The protective effect of allium cepa against ethylene glycol-induced kidney stones in rats

1Background

Kidney stones is one of the serious medical conditions affecting populations worldwide. So, we aimed in this study to investigate the protective effect of allium cepa administration against KSD.

2Methods

24 adult male albino rats were assigned into 3 groups; group I: control group; group II: received ethylene glycol (EG) in the drinking water for 4 weeks; and group III received EG in the drinking water plus freshly prepared allium cepa extract (ACE) for 4 weeks. Renal function tests and urine analysis were done. Tissue oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA) were assessed, and kidney expression of SIRT-1, Beclin, LC3, osteopontin, and Regucalcin were measured by RT-qPCR. Histopathological assessment and immunohistochemistry for Bax, Beclin-1 and TNF-α were performed.

3Results

There was a significant improved kidney function tests in the ACE received group compared to EG group (P < 0.001). The present study showed less stones formation and apoptosis with decreased osteopontin and autophagy genes expression in the ACE received group compared to EG group (P < 0.001). While, regucalcin and SIRT-1 genes showed higher expression in the former group than the later group (P < 0.001).

4 Conclusion

Alium Cepa extract administration has a significant protective effect against kidney stones formation.

Compound C Inhibits Ovarian Cancer Progression via PI3K-AKT-mTOR-NFκB Pathway

Epithelial Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies in the United States, with most patients diagnosed at late stages. High-grade serous cancer (HGSC) is the most common and lethal subtype. Despite aggressive surgical debulking and chemotherapy, recurrence of chemo-resistant disease occurs in ~80% of patients. Thus, developing therapeutics that not only targets OvCa cell survival, but also target their interactions within their unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment (TME) is warranted. Herein, we report therapeutic efficacy of compound C (also known as dorsomorphin) with a novel mechanism of action in OvCa. We found that CC not only inhibited OvCa growth and invasiveness, but also blunted their reciprocal crosstalk with macrophages, and mesothelial cells. Mechanistic studies indicated that compound C exerts its effects on OvCa cells through inhibition of PI3K-AKT-NFκB pathways, whereas in macrophages and mesothelial cells, CC inhibited cancer-cell-induced canonical NFκB activation. We further validated the specificity of the PI3K-AKT-NFκB as targets of compound C by overexpression of constitutively active subunits as well as computational modeling. In addition, real-time monitoring of OvCa cellular bioenergetics revealed that compound C inhibits ATP production, mitochondrial respiration, and non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption. Importantly, compound C significantly decreased tumor burden of OvCa xenografts in nude mice and increased their sensitivity to cisplatin-treatment. Moreover, compound C re-sensitized patient-derived resistant cells to cisplatin. Together, our findings highlight compound C as a potent multi-faceted therapeutic in OvCa.

Exploring the clinical value of tumor microenvironment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Platinum resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer (OvCa) is rising at an alarming rate, with recurrence of chemo-resistant high grade serous OvCa (HGSC) in roughly 75 % of all patients. Additionally, HGSC has an abysmal five-year survival rate, standing at 39 % and 17 % for FIGO stages III and IV, respectively. Herein we review the crucial cellular interactions between HGSC cells and the cellular and non-cellular components of the unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment (TME). We highlight the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM), ascitic fluid as well as the mesothelial cells, tumor associated macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes and fibroblasts in platinum-resistance. Moreover, we underscore the importance of other immune-cell players in conferring resistance, including natural killer cells, myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) and T-regulatory cells. We show the clinical relevance of the key platinum-resistant markers and their correlation with the major pathways perturbed in OvCa. In parallel, we discuss the effect of immunotherapies in re-sensitizing platinum-resistant patients to platinum-based drugs. Through detailed analysis of platinum-resistance in HGSC, we hope to advance the development of more effective therapy options for this aggressive disease.

Metabolomic credentialing of murine carcinogen-induced urothelial cancer

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common malignancy of the urinary system with increasing incidence, mortality, and limited treatment options. Therefore, it is imperative to validate preclinical models that faithfully represent BCa cellular, molecular, and metabolic heterogeneity to develop new therapeutics. We performed metabolomic profiling of premalignant and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) that ensued in the chemical carcinogenesis N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine (BBN) mouse model. We identified the enriched metabolic signatures that associate with premalignant and NMIBC. We found that enrichment of lipid metabolism is the forerunner of carcinogen-induced premalignant and NMIBC lesions. Cross-species analysis revealed the prognostic value of the enzymes associated with carcinogen-induced enriched metabolic in human disease. To date, this is the first study describing the global metabolomic profiles associated with early premalignant and NMIBC and provide evidence that these metabolomic signatures can be used for prognostication of human disease.

Abstract 4772: Metabolic programming of bladder cancer: Vulnerabilities and opportunities

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. Pathologically, BCa is categorized into muscle invasive (MIBC) and non-muscle invasive (NMIBC) disease. NMIBC accounts for approximately 75% of BCa cases. While the majority of NMI tumors carry a good prognosis; recurrence is common with progression to MI and metastatic disease. BCa requires life-long surveillance, thus BCa is the one of the most expensive cancer to treat. Treatment for BCa remained stagnant in the last 30 years with a few new-approved drugs for advanced disease. Thus, there is unmet need for better understanding of the pathobiology of the disease to develop better therapeutics. Metabolic programming of cancer is increasingly recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer as cancer cells exploit multiple pathways to generate ATP and metabolic intermediates for the biomass of the rapidly proliferating, invasive and resistant cells. To date, profiling of metabolic programming of BCa is still in infancy. To bridge this knowledge gap, we performed comprehensive metabolomics and transcriptomic profiling of urothelial lesions isolated from the well-established murine chemical carcinogenesis model integrated with patients' data. We validated the therapeutic potential of targeting the upregulated metabolic programs in preclinical models. We found that early urothelial carcinogenesis is associated with progressively increased levels of glucose and glycolysis intermediates concomitant with shift to pentose phosphate pathway with increased levels with AMP and nucleotide precursors required for ATP production and redox homeostasis. Early urothelial lesions also exhibited significant progressive increase in carnitine-conjugated fatty acids suggesting increased fatty acid synthesis, oxidation or both. Transcriptomic profiling of patients' tumors across multiple datasets revealed significant upregulation of glycolytic enzymes in tumors compared to normal tissues, with negative correlation of glucose transporters and glycolytic enzymes with patients' survival. The enzymes regulating both fatty acid synthesis and oxidation are not only upregulated in patients' tumors but are also associated with poor survival. To further determine metabolic dependence/vulnerability of BCa, we treated BCa cell lines with inhibitors of glycolysis (2-DG), ATP production (AMP analog AICAR), TCA cycle (CPI-613), fatty acid synthesis (orlistat), fatty acid oxidation (etomoxir) and mitochondrial electron transport chain (phenformin). We found that each of these inhibitors exhibited significant dose-dependent inhibition on BCa cell survival and invasiveness in vitro. Together, our data provide evidence of metabolic plasticity BCa and dependence on multiple energy generating pathways that be exploited as potential therapeutic targets.

Citation Format: Hesham Afify, Daniela Gonzalez, Alia Ghoneum, Neveen A. Said. Metabolic programming of bladder cancer: Vulnerabilities and opportunities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4772.

Metabolic Plasticity in Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

Ovarian Cancer is the fifth most common cancer in females and remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy as most patients are diagnosed at late stages of the disease. Despite initial responses to therapy, recurrence of chemo-resistant disease is common. The presence of residual cancer stem cells (CSCs) with the unique ability to adapt to several metabolic and signaling pathways represents a major challenge in developing novel targeted therapies. The objective of this study is to investigate the transcripts of putative ovarian cancer stem cell (OCSC) markers in correlation with transcripts of receptors, transporters, and enzymes of the energy generating metabolic pathways involved in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). We conducted correlative analysis in data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), studies of experimental OCSCs and their parental lines from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE). We found positive correlations between the transcripts of OCSC markers, specifically CD44, and glycolytic markers. TCGA datasets revealed that NOTCH1, CD133, CD44, CD24, and ALDH1A1, positively and significantly correlated with tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) enzymes. OVCAR3-OCSCs (cancer stem cells derived from a well-established epithelial ovarian cancer cell line) exhibited enrichment of the electron transport chain (ETC) mainly in complexes I, III, IV, and V, further supporting reliance on the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) phenotype. OVCAR3-OCSCs also exhibited significant increase in CD36, ACACA, SCD, and CPT1A, with CD44, CD133, and ALDH1A1 exhibiting positive correlations with lipid metabolic enzymes. TCGA data show positive correlations between OCSC markers and glutamine metabolism enzymes, whereas in OCSC experimental models of GSE64999, GSE28799, and CCLE, the number of positive and negative correlations observed was significantly lower and was different between model systems. Appropriate integration and validation of data model systems with those in patients' specimens is needed not only to bridge our knowledge gap of metabolic programing of OCSCs, but also in designing novel strategies to target the metabolic plasticity of dormant, resistant, and CSCs.

Redox Homeostasis and Metabolism in Cancer: A Complex Mechanism and Potential Targeted Therapeutics

Reactive Oxygen Species or "ROS" encompass several molecules derived from oxygen that can oxidize other molecules and subsequently transition rapidly between species. The key roles of ROS in biological processes are cell signaling, biosynthetic processes, and host defense. In cancer cells, increased ROS production and oxidative stress are instigated by carcinogens, oncogenic mutations, and importantly, metabolic reprograming of the rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Increased ROS production activates myriad downstream survival pathways that further cancer progression and metastasis. In this review, we highlight the relation between ROS, the metabolic programing of cancer, and stromal and immune cells with emphasis on and the transcription machinery involved in redox homeostasis, metabolic programing and malignant phenotype. We also shed light on the therapeutic targeting of metabolic pathways generating ROS as we investigate: Orlistat, Biguandes, AICAR, 2 Deoxyglucose, CPI-613, and Etomoxir.

Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NFκB Axis in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer stands as the most lethal gynecologic malignancy and remains the fifth most common gynecologic cancer. Poor prognosis and low five-year survival rate are attributed to nonspecific symptoms at early phases along with a lack of effective treatment at advanced stages. It is thus paramount, that ovarian carcinoma be viewed through several lenses in order to gain a thorough comprehension of its molecular pathogenesis, epidemiology, histological subtypes, hereditary factors, diagnostic approaches, and methods of treatment. Above all, it is crucial to dissect the role that the unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment plays in ovarian cancer progression and metastasis. This short communication seeks to underscore several important aspects of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NFκB pathway in the context of ovarian cancer and discuss recent advances in targeting this pathway.

Role of tumor microenvironment in the pathobiology of ovarian cancer: Insights and therapeutic opportunities

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer affecting women and at present, stands as the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. The poor disease outcome is due to the nonspecific symptoms and the lack of effective treatment at advanced stages. Thus, it is of utmost importance to understand ovarian carcinoma through several lenses and to dissect the role that the unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment plays in ovarian cancer progression and metastasis. This review seeks to highlight several determinants of this unique tumor microenvironment, their influence on disease outcome and ongoing clinical trials targeting these determinants.

Abstract 1448: Integrated molecular analysis reveals novel SPARC-regulated metabolic programming in ovarian cancer

We have reported a tumor suppressor effect of SPARC in ovarian cancer as both host and tumor SPARC are implicated in anti-proliferative, anti-adhesive effects as well as normalization of the peritoneal tumor microenvironment. Herein, we extend our studies using a syngeneic model of peritoneal ovarian carcinomatosis to gain comprehensive insight on the effect of SPARC on metabolic programming of the ovarian cancer ecosystem. We performed comprehensive metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling of micro-dissected ID8 omental tumors that developed after intra-peritoneal injection in SP-/- and SP+/+ mice. Integrated analysis revealed that the accelerated growth of ID8 tumors in SP-/- mice was associated with metabolic programming of cancer cells with up-regulation of the genes involved in glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Tumors also exhibited perturbed redox homeostasis, as well as mitochondrial and ribosomal biogenesis. Comparative analysis of the syngeneic tumors with human high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) revealed upregulation of the same genes involved in metabolic programming with inverse correlation with SPARC transcript expression, implying a role of stromal-SPARC in the metabolic programming of HGSC. Bio-energetic studies revealed that SPARC inhibits basal glycolysis, glycolytic reserve, oxygen consumption rate and mitochondrial ATP synthesis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study that characterizes the metabolic programming of the ovarian cancer ecosystem by host-SPARC.

Citation Format: Christine Naczki, Bincy John, Chirayu Patel, Ashlyn Lafferty, Alia Ghoneum, Hesham Afify, Amanda Davis, Guangxu Jin, Neveen Said. Integrated molecular analysis reveals novel SPARC-regulated metabolic programming in ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1448.

Abstract 5445: A novel mechanism of inhibition of ovarian cancer growth by Compound C, dorsomorphin

High grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy with a five-year survival rate of 15%. As a highly aggressive cancer, HGSC has elevated energy demands to ensure its survival and proliferation in its unique peritoneal environment. Compound C or Dorsomophin is of particular interest as it is the only available cell permeable molecule that works selectively and competitively to inhibit Adenosine Monophosphate Protein-activated protein kinase or AMPK, a sensitive sensor of ATP levels. It has long been established that Compound C has a role as a BMP1 inhibitor during embryogenesis and as an inhibitor of AMPK activity in different contexts. However, the mechanism by which Compound C exerts anti-tumorigenic effects remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to understand how Compound C suppresses growth of HGSC. Our preliminary studies indicate that Compound C inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation and survival via a novel mechanism not only through inhibition of AMPK but also through the inhibition of upstream PI3K-Akt as well as TGFβ1/ TGFβ1/2 receptors/Smad 3,4 activation. These findings elucidate a novel mechanism of inhibition of ovarian cancer by Compound C, suggesting its potential use as a novel therapeutic agent inhibiting oncogenic and metabolic pathways.

Citation Format: Alia Ghoneum, Hesham M. Afify, Neveen Said. A novel mechanism of inhibition of ovarian cancer growth by Compound C, dorsomorphin [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5445.

Role of tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer pathobiology

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer affecting the female population and at present, stands as the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Poor prognosis and low five-year survival rate are attributed to nonspecific symptoms and below par diagnostic criteria at early phases along with a lack of effective treatment at advanced stages. It is thus of utmost importance to understand ovarian carcinoma through several lenses including its molecular pathogenesis, epidemiology, histological subtypes, hereditary factors, diagnostic approaches and methods of treatment. Above all, it is crucial to dissect the role that the unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment plays in ovarian cancer progression and metastasis. This review seeks to highlight several important aspects of ovarian cancer pathobiology as a means to provide the necessary background to approach ovarian malignancies in the future.

Biophysical and morphological effects of nanodiamond/nanoplatinum solution (DPV576) on metastatic murine breast cancer cells in vitro

Nanoparticles have recently gained increased attention as drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer due to their minute size and unique chemical properties. However, very few studies have tested the biophysical changes associated with nanoparticles on metastatic cancer cells at the cellular and sub-cellular scales. Here, we investigated the mechanical and morphological properties of cancer cells by measuring the changes in cell Young's Modulus using AFM, filopodial retraction (FR) by time lapse optical light microscopy imaging and filopodial disorganization by high resolution AFM imaging of cells upon treatment with nanoparticles. In the current study, nanomechanical changes in live murine metastatic breast cancer cells (4T1) post exposure to a nanodiamond/nanoplatinum mixture dispersed in aqueous solution (DPV576), were monitored. Results showed a decrease in Young's modulus at two hours post treatment with DPV576 in a dose dependent manner. Partial FR at 20 min and complete FR at 40 min were observed. Moreover, analysis of the retraction distance (in microns) measured over time (minutes), showed that a DPV576 concentration of 15%v/v yielded the highest FR rate. In addition, DPV576 treated cells showed early signs of filopodial disorganization and disintegration. This study demonstrates the changes in cell stiffness and tracks early structural alterations of metastatic breast cancer cells post treatment with DPV576, which may have important implications in the role of nanodiamond/nanoplatinum based cancer cell therapy and sensitization to chemotherapy drugs.

Nano-hole induction by nanodiamond and nanoplatinum liquid, DPV576, reverses multidrug resistance in human myeloid leukemia (HL60/AR)

Recently nanoparticles have been extensively studied and have proven to be a promising candidate for cancer treatment and diagnosis. In the current study, we examined the chemo-sensitizing activity of a mixture of nanodiamond (ND) and nanoplatinum (NP) solution known as DPV576, against multidrug-resistant (MDR) human myeloid leukemia (HL60/AR) and MDR-sensitive cells (HL60). Cancer cells were cultured with different concentrations of daunorubicin (DNR) (1 × 10 ⁻⁹−1 × 10 ⁻⁶ M) in the presence of selected concentrations of DPV576 (2.5%–10% v/v). Cancer cell survival was determined by MTT assay, drug accumulation by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and holes and structural changes by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Co-treatment of HL60/AR cells with DNR plus DPV576 resulted in the reduction of the IC₅₀ to 1/4th. This was associated with increased incidences of holes inside the cells as compared with control untreated cells. On the other hand, HL60 cells did not show changes in their drug accumulation post-treatment with DPV576 and DNR. We conclude that DPV576 is an effective chemo-sensitizer as indicated by the reversal of HL60/AR cells to DNR and may represent a potential novel adjuvant for the treatment of chemo-resistant human myeloid leukemia.

Nanodiamond and nanoplatinum liquid, DPV576, activates human monocyte-derived dendritic cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

The influence of nanoparticles on the immune system is poorly understood. It was recently shown that exposure to a mixture of nanodiamond (ND)- and nanoplatinum (NP)-coated material (DPV576-C) activates murine T-cells. This study examined the role of a dispersed aqueous mixture of ND/NP (DPV576) in activating human dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human monocyte-derived DCs were treated with DPV576 at various concentrations (50, 100 and 200 μg/ml) for 24 hours in vitro. Activation of DCs was determined by assessing the expression of co-stimulatory and maturation markers (CD80, CD83, CD86, HLADR), production of cytokines, and induction of proliferation of naïve CD4 T-cells. Expression of co-stimulatory molecules and cell proliferation were analysed by flow cytometry and cytokine secretion by ELISA.

RESULTS

DPV576 treatment of DCs resulted in: (i) increased CD83 and CD86 expression on DCs, (ii) up-regulation in the levels of DC-secreted cytokines IL-6, TNF and IL-10, and (iii) increased ability to induce proliferation in CD4(+) T-cells which is associated with increased expression of T-cell activation marker CD25.

CONCLUSION

Solution containing ND/NP (DPV576) activated human DCs and DCs-driven CD4 naive T-cell proliferation in vitro, which may be useful in boosting immune responses in cancer treatment.

Modulation of aged murine T lymphocytes in vivo by DPV576-C, a nanodiamond- and nanoplatinum-coated material

BACKGROUND

Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging in biomedical applications, including cancer therapy. Here, a mixture of ultra dispersed nanodiamond and nanoplatinum was coated onto fabrics in the form of a cloth (DPV576-C). The role of DPV576-C in modulating T lymphocytes of aged mice was examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were treated with DPV576-C as a lining in a mouse house for 1 month. Splenic cells were analyzed for CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells and NK activity using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

DPV576-C-treated aged mice showed an: (1) increase in the percentages of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells and their activation markers, CD25 and CD69, over untreated aged mice; (2) enhancement of NK activity; and (3) absence of adverse side effects as determined histopathologically.

CONCLUSION

The enhancement of lymphocytes by DPV576-C may be useful for patients suffering from immune dysfunction.

Gross thymic extract, Thymax, induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells in vitro through the mitochondrial pathway

Previous studies have shown that thymic extracts possess antitumor and antimetastatic properties, but the mechanisms are not completely understood. Therefore, in this study the ability of the gross thymic extract Thymax to induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) cells in vitro was evaluated. Tumor cells were cultured with different concentrations of Thymax for 24 h and the apoptotic response was assessed by propidium iodide and TUNEL assays. Activation of caspases and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were monitored by flow cytometry and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was determined by Western blot analysis. Thymax induced apoptosis in monolayer MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner; at concentrations of 2.5, 5 and 10% (v/v) it caused 9%, 10% and 25% apoptosis, respectively, as compared to 6% for control cancer cells without treatment. The induction of apoptosis by Thymax was associated with activation of caspases 8 and 9, and the addition of a pan caspase inhibitor partially inhibited Thymax-induced apoptosis by 20%. In addition, the MMP was decreased significantly at Thymax concentrations of 5%-20%, which was associated with a decrease in the protein expression of Bcl-2 and an increase in Bax. These results suggest that Thymax exerts its effects via the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis and may represent a new class of adjuvants for the treatment of breast cancer.