Biomedical subjects

N Lamharzi

Publications and source records attributed to N Lamharzi.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Cytotoxic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone bind with high affinity to human breast cancers.

Recently, we developed two new cytotoxic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), AN-152 in which doxorubicin (DOX) is linked to [D-Lys6]LH-RH, and AN-207 which consists of 2-pyrrolino-DOX coupled to [D-Lys6]LH-RH. In this study, we examined binding of AN-152 and AN-207 to membranes of human breast cancer specimens and MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer lines. Both cytotoxic analogs displayed IC50 values in the nanomolar concentration range (IC50 = 2-13 nM). Using radioligand binding studies, we characterized the receptors for LH-RH on membranes of breast cancers. In addition, the expression of mRNA for LH-RH receptors in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These highly active cytotoxic analogs of LH-RH have been designed as targeted chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of various cancers expressing receptors for LH-RH.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Targeted cytotoxic analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone AN-207 inhibits growth of OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancers in nude mice.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the cytotoxic analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone AN-207 on the growth of the OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancers, which express luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor. AN-207 consists of doxorubicin derivative 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (AN-201) linked with the carrier [D-lysine6 ]luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. STUDY DESIGN: Female nude mice bearing xenografts of OV-1063 ovarian cancers were treated with analog AN-207, cytotoxic radical AN-201, or agonist [D-lysine6 ]luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. The levels and expression of messenger ribonucleic acid of receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and epidermal growth factor were evaluated. RESULTS: The growth of OV-1063 tumor was significantly inhibited by 3 to 5 nmol AN- 207 but not by [D-lysine6 ]luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Cytotoxic radical AN-201 was toxic at these doses. After treatment with AN-207 receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone were not detectable, epidermal growth factor receptor levels declined, and expressions of their respective messenger ribonucleic acids were decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted cytotoxic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog AN-207 is less toxic than equimolar doses of its radical 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin and effectively inhibits ovarian tumor growth. Targeted chemotherapy may improve management of ovarian cancer.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist Cetrorelix inhibits growth of DU-145 human androgen-independent prostate carcinoma in nude mice and suppresses the levels and mRNA expression of IGF-II in tumors.

In previous studies, we showed that LH-RH antagonist Cetrorelix inhibits the growth of DU-145 and PC-3 human androgen-independent prostate cancers in nude mice. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we treated male nude mice bearing xenografts of DU-145 human androgen-independent prostate cancer with Cetrorelix at a dose of 100 microg/animal subcutaneously (s.c.) once a day. Tumor growth, serum and tumor levels of IGF-I and -II as well as the mRNA expression of IGF-I and -II in tumors were evaluated. After 8 weeks of treatment, final volume and weight of DU-145 tumors in mice treated with Cetrorelix were significantly decreased compared with controls and serum IGF-1 showed a significant reduction. Therapy with Cetrorelix also reduced by 84% the levels of IGF-II in DU-145 tumor tissue compared with controls, but did not affect the concentration of IGF-I. RT-PCR analyses revealed a high expression of mRNA for IGF-II, but not for IGF-I in DU-145 tumors. Treatment with Cetrorelix decreased the expression of IGF-II mRNA by 78% (p < 0.01) as compared with controls. Our study indicates that LH-RH antagonist Cetrorelix may inhibit the growth of DU- 145 human androgen-independent prostate cancers by decreasing the production and mRNA expression of IGF-II by the tumor tissue. This also suggests that LH-RH antagonist Cetrorelix could interfere with the signal transduction pathways involving IGF-II, leading to tumor growth inhibition.

Androgens↗

PubMed1998

Bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II inhibit tumor growth and decrease the levels and mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in H-69 small cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Antagonists of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) have been developed to block the autocrine stimulatory effect of BN/GRP on tumors such as small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Although several studies have addressed the intracellular events that follow the formation of the receptor-ligand complex, the mechanism of action of BN/GRP antagonists remains unclear. METHODS: In this study the authors investigated the effect of synthetic BN/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II on tumor growth and the expression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) in H-69 SCLC. Athymic nude mice xenografted with H-69 SCLC were treated subcutaneously for 5 weeks with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II at the dose of 10 microg/animal/day. RESULTS: RC-3095 decreased tumor volume by approximately 50% (P < 0.05) and RC-3940-II by 70-60% (P < 0.01). Tumor burden also was significantly decreased in the groups treated with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II. Receptor analyses demonstrated high affinity binding sites for BN/GRP and EGF on the untreated H-69 SCLC tumors. After treatment with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II, the concentration of receptors for BN/GRP was decreased by 29.0% and 36.5%, respectively (both, P < 0.01) compared with controls, and EGF-R levels were reduced by 62.3% and 63.0%, respectively (both, P < 0.01). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses revealed that the levels of mRNA for EGF-R in tumors were lowered by 31% (P < 0.05) and 43% (P < 0.01), respectively, after treatment with RC-3095 and RC-3940-II. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the inhibition of growth of H-69 SCLC by BN/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II is accompanied by a marked decrease in the levels and mRNA expression of EGF-R.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonist MZ-5-156 inhibits growth of DU-145 human androgen-independent prostate carcinoma in nude mice and suppresses the levels and mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor II in tumors.

Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and -II) are potent mitogens for various cancers, including carcinoma of the prostate. In several experimental cancers, treatment with antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) produces a reduction in IGF-I and -II, concomitant to inhibition of tumor growth. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we treated male nude mice bearing xenografts of DU-145 human androgen-independent prostate cancer for 8 weeks with potent GH-RH antagonist MZ-5-156 at a dose of 20 microg/animal s.c. twice a day. Tumor growth, serum and tumor levels of IGF-I and -II, and the mRNA expression of IGF-I and -II in tumors were evaluated. After 8 weeks of therapy, final volume and weight of DU-145 tumors in mice treated with MZ-5-156 were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased compared with controls, and serum IGF-I showed a significant reduction. Treatment of nude mice bearing DU-145 xenografts with MZ-5-156 also significantly (P < 0.01) diminished by 77% the levels of IGF-II in tumor tissue compared with controls, but did not affect the concentration of IGF-I. Reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed a high expression of IGF-II mRNA in DU-145 tumors. Treatment with GH-RH antagonist MZ-5-156 decreased the expression of IGF-II mRNA by 58% (P < 0.01) as compared with controls. Our work suggests that GH-RH antagonist MZ-5-156 may inhibit the growth of DU-145 human androgen-independent prostate cancers through a reduction in the production and mRNA expression of IGF-II by the tumor tissue. These findings extend our observations on the mechanism of action of GH-RH antagonists and may explain how GH-RH antagonists inhibit tumor growth.

Androgens↗

PubMed1998

Inhibition of growth of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer xenografts in nude mice by bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonists RC-3940-II and RC-3095.

Bombesin or gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) may act as autocrine growth factors and play a role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. We investigated the effect of bombesin/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II on the growth of the MDA-MB-231 oestrogen-independent human breast cancer cell line xenografted into female nude mice. Bombesin/GRP antagonists, RC-3095 and RC-3940-II, were administered subcutaneously twice daily at a dose of 10 micrograms for 5 weeks. The growth of MDA-MB-231 tumours was inhibited during the treatment, as shown by a reduction in tumour volume. RC-3940-II and RC-3095 significantly decreased the final tumour volume by 72.4% and 57.7%, respectively, and greatly reduced tumour weights. RC-3940-II also significantly increased tumour doubling time and appeared to be more effective than RC-3095 in inhibiting the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast cancers. Serum gastrin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in animals treated with RC-3095 or RC-3940-II showed no significant changes as compared with controls. There was a significant decrease in the number of binding sites for epidermal growth factor (EGF), as well as bombesin, in tumour cells after chronic treatment with RC-3095 or RC-3940-II, which might be related to inhibition of tumour growth. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, followed by Southern blot analysis, also showed a reduction in the expression of mRNA for EGF receptors in the group treated with RC-3940-II. Our findings suggest that bombesin/GRP antagonists such as RC-3095 or RC-3940-II could be considered for endocrine therapy for oestrogen-independent breast cancers, but further investigations are necessary.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Expression of mRNA for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptors and epidermal growth factor receptors in human cancer cell lines.

Conventional chemotherapy produces varying degrees of response in patients with many advanced cancers and has significant side effects. Receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) are present in a high percentage of human ovarian, prostatic, breast and endometrial tumors and targeted chemotherapy based on cytotoxic analogs of LH-RH might yield better results. The present study was undertaken to determine whether human cancer cell lines express mRNA for LH-RH receptors and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. Using radioligand binding studies, we showed the presence of high-affinity binding sites for LH-RH and EGF in the membranes of human ovarian, prostatic, breast and endometrial cancer cell lines as well as in the JAR choriocarcinoma cell line. The expression of the mRNA for LH-RH receptors and EGF receptors in these cell lines was demonstrated by RT-PCR using specific primers and by subsequent Southern blot analysis. The PCR products obtained were of the expected size, 319 bp for LH-RH receptors and 400 bp for EGF receptors. These findings support the view that cytotoxic analogs of LH-RH could be used for targeted chemotherapy of these cancers. Moreover, the results suggest that these human cancer cell lines might have local regulatory systems for their proliferation based on LH-RH and EGF. Further investigations are required to elucidate the signal transduction pathways involved in the effects of cytotoxic LH-RH analogs on human tumors.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMed1998

Decrease in the level and mRNA expression of LH-RH and EGF receptors after treatment with LH-RH antagonist cetrorelix in DU-145 prostate tumor xenografts in nude mice.

Using radioligand binding, RT-PCR, and Southern blot analyses, we evaluated whether agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH and antagonist Cetrorelix could affect the levels of receptors for LH-RH and EGF and expression of mRNA for these receptors in DU-145 human androgen-independent prostate cancers xenografted into nude mice. Radioligand binding studies showed the presence of specific high affinity receptors for LH-RH and EGF in DU-145 prostate tumors. Cetrorelix, but not [D-Trp6]LH-RH significantly inhibited tumor growth. The concentration of LH-RH receptors was reduced by 22% (p<0. 05) and 67% (p<0.01) after 4 weeks of treatment with [D-Trp6]LH-RH and Cetrorelix respectively. The concentration of EGF receptors fell by 48% (p<0.05) in the [D-Trp6]LH-RH group, whereas Cetrorelix led to a 66% reduction (p<0.01). The expression of LH-RH and EGF receptor mRNA was investigated by RT-PCR analysis followed by Southern blotting. Densitometric analysis of the developed bands showed that the antagonist Cetrorelix decreased the expression of LH-RH receptor mRNA by 55% (p<0.01) compared to control group while the 20% reduction after treatment with the LH-RH agonist was non-significant. Treatment with [D-Trp6]LH-RH and Cetrorelix also reduced the expression of EGF receptor mRNA by 35% and 68% respectively (both, p<0.01) compared to control group. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that growth inhibition of DU-145 prostate tumors induced by prolonged administration of LH-RH antagonist Cetrorelix is accompanied by a marked decrease in the concentration of LH-RH and EGF receptors as well as in their mRNA levels.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Growth inhibition of human ovarian cancers by cytotoxic analogues of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

BACKGROUND: Receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) are found in nearly 80% of human ovarian cancers. The chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin can be linked to [D-lysine6]LH-RH to form a cytotoxic analogue (AN-152) that may have greater specificity for tumor cells. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of AN-152 on the growth of LH-RH receptor-positive OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancers. METHODS: Nude mice bearing human ovarian tumors, OV-1063 or UCI-107 (LH-RH receptor negative), were injected intraperitoneally with saline (control) or with equimolar doses of AN-152 or doxorubicin; experiments involving mice with OV-1063 tumors also included groups that were administered [D-lysine6]LH-RH either alone or in combination with doxorubicin. Tumor volume, weight, doubling time, and burden (i.e., tumor weight/body weight) as well as tumor apoptotic and mitotic indices were determined. The levels of receptors for LH-RH and epidermal growth factor (EGF) and their messenger RNAs were measured by use of radioreceptor and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays, respectively. RESULTS: The growth of OV-1063 ovarian tumors in nude mice, as based on reduction in tumor volume, was inhibited significantly (all P<.05, two-sided) 4 weeks after treatment with AN-152, even at the lowest dose tested (413 nmol/20 g weight); the toxic effects of an equivalent dose of doxorubicin caused substantial mortality. High-affinity receptors for LH-RH and EGF were found on cell membranes of OV-1063 cancers; however, after in vivo treatment with AN-152, LH-RH receptor-binding sites were not detectable and EGF receptors were reduced in number. The growth of UCI-107 ovarian cancers was not inhibited by AN-152. CONCLUSIONS: In nude mice bearing LH-RH receptor positive OV-1063 epithelial ovarian cancers, systemic administration of AN-152 is less toxic and inhibits tumor growth better than equimolar doses of doxorubicin.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A single in vivo administration of bombesin antagonist RC-3095 reduces the levels and mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in MXT mouse mammary cancers.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptors (EGFR) play important roles in tumorigenesis. In various experimental cancers, treatment with antagonists of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (BN/GRP) produces a reduction in EGFRs, concomitant to inhibition of tumor growth. To investigate the mechanisms involved, we monitored concentrations of BN/GRP antagonist RC-3095 in serum of mice, rats, and hamsters given a single subcutaneous or intravenous injection of this analog. In parallel studies, we measured levels and mRNA expression of EGFRs in estrogen-dependent and independent MXT mouse mammary cancers, following a single subcutaneous administration of RC-3095 to tumor-bearing mice. Peak values of RC-3095 in serum were detected 2 min after intravenous or 15 min after subcutaneous injection. The levels of RC-3095 declined rapidly and became undetectable after 3-5 hr. In the estrogen-dependent MXT tumors, the concentration of EGF receptors was reduced by about 60% 6 hr following injection and returned to original level after 24 hr. Levels of mRNA for EGFR fell parallel with the receptor number and were nearly normal after 24 hr. In the hormone-independent MXT cancers, the number of EGFRs decreased progressively, becoming undetectable 6 hr after injection of RC-3095, and returned to normal values at 24 hr, but EGFR mRNA levels remained lower for 48 hr. Thus, in spite of rapid elimination from serum, BN/GRP antagonist RC-3095 can induce a prolonged decrease in levels and mRNA expression of EGFRs. These findings may explain how single daily injections of BN/GRP antagonists can maintain tumor growth inhibition.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Chronic administration of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonist cetrorelix decreases gonadotrope responsiveness and pituitary LHRH receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels in rats.

Continuous exposure to LHRH or its agonistic analogs results in a reduction of LHRH receptor sites and messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts as well as in desensitization of the pituitary gonadotropes. To determine, whether LHRH antagonists might be similar in this respect to the agonists, we treated male rats for 4 weeks with daily sc injections of LHRH antagonist [Ac-D-Nal2,Phe(4Cl)2,D-Pal(3)3, D-Cit6,D-Ala10]LHRH (Cetrorelix acetate) or LHRH agonist, [D-Trp6]LHRH, in doses of 100 micrograms/animal-day. Another group of rats received a single im injection of 4.5 mg Cetrorelix pamoate depot, a sustained delivery formulation of the LHRH antagonist. An iv stimulation test with LHRH (200 ng/rat) was performed after 4 weeks of treatment. The rats were killed, and pituitary LHRH receptor characteristics were measured by RRA. To examine the effect of LHRH antagonist treatment on the expression of the pituitary LHRH receptor gene, some of the rats injected with Cetrorelix pamoate depot were killed after 2 weeks, and levels of LHRH receptor mRNA were determined by Northern blot and dot blot hybridization to a 32P-labeled rat complementary DNA probe. Our data show that LHRH-stimulated LH secretion at 30 min was suppressed by approximately 33% (P < 0.01) in rats pretreated with [D-Trp6]LHRH compared to that in animals injected with LHRH alone. Pretreatment of the rats with the LHRH antagonist suppressed the LH response to LHRH more markedly, the LH levels at 30 min were decreased by 89.8% and 96% in groups treated with Cetrorelix acetate and Cetrorelix pamoate depot, respectively. The testosterone response was virtually abolished in groups receiving Cetrorelix. The concentration of pituitary receptors for LHRH fell by 69% in the [D-Trp6]LHRH group, whereas the reductions in the Cetrorelix acetate group and in the group that received Cetrorelix pamoate depot were 77% and 82%, respectively. Treatment with Cetrorelix pamoate depot led to a 75-80% decrease in the levels of 5.0- and 4.5-kilobase forms of LHRH receptor mRNA compared to those in the control group. Dot blot analysis also showed 83% reduction in the mRNA for LHRH receptor. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that prolonged administration of LHRH antagonists such as Cetrorelix causes an impairment of gonadotropin secretion and a marked decrease in the levels of LHRH receptors as well as in the expression of the LHRH receptor gene. Thus, the down-regulation of pituitary LHRH receptors produced by LHRH antagonists appears to be similar to that resulting from the agonists.

Animals↗