Dietary pro-oxidant therapy by a vitamin K precursor targets PI 3-kinase VPS34 function

Selenium supplementation protects cancer cells from the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by the combination of ascorbate and menadione sodium bisulfite

The combination of ascorbate (vitamin C) and menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB, vitamin K3), here called VC/VK3 (also named Apatone®, or M/A), has shown selective cytotoxicity in cancer cells and is under clinical investigation as a cancer therapy. However, the mechanisms of VC/VK3-induced cell death are not fully understood. In this in vitro study using human glioblastoma and non-transformed glial cell lines, we found that VC/VK3 caused higher toxicity in cancer cells in an H2O2- and iron-dependent manner, suggesting that ferroptosis may play a role in the cell death process. Furthermore, selenium supplementation significantly protected cancer cells from VC/VK3 treatment concomitantly with enhanced expression levels and enzymatic activity of antioxidant selenoproteins, including thioredoxin reductases (TXNRDs) and glutathione reductases (GPXs). We also found that VC/VK3 competes for electrons with thioredoxin (TXN), impairing peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) in cells. Finally, chemically inhibiting TXNRDs or the glutathione-dependent antioxidant systems exaggerated the toxicity of VC/VK3. Overall, this study elucidated parts of the cell death mechanisms of VC/VK3 and identified combination strategies to overcome selenium-mediated resistance, advancing the translational potential of this prooxidant treatment.

Tegavivint triggers TECR-dependent nonapoptotic cancer cell death

Small molecules that induce nonapoptotic cell death are of fundamental mechanistic interest and may be useful to treat certain cancers. Here we report that tegavivint, a drug candidate undergoing human clinical trials, can activate a unique mechanism of nonapoptotic cell death in sarcomas and other cancer cells. This lethal mechanism is distinct from ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis and requires the lipid metabolic enzyme trans-2,3-enoyl-CoA reductase (TECR). TECR is canonically involved in the synthesis of very-long-chain fatty acids but appears to promote nonapoptotic cell death in response to CIL56 and tegavivint via the synthesis of the saturated long-chain fatty acid palmitate. These findings outline a lipid-dependent nonapoptotic cell death mechanism that can be induced by a drug candidate currently being tested in humans.

Neural Excitatory/Inhibitory Imbalance in Motor Aging: From Genetic Mechanisms to Therapeutic Challenges

Neural excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance plays a pivotal role in the aging process. However, despite its significant impact, the role of E/I imbalance in motor dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases has not received sufficient attention. This review explores the mechanisms underlying motor aging through the lens of E/I balance, emphasizing genetic and molecular factors that contribute to this imbalance (such as SCN2A, CACNA1C, GABRB3, GRIN2A, SYT, BDNF…). Key regulatory genes, including REST, vps-34, and STXBP1, are examined for their roles in modulating synaptic activity and neuronal function during aging. With insights drawn from ALS, we discuss how disruptions in E/I balance contribute to the pathophysiology of age-related motor dysfunction. The genes discussed above exhibit a certain association with age-related motor neuron diseases (like ALS), a relationship that had not been previously recognized. Innovative genetic therapies, such as gene editing technology and optogenetic manipulation, are emerging as promising tools for restoring E/I balance, offering hope for ameliorating motor deficits in aging. This review explores the potential of these technologies to intervene in aging-related motor diseases, despite challenges in their direct application to human conditions.

Oxidative Stress and Redox Signaling in Gastric Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Implications

Oxidative stress, which is characterized by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses, has critical roles in the initiation, progression, and treatment of gastric cancer. On the one hand, an excessive ROS accumulation induces oxidative damage and cancer cell death. On the other hand, moderate levels of ROS cause genetic mutations and dysregulation of signaling pathways to promote proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis in gastric cancer. Notably, emerging evidence has revealed that ROS also mediate oxidative post-translational modifications (oxPTMs) of redox-sensitive proteins, which can directly affect protein functions and regulate redox signaling in cancer cells. Therefore, elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of oxidative stress and redox signaling in gastric cancer holds great promise to identify novel therapeutic targets or redox-targeting strategies. This review will summarize the mechanisms of oxidative stress in regulating the hallmarks of gastric cancer and highlight the roles of ROS-mediated oxPTMs in gastric cancer. In addition, we will discuss emerging strategies targeting oxidative stress for the treatment of gastric cancer, with an emphasis on the use of bioactive natural products and nanomaterials.

A clinical drug candidate that triggers non-apoptotic cancer cell death

Small molecules that induce non-apoptotic cell death are of fundamental mechanistic interest and may be useful to treat certain cancers. Here, we report that tegavivint, a drug candidate undergoing human clinical trials, can activate a unique mechanism of non-apoptotic cell death in sarcomas and other cancer cells. This lethal mechanism is distinct from ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis and requires the lipid metabolic enzyme trans-2,3-enoyl-CoA reductase (TECR). TECR is canonically involved in the synthesis of very long chain fatty acids but appears to promote non-apoptotic cell death in response to CIL56 and tegavivint via the synthesis of the saturated long-chain fatty acid palmitate. These findings outline a lipid-dependent non-apoptotic cell death mechanism that can be induced by a drug candidate currently being tested in humans.

A pro-oxidant suppresses unrelated diseases

A lipid kinase inhibitor ameliorates both prostate cancer and a muscle disease in mice.