Cisplatin in the modern era: The backbone of first-line chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer

A cisplatin and disulphiram co-loaded inclusion complex overcomes drug resistance by inhibiting cancer cell stemness in non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for about 80-85% of all lung cancer cases is one of the fastest-growing malignancies in terms of incidence and mortality worldwide and is commonly treated with cisplatin (DDP). Although treatment may initially be effective, the DDP therapy often leads to the development of chemoresistance and treatment failure. Disulphiram (DSF), an old alcohol-aversion drug, has been revealed to help reverse drug resistance in several cancers. In addition, several studies have shown a close relationship between drug resistance and cancer cell stemness.Methods: In this study, DDP and DSF were embedded in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (CD) to prepare a co-loaded inclusion complex of DDP and DSF (DDP-DSF/CD) with enhanced solubility and therapeutic effects. The effects and mechanism of DSF on the DDP resistance from the perspective of cancer cell stemness were determined.Results: Our data show that DDP-DSF/CD increased cytotoxicity and apoptosis of DDP-resistant A549 (A549/DDP) cells, inhibited stem cell transcriptional regulatory genes and drug resistance-associated proteins and reversed the DDP resistance in vitro and in vivo.Discussion: Overall, DDP-DSF/CD could be a promising formulation for the reversal of DDP resistance in NSCLC by inhibiting cancer cell stemness.

Microbe-material hybrids for therapeutic applications

As natural living substances, microorganisms have emerged as useful resources in medicine for creating microbe-material hybrids ranging from nano to macro dimensions. The engineering of microbe-involved nanomedicine capitalizes on the distinctive physiological attributes of microbes, particularly their intrinsic "living" properties such as hypoxia tendency and oxygen production capabilities. Exploiting these remarkable characteristics in combination with other functional materials or molecules enables synergistic enhancements that hold tremendous promise for improved drug delivery, site-specific therapy, and enhanced monitoring of treatment outcomes, presenting substantial opportunities for amplifying the efficacy of disease treatments. This comprehensive review outlines the microorganisms and microbial derivatives used in biomedicine and their specific advantages for therapeutic application. In addition, we delineate the fundamental strategies and mechanisms employed for constructing microbe-material hybrids. The diverse biomedical applications of the constructed microbe-material hybrids, encompassing bioimaging, anti-tumor, anti-bacteria, anti-inflammation and other diseases therapy are exhaustively illustrated. We also discuss the current challenges and prospects associated with the clinical translation of microbe-material hybrid platforms. Therefore, the unique versatility and potential exhibited by microbe-material hybrids position them as promising candidates for the development of next-generation nanomedicine and biomaterials with unique theranostic properties and functionalities.

Unraveling the Mechanism of Curculiginis Rhizoma in Suppressing Cisplatin Resistance in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Experimental Study

Introduction

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stands as one of the most prevalent malignancies, and chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for advanced stages. However, the high expression of ABC binding cassette transporters, including MRP, P-gp, and LRP, along with multidrug resistance proteins, has been identified as a significant factor contributing to decreased chemotherapy drug sensitivity. This study aims to explore the impact and underlying mechanisms of Curculiginis Rhizoma [Hypoxidaceae; Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.] (CR) in combination with cisplatin on improving chemoresistance mediated by ABC binding cassette transporters and multidrug resistance proteins in NSCLC.

Methods and Results

To unravel the relationship between JNK, MRP, P-gp, and LRP in NSCLC and gain insights into the regulatory mechanism of CR, this study employs an integrated approach encompassing bioinformatics, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, animal and cellular experiments. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a significant increase in the expression levels of JNK, MRP, P-gp, and LRP subtypes in multidrug-resistant non-small cell lung cancer. Subsequent animal experiments have shown that the combination of CR with cisplatin can improve the survival rate of lung cancer mice. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses demonstrated favorable binding interactions between curculigoside and the aforementioned subtypes of JNK, MRP, P-gp, and LRP. In cellular experiments, the combination of cisplatin with both curculigoside and CR extract resulted in a notable decrease in cell viability and downregulation of the expression of JNK1, JNK2, MRP1, MRP2, MRP4, P-gp, and LRP1 in A549/cis cells.

Conclusion

Remarkably, curculigoside exerted a significant downregulation effect on the expression levels of JNK1, MRP1, MRP2, MRP4, and LRP1. CR, particularly its main effective metabolite, curculigoside, has the potential to enhance the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer to cisplatin by regulating levels of JNK/MRP/LRP/P-gp and mitigating multidrug resistance.

Transcriptome analysis reveals PRKCA as a potential therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance in lung cancer through ferroptosis

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the current standard care for lung cancer patients; however, drug resistance frequently develops during treatment, thereby limiting therapeutic efficacy.The molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance remain elusive. In this study, we conducted an analysis of microarray data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database under the accession numbers GSE21656, which encompassed expression profiling of cisplatin-resistant H460 (DDP-H460)and the parental cells (H460). Subsequently, we calculated the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between DDP-H460 and H460. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of DEGs demonstrated significant impact on the Rap1, PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, protein and protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified PRKCA, DET1, and UBE2N as hub genes that potentially contribute predominantly to cisplatin resistance. Ultimately, PRKCA was selected for validation due to its significant prognostic effect, which predicts unfavorable overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with lung cancer. Network analysis conducted on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed a strong gene-level correlation between PRKCA and TP53, CDKN2A, BYR2, TTN, KRAS, and PIK3CA; whereas at the protein level, it exhibited a high correlation with EGFR, Lck, Bcl2, and Syk. The in vitro experiments revealed that PRKCA was upregulated in the cisplatin-resistant A549 cells (DDP-A549), while knockdown of PRKCA increased DDP-A549 apoptosis upon cisplatin treatment. Moreover, we observed that PRKCA knockdown attenuated DDP-A549 proliferation, migration and invasion ability. Western blot analysis demonstrated that PRKCA knockdown downregulated phosphorylation of PI3K expression while upregulated the genes involved in ferroptosis signaling. In summary, our results elucidate the role of PRKCA in acquiring resistance to cisplatin and underscore its potential as a therapeutic target for cisplatin-resistant lung cancer.

Rapid discovery of a novel "green" and natural GST inhibitor for sensitizing hepatocellular carcinoma to Cisplatin by visual screening strategy

Over-expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) can promote Cisplatin resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. Hence, inhibiting GST is an attractive strategy to improve Cisplatin sensitivity in HCC therapy. Although several synthesized GST inhibitors have been developed, the side effects and narrow spectrum for anticancer seriously limit their clinical application. Considering the abundance of natural compounds with anticancer activity, this study developed a rapid fluorescence technique to screen "green" natural GST inhibitors with high specificity. The fluorescence assay demonstrated that schisanlactone B (hereafter abbreviated as C1) isolated from Xue tong significantly down-regulated GST levels in Cisplatin-resistant HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, C1 can selectively kill HCC cells from normal liver cells, effectively improving the therapeutic effect of Cisplatin on HCC mice by down-regulating GST expression. Considering the high GST levels in HCC patients, this compound demonstrated the high potential for sensitizing HCC therapy in clinical practice by down-regulating GST levels.

Evodiamine potentiates cisplatin-induced cell death and overcomes cisplatin resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer by targeting SOX9-β-catenin axis

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, phytotherapy has remained as a key therapeutic option for the treatment of various cancers. Evodiamine, an excellent phytocompound from Evodia fructus, exerts anticancer activity in several cancers by modulating drug resistance. However, the role of evodiamine in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells is not clear till now. Therefore, we have used evodiamine as a chemosensitizer to overcome cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

METHODS

Here, we looked into SOX9 expression and how it affects the cisplatin sensitivity of cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells. MTT and clonogenic assays were performed to check the cell proliferation. AO/EtBr and DAPI staining, ROS measurement assay, transfection, Western blot analysis, RT-PCR, Scratch & invasion, and comet assay were done to check the role of evodiamine in cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cells.

RESULTS

SOX9 levels were observed to be higher in cisplatin-resistant A549 (A549CR) and NCI-H522 (NCI-H522CR) compared to parental A549 and NCI-H522. It was found that SOX9 promotes cisplatin resistance by regulating β-catenin. Depletion of SOX9 restores cisplatin sensitivity by decreasing cell proliferation and cell migration and inducing apoptosis in A549CR and NCI-H522CR. After evodiamine treatment, it was revealed that evodiamine increases cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in A549CR and NCI-H522CR cells through increasing intracellular ROS generation. The combination of both drugs also significantly inhibited cell migration by inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistic investigation revealed that evodiamine resensitizes cisplatin-resistant cells toward cisplatin by decreasing the expression of SOX9 and β-catenin.

CONCLUSION

The combination of evodiamine and cisplatin may be a novel strategy for combating cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

Exploring the multifaceted bioactivities of Lavandula pinnata L. essential oil: promising pharmacological activities

Introduction: This study investigates the biological activities of Lavandula pinnata essential oil (LPEO), an endemic lavender species from the Canary Islands, traditionally used in treating various ailments. Methods: LPEO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion, MIC, MBC, and MFC determination against bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and fungal (Candida glabrata, Rhodotorula glutinis, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium digitatum) strains. Antidiabetic and anti-gout potential were investigated through α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase inhibition assays. Antityrosinase activity was determined using a modified dopachrome method. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay against breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468), liver (HepG2), colon (HCT-15) cancer cells, and normal cells (PBMCs). Results and discussion: LPEO exhibits potent antiradical activity (IC50 = 148.33 ± 2.48 μg/mL) and significant antioxidant capacity (TAC = 171.56 ± 2.34 μg AA/mg of EO). It demonstrates notable antibacterial activity against four strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with inhibition zones ranging from 18.70 ± 0.30 mm to 29.20 ± 0.30 mm, along with relatively low MIC and MBC values. LPEO displays significant antifungal activity against four strains (Candida glabrata, Rhodotorula glutinis, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium digitatum) with a fungicidal effect at 1 mg/mL, surpassing the positive control (cycloheximide), and MIC and MFC values indicating a fungicidal effect. It exhibits substantial inhibition of xanthine oxidase enzyme (IC50 = 26.48 ± 0.90 μg/mL), comparable to allopurinol, and marked inhibitory effects on α-amylase (IC50 = 31.56 ± 0.46 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 58.47 ± 2.35 μg/mL) enzymes.The enzyme tyrosinase is inhibited by LPEO (IC50 = 29.11 ± 0.08 mg/mL). LPEO displays moderate cytotoxic activity against breast, liver, and colon cancer cells, with low toxicity towards normal cells (PBMC). LPEO exhibits greater selectivity than cisplatin for breast (MCF-7) and colon (HCT-15) cancer cells but lower selectivity for liver (HepG2) and metastatic breast (MDA-MB-468) cancer cells. These findings suggest the potential of LPEO as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-gout, antidiabetic, and anticancer agent.

Identification of arnicolide C as a novel chemosensitizer to suppress mTOR/E2F1/FANCD2 axis in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays critical roles in intrinsic chemoresistance by regulating Fanconi anaemia complementation group D2 (FANCD2) expression. However, the mechanisms by which mTOR regulates FANCD2 expression and related inhibitors are not clearly elucidated. Extracts of Centipeda minima (C. minima) showed promising chemosensitizing effects by inhibiting FANCD2 activity. Here, we have aimed to identify the bioactive chemosensitizer in C. minima extracts and elucidate its underlying mechanism.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The chemosensitizing effects of arnicolide C (ArC), a bioactive compound in C. minima, on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were investigated using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, the comet assay, small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection and animal models. The online SynergyFinder software was used to determine the synergistic effects of ArC and chemotherapeutic drugs on NSCLC cells.

KEY RESULTS

ArC had synergistic cytotoxic effects with DNA cross-linking drugs such as cisplatin and mitomycin C in NSCLC cells. ArC treatment markedly decreased FANCD2 expression in NSCLC cells, thus attenuating cisplatin-induced FANCD2 nuclear foci formation, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis. ArC inhibited the mTOR pathway and attenuated mTOR-mediated expression of E2F1, a critical transcription factor of FANCD2. Co-administration of ArC and cisplatin exerted synergistic anticancer effects in the A549 xenograft mouse model by suppressing mTOR/FANCD2 signalling in tumour tissues.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

ArC suppressed DNA cross-linking drug-induced DNA damage response by inhibiting the mTOR/E2F1/FANCD2 signalling axis, serving as a chemosensitizing agent. This provides insight into the anticancer mechanisms of ArC and offers a potential combinatorial anticancer therapeutic strategy.

Tumor-associated macrophages in non-small-cell lung cancer: From treatment resistance mechanisms to therapeutic targets

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Different treatment approaches are typically employed based on the stage of NSCLC. Common clinical treatment methods include surgical resection, drug therapy, and radiation therapy. However, with the introduction and utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer treatment has entered a new era, completely revolutionizing the treatment landscape for various cancers and significantly improving overall patient survival. Concurrently, treatment resistance often poses a critical challenge, with many patients experiencing disease progression following an initial response due to treatment resistance. Increasing evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in treatment resistance. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) within the TME can promote treatment resistance in NSCLC by secreting various cytokines activating signaling pathways, and interacting with other immune cells. Therefore, this article will focus on elucidating the key mechanisms of TAMs in treatment resistance and analyze how targeting TAMs can reduce the levels of treatment resistance in NSCLC, providing a comprehensive understanding of the principles and approaches to overcome treatment resistance in NSCLC.

Metformin suppresses NFE2L1 pathway activation to inhibit gap junction beta protein expression in NSCLC

OBJECTIVE

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a deadly form of cancer that exhibits extensive intercellular communication which contributed to chemoradiotherapy resistance. Recent evidence suggests that arrange of key proteins are involved in lung cancer progression, including gap junction proteins (GJPs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, we examined the expression patterns of GJPs in NSCLC, uncovering that both gap junction protein, beta 2 (GJB2) and gap junction protein, beta 2 (GJB3) are increased in LUAD and LUSC. We observed a correlation between the upregulation of GJB2, GJB3 in clinical samples and a worse prognosis in patients with NSCLC. By examining the mechanics, we additionally discovered that nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 1 (NFE2L1) had the capability to enhance the expression of connexin26 and connexin 31 in the NSCLC cell line A549. In addition, the use of metformin was discovered to cause significant downregulation of gap junction protein, betas (GJBs) by limiting the presence of NFE2L1 in the cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION

This emphasizes the potential of targeting GJBs as a viable treatment approach for NSCLC patients receiving metformin.

Nucleic Acid-based Electrochemical Sensors Facilitate the Study of DNA Binding by Platinum (II)-based Antineoplastics

DNA crosslinking agents such as cisplatin and related platinum(II) analogs are effective drugs to treat solid tumors. However, these therapeutics can cause high toxicity in the body, and tumors can develop resistance to them. To develop less toxic and more effective DNA crosslinkers, medicinal chemists have focused on tuning the ligands in square planar platinum(II) complexes to modulate their bioavailability, targeted cell penetration, and DNA binding rates. Unfortunately, linking in vitro DNA binding capacity of DNA crosslinkers with their in vivo efficacy has proven challenging. Here we report an electrochemical biosensor strategy that allows the study of platinum(II)-DNA binding in real time. Our biosensors contain a purine-rich deoxynucleotide sequence, T6 (AG)10 , modified with a 5' hexylthiol linker for easy self-assembly onto gold electrodes. The 3' terminus is functionalized with the redox reporter methylene blue. Electron transfer from methylene blue to the sensor is a function of platinum(II) compound concentration and reaction time. Using these biosensors, we resolve DNA binding mechanisms including monovalent and bivalent binding, as well as base stacking. Our approach can measure DNA binding kinetics in buffers and in 50 % serum, offering a single-step, real-time approach to screen therapeutic compounds during drug development.

Phytochemical composition of the diethyl ether extract of Artemisia lactiflora Wall. ex DC and its antimetastatic activity in human lung cancer cells

Artemisia lactiflora Wall. ex DC. is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used in the treatment of menstrual and hepatic disorders due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its anti-metastatic activity, which is the clinical challenge of lung cancer treatment, has not yet been reported. From the diethyl ether extract of Artemisia lactiflora, the four terpenoids, including dihydroactinidiolide, megastigmatrienone, alpha-curcumene, and dehydrovomifoliol, were the most intense peaks observed using LC-MS/MS, whereas bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was a contaminant. In a transwell assay, the A. lactiflora diethyl ether extract (32 μg/ml) and dihydroactinidiolide (250 μg/ml) markedly inhibited the migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, similar to the standard anti-metastatic drug (capmatinib). Western blot analysis revealed that mesenchymal N-cadherin is downregulated in NSCLC cells under the treatment conditions. The potential anti-metastatic property of dihydroactinidiolide is promising as a new candidate anti-metastatic agent for lung cancer treatment.

Human NTHL1 expression and subcellular distribution determines cisplatin sensitivity in human lung epithelial and non-small cell lung cancer cells

Base excision repair is critical for maintaining genomic stability and for preventing malignant transformation. NTHL1 is a bifunctional DNA glycosylase/AP lyase that initiates repair of oxidatively damaged pyrimidines. Our recent work established that transient over-expression of NTHL1 leads to acquisition of several hallmarks of cancer in non-tumorigenic immortalized cells likely through interaction with nucleotide excision repair protein XPG. Here, we investigate how NTHL1 expression levels impact cellular sensitivity to cisplatin in non-tumorigenic immortalized cells and five non-small cell lung carcinomas cell lines. The cell line with lowest expression of NTHL1 (H522) shows the highest resistance to cisplatin indicating that decrease in NTHL1 levels may modulate resistance to crosslinking agents in NSCLC tumors. In a complementation study, overexpression of NTHL1 in H522 cell line sensitized it to cisplatin. Using NTHL1 N-terminal deletion mutants defective in nuclear localization we show that cisplatin treatment can alter NTHL1 subcellular localization possibly leading to altered protein-protein interactions and affecting cisplatin sensitivity. Experiments presented in this study reveal a previously unknown link between NTHL1 expression levels and cisplatin sensitivity of NSCLC tumor cells. These findings provide an opportunity to understand how altered NTHL1 expression levels and subcellular distribution can impact cisplatin sensitivity in NSCLC tumor cells.

Phytohemagglutinin from Phaseolus vulgaris enhances the lung cancer cell chemotherapy sensitivity by changing cell membrane permeability

Chemotherapy is still a prevalent strategy for clinical lung cancer treatment. However, the inevitable emerged drug resistance has become a great hurdle to therapeutic effect. Studies have demonstrated that the primary cause of drug resistance is a decrease in the chemotherapeutic medicine concentration. Several lectins have been confirmed to be effective as chemotherapy adjuvants, enhancing the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy drugs. Here, we combined phytohemagglutinin (PHA), which has been reported possess anti-tumor effects, with chemotherapy drugs Cisplatin (DDP) and Adriamycin (ADM) on lung cancer cells to detect the sensitivities of PHA as a chemotherapy adjuvant. Our results demonstrated that the PHA significantly enhanced the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to DDP and ADM, and Western blot showed that PHA combined with DDP or ADM enhance cytotoxic effects by inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis. More importantly, we found PHA enhanced the chemotherapeutic drugs cytotoxicity by changing the cell membrane to increase the intracellular chemotherapeutic drugs concentration. Besides, the combination of PHA and ADM increased the ADM concentration in the multidrug-resistant strain A549-R cells and achieved the drug sensitization effect. Our results suggest that PHA combined with chemotherapy can be applied in the treatment of lung cancer cells and lung cancer multidrug-resistant strains, and provide a novel strategy for clinical tumor chemotherapy and a new idea to solve the problem of drug resistance in clinical lung cancer.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer-Tumor Biology

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide among men and women [...].

Boosting synergism of chemo- and immuno-therapies via switching paclitaxel-induced apoptosis to mevalonate metabolism-triggered ferroptosis by bisphosphonate coordination lipid nanogranules

Conventional chemotherapy based on cytotoxic drugs is facing tough challenges recently following the advances of monoclonal antibodies and molecularly targeted drugs. It is critical to inspire new potential to remodel the value of this classical therapeutic strategy. Here, we fabricate bisphosphonate coordination lipid nanogranules (BC-LNPs) and load paclitaxel (PTX) to boost the chemo- and immuno-therapeutic synergism of cytotoxic drugs. Alendronate in BC-LNPs@PTX, a bisphosphonate to block mevalonate metabolism, works as both the structure and drug constituent in nanogranules, where alendronate coordinated with calcium ions to form the particle core. The synergy of alendronate enhances the efficacy of paclitaxel, suppresses tumor metastasis, and alters the cytotoxic mechanism. Differing from the paclitaxel-induced apoptosis, the involvement of alendronate inhibits the mevalonate metabolism, changes the mitochondrial morphology, disturbs the redox homeostasis, and causes the accumulation of mitochondrial ROS and lethal lipid peroxides (LPO). These factors finally trigger the ferroptosis of tumor cells, an immunogenic cell death mode, which remodels the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment and synergizes with immunotherapy. Therefore, by switching paclitaxel-induced apoptosis to mevalonate metabolism-triggered ferroptosis, BC-LNPs@PTX provides new insight into the development of cytotoxic drugs and highlights the potential of metabolism regulation in cancer therapy.

Meta-analysis of microarray data to determine gene indicators involved in cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 22%. Cisplatin is one of the standard first-line chemotherapeutic agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its efficacy is often limited by the development of resistance. Despite extensive research on the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance, the underlying causes remain elusive and complex.

AIMS

We analyzed three microarray datasets to find the gene signature and key pathways related to cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We compared the gene expression of sensitive and resistant NSCLC cell lines treated with cisplatin. We found 274 DEGs, including 111 upregulated and 163 downregulated genes, in the resistant group. Gene set enrichment analysis showed the potential roles of several DEGs, such as TUBB2B, MAPK7, TUBAL3, MAP2K5, SMUG1, NTHL1, PARP3, NTRK1, G6PD, PDK1, HEY1, YTHDF2, CD274, and MAGEA1, in cisplatin resistance. Functional analysis revealed the involvement of pathways, such as gap junction, base excision repair, central carbon metabolism, and Notch signaling in the resistant cell lines.

CONCLUSION

We identified several molecular factors that contribute to cisplatin resistance in NSCLC cell lines, involving genes and pathways that regulate gap junction communication, DNA damage repair, ROS balance, EMT induction, and stemness maintenance. These genes and pathways could be targets for future studies to overcome cisplatin resistance in NSCLC.

NPAS2 dampens chemo-sensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells by enhancing DNA damage repair

Chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin, have remained a cornerstone of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) treatment and continue to play an essential role in clinical practice, despite remarkable progress in therapeutic strategies. Hence, a thorough comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying chemotherapeutic agent resistance is paramount. Our investigation centered on the potential involvement of the NPAS2 gene in LUAD, which is highly expressed in tumors and its high expression has been associated with unfavorable overall survival rates in patients. Intriguingly, we observed that the depletion of NPAS2 in LUAD cells resulted in increased susceptibility to cisplatin treatment. Furthermore, mRNA sequencing analysis revealed that NPAS2 deficiency downregulated genes crucial to DNA repair. Additionally, NPAS2 depletion significantly impairs γH2AX accumulation, a pivotal component of the DNA damage response. Further investigation demonstrates that NPAS2 plays a crucial role in DNA double-strand breakage repair via homology-directed repair (HDR). Our inquiry into the molecular mechanisms underlying NPAS2 regulation of DDR revealed that it may enhance the stability of H2AX mRNA by binding to its mRNA, thereby upregulating the DNA damage repair pathway. In-vivo experiments further confirmed the crucial role of NPAS2 in modulating the effect of cisplatin in LUAD. Taken together, our findings suggest that NPAS2 binds to and enhances the stability of H2AX mRNA, thereby decreasing the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy by augmenting DNA damage repair.

Exploring the Anticancer Potential of Traditional Thai Medicinal Plants: A Focus on Dracaena loureiri and Its Effects on Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is renowned for its aggressive and highly metastatic nature. In recent years, there has been a surge in interest regarding the therapeutic potential of traditional medicinal plants. Dracaena loureirin (D. loureirin), Ficus racemosa Linn. (F. racemosa), and Harrisonia perforata (Blanco) Merr. (H. perforata) are prominent traditional medicinal herbs in Thailand, recognized for their diverse biological activities, including antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, their prospective anti-cancer properties against NSCLC remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer attributes of ethanolic extracts obtained from D. loureiri (DLEE), F. racemosa (FREE), and H. perforata (HPEE) against the A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay results revealed that only DLEE exhibited cytotoxic effects on A549 cells, whereas FREE and HPEE showed no such cytotoxicity. To elucidate the anti-cancer mechanisms of DLEE, cell cycle and apoptosis assays were performed. The findings demonstrated that DLEE inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase in A549 cells through the downregulation of key cell cycle regulator proteins, including cyclin D1, CDK-2, and CDK-4. Furthermore, DLEE treatment facilitated apoptosis in A549 cells by suppressing anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and survivin) and enhancing apoptotic proteins (cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP-1). In summary, our study provides novel insights into the significant anti-cancer properties of DLEE against A549 cells. This work represents the first report suggesting that DLEE has the capability to impede the growth of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells through the induction of apoptosis.

Characterization and verification of CD81 as a potential target in lung squamous cell carcinoma

CD81 is a cell surface transmembrane protein of the tetraspanin family, which critically regulates signal transduction and immune response. Growing evidence has shown that CD81 plays important roles in tumorigenesis and influences immunotherapy response. Here, combining bio-informatics and functional analysis, we find that CD81 is a risk factor in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), whereas a protective factor in lung adenocarcinoma. In LUSC with high expression of CD81, the autophagy and JAK-STAT signaling pathway are activated. Meanwhile, the expression level of CD81 is negatively correlated with tumor mutational load (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and neoantigen (NEO). Furthermore, patients with LUSC and high expression of CD81 do not respond to immunotherapy drugs, but can respond to chemotherapy drugs. Importantly, depletion of CD81 suppresses the proliferation of LUSC cell, and enhances the sensitivity to cisplatin. Our findings suggest that CD81 represents a potential target for cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with LUSC.

Platinum-based targeted chemotherapies and reversal of cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Lung cancer is the one of the most prevalent cancer in the world. It kills more people from cancer than any other cause and is especially common in underdeveloped nations. With 1.2 million instances, it is also the most prevalent cancer in men worldwide, making about 16.7% of the total cancer burden. Surgery is the main form of curative treatment for early-stage lung cancer. However, the majority of patients had incurable advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) recurrence after curative purpose surgery, which is indicative of the aggressiveness of the illness and the dismal outlook. The gold standard of treatment for NSCLC patients includes drug targeting of specific mutated genes drive in development of lung cancer. Furthermore, patients with advanced NSCLC and those with early-stage illness needing adjuvant therapy should use cisplatin as it is the more active platinum drug. So, this review encompasses the non-small cell lung cancer microenvironment, treatment approaches, and use of cisplatin as a first-line regimen for NSCLC, its mechanism of action, cisplatin resistance in NSCLC and also the prevention strategies to revert the drug resistance.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Potential of Thiazole and 4-Thiazolidinone Containing Motifs as Dual Inhibitors of EGFR and BRAFV600E

Thiazole and thiazolidinone recur in a wide range of biologically active compounds that reach different targets within the context of tumors and represent a promising starting point to access potential candidates for treating metastatic cancer. Therefore, searching for new lead compounds that show the highest anticancer potency with the fewest adverse effects is a major drug-discovery challenge. Because the thiazole ring is present in dasatinib, which is currently used in anticancer therapy, it is important to highlight the ring. In this study, cycloalkylidenehydrazinecarbothioamides (cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl, dihydronapthalenylidene, flurine-9-ylidene, and indolinonyl) reacted with 2-bromoacetophenone and diethylacetylenedicarboxylate to yield thiazole and 4-thiazolidinone derivatives. The structure of the products was confirmed by using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray analyses. The antiproliferative activity of the newly synthesized compounds was evaluated. The most effective inhibitory compounds were further tested in vitro against both epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAFV600E) targets. Additionally, molecular docking analysis examined how these molecules bind to the active sites of EGFR and BRAFV600E.

Site-specific delivery of cisplatin and paclitaxel mediated by liposomes: A promising approach in cancer chemotherapy

The site-specific delivery of drugs, especially anti-cancer drugs has been an interesting field for researchers and the reason is low accumulation of cytotoxic drugs in cancer cells. Although combination cancer therapy has been beneficial in providing cancer drug sensitivity, targeted delivery of drugs appears to be more efficient. One of the safe, biocompatible and efficient nano-scale delivery systems in anti-cancer drug delivery is liposomes. Their particle size is small and they have other properties such as adjustable physico-chemical properties, ease of functionalization and high entrapment efficiency. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug with clinical approval in patients, but its accumulation in cancer cells is low due to lack of targeted delivery and repeated administration results in resistance development. Gene and drug co-administration along with cisplatin/paclitaxel have resulted in increased sensitivity in tumor cells, but there is still space for more progress in cancer therapy. The delivery of cisplatin/paclitaxel by liposomes increases accumulation of drug in tumor cells and impairs activity of efflux pumps in promoting cytotoxicity. Moreover, phototherapy along with cisplatin/paclitaxel delivery can increase potential in tumor suppression. Smart nanoparticles including pH-sensitive nanoparticles provide site-specific delivery of cisplatin/paclitaxel. The functionalization of liposomes can be performed by ligands to increase targetability towards tumor cells in mediating site-specific delivery of cisplatin/paclitaxel. Finally, liposomes can mediate co-delivery of cisplatin/paclitaxel with drugs or genes in potentiating tumor suppression. Since drug resistance has caused therapy failure in cancer patients, and cisplatin/paclitaxel are among popular chemotherapy drugs, delivery of these drugs mediates targeted suppression of cancers and prevents development of drug resistance. Because of biocompatibility and safety of liposomes, they are currently used in clinical trials for treatment of cancer patients. In future, the optimal dose of using liposomes and optimal concentration of loading cisplatin/paclitaxel on liposomal nanocarriers in clinical trials should be determined.

PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS-5584 combined with PLK1 inhibitor exhibits synergistic anti-cancer effects on non-small cell lung cancer

Small molecule drugs are of significant importance in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we explored biological effects of the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor VS-5584 on NSCLC. Our findings indicated that VS-5584 administration resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of NSCLC cell proliferation, as well as the induction of apoptosis and cycle arrest. Additionally, we observed a significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels following VS-5584 treatment. The use of the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC) effectively reduced ROS levels and decreased the proportion of apoptotic cells. Treatment with VS-5584 led to an upregulation of genes associated with apoptosis and cell cycle, such as c-caspase 3 and P21. Conversely, a downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) expression was observed. Next, transcriptome analyses revealed that VS-5584 treatment altered the abundance of 1520 genes/transcripts in PC-9 cells, one of which was polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1). These differentially expressed genes were primarily enriched in biological processes such as cell cycle regulation and cell apoptosis, which are closely linked to the P53 and apoptosis pathways. Co-treatment with VS-5584 and PLK1 inhibitor NMS-P937 resulted in enhanced cancer cell death, exhibiting synergistic inhibitory activity. Notably, VS-5584 inhibited the growth of NSCLC in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model without observable abnormalities in major organs. Overall, VS-5584 effectively suppressed the growth of NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo. VS-5584 combined with NMS-P937 exhibited a synergistic effect in inhibiting NSCLC cell growth. These findings suggest that VS-5584 has potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating NSCLC.

NAD (P)H Quinone Dehydrogenase 1-Targeting Triptolide Analogue Causes Tumor Regression and Sensitizes Cisplatin-Resistant Lung Cancer to Chemotherapy

Cisplatin (DDP) is a first-line chemotherapeutic drug against lung cancer. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of this drug is hampered by drug resistance. Overcoming drug resistance is crucial for improving the outcomes of lung cancer treatment. Here, we reported the effect of CX-23, an activated triptolide analogue that targets NAD (P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), on DDP-resistant lung cancer and sensitizes DDP-resistant lung cancer to chemotherapy. Our findings unveiled the antiproliferative activity of CX-23 against both A549- and DDP-resistant A549 (A549/DDP) cells while enhancing the chemosensitivity of these cells to DDP. Notably, CX-23 demonstrated no toxicity toward normal lung cells. Further investigations revealed that CX-23 exerts its effects by blocking AKT phosphorylation, leading to reduced expression of Mcl-1 and Bcl-2, and upregulating cleaved-caspase-3 levels, ultimately inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. CX-23 can be rapidly transformed in both A549 and A549/DDP cell lysates while remaining stable in mouse plasma and normal lung tissues. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that CX-23 can distribute to lung tissues. Moreover, in vivo studies showed that CX-23 can prevent DDP-resistant lung cancer progression without causing any toxicity in the liver, kidneys, or lungs after 6 weeks of treatment. The combination of CX-23 and DDP not only significantly inhibited tumor progression compared to DDP alone but also attenuated DDP-induced kidney toxicity. These findings suggest that CX-23 alone or in combination with DDP may provide an alternative therapeutic option for DDP-resistant lung cancer.

Circumvention of Gefitinib Resistance by Repurposing Flunarizine via Histone Deacetylase Inhibition

Gefitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI) for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, drug resistance seriously impedes the clinical efficacy of gefitinib. This study investigated the repositioning of the non-oncology drug capable of inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) to overcome gefitinib resistance. A few drug candidates were identified using the in silico repurposing tool "DRUGSURV" and tested for HDAC inhibition. Flunarizine, originally indicated for migraine prophylaxis and vertigo treatment, was selected for detailed investigation in NSCLC cell lines harboring a range of different gefitinib resistance mechanisms (EGFR T790M, KRAS G12S, MET amplification, or PTEN loss). The circumvention of gefitinib resistance by flunarizine was further demonstrated in an EGFR TKI (erlotinib)-refractory patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model in vivo. The acetylation level of cellular histone protein was increased by flunarizine in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Among the NSCLC cell lines evaluated, the extent of gefitinib resistance circumvention by flunarizine was found to be the most pronounced in EGFR T790M-bearing H1975 cells. The gefitinib-flunarizine combination was shown to induce the apoptotic protein Bim but reduce the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, which apparently circumvented gefitinib resistance. The induction of Bim by flunarizine was accompanied by an increase in the histone acetylation and E2F1 interaction with the BIM gene promoter. Flunarizine was also found to upregulate E-cadherin but downregulate the vimentin expression, which subsequently inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion. Importantly, flunarizine was also shown to significantly potentiate the tumor growth suppressive effect of gefitinib in EGFR TKI-refractory PDX in vivo. The findings advocate for the translational application of flunarizine to circumvent gefitinib resistance in the clinic.

TRIM17-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of RBM38 promotes cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

Cisplatin (CDDP)-based chemotherapy is commonly used to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the efficacy is limited by the development of drug resistance. Tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins typically have E3 ubiquitin ligase activities and modulate protein stability. In the present study, we screened for chemosensitivity-regulating TRIM proteins using CDDP-resistant NSCLC cell lines. We show that TRIM17 is upregulated in CDDP-resistant NSCLC cells and tumors compared to CDDP-sensitive counterparts. NSCLC patients with high TRIM17 expression in tumors have shorter progression-free survival than those with low TRIM17 expression after CDDP chemotherapy. Knockdown of TRIM17 increases the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to CDDP both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, overexpression of TRIM17 promotes CDDP resistance in NSCLC cells. TRIM17-mediated CDDP resistance is associated with attenuation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA damage. Mechanistically, TRIM17 interacts with RBM38 and promotes K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation of RBM38. TRIM17-induced CDDP resistance is remarkably reversed by RBM38. Additionally, RBM38 enhances CDDP-induced production of ROS. In conclusion, TRIM17 upregulation drives CDDP resistance in NSCLC largely by promoting RBM38 ubiquitination and degradation. Targeting TRIM17 may represent a promising strategy for improving CDDP-based chemotherapy in NSCLC.

An antioxidant feedforward cycle coordinated by linker histone variant H1.2 and NRF2 that drives nonsmall cell lung cancer progression

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is highly malignant with limited treatment options, platinum-based chemotherapy is a standard treatment for NSCLC with resistance commonly seen. NSCLC cells exploit enhanced antioxidant defense system to counteract excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), which contributes largely to tumor progression and resistance to chemotherapy, yet the mechanisms are not fully understood. Recent studies have suggested the involvement of histones in tumor progression and cellular antioxidant response; however, whether a major histone variant H1.2 (H1C) plays roles in the development of NSCLC remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that H1.2 was increasingly expressed in NSCLC tumors, and its expression was correlated with worse survival. When crossing the H1c knockout allele with a mouse NSCLC model (KrasLSL-G12D/+), H1.2 deletion suppressed NSCLC progression and enhanced oxidative stress and significantly decreased the levels of key antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and GCLC, the catalytic subunit of rate-limiting enzyme for GSH synthesis. Moreover, high H1.2 was correlated with the IC50 of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs and with worse prognosis in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy; H1.2-deficient NSCLC cells presented reduced survival and increased ROS levels upon cisplatin treatment, while ROS scavenger eliminated the survival inhibition. Mechanistically, H1.2 interacted with NRF2, a master regulator of antioxidative response; H1.2 enhanced the nuclear level and stability of NRF2 and, thus, promoted NRF2 binding to GCLC promoter and the consequent transcription; while NRF2 also transcriptionally up-regulated H1.2. Collectively, these results uncovered a tumor-driving role of H1.2 in NSCLC and indicate an "H1.2-NRF2" antioxidant feedforward cycle that promotes tumor progression and chemoresistance.

Cell-type-specific alternative polyadenylation promotes oncogenic gene expression in non-small cell lung cancer progression

Disrupted alternative polyadenylation (APA) is frequently involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression by regulating the gene expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors. However, limited knowledge of tumor-type- and cell-type-specific APA events may lead to novel APA events and their functions being overlooked. Here, we compared APA events across different cell types in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and normal tissues and identified functionally related APA events in NSCLC. We found several cell-specific 3'-UTR alterations that regulate gene expression changes showed prognostic value in NSCLC. We further investigated the function of APA-mediated 3'-UTR shortening through loss of microRNA (miRNA)-binding sites, and we identified and experimentally validated several oncogene-miRNA-tumor suppressor axes. According to our analyses, we found SPARC as an APA-regulated oncogene in cancer-associated fibroblasts in NSCLC. Knockdown of SPARC attenuates lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Moreover, we found high SPARC expression associated with resistance to several drugs except cisplatin. NSCLC patients with high SPARC expression could benefit more compared to low-SPARC-expression patients with cisplatin treatment. Overall, our comprehensive analysis of cell-specific APA events shed light on the regulatory mechanism of cell-specific oncogenes and provided opportunities for combination of APA-regulated therapeutic target and cell-specific therapy development.

Cisplatin Dependent Secretion of Immunomodulatory High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Protein from Lung Cancer Cells

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is secreted from activated immune cells, necrotic cells, and certain cancers. Previous studies have reported that different patterns of post-translational modification, particularly acetylation and oxidation, mediate HMGB1 release and confer distinct extracellular HMGB1 signaling activity. Here we report that cisplatin but not carboplatin induces secretion of HMGB1 from human A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Cisplatin-mediated HMGB1 secretion was dose-dependent and was regulated by nuclear exportin 1 (XPO1) also known as chromosomal maintenance 1 (CRM1) rather than adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation, acetylation, or oxidation. HMGB1, as well as lysine acetylation and cysteine disulfide oxidation of secreted HMGB1, were monitored by sensitive and specific assays using immunoprecipitation, stable isotope dilution, differential alkylation, and nano liquid chromatography parallel reaction monitoring/high-resolution mass spectrometry (nano-LC-PRM/HRMS). A major fraction of the HMGB1 secreted by low-dose cisplatin treatment of A549 NSCLC cells was found to be in the fully reduced form. In contrast, mainly oxidized forms of HMGB1 were secreted by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-mediated apoptosis. These findings suggest that inhibition of XPO1 could potentiate the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin by increasing the nuclear accumulation of HMGB1 protein, an inhibitor of cisplatin DNA-adduct repair. Furthermore, low-dose cisplatin therapy could modulate the immune response in NSCLC through the established chemokine activity of extracellular reduced HMGB1. This could potentially enhance the efficacy of subsequent immunotherapy treatment.

Repurposing of triamterene as a histone deacetylase inhibitor to overcome cisplatin resistance in lung cancer treatment

PURPOSE

Cisplatin is the core chemotherapeutic drug used for first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, drug resistance is severely hindering its clinical efficacy. This study investigated the circumvention of cisplatin resistance by repurposing non-oncology drugs with putative histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory effect.

METHODS

A few clinically approved drugs were identified by a computational drug repurposing tool called "DRUGSURV" and evaluated for HDAC inhibition. Triamterene, originally indicated as a diuretic, was chosen for further investigation in pairs of parental and cisplatin-resistant NSCLC cell lines. Sulforhodamine B assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation. Western blot analysis was performed to examine histone acetylation. Flow cytometry was used to examine apoptosis and cell cycle effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was conducted to investigate the interaction of transcription factors to the promoter of genes regulating cisplatin uptake and cell cycle progression. The circumvention of cisplatin resistance by triamterene was further verified in a patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) from a cisplatin-refractory NSCLC patient.

RESULTS

Triamterene was found to inhibit HDACs. It was shown to enhance cellular cisplatin accumulation and potentiate cisplatin-induced cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Mechanistically, triamterene was found to induce histone acetylation in chromatin, thereby reducing the association of HDAC1 but promoting the interaction of Sp1 with the gene promoter of hCTR1 and p21. Triamterene was further shown to potentiate the anti-cancer effect of cisplatin in cisplatin-resistant PDX in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The findings advocate further clinical evaluation of the repurposing use of triamterene to overcome cisplatin resistance.

Targeting the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in breast cancer

Breast cancer has a high occurrence rate globally and its treatment has demonstrated clinical efficacy with the use of systemic chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Insufficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells within tumours are the primary factors responsible for the inadequate clinical effectiveness of breast cancer treatment. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) represents a pivotal protein in the innate immune response. Upon activation, STING triggers the activation and enhancement of innate and adaptive immune functions, resulting in therapeutic benefits for malignant tumours. The STING signalling pathway in breast cancer is influenced by various factors such as deoxyribonucleic acid damage response, tumour immune microenvironment, and mitochondrial function. The use of STING agonists is gaining momentum in breast cancer research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-STING pathway, its agonists, and the latest findings related to their application in breast cancer.

Combination of BFHY with Cisplatin Relieved Chemotherapy Toxicity and Altered Gut Microbiota in Mice

Aim

We sought to profile gut microbiota's role in combination of Bu Fei Hua Yu (BFHY) with cisplatin treatment.

Methods

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) mice model were constructed followed by treatment with cisplatin alone or combined with BFHY. Mice weight and tumor volume were measured during the experiment. And mice cecum were detected by hematoxylin and eosin, cecum contents were collected for Enzyme Linked ImmuneSorbent Assay, and stool were profiled for metagenomic sequencing.

Results

Combination of BFHY with cisplatin treatment decreased the tumor growth and relieved the damage of cecum. Expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were decreased compared with cisplatin treatment alone. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis showed that g_Parabacteroides was downregulated and g_Escherichia and g_Blautia were upregulated after cisplatin treatment. After combination with BFHY, g_Bacteroides and g_Helicobacter were decreased. g_Klebsiella, g_Unclssified_Proteobacteria, and g_Unclssified_Clostridiates were increased. Moreover, heatmap results showed that Bacteroides abundance was increased significantly after cisplatin treatment; BFHY combination treatment reversed this state. Function analysis revealed that multiple functions were slightly decreased in cisplatin treatment alone and increased significantly after combination with BFHY.

Conclusion

Our study provided evidence of an efficacy of combination of BFHY with cisplatin on treatment of NSCLC and revealed that gut microbiota plays a role in it. The above results provide new ideas on NSCLC treatment.

Combination of Drug Delivery Properties of PAMAM Dendrimers and Cytotoxicity of Platinum(IV) Complexes-A More Selective Anticancer Treatment?

Based on their drug delivery properties and activity against tumors, we combined PAMAM dendrimers with various platinum(IV) complexes in order to provide an improved approach of anticancer treatment. Platinum(IV) complexes were linked to terminal NH₂ moieties of PAMAM dendrimers of generation 2 (G2) and 4 (G4) via amide bonds. Conjugates were characterized by ¹H and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectroscopy, ICP-MS and in representative cases by pseudo-2D diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, the reduction behavior of conjugates in comparison to corresponding platinum(IV) complexes was investigated, showing a faster reduction of conjugates. Cytotoxicity was evaluated via the MTT assay in human cell lines (A549, CH1/PA-1, SW480), revealing IC₅₀ values in the low micromolar to high picomolar range. The synergistic combination of PAMAM dendrimers and platinum(IV) complexes resulted in up to 200 times increased cytotoxic activity of conjugates in consideration of the loaded platinum(IV) units compared to their platinum(IV) counterparts. The lowest IC₅₀ value of 780 ± 260 pM in the CH1/PA-1 cancer cell line was detected for an oxaliplatin-based G4 PAMAM dendrimer conjugate. Finally, in vivo experiments of a cisplatin-based G4 PAMAM dendrimer conjugate were performed based on the best toxicological profile. A maximum tumor growth inhibition effect of 65.6% compared to 47.6% for cisplatin was observed as well as a trend of prolonged animal survival.

New Nanostructured Materials Based on Mesoporous Silica Loaded with Ru(II)/Ru(III) Complexes with Anticancer and Antimicrobial Properties

A new series of nanostructured materials was obtained by functionalization of SBA-15 mesoporous silica with Ru(II) and Ru(III) complexes bearing Schiff base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde and various amines (1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 1,2-phenylenediamine, ethylenediamine, 1,3-diamino-2-propanol, N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, 2-aminomethyl-pyridine, and 2-(2-aminoethyl)-pyridine). The incorporation of ruthenium complexes into the porous structure of SBA-15 and the structural, morphological, and textural features of the resulting nanostructured materials were investigated by FTIR, XPS, TG/DTA, zeta potential, SEM, and N₂ physisorption. The ruthenium complex-loaded SBA-15 silica samples were tested against A549 lung tumor cells and MRC-5 normal lung fibroblasts. A dose-dependent effect was observed, with the highest antitumoral efficiency being recorded for the material containing [Ru(Salen)(PPh₃)Cl] (50%/90% decrease in the A549 cells' viability at a concentration of 70 μg/mL/200 μg/mL after 24 h incubation). The other hybrid materials have also shown good cytotoxicity against cancer cells, depending on the ligand included in the ruthenium complex. The antibacterial assay revealed an inhibitory effect for all samples, the most active being those containing [Ru(Salen)(PPh₃)Cl], [Ru(Saldiam)(PPh₃)Cl], and [Ru(Salaepy)(PPh₃)Cl], especially against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis Gram-positive strains. In conclusion, these nanostructured hybrid materials could represent valuable tools for the development of multi-pharmacologically active compounds with antiproliferative, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activity.

Regorafenib induces NOX5-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress and potentiates the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. Although cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens serve a pivotal role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, drug resistance and serious side effects limited its further clinical application. Regorafenib, a small-molecule multi-kinase inhibitor, was demonstrated to have promising anti-tumor activity in various solid tumors. In the present study, we found that regorafenib markedly enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells by activating reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER Stress), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Regorafenib increased ROS generation by promoting NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) expression, and knocking down NOX5 attenuated ROS-mediated cytotoxicity of regorafenib in lung cancer cells. Additionally, mice xenograft model validated that synergistic anti-tumor effects of combined treatment with regorafenib and cisplatin. Our results suggested that combination therapy with regorafenib and cisplatin may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for some NSCLC patients.

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Investigation of the Platinum(IV) Tolfenamato Prodrug–Resolving Cisplatin-Resistance in Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Lines

The research on the anticancer potential of platinum(IV) complexes represents one strategy to circumvent the deficits of approved platinum(II) drugs. Regarding the role of inflammation during carcinogenesis, the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ligands on the cytotoxicity of platinum(IV) complexes is of special interest. The synthesis of cisplatin- and oxaliplatin-based platinum(IV) complexes with four different NSAID ligands is presented in this work. Nine platinum(IV) complexes were synthesized and characterized by use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 195Pt, 19F), high-resolution mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The cytotoxic activity of eight compounds was evaluated for two isogenic pairs of cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Platinum(IV) fenamato complexes with a cisplatin core showed especially high in vitro cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines. The most promising complex, 7, was further analyzed for its stability in different buffer solutions and behavior in cell cycle and cell death experiments. Compound 7 induces a strong cytostatic effect and cell line-dependent early apoptotic or late necrotic cell death processes. Gene expression analysis suggests that compound 7 acts through a stress-response pathway integrating p21, CHOP, and ATF3.

Highly potent Platinum(IV) complexes with multiple-bond ligands targeting mitochondria to overcome cisplatin resistance

The efficacy and resistance of cisplatin-based compounds are very intractable problems at present. This study reports a series of platinum(IV) compounds containing multiple-bond ligands, which exhibited better tumor cell inhibitory activity and antiproliferative and anti-metastasis activities than cisplatin. The meta-substituted compounds 2 and 5 were particularly excellent. Further research showed that compounds 2 and 5 possessed appropriate reduction potential and performed significantly better than cisplatin in cellular uptake, reactive oxygen species response, the up-regulation of apoptosis and DNA lesion-related genes, and drug-resistant cell activity. The title compounds exhibited better antitumor potential and fewer side effects than cisplatin in vivo. Multiple-bond ligands were introduced into cisplatin to form the title compounds in this study, which not only enhanced their absorption and overcame drug resistance but also demonstrated the potential to target mitochondria and inhibit the detoxification of tumor cells.

Let-7c-5p Represses Cisplatin Resistance of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells by Targeting CDC25A

Cisplatin broadly functions as a routine treatment for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients. However, primary and acquired cisplatin resistances frequently occur in the treatment of LUAD patients, seriously affecting the therapeutic effect of cisplatin in patients. We intended to illustrate the impact of let-7c-5p/cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A) axis on cisplatin resistance in LUAD. Expression of let-7c-5p and CDC25A was analyzed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The interaction between the two was verified by dual-luciferase reporter detection. For detecting half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of cisplatin in LUAD cells and cell proliferation, we separately applied Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays. Furthermore, we measured cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution via flow cytometry, as well as cell cycle-related protein expression via Western blot. Let-7c-5p was evidently downregulated in LUAD, while CDC25A was remarkably upregulated. Let-7c-5p upregulation arrested LUAD cells to proliferate, stimulated cell apoptosis, and arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, thus enhancing sensitivity of LUAD cells to cisplatin. In terms of mechanism, CDC25A was directly targeted by let-7c-5p, and the influence of let-7c-5p overexpression on LUAD proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and cisplatin resistance could be reversed by CDC25A upregulation. Let-7c-5p improved sensitivity of LUAD cells to cisplatin by modulating CDC25A, and let-7c-5p/CDC25A axis was an underlying target for the intervention of LUAD cisplatin resistance.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid strengthens the apoptotic effect of low-dose cisplatin in A549 cells by inducing Bcl-2 downregulation

One of the chemotherapeutic agents widely used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is cisplatin. However, the resistance of cancer cells to cisplatin and additionally serious side effects from cisplatin limit its use. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to suppress the development of carcinogenesis in vitro and in vivo studies and has antitumoral activity in many cancers. The study aimed to investigate the potential effect of using cisplatin, the first-line treatment for NSCLC, in combination with CLA to increase its efficacy in low-dose use. MTT cytotoxicity assay was performed to determine the effects of CLA in combination with cisplatin on cell viability of NSCLC cell lines. The apoptotic effect of this combination on NSCLC cell lines and cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. At the same time, apoptosis and cell cycle-related gene expression levels were determined by Real-Time PCR. Combination treatment of low-dose cisplatin with CLA resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability compared to cisplatin alone, and an increase in the rate of apoptotic cells was observed. While cisplatin caused G1 phase arrest in cancer cells, there was an increase in cell percentages in S and G2 phases after combined application with CLA. In high-dose cisplatin administration, it was observed that the efficiency of the decrease in anti-apoptotic BCL2 expression related to resistance to chemotherapeutic agents was less than that of low-dose cisplatin administration. Combined administration of high-dose cisplatin with CLA significantly recovered BCL2 downregulation.

Anwuligan inhibits the progression of non-small cell lung cancer via let-7c-3p/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis

BACKGROUND

Anwuligan (ANW) isolated from nutmeg, also known as myristyl lignan, has attracted attention due to its therapeutic potential in diseases. However, its effect on lung cancer is still unclear.

METHODS

In this study, the cytotoxicity of ANW on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. In vitro, clone formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays were used to investigate the migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells after ANW treatment. The expression levels of the associated proteins were detected using Western blotting. A luciferase assay was used to validate the binding of let-7c-3p to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PIK3CA. In vivo, an A549 cell xenograft mouse model was used to verify the effect of ANW on tumor growth.

RESULTS

The results showed that ANW treatment (20 or 50 μM) had obvious cytotoxicity against A549 and H460 cells, suppressing cell proliferation and migration in vitro. In vivo, the growth of the implanted tumor was inhibited by ANW in a nude mouse model. The growth of NSCLC cells was also inhibited by let-7c-3p overexpression in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of ANW on the proliferation and metastasis of NSCLC cells was weakened by the downregulation of let-7c-3p, whereas it was enhanced by the overexpression of let-7c-3p; PIK3CA was the main target of let-7c-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, ANW inhibits the growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells in vivo and in vitro by upregulating the expression of let-7c-3p, which can regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. PIK3CA is the main target of let-7c-3p.

Novel Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Ester Derivatives from the Roots of Ferula mervynii

This study is the first chemical investigation of Ferula mervynii M. Sağıroğlu & H. Duman, an endemic species to Eastern Anatolia. The isolations of nine compounds including six previously undescribed sesquiterpene esters, 8-trans-cinnamoyltovarol (1), 8-trans-cinnamoylantakyatriol (3), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoyl-3-epi-antakyatriol (5), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoylshiromodiol (6), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoylfermedurone (7), and 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoyl-(1S),2-epoxyfermedurone (8), were described along with three known sesquiterpene esters, 6-acetyl-8-benzoyltovarol (2), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoylantakyatriol (4), and ferutinin (9). The structures of novel compounds were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and quantum chemistry calculations. The putative biosynthetic pathways for compounds 7 and 8 were discussed. The extracts and isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxic activity against the COLO 205, K-562, MCF-7 cancer cell lines, and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) lines using MTT assay. Compound 4 showed the highest activity against the MCF-7 cell lines with an IC₅₀ value of 16.74±0.21 μM.

ELF1 suppresses autophagy to reduce cisplatin resistance via the miR-152-3p/NCAM1/ERK axis in lung cancer cells

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs limits the efficacy of chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Autophagy is an essential mechanism which involves in drug resistance. Our previous research has revealed that miR-152-3p represses NSCLC progression. However, the mechanism of miR-152-3p in autophagy-mediated chemoresistance in NSCLC remains unclear. Cisplatin-resistant cell lines (A549/DDP and H446/DDP) were transfected with related vectors and subjected to cisplatin, autophagy inhibitor, activator, or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activator. Flow cytometry, CCK8 and colony formation assays were performed for testing apoptosis and cell viability. The related RNAs or proteins were detected by qRT-PCR or Western blot. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation were used for validating the interaction between miR-152-3p and ELF1 or NCAM1. Co-IP verified the binding between NCAM1 and ERK. The role of miR-152-3p in cisplatin resistance of NSCLC was also validated in vivo. The results showed that miR-152-3p and ELF1 were decreased in NSCLC tissues. miR-152-3p reversed cisplatin resistance by inhibiting autophagy through NCAM1. NCAM1 promoted autophagy through the ERK pathway and facilitated cisplatin resistance. ELF1 positively regulated miR-152-3p level by directly interacting with miR-152-3p promoter. miR-152-3p targeted NCAM1 to regulate NCAM1 level and then affected the binding of NCAM1 to ERK1/2. ELF1 inhibited autophagy and reversed cisplatin resistance through miR-152-3p/NCAM1. miR-152-3p inhibited autophagy and cisplatin resistance of xenograft tumor in mice. In conclusion, our study revealed that ELF1 inhibited autophagy to attenuate cisplatin resistance through the miR-152-3p/NCAM1/ERK pathway in H446/DDP and A549/DDP cells, suggesting a potential novel treatment strategy for NSCLC.

A Non-Conventional Platinum Drug against a Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Line

A dinuclear Pt(II) complex with putrescine as bridging polyamine ligand ([Pt₂Put₂(NH₃)₄]Cl₄) was synthesized and assessed as to its potential anticancer activity against a human non-small cell lung cancer line (A549), as well as towards non-cancer cells (BEAS-2B). This effect was evaluated through in vitro cytotoxicity assays (MTT and SRB) coupled to microFTIR and microRaman spectroscopies, the former delivering information on growth-inhibiting and cytotoxic abilities while the latter provided very specific information on the metabolic impact of the metal agent (at the sub-cellular level). Regarding cancer cells, a major impact of [Pt₂Put₂(NH₃)₄]Cl₄ was evidenced on cellular proteins and lipids, as compared to DNA, particularly via the Amide I and Amide II signals. The effect of the chelate on non-malignant cells was lower than on malignant ones, evidencing a promising low toxicity towards healthy cells.

Targeting Mitochondrial IDH2 Enhances Antitumor Activity of Cisplatin in Lung Cancer via ROS-Mediated Mechanism

Mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) is an important metabolic enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle. Our previous study showed that high expression of wild-type IDH2 promotes the proliferation of lung cancer cells. This study aims to test the potential of targeting IDH2 as a therapeutic strategy to inhibit lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. First, we analyzed the available data from the databases gene expression omnibus (GEO) database to evaluate the clinical relevance of IDH2 expression in affecting lung cancer patient survival. We then generated a stable IDH2-knockdown lung cancer cell line using a lentivirus-based method for in vitro and in vivo study. Cell growth, apoptosis, cell viability, and colony formation assays were conducted to test the sensitivity of lung cancer cells with different IDH2 expression status to cisplatin or radiation treatment in vitro. For mechanistic study, Cellular oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates were measured using a Seahorse metabolic analyzer, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was analyzed using flow cytometry. An animal study using a xenograft tumor model was performed to further evaluate the in vivo therapeutic effect on tumor growth. We found that high IDH2 expression was associated with poor survival in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Inhibition of IDH2 significantly enhanced the anticancer activity of cisplatin and also increased the effect of radiation against lung cancer cells. IDH2 was upregulated in cisplatin-resistant lung cancer cells, which could be sensitized by targeted inhibition of IDH2. Mechanistic study showed that abrogation of IDH2 caused only minimal changes in oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) in lung cancer cells, but induced a significant increase in ROS, which rendered the cancer cells more sensitive to cisplatin. Pretreatment of lung cancer cells with the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine could partially rescue cells from the cytotoxic effect of cisplatin and IDH2 inhibition. Importantly, abrogation of IDH2 significantly increased the sensitivity of lung cancer cells to cisplatin in vivo.

Mitochondrial targeting half-sandwich iridium(III) and ruthenium(II) dppf complexes and in vitro anticancer assay

Considering the potential application of half-sandwich and ferrocenyl-containing organometallic complexes in the area of anticancer, four half-sandwich iridium(III) (Ir^III) and ruthenium(II) (Ru^II) diphenylphosphino ferrocene (dppf) complexes were prepared in this study. Complexes showed favorable anti-proliferation activity towards A549 cell lines compared to cisplatin, meanwhile, which could effectively inhibit cell migration. These complexes followed an energy dependence uptake mechanism, effectively accumulated in mitochondria with a Pearson's Colocalization Coefficient (PCC) of 0.77, decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, induced a surge of reactive oxygen species, disturbed cell cycle, and eventually led to apoptosis. Western blot assay further confirmed that these complexes induced apoptosis following a mitochondrial pathway. Above all, half-sandwich Ir^III and Ru^II dppf complexes show the prospect of becoming a new multifunctional therapeutic platform for mitochondrial targeted imaging and anticancer drugs.

Mechanistic Approach for Protective Effect of ARA290, a Specific Ligand for the Erythropoietin/CD131 Heteroreceptor, against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity, the Involvement of Apoptosis and Inflammation Pathways

ARA 290, an 11-amino acid linear nonhematopoietic peptide derived from the three-dimensional structure of helix B of the erythropoietin (EPO), interacts selectively with the innate repair receptor (IRR) that arbitrates tissue protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of ARA290 against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. For this purpose, HEK-293 and ACHN cells were treated with ARA290 (50-400 nM) and cisplatin (2.5 μM) in pretreatment condition. Then, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, oxidative stress parameters (ROS, GPx, SOD, and MDA), and inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL6, and IL1β) were evaluated. Furthermore, apoptotic cell death was assessed via caspase-3 activity and tunnel assay. To determine the molecular mechanisms of the possible nephroprotective effects of ARA290, gene and protein expressions of TNFα, IL1β, IL6, Caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl2 were evaluated by real-time PCR and western blot assay, respectively. The findings indicated that ARA290 significantly reduced the DNA damage parameters of comet assay and the frequency of micronuclei induced by cisplatin. Besides, ARA290 improved cisplatin-induced oxidative stress by reducing MDA/ROS levels and enhancing antioxidant enzyme levels. In addition, reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines indicated that cisplatin-induced renal inflammation was mitigated upon the treatment with ARA290. Besides, ARA290 ameliorates cisplatin-induced cell injury by antagonizing apoptosis. Furthermore, the molecular findings indicated that gene and protein levels of TNFα, IL1β, IL6, Caspase-3, and Bax were significantly decreased and gene and protein levels of Bcl2 significantly increased in the ARA290 plus cisplatin group compared with the cisplatin group. These findings revealed that ARA290 as a potent chemo-preventive agent exerted a protective effect on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity mostly through its anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant potentials and also suggested that ARA290 might be a new therapeutic approach for patients with acute kidney injury.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of the New Cu(II) Complexes Bearing Imine-Phenolate Ligands with Pendant Amine N-Donor Groups

Cu(II) complexes bearing NNO-donor Schiff base ligands (2a, b) have been synthesized and characterized. The single crystal X-ray analysis of the 2a complex revealed that a mononuclear and a dinuclear complex co-crystallize in the solid state. The electronic structures of the complexes are optimized by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The monomeric nature of 2a and 2b species is maintained in solution. Antioxidant activities of the ligands (1a, b) and Cu(II) complexes (2a, b) were determined by in vitro assays such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals (DPPH^.) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals (ABTS⁺). Our results demonstrated that 2a showed better antioxidant activity. MTT assays were performed to assess the toxicity of ligands and Cu(II) complexes in V79 cells. The antiproliferative activity of compounds was tested against two human tumor cell lines: MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and SW620 (colorectal carcinoma) and on MRC-5 (normal lung fibroblast). All compounds showed high cytotoxicity in the all-cell lines but showed no selectivity for tumor cell lines. Antiproliferative activity by clonogenic assay 2b showed a more significant inhibitory effect on the MCF-7 cell lines than on MRC-5. DNA damage for the 2b compound at 10 µM concentration was about three times higher in MCF-7 cells than in MRC-5 cells.

Disulfide-containing polymer delivery of C527 and a Platinum(IV) prodrug selectively inhibited protein ubiquitination and tumor growth on cisplatin resistant and patient-derived liver cancer models

USP1 (Ubiquitin-specific protease 1) is closely related to the prognosis of patients with liver cancer and plays an important role in DNA damage repair. C527 is a selective USP1 inhibitor (USP1i), which can regulate the protein ubiquitination to effectively inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. However, its clinical application is hindered due to the poor water solubility and lack of tumor targeting. Moreover, the efficacy of single use of USP1i is still limited. Herein, a glutathione (GSH) sensitive amphiphilic polymer (poly (2-HD-co-HPMDA)-mPEG, PHHM) with disulfide bonds in the main chain was designed to encapsulate the USP1i as well as platinum (IV) prodrug (Pt (IV)-C12), resulting in the formation of composite nanoparticles, i.e., NP-Pt-USP1i. NP-Pt-USP1i can inhibit the DNA damage repair by targeting USP1 by the encapsulated USP1i, which ultimately increases the sensitivity of tumor cells to cisplatin and enhances the anti-cancer efficacy of cisplatin. Finally, an intraperitoneal tumor mice model and a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) of liver cancer mice model were established to prove that NP-Pt-USP1i could effectively inhibit the tumor growth. This work further validated the possibility of therapeutically target USP1 by USP1i in combination with DNA damaging alkylating agents, which could become a promising cancer treatment modality in the future.

Role of necroptosis in kidney health and disease

Cell death, particularly that of tubule epithelial cells, contributes critically to the pathophysiology of kidney disease. A body of evidence accumulated over the past 15 years has ascribed a central pathophysiological role to a particular form of regulated necrosis, termed necroptosis, to acute tubular necrosis, nephron loss and maladaptive renal fibrogenesis. Unlike apoptosis, which is a non-immunogenic process, necroptosis results in the release of cellular contents and cytokines, which triggers an inflammatory response in neighbouring tissue. This necroinflammatory environment can lead to severe organ dysfunction and cause lasting tissue injury in the kidney. Despite evidence of a link between necroptosis and various kidney diseases, there are no available therapeutic options to target this process. Greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms, triggers and regulators of necroptosis in acute and chronic kidney diseases may identify shortcomings in current approaches to therapeutically target necroptosis regulators and lead to the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.