Cancer apoptosis induced by novel microbial fermentation product

Vaccine Weekly via NewsEdge Corporation :

2006 MAY 17 - NewsRx.com -- Cancer apoptosis was induced by the anti-cancer activity of a novel microbial fermentation product.

According to recent research from the People's Republic of China, "The possible anti-proliferation and cell death induction potential of a novel microbial fermentation extract named as oncogen XP-180 (or simply as XP-180) was tested on three human solid tumor carcinoma cell lines (non-small cell lung cancer A549, breast cancer MDA-MB231, liver adenocarcinoma SK-Hep1) and on the acute myelogenous leukaemia KG1a cell line. Anti-proliferative activity of XP-180 was observed on all of these cancer cell lines with comparable efficiency and in a dose-dependent manner."

"Morphological investigation further suggested that common features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage and rounding, are present in XP-180 treated cells," explained C.H. Chui and colleagues, Chinese University of Hong Kong. "Loss of adhesion properties of these solid tumor cell lines was observed upon XP-180 incubation. Anchorage-dependent clonogenicity assay on solid tumor cell lines and semi-solid methylcellulose colony formation assay on leukaemia cell line further revealed that XP-180 strongly inhibited the regeneration potential of these cancer cells.

"Using KG1a as an experimental model system, XP-180 was shown to stimulate the activity of caspase 3, 8 and 9 without significant change in caspase 6 activity. Furthermore, XP-180 readily induced collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential after 2 h of incubation. However, the use of the generic caspase specific inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK does not significantly reverse XP-180 mediated cell death."

The researchers concluded, "The results obtained suggest that XP-180-mediated cancer cell death could involve mitochondria and both caspase-dependent and-independent pathways. Therefore, XP-180 is an efficient anti-cancer regimen in vitro."

Chui and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Molecular Medicine (In vitro anti-cancer activity of a novel microbial fermentation product on human carcinomas. Int J Mol Med, 2006;17(4):675-679).

For additional information, contact G.Y.M. Cheng, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince Wales Hospital, Dept. Med & Therapeutic, Ngan Shing St., Shatin, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.

Publisher contact information for the International Journal of Molecular Medicine is: Professor D.A. Spandidos, 1, S Merkouri St., Editorial Office, Athens 116 35, Greece.

Keywords: Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, Apoptosis, Breast Cancer, Anti-Cancer Activity, Breast Carcinoma, Lung Cancer, Lung Carcinoma, Neoplasms, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Oncology, Tumors, Women's Health, Oncogen XP-180, Mitochondria.

This article was prepared by Vaccine Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Vaccine Weekly via NewsRx.com.Vaccine Weekly -- 05/18/06