Browsing by Author "Lambring, Christoffer B."
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Item Akt Isoforms: A Family Affair in Breast Cancer(MDPI, 2021-07-09) Basu, Alakananda; Lambring, Christoffer B.Akt, also known as protein kinase B (PKB), belongs to the AGC family of protein kinases. It acts downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and regulates diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, cell survival, metabolism, tumor growth and metastasis. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is frequently deregulated in breast cancer and plays an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer. There are three closely related members in the Akt family, namely Akt1(PKBalpha), Akt2(PKBbeta) and Akt3(PKBgamma). Although Akt isoforms share similar structures, they exhibit redundant, distinct as well as opposite functions. While the Akt signaling pathway is an important target for cancer therapy, an understanding of the isoform-specific function of Akt is critical to effectively target this pathway. However, our perception regarding how Akt isoforms contribute to the genesis and progression of breast cancer changes as we gain new knowledge. The purpose of this review article is to analyze current literatures on distinct functions of Akt isoforms in breast cancer.Item Anti-proliferative effects of a copper(II) complex with a thiosemicarbazone ligand against selected human cancer cells(2023) Fiadjoe, Hope; Lambring, Christoffer B.; Sankpal, Umesh; Alajroush, Duaa; Smith, Chloe; Anderson, Brittney; Mann, Novia; Beebe, Stephen; Holder, Alvin; Basha, RiyazPurpose: The frequent relapse and drug resistance associated with the current cancer chemotherapy treatments necessitate the development of alternative strategies. Thiosemicarbazones are a class of metal chelators that have been explored to treat diverse human diseases, including cancer. Copper, a crucial structural component for many significant enzymes and a key catalytic co-factor in redox processes, is being explored for several medical applications. Additionally, the anti-cancer activity of certain chemotherapeutic agents can be enhanced by the use of copper-containing complexes. This study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of a copper(II) complex with a thiosemicarbazone ligand (Cu-acetylethTSC or [Cu(acetylethTSC)Cl]Cl·0.25C2H5OH (where acetylethTSC = (E)-N-ethyl-2-[1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide)) against human cancer cell lines, viz., medulloblastoma (DAOY, D283), glioblastoma (LN-229), Ewing sarcoma (TC205, CHLA10), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF-CEM, SUP-B15). Methods: These selected cell lines were cultured using standard protocols. Cell viability was measured using a Cell Titer-Glo kit at 48 h after treatment with various concentrations of Cu-acetylethTSC. Each treatment group and the controls were read in triplicates and the data were plotted as percentage cell viability versus concentration of the complex. Dose-response curves were generated based on the cell viability data obtained, and IC50 values were calculated. Cardiomyocytes (H9C2) were also cultured and used to test cytotoxicity in non-malignant cells. Results: Cell viability was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in all the selected cancer cell lines whiles that of H9C2 was not significantly affected. Conclusion: This indicates that Cu-acetylethTSC was selective for malignant cells. Further studies are underway to understand the efficacy, protein targets, and underlying mechanisms of the role of Cu- acetylethTSC.Item Investigational Agents to Target Specificity Protein1 Transcription Factor and Survivin for Inhibiting Medulloblastoma Cells Growth(2022) Bao, Serena; Kishinchandani, Sachi; Lambring, Christoffer B.; Basha, Riyaz; Sankpal, Umesh; Nwamaka, IloaniAbstract Presenter: Serena Bao Authors: Serena Bao, Sachi Kishinchandani, Briggs Lambring, Umesh Sankpal, Iloani Nwamaka, Riyaz Basha Title: Investigational Agents to Target Specificity Protein1 Transcription Factor and Survivin for Inhibiting Medulloblastoma Cells Growth Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) is a brain cancer predominantly arising in children. It accounts for 20% of all childhood brain tumors. The treatment for MB includes a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. Although around 70% of the patients have shown remission with treatment today, these therapies are associated with significant morbidity, especially in the youngest patients. Therefore, widespread interest is shown to develop more successful treatments. One potential target of cancer treatment is a protein known as survivin. Survivin inhibits cell death and is upregulated in most cancers, including MB. A transcription factor known as Sp1 upregulates survivin by binding to its promoter region. Therefore, suppressing Sp1 activities indirectly down-regulates survivin and can serve as a target for MB therapy. Our aim is to find and test appropriate investigational agents that inhibit Sp1, thereby inhibit survivin and cancer cell growth. In addition, we want to use an in silico analysis to determine the expression of Specificity protein1 (Sp1) and survivin in MB patients, and see how it correlates with the survival of these patients. It has been previously determined that the investigational agents Tolfenamic acid (TA) and its derivative copper-tolfenamic acid (CuTA) are effective at inhibiting Sp1 in some cancer cells. In this project, we investigated the growth inhibitory effect of TA and CuTA using DAOY cell line. Method: DAOY cell lines (purchased from a commercial source, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Virginia; IBC-2016-0038) were cultured and seeded (2,000 cells per well) in a 96 well plate. Cells were treated using increasing concentrations (0, 10, 20, 40, 80 µM) of TA or Cu-TA. After a 48-hour incubation, the viability of the sample was measured via a luminance assay using the CellTiterGlo. Dose curves were generated, and the dose required to inhibit 50% of the viability (IC50 value) was determined using Graphpad Prism Software. Data from the R2 genomics visualization platform was used to generate Kaplain-Meier curves. The presented curves compare survival probabilities in Medulloblastoma patients with high vs. low expression of Sp1 and survivin. Results: The in silico analyses using R2 genomics visualization platform demonstrated MB patients who express higher levels of Sp1 is associated with low survival time(p = 0.033). Similarly, MB patients with higher levels of survivin expression show poor prognosis (p = 0.049) As per the IC50 values, Cu-TA is 3.6 times more effective against MB cells without affecting non-cancerous cells than TA Conclusion: Higher expression of Sp1 or survivin is associated with low survival time in medulloblastoma patients. Both TA and Cu-TA are inhibiting DAOY cell growth, however, Cu-Ta is more effective than TA against MB cell line. With increased resistance to standard therapies, TA and Cu-TA potentially enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation.Item Novel combinatorial treatment effects on SP1 and Survivin in Ewing Sarcoma(2021) Lambring, Christoffer B.Purpose: Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is a bone and soft tissue cancer affecting young adults and children. ES most occurs in the bones or soft tissue of the arms, legs, and pelvis. Localized ES presents with 5-year survival rate of 70%, but metastatic 5-year survival rate is between 15% and 30%. Our laboratory is interested in combination treatments using less toxic agents to induce sensitization to chemotherapy in ES. The anti-cancer activity of a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, tolfenamic acid (TA), against ES cells has been shown. TA inhibits Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) and survivin, these markers are associated with aggressive cancer cell growth and resistance to chemo/radiation therapies. This studies purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of TA and Copper-TA (Cu-TA) to inhibit ES cell growth alongside Vincristine (VCR). Methods: Anti-proliferative activity of TA or Cu-TA and/or (VCR) against ES cell lines, TC32 and CHLA258, was evaluated using CellTiterGlo kit. Dose curves were plotted and IC50 values were determined by Sigma-Plot software. The expression of Sp1 and survivin was determined by Western bot analysis. Results: When compared to TA, Cu-TA's IC50 values were significantly less. Cu-TA inhibited the expression of Sp1 and survivin in ES cells. The combination of Cu-TA and VCR showed higher efficiency for inhibiting ES cells. Conclusions: Cu-TA may effectively sensitize certain ES cells and induce the response of chemotherapy. Studies to understand the mechanism of action of Cu-TA are underway.Item Targeting Sp1 in Ewing Sarcoma: A multi-approach method for the utilization of Mithramycin(2022) Lambring, Christoffer B.; Sankpal, Umesh; Basha, RiyazPurpose: Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is a bone and soft tissue cancer affecting young adults and children. ES mostly occurs in the bones or soft tissue of the arms, legs, and pelvis. Localized ES presents with 5-year survival rate of 70%, but metastatic 5-year survival rate is between 15% and 30%. Our laboratory is interested in combination treatments using less toxic agents to induce sensitization to chemotherapy in ES. The anti-cancer activity of an antineoplastic antibiotic, Mithramycin, against ES cells has been shown. Mithramycin inhibits Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) a marker associated with aggressive cancer cell growth and resistance to chemo/radiation therapies. However, its mechanistic effects on survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein associated with poor prognoses in multiple cancers, are continuing to be elucidated in ES. This studies purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of Mithramycin and various combinations with other chemotherapeutics, Etoposide and Vincristine, to inhibit ES cell growth and effect various cancer related proteins. Methods: Anti-proliferative activity of Mithramycin and/or Vincristine and Etoposide against ES cell lines, TC205 and CHLA10, was evaluated using CellTiterGlo kit. Dose curves were plotted and IC50 values were determined by Sigma-Plot software. The expression of Sp1 and survivin was determined by Western blot analysis. Cell lines were obtained from Children's Oncology Group (COG). Results: Mithramycin significantly decreased ES cell line viability and showed the ability to reduce the expression of Sp1 and offer differing effects on survivin expression, indicative of anti-apoptotic mechanisms being implemented in the ES cell lines. IC50 values of both chemotherapeutics and Mithramycin were decreased by nearly 50% when used in combination and this effect was mirrored in Sp1 expression. Conclusions: Mithramycin may effectively sensitize certain ES cells and improve the response of chemotherapy while lowering necessary effective dosages. Studies to understand the mechanisms of action of Mithramycin on Sp1 and survivin are underway.Item Targeting Sp1 in Ewing Sarcoma: A multi-approach method for the utilization of Mithramycin(2023) Lambring, Christoffer B.; Basha, Riyaz; Sankpal, Umesh; Fiadjoe, Hope; Ray, AnishPurpose: Ewing Sarcoma (ES) is a bone and soft tissue cancer affecting young adults and children. ES mostly occurs in the bones or soft tissue of the arms, legs, and pelvis. Localized ES presents with 5-year survival rate of 70%, but metastatic 5-year survival rate is between 15% and 30%. Our laboratory is interested in combination treatments using less toxic agents to induce sensitization to chemotherapy in ES. The anti-cancer activity of an antineoplastic antibiotic, Mithramycin, against ES cells has been shown. Mithramycin inhibits Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) a marker associated with aggressive cancer cell growth and resistance to chemo/radiation therapies. However, its mechanistic effects on other oncogenic proteins have yet to be elucidated in ES. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Mithramycin and various combinations with other chemotherapeutic agents, Etoposide and Vincristine, to inhibit ES cell growth and assess the effect on key cancer related proteins regulated by Sp1. Future studies will include expanding upon Mithramycin’s mechanism of action in Ewing Sarcoma utilizing RNA sequencing and various computational methods. Methods: Cell lines were obtained from Children’s Oncology Group (COG). Anti-proliferative activity of Mithramycin and/or Vincristine and Etoposide against ES cell lines, TC205 and CHLA10, was evaluated using CellTiterGlo kit. Dose curves were plotted and IC50 values were determined by Sigma-Plot software. The expression of Sp1 and survivin was determined by Western blot analysis. The specific type of effect (additive/antagonistic/ synergistic) of the combination treatments were determined by analyzing the combination index obtained via Calcusyn software. Nude mice were injected with TC205 cells and treated over two weeks with either Mithramycin (1mg/kg per week) and/or Etoposide (5mg/kg per week) and tumor volume was compared. Protein models were obtained from RCSB PDB and homology tests were performed using the Swiss-model workspace. Results: Mithramycin, etoposide, and vincristine decreased ES cell line viability in TC205 and CHLA10 cells as monotherapies, but more effectively in combination. Tumor volume was greatly attenuated upon Mithramycin and/or etoposide introduction, but more significantly when used in combination. Mithramycin showed the ability to reduce the expression of Sp1 and offer differing effects on survivin expression, indicative of anti-apoptotic mechanisms being implemented in the ES cell lines. Decreases in viability upon chemotherapeutic and Mithramycin introduction were drastically increased when used in combination and this effect was mirrored in further decreases in Sp1 expression. Synergistic drug responses were shown in the combination of Mithramycin with both Vincristine and Etoposide (CI <1). Sp1 and survivin protein models were established and homology verification using Ramachandran plots and QMEAN Z-scores indicated quality protein models for further computational studies. Conclusions: Mithramycin may effectively sensitize ES cells and improve the response of chemotherapy while lowering necessary effective dosages. Studies to understand the mechanism of action of Mithramycin on Sp1, survivin, and other proteins involved in Ewing Sarcoma are underway.Item The anti-cancer activity of clotam derivatives against high-risk neuroblastoma cell lines(2020) Basha, Riyaz; Bowman, William; Sankpal, Umesh; Smith, Chloe; Hernandez, Yazmin; Holder, Alvin; Lambring, Christoffer B.Purpose: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial cancer diagnosed in infants and young children. High Risk Neuroblastoma (HRNB) is more aggressive with (40-50%) 5-year survival rates. Our laboratory is testing combination treatments using less toxic agents to sensitize HRNB cells to chemotherapy. The anti-cancer activity of a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug, tolfenamic acid (TA), against HRNB cells has been shown. TA inhibits Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) and survivin, markers that are associated with aggressive cancer cell growth and resistance to chemo/radiation therapies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of TA and Copper-TA (Cu-TA) to inhibit HRNB cell growth alongside chemotherapy agent Vincristine (VCR). Methods: Anti-proliferative activity of TA or Cu-TA and/or (VCR) against HRNB cell lines, LA-155n and SMS-KCNR, and non-malignant cells, cardiomyocytes was evaluated using CellTiterGlo kit. Dose curves were plotted, and IC50 values were determined by Sigma-Plot software. The expression of Sp1 and survivin was determined by Western bot analysis. Results: When compared to TA, Cu-TA's IC50 values were about 50% less. TA and Cu-TA didn't affect cell viability of cardiomyocytes at IC50 doses. Cu-TA inhibited the expression of Sp1 and survivin in HRNB cells. The combination of Cu-TA and VCR showed higher efficiency for inhibiting HRNB cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, Cu-TA may effectively sensitize certain HRNB cells and induce the response of chemotherapy. Studies to understand the mechanism of action of Cu-TA are underway.