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Nagendra Sastri Yarla,1 Gopal Pathuri,1,2 Hariprasad Gali,2 Simon Terzyan,3 Janani Panneerselvam,1 Parthasarathy Chandrakesan,4 Marcus Tullius Scotti,5 Courtney Houchen,4 Venkateshwar Madka,1 Chinthalapally V Rao1,6 1Center for Cancer Prevention and Drug Development, Hem-Onc Section, Department of Medicine, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; 2College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; 3Laboratory of Biomolecular Structure and Function; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; 4Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; 5Laboratory of Cheminformatics, Program of Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products (PgPNSB), Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil; 6VA Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USACorrespondence: Chinthalapally V Rao Tel +1 405-271-3224Email CV-Rao@ouhsc.eduBackground: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitors, have been explored for prevention and treatment of several inflammatory chronic conditions including arthritis, and cancer. However, the long-term use of these drugs is associated with gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular side effects. Later, COX/5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) dual inhibitors (eg, licofelone) have been developed but did not enter into the market from the clinical trails due to COX-1/2 inhibition-associated side effects. Hence, targeting microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and 5-LOX can be an ideal approach while sparing COX-1/2 activities for development of the next generation of anti-inflammatory drugs with better efficacy and safety.Materials and Methods: In silico (molecular modelling) studies were used to design a mPGES-1/5-LOX dual inhibitory and COX-1/2 sparing lead molecule licofelone analogue-9 (LFA-9) by modifying the pharmacophore of licofelone. In vitro cell-free enzymatic (mPGES-1, 5-LOX, COX-1/2) assays using fluorometric/colorimetric methods and cell-based assays (LPS-induced PGE2, LTB4, and PGI2 productions from macrophages) using ELISA technique, isothermal calorimetry, and circular dichroism techniques were performed to determine the mPGES-1/5-LOX inhibitory efficacy and selectivity. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of LFA-9 was evaluated using a carrageenan (inflammogen)-induced rat paw edema model. Infiltration/expression of CD68 immune cells and TNF-α in paw tissues were evaluated using confocal microscope and immunoblot analysis. Anti-cancer effect of LFA-9 was evaluated using colon spheroids in vitro.Results: LFA‐9 inhibited mPGES-1/5-LOX and their products PGE2 and LTB4, spared COX-1/2 and its product PGI2. LFA‐9 bound strongly with human mPGES‐1/5‐LOX enzymes and induced changes in their secondary structure, thereby inhibited their enzymatic activities. LFA-9 inhibited carrageenan-induced inflammation (70.4%) in rats and suppressed CD68 immune cell infiltration (P ≤ 0.0001) and TNF-α expression. LFA-9 suppressed colon tumor stemness (60.2%) in vitro through inhibition of PGE2 (82%) levels.Conclusion: Overall study results suggest that LFA-9 is a mPGES-1/5-LOX dual inhibitor and showed anti-inflammatory and colorectal cancer preventive activities, and warranted detailed studies.Keywords: mPGES-1/5-LOX dual inhibitor, LFA-9, drug design, anti-inflammatory agent, cancer chemoprevention

Abstract In the US, the majority of cancer samples analyzed are from white people, leading to biases in racial and ethnic treatment outcomes. Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates are high in Alabama African Americans (AAs) and Oklahoma American Indians (AIs). We hypothesized that differences between racial groups may partially explain these disparities. Thus, we compared transcriptomic profiles of CRCs of Alabama AAs, Oklahoma AIs, and white people from both states. Compared to CRCs of white people, CRCs of AAs showed (a) higher expression of cytokines and vesicle trafficking toward modulated antitumor-immune activity, and (b) lower expression of the ID1/BMP/SMAD axis, IL22RA1, APOBEC3, and Mucins; and AIs had (c) higher expression of PTGS2/COX2 (an NSAID target/pro-oncogenic inflammation) and splicing regulators, and (d) lower tumor suppressor activities (e.g., TOB2, PCGF2, BAP1). Therefore, targeting strategies designed for white CRC patients may be less effective for AAs/AIs. These findings illustrate needs to develop optimized interventions to overcome racial CRC disparities.

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most lethal genitourinary malignancies owing to its propensity for recurrence and poor survival. The biochemical pathway, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), has gained significance as a molecular pathway that promotes proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance. In this study, we explored the targeting of STAT3 with TTI-101 and SH5-07 in BCa and elucidated the mechanisms in three-dimensional (3D) spheroid and organoid models. We optimized the growth of spheroids from human, rat, and mouse BCa cell lines (J82, NBT-II, and MB49 respectively) and organoids from BBN (N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine)-induced rat bladder tumors. Cell viability was assessed using MTT and trypan blue assays. Intracellular ATP production, ROS production, and calcium AM (CA)/EtBr staining were used to measure the spheroid and organoid inhibition and mitochondrial function. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the pharmacodynamic markers involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and STAT3 signaling in BCa. We found that targeting STAT3 (using TTI-101 and SH5-07) significantly reduced the proliferation of BCa spheroids and organoids, which was accompanied by decreased expression of pSTAT3, Cyclin D1, and PCNA. Our data also demonstrated that treatment with STAT3 inhibitors induced ROS production and cell death in BCa spheroids and organoids. STAT3 inhibition-induced cell death was associated with the activation of caspase 3/7 and PARP cleavage. Moreover, TTI-101 and SH5-07 target cancer stem cells by downregulating the expression of CD44 and CD133 in 3D models. This study provides the first evidence for the prevention of BCa with small-molecule inhibitors TTI-101 and SH5-07 via suppression of CSCs and STAT3 signaling.

Ubiquitin-binding associated protein 2 (UBAP2) is reported to promote macropinocytosis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) growth, however, its role in normal pancreatic function remains unknown. We addressed this knowledge gap by generating UBAP2 knockout (U2KO) mice under a pancreas-specific Cre recombinase (Pdx1-Cre). Pancreatic architecture remained intact in U2KO animals, but they demonstrated slight glucose intolerance compared to controls. Upon cerulein challenge to induce pancreatitis, U2KO animals had reduced levels of several pancreatitis-relevant cytokines, amylase and lipase in the serum, reduced tissue damage, and lessened neutrophil infiltration into the pancreatic tissue. Mechanistically, cerulein-challenged U2KO animals revealed reduced NF-κB activation compared to controls. In vitro promoter binding studies confirmed the reduction of NF-κB binding to its target molecules supporting UBAP2 as a new regulator of inflammation in pancreatitis and may be exploited as a therapeutic target in future to inhibit pancreatitis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Inflammation and obesity are two major factors that promote Colorectal cancer (CRC). Our recent data suggests that interleukin (IL)-23, is significantly elevated in CRC tumors and correlates with patient obesity, tumor grade and survival. Thus, we hypothesize that obesity and CRC may be linked via inflammation and IL-23 may be a potential target for intervention in high-risk patients. TCGA dataset and patient sera were evaluated for IL-23A levels. IL-23A [IL-23 p19 -/- ] knockout (KO) mice were crossed to Apc min/+ mice and progeny were fed low-fat or high-fat diets. At termination intestines were evaluated for tumorigenesis. Tumors, serum, and fecal contents were analyzed for protein biomarkers, cytokines, and microbiome profile respectively. IL-23A levels are elevated in the sera of patients with obesity and colon tumors. Genetic ablation of IL-23A significantly suppressed colonic tumor multiplicity (76-96 %) and incidence (72-95 %) in male and female mice. Similarly, small-intestinal tumor multiplicity and size were also significantly reduced in IL-23A KO mice. IL-23A knockdown in Apc min/+ mice fed high-fat diet, also resulted in significant suppression of colonic (50-58 %) and SI (41-48 %) tumor multiplicity. Cytokine profiling showed reduction in several circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines including loss of IL-23A. Biomarker analysis suggested reduced tumor cell proliferation and immune modulation with an increase in tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the IL-23A KO mice compared to controls. Fecal microbiome analysis revealed potentially beneficial changes in the bacterial population profile. In summary, our data indicates a tumor promoting role for IL-23 in CRC including diet-induced obesity. With several IL-23 targeted therapies in clinical trials, there is a great potential for targeting this cytokine for CRC prevention and therapy., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are promising colorectal cancer (CRC) chemopreventive drugs; however, to overcome NSAIDs' associated side effects, there is a need to develop safer and efficacious approaches. The present study was designed to evaluate (i) the efficacy of nitric-oxide releasing (NO)-Sulindac as compared to Sulindac; (ii) whether NO-Sulindac is superior to Sulindac in enhancing low-dose difluoromethylornithine (DFMO)-induced chemopreventive efficacy, and (iii) assessing the key biomarkers associated with colon tumor inhibition by these combinations. In F344 rats, colonic tumors were induced by azoxymethane (AOM). At the adenoma stage (13 weeks post AOM), groups of rats were fed the experimental diets containing 0 ppm, 500 ppm DFMO, 150 ppm Sulindac, and 200 ppm NO-Sulindac, individually or in combinations, for 36 weeks. Colon tumors were evaluated histopathologically and assayed for expression levels of proliferative, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers. Results suggest that (except for NO-Sulindac alone), DFMO, Sulindac individually, and DFMO combined with Sulindac or NO-Sulindac significantly suppressed AOM-induced adenocarcinoma incidence and multiplicities. DFMO and Sulindac suppressed adenocarcinoma multiplicity by 63% ( p < 0.0001) and 51% ( p < 0.0011), respectively, whereas NO-Sulindac had a modest effect (22.8%, p = 0.09). Combinations of DFMO plus Sulindac or NO-Sulindac suppressed adenocarcinoma incidence (60%, p < 0.0001; 50% p < 0.0004), and multiplicity (81%, p < 0.0001; 62%, p < 0.0001). Rats that were fed the combination of DFMO plus Sulindac showed significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. In addition, enhancement of p21, Bax, and caspases; downregulation of Ki-67, VEGF, and β-catenin; and modulation of iNOS, COX-2, and ODC activities in colonic tumors were observed. These observations show that a lower-dose of DFMO and Sulindac significantly enhanced CRC chemopreventive efficacy when compared to NO-Sulindac alone, and the combination of DFMO and NO-Sulindac was modestly efficacious as compared to DFMO alone.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rising globally. Hence, preventing this disease is a high priority. With this aim, we determined the CRC prevention potential of the TRAIL-inducing small molecule ONC201/TIC10 using a preclinical model representing high-risk familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients, Apc min/+ mice. Prior to the efficacy study, optimal and non-toxic doses of ONC201 were determined by testing five different doses of ONC201 (0-100 mg/kg body weight (BW); twice weekly by oral gavage) in C57BL/6J mice ( n =6/group) for 6 weeks. BW gain, organ weights and histopathology, blood profiling, and the plasma liver enzyme profile suggested no toxicities of ONC201 at doses up to 100 mg/kg BW. For efficacy determination, beginning at six weeks of age, groups of Apc min/+ male and female mice ( n ≥20) treated with colon carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) (AOM- Apc min/+ ) were administered ONC201 (0, 25, and 50 mg/kg BW) as above up to 20 weeks of age. At termination, efficacy was determined by comparing the incidence and multiplicity of intestinal tumors between vehicle- and drug-treated groups. ONC201 showed a strong suppressive effect against the development of both large and small intestinal tumors in male and female mice. Apc min/+ mice treated with ONC201 (50 mg/kg BW) showed >50% less colonic tumor incidence ( P <0.0002) than controls. Colonic tumor multiplicity was also significantly reduced by 68% in male mice (0.44 ± 0.11 in treated vs. 1.4 ± 0.14 in controls; P <0.0001) and by 75% in female mice (0.30 ± 0.10 in treated vs. 1.19 ± 0.19 in controls; P <0.0003) with ONC201 treatment (50 mg/kg BW). Small intestinal polyps were reduced by 68% in male mice (11.40 ± 1.19 in treated vs. 36.08 ± 2.62 in controls; P <0.0001) and female mice (9.65 ± 1.15 in treated vs. 29.24 ± 2.51 in controls; P <0.0001). Molecular analysis of the tumors suggested an increase in TRAIL, DR5, cleaved caspases 3/7/8, Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), and p21 (WAF1) in response to drug treatment. Serum analysis indicated a decrease in pro-inflammatory serum biomarkers, such as IL1β, IL6, TNFα, G-CSF, and GM-CSF, in the ONC201-treated mice compared with controls. Our data demonstrated excellent chemopreventive potential of orally administered ONC201 against intestinal tumorigenesis in the AOM- Apc min/+ mouse model., Competing Interests: W.S.E-D. is a co-founder of Oncoceutics, Inc., a subsidiary of Chimerix. Dr. El-Deiry has disclosed his relationship with Oncoceutics and potential conflict of interest to his academic institution/employer and is fully compliant with NIH and institutional policy that is managing this potential conflict of interest. Other authors have no potential conflicts of interest., (AJCR Copyright © 2022.)

Indian gooseberry ( Emblica officinalis Gaertn or Phyllanthus emblica Linn ; family Phyllanthaceae) has a recognized history in Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda). Various therapeutic properties have been attributed to gooseberry as a dietary supplement. Many parts of the plant (fruits, seed, leaves, root, bark, and flowers) possess various activities and are used to treat a range of diseases. This review focuses on the evidence for the cancer-preventive properties of gooseberry, its extracts, and its principal phytochemicals based on studies In Vitro and In Vivo. Most importantly, in multiple rodent models of cancer, treatment with P. emblica was found to prevent tumor incidence, number, and volume at various organ sites. The mechanism(s) implicated in gooseberry-mediated cancer inhibition are diverse and include antioxidants, Phase I and II enzyme modifications, anti-inflammatory action, regulation of the cell cycle, and modulation of oncogenic signaling genes. Studies in humans also indicate that P. emblica can offer various health benefits and synergize with other treatments. This review provides detailed information on the potential use of gooseberry extract as an anticarcinogenic in humans, illuminates the therapeutic applications, and discusses clinical trials.

Background: Triglycerides (TG) are one of the major constituents of body fat and energy reservoir, which consist of an ester derived from glycerol and three free fatty acids. TG lipase, monoacylglycerol lipase, fatty acid synthase, and HMG-CoA reductase are some of the key enzymes related to TG metabolism, and their roles in colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation and progression are under investigation., Methods: The literature search was performed based on various published papers, mostly on triglyceride metabolism relevant to CRC in PubMed, Google Scholar and other search engines. The gene expression profiling of some of the TG metabolic pathway mediators was performed by transcriptomic and/or proteomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using R program and cBioportal software., Results and Discussion: Accumulating pieces of evidence suggest that TG profiling may be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of CRC. Dysregulation of TG metabolism is associated with the initiation and progression of CRC. Most of the TG anabolic pathway mediators are overexpressed and/or overactivated during CRC tumorigenesis, while most TG catabolic pathway mediators are downregulated and/or inactivated based on literature search and correlated with TCGA data. Metabolic enzymes of TG and FAs metabolic pathways are involved in CRC tumor growth survival and metastasis., Conclusion: Overall studies from the previous literature and our TCGA data analysis demonstrated that the area of research on TG-associated lipid metabolic pathways holds great promise and warranted detailed investigations in this area for the implementation of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies against CRC., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Colorectal cancer causes over 53,000 deaths annually in the United States. Its rising incidences worldwide and particularly in young adults is a major concern. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of omeprazole that is clinically approved for treating acid reflux, to enable its repurposing for colorectal cancer prevention. In the azoxymethane-induced rat colorectal cancer model, dietary omeprazole (250 and 500 ppm) was administered at early adenoma stage (8 weeks after azoxymethane) to assess the progression of early lesions to adenocarcinoma. Administration of omeprazole at 250 or 500 ppm doses led to suppression of total colon adenocarcinoma incidence by 15.7% and 32% ( P < 0.01), respectively. Importantly, invasive carcinoma incidence was reduced by 59% ( P < 0.0005) and 90% ( P < 0.0001) in omeprazole-administered rats in a dose-dependent manner. There was also a strong and dose-dependent inhibition in the adenocarcinoma multiplicity in rats exposed to omeprazole. Administration of 250 and 500 ppm omeprazole inhibited total colon adenocarcinoma multiplicity by approximately 49% and approximately 65% ( P < 0.0001), respectively. While noninvasive adenocarcinomas multiplicity was suppressed by approximately 34% to approximately 48% ( P < 0.02), the invasive carcinomas multiplicity was reduced by approximately 74% to approximately 94% ( P < 0.0001) in omeprazole-exposed rats in comparison with the untreated rats. Biomarker analysis results showed a decrease in cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic/pro-survival proteins with an increase in apoptosis. Transcriptome analysis of treated tumors revealed a significant increase in adenocarcinoma inhibitory genes (Olmf4; Spink4) expression and downregulation of progression promoting genes (SerpinA1, MMP21, IL6). In summary, omeprazole showed significant protection against the progression of adenoma to adenocarcinoma. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: Preventing colon cancer is urgently needed because of its high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Toward this end, preventive efficacy of omeprazole, a common medication, was evaluated in animal model of colorectal cancer and was found to suppress colonic adenoma progression to carcinoma. These findings warrant its further evaluation in humans., (©2021 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Obesity-associated chronic inflammation predisposes colon cancer risk development. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a potential inflammatory mediator linking obesity to chronic colonic inflammation, altered gut microbiome, and colon carcinogenesis. We aimed to elucidate the role of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and gut bacterial toxins in priming dendritic cells and macrophages for IL-23 secretion to promote colon tumor progression. To investigate the association of IL-23 with obesity and colon tumorigenesis, we utilized TCGA data set and colonic tumors from humans and preclinical models. To understand IL-23 production by inflammatory mediators and gut microbial toxins, we performed several in vitro mechanistic studies to mimic the tumor microenvironment. Colonic tumors were utilized to perform the ex vivo experiments. Our findings showed that IL-23 is elevated in obese individuals, colonic tumors and correlated with reduced disease-free survival. In vitro studies showed that IL-23 treatment increased the colon tumor cell self-renewal, migration, and invasion while disrupting epithelial barrier permeability. Co-culture experiments of educated dendritic cells/macrophages with colon cancer cells significantly increased the tumor aggression by increasing the secretory levels of IL-23, and these observations are further supported by ex vivo rat colonic tumor organotypic experiments. Our results demonstrate gut microbe toxins and eicosanoids facilitate IL-23 production, which plays an important role in obesity-associated colonic tumor progression. This newly identified nexus represents a potential target for the prevention and treatment of obesity-associated colon cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. The present study investigated the effects of naproxen (NSAID) on lung adenocarcinoma in spontaneous lung cancer mouse model. Six-week-old transgenic Kras G12V mice (n = 20; male + female) were fed modified AIN-76A diets containing naproxen (0/400 ppm) for 30 wk and euthanized at 36 wk of age. Lungs were evaluated for tumor incidence, multiplicity, and histopathological stage (adenoma and adenocarcinoma). Lung tumors were noticeable as early as 12 wk of age exclusively in the Kras G12V mice. By 36 wk age, 100% of Kras G12V mice on control diet developed lung tumors, mostly adenocarcinomas. Kras G12V mice fed control diet developed 19.8 ± 0.96 (Mean ± SEM) lung tumors (2.5 ± 0.3 adenoma, 17.3 ± 0.7 adenocarcinoma). Administration of naproxen (400 ppm) inhibited lung tumor multiplicity by ∼52% (9.4 ± 0.85; P < 0001) and adenocarcinoma by ∼64% (6.1 ± 0.6; P < 0001), compared with control-diet-fed mice. However, no significant difference was observed in the number of adenomas in either diet, suggesting that naproxen was more effective in inhibiting tumor progression to adenocarcinoma. Biomarker analysis showed significantly reduced inflammation (COX-2, IL-10), reduced tumor cell proliferation (PCNA, cyclin D1), and increased apoptosis (p21, caspase-3) in the lung tumors exposed to naproxen. Decreased serum levels of PGE 2 and CXCR4 were observed in naproxen diet fed Kras G12V mice. Gene expression analysis of tumors revealed a significant increase in cytokine modulated genes (H2-Aa, H2-Ab1, Clu), which known to further modulate the cytokine signaling pathways. Overall, the results suggest a chemopreventive role of naproxen in inhibiting spontaneous lung adenocarcinoma formation in Kras G12V mice., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. The initiation and progression of CRC is a multi-step process that proceeds via precursor lesions to carcinoma, with each stage characterized by its distinct molecular and tissue microenvironment changes. Precursor lesions of CRC, aberrant crypt foci, and adenoma exhibit drastic changes in genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles compared to normal tissue. The identification of these changes is essential and provides further validation as an initiator or promoter of CRC and, more so, as lesion-specific druggable molecular targets for the precision chemoprevention of CRC. Mutated/dysregulated signaling ( adenomatous polyposis coli , β-catenin, epidermal growth factor receptor, V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog ( KRAS ), tumor protein53 , Akt, etc.), inflammatory (cyclooxygenase-2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and other pro-inflammatory mediators), and metabolic/growth factor (fatty acid synthase, β-Hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, and ornithine decarboxylase) related targets are some of the well-characterized molecular targets in the precision chemoprevention of CRC. In this review, we discuss precursor-lesion specific targets of CRC and the current status of pre-clinical studies regarding clinical interventions and combinations for better efficacy and safety toward future precision clinical chemoprevention. In addition, we provide a brief discussion on the usefulness of secondary precision chemopreventive targets for tertiary precision chemoprevention to improve the disease-free and overall survival of advanced stage CRC patients.

Recent observational studies suggest that bisphosphonates (BP) and antidiabetic drugs are associated with colorectal cancer risk reduction. Hence, we evaluated the colorectal cancer preventive effects of BPs (zometa and fosamax), individually and when combined with metformin, in azoxymethane-induced rat colon cancer model. Rat (30/group) were randomized and treated subcutaneously with azoxymethane to induce colorectal cancer. Dietary intervention with zometa or fosamax (0, 20, or 100 ppm) or metformin (1,000 ppm) or the combinations (zometa/fosamax 20 ppm plus metformin 1,000 ppm) began 4 weeks after azoxymethane treatment, at premalignant lesions stage. Rats were killed 40 weeks post drug intervention to assess colorectal cancer preventive efficacy. Dietary zometa (20 ppm) inhibited noninvasive adenocarcinomas multiplicity by 37% ( P < 0.03) when compared with control diet fed group. Fosamax at 20 ppm and 100 ppm significantly reduced adenocarcinoma incidence ( P < 0.005) and inhibited the noninvasive adenocarcinoma multiplicities by 43.8% ( P < 0.009) and 60.8% ( P < 0.004), respectively, compared with the group fed control diet. At 1,000 ppm dose, metformin failed to suppress colon adenocarcinoma formation. However, the lower dose combinations of zometa or fosamax with metformin resulted in significant inhibition of noninvasive adenocarcinoma by 48% ( P < 0.006) and 64% ( P < 0.0002), and invasive adenocarcinoma by 49% ( P < 0.0005) and 38% ( P < 0.006), respectively. Biomarker analysis of combination drug-treated tumors showed a decrease in cell proliferation with increased apoptosis when compared with untreated tumors. Overall, our results suggest that the combination of low doses of zometa or fosamax with metformin showed synergistic effect and significantly inhibited colon adenocarcinoma incidence and multiplicity., (©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Chronic use of aspirin and related drugs to reduce cancer risk is limited by unwanted side effects. Thus, we assessed the efficacy associated with different dosing regimens of aspirin and naproxen. Azoxymethane (AOM)-rat colon cancer model was used to establish the pharmacodynamic efficacy of aspirin and naproxen under different dosing regimens. Colon tumors were induced in rats (36/group) by two weekly doses of AOM. At the early adenoma stage, rats were fed diets containing aspirin (700 and 1,400 ppm) or naproxen (200 and 400 ppm), either continuously, 1 week on/1 week off, or 3 weeks on/3 weeks off, or aspirin (2,800 ppm) 3 weeks on/3 weeks off. All rats were euthanized 48 weeks after AOM treatment and assessed for efficacy and biomarkers in tumor tissues. Administration of aspirin and naproxen produced no overt toxicities. Administration of different treatment regimens of both agents had significant inhibitory effects with clear dose-response effects. Aspirin suppressed colon adenocarcinoma multiplicity (both invasive and noninvasive) by 41% ( P < 0.003) to 72% ( P < 0.0001) and invasive colon adenocarcinomas by 67%-91% ( P < 0.0001), depending on the treatment regimen. Naproxen doses of 200 and 400 ppm inhibited invasive adenocarcinoma multiplicity by 53%-88% ( P < 0.0001), depending on the dosing regimen. Colonic tumor biomarker analysis revealed that proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p21), apoptosis (p53 and Caspase-3), and proinflammatory mediators (IL1β and prostaglandin E 2 ) were significantly correlated with the tumor inhibitory effects of aspirin and naproxen. Overall, our results suggest that intermittent dosing regimens with aspirin or naproxen demonstrated significant efficacy on the progression of adenomas to adenocarcinomas, without gastrointestinal toxicities., (©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Gastrin signaling mediated through cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R) and its downstream molecules is altered in pancreatic cancer. CCK2R antagonists, YF476 (netazepide) and JNJ-26070109, were tested systematically for their effect on pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) progression to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in Kras G12D mice. After dose selection using wild-type mice, six-week-old p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D (22-24 per group) genetically engineered mice (GEM) were fed AIN-76A diets containing 0, 250, or 500 ppm JNJ-26070109 or YF-476 for 38 weeks. At termination, pancreata were collected, weighed, and evaluated for PanINs and PDAC. Results demonstrated that control-diet-fed mice showed 69% (males) and 33% (females) incidence of PDAC. Administration of low and high dose JNJ-26070109 inhibited the incidence of PDAC by 88% and 71% (P < .004) in male mice and by 100% and 24% (P > .05) in female mice, respectively. Low and high dose YF476 inhibited the incidence of PDAC by 74% (P < .02) and 69% (P < .02) in male mice and by 45% and 33% (P > .05) in female mice, respectively. Further, transcriptome analysis showed downregulation of Cldn1, Sstr1, Apod, Gkn1, Siglech, Cyp2c44, Bnc1, Fmo2, 623169, Kcne4, Slc27a6, Cma1, Rho GTPase activating protein 18, and Gpr85 genes in JNJ-26070109-treated mice compared with untreated mice. YF476-treated mouse pancreas showed downregulation of Riks, Zpbp, Ntf3, Lrrn4, Aass, Skint3, Kcnb1, Dgkb, Ddx60, and Aspn gene expressions compared with untreated mouse pancreas. Overall, JNJ-26070109 showed better chemopreventive efficacy than YF476. However, caution is recommended when selecting doses, as the agents appeared to exhibit gender-specific effects., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Substantial efforts are underway for prevention of early stages or recurrence of colorectal cancers (CRC) or new polyp formation by chemoprevention strategies. Several epidemiological, clinical and preclinical studies to date have supported the chemopreventive potentials of several targeted drug classes including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (aspirin, naproxen, sulindac, celecoxib, and licofelone), statins and other natural agents-both individually, and in combinations. Most preclinical trials although were efficacious, only few agents entered clinical trials and have been proven to be potential chemopreventive agents for colon cancer. However, there are limitations for these agents that hinder their approval by the food and drug administration for chemoprevention use in high-risk individuals and in patients with early stages of CRC. In this review, we update the recent advancement in pre-clinical and clinical development of selected anti-inflammatory agents (aspirin, naproxen, sulindac, celecoxib, and licofelone) and their combinations for further development as novel colon cancer chemopreventive drugs. We provide further new perspectives from this old research, and insights into precision medicine strategies to overcome unwanted side-effects and overcoming strategies for colon cancer chemoprevention.

Development of cancer chemoprevention compounds requires enhanced consideration for toxicity and route of administration because the target population is healthy. The small molecule drug, SHetA2 (NSC 726189), exhibited in vivo chemoprevention activity and lack of toxicity when administered by oral gavage. Our objective was to determine if a dietary formulation of SHetA2 could achieve effective tissue drug levels without toxicity. C57bl/6 J mice were monitored on modified American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)76A diet mixed with SHetA2 in a 3:1 ratio with Kolliphor HS15, a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) to deliver 37.5, 62.5, 125, 187 or 250 mg SHetA2/kg/day. Blood and tissues were evaluated after 1, 3 and 6 weeks. The 187 mg/kg/day dose was identified as optimal based on achievement of maximum blood and tissue drug levels in the effective micromolar range without evidence of toxicity. The 250 mg/kg/day group exhibited lower drug levels and the highest intestinal drug content suggesting that an upper limit of intestinal absorption had been surpassed. Only this highest dose resulted in liver and kidney function tests that were outside of the normal range, and significant reduction of cyclin D1 protein in normal cervical tissue. SHetA2 reduced cyclin D1 to greater extents in cancer compared to non-cancer cell cultures. Given this differential effect, optimal chemoprevention without toxicity would be expected to occur at doses that reduced cyclin D1 in neoplastic, but not in normal tissues. These findings support further development of SHetA2 as a chemoprevention agent and potential food additive.

Background: The incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) is rising in parallel with the deaths caused by this malignant disease largely due to limited improvement in current treatment strategies. In spite of aggressive PC research, for the past three decades, there has been no significant improvement in the five-year survival for this cancer. Like many other cancers, it takes several years for normal pancreatic cells to transform into pancreatic precursor lesions and to further progress into invasive carcinoma. Hence there is a scope for the development of chemo-preventive strategies to inhibit/ delay/prevent progression of this disease into an advanced stage cancer., Objective: Chemoprevention of pancreatic cancer., Method: Review of published literature., Results and Conclusion: Availability of various genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of PC has led to accelerated progress in understanding the disease and developing intervention strategies otherwise stalled for a long time. These GEM models spontaneously develop PC in a stepwise manner and mimic the disease etiology in humans. Understanding PC development from initiation to progression to metastasis is very important for early detection and prevention of PC. In this review, we focus on the current situation, the potential challenges, the progress in existing strategies and available opportunities as well as suggest key areas for research within the increasingly important area of pancreatic cancer chemoprevention., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an almost uniformly lethal disease with inflammation playing an important role in its progression. Sustained stimulation of purinergic receptor P2X7 drives induction of NLRP inflammasome activation. To understand the role of P2X7 receptor and inflammasome, we performed transcriptomic analysis of p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice pancreatic tumors by next generation sequencing. Results showed that P2X7R's key inflammasome components, IL-1β and caspase-1 are highly expressed ( p < 0.05) in pancreatic tumors. Hence, to target P2X7R, we tested effects of two P2X7R antagonists, A438079 and AZ10606120, on pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms (PanINs) and their progression to PC in p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice. Following dose optimization studies, for chemoprevention efficacy, six-week-old p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice (24-36/group) were fed modified AIN-76A diets containing 0, 50 or 100 ppm A438079 and AZ10606120 for 38 weeks. Pancreata were collected, weighed, and evaluated for PanINs and PDAC. Control diet-fed male mice showed 50% PDAC incidence. Dietary A438079 and AZ10606120 showed 60% PDAC incidence. A marginal increase of PanIN 3 (carcinoma in-situ ) was observed in drug-treated mice. Importantly, the carcinoma spread in untreated mice was 24% compared to 43-53% in treatment groups. Reduced survival rates were observed in mice exposed to P2X7R inhibitors. Both drugs showed a decrease in caspase-3, caspase-1, p21 and Cdc25c. Dietary A438079 showed modest inhibition of P2X7R, NLRP3, and IL-33, whereas AZ10606120 had no effects. In summary, targeting the P2X7R pathway by A438079 and AZ10606120 failed to show chemopreventive effects against PC and slightly enhanced PanIN progression to PDAC. Hence, caution is needed while treating high-risk individuals with P2X7R inhibitors., Competing Interests: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No potential conflicts of interest.

Epidemiological and laboratory data support the protective effects of bioactive nutrients in our diets for various diseases. Along with various factors, such as genetic history, alcohol, smoking, exercise, and dietary choices play a vital role in affecting an individual's immune responses toward a transforming cell, by either preventing or accelerating a neoplastic transformation. Ample evidence suggests that dietary nutrients control the inflammatory and protumorigenic responses in immune cells. Immunoprevention is usually associated with the modulation of immune responses that help in resolving the inflammation, thus improving clinical outcome. Various metabolic pathway-related nutrients, including glutamine, arginine, vitamins, minerals, and long-chain fatty acids, are important components of immunonutrient mixes. Epidemiological studies related to these substances have reported different results, with no or minimal effects. However, several studies suggest that these nutrients may have immune-modulating effects that may lower cancer risk. Preclinical studies submit that most of these components may provide beneficial effects. The present review discusses the available data, the immune-modulating functions of these nutrients, and how these substances could be used to study immune modulation in a neoplastic environment. Further research will help to determine whether the mechanistic signaling pathways in immune cells altered by nutrients can be exploited for cancer prevention and treatment., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Targeting complementary pathways will achieve better treatment efficacy than a single agent high-dose strategy that could increase risk of side effects and tumor resistance. To target COX-2, 5-LOX, and ODC simultaneously, we tested the effects of a dual 5-LOX-COX inhibitor, licofelone, and an ODC inhibitor, DFMO, alone and in combination, on NNK-induced lung tumors in female A/J mice. Seven-week-old mice were treated with NNK (10 μmol/mouse, single dose, i.p.) and randomized to different treatment groups. Three weeks after injection, mice were fed control or experimental diets (DFMO 1500/3000 ppm, licofelone 200/400 ppm, or a low-dose combination of 1500 ppm DFMO and 200 ppm licofelone) for 17 or 34 weeks. Both agents significantly inhibited tumor formation in a dose-dependent manner. As anticipated more adenomas and adenocarcinomas were observed at 17 and 34 weeks, respectively. Importantly, low dose combination of DFMO and licofelone showed more pronounced effects at 17 or 34 weeks in inhibiting the total tumor formation (~60%, p < 0.0001) and adenocarcinoma (~65%, p < 0.0001) compared to individual high dose of DFMO (~44% and 46%, p < 0.0001) and licofelone (~48% and 55%, p < 0.0001). DFMO and combination-treated mice lung tumors exhibited modulated ODC pathway components (Oat, Oaz, SRM, SMS, and SAT, p < 0.05) along with decreased proliferation (PCNA, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin A) and increased expression of p53, p21 and p27 compared to mice fed control diet. Both DFMO and licofelone significantly inhibited tumor inflammatory markers. Our findings suggest that a low-dose combined treatment targeting inflammation and polyamine synthesis may provide effective chemoprevention.

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive neoplasm with almost uniform lethality and a 5-year survival rate of 7%. Several overexpressed mucins that impede drug delivery to pancreatic tumors have been therapeutically targeted, but enzymes involved in mucin biosynthesis have yet to be preclinically evaluated as potential targets. We used survival data from human patients with pancreatic cancer, next-generation sequencing of genetically engineered Kras-driven mouse pancreatic tumors and human pancreatic cancer cells to identify the novel core mucin-synthesizing enzyme GCNT3 (core 2 β-1,6 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase). In mouse pancreatic cancer tumors, GCNT3 upregulation (103-fold; P < 0.0001) was correlated with increased expression of mucins (5 to 87-fold; P < 0.04-0.0003). Aberrant GCNT3 expression was also associated with increased mucin production, aggressive tumorigenesis, and reduced patient survival, and CRISPR-mediated knockout of GCNT3 in pancreatic cancer cells reduced proliferation and spheroid formation. Using in silico small molecular docking simulation approaches, we identified talniflumate as a novel inhibitor that selectively binds to GCNT3. In particular, docking predictions suggested that three notable hydrogen bonds between talniflumate and GCNT3 contribute to a docking affinity of -8.3 kcal/mol. Furthermore, talniflumate alone and in combination with low-dose gefitinib reduced GCNT3 expression, leading to the disrupted production of mucins in vivo and in vitro Collectively, our findings suggest that targeting mucin biosynthesis through GCNT3 may improve drug responsiveness, warranting further development and investigation in preclinical models of pancreatic tumorigenesis. Cancer Res; 76(7); 1965-74. ©2016 AACR., (©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Urothelial tumors, accompanied by mutations of the tumor suppressor protein TP53 and dysregulation of mTOR signaling, are frequently associated with aggressive growth and invasiveness. We investigated whether targeting these two pathways would inhibit urothelial tumor growth and progression. Six-week-old transgenic UPII-SV40T male mice (n = 15/group) were fed control diet (AIN-76A) or experimental diets containing mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin, 8 or 16 ppm), p53 stabilizing agent [CP31398 (CP), 150 ppm], or a combination. Mice were euthanized at 40 weeks of age. Urinary bladders were collected and evaluated to determine tumor weight and histopathology. Each agent alone, and in combination, significantly inhibited tumor growth. Treatment with rapamycin alone decreased tumor weight up to 67% (P < 0.0001). Similarly, CP showed approximately 77% (P < 0.0001) suppression of tumor weight. The combination of low-dose rapamycin and CP led to approximately 83% (P < 0.0001) inhibition of tumor weight. There was no significant difference in tumor weights between rapamycin and CP treatments (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference between 8 ppm rapamycin and the combination treatment. Tumor invasion was also significantly inhibited in 53% (P < 0.005) and 66% (P < 0.0005) mice after 8 ppm and 16 ppm rapamycin, respectively. However, tumor invasion was suppressed in 73% (P < 0.0001) mice when CP was combined with 8 ppm rapamycin. These results suggest that targeting two or more pathways achieve better treatment efficacy than a single-agent high-dose strategy that could increase the risk of side effects. A combination of CP and rapamycin may be a promising method of inhibiting muscle-invasive urothelial transitional cell carcinoma., (©2015 American Association for Cancer Research.)

In tobacco-associated lung cancers, the protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (Akt/mTOR) pathway frequently is activated by nicotine and its metabolite 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of early or late intervention with rapamycin in NNK-induced lung adenoma and progression to adenocarcinoma in female A/J mice. At 7 weeks of age, 40 mice/each carcinogen group received one dose of 10 μmol NNK i.p. Three weeks later, the early intervention groups (25/group) were fed diets containing 0, 8 or 16 ppm rapamycin. The mice were sacrificed after 17 or 34 weeks of drug exposure and tumors were evaluated via histopathology. For late intervention (late adenoma and adenocarcinoma stage), groups of 15 mice were administered diets containing 8 or 16 ppm rapamycin starting 20 weeks after NNK treatment and continuing for 17 weeks before evaluation of tumor progression. Administration of 8 or 16 ppm rapamycin as an early or a late stage intervention significantly suppressed lung adenoma and adenocarcinoma formation (p<0.01-0.0001) after 17 or 34 weeks of exposure. The effect was more pronounced (>50‑60% tumor inihibition; p<0.0001) at the early intervention and the size of NNK-induced tumors decreased from >2.10 to <~0.75 mm3 (p=0.0056). Lung tumors harvested from mice exposed to rapamycin showed a significant decrease in p-mTOR, p-S6K1, PCNA and Bcl-xL as compared with controls in the early and late stage intervention studies. These observations suggest that rapamycin is highly effective even with administration after dysplastic adenoma or early adenocarcinoma stages and is useful for high-risk lung cancer patients.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGRF) are over-expressed in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Using next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis, we show significant increase in COX-2, 5-LOX, and EGFR expression during PDAC progression. Targeting complementary pathways will achieve better treatment efficacy than a single agent high-dose strategy that could increase risk of side effects and tumor resistance. To target COX-2, 5-LOX, and EGFR simultaneously, we tested effects of licofelone (dual 5-LOX-COX inhibitor), and gefitinib (EGFR inhibitor), individually and in combination, on pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms (PanINs) and their progression to PDAC using genetically engineered mice. Individually, licofelone (L) and gefitinib (G) significantly inhibited incidence of PDAC in male (72% L, 90% G, p < 0.0001) and female (90% L, 85% G, p < 0.0001) mice. The combination drug treatment produced complete inhibition of PDAC in both genders. Pancreata of mice receiving combination treatment showed significantly fewer Dclk1-positive cancer stem-like cells, inhibition of COX-2, 5-LOX, PCNA, EGFR and β-catenin expression (p < 0.05-0.0002), increased p21 expression. Significant changes in tumor immune responses and desmoplastic reaction was observed by NGS analysis in combination treatment (p < 0.05). In summary, early simultaneous targeting of 5-LOX-COX- and EGFR pathways may provide additive inhibitory effects leading to complete suppression of PDAC.

Mutations of the tumor suppressor p53 and elevated levels of polyamines are known to play key roles in urothelial tumorigenesis. We investigated the inhibition of polyamines biosynthesis and the restoration of p53 signaling as a possible means of preventing muscle invasive urothelial tumors using DFMO, an ODC-inhibiting agent, and CP-31398 (CP), a p53 stabilizing agent. Transgenic UPII-SV40T male mice at 6weeks age (n=15/group) were fed control diet (AIN-76A) or experimental diets containing DFMO (1000 and 2000 ppm) or 150 ppm CP or both. At 40 weeks of age, all mice were euthanized and urinary bladders were evaluated to determine tumor weight and histopathology. Low-dose DFMO had a moderate significant inhibitory effect on tumor growth (38%, P<0.02) and tumor invasion (23%). High-dose DFMO had a 47% tumor inhibition (P<0.0001) and 40% inhibition tumor invasion. There was no significant difference between 1000 and 2000 ppm doses of DFMO (P>0.05). CP at 150 ppm alone had a strong inhibitory effect on tumor growth by 80% (P<0.0001); however, no effect on tumor invasion was observed. Interestingly, the combination of DFMO (1000 ppm) and CP (150 ppm) led to significant decrease in tumor weight (70%, P<0.0001) and tumor invasion (62.5%; P<0.005). Molecular analysis of the urothelial tumors suggested a modulation of polyamine biosynthesis, proliferation, cell cycle regulators resulting from the use of these agents. These results suggest that targeting two or more pathways could be an effective approach for chemoprevention. A combination of CP and DFMO appears to be a promising strategy for urothelial TCC prevention.

Recent development of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMs) for pancreatic cancer (PC) that recapitulates human disease progression has helped to identify new strategies to delay/inhibit PC development. We first found that expression of the pancreatic tumor-initiating/cancer stem cells (CSC) marker DclK1 occurs in early stage PC and in both early and late pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and that it increases as disease progresses in GEM and also in human PC. Genome-wide next generation sequencing of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from GEM mice revealed significantly increased DclK1 along with inflammatory genes. Genetic ablation of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) decreased DclK1 in GEM. Induction of inflammation/pancreatitis with cerulein in GEM mice increased DclK1, and the novel dual COX/5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitor licofelone reduced it. Dietary licofelone significantly inhibited the incidence of PDAC and carcinoma in situ with significant inhibition of pancreatic CSCs. Licofelone suppressed pancreatic tumor COX-2 and 5-LOX activities and modulated miRNAs characteristic of CSC and inflammation in correlation with PDAC inhibition. These results offer a preclinical proof of concept to target the inflammation initiation to inhibit cancer stem cells early for improving the treatment of pancreatic cancers, with immediate clinical implications for repositioning dual COX/5-LOX inhibitors in human trials for high risk patients.

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the key rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine synthesis pathway and it is overexpressed in a variety of cancers. We found that polyamine synthesis and modulation of ODC signaling occurs at early stages of pancreatic precursor lesions and increases as the tumor progresses in Kras-activated p48(Cre/+)-LSL-Kras(G12D/+) mice. Interest in use of the ODC inhibitor eflornithine (DFMO) as a cancer chemopreventive agent has increased in recent years since ODC was shown to be transactivated by the c-myc oncogene and to cooperate with the ras oncogene in malignant transformation of epithelial tissues. We tested the effects of DFMO on pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN) and their progression to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in genetically engineered Kras mice. The Kras(G12D/+) mice fed DFMO at 0.1% and 0.2% in the diet showed a significant inhibition (P < 0.0001) of PDAC incidence compared with mice fed control diet. Pancreatic tumor weights were decreased by 31% to 43% (P < 0.03-0.001) with both doses of DFMO. DFMO at 0.1% and 0.2% caused a significant suppression (27% and 31%; P < 0.02-0.004) of PanIN 3 lesions (carcinoma in situ). DFMO-treated pancreas exhibited modulated ODC pathway components along with decreased proliferation and increased expression of p21/p27 as compared with pancreatic tissues derived from mice fed control diet. In summary, our preclinical data indicate that DFMO has potential for chemoprevention of pancreatic cancer and should be evaluated in other PDAC models and in combination with other drugs in anticipation of future clinical trials., (©2014 American Association for Cancer Research.)