Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P42574 (caspase-3)
 45,978 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) has been found to induce apoptosis in leukemia cell lines and clinical remissions in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect and mechanisms of action of As(2)O(3) in human tumor cell lines. As(2)O(3) caused inhibition of cell growth (IC(50) range, 3-14 microM) in a variety of human solid tumor cell lines, including four human non-small-cell lung cancer cell lines (H460, H322, H520, H661), two ovarian cancer cell lines (SK-OV-03, A2780), cervical cancer HeLa, and breast carcinoma MCF-7, as assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Flow cytometry analysis showed that As(2)O(3) treatment resulted in a time-dependent accumulation of cells in the G(2)/M phase. We observed, using Wright-Giemsa and 4',6-diamidine-2-phenylindole-dihydrochloride staining, that As(2)O(3) blocked the cell cycle in mitosis. In vitro examination revealed that As(2)O(3) markedly promoted tubulin polymerization without affecting GTP binding to beta-tubulin. Immunocytochemical and EM studies of treated MCF-7 cells showed that As(2)O(3) treatment caused changes in the cellular microtubule network and formation of polymerized microtubules. Similar to most anti-tubulin agents, As(2)O(3) treatment induced up-regulation of the cyclin B1 levels and activation of p34(cdc2)/cyclinB1 kinase, as well as Bcl-2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, activation of caspase-3 and -7 and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and beta-catenin occurred only in As(2)O(3)-induced mitotic cells, not in interphase cells, suggesting that As(2)O(3)-induced mitotic arrest may be a requirement for the activation of apoptotic pathways. In addition, As(2)O(3) exhibited similar inhibitory effects against parental MCF-7, P-glycoprotein-overexpressing MCF-7/doxorubicin cells, and multidrug resistance protein (MRP)-expressing MCF-7/etoposide cells (resistance indices, 2.3 and 1.9, respectively). Similarly, As(2)O(3) had similar inhibitory effect against parental ovarian carcinoma A2780 cells and tubulin mutation paclitaxel-resistant cell lines PTx10 and PTx22 (resistance indices, 0.86 and 0.93, respectively), suggesting that its effect on tubulin polymerization and G(2)/M phase arrest is distinct from that of paclitaxel. Taken together, our data demonstrate that As(2)O(3) has a paclitaxel-like effect, markedly promotes tubulin polymerization, arrests cell cycle at mitosis, and induces apoptosis. In addition, As(2)O(3) is a poor substrate for transport by P-glycoprotein and MRP, and non-cross-resistant with paclitaxel resistant cell lines due to tubulin mutation, suggesting that As(2)O(3) may be useful for treatment of human solid tumors, particularly in patients with paclitaxel resistance.
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PMID:Arsenic trioxide produces polymerization of microtubules and mitotic arrest before apoptosis in human tumor cell lines. 1218 29

3-Iodoacetamido benzoyl ethyl ester (3-IAABE) is a new compound synthesized in our laboratory. The primary action of 3-IAABE is to inhibit microtubule assembly by interacting with -SH groups on tubulin. In contrast to other known microtubule disrupters, 3-IAABE caused a double blockade in the cell cycle at G(1)-S transition and in M phase. The blockade was determined by cell cycle analysis and chromosome distribution. Kinase activities of cyclin E and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 responsible for the G(1)-S transition were increased, as were the activities of mitotic cyclin B and cdc2. 3-IAABE treatment also increased p53 expression and dephosphorylated (or activated) retinoblastoma protein. Investigation of the signal transduction pathway showed that 3-IAABE induced bcl-2 phosphorylation, followed by activation of caspase-9, -3, and -6, but not caspase-8. DNA fragmentation factor and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, the downstream substrates of caspase-3 and -6, were cleaved after 3 h of exposure to 3-IAABE, followed by DNA fragmentation. Pretreatment of the cells with inhibitors of caspase-9, -3, or -6, respectively, inhibited the cleavage of DNA fragmentation factor and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and thus inhibited the onset of apoptosis. 3-IAABE showed antitumor activities in the panel of 60 National Cancer Institute human tumor cell lines with total growth inhibition in the range of 0.22-4.3 micro M for solid tumor lines and 0.025-0.22 micro M for leukemia/lymphoma cell lines. The 3-IAABU total growth inhibition of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated healthy human lymphocytes was 450-fold greater than that of leukemic cells. 3-IAABE significantly inhibited the growth of human hepatocarcinoma (BEL-7402) in nude mice by 72% in tumor volume, more strongly than did vincristine (43 percent inhibition). Besides being a novel lead for the design of new anticancer tubulin ligands, the activity of 3-IAABE in the cell cycle may also help us to understand the molecular pharmacology of microtubule-active drugs.
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PMID:Double blockade of cell cycle at g(1)-s transition and m phase by 3-iodoacetamido benzoyl ethyl ester, a new type of tubulin ligand. 1241 32

Previously, we showed that monensin, Na+ ionophore, potently inhibited the growth of acute myelogenous leukemia and lymphoma cells. Here, we demonstrate that monensin inhibited the proliferation of solid tumor cells with IC50 of about 2.5 micro M. Monensin induced a G1 or a G2-M phase arrest in these cells. When we examined the effects of this drug on SNU-C1 cells, monensin decreased the levels of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and cyclin A proteins. While p27 was increased by monensin, p21 was not. In addition, monensin markedly enhanced the binding of p27 with CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, the activities of CDK2-, CDK4- and CDK6-associated kinase were reduced in association with hypophosphorylation of Rb protein. Monensin also induced apoptosis in solid tumor cells. Apoptotic process of SNU-C1 cells was associated with the changes of Bax, caspase-3 and mitochondria transmembrane potential (deltapsim). Taken together, these results demonstrated for the first time that monensin inhibited the growth of solid tumor cells, especially SNU-C1 cells, via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
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PMID:Monensin-mediated growth inhibition of SNU-C1 colon cancer cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. 1252 37

Thalidomide is clinically useful in a number of cancers. Antitumor activity may be related to a number of known properties, including anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and T-cell costimulatory and antiangiogenic activities. However, it may also involve direct antitumor effects. A series of second generation thalidomide analogues have been separated into two distinct groups of compounds, each with enhanced therapeutic potential, i.e., SelCIDs, which are phosphodiesterase (PDE) type IV inhibitors, and IMiDs, which have unknown mechanism(s) of action. We report here our efforts to determine direct antitumor effects of thalidomide and compounds from both groups. We found that one of the SelCID analogues (SelCID-3) was consistently effective at reducing tumor cell viability in a variety of solid tumor lines but had no effect on non-neoplastic cells. The antitumor activity was independent of known PDE4 inhibitory activity and did not involve cAMP elevation. Growth arrest was preceded by the early induction of G(2)-M cell cycle arrest, which led to caspase 3 mediated apoptosis. This was associated with increased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and decreased expression of antiapoptotic bcl-2. Furthermore, extensive apoptosis in vivo was detected during SelCID-3-mediated inhibition of tumor growth in a murine xenotransplantation cancer model. Our results suggest that SelCID-3 represents a novel antitumor agent distinct from thalidomide and from previously characterized analogues with therapeutic potential against a range of solid tumors. This effect appears to be mediated via alterations in the expression of bcl-2 family proteins.
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PMID:A novel subclass of thalidomide analogue with anti-solid tumor activity in which caspase-dependent apoptosis is associated with altered expression of bcl-2 family proteins. 1256 1

Polyamine analogs have demonstrated considerable activity against many important solid tumor models including breast cancer. However, the precise mechanisms of antitumor activities of polyamine analogs are not entirely understood. The cytotoxicity of a newly developed polyamine analog compound, SL11144, against human breast cancer was assessed. Treatment of human breast cancer cell lines in culture with SL11144 decreased cell proliferation and induced programmed cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. SL11144 also profoundly inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografts in host nude mice without overt toxic effects. Treatment of MDA-MB-435 cells with SL11144 led to the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol, activation of caspase-3, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. SL11144 decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax protein levels in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, activator protein 1 transcriptional factor family member c-Jun was up-regulated by SL11144 in MDA-MB-435 and MDA-MB-231 cells, but not in MCF7 cells. In addition, significant inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase activity and a decrease in polyamine pools were demonstrated. These results demonstrate that the novel polyamine analog SL11144 has effective antineoplastic action against human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and that multiple apoptotic mechanisms are associated with its cytotoxic effect in specific human breast cancer cell lines.
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PMID:A novel polyamine analog inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. 1285 57

Neuroblastoma, originated from neural crest cells, is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. In the present study, we evaluated in vitro the oncolytic effect of live-attenuated poliovirus on human neuroblastoma cell lines, and in vivo its therapeutic efficacy in human neuroblastoma-bearing athymic mice. Live-attenuated poliovirus killed 27 (93%) of 29 established neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro. It induced cleavage of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G, leading to cell death through a mechanism involving activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase. For the in vivo experiments, an animal model was established using athymic mice xenotransplanted with SJ-N-JF neuroblastoma cells on both flanks. Inoculation of live-attenuated poliovirus into one of the two tumors caused a dramatic and complete regression of both the inoculated and contralateral tumors. Live-attenuated poliovirus has potent oncolytic activity against human neuroblastomas in vitro and in vivo and it may be useful for the treatment of advanced and refractory neuroblastomas, however, further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of method.
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PMID:Experimental treatment of human neuroblastoma using live-attenuated poliovirus. 1465 40

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor family of cytokines that induces apoptosis in some tumor cells but not in normal cells. Unfortunately, many human cancer cell lines are refractory to TRAIL-induced cell death, and the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance are unclear. Here we report that TRAIL resistance was reversed in human bladder and prostate cancer cell lines by the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (PS-341, Velcade). Synergistic induction of apoptosis occurred within 4 to 6 hours in cells treated with TRAIL plus bortezomib and was associated with accumulation of p21(WAF-1/Cip-1) (p21) and inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) activity. Roscovitine, a specific cdk1/2 inhibitor, also sensitized cells to TRAIL. Silencing p21 expression reduced levels of DNA fragmentation by 50% in cells treated with bortezomib and TRAIL, confirming that p21 was required for the response. Analysis of the TRAIL pathway revealed that caspase-8 processing was enhanced in a p21-dependent fashion in cells exposed to TRAIL and bortezomib as compared with cells treated with TRAIL alone. Thus, all downstream components of the pathway (Bid cleavage, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation) were amplified. These data strongly suggest that p21-mediated cdk inhibition promotes TRAIL sensitivity via caspase-8 activation and that TRAIL and bortezomib should be combined in appropriate in vivo models as a possible approach to solid tumor therapy.
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PMID:Bortezomib abolishes tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand resistance via a p21-dependent mechanism in human bladder and prostate cancer cells. 1593 Mar 12

26-Trifluoro-(E)-9,10-dehydro-12,13-desoxyepothilone B [Fludelone (Flu)] has shown broad antitumor activity in solid tumor models. In the present study, we showed, in vitro, that Flu significantly inhibited multiple myeloma (MM) cell proliferation (with 1-15 nM IC50), whereas normal human bone marrow stromal cells (HS-27A and HS-5 lines) were relatively resistant (10- to 15-fold higher IC50). Cell-cycle analysis demonstrated that Flu caused G2/M phase arrest and induced cell apoptosis. After Flu treatment, caspase-3, -8, and -9 were activated, cytochrome c and second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspase were released to the cytosol, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase was activated, indicating that mitochondria were involved in the apoptosis. Flu toxicity to human hematopoietic stem cells was evaluated by CD34+ cell-apoptosis measurements and hematopoietic-progenitor assays. There was no significant toxicity to noncycling human CD34+ cells. We compared the efficacy of Flu with the epothilone analog 12,13-desoxyepothilone B (dEpoB) in xenograft nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mouse models with subcutaneous or disseminated MM. Flu caused tumor disappearance in RPMI 8226 subcutaneous xenografts after only five doses of the drug (20 mg/kg of body weight), with no sign of relapse after 100 d of observation. In a disseminated CAG MM model, mice treated with Flu had a significantly decreased tumor burden, as determined by bioluminescence imaging, and prolonged overall survival vs. mice treated with dEpoB or vehicle control, indicating that Flu may be a promising agent for MM therapy.
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PMID:Investigation of antitumor effects of synthetic epothilone analogs in human myeloma models in vitro and in vivo. 1603 Jan 45

The transcriptional factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays an important role in solid tumor cell growth and survival. Overexpression of HIF-1alpha has been demonstrated in many human tumors and predicts a poor response to chemoradiotherapy. We examined the HIF-1alpha-induced survival pathways in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell (OSCC) lines. The results showed that forced expression of HIF-1alpha suppressed hypoxia-induced apoptosis of OSCC lines by inhibiting cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Overexpression of HIF-1alpha inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytosolic accumulation of cytochrome c, which resulted in the inactivation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. In addition, antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) levels were increased and pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak levels were decreased in the HIF-1alpha-overexpressing OSCC line. Overexpression of HIF-1alpha also increased the levels of phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). These findings indicate that HIF-1alpha prevents apoptotic cell death through two mechanisms, including inhibition of cytochrome c release and activation of Akt and ERK.
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PMID:Mechanism of HIF-1alpha-dependent suppression of hypoxia-induced apoptosis in squamous cell carcinoma cells. 1605 10

During the course of a mechanism-based screening program aimed at identifying new antimitotic agents, a novel microtubule depolymerizing piperazine derivative, 1-(5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoyl)-4-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazine, was identified. The compound, designated CB694, caused inhibition of proliferation of a wide range of cancer cell lines, with an average IC50 of 85 nM. A multidrug-resistant cell line was sensitive to inhibition by CB694, suggesting that this compound is a poor substrate for transport by P-glycoprotein. CB694 caused formation of abnormal mitotic structures in HeLa cells. Specifically, CB694 caused a concentration-dependent increase in bipolar spindles with lagging chromosomes and, with slightly higher concentrations, formation of multipolar mitotic spindles. These mitotic abnormalities occurred at concentrations that did not cause significant changes in the appearance or quantity of interphase microtubules. Coincident with the formation of abnormal mitotic spindles, CB694 caused G2/M arrest. CB694 inhibited the assembly of purified tubulin with an IC50 of 2.3 microM. Colchicine binding was strongly inhibited by CB694, suggesting that it binds to tubulin at the colchicine site. Bcl-2 phosphorylation and activation of ERK and JNK and caspase 3-dependent cleavage of PARP were observed in MDA-MB-435 cells treated with CB694. CB694 caused phosphorylation of Aurora A within 8 hr of treatment, and increases in Aurora A protein levels were coincident with mitotic accumulation. The efficacy of CB694 against a syngeneic murine transplantable solid tumor, Mammary 16/C, was also evaluated. CB694 was well tolerated and showed antitumor activity.
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PMID:CB694, a novel antimitotic with antitumor activities. 1615 90


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