suppression of the membrane pumps such as P-glycoprotein. The ionizable carboxyls in the micellar corona facilitate mucoadhesion that enhances the residence time of the micelles and solubilized drugs in the gastrointestinal tract. Large payloads of the Pluronic-PAA micelles with weakly basic and water-soluble drugs such as doxorubicin and its analogs, mitomycin C, mitoxantrone, fluorouracil, and cyclophosphamide are achieved through electrostatic interactions with the micellar corona. Mechanical and physical properties of the Pluronic-PAA powders, blends, and micelles allow for formulation procedures where an active is simply dispersed into an aqueous Pluronic-PAA micellar formulation followed by optional lyophilization and processing into a ready dosage form. We review a number of in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrating that that the oral administration of the cytotoxics formulated with the Pluronic-PAA copolymer micelles results in enhanced drug bioavailability.

Additive cytotoxic effect of apoptin and chemotherapeutic agents paclitaxel and etoposide on human tumour cells

Gene therapy experiments in animal models have shown that apoptin expression results in tumour regression without any significant side effects. Therefore, apoptin is regarded as a potential anticancer drug for clinical applications. In this study, we analysed whether chemotherapeutic agents combined with apoptin treatment could result in enhanced cytotoxicity in human tumour cell cultures. Combined treatment with recombinant adenovirus AdAptVP3 expressing apoptin and etoposide clearly showed an additive cytotoxic effect on human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Paclitaxel treatment combined with apoptin expression significantly inhibited the survival of p53-positive human osteosarcoma U2OS and non-small lung carcinoma A549 cells, p53-negative human osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells and p53-mutant human prostate cancer Du145 cells, already at low doses of the chemotherapeutic agent. Our results indicate that the cytotoxicity-enhancing action by the tumour-specific apoptin in combination with chemotherapeutic agents might offer an effective and safe antitumour therapeutics.