RESUMEN

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths. Among breast cancers (BC) subtypes, triple-negative (TN) BC is characterized by metastatic progression and poor patient prognosis. Although, TNBC is initially sensitive to chemotherapy, many TNBC patients rapidly develop resistance, at which point metastatic disease is highly lethal. Cancer cells present phenotypic changes or molecular signatures that distinguish them from healthy cells. The Tn antigen (GalNAc-O-Thr/Ser), which constitutes a powerful tool as tumor marker, was recently reported to contribute to tumor growth. However, its role in BC-derived metastasis has not yet been addressed. In this work, we generated a pre-clinical orthotopic Tn+ model of metastatic TNBC, which mimics the patient surgical treatment and is useful to study the role of Tn in metastasis and immunoregulation. We obtained two different cell clones, which differed in their Tn antigen expression: a high Tn-expressing and a non-expressing clone. Interestingly, the Tn-positive cell line generated significantly larger tumors and higher degree of lung metastases associated with a lower survival rate than the Tn-negative and parental cell line. Furthermore, we also found that both tumors and draining-lymph nodes from Tn+-tumor-bearing mice presented a higher frequency of CD4+ FoxP3+ T cells, while their splenocytes expressed higher levels of IL-10. In conclusion, this work suggests that the Tn antigen participates in breast tumor growth and spreading, favoring metastases to the lungs that are associated with an immunoregulatory state, suggesting that Tn-based immunotherapy could be a strategy of choice to treat these tumors.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias Pulmonares , Neoplasias de la Mama Triple Negativas , Animales , Antígenos de Carbohidratos Asociados a Tumores , Línea Celular Tumoral , Humanos , Ratones , Pronóstico , Linfocitos T Reguladores , Neoplasias de la Mama Triple Negativas/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Mama Triple Negativas/patología

RESUMEN

Complexes with general formula [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(P-NR-P)]X (R = CH2Py (Py = pyridine) - [1a]+, CH2Ph (Ph = phenyl) - [1b]+, Ph - [1c] and p-tol (p-tol = p-tolyl) - [1d]+; X = PF6- or BF4-) were evaluated as cytotoxic agents against two cancer cell lines (HeLa and MDA-MB-231). All metal complexes are active in the range of concentrations tested (up to 100 µmol L-1). The IC50 (µmol L-1) values for the metal complexes are lower than that found for cisplatin. The activities are up to 6- and 15-fold higher than cisplatin for HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines, respectively. Studies of DNA binding and DNA cleavage were performed. DNA binding studies revealed a modest hypochromic shift in the metal complexes electronic spectra, indicating a weak interaction with Kb values in the range of 1.7 × 103-1.6 × 104. Although the cleavage tests revealed that in the dark DNA is not a biological target for these metal complexes, upon blue light irradiation they are activated causing DNA cleavage. Electrochemical studies showed the presence of two independent redox processes, one attributed to the oxidation process of Ru2+ → Ru3+ (EC process) and the other one to the reduction of Ru2+ → Ru1+, which is further reduced to Ru0 (ECE mechanism). In both processes, coupled chemical reactions were observed. DFT calculations were performed to support the electrochemical/chemical behavior of the complexes. The reactivity of complex [1b]BF4 with CH3CN was evaluated and two complexes were isolated [2b]BF4 and [3b]BF4. The complex mer-[RuCl(CH3CN)3(P-NCH2Ph-P)]BF4 ([2b]BF4) was isolated after refluxing the precursor [1b]BF4 in CH3CN. Isomerization of [2b]BF4 in CH3CN resulted in the formation of fac-[RuCl(CH3CN)3(P-NCH2Ph-P)]BF4. An attempt to isolate the fac-isomer by adding diethyl ether was unsuccessful, and the complex [3b]BF4 was observed as the major component. The complex [Ru2(µ-Cl3)(CH3CN)2(P-NCH2Ph-P)2]BF4 ([3b]BF4) proved to be very stable and can be obtained from both the mer- and the fac-isomers. The molecular structures of [1b]BF4 and [3b]BF4 were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Asunto(s)

Aminas/química , Complejos de Coordinación/química , Complejos de Coordinación/farmacología , Cimenos/química , Fosfinas/química , Rutenio/química , Neoplasias de la Mama Triple Negativas/patología , Antineoplásicos/química , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Teoría Funcional de la Densidad , Electroquímica , Células HeLa , Humanos

RESUMEN

Spontaneous tumors regression has been associated with microbial infection for 100s of years and inspired the use of bacteria for anticancer therapy. Dr. William B. Coley (1862-1936), a bone- sarcoma surgeon, was a pioneer in treating his patients with both live bacterial-based and mixture of heat-killed bacteria known as "Coley's toxins." Unfortunately, Coley was forced to stop his work which interrupted this field for about half a century. Currently, several species of bacteria are being developed against cancer. The bacterial species, their genetic background and their infectious behavior within the tumor microenvironment are thought to be relevant factors in determining their anti-tumor effectiveness in vivo. In this perspective article we will update the most promising results achieved using bacterial therapy (alone or combined with other strategies) in clinically-relevant animal models of cancer and critically discuss the impact of the bacterial variants, route of administration and mechanisms of bacteria-cancer-cell interaction. We will also discuss strategies to apply this information using modern mouse models, molecular biology, genetics and imaging for future bacterial therapy of cancer patients.

RESUMEN

In the search for new cytotoxic drugs, two copper complexes with isomeric dipeptides (Ala-Phe and Phe-Ala) were developed in order to determine the influence of their different structures in the modulation of the chemical, biochemical and biological properties. Spectroscopic, voltammetric and equilibrium studies were performed providing information about the chemical properties. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was studied and showed differences of IC50 for both Cu-Ala-Phe (IC50=4.5) and Cu-Phe-Ala (IC50=45). The computational results permitted to explain this behavior proposing that it is feasible that the O2- anion is attracted straight to the positive zone in Cu-Ala-Phe whereas for Cu-Phe-Ala this phenomenon would happen to a smaller extent. Confirming our previous studies, both complexes interacted with DNA. Molecular docking studies showed that the position of the phenyl ring modulates the complex-DNA affinity and in Cu-Ala-Phe the docked conformation allows the copper ion to face the DNA basis, giving rise to a more stable complex-DNA adduct than for Cu-Phe-Ala. In spite of the fact that Atomic Force Microscopy showed plasmid compactation and aggregation for both complexes, the image showed softer changes in the case of Cu-Ala-Phe in comparison with those produced by Cu-Phe-Ala. In order to evaluate the effect of Cu-Ala-Phe and Cu-Phe-Ala complexes against tumor cells, we have employed three aggressive metastatic breast adenocarcinoma cellular models, derived from human (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and mouse (4T1) spontaneous tumors. These experiments showed that both Cu-dipeptide complexes have a similar cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cells, and lower toxicity against BJ non-tumor cells in comparison to Cisplatin.

Asunto(s)

Antineoplásicos/síntesis química , Complejos de Coordinación/síntesis química , Cobre/química , ADN/química , Dipéptidos/química , Animales , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Cisplatino/farmacología , Complejos de Coordinación/farmacología , Femenino , Humanos , Concentración 50 Inhibidora , Isomerismo , Células MCF-7 , Ratones , Microscopía de Fuerza Atómica , Simulación del Acoplamiento Molecular , Plásmidos/química , Relación Estructura-Actividad , Superóxido Dismutasa/antagonistas & inhibidores , Superóxido Dismutasa/química , Superóxidos/química

RESUMEN

Bacterial plasmids are extensively used as cloning vectors for a number of genes for academic and commercial purposes. Moreover, attenuated bacteria carrying recombinant plasmids expressing genes with anti-tumor activity have shown promising therapeutic results in animal models of cancer. Equitable plasmid distribution between daughter cells during cell division, i.e., plasmid segregational stability, depends on many factors, including the plasmid copy number, its replication mechanism, the levels of recombinant gene expression, the type of bacterial host, and the metabolic burden associated with all these factors. Plasmid vectors usually code for antibiotic-resistant functions, and, in order to enrich the culture with bacteria containing plasmids, antibiotic selective pressure is commonly used to eliminate plasmid-free segregants from the growing population. However, administration of antibiotics can be inconvenient for many industrial and therapeutic applications. Extensive ongoing research is being carried out to develop stably-inherited plasmid vectors. Here, I present an easy and precise method for determining the kinetics of plasmid loss or maintenance for every ten generations of bacterial growth in culture.

Asunto(s)

Bacterias/genética , Plásmidos/genética , Bacterias/crecimiento & desarrollo , Dosificación de Gen , Inestabilidad Genómica

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Metastatic breast cancer is a major cause of death among women worldwide; therefore efficient therapeutic strategies are extremely needed. In this work we have developed a gene therapy- and bacteria-based combined neoadjuvant approach and evaluated its antitumor effect in a clinically relevant animal model of metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: 2×10(8) particles of a Semliki Forest virus vector expressing interleukin-12 (SFV-IL-12) and/or 2×10(7) units of an aroC (-) Samonella Typhimurium strain (LVR01) were injected into 4T1 tumor nodules orthotopically implanted in mice. Tumors were surgically resected and long-term survival was determined. IL-12 and interferon-γ were quantified by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay, bacteria was visualized by inmunohistochemistry and the number of lung metastasis was calculated with a clonogenic assay. RESULTS: SFV-IL-12 and LVR01 timely inoculated and followed by surgical resection of tumors succeeded in complete inhibition of lethal lung metastasis and long-term survival in 90% of treated mice. The combined therapy was markedly synergistic compared to each treatment alone, since SFV-IL-12 monotherapy showed a potent antiangiogenic effect, being able to inhibit tumor growth and extend survival, but could not prevent establishment of distant metastasis and death of tumor-excised animals. On the other hand, LVR01 alone also showed a significant, although limited, antitumor potential, despite its ability to invade breast cancer cells and induce granulocyte recruitment. The efficacy of the combined therapy depended on the order in which both factors were administered; inasmuch the therapeutic effect was only observed when SFV-IL-12 was administered previous to LVR01, whereas administration of LVR01 before SFV-IL-12 had negligible antitumor activity. Moreover, pre-treatment with LVR01 seemed to suppress SFV-IL-12 antiangiogenic effects associated to lower IL-12 expression in this group. Re-challenged mice were unable to reject a second 4T1 tumor; however 100% of them could be totally cured by applying the same neoadjuvant combined regimen. To our knowledge, these are the most encouraging results obtained to date in a post-operatory setting using the highly aggressive 4T1 animal model. CONCLUSIONS: SFV-IL-12-based gene therapy combined with Salmonella LVR01 neoadjuvant administration has a synergic antitumor effect and may be a promising therapeutic option to prevent and/or eradicate pre-operatory metastasis in locally advanced breast cancer.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias de la Mama/terapia , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Terapia Genética , Interleucina-12/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/terapia , Salmonella typhimurium/genética , Virus de los Bosques Semliki/genética , Animales , Neoplasias de la Mama/genética , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Terapia Combinada , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Vectores Genéticos , Inmunocompetencia , Inmunohistoquímica , Interferón gamma/sangre , Interleucina-12/sangre , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/secundario , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Terapia Neoadyuvante , Trasplante de Neoplasias , Fragmentos de Péptidos/sangre , Tasa de Supervivencia

RESUMEN

In the search for new compounds with antitumor activity, coordination complexes with different metals are being studied by our group. This work presents the synthesis and characterization of six copper complexes with general stoichiometry [Cu(L-dipeptide)(phen)]·nH2O (were phen=1,10-phenanthroline) and their cytotoxic activities against tumor cell lines. To characterize these systems, analytical and spectroscopic studies were performed in solid state (by UV-visible, IR, X-ray diffraction) including the crystal structure of four new complexes (of the six complexes studied): [Cu(Ala-Phe)(phen)]·4H2O, [Cu(Phe-Ala)(phen)]·4H2O, [Cu(Phe-Val)(phen)]·4.5H2O and [Cu(Phe-Phe)(phen)]·3H2O. In all of them, the copper ion is situated in a distorted squared pyramidal environment. The phen ligand is perpendicular to the dipeptide, therefore exposed and potentially available for interaction with biological molecules. In addition, for all the studied complexes, structural information in solution using EPR and UV-visible spectroscopies were obtained, showing that the coordination observed in solid state is maintained. The lipophilicity, DNA binding and albumin interaction were also studied. Biological experiments showed that all the complexes induce cell death in the cell lines: HeLa (human cervical adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (human metastatic breast adenocarcinoma) and A549 (human lung epithelial carcinoma). Among the six complexes, [Cu(Ala-Phe)(phen)] presents the lowest IC50 values. Taken together all these data we hypothesize that [Cu(Ala-Phe)(phen)] may be a good candidate for further studies in vivo.

Asunto(s)

Antineoplásicos/síntesis química , Complejos de Coordinación/síntesis química , Fenantrolinas/síntesis química , Albúminas/química , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Complejos de Coordinación/farmacología , Cobre/química , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Dipéptidos/química , Células HeLa , Humanos , Concentración 50 Inhibidora , Células MCF-7 , Modelos Moleculares , Conformación Molecular , Fenantrolinas/farmacología , Unión Proteica

RESUMEN

The design of efficient vectors for vaccine development and cancer gene therapy is an area of intensive research. Bacteria-based vectors are being investigated as optimal vehicles for antigen and therapeutic gene delivery to immune and tumour cells. Attenuated Salmonella strains have shown great potential as live vectors with broad applications in human and veterinary medicine. An impressively high, and still growing, number of reports published over the last two decades have demonstrated the effectiveness in animal models of Salmonella-based therapies for the prevention and treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as cancer. Further, the recent dramatic expansion in knowledge of genetics, biology and pathogenesis of the bacteria allows more rational design of Salmonella constructs tailored for specific applications. However, only few clinical trials have been conducted so far, and although they have conclusively demonstrated the safety of this system, the results on immunogenicity are less than optimal. Thus, more research particularly in target species is required to bring this system closer to human and veterinary use. In this review we first describe some particularities of the bacteria and its relationship with the host that could be on the basis of its success as vector, and then summarize the different strategies used so far to develop Salmonella-based vaccines for infectious diseases as well as for non-traditional indications such as prion and Alzheimer disease vaccination. Finally, we review the many different approaches that employ Salmonella for the design of new therapies for cancer.

Asunto(s)

Vacunas contra el Cáncer , Terapia Genética , Neoplasias/terapia , Salmonella/fisiología , Animales , Vectores Genéticos/genética , Humanos , Salmonella/genética