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Wu X, Feng N, Wang C, Jiang H, Guo Z. Small molecule inhibitors as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy: enhancing efficacy and overcoming resistance. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1444452. [PMID: 39161771 PMCID: PMC11330769 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1444452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Adjuvant therapy is essential in cancer treatment to enhance primary treatment effectiveness, reduce adverse effects, and prevent recurrence. Small molecule inhibitors as adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy aim to harness their immunomodulatory properties to optimize treatment outcomes. By modulating the tumor microenvironment, enhancing immune cell function, and increasing tumor sensitivity to immunotherapy, small molecule inhibitors have the potential to improve patient responses. This review discusses the evolving use of small molecule inhibitors as adjuvants in cancer treatment, highlighting their role in enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy and the opportunities for advancing cancer therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Nuan Feng
- Department of Nutrition, Peking University People’s Hospital, Qingdao, China
- Women and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chao Wang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhu Guo
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Tu Y, Gong J, Mou J, Jiang H, Zhao H, Gao J. Strategies for the development of stimuli-responsive small molecule prodrugs for cancer treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1434137. [PMID: 39144632 PMCID: PMC11322083 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1434137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Approved anticancer drugs typically face challenges due to their narrow therapeutic window, primarily because of high systemic toxicity and limited selectivity for tumors. Prodrugs are initially inactive drug molecules designed to undergo specific chemical modifications. These modifications render the drugs inactive until they encounter specific conditions or biomarkers in vivo, at which point they are converted into active drug molecules. This thoughtful design significantly improves the efficacy of anticancer drug delivery by enhancing tumor specificity and minimizing off-target effects. Recent advancements in prodrug design have focused on integrating these strategies with delivery systems like liposomes, micelles, and polymerosomes to further improve targeting and reduce side effects. This review outlines strategies for designing stimuli-responsive small molecule prodrugs focused on cancer treatment, emphasizing their chemical structures and the mechanisms controlling drug release. By providing a comprehensive overview, we aim to highlight the potential of these innovative approaches to revolutionize cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Tu
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jianbao Gong
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Mou
- Department of Neonatology, Qingdao Women and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Haibo Zhao
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiake Gao
- The Afffliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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3
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Nicolini A, Ferrari P. Involvement of tumor immune microenvironment metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer progression, immune escape, and response to immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1353787. [PMID: 39119332 PMCID: PMC11306065 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1353787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a k`ey hallmark of tumors, developed in response to hypoxia and nutrient deficiency during tumor progression. In both cancer and immune cells, there is a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to aerobic glycolysis, also known as the Warburg effect, which then leads to lactate acidification, increased lipid synthesis, and glutaminolysis. This reprogramming facilitates tumor immune evasion and, within the tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer and immune cells collaborate to create a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). The growing interest in the metabolic reprogramming of the TME, particularly its significance in colorectal cancer (CRC)-one of the most prevalent cancers-has prompted us to explore this topic. CRC exhibits abnormal glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and increased lipid synthesis. Acidosis in CRC cells hampers the activity of anti-tumor immune cells and inhibits the phagocytosis of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), while nutrient deficiency promotes the development of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and M2-like macrophages. In CRC cells, activation of G-protein coupled receptor 81 (GPR81) signaling leads to overexpression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and reduces the antigen presentation capability of dendritic cells. Moreover, the genetic and epigenetic cell phenotype, along with the microbiota, significantly influence CRC metabolic reprogramming. Activating RAS mutations and overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occur in approximately 50% and 80% of patients, respectively, stimulating glycolysis and increasing levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and MYC proteins. Certain bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which activate CD8+ cells and genes involved in antigen processing and presentation, while other mechanisms support pro-tumor activities. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in selected CRC patients has shown promise, and the combination of these with drugs that inhibit aerobic glycolysis is currently being intensively researched to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nicolini
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Ferrari
- Unit of Oncology, Department of Medical and Oncological Area, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
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Rostami F, Tavakol Hamedani Z, Sadoughi A, Mehrabadi M, Kouhkan F. PDL1 targeting by miR-138-5p amplifies anti-tumor immunity and Jurkat cells survival in non-small cell lung cancer. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13542. [PMID: 38866824 PMCID: PMC11169246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62064-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has constituted over 80% of the lung cancer population with a poor prognosis. Over the past decade, immunotherapy has been constructed in the enlargement of immune checkpoint inhibitors as a promising approach for NSCLC treatment. Evading the immune system using the PD-1/PD-L1 axis is an intelligent way for cancers, and T cells cannot respond fully and confront cancer. Recently, the miR-138 was reported as a PD-L1 regulator in NSCLC. However, its inhibitory impact on T-cell exhaustion has not been characterized. The present study aims to impair PD-L1 (B7-H1) expression in Adenocarcinoma cell lines using miR-138-5p and determines how it prevents Jurak cell exhaustion. To gain the purpose, first, 18 highly significant dysregulated miRNAs containing hsa-miR-138 and CD274-mRNA network were detected in NSCLC based on bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, our study revealed a high level of miR-138-5p could make significant changes like PDL1 downregulation, proliferation, and mortality rate in A549/Calu6 cells. We also simulate cancer environmental conditions by culturing Jurak cells and NSCLC cell lines under the influence of stimulator cytokines to show how miR-138-5p survives Jurak cells by targeting PD-L1/PD-1pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rostami
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center (STRC), Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), P.O. Box: 15856-36473, Tehran, 15856-36473, Iran
| | | | - Azadeh Sadoughi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Mehrabadi
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center (STRC), Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), P.O. Box: 15856-36473, Tehran, 15856-36473, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kouhkan
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center (STRC), Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), P.O. Box: 15856-36473, Tehran, 15856-36473, Iran.
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Han X, Li G, You S, Shen M, Xu Y, Yang H, Lu C, Zhang M, Fang J, Zhou Q, Yao Q. Injectable bio-multifunctional hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels loaded with poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors for ovarian cancer therapy. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132275. [PMID: 38734345 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The recent use of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) in the maintenance treatment of ovarian tumor has significantly improved the survival rates of cancer patients. However, the current oral administration of PARP inhibitors fails to realize optimal therapeutic effects due to the low bioavailability in cancerous tissues, and often leads to a range of systemic adverse effects including hematologic toxicities, digestive system reactions, and neurotoxicities. Therefore, the demand for an advanced drug delivery system that can ensure effective drug administration while minimizing these unfavorable reactions is pressing. Injectable hydrogel emerges as a promising solution for local administration with the capability of sustainable drug release. In this study, we developed an injectable hydrogel made from aminated hyaluronic acid and aldehyde-functionalized pluronic127 via Schiff base reaction. This hydrogel exhibits excellent injectability with short gelation time and remarkable self-healing ability, and is applied to load niraparib. The drug-loaded hydrogel (HP@Nir hydrogel) releases drugs sustainably as tested in vitro as well as displays significant anti-proliferation and anti-migratory properties on human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line. Notably, HP@Nir hydrogel effectively suppresses the growth of ovarian cancer, without significant adverse reactions as demonstrated in animal studies. Additionally, the developed hydrogel is gradually degraded in vivo for around 20 d, while maintaining good biocompatibility. Overall, the injectable hydrogel loaded with niraparib provides a secure and efficient strategy for the treatment and management of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiahui Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Guotai Li
- Qingdao Key Laboratory of Materials for Tissue Repair and Rehabilitation, School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Engineering, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China
| | - Shijing You
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Meiyue Shen
- Department of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yuance Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Han Yang
- School of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Changyu Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Mingyun Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Junqiang Fang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Qihui Zhou
- Qingdao Key Laboratory of Materials for Tissue Repair and Rehabilitation, School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Engineering, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266113, China.
| | - Qin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
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Zhang C, Yang K, Yang G. Design strategies for enhancing antitumor efficacy through tumor microenvironment exploitation using albumin-based nanosystems: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 258:129070. [PMID: 38163506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.129070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and dynamic system that plays a crucial role in regulating cancer progression, treatment response, and the emergence of acquired resistance mechanisms. The TME is usually featured by severe hypoxia, low pH values, high hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations, and overproduction of glutathione (GSH). The current development of intelligent nanosystems that respond to TME has shown great potential to enhance the efficacy of cancer treatment. As one of the functional macromolecules explored in this field, albumin-based nanocarriers, known for their inherent biocompatibility, serves as a cornerstone for constructing diverse therapeutic platforms. In this paper, we present a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the design strategies of albumin nanosystems, aiming to enhance cancer therapy by harnessing various features of solid tumors, including tumor hypoxia, acidic pH, the condensed extracellular matrix (ECM) network, excessive GSH, high glucose levels, and tumor immune microenvironment. Furthermore, we highlight representative designs of albumin-based nanoplatforms by exploiting the TME that enhance a broad range of cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy, phototherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and other tumor therapies. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges and future prospects in direction of albumin-based nanosystems for the practical applications in advancing enhanced cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Kai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Guangbao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
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Zhang R, Yu J, Guo Z, Jiang H, Wang C. Camptothecin-based prodrug nanomedicines for cancer therapy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:17658-17697. [PMID: 37909755 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04147f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Camptothecin (CPT) is a cytotoxic alkaloid that attenuates the replication of cancer cells via blocking DNA topoisomerase 1. Despite its encouraging and wide-spectrum antitumour activity, its application is significantly restricted owing to its instability, low solubility, significant toxicity, and acquired tumour cell resistance. This has resulted in the development of many CPT-based therapeutic agents, especially CPT-based nanomedicines, with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Specifically, smart CPT-based prodrug nanomedicines with stimuli-responsive release capacity have been extensively explored owing to the advantages such as high drug loading, improved stability, and decreased potential toxicity caused by the carrier materials in comparison with normal nanodrugs and traditional delivery systems. In this review, the potential strategies and applications of CPT-based nanoprodrugs for enhanced CPT delivery toward cancer cells are summarized. We appraise in detail the chemical structures and release mechanisms of these nanoprodrugs and guide materials chemists to develop more powerful nanomedicines that have real clinical therapeutic capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renshuai Zhang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
| | - Jing Yu
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Zhu Guo
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
| | - Chao Wang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
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Zhang R, Zhao X, Jia A, Wang C, Jiang H. Hyaluronic acid-based prodrug nanomedicines for enhanced tumor targeting and therapy: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 249:125993. [PMID: 37506794 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) represents a natural polysaccharide which has attracted significant attention owing to its improved tumor targeting capacity, enzyme degradation capacity, and excellent biocompatibility. Its receptors, such as CD44, are overexpressed in diverse cancer cells and are closely related with tumor progress and metastasis. Accordingly, numerous researchers have designed various kinds of HA-based drug delivery platforms for CD44-mediated tumor targeting. Specifically, the HA-based nanoprodrugs possess distinct advantages such as good bioavailability, long circulation time, and controlled drug release and retention ability and have been extensively studied during the past years. In this review, the potential strategies and applications of HA-modified nanoprodrugs for drug molecule delivery in anti-tumor therapy are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renshuai Zhang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhao
- Department of Thoracic surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No.2428, Yuhe road, Kuiwen district, Weifang 261000, China
| | - Ang Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- Cancer Institute of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, China.
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Shen H, Zhang C, Wang C, Jiang J, Tang F, Li C, Yuan H, Yang X, Tong Z, Huang Y. Lutein-Based pH and Photo Dual-Responsive Novel Liposomes Coated with Ce6 and PTX for Tumor Therapy. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:31436-31449. [PMID: 37663483 PMCID: PMC10468958 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Liposomes are considered the best nanocarrier for delivering cancer drugs such as chlorin e6 (Ce6) and paclitaxel (PTX). However, the poor stability and non-selectivity release of liposomes may severely limit their further applications. In this study, based on the characteristics of lutein (L) photo-response and orthoester (OE) acid-response, stable and dual-responsive liposomes (Dr-lips) have been prepared. The Dr-lips exhibited a spherical shape with a uniform size of approximately 58.27 nm. Moreover, they displayed a zeta potential ranging from -45.45 to -28.25 mV and showed excellent storage stability, indicating stable colloidal properties. Additionally, they achieved high drug encapsulation rates, with 92.27% for PTX and 90.34% for Ce6, respectively. Meanwhile, under near-infrared (NIR) light at 660 nm, Ce6 plays a key role in accelerating the photodegradation rate of lutein and PEG-OE-L while also enhancing tissue penetration ability. Additionally, Dr-lips loaded with Ce6 and PTX not only displayed excellent pH and photo dual-responsiveness for targeted delivering and releasing but also showed remarkable reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capacity and impressive anti-tumor activity in vitro. Therefore, it provides a novel strategy for optimizing stability and enhancing their targeted drug delivery of liposome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Shen
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing
Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Co-Innovation
Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Changwei Zhang
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
- Co-Innovation
Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Chengzhang Wang
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
- Co-Innovation
Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Jianxin Jiang
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing
Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Fengxia Tang
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing
Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chuan Li
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Hua Yuan
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Xiaoran Yang
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Zhenkai Tong
- Chemical
Engineering of Forest Products, Instituteof Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China
| | - Yi Huang
- College
of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry
University, Nanjing 210037, China
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Wu W, Wang Y, Xie J, Fan S. Empagliflozin: a potential anticancer drug. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:127. [PMID: 37436535 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00719-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is a highly effective and well-tolerated antidiabetic drug. In addition to hypoglycemic effects, empagliflozin has many other effects, such as being hypotensive and cardioprotective. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress effects in diabetic nephropathy. Several studies have shown that empagliflozin has anticancer effects. SGLT2 is expressed in a variety of cancer cell lines. The SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin has significant inhibitory effects on certain types of tumor cells, such as inhibition of proliferation, migration and induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, empagliflozin has promising applications in cancer therapy as a drug for the treatment of diabetes and heart failure. This article provides a brief review of the anticancer effects of empagliflozin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221000, China
| | - Jun Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China.
| | - Shaohua Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221116, China.
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11
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Shen X, Jin X, Fang S, Chen J. EFEMP2 upregulates PD-L1 expression via EGFR/ERK1/2/c-Jun signaling to promote the invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:53. [PMID: 37420173 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00471-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 2 (EFEMP2) has been reported to be related to the progression of various cancers. We have previously reported that EFEMP2 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer and was strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients. This study intends to further explore its interacting proteins and possible downstream signaling pathways. METHOD The expression of EFEMP2 was detected by RT-qPCR, ICC and western blot in 4 kinds of ovarian cancer cells with different migration and invasion ability. Cell models with strong or weak EFEMP2 expression were constructed by lentivirus transfection. The effects of the down-regulation and up-regulation of EFEMP2 on the biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells were studied through in-vitro and in-vivo functional tests. The phosphorylation pathway profiling array and KEGG database analyses identified the downstream EGFR/ERK1/2/c-Jun signaling pathway and the programmed death-1 (PD-L1) pathway enrichment. Additionally, the protein interaction between EFEMP2 and EGFR was detected by immunoprecipitation. RESULT EFEMP2 was positively correlated with the invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells, its down-regulation inhibited the migrative, invasive and cloning capacity of cancer cells in vitro and suppressed the tumor proliferation and intraperitoneal diffusion in vivo, while its up-regulation did the opposite. Moreover, EFEMP2 could bind to EGFR to induce PD-L1 regulation in ovarian cancer, which was caused by the activation of EGFR/ERK1/2/c-Jun signaling. Similar to EFEMP2, PD-L1 was also highly expressed in aggressive cells and had the ability to promote the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and PD-L1 upregulation was partly caused by EFEMP2 activation. Afatinib combined with trametinib had an obvious effect of inhibiting the intraperitoneal diffusion of ovarian cancer cells, especially in the group with low expression of EFEMP2, while overexpression of PD-L1 could reverse this phenomenon. CONCLUSION EFEMP2 could bind to EGFR to activate ERK1/2/c-Jun pathway and regulate PD-L1 expression, furthermore PD-L1 was extremely essential for EFEMP2 to promote ovarian cancer cells invasion and dissemination in vitro and in vivo. Targeted therapy against the source gene EFEMP2 is our future research direction, which may better inhibit the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Shen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Xuli Jin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shuang Fang
- Jinan Medical Center Management Committee, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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12
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Zhao H, Yu J, Zhang R, Chen P, Jiang H, Yu W. Doxorubicin prodrug-based nanomedicines for the treatment of cancer. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115612. [PMID: 37441851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The chemotherapeutic drug of doxorubicin (DOX) has witnessed widespread applications for treating various cancers. DOX-treated dying cells bear cellular modifications which allow enhanced presentation of tumor antigen and neighboring dendritic cell activation. Furthermore, DOX also facilitate the immune-mediated clearance of tumor cells. However, disadvantages such as severe off-target toxicity, and prominent hydrophobicity have resulted in unsatisfactory clinical therapeutic outcomes. The effective delivery of DOX drug molecules is still challenging despite the rapid advances in nanotechnology and biomaterials. Huge progress has been witnessed in DOX nanoprodrugs owing to their brilliant benefits such as tumor stimuli-responsive drug release capacity, high drug loading efficiency and so on. This review summarized recent progresses of DOX prodrug-based nanomedicines to provide deep insights into future development and inspire researchers to explore DOX nanoprodrugs with real clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Zhao
- Cancer Institute of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Renshuai Zhang
- Cancer Institute of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Pengwei Chen
- Hainan Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Product from Li Folk Medicine, Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Hongfei Jiang
- Cancer Institute of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Wanpeng Yu
- Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China.
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