Metabolic reprogramming and cancer progression

PCK2 promotes invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in triple-negative breast cancer by promoting TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling through inhibiting TRIM67-mediated SMAD3 ubiquitination

PCK2, which encodes mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-M), is upregulated in various cancers. We demonstrated high expression of PEPCK-M in approximately half of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) previously. TNBC is associated with an aggressive phenotype and a high metastasis rate. In this study, we investigated the role of PCK2 in TNBC. PCK2 knockdown suppressed proliferation and mTOR signaling in TNBC cells. In addition, cell invasion/migration ability and the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were positively correlated with PCK2 expression in TNBC cells via regulation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD3 signaling. SMAD3 was positively regulated by PCK2 in TNBC cells. Knockdown of SMAD3 in PCK2-overexpressing TNBC cells reduced the expression levels of EMT markers, Snail and Slug, and suppressed cell invasion/migration. In addition, PCK2 knockdown attenuated the stimulatory effect of TGF-β on SMAD3 phosphorylation in TNBC cells. PEPCK-M promotes the protein and mRNA expression of SMAD3 via competitive binding to tripartite motif-containing 67 (TRIM67), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, to reduce SMAD3 ubiquitination, which leads to promoting nuclear translocation of SMAD3 and autoregulation of SMAD3 transcription. Moreover, high PCK2 mRNA expression was significantly associated with poor survival in TNBC patients. In conclusion, our study revealed for the first time that PCK2 activates TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling by regulating the expression and phosphorylation of SMAD3 by inhibiting TRIM67-mediated SMAD3 ubiquitination and promoting the stimulatory effect of TGF-β to promote TNBC invasion. The regulatory effect of PCK2 on mTOR and TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling suggests that PCK2 is a potential therapeutic target for suppressing TNBC progression.

Unravelling key signaling pathways for the therapeutic targeting of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) remains the foremost cause of cancer-related mortality across the globe. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a type of LC that exhibits significant heterogeneity at histological and molecular levels. Genetic alterations in upstream signaling molecules activate cascades affecting apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. Disruption of these signaling pathways leads to the proliferation of cancer-promoting cells, progression of cancer, and resistance to its treatment. Recent insights into the function of signaling pathways and their fundamental mechanisms in the onset of various diseases could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches. Recently, numerous drug molecules have been created that target these cell signaling pathways and could be used alongside other standard therapies to achieve synergistic effects in mitigating the pathophysiology of NSCLC. Additionally, many researchers have identified several predictive biomarkers, and alterations in transcription factors and related pathways are employed to create new therapeutic strategies for NSCLC. Findings suggest using specific inhibitors to target cellular signaling pathways in tumor progression to treat NSCLC. This review investigates the role of signaling pathways in NSCLC development and explores novel therapeutic strategies to enhance clinical treatment options for NSCLC.

The role of SLC7A11 in arsenite-induced oncogenic phenotypes of human bronchial epithelial cells: A metabolic perspective

Chronic arsenic exposure enhances the probability of lung cancer with the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Glutamine-driven synthetic metabolism, including nucleotide synthesis, amino acid production, TCA cycle replenishment, glutathione synthesis, and lipid biosynthesis, is crucial for both cancer initiation and progression. This study demonstrated that chronic exposure to 0.1 μM arsenite for as long as 36 weeks induced malignant transformation in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Metabolomics were used to systematically disclose metabolic characteristics in arsenic-transformed malignant (As-TM) cells. Significantly changed metabolites were enriched in alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, glutamine and glutamate metabolism, glutathione metabolism, butanoate metabolism, TCA cycle, and arginine and proline metabolism. It is worth noting that glutamate located at the intersection of the enriched metabolism pathways. Glutamine deprivation attenuated the oncogenic phenotypes, including capacity of wound healing and proliferation, in As-TM cells. And the expression levels of mRNA and proteins associated with glutamine metabolism-related transporters and enzymes, including SLC7A11, GCLM, and GCLC, were significantly increased, with SLC7A11 exhibiting the most substantial increase. Moreover, arsenite transformation progressively elevated SLC7A11 mRNA and protein levels over time. The SLC7A11 inhibitor sulfasalazine remarkably attenuated arsenite-induced oncogenic phenotypes. Collectively, our data suggest that chronic arsenite exposure enhances glutamine metabolism through upregulation of SLC7A11, thereby promoting cell proliferation and malignant transformation. These results provide new insights for preventive and therapeutic strategies for lung cancer linked to arsenic exposure.

Advances and applications of multiomics technologies in precision diagnosis and treatment for gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC), one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, is distinguished by extensive genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, posing persistent challenges to conventional diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The significant global burden of GC highlights an urgent need to unravel its complex underlying mechanisms, discover novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and develop more effective therapeutic interventions. In this context, this review comprehensively examines the transformative roles of cutting-edge technologies, including radiomics, pathomics, genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, in advancing precision diagnosis and treatment for GC. Multiomics data analysis not only deepens our understanding of GC pathogenesis and molecular subtypes but also identifies promising biomarkers, facilitating the creation of tailored therapeutic approaches. Additionally, integrating multiomics approaches holds immense potential for elucidating drug resistance mechanisms, predicting patient outcomes, and uncovering novel therapeutic targets, thereby laying a robust foundation for precision medicine in the comprehensive management of GC.

Prognostic implications of glucose metabolism pathways in colon adenocarcinoma: a comprehensive outlook on the molecular landscape and immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a common and aggressive cancer characterized by significant metabolic alterations, particularly in glucose metabolism. Identifying key genes and pathways involved in glucose metabolism could provide valuable prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

METHODS

Clinical and transcriptomic data for patients with COAD were obtained from TCGA and validated using external datasets (GSE17536 and GSE39582). Seventeen glucose metabolism-related pathways were selected from the MSigDB and analysed using ssGSEA. WGCNA was used to identify key gene modules. Prognostic genes were selected via univariate Cox regression, Lasso-Cox regression, and multivariate Cox regression. Model validation was conducted using independent datasets. Immunotherapy prediction and immune infiltration analyses were also performed. A-NEK9 knockdown cell line was established using SW1116 and SW480 cell lines. The effect of NEK9 on COAD was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. The effects of NEK9 on glucose uptake and lactate production were also assessed.

RESULTS

A prognostic model based on five glucose metabolism-related genes (NEK9, HS2ST1, AC016394.3, H2BC21, and MIR23A) was developed. The model demonstrated strong predictive value, with high-risk patients showing poorer survival outcomes in both the TCGA and external validation cohorts. Additionally, lower risk scores were associated with better responses to immunotherapy, as indicated by TIDE and SubMap analyses. These findings were further validated through ROC analysis, which revealed robust predictive performance for immunotherapy response across multiple cohorts. NEK9 promoted the proliferation and tumour angiogenesis of SW1116 and SW480 cells, inhibited apoptosis, and enhanced glucose uptake and lactate production in tumour cells. NEK9 knockdown significantly inhibited the tumorigenic ability of COAD in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the role of glucose metabolism in COAD and presents a novel prognostic model based on glucose metabolism-related genes. The model has potential clinical applications for predicting survival and guiding immunotherapy decisions in patients with COAD.

The microbiota-m6A-metabolism axis: Implications for therapeutic strategies in gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with metabolic reprogramming recognized as a central driver of tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Among the key regulatory layers, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification-mediated by methyltransferases (writers such as METTL3/14), RNA-binding proteins (readers like YTHDFs and IGF2BPs), and demethylases (erasers including FTO and ALKBH5), plays a pivotal role in controlling gene expression and metabolic flux in the tumor context. Concurrently, the gut microbiota profoundly influences GI tumorigenesis and immune evasion by modulating metabolite availability and remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Recent evidence has uncovered a bidirectional crosstalk between microbial metabolites and m6A methylation: microbiota-derived signals dynamically regulate m6A deposition on metabolic and immune transcripts, while m6A modifications, in turn, regulate the stability and translation of key mRNAs such as PD-L1 and FOXP3. This reciprocal interaction forms self-reinforcing epigenetic circuits that drive tumor plasticity, immune escape, and metabolic adaptation. In this review, we dissect the molecular underpinnings of the microbiota-m6A-metabolism axis in GI cancers and explore its potential to inform novel strategies in immunotherapy, metabolic intervention, and microbiome-guided precision oncology.

PSAT1 promotes the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating Hippo-YAP/TAZ-ID1 axis via AMOT

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third for morbidity and second for mortality among all digestive malignant tumors worldwide, but its pathogenesis remains not entirely clear. Bioinformatic analyses were performed to find out important biomarkers for CRC. For validation, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were performed. Then, cell transfection, gain- and loss-of-function assays, immunofluorescence, cell line RNA-sequencing and analyses, and in vivo tumorigenesis assay were also performed to further explore the mechanism. We prioritized phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) as an important biomarker in CRC. PSAT1 expression was gradually up-regulated as the CRC disease progresses and may relate to poor prognosis. PSAT1 promoted the malignant behaviors of CRC cells. Although PSAT1 is an enzyme essential to serine biosynthesis, an exogenous supplement of serine did not completely rescue the malignant behaviors in PSAT1-knockdown CRC cells. Interestingly, PSAT1 inhibited the Hippo tumor-suppressor pathway by promoting the nucleus-localization of YAP/TAZ and increasing the expression of ID1 in CRC cells. Furthermore, AMOT, a vascular-related molecule that molecularly interacts with YAP/TAZ, was up-regulated upon PSAT1 knockdown in CRC cells. Knocking down AMOT partially rescued the inhibition of proliferation and the reduced nuclear localization of YAP/TAZ caused by PSAT1 knockdown in CRC cells. Moreover, PSAT1 was closely related to vascular-related pathways, in which AMOT might act as a mediator. Finally, PSAT1 promoted CRC proliferation by negatively regulating AMOT in vivo. PSAT1 could enhance the progression of colorectal cancer by regulating Hippo-YAP/TAZ-ID1 axis via AMOT, which is independent of the metabolic function of PSAT1.

Identification of new small molecules for selective inhibition of SERCA 1 in patient-derived metastatic papillary thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a general thyroid cancer subtype; however, PTC is associated with metastasis or recurrence via anti-cancer drug resistance, rendering it practically incurable. Therefore, effective and reliable clinical approaches are urgently required.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We demonstrated the coordinated up-regulation of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium ATPase 1 (SERCA1) in metastatic PTC under treatment with sorafenib or lenvatinib. We screened novel drug candidates in a patient-derived lymph node metastatic PTC and compared outcomes with those in non-metastatic and main mass PTC in an in vitro and in vivo model to propose a new clinical strategy.

KEY RESULTS

In the current study using patient-derived metastatic PTC cells, SERCA1 was considerably increased under sorafenib- or lenvatinib-treated conditions. SERCA is a critical component in cytosolic free calcium regulation and is regulated by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 alpha (CaMK2α) via NFκB. However, cardiac dysfunction was inevitable in vivo because of non-specific inhibition of SERCA isoforms by conventional SERCA inhibitors. This study designed a therapeutic approach with decreased cardiac dysfunction via SERCA1 isoform-specific inhibition by novel small molecules, CKP1 and CKP2, under severe ER stress conditions in patient-derived metastatic PTC. These novel SERCA1-specific inhibitors remarkably increased tumour shrinkage in the patient-derived metastatic PTC xenograft tumour model without cardiac dysfunction when used in combination with sorafenib or lenvatinib.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

These outcomes suggest the potential efficacy of the novel combination strategy that uses targeted therapy to treat malignant cancer cells, such as sorafenib- or lenvatinib-resistant cancer cells.

Sculponeatin A induces mitochondrial dysfunction in non-small cell lung cancer through WWP2-mediated degradation of mitochondrial STAT3

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) monomer at S727 promotes its mitochondrial localisation and regulates mitochondrial function, thus exerting a protective effect on tumour cells. However, no inhibitor drugs targeting mitochondrial STAT3 (mitoSTAT3) or S727-STAT3 phosphorylation have been identified. Here, we report a novel diterpenoid extracted from Isodon sculponeatus, sculponeatin A (sptA), induces mitochondrial dysfunction in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by targeting mitoSTAT3 degradation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

xCELLigence real-time cell analysis assay and high-content analysis were performed to measure cytotoxicity. Mitochondrial function was assessed by transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and Seahorse cellular flux assays. The effects of sptA on the upstream signalling pathway of mitochondrial dysfunction were measured by Western blot, gene alterations and other approaches. Immunofluorescence and live cell imaging were performed to visualise the expression and position of mitoSTAT3. Nude mice and zebrafish were modelled with subcutaneous xenografts. Pharmacokinetics of sptA were examined in rats. Drug toxicity was evaluated in zebrafish.

KEY RESULTS

sptA inhibited mitochondrial respiration in NSCLC cells. sptA induced mitochondrial dysfunction by promoting the degradation of mitoSTAT3. sptA promoted WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (WWP2)-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of mitoSTAT3 through direct binding. sptA inhibited tumour growth in vivo. Evaluation of drug toxicity in zebrafish showed that overdose of sptA may cause heart damage.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These findings suggest that pharmacological targeting the degradation of mitoSTAT3 by sptA may provide therapeutic benefits against NSCLC.

Prodigiosin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through influencing amino acid metabolism in multiple myeloma

The recurrence of drug-resistant and expensive treatment drugs are major causes of the low survival rate of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Exploring a safe, effective, low-cost and novel drug treatment for MM is a promising strategy to relieve the burden of MM patients. In this study, we found that prodigiosin could inhibit MM cell proliferation and induce MM cell apoptosis, however, it had a lesser cytotoxic effect on normal B cells within the IC50 range of MM cells. In addition, prodigiosin could inhibit the growth of xenograft MM cells in mice. Transcriptomics and targeted amino acid metabolomics confirmed that prodigiosin could regulate amino acid metabolism, and decrease in amino acid utilization by down-regulated aminoacyl tRNA synthetases expression, resulting in slower growth of MM. In conclusion, prodigiosin exerts anticancer effects on MM cells by interfering with the use of amino acids, indicating its potential novel therapeutic application in MM.

Ellagic acid-protein nano-complex inhibits tumor growth by reducing the intratumor bacteria and inhibiting histamine production

In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding the role of bacteria within tumors and their potential as targets for cancer therapy. In this work, we developed an ellagic acid (EA) - endogenous protein (eP) nanocomposite (eP-EA) to target tumors by EPR (enhanced permeability and retention), kill bacteria within tumors to regulate anti-tumor immune responses. The potential mechanism of eP-EA treatment is associated with the reduced abundance and diversity of microorganisms within the tumor, culminating with an altered metabolism within the Tumor microenvironment (TME). Among them, the metabolite histamine that contributes to tumor progression, is significantly reduced in the TME after eP-EA treatment. We show that one possible mechanism by which these microbes promote tumor growth is through the production of histamine. This work suggests that the ellagic acid (EA)-protein nano complex can enhance cancer immunotherapy by targeting the intratumoral bacteria and reduce their production of histamine, delineating the potential relationship between intratumor bacteria and their impact on tumors. Our work suggests that the EA-protein nano complex can enhance cancer immunotherapy by targeting the intratumoral bacteria, suggesting the role of bacterial metabolites in contributing to tumor progression.

Novel Carbamate-Based o-aminobenzamide Derivatives as Potent Antigastric Carcinoma Agents via Disrupting NAD+ Salvage Synthesis

Blocking NAD+ biosynthesis presents an appealing strategy for antitumor therapies. This study developed a series of o-aminobenzamide derivatives with substantial antitumor efficacy against gastric cancer. Notably, compound 9a demonstrated exceptional antitumor activity against undifferentiated gastric cancer HGC27 cells (IC50 = 0.049 μM), and significant inhibitory effects on cellular proliferation, self-renewal, invasion, and migration. Mechanistic investigations revealed that 9a could damage mitochondria, arrest the cell cycle, promote apoptosis, and alter cellular metabolism. Furthermore, the rate-limiting enzyme NAMPT in the NAD+ salvage synthetic pathway was identified as a primary target of 9a. By inhibiting NAMPT, 9a reduced intracellular levels of NAD+ and ATP, while NMN, a natural product of NAMPT, counteracts its antimetabolic and cytotoxic effects. Overall, this study highlights 9a as a promising NAMPT inhibitor with significant activity against undifferentiated gastric cancer, laying the groundwork for developing novel antigastric cancer agents through inhibiting NAD+ biosynthesis.

Machine learning identifies SRD5A3 as a propionate-related prognostic biomarker in triple-negative breast cancer

The increased risk of recurrence and metastasis are obstacles to treating TNBC. Propionate-related genes play an important role in tumor development and immune cell infiltration. The study was to identify the association between propionate-related genes and the prognosis of TNBC patients. Propionate-related genes were collected and analyzed to establish propionate-related gene characteristics. Then, the survival analysis was performed, and the responses to immunotherapies were evaluated. Furthermore, the drug sensitivity of some traditional chemotherapeutic drugs was evaluated. Finally, the hub genes were discovered and validated by in vitro experiments. Based on the five-propionate-related gene signature, TNBC patients were divided into high and low-risk groups. In addition, DEGs between the different risk groups were enriched in the biological activities associated with immunity. TNBC patients in the high-risk groups were suggested to have worse responses to immunotherapies and a poorer prognosis. SRD5A3 was finally found to be a hub gene, and in vitro experiments revealed that silencing SRD5A3 inhibited tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. The five-propionate-related risk model presented novel insights into the efficacy of immunotherapy. It was found that down-regulation of SRD5A3 inhibited the growth and invasion of tumor cells, thereby affecting the prognosis of TNBC.

Acetylation-induced degradation of ECHS1 enhances BCAA accumulation and proliferation in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism is dysregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC), with elevated plasma BCAA levels significantly associated with an increased risk of developing the disease. However, whether BCAAs directly promote CRC progression and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated the metabolic alterations in KRAS-mutant CRC. We examined the effects of restricting BCAA supply on the proliferation and metastasis of KRAS-mutant CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

We found that in KRAS-mutant CRC, BCAAs and their metabolic products accumulate markedly. Restricting the BCAA supply specifically inhibits the proliferation of KRAS-mutant CRC cells but does not affect metastasis. In these cancer cells, enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 (ECHS1), a key enzyme in BCAA metabolism, is downregulated. Furthermore, BCAAs enhance the acetylation of lysine 204 on ECHS1, impairing its ability to bind enoyl-CoA and reducing its catalytic activity. This modification triggers the ubiquitination of ECHS1 and its subsequent degradation, diminishing BCAA catabolism and leading to its cellular accumulation. This accumulation activates the mTORC1 signaling pathway, which induces the transcriptional activation of downstream target proteins and promotes the malignant progression of CRC.

CONCLUSIONS

Limiting BCAA intake not only suppresses tumor growth in KRAS-mutant CRC but also enhances the efficacy of the KRAS G12D inhibitor MRTX1133 and the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab. Our findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory mechanism of ECHS1 in CRC and offer new potential therapeutic targets.

GLUT1 sensitizes tumor cells to EGFR-TKIs by binding with activated EGFR and regulating its downstream signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

We have previously demonstrated that GLUT1 can interact with phosphorylated EGFR and has an oncogenic role in lung cancer. Here, we aim to investigate their binding region and its signaling pathways.

METHODS

The AlphaFold 3 prediction, Co-immunoprecipitation, and Western blot were used to uncover the interaction conditions of GLUT1 and EGFR. The RNA-seq data was analyzed to evaluate the difference in signaling pathways between wild-type EGFR and activated mutated EGFR. The xenograft tumor model was established to determine the therapy effect of the combination of GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876 and EGFR TKI Osimertinib.

RESULTS

We found that the interaction ability of GLUT1 and EGFR depended on the activation of EGFR. GLUT1 interacted with EGFRvIII (loss 2-7 exons) but not with EGFRvI (loss 1-16 exons), so GLUT1 interacts with EGFR in the EGFR extracellular transmembrane region. GLUT1 regulated EGFR downstream signaling pathways. GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876 can sensitize tumor cells to EGFR TKI Osimertinib.

CONCLUSIONS

GLUT1 participates in tumor progression by interacting with phosphor-EGFR, suggesting that inhibition of the GLUT1-EGFR axis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for lung cancer treatment.

P5CS deacetylation mediated by SIRT2 facilitates tumor growth by enhancing mitochondrial respiration in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer cells typically exhibit enhanced mitochondrial metabolism to fulfill their energy and biosynthetic demands for growth. The mitochondrial response to fluctuations in cellular energy demand is essential for cellular adaptation and proper organ function. The mitochondrial delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) encoded by the ALDH18A1 gene, the key enzyme for proline synthesis, is frequently up-regulated during tumor development. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing P5CS activity in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. In this study, we observe that P5CS is highly expressed in HCC tissues, and elevated levels of P5CS expression are associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Notably, the knockdown of P5CS inhibits the proliferation, migratory and invasive capabilities of HCC cells by reducing mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SIRT2 interacts with P5CS and mediates the deacetylation of P5CS at lysines K311 and K347, thereby activating its enzymatic activity. Activated P5CS significantly enhances mitochondrial respiration, which supports the proliferation and tumorigenesis of HCC cells. In addition, SIRT2 knockdown inhibits the proliferation, migratory and invasive capabilities of HCC cells. These observations suggest that SIRT2-mediated P5CS deacetylation is a crucial signaling event through which cancer cells sustain mitochondrial respiration and promote HCC progression. This finding offers the potential for targeting SIRT2-mediated P5CS deacetylation as a therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Exploring the level of metabolic reprogramming and the role of prognostic factor SF3A3 in hepatocellular carcinoma through integrated single-cell landscape analysis

This study aims to investigate metabolic reprogramming heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and identify novel therapeutic targets for HCC treatment. Single-cell RNA sequencing data from public databases were used to analyze the TME of HCC and reveal the characteristics of different cell subsets, including mononuclear phagocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, NK/T cells, B cells, and unknown cells. The analysis revealed that these cell subsets play their own unique roles in tumor progression and immune escape. Analysis of copy number variations (CNVs) was performed on tumor-derived epithelial cells, with the epithelial cells in Cluster 3 subgroup showing the highest CNV levels. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that these cell subsets were involved in a variety of biological processes such as immune response, cell communication, and metabolic pathways, which were consistent with their functional roles. Pseudotemporal analysis further delineated the malignant trajectory of HCC cells, with Cluster 3 exhibiting enhanced phosphatidylinositol metabolism, suggesting a critical role for metabolic reprogramming in tumor invasion and proliferation. Furthermore, a diagnostic model incorporating metabolic reprogramming-associated gene signatures was established, which effectively distinguished HCC from normal tissues. Among these signatures, splicing factor 3a subunit 3 (SF3A3) was identified as both diagnostic and independent prognostic biomarker. Mechanistically, SF3A3 knockdown in HCC cell lines significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, PI3K/AKT signaling, and EMT marker expression, thereby demonstrating its role in driving HCC aggressiveness. In conclusion, these findings elucidate novel molecular characteristics of HCC based on metabolic reprogramming, while establishing SF3A3 as a promising multi-faceted target for HCC diagnosis, prognostic assessment, and therapeutic intervention.

Dual inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis using a hyaluronic acid nanoparticle NOX inhibitor enhanced response to radiotherapy in colorectal cancer

Metabolic reprogramming characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and increased glycolysis is associated with aggressive tumor biology and poor therapeutic response. The interplays among NADPH oxidase (NOX)-mediated reactive oxygen species, regulation of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in cancer cells suggest an opportunity to develop a new cancer therapy. We found that treatment with a hyaluronic acid nanoparticle encapsulated with GKT831 (HANP/GKT831), a NOX1/4 inhibitor, markedly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Treated tumor cells had reduced levels of mitochondrial ROS, glycolysis, and OXPHOS. The combination of HANP/GKT831 with radiation reduced colony formation and invasion of tumor cells. The combination therapy markedly inhibited the levels of molecules in glycolysis, OXPHOS, and DNA repairing pathways in tumor cells. Systemic administrations of HANP/GKT831 combined with radiotherapy significantly inhibited tumor growth by 84.7 % in a mouse colorectal tumor model. Tumors treated with HANP/GKT831 and radiation had increased DNA damage and apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, the combined therapy increased intratumoral infiltration of activated cytotoxic T cells and M1 macrophages but reduced the levels of immunosuppressive fibroblasts and M2 macrophages. Our results support HANP/GKT831 as a cancer nanotherapeutic agent that induces redox and bioenergy stresses in cancer cells for enhanced therapeutic response to radiotherapy.

Integration of cuproptosis-related gene signatures in stomach adenocarcinoma: implications for prognostic prediction and therapeutic strategies in cancer drug resistance

BACKGROUND

Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is a prevalent and aggressive cancer, often diagnosed at later stages, which poses challenges for effective treatment. Despite advancements in cancer therapies, the phenomenon of tumor drug resistance remains a critical hurdle. Recent studies have highlighted cuproptosis, a copper-dependent regulated cell death process, as a potential mechanism in various cancers, including STAD. This study integrates cuproptosis-related gene signatures with clinical features to better predict prognosis and explore potential therapeutic targets, focusing on the role of cuproptosis in overcoming tumor resistance mechanisms.

METHODS

Using comprehensive datasets from TCGA-STAD (n = 375 tumor samples, 32 normal samples), GTEx (n = 211 normal gastric tissues), and GEO (GSE84437 and GSE29272), we analyzed the expression of genes associated with cuproptosis. We examined genetic alterations, immune infiltration, and constructed multivariate Cox regression models with clinicopathological covariates (age, gender, TNM stage, histological grade, residual tumor status) to assess the relationship between cuproptosis gene expression and patient survival outcomes, including overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI). Drug sensitivity analysis was performed using the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified significant upregulation of several cuproptosis-related genes, including FDX1, which was correlated with improved prognosis and immune cell infiltration patterns. High expression of FDX1 was associated with better OS and DSS outcomes. Further genetic alterations, notably in CDKN2A, were frequent and linked to poor prognosis, highlighting the complexity of tumor drug resistance in STAD. Prognostic models incorporating FDX1, PDHA1, and LIAS expression stratified patients into distinct risk categories, emphasizing their potential as biomarkers for personalized therapeutic strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the importance of cuproptosis-related genes, particularly FDX1, in the prognosis and therapeutic response of STAD. By integrating molecular features with clinical data, we offer insights into the potential for overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy. These findings lay the groundwork for future research into targeted treatments that modulate cuproptosis, offering a novel approach to tackling tumor progression and resistance in STAD.

MALDI Imaging and Spatial SILAC Proteomics of Three-Dimensional Multicellular Spheroids Dynamically Dosed with Doxorubicin-Encapsulating Liposomes

Microphysiological systems, such as multicellular spheroids, hold great promise for drug screening experiments. Spheroids may be dosed statically, where the drug is introduced to the growing chamber at one time point, or dynamically, where the drug is introduced via a fluidic component. Dynamic dosing can generate pharmacokinetic curves that more closely represent those seen in vivo than static dosing. In this work, we demonstrate the dynamic dosing of colorectal cancer spheroids in a 3D printed fluidic device with liposomal doxorubicin. Spheroids are valuable models to evaluate dynamic dosing, as they recapitulate the nutrient, oxygen, and pH gradients of solid tumors. Spheroids feature distinct cellular populations with a necrotic core, quiescent middle layer, and proliferative outer layer. Drug and liposome penetration are tracked with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) and fluorescence imaging, showing that liposomal doxorubicin is stable to fluidic dosing and penetrates spheroids after 48 h. To provide a comprehensive pharmacodynamic profile of the distinct cellular regions within spheroids, we employ spatially stable isotopic labeling by amino acids in cell culture (spatial SILAC) proteomics to isotopically label the core and outer layers. Proteomic analysis reveals 714 upregulated proteins in the core upon treatment and 30 in the outer layers, as well as 103 downregulated proteins in the core and 1276 in the outer layers. Spatial SILAC uncovers the differential regulation of proteins associated with glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and lipid synthesis upon drug treatment between the spheroid core and outer layers. Using MALDI MSI and spatial SILAC proteomics, we interrogate the effects of dynamic dosing with liposomal doxorubicin on spheroid regions that would be overlooked by bulk analysis.

The Central Role of Pin1 in Age-Related Cancer Signaling Pathways

The prolyl-isomerase Pin1 is a unique enzyme that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motifs. These motifs are present in many proteins, where isomerization of the typically rigid prolyl-peptide bond can lead to conformational changes, and subsequently regulate activity, stability, or localization. The specificity of Pin1 for phosphorylated motifs allows it to serve as a master regulator of proteins after phosphorylation, adding an additional layer of regulation to intricately control cellular signaling. As such, Pin1 plays an expansive role in numerous cancer and age-related signaling pathways, and is recognized as a major driver of cancer and promising therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the role of Pin1 in regulation of age-related cancer signaling pathways, and we highlight the early development and current landscape of Pin1 inhibitors, and the prospect of Pin1 inhibition for cancer therapy.

SOX4 reprograms fatty acid metabolism through the CHREBP to inhibit ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, characterized by aggressive progression and poor prognosis. Pathological angiogenesis in HCC is closely linked to metabolic reprogramming, particularly concerning fatty acid metabolism. The interplay between fatty acid metabolism and ferroptosis, a type of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, is emerging as a crucial area of study. The transcription factor SOX4 is known to be overexpressed in various cancers, including HCC, and may play a key role in these processes. We assessed SOX4 expression in HCC using clinical samples and data from online databases. Next-generation RNA sequencing was employed to explore the effects of SOX4 on fatty acid metabolism, focusing on the CHREBP pathway. Functional assays, including lipid peroxidation and angiogenesis studies, were conducted to investigate the role of SOX4 in regulating ferroptosis and angiogenesis in HCC. SOX4 was found to be significantly upregulated in HCC and associated with enhanced angiogenesis. Mechanistically, SOX4 activated the CHREBP/SCD1 pathway, leading to increased production of monounsaturated fatty acids, which in turn inhibited ferroptosis. This suppression of ferroptosis contributed to the promotion of angiogenesis and tumor progression in HCC. In conclusion, SOX4 reprograms fatty acid metabolism via the CHREBP/SCD1 pathway, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and promoting angiogenesis in HCC. These findings suggest that targeting the SOX4-CHREBP axis could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Targeting LAT1 with JPH203 to reduce TNBC proliferation and reshape suppressive immune microenvironment by blocking essential amino acid uptake

The competitive uptake of essential amino acids (EAAs) by breast cancer cells is associated with poor patient prognosis and the development of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. L-type amino acid transporters, LAT1 (SLC7 A5) and LAT2 (SLC7 A8) are major mediators of EAAs transmembrane uptake and are overexpressed in some tumor tissues. However, the distribution and functional roles of these transporters across breast cancer subtypes have not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting EAA transporters, particularly LAT1, in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its role in remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment. The distribution of EAA transporters across breast cancer subtypes was analyzed using multi-omics data. The effects of LAT1 targeting on TNBC cell proliferation and EAA uptake were evaluated using SLC7 A5 knockout and LAT1 inhibitors in vitro experiments. A 4T1-BALB/c tumor-bearing mouse model with normal immune function was constructed to investigate the effects of LAT1 targeting on tumor growth and immune microenvironment remodeling in vivo. TNBC demonstrated a strong dependence on LAT1-mediated EAAs uptake. Targeting LAT1 limited the exogenous supply of EAAs, leading to amino acid starvation, cell cycle arrest, and increased apoptosis in TNBC cells. The in vivo experiments, using a 4T1-BALB/c tumor-bearing mouse model, showed that LAT1 targeting inhibited tumor growth and remodeled the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Targeting LAT1 improved PD-L1-associated immune suppression and improved the efficacy of PD-1 antibody treatment, producing synergistic anti-tumor effects. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting LAT1 in TNBC, particularly in remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment. The findings provide a promising strategy for immune combination therapy in TNBC.

Metabolism-associated marker gene-based predictive model for prognosis, targeted therapy, and immune landscape in ovarian cancer: an integrative analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a formidable gynecological tumor marked with the highest mortality rate. The lack of effective biomarkers and treatment drugs places a substantial proportion of patients with OC at significant risk of mortality, primarily due to metastasis. Glycolysis metabolism, lipid metabolism, choline metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism are closely intertwined with the occurrence and progression of OC. Thus, it is of utmost significance to identify potent prognostic biomarkers and delve into the exploration of novel therapeutic drugs and targets, in pursuit of advancing the treatment of OC.

METHODS

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data related to OC were analyzed using AUCell scores to identify subpopulations at the single-cell level. The "AddModuleScore" function of the "Seurat" package was adopted to score and select marker genes from four gene sets: glycolysis metabolism, lipid metabolism, choline metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism. A prognostic model for metabolism-related genes (MRGs) was constructed and validated using OC-related marker genes selected from bulk RNAseq data. The MRG-based prognostic model was further utilized for functional analysis of the model gene set, pan-cancer analysis of genomic variations, spatial transcriptomics analysis, as well as GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithms were utilized for assessing the immune microenvironment of TCGA-ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV) samples. Furthermore, the Tracking Tumor Immunophenotype (TIP) database was employed to examine the anti-cancer immune response in patients with OC. To gain a more in-depth understanding of the process, the frequency of somatic mutations and different types of mutated genes were visualized through the somatic mutation profile of the TCGA database. Moreover, the benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in individuals with OC were predicted in the TIDE database. In addition, the CMap database was used to predict small-molecule drugs for the treatment of OC. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR, CCK-8, Transwell assay, and in vivo tumor xenograft experiments were conducted to validate the prognostic ability of the MRG Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 (TREM1) in OC.

RESULTS

Monocytes were selected using AUCell scoring, and two subpopulations of monocytes, marked by the expression of C1QC+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and FCN1+ resident tissue macrophages (RTMs), were identified as marker genes for OC. Subsequently, a prognostic model consisting of 12 MRGs was constructed and validated. Genomic exploration of the prognostic model unveiled an array of biological functions linked with metabolism. Furthermore, copy number variation (CNV), mRNA expression, single nucleotide variation (SNV), and methylation were significantly different across diverse tumors. Analysis of the TIP database demonstrated that the low-risk group, as determined by the MRG-based prognostic model, exhibited significantly higher anti-cancer immune activity relative to the high-risk group. Furthermore, predictions from the TIDE database revealed that individuals in the high-risk group were more prone to immune evasion when treated with ICIs. The resulting data identified candesartan and PD-123319 as potential therapeutic drugs for OC, possibly acting on the target ATGR2. In vitro and in vivo experiments elucidated that the targeted downregulation of TREM1 effectively inhibited the proliferation and migration of OC cells.

CONCLUSION

The MRG-based prognostic model constructed through the combined analysis of glycolysis metabolism, lipid metabolism, choline metabolism, and sphingolipid metabolism is potentially effective as a prognostic biomarker. Furthermore, candesartan and PD-123319 may be potential therapeutic drugs for OC, possibly acting on the target ATGR2.

Multiplex Methionine Modulating Hydrogel for Cancer Metabolic Therapy

The reliance on high levels of methionine by tumor cells provides an attractive target for cancer treatment. However, systemic methionine blockade may raise concerns about potential side effects given the broad and essential functions of methionine in cellular metabolism. Here, a combined drug delivery platform for multilayered constraint of methionine within tumor lesions is developed. Small molecule inhibitors PF9366 and adenosine dialdehyde are encapsulated by tumor cell-targeting nanoparticles (NPs) to achieve a cascaded blockage of intracellular methionine metabolism. These NPs are further co-loaded with the extracellular methionine uptake inhibitor JPH203 into a type of reactive oxygen species-sensitive hydrogel, assembling the multiplex methionine modulating hydrogel (3 M Gel). In murine models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal cancer, the in situ formed 3 M Gel exhibits superior efficacy in restricting S-adenosyl methionine generation and histone methylation, stimulating immunogenic cell death in tumor cells, thereby eliciting potent innate and adaptive immune responses to restrain tumor progression. Moreover, remodeling of the tumor microenvironment by 3 M Gel overcomes immune checkpoint blockade resistance in TNBC. This study presents a localized triple regulation strategy and paves a new path for amino acid starvation-based cancer therapy.

PANoptosis as a Two-Edged Sword in Colorectal Cancer: A Pathogenic Mechanism and Therapeutic Opportunity

The examination of PANoptosis in colorectal cancer is particularly important, as many tumor cells can evade apoptotic cell death while continuing to proliferate through inflammatory mediators and creating an immunosuppressive environment. The PANoptosome functions as a regulatory complex that unites proteins governing pyroptotic, apoptotic, and necroptotic pathways, rather than allowing distinct death pathways to compete. The expression and functional status of key molecules within the PANoptosome, such as ZBP1, RIPK1, RIPK3, CASP8, and ASC, may influence tumor viability and immune detection. The tumorigenic impact of PANoptosis is complex and predominantly manifests through chronic inflammation, immune response modulation, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. PANoptosis also aids in the defense against colon cancer by directly eradicating tumor cells and modifying the cellular environment. The expression profile of PANoptosis components may possess prognostic and predictive significance. The therapeutic ramifications of PANoptosis in colorectal cancer are now being investigated through many avenues. It provides an opportunity to develop targeted therapeutic techniques. In contrast, it may also be pertinent in conjunction with immunotherapy, as PANoptosis signifies an immunogenic type of cell death and may consequently enhance the anti-tumor immune response. A thorough comprehension of how these parameters influence PANoptosis is crucial for practical implementation.

Metabolic changes in neuroendocrine neoplasms

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of highly heterogeneous neoplasms originating from neuroendocrine cells with a gradually increased incidence. Metabolic change is one of the recognized markers of tumor progression, which has been extensively and systematically studied in other malignant tumors. However, metabolic change in NENs has been relatively poorly studied, and systematic reviews are lacking. We reviewed the relationship between metabolic changes and NENs from the aspects of glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, metabolic syndrome, amino acid metabolism and metabolomics, and discussed the potential therapeutic strategies of metabolic changes for NENs.

NSD1 mutation status determines metabolic inhibitor sensitivity in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas by regulating mitochondrial respiration

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck region, characterized by a high recurrence rate and early metastasis. Despite advances in treatment, patient outcomes and prognosis remain poor, highlighting the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Recent research has increasingly focused on targeting glucose metabolism as a therapeutic strategy for cancer, revealing multiple promising targets and potential drugs. However, the metabolic heterogeneity among tumors leads to variable sensitivity to metabolic inhibitors in different patients, limiting their clinical utility. In this study, we employed bioinformatics analysis, cell experiments, animal models, and multi-omics approaches to reveal differences in glucose metabolism phenotypes among HNSCC patients and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms driving these differences. Our findings showed that NSD1 mutation status affects the glucose metabolism phenotype in HNSCC, with NSD1 wild-type HNSCC exhibiting higher mitochondrial respiration and NSD1 mutant HNSCC showing weaker mitochondrial respiration but enhanced glycolysis. We further demonstrated that NSD1 regulates mitochondrial respiration in HNSCC via epigenetic modulation of the TGFB2/PPARGC1A signaling axis. Additionally, we found that NSD1 wild-type HNSCC is more sensitive to mitochondrial respiration inhibitors, whereas NSD1 mutant HNSCC shows increased sensitivity to glycolysis inhibitors. In summary, we found that NSD1 can epigenetically regulate the TGFB2/PPARGC1A axis to modulate mitochondrial respiration and sensitivity to metabolic inhibitors in HNSCC. These findings suggest a novel strategy for selecting metabolic inhibitors for HNSCC based on the NSD1 gene status of patients. © 2025 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

The Role of Intermittent Fasting in the Activation of Autophagy Processes in the Context of Cancer Diseases

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary approach that influences key metabolic pathways, including autophagy-a crucial mechanism in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Autophagy plays a dual role in oncogenesis, acting both as a tumor suppressor and a survival mechanism under metabolic stress. IF has shown potential for reducing cancer risk and enhancing therapeutic efficacy by sensitizing tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, its effects depend heavily on the type and stage of cancer. Potential risks, such as excessive weight loss and malnutrition, require careful evaluation. Further clinical studies are needed to optimize IF protocols as adjuncts to cancer therapy. This review discusses autophagy mechanisms induced by IF, their therapeutic implications in oncology, and the limitations of this dietary strategy.

Overexpression of MAFG-AS1 in ovarian cancer promotes glucose metabolism reprogramming and malignant biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells by regulating HIF-1α

OBJECTIVE

This research explored the involvement of MAFG-AS1 in metabolic reprogramming and potential molecular mechanisms in ovarian cancer (OC).

METHODS

The ability of MAFG-AS1 silencing to affect the glucose intake, lactate production, ECAR, OCR and ATP concentrations and NAD+/NADH ratios in OC cells was examined. Cell cycle phases and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The influences of MAFG-AS1overexprssion on the above assays were also identified.

RESULTS

A transient reduction in the number of SKOV3 and HO8910 cells in the MAFG-AS1 knockdown group. MAFG-AS1 knockdown can inhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and enhance the number of cells in G2 phase. Silencing MAFG-AS1 can inhibit the glucose uptake rate, extracellular lactate production, and ECAR of OC cells, ATP levels, and can promote OCR and NAD+/ NADH ratio oxidative phosphorylation. Silencing MAFG-AS1 can inhibit HIF-1α in OC.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed silencing MAFG-AS1 could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of OC cells by inhibiting the HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis process. Therefore, this study further potentially reveals the machinery of MAFG-AS1 in regulating OC cell proliferation and apoptosis, which is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the study of new targets.

Targeting HASPIN in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells by lead optimization of thioadenosine analogue

Despite multiple kinase inhibitors having been developed for cancer therapy, mitotic kinases remain difficult to target with small molecules due to severe adverse effects on proliferating normal cells. Recently, HASPIN, a mitotic kinase responsible for histone H3 phosphorylation, has emerged as a promising cancer-specific target. In this study, we synthesized a novel thioadenosine analogue, LJ5157, based on the structure of the previously developed HASPIN inhibitor LJ4827. In silico transcriptome analysis of pancreatic cancer patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas identified HASPIN as not only a cancer-specific target but also a potential key player in overcoming gemcitabine resistance. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of LJ5157, we tested its efficacy in pancreatic cancer cells, particularly gemcitabine-resistant Panc-1 (GR) cells. The inhibitor exhibited potent anti-cancer activity, effectively suppressing the growth of GR cells, which showed more dysregulated cell cycle progression and greater proportion of polyploid cells compared to wild-type Panc-1 cells. Furthermore, it demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing the mitotic population of polyploid GR cells, which correlated with significant tumor growth inhibition in a GR-cell-derived xenograft model. Further optimization of LJ4827 led to development of LJ5242, an analogue with enhanced selectivity for HASPIN and improved cell cycle inhibitory potency. These findings highlight HASPIN inhibition as a promising strategy for targeting chemoresistant pancreatic cancer and further identify thioadenosine as a valuable pharmacophore for developing clinically viable HASPIN inhibitors.

Derlin-3 manipulates the endoplasmic reticulum stress and IgG4 secretion of plasma cells in lung adenocarcinoma

Derlin-3 has been implicated as an essential element in the degradation of misfolded lumenal glycoproteins induced by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, its potential biomechanisms in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we found that Derlin-3 was predominantly elevated in LUAD tissues, and could predict worse prognosis of LUAD patients. ScRNA-seq analysis indicated that Derlin-3 was mainly enriched in B lymphocytes in the TME, especially in plasma cells. Moreover, Derlin-3 may be involved in ER stress and IgG4 secretion in plasma cells by targeting Hrd1/p38/PRDM1 pathway. While the aberrant IgG4 production may be an essential driver of the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype. Additionally, downregulation of Derlin-3 could inhibit plasma cells infiltration and M2 macrophage polarization in vivo. Our results indicated that Derlin-3 could shape TME via ER stress to harness immune function, which might serve as a promising immunotherapeutic target in LUAD.

MTFR2-Mediated Fission Drives Fatty Acid and Mitochondrial Co-Transfer from Hepatic Stellate Cells to Tumor Cells Fueling Oncogenesis

The tumor margin of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a critical zone where cancer cells invade the surrounding stroma, exhibiting unique and more invasive metabolic and migratory features compared to the tumor center, driving tumor expansion beyond the primary lesion. Studies have shown that at this critical interface, HCC cells primarily rely on fatty acid oxidation to meet their energy demands, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study demonstrates that activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) at the tumor margin play a pivotal role in sustaining the metabolic needs of HCC cells. Specifically, it is discovered that mitochondrial fission regulator 2 (MTFR2) in HSCs interacts with dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1, a known mitochondrial fission machinery), preventing its lysosomal degradation, which in turn promotes mitochondrial fission. This MTFR2-driven mitochondrial fission enhances the transfer of both fatty acids and mitochondria to HCC cells, supplying essential metabolic substrates and reinforcing the mitochondrial machinery critical for tumor growth. The findings suggest that targeting MTFR2-driven mitochondrial fission may offer a novel therapeutic avenue for interfering with the metabolic crosstalk between tumor cells and the stromal niche.

Advances in the mechanisms of HIF-1α-enhanced tumor glycolysis and its relation to dedifferentiation

Metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of malignancy, enables tumor cells to adapt to the harsh and dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME) by altering metabolic pathways. Hypoxia, prevalent in solid tumors, activates hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). HIF-1α drives metabolic reprogramming, enhancing glycolysis primarily through the Warburg effect to reduce oxygen dependence and facilitate tumor cell growth/proliferation. The above process is associated with accelerated tumor cell dedifferentiation and enhanced stemness, generating cancer stem cells (CSCs) which possesses the potential for self-renewal and differentiation that can differentiate into a wide range of subtypes of tumor cells and fuel tumor heterogeneity, metastasis, and recurrence, complicating therapy. This review examines the HIF-1α-glycolysis-dedifferentiation crosstalk mechanisms, expecting that indirect inhibition of HIF-1α by targeting metabolic enzymes, metabolites, or their signaling pathways will offer an effective therapeutic strategy to improve the cancer treatment outcomes.

Oxygen-regulated enzymatic nanoplatform for synchronous intervention in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation to augment antitumor therapy

Tumor cells typically undergo metabolic reprogramming to obtain substantial energy via glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Intervening in this reprogramming is expected to have therapeutic effects, but simultaneous intervention in these two metabolic pathways is challenging. Herein, we developed an "open-source and throttling" oxygen (O₂) modulation strategy by which we can simultaneously intervene in these two metabolic pathways. Our O₂ modulation nanoplatform (denoted as OAGO) is fabricated via the self-assembly of glucose oxidase (GOx) and oligomycin A (OA) and is coated with bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). OAGO elicits simultaneous GOx-mediated inhibition of glycolysis and OA-induced inhibition of OXPHOS. The resulting production of GOx-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide leads to oxidative stress, which exacerbates the inhibition of mitochondrial function. Meanwhile, OA reduces intratumoral O₂ consumption (i.e., the "throttling" strategy), and OMVs increase the tumor blood O₂ level (i.e., the "open-source" strategy). This results in an increase in O₂ levels for GOx catalysis, thereby exacerbating energy consumption. In addition, OMVs increase intratumoral OAGO accumulation and enable photothermal therapy in the 4T1 mouse model, which also raises the tumor blood O₂ level and benefits GOx catalysis. This synchronous intervention in two metabolic pathways alongside O₂ modulation constitutes a promising approach for efficient antitumor therapy.

Research trends on lactate in cancer: a bibliometric analysis and comprehensive review (2015-2024)

Objective

A bibliometric approach was employed to systematically analyze the trends and potential future developments in lactic acid-related cancer research over the past 10 years.

Method

We conducted a bibliometric analysis of literature on lactic acid in cancer research from 2015 to 2024, using data collected from the Web of Science database. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify general research directions and trends in current publications, as well as to determine the most prolific and influential authors, institutions, countries, and keywords in lactate and cancer research. The data were collected and analyzed using VOSviewer (Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands), Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, USA), CiteSpace, and Biblioshiny, with a focus on analysis and visualization.

Results

A total of 5,999 publications were analyzed, focusing on various aspects of the relevant literature, including year of publication, country, institution, author, journal, category, keywords, and research frontiers. The analysis of these publications reveals a general upward trend in publication volume from 2015 to 2024, with China and University of California System emerging as the most prolific country and institution, respectively. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS is the most frequently published journal, while Oncotarget is the most cited journal in the field. Zhang Y. was the most prolific author, publishing 100 documents over 10 years, with the highest citation count and an H-index of 28.Keyword analysis revealed five key themes in lactate-cancer research (2013-2023): Metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk, Tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment, Innovative therapies/drug delivery, Lactate-mediated signaling, Metabolic-targeted treatment strategies. Current research emphasizes the application of lactic acid metabolism in metabolic intervention, immune microenvironment regulation, combination of new therapeutic techniques and applications in specific cancer types.

Conclusion

Research on lactic acid in cancer is growing rapidly, with China at the forefront of this field. Research into lactic acid's role in immune cell regulation, metabolism, and signaling pathways, combined with multi-modal imaging, big data analytics, and innovative drug delivery, is set to become a key trend in future studies, which promises new directions for identifying therapeutic targets, biomarkers, and developing advanced treatments.

Metabolic pathway analysis of tumors using stable isotopes

Metabolic reprogramming is pivotal in malignant transformation and cancer progression. Tumor metabolism is shaped by a complex interplay of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that are not yet fully elucidated. It is of great value to unravel the complex metabolic activity of tumors in patients. Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) is a versatile technique for investigating tumor metabolism in vivo, it has increasingly been applied to the assessment of metabolic activity in cancer in the past decade. Stable-isotope tracing have shown that human tumors use diverse nutrients to fuel central metabolic pathways, such as the tricarboxylic acid cycle and macromolecule synthesis. Precisely how tumors use different fuels, and the contribution of alternative metabolic pathways in tumor progression, remain areas of intensive investigation. In this review, we systematically summarize the evidence from in vivo stable- isotope tracing in tumors and describe the catabolic and anabolic processes involved in altered tumor metabolism. We also discuss current challenges and future perspectives for MFA of human cancers, which may provide new approaches in diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

SSRP1/SLC3A2 Axis in Arginine Transport: A New Target for Overcoming Immune Evasion and Tumor Progression in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of mature T-cell malignancies with poor prognosis. Therefore, improved therapies are urgently required to improve patient outcomes. In this study, metabolic inhibitor drug screening reveals that quinacrine elicits excellent antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo by downregulating intracellular arginine levels in PTCL. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses reveal aberrant arginine metabolism in patients with PTCL, characterized by excessive solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2) mediated arginine uptake preferentially in tumor cells. High SLC3A2 expression predicts poor outcomes in PTCL, as SLC3A2-mediated arginine uptake promotes the malignant behaviors of tumor cells and induces tumor immune escape, thereby fueling tumor progression. Mechanistically, high arginine levels induce global metabolic changes, including enhanced oxidative phosphorylation by promoting nascent RNA synthesis. This work identifies structure-specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1), which upregulates SLC3A2, as a co-transcription factor with JUNB. Quinacrine disrupts SLC3A2-mediated arginine transport by targeting SSRP1. Combining quinacrine with histone deacetylase inhibitors is a promising therapeutic strategy for PTCL.

KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer: impacts on tumor microenvironment and therapeutic implications

INTRODUCTION

Despite decreasing trends in incidence, colorectal cancer (CRC) is still a major contributor to malignancy-related morbidities and mortalities. Groundbreaking advances in immunotherapies and targeted therapies benefit a subset of CRC patients, with sub-optimal outcomes. Hence, there is an unmet need to design and manufacture novel therapies, especially for advanced/metastatic disease. KRAS, the most highly mutated proto-oncogene across human malignancies, particularly in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and CRC, is an on-off switch and governs several fundamental cell signaling cascades. KRAS mutations not only propel the progression and metastasis of CRC but also critically modulate responses to targeted therapies.

AREAS COVERED

We discuss the impacts of KRAS mutations on the CRC's tumor microenvironment and describe novel strategies for targeting KRAS and its associated signaling cascades and mechanisms of drug resistance.

EXPERT OPINION

Drug development against KRAS mutations has been challenging, mainly due to structural properties (offering no appropriate binding site for small molecules), critical functions of the wild-type KRAS in non-cancerous cells, and the complex network of its downstream effector pathways (allowing malignant cells to develop resistance). Pre-clinical and early clinical data offer promises for combining KRAS inhibitors with immunotherapies and targeted therapies.

m6A/IGF2BP3-driven serine biosynthesis fuels AML stemness and metabolic vulnerability

Metabolic reprogramming of amino acids represents a vulnerability in cancer cells, yet the mechanisms underlying serine metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and leukemia stem/initiating cells (LSCs/LICs) remain unclear. Here, we identify RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification as a key regulator of serine biosynthesis in AML. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 screen, we find that depletion of m6A regulators IGF2BP3 or METTL14 sensitizes AML cells to serine and glycine (SG) deprivation. IGF2BP3 recognizies m6A on mRNAs of key serine synthesis pathway (SSP) genes (e.g., ATF4, PHGDH, PSAT1), stabilizing these transcripts and sustaining serine production to meet the high metabolic demand of AML cells and LSCs/LICs. IGF2BP3 silencing combined with dietary SG restriction potently inhibits AML in vitro and in vivo, while its deletion spares normal hematopoiesis. Our findings reveal the critical role of m6A modification in the serine metabolic vulnerability of AML and highlight the IGF2BP3/m6A/SSP axis as a promising therapeutic target.

Potential mechanism of inhibitory effect of "medicine food homology" curcumin and its analogue EF24 on oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of head and neck with high incidence and poor prognosis. Curcumin, as a drug-food congener, has a broad spectrum of anticancer effects, and based on this property, we further focused on EF24, a small molecule compound using curcumin as a backbone, to study the effects of both in OSCC.

METHODS

Cell experiments were performed to test the inhibitory effect of curcumin and EF24 on OSCC cells. The potential mechanism was further analyzed by transcriptome sequencing, and the DEGs after drug treatment were determined. PPI networks were created using Cytoscape software.

RESULTS

Both curcumin and EF24 inhibit the viability, migration, and invasion, and induce apoptosis of OSCC cells and the IC50 of EF24 was much lower than that of curcumin. Analysis of DEGs identified 893 DEGs following curcumin treatment, of which 794 were up-regulated and 99 were down-regulated; 797 DEGs following EF24 treatment were identified, of which 665 were up-regulated and 132 were down-regulated. Curcumin and EF24 were found to down-regulate lipid metabolism by key enzymes that regulate fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis. Furthermore, the number of T cell CD4 + memory is up-regulated and the immune response is enhanced.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that curcumin and EF24 inhibit the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells and at the same time regulate TME, and improve the immunotherapy of tumors, which opens the way for the future treatment of OSCC with this approach alone or in conjunction with immune-checkpoint blocking.

Arginine Deprivation Induces Quiescence and Confers Vulnerability to Ferroptosis in Colorectal Cancer

Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer. Rewiring of amino acid metabolic processes provides the basis for amino acid deprivation therapies. In this study, we found that arginine biosynthesis is limited in colorectal cancer because of the deficiency of ornithine transcarbamylase. Accordingly, colorectal cancer cells met the demand for arginine by increasing external uptake. The addiction to environmental arginine resulted in the susceptibility of colorectal cancer to arginine deprivation, which dramatically decreased proliferation in colorectal cancer cells and promoted these cells to enter a reversible quiescence state. Arginine deprivation induced quiescence by activating the AMPK-p53-p21 pathway. RNA sequencing data indicated that colorectal cancer cells may be vulnerable to ferroptosis during arginine deprivation and the combination of ferroptosis inducers and arginine deprivation strongly impeded tumor growth in vivo. These findings suggest that dietary modification combined with ferroptosis induction could be a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer. Significance: Colorectal cancer dependency on arginine uptake creates a metabolic vulnerability to arginine deficiency that causes cell cycle arrest and ferroptosis sensitivity, highlighting arginine deprivation plus ferroptosis induction as a promising treatment.

Metabolic crosstalk between platelets and cancer: Mechanisms, functions, and therapeutic potential

Platelets, traditionally regarded as passive mediators of hemostasis, are now recognized as pivotal regulators in the tumor microenvironment, establishing metabolic feedback loops with tumor and immune cells. Tumor-derived signals trigger platelet activation, which induces rapid metabolic reprogramming, particularly glycolysis, to support activation-dependent functions such as granule secretion, morphological changes, and aggregation. Beyond self-regulation, platelets influence the metabolic processes of adjacent cells. Through direct mitochondrial transfer, platelets reprogram tumor and immune cells, promoting oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, platelet-derived cytokines, granules, and extracellular vesicles drive metabolic alterations in immune cells, fostering suppressive phenotypes that facilitate tumor progression. This review examines three critical aspects: (1) the distinctive metabolic features of platelets, particularly under tumor-induced activation; (2) the metabolic crosstalk between activated platelets and other cellular components; and (3) the therapeutic potential of targeting platelet metabolism to disrupt tumor-promoting networks. By elucidating platelet metabolism, this review highlights its essential role in tumor biology and its therapeutic implications.

MTFR1 phosphorylation-activated adaptive mitochondrial fusion is essential for colon cancer cell survival during glucose deprivation

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial dynamics are essential for maintaining cellular function under metabolic stress. However, their role in colon cancer's response to glucose deprivation remains poorly understood.

METHODS

The role of the mitochondrial protein MTFR1 in colon cancer proliferation was evaluated using CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Mass spectrometry identified MTFR1-interacting proteins and phosphorylation sites. Mitochondrial morphology was examined with Mitotracker staining, and mitochondrial function was evaluated using MitoSOX, JC-1 staining, and the Seahorse cell mitochondrial stress test.

RESULTS

We observed that MTFR1 is highly expressed in colon cancer cells and interacts with NEK1 under glucose deprivation. This interaction induces phosphorylation of MTFR1 at serine 119, which promotes mitochondrial fusion and supports mitochondrial function. Consequently, enhanced oxidative phosphorylation improves cellular tolerance to glucose deprivation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the importance of MTFR1 in modulating mitochondrial dynamics and its potential impact on colon cancer cell survival under metabolic stress. These results suggest that MTFR1 serine 119 could be a key regulator of colon cancer cell metabolism and a potential therapeutic target for enhancing cancer cell response to metabolic challenges.

Serum metabolic fingerprints encode functional biomarkers for ovarian cancer diagnosis: a large-scale cohort study

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) ranks as the most lethal gynaecological malignancy worldwide, with early diagnosis being crucial yet challenging. Current diagnostic methods like transvaginal ultrasound and blood biomarkers show limited sensitivity/specificity. This study aimed to identify and validate serum metabolic biomarkers for OC diagnosis using the largest cohort reported to date.

METHODS

We constructed a large-scale OC-associated cohort of 1432 subjects, including 662 OC, 563 benign ovarian disease, and 207 healthy control subjects, across retrospective (n = 1073) and set-aside validation (n = 359) cohorts. Serum metabolic fingerprints (SMFs) were recorded using nanoparticle-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (NELDI-MS). A diagnostic panel was developed through machine learning of SMFs in the discovery cohort and validated in independent verification and set-aside validation cohorts. The identified metabolic biomarkers were further validated using liquid chromatography MS and their biological functions were assessed in OC cell lines.

FINDINGS

We identified a metabolic biomarker panel including glucose, histidine, pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid, and dihydrothymine. This panel achieved consistent areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.87-0.89 for distinguishing between malignant and benign ovarian masses across all cohorts, and improved to AUCs of 0.95-0.99 when combined with risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA). In vitro validation provided initial biological context for the metabolic alterations observed in our diagnostic panel.

INTERPRETATION

Our study established a reliable serum metabolic biomarker panel for OC diagnosis with potential clinical translations. The NELDI-MS based approach offers advantages of fast analytical speed (∼30 s/sample) and low cost (∼2-3 dollars/sample), making it suitable for large-scale clinical applications.

FUNDING

MOST (2021YFA0910100), NSFC (82421001, 823B2050, 824B2059, and 82173077), Medical-Engineering Joint Funds of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (YG2021GD02, YG2024ZD07, and YG2023ZD08), Shanghai Science and Technology Committee Project (23JC1403000), Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning (2021-01-07-00-02-E00083), Shanghai Jiao Tong University Inner Mongolia Research Institute (2022XYJG0001-01-16), Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology (2024YFHZ0176), Innovation Research Plan by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (ZXWF082101), Innovative Research Team of High-Level Local Universities in Shanghai (SHSMU-ZDCX20210700), Basic-Clinical Collaborative Innovation Project from Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2024A1515013255).

Role of lysine lactylation in neoplastic and inflammatory pulmonary diseases (Review)

Protein lysine lactylation is a ubiquitous and post‑translational modification of lysine residues that involves the addition of a lactyl group on both histone and non‑histone proteins. This process plays a pivotal role in human health and disease and was first discovered in 2019. This epigenetic modification regulates gene transcription from chromatin or directly influences non‑histone proteins by modulating protein‑DNA/protein interactions, activity and stability. The dual functions of lactylation in both histone and non‑histone proteins establish it as a crucial mechanism involved in various cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, immune and inflammatory responses and metabolism. Specific enzymes, referred to as 'writers' and 'erasers', catalyze the addition or removal of lactyl groups at designated lysine sites, thereby dynamically modulating lactylation through alterations in their enzymatic activities. The respiratory system has a remarkably intricate metabolic profile. Numerous pulmonary diseases feature an atypical transition towards glycolytic metabolism, which is linked to an overproduction of lactate, a possible substrate for lactylation. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive review elucidating the full impact of lactylation on the onset, progression and potential treatment of neoplastic and inflammatory pulmonary diseases. In the present review, an extensive overview of the discovery of lactylation and advancements in research on the existing lactylation sites were discussed. Furthermore, the review particularly investigated the potential roles and mechanisms of histone and non‑histone lactylation in various neoplastic and inflammatory pulmonary diseases, including non‑small cell lung cancers, malignant pleural effusion, pulmonary fibrosis, acute lung injury and asthma, to excavate the new therapeutic effects of post‑translational modification on various pulmonary diseases.

An ISR-independent role of GCN2 prevents excessive ribosome biogenesis and mRNA translation

The integrated stress response (ISR) is a corrective physiological programme to restore cellular homeostasis that is based on the attenuation of global protein synthesis and a resource-enhancing transcriptional programme. GCN2 is the oldest of four kinases that are activated by diverse cellular stresses to trigger the ISR and acts as the primary responder to amino acid shortage and ribosome collisions. Here, using a broad multi-omics approach, we uncover an ISR-independent role of GCN2. GCN2 inhibition or depletion in the absence of discernible stress causes excessive protein synthesis and ribosome biogenesis, perturbs the cellular translatome, and results in a dynamic and broad loss of metabolic homeostasis. Cancer cells that rely on GCN2 to keep protein synthesis in check under conditions of full nutrient availability depend on GCN2 for survival and unrestricted tumour growth. Our observations describe an ISR-independent role of GCN2 in regulating the cellular proteome and translatome and suggest new avenues for cancer therapies based on unleashing excessive mRNA translation.

SLC7A5/E2F1/PTBP1/PKM2 axis mediates progression and therapy effect of triple-negative breast cancer through the crosstalk of amino acid metabolism and glycolysis pathway

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most challenging malignancies with the highest mortality rates among women. TNBC relies on both amino acid metabolism and glycolysis to fuel its bioenergetic and biosynthetic demands. However, the potential crosstalk between these two metabolic pathways and its impact on TNBC progression remain largely unexplored. In this study, we observed that SLC7A5, a key amino acid transporter, was upregulated in TNBC and strongly associated with poor patient prognosis. We demonstrated that the elevated SLC7A5 expression activated the amino acid pathway and promoted cell proliferation, tumor growth, and therapeutic resistance by inducing the switch from PKM1 to PKM2 expression, thereby mediating the crosstalk between amino acid metabolism and glycolysis. We further identified that the upregulation of SLC7A5 resulted from miR-152 suppression, which regulates TNBC cellular function and tumor growth. In addition, the miR-152/SLC7A5 axis mediated the expression of PTBP1, which maintains the balance between PKM1 and PKM2, linking amino acid signaling with the glycolysis pathway. To further understand the mechanism of PTBP1 upregulation, we identified that E2F1 transcriptionally activated PTBP1 expression through direct binding at the seed site, while E2F1 expression was also induced by SLC7A5 in TNBC. This novel SLC7A5/E2F1/PTBP1 axis plays a crucial role in regulating the crosstalk between amino acid signaling and glycolysis in TNBC and is essential for TNBC progression and therapeutic effectiveness. Our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying TNBC metabolic reprogramming and highlight potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.

The roles of enhancer, especially super-enhancer-driven genes in tumor metabolism and immunity

Abnormal metabolism is a characteristic of malignant tumors. Numerous factors play roles in the regulation of tumor metabolism. As epigenetic regulators, enhancers, especially the super-enhancers (SEs), serve as platforms for transcription factors that regulate the expression of metabolism-related enzymes or transporters at the gene level. In this study, we review the effects of enhancer/ SE-driven genes on tumor metabolism and immunity. Enhancers/SEs play regulatory roles in glucose metabolism (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, pyruvate, and pentose phosphate pathway, lipid metabolism (cholesterol, fatty acid, phosphatide, and sphingolipid), and amino acid metabolism (glutamine, tryptophan, arginine, and cystine). By regulating tumor metabolism, enhancers and SEs can reprogram tumor microenvironment, especially the status of various immune cells. Therefore, interfering enhancers/SEs that regulate the tumor metabolism is likely to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy.