Pivalopril improves anti-cancer efficiency of cDDP in breast cancer through inhibiting proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis

LncRNA LINC01857 reduces metastasis and angiogenesis in breast cancer cells via regulating miR-2052/CENPQ axis

Long non-coding RNAs have been confirmed closely related to the metastasis and angiogenesis of breast cancer (BC). LINC01857 can promote the growth and metastasis of BC cells. The present work focused on exploring the role of LINC01857 in BC metastasis and angiogenesis and investigating the possible mechanisms. The results showed that LINC01857 and CENPQ were highly expressed in BC tissues and cells, while miR-2052 was contrarily expressed. In vitro study showed that low expression of linc01857 could inhibit the migration ability and vascularization of BC cells, and mir-2052 inhibitor partially restored the effect of si-LINC01857 on the migration ability and vascularization of BC cells. Likewise, inhibition of CENPQ can partially rescue the effects of miR-2052 inhibitor on the migration ability and vascularization of BC cells. In vivo studies showed that down-regulation of LINC01857 notably suppressed tumor growth and angiogenesis in nude mice. The miR-2052 inhibitor partially restored the effects of si-LINC01857. CENPQ suppression partially rescued the effects of the miR-2052 inhibitor. To conclude, LINC01857/miR-2052/CENPQ is the potential novel target for BC treatment.

Mechanistic insights expatiating the biological role and regulatory implications of estrogen and HER2 in breast cancer metastasis

Breast cancer (BCa) has become the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Irrespective of advancement in cancer treatments, e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, recurrence leading to metastasis poses the greatest threat in BCa management. BCa receptors estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) hold significant reputations as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in therapeutic decision-making. Under normal physiological conditions, these receptors modulate critical biological functions, e.g., cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis events, etc. However, aberrant expression causes deviations, triggering signaling course to adapt permanent switching "ON" mode. The later events induce rapid and unrestrained proliferation leading to cancer. As conventional ways of cancer management ultimately lead to resistance; therefore, recently targeted therapies have been extensively studied to conquer resistance. Targeting various small molecules in downstream signaling has become an area of interest in scientific society. The severity of cancer converts many folds soon after it takes on a migratory approach that eventually commences metastasis. Cancer migration comprises protrusion of cytoplasm at the leading edge of the migration forward-facing, establishing adhesions with the basic cell-matrix, disassembly of the adhesions at the back end of the cell, and actin-myosin fiber contractions to pull the bulk of the cytoplasm forward. On the other hand, metastatic progression comprises a cascade of events, including invasion, migration, and establishment of tumor microenvironment. The progression of BCa from early stage to metastatic development causes remarkable heterogeneity. Interference at any explicit level could hamper the process, and it has thus become an area of interest for scientists. Metastasis is the ultimate cause of spreading tumor cells to invade distant organs. Recently small molecule inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, which can cross the blood-brain barrier, have become a center point of research for investigators in developing novel treatment strategies against BCa management.

Pd2Spermine Complex Shows Cancer Selectivity and Efficacy to Inhibit Growth of Triple-Negative Breast Tumors in Mice

Pd₂Spm is a dinuclear palladium(II)-spermine chelate with promising anticancer properties against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a breast carcinoma subset with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The present study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects of Pd₂Spm compared to the reference metal-based drug cisplatin. Triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, non-cancerous MCF-12A breast cells and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay were used for antiproliferative, antimigratory and antiangiogenic studies. For an in vivo efficacy study, female CBA nude mice with subcutaneously implanted MDA-MB-231 breast tumors were treated with Pd₂Spm (5 mg/kg/day) or cisplatin (2 mg/kg/day) administered intraperitoneally during 5 consecutive days. Promising selective antiproliferative activity of Pd₂Spm was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells (IC₅₀ values of 7.3–8.3 µM), with at least 10-fold lower activity in MCF-12A cells (IC₅₀ values of 89.5–228.9 µM). Pd₂Spm inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, suppressed angiogenesis in CAM and decreased VEGF secretion from MDA-MB-231 cells with similar potency as cisplatin. Pd₂Spm-treated mice showed a significant reduction in tumor growth progression, and tumors evidenced a reduction in the Ki-67 proliferation index and number of mitotic figures, as well as increased DNA damage, similar to cisplatin-treated animals. Encouragingly, systemic toxicity (hematotoxicity and weight loss) observed in cisplatin-treated animals was not observed in Pd₂Spm-treated mice. The present study reports, for the first time, promising cancer selectivity, in vivo antitumor activity towards TNBC and a low systemic toxicity of Pd₂Spm. Thus, this agent may be viewed as a promising Pd(II) drug candidate for the treatment of this type of low-prognosis neoplasia.

Cisplatin Mouse Models: Treatment, Toxicity and Translatability

Cisplatin is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of a wide range of pediatric and adult malignances. However, it has various side effects which limit its use. Cisplatin mouse models are widely used in studies investigating cisplatin therapeutic and toxic effects. However, despite numerous promising results, no significant improvement in treatment outcome has been achieved in humans. There are many drawbacks in the currently used cisplatin protocols in mice. In the paper, the most characterized cisplatin protocols are summarized together with weaknesses that need to be improved in future studies, including hydration and supportive care. As demonstrated, mice respond to cisplatin treatment in similar ways to humans. The paper thus aims to illustrate the complexity of cisplatin side effects (nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, neurotoxicity, ototoxicity and myelotoxicity) and the interconnectedness and interdependence of pathomechanisms among tissues and organs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The paper offers knowledge that can help design future studies more efficiently and interpret study outcomes more critically. If we want to understand molecular mechanisms and find therapeutic agents that would have a potential benefit in clinics, we need to change our approach and start to treat animals as patients and not as tools.

Antagonistic Interaction between Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor: Cambinol and Cisplatin-An Isobolographic Analysis in Breast Cancer In Vitro Models

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of death in women all over the world. Currently, combined chemotherapy with two or more agents is considered a promising anti-cancer tool to achieve better therapeutic response and to reduce therapy-related side effects. In our study, we demonstrated an antagonistic effect of cytostatic agent-cisplatin (CDDP) and histone deacetylase inhibitor: cambinol (CAM) for breast cancer cell lines with different phenotypes: estrogen receptor positive (MCF7, T47D) and triple negative (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468). The type of pharmacological interaction was assessed by an isobolographic analysis. Our results showed that both agents used separately induced cell apoptosis; however, applying them in combination ameliorated antiproliferative effect for all BC cell lines indicating antagonistic interaction. Cell cycle analysis showed that CAM abolished cell cycle arrest in S phase, which was induced by CDDP. Additionally, CAM increased cell proliferation compared to CDDP used alone. Our data indicate that CAM and CDDP used in combination produce antagonistic interaction, which could inhibit anti-cancer treatment efficacy, showing importance of preclinical testing.