Chinese medicinal compound delisheng has satisfactory anti-tumor activity, and is associated with up-regulation of endostatin in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 in three-dimensional culture

Network Meta-Analysis of Chinese Herbal Injections Plus the FOLFOX Regimen for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in China

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present network meta-analysis (NMA) was to explore the comparative effectiveness and safety of different Chinese herbal injections (CHIs) combined with the FOLFOX regimen versus FOLFOX alone for colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

A comprehensive search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed with regard to different CHIs for treating CRC in several electronic databases up to July 2016. The quality assessment of the included RCTs was conducted according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Standard pair-wise and Bayesian NMA were designed to compare the effectiveness and safety of different CHIs combined with the FOLFOX regimen by utilizing WinBUGS 1.4.3 and Stata 13.1 software, simultaneously.

RESULTS

Initially, a total of 820 citations were retrieved through comprehensive searching, and 60 eligible articles involving 4849 participants and 14 CHIs were ultimately included. The results of the current evidence indicated that the FOLFOX regimen combined with Delisheng, Kanglaite, Shenqifuzheng, or Aidi injections were associated with the most favorable clinical efficacy compared with the FOLFOX regimen alone. Additionally, the FOLFOX regimen combined with Delisheng, Xiaoaiping, Lentinan, Kangai, Shenqifuzheng, or Aidi injections improved performance status among patients with CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of cluster analysis demonstrated that the combination of Compound matrine injection and FOLFOX regimen was associated with more preferable and beneficial outcomes than other CHIs groups. Nevertheless, the additional results from multicenter trials and high-quality studies will be pivotal for supporting our findings.

β1 integrin-mediated multicellular resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through activation of the FAK/Akt pathway

Objective

To explore the role and mechanism of β1 integrin in the regulation of multicellular drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

This in vitro study used a liquid overlay technique to obtain multicellular spheroids of two human HCC cell lines, HepG2 and Bel-7402. The morphology of the spheroids was observed by optical and electron microscopy. The effects of exposure to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) on cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis were assessed in monolayer cells and multicellular spheroids. The levels of β1 integrin and the effects on the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway were evaluated using Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The role of β1 integrin was confirmed by using an inhibitory antibody.

Results

Cell proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis induced by 5-FUl and CDDP were abrogated in multicellular spheroids compared with monolayer cells. There were high levels of β1 integrin in multicellular spheroids. β1 integrin inhibitory antibody prevented the formation of multicellular spheroids, coupled with a significant increase in proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction. β1 integrin inhibitory antibody effectively suppressed activation of both FAK and Akt in multicellular spheroids.

Conclusions

β1 integrin mediated multicellular drug resistance through the FAK/Akt pathway in HCC spheroids.

Liposome encapsulation attenuated venenum bufonis induced vascular irritation in rabbit ear vein via regulating TLR/MAPK/NF-κB pathway

Venenum bufonis (VB) induced vascular irritation was related with the regulation of TLR/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, and liposome encapsulation significantly attenuated VB induced vascular irritation while maintaining its anticancer activity.

Cytotoxic activity of anticancer drugs on hepatocellular carcinoma cells in hypoxic-hyponutritional culture

To investigate which anticancer drugs and combination of dual drugs could further promote the inhibition of cell growth in vitro against HCC cell line (HepG2) in the hypoxic and hyponutritional culture medium (HHCM) mimicked the different scenarios of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The cells of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by TACE suffered various hypoxia and hyponutrition. The cells were treated for 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours, respectively, using 10 drugs including epirubicin (EPI), cisplatin (DDP), mitomycin-C (MMC), oxaliplatin (OXA), hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), gemcitabine (GEM), docetaxel (DTX), thiotepa (TSPA), and pemetrexed disodium (PEM) in 4 concentrations of HHCM (5%, 10%, 25%, and 50%, respectively) mimicking the scenario of TACE and were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The cells treated with combinations of dual drugs for 24 hours were also tested. The sensitive drugs with inhibition rates more than 30% were EPI, MMC, HCPT, OXA, and PEM in 4 types of HHCMs. The sensitivity of the cells to treatment with drugs for 24 hours was significantly higher than the sensitivity of the cells to treatment with drugs for 2 hours in 5%, 10%, and 25% HHCM. The sensitivity of the combination of dual drugs was no more than the sensitivity of the single drug with higher sensitivity in 4 concentrations of HHCM. EPI, MMC, HCPT, OXA, and PEM exhibited cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells in various hypoxia and hyponutrition states. Prolonging the time of exposure could increase the sensitivity of drug, and the combination of dual drugs cannot enhance the cytotoxic effect.

Traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of hepatocarcinoma: From bench to bedside

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played a positive role in the management of hepatocarcinoma. Hepatocarcinoma patients may present Qi-stagnation, damp-heat, blood stasis, Qi-deficiency, Yin-deficiency and other TCM syndromes (Zheng). Modern treatments such as surgery, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and high intensity focus ultrasound treatment would influence the manifestation of TCM syndromes. Herbs with traditional efficacy of tonifying Qi, blood and Yin, soothing liver-Qi stagnation, clearing heat and detoxifying and dissolving stasis, have been demonstrated to be potent to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis. TCM has been widely used in all aspects of integrative therapy in hepatocarcinoma, including surgical resection, liver transplantation, TACE, local ablative therapies and even as monotherapy for middle-advanced stage hepatocarcinoma. Clinical practices have confirmed that TCM is effective to alleviate clinical symptoms, improve quality of life and immune function, prevent recurrence and metastasis, delay tumor progression, and prolong survival time in hepatocarcinoma patients. The effective mechanism of TCM against hepatocarcinoma is related to inducing apoptosis, autophagy, anoikis and cell senescence, arresting cell cycle, regulating immune function, inhibiting metastasis and angiogenesis, reversing drug resistance and enhancing effects of chemotherapy. Along with the progress of research in this field, TCM will contribute more to the prevention and treatment of hepatocarcinoma.

Antiproliferation activity of Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) and anticancer agents on human pancreatic cancer multicellular spheroids

Devil's club (DC, Oplopanax horridus) is an important medicinal herb of the Pacific Northwest which has significant antiproliferation activity against a variety of human tumor cell lines in vitro. This study compared the antiproliferation activity of DC extract alone, and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents gemcitabine (GEM), cisplatin (CDDP), and paclitaxel (PTX) on human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 3D spheroids and 2D monolayer cells. 3D tumor spheroids were prepared with a rotary cell culture system. PANC-1 3D spheroids were significantly more resistant to killing by DC extract, GEM and PTX compared to 2D cells, with IC50 levels closer to that observed in vivo. DC extract significantly enhanced the antiproliferation activity of CDDP and GEM at some concentrations. The bioactive compound identified as a polyacetylene showed strong antiproliferation activity against PANC-1 2D cells and 3D spheroids with IC50 at 0.73±0.04 and 3.15±0.16μM, respectively. 3D spheroids and 2D cells differentially expressed a number of apoptosis related genes. Cell cycle analysis showed that the proportion of cells in S phase was increased and in G2/M phase reduced in 3D spheroids compared to 2D cells. DC extract can potentially be used to enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic agents against pancreatic cancer cells. Use of 3D spheroid model for screening of natural products can potentially increase the efficiency in discovering in vivo bioactive compounds.

Delisheng Injection (), a Chinese medicinal compound, enhanced the effect of cis-platinum on lung carcinoma cell line PGCL3

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Delisheng Injection (, DLS), a Chinese medicinal compound, DLS combined with cis-platinum (DDP), an active agent used in lung cancer chemotherapy, on a human highly metastatic giant lung carcinoma cell line PGCL3.

METHODS

The suspended PGCL3 cells at 10(5) /mL cultured in 96-well tissue culture plates were divided into 4 groups: DLS treatment group (2 μL/mL, 5 μL/mL, 10 μL/mL, 25 μL/mL), DDP treatment group (1 μg/mL, 2 μg/mL, 5 μg/mL, 15 μg/mL), combined DLS with DDP treatment group (DLS:DDP 2 μL/mL:1 μg/mL, 5 μL/mL:2 μg/mL, 10 μL/mL:5 μg/mL, 25 μL/mL:15 μg/mL) and a control group. The cytotoxicity of DLS with different concentrations (2 μL/mL, 5 μL/mL, 10 μL/mL, 25 μL/mL) on PGCL3 cells was determined by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay. Effect of DLS on adhesion of PGCL-3 cells was tested by cell-matrigel adhesion assay. Chemotactic movement model of transwell camerula was used to determine the effect of DLS on invasion and migration of PGCL-3 cells.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, DLS (2 μL/mL, 5 μL/mL, 10 μL/mL, 25 μL/mL) could significantly decrease cell proliferation, adhesion, invasion and migration abilities (P <0.05). Cell adhesion, invasion and migration abilities were significantly decreased after combination treatment of DLS:DDP (2 μL/mL:1 μg/mL, 5 μL/mL:2 μg/mL, 10 μL/mL:5 μg/mL, 25 μL/mL:15 μg/mL) compared with DDP single-agent treatment (1 μg/mL, 2 μg/mL, 5 μg/mL, 15 μg/mL, P<0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

DLS single-agent has a satisfying inhibition effect in PGCL3 cell line and DLS might enhance the inhibition effect of DDP on cancer metastasis. Our research provided a experimental basis about the treatment on highly metastatic lung caner.

Antiproliferative Activity of the Chinese Medicinal Compound, Delisheng, Compared With Rg3 and Gemcitabine in HepG2 Cells

Delisheng consists of radix ginseng, radix astragali, venenum bufonis and mylabris. It has been reported that delisheng inhibits the proliferation of adenocarcinoma cells and stimulates their apoptosis. Delisheng can also enhance the body's immunity and induce the redifferentiation of carcinoma cells. Delisheng inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in MTT assay and promoted apoptosis more effectively in contrast to the active components of ginseng extract, Rg3 and gemcitabine. It is possible that Rg3 has an important role in delisheng because they all could regulate the cell cycle, apoptosis and expression of endostatin and VEGFR-2. Delisheng caused the cell cycle to arrest at the S phase, while gemcitabine blocked the cells at the G0/G1 phase in cell cycle analysis. Consequently, the apoptosis rate of the HepG2 cell line can be increased significantly by delisheng in combination with gemcitabine, compared with the single drug. The expression of the procaspase proteins, caspase protein, and dr5 detected by Western blot were increased while bcl-2 and survivin decreased in the delisheng group, compared with controls. The observations suggest that the delisheng induced apoptotic effect might be closely related to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and the death receptor signaling pathway.

In vitro three-dimensional (3D) models in cancer research: an update

Tissues are three-dimensional (3D) entities as is the tumor that arises within them. Though disaggregated cancerous tissues have produced numerous cell lines for basic and applied research, it is generally agreed that these lines are poor models of in vivo phenomena. In this review we focus on in vitro 3D models used in cancer research, particularly their contribution to molecular studies of the early stages of metastasis, angiogenesis, the tumor microenvironment, and cancer stem cells. We present a summary of the various formats used in the field of tissue bioengineering as they apply to mechanistic modeling of cancer stages or processes. In addition we list studies that model specific types of malignancies, highlight drastic differences in results between 3D in vitro models and classical monolayer culturing techniques, and establish the need for standardization of 3D models for meaningful preclinical and therapeutic testing.

A survey on herbal management of hepatocellular carcinoma

In this review we outline the different mechanisms mediating hepatocarcinogenesis. We also discuss possible targets of bioactive herbal agents at different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis and highlight their role at each individual stage. We gathered information on the most common herbal prescriptions and extracts thought to be useful in prevention or sensitization for chemotherapy in management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The value of this topic may seem questionable compared to the promise offered for HCC management by chemotherapy and radiation. However, we would recommend the use of herbal preparations not as alternatives to common chemo /and or radiotherapy, but rather for prevention among at-risk individuals, given that drug/herb interactions are still in need of extensive clarification. The bioactive constituents of various herbs seem to be promising targets for isolation, cancer activity screening and clinical evaluation. Finally, herbal preparations may offer a cost effective protective alternative to individuals known to have a high risk for HCC and possibly other cancers, through maintaining cell integrity, reversing oxidative stress and modulating different molecular pathways in preventing carcinogenesis.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with or without Chinese herbal therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Chinese herbal therapy is sometimes used in conjunction with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Asian countries. This study aims to systemically review the efficacy of Chinese herbal therapy in HCC patients receiving TACE.

METHODS

Meta-analysis was performed for clinical trials comparing Chinese herbal therapy versus no Chinese herbal therapy given to HCC patients receiving TACE. Publications in 10 electronic databases were extensively searched.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Chinese herbal therapy was associated with a significant rise in the number of patients with survival > 1-year, 2-year and 3-year, as well as a significant rise in the number of patients who reported complete or partial response and non-deterioration performance status. Chinese herbal therapy also showed significant efficacies in the increase of T cells and natural killer cells, whereas a significant lower blood alpha-fetoprotein concentration was reported. There were a significant increase in white blood cell count, a significant lower risk in patients with nausea and vomiting, and a significant rise in patients with increased body weight when Chinese herbal therapy was given. The evidence from this review supports the use of Chinese herbal therapy to enhance the efficacy of TACE in HCC patients. However, owing to limited data and heterogeneity of the included studies, further trials are required.