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Liu S, Ruan Y, Chen X, He B, Chen Q. miR-137: a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1427724. [PMID: 39247624 PMCID: PMC11377224 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1427724] [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: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a prevalent malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, posing a significant threat to human health. Despite advancements in treatment, the prognosis for lung cancer patients remains poor due to late diagnosis, cancer recurrence, and drug resistance. Epigenetic research, particularly in microRNAs, has introduced a new avenue for cancer prevention and treatment. MicroRNAs, including miR-137, play a vital role in tumor development by regulating various cellular processes. MiR-137 has garnered attention for its tumor-suppressive properties, with studies showing its potential in inhibiting cancer progression. In lung cancer, miR-137 is of particular interest, with numerous reports exploring its role and mechanisms. A comprehensive review is necessary to consolidate current evidence. This review highlights recent studies on miR-137 in lung cancer, covering cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, drug resistance, and therapy, emphasizing its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuanshuan Liu
- Precision Medicine Center, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanyun Ruan
- Precision Medicine Center, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Bao He
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First People's hospital of Kunshan, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Precision Medicine Center, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
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2
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Shaik S, Kumar R, Chaudhary M, Kaur C, Khurana N, Singh G. Artificial viruses: A nanotechnology based approach. Daru 2024; 32:339-352. [PMID: 38105369 PMCID: PMC11087390 DOI: 10.1007/s40199-023-00496-6] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main objective of this work was to review and summarise the detailed literature available on viral nanoparticle and the strategies utilised for their manufacture along with their applications as therapeutic agents. DATA ACQUISITION The reported literature related to development and application of virus nanoparticles have been collected from electronic data bases like ScienceDirect, google scholar, PubMed by using key words like "viral nanoparticles", "targeted drug delivery" and "vaccines" and related combinations. RESULT From the detailed literature survey, virus nanoparticles were identified as carriers for the targeted delivery. Due to the presence of nanostructures in virus nanoparticles, these protect the drugs from the degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and in case of the delivery of gene medicine, they carry the nucleic acids to the target/susceptible host cells. Thus, artificial viruses are utilised for targeted delivery to specific organ in biomedical and biotechnological areas. CONCLUSION Thus, virus nanoparticles can be considered as viable option as drug/gene carrier in various healthcare sectors especially drug delivery and vaccine and can be explored further in future for the development of better drug delivery techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shareef Shaik
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
| | - Manish Chaudhary
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
| | - Charanjit Kaur
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
| | - Navneet Khurana
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
| | - Gurvinder Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India.
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3
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Yarahmadi A, Zare M, Aghayari M, Afkhami H, Jafari GA. Therapeutic bacteria and viruses to combat cancer: double-edged sword in cancer therapy: new insights for future. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:239. [PMID: 38654309 PMCID: PMC11040964 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01622-w] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer, ranked as the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, leads to the death of approximately seven million people annually, establishing itself as one of the most significant health challenges globally. The discovery and identification of new anti-cancer drugs that kill or inactivate cancer cells without harming normal and healthy cells and reduce adverse effects on the immune system is a potential challenge in medicine and a fundamental goal in Many studies. Therapeutic bacteria and viruses have become a dual-faceted instrument in cancer therapy. They provide a promising avenue for cancer treatment, but at the same time, they also create significant obstacles and complications that contribute to cancer growth and development. This review article explores the role of bacteria and viruses in cancer treatment, examining their potential benefits and drawbacks. By amalgamating established knowledge and perspectives, this review offers an in-depth examination of the present research landscape within this domain and identifies avenues for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aref Yarahmadi
- Department of Biology, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Mitra Zare
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Aghayari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Hamed Afkhami
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gholam Ali Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
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4
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Sakhi H, Arabi M, Ghaemi A, Movafagh A, Sheikhpour M. Oncolytic viruses in lung cancer treatment: a review article. Immunotherapy 2024; 16:75-97. [PMID: 38112057 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2023-0124] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer has a high morbidity rate worldwide due to its resistance to therapy. So new treatment options are needed to improve the outcomes of lung cancer treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oncolytic viruses (OVs) as a new type of cancer treatment. In this study, 158 articles from PubMed and Scopus from 1994 to 2022 were reviewed on the effectiveness of OVs in the treatment of lung cancer. The oncolytic properties of eight categories of OVs and their interactions with treatment options were investigated. OVs can be applied as a promising immunotherapy option, as they are reproduced selectively in different types of cancer cells, cause tumor cell lysis and trigger efficient immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanie Sakhi
- Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Arabi
- Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran
| | - Amir Ghaemi
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Movafagh
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1983969411, Iran
| | - Mojgan Sheikhpour
- Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, 1316943551, Iran
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5
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Li Y, Yan B, He S. Advances and challenges in the treatment of lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115891. [PMID: 37979378 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115891] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer accounts for a relatively high proportion of malignant tumors. As the most prevalent type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Presently, the arsenal of treatment strategies encompasses surgical resection, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and radiotherapy. However, despite these options, the prognosis remains distressingly poor with a low 5-year survival rate. Therefore, it is urgent to pursue a paradigm shift in treatment methodologies. In recent years, the advent of sophisticated biotechnologies and interdisciplinary integration has provided innovative approaches for the treatment of lung cancer. This article reviews the cutting-edge developments in the nano drug delivery system, molecular targeted treatment system, photothermal treatment strategy, and immunotherapy for lung cancer. Overall, by systematically summarizing and critically analyzing the latest progress and current challenges in these treatment strategies of lung cancer, we aim to provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel drugs for lung cancer treatment, and thus improve the therapeutic outcomes for lung cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingshuo Yan
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiming He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, People's Republic of China.
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Li Y, Duan HY, Yang KD, Ye JF. Advancements and challenges in oncolytic virus therapy for gastrointestinal tumors. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115627. [PMID: 37812894 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115627] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract impose a substantial healthcare burden due to their prevalence and challenging prognosis. METHODS We conducted a review of peer-reviewed scientific literature using reputable databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) with a focus on oncolytic virus therapy within the context of gastrointestinal tumors. Our search covered the period up to the study's completion in June 2023. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA This study includes articles from peer-reviewed scientific journals, written in English, that specifically address oncolytic virus therapy for gastrointestinal tumors, encompassing genetic engineering advances, combined therapeutic strategies, and safety and efficacy concerns. Excluded are articles not meeting these criteria or focusing on non-primary gastrointestinal metastatic tumors. RESULTS Our review revealed the remarkable specificity of oncolytic viruses in targeting tumor cells and their potential to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. However, challenges related to safety and efficacy persist, underscoring the need for ongoing research and improvement. CONCLUSION This study highlights the promising role of oncolytic virus therapy in enhancing gastrointestinal tumor treatments. Continued investigation and innovative combination therapies hold the key to reducing the burden of these tumors on patients and healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hao-Yu Duan
- General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Kai-di Yang
- School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun-Feng Ye
- General Surgery Center, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Xu J, Liu C, Wu X, Ma J. Current immune therapeutic strategies in advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:1765-1782. [PMID: 37257112 PMCID: PMC10405997 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002536] [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: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Immune escape mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can disrupt every step of the anti-cancer immune response. In recent years, an increased understanding of the specific mechanisms fueling immune escape has allowed for the development of numerous immunotherapeutic treatments that have been introduced into the clinical practice. The advent of immunotherapy has dramatically changed the current treatment landscape of advanced or metastatic NSCLC because of its durable efficacy and manageable toxicity. In this review, we will first present a brief overview of recent evidence on immune escape mechanisms in NSCLC. We will then discuss the current promising immunotherapeutic strategies in advanced or metastatic NSCLC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Center of Biotherapy, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Caixia Liu
- Center of Biotherapy, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaonan Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Center of Biotherapy, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
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Sweef O, Zaabout E, Bakheet A, Halawa M, Gad I, Akela M, Tousson E, Abdelghany A, Furuta S. Unraveling Therapeutic Opportunities and the Diagnostic Potential of microRNAs for Human Lung Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2061. [PMID: 37631277 PMCID: PMC10459057 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a major public health problem and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in treatment options, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients remains low, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung cancer due to their crucial roles in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. For example, miR-34a and miR-150, once delivered to lung cancer via liposomes or nanoparticles, can inhibit tumor growth by downregulating critical cancer promoting genes. Conversely, miR-21 and miR-155, frequently overexpressed in lung cancer, are associated with increased cell proliferation, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the roles of miRNAs in lung carcinogenesis, especially those induced by exposure to environmental pollutants, namely, arsenic and benzopyrene, which account for up to 1/10 of lung cancer cases. We then discuss the recent advances in miRNA-based cancer therapeutics and diagnostics. Such information will provide new insights into lung cancer pathogenesis and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic modalities based on miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Sweef
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Elsayed Zaabout
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ahmed Bakheet
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Mohamed Halawa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ibrahim Gad
- Department of Statistics and Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Akela
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Tousson
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Abdelghany
- Biomedical Research Center of University of Granada, Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Saori Furuta
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
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St-Cyr G, Penarroya D, Daniel L, Giguère H, Alkayyal AA, Tai LH. Remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment with oncolytic viruses expressing miRNAs. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1071223. [PMID: 36685574 PMCID: PMC9846254 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1071223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MiRNAs (miRNA, miR) play important functions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by silencing gene expression through RNA interference. They are involved in regulating both tumor progression and tumor suppression. The pathways involved in miRNA processing and the miRNAs themselves are dysregulated in cancer. Consequently, they have become attractive therapeutic targets as underscored by the plethora of miRNA-based therapies currently in pre-clinical and clinical studies. It has been shown that miRNAs can be used to improve oncolytic viruses (OVs) and enable superior viral oncolysis, tumor suppression and immune modulation. In these cases, miRNAs are empirically selected to improve viral oncolysis, which translates into decreased tumor growth in multiple murine models. While this infectious process is critical to OV therapy, optimal immunomodulation is crucial for the establishment of a targeted and durable effect, resulting in cancer eradication. Through numerous mechanisms, OVs elicit a strong antitumor immune response that can also be further improved by miRNAs. They are known to regulate components of the immune TME and promote effector functions, antigen presentation, phenotypical polarization, and varying levels of immunosuppression. Reciprocally, OVs have the power to overcome the limitations encountered in canonical miRNA-based therapies. They deliver therapeutic payloads directly into the TME and facilitate their amplification through selective tumoral tropism and abundant viral replication. This way, off-target effects can be minimized. This review will explore the ways in which miRNAs can synergistically enhance OV immunotherapy to provide the basis for future therapeutics based on this versatile combination platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume St-Cyr
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Daphné Penarroya
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Lauren Daniel
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Hugo Giguère
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Almohanad A. Alkayyal
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Immunology Research Program, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lee-Hwa Tai
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Sherbrooke (CHUS), Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Mehrabadi AZ, Ranjbar R, Farzanehpour M, Shahriary A, Dorostkar R, Hamidinejad MA, Ghaleh HEG. Therapeutic potential of CAR T cell in malignancies: A scoping review. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 146:112512. [PMID: 34894519 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although tremendous advancements in cancer therapy over the last several years, cancer still is a complex illness to cure. Traditional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, have a poor therapeutic effect, emphasizing the significance of employing innovative treatments like activated cell therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell is one of the most prevalent types of activated cell therapy have been developed to direct T lymphocytes toward cancers (CAR-T cells). CAR-T cells therapy has illustrated poor impact versus solid tumors despite the remarkable success in patients suffering from hematological malignancies. CAR-T cells must overcome various hurdles to obtain full responses to solid tumors, including growth, stability, trafficking, and destiny inside tumors. As a result, novel treatment methods will entail overcoming the challenges that CAR-T cells face in solid tumors. The use of CAR-T cells in combination with other therapeutic approaches such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immuno-checkpoint inhibitors, and oncolytic viruses can promote the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of solid tumors. However, more research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of these therapies. CAR-T cell treatment success rates vary by type of disease, but are predicted to reach up to 90% in patients with leukemia. However, since this kind of immunotherapy is still in its infancy, there is much to learn about its efficacy. This review provided an in-depth examination of CAR-T cell therapy and its success and failure as a cancer treatment approach. We also discuss combination therapies with CAR-T Cell.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reza Ranjbar
- Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Farzanehpour
- Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Shahriary
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ruhollah Dorostkar
- Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Hamidinejad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Divisato G, Piscitelli S, Elia M, Cascone E, Parisi S. MicroRNAs and Stem-like Properties: The Complex Regulation Underlying Stemness Maintenance and Cancer Development. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081074. [PMID: 34439740 PMCID: PMC8393604 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the extraordinary properties to indefinitely proliferate and self-renew in culture to produce different cell progeny through differentiation. This latter process recapitulates embryonic development and requires rounds of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is characterized by the loss of the epithelial features and the acquisition of the typical phenotype of the mesenchymal cells. In pathological conditions, EMT can confer stemness or stem-like phenotypes, playing a role in the tumorigenic process. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation, found in the tumor tissues, with stem-like properties such as uncontrolled proliferation, self-renewal, and ability to differentiate into different cell types. ESCs and CSCs share numerous features (pluripotency, self-renewal, expression of stemness genes, and acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal features), and most of them are under the control of microRNAs (miRNAs). These small molecules have relevant roles during both embryogenesis and cancer development. The aim of this review was to recapitulate molecular mechanisms shared by ESCs and CSCs, with a special focus on the recently identified classes of microRNAs (noncanonical miRNAs, mirtrons, isomiRs, and competitive endogenous miRNAs) and their complex functions during embryogenesis and cancer development.
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