http://www.cancerci.com The most accessed research articles published by Cancer Cell International 2010-03-06T00:00:00Z This is an RSS newsfeed from BioMed Central It is intended to be used with an RSS reader. For more information about RSS newsfeeds from BioMed Central, visit http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/about/rss/ For over 30 years, stem cells have been used in the replenishment of blood and immune systems damaged by the cancer cells or during treatment of cancer by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Apart from their use in the immuno-reconstitution, the stem cells have been reported to contribute in the tissue regeneration and as delivery vehicles in the cancer treatments. The recent concept of 'cancer stem cells' has directed scientific communities towards a different wide new area of research field and possible potential future treatment modalities for the cancer. Aim of this review is primarily focus on the recent developments in the use of the stem cells in the cancer treatments, then to discuss the cancer stem cells, now considered as backbone in the development of the cancer; and their role in carcinogenesis and their implications in the development of possible new cancer treatment options in future. http://www.cancerci.com/content/7/1/9 Jayesh Sagar Boussad Chaib Kevin Sales Marc Winslet Alexander Seifalian Cancer Cell International 2007, 7:9 2007-06-04T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-7-9 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 7 9 2007-06-04T00:00:00Z XML Background: Lung cancers are the most common type of human malignancy and are intractable. Lung cancers are generally classified into four histopathological subtypes: adenocarcinoma (AD), squamous cell carcinoma (SQ), large cell carcinoma (LC), and small cell carcinoma (SC). Molecular biological characterization of these subtypes has been performed mainly using DNA microarrays. In this study, we compared the gene expression profiles of these four subtypes using twelve human lung cancer cell lines and the more reliable quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: We selected 100 genes from public DNA microarray data and examined them by DNA microarray analysis in eight test cell lines (A549, ABC-1, EBC-1, LK-2, LU65, LU99, STC 1, RERF-LC-MA) and a normal control lung cell line (MRC-9). From this, we extracted 19 candidate genes. We quantified the expression of the 19 genes and a housekeeping gene, GAPDH, with qPCR, using the same eight cell lines plus four additional validation lung cancer cell lines (RERF-LC-MS, LC-1/sq, 86-2, and MS-1-L). Finally, we characterized the four subtypes of lung cancer cell lines using principal component analysis (PCA) of gene expression profiling for 12 of the 19 genes (AMY2A, CDH1, FOXG1, IGSF3, ISL1, MALL, PLAU, RAB25, S100P, SLCO4A1, STMN1, and TGM2). The combined PCA and gene pathway analyses suggested that these genes were related to cell adhesion, growth, and invasion. S100P in AD cells and CDH1 in AD and SQ cells were identified as candidate markers of these lung cancer subtypes based on their upregulation and the results of PCA analysis. Immunohistochemistry for S100P and RAB25 was closely correlated to gene expression. Conclusions: These results show that the four subtypes, represented by 12 lung cancer cell lines, were well characterized using qPCR and PCA for the 12 genes examined. Certain genes, in particular S100P and CDH1, may be especially important for distinguishing the different subtypes. Our results confirm that qPCR and PCA analysis provide a useful tool for characterizing cancer cell subtypes, and we discuss the possible clinical applications of this approach. http://www.cancerci.com/content/10/1/2 Takashi Watanabe Tomohiro Miura Yusuke Degawa Yuna Fujita Masaaki Inoue Makoto Kawaguchi Chie Furihata Cancer Cell International 2010, 10:2 2010-01-21T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-10-2 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 10 2 2010-01-21T00:00:00Z XML Background: p27(Kip1) is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that inhibits G1-to-S phase transition of the cell cycle. It is known that a relatively large number of nutritional and chemopreventive anti-cancer agents specifically up-regulate expression of p27 without directly affecting the expression of other G1-to-S phase cell cycle regulatory proteins including p21(Cip1Waf1). However, the upstream molecular signaling pathways of how these agents up-regulate the expression of p27 have not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to identify such pathways in human breast cancer cells in vitro using 4-hydroxytamoxifen, dexamethasone, and various retinoic acids as examples of such anti-cancer agents. Results: Experimental evidence presented in the first half of this report was obtained by transfecting human breast cancer cells in vitro with proximal upstream region of p27 gene-luciferase reporter plasmids. 1) The evidence indicated that 4-hydroxytamoxifen, dexamethasone, and various retinoic acids up-regulated expression of p27 in both estrogen receptor-positive and negative human breast cancer cells in vitro. 2) The degree of up-regulation of p27 expression by these anti-cancer agents in human breast cancer cells in vitro linearly correlated with the degree of inhibition of methylnitrosourea (MNU)-induced rat mammary adenocarcinoma in vivo. 3) Lastly, up-regulation of the expression of p27 was likely due to the activation of translation initiation rather than transcription of p27 gene. The experimental evidence presented in the second half of this report was obtained by a combination of Western immunoblot analysis and transfection analysis. It indicated that 4-hydroxytamoxifen and dexamethasone up-regulated expression of p27 by down-regulating phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) at Ser65 and this phosphorylation was likely to be mediated by upstream receptor tyrosine kinases/phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt/5'-AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (RTKs/PI3K/Akt/AMPK/mTOR) protein kinase signaling pathways. Retinoic acids up-regulated expression of p27 without using either 4E-BP1 or RTKs/PI3K/Akt/AMPK/mTOR protein kinase signaling pathways. Conclusions: 4-Hydroxytamoxifen and dexamethasone up-regulated translation initiation of p27 by down-regulating 4E-BP1 phosphorylated at Ser65 and this down-regulation seemed to be mediated by upstream RTKs/PI3K/Akt/AMPK/mTOR protein kinase signaling pathways. Retinoic acids also up-regulated translation initiation of p27, but without using any of these pathways. http://www.cancerci.com/content/10/1/3 Isao Eto Cancer Cell International 2010, 10:3 2010-02-19T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-10-3 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 10 3 2010-02-19T00:00:00Z XML Most cancer researchers regularly practice the responsible conduct of research (RCR) without consciously considering it. As professional scientists, we simply do what we are trained to do. However, as we train a new generation of cancer researchers in our laboratories, we must be vigilant against undue complacency. In an age when misconduct in research is receiving more media attention than ever before, we should periodically take a moment of pause and reflect upon the meaning and practice of responsibly conducting research. Rather than meeting minimum standards in a compliance-driven manner, we should practice forethought and periodically consider how we can improve. We, as leaders in cancer research, must then push our peers to do the same. By embedding RCR into the culture of cancer research through a multilayer approach, including regular assessment at the levels of individual research groups, departmentally, and institutionally, we will become a model discipline in the responsible conduct of research. http://www.cancerci.com/content/10/1/5 Mark Brown Richard Ablin Denys Wheatley Cancer Cell International 2010, 10:5 2010-03-02T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-10-5 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 10 5 2010-03-02T00:00:00Z XML Background: Simian Virus 40 (SV40) immortalization followed by treatment of cells with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) has been used to elicit tumors in athymic mice. 3-MC carcinogenesis has been thoroughly studied, however gene-level interactions between 3-MC and SV40 that could have produced the observed tumors have not been explored. The commercially-available human uroepithelial cell lines were either SV40-immortalized (HUC) or SV40-immortalized and then 3-MC-transformed (HUC-TC). Results: To characterize the SV40 - 3MC interaction, we compared human gene expression in these cell lines using a human cancer array and confirmed selected changes by RT-PCR. Many viral Large T Antigen (Tag) expression-related changes occurred in HUC-TC, and it is concluded that SV40 and 3-MC may act synergistically to transform cells. Changes noted in IFP 9-27, 2'-5' OAS, IF 56, MxA and MxAB were typical of those that occur in response to viral exposure and are part of the innate immune response. Because interferon is crucial to innate immune host defenses and many gene changes were interferon-related, we explored cellular growth responses to exogenous IFN-gamma and found that treatment impeded growth in tumor, but not immortalized HUC on days 4 - 7. Cellular metabolism however, was inhibited in both cell types. We conclude that IFN-gamma metabolic responses were functional in both cell lines, but IFN-gamma anti-proliferative responses functioned only in tumor cells. Conclusions: Synergism of SV40 with 3-MC or other environmental carcinogens may be of concern as SV40 is now endemic in 2-5.9% of the U.S. population. In addition, SV40-immortalization is a generally-accepted method used in many research materials, but the possibility of off-target effects in studies carried out using these cells has not been considered. We hope that our work will stimulate further study of this important phenomenon. http://www.cancerci.com/content/10/1/4 Lynn Crosby Tanya Moore Michael George Lawrence Yoon Marilyn Easton Hong Ni Kevin Morgan Anthony DeAngelo Cancer Cell International 2010, 10:4 2010-02-23T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-10-4 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 10 4 2010-02-23T00:00:00Z PDF Background: ASPM (Abnormal Spindle-like Microcephaly associated) over-expression was recently implicated in the development of malignant gliomas. Results: To better characterize the involvement of ASPM in gliomas, we investigated the mRNA expression in 175 samples, including 8 WHO Grade II, 75 WHO Grade III and 92 WHO Grade IV tumors. Aspm expression was strongly correlated with tumor grade and increased at recurrence when compared to the initial lesion, whatever the initial grade of the primary tumor. ASPM expression also increased over serial passages in gliomaspheres in vitro and in mouse xenografts in vivo. Lentivirus-mediated shRNA silencing of ASPM resulted in dramatic proliferation arrest and cell death in two different gliomasphere models. Conclusion: These data suggest that ASPM is involved in the malignant progression of gliomas, possibly through expansion of a cancer stem cell compartment, and is an attractive therapeutic target in glioblastoma multiforme. http://www.cancerci.com/content/10/1/1 Sandra-Nadia Ngwabyt Bikeye Carole Colin Yannick Marie Raphael Vampouille Philippe Ravassard Audrey Rouseau Blandine Boisselier Ahmed Idbaih Charles-Felix Calvo Pascal Leuraud Myriam Lassalle Soufiane El Hallani Jean-Yves Delattre Marc Sanson Cancer Cell International 2010, 10:1 2010-01-11T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-10-1 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 10 1 2010-01-11T00:00:00Z XML Background: Pancratistatin, a natural compound extracted from Hymenocallis littoralis, can selectively induce apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. In this ex vivo study, we evaluated the effect of pancratistatin on peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 15 leukemia patients prior to clinical intervention of newly diagnosed patients, as well as others of different ages in relapse and at various disease progression states. Results: Mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers and leukemia patients were exposed to 1 uM pancratistatin for up to 48 h. Irrespective of leukemia type, pancratistatin induced apoptosis in the leukemic samples, with minimal effects on non-cancerous peripheral blood mononuclear control cells. Conclusion: Our results show that pancratistatin is an effective and selective anti-cancer agent with potential for advancement to clinical trials. http://www.cancerci.com/content/10/1/6 Carly Griffin Caroline Hamm James McNulty Siyaram Pandey Cancer Cell International 2010, 10:6 2010-03-06T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-10-6 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 10 6 2010-03-06T00:00:00Z PDF Background: Cancer remains one of the most dreaded diseases causing an astonishingly high death rate, second only to cardiac arrest. The fact that conventional and newly emerging treatment procedures like chemotherapy, catalytic therapy, photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy have not succeeded in reverting the outcome of the disease to any drastic extent, has made researchers investigate alternative treatment options. The extensive repertoire of traditional medicinal knowledge systems from various parts of the world are being re-investigated for their healing properties. This study progresses in the direction of identifying component(s) from Nigella sativa with anti cancer acitivity. In the present study we investigated the efficacy of Organic extracts of Nigella sativa seed powder for its clonogenic inhibition and induction of apoptosis in HeLa cancer cell. Results: Methanolic, n-Hexane and chloroform extracts of Nigella sativa seedz effectively killed HeLa cells. The IC50 values of methanolic, n-hexane, and chloroform extracts of Nigella sativa were 2.28 μg/ml, 2.20 μg/ml and 0.41 ng/ml, respectively. All three extracts induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Apoptosis was confirmed by DNA fragmentation, western blot and terminal transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Conclusion: Western Blot and TUNEL results suggested that Nigella sativa seed extracts regulated the expression of pro- and anti- apoptotic genes, indicating its possible development as a potential therapeutic agent for cervical cancer upon further investigation. http://www.cancerci.com/content/9/1/29 Gowhar Shafi Anjana Munshi Tarique Hasan Ali Alshatwi Jyothy A David Lei Cancer Cell International 2009, 9:29 2009-11-27T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-9-29 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 9 29 2009-11-27T00:00:00Z XML Background: Intravesical BCG immunotherapy is effective for preventing recurrence and progression in none muscle-invasive bladder cancer but the dosing schedule and duration of treatment remain empirical. The mechanisms by which intravesical BCG treatment mediates antitumor activity are currently poorly understood. Results: HeLa cell infected with Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG) Tokyo which were different multiplicity of infection(MOI). Proliferation of HeLa cell reduced in a dose-dependent manner by live BCG. The cytoplasm of the HeLa cell showed variety lysosomal stages by internalized and interacted BCG. Conclusion: Proliferated Live BCG secreted the protein and depressed the growth of tumor. The possibility for clinical introduction of BCG therapy for carcinoma reported with review of literature. http://www.cancerci.com/content/9/1/30 Akira Kitamura Sohkichi Mastumoto Izumi Asahina Cancer Cell International 2009, 9:30 2009-12-02T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-9-30 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 9 30 2009-12-02T00:00:00Z XML Background: Human MCF-7 cells have been studied extensively as a model for breast cancer cell growth. Many reports have established that serum-starved MCF-7 cells can be induced to proliferate upon the sole addition of 17β-estradiol (E2). However, the extent of the mitogenic response to E2 varies in different MCF-7 strains and may even be absent. In this study we compared the E2-sensitivity of three MCF-7 laboratory strains. Results: The MCF-7S line is non-responsive to E2, the MCF-7 ATCC has an intermediate response to E2, while the MCF-7 NKI is highly E2-sensitive, although the levels and activities of the estrogen receptor (ER) are not significantly different. Both suramin and IGF type I receptor blocking antibodies are able to inhibit the mitogenic response to E2-treatment in MCF-7 ATCC and MCF-7 NKI cells. From this we conclude that E2-induced proliferation is dependent on IGF type I receptor activation in all three MCF-7 strains. Conclusions: The results presented in this article suggest that E2-responsiveness of MCF-7 cells is dependent on the secretion of an autocrine factor activating the IGF-IR. All three strains of MCF-7 breast cancer cells investigated do not respond to E2 if the IGF-RI-pathway is blocked. Generally, breast cancer therapy is targeted at inhibiting estrogen action. This study suggests that inhibition of IGF-action in combination with anti-estrogen-treatment may provide a more effective way in treatment or even prevention of breast cancer. http://www.cancerci.com/content/3/1/10 Irene Hamelers Richard van Schaik John Sussenbach Paul Steenbergh Cancer Cell International 2003, 3:10 2003-07-11T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1475-2867-3-10 Cancer Cell International 1475-2867 3 10 2003-07-11T00:00:00Z XML