Insights Into the Role of Epigenetic Factors Determining the Estrogen Response in Estrogen-Positive Ovarian Cancer and Prospects of Combining Epi-Drugs With Endocrine Therapy.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. The population at the risk is continually on the rise due to the acquired drug resistance, high relapse rate, incomplete knowledge of the etiology, cross-talk with other gynecological malignancies, and diagnosis at an advanced stage. Most ovarian tumors are thought to arise in surface epithelium somehow in response to changes in the hormonal environment.

Promising Anticancer Activity of [Bis(1,8-quinolato)palladium (II)] Alone and in Combination.

Due to similar coordination chemistry of palladium and platinum, a large number of palladium compounds as well have been investigated for their anticancer activity. In the present study, we describe synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of palladium complex [Bis(1,8-quinolato)palladium (II)], coded as NH3 against seven different cancer cell lines. NH3 is found to have higher antitumor activity than cisplatin against both parent ovarian A2780 cell line and cisplatin-resistant cell lines.

Enhanced Accumulation of Cisplatin in Ovarian Cancer Cells from Combination with Wedelolactone and Resulting Inhibition of Multiple Epigenetic Drivers.

Purpose: Cisplatin resistance is a major concern in ovarian cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate if wedelolactone could perform better in resistant ovarian cancer cells when used in combination with cisplatin.

Methods: Growth inhibitory potential of wedelolactone and cisplatin was investigated through MTT reduction assay in ovarian cancer cell lines including A2780 (sensitive), A2780 (cisplatin resistant) and A2780 Resistance factor (RF) of drugs was determined in these three cell lines.

Synergistic Cytotoxic Effect from Combination of Wedelolactone and Cisplatin in HeLa Cell Line: A Novel Finding.

Context And Objective: Cisplatin is a platinum drug in current clinical use for the treatment of cervical cancer. However, drug toxicity and resistance are its two major limitations. The aim of this investigation was to test the cytotoxic activity of potential phytochemicals alone and in combination with cisplatin in cervical cancer cells.

Sequenced Combinations of Cisplatin and Selected Phytochemicals towards Overcoming Drug Resistance in Ovarian Tumour Models.

In the present study, cisplatin, artemisinin, and oleanolic acid were evaluated alone, and in combination, on human ovarian A2780, A2780, and A2780 cancer cell lines, with the aim of overcoming cisplatin resistance and side effects. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT reduction assay. Combination index (CI) values were used as a measure of combined drug effect.

Network-based computational approach to identify genetic links between cardiomyopathy and its risk factors.

Cardiomyopathy (CMP) is a group of myocardial diseases that progressively impair cardiac function. The mechanisms underlying CMP development are poorly understood, but lifestyle factors are clearly implicated as risk factors. This study aimed to identify molecular biomarkers involved in inflammatory CMP development and progression using a systems biology approach.

Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Models to Identify Pathways that Mediate Influences of Welding Fumes on Cancer Progression.

Welding generates and releases fumes that are hazardous to human health. Welding fumes (WFs) are a complex mix of metallic oxides, fluorides and silicates that can cause or exacerbate health problems in exposed individuals. In particular, WF inhalation over an extended period carries an increased risk of cancer, but how WFs may influence cancer behaviour or growth is unclear.

Prospects of Wedelolactone as a Chemotherapeutic Agent in Gynecological Cancers; Clue From its In Vitro and In Silico Investigation.

Background: Identification and development of new drug candidates to be used singly or in combination therapy is critical in anticancer research. In recent years, accumulating evidence encouraged us to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of a small and emerging phytochemical Wedelolactone (WDL) in estrogen-dependent and independent multiple gynecological tumor models.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the growth inhibitory effect of WDL on estrogen- dependent and independent gynecological cell lines and to explore its inhibitory potential towards key targets through in silico study.

Dose and Sequence Dependent Synergism from the Combination of Oxaliplatin with Emetine and Patulin Against Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, causing many deaths every year. Combined chemotherapy has opened a new horizon in treating colorectal cancer. The objective of the present study is to investigate the activity of oxaliplatin in combination with emetine and patulin against colorectal cancer models.

Machine learning and bioinformatics models to identify gene expression patterns of ovarian cancer associated with disease progression and mortality.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common cause of cancer death among women worldwide, so there is a pressing need to identify factors influencing OC mortality. Much OC patient clinical data is publicly accessible via the Broad Institute Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets which include patient age, cancer site, stage and subtype and patient survival, as well as OC gene transcription profiles. These allow studies correlating OC patient survival (and other clinical variables) with gene expression to identify new OC biomarkers to predict patient mortality.

Identification of molecular signatures and pathways to identify novel therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease: Insights from a systems biomedicine perspective.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. However, there are no peripheral biomarkers available that can detect AD onset. This study aimed to identify the molecular signatures in AD through an integrative analysis of blood gene expression data.

Discovering Biomarkers and Pathways Shared by Alzheimer's Disease and Ischemic Stroke to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets.

: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that results in severe dementia. Having ischemic strokes (IS) is one of the risk factors of the AD, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie IS and AD are not well understood. We thus aimed to identify common molecular biomarkers and pathways in IS and AD that can help predict the progression of these diseases and provide clues to important pathological mechanisms.

Genetic effects of welding fumes on the development of respiratory system diseases.

Background: The welding process releases potentially hazardous gases and fumes, mainly composed of metallic oxides, fluorides and silicates. Long term welding fume (WF) inhalation is a recognized health issue that carries a risk of developing chronic health problems, particularly respiratory system diseases (RSDs). Aside from general airway irritation, WF exposure may drive direct cellular responses in the respiratory system which increase risk of RSD, but these are not well understood.

Genetic effects of welding fumes on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Background: Welding involves exposure to fumes, gases and radiant energy that can be hazardous to human health. Welding fumes (WFs) comprise a complex mixture of metallic oxides, silicates and fluorides that may result in different health effects. Inhalation of WFs in large quantities over a long periods may pose a risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases (NDGDs), but the nature of this risk is poorly understood.

Polyphenols in Colorectal Cancer: Current State of Knowledge including Clinical Trials and Molecular Mechanism of Action.

Polyphenols have been reported to have wide spectrum of biological activities including major impact on initiation, promotion, and progression of cancer by modulating different signalling pathways. Colorectal cancer is the second most major cause of mortality and morbidity among females and the third among males. The objective of this review is to describe the activity of a variety of polyphenols in colorectal cancer in clinical trials, preclinical studies, and primary research.

Changes in the in vitro activity of platinum drugs when administered in two aliquots.

Background: The management of ovarian cancer remains a challenge. Because of the lack of early symptoms, it is often diagnosed at a late stage when it is likely to have metastasized beyond ovaries. Currently, platinum based chemotherapy is the primary treatment for the disease.

Synthesis of tris(quinoline)monochloroplatinum(II) Chloride and its Activity Alone and in Combination with Capsaicin and Curcumin in Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines.

Currently used platinum drugs fail to provide long-term cure for ovarian cancer mainly because of acquired drug resistance. With the idea that the difference may translate into an altered spectrum of activity, monofunctional planaramineplatinum(II) complex tris(quinoline)monochloro-platinum chloride (coded as LH5) was synthesized and investigated for its activity against human ovarian A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780 (A2780(cisR)) and ZD0473-resistnat A2780 (A2780(ZD0473R)) cancer cell lines alone and in combination with the phytochemicals capsaicin (Caps) and curcumin (Cur) as a function of concentration and sequence of administration. Cell viability was quantified using the MTT reduction assay, while combination was used as a quantitative measure of the combined drug action.

Combination of Genistein and Cisplatin with Two Designed Monofunctional Platinum Agents in Human Ovarian Tumour Models.

A great amount of research effort has been directed at platinum compounds that bind with DNA differently from cisplatin with the idea that the difference may translate into an altered spectrum of activity. Recently research has also been directed at applying combinations of platinum agents with tumour-active phytochemicals with the aim of providing a means of overcoming platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. Herein we report the synthesis of monofunctional platinum tris(3-hydroxypyridine)chloroplatinum(II) chloride (coded as LH1) and tris(imidazole)chloroplatinum(II) chloride (coded as LH2), and their activity alone and in combination with genistein and cisplatin against human ovarian A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780(cisR) and picoplatin-resistant A2780(ZD0473R) cancer cell lines.

Monofunctional Platinum-containing Pyridine-based Ligand Acts Synergistically in Combination with the Phytochemicals Curcumin and Quercetin in Human Ovarian Tumour Models.

With the idea that platinum compounds that bind with DNA differently than cisplatin may be better-able to overcome platinum resistance in ovarian tumor, the monofunctional platinum complex tris(imidazo(1,2-α)pyridine) chloroplatinum(II) chloride (coded as LH6) has been synthesized and investigated for its activity, alone and in combination with the phytochemicals curcumin and quercetin, against human ovarian A2780, A2780(cisR) and A2780(ZD0473R) cancer cell lines. LH6 is found to be more active than cisplatin against the resistant cell lines and its bolus combinations with curcumin and quercetin are found to produce more pronounced cell kill. Whereas platinum accumulation from cisplatin is found to increase almost linearly with time, that from LH6 reaches a maximum at 4 h and is somewhat lowered at 24 h.

Synthesis of a monofunctional platinum compound and its activity alone and in combination with phytochemicals in ovarian tumor models.

Currently used platinum drugs fail to provide long-term cure for ovarian cancer mainly because of acquired drug resistance. In this study, a new monofunctional planaramineplatinum(II) complex, namely tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)monochloroplatinum(II) chloride (coded as LH3), was synthesised and investigated for its activity against human ovarian A2780, cisplatin-resistant A2780 (A2780(cisR)) and ZD0473-resistant A2780 (A2780(ZD0473R)) cancer cell lines, alone and in combination with the phytochemicals curcumin, genistein and resveratrol. Cellular levels of glutathione in A2780 and A2780(cisR) cell lines before and after treatment with LH3 and its combinations with genistein and curcumin were also determined.

Synergism from combinations of tris(benzimidazole) monochloroplatinum(II) chloride with capsaicin, quercetin, curcumin and cisplatin in human ovarian cancer cell lines.

In the present study, synergism in activity from the sequenced combinations of monofunctional platinum tris(benzimidazole)monochloroplatinum(II) chloride (coded as LH4) with capsaicin, quercetin, curcumin and cisplatin was investigated as a function of sequence of administration in a number of human ovarian tumor models. Cellular accumulations of platinum and the levels of platinum-DNA binding were also determined for the 0/0 h and 4/0 sequences of administration. LH4 was found to be more active against the resistant A2780(cisR) and A2780(ZD0473R) cell lines than the parent A2780 cell line.

Synthesis and activity of three new trinuclear platinums with cis-geometry for terminal metal centres.

Background: As compared to cisplatin, trinuclear platinum compounds such as BBR3464 and DH6Cl have an altered spectrum of activity possibly because they form long-range adducts with DNA as against mainly intrastrand 1,2-bifunctional adducts formed by cisplatin and its analogues. Because of the labilizing effect associated with the trans-geometry, the compounds are expected to break down inside the cell thus serving to reduce the number of long-range adducts formed. In contrast, trinuclear platinum complexes with cis-geometry for the terminal metal centres would be less subject to such breakdown and hence may produce a greater number of long-range inter- and intrastrand adducts with the DNA.

Synthesis and antitumour activity of a new trinuclear platinum compound [{cis-PtCl(NH3)2μ {trans-Pt(3-hydroxypyridine)2H2N(CH2)5NH2)2}] Cl4 in human ovarian cancer cells.

A trinuclear platinum compound with a cis-geometry for the terminal metal centers coded as QH5 has been synthesized and investigated for activity against the human ovarian A2780, A2780(cisR) and A2780(ZD0473R) cancer cell lines. Cellular accumulation of platinum, level of platinum-DNA binding and nature of interaction of the compound with pBR322 plasmid DNA have also been determined. QH5 is found to be more active than cisplatin against all the three cell lines and to have much lower resistant factors than cisplatin.

Combinations of platinums and selected phytochemicals as a means of overcoming resistance in ovarian cancer.

Cancer sufferers are often found to use herbal products along with targeted therapy although not much information (whether beneficial or harmful) is available about the effects of such combinations. In this study, we investigated synergism from the combination of platinum drugs and a number of tumour-active phytochemicals including curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, thymoquinone, genistein, resveratrol, betulinic acid and ursolic acid in three human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780, A2780(cisR) and A2780(ZD0473R), as a function of concentration and the sequence of administration. Both the dose-effect curves and combination indices show that the binary combinations of platinum drugs with the phytochemicals exert concentration- and sequence-dependent synergism in the cell lines.

Carboplatin and oxaliplatin in sequenced combination with bortezomib in ovarian tumour models.

Background: Ovarian cancer remains an on-going challenge mainly due to the development of drug resistance and also because the cancer is likely to have metastasized at the time of diagnosis. Currently, chemotherapy based on platinum drugs such as cisplatin is the primary treatment for the disease. Copper transporter 1 is involved in the transport of cisplatin into the cell, but is also down-regulated by the drug.