Impact of ecDNA: A mechanism that directs tumorigenesis in cancer drug Resistance-A review

EccBase: A high-quality database for exploration and characterization of extrachromosomal circular DNAs in cancer

Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are widely observed in eukaryotes. Previous studies have demonstrated that eccDNAs are essential to cancer progression, and found that they can not only express in normal cells to regulate RNA, but also function differently in different tissues. It is of major interest to conduct computational or experiments assay to elucidate the mechanisms of eccDNA function, uncover key eccDNAs associated with diseases, and even develop related algorithms for liquid biopsy. Naturally, a comprehensive eccDNAs data resource is urgently needed to provide annotation and analysis more in-depth research. In this study, we constructed the eccBase (http://www.eccbase.net) in literature curation and database retrieval, which was the first database mainly collecting eccDNAs from Homo sapiens (n = 754,391) and Mus musculus (n = 481,381). Homo sapiens eccDNAs were taken from 50 kinds of cancer tissue and/or cell line, and 5 kinds of healthy tissues. The Mus musculus eccDNAs were sourced from 13 kinds of healthy tissue and/or cell line. We thoroughly annotated all eccDNA molecules in terms of basic information, genomic composition, regulatory elements, epigenetic modifications, and raw data. EccBase provided users with the ability to browse, search, download for targets of interest, as well as similarity alignment by the integrated BLAST. Further, comparative analysis suggested the cancer eccDNA is composed of nucleosomes and is prominently derived from the gene-dense regions. We also initially revealed that eccDNAs are strongly tissue-specific. In short, we have started a robust database for eccDNA resource utilization, which may facilitate studying the role of eccDNA in cancer development and therapy, cell function maintenance, and tissue differentiation.

Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Inhibitors for the Treatment and Management of Cancer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second-highest cause of mortality worldwide, killing nearly 9.6 million people annually. Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment during the last couple of decades, it remains a serious concern due to the limitations of currently available cancer management strategies. Therefore, alternative strategies are highly required to overcome these glitches. In addition, many etiological factors such as environmental and genetic factors initiate the activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT) pathway. This aberrant activation of the JAK-STAT pathway has been reported in various disease states, including inflammatory conditions, hematologic malignancies, and cancer. For instance, many patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms carry the acquired gain-of-function JAK2 V617F somatic mutation. This knowledge has dramatically improved our understanding of pathogenesis and has facilitated the development of therapeutics capable of suppressing the constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Our aim is not to be expansive but to highlight emerging ideas towards preventive therapy in a modern view of JAK-STAT inhibitors. A series of agents with different specificities against different members of the JAK family of proteins is currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials. Here we give a summary of how JAK-STAT inhibitors function and a detailed review of current clinical drugs for managing cancer as a new therapeutic approach.

An overview of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in cancer therapy

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane receptor on the cell surface, carries extracellular messages into the cell and alters the activity of the nucleus through tyrosine signalling. EGFR-targeted treatments have influenced the new era of precision oncology throughout the last few decades. Despite significant progress, long-term remission from solid tumours is still a distant goal for many oncologists. There are several methods by which tumour cells alter the activity of this protein in solid tumours. EGFR-related oncogenic pathways, resistance mechanisms, and novel avenues to suppress tumour development and metastatic spread were discovered in clinical specimens using preclinical models (cell cultures, xenografts, mouse models), which were then validated in those specimens. EGFR has been implicated in the onset and advancement of a variety of cancers, according to research. An overview of EGFR's structural anatomy and physiology, its role in cancers, and clinical studies that target EGFR in various tumours are included in this review.