Camptothecin Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Sorafenib- Induced Ferroptosis Via Suppression of Nrf2

Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics Modeling for Evaluating Drug-Drug Interactions in Polypharmacy: Development and Challenges

Polypharmacy is commonly employed in clinical settings. The potential risks of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can compromise efficacy and pose serious health hazards. Integrating pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) models into DDIs research provides a reliable method for evaluating and optimizing drug regimens. With advancements in our comprehension of both individual drug mechanisms and DDIs, conventional models have begun to evolve towards more detailed and precise directions, especially in terms of the simulation and analysis of physiological mechanisms. Selecting appropriate models is crucial for an accurate assessment of DDIs. This review details the theoretical frameworks and quantitative benchmarks of PK and PD modeling in DDI evaluation, highlighting the establishment of PK/PD modeling against a backdrop of complex DDIs and physiological conditions, and further showcases the potential of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) in this field. Furthermore, it explores the current advancements and challenges in DDI evaluation based on models, emphasizing the role of emerging in vitro detection systems, high-throughput screening technologies, and advanced computational resources in improving prediction accuracy.

Targeting the regulation of iron homeostasis as a potential therapeutic strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

With aging and the increasing incidence of obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD mainly includes simple hepatic steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An imbalance in hepatic iron homeostasis is usually associated with the progression of NAFLD and induces iron overload, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and lipid peroxide accumulation, which leads to ferroptosis. Ferroptosis is a unique type of programmed cell death (PCD) that is characterized by iron dependence, ROS production and lipid peroxidation. The ferroptosis inhibition systems involved in NAFLD include the solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione (GSH)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1)/coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) regulatory axes. The main promotion system involved is the acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family (ACSL4)/arachidonic lipoxygenase 15 (ALOX15) axis. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the multiple roles of iron homeostasis imbalance and ferroptosis in the progression of NAFLD. This review highlights the latest studies about iron homeostasis imbalance- and ferroptosis-associated NAFLD, mainly including the physiology and pathophysiology of hepatic iron metabolism, hepatic iron homeostasis imbalance during the development of NAFLD, and key regulatory molecules and roles of hepatic ferroptosis in NAFLD. This review aims to provide innovative therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.

The Role of Nrf2 in the Regulation of Mitochondrial Function and Ferroptosis in Pancreatic Cancer

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) represents the master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response and plays a critical role in tumorigenesis. This includes a preventive effect of Nrf2 on cell death through ferroptosis, which represents an essential mechanism of therapy resistance in malignant tumors, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as one of the most aggressive and still incurable tumors. Addressing this issue, we provide an overview on Nrf2 mediated antioxidant response with particular emphasis on its effect on mitochondria as the organelle responsible for the execution of ferroptosis. We further outline how deregulated Nrf2 adds to the progression and therapy resistance of PDAC, especially with respect to the role of ferroptosis in anti-cancer drug mediated cell killing and how this is impaired by Nrf2 as an essential mechanism of drug resistance. Our review further discusses recent approaches for Nrf2 inhibition by natural and synthetic compounds to overcome drug resistance based on enhanced ferroptosis. Finally, we provide an outlook on therapeutic strategies based on Nrf2 inhibition combined with ferroptosis inducing drugs.

SLC7A11 in hepatocellular carcinoma: potential mechanisms, regulation, and clinical significance

Exploring novel early detection biomarkers and developing more efficacious treatments remain pressing tasks in the current research landscape for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Morphologically and molecularly separate from apoptosis, cell death, and autophagy, ferroptosis is a recently discovered, unique, controlled form of cell death. SLC7A11 (also known as xCT) represents a subunit of the cystine-glutamate antiporter (also known as system Xc(-)). A growing body of research suggests that induction of ferroptosis through SLC7A11 can effectively eliminate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, particularly those exhibiting resistance to alternative forms of cell death. Thus, targeting ferroptosis via SLC7A11 may become a new direction for the design of therapeutic strategies for HCC. Although many research articles have investigated the possible roles of SLC7A11 in HCC, a study that summarizes the main findings, including the regulators and mechanisms of action of SLC7A11 in HCC is not available. Therefore, we present a comprehensive overview of the functions of ferroptosis, particularly SLC7A11, in the identification, development, and management of HCC in this review. In addition, we discuss how this knowledge can be translated into treatment by providing a systemic therapy in advanced HCC using sorafenib, the first-line drug targeting multiple kinases and SLC7A11. We further dissect the possible barriers as well as the corresponding solutions and provide insights on how to navigate effective treatment using this knowledge.

Potential antitumour effect of all-trans retinoic acid on regorafenib-treated human colon cancer cell lines

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide, ranking as the second leading cause of such deaths. Central to the progression of this malignancy is angiogenesis - a complex process orchestrated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Regorafenib, a potent multikinase inhibitor, acts as a critical antagonist of multiple kinases involved in angiogenesis, proliferation, and metastasis. Conversely, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has demonstrated compelling antitumour effects across various cancer types. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the combined antitumour potential of ATRA and regorafenib in human colon cancer cell lines while elucidating the intricate molecular mechanisms that underlie their action.

Material and methods

Our investigative approach involved an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to meticulously analyse the levels of key players in the VEGF signalling pathway, including VEGF itself, activated protein kinase (AMPK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Additionally, we assessed caspase-3 activity as a fundamental marker of apoptosis.

Results

The combined use of ATRA and regorafenib exhibited a remarkable augmentation in both AMPK and caspase-3 activities. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in VEGF, ERK1, and NF-κB levels within human colon cancer cell lines subjected to regorafenib treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the remarkable antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic effects resulting from the combined use of ATRA and regorafenib in the context of CRC. This modulation of tumourigenic processes is predominantly mediated through the VEGF signalling axis.

Ferroptosis: a new promising target for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixed most common malignant tumor in the world. The study for HCC is mired in the predicament confronted with the difficulty of early diagnosis and high drug resistance, the survival rate of patients with HCC being low. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death, has been discovered in recent years as a cell death means with tremendous potential to fight against cancer. The in-depth researches for iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation and dysregulation of antioxidant defense have brought about tangible progress in the firmament of ferroptosis with more and more results showing close connections between ferroptosis and HCC. The potential role of ferroptosis has been widely used in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and nanotherapy, with the development of various new drugs significantly improving the prognosis of patients. Based on the characteristics and mechanisms of ferroptosis, this article further focuses on the main signaling pathways and promising treatments of HCC, envisioning that existing problems in regard with ferroptosis and HCC could be grappled with in the foreseeable future.