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BackgroundC60 fullerene-based nanoformulations are proposed to have a direct toxic effect on tumor cells. Previous investigations demonstrated that C60 fullerene used alone or being conjugated with chemotherapeutic agents possesses a potent anticancer activity. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of C60 fullerene and its nanocomplexes with anticancer drugs on human phagocyte metabolic profile in vitro.MethodsAnalysis of the metabolic profile of phagocytes exposed to C60 fullerene in vitro revealed augmented phagocytic activity and down-regulated reactive nitrogen species generation in these cells. Additionally, cytofluorimetric analysis showed that C60 fullerene can exert direct cytotoxic effect on normal and transformed phagocytes through the vigorous induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species generation.ResultsCytotoxic action as well as the pro-oxidant effect of C60 fullerene was more pronounced toward malignant phagocytes. At the same time, C60 fullerenes have the ability to down-regulate the pro-oxidant effect of cisplatin on normal cells. These results indicate that C60 fullerenes may influence phagocyte metabolism and have both pro-oxidant and antioxidant properties.ConclusionsThe antineoplastic effect of C60 fullerene has been observed by direct toxic effect on tumor cells, as well as through the modulation of the functions of effector cells of antitumor immunity.

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Aim: To investigate the association of MDM2 expression at the mRNA levels in neuroblastoma with clinical features and unfavorable disease factors to determine the possibility of it usage as a prognostic marker of neuroblastoma. Materials and Methods: Total RNA and DNA were extracted from tumor tissue samples of total 91 neuroblastoma patients (mean age: 39.45 ± 4.81 months). MDM2 mRNA levels were detected with Q-PCR. TP53 gene deletion was detected with FISH method. MYCN amplification was detected with Q -PCR analysis in fresh tumor samples and FISH in FFPE samples. Results: We investigated the association of MDM2 mRNA expression with clinical outcome in neuroblastoma patients (n = 91). Kaplan — Meier curves showed a significant association of high MDM2 expression with poor event-free survival (p < 0.001). Clinical outcome of patients without MYCN amplification with low MDM2 expression was associated with better event-free survival than with high MDM2 expression (p < 0.001). Overexpression of MDM2 can be used as significant prognostic marker for patient stratification on risk groups and treatment optimization. Conclusion: Our results showed that the high expression of MDM2 at mRNA levels is an important factor of neuroblastoma prognosis. It may be a valuable additional molecular marker in guiding specific therapy in MYCN non-amplified NB patients without TP53 gene deletion.

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The important component of obesity pathogenesis is inflammatory activation of innate immune cells within adipose tissue and in other body locations. Both the course of obesity and innate immune reactivity are characterized by sex-associated differences. The aim of the work was a comparative investigation of metabolic profiles of phagocytes from different locations in male and female rats with MSG-induced obesity. The administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) caused obesity, with sex-associated differences, that was more severe in male rats. Obesity was associated with pro-inflammatory activation of CD14+ phagocytes from adipose tissue in female, but not in male rats, which was demonstrated by decreased phagocytosis activity along with increased ROS generation. Phagocytes from the peritoneal cavity and peripheral blood of obese female rats exhibited neutral metabolic profile, whereas those cells from obese male rats displayed a pro-inflammatory metabolic profile. Thus, the manifestation of obesity-induced inflammation was characterized by different patterns of metabolic profile of phagocytes in male and female rats. Identified immune cell characteristics expand our knowledge of obesity immunobiology and may help to develop more effective preventive and therapeutic interventions for obese patients of different sexes.

Targeting of mechanochemically activated doxorubicin (MA DOXO) nanoparticles, conventional doxorubicin, and electromagnetic irradiation (EMI) at A-549 lung carcinoma cells in vitro was investigated. Conventional DOXO was micronized using an input energy of 20 W/g for 5 min resulting in positively charged MA DOXO particles 10 times smaller than conventional DOXO. Mechanochemical activation gives rise to additional free quinone radicals. High performance liquid chromatograph analyses demonstrate that conventional and MA DOXO are quantitatively similar. Tumor cells were exposed to 40 MHz electromagnetic irradiation at a power density of 2 W/cm2. The lethal dose LD50 values of MA DOXO were 5 times greater than conventional doxorubicin. MA DOXO in combination with EMI at 37 degrees C demonstrates improved drug delivery to A-549 human lung carcinoma and greater cell kill than does conventional DOXO.

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