Promising applications of nanotechnology in inhibiting chemo-resistance in solid tumors by targeting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)

A novel high-risk model identified by epithelial-mesenchymal transition predicts prognosis and radioresistance in rectal cancer

Many studies have shown that tumor cells that survive radiotherapy are more likely to metastasize, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we aimed to identify epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related key genes, which associated with prognosis and radiosensitivity in rectal cancer. First, we obtained differentially expressed genes by analyzing the RNA expression profiles of rectal cancer retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, EMT-related genes, and radiotherapy-related databases, respectively. Then, Lasso and Cox regression analyses were used to establish an EMT-related prognosis model (EMTPM) based on the identified independent protective factor Fibulin5 (FBLN5) and independent risk gene EHMT2. The high-EMTPM group exhibited significantly poorer prognosis. Then, we evaluated the signature in an external clinical validation cohort. Through in vivo experiments, we further demonstrated that EMTPM effectively distinguishes radioresistant from radiosensitive patients with rectal cancer. Moreover, individuals in the high-EMTPM group showed increased expression of immune checkpoints compared to their counterparts. Finally, pan-cancer analysis of the EMTPM model also indicated its potential for predicting the prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. In summary, we established a novel predictive model for rectal cancer prognosis and radioresistance based on FBLN5 and EHMT2 expressions, and suggested that immune microenvironment may be involved in the process of radioresistance. This predictive model could be used to select management strategies for rectal cancer.

Investigation of the size and shape of nano-microcarriers for targeted drug delivery to atherosclerotic plaque in ischemic stroke prevention

Recognizing the significance of drug carriers in the treatment of atherosclerotic plaque is crucial in light of the worldwide repercussions of ischemic stroke. Conservative methodologies, specifically targeted drug delivery, present encouraging substitutes that mitigate the hazards linked to invasive procedures. With the intention of illuminating their considerable significance and prospective benefits, this study examines the impact of the geometry and dimensions of drug-loaded nano-microcarriers on atherosclerotic plaque. The research utilizes a finite element approach to simulate the motion and fluid dynamics of nano-microcarriers loaded with drugs within the carotid arteries. Carriers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate patient-specific geometries, pulsatile fluid flow, and non-Newtonian blood properties. Optimization of drug delivery is achieved through the examination of carrier interaction with the inner wall. The results demonstrated that the interaction data between particles and the inner wall of atherosclerotic plaques exhibits micro- and nanoscale patterns that are distinct. Symmetric plaques demonstrate that nanoparticles with a 0.4 shape factor and diameters below 200 nm show the highest interaction rate. Conversely, larger particles (200 and 500 nm) with shape factors of 1 demonstrate comparatively elevated interaction rates. The optimal shape factor for drug-loaded microparticles has been determined to be one, and the number of interactions increases as the diameter of the nanoparticles increases, with a significant increase observed at a shape factor of one. Asymmetric plaques exhibit the maximum interaction rates among particles that have a shape factor of 0.4 and have diameters smaller than 500 µm. The findings establish a foundation for novel therapeutic strategies, establishing nano-microparticles as auspicious contenders for accurate and efficacious drug delivery systems that inhibit plaque proliferation.

Metal-based nanoparticle in cancer treatment: lessons learned and challenges

Cancer, being one of the deadliest diseases, poses significant challenges despite the existence of traditional treatment approaches. This has led to a growing demand for innovative pharmaceutical agents that specifically target cancer cells for effective treatment. In recent years, the use of metal nanoparticles (NPs) as a promising alternative to conventional therapies has gained prominence in cancer research. Metal NPs exhibit unique properties that hold tremendous potential for various applications in cancer treatment. Studies have demonstrated that certain metals possess inherent or acquired anticancer capabilities through their surfaces. These properties make metal NPs an attractive focus for therapeutic development. In this review, we will investigate the applicability of several distinct classes of metal NPs for tumor targeting in cancer treatment. These classes may include gold, silver, iron oxide, and other metals with unique properties that can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the risk factors associated with the therapeutic application of metal NPs. Understanding and addressing these factors will be crucial for successful clinical translation and to mitigate any potential challenges or failures in the translation of metal NP-based therapies. By exploring the therapeutic potential of metal NPs and identifying the associated risk factors, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of cancer treatment strategies. The anticipated outcome of this review is to provide valuable insights and pave the way for the advancement of effective and targeted therapies utilizing metal NPs specifically for cancer patients.

Application of Scaffold-Based Drug Delivery in Oral Cancer Treatment: A Novel Approach

This comprehensive review consolidates insights from two sources to emphasize the transformative impact of scaffold-based drug delivery systems in revolutionizing oral cancer therapy. By focusing on their core abilities to facilitate targeted and localized drug administration, these systems enhance therapeutic outcomes significantly. Scaffolds, notably those coated with anti-cancer agents such as cisplatin and paclitaxel, have proven effective in inhibiting oral cancer cell proliferation, establishing a promising avenue for site-specific drug delivery. The application of synthetic scaffolds, including Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and natural materials, like collagen or silk, in 3D systems has been pivotal for controlled release of therapeutic agents, executing diverse anti-cancer strategies. A key advancement in this field is the advent of smart scaffolds designed for sequential cancer therapy, which strive to refine drug delivery systems, minimizing surgical interventions, accentuating the significance of 3D scaffolds in oral cancer management. These systems, encompassing local drug-coated scaffolds and other scaffold-based platforms, hold the potential to transform oral cancer treatment through precise interventions, yielding improved patient outcomes. Local drug delivery via scaffolds can mitigate systemic side effects typically associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea, alopecia, infections, and gastrointestinal issues. Post-drug release, scaffolds foster a conducive environment for non-cancerous cell growth, adhering and proliferation, demonstrating restorative potential. Strategies for controlled and targeted drug delivery in oral cancer therapy span injectable self-assembling peptide hydrogels, nanocarriers, and dual drug-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds. These systems ensure prolonged release, synergistic effects, and tunable targeting, enhancing drug delivery efficiency while reducing systemic exposure. Smart scaffolds, capable of sequential drug release, transitioning to cell-friendly surfaces, and enabling combinatorial therapy, hold the promise to revolutionize treatment by delivering precise interventions and optimized outcomes. In essence, scaffold-based drug delivery systems, through their varied forms and functionalities, are reshaping oral cancer therapy. They target drug delivery efficiency, diminish side effects, and present avenues for personalization. Challenges like fabrication intricacy, biocompatibility, and scalability call for additional research. Nonetheless, the perspective on scaffold-based systems in oral cancer treatment is optimistic, as ongoing advancements aim to surmount current limitations and fully leverage their potential in cancer therapy.

Modulation of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Is a Possible Underlying Mechanism for Inducing Chemoresistance in MIA PaCa-2 Cells against Gemcitabine and Paclitaxel

To elucidate the currently unknown molecular mechanisms responsible for the similarity and difference during the acquirement of resistance against gemcitabine (GEM) and paclitaxel (PTX) in patients with pancreatic carcinoma, we examined two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of parent MIA PaCa-2 cells (MIA PaCa-2-PA) and their GEM resistance cell line (MIA PaCa-2-GR) and PTX resistance (MIA PaCa-2-PR). Using these cells, we examined 3D spheroid configurations and cellular metabolism, including mitochondrial and glycolytic functions, with a Seahorse bio-analyzer and RNA sequencing analysis. Compared to the MIA PaCa-2-PA, (1) the formation of the 3D spheroids of MIA PaCa-2-GR or -PR was much slower, and (2) their mitochondrial and glycolytic functions were greatly modulated in MIA PaCa-2-GR or -PR, and such metabolic changes were also different between their 2D and 3D culture conditions. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using an ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) suggested that various modulatory factors related to epithelial -mesenchymal transition (EMT) including STAT3, GLI1, ZNF367, NKX3-2, ZIC2, IFIT2, HEY1 and FBLX, may be the possible upstream regulators and/or causal network master regulators responsible for the acquirement of drug resistance in MIA PaCa-2-GR and -PR. In addition, among the prominently altered DEGs (Log2 fold changes more than 6 or less than -6), FABP5, IQSEC3, and GASK1B were identified as unique genes associated with their antisense RNA or pseudogenes, and among these, FABP5 and GASK1B are known to function as modulators of cancerous EMT. Therefore, the observations reported herein suggest that modulations of cancerous EMT may be key molecular mechanisms that are responsible for inducing chemoresistance against GEM or PTX in MIA PaCa-2 cells.

Discovery and Mechanistic Studies of Dual-Target Hits for Carbonic Anhydrase IX and VEGFR-2 as Potential Agents for Solid Tumors: X-ray, In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Investigations of Coumarin-Based Thiazoles

A dual-targeting approach is predicted to yield better cancer therapy outcomes. Consequently, a series of coumarin-based thiazoles (5a-h, 6, and 7a-e) were designed and constructed as potential carbonic anhydrase (CA) and VEGFR-2 suppressors. The inhibitory actions of the target compounds were assessed against CA isoforms IX and VEGFR-2. The assay results showed that coumarin-based thiazoles 5a, 5d, and 5e can effectively inhibit both targets. 5a, 5d, and 5e cytotoxic effects were tested on pancreatic, breast, and prostate cancer cells (PANC1, MCF7, and PC3). Further mechanistic investigation disclosed the ability of 5e to interrupt the PANC1 cell progression in the S stage by triggering the apoptotic cascade, as seen by increased levels of caspases 3, 9, and BAX, alongside the Bcl-2 decline. Moreover, the in vivo efficacy of compound 5e as an antitumor agent was evaluated. Also, molecular docking and dynamics displayed distinctive interactions between 5e and CA IX and VEGFR-2 binding pockets.

Increased V-ATPase activity can lead to chemo-resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma via autophagy induction: new insights

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a cancer type with a high rate of recurrence and a poor prognosis. Tumor chemo-resistance remains an issue for OSCC patients despite the availability of multimodal therapy options, which causes an increase in tumor invasiveness. Vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase), appears to be one of the most significant molecules implicated in MDR in tumors like OSCC. It is primarily responsible for controlling the acidity in the solid tumors' microenvironment, which interferes with the absorption of chemotherapeutic medications. However, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms V-ATPase plays in OSCC chemo-resistance have not been understood. Uncovering these mechanisms can contribute to combating OSCC chemo-resistance and poor prognosis. Hence, in this review, we suggest that one of these underlying mechanisms is autophagy induced by V-ATPase which can potentially contribute to OSCC chemo-resistance. Finally, specialized autophagy and V-ATPase inhibitors may be beneficial as an approach to reduce drug resistance to anticancer therapies in addition to serving as coadjuvants in antitumor treatments. Also, V-ATPase could be a prognostic factor for OSCC patients. However, in the future, more investigations are required to demonstrate these suggestions and hypotheses.

Therapeutic applications of melatonin in disorders related to the gastrointestinal tract and control of appetite

Most animals have large amounts of the special substance melatonin, which is controlled by the light/dark cycle in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. According to what is now understood, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and other areas of the body are sites of melatonin production. According to recent studies, the GIT and adjacent organs depend critically on a massive amount of melatonin. Not unexpectedly, melatonin's many biological properties, such as its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, anti-metastasis, and antiangiogenic properties, have drawn the attention of researchers more and more. Because melatonin is an antioxidant, it produces a lot of secretions in the GIT's mucus and saliva, which shields cells from damage and promotes the development of certain GIT-related disorders. Melatonin's ability to alter cellular behavior in the GIT and other associated organs, such as the liver and pancreas, is another way that it functions. This behavior alters the secretory and metabolic activities of these cells. In this review, we attempted to shed fresh light on the many roles that melatonin plays in the various regions of the gastrointestinal tract by focusing on its activities for the first time.

[Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Derived Exosomes: Key Players in Intercellular Communication Within the Tumor Microenvironment]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Due to the insidious onset and rapid progression and a lack of effective treatments, the prognosis of patients with HCC is extremely poor, with the average 5-year survival rate being less than 10%. The tumor microenvironment (TME), the internal environment in which HCC develops, can regulate the oncogenesis, development, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. During the process of cancer progression, HCC cells can regulate the biological behaviors of tumor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, cancer-associated immune cells, and other cells in the TME by releasing exosomes containing specific signals, thereby promoting cancer progression. However, the exact molecular mechanisms and the roles of exosomes in the specific cellular regulation of these processes are not fully understood. Herein, we summarized the TME components of HCC, the sources and the biological traits of exosomes in the TME, and the impact of mechanical factors on exosomes. In addition, special attention was given to the discussion of the effects of HCC-exosomes on different types of cells in the microenvironment. There are still many difficulties to be overcome before exosomes can be applied as carriers in clinical cancer treatment. First of all, the homogeneity of exosomes is difficult to ensure. Secondly, exosomes are mainly administered through subcutaneous injection. Although this method is simple and easy to implement, the absorption efficiency is not ideal. Thirdly, exosome extraction methods are limited in number and inefficient, making it difficult to prepare exosomes in large quantities. It is important to ensure that exosomes are used in sufficient quantities to trigger an effective tumor immune response, especially for exosome-mediated tumor immunotherapy. With the improvement in identification, isolation, and purification technology, exosomes are expected to be successfully used in the clinical diagnosis of early-stage HCC and the clinical treatment of liver cancer.