Cancer tumour growth

Limonoid aglycones have been shown to possess certain biological activities such as the inhibition of cancerous tumour growth in laboratory animals (Lam et al. 1989 a,b Miller et al. 1989) and antifeedant activities against insects (Alford and Bentley 1986 Liu et al. 1990). Recently, the glucoside of limonin, limonin 17-P-d-glucopyranoside, was found to possess anticancer activities as well (Miller et al. 1992). 

Since COX-2 is overexpressed in tumour cells, such as those of colorectal cancer, it was anticipated that selective COX-2 inhibitors may inhibit tumour growth. 

ET-1 also stimulates anti-apoptotic signal cascades in fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscles and endothelial cells (via phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and Akt/pro-tein kinase B). In prostate and ovarian cancer, upregulation of endothelin synthesis and ETA receptors has been associated with a progression of the disease. The inhibiton of ETA receptors results in a reduced tumour growth. In malignant melanoma, ETB receptors are associated with tumour progression. Endothelins can also stimulate apoptosis in stretch-activated vessels via the ETB receptor, which contrasts the above-mentioned effects. The molecular basis for these differential anti- and pro-apoptotic reactions mediated by endothelins remains elusive. 

Patel, J. B., J. Mehta et al. (2007). Novel retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents have potent inhibitory activities on human breast cancer cells and tumour growth. Br. J. Cancer 96(8) 1204—1215. 

Nagata, H., Kikuchi, Y., Tode, T., Hirata, J., Kita, T., Ishii, K., Kudoh, K., Nagata, I., and Shinomiya, N. (1998). Inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rh-2 on tumour growth in nude mice bearing human ovarian cancer cells. ]pn. J. Cancer Res. 89, 733-740. 

Research is currently directed towards a better understanding of the metabolic alterations of cancer patients, the definition of nutritional regimens that can efficiently support the host without promoting tumour growth, and on the impact of nutritional pharmacology on the host-tumour relationship. Glutamine, arginine, ornithine-... 

Fig. 14 ZK-253 effects on tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer xenograft tumours. Estrogen-dependent MCF-7/TAM tumours were implanted on day 0 into one flank of 70 estrogen-and tamoxifen-supplemented nude mice. After tumours had reached approximately 25 mm in size (after about 22 days), mice were randomised into seven groups (10 mice each) three control groups (control tamoxifen, control vehicle or control ovariectomy without estradiol), and the fom treatment groups (ZK-703, ZK-253, raloxifene or fulves-trant) each at 10 mg/kg subcutaneously daily. Treatment was continued either until the end of the experiment or imtil tumoms reached a median of approximately 100 mm (larger tumours were observed in some mice). The tumours were then removed, snap frozen, and used for analysis of ER levels, a Xenograft tumour growth curves. Data are expressed as medians with interquartile ranges, b ERa levels. Data are expressed as mean with upper 95% Cl...

O Brien CA, Pollett A, Gallinger S, Dick JE (2007) A human colon cancer cell capable of initiating tumour growth in immunodeficient mice. Nature 445 106-110... 

Bonomo M, Mingrone W, Brauchli P, Hering F, Goldhirsch A Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Cancer Research, a member of the Swiss Institute of Applied Cancer Research. Exemestane seems to stimulate tumour growth in men with prostate carcinoma. Eur J Cancer 2003 39(14) 2111-2. 

Further, the enhanced transport of the P-gp substrate acyclovir across excised rat intestinal mucosa and Caco-2 monolayers in the presence of thiolated chitosan was found to be due to efflux pump inhibition (Palmberger et al. 2008). Co-administration of paclitaxel and thiolated polycarbophil significantly improved paclitaxel plasma levels and led to a more constant pharmacokinetic profile and reduced tumour growth in mammary cancer-induced rats (Foger et al. 2008). 

As Mrs KT has advanced metastatic cancer, the goal of treatment is palliative. The objectives must therefore be to prolong her life by controlling her tumour growth in both the primary site and sites of metastases, in parallel with maintaining or improving her quality of life. It is imperative not to impair her quality of life with intolerable side-effects of treatment. The role of the clinical oncology pharmacist is therefore important and should involve ... 

Van Leeuwen IMM, Zonneveld C, Kooijman S ALM. 2003. The embedded tumour host physiology is important for the evaluation of tumour growth. Br J Cancer 89 2254-2263. 

Iwamoto, Y, Nomizu, M., Yamada, Y, Ito, Y, Tanaka, K. and Sugioka, Y. (1996). Inhibition of angiogenesis, tumour growth and experimental metastasis of human fibrosarcoma ceUs HT1080 by a multimeric form of the laminin sequence Tyr-IIe-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR). Br. J. Cancer 73, 589-595. 

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