RNAi-based therapeutics and tumor targeted delivery in cancer

Targeted delivery systems of siRNA based on ionizable lipid nanoparticles and cationic polymer vectors

As an emerging therapeutic tool, small interfering RNA (siRNA) had the capability to down-regulate nearly all human mRNAs via sequence-specific gene silencing. Numerous studies have demonstrated the substantial potential of siRNA in the treatment of broad classes of diseases. With the discovery and development of various delivery systems and chemical modifications, six siRNA-based drugs have been approved by 2024. The utilization of siRNA-based therapeutics has significantly propelled efforts to combat a wide array of previously incurable diseases and advanced at a rapid pace, particularly with the help of potent targeted delivery systems. Despite encountering several extracellular and intracellular challenges, the efficiency of siRNA delivery has been gradually enhanced. Currently, targeted strategies aimed at improving potency and reducing toxicity played a crucial role in the druggability of siRNA. This review focused on recent advancements on ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and cationic polymer (CP) vectors applied for targeted siRNA delivery. Based on various types of targeted modifications, we primarily described delivery systems modified with receptor ligands, peptides, antibodies, aptamers and amino acids. Finally, we discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with siRNA delivery systems based on ionizable LNPs and CPs vectors.

Functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in immune escape and their application in immunotherapy for colorectal cancer

Recent studies have progressively clarified the critical role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in cancer, especially concerning its involvement in immune processes, which holds significant therapeutic promise. However, the incorporation of lncRNA into immunotherapy has yet to demonstrate adequate clinical efficacy. This shortcoming can be attributed to various challenges, including unclear mechanisms of action and limited prognostic capacity. In colorectal cancer (CRC), this ineffectiveness may predominantly stem from immune escape mechanisms mediated by lncRNAs. Despite some exploration into lncRNA-driven immune escape, a comprehensive overview of its implications for immunotherapy in CRC remains inadequately addressed. In this review, we thoroughly assess the role of lncRNA in immune escape mechanisms associated with CRC, focusing on immune checkpoints, immune cells, and cytokines. We elucidate the relationship between lncRNA-mediated immune escape and CRC progression and discuss strategies for lncRNA-mediated immunotherapy for CRC. Our aim is to provide fresh insights into the potential of targeting lncRNAs to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic strategies in CRC.

ATP-responsive tumor targeted lipid nanoparticle for enhanced siRNA delivery and improved treatment efficacy in melanoma

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) plays a crucial role in tumor therapy, especially for non-druggable targets with obvious advantages. Nevertheless, its molecular weight, negative charge, and susceptibility to degradation hinder effective delivery to tumor cells for therapeutic action. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) serve as an excellent delivery mechanism for siRNA but still face problems such as suboptimal tumor targeting and inefficient intracellular release. To enhance melanoma treatment, we designed lipid nanoparticles modified with phenylboronic acid (PBA) for efficient delivery of siRNA targeting "undruggable" microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). This nanocarrier successfully encapsulated siRNA and improved tumor targeting by allowing phenylboronic acid to interact with sialic acid residues overexpressed in tumor cells. Furthermore, PBA-modified lipid nanoparticles facilitated the ATP-responsive release of siRNA intracellular. These two aspects enhance gene silencing efficiency. The in vivo targeting and gene silencing capabilities of PBA-modified lipid nanoparticles significantly surpassed those of unmodified LNP. Additionally, PBA-modified nanoparticles exhibited considerable anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects in animal models, offering an alternative approach for siRNA therapy.

Mechanistic intracellular PK/PD modeling to inform development strategies for small interfering RNA therapeutics

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics provide a targeted approach to silence disease-related genes, with notable success in liver-targeting applications. However, the quantitative effects of siRNA properties, such as stability and affinity, as well as biological factors like cell proliferation, mRNA turnover, and abundance, on gene silencing, particularly for extrahepatic targets, remain poorly understood. To identify determinants influencing gene knockdown extent and duration, we developed a mechanistic intracellular pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model for RNAiMAX-delivered siRNA, based on cytoplasmic siRNA disposition, RISC-loaded siRNA exposure, and mRNA knockdown across different targets in MCF7 and BT474 cells. The model highlighted the critical roles of cell proliferation in silencing duration and mRNA turnover rates on knockdown extent. In rapid-dividing cells, mRNA half-life drives knockdown profiles, whereas chemical siRNA stabilization extends silencing in slow-dividing cells. Targets with extremely low or high mRNA abundance pose silencing challenges. While sufficient RISC occupancy is essential, increasing RISC exposure has minimal impact on silencing extent; enhancing siRNA-mRNA target engagement is more effective. The model also defined a quantitative relationship for maximal mRNA knockdown, governed by cell proliferation, mRNA half-life, and RISC-mediated cleavage rates. This mechanistic PK/PD modeling provides insights into optimizing siRNA design and target selection in therapeutic development.

Engineered Salmonella carrying siRNA-PD-1 shrinks orthotopically implanted bladder cancer in rats

BACKGROUND

Currently, the application of engineered bacteria in tumour treatment has received increasing attention. It has been proved that Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) can effectively treat bladder cancer (BC). In addition, immune checkpoint blockade is an effective method for tumour treatment. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), an important immunosuppressive molecule, binds to programmed death ligand receptor 1 (PD-L1) and inhibits the anti-tumour effects of T cells.

METHODS

The plasmid encoding siRNA-PD-1 was constructed, and the rat BC in situ model was established. After the treatment, morphological changes in tumour tissue were detected by HE staining, and the apoptotic cells in tumour tissue were detected by TUNEL. The expression of related proteins was detected by Western blotting, and the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found that the engineered Salmonella significantly inhibited the growth and incidence of tumours and increased the apoptosis of tumours. Importantly, engineered Salmonella carrying siRNA-PD-1 enhanced the anti-tumour immune response by inhibiting PD-1 expression and increased the CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumour tissue, while elevating the ratio of CD8+/CD4+ in spleens.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that engineered Salmonella siRNA-PD-1 exerted significant anti-tumour effects on BC.

The progress and prospects of targeting the adenosine pathway in cancer immunotherapy

Despite the notable success of cancer immunotherapy, its effectiveness is often limited in a significant proportion of patients, highlighting the need to explore alternative tumor immune evasion mechanisms. Adenosine, a key metabolite accumulating in hypoxic tumor regions, has emerged as a promising target in oncology. Inhibiting the adenosinergic pathway not only inhibits tumor progression but also holds potential to enhance immunotherapy outcomes. Multiple therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway are being explored, ranging from preclinical studies to clinical trials. This review examines the complex interactions between adenosine, its receptors, and the tumor microenvironment, proposing strategies to target the adenosinergic axis to boost anti-tumor immunity. It also evaluates early clinical data on pharmacological inhibitors of the adenosinergic pathway and discusses future directions for improving clinical responses.

MiR-425-5p intervenes in autoimmune myocarditis by regulating Treg cell differentiation through NRAS

Aim

Our Previous research revealed significant differences in exosome-mediated intercellular miR-425a-5p between normal children and those with fulminant myocarditis. We sought to elucidate the molecular underpinnings and functional implications of miR-425a-5p in the context of myocarditis progression.

Methods

Bioinformatics techniques were employed to predict NRAS as the target gene of miR-425a-5p. We constructed a cellular myocarditis paradigm through LPS-mediated provocation of AC16 cardiomyocyte cultures. MiR-425a-5p was overexpressed, and the expressions of NRAS, cell apoptosis, and proinflammatory cytokine profiles, encompassing IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, were comprehensively quantified. An experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) mouse model was created using adeno-associated virus (AAV) for miR-425a-5p overexpression. Comprehensive histopathological analyses were conducted utilizing multiple staining techniques, including hematoxylin-eosin (HE), immunohistochemical, and Masson trichrome methodologies to characterize tissue responses.

Results

The study demonstrated that miR-425a-5p alleviated the inflammatory response in both AC16 cells and EAM mice through NRAS mediation. Single-cell data analysis of cardiac immune cells revealed that miR-425a-5p promoted Treg cell differentiation and improved cardiac function.

Conclusion

MiR-425a-5p plays a crucial role in modulating inflammatory responses in myocarditis, potentially offering a novel therapeutic strategy for managing the disease.

Nanotechnology-Enhanced siRNA Delivery: Revolutionizing Cancer Therapy

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a transformative approach for cancer therapy, enabling precise gene silencing through small interfering RNA (siRNA). However, the clinical application of siRNA-based treatments faces challenges such as rapid degradation, inefficient cellular uptake, and immune system clearance. Nanotechnology-enhanced siRNA delivery has revolutionized cancer therapy by addressing these limitations, improving siRNA stability, tumor-specific targeting, and therapeutic efficacy. Recent advancements in nanocarrier engineering have introduced innovative strategies to enhance the safety and precision of siRNA-based therapies, offering new opportunities for personalized medicine. This review highlights three key innovations in nanotechnology-enhanced siRNA delivery: artificial intelligence (AI)-driven nanocarrier design, multifunctional nanoparticles for combined therapeutic strategies, and biomimetic nanocarriers for enhanced biocompatibility. AI-driven nanocarriers utilize machine learning algorithms to optimize nanoparticle properties, improving drug release profiles and minimizing off-target effects. Multifunctional nanoparticles integrate siRNA with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or photothermal therapy, enabling synergistic treatment approaches that enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce drug resistance. Biomimetic nanocarriers, including exosome-mimicking systems and cell-membrane-coated nanoparticles, improve circulation time, immune evasion, and targeted tumor delivery. These innovations collectively enhance the precision, efficiency, and safety of siRNA-based cancer therapies. The scope and novelty of these advancements lie in their ability to overcome the primary barriers of siRNA delivery while paving the way for clinically viable solutions. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest developments in nanocarrier fabrication, preclinical and clinical studies, and safety assessments. By integrating AI-driven design, multifunctionality, and biomimicry, nanotechnology-enhanced siRNA delivery holds immense potential for the future of precision cancer therapy.

Poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)-Functionalized Carbon Nanodots as Theranostic Platforms for siRNA Delivery and Survivin Silencing in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

This study describes the development of carbon nanodot (CDs)-based theranostic nanocarriers that integrate gene silencing with fluorescence imaging. Nitrogen- and sulfur-doped CDs were functionalized through controlled radical surface polymerization of 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA), yielding self-tracking, cationic siRNA carriers CDs-pDEAEMA. The functionalization of CDs enhanced their fluorescence, broadening the emission spectrum toward the biologically transparent window. Fluorescent CDs-pDEAEMA effectively bound siRNA, remaining stable under physiological conditions, while in vitro studies proved their hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility on human dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, the ability to deliver BIRC5 siRNA was demonstrated in MDA-MB-231, successfully transfecting triple-negative breast cancer cells and resulting in an 80% reduction in the anti-apoptotic protein survivin. Furthermore, uptake studies demonstrated that the theranostic CDs are efficiently internalized in tumor cells and are clearly detectable by fluorescence imaging in the red region. These findings highlight the potential of CDs-pDEAEMA as an advanced theranostic tool for real-time tracking of siRNA therapy of breast cancer.

Biological disturbance of MiR-425 and its application prospects in cardiovascular diseases

MiR-425 is a biological molecule that has potential applications in cardiovascular diseases. It can regulate biological functions by combining with LncRNAs, binding with proteins, and changing the differentiation of immune cells. MiR-425 also has a role as a biomarker of disease. In cardiovascular diseases, it has clinical significance in reducing inflammation and heart repair, inducing angiogenesis, improving the prediction of atherosclerosis, reducing cardiac fibrosis, and regulating atrial natriuretic peptide to affect cardiovascular function. Target gene prediction and KEGG enrichment analysis are also mentioned.

microRNA-Mediated Regulation of Oxidative Stress in Cardiovascular Diseases

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally, often linked to oxidative stress. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as significant regulators of oxidative stress within the cardiovascular system.

OBJECTIVE

This review examines the complex relationship between miRNAs and oxidative stress, clarifying their effects on gene expression pathways related to ROS production and detoxification in CVDs.

METHODS

From August to October 2024, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2014 and 2024 investigating the role of miRNAs in oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases.

RESULTS

Specific miRNAs have been identified as critical regulators in the pathophysiology of CVDs, with distinct expression patterns correlated with conditions such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. For instance, miR-21 exacerbates oxidative stress by targeting genes essential for redox homeostasis, while miR-210 promotes endothelial cell survival under hypoxic conditions by mitigating ROS levels.

CONCLUSION

The reciprocal relationship between miRNAs and oxidative stress highlights the potential for therapeutic interventions targeting miRNA expression and activity in managing CVDs. Understanding these molecular mechanisms is vital for developing innovative strategies to address oxidative damage in cardiac tissues and improve cardiovascular health outcomes.

MicroRNA-targeted nanoparticle delivery systems for cancer therapy: current status and future prospects

Recently, the regulatory effects of microRNAs (miRNAs) on gene expression have been exploited for applications in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the susceptibility of miRNAs to degradation during somatic circulation and the challenges associated with their delivery to target tissues and cells have limited the clinical application of miRNAs. For application in tumor therapy, it is essential for miRNAs to specifically target cancer cells. Therefore, various novel miRNA delivery systems that protect miRNA against the activity of serum nuclease and deliver miRNA to target cells have been developed and optimized. This review introduces the passive and active targeting strategies of nanoparticles, summarizes the recent progress of miRNA nanocarriers with tumor-targeting ability, and discusses various nanoparticle delivery systems and their antitumor applications. Additionally, this review focuses on the translational challenges and potential strategies for advancing miRNA-based therapies into the clinic.

Mitochondrial microRNAs (mitomiRs) as emerging biomarkers and therapeutic targets for chronic human diseases

Mitochondria are membrane-bound cell organelles that undertake the majority of the energetic and metabolic processes within the cell. They are also responsible for mediating multiple apoptotic pathways, balancing redox charges, and scavenging reactive oxygen species. MicroRNAs, which are short, non-coding RNAs widely known for regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, regulate many of these processes. The specific microRNAs that directly or indirectly control mitochondrial dynamics are called mitochondrial miRNAs (mitomiRs). The broadest classification of this type of ncRNA encompasses nuclear-encoded miRNAs that interact with cytoplasmatic mRNAs associated with mitochondrial activity. At the same time, a more specific subset comprises nuclear-encoded miRNAs that translocate into the mitochondria to interact with mRNAs inside of this organelle. Finally, the smallest group of mitomiRs includes those codified by mtDNA and can regulate endogenous mitochondrial transcripts or be transported into the cytoplasm to modulate circulating mRNAs. Regardless of the origin or action mechanism, mitomiRs have been recently recognized to have a key role in the progression of a variety of chronic disorders, such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, depression, and even cancer. All of these progressive pathologies have been tightly linked to mitochondrial dysregulation. They are further associated with an aberrant expression of specific miRNAs that regulate cellular metabolism, positioning mitomiRs as reliable biomarkers for diagnosing several chronic diseases. These molecular indicators have also provided insights into how these conditions progress, allowing for the development of different miRNA-based treatment strategies that target dysregulated mitochondrial-related genes, reestablishing their baseline activity and restricting further disease progression.

Molecular mechanisms and targeted therapy of progranulin in metabolic diseases

Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted glycoprotein with cytokine-like properties, exerting tripartite mechanisms of inflammation suppression, tissue repair promotion, and metabolic regulation. This multifaceted functionality positions PGRN as a potential "multi-effect therapeutic strategy" for metabolic disorders characterised by cartilage degradation and imbalanced bone remodelling, potentially establishing it as a novel therapeutic target for such conditions. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, osteoporosis, periodontitis, and diabetes-related complications-representing the most prevalent metabolic diseases-currently lack effective treatments due to incomplete understanding of their precise pathogenic mechanisms. Recent studies have revealed that PGRN expression levels are closely associated with the onset and progression of these metabolic disorders. However, the exact regulatory role of PGRN in these diseases remains elusive, partly owing to its tissue-specific actions and context-dependent dual roles (anti-inflammatory vs. pro-inflammatory). In this review, we summarise the structure and functions of PGRN, explore its involvement in neurological disorders, immune-inflammatory diseases, and metabolic conditions, and specifically focus on its molecular mechanisms in metabolic diseases. Furthermore, we consolidate advances in targeting PGRN and the application of its engineered derivative, Atsttrin, in metabolic bone disorders. We also discuss potential unexplored mechanisms through which PGRN may exert influence within this field or other therapeutic domains. Collectively, this work aims to provide a new framework for elucidating PGRN's role in disease pathogenesis and advancing strategies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders.

MiR-3613-5p targets AQP4 to promote the progression of chronic atrophic gastritis to gastric cancer

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) exhibits high invasiveness, delayed diagnosis, and poor prognosis. Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), an initial stage within the Correa cascade, induces gastric mucosal inflammation and atrophy, promoting genetic and epigenetic alterations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) dysregulation has been implicated in gastric tumorigenesis, yet their specific roles in CAG progression to GC remain unclear. Methods: Using clinical data from the GEO database, we identified miRNAs differentially expressed in gastric mucosa and serum samples from GC patients. Murine CAG models were established through administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and high-salt diet (HSD). In vitro functional assays evaluated proliferation and migration after miRNA modulation in gastric cancer cell lines. MiRNA target validation involved luciferase reporter assays. Results: MiR-3613-5p expression was significantly elevated in gastric mucosal and serum samples of GC patients, mucosal tissues of CAG patients, tumor tissues, and human gastric cancer cell lines. Murine models demonstrated increased miR-3613-5p expression in gastric mucosa following MNU and HSD-induced CAG. Functionally, miR-3613-5p overexpression promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro, whereas silencing miR-3613-5p alleviated pathological gastric mucosal alterations (atrophy, hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltration) in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-3613-5p inhibited Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression by directly targeting its 3'UTR. Discussion: Our findings provide the first evidence that miR-3613-5p facilitates CAG progression toward GC via negative regulation of AQP4. These results highlight miR-3613-5p as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target, suggesting antagomiR-3613-5p as a potential novel strategy to prevent gastric carcinogenesis.

o8G-modified circKIAA1797 promotes lung cancer development by inhibiting cuproptosis

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a serious threat to human life and health, but effective screening and treatment methods are lacking. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have important biological functions and are closely related to tumour development. Some studies have shown that the 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (o8G) modification plays a key role in the disease process, but the effect of the o8G modification on circRNAs has not been elucidated. Moreover, cuproptosis is a novel mode of cell death in which copper ions directly promote protein aggregation and the disruption of cellular metabolic pathways. The present study revealed that the o8G modification of circKIAA1797 occurs and promotes lung cancer development by inhibiting cuproptosis, which provides new perspectives for epitranscriptomic studies and the development of novel therapeutic approaches for lung cancer.

METHODS

circRNA differential expression profiles in lung cancer were revealed via RNA high-throughput sequencing, and circKIAA1797 expression in lung cancer cell lines and tissues was detected using qPCR. Experiments such as o8G RNA immunoprecipitation (o8G RIP) and crosslinking immunoprecipitation (CLIP) were performed to explore the presence of o8G on circKIAA1797. The regulation of circKIAA1797 by the o8G reader Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) was explored using nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation, actinomycin D (Act D) stability experiments and other experiments. circKIAA1797 silencing and overexpression systems were constructed for in vivo and in vitro experiments to study the role of circKIAA1797 in lung cancer development. Tagged RNA affinity purification (TRAP), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were subsequently conducted to reveal the molecular mechanism by which circKIAA1797 regulates cuproptosis and promotes lung cancer development.

RESULTS

This study is the first to reveal the presence of o8G on circKIAA1797 and that YBX1 is a reader that recognises ROS-induced circKIAA1797 o8G modifications and increases the stability and cytoplasmic expression of circKIAA1797. circKIAA1797, which is associated with the tumour stage and prognosis, has been shown to significantly promote the biological function of lung cancer development both in vivo and in vitro. This study revealed that circKIAA1797 inhibits intracellular cuproptosis by binding to the ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) mRNA, decreasing FDX1 mRNA stability, inhibiting FDX1 expression, and binding to the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) protein and inhibiting lipoyltransferase 1 (LIPT1) transcription; moreover, circKIAA1797 promotes the closure of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), inhibits cuproptosis, and ultimately promotes lung cancer development.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the presence of the o8G modification in circKIAA1797, which plays an important role in the development of lung cancer. circKIAA1797 can inhibit cuproptosis by inhibiting key cuproptosis proteins and promoting mPTP closure, ultimately promoting the development of lung cancer. This study provides not only a new theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer development but also a potential target for lung cancer treatment.

Emerging magic bullet: subcellular organelle-targeted cancer therapy

The therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs heavily relies on their concentration and retention at the corresponding target site. Hence, merely increasing the cellular concentration of drugs is insufficient to achieve satisfactory therapeutic outcomes, especially for the drugs that target specific intracellular sites. This necessitates the implementation of more precise targeting strategies to overcome the limitations posed by diffusion distribution and nonspecific interactions within cells. Consequently, subcellular organelle-targeted cancer therapy, characterized by its exceptional precision, have emerged as a promising approach to eradicate cancer cells through the specific disruption of subcellular organelles. Owing to several advantages including minimized dosage and side effect, optimized efficacy, and reversal of multidrug resistance, subcellular organelle-targeted therapies have garnered significant research interest in recent years. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the distribution of drug targets, targeted delivery strategies at various levels, and sophisticated strategies for targeting specific subcellular organelles. Additionally, we highlight the significance of subcellular targeting in cancer therapy and present essential considerations for its clinical translation.

Has-miR-30c-1-3p inhibits macrophage autophagy and promotes Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival by targeting ATG4B and ATG9B

Autophagy is a widespread physiological process in the body, which also protects the host by degrading invading pathogens and harmful substances during pathological conditions. Nevertheless, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the causative agent of tuberculosis, has evolved strategies to subvert autophagy by modulating microRNA (miRNA) expression, enabling its escape from host defenses. In this study, we established an in vitro model using the human macrophage cell line infected with the highly virulent MTB strain H37Rv. Through RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis post H37Rv infection, we screened 14 differentially expressed miRNAs. We predicted and demonstrated that miR-30c-1-3p inhibits autophagy and promotes MTB survival by targeting ATG4B and ATG9B during the infection process. The results showed that miR-30c-1-3p expression was gradually increased before 12 h of H37Rv infection, followed by a decrease. Overexpression of miR-30c-1-3p suppressed autophagic activity. We also identified the targeting of miR-30c-1-3p to ATG4B and ATG9B for the first time, and overexpression of both ATG4B and ATG9B, alone or together, on the basis with upregulation of miR-30c-1-3p reversed the inhibition of autophagy. Autophagy levels were analyzed at different levels by western blot, immunofluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy, all of which showed that upregulation of miR-30c-1-3p inhibited autophagy during H37Rv infection. Additionally, the intervention of miR-30c-1-3p mimics resulted in an increased bacterial load in macrophages, suggesting that MTB achieves immune evasion by upregulating miR-30c-1-3p during infection. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable target for the development of host-directed anti-tuberculosis therapy as well as a new diagnostic marker.

The NcRNA/Wnt axis in lung cancer: oncogenic mechanisms, remarkable indicators and therapeutic targets

Early diagnosis of lung cancer (LC) is challenging, treatment options are limited, and treatment resistance leads to poor prognosis and management in most patients. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a vital role in the occurrence, progression, and therapeutic response of LC. Recent studies indicate that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) function as epigenetic regulators that can promote or inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling by interacting with Wnt proteins, receptors, signaling transducers, and transcriptional effectors, thereby affecting LC cell proliferation, metastasis, invasion, and treatment resistance. Deepening our understanding of the regulatory network between ncRNAs and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway will help overcome the limitations of current LC diagnosis and treatment methods. This article comprehensively reviews the regulatory mechanisms related to the functions of ncRNAs and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in LC, examining their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, aiming to offer new promising perspectives for LC diagnosis and treatment.

Long Noncoding LINC00115 Facilitates Cell Growth and Inhibits Apoptosis by Regulating the miR-4701-5p/P4HB Axis in Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BCa) is a prevalent urogenital malignancy, imposing a significant burden on health-care systems worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators of carcinogenesis and affect BCa progression. In this study, the influence of lncRNA LINC00115 on malignant behavior of BCa cells were explored. Bioinformatics method was used for prediction of gene expression and downstream molecules of LIN00115. LINC00115 expression level in BCa cells was measured using RT-qPCR. After LINC00115 depletion, the proportion of viable, proliferative, and apoptotic BCa cells were calculated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays, colony formation assays, and TUNEL staining, respectively. FISH was performed to verify the cellular distribution of LINC00115. The interaction between LINC00115 and miR-4701-5p and the binding between miR-4701-5p and P4HB were confirmed using RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and luciferase reporter assays. Experimental results showed that LINC00115 was highly expressed in BCa cells. The silencing of LINC00115 restrained BCa cell proliferation and stimulated apoptosis. LINC00115 could directly bind to miR-4701-5p and thus initiate P4HB upregulation in BCa cells. P4HB 3'untranslated region could be targeted by miR-4701-5p. Additionally, Amplification of P4HB expression offset the effects of LINC00115 knockdown on BCa cell proliferative and apoptotic behaviors. In conclusion, LINC00115 facilitates BCa cell growth and inhibits apoptosis via interaction with miR-4701-5p and upregulation of P4HB.

Landscape of small nucleic acid therapeutics: moving from the bench to the clinic as next-generation medicines

The ability of small nucleic acids to modulate gene expression via a range of processes has been widely explored. Compared with conventional treatments, small nucleic acid therapeutics have the potential to achieve long-lasting or even curative effects via gene editing. As a result of recent technological advances, efficient small nucleic acid delivery for therapeutic and biomedical applications has been achieved, accelerating their clinical translation. Here, we review the increasing number of small nucleic acid therapeutic classes and the most common chemical modifications and delivery platforms. We also discuss the key advances in the design, development and therapeutic application of each delivery platform. Furthermore, this review presents comprehensive profiles of currently approved small nucleic acid drugs, including 11 antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), 2 aptamers and 6 siRNA drugs, summarizing their modifications, disease-specific mechanisms of action and delivery strategies. Other candidates whose clinical trial status has been recorded and updated are also discussed. We also consider strategic issues such as important safety considerations, novel vectors and hurdles for translating academic breakthroughs to the clinic. Small nucleic acid therapeutics have produced favorable results in clinical trials and have the potential to address previously "undruggable" targets, suggesting that they could be useful for guiding the development of additional clinical candidates.

Catalytic Hybrid Lipid Nanoparticles Potentiate Circle RNA-Based Cytokine Immunotherapy

Cytokine therapeutics in cancer immunotherapy are greatly limited by their short half-time, serious toxicity, and frequent administration, which can possibly be addressed by ribonucleic acid (RNA) technology through the expression of targeting cytokines in situ. However, the intracellular translation of RNA remains restricted due to the generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and overconsumption of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) within the transfected cells. Herein, hybrid lipid nanoparticles (Mn-LNPs) are developed by incorporating small-sized trimanganese tetraoxide nanoparticles within conventional lipid nanoparticles, showing the ability to generate oxygen, eliminate ROS, and boost intracellular ATP, thus greatly enhancing the translation efficiency. This hybrid platform is employed to encapsulate interleukin 12 (IL-12)-encoding circular RNA (Mn-LNPs@RNAIL-12) for tumor immunotherapy, exhibiting unparalleled advantages in the proliferation of cytotoxic T cells and stimulation of antitumor immunity. Moreover, the antitumor efficacy of Mn-LNPs@RNAIL-12 is further strengthened by synergizing with immune checkpoint blockade therapy to achieve durable and potent antitumor performances.

Engineered mitochondria in diseases: mechanisms, strategies, and applications

Mitochondrial diseases represent one of the most prevalent and debilitating categories of hereditary disorders, characterized by significant genetic, biological, and clinical heterogeneity, which has driven the development of the field of engineered mitochondria. With the growing recognition of the pathogenic role of damaged mitochondria in aging, oxidative disorders, inflammatory diseases, and cancer, the application of engineered mitochondria has expanded to those non-hereditary contexts (sometimes referred to as mitochondria-related diseases). Due to their unique non-eukaryotic origins and endosymbiotic relationship, mitochondria are considered highly suitable for gene editing and intercellular transplantation, and remarkable progress has been achieved in two promising therapeutic strategies-mitochondrial gene editing and artificial mitochondrial transfer (collectively referred to as engineered mitochondria in this review) over the past two decades. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the mechanisms and recent advancements in the development of engineered mitochondria for therapeutic applications, alongside a concise summary of potential clinical implications and supporting evidence from preclinical and clinical studies. Additionally, an emerging and potentially feasible approach involves ex vivo mitochondrial editing, followed by selection and transplantation, which holds the potential to overcome limitations such as reduced in vivo operability and the introduction of allogeneic mitochondrial heterogeneity, thereby broadening the applicability of engineered mitochondria.

Shielding siRNA by peptide-based nanofibers: An efficient approach for turning off EGFR gene in breast cancer

Peptide-based self-assembled nanosystems show great promise as non-viral gene and siRNA delivery vectors. In the current study, we designed and functionalized nanofibers for the delivery of siRNA, targeting and silencing EGFR gene overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer. The nanofiber-mediated siRNA delivery was characterized in terms of zeta potential, morphology, and structural stability by circular dichroism spectroscopy. In cytotoxicity studies, nanofibers presented high biocompatibility showing a negligible effect on cell viability both on healthy and cancer cell lines. The binding between nanofibers and EGFR-siRNA was investigated and ascertained by performing different biophysical studies. The complex siRNA:NF was stable over time, under fetal bovine serum, temperature and ionic strength effects. Moreover, nanofibers effectiveness in stabilizing and delivering an ad hoc selected siRNA for EGFR gene expression silencing was verified in a preclinical model of triple-negative breast cancer. Specifically, a significant gene knockdown was obtained with the complex siRNA:NF, that is comparable with the effect obtained by lipofectamine/siRNA transfection. This effective gene silencing derived from the successful internalization of nanofibers by cancer cells as observed by confocal microscopy. These results suggested that this peptide-based nanofiber could be an effective and safe systemic siRNA delivery system for application in biomedical areas.

Modular self-emulsifying drug delivery platform to enhance cellular uptake activity in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents with resistance phenotypes to certain therapies, such as cisplatin, often requiring higher dosing, with associated acquired tumor resistance, renal toxicity, and variable patient responses. A self-emulsifying drug delivery (SEDD) formulation approach was proposed to overcome the limitations of cisplatin in TNBC, focusing on improving intracellular cisplatin and control siRNA uptake as a proof-of-principle of dual drug delivery. Four SEDD formulations were prepared and optimized for cisplatin (o/w) emulsion and FITC-siRNA (w/o) emulsion using pseudo-ternary phase diagrams to facilitate the formation of water-in-oil-water (w/o/w) emulsions. Formulations were characterized by size, polydispersity (PDI), and surface charge and tested in vitro. Cellular uptake via triplex staining of drug-loaded SEDDs was investigated. SEDDs showed enhanced internalization and promoted selective TNBC cellular uptake. The current study is a proof-of-principle for the successful co-delivery of cisplatin (small molecule) and siRNA (large molecule) via the SEDDs platform.

CircPIK3C3 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression and lenvatinib resistance by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via the miR-452-5p/SOX15 axis

INTRODUCTION

Resistance to lenvatinib limits the effectiveness of the targeted treatments for HCC. However, the exact mechanism behind this resistance remains elusive. Current research suggests that circular RNA (circRNA) is pivotal in mediating drug resistance during targeted treatments.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the influence of circRNA on HCC progression and its resistance to lenvatinib.

METHODS

We identified the crucial circRNA hsa_circ_0005711 (circPIK3C3) through bioinformatics. Study (in-vitro and in-vivo) on the expression of circPIK3C3 (measured by qRT-PCR) and its association with progress of HCC patients including lenvatinib resistance were performed. Techniques such as dual-luciferase reporter assays, RNA FISH, RAP, and AGO2-RIP were employed for discerning circPIK3C3's specific mechanisms related to progression of HCC and its lenvatinib resistance.

RESULTS

Study (in-vitro and in-vivo) revealed that circPIK3C3 exhibited reduced expression and lenvatinib resistance in HCC, which was intimately tied to patient outcomes. Moreover, circPIK3C3 elevated SOX15 expression while suppressing the signaling pathway related to Wnt/β-catenin via inhibition of miR-452-5p through a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. This, in turn, mitigated HCC progression and its resistance to lenvatinib.

CONCLUSION

CircPIK3C3 is instrumental in the disease progression and resistance to Lenvatinib in HCC. It presents a potential therapeutic avenue for patients with lenvatinib-resistant HCC and could serve as a valuable molecular marker for forecasting lenvatinib resistance in HCC patients.

Progress in research of non-coding RNAs in colorectal cancer and their application in early diagnosis

Colorectal cancer is one of the common malignant tumors in the digestive system worldwide, with its incidence and mortality rates ranking high among various diseases. Although certain advancements have been achieved in the diagnosis and treatment techniques of colorectal cancer in recent years, the existing diagnostic means and treatment methods still present numerous limitations, significantly influencing the early detection, precise diagnosis, and individualized treatment of colorectal cancer. With the in-depth research of molecular biology, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have gained increasing attention in the development and prognosis evaluation of colorectal cancer. This paper summarizes some studies related to the expression of different types of ncRNAs in colorectal cancer and selects a portion of ncRNAs that are expected to serve as new diagnostic indicators for this malignancy. The emergence of new biological indicators will contribute to the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, facilitating its early detection and even prevention.

A circRNA-mRNA pairing mechanism regulates tumor growth and endocrine therapy resistance in ER-positive breast cancer

The molecular mechanisms underlying estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinogenesis and drug resistance remain incompletely understood. Elevated expression of CCND1 is linked to enhanced invasiveness, poorer prognosis, and resistance to drug therapies in ER-positive breast cancer. In this study, we identify a highly expressed circular RNA (circRNA) derived from FOXK2, called circFOXK2, which plays a key role in stabilizing CCND1 mRNA, thereby promoting cell cycle progression, cell growth, and endocrine therapy resistance in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, circFOXK2 binds directly to CCND1 mRNA via RNA-RNA pairing and recruits the RNA-binding protein ELAVL1/HuR, stabilizing the CCND1 mRNA and enhancing CCND1 protein levels. This results in activation of the CCND1-CDK4/6-p-RB-E2F signaling axis, driving the transcription of downstream E2F target genes and facilitating the G1/S transition during cell cycle progression. Notably, targeting circFOXK2 with antisense oligonucleotide (ASO-circFOXK2) suppresses ER-positive breast cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, combination therapy with ASO-circFOXK2 and tamoxifen exhibits synergistic effects and restores tamoxifen sensitivity in tamoxifen-resistant cells. Clinically, high circFOXK2 expression is positively correlated with CCND1 levels in both ER-positive breast cancer cell lines and patient tumor tissues. Overall, our findings reveal the critical role of circFOXK2 in stabilizing the oncogene CCND1 and promoting cancer progression, positioning circFOXK2 as a potential therapeutic target for ER-positive breast cancer in clinical settings.

Theoretical perspectives and clinical applications of non-coding RNA in lung cancer metastasis: a systematic review

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, with distant metastasis being a major cause of death. However, the specific mechanisms of lung cancer metastasis remain unclear. NcRNAs, a widely present type of non-coding RNAs in the body, constitute about 98% of the human genome, lacking protein-coding capacity but involved in various cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration. Studies have shown that ncRNAs play a crucial role in the metastasis of lung cancer, although research in this area is limited. This review summarizes the biological origins and functions of ncRNAs, their specific roles and mechanisms in lung cancer metastasis, and discusses their potential for early screening and therapeutic applications in lung cancer. Furthermore, it outlines the challenges in translating basic advancements of ncRNAs in lung cancer metastasis into clinical practice.

MiR-433 inhibits cell invasion of glioblastoma via direct targeting TRPM8 based on bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation

Understanding the essential role of miRNA in regulating cell invasion in glioblastoma opens up new avenues for targeted therapeutic interventions in the future. By screening out eligible miRNA expression data sets from the GEO database, the WGCNA package based on the R language is further used to construct a co-expression network model of the chip data set, to identify modules related to disease states and perform pivotal miRNA screening on the related modules. The target relationship between miRNA and TRPM8 was verified by bioinformatics and luciferase gene report, and the effect of miRNA overexpression on TRPM8 protein level was analyzed by Western blot. The result of miR-433 overexpression on the invasion ability of glioblastoma cells in vitro was examined by scratch test and Transwell invasion test. The results of this study indicate that the selected target miR-433 has a strong binding relationship with TRPM8 and can effectively regulate its expression. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-433 was found to inhibit the invasion ability of glioblastoma cells by targeting TRPM8. These data demonstrate that miR-433 can target TRPM8 to inhibit glioblastoma cell invasion.

Non-vesicular extracellular RNA: A potential drug target to intervene cell-cell communication

The importance of non-vesicular extracellular RNA in the mammalian system is becoming increasingly apparent. Non-vesicular extracellular RNA is defined as RNA molecules not included in a lipid bilayer such as exosomes. Because non-vesicular extracellular RNA is not protected from RNases and is therefore rapidly degraded, they were not easily captured by conventional biofluid analyses. Recent publications showed that some non-vesicular extracellular RNAs are relatively stable in biofluids or tissue culture media, and they have unique biological functions. Major RNAs (rRNA, mRNA, and tRNA) and other non-cording RNAs play important roles in transcription or translation in the cell. In contrast, non-vesicular extracellular RNA has functions related to intercellular communication rather than protein synthesis. This review discusses the basics of non-vesicular extracellular RNA, including its definition, purification, receptors, and future prospects as a drug target.

Live-Cell RNA Imaging with a DNA-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework-Based Fluorescent Probe

Live-cell fluorescence imaging of tumor-associated miRNAs is significant for understanding the cancer onset and progression and the diagnosis and prognosis of clinical diseases. In this protocol, we describe the construction of a DNA-functionalized metal-organic framework-based fluorescent probe and demonstrate that the probe can be used to detect miRNA in vitro and live-cell imaging. The formed DNA-MOF probe can specifically target miRNA with high sensitivity and specificity. The detection limit of the extracellular assay is as low as the picomolar level. In addition, we found that the probe could permeate cells and can be successfully applied in intracellular miRNA imaging, even achieving the distinction of cancer cells and normal cells, as well as the cancer cell lines with different miRNA expression levels.

Gene Therapy for Inflammatory Cascade in Intrauterine Injury with Engineered Extracellular Vesicles Hybrid Snail Mucus-enhanced Adhesive Hydrogels

Early hyper-inflammation caused by intrauterine injury triggered subsequent intrauterine adhesion (IUA). STAT1-mediated M1 macrophages are confirmed to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines to accelerate inflammatory cascade and IUA formation by multi-omics analysis and experimental verification. However, clinically used hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels are prone to slip out of injury sites due to poor bio-adhesion properties. Therefore, there are still challenges in applying hydrogels for M1 macrophage intervention in IUA treatment. Herein, an engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) hybrid snail mucus (SM)-enhanced adhesive hydrogels to improve bio-adhesion property is fabricated and M1 macrophage intervention through targeting delivery and STAT1 silencing is achieved. First, inspired by the high bio-adhesion capacity of SM, SM and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) solution are mixed to construct GelMA/SM (GS) hydrogel. Then, folic acid-modified extracellular vesicles (FA-EVs) are synthesized for targeting the delivery of STAT1-siRNA. Upon injection of FA-EVs hybrid GS hydrogel into the uterine cavity, a protective hydrogel layer forms on the surface of injury sites and sustains the release of STAT1-siRNA-loaded FA-EVs to curtail M1 macrophages generation through inhibiting STAT1 phosphorylation, resulting in reduction of myofibroblasts activation and collagen deposition. In addition, the pregnancy rate and the number of fetuses in rats treated with this hydrogel were much higher than those in other groups, suggesting that the hydrogel could promote functional endometrial regeneration and restore fertility. Overall, this study presents a promising strategy for employing FA-EVs hybrid adhesive hydrogel with superior bio-adhesion properties and M1 macrophage targeting delivery for IUA treatment and uterus recovery.

Recent Developments in Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-based Nanotherapeutics for EGFR-resistant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

The advent of drug resistance in response to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeted therapy represents a serious challenge in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These acquired resistance mutations, attributed to several advanced EGFR mutations and, necessitated the development of new-generation TKIs. Nanomedicine approaches provide a plausible way to address these problems by providing targeted delivery and sustained release, which have demonstrated success in preclinical trials. This review article provides a summary of nano-formulations designed for EGFR-TKI-resistant NSCLC, highlighting their efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo models. These findings reveal insights into the design of nanoparticles and multifunctional nanosystems, offering a potential avenue for efficacious treatment of EGFR-TKIresistant NSCLC.

Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Polymer-Based RNA Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics offer a broad prospect in cancer treatment. However, their successful application requires overcoming various physiological barriers to effectively deliver RNAs to the target sites. Currently, a number of RNA delivery systems based on polymeric nanoparticles are developed to overcome these barriers in RNA delivery. This work provides an overview of the existing RNA therapeutics for cancer gene therapy, and particularly summarizes those that are entering the clinical phase. This work then discusses the core features and latest research developments of tumor microenvironment-responsive polymer-based RNA delivery carriers which are designed based on the pathological characteristics of the tumor microenvironment. Finally, this work also proposes opportunities for the transformation of RNA therapies into cancer immunotherapy methods in clinical applications.

siRNA-based therapy for overcoming drug resistance in human solid tumours; molecular and immunological approaches

RNA interference (RNAi) is a primordial biological process that protects against external intrusion. SiRNA has the potential to selectively silence disease-related genes in a sequence-specific way, thus offering a promising therapeutic approach. The efficacy of siRNA-based therapies in cancer treatment has gained significant recognition due to multiple studies demonstrating its ability to effectively suppress cancer cells' growth and multiplication. Moreover, siRNA-based medicines have shown considerable promise in enhancing the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy and other treatment methods by suppressing genes that play a role in the development of drug resistance. Exploring and identifying functional genes linked to cancer cell characteristics and drug resistance is crucial for developing effective siRNAs for cancer treatment and advancing targeted and personalized therapeutics. Targeting and silencing genes in charge of resistance mechanisms, such as those involved in drug efflux, cell survival, or DNA repair, is possible with siRNA therapy in the context of drug resistance, especially cancer. Through inhibiting these genes, siRNA therapy can prevent resistance and restore the efficacy of traditional medications. This review addresses the potential of siRNAs in addressing drug resistance in human tumours, opening up new possibilities in cancer therapy. This review article offers a non-systematic summary of how different siRNA types contribute to cancer cells' treatment resistance. Using pertinent keywords, sources were chosen from reliable databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The review covered essential papers in this area and those that mainly addressed the function of siRNA in drug resistance. The articles examined in connection with the title of this review were primarily published from 2020 onward and are based on in vitro studies. Furthermore, this article examines the potential barriers and prospective perspectives of siRNA therapies.

A Novel Approach for Bladder Cancer Treatment: Nanoparticles as a Drug Delivery System

Bladder cancer represents one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasms of the urinary tract. In the Asian context, it represents the eighth most common cancer in males. In 2022, there were approximately 613,791 individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer worldwide. Despite the availability of efficacious treatments for the two principal forms of bladder cancer, namely non-invasive and invasive bladder cancer, the high incidence of recurrence following treatment and the suboptimal outcomes observed in patients with high-grade and advanced disease represent significant concerns in the management of bladder cancer at this juncture. Nanoparticles have gained attention for their excellent properties, including stable physical properties, a porous structure that can be loaded with a variety of substances, and so on. The in-depth research on nanoparticles has led to their emergence as a new class of nanoparticles for combination therapy, due to their advantageous properties. These include the extension of the drug release window, the enhancement of drug bioavailability, the improvement of drug targeting ability, the reduction of local and systemic toxicity, and the simultaneous delivery of multiple drugs for combination therapy. As a result, nanoparticles have become a novel agent of the drug delivery system. The advent of nanoparticles has provided a new impetus for the development of non-surgical treatments for bladder cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy and phototherapy. The unique properties of nanoparticles have facilitated the combination of diverse non-surgical therapeutic modalities, enhancing their overall efficacy. This review examines the recent advancements in the use of nanoparticles in non-surgical bladder cancer treatments, encompassing aspects such as delivery, therapeutic efficacy, and the associated toxicity of nanoparticles, as well as the challenges encountered in clinical applications.

Research progress of novel anti-tumor drug formulations

Cancers have become the second leading cause of death worldwide, following cardiovascular diseases.Traditional anti- cancer strategies, including radiotherapy chemotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapies, have been widely used but are often reassessed due to their significant side effects and relatively low cure rate. Recently, the development of novel formulations for anti-tumor drugs has gained considerable attention, marking a pivotal step forward in cancer treatment advancements. These innovative formulations aim to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anti-tumor drugs by employing advanced drug formulation technologies and delivery systems. In particular, nano-drug delivery systems (NDDS) have emerged as a promising approach to improve drug targeting, reduce side effects, and overcome drug resistance. This review highlights recent progress in NDDS for anti-tumor drug development and explores the future prospects of these advanced formulations in improving cancer treatment outcomes.

A Targeted Octahedral DNA Nanostructure Co-delivers siME3 and Doxorubicin to Enhance Collateral Lethality in ME2-Deficient Pancreatic Cancer

The genetic characteristics of pancreatic cancer (PC) are being revealed, but treatment strategies based on these profiles are developing slowly. About one-third of PC patients harbor SMAD4 mutations, with its homozygous deletions often accompanied by deletions of the malic enzyme 2 (ME2) gene, leading to upregulation of malic enzyme 3 (ME3) to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS). We designed an aptamer-modified octahedral DNA nanostructure for targeted co-delivery of siRNA targeting ME3 (siME3) and doxorubicin (DOX). This nanostructure targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the membrane of PC cells. Upon internalization, siME3 and DOX are released intracellularly. The siME3 effectively inhibited ME3 expression, diminishing the tumor cells' capacity to clear ROS. Moreover, DOX further increases the level of cellular ROS, and the sustained accumulation of ROS ultimately leads to apoptosis of ME2-deficient PC cells. This targeting nanostructure shows potential for enhancing collateral lethality in this PC subgroup.

A review on the crosstalk between non-coding RNAs and the cGAS-STING signaling pathway

In the innate immune system, the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-interferon gene stimulator (STING) pathway activates the type I interferon (IFN) response and the NF-κB pathway by recognizing double-stranded DNAs, the imbalance of which plays a pivotal role in human diseases, including cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a diverse group of transcripts that do not code for proteins but regulate various targets and signaling pathways in physiological and pathological processes. Recently, there has been increasing interest in investigating the interplay between the cGAS-STING pathway and ncRNAs. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the cGAS-STING pathway and ncRNAs. Then, we specifically delve into the regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), the three major classes of ncRNAs, and the influence of the cGAS-STING pathway on the expression of ncRNAs. Furthermore, we introduce the therapeutic applications targeting the cGAS-STING pathway and ncRNA therapy, and propose the utilization of drug delivery systems to deliver ncRNAs that influence the cGAS-STING pathway. Overall, this review highlights the emerging understanding of the intricate relationship between the cGAS-STING pathway and ncRNAs, shedding light on their potential as therapeutic targets in various diseases.

Targeting BRIX1 via Engineered Exosomes Induces Nucleolar Stress to Suppress Cancer Progression

Elevated ribosome biogenesis correlates with the rapid growth and progression of cancer. Targeted blockade of ribosome biogenesis induces nucleolar stress, which preferentially leads to the elimination of malignant cells. In this study, it is reported that the nucleolar protein BRIX1 is a critical regulator for the homeostasis between ribosome biogenesis and p53 activation. BRIX1 facilitated the processing of pre-rRNA by supporting the formation of the PeBoW complex. In addition, BRIX1 prevented p53 activation in response to nucleolar stress by impairing the interactions between MDM2 and the ribosomal proteins, RPL5, and RPL11, thereby triggering the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Conversely, depletion of BRIX1 induced nucleolar stress, which in turn activated p53 through RPL5 and RPL11, consequently inhibiting the growth of tumors. Moreover, engineered exosomes are developed, which are surface-decorated with iRGD, a tumor-homing peptide, and loaded with siRNAs specific to BRIX1, for the treatment of cancer. iRGD-Exo-siBRIX1 significantly suppressed the growth of colorectal cancer and enhanced the efficacy of 5-FU chemotherapy in vivo. Overall, the study uncovers that BRIX1 functions as an oncoprotein to promote rRNA synthesis and dampen p53 activity, and also implies that targeted inhibition of BRIX1 via engineered exosomes can be a potent approach for cancer therapy.

Nanomaterial-based regulation of redox metabolism for enhancing cancer therapy

Altered redox metabolism is one of the hallmarks of tumor cells, which not only contributes to tumor proliferation, metastasis, and immune evasion, but also has great relevance to therapeutic resistance. Therefore, regulation of redox metabolism of tumor cells has been proposed as an attractive therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor growth and reverse therapeutic resistance. In this respect, nanomedicines have exhibited significant therapeutic advantages as intensively reported in recent studies. In this review, we would like to summarize the latest advances in nanomaterial-assisted strategies for redox metabolic regulation therapy, with a focus on the regulation of redox metabolism-related metabolite levels, enzyme activity, and signaling pathways. In the end, future expectations and challenges of such emerging strategies have been discussed, hoping to enlighten and promote their further development for meeting the various demands of advanced cancer therapies. It is highly expected that these therapeutic strategies based on redox metabolism regulation will play a more important role in the field of nanomedicine.

Single-cell encoded gene silencing for high-throughput combinatorial siRNA screening

The use of combinatorial siRNAs shows great promise for drug discovery, but the identification of safe and effective siRNA combinations remains challenging. Here, we develop a massively multiplexed technology for systematic screening of siRNA-based cocktail therapeutics. We employ composite micro-carriers that are responsive to near infrared light and magnetic field to achieve photoporation-facilitated siRNA transfection to individual cells. Thus, randomized gene silencing by different siRNA formulations can be performed with high-throughput single-cell-based analyses. For screening anti-cancer siRNA cocktails, we test more than 1300 siRNA combinations for knocking down multiple genes related to tumor growth, discovering effective 3-siRNA formulations with an emphasis on the critical role of inhibiting Cyclin D1 and survivin, along with their complementary targets for synergic efficacy. This approach enables orders of magnitude reduction in time and cost associated with largescale siRNA screening, and resolves key insights to siRNA pharmacology that are not permissive to existing methods.

Progress on angiogenic and antiangiogenic agents in the tumor microenvironment

The development of tumors and their metastasis relies heavily on the process of angiogenesis. When the volume of a tumor expands, the resulting internal hypoxic conditions trigger the body to enhance the production of various angiogenic factors. These include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), all of which work together to stimulate the activation of endothelial cells and catalyze angiogenesis. Antiangiogenic therapy (AAT) aims to normalize tumor blood vessels by inhibiting these angiogenic signals. In this review, we will explore the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment, discuss traditional antiangiogenic drugs along with their limitations, examine new antiangiogenic drugs and the advantages of combination therapy, and consider future research directions in the field of antiangiogenic drugs. This comprehensive overview aims to provide insights that may aid in the development of more effective anti-tumor treatments.

Impact of Ligand Concentration on the Properties of Nucleic-Acid-Encapsulated MOFs and Inflammation Modulation in Prostate Cancer Cells

The zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) is one of the most explored metal-organic-framework-based systems for nucleic acid delivery to cancer cells. Current nucleic acid delivery tools exhibit several drawbacks, such as high manufacturing costs, endosomal entrapment, toxicity, and immunogenicity. However, the biomimetic mineralization of Zn-based ZIFs offers a low-cost and facile encapsulation of nucleic acids at room temperature in aqueous conditions. The efficiency of nucleic acid delivery and its subsequent impact on inflammation in cells are influenced by the physicochemical properties of the material. The imidazole content determines the formation and crystallinity of ZIF, and an optimal ratio ensures the formation of well-defined and highly crystalline structures. In this study, a series of siRNA-encapsulated ZIFs (siRNA@ZIF) were systematically prepared by varying ligand-to-metal (L/M) molar ratios. Our study demonstrates that variations in ligand concentrations influence the crystalline structures, particle size, and shape of siRNA@ZIF particles. At low L/M, two-dimensional siRNA@ZIF particles form with a size of 1 μm. As the L/M ratio increases gradually, the particle size decreases, resulting in three-dimensional particles ∼200 nm in size. We also observed better stability of siRNA@ZIF in water prepared using high L/M values and time-dependent cellular uptake by the cells. Additionally, no significant impact of the biocomposites on inflammation was found, indicating the lack of an unwanted immune response and nonimmunotoxic nature over longer periods (96 h). These findings highlight the necessity of fine-tuning ligand concentrations and synthesis chemistry in designing efficient and optimal ZIF-based systems as versatile delivery platforms for nucleic acids.

Therapeutic Landscape of FOXM1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Aggressive Solid Cancers

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, lacking common treatment targets such as estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and HER2 receptors. This subtype is associated with significant heterogeneity, chemoresistance, early recurrence, metastasis, and poor patient survival. FOXM1 is a cancer-promoting transcription factor that plays a critical role in TNBC and other highly aggressive cancers by driving cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In TNBC, mutations in the TP53 gene-detected in approximately 80% of patients-lead to the overexpression of FOXM1, making it a promising therapeutic target. Beyond TNBC, FOXM1 is implicated in other solid cancers, such as brain (glioblastoma), lung, and pancreatic cancers, and is considered an Achilles' heel of aggressive cancers. Despite its potential as a therapeutic target, there are currently no FDA-approved FOXM1 inhibitors, and none have advanced to clinical trials. This review explores the role of FOXM1 in cancer progression and highlights the current status of efforts to develop effective FOXM1 inhibitors.

Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Enable Tumor Tropism Chemo-Genetherapy for Local Immune Activation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly heterogeneous, lacks accessible therapeutic targets, and features an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Anthracycline-based chemotherapy remains the primary treatment method for TNBC, while the current popular immune checkpoint inhibitors persistently encounter therapeutic resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore combined therapeutic strategies to remodel the TME and improve the treatment response. Considering the highly specific homing ability of tumor cell-derived vesicles and the key role of the signal transduction and activation of the transcription factor 3 (STAT3) pathway in TNBC, we propose a synergistic therapeutic strategy that integrates gene therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy based on STAT3 short interfering RNA (siSTAT3) and doxorubicin (DOX)-functionalized tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEVs) (siSTAT3-DOX@TEV). The in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that siSTAT3-DOX@TEV target tumor tissues precisely, downregulate STAT3 expression, and synergistically and efficiently induce immunogenic death, thereby reversing the immunosuppressive TME. Moreover, mass cytometry and immunohistochemistry reveal the local immune activation effect of siSTAT3-DOX@TEV, with a significant increase in M1 macrophages, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells in tumor tissues. These results provide strong hints for the development of TEV-based chemo-gene therapeutic agents for TNBC treatment at the clinical level.

Overcoming limitations and advancing the therapeutic potential of antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs): Current status and future perspectives

As cancer incidence rises due to an aging population, the importance of precision medicine continues to grow. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) exemplify targeted therapies by delivering cytotoxic agents to specific antigens. Building on this concept, researchers have developed antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), which combine antibodies with oligonucleotides to regulate gene expression. This review highlights the mechanism of AOCs, emphasizing their unique ability to selectively target and modulate disease-causing proteins. It also explores the components of AOCs and their application in tumor therapy while addressing key challenges such as manufacturing complexities, endosomal escape, and immune response. The article underscores the significance of AOCs in precision oncology and discusses future directions, highlighting their potential in treating cancers driven by genetic mutations and abnormal protein expression.

Radioresistance and brain metastases: a review of the literature and applied perspective

Intracranial metastatic disease is a serious complication of cancer, treated through surgery, radiation, and targeted therapies. The central role of radiation therapy makes understanding the radioresistance of metastases a priori a key interest for prognostication and therapeutic development. Although historically defined clinic-radiographically according to tumour response, developments in new techniques for delivering radiation treatment and understanding of radioprotective mechanisms led to a need to revisit the definition of radioresistance in the modern era. Factors influencing radioresistance include tumour-related factors (hypoxia, cancer stem cells, tumour kinetics, tumour microenvironment, metabolic alterations, tumour heterogeneity DNA damage repair, non-coding RNA, exosomes, methylomes, and autophagy), host-related factors (volume effect & dose-limiting non-cancerous tissue, pathophysiology, and exosomes), technical factors, and probabilistic factors (cell cycle and random gravity of DNA damage). Influences on radioresistance are introduced and discussed in the context of brain metastases.