naphthoquinones and Carcinoma--Bronchogenic

The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptosis resulting from NSC 95397, brefeldin A, bortezomib and sanguinarine in neuroendocrine tumor cell lines.. A multiparametric high-content screening assay for measurement of apoptosis was used. The human pancreatic carcinoid cell line, BON-1, human typical bronchial carcinoid cell line NCI-H727 and the human atypical bronchial carcinoid cell line NCI-H720 were tested. After incubation with cytotoxic drugs, the DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342, fluorescein-tagged probes that covalently bind active caspase-3 and chloromethyl-X-rosamine to detect mitochondrial membrane potential were added. Image acquisition and quantitative measurement of fluorescence was performed using automated image capture and analysis instrument ArrayScan. In addition, nuclear morphology was examined on microscopic slides stained with May-Grunewald-Giemsa.. A time- and dose-dependent activation of caspase-3 and increase in nuclear fragmentation and condensation were observed for the drugs using a multiparametric apoptosis assay. These results were confirmed with nuclear morphological examination on microscopic slides.. NSC 95397, brefeldin A, bortezomib and sanguinarine induced caspase-3 activation with modest changes in nuclear morphology.

Topics: Apoptosis; Benzophenanthridines; Boronic Acids; Bortezomib; Brefeldin A; Carcinoid Tumor; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Cell Line, Tumor; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Isoquinolines; Lung Neoplasms; Naphthoquinones; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pyrazines

The shikonin mixture was used for 19 cases of later-stage lung cancer who were not the candidates for operation, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The clinical observation showed that shikonin mixture could inhibit the growth of lung cancer and improve the immune function of the body. The tumors were reduced over 25% in diameter. The effective rate was 63.3%, remission rate 36.9%, survival rate of one year 47.3%. The intermedium survival period was about 10 months, including adenocarcinoma 10 months, squamous carcinoma 12 months. After treatment the life quality of patients were greatly improved. The patients got better appetite and their body weights were increased. They could manage themselves in daily life. The Karnofsky scores were enhanced by 20. The authors also observed that shikonin mixture could relieve such symptoms as cough, bloody sputum and chest pain caused by lung cancer. The levels of cells and interleukin-2 were increased (P less than 0.001). It had no harmful effects on peripheral blood picture, heart, kidney and liver. Shikonin mixture is safe and effective for later-stage cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Female; Ginsenosides; Humans; Interleukin-2; Killer Cells, Natural; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Naphthoquinones; Saponins