Ursolic acid inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of human papillary thyroid carcinoma cells via CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis through cancer-associated fibroblasts

Triterpenes of Prunella vulgaris Inhibit Triple-Negative Breast Cancer by Regulating PTP1B/PI3K/AKT/mTOR and IL-24/CXCL12/CXCR4 Pathways

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer characterized by high molecular heterogeneity. Owing to the lack of effective therapeutic strategies, patients with TNBC have a poor prognosis. Prunella vulgaris L. has the effects of reducing swelling, dissolving knots and treating breast carbuncles and mammary rocks. Modern pharmacological studies have reported that it can effectively inhibit the growth of breast cancer. The main active antitumor components of Prunella vulgaris are triterpenoids (PVT); however, the role and potential mechanism of PVT in TNBC remain unexplored. Our study aimed to further explore the inhibitory effects of PVT on TNBC and the associated mechanism. The results showed that 19 compounds associated with PVT were identified, 9 of which were triterpenoids. The percentages of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid in PVT were 34.51% and 11.32%, respectively. Triterpenes of Prunella vulgaris significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells and promoted their apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. PVT could also effectively downregulate the mRNA and protein expression levels of Ptp1b, Pi3k, Akt and mtor and upregulate the mRNA and protein expression levels of Il-24 in MDA-MB-231 cells. In mice with tumors of TNBC, PVT significantly reduced tumor growth and the expression levels of PTP1B, CXCL12, CXCR4, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and other proteins in TNBC tumor tissue and upregulated the expression of IL-24. This study showed that PVT played an anti-TNBC role by regulating the PTP1B/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the IL-24/CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis.

Transcriptome sequencing and identification of full-length genes involved in the biosynthesis of anticancer compounds Oleanolic acid and Ursolic acid in Achyranthes aspera L

Achyranthes aspera is renowned for its rich medicinal properties since the Ayurvedic era. This plant is known for the presence of experimentally validated anticancer compounds like oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA). Our study involved sequencing the RNA from the root tissue of A. aspera to elucidate the genes responsible for synthesizing these two critical secondary metabolites. Through RNA-Seq analysis, we assembled approximately 167,698 transcripts, averaging 847 base pairs in length, with an N50 value of 1509 bp. From this data, we mapped 604 sequences involved in the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketide pathways. Among them, 241 transcripts were mapped to the triterpenoid biosynthesis pathway, which included 127 transcripts involved in OA and UA biosynthesis. From these transcripts, we identified 22 full-length genes coding for all the 21 enzymes required for OA and UA biosynthesis. Identifying these full-length genes will lead to a better understanding of the pathway and adopting genetic engineering approaches.

Thymic epithelial cell responses to the friedelin triterpene in vitro

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) dysfunction can lead to disorders in the adaptive immune response, resulting in immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases. Therefore, the investigation of new drugs with immunomodulatory capacity can contribute to the development of strategies to improve thymic functions. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of the pentacyclic triterpene friedelin (FD) on TEC biology. For this, murine 2BH4 cells were treated with 0.1 and 1 μM FD for 24 h. After treatment, fibronectin and laminin production was increased (16% and 37% respectively) by TECs, however it did not alter the expression of CXCL12 chemokine. The interaction between TEC and thymocytes was also evaluated, in which a greater adhesion (45%) and survival (228%) of thymocytes to treated-TECs was observed. MHC molecules were up-regulated by FD treatment plus thymocyte coculture. Based on these results it was possible to attest that FD has an important and promissory role in the physiology of murine TECs.

Promising Approaches in Plant-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer: An Overview of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Trial Studies

Thyroid cancer, particularly undifferentiated tumors, poses a significant challenge due to its limited response to standard therapies. The incidence of thyroid cancer, predominantly differentiated carcinomas, is on the rise globally. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), though rare, is highly aggressive and challenging to treat. Therefore, this study aimed to collect data and explore alternative treatments, focusing on the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with natural compounds as well as the potential role of phytochemicals, including quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, genistein, daidzein, naringenin, hesperitin, anthocyanidins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, curcumin, saponins, ursolic acid, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), capsaicin, and piperine in thyroid cancer treatment. PDT, utilizing sensitizers activated by tumor-directed light, demonstrates promising specificity compared to traditional treatments. Combining PDT with natural photosensitizers, such as hypericin and genistein, enhances cytotoxicity against thyroid carcinoma cells. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge on phytochemicals and their anti-proliferative effects in in vitro and in vivo studies, emphasizing their effectiveness and mechanism of action as a novel therapeutic approach for thyroid cancers, especially those refractory to standard treatments.

Heterotypic signaling of cancer-associated fibroblasts in shaping the cancer cell drug resistance

The context-dependent reciprocal interaction between the cancer cells and surrounding fibroblasts is imperative for regulating malignant potential, metabolic reprogramming, immunosuppression, and ECM deposition. However, recent evidence also suggests that cancer-associated fibroblasts induce chemoresistance in cancer cells to various anticancer regimens. Because of the protumorigenic function of cancer-associated fibroblasts, these stromal cell types have emerged as fascinating therapeutic targets for cancer. However, this notion was recently challenged by studies that targeted cancer-associated fibroblasts and highlighted the underlying heterogeneity by identifying a subset of these cells with tumor-restricting functions. Hence, it is imperative to understand the heterogeneity and heterotypic signaling of cancer-associated fibroblasts to target tumor-promoting signaling processes by sparing tumor-restricting ones. In this review, we discuss the heterogeneity and heterotypic signaling of cancer-associated fibroblasts in shaping drug resistance and also list the cancer-associated fibroblast-targeting therapeutics.

Thyroid Cancer and Fibroblasts

Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine cancer, and its prevalence continue to rise. Non-metastatic thyroid cancer patients are successfully treated. However, looking for new therapeutic strategies is of great importance for metastatic thyroid cancers that still lead to death. With respect to this, the tumor microenvironment (TME), which plays a key role in tumor progression, should be considered as a new promising therapeutic target to hamper thyroid cancer progression. Indeed, thyroid tumors consist of cancer cells and a heterogeneous and ever-changing niche, represented by the TME, which contributes to establishing most of the features of cancer cells. The TME consists of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, soluble factors, metabolites, blood and lymphatic tumor vessels and several stromal cell types that, by interacting with each other and with tumor cells, affect TME remodeling, cancer growth and progression. Among the thyroid TME components, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have gained more attention in the last years. Indeed, recent important evidence showed that thyroid CAFs strongly sustain thyroid cancer growth and progression by producing soluble factors and ECM proteins, which, in turn, deeply affect thyroid cancer cell behavior and aggressiveness. Hence, in this article, we describe the thyroid TME, focusing on the desmoplastic stromal reaction, which is a powerful indicator of thyroid cancer progression and an invasive growth pattern. In addition, we discuss the origins and features of the thyroid CAFs, their influence on thyroid cancer growth and progression, their role in remodeling the ECM and their immune-modulating functions. We finally debate therapeutic perspectives targeting CAFs.