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The effect of Wnt pathway in head and neck cancer could not be elucidated, even though the aberrant Wnt signaling plays a key role in the development of many types of cancer. The inhibitor of β-catenin responsive transcription (ICRT-3) blocks the Wnt signaling pathway by binding to β-catenin, which is a coactivator of the Wnt signaling pathway and a promising agent for inhibiting aberrant signaling. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of ICRT-3 on the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, migration, and gene expressions in head and neck cancer stem cell (HNCSC) and hypopharynx cancer. The effect of this compound on cytotoxicity and cell viability in FaDu and HNCSC line was assessed by using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 method. The effect of ICRT-3 on apoptosis was detected by using Annexin V and caspase-3, caspase-9 kit, on cell cycle progression by cycle test plus DNA reagent kit, on gene expression by dual luciferase reporter assay, and on migration activity by wound healing assay in both cell lines. ICRT-3 was determined to have cytotoxic and apoptotic effect in both cell lines. In addition, it was also found that the administration of ICRT-3 caused cell cycle arrest and significant decrease in gene expression level and migration ability of the cells.

WOS: 000433285000006, PubMed ID: 29669510, Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in numerous biological processes, including epigenetic regulation, cell-cycle control, and transcriptional/translational regulation of gene expression. Differential expression of lncRNAs and disruption of the regulatory processes are recognized as critical steps in cancer development. The role of lncRNAs in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is not well understood. Here we analyzed the expression of 135 lncRNAs in plasma samples of 82 HBV patients (classified as chronic patients, inactive carriers, or resolved patients) at diagnosis and at 12 months of treatment in relation to control group (81 healthy volunteers). We also investigated the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of lincRNA-SFMBT2 on HBV-positive human liver cancer cell line. lncRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Chemically synthesized siRNAs were transfected into the cell lines using Lipofectamine 2000 Reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific). HBV DNA and HBsAg and HBeAg were detected in transfected cultures by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively, using commercial kits. We observed changes in lncRNA expression in all three HBV groups, compared to control group. Most notably, the expression of anti-NOS2A, lincRNA-SFMBT2, and Zfhx2as was significantly increased and expression of Y5 lncRNA was decreased in chronic HBV patients. A decreased Y5 expression and increased lincRNA-SFMBT2 expression were observed in inactive HBsAg carriers. The expression of HOTTIP, MEG9, and PCAT-32 was increased in resolved HBV patients, and no significant change in the expression of Y5 was observed, compared to control group. siRNA-mediated inhibition of lincRNA-SFMBT2 decreased the level of HBV DNA in human liver cancer cells. Further research is needed to confirm the prognostic as well as therapeutic role of these lncRNAs in HBV patients., TUBITAK (the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) grantTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [215S225], This work was supported by TUBITAK (the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) grant (Project No: 215S225).

WOS: 000425576500027, PubMed ID: 29309887, Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of AML that is a mixture of hematological malignancy, characterized by a specific translocation t(15;17). The using of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with arsenic trioxide (ATO) or chemotherapeutic agents or both of these agents, composes main treatment strategy of APL. While it is possible to achieve success in treatment of low-risk APL with current treatment regimens, such success is not mentioned in high-risk APL. So, it may develop new approaches for treatment regimens for high-risk APL. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of combinational of a classic anticancer agent paclitaxel and antidiabetic agent metformin on HL-60 APL cell line. The combination dose of paclitaxel and metformin was determined by WST-1 analysis. The effect of combinational dose on apoptosis was assessed in fluorescence microscope after using AnnexinV-EGFP Apoptosis and JC-1 Assay Kit. The effect of combinational dose on cell cycle, apoptosis and differentiation, and signaling pathways were determined investigating gene expression changes by using real time qRT-PCR. The combinational dose of paclitaxel and metformin was determined as 4.8 mu M and 398.7 mu M for 72 h, respectively. The combination dose significantly increased apoptosis for 48 h. In expression changes of genes associated cell cycle, apoptosis, cytokines, co-stimulator molecules, NF-kappa B and MAP/MAPK pathways, TLRs (Toll-like receptors) were found to be decreased or increased to provide apoptosis or differentiation. Consequently, we suggest that the combination of paclitaxel and metformin can be used as an option assessable for development of new treatment strategies for APL.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in a range of biological processes, such as cellular differentiation, migration, apoptosis, invasion, proliferation, and transcriptional regulation. The aberrant expression of lncRNAs plays a significant role in several cancer types. Aurora kinases are increasingly expressed in various malignancies; accordingly, the inhibition of these enzymes may represent a novel approach for the treatment of various cancers. CCT137690, an Aurora kinase inhibitor, displays an anti-proliferative activity in human cancer cell lines. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of CCT137690 on estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and ER-negative human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). In addition, this study was targeted toward determining the changes induced in lncRNA expression levels following the initiation of Aurora kinase inhibitor treatment. The cytotoxic effects of CCT137690 were determined by means of the xCELLigence system. Furthermore, the anti-proliferative role of CCT137690 in breast cancer was investigated by checking the changes in lncRNA expression profiles using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of CCT137690 were determined as 4.5 μM (MCF-7) and 7.27 μM (MDA-MB-231). Several oncogenic lncRNAs (e.g., PRINS, HOXA1AS, and NCRMS) were downregulated in both ER-negative and ER-positive cell lines. On the other hand, tumor suppressor lncRNAs (e.g., DGCR5 and IGF2AS) were upregulated in the ER-positive cell line. After CCT137690 treatment, HOXA11AS and PCAT-14 lncRNAs were downregulated in the ER-positive cell lines. In addition, MER11C, SCA8, BC200, HOTAIR, PCAT-1, UCA1, SOX2OT, and HULC lncRNAs were downregulated in the ER-negative cell lines. The results of the present study indicated that Aurora kinase inhibitor CCT137690 could be a potential anti-cancer agent for breast cancer treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment for the removal of target tissues involving the delivery of a photosensitizer agent followed by irradiation with visible light. In the present study, symmetric Zn(II) Pc 1 and asymmetrically substituted Zn(II) Pc 2 were synthesized and examined multifunctional agents for tumor nuclear imaging and PDT potential. The Zn(II) Pc 1 and Zn(II) Pc 2 were radiolabeled with 131 I with high efficiency (93.4 ± 1.6% and 91.4 ± 1.6%, respectively). The results of the biodistribution study showed that radiolabeled Zn(II) Pc 1 had high uptake on lung, large intestine, ovary and pancreas. However, the uptake of radiolabeled Zn(II) Pc 2 was statically significant in pancreas and intestine. In PDT studies, EMT6/P (mouse mammary cell) and HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma cell) with Zn(II) Pc 1 and Zn(II) Pc 2 were exposed to red light at the doses of 10–30 J/cm 2 . Although PDT activity of Zn(II) Pc 2 in HeLa cell line was determined, Zn(II) Pc 1 showed no phototoxic effect in both cell lines. In conclusion, radiolabeled Zn(II) Pc 1 might be a promising imaging agent for the lung, the ovary pancreas, and the colon tumors. However, radiolabeled Zn(II) Pc 2 might be a promising nuclear imaging agent for the colon and the pancreas tumors and promising PDT agent for cervical tumors.

Paclitaxel, which isolated from Taxus brevifolia, is recently started to be used against prostate cancer treatment and it is a very effective compound against cancer. In this study, we aimed to test the synergistic effect of two plant active compounds (sulphoraphane (SFN) and silymarin (SILY)) and several endemic plant species from Turkey (such as Phlomis leucophracta, Rubia davisiana, Alkanna tinctoria), which are known to have anticarcinogenic effect on androgen-independent PC3 and DU145, and androgen-dependent VCaP prostate cancer cell lines, with paclitaxel on the expression of cell cycle signaling and apoptosis regulator genes. Herbal substances and endemic herbal extracts were combined with Paclitaxel drug. IC50 doses were identified as real-time online. The most effective synergistic doses were determined according to isobologram analysis. The apoptotic effects of effective combined doses were evaluated by TUNEL, Annexin V, and JC-1 methods. Apoptotic and/or cell cycle arrest effects of confirmed combined doses on the expression of genes in these pathways were assessed by real-time online. Endemic plant extracts (Alkanna tinctoria, Phlomis leucophracta and Rubia davisiana, IC50 < 220 μg/ml) and herbal substances (SILY, and SFN IC50 < 130 μM) indicated antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in prostate cancer cell lines. They testified to the synergistic effect of paclitaxel with endemic plant extracts (Combination Index CI, ED50 < 0.41). The combinations, which indicate the synergistic effect was increased to the Bax/Bcl‑2 ratio by suppressing Bcl‑2 gene expression into the prostate cancer cell lines. Besides, they increased the expression of TNFRSF10A, TNFRSF1A, CHEK1, CDKN1A, CDKN2B, CDK8, CDKN3 and CASP14 and decreased BAD, CDK5RAP1, CDC20, cyclin H, CDK5RAP1, CDC20. The effective doses of paclitaxel were reduced and G2/M arrest was induced by the endemic plant extracts and herbal substances that indicate a synergistic effect with paclitaxel. By using different combination of herbal extracts or active substances with paclitaxel, more economical and efficient treatment strategies can be developed. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Novel octylthio-containing asymmetrically substituted Zn(II) phthalocyanine (Zn(II)Pc1) and a symmetric derivative (Zn(II)Pc2) have been prepared to investigate the biological potential and ability to photosensitize singlet oxygen for photodynamic therapy applications. In this study, the singlet oxygen generation potential and in vitro photodynamic activities of these compounds have been tested. Both ZnPcs reveal to be very efficient singlet oxygen generators and promising PSs for PDT applications. In vitro PDT activities of the compounds were evaluated in EMT-6 murine mammary carcinoma and HeLa human cervix carcinoma cell lines. Moreover, Zn(II)Pc1 displayed the phototoxic effects in the mammary cancer cell line (6.25 μm concentration at 30 J/cm(2) light dose and 12.5 μm concentration at 20 J/cm(2) light dose), while Zn(II)Pc2 did not show any phototoxic effects both in two cell lines. Zn(II)Pcs were radiolabeled with (131) I in high yields. Biodistribution studies revealed that the radiolabeled Zn(II)Pc1 showed significant uptake in l. intestine, pancreas, brain, and ovary, while Zn(II)Pc2 has significant uptake in ovary and pancreas in normal rats. Hence, these Pcs derivatives could be promising candidate for tumor nuclear imaging.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous group of hematopoietic malignancies. Magnet assisted transfection (MATRA) is one of the most effective non-viral transfection methods. We aimed to evaluate the apoptotic effect of resveratrol (RES), MDM2, RUNX3, RB gene expression exchanges and MicroRNA- 150 (miR-150) transfected with MATRA to HL-60 cells. MATRA was used as non-viral vector carrier for miR-150 transfection. IC50 dose of RES was determineted by Fahri et al. Resveratrol and miR-150 transfected cells were performed apoptosis and MDM2, RUNX3, RB gene expression assays in Human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. IC50 dose of RES was used as 5 ?M. in HL-60 cells, it was found that miR-150, miR150-Resveratrol combination, resveratrol alone induces apoptosis by 6.48, 6.93 and 4.54 fold, respectively, compared to the control cells. Compared to control cells, MDM2, RUNX3, RB, gene expressions decreased (miR-150) 1.7, 1.3 and 1.4 fold, (miR-150-resveratrol) MDM2 expression increased 2.73 fold, RUNX3 and RB expression decreased 6.1, 1.07 fold, respectively. Combination with resveratrol, MDM2, RB decreased 2.9 and 1.4 fold, respectively. Non-viral miR-150 transfection may be effective in leukemia cells, induction of apoptotic effects and gene expression changes, following treatment with resveratrol and miR-150-resveratrol combinations., Akut myeloid lösemi (AML), hematopoetik malignitelerin heterojen bir grubudur. “Magnet assisted transfection” (MATRA), non-viral transfeksiyon metodlarında oldukça etkilidir. Çalışmamızda; İnsan promiyelositik lösemi (HL-60) hücrelerine MATRA ile MicroRNA150 (miR-150) transfekte edilip; MDM2,RUNX3,RB gen ekspresyon değişimleri ve resveratrolün apoptotik etkisini değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. MATRA, miR-150 transfeksiyonu için non-viral taşıyıcı olarak kullanılmıştır. Hl-60 hücrelerinde Resveratrolün IC50 dozu, Fahri et al tarafından saptanmıştır. Resveratrol ve miR-150 ile transfekte edilmiş HL-60 hücrelerinde apoptoz ve MDM2, RUNX3, RB gen ekspresyon analizleri yapıldı. HL-60 hücrelerinde Resveratrolün IC50 dozu, 5 µM olarak saptandı. kontrol hücreleriyle karşılaştırıldığında; HL-60 hücrelerinde sırasıyla; miR-150, miR150-Resveratrol kombinasyonu, resveratrolün tek başına apoptozu 6.48, 6.93 ve 4.54 kat indüklediği tespit edilmiştir. Kontrol hücrelerine göre miR-150 tranfeksiyonu yapılanlarda MDM2, RUNX3, RB gen expresyonlarının sırasıyla 1.7, 1.3 ve 1.4 kat azaldığı; miR-150-resveratrol kombinasyonlarında ise MDM2 ekspresyonu 2.73 kat artmış; RUNX3 ve RB ekspresyonları sırasıyla; 6.1, 1.07 kat azalmıştır. Resveratrol ile kombinasyonda MDM2, RB sırasıyla 2.9 ve 1.4 kat azalmıştır. miR-150- resveratrol ve resveratrol kombinasyonları ile tedaviyi takiben gen ekspresyon değişimleri ve apoptotik etkiyi indüklemeleri; non-viral miR-150 transfeksiyonunun lösemi hücrelerinde etkili olabileceğini göstermektedir.

WOS: 000414115100021, PubMed ID: 28942039, BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are selective therapies for the patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Imatinib and ponatinib have remarkable long-term efficacy on a major molecular response. Although TKI related induction of cytotoxicity and apoptosis have been clearly investigated in molecular levels, their comparative effect on autophagy and miRNome are largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of alterations of miRNA expressions in CML progression, and how imatinib and ponatinib affect this process, by comparing CML, imatinib-resistant CML and leukemia stem cells (LSC). Cytotoxicity analysis was conducted by WST-1, apoptosis was evaluated by AnnexinV, autophagy was analyzed by Tb/GFP TR-FRET LC3B assay and changes in miRNomes were evaluated with microarray method. Ponatinib showed higher cytotoxicity and apoptosis at far fewer concentrations than imatinib. Both imatinib and ponatinib was able to trigger autophagy in imatinib-resistant K562ima3 cell line but not in LSC. We pointed that imatinib and ponatinib caused significant miRNA profile alterations, especially in the expressions of miR-214-pre, miR-218, miR-19a-5p, miR-19b-1-5p, miR-27b-pre, miR-23b-pre, miR-320e, miR-200a-pre, miR-508-3p, miR-33-pre and miR-766. This study is the first comparative miRNome analysis of CML, resistant CML and LSCs following the imatinib or ponatinib treatment and may guide to identify new markers for diagnosis, follow-up of the disease and to develop novel therapeutic strategies if supported by preclinical studies., Ege University Research Projects (APAK)Ege University [APAK 12-TIP-017], This study is supported by Ege University Research Projects (APAK) within the scope of the project numbered APAK 12-TIP-017.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women and metastasis is the cause of morbidity and mortality in patients. In the development of metastasis, the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family has a very important role in tumor development. MMP-2 and MMP-9 work together for extracellular matrix (ECM) cleavage to increase migration. Tomatine is a secondary metabolite that has a natural defense role against plants, fungi, viruses and bacteria that are synthesized from tomato. In addition, tomatine is also known that it breaks down the cell membrane and is a strong inhibitor in human cancer cells. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effect of tomatine on cytotoxicity, apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition in MCF-7 cell lines. Human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was used as a cell line. In MCF-7 cells, the IC50 dose of tomatine was determined to be 7.07μM. According to the control cells, apoptosis increased 3.4 fold in 48thh. Activation of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-9\NGAL has been shown to decrease significantly in cells treated with tomatine by gelatin zymography compared to the control. As a result, matrix metalloproteinase activity and cell proliferation were suppressed by tomatine and this may provide support in treatment methods.

Long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with various biological roles such as embryogenesis, stem cell biology, cellular development and present specific tissue expression profiles. Aberrant expression of lncRNAs are thought to play a critical role in the progression and development of various cancer types, including gliomas. Glioblastomas (GBM) are common and malignant primary brain tumours. Brain cancer stem cells (BCSC) are isolated from both low and high-grade tumours in adults and children, by cell fraction which express neuronal stem cell surface marker CD133. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of lncRNAs in brain tumour cells and determine its potential biological function. For this purpose, U118MG-U87MG; GBM stem cell series were used. Human parental brain cancer cells were included as the control group; the expressions of disease related human lncRNA profiles were studied by LightCycler 480 real-time PCR. Expression profiles of 83 lncRNA genes were analyzed for a significant dysregulation, compared to the control cells. Among lncRNAs, 51 lncRNA genes down-regulated, while 8 lncRNA genes were up-regulated. PCAT-1 (-2.36), MEG3 (-5.34), HOTAIR (-2.48) lncRNAs showed low expression in glioblastoma compared to the human (parental) brain cancer stem cells, indicating their role as tumour suppressor genes on gliomas. As a result, significant changes for anti-cancer gene expressions were detected with disease-related human lncRNA array plates. Identification of novel target genes may lead to promising developments in human brain cancer treatment.

Background and Objective: Pancreatic cancer is very common and difficult to diagnose in early stage. Imaging systems for diagnosing cancer have many disadvantages. However, combining different imaging modalities offers synergistic advantages. Optical imaging is the most multidirectional and widely used imaging modality in both clinical practice and research. Methods: In present study, Zinc(II) phthalocyanine [Zn(II)Pc] was synthesized, labeled with iodine- 131 and in vitro study was carried out. The intracellular uptake studies of radiolabeled Zn(II)Pc were performed in WI-38 [ATCC CCL-75™, tissue: human fibroblast lung] and MIA PaCa-2 [ATCC CRL-1420™, tissue: human epithelial pancreas carcinoma] cell lines. Results: The intracellular uptake efficiency of radiolabeled Zn(II)Pc in MIA PaCa-2 cells was determined two times higher than WI-38 cells. Also, fluorescence imaging (FI) efficiency of synthesized Zn(II)Pc was investigated in MIA PaCa-2 cells and significant uptake was observed. Conclusion: Zn(II)Pc might be used as a new agent for dual fluorescence/nuclear imaging for pancreatic cancer.