SummaryThe importance of tumour angiogenesis in the process of tumour growth and progression in solid tumours has been widely accepted. Among many angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to play a major role in the development and dissemination of the malignant tumours. Nitric oxide (NO) production was also observed in solid tumour tissues. NO has been reported to play an important role for the mitogenic effect of VEGF in the angiogenic process. However, little is known about the correlation between VEGF and NO in circulating levels. Therefore, we investigated serum VEGF and NO concentrations in human gastric cancers as well as healthy individuals, and examined the influence of tumour stage on circulating level of VEGF. The study consisted of 11 healthy individuals and 37 patients with primary gastric cancer who did not receive any prior therapy. Patients were categorized into four groups according to TNM classification. The level of VEGF 165 in preoperative sera of gastric cancer patients and healthy donors was assayed using the quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. NO concentration was estimated indirectly from serum nitrite. The ANOVA test showed a significant difference in serum VEGF 165 concentrations between tumour stages (P < 0.001). A striking relationship was found between serum NO levels and tumour stage (P < 0.001). A significant difference was also seen between healthy individuals and patients with stage 1 disease. The present study suggested that large tumour burden was associated with significantly increased levels of VEGF 165 and NO.

Summary. Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers in men, and new approaches are needed for its treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of co-administration of naturally occurring flavone apigenin and doxorubicin to androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells. Methods: The effect of the treatment on survival and migration of human PC3 cells was evaluated by MTT and scratch assay, respectively. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were detected by image-based cytometry. mRNA and protein expression were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Results: Apigenin and doxorubicin dose-dependently inhibited cell survival, and co-administration of both agents significantly induced cell death via upregulating the mRNA expression of caspases, Bax and cytochrome c, and downregulating Bcl-XL. Combination therapy caused cell cycle arrest by upregulating the expression of p21 and p27. The treatment modality inhibited cell migration via downregulating Snail, Twist and MMPs in which doxorubicin was ineffective. Apigenin dephosphorylated Akt strongly, significantly suppressed ERK phosphorylation, and increased PTEN expression 4.5-fold. The combination of apigenin and doxorubicin inhibited PI3K and AKT phosphorylation more strongly than a single administration. Conclusions: Our data indicate that a combination of the natural flavone apigenin with doxorubicin might have a potential in treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Plasma Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), Cu/Zn ratio, and Thymidine Kinase (TK) were measured in 15 patients with leukemia and lymphoma against 10 controls. Seven patients were studied at initial diagnosis, whereas 8 were studied during remission. Although a good correlation (r = 0.4) between TK and Zn levels was found in controls, no significant correlation was shown between Zn, Cu, Cu/Zn ratio, and TK in the patients. Further studies are required with a larger number of patients. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 14:5–9, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.