CircTHSD4 promotes the malignancy and docetaxel (DTX) resistance in prostate cancer by regulating miR-203/HMGA2 axis

Objective:Circular ribose nudeic acids(circRNAs)are implicated in tumor progression and drug resistance of prostate cancer(PCa).The current work explored the function of circ_0005203(aircTHSD4)in the malignancy and docetaxel(DTX)resistance of PCa.Methods:circTHSD4 expression within PCa as well as matched non-carcinoma samples was measured through real time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).In addition,a subcellular fraction assay was conducted to determine circTHSD4 subcellular localization within PCa cells.In addition,we performed a Western blot(WB)assay to detect high mobility.group A2 protein(HMGA2)levels.Besides,functional associations of two molecules were investigated through dual luciferase reporter assay.Cell Counting Kit(CCK)-8,colony formation together with Transwell assay was conducted to assess malignant phenotypes of PCa cells,whereas flow cytometry was performed to determine cell apoptosis.Furthermore,a xenograft mouse model was constructed to verify the effect of circTHSD4 on the carcinogenesis of PCa cells.Results:According to RT-qPCR results,circTHSD4 was up-regulated within PCa tissues and cells,which predicted the dismal prognostic outcome of PCa cases.circTHSD4 silencing within PCa cells markedly suppressed cell growth,migration,and colony fomation.circTHSD4 silencing remarkably elevated PCa cell apoptosis and carcinogenesis within the xenograft model.Further,circTHSD4 silencing enhanced docetaxel(DTX)sensitivity in PCa cells.Furthermore,we demonstrated that circTHSD4 modulated the malignancy of PCa cells by regulating HMGA2 expression through sponging miR 203.Conclusion:Together,our findings suggest that cirCTHSD4 overexpression could promote the malignant phenotype and DTX resistance in PCa through the regulation of the miR 203/HMGA2 axis.

Survivin反义核酸诱导卵巢癌细胞SKOV3凋亡及对docetaxel的增敏作用

背景与目的:Survivin在大多数肿瘤组织中特异性高表达,并与肿瘤细胞的凋亡和耐药密切相关。本研究探讨Survivin反义真核表达载体(anti-pcDNA3-svv)对卵巢癌细胞SKOV3凋亡的诱导作用及对docetaxel的增敏作用。方法:采用Survivin反义核酸瞬时电转染法转染SKOV3细胞,筛选出阳性细胞株。以RT-PCR检测survivinmRNA的表达,Westernblot检测Survivin蛋白的表达。用流式细胞仪和透射电镜观察Survivin反义核酸对SKOV3细胞凋亡的诱导作用,MTT法检测其对docetaxel的增敏作用。结果:稳定表达anti-pcDNA3-svv的SKOV3细胞survivinmRNA及Survivin蛋白均比未转染者明显降低,透射电镜下可见稳定转染组细胞呈凋亡晚期变化,流式细胞仪显示其凋亡率为19%,docetaxel对实验组细胞的IC50值为(13.3±2.2)ng/ml,而对照组为(53.2±2.4)ng/ml,差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:Survivin反义核酸可诱导SKOV3细胞凋亡,增强SKOV3细胞对docetaxel的敏感性。

再放疗并同步使用Docetaxel在鼻咽癌放疗后复发病人中的应用

目的:不能手术切除的鼻咽癌放疗后再复发的病人,其治疗困难,化疗疗效差,而单独再放疗只能挽救一小部分病人,本文探讨再放疗并同步使用多西紫彬醇(Docetaxel)在鼻咽癌首次放疗后复发病人中可行性及毒副反应,并评价其疗效。方法:对11例鼻咽癌足量放疗后经组织病理学证实复发、而无法行手术及腔内放疗的患者进行了同步放化疗。放疗采用三维适形放疗,外照射鼻咽部,分次量为1.8Gy,总剂量为36Gy-39.6Gy。化疗采用Docetaxel,15mg/m2,每周一次,静脉滴注。结果:10%、33%的患者分别出现Ⅲ度、Ⅳ度皮肤反应,18%、10%的病人分别出现Ⅲ度、Ⅳ度黏膜反应,18%患者出现Ⅲ度恶心呕吐,27%的患者出现Ⅲ度-Ⅳ度白细胞下降,10%患者出现Ⅲ度血小板下降。1例患者因严重的黏膜反应致使治疗延迟2周。治疗结束后,9例(82%)患者达到CR,2例(18%)达到PR,反应率为100%。结论:对于放疗后局部复发的鼻咽癌患者,采用同步放化疗,3D-CRT同时每周使用Docetaxel是可行的,其毒性反应在可以接受的范围内,短期疗效显著。

Docetaxel的药理学研究进展

Ｄｏｃｅｔａｘｅｌ是紫杉醇类抗肿瘤药物中的一个新的有代表性的化合物。其结构和药理与紫杉醇相似，二种药物都是紫杉的提取物：ｄｏｃｅｔａｘｅｌ是欧洲紫杉的半合成品，而紫杉醇是太平洋紫杉的天然成分。然而，它们二者目前均利用紫杉针叶为原料，通过半合成方法生产...

Docetaxel治疗激素非依赖性前列腺癌的应用进展

激素非依赖性前列腺癌是泌尿糸肿瘤学中最为复杂的问题之一。Docetaxel通过诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡可达到抗肿瘤作用,因其独特的作用机制和良好的耐受性,已被广泛用于和蒽环类、吉西他滨、铂类等联合应用。该文就Docetaxel在激素非依赖性前列腺癌治疗中的进展综述如下。

Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel,cisplatin and fluorouracil followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy for unresectable sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: Two cases of report

BACKGROUND Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma(SNUC) is a rare aggressive tumor that is often unresectable. Optimal treatment for patients with unresectable,locally advanced SNUC(LA-SNUC) has not been established,and the patient outcome remains poor. We report two cases of unresectable LA-SNUC in which induction chemotherapy with docetaxel,cisplatin and fluorouracil(TPF) followed by radiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin(CCRT),a standard treatment option for locally advanced head and neck cancer,demonstrated promising outcomes.CASE SUMMARY A 39-year-old man presented with tearing and pain in the right eye. A biopsy of the tumor invading the sinonasal cavities,right orbit and cranial base confirmed the diagnosis of LA-SNUC. Induction TPF chemotherapy induced remarkable tumor shrinkage and rapidly improved the symptoms. He subsequently received CCRT and achieved complete remission of the disease. The other case is a 21-year-old man who presented with worsening vision. The unresectable tumor involving the nasal septum and cranial base was pathologically diagnosed as SNUC. TPF chemotherapy followed by CCRT yielded complete remission of the disease with preserved visual function. Both patients have been disease-free for44 mo.CONCLUSION Induction TPF chemotherapy followed by CCRT may remarkably improve the outcomes in LA-SNUC patients.

Docetaxel对涎腺粘液表皮样癌高转移细胞增殖及转移力的抑制作用

目的 :研究Docetaxel对涎腺粘液表皮样癌高转移细胞M3 SP4 增殖及转移力的抑制作用。方法 :用细胞计数法、克隆形成法、流式细胞术、癌细胞裸鼠尾静脉注射法、癌细胞裸鼠颌下腺原位接种法研究Docetaxel对M3 SP4 细胞增殖及转移力的抑制作用。结果 :Docetaxel对M3 SP4 细胞具有浓度及时间依赖性生长抑制作用 ,作用 72h后 ,IC3 0 和IC50 分别为 0 .34nmol/L和 0 .6 3nmol/L ;IC3 0 浓度的药物作用于M3 SP4 细胞 ,对照组及处理组细胞群体倍增时间分别为 32 .7h和 43h ;对照组及药物作用浓度分别为 0 .0 5nmol/L及 0 .1nmol/L时 ,克隆形成率为 ( 2 9.2± 1.4) %和 ( 2 0 .2± 0 .8) % ,( 2 .8± 0 .4) % ;在裸鼠体内实验中对照组及治疗组〔30mg/(kg·周 )〕肺表面的转移结节数为 11± 3.4和 0 ;裸鼠颌下腺重量 ( g)为 1.2 0± 0 .2 3和 0 .31±0 .0 5。结论 :Docetaxel可明显抑制M3 SP4 细胞的增殖及转移力。

Surgical outcome after docetaxel-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally-advanced gastric cancer

AIM:To investigate feasibility,morbidity and surgical mortality of a docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimen randomly administered before or after gastrectomy in patients suffering from locally-advanced resectable gastric cancer.METHODS:Patients suffering from locally-advanced(T3-4 any N M0 or any T N1-3 M0)gastric carcinoma,staged with endoscopic ultrasound,bone scan,computed tomography,and laparoscopy,were assigned to receive four 21 d/cycles of TCF(docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 day 1,cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 day 1,and fluorouracil 300 mg/m 2 per day for days 1-14),either before(Arm A)or after(Arm B)gastrectomy.Operative morbidity,overall mortality,and severe adverse events were compared by intention-to-treat analysis.RESULTS:From November 1999 to November 2005,70 patients were treated.After preoperative TCF(Arm A),thirty-two(94%)resections were performed,85% of which were R0.Pathological response was complete in 4 patients(11.7%),and partial in 18(55%).No surgical mortality and 28.5%morbidity rate were observed,similar to those of immediate surgery arm(P= 0.86).Serious chemotherapy adverse events tended to be more frequent in arm B(23%vs 11%,P=0.07),with a single death per arm.CONCLUSION:Surgery following docetaxel-based chemotherapy was safe and with similar morbidity to immediate surgery in patients with locally-advanced resectable gastric carcinoma.

Prognostic factors in Chinese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy

This study aims to evaluate the potential value of patient characteristics in predicting overall survival （OS） in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer （mCRPC） treated with docetaxel-based thermotherapy. A total of 115 patients with mCRPC undergoing a docetaxel q3w regimen were enrolled in this study. A survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the prognostic value of all covariates for OS. OS was also analysed after stratifying patients according to the results of multivariate analysis. The median OS for the entire cohort was 17.0 months. The multivariate analysis showed that the prostate-specific antigen doubling time （PSADT）, baseline haemoglobin （Hb） concentration, alkaline phosphatase （ALP） concentration, cycles of chemotherapy and time to castration resistance were independent prognostic factors of OS. According to the presence of PSADT 〈46.3 days and baseline ALP/〉 110 IU 1-1, all patients were divided into three risk groups： low-risk group （no risk factors）, intermediate-risk group （one risk factor） and high-risk group （two risk factors）. Median OSs for patients in low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups were 28.0 months （95% Ch 23.8-32.2）, 21.0 months （95% Ch 18.9-23.1） and 11.0 months （95% Ch 7.6-14.4）, respectively （P〈O.O01）. In conclusion, PSADT, baseline Hb concentration, ALP concentration, cycles of chemotherapy and time to castration resistance were independent prognostic factors of OS in Chinese patients with mCRPC treated with docetaxel. PSADT combined with the baseline ALP concentration could be a useful risk stratification parameter for evaluating survival outcomes.

Efficacy of docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil against stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ gastric cancer

AIM:To investigate the clinical efficacy and toxic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil for treating stageⅢ/Ⅳgastric cancer.METHODS:A total of 53 stageⅢ/Ⅳgastric cancer patients were enrolled into the study and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Two of the cases were excluded.The program was as follows:75 mg/m2docetaxel and 85 mg/m2 oxaliplatin on day 1 and 1500mg/m2 fluorouracil on days 1 to 3 for three weeks.RESULTS:The tumour changes,postoperative remission rate,changes in the symptoms and adverse reactions were observed.The overall clinical efficacy(com-plete remission+partial remission)of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 62.7%.R0 radical resection was performed on 60.8%of the patients,with a remission rate(pathological complete response+pathological subtotal response+pathological partial response)of74.2%.The Karnofksy score improved in 42 cases.The toxicity reactions mostly included myelosuppression,followed by gastrointestinal mucosal lesions,nausea,vomiting and diarrhoea.CONCLUSION:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil is effective for stageⅢ/Ⅳgastric cancer.However,the treatment is associated with a high incidence of bone marrow suppression,which should be managed clinically.

Docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil compared with epirubicin,cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil regimen for advanced gastric cancer:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND As the first-line regimens for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer, both docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil(DCF) and epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil(ECF) regimens are commonly used in clinical practice, but there is still controversy about which is better.AIM To compare the efficacy and safety of DCF and ECF regimens by conducting this meta-analysis.METHODS Computer searches in PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, Science Direct, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Scopus were performed to find the clinical studies of all comparisons between DCF and ECF regimens. We used progression-free survival(PFS), overall survival(OS), objective response rate(ORR), disease control rate(DCR), and adverse effects(AEs) as endpoints for analysis.RESULTS Our meta-analysis included seven qualified studies involving a total of 598 patients. The pooled hazard ratios between the DCF and ECF groups were comparable in PFS(95%CI: 0.58-1.46, P = 0.73), OS(95%CI: 0.65-1.10, P = 0.21),and total AEs(95%CI: 0.93-1.29, P = 0.30). The DCF group was significantly better than the ECF group in terms of ORR(95%CI: 1.13-1.75, P = 0.002) and DCR(95%CI: 1.03-1.41, P = 0.02). However, the incidence rate of grade 3-4 AEs was also greater in the DCF group than in the ECF group(95%CI: 1.16-1.88, P = 0.002),especially for neutropenia and febrile neutropenia.CONCLUSION With better ORR and DCR values, the DCF regimen seems to be more suitable for advanced gastric cancer than the ECF regimen. However, the higher rate of AEs in the DCF group still needs to be noticed.

Phase I Study to Determine MTD of Docetaxel and Cisplatin with Concurrent Radiation Therapy for Stage Ⅲ Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective： To evaluate the maximum tolerated dose （MTD） of docetaxel （DCT） and cisplatin （DDP） concurrently with three dimensional （3D） conformal radiotherapy or IMRT for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer （stage IIIa and IIIb） after 2–4 cycles of induction chemotherapy. Methods： Fourteen patients with histological/cytological proven stage III non–small-cell lung cancer were eligible. 3D or IMRT radiotherapy （60-70Gy in 30-35 fractions, 6-7weeks, 2 Gy/fraction） was delivered concurrently with cisplatin and docetaxel, 2 cycles during concurrent chemoradiotherapy （CCRT）. The level I dosage was composed of 56 mg/m2 DCT, on day 1 and 28mg/m2 DDP, on day 1 and day 2. The level II was composed of 60 mg/m2 DCT, on day 1 and 30 mg/ m2 DDP, on day 1 and day 2. The level III was composed of 64 mg/m2 DCT, on day 1 and 32 mg/ m2 DDP, on day 1 and day 2. Results： Fourteen patients were allocated and finished concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The dose-limiting neutropenia was at the dose Level III （64 mg/m2） and occurred in 2 of 5 patients. No dose limiting non-hematologic or hematologic toxicity occurred in the other patients. Conclusions： Patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer may tolerate 60mg/m2 docetaxel and 60mg/m2 cisplatin for 2 cycles during concurrent radiotherapy after 2-3 cycles of induction chemotherapy.

Small changes in the length of diselenide bond-containing linkages exert great influences on the antitumor activity of docetaxel homodimeric prodrug nanoassemblies

Homodimeric prodrug-based self-assembled nanoparticles,with carrier-free structure and ultrahigh drug loading,is drawing more and more attentions.Homodimeric prodrugs are composed of two drug molecules and a pivotal linkage.The influence of the linkages on the self-assembly,in vivo fate and antitumor activity of homodimeric prodrugs is the focus of research.Herein,three docetaxel(DTX)homodimeric prodrugs are developed using different lengths of diselenide bond-containing linkages.Interestingly,compared with the other two linkages,the longest diselenide bond-containing linkage could facilitate the self-delivery of DTX prodrugs,thus improving the stability,circulation time and tumor targeting of prodrug nanoassemblies.Besides,the extension of linkages reduces the redox-triggered drug release and cytotoxicity of prodrug nanoassemblies in tumor cells.Although the longest diselenide bond-containing prodrug nanoassemblies possessed the lowest cytotoxicity to 4T1 cells,their stable nanostructure maintained intact during circulation and achieve the maximum accumulation of DTX in tumor cells,which finally“turned the table”.Our study illustrates the crucial role of linkages in homodimeric prodrugs,and gives valuable proposal for the development of advanced nano-DDS for cancer treatment.

Mechanism of Drug Resistance Identified in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Line SPC-A1 Selected for Resistance to Docetaxel

Objective： To investigate the mechanism of resistance to docetaxel in human lung cancer. Methods： Human lung carcinoma SPC-A1/Docetaxel cells were derived from parental SPC-A1 cells by continuous exposure to increasing concentration of docetaxel. The drug sensitivity was measured by MTT assay in vitro. The cDNA microarray identified a set of differentially expressed genes, and some genes were confirmed by RT-PCR. P-glycoprotein level was measured by flow cytometry analysis. Results： The results of drug sensitivity measured by MTT assay showed that SPC-A1/Docetaxel cells were 13.2-fold resistant to docetaxel and cross-resistant at varying levels to other drugs. The cDNA microarray results identified a set of differentially expressed genes, which showed 428 genes that were up-regulated and 506 genes that were down-regulated in SPC-A1/Docetaxel ceils, and some genes were confirmed by RT-PCR. Flow cytometry analysis suggests expression of P-glycoprotein （P-gp） was more abundant in SPC-A1/Docetaxel cells than in the parental cells and docetaxel selection reduces the apoptotic response. Conclusion： The results suggest that docetaxel selection led to changes in gene expression that contribute to the multidrug resistance phenotype.

Modified docetaxel, cisplatin and capecitabine for stage Ⅳ gastric cancer in Japanese patients: A feasibility study

AIM To evaluate the feasibility of chemotherapy including fluoropyrimidine, platinum and taxane with modified dosages for unresectable gastric cancer in Japanese patients.METHODS We performed a feasibility study of a modified docetaxel, cisplatin and capecitabine (DCX) regimen for stage Ⅳ gastric cancer. In particular, 30 or 40 mg/m^2 of docetaxel on day 1, 60 mg/m^2 of cisplatin on day 1, and 2000 mg/m^2 of capecitabine for 2 wk were administered every three weeks.RESULTS Three patients were treated with modified DCX(m DCX) with 30 mg/m^2 docetaxel, and five patients were treated with this regimen with 40 mg/m^2 docetaxel. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in six of the eight patients; no patients exhibited febrile neutropenia. Partial response was achieved in four of the eight patients. Three patients underwent gastrectomy, which achieved R0 resection without residual tumors in dissected lymph nodes. In one of these three patients, resected specimens revealed pathological complete response in the primary lesion and in lymph nodes.CONCLUSION m DCX was well tolerated by Japanese patients with stage Ⅳ gastric cancer. This regimen might be useful for allowing gastric cancer patients with distant lymph node metastasis to undergo conversion surgery.

Mobilization of Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Using Regimen Combining Docetaxel with Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor in Breast Cancer Patients

Objective：To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the mobilization of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells by combining docetaxel with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor（G-CSF） in breast cancer patients.Methods：A total of 57 breast cancer patients were treated with docetaxel 120 mg/m2.When the white blood cell（WBC） count decreased to 1.0×109/L,patients were given G-CSF 5-g/kg daily by subcutaneous injection until the end of apheresis.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells（MNC） were isolated by Cobe Spectra Apheresis System.The percentage of CD34＋ cell was assayed by flow cytometry.Results：At a median 6 of days（range 3-8） after the administration of docetaxel,the median WBC count decreased to 1.08×109/L（range 0.20-2.31）.The median duration of G-CSF mobilization was 3 days（range 2-7）.The MNC collection was conducted 8-12 days（median 10 days） after docetaxel treatment.The median MNC was 5.35×108/kg（range 0.59-14.07）,the median CD34＋ cell count was 2.43×106/kg（range 0.16-16.69）.The CD34＋ cell count was higher than 1.00×106/kg in 47 of 57 cases（82.46%） and higher than 2.00×106/kg in 36 cases（63.16%）.The CD34＋ cell count was higher than 2.00×106/kg in 27 collections（23.68%）.The MNC count and the CD34＋ cell count were correlated with the bottom of WBC after docetaxel chemotherapy（r=0.364,0.502,P=0.005,0.000）.The CD34＋ cell count was correlated with the MNC count（r=0.597,P=0.000）.The mobilization and apheresis were well tolerated in all patients.Mild perioral numbness and numbness of hand or feet were observed in 3 cases.No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusion：Mobilization of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell by combining docetaxel with G-CSF was effective and safety in breast cancer patients.

Treatment patterns for adjuvant docetaxel-based chemotherapy in early-stage breast cancer in China：A pooled retrospective analysis of four observational studies

Objective：Adjuvant docetaxel-based chemotherapy is frequently used for operable early breast cancer（EBC）.This study investigated patterns of use of docetaxel（T）in real-life clinical practice in China.Methods：This was a retrospective pooled analysis of the Asia-Pacific Breast Initiatives（APBI）Ⅰ（2006–2008）and Ⅱ（2009–2011）registries,and two Chinese observational studies;BC STATE（2011–2014）and BC Local Registry（2007–2010）.Female Chinese adults（≥18 years）with operable breast cancer treated with docetaxel-based adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the analysis.Patients with metastatic disease were excluded.The primary endpoint was assessment of treatment patterns and patient profiles.A logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with choice of adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.Results：Data from 3,020 patients were included.The most frequently used adjuvant regimen was docetaxel/anthracycline combination[n=1,421（47.1%）;of whom 52.0%received T/epirubicin（E）/cyclophosphamide（C）],followed by docetaxel/other[n=705（23.3%）;of whom 72.8%received TC],docetaxel/anthracycline sequential[n=447（14.8%）;of whom 40.9%and 39.6%received 5-Fu/EC-T and EC-T,respectively],and＂other＂[n=447（14.8%）;of whom 91.5%received T].A significant association was found between adjuvant therapy with docetaxel/anthracycline combination and patient weight,menopausal status and estrogen receptor status.Conclusions：Real-world data revealed that docetaxel/anthracycline combination is the most commonly used category of docetaxel-based adjuvant therapy for patients with operable breast cancer in China;of which TEC is the most frequently used regimen.

Inhibitory Effects of Mild Hyperthermia plus Docetaxel Therapy on ER(+/–) Breast Cancer Cells and Action Mechanisms

Summary： The purpose of this study was to verify that a combination of mild hyperthermia and do- cetaxel chemotherapy produces synergistic antitumor effects and to explore the action mechanisms of this treatment approach. The effects of docetaxel on the proliferation of cells from the estrogen receptor （ER）-positive human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and the ER-negative human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-453 were examined by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay, and effective experimental concentrations of docetaxel were determined. The effects of mild hy- perthermia plus docetaxel therapy on apoptosis rate in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cell lines were analyzed by using flow cytometry with Annexin-V fluorescein isothiocyanate （FITC）/propidium iodide （PI） staining. The effects of these combined treatments on cell cycle progres- sion in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cell lines were examined by using flow cy- tometry. The effects of these combined treatments on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathways were analyzed by using Western blotting. The effects of these combined treatments on the expression of the heat shock protein 70 （HSP70） and the multi-drug resistance （MDR） gene product P-glycoprotein （Pgp） were examined by using Western blotting. The results showed that the half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC50） of do- cetaxel for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells was 19.57±1.12 and 21.64±2.31 gmol/L respectively. Mild hyperthermia with docetaxel therapy could increase apoptosis rate in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells. Apoptosis rate in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells was increased from （23.66±3.59）% and （18.51±3.17）% in docetaxel treatment group to （47.12±6.73）% and （55.16±7.42）% in mild hyperthermia plus docetaxel group, indicating that the mild hyperthermia and docetaxel therapeutic approaches exhib- ited significant synergistic antitumor effects. Treatments of mild hyperthermia plus docetaxel induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells. Western blotting demonstrated that pro- teins in the MAPK pathway were expressed at higher levels in docetaxel-treated cells following mild hypothermia than those in cells treated with docetaxel alone. As compared with blank control group, cells from the mild hyperthermia plus docetaxel group exhibited significantly decreased B-cell lym- phoma 2 （Bcl-2） protein expression but slightly increased Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） expression. Western blotting results revealed that HSP70 and Pgp expression levels were significantly increased following mild hypothermia. It was concluded that treatments of mild hyperthermia plus docetaxel in- hibited the proliferation of human breast cancer cells, promoted apoptosis of breast cancer cells, and produced synergistic antitumor effects.

Development of RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of docetaxel and curcumin in rat plasma: Validation and stability

The purpose of the present research was to develop a suitable, simple, precise, accurate,robust, and reproducible RP-HPLC method for a reliable simultaneous quantification of docetaxel(DTX) and curcumin(CCM) in rat plasma samples using paclitaxel(PTX) as an internal standard. The samples were assayed by the Agilent 1260 Infinity HPLC instrument using a Capcell Pak C8 column(4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm) under isocratic conditions. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and triple distilled water(40/60, v/v) with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The eluent was monitored at 230 nm for simultaneous measurement of curcumin and docetaxel. The method was validated by determining system suitability, selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, inter-day and intra-day precision, accuracy, robustness, and stability in accordance with the guidelines of the United States Food and Drug Administration(FDA).The developed chromatographic method proved to be simple, precise, accurate, robust and reproducible. Moreover, the samples showed stability at room temperature over a period of 48 h. Thus, this method would be employed for routine simultaneous quantification of docetaxel and curcumin in rat plasma samples.

Co-delivery of resveratrol and docetaxel via polymeric micelles to improve the treatment of drug-resistant tumors

Co-delivery of anti-cancer drugs is promising to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment.This study was aiming to investigate the potential of concurrent delivery of resveratrol(RES)and docetaxel(DTX)via polymeric nanocarriers to treat breast cancer.To this end,methoxyl poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide)copolymer(mPEG-PDLA)was prepared and characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR,and their molecular weights were determined by GPC.Isobologram analysis and combination index calculation were performed to find the optimal ratio between RES and DTX to against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line(MCF-7 cells).Subsequently,RES and DTX were loaded in the mPEG-PDLA micelles simultaneously,and the morphology,particle size distribution,in vitro release,pharmacokinetic profiles,as well as cytotoxicity to the MCF-7 cells were characterized.IC50 of RES and DTX in MCF-7 cells were determined to be 23.0μg/ml and 10.4μg/ml,respectively,while a lower IC50 of 4.8μg/ml of the combination of RES and DTX was obtained.The combination of RES and DTX at a ratio of 1:1(w/w)generated stronger synergistic effect than other ratios in the MCF-7 cells.RES and DTX loaded mPEG-PDLA micelles exhibited prolonged release profiles,and enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro against MCF-7 cells.The AUC(0→t)of DTX and RES in mPEG-PDLA micelles after i.v.administration to rats were 3.0-fold and 1.6-fold higher than that of i.v.injections of the individual drugs.These findings indicated that the co-delivery of RES and DTX using mPEG-PDLA micelles could have better treatment of tumors.