CD44 in Bone Metastasis Development: A Key Player in the Fate Decisions of the Invading Cells?

Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis: Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor and Bone Microenvironment

Prostate cancer is prevalent among men aged 65 and older. Bone metastasis occurs in up to 90% of advanced prostate cancer patients, metastatic prostate cancer is generally considered a non-curative condition which can impact quality of life. The tumor microenvironment, comprising diverse cellular and non-cellular elements, interacts with prostate cancer cells to affect tumor growth and bone metastasis. Within the bone microenvironment, different cell types, including osteoblasts, osteoclasts, adipocytes, endothelial cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and immune cells, engage with tumor cells. Some cells alter tumor behavior, while others are impacted or overpowered by tumor cells, leading to different phases of tumor cell movement, dormancy, latency, resistance to treatment, and advancement to visible bone metastasis. This review summarizes recent research on the tumor microenvironment and bone microenvironment in prostate cancer bone metastasis, exploring underlying mechanisms and the potential value of targeting these environments for treatment.

Targeted blood-brain barrier penetration and precise imaging of infiltrative glioblastoma margins using hybrid cell membrane-coated ICG liposomes

Surgical resection remains the primary treatment modality for glioblastoma (GBM); however, the infiltrative nature of GBM margins complicates achieving complete tumor removal. Additionally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a formidable challenge to effective probe delivery, thereby hindering precise imaging-guided surgery. Here, we introduce hybrid cell membrane-coated indocyanine green (ICG) liposomes (HM-Lipo-ICG) as biomimetic near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes for targeted BBB penetration and accurate delineation of infiltrative GBM margins. HM-Lipo-ICG encapsulates clinically approved ICG within its core and utilizes a hybrid cell membrane exterior, enabling specific targeting and enhanced BBB permeation. Quantitative assessments demonstrate that HM-Lipo-ICG achieves BBB penetration efficiency 2.8 times higher than conventional ICG liposomes. Mechanistically, CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis facilitates BBB translocation of HM-Lipo-ICG. Furthermore, HM-Lipo-ICG enables high-contrast NIR imaging, achieving a signal-to-background ratio of 6.5 in GBM regions of an orthotopic glioma mouse model, thereby improving tumor margin detection accuracy fourfold (84.4% vs. 22.7%) compared to conventional ICG liposomes. Application of HM-Lipo-ICG facilitates fluorescence-guided precision surgery, resulting in complete resection of GBM cells. This study underscores the potential of hybrid cell membrane-coated liposomal probes in precisely visualizing and treating infiltrative GBM margins.

CD44 and RHAMM Are Microenvironmental Sensors with Dual Metastasis Promoter and Suppressor Functions

The progression of primary tumors to metastases remains a significant roadblock to the treatment of most cancers. Emerging evidence has identified genes that specifically affect metastasis and are potential therapeutic targets for managing tumor progression. However, these genes can have dual tumor promoter and suppressor functions that are contextual in manifestation, and that complicate their development as targeted therapies. CD44 and RHAMM/HMMR are examples of multifunctional proteins that can either promote or suppress metastases, as demonstrated in experimental models. These two proteins can be viewed as microenvironmental sensors and this minireview addresses the known mechanistic underpinnings that may determine their metastasis suppressor versus promoter functions. Leveraging this mechanistic knowledge for CD44, RHAMM, and other multifunctional proteins is predicted to improve the precision of therapeutic targeting to achieve more effective management of metastasis.

Cancer on motors: How kinesins drive prostate cancer progression?

Prostate cancer causes numerous male deaths annually. Although great progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer during the past several decades, much about this disease remains unknown, especially its pathobiology. The kinesin superfamily is a pivotal group of motor proteins, that contains a microtubule-based motor domain and features an adenosine triphosphatase activity and motility characteristics. Large-scale sequencing analyses based on clinical samples and animal models have shown that several members of the kinesin family are dysregulated in prostate cancer. Abnormal expression of kinesins could be linked to uncontrolled cell growth, inhibited apoptosis and increased metastasis ability. Additionally, kinesins may be implicated in chemotherapy resistance and escape immunologic cytotoxicity, which creates a barrier to cancer treatment. Here we cover the recent advances in understanding how kinesins may drive prostate cancer progression and how targeting their function may be a therapeutic strategy. A better understanding of kinesins in prostate cancer tumorigenesis may be pivotal for improving disease outcomes in prostate cancer patients.

Bone Endosteal Mimics Regulates Breast Cancer Development and Phenotype

Bone is a frequent site for metastatic development in various cancer types, including breast cancer, with a grim prognosis due to the distinct bone environment. Despite considerable advances, our understanding of the underlying processes leading to bone metastasis progression remains elusive. Here, we applied a bioactive three-dimensional (3D) model capable of mimicking the endosteal bone microenvironment. MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 breast cancer cells were cultured on the scaffolds, and their behaviors and the effects of the biomaterial on the cells were examined over time. We demonstrated that close interactions between the cells and the biomaterial affect their proliferation rates and the expression of c-Myc, cyclin D, and KI67, leading to cell cycle arrest. Moreover, invasion assays revealed increased invasiveness within this microenvironment. Our findings suggest a dual role for endosteal mimicking signals, influencing cell fate and potentially acting as a double-edged sword, shuttling between cell cycle arrest and more active, aggressive states.

Hyaluronic Acid: A Powerful Biomolecule with Wide-Ranging Applications-A Comprehensive Review

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan widely distributed in the human body, especially in body fluids and the extracellular matrix of tissues. It plays a crucial role not only in maintaining tissue hydration but also in cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and the inflammatory response. HA has demonstrated its efficacy as a powerful bioactive molecule not only for skin antiaging but also in atherosclerosis, cancer, and other pathological conditions. Due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and non-immunogenicity, several HA-based biomedical products have been developed. There is an increasing focus on optimizing HA production processes to achieve high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective products. This review discusses HA's structure, properties, and production through microbial fermentation. Furthermore, it highlights the bioactive applications of HA in emerging sectors of biomedicine.