Mechanisms of drug resistance in colon cancer and its therapeutic strategies

Establishment of XRD fourier fingerprint identification method of realgar decoction pieces and its anti-tumor activity in tumor-in-situ transplanted mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Realgar, a traditional mineral Chinese medicine, has been used in China for more than 2000 years. It has been recorded in many ancient and modern works that it has anti-cancer and anti-tumor effects. Of course, colon cancer is also within the scope of its treatment. Realgar needs to be processed into realgar decoction pieces by water grinding before being used for medicine. To ensure the consistency of efficacy and quality of realgar decoction pieces, modern methods need to be used for further quality control.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The research of traditional mineral Chinese medicine is relatively difficult, and the related research is less. The purpose of this study is to control the quality of realgar decoction pieces by modern analytical technology and analyze its components. On this basis, its anti-colon cancer activity was discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Several batches of realgar decoction pieces were analyzed by XRD, and the components of realgar decoction pieces were obtained. The quality control fingerprints of realgar decoction pieces were established by processing XRD spectra and similarity evaluation. Then, the effects of realgar decoction pieces on apoptosis of CT26 and HTC-116 cells were observed in vitro by Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry, measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential and Western blot; In vivo, the mouse model of tumor-in-situ transplantation of colon cancer was established, and the related indexes were observed.

RESULT

The explorations showed that the XRD Fourier fingerprints of realgar decoction pieces samples that had the same phase revealed 10 common peaks, respectively. The similarity evaluation of the established XRD Fourier fingerprint was greater than 0.900. We also demonstrated that realgar decoction pieces can promote apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth in colon cancer cells, its activating effect on p53 protein, and its safety when used within reasonable limits.

CONCLUSION

The quality control of realgar decoction pieces by XRD is scientific and has the inhibitory effect on colon cancer, which has the development potential.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Quinoa Induce Ferroptosis of Colon Cancer by Suppressing Stemness

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients for the human body, playing crucial roles in reducing blood lipids, anti-inflammatory responses, and anticancer effect. Quinoa is a nutritionally sound food source, rich in PUFAs. This study investigates the role of quinoa polyunsaturated fatty acids (QPAs) on quelling drug resistance in colorectal cancer. The results reveal that QPA downregulates the expression of drug-resistant proteins P-gp, MRP1, and BCRP, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of colorectal cancer drug-resistant cells to the chemotherapy drug. QPA also inhibits the stemness of drug-resistant colorectal cancer cells by reducing the expression of the stemness marker CD44. Consequently, it suppresses the downstream protein SLC7A11 and leads to ferroptosis. Additionally, QPA makes the expression of ferritin lower and increases the concentration of free iron ions within cells, leading to ferroptosis. Overall, QPA has the dual-function reversing drug resistance in colorectal cancer by simultaneously inhibiting stemness and inducing ferroptosis. This study provides a new option for chemotherapy sensitizers and establishes a theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of quinoa.

Therapeutic liposomal combination to enhance chemotherapy response and immune activation of tumor microenvironment

Multiple oxaliplatin-resistance mechanisms have been proposed such as increase of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages and lack of cytotoxic T-cells. Thereby oxaliplatin chemotherapy promotes an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and inhibits anti-tumor efficacy. It has been shown that toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are capable of triggering broad inflammatory responses, which may potentially reduce oxaliplatin-resistance and improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. In this study, we established colorectal tumor-bearing zebrafish and mice, and investigated the effects of TLR agonists and oxaliplatin in macrophage function and anti-tumor T cell immunity as well as tumor growth control in vivo. To increase the potential of this strategy as well minimize side effects, neutral liposomes carrying oxaliplatin and cationic liposomes co-loaded with TLR agonists Poly I:C and R848 were employed for maximum immune activation. Both of two liposomal systems exhibited good physicochemical properties and excellent biological activities in vitro. The combination strategy delivered by liposomes showed more pronounced tumor regression and correlated with decreased M2 macrophage numbers in both zebrafish and mice. Increasing numbers of dendritic cells, DC maturation and T cell infiltration mediated via immunogenic cell death were observed in treated mice. Our study offers valuable insights into the potential of liposomal combination therapy to improve cancer treatment by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment and enhancing immune responses.

Natural products can be potential inhibitors of metalloproteinase II from Bacteroides fragilis to intervene colorectal cancer

Bacteroides fragilis, a gram negative and obligate anaerobe bacterium, is a member of normal gut microbiota and facilitates many essential roles being performed in human body in normal circumstances specifically in Gastrointestinal or GI tract. Sometimes, due to genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors, Bacteroides fragilis and their protein(s) start interacting with intestinal epithelium thus damaging the lining leading to colorectal cancers (CRC). To identify these protein(s), we incorporated a novel subtractive proteomics approach in the study. Metalloproteinase II (MPII), a Bacteroides fragilis toxin (bft), was investigated for its virulence and unique pathways to demonstrate its specificity and uniqueness in pathogenicity followed by molecular docking against a set of small drug-like natural molecules to discover potential inhibitors against the toxin. All these identified inhibitor-like molecules were analyzed for their ADMET calculations and detailed physiochemical properties to predict their druggability, GI absorption, blood brain barrier and skin permeation, and others. Resultantly, a total of ten compounds with the least binding energies were obtained and were subjected to protein-compound interaction analysis. Interaction analysis revealed the most common ligand-interacting residues in MPII are His 345, Glu 346, His 339, Gly 310, Tyr 341, Pro 340, Asp 187, Phe 309, Lys 307, Ile 185, Thr 308, and Pro 184. Therefore, top three compounds complexed with MPII having best binding energies were selected in order to analyze their trajectories. RMSD, RMSF, Rg and MMPBSA analysis revealed that all compounds showed good binding and keeping the complex stable and compact throughout the simulation time in addition to all properties and qualities of being a potential inhibitor against MPII.

Recent advanced lipid-based nanomedicines for overcoming cancer resistance

The increasing prevalence of cancer drug resistance not only critically limits the efficiency of traditional therapies but also causes relapses or recurrences of cancer. Consequently, there remains an urgent need to address the intricate landscape of drug resistance beyond traditional cancer therapies. Recently, nanotechnology has played an important role in the field of various drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer, especially therapy-resistant cancer. Among advanced nanomedicine technologies, lipid-based nanomaterials have emerged as effective drug carriers for cancer treatment, significantly improving therapeutic effects. Due to their biocompatibility, simplicity of preparation, and potential for functionalization, lipid-based nanomaterials are considered powerful competitors for resistant cancer. In this review, an overview of lipid-based nanomaterials for addressing cancer resistance is discussed. We summarize the recent progress in overcoming drug resistance in cancer by these lipid-based nanomaterials, and highlight their potential in future applications to reverse cancer resistance.

Unmasking early colorectal cancer clues: in silico and in vitro investigation of downregulated IGF2, SOCS1, MLH1, and CACNA1G in SSA polyps

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Colorectal cancer (CRC) originates from pre-existing polyps in the colon. The development of different subtypes of CRC is influenced by various genetic and epigenetic characteristics. CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is found in about 15-20% of sporadic CRCs and is associated with hypermethylation of certain gene promoters. This study aims to find prognostic genes and compare their expression and methylation status as potential biomarkers in patients with serrated sessile adenomas/polyps (SSAP) and CRC, in order to evaluate which, one is a better predictor of disease.

METHOD

This study employed a multi-phase approach to investigate genes associated with CRC and SSAP. Initially, two gene expression datasets were analyzed using R and Limma package to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Venn diagram analysis further refined the selection, revealing four genes from the Weissenberg panel with significant changes. These genes, underwent thorough in silico evaluations. Once confirmed, they proceeded to wet lab experimentation, focusing on expression and methylation status. This comprehensive methodology ensured a robust examination of the genes involved in CRC and SSAP.

RESULT

This study identified cancer-specific genes, with 8,351 and 1,769 genes specifically down-regulated in SSAP and CRC tissues, respectively. The down-regulated genes were associated with cell adhesion, negative regulation of cell proliferation, and drug response. Four highly downregulated genes in the Weissenberg panel, including CACNA1G, IGF2, MLH1, and SOCS1. In vitro analysis showed that they are hypermethylated in both SSAP and CRC samples while their expressions decreased only in CRC samples.

CONCLUSION

This suggests that the decrease in gene expression could help determine whether a polyp will become cancerous. Using both methylation status and gene expression status of genes in the Weissenberg panel in prognostic tests may lead to better prognoses for patients.

Advanced strategies of targeting circular RNAs as therapeutic approaches in colorectal cancer drug resistance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands second in terms of mortality and third among the highest prevalent kinds of cancer globally. CRC prevalence is rising in moderately and poorly developed regions and is greater in economically advanced regions. Despite breakthroughs in targeted therapy, resistance to chemotherapeutics remains a significant challenge in the long-term management of CRC. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been involved in growing cancer therapy resistance, particularly in CRC, according to an increasing number of studies in recent years. CircRNAs are one of the novel subclasses of non-coding RNAs, previously thought of as viroid. According to studies, circRNAs have been recommended as biological markers for therapeutic targets and diagnostic and prognostic purposes. That is particularly notable given that the expression of circRNAs has been linked to the hallmarks of CRC since they are responsible for drug resistance in CRC patients; thereby, circRNAs are significant for chemotherapy failure. Moreover, knowledge concerning circRNAs remains relatively unclear despite using all these advanced techniques. Here, in this study, we will go over the most recent published work to highlight the critical roles of circRNAs in CRC development and drug resistance and highlight the main strategies to overcome drug resistance to improve clinical outcomes.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated silencing of CD44: unveiling the role of hyaluronic acid-mediated interactions in cancer drug resistance

A comprehensive overview of CD44 (CD44 Molecule (Indian Blood Group)), a cell surface glycoprotein, and its interaction with hyaluronic acid (HA) in drug resistance mechanisms across various types of cancer is provided, where CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was utilized to silence CD44 expression and examine its impact on cancer cell behavior, migration, invasion, proliferation, and drug sensitivity. The significance of the HA-CD44 axis in tumor microenvironment (TME) delivery and its implications in specific cancer types, the influence of CD44 variants and the KHDRBS3 (KH RNA Binding Domain Containing, Signal Transduction Associated 3) gene on cancer progression and drug resistance, and the potential of targeting HA-mediated pathways using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to overcome drug resistance in cancer were also highlighted.

Evodiamine potentiates cisplatin-induced cell death and overcomes cisplatin resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer by targeting SOX9-β-catenin axis

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, phytotherapy has remained as a key therapeutic option for the treatment of various cancers. Evodiamine, an excellent phytocompound from Evodia fructus, exerts anticancer activity in several cancers by modulating drug resistance. However, the role of evodiamine in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells is not clear till now. Therefore, we have used evodiamine as a chemosensitizer to overcome cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

METHODS

Here, we looked into SOX9 expression and how it affects the cisplatin sensitivity of cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells. MTT and clonogenic assays were performed to check the cell proliferation. AO/EtBr and DAPI staining, ROS measurement assay, transfection, Western blot analysis, RT-PCR, Scratch & invasion, and comet assay were done to check the role of evodiamine in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells.

RESULTS

SOX9 levels were observed to be higher in cisplatin-resistant A549 (A549CR) and NCI-H522 (NCI-H522CR) compared to parental A549 and NCI-H522. It was found that SOX9 promotes cisplatin resistance by regulating β-catenin. Depletion of SOX9 restores cisplatin sensitivity by decreasing cell proliferation and cell migration and inducing apoptosis in A549CR and NCI-H522CR. After evodiamine treatment, it was revealed that evodiamine increases cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in A549CR and NCI-H522CR cells through increasing intracellular ROS generation. The combination of both drugs also significantly inhibited cell migration by inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistic investigation revealed that evodiamine resensitizes cisplatin-resistant cells toward cisplatin by decreasing the expression of SOX9 and β-catenin.

CONCLUSION

The combination of evodiamine and cisplatin may be a novel strategy for combating cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

Drug-Loaded Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Chemo/Photothermal Therapy against Colorectal Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and deadly malignancy, ranking second in terms of mortality and third in terms of incidence on a global scale. The survival rates for CRC patients are unsatisfactory primarily because of the absence of highly effective clinical strategies. The efficacy of existing CRC treatments, such as chemotherapy (CT), is constrained by issues such as drug resistance and damage to healthy tissues. Alternative approaches such as photothermal therapy (PTT), while offering advantages over traditional therapies, suffer instead from a low efficiency in killing tumor cells when used alone. In this context, nanostructures can efficiently contribute to a selective and targeted treatment. Here, we combined CT and PTT by developing a nanoplatform based on polydopamine nanoparticles (PDNPs), selected for their biocompatibility, drug-carrying capabilities, and ability to produce heat upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. As a chemotherapy drug, sorafenib has been selected, a multikinase inhibitor already approved for clinical use. By encapsulating sorafenib in polydopamine nanoparticles (Sor-PDNPs), we were able to successfully improve the drug stability in physiological media and the consequent uptake by CRC cells, thereby increasing its therapeutic effects. Upon NIR stimulus, Sor-PDNPs can induce a temperature increment of about 10 °C, encompassing both PTT and triggering a localized and massive drug release. Sor-PDNPs were tested on healthy colon cells, showing minimal adverse outcomes; conversely, they demonstrated excellent efficacy against CRC cells, with a strong capability to hinder cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Obtained findings pave the way to new synergistic chemo-photothermal approaches, maximizing the therapeutic outcomes against CRC while minimizing side effects on healthy cells.

Microarray-based detection and expression analysis of drug resistance in an animal model of peritoneal metastasis from colon cancer

Chemotherapy drugs efficiently eradicate rapidly dividing differentiated cells by inducing cell death, but poorly target slowly dividing cells, including cancer stem cells and dormant cancer cells, in the later course of treatment. Prolonged exposure to chemotherapy results in a decrease in the proportion of apoptotic cells in the tumour mass. To investigate and characterize the molecular basis of this phenomenon, microarray-based expression analysis was performed to compare tHcred2-DEVD-EGFP-caspase 3-sensor transfected C-26 tumour cells that were harvested after engraftment into mice treated with or without 5-FU. Peritoneal metastasis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of C-26 cells, which were subsequently reisolated from omental metastatic tumours after the mice were sacrificed by the end of the 10th day after tumour injection. The purity of reisolated tHcred2-DEVD-EGFP-caspase 3-sensor-expressing C-26 cells was confirmed using FLIM, and total RNA was extracted for gene expression profiling. The validation of relative transcript levels was carried out via real-time semiquantitative RT‒PCR assays. Our results demonstrated that chemotherapy induced the differential expression of mediators of cancer cell dormancy and cell survival-related genes and downregulation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic signalling pathways. Despite the fact that some differentially expressed genes, such as BMP7 and Prss11, have not been thoroughly studied in the context of chemoresistance thus far, they might be potential candidates for future studies on overcoming drug resistance.

Albendazole inhibits colon cancer progression and therapy resistance by targeting ubiquitin ligase RNF20

BACKGROUND

The repurposing of FDA-approved drugs for anti-cancer therapies is appealing due to their established safety profiles and pharmacokinetic properties and can be quickly moved into clinical trials. Cancer progression and resistance to conventional chemotherapy remain the key hurdles in improving the clinical management of colon cancer patients and associated mortality.

METHODS

High-throughput screening (HTS) was performed using an annotated library of 1,600 FDA-approved drugs to identify drugs with strong anti-CRC properties. The candidate drug exhibiting most promising inhibitory effects in in-vitro studies was tested for its efficacy using in-vivo models of CRC progression and chemoresistance and patient derived organoids (PTDOs).

RESULTS

Albendazole, an anti-helminth drug, demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on the tumorigenic potentials of CRC cells, xenograft tumor growth and organoids from mice. Also, albendazole sensitized the chemoresistant CRC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin suggesting potential to treat chemoresistant CRC. Mechanistically, Albendazole treatment modulated the expression of RNF20, to promote apoptosis in CRC cells by delaying the G2/M phase and suppressing anti-apoptotic-Bcl2 family transcription.

CONCLUSIONS

Albendazole, an FDA approved drug, carries strong therapeutic potential to treat colon cancers which are aggressive and potentially resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Our findings also lay the groundwork for further clinical testing.

Competitive endogenous RNA networks: Decoding the role of long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in colorectal cancer chemoresistance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is recognized as one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies across the globe. Despite significant progress in designing novel treatments for CRC, there is a pressing need for more effective therapeutic approaches. Unfortunately, many patients undergoing chemotherapy develop drug resistance, posing a significant challenge for cancer treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been found to play crucial roles in CRC development and its response to chemotherapy. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of interactions among various ncRNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). These ncRNAs can act as either oncogenes or tumour suppressors, affecting numerous biological functions in different cancers including CRC. A class of ncRNA molecules known as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) has emerged as a key player in various cellular processes. These molecules form networks through lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA and circRNA/miRNA/mRNA interactions. In CRC, dysregulation of ceRNA networks has been observed across various cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. These dysregulations are believed to play a significant role in the progression of CRC and, in certain instances, may contribute to the development of chemoresistance. Enriching our knowledge of these dysregulations holds promise for advancing the field of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for CRC. In this review, we discuss lncRNA- and circRNA-associated ceRNA networks implicated in the emergence and advancement of drug resistance in colorectal carcinogenesis.

The anticancer effect of potential probiotic L. fermentum and L. plantarum in combination with 5-fluorouracil on colorectal cancer cells

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an effective chemotherapy drug in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, auxiliary or alternative therapies must be sought due to its resistance and potential side effects. Certain probiotic metabolites exhibit anticancer properties. In this study evaluated the anticancer and potential therapeutic activities of cell extracts potential probiotic strains, Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolated from the mule milk and the standard probiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) against the human colon cancer cell line (HT-29) and the normal cell line (HEK-293) alone or in combination with 5-FU. In this study, L. plantarum and L. fermentum, which were isolated from mule milk, were identified using biochemical and molecular methods. Their probiotic properties were investigated in vitro and compared with the standard probiotic strain of the species L. rhamnosus GG. The MTT assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) fluorescent staining, and flow cytometry were employed to measure the viability of cell lines, cell apoptosis, and production rates of Th17 cytokines, respectively. The results demonstrated that the combination of lactobacilli cell extracts and 5-FU decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, this combination protected HEK-293 cells from the cytotoxic effects of 5-FU, enhancing their viability and reducing apoptosis. Moreover, the combination treatment led to an increase in the levels of IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, which can enhance anti-tumor immunity. In conclusion, the cell extracts of the lactobacilli strains probably can act as a potential complementary anticancer therapy.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide reverses drug resistance in oxaliplatin-resistant colon cancer cells by inhibiting PI3K/AKT-dependent phosphomannose isomerase

Objective: Here, we aimed to explore the effect of LBP in combination with Oxaliplatin (OXA) on reversing drug resistance in colon cancer cells through in vitro and in vivo experiments. We also aimed to explore the possible mechanism underlying this effect. Finally, we aimed to determine potential targets of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) in colon cancer (CC) through network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: The invasion ability of colon cancer cells was assessed using the invasion assay. The migration ability of these cells was assessed using the migration assay and wound healing assay. Cell cycle analysis was carried out using flow cytometry. The expression levels of phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) and ATP-binding cassette transport protein of G2 (ABCG2) proteins were determined using immunofluorescence and western blotting. The expression levels of phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and BCL2-Associated X (Bax) were determined using western blotting. Forty BALB/c nude mice purchased from Weitong Lihua, Beijing, for the in vivo analyses. The mice were randomly divided into eight groups. They were administered HCT116 and HCT116-OXR cells to prepare colon cancer xenograft models and then treated with PBS, LBP (50 mg/kg), OXA (10 mg/kg), or LBP + OXA (50 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg). The tumor weight and volume of treated model mice were measured, and organ toxicity was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression levels of PMI, ABCG2, PI3K, and AKT proteins were then assessed using immunohistochemistry. Moreover, PMI and ABCG2 expression levels were analyzed using immunofluorescence and western blotting. The active components and possible targets of LBP in colon cancer were explored using in silico analysis. GeneCards was used to identify CC targets, and an online Venn analysis tool was used to determine intersection targets between these and LBP active components. The PPI network for intersection target protein interactions and the PPI network for interactions between the intersection target proteins and PMI was built using STRING and Cytoscape. To obtain putative targets of LBP in CC, we performed GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Results: Compared with the HCT116-OXR blank treatment group, both invasion and migration abilities of HCT116-OXR cells were inhibited in the LBP + OXA (2.5 mg/mL LBP, 10 μΜ OXA) group (p < 0.05). Cells in the LBP + OXA (2.5 mg/mL LBP, 10 μΜ OXA) group were found to arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Knockdown of PMI was found to downregulate PI3K, AKT, and Bcl-2 (p < 0.05), while it was found to upregulate Bax (p < 0.05). After treatment with L. barbarum polysaccharide, 40 colon cancer subcutaneous tumor models showed a decrease in tumor size. There was no difference in the liver index after LBP treatment (p > 0.05). However, the spleen index decreased in the OXA and LBP + OXA groups (p < 0.05), possibly as a side effect of oxaliplatin. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting showed that LBP + OXA treatment decreased PMI and ABCG2 expression levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, immunohistochemistry showed that LBP + OXA treatment decreased the expression levels of PI3K and AKT (p < 0.05). Network pharmacology analysis revealed 45 active LBP components, including carotenoids, phenylpropanoids, quercetin, xanthophylls, and other polyphenols. It also revealed 146 therapeutic targets of LBP, including AKT, SRC, EGFR, HRAS, STAT3, and MAPK3. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the LBP target proteins were enriched in pathways, including cancer-related signaling pathways, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathways. Finally, molecular docking experiments revealed that the active LBP components bind well with ABCG2 and PMI. conclusion: Our in vitro experiments showed that PMI knockdown downregulated PI3K, AKT, and Bcl-2 and upregulated Bax. This finding confirms that PMI plays a role in drug resistance by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and lays a foundation to study the mechanism underlying the reversal of colon cancer cell drug resistance by the combination of LBP and OXA. Our in vivo experiments showed that LBP combined with oxaliplatin could inhibit tumor growth. LBP showed no hepatic or splenic toxicity. LBP combined with oxaliplatin could downregulate the expression levels of PMI, ABCG2, PI3K, and AKT; it may thus have positive significance for the treatment of advanced metastatic colon cancer. Our network pharmacology analysis revealed the core targets of LBP in the treatment of CC as well as the pathways they are enriched in. It further verified the results of our in vitro and in vivo experiments, showing the involvement of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergism in the drug-reversing effect of LBP in CC. Overall, the findings of the present study provide new avenues for the future clinical treatment of CC.

Resveratrol as sensitizer in colorectal cancer plasticity

Despite tremendous medical treatment successes, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Chemotherapy as monotherapy can lead to significant side effects and chemoresistance that can be linked to several resistance-activating biological processes, including an increase in inflammation, cellular plasticity, multidrug resistance (MDR), inhibition of the sentinel gene p53, and apoptosis. As a consequence, tumor cells can escape the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents. This underscores the need for cross-target therapeutic approaches that are not only pharmacologically safe but also modulate multiple potent signaling pathways and sensitize cancer cells to overcome resistance to standard drugs. In recent years, scientists have been searching for natural compounds that can be used as chemosensitizers in addition to conventional medications for the synergistic treatment of CRC. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin found in various fruits and vegetables such as peanuts, berries, and red grapes, is one of the most effective natural chemopreventive agents. Abundant in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that resveratrol, in interaction with standard drugs, is an effective chemosensitizer for CRC cells to chemotherapeutic agents and thus prevents drug resistance by modulating multiple pathways, including transcription factors, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-plasticity, proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The ability of resveratrol to modify multiple subcellular pathways that may suppress cancer cell plasticity and reversal of chemoresistance are critical parameters for understanding its anti-cancer effects. In this review, we focus on the chemosensitizing properties of resveratrol in CRC and, thus, its potential importance as an additive to ongoing treatments.

Extracellular vesicles from Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PC-H1 inhibit HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis of colon cancer

Aims: Extracellular vesicles from Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PC-H1 have antiproliferative activity of colon cells, but the effect on glycolytic metabolism of cancer cell remains enigmatic. The authors investigated how Lacticaseibacillus paracasei extracellular vesicles (LpEVs) inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells by affecting tumor metabolism. Materials & methods: HCT116 cells were treated with LpEVs and then differentially expressed genes were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing, the sequencing results were confirmed in vivo and in vitro. Results: LpEVs entered colon cancer cells and inhibited their growth. Transcriptome sequencing revealed differentially expressed genes were related to glycolysis. Lactate production, glucose uptake and lactate dehydrogenase activity were significantly reduced after treatment. LpEVs also reduced HIF-1α, GLUT1 and LDHA expression. Conclusion: LpEVs exert their antiproliferative activity of colon cancer cells by decreasing HIF-1α-mediated glycolysis.

GPX2 acts as an oncogene and cudraflavone C has an anti-tumor effect by suppressing GPX2-dependent Wnt/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a common cancer associated with poor prognosis, and cudraflavone C (Cud C) is a natural flavonol with reported anti-CRC capacity. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the anti-CRC effect require further demonstration. The aim of present study was to evaluate the impact of Cud C on the cell viability and apoptosis of CRC cells and to determine the underlying mechanisms. The Human Protein Atlas (THPA) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases were used to analyze the expression status of glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2) in CRC. Cell viability was examined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Flow cytometry was utilized to evaluate apoptosis. The levels of gene transcription and protein expression of GPX2, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3), β-catenin, and c-Myc were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Our results showed that GPX2 was overexpressed in CRC as compared to normal tissue and the extent of GPX2 overexpression is greatest in CRC when compared with other cancers according to GEPIA and THPA databases. GPX2 knockdown significantly suppressed the cell viability, induced apoptosis of CRC cell lines, and restrained the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Cud C treatment decreased cell viability, induced apoptosis in CRC cell lines, and diminished the expression level of GPX2-dependent activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, while such effects can be abolished by GPX2 overexpression. In conclusion, Cud C suppressed GPX2-dependent Wnt/β-catenin pathway to exert anti-CRC function.

Innovative microwave-assisted biosynthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles loaded with platinum(ii) based complex for halting colon cancer: cellular, molecular, and computational investigations

In the current study, we biosynthesized copper oxide NPs (CuO NPs) utilizing the essential oils extracted from Boswellia carterii oleogum resin, which served as a bioreductant and capping agent with the help of microwave energy. Afterwards, the platinum(ii) based anticancer drug, carboplatin (Cr), was loaded onto the CuO NPs, exploiting the electrostatic interactions forming Cr@CuO NPs. The produced biogenic NPs were then characterized using zeta potential (ZP), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. In addition, the entrapment efficiency and release profile of the loaded Cr were evaluated. Thereafter, SRB assay was performed, where Cr@CuO NPs demonstrated the highest cytotoxic activity against human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) with an IC50 of 5.17 μg mL-1, which was about 1.6 and 2.2 folds more than that of Cr and CuO NPs. Moreover, the greenly synthesized nanoparticles (Cr@CuO NPs) displayed a satisfactory selectivity index (SI = 6.82), which was far better than the free Cr treatment (SI = 2.23). Regarding the apoptosis assay, the advent of Cr@CuO NPs resulted in an immense increase in the cellular population percentage of HCT-116 cells undergoing both early (16.02%) and late apoptosis (35.66%), significantly surpassing free Cr and CuO NPs. A study of HCT-116 cell cycle kinetics revealed the powerful ability of Cr@CuO NPs to trap cells in the Sub-G1 and G2 phases and impede the G2/M transition. RT-qPCR was utilized for molecular investigations of the pro-apoptotic (Bax and p53) and antiapoptotic genes (Bcl-2). The novel Cr@CuO NPs treatment rose above single Cr or CuO NPs therapy in stimulating the p53-Bax mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. The cellular and molecular biology investigations presented substantial proof of the potentiated anticancer activity of Cr@CuO NPs and the extra benefits that could be obtained from their use.

ANP32B promotes colorectal cancer cell progression and reduces cell sensitivity to PRAP1 inhibitor through up-regulating HPF1

ANP32B, a member of the acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member B, is aberrantly expressed in various cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, the function and mechanism of action of ANP32B in colorectal cancer remain unclear. The present study therefore analyzed the expression of ANP32B and its activity in colorectal cancer patient samples and colorectal cancer cell lines. ANP32B expression was found to be significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer patient samples and cell lines. Upregulation of ANP32B enhanced colorectal cancer cell proliferation and migration, whereas downregulation of ANP32B suppressed colorectal cancer cell proliferation. RNA sequencing analysis of differentially expressed genes in ANP32B silenced colorectal cancer cells showed that histone PARylation factor 1 (HPF1), which protects against DNA damage by interacting with the anti-tumor target PARP1, was significantly downregulated. Luciferase promoter assays testing the regulatory association between ANP32B and HPF1 showed that ANP32B interacted with the HPF1 promoter. Analysis of colorectal cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas showed that ANP32B and HPF1 expression were positively correlated, and recovery assays showed that ANP32B promoted colorectal cancer progression by up-regulating HPF1. Overexpression of ANP32B also reduced the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to PARP1 inhibitor, consistent with the oncogenic role of ANP32B. ANP32B may alter the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to PARP1 inhibitor via a mechanism associated with the HPF1 gene. In summary, these findings showed that ANP32B acted as a tumor promoter, potentiating both colorectal cancer malignancy and drug resistance. Targeting the ANP32B/HPF1 axis may have benefit for patients with colorectal cancer.

Efficient treatment of colon cancer with codelivery of TRAIL and imatinib by liposomes

To solve the problem of resistance of tumor cells to TRAIL and the inevitable side effects of imatinib during treatment, we successfully prepared a kind of multifunctional liposome that encapsulated imatinib in its internal water phase and inserted TRAIL on its membrane in this study, which named ITLPs. The liposomes appeared uniform spherical and the particle size was approximately 150 nm. ITLPs showed high accumulation in TRAIL-resistance cells and HT-29 tumor-bearing mice model. In vitro cytotoxicity assay results showed that the killing activity of HT-29 cells treated with ITLPs increased by 50% and confirmed that this killing activity was mediated by the apoptosis pathway. Through mechanism studies, it was found that ITLPs arrested up to 32.3% of cells in phase M to exert anti-tumor effects. In vivo anti-tumor study showed that ITLPs achieved 61.8% tumor suppression and little toxicity in the HT-29 tumor-bearing mice model. Overall results demonstrated that codelivery of imatinib and TRAIL via liposomes may be a prospective method in the treatment of the TRAIL-resistance tumor.

Folic acid-chitosan functionalized polymeric nanocarriers to treat colon cancer

In the present study, polymeric nanoparticles loaded with IRI and quercetin, a p-gp inhibitor, were developed to target folate receptors expressed by colon cancer cells for oral targeted delivery. This work reports the development of PNPs with an entrapment efficiency of 41.26 ± 0.56 % for IRI and 55.83 ± 4.51 for QT. PNPs were further surface modified using chitosan-folic acid conjugates for better targetability to obtain folic acid-chitosan coated nanoparticles. DLS and FeSEM revealed particles in the nanometric size range with spherical morphology, while FTIR and DSC provided details on their structure and encapsulation. In vitro drug release studies confirmed a sustained release pattern of IRI and QT, while cell line studies confirmed the superiority of C-FA-PNPs when tested on Caco2 cells. Pharmacodynamic studies in colon cancer induced rats showed similar efficacy for PNPs and C-FA-PNPs. Further examination from a bio-distribution study in healthy rats, revealed the failure of C-FA-PNPs to deliver the drugs to the colon adequately, while the PNPs improved the available concentration of IRI at the colon by almost 1.8 folds when compared to the available marketed product. Hence, the developed PNP formulation sticks out as a plausible substitute for the intravenous dosage forms of IRI which have been conventionally prevailing.

Oral nanomedicine biointeractions in the gastrointestinal tract in health and disease

Oral administration is the preferred route of administration based on the convenience for and compliance of the patient. Oral nanomedicines have been developed to overcome the limitations of free drugs and overcome gastrointestinal (GI) barriers, which are heterogeneous across healthy and diseased populations. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview and comparison of the oral nanomedicine biointeractions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in health and disease (GI and extra-GI diseases) and highlight emerging strategies that exploit these differences for oral nanomedicine-based treatment. We introduce the key GI barriers related to oral delivery and summarize their pathological changes in various diseases. We discuss nanomedicine biointeractions in the GIT in health by describing the general biointeractions based on the type of oral nanomedicine and advanced biointeractions facilitated by advanced strategies applied in this field. We then discuss nanomedicine biointeractions in different diseases and explore how pathological characteristics have been harnessed to advance the development of oral nanomedicine.

Claudin-1 interacts with EPHA2 to promote cancer stemness and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer

Therapy resistance is the primary problem in treating late-stage colorectal cancer (CRC). Claudins are frequently dysregulated in cancer, and several are being investigated as novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. We have previously demonstrated that Claudin-1 (CLDN1) expression in CRC promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and resistance to anoikis. Here, we hypothesize that CLDN1 promotes cancer stemness and chemoresistance in CRC. We found that high CLDN1 expression in CRC is associated with cancer stemness and chemoresistance signaling pathways in patient datasets, and it promotes chemoresistance both in vitro and in vivo. Using functional stemness assays, proteomics, biophysical binding assays, and patient-derived organoids, we found that CLDN1 promotes properties of cancer stemness including CD44 expression, tumor-initiating potential, and chemoresistance through a direct interaction with ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EPHA2) tyrosine kinase. This interaction is dependent on the CLDN1 PDZ-binding motif, increases EPHA2 protein expression by inhibiting its degradation, and enhances downstream AKT signaling and CD44 expression to promote stemness and chemoresistance. These results suggest CLDN1 is a viable target for pharmacological intervention and/or biomarker development.

Design and Synthesis of Novel α-Methylchalcone Derivatives, Anti-Cervical Cancer Activity, and Reversal of Drug Resistance in HeLa/DDP Cells

In this study, a collection of newly developed α-methylchalcone derivatives were synthesized and assessed for their inhibitory potential against human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, SiHa, and C33A) as well as normal human cervical epithelial cells (H8). Notably, compound 3k exhibited substantial inhibitory effects on both HeLa and HeLa/DDP cells while demonstrating lower toxicity toward H8 cells. Furthermore, the compound 3k was found to induce apoptosis in both HeLa and HeLa/DDP cells while also inhibiting the G2/M phase, resulting in a decrease in the invasion and migration capabilities of these cells. When administered alongside cisplatin, 3k demonstrated a significant reduction in the resistance of HeLa/DDP cells to cisplatin, as evidenced by a decrease in the resistance index (RI) value from 7.90 to 2.10. Initial investigations into the underlying mechanism revealed that 3k did not impact the expression of P-gp but instead facilitated the accumulation of rhodamine 123 in HeLa/DDP cells. The results obtained from CADD docking analysis demonstrated that 3k exhibits stable binding to microtubule proteins and P-gp targets, forming hydrogen bonding interaction forces. Immunofluorescence analysis further revealed that 3k effectively decreased the fluorescence intensity of α and β microtubules in HeLa and HeLa/DDP cells, resulting in disruptions in cell morphology, reduction in cell numbers, nucleus coagulation, and cell rupture. Additionally, Western blot analysis indicated that 3k significantly reduced the levels of polymerized α and β microtubule proteins in both HeLa and HeLa/DDP cell lines while concurrently increasing the expression of dissociated α and β microtubule proteins. The aforementioned findings indicate a potential correlation between the inhibitory effects of 3k on HeLa and HeLa/DDP cells and its ability to inhibit tubulin and P-gp.

Transient receptor potential channels as predictive marker and potential indicator of chemoresistance in colon cancer

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are strongly associated with colon cancer development and progression. This study leveraged a multivariate Cox regression model on publicly available datasets to construct a TRP channels-associated gene signature, with further validation of signature in real world samples from our hospital treated patient samples. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate this gene signature's predictive accuracy and robustness in both training and testing cohorts, respectively. Additionally, the study utilized the CIBERSORT algorithm and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis to explore the signature's immune infiltration landscape and underlying functional implications. The support vector machine algorithm was applied to evaluate the signature's potential in predicting chemotherapy outcomes. The findings unveiled a novel three TRP channels-related gene signature (MCOLN1, TRPM5, and TRPV4) in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). The ROC and K-M survival curves in the training dataset (AUC = 0.761; p = 1.58e-05) and testing dataset (AUC = 0.699; p = 0.004) showed the signature's robust predictive capability for the overall survival of COAD patients. Analysis of the immune infiltration landscape associated with the signature revealed higher immune infiltration, especially an increased presence of M2 macrophages, in high-risk group patients compared to their low-risk counterparts. High-risk score patients also exhibited potential responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, evident through increased CD86 and PD-1 expression profiles. Moreover, the TRPM5 gene within the signature was highly expressed in the chemoresistance group (p = 0.00095) and associated with poor prognosis (p = 0.036) in COAD patients, highlighting its role as a hub gene of chemoresistance. Ultimately, this signature emerged as an independent prognosis factor for COAD patients (p = 6.48e-06) and expression of model gene are validated by public data and real-world patients. Overall, this bioinformatics study provides valuable insights into the prognostic implications and potential chemotherapy resistance mechanisms associated with TRPs-related genes in colon cancer.

MiR-548c-3p through suppressing Tyms and Abcg2 increases the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil

Background

Colorectal cancer, is one of most prevalent the cancer in the world. 5-Fluorouracil is a standard chemotherapeutic drug while the acquisition of resistance to 5-Fluorouracil is one of the problems during treatment. In this study, we aimed to find the miRNAs that modulate the expression of Tyms and Abcg2 as resistance-inducing genes in the resistant cell lines to 5-Fluorouracil.

Methods

5-Fluorouracil-resistant HCT116 and SW480 cell lines were generated by consecutive treatment of cells with 5-Fluorouracil. This resistance induction was validated by MTT assays. The expression of the Tyms and Abcg2 gene and miR-548c-3p were studied by quantitative real-time PCR in the cell lines.

Results

We hypothesized that miR-548c-3p is targeting Tyms and Abcg2 simultaneously. Increased expression Tyms gene in the two most resistant cell lines derived from HCT116 and all resistant cell lines derived from SW480 except one were seen. Increased expression of Abcg2 was observed in the most resistant HCT116-derived cell line and all resistant cell lines, derived from SW480. In all resistant cell lines, the expression of miR-548c-3p was decreased.

Conclusion

It can be concluded downregulation of miR548c-3p is in line with Tyms and Abcg2 overexpression in resistant cell lines to 5-Fluorouracil.

An overview of the past decade of bufalin in the treatment of refractory and drug-resistant cancers: current status, challenges, and future perspectives

Profound progress has been made in cancer treatment in the past three decades. However, drug resistance remains prevalent and a critical challenge. Drug resistance can be attributed to oncogenes mutations, activated defensive mechanisms, ATP-bind cassette transporters overexpression, cancer stem cells, etc. Chinese traditional medicine toad venom has been used for centuries for different diseases, including resistant cancers. Bufalin is one of the bufadienolides in toad venom that has been extensively studied for its potential in refractory and drug-resistant cancer treatments in vitro and in vivo. In this work, we would like to critically review the progress made in the past decade (2013-2022) of bufalin in overcoming drug resistance in cancers. Generally, bufalin shows high potential in killing certain refractory and resistant cancer cells via multiple mechanisms. More importantly, bufalin can work as a chemo-sensitizer that enhances the sensitivity of certain conventional and targeted therapies at low concentrations. In addition, the development of bufalin derivatives was also briefly summarized and discussed. We also analyzed the obstacles and challenges and provided possible solutions for future perspectives. We hope that the collective information may help evoke more effort for more in-depth studies and evaluation of bufalin in both lab and possible clinical trials.

CopA3 treatment suppressed multidrug resistivity in HCT-116 cell line by p53-induced degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α

The major reason for multidrug resistance is the failure of chemotherapy in many tumors, including colon cancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a crucial transcription factor that simulates multiple cellular response to hypoxia. HIF-1α has been known to play a vital role towards tumor resistance; however, its mechanism of action is still not fully elucidated. N this study, we found that HIF-1α remarkably modulated drug resistance-associated proteins upon CopA3 peptide treatment against colon cancer cells. Abnormal rates of tumor growth along with high metastatic potential lacks the susceptibility towards cellular signals is a key characteristic in many tumor types. Moreover, in growing tumors, cells are exposed to insufficient nutrient supply and low oxygen availability. These stress force them to switch into adaptable and aggressive phenotypes. Our study investigated the interaction of HIF-1α and MDR gene association upon CopA3 treatment in the tumor microenvironment. We demonstrate that the multidrug resistance gene is associated with tumor resistance to chemotherapeutics, which upon CopA3 treatment promotes p53 activation and proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α, effecting the angiogenesis response to hypoxia. p53 downregulation augments HIF-1-dependent transcriptional activation of VEGF in response to oxygen deprivation.

Monitoring Metabolic Changes in Response to Chemotherapies in Cancer with Raman Spectroscopy and Metabolomics

Resistance to clinical therapies remains a major barrier in cancer management. There is a critical need for rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic tools that enable early prediction of treatment response to allow accurate clinical decisions. Here, Raman spectroscopy was employed to monitor changes in key metabolites as early predictors of response in KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, HCT116, treated with chemotherapies. We show at the single cell level that HCT116 is resistant to cetuximab (CTX), the first-line treatment in CRC, but this resistance can be overcome with pre-sensitization of cells with oxaliplatin (OX). In combination treatment of CTX + OX, sequential delivery of OX followed by CTX rather than simultaneous administration of drugs was observed to be critical for effective therapy. Our results demonstrated that metabolic changes are well aligned to cellular mechanical changes where Young's modulus decreased after effective treatment, indicating that both changes in mechanical properties and metabolism in cells are likely responsible for cancer proliferation. Raman findings were verified with mass spectrometry (MS) metabolomics, and both platforms showed changes in lipids, nucleic acids, and amino acids as predictors of resistance/response. Finally, key metabolic pathways enriched were identified when cells are resistant to CTX but downregulated with effective treatment. This study highlights that drug-induced metabolic changes both at the single cell level (Raman) and ensemble level (MS) have the potential to identify mechanisms of response to clinical cancer therapies.

Tumor-associated macrophages confer colorectal cancer 5-fluorouracil resistance by promoting MRP1 membrane translocation via an intercellular CXCL17/CXCL22-CCR4-ATF6-GRP78 axis

Chemotherapy represents a major type of clinical treatment against colorectal cancer (CRC). Aberrant drug efflux mediated by transporters acts as a key approach for tumor cells to acquire chemotherapy resistance. Increasing evidence implies that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a pivotal role in both tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism through which TAMs regulate drug efflux remains elusive. Here, we discovered that TAMs endow CRC cells with resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment via a cell-cell interaction-mediated MRP1-dependent drug efflux process. Mechanistically, TAM-secreted C-C motif chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) and CCL22, via membrane receptor CCR4, activated the PI3K/AKT pathway in CRC tumor cells. Specifically, phosphorylation of AKT inactivated IP3R and induced calcium aggregation in the ER, resulting in the activation of ATF6 and upregulation of GRP78. Accordingly, excessive GRP78 can interact with MRP1 and promote its translocation to the cell membrane, causing TAM-induced 5-FU efflux. Taken together, our results demonstrated that TAMs promote CRC chemotherapy resistance via elevating the expression of GRP78 to promote the membrane translocation of MRP1 and drug efflux, providing direct proof for TAM-induced drug resistance.

Potential antitumor activity of garlic against colorectal cancer: focus on the molecular mechanisms of action

PURPOSE

The aim of this review is to highlight the potential of garlic phytoconstituents as antitumor agents in colorectal cancer management based on their molecular mechanisms of action, while asking if their consumption, as part of the human diet, might contribute to the prevention of colorectal cancer.

METHODS

To gather information on appropriate in vitro, in vivo and human observational studies on this topic, the keywords "Allium sativum", "garlic", "colorectal cancer", "antitumor effect", "in vitro", "in vivo", "garlic consumption" and "colorectal cancer risk" were searched in different combinations in the international databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google Scholar. After duplicate and reviews removal, 61 research articles and meta-analyses published between 2000 and 2022 in peer-reviewed journals were found and included in this review.

RESULTS

Garlic (Allium sativum) proves to be a rich source of compounds with antitumor potential. Garlic-derived extracts and several of its individual constituents, especially organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, diallyl tetrasulfide, allylmethylsulfide, S-allylmercaptocysteine, Z-ajoene, thiacremonone and Se-methyl-L-selenocysteine were found to possess cytotoxic, cytostatic, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic activities in different in vitro and in vivo models of colorectal cancer. The molecular mechanisms for their antitumor effects are associated with the modulation of several well-known signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression, especially G1-S and G2-M transitions, as well as both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. However, even though in various animal models some of these compounds have chemopreventive effects, based on different human observational studies, a diet rich in garlic is not consistently associated with a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

CONCLUSION

Independent of the impact of garlic consumption on colorectal cancer initiation and promotion in humans, its constituents might be good candidates for future conventional and/or complementary therapies, based on their diverse mechanisms of action.

CD44 mediated colon cancer targeting mutlifaceted lignin nanoparticles: Synthesis, in vitro characterization and in vivo efficacy studies

Hyaluronic acid (HA) coated irinotecan loaded lignin nanoparticles (HDLNPs) were synthesized using ionic interaction method. Optimized nanoparticles were characterized for their active chemotherapeutic targeting potential to CD44 receptors overly-expressed on cancer cells. Blood component interaction studies supported hemocompatible nature of HDLNPs and also demonstrated their sustained plasma residence property. Cell anti-proliferation and mitochondrial depolarization studies on HT-29 cells suggest significantly (p < 0.01) improved chemotherapeutic efficacy of HDLNPs. In vitro cell based studies showed that nanoparticles have retained antioxidant activity of lignin that can prevent cancer relapse. In vivo biodistribution studies in tumor-bearing Balb/c mice confirmed improved drug localization in tumor site for longer duration. Tumor regression and histopathological studies indicated the efficacy ofligand-assisted targeting chemotherapy over the conventional therapy. Hematological and biochemical estimation suggested that irinotecan-associated myelosuppression, liver steatosis and rare kidney failure can be avoided by its encapsulation in HA-coated lignin nanoparticles. HDLNPs were found to be stable over a period of 12 months.

Ginseng mediates its anticancer activity by inhibiting the expression of DNMTs and reactivating methylation-silenced genes in colorectal cancer

Developing safe and effective therapeutic modalities remains a critical challenge for improving the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In this regard, targeting epigenetic regulation in cancers has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic approach. Since several natural compounds have recently been shown to be important epigenetic modulators, we hypothesized that Ginseng might exert its anticancer activity by regulating DNA methylation alterations in CRC. In this study, a series of cell culture studies were conducted, followed by their interrogation in patient-derived 3D organoid models to evaluate Ginseng's anticancer activity in CRC. Genome-wide methylation alterations were interrogated by undertaking MethylationEpic BeadChip microarrays. First, 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were determined by cell viability assays, and subsequent Ginseng treatment demonstrated a significant anticancer effect on clonogenicity and cellular migration in CRC cells. Treatment with Ginseng potentiated cellular apoptosis through regulation of apoptosis-related genes in CRC cells. Furthermore, Ginseng treatment downregulated the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and decreased the global DNA methylation levels in CRC cells. The genome-wide methylation profiling identified Ginseng-induced hypomethylation of transcriptionally silenced tumor suppressor genes. Finally, cell culture-based findings were successfully validated in patient-derived 3D organoids. In conclusion, we demonstrate that Ginseng exerts its antitumorigenic potential by regulating cellular apoptosis via the downregulation of DNMTs and reversing the methylation status of transcriptionally silenced genes in CRC.

Isoliensinine augments the therapeutic potential of paclitaxel in multidrug-resistant colon cancer stem cells and induced mitochondria-mediated cell death

Previously we have reported the isoliensinine (ISO) potentates the therapeutic potential of cisplatin in cisplatin resistant colorectal cancer stem cells. The present study evaluates the chemo-sensitizing potential of the combinatorial regimen of ISO and Paclitaxcel (PTX) on multidrug-resistant (MDR)-HCT-15 cells to reduce the dose requirement of both ISO and PTX. The results of the present study suggest that treatment with the combinatorial regimen of ISO and PTX enhanced the cytotoxic effect with resultant increase in apoptosis in MDR-HCT-15 cells as evident from the altered cellular morphology, G2/M cell cycle arrest, propidium iodide uptake, Annexin V, increased intracellular Ca2+ accumulation, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, diminished ATP production, PARP-1 cleavage, altered expression of ERK1/2, and apoptotic proteins. Treatment with combinatorial regimen of ISO and PTX also modulated the expression of the transcription factors SOX2, OCT4 which determine the stemness of cancer cells. Thus, results of the present study suggest that ISO and PTX combination regimen induces apoptosis in MDR-HCT-15 in a synergistic manner.

Vincristine Enhances the Efficacy of MEK Inhibitors in Preclinical Models of KRAS-mutant Colorectal Cancer

Mutations in KRAS are found in more than 50% of tumors from patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, direct targeting of most KRAS mutations is difficult; even the recently developed KRASG12C inhibitors failed to show significant benefit in patients with mCRC. Single agents targeting mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), a downstream mediator of RAS, have also been ineffective in colorectal cancer. To identify drugs that can enhance the efficacy of MEK inhibitors, we performed unbiased high-throughput screening using colorectal cancer spheroids. We used trametinib as the anchor drug and examined combinations of trametinib with the NCI-approved Oncology Library version 5. The initial screen, and following focused validation screens, identified vincristine as being strongly synergistic with trametinib. In vitro, the combination strongly inhibited cell growth, reduced clonogenic survival, and enhanced apoptosis compared with monotherapies in multiple KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer cell lines. Furthermore, this combination significantly inhibited tumor growth, reduced cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis in multiple KRAS-mutant patient-derived xenograft mouse models. In vivo studies using drug doses that reflect clinically achievable doses demonstrated that the combination was well tolerated by mice. We further determined that the mechanism underlying the synergistic effect of the combination was due to enhanced intracellular accumulation of vincristine associated with MEK inhibition. The combination also significantly decreased p-mTOR levels in vitro, indicating that it inhibits both RAS-RAF-MEK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR survival pathways. Our data thus provide strong evidence that the combination of trametinib and vincristine represents a novel therapeutic option to be studied in clinical trials for patients with KRAS-mutant mCRC.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our unbiased preclinical studies have identified vincristine as an effective combination partner for the MEK inhibitor trametinib and provide a novel therapeutic option to be studied in patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer.

Assessing the Potential Biological Activities of Postbiotics Derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: An In Vitro Study

A new biotherapeutic strategy involves the use of microbial bioactive substances (postbiotics) that exhibit optimum compatibility and intimate contact with the immune system of the host. This study was aimed at investigating the potential biological activities of postbiotics derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PTCC 5269) (PSC) under in vitro circumstances. Based on the outcomes, the synthesized PSC possessing a high level of phenolic (102.46 ± 0.25 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (19.87 ± 75.32 mg QE/g) content demonstrated significant radical scavenging activity (87.34 ± 0.56%); antibacterial action towards Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli (in order of effectiveness) in both in vitro and food models (whole milk and ground meat); probiotics' growth-promoting activity in the fermentation medium; α-glucosidase enzyme-inhibiting and cholesterol-lowering properties in a concentration- and pH-dependent manner; reduction in the cell viability (with the significant IC₅₀ values of 34.27 and 23.58 μg/mL after 24 and 48 h, respectively); suppressed the initial (G0/G1) phase of the cell's division; induced apoptosis; and increased the expression of PTEN gene, while the IkB, RelA, and Bcl-XL genes indicated diminished expression in treated SW480 cancer cells. These multiple health-promoting functions of PSC can be extended to medical, biomedical, and food scopes, as novel biotherapeutic approaches, in order to design efficient and optimized functional food formulations or/and supplementary medications to use as adjuvant agents for preventing or/and treating chronic/acute disorders.

Identification of Moesin (MSN) as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Colorectal Cancer via the β-Catenin-RUNX2 Axis

CRC is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. The complex mechanisms of metastatic CRC limit available therapeutic choice. Thus, identifying new CRC therapeutic targets is essential. Moesin (MSN), a member of the ezrin-radixin-moesin family, connects the cell membrane to the actin-based cytoskeleton and regulates cell morphology. We investigated the role of MSN in the progression of CRC. GENT2 and oncomine were used to study MSN expression and CRC patient outcomes. MSN-specific shRNAs or MSN-overexpressed plasmid were used to establish MSN-KD and MSN overexpressed cell lines, respectively. SRB, migration, wound healing, and flow cytometry were used to test cell survival and migration. Propidium iodide and annexin V stain were used to analyze the cell cycle and apoptosis. MSN expression was found to be higher in CRC tissues than in normal tissues. Higher MSN expression is associated with poor overall survival, disease-free survival, and relapse-free survival rates in CRC patients. MSN silencing inhibits cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion in vitro, whereas MSN overexpression accelerates cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and invasion. RNA sequencing was used to investigate differentially expressed genes, and RUNX2 was discovered as a possible downstream target for MSN. In CRC patients, RUNX2 expression was significantly correlated with MSN expression. We also found that MSN silencing decreased cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin levels. Additionally, pharmacological inhibition of β-catenin in MSN-overexpressed cells led to a reduction of RUNX2, and activating β-catenin signaling by inhibiting GSK3β rescued the RUNX2 downregulation in MSN-KD cells. This confirms that MSN regulates RUNX2 expression via activation of β-catenin signaling. Finally, our result further determined that RUNX2 silencing reduced the ability of MSN overexpression cells to proliferate and migrate. MSN accelerated CRC progression via the β-catenin-RUNX2 axis. As a result, MSN holds the potential to become a new target for CRC treatment.

Ibrutinib amorphous solid dispersions with enhanced dissolution at colonic pH for the localized treatment of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Ibrutinib (IBR), the first in class bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor has promising anticancer activity. In this study, we aimed to develop a hot melt extrusion based amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) of IBR with enhanced dissolution at colonic pH and assess the anticancer activity against colon cancer cell lines. Since colonic pH is higher in CRC patients compared to healthy individuals, Eudragit® FS100 was used as pH dependent polymeric matrix for colon enabled release of IBR. Poloxamer 407, TPGS and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) were screened as plasticizer and solubilizer to improve the processability and solubility. Solid state characterization and filament appearance confirmed that IBR was molecularly dispersed within FS100+TPGS matrix. In-vitro drug release of ASD showed >96% drug release within 6 h at colonic pH with no precipitation for 12 h. Contrary, crystalline IBR showed negligible release. ASD with TPGS showed significantly higher anticancer activity in 2D and multicellular 3D spheroids of colon carcinoma cell lines (HT-29 and HT-116). The outcomes of this research suggested that ASD with a pH dependent polymer is a promising strategy to improve solubility and an effective approach in colorectal cancer targeting.

Evolution of Resistance to Irinotecan in Cancer Cells Involves Generation of Topoisomerase-Guided Mutations in Non-Coding Genome That Reduce the Chances of DNA Breaks

Resistance to chemotherapy is a leading cause of treatment failure. Drug resistance mechanisms involve mutations in specific proteins or changes in their expression levels. It is commonly understood that resistance mutations happen randomly prior to treatment and are selected during the treatment. However, the selection of drug-resistant mutants in culture could be achieved by multiple drug exposures of cloned genetically identical cells and thus cannot result from the selection of pre-existent mutations. Accordingly, adaptation must involve the generation of mutations de novo upon drug treatment. Here we explored the origin of resistance mutations to a widely used Top1 inhibitor, irinotecan, which triggers DNA breaks, causing cytotoxicity. The resistance mechanism involved the gradual accumulation of recurrent mutations in non-coding regions of DNA at Top1-cleavage sites. Surprisingly, cancer cells had a higher number of such sites than the reference genome, which may define their increased sensitivity to irinotecan. Homologous recombination repairs of DNA double-strand breaks at these sites following initial drug exposures gradually reverted cleavage-sensitive "cancer" sequences back to cleavage-resistant "normal" sequences. These mutations reduced the generation of DNA breaks upon subsequent exposures, thus gradually increasing drug resistance. Together, large target sizes for mutations and their Top1-guided generation lead to their gradual and rapid accumulation, synergistically accelerating the development of resistance.

FOSL1 transcriptionally regulates PHLDA2 to promote 5-FU resistance in colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Tumor drug resistance is a leading cause of tumor treatment failure. To date, the association between FOS-Like antigen-1 (FOSL1) and chemotherapy sensitivity in colon cancer is unclear. The present study investigated the molecular mechanism of FOSL1 regulating 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance in colon cancer.

METHODS

FOSL1 expression in colon cancer was analyzed by bioinformatics methods, and its downstream regulatory factors were predicted. Pearson correlation analyzed the expression of FOSL1 and downstream regulatory gene. Meanwhile, the expression of FOSL1 and its downstream factor Pleckstrin Homology-Like Domain Family A Member 2 (PHLDA2) in colon cancer cell lines was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. The regulatory relationship between FOSL1 and PHLDA2 was verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay. The effects of the FOSL1/PHLDA2 axis on the resistance in colon cancer cells to 5-FU were analyzed by cell experiments.

RESULTS

FOSL1 expression was evidently up-regulated in colon cancer and 5-FU resistant cells. FOSL1 was positively correlated with PHLDA2 in colon cancer. In vitro cell assays showed that low expression of FOSL1 significantly enhanced 5-FU sensitivity in colon cancer cells, significantly suppressed the proliferation of cancer cells, and induced apoptosis. Overexpression of FOSL1 presented the opposite regulatory trend. Mechanistically, FOSL1 activated PHLDA2 and up-regulated its expression. Moreover, by activating glycolysis, PHLDA2 promoted 5-Fu resistance and cell proliferation, and reduced cell apoptosis in colon cancer.

CONCLUSION

Down-regulated FOSL1 expression could enhance the 5-FU sensitivity of colon cancer cells, and FOSL1/PHLDA2 axis may be an effective target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance in colon cancer.

Improving the response to oxaliplatin by targeting chemotherapy-induced CLDN1 in resistant metastatic colorectal cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Tumor resistance is a frequent cause of therapy failure and remains a major challenge for the long-term management of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to determine the implication of the tight junctional protein claudin 1 (CLDN1) in the acquired resistance to chemotherapy.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was used to determine CLDN1 expression in post-chemotherapy liver metastases from 58 CRC patients. The effects of oxaliplatin on membrane CLDN1 expression were evaluated by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and western blotting experiments in vitro and in vivo. Phosphoproteome analyses, proximity ligation and luciferase reporter assays were used to unravel the mechanism of CLDN1 induction. RNAseq experiments were performed on oxaliplatin-resistant cell lines to investigate the role of CLDN1 in chemoresistance. The "one-two punch" sequential combination of oxaliplatin followed by an anti-CLDN1 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) was tested in both CRC cell lines and murine models.

RESULTS

We found a significant correlation between CLDN1 expression level and histologic response to chemotherapy, CLDN1 expression being the highest in resistant metastatic residual cells of patients showing minor responses. Moreover, in both murine xenograft model and CRC cell lines, CLDN1 expression was upregulated after exposure to conventional chemotherapies used in CRC treatment. CLDN1 overexpression was, at least in part, functionally related to the activation of the MAPKp38/GSK3β/Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Overexpression of CLDN1 was also observed in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cell lines and was associated with resistance to apoptosis, suggesting an anti-apoptotic role for CLDN1. Finally, we demonstrated that the sequential treatment with oxaliplatin followed by an anti-CLDN1 ADC displayed a synergistic effect in vitro and in in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Our study identifies CLDN1 as a new biomarker of acquired resistance to chemotherapy in CRC patients and suggests that a "one-two punch" approach targeting chemotherapy-induced CLDN1 expression may represent a therapeutic opportunity to circumvent resistance and to improve the outcome of patients with advanced CRC.

The critical role of circular RNAs in drug resistance in gastrointestinal cancers

Nowadays, drug resistance (DR) in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as the main reason for cancer-related mortality worldwide, has become a serious problem in the management of patients. Several mechanisms have been proposed for resistance to anticancer drugs, including altered transport and metabolism of drugs, mutation of drug targets, altered DNA repair system, inhibited apoptosis and autophagy, cancer stem cells, tumor heterogeneity, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Compelling evidence has revealed that genetic and epigenetic factors are strongly linked to DR. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) interferences are the most crucial epigenetic alterations explored so far, and among these ncRNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are the most emerging members known to have unique properties. Due to the absence of 5' and 3' ends in these novel RNAs, the two ends are covalently bonded together and are generated from pre-mRNA in a process known as back-splicing, which makes them more stable than other RNAs. As far as the unique structure and function of circRNAs is concerned, they are implicated in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and DR. A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for circRNAs-mediated DR in the GI cancers will open a new window to the management of GI cancers. Hence, in the present review, we will describe briefly the biogenesis, multiple features, and different biological functions of circRNAs. Then, we will summarize current mechanisms of DR, and finally, discuss molecular mechanisms through which circRNAs regulate DR development in esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Dual-drug codelivery nanosystems: An emerging approach for overcoming cancer multidrug resistance

Multidrug resistance (MDR) promotes tumor recurrence and metastasis and heavily reduces anticancer efficiency, which has become a primary reason for the failure of clinical chemotherapy. The mechanisms of MDR are so complex that conventional chemotherapy usually fails to achieve an ideal therapeutic effect and even accelerates the occurrence of MDR. In contrast, the combination of chemotherapy with dual-drug has significant advantages in tumor therapy. A novel dual-drug codelivery nanosystem, which combines dual-drug administration with nanotechnology, can overcome the application limitation of free drugs. Both the characteristics of nanoparticles and the synergistic effect of dual drugs contribute to circumventing various drug-resistant mechanisms in tumor cells. Therefore, developing dual-drug codelivery nanosystems with different multidrug-resistant mechanisms has an important reference value for reversing MDR and enhancing the clinical antitumor effect. In this review, the advantages, principles, and common codelivery nanocarriers in the application of dual-drug codelivery systems are summarized. The molecular mechanisms of MDR and the dual-drug codelivery nanosystems designed based on different mechanisms are mainly introduced. Meanwhile, the development prospects and challenges of codelivery nanosystems are also discussed, which provide guidelines to exploit optimized combined chemotherapy strategies in the future.

Molecular mechanisms targeting drug-resistance and metastasis in colorectal cancer: Updates and beyond

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed malignancy and a major leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in therapeutic regimens, the number of patients presenting with metastatic CRC (mCRC) is increasing due to resistance to therapy, conferred by a small population of cancer cells, known as cancer stem cells. Targeted therapies have been highly successful in prolonging the overall survival of patients with mCRC. Agents are being developed to target key molecules involved in drug-resistance and metastasis of CRC, and these include vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, in addition to immune checkpoints. Currently, there are several ongoing clinical trials of newly developed targeted agents, which have shown considerable clinical efficacy and have improved the prognosis of patients who do not benefit from conventional chemotherapy. In this review, we highlight recent developments in the use of existing and novel targeted agents against drug-resistant CRC and mCRC. Furthermore, we discuss limitations and challenges associated with targeted therapy and strategies to combat intrinsic and acquired resistance to these therapies, in addition to the importance of implementing better preclinical models and the application of personalized therapy based on predictive biomarkers for treatment selection.

ROCKET: Phase II Randomized, Active-controlled, Multicenter Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of RRx-001 + Irinotecan vs. Single-agent Regorafenib in Third/Fourth Line Colorectal Cancer

INTRODUCTION

RRx-001 is a novel cysteine-targeted alkylating agent that releases nitric oxide (NO). The primary biological activities of this hybrid molecule include macrophage repolarizing and vascular normalization. The purpose of this clinical trial (ROCKET) (NCT02096354) was to compare the safety and efficacy of the combination therapy RRx-001 + irinotecan vs. regorafenib in third/fourth line colorectal cancer that previously received treatment with irinotecan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 34 patients were randomized (24 to RRx-001 + irinotecan (RxI) and 10 to single-agent regorafenib (RegI)) and were the basis for the intention-to-treat analysis (ITT, comprising all 34 patients). RRx-001 treatment was administered as an up-to-2-month "primer" followed by irinotecan for patients randomized to the RRx-001 arm (24). The efficacy and safety data are presented for the 34 patients in the (ITT) efficacy analysis. Therapy consisted of intravenous administration of RRx-001 at 4 mg once weekly for up to 2 months, at which point RRx-001 was discontinued, followed by intravenous infusion of irinotecan at 180 mg/m² on day 1 in a 21-day cycle vs. 160 mg oral regorafenib daily for 3/4 weeks followed at progression, if applicable, by irinotecan 180 mg/m² on day 1 in a 21-day cycle. There were 3 patients (3/24 = 12.5%) with prior single agent irinotecan on the RRx-001 randomized arm and 2 (2/10 = 20%) on the regorafenib randomized arm. Numerous patients had irinotecan combination therapies prior to randomized treatment. There were 15 patients on RRx-001 arm that received irinotecan post-RRx-001 in the randomized trial. There were 5 PRs on RRx-001 plus irinotecan leading to an overall response of 20.8% (5/24). There were 37.5% (9/24) of RRx-001 randomized patients with KRAS mutant type while 60% (6/10) regorafenib randomized patients were of KRAS type mutant. There were only 4 patients with available QOL and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, an insufficient sample size to allow for any meaningful analysis.

RESULTS

Median patient follow-up was approximately 14.5 months (SD 4.5 months). Median overall survival was 8.6 months for RxI and 4.7 months for RegI. Median progression free survival was 6.1 months for RxI vs. 1.7 months for RegI (a statistically significant result, 2-sided log-rank test, P = .0030). The toxicity profile of RxI was substantially improved compared with RegI.

CONCLUSION

The results of this trial demonstrate improved efficacy of RxI compared with RegI in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after previous treatment with irinotecan, and late-stage clinical development in this indication is planned on the strength of the observed "signal" accompanied by a sufficient safety profile.

Angiogenesis regulators S100A4, SPARC and SPP1 correlate with macrophage infiltration and are prognostic biomarkers in colon and rectal cancers

Introduction

Increasing evidence suggests that it is necessary to find effective and robust clinically validated prognostic biomarkers that can identify "high-risk" colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Currently, available prognostic factors largely include clinical-pathological parameters and focus on the cancer stage at the time of diagnosis. Among cells of tumor microenvironment (TME) only Immunoscore classifier based on T lymphocytes showed high predictive value.

Methods

In the present study, we performed the complex analysis of mRNA and protein expression of crucial regulators of tumor angiogenesis and tumor progression, expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs): S100A4, SPP1 and SPARC. Colon and rectal cancer patients were investigated independently and in a combined cohort (CRC). For mRNA expression, we analyzed RNA sequencing data obtained from TCGA (N=417) and GEO (N=92) cohorts of colorectal cancer patients. For protein expression, we performed IHC digital quantification of tumor tissues obtained from 197 patients with CRC treated in the Department of abdominal oncology in Clinics of Tomsk NRMC.

Results

High S100A4 mRNA expression accurately predicted poor survival for patients with CRC independently of cancer type. SPARC mRNA level was independent prognostic factors for survival in colon but not in rectal cancer. SPP1 mRNA level had significant predictive value for survival in both rectal and colon cancers. Analysis of human CRC tissues revealed that S100A4, SPP1 and SPARC are expressed by stromal compartments, in particular by TAMs, and have a strong correlation with macrophage infiltration. Finally, our results indicate that chemotherapy-based treatment can change the predictive direction of S100A4 for rectal cancer patients. We found that S100A4 stromal levels were higher in patients with better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy, and S100A4 mRNA levels predicted better DFS among non-responders.

Discussion

These findings can help improve the prognosis of patients with CRC based on S100A4, SPP1 and SPARC expression levels.

A Prognostic Cuproptosis-Related LncRNA Signature for Colon Adenocarcinoma

Background

Cuproptosis, a recently discovered form of cell death, is caused by copper levels exceeding homeostasis thresholds. Although Cu has a potential role in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), its role in the development of COAD remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, 426 patients with COAD were extracted from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The Pearson correlation algorithm was used to identify cuproptosis-related lncRNAs. Using the univariate Cox regression analysis, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to select cuproptosis-related lncRNAs associated with COAD overall survival (OS). A risk model was established based on the multivariate Cox regression analysis. A nomogram model was used to evaluate the prognostic signature based on the risk model. Finally, mutational burden and sensitivity analyses of chemotherapy drugs were performed for COAD patients in the low- and high-risk groups.

Result

Ten cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were identified and a novel risk model was constructed. A signature based on ten cuproptosis-related lncRNAs was an independent prognostic predictor for COAD. Mutational burden analysis suggested that patients with high-risk scores had higher mutation frequency and shorter survival.

Conclusion

Constructing a risk model based on the ten cuproptosis-related lncRNAs could accurately predict the prognosis of COAD patients, providing a fresh perspective for future research on COAD.

The Gut Microbiota Metabolite Urolithin B Prevents Colorectal Carcinogenesis by Remodeling Microbiota and PD-L1/HLA-B

Colorectal cancer has risen to the third occurring cancer in the world. Fluorouracil (5-Fu), oxaliplatin, and cisplatin are the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for clinical chemotherapy. Nevertheless, due to chemotherapeutic drug resistance, the survival rate of patients with CRC remains very low. In this study, we used the inflammation-induced or mutation-family-inherited murine CRC models to study the anticancer and immunotherapy effects of urolithin B (UB), the final metabolite of polyphenols in the gastrointestinal tract. The label-free proteomics analysis and the gene ontology (GO) classifications were used to test and analyze the proteins affected by UB. And 16S rDNA sequencing and flow cytometry were utilized to uncover gut microbiome composition and immune defense improved by UB administration. The results indicated that urolithin B prevents colorectal carcinogenesis by remodeling gut microbial and tumor immune microenvironments, such as HLA-B, NK cells, regulatory T cells, and γδ TCR cells, and decreasing the PD-L1. The combination of urolithin B with first-line therapeutic drugs improved the colorectal intestinal hematochezia by shaping gut microbiota, providing a strategy for the treatment of immunotherapy treatment for CRC treatments. UB combined with anti-PD-1 antibody could inhibit the growth of colon cancer. Urolithin B may thus contribute to anticancer treatments and provide a high immune response microenvironment for CRC patients' further immunotherapy.

Identification of chemosensitizing agents of colorectal cancer in Rauvolfia vomitoria using an NMR-based chemometric approach

Searching for new adjuvants of conventional chemotherapeutic approaches against colorectal cancer cells is extremely urgent. In current research, a non-targeted analytical approach was established by combining proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with a chemometrics data mining tool to identify chemosensitizing agents from Rauvolfia vomitoria. This approach enabled the identification of potential active constituents in the initial fractionation process and provided their structural information. This strategy was validated by its application to Rauvolfia vomitoria extract exhibiting chemosensitizing activity on 5-fluorouracil against colorectal cancer cells. After the workflow, the biochemometrics analysis showed that at least 15 signals (Variable influence on projection (VIP) > 1) could have contributions in the differentiation of various fractions. Through systematic literature and database searches, we found that the most active fraction (fraction 7) exhibited the highest presence of sabazin-type and armaniline-type alkaloids, which were potential chemosensitizers as previously reported. To validate the results of the strategy, the effect of 5-FU and compounds isolated from fraction seven incubation on HCT-8 and LoVo cell vialibilty were evaluated. These results evidenced that compound β-carboline (3), 1-methyl-β-carboline (4), and lochnerine (6) could enhance the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil against to Colorectal cancer cells. Besides, 21 compounds including two new compounds were isolated from Rauvolfia vomitoria. The experimental results verify the reliability of the method, and this approach provides a new and efficient tool to overcome some of the bottlenecks in natural products drug discovery.