Investigational PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in development for endometrial cancer

Molecular substratification of endometrial carcinomas with no special molecular profile (NSMP) by using a limited NGS custom panel may facilitate effective patient selection for the PIK3CA-targeted therapy

Endometrial carcinomas (EC) of no special molecular profile (NSMP) represent the largest molecular category of EC, comprising a mixture of tumors with different histology and molecular profiles. These facts likely point to different tumor biology, clinical outcomes, and targeted therapy responses within this molecular category. The PIK3CA is currently the only targetable kinase oncoprotein directly implicated in EC carcinogenesis. Investigating a unique single-institution cohort, we attempted to stratify NSMP ECs based on the presence of the PIK3CA pathogenic mutation. Those cases were further analyzed for other well-established-associated oncogenic driver gene mutations. Histological and clinical variables were also correlated in each case. Altogether, 175 ECs were prospectively tested by a limited custom NGS panel containing ARID1A, BCOR, BRCA1, BRCA2, CTNNB1, KRAS, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NRAS, PIK3CA, PMS2, POLD1, POLE, PTEN,and TP53 genes. We identified 24 PIK3CA mutated cases in the group of 80 NSMP ECs, with another co-occurring mutation in at least one oncogenic driver gene (CTNNB1, PTEN, ARID1A, KRAS, BCOR, PMS2) in 19 cases. In conclusion, a limited NGS panel can effectively test EC tissue for specific pathogenetically relevant oncogene mutations. The NSMP EC category contains 30% of the PIK3CA mutated cases. Of those, 21% contain the PIK3CA mutation as a sole EC-associated oncogene mutation, while 79% harbor at least one more mutated gene. These findings may inform future healthcare planning and improve the effectiveness of EC patient selection for the PIK3CA-targeted therapy.

20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 protects against focal cerebral ischemia‒reperfusion injury by suppressing autophagy via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 on autophagy induced by cerebral ischemia‒reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats and explore its regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

METHODS

Middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) in male rats was injected intraperitoneally with 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) 12 h before modeling, 2 h after ischemia and 12 h after reperfusion. Neurobehavioral and neuronal morphological changes were detected 24 h after brain I/R. In vitro, the OGD/R-induced injury model is replicated in PC12 cells and different concentrations of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 are administered to observe its effects on cell viability and autophagy and PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein expression.

RESULTS

Our findings suggest that treatment with 20 mg/kg 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 significantly attenuated the neuronal injury, as evidenced by a decreased number of damaged neurons, reduced dissolution of Nissl corpuscles, a fewer autophagosomes, and downregulated expression of Beclin1 and LC3-II/I compared with the MCAO/R group. Furthermore, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly upregulated the expression of p62, p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR. In vitro, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 significantly improved the survival rate of cells following OGD/R and markedly attenuated the LY294002 and OGD/R-induced upregulation of Beclin1 and LC3 gene expression. Moreover, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 could rescued the LY294002 and OGD/R-induced downregulation of p62, p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR expression.

CONCLUSIONS

20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 attenuates neuronal injury and motor dysfunction following ischemia-reperfusion by inhibiting the activation of autophagy, and its mechanism is related to the upregulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Phosphocholine inhibits proliferation and reduces stemness of endometrial cancer cells by downregulating mTOR-c-Myc signaling

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer (EC) represents a serious health concern among women globally. Excessive activation of the protooncogene c-Myc (c-Myc) is associated with the proliferation and stemness of EC cells. Phosphocholine (PC), which is synthesized by choline kinase alpha (CHKA) catalysis, is upregulated in EC tumor tissues. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of PC accumulation on EC cells and clarify the relationship between PC accumulation and c-Myc activity in EC.

METHODS

The c-Myc and CHKA expression in EC tumor tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, BrdU staining, and tumorsphere formation assay were used to assess the effect of PC accumulation on EC cells. The mechanism by which PC accumulation inhibits c-Myc was evaluated using RNA-sequencing. Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models were utilised to explore the preclinical efficacy of PC against EC cells.

RESULTS

PC accumulation suppressed EC cell proliferation and stemness by inhibiting the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-c-Myc signaling. PC accumulation promoted excessive reactive oxygen species production, which reduced the expression of GTPase HRAS. This, in turn, inhibited the mTOR-c-Myc axis and induced EC cell apoptosis. Finally, PC impeded proliferation and downregulated the expression of the mTOR-MYC signaling in EC PDO models.

CONCLUSIONS

PC accumulation impairs the proliferation ability and stem cell characteristics of EC cells by inhibiting the activated mTOR-c-Myc axis, potentially offering a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of EC clinical therapy through the promotion of PC accumulation in tumor cells.

Next-generation sequencing in the molecular classification of endometrial carcinomas: Experience with 270 cases suggesting a potentially more aggressive clinical behavior of multiple classifier endometrial carcinomas

Molecular classification of endometrial carcinomas (EC) divides these neoplasms into four distinct subgroups based on their molecular background. Given its clinical significance, genetic examination is becoming integral to the diagnostic process. This study aims to share our experience with the molecular classification of EC using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). We included all ECs diagnosed at two institutions from 2020 to the present. All cases were prospectively examined by IHC for MMR proteins and p53, followed by NGS using a customized panel covering 18 genes, based on which ECs were classified into four molecular subgroups: POLE mutated, hypermutated (MMR deficient), no specific molecular profile (NSMP), and TP53 mutated. The cohort comprised 270 molecularly classified ECs: 18 (6.6%) POLE mutated, 85 (31.5%) hypermutated, 137 (50.7%) NSMP, and 30 (11.1%) TP53 mutated. Twelve cases (4.4%) were classified as 'multiple classifier' EC. Notably, most of these cases with available follow-up (6/9) behaved aggressively. Within the POLEmut EC group, 3/4 cases had advanced tumors, including one patient who died of the disease. Similarly, in the MMRd/TP53mut group, 3/5 patients with available follow-up had metastatic disease, leading to death of the patient in 1 case. ECs of NSMP showed multiple genetic alterations, with the most common mutations being PTEN (44% within the group of NSMP), followed by PIK3CA (30%), ARID1A (21%), and KRAS (9%). Our findings suggest that combining immunohistochemistry with NGS offers a more reliable classification of ECs, including 'multiple classifier' cases, which, based on our observations, tend to exhibit aggressive behavior. Additionally, our data highlight the complex genetic background of NSMP ECs, which can facilitate further stratification of tumors within this group and potentially help select patients for dedicated clinical trials.

mTOR Pathway Inhibition, Anticancer Activity and In Silico Calculations of Novel Hydrazone Derivatives in Two- and Three-Dimensional Cultured Type 1 Endometrial Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer remains a significant health concern, with type 1 endometrial cancer characterized by aberrant expression of estrogen-dependent and mTOR pathway proteins. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two novel hydrazone derivatives against the Ishikawa cell line, a model for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Two novel hydrazone derivatives, MVB1 and MVB2, were synthesized and characterized. The anticancer activity of the compounds in both two- and three-dimensional cultured Ishikawa cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The interaction of the compounds with proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was evaluated by molecular docking studies and in vitro western blot analyses were performed. Additionally, ADME/T calculations were performed to evaluate the drug-like properties of the compounds.

RESULTS

MVB1 and MVB2 showed promising anticancer activity with IC50 values of 8.3 ± 0.5 µM and 9.0 ± 1.2 µM in 2D cultures, respectively, and 49.9 ± 2 µM and 20.6 ± 1.9 µM in 3D cultures, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed significant interactions between these compounds and key proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, with MVB1 exhibiting the highest mean binding score (-10.5 kcal/mol) among PI3K, AKT1, and mTOR proteins. In vitro studies confirmed that MVB1 effectively suppressed PI3K protein expression in both 2D and 3D cultures (p ≤ 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that MVB1 and MVB2, especially MVB1, are promising candidates for further development as potential therapeutics for endometrial cancer by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Hypocrellin: A Natural Photosensitizer and Nano-Formulation for Enhanced Molecular Targeting of PDT of Melanoma

Nano-formulation has generated attention in the battle against cancer, because of its great flexibility, reduced adverse side effects, and accuracy in delivering drugs to target tissues dependent on the size and surface characteristics of the disease. The field of photodynamic treatment has advanced significantly in the past years. Photodynamic techniques that use nano-formulations have surfaced to further the field of nanotechnology in medicine, especially in cancer treatment. The pharmaceutical industry is seeing a growing trend toward enhanced drug formulation using nano-formulations such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, nano-emulsions, and micelles. Natural extracts have also shown adverse effects when employed as photosensitizers in cancer therapy because they are cytotoxic when activated by light. Still, natural photosensitizers are a big part of cancer treatment. However, some shortcomings can be minimized by combining nano-formulations with these natural photosensitizers. The synergistic improvement in medication delivery that maintains or increases the mechanism of cell death in malignant cells has also been demonstrated by the combination of photodynamic therapy with nano-formulations and natural photosensitizers. Lastly, this review assesses the feasibility and potential of a photodynamic therapy system based on nano-formulations and natural photosensitizers in clinical treatment applications and briefly discusses the removal of toxic compounds associated with nano-formulations within cells.

Rhein induces apoptosis of AGS and MGC803 cells by regulating the Ras/PI3K/AKT and p38/MAPK signaling pathway

OBJECTIVES

Rhein is one of the main bioactive compounds in the Polygonaceae plant, and has been proven to have anti-cancer activity in some reports. But the mechanism of Rhein in the treatment of gastric cancer (GC) is limited reported. In this research, network pharmacology combined with in vitro experiments was used for systematically studying the mechanism of Rhein.

METHODS

Network pharmacology confirmed the major effect signaling pathway and key targets of Rhein in the treatment of GC. Cell viability assay, colony formation assay, fluorescence probe assay, apoptosis assay, western blot and qRT-PCR verified the mechanism of Rhein in the treatment of GC cells (AGS and MGC803 cells).

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that Rhein significantly induced the apoptosis process of AGS and MGC803 cells by regulating the Ras/phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and the p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. The AKT activator (SC79) and p38 inhibitor (SB202190) inhibited Rhein-induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

All results proved that Rhein could be recognized as a potential natural drug for the treatment of GC.

Unraveling the Mystery of Energy-Sensing Enzymes and Signaling Pathways in Tumorigenesis and Their Potential as Therapeutic Targets for Cancer

Cancer research has advanced tremendously with the identification of causative genes, proteins, and signaling pathways. Numerous antitumor drugs have been designed and screened for cancer therapeutics; however, designing target-specific drugs for malignant cells with minimal side effects is challenging. Recently, energy-sensing- and homeostasis-associated molecules and signaling pathways playing a role in proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and angiogenesis have received increasing attention. Energy-metabolism-based studies have shown the contribution of energetics to cancer development, where tumor cells show increased glycolytic activity and decreased oxidative phosphorylation (the Warburg effect) in order to obtain the required additional energy for rapid division. The role of energy homeostasis in the survival of normal as well as malignant cells is critical; therefore, fuel intake and expenditure must be balanced within acceptable limits. Thus, energy-sensing enzymes detecting the disruption of glycolysis, AMP, ATP, or GTP levels are promising anticancer therapeutic targets. Here, we review the common energy mediators and energy sensors and their metabolic properties, mechanisms, and associated signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis, and explore the possibility of identifying drugs for inhibiting the energy metabolism of tumor cells. Furthermore, to corroborate our hypothesis, we performed meta-analysis based on transcriptomic profiling to search for energy-associated biomarkers and canonical pathways.

Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B promotes ovarian cancer progression by regulating the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway

Background and Objectives

Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B (ARPC1B) is an essential subunit of the actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex. While there have been numerous research reports on Arp2/3 in relation to tumors, there needs to be more research on ARPC1B and its role in tumors, particularly at the pan-cancer level.

Methods

Utilizing data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) databases, we analyzed ARPC1B expression differences in normal, tumor, and adjacent tissues, investigating its correlation with prognosis and clinical stages in various cancers. We conducted gene enrichment analysis and explored ARPC1B's connection to the tumor immune microenvironment and its impact on anti-tumor drug resistance. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments have also been carried out to find the mechanism of ARPC1B on ovarian cancer (OV) proliferation and invasion.

Results

ARPC1B was highly expressed in 33 tumor types, suggesting its role as a tumor-promoting factor. Its expression correlated with poor prognosis and served as a clinical staging marker in over 10 tumor types. ARPC1B is implicated in various biological processes and signaling pathways, uniquely associated with tumor immunity, indicating immunosuppressive conditions in high-expression cases. High ARPC1B expression was linked to resistance to six anti-tumor drugs. Further experiments showed that ARPC1B can affect the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of OV cells through the AKT/PI3K/mTOR pathway.

Conclusion

ARPC1B is a biomarker for immune suppression, prognosis, clinical staging, and drug resistance, providing new insights for cancer therapeutics.

Regulation of Autophagy Signaling Pathways by Ginseng Saponins: A Review

Ginseng saponins (ginsenosides), bioactive compounds derived from ginseng, are widely used natural products with potent therapeutic properties in the management of various ailments, particularly tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and immune system disorders. Autophagy, a highly regulated and multistep process involving the breakdown of impaired organelles and macromolecules by autophagolysosomes and autophagy-related genes (ATGs), has gained increasing attention as a potential target for ginsenoside-mediated disease treatment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent research advances in the understanding of autophagy-related signaling pathways and the role of ginsenoside-mediated autophagy regulation. By delving into the intricate autophagy signaling pathways underpinning the pharmacological properties of ginsenosides, we highlight their therapeutic potential in addressing various conditions. Our findings serve as a comprehensive reference for further investigation into the medicinal properties of ginseng or ginseng-related products.

Therapeutic implications of signaling pathways and tumor microenvironment interactions in esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer (EC) is significantly influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME) and altered signaling pathways. Downregulating these pathways in EC is essential for suppressing tumor development, preventing metastasis, and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. This approach can increase tumor sensitivity to treatments, enhance patient outcomes, and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and spread. The TME, comprising cellular and non-cellular elements surrounding the tumor, significantly influences EC's development, course, and treatment responsiveness. Understanding the complex relationships within the TME is crucial for developing successful EC treatments. Immunotherapy is a vital TME treatment for EC. However, the heterogeneity within the TME limits the application of anticancer drugs outside clinical settings. Therefore, identifying reliable microenvironmental biomarkers that can detect therapeutic responses before initiating therapy is crucial. Combining approaches focusing on EC signaling pathways with TME can enhance treatment outcomes. This integrated strategy aims to interfere with essential signaling pathways promoting cancer spread while disrupting factors encouraging tumor development. Unraveling aberrant signaling pathways and TME components can lead to more focused and efficient treatment approaches, identifying specific cellular targets for treatments. Targeting the TME and signaling pathways may reduce metastasis risk by interfering with mechanisms facilitating cancer cell invasion and dissemination. In conclusion, this integrative strategy has significant potential for improving patient outcomes and advancing EC research and therapy. This review discusses the altered signaling pathways and TME in EC, focusing on potential future therapeutics.

Adjuvant Therapy for Endometrial Cancer in the Era of Molecular Classification

Endometrial cancer primarily undergoes surgical intervention, with adjuvant treatments such as external beam pelvic radiotherapy, vaginal brachytherapy, chemotherapy, and combined therapy investigated in randomized trials. Treatment decisions hinge on clinicopathological risk factors. Low-risk cases usually require surgery alone, whereas high-intermediate risk often benefit from adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy for enhanced local control with minimal side effects. Recent trials advocate pelvic radiotherapy for high-risk cases, particularly in Stage I-II tumors with risk factors. Chemoradiation proves advantageous for serous cancers and Stage III disease, improving recurrence-free, and overall survival. Molecular studies, notably the Cancer Genome Atlas project, identified four distinct molecular classes, transcending stages, and histological types. These molecular subtypes exhibit a stronger prognostic impact than histopathological characteristics, heralding a shift toward molecular-integrated diagnostics and treatments. Incorporating molecular factors into adjuvant strategies, including targeted therapies, marks a new paradigm in endometrial cancer management, underpinning ongoing research, and clinical trials. This review outlines current adjuvant approaches, underscores the emergence of molecular-integrated risk profiling, and touches on developments in targeted therapy.

ARG1 Is a Potential Prognostic Marker in Metastatic Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy. While the majority of patients present with early-stage and low-grade EC and have an excellent prognosis, a subset has metastatic disease at presentation or develops distant recurrence after initial treatment of the primary. However, the lack of prognostic biomarkers for metastatic EC is a critical barrier. Arginase 1 (ARG1) regulates the last step of the urea cycle, and an increase in ARG1 has been correlated as a poor prognostic factor in a variety of cancers. In the present study, ARG1 expression was evaluated as a potential prognostic marker for metastatic EC in endometrial hyperplasia and cancer of mice with Pten mutation as well as Pten and Mig-6 double mutations. While Pten mutation in the uterus is not sufficient for distant metastasis, mice with concurrent ablation of Mig-6 and Pten develop distant metastasis. Our immunostaining and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of ARG1 in early stage of EC as well as endometrial hyperplasia from mice deficient in Mig-6 and Pten mutations significantly increased compared to Pten mutation in the uterus. The results suggest that a high level of ARG1 is associated with poor prognosis in association with EC of mouse.

Targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in anticancer research: a recent update on inhibitor design and clinical trials (2020-2023)

INTRODUCTION

Recent years have witnessed great achievements in drug design and development targeting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase-B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway, a pathway central to cell growth and proliferation. The nearest neighbor protein-protein interaction networks for PI3K and AKT show the interplays between these target proteins which can be harnessed for drug discovery. In this review, we discuss the drug design and clinical development of inhibitors of PI3K/AKT in the past three years. We review in detail the structures, selectivity, efficacy, and combination therapy of 35 inhibitors targeting these proteins, classified based on the target proteins. Approaches to overcoming drug resistance and to minimizing toxicities are discussed. Future research directions for developing combinational therapy and PROTACs of PI3K and AKT inhibitors are also discussed.

AREA COVERED

This review covers clinical trial reports and patent literature on inhibitors of PI3K and AKT published between 2020 and 2023.

EXPERT OPINION

To address drug resistance and drug toxicity of inhibitors of PI3K and AKT, it is highly desirable to design and develop subtype-selective PI3K inhibitors or subtype-selective AKT1 inhibitors to minimize toxicity or to develop allosteric drugs that can form covalent bonds. The development of PROTACs of PI3Kα or AKT helps to reduce off-target toxicities.

Anti-cancer effect of palmatine through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway in canine mammary gland tumor CMT-U27 cells

Canine mammary gland tumors (CMTs) are the most common and lethal cancers in female dogs. Dysregulated phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/AKT pathway reportedly was involved in the growth and metastasis of CMTs. However, there are few studies on therapeutic strategies for targeting the PI3K pathway in CMTs. In this study, we aimed to determine whether palmatine, a natural isoquinoline alkaloid with anti-cancer properties, could inhibit the growth of CMTs and whether the inhibitory effect was mediated through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Our in vitro experiments on CMT-U27, a CMT cell line, showed that palmatine reduced cell proliferation and induced cell death. Western blotting results revealed that palmatine decreased the protein expression of PI3K, PTEN, AKT, and mechanistic target of rapamycin in the PI3K/AKT pathway, which was supported by the results of immunocytochemistry. Additionally, palmatine suppressed the migration and tube formation of canine aortic endothelial cells as well as the migration of CMT U27 cells. Our in vivo results showed that palmatine inhibited tumor growth in a CMT-U27 mouse xenograft model. We observed a decreased expression of proteins in the PI3K/AKT pathway in tumor tissues, similar to the in vitro results. Furthermore, palmatine significantly disrupted the tumor vasculature and inhibited metastasis to adjacent lymph nodes. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that palmatine exerts anti-cancer effects against CMTs by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting that palmatine has potential as a canine-specific PI3K inhibitor for the treatment of CMTs.

Unraveling the relationship between the renin-angiotensin system and endometrial cancer: a comprehensive review

Endometrial cancer (EC), the most common adenocarcinoma, represents 90% of uterine cancer in women with an increased incidence of occurrence attributed to age, obesity, hypertension, and hypoestrogenism. Being the most common gynecological malignancy in women, it shows a relation with the activation of different components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which is predominantly involved in maintaining blood pressure, salt, water, and aldosterone secretion, thereby playing a significant role in the etiology of hypertension. The components of the RAS, i.e., ACE-I, ACE-II, AT1R, AT2R, and Pro(renin) receptor, are widely expressed in both glandular and stromal cells of the endometrium, with varying levels throughout the different phases of the menstrual cycle. This causes the endometrial RAS to implicate angiogenesis, neovascularization, and cell proliferation. Thus, dysfunctioning of the endometrial RAS could predispose the growth and spread of EC. Interestingly, the increased expression of AngII, AGTR1, and AGTR2 showed advancement in the stages and progression of EC via the prorenin/ATP6AP2 and AngII/AGTR1 pathway. Therefore, this review corresponds to unraveling the relationship between the progression and development of endometrial cancer with the dysfunction in the expression of various components associated with RAS in maintaining blood pressure.

Methylome and transcriptome data integration reveals aberrantly regulated genes in equine sarcoids

DNA methylation is a key mechanism in transcription regulation, and aberrant methylation is a common and important mechanism in tumor initiation, maintenance, and progression. To find genes that are aberrantly regulated by altered methylation in horse sarcoids, we used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) accompanied by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) for methylome (whole genome DNA methylation sequencing) and transcriptome profiling, respectively. We found that the DNA methylation level was generally lower in lesion samples than in controls. In the analyzed samples, a total of 14,692 differentially methylated sites (DMSs) in the context of CpG (where cytosine and guanine are separated by a phosphate), and 11,712 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The integration of the methylome and transcriptome data suggests that aberrant DNA methylation may be involved in the deregulation of expression of the 493 genes in equine sarcoid. Furthermore, enrichment analysis of the genes demonstrated the activation of multiple molecular pathways related to extracellular matrix (ECM), oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), immune response, and disease processes that can be related to tumor progression. The results provide further insight into the epigenetic alterations in equine sarcoids and provide a valuable resource for follow-up studies to identify biomarkers for predicting susceptibility to this common condition in horses.

APPlications of amyloid-β precursor protein metabolites in macrocephaly and autism spectrum disorder

Metabolites of the Amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) proteolysis may underlie brain overgrowth in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We have found elevated APP metabolites (total APP, secreted (s) APPα, and α-secretase adamalysins in the plasma and brain tissue of children with ASD). In this review, we highlight several lines of evidence supporting APP metabolites' potential contribution to macrocephaly in ASD. First, APP appears early in corticogenesis, placing APP in a prime position to accelerate growth in neurons and glia. APP metabolites are upregulated in neuroinflammation, another potential contributor to excessive brain growth in ASD. APP metabolites appear to directly affect translational signaling pathways, which have been linked to single gene forms of syndromic ASD (Fragile X Syndrome, PTEN, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex). Finally, APP metabolites, and microRNA, which regulates APP expression, may contribute to ASD brain overgrowth, particularly increased white matter, through ERK receptor activation on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/Rho GTPase pathway, favoring myelination.

Mechanism of salidroside in the treatment of endometrial cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Salidroside is a natural product of phenols, which has a wide scape of pharmacological effects, but its pharmacological effects and molecular mechanism on endometrial cancer are not clear. To systematically explore the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of salidroside on endometrial cancer through the method of network pharmacology. The possible target genes of salidroside were obtained through different pharmacological databases and analysis platforms, and then the relevant target genes of endometrial cancer were obtained through the GeneCards website, and the target genes were uniformly converted into standardized gene names with Uniprot. The collected data were then processed to obtain common target genes and further analyzed through the String website to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, followed by gene ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway analysis. We further interpreted the molecular mechanism of salidroside for the treatment of endometrial cancer by constructing a "drug component-target gene-disease" network. Finally, we performed molecular docking to validate the binding conformation between salidroside and the candidate target genes. There were 175 target genes of salidroside after normalization, among which 113 target genes interacted with endometrial cancer. GO analysis indicated that the anti-endometrial cancer effect of salidroside may be strongly related to biological processes such as apoptosis and response to drug. KEGG analysis indicated that its mechanism may be related to pathway in cancer and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that salidroside had high affinity with five key genes. Based on the novel network pharmacology and molecular docking validation research methods, we have revealed for the first time the potential mechanism of salidroside in the therapy of endometrial cancer.

Effects of LAIR-1 on hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion via PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway regulation

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common malignant tumors. Although surgical resection is the best treatment for HCC, many patients with HCC are found to have metastases at the time of initial diagnosis and lose the opportunity for radical treatment. Therefore, the study of the invasion and metastasis of HCC has always been the focus of HCC research. This study aimed to assess the influence of LAIR-1 on HCC cell proliferation and invasion and the relevant mechanisms involved in this process.

METHODS

Immunocytochemical staining assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting (WB) were used to detect the expression of LAIR-1mRNA and protein in healthy human hepatocyte LO2 and the HCC cell lines HepG2, Bel-7402, MHCC97-H, and Huh-7. Then, we evaluated the cell viability, colony formation, and invasion of MHCC97-H and Huh-7 cells in each group by silencing or overexpressing LAIR-1 expression in MHCC97-H and Huh-7 cells, respectively. WB was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway related proteins.

RESULTS

Our findings showed that LAIR-1 can inhibit cell viability, colony formation and invasion in vitro. Meanwhile, LAIR-1 significantly downregulated the expression of PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR, which were abolished by the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that LAIR-1 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, probably via suppressing the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway.

ARG1 is a potential prognostic marker in metastatic and recurrent endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy. While the majority of patients present with early-stage and low-grade EC and have an excellent prognosis, a subset has metastatic disease at presentation, or develops distant recurrence after initial treatment of the primary. However, the lack of prognostic biomarkers for metastatic EC is a critical barrier. Arginase 1 (ARG1) regulates the last step of the urea cycle, and an increase in ARG1 has been correlated as a poor prognostic factor in a variety of cancers. In the present study, ARG1 expression was evaluated as a potential prognostic marker for metastatic EC in endometrial hyperplasia and cancer of mice with Pten mutation as well as Pten and Mig-6 double mutations. While Pten mutation in the uterus is not sufficient for distant metastasis, mice with concurrent ablation of Mig-6 and Pten develop distant metastasis. Our immunostaining and RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of ARG1 in early stage of EC as well as endometrial hyperplasia from mice deficient in Mig-6 and Pten mutations significantly increased compared to Pten mutation in the uterus. The results suggest that a high level of ARG1 is associated with poor prognosis in association with EC of mouse.

Pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib in advanced endometrial cancer: case report and systematic review of lung toxicity

Background

The optimal strategy for the treatment of recurrent and/or advanced endometrial cancer is still undefined. Recently, despite the lack of any predictive biomarker, the combination of pembrolizumab with lenvatinib has improved survival outcomes. We here report the long-term management of lung toxicity in a patient with endometrial cancer, and we critically review the current therapeutic options for this disease.

Results

A patient with heavily pretreated endometrial cancer took pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib for 1 year, achieving a persistent partial response with a time to treatment failure of 18 months, despite relevant lung toxicity that did not affect the remarkable overall clinical benefit. A systematic review of this combination underlines the efficacy outcome despite toxicity. Interestingly, the literature review on lung toxicity suggested the role of anti-angiogenetic agents in the pathogenesis of lung cavitation, probably related to direct treatment activity, and disclosed a potential radiological sign predictive of the activity of anti-angiogenetic agents.

Conclusion

We underline the efficacy of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib in the current treatment landscape of endometrial cancer, underscoring the relevance of a correct management of toxicity.

Genomic determinants in advanced endometrial cancer patients with sustained response to hormonal therapy- case series and review of literature

The incidence of endometrial cancer is increasing, however treatment options for advanced disease are limited. Hormonal therapy has demonstrated positive outcomes for Stage IV EC. Next generation sequencing (NGS) has increased our understanding of molecular mechanisms driving EC. In this case series, we selected six patients at our institution with Stage IV, hormone receptor positive, endometrial cancer currently being treated with hormonal therapy. All patients achieved SD for at least ≥ 1.5 years. We studied NGS data on all six patients to assess for any common genomic marker which could predict the SD of at least 1.5 years achieved in this group. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained from Staten Island University Hospital and Northwell Health, New York. PTEN, PIK3CA, PIK3R1, and ARID1A mutations were found in 83%, 67% 50%, and 67% of patients respectively. TP53 and FGFR2 were both found in 50% of patients. All patients were positive for estrogen and/or progesterone receptor (ER+ and/or PR+). We did not find any one common mutation that could have predicted the observed response (or SD of ≥1.5 years) to hormone therapy. However, our data reflects the prevalence of various mutations reported in literature: (1) Hormone Receptor status is a positive prognostic indicator (2) PTEN/PIK3CA mutations can occur concurrently in EC (3) ARID1A coexists with PTEN (4) FGFR and PTEN pathways may be interlinked. We suggest NGS be employed frequently in patients with endometrial cancer to identify targetable mutations. Additional larger studies are needed to characterize the interplay between mutations.

MCM10: An effective treatment target and a prognostic biomarker in patients with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma

Molecular profiling has been applied for uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) management for many years. The aim of this study was to explore the role of MCM10 in UCEC and construct its overall survival (OS) prediction models. Data from TCGA, GEO, cbioPotal and COSMIC databases and the methods, such as GO, KEGG, GSEA, ssGSEA and PPI, were employed to bioinformatically detect the effects of MCM10 on UCEC. RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to validate the effects of MCM10 on UCEC. Based on Cox regression analysis using the data from TCGA and our clinical data, two OS prediction models for UCEC were established. Finally, the effects of MCM10 on UCEC were detected in vitro. Our study revealed that MCM10 was variated and overexpressed in UCEC tissue and involved in DNA replication, cell cycle, DNA repair and immune microenvironment in UCEC. Moreover, silencing MCM10 significantly inhibited the proliferation of UCEC cells in vitro. Importantly, based on MCM10 expression and clinical features, the OS prediction models were constructed with good accuracy. MCM10 could be an effective treatment target and a prognostic biomarker for UCEC patients. The OS prediction models might help establish the strategies of follow-up and treatment for UCEC patients.

FGFR2 mutations promote endometrial cancer progression through dual engagement of EGFR and Notch signalling pathways

BACKGROUND

Mutations in the receptor tyrosine kinase gene fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) occur at a high frequency in endometrial cancer (EC) and have been linked to advanced and recurrent disease. However, little is known about how these mutations drive carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Differential transcriptomic analysis and two-step quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays were applied to identify genes differentially expressed in two cohorts of EC patients carrying mutations in the FGFR2 gene as well as in EC cells harbouring mutations in the FGFR2. Candidate genes and target signalling pathways were investigated by qRT-PCR assays, immunohistochemistry and bioinformatics analysis. The functional roles of differently regulated genes were analysed using in vitro and in vivo experiments, including 3D-orthotypic co-culture systems, cell proliferation and migration protocols, as well as colony and focus formation assays together with murine xenograft tumour models. The molecular mechanisms were examined using CRISPR/Cas9-based loss-of-function and pharmacological approaches as well as luciferase reporter techniques, cell-based ectodomain shedding assays and bioinformatics analysis.

RESULTS

We show that common FGFR2 mutations significantly enhance the sensitivity to FGF7-mediated activation of a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM)17 and subsequent transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We further show that FGFR2 mutants trigger the activation of ADAM10-mediated Notch signalling in an ADAM17-dependent manner, highlighting for the first time an intimate cooperation between EGFR and Notch pathways in EC. Differential transcriptomic analysis in EC cells in a cohort of patients carrying mutations in the FGFR2 gene identified a strong association between FGFR2 mutations and increased expression of members of the Notch pathway and ErbB receptor family. Notably, FGFR2 mutants are not constitutively active but require FGF7 stimulation to reprogram Notch and EGFR pathway components, resulting in ADAM17-dependent oncogenic growth.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight a pivotal role of ADAM17 in the pathogenesis of EC and provide a compelling rationale for targeting ADAM17 protease activity in FGFR2-driven cancers.

PIK3CA mutations and their impact on survival outcomes of patients with endometrial cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Several studies have highlighted the frequent alterations of the PI3K pathway in endometrial cancer leading to increased signaling activation with potential for targeted treatment. The objective of this meta-study was to evaluate how PIK3CA exon 9/20 mutations affect survival in endometrial cancer patients, based on available literature. Topic-based search strategies were applied to databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and COSMIC. All studies assessing the impact of mutations in exon 9 and exon 20 of PIK3CA on survival rates of endometrial cancer patients were selected for inclusion. Statistical meta-analysis was performed with the 'meta' package in RStudio. Overall, 7 of 612 screened articles were included in the present study, comprising 1098 women with endometrial cancer. Meta-analysis revealed a tendency of impaired survival for patients with PIK3CA exon 9 and/or exon 20 mutations (RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.84, 1.94; p = 0.25). This tendency was consistent in subgroup analyses stratified by histologic type or -grade, with the most prominent effect in low-grade endometrial cancers (RR 2.04; 95% CI 0.90, 4.62; p = 0.09). In summary, these results suggest that PIK3CA mutations negatively influence survival outcomes of patients with endometrial cancer, including those with low-grade tumors.

MLLT11-TRIL complex promotes the progression of endometrial cancer through PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a gynecological malignant tumor characterized by high incidence. EC occurrence and development are regulated by numerous molecules and signal pathways. There is a need to explore key regulatory molecules to identify potential therapeutic targets to reduce the incidence of EC. Treatment by targeting a single molecule is characterized by poor efficacy owing to the development of resistance and significant side effects. The current study explored potential candidates in EC by integrating bioinformatics analysis and in vivo and in vitro experimental validation to circumvent the limitation of low efficacy of currently used molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations provide details at the molecular level of intermolecular regulation. In the current study, MLLT11 and TRIL were identified as important regulatory molecules in EC. The two molecules formed a heteromultimer by binding to AKT protein, which induced its phosphorylation of threonine at position 308. Ultimately, the complex stimulates PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, a pivotal pathway in tumors. The findings of the current study show a novel complex, MLLT11-TRIL, which can act as AKT protein agonist, thus inducing activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Targeting MLLT11 and TRIL simultaneously, or blocking the formation of the MLLT11-TRIL complex, can abrogate progression of EC.

Efficacy and Mechanism of Quercetin in the Treatment of Experimental Colitis Using Network Pharmacology Analysis

Quercetin, a flavonoid that is present in vegetables and fruits, has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanism by which it inhibits colitis is uncertain. This study aimed to explore the effect and pharmacological mechanism of quercetin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). Mice were given a 4% (w/v) DSS solution to drink for 7 days, followed by regular water for the following 5 days. Pharmacological mechanisms were predicted by network pharmacology. High-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to detect changes in the intestinal microbiota composition. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting were performed to examine the anti-inflammatory role of quercetin in the colon. Quercetin attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon length shortening, and pathological damage to the colon. Quercetin administration modulated the composition of the intestinal microbiota in DSS-induced mice and inhibited the growth of harmful bacteria. Network pharmacology revealed that quercetin target genes were enriched in inflammatory and neoplastic processes. Quercetin dramatically inhibited the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Quercetin has a role in the treatment of UC, with pharmacological mechanisms that involve regulation of the intestinal microbiota, re-establishment of healthy microbiomes that favor mucosal healing, and the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Effects of RFRP‑3 on an ovariectomized estrogen‑primed rat model and HEC‑1A human endometrial carcinoma cells

The hypothalamic peptide gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is a relatively novel hypothalamic neuropeptide, identified in 2000. It can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and reproductive function through various neuroendocrine systems. The present study aimed to explore the effects and potential underlying molecular mechanism of RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP-3) injection on the uterine fluid protein profile of ovariectomized estrogen-primed (OEP) rats using proteomics. In addition, the possible effects of RFRP-3 on the viability and apoptosis of the human endometrial cancer cell line HEC-1A and associated molecular mechanism were investigated. The OEP rat model was established through injection with GnIH/RFRP-3 through the lateral ventricle. At 6 h after injection, the protein components of uterine fluid of rats in the experimental and control groups were analyzed using liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were analyzed using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) were investigated using the STRING database. PPI networks were then established before hub proteins were selected using OmicsBean software. The expression of one of the hub proteins, Kras, was then detected using western blot analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8, Annexin V-FITC/PI, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting were also performed to analyze cell viability and apoptosis. In total, 417 DEPs were obtained using LC-MS/MS, including 279 upregulated and 138 downregulated proteins. GO analysis revealed that the majority of the DEPs were secretory proteins. According to KEGG enrichment analysis, the DEPs found were generally involved in tumor-associated pathways. In particular, five hub proteins, namely G protein subunit α (Gna)13, Gnaq, Gnai3, Kras and MMP9, were obtained following PPI network analysis. Western blot analysis showed that expression of the hub protein Kras was downregulated following treatment with 10,000 ng/ml RFRP-3. RFRP-3 treatment (10,000 ng/ml) also suppressed HEC-1A cell viability, induced apoptosis, downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated Bax protein expression, compared with those in the control group. In addition, compared with those in the control group, RFRP-3 significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR, while upregulating those of LC3-II. Compared with those in the control group, RFRP-3 significantly decreased the protein expression levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR and p62, in addition to decreasing AKT phosphorylation. By contrast, RFRP-3 significantly increased the LC3-II/I ratio and G protein-coupled receptor 147 (GPR147) protein expression. In conclusion, the present data suggest that RFRP-3 can alter the protein expression profile of the uterine fluid of OEP rats by upregulating MMP9 expression whilst downregulating that of key hub proteins Gna13, GnaQ, Gnai3 and Kras. Furthermore, RFRP-3 can inhibit HEC-1A cell viability while promoting apoptosis. The underlying molecular mechanism may involve activation of GPR147 receptor by the direct binding of RFRP-3, which further downregulates the hub protein Kras to switch on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This subsequently reduces the Bcl-2 expression and promotes Bax expression to induce autophagy.

MIG-6 Is Critical for Progesterone Responsiveness in Human Complex Atypical Hyperplasia and Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer

Women with complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH) or early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) are candidates for fertility preservation. The most common approach is progesterone (P4) therapy and deferral of hysterectomy until after completion of childbearing. However, P4 therapy response rates vary, and molecular mechanisms behind P4 resistance are poorly understood. One potential molecular cause of P4 resistance is a loss or attenuation of PGR expression. Mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG-6) is critical for P4 responsiveness. MIG-6 protein expression in the endometrial epithelial and stromal cells from women with CAH and EEC was significantly lower compared to women without CAH or EEC. The P4-responsive women (10/15) exhibited an increase of MIG-6 expression in epithelial and stromal cells compared to P4-resistant women (5/15). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis for PGR results showed that stromal PGR levels are significantly higher in P4-responsive women compared to P4-resistant women, whereas epithelial PGR expression was not different. A reverse correlation of MIG-6 and pAKT levels was observed in early-stage EEC patients. Studies strongly suggest that loss of MIG-6 and PGR and activation of pAKT lead to P4 resistance in CAH and EEC. These results will help to elucidate the molecular mechanism leading to P4 resistance in CAH and EEC.

In vitro assessment of roles of PPP1R14B in cervical and endometrial cancer

Cervical and endometrial cancers are common gynecologic cancers. Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 14B (PPP1R14B) is aberrantly expressed in several tumors, while its functions in cervical and endometrial cancers remain largely uncertain. The differentially expression of PPP1R14B in cervical and endometrial cancers was predicted by GEPIA2 and Human Protein Atlas databases. The diagnostic value was analyzed by AUC curve. The association between PPP1R14B expression and overall survival was predicted using Kaplan-Meier Plotter database. The function of PPP1R14B was investigated according to in vitro assessment. PPP1R14B and phosphorylation level of Akt were analyzed through western blotting. Cell proliferation was investigated by CCK-8 and EdU staining assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated via TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity assays. PPP1R14B level was upregulated in cervical and endometrial cancers, and it was associated with diagnosis and worse prognosis. PPP1R14B silencing constrained cell proliferation and promoted cell death in cervical and endometrial cancers cells. PPP1R14B knockdown suppressed activation of the Akt pathway. Re-activation of the Akt signaling reversed the anti-proliferative and cell death-promoting roles of PP1R14B knockdown in cervical and endometrial cancers cells. In conclusion, PPP1R14B knockdown represses cell proliferation and facilitates cell death by inhibiting the activation of the Akt signaling in cervical and endometrial cancers.

Fucoxanthin prevents cell growth and induces apoptosis in endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells by the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Endometrial cancer is the major type of gynecological cancer and ranks as the sixth most common cancer in women. Endometrial cancer usually is diagnosed in an advanced stage, complicating the treatments in many cases. The present research was focused on unveiling the in vitro anticancer role of fucoxanthin against the endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling axis. The cytotoxicity of fucoxanthin against the endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells was studied using the MTT test. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) status, and apoptotic cell death in the 7.5 and 10 µM administered HEC-1A cells were assayed using fluorescent staining techniques. The messenger RNA expression was analyzed using RT-PCR for PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling molecules, proapoptotic (Bax and caspase-3) antiapoptotic (cyclin D1 and Bcl-2) genes, and inflammatory markers like tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Cox-2, and interleukin (IL)-6. The cell viability assay proved that fucoxanthin effectively prevented HEC-1A cell viability, where the IC₅₀ was 7.5 µM. Fucoxanthin at 7.5  and 10 µM remarkably improved ROS production and apoptosis and decreased the MMP in HEC-1A cells. The fucoxanthin effectively inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade along with the expression of TNF-α, NF-κB, Cox-2, and IL-6 and antiapoptotic genes cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 in the HEC-1A cells. Fucoxanthin treatment also enhanced the Bax and caspase-3 expressions in the HEC-1A cells. Our results from this work unveiled that fucoxanthin triggered growth inhibition and apoptosis in endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells. Besides, fucoxanthin inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade and improved apoptotic marker expressions in the HEC-1A cells.

Phenethylisothiocyanate Potentiates Platinum Therapy by Reversing Cisplatin Resistance in Cervical Cancer

Acquired cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer therapy is principally caused by reduction in intracellular drug accumulation, which is exerted by hyperactivation of the oncogenic PI3K/Akt signaling axis and overexpression of cisplatin-exporter MRP2 along with prosurvival effectors NF-κB and IAPs in cervical cancer cells. These activated prosurvival signaling cascades drive drug efflux and evasion of apoptosis for rendering drug-resistant phenotypes. Our study challenges the PI3K/Akt axis in a cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer scenario with phenethylisothiocyanate (PEITC) for chemosensitization of SiHaR, a cisplatin-resistant sub-line of SiHa and 3-methylcholanthrene–induced cervical cancer mice models. SiHaR exhibited higher MRP2, p-AktThr308, NF-κB, XIAP, and survivin expressions which cumulatively compromised cisplatin retention capacity and accumulated PEITC better than SiHa. SiHaR appeared to favor PEITC uptake as its accumulation rates were found to be positively correlated with MRP2 expressions. PEITC treatment in SiHaR for 3 h prior to cisplatin exposure revived intracellular platinum levels, reduced free GSH levels, generated greater ROS, and altered mitochondrial membrane potential compared to SiHa. Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that PEITC successfully downregulated MRP2 in addition to suppressing p-AktThr308, XIAP, survivin, and NF-κB expressions. In mice models, administration of 5 mg/kg body-weight PEITC priming dosage prior to treatment with 3 mg/kg body-weight of cisplatin remediated cervical histology and induced tumor regression in contrast to the group receiving the same dosage of cisplatin only. This suggested PEITC as a potential chemosensitizing agent in light of acquired cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer and established its candidature for Phase I clinical trial.

Endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in high income countries and its incidence is rising globally. Although an ageing population and fewer benign hysterectomies have contributed to this trend, the growing prevalence of obesity is the major underlying cause. Obesity poses challenges for diagnosis and treatment and more research is needed to offer primary prevention to high-risk women and to optimise endometrial cancer survivorship. Early presentation with postmenopausal bleeding ensures most endometrial cancers are cured by hysterectomy but those with advanced disease have a poor prognosis. Minimally invasive surgical staging and sentinel-lymph-node biopsy provides a low morbidity alternative to historical surgical management without compromising oncological outcomes. Adjuvant radiotherapy reduces loco-regional recurrence in intermediate-risk and high-risk cases. Advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of endometrial cancer have paved the way for targeted chemotherapeutic strategies, and clinical trials will establish their benefit in adjuvant, advanced, and recurrent disease settings in the coming years.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0011324 is involved in endometrial cancer progression and the evolution of its mechanism

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological tumors with an increasing incidence. CircRNA plays an essential regulatory role in EC. Our objective was to investigate the potential mechanism of circRNAs derived SPOC Domain Containing 1 (SPOCD1) in EC progression. Seven circRNAs from SPOCD1 were analyzed by circBase and their expression was verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Only the expression of hsa_circ_0011324 was significantly increased in cancer tissues. The cell lines Ishikawa and RL95-2 which interfered with or overexpressed hsa_circ_0011324 were constructed and cell functions were tested. Results revealed hsa_circ_0011324 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; while silence of hsa_circ_0011324 had opposite effect on cell functions. RNA22 website and Targetscan website were applied to analyze downstream genes regulated by hsa_circ_0011324. Then, the expression of downstream genes was detected in EC tissues. Results indicated hsa-miR-497/16-5p expression were down-regulated, and mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) was up-regulated in EC. Furthermore, hsa_circ_0011324 regulated mTOR expression and cell functions by affecting hsa-miR-497/16-5p. And the potential mechanism was hsa_circ_0011324 competes with mTOR to directly bind to hsa-miR-497/16-5p. In conclusion, hsa_circ_0011324 could sponge hsa-miR-497/16-5p targeted mTOR to participate in EC progress. Our study may provide a new therapeutic target for EC.

Morphine promotes the malignant biological behavior of non-small cell lung cancer cells through the MOR/Src/mTOR pathway

BACKGROUND

Morphine, a µ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, has been shown to be related to the activity of cancer cells, and a higher morphine dosage reduces the survival time of patients with lung cancer. However, the effect of morphine on the malignant behavior of lung cancer cells remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific molecular mechanism by which morphine regulates the malignant biological behavior of non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analyses were performed to detect MOR expression. H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells were used in this study, and cell proliferation, the cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Cell migration and invasion were detected using wound healing and Transwell assays. The effect of morphine on lung cancer development in vivo was examined by performing a xenograft tumor assay following morphine treatment.

RESULTS

Morphine promoted the growth of H460 cells both in vivo and in vitro. Morphine enhanced cell migration and invasion, modified cell cycle progression through the S/G₂ transition and exerted an antiapoptotic effect on H460 cells. Additionally, morphine increased Rous sarcoma oncogene cellular homolog (Src) phosphorylation and activated the phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Treatment with the MOR antagonist methylnaltrexone (MNTX) and the Src inhibitor protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) reduced the phosphorylation induced by morphine. Furthermore, MNTX, PP1, and the PI3K/AKT inhibitor deguelin reversed the antiapoptotic effect of morphine on lung cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Morphine promotes the malignant biological behavior of H460 cells by activating the MOR and Src/mTOR signaling pathways.

Nitrate increases cisplatin chemosensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma via REDD1/AKT signaling pathway

Although cisplatin is one of the chemotherapeutics most frequently used in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) treatment, it exerts multiple side effects and poor chemosensitivity. Nitrate reportedly demonstrates several beneficial biological functions, and synthesized nitrates enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy. However, the role of inorganic nitrate in cisplatin chemotherapy remains unclear. We therefore investigated the effect of inorganic nitrate exerted on cisplatin sensitivity in OSCC. We found that nitrate did not affect OSCC cell growth and apoptosis in OSCC cells and OSCC xenograft tumor animal studies. Cisplatin induced REDD1 expression and AKT activation in OSCC. However, nitrate could increase cisplatin chemosensitivity, reduce its REDD1 expression, and attenuate AKT signaling activation in OSCC cells. Dysregulation of high levels of REDD1, which could enhance AKT activation, was positively associated with poor prognosis in OSCC patients. Thus, reduced REDD1 expression and retarded AKT activation induced by inorganic nitrate might be a new potential approach to the sensitization of oral cancer to cisplatin treatment in the future.

Bacteriophages M13 and T4 Increase the Expression of Anchorage-Dependent Survival Pathway Genes and Down Regulate Androgen Receptor Expression in LNCaP Prostate Cell Line

Wild-type or engineered bacteriophages have been reported as therapeutic agents in the treatment of several types of diseases, including cancer. They might be used either as naked phages or as carriers of antitumor molecules. Here, we evaluate the role of bacteriophages M13 and T4 in modulating the expression of genes related to cell adhesion, growth, and survival in the androgen-responsive LNCaP prostatic adenocarcinoma-derived epithelial cell line. LNCaP cells were exposed to either bacteriophage M13 or T4 at a concentration of 1 × 10⁵ pfu/mL, 1 × 10⁶ pfu/mL, and 1 × 10⁷ pfu/mL for 24, 48, and 72 h. After exposure, cells were processed for general morphology, cell viability assay, and gene expression analyses. Neither M13 nor T4 exposure altered cellular morphology, but both decreased the MTT reduction capacity of LNCaP cells at different times of treatment. In addition, genes AKT, ITGA5, ITGB1, ITGB3, ITGB5, MAPK3, and PI3K were significantly up-regulated, whilst the genes AR, HSPB1, ITGAV, and PGC1A were down-regulated. Our results show that bacteriophage M13 and T4 interact with LNCaP cells and effectively promote gene expression changes related to anchorage-dependent survival and androgen signaling. In conclusion, phage therapy may increase the response of PCa treatment with PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors.

The Pathogenic Role of PI3K/AKT Pathway in Cancer Onset and Drug Resistance: An Updated Review

The PI3K/AKT pathway is one of the most frequently over-activated intracellular pathways in several human cancers. This pathway, acting on different downstream target proteins, contributes to the carcinogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumour cells. A multi-level impairment, involving mutation and genetic alteration, aberrant regulation of miRNAs sequences, and abnormal phosphorylation of cascade factors, has been found in multiple cancer types. The deregulation of this pathway counteracts common therapeutic strategies and contributes to multidrug resistance. In this review, we underline the involvement of this pathway in patho-physiological cell survival mechanisms, emphasizing its key role in the development of drug resistance. We also provide an overview of the potential inhibition strategies currently available.

3-Arylamino-quinoxaline-2-carboxamides inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways to activate P53 and induce apoptosis

Thirty-eight new 3-arylaminoquinoxaline-2-carboxamide derivatives were in silico designed, synthesized and their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines and one normal cells WI-38 were evaluated. Molecular mechanism studies indicated that N-(3-Aminopropyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) amino-quinoxaline-2-carboxamide (6be), the compound with the most potent anti-proliferation can inhibit the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway via down regulating the levels of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, p-mTOR and simultaneously inhibit the phosphorylation of Thr308 and Ser473 residues in Akt kinase to servers as a dual inhibitor. Further investigation revealed that 6be activate the P53 signal pathway, modulated the downstream target gene of Akt kinase such p21, p27, Bax and Bcl-2, caused the fluctuation of intracellular ROS, Ca²⁺ and mitochondrial membrane potential to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MGC-803 cells. 6be also display moderate anti-tumor activity in vivo while displaying no obvious adverse signs during the drug administration. The results suggest that 3-arylaminoquinoxaline-2-carboxamide derivatives might server as new scaffold for development of PI3K-Akt-mTOR inhibitor.

A Bioinformatic Investigation of the Mechanism Underlying Migraine-Induced Erectile Dysfunction

Background

Over recent years, an increasing body of literature has focused on the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and migraine. However, the specific mechanism is unclear.

Materials and Methods

We used a bioinformatic database to predict the targets and pathways associated with migraine and ED. Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (Group A, n = 10) and a migraine model group (Group B, n = 10). The rats in Group A were subcutaneously injected with normal saline (2 ml/kg) into the back of the neck. Rats in Group B were subcutaneously injected with nitroglycerin 10 mg/kg (5 mg/ml) into the back of the neck in order to create an animal model of migraine. Next, we carried out the measurement of erectile function. We used hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to compare the tissue structure of the cavernous body of the penis. Western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in the protein; Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR in the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).

Results

There are 117 intersection targets of migraine and ED, involving 188 cell biological processes (BP), 21 cellular components (CC), 31 molecular functions (MF), and 65 signaling pathways. HE staining results show that there were no significant differences between Group A and Group B with regard to any of the parameters. Compared with Group A, the levels of the PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR proteins and PI3K, AKT, and mTOR mRNAs in Group B decreased (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The decline of erectile function in a rat model of migraine was associated with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

A 4-gene signature predicts prognosis of uterine serous carcinoma

Background

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is an aggressive type of endometrial cancer that accounts for up to 40% of endometrial cancer deaths, creating an urgent need for prognostic biomarkers.

Methods

USC RNA-Seq data and corresponding patients’ clinical records were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression datasets. Univariate cox, Lasso, and Multivariate cox regression analyses were conducted to forge a prognostic signature. Multivariable and univariable cox regression analysis and ROC curve evaluated the prediction efficiency both in the training and testing sets.

Results

We uncovered 1385 genes dysregulated in 110 cases of USC tissue relative to 113 cases of normal uterine tissue. Functional enrichment analysis of these genes revealed the involvement of various cancer-related pathways in USC. A novel 4-gene signature (KRT23, CXCL1, SOX9 and ABCA10) of USC prognosis was finally forged by serial regression analyses. Overall patient survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were significantly lower in the high-risk group relative to the low-risk group in both the training and testing sets. The area under the ROC curve of the 4-gene signature was highest among clinicopathological features in predicting OS and RFS. The 4-gene signature was found to be an independent prognostic indicator in USC and was a superior predictor of OS in early stage of USC.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the potential of the 4-gene signature as a guide for personalized USC treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-07834-4.

Targeting dopamine receptor D2 as a novel therapeutic strategy in endometrial cancer

Background

ONC201 is a dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) antagonist that inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models through ClpP activation to induce integrated stress response pathway and mitochondrial events related to inhibition of cell growth, which is being explored in clinical trials for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumorigenic effect of ONC201 in endometrial cancer cell lines and a genetically engineered mouse model of endometrial cancer.

Methods

Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT and colony formation assays. Cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by Cellometer. Invasion capacity was tested using adhesion, transwell and wound healing assays. LKB1^fl/flp53^fl/fl mouse model of endometrial cancer were fed a control low fat diet versus a high fat diet to mimic diet-induced obesity. Following tumor onset, mice were treated with placebo or ONC201. Metabolomics and lipidomics were used to identify the obesity-dependent effects of ONC201 in the mouse endometrial tumors. DRD2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in human endometrioid and serous carcinoma specimens. DRD2 mRNA expression from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was compared between the four molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer.

Results

Increasing DRD2 expression in endometrial cancer was significantly associated with grade, serous histology and stage, as well as worse progression free survival and overall survival. Higher expression of DRD2 mRNA was found for the Copy Number High (CNH) subtype when compared to the other subtypes. ONC201 inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle G1 arrest, caused cellular stress and apoptosis and reduced invasion in endometrial cancer cells. Diet-induced obesity promoted endometrial tumor growth while ONC201 exhibited anti-tumorigenic efficacy in the obese and lean LKB1^fl/fl/p53^fl/fl mice. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that ONC201 reversed the obesity-driven upregulation of lipid biosynthesis and reduced protein biosynthesis in obese and lean mice.

Conclusion

ONC201 has anti-tumorigenic effects in endometrial cancer cells and a transgenic mouse model of endometrial cancer, and DRD2 expression was documented in both human serous and endometrioid endometrial cancer. These studies support DRD2 antagonism via ONC201 as a promising therapeutic strategy for endometrial cancer that has already demonstrated pharmacodynamic activity and clinical benefit in both serous and endometrioid endometrial cancer patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01842-9.

Structural optimization towards promising β-methyl-4-acrylamido quinoline derivatives as PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors for anti-cancer therapy: The in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation

Built upon the 4-acrylamido quinoline derivative 4, a previously discovered PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor, structural modification was undertaken in this study with the attempt to improve its oral exposure via introducing steric hindrance to the 4-acrylamido functionality. Consequently, 14d, as the representative among the synthesized compounds, exhibited IC₅₀ values of 0.80, 0.67, 1.30, 1.30 and 5.0 nM against PI3Kα, PI3Kβ, PI3Kγ, PI3Kδ and mTOR, respectively. Besides, 14d displayed comparable anti-proliferative activity against both PC3 and U87MG cell lines to that of the positive reference GSK2126458 with respective GI₅₀ value of 0.36 and 0.14 μM. Kinase selectivity assay showed that 14d was selective to PI3K family. In U87MG cells, 14d can strongly down-regulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway via blocking both PI3K and mTOR signaling at the concentration as low as 25 nM. Importantly, following a PO dose of 5 mg/kg in male SD rats, 14d displayed favorable oral exposure (AUC_0-t = 1336.16 h × ng/mL, AUC_0-∞ = 1447.63 h × ng/mL) and high maximum plasma concentration (C_max = 903.00 ng/mL). In a U87MG glioblastoma xenograft model, tumor growth inhibition of 93.5% and tumor regression were observed at PO dose of 30 and 60 mg/kg, respectively. Meanwhile, no overt loss of body weight was observed in the 14d-treated groups. Taken together, 14d, by virtue of its attractive performance, merits further development as a potential anti-tumor candidate.

Key factors mediated by PI3K signaling pathway and related genes in endometrial carcinoma

By analyzing the gene expression of endometrial carcinoma (EC) patients, the key factors in PI3K signaling pathway and its related genes mediating EC were explored. The EC samples and normal endometrial samples were downloaded from TCGA database and GTEx database. The R language "limma" package was used for differential analysis, and the expression level of genes in each tissue was analyzed by "gganatogram" package. Functional enrichment analysis of differential genes was carried out by KOBAS, an online bioinformatics website. The correlation between key genes and differential genes was evaluated using TCGA data and GTEx combined gene expression data. The corresponding clinical data were downloaded from TCGA database and GTEx database, and the R language "survival" package was used to assess the potential of candidate differential genes as a key factor of EC. Based on the combined differential analysis of TCGA and GTEx databases, 299 genes with significant differential in expression were finally got. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that genes were predominantly enriched in the entry of "Pathways in cancer", including RAC2 and PIK3R3 genes which were related with the abnormal PI3K pathway in cancer. PIK3R3, a key gene in the PI3K signaling pathway, was highly-expressed in EC. SPDEF, GCNT2, KIAA1324, C9orf152, MARVELD3, and APEX2 genes were found to be positively correlated with PIK3R3 in EC, all of which were highly expressed in EC. KM survival analysis showed that SPDEF, GCNT2, KIAA1324 and C9orf152 were significantly correlated with patients' survival. ROC analysis showed that SPDEF, GCNT2, KIAA1324 and C9orf152 gene could be used as potential markers for prognosis and survival of EC patients. It was found that PIK3R3, a key gene in the PI3K signaling pathway, was highly expressed in EC. The SPDEF, GCNT2, KIAA1324 and C9orf152 genes were also highly expressed in EC, and were positively correlated with PIK3R3 in EC. Moreover, they are significantly correlated with the patients' survival, suggesting that they may be potential markers for the prognosis of patients with EC.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate induces generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of p53-dependent cell death in human endometrial cancer cells

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6BP), an intermediate of the glycolytic pathway, has been found to play a promising anticancer effect; nevertheless, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect and mechanisms of F1,6BP in a human endometrial cancer cell line (Ishikawa). F1,6BP showed an antiproliferative and non-cytotoxic effect on endometrial cancer cells. These effects are related to the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). These harmful stimuli trigger the upregulation of the expression of pro-apoptotic genes (p53 and Bax), leading to the reduction of cell proliferation through inducing programmed cell death by apoptosis. Furthermore, F1,6BP-treated cells had the formation of autophagosomes induced, as well as a decrease in their proliferative capacity after withdrawing the treatment. Our results demonstrate that F1,6BP acts as an anticancer agent through the generation of mitochondrial instability, loss of cell function, and p53-dependent cell death. Thus, F1,6BP proves to be a potential molecule for use in the treatment against endometrial cancer.

Adjuvant therapy for endometrial cancer in the era of molecular classification: radiotherapy, chemoradiation and novel targets for therapy

Endometrial cancer is primarily treated with surgery. Adjuvant treatment strategies for endometrial cancer, such as external beam pelvic radiotherapy, vaginal brachytherapy, chemotherapy, and combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, have been studied in several randomized trials. Adjuvant treatment is currently based on the presence of clinico-pathological risk factors. Low-risk disease is adequately managed with surgery alone. In high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer, adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy is recommended to maximize local control, with only mild side effects and without impact on quality of life. For high-risk endometrial cancer, recent large randomized trials support the use of pelvic radiotherapy, especially in stage I-II endometrial cancer with risk factors. For women with serous cancers and those with stage III disease, chemoradiation increased both recurrence-free and overall survival, while GOG-258 showed similar recurrence-free survival compared with six cycles of chemotherapy alone, but with better pelvic and para-aortic nodal control with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recent molecular studies, most notably the work from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project, have shown that four endometrial cancer molecular classes can be distinguished; POLE ultra-mutated, microsatellite instable hypermutated, copy-number-low, and copy-number-high. Subsequent studies, using surrogate markers to identify groups analogous to TCGA sub-classes, showed that all four endometrial cancer sub-types are found across all stages, histological types, and grades. Moreover, the molecular sub-groups have proved to have a stronger prognostic impact than histo-pathological tumor characteristics. This introduces an new era of molecular classification based diagnostics and treatment approaches. Integration of the molecular factors and new therapeutic targets will lead to molecular-integrated adjuvant treatment including targeted treatments, which are the rationale of new and ongoing trials. This review presents an overview of current adjuvant treatment strategies in endometrial cancer, highlights the development and evaluation of a molecular-integrated risk profile, and briefly discusses ongoing developments in targeted treatment.

Small-Molecule Inhibitors (SMIs) as an Effective Therapeutic Strategy for Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the sixth most common cancer in women. A continued number of low-risk EC patients at diagnosis, as well as patients diagnosed with advanced-stage disease, will experience an aggressive disease. Unfortunately, those patients will present recurrence or overt dissemination. Systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment on advanced, recurrent, or metastatic EC patients has shown poor results, with median survival rates of less than one year, and median progression-free survival rates of four months. Therefore, the search for innovative and alternative drugs or the development of combinatorial therapies involving new targeted drugs and standard regimens is imperative. Over the last few decades, some small-molecule inhibitors have been introduced in the clinics for cancer treatment, but only a few have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for EC treatment. In the present review, we present the current state and future prospects of small-molecule inhibitors on EC treatment, both alone and in combination.

Molecular Oncology of Gynecologic Tumors

Oncologists and pathologists alike have recognized that the broad histologic categories, especially for ovarian and endometrial carcinomas, do not reliably segregate groups with similar clinical courses or responses to therapeutic interventions. During the last decade a paradigm shift was invoked when the results from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project were published. Comprehensive genomic profiling data from TCGA has shown that there are four molecular subgroups of endometrioid carcinomas instead of the two subtypes proposed by Bokhman in the 1970s. For ovarian carcinomas (OC) it is now evident that molecular parameters are also significant. Although traditionally referred to as a single entity, OC is not a homogeneous disease but rather a group of diseases, each with different morphology and biologic behavior. Similar to endometrial cancers, advanced cervical cancer and recurrent disease remain particularly problematic due to chemotherapy resistance. Effective prophylactic vaccines against the most important carcinogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) types are available, but uptake remains poor. The E6 and E7 oncoproteins are attractive targets for cancer therapy. They are constitutively expressed in HPV-positive tumors, specific to the tumor, functionally important to the tumor cells and recognized by the adaptive immune system as tumor antigens. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular pathology, which have greatly improved our understanding of the biology of gynecologic cancers.