Hallmarks of Cancer: New Dimensions

Gossiping about death: Apoptosis-induced ERK waves as coordinators of multicellular fate decisions

Apoptosis is now recognized as a highly dynamic process that involves the release of a large set of signaling molecules that convey information to cells neighboring an apoptotic site. Recent studies in epithelial systems have discovered that apoptotic cells trigger waves of pulses of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) / extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activity in their neighbors. At the single-cell level, the ERK pulses emerge from the MAPK pathway's excitable network properties, such as ultrasensitivity and adaptation. At the cell population level, apoptosis-induced ERK waves (AiEWs) emerge from propagation of ERK pulses across cells via a mechanism that involves mechanical inputs and paracrine signaling. AiEWs enable cell populations to dynamically coordinate fate decision signaling during tissue homeostasis and development. This spatio-temporal signaling mechanism can be hijacked by cancer cells to induce drug-tolerant persister states when apoptosis is triggered by cytotoxic or targeted therapies, undermining treatment efficacy. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of AiEWs, including their initiation, propagation, and coordination of fate decision signaling within a population. We discuss how the relatively simple properties of single cells, and their interactions within a collective coordinate these dynamic signaling patterns. We highlight their implication in resistance to cancer therapy and explore potential strategies to target these waves to re-sensitize cancer cells. Finally, we discuss emerging technologies and future directions to expand the study of this biological phenomenon.

Heterozygous Kmt2d loss diminishes enhancers to render medulloblastoma cells vulnerable to combinatory inhibition of LSD1 and OXPHOS

The histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase KMT2D (also called MLL4) is one of the most frequently mutated epigenetic modifiers in many cancers, including medulloblastoma (MB). Notably, heterozygous KMT2D loss frequently occurs in MB and other cancers. However, its oncogenic role remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that heterozygous Kmt2d loss in murine cerebellar regions promotes MB genesis driven by heterozygous loss of the MB-suppressor gene Ptch via the upregulation of tumor-promoting programs (e.g., oxidative phosphorylation [OXPHOS]). Downregulation of the transcription-repressive tumor suppressor NCOR2 by heterozygous Kmt2d loss, along with Ptch+/--increased MYCN, upregulated tumor-promoting genes. Heterozygous Kmt2d loss substantially diminished enhancer marks (H3K4me1 and H3K27ac) and the H3K4me3 signature, including those for Ncor2. Combinatory pharmacological inhibition of the enhancer-decommissioning H3K4 demethylase LSD1 and OXPHOS significantly reduced the tumorigenicity of MB cells bearing heterozygous Kmt2d loss. Our findings suggest the molecular and epigenetic pathogenesis underlying the MB-promoting effect of heterozygous KMT2D loss.

Reprogramming and targeting of cholesterol metabolism in tumor-associated macrophages

Cholesterol, as a major component of cell membranes, is closely related to the metabolic regulation of cells and organisms; tumor-associated macrophages play an important push role in tumor progression. We know that tumor-associated macrophages are polarized from macrophages, and the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism that may be induced during their polarization are worth discussing. This manuscript focuses on metabolic abnormalities in tumor-associated macrophages, and first provides a basic summary of the regulatory mechanisms of abnormal macrophage polarization. Subsequently, it comprehensively describes the features of abnormal glucose, lipid and cholesterol metabolism in TAMs as well as the different regulatory pathways. Then, the paper also discusses the link between abnormal cholesterol metabolism in TAMs and tumors, chronic diseases and aging. Finally, the paper summarizes cancer therapeutic strategies targeting cholesterol metabolism that are already in clinical trials, as well as nanomaterials capable of targeting cholesterol metabolism that are in the research stage, in the hope of providing value for the design of targeting materials. Overall, elucidating metabolic abnormalities in tumor-associated macrophages, particularly cholesterol metabolism, could provide assistance in tumor therapy and the design of targeted drugs.

Secreted spermidine synthase reveals a paracrine role for PGC1α-induced growth suppression in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the fifth cause of death by cancer worldwide, second in incidence in the male population. The definition of the molecular basis of its development and the oncogenic signals driving lethality continue to be important objectives in prostate cancer research. Prior work from others and us has demonstrated that loss of PGC1α expression results in a metabolic, signaling and transcriptional reprogramming that supports the development of metastatic disease. However, we do not fully understand the spectrum of tumor suppressive effects regulated by this co-regulator. Here we show that PGC1α governs non-cell autonomous paracrine tumor suppression in prostate cancer. A systematic analysis of the transcriptional landscapes associated to PGC1α loss of expression revealed that PGC1α alters the expression of genes encoding for secreted proteins. Cell secretome studies corroborated that PGC1α-dependent ERRα regulation in prostate cancer cells suppresses the growth of tumor cells exposed to their conditioned media, independently of androgen receptor status. The integration of in vitro and in vivo secretomics data and genetic perturbation assays revealed spermidine synthase as a transcriptional target of PGC1α and mediator of the paracrine metabolic growth suppressive effect. Moreover, the activity of the regulatory axis PGC1α-ERRα-SRM was reflected in patients and had prognostic value. Altogether, this work provides unprecedented evidence of the non-cell autonomous suppressive role of PGC1α, which broadens the view of this co-regulator as a multifactorial tumor suppressor in prostate cancer.

Unraveling the nexus: Genomic instability and metabolism in cancer

The DNA-damage response (DDR) is a signaling network that enables cells to detect and repair genomic damage. Over the past three decades, inhibiting DDR has proven to be an effective cancer therapeutic strategy. Although cancer drugs targeting DDR have received approval for treating various cancers, tumor cells often develop resistance to these therapies, owing to their ability to undergo energetic metabolic reprogramming. Metabolic intermediates also influence tumor cells' ability to sense oxidative stress, leading to impaired redox metabolism, thus creating redox vulnerabilities. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the crosstalk between DDR and metabolism. We discuss combination therapies that target DDR, metabolism, and redox vulnerabilities in cancer. We also outline potential obstacles in targeting metabolism and propose strategies to overcome these challenges.

Patient-derived pancreatic tumor bacteria exhibit oncogenic properties and are recognized by MAIT cells in tumor spheroids

Introduction

Tumor-residing microbiota poses a new challenge in cancer progression and therapy; however, the functional behavior of patient tumor-derived microbes remains poorly understood. We previously reported the presence of tumor microbiota in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), which are precursors of pancreatic cancer.

Methods

We examined the metabolic and pathogenic potential of clinical microbiota strains obtained from IPMN tumors using various pancreatic cell lines and 3D spheroid models.

Results

Our findings revealed that several strains from IPMNs with invasive cancer or high-grade dysplasia, such as E. cloacae, E. faecalis, and K. pneumoniae, induced a cancer metabolite signature in human pancreatic cells when infected ex vivo. Bacterial invasiveness was significantly correlated with DNA damage in spheroids derived from normal and tumor-derived pancreatic cells, particularly in strains derived from advanced neoplasia IPMN and under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, microbial metabolites activate human mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and restrict the infection, both extra- and intracellularly, in hypoxic tumor conditions and in synergy with antibiotics.

Discussion

Immune sensing of tumor microbiota metabolites may have clinical implications in cancer management.

Lactylation orchestrates ubiquitin-independent degradation of cGAS and promotes tumor growth

Lactate extensively associates with metabolic reprogramming, signal transduction, and immune modulation. Nevertheless, the regulatory role of lactate in immune sensing of cytosolic DNA remains uncertain. Here, we report that lactate serves as an initiator to facilitate proteasomal degradation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) independent of ubiquitin, thus repressing the production of interferon and contributing to tumor growth. Mechanistically, lactylation of K21 stimulates cGAS translocation from the nucleus to the proteasome for degradation, which is compromised by phosphorylation of PSMA4 S188 via disrupting its association with cGAS. Concurrently, lactylation of K415 rewires PIK3CB activity and impairs ULK1-driven phosphorylation of PSMA4 S188. Physiologically, lactylation of cGAS sustains tumor growth. Expression of cGAS correlates with the antitumor effect of the LDHA inhibitor FX11. Finally, the lactate-cGAS axis indicates a prognostic outcome of lung adenocarcinoma. Collectively, these findings not only put forth a mechanism of cGAS degradation but also unravel the clinical relevance of cGAS lactylation.

Genomic alterations in normal breast tissues preceding breast cancer diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Normal breast tissues adjacent to cancer often harbor many of the same genomic alterations as the cancer itself. However, it remains unclear whether histologically normal breast tissues carry genomic changes related to cancer development years before a cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

Whole exome sequencing was performed to examine germline and somatic alterations in histologically normal breast tissues from women who subsequently developed breast cancer (n = 79, pre-diagnosis tissues) and compared these with results from breast tissues of women who did not (n = 81). No patient had germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes.

RESULTS

The pre-diagnosis tissues had significantly more high functional impact germline variants per sample than the healthy controls (P = 0.034), 36.5% of affected genes were cancer hallmark genes, among these 62.4% were involved with evading growth suppressors and 5.7% with genome instability. The average number of somatic mutations were similar between the two cohorts. Mutation signature analysis revealed COSMIC signatures 3 (associated with impaired homologous recombination) as a dominant signature more frequent in pre-diagnosis tissues. At gene and variant level, nine common germline polymorphisms in two immune regulatory genes, FCGBP and TPSBP2, and along with three somatic mutations in F13A1, FRY and TMLHE, were significantly more frequently mutated in the pre-diagnosis samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals who develop breast cancer have a higher germline variant burden in normal breast tissues leading to subtle deficiencies in DNA repair that in the context of other germline and somatic mutations could facilitate malignant transformation.

Cerumenogram as an assay for the metabolic diagnosis of precancer, cancer, and cancer remission

Early diagnosis is crucial for successful cancer treatment. As a mitochondrial metabolic disease, cancer produces volatile organic metabolites that are present in earwax, allowing differentiation between healthy individuals and those with cancer through an assay called cerumenogram. In this case series study, we demonstrated that this assay also enables the diagnosis of precancerous stages, such as hypermetabolic inflammation and dysplasia, which can aid in treatments to prevent cancer progression. Additionally, this assay reveals that oncological metabolism differs from that observed in metaplasias, cysts, and benign tumors, helping to avoid unnecessary oncological procedures due to suspected malignancy. Cerumenogram can also be used to assess cancer remission. Thus, the cerumenogram emerges as an assay that might enable the diagnosis of cancer, monitor remission, and identify precancerous stages, covering key steps of tumorigenesis.

Hi-C profiling in tissues reveals 3D chromatin-regulated breast tumor heterogeneity informing a looping-mediated therapeutic avenue

The limitations of Hi-C (high-throughput chromosome conformation capture) profiling in in vitro cell culture include failing to recapitulate disease-specific physiological properties and lacking a clinically relevant disease microenvironment. In this study, we conduct Hi-C profiling in a pilot cohort of 12 breast tissues comprising two normal tissues, five ER+ breast primary tumors, and five tamoxifen-treated recurrent tumors. We demonstrate 3D chromatin-regulated breast tumor heterogeneity and identify a looping-mediated target gene, CA2, which might play a role in driving tamoxifen resistance. The inhibition of CA2 impedes tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo and reverses chromatin looping. The disruption of CA2 looping reduces tamoxifen-resistant cancer cell proliferation, decreases CA2 mRNA and protein expression, and weakens the looping interaction. Our study thus provides mechanistic and functional insights into the role of 3D chromatin architecture in regulating breast tumor heterogeneity and informs a new looping-mediated therapeutic avenue for treating breast cancer.

KDM4C works in concert with GATA1 to regulate heme metabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the sixth most common cancer worldwide, presents significant public health challenges due to its genetic instability and late-stage diagnosis. Despite advancements in treatment, the median overall survival remains below one year, emphasizing the need for improved detection, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the role of KDM4C and its interaction with GATA1 in regulating heme metabolism and tumor progression in HNSCC. KDM4C knockdown (KDM4C-KD) hindered HNSCC cell migration using in vitro assays, inhibited metastasis through zebrafish xenotransplantation, and suppressed tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. RNA-seq and CUT&Tag-seq analyses on KDM4C-KD SAS cells identified KDM4C-regulated genes, including ferrochelatase (FECH), in heme metabolism. Immunoprecipitation and docking analyses confirmed the KDM4C-GATA1 interaction. Notably, FECH overexpression in KDM4C or GATA1 knockdown cells restored cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, highlighting FECH as a crucial downstream target. KDM4 inhibitors myricetin and BPRKD022S0 (22S0) increased H3K9me3 levels, downregulated heme metabolism genes, and reduced cell survival in HNSCC cells. Zebrafish and mouse models demonstrated that these inhibitors effectively suppressed tumor growth and metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis of HNSCC patient samples revealed high KDM4C and GATA1 expression correlated with advanced clinical stages and poor survival outcomes. Our findings elucidate the critical role of the KDM4C/GATA1-FECH axis in HNSCC progression and suggest that targeting this pathway with KDM4 inhibitors shows promising therapeutic potential for HNSCC treatment.

In Vivo Reprogramming Highlights Epigenetic Regulation That Shapes Cancer Hallmarks

Douglas Hanahan added "non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming" and "unlocking phenotypic plasticity" as new hallmarks of cancer, proposing that cancer cells possess fundamental features that are not directly linked to their genetic abnormalities. In vivo reprogramming studies have demonstrated that non-mutational epigenetic regulation can cause cellular reprogramming, leading to cancer development at the organismal level. Given that epigenetic regulation functions as an interface between the cellular environment and gene expression, these results suggest that intercellular communications in the tumor microenvironment play a critical role in cancer development. This review first introduces genetic aberrations that cause cancer development. Then, it illustrates the impact of epigenetic abnormalities in cancer, especially with reference to studies that use in vivo reprogramming technologies. Finally, it discusses the importance of histological evaluations of tumor tissue to understand non-cell-autonomous epigenetic regulation that establishes cancer hallmarks.

Serum metabolomics to identify molecular subtypes and predict XELOX efficacy in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers; however, accurately predicting prognosis based on existing molecular subtypes remains challenging. The XELOX regimen, which combines oxaliplatin and capecitabine, is the cornerstone of chemotherapy for CRC treatment. However, there is a notable lack of reliable predictive models for determining the sensitivity of this treatment. This study aimed to establish a novel classification system for CRC and develop a predictive model for XELOX chemotherapeutic sensitivity using serum metabolomics. We recruited 89 patients with CRC and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls for untargeted metabolomic studies to identify tumor-specific serum metabolites. The patients were grouped into distinct metabolic subtypes using unsupervised clustering. A serum metabolite combination predictive of the efficacy of XELOX was established using Cox regression analysis in 34 patients with stage III CRC. Using unsupervised clustering based on the serum metabolites, three distinct clusters were identified. Notably, Cluster 3, which was characterized by uniform lipid and amino acid levels, demonstrated the best prognosis. Our analysis revealed that D-glucose 6-phosphate, presqualene diphosphate, and leukotriene B4 levels were negatively correlated with XELOX sensitivity, whereas 15-HETE and N-acetyl-l-methionine levels were positively correlated. Based on these findings, we constructed a predictive model validated in an independent cohort of 34 patients with stage III CRC. In summary, this study identified a novel classification of CRC based on serum metabolites and developed a potential prognostic model for XELOX chemotherapeutic efficacy, which may have direct effects on the treatment and prognosis of CRC.

Associations of blood RNA biomarkers and circulating tumour cells in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, analysis of the number of basal circulating tumour cells (bCTCs) has been shown to be a strong prognostic indicator. In this study, we aim to explore the potential associations between whole blood mRNA and microRNA expression profiles and bCTC counts, tumour mutations and prognosis in untreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

A total of 151 patients previously screened for inclusion in two clinical trials (VISNÚ1 and VISNÚ2) were enrolled in this study. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses were performed to determine the whole blood expression of selected RNAs (mRNAs and microRNAs) involved in the metastatic process. The CellSearch system was used to enumerate circulating tumour cells. The primary objective was to correlate RNA expression with the number of bCTCs, while the secondary objectives were to investigate the relationship between the levels of circulating RNA biomarkers in whole blood and the clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics and prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

RESULTS

bCTC count was significantly associated with AGR2 mRNA in the entire cohort of 151 patients. AGR2, ADAR1 and LGR5 were associated with the number of bCTC, both in the subgroup with bCTC ≥ 3 and in the subgroup with native RAS/BRAF/PIK3 CA tumours. In patients with RAS/BRAF/PIK3 CA mutations no correlations with bCTC were detected, but an upregulation of miR-224-5p and the stemness marker LGR5 and a downregulation of immune regulatory CD274 were found. Lower levels of miR-106a-5p/miR-26a-5p were associated with shorter overall survival, with independent statistical significance in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

A correlation was identified between the levels of a subset of whole blood RNAs, including AGR2, ADAR1, and LGR5, and the number of bCTC and RAS/BRAF/PIK3 CA mutational status. Furthermore, another set of whole blood RNAs, specifically miR-106a-5p and miR-26a-5p, was found to be associated with poor prognosis. This may be helpful for risk stratification.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Gov. NCT01640405 and NCT01640444. Registered on 13 June 2012. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ .

SDCBP Orchestrated Gastric Cancer Aggression Through Epithelial- Mesenchymal Transition and Macrophages M2 Polarization

Gastric cancer remains a significant global health burden with limited treatment options and high mortality. Syndecan-binding protein (SDCBP), a scaffolding protein involved in tumor differentiation, has attracted attention as a potential therapeutic target in cancers. However, its precise role in gastric cancer progression is not fully understood. In this study, through bioinformatics analysis and gastric cancer samples detection, we discovered that SDCBP was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues, which was correlated with clinicopathological features such as tumor invasion depth and distant metastasis, and exhibited heterogeneity across histological or molecular subtypes. Elevated SDCBP expression promoted the proliferation, invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells, and modulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the ERK signaling pathway. Xenograft experiments in mice confirmed that inhibiting SDCBP or ERK signaling could delay cancer progression. We also found that gastric cancer cells with SDCBP knockdown were able to inhibit the M2 polarization of cocultured macrophages, reduce chemotaxis and enhance phagocytosis of macrophages. Therefore, SDCBP plays a crucial role in driving gastric cancer progression. Targeting SDCBP in gastric cancer can partially reverse the malignant phenotype, and SDCBP is expected to be a promising therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Intratumor fungi specific mechanisms to influence cell death pathways and trigger tumor cell apoptosis

Cancer, uncontrolled cell growth due to the loss of cell cycle regulation, is often found to be associated with viral infections and, as recent studies show, with bacterial infections as well. Emerging reports also suggest a strong link between fungi and cancer. The crucial virulence trait of fungi, the switch from yeast (Y) to hyphal (H) form, is found to be associated with carcinogenesis. The physicochemical properties and signal transduction pathways involved in the switch to the hyphal form overlap with those of tumor cell formation. Inhibiting differentiation causes apoptosis in fungi, whereas preventing apoptosis leads to cancer in multicellular organisms. Literature on the fungi-cancer linkage, though limited, is increasing rapidly. This review examines cancer-specific fungal communities, the impact of fungal microbiome on cancer cell progression, similarities between fungal differentiation and cells turning cancerous at biochemical and molecular levels, including the overlaps in signal transduction pathways between fungi and cancer. Based on the available evidence, we suggest that molecules inhibiting the yeast-hyphal transition in fungi can be combined with those targeting tumor cell apoptosis for effective cancer treatment. The review points out fertile research areas where mycologists and cancer researchers can collaborate to unravel common molecular mechanisms. Moreover, antibodies targeting fungal-specific chitin and glucan can be used for the selective neutralization of tumor cells. These new combinations of potential therapies are expected to facilitate the development of target-specific, less harmful and commercially feasible anticancer therapies. We bring together available evidence to argue that fungal infections could either trigger cancer or have a significant role in the development and progression of cancer. Hence, cancer-associated fungal populations could be utilized as a target for a combination therapy involving the integration of anticancer and antifungal drugs as well as inhibitors of fungal morphogenesis to develop more effective anticancer therapies.

METTL1-mediated m7G modification promotes colorectal cancer metastasis via stabilization of ICAM-1

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide, and metastatic CRC is likely to have a poor prognosis. N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is a common methylation modification that is catalyzed primarily by methyltransferase 1 (METTL1). However, the role of m7G in metastatic CRC remains unclear. The role of METTL1 in progressive CRC was initially explored using bioinformatics analysis. Subsequently, its relationship with CRC was further validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Potential downstream targets were identified through RNA-seq and quantitative real-time PCR (RT‒qPCR), and the underlying mechanisms were investigated using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) and RNA degradation assays. Our results revealed that METTL1 is differentially expressed and significantly upregulated in metastatic CRC. This correlation was further confirmed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. RNA sequencing of CRC cells with METTL1 knockdown revealed that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was a significant downstream target and could be stabilized by m7G modification. We revealed that METTL1 is significantly upregulated in metastatic CRC and plays a critical role in CRC progression by stabilizing ICAM-1 through m7G modification.

Analysis of preoperative serum cytokine levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

This study investigates preoperative serum cytokine levels in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The study included 51 patients with OSCC and 42 healthy controls (HCs). Serum samples of 12 cytokines were analyzed using a multiplex bead-based flow cytometry immunoassay. Mann-Whitney U test and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify significant indicators of OSCC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluated the diagnostic performance.Spearman analysis was assessed the correlation between cytokines and tumor-node-metastasis staging of OSCC. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12P70, IL-17, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients with OSCC than in HCs. IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12P70, IL-17, IFN-γ, combination 1 (IL-6 and IL-8), and combination 2 (IL-6 and IL-12P70) had area under the curve (AUC) values > 0.7, with combination 2 exhibited the highest AUC of 0.995. Serum cytokine profiles were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the patients with OSCC and HCs. IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12P70, IL-17, IFN-γ, combination 1, and combination 2 effectively distinguished between HCs and patients with OSCC. Cytokine combinations enhanced OSCC diagnostic accuracy, with significantly elevated IL-6 levels (P < 0.05) in advanced-stage compared to early-stage OSCC, indicating its potential impact on disease progression and prognosis.

G-quadruplex in cancer energy metabolism: A potential therapeutic target

In recent years, energy metabolism in cancer has received increasing attention as an important component of tumor biology, and the functions of transcription factors, mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the autophagy-lysosome system in which have been elucidated. G-quadruplex (G4) is a molecular switch that regulates gene transcription or translation. As an anticancer target, the effect of G4 on cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, cycle and autophagy has been recognized. The energy metabolism system is a unified whole composed of transcription factors, metabolic regulators, metabolites and signaling pathways that run through the entire cancer process. However, the role of G4 in this complex metabolic network has not been systematically elucidated. In this review, we analyze the close correlation between G4 and transcription factors, mitochondria, ROS and the autophagy-lysosome system and suggest that G4 can exert a marked effect on cancer energy metabolism by regulating the above mentioned key regulatory elements. The anticancer effects of some G4 ligands through regulation of energy metabolism have also been summarized, confirming the clear involvement of G4 in energy metabolism. Although much more research is needed, we propose that G4 may play a critical role in the complex energy metabolism system of cancer, which is a promising target for anticancer strategies focusing on energy metabolism.

HEX-1 reduces colitis-driven colorectal cancer via inactivating the prolyl isomerase PIN1 sensitization and remodeling the gut microbiota

Metabolic reprogramming, a pivotal hallmark of cancer, plays a crucial role in both the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite the vast unknowns surrounding the identity and biological activities of most natural metabolites in diseases, our study, utilizing native metabolomics results through GC-MS/MS, identified a small molecule, 4,4-Dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one, named HEX-1 in the serum of CRC patients. We have further explored and assessed its biological activities. HEX-1 suppressed the proliferation of cancer cells and tumorigenesis via the inactivation and sensitization of PIN1. Notably, HEX-1 exhibits similar functional effects as all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) but stands out by not inducing the degradation of PIN1 mRNA or protein expression, unlike biological compounds associated with atRA. HEX-1 demonstrated the ability to induce G1/S arrest in vitro and ameliorate the progression of inflammatory CRC in mice by remodeling the gut microbiota. As volatile organic compounds (VOCs), HEX-1 could be detected feasibly. Its unique ability to penetrate whole cell populations positions it as a promising approach for cancer therapy and as an enhancer for chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The findings suggest that HEX-1 holds the potential as a valuable addition to the armamentarium against CRC.

Ferroptosis in Cancer: Mechanism and Therapeutic Potential

Cancer drug resistance occurs when cancer cells evade cell death following treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. This resistance is often linked to the reprogramming of programmed cell death (PCD) pathways, allowing cancer cells to survive drug-induced stress. However, certain anticancer therapies, when combined with specific agents or inhibitors, can induce ferroptosis-a form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Currently, extensive preclinical and clinical research is underway to investigate the molecular, cellular, and tissue-specific mechanisms underlying ferroptosis, with the goal of identifying strategies to overcome drug resistance in cancers unresponsive to conventional PCD pathways. By harnessing ferroptosis, cancer cells can be compelled to undergo lipid peroxidation-induced death, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes in patients with cancer. This short review aims to enhance the understanding of ferroptosis inducers in cancer therapy and stimulate further research into ferroptosis-based approaches for more effective clinical cancer treatment.

Ara-C suppresses H3 K27-altered spinal cord diffuse midline glioma growth and enhances immune checkpoint blockade sensitivity

H3 K27-altered spinal cord diffuse midline glioma (H3-SCDMG) poses therapeutic challenges. Analysis of 73 clinical samples revealed heightened proliferation in H3-SCDMG versus wild-type tumors, suggesting therapeutic vulnerabilities. Drug screening identified cytarabine (Ara-C) as highly effective in inhibiting proliferation in H3 K27M cell models, recently established patient-derived cells, and patient-derived xenograft models. Mechanistically, Ara-C can suppress tumor growth through DNA damage, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. An investigator-initiated clinical trial involving four patients showed benefits in three cases. In addition, a subset of cells exhibited senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype post-Ara-C treatment, accompanied by several immune checkpoint ligands' up-regulation and more immune cell infiltration. Combining Ara-C with dual Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and TIGIT blockade emerged as a promising strategy to disrupt immune evasion by senescent cells, enhancing antitumor responses. These findings highlight Ara-C's potential as a monotherapy and in synergy with immunotherapy for H3-SCDMG, offering potential strategies for clinical management.

Harnessing lysosomal genetics: development of a risk stratification panel and unveiling of DPP7 as a biomarker for colon adenocarcinoma

Lysosomal dysfunction has been implicated in the progression of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), yet the prognostic significance and therapeutic potential of lysosome-related genes (LRGs) remain underexplored. In this study, we construct a 6-LRG-based prognostic risk stratification model (DPP7, ADAM8, CD1B, LRP2, ATP6V1C2, and PLAAT3) by integrating LASSO and Cox regression analyses. Stratifying patients based on median risk scores, we demonstrate that high-risk patients exhibit significantly worse clinical outcomes across the TCGA cohort and five independent GEO datasets. Furthermore, this panel outperforms 136 previously published models in terms of predictive accuracy for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. Validation multiplex immunofluorescence using an in-house tissue microarray cohort confirms the 6-LRG signature serves as an independent prognostic factor. Additionally, high-risk patients exhibit distinct immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and aggressive malignancy characteristics. Functional depletion of DPP7 significantly inhibits tumor cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Moreover, DPP7 silencing attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition, as evidenced by the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail. In conclusion, this study establishes an LRG-based model for COAD prognostic prediction and nominates DPP7 as a promising therapeutic target for COAD treatment.

Intratumoral microbiota for hepatocellular carcinoma: from preclinical mechanisms to clinical cancer treatment

Intratumoral microbiota has been found to be a crucial component of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to insufficient recognition, technical limitations, and low biomass of intratumoral microbiota, it is poorly understood. Intratumoral microbiota exhibit significant diversity in HCC tissues. It is involved in the development of HCC through several mechanisms, such as remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment, metabolic reprogramming, and genetic alterations. Moreover, intratumoral microbiota is associated with the metastasis of HCC cells. Herein, we reviewed the history of intratumoral microbiota, applied biotechnology to depict the signatures of intratumoral microbiota, investigated the potential sources of intratumoral microbiota, and assessed their functions, mechanisms, and heterogeneity. Furthermore, in this review, we summarized the development of therapeutics that can be used in the treatment of HCC and proposed future perspectives for research in this field.

Targeting DOT1L and EZH2 synergizes in breaking the germinal center identity of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

ABSTRACT

Differentiation of antigen-activated B cells into proproliferative germinal center (GC) B cells depends on the activity of the transcription factors myelocytoma (MYC) and B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6), and the epigenetic writers disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). GCB-like diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (GCB-DLBCLs) arise from GCB cells and closely resemble their cell of origin. Given the dependency of GCB cells on DOT1L and EZH2, we investigated the role of these epigenetic regulators in GCB-DLBCLs and observed that GCB-DLBCLs synergistically depend on the combined activity of DOT1L and EZH2. Mechanistically, inhibiting both enzymes led to enhanced derepression of polycomb repressive complex 2 target genes compared with EZH2 single treatment, along with the upregulation of BCL6 target genes and suppression of MYC target genes. The sum of all these alterations results in a "cell identity crisis," wherein GCB-DLBCLs lose their proproliferative GC identity and partially undergo plasma cell differentiation, a state associated with poor survival. In support of this model, combined epidrugging of DOT1L and EZH2 prohibited the outgrowth of human GCB-DLBCL xenografts in vivo. We conclude that the malignant behavior of GCB-DLBCLs strongly depends on DOT1L and EZH2 and that combined targeting of both epigenetic writers may provide an alternative differentiation-based treatment modality for GCB-DLBCL.

Inhibition of ABCG2 by SCO-101 Enhances Chemotherapy Efficacy in Cancer

Chemotherapy resistance, particularly multidrug resistance (MDR), remains a significant barrier to effective cancer treatment, leading to high mortality rates. The development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting key molecular mechanisms to counteract drug resistance is thus an urgent clinical need. In this study, we evaluated the potential of the small molecule SCO-101 to restore chemotherapy sensitivity in drug-resistant cancer cells. Using in silico and in vitro models such as molecular docking, cell viability, colony formation, dye efflux, transporter assays and chemotherapy retention, we assessed the impact of SCO-101 on drug retention and response in several drug-resistant cancer cells. SCO-101 was found to inhibit the activity of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) and UDP Glucuronosyltransferase Family 1 Member A1 (UGT1A1), two key proteins involved in drug resistance by cellular drug excretion and drug metabolism. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of these proteins by SCO-101 leads to increased intracellular drug accumulation, enhancing the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy agents. Additionally, we identified a strong correlation between high ABCG2 expression and MDR in non-drug-resistant models, where cells exhibiting elevated ABCG2 levels displayed chemotherapy resistance, which was effectively reversed by SCO-101 co-treatment. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of SCO-101 in overcoming MDR by inhibiting drug efflux mechanisms and metabolism, thereby enhancing chemotherapy efficacy. SCO-101 is currently undergoing clinical trials as an orally administered drug and is considered a promising strategy for improving cancer treatment outcomes in patients with drug-resistant tumors.

MiR-22/GLUT1 Axis Induces Metabolic Reprogramming and Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The approval of immunotherapy has revolutionized the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, sorafenib remains a first-line therapeutic option for advanced patients and, in particular, for patients not eligible for immune checkpoint inhibitors, but its efficacy is limited by the onset of acquired resistance, highlighting the urgent need for predictive biomarkers. This study investigates the role of miR-22 in metabolic reprogramming and its potential as a biomarker in HCC. The analysis of miR-22 expression was performed in HCC patients and preclinical models by qPCR. Functional analyses in HCC cells evaluated GLUT1 as a direct miR-22 target. Cellular and metabolic assays evaluated the miR-22/GLUT1 axis's role in metabolic changes, tumor aggressiveness, and sorafenib response. Circulating miR-22 was analyzed in sorafenib-treated HCC patients and rats. MiR-22 was downregulated in HCCs and associated with aggressive tumor features. Functionally, miR-22 modulated the HIF1A pathway, enhanced survival in stressful conditions, promoted a glycolytic shift, and enhanced cancer cell plasticity and sorafenib resistance via GLUT1 targeting. In addition, high serum miR-22 levels were associated with sorafenib resistance in HCC patients and rats. GLUT1 inhibition sensitized low miR-22-expressing HCC cells to sorafenib in preclinical models. These findings suggest that circulating miR-22 deserves attention as a predictive biomarker of sorafenib response. GLUT1 inhibition may represent a therapeutic strategy to combine with sorafenib, particularly in patients exhibiting high circulating miR-22 levels.

Therapeutic Targeting of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Colorectal Cancer Using 6-Aminonicotinamide and 5-Fluorouracil

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern with rising incidence and mortality rates. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the standard chemotherapy for CRC but is often constrained by resistance and toxicity, highlighting the need for more efficient treatments. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), a glucose metabolic shunt, is significantly upregulated in CRC to support nucleotide synthesis and redox balance. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeting the PPP decreases CRC cell growth, reduces tumor progression, and improves 5-FU therapy. Consequently, we investigated the anti-tumor activities, cell death mechanism, and mode of action of the PPP inhibitor, 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), and 5-FU alone or in combination against CRC. We used human CRC cell lines with different p53 and 5-FU resistance statuses and a CRC xenograft model. Our findings show that 6-AN reduced the viability of human CRC cells independently of their p53 and 5-FU resistance profile, with its effect further enhanced in combination with 5-FU. The 6-AN/5-FU combination treatment synergized by reducing the total dehydrogenase activity of the PPP, inducing oxidative stress, and promoting senescence in CRC cells. Furthermore, 6-AN treatment significantly decreased tumor growth in a CRC xenograft mouse model. However, combining 6-AN with 5-FU did not reduce tumor volume significantly, highlighting the complexities of translating in vitro findings to animal models. These results suggest that interfering with the PPP activity suppresses CRC cell growth and may reduce 5-FU resistance. This study underscores targeting cancer metabolism as a novel therapeutic strategy to minimize drug resistance and to improve CRC therapeutic outcomes.

Targeting HSP90 with Ganetespib to Induce CDK1 Degradation and Promote Cell Death in Hepatoblastoma

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Hepatoblastoma, the most common malignant liver tumor in pediatric patients, is characterized by a remarkably low mutation rate, thereby impeding targeted therapies. Current treatment regimens rely on conventional cytotoxic agents that often cause severe adverse effects, necessitating the search for novel, less toxic therapeutic approaches.

METHODS

In this study, we explored the anti-tumor potential of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors using a unique collection of hepatoblastoma in vitro models.

RESULTS

Among the five tested inhibitors, we identified ganetespib as the most effective, significantly suppressing tumor cell growth while sparing healthy, non-tumor cells. Ganetespib treatment at low nanomolar concentrations markedly reduced cell proliferation, impaired long-term survival, and inhibited three-dimensional spheroid growth, ultimately leading to the induction of apoptosis. Mechanistically, ganetespib downregulated the expression of the HSP90 client protein cyclin-dependent kinase 1, a key cell cycle regulator controlling G2/M phase transition, which is heavily upregulated in hepatoblastoma. This disruption consequently resulted in cell cycle arrest, further contributing to its anti-tumor effects.

CONCLUSIONS

HSP90 inhibition by ganetespib demonstrates significant potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for hepatoblastoma, offering a potential alternative to current cytotoxic treatments with fewer adverse effects.

MultiOmics analysis of metabolic dysregulation and immune features in breast cancer

Metabolic disorders and diminished immune response are hallmark characteristics of tumors. However, limited studies have comprehensively integrated metabolic and immunological factors to evaluate or predict the prognosis of cancer patients. In this study, we utilized 72 metabolic pathway gene sets from the MsigDB database to conduct GSVA, univariate regression, and prognostic analyses on 247 breast cancer samples sourced from the TCGA and GEO databases. Consequently, five metabolic pathways with significant research value were identified. Based on these findings, unsupervised clustering was performed on the breast cancer samples to compare differences in gene expression, clinicopathological features, immune infiltration levels, and prognosis across different clusters. This process led to the identification of nine metabolism-related characteristic genes. Additionally, single-cell sequencing analysis was employed to assess the spatial expression patterns of these characteristic genes, revealing significantly higher expression indices in tumor cells compared to non-tumor cells. Subsequently, machine learning algorithms were applied to reconstruct metabolic risk models for evaluating the prognosis of breast cancer patients. The results indicated that the high metabolic risk group exhibited higher gene mutation scores, a greater proportion of unfavorable clinicopathological parameters, and lower chemokine and immune scores compared to the low-risk group. In conclusion, the metabolic risk model constructed using metabolism-related characteristic genes can accurately distinguish and predict the survival prognosis and immunotherapy outcomes of breast cancer patients, offering novel targets and insights for personalized treatment strategies.

Combined inhibition of hexokinase 2 and pyruvate dehydrogenase surmounts SHP2 inhibitor resistance in non-small cell lung cancer with hybrid metabolic state harboring KRAS Q61H mutation

KRAS Q61H is an aggressive oncogenic driver mutation rendering cancer cells drug resistant to SHP2 inhibitors (SHP2i). Some metastatic and chemoresistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, exhibit a hybrid metabolic state in which both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) coexist. Hence, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of a combination of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) inhibitors, benserazide (Benz) and CPI-613, respectively, against NSCLC NCI-H460 cells harboring the driver KRAS Q61H mutation. This combination synergistically disrupted the hybrid metabolic state, inhibited NCI-H460 cell proliferation in vitro, and markedly suppressed tumor growth in NCI-H460 cell xenograft model in mice. The molecular basis underlying this antitumor activity was apparently due to suppression of SHP2/SOS1/RAS/MAPK signaling pathways, leading to enhanced apoptosis. Moreover, this drug combination restored the sensitivity to SHP2i. Consistently, SHP2 overexpression in NCI-H460 cells abrogated the antitumor activity of this drug combination. These findings reveal that the combination of Benz and CPI-613 targets the metabolic vulnerability of KRAS Q61H mutant-bearing NSCLC tumors. These results offer a combination therapeutic strategy for the possible treatment of cancer cells displaying a hybrid metabolic state, thereby surmounting chemoresistance.

FAO-fueled OXPHOS and NRF2-mediated stress resilience in MICs drive lymph node metastasis

Metastasis is an inefficient process requiring cancer cells to adapt metabolically for survival and colonization in new environments. The contributions of tumor metabolic reprogramming to lymph node (LN) metastasis and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified rare metastasis-initiating cells (MICs) with stem-like properties that drive early LN metastasis. Integrated transcriptome, lipidomic, metabolomic, and functional analyses demonstrated that MICs depend on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) fueled by fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in the lipid-rich LN microenvironment. Mechanistically, the NRF2-SLC7A11 axis promotes glutathione synthesis to mitigate oxidative stress, thereby enhancing stress resistance and metastatic potential of MICs. Inhibition of NRF2-SLC7A11 reduced LN metastasis and sensitized tumors to cisplatin. Clinically, elevated NRF2-SLC7A11 expression was observed in tumors, with high expression correlating with LN metastasis, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). These findings highlight the pivotal roles of FAO-fueled OXPHOS and NRF2 in LN metastasis and suggest targeting these pathways as a promising therapeutic strategy for metastatic ESCC.

Lysine methyltransferase SETD7 in cancer: functions, molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Since its discovery as a histone methyltransferase, SETD7 has been implicated in many signaling pathways and carcinogenesis. SETD7 catalyzes the methylation of histone H3 and non-histone proteins, regulating their translation, stability and activity. SETD7 is frequently abnormally expressed and has a significant influence on cell proliferation, invasion, autophagy and immune response. As cancer is a complex disease, an outstanding concept in cancer biology is the "hallmarks of cancer". In this review, we focus on the involvement of SETD7 in the hallmarks of cancer, describing its functions and underlying mechanisms in detail. Additionally, we discuss non-coding RNAs and chemical inhibitors targeting SETD7, highlighting the potential and importance of SETD7 in cancer therapy.

Transcriptome sequencing revealed that lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is associated with high THBS4 expression and PDGFRA+ cancer-associated fibroblasts

Background

Cervical lymph node metastasis is a major factor influencing recurrence after surgery for papillary thyroid cancer. Molecular markers that can predict the presence of lymph node metastasis and assess the aggressiveness of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) remain poorly understood. The research question addressed whether specific genes, such as thrombospondin-4 (THBS4), could serve as predictive biomarkers for guiding surgical strategies, particularly in cases where current imaging modalities fail to detect LNM in the central region, and the decision for prophylactic central neck dissection remains controversial.

Methods

Transcriptome sequencing was employed to screen for differentially expressed genes and perform enrichment analysis. The study defined two groups of PTMC patients: LNM(n=50) and NLNM(n=50). 10 samples from each group were used for transcriptome sequencing. The expression of THBS4 was evaluated in both groups. Additionally, the correlation between THBS4 expression and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), specifically the PDGFRA+ inflammatory CAFs, was investigated to understand the stromal regulatory protein's role in PTMC aggressiveness.

Results

The analysis of sequencing data revealed that THBS4 expression was significantly higher in LNM PTMC compared to the NLNM group (Fold Change > 1.6 and P < 0.05). LNM PTMCs were also associated with a higher presence of PDGFRA+ inflammatory CAFs (P < 0.05), while no significant difference in the quantity of SMA+ myofibroblastic CAFs was observed between the two groups(P>0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated increased THBS4(P < 0.01) and PDGFRA(P < 0.001) expression in LNM groups, while SMA staining showed no significant intergroup differences(P>0.05).

Conclusion

This study's findings indicate that THBS4 could be a potential biomarker for predicting the risk of lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, thus potentially guiding more personalized surgical interventions. Further validation in larger patient cohorts and the interactions between THBS4 and CAFs are necessary.

Circulating Tumor Microenvironment in Metastasis

Activation of invasion and metastasis is a central hallmark of cancer, contributing to the primary cause of death for patients with cancer. In the multistep metastatic process, cancer cells must infiltrate the circulation, survive, arrest at capillary beds, extravasate, and form metastatic clones in distant organs. However, only a small proportion of circulating tumor cells (CTC) successfully form metastases, with transit of CTCs in the circulation being the rate-limiting step. The fate of CTCs is influenced by the circulating tumor microenvironment (cTME), which encompasses factors affecting their biological behaviors in the circulation. This liquid and flowing microenvironment differs significantly from the primary TME or the premetastatic niche. This review summarizes the latest advancements in identifying the biophysical cues, key components, and biological roles of the cTME, highlighting the network among biophysical attributes, blood cells, and nonblood factors in cancer metastasis. In addition to the potential of the cTME as a therapeutic target for inhibiting metastasis, the cTME could also represent as a biomarker for predicting patient outcomes and developing strategies for treating cancer.

Deciphering a crosstalk between biological cues and multifunctional nanocarriers in lung cancer therapy

In recent years, the utilization of nanocarriers has significantly broadened across a diverse spectrum of biomedical applications. However, the clinical translation of these tiny carriers is limited and encounters hurdles, particularly in the intricate landscape of the tumor microenvironment. Lung cancer poses unique hurdles for nanocarrier design. Multiple physiological barriers hinder the efficient drug delivery to the lungs, such as the complex anatomy of the lung, the presence of mucus, immune responses, and rapid clearance mechanisms. Overcoming these obstacles necessitates a targeted approach that minimizes off-target effects while effectively penetrating nanoparticles/cargo into specific lung tissues or cells. Furthermore, understanding the cellular uptake mechanisms of these nano carriers is also essential. This knowledge aids in developing nanocarriers that efficiently enter cells and transfer their payload for the most effective therapeutic outcome. Hence, a thorough understanding of biological cues becomes crucial in designing multifunctional nanocarriers tailored for treating lung cancer. This review explores the essential biological cues critical for developing a flexible nanocarrier specifically intended to treat lung cancer. Additionally, it discusses advancements in nanotheranostics in lung cancer.

Proteomic-based stemness score measures oncogenic dedifferentiation and enables the identification of druggable targets

Cancer progression and therapeutic resistance are closely linked to a stemness phenotype. Here, we introduce a protein-expression-based stemness index (PROTsi) to evaluate oncogenic dedifferentiation in relation to histopathology, molecular features, and clinical outcomes. Utilizing datasets from the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium across 11 tumor types, we validate PROTsi's effectiveness in accurately quantifying stem-like features. Through integration of PROTsi with multi-omics, including protein post-translational modifications, we identify molecular features associated with stemness and proteins that act as active nodes within transcriptional networks, driving tumor aggressiveness. Proteins highly correlated with stemness were identified as potential drug targets, both shared and tumor specific. These stemness-associated proteins demonstrate predictive value for clinical outcomes, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry in multiple samples. The findings emphasize PROTsi's efficacy as a valuable tool for selecting predictive protein targets, a crucial step in customizing anti-cancer therapy and advancing the clinical development of cures for cancer patients.

Myogenic IGFBP5 levels in rhabdomyosarcoma are nourished by mesenchymal stromal cells and regulate growth arrest and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stromal cells belong to a diverse collection of cells in different states that are poorly characterized in soft-tissue sarcomas. In this study, we explored tumor growth-regulatory signaling between differentially educated non-malignant mesenchymal stromal cells and malignant cells in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).

METHODS

Xenograft experiments demonstrated that non-malignant stromal cells influence tumor behavior. Gene expression analysis identified deregulated genes, which were further studied using cell culture assays and patient data. Clinicopathological correlations were made in a discovery cohort (N = 147) and a validation cohort (N = 101).

RESULTS

The results revealed transiently suppressive paracrine effects of orthotopic stromal cells derived from skeletal muscle. These effects were lost when the stromal cells were exposed to RMS cells, either short-term in vitro, or long-term in hindlimb muscle in vivo. High resolution microarray-based Clariom D gene expression analysis identified insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) as the top upregulated gene in RMS cells exposed to naïve stromal cells, and effects on growth arrest, caspase 3/7 activation, and myogenic cell identity were demonstrated in functional assays. Furthermore, IGFBP5 associated with the caspase 3 substrate growth arrest specific protein 2 (GAS2), lower disease stage and favorable survival in patient cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study uses functional modeling and omics approaches to identify IGFBP5 as a candidate mediator of anti-tumor growth mechanisms originating from tumor-neighboring mesenchymal stromal cells. Tumors of mesenchymal origin, such as RMS, are known for their heterogeneity, and this could potentially pose a limitation to the study. However, a clinical relevance is emphasized by consistent findings across patient cohorts. These insights pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies modulating activities of stromal cell subsets at primary and metastatic sites in RMS.

Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and mechanism of action of new pyrazines as anticancer agents in vitro and in vivo

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. The development of innovative antitumor pharmaceuticals is urgently needed to alter this circumstance. N-heterocycles, pyrazines for example are prevalent pharmacophores in the architecture of anticancer medicines. This research involved the design and synthesis of seventy-seven new pyrazine derivatives, followed by an evaluation of their anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo. Several new pyrazines exhibiting remarkable antiproliferative activity and selectivity were identified. The links between structure and function were analyzed, and the mechanisms of action were examined. Our mechanistic investigations indicated that these chemicals triggered mitochondria-associated apoptosis in cancer cells. Moreover, they suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3, concomitant with the down-regulation of BcL-2, BcL-XL, c-Myc, XIAP, GLI1, TAZ, MCL1, JAK1, JAK2 and up-regulation of Bax, p21. Furthermore, the lead compounds B-11 and C-27 demonstrated significant anticancer activity in vivo in the SKOV3 xenograft nude mouse model. Our research establishes a basis for the identification of pyrazines as JAK/STAT3 inhibition based anticancer lead compounds.

Surgery-related change in cancer cell adhesion associates with recurrence in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pre- and postoperative serum on the adhesion of cultured colon cancer cells and their relationship with colorectal cancer recurrence.

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is common, and surgery is the primary treatment choice. However, surgical procedures may be associated with an increased risk of recurrence.

METHOD

434 patients undergoing curatively intended colorectal cancer surgery at Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark, between July 15, 2014, and March 31, 2019, were included in the study. Pre- and postoperative serum samples were collected, and the effect on cellular adhesion was analyzed using a novel high-throughput approach based on CRISPR/Cas9 modified Caco-2 cells and secreted luciferase, named the AdhesionScore assay. The relative risk of postoperative recurrence was estimated using Cox proportional regression analysis.

RESULTS

The difference in adhesion between modified Caco-2 cells seeded in the pre- and postoperative serum showed a significant increase in postoperative adhesion in patients with a recurrence event (p=0.0293). Modeling the adhesion data using multiple logistic regression and Cox proportional regression analyses showed a statistically significant association between increased postoperative adhesion and recurrence (p=0.0155 and p=0.0126, respectively). Patients with the highest AdhesionScore showed the greatest risk of recurrence (HR=7, 95% CI 1.6-37.8, p=0.0130).

CONCLUSIONS

The study found that a difference in the adhesion of Caco-2 cells seeded in pre- and postoperative serum was associated with cancer recurrence following intended curative surgery. This suggests that increased postoperative adhesion may serve as a novel biological marker of recurrence in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

ID3 enhances PD-L1 expression by restructuring MYC to promote colorectal cancer immune evasion

The inhibitor of DNA binding protein ID3 has been associated with the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite its significance, its specific role in the immune evasion strategies utilized by CRC remains unclear. RNA-seq analysis revealed that ID3 was positively associated with the PD-L1 immune checkpoint. We further demonstrated that tumor cell-expressed ID3 enhanced PD-L1 expression, suppressed the infiltration and activation of CD8+ T cells, and facilitated the immune evasion of CRC cells. Additionally, we found that knockdown of ID3 significantly enhanced the effectiveness of PD-L1 antibody blockade treatment in combating CRC, reduced the upregulation of PD-L1 induced by the antibody, and altered the immune microenvironment within CRC. Mechanistically, ID3 interacted with the transcription factor MYC and reconstructed the four-dimensional structure of MYC, thereby enhancing its binding affinity to the PD-L1 promoter and augmenting PD-L1 transcriptional activity. By integrating analysis of ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, and ImmPort gene sets, we found that ID3's DNA-assisted binding function was widespread and could either enhance or suppress gene transcription, not only affecting tumor immune escape through immune checkpoints but also regulating various cytokines and immune cells involved in tumor immunity. In conclusion, our study uncovers a mechanism by which ID3 promotes immune evasion in CRC and implicates that targeting ID3 may improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.

ACVR2A attenuation impacts lactate production and hyperglycolytic conditions attracting regulatory T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

Although ACVR2A mutations are prevalent in non-viral hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), the underlying mechanism remains unelucidated. Our molecular investigation reveals that ACVR2A impairment induces hyperglycolysis through the inactivation of the SMAD signaling pathway. Using syngeneic transplantation models and human clinical samples, we clarify that ACVR2A-deficient HCC cells produce and secrete lactate via the upregulation of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) expression levels, which promotes regulatory T (Treg) cell accumulation and then acquires resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Remarkably, genetic knockdown and pharmacological inhibition of MCT4 ameliorate the high-lactate milieu in ACVR2A-deficient HCC, resulting in the suppression of intratumoral Treg cell recruitment and the restoration of the sensitivity to PD-1 blockade. These findings furnish compelling evidence that lactate attenuates anti-tumor immunity and that therapeutics targeting this pathway present a promising strategy for mitigating immunotherapy resistance in ACVR2A-deficient HCC.

CPPCGM: A Highly Efficient Sequence-Based Tool for Simultaneously Identifying and Generating Cell-Penetrating Peptides

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are usually short oligopeptides with 5-30 amino acid residues. CPPs have been proven as important drug delivery vehicles into cells through different mechanisms, demonstrating their potential as therapeutic candidates. However, experimental screening and synthesis of CPPs could be time-consuming and expensive. Recently, numerous attempts have been made to develop computational methods as a cost-effective way for screening a number of potential CPP candidates. Despite significant advancements, current methods exhibit limited feature representation capabilities, thereby constraining the potential for further performance enhancements. In this study, we developed a deep learning framework called CPPCGM, which uses protein language models (PLMs) to identify and generate novel CPPs. There are two separate blocks in this framework: CPPClassifier and CPPGenerator. The former utilizes three pretrained models for simple voting, thereby accurately categorizing CPPs and non-CPPs. The latter, similar to a generative adversarial network, including a discriminator and a generator, generates peptides that are not present in the training data set. Our proposed CPPCGM has achieved remarkably high Matthews correlation coefficient scores of 0.876, 0.923, and 0.664 on three data sets based on the classification results. Compared with the state-of-the-art methods, the performance of our method is significantly improved. The results also demonstrated the generating potential of CPPCGM through qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the generated samples. Significantly, using PLM-based methods can optimize peptides for biochemical functions, benefiting drug delivery and biomedical applications. Materials related are publicly available at https://github.com/QiufenChen/CPPCGM.

Oncogenic and teratogenic effects of Trp53Y217C, an inflammation-prone mouse model of the human hotspot mutant TP53Y220C

Missense 'hotspot' mutations localized in six p53 codons account for 20% of TP53 mutations in human cancers. Hotspot p53 mutants have lost the tumor suppressive functions of the wildtype protein, but whether and how they may gain additional functions promoting tumorigenesis remain controversial. Here, we generated Trp53Y217C, a mouse model of the human hotspot mutant TP53Y220C. DNA damage responses were lost in Trp53Y217C/Y217C (Trp53YC/YC) cells, and Trp53YC/YC fibroblasts exhibited increased chromosome instability compared to Trp53-/- cells. Furthermore, Trp53YC/YC male mice died earlier than Trp53-/- males, with more aggressive thymic lymphomas. This correlated with an increased expression of inflammation-related genes in Trp53YC/YC thymic cells compared to Trp53-/- cells. Surprisingly, we recovered only one Trp53YC/YC female for 22 Trp53YC/YC males at weaning, a skewed distribution explained by a high frequency of Trp53YC/YC female embryos with exencephaly and the death of most Trp53YC/YC female neonates. Strikingly, however, when we treated pregnant females with the anti-inflammatory drug supformin (LCC-12), we observed a fivefold increase in the proportion of viable Trp53YC/YC weaned females in their progeny. Together, these data suggest that the p53Y217C mutation not only abrogates wildtype p53 functions but also promotes inflammation, with oncogenic effects in males and teratogenic effects in females.

Global analysis of actionable genomic alterations in thyroid cancer and precision-based pharmacogenomic strategies

Introduction

Thyroid cancer, a prevalent endocrine malignancy, has an age-standardized incidence rate of 9.1 per 100,000 people and a mortality rate of 0.44 per 100,000 as of 2024. Despite significant advances in precision oncology driven by large-scale international consortia, gaps persist in understanding the genomic landscape of thyroid cancer and its impact on therapeutic efficacy across diverse populations.

Methods

To address this gap, we performed comprehensive data mining and in silico analyses to identify pathogenic variants in thyroid cancer driver genes, calculate allele frequencies, and assess deleteriousness scores across global populations, including African, Amish, Ashkenazi Jewish, East and South Asian, Finnish and non-Finnish European, Latino, and Middle Eastern groups. Additionally, pharmacogenomic profiling, in silico drug prescription, and clinical trial data were analyzed to prioritize targeted therapeutic strategies.

Results

Our analysis examined 56,622 variants in 40 thyroid cancer-driver genes across 76,156 human genomes, identifying 5,001 known and predicted oncogenic variants. Enrichment analysis revealed critical pathways such as MAPK, PI3K-AKT-mTOR, and p53 signaling, underscoring their roles in thyroid cancer pathogenesis. High-throughput validation strategies confirmed actionable genomic alterations in RET, BRAF, NRAS, KRAS, and EPHA7. Ligandability assessments identified these proteins as promising therapeutic targets. Furthermore, our findings highlight the clinical potential of targeted drug inhibitors, including vandetanib, dabrafenib, and selumetinib, for improving treatment outcomes.

Discussion

This study underscores the significance of integrating genomic insights with pharmacogenomic strategies to address disparities in thyroid cancer treatment. The identification of population-specific oncogenic variants and actionable therapeutic targets provides a foundation for advancing precision oncology. Future efforts should focus on including underrepresented populations, developing population-specific prevention strategies, and fostering global collaboration to ensure equitable access to pharmacogenomic testing and innovative therapies. These initiatives have the potential to transform thyroid cancer care and align with the broader goals of personalized medicine.

Oxygen-Releasing Nanodroplets Relieve Intratumoral Hypoxia and Potentiate Photodynamic Therapy in 3D Head and Neck Cancer Spheroids

Hypoxia in solid tumors, including head and neck cancer (HNC), contributes to treatment resistance, aggressive tumor phenotypes, and poorer clinical outcomes. Perfluorocarbon nanodroplets have emerged as promising drugs to alleviate tumor hypoxia. These versatile nanocarriers can also encapsulate and deliver various therapeutic agents, offering a multifunctional approach to cancer treatment. However, a detailed characterization of hypoxia alleviation, particularly the duration of hypoxia treatment drug residence, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we developed and characterized perfluoropentane nanodroplets (PFP NDs) for the codelivery of oxygen and the photoactivatable drug benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) to hypoxic HNC spheroids. The PFP NDs exhibited excellent stability, efficient oxygen loading/release, and biocompatibility. Using 3D multicellular tumor spheroids of FaDu and SCC9 HNC cells, we investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of hypoxia within these spheroids and the ability of oxygenated PFP NDs to alleviate hypoxia. Our results showed that oxygen-loaded PFP NDs effectively penetrated the core of tumor spheroids, significantly reducing hypoxia, as evidenced by the downregulation of hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Importantly, we demonstrated sustained hypoxia alleviation for up to 3 h post-treatment with PFP NDs. BPD-loaded PFP NDs successfully delivered the photosensitizer into the spheroid core in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, we evaluated the efficacy of oxygen-dependent treatment modality, namely, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with BPD and oxygen-loaded PFP NDs compared to free BPD. The NDs formulation exhibited superior PDT outcomes, which were attributed to improved oxygen availability during the treatment. This study provides comprehensive evidence for the potential of PFP NDs as a codelivery platform to overcome hypoxia-mediated treatment resistance and enhance PDT efficacy in HNC. Our findings pave the way for further investigation of this promising approach in more complex in vivo models, potentially leading to improved therapeutic strategies for hypoxic solid tumors.

Extracts from Allium pseudojaponicum Makino Target STAT3 Signaling Pathway to Overcome Cisplatin Resistance in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, particularly non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with cisplatin-based chemotherapy being a standard treatment. However, the development of chemoresistance significantly limits its efficacy, necessitating alternative therapeutic approaches. Here, we demonstrate the anticancer effects of the extracts of Allium pseudojaponicum Makino (APE), a salt-tolerant plant, in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC. Metabolite profiling using UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE identified 13 major compounds, predominantly alkaloids (71.65%) and flavonoids (8.81%), with key bioactive constituents such as lycorine (29.81%), tazettine (17.22%), and tricetin (8.19%). APE significantly inhibited cell viability in A549 and H460 cells, reducing viability to 38.6% (A549-Ctr), 37.2% (A549-CR), 28.4% (H460-Ctr), and 30.4% (H460-CR) at 40 µg/mL after 48 h. APE also suppressed colony formation by over 90% in both 2D and soft agar assays, while showing no cytotoxicity in normal human keratinocytes up to 80 µg/mL. Flow cytometry analysis revealed APE-induced G1 phase arrest, with the G1 population increasing from 50.4% to 56.6% (A549-Ctr) and 47.5% to 58.4% (A549-CR), accompanied by reduced S phase populations. This effect was associated with the downregulation of G1/S transition regulators, including cyclin D1, CDK4, cyclin E, and CDK2. Furthermore, proteomic analysis identified STAT3 signaling as a major target of APE; APE decreased phosphorylated STAT3 and c-Myc expression, and STAT3 knockdown phenocopied the effects of APE. These findings highlight the potential of APE as a natural product-based therapeutic strategy for overcoming cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

Nutritional strategies in oncology: The role of dietary patterns in modulating tumor progression and treatment response

Dietary interventions can influence tumor growth by restricting tumor-specific nutritional requirements, altering the nutrient availability in the tumor microenvironment, or enhancing the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs. Metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, as a significant hallmark of tumor progression, has a profound impact on immune regulation, severely hindering tumor eradication. Dietary interventions can modify tumor metabolic processes to some extent, thereby further improving the efficacy of tumor treatment. In this review, we emphasize the impact of dietary patterns on tumor progression. By exploring the metabolic differences of nutrients in normal cells versus cancer cells, we further clarify how dietary patterns influence cancer treatment. We also discuss the effects of dietary patterns on traditional treatments such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the gut microbiome, thereby underscoring the importance of precision nutrition.

In Vitro Inhibition of Colon Cancer Stem Cells by Natural Polysaccharides Obtained from Wheat Cell Culture

Natural polysaccharides (PSs) have shown inhibitory effects on differentiated cancer cells (DCCs), but their activity against cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains poorly understood. Here, we report that PSs from wheat cell cultures (WCCPSs) inhibit the proliferation of both DCCs and CSCs derived from HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells. Among them, NA and DC fractions showed the strongest anti-CSC activity. NA, rich in xylose, was effective at lower concentrations, while DC, enriched in xylose and galacturonic acid (GalUA), exhibited higher potency, with a lower IC50 and preferential activity against CSCs at higher doses. WCCPSs reduced β-catenin levels, and some fractions also downregulated Ep-CAM, CD44, and c-Myc. Notably, DC increased caspase-3 without inducing cytochrome C and caspase-8 overexpression, suggesting a mechanism promoting CSC differentiation rather than apoptosis. Correlation analysis linked xylose content to reduced c-Myc expression, and GalUA levels to increased caspase-3. These results suggest that WCCPS bioactivity may be related to their monosaccharide composition. Overall, our findings support the potential of wheat-derived PSs as CSC-targeting agents that suppress self-renewal and promote differentiation, offering a promising approach to reduce tumor aggressiveness and recurrence.

A bibliometric and visual analysis of the impact of senescence on tumor immunotherapy

Background

Recently, many studies have focused on the relationship between senescence and immunotherapy in cancer treatment. However, relatively few studies have examined the intrinsic links between the three. Whether these studies can act synergistically in the fight against cancer and the specific links between them are still unclear.

Methods

We extracted, quantified, and visualized data from the literature (n = 2396) for the period 2004-2023 after rigorous quality control using citespace, GraphPad Prism, the R software package, and VOSviewer.

Results

Linear fit analyses were generated to predict the number of annual publications and citations as a function of the top-performing authors, journals, countries, and affiliations academically over the past two decades such as Weiwei, Aging-us, China, and the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Vosviewer-based hierarchical clustering further categorized study characteristics into six clusters, including two major clusters of immunotherapy research, immunosenescence-related research factors, and timeline distributions suggesting that cellular senescence and tumor progression is a relatively new research cluster that warrants further exploration and development. Study characterization bursts and linear regression analyses further confirmed these findings and revealed other important results, such as aging (a = 1.964, R² = 0.6803) and immunotherapy (a = 16.38, R² = 0.8812). Furthermore, gene frequency analysis in this study revealed the most abundant gene, APOE, and SIRT1-7 proteins.

Conclusion

The combination of aging therapies with tumor immunotherapies is currently in its preliminary stages. Although senescence has the greatest impact on ICB therapies, mechanistic investigations, and drug development for APOE and sirt1-7 (Sirtuins family) targets may be the key to combining senescence therapies with immunotherapies in the treatment of tumors.