The novel PI3K inhibitor S1 synergizes with sorafenib in non-small cell lung cancer cells involving the Akt-S6 signaling

Efficacy of Sorafenib-Based Therapies for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with a poor prognosis. Of the two types, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major and most prevalent type and associated with low response rates to the current treatment options. Sorafenib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for various malignancies, gained attention for its potential efficacy in NSCLC. This review paper focuses on the findings of recent in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies regarding the efficacy of sorafenib. Overall, sorafenib has shown definitive therapeutic potential in NSCLC cell lines, xenografts, and human subjects. Novel approaches to sorafenib delivery may improve its efficacy and should be the focus of further studies.

Acteoside as a potential therapeutic option for primary hepatocellular carcinoma: a preclinical study

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with characteristics of poor prognosis, high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In particular, only a few systemic treatment options are available for advanced HCC patients, and include sorafenib and the recently described atezolizumab plus bevacizumab regimen as possible first-line treatments. We here propose acteoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside widely distributed in many medicinal plants as a potential candidate against advanced HCC.

Methods

Cell proliferation, colony formation and migration were analyzed in the three human HCC cell lines BEL7404, HLF and JHH-7. Angiogenesis assay was performed using HUVESs. The BEL7404 or JHH-7 xenograft nude mice model was established to analyze the possible antitumor effects of acteoside. qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to reveal the potential antitumor mechanisms of acteoside.

Results

Acteoside inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation and migration in all the three human HCC cell lines BEL7404, HLF and JHH-7. The prohibition of angiogenesis by acteoside was revealed by the inhibition of tube formation and cell migration of HUVECs. The combination of acteoside and sorafenib produced stronger inhibition of cell colony formation and migration of the HCC cells as well as of angiogenesis of HUVECs. The in vivo antitumor efficacy of acteoside was further demonstrated in BEL7404 or JHH-7 xenograft nude mice model, with an enhancement when combined with sorafenib in inhibiting the growth of JHH-7 xenograft. Further treatment of JHH-7 cells with acteoside revealed an increase in the level of tumor suppressor protein p53 as well as a decrease of kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK1, 2, 4, 9 and 10) gene level with no significant changes of the rest of KLK1–15 genes.

Conclusions

Acteoside exerts an antitumor effect possibly through its up-regulation of p53 levels as well as inhibition of KLK expression and angiogenesis. Acteoside could be useful as an adjunct in the treatment of advanced HCC in the clinic.

Sorafenib-loaded hydroxyethyl starch-TG100-115 micelles for the treatment of liver cancer based on synergistic treatment

Tumor microenvironment is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important part of tumor microenvironment promoting tumor deterioration and metastasis by inhibiting immune cells. Previous studies showed that PI3Kγ inhibitor could reverse the phenotype of TAMs, relieve immunosuppression and sensitize chemotherapy drugs, suggesting that the combination of PI3Kγ inhibitor and chemotherapeutics is likely to bring new breakthroughs in the treatment of liver cancer. Based on it, this paper builds HES-TG100-115-CDM-PEG micelles with tumor microenvironment responsiveness that simultaneously loaded sorafenib and TG100-115 to synergistically treat liver cancer. Pharmacokinetic study showed that the prepared micelles had longer half-life than that of the free drug solutions, which was favorable for high propensity of extravasation through tumor vascular fenestrations. Under low pH and high α-amylasereductive conditions, micelles could depolymerize quickly due to the sensitivity of bonds and enhance significantly cytotoxic activity against Hep-3B liver cancer cell. Additionally, micelles demonstrated higher levels of antitumor efficiency and better tolerance against nude mouse with Hep-3B cell than the free drug solutions. These findings reveal that HES-TG100-115-CDM-PEG micelles are a promising drug delivery system in clinical comprehensive therapy of liver cancer.

MYC, MYCL, and MYCN as therapeutic targets in lung cancer

Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Despite recent advances with personalized therapies and immunotherapy, the prognosis remains dire and recurrence is frequent. Myc is an oncogene deregulated in human cancers, including lung cancer, where it supports tumorigenic processes and progression. Elevated Myc levels have also been associated with resistance to therapy.Areas covered: This article summarizes the genomic and transcriptomic studies that compile evidence for (i) MYC, MYCN, and MYCL amplification and overexpression in lung cancer patients, and (ii) their prognostic significance. We collected the most recent literature regarding the development of Myc inhibitors where the emphasis is on those inhibitors tested in lung cancer experimental models and their potential for future clinical application.Expert opinion: The targeting of Myc in lung cancer is potentially an unprecedented opportunity for inhibiting a key player in tumor progression and maintenance and therapeutic resistance. Myc inhibitory strategies are on the path to their clinical application but further work is necessary for the assessment of their use in combination with standard treatment approaches. Given the role of Myc in immune suppression, a significant opportunity may exist in the combination of Myc inhibitors with immunotherapies.