The hallmarks of cancer

Past, present, and future of exosomes research in cancer: A bibliometric and visualization analysis

Cancer seriously threatens the lives and health of people worldwide, and exosomes seem to play an important role in managing cancer effectively, which has attracted extensive attention from researchers in recent years. This study aimed to scientifically visualize exosomes research in cancer (ERC) through bibliometric analysis, reviewing the past, summarizing the present, and predicting the future, with a view to providing valuable insights for scholars and policy makers. Researches search and data collection from Web of Science Core Collection and clinical trial.gov. Calculations and visualizations were performed using Microsoft Excel, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix R-package, and CiteSpace. As of December 1, 2024, and March 8, 2025, we identified 8,001 ERC-related publications and 107 ERC-related clinical trials, with an increasing trend in annual publications. Our findings supported that China, Nanjing Medical University, and International Journal of Molecular Sciences were the most productive countries, institutions, and journals, respectively. Whiteside, Theresa L. had the most publications, while Théry, C was the most co-cited scholar. In addition, Cancer Research was the most co-cited journal. Spatial and temporal distribution of clinical trials was the same as for publications. High-frequency keywords were "extracellular vesicle," "microRNA" and "biomarker." Additional, "surface functionalization," "plant," "machine learning," "nanomaterials," "promotes metastasis," "engineered exosomes," and "macrophage-derived exosomes" were promising research topics. Our study comprehensively and visually summarized the structure, hotspots, and evolutionary trends of ERC. It would inspire subsequent studies from a macroscopic perspective and provide a basis for rational allocation of resources and identification of collaborations among researchers.

Deep transfer learning hybrid techniques for precision in breast cancer tumor histopathology classification

The breast cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of cancer-related death globally. Preliminary diagnosis of breast cancer increases the patient's chances of survival. Breast cancer classification is a challenging problem due to dense tissue structures, subtle variations, cellular heterogeneity, artifacts, and variability. In this paper, we propose three hybrid deep-transfer learning models for breast cancer classification using histopathology images. These models use Xception model as a base model, and we add seven more layers to fine-tune the base model. We also performed an extensive comparative analysis of five prominent machine-learning classifiers, namely Random Forest Classifier (RFC), Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Classifier (SVC), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Ada-boost. We incorporate the best performing two classifiers, namely RFC and SVC, in the fine-tuned Xception model, and accordingly, they are named as Xception Random Forest (XRF) and Xception Support Vector (XSV), respectively. The fine-tuned Xception model with softmax classifier is termed as Multi-layer Xception Classifier (MXC). These three models are evaluated on the two publically available datasets: BreakHis and Breast Histopathology Images Database (BHID). Our all three models perform better than the state-of-the-art methods. The XRF provides the best performance at the 40 × magnification level on the BreakHis dataset, with an accuracy (ACC) of 94.44%, F1 score (F1) of 94.44%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 95.12%, Matthew's correlation coefficient (MCC) of 88.98%, kappa (K) of 88.88%, and classification success index (CSI) of 89.23%. The MXC provides the best performance on the BHID dataset, with an ACC of 88.50%, F1 of 88.50%, AUC of 95.12%, MCC of 77.03%, K of 77.00%, and CSI of 79.13%. Further, to validate our models, we performed fivefold cross-validation on both datasets and obtained similar results.

Metabolic heterogeneity in tumor cells impacts immunology in lung squamous cell carcinoma

Metabolic processes are crucial in immune regulation, yet the impact of metabolic heterogeneity on immunological functions remains unclear. Integrating metabolomics into immunology allows the exploration of the interactions of multilayered features in the biological system and the molecular regulatory mechanism of these features. To elucidate such insight in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), we analyzed 106 LUSC tumor tissues. We performed high-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to obtain spatial metabolic profiles, and immunohistochemistry to detect tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs). Unsupervised k-means clustering and Simpson's diversity index were employed to assess metabolic heterogeneity, identifying five distinct metabolic tumor subpopulations. Our findings revealed that TILs are specifically associated with metabolite distributions, not randomly distributed. Integrating a validation cohort, we found that heterogeneity-correlated metabolites interact with CD8+ TIL-associated genes, affecting survival. High metabolic heterogeneity was linked to worse survival and lower TIL levels. Pathway enrichment analyses highlighted distinct metabolic pathways in each subpopulation and their potential responses to chemotherapy. This study uncovers the significant impact of metabolic heterogeneity on immune functions in LUSC, providing a foundation for tailoring therapeutic strategies.

Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase long chain acts as a tumor-suppressive factor in lung adenocarcinoma progression

This study investigated the role of long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACADL) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). ACADL was significantly downregulated in human LUAD tissues compared to normal lung tissues. In vitro, ectopic expression of ACADL in murine LLC cells decreased cell viability, migration, and invasion, while ACADL knockdown exhibited the opposite effect. In vivo, ACADL overexpression impeded tumor growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, ACADL hindered tumor progression by inducing cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis, and suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. These findings suggest ACADL acts as a tumor suppressor in LUAD progression.

Specificity protein 1 (SP1) plays an essential role in early bovine embryo development

A previous RNA-Seq study revealed that the transcript abundance of specificity protein 1 (SP1) was significantly higher in Day 7 bovine blastocysts compared to conceptuses on Days 10, 13, 16, and 19, suggesting a stage-specific role in early bovine embryo development. The present study aimed to characterize the mRNA expression of SP1 and associated candidate genes (ACSS1, C1QBP, ATF3, MAT2A, and POLD1) during early bovine embryo development from the 2-cell to blastocyst stage. Further, the effects of SP1 inhibition on embryo development were evaluated by culturing embryos with the SP1 inhibitor, mithramycin A (MT) at varying concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 1000 nM). As further validation, we examined expression of SP1 and associated genes by interrogating transcriptomic data from Day 4 (16-cell stage) embryos cultured in vitro or in vivo in the oviducts of lactating or nonlactating dairy cows. The relative abundance of SP1 peaked at the time of embryonic genome activation, being higher (P < 0.05) in 8- and 16-cell embryos compared to the 2-cell stage, and decreasing thereafter (at the morula and blastocyst stages). Similarly, transcript abundance for most of the selected candidate genes involved in the SP1 network were upregulated (P < 0.05) at the 8- and 16-cell stage, but not at other stages investigated. Inhibition of SP1 with MT did not affect embryo development up to the 8-cell stage but reduced (P < 0.05) the proportion of embryos reaching the 16-cell and blastocyst stages in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, blastocysts produced in the presence of MT contained fewer (P < 0.05) cells than blastocysts developed without MT. Expression of SP1 and associated genes in 16-cell stage (Day 4) embryos produced either in vitro or in vivo was higher (P < 0.05) compared to in vitro-produced 2- to 4- cell stage (Day 2) embryos. These findings suggest an essential role of SP1 during early embryo development, particularly around the time of embryonic genomic activation.

Redox dyshomeostasis-driven prodrug strategy for enhancing camptothecin-based chemotherapy: Selenization of SN38 as a case study

Harnessing the modulation of redox homeostasis represents a promising anticancer strategy. Here, we design and evaluate Se-SN38, a prodrug of the camptothecin (CPT) derivative 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) with a cyclic five-membered diselenide moiety for redox-triggered activation. We demonstrate that Se-SN38 exhibits superior cytotoxicity in various cancer cell lines over the parent drug SN38 or the control prodrug S-SN38, a sulfur analogue of Se-SN38. This increased potency is attributed to the efficient release of SN38 and induction of oxidative stress, as demonstrated by a significant rise in reactive oxygen species production, along with a marked depletion of cellular total thiols and a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio. Furthermore, Se-SN38 treatment leads to inhibition of thioredoxin reductase activity, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and induction of DNA damage, culminating in apoptosis. These findings suggest that Se-SN38 represents a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CPT derivatives by exploiting the unique redox-active properties of cyclic five-membered diselenide to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Targeting p53-p21 signaling to enhance mesenchymal stem cell regenerative potential

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are properties of self-renewal and differentiation potentials and thus are very appealing to regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, their therapeutic potential is frequently constrained by senescence, limited proliferation, and stress-induced apoptosis. The key role of the p53-p21 biology in MSC biology resides in safeguarding genomic stability while promoting senescence and limiting regenerative capacity upon over-activation demonstrated. This pathway is a key point for improving MSC function and exploiting the inherent limitations. Recent advances indicate that senescence can be delayed by targeting the p53-p21 signaling and improved MSC proliferation and differentiation capacity. PFT-α pharmacological agents transiently inhibit p53 from increasing proliferation and lineage-specific differentiation, while antioxidants such as hydrogen-rich saline and epigallocatechin 3 gallate (EGCG) suppress oxidative stress and attenuate p53 p21 signaling. Genetic tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA interference also precisely modulate TP53 and CDKN1A expression to optimize MSC functionality. The interplay of p53-p21 with pathways like Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK further highlights opportunities for combinatorial therapies to enhance MSC resilience and regenerative outcomes. This review aims to offer a holistic view of how p53-p21 targeting can further the regenerative potential of MSCs, resolving senescence, proliferation, and stress resilience towards advanced therapeutics built on MSCs.

Remodeling tumor microenvironment by versatile nanoplatform orchestrated mechanotherapy with chemoimmunotherapy to synergistically enhance anticancer efficiency

Solid tumors (particularly the desmoplastic ones) usually harbor insurmountable mechanical barriers and formidable immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which severely restricted nanomedicine-penetration and vastly crippled outcomes of numerous therapies. To overcome these barriers, a versatile nanoplatform orchestrated mechanotherapy with chemoimmunotherapy was developed here to simultaneously modulate tumor physical barriers and remodel TME for synergistically enhancing anticancer efficiency. Dexamethasone (DMS) and cis-aconityl-doxorubicin (CAD) were co-hitchhiked into phenylboronic acid functionalized polyethylenimine (PEI-PBA) carrier, and further in situ shielded by aldehyde-modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) to form CAD/DMS@PEG/PEI-PBA (CD@PB) nanoparticles (NPs). The CD@PB NPs exhibited multifunctionality: (1) Long in vivo circulation and acidic TME-responsive PEG deshielding for being efficiently internalized into cells. (2) Endosomal-pH triggered drug release and PEI-facilitated drug-escaping from endosome into cytoplasm. (3) DMS down-regulated thick stroma and weakened mechanical barriers for facilitating NP penetration. (4) DMS mediated nuclear pore dilation to promote more DOX entering nucleus and enhance treatment effects. (5) DOX induced potent immunogenic cell death (ICD), activated antitumor immunity and exerted chemoimmunotherapy. The versatile CD@PB NPs displayed excellent antitumor efficacy against 4T1 mouse breast cancer, which effectively remodeled immunosuppressive TME and orchestrated mechanotherapy with chemoimmunotherapy to synergistically enhance antitumor efficiency. The study provided an illuminating paradigm for multidimensional cancer therapy.

Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions

Cancer immunotherapy, encompassing both experimental and standard-of-care therapies, has emerged as a promising approach to harnessing the immune system for tumor suppression. Experimental strategies, including novel immunotherapies and preclinical models, are actively being explored, while established treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), are widely implemented in clinical settings. This comprehensive review examines the historical evolution, underlying mechanisms, and diverse strategies of cancer immunotherapy, highlighting both its clinical applications and ongoing preclinical advancements. The review delves into the essential components of anticancer immunity, including dendritic cell activation, T cell priming, and immune surveillance, while addressing the challenges posed by immune evasion mechanisms. Key immunotherapeutic strategies, such as cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, adoptive cell transfer, and ICIs, are discussed in detail. Additionally, the role of nanotechnology, cytokines, chemokines, and adjuvants in enhancing the precision and efficacy of immunotherapies were explored. Combination therapies, particularly those integrating immunotherapy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, exhibit synergistic potential but necessitate careful management to reduce side effects. Emerging factors influencing immunotherapy outcomes, including tumor heterogeneity, gut microbiota composition, and genomic and epigenetic modifications, are also examined. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying immune evasion and therapeutic resistance are analyzed, with a focus on the contributions of noncoding RNAs and epigenetic alterations, along with innovative intervention strategies. This review emphasizes recent preclinical and clinical advancements, with particular attention to biomarker-driven approaches aimed at optimizing patient prognosis. Challenges such as immunotherapy-related toxicity, limited efficacy in solid tumors, and production constraints are highlighted as critical areas for future research. Advancements in personalized therapies and novel delivery systems are proposed as avenues to enhance treatment effectiveness and accessibility. By incorporating insights from multiple disciplines, this review aims to deepen the understanding and application of cancer immunotherapy, ultimately fostering more effective and widely accessible therapeutic solutions.

Horizontal transfer of nuclear DNA in transmissible cancer

Horizontal transfer of nuclear DNA between cells of host and cancer is a potential source of adaptive variation in cancer cells. An understanding of the frequency and significance of this process in naturally occurring tumors is, however, lacking. We screened for this phenomenon in the transmissible cancers of dogs and Tasmanian devils and found an instance in the canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT). This involved introduction of a 15-megabase dicentric genetic element, composed of 11 fragments of six chromosomes, to a CTVT sublineage occurring in Asia around 2,000 y ago. The element forms the short arm of a small submetacentric chromosome and derives from a dog with ancestry associated with the ancient Middle East. The introduced DNA fragment is transcriptionally active and has adopted the expression profile of CTVT. Its features suggest that it may derive from an engulfed apoptotic body. Our findings indicate that nuclear horizontal gene transfer, although likely a rare event in tumor evolution, provides a viable mechanism for the acquisition of genetic material in naturally occurring cancer genomes.

Nuclear envelope proteins, mechanotransduction, and their contribution to breast cancer progression

Breast cancer cells frequently exhibit changes in the expression of nuclear envelope (NE) proteins such as lamins and emerin that determine the physical properties of the nucleus and contribute to cellular mechanotransduction. This review explores the emerging interplay between NE proteins, the physical challenges incurred during metastatic progression, and mechanotransduction. Improved insights into the underlying mechanisms may ultimately lead to better prognostic tools and treatment strategies for metastatic breast cancer.

Kindlin-2-Mediated Hematopoiesis Remodeling Regulates Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Immune Evasion

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents significant clinical challenges because of its limited treatment options and aggressive behavior, often associated with poor prognosis. This study focuses on kindlin-2, an adapter protein, and its role in TNBC progression, particularly in hematopoiesis-mediated immune evasion. TNBC tumors expressing high levels of kindlin-2 induce a notable reshaping of hematopoiesis, promoting the expansion of myeloid cells in the bone marrow and spleen. This shift correlated with increased levels of neutrophils and monocytes in tumor-bearing mice over time. Conversely, genetic knockout (KO) of kindlin-2 mitigated this myeloid bias and fostered T-cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment, indicating the pivotal role of kindlin-2 in immune modulation. Further investigations revealed that kindlin-2 deficiency led to reduced expression of PD-L1, a critical immune checkpoint inhibitor, in TNBC tumors. This molecular change sensitized kindlin-2-deficient tumors to host antitumor immune responses, resulting in enhanced tumor suppression in immunocompetent mouse models. Single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, and IHC data supported these findings by highlighting enriched immune-related pathways and increased infiltration of immune cells in kindlin-2-deficient tumors. Therapeutically, targeting PD-L1 in kindlin-2-expressing TNBC tumors effectively inhibited tumor growth, akin to the effects observed with genetic kindlin-2 KO or PD-L1 KO. Our data underscore kindlin-2 as a promising therapeutic target in combination with immune checkpoint blockade to bolster antitumor immunity and counteract resistance mechanisms typical of TNBC and other immune-evasive solid tumors. Implications: Kindlin-2 regulates tumor immune evasion through the systemic modulation of hematopoiesis and PD-L1 expression, which warrants therapeutic targeting of kindlin-2 in patients with TNBC.

Cyclometalated iridium(III)-lonidamine conjugates: Mitochondrial targeting and pyroptosis induction

A series of cyclometalated Ir(III)-lonidamine (LND) complexes (Ir-LND-1-6) with the formula [Ir(C^N)2bpy(4-CH3-4'-CH2OLND)](PF6) (Ir-LND-1-3) and [Ir(C^N)2bpy(4-CH2OLND-4'-CH2OLND)](PF6) (Ir-LND-4-6) (C^N = 2-phenylpyridine (ppy, in Ir-LND-1 and Ir-LND-4), 2-(2-thienyl) pyridine (thpy, in Ir-LND-2 and Ir-LND-5) and 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl) pyridine (dfppy, in Ir-LND-3 and Ir-LND-6)), were designed and synthesized. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-biphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay data showed that the cytotoxicity of Ir-LND-1-3 carry one LND moiety was superior to that of Ir-LND-4-6 with two LND moieties. Therefore, we selected Ir-LND-1-3 as model compounds to investigate the anti-tumor mechanism of the Ir(III)-LND system. The results showed that Ir-LND-1-3 could inhibit cancer cell migration and colony formation. In addition, Ir-LND-1-3 could penetrate into HeLa cells and localized to mitochondria, further disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reducing intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Further exploration of anti-tumor mechanisms showed that pyroptosis was the main mode of Ir-LND-1-3 induced cell death, manifested as membrane perforation and swelling, activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of Gasdermin E (GSDME), as well as release of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and ATP. The pyroptosis induced by Ir-LND-1-3 also initiated immunogenic cell death (ICD) by triggering the release of calreticulin (CRT) and high mobility group protein b1 (HMGB1) on the cell surface.

Structural Optimization of Pyrazole Compounds as Hsp90 Regulators with Enhanced Antitumor Activity

Targeting Hsp90 is an effective strategy for cancer therapy. TAS-116 has been approved for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Our previous studies identified a series of pyrazole derivatives as covalent Hsp90 inhibitors that allosterically disrupt the Hsp90-Cdc37 interaction. Here, through systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) optimization, compound 39 (DDO-6691) with a new covalent warhead was developed, which demonstrates improved ADME properties and significantly enhanced antitumor activity. Notably, parental HCT-116 cells exhibited markedly greater sensitivity to compound 39 (IC50 > 50 μM) compared to their Cdc37-knockout counterparts. Importantly, compound 39 displayed potent tumor growth inhibition in HCT-116 xenograft mouse models. These collective findings underscore the therapeutic promise of covalent Hsp90-targeted disruption of the Hsp90-Cdc37 complex, offering a novel mechanistic approach to cancer treatment.

Systems Biology of the Cancer Cell

Questions in cancer have engaged systems biologists for decades. During that time, the quantity of molecular data has exploded, but the need for abstractions, formal models, and simplifying insights has remained the same. This review brings together classic breakthroughs and recent findings in the field of cancer systems biology, focusing on cancer cell pathways for tumorigenesis and therapeutic response. Cancer cells mutate and transduce information from their environment to alter gene expression, metabolism, and phenotypic states. Understanding the molecular architectures that make each of these steps possible is a long-term goal of cancer systems biology pursued by iterating between quantitative models and experiments. We argue that such iteration is the best path to deploying targeted therapies intelligently so that each patient receives the maximum benefit for their cancer.

"Cell dedifferentiation" versus "evolutionary reversal" theories of cancer: The direct contest of transcriptomic features

Cell dedifferentiation is considered an important hallmark of cancer. The atavistic reversal to a unicellular-like (UC) state is a less widely accepted concept, so far not included in the conventional hallmarks. The activated expression of ontogenetically earlier and evolutionary earlier genes in cancers supports both theories because ontogenesis partially recapitulates phylogenesis during cell differentiation (the cellular biogenetic law). We directly contested both types of gene signatures in stem vs. differentiated and cancer vs. normal cells, using meta-analysis of human single-cell transcriptomes (totally, 38 pairwise comparisons involving over 18,600 cells). Because compared cells can differ in proliferation rate, the correction for cell cycle activity was applied. Taken together as multiple variables in stem vs. differentiated cells analyses, the ontogenetic signature excluded the UC signature from predictive variables, usually even forcing it to change the sign of prediction (from plus to minus). In contrast, in cancer vs. normal cells, the UC signature excluded the ontogenetic signature. Thus, the direct contest decided in favor of the atavistic theory and placed a UC-like state as a central hallmark of cancer, which has a plausible evolutionarily formed mechanism (UC attractor) and can generate other hallmarks. These data suggest a paradigm shift in the understanding of oncogenesis and propose an integrative framework for cancer research. In a practical sense, the upregulation of UC signature over ontogenetic signature indicates potential tumorigenicity, which can be used in early diagnostics and regenerative medicine. For therapy, these results suggest the UC center of cellular networks as a universal target.

Downregulating FGGY carbohydrate kinase domain containing promotes cell senescence by activating the p53/p21 signaling pathway in colorectal cancer

Carbohydrate kinases serve an oncogenic role in several types of cancer; however, the function of FGGY carbohydrate kinase domain containing (FGGY) in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. The present study investigated the function and possible molecular mechanisms of FGGY in CRC. The results showed that elevated levels of FGGY mRNA and protein were observed in CRC tissues, and a higher expression of FGGY was associated with advanced N stage and reduced overall survival time in patients with CRC. Silencing FGGY inhibited the viability of CRC cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and promoting apoptosis in vitro, thereby attenuating tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. FGGY knockdown also enriched the senescence‑associated heterochromatin foci (SAHF) pathway and p53 pathway, as further confirmed by enhancing senescence‑associated β‑galactosidase (SA‑β‑gal) activity, with increased levels of SAHF‑associated proteins HP1γ and trimethylation of H3K9 (H3k9me3) in CRC cells, as well as upregulation of p53 and its downstream protein p21. Furthermore, p53 knockout rescued FGGY knockdown‑mediated reductions in cell viability, SA‑β‑gal activity, and the levels of HP1γ and H3k9me3 in CRC cells. These findings indicated that FGGY could act as a newly identified potential oncogene in CRC, partially through regulating the p53/p21 signaling pathway and altering cell senescence.

Emerging nanoparticle-based x-ray imaging contrast agents for breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, however, preventive screening has contributed to a significant reduction in mortality over the past four decades. The first-line screening methods for breast cancer, such as mammography and tomosynthesis, are x-ray-based modalities. Unfortunately, their cancer detection rates are low in patients with dense breasts. These, and other high-risk women, are now encouraged to receive supplemental screening. The supplemental imaging methods are diverse, including ultrasound, MRI, nuclear imaging, and X-ray-based modalities such as breast CT and contrast-enhanced mammography/tomosynthesis. Due to their low cost and wide availability, x-ray-based modalities see significant clinical use worldwide. These techniques benefit from the use of contrast agents, which are currently iodinated small molecules designed for other purposes. Consequently, developing new contrast agents that are specifically for breast cancer screening is of interest. This review describes these modalities and the nanoparticle-based contrast agents being researched for their enhanced performance. The relevant parameters for nanoparticle-based contrast agent design are evaluated, including contrast generation and potential biointeractions. Iodinated agents are discussed for comparison. Nanoparticles covered include silver sulfide, silver telluride, gold, and bismuth sulfide-based agents, among others. Finally, perspectives on future developments in this field are offered.

Interaction of Selected Anthracycline and Tetracycline Chemotherapeutics with Poly(I:C) Molecules

Despite the natural ability of the immune system to recognize cancer and, in some patients, even to eliminate it, cancer cells have acquired numerous evading mechanisms. With the increasing knowledge and focus shifting from targeting rapidly proliferating cells with chemotherapy to modulating the immune system, there have been recent efforts to integrate (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) various therapeutic approaches. Combining the oncolytic activity of some chemotherapeutics with immunostimulatory molecules, so-called chemoimmunotherapy, is an attractive strategy. An example of such an immunostimulatory molecule is polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [Poly(I:C)], a synthetic analogue of double-stranded RNA characterized by rapid nuclease degradation hampering its biological activity. This study investigated the possible interactions of tetracycline and anthracycline chemotherapeutics with different commercial Poly(I:C) molecules and protection against nuclease degradation. Fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism revealed an interaction of all of the selected chemotherapeutics with Poly(I:C)s and the ability of doxycycline and minocycline to prolong the resistance to RNase cleavage, respectively. The partial protection was observed in vitro as well.

Lipid metabolism in cancer: Exploring phospholipids as potential biomarkers

Aberrant lipid metabolism is increasingly recognized as a hallmark of cancer, contributing to tumor growth, metastatic dissemination, and resistance to therapy. Cancer cells reprogram key metabolic pathways-including de novo lipogenesis, lipid uptake, and phospholipid remodeling-to sustain malignant progression and adapt to microenvironmental demands. This review summarizes current insights into the role of lipid metabolic reprogramming in oncogenesis and highlights recent advances in lipidomics that have revealed cancer type- and stage-specific lipid signatures with diagnostic and prognostic relevance. We emphasize the dual potential of lipid metabolic pathways-particularly those involving phospholipids-as sources of clinically relevant biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Enzymes and transporters involved in these pathways have emerged as promising candidates for both diagnostic applications and pharmacological intervention. We also examine persistent challenges hindering the clinical translation of lipid-based approaches, including analytical variability, insufficient biological validation, and the lack of standardized integration into clinical workflows. Furthermore, the review explores strategies to overcome these barriers, highlighting the importance of incorporating lipidomics into multi-omics frameworks, supported by advanced computational tools and AI-driven analytics, to decipher the complexity of tumor-associated metabolic networks. We discuss how such integrative approaches can facilitate the identification of actionable metabolic targets, improve the specificity and robustness of lipid-based biomarkers, and enhance patient stratification in the context of precision oncology.

LIN28B enhances the chemosensitivity of colon cancer cells via inducing genomic instability by upsetting the balance between the production and removal of reactive oxygen species

Genomic instability is an enabling characteristic that allows cancer cells to acquire additional hallmarks of cancer through the accumulation of alterations in driver genes. Furthermore, it creates opportunities to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents targeting DNA, owing to the presence of incomplete DNA damage repair pathways. This study identifies LIN28B as a crucial regulator of colon cancer cells' sensitivity to DNA damage- or repair-related compounds by promoting genomic instability. LIN28B mechanistically reduces glutathione (GSH) synthesis and activity by inhibiting the expression of four GSH metabolic enzymes (GCLC, G6PD, GSTM4, and GSTT2B), thereby reducing the capacity of cells to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS). LIN28B enhances the proinflammatory signaling pathway in cancer cells through the upregulation of ARID3A, a transcription factor that transactivates PTGES and PTGES2, resulting in increased production of PGE2, a key inflammatory mediator that can elevate ROS generation. In conclusion, LIN28B altered the equilibrium of ROS production and elimination in colon cancer, resulting in elevated ROS levels and subsequent genomic instability.

A comprehensive review and in silico analysis of the role of survivin (BIRC5) in hepatocellular carcinoma hallmarks: A step toward precision

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex malignancy driven by the dysregulation of multiple cellular pathways. Survivin, a key member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family, plays a central role in HCC tumorigenesis and progression. Despite significant research, a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of survivin to the hallmarks of cancer, its molecular network, and its potential as a therapeutic target remains incomplete. In this review, we integrated bioinformatics analysis with an extensive literature review to provide deeper insights into the role of survivin in HCC. Using bioinformatics tools such as the Human Protein Atlas, GEPIA, STRING, TIMER, and Metascape, we analyzed survivin expression and its functional associations and identified the top 20 coexpressed genes in HCC. These include TK1, SPC25, SGO2, PTTG1, PRR11, PLK1, NCAPH, KPNA2, KIF2C, KIF11, HJURP, GTSE1, FOXM1, CEP55, CENPA, CDCA3, CDC45, CCNB2, CCNB1 and CTD-2510F5.4. Our findings also revealed significant protein-protein interactions among these genes, which were enriched in pathways associated with the FOXM1 oncogenic signaling cascade, and biological processes such as cell cycle regulation, mitotic checkpoints, and diseases such as liver neoplasms. We also discussed the involvement of survivin in key oncogenic pathways, including the PI3K/AKT, WNT/β-catenin, Hippo, and JAK/STAT3 pathways, and its role in modulating cell cycle checkpoints, apoptosis, and autophagy. Furthermore, we explored its interactions with the tumor microenvironment, particularly its impact on immune modulation through myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-associated macrophages, and natural killer cell function in HCC. Additionally, we highlighted its involvement in alkylglycerone phosphate synthase (AGPS)-mediated lipid reprogramming and identified important gaps in the survivin network that warrant further investigation. This review also examined the role of survivin in cancer stemness, inflammation, and virally mediated hepatocarcinogenesis. We evaluated its potential as a diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and pharmacodynamic biomarker in HCC, emphasizing its relevance in precision medicine. Finally, we summarized emerging survivin-targeted therapeutics and ongoing clinical trials, underscoring the need for novel strategies to effectively target survivin in HCC.

NSAID-encapsulated nanoparticles as a targeted therapeutic platform for modulating chronic inflammation and inhibiting cancer progression: a review

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have significantly advanced nanocarrier-mediated drug delivery systems, promoting therapeutic outcomes in mitigating chronic inflammation and cancer. Nanomaterials offer significant advantages over traditional small-molecule drugs, including a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, tunable structural features, and extended bloodstream circulation time. Chronic inflammation is a well-established mechanism for malignant initiation, progression, and metastasis, promoting the potent strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. Numerous studies revealed that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have the therapeutic ability to manage disease progression via amolerating angiogenesis and inducing apoptosis. However, prolonged intake of NSAIDs is often limited by adverse side-effects and systemic toxicities. The encapsulation of NSAIDs in a nanocarrier have materialized as a dynamic approach to mitigate the limitations by improving pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, reducing off-target effects, and enhancing the drug stability. This review encompasses recent progress in the development of NSAID-based nanotherapeutics, focusing on pivotal mechanisms underlying nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery, such as improved tumor-specific targeting and strategies to overcome drug resistance. The ability of these nano-cargoes to accommodate anti-inflammatory strategies with advanced drug delivery platforms is critically evaluated. This review also highlights the transformative potential of NSAID-encapsulated nanoparticles as a multifaceted therapeutic venue for addressing chronic inflammation and mitigating cancer progression.

Modeling of cancer stem cells and the tumor microenvironment Via NT2/D1 cells to probe pathology and treatment for cancer and beyond

INTRODUCTION

Unique from the other tumor cells, tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) manifest as a subpopulation of cells within the tumor that exhibit genetic and phenotypic features and signaling processes, which escape traditional anti-oncogenic treatments, thereby triggering metastases and relapses of cancers. Critical to cancer biology is the crosstalk between CSCs and tumor microenvironment (TME), implicating a CSC-based cancer immunotherapy. Cognizant of CSCs' significant role in cancer pathology and treatment, finding a biological model that recapitulates CSCs and TME may allow a better understanding of tumor onset and progression for testing CSC-based therapies. In this review paper, we examined the CSC and TME characteristics of the human embryonal carcinoma NTERA-2 clonal cell line called NTERA-2 cl.D1 or NT2/D1 cells and discussed their potential utility for research and development of treatments for cancer and central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

METHODS

To probe our hypotheses that NT2/D1 cells display CSC and TME properties key to tumor development, which can serve as a screening platform to test cancer and CNS therapeutics, we conducted a literature review over a 10-year period (2014-2024), focusing on PUBMED and Science Direct published articles on cellular models of cancer, with emphasis on milestone research discoveries on NT2/D1 cells relevant to CSCs and TME. We categorized the studies under pre-clinical and clinical investigations in supporting the existence of CSC and TME features in NT2/D1 cells and providing a laboratory-to-clinic translational basis for cancer and CNS therapeutics.

CONCLUSIONS

NT2/D1 cells stand as a feasible biological model that recapitulates the crosstalk of CSCs and TME, which may critically contribute to our understanding of cancer and CNS biology and therapeutics. Designing therapeutics against CSCs' distinct self-renewal and differentiation capacities within the TME opens new avenues for treating cancers and CNS disorders.

Self-Assembly of Noncanonical Peptides: A New Frontier in Cancer Therapeutics and Beyond

In addition to the 20 standard amino acids that form the building blocks of proteins, nature employs alternative amino acids to create specialized "noncanonical peptides." These unique peptides, found in organisms from bacteria to humans, often exhibit unconventional structures and functionalities, playing critical roles in modulating cellular processes, particularly as antibiotics. Their potential has attracted significant interest for designing novel functional materials based on noncanonical peptides. This review highlights recent advances in the generation and application of noncanonical peptide assemblies. It begins with a definition of noncanonical peptides, including classic examples that showcase their distinct structures and useful biological activities. Then the applications of noncanonical peptide assemblies in developing anticancer therapeutics are discussed, focusing on recent and representative studies that demonstrate their efficacy and versatility in targeting tumor cells. Beyond oncology, it is explored how noncanonical peptide assemblies have been utilized in biomaterials, regenerative medicine, molecular imaging and catalysis. Finally, perspectives are offered on future directions in this rapidly evolving field, emphasizing exciting opportunities and remaining challenges that will drive continued innovation in designing and applying noncanonical peptide-based assemblies.

KDM4C works in concert with GATA1 to regulate heme metabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the sixth most common cancer worldwide, presents significant public health challenges due to its genetic instability and late-stage diagnosis. Despite advancements in treatment, the median overall survival remains below one year, emphasizing the need for improved detection, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the role of KDM4C and its interaction with GATA1 in regulating heme metabolism and tumor progression in HNSCC. KDM4C knockdown (KDM4C-KD) hindered HNSCC cell migration using in vitro assays, inhibited metastasis through zebrafish xenotransplantation, and suppressed tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. RNA-seq and CUT&Tag-seq analyses on KDM4C-KD SAS cells identified KDM4C-regulated genes, including ferrochelatase (FECH), in heme metabolism. Immunoprecipitation and docking analyses confirmed the KDM4C-GATA1 interaction. Notably, FECH overexpression in KDM4C or GATA1 knockdown cells restored cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, highlighting FECH as a crucial downstream target. KDM4 inhibitors myricetin and BPRKD022S0 (22S0) increased H3K9me3 levels, downregulated heme metabolism genes, and reduced cell survival in HNSCC cells. Zebrafish and mouse models demonstrated that these inhibitors effectively suppressed tumor growth and metastasis. Immunohistochemical analysis of HNSCC patient samples revealed high KDM4C and GATA1 expression correlated with advanced clinical stages and poor survival outcomes. Our findings elucidate the critical role of the KDM4C/GATA1-FECH axis in HNSCC progression and suggest that targeting this pathway with KDM4 inhibitors shows promising therapeutic potential for HNSCC treatment.

Serum metabolomics to identify molecular subtypes and predict XELOX efficacy in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers; however, accurately predicting prognosis based on existing molecular subtypes remains challenging. The XELOX regimen, which combines oxaliplatin and capecitabine, is the cornerstone of chemotherapy for CRC treatment. However, there is a notable lack of reliable predictive models for determining the sensitivity of this treatment. This study aimed to establish a novel classification system for CRC and develop a predictive model for XELOX chemotherapeutic sensitivity using serum metabolomics. We recruited 89 patients with CRC and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls for untargeted metabolomic studies to identify tumor-specific serum metabolites. The patients were grouped into distinct metabolic subtypes using unsupervised clustering. A serum metabolite combination predictive of the efficacy of XELOX was established using Cox regression analysis in 34 patients with stage III CRC. Using unsupervised clustering based on the serum metabolites, three distinct clusters were identified. Notably, Cluster 3, which was characterized by uniform lipid and amino acid levels, demonstrated the best prognosis. Our analysis revealed that D-glucose 6-phosphate, presqualene diphosphate, and leukotriene B4 levels were negatively correlated with XELOX sensitivity, whereas 15-HETE and N-acetyl-l-methionine levels were positively correlated. Based on these findings, we constructed a predictive model validated in an independent cohort of 34 patients with stage III CRC. In summary, this study identified a novel classification of CRC based on serum metabolites and developed a potential prognostic model for XELOX chemotherapeutic efficacy, which may have direct effects on the treatment and prognosis of CRC.

Aberrant Splicing as a Mechanism for Resistance to Cancer Therapies

Cancer is biologically diverse, highly heterogeneous, and associated with molecular alterations, significantly contributing to mortality worldwide. Currently, cancer patients are subjected to single or combination treatments comprising chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Chemotherapy remains the first line of treatment in cancer but faces a major obstacle in the form of chemoresistance. This obstacle has resulted in relapses and poor patient survival due to decreased treatment efficacy. Aberrant pre-mRNA alternative splicing can significantly modulate gene expression and function involved in the resistance mechanisms, potentially shaping the intricate landscape of tumour chemoresistance. Thus, novel strategies targeting abnormal pre-mRNA alternative splicing and understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance could aid in overcoming the chemotherapeutic challenges. This review first highlights drug targets, drug pumps, detoxification mechanisms, DNA damage response, and evasion of apoptosis and cell death as key molecular mechanisms involved in chemotherapy resistance. Furthermore, the review discusses the progress of research on the dysregulation of alternative splicing and molecular targets involved in chemotherapy resistance in major cancer types.

Dysmagnesemia Incidence in Hospitalized Dogs and Cats: A Retrospective Study

Magnesium plays a vital role in the body. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate dysmagnesemia incidence in hospitalized patients. Medical records of 430 dogs and 310 cats were reviewed, including patients with at least one venous blood gas analysis upon admission. Normal ionized magnesium values were considered 0.5-1 mmol/L for both species, according to the machine range. Data collected included patient demographics, hospitalization details, and outcome. In dogs, hypomagnesemia occurred in 35.5%, hypermagnesemia in 1.1%, and normomagnesemia in 62.2%. No survival differences were observed, but males showed a higher hypomagnesemia incidence. Neurological (51%), neoplastic (50%), and endocrine (42%) diseases were most associated with hypomagnesemia. In cats, hypomagnesemia was found in 6.8%, hypermagnesemia in 8%, and normomagnesemia in 85.2%. Hypermagnesemic cats had 2.3 times higher mortality. Endocrine (28.6%), systemic (13.6%), and urinary (12.9%) disorders had a higher incidence of hypermagnesemia. Dysmagnesemia was not linked to hospitalization length or blood pressure changes. In conclusion, dogs showed a high incidence of hypomagnesemia that was not associated with increased mortality. In contrast, although hypermagnesemia had a low incidence in cats, it was associated with increased mortality.

G-quadruplex in cancer energy metabolism: A potential therapeutic target

In recent years, energy metabolism in cancer has received increasing attention as an important component of tumor biology, and the functions of transcription factors, mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the autophagy-lysosome system in which have been elucidated. G-quadruplex (G4) is a molecular switch that regulates gene transcription or translation. As an anticancer target, the effect of G4 on cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, cycle and autophagy has been recognized. The energy metabolism system is a unified whole composed of transcription factors, metabolic regulators, metabolites and signaling pathways that run through the entire cancer process. However, the role of G4 in this complex metabolic network has not been systematically elucidated. In this review, we analyze the close correlation between G4 and transcription factors, mitochondria, ROS and the autophagy-lysosome system and suggest that G4 can exert a marked effect on cancer energy metabolism by regulating the above mentioned key regulatory elements. The anticancer effects of some G4 ligands through regulation of energy metabolism have also been summarized, confirming the clear involvement of G4 in energy metabolism. Although much more research is needed, we propose that G4 may play a critical role in the complex energy metabolism system of cancer, which is a promising target for anticancer strategies focusing on energy metabolism.

Harnessing lysosomal genetics: development of a risk stratification panel and unveiling of DPP7 as a biomarker for colon adenocarcinoma

Lysosomal dysfunction has been implicated in the progression of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), yet the prognostic significance and therapeutic potential of lysosome-related genes (LRGs) remain underexplored. In this study, we construct a 6-LRG-based prognostic risk stratification model (DPP7, ADAM8, CD1B, LRP2, ATP6V1C2, and PLAAT3) by integrating LASSO and Cox regression analyses. Stratifying patients based on median risk scores, we demonstrate that high-risk patients exhibit significantly worse clinical outcomes across the TCGA cohort and five independent GEO datasets. Furthermore, this panel outperforms 136 previously published models in terms of predictive accuracy for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates. Validation multiplex immunofluorescence using an in-house tissue microarray cohort confirms the 6-LRG signature serves as an independent prognostic factor. Additionally, high-risk patients exhibit distinct immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and aggressive malignancy characteristics. Functional depletion of DPP7 significantly inhibits tumor cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Moreover, DPP7 silencing attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition, as evidenced by the upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Snail. In conclusion, this study establishes an LRG-based model for COAD prognostic prediction and nominates DPP7 as a promising therapeutic target for COAD treatment.

Nanogold-albumin conjugates: transformative approaches for next-generation cancer therapy and diagnostics

Nanogold-albumin conjugates have garnered significant attention as a highly adaptable theranostic platform, capable of delivering a wide range of therapeutics, from small-molecule drugs to larger biomolecules, while offering promising applications for monitoring and managing cancer. The remarkable theranostic capabilities of these conjugates stem from the combined strengths of gold and albumin, which provide low toxicity, a large surface area, customizable surface chemistry, and unique optical properties, all contributing to their potential in cancer therapy. This review delves into the design and development of two primary types of nanogold-albumin conjugate: supramolecular albumin-coated gold nanoparticles (GNP-BSA/HSA) and albumin-templated ultra-small gold nanoclusters (GNC-BSA/HSA). Each strategy offers distinct advantages, enabling the fine-tuning of conjugate properties to optimize therapeutic delivery and facilitate cancer-specific bio-sensing. The integration of gold and albumin further improves biocompatibility, extends circulation time, and enhances tumor targeting, making these conjugates an attractive option for cancer treatment. The review also focuses on the refinement of surface chemistry to achieve precise targeting of cancer cells, as well as the challenges and future prospects for advancing nanogold-albumin systems in clinical applications.

Circulating Tumor Microenvironment in Metastasis

Activation of invasion and metastasis is a central hallmark of cancer, contributing to the primary cause of death for patients with cancer. In the multistep metastatic process, cancer cells must infiltrate the circulation, survive, arrest at capillary beds, extravasate, and form metastatic clones in distant organs. However, only a small proportion of circulating tumor cells (CTC) successfully form metastases, with transit of CTCs in the circulation being the rate-limiting step. The fate of CTCs is influenced by the circulating tumor microenvironment (cTME), which encompasses factors affecting their biological behaviors in the circulation. This liquid and flowing microenvironment differs significantly from the primary TME or the premetastatic niche. This review summarizes the latest advancements in identifying the biophysical cues, key components, and biological roles of the cTME, highlighting the network among biophysical attributes, blood cells, and nonblood factors in cancer metastasis. In addition to the potential of the cTME as a therapeutic target for inhibiting metastasis, the cTME could also represent as a biomarker for predicting patient outcomes and developing strategies for treating cancer.

Exosomes delivering miR-129-5p combined with sorafenib ameliorate hepatocellular carcinoma progression via the KCTD1/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway

BACKGROUND

Potassium channel tetramerization domain-containing 1 (KCTD1) plays a critical role in transcriptional regulation and adipogenesis, but its significance in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) has not been reported.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR analysis were performed to assess the expression of KCTD1 and related genes in HCC cells. MTT assays, colony formation, cell migration, invasion and the in-vivo mouse models were utilized to evaluate the function of KCTD1 in HCC progression. Co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of KCTD1 in HCC.

RESULTS

KCTD1 expression was increased in human HCC tissues and closely associated with advanced tumor stages. KCTD1 overexpression enhanced growth, migration, and invasion of Huh7 and HepG2 cells both in vitro and in vivo, while KCTD1 knockdown reversed these effects in MHCC97H cells. Mechanistically, KCTD1 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and enhanced HIF-1α protein stability with the inhibited prolyl-hydroxylases (PHD)/Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) pathway, consequently activating the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)/VEGFR2 pathway in HCC cells. Sorafenib and KCTD1 knockdown synergistically inhibited intrahepatic tumor growth following in situ injection of MHCC97H cells. miR-129-5p downregulated KCTD1 by binding to KCTD1 3'UTR. Finally, 45 µg exosomes from miR-129-5p-overexpressing MHCC97H cells combined with 25 mg/kg sorafenib to decrease HCC tumor size.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that KCTD1 protects HIF-1α from degradation and activates the VEGF signaling cascade to enhance HCC progression. Therefore, KCTD1 may serve as a novel target of HCC and pave the way for an efficient combined therapy in advanced HCC.

The future is now: advancing p53 immunohistochemistry in Barrett's oesophagus and its implication for the everyday pathologist

Barrett's oesophagus (BE) is a precancerous condition where the normal squamous epithelium of the distal oesophagus is replaced by specialised intestinal-type columnar epithelium. Patients with BE have an increased risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). p53 is a tumour suppressor protein frequently mutated in BE, and its overexpression is detectable by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and correlates with TP53 mutations. This review summarises recent literature on p53 IHC as a diagnostic aid for dysplasia and a predictive biomarker of neoplastic progression risk in BE. While there is a vast amount of literature on this topic, there are no established criteria for what constitutes an abnormal p53 immunohistochemical result in the setting of BE. Multiple studies show that p53 IHC improves interobserver agreement and diagnostic confidence for low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia and EAC compared to histology alone. Establishing easy-to-use, reproducible and practical diagnostic criteria that can be applied to routine daily practice is urgently needed. p53 IHC overexpression in non-dysplastic BE indicates an increased neoplastic progression risk. Emerging technologies such as next-generation sequencing may offer higher sensitivity for detecting neoplastic clones. While the haematoxylin and eosin stain remains the most powerful tool, p53 IHC is a valuable adjunct for determining and diagnosing dysplasia. Although p53 is helpful in predicting the risk of dysplasia in non-dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus, its sensitivity is low, limiting its routine use in this context.

MicroRNAs as behind-the-scenes molecules in breast cancer metastasis and their therapeutic role through novel microRNA-based delivery strategies

Breast cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related death and the most frequent malignancy among women in Western countries. Although there have been advancements in combination treatments and targeted therapies for the metastatic diseases management, metastatic breast cancer is still the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among U.S. women. The routes of metastasis encompass invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, infiltration into a remote location to establish a metastatic niche, and the formation of micro-metastases in a new environment. Each of these processes is regulated by changes in gene expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are widely expressed by a variety of organisms and have a key role in cell activities including suppressing or promoting cancer through regulating various pathways. Target gene expression is post-transcriptionally regulated by miRNAs, which contribute to the development, spread, and metastasis of breast cancer. In this study, we comprehensively discussed the role of miRNAs as predictors of breast cancer metastasis, their correlation with the spread of the disease to certain organs, and their potential application as targets for breast cancer treatment. We also provided molecular mechanisms of miRNAs in the progression of breast cancer, as well as current challenges in miRNA-based therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, as one of the primary issues with the treatment of solid malignancies is the efficient delivery of miRNAs, we examined a number of cutting-edge carriers for miRNA-based therapies and CRISPR/Cas9 as a targeted therapy for breast cancer.

Challenges of small cell lung cancer heterogeneity and phenotypic plasticity

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy with ~7% 5-year overall survival reflecting early metastasis and rapid acquired chemoresistance. Immunotherapy briefly extends overall survival in ~15% cases, yet predictive biomarkers are lacking. Targeted therapies are beginning to show promise, with a recently approved delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3)-targeted therapy impacting the treatment landscape. The increased availability of patient-faithful models, accumulating human tumour biobanks and numerous comprehensive molecular profiling studies have collectively facilitated the mapping and understanding of substantial intertumoural and intratumoural heterogeneity. Beyond the almost ubiquitous loss of wild-type p53 and RB1, SCLC is characterized by heterogeneously mis-regulated expression of MYC family members, yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), NOTCH pathway signalling, anti-apoptotic BCL2 and epigenetic regulators. Molecular subtypes are based on the neurogenic transcription factors achaete-scute homologue 1 (ASCL1) and neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (NEUROD1), the rarer non-neuroendocrine transcription factor POU class 2 homeobox 3 (POU2F3), and immune- and inflammation-related signatures. Furthermore, SCLC shows phenotypic plasticity, including neuroendocrine-to-non-neuroendocrine transition driven by NOTCH signalling, which is associated with disease progression, chemoresistance and immune modulation and, in mouse models, with metastasis. Although these features pose substantial challenges, understanding the molecular vulnerabilities of transcription factor subtypes, the functional relevance of plasticity and cell cooperation offer opportunities for personalized therapies informed by liquid and tissue biomarkers.

The BCL-2 protein family: from discovery to drug development

The landmark discovery of the BCL-2 gene and then its function marked the identification of inhibition of apoptotic cell death as a crucial novel mechanism driving cancer development and launched the quest to discover the molecular control of apoptosis. This work culminated in the generation of specific inhibitors that are now in clinical use, saving and improving tens of thousands of lives annually. Here, some of the original players of this story, describe the sequence of critical discoveries. The t(14;18) chromosomal translocation, frequently observed in follicular lymphoma, allowed the identification and the cloning of a novel oncogene (BCL-2) juxtaposed to the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene locus (IgH). Of note, BCL-2 acted in a distinct manner as compared to then already known oncogenic proteins like ABL and c-MYC. BCL-2 did not promote cell proliferation but inhibited cell death, as originally shown in growth factor dependent haematopoietic progenitor cell lines (e.g., FDC-P1) and in Eμ-Myc/Eμ-Bcl-2 double transgenic mice. Following a rapid expansion of the BCL-2 protein family, the Abbott Laboratories solved the first structure of BCL-XL and subsequently the BCL-XL/BAK peptide complex, opening the way to understanding the structures of other BCL-2 family members and, finally, to the generation of inhibitors of the different pro-survival BCL-2 proteins, thanks to the efforts of Servier/Norvartis, Genentech/WEHI, AbbVie, Amgen, Prelude and Gilead. Although the BCL-2 inhibitor Venetoclax is in clinical use and inhibitors of BCL-XL and MCL-1 are undergoing clinical trials, several questions remain on whether therapeutic windows can be achieved and what other agents should be used in combination with BH3 mimetics to achieve optimal therapeutic impact for cancer therapy. Finally, the control of the expression of BH3-only proteins and pro-survival BCL-2 family members needs to be better understood as this may identify novel targets for cancer therapy. This story is still not concluded!

Thinking Outside the Therapeutic Box: The Potential of Polyphenols in Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

The numerous side effects and adverse health implications associated with chemotherapies have long plagued the field of cancer care. Whilst in some cases a curative measure, this highly toxic intervention consistently scores poorly on quantitative measures of tolerability and safety. Of these side effects, cardiac and microvascular defects pose the greatest health risk and are the leading cause of death amongst cancer survivors who do not succumb to relapse. In fact, in many low-grade cancers, the risk of recurrence is far outweighed by the cardiovascular risk of morbidity. As such, there is a pressing need to improve outcomes within these populations. Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring metabolites that have shown potential vasoprotective effects. Studies suggest they possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in addition to directly modulating vascular signalling pathways and gene expression. Leveraging these properties may help counteract the vascular toxicity induced by chemotherapy. In this review, we outline the main mechanisms by which the endothelium is damaged by chemotherapeutic agents and discuss the ability of polyphenols to counteract such side effects. We suggest future considerations that may help overcome some of the published limitations of these compounds that have stalled their clinical success. Finally, we briefly explore their pharmacological properties and how novel approaches could enhance their efficacy while minimising treatment-related side effects.

A Network Based Model for Predicting Spatial Progression of Metastasis

Metastatic cancer is reported to have a mortality rate of 90%. Understanding the underlying principles of metastasis and quantifying them through mathematical modelling provides insights into potential treatment regimes. This work presents a partial differential equation based mathematical model embedded on a network, representing the organs and the blood vessels between them, with the aim of predicting likely secondary metastatic sites. Through this framework the relationship between metastasis and blood flow and between metastasis and the diffusive behaviour of cancer is explored. An analysis of the model predictions showed a good correlation with clinical data for some cancer types, particularly for cancers originating in the gut and liver. The model also predicts an inverse relationship between blood velocity and the concentration of cancer cells in secondary organs. Finally, for anisotropic diffusive behaviour, where the cancer experiences greater diffusivity in one direction, metastatic efficiency decreased. This is aligned with the clinical observation that gliomas of the brain, which typically show anisotropic diffusive behaviour, exhibit fewer metastases. The investigation yields some valuable results for clinical practitioners and researchers-as it clarifies some aspects of cancer that have hitherto been difficult to study, such as the impact of differing diffusive behaviours and blood flow rates on the global spread of cancer. The model provides a good framework for studying cancer progression using cancer-specific information when simulating metastasis.

A prediction model for predicting relapsed-free survival of early-stage invasive breast cancer patients with hormone receptor positive based on Ki67, HER2 and TOP2A

Objective

The purpose of the current study was to determine the relationship between ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1), topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A), Thymidylate synthase (TYMS), class III beta-tubulin (TUBB3) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expressions and relapse-free survival (RFS) in early-stage invasive breast cancer (IBC) patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), as well as to develop a nomogram model for forecasting RFS.

Methods

Early-stage IBC patients with HR+ who were diagnosed and treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from June 2017 to December 2020 were enrolled in this study. The survival analysis was performed by utilizing the Kaplan-Meier method, and the risk factors linked to patient RFS were determined by performing Cox regression analysis. The nomogram for predicting RFS in early-stage IBC patients with HR+ was stablished and validated based on the results of the Cox regression analysis.

Results

In total, 126 early-stage IBC patients with HR+ were included in the current study. Among these patients, 23 cases experienced relapse after surgery, with a median RFS of 29 months. Significant relationships were observed between TYMS, RRM1, TUBB3, TOP2 and PTEN, Ki67 and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and patient RFS. Cox regression analysis revealed that chemotherapy and higher expression levels of TOP2A, HER2 and Ki67 were independent predictors of RFS in early-stage IBC patients with HR+. The nomogram we constructed using the above independent risk factors exhibited good ability for predicting RFS in early-stage IBC patients with HR+.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy, TOP2A, HER2, and Ki67 expression were independent predictors of RFS in early-stage IBC patients with HR+. The nomogram we developed using these predictors is a reliable tool for predicting RFS in this patient population.

Apoptotic Caspases-3 and -7 Cleave Extracellular Domains of Membrane-Bound Proteins from MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

Apoptotic executioner caspases-3 and -7 are the main proteases responsible for the execution of apoptosis. Apoptosis is the main form of programmed cell death involved in organism development and maintenance of homeostasis and is commonly impaired in various pathologies. Predominately an immunologically silent form of cell death, it can become immunogenic upon loss of membrane integrity during progression to secondary necrosis, which mostly occurs when apoptotic bodies are not efficiently cleared by efferocytosis. In cancer, the efferocytic capacity can be overwhelmed following chemotherapeutic treatment, thereby providing an opportunity for the potential extracellular functions of executioner apoptotic caspases in the tumor microenvironment. By triggering apoptosis in Jurkat E6.1 acute T cell leukemia cells, we demonstrated that during progression to secondary necrosis, executioner caspases-3 and -7 can be found in the extracellular space. Furthermore, we showed that extracellularly active caspases-3 and -7 can cleave extracellular domains of membrane-bound proteins from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, a function generally executed in the tumor microenvironment by several extracellular proteases from metalloprotease and cathepsin families. As such, this study provides the evidence for the potential involvement of apoptotic caspases-3 and -7 in extracellular proteolytic networks. Presented mass spectrometry data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD061399.

MDM2 inhibitor induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells through activation of the CHOP-DR5 pathway, independent of p53 phenotype

Introduction

Murine double minute 2 (MDM2), a key negative regulator of p53, forms a feedback loop with p53 to drive tumor progression, including colorectal cancer. Nutlin-3a, an MDM2 inhibitor, induces apoptosis in wild-type p53 tumors, but its effects on p53-mutated cancers and potential p53-independent apoptotic mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

We investigated Nutlin-3a's effects on colon cancer cells with varying p53 phenotypes. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated CHOP was detected and knocked down to explore mechanisms. In vitro and in vivo experiments assessed Nutlin-3a's synergy with 5-fluorouracil and TRAIL.

Results

Nutlin-3a activated caspase-8-dependent extrinsic apoptosis in colon cancer cells via DR5 upregulation, independent of p53 status. ER stress and CHOP activation mediated DR5 induction, driven by calcium release. Combined Nutlin-3a treatment enhanced sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil and TRAIL in vitro and in vivo through caspase-8 pathway activation.

Discussion

These findings reveal a novel p53-independent apoptotic mechanism of Nutlin-3a involving ER stress and death receptor signaling. This pathway highlights Nutlin-3a's potential as an adjuvant therapy for colon cancer, even in p53-mutated tumors, by enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy through extrinsic apoptosis.

The mechanical state of pre-tumoral epithelia controls subsequent Drosophila tumor aggressiveness

Tumors evolve through the acquisition of increasingly aggressive traits associated with dysplasia. This progression is accompanied by alterations in tumor mechanical properties, especially through extracellular matrix remodeling. However, the contribution of pre-tumoral tissue mechanics to tumor aggressiveness remains poorly known in vivo. Here, we show that adherens junction tension in pre-tumoral tissues dictates subsequent tumor evolution in Drosophila. Increased cell contractility, observed in aggressive tumors before any sign of tissue overgrowth, proved sufficient to trigger dysplasia in normally hyperplastic tumors. In addition, high contractility precedes any changes in cell polarity and contributes to tumor evolution through cell death induction, which favors cell-cell junction weakening. Overall, our results highlight the need to re-evaluate the roles of tumoral cell death and identify pre-tumoral cell mechanics as an unsuspected early marker and key trigger of tumor aggressiveness.

Rapid sorting and auxiliary evaluation of malignant breast tumors by accurate imaging analysis of metastasis-related biomarker

Accurate differentiation of benign and malignant breast tumors is paramount for establishing schemes of breast cancer treatment and prognosis. Here we report a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence probe (YF-1) with the overexpressed cathepsin C (CTSC) in metastatic breast tumors as the detecting substrate. This probe allows accurate identification of malignant tumor tissue specimens among tumor tissue specimens with unknown properties in a blind study. Importantly, a series of visible to NIR CTSC-activated fluorescence probes based on the same strategy realize effective identification of malignant tumor tissues, suggesting that CTSC could be the specific identification substrate of malignant breast tumors. Furthermore, a hydrophilic PEG moiety is coupled into YF-1, producing another CTSC-activated NIR probe (YF-2). YF-2 has excellent tumor-targeting capability, enabling the visualization of lung-metastatic breast tumors. The excellent detection accuracy and construction versatility of CTSC probes pave the way for preoperative diagnosis of malignant breast tumors.

The application of mendelian randomization in cancer research: a bibliometric analysis

Cancer is a major public health and economic issue faced globally today, significantly affecting human health and life. Due to various constraints, exploring the causal relationship between risk factors and cancer is challenging and not exactly accurate. The advent of Mendelian randomization (MR) effectively addresses these issues, providing new avenues for exploring causal relationships. We downloaded literature related to the application of MR in cancer from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2005 to October 21, 2024, limiting the document type to articles and the language to English, resulting in a total of 2058 articles. We downloaded them in plain text format and extracted information on countries, authors, institutions, keywords, journals, citation counts, and publication dates, utilizing VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R language for bibliometric analysis. From 2005 to 2024, the number of publications on the application of MR in cancer has shown a growth trend. China was the most productive country (1305); the University of Bristol was the most prolific institution (213); Smith, George Davey published the most articles in this field (59) with a total citation count of 5344; the most prolific journal in this field is Scientific Reports (71). Chronic diseases and cancer, inflammation and cancer, and sex hormones and cancer are three hot topics in the current research on the application of MR in cancer. In the future, optimizing statistical methods, standardizing research processes, collecting data from a broader range of populations, expanding data scale, and integrating other research methods to enhance research quality will be the development trends of MR in cancer research. In summary, this study employed bibliometric methods to comprehensively analyze the literature on the application of MR in cancer over the past 20 years, evaluating the historical development, current applications, research hotspots, and future trends of MR in the field of cancer.

The Hallmarks of Cancer as Eco-Evolutionary Processes

SIGNIFICANCE

Viewing the hallmarks as a sequence of adaptations captures the "why" behind the "how" of the molecular changes driving cancer. This eco-evolutionary view distils the complexity of cancer progression into logical steps, providing a framework for understanding all existing and emerging hallmarks of cancer and developing therapeutic interventions.

STAT1 and STAT4 expression as prognostic biomarkers in patients with bladder cancer

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are cytoplasmic transcription factors known to play key roles in numerous physiological and pathological processes, from pathogen response to cancer modulation. However, the roles of some STAT family members, particularly STAT1 and STAT4, in the initiation and progression of bladder cancer (BC) have not been comprehensively studied. The present study investigated the expression pattern of STAT1 and STAT4 in the prognosis and survival of BC taking advantage of patients' specimens and cell lines. In our cohort, high mRNA expression of STAT1 was significantly associated with tumor invasiveness, recurrence and progression, and was shown to increase according to tumor stage in BC cell lines. However, it did not affect patient survival. By contrast, STAT4 exhibited its highest expression in early-stage tumors, without a significant link to the tumor stage. Moreover, it was found that increased STAT4 mRNA expression was associated with improved disease-free survival and overall survival in our cohort. Collectively, these findings suggest that STAT1 and STAT4 could be promising prognostic markers to enhance BC management.