In vitro and in vivo radiosensitization of human glioma U251 cells induced by upregulated expression of SLC22A18

Glioblastoma multiforme: an updated overview of temozolomide resistance mechanisms and strategies to overcome resistance

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor with high lethality. The typical treatment regimen includes post-surgical radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy, which helps extend survival. Nevertheless, TMZ resistance occurs in approximately 50% of patients. This resistance is primarily associated with the expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which repairs O6-methylguanine lesions generated by TMZ and is thought to be the major mechanism of drug resistance. Additionally, the mismatch repair and base excision repair pathways play crucial roles in TMZ resistance. Emerging studies also point to drug transport mechanisms, glioma stem cells, and the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment as additional influences on TMZ resistance in gliomas. A better understanding of these mechanisms is vital for developing new treatments to improve TMZ effectiveness, such as DNA repair inhibitors, inhibitors of multidrug transporting proteins, TMZ analogs, and combination therapies targeting multiple pathways. This article discusses the main resistance mechanisms and potential strategies to counteract resistance in GBM patients, aiming to broaden the understanding of these mechanisms for future research and to explore the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicines and their active components in overcoming TMZ resistance.

Preclinical Models and Technologies in Glioblastoma Research: Evolution, Current State, and Future Avenues

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor and one of the most debilitating cancers. The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma remains poor, and the management of this tumor, both in its primary and recurrent forms, remains suboptimal. Despite the tremendous efforts that are being put forward by the research community to discover novel efficacious therapeutic agents and modalities, no major paradigm shifts have been established in the field in the last decade. However, this does not mirror the abundance of relevant findings and discoveries made in preclinical glioblastoma research. Hence, developing and utilizing appropriate preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate the characteristics and behavior of human glioblastoma is of utmost importance. Herein, we offer a holistic picture of the evolution of preclinical models of glioblastoma. We further elaborate on the commonly used in vitro and vivo models, delving into their development, favorable characteristics, shortcomings, and areas of potential improvement, which aids researchers in designing future experiments and utilizing the most suitable models. Additionally, this review explores progress in the fields of humanized and immunotolerant mouse models, genetically engineered animal models, 3D in vitro models, and microfluidics and highlights promising avenues for the future of preclinical glioblastoma research.

Mouse models of glioblastoma for the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an incurable brain tumor with a median survival of approximately 15 months despite an aggressive standard of care that includes surgery, chemotherapy, and ionizing radiation. Mouse models have advanced our understanding of GBM biology and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for GBM patients. However, model selection is crucial when testing developmental therapeutics, and each mouse model of GBM has unique advantages and disadvantages that can influence the validity and translatability of experimental results. To shed light on this process, we discuss the strengths and limitations of 3 types of mouse GBM models in this review: syngeneic models, genetically engineered mouse models, and xenograft models, including traditional xenograft cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models.

Therapeutic targeting of membrane-associated proteins in central nervous system tumors

The activity of the most complex system, the central nervous system (CNS) is profoundly regulated by a huge number of membrane-associated proteins (MAP). A minor change stimulates immense chemical changes and the elicited response is organized by MAP, which acts as a receptor of that chemical or channel enabling the flow of ions. Slight changes in the activity or expression of these MAPs lead to severe consequences such as cognitive disorders, memory loss, or cancer. CNS tumors are heterogeneous in nature and hard-to-treat due to random mutations in MAPs; like as overexpression of EGFRvIII/TGFβR/VEGFR, change in adhesion molecules α5β3 integrin/SEMA3A, imbalance in ion channel proteins, etc. Extensive research is under process for developing new therapeutic approaches using these proteins such as targeted cytotoxic radiotherapy, drug-delivery, and prodrug activation, blocking of receptors like GluA1, developing viral vector against cell surface receptor. The combinatorial approach of these strategies along with the conventional one might be more potential. Henceforth, our review focuses on in-depth analysis regarding MAPs aiming for a better understanding for developing an efficient therapeutic approach for targeting CNS tumors.

Epigenetics of glioblastoma multiforme: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic approaches

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of brain cancer and one of the most aggressive cancers found in humans. Most of the signs and symptoms of GBM can be mild and slowly aggravated, although other symptoms might demonstrate it as an acute ailment. However, the precise mechanisms of the development of GBM remain unknown. Due to the improvement of molecular pathology, current researches have reported that glioma progression is strongly connected with different types of epigenetic phenomena, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and aberrant microRNA. Furthermore, the genes and the proteins that control these alterations have become novel targets for treating glioma because of the reversibility of epigenetic modifications. In some cases, gene mutations including P16, TP53, and EGFR, have been observed in GBM. In contrast, monosomies, including removals of chromosome 10, particularly q23 and q25-26, are considered the standard markers for determining the development and aggressiveness of GBM. Recently, amid the epigenetic therapies, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have been used for treating tumors, either single or combined. Specifically, HDACIs are served as a good choice and deliver a novel pathway to treat GBM. In this review, we focus on the epigenetics of GBM and the consequence of its mutations. We also highlight various treatment approaches, namely gene editing, epigenetic drugs, and microRNAs to combat GBM.

Silencing SATB1 overcomes temozolomide resistance by downregulating MGMT expression and upregulating SLC22A18 expression in human glioblastoma cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system and has a very poor prognosis. Currently, patients were treated by resection followed by radiotherapy plus concurrent temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. However, many patients are resistant to TMZ-induced DNA damage because of upregulated expression of the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). In this study, upregulation of SATB1 and MGMT, and downregulation of SLC22A18 resulted in acquisition of TMZ resistance in GBM U87 cells. Inactivation of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1) using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) downregulated MGMT expression and upregulated solute carrier family 22 member 18 (SLC22A18) expression in GBM cells. This suggested SATB1-mediated posttranscriptional regulation of the MGMT and SLC22A18 protein levels. Immunohistochemical analysis of malignant glioma specimens demonstrated a significant positive correlation between the levels of MGMT and SATB1, and a negative correlation between the levels of SLC22A18 and SATB1. Importantly, in recurrent, compared with the primary, lesions in 15 paired identical tumors, the SATB1 and MGMT protein levels were increased and the SLC22A18 levels were decreased. Finally, in TMZ-resistant GBM, SATB1 knockdown enhanced TMZ efficacy. Consequently, SATB1 inhibition might be a promising strategy combined with TMZ chemotherapy to treat TMZ-resistant GBM.

Hyperoxygenation as a Therapeutic Supplement for Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) refers to a group of biologically aggressive breast cancers that do not express estrogen, progesterone or epidermal growth factor receptor 2 hormone receptors. Each subset of TNBC has a unique molecular profile and may require specific treatments. A combination of surgery and chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy is the standard treatment mode for TNBC patients. Tumor oxygen status (hypoxia) is a key factor that may compromise the effectiveness of radiation treatment, as it is known that hypoxia can confer radiation resistance. In this study, we characterized MDA-MB-231 orthotropic xenograft tumors with respect to tumor oxygen level and their response to supplemental oxygen therapy in combination with paclitaxel and radiation therapy. We observed that the TNBC tumors became severely hypoxic (pO₂ < 4 mmHg) within 1 week of tumor growth and responded poorly to administration of respiratory hyperoxygenation (100% O₂) to mitigate hypoxia. However, periodic administration of supplemental oxygen (100% O₂; 60 min/day for 21 days) showed a significant inhibitory effect on tumor volume when compared to control (1,023 ± 32 mm³ vs. 1,378 ± 114 mm³; p < 0.05). Combination of supplemental oxygen with paclitaxel and radiation therapy led to a significant reduction in tumor growth when compared to radiation alone (239 ± 40 mm³ vs. 390 ± 32 mm³; p < 0.05). The therapeutic enhancement by supplemental oxygen is possibly attributed to increase in tumor oxygenation with paclitaxel at the time of radiation treatment. These findings may have important implications in the understanding of the role of oxygen and supplemental oxygen therapy for the treatment of TNBC patients.

SLC transporters as a novel class of tumour suppressors: identity, function and molecular mechanisms

The role of plasma membrane transporters in cancer is receiving increasing attention in recent years. Several transporters for essential nutrients are up-regulated in cancer and serve as tumour promoters. Transporters could also function as tumour suppressors. To date, four transporters belonging to the SLC gene family have been identified as tumour suppressors. SLC5A8 is a Na(+)-coupled transporter for monocarboxylates. Among its substrates are the bacterial fermentation products butyrate and propionate and the ubiquitous metabolite pyruvate. The tumour-suppressive function of this transporter relates to the ability of butyrate, propionate and pyruvate to inhibit histone deacetylases (HDAC). SLC5A8 functions as a tumour suppressor in most tissues studied thus far, and provides a molecular link to Warburg effect, a characteristic feature in most cancers. It also links colonic bacteria and dietary fibre to the host. SLC26A3 as a tumour suppressor is restricted to colon; it is a Cl(-)/HCO(-) 3 exchanger, facilitating the efflux of HCO(-) 3 The likely mechanism for the tumour-suppressive function of SLC26A3 is related to intracellular pH regulation. SLC39A1 is a Zn(2+) transporter and its role in tumour suppression has been shown in prostate. Zn(2+) is present at high concentrations in normal prostate where it elicits its tumour-suppressive function. SLC22A18 is possibly an organic cation transporter, but the identity of its physiological substrates is unknown. As such, there is no information on molecular pathways responsible for the tumour-suppressive function of this transporter. It is likely that additional SLC transporters will be discovered as tumour suppressors in the future.

Evolutionary Analysis and Classification of OATs, OCTs, OCTNs, and Other SLC22 Transporters: Structure-Function Implications and Analysis of Sequence Motifs

The SLC22 family includes organic anion transporters (OATs), organic cation transporters (OCTs) and organic carnitine and zwitterion transporters (OCTNs). These are often referred to as drug transporters even though they interact with many endogenous metabolites and signaling molecules (Nigam, S.K., Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 14:29-44, 2015). Phylogenetic analysis of SLC22 supports the view that these transporters may have evolved over 450 million years ago. Many OAT members were found to appear after a major expansion of the SLC22 family in mammals, suggesting a physiological and/or toxicological role during the mammalian radiation. Putative SLC22 orthologs exist in worms, sea urchins, flies, and ciona. At least six groups of SLC22 exist. OATs and OCTs form two Major clades of SLC22, within which (apart from Oat and Oct subclades), there are also clear Oat-like, Octn, and Oct-related subclades, as well as a distantly related group we term "Oat-related" (which may have different functions). Based on available data, it is arguable whether SLC22A18, which is related to bacterial drug-proton antiporters, should be assigned to SLC22. Disease-causing mutations, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other functionally analyzed mutations in OAT1, OAT3, URAT1, OCT1, OCT2, OCTN1, and OCTN2 map to the first extracellular domain, the large central intracellular domain, and transmembrane domains 9 and 10. These regions are highly conserved within subclades, but not between subclades, and may be necessary for SLC22 transporter function and functional diversification. Our results not only link function to evolutionarily conserved motifs but indicate the need for a revised sub-classification of SLC22.

microRNA-137 functions as a tumor suppressor in human non-small cell lung cancer by targeting SLC22A18

Our previous study demonstrated that the overexpression of solute carrier family 22 member 18 (SLC22A18) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues might be associated with tumor progression and patients' prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying its roles in NSCLC. As a result, bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that microRNA (miRNA)-137 directly targeted SLC22A18 in NSCLC cells. Then, functional studies indicated that the ectopic expression of miR-137 significantly inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and migration by targeting SLC22A18. More importantly, the decreased expression of miR-137 in clinical NSCLC tissues was correlated with advanced TNM stage, positive metastasis and poor prognosis of patients with this malignancy. In conclusion, these findings offer the convincing evidence that the roles of SLC22A18 in NSCLC progression may be partially caused by the regulatory effects of miR-137, which may function as a tumor suppressor. Our clinical data further indicated that miR-137 may be an independent favorable prognostic factor in NSCLC patients.