Bevacizumab and erlotinib versus bevacizumab for colorectal cancer treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis

New Frontiers in Colorectal Cancer Treatment Combining Nanotechnology with Photo- and Radiotherapy

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Despite recent advances in the treatment of this pathology, which include a personalized approach using radio- and chemotherapies in combination with advanced surgical techniques, it is imperative to enhance the performance of these treatments and decrease their detrimental side effects on patients' health. Nanomedicine is likely the pathway towards solving this challenge by enhancing both the therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. In particular, plasmonic nanoparticles show remarkable potential due to their dual therapeutic functionalities as photothermal therapy agents and as radiosensitizers in radiotherapy. Their dual functionality, high biocompatibility, easy functionalization, and targeting capabilities make them potential agents for inducing efficient cancer cell death with minimal side effects. This review aims to identify the main challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. The heterogeneous nature of this cancer is also discussed from a single-cell point of view. The most relevant works in photo- and radiotherapy using nanotechnology-based therapies for colorectal cancer are addressed, ranging from in vitro studies (2D and 3D cell cultures) to in vivo studies and clinical trials. Although the results using nanoparticles as a photo- and radiosensitizers in photo- and radiotherapy are promising, preliminary studies showed that the possibility of combining both therapies must be explored to improve the treatment efficiency.

Targeting the tumor stroma for cancer therapy

Tumors are comprised of both cancer cells and surrounding stromal components. As an essential part of the tumor microenvironment, the tumor stroma is highly dynamic, heterogeneous and commonly tumor-type specific, and it mainly includes noncellular compositions such as the extracellular matrix and the unique cancer-associated vascular system as well as a wide variety of cellular components including activated cancer-associated fibroblasts, mesenchymal stromal cells, pericytes. All these elements operate with each other in a coordinated fashion and collectively promote cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to study the interaction and crosstalk between stromal components and neoplastic cells. Meanwhile, we have also witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of tumor stroma in solid tumors. A series of clinical trials targeting the tumor stroma have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce and discuss current advances in the understanding of various stromal elements and their roles in cancers. We also elaborate on potential novel approaches for tumor-stroma-based therapeutic targeting, with the aim to promote the leap from bench to bedside.

The value of erlotinib related target molecules in kidney renal cell carcinoma via bioinformatics analysis

OBJECTIVE

Erlotinib was found to be an effective treatment for metastatic kidney renal cell carcinoma (KIRC). This study employed bioinformatics to explore the value of erlotinib's target molecules in KIRC.

METHODS

We screened GSE25698 dataset for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) following erlotinib treatment, followed by analyzing their underlying functional mechanisms. The value of DEGs was identified in TCGA database to construct risk model and nomogram, and possible mechanisms underlying model factors and their relationship with KIRC immune infiltration were analyzed.

RESULTS

Following erlotinib treatment, DEGs were involved in antigen binding, myeloid leukocyte activation, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, etc. COL11A1, EMCN, GLYATL1, HHLA2, IGFN1, LIPA, LRRC19, PANK1, PRAME, and TNFSF14 were independent factors influencing poor prognosis in KIRC patients. Age, grade, and risk score were independent risk factors influencing poor prognosis of KIRC patients. The risk score was associated with immune cells such as T cells regulatory, T cells follicular helper, macrophages M0, etc., and participated signaling mechanisms such as ERBB, insulin, mTOR, PPAR, apoptosis, MAPK, T cell receptor, etc. CONCLUSIONS: The expression levels of COL11A1, EMCN, GLYATL1, HHLA2, IGFN1 LIPA, LRRC19, PANK1, PRAME, and TNFSF14 were associated with KIRC prognosis and immune cell infiltration. The risk model and nomogram based on erlotinib's target molecules were expected to be a tool for evaluating the prognosis of KIRC patients.

Hyperthermia Treatment as a Promising Anti-Cancer Strategy: Therapeutic Targets, Perspective Mechanisms and Synergistic Combinations in Experimental Approaches

Despite recent developments in diagnosis and treatment options, cancer remains one of the most critical threats to health. Several anti-cancer therapies have been identified, but further research is needed to provide more treatment options that are safe and effective for cancer. Hyperthermia (HT) is a promising treatment strategy for cancer because of its safety and cost-effectiveness. This review summarizes studies on the anti-cancer effects of HT and the detailed mechanisms. In addition, combination therapies with anti-cancer drugs or natural products that can effectively overcome the limitations of HT are reviewed because HT may trigger protective events, such as an increase of heat shock proteins (HSPs). In the 115 reports included, the mechanisms related to apoptosis, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA damage, transcription factors and HSPs were considered important. This review shows that HT is an effective inducer of apoptosis. Moreover, the limitations of HT may be overcome using combined therapy with anti-cancer drugs or natural products. Therefore, appropriate combinations of such agents with HT will exert maximal effects to treat cancer.

Tribbles Pseudokinases in Colorectal Cancer

The Tribbles family of pseudokinases controls a wide number of processes during cancer on-set and progression. However, the exact contribution of each of the three family members is still to be defined. Their function appears to be context-dependent as they can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. They act as scaffolds modulating the activity of several signaling pathways involved in different cellular processes. In this review, we discuss the state-of-knowledge for TRIB1, TRIB2 and TRIB3 in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. We take a perspective look at the role of Tribbles proteins as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Specifically, we chronologically systematized all available articles since 2003 until 2020, for which Tribbles were associated with colorectal cancer human samples or cell lines. Herein, we discuss: (1) Tribbles amplification and overexpression; (2) the clinical significance of Tribbles overexpression; (3) upstream Tribbles gene and protein expression regulation; (4) Tribbles pharmacological modulation; (5) genetic modulation of Tribbles; and (6) downstream mechanisms regulated by Tribbles; establishing a comprehensive timeline, essential to better consolidate the current knowledge of Tribbles' role in colorectal cancer.

A Review on the Scope of Photothermal Therapy-Based Nanomedicines in Preclinical Models of Colorectal Cancer

Oncologic thermal ablation involves the use of hyperthermic temperatures to damage and treat solid cancers. Thermal ablation is being investigated as a method of treatment in colorectal cancers and has the potential to complement conventional anticancer treatments in managing local recurrence and metastatic disease. Photothermal therapy utilizes photosensitive agents to generate local heat and induce thermal ablation. There is growing interest in developing nanotechnology platforms to deliver such photosensitive agents. An advantage of nanomedicines is their multifunctionality, with the capability to deliver combinations of chemotherapeutics and cancer-imaging agents. To date, there have been no clinical studies evaluating photothermal therapy-based nanomedicines in colorectal cancers. This review presents the current scope of preclinical studies, investigating nanomedicines that have been developed for delivering multimodal photothermal therapy to colorectal cancers, with an emphasis on potential clinical applications.