The In-Vitro Antitumor Effects of AST-3424 Monotherapy and Combination Therapy With Oxaliplatin or 5-Fluorouracil in Primary Liver Cancer

Efficacy and safety of paclitaxel combined with oxaliplatin in the treatment of advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma

Primary liver cancer (PLC) often presents with subtle early symptoms, leading to most diagnoses at advanced stages, which negatively impacts treatment outcomes. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) combined with Oxaliplatin (OXA) in the treatment of advanced PLC patients without surgical indications. A total of 126 patients with advanced PLC were divided into two treatment groups: the nab-PTX/OXA group (n=66) and the sorafenib (Sor)/OXA group (n=60), with a treatment cycle of 21 days. Clinical response rates, sleep quality (SQ), quality of life (QoL), prognosis, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. The results indicated that, after treatment, the nab-PTX/OXA group demonstrated significantly higher objective response rate, sleep quality (PSQI score), and QoL (SF-36 score) compared to the Sor/OXA group (all P<0.05). Both groups demonstrated significant increases in Cluster of Differentiation 3-positive (CD3+) and CD4+ cell levels at Day 21 compared to Day 0 (P<0.05), with a greater increase observed in the nab-PTX/OXA group (P<0.05). Conversely, CD8+ cell levels were significantly decreased at Day 21 compared to Day 0 in both groups (P<0.05), with a more pronounced decrease in the nab-PTX/OXA group (P<0.05). Additionally, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was significantly elevated at Day 21 compared to Day 0 in both groups (P<0.05), with a greater increase observed in the Sor/OXA group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the nab-PTX/OXA group were significantly longer than those in the Sor/OXA group (P<0.05). In the nab-PTX/OXA group, the incidence of abdominal pain and diarrhea, grade III-IV leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and liver and kidney dysfunction was significantly lower than that in the Sor/OXA group (P<0.05). In short, PTX combined with OXA demonstrated favorable efficacy in treating advanced PLC. This regimen not only improved SQ and QoL but also prolonged survival.

MECOM and the PRDM gene family in uterine endometrial cancer: bioinformatics and experimental insights into pathogenesis and therapeutic potentials

To elucidate the expression profiles, methylation states, and clinicopathological significance of the PRDM gene family, focusing on the MECOM gene's role in uterine endometrial cancer (UCEC) and its molecular interactions with the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Our methodology combined detailed bioinformatics analyses using UALCAN and GEPIA with in vitro assessments in HEC-1-A cells. Techniques included CRISPR-Cas9 for gene editing and various cellular assays (CCK-8, flow cytometry, Transwell) to evaluate the effects of MECOM on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis, alongside Western blot analysis for protein regulation in the TGF-beta pathway. MECOM was upregulated in UCEC tissues, influencing tumor cell behavior significantly. Knockout studies demonstrated reduced proliferation and migration and increased apoptosis, while overexpression showed reverse effects. Mechanistically, MECOM modulated critical proteins within the TGF-beta pathway, impacting cell cycle dynamics and apoptotic processes. The PRDM gene family, particularly MECOM, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of UCEC, suggesting its utility as a target for novel therapeutic interventions. Our findings offer valuable insights for future research and potential clinical application in managing uterine endometrial cancer.

The copper (II) complex of salicylate phenanthroline inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect and associated molecular mechanisms of the copper (II) complex of salicylate phenanthroline [Cu(sal)(phen)] against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cu(sal)(phen) inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells (HepG2 and HCC-LM9) and induced apoptosis of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner by upregulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The expression of the antiapoptotic proteins survivin and Bcl-2 was decreased, while the expression of the DNA damage marker γ-H₂ AX and the apoptotic marker cleaved PARP was upregulated with Cu(sal)(phen) treatment. In vivo, the growth of HepG2 subcutaneous xenograft tumors was greatly attenuated by Cu(sal)(phen) treatment. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that the expression of survivin, Bcl-2, and Ki67 in the tumor was downregulated by Cu(sal)(phen). Toxicity experiments with BALB/c mice revealed that Cu(sal)(phen) is a relatively safe drug. Our results indicate that Cu(sal)(phen) possesses great potential as a therapeutic drug for HCC.

Emerging Strategies in Stimuli-Responsive Prodrug Nanosystems for Cancer Therapy

Prodrugs are chemically modified drug molecules that are inactive before administration. After administration, they are converted in situ to parent drugs and induce the mechanism of action. The development of prodrugs has upgraded conventional drug treatments in terms of bioavailability, targeting, and reduced side effects. Especially in cancer therapy, the application of prodrugs has achieved substantial therapeutic effects. From serendipitous discovery in the early stage to functional design with pertinence nowadays, the importance of prodrugs in drug design is self-evident. At present, studying stimuli-responsive activation mechanisms, regulating the stimuli intensity in vivo, and designing nanoscale prodrug formulations are the major strategies to promote the development of prodrugs. In this review, we provide an outlook of recent cutting-edge studies on stimuli-responsive prodrug nanosystems from these three aspects. We also discuss prospects and challenges in the future development of such prodrugs.