Apatinib radiosensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Objective:Limited effective interventions for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)are available.This study aimed to investigate the potential clinical utility of apatinib,a highly selective inhibitor of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2(VEGFR2)tyrosine kinase,as a radiosensitizer in the treatment of HCC.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Nicotinoylamino Acid Compounds as Radiosensitizer

Nicotinoylamino acid compounds 4, 5, 9a, 9b, 9c, 10a and 10b were synthesized with nicotinoyl chloride or nicotinoyl azide as acetylating agents of amino acid esters or amino acids. The compounds were tested for their radiosensitizing activity in Leukemia cell line（L1210） and compared with nicotinamide; among them, compounds 9a and 9c showed significant radiosensitizing effects, the sensitizer enhancement ratio（SER） was 1.64 and 1.58, respectively, while nicotinamide did not show good radiosensitizing effect under the same conditions. Compound 9c was alone tested for radiosensitization in LA 795 cell-bearing T-739 mice, or hyperthermia and breathing carbogen（5%CO2＋95%O2） were together tested for radiosensitization. The results showed that radiation-induced growth delay was enhanced by 9c alone or by the combination of hypertheimia and carbogen. The tumor-bearing mice were irradiated locally by total 10 Gy, and the tumors grew to three times that of the original volume in an average of 5.8 d. The mice were given i.p. compound 9c at 1000 mg/kg 60 min before irradiation and treated at 43 ℃ for 30 min after irradiation or treated with breathing carbogen for 5 min before radiation or with hyperthmia（43 ℃） for 30 min after irradiation; the time required for the tumor to grow to three times the orginal volume was in an average of 12.9 and 13 d, respectively.

Observation of intratumoral injection of radiosensitizer

The present study made in 92 mice showed that hydrogen peroxide com-pound injected directly into the tumor could to some extent sensitize the hypoxiccells of S180 solid tumor to radiate,for example,both the tumor regression rateand the mouse survival rate 40d after radiation in the hydrogen peroxide com-pound group were significantly greater than those in the radiation alone group.The increasing rate of tumor diameter in 10d was 77.10%,47.09%,and 47.47%-10.4% in groups of control,radiation alone,radiosensitizer alone,radiationand hydrogen peroxide compound,respectively.Some of the problems aboutthe intratumoral injection of radiosensitizer were discussed.

Selenium-engineered bottom-up-synthesized lanthanide coordination nanoframeworks as efficiency X-ray-responsive radiosensitizers

Radiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic methods for cancers;however,nonselective killing of normal cells and tumor cells by X-ray inevitably results in toxicity and side effects.Developing low-toxicity and high-efficiency radiosensitizers to reduce the practical dose of X-ray is a promising approach to overcoming these side effects.Here,we report the use of carboxylatecontaining organic ligands to construct one-dimensional high-Z lanthanide chains for efficient response to X-ray.The onedimensional lanthanide chains are stacked through weak interactions to form coordination nanoframeworks in the presence of polyethylenimine(PEI).The morphology and activity of the synthesized nanoframeworks can be regulated through selenium atom engineering.This study presents a promising approach for effective radiotherapy through selenium-engineering stable lanthanide nanoframeworks with precise coordination structures as radiosensitizers to mitigate X-ray side effects.

High-dimensional zinc porphyrin nanoframeworks as efficient radiosensitizers for cervical cancer

Radiotherapy is widely used clinically, but the toxic and side effects of nonselective killing of high-energy radiation limit its application. Finding biocompatible materials to assemble radiotherapy sensitizers and studying their sensitization patterns are of great significance for the clinical application. Here, biocompatible zinc porphyrin was chosen as sub-unit to construct various dimensional coordination frameworks. By employing top-down approach, suitable nanoframeworks with various dimensional zinc porphyrin were synthesized as radiosensitizers. The experimental data showed that high-dimensional zinc porphyrin nanoframeworks exhibit higher X-ray response performance.

Hexyl-pentynoic acid serves as a novel radiosensitizer for breast cancer by inhibiting UCHL3-dependent Rad51 deubiquitination

Objective:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of 2-hexyl-4-pentynoic acid(HPTA),a derivative of valproic acid(VPA),on radiotherapy in breast cancer.Methods:MCF7 cells and 7,12-dimethylbenz-[α]-anthracene(DMBA)-induced transformed human normal breast cells(MCF10A–DMBA cells)were irradiated with 8 Gy X-rays.For both cells there were four groups:control,valproic acid(VPA)/HPTA,IR,and VPA/HPTA+IR groups.MTT and clonogenic survival assays were performed to assess cell proliferation,and comet assay was performed to evaluate DNA damage.Protein expression ofγH2AX,53BP1,Rad51,and BRCA1 was examined via immunofluorescence and immunoblotting.Cycloheximide chase and ubiquitination experiments were conducted to determine Rad51 ubiquitination.In vivo experiments involved a rat model of DMBA-induced breast cancer,with four fractionated doses of 2 Gy.Tumor tissue pathological changes andγH2AX,Rad51,and UCHL3 expression levels were measured by hematoxylin-eosin staining,immunohistochemistry,and immunoblotting.Results:Compared with the IR group,15μmol/L HPTA reduced the cell proliferation ability of irradiated MCF7 cells(t=2.16,P<0.05).The VPA/HPTA+IR group exhibited significantly increased DNA double-strand breaks relative to those in the IR group(VPA+IR vs.IR,t=13.37,P<0.05;HPTA+IR vs.IR,t=8.48,P<0.05).Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting experiments demonstrated that the VPA/HPTA+IR group displayed signifi-cantly increased cell foci formation,γH2AX and 53BP1 protein expression levels compared to the IR group[(γH2AX:VPA+IR vs.IR,t=8.88,P<0.05;HPTA+IR vs.IR,t=8.90,P<0.05),(53BP1,VPA+IR vs.IR,t=5.73,P<0.05;HPTA+IR vs.IR,t=6.40,P<0.05)].Further,Rad51 expression was downregulated(VPA+IR vs.IR,t=3.12,P<0.05;HPTA+IR vs.IR,t=2.70,P<0.05),and Rad51 inhibition effectively counteracted HPTA-induced radiosensitization.Ubiquitination detection further verified that HPTA inhibits Rad51 expression via UCHL3-dependent Rad51 deubiquitination.In vivo study results showed that 20 mg/kg HPTA significantly enhanced the radiosensitivity of breast tumors in rats by inhibiting Rad51 expression.Conclusions:HPTA is a highly effective radiosensitizer that enhances the radiotherapeutic efficacy of breast cancer treatment through UCHL3-dependent deubiquitination of Rad51.

Targeting the organelle for radiosensitization in cancer radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a well-established cytotoxic therapy for local solid cancers, utilizing high-energy ionizing radiation to destroy cancer cells. However, this method has several limitations, including low radiation energy deposition, severe damage to surrounding normal cells, and high tumor resistance to radiation. Among various radiotherapy methods, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has emerged as a principal approach to improve the therapeutic ratio of malignancies and reduce lethality to surrounding normal tissue, but it remains deficient in terms of insufficient boron accumulation as well as short retention time, which limits the curative effect. Recently, a series of radiosensitizers that can selectively accumulate in specific organelles of cancer cells have been developed to precisely target radiotherapy, thereby reducing side effects of normal tissue damage, overcoming radioresistance, and improving radiosensitivity. In this review, we mainly focus on the field of nanomedicine-based cancer radiotherapy and discuss the organelle-targeted radiosensitizers, specifically including nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. Furthermore, the organelle-targeted boron carriers used in BNCT are particularly presented. Through demonstrating recent developments in organelle-targeted radiosensitization, we hope to provide insight into the design of organelle-targeted radiosensitizers for clinical cancer treatment.

Oxygen-evolving photosynthetic cyanobacteria for 2D bismuthene radiosensitizer-enhanced cancer radiotherapy

The local hypoxic tumor environment substantially hampers the therapeutic efficiency of radiotherapy, which typically requires the large X-ray doses for tumor treatment but induces the serious side effects. Herein, a bio-mimetic radiosensitized platform based on a natural in-situ oxygen-evolving photosynthetic cyanobacteria combined with two-dimensional (2D) bismuthene with high atomic-number (Z) components, is designed and engineered to effectively modulate the radiotherapy-resistant hypoxic tumor environment and achieve sufficient radiation energy deposition into tumor. Upon the exogenous sequential irradiation of 660 nm laser and X-ray beam, continuous photosynthetic oxygen evolution by the cyanobacteria and considerable generation of reactive oxygen species by the 2D bismuthene radiosensitizer substantially augmented the therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy and suppressed the in vivo tumor growth, as demonstrated on both LLC-lung tumor xenograft-bearing C57/B6 mice model and 4T1-breast tumor xenograft-bearing Balb/c mice model, further demon-strating the photosynthetic hypoxia-alleviation capability and radiosensitization performance of the engineered biomimetic radiosensitized platform. This work exemplifies a distinct paradigm on the construction of microorganism-enabled tumor-microenvironment modulation and nanoradiosensitizer-augmented radiotherapy for efficient tumor treatment.

Advancements in understanding mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma radiosensitivity:A comprehensive review

Primary liver cancer is a significant health problem worldwide.Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the main pathological type of primary liver cancer,accounting for 75%-85%of cases.In recent years,radiotherapy has become an emerging treatment for HCC and is effective for various stages of HCC.However,radiosensitivity of liver cancer cells has a significant effect on the efficacy of radiotherapy and is regulated by various factors.How to increase radiosensitivity and improve the therapeutic effects of radiotherapy require further exploration.This review summarizes the recent research progress on the mechanisms affecting sensitivity to radiotherapy,including epigenetics,transportation and metabolism,regulated cell death pathways,the microenvironment,and redox status,as well as the effect of nanoparticles on the radiosensitivity of liver cancer.It is expected to provide more effective strategies and methods for clinical treatment of liver cancer by radiotherapy.

Brucea javanica oil emulsion improves the effect of radiotherapy on esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting cyclin D1-CDK4/6 axis

BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world, and it has high incidence and mortality rates. The conventional therapy for esophageal cancer is radiotherapy, although its effect is highly limited by the resistance of esophageal cancer cells. Thus, strong radiosensitizers can be very crucial during radiotherapy against esophageal cancer. Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE) is a widely used drug against various cancers, such as liver, colon, and ovarian cancer. However, its anti-cancer effect and mechanism and the use of BJOE as a radiosensitizer have not been explored in esophageal cancer. AIM To evaluate the anti-cancer effect and mechanism of BJOE and explore the potential use of BJOE as a radiosensitizer during radiotherapy. METHODS The inhibitory effect of BJOE and its enhancement function with radiation on cell viability were examined with the calculated half-maximal effective concentration and half-maximal lethal concentration. The influence of BJOE on cell migration and invasion were measured with EC109 and JAR cells by wound-healing and transwell assay. Clonogenesis and apoptotic rate, which was measured by Hoechst staining, were investigated to confirm its enhancement function with radiation. To investigate the molecular pathway underlying the effect of BJOE, the expressions of several apoptosis- and cycle-related proteins was detected by western blotting.cell lines more than normal cell lines, and it markedly reduced migration and invasion in esophageal cancer cells (EC109 and JAR). Moreover, it promoted cell apoptosis and enhanced the effect of radiotherapy against esophageal cancerous cells. In the viability test, the values of half-maximal effective concentration and half-maximal lethal concentration were reduced. Compared to the control, only around 1/5 colonies formed when using BJOE and radiation together in the clonogenic assay. The apoptotic rate in EC109 was obviously promoted when BJOE was added during radiotherapy. Our study suggests that the expression of the apoptosis-proteins Bax and p21 were increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 was stable. Further detection of downstream proteins revealed that the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION BJOE has a strong anti-cancer effect on esophageal cancer and can be used as a radiosensitizer to promote apoptosis in cancerous esophageal cells via the cyclin D1-cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 axis.

S-1 plus gemcitabine chemotherapy followed by concurrent radiotherapy and maintenance therapy with S-1 for unresectable pancreatic cancer

AIM:To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the combination of S-1 with gemcitabine followed by oral S-1 with concurrent radiotherapy(intensity modulated radiotherapy,IMRT) and maintenance therapy with S-1 for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.METHODS:Subjects selected in the study were patients who had unresectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer without distant metastases,adequate organ and marrow functions,an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-1 and no prior anticancer therapy. Initially the subjects received two cycles of chemotherapy,oral administration of S-1 40 mg/m2 twice daily from day 1 to day 14 of a 21-d cycle,with 30-min intravenous infusions of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8. Two weeks after the completion of chemotherapy,S-1 was administered orally with concurrent IMRT. Oral S-1 was administered at a dose of 80 mg/m2 per day twice daily from day 1 to day 14 and from day 22 to day 35. Radiation was concurrently delivered at a dose of 50.4 Gy(1.8 Gy/d,5 times per week,28 fractions). One month after the completion of chemotherapy and radiotherapy,S-1 was administered orally at a dose of 80 mg/m2 per day twice daily for 14 d,followed by a 14-d rest period. This cycle was repeated as maintenance therapy,until unacceptable toxicity occurred or the disease worsened. Thirty-two patients were involved in this study. The median followup was 15.6 mo(range:8.6-32.3 mo).RESULTS:Thirty-two patients completed the scheduled course of chemotherapy,while 30 patients(93.8%) received chemoradiotherapy with two patients ceasing to continue with radiotherapy. The major toxic effects were nausea and leukopenia. There was no grade 4 toxicity or treatment-related death. According to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria,the objective tumor response was partial response in 17(53.1%) patients,stable disease in 9(28.1%),and progressive disease in 6(18.8%). The median overall survival and median progression-free survival were 15.2 mo and 9.3 mo,respectively. The survival rates at 1 year and 2 years were 75% and 34.4%,respectively.CONCLUSION:The combination of S-1 with gemcitabine followed by oral S-1 with IMRT and maintenance therapy with S-1 alone in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer may be considered a well-tolerated,promising treatment regimen.

Identification of anticancer drugs to radiosensitise BRAF-wild-type and mutant colorectal cancer

Objective: Patients with BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer(CRC) have a poor prognosis. Molecular status is not currently used to select which drug to use in combination with radiotherapy. Our aim was to identify drugs that radiosensitise CRC cells with known BRAF status.Methods: We screened 298 oncological drugs with and without ionising radiation in colorectal cancer cells isogenic for BRAF. Hits from rank product analysis were validated in a 16-cell line panel of human CRC cell lines, using clonogenic survival assays and xenograft models in vivo.Results: Most consistently identified hits were drugs targeting cell growth/proliferation or DNA damage repair. The most effective class of drugs that radiosensitised wild-type and mutant cell lines was PARP inhibitors. In clonogenic survival assays, talazoparib produced a radiation enhancement ratio of 1.9 in DLD1(BRAF-wildtype) cells and 1.8 in RKO(BRAF V600 E) cells. In DLD1 xenografts, talazoparib significantly increased the inhibitory effect of radiation on tumour growth(P ≤ 0.01).Conclusions: Our method for screening large drug libraries for radiosensitisation has identified PARP inhibitors as promising radiosensitisers of colorectal cancer cells with wild-type and mutant BRAF backgrounds.

Sensitizing effects of aradio－ and chemo－sensitizer，metronidazol amino acidum natrium（CMNa）

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Surface-ligand effect on radiosensitization of ultrasmall luminescent gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles(AuNPs)could serve as pot ential radiother apy sensitizers because of their exceptional biocompatibility and high.Z material nature;however,since in vitro and in vivo behaviors of AuNPs are determined not only by their particle size but also by their surface chemistries,whether surface ligands can affect their radiosensitization has seldom been investi-gated in the radiosensitization of AuNPs.By conducting head-to-head comparison on radio-sensitization of two kinds of ultrasmall(~2 nm)near-infrared(NIR)emitting AuNPs that are coated with zwitterionic glutathione and neutr al polyethylene glyol(PEG)ligands,respectively,we found that zwitterionic glut athione coated AuNPs(GS-AuNPs)can reduce survival rates of MCF-7 cells under irr adiation of clinically used megavoltage photon beam at low dosage of~2.25 Gy.On the other hand,PEG-AuNPs can serve as a radiation-protecting agent and enabled MCF-7 cells more resistant to the irradiation,clearly indicating the key role of surface cheistry in radiosensitization of AuNPs.More detailed studies suggested that such difference was inde-pendent of cellular uptake and its eficiency,but might be related to the ligand-induced difference in photoelectron generation and/or inter actions between AuNPs and X-ray triggered reactive oxygen species(ROS).

ANTP-SMACN7 fusion peptide alone induced high linear energy transfer irradiation radiosensitization in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Objective:The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the radiation-sensitizing effect of antennapedia proteins,ANTP-SMACN7,on lung cancer cells treated with accelerated carbon and Fe particle irradiation.Methods:The ANTP-SMACN7 fusion peptide was synthesized and linked to fluorescein isothiocyanate to determine its ability to penetrate cells.A549 and NCI-H460 cells,human non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)cell lines,were irradiated with X-ray or high linear energy transfer(LET)irradiation with or without ANTP-SMACN7 treatment.Cellular survival,apoptosis,and protein expression were studied by colony formation assays,flow cytometry,and western blot analyses,respectively.Results:ANTP-SMACN7 fusion proteins entered the cells and promoted A549 and NCI-H460 cell high LET irradiation radiosensitization.High LET irradiation was more efficient for clonogenic cell killing and the induction of apoptosis(P<0.05).Treatment with ANTP-SMACN7 significantly reduced the A549 and NCI-H460 cell clone-forming percentages and increased apoptosis through inhibition of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9.Conclusions:Regarding pharmaceutical radiosensitization,these findings provided a way to improve high-LET clinical radiotherapy for NSCLC patients.

Salivary Gland Tumors: Randomized Study of Adjuvant Chemo-Radiotherapy versus Radiotherapy Alone

Objective: Concurrent chemoradiation value of the resected salivary tumor adjuvant context against regular radiation therapy alone. Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial. Patients: 48 patients were randomized to either adjuvant postoperative radiology alone versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2 for 6 cycles) “with resected high-risk salivary tumors of the large and minor salivary gland”. Main Outcome Measures: Recurrent locoregional Free survival, distant free survival, and overall survival. Results: Out of the 48 participants in the study 31 patients had parotid gland tumors. 23 patients received solely adjuvant radiation while 25 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. In the chemoradiation group, platinum-based regimens were employed in all. The mean age in both groups was 48 years. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the primary pathogenic form of both arms 56% (28 cases). Stage II patients were 35% and 32%, stage III was 39% and 48% and stage VIa were 26% and 20% in the radiation arm and chemoradiotherapy arm respectively. 40 of 48 patients (83%) had close or positive surgical margins and 30 of 48 patients (62%) have a perineural invasion. Both risk variables are more or less well balanced in both arms with no statistical difference. The 2- and 4-year estimates of the locoregional recurrence-free survival rate in the chemoradiation group were 95% and 73%, compared to 77.4% and 43.6% in the radiation arm respectively (p = 007). In the two-and four-year-old chemoradiation arm distant free metastases were 100% and 59% compared to 68% and 39% respectively in the radiation arm (p = 0.08). The overall survival estimates for 2 and 4 years were 93% and 78% respectively in the Chemoradiation Group but in the radiation-alone group were 95% and 48% respectively. The statistically significant differences were p = 0.009 by log-rank testing. Treatment was generally tolerated, although, in the chemoradiation group adverse symptoms, mainly mucositis increased. Conclusions: Adding weekly cisplatin as a radiosensitizer for locally advanced stage or high-grade salivary gland cancer with adjuvant conventional radiation looks to be helpful and justifies further exploration in selected patients.

Autophagy inhibition by chloroquine sensitizes HT-29 colorectal cancer cells to concurrent chemoradiation

AIM:To investigate whether the inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine(CQ)sensitizes rectal tumors to radiation therapy(RT)or concurrent chemoradiation(chemoRT).METHODS:In vitro,HCT-116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer(CRC)cell lines were treated as following:(1)PBS;(2)CQ;(3)5-fluorouracil(5-FU);(4)RT;(5)CQ and RT;(6)5-FU and RT;(7)CQ and 5-FU;and(8)5-FU and CQ and RT.Each group was then exposed to various doses of radiation(0-8 Gy)depending on the experiment.Cell viability and proliferative capacity were measured by3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)and clonogenic assays.Clonogenic survivalcurves were constructed and compared across treatment groups.Autophagy status was determined by assessing the LC3-Ⅱto LC3-Ⅰratio on western blot analysis,autophagosome formation on electron microscopy and identification of a perinuclear punctate pattern with GFPlabeled LC3 on fluorescence microscopy.Cell cycle arrest and cell death were evaluated by FACS and AnnexinⅤanalysis.All experiments were performed in triplicate and statistical analysis was performed by the student’s t test to compare means between treatment groups.RESULTS:RT(2-8 Gy)induced autophagy in HCT-116and HT-29 CRC cell lines at 4 and 6 h post-radiation,respectively,as measured by increasing LC3-Ⅱto LC3-Ⅰratio on western blot.Additionally,electron microscopy demonstrated autophagy induction in HT-29 cells24 h following irradiation at a dose of 8 Gy.Drug treatment with 5-FU(25μmol/L)induced autophagy and the combination of 5-FU and RT demonstrated synergism in autophagy induction.CQ(10μmol/L)alone and in combination with RT effectively inhibited autophagy and sensitized both HCT-116 and HT-29 cells to treatment with radiation(8 Gy;P<0.001 and 0.00001,respectively).Significant decrease in clonogenic survival was seen only in the HT-29 cell line,when CQ was combined with RT at doses of 2 and 8 Gy(P<0.5 and P=0.05,respectively).There were no differences in cell cycle progression or Annexin V staining upon CQ addition to RT.CONCLUSION:Autophagy inhibition by CQ increases CRC cell sensitivity to concurrent treatment with 5-FU and RT in vitro,suggesting that addition of CQ to chemoRT improves CRC treatment response.

β-elemene enhances the radiosensitivity of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting Pak1 activation

AIM:To explore the potential of β-elemene as a radiosensitizer for gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:SGC7901,MKN45,MKN28,N87,and AGS human gastric cancer cell lines were used to screen for radioresistant gastric cancer cell lines. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium(MTT) assay was used to determine the effects of β-elemene and IPA-3 on cell viability in MKN45 and SGC7901 gastric cancer cell lines. A clonogenic survival assay and annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection assay were used to evaluate cellular radiosensitivity and radiation-induced cell death,respectively. A proteomic method,isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation(i TRAQ),was employed to screen the proteins regulated by β-elemene pretreatment prior to ionizing radiation(IR) in SGC7901 gastric cancer cell line. IPA-3 was used as a specific small molecule inhibitor of p21-activated protein kinase 1(Pak1) to target Pak1 signaling. Protein levels of PAK1IP1(p21-activated protein kinase-interacting protein 1),total Pak1(t-Pak1),phospho-Pak1(T423),phospho-ERK1/2( Thr202/Tyr204),and cleaved caspase-3(17 k Da) were assessed by western blotting.RESULTS:MKN45 and SGC7901 gastric cancer cell lines were relatively more resistant to IR. β-elemene pretreatment decreased clonogenic survival following IR in MKN45 and SGC7901 gastric cancer cell lines. Additionally,β-elemene pretreatment prior to IR increased radiation-induced cell death compared with IR alone in MKN45(10.4% ± 0.9% vs 34.8% ± 2.8%,P < 0.05) and SGC7901(11.6% ± 0.9% vs 46.7% ± 5.2%,P < 0.05) human gastric cancer cell lines,respectively,consistent with the level of cleaved caspase-3(17 k Da). Through i TRAQ analysis and western blot validation,we found that β-elemene upregulated PAK1IP1 and downregulated phospho-Pak1(T423) and phosphoERK1/2 in SGC7901 gastric cancer cells. IR increased the level of phospho-Pak1(T423). Pretreatment with β-elemene decreased radiation-induced Pak1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Inhibition of Pak1 using IPA-3 decreased clonogenic survival following IR. In addition,IPA-3 increased radiation-induced cell death in MKN45(13.4% ± 0.3% vs 26.6% ± 1.0%,P < 0.05) and SGC7901(16.0% ± 0.6% vs 37.3% ± 1.7%,P < 0.05) gastric cancer cell lines,respectively,consistent with the level of cleaved caspase-3(17 k Da). Western blotting showed that IPA-3 decreased radiation-induced Pak1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:This is the first demonstration that β-elemene enhances radiosensitivity of gastric cancer cells,and that the mechanism involves inhibition of Pak1 signaling.

Anti-miRNA-221 sensitizes human colorectal carcinoma cells to radiation by upregulating PTEN

AIM:To investigate the regulative effect of miRNA(miR)-221 on colorectal carcinoma(CRC)cell radiosensitivity and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:A human CRC-derived cell line was cultured conventionally and exposed to different doses of X-rays(0,2,4,6 and 8 Gy).The total RNA and protein of the cells were extracted 24 h after irradiation,and the alteration of miR-221 and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10(PTEN)gene mRNA expression was detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The protein alteration of PTEN in the cells was detected by Western blotting.Caco2 cells were pretreated with or without anti-PTEN-siRNA prior to the addition of premiR-221 or anti-miR-221 using Lipofectamine 2000.Colony formation assay and flow cytometry analysis were used to measure the surviving cell fraction and the sensitizing enhancement ratio after irradiation.Ad-ditionally,PTEN 3′-untranslated region fragment was PCR amplified and inserted into a luciferase reporter plasmid.The luciferase reporter plasmid construct was then transfected into CRC cells together with premiR-221 or anti-miR-221,and the luciferase activity in the transfected cells was detected.RESULTS:The X-ray radiation dose had a significant effect on the expression of miR-221 and PTEN protein in human Caco2 cells in a dose-dependent manner.The miR-221 expression level improved gradually with the increase in irradiation dose,while the PTEN protein expression level reduced gradually.miR-221 expression was significantly reduced in the anti-miR-221 group compared with the pre-miR-221 and negative control groups(P<0.01).Anti-miR-221 upregulated expression of PTEN protein and enhanced the radiosensitivity of Caco2 cells(P<0.01).Moreover,the inhibitory effect was dramatically abolished by pretreatment with anti-PTEN-siRNA,suggesting that the enhancement of radiosensitivity was indeed mediated by PTEN.A significant increase of luciferase activity was detected in CRC cells that were cotransfected with the luciferase reporter plasmid construct and anti-miR-221(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Anti-miR-221 can enhance the radiosensitivity of CRC cells by upregulating PTEN.

Effect of silencing Bcl-2 expression by small interfering RNA on radiosensitivity of gastric cancer BGC823 cells

Objective:To explore the influence of silencing Bcl-2 expression by small interfering RNA（siRNA） on Bcl-2 protein expression,cell apoptosis rale and radiosensilivity of gastric cancer BCC823 cells.Methods:siRNA segment for Bcl-2 gene was designed and synthesized,then was induced into gastric cancer BGC 823 cells by liposome transfection.Bcl-2 protein expression was detected by Western Blotting.After X radiation,flow cytometry and clone forming assay were used to determine the effects of RNA interference on BGC823 cell apoptosis rate and radiosensitivity. Result:After the transfection of Bcl-2 siRNA,the positive expression rate of Bcl-2 protein in BGC823 cells was（35.45±2.35）%.Compared with the control group and negative siRNA transfection group,the rate was significantly decreased（P【0.01）.The apoptosis rate of BGC823-RNAi cell was（10.81±0.91）%,which was significantly higher than the control group and negative siRNA transfection group（P【0.01）.After 48h X radiation,the apoptosis rate of BGC823-RNAi was（28.91±1.40）%,which was significantly higher than the control group and the group without radiation （P【0.01）.During clone forming assay D0,D4 and SF2 values in Bcl-2 siRNA1 transfection group were all lower than those in the control group.The radiosensitivity ratio was 1.28（the ratio of D0） and 1.60（the ratio of D4）.Conclusions:Specific siRNA of Bcl-2 gene can effectively inhibit the expression of Bcl-2 gene,enhance the radiosensitivity and apoptosis of gastric cancer BGC823 cells,having good clinical application perspective.