Glioblastoma, brain metastases and soft tissue sarcoma of extremities: Candidate tumors for BNCT

CCL2 promotes metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of non-small cell lung cancer via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and autophagy pathways

In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastasis is the most common phenotype, and autophagy plays a vital role in its regulation. However, there are limited data on how autophagy-related genes and metastasis-related genes affect NSCLC progression. Our goal was to identify the genes that regulate autophagy and metastasis in NSCLC, and to assess the underlying mechanisms in this current study. RNA sequencing data from public databases were used to screen differentially expressed autophagy- and metastasis-associated genes. Enrichment analyses and immune correlations were conducted to identify hub genes and potential regulating pathways in NSCLC. In this study, we found that CCL2 expression was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and high CCL2 level was correlated with strong infiltration in lung tissues from NSCLC patients. Overexpression of CCL2 can enhance the metastasis of NSCLC cells in nude mice. Furthermore, CCL2 activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway axis, promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and blocked the autophagic flux in NSCLC cells. Therefore, our results indicate that CCL2 promotes metastasis and EMT of NSCLC via PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis and autophagy signalling pathways. We believe that CCL2 could be a probable target for the diagnosis and therapeutics of NSCLC, and this study may expand our understanding of lung cancer.

Dose-Dependent Suppression of Human Glioblastoma Xenograft Growth by Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy with Simultaneous Use of Two Boron-Containing Compounds

Simple Summary

Accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has opened up new perspectives in increasing cancer treatment efficacy, including malignant brain tumors and particularly glioblastoma. We studied dosimetry control optimization, neutron beam parameter adjustment, and two boron compound combinations (along with single and double irradiation regimens) to assess safety and increase therapy efficacy, using a U87MG xenotransplant immunodeficient mouse model. In two sets of experiments, we achieved increases in tumor-growth inhibition (to 80–83%), a neutron capture therapy ratio of 2:1 (two times higher neutron capture therapy efficacy than neutron irradiation without boron), and increases in animal life expectancy, from 9 to 107 days, by treatment parameter adjustment. These results will contribute to the development of clinical-trial protocols for accelerator-based BNCT and further innovations in this cancer treatment method.

Abstract

(1) Background: Developments in accelerator-based neutron sources moved boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to the next phase, where new neutron radiation parameters had to be studied for the treatment of cancers, including brain tumors. We aimed to further improve accelerator-BNCT efficacy by optimizing dosimetry control, beam parameters, and combinations of boronophenylalanine (BPA) and sodium borocaptate (BSH) administration in U87MG xenograft-bearing immunodeficient mice with two different tumor locations. (2) Methods: The study included two sets of experiments. In Experiment #1, BPA only and single or double irradiation in higher doses were used, while, in Experiment #2, BPA and BSH combinations and single or double irradiation with dosage adjustment were analyzed. Mice without treatment or irradiation after BPA or BPA+BSH injection were used as controls. (3) Results: Irradiation parameter adjustment and BPA and BSH combination led to 80–83% tumor-growth inhibition index scores, irradiation:BNCT ratios of 1:2, and increases in animal life expectancy from 9 to 107 days. (4) Conclusions: Adjustments in dosimetry control, calculation of irradiation doses, and combined use of two ¹⁰B compounds allowed for BNCT optimization that will be useful in the development of clinical-trial protocols for accelerator-based BNCT.

Long non‑coding RNA LINC00473/miR‑195‑5p promotes glioma progression via YAP1‑TEAD1‑Hippo signaling

There is an urgent need to identify novel potential therapeutic targets for diagnosis and treatment of glioma, a common primary tumor in brain, due to its high-level invasiveness. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00473 has been reported as potentially critical regulators in various types of cancer tumorigenesis. However, the effects of LINC00473 on glioma cells is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical significance, effects and mechanism of LINC00437 on glioma tumorigenesis. In the present study, LINC00473 was significantly increased in glioma tissues and in cell models, and predicted a poor prognosis in patients with glioma. Notably, LINC00473 knockdown not only suppressed cell proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells, but also blocked cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis. Subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model experiments revealed that reduced LINC00473 expression was able to suppress in vivo glioma growth. Mechanistically, LINC00473 functioned as a competing endogenous (ce)RNA to decrease microRNA (miR)-195-5p expression. Moreover, Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and TEA domain family member 1 (TEAD1) were identified as downstream targets of miR-195-5p, whose expression levels were inhibited by miR-195-5p. LINC00473 knockdown suppressed glioma progression through the decrease of miR-195-5p and subsequent increase of YAP1 and TEAD1 expression levels. These results indicated LINC00473 might act as a ceRNA to sponge miR-195-5p, thus promoting YAP1 and TEAD1 expressions, and shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of LINC00473-induced glioma progression.

On the applicability of [18F]FBPA to predict L-BPA concentration after amino acid preloading in HuH-7 liver tumor model and the implication for liver boron neutron capture therapy

INTRODUCTION

In recent years extra-corporal application of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) was evaluated for liver primary tumors or liver metastases. A prerequisite for such a high-risk procedure is proof of preferential delivery and high uptake of a ¹⁰B-pharmaceutical in liver malignancies. In this work we evaluated in a preclinical tumor model if [¹⁸F]FBPA tissue distribution measured with PET is able to predict the tissue distribution of [¹⁰B]L-BPA.

METHODS

Tumor bearing mice (hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HuH-7) were either subject of a [¹⁸F]FBPA-PET scan with subsequent measurement of radioactivity content in extracted organs using a gamma counter or injected with [¹⁰B]L-BPA with tissue samples analyzed by prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) or quantitative neutron capture radiography (QNCR). The impact of L-tyrosine, L-DOPA and L-BPA preloading on the tissue distribution of [¹⁸F]FBPA and [¹⁰B]L-BPA was evaluated and the pharmacokinetics of [¹⁸F]FBPA investigated by compartment modeling.

RESULTS

We found a significant correlation between [¹⁸F]FBPA and [¹⁰B]L-BPA uptake in tumors and various organs as well as high accumulation levels in pancreas and kidneys as reported in previous studies. Tumor-to-liver ratios of [¹⁸F]FBPA ranged from 1.2 to 1.5. Preloading did not increase the uptake of [¹⁸F]FBPA or [¹⁰B]L-BPA in any organ and compartment modeling showed no statistically significant differences in [¹⁸F]FBPA tumor kinetics.

CONCLUSIONS

[¹⁸F]FBPA-PET predicts [¹⁰B]L-BPA concentration after amino acid preloading in HuH-7 hepatocellular carcinoma models. Preloading had no effect on tumor uptake of [¹⁸F]FBPA.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Despite differences in chemical structure and administered dose [¹⁸F]FBPA and [¹⁰B]L-BPA demonstrate an equivalent biodistribution in a preclinical tumor model. IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: [¹⁸F]FBPA-PET is suitable for treatment planning and dose calculations in BNCT applications for liver malignancies. However, alternative tracers with more favorable tumor-to-liver ratios should be investigated.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of carboranylmethylbenzo[b]acridones as novel agents for boron neutron capture therapy

Herein we present the synthesis and characterization of benzo[b]acridin-12(7H)-ones bearing carboranyl moieties and test their biological effectiveness as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) agents in cancer treatment. The cellular uptake of these novel compounds into the U87 human glioblastoma cells was evaluated by boron analysis (ICP-MS) and by fluorescence imaging (confocal microscopy). The compounds enter the U87 cells exhibiting a similar profile, i.e., preferential accumulation in the cytoskeleton and membranes and a low cytotoxic activity (IC50 values higher than 200 μM). The cytotoxic activity and cellular morphological alterations after neutron irradiation in the Portuguese Research Reactor (6.6 × 10(7) neutrons cm(-2) s(-1), 1 MW) were evaluated by the MTT assay and by electron microscopy (TEM). Post-neutron irradiation revealed that BNCT has a higher cytotoxic effect on the cells. Accumulation of membranous whorls in the cytoplasm of cells treated with one of the compounds correlates well with the cytotoxic effect induced by radiation. Results provide a strong rationale for considering one of these compounds as a lead candidate for a new generation of BNCT agents.