Mir-34: a new weapon against cancer?

Therapeutic Applications of Poly-miRNAs and miRNA Sponges

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that play crucial roles in regulating gene expression, and their dysregulation is implicated in various human diseases. Over the years, several research groups have identified miRNAs as promising therapeutic targets for intervention. Therapeutic strategies involve either overexpression or knockdown of specific miRNAs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of synthetic poly-miRNAs and miRNA sponges, highlighting their therapeutic applications. It begins with an introduction to miRNAs and their role in human diseases, followed by a detailed discussion on synthetic poly-miRNAs and miRNA sponges by exploring their application in cardiovascular, inflammatory, autoimmune, and metabolic disorders, as well as in cancer therapy. Additionally, strategies for targeted delivery, challenges, and limitations of these therapies are addressed.

Suppression of Cellular Proliferation in PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells by Green Tea Extract Through Induction of miR-34a Expression

Prostate cancer (PC) ranks as the fifth major cause of cancer-related fatalities globally. Exploring new methods with high efficacy and low side effects by using new compounds is always desired. Tea is considered the second most commonly consumed beverage among the population of the world. Polyphenols (or catechins) in green tea play a significant role in cellular signaling pathways. Herein, we evaluate the effects of green tea extract on suppression of cellular proliferation through testing the expression of miR-34a in PC3 prostate cancer cells. In this respect, PC3 prostate cancer cells were cultured and treated with green tea extract for 48 h. By using the qRT-PCR method, the expression of miR-34a was analyzed. Moreover, the expression of key proteins to regulate cellular proliferation, such as prostate specific antigen (PSA), AKT, cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cyclin B1, c-Myc, p53, and phospho-androgen receptor (p-AR) was evaluated by using western blot. Our results indicated the induction of miR-34a, p53, and the inhibition of cyclin B1, p-AR, CDK1, p-AKT, PSA, c-Myc, and p-CDK1. Our findings can be used to design anti-tumor regimens that utilize natural product ingredients. However, additional research will be needed to identify anticancer activities of green tea via miR-34a in prostate cancer cells.

A thematic analysis of prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic of circulating miRNA biomarkers in bortezomib-resistant multiple myeloma

Objective

The increasing demand for precision medicine has spurred molecular diagnostic investigations to emphasize the utility of miRNA as significant biomarkers. Recent studies have underscored miRNA's role as prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic biomarkers in managing and monitoring multiple myeloma patients. This review aims to present the latest insights on the potential of circulating miRNA as prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic biomarkers in bortezomib-resistant multiple myeloma.

Methods

For this purpose, a comprehensive thematic literature review from January 2014 and August 2024 was conducted utilizing the databases CINAHL, Pubmed, and Google Scholar. Twenty pertinent studies were meticulously analyzed and categorized into the following sections: Bortezomib (BTZ) resistance in multiple myeloma, the predictive role of miRNAs in BTZ resistance, the impact of circulating miRNAs in multiple myeloma, and the potential of circulating miRNA as prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic biomarkers.

Results

Of note, eight studies identified circulating miRNAs as diagnostic miRNA biomarkers (i.e., miR-744, miR-130a, let-7d, let-7e, miR-34a, etc.). In comparison, nine studies identified several circulating miRNAs that can be used as prognostic biomarkers (i.e., miR-20a, miR-483-5p, mir-1246, let-7a, let-7e, etc.). Moreover, five studies identified circulating miRNAs as promising therapeutic biomarkers (i.e., mir-15a, mir-92a, mir-19a, etc.). This discovery can significantly enhance early detection, accurate diagnosis, prognosis, overall survival rates, and quality of life for patients with multiple myeloma.

Conclusion

Based on this evidence, exploring circulating miRNAs as a potential noninvasive biomarker for multiple myeloma represents a noteworthy advancement. This is attributed to the abundance of miRNAs in plasma or serum, which exhibits remarkable stability against enzymatic degradation.

The Role of microRNAs in Lung Cancer: Mechanisms, Diagnostics and Therapeutic Potential

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that do not have coding functions but play essential roles in various biological processes. In lung cancer, miRNAs affect the processes of tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and resistance to treatment by regulating gene expression. Tumor-suppressive miRNAs inhibit oncogenic pathways, while oncogenic miRNAs, known as oncomiRs, promote malignant transformation and tumor growth. These dual roles position miRNAs as critical players in lung cancer biology. Studies in recent years have shown the significant potential of miRNAs as both prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Circulating miRNAs in plasma or sputum demonstrate specificity and sensitivity in detecting early-stage lung cancer. Liquid biopsy-based miRNA panels distinguish malignant from benign lesions, and specific miRNA expression patterns correlate with disease progression, response to treatment, and overall survival. Therapeutically, miRNAs hold promise for targeted interventions. Strategies such as miRNA replacement therapy using mimics for tumor-suppressive miRNAs and inhibition of oncomiRs with antagomiRs or miRNA sponges have shown preclinical success. Key miRNAs, including the let-7 family, miR-34a, and miR-21, are under investigation for their therapeutic potential. It should be emphasized that delivery difficulties, side effects, and limited stability of therapeutic miRNA molecules remain obstacles to their clinical use. This article examines the roles of miRNAs in lung cancer by indicating their mechanisms of action, diagnostic significance, and therapeutic potential. By addressing current limitations, miRNA-based approaches could revolutionize lung cancer management, offering precise, personalized, and minimally invasive solutions for diagnosis and treatment.

MicroRNAs as Endocrine Modulators of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is an aggressive disease of multiple subtypes with varying phenotypic, hormonal, and clinicopathological features, offering enhanced resistance to conventional therapeutic regimens. There is an unmet need for reliable molecular biomarkers capable of detecting the malignant transformation from the early stages of the disease to enhance diagnosis and treatment outcomes. A subset of small non-coding nucleic acid molecules, micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs/miRNAs), have emerged as promising biomarkers due to their role in gene regulation and cancer pathogenesis. This review discusses, in detail, the different origins and hormone-like regulatory functionalities of miRNAs localized in tumor tissue and in the circulation, as well as their inherent stability and turnover that determines the utility of miRNAs as biomarkers for disease detection, monitoring, prognosis, and therapeutic targets.

Non-coding RNAs, a double-edged sword in breast cancer prognosis

Cancer is a rising issue worldwide, and numerous studies have focused on understanding the underlying reasons for its occurrence and finding proper ways to defeat it. By applying technological advances, researchers are continuously uncovering and updating treatments in cancer therapy. Their vast functions in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation and their significant role in the progression of diseases, including cancer. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of ncRNAs in breast cancer, focusing on long non-coding RNAs such as HOTAIR, MALAT1, and NEAT1, as well as microRNAs such as miR-21, miR-221/222, and miR-155. These ncRNAs are pivotal in regulating cell proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, and apoptosis. Additionally, we discuss experimental approaches that are useful for studying them and highlight the advantages and challenges of each method. We then explain the results of these clinical trials and offer insights for future studies by discussing major existing gaps. On the basis of an extensive number of studies, this review provides valuable insights into the potential of ncRNAs in cancer therapy. Key findings show that even though the functions of ncRNAs are vast and undeniable in cancer, there are still complications associated with their therapeutic use. Moreover, there is an absence of sufficient experiments regarding their application in mouse models, which is an area to work on. By emphasizing the crucial role of ncRNAs, this review underscores the need for innovative approaches and further studies to explore their potential in cancer therapy.

Role of noncoding RNA as a pacemaker in cancer stem cell regulation: a review article

Accumulated evidence supported the crucial role of a tiny population of cells within the tumor called cancer stem cells (CSCs) in cancer origination, and proliferation. Additionally, these cells are distinguished by their self-renewal, differentiation, and therapeutic resistance capabilities. Interestingly, many studies recorded dysregulation of different types of noncoding RNAs, such as microRNA (miRNA) and long non-coding RNA (LncRNA), in cancer cells as well as CSCs. Moreover, several studies also supported the regulation of the transcription factors and signaling pathways required for CSC progression by these noncoding RNAs. However, the exact biological functions of all these noncoding RNAs are not well understood yet. These findings are of great interest, implying usage of noncoding RNA as therapeutic tool to target these cells. In this review, we provide an insight into how noncoding RNAs regulate CSCs and how this correlation is manipulated to develop new therapies to eradicate cancer cells successfully.

Utilizing miR-34a-Loaded HER2-Targeting Exosomes to Improve Breast Cancer Treatment: Insights From an Animal Model

PURPOSE

Exosomes, nanoscale vesicles with high biocompatibility, were engineered to express human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-binding peptides and carry miR-34a, targeting HER2 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive breast cancer cells.

METHODS

An in vivo xenograft breast cancer model was established by subcutaneously injecting breast cancer cells of both HER2 and PD-L1 positivity (SK-BR3 cells) into the buttocks of BALB/c nude mice. miR-34a-loaded HER2-targeting exosomes, termed tEx[34a], were engineered by transfecting human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells with the pDisplay vector to express HER2-binding peptides (P51 peptide). Purified exosomes were then loaded with miR-34a, a tumor-suppressor miRNA, using the Exo-Fect transfection kit, creating tEx[34a] for targeted cancer therapy.

RESULTS

Intravenous administration of miR-34a-loaded HER2-targeting exosomes, referred to as tEx[34a], demonstrated superior targetability compared to other materials, such as natural exosomes, miR-34a-loaded exosomes, and unloaded HER2-targeting exosomes. In vivo experiments using mouse breast cancer xenograft models revealed that the administration of tEx[34a] resulted in the smallest tumor size and lowest tumor weight when compared to all other groups. Notably, tEx[34a] treatment significantly reduced PD-L1 expression in breast cancer tissue compared to the other groups. Furthermore, tEx[34a] administration led to the highest upregulation of pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, PARP, and BIM) and the lowest downregulation of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-xL, as confirmed through various methods including RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence.

CONCLUSION

MiR-34a-loaded HER2-targeting exosomes demonstrate strong anticancer efficacy by selectively binding to HER2-positive breast cancer cells and effectively suppressing PD-L1 expression.

Targeting Cancer Stemness Using Nanotechnology in a Holistic Approach: A Narrative Review

Increasing evidence shows that a very small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is responsible for cancer recurrence, drug resistance, and metastasis. CSCs usually reside in hypoxic tumor regions and are characterized by high tumorigenicity. Their inaccessible nature allows them to avoid the effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. In addition, conventional chemo- and radiotherapy is potentially toxic and could help CSCs to spread and survive. New therapeutic targets against CSCs are sought, including different signaling pathways and distinct cell surface markers. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided hope for the development of new therapeutic avenues to eradicate CSCs. In this review, we present newly discovered nanoparticles that can be co-loaded with an apoptosis-inducing agent or differentiation-inducing agent, with high stability, cellular penetration, and drug release. We also summarize the molecular characteristics of CSCs and the signaling pathways responsible for their survival and maintenance. Controlled drug release targeting CSCs aims to reduce stemness-related drug resistance, suppress tumor growth, and prevent tumor relapse and metastases.

MicroRNA155 in non-small cell lung cancer: a potential therapeutic target

Lung cancer (LC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women, and it stands as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality. Among its subtypes, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent and one of the most challenging malignant tumors to treat. To date, various therapeutic approaches, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have been employed in the management of lung cancer; however, due to its aggressive nature, the survival rates remain low. Consequently, exploring novel treatment strategies is of paramount importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a large family of non-coding RNAs, play crucial roles in regulating several key biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and apoptosis. Among these, microRNA155(miR-155) is one of the most conserved and versatile miRNAs, predominantly overexpressed in various diseases, including malignant tumors. This review elucidates the biological functions and roles of miR-155 in NSCLC and discusses its potential significance as a therapeutic target for future research directions and clinical applications.

Current status of nucleic acid therapy and its new progress in cancer treatment

Nucleic acid is an essential biopolymer in all living cells, performing the functions of storing and transmitting genetic information and synthesizing protein. In recent decades, with the progress of science and biotechnology and the continuous exploration of the functions performed by nucleic acid, more and more studies have confirmed that nucleic acid therapy for living organisms has great medical therapeutic potential. Nucleic acid drugs began to become independent therapeutic agents. As a new therapeutic method, nucleic acid therapy plays an important role in the treatment of genetic diseases, viral infections and cancers. There are currently 19 nucleic acid drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In the following review, we start from principles and advantages of nucleic acid therapy, and briefly describe development history of nucleic acid drugs. And then we give examples of various RNA therapeutic drugs, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), mRNA vaccines, small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA), aptamers, and small activating RNA (saRNA). In addition, we also focused on the current status of nucleic acid drugs used in cancer therapy and the breakthrough in recent years. Clinical trials of nucleic acid drugs for cancer treatment are under way, conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy combined with the immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and nucleic acid drugs may be the main prospects for successful cancer treatment.

NF-κB signaling in therapy resistance of breast cancer: Mechanisms, approaches, and challenges

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy are all effective in destroying tumor cells, but they also activate the defense and protection systems of cancer cells, leading to treatment resistance. Breast cancer is characterized by a highly inflammatory tumor microenvironment. The NF-κB pathway is essential for connecting inflammation and cancer, as well as for tumor growth and therapy resistance. An increase in NF-κB signaling boosts the growth potential of breast cancer cells and facilitates the spread of tumors to bone, lymph nodes, lungs, and liver. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy induce breast cancer resistance through NF-κB signaling. Additionally, we investigate therapeutic regimens, including single agents or in combination with target inhibitors, plant extracts, nanomedicines, and miRNAs, that have been reported in clinical trials, in vivo, and in vitro to reverse resistance. In particular, NF-κB inhibitors combined with tamoxifen were shown to significantly increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen. Combination therapy of miRNA-34a with doxorubicin was also found to synergistically inhibit the progression of doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer by inhibiting Notch/NF-κB signaling.

Context-Dependent Regulation of Peripheral Nerve Abundance by the PI3K Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Recent studies have highlighted neurons and their associated Schwann cells (SCs) as key regulators of cancer development. However, the mode of their interaction with tumor cells or other components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains elusive. We established an SC-related 43-gene set as a surrogate for peripheral nerves in the TME. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were classified into low, intermediate and high SC score groups based on the expression of this gene set. Perineural invasion (PNI) and TGF-β signaling were hallmarks of SChigh tumors, whereas SClow tumors were enriched for HPV16-positive OPSCC and higher PI3K-MTOR activity. The latter activity was partially explained by a higher frequency of PTEN mutation and PIK3CA copy number gain. The inverse association between PI3K-MTOR activity and peripheral nerve abundance was context-dependent and influenced by the TP53 mutation status. An in silico drug screening approach highlighted the potential vulnerabilities of HNSCC with variable SC scores and predicted a higher sensitivity of SClow tumors to DNA topoisomerase inhibitors. In conclusion, we have established a tool for assessing peripheral nerve abundance in the TME and provided new clinical and biological insights into their regulation. This knowledge may pave the way for new therapeutic strategies and impart proof of concept in appropriate preclinical models.

Selective targeting of chemically modified miR-34a to prostate cancer using a small molecule ligand and an endosomal escape agent

Use of tumor-suppressive microRNAs (miRNAs) as anti-cancer agents is hindered by the lack of effective delivery vehicles, entrapment of the miRNA within endocytic compartments, and rapid degradation of miRNA by nucleases. To address these issues, we developed a miRNA delivery strategy that includes (1) a targeting ligand, (2) an endosomal escape agent, nigericin and (3) a chemically modified miRNA. The delivery ligand, DUPA (2-[3-(1,3-dicarboxy propyl) ureido] pentanedioic acid), was selected based on its specificity for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a receptor routinely upregulated in prostate cancer-one of the leading causes of cancer death among men. DUPA was conjugated to the tumor suppressive miRNA, miR-34a (DUPA-miR-34a) based on the ability of miR-34a to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation. To mediate endosomal escape, nigericin was incorporated into the complex, resulting in DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a. Both DUPA-miR-34a and DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a specifically bound to, and were taken up by, PSMA-expressing cells in vitro and in vivo. And while both DUPA-miR-34a and DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a downregulated miR-34a target genes, only DUPA-nigericin-miR-34a decreased cell proliferation in vitro and delayed tumor growth in vivo. Tumor growth was further reduced using a fully modified version of miR-34a that has significantly increased stability.

miRNA Biology in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play a crucial regulatory role in fundamental biological processes and have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer. The first evidence of the cancer-related function of miRNAs was discovered in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in the early 2000s. Alterations in miRNA expression have since been shown to strongly influence the clinical course, prognosis, and response to treatment in patients with CLL. Therefore, the identification of specific miRNA alterations not only enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying CLL but also holds promise for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge and recent insights into miRNA dysregulation in CLL, emphasizing its pivotal roles in disease progression, including the development of the lethal Richter syndrome, and to provide an update on the latest translational research in this field.

miR-34a promotes the immunosuppressive function of multiple myeloma-associated macrophages by dampening the TLR-9 signaling

BACKGROUND

Promising outcomes have been observed in multiple myeloma (MM) with the use of immunotherapies, specifically chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy. However, a portion of MM patients do not respond to CAR-T therapy, and the reasons for this lack of response remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of miR-34a on the immunosuppressive polarization of macrophages obtained from MM patients.

METHODS

The levels of miR-34a and TLR9 (Toll-like receptor 9) were examined in macrophages obtained from both healthy individuals and patients with MM. ELISA was employed to investigate the cytokine profiles of the macrophage samples. Co-culture experiments were conducted to evaluate the immunomodulatory impact of MM-associated macrophages on CAR-T cells.

RESULTS

There was an observed suppressed activation of macrophages and CD4+ T lymphocytes in the blood samples of MM patients. Overexpression of miR-34a in MM-associated macrophages dampened the TLR9 expression and impaired the inflammatory polarization. In both the co-culture system and an animal model, MM-associated macrophages suppressed the activity and tumoricidal effect of CAR-T cells in a miR-34a-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The findings imply that targeting the macrophage miR-34a/TLR9 axis could potentially alleviate the immunosuppression associated with CAR-T therapy in MM patients.

MicroRNA as a promising molecular biomarker in the diagnosis of breast cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer represents the most prevalent malignancy among women. Recent advancements in translational research have focused on the identification of novel biomarkers capable of providing valuable insights into patient outcomes. Furthermore, comprehensive investigations aimed at discovering novel miRNAs, unraveling their biological functions, and deciphering their target genes have significantly contributed to our understanding of the roles miRNAs play in tumorigenesis. Consequently, these investigations have facilitated the way for the development of miRNA-based approaches for breast cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment. However, conducting a more extensive array of studies, particularly among diverse ethnic groups, is imperative to expand the scope of research and validate the significance of miRNAs. This study aimed to assess the expression patterns of circulating miRNAs in plasma as a prospective biomarker for breast cancer patients within a population primarily consisting of individuals from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Methods: We evaluated 49 patients with breast cancer compared to 44 healthy women. Results and discussion: All miRNAs analyzed in the plasma of patients with breast cancer were downregulated. ROC curve analysis of miR-21 (AUC = 0.798, 95% CI: 0.682-0.914, p <0.0001), miR-1 (AUC = 0.742, 95% CI: 0.576-0.909, p = 0.004), miR-16 (AUC = 0.721, 95% CI: 0.581-0.861, p = 0.002) and miR-195 (AUC = 0.672, 95% CI: 0.553-0.792, p = 0.004) showed better diagnostic accuracy in discrimination of breast cancer patients in comparison with healthy women. miR-210, miR-21 showed the highest specificities values (97.3%, 94.1%, respectively). Following, miR-10b and miR-195 showed the highest sensitivity values (89.3%, and 77.8%, respectively). The panel with a combination of four miRNAs (miR-195 + miR-210 + miR-21 + miR-16) had an AUC of 0.898 (0.765-0.970), a sensitivity of 71.4%, and a specificity of 100.0%. Collectively, our results highlight the miRNA combination in panels drastically improves the results and showed high accuracy for the diagnosis of breast cancer displaying good sensitivity and specificity.

Emerging role of tumor suppressing microRNAs as therapeutics in managing non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) is the second leading cause of death across the globe after breast cancer. There are two types of LC viz. small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of all LC cases. NSCLC affects smokers and people who do not smoke and mainly arises in bronchi and peripheral lungs tissue. LC is often characterized by the alterations of key genes such as EGFR, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, ALK, MET, K-Ras and p53 and downstream signaling pathways associated with tumor growth, differentiation, and survival. Numerous miRNAs have been discovered as a result of advances in biotechnology to treat LC. Various miRNAs those have been identified to treat LC include mir-Let7, mir-34a, mir-134, mir-16-1, mir-320a, mir-148a, mir-125a-5p, mir-497, mir-29, mir-133a, and mir-29a-3p. These miRNAs target various signaling pathways that are involved in pathogenesis of LC. However, due to rapid RNAse degradation, quick clearance, and heat instability, associated with necked miRNA leads to less effective therapeutic effect against LC. Therefore, to overcome these challenges nanocarrier loaded with miRNAs have been reported. They have been found promising because they have the capacity to target the tumor as well as they can penetrate the tumors deep due to nanometer size. Some of the clinical trials have been performed using miR-34a and let-7 for the treatment of LC. In the present manuscript we highlight the role miRNAs as well as their nanoparticle in tumor suppression.

MicroRNA Expression in Endometrial Cancer: Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Implications

Background and Objectives: An extracellular vesicle is part of a class of submicron particles derived from cells, mediating cellular crosstalk through microRNA (miRNA). MiRNA is a group of RNA molecules, each of which consists of 15-22 nucleotides and post-transcriptionally modulates gene expression. The complementary mRNAs-onto which the miRNAs hybridize-are involved in processes such as implantation, tumor suppression, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis that define the entire tumor microenvironment. The endometrial biopsy is a standard technique used to recognize cellular atypia, but other non-invasive markers may reduce patient discomfort during the use of invasive methods. The present study aims to examine the distribution and the regulation of the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and EV-derived substances in women with endometrial cancer. Materials and Methods: We systematically searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases in April 2023, adopted the string "Endometrial Neoplasms AND Exosomes", and followed the recommendations in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We selected all the studies that included patients with endometrial cancer and that described the regulation of miRNA molecules in that context. The differences in molecule expression between patients and controls were evaluated as significant when the proteins had a fold change of ±1.5. Results: Seventeen records fulfilled the inclusion criteria: a total of 371 patients and 273 controls were analyzed. The upregulated molecules that had the widest delta between endometrial cancer patients and controls-relative expression ≥ 1 > 3 log2(ratio)-were miR-20b-5p, miR-204-5p, miR-15a-5p, and miR-320a. In particular, miR-20b-5p and miR-204-5p were extracted from both serum and endometrial specimens, whereas miR-15a-5p was only isolated from plasma, and miR-320a was only extracted from the endometrial specimens. In parallel, the most downregulated miRNA in the endometrial cancer patients compared to the healthy subjects was miR-320a, which was found in the endometrial specimens. Conclusions: Although their epigenetic regulation remains unknown, these upregulated molecules derived from EVs are feasible markers for the early detection of endometrial cancer. The modulation of these miRNA molecules should be assessed during different treatments or if recurrence develops in response to a targeted treatment modality.

Impact of Long-Lasting Environmental Factors on Regulation Mediated by the miR-34 Family

The present review focuses on the interactions of newly emerging environmental factors with miRNA-mediated regulation. In particular, we draw attention to the effects of phthalates, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and a disrupted light/dark cycle. miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules with a tremendous regulatory impact, which is usually executed via gene expression inhibition. To address the capacity of environmental factors to influence miRNA-mediated regulation, the miR-34 family was selected for its well-described oncostatic and neuro-modulatory properties. The expression of miR-34 is in a tissue-dependent manner to some extent under the control of the circadian system. There is experimental evidence implicating that phthalates, EMFs and the circadian system interact with the miR-34 family, in both lines of its physiological functioning. The inhibition of miR-34 expression in response to phthalates, EMFs and light contamination has been described in cancer tissue and cell lines and was associated with a decline in oncostatic miR-34a signalling (decrease in p21 expression) and a promotion of tumorigenesis (increases in Noth1, cyclin D1 and cry1 expressions). The effects of miR-34 on neural functions have also been influenced by phthalates, EMFs and a disrupted light/dark cycle. Environmental factors shifted the effects of miR-34 from beneficial to the promotion of neurodegeneration and decreased cognition. Moreover, the apoptogenic capacity of miR-34 induced via phthalate administration in the testes has been shown to negatively influence germ cell proliferation. To conclude, as the oncostatic and positive neuromodulatory functions of the miR-34 family can be strongly influenced by environmental factors, their interactions should be taken into consideration in translational medicine.

Cancer-associated fibroblast exosome LINC00355 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer through the miR-34b-5p/CRKL axis

This study was designed to investigate the role and mechanism of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-derived exosomes (CAFs-exo) in metastatic and chemoresistant colorectal cancer (CRC). First, CAFs and normal fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from CRC tissues and histologically normal adjacent tissues. Then, CAFs-exo and NFs-exo were separated with the help of ultracentrifugation. Next, the morphology, diameter and marker expression of exos were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blot, respectively. Besides, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of LINC00355, miR-34b-5p, and CRKL in clinical tissue samples, CRC cells, fibroblasts and exos; MTT assay and cell colony formation assay to assess the chemoresistance and colony formation ability of CRC cells, respectively. Subsequently, the targeting relationship among LINC00355, miR-34b-5p, and CRKL (a target gene of miR-34b-5p) was verified by Luciferase reporter assay; and the binding relationship between LINC00355 and miR-34b-5p was assessed by a pull-down assay. Finally, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, and CRKL in cells or exos were detected using western blot. After a series of treatments, CAFs and NFs, CAFs-exo and NFs-exo were successfully isolated and identified. It could be observed that CAFs-exo promoted EMT, colony formation and multidrug resistance in CRC cells by secreting LINC00355. Further studies demonstrated that CAFs-exo-secreted LINC00355 increased the expression of CRKL via inhibiting the expression of miR-34b-5p, thereby enhancing chemoresistance and promoting EMT progression in CRC cells. Collectively, CAFs-exo-derived LINC00355 promotes EMT and chemoresistance in CRC by regulating the miR-34b-5p/CRKL axis.

Dihydroazolopyrimidines: Past, Present and Perspectives in Synthesis, Green Chemistry and Drug Discovery

Dihydroazolopyrimidines are an important class of heterocycles that are isosteric to natural purines and are therefore of great interest primarily as drug-like molecules. In contrast to the heteroaromatic analogs, synthetic approaches to these compounds were developed much later, and their chemical properties and biological activity have not been studied in detail until recently. In the review, different ways to build dihydroazolopyrimidine systems from different building blocks are described - via the initial formation of a partially hydrogenated pyrimidine ring or an azole ring, as well as a one-pot assembly of azole and azine fragments. Special attention is given to modern approaches: multicomponent reactions, green chemistry, and the use of non-classical activation methods. Information on the chemical properties of dihydroazolopyrimidines and the prospects for their use in the design of drugs of various profiles are also summarized in this review.

Types of RNA therapeutics

RNA therapy is one of the new treatments using small RNA molecules to target and regulate gene expression. It involves the application of synthetic or modified RNA molecules to inhibit the expression of disease-causing genes specifically. In other words, it silences genes and suppresses the transcription process. The main theory behind RNA therapy is that RNA molecules can prevent the translation into proteins by binding to specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. By targeting disease-related mRNA molecules, RNA therapy can effectively silence or reduce the development of harmful proteins. There are different types of RNA molecules used in therapy, including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), aptamer, ribozyme, and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). These molecules are designed to complement specific mRNA sequences, allowing them to bind and degrade the targeted mRNA or prevent its translation into protein. Nanotechnology is also highlighted to increase the efficacy of RNA-based drugs. In this chapter, while examining various methods of RNA therapy, we discuss the advantages and challenges of each.

MiR-34a functions as a tumor suppressor in oral cancer through the inhibition of the Axl/Akt/GSK-3β pathway

Background/purpose

Oral cancer is a prevalent malignancy affecting men globally. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of miR-34a in oral cancer cells through the Axl/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) pathway and its impact on cellular malignancy.

Materials and methods

We examined the effects of miR-34a overexpression on the malignancy of oral cancer cells. Multiple oral cancer cell lines were assessed to determine the correlation between endogenous miR-34a and Axl levels. Transfection experiments with miR-34a were conducted to analyze its influence on Axl mRNA and protein expression. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to investigate miR-34a's modulation of Axl gene transcription. Manipulation of miR-34a expression was utilized to demonstrate its regulatory effects on oral cancer cells through the Axl/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

Results

Overexpression of miR-34a significantly suppressed the malignancy of oral cancer cells. We observed an inverse correlation between endogenous miR-34a and Axl levels across multiple oral cancer cell lines. Transfection of miR-34a resulted in decreased Axl mRNA and protein expression, and luciferase reporter assays confirmed miR-34a-mediated modulation of Axl gene transcription. The study revealed regulatory effects of miR-34a on oral cancer cells through the Axl/Akt/GSK-3β pathway, leading to alterations in downstream target genes involved in cellular proliferation and tumorigenesis.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the significance of the miR-34a/Axl/Akt/GSK-3β signaling axis in modulating the malignancy of oral cancer cells. Targeting miR-34a may hold therapeutic potential in oral cancer treatment, as manipulating its expression can attenuate the aggressive behavior of oral cancer cells via the Axl/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.

Extirpating the cancer stem cell hydra: Differentiation therapy and Hyperthermia therapy for targeting the cancer stem cell hierarchy

Ever since the discovery of cancer stem cells (CSCs), they have progressively attracted more attention as a therapeutic target. Like the mythical hydra, this subpopulation of cells seems to contribute to cancer immortality, spawning more cells each time that some components of the cancer cell hierarchy are destroyed. Traditional modalities focusing on cancer treatment have emphasized apoptosis as a route to eliminate the tumor burden. A major problem is that cancer cells are often in varying degrees of dedifferentiation contributing to what is known as the CSCs hierarchy and cells which are known to be resistant to conventional therapy. Differentiation therapy is an experimental therapeutic modality aimed at the conversion of malignant phenotype to a more benign one. Hyperthermia therapy (HT) is a modality exploiting the changes induced in cells by the application of heat produced to aid in cancer therapy. While differentiation therapy has been successfully employed in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, it has not been hugely successful for other cancer types. Mounting evidence suggests that hyperthermia therapy may greatly augment the effects of differentiation therapy while simultaneously overcoming many of the hard-to-treat facets of recurrent tumors. This review summarizes the progress made so far in integrating hyperthermia therapy with existing modules of differentiation therapy. The focus is on studies related to the successful application of both hyperthermia and differentiation therapy when used alone or in conjunction for hard-to-treat cancer cell niche with emphasis on combined approaches to target the CSCs hierarchy.

Engineering HEK293T cell line by lentivirus to produce miR34a-loaded exosomes

BACKGROUND

RNA (ribonucleic acid) antisense is developing as a possible treatment option. As an RNA, miR-34a is involved in P53 function and cancer cell apoptosis. Although the therapeutic applications of miRNAs have several limitations, such as structural instability and susceptibility to nucleases. To resolve these issues, this study aims to apply exosomes as a delivery vehicle for miR-34a.

AIMS

This study aims to create a cell factory to generate miR34a-enriched exosomes. The produced nanoparticles act as a delivery system and improve the structural stability of miR34a.

METHODS

First exosome specific sequences were inserted into miR34a. The resulting miR34a oligonucleotide was transduced HEK293T cells genome with a lentiviral system. In the structure of miR34a oligonucleotide, six nucleotides were substituted to increase its packaging rate into exosomes. To maintain the secondary structure, stability, and expression of the miRNA gene, changes to the miR34a oligonucleotide were made using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) Extension. The forward-34a (5-TGGGGAGAGGCAGGACAGG-3) and Reverse-34a primers (5-TCCGAAGTCCTGGCGTCTCC-3) were used for amplification of the miR34a gene from DNA.

RESULTS

The results confirmed that the changes in miR34a oligonucleotide do not affect its secondary structure. The energy level of the manipulated miR34a oligonucleotide was kept the same compared to the original one. Moreover, the loading of miR34a to the exosomes was increased.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that normal HEK293T did not express miR34a. However, lentiviral transduced miR34a oligonucleotide induced the loading of miR34a into the exosome. Moreover, replacing six nucleic acids in the 3' end of miR34a increased the loading of miR34a to exosome.

Direct cytoplasmic delivery of RNAi therapeutics through a non-lysosomal pathway for enhanced gene therapy

The first approved RNAi therapeutics, ONPATTRO, in 2017 moves the concept of RNA interference (RNAi) therapy from research to clinical reality, raising the hopes for the treatment of currently incurable diseases. However, RNAi therapeutics are still facing two main challenges-susceptibility to enzymatic degradation and low ability to escape from endo/lysosome into the cytoplasm. Therefore, we developed disulfide-based nanospheres (DBNPs) as universal vehicles to achieve efficient RNA delivery to address these problems. Notably, the DBNPs possess unique and desirable features, including improved resistance to nuclease degradation, direct cytoplasmic delivery through thiol-mediated cellular uptake, and cytosolic environment-responsive release, greatly enhancing the bioavailability of RNA therapeutics. Additionally, DBNPs are superior in terms of overcoming formidable physiological barriers, including vascular barriers and impermeable tumor tissues. Owning to these advantages, the DBNPs exhibit efficient gene silencing effect when delivering either small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA in various cell lines and generate remarkable growth inhibition in the zebrafish and mouse model of pancreatic tumors as compared to traditional delivery vectors, such as PEI. Therefore, DBNPs have potential application prospect in RNAi therapy both in vitro and in vivo. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics could target and alter any disease-related mRNA translation, thus have great potential in clinical application. Delivery efficiency of RNA modalities into cell cytoplasm is the main problem that currently limit RNAi therapeutics to release their full potential. Most of the known delivery materials suffer from the endo/lysosomal entrapment and enzymatic degradation during endocytosis-dependent uptake, resulting unsatisfied efficiency of the cytoplasmic release. Here, we developed disulfide-based nanospheres could directly transfer RNA modalities into the cytoplasm and significantly enhance the delivery efficiency, thus holding great potential in RNAi therapy.

Effect of miR-34a on the expression of clock and clock-controlled genes in DLD1 and Lovo human cancer cells with different backgrounds with respect to p53 functionality and 17β-estradiol-mediated regulation

The small non-coding RNA miR-34a is a p53-regulated miRNA that acts as a tumour suppressor of colorectal cancer (CRC). Oncogenesis is also negatively influenced by deregulation of the circadian system in many types of tumours with various genetic backgrounds. As the clock gene per2 was recently recognized as one of the target genes of miR-34a, we focused on the miR-34a-mediated influence on the circadian oscillator in CRC cell lines DLD1 and LoVo, which differ in their p53 status. Previously, a sex-dependent association between the expression of per2 and that of miR-34a was demonstrated in CRC patients. Therefore, we also investigated the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on miR-34a oncostatic functions. miR-34a mimic caused a pronounced inhibition of per2 expression in both cell lines. Moreover, miR-34a mimic significantly inhibited bmal1 expression in LoVo and rev-erbα expression in DLD1 cells and induced clock gene expression in both cell lines. miR-34a mimic caused a pronounced decrease in sirt1 and cyclin D1 expression, which may be related to the inhibition of proliferation observed after mir-34a administration in DLD1 cells. E2 administration inhibited the migration and proliferation of DLD1 cells. E2 and miR-34a, when administered simultaneously, did not potentiate each other's effects. To conclude, miR-34a strongly influences the expression of components of the circadian oscillator without respect to p53 status and exerts its oncostatic effects via inhibition of sirt1 and cyclin D1 mRNA expression. E2 administration inhibits the growth of DLD1 cells; however, this effect seems to be independent of miR-34a-mediated action. With respect to the possible use of miR-34a in cancer treatment, clock genes can be considered as off-target genes, as changes in their expression induced by miR-34a treatment do not contribute to the oncostatic functions of miR-34a. Possible ambiguous oncogenic characteristics should be taken into consideration in future clinical studies focused on miR-34a.

Unlocking the role of non-coding RNAs in prostate cancer progression: exploring the interplay with the Wnt signaling pathway

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in males, exhibiting a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that pose challenges in its diagnosis and treatment. The Wnt signaling pathway, a conserved and complex pathway, is crucial for embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and various physiological processes. Apart from the classical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, there exist multiple non-classical Wnt signaling pathways, including the Wnt/PCP and Wnt/Ca2+ pathways. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in the occurrence and development of PCa and the response to PCa treatment. ncRNAs are known to execute diverse regulatory roles in cellular processes, despite their inability to encode proteins. Among them, microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs play key roles in the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway in PCa. Aberrant expression of these ncRNAs and dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway are one of the causes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and angiogenesis in PCa. Moreover, these ncRNAs affect the characteristics of PCa cells and hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the role of ncRNAs in the regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway during the development of PCa. Additionally, we present an overview of the current progress in research on the correlation between these molecules and clinical features of the disease to provide novel insights and strategies for the treatment of PCa.

Fluorescent nanodiamonds as innovative delivery systems for MiR-34a replacement in breast cancer

Nanodiamonds are innovative nanocrystalline carbon particles able to deliver chemically conjugated miRNAs. In oncology, the use of miRNA-based therapies may represent an advantage, based on their ability to simultaneously target multiple intracellular oncogenic targets. Here, nanodiamonds were tested and optimized to deliver miR-34a, a miRNA playing a key role in inhibiting tumor development and progression in many cancers. The physical-chemical properties of nanodiamonds were investigated suggesting electrical stability and uniformity of structure and size. Moreover, we evaluated nanodiamond cytotoxicity on two breast cancer cell models and confirmed their excellent biocompatibility. Subsequently, nanodiamonds were conjugated with miR-34a, using the chemical crosslinker polyethyleneimine; real-time PCR analysis revealed a higher level of miR-34a in cancer cells treated with the different formulations of nanodiamonds than with commercial transfectant. A significant and early nanodiamond-miR-34a uptake was recorded by FACS and fluorescence microscopy analysis in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, nanodiamond-miR-34a significantly inhibited both cell proliferation and migration. Finally, a remarkable anti-tumor effect of miR-34a-conjugated nanodiamonds was observed in both heterotopic and orthotopic murine xenograft models. In conclusion, this study provides a rationale for the development of new therapeutic strategies based on use of miR-34a delivered by nanodiamonds to improve the clinical treatment of neoplasms.

ER Negative Breast Cancer and miRNA: There Is More to Decipher Than What the Pathologist Can See!

Breast cancer (BC), the most prevalent cancer in women, is a heterogenous disease. Despite advancements in BC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutics, survival rates have drastically decreased in the metastatic setting. Therefore, BC still remains a medical challenge. The evolution of high-throughput technology has highlighted gaps in the classification system of BCs. Of particular interest is the notorious triple negative BC, which was recounted as being heterogenous itself and it overlaps with distinct subtypes, namely molecular apocrine (MA) and luminal androgen (LAR) BCs. These subtypes are, even today, still misdiagnosed and poorly treated. As such, researchers and clinicians have been looking for ways through which to refine BC classification in order to properly understand the initiation, development, progression, and the responses to the treatment of BCs. One tool is biomarkers and, specifically, microRNA (miRNA), which are highly reported as associated with BC carcinogenesis. In this review, the diverse roles of miRNA in estrogen receptor negative (ER-) and androgen receptor positive (AR+) BC are depicted. While highlighting their oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions in tumor progression, we will discuss their diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarker potentials, as well as their drug sensitivity/resistance activity. The association of several miRNAs in the KEGG-reported pathways that are related to ER-BC carcinogenesis is presented. The identification and verification of accurate miRNA panels is a cornerstone for tackling BC classification setbacks, as is also the deciphering of the carcinogenesis regulators of ER - AR + BC.

Role of microRNAs in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia in adults, with a highly variable clinical course. Improvement in the knowledge of the molecular pathways behind this disease has led to the development of increasingly specific therapies, such as BCR signaling inhibitors and BCL-2 inhibitors. In this context, the emerging role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in CLL pathophysiology and their possible application in therapy is worth noting. MiRNAs are one of the most important regulatory molecules of gene expression. In CLL, they can act both as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, and the deregulation of specific miRNAs has been associated with prognosis, progression, and drug resistance. In this review, we describe the role of the miRNAs that primarily impact the disease, and how these miRNAs could be used as therapeutic tools. Certainly, the use of miRNAs in clinical practice is still limited in CLL. Many issues still need to be solved, particularly regarding their biological and safety profile, even if several studies have suggested their efficacy on the disease, alone or in combination with other drugs.

miR-34a-FOXP1 Loop in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the main cause of gynecological cancer mortality in most developed countries. microRNA (miR) expression dysregulation has been highlighted in human cancers, and miR-34a is found to be downregulated and associated with inhibition of tumor growth and invasion in several malignancies, including OC. The winged helix transcription factor forkhead box P1 (FOXP1) is reported as either an oncogene or tumor suppressor in various cancers. This study aimed to elucidate potential clinical and biological associations of miR-34a and transcription factor FOXP1 in OC. We investigated nine OC patients' blood samples and two OC cell lines (SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3) using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to determine both miR-34a and FOXP1 expressions. We have found that miR-34a and FOXP1 are reversely correlated in both in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of miR-34a transiently led to upregulation of FOXP1 mRNA expression and increased cellular invasion in vitro. Our data indicate that miR-34a could be a potential biomarker for improving the diagnostic efficiency of OC, and miR-34a overexpression may reduce OC pathogenesis by targeting FOXP1.

Hypoxia-driven ncRNAs in breast cancer

Low oxygen tension, or hypoxia is the driving force behind tumor aggressiveness, leading to therapy resistance, metastasis, and stemness in solid cancers including breast cancer, which now stands as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. With the great advancements in exploring the regulatory roles of the non-coding genome in recent years, the wide spectrum of hypoxia-responsive genome is not limited to just protein-coding genes but also includes multiple types of non-coding RNAs, such as micro RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs. Over the years, these hypoxia-responsive non-coding molecules have been greatly implicated in breast cancer. Hypoxia drives the expression of these non-coding RNAs as upstream modulators and downstream effectors of hypoxia inducible factor signaling in the favor of breast cancer through a myriad of molecular mechanisms. These non-coding RNAs then contribute in orchestrating aggressive hypoxic tumor environment and regulate cancer associated cellular processes such as proliferation, evasion of apoptotic death, extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, migration, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, therapy resistance, stemness, and evasion of the immune system in breast cancer. In addition, the interplay between hypoxia-driven non-coding RNAs as well as feedback and feedforward loops between these ncRNAs and HIFs further contribute to breast cancer progression. Although the current clinical implications of hypoxia-driven non-coding RNAs are limited to prognostics and diagnostics in breast cancer, extensive explorations have established some of these hypoxia-driven non-coding RNAs as promising targets to treat aggressive breast cancers, and future scientific endeavors hold great promise in targeting hypoxia-driven ncRNAs at clinics to treat breast cancer and limit global cancer burden.

Targeting miRNA by CRISPR/Cas in cancer: advantages and challenges

Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) has changed biomedical research and provided entirely new models to analyze every aspect of biomedical sciences during the last decade. In the study of cancer, the CRISPR/CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system opens new avenues into issues that were once unknown in our knowledge of the noncoding genome, tumor heterogeneity, and precision medicines. CRISPR/Cas-based gene-editing technology now allows for the precise and permanent targeting of mutations and provides an opportunity to target small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the development of effective and safe cancer gene editing therapy is highly dependent on proper design to be innocuous to normal cells and prevent introducing other abnormalities. This study aims to highlight the cutting-edge approaches in cancer-gene editing therapy based on the CRISPR/Cas technology to target miRNAs in cancer therapy. Furthermore, we highlight the potential challenges in CRISPR/Cas-mediated miRNA gene editing and offer advanced strategies to overcome them.

New frontiers in the design and discovery of therapeutics that target calcium ion signaling: a novel approach in the fight against cancer

INTRODUCTION

The Ca2+ signaling toolkit is currently under investigation as a potential target for addressing the threat of cancer. A growing body of evidence suggests that calcium signaling plays a crucial role in promoting various aspects of cancer, including cell proliferation, progression, drug resistance, and migration-related activities. Consequently, focusing on these altered Ca2+ transporting proteins has emerged as a promising area of research for cancer treatment.

AREAS COVERED

This review highlights the existing research on the role of Ca2+-transporting proteins in cancer progression. It discusses the current studies evaluating Ca2+ channel/transporter/pump blockers, inhibitors, or regulators as potential anticancer drugs. Additionally, the review addresses specific gaps in our understanding of the field that may require further investigation.

EXPERT OPINION

Targeting specific Ca2+ signaling cascades could disrupt normal cellular activities, making cancer therapy complex and elusive. Therefore, there is a need for improvements in current Ca2+ signaling pathway focused medicines. While synthetic molecules and plant compounds show promise, they also come with certain limitations. Hence, exploring the framework of targeted drug delivery, structure-rationale-based designing, and repurposing potential drugs to target Ca2+ transporting proteins could potentially lead to a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment.

MicroRNA: trends in clinical trials of cancer diagnosis and therapy strategies

As a type of short noncoding RNAs, microRNA (miRNA) undoubtedly plays a crucial role in cancer development. Since the discovery of the identity and clinical functions of miRNAs, over the past few decades, the roles of miRNAs in cancer have been actively investigated. Numerous pieces of evidence indicate that miRNAs are pivotal factors in most types of cancer. Recent cancer research focused on miRNAs has identified and characterized a large cohort of miRNAs commonly dysregulated in cancer or exclusively dysregulated in specific types of cancer. These studies have suggested the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognostication of cancer. Moreover, many of these miRNAs have oncogenic or tumor-suppressive functions. MiRNAs have been the focus of research given their potential clinical applications as therapeutic targets. Currently, various oncology clinical trials using miRNAs in screening, diagnosis, and drug testing are underway. Although clinical trials studying miRNAs in various diseases have been reviewed before, there have been fewer clinical trials related to miRNAs in cancer. Furthermore, updated results of recent preclinical studies and clinical trials of miRNA biomarkers and drugs in cancer are needed. Therefore, this review aims to provide up-to-date information on miRNAs as biomarkers and cancer drugs in clinical trials.

Deregulated microRNAs Involved in Prostate Cancer Aggressiveness and Treatment Resistance Mechanisms

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. Complex genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the development and progression of PCa. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate protein expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting mRNAs for degradation or inhibiting protein translation. In the past two decades, the field of miRNA research has rapidly expanded, and emerging evidence has revealed miRNA dysfunction to be an important epigenetic mechanism underlying a wide range of diseases, including cancers. This review article focuses on understanding the functional roles and molecular mechanisms of deregulated miRNAs in PCa aggressiveness and drug resistance based on the existing literature. Specifically, the miRNAs differentially expressed (upregulated or downregulated) in PCa vs. normal tissues, advanced vs. low-grade PCa, and treatment-responsive vs. non-responsive PCa are discussed. In particular, the oncogenic and tumor-suppressive miRNAs involved in the regulation of (1) the synthesis of the androgen receptor (AR) and its AR-V7 splice variant, (2) PTEN expression and PTEN-mediated signaling, (3) RNA splicing mechanisms, (4) chemo- and hormone-therapy resistance, and (5) racial disparities in PCa are discussed and summarized. We further provide an overview of the current advances and challenges of miRNA-based biomarkers and therapeutics in clinical practice for PCa diagnosis/prognosis and treatment.

JMJD2A participates in cytoskeletal remodeling to regulate castration-resistant prostate cancer docetaxel resistance

BACKGROUND

To investigate underlying mechanism of JMJD2A in regulating cytoskeleton remodeling in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) resistant to docetaxel.

METHODS

Tissue samples from CRPC patients were collected, and the expression of JMJD2A, miR-34a and cytoskeleton remodeling-related proteins were evaluated by qPCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry, and pathological changes were observed by H&E staining. Further, JMJD2A, STMN1 and TUBB3 were knocked down using shRNA in CRPC cell lines, and cell viability, apoptosis and western blot assays were performed. The interaction between miR-34a/STMN1/β3-Tubulin was analyzed with dual-luciferase reporter and co-immunoprecipitation assays.

RESULTS

In clinical experiment, the CRPC-resistant group showed higher expression of JMJD2A, STMN1, α-Tubulin, β-Tubulin and F-actin, and lower expression of miR-34a and β3-Tubulin compared to the sensitive group. In vitro experiments showed that JMJD2A could regulate cytoskeletal remodeling through the miR-34a/STMN1/β3-Tubulin axis. The expression of miR-34a was elevated after knocking down JMJD2A, and miR-34a targeted STMN1. The overexpression of miR-34a was associated with a decreased expression of STMN1 and elevated expression of β3-Tubulin, which led to the disruption of the microtubule network, decreased cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, and increased apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

JMJD2A promoted docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer cells by regulating cytoskeleton remodeling through the miR-34a/STMN1/β3-Tubulin axis.

Targeted therapy using nanocomposite delivery systems in cancer treatment: highlighting miR34a regulation for clinical applications

The clinical application of microRNAs in modern therapeutics holds great promise to uncover molecular limitations and conquer the unbeatable castle of cancer metastasis. miRNAs play a decisive role that regulating gene expression at the post-transcription level while controlling both the stability and translation capacity of mRNAs. Specifically, miR34a is a master regulator of the tumor suppressor gene, cancer progression, stemness, and drug resistance at the cell level in p53-dependent and independent signaling. With changing, trends in nanotechnology, in particular with the revolution in the field of nanomedicine, nano drug delivery systems have emerged as a prominent strategy in clinical practices coupled with miR34a delivery. Recently, it has been observed that forced miR34a expression in human cancer cell lines and model organisms limits cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting several signaling cascades, with various studies endorsing that miR34a deregulation in cancer cells modulates apoptosis and thus requires targeted nano-delivery systems for cancer treatment. In this sense, the present review aims to provide an overview of the clinical applications of miR34a regulation in targeted therapy of cancer.

MiR-126-Loaded Immunoliposomes against Vascular Endothelial Inflammation In Vitro and Vivo Evaluation

Due to the accompaniment of vascular endothelial inflammation during the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), treatment modalities against vascular endothelial inflammation have been intensively investigated for CVD prevention and/or treatment. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is a typical transmembrane inflammatory protein specifically expressed by inflammatory vascular endothelial. By inhibiting VCAM-1 expression through the miR-126 mediated pathway, vascular endothelial inflammation can be efficiently relieved. Inspired by this, we developed a miR-126-loaded immunoliposome with VCAM-1 monoclonal antibody (VCAMab) decorated at its surface. This immunoliposome can be directly targeted to VCAM-1 at the inflammatory vascular endothelial membrane surface and achieve highly efficient treatment against inflammation response. The cellular experiment results showed the immunoliposome had a higher uptake rate towards inflammatory human vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and can significantly downregulate the VCAM-1 expression level of inflammatory HUVECs. In vivo investigation further demonstrated that this immunoliposome displayed a higher accumulation rate at vascular inflammatory dysfunction sites than its non-VCAMab-modified counterpart. These results suggest that this novel nanoplatform can effectively deliver miR-126 to vascular inflammatory endothelium, opening a new avenue for the safe and effective delivery of miRNA for potential clinical application.

Responses of microRNA in digestive glands of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics

Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are typical accumulated nanoplastics in the marine environment and organisms, and have strong potential risks to marine ecological environment and human health. MiRNAs could respond to and participate in the response process of environmental stressors. However, the response of miRNAs to nanoplastics has not been fully explored. In this study, miRNA responses of digestive glands in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis treated by 200 nm PS-NPs (20, 200, 2000 μg/L) for 7 days were characterized by BGISEQ-500 deep sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, along with histopathological quantification with planimetric parameters on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results showed that one novel miRNA (novel_mir63) and seven known miRNAs (miR-34_2, miR-34_5, miR-281_8, let-7-5p_6, miR-10, miR-124, miR-29b-3p) were significantly (adjusted P-value < 0.05) differentially expressed after PS-NPs treatments, and most of them were down-regulated expect for novel_mir63 and miR-34_2. Function analysis of target genes corresponding to these differentially expressed miRNAs indicated that PS-NPs disturbed the process related to metabolism, aging, cardiac function, neural excitation, and repairment. Among them, acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase and purine metabolism pathway played vital connection roles. Meanwhile, significantly morphology changes of digestive tubes obtained from H&E stained sections also implied severely disrupted metabolic capability in digestive glands, reflected by significantly increased mean diverticular radius (MDR) and mean luminal radius (MLR) values and the ratio of MLR to mean epithelial thickness (MET), and significantly decreased MET value and MET/MDR. Overall, these findings have revealed new characterization of miRNAs and their target genes in mussel M. galloprovincialis under PS-NPs stress, and provide important clues to further elucidate the toxicity mechanisms of PS-NPs.

RNAi-Based Therapeutics and Novel RNA Bioengineering Technologies

RNA interference (RNAi) provides researchers with a versatile means to modulate target gene expression. The major forms of RNAi molecules, genome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) and exogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), converge into RNA-induced silencing complexes to achieve posttranscriptional gene regulation. RNAi has proven to be an adaptable and powerful therapeutic strategy where advancements in chemistry and pharmaceutics continue to bring RNAi-based drugs into the clinic. With four siRNA medications already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several RNAi-based therapeutics continue to advance to clinical trials with functions that closely resemble their endogenous counterparts. Although intended to enhance stability and improve efficacy, chemical modifications may increase risk of off-target effects by altering RNA structure, folding, and biologic activity away from their natural equivalents. Novel technologies in development today seek to use intact cells to yield true biologic RNAi agents that better represent the structures, stabilities, activities, and safety profiles of natural RNA molecules. In this review, we provide an examination of the mechanisms of action of endogenous miRNAs and exogenous siRNAs, the physiologic and pharmacokinetic barriers to therapeutic RNA delivery, and a summary of the chemical modifications and delivery platforms in use. We overview the pharmacology of the four FDA-approved siRNA medications (patisiran, givosiran, lumasiran, and inclisiran) as well as five siRNAs and several miRNA-based therapeutics currently in clinical trials. Furthermore, we discuss the direct expression and stable carrier-based, in vivo production of novel biologic RNAi agents for research and development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In our review, we summarize the major concepts of RNA interference (RNAi), molecular mechanisms, and current state and challenges of RNAi drug development. We focus our discussion on the pharmacology of US Food and Drug Administration-approved RNAi medications and those siRNAs and miRNA-based therapeutics that entered the clinical investigations. Novel approaches to producing new true biological RNAi molecules for research and development are highlighted.

The Expression of miR-34c-5p Induces G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in SW480 Colon Cancer Cell

Background

Expression of the miR-34 family, including miR-34a/b/c, has been reported to inhibit the progression of several cancer types by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis.

Objectives

We attempted to investigate the effect of SW480 cell transfection with miR-34c-5p mimics on cell proliferation.

Methods

To do this, SW480 colon cancer cell line was transfected with miR-34c-5p mimics, scramble sequence, and the vehicle in PBS mock, and then cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. The population of cells in cell cycle phases, ROS generation, and apoptosis rate were evaluated by flow cytometry. Additionally, we determined the relative expression of apoptotic genes through real-time PCR technique.

Results

We observed a reduced proliferation rate in cells transfected with miR-34c-5p compared to the control group (P <0.05). We also found that miR-34c-5p caused a significant increase in apoptosis rate (P < 0.001) and cell cycle arrest in the G0 and G1 phases (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significant increase was reported in the expression of pro-apoptotic genes, including BAK (P < 0.001), BAX and BAD (P < 0.0001), and Caspase 7/9 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

However, no remarkable difference was seen in the expression of MCL1, BCL2, and CASPASE 3 genes. Our conclusion is that overexpression of miR-34c-5p could be considered a promising approach for colorectal cancer treatment.

Role of microRNA-34b-5p in cancer and injury: how does it work?

MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are a class of noncoding single-stranded RNAs that can regulate gene expression by binding to the untranslated sequences at the 3 ' end of messenger RNAs. The microRNA-34 family is dysregulated in various human diseases. It is considered as a tumor-suppressive microRNA because of its synergistic effect with the well-known tumor suppressor p53. As a member of the miRNA-34 family, miR-34b-5p serves as a powerful regulator of a suite of cellular activities, including cell growth, multiplication, development, differentiation, and apoptosis. It promotes or represses disease occurrence and progression by participating in some important signaling pathways. This review aimed to provide an overview and update on the differential expression and function of miR-34b-5p in pathophysiologic processes, especially cancer and injury. Additionally, miR-34b-5p-mediated clinical trials have indicated promising consequences for the therapies of carcinomatosis and injury. With the application of the first tumor-targeted microRNA drug based on miR-34a mimics, it can be inferred that miR-34b-5p may become a crucial factor in the therapy of various diseases. However, further studies on miR-34b-5p should shed light on its involvement in disease pathogenesis and treatment options.

MiR-148a deletion protects from bone loss in physiological and estrogen-deficient mice by targeting NRP1

Bone metabolic homeostasis is largely dependent on the dynamic balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in regulating bone metabolism. In this study, we explored the role of a new miRNA (miR-148a) in osteoporosis. We compared the bone phenotype between miR-148a knockout (KO) mice and the wild-type (WT) littermates. We found miR-148a KO mice exhibited an increased bone mass phenotype and decreased osteoclastogenesis compared to the WT group. In vitro, miR-148a overexpression promoted osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption function. Mechanistically, NRP1 was identified as a novel direct target of miR-148a, and NRP1 silencing reversed the effect of miR-148a knockout. In OVX and calvarial osteolysis models, miR-148a KO protects mice against excessive bone resorption, while miR-148a agomiR/AAV-shNRP1 accelerates pathologic bone loss. Finally, the miR-148a level was found to be positively correlated with β-CTX in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) serum specimens. In summary, our findings revealed that miR-148a genetic deletion ameliorates bone loss under physiological and pathological conditions by targeting NRP1. In osteoclast-related bone metabolic diseases such as PMOP, miR-148a may be an attractive therapeutic target in the future.

Improving the prediction for the response to radiotherapy of clinical tumor samples by using combinatorial model of MicroRNA expression

Purpose: Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the main treatments for cancer. The response to radiotherapy varies widely between individuals and some patients have poor response to RT treatment due to tumor radioresistance. Stratifying patients according to molecular signatures of individual tumor characteristics can improve clinical treatment. In here, we aimed to use clinical and genomic databases to develop miRNA signatures that can predict response to radiotherapy in various cancer types. Methods: We analyzed the miRNAs profiles using tumor samples treated with RT across eight types of human cancers from TCGA database. These samples were divided into response group (S, n = 224) and progressive disease group (R, n = 134) based on RT response of tumors. To enhance the discrimination for S and R samples, the predictive models based on binary logistic regression were developed to identify the best combinations of multiple miRNAs. Results: The miRNAs differentially expressed between the groups S and R in each caner type were identified. Total 47 miRNAs were identified in eight cancer types (p values <0.05, t-test), including several miRNAs previously reported to be associated with radiotherapy sensitivity. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stem cell, NF-κB signal, immune response, cell death, cell cycle, and DNA damage response and DNA damage repair processes were significantly enriched. The cancer-type-specific miRNA signatures were identified, which consist of 2-13 of miRNAs in each caner type. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses showed that the most of individual miRNAs were effective in distinguishing responsive and non-responsive patients (the area under the curve (AUC) ranging from 0.606 to 0.889). The patient stratification was further improved by applying the combinatorial model of miRNA expression (AUC ranging from 0.711 to 0.992). Also, five miRNAs that were significantly associated with overall survival were identified as prognostic miRNAs. Conclusion: These mRNA signatures could be used as potential biomarkers selecting patients who will benefit from radiotherapy. Our study identified a series of miRNA that were differentially expressed between RT good responders and poor responders, providing useful clues for further functional assays to demonstrate a possible regulatory role in radioresistance.

2.4 GHz Electromagnetic Field Influences the Response of the Circadian Oscillator in the Colorectal Cancer Cell Line DLD1 to miR-34a-Mediated Regulation

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exert pleiotropic effects on biological processes including circadian rhythms. miR-34a is a small non-coding RNA whose expression is modulated by RF-EMF and has the capacity to regulate clock gene expression. However, interference between RF-EMF and miR-34a-mediated regulation of the circadian oscillator has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the present study was designed to reveal if 24 h exposure to 2.4 GHz RF-EMF influences miR-34a-induced changes in clock gene expression, migration and proliferation in colorectal cancer cell line DLD1. The effect of up- or downregulation of miR-34a on DLD1 cells was evaluated using real-time PCR, the scratch assay test and the MTS test. Administration of miR-34a decreased the expression of per2, bmal1, sirtuin1 and survivin and inhibited proliferation and migration of DLD1 cells. When miR-34a-transfected DLD1 cells were exposed to 2.4 GHz RF-EMF, an increase in cry1 mRNA expression was observed. The inhibitory effect of miR-34a on per2 and survivin was weakened and abolished, respectively. The effect of miR-34a on proliferation and migration was eliminated by RF-EMF exposure. In conclusion, RF-EMF strongly influenced regulation mediated by the tumour suppressor miR-34a on the peripheral circadian oscillator in DLD1 cells.

High miR-99b expression is associated with cell proliferation and worse patient outcomes in breast cancer

Although miR-99b is a known suppressive microRNA (miRNA) in several cancers, its role in breast cancer has not been elucidated. In this study, we examined the clinical relevance of miR-99b expression in breast cancer. We analyzed miRNA and mRNA expression and their relationships with clinical parameters in 1,961 breast cancer samples from two independent large cohorts, the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Several algorithms, including gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and xCell, have been used to investigate biological functions and the tumor microenvironment. High miR-99b expression significantly enriched the mTORC1 signaling gene set in breast cancer (NES = 1.63, FDR = 0.03, and NES = 1.58, FDR = 0.10, in METABRIC and TCGA, respectively). No other mechanisms, including the epithelial mesenchymal transition, NFκB, and TGF-β signaling, were consistently enriched in both cohorts. MiR-99b-high breast cancer was associated with high homologous recombination deficiencies, intratumor heterogeneity, and high rates of mutation and neoantigens. In agreement, miR-99b-high breast cancer was associated with increased cell proliferation, correlating with Nottingham histological grade, and significant enrichment of E2F targets, G2/M checkpoint, and mitotic spindle gene sets consistently in both cohorts (P = 0.01, P < 0.001). High miR-99b levels were also associated with low stromal cell fractions in the tumor microenvironment, including adipocytes, keratinocytes, and lymphatic endothelial cells (P < 0.001). However, in both cohorts, miR-99b expression was not associated with significant infiltration of immune cells, except dendritic cells (P = 0.006, 0.020). Finally, in both cohorts, breast cancer with high miR-99b expression was significantly associated with worse disease-free survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS), particularly in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/human epidermal growth factor (HER)2-negative breast cancer (DSS hazard ratio (HR) 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-1.51, P < 0.001 in the METABRIC cohort and HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.12-2.98, P = 0.017 in the TCGA cohort). In conclusion, breast cancer with high miR-99b expression was significantly associated with mTORC1 signaling, cell proliferation, and decreased patient survival, particularly in the ER-positive/HER2-negative subtype.

Therapeutic effect of natural polyphenols against glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive tumor of the central nervous system, which has a highly invasive growth pattern, which creates poor prospects for patient survival. Chemotherapy and tumor surgery are limited by anticancer drug resistance and tumor invasion. Evidence suggests that combinations of treatments may be more effective than single drugs alone. Natural polyphenolic compounds have potential as drugs for the treatment of glioblastoma and are considered as potential anticancer drugs. Although these beneficial effects are promising, the efficacy of natural polyphenolic compounds in GBM is limited by their bioavailability and blood-brain barrier permeability. Many of them have a significant effect on reducing the progression of glioblastoma through mechanisms such as reduced migration and cell invasion or chemosensitization. Various chemical formulations have been proposed to improve their pharmacological properties. This review summarizes natural polyphenolic compounds and their physiological effects in glioblastoma models by modulating signaling pathways involved in angiogenesis, apoptosis, chemoresistance, and cell invasion. Polyphenolic compounds are emerging as promising agents for combating the progression of glioblastoma. However, clinical trials are still needed to confirm the properties of these compounds in vitro and in vivo.