Alterations of cell cycle genes in cancer: unmasking the role of cancer stem cells

Co-delivery of artemisinin and metformin via PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles: potential anti-cancer effect in treatment of lung cancer cells

PURPOSE

Despite the advances in treatment, lung cancer is a global concern and necessitates the development of new treatments. Biguanides like metformin (MET) and artemisinin (ART) have recently been discovered to have anti-cancer properties. As a consequence, in the current study, the anti-cancer effect of MET and ART co-encapsulated in niosomal nanoparticles on lung cancer cells was examined to establish an innovative therapy technique.

METHODS

Niosomal nanoparticles (Nio-NPs) were synthesized by thin-film hydration method, and their physicochemical properties were assessed by FTIR. The morphology of Nio-NPs was evaluated with FE-SEM and AFM. The MTT assay was applied to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of free MET, free ART, their encapsulated form with Nio-NPs, as well as their combination, on A549 cells. Apoptosis assay was utilized to detect the biological processes involved with programmed cell death. The arrest of cell cycle in response to drugs was assessed using a cell cycle assay. Following a 48-h drug treatment, the expression level of hTERT, Cyclin D1, BAX, BCL-2, Caspase 3, and 7 genes were assessed using the qRT-PCR method.

RESULTS

Both MET and ART reduced the survival rate of lung cancer cells in the dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values of pure ART and MET were 195.2 μM and 14.6 mM, respectively while in nano formulated form their IC50 values decreased to 56.7 μM and 78.3 μM, respectively. The combination of MET and ART synergistically decreased the proliferation of lung cancer cells, compared to the single treatments. Importantly, the combination of MET and ART had a higher anti-proliferative impact against A549 lung cancer cells, with lower IC50 values. According to the result of Real-time PCR, hTERT, Cyclin D1, BAX, BCL-2, Caspase 3, and Caspase 7 genes expression were considerably altered in treated with combination of nano formulated MET and ART compared to single therapies.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that the combination of MET and ART encapsulated in Nio-NPs could be useful for the treatment of lung cancer and can increase the efficiency of lung cancer treatment.

Nobiletin Inhibits Breast Cancer Stem Cell by Regulating the Cell Cycle: A Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis and In Vitro Experiments

Inhibiting breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) signaling pathways is a strategic method for successfully treating breast cancer. Nobiletin (NOB) is a compound widely found in orange peel that exhibits a toxic effect on various types of cancer cells, and inhibits the signaling pathways that regulate the properties of BCSCs; however, the effects of NOB on BCSCs remain elusive. The purpose of this study was to determine the target genes of NOB for inhibiting BCSCs using in vitro three-dimensional breast cancer cell culture (mammospheres) and in silico approaches. We combined in vitro experiments to develop mammospheres and conducted cytotoxicity, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses, such as gene ontology, the Reactome pathway enrichment, network topology, gene set enrichment analysis, hub genes selection, genetic alterations, prognostic value related to the mRNA expression, and mRNA and protein expression of potential NOB target genes that inhibit BCSCs. Here, we show that NOB inhibited BCSCs in mammospheres from MCF-7 cells. We also identified CDC6, CHEK1, BRCA1, UCHL5, TOP2A, MTMR4, and EXO1 as potential NOB targets inhibiting BCSCs. NOB decreased G0/G1, but increased the G2/M cell population. These findings showed that NOB is a potential therapeutic candidate for BCSCs treatment by regulating cell cycle.

Construction of a prognostic model based on memory CD4+ T cell-associated genes for lung adenocarcinoma and its applications in immunotherapy

The association between memory CD4+ T cells and cancer prognosis is increasingly recognized, but their impact on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) prognosis remains unclear. In this study, using the cell-type identification by estimating relative subsets of RNA transcripts algorithm, we analyzed immune cell composition and patient survival in LUAD. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis helped identify memory CD4+ T cell-associated gene modules. Combined with module genes, a five-gene LUAD prognostic risk model (HOXB7, MELTF, ABCC2, GNPNAT1, and LDHA) was constructed by regression analysis. The model was validated using the GSE31210 data set. The validation results demonstrated excellent predictive performance of the risk scoring model. Correlation analysis was conducted between the clinical information and risk scores of LUAD samples, revealing that LUAD patients with disease progression exhibited higher risk scores. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate regression analyses demonstrated the model independent prognostic capability. The constructed nomogram results demonstrated that the predictive performance of the nomogram was superior to the prognostic model and outperformed individual clinical factors. Immune landscape assessment was performed to compare different risk score groups. The results revealed a better prognosis in the low-risk group with higher immune infiltration. The low-risk group also showed potential benefits from immunotherapy. Our study proposes a memory CD4+ T cell-associated gene risk model as a reliable prognostic biomarker for personalized treatment in LUAD patients.

Underlying Mechanisms and Treatment of Cellular Senescence-Induced Biological Barrier Interruption and Related Diseases

Given its increasing prevalence, aging is of great concern to researchers worldwide. Cellular senescence is a physiological or pathological cellular state caused by aging and a prominent risk factor for the interruption of the integrity and functionality of human biological barriers. Health barriers play an important role in maintaining microenvironmental homeostasis within the body. The senescence of barrier cells leads to barrier dysfunction and age-related diseases. Cellular senescence has been reported to be a key target for the prevention of age-related barrier diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and preeclampsia. Drugs such as metformin, dasatinib, quercetin, BCL-2 inhibitors, and rapamycin have been shown to intervene in cellular senescence and age-related diseases. In this review, we conclude that cellular senescence is involved in age-related biological barrier impairment. We further outline the cellular pathways and mechanisms underlying barrier impairment caused by cellular senescence and describe age-related barrier diseases associated with senescent cells. Finally, we summarize the currently used anti-senescence pharmacological interventions and discuss their therapeutic potential for preventing age-related barrier diseases.

Panoramic view of key cross-talks underpinning the oral squamous cell carcinoma stemness - unearthing the future opportunities

The clinical management of oral cancer is often frequented with challenges that arise from relapse, recurrence, invasion and resistance towards the cornerstone chemo and radiation therapies. The recent conceptual advancement in oncology has substantiated the role of cancer stem cells (CSC) as a predominant player of these intricacies. CSC are a sub-group of tumor population with inherent adroitness to self-renew with high plasticity. During tumor evolution, the structural and functional reprogramming persuades the cancer cells to acquire stem-cell like properties, thus presenting them with higher survival abilities and treatment resistance. An appraisal on key features that govern the stemness is of prime importance to confront the current challenges encountered in oral cancer. The nurturing niche of CSC for maintaining its stemness characteristics is thought to be modulated by complex multi-layered components encompassing neoplastic cells, extracellular matrix, acellular components, circulatory vessels, various cascading signaling molecules and stromal cells. This review focuses on recapitulating both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that impart the stemness. There are contemplating evidences that demonstrate the role of transcription factors (TF) in sustaining the neoplastic stem cell's pluripotency and plasticity alongside the miRNA in regulation of crucial genes involved in the transformation of normal oral mucosa to malignancy. This review illustrates the interplay between miRNA and various known TF of oral cancer such as c-Myc, SOX, STAT, NANOG and OCT in orchestrating the stemness and resistance features. Further, the cross-talks involved in tumor micro-environment inclusive of cytokines, macrophages, extra cellular matrix, angiogenesis leading pathways and influential factors of hypoxia on tumorigenesis and CSC survival have been elucidated. Finally, external factorial influence of oral microbiome gained due to the dysbiosis is also emphasized. There are growing confirmations of the possible roles of microbiomes in the progression of oral cancer. Given this, an attempt has been made to explore the potential links including EMT and signaling pathways towards resistance and stemness. This review provides a spectrum of understanding on stemness and progression of oral cancers at various regulatory levels along with their current therapeutic knowledge. These mechanisms could be exploited for future research to expand potential treatment strategies.

IL20RB signaling enhances stemness and chemotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality, and cancer cell stemness and related drug resistance are considered important contributors to its poor prognosis. The objective of this study was to identify regulatory targets associated with the maintenance of pancreatic cancer stemness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pancreatic tumor samples were collected from patients at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, followed by immunofluorescence analysis. Pancreatic cancer cell lines with Interleukin-20 receptor subunit beta (IL20RB) overexpression and knockdown were established, and clonal formation, spheroid formation and side population cell analysis were conducted. The effects of IL20RB knockdown on the tumor-forming ability of pancreatic cancer cells and chemotherapy resistance in vivo were explored.

RESULTS

IL20RB expression was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues, and was correlated with unfavorable prognosis. The IL20RB receptor promotes stemness and chemoresistance in both in vitro and in vivo models of pancreatic cancer. Mechanistically, IL20RB enhances the stemness and chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer by promoting STAT3 phosphorylation, an effect that can be counteracted by a STAT3 phosphorylation inhibitors. Additionally, Interleukin-19 derived from the microenvironment is identified as the primary ligand for IL20RB in mediating these effects.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that IL20RB plays a crucial role in promoting stemness in pancreatic cancer. This discovery provides a potential therapeutic target for this lethal disease.

Hedgehog signaling and the glioma-associated oncogene in cancer radioresistance

Tumor radioresistance remains a key clinical challenge. The Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway and glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) are aberrantly activated in several cancers and are thought to contribute to cancer radioresistance by influencing DNA repair, reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis, autophagy, cancer stem cells, the cell cycle, and the tumor microenvironment. GLI is reported to activate the main DNA repair pathways, to interact with cell cycle regulators like Cyclin D and Cyclin E, to inhibit apoptosis via the activation of B-cell lymphoma-2, Forkhead Box M1, and the MYC proto-oncogene, to upregulate cell stemness related genes (Nanog, POU class 5 homeobox 1, SRY-box transcription factor 2, and the BMI1 proto-oncogene), and to promote cancer stem cell transformation. The inactivation of Patched, the receptor of HH, prevents caspase-mediated apoptosis. This causes some cancer cells to survive while others become cancer stem cells, resulting in cancer recurrence. Combination treatment using HH inhibitors (including GLI inhibitors) and conventional therapies may enhance treatment efficacy. However, the clinical use of HH signaling inhibitors is associated with toxic side effects and drug resistance. Nevertheless, selective HH agonists, which may relieve the adverse effects of inhibitors, have been developed in mouse models. Combination therapy with other pathway inhibitors or immunotherapy may effectively overcome resistance to HH inhibitors. A comprehensive cancer radiotherapy with HH or GLI inhibitor is more likely to enhance cancer treatment efficacy while further studies are still needed to overcome its adverse effects and drug resistance.

HDAC9/p300/F-actin immunoexpression and migration analysis for malignant melanoma stem cell

Melanoma is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis that worsens in the metastatic phase. Distruptions of epigenetic mechanisms is known to effect cancer stem cells (CSCs) activity. Malignant melanoma (MM) progression may be promoted by changes in the genetic structure of CSC. Thus, treatments that target epigenetic modifications could be a promising weapon, especially in melanoma. Here, we compared p300, HDAC9, and F-actin proteins in melanoma CSCs (CD133+), non-CSCs (CD133-) and CHL-1 cell line, as well as cell migration and division rates. At 4 and 6 h, P300 protein levels in CHL-1 and CD133 + were remarkably similar, and the CD133- showed increases in expression levels as the incubation period lengthened. HDAC9 protein intensity decreased in CHL-1, increased in the CD133-, and remained relatively unchanged in the CD133+ as the incubation period lengthened. The mean value of F-actin expression level increased in all cell group with time, when the highest increase observed in CHL-1. In conclusion, our studies contribute to the management of metastatic diseases in the future and offer new insight into the molecular basis of the initiation and progression of MM.

Microbiota-Derived Natural Products Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Inside the Gut Pharma Factory

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have drawn much attention as important tumour-initiating cells that may also be crucial for recurrence after chemotherapy. Although the activity of CSCs in various forms of cancer is complex and yet to be fully elucidated, opportunities for therapies targeting CSCs exist. CSCs are molecularly distinct from bulk tumour cells, so they can be targeted by exploiting their signature molecular pathways. Inhibiting stemness has the potential to reduce the risk posed by CSCs by limiting or eliminating their capacity for tumorigenesis, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence. Here, we briefly described the role of CSCs in tumour biology, the mechanisms involved in CSC therapy resistance, and the role of the gut microbiota in cancer development and treatment, to then review and discuss the current advances in the discovery of microbiota-derived natural compounds targeting CSCs. Collectively, our overview suggests that dietary intervention, toward the production of those identified microbial metabolites capable of suppressing CSC properties, is a promising approach to support standard chemotherapy.

Deciphering the Immunomodulatory Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitors in the Tumor Microenvironment

Cancer is characterized by persistent cell proliferation driven by aberrant cell cycle regulation and stimulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). A very intriguing and potential approach for the development of antitumor medicines is the suppression of CDKs that lead to induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The shift of the cell cycle from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase, which is characterized by active transcription and synthesis, depends on the development of the cyclin D-CDK4/6 complex. A precise balance between anticancer activity and general toxicity is demonstrated by CDK inhibitors, which can specifically block CDK4/6 and control the cell cycle by reducing the G1 to S phase transition. CDK4/6 inhibitors have recently been reported to exhibit significant cell growth inhibition via modulating the tumour microenvironment in cancerous cells. One significant new understanding is that these inhibitors serve important functions in the interaction among tumour cells and the host immune system in addition to being cytostatic. Herein, we discuss the biological significance of CDK4/6 inhibitors in cancer therapeutics, as well as their biological impact on T cells and other important immune cells. Furthermore, we explore the integration of preclinical findings of these pharmaceuticals' ability to enhance antitumor immunity.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate pancreatic cancer stem cell formation, stemness and chemoresistance: A brief overview

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers worldwide due to the resistances to conventional therapies and early metastasis. Recent research has shown that cancer stem cell populations modulate invasiveness, recurrence, and drug resistance in various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer stem cells (PaCSCs) are characterized by their high plasticity and self-renewal capacities that endow them with unique metabolic, metastatic, and chemoresistant properties. Understanding the exact molecular and signaling mechanisms that underlay malignant processes in PaCSCs is instrumental for developing novel therapeutic modalities that overcome the limitations of current therapeutic regimens. In this paper, we provide an updated review of the latest research in the field and summarize the current knowledge of PaCSCs characteristics, cellular metabolism, stemness, and drug resistance. We explore how the crosstalk between the TME and PaCSCs influences stemness. We also highlight some of the key signalling pathways involved in PaCSCs stemness and drug evasion. The aim of this review is to explore how PaCSCs develop, maintain their properties, and drive tumor relapse in PC. The last section explores some of the latest therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting PaCSCs.

Downregulation of zinc finger protein 71 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues and its underlying molecular mechanism

BACKGROUND

Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have poor prognoses due to a limited understanding of the pathogenesis of OSCC. Zinc finger protein (ZNF) is the largest transcription factor family in the human genome and exert diverse and important functions. Nevertheless, the exact expression status and molecular mechanism of ZNF71 have not been described in OSCC. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the specific expression level of ZNF71 in OSCC tissues and to further interpret the potential molecular mechanism of ZNF71 in the pathogenesis of OSCC.

METHODS

In-house immunohistochemical staining of 116 OSCC samples and 29 non-OSCC samples was employed to detect the expression status of ZNF71 at the protein level of OSCC tissues. Single-cell RNA sequencing data from 7 OSCC samples was used to explore the expression landscape of ZNF71 in different cell types from OSCC tissues. High-throughput RNA sequencing data and gene chips data from 893 OSCC samples and 301 non-OSCC samples were utilized to identify the specific expression level of ZNF71 at the bulk mRNA level of OSCC tissues. Here, standardized mean difference (SMD) value was applied to calculate the expression differences between OSCC group and non-OSCC group. Multiple datasets were included; hence, the results were considered to be more reliable. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the stability of the results. Enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were used to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of ZNF71 in OSCC.

RESULTS

ZNF71 was significantly downregulated in OSCC tissues at the protein level (SMD = -1.96, 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI]: -2.43 to -1.50). ZNF71 was absent in various cell types from OSCC tissues including cancerous epithelial cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. ZNF71 was downregulated in OSCC tissues at the bulk mRNA level (SMD = -0.38, 95 % CI: -0.75 to -0.02). Enrichment analysis showed that positively and differentially co-expressed genes mainly concentrated on "herpes simplex virus 1 infection" and "regulation of plasma membrane bounded cell projection organization", and negatively and differentially co-expressed genes mainly participated in "cell cycle" and "DNA metabolic process". Moreover, the putative target genes of ZNF71 mainly participated in "cellular respiration" and "protein catabolic process". Finally, immune infiltration analysis revealed that ZNF71 expression was positively correlated with multiple immune cells including activated B cells, memory B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells, and negatively correlated with various immune cells, including CD56 bright NK cells, neutrophil, and immature dendritic cells.

CONCLUSION

The downregulation of ZNF71 may influence the initiation and promotion of OSCC by reducing immune infiltration, accelerating cell cycle progression, and affecting metabolic process, and this requires further research.

Assessing Putative Markers of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells: From Colonoscopy to Gene Expression Profiling

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to be involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation, growth, and metastasis. The aim of our pilot study was to assess possible correlations between the clinicopathological characteristics of CRC patients and CSCs gene expression patterns, in order to provide insight into new methods for patient stratification and targeted therapeutic strategies. Our study involved 60 CRC patients, and the following three specific CSC genes were targeted: PROM1/CD133, ALCAM/CD166 and HCAM /CD44. Data are presented as relative mRNA expression of target genes to GAPDH. The expression of total CD133 and CD166 was assessed in paired samples of CRC tumors and adjacent tissue, while CD44 was assessed in similar samples. The qRT-PCR analysis detected all three targeted genes to different extents, in both normal and tumor tissue. In nine cases (15.69%), total CD133 had a higher expression in tumor tissue, whilst in 28 cases (47.06%) the expression was higher in non-malignant peritumor tissue. The total CD166 expression was increased in tumor tissue compared with paired non-invaded peritumor samples in eight cases (13.73%), whilst in eight cases (13.73%) the expression was higher in non-malignant peritumor tissue. Total CD44 expression was higher in tumor tissue compared with paired non-invaded peritumor samples in 47 cases (78.95%). In the remaining cases the difference between paired samples was biologically insignificant. In conclusion, our study suggests that qRT-PCR is feasible in assessing the gene expression profiles of CSCs from CRC, and a promising pathway to be followed for determining how often a person needs screening by colonoscopy and at which age to start. This could improve CRC diagnosis and early patient stratification, and open the way for new oncologic treatment development.

Mechanistic toxicity assessment of differently sized and charged polystyrene nanoparticles based on human placental cells

Nanoplastics, as emerging contaminants, may be degraded from microplastics and released into aquatic systems globally, which pose threats to human health via ingestion with food or water. Although plastic fragments have been isolated from placental tissues in pregnant women, little is known about the direct toxicity of nanoplastics on human placental cells that plays a critical role in maintaining healthy growth of fetus. This study explored the mechanistic toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) with different sizes (25, 50, 100 and 500 nm) and surface charges (-NH₂, -COOH and unlabeled) on human placental cells. Results showed that PS-NPs had size- and surface charge-specific toxicity pattern. The smaller the PS-NP size was, the greater the toxicity induced on human placental cells. In terms of surface charges, NH₂-labeled PS-NPs caused greater effects on cytotoxicity, inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) activity, oxidative stress, and cell cycle arrest compared to COOH-labeled and unmodified PS-NPs. PS-NPs also induced size- and surface charge-dependent expression profiles of genes involved in various and interrelated toxicity pathways. In particular, PS-NPs increased intracellular reactive oxygen species in human placental cells, which can induce DNA damage and lead to cell cycle arrest in G1or G2 phase, inflammation and apoptosis. Our findings provide empirical evidences that the negative effects of nanoplastics on human placental cells, and highlight the necessity to conduct risk assessment of nanoplastics on female reproduction and fetal development.

Potential Methods of Targeting Cellular Aging Hallmarks to Reverse Osteoarthritic Phenotype of Chondrocytes

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease that causes pain, physical disability, and life quality impairment. The pathophysiology of OA remains largely unclear, and currently no FDA-approved disease-modifying OA drugs (DMOADs) are available. As has been acknowledged, aging is the primary independent risk factor for OA, but the mechanisms underlying such a connection are not fully understood. In this review, we first revisit the changes in OA chondrocytes from the perspective of cellular hallmarks of aging. It is concluded that OA chondrocytes share many alterations similar to cellular aging. Next, based on the findings from studies on other cell types and diseases, we propose methods that can potentially reverse osteoarthritic phenotype of chondrocytes back to a healthier state. Lastly, current challenges and future perspectives are summarized.

Targeting protein kinases in cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of cancer cells within the tumor bulk that have emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence has shown the critical involvement of protein kinase signaling pathways in driving tumor development, cancer relapse, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Given that protein kinases are druggable targets for cancer therapy, tremendous efforts are being made to target CSCs with kinase inhibitors. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge and overview of the roles of protein kinases in various signaling pathways in CSC regulation and drug resistance. Furthermore, we provide an update on the preclinical and clinical studies for the use of kinase inhibitors alone or in combination with current therapies for effective cancer therapy. Despite great premises for the use of kinase inhibitors against CSCs, further investigations are needed to evaluate their efficiencies without any adverse effects on normal stem cells.

Spheroid culture models adequately imitate distinctive features of the renal cancer or melanoma microenvironment

Tumor development studies should adapt to cancer cells' specific mechanisms in connection with their microenvironment. Standard two-dimensional cultures and gas composition are not relevant to the real cancer environment. Existing three-dimensional models are often requiring sophisticated conditions. Here, we propose and characterize, in two cancer models, melanoma (B16F10) and kidney cancer (RenCa), a three-dimensional culture method, reporting the presence of hypoxia-related genes/proteins and aggressiveness mechanisms (epithelial mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells). We validate the designed three-dimensional method by comparing it with in vivo growing tumors. The developed method brings simplicity and data reproducibility. Melanoma spheroid-growing cells reached a cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and showed induction of hypoxia. Spheroid-recovered RenCa cells were enriched in proliferating cells and displayed delayed hypoxia. Moreover, the responses to hypoxia observed in spheroids were validated by in vivo tumor studies for both lines. Three-dimensional shapes induced cancer stem cells in renal cancer, whereas epithelial to mesenchymal transition occurred in the melanoma model. Such distinction in the use of different aggressiveness-leading pathways was observed in in vivo melanoma vs kidney tumors. Thus, this 3D culture model approach is adequate to uncover crucial molecular pathways using distinct mechanisms to reach aggressiveness; i.e., B16F10 cells perform epithelial to mesenchymal transition while RenCa cells dedifferentiate into cancer stem cells. Such three-dimensional models help mimic the in vivo tumor features, i.e., hypoxia and aggressiveness mechanisms as validated here by next-generation sequencing analysis, and are proposed for further alternative methods to in vivo studies.

Polyacetylenes from Codonopsis lanceolata Root Induced Apoptosis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells and Improved Lung Dysbiosis

Codonopsis lanceolata is a perennial smelly herbaceous plant and widely employed for the treatment of various lung cancer and inflammation. However, the anticancer substances in C. lanceolata and their underlying mechanisms had not been well clarified. In this study, six compounds were obtained from the water extracts of C. lanceolata polyacetylenes (CLP) and then identified as syringin, codonopilodiynoside A, lobetyol, isolariciresinol, lobetyolin, and atractylenolide III. Treatment with CLP remarkably suppressed the cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells. Synergistic effects of lobetyolin and lobetyol were equivalent to the antiproliferative activities of CLP, while other compounds did not have any inhibition on the viabilities of A549 cells. CLP also reduced the expression of Ras, PI3K, p-AKT, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, and CDK4 but increased the expression of Bax, GSK-3β, clv-caspase-3, and clv-caspase-9, which could be reversed by the PI3K activator 740YP. Furthermore, CLP retarded the growths of tumor and lung pathogenic bacteria in mice. It demonstrated that lobetyolin and lobetyol were the main antitumor compounds in C. lanceolata. CLP induced cell apoptosis of lung cancer cells via inactivation of the Ras/PI3K/AKT pathway and ameliorated lung dysbiosis, suggesting the therapeutic potentials for treating human lung cancer.

Targeting Jab1 using hesperidin (dietary phytocompound) for inducing apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells

Plant flavonoids have been emerged as a potent anticancerous agent by exhibiting significant growth inhibitory potential and apoptotic induction in several carcinomas via targeting several oncoproteins. However, inverse association of hesperidin with Jab1 oncoprotein in cervical cancer has rarely been reported. Thus, we have intended our research study towards establishing this unexplored inverse correlation of hesperidin with Jab1 which could further prevent cervical cancer progression. Our research findings clearly demonstrated that hesperidin treatment resulted in Jab1 gene down-regulation and p27 up-regulation in a dose-dependent manner in HeLa cancer cells. These gene modulations might occur via excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and caspase-3 activation which further resulted in apoptotic induction. Increase in apoptotic cells was confirmed through Hoechst staining and cell cycle analysis. Thus, these results strongly suggested that Jab1 is a potent therapeutic target of hesperidin to suppress cell growth and trigger apoptosis in HeLa cells. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Dietary flavonoids play a crucial role in the management of numerous malignancies via targeting several mutated oncogenes. Our study strongly exhibited that hesperidin treatment suppressed the HeLa cancer cell proliferation via increased ROS generation and reduced Jab1 mRNA expression. Thus, the inference of Jab1-mediated intracellular signals by hesperidin might be a novel approach to control cervical cancer.

The Transcriptional Co-factor IRF2BP2: A New Player in Tumor Development and Microenvironment

Interferon regulatory factor 2-binding protein 2 (IRF2BP2) encodes a member of the IRF2BP family of transcriptional regulators, which includes IRF2BP1, IRF2BP2, and IRF2BPL (EAP1). IRF2BP2 was initially identified as a transcriptional corepressor that was dependent on Interferon regulatory factor-2 (IRF-2). The IRF2BP2 protein is found in different organisms and has been described as ubiquitously expressed in normal and tumor cells and tissues, indicating a possible role for this transcriptional cofactor in different cell signaling pathways. Recent data suggest the involvement of IRF2BP2 in the regulation of several cellular functions, such as the cell cycle, cell death, angiogenesis, inflammation and immune response, thereby contributing to physiological cell homeostasis. However, an imbalance in IRF2BP2 function may be related to the pathophysiology of cancer. Some studies have shown the association of IRF2BP2 expression in hematopoietic and solid tumors through mechanisms based on gene fusion and point mutations in gene coding sequences, and although the biological functions of these types of hybrid and mutant proteins are not yet known, they are thought to be involved in an increase in the likelihood of tumor development. In this review, we address the possible involvement of IRF2BP2 in tumorigenesis through its regulation of important pathways involved in tumor development.

New Perspectives in Different Gene Expression Profiles for Early and Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stem Cells

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, causing over 1.7 million deaths in 2018. Thus far, no effective treatments against lung cancer for advanced stages have been found. For early stages, although surgery is considered the gold standard treatment, 30-55% of patients develop recurrence within the first 5 years of surgery. Our aim is to assess whether cancer stem cells (CSC) display overexpression of a pool of genes that were previously identified for adenocarcinoma recurrence in patients with early and locally advanced stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out by harvesting surgical tumor specimens obtained from patients harboring early (I-II) and locally advanced (IIIA) stages of NSCLC. For each patient, cell sorting was performed to identify and isolate the ALDHhigh (CSC) and ALDHlow (cancer cells) populations. The mRNA expressions of 31 recurrence-related genes (target genes) in both ALDHhigh and ALDHlow populations were then assessed and compared.

RESULTS

Surgical specimens were obtained from 22 patients harboring NSCLC. Sixteen (51.6%) out of 31 recurrence-related genes were significantly overexpressed in ALDHhigh cells in the early stages and 9 (29.0%) were overexpressed in the locally advanced stages of NSCLC. Overall, the relative mRNA expressions for these recurrence-related genes were higher in early-stage patients. The average fold change, considering all 31 recurrence-related genes together, was 4.5 (95% CI = 3.1-6.3) in early-stage patients and 1.6 (95% CI = 1.2-2.2) in locally advanced-stage patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study represents the first attempt toward identifying genes associated with recurrence that are overexpressed in cancer stem cells in patients with early and locally advanced stages of NSCLC. This finding may contribute to the identification of new target therapies tailored for NSCLC stages.

Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Salivary Glands

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are cells that exhibit stem cell properties and are pivotal in tumor biology. CSC markers have been described for many tumorous entities. However, to this date, there is no data on CSC markers in respect to squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the salivary glands.

METHODS

Histologic samples from patients with salivary gland SCCs were stained for CSC markers (ALDH-1/BMI-1/SOX-2/CD-44/vimentin) and divided into high and low expression subgroups. These were then correlated with tumor and patient characteristics as well as overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival, recurrence-free survival and local control rates (LCR) after 3 and 5 years.

RESULTS

Overall, 31 samples were included. CD-44 and ALDH-1 expression were associated with tumor origin (metastatic/primary disease, p = 0.048 and p = 0.011, respectively). Strong BMI-1 expression was associated with poorer OS (62.9 vs. 27.3%, p = 0.029), strong SOX-2 expression was associated with poorer LCR (62.5 vs. 21.9%, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

CD-44 and ALDH-1 may be useful in differentiating between primary SCCs and metastatic disease. BMI-1 and SOX-2 are correlated with poorer prognosis.

Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) Inhibitors in Oncology-A Promise for a Better Therapeutic Outcome: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of cancer cells endowed with self-renewal, tumorigenicity, pluripotency, chemoresistance, differentiation, invasive ability, and plasticity, reside in specialized tumor niches and are responsible for tumor maintenance, metastasis, therapy resistance, and tumor relapse. The new-age "hierarchical or CSC" model of tumor heterogeneity is based on the concept of eradicating CSCs to prevent tumor relapse and therapy resistance. Small-molecular entities and biologics acting on various stemness signaling pathways, surface markers, efflux transporters, or components of complex tumor microenvironment are under intense investigation as potential anti-CSC agents. In addition, smart nanotherapeutic tools have proved their utility in achieving CSC targeting. Several CSC inhibitors in clinical development have shown promise, either as mono- or combination therapy, in refractory and difficult-to-treat cancers. Clinical investigations with CSC marker follow-up as a measure of clinical efficacy are needed to turn the "hype" into the "hope" these new-age oncology therapeutics have to offer.

Role of PTHrP nuclear localization and carboxyl terminus sequences in postnatal spinal cord development

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) acts under physiological conditions to regulate normal development of several tissues and organs. The role of PTHrP in spinal cord development has not been characterized. Pthrp knock in (Pthrp KI) mice were genetically modified to produce PTHrP in which there is a deficiency of the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and C-terminus. Using this genetically modified mouse model, we have characterized its effect on spinal cord development early postnatally. The spinal cords from Pthrp KI mice displayed a significant reduction in its length, weight, and cross-sectional area compared to wild-type controls. Histologically, there was a decreased development of neurons and glial cells that caused decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. The neural stem cells (NSCs) cultures also revealed decreased cell proliferation and differentiation and increased apoptosis. The proposed mechanism of delayed spinal cord development in Pthrp KI mice may be due to alteration in associated pathways in regulation of cell-division cycles and apoptosis. There was significant downregulation of Bmi-1 and upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27, p21, and p16 in Pthrp KI animals. We conclude that NLS and C-terminus peptide segments of PTHrP play an important role in inhibiting cell apoptosis and stimulation of cellular proliferation necessary for normal spinal cord development.

The Role of EBV-Induced Hypermethylation in Gastric Cancer Tumorigenesis

Epstein–Barr-virus-associated Gastric Cancer (EBVaGC) comprises approximately 10% of global gastric cancers and is known to be the most hypermethylated of all tumor types. EBV infection has been shown to directly induce the hypermethylation of both the host and viral genome following initial infection of gastric epithelial cells. Many studies have been completed in an attempt to identify genes that frequently become hypermethylated and therefore significant pathways that become silenced to promote tumorigenesis. It is clear that EBV-induced hypermethylation silences key tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle genes and cellular differentiation factors to promote a highly proliferative and poorly differentiated cell population. EBV infection has been shown to induce methylation in additional malignancies including Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Burkitt’s Lymphoma though not to the same level as in EBVaGC. Lastly, some genes silenced in EBVaGC are common to other heavily methylated tumors such as colorectal and breast tumors; however, some genes are unique to EBVaGC and can provide insights into the major pathways involved in tumorigenesis.

Emerging role of RNA methyltransferase METTL3 in gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer, the most common solid tumor, has a poor prognosis. With the development of high-throughput sequencing and detection technology, recent studies have suggested that many chemical modifications of human RNA are involved in the development of human diseases, including cancer. m⁶A, the most abundant modification, was revealed to participate in a series of aspects of cancer progression. Recent evidence has shown that methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), the first identified and a critical methyltransferase, catalyzes m⁶A methylation on mRNA or non-coding RNA in mammals, affecting RNA metabolism. Abnormal m⁶A levels caused by METTL3 have been reported to be involved in different aspects of cancer development, including proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. In this review, we will shed light on recent findings regarding the biological function of METTL3 in gastrointestinal cancer and discuss future research directions and potential clinical applications of METTL3 for gastrointestinal cancer.