Rhaponticin suppresses osteosarcoma through the inhibition of PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway

Harnessing multi‑omics to revolutionize understanding and management of osteosarcoma: A pathway to precision medicine (Review)

Osteosarcoma, the most prevalent primary bone malignancy in children and adolescents, poses significant challenges due to its aggressive nature and propensity for metastasis. Despite advances in treatment, survival rates for high‑risk patients remain unsatisfactory, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches. This review explores the vital role of multi‑omics‑integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics‑in unraveling the complex biological landscapes of osteosarcoma. By providing comprehensive insights into tumor heterogeneity, signaling pathways and metabolic reprogramming, multi‑omics facilitates the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The objective of the present study was to highlight the transformative potential of multi‑omics in enhancing the understanding and management of osteosarcoma, ultimately paving the way for personalized treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes. Through this synthesis, the study calls for a concerted effort to integrate multi‑omics into clinical practice, fostering a more precise approach to osteosarcoma care.

Rhaponticin suppresses the stemness phenotype of gastric cancer stem-like cells CD133+/CD166 + by inhibiting programmed death-ligand 1

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are key contributors to tumorigenesis, recurrence and metastasis, complicating gastric cancer (GC) treatment. Rhaponticin (RA), a potential novel anticancer drug, has unexplored effects on GCSCs.

METHODS

GCSCs were isolated using CD133 and CD166 markers with magnetic bead separation method and then evaluated their response to the IC50 concentrations of RA (16.90 µg/mL for BGC-823 and 22.18 µg/mL for SGC-7901), and effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness were measured. We analyzed the GCSC-related microarray dataset GSE111556 and explored RA's role in restoring programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) function in CD133+/CD166 + cells post-PD-L1 knockdown. RA's impact on tumour growth and immune microenvironment was assessed in a xenograft mouse model.

RESULTS

The CD133+/CD166 + subpopulation exhibited stem-like characteristics, with the highest proportion in BGC-823 (38.85%) and SGC-7901 (43.81%) cells. These cells formed tumour spheres and had increased expression of stemness markers Sox2 and Oct-4 (compared to the parental cell line, P < 0.001). RA treatment showed no toxicity to normal GES-1 cells but reduced the viability of CD133+/CD166 + cells in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 16.90 µg/ml for BGC-823 and 22.18 µg/ml for SGC-7901. RA also decreased the proportion of CD133+/CD166 + cells and their stem-like properties (P < 0.001). Analysis of the GEO database identified PD-L1 as a key target gene of RA, with high expression in GC tissues. Knocking down PD-L1 in CD133+/CD166 + cells and introducing RA did not significantly change PD-L1 expression (P>0.05), suggesting RA's effect may be PD-L1 dependent. In a xenograft mouse model, the tumour size in the RA treatment group was approximately one-sixth that of the CD133+/CD166 + group (P < 0.001). Post-RA treatment, there was an elevation in the expression levels of CD4 and CD8, alongside a reduction in PD-L1 expression (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

RA suppresses GCSC stem - like phenotype by inhibiting PD - L1 and enhancing T cell tumour infiltration in the studied models. These findings suggest that RA may have potential for further exploration as a candidate for GC treatment, but extensive preclinical and clinical studies are required to determine its true therapeutic value.

Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy in Cancer Treatment: Integrating Nanomedicine with Autophagy Inhibition Strategies

The complicated stepwise lysosomal degradation process known as autophagy is in charge of destroying and eliminating damaged organelles and defective cytoplasmic components. This mechanism promotes metabolic adaptability and nutrition recycling. Autophagy functions as a quality control mechanism in cells that support homeostasis and redox balance under normal circumstances. However, the role of autophagy in cancer is controversial because, mostly depending on the stage of the tumor, it may either suppress or support the disease. While autophagy delays the onset of tumors and slows the dissemination of cancer in the early stages of tumorigenesis, numerous studies demonstrate that autophagy promotes the development and spread of tumors as well as the evolution and development of resistance to several anticancer drugs in advanced cancer stages. In this Review, we primarily emphasize the therapeutic role of autophagy inhibition in improving the treatment of multiple cancers and give a broad overview of how its inhibition modulates cancer responses. There have been various attempts to inhibit autophagy, including the use of autophagy inhibitor drugs, gene silencing therapy (RNA interference), and nanoparticles. In this Review, all these topics are thoroughly covered and illustrated by recent studies and field investigations.

Mefenamic acid exhibits antitumor activity against osteosarcoma by impeding cell growth and prompting apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells and xenograft mice model

The study investigates the anticancer activity of mefenamic acid against osteosarcoma, shedding light on its underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Mefenamic acid exhibited robust inhibitory effects on the proliferation of MG-63, HOS, and H2OS osteosarcoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mefenamic acid induced cellular toxicity in MG63 cells, as evidenced by LDH leakage, reflecting its cytotoxic impact. Furthermore, mefenamic acid effectively suppressed the migration and invasion of MG-63 cells. Mechanistically, mefenamic acid induced apoptosis in MG-63 cells through mitochondrial depolarization, activation of caspase-dependent pathways, and modulation of the Bcl-2/Bax axis. Additionally, mefenamic acid promoted autophagy and inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, further contributing to its antitumor effects. The molecular docking studies provide compelling evidence that mefenamic acid interacts specifically and strongly with key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, suggesting a novel mechanism by which mefenamic acid could exert anti-osteosarcoma effects. In vivo studies using a xenograft mouse model demonstrated significant inhibition of MG-63 tumor growth without adverse effects, supporting the translational potential of mefenamic acid as a safe and effective therapeutic agent against osteosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry staining corroborated the in vivo findings, highlighting mefenamic acid's ability to suppress tumor proliferation and inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway within the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, these results underscore the promising therapeutic implications of mefenamic acid in combating osteosarcoma, warranting further investigation for clinical translation and development.

Exploration of anti‑osteosarcoma activity of asiatic acid based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiments

Osteosarcomas are malignant bone tumors that typically originate in the epiphyses of the long bones of the extremities in adolescents. Asiatic acid has been reported to possess anti‑inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antitumor and antimicrobial activities. The present study used a combination of network pharmacological prediction and in vitro experimental validation to explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of asiatic acid against osteosarcoma. A total of 78 potential asiatic acid targets in osteosarcoma were identified using databases. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis indicated that the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways are essential in the treatment of osteosarcoma with asiatic acid. Molecular docking revealed binding of asiatic acid to EGFR, Caspase‑3, ESR1, HSP90AA1, IL‑6 and SRC proteins. asiatic acid inhibited proliferation through G2/M cell cycle arrest in osteosarcoma cells. In addition, asiatic acid induced mitochondria‑dependent apoptosis as demonstrated by increases in Bax and VDAC1 expression, and a decrease in Bcl‑2 protein expression. The increased autophagosomes, increased LC3‑II/I ratios and decreased p62 expression in the treatment group indicated that asiatic acid triggered autophagy. In addition, asiatic acid decreased the levels of phosphorylated (p‑)PI3K/PI3K and p‑AKT/AKT, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated the levels of p‑ERK1/2/ERK1/2, p‑p38/p38 and p‑JNK/JNK in osteosarcoma cells. These results demonstrated that asiatic acid inhibited osteosarcoma cells proliferation by inhibiting PI3K/AKT and activating ROS/MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting asiatic acid is a potential agent against osteosarcoma.

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine in osteosarcoma: Cross-interference of signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets

Osteosarcoma (OS) has a high recurrence rate, disability rate, mortality and metastasis, it brings great economic burden and psychological pressure to patients, and then seriously affects the quality of life of patients. At present, the treatment methods of OS mainly include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical therapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with limb salvage surgery. These treatment methods can relieve the clinical symptoms of patients to a certain extent, and also effectively reduce the disability rate, mortality and recurrence rate of OS patients. However, because metastasis of tumor cells leads to new complications, and OS cells become resistant with prolonged drug intervention, which reduces the sensitivity of OS cells to drugs, these treatments still have some limitations. More and more studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the characteristics of "multiple targets and multiple pathways," and can play an important role in the development of OS through several key signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, tyrosine kinase/transcription factor 3 (JAK/STAT3), Notch, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Hippo/YAP, OPG/RANK/RANKL, Hedgehog and so on. In this paper, the signaling pathways of cross-interference between active ingredients of TCM and OS were reviewed, and the development status of novel OS treatment was analyzed. The active ingredients in TCM can provide therapeutic benefits to patients by targeting the activity of signaling pathways. In addition, potential strategies for targeted therapy of OS by using ferroptosis were discussed. We hope to provide a unique insight for the in-depth research and clinical application of TCM in the fields of OS growth, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance by understanding the signaling crosstalk between active ingredients in TCM and OS.

Targeted Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Axis: Potential for Sarcoma Therapy

Sarcoma is a heterogeneous group of malignancies often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/ protein kinase B /mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway has emerged as a critical cancer target due to its central role in regulating key cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. Dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in the development and progression of bone sarcomas (BS) and soft tissue sarcomas (STS). PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have shown promising preclinical and clinical activity in various cancers. These agents can inhibit the activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, thereby reducing the downstream signaling events that promote tumor growth and survival. In addition, PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have been shown to enhance the efficacy of other anticancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The different types of PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors vary in their specificity, potency, and side effect profiles and may be effective depending on the specific sarcoma type and stage. The molecular targeting of PI3K/Akt/mToR pathway using drugs, phytochemicals, nanomaterials (NMs), and microbe-derived molecules as Pan-PI3K inhibitors, selective PI3K inhibitors, and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors have been delineated. While there are still challenges to be addressed, the preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that these inhibitors may significantly improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the potential of these inhibitors as sarcoma therapeutics and to continue developing more selective and effective agents to meet the clinical needs of sarcoma patients.

Proteomics and genomics insights on malignant osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a malignant osseous neoplasm. Osteosarcoma is a primary bone malignancy capable of producing osteoid tissue or immature bones. A subsequent malignant degeneration of the primary bone pathology occurs less frequently in adults. The over-expression of several proteins, including Heat shock proteins, Cofilin, Annexins, Insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, Receptor tyrosine kinase, Ezrin, Runx2, SATB2, ATF4, Annexins, cofilin, EGFR, VEGF, retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) and secreted protein, has been associated to the development and progression of osteosarcoma. These proteins are involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and the control of cell cycle and apoptosis. In genomic studies, osteosarcoma has been associated with several genetic abnormalities, including chromosomal rearrangements, gene mutations, and gene amplifications. These differentially expressed proteins could be used as early identification biomarkers or treatment targets. Proteomics and genomics play significant parts in enhancing our molecular understanding of osteosarcoma, and their integration provides essential insights into this aggressive bone cancer. This review will discuss the tumour biology that has assisted in helping us better understand the causes of osteosarcoma and how they could potentially be used to find new treatment targets and enhance the survival rate for osteosarcoma patients.

Network pharmacology and experimental verification-based strategy for exploring the mechanisms of luteolin in the treatment of osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Luteolin is an active ingredient in various traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of multiple tumors. However, the mechanisms of its inhibitory effect on osteosarcoma proliferation and metastasis remain unclear.

PURPOSE

To elucidate the anti-osteosarcoma mechanisms of luteolin based on network pharmacology and experimental verification.

STUDY DESIGN

Integrate network pharmacology predictions, scRNA-seq analysis, molecular docking, and experimental validation.

METHODS

Luteolin-related targets and osteosarcoma-associated targets were collected from several public databases. The luteolin against osteosarcoma targets were screened and a PPI network was constructed to identify the hub targets. The GO and KEGG enrichment of osteosarcoma-associated targets and luteolin against osteosarcoma targets were performed. And scRNA-seq analysis was performed to determine the distribution of the core target expression in OS tissues. Molecular docking, cell biological assays, and osteosarcoma orthotopic mouse model was performed to validate the inhibitory effect and mechanisms of luteolin on osteosarcoma proliferation and metastasis.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology showed that 251 luteolin against osteosarcoma targets and 8 hub targets including AKT1, ALB, CASP3, IL6, JUN, STAT3, TNF, and VEGFA, and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway might play an important role in anti-osteosarcoma of luteolin. Analysis of public data revealed that AKT1, IL6, JUN, STAT3, TNF, and VEGFA expression in OS tissue was significantly higher than that in normal bones, and the diagnostic value of VEGFA for overall survival and metastasis was increased over time. scRNA-seq analysis revealed significantly higher expression of AKT1, STAT3, and VEGFA in MYC+ osteoblastic OS cells, especially in primary samples. Moreover, the docking activity between luteolin and the hub targets was excellent, as verified by molecular docking. Experimental results showed that luteolin could inhibit cell viability and significantly decrease the expression of AKT1, STAT3, IL6, TNF, and VEGFA, and luteolin could also inhibit osteosarcoma proliferation and metastasis in osteosarcoma orthotopic mouse model.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that luteolin may regulate multiple signaling pathways by targeting various genes like AKT1, STAT3, IL6, TNF, and VEGFA to inhibit osteosarcoma proliferation and metastasis.

Cancer-specific association between Tau (MAPT) and cellular pathways, clinical outcome, and drug response

Tau (MAPT) is a microtubule-associated protein causing common neurodegenerative diseases or rare inherited frontotemporal lobar degenerations. Emerging evidence for non-canonical functions of Tau in DNA repair and P53 regulation suggests its involvement in cancer. To bring new evidence for a relevant role of Tau in cancer, we carried out an in-silico pan-cancer analysis of MAPT transcriptomic profile in over 10000 clinical samples from 32 cancer types and over 1300 pre-clinical samples from 28 cancer types provided by the TCGA and the DEPMAP datasets respectively. MAPT expression associated with key cancer hallmarks including inflammation, proliferation, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, showing cancer-specific patterns. In some cancer types, MAPT functional networks were affected by P53 mutational status. We identified new associations of MAPT with clinical outcomes and drug response in a context-specific manner. Overall, our findings indicate that the MAPT gene is a potential major player in multiple types of cancer. Importantly, the impact of Tau on cancer seems to be heavily influenced by the specific cellular environment.

Resveratrol and Other Natural Oligomeric Stilbenoid Compounds and Their Therapeutic Applications

The use of natural compounds as an alternative to synthetic molecules has become a significant subject of interest in recent decades. Stilbenoids are a group of phenolic compounds found in many plant species and they have recently gained the focus of a multitude of studies in medicine and chemistry, resveratrol being the most representative molecule. In this review, we focused on the research that illustrates the therapeutic potential of this class of natural molecules considering various diseases with higher incidence rates. PubChem database was searched for bioactivities of natural stilbenoids, while several keywords (i.e., "stilbenoids", "stilbenoid anticancer") were used to query PubMed database for relevant studies. The diversity and the simplicity of stilbenes' chemical structures together with the numerous biological sources are key elements that can simplify both the isolation of these compounds and the drug design of novel bioactive molecules. Resveratrol and other related compounds are heterogeneously distributed in plants and are mainly found in grapes and wine. Natural stilbenes were shown to possess a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and antineoplastic properties. While resveratrol is widely investigated for its benefits in various disorders, further studies are warranted to properly harness the therapeutic potential of less popular stilbenoid compounds.

Functional role of MicroRNA/PI3K/AKT axis in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor that occurs in children and adolescents, and the PI3K/AKT pathway is overactivated in most OS patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved endogenous non-protein-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression by repressing mRNA translation or degrading mRNA. MiRNAs are enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway, and aberrant PI3K/AKT pathway activation is involved in the development of osteosarcoma. There is increasing evidence that miRNAs can regulate the biological functions of cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. MiRNA/PI3K/AKT axis can regulate the expression of osteosarcoma-related genes and then regulate cancer progression. MiRNA expression associated with PI3K/AKT pathway is also clearly associated with many clinical features. In addition, PI3K/AKT pathway-associated miRNAs are potential biomarkers for osteosarcoma diagnosis, treatment and prognostic assessment. This article reviews recent research advances on the role and clinical application of PI3K/AKT pathway and miRNA/PI3K/AKT axis in the development of osteosarcoma.

Rhaponticin suppresses the hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha-mediated aggressive phenotype of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that rhaponticin, a stilbene monomeric compound isolated from North China rhubarb, has been shown to exhibit significant biological activity against tumors. However, the anticancer effects and mechanisms of rhaponticin in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remain elusive.

Objective

We investigated the changes of migration and invasion abilities and EMT progression of TSCC cells treated with different concentrations of rhaponticin under hypoxia, as well as the possible mechanisms, in order to initially explore the effects of rhaponticin on the biological characteristics of TSCC cells under hypoxia.

Results

The number of cell migration and invasion was prominently increased, E-cadherin protein was down-regulated, and N-cadherin and HIF-1α protein expression was elevated under hypoxia. Rhaponticin intervention strikingly prevented the increased abilities of migration and invasion and EMT of TSCC cells under hypoxia. This was followed by further validation finding that rhaponticin indeed leads to reduced HIF-1α post-transcriptional activity. Mechanistically, rhaponticin may bind to aryl-hydrocarbon nuclear translocator (ARNT) domain of HIF-1α.

Conclusions

Rhaponticin repressed the invasion and migration abilities and EMT process of TSCC cells under a hypoxic environment in vitro by targeted suppression of HIF-1α.

Targeted therapy for osteosarcoma: a review

BACKGROUND

Osteosarcoma is a common primary malignant tumour of the bone that usually occurs in children and adolescents. It is characterised by difficult treatment, recurrence and metastasis, and poor prognosis. Currently, the treatment of osteosarcoma is mainly based on surgery and auxiliary chemotherapy. However, for recurrent and some primary osteosarcoma cases, owing to the rapid progression of disease and chemotherapy resistance, the effects of chemotherapy are poor. With the rapid development of tumour-targeted therapy, molecular-targeted therapy for osteosarcoma has shown promise.

PURPOSE

In this paper, we review the molecular mechanisms, related targets, and clinical applications of targeted osteosarcoma therapy. In doing this, we provide a summary of recent literature on the characteristics of targeted osteosarcoma therapy, the advantages of its clinical application, and development of targeted therapy in future. We aim to provide new insights into the treatment of osteosarcoma.

CONCLUSION

Targeted therapy shows potential in the treatment of osteosarcoma and may offer an important means of precise and personalised treatment in the future, but drug resistance and adverse effects may limit its application.

A comparative study of different animal hairs: A microscopic analysis

Hair is a feature that is only found in mammals. In all species, it is an epidermal protrusion composed of an outer cuticle, middle cortex, and inner medulla. Hair's primary purpose in mammals is to aid with thermoregulation. Every domestic animal species has a distinct hair pattern that can be used in forensic investigations. The aim of the present study is to observe the different animal hairs under stereomicroscope for forensic analysis. Hair is a unique characteristic seen only in mammals. It is an epidermal protrusion composed of an outer cuticle, middle cortex, and inner medulla in all species. The primary function of hair in animals is to aid with thermoregulation. Every domestic animal species has a specific hair pattern that forensic investigators can employ. The shaft profile was straight in all the animal hairs. In the proximal end, the root was absent because the hair was cut from the respective animals. Cuticles were absent in all the hair strands. The surface texture was smooth in dog hair, rough and spiculated in cat hair, and coarse in horse and rat hair. Microscopic examination of hairs reveals morphological distinctions that allow animal hairs from different species to be distinguished. In forensic investigations, microscopic examinations of various animal hairs are useful.

Comparative study of male and female human hair: A microscopic analysis

The outer cuticle, middle cortex, and inner medulla make up hair, which is an epidermal outgrowth. Hair is resilient under harsh natural conditions, thus it is frequently collected at crime scenes, making human hair analysis important in the forensic sciences field. It aids in the formation of a triangle connecting a crime scene, a victim, and a culprit. The aim of this study is to observe the microscopic structure of male and female human hair. Samples of hair specimens from males and females were collected. The materials used were ethanol to degrease and a stereomicroscope to observe the structural differences between the male and female hair samples. The comparison between male and female hair is done on the grounds of color, shaft profiles, the proximal and distal ends of the hair, cuticle, and surface texture, and the other found characters. This study of comparison between male and female hair specimens revealed that the hair color at the distal end is found to be brown for females while it is completely black in that of males, and the surface texture of males is found to have some irregularities while there are no irregularities in female. This study can be concluded that the structural comparison between male and female hair specimens can be used as evidence for forensic analysis at crime scenes.

Awareness about the significance of acid-base balance of saliva in maintaining oral health

Saliva is a multilayered secretion. The quality of saliva is just as crucial as the quantity. Saliva is necessary for preserving the integrity of oral structures, personal connections, digestion, and acid-base balance. The acid-base balance in one's oral environment is always being challenged. It happens every time we eat a meal, and when microorganisms are present. At a pH of 5 or 5.5, the demineralization of the enamel and hard tooth structures occurs. This study aimed to raise awareness about the importance of acid-base balance of saliva in dental health. A self-structured questionnaire was prepared to assess the awareness on the importance of acid-base balance in maintaining oral health. The questionnaire consisted of 20 questions, and the results were plotted in a graph. The Chi-square test was employed for evaluating the data, which was done with SPSS software. The study indicated that 91.74% of the participants were aware of the salivary pH in case of healthy gingiva, 34.82% of the respondents were aware of the salivary pH in case of chronic gingivitis, and 20.33% of the respondents were aware of the salivary pH in case of chronic periodontitis. We also correlated our results with gender and year of study. Oral health plays a major role in identifying systemic diseases and hence enough knowledge about various aspects about the oral cavity and its manifestations needs to be created among dental students to ensure that they become efficient dental surgeons in the future. Even though a fair amount of people knew the pH of clinically healthy gingiva, most of them did not know the pH at which periodontitis or gingivitis was caused. Hence, creating awareness about this topic stands vital. Further studies are required for a better understanding of salivary components and how they affect the caries process. The utilization of modified oral molecules as medicinal agents could become a reality with this understanding. Our findings imply that being aware of dietary composition has an impact on acid-base balance. To maintain the correct acid-base balance, more awareness of protein consumption is required.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of tetrahydroquinolinones and tetrahydroquinolines with anticancer activity

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Europe and the United States and the second leading cause of cancer related mortality. A therapeutic strategy used for the treatment of CRC involves targeting the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we synthesized a series of novel tetrahydroquinolinones and assessed their ability to inhibit CRC growth and proliferation by evoking cellular stress through ROS. Our results revealed that (2-oxo-4-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolin-8-yl) N-(3-fluorophenyl)carbamate (20d) exhibited in vitro antiproliferative activity at micromolar concentrations. The compound also suppressed colony formation and the migration of HCT-116 cells, as well as deregulated the expression of several proteins involved in cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, 20d induced massive oxidative stress by disrupting the balance of cells survival resulting in autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. These findings suggest that this tetrahydroquinolinone can be an ideal lead compound for drug discovery based on quinone derivatives.

Identification of N6-methylandenosine related LncRNAs biomarkers associated with the overall survival of osteosarcoma

PURPOSE

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a differentiation disease caused by the genetic and epigenetic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts. OS is a common, highly malignant tumor in children and adolescents. Fifteen to 20 % of the patients find distant metastases at their first visit. The purpose of our study was to identify biomarkers for tracking the prognosis and treatment of OS to improve the survival rate of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, which was based on Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET), we searched for m6A related lncRNAs in OS. We constructed a network between lncRNA and m6A, and built an OS prognostic risk model.

RESULTS

We identified 14,581 lncRNAs by using the dataset from TARGET. We obtained 111 m6A-related lncRNAs through a Pearson correlation analysis. A network was built between lncRNA and m6A genes. Eight m6A-related lncRNAs associated with survival were identified through a univariate Cox analysis. A selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression was used to construct a prognostic risk model with six genes (RP11-286E11.1, LINC01426, AC010127.3, DLGAP1-AS2, RP4-657D16.3, AC002398.11) obtained through least absolute shrinkage. We also discovered upregulated levels of DLGAP1-AS2 and m6A methylation in osteosarcoma tissues/cells compared with normal tissues/osteoblasts cells.

CONCLUSION

We constructed a risk score prognosis model of m6A-related lncRNAs (RP11-286E11.1, LINC01426, AC010127.3, DLGAP1-AS2, RP4-657D16.3, AC002398.11) using the dataset downloaded from TRAGET. We verified the value of the model by dividing all samples into test groups and training groups. However, the role of m6A-related lncRNAs in osteosarcoma needs to be further researched by cell and in vivo studies.

Anti-Cancer Activity of Phytochemicals Targeting Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is overexpressed in cancer, leading to a poor prognosis in patients. Diverse cellular factors are able to regulate HIF-1α expression in hypoxia and even in non-hypoxic conditions, affecting its progression and malignant characteristics by regulating the expression of the HIF-1α target genes that are involved in cell survival, angiogenesis, metabolism, therapeutic resistance, et cetera. Numerous studies have exhibited the anti-cancer effect of HIF-1α inhibition itself and the augmentation of anti-cancer treatment efficacy by interfering with HIF-1α-mediated signaling. The anti-cancer effect of plant-derived phytochemicals has been evaluated, and they have been found to possess significant therapeutic potentials against numerous cancer types. A better understanding of phytochemicals is indispensable for establishing advanced strategies for cancer therapy. This article reviews the anti-cancer effect of phytochemicals in connection with HIF-1α regulation.

Crosstalk between Autophagy and Inflammatory Processes in Cancer

Inflammation is an adaptive response to tissue injury, which is a critical process in order to restore tissue functionality and homeostasis. The association between inflammation and cancer has been a topic of interest for many years, not only inflammatory cells themselves but also the chemokines and cytokines they produce, which affect cancer development. Autophagy is an intracellular self-degradative process providing elimination of damaged or dysfunctional organelles under stressful conditions such as nutrient deficiency, hypoxia, or chemotherapy. Interestingly, the signaling pathways that are involved in cancer-associated inflammation may regulate autophagy as well. These are (1) the toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling cascade, (2) the reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling pathway, (3) the inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway, and (4) the IκB kinase (IKK)/Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling axis. Moreover, the studies on the context-specific functions of autophagy during inflammatory responses in cancer will be discussed here. On that basis, we focus on autophagy inhibitors and activators regulating inflammatory process in cancer as useful candidates for enhancing anticancer effects. This review summarizes how the autophagic process regulates these key inflammatory processes and vice versa in various cancers.