To determine the expression pattern of certain metalloproteinases (MMPs) known to be involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix in cultured fibroblasts from the transversalis fascia (TF) of patients with inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia is a common pathology, the cause of which remains unknown. It is, however, clear that the TF is one of the anatomical structures that may impede the formation of hernias, and particularly the direct type of hernia. In previous studies the authors found enhanced MMP-2 expression in TF specimens in vivo. The persistence of increased expression in cultured fibroblasts might support the idea of a genetic defect as the cause for this pathology. Fibroblasts from the TF of patients with direct and indirect inguinal hernia were cultured and compared with those obtained from control TF in terms of MMP (MMP-2 and MMP-9) expression. Significant active MMP-2 expression was shown by TF fibroblasts from young patients with direct hernias. These findings were confirmed by immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, and zymography of the fibroblast culture media. No MMP-9 expression was detected. These results indicate that MMP-2 may be involved in the TF matrix degradative process in patients with direct hernia. The persistence of changes in MMP-2 levels in the cell cultures appears to suggest a genetic defect or irreversible change as the origin of this pathology rather than environmental factors, which may later participate in the development of the hernial process.

The antiproliferative effects of an antagonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) JV-1-38 were evaluated in nude mice bearing s.c. xenografts of LNCaP and MDA-PCa-2b human androgen-sensitive and DU-145 androgen-independent prostate cancers. In the androgen-sensitive models, JV-1-38 greatly potentiated the antitumor effect of androgen deprivation induced by surgical castration, but was ineffective when given alone. Thus, in castrated animals bearing MDA-PCa-2b cancers, the administration of JV-1-38 for 35 days virtually arrested tumor growth (94% inhibition vs. intact control, P < 0.01; and 75% vs. castrated control, P < 0.05). The growth of LNCaP tumors was also powerfully suppressed by JV-1-38 combined with castration (83% inhibition vs. intact control, P < 0.01; and 68% vs. castrated control, P < 0.05). However, in androgen-independent DU-145 cancers, JV-1-38 alone could inhibit tumor growth by 57% (P < 0.05) after 45 days. In animals bearing MDA-PCa-2b and LNCaP tumors, the reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen levels, after therapy with JV-1-38, paralleled the decrease in tumor volume. Inhibition of MDA-PCa-2b and DU-145 cancers was associated with the reduction in the expression of mRNA and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor. The mRNA expression for GHRH receptor splice variants was found in all these models of prostate cancer. Our results demonstrate that GHRH antagonists inhibit androgen-independent prostate cancers and, after combination with androgen deprivation, also androgen-sensitive tumors. Thus, the therapy with GHRH antagonist could be considered for the management of both androgen-dependent or -independent prostate cancers.

Previous studies showed that antagonists of bombesin (BN)/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) inhibit the growth of various cancers by interfering with the growth-stimulatory effects of BN-like peptides and down-regulating epidermal growth factor receptors on tumors. Because the overexpression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (ErbB-2/HER-2/neu) oncogene plays a role in the progression of many breast cancers, we investigated whether BN/GRP antagonists can affect HER-2 in mammary tumors. Female nude mice bearing orthotopic xenografts of MDA-MB-435 human estrogen-independent breast cancers were treated daily with BN/GRP antagonists RC-3095 (20 μg) or RC-3940-II (10 μg) for 6 weeks. The expression of BN/GRP receptors on tumors was analyzed by reverse transcription–PCR and immunoblotting. We also evaluated whether the mRNA expression for the c-jun and c-fos oncogenes is affected by the therapy. Both BN/GRP antagonists significantly inhibited growth of MDA-MB-435 cancers; RC-3095 reduced tumor volume by 40% and RC-3940-II by 65%. The GRP receptors (subtype 1) were detected in MDA-MB-435 tumors, showing that they mediate the inhibitory effect of the antagonists. Tumor inhibition was associated with a substantial reduction in the expression of mRNA and protein levels of the ErbB/HER receptor family as well as with a decrease in the expression of c-jun and c-fos oncogenes. BN/GRP antagonists RC-3940-II and RC-3095 could be considered for endocrine therapy of estrogen-independent breast cancers that express members of the ErbB/HER receptor family and the c-jun and c-fos oncogenes.

The overexpression of angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) plays a role in the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells in many cancers. Consequently, we investigated the effects of bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonists on the expression of these angiogenic factors, the activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9, as well as the vascular density in MDA-MB-435 human oestrogen-independent breast cancers. Nude mice bearing orthotopic xenografts of MDA-MB-435 breast cancers were treated with bombesin/GRP antagonists for 6 weeks. Daily administration of 20 μg of RC-3095 or 10 μg of RC-3940-II significantly decreased the weight of MDA-MB-435 cancers by 44 and 53%, respectively. The inhibition of tumour growth was associated with a substantial reduction in the expression of mRNA and protein levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), IGF-II and VEGF-A in the tumours. Both bombesin/GRP antagonists significantly decreased the vessel density of the tumours by about 37%, as shown by immunohistochemical detection of vessels on tumour slides. Gelatinolytic activities, detected by zymography, revealed a 33–46% reduction in MMP-9 activity after the treatment with either antagonist. In vitro studies revealed that MDA-MB-435 cells secrete bFGF, IGF-II and VEGF-A, and the secretion of these factors is inhibited by RC-3095 and RC-3940-II. This study demonstrates the antiangiogenic effect of bombesin/GRP antagonists RC-3095 and RC-3940-II, and underscores their possible therapeutic application for treatment of breast cancers.