Small molecules in targeted cancer therapy: advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Studying the effects of secondary metabolites isolated from Cycas thouarsii R.Br. leaves on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

The various therapeutic drugs that are currently utilized for the management of cancer, especially breast cancer, are greatly challenged by the augmented resistance that is either acquired or de novo by the cancer cells owing to the long treatment periods. So, this study aimed at elucidating the possible anticancer potential of four compounds 7, 4', 7'', 4'''-tetra-O-methyl amentoflavone, hesperidin, ferulic acid, and chlorogenic acid that are isolated from Cycas thouarsii leaves n-butanol fraction for the first time. The MTT assay evaluated the cytotoxic action of four isolated compounds against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and oral epithelial cells. Interestingly, ferulic acid revealed the lowest IC50 of 12.52 µg/mL against MDA-MB-231 cells and a high IC50 of 80.2 µg/mL against oral epithelial cells. Also, using an inverted microscope, the influence of ferulic acid was studied on the MDA-MB-231, which revealed the appearance of apoptosis characteristics like shrinkage of the cells and blebbing of the cell membrane. In addition, the flow cytometric analysis showed that the MDA-MB-231 cells stained with Annexin V/PI had a rise in the count of the cells in the early and late apoptosis stages. Moreover, gel electrophoresis detected DNA fragmentation in the ferulic acid-treated cells. Finally, the effect of the compound was tested at the molecular level by qRT-PCR. An upregulation of the pro-apoptotic genes (BAX and P53) and a downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene (BCL-2) were observed. Consequently, our study demonstrated that these isolated compounds, especially ferulic acid, may be vital anticancer agents, particularly for breast cancer, through its induction of apoptosis through the P53-dependent pathway.

Hydrogen-bonded cytosine-endowed supramolecular polymeric nanogels: Highly efficient cancer cell targeting and enhanced therapeutic efficacy

We demonstrate that cytosine moieties within physically cross-linked supramolecular polymers not only manipulate drug delivery and release, but also confer specific targeting of cancer cells to effectively enhance the safety and efficacy of chemotherapy-and thus hold significant potential as a new perspective for development of drug delivery systems. Herein, we successfully developed physically cross-linked supramolecular polymers (PECH-PEG-Cy) comprised of hydrogen-bonding cytosine pendant groups, hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) side chains, and a hydrophobic poly(epichlorohydrin) main chain. The polymers spontaneously self-assemble into a reversibly hydrogen-bonded network structure induced by cytosine and directly form spherical nanogels in aqueous solution. Nanogels with a high hydrogen-bond network density (i.e., a higher content of cytosine moieties) exhibit outstanding long-term structural stability in cell culture substrates containing serum, whereas nanogels with a relatively low hydrogen-bond network density cannot preserve their structural integrity. The nanogels also exhibit numerous unique physicochemical characteristics in aqueous solution, such as a desirable spherical size, high biocompatibility with normal and cancer cells, excellent drug encapsulation capacity, and controlled pH-responsive drug release properties. More importantly, in vitro experiments conclusively indicate the drug-loaded PECH-PEG-Cy nanogels can selectively induce cancer cell-specific apoptosis and cell death via cytosine receptor-mediated endocytosis, without significantly harming normal cells. In contrast, control drug-loaded PECH-PEG nanogels, which lack cytosine moieties in their structure, can only induce cell death in cancer cells through non-specific pathways, which significantly inhibits the induction of apoptosis. This work clearly demonstrates that the cytosine moieties in PECH-PEG-Cy nanogels confer selective affinity for the surface of cancer cells, which enhances their targeted cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and subsequent induction of programmed cell death in cancer cells.

Elucidation of the key therapeutic targets and potential mechanisms of Andrographolide multi-targets against osteoarthritis via network pharmacological analysis and experimental validation

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose is to unveil Andrographolide's potential multi-target and multi-mechanism therapeutic effects in treating OA via systematic network pharmacological analysis and cell experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially, we gathered data from Andrographolide and OA-related databases to obtain information on Andrographolide's biological properties and the targets linked with OA. We developed a bioinformatic network about Andrographolide and OA, whereby we analyzed the network to identify potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action of Andrographolide. Subsequently, we used molecular docking to analyze the binding sites of Andrographolide to the target proteins. At the same time, SDF-1 was used to construct an OA cell model to verify the therapeutic effect of Andrographolide on OA and its effect on target proteins.

RESULTS

Our experimental results show that Andrographolide has excellent pharmaceutical properties, by Lipinski's rules for drugs, suggesting that this compound can be considered to have a high therapeutic potential in drug development. 233 targets were preliminarily investigated, the mechanisms through which Andrographolide targets OA primarily involve the TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, and TLR signaling pathway. These mechanisms target OA by influencing immune and inflammatory responses in the joints, regulating apoptosis to prevent chondrocyte death. Finally, TNF-α, STAT3, TP53, IL-6, JUN, IL-1β, HIF-1α, TGF-β1, and AKT1 were identified as 9 key targets of Andrographolide anti-OA. In addition, our molecular docking analyzes with cell experimental validation further confirm the network pharmacology results. According to our molecular docking results, Andrographolide can bind to all the hub target proteins and has a good binding ability (binding energy < -5 kcal/mol), with the strongest binding affinity to AKT1 of -9.2 kcal/ mol. The results of cell experiments showed that Andrographolide treatment significantly increased the cell viability and the expression of COL2A1 and ACAN proteins. Moreover, 30 μM Andrographolide significantly reversed SDF-1-induced increases in the protein expression of TNF-α, STAT3, TP53, IL-6, JUN, IL-1β, HIF-1α, and TGF-β1, and decreases in the protein expression of AKT1.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action of Andrographolide in OA treatment. Our findings suggest that Andrographolide is a promising candidate for drug development in the management of OA.

Using nanotechnology to progress the utilization of marine natural products in combating multidrug resistance in cancer: A prospective strategy

Achieving targeted, customized, and combination therapies with clarity of the involved molecular pathways is crucial in the treatment as well as overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer. Nanotechnology has emerged as an innovative and promising approach to address the problem of drug resistance. Developing nano-formulation-based therapies using therapeutic agents poses a synergistic effect to overcome MDR in cancer. In this review, we aimed to highlight the important pathways involved in the progression of MDR in cancer mediated through nanotechnology-based approaches that have been employed to circumvent them in recent years. Here, we also discussed the potential use of marine metabolites to treat MDR in cancer, utilizing active drug-targeting nanomedicine-based techniques to enhance selective drug accumulation in cancer cells. The discussion also provides future insights for developing complex targeted, multistage responsive nanomedical drug delivery systems for effective cancer treatments. We propose more combinational studies and their validation for the possible marine-based nanoformulations for future development.

Long non-coding RNAs with essential roles in neurodegenerative disorders

ABSTRACT

Recently, with the advent of high-resolution and high-throughput sequencing technologies, an increasing number of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to be involved in the regulation of neuronal function in the central nervous system with specific spatiotemporal patterns, across different neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs during neurodegeneration remain poorly understood. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the biology of lncRNAs and focuses on introducing the latest identified roles, regulatory mechanisms, and research status of lncRNAs in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Finally, this review discusses the potential values of lncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, hoping to provide broader implications for developing effective treatments.

Identification of FTY720 and COH29 as novel topoisomerase I catalytic inhibitors by experimental and computational studies

The development of novel topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitors is crucial for overcoming the drawbacks and limitations of current TOP1 poisons. Here, we identified two potential TOP1 inhibitors, namely, FTY720 (a sphingosine 1-phosphate antagonist) and COH29 (a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor), through experimental screening of known active compounds. Biological experiments verified that FTY720 and COH29 were nonintercalative TOP1 catalytic inhibitors that did not induce the formation of DNA-TOP1 covalent complexes. Molecular docking revealed that FTY720 and COH29 interacted favorably with TOP1. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that FTY720 and COH29 could affect the catalytic domain of TOP1, thus resulting in altered DNA-binding cavity size. The alanine scanning and interaction entropy identified Arg536 as a hotspot residue. In addition, the bioinformatics analysis predicted that FTY720 and COH29 could be effective in treating malignant breast tumors. Biological experiments verified their antitumor activities using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Their combinatory effects with TOP1 poisons were also investigated. Further, FTY720 and COH29 were found to cause less DNA damage compared with TOP1 poisons. The findings provide reliable lead compounds for the development of novel TOP1 catalytic inhibitors and offer new insights into the potential clinical applications of FTY720 and COH29 in targeting TOP1.

Delivery of miR-29a improves the permeability of cisplatin by downregulating collagen I expression

In the clinical setting, chemotherapy is the most widely used antitumor treatment, however, chemotherapy resistance significantly limits its efficacy. Reduced drug influx is a key mechanism of chemoresistance, and inhibition of the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) may improve chemotherapy drug influx and therapeutic efficiency. In the current study, we identified that the major extracellular matrix protein collagen I is more highly expressed in lung cancer tissues than adjacent tissues in patients with lung cancer. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that COL1A1 expression was negatively correlated with the survival time of patients with lung cancer. Our previous study demonstrated that miR-29a inhibited collagen I expression in lung fibroblasts. Here, we investigated the effect of miR-29a on collagen I expression and the cellular behavior of lung cancer cells. Our results suggest that transfection with miR-29a could prevent Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) migration by downregulating collagen I expression, but did not affect the proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of LLC cells. In a 3D tumoroid model, we demonstrated that miR-29a transfection significantly increased cisplatin (CDDP) permeation and CDDP-induced cell death. Furthermore, neutral lipid emulsion-based miR-29a delivery improved the therapeutic effect of cisplatin in an LLC spontaneous tumor model in vivo. In summary, this study shows that targeting collagen I expression in the TME contributes to chemotherapy drug influx and improves therapeutic efficacy in lung cancer.

Imidazopyrimidine: from a relatively exotic scaffold to an evolving structural motif in drug discovery

Nitrogen-fused heterocycles are of immense importance in modern drug discovery and development. Among them, imidazopyrimidine is a highly versatile scaffold with vast pharmacological utility. These compounds demonstrate a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions, including antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. Their adaptable structure allows for extensive structural modifications, which can be utilized for optimizing pharmacological effects via structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. Additionally, imidazopyrimidine derivatives are particularly noteworthy for their ability to target specific molecular entities, such as protein kinases, which are crucial components of various cellular signaling pathways associated with multiple diseases. Despite the evident importance of imidazopyrimidines in drug discovery, there is a notable lack of a comprehensive review that outlines their role in this field. This review highlights the ongoing interest and investment in exploring the therapeutic potential of imidazopyrimidine compounds, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping the future of drug discovery and clinical medicine.

Deprivation of methionine inhibits osteosarcoma growth and metastasis via C1orf112-mediated regulation of mitochondrial functions

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that primarily inflicts the youth. It often metastasizes to the lungs after chemotherapy failure, which eventually shortens patients' lives. Thus, there is a dire clinical need to develop a novel therapy to tackle osteosarcoma metastasis. Methionine dependence is a special metabolic characteristic of most malignant tumor cells that may offer a target pathway for such therapy. Herein, we demonstrated that methionine deficiency restricted the growth and metastasis of cultured human osteosarcoma cells. A genetically engineered Salmonella, SGN1, capable of overexpressing an L-methioninase and hydrolyzing methionine led to significant reduction of methionine and S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) specifically in tumor tissues, drastically restricted the growth and metastasis in subcutaneous xenograft, orthotopic, and tail vein-injected metastatic models, and prolonged the survival of the model animals. SGN1 also sharply suppressed the growth of patient-derived organoid and xenograft. Methionine restriction in the osteosarcoma cells initiated severe mitochondrial dysfunction, as evident in the dysregulated gene expression of respiratory chains, increased mitochondrial ROS generation, reduced ATP production, decreased basal and maximum respiration, and damaged mitochondrial membrane potential. Transcriptomic and molecular analysis revealed the reduction of C1orf112 expression as a primary mechanism underlies methionine deprivation-initiated suppression on the growth and metastasis as well as mitochondrial functions. Collectively, our findings unraveled a molecular linkage between methionine restriction, mitochondrial function, and osteosarcoma growth and metastasis. A pharmacological agent, such as SGN1, that can achieve tumor specific deprivation of methionine may represent a promising modality against the metastasis of osteosarcoma and potentially other types of sarcomas as well.

Targeting CD44 and other pleiotropic co-receptors as a means for broad inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis

Although progress has been made in the treatment of cancer, particularly for the four major types of cancers affecting the lungs, colon, breast and prostate, resistance to cancer treatment often emerges upon inhibition of major signaling pathways, which leads to the activation of additional pathways as a last-resort survival mechanism by the cancer cells. This signaling plasticity provides cancer cells with a level of operational freedom, reducing treatment efficacy. Plasticity is a characteristic of cancer cells that are not only able to switch signaling pathways but also from one cellular state (differentiated cells to stem cells or vice versa) to another. It seems implausible that the inhibition of one or a few signaling pathways of heterogeneous and plastic tumors can sustain a durable effect. We propose that inhibiting molecules with pleiotropic functions such as cell surface co-receptors can be a key to preventing therapy escape instead of targeting bona fide receptors. Therefore, we ask the question whether co-receptors often considered as "accessory molecules" are an overlooked key to control cancer cell behavior.

Acetaminophen induces mitochondrial apoptosis through proteasome dysfunctions

Acetaminophen is a known antipyretic and non-opioid analgesic for mild pain and fever. Numerous studies uncover their hidden chemotherapeutics applications, including chronic cancer pain management. Acetaminophen also represents an anti-proliferative effect in some cancer cells. Few studies also suggest that the use of Acetaminophen can trigger apoptosis and impede cellular growth. However, Acetaminophen's molecular potential and precise mechanism against improper cellular proliferation and use as an effective anti-proliferative agent still need to be better understood. Here, our current findings show that Acetaminophen induces proteasomal dysfunctions, resulting in aberrant protein accumulation and mitochondrial abnormalities, and consequently induces cell apoptosis. We observed that the Acetaminophen treatment leads to improper aggregation of ubiquitylated expanded polyglutamine proteins, which may be due to the dysfunctions of proteasome activities. Our in-silico analysis suggests the interaction of Acetaminophen and proteasome. Furthermore, we demonstrated the accumulation of proteasome substrates and the depletion of proteasome activities after treating Acetaminophen in cells. Acetaminophen induces proteasome dysfunctions and mitochondrial abnormalities, leading to pro-apoptotic morphological changes and apoptosis successively. These results suggest that Acetaminophen can induce cell death and may retain a promising anti-proliferative effect. These observations can open new possible molecular strategies in the near future for developing and designing specific and effective proteasome inhibitors, which can be helpful in conjugation with other anti-tumor drugs for their better efficiency.

Simulating BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK signalling dynamics in response to vertical inhibition treatment strategies

In vertical inhibition treatment strategies, multiple components of an intracellular pathway are simultaneously inhibited. Vertical inhibition of the BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK signalling pathway is a standard of care for treating BRAFV600E-mutated melanoma where two targeted cancer drugs, a BRAFV600E-inhibitor, and a MEK inhibitor, are administered in combination. Targeted therapies have been linked to early onsets of drug resistance, and thus treatment strategies of higher complexities and lower doses have been proposed as alternatives to current clinical strategies. However, finding optimal complex, low-dose treatment strategies is a challenge, as it is possible to design more treatment strategies than are feasibly testable in experimental settings. To quantitatively address this challenge, we develop a mathematical model of BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK signalling dynamics in response to combinations of the BRAFV600E-inhibitor dabrafenib (DBF), the MEK inhibitor trametinib (TMT), and the ERK-inhibitor SCH772984 (SCH). From a model of the BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK pathway, and a set of molecular-level drug-protein interactions, we extract a system of chemical reactions that is parameterised by in vitro data and converted to a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the law of mass action. The ODEs are solved numerically to produce simulations of how pathway-component concentrations change over time in response to different treatment strategies, i.e., inhibitor combinations and doses. The model can thus be used to limit the search space for effective treatment strategies that target the BRAFV600E-MEK-ERK pathway and warrant further experimental investigation. The results demonstrate that DBF and DBF-TMT-SCH therapies show marked sensitivity to BRAFV600E concentrations in silico, whilst TMT and SCH monotherapies do not.

CircRNAs in cancer therapy tolerance

The rapidly expanding field of circular RNA (circ-RNA) research has opened new avenues in cancer diagnostics and treatment, highlighting the role of serum circRNAs as potential biomarkers for assessing tumor therapy resistance. This review comprehensively compiles existing knowledge regarding the biogenesis, function, and clinical relevance of circRNAs, emphasizing their stability, abundance, and cell type-specific expression profiles, which make them ideal candidates for noninvasive early biomarkers in cancer treatment. We explored the roles of circRNAs in oncogenesis and tumor progression and their complex interactions with patient responses to various cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Through the analysis of data from recent studies and clinical trials, we underscore the prognostic significance of serum circRNAs in predicting therapeutic outcomes, their involvement in resistance mechanisms, and their capacity to inform personalized treatment approaches. Additionally, this review addresses the obstacles inherent in circRNA research, including the need for standardized protocols for circRNA extraction and quantification and the elucidation of the clinical significance of circRNAs. Furthermore, our investigation extends to future prospects, including embedding circRNA profiling into regular clinical workflows and pioneering circRNA-based therapeutic approaches. We underscore the transformative potential of serum circRNAs in enhancing cancer diagnosis, improving the accuracy of therapy tolerance predictions, and ultimately fostering the advent of precision oncology.

Heterogeneity and molecular landscape of melanoma: implications for targeted therapy

Uveal cancer (UM) offers a complex molecular landscape characterized by substantial heterogeneity, both on the genetic and epigenetic levels. This heterogeneity plays a critical position in shaping the behavior and response to therapy for this uncommon ocular malignancy. Targeted treatments with gene-specific therapeutic molecules may prove useful in overcoming radiation resistance, however, the diverse molecular makeups of UM call for a patient-specific approach in therapy procedures. We need to understand the intricate molecular landscape of UM to develop targeted treatments customized to each patient's specific genetic mutations. One of the promising approaches is using liquid biopsies, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), for detecting and monitoring the disease at the early stages. These non-invasive methods can help us identify the most effective treatment strategies for each patient. Single-cellular is a brand-new analysis platform that gives treasured insights into diagnosis, prognosis, and remedy. The incorporation of this data with known clinical and genomics information will give a better understanding of the complicated molecular mechanisms that UM diseases exploit. In this review, we focused on the heterogeneity and molecular panorama of UM, and to achieve this goal, the authors conducted an exhaustive literature evaluation spanning 1998 to 2023, using keywords like "uveal melanoma, "heterogeneity". "Targeted therapies"," "CTCs," and "single-cellular analysis".

Recent advances in c-Met-based dual inhibitors in the treatment of cancers

The cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) located on the 7q31 locus encoding the Met proto-oncogene and plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation, metastasis, differentiation, and apoptosis through various signaling pathways. However, its aberrant activation and overexpression have been implicated in many human cancers. Therefore, c-Met is a promising target for cancer treatment. However, the anticancer effect of selective single-targeted drugs is limited due to the complexity of the signaling system and the involvement of different proteins and enzymes. After inhibiting one pathway, signal molecules can be transmitted through other pathways, resulting in poor efficacy of single-targeted drug therapy. Dual inhibitors that simultaneously block c-Met and another factor can significantly improve efficacy and overcome some of the shortcomings of single-target inhibitors, including drug resistance. In this review, We introduced c-Met kinase and the synergism between c-Met and other anti-tumor targets, then dual-target inhibitors based on c-Met for the treatment of cancers were summarized and their design concepts and structure-activity relationships (SARs) were discussed elaborately, providing a valuable insight for the further development of novel c-Met-based dual inhibitors.

Unlocking Potential and Limits of Kinase Inhibitors: The Highway to Enhanced Cancer Targeted Therapy

Kinases are a family of enzymes comprising over five hundred members, which, when overexpressed or hyperactivated, are implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous hematological and solid cancers [...].

Quinoxaline derivatives: Recent discoveries and development strategies towards anticancer agents

Cancer is a leading cause of death and a major health problem worldwide. While many effective anticancer agents are available, most drugs currently on the market are not specific, raising issues like the common side effects of chemotherapy. However, recent research hold promises for the development of more efficient and safer anticancer drugs. Quinoxaline and its derivatives are becoming recognized as a novel class of chemotherapeutic agents with activity against different tumors. The present review compiles and discusses studies concerning the therapeutic potential of the anticancer activity of quinoxaline derivatives, covering articles published between January 2018 and January 2023.

Targeting oncogenic kinases: Insights on FDA approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Protein kinases play pivotal roles in various biological functions, influencing cell differentiation, promoting survival, and regulating the cell cycle. The disruption of protein kinase activity is intricately linked to pathways in tumor development. This manuscript explores the transformative impact of protein kinase inhibitors on cancer therapy, particularly their efficacy in cases driven by targeted mutations. Focusing on key tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like Bcr-Abl, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR), it targets critical kinase families in cancer progression. Clinical trial details of these TKIs offer insights into their therapeutic potentials. Learning from FDA-approved kinase inhibitors, the review dissects trends in kinase drug development since imatinib's paradigm-shifting approval in 2001. TKIs have evolved into pivotal drugs, extending beyond oncology. Ongoing clinical trials explore novel kinase targets, revealing the vast potential within the human kinome. The manuscript provides a detailed analysis of advancements until 2022, discussing the roles of specific oncogenic protein kinases in cancer development and carcinogenesis. Our exploration on PubMed for relevant and significant TKIs undergoing pre-FDA approval phase III clinical trials enriches the discussion with valuable findings. While kinase inhibitors exhibit lower toxicity than traditional chemotherapy in cancer treatment, challenges like resistance and side effects emphasize the necessity of understanding resistance mechanisms, prompting the development of novel inhibitors like osimertinib targeting specific mutant proteins. The review advocates thorough research on effective combination therapies, highlighting the future development of more selective RTKIs to optimize patient-specific cancer treatment and reduce adverse events.

Lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma: Resistance mechanisms and strategies for improved efficacy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most prevalent and destructive causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, approximately 70% of patients with HCC exhibit advanced disease at diagnosis, limiting the potential for radical treatment. For such patients, lenvatinib, a long-awaited alternative to sorafenib for first-line targeted therapy, has become a key treatment. Unfortunately, despite some progress, the prognosis for advanced HCC remains poor because of drug resistance development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying lenvatinib resistance and ways to relief drug resistance in HCC are largely unknown and lack of systematic summary; thus, this review not only aims to explore factors contributing to lenvatinib resistance in HCC, but more importantly, summary potential methods to conquer or mitigate the resistance. The results suggest that abnormal activation of pathways, drug transport, epigenetics, tumour microenvironment, cancer stem cells, regulated cell death, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and other mechanisms are involved in the development of lenvatinib resistance in HCC and subsequent HCC progression. To improve the therapeutic outcomes of lenvatinib, inhibiting acquired resistance, combined therapies, and nano-delivery carriers may be possible approaches.

Targeted Macrophage CRISPR-Cas13 mRNA Editing in Immunotherapy for Tendon Injury

CRISPR-Cas13 holds substantial promise for tissue repair through its RNA editing capabilities and swift catabolism. However, conventional delivery methods fall short in addressing the heightened inflammatory response orchestrated by macrophages during the acute stages of tendon injury. In this investigation, macrophage-targeting cationic polymers are systematically screened to facilitate the entry of Cas13 ribonucleic-protein complex (Cas13 RNP) into macrophages. Notably, SPP1 (OPN encoding)-producing macrophages are recognized as a profibrotic subtype that emerges during the inflammatory stage. By employing ROS-responsive release mechanisms tailored for macrophage-targeted Cas13 RNP editing systems, the overactivation of SPP1 is curbed in the face of an acute immune microenvironment. Upon encapsulating this composite membrane around the tendon injury site, the macrophage-targeted Cas13 RNP effectively curtails the emergence of injury-induced SPP1-producing macrophages in the acute phase, leading to diminished fibroblast activation and mitigated peritendinous adhesion. Consequently, this study furnishes a swift RNA editing strategy for macrophages in the inflammatory phase triggered by ROS in tendon injury, along with a pioneering macrophage-targeted carrier proficient in delivering Cas13 into macrophages efficiently.

Photo-triggered caffeic acid delivery via psyllium polysaccharide- gellan gum-based injectable bionanogel for epidermoid carcinoma treatment

Here, the simultaneous effect of chemo- and photothermal therapy against epidermoid carcinoma (EC) was investigated. A novel hydrogel, termed bionanogel (BNG), was designed using psyllium mucilage polysaccharide and bacterial gellan gum, incorporated with nanocomplex carrying caffeic acid (CA) and IR-820, and further characterized. The dual effect of BNG and 808 nm laser (BNG + L) on EC was investigated. Staining and scratch assays were performed to analyze their therapeutic effect on EC. In vivo evaluations of BNG + L in xenograft models were performed. Rapid transition, limited swelling, degradability and high tensile strength indicated BNG stability and sustained drug release. Irradiation with 808 nm laser light at 1.25 W /cm2 for 4 min resulted in a temperature increase of 53 °C and facilitated cell ablation. The in vitro studies showed that BNG + L suppressed cancer progression via a late apoptotic effect. The in vivo study showed that the slow release of CA from BNG + L significantly attenuated EC with low mitotic index and downregulation of proteins involved in cancer proliferation such as EGFR, AKT, PI3K, ERK, mTOR and HIF-1α. Thus, BNG could be a novel medium for targeted and controlled drug delivery for the treatment of epidermoid cancer when triggered by NIR light.

Multivalent Aptamer-Based Lysosome-Targeting Chimeras (LYTACs) Platform for Mono- or Dual-Targeted Proteins Degradation on Cell Surface

Selective protein degradation platforms have opened novel avenues in therapeutic development and biological inquiry. Antibody-based lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs) have emerged as a promising technology that extends the scope of targeted protein degradation to extracellular targets. Aptamers offer an advantageous alternative owing to their potential for modification and manipulation toward a multivalent state. In this study, a chemically engineered platform of multivalent aptamer-based LYTACs (AptLYTACs) is established for the targeted degradation of either single or dual protein targets. Leveraging the biotin-streptavidin system as a molecular scaffold, this investigation reveals that trivalently mono-targeted AptLYTACs demonstrate optimum efficiency in degrading membrane proteins. The development of this multivalent AptLYTACs platform provides a principle of concept for mono-/dual-targets degradation, expanding the possibilities of targeted protein degradation.

Emerging perspectives: unraveling the anticancer potential of vitamin D3

Vitamin D3, a fat-soluble vitamin known for its critical function in calcium homeostasis and bone health, is gaining interest for its anticancer properties. Observational studies have suggested a negative relationship between vitamin D levels and the incidence of some malignancies throughout the years, prompting substantial investigation to find its anticancer effects. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to investigate the diverse function of vitamin D3 in cancer prevention and therapy. We explored the molecular mechanism underlying its effects on cancer cells, which range from cell cycle control and death to angiogenesis and immune response modulation. Insights from in vitro and in vivo studies provide valuable evidence supporting its anticancer potential. Furthermore, we look at epidemiological and clinical studies that investigate the relationship between vitamin D3 levels and cancer risk or treatment results. Vitamin D3 supplementation's safety profile and cost-effectiveness increase its attractiveness as an adjuvant therapy in conjunction with traditional treatment regimens. Our critical review of the current literature provides an in-depth understanding of vitamin D3's anticancer effect, covering the obstacles and possibilities in realizing its promise for cancer prevention and therapy. The findings of this study might pave the way for the development of innovative treatment techniques that take use of the advantages of vitamin D3 to fight cancer and improve patient care. As research progresses, a better understanding of vitamin D3's anticancer processes will surely simplify its incorporation into personalized cancer care techniques, hence enhancing patient outcomes in the battle against cancer.

Clinical Value of Molecular Targets and FDA-Approved Genome-Targeted Cancer Therapies

Importance

The number of new genome-targeted cancer drugs has increased, offering the possibility of personalized therapy, often at a very high cost.

Objective

To assess the validity of molecular targets and therapeutic benefits of US Food and Drug Administration-approved genome-targeted cancer drugs based on the outcomes of their corresponding pivotal clinical trials.

Design and Settings

In this cohort study, all genome-targeted cancer drugs that were FDA-approved between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2022, were analyzed. From FDA drug labels and trial reports, key characteristics of pivotal trials were extracted, including the outcomes assessed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The strength of evidence supporting molecular targetability was assessed using the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets (ESCAT). Clinical benefit for their approved indications was evaluated using the ESMO-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS). Substantial clinical benefit was defined as a grade of A or B for curative intent and 4 or 5 for noncurative intent. Molecular targets qualifying for ESCAT category level I-A and I-B associated with substantial clinical benefit by ESMO-MCBS were rated as high-benefit genomic-based cancer treatments.

Results

A total of 50 molecular-targeted drugs covering 84 indications were analyzed. Forty-five indications (54%) were approved based on phase 1 or phase 2 pivotal trials, 45 (54%) were supported by single-arm pivotal trials, and 48 (57%) were approved on the basis of subgroup analyses. By each indication, 46 of 84 primary end points (55%) were overall response rate (median [IQR] overall response rate, 57% [40%-69%]; median [IQR] duration of response, 11.1 [9.2-19.8] months). Among the 84 pivotal trials supporting these 84 indications, 38 trials (45%) had I-A ESCAT targetability, and 32 (38%) had I-B targetability. Overall, 24 of 84 trials (29%) demonstrated substantial clinical benefit via ESMO-MCBS. Combining these ratings, 24 of 84 indications (29%) were associated with high-benefit genomic-based cancer treatments.

Conclusions and Relevance

The results of this cohort study demonstrate that among recently approved molecular-targeted cancer therapies, fewer than one-third demonstrated substantial patient benefits at approval. Benefit frameworks such as ESMO-MCBS and ESCAT can help physicians, patients, and payers identify therapies with the greatest clinical potential.

Structure-guided identification of potent inhibitors of ROS1 kinase for therapeutic development against non-small cell lung cancer

Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase ROS (ROS1) is a member of the sevenless receptor, which affects epithelial cell differentiation and is highly expressed in a variety of tumor cells. The elevated expression and dysfunction of ROS1 have been involved in various malignancies, such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stomach cancer, ovarian, breast cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, adenosarcoma, oesophageal cancer, etc. ROS1 has been postulated as a potential drug target in anticancer therapeutics. In this study, we carried out a virtual screening of phytochemicals against ROS1 to identify its potential inhibitors. The virtual screening process was performed on the ROS1 structure, where two phytochemicals, Helioscopinolide C and Taiwanin C, were identified. These compounds resulted from filters like Lipinski rule of five, PAINS filter, binding affinities values, and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations followed by principal component analysis (PCA) and essential dynamics. The findings of this study highlight the role of ROS1 in multiple physiological candidates and its therapeutic targeting using phytochemicals. This study suggests Helioscopinolide C and Taiwanin C as potential compounds for therapeutic development targeting ROS1-associated non-small cell lung cancer for clinical applications. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments are required to validate these findings.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Visualization of Modified Bisarylbutadiyne-Tagged Small Molecules in Live-Cell Nuclei by Stimulated Raman Scattering Microscopy

Visualizing the distribution of small-molecule drugs in living cells is an important strategy for developing specific, effective, and minimally toxic drugs. As an alternative to fluorescence imaging using bulky fluorophores or cell fixation, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging combined with bisarylbutadiyne (BADY) tagging enables the observation of small molecules closer to their native intracellular state. However, there is evidence that the physicochemical properties of BADY-tagged analogues of small-molecule drugs differ significantly from those of their parent drugs, potentially affecting their intracellular distribution. Herein, we developed a modified BADY to reduce deviations in physicochemical properties (in particular, lipophilicity and membrane permeability) between tagged and parent drugs, while maintaining high Raman activity in live-cell SRS imaging. We highlight the practical application of this approach by revealing the nuclear distribution of a modified BADY-tagged analogue of JQ1, a bromodomain and extra-terminal motif inhibitor with applications in targeted cancer therapy, in living HeLa cells. The modified BADY, methoxypyridazyl pyrimidyl butadiyne (MPDY), revealed intranuclear JQ1, while BADY-tagged JQ1 did not show a clear nuclear signal. We anticipate that the present approach combining MPDY tagging with live-cell SRS imaging provides important insight into the behavior of intracellular drugs and represents a promising avenue for improving drug development.

Synthesis, bioactivity assessment, molecular docking and ADMET studies of new chromone congeners exhibiting potent anticancer activity

In consideration of the chromones' therapeutic potential and anticancer activity, a new series of chromanone derivatives have been synthesized through a straightforward reaction between 6-formyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methylchromone (2) and various organic active compounds. The cytotoxic activity of the newly synthesized congeners was investigated against MCF-7 (human breast cancer), HCT-116 (colon cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer), and normal skin fibroblast cells (BJ1). The obtained data indicated that compounds 14b, 17, and 19 induce cytotoxic activity in the breast MCF7, while compounds 6a, 6b, 11 and 14c showed highly potent activity in the colon cancer cell lines. Overall, the results demonstrate that the potential cytotoxic effects of the studied compounds may be based on their ability to induce DNA fragmentation in cancer cell lines, down-regulate the expression level of CDK4 as well as the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and up-regulate the expression of the pro-apoptotic genes P53 and Bax. Furthermore, compounds 14b and 14c showed a dual mechanism of action by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The docking studies showed that the binding affinity of the most active cytotoxic compounds within the active pocket of the CDK4 enzyme is stronger due to hydrophobic and H-bonding interactions. These results were found to be consistent with the experimental results.

Enhanced cellular therapy: revolutionizing adoptive cellular therapy

Enhanced cellular therapy has emerged as a novel concept following the basis of cellular therapy. This treatment modality applied drugs or biotechnology to directly enhance or genetically modify cells to enhance the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy (ACT). Drugs or biotechnology that enhance the killing ability of immune cells include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) / antibody drugs, small molecule inhibitors, immunomodulatory factors, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC), oncolytic virus (OV), etc. Firstly, overcoming the inhibitory tumor microenvironment (TME) can enhance the efficacy of ACT, which can be achieved by blocking the immune checkpoint. Secondly, cytokines or cytokine receptors can be expressed by genetic engineering or added directly to adoptive cells to enhance the migration and infiltration of adoptive cells to tumor cells. Moreover, multi-antigen chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can be designed to enhance the specific recognition of tumor cell-related antigens, and OVs can also stimulate antigen release. In addition to inserting suicide genes into adoptive cells, PROTAC technology can be used as a safety switch or degradation agent of immunosuppressive factors to enhance the safety and efficacy of adoptive cells. This article comprehensively summarizes the mechanism, current situation, and clinical application of enhanced cellular therapy, describing potential improvements to adoptive cellular therapy.

Podophyllic Aldehyde, a Podophyllotoxin Derivate, Elicits Different Cell Cycle Profiles Depending on the Tumor Cell Line: A Systematic Proteomic Analysis

When new antitumor therapy drugs are discovered, it is essential to address new target molecules from the point of view of chemical structure and to carry out efficient and systematic evaluation. In the case of natural products and derived compounds, it is of special importance to investigate chemomodulation to further explore antitumoral pharmacological activities. In this work, the compound podophyllic aldehyde, a cyclolignan derived from the chemomodulation of the natural product podophyllotoxin, has been evaluated for its viability, influence on the cell cycle, and effects on intracellular signaling. We used functional proteomics characterization for the evaluation. Compared with the FDA-approved drug etoposide (another podophyllotoxin derivative), we found interesting results regarding the cytotoxicity of podophyllic aldehyde. In addition, we were able to observe the effect of mitotic arrest in the treated cells. The use of podophyllic aldehyde resulted in increased cytotoxicity in solid tumor cell lines, compared to etoposide, and blocked the cycle more successfully than etoposide. High-throughput analysis of the deregulated proteins revealed a selective antimitotic mechanism of action of podophyllic aldehyde in the HT-29 cell line, in contrast with other solid and hematological tumor lines. Also, the apoptotic profile of podophyllic aldehyde was deciphered. The cell death mechanism is activated independently of the cell cycle profile. The results of these targeted analyses have also shown a significant response to the signaling of kinases, key proteins involved in signaling cascades for cell proliferation or metastasis. Thanks to this comprehensive analysis of podophyllic aldehyde, remarkable cytotoxic, antimitotic, and other antitumoral features have been discovered that will repurpose this compound for further chemical transformations and antitumoral analysis.

Comprehensive review of the repositioning of non-oncologic drugs for cancer immunotherapy

Drug repositioning or repurposing has gained worldwide attention as a plausible way to search for novel molecules for the treatment of particular diseases or disorders. Drug repurposing essentially refers to uncovering approved or failed compounds for use in various diseases. Cancer is a deadly disease and leading cause of mortality. The search for approved non-oncologic drugs for cancer treatment involved in silico modeling, databases, and literature searches. In this review, we provide a concise account of the existing non-oncologic drug molecules and their therapeutic potential in chemotherapy. The mechanisms and modes of action of the repurposed drugs using computational techniques are also highlighted. Furthermore, we discuss potential targets, critical pathways, and highlight in detail the different challenges pertaining to drug repositioning for cancer immunotherapy.

A new perspective on prostate cancer treatment: the interplay between cellular senescence and treatment resistance

The emergence of resistance to prostate cancer (PCa) treatment, particularly to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), has posed a significant challenge in the field of PCa management. Among the therapeutic options for PCa, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are commonly used modalities. However, these therapeutic approaches, while inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, may also trigger stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). Cellular senescence, an entropy-driven transition from an ordered to a disordered state, ultimately leading to cell growth arrest, exhibits a dual role in PCa treatment. On one hand, senescent tumor cells may withdraw from the cell cycle, thereby reducing tumor growth rate and exerting a positive effect on treatment. On the other hand, senescent tumor cells may secrete a plethora of cytokines, growth factors and proteases that can affect neighboring tumor cells, thereby exerting a negative impact on treatment. This review explores how radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy trigger SIPS and the nuanced impact of senescent tumor cells on PCa treatment. Additionally, we aim to identify novel therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance in PCa treatment, thereby enhancing patient outcomes.

Potentials and future perspectives of multi-target drugs in cancer treatment: the next generation anti-cancer agents

Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide with more than an estimated 19.3 million new cases in 2020. The occurrence rises dramatically with age, and the overall risk accumulation is combined with the tendency for cellular repair mechanisms to be less effective in older individuals. Conventional cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy, have been used for decades to combat cancer. However, the emergence of novel fields of cancer research has led to the exploration of innovative treatment approaches focused on immunotherapy, epigenetic therapy, targeted therapy, multi-omics, and also multi-target therapy. The hypothesis was based on that drugs designed to act against individual targets cannot usually battle multigenic diseases like cancer. Multi-target therapies, either in combination or sequential order, have been recommended to combat acquired and intrinsic resistance to anti-cancer treatments. Several studies focused on multi-targeting treatments due to their advantages include; overcoming clonal heterogeneity, lower risk of multi-drug resistance (MDR), decreased drug toxicity, and thereby lower side effects. In this study, we'll discuss about multi-target drugs, their benefits in improving cancer treatments, and recent advances in the field of multi-targeted drugs. Also, we will study the research that performed clinical trials using multi-target therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.

Advances in TRPV6 inhibitors for tumors by targeted therapies: Macromolecular proteins, synthetic small molecule compounds, and natural compounds

TRPV6, a Ca2+-selective member of the transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) family, plays a key role in extracellular calcium transport, calcium ion reuptake, and maintenance of a local low calcium environment. An increasing number of studies have shown that TRPV6 is involved in the regulation of various diseases. Notably, overexpression of TRPV6 is closely related to the occurrence of various cancers. Research confirmed that knocking down TRPV6 could effectively reduce the proliferation and invasiveness of tumors by mainly mediating the calcium signaling pathway. Hence, TRPV6 has become a promising new drug target for numerous tumor treatments. However, the development of TRPV6 inhibitors is still in the early stage, and the existing TRPV6 inhibitors have poor selectivity and off-target effects. In this review, we focus on summarizing and describing the structure characters, and mechanisms of existing TRPV6 inhibitors to provide new ideas and directions for the development of novel TRPV6 inhibitors.

Targeted acidosis mediated delivery of antigenic MHC-binding peptides

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the primary effector immune cells responsible for protection against cancer, as they target peptide neoantigens presented through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on cancer cells, leading to cell death. Targeting peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex offers a promising strategy for immunotherapy due to their specificity and effectiveness against cancer. In this work, we exploit the acidic tumor micro-environment to selectively deliver antigenic peptides to cancer using pH(low) insertion peptides (pHLIP). We demonstrated the delivery of MHC binding peptides directly to the cytoplasm of melanoma cells resulted in the presentation of antigenic peptides on MHC, and activation of T cells. This work highlights the potential of pHLIP as a vehicle for the targeted delivery of antigenic peptides and its presentation via MHC-bound complexes on cancer cell surface for activation of T cells with implications for enhancing anti-cancer immunotherapy.

Chemical Derivatization Leads to the Discovery Of Novel Analogs of Azotochelin, a Natural Siderophore, as Promising Anticancer Agents

Siderophores are structurally unique medicinal natural products and exhibit considerable therapeutic potential. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of azotochelin, a natural siderophore, and an extensive library of azotochelin analogs and their anticancer properties. We modified the carboxylic acid and the aromatic ring of azotochelin using various chemical motifs. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of the compounds against six different cancer cell lines (KB-3-1, SNB-19, MCF-7, K-562, SW-620, and NCI-H460) and a non-cancerous cell line (HEK-293). Among the twenty compounds tested, the IC50 values of nine compounds (14, 32, 35-40, and 54) were between 0.7 and 2.0 μM against a lung cancer cell line (NCI-H460). Moreover, several compounds showed good cytotoxicity profile (IC50 <10 μM) against the tested cancer cell lines. The flow cytometry analysis showed that compounds 36 and 38 induced apoptosis in NCI-H460 in a dose-dependent manner. The cell cycle analysis indicated that compounds 36 and 38 significantly arrested the cell cycle at the S phase to block cancer cell proliferation in the NCI-H460 cell line. The study has produced various novel azotochelin analogs that are potentially effective anticancer agents and lead compounds for further synthetic and medicinal chemistry exploration.

Review of Personalized Medicine and Pharmacogenomics of Anti-Cancer Compounds and Natural Products

In recent years, the FDA has approved numerous anti-cancer drugs that are mutation-based for clinical use. These drugs have improved the precision of treatment and reduced adverse effects and side effects. Personalized therapy is a prominent and hot topic of current medicine and also represents the future direction of development. With the continuous advancements in gene sequencing and high-throughput screening, research and development strategies for personalized clinical drugs have developed rapidly. This review elaborates the recent personalized treatment strategies, which include artificial intelligence, multi-omics analysis, chemical proteomics, and computation-aided drug design. These technologies rely on the molecular classification of diseases, the global signaling network within organisms, and new models for all targets, which significantly support the development of personalized medicine. Meanwhile, we summarize chemical drugs, such as lorlatinib, osimertinib, and other natural products, that deliver personalized therapeutic effects based on genetic mutations. This review also highlights potential challenges in interpreting genetic mutations and combining drugs, while providing new ideas for the development of personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics in cancer study.

Expression profile of mRNAs and miRNAs related to mitogen-activated kinases in HaCaT cell culture treated with lipopolysaccharide a and adalimumab

Studies indicate that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) exhibit activation and overexpression within psoriatic lesions. This study aimed to investigate alterations in the expression patterns of genes encoding MAPKs and microRNA (miRNA) molecules that potentially regulate their expression in human adult low-calcium high-temperature (HaCaT) keratinocytes when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide A (LPS) and adalimumab. HaCaT cells underwent treatment with 1 µg/mL LPS for 8 hours, followed by treatment with 8 µg/mL adalimumab for 2, 8, or 24 hours. Untreated cells served as controls. The molecular analysis involved microarray, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses. Changes in the expression profile of seven mRNAs: dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), dual specificity phosphatase 3 (DUSP3), dual specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4), mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (MAPK9), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (MAP3K2), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MAP2K2), and MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAPK2, also known as MK2) in cell culture exposed to LPS or LPS and the drug compared to the control. It was noted that miR-34a may potentially regulate the activity of DUSP1, DUSP3, and DUSP4, while miR-1275 is implicated in regulating MAPK9 expression. Additionally, miR-382 and miR-3188 are potential regulators of DUSP4 levels, and miR-200-5p is involved in regulating MAPKAPK2 and MAP3K2 levels. Thus, the analysis showed that these mRNA molecules and the proteins and miRNAs they encode appear to be useful molecular markers for monitoring the efficacy of adalimumab therapy.

Pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness of anti-cancer traditional Chinese medicine: molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation study

MCM7 (Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7) is a component of the DNA replication licensing factor, which controls DNA replication. The MCM7 protein is linked to tumor cell proliferation and has a function in the development of several human cancers. Several types of cancer may be treated by inhibiting the protein, as it is strongly produced throughout this process. Significantly, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has a long history of clinical adjuvant use against cancer, is rapidly gaining traction as a valuable medical resource for the development of novel cancer therapies, including immunotherapy. Therefore, the goal of the research was to find small molecular therapeutic candidates against the MCM7 protein that may be used to treat human cancers. A computational-based virtual screening of 36,000 natural TCM libraries is carried out for this goal using a molecular docking and dynamic simulation technique. Thereby, ∼8 novel potent compounds i.e., ZINC85542762, ZINC95911541, ZINC85542617, ZINC85542646, ZINC85592446, ZINC85568676, ZINC85531303, and ZINC95914464 were successfully shortlisted, each having the capacity to penetrate the cell as potent inhibitors for MCM7 to curb this disorder. These selected compounds were found to have high binding affinities compared to the reference (AGS compound) i.e. < -11.0 kcal/mol. ADMET and pharmacological properties showed that none of these 8 compounds poses any toxic property (carcinogenicity) and have anti-metastatic, and anticancer activity. Additionally, MD simulations were run to assess the compounds' stability and dynamic behavior with the MCM7 complex for about 100 ns. Finally, ZINC95914464, ZINC95911541, ZINC85568676, ZINC85592446, ZINC85531303, and ZINC85542646 are identified as highly stable within the complex throughout the 100 ns simulations. Moreover, the results of binding free energy suggested that the selected virtual hits significantly bind to the MCM7 which implied these compounds may act as a potential MCM7 inhibitor. However, in vitro testing protocols are required to further support these results. Further, assessment through various lab-based trial methods can assist with deciding the action of the compound that will give options in contrast to human cancer immunotherapy.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Self-healing hydrogels for enhancing chemotherapy drug efficacy: Advancements in anti-sarcoma and carcinoma therapies and clinical trial feasibility

•Site-specific administration is key for optimizing anticancer drug administration; self-healing hydrogels may allow this at reasonable costs and reproducibility.•Self-healing hydrogels have several real-world therapeutic applications, including drug administration.•Self-healing hydrogels are yet to be utilized for chemotherapy drug administration in clinical trials.•Clinical research on using self-healing hydrogels in anticancer therapeutics is feasible and valid compared to other advances in anticancer drug administration.

A novel treatment strategy utilizing panobinostat for high-risk and treatment-refractory hepatoblastoma

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with metastatic, treatment-refractory, and relapsed hepatoblastoma (HB) have survival rates of less than 50% due to limited treatment options. To develop new therapeutic strategies for these patients, our laboratory has developed a preclinical testing pipeline. Given that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has been proposed for HB, we hypothesized that we could find an effective combination treatment strategy utilizing HDAC inhibition.

METHODS

RNA sequencing, microarray, NanoString, and immunohistochemistry data of patient HB samples were analyzed for HDAC class expression. Patient-derived spheroids (PDSp) were used to screen combination chemotherapy with an HDAC inhibitor, panobinostat. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models were developed and treated with the combination therapy that showed the highest efficacy in the PDSp drug screen.

RESULTS

HDAC RNA and protein expression were elevated in HB tumors compared to normal livers. Panobinostat (IC50 of 0.013-0.059 μM) showed strong in vitro effects and was associated with lower cell viability than other HDAC inhibitors. PDSp demonstrated the highest level of cell death with combination treatment of vincristine/irinotecan/panobinostat (VIP). All four models responded to VIP therapy with a decrease in tumor size compared to placebo. After 6 weeks of treatment, two models demonstrated necrotic cell death, with lower Ki67 expression, decreased serum alpha fetoprotein and reduced tumor burden compared to paired VI- and placebo-treated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing a preclinical HB pipeline, we demonstrate that panobinostat in combination with VI chemotherapy can induce an effective tumor response in models developed from patients with high-risk, relapsed, and treatment-refractory HB.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

Patients with treatment-refractory hepatoblastoma have limited treatment options with survival rates of less than 50%. Our manuscript demonstrates that combination therapy with vincristine, irinotecan, and panobinostat reduces the size of high-risk, relapsed, and treatment-refractory tumors. With this work we provide preclinical evidence to support utilizing this combination therapy as an arm in future clinical trials.

Pollutants to pathogens: The role of heavy metals in modulating TGF-β signaling and lung cancer risk

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the lungs due to the uncontrolled growth of aberrant cells. Heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, are metallic elements characterized by their high atomic weights and densities. Anthropogenic activities, such as industrial operations and pollution, have the potential to discharge heavy metals into the environment, hence presenting hazards to ecosystems and human well-being. The TGF-β signalling pathways have a crucial function in controlling several cellular processes, with the ability to both prevent and promote tumor growth. TGF-β regulates cellular responses by interacting in both canonical and non-canonical signalling pathways. Research employing both in vitro and in vivo models has shown that heavy metals may trigger TGF-β signalling via complex molecular pathways. Experiments conducted in a controlled laboratory environment show that heavy metals like cadmium and arsenic may directly bind to TGF-β receptors, leading to alterations in their structure that enable the receptor to be phosphorylated. Activation of this route sets in motion subsequent signalling cascades, most notably the canonical Smad pathway. The development of lung cancer has been linked to heavy metals, which are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. To grasp the underlying processes, it is necessary to comprehend their molecular effect on TGF-β pathways. With a particular emphasis on its consequences for lung cancer, this abstract delves into the complex connection between exposure to heavy metals and the stimulation of TGF-β signalling.

Fyn, Blk, and Lyn kinase inhibitors: A mini-review on medicinal attributes, research progress, and future insights

Fyn, Blk, and Lyn are part of a group of proteins called Src family kinases. They are crucial in controlling cell communication and their response to the growth, changes, and immune system. Blocking these proteins with inhibitors can be a way to treat diseases where these proteins are too active. The primary mode of action of these inhibitors is to inhibit the phosphorylation of Fyn, Blk, and Lyn receptors, which in turn affects how signals pass within the cells. This review shows the structural and functional aspects of Fyn, Blk, and Lyn kinases, highlighting the significance of their dysregulation in diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. The discussion encompasses the design strategies, SAR analysis, and chemical characteristics of effective inhibitors, shedding light on their specificity and potency. Furthermore, it explores the progress of clinical trials of these inhibitors, emphasizing their potential therapeutic applications.

Targeting PRL phosphatases in hematological malignancies

INTRODUCTION

Phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL) family proteins, also known as protein tyrosine phosphatase 4A (PTP4A), have been implicated in many types of cancers. The PRL family of phosphatases consists of three members, PRL1, PRL2, and PRL3. PRLs have been shown to harbor oncogenic potentials and are highly expressed in a variety of cancers. Given their roles in cancer progression and metastasis, PRLs are potential targets for anticancer therapies. However, additional studies are needed to be performed to fully understand the roles of PRLs in blood cancers.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we will summarize recent studies of PRLs in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, the role of PRLs in regulating various signaling pathways, and the therapeutic potentials of targeting PRLs in hematological malignancies. We will also discuss how to improve current PRL inhibitors for cancer treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

Although PRL inhibitors show promising therapeutic effects in preclinical studies of different types of cancers, moving PRL inhibitors from bench to bedside is still challenging. More potent and selective PRL inhibitors are needed to target PRLs in hematological malignancies and improve treatment outcomes.

Matairesinoside, a novel inhibitor of TMEM16A ion channel, loaded with functional hydrogel for lung cancer treatment

The incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer have remained high for several decades, necessitating the discovery of new drugs and the development of effective treatment strategies. This study identified matairesinoside (MTS) as a potent inhibitor of TMEM16A, a novel drug target for lung cancer. Molecular simulation combined with site-directed mutagenesis experiments confirmed the key binding sites of MTS and TMEM16A. Cell experiments demonstrated that MTS significantly inhibited the growth, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells, while inducing apoptosis. Gene knockdown and overexpression studies further revealed that TMEM16A is the target for MTS in regulating lung cancer cell growth. Western blot analysis elucidated the signaling transduction network involved in MTS-mediated regulation of lung cancer. Building upon these findings, a biodegradable self-healing functional hydrogel was developed to load MTS, aiming to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects in vivo. Animal experiments demonstrated that the hydrogel/MTS formulation exhibited satisfactory inhibitory effects on lung cancer and mitigated the side effects associated with direct MTS injection. This study identified MTS as a potential candidate for anti-lung cancer therapy with well-defined pharmacological mechanisms. Moreover, the targeted drug delivery system utilizing the hydrogel/MTS platform offers a promising approach for lung cancer treatment.

Light emitting diode (LED) irradiation of liposomes enhances drug encapsulation and delivery for improved cancer eradication

Liposomes are widely used as drug delivery nanoplatforms because of their versatility and biocompatibility; however, their ability to load certain drugs may be suboptimal. In this study, we generated liposomes using a combination of DSPE and DSPE-PEG-2 k lipids and loaded them with doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX), to investigate the effects of light emitting diode (LED) irradiation on liposome structure and drug loading efficiency. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the surface of liposomes irradiated with blue or near-infrared LEDs (LsLipo) was rougher and more irregular than that of non-LED-irradiated liposomes (NsLipo). Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the hydrogen peak originating from the lipid head groups was lower in LsLipo than in NsLipo preparations, indicating that LED irradiation changed the chemical and physical properties of the liposome. Structural changes, such as reduced rigidity, induced by LED irradiation, increased the loading efficiency of DOX and PTX. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that LsLipo were more effective at inhibiting the growth of cancer cells than NsLipo. Our findings suggest that LED irradiation enhances the drug delivery efficacy of liposomes and offer new possibilities for improving drug delivery systems.

A multiparameter liquid biopsy approach allows to track melanoma dynamics and identify early treatment resistance

Melanoma heterogeneity is a hurdle in metastatic disease management. Although the advent of targeted therapy has significantly improved patient outcomes, the occurrence of resistance makes monitoring of the tumor genetic landscape mandatory. Liquid biopsy could represent an important biomarker for the real-time tracing of disease evolution. Thus, we aimed to correlate liquid biopsy dynamics with treatment response and progression by devising a multiplatform approach applied to longitudinal melanoma patient monitoring. We conceived an approach that exploits Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and droplet digital PCR, as well as the FDA-cleared platform CellSearch, to analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) trend and circulating melanoma cell (CMC) count, together with their customized genetic and copy number variation analysis. The approach was applied to 17 stage IV melanoma patients treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors, followed for up to 28 months. BRAF mutations were detected in the plasma of 82% of patients. Single nucleotide variants known or suspected to confer resistance were identified in 70% of patients. Moreover, the amount of ctDNA, both at baseline and during response, correlated with the type and duration of the response itself, and the CMC count was confirmed to be a prognostic biomarker. This work provides proof of principle of the power of this approach and paves the way for a validation study aimed at evaluating early ctDNA-guided treatment decisions in stage IV melanoma. The NGS-based molecular profile complemented the analysis of ctDNA trend and, together with CMC analysis, revealed to be useful in capturing tumor evolution.

Recent Advances in Material Technology for Leukemia Treatments

Leukemia is a widespread hematological malignancy characterized by an elevated white blood cell count in both the blood and the bone marrow. Despite notable advancements in leukemia intervention in the clinic, a large proportion of patients, especially acute leukemia patients, fail to achieve long-term remission or complete remission following treatment. Therefore, leukemia therapy necessitates optimization to meet the treatment requirements. In recent years, a multitude of materials have undergone rigorous study to serve as delivery vectors or direct intervention agents to bolster the effectiveness of leukemia therapy. These materials include liposomes, protein-based materials, polymeric materials, cell-derived materials, and inorganic materials. They possess unique characteristics and are applied in a broad array of therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, gene therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and other evolving treatments. Here, an overview of these materials is presented, describing their physicochemical properties, their role in leukemia treatment, and the challenges they face in the context of clinical translation. This review inspires researchers to further develop various materials that can be used to augment the efficacy of multiple therapeutic modalities for novel applications in leukemia treatment.

CyclicPepedia: a knowledge base of natural and synthetic cyclic peptides

Cyclic peptides offer a range of notable advantages, including potent antibacterial properties, high binding affinity and specificity to target molecules, and minimal toxicity, making them highly promising candidates for drug development. However, a comprehensive database that consolidates both synthetically derived and naturally occurring cyclic peptides is conspicuously absent. To address this void, we introduce CyclicPepedia (https://www.biosino.org/iMAC/cyclicpepedia/), a pioneering database that encompasses 8744 known cyclic peptides. This repository, structured as a composite knowledge network, offers a wealth of information encompassing various aspects of cyclic peptides, such as cyclic peptides' sources, categorizations, structural characteristics, pharmacokinetic profiles, physicochemical properties, patented drug applications, and a collection of crucial publications. Supported by a user-friendly knowledge retrieval system and calculation tools specifically designed for cyclic peptides, CyclicPepedia will be able to facilitate advancements in cyclic peptide drug development.

Novel 2-Aminobenzothiazole Derivatives: Docking, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation as Anticancer Agents

Sixteen novel 2-aminobenzothiazole compounds with different amines or substituted piperazine moieties were designed, synthesized, and tested using various methods. Potential interactions were assessed by docking new compounds in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding domain of the PI3Kγ enzyme (PDB code: 7JWE) by nucleophilic substitution or solvent-free/neat fusion for docked compound synthesis. Final 2-aminobenzothiazole compounds were characterized by direct probe gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), proton (1H-NMR), carbon-13 (13C-NMR), and attenuated total reflectance-infrared Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR). The synthesized compounds were investigated for anticancer activities on lung cancer (A549) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. The compounds' PI3Kγ inhibition was evaluated at a 100 μM concentration. 4-Nitroaniline and piperazine-4-nitroaniline combination in OMS5 and OMS14 reduced lung and breast cancer cell line growth. IC50 values for OMS5 and OMS14, the strongest compounds, ranged from 22.13 to 61.03 μM. OMS1 and OMS2 inhibited PI3Kγ at the highest rates (47 and 48%, respectively) at a 100 μM concentration. Results show that the PI3Kγ enzyme suppression is not the main mechanism behind these OMS5 and OMS14 anticancer effects. CDK2, Akt, mTOR, and p42/44 MAPK are affected. EGF receptor suppression matters. AKT1, AKT3, CDK1/cyclin B, PDK1 direct, PIK3CA E542 K/PIK3R1 (p110 α/p85 α), PIK3CD/PIK3R1 (p110 δ/p85 α), and PKN inhibition were measured to evaluate the possible mechanism of compound OMS14. PIK3CD/PIK3R1 (p110 δ/p85 α) is the most, with 65% inhibition, suggesting a possible mechanism of anticancer properties. Furthermore, the NCI 60-cell line inhibition demonstrates promising broad anticancer inhibition against numerous cancer cell lines of OMS5 and OMS14, which could be good lead compounds for future development.

Design and synthesis of novel chloropyridazine hybrids as promising anticancer agents acting by apoptosis induction and PARP-1 inhibition through a molecular hybridization strategy

Guided by the molecular hybridization principle, a novel series of 4-chloropyridazinoxyphenyl conjugates (3a-h, 4a-e, and 5) was designed and synthesized as proposed apoptotic inducers and PARP-1 inhibitors. The growth inhibition % of the designed hybrids was investigated in eleven cancer cell lines, where the anticancer activities were found to be in the following order: 4-chloropyridazinoxyphenyl-aromatic ketones hybrids (3a-h) > 4-chloropyridazinoxyphenyl-benzyloxyphenylethan-1-one hybrids (4a-e) > 4-chloropyridazinoxyphenyl-thiazolidine-2,4-dione hybrid (5). Further, the most sensitive three cancer cell lines (HNO97, FaDu, and MDA-MB-468) were selected to measure the IC50 values of the new hybrids. Moreover, the frontier three members (3c, 3e, and 4b) were selected for the measurements of apoptotic protein markers (p53, BAX, caspase 3, caspase 6, BCL-2, and CK 18). Besides, the impact of compounds 3a-e and 4b on the activity of PARP-1 was investigated, where 3c, 3d, and 3e demonstrated comparable efficiencies to olaparib. Furthermore, γ-H2Ax, a well-established marker for double-strand DNA breaks, was examined and the occurrence of DNA damage was observed. In addition, a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and a remarkable 15 to 50-fold reduction in the number of colonies compared to the control group were recorded. Finally, the PARP-1 inhibitory potential of the novel hybrids was compared to the co-crystal of the target receptor (PDB ID: 6NTU) using molecular docking.