• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.46-50
• /
• 2018

Cancer, a leading mortality disease following cardiovascular disease worldwide, has high incidence as one out of every four adults in Korea. It was known to be caused by several reasons including somatic mutation, activation of oncogene and chromosome aneuploidy. Cancer cells show a faster growth rate and have metastatic and heterogeneous cell populations compared to normal cells. Cancer stem cells, the most invested field in cancer biology, is a theory to explain heterogeneous cell populations of cancer cells among several characteristics of cancer cells, which is providing the theoretical background for incidence of cancer and treatment failure by drug resistance. Cancer stem cells initially explain heterogeneous cell populations of cancer cells based on the same markers of normal stem cells in cancer, in which only cancer stem cells showed heterogeneity of cancer cells and tumor initiating ability of leukemia. Based on these results, cancer stem cells were reported in various solid cancers such as breast cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. Breast cancer stem cells were first reported in solid cancer which had tumor initiating ability and further identified as anti-cancer drug resistance. There were several identification methods in breast cancer stem cells such as specific surface markers and culture methods. The discovery of cancer stem cells not only explains heterogeneity of cancer cells, but it also provides theoretical background for targeting cancer stem cells to complete elimination of cancer cells. Many institutes have been developing new anticancer drugs targeting cancer stem cells, but there have not been noticeable results yet. Many researchers also reported a necessity for improvement of current concepts and methods of research on cancer stem cells. Herein, we discuss the limitations and the perspectives of breast cancer stem cells based on the current concept and history.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2021

Cancer stem cells, which are known to drive tumor formation and maintenance, are a major obstacle in the effective treatment of various types of cancer. Trans-membrane glycoprotein mucin 1 antigen and cell surface glycogen CD44 antigen are well-known surface markers of breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells, respectively. To effectively treat cancer cells and cancer stem cells, we developed a new drug-encapsulating liposome conjugated with dual-DNA aptamers specific to the surface markers of breast cancer cells and their cancer stem cells. These two aptamer (Apt)-targeted liposomes, which were prepared to encapsulate doxorubicin (Dox), were named "Dual-Apt-Dox". Dual-Apt-Dox is significantly more cytotoxic to both cancer stem cells and cancer cells compared to liposomes lacking the aptamers. Furthermore, we demonstrated the inhibitory efficacy of Dual-Apt-Dox against the experimental lung metastasis of breast cancer stem cells and cancer cells in athymic nude mice. We also showed the potent antitumor effects of dual-aptamer-conjugated liposome systems by targeting cancer cells as well as cancer stem cells. Thus, our data indicate that dual-aptamer-conjugated liposome systems can prove to be effective drug delivery vehicles for breast cancer therapy.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.514-516
• /
• 2008

The cancer stem cell hypothesis posits that tumor growth is driven by a rare subpopulation of cells, designated cancer stem cells (CSC). Studies supporting this theory are based in large part on xenotransplantation experiments wherein human cancer cells are grown in immunocompromised mice and only CSC, often constituting less than 1% of the malignancy, generate tumors. Herein, we show that all colonies derived from randomly chosen single cells in mouse lung and breast cancer cell lines form tumors following allografting histocompatible mice. Our study suggests that the majority of malignant cells rather than CSC can sustain tumors and that the cancer stem cell theory must be reevaluated.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.50-62
• /
• 2021

Among all cancer types, lung cancer ranks highest worldwide in terms of both incidence and mortality. The crosstalk between lung cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment (TME) has begun to emerge as the "Achilles heel" of the disease and thus constitutes an attractive target for anticancer therapy. We previously revealed that crosstalk between lung cancer cells and endothelial cells (ECs) induces chemoresistance in multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs). In this study, we demonstrated that factors secreted in response to crosstalk between ECs and lung cancer cells play pivotal roles in the development of chemoresistance in lung cancer spheroids. We subsequently determined that the expression of hypoxia up-regulated protein 1 (HYOU1) in lung cancer spheroids was increased by factors secreted in response to crosstalk between ECs and lung cancer cells. Direct interaction between lung cancer cells and ECs also caused an elevation in the expression of HYOU1 in MCTSs. Inhibition of HYOU1 expression not only suppressed stemness and malignancy, but also facilitated apoptosis and chemosensitivity in lung cancer MCTSs. Inhibition of HYOU1 expression also significantly increased the expression of interferon signaling components in lung cancer cells. Moreover, the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was involved in the HYOU1-induced aggression of lung cancer cells. Taken together, our results identify HYOU1, which is induced in response to crosstalk between ECs and lung cancer cells within the TME, as a potential therapeutic target for combating the aggressive behavior of cancer cells.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.12 no.9
• /
• pp.179-183
• /
• 2021

This study was carried out examine the effect of Celeriac Extract, which contains various anticancer ingredients, on the proliferation inhibition of human-derived cancer cells and the degree of inhibition. The five cell lines used in the experiment were lung cancer cells A549, prostate cancer cells DU-145, uterine cancer cells HeLa, breast cancer cells MCF-7, and liver cancer cells SNU-182. All cancer cells derived from the human body were used, and the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation with Celeriac Extract 10ug/mL, 100ug/mL, and 1000ug/mL was measured using the CCK-8 method. As a result of examining the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, Celeriac Extract 1000ug/mL showed significant proliferation inhibition in lung cancer cells A549, prostate cancer cells DU-145, uterine cancer cells HeLa, and liver cancer cells SNU-182, and showed a concentration dependence. However, only a concentration-dependent decrease was observed in breast cancer cells MCF-7.In conclusion, it can be seen that the cell proliferation inhibition mechanisms of Celeriac Extract using various human-derived cancer cell lines provide the potential for cancer prevention and therapeutic development.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.48-56
• /
• 2022

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted by most cells carry bioactive macromolecules including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids for intercellular communication. Given that some immune cell-derived sEVs exhibit anti-cancer properties, these sEVs have received scientific attention for the development of novel anti-cancer immunotherapeutic agents. In this paper, we reviewed the latest advances concerning the biological roles of immune cell-derived sEVs for cancer therapy. sEVs derived from immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, natural-killer (NK) cells, and macrophages are good candidates for sEV-based cancer therapy. Besides their role of cancer vaccines, DC-shed sEVs activated cytotoxic lymphocytes and killed tumor cells. sEVs isolated from NK cells and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cells. sEVs derived from CD8⁺ T and CD4⁺ T cells inhibited cancer-associated cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) and activated B cells, respectively. M1-macrophage-derived sEVs induced M2 to M1 repolarization and also created a pro-inflammatory environment. Hence, these sEVs, via mono or combination therapy, could be considered in the treatment of cancer patients in the future. In addition, sEVs derived from cytokine-stimulated immune cells or sEV engineering could improve their anti-tumor potency.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.59-68
• /
• 2013

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate whether hwang-ryun-haedok-tang (HDT) affect proliferations of androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cells, androgen-independent PC-3, DU-145 prostate cancer cells, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, A549, NCI-H292 human pulmonary cancer cells and K-562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. Materials and Methods Effects of HDT on proliferations of each cancer cell line were investigated. 20,000 cells/well were plated in each well of 96-well culture plate. After 24 hrs, 0.01-10% of HDT in culture medium was added to cancer cells. The number of cells was counted by using SRB assay or direct cell counting method after 72 hours from drug treatment. Effect of baicalein or berebrine on proliferation was assessed according to the same method. Results (1) HDT inhibited proliferations of LNCaP, PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells. (2) HDT inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. (3) HDT also inhibited proliferations of A549, NCI-H292 pulmonary cancer cells and K-562 chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. (4) Baicalein and berberine also showed inhibitory effects on proliferations of prostate and breast cancer cells. Conclusion : HDT inhibited proliferations of human prostate, breast, pulmonary and blood cancer cells. These results suggest us the potential use of HDT as a chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agent. Effect of HDT on human cancer should be further investigated using in vivo experimental models that can reflect pathophysiology of human cancer through another studies.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.97-108
• /
• 2011

Cancer stem cells have stem cell-like features, such as the ability for self-renewal and differentiation but show unlimited growth because they have the lost normal regulation of cell growth. Cancer stem cells and normal stem cells have similar features. They show high motility, diversity of progeny, robust proliferative potential, association with blood vessels, immature expression profiles, nestin expression, epidermal growth factor (EGF)-receptor expression, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression, hedgehog pathway activity, telomerase activity, and Wnt pathway activity. On the other hand, with cancer cells, some of these signaling pathways are abnormally modified. In 1875, Cohnheim suggested the concept of cancer stem cells. Recently, evidence for the existence of cancer stem cells was identified. In 1994, the cancer stem cells' specific cell surface marker for leukemia was identified. Since then, other specific cell surface markers for cancer stem cells in solid tumors (e.g. breast and colon cancer) have been identified. In oral cancer, studies on cancer stem cells have been performed mainly with squamous cell carcinomas. Oral cancer specific cell surface markers, which are genes strongly expressed in oral cancer and cancer stem cell specific side populations, have been identified. Cancer stem cells are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, to eliminate malignant tumors efficiently and reduce the recurrence rate, therapy targeting cancer stem cells needs to be performed. Currently, studies targeting the cancer stem cells' specific signaling pathways, telomerase and tumor vasculatures are being done.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2008

In view of obtaining potential anticancer compounds, we studied the inhibitory activity and the cytotoxic effects of a candidate compound in cancer cells. The cytotoxic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in vitro were evaluated in NIH3T3 fibroblasts, B16 melanoma cells, A549 lung cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, Lenca kidney cells and SNU-C4 colon cancer cells. The cells were cultured in various concentrations of CBD for 48 h and 25 ${\mu}$M of CBD for 6-36 h. The cells were observed to exhibit inhibitory effects of the cell viability in their growth, and then cytotoxicity was estimated. The inhibitory activity of CBD was increased in all cancer cells and showed especially strong increment in breast cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of CBD increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner with growth inhibition in all cancer cell lines. Also, to assess the membrane toxicity induced by CBD, we investigated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. After treatment with various concentrations of CBD, LDH release rate of cancer cells was accelerated. On the other hand, in the induction of cell death, caspase-3, -8 and -9 activations were detected in cancer cells after treatment with various concentrations of CBD, and CBD effectively induced activity of caspase-3, -8 and -9 in A549 lung cancer cells, MDAMB-231 breast cancer cells and Renca kidney cells. Therefore these results suggest that CBD has a possibility of anticancer agents and anticancer effects against cancer cells by modulation of apoptotic pathway in the range of 5-80 ${\mu}$M concentration.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.167-173
• /
• 1997

The inhibitory effects of kale juice on the growh and DNA incorporation of human cancer cells, using HT-29 colon cancer cells, MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells and K-562 leukemia cells, were studied. The growth of human cancer cells were inhibited in the presence of kale juice (10, 20 nd 40$\mu$l/ml) and the effects were the juice concentration- and incubation time-dependent up to 6 days. When 20$\mu$l/ml of kale juice was added to the media of HT-29, MG-63, AGS and K-562 cancer cells, the cell growth after 6 or 4 days of incubation was retarded by 83~95% of control group. Morphological changes of HT-29 colon cancer cells wre studied under inverted microscope. As the concentration of kale juice increased up to 20$\mu$l/ml, degree of cell aggregation was decreased. Moreover, the DNA incorporation o AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells and MG-63 osteosarcoma cells which were labeled with [$^3$H] thymidine was significantly reduced after 2 days of incubation at 37$^{\circ}C$ with kale juice. Therefore, we concluded that kale juice strongly decreased the growth of various human cancer cells.