Small Molecular Inhibitors Reverse Cancer Metastasis by Blockading Oncogenic PITPNM3

Whole-genome sequencing reveals the impact of lipid pathway and APOE genotype on brain amyloidosis

Amyloid-PET imaging tracks the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits in the brain. Amyloid plaques accumulation may begin 10 to 20 years before the individual experiences clinical symptoms associated with Alzheimer's diseases (ad). Recent large-scale genome-wide association studies reported common risk factors associated with brain amyloidosis, suggesting that this endophenotype is driven by genetic variants. However, these loci pinpoint to large genomic regions and the functional variants remain to be identified. To identify new risk factors associated with brain amyloid deposition, we performed whole-genome sequencing on a large cohort of European descent individuals with amyloid PET imaging data (n = 1,888). Gene-based analysis for coding variants was performed using SKAT-O for amyloid PET as a quantitative endophenotype that identified genome-wide significant association for APOE (P = 2.45 × 10-10), and 26 new candidate genes with suggestive significance association (P < 5. 0 × 10-03) including SCN7A (P = 7.31 × 10-05), SH3GL1 (P = 7.56 × 10-04), and MFSD12 (P = 8.51 × 10-04). Enrichment analysis highlighted the lipid binding pathways as associated with Aβ deposition in brain driven by PITPNM3 (P = 4.27 × 10-03), APOE (P = 2.45 × 10-10), AP2A2 (P = 1.06 × 10-03), and SH3GL1 (P = 7.56 × 10-04). Overall, our data strongly support a connection between lipid metabolism and the deposition of Aβ in the brain. Our study illuminates promising avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting lipid metabolism to address brain amyloidosis.

Nucleus-targeted Silencer nanoplatform regulating ZEB1-AS1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma therapy

Long noncoding RNAs have emerged as key players in the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). Among them, ZEB1-AS1 was identified as an upregulated candidate in HNSC through comprehensive analysis of RNA-sequencing datasets. Here, elevated ZEB1-AS1 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in HNSC patients. Further investigations demonstrated that downregulation of ZEB1-AS1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and increased sensitivity to cisplatin in Cal27 cells, while its upregulation reversed these effects, underscoring its pivotal role in tumor metastasis and cisplatin resistance in Cal27 cells. Mechanistically, ZEB1-AS1, located in cytoplasm and nucleus, directly regulated the expression of ZEB1, thereby influencing the expression of μ opioid receptor (MOR) and implicating in cancer progression. To advance clinical translation, we employed a nucleus-targeting nanoparticle platform for efficient delivery of a mixture of antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA (Silencer), effectively manipulating ZEB1-AS1 expression in vitro and in vivo. Besides, a predictive model for HNSC patients was developed by analyzing the expression levels of ZEB1-AS1, ZEB1, and MOR in the HNSC datasets. Our study underscored the critical role of ZEB1-AS1 in HNSC and its potential as a therapeutic target. By elucidating its functional mechanisms and utilizing a nucleus-targeting nanoparticle platform for efficient delivery, we proved the potential of ZEB1-AS1-targeted therapies in HNSC.

Breast Cancer Immune Landscape: Interplay Between Systemic and Local Immunity

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in women worldwide. Numerous studies in immuno-oncology and successful trials of immunotherapy have demonstrated the causal role of the immune system in cancer pathogenesis. The interaction between the tumor and the immune system is known to have a dual nature. Despite cytotoxic lymphocyte activity against transformed cells, a tumor can escape immune surveillance and leverage chronic inflammation to maintain its own development. Research on antitumor immunity primarily focuses on the role of the tumor microenvironment, whereas the systemic immune response beyond the tumor site is described less thoroughly. Here, a comprehensive review of the formation of the immune profile in breast cancer patients is offered. The interplay between systemic and local immune reactions as self-sustaining mechanism of tumor progression is described and the functional activity of the main cell populations related to innate and adaptive immunity is discussed. Additionally, the interaction between different functional levels of the immune system and their contribution to the development of the pro- or anti-tumor immune response in BC is highlighted. The presented data can potentially inform the development of new immunotherapy strategies in the treatment of patients with BC.

Repurposing Study of 4-Acyl-1-phenylaminocarbonyl-2-substituted-piperazine Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents-In Vitro Evaluation against Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Although current treatments can increase patient survival, they are rarely curative when the disease is advanced (metastasis). Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new cytotoxic drugs with a high selectivity toward cancer cells. Since repurposing approved drugs for cancer therapy has been a successful strategy in recent years, in this study, we screened a library of antiviral piperazine-derived compounds as anticancer agents. The compounds included a piperazine ring and aryl urea functions, which are privileged structures present in several anti-breast cancer drugs. The selective cytotoxic activity of a set of thirty-four 4-acyl-2-substituted piperazine urea derivatives against MCF7 breast cancer cells and MCF 10A normal breast cells was determined. Compounds 31, 32, 35, and 37 showed high selective anticancer activity against breast cancer cells and were also tested against another common type of cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (A549 lung cancer cells versus MRC-5 lung normal cells). Compounds 35 and 37 also showed selectivity against lung cancer cells. These results suggest that compounds 35 and 37 may be promising hit compounds for the development of new anticancer agents.