1.
Targeted molecular ablation of cancer stem cells for curing gastrointestinal cancers.
Kim, YS, Lee, HJ, Park, JM, Han, YM, Kangwan, N, Oh, JY, Lee, DY, Hahm, KB
Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology. 2017;(11):1059-1070
Abstract
Abundance of the ATPase-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and deranged self-renewal pathways characterize the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in gastrointestinal cancers (GI cancers), which play crucial roles in tumorigenesis, chemotherapy resistance, tumor recurrence, and cancer metastasis. Therefore, in order to ensure high cure rates, chemoquiescence, CSCs should be ablated. Recent advances in either understanding CSCs or biomarker identification enable scientists to develop techniques for ablating CSCs and clinicians to provide cancer cure, especially in GI cancers characterized by inflammation-driven carcinogenesis. Areas covered: A novel approach to ablate CSCs in GI cancers, including esophageal, gastric, and colon cancers, is introduced along with explored underlying molecular mechanisms. Expert commentary: Though CSC ablation is still in the empirical stages and not in clinical practice, several strategies for ablating CSCs in GI cancers had been published, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) that regulate the membrane-bound ABC transporters, which underlie drug resistance; chloroquine (CQ) that inhibits autophagy, which is responsible for tumor survival; Hedgehog/Wnt/Notch inhibitors that influence the underlying stem-cell growth, and some natural products including Korean red ginseng, cancer-preventive kimchi, Artemisia extract, EGCG from green tea, and walnut extracts.
2.
Cancer chemopreventive effects of lactic acid bacteria.
Kim, JE, Kim, JY, Lee, KW, Lee, HJ
Journal of microbiology and biotechnology. 2007;(8):1227-35
Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) provide several potential health and nutritional benefits, including improving the nutritional value of food, controlling serum cholesterol levels, and controlling some types of cancer. Numerous in vitro, in vivo, human, and epidemiological studies have provided evidence of the chemopreventive effects of LAB on colon, bladder, liver, breast, and gastric cancers. These effects act via diverse mechanisms, including alteration of the gastrointestinal microflora, enhancement of the host's immune response, and antioxidative and antiproliferative activities. This review discusses the recent progresses on the chemopreventive effects of LAB on specific cancer types and the underlying molecular mechanisms.