Cancer cell heterogeneity and plasticity: From molecular understanding to therapeutic targeting

Lipid Nanoparticles for Brain Tumor Theranostics: Challenges and Status

Lipid nanoparticles have been recognized as a powerful weapon for delivering various imaging and therapeutic agents to the localized solid tumors, especially brain tumors individually or in combination. Promisingly, lipid-based nanosystems have been considered as safe delivery systems which are even approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). One recent spotlight of lipid nanoparticles as COVID-19 mRNA vaccines where lipid nanoparticles play an important role in effectively protecting and delivering mRNA to the desired cells. As of now, successive progress in lipid-based nanocarriers, viz., nanoliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, ionizable lipid nanostructures, etc., with better biochemical and biophysical stabilities, has been noticed and reported. Moreover, lipid nanostructures have been considered as versatile therapeutics platforms for a variety of diseases due to their biocompatibility, ability to protect and deliver therapeutics to the localized site, and better reproducibility and reliability. However, lipid nanoparticles still face morphological and biochemical changes upon their in vivo administration. These changes alter the specific biological and pathological response of lipid nanoparticles during their personalized brain tumor theranostics. Second, lipid nanomedicine still faces major challenges of zero premature leakage of loaded cargo, long-term colloidal stability, and off targeting. Herein, various lipid-based nanomedicines for brain tumor imaging and therapeutics "theranostics" have been reviewed and summarized considering major aspects of preclinical and clinical studies. On the other hand, engineering and biological challenges of lipid theranostics systems with relevant advantages and guidelines for clinical practice for different brain tumors have also been discussed. This review provides in-depth knowledge of lipid nanoparticle-based theranostics agents for brain tumor imaging and therapeutics.

From microscopes to molecules: The evolution of prostate cancer diagnostics

In the ever-evolving landscape of oncology, the battle against prostate cancer (PCa) stands at a transformative juncture, propelled by the integration of molecular diagnostics into traditional cytopathological frameworks. This synthesis not only heralds a new epoch of precision medicine but also significantly enhances our understanding of the disease's genetic intricacies. Our comprehensive review navigates through the latest advancements in molecular biomarkers and their detection technologies, illuminating the potential these innovations hold for the clinical realm. With PCa persisting as one of the most common malignancies among men globally, the quest for early and precise diagnostic methods has never been more critical. The spotlight in this endeavor shines on the molecular diagnostics that reveal the genetic underpinnings of PCa, offering insights into its onset, progression, and resistance to conventional therapies. Among the genetic aberrations, the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and mutations in genes such as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC) are identified as significant players in the disease's pathology, providing not only diagnostic markers but also potential therapeutic targets. This review underscores a multimodal diagnostic approach, merging molecular diagnostics with cytopathology, as a cornerstone in managing PCa effectively. This strategy promises a future where treatment is not only tailored to the individual's genetic makeup but also anticipates the disease's trajectory, offering hope for improved prognosis and quality of life for patients.

Advances in Single-Cell Techniques for Linking Phenotypes to Genotypes

Single-cell analysis has become an essential tool in modern biological research, providing unprecedented insights into cellular behavior and heterogeneity. By examining individual cells, this approach surpasses conventional population-based methods, revealing critical variations in cellular states, responses to environmental cues, and molecular signatures. In the context of cancer, with its diverse cell populations, single-cell analysis is critical for investigating tumor evolution, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Understanding the phenotype-genotype relationship at the single-cell level is crucial for deciphering the molecular mechanisms driving tumor development and progression. This review highlights innovative strategies for selective cell isolation based on desired phenotypes, including robotic aspiration, laser detachment, microraft arrays, optical traps, and droplet-based microfluidic systems. These advanced tools facilitate high-throughput single-cell phenotypic analysis and sorting, enabling the identification and characterization of specific cell subsets, thereby advancing therapeutic innovations in cancer and other diseases.

Identification and classification of glioma subtypes based on RNA-binding proteins

BACKGROUND

Glioma is a common and aggressive primary malignant cancer known for its high morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates. Despite this, treatment options for glioma are currently restricted. The dysregulation of RBPs has been linked to the advancement of several types of cancer, but their precise role in glioma evolution is still not fully understood. This study sought to investigate how RBPs may impact the development and prognosis of glioma, with potential implications for prognosis and therapy.

METHODS

RNA-seq profiles of glioma and corresponding clinical data from the CGGA database were initially collected for analysis. Unsupervised clustering was utilized to identify crucial tumor subtypes in glioma development. Subsequent time-series analysis and MS model were employed to track the progression of these identified subtypes. RBPs playing a significant role in glioma progression were then pinpointed using WGCNA and Lasso Cox regression models. Functional analysis of these key RBP-related genes was conducted through GSEA. Additionally, the CIBERSORT algorithm was utilized to estimate immune infiltrating cells, while the STRING database was consulted to uncover potential mechanisms of the identified biomarkers.

RESULTS

Six tumor subgroups were identified and found to be highly homogeneous within each subgroup. The progression stages of these tumor subgroups were determined using time-series analysis and a MS model. Through WGCNA, Lasso Cox, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, it was confirmed that BCLAF1 is correlated with survival in glioma patients and is closely linked to glioma progression. Functional annotation suggests that BCLAF1 may impact glioma progression by influencing RNA splicing, which in turn affects the cell cycle, Wnt signaling pathway, and other cancer development pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The study initially identified six subtypes of glioma progression and assessed their malignancy ranking. Furthermore, it was determined that BCLAF1 could serve as an RBP-related prognostic marker, offering significant implications for the clinical diagnosis and personalized treatment of glioma.

HSP90a promotes the resistance to oxaliplatin in HCC through regulating IDH1-induced cell competition

Though burgeoning research manifests that cell competition, an essential selection and quality control mechanism for maintaining tissue or organ growth and homeostasis in multicellular organisms, is closely related to tumorigenesis and development, the mechanism of cell competition associated with tumor drug resistance remains elusive. In the study, we uncovered that oxaliplatin-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells exhibit a pronounced competitive advantage against their sensitive counterparts, which is related to lipid takeover of resistant cells from sensitive cells. Of note, such lipid takeover is dependent on the existence of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in resistant HCC cells. Mechanistically, IDH1 activity is regulated by heat shock protein 90 alpha (HSP90α) through binding with each other, which orchestrates the expressions of lipid metabolic enzymes and lipid accumulation in resistant HCC cells. Our results suggest that HCC cell competition-driven chemoresistance can be regulated by HSP90α/IDH1-mediated lipid metabolism, which may serve as a promising target for overcoming drug resistance in HCC.

Lipid-based nanoparticles to address the limitations of GBM therapy by overcoming the blood-brain barrier, targeting glioblastoma stem cells, and counteracting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor, characterized by high heterogeneity, strong invasiveness, poor prognosis, and a low survival rate. A broad range of nanoparticles have been recently developed as drug delivery systems for GBM therapy owing to their inherent size effect and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs), such as liposomes, solid lipid NPs (SLNs), and nano-structured lipid carriers (NLCs), have emerged as the most promising drug delivery system for the treatment of GBM because of their unique size, surface modification possibilities, and proven bio-safety. In this review, the main challenges of the current clinical treatment of GBM and the strategies on how novel LBNPs overcome them were explored. The application and progress of LBNP-based drug delivery systems in GBM chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy in recent years were systematically reviewed, and the prospect of LBNPs for GBM treatment was discussed.

Differences and Similarities between Colorectal Cancer Cells and Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells: Molecular Insights and Implications

Malignant tumors are formed by diverse groups of cancer cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of heterogeneous cells identified in tumors that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate. Colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most frequent malignant tumor, is progressively being supported by evidence suggesting that CSCs are crucial in cancer development. We aim to identify molecular differences between CRC cells and CRC CSCs, as well as the effects of those differences on cell behavior in terms of migration, EMT, pluripotency, morphology, cell cycle/control, and epigenetic characteristics. The HT-29 cell line (human colorectal adenocarcinoma) and HT-29 CSCs (HT-29 CD133+/CD44+ cells) were cultured for 72 h. The levels of E-cadherin, KLF4, p53, p21, p16, cyclin D2, HDAC9, and P300 protein expression were determined using immunohistochemistry staining. The migration of cells was assessed by employing the scratch assay technique. Additionally, the scanning electron microscopy method was used to examine the morphological features of the cells, and their peripheral/central elemental ratios were compared with the help of EDS. Furthermore, a Muse cell cycle kit was utilized to determine the cell cycle analysis. The HT-29 CSC group exhibited high levels of expression for E-cadherin, p53, p21, p16, cyclin D2, HDAC9, and P300, whereas KLF4 was found to be high in the HT-29. The two groups did not exhibit any statistically significant differences in the percentages of cell cycle phases. The identification of specific CSC characteristics will allow for earlier cancer detection and the development of more effective precision oncology options.

Antitumor Effect of Iscador on Breast Cancer Cell Lines with Different Metastatic Potential

Studies were performed for the first time on the effect of Iscador Qu and Iscador M on phototoxicity, cytotoxicity, antiproliferative activity, changes in ξ-potential of cells, membrane lipid order, actin cytoskeleton organization and migration on three breast cancer lines with different metastatic potential: MCF10A (control), MCF-7 (low metastatic) and MDA-MB231 (high metastatic) cells. The tested Iscador Qu and M did not show any phototoxicity. The antiproliferative effect of Iscador species appeared to be dose-dependent and was related to the metastatic potential of the tested cell lines. A higher selectivity index was obtained for Iscador Qu and M towards the low metastatic MCF-7 cell line compared to the high metastatic MDA-MB-231. Iscador Qu demonstrated higher selectivity for both cancer cell lines compared to Iscador M. The malignant cell lines exhibited a decrease in fibril number and thickness regardless of the type of Iscador used. The strongest effect on migration potential was observed for the low metastatic cancer cell line MCF-7 after Iscador treatment. Both Iscador species induced a slight increase in the percentage of cells in early apoptosis for the low and high metastatic cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, unlike control cells. Changes in the zeta potential and membrane lipid order were observed for the low metastatic MCF-7 cell line in contrast to the high metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells. The presented results reveal a higher potential of Iscador as an antitumor agent for the low metastatic cancer cell line MCF-7 compared to the high metastatic one. Iscador Qu appears to be more potent compared to Iscador M, but at this point, the exact mechanism of action is still unclear and needs further investigations.