Ascorbate-dependent and ascorbate-independent Mn porphyrin cytotoxicity: anticancer activity of Mn porphyrin-based SOD mimics through ascorbate-dependent and -independent routes

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate how modifications at the periphery of the porphyrin ring affect the anticancer activity of Mn porphyrins (MnPs)-based SOD mimics.

Methods

Six compounds: MnTE-2-PyP with a short ethyl chain on the pyridyl ring; MnTnHexOE-2-PyP and MnTnOct-2-PyP with linear 8-atom alkyl chains, but the former with an oxygen atom within the alkyl chain; MnTE-2-PyPhP and MnTPhE-2-PyP with pyridyl and phenyl substituents, were investigated. Cytotoxicity was studied using pII and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines. Viability was assessed by the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and cell proliferation was determined by the sulforhodamine B assay.

Results

Cellular uptake was increased with the increase of the lipophilicity of the compounds, whereas reduction potential (E_½) of the Mn(III)/Mn(II) redox couple shifted away from the optimal value for efficient redox cycling with ascorbate, necessary for ROS production. Amphiphilic MnPs, however, exerted anticancer activity by a mechanism not involving ROS.

Conclusion

Two different processes account for MnPs cytotoxicity. MnPs with appropriate E_½ act via a ROS-dependent mechanism. Amphiphilic MnPs with suitable structure damage sensitive cellular constituents, leading to the suppression of proliferation and loss of viability. Design of compounds interacting directly with sensitive cellular targets is highly promising in the development of anticancer drugs with high selectivity and specificity.

Deceptology in cancer and vaccine sciences: Seeds of immune destruction-mini electric shocks in mitochondria: Neuroplasticity-electrobiology of response profiles and increased induced diseases in four generations - A hypothesis

From Rockefeller's support of patent medicine to Gates' patent vaccines, medical establishment invested a great deal in intellectual ignorance. Through the control over medical education and research it has created a public illusion to prop up corporate profit and encouraged the lust for money and power. An overview of data on cancer and vaccine sciences, the status of Americans' health, a survey of repeated failed projects, economic toxicity, and heavy drug consumption or addiction among young and old provide compelling evidence that in the twentieth century nearly all classic disease categories (congenital, inheritance, neonatal, or induced) shifted to increase induced diseases. Examples of this deceptology in ignoring or minimizing, and mocking fundamental discoveries and theories in cancer and vaccine sciences are attacks on research showing that (a), effective immunity is responsible for defending and killing pathogens and defective cancerous cells, correcting and repairing genetic mutations; (b) viruses cause cancer; and (c), abnormal gene mutations are often the consequences of (and secondary to) disturbances in effective immunity. The outcomes of cancer reductionist approaches to therapies reveal failure rates of 90% (+/-5) for solid tumors; loss of over 50 million lives and waste of $30-50 trillions on too many worthless, out-of-focus, and irresponsible projects. Current emphasis on vaccination of public with pathogen-specific vaccines and ingredients seems new terms for drugging young and old. Cumulative exposures to low level carcinogens and environmental hazards or high energy electronic devices (EMF; 5G) are additional triggers to vaccine toxicities (antigen-mitochondrial overload) or "seeds of immune destruction" that create mini electrical shocks (molecular sinks holes) in highly synchronized and regulated immune network that retard time-energy-dependent biorhythms in organs resulting in causes, exacerbations or consequences of mild, moderate or severe immune disorders. Four generations of drug-dependent Americans strongly suggest that medical establishment has practiced decades of intellectual deception through its claims on "war on cancer"; that cancer is 100, 200, or 1000 diseases; identification of "individual" genetic mutations to cure diseases; "vaccines are safe". Such immoral and unethical practices, along with intellectual harassment and bullying, censoring or silencing of independent and competent professionals ("Intellectual Me Too") present grave concerns, far greater compared with the sexual harassment of 'Me Too' movement that was recently spearheaded by NIH. The principal driving forces behind conducting deceptive and illogical medical/cancer and vaccine projects seem to be; (a) huge return of investment and corporate profit for selling drugs and vaccines; (b) maintenance of abusive power over public health; (c) global control of population growth via increased induction of diseases, infertility, decline in life-span, and death. An overview of accidental discoveries that we established and extended since 1980s, on models of acute and chronic ocular inflammatory diseases, provides series of the first evidence for a direct link between inflammation and multistep immune dysfunction in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Results are relevant to demonstrate that current emphasis on vaccinating the unborn, newborn, or infant would induce immediate or long-term immune disorders (eg, low birth weight, preterm birth, fatigue, autism, epilepsy/seizures, BBB leakage, autoimmune, neurodegenerative or digestive diseases, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or cancers). Vaccination of the unborn is likely to disturb trophoblast-embryo-fetus-placenta biology and orderly growth of embryo-fetus, alter epithelial-mesenchymal transition or constituent-inducible receptors, damage mitochondria, and diverse function of histamine-histidine pathways. Significant increased in childhood illnesses are likely due to toxicities of vaccine and incipient (eg, metals [Al, Hg], detergents, fetal tissue, DNA/RNA) that retard bioenergetics of mitochondria, alter polarization-depolarization balance of tumoricidal (Yin) and tumorigenic (Yang) properties of immunity. Captivated by complex electobiology of immunity, this multidisciplinary perspective is an attempt to initiate identifying bases for increased induction of immune disorders in three to four generations in America. We hypothesize that (a) gene-environment-immune biorhythms parallel neuronal function (brain neuroplasticity) with super-packages of inducible (adaptive or horizontal) electronic signals and (b) autonomic sympathetic and parasympathetic circuitry that shape immunity (Yin-Yang) cannot be explained by limited genomics (innate, perpendicular) that conventionally explain certain inherited diseases (eg, sickle cell anemia, progeria). Future studies should focus on deep learning of complex electrobiology of immunity that requires differential bioenergetics from mitochondria and cytoplasm. Approaches to limit or control excessive activation of gene-environment-immunity are keys to assess accurate disease risk formulations, prevent inducible diseases, and develop universal safe vaccines that promote health, the most basic human right.

Toll-Like Receptor Ligands and Interferon-γ Synergize for Induction of Antitumor M1 Macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages may either promote or suppress tumor growth depending on their activation status. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) has been identified as a key factor for inducing tumoricidal M1 phenotype in macrophages. However, it remains unclear whether IFN-γ is sufficient or if additional stimuli are required. Here, we tested IFN-γ and a panel of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists for the ability to activate murine macrophages toward a tumoricidal M1 phenotype. The following TLR ligands were used: TLR1/TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4, TLR2/TLR6 agonist lipotechoic acid, TLR3 agonist poly(I:C), TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TLR5 agonist flagellin, TLR7 agonist CL264, and TLR9 agonist CpG. We used an in vitro growth inhibition assay to measure both cytotoxic and cytostatic activity of mouse macrophages against Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and MOPC315 plasmacytoma tumor cells. Production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines by activated macrophages was quantified. We found that IFN-γ alone was not able to render macrophages tumoricidal. Similarly, macrophage activation with single TLR agonists was inefficient. In sharp contrast, IFN-γ was shown to synergize with TLR agonists for induction of macrophage tumoricidal activity and production of both NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-12p40, and IL-12p70). Furthermore, IFN-γ was shown to suppress macrophage IL-10 secretion induced by TLR agonists. NO production was necessary for macrophage tumoricidal activity. We conclude that two signals from the microenvironment are required for optimal induction of antitumor M1 macrophage phenotype. Combination treatment with IFN-γ and TLR agonists may offer new avenues for macrophage-based cancer immunotherapy.

Enhancing the safety of antibody-based immunomodulatory cancer therapy without compromising therapeutic benefit: Can we have our cake and eat it too?

INTRODUCTION

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefit in treating patients with cancer and have paved the way for additional immune-modulating mAbs such as those targeting costimulatory receptors. The full clinical utility of these agents, however, is hampered by immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can occur during therapy.

AREAS COVERED

We first provide a general overview of tumor immunity, followed by a review of the two major classes of immunomodulatory mAbs being developed as cancer therapeutics: checkpoint inhibitors and costimulatory receptor agonists. We then discuss therapy-associated adverse events. Finally, we describe in detail the mechanisms driving their therapeutic activity, with an emphasis on interactions between antibody fragment crystallizable (Fc) domains and Fc receptors (FcR).

EXPERT OPINION

Given that Fc-FcR interactions appear critical in facilitating the ability of immunomodulatory mAbs to elicit both therapeutically useful as well as adverse effects, the engineering of mAbs that can effectively engage their targets while limiting interaction with FcRs might represent a promising future avenue for developing the next generation of immune-enhancing tumoricidal agents with increased safety and retention of efficacy.

Macrophage-based immunotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Macrophages are critical proponents of the growth and development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, if properly instructed, macrophages can acquire anti-tumor properties, including the capacity to degrade the fibrous matrix that surrounds neoplastic lesions and to eliminate malignant cells, eventually leading to tumor regression.