Naturally occurring compounds acting as potent anti-metastatic agents and their suppressing effects on Hedgehog and WNT/β-catenin signalling pathways

Wnt signaling pathways in biology and disease: mechanisms and therapeutic advances

The Wnt signaling pathway is critically involved in orchestrating cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, survival, and cell fate determination during development. Given its pivotal role in cellular communication, aberrant Wnt signaling has been extensively linked to the pathogenesis of various diseases. This review offers an in-depth analysis of the Wnt pathway, detailing its signal transduction mechanisms and principal components. Furthermore, the complex network of interactions between Wnt cascades and other key signaling pathways, such as Notch, Hedgehog, TGF-β, FGF, and NF-κB, is explored. Genetic mutations affecting the Wnt pathway play a pivotal role in disease progression, with particular emphasis on Wnt signaling's involvement in cancer stem cell biology and the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, this review underscores the diverse mechanisms through which Wnt signaling contributes to diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic syndromes, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Finally, a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic progress targeting Wnt signaling was given, and the latest progress in disease treatment targeting key components of the Wnt signaling pathway was summarized in detail, including Wnt ligands/receptors, β-catenin destruction complexes, and β-catenin/TCF transcription complexes. The development of small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and combination therapy strategies was emphasized, while the current potential therapeutic challenges were summarized. This aims to enhance the current understanding of this key pathway.

Heat shock proteins as hallmarks of cancer: insights from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies

Heat shock proteins are essential molecular chaperones that play crucial roles in stabilizing protein structures, facilitating the repair or degradation of damaged proteins, and maintaining proteostasis and cellular functions. Extensive research has demonstrated that heat shock proteins are highly expressed in cancers and closely associated with tumorigenesis and progression. The "Hallmarks of Cancer" are the core features of cancer biology that collectively define a series of functional characteristics acquired by cells as they transition from a normal state to a state of tumor growth, including sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressors, resistance to cell death, enabled replicative immortality, the induction of angiogenesis, and the activation of invasion and metastasis. The pivotal roles of heat shock proteins in modulating the hallmarks of cancer through the activation or inhibition of various signaling pathways has been well documented. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the roles of heat shock proteins in vital biological processes from the perspective of the hallmarks of cancer and summarizes the small-molecule inhibitors that target heat shock proteins to regulate various cancer hallmarks. Moreover, we further discuss combination therapy strategies involving heat shock proteins and promising dual-target inhibitors to highlight the potential of targeting heat shock proteins for cancer treatment. In summary, this review highlights how targeting heat shock proteins could regulate the hallmarks of cancer, which will provide valuable information to better elucidate and understand the roles of heat shock proteins in oncology and the mechanisms of cancer occurrence and development and aid in the development of more efficacious and less toxic novel anticancer agents.

Deciphering the modulatory role of apigenin targeting oncogenic pathways in human cancers

Cancer is a complicated malignancy controlled by numerous intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. There has been a significant increase in interest in recent years in the elucidation of cancer treatments based on natural extracts that have fewer side effects. Numerous natural product-derived chemicals have been investigated for their anticancer effects in the search for an efficient chemotherapeutic method. Therefore, the rationale behind this review is to provide a detailed insights about the anticancerous potential of apigenin via modulating numerous cell signaling pathways. An ingestible plant-derived flavonoid called apigenin has been linked to numerous anticancerous potential in numerous experimental and biological studies. Apigenin has been reported to induce cell growth arrest and apoptotic induction by modulating multiple cell signaling pathways in a wider range of human tumors including those of the breast, lung, liver, skin, blood, colon, prostate, pancreatic, cervical, oral, and stomach. Oncogenic protein networks, abnormal cell signaling, and modulation of the apoptotic machinery are only a few examples of diverse molecular interactions and processes that have not yet been thoroughly addressed by scientific research. Thus, keeping this fact in mind, we tried to focus our review towards summarizing the apigenin-mediated modulation of oncogenic pathways in various malignancies that can be further utilized to develop a potent therapeutic alternative for the treatment of various cancers.

Overcoming therapeutic resistance to platinum-based drugs by targeting Epithelial–Mesenchymal transition

Platinum-based drugs (PBDs), including cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin, have been widely used in clinical practice as mainstay treatments for various types of cancer. Although there is firm evidence of notable achievements with PBDs in the management of cancers, the acquisition of resistance to these agents is still a major challenge to efforts at cure. The introduction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) concept, a critical process during embryonic morphogenesis and carcinoma progression, has offered a mechanistic explanation for the phenotypic switch of cancer cells upon PBD exposure. Accumulating evidence has suggested that carcinoma cells can enter a resistant state via induction of the EMT. In this review, we discussed the underlying mechanism of PBD-induced EMT and the current understanding of its role in cancer drug resistance, with emphasis on how this novel knowledge can be exploited to overcome PBD resistance via EMT-targeted compounds, especially those under clinical trials.

Roles of Wnt Signaling Pathway and ROR2 Receptor in Embryonic Development: An Update Review Article

The Wnt family is a large class of highly conserved cysteine-rich secretory glycoproteins that play a vital role in various cellular and physiological courses through different signaling pathways during embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis 3. Wnt5a is a secreted glycoprotein that belongs to the noncanonical Wnt family and is involved in a wide range of developmental and tissue homeostasis. A growing body of evidence suggests that Wnt5a affects embryonic development, signaling through various receptors, starting with the activation of β-catenin by Wnt5a. In addition to affecting planar cell polarity and Ca2+ pathways, β-catenin also includes multiple signaling cascades that regulate various cell functions. Secondly, Wnt5a can bind to Ror receptors to mediate noncanonical Wnt signaling and a significant ligand for Ror2 in vertebrates. Consistent with the multiple functions of Wnt5A/Ror2 signaling, Wnt5A knockout mice exhibited various phenotypic defects, including an inability to extend the anterior and posterior axes of the embryo. Numerous essential roles of Wnt5a/Ror2 in development have been demonstrated. Therefore, Ror signaling pathway become a necessary target for diagnosing and treating human diseases. The Wnt5a- Ror2 signaling pathway as a critical factor has attracted extensive attention.

Advances in targeting the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in cancer

WNT/β-catenin signaling orchestrates various physiological processes, including embryonic development, growth, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. Abnormal WNT/β-catenin signaling is associated with various cancers and its inhibition has shown effective antitumor responses. In this review, we discuss the pathway, potential targets for the development of WNT/β-catenin inhibitors, available inhibitors, and their specific molecular interactions with the target proteins. We also discuss inhibitors that are in clinical trials and describe potential new avenues for therapeutically targeting the WNT/β-catenin pathway. Furthermore, we introduce emerging strategies, including artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted tools and technology-based actionable approaches, to translate WNT/β-catenin inhibitors to the clinic for cancer therapy.

PCAT6 May Be a Whistler and Checkpoint Target for Precision Therapy in Human Cancers

Simple Summary

Prostate cancer-associated transcript 6 (PCAT6), as a newly discovered carcinogenic long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), is abnormally expressed in multiple diseases. With the accumulation of studies on PCAT6, we have a deeper understanding of its biological functions and mechanisms. Therefore, in this review, the various molecular mechanisms by which PCAT6 promotes multiple tumorigenesis and progression are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, its potential diagnostic, prognostic, and immunotherapeutic values are also clarified.

Abstract

LncRNAs are involved in the occurrence and progressions of multiple cancers. Emerging evidence has shown that PCAT6, a newly discovered carcinogenic lncRNA, is abnormally elevated in various human malignant tumors. Until now, PCAT6 has been found to sponge various miRNAs to activate the signaling pathways, which further affects tumor cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cycle, apoptosis, radioresistance, and chemoresistance. Moreover, PCAT6 has been shown to exert biological functions beyond ceRNAs. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics of PCAT6 in a variety of human malignancies and describe the biological mechanisms by which PCAT6 can facilitate tumor progression. Finally, we discuss its diagnostic and prognostic values and clinical applications in various human malignancies.

Cellular stress response to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF): An explanation for controversial effects of ELF-EMF on apoptosis

Impaired apoptosis is one of the hallmarks of cancer, and almost all of the non‐surgical approaches of eradicating tumour cells somehow promote induction of apoptosis. Indeed, numerous studies have stated that non‐ionizing non‐thermal extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MF) can modulate the induction of apoptosis in exposed cells; however, much controversy exists in observations. When cells are exposed to ELF‐EMF alone, very low or no statistically significant changes in apoptosis are observed. Contrarily, exposure to ELF‐EMF in the presence of a co‐stressor, including a chemotherapeutic agent or ionizing radiation, can either potentiate or inhibit apoptotic effects of the co‐stressor. In our idea, the main point neglected in interpreting these discrepancies is “the cellular stress responses” of cells following ELF‐EMF exposure and its interplay with apoptosis. The main purpose of the current review was to outline the triangle of ELF‐EMF, the cellular stress response of cells and apoptosis and to interpret and unify discrepancies in results based on it. Therefore, initially, we will describe studies performed on identifying the effect of ELF‐EMF on induction/inhibition of apoptosis and enumerate proposed pathways through which ELF‐EMF exposure may affect apoptosis; then, we will explain cellular stress response and cues for its induction in response to ELF‐EMF exposure; and finally, we will explain why such controversies have been observed by different investigators.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and targeted therapies

Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been broadly implicated in human cancers and experimental cancer models of animals. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is tightly linked with the increment of prevalence, advancement of malignant progression, development of poor prognostics, and even ascendence of the cancer-associated mortality. Early experimental investigations have proposed the theoretical potential that efficient repression of this signaling might provide promising therapeutic choices in managing various types of cancers. Up to date, many therapies targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers have been developed, which is assumed to endow clinicians with new opportunities of developing more satisfactory and precise remedies for cancer patients with aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, current facts indicate that the clinical translations of Wnt/β-catenin signaling-dependent targeted therapies have faced un-neglectable crises and challenges. Therefore, in this study, we systematically reviewed the most updated knowledge of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and relatively targeted therapies to generate a clearer and more accurate awareness of both the developmental stage and underlying limitations of Wnt/β-catenin-targeted therapies in cancers. Insights of this study will help readers better understand the roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancers and provide insights to acknowledge the current opportunities and challenges of targeting this signaling in cancers.

Triple-negative breast cancer: understanding Wnt signaling in drug resistance

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is not as prevalent as hormone receptor or HER2-positive breast cancers and all receptor tests come back negative. More importantly, the heterogeneity and complexity of the TNBC on the molecular and clinical levels have limited the successful development of novel therapeutic strategies and led to intrinsic or developed resistance to chemotherapies and new therapeutic agents. Studies have demonstrated deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in tumorigenesis which plays decisive roles at the low survival rate of patients and facilitates resistance to currently existing therapies. This review summarizes mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signaling for resistance development in TNBC, the complex interaction between Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and the transactivated receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathways, lymphocytic infiltration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and induction of metastasis. Such associations and how these pathways interact in the development and progression of cancer have led to the careful analysis and development of new and effective combination therapies without generating significant toxicity and resistance.

Lysine Acetyltransferase 2B predicts favorable prognosis and functions as anti-oncogene in cervical carcinoma

Lysine Acetyltransferase 2B (KAT2B) functions pivotally in regulating chromatin organization as well as function, and is a key regulator of signal transduction during development of many diseases, like tumors. This research intends to exploit expression, clinical significance as well as how KAT2B functions in cervical cancer. Our study showed that the KAT2B expression in cervical carcinoma tissues was inferior to that in normal tissues; decreased KAT2B expression was signally related to increased T staging, lymph node metastasis together with tissue differentiation; patients with high KAT2B expression had better prognosis. After knocking down KAT2B, cell proliferation diminished with decreased cell migration and invasion. Additionally, knocking down KAT2B made for increasing EMT-related proteins N-cadherin and Vimentin expression, while ZO-1 expression decreased; overexpression had the opposite effect. Dual luciferase analysis affirmed that miR-93-5p could in specifical bind to KAT2B, and thus reducing its expression and activity. KAT2B may be a new cervical tumor-suppressor gene, which is closely concerned with poor prognosis of patients, and under negative regulation by miR-93-5p.

A review of dietary phytochemicals and their relation to oxidative stress and human diseases

Phytochemicals refer to active substances in plant-based diets. Phytochemicals found in for example fruits, vegetables, grains and seed oils are considered relatively safe for consumption due to mammal-plant co-evolution and adaptation. A number of human diseases are related to oxidative stress caused by for example chemical environmental contaminants in air, water and food; while also lifestyle including smoking and lack of exercise and dietary preferences are important factors for disease development in humans. Here we explore the dietary sources of antioxidant phytochemicals that have beneficial effects on oxidative stress, cardiovascular and neurological diseases as well as cancer. Plant-based diets usually contain phenolic acids, flavonoids and carotenoids, which have strong antioxidant properties, and therefore remove the excess of active oxygen in the body, and protect cells from damage, reducing the risk of cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease. In most cases, obesity is related to diet and inactivity and plant-based diets change lipid composition and metabolism, which reduce obesity related hazards. Cruciferous and Allium vegetables are rich in organic sulphides that can act on the metabolism of carcinogens and therefore used as anti-cancer and suppressing agents while dietary fibres and plant sterols may improve intestinal health and prevent intestinal diseases. Thus, we recommend a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains as its content of phytochemicals may have the potential to prevent or improve a broad sweep of various diseases.

Cytotoxic Effect of Bromelain on HepG2 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line

Cancer is a complicated long-term disease due to computable key molecular players involved in aggravating the disease. Among various kinds of cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the ninth leading cause of cancer. Recently, plant-based products are gaining a lot of attention in the field of research because of their anti-tumor properties. In our previous study, we reported based on in-silico method that bromelain, a cysteine protease extracted from the stem of the pineapple, has high binding affinity with the transcription factors p53 and β-catenin proteins which are key players in controlling the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Bromelain, isolated mainly from the stem of Pineapple (Ananas comosus), belongs to the family Bromeliaceae. The present study deals with preclinical analysis of bromelain as an anti-cancer agent and its intracellular effect on the expression of p53 and β-catenin protein. Our study reports cytotoxic activity, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, arrest in the S-phase, and G2/M phase in cell cycle analysis by treating with bromelain in HepG2 cell lines. We also report up-regulation of p53 protein by drug-induced impediment leading to apoptotic process in HepG2 cells and down-regulation of β-catenin protein in HepG2 cells which interferes in β-catenin/TCF-DNA interaction further, down-regulating Wnt genes and suppressing the canonical pathway. Finally, we conclude that bromelain inhibits tumorigenic potential in HepG2 cell lines.

Tumor microenvironment pathways: Cross regulation in breast cancer metastasis

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is heterogeneous and contains a multiple cell population with surrounded immune cells, which plays a major role in regulating metastasis. The multifunctional pathways, Hedgehog (Hh), Wnt, Notch, and NF-kB, cross-regulates metastasis in breast cancer. This review presents substantial evidence for cross-regulation of TME components and signaling pathways, which makes breast TME more heterogeneous and complex, promoting breast cancer progression and metastasis as a highly aggressive form. We discoursed the importance of stromal and immune cells as well as their crosstalk in bridging the metastasis. We also discussed the role of Hh and Notch pathways in the intervention between breast cancer cells and macrophages to support TME; Notch signaling in the bidirectional communication between cancer cells and components of TME; Wnt signal pathway in controlling the factors responsible for EMT and NF-κB pathway in the regulation of genes controlling the inflammatory response. We also present the role of exosomes and their miRNAs in the cross-regulation of TME cells as well as pathways in the reprogramming of breast TME to support metastasis. Finally, we examined and discussed the targeted small molecule inhibitors and natural compounds targeting developmental pathways and proposed small molecule natural compounds as potential therapeutics of TME based on the multitargeting ability. In conclusion, the understanding of the molecular basis of the cross-regulation of TME pathways and their inhibitors helps identify molecular targets for rational drug discovery to treat breast cancers.

Nature-derived compounds modulating Wnt/ -catenin pathway: a preventive and therapeutic opportunity in neoplastic diseases

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a conserved pathway that has a crucial role in embryonic and adult life. Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been associated with diseases including cancer, and components of the signaling have been proposed as innovative therapeutic targets, mainly for cancer therapy. The attention of the worldwide researchers paid to this issue is increasing, also in view of the therapeutic potential of these agents in diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), for which no cure is existing today. Much evidence indicates that abnormal Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in tumor immunology and the targeting of Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been also proposed as an attractive strategy to potentiate cancer immunotherapy. During the last decade, several products, including naturally occurring dietary agents as well as a wide variety of products from plant sources, including curcumin, quercetin, berberin, and ginsenosides, have been identified as potent modulators of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and have gained interest as promising candidates for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic drugs for cancer. In this review we make an overview of the nature-derived compounds reported to have antitumor activity by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, also focusing on extraction methods, chemical features, and bio-activity assays used for the screening of these compounds.

The role of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) in cancer progression, invasion, metastasis and recurrence: A novel cancer stem cell marker and tumor-specific prognostic marker

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) or CD166 is a 100 to 105 KDa transmembrane immunoglobulin which is involved in activation of T-cells, hematopoiesis, neutrophils trans-endothelial migration, angiogenesis, inflammation and tumor propagation and invasiveness through formation of homophilic and heterophilic interactions. Recently, many studies have proposed that the expression pattern of ALCAM is highly associated with the grade, stage and invasiveness of tumors. Although ALCAM is a valuable prognostic marker in different carcinomas, similar expression patterns in different tumor types may be associated with completely different prognostic states, making it to be a tumor-type-dependent prognostic marker. In addition, ALCAM isoforms provide ways for primary detection of tumor cells with metastatic potential. More importantly, this prognostic marker has shown to be considerably dependent on the cytoplasmic and membranous expression, indirect and direct regulation of post-transcriptional molecules, pro-apoptotic proteins functionalities and several other oncogenic proteins or signalling pathways. This review mainly focuses on the pathways involved in expression of ALCAM and its prognostic value of in different types of cancers and the way in which it is regulated.

Dual in vitro invasion/migration suppressing and tamoxifen response modulating effects of a recombinant anti-ALCAM scFv on breast cancer cells

It has been shown that overexpression of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) is involved in development of resistance to tamoxifen therapy and promotion of cell invasion, migration and metastasis in ER+ breast cancer cells. Thus, we hypothesized that blockade of ALCAM interconnections with antibodies could be an effective approach for reversing mentioned negative events associated with ALCAM overexpression in breast cancer cells. Here, an anti-ALCAM scFv was recombinantly expressed and used throughout study for examination of the putative anticancer effects of ALCAM blockade. The anti-ALCAM scFv coding sequence was obtained from GenBank database and after addition of a 6× His-tag moiety, signal peptide and flanking sequences, the whole construct was expressed in Escherichia coli. Tamoxifen resistant MCF7 cells were then pretreat for 24 hours with purified recombinant anti-ALCAM scFv prior to administration of tamoxifen. In parallel, the cytotoxicity profile of anti-ALCAM scFv and tamoxifen co-treatments against tamoxifen resistant and sensitive MCF7 cell lines was also evaluated using CompuSyn software. The invasion/migration inhibitory effects of anti-ALCAM scFv on MDA-MB-231 cells were also evaluated. Pretreatment with anti-ALCAM scFv could successfully enhance anti-proliferative effects of tamoxifen against resistant MCF-7 cell lines. Furthermore, the combination of 19.2:1 of tamoxifen to anti-ALCAM scFv demonstrated synergistic cell inhibitory effect against tamoxifen resistant MCF7 cell lines. Also, incubating MDA-MB-231 cell lines with anti-ALCAM scFv resulted in a 30% and 25% reduction in number of invaded and migrated cells respectively. Overall, application of anti-ALCAM scFv could significantly suppress cancer cells metastasis in vitro and modulate tamoxifen resistant ER+ MCF7 cell line's sensitivity to tamoxifen. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Acquisition of resistance to tamoxifen therapy is one of the major challenges associated with cancer chemotherapy, gradually turning a responsive tumour into a refractory more invasive one which ultimately ends in disease progression and relapse. Here, we reported expression of an anti-ALCAM scFv, capable of increasing the sensitivity of tamoxifen resistant ER+ MCF-7 cells to tamoxifen therapy following a 24-hour pretreatment period. In addition, we demonstrated that the anti-ALCAM scFv monotherapy was also capable of suppressing invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells in Boyden chamber assays.

Astragalus polysaccharide inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion by regulating epithelial‑mesenchymal transition via the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) serves an important role in tumor migration and invasion. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), which is the main component of the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus membranaceus, has been identified to display an antitumor effect. However, the effects and mechanisms of APS during breast cancer migration and invasion are not completely understood. The present study investigated whether APS inhibited breast cancer migration and invasion by modulating the EMT pathway. An MTT assay and a Ki67 immunofluorescence staining assay demonstrated that APS inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The results of the wound healing and Transwell Matrigel invasion assays suggested that APS decreased the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. The western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses further demonstrated that APS had a regulatory effect on EMT-related molecules. APS decreased the expression levels of Snail and vimentin, but increased E-cadherin expression. APS also downregulated Wnt1, β-catenin and downstream target expression. Additionally, the present results suggested that APS decreased the proliferation, and EMT-mediated migration and invasion of cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The present study suggested that APS may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for breast cancer.

MicroRNA-216a suppresses the proliferation and migration of human breast cancer cells via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential anticancer effects of microRNA-216a on the growth of human breast cancer and the possible underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that serum microRNA-216a was significantly decreased in patients with breast cancer compared with healthy controls. MicroRNA-216a overexpression led to a decrease in cell proliferation and migration, as well as increases in apoptosis, caspase-3/8 activities, Bax expression and p53 protein expression in MCF-7 cells. It was also revealed that microRNA-216a suppressed Wnt and β-catenin expression in MCF-7 cells. The anticancer effects of microRNA-216a were reversed by anti-microRNA-216a by promoting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Inactivation of the Wnt pathway increased the anticancer effects of microRNA-216a in MCF-7 cells. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that microRNA-216a suppressed the growth of human breast cancer cells by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition as a target for botanicals in cancer metastasis

BACKGROUND

The plant kingdom represents an unlimited source of phytotherapeutics with promising perspectives in the field of anticancer drug discovery.

PURPOSE

In this view, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) represents a novel and major target in anticancer therapy. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide an updated overview on the bioactive phytochemicals with anti-EMT activity.

CONCLUSION

Among the plant products reviewed, phenylpropanoids were the most investigated at preclinical phase, thus exhibiting a promising potential as anticancer drugs, though an evidence-based clinical efficacy is still lacking.

Downregulation of WNT11 is associated with bladder tissue fibrosis in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome without Hunner lesion

This study assessed the functional role of WNT genes and the association between WNT signalling cascades and fibrosis in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients. Twenty-five patients (3 males, 22 females; mean age 59.7 ± 10.9 years), included 7 non-Hunner-type IC (NHIC), 18 Hunner-type IC (HIC), and 5 non-IC (control) groups. The expression of sonic hedgehog, WNT gene family, and genes previously reported as biomarkers for IC/BPS were examined using RT-PCR in biopsy specimens from the mucosa and submucosa layer of the bladder. WNT2B, WNT5A, WNT10A, and WNT11 functions in the urothelium were evaluated by silencing in an HBlEpC cell line. Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale scores, O’Leary-Sant Symptom and Problem Index scores, and Visual Analogue Scores did not differ between the NHIC and HIC groups. However, HIC patients had significantly shorter symptom duration (30.9 vs 70.8 months, p = 0.046), higher daily urinary frequency (16.1 versus 8.5 times, p = 0.006), and smaller bladder capacity (208.6 versus 361.4 ml, p = 0.006) than NHIC patients. Overall WNT gene expression was lower in NHIC than HIC patients. Bladder epithelial tissues from HIC patients were characterised by the downregulation of WNT11. Silencing of WNT11, WNT2B, WNT5A, and WNT10A in HBlEpCs resulted in fibrotic changes, indicated by fibrotic morphology, increased fibrosis-related gene expression, and nuclear localisation of phosphorylated SMAD2, and increased vimentin and fibronectin levels. Downregulation of WNT11 results in fibrotic changes of bladder epithelial cells and is associated with the pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of NHIC. Decreased expression of WNT11 is a potential biomarker for predicting NHIC.

Long non-coding RNA LINC00968 acts as oncogene in NSCLC by activating the Wnt signaling pathway

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have played critical roles in a variety of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (N SCLC). In our study, we focused on the biological function and clinical significance of lncRNA LINC00968 in NSCLC. It was indicated that LINC00968 was significantly increased in LUAD tissues, LUSC tissues and NSCLC cells compared to their corresponding controls. Inhibition of LINC00968 was able to repress NSCLC growth, migration, and invasion in vitro while upregulation of LINC00968 reversed this process. Additionally, downregulation of LINC00968 induced apoptosis capacity of A549 cell. Apoptosis-related proteins BCL-2 were decreased and BAX was increased by knockdown of LINC00968, respectively. Meanwhile we observed that Wnt signaling pathway was involved in the LINC00968-induced NSCLC progression. Finally, in vivo tumor xenografts were established using A549 cells to detect the function of LINC00968 in NSCLC tumorigenesis. Silencing LINC00968 greatly inhibited NSCLC tumor progression, which was consistent with the in vitro tests. In conclusion, we have uncovered that LINC00968 could be regarded as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment.

Curcumin reversed chronic tobacco smoke exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of cancer stem cells properties via Wnt/β-catenin

Tobacco smoke (TS) is the most important single risk factor for bladder cancer. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a transdifferentiation process, involved in the initiation of TS-related cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have an essential role in the progression of many tumors including TS-related cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms of TS exposure induced urocystic EMT and acquisition of CSCs properties remains undefined. Wnt/β-catenin pathway is critical for EMT and the maintenance of CSCs. The aim of our present study was to investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in chronic TS exposure induced urocystic EMT, stemness acquisition and the preventive effect of curcumin. Long time TS exposure induced EMT changes and the levels of CSCs' markers were significant upregulated. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulated TS-triggered EMT and stemness, as evidenced by the findings that TS elevated Wnt/β-catenin activation, and that TS-mediated EMT and stemness were attenuated by Wnt/β-catenin inhibition. Treatment of curcumin reversed TS-elicited activation of Wnt/β-catenin, EMT and CSCs properties. Collectively, these data indicated the regulatory role of Wnt/β-catenin in TS-triggered urocystic EMT, acquisition of CSCs properties and the chemopreventive effect of curcumin.