gastrin-17 and Adenocarcinoma

G17DT or Gastrimmune, as it was formally known, is an antigastrin 17 immunogen producing neutralising high affinity antibodies directed against gastrin-17 (G17). Preclinical studies, initiated to identify biological functionality of G17DT-induced antibodies, confirmed that the antibodies both reduced G17 stimulated gastric acid secretion and inhibited gastrin from interacting with the CCK-2 receptor. Therapeutic efficacy of both passive and active immunisation with G17DT has been established in a number of tumour systems including both primary and metastatic disease. Furthermore, additive effects with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin have been confirmed in both colon and gastric tumour models. Phase I/II studies in advanced gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies have shown no systemic or autoimmune reactions to active immunisation with G17DT. Use of an optimised dose has yielded a high proportion of responders (> 80%), with minimal side effects and antibody titres measurable within 2-4 weeks. Taken together these results suggest that the G17DT immunogen is a promising agent for the treatment of GI cancer and Phase III trials, currently underway, will definitively evaluate this early promise.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Antibodies; Antigens; Cancer Vaccines; Clinical Trials as Topic; Colonic Neoplasms; Diphtheria Toxoid; Gastrins; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Immunotherapy; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Neoplasm Metastasis; Stomach Neoplasms

We aimed to assess a serological biopsy using five stomach-specific circulating biomarkers-pepsinogen I (PGI), PGII, PGI/II ratio, anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibody, and gastrin-17 (G-17)-for identifying high-risk individuals and predicting risk of developing gastric cancer (GC).. Among 12,112 participants with prospective follow-up from an ongoing population-based screening program using both serology and gastroscopy in China, we conducted a multi-phase study involving a cross-sectional analysis, a follow-up analysis, and an integrative risk prediction modeling analysis.. In the cross-sectional analysis, the five biomarkers (especially PGII, the PGI/II ratio, and H. pylori sero-positivity) were associated with the presence of precancerous gastric lesions or GC at enrollment. In the follow-up analysis, low PGI levels and PGI/II ratios were associated with higher risk of developing GC, and both low (<0.5 pmol/l) and high (>4.7 pmol/l) G-17 levels were associated with higher risk of developing GC, suggesting a J-shaped association. In the risk prediction modeling analysis, the five biomarkers combined yielded a C statistic of 0.803 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.789-0.816) and improved prediction beyond traditional risk factors (C statistic from 0.580 to 0.811, P<0.001) for identifying precancerous lesions at enrollment, and higher serological biopsy scores based on the five biomarkers at enrollment were associated with higher risk of developing GC during follow-up (P for trend <0.001).. A serological biopsy composed of the five stomach-specific circulating biomarkers could be used to identify high-risk individuals for further diagnostic gastroscopy, and to stratify individuals' risk of developing GC and thus to guide targeted screening and precision prevention.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Bacterial; Biomarkers; Biopsy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastric Mucosa; Gastrins; Gastroscopy; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Pepsinogen A; Pepsinogen C; Precancerous Conditions; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Assessment; ROC Curve; Stomach Neoplasms

The gastrin and the gastrin/CCK-B receptor genes are co-expressed in several carcinomas. The primary translational product, progastrin, however, is processed to several peptides of which only those that are α-amidated at their C-terminus are receptor ligands. So far, characterization of the progastrin-derived peptides in gastric cancer has not been reported. The authors therefore examined the molecular nature of gastrin and its receptor in human gastric carcinomas.. Twenty patients with adenocarcinoma underwent partial or total gastrectomy. In samples from each carcinoma, gastrin peptides were characterized, using a library of sequence-specific immunoassays. Expression was also demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the gastrin and gastrin/CCK-B receptor gene expression was quantitated using real-time PCR, and the receptor protein demonstrated by western blotting.. α-Amidated gastrins were detectable in 16 of 20 carcinomas (median concentration 2.1 pmol/g tissue; range 0-386 pmol/g tissue). The tissue concentrations correlated closely to the gastrin mRNA contents (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001). Moreover, progastrin and non-amidated processing intermediates, including glycine-extended gastrins, were detected in 19 carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry corroborated gastrin expression in carcinoma cells. Chromatography revealed extensive progastrin processing with α-amidated gastrin-34 and -17 (tyrosyl-sulfated as well as non-sulfated) as major products. Finally, gastrin/CCK-B receptor mRNA and protein were detected in all tumors.. The results show that the elements for a local loop of α-amidated gastrins and their receptor are detectable in 80% of human gastric adenocarcinomas. Therefore, the results support the contention that locally expressed gastrin may be involved in the tumorigenesis of gastric adenocarcinomas.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Gastrins; Gene Expression; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Protein Precursors; Receptor, Cholecystokinin B; RNA, Messenger; Stomach Neoplasms

Non-invasive tools for gastric cancer screening and diagnosis are lacking. Serological testing with the detection of pepsinogen 1 (PG1), pepsinogen 2 (PG2) and gastrin 17 (G17) offers the possibility to detect preneoplastic gastric mucosal conditions. Aim of this study was to assess the performance of these serological tests in the presence of gastric neoplasia.. Histological and serological samples of 118 patients with gastric cancer have been assessed for tumor specific characteristics (Laurén type, localisation), degree of mucosal abnormalities (intestinal metaplasia, atrophy) and serological parameters (PG1, PG2, PG1/2-ratio, G17, H. pylori IgG, CagA status). Association of the general factors to the different serological values have been statistically analyzed.. Patients with intestinal type gastric cancer had lower PG1 levels and a lower PG1/2-ratio compared to those with diffuse type cancer (p = 0.003). The serum levels of PG2 itself and G17 were not significantly altered. H. pylori infection in general had no influence on the levels of PG1, PG2 and G17 in the serum of gastric cancer patients. There was a trend towards lower PG1 levels in case of positive CagA-status (p = 0.058). The degree of both intestinal metaplasia and atrophy correlated inversely with serum levels for PG1 and the PG1/2-ratio (p < 0.01). Laurén-specific analysis revealed that this is only true for intestinal type tumors. Univariate ANOVA revealed atrophy and CagA-status as the only independent factors for low PG1 and a low PG1/2-ratio.. Glandular atrophy and a positive CagA status are determinant factors for decreased pepsinogen 1 levels in the serum of patients with gastric cancer. The serological assessment of gastric atrophy by analysis of serum pepsinogen is only adequate for patients with intestinal type cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antigens, Bacterial; Atrophy; Bacterial Proteins; Biomarkers, Tumor; Female; Gastric Mucosa; Gastrins; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pepsinogen A; Precancerous Conditions; Retrospective Studies; Stomach Neoplasms

Gastrin is known to enhance the growth of pancreatic carcinoma via the cholecystokinin (CCK)-2/gastrin receptor. We investigated the anti-tumor effect of Z-360 (calcium bis [(R)-(-)-3-[3-{5-cyclohexyl-1-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxo-butyl)-2-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b][1,4]diazepin-3-yl}ureido]benzoate]), a novel orally active CCK-2 receptor antagonist alone or combined with the chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines.. Z-360 potently inhibited specific binding of [3H]CCK-8 to the human CCK-2 receptor, with a Ki value of 0.47 nmol/l, and showed antagonistic activity for this receptor. The anti-tumor effect of Z-360 alone or combined with gemcitabine was assessed using subcutaneous xenografts of MiaPaCa2 and PANC-1 and an orthotopic xenograft model (PANC-1). Oral administration of Z-360 significantly inhibited the growth of MiaPaCa2 (41.7% inhibition at 100 mg/kg, P<0.01). Combined administration of Z-360 and gemcitabine significantly inhibited subcutaneous PANC-1 tumor growth compared with either agent alone (27.1% inhibition compared to effect with gemcitabine, P<0.05), and significantly prolonged survival compared with the vehicle control (median survival of 49 days in vehicle compared to 57 days in the combination group, P<0.05). In vitro studies showed that Z-360 significantly inhibited gastrin-induced proliferation of human CCK-2 receptor-expressing cells, and also significantly reduced gastrin-induced PKB/Akt phosphorylation to the level of untreated controls.. In the present study, we have shown that Z-360 combined with gemcitabine can inhibit pancreatic tumor growth and prolong survival in a pancreatic carcinoma xenograft model, on a possible mode of action being the inhibition of gastrin-induced PKB/Akt phosphorylation through blockade of the CCK-2 receptor. Our results suggest that Z-360 may be a useful adjunct to gemcitabine for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and a therapeutic option for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Administration, Oral; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Benzodiazepinones; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Deoxycytidine; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Gastrins; Gemcitabine; Humans; Mice; Mice, Nude; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Receptor, Cholecystokinin B; Survival Rate; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Gastrin induces the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and interleukin (IL)-8; however, the mechanism(s), especially in gastric epithelial cells, is not well understood. Here, we have determined the intracellular mechanisms mediating gastrin-dependent gene expression.. AGS-E human gastric cancer cell line stably expressing cholecystokinin-2 receptor was treated with amidated gastrin-17. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to determine COX-2 and IL-8 expression and Akt, Erk, and p38 phosphorylation. Gene promoter activity was determined by luciferase assay. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis was performed for nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 activity. RNA stability was determined after actinomycin D treatment. HuR localization was determined by immunocytochemistry.. Gastrin induced COX-2 and IL-8 expression in AGS-E cells, which was inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K) and p38 inhibitors. Gastrin-mediated Akt activation was observed to be downstream of p38. IL-8 expression was dependent on COX-2-mediated prostaglandin E(2) synthesis. In the presence of an NF-kappaB inhibitor MG132, IL-8 transcription was inhibited, but not that of COX-2. This was confirmed after knockdown of the p65 RelA subunit of NF-kappaB. Further studies showed that COX-2 gene transcription is regulated by activator protein-1. Gastrin increased the stability of both COX-2 and IL-8 messenger RNA (mRNA) in a p38-dependent manner, the half-life increasing from 31 minutes to 8 hours and approximately 4 hours, respectively. Gastrin, through p38 activity, also enhanced HuR expression, nucleocytoplasmic translocation, and enhanced COX-2 mRNA binding.. Gastrin differentially induces COX-2 and IL-8 expression at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels by PI3K and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, respectively.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Blotting, Western; Cell Line, Tumor; Cyclooxygenase 2; Dinoprostone; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Gastric Mucosa; Gastrins; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Immunoprecipitation; Interleukin-8; Oncogene Protein v-akt; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; RNA Stability; RNA, Neoplasm; Stomach Neoplasms; Transcription, Genetic

Gastrin is a gastrointestinal (GI) peptide that possesses potent trophic effects on most of the normal and neoplastic mucosa of the GI tract. Despite abundant evidence for these properties, the mechanisms governing gastrin-induced proliferation are still largely unknown. To elucidate the mechanisms by which gastrin might influence mitogenesis in gastric adenocarcinoma, we analyzed its effects on the human cell line AGS-B. Amidated gastrin (G-17), one of the major circulating forms of gastrin, induced a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation of cells in culture, with the maximum effective concentration occurring with 20 nM G-17. This effect was significantly attenuated by the gastrin-specific receptor antagonist L-365260. In addition, we found that G-17 induced a significant increase in the levels of cyclin D1 transcripts, protein, and promoter activity. The results of these studies indicate that gastrin appears to exert its mitogenic effects on gastric adenocarcinoma, at least in part, through changes in cyclin D1 expression.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; beta Catenin; Cell Division; Cyclin D1; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gastrins; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hormones; Humans; Promoter Regions, Genetic; RNA, Messenger; Stomach Neoplasms; Trans-Activators; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Gastrin is a gastrointestinal peptide that possesses potent trophic properties on both normal and neoplastic cells of gastrointestinal origin. Previous studies have indicated that chronic hypergastrinaemia increases the risk of colorectal cancer and cancer growth and that interruption of the effects of gastrin could be a potential target in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Here we demonstrate that gastrin leads to a dose-dependent increase in colon cancer cell proliferation and tumour growth in vitro and in vivo, and that this increment is progressively reversed by pretreatment with the cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398. Gastrin was able to induce cyclo-oxygenase-2 protein expression, as well as the synthesis of prostaglandin E2, the major product of cyclo-oxygenase. Moreover, gastrin leads to approximately a two-fold induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 promoter activity in transiently transfected cells. The results of these studies demonstrate that cyclo-oxygenase-2 appears to represent one of the downstream targets of gastrin and that selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibition is capable of reversing the trophic properties of gastrin and presumably might prevent the growth of colorectal cancer induced by hypergastrinaemia.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Cell Division; Colonic Neoplasms; Cyclin D1; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; DNA Replication; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gastrins; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genes, Reporter; Isoenzymes; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplasm Transplantation; Nitrobenzenes; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; Receptors, Cholecystokinin; Substrate Specificity; Sulfonamides; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The effects of gastrin (G-17), proglumide (a gastrin receptor antagonist), and enprostil (a synthetic analog of prostaglandin E2) used alone or in association were studied in colonic cancer Prob and Regb cell growth. The Prob (progressive in BD IX rats) and Regb (regressive) cell lines were cloned from a single chemically-induced rat colonic cancer. After a serum-free period corresponding to one doubling cell time, cells were incubated with 100 to 1,200 pM G-17, 40 or 80 mM proglumide, and 2.5 to 5 micrograms/ml enprostil for 8 h. Cell growth was measured 48 h later by colorimetric MTT assay. Two and four hundred pM G-17 gave a growth stimulation of 17.4 percent and 31 percent for Prob cells respectively or 35.5 percent and 49 percent for Regb cells. Growth stimulation was found to be statistically different (P less than 0.01) for Prob and Regb cells. Proglumide partially inhibited this growth stimulation whereas enprostil inhibited in totally. These results suggest that growth of some colonic cancer cell lines may be G-17 dependent. However the intensity of cell-growth stimulation depends on the level of cell malignancy or differentiation in a single tumor.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Colonic Neoplasms; Dimethylhydrazines; Drug Combinations; Enprostil; Gastrins; Proglumide; Rats; Stimulation, Chemical; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Two colorectal (HT29, LoVo) and one gastric (MKN45) human tumour cell lines were examined for their in vitro trophic response to human gastrin-17. MKN45 and HT29 responded by increased 75Se selenomethionine uptake to exogenous gastrin (139 +/- 5.5% and 123 +/- 3% of control values respectively) whereas LoVo showed no significant response to this hormone. When these same cell lines were grown as xenografts in nude mice, similar responses were seen to exogenously administered human gastrin-17 (10 micrograms mouse-1 day-1, subcutaneous injection). MKN45 xenografts showed a greater response to continuously administered gastrin (osmotic mini-pumps, (10 micrograms mouse-1 day-1) when compared to the same dose given via a subcutaneous bolus injection. The hormone-treated xenografts had a two-fold increase in tumour cross-sectional area and growth rate when compared to saline-treated controls. Dose-response studies revealed that 0.4 micrograms gastrin mouse-1 day-1 appeared to be the minimally effective dose. As gastric and colorectal tumour cells show a trophic response to gastrin, antagonists of the gastrin receptor may prevent this effect causing tumour stasis. The gastric tumour cell line, MKN45, is gastrin-responsive and would be an ideal model for screening potent receptor antagonists.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Cell Division; Cell Line; Colorectal Neoplasms; Gastrins; Hormones; Humans; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Transplantation; Stomach Neoplasms; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The trophic effects of the hormone gastrin-17 were examined on a human colon cancer cell line. LoVo cells were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection and grown in minimal essential medium in the presence of 10% bovine fetal serum. To demonstrate the trophic effect of gastrin, synchronization was necessary. The effect of gastrin was optimal after 26-h exposure to 0.6 mM thymidine. In the presence of serum the optimal dose of gastrin for stimulation of DNA synthesis was 7.2 X 10(-10) M. Under these conditions gastrin caused a 220% increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation. In the absence of serum the optimal dose of gastrin (3.6 X 10(-9) M) increased DNA synthesis approximately 200%. Twenty-four hours after gastrin treatment (1.8 X 10(-10) M gastrin 17) cell numbers increased 50.8% compared with control. At 48 h this increase was maintained at 44%. Maximum stimulation by gastrin occurred 7-8 h after release from synchronization and exposure to gastrin. This corresponded to the S phase of the cell cycle. Significant stimulation occurred a second time at 22-24 h, presumably during the second S phase in a still synchronous or partially synchronous cell population. These data demonstrate that physiological concentrations of gastrin-17 can stimulate the growth of a human cancer cell line and that some degree of synchronization may be necessary to demonstrate similar effects in other cell lines. Such cell lines may provide a source of rapidly growing cells in which the mechanisms of the trophic effect of gastrin can be examined.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Blood; Cell Division; Cell Line; Colonic Neoplasms; Culture Media; DNA; Gastrins; Humans