clove and Hematologic-Neoplasms

Considering the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with hematological malignancies and the frequent development of drug resistance by these diseases, the search for new cytotoxic agents is an urgent necessity. The new compounds should present higher efficiency and specificity in inducing tumor cell death, be easily administered and have little or negligible adverse effects. Quinones have been reported in the literature by their several pharmacological properties, including antitumor activity, thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of primin, a natural quinone, on hematological malignancies cell lines. Primin was highly cytotoxic against the three cell lines included in this study (K562, Jurkat and MM.1S) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the MTT method. The compound triggered an apoptotic-like cell death, as observed by ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine exposure after labeling with Annexin V. Both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis are involved in cell death induced by primin, as well as the modulation of cell proliferation marker KI-67. The activation of intrinsic apoptosis appears to be related to a decreased Bcl-2 expression and increased Bax expression. While the increase in FasR expression signals activate extrinsic apoptosis. The results suggest that primin is a promising natural molecule that could be used in hematological malignancies therapy or as prototypes for the development of new chemotherapics.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Inducing Factor; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Benzoquinones; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Cell Line, Tumor; Eugenia; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Jurkat Cells; K562 Cells; Plant Extracts; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Female; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Sex Distribution; Young Adult

The Unit of the anatomo-pathology in the "Institut Pasteur de Madagascar" (IPM) examined in the period from September 1992 to June 1996 tissue specimens from 10,275 patients. Tumorous pathology presented 40% of the tissues and half of which were of malign etiology. 64% of the cancer diagnosed were in females. Cervical cancer was most frequently observed (17%), followed by breast cancer (16%). Cancer in the gastro-intestinal tract (15%) was most often located in the colon without sex difference. Stomach cancer occurring predominantly in males presented 25% of the total cases of cancer in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer of liver is rarely diagnosed despite the high prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus. Skin cancer constituted 9% of the malign diagnosis and was mainly found in males. Children under 15 years old presented 7.4% of the total cases of malignancy with the haematopoietic tissues (30%) and the eyes (17%) as the most frequent topic locations. Due to a very low seroprevalence of the HIV in Madagascar, malign tumours associated to AIDS were only seen in a few rare cases. The review of cancer cases in the IPM may not be representative for the cancer epidemiology of Madagascar because of a general very low level of health care coverage, especially in the rural areas. Furthermore, a major part of the specimens originates from easily accessible organsystems, whereas other organs seem less investigated due to lack of appropriate available technique. Therefore, it is not feasible for the moment to establish a cancer register in Madagascar, although the Unit of Pathology in the IPM can offer a valid cancer diagnostical service.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms; Child; Child, Preschool; Colonic Neoplasms; Eye Neoplasms; Female; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Infant; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Sex Factors; Skin Neoplasms; Stomach Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms