acriflavine and Adenocarcinoma

A miniaturized confocal microscope was developed that could be integrated in the distal tip of a conventional colonoscope. With this technique, denoted confocal endomicroscopy, subsurface analysis of the gut mucosa and in-vivo histology during ongoing endoscopy are possible in full resolution by point scanning laser analysis. The diagnostic spectrum of confocal endomicroscopy is expanding from screening and surveillance for colorectal cancer to Barrett's esophagus, Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, and gastric cancer. The new detailed images seen with confocal laser endomicroscopy allow a unique look on cellular structures at and below the surface of the gut. This review describes the optical and diagnostic possibilities of confocal laser endomicroscopy.

Topics: Acriflavine; Adenocarcinoma; Barrett Esophagus; Colitis, Ulcerative; Contrast Media; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Esophageal Neoplasms; Fluoresceins; Gastritis; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Microscopy, Confocal

Aim/Materials and Methods: In order to develop better drugs against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we screened a variety of compounds and treated the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 with different drug concentrations. We then examined the cell viability using the MTT assay.. Data show that a new candidate drug, acriflavine (ACF), suppresses the viability of A549 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that ACF significantly caused cell growth arrest in the G2/M phase on A549 cells. Moreover, ACF decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased Bax expression. The content of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and caspase-3 are significantly increased. These findings suggest that ACF is cytotoxic against A549 cells and suppresses A549 cells growth through the caspase-3 activation pathway. In the in vivo test, nude mice bearing A549 cells xenografts by intravenous injection were randomly assigned into two groups: control and experimental group. Treatment was initiated 10 days after implantation and intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% normal saline or 2 mg/kg of ACF was continued daily for five weeks. ACF treatment significantly decreased tumor size and tumor spots on lung surface of tumor-bearing mice.. ACF can inhibit cell growth in A549 cells. Our results may assist on the delineation of the mechanism(s) leading to NSCLC cell growth inhibition and provide a new antitumor strategy against NSCLC.

Topics: Acriflavine; Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Proliferation; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays