Resveratrol enhanced chemosensitivity by reversing macrophage polarization in breast cancer

Natural product/diet-based regulation of macrophage polarization: Implications in treatment of inflammatory-related diseases and cancer

Macrophages are phagocytic cells with important physiological functions, including the digestion of cellular debris, foreign substances, and microbes, as well as tissue development and homeostasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) shapes the aggressiveness of cancer, and the biological and cellular interactions in this complicated space can determine carcinogenesis. TME can determine the progression, biological behavior, and therapy resistance of human cancers. The macrophages are among the most abundant cells in the TME, and their functions and secretions can determine tumor progression. The education of macrophages to M2 polarization can accelerate cancer progression, and therefore, the re-education and reprogramming of these cells is promising. Moreover, macrophages can cause inflammation in aggravating pathological events, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological disorders. The natural products are pleiotropic and broad-spectrum functional compounds that have been deployed as ideal alternatives to conventional drugs in the treatment of cancer. The biological and cellular interactions in the TME can be regulated by natural products, and for this purpose, they enhance the M1 polarization of macrophages, and in addition to inhibiting proliferation and invasion, they impair the chemoresistance. Moreover, since macrophages and changes in the molecular pathways in these cells can cause inflammation, the natural products impair the pro-inflammatory function of macrophages to prevent the pathogenesis and progression of diseases. Even a reduction in macrophage-mediated inflammation can prevent organ fibrosis. Therefore, natural product-mediated macrophage targeting can alleviate both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases.

A Pathologically Friendly Strategy for Determining the Organ-specific Spatial Tumor Microenvironment Topology in Lung Adenocarcinoma Through the Integration of snRandom-seq and Imaging Mass Cytometry

Heterogeneous organ-specific responses to immunotherapy exist in lung cancer. Dissecting tumor microenvironment (TME) can provide new insights into the mechanisms of divergent responses, the process of which remains poor, partly due to the challenges associated with single-cell profiling using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) materials. In this study, single-cell nuclei RNA sequencing and imaging mass cytometry (IMC) are used to dissect organ-specific cellular and spatial TME based on FFPE samples from paired primary lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and metastases. Single-cell analyses of 84 294 cells from sequencing and 250 600 cells from IMC reveal divergent organ-specific immune niches. For sites of LUAD responding well to immunotherapy, including primary LUAD and adrenal gland metastases, a significant enrichment of B, plasma, and T cells is detected. Spatially resolved maps reveal cellular neighborhoods recapitulating functional units of the tumor ecosystem and the spatial proximity of B and CD4+ T cells at immunogenic sites. Various organ-specific densities of tertiary lymphoid structures are observed. Immunosuppressive sites, including brain and liver metastases, are deposited with collagen I, and T cells at these sites highly express TIM-3. This study originally deciphers the single-cell landscape of the organ-specific TME at both cellular and spatial levels for LUAD, indicating the necessity for organ-specific treatment approaches.

The activation of SIRT1 by resveratrol reduces breast cancer metastasis to lung through inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a crucial role in breast cancer metastasis. However, the therapeutic target of NETs in breast cancer metastasis is still unknown. Using a natural metabolite library and single-cell sequencing data analysis, we identified resveratrol (RES), a polyphenolic natural phytoalexin, and agonist of silent information regulator-1 (SIRT1) that suppressed NETs formation after cathepsin C (CTSC) treatment. In vivo, RES significantly hindered breast cancer metastasis in a murine orthotopic 4T1 breast cancer model. Serum levels of myeloperoxidase-DNA and neutrophil elastase-DNA in mouse breast cancer model were significantly lower after RES treatment. Correspondingly, the tumour infiltrated CD8+T cells in the lungs increased after the treatment. Mechanistically, RES targets SIRT1 in neutrophils and significantly inhibits the citrullination of histones H3, which is essential for chromatin decondensation and NETs formation. Furthermore, we identified that the NETs were suppressed by RES in bone marrow neutrophils after CTSC treatment, while specific deficiency of SIRT1 in neutrophils promoted NETs formation and breast cancer to lung metastasis. Thus, our results revealed that RES could be potentially identified as a viable therapeutic drug to prevent neutrophil cell death and breast cancer metastasis.

Molecular mechanisms of resveratrol as chemo and radiosensitizer in cancer

One of the primary diseases that cause death worldwide is cancer. Cancer cells can be intrinsically resistant or acquire resistance to therapies and drugs used for cancer treatment through multiple mechanisms of action that favor cell survival and proliferation, becoming one of the leading causes of treatment failure against cancer. A promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance and radioresistance is the co-administration of anticancer agents and natural compounds with anticancer properties, such as the polyphenolic compound resveratrol (RSV). RSV has been reported to be able to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents and radiotherapy, promoting cancer cell death. This review describes the reported molecular mechanisms by which RSV sensitizes tumor cells to radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

Effects of resveratrol on macrophages after phagocytosis of Candida glabrata

Candida glabrata is believed to be the underlying cause of many human ailments, including oral, gastrointestinal, and vaginal disorders. C. glabrata-caused deep-seated infections, coupled with its resistance to antifungal drugs, may contribute to a high mortality rate. Resveratrol is a polyphenol and can achieve better therapeutic effects when administered in combination with micafungin, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we investigate the effects of varying doses of resveratrol on the proliferation, apoptosis, and activity of macrophages, which were co-cultured with micafungin-pretreated C. glabrata. Resveratrol can restore the decreased proliferative activity of macrophages caused by the phagocytosis of C. glabrata. Further investigations demonstrated that this restoration ability exhibited a dose-dependent manner, reaching the highest level at 200 µM of resveratrol. Resveratrol tended to be more effective in inhibiting macrophage apoptosis and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels with concentration increases. In addition, at medium concentrations, resveratrol may down-regulate the expression of most inflammatory cytokines, whereas at high concentrations, it started to exert pro-inflammatory functions by up-regulating their expressions. Macrophages may shift from an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype to an inflammatory (M1) phenotype by resveratrol at 200 µM, and from M1 to M2 at 400 µM. Our research shows that resveratrol with micafungin are effective in treating C. glabrata infections. The resveratrol-micafungin combination can reduce the production of ROS, and promote the proliferation, inhibit the apoptosis, and activate the polarization of macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. This study offers insights into how this combination works and may provide possible direction for further clinical application of the combination.

Enhancing personalized immune checkpoint therapy by immune archetyping and pharmacological targeting

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are an expanding class of immunotherapeutic agents with the potential to cure cancer. Despite the outstanding clinical response in patient subsets, most individuals become refractory or develop resistance. Patient stratification and personalized immunotherapies are limited by the absence of predictive response markers. Recent findings show that dominant patterns of immune cell composition, T-cell status and heterogeneity, and spatiotemporal distribution of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are becoming essential determinants of prognosis and therapeutic response. In this context, ICIs also function as investigational tools and proof of concept, allowing the validation of the identified mechanisms. After reviewing the current state of ICIs, this article will explore new comprehensive predictive markers for ICIs based on recent discoveries. We will discuss the recent establishment of a classification of TMEs into immune archetypes as a tool for personalized immune profiling, allowing patient stratification before ICI treatment. We will discuss the developing comprehension of T-cell diversity and its role in shaping the immune profile of patients. We describe the potential of strategies that score the mutual spatiotemporal modulation between T-cells and other cellular components of the TME. Additionally, we will provide an overview of a range of synthetic and naturally occurring or derived small molecules. We will compare compounds that were recently identified by in silico prediction to wet lab-validated drug candidates with the potential to function as ICIs and/or modulators of the cellular components of the TME.

The effect of resveratrol, curcumin and quercetin combination on immuno-suppression of tumor microenvironment for breast tumor-bearing mice

Resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin are the secondary metabolites from medicinal food homology plants, that have been proven their potency in cancer treatment. However, the antitumor effect of a single component is weak. So, herein, we designed an antitumor compound named RCQ composed of resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin. This study examined the effect on tumorigenesis and development of 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice following administering RCQ by intragastric administration. RCQ increased the recruitment of T cells and reduced the accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Meanwhile, RCQ suppressed the development of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes into immunosuppressive cell subpopulations, including CD4+ T cells to T helper Type 2 type (Th2), tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) to the N2 TANs, and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) cells to M2 TAMs. RCQ reversed the predominance of immunosuppressive infiltrating cells in the tumor microenvironment and tipped the immune balance toward an immune activation state. In vitro the study showed that RCQ significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce mitochondrial membrane potentials in cancer cells, and modulate pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members. In conclusion, RCQ can promote the ROS apoptosis mechanism of tumor cells and alleviate immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment to enhance the anti-tumor effect.

Vaccines in Breast Cancer: Challenges and Breakthroughs

Breast cancer is a problem for women's health globally. Early detection techniques come in a variety of forms ranging from local to systemic and from non-invasive to invasive. The treatment of cancer has always been challenging despite the availability of a wide range of therapeutics. This is either due to the variable behaviour and heterogeneity of the proliferating cells and/or the individual's response towards the treatment applied. However, advancements in cancer biology and scientific technology have changed the course of the cancer treatment approach. This current review briefly encompasses the diagnostics, the latest and most recent breakthrough strategies and challenges, and the limitations in fighting breast cancer, emphasising the development of breast cancer vaccines. It also includes the filed/granted patents referring to the same aspects.

Gold nanostructure-mediated delivery of anticancer agents: Biomedical applications, reversing drug resistance, and stimuli-responsive nanocarriers

The application of nanoarchitectures in cancer therapy seems to be beneficial for the delivery of antitumor drugs. In recent years, attempts have been made to reverse drug resistance, one of the factors threatening the lives of cancer patients worldwide. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are metal nanostructures with a variety of advantageous properties, such as tunable size and shape, continuous release of chemicals, and simple surface modification. This review focuses on the application of GNPs for the delivery of chemotherapy agents in cancer therapy. Utilizing GNPs results in targeted delivery and increased intracellular accumulation. Besides, GNPs can provide a platform for the co-delivery of anticancer agents and genetic tools with chemotherapeutic compounds to exert a synergistic impact. Furthermore, GNPs can promote oxidative damage and apoptosis by triggering chemosensitivity. Due to their capacity for providing photothermal therapy, GNPs can enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents against tumor cells. The pH-, redox-, and light-responsive GNPs are beneficial for drug release at the tumor site. For the selective targeting of cancer cells, surface modification of GNPs with ligands has been performed. In addition to improving cytotoxicity, GNPs can prevent the development of drug resistance in tumor cells by facilitating prolonged release and loading low concentrations of chemotherapeutics while maintaining their high antitumor activity. As described in this study, the clinical use of chemotherapeutic drug-loaded GNPs is contingent on enhancing their biocompatibility.

The Role of STATs in Ovarian Cancer: Exploring Their Potential for Therapy

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is a deadly gynecologic malignancy that presents many clinical challenges due to late-stage diagnoses and the development of acquired resistance to standard-of-care treatment protocols. There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that STATs may play a critical role in OvCa progression, resistance, and disease recurrence, and thus we sought to compile a comprehensive review to summarize the current state of knowledge on the topic. We have examined peer reviewed literature to delineate the role of STATs in both cancer cells and cells within the tumor microenvironment. In addition to summarizing the current knowledge of STAT biology in OvCa, we have also examined the capacity of small molecule inhibitor development to target specific STATs and progress toward clinical applications. From our research, the best studied and targeted factors are STAT3 and STAT5, which has resulted in the development of several inhibitors that are under current evaluation in clinical trials. There remain gaps in understanding the role of STAT1, STAT2, STAT4, and STAT6, due to limited reports in the current literature; as such, further studies to establish their implications in OvCa are necessitated. Moreover, due to the deficiency in our understanding of these STATs, selective inhibitors also remain elusive, and therefore present opportunities for discovery.

The portrayal of macrophages as tools and targets: A paradigm shift in cancer management

Macrophages play a major role in maintaining an organism's physiology, such as development, homeostasis, tissue repair, and immunity. These immune cells are known to be involved in tumor progression and modulation. Monocytes can be polarized to two types of macrophages (M1 macrophages and pro-tumor M2 macrophages). Through this article, we aim to emphasize the potential of targeting macrophages in order to improve current strategies for tumor management. Various strategies that target macrophages as a therapeutic target have been discussed along with ongoing clinical trials. We have discussed the role of macrophages in various stages of tumor progression epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, maintaining the stability of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood, and establishing a premetastatic niche along with the role of various cytokines and chemokines involved in these processes. Intriguingly macrophages can also serve as drug carriers due to their tumor tropism along the chemokine gradient. They surpass currently explored nanotherapeutics in tumor accumulation and circulation half-life. We have emphasized on macrophage-based biomimetic formulations and macrophage-hitchhiking as a strategy to effectively target tumors. We firmly believe that targeting macrophages or utilizing them as an indigenous carrier system could transform cancer management.

A new method for predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients through a combination of multiple tumor-associated macrophage markers at the invasive front

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are closely related to tumorigenesis and metastasis of multiple cancer types. The infiltration of TAMs is used for predicting the prognosis of cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the density and prognostic significance of M1 and M2 TAM phenotypes in the intratumor versus the invasive front (IF) are largely unknown in CRC. In this study, CD68 was selected as a general marker of TAMs, CD11c, NOS2 and CXCL10 as markers for M1 phenotype and CD163, CD206, CD115 as markers for M2 phenotype. Firstly, immunohistochemistry staining and double-labeling immunofluorescence staining showed that M1 molecular markers (NOS2, CXCL10, CD11c) were lowly expressed at both IF and intratumor, while M2 molecular markers (CD163, CD206, CD115) were highly expressed mainly at IF. Moreover, we also demonstrated that three M1 molecular markers including NOS2, CXCL10 and CD11c were correlated to each other. Meanwhile, three M2 molecular markers including CD163, CD206, and CD115 were also correlated to each other. Patients with low expression of three M1 molecular markers (NOS2/CXCL10/CD11c) exhibited low overall survival (OS) rate, whereas patients with high expression of three M2 molecular markers (CD163/CD206/CD115) exhibited low OS rate. We also observed that the prognostic value of treble markers combination (NOS2/CXCL10/CD11c or CD163/CD206/CD115) was superior to that of single marker. Together, our results reveal the combination of treble TAMs markers (NOS2/CXCL10/CD11c or CD163/CD206/CD115) could better evaluate the prognosis of CRC patients, which might be used as a more comprehensive method for predicting the prognosis of CRC patients.

Natural products targeting macrophages in tumor microenvironment are a source of potential antitumor agents

BACKGROUND

Macrophages are one of the major cell types in the immune system and are closely related to tumor development, which can be polarized into M1 type with anti-tumor activity or M2 type with pro-tumor activity. The infiltration of more macrophages into tumor predicts poorer prognosis due to their more exhibition of M2 phenotype under the influence of many factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, reverse of M2 macrophage polarization in TME is conducive to the suppression of tumor deterioration and understanding the influencing factors of macrophage polarization is helpful to provide new ideas for the subsequent targeting macrophages for tumor therapy.

PURPOSE

This review summarizes the effects of TME on macrophage polarization and natural products against M2 macrophage polarization, which may provide some directions for tumor therapy.

METHODS

The search of relevant literature was conducted using the PubMed, Science Direct, CNKI and Web of Science databases with the search terms "macrophage", "tumor microenvironment", "natural product" and "tumor".

RESULTS

The mutual transformation of M1 and M2 phenotypes in macrophages is influenced by many factors. Tumor cells affect the polarization of macrophages by regulating the expression of genes and proteins and the secretion of cytokines. The expression of some genes or proteins in macrophages is also related to their own polarization. Many natural products can reverse M2 polarization of macrophages which has been summarized in this review.

CONCLUSION

Regulation of macrophage polarization in TME can inhibit tumor development, and natural products have the potential to impede tumor development by regulating macrophage polarization.

siRNA and targeted delivery systems in breast cancer therapy

Recently, nucleic acid drugs have been considered as promising candidates in treatment of various diseases, especially cancer. Because of developing resistance to conventional chemotherapy, use of genetic tools in cancer therapy appears inevitable. siRNA is a RNAi tool with capacity of suppressing target gene. Owing to overexpression of oncogenic factors in cancer, siRNA can be used for suppressing those pathways. This review emphasizes the function of siRNA in treatment of breast tumor. The anti-apoptotic-related genes including Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin can be down-regulated by siRNA in triggering cell death in breast cancer. STAT3, STAT8, Notch1, E2F3 and NF-κB are among the factors with overexpression in breast cancer that their silencing by siRNA paves the way for impairing tumor proliferation and invasion. The oncogenic mechanisms in drug resistance development in breast tumor such as lncRNAs can be suppressed by siRNA. Furthermore, siRNA reducing P-gp activity can increase drug internalization in tumor cells. Because of siRNA degradation at bloodstream and low accumulation at tumor site, nanoplatforms have been employed for siRNA delivery to suppress breast tumor progression via improving siRNA efficacy in gene silencing. Development of biocompatible and efficient nanostructures for siRNA delivery can make milestone progress in alleviation of breast cancer patients.

Resveratrol activates CD8+ T cells through IL-18 bystander activation in lung adenocarcinoma

Resveratrol, a natural product, has demonstrated anti-tumor effects in various kinds of tumor types, including colon, breast, and pancreatic cancers. Most research has focused on the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on tumor cells themselves rather than resveratrol’s effects on tumor immunology. In this study, we found that resveratrol inhibited the growth of lung adenocarcinoma in a subcutaneous tumor model by using the β-cyclodextrin-resveratrol inclusion complex. After resveratrol treatment, the proportion of M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) was reduced and tumor-infiltrating CD8T cells showed significantly increased activation. The results of co-culture and antibody neutralization experiments suggested that macrophage-derived IL-18 may be a key cytokine in the resveratrol anti-tumor effect of CD8T cell activation. The results of this study demonstrate a novel view of the mechanisms of resveratrol tumor suppression. This natural product could reprogram TAMs and CD8T effector cells for tumor treatment.

Tackling heterogeneity in treatment-resistant breast cancer using a broad-spectrum therapeutic approach

Tumor heterogeneity can contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance in cancer, including advanced breast cancers. The object of the Halifax project was to identify new treatments that would address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance through tumor heterogeneity by uncovering combinations of therapeutics that could target the hallmarks of cancer rather than focusing on individual gene products. A taskforce of 180 cancer researchers, used molecular profiling to highlight key targets responsible for each of the hallmarks of cancer and then find existing therapeutic agents that could be used to reach those targets with limited toxicity. In many cases, natural health products and re-purposed pharmaceuticals were identified as potential agents. Hence, by combining the molecular profiling of tumors with therapeutics that target the hallmark features of cancer, the heterogeneity of advanced-stage breast cancers can be addressed.

Curcumin- and resveratrol-co-loaded nanoparticles in synergistic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Currently, systemic therapies for patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rely mainly on systemic drugs. However, traditional systemic drugs have a high rate of serious adverse events, and the curative effects of some potential anticancer drugs, such as curcumin (CUR) and resveratrol (RSV), are less apparent due to their poor bioavailability. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a highly effective therapy to improve patient prognosis. Herein, an injectable HCC-targeted nanoparticle (NP) was designed to deliver CUR and RSV to hepatoma cells.

RESULTS

The molecular self-assembled NPs showed higher tumour retention through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of the NPs and surface modification with the HCC-specific peptide moiety SP94 to effectively treat HCC. These HCC-targeted NPs led to a significant reduction in the drug dosage, delayed the rate of drug release and improved the bioavailability of the encapsulated drugs. The drug concentrations in the vicinity of the tumour increased, and a good therapeutic effect was observed without obvious side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

These SP94-mediated NPs allowed large amounts of antitumor drugs to accumulate in tumours, providing a novel strategy for innovative HCC therapy. This nanoplatform also offers an idea for exploring other potential chemotherapeutics.

Pro-Inflammatory Signalling PRRopels Cisplatin-Induced Toxicity

Cisplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic that has long since been effective against a variety of solid-cancers, substantially improving the five-year survival rates for cancer patients. Its use has also historically been limited by its adverse drug reactions, or cisplatin-induced toxicities (CITs). Of these reactions, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN), cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), and cisplatin-induced ototoxicity (CIO) are the three most common of several CITs recognised thus far. While the anti-cancer activity of cisplatin is well understood, the mechanisms driving its toxicities have only begun to be defined. Most of the literature pertains to damage caused by oxidative stress that occurs downstream of cisplatin treatment, but recent evidence suggests that the instigator of CIT development is inflammation. Cisplatin has been shown to induce pro-inflammatory signalling in CIN, CIPN, and CIO, all of which are associated with persisting markers of inflammation, particularly from the innate immune system. This review covered the hallmarks of inflammation common and distinct between different CITs, the role of innate immune components in development of CITs, as well as current treatments targeting pro-inflammatory signalling pathways to conserve the use of cisplatin in chemotherapy and improve long-term health outcomes of cancer patients.