Curcumin may reverse 5-fluorouracil resistance on colonic cancer cells by regulating TET1-NKD-Wnt signal pathway to inhibit the EMT progress

TET1 inhibits the migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells by regulating autophagy

Methylation modifications play pertinent roles in regulating gene expression and various biological processes. The silencing of the demethylase enzyme TET1 can affect the expressions of key oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes, thus contributing to tumour formation. Nonetheless, how TET1 affects the progression of cervical cancer is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we found that the expression of TET1 was significantly downregulated in cervical cancer tissues. Functionally, TET1 knockdown in cervical cancer cells can promote cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cervical xenograft tumour formation and EMT. On the contrary, its overexpression can reverse the aforementioned processes. Moreover, the autophagy level of cervical cancer cells can be enhanced after TET1 knockdown. Mechanistically, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP)-sequencing and MeDIP quantitative real-time PCR revealed that TET1 mediates the methylation of autophagy promoter regions. These findings suggest that TET1 affects the autophagy of cervical cancer cells by altering the methylation levels of NKRF or HIST1H2AK, but the specific mechanism needs to be investigated further.

Synergistic Mechanisms of Selected Polyphenols in Overcoming Chemoresistance and Enhancing Chemosensitivity in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Despite significant advances in medical treatment, chemotherapy as monotherapy can lead to substantial side effects and chemoresistance. This underscores the need for therapeutic approaches that are not only pharmacologically safe but also modulate multiple potent signaling pathways and sensitize cancer cells to overcome resistance to standard drugs. In recent years, scientists have been searching for natural compounds that can be used as chemosensitizers in addition to conventional medications for the synergistic treatment of CRC. Polyphenols represent a diverse group of natural compounds that can target multiple signaling pathways in cancer cells to induce anti-cancer effects. Additionally, polyphenols have been shown to work synergistically with chemotherapeutics and other natural compounds in cancer cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the synergistic mechanisms of selected polyphenols as chemosensitizers in CRC cells. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to fully harness the synergistic mechanisms of selected polyphenols combined with chemotherapy or natural compounds in improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Curcumin and its anti-colorectal cancer potential: From mechanisms of action to autophagy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression, one of the most common cancers globally, is supported by specific mechanisms to escape cell death despite chemotherapy, including cellular autophagy. Autophagy is an evolutionarily highly conserved degradation pathway involved in a variety of cellular processes, such as the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and clearance of foreign bodies, and its imbalance is associated with many diseases. However, the role of autophagy in CRC progression remains controversial, as it has a dual function, affecting either cell death or survival, and is associated with cellular senescence in tumor therapy. Indeed, numerous data have been presented that autophagy in cancers serves as an alternative to cell apoptosis when the latter is ineffective or in apoptosis-resistant cells, which is why it is also referred to as programmed cell death type II. Curcumin, one of the active constituents of Curcuma longa, has great potential to combat CRC by influencing various cellular signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation in a safe and cost-effective approach. This review discusses the efficacy of curcumin against CRC in vitro and in vivo, particularly its modulation of autophagy and apoptosis in various cellular pathways. While clinical studies have assessed the potential of curcumin in cancer prevention and treatment, none have specifically examined its role in autophagy. Nonetheless, we offer an overview of potential correlations to support the use of this polyphenol as a prophylactic or co-therapeutic agent in CRC.

GK921, a transglutaminase inhibitor, strengthens the antitumor effect of cisplatin on pancreatic cancer cells by inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD), a common digestive malignant tumor, presents high mortality rates and limited treatment methods. Currently, chemotherapy remains the main therapy method for patients with PAAD. As a classical chemotherapy drug, cisplatin (DDP) is limited by dose-related toxicity in patients with PAAD. In this study, we demonstrated that TGM2 may be a treatment and prognosis marker in pancreatic cancer patients. Co-treatment of low dose of DDP and GK921, a transglutaminase (TGM2) inhibitor, is capable of synergistically inhibiting the PAAD cell viability and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Based on in vitro study, GK921 inhibited the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by TGM2 as well as aggravated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis resulted from DDP, making pancreatic cancer cells more sensible to DDP. Our results showed that GK921 increased the protein levels regarding E-cadherin as well as decreased the protein level regarding Snail2, N-cadherin, which indicated that GK921 inhibited EMT in pancreatic cancer cells. Snail2 overexpression inhibited GK921/DDP-induced cell apoptosis, as well as mitigated the GK921/DDP-caused cell death and the EMT inhibition. In vivo studies also found GK921/DDP combination can further inhibit the growth of PAAD without significantly side effects. To sum up, we showed that GK921 increased PAAD cells sensitivity to DDP via inhibiting EMT. As revealed, DDP/GK921 co-treatment could promisingly serve for treating PAAD patients.

Multifunctional CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles for effectively inhibiting growth of colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in humans, and effective treatments are still needed in clinical practice. Despite significant developments in anticancer drugs and inhibitors, their poor stability, water solubility, and cellular membrane permeability limit their therapeutic efficacy. To address these issues, multifunctional CaCO3 nanoparticles loaded with Curcumin (Cur) and protein deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor QTX125, and coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) (CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA), were prepared through a one-step gas diffusion strategy. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles have uniform spherical morphology and elemental distribution, with diameters around 450 nm and a Zeta potential of - 8.11 mV. The controlled release of Cur from the nanoparticles was observed over time periods of 48 h. Cellular uptake showed that CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles were efficiently taken up by cancer cells and significantly inhibited their growth. Importantly, CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles showed specific inhibitory effects on CRC cell growth. Encouragingly, CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles successfully internalized into CRC patient-derived organoid (PDO) models and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. The multifunctional CaCO3@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles hold promise for the treatment of CRC.

Bioactive Compounds of Dietary Origin and Their Influence on Colorectal Cancer as Chemoprevention

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of death and the third most diagnosed cancer worldwide. The tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells participate in colorectal tumor progression and can dictate malignancy. Nutrition status affects treatment response and the progression or recurrence of the tumor. This review summarizes the main bioactive compounds against the molecular pathways related to colorectal carcinogenesis. Moreover, we focus on the compounds with chemopreventive properties, mainly polyphenols and carotenoids, which are highly studied dietary bioactive compounds present in major types of food, like vegetables, fruits, and seeds. Their proprieties are antioxidant and gut microbiota modulation, important in the intestine because they decrease reactive oxygen species and inflammation, both principal causes of cancer. These compounds can promote apoptosis and inhibit cell growth, proliferation, and migration. Combined with oncologic treatment, a sensitization to first-line colorectal chemotherapy schemes, such as FOLFOX and FOLFIRI, is observed, making them an attractive and natural support in the oncologic treatment of CRC.

Curcumin ameliorates focal segmental glomerulosclerosis by inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative stress in podocytes

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a podocyte disease, is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Nevertheless, the current effective treatment for FSGS is deficient. Curcumin (CUR) is a principal curcuminoid of turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family. Previous studies have shown that CUR has renoprotective effects. However, the mechanism of CUR in anti-FSGS is not clear. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of CUR against FSGS through a combination of network pharmacological methods and verification of experiments. The analysis identified 98 shared targets of CUR against FSGS, and these 98 targets formed a network of protein-protein interactions (PPI). Of these 98 targets, AKT1, TNF, IL-6, VEGFA, STAT3, MAPK3, HIF1A, CASP3, IL1B, and JUN were identified as the hub targets. Molecular docking suggested that the best binding to CUR is MAPK3 and AKT1. Apoptotic process and cell proliferation were identified as the main biological processes of CUR against FSGS by gene ontology (GO) analysis. The most enriched signaling pathway in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis was the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Western blots and flow cytometry showed that CUR could inhibit adriamycin (ADR) induced apoptosis, oxidative stress damage, and attenuate podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by repressing the AKT signaling pathway. Collectively, our study demonstrates that CUR can attenuate apoptosis, oxidative stress damage, and EMT in FSGS in vitro. These results supply a compelling basis for future studies of CUR for the clinical treatment of FSGS.

Recent Advances in Curcumin-Based Combination Nanomedicines for Cancer Therapy

Standard cancer chemotherapeutics often produce significant adverse effects and eventually lose their effectiveness due to the emergence of resistance mechanisms. As a result, patients with malignant tumors experience a poor quality of life and a short lifespan. Thus, combination medication regimens provide various advantages, including increased success rate, fewer side effects, and fewer occurrences of resistance. Curcumin (Cur), a potential phytochemical from turmeric, when coupled with traditional chemotherapeutics, has been established to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment in clinical and preclinical investigations. Cur not only exerts multiple mechanisms resulting in apoptotic cancer cell death but also reduces the resistance to standard chemotherapy drugs, mainly through downregulating the multi-drug resistance (MDR) cargoes. Recent reports showed the beneficial outcomes of Cur combination with many chemotherapeutics in various malignancies. Nevertheless, owing to the limited bioavailability, devising co-delivery strategies for Cur and conventional pharmaceuticals appears to be required for clinical settings. This review summarized various Cur combinations with standard treatments as cancer therapeutics.

Anti-Cancer Potential of Phytochemicals: The Regulation of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

A biological process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) allows epithelial cells to change into mesenchymal cells and acquire some cancer stem cell properties. EMT contributes significantly to the metastasis, invasion, and development of treatment resistance in cancer cells. Current research has demonstrated that phytochemicals are emerging as a potential source of safe and efficient anti-cancer medications. Phytochemicals could disrupt signaling pathways related to malignant cell metastasis and drug resistance by suppressing or reversing the EMT process. In this review, we briefly describe the pathophysiological properties and the molecular mechanisms of EMT in the progression of cancers, then summarize phytochemicals with diverse structures that could block the EMT process in different types of cancer. Hopefully, these will provide some guidance for future research on phytochemicals targeting EMT.

Critical Review in Designing Plant-Based Anticancer Nanoparticles against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for 85% of liver cancer cases, continues to be the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although various forms of chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been investigated in clinics, patients continue to suffer from high toxicity and undesirable side effects. Medicinal plants contain novel critical bioactives that can target multimodal oncogenic pathways; however, their clinical translation is often challenged due to poor aqueous solubility, low cellular uptake, and poor bioavailability. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery presents great opportunities in HCC therapy by increasing selectivity and transferring sufficient doses of bioactives to tumor areas with minimal damage to adjacent healthy cells. In fact, many phytochemicals encapsulated in FDA-approved nanocarriers have demonstrated the ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment. In this review, information about the mechanisms of promising plant bioactives against HCC is discussed and compared. Their benefits and risks as future nanotherapeutics are underscored. Nanocarriers that have been employed to encapsulate both pure bioactives and crude extracts for application in various HCC models are examined and compared. Finally, the current limitations in nanocarrier design, challenges related to the HCC microenvironment, and future opportunities are also discussed for the clinical translation of plant-based nanomedicines from bench to bedside.

Dual Drug-Loaded Nanoliposomes Encapsulating Curcumin and 5-Fluorouracil with Advanced Medicinal Applications: Self-Monitoring and Antitumor Therapy

Due to the presence of physiological barriers, it is difficult to achieve the desired therapeutic efficacy of drugs; thus, it is necessary to develop an efficient drug delivery system that enables advanced functions such as self-monitoring. Curcumin (CUR) is a naturally functional polyphenol whose effectiveness is limited by poor solubility and low bioavailability, and its natural fluorescent properties are often overlooked. Therefore, we aimed to improve the antitumor activity and drug uptake monitoring by simultaneously delivering CUR and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in the form of liposomes. In this study, dual drug-loaded liposomes (FC-DP-Lip) encapsulating CUR and 5-FU were prepared by the thin-film hydration method; their physicochemical properties were characterized; and their biosafety, drug uptake distribution in vivo, and tumor cell toxicity were evaluated. The results showed that the nanoliposome FC-DP-Lip showed good morphology, stability, and drug encapsulation efficiency. It showed good biocompatibility, with no side effects on zebrafish embryonic development. In vivo uptake in zebrafish showed that FC-DP-Lip has a long circulation time and presents gastrointestinal accumulation. In addition, FC-DP-Lip was cytotoxic against a variety of cancer cells. This work showed that FC-DP-Lip nanoliposomes can enhance the toxicity of 5-FU to cancer cells, demonstrating safety and efficiency, and enabling real-time self-monitoring functions.

Combination Chemotherapy with Selected Polyphenols in Preclinical and Clinical Studies-An Update Overview

This review article describes studies published over the past five years on the combination of polyphenols, which are the most studied in the field of anticancer effects (curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, and apigenin) and chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, etc. According to WHO data, research has been limited to five cancers with the highest morbidity rate (lung, colorectal, liver, gastric, and breast cancer). A systematic review of articles published in the past five years (from January 2018 to January 2023) was carried out with the help of all Web of Science databases and the available base of clinical studies. Based on the preclinical studies presented in this review, polyphenols can enhance drug efficacy and reduce chemoresistance through different molecular mechanisms. Considering the large number of studies, curcumin could be a molecule in future chemotherapy cocktails. One of the main problems in clinical research is related to the limited bioavailability of most polyphenols. The design of a new co-delivery system for drugs and polyphenols is essential for future clinical research. Some polyphenols work in synergy with chemotherapeutic drugs, but some polyphenols can act antagonistically, so caution is always required.

Curcumin, calebin A and chemosensitization: How are they linked to colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading malignant diseases worldwide with a high rate of metastasis and poor prognosis. Treatment options include surgery, which is usually followed by chemotherapy in advanced CRC. With treatment, cancer cells could become resistant to classical cytostatic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin, cisplatin, and irinotecan, resulting in chemotherapeutic failure. For this reason, there is a high demand for health-preserving re-sensitization mechanisms including the complementary use of natural plant compounds. Calebin A and curcumin, two polyphenolic turmeric ingredients derived from the Asian Curcuma longa plant, demonstrate versatile anti-inflammatory and cancer-reducing abilities, including CRC-combating capacity. After an insight into their epigenetics-modifying holistic health-promoting effects, this review compares functional anti-CRC mechanisms of multi-targeting turmeric-derived compounds with mono-target classical chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, the reversal of resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs was presented by focusing on calebin A's and curcumin's capabilities to chemosensitize or re-sensitize CRC cells to 5-FU, oxaliplatin, cisplatin, and irinotecan. Both polyphenols enhance the receptiveness of CRC cells to standard cytostatic drugs converting them from chemoresistant into non-chemoresistant CRC cells by modulating inflammation, proliferation, cell cycle, cancer stem cells, and apoptotic signaling. Therefore, calebin A and curcumin can be tested for their ability to overcome cancer chemoresistance in preclinical and clinical trials. The future perspective of involving turmeric-ingredients curcumin or calebin A as an additive treatment to chemotherapy for patients with advanced metastasized CRC is explained.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine as sensitizer in reversing chemoresistance of colorectal cancer

In recent years, the incidences and mortalities from colorectal cancer (CRC) have been increasing; therefore, there is an urgent need to discover newer drugs that enhance drug sensitivity and reverse drug tolerance in CRC treatment. With this view, the current study focuses on understanding the mechanism of CRC chemoresistance to the drug as well as exploring the potential of different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in restoring the sensitivity of CRC to chemotherapeutic drugs. Moreover, the mechanism involved in restoring sensitivity, such as by acting on the target of traditional chemical drugs, assisting drug activation, increasing intracellular accumulation of anticancer drugs, improving tumor microenvironment, relieving immunosuppression, and erasing reversible modification like methylation, have been thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, the effect of TCM along with anticancer drugs in reducing toxicity, increasing efficiency, mediating new ways of cell death, and effectively blocking the drug resistance mechanism has been studied. We aimed to explore the potential of TCM as a sensitizer of anti-CRC drugs for the development of a new natural, less-toxic, and highly effective sensitizer to CRC chemoresistance.

TET1-mediated microRNA-188-5p promoter hydroxymethylation regulates PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in acute myeloid leukemia cells

OBJECTIVE

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a common hematopoietic malignancy, and drug resistance greatly blunts the efficacy of chemotherapy in AML treatment. Adriamycin (ADM, also called doxorubicin), is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutics for treating cancers. Herein, we studied the molecular mechanisms underlying microRNA-188-5p (miR-188-5p)-mediated ADM resistance in AML.

METHODS

Differentially expressed miRNAs were screened in normal and malignant hematopoietic cells by bioinformatics tools. MiR-188-5p expression in primary bone marrow CD34⁺ cells and AML cells was evaluated. AML/ADM cells were established using THP-1 and Kasumi-1 cells. The effect of miR-188-5p on the drug resistance in AML/ADM cells was examined by delivery of miR-188-5p-inhibitor. The binding relationship between TET1 and miR-188-5p was analyzed by ChIP, and the downstream target of miR-188-5p was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and validated by dual-luciferase assay. Finally, rescue experiments were carried out in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

miR-188-5p was highly expressed in AML cells, and miR-188-5p-inhibitor sensitized the AML/ADM cells to ADM. Inhibition of TET1 reduced miR-188-5p promoter hydroxymethylation and downregulated miR-188-5p. miR-188-5p bound to the 3'UTR of PTEN to inhibit PTEN expression, and the PI3K/AKT signaling was activated upon inhibition of PTEN. Suppression of PTEN conferred resistance again to AML/ADM cells in the presence of miR-188-5p inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

TET1 elevates miR-188-5p expression by promoting miR-188-5p promoter hydroxymethylation, and miR-188-5p inhibits PTEN expression to induce PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation, leading to ADM resistance in AML.

7S,15R-Dihydroxy-16S,17S-epoxy-docosapentaenoic Acid Overcomes Chemoresistance of 5-Fluorouracil by Suppressing the Infiltration of Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Inhibiting the Activation of Cancer Stem Cells in a Colorectal Cancer Xenograft Model

Although the tumor bulk is initially reduced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), chemoresistance developed due to prolonged chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). The enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to chemoresistance and poor outcomes. A docosahexaenoic acid derivative developed by our group, 7S,15R-dihydroxy-16S,17S-epoxy-docosapentaenoic acid (diHEP-DPA), exerts antitumor effects against TAMs infiltration and CSCs enrichment in our previous study. The current study aimed to investigate whether diHEP-DPA was able to overcome chemoresistance to 5-FU in CRCs, together with the potential synergistic mechanisms in a CT26-BALB/c mouse model. Our results suggested that although 5-FU inhibited tumor growth, 5-FU enriched CSCs via the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, resulting in chemoresistance in CRCs. However, we revealed that 5-FU promoted the infiltration of TAMs via the NF-kB signaling pathway and improved epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway; these traits were believed to contribute to CSC activation. Furthermore, supplementation with diHEP-DPA could overcome drug resistance by decreasing the CSCs, suppressing the infiltration of TAMs, and inhibiting EMT progression. Additionally, the combinatorial treatment of diHEP-DPA and 5-FU effectively enhanced phagocytosis by blocking the CD47/signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) axis. These findings present that diHEP-DPA is a potential therapeutic supplement to improve drug outcomes and suppress chemoresistance associated with the current 5-FU-based therapies for colorectal cancer.

Novel strategies to reverse chemoresistance in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common gastrointestinal malignancy with high morbidity and fatality. Chemotherapy, as traditional therapy for CRC, has exerted well antitumor effect and greatly improved the survival of CRC patients. Nevertheless, chemoresistance is one of the major problems during chemotherapy for CRC and significantly limits the efficacy of the treatment and influences the prognosis of patients. To overcome chemoresistance in CRC, many strategies are being investigated. Here, we review the common and novel measures to combat the resistance, including drug repurposing (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, metformin, dichloroacetate, enalapril, ivermectin, bazedoxifene, melatonin, and S-adenosylmethionine), gene therapy (ribozymes, RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9, epigenetic therapy, antisense oligonucleotides, and noncoding RNAs), protein inhibitor (EFGR inhibitor, S1PR2 inhibitor, and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor), natural herbal compounds (polyphenols, terpenoids, quinones, alkaloids, and sterols), new drug delivery system (nanocarriers, liposomes, exosomes, and hydrogels), and combination therapy. These common or novel strategies for the reversal of chemoresistance promise to improve the treatment of CRC.

Curcumin: A Novel Way to Improve Quality of Life for Colorectal Cancer Patients?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women. Treatment of metastatic CRC consists of highly toxic chemotherapeutic drug combinations that often negatively affect patient quality of life (QoL). Moreover, chemotherapy-induced toxicity and chemotherapy resistance are among the most important factors limiting cancer treatment and can lead to the interruption or discontinuation of potentially effective therapy. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that curcumin acts through multiple cellular pathways and possesses both anti-cancer properties against CRC and the capacity to mitigate chemotherapy-related side effects and overcome drug resistance. In this review article, we suggest that the addition of curcumin to the standard chemotherapeutic treatment for metastatic CRC could reduce associated side-effects and overcome chemotherapy resistance, thereby improving patient QoL.

Targeting lncRNA/Wnt axis by flavonoids: A promising therapeutic approach for colorectal cancer

Despite the dramatic advances in our understanding of the etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) in recent decades, effective therapeutic strategies are still urgently needed. Oncogenic mutations in the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway are hallmarks of CRC. Moreover, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as molecular managers are involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of CRC. Therefore, it is important to further explore the interaction between lncRNAs and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway for targeted therapy of CRC. Natural phytochemicals have not toxicity and can target carcinogenesis-related pathways. Growing evidences suggest that flavonoids are inversely associated with CRC risk. These bioactive compounds could target carcinogenesis pathways of CRC and reduced the side effects of anti-cancer drugs. The review systematically summarized the progress of flavonoids targeting lncRNA/Wnt axis in the investigations of CRC, which will provide a promising therapeutic approach for CRC and develop nutrition-oriented preventive strategies for CRC based on epigenetic mechanisms. In the field, more epidemiological and clinical trials are required in the future to verify feasibility of targeting lncRNA/Wnt axis by flavonoids in the therapy and prevention of CRC.

Curcumin against gastrointestinal cancer: A review of the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its antitumor activity

Gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) poses a serious threat to human health globally. Curcumin (CUR), a hydrophobic polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has shown reliable anticancer function and low toxicity, thereby offering broad research prospects. Numerous studies have demonstrated the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of CUR against GIC, including the induction of apoptosis and autophagy, arrest of the cell cycle, inhibition of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, inhibition of cell invasion and migration, regulation of multiple signaling pathways, sensitization to chemotherapy and reversal of resistance to such treatments, and regulation of the tumor survival environment. It has been confirmed that CUR exerts its antitumor effects on GIC through these mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, treatment with CUR is safe and tolerable. Newly discovered types of regulated cell death (RCD), such as pyroptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, may provide a new direction for research on the efficacy of CUR against GIC. In this review, we discuss the recently found pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of CUR against GIC (gastric and colorectal cancers). The objective is to provide a reference for further research on treatments against GIC.

The Synergistic Effects of Curcumin and Chemotherapeutic Drugs in Inhibiting Metastatic, Invasive and Proliferative Pathways

Curcumin, the main phytochemical identified from the Curcuma longa L. family, is one of the spices used in alternative medicine worldwide. It has exhibited a broad range of pharmacological activities as well as promising effects in the treatment of multiple cancer types. Moreover, it has enhanced the activity of other chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy by promoting synergistic effects in the regulation of various cancerous pathways. Despite all the literature addressing the molecular mechanism of curcumin on various cancers, no review has specifically addressed the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of curcumin in combination with therapeutic drugs on cancer metastasis. The current review assesses the synergistic effects of curcumin with multiple drugs and light radiation, from a molecular perspective, in the inhibition of metastasis, invasion and proliferation. A systemic review of articles published during the past five years was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus. The assessment of these articles evidenced that the combination therapy with various drugs, including doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, berberine, docetaxel, metformin, gemcitabine and light radiation therapy on various types of cancer, is capable of ameliorating different metastatic pathways that are presented and evaluated. However, due to the heterogeneity of pathways and proteins in different cell lines, more research is needed to confirm the root causes of these pathways.

Effects and Mechanisms of Curcumin for the Prevention and Management of Cancers: An Updated Review

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. Curcumin is the main ingredient in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and is widely used in the food industry. It shows anticancer properties on different types of cancers, and the underlying mechanisms of action include inhibiting cell proliferation, suppressing invasion and migration, promoting cell apoptosis, inducing autophagy, decreasing cancer stemness, increasing reactive oxygen species production, reducing inflammation, triggering ferroptosis, regulating gut microbiota, and adjuvant therapy. In addition, the anticancer action of curcumin is demonstrated in clinical trials. Moreover, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin can be improved by a variety of nanotechnologies, which will promote its clinical effects. Furthermore, although curcumin shows some adverse effects, such as diarrhea and nausea, it is generally safe and tolerable. This paper is an updated review of the prevention and management of cancers by curcumin with a special attention to its mechanisms of action.

Opportunities and challenges for co-delivery nanomedicines based on combination of phytochemicals with chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer treatment

The therapeutic limitations such as insufficient efficacy, drug resistance, metastasis, and undesirable side effects are frequently caused by the long duration monotherapy based on chemotherapeutic drugs. multiple combinational anticancer strategies such as nucleic acids combined with chemotherapeutic agents, chemotherapeutic combinations, chemotherapy and tumor immunotherapy combinations have been embraced, holding great promise to counter these limitations, while still taking including some potential risks. Nowadays, an increasing number of research has manifested the anticancer effects of phytochemicals mediated by modulating cancer cellular events directly as well as the tumor microenvironment. Specifically, these natural compounds exhibited suppression of cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of cancer cells, P-glycoprotein inhibition, decreasing vascularization and activation of tumor immunosuppression. Due to the low toxicity and multiple modulation pathways of these phytochemicals, the combination of chemotherapeutic agents with natural compounds acts as a novel approach to cancer therapy to increase the efficiency of cancer treatments as well as reduce the adverse consequences. In order to achieve the maximized combination advantages of small-molecule chemotherapeutic drugs and natural compounds, a variety of functional nano-scaled drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, host-guest supramolecules, supramolecules, dendrimers, micelles and inorganic systems have been developed for dual/multiple drug co-delivery. These co-delivery nanomedicines can improve pharmacokinetic behavior, tumor accumulation capacity, and achieve tumor site-targeting delivery. In that way, the improved antitumor effects through multiple-target therapy and reduced side effects by decreasing dose can be implemented. Here, we present the synergistic anticancer outcomes and the related mechanisms of the combination of phytochemicals with small-molecule anticancer drugs. We also focus on illustrating the design concept, and action mechanisms of nanosystems with co-delivery of drugs to synergistically improve anticancer efficacy. In addition, the challenges and prospects of how these insights can be translated into clinical benefits are discussed.

Curcuminoids as Modulators of EMT in Invasive Cancers: A Review of Molecular Targets With the Contribution of Malignant Mesothelioma Studies

Curcuminoids, which include natural acyclic diarylheptanoids and the synthetic analogs of curcumin, have considerable potential for fighting against all the characteristics of invasive cancers. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process for embryonic morphogenesis, however, the last decade has confirmed it orchestrates many features of cancer invasiveness, such as tumor cell stemness, metabolic rewiring, and drug resistance. A wealth of studies has revealed EMT in cancer is in fact driven by an increasing number of parameters, and thus understanding its complexity has now become a cornerstone for defining future therapeutic strategies dealing with cancer progression and metastasis. A specificity of curcuminoids is their ability to target multiple molecular targets, modulate several signaling pathways, modify tumor microenvironments and enhance the host’s immune response. Although the effects of curcumin on these various parameters have been the subject of many reviews, the role of curcuminoids against EMT in the context of cancer have never been reviewed so far. This review first provides an updated overview of all EMT drivers, including signaling pathways, transcription factors, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and tumor microenvironment components, with a special focus on the most recent findings. Secondly, for each of these drivers the effects of curcumin/curcuminoids on specific molecular targets are analyzed. Finally, we address some common findings observed between data reported in the literature and the results of investigations we conducted on experimental malignant mesothelioma, a model of invasive cancer representing a useful tool for studies on EMT and cancer.

Traditional Chinese Medicines as Effective Reversals of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Induced-Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Targets and Mechanisms

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide. Distant metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related mortality in patients with CRC. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process triggered during tumor metastasis, which is also the main impetus and the essential access within this duration. Therefore, targeting EMT-related molecular pathways has been considered a novel strategy to explore effective therapeutic agents against metastatic CRC. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with unique properties multi-target and multi-link that exert their therapeutic efficacies holistically, which could inhibit the invasion and metastasis ability of CRC cells via inhibiting the EMT process by down-regulating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smads, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, and Notch signaling pathways. The objective of this review is to summarize and assess the anti-metastatic effect of TCM-originated bioactive compounds and Chinese medicine formulas by mediating EMT-associated signaling pathways in CRC therapy, providing a foundation for further research on the exact mechanisms of action through which TCMs affect EMT transform in CRC.

Therapeutic Potential of Naturally Occurring Small Molecules to Target the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an emerging public health problem and the second leading cause of death worldwide, with a significant socioeconomic impact in several countries. The 5-year survival rate is only 12% due to the lack of early diagnosis and resistance to available treatments, and the canonical Wnt signaling pathway is involved in this process. This review underlines the importance of understanding the fundamental roles of this pathway in physiological and pathological contexts and analyzes the use of naturally occurring small molecules that inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in experimental models of CRC. We also discuss the progress and challenges of moving these small molecules off the laboratory bench into the clinical platform.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second in the number of cancer deaths worldwide, mainly due to late diagnoses, which restrict treatment in the potentially curable stages and decrease patient survival. The treatment of CRC involves surgery to remove the tumor tissue, in addition to radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy sessions. However, almost half of patients are resistant to these treatments, especially in metastatic cases, where the 5-year survival rate is only 12%. This factor may be related to the intratumoral heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment (TME), and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which is impossible to resolve with the standard approaches currently available in clinical practice. CSCs are APC-deficient, and the search for alternative therapeutic agents such as small molecules from natural sources is a promising strategy, as these substances have several antitumor properties. Many of those interfere with the regulation of signaling pathways at the central core of CRC development, such as the Wnt/β-catenin, which plays a crucial role in the cell proliferation and stemness in the tumor. This review will discuss the use of naturally occurring small molecules inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in experimental CRC models over the past decade, highlighting the molecular targets in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the mechanisms through which these molecules perform their antitumor activities.

The role of polyphenols in overcoming cancer drug resistance: a comprehensive review

Chemotherapeutic drugs are used to treat advanced stages of cancer or following surgery. However, cancers often develop resistance against drugs, leading to failure of treatment and recurrence of the disease. Polyphenols are a family of organic compounds with more than 10,000 members which have a three-membered flavan ring system in common. These natural compounds are known for their beneficial properties, such as free radical scavenging, decreasing oxidative stress, and modulating inflammation. Herein, we discuss the role of polyphenols (mainly curcumin, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG]) in different aspects of cancer drug resistance. Increasing drug uptake by tumor cells, decreasing drug metabolism by enzymes (e.g. cytochromes and glutathione-S-transferases), and reducing drug efflux are some of the mechanisms by which polyphenols increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Polyphenols also affect other targets for overcoming chemoresistance in cancer cells, including cell death (i.e. autophagy and apoptosis), EMT, ROS, DNA repair processes, cancer stem cells, and epigenetics (e.g. miRNAs).

Micro ribonucleic acid-448 regulates zinc finger e-box binding homeobox 1 to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells and increase their sensitivity to chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Zinc Finger E-box Binding Homeobox 1 (ZEB1) regulation by Micro Ribonucleic acid (miR)-448 on Breast Cancer (BC) cells and their sensitivity to chemotherapy.

METHODS

miR-448 and ZEB1 mRNA levels in BC and normal tissues were detected by qPCR, and ZEB1 protein was detected by Western Blotting (WB). The correlation between miR-448 and tumor metastasis, clinical staging, and ZEB1 expression was analyzed. MCF-7 cells were transfected or co-transfected with the miR-448 mimic, oe-ZEB1, or their negative controls. Changes in miR-448 and ZEB1 expression were detected by qPCR and WB. Cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assays, invasion changes were analyzed by Transwell assays, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

miR-448 expression in BC tissues was lower than that in normal tissues, while ZEB1 expression was increased in the former. ZEB1 expression was lower in BC patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without. In patients with clinical stage I-III BC, miR-448 expression decreased with an increase in tumor stage, which was negatively correlated with ZEB1 expression. Upregulation of miR-448 expression can suppress MCF-7 cell proliferation and invasion and promote apoptosis. Upregulation of ZEB1 expression in cells overexpressing miR-448 can partially reverse the inhibition of BC cell growth induced by miR-448. miR-448 can enhance the sensitivity of cells toward paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-448 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion and promotes apoptosis by targeting ZEB1. Moreover, it can increase the sensitivity of cells toward paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil.

Therapeutic Applications of Curcumin and Derivatives in Colorectal Cancer

Curcumin (CUR), a natural phenolic compound, has been increasingly investigated in several malignancies due to its safe profile and ability to affect a wide range of oncogenic targets. With the ability to affect metastasis, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its tolerability at high doses, CUR is an attractive target for study. However, poor bioavailability and unfavorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics have hampered CUR's efficacy in clinical trials. Development of its derivatives and alternative delivery methods have shown the potential to overcome its inherent bioavailability issues. Recent analyses of various derivatives and nanoparticle encapsulation of CUR have demonstrated increased effectiveness in CRC studies. A major advantage of CUR has been its synergistic effects when used in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents. CUR offers a unique treatment option in terms of patient safety and its ability to be used in combination with current treatments for CRC. Further development of its derivatives and alternative delivery options offer potential new avenues of treatment that could outperform previous efforts to establish CUR as a CRC therapy.

The protective effect of Nigella sativa seeds against monosodium glutamate-induced hepatic dysfunction in rats

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MSG-challenged rats were characterized by hepatic dysfunction and redox imbalance along with increased programmed cell death.

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The negative consequences of MSG consumption have been partially overcome by the nutritional inclusion of NSS.

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NSS restores the redox potential and ameliorates the histopathological deteriorations and apoptosis in the liver.

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These outcomes are of major importance in paving the road towards the incorporation of NSS as a candidate strategy against MSG-related abnormalities.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most commonly used feed additives which poses a threat to public health. Nigella sativa is a promising natural approach in this issue due to its antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and cytoprotective characters. Here, we investigated the potential protective effect of Nigella sativa seed (NSS) against MSG-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. To accomplish this objective, fifteen adult Wistar albino rats were randomly and equally divided into three groups for 21 days: the control group received no treatment, MSG group supplemented with MSG at a dose of 30 g/kg feed, and MSG + NSS group supplemented with MSG at the same previous dose together with NSS at a dose of 30 g/kg feed. NSS succeeded in boosting serum alkaline phosphatase activity and total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels. It reduced lipid peroxides in the serum and down-regulated glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase 2 immuno-expression in the hepatic cells. NSS intervention provided cytoprotection by improving the histo-architecture of the liver and reducing the number of apoptotic cells. NSS was effective in protecting against the hepatotoxicity of MSG through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. These findings are of utmost significance in directing the attention towards the incorporation of NSS in our food industry as well as a health remedy in traditional medicine to fight MSG-related hepatic abnormalities.

Therapeutic Effects of Polyphenols on the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer by Regulating Wnt β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide in terms of both its rates of incidence and mortality. Due to serious side effects associated with conventional chemotherapeutic treatments, many natural products with fewer adverse side effects have been considered as potential treatment options. In fact, many natural products have widely been used in various phases of clinical trials for CRC, as well as in in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. Curcumin (CUR) and resveratrol (RES) are classified as natural polyphenolic compounds that have been demonstrated to have anticancer activity against CRC and are associated with minimal side effects. By regulating select target genes involved in several key signaling pathways in CRC, in particular, the Wnt β-catenin signaling cascade, the course of CRC may be positively altered. In the current review, we focused on the therapeutic effects of CUR and RES in CRC as they pertain to modulation of the Wnt β-catenin signaling pathway.

Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Is Not a Major Modulating Factor in the Cytotoxic Response to Natural Products in Cancer Cell Lines

Numerous natural products exhibit antiproliferative activity against cancer cells by modulating various biological pathways. In this study, we investigated the potential use of eight natural compounds (apigenin, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, fisetin, forskolin, procyanidin B2, resveratrol, urolithin A) and two repurposed agents (fulvestrant and metformin) as chemotherapy enhancers and mesenchymal-to-epithelial (MET) inducers of cancer cells. Screening of these compounds in various colon, breast, and pancreatic cancer cell lines revealed anti-cancer activity for all compounds, with curcumin being the most effective among these in all cell lines. Although some of the natural products were able to induce MET in some cancer cell lines, the MET induction was not related to increased synergy with either 5-FU, irinotecan, gemcitabine, or gefitinib. When synergy was observed, for example with curcumin and irinotecan, this was unrelated to MET induction, as assessed by changes in E-cadherin and vimentin expression. Our results show that MET induction is compound and cell line specific, and that MET is not necessarily related to enhanced chemosensitivity.

Recent Updates on Mechanisms of Resistance to 5-Fluorouracil and Reversal Strategies in Colon Cancer Treatment

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) plus leucovorin (LV) remain as the mainstay standard adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for early stage colon cancer, and the preferred first-line option for metastatic colon cancer patients in combination with oxaliplatin in FOLFOX, or irinotecan in FOLFIRI regimens. Despite treatment success to a certain extent, the incidence of chemotherapy failure attributed to chemotherapy resistance is still reported in many patients. This resistance, which can be defined by tumor tolerance against chemotherapy, either intrinsic or acquired, is primarily driven by the dysregulation of various components in distinct pathways. In recent years, it has been established that the incidence of 5-FU resistance, akin to multidrug resistance, can be attributed to the alterations in drug transport, evasion of apoptosis, changes in the cell cycle and DNA-damage repair machinery, regulation of autophagy, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell involvement, tumor microenvironment interactions, miRNA dysregulations, epigenetic alterations, as well as redox imbalances. Certain resistance mechanisms that are 5-FU-specific have also been ascertained to include the upregulation of thymidylate synthase, dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and the downregulation of thymidine phosphorylase. Indeed, the successful modulation of these mechanisms have been the game plan of numerous studies that had employed small molecule inhibitors, plant-based small molecules, and non-coding RNA regulators to effectively reverse 5-FU resistance in colon cancer cells. It is hoped that these studies would provide fundamental knowledge to further our understanding prior developing novel drugs in the near future that would synergistically work with 5-FU to potentiate its antitumor effects and improve the patient's overall survival.

Potential Role of Traditional Chinese Medicines by Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Compared With Targeted Small Molecules in Colorectal Cancer Therapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become a global public health problem because of its high incidence and mortality rate worldwide. The previous clinical treatment for CRC mainly involves conventional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. With the development of tumor molecular targeted therapy, small molecule inhibitors present a great advantage in improving the survival of patients with advanced CRC. However, various side effects and drug resistance induced by chemotherapy are still the major obstacles to improve the clinical benefit. Thus, it is crucial to find new and alternative drugs for CRC treatment. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been proved to have low toxicity and multi-target characteristics. In the last few decades, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that TCMs exhibit strong anticancer effects in both experimental and clinical models and may serve as alternative chemotherapy agents for CRC treatment. Notably, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a vital role in the initiation and progression of CRC by modulating the stability of β-catenin in the cytoplasm. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a novel direction for developing therapies for CRC. In this review, we outlined the anti-tumor effects of small molecular inhibitors on CRC through Wnt/β-catenin pathway. More importantly, we focused on the potential role of TCMs against tumors by targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling at different stages of CRC, including precancerous lesions, early stage of CRC and advanced CRC. Furthermore, we also discussed perspectives to develop potential new drugs from TCMs via Wnt/β-catenin pathway for the treatment of CRC.

Is Curcumin the Answer to Future Chemotherapy Cocktail?

The rise in cancer cases in recent years is an alarming situation worldwide. Despite the tremendous research and invention of new cancer therapies, the clinical outcomes are not always reassuring. Cancer cells could develop several evasive mechanisms for their survivability and render therapeutic failure. The continuous use of conventional cancer therapies leads to chemoresistance, and a higher dose of treatment results in even greater toxicities among cancer patients. Therefore, the search for an alternative treatment modality is crucial to break this viscous cycle. This paper explores the suitability of curcumin combination treatment with other cancer therapies to curb cancer growth. We provide a critical insight to the mechanisms of action of curcumin, its role in combination therapy in various cancers, along with the molecular targets involved. Curcumin combination treatments were found to enhance anticancer effects, mediated by the multitargeting of several signalling pathways by curcumin and the co-administered cancer therapies. The preclinical and clinical evidence in curcumin combination therapy is critically analysed, and the future research direction of curcumin combination therapy is discussed.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Drug Discovery

As an important part of complementary and alternative medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied to treat a host of diseases for centuries. Over the years, with the incidence rate of human colorectal cancer (CRC) increasing continuously and the advantage of TCM gradually becoming more prominent, the importance of TCM in both domestic and international fields is also growing with each passing day. However, the unknowability of active ingredients, effective substances, and the underlying mechanisms of TCM against this malignant tumor greatly restricts the translation degree of clinical products and the pace of precision medicine. In this review, based on the characteristics of TCM and the oral administration of most ingredients, we herein provide beneficial information for the clinical utilization of TCM in the prevention and treatment of CRC and retrospect the current preclinical studies on the related active ingredients, as well as put forward the research mode for the discovery of active ingredients and effective substances in TCM, to provide novel insights into the research and development of innovative agents from this conventional medicine for CRC treatment and assist the realization of precision medicine.

Curcumin inhibits the viability, migration and invasion of papillary thyroid cancer cells by regulating the miR-301a-3p/STAT3 axis

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, and the mortality rate associated with thyroid cancer has been increasing annually. Curcumin has been reported to exert an antitumor effect on papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and the identification of additional mechanisms underlying the anticancer effect of curcumin on PTC requires further investigation. The present study aimed to explore the effects of curcumin on the viability, migration and invasion of PTC cells. TPC-1 cells were incubated with different concentrations of curcumin, and then, cell viability, migration and invasion, and wound healing were examined by CCK-8, Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Subsequently, microRNA (miR)-301a-3p mimics, miR-301a-3p inhibitors and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 overexpression vector were transfected into TPC-1 cells, and cell viability, migration, and invasion were reassessed in these transfected cells. Matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers, and Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling pathway components were assessed by western blot analysis. Curcumin significantly inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion and downregulated MMP-2, MMP-9 and EMT marker expression. Additionally, curcumin decreased STAT3 expression by upregulating miR-301a-3p expression, and the inhibition of miR-301a-3p and the overexpression of STAT3 reversed the effects of curcumin on cell viability, migration and invasion, and MMP-2, MMP-9 and EMT marker expression in TPC-1 cells. Furthermore, curcumin suppressed the JAK/STAT signaling pathway through the miR-301a-3p/STAT3 axis. The data of the present study indicated that curcumin could inhibit the viability, migration and invasion of TPC-1 cells by regulating the miR-301a-3p/STAT3 axis. These findings may provide a possible strategy for the clinical treatment of PTC.

Combined Serum DKK3 and Circulating CD133 Cells as Prognostic Biomarkers for Ovarian Cancer Patients

Introduction

Ovarian cancer (OV) can seriously endanger women’s physical and mental health. Serum DKK3 has been used for the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. However, the specificity of antibodies may lead to errors in the detection of plasma protein.

Methods

Circulating CD133⁺ cells from blood samples were separated by magnetic microbeads. Serum DKK3 levels were determined by ELISA. The roles of DKK3 in OV cells were analyzed in vitro.

Results

In this study, we found that the CD133⁺ subpopulation in circulating tumor cells can indicate the overall survival rate of OV patients. Serum DKK3 levels were negatively correlated with the number of circulating CD133⁺ cells in OV patients. In addition, we confirmed the inhibitory effect of recombinant human DKK3 (rhDKK3) on OV cells via reversal of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process.

Conclusion

Both serum DKK3 levels and circulating CD133⁺ tumor cells can be used as prognostic markers for patients with ovarian cancer.