On the origin of cancer cells

Preclinical targeting of leukemia-initiating cells in the development future biologics for acute myeloid leukemia

INTRODUCTION

Leukemia-initiating cells (LICs) are a critical subset of cells driving acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse and resistance to therapy. They possess unique properties, including metabolic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental dependencies, making them promising therapeutic targets.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes preclinical advances in targeting AML LICs, including strategies to exploit metabolic vulnerabilities, such as the reliance on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), through the use of mitochondrial inhibitors; target epigenetic regulators like DOT1L (Disruptor of Telomeric Silencing 1-like) to disrupt LIC survival mechanisms; develop immunotherapies, including CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T-cell therapy, and bispecific antibodies; and disrupt LIC interactions with the bone marrow microenvironment by inhibiting supportive niches.

EXPERT OPINION

LIC-targeted therapies hold significant promise for revolutionizing AML treatment by reducing relapse rates and improving long-term outcomes. However, challenges such as LIC heterogeneity, therapy resistance, and associated toxicity persist. Recent studies have illuminated the distinct biological characteristics of LICs, advancing our understanding of their behavior and vulnerabilities. These insights offer new opportunities to target LICs at earlier disease stages and to explore combination therapies with other targeted treatments, ultimately enhancing therapeutic efficacy and improving patient outcomes.

Metabolic Reprogramming Into a Glycolysis Phenotype Induced by Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Prostate Cancer Cells

Most cancer cells adopt a less efficient metabolic process of aerobic glycolysis with high level of glucose uptake followed by lactic acid production, known as the Warburg effect. This phenotypic transition enables cancer cells to achieve increased cellular survival and proliferation in a harsh low-oxygen tumor microenvironment. Also, the resulting acidic microenvironment causes inactivation of the immune system such as T-cell impairment that favors escape by immune surveillance. While lots of studies have revealed that tumor-derived EVs can deliver parental materials to adjacent cells and contribute to oncogenic reprogramming, their functionality in energy metabolism is not well addressed. In this study, we established prostate cancer cells PC-3AcT resistant to cellular death in an acidic culture medium driven by lactic acid. Quantitative proteomics between EVs derived from PC-3 and PC-3AcT cells identified 935 confident EV proteins. According to cellular adaptation to lactic acidosis, we revealed 159 regulated EV proteins related to energy metabolism, cellular shape, and extracellular matrix. These EVs contained a high abundance of glycolytic enzymes. In particular, PC-3AcT EVs were enriched with apolipoproteins including apolipoprotein B-100 (APOB). APOB on PC-3AcT EVs could facilitate their endocytic uptake depending on low density lipoprotein receptor of recipient PC-3 cells, encouraging increases of cellular proliferation and survival in acidic culture media via increased activity and expression of hexokinases and phosphofructokinase. The activation of recipient PC-3 cells can increase glucose consumption and ATP generation, representing an acquired metabolic reprogramming into the Warburg phenotype. Our study first revealed that EVs derived from prostate cancer cells could contribute to energy metabolic reprogramming and that the acquired metabolic phenotypic transition of recipient cells could favor cellular survival in tumor microenvironment.

Glycolysis-Driven Prognostic Model for Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Insights into the Immune Landscape and Drug Sensitivity

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a malignant blood disease, is caused by the excessive growth of undifferentiated myeloid cells, which disrupt normal hematopoiesis and may invade several organs. Given the high heterogeneity in prognosis, identifying stable prognostic biomarkers is crucial for improved risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies. Although glycolysis has been extensively studied in cancer, its prognostic significance in AML remains unclear. Methods: Glycolysis-related prognostic genes were identified by differential expression profiles. We modeled prognostic risk by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and validated it by Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and independent datasets (BeatAML2.0, GSE37642, GSE71014). Mechanisms were further explored through immune microenvironment analysis and drug sensitivity scores. Results: Differential expression and survival correlation analysis across the genes associated with glycolysis revealed multiple glycolytic genes associated with the outcomes of AML. We constructed a seven-gene prognostic model (G6PD, TFF3, GALM, SOD1, NT5E, CTH, FUT8). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated significantly reduced survival in high-risk patients (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.4, p < 0.01). The model predicted the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival outcomes, achieving area under the curve (AUC) values greater than 0.8. Immune profiling indicated distinct cellular compositions between risk groups: high-risk patients exhibited elevated monocytes and neutrophils but reduced Th1 cell infiltration. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that high-risk patients exhibited resistance to crizotinib and lapatinib but were more sensitive to motesanib. Conclusions: We established a novel glycolysis-related gene signature for AML prognosis, enabling effective risk classification. Combined with immune microenvironment analysis and drug sensitivity analysis, we screened metabolic characteristics and identified an immune signature to provide deeper insight into AML. Our findings may assist in identifying new therapeutic targets and more effective personalized treatment regimes.

Assessing cancer therapeutic efficacy in vivo using [2H7]glucose deuterium metabolic imaging

Metabolic imaging produces powerful visual assessments of organ function in vivo. Current techniques can be improved by safely increasing metabolic contrast. The gold standard, 2-[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging, is limited by radioactive exposure and sparse assessment of metabolism beyond glucose uptake and retention. Deuterium magnetic resonance imaging (DMRI) with [6,6-2H2]glucose is nonradioactive, achieves tumor metabolic contrast, but can be improved by enriched contrast from deuterated water (HDO) based imaging. Here, we developed a DMRI protocol employing [2H7]glucose. Imaging 2H-signal and measuring HDO production in tumor-bearing mice detected differential glucose utilization across baseline tumors, tumors treated with vehicle control or anti-glycolytic BRAFi and MEKi therapy, and contralateral healthy tissue. Control tumors generated the most 2H-signal and HDO. To our knowledge this is the first application of DMRI with [2H7]glucose for tumoral treatment monitoring. This approach demonstrates HDO as a marker of tumor glucose utilization and suggests translational capability in humans due to its safety, noninvasiveness, and suitability for serial monitoring.

Construction and evaluation of a prognostic model based on the expression of the metabolism-related signatures in patients with osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to screen three major substance metabolism-related genes and establish a prognostic model for osteosarcoma.

METHODS

RNA-seq expression data for osteosarcoma were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO databases. Differentially expressed (DE) RNAs were selected, followed by the selection of metabolic-related DE mRNAs. Using Cox regression analysis, prognostic DE RNAs were identified to construct a prognostic model. Subsequently, independent prognostic clinical factors were screened, and the functions of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were analyzed. Finally, the expression of signature genes was further tested in osteosarcoma cells using quantitative reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting.

RESULTS

A total of 432 DE RNAs, comprising 79 DE lncRNAs and 353 DE mRNAs were obtained, and then 107 metabolic-related DE mRNAs. Afterwards signature genes (LINC00545, LINC01537, FOXC2-AS1, CYP27B1, PFKFB4, PHKG1, PHYKPL, PXMP2, and XYLB) served as optimal combinations, and a prognostic score model was successfully proposed. Three verification datasets (GSE16091, GSE21257, and GSE39055) showed that the model had high specificity and sensitivity. In addition, two independent prognostic clinical factors (age and tumor metastasis) were identified. Finally, the concordance rate between the in silico analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blotting analysis was 88.89% (8/9), suggesting the robustness of our analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The prognostic model based on the nine signature genes accurately predicted the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma; CYP27B1, PFKFB4, PHKG1, PHYKPL, PXMP2, and XYLB may serve as metabolism-related biomarkers in osteosarcoma.

m6A modification regulates cell proliferation via reprogramming the balance between glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) stands as the predominant modification in eukaryotic mRNA and is involved in various biological functions. Aberrant m6A has been implicated in abnormal cellular phenotypes, including defects in stem cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. However, the precise effects of m6A on cell proliferation and the underlining mechanism of metabolic gene regulation remain incompletely understood. Here, we established a cellular environment with low-m6A levels and observed a severe impairment of cell proliferation. Mechanistic studies revealed that the depletion of m6A on TIGAR mRNA led to increased expression, subsequently inhibiting glycolysis while promoting the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). A genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screen identified numerous genes involved in cell proliferation that are sensitive to m6A modification, with G6PD emerging as a key regulator. Integration of gene expression and survival data from cancer patients suggested that patients with elevated G6PD expression may exhibit enhanced responsiveness to tumor growth inhibition through m6A suppression. Our findings elucidate the critical role of m6A in cell proliferation, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting m6A-mediated metabolic pathways in cancer.

Rethinking corticosteroids use in oncology

Corticosteroids (CSs), widely used in oncology for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, help manage cancer-related symptoms and side effects. However, their long-term use may negatively affect patient survival and exacerbate tumor progression. Elevated glucose and glutamine metabolism, disruption of vitamin D levels, and alterations in the microbiome are some of the key factors contributing to these adverse outcomes. Approaches such as ketogenic diets, fasting, sartans, and vitamin D supplementation have shown promise in providing similar benefits to CSs while mitigating the risks associated with the mechanisms identified as contributing to tumor progression. This perspective underscores the necessity for a reevaluation of CSs use in cancer care and advocates for further research into safer, more effective therapeutic strategies.

Cholesterol depletion suppresses thermal necrosis resistance by alleviating an increase in membrane fluidity

Thermally resistant cancer cells suppress the therapeutic effects of hyperthermia. However, the mechanism underlying the thermal resistance remains unclear. With the aim of enhancing the therapeutic effects of hyperthermia, we investigated the mechanism underlying thermal resistance. We found that heat shock-induced cell death can be classified into two types: late-phase apoptosis and early-phase necrosis. Cell death was suppressed in thermally resistant cells. In addition, heat-induced necrosis resistance correlated with plasma membrane fluidity, which was maintained by cholesterol. Depletion of cholesterol from cancer cells and tumor tissues enhanced the effect of hyperthermia under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Hence, the findings demonstrate the usefulness of cholesterol as a marker for thermally resistant cancer cells. Furthermore, the combination of cholesterol depletion and hyperthermia may be a new therapeutic strategy for thermally resistant cancers.

Parallel convolutional SpinalNet: A hybrid deep learning approach for breast cancer detection using mammogram images

Breast cancer is the foremost cause of mortality among females. Early diagnosis of a disease is necessary to avoid breast cancer by reducing the death rate and offering a better life to the individuals. Therefore, this work proposes a Parallel Convolutional SpinalNet (PConv-SpinalNet) for the efficient detection of breast cancer using mammogram images. At first, the input image is pre-processed using the Gabor filter. The tumour segmentation is conducted using LadderNet. Then, the segmented tumour samples are augmented using Image manipulation, Image erasing, and Image mix techniques. After that, the essential features, like CNN features, Texton, Local Gabor binary patterns (LGBP), scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT), and Local Monotonic Pattern (LMP) with discrete cosine transform (DCT) are extracted in the feature extraction phase. Finally, the detection of breast cancer is performed using PConv-SpinalNet. PConv-SpinalNet is developed by an integration of Parallel Convolutional Neural Networks (PCNN) and SpinalNet. The evaluation results show that PConv-SpinalNet accomplished a superior range of accuracy as 88.5%, True Positive Rate (TPR) as 89.7%, True Negative Rate (TNR) as 90.7%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) as 91.3%, and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) as 92.5%.

Caveolae: Metabolic Platforms at the Crossroads of Health and Disease

Caveolae are small flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids. They play a critical role in various cellular processes, including signal transduction, endocytosis, and mechanotransduction. Caveolin proteins, specifically Cav-1, Cav-2, and Cav-3, in addition to their role as structural components of caveolae, have been found to regulate the activity of signaling molecules. A growing body of research has highlighted the pivotal role of caveolae and caveolins in maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis. Indeed, studies have demonstrated that caveolins interact with the key components of insulin signaling, glucose uptake, and lipid metabolism, thereby influencing energy production and storage. The dysfunction of caveolae or the altered expression of caveolins has been associated with metabolic disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and ocular diseases. Remarkably, mutations in caveolin genes can disrupt cellular energy balance, promote oxidative stress, and exacerbate metabolic dysregulation. This review examines current research on the molecular mechanisms through which caveolae and caveolins regulate cellular metabolism, explores their involvement in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, and discusses potential therapeutic strategies targeting caveolin function and the stabilization of caveolae to restore metabolic homeostasis.

Metabolic profiling in experimental guinea pig models of bacterial and allergic inflammation

INTRODUCTION

Based on distinct triggers, bacterial and allergen-induced inflammatory reactions have different pathophysiology. Metabolomic analysis is high-throughput technique that can provide potential biomarkers to distinguish between these responses.

OBJECTIVES

In order to find out the metabolic profiles of two types of inflammation, metabolites were analysed in blood plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of guinea pigs subjected to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or allergen ovalbumin (OVA).

METHODS

Hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy for metabolite analysis was performed in samples of blood plasma and BALF of guinea pigs.

RESULTS

Random forest algorithm built on combination of levels of circulating and BALF metabolites resulted in almost ideal discrimination between acute allergic and bacterial inflammation. The differences between inflammation triggered by LPS and OVA were manifested in shift in energy metabolism, metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)/branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs) with alterations in alanine and glutamine, which are linked with both, ammonia homeostasis as well as gluconeogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Distinct molecule nutrients are to be utilized during acute bacterial and allergic inflammatory response.

Emodin and Aloe-Emodin Reduce Cell Growth and Disrupt Metabolic Plasticity in Human Melanoma Cells

Background/Objectives: Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with intratumor metabolic heterogeneity, which drives its progression and therapy resistance. Natural anthraquinones, such as emodin and aloe-emodin, exhibit anti-cancer properties, but their effects on metabolic plasticity remain unclear. This study evaluated their impact on proliferation and metabolic pathways in heterogenous melanoma human cell lines. Methods: COLO 800, COLO 794, and A375 melanoma cell lines representing distinct metabolic phenotypes were analyzed. Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses integrated with Seahorse assays were performed to assess the effects of emodin and aloe-emodin on cell proliferation, mitochondrial function, and redox homeostasis. Glucose tracing using [U-13C6] glucose and metabolic flux analysis (MFA) were carried out to evaluate the glycolysis and TCA cycle dynamics. Results: Emodin and aloe-emodin inhibited proliferation by disrupting glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and energy production across all cell lines. Both compounds impaired glucose metabolism, reduced TCA cycle intermediates, and induced mitochondrial ROS accumulation, causing oxidative stress and redox imbalance. Despite intrinsic metabolic differences, COLO 800 and COLO 794 upregulated antioxidant defenses; A375 enhanced one-carbon metabolism and amino acid pathways to maintain redox balance and nucleotide biosynthesis. Conclusions: Emodin and aloe-emodin can disrupt the metabolic plasticity of melanoma cells by impairing glycolysis, mitochondrial function, and redox homeostasis. Their ability to target metabolic vulnerabilities across diverse phenotypes highlights their therapeutic potential for overcoming resistance mechanisms and advancing melanoma treatment strategies.

Burning lactic acid: a road to revitalizing antitumor immunity

Lactic acid (LA) accumulation in tumor microenvironments (TME) has been implicated in immune suppression and tumor progress. Diverse roles of LA have been elucidated, including microenvironmental pH regulation, signal transduction, post-translational modification, and metabolic remodeling. This review summarizes LA functions within TME, focusing on the effects on tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal cells. Reducing LA levels is a potential strategy to attack cancer, which inevitably affects the physiological functions of normal tissues. Alternatively, transporting LA into the mitochondria as an energy source for immune cells is intriguing. We underscore the significance of LA in both tumor biology and immunology, proposing the burning of LA as a potential therapeutic approach to enhance antitumor immune responses.

Cell Progression and Survival Functions of Enzymes Secreted in Extracellular Vesicles Associated with Breast and Prostate Cancers

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound cargoes secreted by normal and pathological cells. Through their protein, nucleic acid, and lipid cargoes, EVs mediate several cellular processes, such as cell-cell communication, cell development, immune response, and tissue repair. Most importantly, through their enzyme cargo, EVs mediate pathophysiological processes, including the pathogenesis of cancer. In this review, we enumerate several enzymes secreted in EVs (EV enzyme cargo) from cells and patient clinical samples of breast and prostate cancers and detail their contributions to the progression and survival of both cancers. Findings in this review reveal that the EV enzyme cargo could exert cell progression functions via adhesion, proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. The EV enzyme cargo might also influence cell survival functions of chemoresistance, radioresistance, angiogenesis, cell death inhibition, cell colony formation, and immune evasion. While the current literature provides evidence of the possible contributions of the EV enzyme cargo to the progression and survival mechanisms of breast and prostate cancers, future studies are required to validate that these effects are modified by EVs and provide insights into the clinical applications of the EV enzyme cargo in breast and prostate cancer.

The lactylation modification of proteins plays a critical role in tumor progression

Lactylation modifications have been shown to be a novel type of protein post-translational modifications (PTMs), providing a new perspective for understanding the interaction between cellular metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic regulation. Studies have shown that lactylation plays an important role in the occurrence, development, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis of tumors. It can not only regulate the phenotypic expression and functional polarization of immune cells, but also participate in the formation of tumor drug resistance through a variety of molecular mechanisms. In this review, we review the latest research progress of lactylation modification in tumors, focusing on its mechanism of action in angiogenesis, immune cell regulation in tumor microenvironment (TME), and tumor drug resistance, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and research ideas for the discovery of new therapeutic targets and methods. Through the in-depth analysis of lactylation modification, it is expected to open up a new research direction for tumor treatment and provide potential strategies for overcoming tumor drug resistance and improving clinical efficacy.

Emerging Potential of Metabolomics in Thyroid Cancer-A Comprehensive Review

Thyroid cancer is a very common endocrine system malignancy. Nevertheless, a dearth of precise markers makes it challenging to apply precision medicine to thyroid cancer. The limitations of standard diagnosis techniques (fine-needle aspiration biopsy), such as indeterminate cases and inaccuracies in distinguishing between different types of cancers, lead to unnecessary surgeries and thus warrant the development of more discriminatory biomarkers to improve the accuracy of existing diagnostic and prognostic techniques. Moreover, individualized therapies for thyroid cancer are necessary to avoid overtreatment of indolent lesions and undertreatment of high-risk progressive disease. As thyroid cancer metabolic signatures are associated with disease aggressiveness and responsiveness to therapy, metabolomics has been recently used for diagnostic and prognostic biomarker discovery. This strategy has enabled the detection of several metabolites from tissue samples or biofluids to facilitate the classification of disease aggressiveness and to potentially assist in individualized therapies. In this review, we summarize the utilization and potential of metabolomics in thyroid cancer.

Gua Sha Alleviates Radiculitis-Induced Pain Via HIF-1α-Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming Pathway in Rats

Background: Radiculitis-induced pain (RIP) results from dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensitization due to inflammation. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) is linked to inflammatory responses through metabolic changes, but its role in RIP is not well understood. Gua Sha therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation and neural damage from lumbar disc herniation (LDH). This study investigates whether HIF-1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming contributes to the pain-relieving effects of Gua Sha in RIP. Methods: Male SD rats were subjected to LDH surgery and divided into six groups: sham, model, sham Gua Sha, Gua Sha, Gua Sha + DMOG, and Gua Sha + YC-1. Gua Sha was applied 5 days postsurgery, every other day for three sessions per course, totaling three courses. Changes in paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) and latency (PWL) were monitored, along with blood flow in the rats' backs. Levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB were assessed in serum and DRG tissue. Pathological changes and hypoxia in DRG tissues were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence. Western blotting and qPCR measured HIF-1α, GLUT1, PFKM, and PDK1 expression, while lactic acid and ATP levels in DRG tissue were also evaluated. Results: Gua Sha increased PWT and PWL, reduced serum and DRG inflammatory factors, improved back microcirculation, alleviated DRG hypoxia, and decreased HIF-1α and related signaling factors. It also lowered lactic acid and raised ATP levels. DMOG, a HIF-1α activator, reversed these effects. HIF-1α activation did not affect serum inflammatory factors but partially improved PWT. Inhibition of HIF-1α with YC-1 did not significantly differ from Gua Sha alone. Conclusion: HIF-1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming is a pathogenic mechanism in RIP. Gua Sha alleviates RIP by enhancing microcirculation, improving DRG hypoxia, inhibiting HIF-1α-mediated reprogramming, and reducing DRG sensitization and inflammation. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of Gua Sha's therapeutic effects in RIP.

Pain, lactate, and anesthetics: intertwined regulators of tumor metabolism and immunity

Patients with advanced cancer frequently endure severe pain, which substantially diminishes their quality of life and can adversely impact survival. Analgesia, a critical modality for alleviating such pain, is now under scrutiny for its potential role in cancer progression, a relationship whose underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Emerging evidence suggests that lactate, once considered a metabolic byproduct, actively participates in the malignant progression of cancer by modulating both metabolic and immunological pathways within the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, lactate is implicated in the modulation of cancer-related pain, exerting effects through direct and indirect mechanisms. This review synthesizes current understanding of lactate's production, transport, and functional roles in tumor cells, encompassing the regulation of tumor metabolism, immunity, and progression. Additionally, we dissect the complex, bidirectional relationship between lactate and pain, and assess the impact of anesthetics on pain relief, lactate homeostasis, and tumorigenesis.

Redefining the role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) in oxygen homeostasis

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are key regulators of intracellular oxygen homeostasis. The marked increase in HIFs activity in hypoxia as compared to normoxia, together with their transcriptional control of primary metabolic pathways, motivated the widespread view of HIFs as responsible for the cell's metabolic adaptation to hypoxic stress. In this work, we suggest that this prevailing model of HIFs regulation is misleading. We propose an alternative model focused on understanding the dynamics of HIFs' activity within its physiological context. Our model suggests that HIFs would not respond to but rather prevent the onset of hypoxic stress by regulating the traffic of electrons between catabolic substrates and oxygen. The explanatory power of our approach is patent in its interpretation of the Warburg effect, the tendency of tumor cells to favor anaerobic metabolism over respiration, even in fully aerobic conditions. This puzzling behavior is currently considered as an anomalous metabolic deviation. Our model predicts the Warburg effect as the expected homeostatic response of tumor cells to the abnormal increase in metabolic demand that characterizes malignant phenotypes. This alternative perspective prompts a redefinition of HIFs' function and underscores the need to explicitly consider the cell's metabolic activity in understanding its responses to changes in oxygen availability.

Protective Effect of Daily Physical Activity Against COVID-19 in a Young Adult Population on Reunion Island

The global fight against pandemics is a major public health issue. Epidemiological studies showed a reduced risk of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity with the practice of regular physical activity (PA) in clinical populations. Here, we investigated the effect of PA against COVID-19 in a young general population. Methods: Two hundred ninety volunteers over 18 years old from Reunion Island responded to an online survey concerning sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical information. Daily PA was studied using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version (IPAQ) and classified by overall score and intensities of PA. Results: Among 290 responders [179 women, median age = 27.5 years (interquartile range = 21.3 years)], 141 (48.6%) reported COVID-19 infection. Multivariate logistic analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, chronic disease and alcohol consumption showed that the number of days per week of regular intense PA was independently associated with a low risk of COVID-19 infection [odds ratio (OR) 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24 to 0.99; p = 0.030], while regular moderate PA was not [OR 1.10; 95%CI 0.97 to 1.23; p = 0.137]. Conclusions: In a population of young adults, regular intense PA could offer a protective effect against COVID-19. Additional research is required to confirm this association in various viral infections and elucidate the fundamental mechanisms involved.

Lactate: A key regulator of the immune response

Lactate, the end product of both anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis in proliferating and growing cells-with the latter process known as the Warburg effect-is historically considered a mere waste product of cell and tissue metabolism. However, research over the past ten years has unveiled multifaceted functions of lactate that critically shape and impact cellular biology. Beyond serving as a fuel source, lactate is now known to influence gene expression through histone modification and to function as a signaling molecule that impacts a wide range of cellular activities. These properties have been particularly studied in the context of both adaptive and innate immune responses. Here, we review the diverse roles of lactate in the regulation of the immune system during homeostasis and disease pathogenesis (including cancer, infection, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmunity). Furthermore, we describe recently proposed therapeutic interventions for manipulating lactate metabolism in human diseases.

Folate-targeted nanoparticles for glutamine metabolism inhibition enhance anti-tumor immunity and suppress tumor growth in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a highly malignant gynecological tumor, and its effective treatment is frequently impeded by drug resistance and recurrent tumor growth. The reprogramming of glutamine metabolism in ovarian cancer is closely associated with tumor progression and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Recently, targeting metabolic reprogramming has emerged as a promising approach for cancer therapy. However, the application of such therapies is often constrained by their significant toxicity to normal tissues. In this study, we fabricated folate-targeted nanoparticles (FA-DCNPs) that co-encapsulate the glutamine metabolism inhibitor 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). These nanoparticles alleviate damage to normal tissues by specifically targeting tumor cells via folate receptors (FOLR) mediation. Under acidic conditions, the FA-DCNPs release DON and Ca2+, generating a synergistic anti-tumor effect by impeding glutamine metabolism and inducing calcium overload. Additionally, FA-DCNPs target M2 phenotype tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) via FOLR2, attenuating M2-TAMs activity. When partially phagocytosed by M0-TAMs, the nanoparticles restrict glutamate production, inhibiting polarization towards the M2 phenotype. This resulted in an increased proportion of M1-TAMs, thereby improving the tumor immune microenvironment. Our study explores a nanotherapeutic strategy that enhances the biosafety of anti-glutamine metabolism therapy through folate targeting, effectively suppresses tumor cell proliferation, and enhances the anti-tumor immune response.

Elevated Lactate in the AML Bone Marrow Microenvironment Polarizes Leukemia-Associated Macrophages via GPR81 Signaling

Interactions between acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the bone marrow microenvironment (BMME) are critical to leukemia progression and chemoresistance. In the solid tumor microenvironment, altered metabolite levels contribute to cancer progression. We performed a metabolomic analysis of AML patient bone marrow serum, revealing increased metabolites compared to age- and sex-matched controls. The most highly elevated metabolite in the AML BMME was lactate. Lactate signaling in solid tumors induces immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages and correlates with poor prognosis. This has not yet been studied in the leukemic BMME. Herein, we describe the role of lactate in the polarization of leukemia-associated macrophages (LAMs). Using a murine AML model of blast crisis chronic myelogenous leukemia (bcCML), we characterize the suppressive phenotype of LAMs by surface markers, transcriptomics, and cytokine profiling. Then, mice genetically lacking GPR81, the extracellular lactate receptor, were used to demonstrate GPR81 signaling as a mechanism of both the polarization of LAMs and the direct support of leukemia cells. Furthermore, elevated lactate diminished the function of hematopoietic progenitors and reduced stromal support for normal hematopoiesis. We report microenvironmental lactate as a mechanism of AML-induced immunosuppression and leukemic progression, thus identifying GPR81 signaling as an exciting and novel therapeutic target for treating this devastating disease.

Relationship between MRI features and HIF-1α, GLUT1 and Ki-67 expression in pituitary adenoma with cystic degeneration

BACKGROUND

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are prevalent tumors that often exhibit ischemia, hypoxia, and cystic transformations, impacting their prognosis. The relationship between cystic degeneration in PAs and the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and Ki-67 remains unclear. This study aims to analyze the correlation between MRI characteristics of cystic PA and the expression of these proteins.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis. A total of 74 patients with cystic PA and 30 PA patients without cystic degeneration were enrolled. Their MRI signs were analyzed. According to the T2WI signs of PA, they were divided into the fluid level group (n = 26), non-fluid level group (n = 48), and non-cyst group (n = 30). Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression levels of HIF-lα, GLUT1, and Ki-67 protein. Univariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the factors affecting MRI signs of PA. Spearman correlation was also performed.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in gender, age, and HIF-1α protein expression among the three groups. Significant differences were found in invasiveness (P = 0.008), GLUT1 (P < 0.001), and Ki-67 protein expression (P = 0.009) among the three groups. Pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in invasiveness, GLUT1, and Ki-67 protein expressions between the non-fluid level group and the non-cyst group. Furthermore, GLUT1 protein expression was significantly different between the non-fluid level group and the fluid level group. Notably, GLUT1 was identified as an independent factor for the non-fluid level cystic characteristics of PA. Additionally, GLUT1 was positively correlated with invasiveness and Ki-67.

CONCLUSION

The non-fluid level cystic PA has higher invasiveness and higher proliferation than fluid level cystic PA and non-cyst PA, which may be related to high glucose metabolism as indicated by GLUT1 expression.

Targeting glycolysis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: single-cell and multi-omics insights for risk stratification and personalized therapy

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is closely linked to aberrant glycolytic metabolism, a hallmark of cancer progression, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. This study employs single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omics approaches to unravel glycolysis-mediated mechanisms in ESCC, with a focus on risk stratification and therapeutic opportunities.

Methods

Data from TCGA and GEO databases were integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, as well as clinical datasets to investigate glycolysis-associated cell subtypes and their clinical implications in ESCC. Analytical approaches encompassed cell subtype annotation, cell-cell communication network analysis, and gene regulatory network modeling. A glycolysis-related risk score model was built via non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and Cox regression, and then experimentally verified through Western blotting. Drug sensitivity analyses were carried out to explore potential therapeutic strategies.

Results

Single-cell analysis identified epithelial cells as the dominant glycolysis-active subtype, and tumor tissues showed significantly higher glycolytic activity than adjacent normal tissues. Among malignant epithelial subpopulations, IGFBP3+Epi (IGFBP3-expressing epithelial cells) and LHX9+Epi (LHX9-expressing epithelial cells) had elevated glycolysis levels, which correlated with poor prognosis, immune suppression, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. The seven-gene glycolysis-based risk score model divided patients into high- and low-risk groups, demonstrating strong prognostic performance. Drug sensitivity analysis showed high-risk patients were more responsive to Navitoclax as well as Rapamycin, but low-risk ones were more sensitive to Afatinib and Erlotinib, highlighting the model's usefulness in guiding personalized treatment.

Conclusion

This research emphasizes the crucial role of glycolysis in ESCC progression a well as immune modulation, offering a novel glycolysis-related risk score model with significant prognostic and therapeutic implications. These findings provide a basis for risk-based stratification and tailored therapeutic strategies, advancing precision medicine in ESCC.

C-terminal binding protein-2 triggers CYR61-induced metastatic dissemination of osteosarcoma in a non-hypoxic microenvironment

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent cancer-related bone disease diagnosed in the pediatric age group. The rapid development of metastatic lesions and resistance to chemotherapy remain major mechanisms responsible for the failure of treatments and poor outcome. We established that the expression level of Cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61/CCN1) correlates to tumor neo-vascularization and dissemination in preclinical and clinical osteosarcoma samples. The aim of this study was to investigate the CYR61-related mechanisms leading to the acquisition of metastatic capacity by osteosarcoma cells.

METHODS

Transcriptomic data issued from RNA-seq were subjected to pathways and gene set enrichment analyses. Murine and human cell lines with overexpressed or downregulated C-terminal Binding protein 2 (CtBP2) were established by lentiviral transduction. Cell metabolic activity was assessed by Seahorse XF Analyzer; cell replication rate by BrdU incorporation assay; stemness by clonogenicity assay and RT-qPCR detection of markers; cell migration by wound healing assay and Boyden chambers system; cell invasion using Matrigel coated Boyden chambers or fluorescence microscopy of Matrigel embedded 3D spheroids. FFPE samples derived from syngeneic tumor cells grafts into BALB/c mice were analyzed by IHC. The protein interactome was predicted in silico using the STRING database.

RESULTS

GSEA revealed that CYR61 modulate the transcription process. The in vitro expression level of CtBP2 and Cyr61 correlated positively in a panel of osteosarcoma cell lines. In silico analysis of protein-protein interaction network revealed a link with stemness markers. Variations in CtBP2 expression levels influenced stemness markers expression levels, cell clonogenicity, cell migration, Matrix Metalloproteinase activity and cell invasion. Surprisingly, while induction of CtBP2 expression under CYR61 correlated with the metastatic dissemination process in vivo, it occurred only at the invasive front of tumors. Hypoxic conditions in central tumor region interfered with CtBP2 induction of expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings identify for the first time that CtBP2 acts as a required critical inducing factor in the CYR61-related metastatic progression of osteosarcoma, by favoring cell migration and invasiveness. Moreover, we demonstrate that while CtBP2 is a downstream transcriptional target of CYR61 signaling cascade, it occurs only under non-hypoxic conditions. The present study suggests that CtBP2 may represent a potential pivotal target for therapeutic management of metastases spreading in osteosarcoma.

Research on the mechanism of resistance exercise in promoting glucose metabolic shift to regulate muscle satellite cell proliferation in type 2 diabetic rats

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a common complication in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is associated with dysfunction of muscle satellite cells. The activation and proliferation of muscle satellite cells involve a switch in glucose metabolism, which is regulated by driving the acetylation of histones to control the expression of related genes. Studies have confirmed that resistance exercise can improve insulin resistance and activate muscle satellite cells, but the specific molecular mechanisms are not yet clear. This study aims to investigate whether resistance exercise can promote the proliferation of muscle satellite cells and improve muscle atrophy in type 2 diabetic rats by enhancing glucose metabolism in skeletal muscles. A T2D rat model was induced by combining a high-fat diet with streptozotocin injection. After 8 weeks of resistance exercise, the activity of key enzymes (Pyruvate Kinase, Phosphofructokinase, Pyruvate Dehydrogenase) in glucose metabolism in the skeletal muscles of T2D rats significantly increased, the expression of Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and Nicotin -amide Phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) in the skeletal muscles of the rats decreased, and the expression of acetylation of lysine 16 on histone H4 (H4K16ac) significantly increased, indicating an elevated level of the H4K16ac. The expression of paired box 7 (Pax7) and myogenic differentiation (MyoD) was significantly upregulated, indicating that exercise promoted the proliferation of muscle satellite cells. These results suggest that resistance exercise may promote glucose metabolism in skeletal muscles of T2D rats by regulating the activity of key enzymes in sugar metabolism, further regulating Sirt1-mediated histone H4K16ac, thereby promoting the proliferation of muscle satellite cells and improving muscle atrophy.

Deuterium metabolic imaging phenotypes mouse glioblastoma heterogeneity through glucose turnover kinetics

Glioblastomas are aggressive brain tumors with dismal prognosis. One of the main bottlenecks for developing more effective therapies for glioblastoma stems from their histologic and molecular heterogeneity, leading to distinct tumor microenvironments and disease phenotypes. Effectively characterizing these features would improve the clinical management of glioblastoma. Glucose flux rates through glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidation have been recently shown to quantitatively depict glioblastoma proliferation in mouse models (GL261 and CT2A tumors) using dynamic glucose-enhanced (DGE) deuterium spectroscopy. However, the spatial features of tumor microenvironment phenotypes remain hitherto unresolved. Here, we develop a DGE Deuterium Metabolic Imaging (DMI) approach for profiling tumor microenvironments through glucose conversion kinetics. Using a multimodal combination of tumor mouse models, novel strategies for spectroscopic imaging and noise attenuation, and histopathological correlations, we show that tumor lactate turnover mirrors phenotype differences between GL261 and CT2A mouse glioblastoma, whereas recycling of the peritumoral glutamate-glutamine pool is a potential marker of invasion capacity in pooled cohorts, linked to secondary brain lesions. These findings were validated by histopathological characterization of each tumor, including cell density and proliferation, peritumoral invasion and distant migration, and immune cell infiltration. Our study bodes well for precision neuro-oncology, highlighting the importance of mapping glucose flux rates to better understand the metabolic heterogeneity of glioblastoma and its links to disease phenotypes.

NOTCH, ERK, and SHH signaling respectively control the fate determination of cortical glia and olfactory bulb interneurons

During cortical development, radial glial cells (neural stem cells) initially are neurogenic, generating intermediate progenitor cells that exclusively produce glutamatergic pyramidal neurons. Next, radial glial cells generate tripotential intermediate progenitor cells (Tri-IPCs) that give rise to cortical astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and olfactory bulb interneurons. The molecular mechanisms underlying the transition from cortical neurogenesis to gliogenesis, and the subsequent fate determination of cortical astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and olfactory bulb interneurons, remain unclear. Here, we report that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling plays a fundamental role in promoting cortical gliogenesis and the generation of Tri-IPCs. Additionally, sonic hedgehog-smoothened-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (SHH-SMO-GLI) activator signaling has an auxiliary function to ERK during these processes. We further demonstrate that, from Tri-IPCs, NOTCH signaling is crucial for the fate determination of astrocytes, while ERK signaling plays a prominent role in oligodendrocyte fate specification, and SHH signaling is required for the fate determination of olfactory bulb interneurons. We provide evidence suggesting that this mechanism is conserved in both mice and humans. Finally, we propose a unifying principle of mammalian cortical gliogenesis.

Lactate Dehydrogenase A Crotonylation and Mono-Ubiquitination Maintains Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth and Migration and Promotes Neointima Hyperplasia

BACKGROUND

Phenotypic plasticity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is believed to be a key factor in neointima hyperplasia, which is the pathological basis of vascular remodeling diseases. LDHA (lactate dehydrogenase A) has been demonstrated to promote the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. However, the mechanism is still unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

LDHA ubiquitination and crotonylation in VSMCs were predicted by modified omics and proteomic analysis and were verified by immunoprecipitation. Lysine mutants of LDHA were conducted to determine the specific modified sites. Immunofluorescent staining, cell growth and migration assays, lactate production, immunobloting, adenovirus transduction, LDHA tetramerization, and mitochondrial extraction assays were performed to determine the molecular mechanism. LDHA expression, crotonylation, and ubiquitination in vivo were observed in the carotid arteries of ligation injury mice. We showed that the expression, crotonylation, and mono-ubiquitination of LDHA is upregulated in PDGF-BB (platelet-derived growth factor-BB)-induced proliferative VSMCs and ligation-induced neointima. LDHA is crotonylated at lysine 5 and is mono-ubiquitinated at K76. Crotonylation at lysine 5 activates LDHA through tetramer formation to enhance lactate production and VSMC growth. Mono-ubiquitination at K76 induces the translocation of LDHA into mitochondria, which promotes mitochondria fission and subsequent formation of lamellipodia and podosomes, thereby enhancing VSMC migration and growth. Furthermore, deletion of LDHA K5 crotonylation or K76 mono-ubiquitination decreases ligation-induced neointima formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reveals a novel mechanism that combines VSMC metabolic reprogramming and vascular remodeling. Inhibition of LDHA K5 crotonylation or K76 mono-ubiquitination may be a promising approach for the therapy of vascular remodeling diseases.

Clinical Investigations and Therapeutic Perspectives on Metabolic Syndrome following Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation was an effective method for treating chronic kidney failure via transplanting a healthy kidney from a donor to a patient with the loss of kidney function. However, clinical studies revealed that the posttransplantation status of patients was associated with a substantial aggregation of risk factors contributing to metabolic syndrome.

SUMMARY

This article provided a comprehensive review of the current researches on metabolic syndrome after kidney transplantation, and the latest advances in the interaction between metabolism and immune cells were also covered.

KEY MESSAGES

Our aim was to identify and intervene high-risk recipients in time and thus improving the prognosis of recipients.

Molecular Design, Synthesis and Anti-cancer Activity of Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-based Glycohybrid Molecules

Molecular hybridization is an emerging strategy in medicinal chemistry for designing new bioactive molecules that link pharmacophores covalently and shows synergistic enhanced properties. Herein, we have developed pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-based new glycohybrids considering the Warburg effect. A microwave-assisted, copper-catalyzed efficient synthesis of new triazole-linked glycohybrids based on pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines scaffold was achieved successfully in high yields with inherent stereochemical diversity from d-glucose, d-galactose, and d-mannose. The twenty-three distinct new glycohybrids, incorporating various electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups with stereochemical diversities, were prepared using developed synthetic protocol. This efficient synthesis significantly reduced reaction time and furnished products with high isolated yields, showcasing its potential for glycohybrids synthesis. In-vitro study revealed that among the synthesized glycohybrids, compound 8e emerged as a potential compound against MDA-MB231 (SI > 31) and MCF-7 (SI > 434) with an IC50 value of 19.58 µM and 1.42 µM respectively. The molecular docking study predicts the binding interaction of the chemical probe with the target protein HCK. The enzyme inhibition assay revealed that compound 8e is having strong inhibitory potency against HCK enzyme. This article highlights the synthetic utility of this strategy and the potential applications of these newly designed and prepared glycohybrids.

Study on the mechanism of 17-Hydroxy-jolkinolide B on anaplastic thyroid cancer cell

BACKGROUND

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a dismal prognosis, and the optimal treatment has not yet been confirmed. Euphorbia fischeriana Steud has been proven to exhibit pharmacological properties, including various antitumor effects, that can be used to treat numerous diseases and has been used to treat cancer. 17-Hydroxy-jolkinolide B (17-HJB) is one of the major diterpenoids produced from plants, but little research has investigated how it affects cancer.

METHODS

MTT assays, glucose and lactate concentration detection, Annexin V-FITC detection via cytometry, and Western blotting were performed to research the mechanism of 17-HJB.

RESULTS

Cell viability was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner after 17-HJB treatment. 17-HJB inhibited glucose consumption and lactate production, and the expression of the glucose transporter GLUT1 and proteins associated with glycolysis, HK2, PFK1, and PKM2, was significantly downregulated. 17-HJB induced apoptosis, and the expression of signaling proteins related to apoptosis, such as Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-3, was upregulated. In vivo, 17-HJB effectively inhibited the growth of ATC tumors. The results of the expression of glycolysis-related enzyme proteins and apoptosis signaling proteins were consistent with those in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

17-HJB inhibited the growth of ATCs both in vivo and in vitro. The mechanism may be related to the effects on glucose metabolism and the inhibition of aerobic glycolysis. 17-HJB also induced ATC apoptosis.

Translocation renal cell carcinoma says no to the Warburg effect

A new study reveals that in drastic contrast to other cancer types, translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is transcriptionally rewired towards an oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) state, which renders tRCC vulnerable to interventions that promote NADH-reductive stress, highlighting how the maintenance of the optimal redox state in cancer can be therapeutically exploited.

Orchestrating epigenetics: a comprehensive review of the methyltransferase SETD6

Transcription is regulated by an intricate and extensive network of regulatory factors that impinge upon target genes. This process involves crosstalk between a plethora of factors that include chromatin structure, transcription factors and posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Among PTMs, lysine methylation has emerged as a key transcription regulatory PTM that occurs on histone and non-histone proteins, and several enzymatic regulators of lysine methylation are attractive targets for disease intervention. SET domain-containing protein 6 (SETD6) is a mono-methyltransferase that promotes the methylation of multiple transcription factors and other proteins involved in the regulation of gene expression programs. Many of these SETD6 substrates, such as the canonical SETD6 substrate RELA, are linked to cellular pathways that are highly relevant to human health and disease. Furthermore, SETD6 regulates numerous cancerous phenotypes and guards cancer cells from apoptosis. In the past 15 years, our knowledge of SETD6 substrate methylation and the biological roles of this enzyme has grown immensely. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of SETD6 that will enhance our understanding of this enzyme's role in chromatin and in selective transcriptional control, the contextual biological roles of this enzyme, and the molecular mechanisms and pathways in which SETD6 is involved, and we highlight the major trends in the SETD6 field.

Tumor metabolism as a factor affecting diversity in cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a multifaceted metabolic syndrome characterized by muscle wasting, fat redistribution, and metabolic dysregulation, commonly associated with advanced cancer but sometimes also evident in early-stage disease. More subtle body composition changes have also been reported in association with cancer, including sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and increased fat radiodensity. Emerging evidence reveals that body composition changes including sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and increased fat radiodensity, arise from distinct biological mechanisms and significantly impact survival outcomes. Importantly, these features often occur independently, with their combined presence exacerbating poor prognoses. Tumor plays a pivotal role in driving these host changes, either by acting as a metabolic parasite or by releasing mediators that disrupt normal tissue function. This review explores the diversity of tumor metabolism. It highlights the potential for tumor-specific metabolic phenotypes to influence systemic effects, including fat redistribution and sarcopenia. Addressing this tumor-host metabolic interplay requires personalized approaches that disrupt tumor metabolism while preserving host health. Promising strategies include targeted pharmacological interventions and anticachexia agents like growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) inhibitors. Nutritional modifications such as ketogenic diets and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation also merit further investigation. In addition to preserving muscle, these therapies will need to be evaluated for their capability to improve survival and quality of life. This review underscores the need for further research into tumor-driven metabolic effects on the host and the development of integrative treatment strategies to address the interconnected challenges of cancer progression and cachexia.

Lipidomics-driven drug discovery and delivery strategies in glioblastoma

With few viable treatment options, glioblastoma (GBM) is still one of the most aggressive and deadly types of brain cancer. Recent developments in lipidomics have demonstrated the potential of lipid metabolism as a therapeutic target in GBM. The thorough examination of lipids in biological systems, or lipidomics, is essential to comprehending the changed lipid profiles found in GBM, which are linked to the tumor's ability to grow, survive, and resist treatment. The use of lipidomics in drug delivery and discovery is examined in this study, focusing on how it may be used to find new biomarkers, create multi-target directed ligands, and improve drug delivery systems. We also cover the use of FDA-approved medications, clinical trials that use lipid-targeted medicines, and the integration of lipidomics with other omics technologies. This study emphasizes lipidomics as a possible tool in developing more effective treatment methods for GBM by exploring various lipid-centric techniques.

Protein lactylation in cancer: mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications

Increased glycolysis, which leads to high lactate production, is a common feature of cancer cells. Recent evidence suggests that lactate plays a role in the post-translational modification of histone and nonhistone proteins via lactylation. In contrast to genetic mutations, lactylation in cancer cells is reversible. Thus, reversing lactylation can be exploited as a pharmacological intervention for various cancers. Here we discuss recent advances in histone and nonhistone lactylation in cancer, including L-, D- and S-lactylation, as well as alanyl-tRNA synthetase as a novel lactyltransferase. We also discuss potential approaches for targeting lactylation as a therapeutic opportunity in cancer treatment.

Nutrient control of splice site selection contributes to methionine addiction of cancer

OBJECTIVE

Many cancer cells depend on exogenous methionine for proliferation, whereas non-tumorigenic cells can divide in media supplemented with the metabolic precursor homocysteine. This phenomenon is known as methionine dependence of cancer or methionine addiction. The underlying mechanisms driving this cancer-specific metabolic addiction are poorly understood. Here we find that methionine dependence is associated with severe dysregulation of pre-mRNA splicing.

METHODS

We used triple-negative breast cancer cells and their methionine-independent derivatives R8 to compare RNA expression profiles in methionine and homocysteine growth media. The data set was also analyzed for alternative splicing.

RESULTS

When tumorigenic cells were cultured in homocysteine medium, cancer cells failed to efficiently methylate the spliceosomal snRNP component SmD1, which resulted in reduced binding to the Survival-of-Motor-Neuron protein SMN leading to aberrant splicing. These effects were specific for cancer cells as neither Sm protein methylation nor splicing fidelity was affected when non-tumorigenic cells were cultured in homocysteine medium. Sm protein methylation is catalyzed by Protein Arginine Methyl Transferase 5 (Prmt5). Reducing methionine concentrations in the culture medium sensitized cancer cells to Prmt5 inhibition supporting a mechanistic link between methionine dependence of cancer and splicing.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results link nutritional demands to splicing changes and thereby provide a link between the cancer-specific metabolic phenomenon, described as methionine addiction over 40 years ago, with a defined cellular pathway that contributes to cancer cell proliferation.

Activation and inhibition of sirtuins: From bench to bedside

The sirtuin family comprises seven NAD+-dependent enzymes which catalyze protein lysine deacylation and mono ADP-ribosylation. Sirtuins act as central regulators of genomic stability and gene expression and control key processes, including energetic metabolism, cell cycle, differentiation, apoptosis, and aging. As a result, all sirtuins play critical roles in cellular homeostasis and organism wellness, and their dysregulation has been linked to metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. Furthermore, sirtuins have shown dichotomous roles in cancer, acting as context-dependent tumor suppressors or promoters. Given their central role in different cellular processes, sirtuins have attracted increasing research interest aimed at developing both activators and inhibitors. Indeed, sirtuin modulation may have therapeutic effects in many age-related diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Moreover, isoform selective modulators may increase our knowledge of sirtuin biology and aid to develop better therapies. Through this review, we provide critical insights into sirtuin pharmacology and illustrate their enzymatic activities and biological functions. Furthermore, we outline the most relevant sirtuin modulators in terms of their modes of action, structure-activity relationships, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications.

Lactylation of HDAC1 Confers Resistance to Ferroptosis in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is highly resistant to ferroptosis, which hinders the application of anti-ferroptosis therapy. Through drug screening, it is found that histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) significantly sensitized CRC to ferroptosis. The combination of HDACi and ferroptosis inducers synergically suppresses CRC growth both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanically, HDACi reduces ferroptosis suppressor protein (FSP1) by promoting its mRNA degradation. Specifically, it is confirmed that HDACi specifically targets HDAC1 and promotes the H3K27ac modification of fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO) and AlkB Homolog 5, RNA Demethylase (ALKBH5), which results in significant activation of FTO and ALKBH5. The activation of FTO and ALKBH5 reduces N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification on FSP1 mRNA, leading to its degradation. Crucially, lactylation of HDAC1K412 is essential for ferroptosis regulation. Both Vorinostat (SAHA) and Trichostatin A (TSA) notably diminish HDAC1K412 lactylation in comparison to other HDAC1 inhibitors, exhibiting a consistent trend of increasing susceptibility to ferroptosis. In conclusion, the research reveals that HDACi decreases HDAC1K412 lactylation to sensitize CRC to ferroptosis and that the combination of HDACi and ferroptosis inducers can be a promising therapeutic strategy for CRC.

The role of mitochondria transfer in cancer biological behavior, the immune system and therapeutic resistance

Mitochondria play a crucial role as organelles, managing several physiological processes such as redox balance, cell metabolism, and energy synthesis. Initially, the assumption was that mitochondria primarily resided in the host cells and could exclusively transmit from oocytes to offspring by a mechanism known as vertical inheritance of mitochondria. Recent scholarly works, however, suggest that certain cell types transmit their mitochondria to other developmental cell types via a mechanism referred to as intercellular or horizontal mitochondrial transfer. This review details the process of which mitochondria are transferred across cells and explains the impact of mitochondrial transfer between cells on the efficacy and functionality of cancer cells in various cancer forms. Specifically, we review the role of mitochondria transfer in regulating cellular metabolism restoration, excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, mitophagy activation, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) inheritance, immune system modulation and therapeutic resistance in cancer. Additionally, we highlight the possibility of using intercellular mitochondria transfer as a therapeutic approach to treat cancer and enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments.

Chemical Tomography of Cancer Organoids and Cyto-Proteo-Genomic Development Stages Through Chemical Communication Signals

Organoids mimic human organ function, offering insights into development and disease. However, non-destructive, real-time monitoring is lacking, as traditional methods are often costly, destructive, and low-throughput. In this article, a non-destructive chemical tomographic strategy is presented for decoding cyto-proteo-genomics of organoid using volatile signaling molecules, hereby, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), to indicate metabolic activity and development of organoids. Combining a hierarchical design of graphene-based sensor arrays with AI-driven analysis, this method maps VOC spatiotemporal distribution and generate detailed digital profiles of organoid morphology and proteo-genomic features. Lens- and label-free, it avoids phototoxicity, distortion, and environmental disruption. Results from testing organoids with the reported chemical tomography approach demonstrate effective differentiation between cyto-proteo-genomic profiles of normal and diseased states, particularly during dynamic transitions such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, the reported approach identifies key VOC-related biochemical pathways, metabolic markers, and pathways associated with cancerous transformations such as aromatic acid degradation and lipid metabolism. This real-time, non-destructive approach captures subtle genetic and structural variations with high sensitivity and specificity, providing a robust platform for multi-omics integration and advancing cancer biomarker discovery.

Quantitative mapping of key glucose metabolic rates in the human brain using dynamic deuterium magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

Deuterium (2H) magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (DMRSI) is a newly developed technology for assessing glucose metabolism by simultaneously measuring deuterium-labeled glucose and its downstream metabolites (1) and has a potential to provide a powerful neurometabolic imaging tool for quantitative studies of cerebral glucose metabolism involving multiple metabolic pathways in the human brain. In this work, we developed a dynamic DMRSI method that combines advanced radiofrequency coil and postprocessing techniques to substantially improve the imaging signal-to-noise ratio for detecting deuterated metabolites and enable robust dynamic DMRSI of the human brain at 7 T with very high resolution (HR; 0.7 cc nominal voxel and 2.5 min/image) and whole-brain coverage. Utilizing this capability, we were able to map and differentiate metabolite contents and dynamics throughout the human brain following oral administration of deuterated glucose. Furthermore, by introducing a sophisticated kinetic model, we demonstrated that three key cerebral metabolic rates of glucose consumption (CMRGlc), lactate production (CMRLac), and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (V TCA), as well as the maximum apparent rate of forward glucose transport (T max) can be simultaneously imaged in the human brain through a single dynamic DMRSI measurement. The results clearly show that the glucose transport, neurotransmitter turnover, CMRGlc, and V TCA are significantly higher in gray matter than in white matter in the human brain; and the mean metabolic rates and their ratios measured in this study are consistent with the values reported in the literature. The HR dynamic DMRSI methodology presented herein is of great significance and value for the quantitative assessment of human brain glucose metabolism, aerobic glycolysis, and metabolic reprogramming under physiopathological conditions.

Exploiting metabolic vulnerability in glioblastoma using a brain-penetrant drug with a safe profile

Glioblastoma is one of the most treatment-resistant and lethal cancers, with a subset of self-renewing brain tumour stem cells (BTSCs), driving therapy resistance and relapse. Here, we report that mubritinib effectively impairs BTSC stemness and growth. Mechanistically, bioenergetic assays and rescue experiments showed that mubritinib targets complex I of the electron transport chain, thereby impairing BTSC self-renewal and proliferation. Gene expression profiling and Western blot analysis revealed that mubritinib disrupts the AMPK/p27Kip1 pathway, leading to cell-cycle impairment. By employing in vivo pharmacokinetic assays, we established that mubritinib crosses the blood-brain barrier. Using preclinical patient-derived and syngeneic models, we demonstrated that mubritinib delays glioblastoma progression and extends animal survival. Moreover, combining mubritinib with radiotherapy or chemotherapy offers survival advantage to animals. Notably, we showed that mubritinib alleviates hypoxia, thereby enhancing ROS generation, DNA damage, and apoptosis in tumours when combined with radiotherapy. Encouragingly, toxicological and behavioural studies revealed that mubritinib is well tolerated and spares normal cells. Our findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of mubritinib, warranting its further exploration in clinic for glioblastoma therapy.

Clinical translation of metabolomics markers in endometrial carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

This comprehensive review highlights the current research on metabolomics and the metabolic pathways involved in endometrial cancer (EC), offering potential non-invasive biomarkers for EC.

METHODS

The data was extracted from published manuscripts between 2015 and 2024 using the reputed search engine "Pubmed." All gathered data were organized into a single table, facilitating a comparison with earlier findings.

RESULTS

The results of this study revealed most metabolites identified in previous metabolomic research on EC are associated with lipid, glucose, and amino acid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, understanding these metabolic pathway alterations in EC is crucial for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments by specially targeting these metabolic pathways.

Unveiling lactylation modification: A new hope for cancer treatment

This review article delves into the multifaceted role of lactylation modification in antitumor therapy, revealing the complex interplay between lactylation modification and the tumor microenvironment (TME), metabolic reprogramming, gene expression, and immunotherapy. As an emerging epigenetic modification, lactylation has a significant impact on the metabolic pathways of tumor cells, immune evasion, gene expression regulation, and sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs. Studies have shown that lactylation modification significantly alters the development and therapeutic response of tumors by affecting metabolites in the TME, immune cell functions, and signaling pathways. In the field of immunotherapy, the regulatory role of lactylation modification provides a new perspective and potential targets for tumor treatment, including modulating the sensitivity of tumors to immunotherapy by affecting the expression of immune checkpoint molecules and the infiltration of immune cells. Moreover, research progress on lactylation modification in various types of tumors indicates that it may serve as a biomarker to predict patients' responses to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Overall, research on lactylation modification provides a theoretical foundation for the development of new tumor treatment strategies and holds promise for improving patient prognosis and quality of life. Future research will further explore the application potential of lactylation modification in tumor therapy and how to improve treatment efficacy by targeting lactylation modification.

Metal-organic framework-based smart stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems for cancer therapy: advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Cancer treatment is currently one of the most critical healthcare issues globally. A well-designed drug delivery system can precisely target tumor tissues, improve efficacy, and reduce damage to normal tissues. Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (SRDDSs) have shown promising application prospects. Intelligent nano drug delivery systems responsive to endogenous stimuli such as weak acidity, complex redox characteristics, hypoxia, active energy metabolism, as well as exogenous stimuli like high temperature, light, pressure, and magnetic fields are increasingly being applied in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and various other anticancer approaches. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become promising candidate materials for constructing SRDDSs due to their large surface area, tunable porosity and structure, ease of synthesis and modification, and good biocompatibility. This paper reviews the application of MOF-based SRDDSs in various modes of cancer therapy. It summarizes the key aspects, including the classification, synthesis, modifications, drug loading modes, stimuli-responsive mechanisms, and their roles in different cancer treatment modalities. Furthermore, we address the current challenges and summarize the potential applications of artificial intelligence in MOF synthesis. Finally, we propose strategies to enhance the efficacy and safety of MOF-based SRDDSs, ultimately aiming at facilitating their clinical translation.

The molecular mechanism underlying the human glucose facilitators inhibition

Glucose is the primary energy substrate and an essential precursor for cellular metabolism. Maintaining glucose homeostasis necessitates the presence of glucose transporters, as the hydrophilic nature of glucose prevents its passage across the cell membrane. The GLUT family is a crucial group of glucose transporters that facilitate glucose diffusion along the transmembrane glucose concentration gradient. Dysfunction in GLUTs is associated with diseases, such as GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, Fanconi-Bickel syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, elevated expression of GLUTs fuels aerobic glycolysis, known as the Warburg effect, in various types of cancers, making GLUT isoforms possible targets for antineoplastic therapies. To date, 30 GLUT and homolog structures have been released on the Protein Data Bank (PDB), showcasing multiple conformational and ligand-binding states. These structures elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying substrate recognition, the alternating access cycle, and transport inhibition. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of human GLUTs and their role in cancer, highlighting recent advances in the structural characterization of GLUTs. We also compare the inhibition mechanisms of exofacial and endofacial GLUT inhibitors, providing insights into the design and optimization of GLUT inhibitors for therapeutic applications.