A novel mitochondria-targeting compound exerts therapeutic effects against melanoma by inducing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in vitro and in vivo

Investigating autophagy and intricate cellular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma: Emphasis on cell death mechanism crosstalk

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as a formidable global health challenge due to its prevalence, marked by high mortality and morbidity rates. This cancer type exhibits a multifaceted etiology, prominently linked to viral infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and genomic mutations. The inherent heterogeneity of HCC, coupled with its proclivity for developing drug resistance, presents formidable obstacles to effective therapeutic interventions. Autophagy, a fundamental catabolic process, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, responding to stressors such as nutrient deprivation. In the context of HCC, tumor cells exploit autophagy, either augmenting or impeding its activity, thereby influencing tumorigenesis. This comprehensive review underscores the dualistic role of autophagy in HCC, acting as both a pro-survival and pro-death mechanism, impacting the trajectory of tumorigenesis. The anti-carcinogenic potential of autophagy is evident in its ability to enhance apoptosis and ferroptosis in HCC cells. Pertinently, dysregulated autophagy fosters drug resistance in the carcinogenic context. Both genomic and epigenetic factors can regulate autophagy in HCC progression. Recognizing the paramount importance of autophagy in HCC progression, this review introduces pharmacological compounds capable of modulating autophagy-either inducing or inhibiting it, as promising avenues in HCC therapy.

A novel NIR fluorescent probe inhibits melanoma progression through apoptosis and ERK/DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission

Melanoma, a highly metastatic malignant tumour, necessitated early detection and intervention. This study focuses on a hemicyanine fluorescent probe activated by near-infrared (NIR) light for bioimaging and targeted mitochondrial action in melanoma cells. IR-418, our newly designed hemicyanine-based NIR fluorescent probe, demonstrated effective targeting of melanoma cell mitochondria for NIR imaging. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed IR-418's inhibition of melanoma growth through the promotion of mitochondrial apoptosis (Bax/Bcl-2/Cleaved Caspase pathway). Moreover, IR-418 inhibited melanoma metastasis by inhibiting mitochondrial fission through the ERK/DRP1 pathway. Notably, IR-418 mitigated abnormal ATL and ASL elevations caused by tumours without inflicting significant organ damage, indicating its high biocompatibility. In conclusion, IR-418, a novel hemicyanine-based NIR fluorescent probe targeting the mitochondria, exhibits significant fluorescence imaging capability, anti-melanoma proliferation, anti-melanoma lung metastasis activities and high biosafety. Therefore, it has significant potential in the early diagnosis and treatment of melanoma.