MicroRNAs and JAK/STAT3 signaling: A new promising therapeutic axis in blood cancers

A Comprehensive Review on LncRNAs/miRNAs-DNMT1 Axis in Human Cancer: Mechanistic and Clinical Application

Cancer constitutes a significant public health concern, and addressing the challenge of cancer holds paramount importance and requires immediate attention. Epigenetic alterations, encompassing DNA methylation, have emerged as pivotal contributors to the development of diverse cancer types. These modifications exert their influence by modulating chromatin structure, gene expression patterns and other nuclear processes, thereby influencing cancer pathogenesis. Over the last two decades, an increasing body of evidence has established the involvement of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in various aspects of cancer development, including tumorigenesis, aggressiveness and treatment response. Furthermore, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are increasingly recognised as significant modulators in diverse biological processes, encompassing metastasis, apoptosis, cell proliferation and differentiation. Several recent studies have elucidated the intricate relationship between epigenetic machinery, specifically DNMT1, and the expression of ncRNAs in the context of cancer. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the interaction between DNMT1 and ncRNAs in cancer pathogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss the important role of the ncRNAs-DNMT1 axis in cancer stem cells and cancer therapy resistance as critical issues in cancer therapy. Finally, we demonstrate that herbal medicine and synthetic RNA molecules regulate DNMT1 activity and hold great promise in cancer treatment.

Molecular mechanism and role of miRNA-155 ribonucleic acid in podocyte apoptosis in lupus nephritis: SOCS1 protein expression regulates JAK/STAT pathway transduction

This study aimed to explore the specific role of miRNA-155 in the process of podocyte apoptosis within the context of lupus nephritis, as well as to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms through which miRNA-155 exerts its effects, particularly focusing on the SOCS1/JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathway. To investigate the direct influence of miRNA-155 on podocyte apoptosis, the researchers employed a cultured glomerular podocyte system, in which they transfected these cells with either mimics of miRNA-155 or inhibitors. The subsequent effects on podocyte apoptosis were carefully monitored. Additionally, various methodologies including Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry were utilized to assess the expression levels and phosphorylation states of key proteins involved in the SOCS1/JAK1-STAT1 pathway, aiming to determine their roles in the apoptosis mediated by miRNA-155.A dual luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the direct interaction between miRNA-155 and the mRNA of SOCS1. The findings of the study indicated a significant increase in miRNA-155 expression, which was positively correlated with the podocyte apoptosis index, suggesting that higher levels of miRNA-155 were linked to increased cell death. Investigating the underlying mechanism, the study revealed that miRNA-155 promotes podocyte apoptosis by activating the JAK1-STAT1 signaling pathway through the downregulation of SOCS1 protein levels. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay provided further validation of the hypothesis that miRNA-155 directly targets the 3' untranslated region of SOCS1 mRNA, thereby inhibiting its expression and facilitating the apoptotic process in podocytes.

STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Health and Disease

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a critical transcription factor involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes. While STAT3 plays an essential role in homeostasis, its persistent activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, particularly cancer, bone-related diseases, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. The interleukin-6/Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 signaling axis is central to STAT3 activation, influencing tumor microenvironment remodeling, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanisms underlying dysregulated STAT3 signaling in disease progression remain incompletely understood, and no United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)-approved direct STAT3 inhibitors currently exist. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of STAT3's role in health and disease, emphasizing its involvement in cancer stem cell maintenance, metastasis, inflammation, and drug resistance. We systematically discuss therapeutic strategies, including JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib, ruxolitinib), Src Homology 2 domain inhibitors (S3I-201, STATTIC), antisense oligonucleotides (AZD9150), and nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems, which enhance specificity and bioavailability while reducing toxicity. By integrating molecular mechanisms, disease pathology, and emerging therapeutic interventions, this review fills a critical knowledge gap in STAT3-targeted therapy. Our insights into STAT3 signaling crosstalk, epigenetic regulation, and resistance mechanisms offer a foundation for developing next-generation STAT3 inhibitors with greater clinical efficacy and translational potential.

An update on the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of miR-21 in oral cancer

Globally, oral cancer ranks among the top ten cancers, with a higher prevalence in lower-income countries, where risk factors such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor oral hygiene are widespread. Metastasis plays a critical role in cancer progression. miR-21 is a crucial regulator of cancer metastasis, profoundly influencing cellular and molecular pathways that contribute to tumour aggressiveness. As a microRNA, miR-21 downregulates tumour suppressor genes, promoting cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and migration. Its role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) further facilitates metastatic behaviour. miR-21 also modulates the tumour microenvironment by promoting angiogenesis and altering immune responses, thus enhancing cancer progression.Moreover, miRNA - 21 influences the various signalling pathways like PI3K/ AKT, TGF-β, NF-κB, and STAT3, as well as involved in the cell fate mechanisms known as Autophagy and apoptosis. Clinically, elevated miR-21 levels are associated with poor prognosis, advanced tumour stages, and decreased survival rates, making it a valuable prognostic marker. Additionally, miR-21 expression levels can predict resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies, aiding in personalized treatment planning. Therapeutically, targeting miR-21 through anti-miR-21 oligonucleotides, small molecule inhibitors, and miRNA sponges shows promise in pre-clinical studies, potentially inhibiting tumour growth and improving sensitivity to existing treatments. Overall, miR-21's multifaceted role in cancer biology, its prognostic and predictive value, and its potential as a therapeutic target highlight its significance in advancing cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. Further research and clinical trials are essential to exploit miR-21's capabilities in oncology fully.

Impact of miRNAs involved in the STAT3 signaling pathway on esophageal cancer (Review)

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a common tumor noted in the digestive tract, which is highly malignant due to unclear early symptoms and poor last‑stage treatment effects; its mortality rate is relatively high. MicroRNA (miR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are key components of cellular signaling pathways; their interaction forms a complex and intricate information network that controls several types of biological behaviors in the cells. In the tumor cell, these signal transduction pathways are abnormally active, indicating that the STAT3 signaling pathway mediated by miRs is involved in the progression of various cancer types. The present review introduces the biological characteristics of miR and STAT3 and their relationship with ESCA. It summarizes the regulation of ESCA by the miR and STAT3 signaling pathways and analyzes the effects of these pathways on proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis and immune escape of cancer cells, as well as the impact on patient survival and prognosis. The purpose of the present review is to assess the miR/STAT3 signaling pathway in ESCA, improve the understanding of the pathogenesis of ESCA and facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets for ESCA.

A Practical Guideline for MicroRNA Sequencing Data Analysis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. They have been associated with several diseases and cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is the most common form of adult leukemia, and its pathogenesis is driven by the deletion of miRNAs, such as the miR-15a/16-1 cluster. In addition to initiating the development of CLL, the function of miRNAs in regulating the progression of this tumor remains to be investigated. Here, we present a computational pipeline, from the processing of miRNA sequencing files to functional analysis, including differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analysis.We exemplified the utility of the pipeline by applying it to genome-wide small RNA sequencing data from a cohort of CLL patients. The analysis revealed dysregulated expression profiles of miRNAs in CLL. The target genes of these miRNAs are not only associated with the response of CLL patients to current therapies but also involved in several cancer hallmarks, including the avoidance of cell death, the deregulation of cellular energetics, the activation of invasion and metastasis, and genome instability. The identified miRNA-gene interactions offer valuable insights for developing targeted therapies for CLL. In addition, we underscored the importance of a practical and robust computational pipeline to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of miRNA sequencing data analysis.

Rlip76 in ageing and Alzheimer's disease: Focus on oxidative stress and mitochondrial mechanisms

RLIP76 (Rlip), a stress-responsive protein, plays a multifaceted role in cellular function. This protein acts primarily as a glutathione-electrophile conjugate (GS-E) transporter, crucial for detoxifying hazardous compounds and converting them into mercapturic acids. RLIP76 also modulates cytoskeletal motility and membrane plasticity through its role in the Ral-signaling pathway, interacting with RalA and RalB, key small GTPases involved in growth and metastasis. Beyond its ATP-dependent transport functions in various tissues, RLIP76 also demonstrates GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) activity towards Rac1 and Cdc42, with a preference for Ral-GTP over Ral-GDP. Its functions span critical physiological processes including membrane dynamics, oxidative stress response, and mitochondrial dynamics. The protein's widespread expression and evolutionary conservation underscore its significance. Our lab discovered that Rlip interacts with Alzheimer's disease (AD) proteins, amyloid beta and phosphorylated and induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfnction and synaptic damage in AD. Our in vitro studies revealed that overexpression of Rlip reduces mitochondrial abnormalities. Further, our in vivo studies (Rlip+/- mice) revealed that a partial reduction of Rlip in mice (Rlip+/-), leads to mitochondrial abnormalities, elevated oxidative stress, and cognitive deficits resembling late-onset AD, emphasizing the protein's crucial role in neuronal health and disease. Finally, we discuss the experimental cross-breedings of overexpression of mice Rlip TG/TG or Rlip + /- mice with Alzheimer's disease models - earlyonset 5XFAD, late-onset APPKI and Tau transgenic mice, providing new insights into RLIP76's role in AD progression and development. This review summarizes RLIP76's structure, function, and cellular pathways, highlighting its implications in AD and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Dual roles of extracellular vesicles in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: implications for disease progression and theranostic strategies

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous blood cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of immature lymphoid cells due to dysregulated signaling pathways. It is the most common pediatric cancer, with high cure rates in children, but significantly lower survival rates in adults. Current theranostic strategies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and nanomedicine, aim to improve detection and treatment precision but are limited by side effects, drug resistance, high costs, and stability issues. Notably, extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer a promising alternative, addressing these limitations through their natural biocompatibility and targeted delivery capabilities. EVs play a dual role in ALL: they contribute to leukemia progression by promoting tumor growth, immune suppression, and drug resistance via the transfer of oncogenic molecules, while also serving as valuable non-invasive biomarkers due to their specific miRNA and protein content. Their ability to deliver therapeutic agents directly to leukemic cells, combined with their stability and low immunogenicity, makes EVs a compelling tool for improving ALL treatments. Indeed, by targeting the molecular pathways influenced by EVs or leveraging them for drug delivery, innovative therapeutic strategies can be developed to enhance treatment outcomes and reduce side effects. Thus, EVs represent a promising frontier for advancing theranostic strategies in ALL, offering new opportunities to improve diagnosis and treatment while overcoming the limitations of traditional therapies. This review will explore the dual roles of EVs in ALL, addressing their contributions to disease progression and their potential as therapeutic agents and biomarkers for early diagnosis and targeted therapies.

Structure, function, signaling pathways and clinical therapeutics: The translational potential of STAT3 as a target for cancer therapy

Cancer remains one of the most difficult human diseases to overcome because of its complexity and diversity. Signal transducers and transcriptional activators 3 (STAT3) protein has been found to be overexpressed in a wide range of cancer types. Hyperactivation of STAT3 is particularly associated with low survival in cancer patients. This review summarizes the specific molecular mechanisms of STAT3 in cancer development. STAT3 is activated by extracellular signals in the cytoplasm, interacts with different enzymes in the nucleus, mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum, and subsequently participates in cancer development. The phosphorylated STAT3 at tyrosine 705 site (YP-STAT3) enters the nucleus and regulates a number of tumor-related biological processes such as angiogenesis, migration invasion, cell proliferation and cancer cell stemness. In contrast, the phosphorylated STAT3 at serine 727 site (SP-STAT3) is found on the mitochondria, affects electron respiration transport chain activity and thereby prevents tumor cell apoptosis. SP-STAT3 also appears on the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane, influences the flow of Ca2+, and affects tumor progression. In addition, we summarize the direct and indirect inhibitors of STAT3 which are currently undergoing clinical studies. Some of them such as TTI101 and BBI608 have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of certain cancers. All in all, STAT3 plays an important role in cancer progression and becomes a potential target for cancer treatment.

Ponatinib and STAT5 Inhibitor Pimozide Combined Synergistic Treatment Applications Potentially Overcome Drug Resistance via Regulating the Cytokine Expressional Network in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative hematological disease characterized by the chimeric breakpoint-cluster region/Abelson kinase1 (BCR::ABL1) oncoprotein; playing a pivotal role in CML molecular pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and possible resistance arising from the success and tolerance of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-based therapy. The transcription factor STAT5 constitutive signaling, which is influenced by the cytokine signaling network, triggers BCR::ABL1-based CML pathogenesis and is also relevant to acquired TKI resistance. The unsuccessful therapeutic approaches targeting BCR::ABL1, in particular third-line therapy with ponatinib, still need to be further developed with alternative combination strategies to overcome drug resistance. As treatment with the STAT5 inhibitor pimozide in combination with ponatinib resulted in an efficient and synergistic therapeutic approach in TKI-resistant CML cells, this study focused on identifying the underlying amplification of ponatinib response mechanisms by determining different cytokine expression profiles in parental and ponatinib-resistant CML cells, in vitro. The results showed that expression of interleukin (IL) 1B, IL9, and IL12A-B was increased by 2-fold, while IL18 was downregulated by 2-fold in the ponatinib-resistant cells compared to sensitive ones. Importantly, ponatinib treatment upregulated the expression of 21 of the 23 interferon and IL genes in the ponatinib-resistant cells, while treatment with pimozide or a combination dose resulted in a reduction in the expression of 19 different cytokine genes, such as for example, inflammatory cytokines, IL1A-B and IL6 or cytokine genes associated with supporting tumor progression, leukemia stem cell growth or poor survival, such as IL3, IL8, IL9, IL10, IL12, or IL15. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis results showed that the genes were mainly enriched in the regulation of receptor signaling through the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and hematopoietic cell lineage. Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that IL2, IL6, IL15, IFNG, and others appeared in the top lists of pathways, indicating their high centrality and importance in the network. Therefore, pimozide could be a promising agent to support TKI therapies in ponatinib resistance. This research would help to clarify the role of cytokines in ponatinib resistance and advance the development of new therapeutics to utilize the STAT5 inhibitor pimozide in combination with TKIs.

Targeting CDK9 in Cancer: An Integrated Approach of Combining In Silico Screening with Experimental Validation for Novel Degraders

The persistent threat of cancer remains a significant hurdle for global health, prompting the exploration of innovative approaches in the quest for successful therapeutic interventions. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a central player in transcription regulation and cell cycle progression, has emerged as a promising target to combat cancer. Its pivotal role in oncogenic pathways and the pressing need for novel cancer treatments has propelled CDK9 into the spotlight of drug discovery efforts. This article presents a comprehensive study that connects a multidisciplinary approach, combining computational methodologies, experimental validation, and the transformative Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) technology. By uniting these diverse techniques, we aim to identify, characterize, and optimize a new class of degraders targeting CDK9. We explore these compounds for targeted protein degradation, offering a novel and potentially effective approach to cancer therapy. This cohesive strategy utilizes the combination of computational predictions and experimental insights, with the goal of advancing the development of effective anticancer therapeutics, targeting CDK9.

MicroRNAs: Potential prognostic and theranostic biomarkers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Small noncoding ribonucleic acids called microRNAs coordinate numerous critical physiological and biological processes such as cell division, proliferation, and death. These regulatory molecules interfere with the function of many genes by binding the 3'-UTR region of target mRNAs to inhibit their translation or even degrade them. Given that a large proportion of miRNAs behave as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes, any genetic or epigenetic aberration changeing their structure and/or function could initiate tumor formation and development. An example of such cancers is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most prevalent adult leukemia in Western nations, which is caused by unregulated growth and buildup of defective cells in the peripheral blood and lymphoid organs. Genetic alterations at cellular and molecular levels play an important role in the occurrence and development of CLL. In this vein, it was noted that the development of this disease is noticeably affected by changes in the expression and function of miRNAs. Many studies on miRNAs have shown that these molecules are pivotal in the prognosis of different cancers, including CLL, and their epigenetic alterations (e.g., methylation) can predict disease progression and response to treatment. Furthermore, miRNAs are involved in the development of drug resistance in CLL, and targeting these molecules can be considered a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of this disease. MiRNA screening can offer important information on the etiology and development of CLL. Considering the importance of miRNAs in gene expression regulation, their application in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of CLL is reviewed in this paper.

Detailed role of microRNA-mediated regulation of PI3K/AKT axis in human tumors

The regulation of signal transmission and biological processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, migration, and angiogenesis are greatly influenced by the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Highly conserved endogenous non-protein-coding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) have the ability to regulate gene expression by inhibiting mRNA translation or mRNA degradation. MiRNAs serve key role in PI3K/AKT pathway as upstream or downstream target, and aberrant activation of this pathway contributes to the development of cancers. A growing body of research shows that miRNAs can control the PI3K/AKT pathway to control the biological processes within cells. The expression of genes linked to cancers can be controlled by the miRNA/PI3K/AKT axis, which in turn controls the development of cancer. There is also a strong correlation between the expression of miRNAs linked to the PI3K/AKT pathway and numerous clinical traits. Moreover, PI3K/AKT pathway-associated miRNAs are potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, therapy, and prognostic evaluation. The role and clinical applications of the PI3K/AKT pathway and miRNA/PI3K/AKT axis in the emergence of cancers are reviewed in this article.

The role of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in acquired corneal diseases

Acquired corneal diseases such as dry eye disease (DED), keratitis and corneal alkali burns are significant contributors to vision impairment worldwide, and more effective and innovative therapies are urgently needed. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling pathway plays an indispensable role in cell metabolism, inflammation and the immune response. Studies have shown that regulators of this pathway are extensively expressed in the cornea, inducing significant activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling in specific acquired corneal diseases. The activation of JAK/STAT3 signaling contributes to various pathophysiological processes in the cornea, including inflammation, neovascularization, fibrosis, and wound healing. In the context of DED, the hypertonic environment activates JAK/STAT3 signaling to stimulate corneal inflammation. Inflammation and injury progression in infectious keratitis can also be modulated by JAK/STAT3 signaling. Furthermore, JAK/STAT3 signaling is involved in every stage of corneal repair after alkali burns, including acute inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. Treatments modulating JAK/STAT3 signaling have shown promising results in attenuating corneal damage, indicating its potential as a novel therapeutic target. Thus, this review emphasizes the multiple roles of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in common acquired corneal disorders and summarizes the current achievements of JAK/STAT3-targeting therapy to provide new insights into future applications.

The Role of microRNAs in Gene Expression and Signaling Response of Tumor Cells to an Acidic Environment

Many tumors are characterized by marked extracellular acidosis due to increased glycolytic metabolism, which affects gene expression and thereby tumor biological behavior. At the same time, acidosis leads to altered expression of several microRNAs (Mir7, Mir183, Mir203, Mir215). The aim of this study was to analyze whether the acidosis-induced changes in cytokines and tumor-related genes are mediated via pH-sensitive microRNAs. Therefore, the expression of Il6, Nos2, Ccl2, Spp1, Tnf, Acat2, Aox1, Crem, Gls2, Per3, Pink1, Txnip, and Ypel3 was examined in acidosis upon simultaneous transfection with microRNA mimics or antagomirs in two tumor lines in vitro and in vivo. In addition, it was investigated whether microRNA expression in acidosis is affected via known pH-sensitive signaling pathways (MAPK, PKC, PI3K), via ROS, or via altered intracellular Ca2+ concentration. pH-dependent microRNAs were shown to play only a minor role in modulating gene expression. Individual genes (e.g., Ccl2, Txnip, Ypel3) appear to be affected by Mir183, Mir203, or Mir215 in acidosis, but these effects are cell line-specific. When examining whether acid-dependent signaling affects microRNA expression, it was found that Mir203 was modulated by MAPK and ROS, Mir7 was affected by PKC, and Mir215 was dependent on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Mir183 could be increased by ROS scavenging. These correlations could possibly result in new therapeutic approaches for acidotic tumors.

Possible Role of IL-6R/STAT3/MiRNA-34a Feedback Loop in Osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE

Osteosarcoma is considered the most common primary malignant tumor that develops from the primary osteoblasts. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that play a key role in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to detect the possible relationship between expression levels of miRNA-34a and levels of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) in osteosarcoma and the possible role of this relationship in development of metastases in these patients.

METHODS

A total of thirty-six (36) bone samples were included in the study. They were divided into 3 groups: Group (I): Twelve normal bone samples as control group. Group (II): Twelve patients with non-metastatic osteosarcoma. Group (III): Twelve patients with metastatic osteosarcoma. MiRNA-34a expression levels were estimated using qRT-PCR. STAT3 and IL-6R levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Expression level of miRNA-34a was downregulated in osteosarcoma groups compared to control group. STAT3 and IL-6R levels were upregulated in osteosarcoma groups compared to control group. This difference in expression levels was found to be more significant in the metastatic group than the non-metastatic one (P<0.001 each). There was a significant positive correlation between STAT3 and IL-6R (r=0.868, P<0.001), and a significant inverse correlation between IL6 and miRNA-34a (r=-0.993, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

miRNA-34a, STAT3 and IL-6R feedback loop could be a potential target for treatment of osteosarcoma and can be used as prognostic indicator for this disease.

Pathological role of inflammation in ocular disease progress and its targeting by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their exosome; current status and prospect

Because of their unique capacity for differentiation to a diversity of cell lineages and immunosuppressive properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are being looked at as a potential new treatment option in ophthalmology. The MSCs derived from all tissue sources possess immunomodulatory attributes through cell-to-cell contact and releasing a myriad of immunomodulatory factors (IL-10, TGF-β, growth-related oncogene (GRO), indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)). Such mediators, in turn, alter both the phenotype and action of all immune cells that serve a pathogenic role in the progression of inflammation in eye diseases. Exosomes from MSCs, as natural nano-particles, contain the majority of the bioactive components of parental MSCs and can easily by-pass all biological barriers to reach the target epithelial and immune cells in the eye without interfering with nearby parenchymal cells, thus having no serious side effects. We outlined the most recent research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic benefits of MSC and MSC-exosome in the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases in the current article.

The Role of miRNAs in the Development, Proliferation, and Progression of Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers in developing and developed countries. Although the detection of this cancer is high at the early stages, there is still a lack of markers to monitor the disease, its recurrence, and metastasis. MiRNAs are in charge of the post-transcriptional regulation of genes responsible for the most important biological processes, which is why they are increasingly used as biomarkers in many types of cancer. Many studies have demonstrated the influence of miRNAs on the processes related to carcinogenesis. The characteristics of miRNA expression profiles in endometrial cancer will allow their use as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This paper focuses on the discussion of selected miRNAs based on the literature and their role in the development of endometrial cancer.

The potential role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of salivary gland cancer - A Focus on signaling pathways interplay

Salivary gland cancer (SGC) is immensely heterogeneous, both in terms of its physical manifestation and its aggressiveness. Developing a novel diagnostic and prognostic detection method based on the noninvasive profiling of microribonucleic acids (miRs) could be a goal for the clinical management of these specific malignancies, sparing the patients' valuable time. miRs are promising candidates as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets or factors that can advance the therapy of SGC due to their ability to posttranscriptionally regulate the expression of various genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion, and angiogenesis. Depending on their biological function, many miRs may contribute to the development of SGC. Therefore, this article serves as an accelerated study guide for SGC and the biogenesis of miRs. Here, we shall list the miRs whose function in SGC pathogenesis has recently been determined with an emphasis on their potential applications as therapeutic targets. We will also offer a synopsis of the current state of knowledge about oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRs in relation to SGC.

miRNAs as cornerstones in chronic lymphocytic leukemia pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance- An emphasis on the interaction of signaling pathways

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) accounts for the vast majority of cases of leukemia. Patients of advanced age are more likely to develop the condition, which has a highly varied clinical course. Consideration of illness features and preceding treatment sequence, as well as patient preferences and comorbidities, is necessary for selecting the appropriate treatment for the appropriate patient. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity to detect CLL early, monitor CLL patients, select the treatment responders, and reduce ineffective treatment, unwanted side effects, and unnecessary expenses. In both homeostasis and illness, microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) play a vital role as master regulators of gene expression and, by extension, protein expression. MiRNAs typically reduce the stability of mRNAs, including those encoding genes involved in tumorigenesis processes as cell cycle regulation, inflammation, stress response, angiogenesis, differentiation, apoptosis, and invasion. Due to their unique properties, miRNAs are rapidly being exploited as accurate biomarkers for illness detection, and medicines based on miRNA targets are finding widespread application in clinical practice. Accordingly, the current review serves as a quick primer on CLL and the biogenesis of miRNAs. In addition to providing a brief overview of the miRNAs whose function in the progression of CLL has been established by recent in vitro or in vivo research through articulating the influence of these miRNAs on a wide variety of cellular functions, including increased proliferative potential; support for angiogenesis; cell cycle aberration; evasion of apoptosis; promotion of metastasis; and reduced sensitivity to specific treatments.

Significance of miRNAs on the thyroid cancer progression and resistance to treatment with special attention to the role of cross-talk between signaling pathways

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most prevalent endocrine malignant tumor. It has many types, the Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC)(most common and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). Several risk factors have been associated with TC radiation exposure, autoimmunity, and genetics. Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are the most important genetic determinants of TC. They are small chains of nucleic acids that are able to inhibit the expression of several target genes. They could target several genes involved in TC proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, development, and even resistance to therapy. Besides, they could influence the stemness of TC. Moreover, they could regulate several signaling pathways such as WNT/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, JAK/STAT, TGF- β, EGFR, and P53. Besides signaling pathways, miRNAs are also involved in the resistance of TC to major treatments such as surgery, thyroid hormone-inhibiting therapy, radioactive iodine, and adjuvant radiation. The stability and sensitivity of several miRNAs might be exploited as an approach for the usage of miRNAs as diagnostic and/or prognostic tools in TC.

Stem Cell-Associated Signatures Help to Predict Diagnosis and Prognosis in Ovarian Serous Cystadenocarcinoma

Ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV) is a fatal gynecologic cancer with a five-year survival rate of only 46%. Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy is a prevalent factor in OV patients, leading to increased mortality. The platinum resistance in OV is driven by transcriptome heterogeneity and tumor heterogeneity. Studies have indicated that ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs), which are chemoresistant and help in disease recurrence, are enriched by platinum-based chemotherapy. Stem cells have a significant influence on the OV progression and prognosis of OV patients and are key pathology mediators of OV. However, the molecular mechanisms and targets of OV have not yet been fully understood. In this study, systematic research based on the TCGA-OV dataset was conducted for the identification and construction of key stem cell-related diagnostic and prognostic models for the development of multigene markers of OV. A six-gene diagnostic and prognostic model (C19orf33, CBX2, CSMD1, INSRR, PRLR, and SLC38A4) was developed based on the differentially expressed stem cell-related gene model, which can act as a potent diagnostic biomarker and can characterize the clinicopathological properties of OV. The key genes related to stem cells were identified by screening the genes differentially expressed in OV and control samples. The mRNA-miRNA-TF molecular network for the six-gene model was constructed, and the potential biological significance of this molecular model and its impact on the infiltration of immune cells in the OV tumor microenvironment were elucidated. The differences in immune infiltration and stem cell-related biological processes were determined using gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) for the selection of molecular treatment options and providing a reference for elucidating the posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms in OV.

STAT3 Inhibitors: A Novel Insight for Anticancer Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) is a family of intracellular cytoplasmic transcription factors involved in many biological functions in mammalian signal transduction. Among them, STAT3 is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Despite the advances in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in the past decade, the prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer remains poor. STAT3 has been shown to play a pro-cancer role in a variety of cancers, and inhibitors of STAT3 are used in pre-clinical and clinical studies. We reviewed the relationship between STAT3 and pancreatic cancer and the latest results on the use of STAT3 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer, with the aim of providing insights and ideas around STAT3 inhibitors for a new generation of chemotherapeutic modalities for pancreatic cancer.