The use of ultrasound and computed tomography for the diagnosis of a squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophago-cardial region of the stomach in a rhesus monkey

Modulation of the Tumor Metastatic Microenvironment and Multiple Signal Pathways by Prunella vulgaris in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Prunella vulgaris (PV) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used clinically for centuries in Asian countries to treat herpetic keratitis. In previous studies, PV was shown to suppress TPA-induced activation of MMP-9 and inhibit cell invasion and migration in hepatoma cell lines. However, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying these effects is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying PV-mediated inhibition of 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced cell invasion and inhibition of secreted and cytosolic MMP-9 production in human hepatoma cells (Huh-7 and HA22T). PV suppressed VEGF and MMP-9 transcription by inhibiting activator protein (AP)-1 and nuclear factor-[Formula: see text]B (NF-[Formula: see text]B) activity. PV suppressed TPA-induced AP-1 activity by inhibiting phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), downregulating p38 signaling pathways, and suppressing TPA-induced inhibition of NF-[Formula: see text]B nuclear translocation through I[Formula: see text]B. PV suppressed TPA-induced activation of ERK/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt upstream of NF-[Formula: see text]B and AP-1. These data suggest that PV modifies the metastatic microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inhibiting multiple signal transduction pathways. PV thus may have the therapeutic potential to inhibit the migration and invasion of HCC and act as potential agent for systemic therapies.

Naringenin suppresses TPA-induced tumor invasion by suppressing multiple signal transduction pathways in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Naringenin, a common dietary flavonoid abundantly present in fruits and vegetables, is believed to possess strong anti-proliferative properties and the ability to induce apoptosis in hepatoma cell lines. However, there are no reports describing its effects on the invasion and metastasis of hepatoma cell lines, and the detailed molecular mechanisms of its effects are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying naringenin-mediated inhibition of 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced cell invasion and inhibition of secreted and cytosolic MMP-9 production in human hepatoma cells (HepG2, Huh-7, and HA22T) and murine embryonic liver cells (BNL CL2). Naringenin suppressed MMP-9 transcription by inhibiting activator protein (AP)-1 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. It suppressed TPA-induced AP-1 activity through inhibiting the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, and it suppressed TPA-induced inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation through IκB. Additionally, it suppressed TPA-induced activation of ERK/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt upstream of NF-κB and AP-1. These data suggest that naringenin suppresses the invasiveness and metastatic potential of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by inhibiting multiple signal transduction pathways.

The Clinical Evaluation of Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Combined with THP and DDP for Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Cardiac Carcinoma

The aim of this study is to explore the clinical effect of tegafur gimeracil oteracil combined with pirarubicin hydrochloride (THP) and diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP) for second-line treatment of advanced cardiac carcinoma, and find the most effective method to improve its survival rate and decrease the adverse reactions. 70 patients with advanced cardiac carcinoma admitted during February 2010-March 2014 were selected and divided into two groups with 35 cases in each group. All patients were treated with THP and DDP, and tegafur gimeracil oteracil was added to the observation group. The differences of effective rate, life quality, and adverse reactions after treatment in observational group were observed. The result of total curative effect indicated that the occurrence rate of complete remission + partial remission (CR + PR) in the control group was 28.57 %, the total effective rate was 51.43 %, the occurrence rate of CR + PR in the observational group was 34.29 %, and the total effective rate was 57.15 %; there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The result of KPS scoring indicated that the improvement rate in the control group was 28.57 %, the total effective rate was 62.86 %, the improvement rate in the observational group was 42.86 %, and the total effective rate was 80 %; there was statistical difference between two groups (P < 0.05); the occurrence rates of adverse reactions including leukocyte decrease, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, peripheral neurovirulence, hepatotoxicity, and renal toxicity were statistically different (P < 0.05). Tegafur gimeracil oteracil combined with THP and DDP in treating advanced cardiac carcinoma can improve the life quality and decrease the adverse reactions.

Genistein inhibits tumor invasion by suppressing multiple signal transduction pathways in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND

Genistein (Gen) exhibits anti-mutagenic and anti-metastatic activities in hepatoma cell lines. Gen has suppressive effects on tumor growth and angiogenesis in nude mice. Gen suppresses the enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9; however, the mechanism underlying its anti-invasive activity on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells is unclear.

METHODS

In this study, the possible mechanisms underlying Gen-mediated reduction of 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced cell invasion and inhibition of secreted and cytosolic MMP-9 production in human hepatoma cells (HepG2, Huh-7, and HA22T) and murine embryonic liver cells (BNL CL2) were investigated.

RESULTS

Gen suppressed MMP-9 transcription by inhibiting activator protein (AP)-1 and nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) activity. Gen suppressed TPA-induced AP-1 activity through inhibitory phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways, and TPA-stimulated inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation through IκB inhibitory signaling pathways. Moreover, Gen suppressed TPA-induced activation of ERK/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt upstream of NF-κB and AP-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Gen and its inhibition of multiple signal transduction pathways can control the invasiveness and metastatic potential of HCC.

Gastric hypomotility in chronic upper gastrointestinal disease of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

Japanese macaques bred indoor for laboratory use often show chronic anorexia and intermittent vomiting. In some of our macaques gastric air was observed on physical examination, and we suspected abnormality of gastric motility. We therefore performed contrast radiographic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract without anesthesia of 8 macaques with gastrointestinal symptoms and 9 asymptomatic controls from the same laboratory. Changes of abdominal radiography over time were observed following oral administration of contrast medium. In all control animals, contrast medium had completely passed from the stomach within 150 min after administration. However, all animals with gastrointestinal symptoms retained some contrast medium in the stomach. Gastric emptying time of contrast medium was associated with excessive gastric air in Japanese macaques; therefore, gastric emptying time seems to be associated with decreased gastric motility.

Spontaneous squamous cell carcinomas in 13 baboons, a first report in a spider monkey, and a review of the non-human primate literature

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a neoplastic proliferation of epithelial cells undergoing squamous differentiation and represents a diagnostic challenge in non-human primates (NHP), especially in baboons with perineal SCC.

METHODS

Fourteen SCC (13 baboons, 1 spider monkey) were identified over a 20-year period. A literature search identified 86 additional published cases of spontaneous NHP SCC.

RESULTS

Squamous cell carcinoma was most commonly reported in macaques, baboons, marmosets, and squirrel monkeys. Metastasis occurred in 23%, of NHP. The most frequently reported primary locations were the oral cavity, integument, esophagus, and cervix-uterus. Perineal SCC occurred mainly in baboons. All reported SCC in marmosets occurred in the head. Nasal cavity SCC was only reported in male marmosets. All reported pulmonary SCC occurred in males, mostly in tree shrews.

CONCLUSIONS

Squamous cell carcinoma is a common neoplasm in NHP and exhibits species differences. NHPs may provide a useful SCC animal model.