Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with chemoresistance through cancer stemness property in hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Developments and future prospects of personalized medicine in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma diagnoses and treatments

BACKGROUND

Precision healthcare has entered a new era because of the developments in personalized medicine, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This paper explores the dynamic landscape of personalized medicine as applied to HNSCC, encompassing both current developments and future prospects.

RECENT FINDINGS

The integration of personalized medicine strategies into HNSCC diagnosis is driven by the utilization of genetic data and biomarkers. Epigenetic biomarkers, which reflect modifications to DNA that can influence gene expression, have emerged as valuable indicators for early detection and risk assessment. Treatment approaches within the personalized medicine framework are equally promising. Immunotherapy, gene silencing, and editing techniques, including RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9, offer innovative means to modulate gene expression and correct genetic aberrations driving HNSCC. The integration of stem cell research with personalized medicine presents opportunities for tailored regenerative approaches. The synergy between personalized medicine and technological advancements is exemplified by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. These tools empower clinicians to analyze vast datasets, predict patient responses, and optimize treatment strategies with unprecedented accuracy.

CONCLUSION

The developments and prospects of personalized medicine in HNSCC diagnosis and treatment offer a transformative approach to managing this complex malignancy. By harnessing genetic insights, biomarkers, immunotherapy, gene editing, stem cell therapies, and advanced technologies like AI and ML, personalized medicine holds the key to enhancing patient outcomes and ushering in a new era of precision oncology.

The Role of Inflammation-Associated Factors in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which originates in the head or neck tissues, is characterized by high rates of recurrence and metastasis. Inflammation is important in HNSCC prognosis. Inflammatory cells and their secreted factors contribute to the various stages of HNSCC development through multiple mechanisms. In this review, the mechanisms through which inflammatory factors, signaling pathways, and cells contribute to the initiation and progression of HNSCC have been discussed in detail. Furthermore, the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of targeting inflammation in HNSCC has been discussed to gain new insights into improving patient prognosis.

Cancer stem cells of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; distance towards clinical application; a systematic review of literature

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the major pathological type of head and neck cancer (HNC). The disease ranks sixth among the most common malignancies worldwide, with an increasing incidence rate yearly. Despite the development of therapy, the prognosis of HNSCC remains unsatisfactory, which may be attributed to the resistance to traditional radio-chemotherapy, relapse, and metastasis. To improve the diagnosis and treatment, the targeted therapy for HNSCC may be successful as that for some other tumors. Nanocarriers are the most effective system to deliver the anti-cancerous agent at the site of interest using passive or active targeting approaches. The system enhances the drug concentration in HCN target cells, increases retention, and reduces toxicity to normal cells. Among the different techniques in nanotechnology, quantum dots (QDs) possess multiple fluorescent colors emissions under single-source excitation and size-tunable light emission. Dendrimers are the most attractive nanocarriers, which possess the desired properties of drug retention, release, unaffecting by the immune system, blood circulation time enhancing, and cells or organs specific targeting properties. In this review, we have discussed the up-to-date knowledge of the Cancer Stem Cells of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Although a lot of data is available, still much more efforts remain to be made to improve the treatment of HNSCC.

Veratricplatin inhibits the progression of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma FaDu cells in vitro and in vivo

PURPOSE

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks as the sixth most prevalent cancer. In recent years, the modification of platinum(II) into platinum(IV) derivative compounds, by introducing biologically active molecules, has been extensively employed to develop novel platinum-based prodrugs. We investigated the anti-proliferative activity against HNSCC of a new veratric acid (COX-2 inhibitor)-platinum(IV) complex.

METHODS

In this study, a new veratric acid (COX-2 inhibitor)-platinum(IV) complex, termed veratricplatin, was synthesized. We evaluated the anti-tumor effect of in vitro and in vivo by western blotting, flow cytometry and DNA damage analysis.

RESULTS

Veratricplatin displayed remarkable anti-proliferative activity against various cancer cell lines, including A549, FaDu, HeLa, and MCF-7. Furthermore, veratricplatin demonstrated significantly stronger cytotoxicity than either platinum(II) or veratric acid monotherapy or their combination. Importantly, the synthesized prodrug exhibited less toxicity toward normal cells (MRC-5), while dramatically enhanced DNA damage in FaDu cells inducing apoptosis. Moreover, veratricplatin markedly reduced the migration ability of FaDu cells compared to the control or monotherapy. In vivo, veratricplatin displayed potent anti-tumor activity with no apparent toxicity in BALB/c nude mice bearing FaDu tumors. In addition, tissue immunofluorescence analysis revealed that veratricplatin could substantially inhibit the formation of tumor blood vessels.

CONCLUSION

Veratricplatin demonstrated remarkable drug efficacy, in terms of increased cytotoxicity in vitro and high efficiency with low toxicity in vivo.

Study of the antioxidant and anti-pancreatic cancer activities of Anchusa strigosa aqueous extracts obtained by maceration and ultrasonic extraction techniques

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Moreover, the incidence and mortality rates for pancreatic cancer are projected to keep increasing. A major challenge in the treatment of pancreatic cancer is the lack of effective screening approaches, which contributes to its poor prognosis, indicating the need for new treatment regimens and alternative therapies, such as herbal medicine. The medicinal plant A. strigosa, which is widely distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean region, is a short prickly plant from the Boraginaceae family that has been widely used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases. Nevertheless, its effect on human pancreatic cancer remains poorly investigated. In the present study, we screened the phytochemical content of Anchusa strigosa aqueous extracts obtained by maceration and ultrasound-assisted methods (ASM and ASU, respectively) and evaluated their antioxidant effects. We also investigated their anticancer effects and possible underlying mechanisms. The results show that both extracts were rich in bioactive molecules, with slight differences in their composition. Both extracts exhibited remarkable antioxidant potential and potent radical-scavenging activity in vitro. Additionally, non-cytotoxic concentrations of both extracts attenuated cell proliferation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with a decrease in the proliferation marker Ki67 and an induction of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, the extracts increased the aggregation of pancreatic cancer cells and reduced their migratory potential, with a concomitant downregulation of integrin β1. Finally, we showed that the ASM extract caused a significant decrease in the levels of COX-2, an enzyme that has been linked to inflammation, carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that A. strigosa extracts, particularly the extract obtained using the maceration method, have a potential anticancer effect and may represent a new resource for the design of novel drugs against pancreatic cancer.

New advances into cisplatin resistance in head and neck squamous carcinoma: Mechanisms and therapeutic aspects

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) arises from the interplay of multiple factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and viral infections. Cisplatin-based concurrent radiotherapy regimens represent the first-line treatment for advanced HNSCC cases. However, cisplatin resistance significantly contributes to poor prognoses in HNSCC patients, making it crucial to unravel the underlying mechanisms to overcome this resistance. The complexity of cisplatin resistance in HNSCC involves cancer stem cells, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, drug efflux, and metabolic reprogramming. Recent advances in nanodrug delivery systems, combined with existing small-molecule inhibitors and innovative genetic technologies, have opened new therapeutic avenues for addressing cisplatin resistance in HNSCC. This review systematically summarizes research progress from the past five years on cisplatin resistance in HNSCC, with a particular focus on the roles of cancer stem cells and autophagy. Additionally, potential future treatment strategies to overcome cisplatin resistance are discussed, including the targeting of cancer stem cells or autophagy through nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the review highlights the prospects and challenges associated with nanodelivery platforms in addressing cisplatin resistance in HNSCC.

Sorafenib Alleviates Inflammatory Signaling of Tumor Microenvironment in Precancerous Lung Injuries

According to population-based studies, lung cancer is the prominent reason for cancer-related mortality worldwide in males and is also rising in females at an alarming rate. Sorafenib (SOR), which is approved for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma, is a multitargeted protein kinase inhibitor. Additionally, SOR is the subject of interest for preclinical and clinical trials in lung cancer. This study was designed to assess in vivo the possible effects of sorafenib (SOR) in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced lung carcinogenesis and examine its probable mechanisms of action. A total of 30 adult male rats were divided into three groups (1) control, (2) DEN, and (3) DEN + SOR. The chemical induction of lung carcinogenesis was performed by injection of DEN intraperitoneally at 150 mg/kg once a week for two weeks. The DEN-administered rats were co-treated with SOR of 10 mg/kg by oral gavage for 42 alternate days. Serum and lung tissue samples were analyzed to determine SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX-2) levels. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels were measured in lung tissue supernatants. Lung sections were analyzed for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) histopathologically. In addition, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence methods, respectively. SOR reduced the level of SOX-2 that maintenance of cancer stemness and tumorigenicity, and TNF-α and IL-1β levels. Histopathological analysis demonstrated widespread inflammatory cell infiltration, disorganized alveolar structure, hyperemia in the vessels, and thickened alveolar walls in DEN-induced rats. The damage was markedly reduced upon SOR treatment. Further, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analysis also revealed increased expression of COX-2 and JNK expression in DEN-intoxicated rats. However, SOR treatment alleviated the expression of these inflammatory markers in DEN-induced lung carcinogenesis. These findings suggested that SOR inhibits DEN-induced lung precancerous lesions through decreased inflammation with concomitant in reduced SOX-2 levels, which enables the maintenance of cancer stem cell properties.

Increased response to TPF chemotherapy promotes immune escape in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: There is an urgent need to identify which patients would benefit from TPF chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) and to explore new combinations to improve the treatment effect. Materials and methods: Gene-expression profiles in 15 TPF-sensitive patients were compared to 13 resistant patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect CD8⁺ T cells in 28 samples. Patient-Derived Tumor Xenograft (PDX) model and IHC were used to verify markers that optimize treatment for HPSCC. Results: Through RNA sequencing 188 genes were up-regulated in TPF chemotherapy-resistant (CR) tissues were involved in T cell activation, while 60 down-regulated genes were involved in glycolysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that chemotherapy-sensitive (CS) group upregulation of the pathways of glycolysis, while immune response was downregulated. CIBERSORT, MCP-counter, and IHC proved that most immune cells including CD8⁺ T cells in the CR significantly higher than that in CS group. Among the 16 up-regulated genes in CS had close associations, the most significant negative correlation between the gene level and CD8⁺ T cells existed in SEC61G. SEC61G was related to glycolysis, which was transcriptionally regulated by E2F1, and participated in antigen degradation through ubiquitin-dependent protein catabolic process. Palbociclib, combined with Cetuximab decreased the tumor burden and significantly suppressed the expression of E2F1 and SEC61G while activating MHC-I in PDX model. Conclusion: Enhanced glycolysis promoted immune escape, but increased response to TPF chemotherapy. SEC61G was the center of the molecular network and targeting the E2F1/SEC61G pathway increased the expression level of MHC-I.

Advancement in Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Precision Medicine-Review Article Head and Neck Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and the Tumor Microenvironment

Head and Neck cancer survival has continued to remain around 50% despite treatment advances. It is thought that cancer stem cells play a key role in promoting tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance, metastasis, and recurrence in solid malignancies including head and neck cancer. Initial studies identified cancer stem cell markers including CD44 and ALDH in head and neck malignancies and found that these cells show aggressive features in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Recent evidence has now revealed a key role of the tumor microenvironment in maintaining a cancer stem cell niche and promoting cancer stem cell plasticity. There is an increasing focus on identifying and targeting the crosstalk between cancer stem cells and surrounding cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) as new therapeutic potential, however understanding how CSC maintain a stem-like state is critical to understanding how to therapeutically alter their function. Here we review the current evidence for cancer stem cell plasticity and discuss how interactions with the TME promote the cancer stem cell niche, increase tumor heterogeneity, and play a role in treatment resistance.

Prognostic Impact of Indicators of Systemic Inflammation and the Nutritional Status of Patients with Resected Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Several indicators of systemic inflammation and nutritional status were recently shown to serve as novel prognostic factors for certain cancers. Here, we aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of preoperative indicators of systemic inflammation and nutritional status associated with the survival of patients with resected ampulla of Vater carcinoma (AC).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 91 patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for AC from January 2002 through December 2018. Indices for systemic inflammation and nutritional status (Systemic immune-inflammation index [SII], Prognostic nutritional index [PNI], modified Glasgow prognostic score [mGPS], and Controlling nutritional status score [CONUT]) were determined using preoperative blood tests. Clinicopathological factors and these indices were analyzed to identify predictors of overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The median preoperative SII and PNI values were 456.7 and 47.5, respectively, and their optimal cut-off values were 670.0 and 50.0, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that high SII, low PNI, mGPS ≥ 1, and malnutrition, assessed using the CONUT, were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that high SII (HR = 2.71, p = 0.023) and malnutrition assessed using the CONUT (hazard ratio = 3.98, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of shorter OS.

CONCLUSION

SII and the CONUT predicted the survival of patients with AC after radical resection. These indicators are easily calculated using preoperative blood tests and may contribute to the development of improved strategies to treat AC.

Delta-5-desaturase: A novel therapeutic target for cancer management

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D5D is an independent prognostic factor in cancer.

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D5D aggravates cancer progression via mediating AA/PGE₂ production from DGLA.

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AA/PGE₂ promotes cancer progression via regulating the tumor microenvironment.

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Inhibition of D5D redirects COX-2 catalyzed DGLA peroxidation, producing 8-HOA.

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8-HOA suppress cancer by regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis.

Delta-5 desaturase (D5D) is a rate-limiting enzyme that introduces double-bonds to the delta-5 position of the n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid chain. Since fatty acid metabolism is a vital factor in cancer development, several recent studies have revealed that D5D activity and expression could be an independent prognostic factor in cancers. However, the mechanistic basis of D5D in cancer progression is still controversial. The classical concept believes that D5D could aggravate cancer progression via mediating arachidonic acid (AA)/prostaglandin E₂ production from dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), resulting in activation of EP receptors, inflammatory pathways, and immunosuppression. On the contrary, D5D may prevent cancer progression through activating ferroptosis, which is iron-dependent cell death. Suppression of D5D by RNA interference and small-molecule inhibitor has been identified as a promising anti-cancer strategy. Inhibition of D5D could shift DGLA peroxidation pattern from generating AA to a distinct anti-cancer free radical byproduct, 8-hydroxyoctanoic acid, resulting in activation of apoptosis pathway and simultaneously suppression of cancer cell survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion. Hence, understanding the molecular mechanisms of D5D on cancer may therefore facilitate the development of novel therapeutical applications. Given that D5D may serve as a promising target in cancer, in this review, we provide an updated summary of current knowledge on the role of D5D in cancer development and potentially useful therapeutic strategies.