Lipid metabolism in cancer progression and therapeutic strategies

Evaluation of several farnesyloxycarbostyril derivatives as potential 15-LOX-1 inhibitors for prostate cancer treatment

The impact of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) in the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) is noteworthy, as it correlates with the Gleason score of the disease. Thus, development of specific 15-LOX-1 inhibitors would be desirable for targeted therapy of PCa. This study focused on evaluating the anti-prostate cancer potency of three farnesyloxycarbostyril derivatives, 6-, 7- and 8-farnesyloxycarbostyril (6-, 7- and 8-FQ), as potential inhibitors of 15-LOX-1 on PCa cells. To this end, the enzymatic activity of 15-LOX was first assessed in PCa and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. Subsequently, the cytotoxic effects and apoptosis-inducing capabilities of the compounds were assessed through MTT assay and FITC-annexin V/PI staining, respectively. Among the compounds, 8-FQ was selected for further assessment in a mouse model bearing xenograft human PCa tumor. The results demonstrated that the most effective compound, 8-FQ, caused an 84-fold and 15.7-fold reduction in 15-LOX activity in PC-3 cells at 30 and 14 μM concentrations, respectively. The MTT assay revealed a dose- and time-dependent toxicity of the compounds on PCa cells, and flow cytometry results indicated that apoptosis served as the dominant mechanism of cell death. Given the upregulation of 15-LOX-1 in human PCa cells, the study concludes that the heightened sensitivity to 8-FQ is likely associated with elevated levels of 15-LOX-1. In vivo experiments using immunosuppressed C57BL/6 mice bearing human PC-3 tumors revealed that 8-FQ, at a dosage of 10 mg/kg, exhibited strong antitumor effects with minimal side effects, indicating its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for PCa following further optimization.

Comprehensive insights of etiological drivers of hepatocellular carcinoma: Fostering targeted nano delivery to anti-cancer regimes

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as one of the most prevalent and deadliest malignancies on a global scale. Its complex pathogenesis arises from multifactorial etiologies, including viral infections, metabolic syndromes, and environmental carcinogens, all of which drive genetic and molecular aberrations in hepatocytes. This intricate condition is associated with multiple causative factors, resulting in the abnormal activation of various cellular and molecular pathways. Given that HCC frequently manifests within the context of a compromised or cirrhotic liver, coupled with the tendency of late-stage diagnoses, the overall prognosis tends to be unfavorable. Systemic therapy, especially conventional cytotoxic drugs, generally proves ineffective. Despite advancements in therapeutic interventions, conventional treatments such as chemotherapy often exhibit limited efficacy and substantial systemic toxicity. In this context, nanomedicine, particularly lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs), has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing drug delivery specificity and reducing adverse effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular and metabolic underpinnings of HCC. Furthermore, we explored the role of lipid-based nano-formulations including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers in targeted drug delivery for HCC. We have highlighted recent advances in LNP-based delivery approaches, FDA-approved drugs, and surface modification strategies to improve liver-specific delivery and therapeutic efficacy. It will provide a comprehensive summary of various treatment strategies, recent clinical advances, receptor-targeting strategies and the role of lipid composition in cellular uptake. The review concludes with a critical assessment of existing challenges and future prospects in nanomedicines-driven HCC therapy.

The perspective of targeting cancer cell metabolism: combination therapy approaches

Cancer cells are considered the most adaptable for their metabolic status, which supports growth, survival, rapid proliferation, invasiveness, and metastasis in a nutrient-deficient microenvironment. Since the discovery of altered glucose metabolism (aerobic glycolysis), which is generally known as a part of metabolic reprogramming and an innate trait of cancer cells, in 1930 via Dr. Otto Warburg, numerous studies have endeavored to recognize various aspects of cancer cell metabolism and find new methods for efficiently eradicating described cells by targeting their energy metabolism. In this way, the outcomes have mainly been promising. Accordingly, outlining the related results will indeed assist us in making a definitive path for developing targeted therapy strategies based on cancer cell-altered metabolism. The present study reviews the key features of cancer cell metabolism and treatment strategies based on them. It emphasizes the importance of targeting cancer cell dysregulated metabolic pathways that influence the cell energy supply and manage cancer cell growth and survival. This trial also introduces a multimodal therapeutic strategy hypothesis, a potential next-generation combination therapy approach, and suggests interdisciplinary research to recognize the complexities of cancer metabolism and exploit them for designing more efficacious cancer therapeutic strategies.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-regulated long non-coding RNAs: implications for glycolipid metabolism and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths with limited treatment options. Tumor metabolic disorder is elevated in HCC and activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a transcription factor implicated in cancer progression. However, the role of AHR in regulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their impact on glycolipid metabolism remains underexplored.

Materials and methods

We investigated AHR's influence on several HCC cell lines treated with the AHR ligand. RNA sequencing was performed to identify the differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs. We analyzed the differences and then conducted functional pathway enrichment of the identified DE lncRNAs and mRNAs. Furthermore, we constructed co-expression networks of lncRNAs and mRNAs and performed survival analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data.

Results

RNA sequencing identified a substantial number of lncRNAs and mRNAs. DEG analysis identified the significant differences between them related to cancer progression, with pathways such as PI3K-Akt, VEGF, and PPAR signaling highlighted. A co-expression network was utilized to elucidate the lncRNA-mRNA interactions and their regulation of glycolipid metabolism.Survival analysis identified the AHR-regulated lncRNAs associated with poor prognosis, like ASAP1-IT1 and RMDN2-AS1.

Conclusion

This study clarifies AHR's role in regulating gene expression and metabolism in HCC, revealing novel lncRNA biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets that could aid HCC. Further research is needed to explore AHR's effects on the regulation of glucose-lipid metabolism in HCC.

PPAR-γ in Melanoma and Immune Cells: Insights into Disease Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Implications

Changes in skin pigmentation, like hyperpigmentation or moles, can affect appearance and social life. Unlike locally containable moles, malignant melanomas are aggressive and can spread rapidly, disproportionately affecting younger individuals with a high potential for metastasis. Research has shown that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and its ligands exhibit protective effects against melanoma. As a transcription factor, PPAR-γ is crucial in functions like fatty acid storage and glucose metabolism. Activation of PPAR-γ promotes lipid uptake and enhances sensitivity to insulin. In many cases, it also inhibits the growth of cancer cell lines, like breast, gastric, lung, and prostate cancer. In melanoma, PPAR-γ regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and survival. During tumorigenesis, it controls metabolic changes and the immunogenicity of stromal cells. PPAR-γ agonists can target hypoxia-induced angiogenesis in tumor therapy, but their effects on tumors can be suppressive or promotional, depending on the tumor environment. Published data show that PPAR-γ-targeting agents can be effective in specific groups of patients, but further studies are needed to understand lesser-known biological effects of PPAR-γ and address the existing safety concerns. This review provides a summary of the current understanding of PPAR-γ and its involvement in melanoma.

Plasma metabolites, systolic blood pressure, lifestyle, and stroke risk: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

To estimate the associations of stroke risk with plasma metabolites, metabolic risk score (MRS), the combinations of MRS with hypertension or lifestyle, and lifestyle-related metabolic signature. To assess the improvement of the stroke risk prediction model through the incorporation of MRS.

METHODS

A total of 77,315 participants from the UK Biobank were included in this study. Xgboost and LASSO-Cox regression were used to select metabolites and construct MRS. Elastic net regression was utilized to construct the lifestyle-related metabolic signature. Multivariate Cox regression was used to estimate the associations between metabolites, MRS, the combinations of MRS with hypertension or lifestyle, lifestyle-related metabolic signature, and stroke risk.

RESULTS

We identified 48, 63, 39, and 4 metabolites associated with the risk of stroke, ischemic stroke (IS), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), respectively. High MRS significantly increased the risk of stroke (HR = 2.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.09-3.35)), IS (HR = 2.45 (95% CI: 1.89-3.17)), ICH (HR = 2.74 (95% CI: 1.55-4.85)), and SAH (HR = 4.64 (95% CI: 2.25-9.56)). In the combination analyses, compared with normal systolic blood pressure (SBP) and low MRS, normal/high SBP, and high MRS significantly increased stroke risk (HR = 5.80 (95% CI: 2.75-12.27)/6.37 (95% CI: 3.22-12.62)). A favorable/unfavorable lifestyle and high MRS also significantly increased stroke risk (HR = 2.38 (95% CI: 1.73-3.28)/3.86 (95% CI: 2.63-5.67)) compared with a favorable lifestyle and low MRS. Incorporating MRS into the 15-year stroke and IS risk prediction model increased the areas under the curves (AUCs) from 0.746 to 0.766 and from 0.771 to 0.811, respectively. The metabolic signature was correlated with adherence to a healthy lifestyle (r = 0.414; P = 2.22e-16) and inversely associated with stroke risk (HR = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.86)).

CONCLUSIONS

Various metabolites and MRS were significantly associated with the risk of stroke, IS, ICH, and SAH. Individuals with a high MRS may face an elevated stroke risk among populations with high SBP or unhealthy lifestyle, even those with normal SBP or healthy lifestyle. MRS provided modest improvement to the stroke risk prediction model. The lifestyle-related metabolic signature could reduce 20% stroke risk.

Exploring the metabolic alterations in cervical cancer induced by HPV oncoproteins: From mechanisms to therapeutic targets

The role of human Papillomavirus (HPV) in metabolic reprogramming is implicated in the development and progression of cervical cancer. During carcinogenesis, cancer cells modify various metabolic pathways to generate energy and sustain their growth and development. Cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting women globally, involves metabolic alterations such as increased glycolysis, elevated lactate production, and lipid accumulation. The oncoproteins, primarily E6 and E7, which are encoded by high-risk HPVs, facilitate the accumulation of several cancer markers, promoting not only the growth and development of cancer but also metastasis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. HPV oncoproteins interact with cellular MYC (c-MYC), retinoblastoma protein (pRB), p53, and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), leading to the induction of metabolic reprogramming and favour the Warburg effect. Metabolic reprogramming enables HPV to persist for an extended period and accelerates the progression of cervical cancer. This review summarizes the role of HPV oncoproteins in metabolic reprogramming and their contributions to the development and progression of cervical cancer. Additionally, this review provides insights into how metabolic reprogramming opens avenues for novel therapeutic strategies, including the discovery of new and repurposed drugs that could be applied to treat cervical cancer.

Arachidonic acid suppresses lung cancer cell growth and modulates lipid metabolism and the ERK/PPARγ signaling pathway

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, necessitating the development of new treatment strategies. Arachidonic acid (ARA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid, shows promise in cancer therapy due to its potential anti-tumor effects, although its role in lung cancer remains unclear. This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanism of ARA on A549 and NCI-H1299 lung cancer cells. In vitro assays were used to assess cell viability, apoptosis, colony formation, lipid droplet formation, and changes in cellular lipid content. ARA dose-dependently suppressed cell viability, facilitated apoptosis, and suppressed colony formation in both lung cancer cell lines. Network pharmacology analysis was performed to identify potential gene targets and pathways, uncovering 61 overlapping genes between ARA and lung cancer-related targets, with mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) emerging as a key gene. Enrichment analyses suggested that the effects of ARA might be mediated through lipid metabolism and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) signaling pathway. In both lung cancer cell lines, ARA treatment inhibited lipid droplet formation and decreased the cellular lipids. Immunoblotting further confirmed that ARA treatment significantly increased ERK phosphorylation while reducing PPARγ and fatty acid synthase (FASN) protein levels. In vitro experiments using GW9662, a PPARγ antagonist, confirmed that inhibiting lipid droplet formation impairs lung cancer cell viability and promotes apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that ARA significantly reduced tumor size and weight in a lung cancer xenograft model, further validating its anti-tumor effects. The potential of ARA as a therapeutic agent for lung cancer might involve lipid metabolism and relevant signaling pathways. A future study exploring the full therapeutic potential of ARA and underlying mechanisms in lung cancer is needed.

Targeting polyunsaturated fatty acids desaturase FADS1 inhibits renal cancer growth via ATF3-mediated ER stress response

OBJECTIVE

Fatty Acid Desaturase 1 (FADS1) is a rate-limiting enzyme controlling the bioproduction of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Increasing studies suggest that FADS1 is a potential cancer target. Our previous research has demonstrated the significant role of FADS1 in cancer biology and patient survival, especially in kidney cancers. We aim to explore the underlying mechanism in this study.

METHOD AND RESULTS

We found that pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of the expression of FADS1 significantly reduced the intracellular conversion of long-chain PUFAs, effectively inhibits renal cancer cell proliferation, and induces cell cycle arrest. The stable knockdown of FADS1 also significantly inhibits tumor formation in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that while FADS1 inhibition induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, FADS1 expression is augmented by ER-stress inducer, suggesting a necessary role of PUFA production in response to ER stress. FADS1-inhibition sensitized cellular response to ER stress inducers, leading to cell apoptosis. Also, FADS1 inhibition-induced ER stress leads to activation of the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/ATF3 pathway. Inhibiting PERK or knockdown of ATF3 rescued FADS1 inhibition-induced ER stress and cell growth suppression, while ATF3-overexpression aggravates the FADS1 inhibition-induced cell growth suppression and leads to cell death. Metabolomic analysis revealed that FADS1 inhibition results in decreased level of UPD-N-Acetylglucosamine, a critical mediator of the unfolded protein response, as well as impaired biosynthesis of nucleotides, possibly accounting for the cell cycle arrest.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that PUFA desaturation is crucial for rescuing cancer cells from persistent ER stress, supporting FADS1 as a new therapeutic target.

Mapping the initial effects of carcinogen-induced oncogenic transformation in the mouse bladder

Characterizing the initial stages of oncogenic transformation allows the identification of tumor-promoting processes before the inherent clonal selection of the aggressive clones. Here, we used global proteomics, genetic cell tracing, and immunofluorescence to dynamically map the very early stages of cancer initiation in a mouse model of bladder cancer. We observed a very rapid and incremental proteome dysregulation, with changes in the energy metabolism, proliferation and immune signatures dominating the landscape. The changes in the lipid metabolism were immediate and defined by an increase fatty acid metabolism and lipid transport, followed by the activation of the immune landscape. Alongside the changes in the immune signature and lipid metabolism, we also mapped a clear increase in the cell cycle-related pathways and proliferation. Proliferation was mainly restricted to the basal epithelial layer rapidly leading to urothelium thickening, despite the progressive loss of the superficial layer. Moreover, we observed a tilt in the energy balance towards increased glucose metabolism, probably characterizing cells of the tumor microenvironment. All of the observed proteome signature changes were persistent, being retained and sometimes intensified or diversified along the timeline. The signatures observed in this pilot suggest these processes as potentially targetable drivers of the future neoplastic transformations in the bladder.

Gemcitabine Alters Phosphatidylcholine Metabolism in Mouse Pancreatic Tumors

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest diseases, despite advancements in elucidating tumor biology and developing novel therapeutics. Importantly, lipids, such as phospholipids, are crucial for the survival and proliferation of tumor cells. However, the impact of chemotherapeutic drugs on phospholipid metabolism in PDAC remains poorly understood. Gemcitabine (a nucleoside analogue) is a first-line drug in PDAC treatment, but its clinical effectiveness is limited by multiple factors. Herein, we employed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) and proteomics approaches to investigate gemcitabine-induced lipid metabolism alterations in mouse pancreatic tumors following gemcitabine treatment (n = 3, control tumors; n = 3, gemcitabine-treated tumors). From MALDI MSI experiments, we observed elevated levels of several phosphatidylcholines (PCs), PC(30:0), PC(32:3), PC(34:2), PC(36:1), and PC(36:2), in gemcitabine-treated tumor tissues compared to the control. In addition, proteomics data revealed the differential abundance of several phospholipid-binding proteins in response to gemcitabine treatments. Furthermore, several endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins exhibited high expression in gemcitabine-treated tumor tissues. Altogether, our MALDI MSI and proteomics data provide important insights into alterations in PC metabolism in pancreatic tumors in response to gemcitabine treatment. Importantly, targeting the altered PC metabolism during gemcitabine therapy might help combat pancreatic cancer.

RBM15 promotes lipogenesis and malignancy in gastric cancer by regulating N6-Methyladenosine modification of ACLY mRNA in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and lipid metabolism reprogramming play pivotal roles in cancer development. Nevertheless, the precise functions of m6A methyltransferase RNA Binding Motif Protein 15 (RBM15) and its interactions with ATP Citrate Lyase (ACLY) in gastric cancer (GC) have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we comprehensively investigate the biological roles and potential mechanisms of RBM15 and ACLY in GC. We employed a combination of fundamental experiments and bioinformatics analyses to unravel the enigmatic roles of RBM15 and ACLY. The expression of RBM15 was evaluated. The biological roles of RBM15 in GC cells were investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies. ACLY was selected as the candidate target of RBM15. Subsequently, to decipher the underlying mechanisms of the RBM15/ACLY axis, we conducted a series of experiments including methylated RNA immunoprecipitation qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and RNA immunoprecipitation qPCR. We observed a conspicuous upregulation of RBM15 in GC, and its heightened expression was associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Functionally, RBM15 fostered the proliferation and invasiveness of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ACLY emerged as the downstream target of RBM15 and it was validated as an oncogene in GC cells. RBM15 mediated the activation of ACLY by regulating m6A modification in an IGF2BP2-dependent manner, thereby driving lipogenesis and exacerbating the malignant characteristics in GC. The activation of ACLY, facilitated by RBM15/IGF2BP2-mediated m6A modification, drives lipogenesis and promotes the progression of GC.

Cholesterol metabolism in pancreatic cancer and associated therapeutic strategies

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal cancers due to late diagnosis and high chemoresistance. Despite recent progression in the development of chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and potential nanoparticles-based approaches, the success rate of therapeutic response is limited which is further compounded by cancer drug resistance. Understanding of emerging biological and molecular pathways causative of pancreatic cancer's aggressive and chemoresistance is vital to improve the effectiveness of existing therapeutics and to develop new therapies. One such under-investigated and relatively less explored area of research is documenting the effect that lipids, specifically cholesterol, and its metabolism, impose on pancreatic cancer. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism has a profound role in supporting cellular proliferation, survival, and promoting chemoresistance and this has been well established in various other cancers. Thus, we aimed to provide an in-depth review focusing on the significance of cholesterol metabolism in pancreatic cancer and relevant genes at play, molecular processes contributing to cellular cholesterol homeostasis, and current research efforts to develop new cholesterol-targeting therapeutics. We highlight the caveats, weigh in different experimental therapeutic strategies, and provide possible suggestions for future research highlighting cholesterol's importance as a therapeutic target against pancreatic cancer resistance and cancer progression.

Advanced Therapeutic Approaches for Metastatic Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women, which is one of the most common gynecological cancers worldwide. Although several cytoreductive surgeries and chemotherapies have been attempted to address ovarian cancer, the disease still shows poor prognosis and survival rates due to prevalent metastasis. Peritoneal metastasis is recognized as the primary route of metastatic progression in ovarian cancer. It causes severe symptoms in patients, but it is generally difficult to detect at an early stage. Current anti-cancer therapy is insufficient to completely treat metastatic ovarian cancer due to its high rates of recurrence and resistance. Therefore, developing strategies for treating metastatic ovarian cancer requires a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the identification of effective therapeutic targets through precision oncology. Given that various signaling pathways, including TGF-β, NF-κB, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, influence cancer progression, their activity and significance can vary depending on the cancer type. In ovarian cancer, these pathways are particularly important, as they not only drive tumor progression but also impact the TME, which contributes to the metastatic potential. The TME plays a critical role in driving metastatic features in ovarian cancer through altered immunologic interactions. Recent therapeutic advances have focused on targeting these distinct features to improve treatment outcomes. Deciphering the complex interaction between signaling pathways and immune populations contributing to metastatic ovarian cancer provides an opportunity to enhance anti-cancer efficacy. Hereby, this review highlights the mechanisms of signaling pathways in metastatic ovarian cancer and immunological interactions to understand improved immunotherapy against ovarian cancer.

Serum PM20D1 levels are associated with nutritional status and inflammatory factors in gastric cancer patients undergoing early enteral nutrition

Background and objective

Early nutritional support holds paramount importance for postoperative gastric cancer (GC) patients. Peptidase M20 domain containing 1 (PM20D1) is a secretory enzyme associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. However, there is a dearth of clinical studies delving into the connection between PM20D1, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory factors in GC patients who have received enteral nutrition (EN). This research aimed to investigate the serum levels of PM20D1 in GC patients following early EN and their potential associations with lipid metabolism, nutritional markers, and inflammatory factors.

Methods

This prospective observational study enrolled 180 GC patients between May 2020 and July 2022. On the first postoperative day, all patients received EN support, which was maintained for a duration of 5 days. Serum levels of PM20D1, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and C-reactive protein were measured on the sixth day after surgery using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data on demographics, clinical statistics, lipid metabolism, nutritional parameters, and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) were collected. Patients were followed up for 12 months, and both overall survival and disease-free survival were recorded.

Results

In the low PNI group, the serum levels of PM20D1, albumin (ALB), and blood lymphocytes (BL) showed significant reductions. Pearson analysis revealed a negative correlation between PM20D1 and IL-6 levels, whereas a positive correlation emerged between PM20D1 and ALB and BL levels. Furthermore, PM20D1 demonstrated potential as a biomarker for diagnosing poor nutritional status (PNI < 43) in GC patients and was a risk factor for poor nutritional status in GC patients.

Conclusion

Serum PM20D1 remarkably declined in GC patients after early EN and was associated with poor nutritional status.

Programmable Nanomodulators for Precision Therapy, Engineering Tumor Metabolism to Enhance Therapeutic Efficacy

Tumor metabolism is crucial in the continuous advancement and complex growth of cancer. The emerging field of nanotechnology has made significant strides in enhancing the understanding of the complex metabolic intricacies inherent to tumors, offering potential avenues for their strategic manipulation to achieve therapeutic goals. This comprehensive review delves into the interplay between tumor metabolism and various facets of cancer, encompassing its origins, progression, and the formidable challenges posed by metastasis. Simultaneously, it underscores the classification of programmable nanomodulators and their transformative impact on enhancing cancer treatment, particularly when integrated with modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. This review also encapsulates the mechanisms by which nanomodulators modulate tumor metabolism, including the delivery of metabolic inhibitors, regulation of oxidative stress, pH value modulation, nanoenzyme catalysis, nutrient deprivation, and RNA interference technology, among others. Additionally, the review delves into the prospects and challenges of nanomodulators in clinical applications. Finally, the innovative concept of using nanomodulators to reprogram metabolic pathways is introduced, aiming to transform cancer cells back into normal cells. This review underscores the profound impact that tailored nanomodulators can have on tumor metabolic, charting a path toward pioneering precision therapies for cancer.

Inhibiting de novo lipogenesis identifies a therapeutic vulnerability in therapy-resistant colorectal cancer

A significant clinical challenge in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), which adversely impacts patient survival, is the development of therapy resistance leading to a relapse. Therapy resistance and relapse in CRC is associated with the formation of lipid droplets (LD) by stimulating de novo lipogenesis (DNL). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the increase in DNL and the susceptibility to DNL-targeted therapies remain unclear. Our study demonstrates that colorectal drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPs) over-express Lipin1 (LPIN1), which facilitates the sequestration of free fatty acids into LDs. The increased expression is mediated by the ETS1-PTPN1-c-Src-CEBPβ pathway. Blocking the conversion of free fatty acids into LDs by treatment with statins or inhibiting lipin1 expression disrupts lipid homeostasis, leading to lipotoxicity and ferroptotic cell death in both DTPs and patient-derived organoids (PDOs) in vitro. Ferroptosis inhibitors or N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can alleviate lipid ROS and cell death resulting from lipin1 inhibition. This strategy also significantly reduces tumor growth in CRC DTP mouse xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Our findings highlight a new metabolic vulnerability in CRC DTPs, PDO, and PDX models and provide a framework for the rational repurposing of statins. Targeting the phosphatidic acid (PA) to diacylglycerol (DAG) conversion to prevent lipid droplet formation could be an effective therapeutic approach for therapy-resistant CRC.

Role of low-density cholesterol and Interleukin-17 interaction in breast cancer pathogenesis and treatment

Breast cancer (BC) has become the most prevalent cancer worldwide, and further research is being conducted to deepen our understanding of its pathogenesis and treatment. Lipid metabolism disorder is a significant alteration in cancer cells, and the investigation into the role of Interleukin-17 (IL-17) in malignant tumors has emerged as a research focus in recent years. Thus, exploring changes in lipid metabolism and inflammatory factors in BC cells is crucial in identifying potential therapeutic targets. This article summarizes the progress made in the research on the main low-density cholesterol (LDL) transporter and IL-17 in lipid metabolism, and their potential involvement in the development of BC. The article aims to establish a theoretical foundation for the development of BC-related therapies.

ANGPTL3 overcomes sorafenib resistance via suppression of SNAI1 and CPT1A in liver cancer

Liver cancer, encompassing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatoblastoma, the latter of which primarily occurs in early childhood, is the most common malignant tumor arising from liver and is responsible for a significant number of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Targeted drugs have been used for anti-liver cancer treatment in the advanced stage, while their efficacy is greatly compromised by development of drug resistance. Drug resistance is a complicated process regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic signals and has been associated with poorer prognosis in cancer patients. In the current study, online available dataset analysis uncovered that angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) manifested lower expression in sorafenib-resistant liver cancer cell lines. Additionally, ANGPTL3 was downregulated in HCC tissues, with its expression positively correlated with good prognosis. Functionally, ectopic expression of ANGPTL3 re-sensitized sorafenib-resistant cells, enhancing the sorafenib-induced reduction in cell viability and migration by suppressing zinc finger protein SNAI1 (SNAI1) expression and the protein stability of carnitine O-palmitoyltransferase 1, liver isoform (CPT1A). Clinical correlation analysis revealed that ANGPTL3 was negatively associated with SNAI1 expression. In conclusion, we identify a novel association between ANGPTL3, SNAI1 and CPT1A on sorafenib therapeutic response. Targeting ANGPTL3/SNAI1/CPT1A axis may serve as a therapeutic approach to improve prognosis of liver cancer patients with sorafenib resistance.

Chitosan capped-NLCs enhanced codelivery of gefitinib and simvastatin into MDR HCC: impact of compositions on cell death, JNK3, and Telomerase

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a health problem due to multi-drug resistance (MDR). Codelivery of multiple oncotherapy in one cargo as chimeric cancer therapy (CCT) is suggested as a solution for MDR. This study aims to engineer chitosan-coated nanostructure lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with gefitinib (GF) and simvastatin (SV) as CCT for HCC.

Methods

Both GF and SV-loaded nanostructure lipids carriers (GFSVNLC) and chitosan-capped GF and SV-loaded nanostructure lipids carriers (CGFSVNLC) formulations were assembled by top-down techniques. Moreover, particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), and polydispersity index (PDI) were measured by Zetasizer. The biosafety of GFSVNLC preparations was investigated by using erythrocytes as a biological model. The cytotoxic, and apoptotic effects of the prepared GFSVNLCs were investigated using HepG2 cell lines as a substitute model for HCC. The effect of GF, SV, and NLC composition on JNK3, HDAC6, and telomerase was studied using molecular docking simulation (MDS).

Results

The present results revealed that the obtained GFSVNLC and CGFSVNLC have nanosized and consistent, CS coating shifts anionic ZP of GFSVNLC into CGFSVNLC with cationic ZP. Moreover, both formulations are biocompatible as indicated by their gentle effect on erythrocyte hemolysis. The treatment of HepG2 cells with GFSVNLC, and CGFSVNLC induced marked cell death compared to other groups with a decrease of IC50. Equally, the percentage of the apoptotic HepG2 cells was increased upon treatment of the cells with GFSV, GFSVNLC, and CGFSVNLC compared to the control group. Additionally, GF, SV, stearic acid (SA), and oleic acid (OA) modulate the activity of JNK3, HDAC6, and telomerase.

Conclusions

This study suggests CGFSVNLC achieves codelivery, selective targeting, and enhancing the synergistic effect of GF and SV for inducing HepG2 cell death. Mechanistically, CGFSVNLC inhibits key cascades implicated in MDR and HepG2 cell survival. CGFSVNLC is promising for overcoming drug resistance mechanisms and improving therapeutic outcomes against HepG2 cells.

Lipidomics and temporal-spatial distribution of organelle lipid

Background

Lipids are crucial signaling molecules or cellular membrane components orchestrating biological processes. To gain insights into lipid functions and the communication between organelles, it is essential to understand the subcellular localization of individual lipids. Advancements in lipid quantification techniques, improvements in chemical and spatial resolution for detecting various lipid species, and enhancements in organelle isolation speed have allowed for profiling of the organelle lipidome, capturing its temporal-spatial distribution.

Objective

This review examined approaches used to develop organelle lipidome and aimed to gain insights into cellular lipid homeostasis from an organelle perspective. In addition, this review discussed the advancements in lipid-mediated inter-organelle communication within complex physiological and pathological processes.

Conclusion

With the advancement of lipidomic technologies, more detailed explorations of organelle structures and the specific lipid-mediating functions they perform are feasible.

Hypoxia-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species: Their Role in Cancer Resistance and Emerging Therapies to Overcome It

Normal tissues typically maintain partial oxygen pressure within a range of 3-10% oxygen, ensuring homeostasis through a well-regulated oxygen supply and responsive vascular network. However, in solid tumors, rapid growth often outpaces angiogenesis, creating a hypoxic microenvironment that fosters tumor progression, altered metabolism and resistance to therapy. Hypoxic tumor regions experience uneven oxygen distribution with severe hypoxia in the core due to poor vascularization and high metabolic oxygen consumption. Cancer cells adapt to these conditions through metabolic shifts, predominantly relying on glycolysis, and by upregulating antioxidant defenses to mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damage. Hypoxia-induced ROS, resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction and enzyme activation, exacerbates genomic instability, tumor aggressiveness, and therapy resistance. Overcoming hypoxia-induced ROS cancer resistance requires a multifaceted approach that targets various aspects of tumor biology. Emerging therapeutic strategies target hypoxia-induced resistance, focusing on hypoxia-inducible factors, ROS levels, and tumor microenvironment subpopulations. Combining innovative therapies with existing treatments holds promise for improving cancer outcomes and overcoming resistance mechanisms.

Metabolic reprogramming, malignant transformation and metastasis: Lessons from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and prostate cancer

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, crucial for malignant transformation and metastasis. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and prostate cancer exhibit similar metabolic adaptations, particularly in glucose and lipid metabolism. Understanding this metabolic plasticity is crucial for identifying mechanisms contributing to metastasis. This review considers glucose and lipid metabolism in CLL and prostate cancer, exploring their roles in healthy and malignant states and during disease progression. In CLL, lipid metabolism supports cell survival and migration, with aggressive disease characterised by increased fatty acid oxidation and altered sphingolipids. Richter's transformation and aggressive lymphoma, however, exhibit a metabolic shift towards increased glycolysis. Similarly, prostate cell metabolism is unique, relying on citrate production in the healthy state and undergoing metabolic reprogramming during malignant transformation. Early-stage prostate cancer cells increase lipid synthesis and uptake, and decrease glycolysis, whereas metastatic cells re-adopt glucose metabolism, likely driven by interactions with the tumour microenvironment. Genetic drivers including TP53 and ATM mutations connect metabolic alterations to disease severity in these two malignancies. The bone microenvironment supports the metabolic demands of these malignancies, serving as an initiation niche for CLL and a homing site for prostate cancer metastases. By comparing these malignancies, this review underscores the importance of metabolic plasticity in cancer progression and highlights how CLL and prostate cancer may be models of circulating and solid tumours more broadly. The metabolic phenotypes throughout cancer cell transformation and metastasis, and the microenvironment in which these processes occur, present opportunities for interventions that could disrupt metastatic processes and improve patient outcomes.

A Lipidomics Approach to Determine the Role of Lipids and Its Crosstalk with Autophagy in Lung Cancer Metastasis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is among the most malignant tumors with high propensity for metastasis and is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Most patients present with regional and distant metastasis, associated with poor prognosis. Lipids may play an essential role in either activating or inhibiting detachment-induced apoptosis (anoikis), where the latter is a crucial mechanism to prevent metastasis, and it may have a cross-talk with autophagy. Autophagy has been shown to be induced in various human cancer metastasis, modulating tumor cell motility and invasion, cancer cell differentiation, resistance to anoikis, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Hence, it may play a crucial role in the transition of benign to malignant phenotypes, the core of metastasis initiation. Here, we provide a method we have established in our laboratory for detecting lipids in attached and detached non-small lung cancer cells and show how to analyze lipidomics data to find its correlation with autophagy-related pathways.

Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer: Implications for Immunosuppressive Microenvironment

Cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease characterised by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. One hallmark of cancer cells is their ability to undergo metabolic reprogramming, which allows them to sustain their rapid growth and survival. This metabolic reprogramming creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment that facilitates tumour progression and evasion of the immune system. In this article, we review the mechanisms underlying metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells and discuss how these metabolic alterations contribute to the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. We also explore potential therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells to enhance immune-mediated anti-tumour responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02044861, NCT03163667, NCT04265534, NCT02071927, NCT02903914, NCT03314935, NCT03361228, NCT03048500, NCT03311308, NCT03800602, NCT04414540, NCT02771626, NCT03994744, NCT03229278, NCT04899921.

Alterations in the Expression of Proprotein Convertase Genes in Human Esophagus Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Proprotein convertases (PCs) constitute an enzyme family that includes nine highly specific human subtilisin-like serine proteases. It is known that the PCs mRNA levels vary in tumors, and that these proteases are involved in carcinogenesis. Thus, PCs may be considered as potential markers for typing and predicting the course of the disease, as well as potential targets for therapy. We used quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate the expression levels of PC genes in the paired samples of tumor and adjacent normal tissues derived from 19 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. We observed a significant enrichment of PCSK6, PCSK9, MBTPS1, and FURIN mRNAs in the tumor tissue, which may be indication of the involvement of these PCs in the development and progression of esophageal cancers. Additionally, cluster analysis of PC expression alteration patterns in tumor compared to normal adjacent tissues (esophageal and previously analyzed lung tissue samples) revealed a limited set of scenarios for the changes in PC expression. These scenarios are implemented during malignant transformation of lung and esophagus cells, as well as, probably, the cells of other organs. These findings indicate that PC genes may be important markers of human cancers.

The influence of cancer on the reprogramming of lipid metabolism in healthy thyroid tissues of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Over the years we observed changes in the metabolism of glucose, amino acids, fatty acids (FA) and nucleotides in cancer cells in order to maintain their viability and proliferate. Moreover, as the latest data show, cancer also forces a complete change in the behavior of other tissues. For instance, fat-filled adipocytes are often found in the vicinity of invasive solid human tumors. We investigated the effects of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) on the lipid metabolism of healthy tissue distant from the tumor.

METHOD

Thyroid tissue was collected from female patients immediately after surgical removal of the entire thyroid gland. Blood samples were collected from PTC patients and healthy volunteers. Real-time PCR assays were performed to analyze the expression of lipogenic genes and a broad panel of FA was determined using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method.

RESULTS

The concentration of lipids was higher in paratumor tissue than in healthy thyroid tissue (p = 0.005). The lipogenic genes tested were significantly increased in paratumor tissue compared to healthy tissue, especially enzymes related to the synthesis of very long-chain saturated and polyunsaturated FAs (VLCSFAs and PUFAs, respectively) (p < 0.001). The FA profile also showed increased levels of C22-C26, VLCSFAs and almost all PUFAs in paratumor tissue (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that a restructuring of lipid metabolism occurs in the adjacent healthy thyroid gland and that the metabolism of VLCSFAs and PUFAs is higher in the paratumor tissue than in the distant tissue of the healthy thyroid gland.

HIF1α Plays a Crucial Role in the Development of TFE3-Rearranged Renal Cell Carcinoma by Orchestrating a Metabolic Shift Toward Fatty Acid Synthesis

Tumor development often requires cellular adaptation to a unique, high metabolic state; however, the molecular mechanisms that drive such metabolic changes in TFE3-rearranged renal cell carcinoma (TFE3-RCC) remain poorly understood. TFE3-RCC, a rare subtype of RCC, is defined by the formation of chimeric proteins involving the transcription factor TFE3. In this study, we analyzed cell lines and genetically engineered mice, demonstrating that the expression of the chimeric protein PRCC-TFE3 induced a hypoxia-related signature by transcriptionally upregulating HIF1α and HIF2α. The upregulation of HIF1α by PRCC-TFE3 led to increased cellular ATP production by enhancing glycolysis, which also supplied substrates for the TCA cycle while maintaining mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. We crossed TFE3-RCC mouse models with Hif1α and/or Hif2α knockout mice and found that Hif1α, rather than Hif2α, is essential for tumor development in vivo. RNA-seq and metabolomic analyses of the kidney tissues from these mice revealed that ketone body production is inversely correlated with tumor development, whereas de novo lipid synthesis is upregulated through the HIF1α/SREBP1-dependent mechanism in TFE3-RCC. Our data suggest that the coordinated metabolic shift via the PRCC-TFE3/HIF1α/SREBP1 axis is a key mechanism by which PRCC-TFE3 enhances cancer cell metabolism, promoting tumor development in TFE3-RCC.

Metabolic-Modulating Effects of Radiation: Undetectable Yet Deadly-A Review on Radiotherapy

From a cancer-centric perspective, radiotherapy has been primarily viewed as a localised treatment modality, targeting cancer tissues with ionising radiation to induce DNA damage and cell death [...].

The metabolic response of HepG2 cells to extracellular vesicles derived from Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus Alef microgreens probed by chemometrics-assisted LC-MS/MS analysis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from Thai rat-tailed radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus Alef) microgreens were previously reported as novel bioactive bioparticles against cancer. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic disruption associated with the antiproliferative effect against HepG2 liver cancer cells, a representative of metabolizing cells and tissue. In this study, the neutral red uptake assay was performed to screen for the antiproliferative effect and determine the cytotoxic concentrations of EVs against HepG2 cells. An untargeted approach to cellular metabolomics was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with the high-resolution mass spectrometry system with multivariate and univariate analyses to determine the metabolic changes of HepG2 liver cancer cells after EV treatment. EVs showed an antiproliferative effect in HepG2 cells with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 685.5 ± 26.4 and 139.7 ± 4.2 μg/ml at 24 and 48 h, respectively. In the metabolomics study, 163 metabolites were annotated, with 61 significantly altered metabolites. Among these significant metabolites, 18 were related to glycerophospholipid metabolism. Phosphatidylcholine-the important lipid building blocks for cell membranes, lipid mediators for cell proliferation, and immunosuppressive signaling-was mainly decreased by EV treatment. The alteration of cellular phospholipids in cancer was discussed. This finding suggested the possible mechanism of anticancer action of EVs by disrupting phospholipid metabolism and survival signaling in cancer cells. Further studies should be made to confirm EVs' potential as single and combination therapy in vivo to reduce cancer resistance. This may close the gap between in vitro study and clinical setting.

CD36: a promising therapeutic target in hematologic tumors

Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) is a multiligand receptor with important roles in lipid metabolism, angiogenesis and innate immunity, and its diverse effects may depend on the binding of specific ligands in different contexts. CD36 is expressed not only on immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) but also on some hematopoietic cells. CD36 is associated with the growth, metastasis and drug resistance in some hematologic tumors, such as leukemia, lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndrome. Currently, some targeted therapeutic agents against CD36 have been developed, such as anti-CD36 antibodies, CD36 antagonists (small molecules) and CD36 expression inhibitors. This paper not only innovatively addresses the role of CD36 in some hematopoietic cells, such as erythrocytes, hematopoietic stem cells and platelets, but also pays special attention to the role of CD36 in the development of hematologic tumors, and suggests that CD36 may be a potential cancer therapeutic target in hematologic tumors.

Diagnostics and Therapy for Malignant Tumors

Malignant tumors remain one of the most significant global health challenges and contribute to high mortality rates across various cancer types. The complex nature of these tumors requires multifaceted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This review explores current advancements in diagnostic methods, including molecular imaging, biomarkers, and liquid biopsies. It also delves into the evolution of therapeutic strategies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and novel targeted therapies such as immunotherapy and gene therapy. Although significant progress has been made in the understanding of cancer biology, the future of oncology lies in the integration of precision medicine, improved diagnostic tools, and personalized therapeutic approaches that address tumor heterogeneity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of cancer diagnostics and treatments while highlighting emerging trends and challenges that lie ahead.

Unveiling epigenetic regulatory elements associated with breast cancer development

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the 2nd most common cancer worldwide, yearly impacting over 2 million females and causing 650 thousand deaths. It has been widely studied, but its epigenetic variation is not entirely unveiled. We aimed to identify epigenetic mechanisms impacting the expression of breast cancer related genes to detect new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We considered The Cancer Genome Atlas database with over 800 samples and several omics datasets such as mRNA, miRNA, DNA methylation, which we used to select 2701 features that were statistically significant to differ between cancer and control samples using the Monte Carlo Feature Selection and Interdependency Discovery algorithm, from an initial total of 417,486. Their biological impact on cancerogenesis was confirmed using: statistical analysis, natural language processing, linear and machine learning models as well as: transcription factors identification, drugs and 3D chromatin structure analyses. Classification of cancer vs control samples on the selected features returned high classification weighted Accuracy from 0.91 to 0.98 depending on feature-type: mRNA, miRNA, DNA methylation, and classification algorithm. In general, cancer samples showed lower expression of differentially expressed genes and increased β-values of differentially methylated sites. We identified mRNAs whose expression is well explained by miRNA expression and differentially methylated sites β-values. We recognized differentially methylated sites possibly affecting NRF1 and MXI1 transcription factors binding, causing a disturbance in NKAPL and PITX1 expression, respectively. Our 3D models showed more loosely packed chromatin in cancer. This study successfully points out numerous possible regulatory dependencies.

The Combined Inhibition of SREBP and mTORC1 Signaling Synergistically Inhibits B-Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) pathway is essential for maintaining sterol homeostasis during B cell activation and germinal center B cell proliferation. However, its potential as a therapeutic target to treat B-cell lymphoma remains unclear.

METHODS

We examined SREBP protein expression in human B-cell lymphoma samples using immunohistochemistry. Additionally, we conducted in vitro studies using SREBP signaling inhibitors in combination with rapamycin to assess their effects on cell proliferation and lipid metabolism in B-cell lymphoma cells.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed high levels of SREBP2 protein expression in human B-cell lymphoma samples. Inhibiting SREBP signaling or its downstream target HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) with Fatostatin or Simvastatin effectively suppressed B-cell lymphoma cell proliferation. However, B-cell lymphoma cells responded to statin treatment by activating the mTORC1-pS6 pathway, suggesting a compensatory mechanism to overcome statin-induced cell cycle arrest. Combining low-dose statin treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin produced a synergistic effect, significantly inhibiting B-cell lymphoma proliferation, cell cycle progression, and lipid raft formation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the potential of a combined therapeutic approach targeting both SREBP and mTORC1 as a novel strategy for treating B-cell lymphoma.

Alterations in Hurler-Scheie Syndrome Revealed by Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics Analysis

Hurler-Scheie syndrome (MPS IH/S), also known as mucopolysaccharidosis type I-H/S (MPS IH/S), is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA) leading to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in various tissues, resulting in a wide range of symptoms affecting different organ systems. Postgenomic omics technologies offer the promise to understand the changes in proteome, phosphoproteome, and phosphorylation-based signaling in MPS IH/S. Accordingly, we report here a large dataset and the proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of fibroblasts derived from patients with MPS IH/S (n = 8) and healthy individuals (n = 8). We found that protein levels of key lysosomal enzymes such as cathepsin D, prosaposin, arylsulfatases (arylsulfatase A and arylsulfatase B), and IDUA were downregulated. We identified 16,693 unique phosphopeptides, corresponding to 4,605 proteins, in patients with MPS IH/S. We found that proteins related to the cell cycle, mitotic spindle assembly, apoptosis, and cytoskeletal organization were differentially phosphorylated in MPS IH/S. We identified 12 kinases that were differentially phosphorylated, including hyperphosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2, hypophosphorylation of myosin light chain kinase, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate significant alterations in proteins involved in cytoskeletal changes, cellular dysfunction, and apoptosis. These new observations significantly contribute to the current understanding of the pathophysiology of MPS IH/S specifically, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the storage of GAGs in MPS more generally. Further translational clinical omics studies are called for to pave the way for diagnostics and therapeutics innovation for patients with MPS IH/S.

Therapeutic efficiency of Tamoxifen/Orlistat nanocrystals against solid ehrlich carcinoma via targeting TXNIP/HIF1-α/MMP-9/P27 and BAX/Bcl2/P53 signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Orlistat (Orli) is an anti-obesity medication that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It has relatively limited oral bioavailability with promising inhibitory effects on cell proliferation as well as reducing the growth of tumors.

AIMS

This investigation was done to evaluate the potential protective effect of Tamoxifen/Orlistat nanocrystals alone or in combination against Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma (SEC) and to clarify the possible underlying influences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The liquid antisolvent precipitation technique (bottom-up technology) was utilized to manufacture Orlistat Nanocrystals. To explore potential causes for the anti-tumor action, female Swiss Albino mice bearing SEC were randomly assigned into five equal groups (n = 6). Group 1: Tumor control group, group 2: Tam group: tamoxifen (0.01 g/kg, IP), group 3: Free-Orli group: orlistat (0.24 g/kg, IP), group 4: Nano-Orli: orlistat nanocrystals (0.24 g/kg, IP), group 5: Tam-Nano-Orli: Both doses of Tam and Nano-Orli. All treatments were administered for 16 days.

KEY FINDINGS

The untreated mice showed development in the tumor volume and weight. As well as histopathology results from these mice revealed many tumor large cells as well as solid sheets of malignant cells. Also, untreated mice showed raised VEGF and TGF-1beta content. Moreover, results of gene expression in the SEC-bearing mice noted upregulation in HIF-1α, MMP-9, Bcl-2, and P27 gene expression and downregulation of TXNIP, BAX, and P53 gene expression. On the other hand, administrated TAM, Free-Orli, Nano-Orli, and a combination of Tam-Nano-Orli distinctly suppressed the tumor effects on estimated parameters with special reference to Tam-Nano-Orli.

SIGNIFICANCE

The developed Tamoxifen/Orlistat nanocrystals combination could be considered a promising approach to augment antitumor effects.

MOGAT3-mediated DAG accumulation drives acquired resistance to anti-BRAF/anti-EGFR therapy in BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer

BRAFV600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is associated with poor prognosis. The combination of anti-BRAF/anti-EGFR (encorafenib/cetuximab) treatment for patients with BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC improves clinical benefits; unfortunately, inevitable acquired resistance limits the treatment outcome, and the mechanism has not been validated. Here, we discovered that monoacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 3-mediated (MOGAT3-mediated) diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation contributed to acquired resistance to encorafenib/cetuximab by dissecting a BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model exposed to encorafenib/cetuximab administration. Mechanistically, the upregulated MOGAT3 promoted DAG synthesis and reduced fatty acid oxidation-promoting DAG accumulation and activated PKCα/CRAF/MEK/ERK signaling, driving acquired resistance. Resistance-induced hypoxia promoted MOGAT3 transcriptional elevation; simultaneously, MOGAT3-mediated DAG accumulation increased HIF1A expression at the translation level through PKCα/CRAF/eIF4E activation, strengthening the resistance status. Intriguingly, reducing intratumoral DAG with fenofibrate or PF-06471553 restored the antitumor efficacy of encorafenib/cetuximab in resistant BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC, which interrupted PKCα/CRAF/MEK/ERK signaling. These findings reveal the critical role of the metabolite DAG as a modulator of encorafenib/cetuximab efficacy in BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC, suggesting that fenofibrate might prove beneficial for resistant BRAFV600E-mutant mCRC patients.

Upregulation of Fatty Acid Synthase Increases Activity of β-Catenin and Expression of NOTUM to Enhance Stem-like Properties of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Dysregulated fatty acid metabolism is an attractive therapeutic target for colorectal cancer (CRC). We previously reported that fatty acid synthase (FASN), a key enzyme of de novo synthesis, promotes the initiation and progression of CRC. However, the mechanisms of how upregulation of FASN promotes the initiation and progression of CRC are not completely understood. Here, using Apc/VillinCre and ApcMin mouse models, we show that upregulation of FASN is associated with an increase in activity of β-catenin and expression of multiple stem cell markers, including Notum. Genetic and pharmacological downregulation of FASN in mouse adenoma organoids decreases the activation of β-catenin and expression of Notum and significantly inhibits organoid formation and growth. Consistently, we demonstrate that NOTUM is highly expressed in human CRC and its expression positively correlates with the expression of FASN in tumor tissues. Utilizing overexpression and shRNA-mediated knockdown of FASN, we demonstrate that upregulation of FASN increases β-catenin transcriptional activity, NOTUM expression and secretion, and enhances stem-like properties of human CRC cells. Pharmacological inhibition of NOTUM decreases adenoma organoids growth and proliferation of cancer cells. In summary, upregulation of FASN enhances β-catenin signaling, increases NOTUM expression and stem-like properties of CRC cells, thus suggesting that targeting FASN upstream of the β-catenin/NOTUM axis may be an effective preventative therapeutic strategy for CRC.

Combination of low glucose and SCD1 inhibition impairs cancer metabolic plasticity and growth in MCF-7 cancer cells: a comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic analysis

BACKGROUND

Cancer cells exhibit remarkable metabolic plasticity, enabling them to adapt to fluctuating nutrient conditions. This study investigates the impact of a combination of low glucose levels and inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) using A939572 on cancer metabolic plasticity and growth.

METHODS

A comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic analysis was conducted to unravel the intricate changes in cellular metabolites and lipids. MCF-7 cells were subjected to low glucose conditions, and SCD1 was inhibited using A939572. The resulting alterations in metabolic pathways and lipid profiles were explored to elucidate the synergistic effects on cancer cell physiology.

RESULTS

The combination of low glucose and A939572-induced SCD1 inhibition significantly impaired cancer cell metabolic plasticity. Metabolomic analysis highlighted shifts in key glycolytic and amino acid pathways, indicating the cells' struggle to adapt to restricted glucose availability. Lipidomic profiling revealed alterations in lipid composition, implying disruptions in membrane integrity and signaling cascades.

CONCLUSION

Our findings underscore the critical roles of glucose availability and SCD1 activity in sustaining cancer metabolic plasticity and growth. Simultaneously targeting these pathways emerges as a promising strategy to impede cancer progression. The comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic analysis provides a detailed roadmap of molecular alterations induced by this combination treatment, that may help identify potential therapeutic targets.

Glutamine withdrawal leads to the preferential activation of lipid metabolism in metastatic colorectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid that is critical for cell growth. However, the differential metabolism of l-glutamine in metastatic versus primary colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been evaluated adequately.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Differential expression of glutamine-related genes was determined in primary versus metastatic CRC. Univariate Cox regression and hierarchical clustering were used to generate a gene signature for prognostication. Untargeted metabolomics and 18O based fluxomics were used to identify differential metabolite levels and energy turnover in the paired primary (SW480) and metastatic (SW620) CRC cells. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to validate differential gene expression. Subcellular localization of E-cadherin was determined by immunocytochemistry. Lipid droplets were visualized with Nile Red.

RESULTS

The GO term "Glutamine metabolism" was significantly enriched in metastatic versus primary tumors. Supporting this, SW620 cells showed decreased membrane localization of E-cadherin and increased motility upon l-Glutamine withdrawal. A glutamine related signature associated with worse prognosis was identified and validated in multiple datasets. A fluxomics assay revealed a slower TCA cycle in SW480 and SW620 cells upon l-Glutamine withdrawal. SW620 cells, however, could maintain high ATP levels. Untargeted metabolomics indicated the preferential metabolism of fatty acids in SW620 but not SW480 cells. Lipids were mainly obtained from the environment rather than by de novo synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic CRC cells can display aberrant glutamine metabolism. We show for the first time that upon l-glutamine withdrawal, SW620 (but not SW480) cells were metabolically plastic and could metabolize lipids for survival and cellular motility.

Acyl-CoA Synthetase Medium-Chain Family Member 5-Mediated Fatty Acid Metabolism Dysregulation Promotes the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, with high incidence and mortality worldwide. Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advancements, HCC remains poorly responsive to treatment, with a poor prognosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving HCC is crucial for developing effective therapies. Emerging evidence indicates that dysregulated fatty acid metabolism contributes to HCC. Acyl-CoA medium-chain synthetase 5 (ACSM5), involved in fatty acid metabolism, is down-regulated in HCC; however, its role is not well understood. This study was used to analyze ACSM5 expression in HCC patient samples and cell lines. The newly established ACSM5-overexpressing HCC cell lines, Huh7-ACSM5 and Hepa1-6-ACSM5, were used to investigate the effects and regulatory mechanisms of ACSM5. The results showed that ACSM5 was significantly down-regulated in HCC tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues. ACSM5 expression was regulated by DNA methylation, with a DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitor effectively increasing ACSM5 expression and reducing promoter region methylation. Overexpression of ACSM5 in Huh7 cells reduced fatty acid accumulation, decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in mouse xenografts. Furthermore, ACSM5 overexpression also decreased STAT3 phosphorylation, subsequently affecting downstream cytokine TGFB and FGF12 mRNA levels. These findings suggest that ACSM5 down-regulation contributes to HCC progression, providing insights into its oncogenic role and highlighting its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

Gliotoxin triggers cell death through multifaceted targeting of cancer-inducing genes in breast cancer therapy

Fungal secondary metabolites have a long history of contributing to pharmaceuticals, notably in the development of antibiotics and immunosuppressants. Harnessing their potent bioactivities, these compounds are now being explored for cancer therapy, by targeting and disrupting the genes that induce cancer progression. The current study explores the anticancer potential of gliotoxin, a fungal secondary metabolite, which encompasses a multi-faceted approach integrating computational predictions, molecular dynamics simulations, and comprehensive experimental validations. In-silico studies have identified potential gliotoxin targets, including MAPK1, NFKB1, HIF1A, TDP1, TRIM24, and CTSD which are involved in critical pathways in cancer such as the NF-κB signaling pathway, MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, hypoxia signaling pathway, Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and other essential cellular processes. The gene expression analysis results indicated all the identified targets are overexpressed in various breast cancer subtypes. Subsequent molecular docking and dynamics simulations have revealed stable binding of gliotoxin with TDP1 and HIF1A. Cell viability assays exhibited a dose-dependent decreasing pattern with its remarkable IC50 values of 0.32, 0.14, and 0.53 μM for MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Likewise, in 3D tumor spheroids, gliotoxin exhibited a notable decrease in viability indicating its effectiveness against solid tumors. Furthermore, gene expression studies using Real-time PCR revealed a reduction of expression of cancer-inducing genes, MAPK1, HIF1A, TDP1, and TRIM24 upon gliotoxin treatment. These findings collectively underscore the promising anticancer potential of gliotoxin through multi-targeting cancer-promoting genes, positioning it as a promising therapeutic option for breast cancer.

An endogenous oxygen self-supplied nanoplatform with GSH-depleted and NIR-II triggered electron-hole separation for enhanced photocatalytic anti-tumor therapy

The use of artificial enzymes and light energy in photocatalytic therapy, a developing drug-free therapeutic approach, can treat malignant tumors in vivo. However, the relatively deficient oxygen concentration in the tumor microenvironment (TME) restrains their further tumor treatment capability. Herein, a novel nanoplatform with Cu7S4@Au nanocatalyst coated by MnO2 was successfully designed. After 1064 nm light irradiation, the designed nanocatalyst can promote the separation of light generated electron-hole pairs, resulting in ROS generation and tumor cell apoptosis. The MnO2 shelled nanoplatform can function as a TME-responsive oxygen self-supplied producer to improve photocatalyst treatment and GSH depletion. In summary, the designed novel nanoplatform shows efficient inhibition of tumor growth via GSH depletion and synergistic photocatalytic therapy, which is of great significance for improving the clinical tumor treatment effect.

Identification of circulating metabolites linked to the risk of breast cancer: a mendelian randomization study

Objective

This study aimed to investigate potential causal relationships between circulating metabolites and breast cancer risk using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Materials and Methods

Summary-level genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for 249 circulating metabolites were obtained from the UK Biobank. GWAS datasets for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer were acquired from previous studies based on the Combined Oncoarray. Instrumental variables (IVs) were selected from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with circulating metabolites, and MR analyses were conducted using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analysis, with additional sensitivity analyses using other MR methods. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate the association of circulating metabolites with breast cancer risk.

Results

The IVW analysis revealed significant causal relationships between 79 circulating metabolites and ER + breast cancer risk, and 10 metabolites were significantly associated with ER-breast cancer risk. Notably, acetate (OR = 1.12, P = 0.03), HDL cholesterol (OR = 1.09, P < 0.001), ration of omega-6 fatty acids to total fatty acids ratio (OR = 1.09, P = 0.01), and phospholipids in large LDL (OR = 1.09, P < 0.001) were linked to an increased risk of ER + breast cancer, while linoleic acid (OR = 0.91, P < 0.001) monounsaturated fatty acids (OR = 0.91, P < 0.001), and total lipids in LDL (OR = 0.91, P < 0.001) were associated with a decreased risk. In ER-breast cancer, glycine, citrate, HDL cholesterol, cholesteryl esters in HDL, cholesterol to total lipids ratio in very large HDL, and cholesterol in large LDL were associated with an increased risk, while the free cholesterol to total lipids in very large HDL was linked to a decreased risk.

Conclusion

This MR approach underscores aberrant lipid metabolism as a key process in breast tumorigenesis, and may inform future prevention and treatment strategies. To further elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the potential clinical implications, additional research is warranted to validate the observed associations in this study.

Cisplatin Resistance and Metabolism: Simplification of Complexity

Cisplatin is one of the most well-known anti-cancer drugs and has demonstrated efficacy against numerous tumor types for many decades. However, a key challenge with cisplatin, as with any chemotherapeutic agent, is the development of resistance with a resultant loss of efficacy. This resistance is often associated with metabolic alterations that allow insensitive cells to divide and survive under treatment. These adaptations could vary greatly among different tumor types and may seem questionable and incomprehensible at first glance. Here we discuss the disturbances in glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism in cisplatin-resistant cells as well as the roles of ferroptosis and autophagy in acquiring this type of drug intolerance.

Excessive lipid production shapes glioma tumor microenvironment

Disrupted lipid metabolism is a characteristic of gliomas. This study utilizes an ultrastructural approach to characterize the prevalence and distribution of lipids within gliomas. This study made use of tissue from IDH1 wild type (IDH1-wt) glioblastoma (n = 18) and IDH1 mutant (IDH1-mt) astrocytoma (n = 12) tumors. We uncover a prevalent and intriguing surplus of lipids. The bulk of the lipids manifested as sizable cytoplasmic inclusions and extracellular deposits in the tumor microenvironment (TME); in some tumors the lipids were stored in the classical membraneless spheroidal lipid droplets (LDs). Frequently, lipids accumulated inside mitochondria, suggesting possible dysfunction of the beta-oxidation pathway. Additionally, the tumor vasculature have lipid deposits in their lumen and vessel walls; this lipid could have shifted in from the tumor microenvironment or have been produced by the vessel-invading tumor cells. Lipid excess in gliomas stems from disrupted beta-oxidation and dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation pathways. The implications of this lipid-driven environment include structural support for the tumor cells and protection against immune responses, non-lipophilic drugs, and free radicals.

Metabolomics and cellular altered pathways in cancer biology: A review

Cancer is a deadly disease that affects a cell's metabolism and surrounding tissues. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of metabolic alterations in cancer cells would assist in developing cancer treatment targets and approaches. From this perspective, metabolomics is a great analytical tool to clarify the mechanisms of cancer therapy as well as a useful tool to investigate cancer from a distinct viewpoint. It is a powerful emerging technology that detects up to thousands of molecules in tissues and biofluids. Like other "-omics" technologies, metabolomics involves the comprehensive investigation of micromolecule metabolites and can reveal important details about the cancer state that is otherwise not apparent. Recent developments in metabolomics technologies have made it possible to investigate cancer metabolism in greater depth and comprehend how cancer cells utilize metabolic pathways to make the amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids required for tumorigenesis. These new technologies have made it possible to learn more about cancer metabolism. Here, we review the cellular and systemic effects of cancer and cancer treatments on metabolism. The current study provides an overview of metabolomics, emphasizing the current technologies and their use in clinical and translational research settings.

Lipid metabolism associated crosstalk: the bidirectional interaction between cancer cells and immune/stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment for prognostic insight

Cancer is closely related to lipid metabolism, with the tumor microenvironment (TME) containing numerous lipid metabolic interactions. Cancer cells can bidirectionally interact with immune and stromal cells, the major components of the TME. This interaction is primarily mediated by fatty acids (FAs), cholesterol, and phospholipids. These interactions can lead to various physiological changes, including immune suppression, cancer cell proliferation, dissemination, and anti-apoptotic effects on cancer cells. The physiological modulation resulting from this lipid metabolism-associated crosstalk between cancer cells and immune/stromal cells provides valuable insights into cancer prognosis. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine the function of the bidirectional lipid metabolism interactions between cancer cells and immune/stromal cells within the TME, particularly how these interactions influence cancer prognosis. A novel autophagy-extracellular vesicle (EV) pathway has been proposed as a mediator of lipid metabolism interactions between cancer cells and immune cells/stromal cells, impacting cancer prognosis. As a result, different forms of lipid metabolism interactions have been described as being linked to cancer prognosis, including those mediated by the autophagy-EV pathway. In conclusion, understanding the bidirectional lipid metabolism interactions between cancer cells and stromal/immune cells in the TME can help develop more advanced prognostic approaches for cancer patients.

MYC and KRAS cooperation: from historical challenges to therapeutic opportunities in cancer

RAS and MYC rank amongst the most commonly altered oncogenes in cancer, with RAS being the most frequently mutated and MYC the most amplified. The cooperative interplay between RAS and MYC constitutes a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, profoundly influencing tumor development. Together and individually, these two oncogenes regulate most, if not all, hallmarks of cancer, including cell death escape, replicative immortality, tumor-associated angiogenesis, cell invasion and metastasis, metabolic adaptation, and immune evasion. Due to their frequent alteration and role in tumorigenesis, MYC and RAS emerge as highly appealing targets in cancer therapy. However, due to their complex nature, both oncogenes have been long considered "undruggable" and, until recently, no drugs directly targeting them had reached the clinic. This review aims to shed light on their complex partnership, with special attention to their active collaboration in fostering an immunosuppressive milieu and driving immunotherapeutic resistance in cancer. Within this review, we also present an update on the different inhibitors targeting RAS and MYC currently undergoing clinical trials, along with their clinical outcomes and the different combination strategies being explored to overcome drug resistance. This recent clinical development suggests a paradigm shift in the long-standing belief of RAS and MYC "undruggability", hinting at a new era in their therapeutic targeting.