Azurocidin 1 inhibits the aberrant proliferation of triple‑negative breast cancer through the regulation of pyroptosis

Identification of novel neutrophil-extracellular-traps-related genes as biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis and immunotherapy

Background

Breast cancer (BC) ranks as one of the most prevalent malignancies among women globally. This study aimed to explore the involvement of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)-related genes (NETRGs) in BC pathogenesis, highlighting the critical role of NETs.

Methods

Differentially expressed NETRGs (DE-NETRGs) were identified by intersecting BC vs. control differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with the NETRG gene set from The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer (TCGA-BRCA) and GSE42568 datasets. Functional analysis elucidated their biological roles. Prognostic biomarkers were selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression, generating a predictive model, of which its prognostic predictive ability was evaluated through the Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curve and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and verified it in the test set and the validation set. Subsequently, the clinicopathological features were incorporated into the risk model for Cox independent prognostic analysis, and a nomogram was constructed to verify the predictive performance of the model. Finally, the mechanism of action of the biomarkers in BC was explored through immune infiltration, immunotherapy, and drug sensitivity. The biomarker expression validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

Functional analysis revealed 37 DE-NETRGs associated with leukocyte migration and the Interleukin (IL)-17 signaling pathway. Four biomarkers [F2RL2, AZU1, IL33, neutrophil elastase (ELANE)] were used to construct the prognostic model and it was validated by the test set and the validation set. The KM curve showed significant differences in prognosis between the high- and low-risk group, while the ROC curve showed that the model had good predictive performance. Radiation, age, tumor stage, pathologic N, and risk scores were identified as independent prognostic factors. Subgroups based on risk scores exhibited distinct immune cell infiltration patterns, with the risk score positively correlated with M0 macrophages and resting mast cells. The high-risk group demonstrated lower Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) scores. Drug sensitivity varied between risk subgroups, and qRT-PCR confirmed the expression of ELANE and IL33.

Conclusions

This study has reported four biomarkers related to BC prognosis, namely F2RL2, AZU1, IL33, and ELANE. Our study has offered new potential biomarkers for prognosis and has identified therapeutic targets for the treatment and prognosis prediction in BC patients.

Pyroptosis in health and disease: mechanisms, regulation and clinical perspective

Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death characterized by cell swelling and osmotic lysis, resulting in cytomembrane rupture and release of immunostimulatory components, which play a role in several pathological processes. Significant cellular responses to various stimuli involve the formation of inflammasomes, maturation of inflammatory caspases, and caspase-mediated cleavage of gasdermin. The function of pyroptosis in disease is complex but not a simple angelic or demonic role. While inflammatory diseases such as sepsis are associated with uncontrollable pyroptosis, the potent immune response induced by pyroptosis can be exploited as a therapeutic target for anti-tumor therapy. Thus, a comprehensive review of the role of pyroptosis in disease is crucial for further research and clinical translation from bench to bedside. In this review, we summarize the recent advancements in understanding the role of pyroptosis in disease, covering the related development history, molecular mechanisms including canonical, non-canonical, caspase 3/8, and granzyme-mediated pathways, and its regulatory function in health and multiple diseases. Moreover, this review also provides updates on promising therapeutic strategies by applying novel small molecule inhibitors and traditional medicines to regulate pyroptosis. The present dilemmas and future directions in the landscape of pyroptosis are also discussed from a clinical perspective, providing clues for scientists to develop novel drugs targeting pyroptosis.

Revolutionizing breast cancer treatment: Harnessing the related mechanisms and drugs for regulated cell death (Review)

Breast cancer arises from the malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells under the influence of various carcinogenic factors, leading to a gradual increase in its prevalence. This disease has become the leading cause of mortality among female malignancies, posing a significant threat to the health of women. The timely identification of breast cancer remains challenging, often resulting in diagnosis at the advanced stages of the disease. Conventional therapeutic approaches, such as surgical excision, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, exhibit limited efficacy in controlling the progression and metastasis of the disease. Regulated cell death (RCD), a process essential for physiological tissue cell renewal, occurs within the body independently of external influences. In the context of cancer, research on RCD primarily focuses on cuproptosis, ferroptosis and pyroptosis. Mounting evidence suggests a marked association between these specific forms of RCD, and the onset and progression of breast cancer. For example, a cuproptosis vector can effectively bind copper ions to induce cuproptosis in breast cancer cells, thereby hindering their proliferation. Additionally, the expression of ferroptosis‑related genes can enhance the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy. Likewise, pyroptosis‑related proteins not only participate in pyroptosis, but also regulate the tumor microenvironment, ultimately leading to the death of breast cancer cells. The present review discusses the unique regulatory mechanisms of cuproptosis, ferroptosis and pyroptosis in breast cancer, and the mechanisms through which they are affected by conventional cancer drugs. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of these forms of RCD in modulating the efficacy of chemotherapy and highlights their shared characteristics. This knowledge may provide novel avenues for both clinical interventions and fundamental research in the context of breast cancer.