Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes enriched with miR-218 reduce the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Molecular mechanisms and clinical significance of perineural invasion in malignancies: the pivotal role of tumor-associated Schwann cells in cancer progression and metastasis

Perineural invasion (PNI) is a pathological process wherein cancer cells invade and spread along peripheral nerves, contributing to tumor aggressiveness and poor clinical outcomes, including increased recurrence, metastasis, and reduced survival. Tumor-associated Schwann cells (SCs) play a pivotal role in facilitating PNI by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and immune modulation. These cells actively support tumor progression through neurotrophin, cytokine, chemokine, and neurotransmitter signaling, enhancing cancer cell migration along neural pathways. Recent advances in imaging techniques, single-cell transcriptomics, and molecular profiling have provided deeper insights into the tumor microenvironment's role in PNI. Emerging therapeutic strategies targeting neurotrophin-mediated signaling and SC-tumor interactions have shown promise in preclinical models. However, significant research gaps remain, particularly in understanding the heterogeneity of SCs and their molecular subtypes in PNI across different malignancies. This review highlights the clinical significance, molecular mechanisms, and potential therapeutic targets associated with PNI. A comprehensive understanding of tumor-SC interactions is essential for developing targeted interventions to mitigate PNI-driven malignancies. Future research should focus on integrating multi-omics approaches and novel therapeutics to improve early detection and treatment, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Potential biological roles of exosomal non-coding RNAs in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignant tumors among women, accounting for 24.5% of all cancer cases and leading to 15.5% of cancer-related mortality. The treatment of BC patients remains a significant challenge due to the disease's high invasiveness, elevated metastatic potential, substantial drug resistance, and high recurrence rate. Exosomes, which are lipid-bilayer extracellular vesicles ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm, mediate intercellular communication between tumor cells and surrounding cells in the tumor microenvironment by transferring various bioactive substances, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Recently, growing evidence has demonstrated that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are enriched in exosomes and play a critical role in regulating cell proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, and angiogenesis in BC. Consequently, exosomal ncRNAs have emerged as a promising therapeutic target for BC treatment, given their involvement in multiple processes of cancer progression. This review provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of emerging exosomal ncRNAs in BC, highlighting their potential biological mechanisms and advanced applications in BC treatment.

Extracellular vesicles and miRNA-based therapies in triple-negative breast cancer: advances and clinical perspectives

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and challenging subtypes for treatment, due to the lack of hormone receptors and the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein. The identification of new molecular targets is important for the development of targeted and specific therapies for TNBC patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising molecular targets, being involved in cellular processes such as cell survival, apoptosis, differentiation, carcinogenesis, and metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained prominence in areas such as drug delivery, immune modulation, biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, and therapeutics, due to their use as vehicles for the delivery of miRNAs, regulation of gene expression, and development of combined therapeutic strategies. In particular, mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs (MSC-derived EVs) can transfer proteins, mRNAs/miRNAs, or DNA molecules and are being considered safer treatment options due to their inability to directly form tumors and contain lower amounts of membrane proteins such as MHC molecules. Numerous studies have highlighted the role of miRNAs in EVs in TNBC tumorigenesis, with a focus on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment selection, and monitoring. However, the development of therapies with EVs, especially MSC-derived EVs, is still in its infancy. Therefore, the aim of this review is to address new therapeutic strategies based on the delivery of miRNAs through EVs, with a focus on MSC-derived EVs, for the treatment of TNBC as an innovative therapy in oncology.

Biomimetic nanocarriers in cancer therapy: based on intercellular and cell-tumor microenvironment communication

Inspired by the concept of "natural camouflage," biomimetic drug delivery systems have emerged to address the limitations of traditional synthetic nanocarriers, such as poor targeting, susceptibility to identification and clearance, inadequate biocompatibility, low permeability, and systemic toxicity. Biomimetic nanocarriers retain the proteins, nucleic acids, and other components of the parent cells. They not only facilitate drug delivery but also serve as communication media to inhibit tumor cells. This paper delves into the communication mechanisms between various cell-derived biomimetic nanocarriers, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment, as well as their applications in drug delivery. In addition, the additional communication capabilities conferred on the modified biomimetic nanocarriers, such as targeting and environmental responsiveness, are outlined. Finally, we propose future development directions for biomimetic nanocarriers, hoping to inspire researchers in their design efforts and ultimately achieve clinical translation.

Biologically interpretable multi-task deep learning pipeline predicts molecular alterations, grade, and prognosis in glioma patients

Deep learning models have been developed for various predictions in glioma; yet, they were constrained by manual segmentation, task-specific design, or a lack of biological interpretation. Herein, we aimed to develop an end-to-end multi-task deep learning (MDL) pipeline that can simultaneously predict molecular alterations and histological grade (auxiliary tasks), as well as prognosis (primary task) in gliomas. Further, we aimed to provide the biological mechanisms underlying the model's predictions. We collected multiscale data including baseline MRI images from 2776 glioma patients across two private (FAHZU and HPPH, n = 1931) and three public datasets (TCGA, n = 213; UCSF, n = 410; and EGD, n = 222). We trained and internally validated the MDL model using our private datasets, and externally validated it using the three public datasets. We used the model-predicted deep prognosis score (DPS) to stratify patients into low-DPS and high-DPS subtypes. Additionally, a radio-multiomics analysis was conducted to elucidate the biological basis of the DPS. In the external validation cohorts, the MDL model achieved average areas under the curve of 0.892-0.903, 0.710-0.894, and 0.850-0.879 for predicting IDH mutation status, 1p/19q co-deletion status, and tumor grade, respectively. Moreover, the MDL model yielded a C-index of 0.723 in the TCGA and 0.671 in the UCSF for the prediction of overall survival. The DPS exhibits significant correlations with activated oncogenic pathways, immune infiltration patterns, specific protein expression, DNA methylation, tumor mutation burden, and tumor-stroma ratio. Accordingly, our work presents an accurate and biologically meaningful tool for predicting molecular subtypes, tumor grade, and survival outcomes in gliomas, which provides personalized clinical decision-making in a global and non-invasive manner.

The role of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer and prospects for their use in cancer therapeutics

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recruited by malignant tumor cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play a crucial role in the initiation and progression of malignant tumors. This role encompasses immune evasion, promotion of angiogenesis, stimulation of cancer cell proliferation, correlation with cancer stem cells, multilineage differentiation within the TME, and development of treatment resistance. Simultaneously, extensive research is exploring the homing effect of MSCs and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSCs-EVs) in tumors, aiming to design them as carriers for antitumor substances. These substances are targeted to deliver antitumor drugs to enhance drug efficacy while reducing drug toxicity. This paper provides a review of the supportive role of MSCs in tumor progression and the associated molecular mechanisms. Additionally, we summarize the latest therapeutic strategies involving engineered MSCs and MSCs-EVs in cancer treatment, including their utilization as carriers for gene therapeutic agents, chemotherapeutics, and oncolytic viruses. We also discuss the distribution and clearance of MSCs and MSCs-EVs upon entry into the body to elucidate the potential of targeted therapies based on MSCs and MSCs-EVs in cancer treatment, along with the challenges they face.

The Triple Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosome Technology as a Potential Tool for Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Extracellular vesicles are pivotal mediators in intercellular communication, facilitating the exchange of biological information among healthy, pathological and tumor cells. Between the diverse subtypes of extracellular vesicles, exosomes have unique properties and clinical and therapeutical applications. Breast cancer ranks as one of the most prevalent malignancies across the globe. Both the tumor core and its surrounding microenvironment engage in a complex, orchestrated interaction that facilitates cancer's growth and spread.

METHODS

The most significant PubMed literature about extracellular vesicles and Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosomes and breast cancer was selected in order to report their biological properties and potential applications, in particular in treating triple-negative breast cancer.

RESULTS

Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosomes represent a potential tool in targeting triple-negative breast cancer cells at three main levels: the tumor core, the tumor microenvironment and surrounding tissues, including metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

The possibility of impacting triple-negative breast cancer cells with engineered Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosomes is real. The opportunity to translate our current in vitro analyses into a future in vivo scenario is even more challenging.

The Role of MicroRNAs in Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Modulation of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a complex and multifactorial condition that involves a cascade of events, including lung injury, damage of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), generation of immune cell-driven inflammation, and activation of fibroblasts and their differentiation into myofibroblasts, resulting in the excessive production and deposition of collagen and progressive scarring and fibrosis of the lung tissue. As lung fibrosis advances, the scarring and stiffening of lung tissue can significantly hinder the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, potentially leading to respiratory failure that can be life-threatening. Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs are used to slow down the progression of the disease, manage symptoms, and enhance the patient's quality of life. However, prolonged immunosuppression could increase the susceptibility to severe bacterial, viral, or fungal pneumonia in lung-transplant recipients. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic agents that can effectively reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis without compromising the protective immune response in patients with severe lung fibrosis. Results obtained in recently published studies demonstrated that mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived microRNAs (MSC-miRNAs) could attenuate detrimental immune response in injured lungs and prevent progression of lung fibrosis. Through the post-transcriptional regulation of target mRNA, MSC-miRNAs modulate protein synthesis and affect viability, proliferation, and cytokine production in AECs, fibroblasts, and lung-infiltrated immune cells. In order to delineate molecular mechanisms responsible for beneficial effects of MSC-miRNAs in the treatment of lung fibrosis, in this review article, we summarized current knowledge related to anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory pathways elicited in immune cells, AECs, and myofibroblasts by MSC-miRNAs.