Strong enhancement by IGF1-R antagonists of hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration inhibition by Sorafenib and/or vitamin K1

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate and Quercetin Inhibit Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase 1 Secretion from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Liver cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. The first-line therapeutic drug sorafenib offers only a moderate improvement in patients' conditions. Therefore, an approach to enhancing its therapeutic efficacy is urgently needed. It has been revealed that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with heightened intracellular quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) exhibit increased sensitivity to sorafenib. QSOX1 is a secreted disulfide catalyst, and it is widely recognized that extracellular QSOX1 promotes the growth, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells through its participation in the establishment of extracellular matrix. Inhibiting QSOX1 secretion can increase intracellular QSOX1 and decrease extracellular QSOX1. Such an approach would sensitize HCC cells to sorafenib but remains to be established. Since (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been demonstrated to be an effective inhibitor of α-fetal protein secretion from HCC cells, we screened QSOX1 secretion inhibition using polyphenolic compounds. We examined eight dietary polyphenols (EGCG, quercetin, fisetin, myricetin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, resveratrol, and theaflavin) and found that EGCG and quercetin effectively inhibited QSOX1 secretion from human HCC cells (HepG2 or Huh7), resulting in high intracellular QSOX1 and low extracellular QSOX1. The combination of EGCG or quercetin, both of which change the cellular distribution of QSOX1, with sorafenib, which has no influence on the cellular distribution of QSOX1, exhibited multiple synergistic effects against the HCC cells, including the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of invasion and metastasis. In conclusion, our current results suggest that dietary EGCG and quercetin have the potential to be developed as adjuvants to sorafenib in the treatment of HCC by modulating the cellular distribution of QSOX1.

Ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Ferroptosis is a novel form of oxidative cell death, in which highly expressed unsaturated fatty acids on the cell membrane are catalyzed by divalent iron or ester oxygenase to promote liposome peroxidation. This process reduces cellular antioxidant capacity, increases lipid reactive oxygen species, and leads to the accumulation of intracellular ferrous ions, which disrupts intracellular redox homeostasis and ultimately causes oxidative cell death. Studies have shown that ferroptosis induces an immune response that has a dual role in liver disease, ferroptosis also offers a promising strategy for precise cancer therapy. Ferroptosis regulators are beneficial in maintaining cellular homeostasis and tissue health, have shown efficacy in treating diseases of the hepatic system. However, the mechanisms of action and molecular regulatory pathways of ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, deciphering the role of ferroptosis and its mechanisms in HCC progression is crucial for treating the disease. In this review, we introduce the morphological features and biochemical functions of ferroptosis, outline the molecular regulatory pathways of ferroptosis, and highlights the therapeutic potential of ferroptosis inhibitors and modulators to target it in HCC.

Virtual screening and network pharmacology-based synergistic coagulation mechanism identification of multiple components contained in compound Kushen Injection against hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver malignancy commonly encountered in the setting of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Compound Kushen Injection (CKI) has been widely used in HCC, however, the underlying mechanisms are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the molecular mechanisms of CKI for HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical ingredients of CKI were reviewed from published articles and the potential targets were got from Herbal Ingredients' Targets Platform. Coagulation-related targets were from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and HCC-related targets were from Therapeutic Target Database, Gene Expression Omnibus, and The Cancer Genome Atlas. Then the CKI-Herb-Target and CKI-Herb-Target-HCC networks were built. The shared targets between CKI and HCC were used for functional enrichment through Metascape and the shared coagulation-related target was used for molecular docking and survival analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 23 chemical ingredients and 41 potential targets shared between CKI and HCC were obtained. The results of functional enrichment indicated that several canonical pathways of CKI mostly participated in the treatment of HCC. Furthermore, a chemical ingredient of CKI formed a stable hydrogen bond link with the ASN-189 on PLG, with a best binding energy of -4.7 kcal/mol. Finally, PLG was confirmed as the shared coagulation-related target and interrelated with the prognosis of HCC.

CONCLUSION

CKI probably improves HCC prognosis through PLG. Our research undoubtedly deepened the understanding of the molecular mechanism of CKI anti-HCC.

Vitamin K: A novel cancer chemosensitizer

Cancer incidences are growing rapidly and causing millions of deaths globally. Cancer treatment is one of the most exigent challenges. Drug resistance is a natural phenomenon and is considered one of the major obstacles in the successful treatment of cancer by chemotherapy. Combination therapy by the amalgamation of various anticancer drugs has suggested modulating tumor response by targeting various signaling pathways in a synergistic or additive manner. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient and has recently been investigated as a potential anticancer agent. The combination of vitamin K analogs, such as vitamins K1, K2, K3, and K5, with other chemotherapeutic drugs have demonstrated a safe, cost-effective, and most efficient way to overcome drug resistance and improved the outcomes of prevailing chemotherapy. Published reports have shown that vitamin K in combination therapy improved the efficacy of clinical drugs by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and overcoming drug resistance by inhibiting P-glycoprotein. In this review, we discuss the mechanism, cellular targets, and possible ways to develop vitamin K subtypes into effective cancer chemosensitizers. Finally, this review will provide a scientific basis for exploiting vitamin K as a potential agent to improve the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Vitamin K Contribution to DNA Damage—Advantage or Disadvantage? A Human Health Response

Vitamin K is the common name for a group of compounds recognized as essential for blood clotting. The group comprises phylloquinone (K1)—a 2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone; menaquinone (K2, MK)—a group of compounds with an unsaturated side chain in position 3 of a different number of isoprene units and a 1,4-naphthoquinone group and menadione (K3, MD)—a group of synthetic, water-soluble compounds 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. However, recent epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin K has various benefits that go beyond blood coagulation processes. A dietary intake of K1 is inversely associated with the risk of pancreatic cancer, K2 has the potential to induce a differentiation in leukemia cells or apoptosis of various types of cancer cells, and K3 has a documented anti-cancer effect. A healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables ensures an optimal supply of K1 and K2, though consumers often prefer supplements. Interestingly, the synthetic form of vitamin K—menadione—appears in the cell during the metabolism of phylloquinone and is a precursor of MK-4, a form of vitamin K2 inaccessible in food. With this in mind, the purpose of this review is to emphasize the importance of vitamin K as a micronutrient, which not only has a beneficial effect on blood clotting and the skeleton, but also reduces the risk of cancer and other pro-inflammatory diseases. A proper diet should be a basic and common preventive procedure, resulting in a healthier society and reduced burden on healthcare systems.

Long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host genes: functions and mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system, with a high degree of malignancy. Although treatment methods are constantly improving, the mortality of patients is still very high, and the small nucleolar RNA host gene (SNHG) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of cancer. It can activate downstream signaling molecules by acting on microRNA and microRNA target genes, promote the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HCC cells, and provide a new molecular target for the treatment of HCC. At present, the molecular mechanisms of HCC remain unclear. In this study, the mechanism and signaling pathway of SNHG in HCC are reviewed, which provides a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of HCC.

OSI-906 restores the sensitivity of ovarian clear cell carcinoma to cisplatin by targeting the IGF1R/AKT pathway

Among the various histologic subtypes of ovarian cancers (OCs), ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) represents a great challenge due to its disease aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy. IGF1 is overexpressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and IGF1 pathway activation is related to the chemoresistance of various cancers. In this study, we found that the expression level of IGF1 was higher in OCCC than in the most common type of OC, high-grade serous adenocarcinoma (HGSC). Then, we investigated the role of IGF1 pathway activation in the progression of OCCC, observing that activation of the IGF1 pathway using IGF1 promoted the proliferation and migration of ES2 cells, while inactivation of the IGF1 pathway using the selective IGF1R inhibitor OSI-906 reversed the alteration mediated by IGF1. Based on the role of the IGF1 pathway in cancer chemoresistance, we proposed that OSI-906 may restore the sensitivity of OCCC to cisplatin. We first validated that IGF1 increased the IC50 value of cisplatin in ES2 cells, while OSI-906 decreased it. Then we confirmed that IGF1 decreased the apoptosis rate of ES2 cells induced by cisplatin, while OSI-906 increased it. Finally, we conducted animal experiments to investigate whether OSI-906 helps cisplatin control the growth of OCCC. As expected, OSI-906 increased the effect of cisplatin in attenuating the growth of OCCC in vivo. Therefore, we conclude that using OSI-906 may be an effective method to restore the sensitivity of OCCC to cisplatin by targeting the IGF1R/AKT pathway.

Identification of hub genes associated with obesity-induced hepatocellular carcinoma risk based on integrated bioinformatics analysis

Obesity, which has become one of the biggest public health problems of the twenty-first century, accompanies many chronic conditions, including cancer. On the other hand, liver cancer, which is known to be associated with obesity, is considered another serious threat to public health. However, the underlying drivers of the development of obesity-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain blurry. The current study attempted to identify the key genes and pathways in the obesity-induced development of HCC using integrated bioinformatics analyses. Obesity and HCC-associated gene expression datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and analyzed to identify overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and hub genes. The prognostic potentials, survival analysis, and expression levels of hub genes were further assessed. Moreover, the correlation between hub genes and the immune cells infiltration was analyzed. The findings of this research revealed that both mRNA and protein expression levels of the four hub genes (IGF1, ACADL, CYP2C9, and G6PD) involved in many important metabolic pathways are remarkably altered in both obese individuals and patients with HCC. The results demonstrated that these dysregulated genes in both obesity and HCC may serve as considerable targets for the prevention and treatment of HCC development in obese individuals.

Diarylureas as Antitumor Agents

The diarylurea is a scaffold of great importance in medicinal chemistry as it is present in numerous heterocyclic compounds with antithrombotic, antimalarial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some diarylureas, serine-threonine kinase or tyrosine kinase inhibitors, were recently reported in literature. The first to come into the market as an anticancer agent was sorafenib, followed by some others. In this review, we survey progress over the past 10 years in the development of new diarylureas as anticancer agents.

Folic acid modified lipid-bilayer coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles co-loading paclitaxel and tanshinone IIA for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

In this work, paclitaxel (Ptx) combined with tanshinone IIA (TanIIA) was found to show synergistic effect on inducing apoptosis of human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB₄, and the anti-tumor effect was strongest when its molar ratio was 1:1. To enhance the efficacy and reduce side effects, an active targeting drug delivery system with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) coated with folic acid (FA) modified PEGylated lipid-bilayer (LB) membrane (FA-LB-MSNs) was established for co-loading drugs. The drug loadings of Ptx and TanIIA in FA-LB-MSNs were 5.5% and 1.8%, respectively. Compared with the uncoated MSNs, the FA-LB-MSNs showed a sustained drug release, and Ptx and TanIIA released synchronously from the carriers. By means of biological adhesion between FA and its receptors, the uptake of FA-LB-MSNs by NB₄ cells was significantly higher than that of uncoated preparations, and Ptx combined with TanIIA had strong synergistic effect to enhance the apoptosis and differentiation of NB₄ cells. The results of pharmacodynamics in vivo showed that the FA-LB-MSNs targeted tumor in nude mice more effectively than the compared formulations without FA modification. The Ptx and TanIIA-loaded FA-LB-MSNs group showed significantly better effects on inducing apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth than the reference groups, which agreed with the results of anti-tumor experiments in vitro. Furthermore, no toxicity was observed to the heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney of the tumor-bearing animals, indicating good biocompatibility of the prepared novel nanocarriers. This study confirmed the synergistic therapeutic effect of Ptx and TanIIA on APL, and the superior of FA-LB-MSNs as co-loaded nanocarriers for active targeted therapy of tumors.

Long Non-Coding RNA SNHG14 Contributes to the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Sponging miR-217

Background

Thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been functionally verified as crucial regulators of physiological processes and disease progressions, yet their roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been clearly illuminated.

Methods

We analyzed the expression of lncRNA-SNHG14 in TCGA data via bioinformatic analysis and detected its expression in HCC specimens by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Loss-of-function experiments were used to study the biological function of SNHG14 in HCC cells. RT-qPCR, Western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter assay were carried out to investigate the molecular mechanism of SNHG14 in HCC.

Results

The upregulation of lncRNA-SNHG14 was observed in HCC tissues compared with normal tissues via RT-qPCR and bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data. Silencing of SNHG14 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in HCC cells. microRNA-217 (miR-217), the tumor-suppressive miRNA in HCC, was predicted and confirmed as a miRNA sponged by SNHG14 in HCC cells. Via downregulation of miR-217, SNHG14 increased the expression of several miR-217-related oncogenes and subsequently activated oncogene-related signaling pathways in HCC cells. In addition, inhibition of miR-217 reversed SNHG14 silencing induced decrease of cell proliferation and increase of cell apoptosis. Their association was verified in the published microarray dataset and the collected HCC samples.

Conclusion

In summary, SNHG14 is involved in the development of HCC via sponging miR-217 and it may be a biomarker for patients with HCC.

Large-scale analyses identify a cluster of novel long noncoding RNAs as potential competitive endogenous RNAs in progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

The abnormal expression of noncoding RNAs has attracted increasing interest in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms mediated by noncoding RNAs in these processes are unclear. Here, we obtained the expression profiles of long noncoding RNAs, microRNAs, and mRNAs from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and identified hepatocarcinogenesis-specific differentially expressed transcripts. Next, we identified significant Gene Ontology and pathway terms that the differentially expressed transcripts involved in. Using functional analysis and target prediction, we constructed a hepatocellular carcinoma-associated deregulated competitive endogenous RNA network to reveal the potential mechanisms underlying tumor progression. By analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, six key long noncoding RNAs showed significant association with overall survival as well as strong correlation with some microRNAs and mRNAs in the competitive endogenous RNA network. We further validated the above results and determined their diagnostic and prognostic value in clinical samples. Importantly, by large-scale analyses, we identified a cluster of long noncoding RNAs, GBAP1, MCM3AP-AS1, SLC16A1-AS1, C3P1, DIO3OS, and HNF4A-AS1 as candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, which will improve our understanding of competitive endogenous RNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma development and will provide novel therapeutic targets in the future.

Targeting CDK9 and MCL-1 by a new CDK9/p-TEFb inhibitor with and without 5-fluorouracil in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Background:

CDK9 inhibitors are antitumorigenic against solid tumors, including esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, efficacy of a CDK9 inhibitor combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and target proteins that are targeted by these agents in EAC are unknown.

Methods:

The anti-EAC efficacy of a new CDK9 inhibitor, BAY1143572, with and without 5-FU was assessed in vitro and in xenograft models in athymic nu/nu mice. Synergy between BAY1143572 and 5-FU in inhibiting cell proliferation was analyzed by calculating the combination index using CompuSyn software. Potential targets of BAY1143572 and 5-FU were identified by reverse-phase protein array. The effects of BAY1143572 and 5-FU on MCL-1 in vitro were analyzed by Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. MCL-1 protein expression in tumors from patients with locoregional EAC treated with chemoradiation and surgery was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

BAY1143572 had dose-dependent antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects and demonstrated synergy with 5-FU against EAC in vitro. The median volumes of FLO-1 and ESO-26 xenografts treated with 5-FU plus BAY114352 were significantly smaller than those of xenografts treated with either agent alone (p < 0.05). BAY1143572 downregulated MCL-1 by inhibiting HIF-1α binding to the MCL-1 promoter. 5-FU enhanced BAY1143572-induced MCL-1 downregulation and stable MCL-1 overexpression reduced the apoptosis induced by BAY1143572 and 5-FU in vitro. High patients’ tumor MCL-1 expression was correlated with shorter overall and recurrence-free survival.

Conclusions:

BAY1143572 and 5-FU have synergistic antitumorigenic effects against EAC. MCL-1 is a downstream target of CDK9 inhibitors and a predictor of response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in EAC.

Ramucirumab and GSK1838705A Enhance the Inhibitory Effects of Low Concentration Sorafenib and Regorafenib Combination on HCC Cell Growth and Motility

Several new multikinase inhibitors have recently been introduced into clinical practice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. Small increases in survival were reported as well as considerable toxicity. There is thus a need for effective therapies with lower toxicities. We examined whether a combination of sorafenib and regorafenib might also be effective at very low concentrations, with resulting potential for lessened clinical toxicity. MTT test, clonogenic assay, Ki67 staining and cell cycle analysis were assessed for cell proliferation and Annexin V and western blotting analysis relative to the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 and BID for cell apoptosis. In these experimental conditions cell growth and migration were potently inhibited and apoptosis induced even in HCC cells producing high alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels (clinically worse prognosis). The combination also inhibited levels of the two HCC biomarkers, AFP and des gamma carboxy prothrombin (DCP). Additional inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR) or Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) enhanced effects on AFP and DCP levels, cell growth inhibition and MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling inhibition due to sorafenib/regorafenib combination. These combinations have the potential for decreased toxicity while simultaneously enhancing therapeutic effects. This potential decrease in toxicity is being explored in ongoing studies.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Dictates Beneficial Effects of Treadmill Training by Regulating Survival and Migration of Neural Stem Cell Grafts in the Injured Spinal Cord

Survival and migration of transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) are prerequisites for therapeutic benefits in spinal cord injury. We have shown that survival of NSC grafts declines after transplantation into the injured spinal cord, and that combining treadmill training (TMT) enhances NSC survival via insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Here, we aimed to obtain genetic evidence that IGF-1 signaling in the transplanted NSCs determines the beneficial effects of TMT. We transplanted NSCs heterozygous (+/-) for Igf1r, the gene encoding IGF-1 receptor, into the mouse spinal cord after injury, with or without combining TMT. We analyzed the influence of genotype and TMT on locomotor recovery and survival and migration of NSC grafts. In vitro experiments were performed to examine the potential roles of IGF-1 signaling in the migratory ability of NSCs. Mice receiving +/- NSC grafts showed impaired locomotor recovery compared with those receiving wild-type (+/+) NSCs. Locomotor improvement by TMT was more pronounced with +/+ grafts. Deficiency of one allele of Igf1r significantly reduced survival and migration of the transplanted NSCs. Although TMT did not significantly influence NSC survival, it substantially enhanced the extent of migration for only +/+ NSCs. Cultured neurospheres exhibited dynamic motility with cytoplasmic protrusions, which was regulated by IGF-1 signaling. IGF-1 signaling in transplanted NSCs may be essential in regulating their survival and migration. Furthermore, TMT may promote NSC graft-mediated locomotor recovery via activation of IGF-1 signaling in transplanted NSCs. Dynamic NSC motility via IGF-1 signaling may be the cellular basis for the TMT-induced enhancement of migration.

Sestrin 2 confers primary resistance to sorafenib by simultaneously activating AKT and AMPK in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the malignancy derived from normal hepatocytes with increasing incidence and extremely poor prognosis worldwide. The only approved first‐line systematic treatment agent for HCC, sorafenib, is capable to effectively improve advanced HCC patients’ survival. However, it is gradually recognized that the therapeutic response to sorafenib could be drastically diminished after short‐term treatment, defined as primary resistance. The present study is aimed to explore the role of stress‐inducible protein Sestrin2 (SESN2), one of the most important sestrins family members, in sorafenib primary resistance. Herein, we initially found that SESN2 expression was significantly up‐regulated in both HCC cell lines and tissues compared to normal human hepatocytes and corresponding adjacent liver tissues, respectively. In addition, SESN2 expression was highly correlated with sorafenib IC₅₀ of HCC cell lines. Thereafter, we showed that sorafenib treatment resulted in an increase of SESN2 expression and the knockdown of SESN2 exacerbated sorafenib‐induced proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis. Further mechanistic study uncovered that SESN2 deficiency impaired both AKT and AMPK phosphorylation and activation after sorafenib treatment. Moreover, the correlations between SESN2 expression and both phosphor‐AKT and phosphor‐AMPK expression were illustrated in HCC tissues. Taken together, our study demonstrates that SESN2 activates AKT and AMPK signaling as a novel mechanism to induce sorafenib primary resistance in HCC.