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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Polymorphisms in base excision repair genes: Breast cancer risk and individual radiosensitivity

Breast cancer(BC) is the most common cancer among women worldwide. The aetiology and carcinogenesis of BC are not clearly defined, although genetic, hormonal, lifestyle and environmental risk factors have been established. The most common treatment for BC includes breast-conserving surgery followed by a standard radiotherapy(RT) regimen. However, radiation hypersensitivity and the occurrence of RT-induced toxicity in normal tissue may affect patients' treatment. The role of DNA repair in cancer has been extensively investigated, and an impaired DNA damage response may increase the risk of BC and individual radiosensitivity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in DNA repair genes may alter protein function and modulate DNA repair efficiency, influencing the development of various cancers, including BC. SNPs in DNA repair genes have also been studied as potential predictive factors for the risk of RT-induced side effects. Here, we review the literature on the association between SNPs in base excision repair(BER) genes and BC risk. We focusedon X-ray repair cross complementing group 1(XRCC1), which plays a key role in BER, and on 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, which encode three important BER enzymes that interact with XRCC1. Although no association between SNPs and radiation toxicity has been validated thus far, we also report published studies on XRCC1 SNPs and variants in other BER genes and RT-induced side effects in BC patients, emphasising that large well-designed studies are needed to determine the genetic components of individual radiosensitivity.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress sensitizes human esophageal cancer cell to radiation

AIM:To investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum(ER) stress in cancer radiotherapy and its molecular mechanism.METHODS:Tunicamycin(TM) was applied to induce ER stress in human esophageal cancer cell line EC109,and the radiosensitization effects were detected by acute cell death and clonogenic survival assay.Cell cycle arrest induced by TM was determined by flow cytometric analysis after the cellular DNA content was labeled with propidium iodide.Apoptosis of EC109 cells induced by TM was detected by annexin V staining and Western blotting of caspase-3 and its substrate poly ADP-ribose polymerase.Autophagic response was determined by acridine orange(AO) staining and Western blotting of microtubule-associated protein-1 light chain-3(LC3) and autophagy related gene 5(ATG5).In order to test the biological function of autophagy,specific inhibitor or Beclin-1 knockdown was used to inhibit autophagy,and its effect on cell apoptosis was thus detected.Additionally,involvement of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase(PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of the rapamycin(mTOR) pathway was also detected by Western blotting.Finally,male nude mice inoculated subcutaneously with EC109 cells were used to confirm cell model observations.RESULTS:Our results showed that TM treatment enhanced cell death and reduced the colony survival fraction induced by ionizing radiation(IR),which suggested an obvious radiosensitization effect of TM.Moreover,TM and IR combination treatment led to a significant increase of G2/M phase and apoptotic cells,compared with IR alone.We also observed an increase of AO positive cells,and the protein level of LC3-II and ATG5 was induced by TM treatment,which suggested an autophagic response in EC109 cells.However,inhibition of autophagy by using a chemical inhibitor or Beclin-1 silencing led to increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell viability,which suggested a cytoprotective role of autophagy in stressed EC109 cells.Furthermore,TM treatment also activated mTORC1,and in turn reduced Akt phosphorylation,which suggested the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway was involved in the TM-induced autophagic response in EC109 cells.Tumor xenograft results also showed synergistic retarded tumor growth by TM treatment and IR,as well as the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.CONCLUSION:Our data showed that TM treatment sensitized human esophageal cancer cells to radiation via apoptosis and autophagy both in vitro and in vivo.

Comparative study of the chitooligosaccharides effect on the proliferation inhibition and radiosensitization of three types of human gastric cancer cell line

Objective:To observe the chitooligosaccharides(COS) effect on the proliferation inhibition and radiosensitivity of three types of human gastric cancer cell line.Mothods:CCK-8 assay was employed to obtain the inhibition ratio of COS on BGC823 cells,MKN45 cells and SGC7901 cells at 48 h after treatment and the proliferation-inhibition curve was drawn with the inhibition ratio of COS on three types of cells.The clonogenic assay was used to detect the cell viability of 0,1,2,4,6 and 8 Gy(6 dose grades) in RAY group and RAY+COS group after X-ray,and the cell survival curve was used to analyze the sensitization enhancement ratio of COS.Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis rate in control group,RAY group and RAY+COS group after 48 h treatment.Results:COS inhibited the proliferation of three types of cells.The inhibition rate was positively correlated with the concentration of COS,and the susceptibility of MKN45 cells,SGC7901 cells and BGC823 cells to COS decreased in turn.The cell viability decreased gradually with the increasing radiation dose in RAY group and RAY+COS group(P<0.01).The cell viabilities of RAY+COS group were lower than those of RAY group at all the dose grades under X-ray exposure(P<0.01),and the sensitization enhancement ratios of COS on BGC823 cells,MKN45 cells and SGC7901 cells were 1.06,1.28 and 1.15 respectively.In controlled trials,apoptosis rate and percentage in the G_2/M phase of three types of cells in RAY+COS group were higher than those in control group and RAY group,and percentage in the S phase and the G_0/G_1 phase in RAY+COS group were lower than those in the other two groups(P<0.01).Conclusions:COS can inhibit the proliferation of three types of human gastric cancer cells and enhance the radiosensitivity by inducing apoptosis and G_2/M phase arrest.

Recombinant adenovirus-p53(Gendicine) sensitizes a pancreatic carcinoma cell line to radiation

Objective： In this study, we examine the effects of recombinant adenovirus-p53 （rAd-p53） on the pancreatic carcinoma cell line SW1990. Specifically, we determine if expression of rAd-p53 sensitizes these cells to radiation. Methods： Following transfection of SW1990 cells with rAd-p53, we measured expression of P53, P21 and Bax by immunocytochemistry. Both transfected and control cell lines were irradiated with a range of doses, and the survival fractions （SF） were calculated. Dose survival cttrves were constructed and modeled for comparison. Results： Transfection of SW1990 cells with rAd-p53 resulted in increased expression of P53, P21 and Bax in a time-dependent manner. At 96 h after transfection, 89.92% of cells expressed P53, 56.8% expressed P21, and 76.50% expressed Bax. The SF following radiation was lower in the rAd-p53 transfected cells compared to the control cells, suggesting that rAd-p53 sensitizes SW1990 cells to radiation （Do for the experimental and control groups was 2.199 and 2.462, respectively）. Conclusions： Use of the adenoviral vector is an effective means of transfecting SW1990 cells with wild-type P53, and this sensitizes the cell line to irradiation. This work suggests that combining rAd-p53 with radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer may be therapeutically beneficial.

Anti-proliferation and radiosensitization effects of chitooligosaccharides on human lung cancer line Hep G2

Objective: To observe the anti-proliferation and radiosensitization effect of chitooligosaccharides(COS) on human lung cancer cell line Hep G2. Methods: CCK-8 assay was employed to obtain the inhibition ratio of COS on Hep G2 cells at 24 h after treatment. The clonogenic assay was used to analyze the cell viability of RAY group and RAY+COS group with X-ray of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy, and the cell survival curve was used to analyze the sensitization ratio of COS. Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis rate in control group, RAY group and RAY+COS group after 24 h treatment. Results: COS inhibited the proliferation of Hep G2 cells, and the inhibition rate positively correlated with the concentration of COS. The cell viability decreased with increasing exposure dose in RAY group and RAY+COS group. The cell viabilities of RAY+COS group were lower than those of RAY group at the dose of 4, 6 and 8 Gy(P<0.05), and the sensitization ratio of COS was 1.19. There were higher percentage at G2/M phase and apoptosis rate, and lower percentage at S phase in RAY+COS group versus the other two groups(P<0.01). Conclusions: COS can inhibit the proliferation of Hep G2 cells, and enhance the radiosensitization of Hep G2 cells, induce apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest.

Effect of Shengmai Yin on the DNA methylation status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell and its radioresistant strains

Shengmai Yin(SMY)is a Chinese herbal decoction that effectively alleviates the side effects of radiotherapy in various cancers and helps achieve radiotherapy’s clinical efficacy.In this study,we explored the interaction mechanism among SMY,DNA methylation,and nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).We identified differences in DNA methylation levels in NPC CNE-2 cells and its radioresistant cells(CNE-2R)using the methylated DNA immunoprecipitation array and found that CNE-2R cells showed genomewide changes in methylation status towards a state of hypomethylation.SMY may restore its original DNA methylation status,and thus,enhance radiosensitivity.Furthermore,we confirmed that the differential gene Tenascin-C(TNC)was overexpressed in CNE-2R cells and that SMY downregulated TNC expression.This downregulation of TNC inhibited NPC cell radiation resistance,migration,and invasion.Furthermore,we found that TNC was hypomethylated in CNE-2R cells and partially restored to a hypermethylated state after SMY intervention.DNA methyltransferases 3 a may be the key protein in DNA methylation of TNC.

Relationship and interactions of curcumin with radiation therapy

Curcumin is widely reported to have remarkable medicinal- and antineoplastic- properties. This review details curcumin's relationship with radiotherapy(RT), principally as a radiosensitizer for various malignancies and a radioprotector for normal tissues. First, examples of radiosensitization are provided for various cancers:Pediatric, lymphoma, sarcoma, prostate, gynecologic, pancreas, liver, colorectal, breast, lung, head/neck, and glioma. It is not the purpose of this article to comprehensively review all radiosensitization data; however, high-quality studies are discussed in relationship to currently-controversial RT questions for many cancers, and thus the importance of developing a natural radiosensitizer. Attention is then shifted to radioprotection, for which supporting research is discussed for the following RT toxicities: Dermatitis, pneumonitis, cataractogenesis, neurocognition, myelosuppression, secondary malignancies, and mucositis/enteritis. Though there is fewer data for radioprotection, the overall quality of clinical evidence is higher, and small clinical trials implicating the efficacy of curcumin for RT toxicities(vs placebo/current therapies) are also detailed. Though the overall level of evidence for curcumin as a radiosensitizer and radioprotector is low, it must be recognized that risks of adverse effects are exceedingly low, and clinicians may need to judge the yet-unproven rewards with low toxicity risks.

ADENOVIRUS-MEDIATED P53 GENE TRANSFER INCREASES THE THERMOSENSITIVITY OF HUMAN GASTRIC CARCINOMA CELL LINES(IN VITRO AND IN VIVO)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adenovirus-mediated p53 gene (Adp53) on apoptosis andradiosensitivity of human gastric carcinoma cell lines.Methods: Recombinant adenovirus expressing wild-type p53 gene was transferred into four human gastric carcinoma cell lines with different p53 genetic status. p53 proteinexpression was detected by immunohistochemistry assayand western blot assay. Cell survival was assessed using a clonogenic assay. TUNEL assay was used in determination of apoptosis. Four human gastric carcinoma cells infectedwith Adp53 were irradiated with 4Gy and cell cycle distribution and Sub-G1 peak were assayed by flowcytometry. Results: G2/M arrest, apoptosis and inhibition of tumor cell proliferation were induced by infection atAdp53 at 100 MOI which caused high transfer rate ofwild-type p53 and strong expression of p53 protein in four human gastric carcinoma cells. The radio-enhancement ratio of Adp53 at 4Gy were 3.0 for W cell, 3.6 for M cell, 2.2 for neo cell and 2.5 for 823 cell in vitro. Conclusion: Thisstudy demonstrated that Adp53 transfer increased cellularapoptosis and radiosensitivity of human gastric carcinoma cell lines in vitro independently on cellular intrinsic p53status thus supporting the combination of p53 gene therapy with radiotherapy in clinical trials.

Inhibition of IKK-NFκB pathway sensitizes lung cancer cell lines to radiation

Objective:Cancer cell radioresistance is a stumbling block in radiation therapy.The activity in the nuclear factor kappa B(NFκB)pathway correlates with anti-apoptotic mechanisms and increased radioresistance.The IKK complex plays a major role in NFκB activation upon numerous signals.In this study,we examined the interaction between ionizing radiation(IR)and different members of the IKK-NFκB pathway,as well as upstream activators,RAF1,ERK,and AKT1.Methods:The effect of 4 Gy of IR on the expression of the RAF1-ERK-IKK-NFκB pathway was examined in A549 and H1299 lung cancer cell lines using Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy.We examined changes in radiation sensitivity using gene silencing or pharmacological inhibitors of ERK and IKKβ.Results:IKKα,IKKγ,and IκBαincreased upon exposure to IR,thereby affecting nuclear levels of NFκB(phospho-p65).ERK inhibition or si RNA-mediated down-regulation of RAF1 suppressed the post-irradiation survival of the examined lung cancer cell lines.A similar effect was detected on survival upon silencing IKKα/IKKγor inhibiting IKKβ.Conclusions:Exposure of lung cancer cells to IR results in NFκB activation via IKK.The genetic or pharmacological blockage of the RAF1-ERK-IKK-NFκB pathway sensitizes cells to therapeutic doses of radiation.Therefore,the IKK pathway is a promising target for therapeutic intervention in combination with radiotherapy.

Inhibiting PI3K/Akt Pathway Increases DNA Damage of Cervical Carcinoma HeLa Cells by Drug Radiosensitization

This study examined the role of PI3K/Akt pathway in radiosensitization of DNA damage of cervical carcinoma cells.The 50% inhibition concentration(IC50) of cisplatin and docetaxel in HeLa cells was detected by Mono-nuclear cell direct cytotoxicity assay(MTT) in vitro.HeLa cells were treated by cisplatin/docetaxel of 10 percent of IC20 alone or combined with LY294002 for 24 h,and then radiated by different doses of X-ray.The cell survival ratio was obtained by means of clone formation.One-hit multi-target model was fitted to the cell survival curve to calculate dose quasithreshold(Dq),mean lethal dose(D0),2Gy survival fraction(SF2) and sensitization enhancement ratio(SER).The pAkt and total Akt expression was detected by Western blotting and DNA damage by neutro-comet electrophoresis.The HeLa cells were randomly divided into 7 groups in terms of different treatments:Control;radiation treatment(RT) group;LY294002+RT group;cisplatin+RT group;docetaxel+RT group;LY294002+cisplatin+RT group;LY294002+docetaxel+RT group.The apoptosis ratio of each group was measured by flow cytometry.The results showed that docetaxel and cisplatin significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt in radiation-treated HeLa cells.The Dq,D0 and SF2 in LY294002-contained groups were lower than those in docetaxel or cisplatin+RT group.The SER in the LY294002+docetaxel+RT group was 1.35 times that of the docetaxel+RT group,and that in the LY294002+cisplatin+RT group 1.26 times that of the cisplatin+RT group.The Comet electrophoresis showed that tail distance in the LY294002+cisplatin+RT group or LY294002+docetaxel+RT group was longer than in the cisplatin+RT group or docetaxel+RT group.The apoptosis ratio in the LY294002+cisplatin+RT group or LY294002+docetaxel +RT group was higher than in the cisplatin+RT group or docetaxel+RT group.It was concluded that inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway can increase the effect of docetaxel and cisplatin on the radiosensitivity of HeLa cells and DNA damage resulted from radiation.