PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors as potential extracellular matrix modulators for targeting EMT subtype gastric tumors

GRB14: A prognostic biomarker driving tumor progression in gastric cancer through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by interacting with COBLL1

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignancy with a high incidence rate. Growth factor receptor-bound protein 14 (GRB14) is crucial in cell signal transduction and is associated with tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of GRB14 on GC growth and metastasis. GRB14 expression and prognosis in GC tissues were analyzed using bioinformatics. The GC cell lines, SGC-7901, MGC-803, BGC-823, and normal gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1) were used in this study. Cell viability, cycle progression, and apoptosis were assessed via CCK-8 and flow cytometry. The colony formation, transwell, and wound-healing assays were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Protein levels involved in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway were analyzed by Western blot. GRB14 expression was significantly higher in GC tissues than adjacent healthy tissues, correlating with poor prognosis. GRB14 knockdown promoted apoptosis and inhibited cell growth, invasion, and migration, while its overexpression exhibited opposite effects. GRB14 directly interacted with cordon-bleu WH2 repeat protein like 1, facilitating PI3K/AKT signaling in GC cells. This study highlights GRB14's critical role in GC progression and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target.

IBSP Promotes Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression Through the PI3 K/AKT Pathway

Our objective is to reveal IBSP expression within clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and the mechanism behind it. IBSP expression and its clinical significance in ccRCC were analyzed using the TCGA dataset. Both Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were utilized to examine IBSP expressions in clinical ccRCC specimens. Moreover, CCK-8, Annexin V-FITC/PI, wound healing, and Transwell assays were utilized to determine IBSP's role in ccRCC progression in vitro. In addition, Western blotting was deployed to ascertain levels of IBSP, PI3K/p-PI3K, and AKT/p-AKT. The TCGA database and our tissue data showcased that, unlike normal tissues, IBSP was significantly overexpressed in ccRCC tissues. Down-regulating IBSP reduces cell abilities to proliferate, migrate, and invade, besides promoting apoptosis in vitro. In vitro and in vivo, IBSP down-regulation inhibited ccRCC growth cells by suppressing PI3K/AKT phosphorylation. IBSP acts as a potential oncogene and could be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ccRCC. Furthermore, targeting IBSP may enhance existing treatment strategies, such as combining it with PI3K/AKT inhibitors to improve patient outcomes.

Molecular mechanisms and clinical significance of perineural invasion in malignancies: the pivotal role of tumor-associated Schwann cells in cancer progression and metastasis

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a pathological process wherein cancer cells invade and spread along peripheral nerves, contributing to tumor aggressiveness and poor clinical outcomes, including increased recurrence, metastasis, and reduced survival. Tumor-associated Schwann cells (SCs) play a pivotal role in facilitating PNI by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and immune modulation. These cells actively support tumor progression through neurotrophin, cytokine, chemokine, and neurotransmitter signaling, enhancing cancer cell migration along neural pathways. Recent advances in imaging techniques, single-cell transcriptomics, and molecular profiling have provided deeper insights into the tumor microenvironment's role in PNI. Emerging therapeutic strategies targeting neurotrophin-mediated signaling and SC-tumor interactions have shown promise in preclinical models. However, significant research gaps remain, particularly in understanding the heterogeneity of SCs and their molecular subtypes in PNI across different malignancies. This review highlights the clinical significance, molecular mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets associated with PNI. A comprehensive understanding of tumor-SC interactions is essential for developing targeted interventions to mitigate PNI-driven malignancies. Future research should focus on integrating multi-omics approaches and novel therapeutics to improve early detection and treatment, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Tiny messengers, big Impact: Exosomes driving EMT in oral cancer

Exosomes are indispensable extracellular vesicles that facilitate intercellular communication and are crucial for both healthy and pathological conditions, including cancer. The capacity of exosomes to echo the molecular characteristics of their cells of origin, including malignant cells, makes them indispensable tools for diagnosing and tracking disease progression in the field of oncology. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which has been identified as the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide, has been linked to numerous risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and inadequate oral hygiene. Exosomes pointedly influence the advancement of oral cancer via promoting tumor cell growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion through the alteration of the tumor microenvironment. A critical apparatus in cancer metastasis is the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), during which cancer cells acquire improved migratory and invasive properties. EMT plays a role in metastasis, resistance to treatment, and evasion of the immune response. Exosomes facilitate EMT in oral cancer by delivering bioactive molecules that influence EMT signaling pathways. These exosomes inspire EMT in recipient cells, by this means enhancing tumor invasion and metastasis. This study aims to identify the specific exosomal components and signaling pathways that are tangled in EMT, in that way providing new avenues for targeted therapies designed to hinder the metastasis of oral cancer.

EDIL3 alleviates Mannan-induced psoriatic arthritis by slowing the intracellular glycolysis process in mononuclear-derived dendritic cells

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory joint disease that commonly occurs as a complication of psoriasis. EGF-like repeats and discoidal I-like domain 3 (EDIL3) is a secreted protein with multiple structural domains and associated with various physiological functions. In this study, we employed a mannan-induced psoriatic arthritis model to investigate the impact of EDIL3 on PsA pathogenesis. Notably, a downregulation of EDIL3 expression was observed in the PsA model, which correlated with increased disease severity. EDIL3 knockout mice exhibited a more severe phenotype of PsA, which was ameliorated upon re-infusion of recombinant EDIL3 protein. The mitigation effect of EDIL3 on PsA depends on its regulation of the activation of monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) and T-help 17 cells (Th17). After inhibiting the function of MoDCs and Th17 cells with neutralizing antibodies, the beneficial effects of EDIL3 on PsA were lost. By inducing adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and suppressing protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation, EDIL3 attenuates intracellular glycolysis in MoDCs stimulated by glucose, thereby impeding their maturation and differentiation. Moreover, it diminishes the differentiation of Th17 cells and decelerates the progression of PsA. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the role and mechanism of EDIL3 in the development of PsA, providing a new target for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, with more than 1 million cases diagnosed every year. Helicobacter pylori represents the main risk factor, being responsible for 78% of the cases. Increased amounts of salt, pickled food, red meat, alcohol, smoked food, and refined sugars negatively affect the stomach wall, contributing to GC development. Several gene mutations, including PIK3CA, TP53, ARID1A, CDH1, Ras, Raf, and ERBB3 are encountered in GC pathogenesis, leading to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-PI3K/AKT/mTOR-and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway activation and promoting tumoral activity. Helicobacter pylori, growth factors, cytokines, hormones, and oxidative stress also activate both pathways, enhancing GC development. In clinical trials, promising results have come from monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab and ramucirumab. Dual inhibitors targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways were used in vitro studies, also with promising results. The main aim of this review is to present GC incidence and risk factors and the dysregulations of the two protein kinase complexes together with their specific inhibitors.