Reviewer's report
Title:Fucoidan present in brown algae induces apoptosis of HT-29 human colon
cancer cells
Version: 1Date:28 May 2010
Reviewer: Arun Rishi
Reviewer's report:
This manuscript by kim et al investigates apoptotic effects and mechanisms of an
algal derivative Fucoidan in colon cancer cells. Fucoidan has been previously
shown to be active against a number of pathologies and was also found to
induce anti-tumor effects in a variety of cancer cell types. In the current study, the
authors investigate growth inhibition of HT-29 colon cancer cells by this agent. In
reference to the colon cancer model however this agent was previously shown to
inhibit growth of HCT-116 colon cancer cells albeit at much higher doses than
that used in current study. Although, most of the experiments are well controlled
and data are clearly interpreted, the rationale for conducting the in vitro studies
utilizing a different cell line nonetheless is modest. The manuscript in general is
well written albeit could benefit from further editing. The data however are good
quality with appropriate statistical analyses where applicable. The other
interesting feature of these studies is lack of toxicity of this compound in FHC
human normal colon epithelial cells. The experimental analyses are well detailed
and systematic in elucidating activation of apoptotic signalling pathways by this
agent. Specifically, the authors measure the end-points of cell growth inhibition
and apoptosis by this agent in a dose and time-dependent manner in figures 1
and 2. In the subsequent figures, the authors focus on determining expression
and/or activation of a range of cellular apoptosis transducing factors including
caspases, pro-, and anti-apoptotic proteins that are well known to transduce the
extrinsic as well as intrinsic apoptosis pathways. The conclusions are well
supported by the data presented in various figures. A minor concern is an
apparent discrepancy in the data in figures 1A and 2C. In figure 1A, treatment
with 20 microgram per ml dose of fucoidan results in 25% viable cells while in
figure 2C the histogram indicates 62% live cells following similar treatment.
Authors need to clarify this discrepancy in the results section.
Overall, the studies are generally well presented with appropriate controls, and
the data by and large support the conclusions.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Reviewer's report
Title:Fucoidan present in brown algae induces apoptosis of HT-29 human colon
cancer cells
Version: 1Date:28 May 2010
Reviewer: Arun Rishi
Reviewer's report:
This manuscript by kim et al investigates apoptotic effects and mechanisms of an
algal derivative Fucoidan in colon cancer cells. Fucoidan has been previously
shown to be active against a number of pathologies and was also found to
induce anti-tumor effects in a variety of cancer cell types. In the current study, the
authors investigate growth inhibition of HT-29 colon cancer cells by this agent. In
reference to the colon cancer model however this agent was previously shown to
inhibit growth of HCT-116 colon cancer cells albeit at much higher doses than
that used in current study. Although, most of the experiments are well controlled
and data are clearly interpreted, the rationale for conducting the in vitro studies
utilizing a different cell line nonetheless is modest. The manuscript in general is
well written albeit could benefit from further editing. The data however are good
quality with appropriate statistical analyses where applicable. The other
interesting feature of these studies is lack of toxicity of this compound in FHC
human normal colon epithelial cells. The experimental analyses are well detailed
and systematic in elucidating activation of apoptotic signalling pathways by this
agent. Specifically, the authors measure the end-points of cell growth inhibition
and apoptosis by this agent in a dose and time-dependent manner in figures 1
and 2. In the subsequent figures, the authors focus on determining expression
and/or activation of a range of cellular apoptosis transducing factors including
caspases, pro-, and anti-apoptotic proteins that are well known to transduce the
extrinsic as well as intrinsic apoptosis pathways. The conclusions are well
supported by the data presented in various figures. A minor concern is an
apparent discrepancy in the data in figures 1A and 2C. In figure 1A, treatment
with 20 microgram per ml dose of fucoidan results in 25% viable cells while in
figure 2C the histogram indicates 62% live cells following similar treatment.
Authors need to clarify this discrepancy in the results section.
Overall, the studies are generally well presented with appropriate controls, and
the data by and large support the conclusions.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:Fucoidan present in brown algae induces apoptosis of HT-29 human colon
cancer cells
Version: 1Date:28 May 2010
Reviewer: Arun Rishi
Reviewer's report:
This manuscript by kim et al investigates apoptotic effects and mechanisms of an
algal derivative Fucoidan in colon cancer cells. Fucoidan has been previously
shown to be active against a number of pathologies and was also found to
induce anti-tumor effects in a variety of cancer cell types. In the current study, the
authors investigate growth inhibition of HT-29 colon cancer cells by this agent. In
reference to the colon cancer model however this agent was previously shown to
inhibit growth of HCT-116 colon cancer cells albeit at much higher doses than
that used in current study. Although, most of the experiments are well controlled
and data are clearly interpreted, the rationale for conducting the in vitro studies
utilizing a different cell line nonetheless is modest. The manuscript in general is
well written albeit could benefit from further editing. The data however are good
quality with appropriate statistical analyses where applicable. The other
interesting feature of these studies is lack of toxicity of this compound in FHC
human normal colon epithelial cells. The experimental analyses are well detailed
and systematic in elucidating activation of apoptotic signalling pathways by this
agent. Specifically, the authors measure the end-points of cell growth inhibition
and apoptosis by this agent in a dose and time-dependent manner in figures 1
and 2. In the subsequent figures, the authors focus on determining expression
and/or activation of a range of cellular apoptosis transducing factors including
caspases, pro-, and anti-apoptotic proteins that are well known to transduce the
extrinsic as well as intrinsic apoptosis pathways. The conclusions are well
supported by the data presented in various figures. A minor concern is an
apparent discrepancy in the data in figures 1A and 2C. In figure 1A, treatment
with 20 microgram per ml dose of fucoidan results in 25% viable cells while in
figure 2C the histogram indicates 62% live cells following similar treatment.
Authors need to clarify this discrepancy in the results section.
Overall, the studies are generally well presented with appropriate controls, and
the data by and large support the conclusions.
Level of interest: An article whose findings are important to those with closely
related research interests
Quality of written English: Needs some language corrections before being
published
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
assistant