Differential oxidative status and immune characterization of the early and advanced stages of human breast cancer

Pesticide exposure and oxidative stress generation are linked to poor prognosis outcomes in breast cancer women carrying the allelic variant rs7438135 in the UGT2B7 gene

Pesticide exposure is a risk factor for the development of several diseases, including breast cancer (BC). The enzyme UGT2B7 participate in detoxification of pesticides and the presence rs7438135 (G > A) variant in your gene increases its glucuronidation potential, contributing to oxidative stress metabolites neutralization. Here we investigated the impact of occupational pesticide exposure on the systemic oxidative stress generation from 228 women with BC depending on their UGT2B7 rs7438135 (G > A) status. q-PCR investigated the presence of the rs7438135 variant, and oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation levels, total antioxidant capacity-TRAP, and nitric oxide metabolites-NOx) were measured in plasma. Pesticide exposure induced significant augment in the systemic lipid peroxidation in the presence of the variant for several clinicopathological conditions, including tumors with high proliferation index (ki67) and with high aggressiveness. NOx was augmented in high ki67, positive progesterone receptors, high-grade and triple-negative/Luminal B tumors, and low-risk stratified patients. TRAP was depleted in young patients at menopause and those with triple-negative/Luminal B tumors, as well as those stratified as at low risk for death and recurrence. These findings showed that the presence of the variant was not able to protect from pesticide-induced oxidative stress generation in BC patients.

Molecular targets in bone cancer pain: a systematic review of inflammatory cytokines

Bone cancer pain (BCP) profoundly impacts patient's quality of life, demanding more effective pain management strategies. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines as potential molecular targets in BCP. A systematic search for animal rodent models of bone cancer pain studies was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the SYRCLE RoB tool. Twenty-five articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising animal studies investigating molecular targets related to inflammatory cytokines in BCP. A low to moderate risk of bias was reported. Key findings in 23 manuscripts revealed upregulated classic pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-18, IL-33) and chemokines in the spinal cord, periaqueductal gray, and dorsal root ganglia. Interventions targeting these cytokines consistently mitigated pain behaviors. Additionally, it was demonstrated that glial cells, due to their involvement in the release of inflammatory cytokines, emerged as significant contributors to BCP. This systematic review underscores the significance of inflammatory cytokines as potential molecular targets for alleviating BCP. It emphasizes the promise of targeted interventions and advocates for further research to translate these findings into effective therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, this approach holds the potential to enhance the patient's quality of life.

Associations between serum uric acid and breast cancer incidence: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Serum uric acid (SUA) may be involved in the development of cancer by inhibiting oxidative stress, but its relationship with breast cancer remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched systematically for studies on SUA levels in women with breast cancer and the effect of SUA levels on the risk of breast cancer. The Newcastle‒Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of all relevant studies included.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies were included, including 75,827 women with breast cancer and 508,528 healthy controls. A meta-analysis found that SUA levels were negatively correlated with breast cancer risk in women (HR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89 - 0.99, p = 0.003). SUA levels in female breast cancer patients were not significantly different from those in healthy controls (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI = -0.09 - 1.08, p = 0.10), while SUA levels were increased in female breast cancer patients in articles published after 2010, SUA concentration detected by spectrophotometry, and non-Asian populations, regardless of menopausal state and treatment state.

CONCLUSION

High levels of SUA may reduce the risk of breast cancer in women, suggesting that SUA was a protective factor in women.

Hodgkin lymphoma and liquid biopsy: a story to be told

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) represents a neoplasm primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, necessitating the development of precise diagnostic and monitoring tools. Specifically, classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), comprising 90% of cases, necessitating tailored treatments to minimize late toxicities. Although positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has enhanced response assessment, its limitations underscore the urgency for more reliable progression predictive tools. Genomic characterisation of rare Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells is challenging but essential. Recent studies employ single-cell molecular analyses, mass cytometry, and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to unveil mutational landscapes. The integration of liquid biopsies, particularly circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), extracellular vesicles (EVs), miRNAs and cytokines, emerge as groundbreaking approaches. Recent studies demonstrate ctDNA's potential in assessing therapy responses and predicting relapses in HL. Despite cHL-specific ctDNA applications being relatively unexplored, studies emphasize its value in monitoring treatment outcomes. Overall, this review underscores the imperative role of liquid biopsies in advancing HL diagnosis and monitoring.

Glutathione‑degrading enzymes in the complex landscape of tumors (Review)

Glutathione (GSH)‑degrading enzymes are essential for starting the first stages of GSH degradation. These enzymes include extracellular γ‑glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and intracellular GSH‑specific γ‑glutamylcyclotransferase 1 (ChaC1) and 2. These enzymes are essential for cellular activities, such as immune response, differentiation, proliferation, homeostasis regulation and programmed cell death. Tumor tissue frequently exhibits abnormal expression of GSH‑degrading enzymes, which has a key impact on the development and spread of malignancies. The present review summarizes gene and protein structure, catalytic activity and regulation of GSH‑degrading enzymes, their vital roles in tumor development (including regulation of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, control of programmed cell death, promotion of inflammation and tumorigenesis and modulation of drug resistance in tumor cells) and potential role as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Dynamic Changes of the Gut Microbiota and Its Functional Metagenomic Potential during the Development of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The gut microbiota plays a significant role in tumor pathogenesis by regulating the host metabolism and immune response, and there are few studies focused on tracking changes in the gut microbiota from the onset of lung cancer. Therefore, the aim of our study is combining preclinical and clinical research to thoroughly analyze the signatures of fecal microbiota in lung cancer, which will be useful for early diagnosis and predicting the therapeutic efficacy of lung cancer. The first part of this study analyzed the fecal metagenomic differences between patients with non-small cell lung cancer and healthy subjects, and the second part of this work constructed a murine lung cancer model to monitor changes in mouse fecal metagenomics and T cell immunology during lung cancer progression. We found that the fecal microbiota was altered in both humans and mice with lung cancer, characterized by a significantly reduced microbial diversity and number of beneficial microbes, with increases in potential pathogens. The fecal level of Akkermansia muciniphila and the gut metabolic module of the secondary bile acid metabolism were diminished in both humans and mice with lung cancer compared with healthy subjects. Splenomegaly was observed in the lung cancer mice. Flow cytometer analysis of the splenocytes revealed substantial alterations in the proportions of T cell subsets in the lung cancer mice, characterized by significant increases in CD4+Foxp3+CD25+ T regulatory cells (p < 0.05) while significant decreases in CD3+ T cells (p < 0.001), CD4+ T cells (p < 0.001), and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio (p < 0.01). Vertical and longitudinal analyses of the fecal microbiota of the two mouse groups identified some lung cancer biomarkers (including Acutalibacter timonensis, Lachnospiraceae bacterium NSJ-38 sp014337195, etc.). The fecal microbiota of the lung cancer mice had a reduced metagenomic potential for neurotransmitters (melatonin, γ-aminobutyric acid, and histamine) compared with healthy mice. In summary, this study found that the diversity, structure, and composition of gut microbiota vary between cancer and healthy conditions, ultimately leading to changes in the potential for functional metagenomics.

Analysis of the prognostic value of uric acid on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with primary liver cancer

PURPOSE

Uric acid (UA) plays a dual role as an antioxidant and a prooxidant in patients with malignant tumors; however, the relationship between serum UA and malignancy is currently unclear. This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of serum uric acid level before immunotherapy on the efficacy of primary liver cancer (PLC) immunotherapy, which might provide a basis for optimizing the comprehensive treatment scheme.

METHODS

Patients with PLC who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College from January 2019 to June 2022 and underwent immunotherapy were collected retrospectively. The difference between serum UA levels in patients with PLC, the correlation between serum UA levels, and the clinical characteristics of patients with PLC were analyzed using the chi-square test, and the survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. To further assess the prognostic significance of UA concentrations, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine patients were included in this study cohort. The median follow-up was 7 months (range: 1-29 months), and 76 (76.8%) of the 99 patients with PLC died as of December 31, 2022. Serum UA concentrations ranged from 105 to 670 μmol/l, with a median of 269 μmol/l. The results showed that the serum UA level of patients with PLC was higher than that of healthy subjects (P < 0.001). After subgroup analyses, only male patients with liver cancer had higher serum UA levels than healthy men (P = 0.001). The results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that higher UA levels were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (P = 0.005). In univariate analysis, the OS rate of patients with elevated serum UA levels was significantly lower than the cut-off value (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.191, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.456-6.993, P = 0.004), with a median survival time of 151 and 312 days in the high and low serum UA groups, respectively. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the UA level was an independent prognostic factor for immunotherapy in patients with PLC (HR: 3.131, 95% CI: 1.766-5.553, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The serum UA level is a reliable biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing immunotherapy for PLC, and might provide a basis for the individualized treatment of these patients. Dynamic monitoring of the serum UA level may compensate for the deficiency of the current liver cancer staging system.

Variability of DNA Repair and Oxidative Stress Genes Associated with Worst Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors on Aromatase Inhibitors

Pain is a problem affecting women with breast cancer (HR+BrCa) receiving aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. We investigated the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair and oxidative stress genes and perceived worst pain after 6 months of AI therapy. We explored 39 SNPs in genes involved in DNA repair (ERCC2, ERCC3, ERCC5, and PARP1) and oxidative stress (CAT, GPX1, SEPP1, SOD1, and SOD2) in women with HR+BrCa receiving adjuvant therapy (AI ± chemotherapy; n = 138). Pain was assessed via the Brief Pain Inventory. Hurdle regression was used to evaluate the relationship between each associated allele and (1) the probability of pain and (2) the severity of worst pain. ERCC2rs50872 and ERCC5rs11069498 were associated with the probability of pain and had a significant genetic risk score (GRS) model (p = 0.003). ERCC2rs50872, ERCC5rs11069498, ERCC5rs4771436, ERCC5rs4150360, PARP1rs3219058, and SEPP1rs230819 were associated with the severity of worst pain, with a significant GRS model (conditional mean estimate = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.29, 0.60; p < 0.001). These results suggest DNA repair and oxidative stress pathways may play a role in the probability of pain and the severity of worst pain. As healthcare delivery moves towards the model of precision healthcare, nurses may, in the future, be able to use these results to tailor patient care based on GRS.

The Expression of CTLA-4 in Breast Tumors and Tumor-Infiltrating Leukocytes Affects Patients' Systemic Inflammatory Status and Varies According to Their Molecular Subtypes

Recent evidence has pointed out that the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) expression is a poor prognosis factor. However, the implications of CTLA-4 expression on circulating inflammatory mediators are unclear for breast cancer. Tumor biopsies and blood samples were collected from 117 breast cancer patients. Oxidative stress parameters were evaluated in plasma samples by measuring the lipoperoxidation profile and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx). Interleukins 12 (IL-12) and 4 (IL-4) were assessed by ELISA. CTLA-4 expression was determined by immunofluorescence assessed by its labeling in tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) or breast tumors. Correlations between CTLA-4 expression in breast tumors with TCD4/TCD8 infiltrating lymphocyte and inflammation-related genes were performed using data from TIMER 2.0/TCGA databases (n = 2160). CTLA-4 expression in TILs significantly correlated to triple-negative breast tumors. Patients carrying CTLA-4-positive tumors exhibited lower plasmatic NOx levels, and those expressing CTLA-4 in TILs had reduced levels of IL-12 in plasma. No changes in either IL-4 or lipid peroxidation profiles were detected concerning any CTLA4 status. Compared to the Luminal A ones, oxidative stress parameters and cytokines were observed in patients bearing triple-negative tumors. CTLA-4 expression in all breast cancer subtypes positively correlated to TCD4/TCD8 lymphocyte infiltrates, as well as to the pro-inflammatory genes IL12A, IL4, NFKB1, NFKB2, NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3. CTLA-4 expression in both tumor and TILs can affect the systemic inflammatory status of breast cancer patients, especially antitumor molecules such as IL-12 and NOx that correlate to more aggressive disease.

Thymoquinone, a Novel Multi-Strike Inhibitor of Pro-Tumorigenic Breast Cancer (BC) Markers: CALR, NLRP3 Pathway and sPD-L1 in PBMCs of HR+ and TNBC Patients

Breast cancer (BC) is not only a mass of malignant cells but also a systemic inflammatory disease. BC pro-tumorigenic inflammation has been shown to promote immune evasion and provoke BC progression. The NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is activated when pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) sense danger signals such as calreticulin (CALR) from damaged/dying cells, leading to the secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). CALR is a novel BC biological marker, and its high levels are associated with advanced tumors. NLRP3 expression is strongly correlated with an elevated proliferative index Ki67, BC progression, metastasis, and recurrence in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and triple-negative BC (TNBC). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) secrete high levels of IL-1β promoting endocrine resistance in HR+ BC. Recently, an immunosuppressive soluble form of programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1) has been identified as a novel prognostic biomarker in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Interestingly, IL-1β induces sPD-L1 release. BC Patients with elevated IL-1β and sPD-L1 levels show significantly short progression-free survival. For the first time, this study aims to investigate the inhibitory impact of thymoquinone (TQ) on CALR, the NLRP3 pathway and sPD-L1 in HR+ and TNBC. Blood samples were collected from 45 patients with BC. The effect of differing TQ concentrations for different durations on the expression of CALR, NLRP3 complex components and IL-1β as well as the protein levels of sPD-L1 and IL-1β were investigated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and TAMs of TNBC and HR+ BC patients, respectively. The findings showed that TQ significantly downregulated the expression of CALR, NLRP3 components and IL-1β together with the protein levels of secreted IL-1β and sPD-L1. The current findings demonstrated novel immunomodulatory effects of TQ, highlighting its potential role not only as an excellent adjuvant but also as a possible immunotherapeutic agent in HR+ and TNBC patients.

Brief research report pesticide occupational exposure leads to significant inflammatory changes in normal mammary breast tissue

Studies have documented the high occurrence of several tumors, including female breast cancer, in populations occupationally exposed to pesticides worldwide. It is believed that in addition to direct DNA damage, other molecular alterations that indicate genomic instability are associated, such as epigenetic modifications and the production of inflammation mediators. The present study characterized the profile of inflammatory changes in the breast tissue of women without cancer occupationally exposed to pesticides. In samples of normal breast tissue collected during biopsy and evaluated as negative for cancer by a pathologist, oxidative stress levels were assessed as inflammatory markers through measurements of lipoperoxides and total antioxidant capacity of the sample (TRAP) by high-sensitivity chemiluminescence, as well as levels of nitric oxide (NOx) metabolites. The levels of inflammation-modulating transcription factors PPAR-γ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) were also quantified, in addition to the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 12 (IL-12). The levels of lipoperoxides, TRAP, and NOx were significantly lower in the exposed group. On the other hand, PPAR-γ levels were increased in the breast tissue of exposed women, with no variation in NF-κB. There was also a rise of TNF-α in exposed women samples without significant variations in IL-12 levels. These findings suggest an inflammatory signature of the breast tissue associated with pesticide exposure, which may trigger mechanisms related to mutations and breast carcinogenesis.

Online Home-Based Physical Activity Counteracts Changes of Redox-Status Biomarkers and Fitness Profiles during Treatment Programs in Postsurgery Female Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer in women. Oxidative stress may contribute to cancer etiology through several mechanisms. A large body of evidence indicates that physical activity (PA) has positive effects on different aspects of BC evolution, including mitigation of negative effects induced by medical treatment. With the aim to verify the capacity of PA to counteract negative effects of BC treatment on systemic redox homeostasis in postsurgery female BC patients, we have examined the modulation of circulating levels of oxidative stress and inflammation markers. Moreover, we evaluated the impacts on physical fitness and mental well-being by measuring functional parameters, body mass index, body composition, health-related quality of life (QoL), and fatigue. Our investigation revealed that PA was effective in maintaining plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and tGSH, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMCs) mRNA levels of SOD1 and heat-shock protein 27. Moreover, we found a significant decrease in plasma interleukin-6 (≈0.57 ± 0.23-fold change, p < 0.05) and increases in both interleukin-10 (≈1.15 ± 0.35-fold change, p < 0.05) and PBMCs' mRNA level of SOD2 (≈1.87 ± 0.36-fold change, p < 0.05). Finally, PA improves functional parameters (6 min walking test, ≈+6.50%, p < 0.01; Borg, ≈-58.18%, p < 0.01; sit-and-reach, ≈+250.00%, p < 0.01; scratch right, ≈-24.12%, and left, ≈-18.81%, p < 0.01) and body composition (free fat mass, ≈+2.80%, p < 0.05; fat mass, ≈-6.93%, p < 0.05) as well as the QoL (physical function, ≈+5.78%, p < 0.05) and fatigue (cognitive fatigue, ≈-60%, p < 0.05) parameters. These results suggest that a specific PA program not only is effective in improving functional and anthropometric parameters but may also activate cellular responses through a multitude of actions in postsurgery BC patients undergoing adjuvant therapy. These may include modulation of gene expression and protein activity and impacting several signaling pathways/biological activities involved in tumor-cell growth; metastasis; and inflammation, as well as moderating distress symptoms known to negatively affect QoL.

Integrated circulating tumour DNA and cytokine analysis for therapy monitoring of ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Detection of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in biological fluids is a minimally invasive alternative to tissue biopsy for therapy monitoring. Cytokines are released in the tumour microenvironment to influence inflammation and tumorigenic mechanisms. Here, we investigated the potential biomarker utility of circulating cytokines vis-à-vis ctDNA in ALK-rearranged+ lung adenocarcinoma (ALK + NSCLC) and explored the optimal combination of molecular parameters that could indicate disease progression.

METHODS

Longitudinal serum samples (n = 296) were collected from ALK + NSCLC patients (n = 38) under tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy and assayed to quantify eight cytokines: IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, MCP1 and TNF-α. Generalised linear mixed-effect modelling was performed to test the performance of different combinations of cytokines and previously determined ctDNA parameters in identifying progressive disease.

RESULTS

Serum IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were elevated at progressive disease, with IL-8 having the most significant impact as a biomarker. Integrating changes in IL-8 with ctDNA parameters maximised the performance of the classifiers in identifying disease progression, but this did not significantly outperform the model based on ctDNA alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum cytokine levels are potential disease progression markers in ALK + NSCLC. Further validation in a larger and prospective cohort is necessary to determine whether the addition of cytokine evaluation could improve current tumour monitoring modalities in the clinical setting.

Metagenomics Analysis of Breast Microbiome Highlights the Abundance of Rothia Genus in Tumor Tissues

Breast cancer is one of the main global priorities in terms of public health. It remains the most frequent cancer in women and is the leading cause of their death. The human microbiome plays various roles in maintaining health by ensuring a dynamic balance with the host or in the appearance of various pathologies including breast cancer. In this study, we performed an analysis of bacterial signature differences between tumor and adjacent tissues of breast cancer patients in Morocco. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we observed that adjacent tissue contained a much higher percentage of the Gammaproteobacteria class (35.7%) while tumor tissue was characterized by a higher percentage of Bacilli and Actinobacteria classes, with about 18.8% and 17.2% average abundance, respectively. Analysis of tumor subtype revealed enrichment of genus Sphingomonodas in TNBC while Sphingomonodas was predominant in HER2. The LEfSe and the genus level heatmap analysis revealed a higher abundance of the Rothia genus in tumor tissues. The identified microbial communities can therefore serve as potential biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis, while also helping to develop new strategies for the treatment of breast cancer patients.

Vitamin C-induced competitive binding of HIF-1α and p53 to ubiquitin E3 ligase CBL contributes to anti-breast cancer progression through p53 deacetylation

Vitamin C (VC), in regard to its effectiveness against tumors, has had a controversial history in cancer treatment. However, the anticancer mechanisms of VC are not fully understood. Here, we reported that VC exerted an anticancer effect on cancer cell and xenograft models via inhibiting HIF-1α-dependent cell proliferation and promoting p53-dependent cell apoptosis. To be specific, VC modulated the competitive binding of HIF-1α and p53 to their common E3 ubiquitin ligase CBL, thereby inhibiting tumorigenesis. Moreover, VC treatment activated SIRT1, resulting in p53 deacetylation and CBL-p53 complex dissociation, which in turn facilitated CBL recruitment of HIF-1α for ubiquitination in a proteasome-dependent manner. Altogether, our results provided a mechanistic rationale for exploring the therapeutic use of VC in cancer therapy.

High-Dose Vitamin C for Cancer Therapy

In recent years, the idea that Vitamin C (Vit-C) could be utilized as a form of anti-cancer therapy has generated many contradictory arguments. Recent insights into the physiological characteristics of Vit-C, its pharmacokinetics, and results from preclinical reports, however, suggest that high-dose Vit-C could be effectively utilized in the management of various tumor types. Studies have shown that the pharmacological action of Vit-C can attack various processes that cancerous cells use for their growth and development. Here, we discuss the anti-cancer functions of Vit-C, but also the potential for the use of Vit-C as an epigenetic regulator and immunotherapy enhancer. We also provide a short overview of the current state of systems for scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially in the context of their influencing high-dose Vit-C toxicity for the inhibition of cancer growth. Even though the mechanisms of Vit-C action are promising, they need to be supported with robust randomized and controlled clinical trials. Moreover, upcoming studies should focus on how to define the most suitable cancer patient populations for high-dose Vit-C treatments and develop effective strategies that combine Vit-C with various concurrent cancer treatment regimens.

The suppressive role of nanoencapsulated chia oil against DMBA-induced breast cancer through oxidative stress repression and tumor genes expression modulation in rats

BACKGROUND

Chia oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a lower risk of many diseases, including cancer. Oil encapsulation is a method that holds promise for maintaining oil content while enhancing solubility and stability. The purpose of this study is to prepare nanoencapsulated Chia oil and investigate its suppressive effects on rat chemically induced breast cancer.

METHODS

The oil was extracted from commercial Chia seeds and their fatty acids were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Sodium alginate was used as a loading agent to create the Chia oil nanocapsules. The DPPH assay was used to assess the oil nanocapsules' capacity to scavenge free radicals. Breast cancer induction was done by single dose subcutaneously administration of 80 mg/kg dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA). Models of breast cancer were given Chia oil nanocapsules orally for one month at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. Through measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein carbonyl, assessing the gene expression of tumor suppressor genes (BRCA 1 & 2, TP53), and conducting histopathological analysis, the suppressive effect of Chia oil nanocapsules was examined.

RESULTS

The increase in ROS and PC levels brought on by DMBA was significantly decreased by the administration of Chia oil nanocapsules. In tumor tissue from rats given Chia oil nanocapsules, the mRNA expression levels of BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 were controlled Histopathological analysis clarified that the tissue architecture of breast tumors was improved by nanocapsules management.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate the ability of Chia oil nanocapsules to inhibit cancer cells in the rat breast.

Laboratory biomarkers of an effective antitumor immune response. Clinical significance

The modern checkpoint inhibitors block the programmed death-1 receptor and its ligand, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 on tumor cells and lymphocytes, that induces cytotoxic reactions. Nowadays, there are no approved clinical and laboratory predictor markers of immune therapy efficacy, which would allow a more personalized approach to patient selection and treatment. The aim of this review is to analyze possible biomarkers of efficacy for treatment with checkpoint inhibitors according to the pathogenic mechanisms of drug action. The review revealed possible predictive biomarkers, that could be classified to 3 groups: biomarkers of high mutagenic potential of the tumor, biomarkers of high activity of adaptive immunity, biomarkers of low activity of the tumor microenvironment. The determination of the described markers before the start of therapy can be used to formulate a treatment regimen, in which the use of various immunomodulatory drugs, inhibitors of proinflammatory cytokines, angiogenic molecules, and probiotics can be considered.

Emerging role of ferroptosis in breast cancer: New dawn for overcoming tumor progression

Breast cancer has become a serious threat to women's health. Cancer progression is mainly derived from resistance to apoptosis induced by procedures or therapies. Therefore, new drugs or models that can overcome apoptosis resistance should be identified. Ferroptosis is a recently identified mode of cell death characterized by excess reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxidation. Since ferroptosis is distinct from apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy, its induction successfully eliminates cancer cells that are resistant to other modes of cell death. Therefore, ferroptosis may become a new direction around which to design breast cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the complete appearance of ferroptosis in breast cancer has not yet been fully elucidated. Furthermore, whether ferroptosis inducers can be used in combination with traditional anti- breast cancer drugs is still unknown. Moreover, a summary of ferroptosis in breast cancer progression and therapy is currently not available. In this review, we discuss the roles of ferroptosis-associated modulators glutathione, glutathione peroxidase 4, iron, nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor-2, superoxide dismutases, lipoxygenase and coenzyme Q in breast cancer. Furthermore, we provide evidence that traditional drugs against breast cancer induce ferroptosis, and that ferroptosis inducers eliminate breast cancer cells. Finally, we put forward prospect of using ferroptosis inducers in breast cancer therapy, and predict possible obstacles and corresponding solutions. This review will deepen our understanding of the relationship between ferroptosis and breast cancer, and provide new insights into breast cancer-related therapeutic strategies.

Urine 8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE

Cellular RNA is less compact than DNA, more easily accessible to ROS and therefore could be more susceptible to oxidative damage. This study was conceived in order to analyze the RNA oxidative damage in the urine of patients undergoing operation for colorectal cancer (CRC), to compare with healthy controls, and correlate with the stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study population was constituted by a group of 147 patients and a group of 128 healthy controls. Urine and blood samples were collected before the colonoscopy in all participants and 24 hours post-operatively for those who underwent surgery. Urine 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) was determined as marker of RNA oxidation, and serum uric acid (UA) as antioxidant marker.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, 8-OHG (ng/ml) values of CRC patients were found to be significantly higher than those of controls (p = 0.001). More specifically, stages II/III had significantly higher 8-OHG values (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007) than stages 0/I. Post-operatively, 8-OHG values were similar to controls (p = 0.053). Preoperatively, UA values (mg/dl) were significantly lower (p = 0.001), while postoperatively were similar to controls (p = 0.069).

CONCLUSION

Oxidative RNA damage occurs in CRC patients. Stages II/III are associated with higher values of 8-OHG than stages 0/I. 8-OHG could act as a marker for the identification of patients with advanced disease.

The Peripheral Immune Landscape of Breast Cancer: Clinical Findings and In Vitro Models for Biomarker Discovery

Breast cancer is the deadliest female malignancy worldwide and, while much is known about phenotype and function of infiltrating immune cells, the same attention has not been paid to the peripheral immune compartment of breast cancer patients. To obtain faster, cheaper, and more precise monitoring of patients' status, it is crucial to define and analyze circulating immune profiles. This review compiles and summarizes the disperse knowledge on the peripheral immune profile of breast cancer patients, how it departs from healthy individuals and how it changes with disease progression. We propose this data to be used as a starting point for validation of clinically relevant biomarkers of disease progression and therapy response, which warrants more thorough investigation in patient cohorts of specific breast cancer subtypes. Relevant clinical findings may also be explored experimentally using advanced 3D cellular models of human cancer-immune system interactions, which are under intensive development. We review the latest findings and discuss the strengths and limitations of such models, as well as the future perspectives. Together, the scientific advancement of peripheral biomarker discovery and cancer-immune crosstalk in breast cancer will be instrumental to uncover molecular mechanisms and putative biomarkers and drug targets in an all-human setting.

Effects of glyphosate-based herbicide-contaminated diets on reproductive organ toxicity and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis hormones in weaned piglets

At present, glyphosate (GLP) is the most produced and used herbicide in the world. With the large-scale use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs), their toxic effects on animals and plants have increasingly become a concern. Based on the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX) dose (20 mg kg-1) and the dose set by the government (40 mg kg-1), four experimental groups in which Roundup® (R) herbicide was added to the feed of weaned piglets at GLP concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg-1 were designed. The results showed that R had no significant effect on the vulvar size or index of reproductive organs but that it could affect the tissue morphology and ultrastructure of the uterus and ovary. With the increase in GLP concentration, the activities of antioxidant enzymes [SOD (P < 0.05) and GPx (P = 0.002)] in the uterus showed significant increases. Compared with the control group, the content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the treatment groups increased significantly (P < 0.05), the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the 10 mg kg-1 treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group. We measured hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA) hormones and also found that GLP significantly increased luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and testosterone (T) content (P < 0.05) and decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) content (P < 0.05). In summary, although R does not affect the vulvar size or reproductive organ index of weaned piglets, it changes the morphology and ultrastructure of the uterus and ovaries, interferes with the synthesis and secretion of HPOA hormones, and causes changes in the balance of the antioxidant system of uterus. This study provided a theoretical basis for preventing reproductive system harm caused by GBHs.

Potential effects of nutrition-based weight loss therapies in reversing obesity-related breast cancer epigenetic marks

Obesity is a modifiable risk factor of breast cancer and epigenetic marks were proposed as a relevant mechanistic link. These mechanisms can be remodelled by modifying lifestyle factors and this fact could be useful in the treatment of obesity-related breast cancer. This review aimed to reveal the current evidence on the effects of differences in body composition and lifestyle factors on the risk, treatment, and survival of breast cancer with a focus on the effects of weight loss therapies based on different nutrients, bioactive compounds, and Mediterranean and ketogenic diets to counteract obesity-related breast cancer epigenetic marks. This review was framed on the most relevant and recently published articles and abstracts selected in PubMed using key words related to epigenetics, lifestyle, dietary habits, nutrients, bioactive compounds, ketone bodies, and weight loss treatments in obesity and breast cancer. Several studies have demonstrated that lifestyle interventions, including dietary modifications towards a healthy diet pattern, are effective therapies to prevent the onset of breast cancer and to improve the survival after treatment. These therapies reduce the main factors associated with obesity that are links between adiposity and cancer, including oxidative stress, inflammation and epigenetic mechanisms. However, although sufficient evidence exists regarding the effects of nutrients, dietary patterns, and weight loss therapies to prevent breast cancer or to improve survival, the effects of these strategies on the oncological treatment response were less studied. This review summarises the current scientific evidence regarding these nutritional strategies as adjuvant therapies in the management of obesity-related breast cancer by remodelling epigenetic marks related to carcinogenesis.

Chimarrão consumption and prognostic factors in breast cancer: Correlation with antioxidants and blood caffeine levels

Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy among women. Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil, known as yerba mate, is widely consumed in southern Brazil as a hot infusion drink known as chimarrão. This herb has a complex chemical composition and is rich in antioxidants, which may interfere in the course of chronic inflammatory diseases as breast cancer. This study investigated the impact of chimarrão consumption on the clinicopathological profile of women with breast cancer attended at Francisco Beltrão Cancer Hospital, Paraná, Brazil. Blood antioxidants and caffeine profiles were assessed. Decreases in reduced glutathione and metallothionein levels, and increase in catalase activity were observed among breast cancer patients that were chimarrão consumers. The levels of circulating caffeine in breast cancer patients with luminal A tumors were higher than those in patients with luminal B and HER-2 subtypes. Furthermore, overweight patients presented higher caffeine levels than the eutrophic ones. It was found positive associations between chimarrão intake and high body mass index, and chimarrão intake and menopause at diagnosis. Altogether, these findings suggest that chimarrão consumption affects the blood antioxidants of breast cancer patients, and that the caffeine present in this mixture may favor the development of tumor of good prognosis. HIGHLIGHTS: Chimarrão consumption may affect the course of chronic inflammatory diseases, as breast cancer. Chimarrão intake changed blood antioxidants in breast cancer patients who were current consumers when compared to the non-consumers ones. High levels of caffeine were detected in patients bearing luminal A tumors, suggesting a protective role.

Effects of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms in glutathione levels and breast cancer development in Brazilian patients

Polymorphisms in the glutathione transferase enzymes (GSTs) genes have been associated with susceptibility to develop breast cancer (BC), but few are known regarding its role on this disease prognosis and impact on antioxidant status. This study evaluated the polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and their relationship with BC susceptibility and prognostic, as well as its impact on plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. The present study included 121 women with invasive ductal BC and 151 healthy controls. Polymorphisms analyses were performed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and GSH levels were measured with the Ellman's reagent. GSTT1 (OR 1.29; p = 0.39) and GSTM1 (OR 1.03; p = 0.91) polymorphisms did not show any association with BC susceptibility. The mean concentration values in nmol/L of GSH were 20.37 ± 5.82 for patients with null genotypes for both genes, 19.75 ± 3.47 for null GSTT1, 17.22 ± 1.35 for active GSTT1, 18.82 ± 1.96 for absent GSTM1, and 16.59 ± 1.66 for active GSTM1, but no significance was found. Therefore, it can be concluded that the behavior of these polymorphisms concerning BC might be not only related to the absence of enzymatic expression but may also be related to the body's response with its antioxidant mechanisms and it should be further studied.

Modulation of aminolevulinic acid-based photoinactivation efficacy by iron in vitro is cell type dependent

Iron availability to cells may be modified in the tumour microenvironment, which may be involved in treatment response. Iron availability affects the conversion of protoporphyrin IX to heme, which likely determines the efficacy of aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-based PDT). We compared photoinactivation efficacy in three oesophageal cell lines in culture media differing in iron content, DMEM and RPMI 1640, and in RPMI 1640 supplemented with iron to understand the importance of iron presence for ALA-based PDT outcome. ALA-based PDT was more efficacious in DMEM than in RPMI 1640 in all tested cell lines. Consistently, the highest protoporphyrin IX fluorescence signals, indicating the highest level of protoporphyrin IX production, were detected from cell colonies incubated in DMEM compared to those incubated in RPMI 1640 irrespective of iron presence. Components in the culture media other than iron ions are likely to be responsible for the observed differences in two culture media. Nevertheless, iron supplementation to RPMI 1640 showed that the presence of ferric ions in the concentration range 0-8 mg/l affected ALA-based PDT efficacy in a cell type-dependent manner. In poorly differentiated carcinoma cells, the increased efficacy of ALA-induced photoinactivation in the presence of 0.1 mg/l of supplemented iron was found. At the same iron concentration, the slightly different mitochondrial potential at no modifications of the iron labile pool was observed. The efficacy of ALA-based PDT in vitro depends on the choice of culture medium and the presence of iron ions in culture medium depending on intrinsic properties of cells.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic and Predicative Values of 8-Iso-Prostaglandin F2α as a Biomarker of Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is a commonly reported cancer that is widely prevalent among women. Its early detection improves patient survival and results in better outcomes. For diagnosis and follow-up care, tumor markers are one of the feasible investigations to be ordered. 8-Iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) serves as a serum marker reflecting oxidative stress and subsequent damaging of DNA. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate both diagnostic and predictive values of 8-iso-PGF2α in BC patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum levels of 8-iso-PGF2α were assessed for 66 women with benign breast tumors and 65 women who had malignant BC. To compare the patients who had breast tumors with healthy individuals, 63 women free of breast diseases were selected as controls.

RESULTS

The serum level of 8-iso-PGF2α in the BC patients (57.92 pg/mL) was significantly higher compared to those with benign tumors (18.89 pg/mL) (p < 0.001). In addition, individuals with no breast diseases had less 8-iso-PGF2α (4.02 pg/mL) compared to those who had developed a tumor (p < 0.001). Serum 8-iso-PGF2α was found to be positively correlated with both carcinoembryonic antigen (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and cancer antigen 15-3 (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Furthermore, serum 8-iso-PGF2α showed high diagnostic performance in BC (AUC = 0.999, sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 99.2% at a cutoff value of 36.18 pg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that the high level of serum 8-iso-PGF2α helps to provide a non-invasive indicator to detect BC. Future work with a larger sample size and various phases of BC can confirm the current results which provide insights into the early detection of cancer.

Predicting Response to Radiotherapy in Cancer-Induced Bone Pain: Cytokines as a Potential Biomarker?

AIMS

Radiotherapy (XRT) for cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) has varying levels of efficacy. A biomarker that predicts likely efficacy could stratify XRT to those most likely to benefit. No biomarker is used in clinical practice, but potential candidate cytokines have been identified. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between candidate cytokines and analgesic response after XRT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An exploratory analysis was undertaken on biobank data from patients who had received single fraction (8 Gy) XRT for CIBP. The biobank data were prospectively collected from multiple centres in the UK as part of a larger clinical trial, which had institutional review board approval and all patients provided written informed consent for the use of their data in future research. Phenotypic data, pain assessments as well as plasma samples were collected at baseline (within the 24 h before the XRT) and at follow-up (4 weeks after XRT). Baseline and follow-up samples were analysed and levels of 16 pre-identified cytokines were compared in patients classified as XRT 'responders' or 'non-responders'.

RESULTS

Data from 60 patients were analysed. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 9 (NOV/CCN3/IGFBP-9) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) were identified as potential predictors of response to XRT. A significant relationship was shown between the response to XRT and the ratio of the median level of NOV/CCN3/IGFBP-9 at baseline:follow-up (P = 0.024). Furthermore, for the patients up to 64 years of age, the median level of NOV/CCN3/IGFBP-9 was significantly different between responders and non-responders (P = 0.047). For IL-1ß, the median level was significantly different between responders and non-responders in patients with breast cancer (P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Although the present findings do not identify robust biomarkers, this is the first such study to examine the role of cytokines in predicting response to XRT in patients with CIBP, and studies that build on these findings are encouraged.

Applying Serum Cytokine Levels to Predict Pain Severity in Cancer Patients

Background and Aim

Cancers originating in the breast, lung and prostate often metastasize to the bone, frequently resulting in cancer-induced bone pain that can be challenging to manage despite conventional analgesic therapy. This exploratory study’s aim was to identify potential biomarkers associated with cancer-induced pain by examining a sample population of breast cancer patients undergoing bisphosphonate therapy.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the primary study was performed to quantify serum cytokine levels for correlation to pain scores. Cytokines with statistically significant correlations were then input into a stepwise regression analysis to generate a predictive equation for a patient’s pain severity. In an effort to find additional potential biomarkers, correlation analysis was performed between these factors and a more comprehensive panel of cytokines and chemokines from breast, lung, and prostate cancer patients.

Results

Statistical analysis identified nine cytokines (GM-CSF, IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-12p70, IL-17A, and IL-23) that had significant negative correlations with pain scores and they could best predict pain severity through a predictive equation generated for this specific evaluation. After performing a correlation analysis between these factors and a larger panel of cytokines and chemokines, samples from breast, lung and prostate patients showed distinct correlation profiles, highlighting the clinical challenge of applying pain-associated cytokines related to more defined nociceptive states, such as arthritis, to a cancer pain state.

Conclusion

Exploratory analyses such as the ones presented here will be a beneficial tool to expand insights into potential cancer-specific nociceptive mechanisms and to develop novel therapeutics.

Assessment of Serum CoQ10 Levels and other Antioxidant Markers in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

The balance of the oxidative state in the body is fundamental for the maintenance of homeostasis. It has been implicated in the onset and progression of several diseases including breast cancer. The way in which the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) / antioxidants balance leads to or responds to disease is still controversial. In this study, TAC is used as a reference for the total antioxidant power of the body and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for its vital importance in cellular antioxidant action and being the only lipid soluble antioxidant synthesized endogenously. Copper and zinc were measured as trace elements reflecting the antioxidant micronutrient profile of the body.

METHODS

After approval of the ethical committee, 60 recently diagnosed non-intervened breast cancer patients were recruited from the Medical Research Institute hospital, Alexandria University along with 20 apparently healthy volunteers as control group. Full patient history was taken including breastfeeding history, parity, hormone replacement therapy use, body mass index, pathological examination, metastatic work up results, past medical history and drug use. CA 15-3 and laboratory investigations evaluating blood glucose, kidney and liver functions were performed. Q10 levels were measured by HPLC using a kit from Recipe®. TAC was assayed spectrophotometrically (Biodiagnostics®). Copper and Zinc levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in the CoQ10, TAC and copper levels in the breast cancer group when compared to the control group. Zinc showed no statistically significant difference between the studied groups.

CONCLUSION

Inspite of the fact that a high antioxidant level is usually considered as a favourable state, TAC, CoQ10 and copper levels showed significantly higher levels in the breast cancer group when compared to the control group. It is worth mentioning that the cancer group were all recently diagnosed, non-intervened and showed no signs of metastasis. It is still unclear whether the increased antioxidant levels offer a selective growth advantage to tumor cells over their surrounding normal cells or serve as a protective measure by the body in an attempt to correct the assault triggered by the ROS.

Redox-Responsive Fluorescent Polycarbonates Based on Selenide for Chemotherapy of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Transient increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is vital for some physiological processes, whereas the chronic and sustained high ROS level is usually implicated in the inflammatory diseases and cancers. Herein, we report the innovative redox-responsive theranostic micellar nanoparticles that are able to load anticancer drugs through coordination and hydrophobic interaction and to fluorescently monitor the intracellular redox status. The nanoparticles were formed by the amphiphilic block copolymers composed of a PEG segment and a selenide-containing hydrophobic polycarbonate block with a small fraction of coumarin-based chromophore. Under the alternative redox stimulation that might be encountered in the physiological process of some healthy cells, these nanoparticles underwent the reversible changes in size, morphology, and fluorescence intensity. With the assistance of small model compounds, we clarified the chemistry behind these changes, that is, the redox triggered reversible transformation between selenide and selenoxide. Upon the monotonic oxidation similar to the sustained high ROS level of cancer cells, the nanoparticles could be disrupted completely, which was accompanied by the drastic decrease in fluorescence. Cisplatin and paclitaxel were simultaneously coloaded in the nanoparticles with a moderate efficacy, and the coordination between selenide and platinum improved the stability of the drug-loaded nanoparticles against dilution. The naked nanoparticles are cytocompatible, whereas the dual drug-loaded nanoparticles exhibited a concentration dependent and synergistic cytotoxicity to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Of importance, the drug-loaded nanoparticles are much more toxic to TNBC cells than to normal cells due in part to ROS overproduction in the former cell lines.

Targeting cancer vulnerabilities with high-dose vitamin C

Over the past century, the notion that vitamin C can be used to treat cancer has generated much controversy. However, new knowledge regarding the pharmacokinetic properties of vitamin C and recent high-profile preclinical studies have revived interest in the utilization of high-dose vitamin C for cancer treatment. Studies have shown that pharmacological vitamin C targets many of the mechanisms that cancer cells utilize for their survival and growth. In this Opinion article, we discuss how vitamin C can target three vulnerabilities many cancer cells share: redox imbalance, epigenetic reprogramming and oxygen-sensing regulation. Although the mechanisms and predictive biomarkers that we discuss need to be validated in well-controlled clinical trials, these new discoveries regarding the anticancer properties of vitamin C are promising to help identify patient populations that may benefit the most from high-dose vitamin C therapy, developing effective combination strategies and improving the overall design of future vitamin C clinical trials for various types of cancer.

Looking beyond the skin: Cutaneous and systemic oxidative stress in UVB-induced squamous cell carcinoma in hairless mice

Cumulative ultraviolet (UV) exposure is associated with squamous skin cell carcinoma. UV radiation induces oxidative modifications in biomolecules of the skin leading to photocarcinogenesis. Indeed, the cyclobutene pyrimidine dimers and other dimers formed by photoaddition between carbon-carbon bonds also have an important role in the initiation process. However, information on the systemic redox status during these processes is scarce. Thus, we investigated the systemic redox profile in UVB-induced squamous cell carcinoma in mice. Female hairless mice were exposed to UVB radiation (cumulative dose = 17.1 J/cm²). The dorsal skin of these mice developed actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and presented increased levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and 3-nitrotyrosine), and decreased antioxidant defenses. Systemically, we observed the consumption of plasmatic antioxidant defenses and increased levels of advanced oxidized protein products (AOPP), an oxidative stress product derived from systemic inflammatory response. Taken together, our results indicate that UVB chronic irradiation leads not only to adjacent and tumoral oxidative stress in the skin, but it systemically is reflected through the blood. These new findings clarify some aspects of the pathogenesis of SCC and should assist in formulating better chemoprevention strategies, while avoiding additional primary SCC development and metastasis.

Association between rs2188380 and the risk of breast cancer in southwest Chinese population

Background

Previous studies have revealed that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2188380 was identified as a novel locus of gout. Interestingly, gout resulting from high serum uric acid (SUA) was also identified to be associated with the risk of breast cancer (BC). We hypothesized that maybe there was a relationship between rs2188380 and the risk of BC. Therefore, our study was conducted to investigate whether this novel gout‐related SNP (rs2188380) was associated with BC risk as well as the clinical and pathological characteristics in the southwest Chinese population.

Materials and methods

We performed a case‐control study including 104 breast cancer patients and 112 healthy controls to investigate whether rs2188380 is associated with BC risk in the southwest Chinese population. The genotyping was performed by the SNP scan method. General characteristics and clinicopathological characteristics of tumors were also included in the analysis. The statistical evaluations were performed using the Student t test, the chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test, and unconditional logistic regression analysis.

Results

The C/C genotype of rs2188380 might be related to BC risk to some extent compared with G/G genotype (OR = 9.241, 95% CI = 1.122‐76.101, P = 0.039). Furthermore, after adjusting the age, the association still existed (OR = 8.788, 95% CI = 1.063‐72.636, P = 0.044). However, no significant association was observed between rs2188380 and the clinicopathological characteristics of BC.

Conclusions

Our study primarily indicated that rs2188380 might have a potential association with BC risk to some extent. With a limited sample size and statistical power, further studies based on larger populations are needed to confirm the association.

Strategies for the development of selenium-based anticancer drugs

Many experimental models demonstrated that inorganic and organic selenium (Se) compounds may have an anticancer activity. However, large clinical studies failed to demonstrate that Se supplementations may prevent the outcome of cancers. Moreover, there are few randomized trials in cancer patients and there is not yet any Se compound recognized as anticancer drug. There is still a need to develop new Se compounds with new strategies. For that, it may be necessary to consider that Se compounds may have a dual role, either as anti-oxidant or as pro-oxidant. Experimental studies demonstrated that it is as pro-oxidant that Se compounds have anticancer effects, even though cancer cells have a pro-oxidant status. The oxidative status differs according to the type of cancer, the stage of the disease and to other parameters. We propose to adapt the doses of the Se compounds to markers of the oxidative stress, but also to markers of angiogenesis, which is strongly related with the oxidative status. A dual role of Se on angiogenesis has also been noted, either as pro-angiogenesis or as anti-angiogenesis. The objective for the development of new Se compounds, having a great selectivity on cancer cells, could be to try to normalize these oxidative and angiogenic markers in cancer patients, with an individual adaptation of doses.

NF-kappaB Regulates Redox Status in Breast Cancer Subtypes

Oxidative stress (OS) is an indispensable condition to ensure genomic instability in cancer cells. In breast cancer (BC), redox alterations have been widely characterized, but since this process results from a chain of inflammatory events, the causal molecular triggers remain to be identified. In this context, we used a microarray approach to investigate the role of the main pro-oxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), in gene profiles of BC subtypes. Our results showed that NF-κB knockdown in distinct BC subtypes led to differential expression of relevant factors involved in glutathione metabolism, prostaglandins, cytochrome P450 and cyclooxygenase, suggesting a relationship between the redox balance and NF-κB in such cells. In addition, we performed biochemical analyses to validate the microarray dataset focusing on OS and correlated these parameters with normal expression or NF-κB inhibition. Our data showed a distinct oxidative status pattern for each of the three studied BC subtype models, consistent with the intrinsic characteristics of each BC subtype. Thus, our findings suggest that NF-κB may represent an additional mechanism related to OS maintenance in BC, operating in various forms to mediate other important predominant signaling components of each BC subtype.

Specific protein carbonylation in human breast cancer tissue compared to adjacent healthy epithelial tissue

Protein carbonylation is an irreversible post-translational modification induced by severe oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly produced in cells and play important roles in both cancer progression and cancer suppression. ROS levels can be higher in tumor compared to surrounding healthy tissue but ROS-induced specific protein carbonylation and its unique role in cancer progression or suppression is poorly understood. In this study, we utilized previously validated ELISA and western blot methods to analyze the total and specific protein carbonylation in flash-frozen human breast cancer and matched adjacent healthy tissue to compare relative total, and specific protein carbonylation. Mass spectrometry, two-color western, and immunoprecipitation methods were used to identify and confirm the specifically carbonylated proteins in breast tumor tissue. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured as an indicator of antioxidant activity, and LC3-II protein level was analyzed for autophagy by western blot. Findings were further confirmed using the immortalized MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer and MCF-12A noncancerous human epithelial breast cell lines. Our results indicate that tumor tissue has greater total protein carbonylation, lower SOD1 and SOD2 protein levels, lower total SOD activity, and higher LC3-II levels compared to adjacent healthy tissue. We identified and confirmed three specific proteins of interest; filamin A, heat shock protein 90β (HSP90β), and bifunctional glutamate/proline-tRNA ligase (EPRS), that were selectively carbonylated in tumor tissue compared to matched adjacent healthy tissue. Correspondingly, compared to noncancerous MCF-12A epithelial cells, MDA-MB-231 cancer cells exhibited an increase in filamin A and EPRS protein carbonylation, decreased total SOD activity, and increased autophagy, but not increased HSP90β protein carbonylation. Identification of selectively carbonylated proteins and defining their roles in cancer progression may promote the development of targeted therapeutic approaches toward mitigating oxidative damage of these proteins.

Association Between Oxidative Stress and Melanoma Progression

BACKGROUND

Overproduction of free radicals accompanied with their insufficient removal/neutralization by antioxidative defense system impairs redox hemostasis in living organisms. Oxidative stress has been shown to be involved in all the stages of carcinogenesis and malignant melanocyte transformation. The aim of this study was to examine association between oxidative stress development and different stages of melanoma.

METHODS

The measured oxidative stress parameters included: superoxide anion radical, total and manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde. Oxidative stress parameters were measured spectrophotometrically in serum samples from melanoma patients (n=72) and healthy control subjects (n=30). Patients were classified according to AJCC clinical stage.

RESULTS

Average superoxide anion and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly higher in melanoma patients than in control group, with the highest value of superoxide anion in stage III, while malondialdehyde highest value was in stage IV. The activity of total and manganese superoxide dismutase was insignificantly higher in melanoma patients than in control group, while catalase activity was significantly higher. The highest activity of total activity of manganese superoxide dismutase was in stage IV. Catalase activity was increasing with the disease progression achieving the maximum in stage III.

CONCLUSION

Results of our study suggest that melanoma is oxidative stress associated disease, as well as deteriorated cell functioning at mitochondrial level.

Recent advances on the stimulatory effects of metals in breast cancer

Certain environmental chemicals may accumulate in human serum and tissues eliciting estrogenic and/or carcinogenic effects. Therefore, there is heightened interest in determining whether environmental chemicals may increase the risk for endocrine-related tumors like breast cancer. For instance, metals as cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, nickel and aluminum have been shown to mimic estrogen action. Moreover, the exposure to these chemicals has been reported to stimulate diverse malignancies including breast cancer, which is the most common tumor in women worldwide. In this review, we summarize the epidemiologic and experimental evidence regarding the association between the exposure to some trace elements and breast cancer risk. We also address recent insights on the molecular mechanisms involved by metals in breast tumorigenesis.

Redox status in the sentinel lymph node of women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Lymphatic metastasis is regulated in multiple steps including the transit of tumor cells via the lymphatic vessels and the successful seeding in draining lymph nodes. Thus, several molecular signals and cellular changes must be involved in this complex process to facilitate tumor cell entry, colonization, and survival in the lymph node. To our knowledge, the present work explores, for the first time in the literature, the redox status (oxidative stress parameters and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems) in the sentinel lymph node (SLN) of women with breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

SLNs from 75 women with breast cancer were identified using the one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) method as negative (n = 43), with micrometastases (n = 13), or with macrometastases (n = 19). It will allow us to gain knowledge about the pro-oxidant/antioxidant mechanisms involved in the processes of distant metastases in breast cancer and also to assess whether these parameters may be alternative techniques for staging.

RESULTS

We found different levels of lipid peroxidation in SLNs with micrometastases (increased) and macrometastases (decreased), a decrease in carbonyl group content in SLNs with macrometastases only, and an increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in SNLs with micrometastases and macrometastases. A decrease in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) also appears in the SLNs with macrometastases only. Finally, we show increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in SLNs with micrometastases and macrometastases, and decreased levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in SNLs with macrometastases but not with micrometastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Redox status of lymph node microenvironment participates in the progression of metastatic breast cancer.

High serum uric acid concentration predicts poor survival in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Uric acid is a product of purine metabolism. Recently, uric acid has gained much attraction in cancer. In this study, we aim to investigate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of serum uric acid concentration in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

A total of 443 female patients with histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer were included. After a mean follow-up time of 56months, survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. To further evaluate the prognostic significance of uric acid concentrations, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied.

RESULTS

Of the clinicopathological parameters, uric acid concentration was associated with age, body mass index, ER status and PR status. Univariate analysis identified that patients with increased uric acid concentration had a significantly inferior overall survival (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.15-3.94, p=0.016). In multivariate analysis, we found that high uric acid concentration is an independent prognostic factor predicting death, but insufficient to predict local relapse or distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that high uric acid concentration is related to the poor overall survival (p=0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

High uric acid concentration predicts poor survival in patients with breast cancer, and might serve as a potential marker for appropriate management of breast cancer patients.

Pro-Apoptotic Effects of JDA-202, a Novel Natural Diterpenoid, on Esophageal Cancer Through Targeting Peroxiredoxin I

AIMS

Esophageal cancer (EC) is an aggressive malignancy and the most common solid tumor of gastrointestinal tract all over the world, with high incidence in Asia. The current study was designed to investigate the anticancer efficacy and mechanism that is involved in the action of a natural ent-kaurene diterpenoid, JDA-202, targeting EC.

RESULTS

We found that an antioxidant protein peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) was upregulated in human EC tissues as well as in EC cell lines. JDA-202, a novel natural compound isolated from Isodon rubescens (Labiatae), was proved to possess strong anti-proliferative activities on those cell lines. Importantly, JDA-202 does not only bind to Prx I directly and markedly inhibit the activity of Prx I in vitro, but it also significantly induces hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-related cell death. Furthermore, overexpression of Prx I significantly reversed EC109 cell apoptosis caused by JDA-202, whereas short interfering RNA (siRNA)-induced Prx I knockdown resulted in marked cell death even without JDA-202 pretreatment. On the other hand, the increased phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins (c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK], p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK]) by JDA-202 was suppressed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or catalase, a known reactive oxygen species (ROS) or H₂O₂ scavenger. JDA-202 also significantly inhibited the growth of EC109 tumor xenograft, without significant body weight loss and multi-organ toxicities. Innovation and Conclusion: Our findings, for the first time, demonstrated that JDA-202 may serve as a lead compound, targeting the overexpressed Prx I in EC cell lines and ROS accumulation as well as inhibiting the activation of their downstream targets in MAPKs. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 73-92.

Cytotoxicity of citral against melanoma cells: The involvement of oxidative stress generation and cell growth protein reduction

Citral is a natural compound that has shown cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on breast and hematopoietic cancer cells; however, there are few studies on melanoma cells. Oxidative stress is known to be involved in all stages of melanoma development and is able to modulate intracellular pathways related to cellular proliferation and death. In this study, we hypothesize that citral exerts its cytotoxic effect on melanoma cells by the modulation of cellular oxidative status and/or intracellular signaling. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of citral on B16F10 murine melanoma cells evaluating its effects on cellular oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell death, and important signaling pathways, as these pathways, namely, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), AKT, and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. The p53 and nuclear factor kappa B were also investigated due to their ability to respond to intracellular stress. We observed that citral exerted antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in B16F10; induced oxidative stress, DNA lesions, and p53 nuclear translocation; and reduced nitric oxide levels and nuclear factor kappa B, ERK1/2, and AKT. To investigate citral specificity, we used non-neoplastic human and murine cells, HaCaT (human skin keratinocytes) and NIH-3T3 cells (murine fibroblasts), and observed that although citral effects were not specific for cancer cells, non-neoplastic cells were more resistant to citral than B16F10. These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of citral in melanoma, with a mechanism of action involving the oxidative stress generation, nitric oxide depletion, and interference in signaling pathways related to cell proliferation.

Classifying oxidative stress by F2-isoprostane levels across human diseases: A meta-analysis

The notion that oxidative stress plays a role in virtually every human disease and environmental exposure has become ingrained in everyday knowledge. However, mounting evidence regarding the lack of specificity of biomarkers traditionally used as indicators of oxidative stress in human disease and exposures now necessitates re-evaluation. To prioritize these re-evaluations, published literature was comprehensively analyzed in a meta-analysis to quantitatively classify the levels of systemic oxidative damage across human disease and in response to environmental exposures.

In this meta-analysis, the F₂-isoprostane, 8-iso-PGF_2α, was specifically chosen as the representative marker of oxidative damage. To combine published values across measurement methods and specimens, the standardized mean differences (Hedges’ g) in 8-iso-PGF_2α levels between affected and control populations were calculated.

The meta-analysis resulted in a classification of oxidative damage levels as measured by 8-iso-PGF_2α across 50 human health outcomes and exposures from 242 distinct publications. Relatively small increases in 8-iso-PGF_2α levels (g<0.8) were found in the following conditions: hypertension (g=0.4), metabolic syndrome (g=0.5), asthma (g=0.4), and tobacco smoking (g=0.7). In contrast, large increases in 8-iso-PGF_2α levels were observed in pathologies of the kidney, e.g., chronic renal insufficiency (g=1.9), obstructive sleep apnoea (g=1.1), and pre-eclampsia (g=1.1), as well as respiratory tract disorders, e.g., cystic fibrosis (g=2.3).

In conclusion, we have established a quantitative classification for the level of 8-iso-PGF_2α generation in different human pathologies and exposures based on a comprehensive meta-analysis of published data. This analysis provides knowledge on the true involvement of oxidative damage across human health outcomes as well as utilizes past research to prioritize those conditions requiring further scrutiny on the mechanisms of biomarker generation.

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Oxidative damage is highly variable in human conditions as measured by F₂-isoprostanes.

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Respiratory tract and urogenital diseases have the highest F₂-isoprostanes.

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Cancer and cardiovascular diseases have surprisingly low F₂-isoprostanes.

Melatonin and Metformin Diminish Oxidative Stress in Heart Tissue in a Rat Model of High Fat Diet and Mammary Carcinogenesis

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of long-term administration of the oral antidiabetic metformin or the pineal hormone melatonin, and a combination thereof, in preventing oxidative stress in the heart tissue of female Sprague-Dawley rats with mammary tumors induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) (50 mg/kg) given on the 42nd postnatal day. Metformin and melatonin were administered 12 days before and 16 weeks after the carcinogen. During the experiment, all animals were fed a high fat diet (10% total fat, 2.5% from lard, and 7.5% from palm oil). The findings are that mammary carcinogenesis generated oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, estimated from thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), oxidatively modified protein content (aldehyde and ketone derivatives), and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase were all augmented. Metformin caused a decrease in oxidative stress in the heart, accompanied by a decrease in diene conjugates, the elimination of ROS (stable total antioxidant status), and the activation of catalase and glutathione reductase. Melatonin caused an increase in total antioxidant status and a substantial reduction in ROS as estimated from aldehyde and ketone derivatives, lipid peroxidation at the initial (diene conjugates) and terminal stages (TBARS), and increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Metformin and melatonin combined reversed the effects of NMU on oxidative stress. In conclusion, melatonin reduces the level of oxidative stress in the heart tissue, caused by NMU carcinogenesis and a high fat diet, significantly stronger than metformin.

Serum Cytokinome Profile Evaluation: A Tool to Define New Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers of Cancer Using Multiplexed Bead-Based Immunoassays

In recent years, many researchers are focusing their attention on the link between inflammation and cancer. The inflammation is involved in the tumor development and suppression, by stimulating the immune response. In particular, the transition from chronic inflammation to cancer produces angiogenic and growth factors able to repair the tissue and to promote cancer cell survival, implantation, and growth. In this contest, the cytokines contribute to the development of these processes becoming active before and during the inflammatory process and playing an important function at the various disease levels. Thus, these proteins can represent specific markers of tumor development and progression. Therefore the "cytokinome" term is used to indicate the evaluation of cytokine pattern by using an "omics" approach. Newly, specific protein chips of considerable and improved sensitivity are being developed to determine simultaneously several and different cytokines. This can be achieved by a multiplex technology that, through the use of small amounts of serum or other fluids, is used to determine the presence and the levels of underrepresented cytokines. Since this method is an accurate, sensitive, and reproducible cytokine assay, it is already used in many different studies. Thus, this review focuses on the more latest aspects related to cytokinome profile evaluation in different cancers.

Designing a broad-spectrum integrative approach for cancer prevention and treatment

Targeted therapies and the consequent adoption of "personalized" oncology have achieved notable successes in some cancers; however, significant problems remain with this approach. Many targeted therapies are highly toxic, costs are extremely high, and most patients experience relapse after a few disease-free months. Relapses arise from genetic heterogeneity in tumors, which harbor therapy-resistant immortalized cells that have adopted alternate and compensatory pathways (i.e., pathways that are not reliant upon the same mechanisms as those which have been targeted). To address these limitations, an international task force of 180 scientists was assembled to explore the concept of a low-toxicity "broad-spectrum" therapeutic approach that could simultaneously target many key pathways and mechanisms. Using cancer hallmark phenotypes and the tumor microenvironment to account for the various aspects of relevant cancer biology, interdisciplinary teams reviewed each hallmark area and nominated a wide range of high-priority targets (74 in total) that could be modified to improve patient outcomes. For these targets, corresponding low-toxicity therapeutic approaches were then suggested, many of which were phytochemicals. Proposed actions on each target and all of the approaches were further reviewed for known effects on other hallmark areas and the tumor microenvironment. Potential contrary or procarcinogenic effects were found for 3.9% of the relationships between targets and hallmarks, and mixed evidence of complementary and contrary relationships was found for 7.1%. Approximately 67% of the relationships revealed potentially complementary effects, and the remainder had no known relationship. Among the approaches, 1.1% had contrary, 2.8% had mixed and 62.1% had complementary relationships. These results suggest that a broad-spectrum approach should be feasible from a safety standpoint. This novel approach has potential to be relatively inexpensive, it should help us address stages and types of cancer that lack conventional treatment, and it may reduce relapse risks. A proposed agenda for future research is offered.