Ki67 targeted strategies for cancer therapy

Immunohistochemical Investigation of the Proliferative Activity of Odontogenic Cysts and Tumors

Odontogenic cysts and tumors exhibit a broad spectrum of biological characteristics. Despite recent advances in understanding the complex nature of these lesions, relatively less is known about the molecular markers involved in key pathogenic steps, such as proliferation and differentiation. This study aimed to elucidate the expression patterns of p63 and Ki-67 in odontogenic lesions, which may influence the management strategies. Forty-two specimens from the archives of the Histopathology Laboratory, including conventional ameloblastoma, unicystic ameloblastoma, odontogenic keratocysts, dentigerous cysts, and orthokeratinized cysts, were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against p63 and Ki-67. Digital image analysis was performed using an Aperio slide scanner and QuPath software. Ki-67 levels were higher in odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), indicating a greater proliferative index, whereas p63 expression was significantly higher in ameloblastomas and OKCs than in dentigerous cysts. No significant difference in p63 expression was observed between the ameloblastoma types. The results revealed variable Ki-67 and p63 expression in the odontogenic epithelium of the investigated odontogenic lesions, suggesting their potential roles in the biological behavior and aggressiveness of these lesions. This study highlights the differential expression pattern of Ki-67 and p63 and their potential involvement in the pathogenesis of these rare lesions. In addition, the study reinforces the need for more comprehensive molecular analyses using a larger sample. The results contribute to a better understanding of the complex nature of these lesions, which may facilitate improving the management options of odontogenic cysts and tumors.

Network pharmacology, molecular docking and biological verification to explore the potential anti-prostate cancer mechanisms of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TW) is extensively utilized in clinical practice for its effective anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to elucidate the processes of TW in combating prostate cancer through a comprehensive strategy that integrates network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular biology validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A drug-target network and protein-protein interaction network were constructed established to predict the potential targets of TW for prostate cancer treatment. The interaction between active components and targets was confirmed using molecular docking. Moreover, prostate cancer cells were used to examine the anti-tumor effects of active ingredients in vitro. The xenograft animal model was constructed to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of triptonoterpene in vivo.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine active components interact with 226 corresponding targets, and 112 disease targets specifically related with prostate cancer were identified. The primary targets (AKT1, TP53, RELA) were chosen, and kaempferol, triptolide, and triptonoterpene exhibited probable binding affinity with these targets, respectively. Triptonoterpene was subsequently confirmed to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study demonstrated that TW may serve as a viable therapeutic agent for prostate cancer. Triptonoterpene is a specific inhibitor of p-AKT1 and p65, making it an attractive contender for prostate cancer therapy.

Predictive value of enhanced CT and pathological indicators in lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer based on GEE model

OBJECTIVES

A predictive model was developed based on enhanced computed tomography (CT), laboratory test results, and pathological indicators to achieve the convenient and effective prediction of single lymph node metastasis (LNM) in gastric cancer.

METHODS

Sixty-six consecutive patients (235 regional lymph nodes) with pathologically confirmed gastric cancer who underwent surgery at our hospital between December 2020 and November 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. They were randomly allocated to training (n = 38, number of lymph nodes = 119) and validation (n = 28, number of lymph nodes = 116) datasets. The clinical data, laboratory test results, enhanced CT characteristics, and pathological indicators from gastroscopy-guided needle biopsies were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression with generalised estimation equations (GEEs) was used to develop a predictive model for LNM in gastric cancer. The predictive performance of the model developed using the training and validation datasets was validated using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

Lymph node enhancement pattern, Ki67 level, and lymph node long-axis diameter were independent predictors of LNM in gastric cancer (p < 0.01). The GEE-logistic model was associated with LNM (p = 0.001). The area under the curve and accuracy of the model, with 95% confidence intervals, were 0.944 (0.890-0.998) and 0.897 (0.813-0.952), respectively, in the training dataset and 0.836 (0.751-0.921) and 0.798 (0.699-0.876), respectively, in the validation dataset.

CONCLUSION

The predictive model constructed based on lymph node enhancement pattern, Ki67 level, and lymph node long-axis diameter exhibited good performance in predicting LNM in gastric cancer and should aid the lymph node staging of gastric cancer and clinical decision-making.

An insight into the molecular mechanisms of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) mediated dysregulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis in Heteropneustes fossilis

The study emphasises how ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are and how terrible they are for the environment, specifically because of their tendency to build up in living things and cause a variety of health problems, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders. Due to POPs affinity for lipid-rich tissues, they accumulate in a variety of organs, where they cause metabolic disruption and initiate various anabolic pathways. Studies that use fish as a model organism clarify the metabolic effects of POPs, demonstrating non-adipose lipid accumulation and abnormal glucose homeostasis. Further research on molecular mechanisms shows that POPs interact with gluconeogenic enzymes, causing blood glucose levels to rise. These results are supported by histological and biochemical examinations of fish exposed to POPs, which show changes in lipid composition and cause cellular damage. Molecular docking computational studies demonstrate POPs propensity for binding to gluconeogenic enzymes, providing insight into their potential to promote hyperglycaemia. This study provides a thorough summary of POPs harmful effects on organisms, highlighting their molecular and toxicological, impacts while arguing for better knowledge of their toxicity to vertebrates' developing embryos.

Electrospun robust, biodegradable, bioactive, and nanostructured sutures to accelerate the chronic wound healing

The design and development of advanced surgical sutures with appropriate structure and abundant bio-functions are urgently required for the chronic wound closure and treatment. In this study, an integrated technique routine combining modified electrospinning with hot stretching process was proposed and implemented to fabricate poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofiber sutures, and the Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge-Radix Puerariae herbal compound (SRHC) was encapsulated into PLLA nanofibers during the electrospinning process to enrich the biofunction of as-generated sutures. All the PLLA sutures loading without or with SRHC were found to exhibit bead-free and highly-aligned nanofiber structure. The addition of SRHC was found to have no significant influences on the fiber morphology, diameter, and the crystallinity of as-prepared PLLA sutures. Importantly, all the SRHC-contained PLLA nanofiber sutures possessed excellent tensile and knot strength, which were of significant importance for the surgical suture applications. Besides, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of these sutures obviously enhanced with the increasing of SRHC concentration. Furthermore, thein vitrocell tests illustrated that the high fiber orientation of the sutures was able to efficiently induce the human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) to migrate in a rapid manner, and the sutures loaded with high content of SRHC could significantly promote the attachment and proliferation of HDFs in comparison. Thein vivodiabetic mouse model experiments revealed that all the as-developed PLLA sutures could effectively close the wound, but the PLLA sutures containing high content of SRHC could dramatically promote the wound healing with high quality by shortening the healing time, improving the collagen deposition, neovascularization, and the regeneration of hair follicles, especially compared with commercial polyester (PET) suture. This study offers a simple and easily-handling strategy to develop robust, biodegradable, bioactive, and nanostructured PLLA sutures, which shows huge potential for the treatment of hard-to-heal diabetic wounds.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of surgical resection for brain metastases from lung adenocarcinoma

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics, survival time and prognostic factors of patients undergoing craniotomy for brain metastases (BM) from lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

A total of 208 patients with BM from LUAD who underwent craniotomy at the Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan province, China from March 2005 to October 2022 were included in this retrospective study. All patients were confirmed as BM of LUAD by histopathology. The clinical data included patient gender, age, occupation, family history of tumor, smoking history, alcohol drinking history, neurological symptoms, history of lung cancer treatment, tumor location, tumor number, tumor size, gene status, expression of S-100, CEA, Ki67, and PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry, KPS after craniotomy, whether tumor therapy was continued after craniotomy, and survival time. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients undergoing craniotomy for LUAD BM.

Results

A total of 208 patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 110 males (52.9%) and 98 females (47.1%), with an average age of 61.4 years. 203 patients (97.6%) had neurological symptoms. 84 patients (40.4%) had smoking history, 89 patients (42.8%) had alcohol drinking history, and 31 patients (14.9%) had the family history of tumor. Only 5 patients (2.4%) had received lung cancer treatment before craniotomy. The intracranial location of BM was mostly in the frontal lobe (54, 26.0%) and the metastatic sites were mostly single (117, 56.3%); the metastatic tumor size was mostly between 2-5 cm (141, 67.8%). Genetically, 43.3% patients (90 cases) had EGFR mutations, and immunohistochemical analysis showed that most patients were PD-L1 positive (160, 76.9%) and Ki67 > 30% (137, 65.9%). Most patients (145, 69.7%) had KPS score under 80 after craniotomy. Only 72 patients (34.7%) received continued tumor therapy after craniotomy. 190 patients (91.3%) were successfully followed up. The median survival time was 11.5 months, and the 3-year survival rate was 15.7%. Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking history, Ki67 percentage, KPS after craniotomy, and molecular targeted therapy after craniotomy were independent factors affecting the survival time of patients.

Conclusions

Although survival remains poor, patients who had no-smoking history, Ki67 percentage ≤30%, KPS≥80 after craniotomy, and molecular targeted therapy after craniotomy can improve the prognosis and prolong the survival time.

Prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer using an ultrasonic feature- and clinical data-based model

The involvement of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) is a critical prognostic factor affecting patient management and outcomes in breast cancer (BC). This study aims to comprehensively analyze the clinical data of BC patients, evaluate ultrasonic signs of ALNs, and explore the implications of a prediction model for ALN metastasis (ALNM) in early-stage BC patients based on ultrasonic features and clinical data. This study retrospectively analyzed ultrasonic features and clinical data from 216 patients diagnosed with unilateral invasive BC. The dataset was divided into a training (n = 162) and a validation set (n = 54) in a 3:1 ratio. Patients were then assigned into metastasis and non-metastasis groups depending on ALNM determined by pathological findings. Univariate analysis of various indicators followed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed on the training set. A prediction model for ALNM in BC was established using binary logistic regression analysis, with its prediction performance evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC), and its reproducibility verified by the validation set. The pathological findings identified 57 (35.2%) cases of ALNM among 162 BC patients in the training set. Risk factors for ALNM included poorly differentiated type, high Ki-67 expression, lymph node (LN) aspect ratio ≥2, LN cortical thickness ≥1/2 of lymphatic hilum diameter, and mixed or peripheral LN blood flow. Protective factors included mass location in the outer upper quadrant and LN size >1 cm. A prediction model was established based on risk factors, with the equation being Logit (P) = -4.881 - 1.285 * differentiation degree + 1.485 * Ki-67 - 1.090 * lump quadrant - 0.956 * lymph node size + 1.244 * lymph aspect ratio + 1.032 * LN cortical thickness + 1.454 * LN medullary disappearance + 1.266 * LN blood flow. ROC analysis of the model yielded an AUC of 0.866, with a sensitivity of 80.7% and a specificity of 80.0%. The prediction model was validated using the validation set, producing an AUC of 0.809. These results demonstrate that color Doppler ultrasound effectively evaluates ALN status in BC patients. The prediction model for ALNM in BC shows strong accuracy and has potential clinical application.

Preparation of photo-controlled release ROS-responsive Ce6/elemene co-loaded liposomes and study on the effect on enhancing apoptosis of NMIBC

At present, chemotherapy combined with photodynamic therapy is exerting satisfactory therapeutic effects in the treatment of tumors. Chlorin e6 (Ce6) is a photosensitizer with high efficiency and low dark toxicity. At the same time, elemene (ELE) contains high-efficiency and low-toxicity anti-cancer active ingredients, which can effectively penetrate tumor tissue and inhibit its recovery and proliferation. Due to the poor water solubility of these two drugs, we prepared ELE/Ce6 co-loaded liposomes (Lipo-ELE/Ce6) to improve their water solubility, thereby enhancing the anti-tumor effect. The characterization of Lipo-ELE/Ce6 showed that Lipo-ELE/Ce6 had suitable encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, polydispersity (PDI), zeta potential, and good photo-controlled release properties. In vitro, Lipo-ELE/Ce6 effectively inhibited the growth of T24 cells and induced apoptosis, and more importantly, in vivo experiments showed that Lipo-ELE/Ce6 had significant anti-tumor effects, which was significantly better than free drugs. The above results suggest that Lipo-ELE/Ce6 can significantly enhance the induction of apoptosis of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) by light-controlled release and ROS response.

Head-to-head: Should Ki67 proliferation index be included in the formal classification of pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms?

The reporting of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) according to the 2021 World Health Organisation (WHO) is based on mitotic count per 2 mm2, necrosis assessment and a constellation of cytological and immunohistochemical details. Accordingly, typical carcinoid and atypical carcinoid are low- to intermediate-grade neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), while large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and small-cell lung carcinoma are high-grade NECs. In small-sized diagnostic material (cytology and biopsy), the noncommittal term of carcinoid tumour/NET not otherwise specified (NOS) and metastatic carcinoid NOS have been introduced with regard to primary and metastatic diagnostic settings, respectively. Ki-67 antigen, a well-known marker of cell proliferation, has been included in the WHO classification as a non-essential but desirable criterion, especially to distinguish NETs from high-grade NECs and to delineate the provisional category of carcinoid tumours/NETs with elevated mitotic counts (> 10 mitoses per mm2) and/or Ki-67 proliferation index (≥ 30%). However, a wider use of this marker in the spectrum of lung NENs continues to be highly reported and debated, thus witnessing a never-subsided attention. Therefore, the arguments for and against incorporating Ki-67 in the classification and clinical practice of these neoplasms are discussed herein in detail.

Bismuth-based mesoporous nanoball carrying sorafenib for synergistic photothermal and molecularly-targeted therapy in an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft mouse model

Sorafenib (SOR), a multi-kinase inhibitor for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has limited clinical application due to severe side effects and drug resistance. To overcome these challenges, we developed a bismuth-based nanomaterial (BOS) for thermal injury-assisted continuous targeted therapy in HCC. Initially, the mesoporous nanomaterial was loaded with SOR, forming the BOS@SOR nano-carrier system for drug delivery and controlled release. Notably, compared to targeted or photothermal therapy alone, the combination therapy using this nano-carrier system significantly impaired cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. In vivo efficacy evaluations demonstrated that BOS@SOR exhibited excellent biocompatibility, confirmed through hemolysis and biochemical analyses. Additionally, BOS@SOR enhanced contrast in computed tomography, aiding in the precise identification of HCC size and location. The photothermal therapeutic properties of bismuth further contributed to the synergistic anti-tumor activity of BOS@SOR, significantly reducing tumor growth in an orthotopic xenograft HCC model. Taken together, encapsulating SOR within a bismuth-based mesoporous nanomaterial creates a multifunctional and environmentally stable nanocomposite (BOS@SOR), enhancing the therapeutic effect of SOR and presenting an effective strategy for HCC treatment.

Jianpi Jiedu decoction suppresses colorectal cancer growth by inhibiting M2 polarization of TAMs through the tryptophan metabolism-AhR pathway

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine, JianpiJiedu decoction (JPJDF), has been utilized in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment for over forty years. The potential of JPJDF to inhibit CRC through modulation of intestinal microbiota and their metabolites remains uncertain.

AIMS

This study aims to further investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of JPJDF in CRC.

METHODS

CAC mouse models were developed using azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Intestinal tissues and contents underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis. Serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured using ELISA. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to assess the expression of Ki67, ZO-1, Occludin, CD68, and CD206. Furthermore, western blotting was performed to evaluate the protein expression of AhR and NF-κB.

RESULTS

JPJDF inhibited colorectal tumourigenesis in AOM/DSS treated mice, while also suppressing tumor cell proliferation and upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that JPJDF altered intestinal microbiota composition by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. Additionally, JPJDF reduced tryptophan metabolites, effectively alleviating inflammation and significantly restoring intestinal barrier function in CAC mice. Molecular biology experiments confirmed that JPJDF suppressed the expression levels of AhR and M2-type tumor-associated macrophages, thereby promoting anti-tumor immunity and exerting inhibitory effects on CAC growth.

CONCLUSION

JPJDF can regulate the tryptophan metabolism-AhR pathway by modulating the gut microbiota, reducing intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal barrier function, enhancing anti-tumor immunity, and effectively inhibiting CAC growth.

Role of the Clinical Features and MRI Parameters on Ki-67 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: Development of a Predictive Nomogram

PURPOSE

To develop a nomogram using clinical features and the MRI parameters for preoperatively predicting the expression of Ki-67 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

One hundred and forty patients (training cohorts: n = 108; validation cohorts: n = 32) with confirmed HCC were investigated. Mann-Whitney U test, independent sample t-test, and chi-squared test were used to analyze the continuous and categorical variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the clinical variables and parameters from MRI associated with Ki-67 expression. As a result, a nomogram was developed based on these associations in patients with HCC. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration curves.

RESULTS

In the training set, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) levels, protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) levels, and tumor shape were independent predictors for Ki-67 expression (p < 0.05). These three variables and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were used to establish a nomogram, while the ADC value was found to be a marginal significant predictor. The model demonstrated a strong ability to discriminate Ki-67 expression in both the training and validation cohorts (AUC = 0.862, 0.877).

CONCLUSION

A non-invasive preoperative prediction method, which incorporates MRI variables and clinical features was developed, and showed effectiveness in evaluating Ki-67 expression in HCC patients.

Oncolytic Virus Senecavirus A Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Proliferation and Growth by Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis

Background and Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive tumor with limited treatment options and high mortality. Senecavirus A (SVA) has shown potential in selectively targeting tumors while sparing healthy tissues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SVA on HCC cells in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate its mechanisms of action.

Methods

The cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay were conducted to examine cell proliferation. Flow cytometry and nuclear staining were employed to analyze cell cycle distribution and apoptosis occurrence. A subcutaneous tumor xenograft HCC mouse model was created in vivo using HepG2 cells, and Ki67 expression in the tumor tissues was assessed. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay and hematoxylin and eosin staining were employed to evaluate HCC apoptosis and the toxicity of SVA on mouse organs.

Results

In vitro, SVA effectively suppressed the growth of tumor cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However, it did not have a notable effect on normal hepatocytes (MIHA cells). In an in vivo setting, SVA effectively suppressed the growth of HCC in a mouse model. SVA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in Ki67 expression and an increase in apoptosis of tumor cells. No notable histopathological alterations were observed in the organs of mice during SVA administration.

Conclusions

SVA inhibits the growth of HCC cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. It does not cause any noticeable toxicity to vital organs.

Circ_0003789 Knockdown Inhibits Tumor Progression by miR-429/ZFP36L2 Axis in Gastric Cancer

An increasing number of circRNAs have been found to be involved in the development of gastric cancer. However, the function of circ_0003789 in regulating gastric cancer progression is unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression, function and molecular mechanism of circ_0003789 in gastric cancer pathogenesis. Circ_0003789, miR-429 and ZFP36 ring finger protein like 2 (ZFP36L2) mRNA were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation was illustrated by 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (Edu), cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Protein level was detected by Western blotting assay. Xenograft assays were used for functional analysis of circ_0003789 in vivo. The relationship between miR-429 and circ_0003789 or ZFP36L2 was predicted by starbase3.0 online database and identified by dual luciferase reporter assay. The expression levels of circ_0003789 and ZFP36L2 were significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells, while the expression of miR-429 was downregulated. Downregulation of circ_0003789 inhibited gastric cancer cell growth and invasion and promoted apoptosis in vitro. Circ_0003789 acted as a sponge of miR-429. Moreover, miR-429 silencing by miR-429 inhibitors attenuated the effects of circ_0003789 interference on cell growth, apoptosis and invasion. ZFP36L2 was targeted by miR-429, and the effects of miR-429 on cell growth, invasion and apoptosis were attenuated by ZFP36L2 overexpression. Circ_0003789 could enhance ZFP36L2 expression by interacting with miR-429. Silencing of circ_0003789 inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Circ_0003789 regulates tumor progression in gastric cancer through miR-429/ZFP36L2 axis. This finding implies that circ_0003789 may be a therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

High M2-TAM Infiltration and STAT3/NF-κB Signaling Pathway as a Predictive Factor for Tumor Progression and Death in Cervical Cancer

INTRODUCTION

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the progression, invasion, and metastasis of cervical carcinoma (CC). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are significant components of the CC TME, but studies on their correlation with CC progression are still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between TAM infiltration, the STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway, and Overall Survival (OS) in CC patients.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, 691 CC patients who had received a definitive histopathologic diagnosis of CC scored by the FIGO staging system and not undergone preoperative treatment were selected from a database. The effect of TAM infiltration on tumor progression biomarkers using Tissue Microarray (TMA) and immunohistochemistry was evaluated. Furthermore, the impact of the expression of these biomarkers and clinical-pathological parameters on recurrence-free (RF) and OS using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression methods was also analyzed.

RESULTS

High stromal CD163 + 204 + TAMs density and via STAT3 and NF-κB pathways was relevant to the expression of E-cadherin, Vimentin, MMP9, VEGFα, Bcl-2, Ki-67, CD25, MIF, FOXP3, and IL-17 (all p < 0.0001). In addition, elevated TNM staging IV had a strong association correlation with STAT3 and NF-κB pathways (p < 0.0001), CD25 (p < 0.001), VEGFα (p < 0.001), MIF (p < 0.0001), and Ki-67 (p < 0.0001). On the other hand, overall and recurrence survival was shown to be strongly influenced by the expression of SNAIL (HR = 1.52), E-cadherin (HR = 1.78), and Ki-67 (HR = 1.44).

CONCLUSION

M2-TAM and via STAT3/NF-κB pathways had a strong effect on CC tumor progression which reverberated in the severity of clinicopathological findings, becoming an important factor of poor prognosis.

Design of Selective PARP-1 Inhibitors and Antitumor Studies

Designing selective PARP-1 inhibitors has become a new strategy for anticancer drug development. By sequence comparison of PARP-1 and PARP-2, we identified a possible selective site (S site) consisting of several different amino acid residues of α-5 helix and D-loop. Targeting this S site, 140 compounds were designed, synthesized, and characterized for their anticancer activities and mechanisms. Compound I16 showed the highest PARP-1 enzyme inhibitory activity (IC50 = 12.38 ± 1.33 nM) and optimal selectivity index over PARP-2 (SI = 155.74). Oral administration of I16 (25 mg/kg) showed high inhibition rates of Hela and SK-OV-3 tumor cell xenograft models, both of which were higher than those of the oral positive drug Olaparib (50 mg/kg). In addition, I16 has an excellent safety profile, without significant toxicity at high oral doses. These findings provide a novel design strategy and chemotype for the development of safe, efficient, and highly selective PARP-1 inhibitors.

Multiparametric MRI-based radiomics approach with deep transfer learning for preoperative prediction of Ki-67 status in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose

Based on comparison of different machine learning (ML) models, we developed the model that integrates traditional hand-crafted (HC) features and ResNet50 network-based deep transfer learning (DTL) features from multiparametric MRI to predict Ki-67 status in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC).

Methods

Two hundred thirty-one SNSCC patients were retrospectively reviewed [training cohort (n = 185), test cohort (n = 46)]. Pathological grade, clinical, and MRI characteristics were analyzed to choose the independent predictor. HC and DTL radiomics features were extracted from fat-saturated T2-weighted imaging, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging, and apparent diffusion coefficient map. Then, HC and DTL features were fused to formulate the deep learning-based radiomics (DLR) features. After feature selection and radiomics signature (RS) building, we compared the predictive ability of RS-HC, RS-DTL, and RS-DLR.

Results

No independent predictors were found based on pathological, clinical, and MRI characteristics. After feature selection, 42 HC and 10 DTL radiomics features were retained. The support vector machine (SVM), LightGBM, and ExtraTrees (ET) were the best classifier for RS-HC, RS-DTL, and RS-DLR. In the training cohort, the predictive ability of RS-DLR was significantly better than those of RS-DTL and RS-HC (p< 0.050); in the test set, the area under curve (AUC) of RS-DLR (AUC = 0.817) was also the highest, but there was no significant difference of the performance between DLR-RS and HC-RS.

Conclusions

Both the HC and DLR model showed favorable predictive efficacy for Ki-67 expression in patients with SNSCC. Especially, the RS-DLR model represented an opportunity to advance the prediction ability.

Nomogram for the preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression and prognosis in stage IA lung adenocarcinoma based on clinical and multi-slice spiral computed tomography features

OBJECTIVE

This study developed and validated a nomogram utilizing clinical and multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) features for the preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression in stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. Additionally, we assessed the predictive accuracy of Ki-67 expression levels, as determined by our model, in estimating the prognosis of stage IA lung adenocarcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 395 patients with pathologically confirmed stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. A total of 322 patients were divided into training and internal validation groups at a 6:4 ratio, whereas the remaining 73 patients composed the external validation group. According to the pathological results, the patients were classified into high and low Ki-67 labeling index (LI) groups. Clinical and CT features were subjected to statistical analysis. The training group was used to construct a predictive model through logistic regression and to formulate a nomogram. The nomogram's predictive ability and goodness-of-fit were assessed. Internal and external validations were performed, and clinical utility was evaluated. Finally, the recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were compared.

RESULTS

In the training group, sex, age, tumor density type, tumor-lung interface, lobulation, spiculation, pleural indentation, and maximum nodule diameter differed significantly between patients with high and low Ki-67 LI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sex, tumor density, and maximum nodule diameter were significantly associated with high Ki-67 expression in stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. The calibration curves closely resembled the standard curves, indicating the excellent discrimination and accuracy of the model. Decision curve analysis revealed favorable clinical utility. Patients with a nomogram-predicted high Ki-67 LI exhibited worse RFS.

CONCLUSION

The nomogram utilizing clinical and CT features for the preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression in stage IA lung adenocarcinoma demonstrated excellent performance, clinical utility, and prognostic significance, suggesting that this nomogram is a noninvasive personalized approach for the preoperative prediction of Ki-67 expression.

Expression and Purification of Recombinant Bowman-Birk Trypsin Inhibitor from Foxtail Millet Bran and Its Anticolorectal Cancer Effect In Vitro and In Vivo

Trypsin inhibitors derived from plants have various pharmacological activities and promising clinical applications. In our previous study, a Bowman-Birk-type major trypsin inhibitor from foxtail millet bran (FMB-BBTI) was extracted with antiatherosclerotic activity. Currently, we found that FMB-BBTI possesses a prominent anticolorectal cancer (anti-CRC) activity. Further, a recombinant FMB-BBTI (rFMB-BBTI) was successfully expressed in a soluble manner in host strain Escherichia coli. BL21 (DE3) was induced by isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactoside (0.1 mM) at 37 °C for 3.5 h by the pET28a vector system. Fortunately, a purity greater than 93% of rFMB-BBTI with anti-CRC activity was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. Subsequently, we found that rFMB-BBTI displays a strikingly anti-CRC effect, characterized by the inhibition of cell proliferation and clone formation ability, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and induction of cell apoptosis. It is interesting that the rFMB-BBTI treatment had no obvious effect on normal colorectal cells in the same concentration range. Importantly, the anti-CRC activity of rFMB-BBTI was further confirmed in the xenografted nude mice model. Taken together, our study highlights the anti-CRC activity of rFMB-BBTI in vitro and in vivo, uncovering the clinical potential of rFMB-BBTI as a targeted agent for CRC in the future.

Predicting Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: nomogram based on clinical factors and contrast-enhanced ultrasound radiomics signatures

PURPOSE

To develop a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) clinic-radiomics nomogram for individualized assessment of Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort comprising 310 HCC individuals who underwent preoperative CEUS (using SonoVue) at three different centers was partitioned into a training set, a validation set, and an external test set. Radiomics signatures indicating the phenotypes of the Ki-67 were extracted from multiphase CEUS images. The radiomics score (Rad-score) was calculated accordingly after feature selection and the radiomics model was constructed. A clinic-radiomics nomogram was established utilizing multiphase CEUS Rad-score and clinical risk factors. A clinical model only incorporated clinical factors was also developed for comparison. Regarding clinical utility, calibration, and discrimination, the predictive efficiency of the clinic-radiomics nomogram was evaluated.

RESULTS

Seven radiomics signatures from multiphase CEUS images were selected to calculate the Rad-score. The clinic-radiomics nomogram, comprising the Rad-score and clinical risk factors, indicated a good calibration and demonstrated a better discriminatory capacity compared to the clinical model (AUCs: 0.870 vs 0.797, 0.872 vs 0.755, 0.856 vs 0.749 in the training, validation, and external test set, respectively) and the radiomics model (AUCs: 0.870 vs 0.752, 0.872 vs 0.733, 0.856 vs 0.729 in the training, validation, and external test set, respectively). Furthermore, both the clinical impact curve and the decision curve analysis displayed good clinical application of the nomogram.

CONCLUSION

The clinic-radiomics nomogram constructed from multiphase CEUS images and clinical risk parameters can distinguish Ki-67 expression in HCC patients and offer useful insights to guide subsequent personalized treatment.

BUB1 Promotes Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Inhibiting Ferroptosis

The development of chemotherapy resistance severely limits the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine (GEM) in pancreatic cancer (PC), and the dysregulation of ferroptosis is a crucial factor in the development of chemotherapy resistance. BUB1 Mitotic Checkpoint Serine/Threonine Kinase (BUB1) is highly overexpressed in PC patients and is closely associated with patient prognosis. However, none of the literature reports the connection between BUB1 and ferroptosis. The molecular mechanisms underlying GEM resistance are also not well understood. Therefore, this study first established the high expression levels of BUB1 in PC patients, then explored the role of BUB1 in the process of ferroptosis, and finally investigated the mechanisms by which BUB1 regulates ferroptosis and contributes to GEM resistance in PC cells. In this study, downregulation of BUB1 enhanced the sensitivity of PC cells to Erastin, and inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, BUB1 could inhibit the expression levels of Neurofibromin 2 (NF2) and MOB kinase activator 1 (MOB1), and promote Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression, thereby inhibiting ferroptosis and promoting GEM resistance in PC cells. Furthermore, the combination of BUB1 inhibition with GEM exhibited a synergistic therapeutic effect. These findings reveal the mechanisms underlying the development of GEM chemotherapy resistance based on ferroptosis and suggest that the combined use of BUB1 inhibitors may be an effective approach to enhance GEM efficacy.

Co-delivery of siBcl-2 and PTX with mitochondria-targeted functions to overcoming multidrug resistance

Multidrug resistance (MDR) poses a significant impediment to the efficacy of chemotherapy in clinical settings. Despite Paclitaxel (PTX) being designated as the primary pharmaceutical agent for treating recurrent and metastatic breast cancer, the emergence of PTX resistance frequently results in therapeutic shortcomings, representing a substantial obstacle in clinical breast cancer management. In response, we developed a delivery system exhibiting dual specificity for both tumors and mitochondria. This system facilitated the sequential administration of small interfering B-cell lymphoma-2 (siBcl-2) and PTX to the tumor cytoplasm and mitochondria, respectively, with the aim of surmounting PTX resistance in tumor cells through the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Notably, we employed genetic engineering techniques to fabricate a recombinant ferritin containing the H-subunit (HFn), known for its tumor-targeting capabilities, for loading siBcl-2. This HFn-siBcl-2 complex was then combined with positively charged Triphenylphosphine-Liposome@PTX (TL@PTX) nanoparticles (NPs) to formulate HFn/siBcl-2@TL/PTX. Guided by HFn, these nanoparticles efficiently entered cells and released siBcl-2 through the action of triphenylphosphine (TPP)-mediated "proton sponge," thereby precisely modulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein. Simultaneously, PTX was directed to the mitochondria through the accurate targeting of TL@PTX, synergistically initiating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and effectively suppressing PTX resistance both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the development of this dual-targeting delivery system presents a promising therapeutic strategy for overcoming PTX resistance in the clinical treatment of breast cancer.

Small Molecule SHP2 Inhibitor LXQ-217 Affects Lung Cancer Cell Proliferation in Vitro and in Vivo

BACKGROUND

SHP2 is highly expressed in a variety of cancer and has emerged as a potential target for cancer therapeutic agents. The identification of uncharged pTyr mimics is an important direction for the development of SHP2 orthosteric inhibitors.

METHODS

Surface plasmon resonance analysis and cellular thermal shift assay were employed to verify the direct binding of LXQ-217 to SHP2. The inhibitory effect of LXQ-217 was characterized by linear Weaver-Burke enzyme kinetic analysis and BIOVIA Discovery Studio. The inhibition of tumor cell proliferation by LXQ-217 was characterized by cell viability assay, colony formation assays and hoechst 33258 staining. The inhibition of lung cancer proliferation in vivo was studied in nude mice after oral administration of LXQ-217.

RESULTS

An electroneutral bromophenol derivative, LXQ-217, was identified as a competitive SHP2 inhibitor. LXQ-217 induced apoptosis and inhibited growth of human pulmonary epithelial cells by affecting the RAS-ERK and PI3 K-AKT signaling pathways. Long-term oral administration of LXQ-217 significantly inhibited the proliferation ability of lung cancer cells in nude mice. Moreover, mice administered LXQ-217 orally at high doses exhibited no mortality or significant changes in vital signs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings on the uncharged orthosteric inhibitor provide a foundation for further development of a safe and effective anti-lung cancer drug.

High Ki67 Gene Expression Is Associated With Aggressive Phenotype in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with high Ki67 protein expression, the most commonly used cell proliferation marker, is associated with an aggressive biologic phenotype; however, conventional immunostaining is hampered by variability in institutional protocol, specific antibody probe, and by assessor subjectivity. To this end, we hypothesized that Ki67 gene (MKi67) expression would identify highly proliferative HCC, and clarify its association with oncologic outcome, tumor progression, and immune cell population in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, we sought to identify the cell-cycle gene expression profile that confers this aggressive phenotype.

METHODS

A total of 473 HCC patients with clinicopathological data associated with transcriptome were selected for this study: 358 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as the testing cohort, and 115 from GSE76427 as the validation cohort. Each cohort was divided into a highly proliferative group (MKi67-high) and the low MKi67 group (MKi67-low) by the median of Ki67 gene (MKi67) expression levels.

RESULTS

MKi67-high HCC patients had worse disease-free survival (DFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) independent of histological grade in the TCGA cohort. MKi67 expression correlated with histological grade and tumor size. MKi67 expression increased throughout the HCC carcinomatous sequence from normal liver, cirrhotic liver, early HCC, and advanced HCC. MKi67-high HCC was associated with higher intratumor heterogeneity, homologous recombination deficiency, and altered fraction as well as intratumoral infiltration of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, but lower interferon-gamma response and M2 macrophage infiltration. Cell proliferation-related gene sets in the Hallmark collection (E2F targets, G2M checkpoint, Myc target v1 and mitotic spindle), MTORC1 signaling, DNA repair, PI3K MTOR signaling, and unfolded protein response were all enriched in the MKi67-high HCC (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

High MKi67 gene expression identified highly proliferative HCC with aggressive biology involving classical pathways in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair, as well as poor overall oncologic outcomes. This suggests potential for personalized treatment strategies, but validation and refinement of these observations require further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and validate therapeutic targeting of these pathways in MKi67-high HCC tumors.

Activation of M2 macrophage autophagy by rapamycin increases the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer xenografts

BACKGROUND

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are intimately involved in cancer radiochemotherapy resistance. However, the mechanism by which macrophages affect radiosensitivity through autophagy remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate how activating autophagy in type-II macrophages (M2) by using rapamycin (RAP) would affect the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer (CRC) xenografts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nude mouse CRC model was established by injecting LoVo CRC cells. After tumor formation, supernatant from M2 cells (autophagy-unactivated), autophagy-activated M2 cells, or autophagy-downregulated M2 cells was injected peritumorally. All tumor-bearing mice were irradiated with 8-Gy X-rays twice, and the radiosensitivity of CRC xenografts was analyzed in each group.

RESULTS

The mass, volume, and microvessel density (MVD) of tumors in the autophagy-unactivated M2 group significantly increased; however, supernatant from M2 cells that were autophagy-activated by rapamycin significantly decreased tumor weight, volume, and MVD compared with negative control. Combining bafilomycin A1 (BAF-A1) with RAP treatment restored the ability of the M2 supernatant to increase tumor mass, volume, and MVD. Immunohistochemical and Western blot results showed that compared with the negative control group, supernatant from M2 cells that were not activated by autophagy downregulated the expression of Livin and Survivin in tumor tissues; activation of M2 autophagy further downregulated the protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, autophagy-activated M2 supernatant can downregulate the expression of the antiapoptotic genes Livin and Survivin in CRC xenografts, improving the radiosensitivity of CRC by inducing apoptosis in combination with radiotherapy and inhibiting the growth of transplanted tumors.

Exploring Regorafenib Responsiveness and Uncovering Molecular Mechanisms in Recurrent Glioblastoma Tumors through Longitudinal In Vitro Sampling

Glioblastoma, a deadly brain tumor, shows limited response to standard therapies like temozolomide (TMZ). Recent findings from the REGOMA trial underscore a significant survival improvement offered by Regorafenib (REGO) in recurrent glioblastoma. Our study aimed to propose a 3D ex vivo drug response precision medicine approach to investigate recurrent glioblastoma sensitivity to REGO and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in tumor resistance or responsiveness to treatment. Three-dimensional glioblastoma organoids (GB-EXPs) obtained from 18 patients' resected recurrent glioblastoma tumors were treated with TMZ and REGO. Drug responses were evaluated using NAD(P)H FLIM, stratifying tumors as responders (Resp) or non-responders (NRs). Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 16 tissue samples, and whole-transcriptome analysis on 13 GB-EXPs treated and untreated. We found 35% (n = 9) and 77% (n = 20) of tumors responded to TMZ and REGO, respectively, with no instances of TMZ-Resp being REGO-NRs. Exome analysis revealed a unique mutational profile in REGO-Resp tumors compared to NR tumors. Transcriptome analysis identified distinct expression patterns in Resp and NR tumors, impacting Rho GTPase and NOTCH signaling, known to be involved in drug response. In conclusion, recurrent glioblastoma tumors were more responsive to REGO compared to TMZ treatment. Importantly, our approach enables a comprehensive longitudinal exploration of the molecular changes induced by treatment, unveiling promising biomarkers indicative of drug response.

Radiomic Analysis Based on Gd-EOB-DTPA Enhanced MRI for the Preoperative Prediction of Ki-67 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a random forest model based on radiomic features in Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI for predicting the Ki-67 expression in solitary HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 258 patients with solitary HCC. Significant clinicoradiological factors were identified through univariate and multivariate analyses for distinguishing HCC with high (>20%) and low (≤20%) Ki-67 expression. Radiomic features were extracted at Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI. The recursive feature elimination (RFE) strategy was employed to screen robust radiomic features, and the Random Forest (RF) algorithm was utilized to rank radiomic features and construct prediction models. The AUC, accuracy, precision, recall, and f1-score were used to evaluate the performance of RF models.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis identified serum AFP level, tumor size, growth type, and peritumoral enhancement as independent predictors for HCC with high Ki-67 expression. The clinicoradiological-radiomic model that incorporated the clinicoradiological predictors and the top ten radiomic features outperformed the clinicoradiological model in the training set (AUCs 0.876 vs. 0.780; p < 0.001), though the test set did not have a statistical significance (AUCs 0.809 vs. 0.723; p = 0.123). The addition of clinicoradiological predictors did not yield a significant improvement in the performance of radiomic features in both sets (training, p = 0.692; test, p = 0.229). Decision curve analysis further confirmed the clinical utility of the RF models.

CONCLUSION

The RF models based on radiomic features of Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI achieved satisfactory performance in preoperatively predicting Ki-67 expression in HCC.

Enhancing humoral and mucosal immune response of PED vaccine candidate by fusing S1 protein to nanoparticle multimerization

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly infectious pathogen with a high mortality rate, which poses a serious threat to newborn piglets. A rapid, safe and effective vaccine is necessary for protecting pigs from PED infection. Nanoparticles have become molecular scaffolds for displaying soluble antigens due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Here, a vaccine candidate was based on the display of PEDV S1 protein on a mi3 nanoparticle platform using SpyTag/SpyCatcher technology. The size, zeta potential and microstructure of the S1-mi3 NPs were investigated, and their effects on the uptake of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) were analyzed. Mice were immunized via muscular and intranasal administrations, and the levels of humoral, cellular and mucosal immune responses were analyzed. As a result, S1 proteins were surface-displayed on NPs successfully, which self-assembled into nanoparticles composed of 60 subunits and showed superior safety and stability. In addition, mi3 NPs promoted antigen internalization and dendritic cell (DCs) maturation. In the mouse model, S1-mi3 NPs significantly increased the PEDV-specific antibody including serum IgG, secretory IgA (SIgA) and neutralizing antibodies (NAb). Furthermore, S1-mi3 NPs elicited more CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cell and cellular immune-related cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-4) compared to monomeric S1. In particular, it can induce an effective germinal center-specific (GC) B cell response, which is closely related to the production of neutralizing antibodies. Overall, S1-mi3 NPs are a promising subunit vaccine candidate against PEDV, and this self-assembly NPs also provide an attractive platform for improving vaccine efficacy against emerging pathogens.

Fractionation and phytochemical composition of an ethanolic extract of Ziziphus nummularia leaves: antioxidant and anticancerous properties in human triple negative breast cancer cells

Natural products have long been utilized in traditional medicine as remedies to improve health and treat illnesses, and have had a key role in modern drug discovery. Recently, there has been a revived interest in the search for bioactives from natural sources as alternative or complementary modalities to synthetic medicines; especially for cancer treatment, which incidence and mortality rates are on the rise worldwide. Ziziphus nummularia has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Its traditional uses and numerous ethnopharmacological properties may be attributed to its richness in bioactive metabolites. However, its phytochemical composition or chemopreventive effects against the aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are still poorly explored. Here, phytochemical composition of an ethanolic extract of Z. nummularia leaves (ZNE) and its chromatographically isolated fractions was identified both qualitatively by spectrophotometric assays and analytically by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. The anti-proliferative effects of ZNE were tested in several cancer cell lines, but we focused on its anti-TNBC effects since they were not explored yet. The anti-cancerous potential of ZNE and its fractions was tested in vitro in MDA-MB-231, a TNBC cell line. Results showed that ZNE and its Fraction 6 (F6) reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells. F6 decreased MDA-MB-231 viability more than crude ZNE or its other fractions. ZNE and F6 are rich in phytochemicals and HPLC-PDA-MS/MS analysis identified several metabolites that were previously reported to have anti-cancerous effects. Both ZNE and F6 showed potent antioxidant capacity in the DPPH assay, but promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in MDA-MB-231 cells; an effect which was blunted by the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). NAC also blunted ZNE- and F6-induced reduction in TNBC cell viability. We also demonstrated that ZNE and F6 induced an arrest of the cell cycle, and triggered apoptosis- and autophagy-mediated cell death. ZNE and F6 inhibited metastasis-related cellular processes by modifying cell migration, invasion, and adhesion. Taken together, our findings reveal that Z. nummularia is rich in phytochemicals that can attenuate the malignant phenotype of TNBC and may offer innovative avenues for the discovery of new drug leads for treatment of TNBC and other cancers.

Codonopsis lanceolata polysaccharide ameliorates high-fat diet induced-postpartum hypogalactia via stimulating prolactin receptor-mediated Jak2/Stat5 signaling

This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effect of Codonopsis lanceolata polysaccharide (PCL) on mice with hypogalatia induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and the potential underlying mechanism. We found that oral administration of PCL demonstrated significant benefits in countering the negative effects of HFD, including weight gain, hepatic steatosis, mesenteric adipocyte hypertrophy, and abnormal glucose/lipid metabolism. In addition, PCL improved mammary gland development and enhanced lactogenesis performance. Histologically, PCL ameliorated the retardation of ductal growth, reduced mammary fat pad thickness, improved the incomplete linear encapsulation of luminal epithelium and myoepithelium, and increased the proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. Flow cytometry analysis showed that PCL mitigated the detrimental effects of HFD on mammary gland development by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of mammary epithelial cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that PCL upregulated the levels of prolactin (PRL) and its receptor (PRLR) in the mammary gland, activated JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway, and increased the expression of p63, ERBB4, and NRG1. Overall, PCL can ameliorate HFD-induced hypogalactia by activating PRLR-mediated JAK2/STAT5 signaling. Our findings offer a methodological and theoretical foundation for investigating the functional constituents of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of hypogalactia.

Secoemestrin C Ameliorates Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation in Mice by Suppressing the TNF-α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE

Secoemestrin C (SC), an epitetrathiodioxopiperazine isolated from Aspergillus nidulans, has been previously reported to have immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects against acute autoimmune hepatitis. However, the effect of SC on regulating the inflammation and its underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of psoriasis remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SC on inflammatory dermatosis both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

In vitro, HaCaT cells were induced with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α, 10 ng/mL) to establish an inflammatory injury model, and the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway components was measured using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. An in vivo mouse model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SC in alleviating psoriasis.

RESULTS

SC significantly blocked the activation of NF-κB signaling in TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT cells. In addition, systemic and local administration of SC improved psoriatic dermatitis in the IMQ-induced mouse model. SC reduced skin scale and significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in skin lesions.

CONCLUSION

The protective effect of SC against psoriatic-associated inflammation reveals its potential therapeutic value for treating psoriasis.

TiO2-Ti3C2 Nanocomposites Utilize Their Photothermal Activity for Targeted Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Purpose

The search for effective and low-risk treatment methods for colorectal cancer (CRC) is a pressing concern, given the inherent risks and adverse reactions associated with traditional therapies. Photothermal therapy (PTT) has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment, offering advantages such as non-radiation, non-invasiveness, and targeted treatment. Consequently, the development of nanoparticles with high stability, biocompatibility, and photothermal effects has become a significant research focus within the field of PTT.

Methods

In this study, TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized, and their photothermal conversion efficiency in the near-infrared region II (NIR-II) was determined. Then studied the in vivo and in vitro photothermal activity and anti-tumor effect of TiO2-Ti3C2 in human colorectal cancer cell lines and nude mice subcutaneous tumor model.

Results

The results showed that TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposites have strong absorption ability in the NIR-II, and have high photothermal conversion efficiency under 1064 nm (0.5 W/cm2, 6 min) laser stimulation. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposites significantly inhibited the invasion, migration, and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, and induced cell apoptosis; in vivo, experiments showed that TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposites-mediated PTT had good biocompatibility and efficient targeted inhibition of tumor growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposites can be used as NIR-II absorption materials in PTT to suppress the invasion, migration, and proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, induce colorectal cancer cell apoptosis, and thus inhibit the development of CRC. Therefore, TiO2-Ti3C2 nanocomposites can be used as potential anti-tumor drugs for photothermal ablation of colorectal cancer cells.

Development of Anticancer Ferric Complex Based on Human Serum Albumin Nanoparticles That Generate Oxygen in Cells to Overcome Hypoxia-Induced Resistance in Metal Chemotherapy

To achieve the remarkable therapeutic efficacy of a ferric (Fe) complex via a reactive oxygen species (ROS) mechanism in solid tumors, a therapeutic Fe-based Schiff-base complex (Fe1) was synthesized and encapsulated in human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles (NPs), which generated oxygen (O2) in cancer cells in situ. The HSA-Fe1-O2 NP (HSA-Fe1-O2NP) delivery system effectively overcame hypoxia-induced resistance in metal chemotherapy, alleviated the hypoxic condition of tumor tissues, and showed excellent tumor suppression by generating excess ROS and promoting the apoptosis of SK-N-MC tumor cells. The HSA-Fe1-O2NPs not only enhanced the ability of the Fe1 complex to target tumor cells but also decreased adverse effects in vivo.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations in Chinese Hakka breast cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of BRCA1/2 gene variants and evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics associated with these variants in Chinese Hakka breast cancer patients.

METHODS

A total of 409 breast cancer patients were analyzed based on next-generation sequencing results, with 337 categorized as non-carriers and 72 as carriers of BRCA1/2 variants. Data on the patients' BRCA1/2 gene mutation status, clinical and pathological characteristics, as well as menstrual and reproductive information, were collected, analyzed, compared, and tabulated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between clinical characteristics and pathogenic variants.

RESULTS

Among the patients, 72 were identified as carriers of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in BRCA1/2, while 337 had likely benign or benign mutations. The BRCA1 c.2635G > T (p. Glu879*) variant was detected at a high frequency, accounting for 12.5% (4/32) of the BRCA1 mutations, while the c.5164_5165del (p.Ser1722Tyrfs*4) variant was common among the BRCA2 mutations, accounting for 17.5% (7/40). It was observed that a higher proportion of BRCA1 carriers had the triple-negative breast cancer subtype, whereas more BRCA2 carriers exhibited estrogen receptor (ER) + and progesterone receptor (PR) + subtypes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a family history of cancer (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.00-5.54), bilateral cancer (OR = 4.78, 95% CI 1.61-14.20), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- (OR = 8.23, 95% CI 3.25-20.84), and Ki67 ≥ 15% (OR = 3.88, 95% CI 1.41-10.65) were associated with BRCA1/2 mutations, with the age at diagnosis, age at menarche, and premenopausal status serving as covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common pathogenic variant of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 in breast cancer patients was c.2635G > T and c.5164_5165del, respectively. Additionally, a family history of cancer, bilateral cancer, HER2-, and Ki67 ≥ 15% were identified as independent predictors of BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants.

PP4R1 accelerates the malignant progression of NSCLC via up-regulating HSPA6 expression and HSPA6-mediated ER stress

Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) plays an indispensable regulatory part in the development and malignant progression of multifarious tumors. Nevertheless, the function of protein phosphatase 4 regulatory subunit 1 (PP4R1), a vital regulatory subunit of PP4, in tumors especially in lung cancer remains blurred. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of PP4R1 in the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We analyzed the clinical correlation of PP4R1 based on the TCGA database by UALCAN (https://ualcan.path.uab.edu/index.html) and found that hyper-expression of PP4R1 mRNA was related to the severe prognosis in NSCLC. The subsequent cellular experiments confirmed that the proliferation, colony growth, migration as well as invasion of H1299 and HCC827 were significantly enhanced after PP4R1 overexpression treatment in vitro. Results from animal experiments pointed out that tumors exhibited stronger growth and lung metastatic capacities due to the overexpression of PP4R1. The bioinformatics analysis, including RNA-seq, showed us that PP4R1 significantly promoted the expression of several HSP70 family member genes, with a particularly marked increase in HSPA6, and the enrichment analyses illustrated that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in those pathways related to protein folding. More importantly, the overexpression of HSPA6 resulted in the same malignant progression of NSCLC as PP4R1 overexpression, and both concomitant with the activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In aggregate, PP4R1 contributed to the malignant progression of NSCLC via up-regulating HSPA6 expression and then activating ER stress.

Electroacupuncture on Baihui (DU20) and Xuehai (SP10) acupoints alleviates psoriatic inflammation by regulating neurotransmitter substance P- Neurokinin-1 receptor signaling

Background

At present, acupuncture-related practices have been widely used to treat psoriasis. In our study, we investigated the effect and explored the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on acupoints Baihui (DU20) and Xuehai (SP10) for the treatment of psoriasis.

Methods

Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse model was used in this study. Mice were treated with electroacupuncture at DU20 and SP10 (depth of 2-3 mm, frequency of 2/15 Hz, intensity of 0.5-1.0 mA, 10 min/day). The severity of psoriasis-like lesions for each group was assessed. In addition, histological analysis of the lesions were performed. The levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined using Elisa. The expression levels of Substance P (SP) and NK1R were measured using Western blotting. In addition, NK1R inhibitor was administrated to evaluate the target of electroacupuncture in our mouse model.

Results

Electroacupuncture significantly alleviated IMQ-induced skin lesions and epidermal thickness, accompanied with reduced keratinocyte proliferation, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells infiltration. The reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines was observed after electroacupuncture treatment. In addition, electroacupuncture inhibited the expression levels of SP and NK1R. NK1R inhibitor could ameliorate lesional symptoms and suppress epidermal thickening and CD3+, CD4+, and CD8 + T cell infiltration.

Conclusions

Electroacupuncture relieved psoriasis-like inflammation and T cell infiltration. This therapeutic action was likely mediated by the modulation of Substance P and its receptor NK1R.

PMN-incorporated multifunctional chitosan hydrogel for postoperative synergistic photothermal melanoma therapy and skin regeneration

Melanoma excision surgery is usually accompanied by neoplasm residual, tissue defect, and bacterial infection, resulting in high tumor recurrence and chronic wound. Nanocomposite hydrogels can satisfy the twin requirements of avoiding tumor recurrence and skin wound healing following skin melanoma surgery due to their photothermal anti-tumor and anti-bacterial activities. In this study, carboxymethyl chitosan, oxidized fucoidan and polyphenol-metal nanoparticle (PMN) of tannic acid capped gold nanoparticles were used to fabricate multifunctional nanocomposite hydrogels through Schiff base reaction. The prepared hydrogel demonstrated outstanding photothermal effect, and the controlled high temperature will rapidly kill melanoma cells as well as bacteria within 10 min. Good injectability, self-healing and adhesion combined with high reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity, hemostasis and biocompatibility made this hydrogel platform perfect for the postoperative treatment of melanoma and promoting wound healing. With the assistance of NIR irradiance, hydrogel can inhibit tumor tissue proliferation and promote tumor cell apoptosis, thereby helping to prevent melanoma recurrence after surgical removal of tumors. Simultaneously, the irradiance heat and polyphenol component kill bacteria on the wound surface, eliminate ROS, inhibit inflammatory responses, and promote angiogenesis, collagen deposition, and skin regeneration, all of which help to speed up wound healing.

Effect of Lysine Acridone Acetate on the Level of Apoptosis and Expression of Apoptosis-Associated Proteins during Antioncogenic Therapy in Colorectal Cancer in Mice

We studied the mechanism of action of cytostatics with the addition of lysine acridone acetate to evaluate the possibility of its use for improving the effectiveness of antioncogenic therapy in colorectal cancer. In Nude mouse model, the level of apoptosis (TUNEL) and expression of proteins CD95, p53, Bcl-2, histone H3, and Ki-67 (immunohistochemistry) were assessed in primary tumor biopsy specimens. It has been shown that cytostatic treatment led to stimulation of p53-mediated apoptosis and suppression of proliferation (Ki-67 expression) of tumor cells, and apoptosis level was increased in groups receiving lysine acridone acetate. H3 expression in the experimental groups was changed.

Exploring the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis: role of Ki-67 index and tumor differentiation

PURPOSE

The sensitivity of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been clarified thoroughly. Our study seeks to explore the association between the Ki-67 index and FDG-avidity in HCC tumors using 18F-FDG PET/CT.

METHODS

112 HCC lesions from 109 patients detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT were included retrospectively between August 2017 and May 2022, comprising 82 lesions in the training cohort and 30 in the validation cohort to simulate prospective studies. In the training cohort, lesions were stratified by a lesion-to-liver maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ratio cut-off of 1.59. The relationships between lesion-to-liver SUVmax ratios and several clinical factors including tumor differentiation, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, Ki-67 index et al. were assessed. These findings were subsequently validated in the independent validation cohort.

RESULTS

In the training cohort, group A1 lesions demonstrated a higher Ki-67 index (%, 40.00 [30.00, 57.50] vs. 10.00 [5.00, 28.75], p<0.001) than group A0, the positive correlation between FDG-avidity and Ki-67 index was revealed by multivariate analysis, OR=1.040, 95% CI of OR [1.004-1.077], p=0.030. The calculated cut-off value was 17.5% using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.834 and 95% CI [0.742-0.926], p<0.001. These findings were further validated in the independent validation cohort, with similar results (AUC=0.875, 95% CI [0.750-1.000], p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In comparison to tumor differentiation, Ki-67 index demonstrates a stronger association with FDG-avidity in HCC tumors, and when the Ki-67 index exceeds 17.5%, 18F-FDG PET/CT might serve as a useful indicator for HCC.

Saikosaponin-b2 Inhibits Primary Liver Cancer by Regulating the STK4/IRAK1/NF-κB Pathway

The development of primary liver cancer (PLC) is associated with chronic liver inflammation and the loss of associated tumor suppressor genes, which characterizes inflammation-related tumors. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of saikosaponin-b2 (SS-b2) on the development of PLC and its effect of the STK4 expression and IRAK1/NF-κB signaling axis. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that SS-b2 exerted potent anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. A PLC model was induced in vivo by treating male BALB/c mice with diethylnitrosamine, while an inflammatory model was induced in vitro by exposing RAW 264.7 macrophages to lipopolysaccharides (LPS). After treating cancer mice with SS-b2, the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase significantly reduced. Ki67 expression also decreased. The carcinomatous lesions of the liver were attenuated. Similar results were observed in liver tissue and RAW 264.7 macrophages, where SS-b2 significantly elevated serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (STK4) expression and decreased the expression of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), and downstream inflammatory cytokines, thus exerting anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, we employed siRNA to silence the STK4 expression in HepG2 to investigate the anti-tumor effect of SS-b2 in vitro. The STK4 knockdown would upregulate IRAK1 and thus the activation of NF-κB activity revealed by the increase in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, consequently impairing SS-b2-induced inhibition of liver cancer development. Consequently, SS-b2 effectively inhibited PLC by upregulating STK4 to suppress the IRAK1/NF-κB signaling axis and is a promising agent for treating this disease.

Development and external validation of a novel nomogram to predict intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to establish and validate nomograms to predict the probability of intravesical recurrence (IVR) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper urinary tract epithelial carcinoma (UTUC).

METHODS

Clinical data of 528 patients with UTUC after RNU were collected from two medical centers between 2009 and 2020. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to select variables for multivariable Cox regression analysis in the training cohort and included independent risk factors into nomogram models predicting IVR-free survival (IVRFS). Another center was applied as the external cohort to validate the predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram by performing area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), consistency index (C-index), and calibration curve.

RESULTS

History of bladder cancer, tumor size, preoperative urine cytology, postoperative instillation, Ki-67, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were identified as independent risk factors for IVR. The prognosis model including these predictors demonstrated excellent discriminatory performance in both the training cohort (C-index, 0.814) and external validation cohort (C-index, 0.748). The calibration plots of the nomogram revealed good consistency in both cohorts. Finally, patients could be classified into two risk groups based on scores obtained from the nomogram, with significant differences in IVRFS.

CONCLUSION

Our study provided a reliable nomogram for predicting the probability of IVR in patients with UTUC after RNU. Risk stratification based on this model may assist urologists make optimal clinical decisions on the management of UTUC.

Added value of CE-CT radiomics to predict high Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to develop a computed tomography (CT) model to predict Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to examine the added value of radiomics to clinico-radiological features.

METHODS

A total of 208 patients (training set, n = 120; internal test set, n = 51; external validation set, n = 37) with pathologically confirmed HCC who underwent contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT) within 1 month before surgery were retrospectively included from January 2014 to September 2021. Radiomics features were extracted and selected from three phases of CE-CT images, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) was used to select features, and the rad-score was calculated. CE-CT imaging and clinical features were selected using univariate and multivariate analyses, respectively. Three prediction models, including clinic-radiologic (CR) model, rad-score (R) model, and clinic-radiologic-radiomic (CRR) model, were developed and validated using logistic regression analysis. The performance of different models for predicting Ki-67 expression was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

HCCs with high Ki-67 expression were more likely to have high serum α-fetoprotein levels (P = 0.041, odds ratio [OR] 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-6.21), non-rim arterial phase hyperenhancement (P = 0.001, OR 15.13, 95% CI 2.87-79.76), portal vein tumor thrombus (P = 0.035, OR 3.19, 95% CI: 1.08-9.37), and two-trait predictor of venous invasion (P = 0.026, OR 14.04, 95% CI: 1.39-144.32). The CR model achieved relatively good and stable performance compared with the R model (AUC, 0.805 [95% CI: 0.683-0.926] vs. 0.678 [95% CI: 0.536-0.839], P = 0.211; and 0.805 [95% CI: 0.657-0.953] vs. 0.667 [95% CI: 0.495-0.839], P = 0.135) in the internal and external validation sets. After combining the CR model with the R model, the AUC of the CRR model increased to 0.903 (95% CI: 0.849-0.956) in the training set, which was significantly higher than that of the CR model (P = 0.0148). However, no significant differences were found between the CRR and CR models in the internal and external validation sets (P = 0.264 and P = 0.084, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative models based on clinical and CE-CT imaging features can be used to predict HCC with high Ki-67 expression accurately. However, radiomics cannot provide added value.

p62 Is a Potential Biomarker for Risk of Malignant Transformation of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders (OPMDs)

To determine the intracellular behavior of p62, a marker of selective autophagy, in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). This retrospective study includes 70 patients who underwent biopsy or surgical resection and were definitively diagnosed with OPMDs. Immunohistochemical staining for p62, XPO1, p53, and ki67 was performed on all samples and positive cell occupancy was calculated. We statistically investigated the correlation between protein expression in OPMDs and the association between malignant transformation, clinicopathological characteristics, and occupancy. ki67 expression was negatively correlated with p62 expression in the nucleus (p < 0.01) and positively correlated with p62 expression in the cytoplasm (p < 0.01). For malignant transformation, the expression of p62 in the nucleus (p = 0.03) was significantly lower in malignant transformation cases, whereas the expression of p62 in the cytoplasm (p = 0.03) and the aggregation expression (p < 0.01) were significantly higher. Our results suggest that the function of p62 is altered by its subcellular localization. In addition, defects in selective autophagy occur in cases of malignant transformation, suggesting that p62 is a potential biomarker of the risk of malignant transformation of OPMDs.

Opportunities and challenges in drug discovery targeting the orphan receptor GPR12

G-protein-coupled receptor 12 (GPR12) is a brain-specific expression orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (oGPCR) that regulates various physiological processes. It is an emerging therapeutic target for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia, as well as other human diseases, such as cancer, obesity, and metabolic disorders. GPR12 remains a less extensively investigated oGPCR, particularly in terms of its biological functions, signaling pathways, and ligand discovery. The discovery of drug-like small-molecule modulators to probe the brain functions of GPR12 or to act as a potential drug candidates, as well as the identification of reliable biomarkers, are vital to elucidate the roles of this receptor in various human diseases and develop novel target-based therapeutics.

Low-dose total body irradiation enhances systemic anti-tumor immunity induced by local cryotherapy

BACKGROUND

Strategies that restore the immune system's ability to recognize malignant cells have yielded clinical benefits but only in some patients. Tumor cells survive cryotherapy and produce a vast amount of antigens to trigger innate and adaptive responses. However, because tumor cells have developed immune escape mechanisms, cryotherapy alone may not be enough to induce a significant immune response.

METHODS

The mice were randomly divided into four groups: Group A: low-dose total body irradiation combined with cryotherapy (L-TBI+cryo); Group B: cryotherapy (cryo); Group C: low-dose total body irradiation(L-TBI); Group D: control group (Control). The tumor growth, recurrence, and survival time of mice in each group were compared and the effects of different treatments on systemic anti-tumor immunity were explored.

RESULTS

L-TBI in conjunction with cryotherapy can effectively control tumor regrowth, inhibit tumor lung metastasis, extend the survival time of mice, and stimulate a long-term protective anti-tumor immune response to resist the re-challenge of tumor cells. The anti-tumor mechanism of this combination therapy may be related to the stimulation of inflammatory factors IFN-γ and IL-2, as well as an increase in immune effector cells (CD8+ T cells) and a decrease in immunosuppressive cells (MDSC, Treg cells) in the spleen or tumor tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

We present unique treatment options for enhancing the immune response caused by cryotherapy, pointing to the way forward for cancer treatment.

Mechanisms of action underlying the effect of Tongsaimai on wound healing based on experimental and network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tongsaimai (TSM) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has several therapeutic qualities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-vasculitis effects. However, its impacts and underlying mechanisms on wound healing remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of our study was to evaluate TSM for its pro-healing effect and the relevant mechanisms using both experimental validation and network pharmacology analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The components of TSM were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Skin wounds with a diameter of 4 mm were created on the backs of mice, after which, topical treatments of 2.5-10% TSM were applied onto the lesions once daily for either 2 or 7 days. Then, the wound tissues were collected to determine the impacts of TSM on collagen deposition, epithelial cell proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Moreover, the effects of TSM (0.5-2 mg/mL) on the cell viability of HUVECs and HaCaT cells were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 11 components in TSM were identified by HPLC-DAD. TSM was found to enhance the rate of wound contraction and increase epithelial thickness and collagen deposition during the healing process. In addition, TSM increased SOD activity and downregulated MDA and IL-1β levels in the wound tissues. Immunofluorescence analysis further indicated an increased expression of Ki67, CD31, and VEGF in wound tissues following TSM administration. Results of the network pharmacology analysis revealed that multiple pathways including VEGF, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK pathways were involved in the pharmacological actions of TSM on wound healing. Accordantly, in vitro experiments revealed that TSM promoted the proliferation of HUVECs and HaCaT cells while activating the PI3K/Akt pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that TSM may serve as a therapeutic medication to improve wound healing by employing multiple regulatory mechanisms that affect proliferation, angiogenesis, collagen deposition, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI combined with T1 mapping and clinical factors to predict Ki-67 expression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objectives

To explore the predictive value of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with T1 mapping and clinical factors for Ki-67 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 185 patients with pathologically confirmed solitary HCC from two institutions. All patients underwent preoperative T1 mapping on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Patients from institution I (n = 124) and institution II (n = 61) were respectively assigned to the training and validation sets. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the correlation of clinico-radiological factors with Ki-67 labeling index (LI). Based on the significant factors, a predictive nomogram was developed and validated for Ki-67 LI. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated on the basis of its calibration, discrimination, and clinical utility.

Results

Multivariable analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels > 20ng/mL, neutrophils to lymphocyte ratio > 2.25, non-smooth margin, tumor-to-liver signal intensity ratio in the hepatobiliary phase ≤ 0.6, and post-contrast T1 relaxation time > 705 msec were the independent predictors of Ki-67 LI. The nomogram based on these variables showed the best predictive performance with area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) 0.899, area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) 0.946 and F1 score of 0.912; the respective values were 0.823, 0.879 and 0.857 in the validation set. The Kaplan-Meier curves illustrated that the cumulative recurrence probability at 2 years was significantly higher in patients with high Ki-67 LI than in those with low Ki-67 LI (39.6% [53/134] vs. 19.6% [10/51], p = 0.011).

Conclusions

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI combined with T1 mapping and several clinical factors can preoperatively predict Ki-67 LI with high accuracy, and thus enable risk stratification and personalized treatment of HCC patients.

FAK inhibitor PF-562271 inhibits the migration and proliferation of high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells through FAK and FAK mediated cell cycle arrest

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a promising therapeutic target for various cancers and its inhibitor development is in full swing. PF-562271 is a classic FAK inhibitor that has shown promising preclinical data and has been found to exhibit an anti-migration effect on some cancer cells. However, its anticancer effect on high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) has not been reported. In this study, we evaluated the anti-migration and anti-proliferation effects of PF-562271 against HGSOC SKOV3 and A2780 cells, as well as the underlying mechanism. The results demonstrated that FAK was overexpressed in clinical HGSOC tissues and was positively correlated with the pathological progression of HGSOC. Moreover, HGSOC patients with high FAK expression levels exhibited low survival rates. PF-562271 treatment significantly inhibited the cell adhesion and migration of SKOV3 and A2780 cells by inhibiting p-FAK expression and decreasing the FA surface area. Additionally, PF-562271 treatment inhibited colony formation and induced cell senescence through G1 phase cell cycle arrest mediated DNA replication inhibition. Taken together, the findings demonstrated that FAK inhibitor PF-562271 significantly inhibits HGSOC cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation process through FAK and/or FAK mediated cell cycle arrest, and suggested that PF-562271 could serve as a potential oncotherapeutic agent for HGSOC targeting treatment.

Association between Ki67 expression and therapeutic outcome in colon cancer

Ki67 is a commonly used proliferation marker in pathological diagnosis of tumors; however, its prognostic value in colon cancer is controversial. A total of 312 consecutive patients with stage I-III colon cancer who underwent radical surgery with or without adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the present study. Ki67 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and was classified according to 25% intervals. The association between Ki67 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed. Long-term postoperative survival, including disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival, was calculated, and its association with Ki67 was analyzed. High Ki67 expression (>50%) was associated with improved DFS in patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy postoperatively, but not in patients who received surgery alone (P=0.138). Ki67 expression was significantly associated with histological differentiation of the tumor (P=0.01), while it was not associated with other clinicopathological factors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that pathological T and N stage were independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, high Ki67 expression was associated with a good therapeutic outcome in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer.

Suppressing cancer by damaging cancer cell DNA using LED irradiation

BACKGROUND

High-energy irradiation eliminates cancer cells by destroying their genetic components. However, there are several side effects from doing this, such as fatigue, dermatitis, and hair loss, which remain obstacles to this treatment. Here, we propose a moderate method that uses low-energy white light from a light-emitting diode (LED) to selectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation without affecting normal cells.

METHODS

The association between LED irradiation and cancer cell growth arrest was evaluated based on cell proliferation, viability, and apoptotic activity. Immunofluorescence, polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting were performed in vitro and in vivo to identify the metabolism related to the inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation.

RESULTS

LED irradiation aggravated the defective p53 signaling pathway and induced cell growth arrest in cancer cells. Consequently, cancer cell apoptosis was induced by the increased DNA damage. Additionally, LED irradiation inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells by suppressing the MAPK pathway. Furthermore, the suppression of cancer growth by the regulation of p53 and MAPK was observed in cancer-bearing mice irradiated with LED.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that LED irradiation can suppress cancer cell activity and may contribute to preventing the proliferation of cancer cells after medical surgery without causing side effects.