Recent data have expanded the concept that inflammation is a critical component of tumour progression. Many cancers arise from sites of infection, chronic irritation and inflammation. It is now becoming clear that the tumour microenvironment, which is largely orchestrated by inflammatory cells, is an indispensable participant in the neoplastic process, fostering proliferation, survival and migration. In addition, tumour cells have co-opted some of the signalling molecules of the innate immune system, such as selectins, chemokines and their receptors for invasion, migration and metastasis. These insights are fostering new anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches to cancer development.

Inflammation and cancer

Nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and therapy. Advances in protein engineering and materials science have contributed to novel nanoscale targeting approaches that may bring new hope to cancer patients. Several therapeutic nanocarriers have been approved for clinical use. However, to date, there are only a few clinically approved nanocarriers that incorporate molecules to selectively bind and target cancer cells. This review examines some of the approved formulations and discusses the challenges in translating basic research to the clinic. We detail the arsenal of nanocarriers and molecules available for selective tumour targeting, and emphasize the challenges in cancer treatment.

Nanocarriers as an emerging platform for cancer therapy

We previously found that a polymer conjugated to the anticancer protein neocarzinostatin, named smancs, accumulated more in tumor tissues than did neocarzinostatin. To determine the general mechanism of this tumoritropic accumulation of smancs and other proteins, we used radioactive (51Cr-labeled) proteins of various molecular sizes (Mr 12,000 to 160,000) and other properties. In addition, we used dye-complexed serum albumin to visualize the accumulation in tumors of tumor-bearing mice. Many proteins progressively accumulated in the tumor tissues of these mice, and a ratio of the protein concentration in the tumor to that in the blood of 5 was obtained within 19 to 72 h. A large protein like immunoglobulin G required a longer time to reach this value of 5. The protein concentration ratio in the tumor to that in the blood of neither 1 nor 5 was achieved with neocarzinostatin, a representative of a small protein (Mr 12,000) in all time. We speculate that the tumoritropic accumulation of these proteins resulted because of the hypervasculature, an enhanced permeability to even macromolecules, and little recovery through either blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. This accumulation of macromolecules in the tumor was also found after i.v. injection of an albumin-dye complex (Mr 69,000), as well as after injection into normal and tumor tissues. The complex was retained only by tumor tissue for prolonged periods. There was little lymphatic recovery of macromolecules from tumor tissue. The present finding is of potential value in macromolecular tumor therapeutics and diagnosis.

https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/46/12_Part_1/6387.full.pdf

A New Concept for Macromolecular Therapeutics in Cancer Chemotherapy: Mechanism of Tumoritropic Accumulation of Proteins and the Antitumor Agent Smancs

Tumor vascular permeability and the EPR effect in macromolecular therapeutics: a review.

The discovery that mammalian cells have the ability to synthesize the free radical nitric oxide (NO) has stimulated an extraordinary impetus for scientific research in all the fields of biology and medicine. Since its early description as an endothelial-derived relaxing factor, NO has emerged as a fundamental signaling device regulating virtually every critical cellular function, as well as a potent mediator of cellular damage in a wide range of conditions. Recent evidence indicates that most of the cytotoxicity attributed to NO is rather due to peroxynitrite, produced from the diffusion-controlled reaction between NO and another free radical, the superoxide anion. Peroxynitrite interacts with lipids, DNA, and proteins via direct oxidative reactions or via indirect, radical-mediated mechanisms. These reactions trigger cellular responses ranging from subtle modulations of cell signaling to overwhelming oxidative injury, committing cells to necrosis or apoptosis. In vivo, peroxynitrite generation represents a crucial pathogenic mechanism in conditions such as stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, diabetes, circulatory shock, chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Hence, novel pharmacological strategies aimed at removing peroxynitrite might represent powerful therapeutic tools in the future. Evidence supporting these novel roles of NO and peroxynitrite is presented in detail in this review.

/pdf/nitric-oxide-and-peroxynitrite-in-health-and-disease-3uuuqgfdcz.pdf

Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite in Health and Disease

Production of antiicancer monocyte

[Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor: structure and functions].

A 20T large bore superconducting magnet has been developed at the National Research Institute for Metals. In this paper, design for its cooling system is mainly discussed. As a coolant for this magnet, saturated superfluid helium has been applied. Two separated chambers where two coils are placed, respectively, are evacuated with rotary pumps. A liquid helium tank is equipped with each chamber over the coils. This tank functions as a reservoir of liquid helium and source of cooling gas for power leads. Two outer coils are designed to be cryogenically stabilized in saturated superfluid helium.

Development of 20T Large Bore Superconducting Magnet. (II). Design for Cooling System.

PURPOSE:To provide a macrophage activating agent containing a styrenemaleic acid copolymer or its half-ester derivative (some of which are novel) as an active component, capable of activating macrophage and useful for the prevention and remedy of malignant tumor. CONSTITUTION:The objective agent contains a styrene-maleic acid copolymer or its half-ester derivative as an active component. The half-ester derivative is e.g. a half-alkyl or half-alkoxyethyl-ester derivative (alkyl and alkoxy are 1-8C straight or branched chain group), and some of the derivatives are novel. It has been known that the gydrogen peroxide produced ultimately by macrophage via a superoxide has antitumor activity. In view of the above findings, the copolymer or ester capable of activating macrophage and having excellent effect to produce the oxygen metabolite, is used as a carcinostatic agent or an agent to promote the activity of other carcinostatic agents.

Macrophage activating agent

Several 3-(2-cyanoethyl)-1, 4-dihydropyridine carboxylates (16) were prepared in moderate to good yields by means of the Hantzsch reaction. Treatment of these carboxylates with a weak base such as sodium sulfide or tetrabutylammonium fluoride at room temperature afforded smoothly the corresponding 1, 4-dihydropyridine monocarboxylic acids (18) in good yields. The monocarboxylic acids 18n and 18o were esterified with 2-nitrooxypropanol or N-(2-hydroxyethyl)nicotinamide p-toluenesulfonic acid salt to afford the selective coronary vasodilators CD-349 (5) and CD-832 (6), respectively.

Mild and Facile Cleavage of 2-Cyanoethyl Ester Using Sodium Sulfide or Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride. Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridine Monocarboxylic Acids and Unsymmetrical 1,4-Dihydropyridine Dicarboxylates.

Hiroshi Maeda

Papers

Production of antiicancer monocyte

[Alpha1-proteinase inhibitor: structure and functions].

Development of 20T Large Bore Superconducting Magnet. (II). Design for Cooling System.

Macrophage activating agent

Mild and Facile Cleavage of 2-Cyanoethyl Ester Using Sodium Sulfide or Tetrabutylammonium Fluoride. Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridine Monocarboxylic Acids and Unsymmetrical 1,4-Dihydropyridine Dicarboxylates.