KDM4C silencing inhibits cell migration and enhances radiosensitivity by inducing CXCL2 transcription in hepatocellular carcinoma

CXCL2: a key player in the tumor microenvironment and inflammatory diseases

CXCL2 (C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2), a constituent of the C-X-C chemokine subfamily, serves as a powerful chemotactic factor for neutrophils, facilitating leukocyte recruitment and movement while initiating an inflammatory response. Recent investigations have demonstrated the pivotal involvement of CXCL2 in carcinogenesis. Within the tumor microenvironment, CXCL2 modulates cellular activity primarily via its interaction with the CXCR2 receptor. The activation of signaling pathways, including ERK/MAPK, NF-κB/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT3, highlights CXCL2's inclination to promote tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the role of CXCL2 encompasses inflammatory conditions like lung inflammation, atherosclerosis, and obesity. This article examines the structural characteristics, biological roles, and molecular foundation of CXCL2 in carcinogenesis and inflammatory disorders.

Current advances and future directions in targeting histone demethylases for cancer therapy

Epigenetic regulators, known as "writers," erasers," and "readers," are essential for controlling gene expression by adding, removing, or recognizing post-translational modifications to histone tails, respectively. These regulators significantly affect genes involved in cancer initiation and maintenance. Recently, several clinical strategies targeting these epigenetic enzymes have emerged and some trials have demonstrated promising results for cancer treatment. Histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) yield distinct transcriptional outcomes that depend on the position of the methylated lysine and the specific genotype or lineage of the cancer cells. Due to their diverse roles in transcription, KDMs offer valuable opportunities for precision oncology, allowing treatments to be tailored to meet individual patient needs. This review emphasizes our current understanding of the functional relationship between KDMs and cancer as well as the development and application of small-molecule compounds that target KDMs.

Targeting N-Methyl-lysine Histone Demethylase KDM4 in Cancer: Natural Products Inhibitors as a Driving Force for Epigenetic Drug Discovery

KDM4A-F enzymes are a subfamily of histone demethylases containing the Jumonji C domain (JmjC) using Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate for their catalytic function. Overexpression or deregulation of KDM4 enzymes is associated with various cancers, altering chromatin structure and causing transcriptional dysfunction. As KDM4 enzymes have been associated with malignancy, they may represent novel targets for developing innovative therapeutic tools to treat different solid and blood tumors. KDM4A is the isozyme most frequently associated with aggressive phenotypes of these tumors. To this aim, industrial and academic medicinal chemistry efforts have identified different KDM4 inhibitors. Industrial and academic efforts in medicinal chemistry have identified numerous KDM4 inhibitors, primarily pan-KDM4 inhibitors, though they often lack selectivity against other Jumonji family members. The pharmacophoric features of the inhibitors frequently include a chelating group capable of coordinating the catalytic iron within the active site of the KDM4 enzyme. Nonetheless, non-chelating compounds have also demonstrated promising inhibitory activity, suggesting potential flexibility in the drug design. Several natural products, containing monovalent or bivalent chelators, have been identified as KDM4 inhibitors, albeit with a micromolar inhibition potency. This highlights the potential for leveraging them as templates for the design and synthesis of new derivatives, exploiting nature's chemical diversity to pursue more potent and selective KDM4 inhibitors.

Identification of KDM4C as a gene conferring drug resistance in multiple myeloma

Bortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor, is a promising therapeutic option for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, drug resistance often occurs, leading to disease relapse and poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to identify novel genes associated with drug resistance and investigate their roles in BTZ resistance. Through the screening of 26 genes frequently associated with chemosensitivity or drug resistance, we discovered that KDM4C, a histone demethylase, exhibited increased expression in BTZ-resistant MM cells compared to their sensitive counterparts. Overexpression of KDM4C enhanced the tolerance of a MM cell line to the drug, whereas the knockdown of KDM4C, using shRNA, increased the sensitivity of resistant cells to BTZ treatment. This suggests that KDM4C plays a pivotal role in conferring BTZ resistance. Our study offers fresh insights into BTZ resistance in MM and highlights KDM4C as a potential target for overcoming drug resistance.