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For the control of tumor metastasis it is important to identify chemical compounds with antimigratory potency. Agents acting against single cell and cluster type migration are necessary for successful antimetastatic therapy. In the present study, the migration of HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells and OSCORT osteosarcoma cells was compared in a Boyden chamber and in an extracellular matrix (ECM)-based three-dimensional cell culture (3-DCC) model system. The Boyden chamber offers a model of single tumor cell migration, whereas the 3-DCC model system demonstrates invasive growth in the form of a cluster. Since PD98059 (MEK inhibitor) exclusively reduced migration in the 3-DCC model, it may be plausible that the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway is essential for cluster type migration. Interestingly, single cell migration was stimulated upon blocking phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and also p38-MAPK by treatment with LY294002 and SB203580 respectively. A remarkable reduction of single cell migration was observed following treatment with okadaic acid, a phosphatase 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) inhibitor, which was rather intriguing. This study provided evidence that certain cytotoxic/cytostatic agents at appropriate concentrations were able to preferentially inhibit certain types of migration relative to cell proliferation. Single cell migration was selectively inhibited by taxol at very low subtoxic concentration, whereas 5-hexyl-2'-deoxyuridine (HUdR) exclusively inhibited the cluster type of migration. The borrelidin compound was able to inhibit both types of tumor cell migration, but single tumor cell migration was much less affected. It is interesting that migration was more reduced than proliferation by borrelidin, especially at the advanced growth stage. Taxol is recommended as an agent acting against single cell migration, as well as HUdR and borrelidin as leading compounds for developing antimetastatic drugs against cluster type migration.

Background: Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) have become increasingly important in anticoagulant therapy. Antitumor and antimetastatic activity of heparin and LMWH-s have also been reported., Materials and Methods: Fraxiparine, a new modified LMW-H, was tested for antimetastatic effect using 3LL-HH intravenous, B16 intra-foot pad and 3LL-HH intrasplenic models in C57 Bl/6 mice. The dose of Fraxiparine was 38, 57 and 172 IU/kg, respectively. Heparin (100 IU/kg) was used as a positive control. Both pre-treatment (starting 6 hours before tumor inoculation) and post-treatment (starting 24 hours after tumor inoculation), followed by daily injections, were applied in the intra-foot pad and intrasplenic models. In the intravenous model, only a single dose was administered one hour after tumor cell injection., Results: Fraxiparine at the dose of 57 IU/kg was significantly antimetastatic in the intravenous model. Continuous treatment, starting 6 hours before tumor inoculation, with 173 IU/kg Fraxiparine resulted in a strong inhibition of lung metastases in the intra-foot pad model, but was ineffective in the intrasplenic model. Heparin did not influence the metastasis number in any of the metastasis models., Conclusion: These data may be of importance in the anticoagulant treatment of human cancer patients.

Osteosarcoma cells are involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that affects their growth, invasive and metastatic activities. The tumour ECM provided effective protection against chemotherapy agents in several previously studied malignancies. The current study examined the effects of doxorubicin on cells that were migrated into a 3-dimensional extracellular matrix gel (ECM-gel) in comparison with its effects on cells remaining in the monolayer compartment. A human osteosarcoma cell line (OSCORT) was treated with doxorubicin in monolayer culture for 4 or 24 hours, and then overlaid by ECM-gel for 24 hours. Tumour cells remaining in the monolayer were separated from the cells migrated into ECM-gel, and both of them were characterized. OSCORT cells migrated into ECM-gel showed elevated levels and activity of topoisomerase II, increased protein expression of beta1 integrin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity. Doxorubicin treatment for 4 hours resulted in increased cytotoxicity in the monolayer compartment relative to the cells migrated into ECM-gel, whereas 24-hour treatment at a low concentration (0.01 microg/ml) showed an antimigratory effect. Different antiproliferative and antimigratory effects of doxorubicin treatment schedules warrant short-term, high-dose treatment for targeting the tumour growth, and long-term, low-dose treatment for targeting the invasion of osteosarcoma.

It is a known paradox that many TGF beta 1-producing tumor cells are resistant to this, otherwise, inhibitory cytokine. In a lymphoma of B-cell origin exogenous TGF beta 1 was able to induce apoptosis, suggesting that the apoptosis program can be switched on. The apoptosis induction was independent of the death receptors but dependent on mitochondrial pathway and caspase-3. Probably due to the weak starting signal, caspase-3 further activated caspase-8 which, through the Bid cleavage and Bax translocation into the mitochondria, provided an autocatalytic support for the apoptotic program. There is a time-gat between the early activation of Smad-dependent TIEG and the accumulation of ROS, therefore other participants that start the increase in mitochondrial membrane permeability should be identified.

Background: TT-232, a somatostatin analogue, induces apoptosis in various tumours. The aim of our study was to characterise its effect on human melanoma cells and tumours., Materials and Methods: Proliferation of seven melanoma cell lines was tested in vitro with the methylene blue test. D10 and 205 cells were also implanted into CB17-scid mice which received 30-150-750 micrograms/kg/day of TT-232 or saline. Animals with 205 cells received twice-daily subcutaneous injections whereas animals with D10 cells were treated with osmotic mini-pumps. In addition, TT-232 metabolites were generated with tissue homogenates and tested in vitro., Results: TT-232 strongly inhibited proliferation of all cell lines in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. Two out of 8 animals (30-150 micrograms/kg) in the 205 model and one out of 8(150 micrograms/kg) in the D10 model became completely tumour-free at the 11th and 9th day of treatment, respectively. TT-232 was degraded only by liver homogenate whilst its metabolite had no antiproliferative effect in vitro., Conclusions: TT-232 is a promising drug candidate for melanoma.

Because of the observed immunostimulatory actions of a new fermented wheat germ extract--with standardized benzoquinone composition--we have investigated the eventual tumor growth- and metastasis-inhibiting effects of this preparation (Avemar) applied alone or in combination with vitamin C. Tumor models of different origin [a highly metastatic variant of the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL-HH), B16 melanoma, a rat nephroblastoma (RWT-M) and a human colon carcinoma xenograft (HCR25)]--kept in artificially immunosuppressed mice were applied. The metastasis-inhibiting effects of the treatments have been studied both in the presence and in the absence (following surgical removal) of the transplanted primary tumors. Combined treatments with Avemar and vitamin C--administered synchronously--profoundly inhibited the metastasis formation in all the applied tumor models while, treatments with vitamin C alone did not exert such an inhibiting effect on the metastasizing process. The degree of the observed metastasis inhibition in certain models was significant, while in others--although it was meaningful--did not prove to be significant. It is noteworthy that treatment with Avemar alone in certain models exerted a more pronounced inhibiting effect on metastasis formation than the synchronous combined treatment with Avemar and vitamin C. Furthermore, if the time schedule of the combined treatment was changed (vitamin C--instead of being administered synchronously--was given one hour after the treatments with Avemar), the vitamin C rather decreased the metastasis inhibiting effect of Avemar. It should be mentioned however, that in the case of rat nephroblastoma, a different response was observed: while, in the case of synchronous combination significant inhibition of metastasis formation was observed, treatment with Avemar alone did not produce metastasis-inhibition. It is noteworthy that in this model the metastasis-inhibiting effect of the synchronous combination treatment proved to be even more pronounced if Avemar was administered in a 100 times smaller dose than its regularly applied dosage. Treatment with Avemar and vitamin C--administered in combination or separately--in the majority of experimental models (with the exception of rat nephroblastoma) did not inhibit the growth of the primary tumors. It is reasonable, therefore, to suppose that in the observed metastasis-inhibiting effect the eventual proliferation inhibiting effect of these remedies does not play an important role. According to the results of other experiments--carried out in our laboratory in parallel with those described here--Avemar proved to have a meaningful immunostimulatory effect. It might therefore be suggested that the observed metastasis-inhibiting effect of this preparation may be mainly due to its immunostimulatory properties. The possible therapeutic benefits of Avemar and Avemar plus vitamin C are also discussed.

In continuation of a previous paper (1), we have prolonged the time of confrontation of two rat tumor cell variants (BSp73 AS and ASML) with normal epithelial cells and broadened the spectrum of confrontation partners. In addition to the aorta we have also used small veins, the ductus thoracicus as a lymphatic vessel, the diaphragm, and lung fragments. The organ sections were preserved for a longer period of time by incubating them in a gyratory shaker. Under these conditions the vessel material and diaphragm remained morphologically intact for up to 12 hrs; lung cubes concealed the cut surfaces by immediate wound healing, and were preserved intact for up to 40 days. All endothelia and the mesothelium of the diaphragm were destroyed by the nonmetastasizing AS cells, but the basal lamina remained intact by morphological criteria even after 18 hrs of exposure to the AS cells. The metastasizing ASML cells attached by filopodia mostly to the basal lamina of the vessels, but were unable to destroy neither the endothelia nor the basal lamina. The superficial cell layers of the lung cubes, however, were penetrated by the cells of both tumor lines, but to a different degree.

The highly metastasizing ASML cells and the non-metastasizing AS cells, arisen as spontaneous tumors of the rat, were confronted with rat lung tissue in vitro. Small cubes of the lung were allowed to heal their cut edges, then tumor cells were added. Both tumor cell types adapted their shape to the environment, penetrated the superficial layer of lung cells, either of epithelial or of fibroblastoid character and settled on the basal lamina, which, however, was not pierced. In a second set of experiments the tumor cells were inoculated intravenously into the living animal. The lung loaded with tumor cells was excised and cut into cubes which were then incubated in vitro. Here also both tumor cell types exhibited an invasive behavior but the basal lamina of the vessels in which the tumor cells have been arrested was not penetrated. These data indicate that tumor cell behavior is strongly dependent on the environment and the complete invasion or extravasation must be considered as an inducible process.

The colonization of the lung by the rat tumor cells BSp73 ASML which have the ability to metastasize via the lymphatic system was studied at the ultrastructural level. Tumor cells arriving in the lung after i.v. injection become transiently embolized; within hours, however, they begin to extravasate from the blood capillaries. Swelling cellular protrusions open a limited area between endothelium and basal lamina through which tumor cells erupt. Tumor cells then form metastases in the interstitial tissue and, in an apparently lymphotropic action, intravasate the lymphatic vessels in a similar manner to a reverse diapedesis-like process. Within the lympatic system they settle, spread, and build up extensive tumor foci particularly in the subpleural region.

The events during the settlement of BSp73AS (AS) tumor cells in the syngeneic rat lung are described. Although AS cells show highly invasive behavior in vitro, subcutaneous primary tumors grow solidly without detectable metastatic spreading. However, AS cells when applied to the syngeneic rats via the tail vein give rise to lung colonies which grow rapidly at the site of the cells' primary arrest in the capillaries. The colonization comprises formation of microemboli, penetration of the endothelium including the basal lamina, and invasion of the lung tissue. Within two weeks, large colonies develop, thereby compressing, invading, and destroying their surroundings without detectable preference in direction. This establishment of AS tumors in the lung reflects the high invasive potential of AS cells and displays many of the morphological features observed during the formation of colonies of metastatic cell lines. Thus, we conclude that a nonmetastatic tumor cell line, such as AS, may possess almost the whole set of properties necessary for successful metastasis.