Emerging functions of the EGFR in cancer

Molecular Landscape and Therapeutic Strategies against Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Although the overall incidence of CRC is decreasing, the incidence of young-onset CRC, characterized by a diagnosis of CRC before age 50, is increasing. Outcomes for CRC patients are improving, partly due to comprehensive molecular characterization of tumors and novel therapeutic strategies. Advances in genomic and transcriptomic analyses using blood- and tumor-tissue-based sequencing have facilitated identification of distinct tumor subtypes harboring unique biological characteristics and therapeutic vulnerabilities. These insights have led to the development and incorporation of targeted therapies and immunotherapy in CRC treatment. In this review, we discuss the molecular landscape and key oncogenes/tumor suppressors contributing to CRC tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. We also discuss personalized therapeutic strategies for subsets of CRC patients and provide an overview of evolving novel treatments being evaluated in clinical trials.

An evolutionary timeline of the oxytocin signaling pathway

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide associated with both psychological and somatic processes like parturition and social bonding. Although oxytocin homologs have been identified in many species, the evolutionary timeline of the entire oxytocin signaling gene pathway has yet to be described. Using protein sequence similarity searches, microsynteny, and phylostratigraphy, we assigned the genes supporting the oxytocin pathway to different phylostrata based on when we found they likely arose in evolution. We show that the majority (64%) of genes in the pathway are 'modern'. Most of the modern genes evolved around the emergence of vertebrates or jawed vertebrates (540 - 530 million years ago, 'mya'), including OXTR, OXT and CD38. Of those, 45% were under positive selection at some point during vertebrate evolution. We also found that 18% of the genes in the oxytocin pathway are 'ancient', meaning their emergence dates back to cellular organisms and opisthokonta (3500-1100 mya). The remaining genes (18%) that evolved after ancient and before modern genes were classified as 'medium-aged'. Functional analyses revealed that, in humans, medium-aged oxytocin pathway genes are highly expressed in contractile organs, while modern genes in the oxytocin pathway are primarily expressed in the brain and muscle tissue.

Understanding the Role of Connexins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Molecular and Prognostic Implications

Connexins, a family of tetraspan membrane proteins forming intercellular channels localized in gap junctions, play a pivotal role at the different stages of tumor progression presenting both pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects. Considering the potential role of connexins as tumor suppressors through multiple channel-independent mechanisms, their loss of expression may be associated with tumorigenic activity, while it is hypothesized that connexins favor the clonal expansion of tumor cells and promote cell migration, invasion, and proliferation, affecting metastasis and chemoresistance in some cases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by unfavorable prognosis and limited responsiveness to current therapeutic strategies, has been linked to gap junction proteins as tumorigenic factors with prognostic value. Notably, several members of connexins have emerged as promising markers for assessing the progression and aggressiveness of HCC, as well as the chemosensitivity and radiosensitivity of hepatocellular tumor cells. Our review sheds light on the multifaceted role of connexins in HCC pathogenesis, offering valuable insights on recent advances in determining their prognostic and therapeutic potential.

Non-Invasive Delivery of Negatively Charged Nanobodies by Anodal Iontophoresis: When Electroosmosis Dominates Electromigration

Iontophoresis enables the non-invasive transdermal delivery of moderately-sized proteins and the needle-free cutaneous delivery of antibodies. However, simple descriptors of protein characteristics cannot accurately predict the feasibility of iontophoretic transport. This study investigated the cathodal and anodal iontophoretic transport of the negatively charged M7D12H nanobody and a series of negatively charged variants with single amino acid substitutions. Surprisingly, M7D12H and its variants were only delivered transdermally by anodal iontophoresis. In contrast, transdermal permeation after cathodal iontophoresis and passive diffusion was Collapse

Key Words

• anti-EGFR 7D12 nanobody
• electroosmosis
• iontophoresis
• nanobodies
• protein expression and purification
• skin topical and transdermal delivery

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Affiliation(s)

Phedra Firdaws Sahraoui School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU-1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU-1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Oscar Vadas Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CMU-1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
Yogeshvar N. Kalia School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, CMU-1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, CMU-1 Rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland

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A Multifunctionalized Potyvirus-Derived Nanoparticle That Targets and Internalizes into Cancer Cells

Plant viral nanoparticles (VNPs) are attractive to nanomedicine researchers because of their safety, ease of production, resistance, and straightforward functionalization. In this paper, we developed and successfully purified a VNP derived from turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), a well-known plant pathogen, that exhibits a high affinity for immunoglobulins G (IgG) thanks to its functionalization with the Z domain of staphylococcal Protein A via gene fusion. We selected cetuximab as a model IgG to demonstrate the versatility of this novel TuMV VNP by developing a fluorescent nanoplatform to mark tumoral cells from the Cal33 line of a tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Using confocal microscopy, we observed that fluorescent VNP-cetuximab bound selectively to Cal33 and was internalized, revealing the potential of this nanotool in cancer research.

Car T Cells in Solid Tumors: Overcoming Obstacles

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T cell) therapy has emerged as a prominent adoptive cell therapy and a therapeutic approach of great interest in the fight against cancer. This approach has shown notorious efficacy in refractory hematological neoplasm, which has bolstered its exploration in the field of solid cancers. However, successfully managing solid tumors presents considerable intrinsic challenges, which include the necessity of guiding the modified cells toward the tumoral region, assuring their penetration and survival in adverse microenvironments, and addressing the complexity of identifying the specific antigens for each type of cancer. This review focuses on outlining the challenges faced by CAR T cell therapy when used in the treatment of solid tumors, as well as presenting optimizations and emergent approaches directed at improving its efficacy in this particular context. From precise localization to the modulation of the tumoral microenvironment and the adaptation of antigen recognition strategies, diverse pathways will be examined to overcome the current limitations and buttress the therapeutic potential of CAR T cells in the fight against solid tumors.

Review of Personalized Medicine and Pharmacogenomics of Anti-Cancer Compounds and Natural Products

In recent years, the FDA has approved numerous anti-cancer drugs that are mutation-based for clinical use. These drugs have improved the precision of treatment and reduced adverse effects and side effects. Personalized therapy is a prominent and hot topic of current medicine and also represents the future direction of development. With the continuous advancements in gene sequencing and high-throughput screening, research and development strategies for personalized clinical drugs have developed rapidly. This review elaborates the recent personalized treatment strategies, which include artificial intelligence, multi-omics analysis, chemical proteomics, and computation-aided drug design. These technologies rely on the molecular classification of diseases, the global signaling network within organisms, and new models for all targets, which significantly support the development of personalized medicine. Meanwhile, we summarize chemical drugs, such as lorlatinib, osimertinib, and other natural products, that deliver personalized therapeutic effects based on genetic mutations. This review also highlights potential challenges in interpreting genetic mutations and combining drugs, while providing new ideas for the development of personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics in cancer study.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1-phenyl-tetrahydro-β-carboline-based first dual PRMT5/EGFR inhibitors as potential anticancer agents

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are both involved in the regulation of various cancer-related processes, and their dysregulation or overexpression has been observed in many types of tumors. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of 1-phenyl-tetrahydro-β-carboline (THβC) derivatives as the first class of dual PRMT5/EGFR inhibitors. Among the synthesized compounds, 10p showed the most potent dual PRMT5/EGFR inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 15.47 ± 1.31 and 19.31 ± 2.14 μM, respectively. Compound 10p also exhibited promising antiproliferative activity against A549, MCF7, HeLa, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, with IC50 values below 10 μM. Molecular docking studies suggested that 10p could bind to PRMT5 and EGFR through hydrophobic, π-π, and cation-π interactions. Furthermore, 10p displayed favorable pharmacokinetic properties and oral bioavailability (F = 30.6%) in rats, and administrated orally 10p could significantly inhibit the growth of MCF7 orthotopic xenograft tumors. These results indicate that compound 10p is a promising hit compound for the development of novel and effective dual PRMT5/EGFR inhibitors as potential anticancer agents.

Gut Mycobiota Dysbiosis Is Associated with Melanoma and Response to Anti-PD-1 Therapy

Recent research indicates that gut microbiota may be vital in the advancement of melanoma. In this study, we found that melanoma patients exhibited a distinct gut mycobiota structure compared with healthy participants. Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, and Neurospora crassa were more abundant in samples from patients with melanoma, whereas Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Debaryomyces hansenii were less abundant. During anti-PD-1 treatment, the relative amount of Malassezia restricta and C. albicans increased. A higher level of Saccharomyces paradoxus was associated with a positive response to anti-PD-1 treatment, whereas a higher level of Tetrapisispora blattae was associated with a lack of clinical benefits. High levels of M. restricta and C. albicans, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, and being overweight were linked to increased risk of melanoma progression and poorer response to anti-PD-1 treatment. Thus, this study has revealed melanoma-associated mycobiome dysbiosis, characterized by altered fungal composition and fungi species associated with a higher risk of melanoma progression, identifying a role for the gut mycobiome in melanoma progression.

Integration analysis of single-cell transcriptome reveals specific monocyte subsets associated with melanoma brain and leptomeningeal metastasis

BACKGROUND

Melanoma central nervous system (CNS) metastasis remains a leading cause of patient mortality, and the underlying pathological mechanism has not been fully elucidated, leading to a lack of effective therapeutic strategies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we conducted an integrated analysis of single-cell transcriptomic data related to melanoma brain metastasis (MBM) and leptomeningeal metastasis (LMM). We focused on differences of subset composition and molecular expression of monocytes in blood, primary tumor, brain metastases, and leptomeningeal metastases.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed among monocytes in blood, primary tumor, and different CNS metastatic tissues, particularly in terms of subset differentiation and gene expression patterns. Subsequent analysis revealed the upregulation of cell proportions of six monocyte subsets in brain metastasis and leptomeningeal metastasis. Based on differential gene analysis, four of these subsets exhibited increased expression of factors promoting tumor migration and survival, including AREG+ monocytes (AREG, EREG, THBS1), FABP5+ monocytes (SPP1, CCL2, CTSL), and CXCL3+ monocytes (CXCL3, IL8, IL1B). The proportions of TPSB2+ monocytes (IL32, CCL5) were notably elevated in melanoma leptomeningeal metastasis tissues. Pathway analysis indicated the activation of signaling pathways such as NOD-like receptors, NFκB, and Toll-like receptors in these metastasis-related subsets.

CONCLUSION

Our findings elucidate that AREG+, FABP5+ and CXCL3+ monocytes are associated with brain metastasis and TPSB2+ monocytes are associated with leptomeningeal metastasis in melanoma, which may be contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies focusing on monocytes or cytokines for melanoma CNS metastasis.

Circular RNA CircSLC22A23 Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating HNRNPU Expression

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) play essential roles in cancer occurrence as regulatory RNAs. However, circRNA-mediated regulation of gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of circSLC22A23 (hsa_circ_0075504) underlying GC occurrence.

METHODS

CircSLC22A23 levels were first quantified by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in GC cell lines, 80 paired GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and 27 pairs of plasma samples from preoperative and postoperative patients with GC. Then circSLC22A23 was knocked-down with short hairpin RNA to analyze its oncogenic effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Finally, circRNA-binding proteins and their downstream target genes were identified by RNA pulldown, mass spectrometry, RNA immunoprecipitation, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot assays.

RESULTS

CircSLC22A23 was found to be highly expressed in GC cells, GC tissues, and plasma from GC patients. Knockdown of circSLC22A23 inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation assays verified the interaction between circSLC22A23 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU). Knockdown of circSLC22A23 decreased HNRNPU protein levels. Moreover, rescue assays showed that the tumor suppressive effect of circSLC22A23 knockdown was reversed by HNRNPU overexpression. Finally, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was found to be one of the downstream target genes of HNRNPU that was up regulated by circSLC22A23.

CONCLUSION

CircSLC22A23 regulated the transcription of EGFR through activation of HNRNPU in GC cells, suggesting that circSLC22A23 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of GC.

Unveiling Gene Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease by Integrating Genetic and Epigenetic Data with a Network-Based Approach

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complex disease and the leading cause of dementia in older people. We aimed to uncover aspects of AD's pathogenesis that may contribute to drug repurposing efforts by integrating DNA methylation and genetic data. Implementing the network-based tool, a dense module search of genome-wide association studies (dmGWAS), we integrated a large-scale GWAS dataset with DNA methylation data to identify gene network modules associated with AD. Our analysis yielded 286 significant gene network modules. Notably, the foremost module included the BIN1 gene, showing the largest GWAS signal, and the GNAS gene, the most significantly hypermethylated. We conducted Web-based Cell-type-Specific Enrichment Analysis (WebCSEA) on genes within the top 10% of dmGWAS modules, highlighting monocyte as the most significant cell type (p < 5 × 10-12). Functional enrichment analysis revealed Gene Ontology Biological Process terms relevant to AD pathology (adjusted p < 0.05). Additionally, drug target enrichment identified five FDA-approved targets (p-value = 0.03) for further research. In summary, dmGWAS integration of genetic and epigenetic signals unveiled new gene interactions related to AD, offering promising avenues for future studies.

Current management of uncommon EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are frequently implicated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Though these typically involve exon 19 in-frame deletions or L858R mutations in exon 21, uncommon EGFR mutations comprise 10-15 % of all EGFR mutations. These most frequently include G719X mutations in exon 18, L861Q mutations in exon 21, S768I mutations in exon 20, and in-frame insertions and/or duplications in exon 20. It is crucial to understand these distinct variants and their specific responses to active treatment options to optimize care. In this review, we discuss these uncommon mutations in depth and dissect the current literature regarding their treatment outcomes and subsequent evidence-based management guidelines.

Removal of hypersignaling endosomes by simaphagy

Activated transmembrane receptors continue to signal following endocytosis and are only silenced upon ESCRT-mediated internalization of the receptors into intralumenal vesicles (ILVs) of the endosomes. Accordingly, endosomes with dysfunctional receptor internalization into ILVs can cause sustained receptor signaling which has been implicated in cancer progression. Here, we describe a surveillance mechanism that allows cells to detect and clear physically intact endosomes with aberrant receptor accumulation and elevated signaling. Proximity biotinylation and proteomics analyses of ESCRT-0 defective endosomes revealed a strong enrichment of the ubiquitin-binding macroautophagy/autophagy receptors SQSTM1 and NBR1, a phenotype that was confirmed in cell culture and fly tissue. Live cell microscopy demonstrated that loss of the ESCRT-0 subunit HGS/HRS or the ESCRT-I subunit VPS37 led to high levels of ubiquitinated and phosphorylated receptors on endosomes. This was accompanied by dynamic recruitment of NBR1 and SQSTM1 as well as proteins involved in autophagy initiation and autophagosome biogenesis. Light microscopy and electron tomography revealed that endosomes with intact limiting membrane, but aberrant receptor downregulation were engulfed by phagophores. Inhibition of autophagy caused increased intra- and intercellular signaling and directed cell migration. We conclude that dysfunctional endosomes are surveyed and cleared by an autophagic process, simaphagy, which serves as a failsafe mechanism in signal termination.Abbreviations: AKT: AKT serine/threonine kinase; APEX2: apurinic/apyrimidinic endodoexyribonuclease 2; ctrl: control; EEA1: early endosome antigen 1; EGF: epidermal growth factor; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; ESCRT: endosomal sorting complex required for transport; GFP: green fluorescent protein; HGS/HRS: hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate; IF: immunofluorescence; ILV: intralumenal vesicle; KO: knockout; LIR: LC3-interacting region; LLOMe: L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (hydrochloride); MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAPK1/ERK2: mitogen-activated protein kinase 1; MAPK3/ERK1: mitogen-activated protein kinase 3; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; PAG10: Protein A-conjugated 10-nm gold; RB1CC1/FIP200: RB1 inducible coiled-coil 1; siRNA: small interfering RNA; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TUB: Tubulin; UBA: ubiquitin-associated; ULK1: unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase 1; VCL: Vinculin; VPS37: VPS37 subunit of ESCRT-I; WB: western blot; WT: wild-type.

Targeting solid tumor antigens with chimeric receptors: cancer biology meets synthetic immunology

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a medical breakthrough in the treatment of B cell malignancies. There is intensive focus on developing solid tumor-targeted CAR-T cell therapies. Although clinically approved CAR-T cell therapies target B cell lineage antigens, solid tumor targets include neoantigens and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) with diverse roles in tumor biology. Multiple early-stage clinical trials now report encouraging signs of efficacy for CAR-T cell therapies that target solid tumors. We review the landscape of solid tumor target antigens from the perspective of cancer biology and gene regulation, together with emerging clinical data for CAR-T cells targeting these antigens. We then discuss emerging synthetic biology strategies and their application in the clinical development of novel cellular immunotherapies.

A novel dihydroacridine derivative targets epidermal growth factor receptor-expressing cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Small molecules are considered a source of novel medicines targeting carcinogenic intracellular pathways including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. The main goal of the study is to assess whether LHT-17-19 could be considered an effective target molecule against EGFR-expressing tumor cells in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. This was an in vivo, ex vivo, and in vivo experimental study. LHT-17-19 affinity to EGFR's kinase domain was assessed by the ligand's molecular docking. EGFR-expressing Hs746T human gastric cancer cell culture and patient-derived organoid (PDO) model of EGFR-positive breast cancer (BC) were used for in vitro assessment of the molecule anticancer property. IC50 and GI50 indexes were estimated using MTT- and MTS-based tests, respectively. Anticancer activity of LHT-17-19 against EGFR-expressing mutant lung carcinoma was studied on patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model established in 10 humanized BALB/c male mice. Continuous variables were presented as a mean ± standard deviation. Intergroup differences were assessed by two-way t-test. Kaplan-Meier's curves were used for survival analysis. High affinity of LHT-17-19 for the EGFR kinase domain with dG score -7.9 kcal/mol, EDoc-5.45 kcal/mol, and Ki 101.24 uM was due to intermolecular π-σ bonds formation and the ligand intramolecular transformation. LHT-17-19 induced anti-EGFR-expressing gastric cancer cells cytotoxicity with IC50 0.32 µM (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-0.54 µM). The derivative inhibited growth of EGFR-expressing BC PDO with GI50 16.25 µM (95% CI 4.44-28.04 µM). 2 mg/kg LHT-17-19 intravenously daily during 7 days inhibited PDX tumor growth and metastatic activity, prolonged animals' survival, and eliminated EGFR-mutant lung cancer cells from residual tumor's node. LHT-17-19 may be considered a molecular platform for further search of promising molecules, EGFR-expressing cancer cell inhibitors.

Bioinformatics analysis identifies potential autophagy key genes and immune infiltration in preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease that seriously threatens maternal and fetal health. Appropriate autophagy can shield the placenta from oxidative stress, but its role in PE is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To identify potential autophagy-related genes in PE.

METHODS

Microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, compassing the test dataset GSE10588, along with validation datasets GSE4707 and GSE60438 GPL10558, were utilized. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the limma R package, intersected with autophagy-related genes. Hub genes were obtained using the Cytoscape software and analyzed via gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The diagnostic capability of hub genes was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Analysis of immune cell infiltration was conducted using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and CIBERSORT methods. Placental tissues were collected from 10 normal pregnant women and 10 preeclamptic pregnant women, and the expression of hub genes was validated through immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Analysis of the microarray data identified 2224 DEGs, among which 26 were autophagy-related DEGs identified through intersection with autophagy genes. Ten hub genes were identified. Immune cell infiltration analysis suggested the potential involvement of T regulatory cells (Tregs), natural killer cells, neutrophils, and T follicular helper cells in the pathogenesis of PE. ROC curve analysis indicated promising diagnostic capabilities for EGFR and TP53. Additionally, levels of EGFR and TP53 were significantly higher in placental tissue from PE pregnancies compared to normal pregnancies.

CONCLUSION

EGFR and TP53 may play a role in PE by influencing autophagy.

EGFR targeting PhosTACs as a dual inhibitory approach reveals differential downstream signaling

We recently developed a heterobifunctional approach [phosphorylation targeting chimeras (PhosTACs)] to achieve the targeted protein dephosphorylation (TPDephos). Here, we envisioned combining the inhibitory effects of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) and the active dephosphorylation by phosphatases to achieve dual inhibition of kinases. We report an example of tyrosine phosphatase-based TPDephos and the effective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine dephosphorylation. We also used phosphoproteomic approaches to study the signaling transductions affected by PhosTAC-related molecules at the proteome-wide level. This work demonstrated the differential signaling pathways inhibited by PhosTAC compared with the TKI, gefitinib. Moreover, a covalent PhosTAC selective for mutated EGFR was developed and showed its inhibitory potential for dysregulated EGFR. Last, EGFR PhosTACs, consistent with EGFR dephosphorylation profiles, induced apoptosis and inhibited cancer cell viability during prolonged PhosTAC treatment. PhosTACs showcased their potential of modulating RTKs activity, expanding the scope of bifunctional molecule utility.

Addition of nimotuzumab to concurrent chemoradiotherapy after induction chemotherapy improves outcomes of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose

To investigate the survival outcomes and toxicities associated with the addition of nimotuzumab to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) patients who received induction chemotherapy (IC).

Methods

Patients with stage III-IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma who received IC and CCRT between January 2017 and October 2021 were retrospectively included. We aimed to compare the locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) between patients treated with CCRT+nimotuzumab and CCRT alone.

Results

We included 411 patients in the analysis. Of these patients, 267 (65.0%) and 144 (35.0%) had CCRT+nimotuzumab and CCRT alone, respectively. Similar LRFS was found between those with and without nimotuzumab (92.9% vs. 92.6%, p = 0.855). The 3-year DMFS was 88.2% and 76.2% in those with and without nimotuzumab (p = 0.002). The 3-year DFS was 83.4% and 70.6% in those with and without nimotuzumab treatment (p = 0.003). The 3-year OS was 92.1% and 81.1% in those with and without nimotuzumab (p = 0.003). The multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the addition of nimotuzumab was independently associated with better DMFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.606, p = 0.049), DFS (HR 0.613, p = 0.028), and OS (HR 0.497, p = 0.019). No significant differences in major toxicities were found between the two treatment arms, including hematologic toxicities, hepatoxicity, nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal reactions, and mucositis (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The addition of nimotuzumab to CCRT after IC in LANPC has shown promising results in improving treatment outcomes and acceptable toxicities.

Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses designed for targeted treatment of EGFR-bearing tumors

Oncolytic herpes simplex viruses (oHSVs) have emerged as leading cancer therapeutic agents. Effective oHSV virotherapy may ultimately require both intratumoral and systemic vector administration to target the primary tumor and distant metastases. An attractive approach to enhancing oHSV tumor specificity is engineering the virus envelope glycoproteins for selective recognition of and infection via tumor-specific cell surface proteins. We previously demonstrated that oHSVs could be retargeted to EGFR-expressing cells by the incorporation of a single-chain antibody (scFv) at the N terminus of glycoprotein D (gD). Here, we compared retargeted oHSVs generated by the insertion of scFv, affibody molecule, or VHH antibody ligands at different positions within the N terminus of gD. When compared to the scFv-directed oHSVs, VHH and affibody molecules mediated enhanced EGFR-specific tumor cell entry, spread and cell killing in vitro, and enabled long-term tumor-specific virus replication following intravenous delivery in vivo. Moreover, oHSVs retargeted via a VHH ligand reduced tumor growth upon intravenous injection and achieved complete tumor destruction after intratumoral injection. Systemic oHSV delivery is important for the treatment of metastatic disease, and our enhancements in targeted oHSV design are a critical step in creating an effective tumor-specific oHSVs for safe administration via the bloodstream.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Alone or Combined with EGFR-Directed Targeted Therapy or Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy for Locally Advanced Lacrimal Sac and Nasolacrimal Duct Carcinomas

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We describe our findings in patients with locally advanced lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct (NLD) carcinoma who received neoadjuvant systemic therapy.

METHODS

We identified patients with locally advanced primary lacrimal sac/NLD carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant systemic intravenous therapy at our institution during 2017-2019.

RESULTS

The study included seven patients, four men and three women; the mean age was 60.4 years (range: 43-76). All patients had locally advanced disease with significant orbital soft tissue invasion with or without skull base invasion making eye-sparing surgery not feasible as an initial step. Three patients had poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma; two, invasive carcinoma with basaloid and squamous features; one, high-grade carcinoma with features suggestive of sebaceous differentiation; and one, undifferentiated carcinoma. The neoadjuvant regimens were cisplatin and docetaxel (n = 1); carboplatin and docetaxel (n = 1); paclitaxel and cetuximab (n = 1); carboplatin, paclitaxel, and cetuximab (EGFR inhibitor) (n = 2); cisplatin, docetaxel, and pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 immunotherapy) (n = 1); and carboplatin, paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab (n = 1). All patients had radiologic disease regression, and one patient had radiologic near-complete response. After neoadjuvant therapy, all patients underwent wide local excision and adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation. Two patients had a complete pathologic response. At a median follow-up period of 13 months after chemoradiation (range, 8-54 months), all patients were alive without evidence of disease. One patient had nodal metastasis treated with lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemoradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy can shrink tumors in patients with locally advanced primary lacrimal sac/NLD carcinoma with orbital or skull base invasion.

The m6A methyltransferase RBM15 affects tumor cell stemness and progression of cervical cancer by regulating the stability of lncRNA HEIH

Cervical cancer (CC), as a common female malignant tumor in the world, is an important risk factor endangering women's health worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of RBM15 in CC. The TCGA database was used to screen differentially expressed m6A genes in normal and tumor tissues. QRT-PCR was used to quantify HEIH, miR-802, EGFR, cell stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes. The interaction between HEIH and miR-802 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay. The occurrence of tumor cells after different treatments was detected by CCK-8, transwell and EdU staining. BALB/c nude mice were used to examine the effects of different treatments on tumor growth and cell stemness in vivo. RBM15 was upregulated in tumor tissues and cells. M6A was highly enriched in HEIH and enhances its RNA stability. HEIH acts as an oncogenic lncRNA to promote CC cell proliferation, migration and tumor growth. Mechanistically, HEIH regulates tumor cell stemness and promotes the proliferation and migration of CC cells by competitively adsorbing miR-802 and up-regulating the expression of EGFR. In short, our data shown that the m6A methyltransferase RBM15 could affect tumor cell proliferation, metastasis and cell stemness by stabilizing HEIH expression.

Role of interferon-induced transmembrane protein family in cancer progression: a special focus on pancreatic cancer

Human interferon-induced transmembrane protein family (IFITMs) consists of five main proteins. IFITM1, IFITM2, and IFITM3 can be induced by interferon, while IFITM5 and IFITM10 are insensitive to interferon. IFITMs has various functions, including well-researched antiviral effects. As a molecule whose expression is significantly increased by interferon in the immune microenvironment, IFITMs has drawn growing interest in recent years for their role in the cancer progression. Unlike antiviral effects, the role and mechanism of IFITMs in cancer progression have not been clearly studied, especially the role and molecular mechanism of IFITMs in pancreatic cancer are rarely reported in the literature. This article focuses on the role and potential mechanism of IFITMs in pancreatic cancer progression by analyzing the function and mechanism of IFITM1-3 in other cancers and conducting bioinformatics analysis using the databases, so as to provide a new target for pancreatic cancer therapy.

Astrocyte-induced mGluR1 activates human lung cancer brain metastasis via glutamate-dependent stabilization of EGFR

There are limited methods to stably analyze the interactions between cancer cells and glial cells in vitro, which hinders our molecular understanding. Here, we develop a simple and stable culture method of mouse glial cells, termed mixed-glial culture on/in soft substrate (MGS), which serves well as a platform to study cancer-glia interactions. Using this method, we find that human lung cancer cells become overly dependent on metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) signaling in the brain microenvironment. Mechanistically, interactions with astrocytes induce mGluR1 in cancer cells through the Wnt-5a/prickle planar cell polarity protein 1 (PRICKLE1)/RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) axis. Induced mGluR1 directly interacts with and stabilizes the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a glutamate-dependent manner, and these cells then become responsive to mGluR1 inhibition. Our results highlight increased dependence on mGluR1 signaling as an adaptive strategy and vulnerability of human lung cancer brain metastasis.

Potential pharmacological mechanisms of tanshinone IIA in the treatment of human neuroblastoma based on network pharmacological and molecular docking Technology

Tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA) is the main bioactive component of Chinese herbal medicine salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen). Sodium sulfonate of Tan-IIA is widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Tan-IIA also has inhibitory effects on tumor cells such as gastric cancer, but its therapeutic effect and mechanism on human neuroblastoma have not been evaluated, so its pharmacological mechanism is systematically evaluated by the combined method of network pharmacology and molecular docking. PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction predicted 331 potential Tan-IIA-related targets, and 1,152 potential neuroblastoma-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, DisGeNET, DrugBank, OMIM and Therapeutic Target databases (TTD), 107 common targets for Tan-IIA and neuroblastoma. Through gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomesa (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and cytoHubba plug-in, 10 related signal pathways (Pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Prostate cancer, etc.) and 10 hub genes were identified. The results of molecular docking showed that Tan-IIA could interact with 10 targets: GRB2, SRC, EGFR, PTPN1, ESR1, IGF1, MAPK1, PIK3R1, AKT1 and IGF1R. This study analyzed the related pathways and targets of Tan-IIA in the treatment of human neuroblastoma, as well as the potential anticancer and anti-tumor targets and related signaling pathways of Tan-IIA, which provides a reference for us to find and explore effective drugs for the treatment of human neuroblastoma.

Sunset Yellow protects against oxidative damage and exhibits chemoprevention in chemically induced skin cancer model

Skin cancer and other skin-related inflammatory pathologies are rising due to heightened exposure to environmental pollutants and carcinogens. In this context, natural products and repurposed compounds hold promise as novel therapeutic and preventive agents. Strengthening the skin's antioxidant defense mechanisms is pivotal in neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitigating oxidative stress. Sunset Yellow (SY) exhibits immunomodulatory characteristics, evidenced by its capacity to partially inhibit the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, regulate immune cell populations, and modulate the activation of lymphocytes. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-genotoxic properties of SY using in-silico, in vitro, and physiochemical test systems, and to further explore its potential role in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)/ 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced two-stage skin carcinogenesis. In vitro experiments showed that pre-treatment of SY significantly enhanced the cell viability of HaCaT cells when exposed to tertiary-Butyl Hydrogen Peroxide (tBHP). This increase was accompanied by reduced ROS levels, restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential, and notable reduction in DNA damage in (SY + tBHP) treated cells. Mechanistic investigations using DPPH chemical antioxidant activity test and potentiometric titrations confirmed SY's antioxidant properties, with a standard reduction potential (E o ) of 0.211 V. Remarkably, evaluating the effect of topical application of SY in DMBA/TPA-induced two-step skin carcinogenesis model revealed dose-dependent decreases in tumor latency, incidence, yield, and burden over 21-weeks. Furthermore, computational analysis and experimental validations identified GSK3β, KEAP1 and EGFR as putative molecular targets of SY. Collectively, our findings reveal that SY enhances cellular antioxidant defenses, exhibits anti-genotoxic effects, and functions as a promising chemopreventive agent.

Rapid evolution of genes with anti-cancer functions during the origins of large bodies and cancer resistance in elephants

Elephants have emerged as a model system to study the evolution of body size and cancer resistance because, despite their immense size, they have a very low prevalence of cancer. Previous studies have found that duplication of tumor suppressors at least partly contributes to the evolution of anti-cancer cellular phenotypes in elephants. Still, many other mechanisms must have contributed to their augmented cancer resistance. Here, we use a suite of codon-based maximum-likelihood methods and a dataset of 13,310 protein-coding gene alignments from 261 Eutherian mammals to identify positively selected and rapidly evolving elephant genes. We found 496 genes (3.73% of alignments tested) with statistically significant evidence for positive selection and 660 genes (4.96% of alignments tested) that likely evolved rapidly in elephants. Positively selected and rapidly evolving genes are statistically enriched in gene ontology terms and biological pathways related to regulated cell death mechanisms, DNA damage repair, cell cycle regulation, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, and immune functions, particularly neutrophil granules and degranulation. All of these biological factors are plausibly related to the evolution of cancer resistance. Thus, these positively selected and rapidly evolving genes are promising candidates for genes contributing to elephant-specific traits, including the evolution of molecular and cellular characteristics that enhance cancer resistance.

Neuroprotective effect of chrysophanol in Alzheimer disease via modulating the Ca2+/EGFR-PLCγ pathway

Chrysophanol (CHR) is an anthraquinone compound found in rhubarb, and it possesses neuroprotective properties. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vivo study, D-galactose combined with intracerebral injection of β-protein 25-35(Aβ25-35) were used to establish AD model rats. In vitro study, Aβ25-35 was used to induce AD model cells. Our results indicated that CHR improves learning and memory in AD model rats and provides protection against neuronal damage in both AD model rats and cells. Additionally, we observed that CHR suppressed the protein expression of p-tau, EGFR, PLCγ, IP3R, and CAM, as well as the mRNA levels of tau, EGFR, PLCγ, IP3R, and CAM. Furthermore, we have confirmed that CHR inhibited the fluorescence expression of calcium ions (Ca2+). In conclusion, the CHR may exert neuroprotective effects in AD by reducing tau phosphorylation through the Ca2+/EGFR-PLCγ pathway.

The mechanism of action and experimental verification of Gan-song Yin on renal clear cell carcinoma based on network pharmacology and bioinformatics

BACKGROUND

Gan-song Yin (GSY) is originated from the scripture "Gan-song Pills", a medical work of the Ningxia ethnic minorities, and its treatment of kidney diseases has good results. Its method of treating Renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is still unknown, nevertheless.

METHODS

Firstly, utilizing a network pharmacology strategy to screen GSY for active components and targets and looking up KIRC-related targets in GeneCards and GEO databases. Secondly, protein interaction networks were constructed and analyzed for GO and KEGG enrichment. Molecular docking was then performed and clinical and other correlations of the network pharmacology results were analyzed using bioinformatic analysis methods. Finally, we performed in vitro cellular experiments with 786-O cells and ACHN cells to validate the results of network pharmacology and bioinformatic analysis.

RESULTS

With the help of network pharmacological analysis, six hub targets were eliminated. Bioinformatics study revealed that the hub targets has clinically significant clinical guiding importance. The results showed that GSY inhibited the proliferation of 786-O cells and ACHN cells, induced cell apoptosis, blocked cell cycle, and reduced cell colony formation ability. qRT-PCR results showed that GSY promoted the expression of ALB and CASP3 genes, and inhibited the expression of EGFR, JUN, MYC and VEGFA genes. Western blot results showed that GSY could promote the expression of ALB and CASP3 protein, and inhibit the expression of EGFR, JUN, MYC and VEGFA protein.

CONCLUSIONS

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis showed that GSY could act on multiple targets through a variety of components to achieve the effect of treating KIRC. In this study, we confirmed that GSY inhibits KIRC by regulating the expression of core targets through in vitro cellular experiments, thus providing a reference for subsequent related studies.

Clinical roles of EGFR amplification in diffuse gliomas: a real-world study using the 2021 WHO classification of CNS tumors

Background

The 2021 World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors updates glioma subtyping and grading system, and incorporates EGFR amplification (Amp) as one of diagnostic markers for glioblastoma (GBM).

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the frequency, clinical value and molecular correlation of EGFR Amp in diffuse gliomas based on the latest classification.

Methods

We reviewed glioma patients between 2011 and 2022 at our hospital, and included 187 adult glioma patients with available tumor tissue for detection of EGFR Amp and other 59 molecular markers of interest. Clinical, radiological and pathological data was analyzed based on the status of EGFR Amp in different glioma subtypes.

Results

163 gliomas were classified as adult-type diffuse gliomas, and the number of astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and GBM was 41, 46, and 76. EGFR Amp was more common in IDH-wildtype diffuse gliomas (66.0%) and GBM (85.5%) than IDH-mutant diffuse gliomas (32.2%) and its subtypes (astrocytoma, 29.3%; oligodendroglioma, 34.8%). EGFR Amp did not stratify overall survival (OS) in IDH-mutant diffuse gliomas and astrocytoma, while was significantly associated with poorer OS in IDH-wildtype diffuse gliomas, histologic grade 2 and 3 IDH-wildtype diffuse astrocytic gliomas and GBM.

Conclusion

Our study validated EGFR Amp as a diagnostic marker for GBM and still a useful predictor for shortened OS in this group.

Profiling of ERBB receptors and downstream pathways reveals selectivity and hidden properties of ERBB4 antagonists

ERBB receptor tyrosine kinases are involved in development and diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, neurodevelopmental, and mental disorders. Although existing drugs target ERBB receptors, the next generation of drugs requires enhanced selectivity and understanding of physiological pathway responses to improve efficiency and reduce side effects. To address this, we developed a multilevel barcoded reporter profiling assay, termed 'ERBBprofiler', in living cells to monitor the activity of all ERBB targets and key physiological pathways simultaneously. This assay helps differentiate on-target therapeutic effects from off-target and off-pathway side effects of ERBB antagonists. To challenge the assay, eight established ERBB antagonists were profiled. Known effects were confirmed, and previously uncharacterized properties were discovered, such as pyrotinib's preference for ERBB4 over EGFR. Additionally, two lead compounds selectively targeting ERBB4 were profiled, showing promise for clinical trials. Taken together, this multiparametric profiling approach can guide early-stage drug development and lead to improved future therapeutic interventions.

Tension-induced adhesion mode switching: the interplay between focal adhesions and clathrin-containing adhesion complexes

Integrin-based adhesion complexes are crucial in various cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and motility. While the dynamics of canonical focal adhesion complexes (FAs) have been extensively studied, the regulation and physiological implications of the recently identified clathrin-containing adhesion complexes (CCACs) are still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal mechanoregulations of FAs and CCACs in a breast cancer model. Employing single-molecule force spectroscopy coupled with live-cell fluorescence microscopy, we discovered that FAs and CCACs are mutually exclusive and inversely regulated complexes. This regulation is orchestrated through the modulation of plasma membrane tension, in combination with distinct modes of actomyosin contractility that can either synergize with or counteract this modulation. Our findings indicate that increased membrane tension promotes the association of CCACs at integrin αVβ5 adhesion sites, leading to decreased cancer cell proliferation, spreading, and migration. Conversely, lower membrane tension promotes the formation of FAs, which correlates with the softer membranes observed in cancer cells, thus potentially facilitating cancer progression. Our research provides novel insights into the biomechanical regulation of CCACs and FAs, revealing their critical and contrasting roles in modulating cancer cell progression.

Computational Design, Synthesis, and Bioevaluation of 2-(Pyrimidin-4-yl)oxazole-4-carboxamide Derivatives: Dual Inhibition of EGFRWT and EGFRT790M with ADMET Profiling

The ongoing research in cancer treatment underscores the significance of dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitors targeting both mutant and wild-type variants. In this study, employing in silico fragment-based drug design (FBDD) and computational analysis, we have successfully developed a novel chemical series of 2-(pyrimidin-4-yl)oxazole-4-carboxamide (16a-j) derivatives designed as dual EGFR kinase inhibitors. A comparative in vitro anticancer profile of the newly synthesized compounds (16a-j) was tested against a panel of five human cancer cell lines like prostate cancer (PC3 & DU-145), lung cancer (A549), human liver cancer (HEPG2), and breast cancer (MDA-MB-468) by employing MTT method. In this experiment a well-known anticancer agent, Etoposide was used as positive control. Most of the derivatives demonstrated significant cytotoxicity, ranging from excellent to moderate levels. The IC50 values for the synthesized compounds observed between 0.10 ± 0.052 to 9.83 ± 5.96 µM, while the positive control exhibited a range of 1.97 ± 0.45 µM to 3.08 ± 0.135 µM. These results indicate that the synthesized compounds demonstrate higher cytotoxic potency in comparison to the reference compound. Furthermore, all these compounds underwent screening against normal Vero cell lines to assess their cytotoxicity. In each case, the observed cytotoxicity values (IC50) were higher than 22 µM, affirming the compounds selectivity for cancer cell lines. Among the compounds investigated, three compounds (16a, 16e, and 16i) exhibited notable cytotoxicity, while two compounds (16g and 16h) demonstrated exceptional cytotoxicity. The selectivity index of the tested compounds indicates a pronounced preference for targeting cancer cell lines over normal cells. Furthermore, all the compounds 16a-j underwent assessment for their EGFR kinase inhibitory activity against both EGFRWT and mutated EGFRT790M. The results unveiled the potential eligibility of this new series of compounds as effective EGFR inhibitors. Moreover, compound 16h underwent additional testing for cell cycle analysis, revealing its capability to arrest the cell cycle in the G2/M phase and induce apoptosis at the IC50 concentration.

Structure-based molecular networking, molecular docking, dynamics simulation and pharmacokinetic studies of Olax subscorpioidea for identification of potential inhibitors against selected cancer targets

The rationale at the basis of targeted approach in oncology is radically shifting-from development of highly specific agents aiming at a single target towards molecules interfering with multiple targets. This study was performed to isolate and characterize bioactive molecules from Olax subscorpioidea stem and investigate their potentials as multi-targeted inhibitors against selected non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer and chronic myelogenous leukemia oncogenic targets. Three compounds: β-sitosterol (1), α-amyrin (2) and stigmasterol (3) were isolated. The structures of 1 - 3 were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data (NMR, MS and IR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time these compounds were isolated from O. subscorpioidea stems. Furthermore, integrated analysis of MS/MS data using the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) workflow enabled dereplication and identification of 26 compounds, including alkaloids (remerine, boldine), terpenoids (3-hydroxy-11-ursen-28,13-olide, oleanolic acid), flavonoids (kaempferitrin, olax chalcone A) and saponins in O. subscorpioidea stem. Molecular docking studies revealed that some of the compounds, including olax chalcone A (-9.2 to -10.9 kcal/mol), 3-Hydroxy-11-ursen-28,13-olide (-6.6 to -10.2 kcal/mol), α-amyrin (-6.6 to -10.2 kcal/mol), stigmasterol (-7.7 to -10.1 kcal/mol), β-Sitosterol (-7 to -9.9 kcal/mol) and kaempferitrin (-7.7 to -9 kcal/mol) possessed good inhibitory potentials against selected cancer targets, when compared with reference inhibitors (-8.4 to -13.7 kcal/mol). A few of these compounds were shown to have considerable to favorable pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness properties. This study provides some rationale for the use of O. subscorpioidea in ethnomedicinal management of cancer and identifies some potential anticancer agents.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Arming oncolytic viruses with bispecific T cell engagers: The evolution and current status

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are emerging as therapeutically relevant anticancer agents as contemporary immunotherapy gains traction. Furthermore, OVs are an ideal platform for genetic modification to express therapeutic transgenes. Bispecific T cell engagers (BiTEs) can redirect T cells to tumor cells, resulting in targeted cytotoxicity. BiTEs have demonstrated success in hematological cancers but are rarely used in solid tumors. The drawbacks of BiTEs, including inadequate delivery and on-target-off-tumor activity have limited their efficacy. Combining OVs with BiTEs is a prospective area to investigate. This combined strategy can benefit from the best qualities of both therapies while overcoming the limitations.

SPP1, a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for lung cancer: functional insights through computational studies

NIH reported 128 different types of cancer of which lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality. Globally, it is estimated that on average one in every seventeen hospitalized patients was deceased. There are plenty of studies that have been reported on lung cancer draggability and therapeutics, but yet a protein that plays a central specific to cure the disease remains unclear. So, this study is designed to identify the possible therapeutic targets and biomarkers that can be used for the potential treatment of lung cancers. In order to identify differentially expressed genes, 39 microarray datasets of lung cancer patients were obtained from various demographic regions of the GEO database available at NCBI. After annotating statistically, 6229 up-regulated genes and 10324 down-regulated genes were found. Out of 17 up-regulated genes and significant genes, we selected SPP1 (osteopontin) through virtual screening studies. We found functional interactions with the other cancer-associated genes such as VEGF, FGA, JUN, EGFR, and TGFB1. For the virtual screening studies,198 biological compounds were retrieved from the ACNPD database and docked with SPP1 protein (PDBID: 3DSF). In the results, two highly potential compounds secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (-12.9 kcal/mol), and Hesperidin (-12.0 kcal/mol) showed the highest binding affinity. The stability of the complex was accessed by 100 ns simulation in an SPC water model. From the functional insights obtained through these computational studies, we report that SPP1 could be a potential biomarker and successive therapeutic protein target for lung cancer treatment.

Alterations in the gut microbiota and their metabolites in human intestinal epithelial cells of patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiota has become one of the main risk factors for the formation and development of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC intensification may be due to the microbial pathogens' colonization and their released metabolites. Here, we analyzed Bacteroidetes and Clostridia bacteria in CRC patients and studied bacterial metabolome in cancerous tissues compared to their adjacent normal tissues.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The population of selected bacteria in biopsy specimens of 30 patients with CRC was studied by RT-qPCR. The mutagenicity and cytotoxicity effects of microbiota metabolites were evaluated by Ames test and MTT Assay, respectively. Moreover, gene expression in carcinogenic pathways was studied by RT-qPCR, and genes with different expressions in tumor and non-tumor tissues were diagnosed. Based on microbiota analysis, the relative abundance of Clostridia and C. difficile was significantly higher in CRC tissue, whereas C. perfringens showed higher relative abundance in normal tissue. AIMES test confirmed the proliferation and mutagenicity effects of the bacterial metabolites in CRC patients. Significant upregulation of C-Myc, GRB2, IL-8, EGFR, PI3K, and AKT and downregulation of ATM were observed in CRC samples compared to the control.

CONCLUSIONS

The influence of bacterial metabolites on inflammation and altered expression of genes in the cell signaling pathways was observed. The findings confirm the role gut microbiota composition and bacterial metabolites as key players in CRC onset and development.

Identification of Fasudil as a collaborator to promote the anti-tumor effect of lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting GLI2-mediated hedgehog signaling pathway

Lenvatinib is a frontline tyrosine kinase inhibitor for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, just 25% of patients benefit from the treatment, and acquired resistance always develops. To date, there are neither effective medications to combat lenvatinib resistance nor accurate markers that might predict how well a patient would respond to the lenvatinib treatment. Thus, novel strategies to recognize and deal with lenvatinib resistance are desperately needed. In the current study, a robust Lenvatinib Resistance index (LRi) model to predict lenvatinib response status in HCC was first established. Subsequently, five candidate drugs (Mercaptopurine, AACOCF3, NU1025, Fasudil, and Exisulind) that were capable of reversing lenvatinib resistance signature were initially selected by performing the connectivity map (CMap) analysis, and fasudil finally stood out by conducting a series of cellular functional assays in vitro and xenograft mouse model. Transcriptomics revealed that the co-administration of lenvatinib and fasudil overcame lenvatinib resistance by remodeling the hedgehog signaling pathway. Mechanistically, the feedback activation of EGFR by lenvatinib led to the activation of the GLI2-ABCC1 pathway, which supported the HCC cell's survival and proliferation. Notably, co-administration of lenvatinib and fasudil significantly inhibited IHH, the upstream switch of the hedgehog pathway, to counteract GLI2 activation and finally enhance the effectiveness of lenvatinib. These findings elucidated a novel EGFR-mediated mechanism of lenvatinib resistance and provided a practical approach to overcoming drug resistance in HCC through meaningful drug repurposing strategies.

A highly oxidized germacranolide from elephantopus tomentosus inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting EGFR in vitro and in vivo

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, with high mortality and poor prognosis. WBDC-1 is a novel highly oxidized germacranolide from the Elephantopus tomentosus in our previous work, which has excellent anti-HCC activity, but the detailed mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we found that WBDC-1 was able to inhibit the proliferation and colony formation of Hep3B and HepG2 cells, as well as the cell migration ability and EMT. In addition, WBDC-1 showed no obvious toxicity to normal liver epithelial cells L-02. The potential targets of WBDC-1 were predicted by network pharmacology, and the following verified experiments showed that WBDC-1 exerted anti-HCC effect by targeting EGFR. Mechanismly, subsequent biological analysis showed that WBDC-1 can inhibit EGFR and its downstream RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Overexpression of EGFR reversed the anticancer properties of WBDC-1. Consistent with in vitro experiments, WBDC-1 was able to inhibit tumor growth and was non-toxic in xenograft tumor models. In summary, this study revealed a potential tumor suppressive mechanism of WBDC-1 and provided a novel strategy for HCC treatment. It also laid a foundation for further research on the anti-tumor effect of highly oxidized germacranolides.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with a high mortality rate. It is regarded as a significant public health issue because of its complicated pathophysiology, high metastasis, and recurrence rates. There are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of HCC, which often leads to delays in diagnosis. Traditional treatment methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and interventional therapies have limited therapeutic effects for HCC patients with recurrence or metastasis. With the development of molecular biology and immunology, molecular signaling pathways and immune checkpoint were identified as the main mechanism of HCC progression. Targeting these molecules has become a new direction for the treatment of HCC. At present, the combination of targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors is the first choice for advanced HCC patients. In this review, we mainly focus on the cutting-edge research of signaling pathways and corresponding targeted therapy and immunotherapy in HCC. It is of great significance to comprehensively understand the pathogenesis of HCC, search for potential therapeutic targets, and optimize the treatment strategies of HCC.

Vitamin D-mediated tsRNA-07804 triggers mitochondrial dysfunction and suppresses non-small cell lung cancer progression by targeting CRKL

OBJECTIVE

tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are novel non-coding RNAs with various functions in multiple cancers. Nevertheless, whether vitamin D executes its function in mitochondrial dysfunction and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression through tsRNAs remains obscure.

METHODS

Differentially expressed tsRNAs between control and vitamin D-treated H1299 cells were acquired by small RNA sequencing. Cell and animal experiments were implemented to elucidate the impacts of vitamin D and tsRNA on mitochondrial dysfunction and NSCLC progression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and recovery experiments were applied to determine the mechanism of tsRNA in NSCLC.

RESULTS

We discovered that vitamin D receptor resulted in decreased mitochondrial-related functions and vitamin D caused mitochondrial dysfunction of NSCLC cells. tsRNA-07804 was remarkably upregulated in vitamin D-treated H1299 cells. Functional experiments indicated that vitamin D led to mitochondrial dysfunction, repressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted apoptosis of H1299 cells via regulating tsRNA-07804. Mechanistically, tsRNA-07804 induced mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibited the malignancy of H1299 cells by suppressing CRKL expression. In vivo experiments showed that vitamin D inhibited the tumor growth in NSCLC by increasing tsRNA-07804 expression. Moreover, clinical sample analysis unveiled that tsRNA-07804 had a negative correlation with CRKL.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our study proved that vitamin D induced mitochondrial dysfunction and suppressed the progression of NSCLC through the tsRNA-07804/CRKL axis. Overall, these results unveiled that tsRNA-07804 might act as a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Combination Therapy and Dual-Target Inhibitors Based on LSD1: New Emerging Tools in Cancer Therapy

Lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), a transcriptional modulator that represses or activates target gene expression, is overexpressed in many cancer and causes imbalance in the expression of normal gene networks. Over two decades, numerous LSD1 inhibitors have been reported, especially some of which have entered clinical trials, including eight irreversible inhibitors (TCP, ORY-1001, GSK-2879552, INCB059872, IMG-7289, ORY-2001, TAK-418, and LH-1802) and two reversible inhibitors (CC-90011 and SP-2577). Most clinical LSD1 inhibitors demonstrated enhanced efficacy in combination with other agents. LSD1 multitarget inhibitors have also been reported, exampled by clinical dual LSD1/histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors 4SC-202 and JBI-802. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview of the combination of LSD1 inhibitors with various antitumor agents, as well as LSD1 multitarget inhibitors. Additionally, the challenges and future research directionsare also discussed, and we hope this review will provide new insight into the development of LSD1-targeted anticancer agents.

Secondary metabolites of Trichoderma spp. as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Evaluation of anticancer efficacy through computational approach

The present study explores the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibition efficacy of secondary metabolites in Trichoderma spp. through molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and MM-PBSA approach. The result of molecular docking confirmed that out of 200 metabolites screened, three metabolites such as Harzianelactone A, Pretrichodermamide G and Aspochalasin M, potentially bound with the active binding site of EGFR tyrosine kinase domain(PDB ID: 1M17) with a threshold docking score of ≤- 9.0 kcal/mol when compared with the standard EGFR inhibitor (Erlotinib). The MD simulation was run to investigate the potential for stable complex formation in EGFR tyrosine kinase domain-unbound/lead metabolite (Aspochalasin M)-bound/standard inhibitor (Erlotinib)-bound complex. The MD simulation analysis at 100 ns revealed that Aspochalasin M formed the stable complex with EGFR. Besides, the in silico predication of pharmacokinetic properties further confirmed that Aspochalasin M qualified the drug-likeness rules with no harmful side effects (viz., hERG toxicity, hepatotoxicity and skin sensitization), non-mutagenicity and favourable logBB value. Moreover, the BOILED-Egg model predicted that Aspochalasin M showed a higher gastrointestinal absorption with improved bioavailability when administered orally and removed from the central nervous system (CNS). The results of the computational studies concluded that Aspochalasin M possessed significant efficacy in binding EGFR's active sites compared to the known standard inhibitor (Erlotinib). Therefore, Aspochalasin M can be used as a possible anticancer drug candidate and further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation of Aspochalasin M of Trichoderma spp. are required to determine its anticancer potential.

What Have We Learned from Molecularly Informed Clinical Trials on Thymomas and Thymic Carcinomas-Current Status and Future Directions?

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), which include thymomas and thymic carcinomas, are a rare, heterogeneous group of malignancies that originate from the thymus gland. As an important organ of immune cell development, thymic tumors, particularly thymomas, are often associated with paraneoplastic autoimmune disorders. The advances in targeted therapies for both solid and hematologic malignancies have resulted in improved patient outcomes, including better and more durable efficacy and improved toxicity. Targeted therapies have also been investigated in the treatment of TETs, though the results have largely been modest. These have included somatostatin-receptor-targeting therapies, KIT- and EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors, epigenetic modulators, anti-angiogenesis agents, and agents targeting the cell proliferation and survival pathways and cell cycle regulators. Numerous investigated treatments have failed or underperformed due to a lack of a strong biomarker of efficacy. Ongoing trials are attempting to expand on previous experiences, including the exploration of effective drugs in early-stage disease. Novel combination therapy strategies are also undergoing evaluation, with the goal of augmenting efficacy and understanding the toxicity while expanding the biomarkers of efficacy and safety. With advances in technology to improve target identification and drug delivery, old targets may become new opportunities, and the subsequently developed drugs may find their place in the treatment of thymic tumors.

Identification of new potential candidates to inhibit EGF via machine learning algorithm

One of the cost-effective alternative methods to find new inhibitors has been the repositioning approach of existing drugs. The advantage of computational drug repositioning method is saving time and cost to remove the pre-clinical step and accelerate the drug discovery process. Hence, an ensemble computational-experimental approach, consisting of three steps, a machine learning model, simulation of drug-target interaction and experimental characterization, was developed. The machine learning type used here was a different tree classification method, which is one of the best randomize machine learning model to identify potential inhibitors from weak inhibitors. This model was trained more than one-hundred times, and forty top trained models were extracted for the drug repositioning step. The machine learning step aimed to discover the approved drugs with the highest possible success rate in the experimental step. Therefore, among all the identified molecules with more than 0.9 probability in more than 70% of the models, nine compounds, were selected. Besides, out of the nine chosen drugs, seven compounds have been confirmed to inhibit EGF in the published articles since 2019. Hence, two identified compounds, in addition to gefitinib, as a positive control, five weak-inhibitors and one neutral, were considered via molecular docking study. Finally, the eight proposed drugs, including gefitinib, were investigated using MTT assay and In-Cell ELISA to characterize the drugs' effect on A431 cell growth and EGF-signaling. From our experiments, we could conclude that salicylic acid and piperazine could play an EGF-inhibitor role like gefitinib.

Computational insights into the stereo-selectivity of catechins for the inhibition of the cancer therapeutic target EGFR kinase

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a crucial role in regulating cellular growth and survival, and its dysregulation is implicated in various cancers, making it a prime target for cancer therapy. Natural compounds known as catechins have garnered attention as promising anticancer agents. These compounds exert their anticancer effects through diverse mechanisms, primarily by inhibiting receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), a protein family that includes the notable member EGFR. Catechins, characterized by two chiral centers and stereoisomerism, demonstrate variations in chemical and physical properties due to differences in the spatial orientation of atoms. Although previous studies have explored the membrane fluidity effects and transport across cellular membranes, the stereo-selectivity of catechins concerning EGFR kinase inhibition remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the stereo-selectivity of catechins in inhibiting EGFR kinase, both in its wild-type and in the prevalent L858R mutant. Computational analyses indicated that all stereoisomers, including the extensively studied catechin (-)-EGCG, effectively bound within the ATP-binding site, potentially inhibiting EGFR kinase activity. Notably, gallated catechins emerged as superior EGFR inhibitors to their non-gallated counterparts, revealing intriguing binding trends. The top four stereoisomers exhibiting high dock scores and binding energies with wild-type EGFR comprise (-)-CG (-)-GCG (+)-CG, and (-)-EGCG. To assess dynamic behavior and stability, molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns were conducted for the top-ranked catechin (-)-CG and the widely investigated catechin (-)-EGCG with EGFR kinase. This study enhances our understanding of how the stereoisomeric nature of a drug influences inhibitory potential, providing insights that could guide the selection of specific stereoisomers for improved efficacy inexisting drugs.

Recent Advances in Pyrimidine-Based Drugs

Pyrimidines have become an increasingly important core structure in many drug molecules over the past 60 years. This article surveys recent areas in which pyrimidines have had a major impact in drug discovery therapeutics, including anti-infectives, anticancer, immunology, immuno-oncology, neurological disorders, chronic pain, and diabetes mellitus. The article presents the synthesis of the medicinal agents and highlights the role of the biological target with respect to the disease model. Additionally, the biological potency, ADME properties and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (if available) are discussed. This survey attempts to demonstrate the versatility of pyrimidine-based drugs, not only for their potency and affinity but also for the improved medicinal chemistry properties of pyrimidine as a bioisostere for phenyl and other aromatic π systems. It is hoped that this article will provide insight to researchers considering the pyrimidine scaffold as a chemotype in future drug candidates in order to counteract medical conditions previously deemed untreatable.

Research insights into the chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family (CMTM): their roles in various tumors

The chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing (CMTM) family includes CMTM1-8 and CKLF, and they play key roles in the hematopoietic, immune, cardiovascular, and male reproductive systems, participating in the physiological functions, cancer, and other diseases associated with these systems. CMTM family members activate and chemoattract immune cells to affect the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells through a similar mechanism, the structural characteristics typical of chemokines and transmembrane 4 superfamily (TM4SF). In this review, we discuss each CMTM family member's chromosomal location, involved signaling pathways, expression patterns, and potential roles, and mechanisms of action in pancreatic, breast, gastric and liver cancers. Furthermore, we discuss several clinically applied tumor therapies targeted at the CMTM family, indicating that CMTM family members could be novel immune checkpoints and potential targets effective in tumor treatment.

Functional selectivity of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases regulates distinct cellular outputs

Functional selectivity refers to the activation of differential signalling and cellular outputs downstream of the same membrane-bound receptor when activated by two or more different ligands. Functional selectivity has been described and extensively studied for G-protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), leading to specific therapeutic options for dysregulated GPCRs functions. However, studies regarding the functional selectivity of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) remain sparse. Here, we will summarize recent data about RTK functional selectivity focusing on how the nature and the amount of RTK ligands and the crosstalk of RTKs with other membrane proteins regulate the specificity of RTK signalling. In addition, we will discuss how structural changes in RTKs upon ligand binding affects selective signalling pathways. Much remains to be known about the integration of different signals affecting RTK signalling specificity to orchestrate long-term cellular outcomes. Recent advancements in omics, specifically quantitative phosphoproteomics, and in systems biology methods to study, model and integrate different types of large-scale omics data have increased our ability to compare several signals affecting RTK functional selectivity in a global, system-wide fashion. We will discuss how such methods facilitate the exploration of important signalling hubs and enable data-driven predictions aiming at improving the efficacy of therapeutics for diseases like cancer, where redundant RTK signalling pathways often compromise treatment efficacy.

Investigating Cox-2 and EGFR as Biomarkers in Canine Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapy

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common and highly aggressive dog tumor known for its local invasiveness and metastatic potential. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving the development and progression of OSCC is crucial for improving diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Additionally, spontaneous oral squamous cell carcinomas in dogs are an excellent model for studying human counterparts. In this study, we aimed to investigate the significance of two key molecular components, Cox-2 and EGFR, in canine OSCC. We examined 34 tumor sections from various dog breeds to assess the immunoexpression of Cox-2 and EGFR. Our findings revealed that Cox-2 was highly expressed in 70.6% of cases, while EGFR overexpression was observed in 44.1%. Cox-2 overexpression showed association with histological grade of malignancy (HGM) (p = 0.006) and EGFR with vascular invasion (p = 0.006). COX-2 and EGFR concurrent expression was associated with HGM (p = 0.002), as well as with the presence of vascular invasion (p = 0.002). These data suggest that Cox-2 and EGFR could be promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets, opening avenues for developing novel treatment strategies for dogs affected by OSCC. Further studies are warranted to delve deeper into these findings and translate them into clinical practice.