Targeting cell cycle regulation in cancer therapy

Different lactate metabolism subtypes reveal heterogeneity in clinical outcomes and immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma patients

Background

The excessive accumulation of lactate within the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been demonstrated to facilitate tumor advancement and evade the immune system. Nonetheless, the metabolic status of lactate in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains uncertain.

Method

By analyzing the transcriptome profile of patients with LUAD, we created a lactate metabolism score (LMS) to predict survival. We then conducted a comprehensive examination of the biological functions and immune infiltration among different LMS patient groups. Moreover, we assessed the LMS predictive efficacy in chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Finally, we validated the detrimental phenotypic effects of SLC16A3 on LUAD cell lines (PC9 and A549) through in vitro experiments. We collected clinical samples to assess the prognostic impact of SLC16A3.

Results

We constructed an LMS model with 6 lactate metabolism regulatory factors using LASSO regression. The high LMS model indicates worse clinical outcomes for LUAD patients. High LMS patients are associated with metabolic dysregulation and increased infiltration of M0 and M1 macrophages. Low LMS patients are related to upregulated citric acid metabolism pathways and memory immune cells. High LMS patients are suitable for traditional chemotherapy, while patients with low LMS are more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. Lastly, downregulating SLC16A3 significantly reduces the proliferative and invasive capabilities of LUAD cell lines. Clinical cohort shows that patients with high expression of SLC16A3 have a worse prognosis.

Conclusions

The LMS model constructed based on the lactate metabolism pathway displays high effectiveness in predicting the outcome of patients with LUAD. LMS can offer direction regarding chemotherapy as well as immunotherapy in LUAD.

Integrated aerobic exercise with LDE-docetaxel treatment: a novel approach to combat prostate cancer progression

The variability in response to conventional prostate cancer (PC) therapies, coupled with the emergent issue of drug resistance, underscores the critical need for innovative treatment strategies. Aerobic physical exercise reduced incidence of several cancers, but the mechanism underlying these effects associated the nanoemulsion not fully understood. The application of a lipid nanoemulsion (LDE) delivery system for docetaxel (DTX), showing marked enhancement in therapeutic efficacy when combined with aerobic physical exercise. This novel intervention potentiates the antitumor activity of LDE-delivered DTX by augmenting nanoparticle internalization and inducing cell cycle arrest. Our findings reveal that this synergistic treatment not only significantly reduces prostate weight and mitigates adenocarcinoma proliferation but also attenuates anti-apoptotic BCL-2 protein expression. Concurrently, it elevates pro-apoptotic proteins and diminishes inflammatory markers. Metabolic profiling of the combined therapy group disclosed additional benefits, such as reduced lipid and plasma glucose levels. Collectively, our data illuminate the profound impact of integrating LDE-mediated DTX delivery with structured physical exercise, which together spearhead a dual-front assault on PC. This multimodal approach heralds a new paradigm in PC management, accentuating the promise of combined pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to elevate tumor suppressor protein activity and refine patient outcomes.

Exploring contemporary breakthroughs in utilizing vesicular nanocarriers for breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease with various morphological features, clinicopathological conditions and responses to different therapeutic options, which is responsible for high mortality and morbidity in women. The heterogeneity of BC necessitates new strategies for diagnosis and treatment, which is possible only by cautious harmonization of the advanced nanomaterials. Recent developments in vesicular nanocarrier therapy indicate a paradigm shift in breast cancer treatment by providing an integrated approach to address current issues. This review provides a detailed classification of various nanovesicles in the treatment of BC with a special emphasis on recent advances, challenges in translating nanomaterials and future potentials.

Induction of apoptosis and autophagy by dichloromethane extract from Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch on acute myeloid leukemia cells

Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch (PS), a perennial herb belonging to the genus Pinus in the family Pinnacle Sauce, has been previously known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor properties. However, the specific mechanism behind its antileukemic effect remains unknown. This study focused on the cytotoxicity and potential modes of action of the dichloromethane extract from PS (DEPS) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Our results demonstrated that DEPS reduced cell viability, arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and upregulated the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and Cleaved caspase-3. However, the impact of DEPS on cell viability and the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins was reversed upon pretreatment with the caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) in HL-60 cells, which demonstrated that DEPS could induce apoptosis through the mitochondria-associated apoptotic pathway. Interestingly, DEPS also influenced autophagy by upregulating the expression of LC3II/I, P62, and Beclin-1 proteins, and the autophagy inhibition chloroquine(CQ) could attenuate the apoptotic effects of DEPS in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, SMART 2.0 analysis predicted that the main components present in DEPS were likely terpenoids. In conclusion, DEPS possibly exerts antileukemic effects by downregulating the PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways, thereby promoting intracellular ROS production, activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and affecting autophagy, providing valuable insights for the potential future application of PS in the treatment of AML.

Phytochemical analysis and anticancer effect of Camellia oleifera bud ethanol extract in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells

Camellia oleifera is a medicine food homology plant widely cultivated in the Yangtze River Basin and southern China due to its camellia oil. Camellia oleifera bud and fruit exist simultaneously, and its bud is largely discarded as waste. However, C. oleifera bud has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the chemical components of C. oleifera bud ethanol extract (EE) and first evaluate its anticancer effects in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. Based on UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS analysis, seventy components were identified. For anticancer activity, C. oleifera bud EE had remarkable cytotoxic effect on non-small cell lung cancer A549 (IC50: 57.53 ± 1.54 μg/mL) and NCI-H1299 (IC50: 131.67 ± 4.32 μg/mL) cells, while showed lower cytotoxicity on non-cancerous MRC-5 (IC50 > 320 μg/mL) and L929 (IC50: 179.84 ± 1.08 μg/mL) cells. It dramatically inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells by inducing cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. Additionally, it induced apoptosis in A549 cells through a mitochondria-mediated pathway, which decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated Bax, activated caspase 9 and caspase 3, and resulted in PARP cleavage. Wound healing and transwell invasion assays demonstrated that C. oleifera bud EE inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The above findings indicated that C. oleifera bud EE revealed notable anticancer effects by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and suppressing migration and invasion of A549 cells. Hence, C. oleifera bud ethanol extract could serve as a new source of natural anticancer drugs.

Multi-omics pan-cancer analyses identify MCM4 as a promising prognostic and diagnostic biomarker

Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 4 (MCM4) is a vital component of the mini-chromosome maintenance complex family, crucial for initiating the replication of eukaryotic genomes. Recently, there has been a growing interest in investigating the significance of MCM4 in different types of cancer. Despite the existing research on this topic, a comprehensive analysis of MCM4 across various cancer types has been lacking. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by presenting a thorough pan-cancer analysis of MCM4, shedding light on its functional implications and potential clinical applications. The study utilized multi-omics samples from various databases. Bioinformatic tools were employed to explore the expression profiles, genetic alterations, phosphorylation states, immune cell infiltration patterns, immune subtypes, functional enrichment, disease prognosis, as well as the diagnostic potential of MCM4 and its responsiveness to drugs in a range of cancers. Our research demonstrates that MCM4 is closely associated with the oncogenesis, prognosis and diagnosis of various tumors and proposes that MCM4 may function as a potential biomarker in pan-cancer, providing a deeper understanding of its potential role in cancer development and treatment.

Mitochondria-targeted iridium(III) complexes encapsulated in liposome induce cell death through ferroptosis and gasdermin-mediated pyroptosis

This paper unveils a novel perspective on synthesis and characterization of the ligand 5-bromo-2-amino-2'-(phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) (BAPIP), and its iridium(III) complexes [Ir(PPY-)2(BAPIP)](PF6) (1a, with PPY- as deprotonated 2-phenylpyridine), [Ir(PIQ-)2(BAPIP)](PF6) (1b, piq- denoting deprotonated 1-phenylisoquinoline), and [Ir(BZQ-)2(BAPIP)](PF6) (1c, bzq- signifying deprotonated benzo[h]quinoline). Systematic evaluation of the cytotoxicity of 1a, 1b, and 1c across diverse cell lines encompassing B16, HCT116, HepG2, A549, HeLa, and LO2 using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Unexpectedly, compounds 1b and 1c demonstrated no cytotoxicity against the above cell lines. Motivated by the pursuit of heightened anti-proliferative potential, a strategic encapsulation approach yielded liposomes 1alip, 1blip, and 1clip. As expectation, 1alip, 1blip, and 1clip displayed remarkable anti-proliferative efficacy, particularly noteworthy in A549 cells, exhibiting IC50 values of 4.9 ± 1.0, 5.9 ± 0.1, and 7.6 ± 0.2 μM, respectively. Moreover, our investigation illuminated the mitochondrial accumulation of these liposomal entities, 1alip, 1blip, and 1clip, evoking apoptosis through the mitochondrial dysfunction mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ferroptosis was confirmed by decrease in glutathione (GSH) concentrations, the downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), increase of high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1), and lipid peroxidation. Simultaneously, pyroptosis as another mode of cell death was undertaken. RNA-sequencing was employed to investigate intricate signalling pathways. In vivo examination provided tangible evidence of 1alip in effectively curbing tumor growth. Collectively, this study provides a multifaceted mode of cellular demise orchestrated by 1a, 1alip, 1blip, and 1clip, involving pathways encompassing apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis.

Aridanin and oleanane-3- O-β-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide obtained from Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach. & Thonn) Taub. (Fabaceae) induces potent apoptotic activity in human prostate cancer cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumach. and Thonn.) Taub. (Fabaceae) is a tropical plant that is used in Cameroon pharmacopeia for the treatment of many cancers including prostate cancer (PCa), which is a major cause of men's death worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticancer properties as well as underlying mechanisms of isolates from T. tetraptera on DU145, PC3 and LNCaP cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight (8) compounds were purified from T. tetraptera stem bark extract through silica gel column chromatography (CC) and characterized using spectroscopic techniques (1D and 2D NMR), HRESIMS. Cell growth was assessed by a well-characterized MTT assay, while BrdU and clonogenicity assays provided information on the cell proliferation index. Further, the impact of the compounds on cell cycle progression and cell death were performed through Flow cytometry. Cell adhesion, cell migration and chemotaxis along with some proteins of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assayed.

RESULTS

Out of the eight (1-8) isolates from T. tetraptera only oleanane-3-O-β-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide and aridanin showed potent cell growth arrest with an estimated CC50 of 15, 23, 16 and 17, 26, 16 μg/mL on DU145, PC3 and LNCaP cells, respectively. A 15% (DU145) and 25% (LNCaP) increase in apoptotic cells induced by oleanane-3-O-β-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide and aridanin at 10 μg/mL were noticed. Oleanane-3-O-β-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide and aridanin at 2.5 and 10 μg/mL reduced the number of cells in S-phase and raised cells in G2/M phase. At the same concentrations, they decreased the number of invading DU145 cells and increased the adherence of DU145 cells to fibronectin and collagen matrix at tested concentrations, accompanied by an increase in integrin β-1 (10 μg/mL) and integrin β-4 (2.5 μg/mL) expression. Furthermore, a down-regulation of pcdk1, cdk2, Bcl-2, N-Cad, vimentin and cytokeratine 8-18 was noticed while, p19, p27, p53 pAKT, Bax, caspase-3 and E-Cad were up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

This study outlines for the first time, the anticancer ability of compounds oleanane-3-O-β-D-glucoside-2'-acetamide (4) and aridanin (6) from Tetrapleura tetraptera and proposes their putative mechanisms of action.

Systems Pharmacodynamic Model of Combined Gemcitabine and Trabectedin in Pancreatic Cancer Cells. Part II: Cell Cycle, DNA Damage Response, and Apoptosis Pathways

Despite decades of research efforts, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) continues to present a formidable clinical challenge, demanding innovative therapeutic approaches. In a prior study, we reported the synergistic cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine and trabectedin on pancreatic cancer cells. To investigate potential mechanisms underlying this synergistic pharmacodynamic interaction, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was performed, and a systems pharmacodynamics model (SPD) was developed to capture pancreatic cancer cell responses to gemcitabine and trabectedin, alone and combined, at the proteome level. Companion report Part I describes the proteomic workflow and drug effects on the upstream portion of the SPD model related to cell growth and migration, specifically the RTK-, integrin-, GPCR-, and calcium-signaling pathways. This report presents Part II of the SPD model. Here we describe drug effects on pathways associated with cell cycle, DNA damage response (DDR), and apoptosis, and provide insights into underlying mechanisms. Drug combination effects on protein changes in the cell cycle- and apoptosis pathways contribute to the synergistic effects observed between gemcitabine and trabectedin. The SPD model was subsequently incorporated into our previously-established cell cycle model, forming a comprehensive, multi-scale quantification platform for evaluating drug effects across multiple scales, spanning the proteomic-, cellular-, and subcellular levels. This approach provides a quantitative mechanistic framework for evaluating drug-drug interactions in combination chemotherapy, and could potentially serve as a tool to predict combinatorial efficacy and assist in target selection.

N-acylhydrazone derivative modulates cell cycle regulators promoting mitosis arrest and apoptosis in estrogen positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. About 75% of all diagnosed cases are hormone-positive, which are treated with hormone therapy. However, many patients are refractory or become resistant to the drugs used in therapeutic protocols. In this scenario, it is essential to identify new substances with pharmacological potential against breast cancer. VEGFR2 inhibitors are considered promising antitumor agents not only due to their antiangiogenic activity but also by inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of N-acylhydrazone derivative LASSBio-2029 on the proliferative behavior of MCF-7 cells. We observed a promising antitumor potential of this substance due to its ability to modulate critical cell cycle regulators including mitotic kinases (CDK1, AURKA, AURKB, and PLK1) and CDK inhibitor (CDKN1A). Increased frequencies of abnormal mitosis and apoptotic cells were observed in response to treatment. A molecular docking analysis predicts that LASSBio-2029 could bind to the proto-oncoprotein ABL1, which participates in cell cycle control, interacting with other controller proteins and regulating centrosome-associated tubulins. Finally, we created a gene signature with the downregulated genes, whose reduced expression is associated with a higher relapse-free survival probability in breast cancer patients.

2-Amino Thiazole Derivatives as Prospective Aurora Kinase Inhibitors against Breast Cancer: QSAR, ADMET Prediction, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamic Simulation Studies

The aurora kinase is a key enzyme that is implicated in tumor growth. Research revealed that small molecules that target aurora kinase have beneficial effects as anticancer agents. In the present study, in order to identify potential antibreast cancer agents with aurora kinase inhibitory activity, we employed QSARINS software to perform the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). The statistical values resulted from the study include R2 = 0.8902, CCCtr = 0.7580, Q2 LOO = 0.7875, Q2LMO = 0.7624, CCCcv = 0.7535, R2ext = 0.8735, and CCCext = 0.8783. Among the four generated models, the two best models encompass five important variables, including PSA, EstateVSA5, MoRSEP3, MATSp5, and RDFC24. The parameters including the atomic volume, atomic charges, and Sanderson's electronegativity played an important role in designing newer lead compounds. Based on the above data, we have designed six series of compounds including 1a-e, 2a-e, 3a-e, 4a-e, 5a-e, and 6a-e. All these compounds were subjected to molecular docking studies by using AutoDock v4.2.6 against the aurora kinase protein (1MQ4). Among the above 30 compounds, the 2-amino thiazole derivatives 1a, 2a, 3e, 4d, 5d, and 6d have excellent binding interactions with the active site of 1MQ4. Compound 1a had the highest docking score (-9.67) and hence was additionally subjected to molecular dynamic simulation investigations for 100 ns. The stable binding of compound 1a with 1MQ4 was verified by RMSD, RMSF, RoG, H-bond, molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA), free binding energy calculations, and solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) analyses. Furthermore, newly designed compound 1a exhibited excellent ADMET properties. Based on the above findings, we propose that the designed compound 1a may be utilized as the best theoretical lead for future experimental research of selective inhibition of aurora kinase, therefore assisting in the creation of new antibreast cancer drugs.

Influence of Fatty Acid Modification on the Anticancer Activity of the Antimicrobial Peptide Figainin 1

Antimicrobial peptides derived from the skin secretions of amphibians have made important progress in tumor therapy due to their unique mechanism of destroying cell membranes. Figainin 1 (F1) is an 18-amino acid antimicrobial peptide from the skin secretions of Boana raniceps frogs. In a previous study, F1 was shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. F1 is composed entirely of natural amino acids; therefore, it is easily degraded by a variety of proteases, resulting in poor stability and a short half-life. In the present study, we used a fatty acid modification strategy to improve the stability of Figainin 1. Among the 8 peptides synthesized, A-10 showed the strongest antiproliferative activity against K562 cells and the other four tumor cell lines, and its stability against serum and proteinase K was improved compared with F1. We found that A-10 works through two mechanisms, cell membrane destruction and apoptosis, and can arrest the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, A-10 exhibited self-assembly behavior. Overall, it is necessary to select a fatty acid with a suitable length for modification to improve the stability and antiproliferative activity of antimicrobial peptides. This study provides a good reference for the development of antimicrobial peptides as effective anticancer compounds.

Intrinsic Resistance to Osimertinib in EGFR Mutated NSCLC Cell Lines Induced by Alteration in Cell-Cycle Regulators

BACKGROUND

Cell-cycle regulators are mutated in approximately 40% of all cancer types and have already been linked to worse outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer adenocarcinomas treated with osimertinib. However, their exact role in osimertinib resistance has not been elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to evaluate how the CDK4/6-Rb axis may affect the sensitivity to osimertinib.

METHODS

We genetically increased the level of CCND1 (Cyclin D1) and reduced the levels of CDKN2A (p16) in two different adenocarcinoma cell lines, PC9 and HCC827. We also retrospectively evaluated the outcome of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer depending on their level of Cyclin D1 and p16.

RESULTS

The modified clones showed higher proliferative capacity, modifications in cell-cycle phases, and higher migratory capacity than the parental cells. Cyclin D1-overexpressing clones were highly resistant to acute osimertinib treatment. CDKN2A knockdown conferred intrinsic resistance as well, although a longer time was required for adaption to the drug. In both cases, the resistant phenotype was epidermal growth factor receptor independent and associated with a higher level of Rb phosphorylation, which was unaffected by osimertinib treatment. Blocking the phosphorylation of Rb using abemaciclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, exerted an additive effect with osimertinib, increasing sensitivity to this drug and reverting the intrinsic resistant phenotype. In a group of 32 patients with epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated advanced non-small cell lung cancer, assessed for Cyclin D1 and p16 expression, we found that the p16-deleted group presented a lower overall response rate compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that perturbation in cell-cycle regulators leads to intrinsic osimertinib resistance and worse patient outcomes.

Hint from an Enzymatic Reaction: Superoxide Dismutase Models Efficiently Suppress Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are essential antioxidant enzymes that prevent massive superoxide radical production and thus protect cells from damage induced by free radicals. However, this concept has rarely been applied to directly impede the function of driver oncogenes, thus far. Here, leveraging efforts from SOD model complexes, we report the novel finding of biomimetic copper complexes that efficiently scavenge intracellularly generated free radicals and, thereby, directly access the core consequence of colorectal cancer suppression. We conceived four structurally different SOD-mimicking copper complexes that showed distinct disproportionation reaction rates of intracellular superoxide radical anions. By replenishing SOD models, we observed a dramatic reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) concentrations that led to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M stage and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Our results showcase how nature-mimicking models can be designed and fine-tuned to serve as a viable chemotherapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Moringa oleifera Lam. Isothiocyanate Quinazolinone Derivatives Inhibit U251 Glioma Cell Proliferation through Cell Cycle Regulation and Apoptosis Induction

A major active constituent of Moringa oleifera Lam. is 4-[(α-L-rhamnose oxy) benzyl] isothiocyanate (MITC). To broaden MITC's application and improve its biological activity, we synthesized a series of MITC quinazolinone derivatives and evaluated their anticancer activity. The anticancer effects and mechanisms of the compound with the most potent anticancer activity were investigated further. Among 16 MITC quinazolinone derivatives which were analyzed, MITC-12 significantly inhibited the growth of U251, A375, A431, HCT-116, HeLa, and MDA-MB-231 cells. MITC-12 significantly inhibited U251 cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner and decreased the number of EdU-positive cells, but was not toxic to normal human gastric mucosal cells (GES-1). Further, MITC-12 induced apoptosis of U251 cells, and increased caspase-3 expression levels and the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio. In addition, MITC-12 significantly decreased the proportion of U251 cells in the G1 phase and increased it in S and G2 phases. Transcriptome sequencing showed that MITC-12 had a significant regulatory effect on pathways regulating the cell cycle. Further, MITC-12 significantly decreased the expression levels of the cell cycle-related proteins CDK2, cyclinD1, and cyclinE, and increased those of cyclinA2, as well as the p-JNK:JNK ratio. These results indicate that MITC-12 inhibits U251 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, activating JNK, and regulating cell cycle-associated proteins. MITC-12 has potential for use in the prevention and treatment of glioma.

A Selective Nano Cell Cycle Checkpoint Inhibitor Overcomes Leukemia Chemoresistance

Cell cycle checkpoint activation promotes DNA damage repair, which is highly associated with the chemoresistance of various cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Selective cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors are strongly demanded to overcome chemoresistance, but remain unexplored. A selective nano cell cycle checkpoint inhibitor (NCCI: citric acid capped ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles) that can catalytically inhibit the cell cycle checkpoint of AML to boost the chemotherapeutic efficacy of genotoxic agents is now reported. NCCI can selectively accumulate in AML cells and convert H2 O2 to • OH to cleave heat shock protein 90, leading to the degradation of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related proteinand checkpoint kinase 1, and the subsequent dysfunction of the G2/M checkpoint. Consequently, NCCI revitalizes the anti-AML efficacy of cytarabine that is previously ineffective both in vitro and in vivo. This study offers new insights into designing selective cell cycle checkpoint inhibitors for biomedical applications.

Simultaneous suppression of PKM2 and PHGDH elicits synergistic anti-cancer effect in NSCLC

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of human cancer. Cancer cells exhibit enhanced glycolysis, which allows glycolytic intermediates to be diverted into several other biosynthetic pathways, such as serine synthesis. Here, we explored the anti-cancer effects of the pyruvate kinase (PK) M2 inhibitor PKM2-IN-1 alone or in combination with the phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) inhibitor NCT-503 in human NSCLC A549 cells in vitro and in vivo. PKM2-IN-1 inhibited proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, with increased glycolytic intermediate 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PG) level and PHGDH expression. The combination of PKM2-IN-1 and NCT-503 further suppressed cancer cell proliferation and induced G2/M phase arrest, accompanied by the reduction of ATP, activation of AMPK and inhibition of its downstream mTOR and p70S6K, upregulation of p53 and p21, as well as downregulation of cyclin B1 and cdc2. In addition, combined treatment triggered ROS-dependent apoptosis by affecting the intrinsic Bcl-2/caspase-3/PARP pathway. Moreover, the combination suppressed glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) expression. In vivo, co-administration of PKM2-IN-1 and NCT-503 significantly inhibited A549 tumor growth. Taken together, PKM2-IN-1 in combination with NCT-503 exhibited remarkable anti-cancer effects through induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, in which the metabolic stress induced ATP reduction and ROS augmented DNA damage might be involved. These results suggest that the combination of PKM2-IN-1 and NCT-503 might be a potential strategy for the therapy of lung cancer.

Regulation of the Cell Cycle by ncRNAs Affects the Efficiency of CDK4/6 Inhibition

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate cell division at multiple levels. Aberrant proliferation induced by abnormal cell cycle is a hallmark of cancer. Over the past few decades, several drugs that inhibit CDK activity have been created to stop the development of cancer cells. The third generation of selective CDK4/6 inhibition has proceeded into clinical trials for a range of cancers and is quickly becoming the backbone of contemporary cancer therapy. Non-coding RNAs, or ncRNAs, do not encode proteins. Many studies have demonstrated the involvement of ncRNAs in the regulation of the cell cycle and their abnormal expression in cancer. By interacting with important cell cycle regulators, preclinical studies have demonstrated that ncRNAs may decrease or increase the treatment outcome of CDK4/6 inhibition. As a result, cell cycle-associated ncRNAs may act as predictors of CDK4/6 inhibition efficacy and perhaps present novel candidates for tumor therapy and diagnosis.

Exploration of Phaeanthine: A Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloid Induces Anticancer Effect in Cervical Cancer Cells Involving Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis

Natural-product-based pharmacophores possess considerably more structural diversity, attractive physicochemical features, and relatively less toxicity than synthesized drug entities. In this context, our studies on phaeanthine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the rhizomes of Cyclea peltata (Lam) Hook.f & Thoms., showed selective cytotoxicity toward cervical cancer cells (HeLa) with an IC₅₀ of 8.11 ± 0.04 μM. Subsequent investigation with in silico molecular docking of phaeanthine displayed preferential binding to the antiapoptotic protein Akt as reflected by a docking score of -5.023. Interestingly, the follow-up in vitro assessment of the compound correlated with mitochondria-mediated apoptosis specifically by downregulating the expression of Akt and p-Akt, including other antiapoptotic proteins MCl-1, IGF-2, and XIAP. In the complementary in vitro assessment, mitochondrial membrane polarization and dynamics of intercellular cytochrome c validated the intrinsic mechanism of the apoptotic phenomenon. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive anticancer profiling study of phaeanthine against HeLa cells.

Diverse Functions of MiR-425 in Human Cancer

miRNAs are a type of small endogenous noncoding RNA composed of 20-22 nucleotides that can regulate gene expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region of mRNA. Many investigations have discovered that miRNAs have a role in the development and progression of human cancer. Several aspects of tumor development are affected by miR-425, including growth, apoptosis, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. In this article, we discuss the properties and research development of miR-425, focusing on the regulation and function of miR-425 in various cancers. Furthermore, we discuss the clinical implications of miR-425. This review may broaden our horizon for better understanding the role of miR-425 as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human cancer.

A novel RHH family transcription factor aCcr1 and its viral homologs dictate cell cycle progression in archaea

Cell cycle regulation is of paramount importance for all forms of life. Here, we report that a conserved and essential cell cycle-specific transcription factor (designated as aCcr1) and its viral homologs control cell division in Sulfolobales. We show that the transcription level of accr1 reaches peak during active cell division (D-phase) subsequent to the expression of CdvA, an archaea-specific cell division protein. Cells over-expressing the 58-aa-long RHH (ribbon-helix-helix) family cellular transcription factor as well as the homologs encoded by large spindle-shaped viruses Acidianus two-tailed virus (ATV) and Sulfolobus monocaudavirus 3 (SMV3) display significant growth retardation and cell division failure, manifesting as enlarged cells with multiple chromosomes. aCcr1 over-expression results in downregulation of 17 genes (>4-fold), including cdvA. A conserved motif, aCcr1-box, located between the TATA-binding box and the translation initiation site of 13 out of the 17 highly repressed genes, is critical for aCcr1 binding. The aCcr1-box is present in the promoters and 5' UTRs of cdvA genes across Sulfolobales, suggesting that aCcr1-mediated cdvA repression is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism by which archaeal cells dictate cytokinesis progression, whereas their viruses take advantage of this mechanism to manipulate the host cell cycle.

Butein suppresses PD-L1 expression via downregulating STAT1 in non-small cell lung cancer

PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) is frequently up-regulated in tumors and is critical in tumor immune escape. In addition to antibodies that block the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), small-molecule compounds that suppress PD-L1 expression also exhibit significant anti-tumor effects, emerging as a new strategy targeting PD-L1. By using a cell-based screening model, we found that butein, a natural chalcone compound, significantly reduced the cytoplasm and cell surface expression of PD-L1. This effect was further validated in various non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and primary cells derived from clinical NSCLC tissues. Butein inhibited PD-L1 transcription, but not the half-life of PD-L1 protein. Butein reduced STAT1 level and butein-induced PD-L1 suppression was eliminated by the absence of STAT1. By co-culture system, butein improved tumor elimination by increasing the killing ability of CD8⁺ T cells. By in vivo study, we further confirmed that butein downregulated PD-L1 expression and improved infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells in tumor tissues. Taken together, our study suggested that butein could suppress the transcription of PD-L1 via downregulating STAT1, providing a theoretical basis for the application of butein in anti-tumor therapy.

Molecular Target Interactions of Quinoline Derivatives as Anticancer Agents: A Review

One of the leading causes of death worldwide is cancer, which poses substantial risks to both society and an individual's life. Cancer therapy is still challenging, despite developments in the field and continued research into cancer prevention. The search for novel anticancer active agents with a broader cytotoxicity range is therefore continuously ongoing. The benzene ring gets fused to a pyridine ring at two carbon atoms close to one another to form the double ring structure of the heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen molecule known as quinoline (1-azanaphthalene). Quinoline derivatives contain a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antitubercular, antifungal, antibacterial, and antimalarial properties. Quinoline derivatives have also been shown to have anticancer properties. There are many quinoline derivatives widely available as anticancer drugs that act via a variety of mechanisms on various molecular targets, such as inhibition of topoisomerase, inhibition of tyrosine kinases, inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs), inhibition of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and inhibition of tubulin polymerization.

Novel 3-Methyleneisoindolinones Diversified via Intramolecular Heck Cyclization Induce Oxidative Stress, Decrease Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, Disrupt Cell Cycle, and Induce Apoptosis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer in the world and the most prevalent cancer of developing countries. Increased disease burden and a smaller number of approved targeted therapies are a growing concern worldwide. Isoindolinone motifs have been a central part of many pharmacological compounds, and their derivatives possess substantial anticancer potential. However, their anticancer potential against HNSCC has not been well investigated. In the current study, a series of 3-methyleneisoindolinones have been designed and synthesized and their late-stage intramolecular Heck cyclization was achieved to evaluate their anticancer potential against HNSCC cells. Additionally, in silico ADME profiling of synthesized compounds revealed their drug-likeness properties as potential drug candidates. Among the synthesized compounds, 3-bromo-5-methylpyridin-2-yl-3-methyleneisoindolin-1-one, i.e., 3n, with a pyridyl unit exhibited the most significant cytotoxicity against HNSCC cells. The cytotoxic potential of synthesized compounds varied depending on the nature of substituents present and has been well established with structure-activity relationship studies. Further, flow cytometric analysis showed that 3f, 3h, and 3n triggered intracellular oxidative stress, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and interrupted the cell cycle of HNSCC cells in the S-phase and sub-G1 phase. Further, 3f, 3h, and 3n also exhibited pro-apoptotic potential and induced cellular apoptosis in the HNSCC cells. Overall, the findings of this study attributed 3-methyleneisoindolinone chemistry and efficacy evaluation and corroborated their anticancer potential against HNSCC. It will pave the way to further design and optimize novel 3-methyleneisoindolinone as effective antitumor agents, which may provide effective treatment modalities against HNSCC.

Evaluating the Accuracy of FUCCI Cell Cycle In Vivo Fluorescent Imaging to Assess Tumor Proliferation in Preclinical Oncology Models

PURPOSE

The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the fluorescence ubiquitination cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) system with fluorescence in vivo imaging compared to 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]-FLT) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and biological validation through histology. Imaging with [18F]-FLT PET/CT can be used to noninvasively assess cancer cell proliferation and has been utilized in both preclinical and clinical studies. However, a cost-effective and straightforward method for in vivo, cell cycle targeted cancer drug screening is needed prior to moving towards translational imaging methods such as PET/CT.

PROCEDURES

In this study, fluorescent MDA-MB-231-FUCCI tumor growth was monitored weekly with caliper measurements and fluorescent imaging. Seven weeks post-injection, [18F]-FLT PET/CT was performed with a preclinical PET/CT, and tumors samples were harvested for histological analysis.

RESULTS

RFP fluorescent signal significantly correlated with tumor volume (r = 0.8153, p < 0.0001). Cell proliferation measured by GFP fluorescent imaging was correlated with tumor growth rate (r = 0.6497, p < 0.001). Also, GFP+ cells and [18F]-FLT regions of high uptake were both spatially located in the tumor borders, indicating that the FUCCI-IVIS method may provide an accurate assessment of tumor heterogeneity of cell proliferation. The quantification of total GFP signal was correlated with the sum of tumor [18F]-FLT standard uptake value (SUV) (r = 0.5361, p = 0.0724). Finally, histological analysis confirmed viable cells in the tumor and the correlation of GFP + and Ki67 + cells (r = 0.6368, p = 0.0477).

CONCLUSION

Fluorescent imaging of the cell cycle provides a noninvasive accurate depiction of tumor progression and response to therapy, which may benefit in vivo testing of novel cancer therapeutics that target the cell cycle.

Targeting CDK7 in oncology: The avenue forward

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 7 is best characterized for the ability to regulate biological processes, including the cell cycle and gene transcription. Abnormal CDK7 activity is observed in various tumours and represents a driving force for tumourigenesis. Therefore, CDK7 may be an appealing target for cancer treatment. Whereas, the enthusiasm for CDK7-targeted therapeutic strategy is mitigated due to the widely possessed belief that this protein is essential for normal cells. Indeed, the fact confronts the consensus. This is the first review to introduce the role of CDK7 in pan-cancers via a combined analysis of comprehensive gene information and (pre)clinical research results. We also discuss the recent advances in protein structure and summarize the understanding of mechanisms underlying CDK7 function. These endeavours highlight the pivotal roles of CDK7 in tumours and may contribute to the development of effective CDK7 inhibitors within the strategy of structure-based drug discovery for cancer therapy.

DJ-1 promotes osteosarcoma progression through activating CDK4/RB/E2F1 signaling pathway

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant tumor of the bone characterized by poor prognosis due to chemotherapy resistance and high recurrence rates. DJ-1 (PARK7) is known as an oncogene and its abnormal expression is related to the poor prognosis of various types of malignant tumors. It was found in this study that upregulated expression of DJ-1 was closely correlated with the prognosis of OS patients by promoting the proliferation, migration and chemotherapy resistance of OS cells in vitro through regulating the activity of CDK4 but not through the oxidation mechanism or AKT pathway. The combination of DJ-1 and CDK4 promoted RB phosphorylation, leading to the dissociation of E2F1 into the nucleus to regulate the expression of cell cycle-related genes. The tumor xenograft mouse model demonstrated that DJ-1 knockout suppressed tumor growth in vivo. All these findings indicate that DJ-1 can affect the occurrence and progression of OS by regulating the CDK/RB/E2F1axis, suggesting a novel therapeutic opportunity for OS patients.

Scoping review of the medicinal effects of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker and the underlying mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker (ES) is an insect widely used in traditional East Asian medicine known to exhibit clinical effects on various pathological conditions. Overall, ES is a useful medicinal insect that can treat various diseases, including cancer and immune diseases. However, further mechanistic studies based on its therapeutic effects in clinical settings are required.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to evaluate the current research landscape and diseases associated with ES to synthesize the clinical value of ES based on the associated diseases and underlying therapeutic mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Embase and PubMed databases were searched for experimental studies that evaluated the therapeutic efficacy or underlying mechanisms of ES until May 2021. The evidence for each study was summarized using a narrative synthesis approach. Studies on extracted or dried whole ES and ES-derived compounds were quantitatively analyzed by year and disease type. Meanwhile, the overall research trend was confirmed for studies on ES-containing prescriptions by visualizing the disease type analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 151 studies were identified, of which 51 were included in our review. There were 14 studies on extracted or dried whole ES, 15 on ES-derived compounds, and 22 on ES-containing prescriptions. ES was most commonly used for cancer-related diseases, followed by those related to endocrine function and immunity. ES regulates the cell cycle, tumor suppressor genes and proteins, immune-related biomarkers, and antioxidant molecules.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, ES is a beneficial medicinal insect that can treat various diseases, including cancer and immune diseases. However, further mechanistic studies based on its therapeutic effects in clinical settings are required.

Anticancer Activity, Mechanism, and Delivery of Allyl Isothiocyanate

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a phytochemical that is abundantly present in cruciferous vegetables of the Brassicaceae family, such as cabbage, broccoli, mustard, wasabi, and cauliflower. The pungent taste of these vegetables is mainly due to the content of AITC present in these vegetables. AITC is stored stably in the plant as its precursor sinigrin (a type of glucosinolate), which is physically separated from myrosin cells containing myrosinase. Upon tissue disruption, myrosinase gets released and hydrolyzes the sinigrin to produce AITC and by-products. AITC is an organosulfur compound, both an irritant and toxic, but it carries pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. Despite the promising anticancer effectiveness of AITC, its clinical application still possesses challenges due to several factors, i.e., low aqueous solubility, instability, and low bioavailability. In this review, the anticancer activity of AITC against several cancer models is summarized from the literature. Although the mechanism of action is still not fully understood, several pathways have been identified; these are discussed in this review. Not much attention has been given to the delivery of AITC, which hinders its clinical application. However, the few studies that have demonstrated the use of nanotechnology to facilitate the delivery of AITC are addressed.

d-Borneol enhances cisplatin sensitivity via p21/p27-mediated S-phase arrest and cell apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells and a murine xenograft model

Background

Cisplatin (CDDP) is commonly used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the appearance of drug resistance greatly hinders its efficacy. Borneol may promote drug absorption; however, synergism between borneol and CDDP in suppressing NSCLC is not clearly understood. Hence, we investigated borneol as a novel chemosensitizer to support chemotherapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects.

Methods

We compared viability after exposure to d-borneol, l-borneol, and synthetic borneol in two NSCLC cell lines, A549 and H460, and selected the most sensitive cells. We then assessed synergy between borneol forms and CDDP in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells, H460/CDDP. Next, we identified effective concentrations and exposure times. Subsequently, we evaluated cell migration via wound healing and cell proliferation via clone formation assay. Then, we focused on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function, cell cycle, apoptosis, and RNA sequencing to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms for synergy. Finally, we used an H460/CDDP xenograft tumor model to verify antitumor activity and safety in vivo. Data were examined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multiple datasets or t-test for comparisons between two variables.

Results

d-Borneol was more effective in H460 than A549 cells. d-Borneol combined with CDDP showed greater inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and clone formation in H460/CDDP cells than CDDP alone. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis identified differentially expressed genes enriched in cell cycle pathways. The impact of d-borneol on CDDP chemosensitivity involved arrest of the cell cycle at S phase via p27/p21-mediated cyclinA2/D3-CDK2/6 signaling and activation of intrinsic apoptosis via p21-mediated Bax/Bcl-2/caspase3 signaling. Further, d-borneol ameliorated drug resistance by suppressing levels and activity of P-gp. Cotreatment with d-borneol and CDDP inhibited tumor growth in vivo and reduced CDDP-caused liver and kidney toxicity.

Conclusions

d-Borneol increased the efficacy of cisplatin and reduced its toxicity. This compound has the potential to become a useful chemosensitizer for drug-resistance NSCLC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11658-022-00362-4.

Digitoxin Affects Metabolism, ROS Production and Proliferation in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Differently Depending on the Cell Phenotype

Digitoxin has repeatedly shown to have negative effects on cancer cell viability; however, the actual mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of digitoxin (1–100 nM) in four pancreatic cancer cell lines, BxPC-3, CFPAC-1, Panc-1, and AsPC-1. The cell lines differ in their KRAS/BRAF mutational status and primary tumor or metastasis origin. We could detect differences in the basal rates of cell proliferation, glycolysis, and ROS production, giving the cell lines different phenotypes. Digitoxin treatment induced apoptosis in all four cell lines, but to different degrees. Cells derived from primary tumors (Panc-1 and BxPC-3) were highly proliferating with a high proportion of cells in the S/G2 phase, and were more sensitive to digitoxin treatment than the cell lines derived from metastases (CFPAC-1 and AsPC-1), with a high proportion of cells in G0/G1. In addition, the effects of digitoxin on the rate of glycolysis, ROS production, and proliferation were dependent on the basal metabolism and origin of the cells. The KRAS downstream signaling pathways were not altered by digitoxin treatment, thus the effects exerted by digitoxin were probably disconnected from these signaling pathways. We conclude that digitoxin is a promising treatment in highly proliferating pancreatic tumors.

Extraction, characterization, and in vivo antitumor activity of a novel polysaccharide from Coriandrum sativum L

A novel polysaccharide was extracted from Coriandrum sativum L. at a yield of 4.56 ± 0.17% (n = 3). The extraction was optimized using response surface methodology: powder-to-liquid ratio 1:21 g/ml, extraction time 188 min, temperature 81°C, and three replicate extractions. The purified polysaccharide had an average molecular weight of 1.30 × 10⁶  Da and was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, and galacturonic acid in molar ratios of 1.52: 8.14: 20.85: 1: 2.42 with α-L-Araf-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →4)-α-GalpA-(1→ and →2, 4)-α-Rhap-(1→). In vivo tests demonstrated that the polysaccharide suppressed H22 tumor growth in mice and protected the immune organs. Annexin V-FITC/PI, PI, and JC-1 staining showed that the primary mechanism of tumor inhibition was the induction of apoptosis and S-phase arrest with apoptosis achieved via a mitochondrial pathway. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Coriandrum sativum L. is used as a culinary spice but its medicinal value has also been widely recognized. A novel polysaccharide was extracted from this herbaceous plant and its structure and bioactivity were investigated. This high-molecular-weight polysaccharide exhibited antitumor effects against H22 cells in mice and had potential to be developed as an anti-liver cancer medicine and functional food supplement.

Influence of chain length on the anticancer activity of the antimicrobial peptide CAMEL with fatty acid modification

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) display promising potential in cancer therapy. Modification with fatty acids is a simple and effective approach to improve the activity of AMPs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of fatty acid chain lengths on the anticancer activity, self-assembly and mechanism of action of CAMEL (CM15, KWKLFKKIGAVLKVL-NH₂), an amphipathic AMP with 15 amino acids. Conjugation of fatty acids could obviously improve the in vitro anticancer activity of CAMEL. Among the tested peptides, C12-CAMEL showed the highest anticancer activity, while C16-CAMEL killed cancer cells with the slowest kinetics. This may be related to the self-assembly of C12-CAMEL and C16-CAMEL, which could form spherical nanoparticles and tightened nanofibers, respectively. In addition, necrosis and necroptosis rather than apoptosis were the major mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of CAMEL, C12-CAMEL and C16-CAMEL, implying that modification with fatty acids did not obviously alter the mechanism of action of CAMEL. Notably, C12-CAMEL, with high and rapid cell-killing activity, exhibited significantly stronger in vivo anticancer activity than CAMEL and C16-CAMEL. Overall, the present work suggests that the choice of a suitable fatty acid for structural modification is necessary for improving the anticancer activity of AMPs.

Bioinformatics and System Biology Approach to Reveal the Interaction Network and the Therapeutic Implications for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients With COVID-19

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the leading cause of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), is an emerging global health crisis. Lung cancer patients are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection. With the increasing number of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with COVID-19, there is an urgent need of efficacious drugs for the treatment of COVID-19/NSCLC.

Methods: Based on a comprehensive bioinformatic and systemic biological analysis, this study investigated COVID-19/NSCLC interactional hub genes, detected common pathways and molecular biomarkers, and predicted potential agents for COVID-19 and NSCLC.

Results: A total of 122 COVID-19/NSCLC interactional genes and 21 interactional hub genes were identified. The enrichment analysis indicated that COVID-19 and NSCLC shared common signaling pathways, including cell cycle, viral carcinogenesis, and p53 signaling pathway. In total, 10 important transcription factors (TFs) and 44 microRNAs (miRNAs) participated in regulations of 21 interactional hub genes. In addition, 23 potential candidates were predicted for the treatment of COVID-19 and NSCLC.

Conclusion: This study increased our understanding of pathophysiology and screened potential drugs for COVID-19 and NSCLC.

Emerging roles of mitotic autophagy

Lysosomes exert pleiotropic functions to maintain cellular homeostasis and degrade autophagy cargo. Despite the great advances that have boosted our understanding of autophagy and lysosomes in both physiology and pathology, their function in mitosis is still controversial. During mitosis, most organelles are reshaped or repurposed to allow the correct distribution of chromosomes. Mitotic entry is accompanied by a reduction in sites of autophagy initiation, supporting the idea of an inhibition of autophagy to protect the genetic material against harmful degradation. However, there is accumulating evidence revealing the requirement of selective autophagy and functional lysosomes for a faithful chromosome segregation. Degradation is the most-studied lysosomal activity, but recently described alternative functions that operate in mitosis highlight the lysosomes as guardians of mitotic progression. Because the involvement of autophagy in mitosis remains controversial, it is important to consider the specific contribution of signalling cascades, the functions of autophagic proteins and the multiple roles of lysosomes, as three entangled, but independent, factors controlling genomic stability. In this Review, we discuss the latest advances in this area and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting autophagy for drug development.

MiR-103a-3p Contributes to the Progression of Colorectal Cancer by Regulating GREM2 Expression

PURPOSE

Our research aimed to investigate the influence of miR-103a-3p on the growth and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bioinformatics was employed to analyze differentially expressed microRNAs and predict target genes. qRT-PCR was applied to detect the expression of miR-103a-3p in CRC and normal cells. HCT116 and Caco-2 were chosen, and miR-103a-3p mimics, miR-103a-3p inhibitor, as well as specific siRNAs targeting GREM2, were constructed. We subsequently evaluated alternations in cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell cycle regulators, apoptosis, and related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) by CCK-8 testing, Western blotting, luciferase reporter, colony formation, and Annexin V-FITC/PI. Possible binding sites for miR-103a-3p on the 3'UTR of GREM2 were checked with luciferase assay, and the impact of GREM2 on miR-103a-3p activity was also validated with above biological function testing. Additionally, the effect of miR-103a-3p knockdown in CRC cells and the molecular mechanism of miR-103a-3p targeting GREM2 were also studied.

RESULTS

Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-103a-3p expression increased remarkably in CRC, and targeted regulatory correlation existed between miR-103a-3p and GREM2. MiR-103a-3p inhibitor significantly impeded proliferative capacity and caused cell cycle arrest, as well as apoptosis, in HCT116 and Caco-2 cells. Consistent with this finding, overexpression of GREM2 showed similar effects to miR-103a-3p inhibition. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-103a-3p connected target GREM2 and GREM2 knockdown reversed the effects of miR-103a-3p inhibitor on HCT116 and Caco-2 cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Further study showed that miR-103a-3p targeting GREM2 appeared to affect CRC progression via the transforming growth factor-β pathway.

CONCLUSION

MiR-103a-3p could augment CRC progression by targeting GREM2 and that miR-103a-3p/GREM2 could be potential novel targets for CRC therapy.

Combined Therapy with Dacarbazine and Hyperthermia Induces Cytotoxicity in A375 and MNT-1 Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is a drug-resistant cancer, representing a serious challenge in cancer treatment. Dacarbazine (DTIC) is the standard drug in metastatic melanoma treatment, despite the poor results. Hyperthermia has been proven to potentiate chemotherapy. Hence, this work analyzed the combined action of hyperthermia and DTIC on A375 and MNT-1 cell lines. First, temperatures between 40 °C and 45 °C were tested. The effect of DTIC on cell viability was also investigated after exposures of 24, 48, and 72 h. Then, cells were exposed to 43 °C and to the respective DTIC IC10 or IC20 of each time exposure. Overall, hyperthermia reduced cell viability, however, 45 °C caused an excessive cell death (>90%). Combinational treatment revealed that hyperthermia potentiates DTIC’s effect, but it is dependent on the concentration and temperature used. Also, it has different mechanisms from the treatments alone, delaying A375 cells at the G2/M phase and MNT-1 cells at the S and G2/M phases. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels increased after treatment with hyperthermia, but the combined treatment showed no additional differences. Also, hyperthermia highly increased the number of A375 early apoptotic cells. These results suggest that combining hyperthermia and DTIC should be more explored to improve melanoma treatment.

Control of topoisomerase II activity and chemotherapeutic inhibition by TCA cycle metabolites

Topoisomerase II (topo II) is essential for disentangling newly replicated chromosomes. DNA unlinking involves the physical passage of one duplex through another and depends on the transient formation of double-stranded DNA breaks, a step exploited by frontline chemotherapeutics to kill cancer cells. Although anti-topo II drugs are efficacious, they also elicit cytotoxic side effects in normal cells; insights into how topo II is regulated in different cellular contexts is essential to improve their targeted use. Using chemical fractionation and mass spectrometry, we have discovered that topo II is subject to metabolic control through the TCA cycle. We show that TCA metabolites stimulate topo II activity in vitro and that levels of TCA flux modulate cellular sensitivity to anti-topo II drugs in vivo. Our work reveals an unanticipated connection between the control of DNA topology and cellular metabolism, a finding with ramifications for the clinical use of anti-topo II therapies.

Anticancer mechanisms of Berberine: a good choice for glioblastoma multiforme therapy

The most typical malignant brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), seems to have a grim outcome, despite the intensive multi-modality interventions. Literature suggests that biologically active phytomolecules may exert anticancer properties by regulating several signaling pathways. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has various pharmacological applications to combat severe diseases like cancer. Mechanistically, Berberine inhibits cell proliferation and invasion, suppresses tumor angiogenesis, and induces cell apoptosis. The effect of the antitumoral effect of Berberine in GBM is increasingly recognized. This review sheds new light on the regulatory signaling mechanisms of Berberine in various cancer, proposing its potential role as a therapeutic agent for GBM. ‎.

Therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in lung cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer associated mortalities. The current conventional chemotherapy remains the preferred treatment option for lung cancer, as surgical resection plays little role in the treatment of over 75% of lung cancer patients. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel potential therapeutic drugs or adjuvants with a high efficiency and safety against lung cancer. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a common Chinese medicinal herb that has been in use for more than 2000 years, has recently been shown to possess significant activities against lung cancer. However, current research progress on pharmacological effects and relevant molecular mechanisms of S. baicalensis in lung cancer therapy have not been systematically summarized.

PURPOSE

This review aimed at elucidating on the anti-lung cancer mechanisms and antitumor efficacies of S. baicalensis as well as its active ingredients, and providing a valuable reference for further investigation in this field.

METHODS

We used "Scutellaria baicalensis" or the name of the compound in S. baicalensis, in combination with "lung cancer" as key words to systematically search for relevant literature from the Web of Science and PubMed databases. Publications that investigated molecular mechanisms were the only ones selected for analysis. The PRISMA guidelines were followed.

RESULTS

Fifty-four publications met the inclusion criteria for this study. Five anti-lung cancer mechanisms of S. baicalensis and its constituent components are discussed. These mechanisms include apoptosis induction, cell-cycle arrest, suppression of proliferation, blockade of invasion and metastasis, and overcoming drug-resistance. These compounds exhibited high antitumor efficacies and safety against lung cancer xenografts.

CONCLUSION

Studies should aim at elucidating on the anti-cancer mechanisms of S. baicalensis to achieve the ultimate goal of lung cancer therapy.

Hyperthermia Enhances Doxorubicin Therapeutic Efficacy against A375 and MNT-1 Melanoma Cells

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and its incidence has alarmingly increased in the last few decades, creating a need for novel treatment approaches. Thus, we evaluated the combinatorial effect of doxorubicin (DOX) and hyperthermia on A375 and MNT-1 human melanoma cell lines. Cells were treated with DOX for 24, 48, and 72 h and their viabilities were assessed. The effect of DOX IC10 and IC20 (combined at 43 °C for 30, 60, and 120 min) on cell viability was further analyzed. Interference on cell cycle dynamics, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis upon treatment (with 30 min at 43 °C and DOX at the IC20 for 48 h) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Combined treatment significantly decreased cell viability, but not in all tested conditions, suggesting that the effect depends on the drug concentration and heat treatment duration. Combined treatment also mediated a G2/M phase arrest in both cell lines, as well as increasing ROS levels. Additionally, it induced early apoptosis in MNT-1 cells, while in A375 cells this effect was similar to the one caused by hyperthermia alone. These findings demonstrate that hyperthermia enhances DOX effect through cell cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and apoptotic cell death.

The role of dietary polyphenols in osteosarcoma: A possible clue about the molecular mechanisms involved in a process that is just in its infancy

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor mainly affecting children, teenagers and young adults, being associated with early metastasis and poor prognosis. The beneficial effects of polyphenols have been investigated in different areas, including their potential to fight OS. Polyphenols are believed to reduce morbidity and/or slow down the development of cancer. This review aimed to assess the effect of polyphenols in OS and investigate their molecular mechanisms. It was observed that the broad spectrum of health-promoting properties of plant polyphenols in OS occurs mainly due to modulation of reactive oxygen species, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-angiogenesis, apoptosis inducer, inhibition of invasion and metastasis. However, it is worth mentioning that although the promising effects of polyphenols in the fight against OS, most of the studies have been performed using in vitro and in vivo animal models. Therefore, studies in humans are needed to validate the effectiveness of polyphenols in OS treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Polyphenols are widely used for various diseases, however, until now, their real role in the treatment of osteosarcoma remains unknown. This review provides a broad spectrum of research conducted with polyphenols and their potential as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of osteosarcoma. However, prior to their clinical application for osteosarcoma treatment, there is a need to isolate and identify specific polyphenolic compounds with high antitumor activity, increase their oral bioavailability, and to investigate their interactions with chemotherapeutic drugs being used in clinical practice.

Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive potential of butein: Current trends and future perspectives

Despite extensive efforts, cancer is still often considered as an incurable disease and initiation of novel drug development programs is crucial to improve the prognosis and clinical outcome of patients. One of the major approaches in designing the novel cancer drugs has historically comprised studies of natural agents with diverse anticancer properties. As only a marginal part of natural compounds has been investigated, this approach still represents an attractive source of new potential antitumor molecules. In this review article, different anticancer effects of plant-derived chalcone, butein, are discussed, including its growth inhibitory action, proapoptotic, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic activities in a variety of cancer cells. The molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are presented in detail, revealing interactions of butein with multiple cellular targets (Bcl-2/Bax, caspases, STAT3, cyclins, NF-κB, COX-2, MMP-9, VEGF/R etc.) and regulation of a wide range of intracellular signal transduction pathways. These data altogether allow a good basis for initiating further in vivo studies as well as clinical trials. Along with the efforts to overcome low bioavailability issues generally characteristic to plant metabolites, butein can be considered as a potential lead compound for safe and more efficient cancer drugs in the future.

A Metabolomic Investigation of Eugenol on Colorectal Cancer Cell Line HT-29 by Modifying the Expression of APC, p53, and KRAS Genes

Colorectal cancer is one of the most lethal cancers with a high mortality rate. Chemotherapy results in drug resistance in some cases; hence, herbal medicines are sometimes used in adjunct with it. Eugenol has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Metabolomics is a study of metabolic changes within an organism using high-throughput technology. The purpose of this research was to investigate the anticancer effects of eugenol and variations in p53, KRAS, and APC gene expression and metabolic changes associated with the abovementioned gene expressions using ¹HNMR spectroscopy. The MTT method was used to determine cell viability and its IC50 detected. After treating HT-29 cells with IC50 concentration of eugenol, RNA was extracted and cDNA was obtained from them and the expression of p53, KRAS, and APC genes was measured using the qRT-PCR technique. Metabolites were extracted using the chloroform-ethanol method, lyophilized, and sent for ¹HNMR spectroscopy using the 1D-NOESY protocol. Chemometrics analysis such as PLS-DA was performed, and differentiated metabolites were identified using the Human Metabolome Database. Integrated metabolic analysis using the metabolites and gene expression was performed by the MetaboAnalyst website. The observed IC50 for eugenol was 500 μM, and the relative expression of APC and p53 genes in the treated cells increased compared to the control group, and the expression of KRAS oncogene gene decreased significantly. The crucial changes in convergent metabolic phenotype with genes were identified. The results indicate that eugenol exhibits its antitumor properties by targeting a specific biochemical pathway in the cell's metabolome profile due to changes in genes involved in colon cancer.

Synthesis of New 1-Aryl-2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethanone Oxime Ether Derivatives and Investigation of Their Cytotoxic Effects

In this study, 12 new 1-aryl-2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethanone oxime ether derivatives were designed and synthesized to investigate their cytotoxic effects. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the compounds were evaluated against cervix, colon, breast, glioma, neuroblastoma, and lung cancer cell lines, as well as a healthy cell line using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazo-lium bromide (MTT) assays with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as the reference compound. Compound 5f (IC50 = 5.13 µM) was found to be more effective than 5-FU (IC50 = 8.34 µM) in the C6 cancer cell line, and it had no cytotoxic effect on the L929 healthy cell line. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the mechanism of action of compound 5f on the cell cycle of the C6 cell line. The analysis showed that cell death was significantly due to apoptosis. These results indicate that compound 5f induces cell cycle arrest, and may be effective in treating glioma.

Molecular alterations that precede the establishment of the hallmarks of cancer: An approach on the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis

Chronic liver injury promotes the molecular alterations that precede the establishment of cancer. Usually, several decades of chronic insults are needed to develop the most common primary liver tumor known as hepatocellular carcinoma. As other cancer types, liver cancer cells are governed by a common set of rules collectively called the hallmarks of cancer. Although those rules have provided a conceptual framework for understanding the complex pathophysiology of established tumors, therapeutic options are still ineffective in advanced stages. Thus, the molecular alterations that precede the establishment of cancer remain an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. Here, we first summarize the chemopreventive interventions targeting the early liver carcinogenesis stages. After an integrative analysis on the plethora of molecular alterations regulated by anticancer agents, we then underline and discuss that two critical processes namely oxidative stress and genetic alterations, play the role of 'dirty work laborer' in the initial cell damage and drive the transformation of preneoplastic into neoplastic cells, respectively; besides, the activation of cellular senescence works as a key mechanism in attempting to prevent the onset and establishment of liver cancer. Whereas the detrimental effects of the binomial made up of oxidative stress and genetic alterations are either eliminated or reduced, senescence activation is promoted by anticancer agents. We argue that collectively, oxidative stress, genetic alterations, and senescence are key events that influence the fate of initiated cells and the establishment of the hallmarks of cancer.

Ketoprofen Combined with UVA Irradiation Exerts Higher Selectivity in the Mode of Action against Melanotic Melanoma Cells than against Normal Human Melanocytes

Malignant melanoma is responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related deaths. The methods of cancer treatment include surgical removal, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. However, neither of these methods gives satisfactory results. Therefore, the development of new anticancer therapeutic strategies is very important and may extend the life span of people suffering from melanoma. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ketoprofen (KTP) and UVA radiation (UVAR) therapy on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution in both melanotic melanoma cells (COLO829) and human melanocytes (HEMn-DP) in relation to its supportive effect in the treatment of melanoma. The therapy combining the use of pre-incubation with KTP and UVAR causes a significant increase in the anti-proliferative properties of ketoprofen towards melanoma cells and the co-exposure of melanotic melanoma cells induced apoptosis shown as the mitochondrial membrane breakdown, cell-cycle deregulation, and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, co-treatment led to GSH depletion showing its pro-apoptotic effect dependent on ROS overproduction. The treatment did not show a significant effect on normal cells—melanocytes—which indicates its high selectivity. The results suggest a possible benefit from the use of the ketoprofen and ultraviolet A irradiation as a new concept of melanotic melanoma therapy.