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Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) kills tumor cells through the synergistic effects of ultrasound and a sonosensitizer agent. We examined whether 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-based SDT at 1 or 3 MHz could enhance the cytotoxicity of bleomycin (BLM) toward mouse mammary tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. At 1 MHz, cell viability in the 5-ALA-based SDT group at 1, 2, and 3 W/cm(2) was 34.30%, 50.90%, and 60.16%, respectively. Cell viability in the 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM group at 1, 2, and 3 W/cm(2) was 0.09%, 0.32%, and 0.17%, respectively. In contrast, at 3 MHz, 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM did not show pronounced cytotoxicity. In the in vivo study, 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM was significantly more cytotoxic than 5-ALA-based SDT at 1 MHz and 3 MHz. These findings suggest that the mechanism of tumor shrinkage induced by 5-ALA-based SDT+BLM might involve not only direct cell killing, but also vascular shutdown. Thus, we show here that 5-ALA-based SDT enhances the efficacy of BLM both in vitro and in vivo., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Disulfiram, a clinically used alcohol-deterrent has gained prominence as a potential anti-cancer agent due to its impact on copper-dependent processes. Few studies have investigated zinc effects on disulfiram action, despite it having high affinity for this metal. Here we studied the cytotoxic effects of disulfiram in breast cancer cells, and its relationship with both intra and extracellular zinc. MCF-7 and BT474 cancer cell lines gave a striking time-dependent biphasic cytotoxic response between 0.01 and 10 μM disulfiram. Co-incubation of disulfiram with low-level zinc removed this effect, suggesting that availability of extracellular zinc significantly influences disulfiram efficacy. Live-cell confocal microscopy using fluorescent endocytic probes and the zinc dye Fluozin-3 revealed that disulfiram selectively and rapidly increased zinc levels in endo-lysosomes. Disulfiram also caused spatial disorganization of late endosomes and lysosomes, suggesting they are novel targets for this drug. This relationship between disulfiram toxicity and ionophore activity was consolidated via synthesis of a new disulfiram analog and overall we demonstrate a novel mechanism of disulfiram-cytotoxicity with significant clinical implications for future use as a cancer therapeutic., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Compelling evidence suggests that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is involved in the resistance of human cancer cells to chemotherapy. We previously reported that the expression of miR-205, a miRNA down-regulated in prostate cancer, is further repressed in prostate cancer cells undergoing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, suggesting a possible involvement of the miRNA in the acquisition of the chemoresistant phenotype. In the present study, we show that miR-205 replacement in castration-resistant mesenchymal prostate cancer cells caused an enhancement of cisplatin cytotoxic activity in vitro and in vivo, as a consequence of autophagy impairment. Specifically, the constraints on the autophagic flux were associated to the miRNA-dependent down-regulation of the lysosome-associated proteins RAB27A and LAMP3. These findings suggest that miR-205-mediated impairment of the autophagic pathway may interfere with the detoxifying capabilities of prostate cancer cells in their attempt to cope with cisplatin-induced detrimental effects. Overall, our data indicate that (i) loss of miR-205 may indeed contribute to acquire mesenchymal tracts and concomitantly establish a permissive autophagic milieu that confers a chemotherapy resistant phenotype to prostate cancer cells, and (ii) strategies aimed at restoring miR-205 expression levels may represent a successful approach to overcome resistance of prostate cancer to platinum compounds., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

External anogenital warts, or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the proliferation of squamous epithelial cells secondary to human papillomavirus infection. In sexually active adults and adolescents, anogenital warts are a common sexually transmitted disease, but in children they may be a sign of sexual abuse. There are several treatment options available for anogenital warts, but no treatment has been proven to be the most efficacious, and recurrence after clinical clearance is common. Evidence-based treatment of genital warts is challenging because of the lack of controlled trials comparing treatments, especially in pediatric and adolescent populations. This paper discusses various treatment modalities such as physical destruction, cytotoxic agents, and immunomodulating therapies. Many variables influence the selection of a treatment, such as the size, quantity, and location of the warts; and the patient and provider preference, and its availability and cost. All treatments can cause local side effects, and patient tolerability must also be factored into treatment selection. Many treatments have similar clearance and recurrence rates, and none of the treatments completely eliminates the virus. With the numerous challenges surrounding the treatment of anogenital warts, the primary prevention of HPV infection through vaccination is a key component in decreasing the incidence of the disease.

Acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) is a clinical entity defined by rapid deterioration of IPF during the course of the disease that is not due to infections, pulmonary embolism, or heart failure. The condition needs to be differentiated from acute interstitial pneumonia (or Hamman-Rich syndrome), which occurs in patients with no underlying lung disease. The exact etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown, but the condition is characterized by diffuse alveolar damage (on a background of IPF) that probably occurs as a result of a massive lung injury due to some unknown etiologic agent. High-resolution computed tomography can help in prognostication and management of this condition. Once infections and other causes of worsening have been excluded, treatment involves enhanced immunosuppression with pulse doses of methylprednisolone and cytotoxic agents. Our systematic review shows that the outcome, however, is poor, with 1-month and 3-month mortality around 60% and 67%, respectively. Few studies have shown beneficial effects of cyclosporine, pirfenidone, and anticoagulants in the management and prevention of AE-IPF. The etiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, therapy, prognosis, and predictors need to be studied and the potential role of newer agents in the management and prevention of AE-IPF needs to be further clarified.

The protective efficacy of toxoids prepared from crude cytotoxin (polymyxin-B extract, PBE) and purified Klebsiella cytotoxins (KCTs) was studied in rabbits and mice. The toxoids of KCT-I and PBE were found to be protective against homologous as well as heterologous Klebsiella challenges, while toxoids of KCT-II and KCT-III afforded protection in mice against homologous Klebsiella infections. KCT-I and PBE toxoids also induced good humoral anti-Klebsiella response in rabbits with ELISA titres ranging from 20480 to 81480. Immunized female rabbits passed protective anti-Klebsiella immunoglobulins to their offsprings through colostra. Baby rabbits fed on colostrum of immunized rabbits withstood lethal Klebsiella infection up to 1 month of age, but not on the 50th day. Baby rabbits having an anti-Klebsiella IgG titre > or =1280 were fully protected against lethal dose of Klebsiella. The study revealed a significant protective efficacy of KCT-I and PBE toxoids against klebsiellosis in mice and rabbits.

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rHu-TNF) was found to exhibit potent antitumor activities not only against murine tumors, i.e. Meth A sarcoma, B 16 melanoma, colon 26 adenocarcinoma, Lewis lung carcinoma and MH134 hepatoma, transplanted in syngeneic mice but also against human tumors, i.e. HMV-2 melanoma, PC-10 lung carcinoma and GOTO neuroblastoma, heterotransplanted in nude mice. rHu-TNF caused necrosis of all tumors tested and inhibited their growth in a dose dependent manner. Complete regression of tumors was observed in mice bearing Meth A, B16, colon 26, MH134, HMV-2 and PC-10 but not in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma and GOTO neuroblastoma. The prolongation of survival time was also observed in syngeneic mice transplanted with murine tumors except Lewis lung carcinoma. The antitumor effect of rHu-TNF was more evident when it was given intratumorally than when given intravenously. The feasibility of rHu-TNF as a drug for cancer therapy is discussed.