High-density lipoproteins: A promising tool against cancer

PLGA/TPGS nanoparticles for docetaxel delivery: The pegylation effect on nanoparticle physicochemical properties and uptake and cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men worldwide and docetaxel (DTX) is the treatment of choice. However, both the drug and formulation excipients for drug solubilization can cause side effects. In this context, the development of polymeric nanoparticles offers advantages to improve drug delivery and reduce toxicity. In the present work, factorial design was used to evaluate the effect of the amount of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) or poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide acid-polyethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG), D-Alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol Succinate (TPGS) and ratio between aqueous and oily phases on the nanoparticle characteristics. The nanocarriers were characterized regarding particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, DTX encapsulation efficiency, morphology by transmission electron microscopy, DSC, TGA and FTIR. It was evaluated in vitro for cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in prostate cancer cells. Pegylated nanoparticles, which have a different composition (TPGS%, AP:OP ratio), reduced the nanoparticle size to 105.97 ± 5.16 nm, in PDI 0.13 ± 0.03, zeta potential of -34.73 ± 1.19 mV and increased the encapsulation efficiency to 96.78 ± 1.20%. Characterization by DSC, TGA and FTIR confirmed drug encapsulation and showed colloidal stability. Pegylated nanoparticles were more stable upon serum incubation and adsorbed less proteins. In conclusion, the pegylation of the nanoparticles affected the physicochemical parameters. Also, the pegylation of nanoparticles decreased uptake by macrophages. Finally, cellular uptake and cell cytotoxicity were higher in tumor cells when compared to non-tumor cells, although they were not affected by pegylation.

Causal effect between circulating metabolic markers and glioma: a bidirectional, two-sample, Bayesian weighted Mendelian randomization

Glioma is the most common malignant tumor in the central nervous system with significant challenges for its treatment and prognosis. Based on publicly available genome-wide association study data, this study employed a bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, combined with Bayesian weighted MR, to investigate the causal effect of 233 circulating metabolic traits on glioma and its subtypes, with the expectation of discovering new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The MR study revealed that the Total cholesterol to total lipids ratio in large VLDL and the Ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids (PUFAbyFA) are risk factors for glioma, while free cholesterol or phospholipids in small HDL are protective against glioma. The free cholesterol to total lipids ratio in IDL, the ratios of total cholesterol or cholesteryl esters to total lipids in small or medium VLDL, as well as linoleic acid (LA 18:2), phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelins levels are risk factors for non-GBM glioma. Free cholesterol in small HDL is identified as a protective factor for non-GBM glioma. The results were robust to sensitivity analyses and Bayesian weighted mendelian randomization. The causal effects of glioma on circulating metabolites were explored through reverse mendelian randomization. The results provide potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and treatment of glioma.

Association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and 7-autoantibodies: a study on physical examination data from 2018 to 2023

Background

Limited research has explored the effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) on lung cancer's seven autoantibodies (7-AABs). This study investigated the association between serum HDL-C and 7-AABs among 5,574 Chinese adults aged ≥ 18 years from January 2018 to December 2023.

Methods

This cross-sectional study utilized physical examination data from the Department of Health Management at Henan Provincial People's Hospital. The associations between HDL-C and autoantibodies, such as tumor protein 53(P53), SRY-box containing gene 2 (SOX2), and ATP-dependent RNA helicase 4-5 (GBU4-5), were modeled using a restricted cubic spline logistic regression model.

Results

After the adjustment for factors, such as age and body mass index, the binary logistic regression model showed distinct correlations between serum HDL-C levels and autoantibodies, including P53, SOX2, and 7-AABs. Restricted cubic spline logistic regression analysis indicated that the increased level of serum HDL-C was associated with a decreased risk of positive P53 (all participants: HDL-C: 1.227-1.366 mmol/L, P HDL-C=0.028), SOX2 (all participants: HDL-C ≥ 1.227 mmol/L, P HDL-C =0.021; all women: HDL-C ≥ 1.224 mmol/L, P HDL-C=0.037), GBU4-5 (all women: HDL-C ≥ 1.269 mmol/L, P HDL-C=0.039), and 7-AABs (all women: HDL-C ≥ 1.224 mmol/L, P HDL-C=0.015). In women, HDL-C levels between 1.163 and 1.224 mmol/L correlated with an increased risk of positive 7-AABs test results.

Conclusions

Elevated HDL-C levels exhibited an independent association with a reduced risk of positivity for 7-AABs of lung cancer, especially in the female physical examination population. These findings suggest that high HDL-C levels may play a role in hindering lung cancer development with gender differences. However, further confirmation is still needed in the future.

The serum LDH level and KELIM scores are potential predictors of a benefit from bevacizumab first-line therapy for patients with advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The survival benefit of first-line treatment with bevacizumab in advanced ovarian cancer patients are multifaceted. In our study, we aimed to identify potential markers of bevacizumab efficacy to help predict which patients would experience survival benefits.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 114 patients examined from January 1, 2015, to March 1, 2023, and data on clinical, biological, and imaging variables, such as ascites, serum LDH, and CA125, were extracted from electronic medical records. We performed a correlation analysis and principal component analysis to investigate correlations among variables and reduce their dimensionality. Then, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify the predictors of progression-free survival.

RESULTS

Favorable KELIM score (≥ 1, HR 0.376, 95% CI [0.202-0.700], p = 0.002), which indicated better chemosensitivity, and lower LDH levels (≤ 210 U/L, HR 38.73, 95% CI [6.108-245.6], p < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of a treatment benefit with bevacizumab in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Regardless of LDH level, patients with favorable KELIM scores had a higher progression-free survival (PFS) benefit (p = 0.18). Among patients with unfavorable KELIM scores, those with higher LDH levels had the lowest PFS benefit (median: 11.5 months, p = 0.0059).

CONCLUSION

Patients with poor chemosensitivity and low LDH levels are more likely to benefit from first-line bevacizumab treatment. The combination of the two markers can be a helpful predictor of patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment and a guide for treatment decisions-making. Retrospectively registered: 2020-MD-371, 2020.10.12.

Therapeutic and pharmacological applications of extracellular vesicles and lipoproteins

In recent years, various approaches have been undertaken to eliminate lipoproteins co-isolated with extracellular vesicles, as they were initially regarded as contaminating entities. However, novel discoveries are reshaping our perspective. In body fluids, these distinct particles not only co-exist, but also interactions between them are likely to occur. Extracellular vesicles and lipoproteins can associate with each other, share cargo, influence each other's functions, and jointly have a role in the pathomechanisms of diseases. Additionally, their association carries important implications for therapeutic and pharmacological aspects of lipid-lowering strategies. Extracellular vesicles and lipoprotein particles may have roles in the elimination of each other from the circulation. The objective of this minireview is to delve into these aspects. Here, we show that under certain physiological and pathological conditions, extracellular vesicles and lipoproteins are 'partners' rather than 'strangers' or 'rivals'.

Effects of T2DM on cancer progression: pivotal precipitating factors and underlying mechanisms

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting people worldwide. It is characterized by several key features, including hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and dysbiosis. Epidemiologic studies have shown that T2DM is closely associated with the development and progression of cancer. T2DM-related hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia contribute to cancer progression through complex signaling pathways. These factors increase drug resistance, apoptosis resistance, and the migration, invasion, and proliferation of cancer cells. Here, we will focus on the role of hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia associated with T2DM in cancer development. Additionally, we will elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms underlying their effects on cancer progression. We aim to identify potential therapeutic targets for T2DM-related malignancies and explore relevant directions for future investigation.

Differential impact of lipid profile according to neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio status in patients with advanced cancer treated with immunotherapy

Aim: To investigate the different impact of each component of lipid profile in advanced cancer patients treated with immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs) according to neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value.Methods: We retrospectively collected total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL).Results: 407 patients were enrolled. In NLR <4 subgroup, TGs <150 mg/dl led to longer PFS (p = 0.01) and OS (p = 0.02) compared with TGs ≥150 mg/dl; LDL <100 mg/dl led to longer PFS (p = 0.004) and OS (p = 0.007) compared with LDL ≥100 mg/dl. In NLR ≥4 subgroup, TC >200 mg/dl led to longer PFS (p = 0.008) and OS (p = 0.004) compared with TC <200 mg/dl.Conclusion: We showed a distinct prognostic impact of lipid profile according to NLR.

High-fat-diet-induced obesity promotes simultaneous progression of lung cancer and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice

Background

Clinical studies have shown that atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and cancer often co-exist in the same individual. The present study aimed to investigate the role of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity in the coexistence of the two diseases and the underlying mechanism in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-/-) mice.

Methods

Male ApoE-/- mice were fed with a HFD or a normal diet (ND) for 15 weeks. On the first day of Week 13, the mice were inoculated subcutaneously in the right axilla with Lewis lung cancer cells. At Weeks 12 and 15, serum lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and blood monocytes and macrophages were measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. At Week 15, the volume and weight of the local subcutaneous lung cancer and metastatic lung cancer and the amount of aortic atherosclerosis were measured.

Results

At Week 15, compared with mice in the ND group, those in the HFD group had a larger volume of local subcutaneous cancer (p = 0.0004), heavier tumors (p = 0.0235), more metastatic cancer in the lungs (p < 0.0001), a larger area of lung involved in metastatic cancer (p = 0.0031), and larger areas of atherosclerosis in the aorta (p < 0.0001). At Week 12, serum LOX-1, serum vascular endothelial growth factor, and proportions of blood monocytes and macrophages were significantly higher in the HFD group than those in the ND group (p = 0.0002, p = 0.0029, p = 0.0480, and p = 0.0106, respectively); this trend persisted until Week 15 (p = 0.0014, p = 0.0012, p = 0.0001, and p = 0.0204).

Conclusions

In this study, HFD-induced obesity could simultaneously promote progression of lung cancer and atherosclerosis in the same mouse. HFD-induced upregulation of LOX-1 may play an important role in the simultaneous progression of these two conditions via the inflammatory response and VEGF.

HDL-cholesterol confers sensitivity of immunotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via remodeling tumor-associated macrophages towards the M1 phenotype

BACKGROUND

The sustained effectiveness of anti-programmed cell death protein-1/programmed death-ligand 1 treatment is limited to a subgroup of patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and the specific biomarker determining the response to immunotherapy in NPC remains uncertain.

METHODS

We assessed the associations between pre-immunotherapy and post-immunotherapy serum lipoproteins and survival in a training cohort (N=160) and corroborated these findings in a validation cohort (N=100). Animal studies were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, the relationship between high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and M1/M2-like macrophages, as well as activated CD8+T cells in tumor tissues from patients with NPC who received immunotherapy, was investigated.

RESULTS

The lipoproteins cholesterol, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B, were significantly altered after immunotherapy. Patients with higher baseline HDL-C or ApoA1, or those with increased HDL-C or ApoA1 after immunotherapy had longer progression-free survival, a finding verified in the validation cohort (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that baseline HDL-C and elevated HDL-C post-immunotherapy were independent predictors of superior PFS (p<0.05). Furthermore, we discovered that L-4F, an ApoA1 mimetic, could inhibit tumor growth in NPC xenografts. This effect was associated with L-4F's ability to polarize M2-like macrophages towards an M1-like phenotype via the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, thereby alleviating immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, in patients with NPC with high plasma HDL-C levels, the number of M2-like macrophages was significantly decreased, while M1-like macrophages and activated CD8+T cells were notably increased in those with high HDL-C levels.

CONCLUSION

Higher baseline HDL-C levels or an increase in HDL-C post-immunotherapy can enhance immunotherapeutic responses in patients with NPC by reprogramming M2-like macrophages towards the M1 phenotype. This suggests a potential role for prospectively exploring ApoA1 mimetics as adjuvant agents in combination with immunotherapy.

Analyzing the impact of metabolism on immune cells in tumor microenvironment to promote the development of immunotherapy

Tumor metabolism and tumor immunity are inextricably linked. Targeting the metabolism of tumors is a point worth studying in tumor immunotherapy. Recently, the influence of the metabolism of tumors and immune cells on the occurrence, proliferation, metastasis, and prognosis of tumors has attracted more attention. Tumor tissue forms a specific tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition to tumor cells, there are also immune cells, stromal cells, and other cells in TME. To adapt to the environment, tumor cells go through the metabolism reprogramming of various substances. The metabolism reprogramming of tumor cells may further affect the formation of the tumor microenvironment and the function of a variety of cells, especially immune cells, eventually promoting tumor development. Therefore, it is necessary to study the metabolism of tumor cells and its effects on immune cells to guide tumor immunotherapy. Inhibiting tumor metabolism may restore immune balance and promote the immune response in tumors. This article will describe glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and immune cells in tumors. Besides, the impact of metabolism on the immune cells in TME is also discussed for analyzing and exploring tumor immunotherapy.

Low Levels of High-Density Lipoprotein are Associated With Poor Prognosis in Patients With Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Although dyslipidemia has been shown to be associated with breast cancer prognosis, the prognostic value of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative HDL levels and prognosis in TNBC patients.

METHODS

Preoperative HDL levels and clinical data from 287 patients who underwent TNBC surgery were retrospectively collected. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed via the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS

Via the combination of receiver operating characteristics and Kaplan-Meier analysis, we found that low HDL levels were a prognostic factor for TNBC. Patients with lower HDL levels had a significantly lower T1 ratio than patients with higher HDL levels and exhibited a significantly higher neoadjuvant chemotherapy ratio than patients with higher HDL levels. In univariate analysis, the DFS and OS of patients with low HDL levels were worse than those of patients with high HDL levels in terms of DFS (HR: 0.452; 95% CI: 0.237-0.862; P = 0.016) and OS (HR: 0.438; 95% CI: 0.199-0.968; P = 0.041). However, in the multivariate analysis, there was no difference observed between patients with low HDL levels and those with high HDL levels in terms of DFS or OS. According to the subgroup analysis, lymph node-negative (N-) patients with low levels of HDL had worse DFS and OS than did patients with high HDL levels. However, in lymph node-positive (N+) patients, there was no difference observed in prognosis between the high- and low-HDL groups.

DISCUSSION

Low HDL levels are correlated with the progression of TNBC. Moreover, low HDL levels (particularly in patients who are N-) have been identified as a significant prognostic factor impacting the prognosis of TNBC patients; however, these levels do not represent an independent prognostic factor.

Gemcitabine-loaded synthetic high-density lipoprotein preferentially eradicates hepatic monocyte-derived macrophages in mouse liver with colorectal cancer metastases

Liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is the critical cause of CRC-related death due to its unique immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this study we generated a gemcitabine-loaded synthetic high-density lipoprotein (G-sHDL) to reverse immunosuppression in livers with CRC metastases. After intravenous injection, sHDL targeted hepatic monocyte-derived alternatively activated macrophages (Mono-M2) in the livers of mice bearing both subcutaneous tumors and liver metastases. The G-sHDL preferentially eradicated Mono-M2 in the livers with CRC metastases, which consequently prevented Mono-M2-mediated killing of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the livers and thus improved the densities of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood, tumor-draining lymph nodes and subcutaneous tumors of the treated mice. While reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment, G-sHDL also induced immunogenic cell death of cancer cells, promoted maturation of dendritic cells, and increased tumor infiltration and activity of CD8+ T cells. Collectively, G-sHDL inhibited the growth of both subcutaneous tumors and liver metastases, and prolonged the survival of animals, which could be further improved when used in conjunction with anti-PD-L1 antibody. This platform can be a generalizable platform to modulate immune microenvironment of diseased livers.

Low cholesterol levels are associated with increasing risk of plasma cell neoplasm: A UK biobank cohort study

BACKGROUND

Plasma cell neoplasms are a group of hematologic neoplasms that often develop in the elderly population. The relationship between cholesterol levels and hematologic malignancy has been identified in population studies. However, it is still unclear if there is a relationship between cholesterol levels and plasma cell neoplasm in European ancestry.

METHODS

Prospective cohorts included 502,507 individuals from the UK Biobank who were followed up to 2019 and assessed total cholesterol(TC) levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, apolipoprotein A (ApoA) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) as risk factors for plasma cell neoplasms with Cox proportional hazard regression and restricted cubic spline model. We also used two-sample Mendelian randomization to determine if the cholesterol level has a causal effect on developing plasma cell neoplasms.

RESULTS

We observed 1819 plasma cell neoplasm cases during 14.2 years of follow-up in the UK Biobank. We found higher blood serum cholesterol levels at baseline were associated with a lower risk of plasma cell neoplasm in our study. All lipid profiles we analyzed in this study were inversely associated with plasma cell neoplasm risk (all ptrend  <0.005) but triglycerides did not have such association. However, there was no suggestive association of genetically predicted serum LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels with multiple myeloma.

CONCLUSION

Low serum total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, ApoA, and ApoB levels were all associated with increasing the risk of plasma cell neoplasm.

Do metabolic factors increase the risk of thyroid cancer? a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Epidemiological studies emphasize the link between metabolic factors and thyroid cancer. Using Mendelian randomization (MR), we assessed the possible causal impact of metabolic factors on thyroid cancer for the first time.

Methods

Summary statistics for metabolic factors and thyroid cancer were obtained from published Genome-wide association studies. The causal relationships were assessed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary method through a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis. To account for the potential existence of horizontal pleiotropy, four additional methods were employed, including Mendelian Randomization-Egger (MR-Egger), weighted median method (WM), simple mode, and weighted mode method. Given the presence of interactions between metabolic factors, a multivariable MR analysis was subsequently conducted.

Results

The results showed there was a genetic link between HDL level and protection effect of thyroid cancer using IVW (OR= 0.75, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.60-0.93, p=0.01) and MR-Egger method (OR= 0.70, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.50- 0.97, p=0.03). The results remained robust in multivariable MR analysis for the genetic link between HDL level and protection effect of thyroid cancer (OR= 0.74, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 0.55-0.99, p=0.04).

Conclusions

This study suggests a protection role for HDL on thyroid cancer. The study findings provide evidence for the public health suggestion for thyroid cancer prevention. HDL's potential as a pharmacological target needs further validation.

Low Serum Cholesterol Level Is a Significant Prognostic Factor That Improves CLL-IPI in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Hypocholesterolaemia is associated with elevated cancer risk and mortality, yet the relation between chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and serum lipid profile remains unclear. Our study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of cholesterol levels in CLL and develop a prognostic nomogram that incorporates lipid metabolism. We enrolled 761 newly diagnosed CLL patients and separated them into either derivation (n = 507) or validation (n = 254) cohorts. The prognostic nomogram was constructed through multivariate Cox regression analyses, with performance evaluated using C-index, the area under the curve, calibration, and decision curve analyses. Decreased total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at diagnosis were significantly associated with worse time to first treatment (TTFT) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), and simultaneously, low HDL-C with low LDL-C was identified as an independent prognostic indicator for both TTFT and CSS. CLL patients achieving complete or partial remission post-chemotherapy had significantly increased TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels compared with the baseline, and post-therapeutic HDL-C and LDL-C elevation correlated with favourable survival. The prognostic nomogram augmenting the CLL international prognostic index with low cholesterol levels yielded higher predictive accuracy and discrimination capacity for both 3-year and 5-year CSS. In conclusion, cholesterol profiles can be used as a cheap and readily accessible tool for predicting prognosis in CLL practice.

Stratification of ovarian cancer borderline from high-grade serous carcinoma patients by quantitative serum NMR spectroscopy of metabolites, lipoproteins, and inflammatory markers

Background: Traditional diagnosis is based on histology or clinical-stage classification which provides no information on tumor metabolism and inflammation, which, however, are both hallmarks of cancer and are directly associated with prognosis and severity. This project was an exploratory approach to profile metabolites, lipoproteins, and inflammation parameters (glycoprotein A and glycoprotein B) of borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) for identifying additional useful serum markers and stratifying ovarian cancer patients in the future. Methods: This project included 201 serum samples of which 50 were received from BOT and 151 from high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), respectively. All the serum samples were validated and phenotyped by ¹H-NMR-based metabolomics with in vitro diagnostics research (IVDr) standard operating procedures generating quantitative data on 38 metabolites, 112 lipoprotein parameters, and 5 inflammation markers. Uni- and multivariate statistics were applied to identify NMR-based alterations. Moreover, biomarker analysis was carried out with all NMR parameters and CA-125. Results: Ketone bodies, glutamate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, glycerol, and phenylalanine levels were significantly higher in HGSOC, while the same tumors showed significantly lower levels of alanine and histidine. Furthermore, alanine and histidine and formic acid decreased and increased, respectively, over the clinical stages. Inflammatory markers glycoproteins A and B (GlycA and GlycB) increased significantly over the clinical stages and were higher in HGSOC, alongside significant changes in lipoproteins. Lipoprotein subfractions of VLDLs, IDLs, and LDLs increased significantly in HGSOC and over the clinical stages, while total plasma apolipoprotein A1 and A2 and a subfraction of HDLs decreased significantly over the clinical stages. Additionally, LDL triglycerides significantly increased in advanced ovarian cancer. In biomarker analysis, glycoprotein inflammation biomarkers behaved in the same way as the established clinical biomarker CA-125. Moreover, CA-125/GlycA, CA-125/GlycB, and CA-125/Glycs are potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Last, the quantitative inflammatory parameters clearly displayed unique patterns of metabolites, lipoproteins, and CA-125 in BOT and HGSOC with clinical stages I-IV. Conclusion: ¹H-NMR-based metabolomics with commercial IVDr assays could detect and identify altered metabolites and lipoproteins relevant to EOC development and progression and show that inflammation (based on glycoproteins) increased along with malignancy. As inflammation is a hallmark of cancer, glycoproteins, thereof, are promising future serum biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of EOC. This was supported by the definition and stratification of three different inflammatory serum classes which characterize specific alternations in metabolites, lipoproteins, and CA-125, implicating that future diagnosis could be refined not only by diagnosed histology and/or clinical stages but also by glycoprotein classes.

Finite-Size Effects in Simulations of Peptide/Lipid Assembly

Molecular dynamics simulations are an attractive tool for understanding lipid/peptide self-assembly but can be plagued by inaccuracies when the system sizes are too small. The general guidance from self-assembly simulations of homogeneous micelles is that the total number of surfactants should be three to five times greater than the equilibrium aggregate number of surfactants per micelle. Herein, the heuristic is tested on the more complicated self-assembly of lipids and amphipathic peptides using the Cooke and Martini 3 coarse-grained models. Cooke model simulations with 50 to 1000 lipids and no peptide are dominated by finite-size effects, with usually one aggregate (micelle or nanodisc) containing most of the lipids forming at each system size. Approximately 200 systems of different peptide/lipid (P/L) ratios and sizes of up to 1000 lipids yield a "finite-size phase diagram" for peptide driven self-assembly, including a coexistence region of micelles and discs. Insights from the Cooke model are applied to the assembly of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and the ELK-neutral peptide using the Martini 3 model. Systems of 150, 450, and 900 lipids with P/L = 1/6.25 form mixtures of lipid-rich discs that agree in size with experiment and peptide-rich micelles. Only the 150-lipid system shows finite-size effects, which arise from the long-tailed distribution of aggregate sizes. The general rule of three to five times the equilibrium aggregate size remains a practical heuristic for the Cooke and Martini 3 systems investigated here.

Dyslipidaemia Is Associated with Severe Disease Activity and Poor Prognosis in Ulcerative Colitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study in China

Background: Clinical data on the correlation of dyslipidaemia with the long-term outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lipid levels on disease activity and prognosis in UC. Methods: The retrospective data of UC patients who had detailed lipid profiles were collected from January 2003 to September 2020. All patients were followed-up to 30 September 2021. The long-term outcomes were UC-related surgery and tumorigenesis. Results: In total, 497 patients were included in the analysis. Compared to patients with normal lipid levels, those with dyslipidaemia commonly presented with more serious disease activity. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05) levels were associated with higher risks of severe disease activity in UC. Regarding the long-term outcomes, patients with persistent dyslipidaemia were at higher risks of UC-related surgery (HR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.86−5.75, p < 0.001) and tumorigenesis (HR: 7.92, 95% CI: 3.97−15.78, p < 0.001) and had shorter surgery- and tumour-free survival (p < 0.001) than patients with transient dyslipidaemia and normal lipid levels. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001) and apolipoprotein A1 (p < 0.05) were associated with higher risks of surgery and tumorigenesis. Conclusion: Persistent dyslipidaemia was associated with a higher risk of serious disease activity and worse long-term outcomes among patients with UC. Lipid patterns should be assessed to improve the management of high-risk patients with UC in the early phase.

The associations between serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and malignant behavior in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Background

The role of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in tumorigenesis are observed in several endocrine-related cancers. However, its role in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) has not been understood. In the current study, the relationship between HDL-c levels and malignant behavior in PNENs was explored.

Methods

One hundred ninety-seven patients with histopathology confirmed PNENs were included. PNENs were divided into three grades (G1, G2 and G3) as 2017 WHO classification based on ki67 index and mitosis count. The demographic data, clinical information, tumor morphological and pathological features (organs invasion, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion and perineural invasion), and serum tumor biomarkers were collected. The relationships between HDL-c levels and malignant behaviors in PNENs were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Models were also developed for the identification of high grade PNENs.

Results

The levels of serum HDL-c in G2/G3 tumor were significantly lower than that in G1 tumor (P = 0.031). However, no such difference was found between G3 and G1/G2. The proportions of low HDL-c (≤ 0.9 mmol/L) were higher in high-grade PNENs (G2/G3 or G3) than those in low-grade (G1 or G1/G2) (29.0 vs 15.2%, P = 0.032; 37.0 vs 20.5%, P = 0.023). The risk of G2/G3 tumors in patients with high serum HDL-c levels was decreased (odds ratio (OR) = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12–0.99). Similarly, the risk of G3 PNENs increased in patients with low HDL-c levels (OR = 2.51, 95%CI:1.12–5.60). HDL-c level was also associated with a high ki67 index (> 55%) (OR = 0.10, 95%CI: 0.02–0.51) and neuroendocrine carcinoma G3 (OR = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.06–0.80). The area under the curve (AUC) of HDL-c + tumor size + age was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79–0.91) in identifying G2/G3 PNENs, and HDL-c (> 0.9 mmol/L) + tumor size + age had an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.70–0.84) in identifying G3 PNENs. HDL-c level was associated with lymph node metastasis (OR = 0.24, 95%CI:0.08–0.99).

Conclusion

Serum HDL-c levels were significantly associated with malignant behaviors in PNENs, in particular to tumor grade and lymph node metastasis.

HDL-mediated reduction of cholesterol content inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer cells induced by LDL: Role of ABCA1 and proteasome inhibition

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are well known for their atheroprotective function, mainly due to their ability to remove cell cholesterol and to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Through the same mechanisms HDL could also affect the development and progression of tumors. Cancer cells need cholesterol to proliferate, especially in hormone-dependent tumors, as prostate cancer (PCa). Aim of the study was to investigate the ability of HDL to modulate cholesterol content and metabolism in androgen receptor (AR)-positive and AR-null PCa cell lines and the consequences on cell proliferation. HDL inhibited colony formation of LNCaP and PC3 cells. HDL reduced cell cholesterol content and proliferation of LNCaP cells loaded with low-density lipoproteins but were not effective on PC3 cells. Here, the expression of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was markedly reduced due to proteasome degradation. Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, restored ABCA1 expression and HDL ability to promote cholesterol removal from PC3; consequently, HDL inhibited the proliferation of PC3 cells induced by LDL only after bortezomib pre-treatment. In conclusion, the antiproliferative activity of HDL on AR-positive and AR-null PCa cells also rely on cholesterol removal, a process in which the ABCA1 transporter plays a key role.

The Role of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in 2022

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are responsible for the transport in plasma of a large fraction of circulating lipids, in part from tissue mobilization. The evaluation of HDL-associated cholesterol (HDL-C) has provided a standard method for assessing cardiovascular (CV) risk, as supported by many contributions on the mechanism of this arterial benefit. The present review article will attempt to investigate novel findings on the role and mechanism of HDL in CV risk determination.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most recent research has been aimed to the understanding of how a raised functional capacity of HDL, rather than elevated levels per se, may be responsible for the postulated CV protection. Markedly elevated HDL-C levels appear instead to be associated to a raised coronary risk, indicative of a U-shaped relationship. While HDL-C reduction is definitely related to a raised CV risk, HDL-C elevations may be linked to non-vascular diseases, such as age-related macular disease. The description of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-infectious properties has indicated potential newer areas for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In the last two decades inconclusive data have arisen from clinical trials attempting to increase HDL-C pharmacologically or by way of recombinant protein infusions (most frequently with the mutant A-I Milano); prevention of stent occlusion or heart failure treatment have shown instead significant promise. Targeted clinical studies are still ongoing.