Begell House Inc.
Critical Reviews™ in Oncogenesis
CRO
0893-9675
11
3&4
2000
Plants, Polysaccharides, and the Treatment and Prevention of Neoplasia
38
10.1615/CritRevOncog.v11.i34.10
Ronald P.
Pelley
Pangea Phytoceuticals, Suite 119, 306 E. Jackson, Harlingen, TX, 78550
Faith M.
Strickland
Department of Immunology, Box 178, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030
Plants and Fungi have traditionally been the single largest source of lead compounds for the development of therapeutics by the pharmaceutical industry. Currently mushroom and plant polysaccharides brought to attention by Complementary and Alternative medicine, are undergoing scientific analysis and development to prevent and treat cancer. Two classes of saccharides are under investigation—beta glucan polysaccharides as biological response modifiers for the adjuvant treatment of cancer and "Oligosaccharin"-related oligosaccharides for the prevention of sun-induced skin cancer. Beta glucans already in human trials in the Far East will require mechanistic pharmacologic studies and definition of stucture function relationships before they are ready for clinical trials in the West. Other beta glucans that prime natural killer cells for antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity are approaching clinical trials. Oligosaccharides that downregulate production of immuno-suppressive cytokines by ultraviolet radiation injured keratinocytes are promising agents for the prevention of environmental skin cancer.
Structure-Function Studies of ETS Transcription Factors
28
10.1615/CritRevOncog.v11.i34.20
Murielle
Mimeault
Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique Albert Lespagnol, Faculte de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Toxicologie, 3 Rue du Pr. Laguesse, 59006 Lille Cedex, France
The functional characterization of ETS transcription factors have allowed the association of numerous physiological and pathological roles to these proteins in the regulation of gene expression during the maturation of hematopoietic cell lineages and in tumor cell growth, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, structural investigations have allowed the determination of certain amino acid domains of ETS proteins that are essential for the recognition and transcriptional activation or repression of gene promoters or enhancers. It has been observed that the mechanisms of action of ETS proteins can be ruled in part by their intermolecular interactions with other transcription factors and by their phosphorylation status. This review describes information about structure-function relationships of different ETS family members in order to establish the structural differences that are important for their affinities and intrinsic activities to DNA binding sites.
Benzalkonium Salts: Effects on G Protein-Mediated Processes and Surface Membranes
52
10.1615/CritRevOncog.v11.i34.30
Roberto
Patarca
Cordis Corporation, Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Jason A.
Rosenzweig
Departments of Medicine, and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami School of Medicine, E.M. Papper Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, P.O. Box 016960 (R-42), Miami, FL33101
Alicia A.
Zuniga
School of Natural and Health Sciences, Barry University, 11300 Northeast Second Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695
Mary Ann
Fletcher
Departments of Medicine, and Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami School of Medicine, E.M. Papper Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, P.O. Box 016960 (R-42), Miami, FL33101
Benzalkonium salts comprise a group of positively charged surface-active alkylamine biocides with the general formula alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride or bromide. They interact with guanine nucleotide triphosphate-binding proteins (G proteins), thereby affecting signal transduction in a variety of cell types and processes. This article reviews the known and potential basic science research and clinical applications and manifestations of benzalkonium salts. Benzalkonium salts have antiproliferative effects on a variety of cells (including T cells) through G protein-dependent pathways, affect cytokine gene expression (downregulate tumor necrosis factor expression), and are also effective bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal agents with multisite (direct and immunologically mediated) inhibitory activity against many pathogens, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), papillomavirus, and herpesviruses. Therefore, benzalkonium salts not only appear to be effective as disinfectants and spermicides but may also prove useful in the prevention and treatment of neoplasias and other disease, particularly those linked to viruses and originating at the skin or mucosal surface.
Subject, Author, and Table of Contents Indices for Volume 11
6
10.1615/CritRevOncog.v11.i34.40