The Influence of Cell Cycle Regulation on Chemotherapy

Nrf2: A key regulator in chemoradiotherapy resistance of osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS), frequently observed in children and adolescents, is one of the most common primary malignant tumors of the bone known to be associated with a high capacity for invasion and metastasis. The incidence of osteosarcoma in children and adolescents is growing annually, although improvements in survival remain limited. With the clinical application of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, chemotherapy combined with limb-preserving surgery has gained momentum as a major intervention. However, certain patients with OS experience treatment failure owing to chemoradiotherapy resistance or metastasis. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a key antioxidant factor in organisms, plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular physiological homeostasis; however, its overactivation in cancer cells restricts reactive oxygen species production, promotes DNA repair and drug efflux, and ultimately leads to chemoradiotherapy resistance. Recent studies have also identified the functions of Nrf2 beyond its antioxidative function, including the promotion of proliferation, metastasis, and regulation of metabolism. The current review describes the multiple mechanisms of chemoradiotherapy resistance in OS and the substantial role of Nrf2 in the signaling regulatory network to elucidate the function of Nrf2 in promoting OS chemoradiotherapy resistance and formulating relevant therapeutic strategies.

Multi-Organ-on-Chip approach to study the impact of inter-organ communication on the efficacy and side effects of cancer therapy

Cancer is one of the pathological conditions of the human body, which, due to its tissue diversity, is not fully understood. Currently used preclinical in vitro cell or animal models do not reflect the complexity and functional features of the human body, including its pathological conditions such as cancer. This fact is related to poor predictions of the effectiveness of newly developed drugs. Therefore, in our work, we focused on creating a tool that allows the reproduction of important morphological and biochemical features of the tumor in vivo, such as three-dimensional (3D) structure, heterogeneity, the presence of extracellular matrix (ECM), and the appropriate scale (volume to surface ratio). Moreover, the presented Multi-Organ-on-Chip (MOC) tool allows us to evaluate the effects of anticancer therapy, considering hepatic metabolism (liver model) and the assessment of its side effects on a selected organ (skin model). Our research shows that incorporating multiple organ models in one in vitro tool affects the viability and metabolic activity of the cells that constitute them. Moreover, we have shown how important it is to consider hepatic metabolism when evaluating the therapeutic effectiveness of two selected chemotherapy drugs, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and its prodrug Capecitabine (CAP).

Exploring the reproductive exposure risks of phthalates and organophosphates in atmospheric particulate matter based on quantitative structure-activity relationships and network toxicology models

Minimal study focused on the association between mixed pollutants in atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) and their reproductive health risks. Utilizing a novel quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) integrated machine learning algorithms, we evaluated the mixed reproductive health risks associated with phthalates (PAEs) and organophosphates (OPEs) exposure by assessing the affinities of these compounds binding to estrogen receptors (ER) and androgen receptors (AR). The mixed toxicity equivalent factor (TEFmix) and mixed toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQmix) by the QSAR model were all smaller than the sum TEF and TEQ of individual PAEs and OPEs, which may be due to the antagonistic effect of PAEs and OPEs monomers on reproductive toxicity. Based on network toxicology approach, a total of 590 potential targets associated with PAEs and OPEs affecting sex hormones were initially identified, with an additional 50 core targets, including AR and ER. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) were key components to disrupt AR and ER signaling pathway, and was confirmed by molecular docking analysis. In addition to ER and AR, serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) and heat shock protein 90α family A member 1 (HSP90AA1) might be key targets for reproductive toxicity, which have hardly mentioned before. Our study provided precious information on the mixed reproductive exposure risk of PAEs and OPEs in PM2.5, and innovatively explored the potential mechanisms of PAEs and OPEs affecting human reproductive health using network toxicology.

Ruthenium(II) and copper(II) polyamine complexes as promising antitumor agents: synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation

Ruthenium or copper complexes have emerged as some of the most promising alternatives for the treatment of many types of cancer. They have enhanced activity, greater selectivity and reduced side effects compared to their predecessors, cisplatin and its analogues. On the other hand, polyamine metabolism is often deregulated in cancer, leading to increased intracellular concentrations of polyamines that promote cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. In the present work, we report the synthesis and characterization of a family of mono- and binuclear Ru(II) and Cu(II) complexes functionalized with polyamine ligands derived from norspermine. The computer-aided analysis of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra provided magnetic and dynamic parameters, which helped to identify prevalent Cu-N2 coordination in a partially distorted square planar geometry of the Cu(II) complexes and the flexibility of the complexes in solution, slowed down by both the complex size and the hydrophobic interactions between chains. In vitro studies focused on advanced prostate cancer have demonstrated that these new metal complexes present a high level of cytotoxicity against PC3 cells. Furthermore, these metallic compounds exhibit the ability to inhibit cell adhesion and migration while reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, which are key factors of metastasis.

Nanoimmunotherapy: the smart trooper for cancer therapy

Immunotherapy has gathered significant attention and is now a widely used cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. Despite initial successes, its broader clinical application is hindered by limitations such as heterogeneity in patient response and challenges associated with the tumor immune microenvironment. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have offered innovative solutions to these barriers, providing significant enhancements to cancer immunotherapy. Nanotechnology-based approaches exhibit multifaceted mechanisms, including effective anti-tumor immune responses during tumorigenesis and overcoming immune suppression mechanisms to improve immune defense capacity. Nanomedicines, including nanoparticle-based vaccines, liposomes, immune modulators, and gene delivery systems, have demonstrated the ability to activate immune responses, modulate tumor microenvironments, and target specific immune cells. Success metrics in preclinical and early clinical studies, such as improved survival rates, enhanced tumor regression, and elevated immune activation indices, highlight the promise of these technologies. Despite these achievements, several challenges remain, including scaling up manufacturing, addressing off-target effects, and navigating regulatory complexities. The review emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address these barriers, ensuring broader clinical adoption. It also provides insights into interdisciplinary approaches, advancements, and the transformative potential of nano-immunotherapy and promising results in checkpoint inhibitor delivery, nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy, immunomodulation as well as inhibition by nanoparticles and cancer vaccines.

Glycyrrhizin enhances the antitumor activity of cisplatin in non‑small cell lung cancer cells by influencing DNA damage and apoptosis

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism by which glycyrrhizin enhances the antitumor activity of cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer. Initially, A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of glycyrrhizin (0.25-8 mM) or cisplatin (10-160 µM) for 48 h to investigate the effect of glycyrrhizin combined with cisplatin on A549 cells in vitro. Subsequently, A549 cells were divided into control (untreated), CP (20 µM cisplatin), GL (2 mM glycyrrhizin) and CP + GL (20 µM cisplatin + 2 mM glycyrrhizin) groups to elucidate the underlying mechanism of glycyrrhizin. After 48 h incubation, the viability and colony-forming ability of the cells were assessed using MTT and colony formation assays. Apoptosis levels and cell cycle progression were analyzed using flow cytometry and western blotting was used to evaluate apoptosis- and cell cycle-related proteins. Additionally, comet assays and western blotting were used to evaluate DNA damage and relevant proteins. The results demonstrated both glycyrrhizin and cisplatin individually reduced A549 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Cisplatin demonstrated a lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) at higher glycyrrhizin concentrations, with an IC50 value of ~35 µM with 2 mM glycyrrhizin. Furthermore, the combined treatment of glycyrrhizin and cisplatin synergistically reduced cell colony-forming ability, induced apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G2 phase, showing greater efficacy when compared with either treatment individually. In addition, western blotting analysis demonstrated that, in comparison with treatment with cisplatin or glycyrrhizin alone, the combined treatment markedly increased the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, cleaved-caspase-3/caspase-3, γH2AX, phosphorylated-checkpoint kinase 1 and phosphorylated-p53/p53, while notably reducing the protein levels of B-cell lymphoma 2, cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4. The findings of the present study indicate that glycyrrhizin enhances the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer cells by modulating DNA damage and apoptosis.

CRISPR/Cas9 system: a novel approach to overcome chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance in cancer

Cancer presents a global health challenge with rising incidence and mortality. Despite treatment advances in cancer therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy remained the most common treatments for all types of cancers. However, resistance phenotype in cancer cells leads to unsatisfactory results in the efficiency of therapeutic strategies. Therefore, researchers strive to propose effective solutions to overcome treatment failure, which requires a deep knowledge of treatment-resistant mechanisms. The progression and occurrence of tumors can be attributed to gene mutation. Over the past decade, the emergence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) genome editing has revolutionized cancer research. This versatile technology enables cancer modeling, manipulation of specific DNA sequences, and genome-wide screening. CRISPR/Cas9 is an effective tool for identifying radio- and chemoresistance genes and offering potential adjunctive treatments to overcome tumor recurrence after chemo- and radiotherapy. This article aims to explain the potential of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in improving the effectiveness of chemo- and radiotherapy and ultimately overcoming treatment failure.

Anti-breast cancer effect of Phellinus pini and its chemical composition characterization

Phellinus pini (P. pini) has been widely utilized as a traditional medicinal macrofungus in China and various East Asian countries. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that P. pini has important application value in anti-tumor therapy. However, its main anti-breast cancer active substances and mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that the methanol extract of Phellinus pini (PPE) could significantly inhibit the viability of 4 T1 cells, induce apoptosis, decrease mitochondrial membrane potential and S phase arrest of 4 T1 cells. PPE can restore the imbalance of intestinal flora caused by breast cancer and regulate the content of endogenous metabolites such as amino acids. Q Exactive UPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that polyphenols are the main chemical components that exert the efficacy. These results provide experimental support for the potential future treatment of breast cancer with P. pini.

MYBL2 promotes cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis via PI3K/AKT and BCL2/BAX/Cleaved-caspase-3 signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells

The transcription factor MYB proto-oncogene like 2 (MYBL2) has been reported to be involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors, however, its role in gastric cancer (GC) remains to be elucidated. In this study, the Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to evaluate the prognostic value of different MYBL2 expression levels in GC patients. The UALCAN database were applied to analyze the relationships between MYBL2 and clinicopathological characteristics of GC. GC cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays, and proteins were examined by Western blot analysis. Next, signaling pathway enrichment analysis of MYBL2-related genes and protein expression were analyzed by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Western blot assays. The results found that MYBL2 expression was significantly upregulated in GC compared with adjacent non-malignant tissues and associated with poor patient survival, tumor, stages and lymph node metastasis. Forced expression of MYBL2 could promote cell proliferation, resulting in an accelerated S phase progression and inhibiting cell apoptosis in GC cells. Conversely, MYBL2 silencing inhibited cell proliferation, induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted cell apoptosis in GC cells. Mechanistically, Western blot analysis showed that MYBL2 silencing decreased the expression of BCL2 and upregulated the expression of Cleaved-caspase-3 and BAX in HGC-27 cells. Conversely, MYBL2 overexpression in AGS cells resulted in the opposite effects. Furthermore, enforced expression of MYBL2 activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, especially AKT phosphorylation. Additionally, the AKT inhibitor MK2206 significantly reversed the proliferation capacity of GC cells induced by MYBL2 overexpression. Therefore, these results suggest that upregulated expression of MYBL2 contributes to GC cell growth and inhibits cell apoptosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT and BCL2/BAX/Cleaved-caspase-3 signaling pathways in GC cells indicating that MYBL2 may be a new therapeutic target and prognostic marker for GC.

Induction of ferroptosis of iridium(III) complexes localizing at the mitochondria and lysosome by photodynamic therapy

In this study, [Ir(ppy)2(DMHBT)](PF6) (ppy = deprotonated 1-phenylpyridine, DMHBT = 10,12-dimethylpteridino[6,7-f][1,10]phenanthroline-11,13-(10,12H)-dione, 8a), [Ir(bzq)2(DMHBT)](PF6) (bzq = deprotonated benzo[h]quinoline, 8b) and [Ir(piq)2(DMHBT)](PF6) (piq = deprotonated 1-phenylisoquinoline, 8c) were synthesized and characterized by HRMS, 13C NMR and 1H NMR. In vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed that 8a, 8b, 8c show moderate cytotoxicity against B16 cells, while the cytotoxicity of the complexes 8a, 8b and 8c toward B16 cells was greatly improved upon light irradiation, which can be used as photosensitizers to exert anticancer efficacy in photodynamic therapy (PDT). After being taken up by cells, 8a, 8b, 8c were localized in the mitochondria, resulting in a large amount of Ca2+ in-flux, a burst release of ROS, a sustained opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and a decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential, which led to mitochondrial dysfunction and further activation of caspase 3 and Bcl-2 family proteins to induce apoptosis. Overloaded ROS reacted with polyunsaturated fatty acids on the cell membrane, and initiated lipid peroxidation, inhibited the xc--system-glutathione (GSH)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) antioxidant defense system, and upregulated the expression of the damage-associated molecules, HMGB1, CRT, and HSP70. The presence of Fer-1 was effective on increasing the cell survival, which demonstrates that the complexes possess the potential to induce ferroptosis and immunogenic cell death. In addition, 8a, 8b and 8c induced autophagy by inhibiting the AKT/PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, downregulating p62 and promoting Beclin-1 expression upon light irradiation.

The Protective Effect of GnRH Agonist Triptorelin on the Histomorphometric Parameters of the Utero-ovarian Tissue in the Doxorubicin- and Cyclophosphamide-treated Mice

One of the common side effects of chemotherapy drugs is ovarian failure and uterine dysfunction, which can occur after the administration of doxorubicin and/or cyclophosphamide. In clinics, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) are used to modulate the toxic effect of chemotherapy and intercept infertility with some controversy and limited histological knowledge. This study aimed to evaluate the serological and histological features of protective effects of triptorelin, (GnRHa), on utero-ovarian tissue in the mice treated with cyclophosphamide and/or doxorubicin. Forty-eight female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 8 groups as follows: Group I: normal saline; Group II: triptorelin; Group III: cyclophosphamide; Group IV: doxorubicin; Group V: cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin; and Groups VI, VII, and VIII: after injection of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, or cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin, administration of triptorelin (1 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) for 15 consecutive days, respectively. On the 21st day, the ovaries and uterine horns were dissected and weighed. Then, tissue processing and staining were performed for further histological and stereological studies. Triptorelin treatment in the damaged groups significantly increased the number of primordial and pre-antral follicles and granulosa cells. It decreased the number of atretic follicles compared to cyclophosphamide and/or doxorubicin-treated groups (P < 0.05). Triptorelin also significantly improved the volume of the ovary, cortex, medulla, oocytes in the primordial and antral follicles, uterus, endometrium, myometrium, uterine glands, and endometrial blood vessels in the damaged groups (P < 0.05). Triptorelin treatment prevents the destructive effects of cyclophosphamide and/or doxorubicin on utero-ovarian tissue.

Cisplatin-loaded UiO-66-NH2 functionalized with folic acid enhances apoptotic activity and antiproliferative effects in MDA-MB-231 breast and A2780 ovarian cancer cells: An in vitro study

The multifunctional nature of UiO-66-NH₂ as a drug carrier positions it as an optimal candidate for encapsulating and delivering anticancer agents. This study developed a folic acid (FA)-functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF) based on UiO-66-NH₂ to facilitate the targeted delivery of cisplatin (CIS) to MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the successful encapsulation of CIS within UiO-66-NH₂, while the drug release profile demonstrated a sustained, pH-responsive release of CIS, with a pronounced increase in the acidic tumor microenvironment. The MTT assay revealed excellent biocompatibility of UiO-66-NH₂-FA with HFF healthy cells, whereas UiO-66-NH₂-CIS-FA significantly enhanced anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 and A2780 cells. Treatment with UiO-66-NH₂-CIS-FA induced substantial apoptosis in both cell lines, leading to a marked upregulation of BAX and P53 gene expression, alongside the downregulation of BCL2, CCND1, and CDK4. Furthermore, cells treated with CIS, UiO-66-NH₂-CIS, and UiO-66-NH₂-CIS-FA exhibited a significant increase in DCF fluorescence compared to the control group, indicating elevated ROS generation. UiO-66-NH₂-CIS-FA demonstrated enhanced drug-loading capacity and cytotoxic efficacy against cancer cells. Functionalization of UiO-66-NH₂-CIS with FA presents a promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy by improving drug delivery specificity and enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Novel immunomodulatory peptides from hydrolysates of the Rana spinosa (Quasipaa spinosa) meat and their immunomodulatory activity mechanism

In this study, hydrolysates of Rana spinosa meat were purified and characterized, and combined with molecular docking to screen potential immunomodulatory peptides and explore their activities and mechanisms of action. The results showed that 582 peptides were identified from the hydrolysates, and three novel immunomodulatory peptides, GIHETTYNS (1020.4512 Da), IADRMQKE (989.4964 Da), and IVRDIKEK (999.6077 Da), were obtained by molecular docking. These peptides significantly increased the proliferative activity of RAW264.7 cells and accelerated its cell cycle proceeding, promoted the production of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α, and enhanced ROS levels. The molecular docking analysis revealed that immunomodulatory peptides bound to the key regions of TLR4/MD-2 by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, and the common sites of action were LYS A:458, ARG A:434, and ARG D: 90. Furthermore, these immunomodulatory peptides had favorable safety and stability properties in silico analysis. These novel peptides are expected to be new natural materials for immunomodulators.

Antitumor Activity of USP7 Inhibitor GNE-6776 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Involves Regulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Cell Cycle, Wnt/β-Catenin, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathways

Objective: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of the USP7 inhibitor GNE-6776 on human NSCLC A549 and H1299 cells, providing insights for anti-NSCLC drug development. Methods: USP7 expression was analyzed in lung cancer tissue using data from public databases. RNA sequencing and functional enrichment analyses were conducted to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and potentially related pathways. A549 and H1299 cells were treated with GNE-6776 at different concentrations, and its effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycle were evaluated. Changes in protein expression following GNE-6776 treatment were assessed by Western blot. A xenograft tumor model in nude mice was used to evaluate the in vivo effects of GNE-6776. Results: GNE-6776 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells, induced apoptosis, and caused cells to arrest in the G1 phase in a concentration-dependent manner. GNE-6776 decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and downregulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. GNE-6776 significantly inhibited tumor growth without affecting body weight, reduced expression of CDK6, C-myc, and N-cadherin, and increased GSK3β expression in tumor tissue. Conclusions: In summary, GNE-6776 demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo. GNE-6776 suppresses NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration while promoting apoptosis by inhibiting the EMT and modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. These findings support its potential as a therapeutic agent for treating NSCLC.

Rhopalurus junceus scorpion venom induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death in human non-small lung cancer cell lines

Background

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) represent the primary cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Rhopalurus junceus venom has been shown to exert cytotoxic effects against a panel of epithelial cancer cells in vitro and suggested that NSCLC was the subtype most susceptible to the treatment.

Methods

This study evaluated the effect of Rhopalurus junceus scorpion venom on cell viability, in non-cancerous (MRC-5, lung; CHO-K1, ovary) and NSCLC (A549; NCI-H460) cell lines. The effects on cell cycle, apoptosis, and cell signaling-related proteins were determined by flow cytometry and WB. Protein fractions responsible for the observed effect were identified using HPLC.

Results

Scorpion venom was more effective against NSCLC than non-cancerous cells. Emax values were 20.0 ± 5.8% and 22.47 ± 6.02% in A549 and NCI-H460 cancer cells, respectively, as compared to 50 ± 8.1% in MRC-5 and 54.99 ± 7.39% in CHO-K1 cells. It arrested NSCLC cells in the G2/M phase, while non-cancerous cells were arrested in the S (MRC-5) or G0/G1 (CHO-K1) phases. No changes were observed in the Bax/Bcl-2 or the cleaved-caspase 3/Total caspase 3 ratios in cells treated with venom. Likewise, the scorpion venom treatment did not affect p-ERK, p-AKT, or p-38MAPK protein levels. In contrast, scorpion venom treatment increased the cytosolic apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in A549 cells, indicating caspase-independent apoptosis. Additionally, combined etoposide/venom exposure provoked G2/M arrest and apoptosis in NSCLC more strongly than either substance alone. Furthermore, upon crude venom fractioning through RP-HPLC, we found two soluble fractions with high cytotoxic effects.

Conclusion

The present study concludes that a specific fraction of Rhopalurus junceus venom reduces cell viability of NSCLC cells. The AIF protein plays a key role in mediating caspase-independent apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that Rhopalurus junceus venom enhances the anticancer effect of etoposide in vitro by causing cell cycle arrest and caspase-independent apoptosis.

Quercetin triggers cell apoptosis-associated ROS-mediated cell death and induces S and G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest in KON oral cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Plant flavonoids such as quercetin are useful for both the therapeutic and preventive care of a variety of illnesses. Nevertheless, their antitumor efficacy against KON oral cancer is still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to examine quercetin's anti-growth, anti-migrative, and anti-invasive characteristics. The cell cycle arrest property and mitochondrial function disruption of quercetin were also investigated. Additionally, the cellular mechanism responsible for inducing apoptosis and the anti-metastasis mechanism were identified.

METHODS

KON cells were treated with quercetin in order to test the anticancer activity of this compound. The MTT colorimetric assay was used to examine the cell viability of the treated cells in comparison to MRC-5 fibroblast cells. After being exposed to the detrimental effects of quercetin, the morphology of the KON cells was examined using DAPI and FDA double staining, as well as Hoechst 33,258 and AO double staining. Annexin V-FITC with a flow cytometer and DCFDA labeling were used to detect apoptosis induction and the ROS production associated with cell death. Quercetin's ability to stop the cell cycle was evaluated via PI staining and the flow cytometer. The examination included anti-proliferative, anti-migration, and anti-invasion activities. Values for the transepithelial electrical resistance, or TEER, were measured. Ultimately, the mechanisms of action of the apoptotic markers and genes implicated in the metastatic process were clarified.

RESULTS

Quercetin treatment reduced the vitality of KON cells and had minimal effect on MRC cells. Following quercetin treatment, the characterization of apoptosis and cell death in KON cells was observed. When quercetin was applied to KON cells, the generation of ROS increased. Furthermore, it was discovered that quercetin increased the percentage of dead cells and cell cycle arrests in the S and G2/M phases. Moreover, quercetin inhibited KON cells' capacity for migration and invasion in addition to their effects on cell stability and structure. As a result of identifying the mechanism responsible for inducing apoptosis and preventing metastasis, quercetin was found to downregulate the expression of BCL-2/BCL-XL while increasing the expression of BAX. TIMP-1 expression was upregulated while MMP-2 and MMP-9 were downregulated. Quercetin's anticancer properties and specific mechanisms of action in relation to KON cells were clarified.

CONCLUSION

Quercetin is greatly cytotoxic in oral cancer cells, triggering cells undergoing apoptosis and ROS-mediated cell death, possessing S and G2/M cell cycle arrest properties, and exhibiting anti-metastatic activities. Finally, this discovery opens up a wide range of possibilities for developing an anti-oral cancer drug and further investigating its effectiveness in vivo and in clinical trials as an alternative cancer treatment.

Undescribed diterpenes from Euphorbia mauritanica L. as modulators of the breast cancer resistance: Mechanistic and in silico studies

As part of efforts to identify natural modulators of multi-drug-resistant breast cancer, Euphorbia mauritanica L. chloroform extract yielded four undescribed oxygenated diterpenes, including three nor-ent-abietanes, euphomauritanol C-E (1-3), and one polyacylated jatrophane, euphomauritanolide A (4), along with two knowns, helioscopinolide A (5) and enukokurin (6). The chemical structures and configurations of compounds were established by combination of HRMS, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopic tools along with experimental and calculated TDDFT-ECD. The cytotoxicity evaluation of isolated compounds against the MCF-7ADR revealed 4 and 2 are the most potent with IC50 values of 3.2 ± 0.58 and 4.67 ± 0.29 μM, respectively. Co-administration of compounds 4 and 2 with DOX improved its cytotoxic effect, with a combination index value of 0.41 for 4, indicating a synergistic effect. Mechanistically, 4 modulated DOX anticancer properties via potentiating DOX-induced Go/G1 cell cycle arrest rather than G2M arrest of DOX alone and shifting the cell death of DOX to be mainly apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, 4 alone and combined with DOX showed promising anti-migratory effects against MCF-7ADR. In conclusion, 4 showed promising co-chemotherapeutic effects to the DOX against MCF-7ADR, indicating that this compound possesses potential as an auspicious lead chemical to target breast cancer cells resistant to doxorubicin.

Developmental exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS) impairs the endometrial receptivity

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a widely used chemical in industrial production. It can be introduced into the environment through multiple pathways and exhibits resistance to degradation. Recent research has demonstrated a significant correlation between its exposure levels in the human body and the incidence of various diseases. The expression of genes related to endometrial receptivity and the differentiation of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) were assessed in this study concerning PFOS. In this study, we investigated the effect of PFOS exposure on endometrial tolerance by cell and animal experiments. The activity against endometrial mesenchymal cells was significantly reduced by PFOS intervention, and the apoptosis flow assay results showed that PFOS significantly promoted cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed mitochondrial damage in the PFOS-intervened group, and WB results showed that the expression levels of endometrial tolerance-related proteins Homeobox A10 (HOXA10) and integrin beta3 (ITGB3) were decreased, and the expression level of Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) protein was increased. Animal studies have shown that PFOS exposure can change uterine morphology, cause obvious damage to pinopodes morphology, change the estrous cycle of mice, and affect endometrial receptivity In the present study, we found that PFOS may synergistically affect the viability of endometrial mesenchymal stromal cells through accumulation in vivo, and that PFOS may contribute to the failure of embryo implantation by affecting mitochondrial function and consequently endometrial permissive sites.

Pan-Cancer Analysis of KANK2: Clinical and Molecular Insights into Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Implications

BACKGROUND

KANK2, a gene crucial for cell migration and movement, is implicated in neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases. This study aimed to analyze KANK2's expression and its diagnostic and prognostic significance across 33 cancers using multiple online databases.

METHODS

This study aimed to comprehensively analyze KANK2 in 33 cancers using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database. Multiple web platforms and software were used for data analysis, including R, Cytoscape, HPA, TISIDB, UALCAN, GEO, cBioPortal, STRING, GSCALite, and CancerSEA. WB and qPCR experiments were used to verify the results.

RESULTS

KANK2 is widely expressed in various tissues and has significant diagnostic value in multiple cancers, with AUC values exceeding 0.75 in 13 cancer types. Survival analysis indicated that KANK2 expression is significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in several cancers. KANK2 expression varied significantly across different molecular and immune subtypes and was associated with specific genetic mutations and DNA methylation patterns. Functional state analysis highlighted correlations with processes such as EMT, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. GSEA identified pathways related to proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix remodeling. The key interacting proteins were identified by PPI network analysis, and the sensitive drug molecules were found by GSCA database. The results were also confirmed by two GEO datasets and WB and qPCR results.

CONCLUSION

KANK2 serves as a valuable biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in various cancers, and its expression is intricately linked to multiple molecular and cellular processes, offering potential therapeutic targets for future research.

New thiazolidin-4-ones as anti-cervical cancer agents targeting EGFR: design, synthesis, and computational studies

AIM

A new series of 3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2 h)-ylidene)hydrazineylidene)-5-substituted thiazolidin-4-one derivatives were designed and synthesized.

RESULTS & METHODOLOGY

The new compounds were screened for in vitro antitumor activity against Hela cancer cell line. The compounds 7b, 7 h, and 7i produced more potent cytotoxicity than doxorubicin with IC50 values of 1.83 ± 0.1, 2.54 ± 0.14, 2.75 ± 0.15, and 3.63 ± 0.2 μM, respectively. They also showed a promising safety profile against WI-38 normal cells. In addition, compound 7b produced a promising multi-kinase inhibition against EGFR (WT) while being very selective toward the mutant forms (L858R and T790M) with IC50 values of 0.099 ± 0.006, 0.064 ± 0.006, and 0.026 ± 0.007 μM, respectively, in comparison to gefitinib and osimertinib. A study of the cell cycle in Hela cells showed that 7b arrests cell cycle in the pre-G1 phase and causes early and late apoptosis. Eventually, the molecular docking results showed that 7b had good-binding interactions with EGFRWT, EGFRL858R, and EGFRT790M.

CONCLUSION

Compound 7b was predicted to have promising oral absorption, good drug-likeness, and low toxicity risks in humans. Moreover, MD simulations confirmed the stable complexes of 7b with EGFRWT, EGFRL858R, and EGFRT790M (with RMSD 0.12-0.35 nm, RMSF 0.2-0.55 nm, SASA 140-150, and Rg 1.80-2.00 nm).

Nanomedicines harnessing cGAS-STING pathway: sparking immune revitalization to transform 'cold' tumors into 'hot' tumors

cGAS-STING pathway stands at the forefront of innate immunity and plays a critical role in regulating adaptive immune responses, making it as a key orchestrator of anti-tumor immunity. Despite the great potential, clinical outcomes with cGAS-STING activators have been disappointing due to their unfavorable in vivo fate, signaling an urgent need for innovative solutions to bridge the gap in clinical translation. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have propelled cGAS-STING-targeting nanomedicines to the cutting-edge of cancer therapy, leveraging precise drug delivery systems and multifunctional platforms to achieve remarkable region-specific biodistribution and potent therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we provide an in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms that govern cGAS-STING signaling and its potential to dynamically modulate the anti-tumor immune cycle. We subsequently introduced several investigational cGAS-STING-dependent anti-tumor agents and summarized their clinical trial progress. Additionally, we provided a comprehensive review of the unique advantages of cGAS-STING-targeted nanomedicines, highlighting the transformative potential of nanotechnology in this field. Furthermore, we comprehensively reviewed and comparatively analyzed the latest breakthroughs cGAS-STING-targeting nanomedicine, focusing on strategies that induce cytosolic DNA generation via exogenous DNA delivery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or dynamic therapies, as well as the nanodelivery of STING agonists. Lastly, we discuss the future prospects and challenges in cGAS-STING-targeting nanomedicine development, offering new insights to bridge the gap between mechanistic research and drug development, thereby opening new pathways in cancer treatment.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Urea-Containing Carnosic Acid Derivatives with Anticancer Activity

A series of novel carnosic acid 1 derivatives incorporating urea moieties at the C-20 position was synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against the HCT116 colorectal cancer cell line. Most derivatives demonstrated enhanced antiproliferative activity compared to that of carnosic acid 1. The most promising derivatives were tested in other colorectal cancer cell lines (SW480, SW620, and Caco-2), melanoma (A375), and pancreatic cancer (MiaPaca-2). Derivative 14 consistently demonstrated the highest activity across all tested cancer cell lines, showing selectivity for cancer cells over normal cells. Further investigation of the mechanism of action in SW480 cells revealed that compound 14 induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase by downregulating CDK4 and CDK6. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound 14 established several interactions with key residues in the active site of CDK6. Additionally, compound 14 also reduced ROS production. In summary, our results strongly indicate that compound 14 has potential as a lead compound in the development of innovative anticancer drugs.

Liposomal Formulation of an Organogold Complex Enhancing Its Activity as Antimelanoma Agent-In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Background/Objectives: The therapeutic management of melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, remains challenging. In the search for more effective therapeutic options, metal-based complexes are being investigated for their anticancer properties. Cisplatin was the first clinically approved platinum-based drug and, based on its success, other metals (e.g., gold) are being used to design novel compounds. Methods: the antimelanoma potential of a new organometallic cyclometalated Au(III) complex [[Au(CNOxN)Cl2] (CNOxN = 2-(phenyl-(2-pyridinylmethylene)aminoxy acetic acid))] (ST004) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the gold-based complex was incorporated in liposomes to overcome solubility and stability problems, to promote accumulation at melanoma sites and to maximize the therapeutic effect while controlling its reactivity. The antiproliferative activity of ST004 formulations was assessed in murine (B16F10) and human (A375 and MNT-1) melanoma cell lines after 24 and 48 h incubation periods. The proof-of-concept of the antimelanoma properties of ST004 formulations was carried out in subcutaneous and metastatic murine melanoma models. Results: the developed liposomal formulations showed a low mean size (around 100 nm), high homogeneity (with a low polydispersity index) and high incorporation efficiency (51 ± 15%). ST004 formulations exhibited antiproliferative activity with EC50 values in the μmolar range being cell-line- and incubation-period-dependent. On the opposite side, the benchmark antimelanoma compound, dacarbazine (DTIC), presented an EC50 > 100 μM. Cell cycle analysis revealed an arrest in G0/G1 phase for Free-ST004 in all cell lines. In turn, LIP-ST004 led to a G0/G1 halt in B16F10, and to an arrest in S phase in A375 and MNT-1 cells. Preliminary mechanistic studies in human red blood cells suggest that gold-based inhibition of glycerol permeation acts through aquaglyceroporin 3 (AQP3). In a metastatic murine melanoma, a significant reduction in lung metastases in animals receiving LIP-ST004, compared to free gold complex and DTIC, was observed. Conclusion: This study highlights the antimelanoma potential of a new gold-based complex. Additional studies, namely in vivo biodistribution profile and therapeutic validation of this organogold complex in other melanoma models, are expected to be performed in further investigations.

Myeloperoxidase and Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Within Leukaemia Stem Cells Increased Chemosensitivity in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) are major contributors to chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Identifying potential biomarkers within LSCs that can predict chemosensitivity in AML is key. This prospective study involved 20 consecutive de novo AML patients who underwent '7 + 3' induction therapy. The patients were divided into CR (n = 15) and non-CR (n = 5) groups. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we examined the cellular states of bone marrow mononuclear cells from AML patients at diagnosis and identified LSC among these cells. Our results showed that in non-CR AML patients, a significant increase in the proportion of immature cells during haematopoiesis within the AML cell populations was observed. Moreover, the expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO) (log2 fold-change = 0.89; adjusted p < 0.0001) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (log2 fold-change = 0.65; adjusted p < 0.0001) was higher within LSCs in the CR group than in the non-CR group. Furthermore, patients with higher expression of MPO and TRH demonstrated improved relapse-free survival (p = 0.002 for MPO; p = 0.009 for TRH) and overall survival (p = 0.002 for MPO; p < 0.001 for TRH). The connection between MPO or TRH and chemosensitivity could be linked with the downregulation of transforming growth factor and the upregulation of interferon-α. In conclusion, MPO and TRH in LSCs could serve as chemosensitivity biomarkers in AML.

Survival Resonances during Fractional Killing of Cell Populations

Fractional killing in response to drugs is a hallmark of nongenetic cellular heterogeneity. Yet how individual lineages evade drug treatment, as observed in bacteria and cancer cells, is not quantitatively understood. We study a stochastic population model with age-dependent division and death rates, allowing for persistence. In periodic drug environments, we discover peaks in the survival probabilities at division or death times that are multiples of the environment duration. The survival resonances are unseen in unstructured populations and are amplified by persistence.

A Comparative Study on Radiosensitivity of Canine Osteosarcoma Cell Lines Subjected to Spatially Fractionated Radiotherapy

Canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSCA) is a highly aggressive cancer, constituting 85% of all bone tumors in dogs, predominantly affecting larger breeds and exhibiting a high metastatic rate. This disease also shares many genomic similarities with human osteosarcomas, making it an ideal comparative model for treatment discovery. In this study, we characterized the radiobiological properties of several OSCA cell lines when subjected to spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT) and chemotherapy. Specifically, we focused on lower (peak) doses from SFRT ranging from 1 to 10 Gy. These canine OSCA cell lines serve as useful models for osteosarcoma research that can be utilized to find translational treatments for both canine and human patients. This study reaffirms established clinical wisdom regarding the notoriously radioresistant profile of osteosarcomas but additionally offers compelling evidence supporting SFRT as a promising treatment option that could be used in conjunction with other cytotoxic agents.

Ribosomal proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma: mysterious but promising

Ribosomal proteins (RPs) are essential components of ribosomes, playing a role not only in ribosome biosynthesis, but also in various extra-ribosomal functions, some of which are implicated in the development of different types of tumors. As universally acknowledged, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been garnering global attention due to its complex pathogenesis and challenging treatments. In this review, we analyze the biological characteristics of RPs and emphasize their essential roles in HCC. In addition to regulating related signaling pathways such as the p53 pathway, RPs also act in proliferation and metastasis by influencing cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in HCC. RPs are expected to unfold new possibilities for precise diagnosis and individualized treatment of HCC.

Cannabidiol suppresses proliferation and induces cell death, autophagy and senescence in human cholangiocarcinoma cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Background and aim

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is usually diagnosed at a late stage, leading to treatment failure. Cannabidiol (CBD), exhibits diverse anti-cancer effects in various cancers, offering avenues for improving CCA treatment. This study investigated the effects of CBD on human CCA cells and the underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental procedure

The effects of CBD on three CCA cell lines (KKU-213B, KKU-100, KKU-055) were assessed using the SRB assay, clonogenic assay, cell cycle arrest, and 3D holotomography. Morphological changes were examined using transmission electron microscopy, while mitochondrial ROS levels and mitochondrial membrane potential were studied using MitoSOX, JC-1, and DCFH-DA. Cellular senescence induction was evaluated via SA-β-gal staining. Protein associatedwith autophagy and cellular senescence were analyzed using Western blot and/or immunofluorescent assays. A xenograft model demonstrated the anti-tumor activity of CBD and the induction of cellular senescence through immunohistochemistry targeting PCNA, β-gal, and p21.

Results and conclusion

CBD effectively inhibited CCA cell proliferation, suppressed colony formation and induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Morphological examination revealed lipid droplets/vesicles in CCA cell lines. CBD induced autophagy by upregulating LC3BII, downregulating p62, and inhibiting the p-PI3K, p-AKT, and p-mTOR pathways. Additionally, CBD disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis by elevating ROS, reducing membrane potential, and induced cellular senescence by increasing the expression of p53 and p21. In-vitro results were confirmed by xenograft models. Overall, CBD suppresses proliferation and induces cell death, autophagy and senescence in CCA cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which indicates a therapeutic option for CCA treatment.

Clinical relevance of NFYA splice variants in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia undergoing intensive chemotherapy

Aberrant alternative splicing (AS) contributes to leukemogenesis, but reports on the clinical and biological implications of aberrant AS in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remain limited. Here, we used RNA-seq to analyse AS in AML cells from 341 patients, comparing them to healthy CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Our findings highlight distinct AS patterns in the nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha (NFYA) gene, with two main isoforms: NFYA-L (Long) and NFYA-S (Short), differing in exon 3 inclusion. Patients with lower NFYA-L but higher NFYA-S expression, termed NFYA-S predominance, displayed more favourable characteristics and better outcomes following intensive chemotherapy, regardless of age and European LeukemiaNet risk classification, compared to those with higher NFYA-L but lower NFYA-S expression, termed NFYA-L predominance. The prognostic effects were validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulated cell cycle genes in NFYA-S predominant cases, resembling those of active HSCs, demonstrating relative chemosensitivity. Conversely, NFYA-L predominant cases, as observed in KMT2A-rearranged leukaemia, were associated with relative chemoresistance. NFYA-S overexpression in OCI-AML3 cells promoted cell proliferation, S-phase entry and increased cytarabine sensitivity, suggesting its clinical and therapeutic relevance in AML. Our study underscores NFYA AS as a potential prognostic biomarker in AML.

PPP1R14B as a potential biomarker for the identification of diagnosis and prognosis affecting tumor immunity, proliferation and migration in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a malignancy that affects men and is characterized by metastasis and high rates of morbidity. The objective of this study was to explore novel PCa biomarker with potential diagnostic and therapeutic value and relationships between it and tumor immunity and development. A total of 32 key genes were screened out via LASSO based upon 188 intersection genes obtained from WGCNA and DEGs analysis in GSE32571, and PPP1R14B was further identified by COX regression based on the TCGA database and validated by qRT-PCR. Although it has been reported that PPP1R14B may have a certain correlation with the prognosis of uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancer, there are none of studies about correlation between PPP1R14B and PCa. Predictive ability analysis showed that PPP1R14B had greatly predictive values in occurrence and prognosis of PCa. Immune analysis revealed that overexpression of PPP1R14B was related to the increase of ALKBH2, UCK2, RAC3 and RAB17 and the decrease of CD40, DKK3, COL17A1 and PGRMC1, which would result in downregulation of plasma cells, upregulation of T regulatory cells and disorder of macrophage proportion to suppress adaptive immune directed against PCa. GSEA analysis showed that PPP1R14B, as an inhibitor of PP1, its overexpression was mainly involved in regulating pathways associated with MYC, E2F, PFN1 and so on, which was participated in the regulation of immune factors such as CD40, RAC3, COL17A, DKK3, as well as biological processes such as proliferation and migration. Patients with higher PPP1R14B expression responded more sensitively to drugs selumetinib and vorinostat, zebularine, azacitidine and VER155008. In summary, PPP1R14B was a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of PCa and its high expression had closely association with tumor immune inhibition, proliferation and migration, providing a new target for drug therapy and immunotherapy in PCa.

Metformin in combination with chemotherapy increases apoptosis in gastric cancer cells and counteracts senescence induced by chemotherapy

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the world, and there is a demand for new therapeutic agents to treat GC. Metformin has been demonstrated to be an antineoplastic agent in some types of cancer; however, it has not been sufficiently valued in treating GC because the effect of metformin in combination with chemotherapy regimens has not yet been evaluated. The present study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying cell death induced by metformin alone or when combined with chemotherapy. The cytogenetic characteristics of the NCI-N87 cell line were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). To determine viability, the cells were treated with metformin, epirubicin, cisplatin, docetaxel and 5-fluorouracil (individually and at different concentrations). Subsequently, the cells were treated with metformin alone, and in combination with the chemotherapeutic drugs and the epirubicin + cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil, docetaxel + cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin + 5-fluorouracil regimens. Cell viability, proliferation and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were analyzed by spectrophotometry. Apoptosis, caspase activity and cell cycle progression were assessed by flow cytometry. Finally, light microscopy was used to evaluate senescence and clonogenicity. The results revealed that metformin, alone and when combined with chemotherapy, increased the proportion of apoptotic cells, promoted the loss of ΔΨm, and induced apoptosis through caspase activity in GC cells. Moreover, metformin decreased cell proliferation. In addition, metformin alone did not induce senescence and it counteracted the effects of chemotherapy-induced senescence in GC cells. Additionally, metformin, alone and when combined with chemotherapy, decreased the clonogenic capacity of NCI-N87 GC cells. In conclusion, metformin may increase the effects of chemotherapy on NCI-N87 cell death and could represent an option to improve the treatment of GC.

MicroRNA‑325: A comprehensive exploration of its multifaceted roles in cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic implications (Review)

MicroRNA (miRNA/miR) represents a category of endogenous, short-chain non-coding RNA molecules comprising ~22 nucleotides. Specifically, miR-325 is situated within the first sub-band of region 2 on the short arm of the X chromosome. Notably, aberrant expression of miR-325 has been observed across various tumor systems, spanning the nervous, endocrine, respiratory, reproductive and digestive systems. miR-325 exhibits the capacity to target a minimum of 20 protein-coding genes, thereby influencing diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis, invasion and migration. Moreover, miR-325 serves a pivotal role in the formation of six competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory axes, involving one circular RNA, four long non-coding RNA and one additional miRNA. By participating in various signaling pathways through gene targeting, the abnormal expression of miR-325 has been associated with clinicopathological conditions in diverse patients with cancer, significantly impacting both the clinicopathology and prognosis of affected individuals. Additionally, miR-325 has been associated with the development of resistance to oxaliplatin, cisplatin and doxorubicin in cancer cells. Its involvement in the anticancer molecular mechanisms of these agents underscores its potential significance in therapeutic contexts. However, it is noteworthy that the current study did not specifically address sex-based cell line selection. In conclusion, the present review provides a comprehensive summary of the relevant findings concerning miR-325, offering valuable insights for future research endeavors focused on determining the molecular mechanisms associated with this miRNA.

Novel drug delivery systems in colorectal cancer: Advances and future prospects

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an abnormal proliferation of cells within the colon and rectum, leading to the formation of polyps and disruption of mucosal functions. The disease development is influenced by a combination of factors, including inflammation, exposure to environmental mutagens, genetic alterations, and impairment in signaling pathways. Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are often used but have limitations, including poor solubility and permeability, treatment resistance, side effects, and post-surgery issues. Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS) have emerged as a superior alternative, offering enhanced drug solubility, precision in targeting cancer cells, and regulated drug release. Thereby addressing the shortcomings of conventional therapies and showing promise for more effective CRC management. The present review sheds light on the pathogenesis, signaling pathways, biomarkers, conventional treatments, need for NDDS, and application of NDDS against CRC. Additionally, clinical trials, ongoing clinical trials, marketed formulations, and patents on CRC are also covered in the present review.

Effect of quercetin and chrysin and its association on viability and cell cycle progression in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Pharmacological properties of flavonoids have been reported, with an anticancer role amongst them, however, its mechanisms are not fully elucidated. In this study, the activity of quercetin and chrysin towards MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was investigated. Cellular viability was determined after treatment with the compounds in different concentrations for 24 h. Secondly, cells were treated with fixed concentration of chrysin and different concentrations of quercetin with preincubation for 1 h. Both compounds inhibited cellular proliferation in dose-dependent manner. The association showed improvement in their cytotoxicity, more expressively with preincubation of quercetin. Quercetin and chrysin association induced cell cycle arrest in sub-G0/G1 phase in MDA-MB-231 cells, modified the expression of caspases-3 and -8,-8, inducing late apoptosis cell death. Taken together, our results demonstrate that both flavonoids inhibited cells growth in a dose-dependent manner and the association of quercetin improved chrysin's toxic effect over the cell lines.

CDC25B Is a Prognostic Biomarker Associated With Immune Infiltration and Drug Sensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cell division cycle 25B (CDC25B), a member of the CDC25 phosphatase family, plays a key role in cell cycle regulation. Studies have suggested its carcinogenic potential in various cancers, but the role of CDC25B in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of CDC25B in HCC using bioinformatics and experiments. CDC25B expression data of HCC cancer tissues and paracancerous normal samples were obtained from The Cancer Gene Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, and the relationship between CDC25B expression and the prognosis and degree of tumor differentiation of HCC patients was analyzed. CDC25B expression was verified in clinical HCC tissue samples using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and protein immunoblotting (Western blot). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to identify signaling pathways enriched in CDC25B expression, and differential genes (DEGs) were used to screen out coexpressed hub genes and construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) staining was used to compare the proliferation and differentiation ability of the HCC cell line (HCC-LM3) after knockdown of CDC25B. Finally, we investigated the mutation of CDC25B in HCC and the relationship between CDC25B expression and tumor cell infiltration of lymphocytes and some immune checkpoints as well as drug sensitivity. CDC25B was overexpressed in HCC tissues and correlated with poor prognosis and the degree of tumor differentiation in patients with HCC. The GSEA and PPI networks together revealed significantly upregulated signaling pathways, as well as functions, associated with the development of HCC when CDC25B was overexpressed. The EDU assay demonstrated that the ability of cells to differentiate value addedly was markedly reduced following the downregulation of CDC25B expression in HCC-LM3s. CDC25B was also involved in the formation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune processes in HCC, and the high expression of CDC25B made patients less sensitive to some drugs. CDC25B can be used as a biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for poor prognosis and partial drug sensitivity in HCC, providing new ideas for HCC treatment.

Evodiamine inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via the SRC/ERBB2-mediated MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

This study aimed to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of evodiamine (EVO) on proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. EVO inhibited proliferation, blocked cell cycle progression, and induced apoptosis of NPC cells. There are 27 known anti-NPC targets of EVO, of which eight are core targets, namely SRC, ERBB2, STAT3, MAPK8, NOS3, CXCL8, APP, and HDAC1. Molecular docking analysis showed that the binding of EVO with its key targets (SRC, ERBB2) was good. EVO also reduced the expression of SRC and ERBB2, the key proteins p-MEK and p-ERK1/2 of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, and the downstream proteins PCNA and XIAP. EVO inhibited the growth of NPC xenografts in nude mice and reduced the expression levels of SRC, ERBB2, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, PCNA and XIAP in NPC tissue. When the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway was activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF), the expression levels of PCNA and XIAP increased, the cell proliferation index increased, and the apoptosis rate decreased in the EGF + EVO treatment group compared to treatment with EVO alone. These changes indicated that the inhibitory effect of EVO on proliferation and apoptosis of NPC cells was related to the down-regulation of SRC and ERBB2 expression, and further inhibition of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Evaluation of Efficiency of Liposome-Entrapped Iridium(III) Complexes Inhibiting Tumor Growth In Vitro and In Vivo

In this paper, three new iridium(III) complexes: [Ir(piq)2(DFIPP)]PF6 (piq = deprotonated 1-phenylisoquinoline, DFIPP = 3,4-difluoro-2-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenenthrolin-2-yl)phenol, 3a), [Ir(bzq)2(DFIPP)]PF6 (bzq = deprotonated benzo[h]quinoline, 3b), and [Ir(ppy)2(DFIPP)]PF6 (ppy = deprotonated 1-phenylpyridine, 3c), were synthesized and characterized. The complexes were found to be nontoxic to tumor cells via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Surprisingly, its liposome-entrapped complexes 3alip, 3blip, and 3clip on B16 cells showed strong cytotoxicity (IC50 = 13.6 ± 2.8, 9.6 ± 1.1, and 18.9 ± 2.1 μM). Entry of 3alip, 3blip, and 3clip into B16 cells decreases mitochondrial membrane potential, regulates Bcl-2 family proteins, releases cytochrome c, triggers caspase family cascade reaction, and induces apoptosis. In addition, we also found that 3alip, 3blip, and 3clip triggered ferroptosis and autophagy. In vivo studies demonstrated that 3blip inhibited melanoma growth in C57 mice with a high inhibitory rate of 83.95%, and no organic damage was found in C57 mice.

Lighting the way: an economical alternative to feeder cell irradiation for T-cell expansion

A robust T-cell expansion process involves co-culturing T-cells with non-proliferating feeder cells combined with anti-CD3 antibody and IL-2. Although ionizing irradiation effectively inhibits feeder cell proliferation, the high operating costs limit cell therapy research to well-funded institutions. UVC, known for causing DNA damage-induced cell death and commonly used for environmental sterilization, presents a cost-effective alternative to ionizing irradiation for generating non-proliferating feeder cells. UVC irradiation of K562 artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) resulted in significant DNA damage, evidenced by increased γ-H2AX phosphorylation within 15 minutes and elevated 8-OHdG levels at 24 hours. This indicates the occurrence of DNA double-strand breaks and oxidative damage. Following UVC irradiation, glucose uptake and ATP production were significantly reduced, whereas aCD3 retention at the surface of the cell increased twofold. Selective inhibition of glucose uptake and ATP production similarly enhanced aCD3 retention by approximately 10-fold and 6-fold, respectively. This suggests that UVC-induced energy deprivation dampens aCD3 internalization, potentially enhancing T-cell activation through prolonged aCD3 and T-cell receptor interaction. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) expanded with UVC-irradiated PBMCs demonstrated comparable viability, expansion, immunophenotype, and effector function to those expanded with ionizing irradiation. UVC irradiation was equally effective in suppressing feeder cell proliferation and facilitating the expansion of functionally potent T-cells compared to traditional ionizing irradiation. Implementing UVC irradiation in T-cell expansion can significantly reduce costs, enhancing the accessibility and feasibility of cell therapy research across various institutions.

Advances in Melanoma: From Genetic Insights to Therapeutic Innovations

Advances in melanoma research have unveiled critical insights into its genetic and molecular landscape, leading to significant therapeutic innovations. This review explores the intricate interplay between genetic alterations, such as mutations in BRAF, NRAS, and KIT, and melanoma pathogenesis. The MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways are highlighted for their roles in tumor growth and resistance mechanisms. Additionally, this review delves into the impact of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone changes, on melanoma progression. The tumor microenvironment, characterized by immune cells, stromal cells, and soluble factors, plays a pivotal role in modulating tumor behavior and treatment responses. Emerging technologies like single-cell sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9, and AI-driven diagnostics are transforming melanoma research, offering precise and personalized approaches to treatment. Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors and personalized mRNA vaccines, has revolutionized melanoma therapy by enhancing the body's immune response. Despite these advances, resistance mechanisms remain a challenge, underscoring the need for combined therapies and ongoing research to achieve durable therapeutic responses. This comprehensive overview aims to highlight the current state of melanoma research and the transformative impacts of these advancements on clinical practice.

FASTKD1 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for STAD: Insights into m6A modification and immune infiltration

Fas-activated serine/threonine kinase domain 1 (FASTKD1), a known modulator of mitochondrial-mediated cell death and survival processes, has garnered attention for its potential role in various biological contexts. However, its involvement in gastric cancer remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between FASTKD1 expression and key factors, including clinicopathological characteristics, immune infiltration and m6A modification in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). The expression of FASTKD1 was analyzed in STAD and normal adjacent tissues to assess its association with clinicopathological characteristics and survival prognosis. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used in this study. Additionally, the findings were validated through immunohistochemical staining. Co-expression analysis of FASTKD1 was performed using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (GO/KEGG) enrichment analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and LinkedOmics database analysis. An in-depth analysis was conducted using databases, such as Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), GEO and TCGA to explore the potential correlation between FASTKD1 expression and immune infiltration and m6A modification in STAD. The results revealed that FASTKD1 was significantly upregulated across different tumor types, including STAD. Notably, FASTKD1 was able to distinguish between tumor and normal tissue samples with accuracy. Furthermore, the expression levels of FASTKD1 were significantly associated with clinical stage and survival. Through GO/KEGG enrichment analysis and GSEA, it was revealed that the genes co-expressed with FASTKD1 were active in a variety of biological processes. Within the TIMER, GEPIA and TCGA databases, a notable inverse correlation was observed between FASTKD1 expression and the abundance of immune cell subsets. Notably, significant correlations were established between FASTKD1 and m6A modification genes, YTHDF1 and LRPPRC, in both TCGA and GEO datasets. In conclusion, FASTKD1 may serve a significant role in m6A modification and immune infiltration processes, making it a potentially valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in STAD.

3D modular bioceramic scaffolds for the investigation of the interaction between osteosarcoma cells and MSCs

Recent advances in bone tissue engineering have shown promise for bone repair post osteosarcoma excision. However, conflicting research on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has raised concerns about their potential to either promote or inhibit tumor cell proliferation. It is necessary to thoroughly understand the interactions between MSCs and tumor cells. Most previous studies only focused on the interactions between cells within the tumor tissues. It has been challenging to develop an in vitro model of osteosarcoma excision sites replicating the complexity of the bone microenvironment and cell distribution. In this work, we designed and fabricated modular bioceramic scaffolds to assemble into a co-culture model. Because of the bone-like composition and mechanical property, tricalcium phosphate bioceramic could mimic the bone microenvironment and recapitulate the cell-extracellular matrix interaction. Moreover, the properties for easy assembly enabled the modular units to mimic the spatial distribution of cells in the osteosarcoma excision site. Under this co-culture model, MSCs showed a noticeable tumor-stimulating effect with a potential risk of tumor recurrence. In addition, tumor cells also could inhibit the osteogenic ability of MSCs. To undermine the stimulating effects of MSCs on tumor cells, we present the methods of pre-differentiated MSCs, which had lower expression of IL-8 and higher expression of osteogenic proteins. Both in vitro and in vivo studies confirm that pre-differentiated MSCs could maintain high osteogenic capacity without promoting tumor growth, offering a promising approach for MSCs' application in bone regeneration. Overall, 3D modular scaffolds provide a valuable tool for constructing hard tissue in vitro models. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bone tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biomaterials has shown promise for bone repair post osteosarcoma excision. However, conflicting researches on MSCs have raised concerns about their potential to either promote or inhibit tumor cell proliferation. It remains challenges to develop in vitro models to investigate cell interactions, especially of osteosarcoma with high hardness and special composition of bone tissue. In this work, modular bioceramic scaffolds were fabricated and assembled to co-culture models. The interactions between MSCs and MG-63 were manifested as tumor-stimulating and osteogenesis-inhibiting, which means potential risk of tumor recurrence. To undermine the stimulating effect, pre-differentiation method was proposed to maintain high osteogenic capacity without tumor-stimulating, offering a promising approach for MSCs' application in bone regeneration.

Novel Thienopyrimidine-Hydrazinyl Compounds Induce DRP1-Mediated Non-Apoptotic Cell Death in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Apoptosis induction with taxanes or anthracyclines is the primary therapy for TNBC. Cancer cells can develop resistance to anticancer drugs, causing them to recur and metastasize. Therefore, non-apoptotic cell death inducers could be a potential treatment to circumvent apoptotic drug resistance. In this study, we discovered two novel compounds, TPH104c and TPH104m, which induced non-apoptotic cell death in TNBC cells. These lead compounds were 15- to 30-fold more selective in TNBC cell lines and significantly decreased the proliferation of TNBC cells compared to that of normal mammary epithelial cell lines. TPH104c and TPH104m induced a unique type of non-apoptotic cell death, characterized by the absence of cellular shrinkage and the absence of nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic blebs. Although TPH104c and TPH104m induced the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, TPH104c- and TPH104m-induced cell death did not increase the levels of cytochrome c and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase activation, and cell death was not rescued by incubating cells with the pan-caspase inhibitor, carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK). Furthermore, TPH104c and TPH104m significantly downregulated the expression of the mitochondrial fission protein, DRP1, and their levels determined their cytotoxic efficacy. Overall, TPH104c and TPH104m induced non-apoptotic cell death, and further determination of their cell death mechanisms will aid in the development of new potent and efficacious anticancer drugs to treat TNBC.

A comprehensive review of computational cell cycle models in guiding cancer treatment strategies

This article reviews the current knowledge and recent advancements in computational modeling of the cell cycle. It offers a comparative analysis of various modeling paradigms, highlighting their unique strengths, limitations, and applications. Specifically, the article compares deterministic and stochastic models, single-cell versus population models, and mechanistic versus abstract models. This detailed analysis helps determine the most suitable modeling framework for various research needs. Additionally, the discussion extends to the utilization of these computational models to illuminate cell cycle dynamics, with a particular focus on cell cycle viability, crosstalk with signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment, DNA replication, and repair mechanisms, underscoring their critical roles in tumor progression and the optimization of cancer therapies. By applying these models to crucial aspects of cancer therapy planning for better outcomes, including drug efficacy quantification, drug discovery, drug resistance analysis, and dose optimization, the review highlights the significant potential of computational insights in enhancing the precision and effectiveness of cancer treatments. This emphasis on the intricate relationship between computational modeling and therapeutic strategy development underscores the pivotal role of advanced modeling techniques in navigating the complexities of cell cycle dynamics and their implications for cancer therapy.

The role of lncRNA NEAT1 in human cancer chemoresistance

Chemotherapy is currently one of the most effective methods in clinical cancer treatment. However, chemotherapy resistance is an important reason for poor chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis, which has become an urgent problem to be solved in the field of cancer chemotherapy. Therefore, it is very important to deeply study and analyze the mechanism of cancer chemotherapy resistance and its regulatory factors. Long non-coding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (LncRNA NEAT1) has been shown to be closely associated with chemotherapy resistance in cancer. NEAT1 induces cancer cell resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs by regulating cell apoptosis, cell cycle, drug transport and metabolism, DNA damage repair, EMT, autophagy, cancer stem cell characteristics, and metabolic reprogramming. This indicates that NEAT1 may be an important target to overcome chemotherapy resistance and is expected to be a potential biomarker to predict the effect of chemotherapy. This article summarizes the expression characteristics and clinical characteristics of NEAT1 in different cancers, and deeply discusses the regulatory role of NEAT1 in cancer chemotherapy resistance and related molecular mechanisms, aiming to clarify NEAT1 as a new target to overcome cancer chemotherapy resistance and the feasibility of chemotherapy sensitizers, with a view to providing a potential therapeutic direction for overcoming the dilemma of cancer resistance in the future.

Luteolin as a potential therapeutic candidate for lung cancer: Emerging preclinical evidence

Lung cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor and a leading cause of cancer-related fatalities globally. However, current treatments all have limitations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify a readily available therapeutic agent to counteract lung cancer development and progression. Luteolin is a flavonoid derived from vegetables and herbs that possesses preventive and therapeutic effects on various cancers. With the goal of providing new directions for the treatment of lung cancer, we review here the recent findings on luteolin so as to provide new ideas for the development of new anti-lung cancer drugs. The search focused on studies published between January 1995 and January 2024 that explored the use of luteolin in lung cancer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the SCOPUS, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases using the keywords "luteolin" and "lung cancer." By collecting previous literature, we found that luteolin has multiple mechanisms of therapeutic effects, including promotion of apoptosis in lung cancer cells; inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis; and modulation of immune responses. In addition, it can be used as an adjuvant to radio-chemotherapy and helps to ameliorate cancer complications. This review summarizes the structure, natural sources, physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetics of luteolin, and focuses on the anti-lung cancer mechanism of luteolin, so as to provide new ideas for the development of new anti-lung cancer drugs.

Nanoemulsion based lipid nanoparticles for effective demethylcantharidin delivery to cure liver cancer

Demethylcantharidin (DEM) is a widely used antitumor drug; however, its poor tumor targeting and serious organotoxicity limit its application. The aim of this study was to develop a new drug delivery system for efficient delivery of DEM. Nanoemulsion based lipid nanoparticles containing demethylcantharidin (DNLNs) were prepared by loading nanoemulsions into lipid nanoparticles. The cells proliferation, apoptosis, cycle, and uptake were investigated by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and in situ fluorescence assays, respectively. Then, we established the H22 tumor-bearing mouse model to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of DNLNs and further studied its organ toxicity and distribution. DNLNs significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of H22 cells, and H22 cells could take up more DNLNs. Compared with DEM, DNLNs had certain tumor-targeting properties, and the tumor inhibition rate increased by 23.24%. Moreover, DNLNs can increase white blood cell count and reduce organ toxicity. This study paves the way for nanoemulsion-based lipid nanoparticle (NLNs)-efficient DEM delivery to treat liver cancer.

Advancements in Immunotherapeutic Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Potential of Combination Therapies

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer and a significant global health burden, with increasing incidence rates and limited treatment options. Immunotherapy has become a promising approach due to its ability to affect the immune microenvironment and promote antitumor responses. The immune microenvironment performs an essential role in both the progression and the development of HCC, with different characteristics based on specific immune cells and etiological factors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and durvalumab) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibitors (tremelimumab and ipilimumab), have the potential to treat advanced HCC and overcome adverse effects, such as liver failure and chemoresistance. Phase II and phase III clinical trials highlight the efficacy of pembrolizumab and nivolumab, respectively, in advanced HCC patients, as demonstrated by their positive effects on overall survival and progression-free survival. Tremelimumab has exhibited modest response rates, though it does possess antiviral activity. Thus, it is still being investigated in ongoing clinical trials. Combination therapies with multiple drugs have demonstrated potential benefits in terms of survival and tumor response rates, improving patient outcomes compared to monotherapy, especially for advanced-stage HCC. This review addresses the clinical trials of immunotherapies for early-, intermediate-, and advanced-stage HCC. Additionally, it highlights how combination therapy can significantly enhance overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate in advanced-stage HCC, where treatment options are limited.

4-Deoxy-ε-Pyrromycinone: A Promising Drug/Lead Compound to Treat Tumors

Background

Anthraquinone drugs are widely used in the treatment of tumors. However, multidrug resistance and severe cardiac toxicity limit its use, which have led to the discovery of new analogues. In this paper, 4-Deoxy-ε-pyrromycinone (4-Deo), belonging to anthraquinone compounds, was first been studied with the anti-tumor effects and the safety in vitro and in vivo as a new anti-tumor drug or lead compound.

Methods

The quantitative analysis of 4-Deo was established by UV methodology. The anti-cancer effect of 4-Deo in vitro was evaluated by cytotoxicity experiments of H22, HepG2 and Caco2, and the anti-cancer mechanism was explored by cell apoptosis and cycle. The tumor-bearing mouse model was established by subcutaneous inoculation of H22 cells to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of 4-Deo in vivo. The safety of 4-Deo was verified by the in vitro safety experiments of healthy cells and the in vivo safety experiments of H22 tumor-bearing mice. Tumor tissue sections were labeled with CRT, HMGB1, IL-6 and CD115 to explore the preliminary anti-cancer mechanism by immunohistochemistry.

Results

In vitro experiments demonstrated that 4-Deo could inhibit the growth of H22 by inducing cell necrosis and blocking cells in S phase, and 4-Deo has less damage to healthy cells. In vivo experiments showed that 4-Deo increased the positive area of CRT and HMGB1, which may inhibit tumor growth by triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD). In addition, 4-Deo reduced the positive area of CSF1R, and the anti-tumor effect may be achieved by blocking the transformation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to M2 phenotype.

Conclusion

In summary, this paper demonstrated the promise of 4-Deo for cancer treatment in vitro and in vivo. This paper lays the foundation for the study of 4-Deo, which is beneficial for the further development anti-tumor drugs based on the lead compound of 4-Deo.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Rhus coriaria extract and their anticancer activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells

The growing interest in using plant extracts for the biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) stems from their facile, eco-friendly, and biologically safe approach instead of chemical routes. For the first time, ZnO NPs were successfully biosynthesized using Rhus coriaria fruit aqueous extract as a reducing and capping agent. Characterization revealed that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs possessed a maximum absorbance of approximately 359 nm and closely resembled the hexagonal ZnO wurtzite crystalline structure, with an average crystalline size of 16.69 nm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed the presence of spherical and hexagonal morphologies, with an average grain size of 20.51 ± 3.90 nm. Moreover, the elemental composition of the synthesized ZnO NPs was assessed via energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and the presence of phytocompounds on their surface was subsequently verified through FT-IR analysis. The ζ-potential of ZnO NPs was recorded at - 19.9 ± 0.1663 mV. Regarding anti-cancer properties, ZnO NPs were found to possess potent anti-tumor effects on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Their efficacy was dose-dependent, with IC50 values ranging from 35.04-44.86 μg/mL for MCF-7 and 55.54-63.71 µg/mL for MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanistic studies in MDA-MB-231 cells revealed apoptosis induction, validated by DAPI staining, confocal microscopy, and Annexin V/PI staining, showing apoptosis by 12.59% and 81.57% at ½ IC50 and IC50 values, respectively. Additionally, ZnO NPs were observed to provoke S-phase arrest and inhibit colony-forming and metastatic potential by modulating apoptosis and metastasis-related genes. This study unravels new insights into how ZnO NPs provoke cancer cell death and inhibit metastasis, revealing new prospects in cancer nanotechnology.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Precision Targeting in Oncology

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in oncology, facilitating advancements in site-specific cancer therapy and personalized oncomedicine. The development of nanomedicines explicitly targeted to cancer cells represents a pivotal breakthrough, allowing the development of precise interventions. These cancer-cell-targeted nanomedicines operate within the intricate milieu of the tumour microenvironment, further enhancing their therapeutic efficacy. This comprehensive review provides a contemporary perspective on precision cancer medicine and underscores the critical role of nanotechnology in advancing site-specific cancer therapy and personalized oncomedicine. It explores the categorization of nanoparticle types, distinguishing between organic and inorganic variants, and examines their significance in the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. Current insights into the strategies for developing actively targeted nanomedicines across various cancer types are also provided, thus addressing relevant challenges associated with drug delivery barriers. Promising future directions in personalized cancer nanomedicine approaches are delivered, emphasising the imperative for continued optimization of nanocarriers in precision cancer medicine. The discussion underscores translational research's need to enhance cancer patients' outcomes by refining nanocarrier technologies in nanotechnology-driven, site-specific cancer therapy.