A phosphoglycerate mutase 1 allosteric inhibitor overcomes drug resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy via disrupting IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma

GSTO1 aggravates EGFR-TKIs resistance and tumor metastasis via deglutathionylation of NPM1 in lung adenocarcinoma

Despite significantly improved clinical outcomes in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma, all patients develop acquired resistance and malignancy on the treatment of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Understanding the resistance mechanisms is crucial to uncover novel therapeutic targets to improve the efficacy of EGFR-TKI treatment. Here, integrated analysis using RNA-Seq and shRNAs metabolic screening reveals glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) as one of the key metabolic enzymes that is required for EGFR-TKIs resistance in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Aberrant upregulation of GSTO1 confers EGFR-TKIs resistance and tumor metastasis in vitro and in vivo dependent on its active-site cysteine 32 (C32). Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of GSTO1 restores sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs and synergistically enhances tumoricidal effects. Importantly, nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) cysteine 104 is deglutathionylated by GSTO1 through its active C32 site, which leads to activation of the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, clinical data illustrates that GSTO1 level is positively correlated with NPM1 level, NF-κB-mediated transcriptions and progression of human lung adenocarcinoma. Overall, our study highlights a novel mechanism of GSTO1 mediating EGFR-TKIs resistance and malignant progression via protein deglutathionylation, and GSTO1/NPM1/AKT/NF-κB axis as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in lung adenocarcinoma.

Effect of 23‑hydroxybetulinic acid on lung adenocarcinoma and its mechanism of action

The present study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Pulsatilla compounds on lung adenocarcinoma. The representative drug chosen was the compound 23-HBA. GeneCards, Swiss target prediction, DisGeNET and TCMSP were used to screen out related genes, and MTT and flow cytometry assays were used to verify the inhibitory effect of Pulsatilla compounds on the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Subsequently, the optimal target, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, was selected using bioinformatics analysis, and its properties of low expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells and its role as a tumor suppressor gene were verified by western blot assay. The pathways related to immunity and inflammation, vascular function, cell proliferation, differentiation, development and apoptosis with the highest degree of enrichment and the mechanisms were explored through Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. Finally, the clinical prognosis in terms of the survival rate of patients in whom the drug is acting on the target was analyzed using the GEPIA database. The results indicated that Pulsatilla compounds can inhibit the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells by blocking the cell cycle at the G1 phase. Subsequently, the related PPAR-γ gene was verified as a tumor suppressor gene. Further analysis demonstrated that this finding was related to the PPAR signaling pathway and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Finally, the clinical prognosis was found to be improved, as the survival rate of patients was increased. In conclusion, Pulsatilla compounds were indicated to inhibit the viability and proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma H1299 cells, and the mechanism of action was related to PPAR-γ, the PPAR signaling pathway and mitochondrial ROS. The present study provides novel insight to further explore the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Tanshinone IIA acts as a regulator of lipogenesis to overcome osimertinib acquired resistance in lung cancer

Osimertinib is a novel epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), acting as the first-line medicine for advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Recently, the acquired resistance to osimertinib brings great challenges to the advanced treatment. Therefore, it is in urgent need to find effective strategy to overcome osimertinib acquired resistance. Here, we demonstrated that SREBP pathway-driven lipogenesis was a key mediator to promote osimertinib acquired resistance, and firstly found Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a natural pharmacologically active constituent isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, could overcome osimertinib-acquired resistance in vitro and in vivo via inhibiting SREBP pathway-mediated lipid lipogenesis by using LC-MS based cellular lipidomics analysis, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, western blotting analysis, flow cytometry, small interfering RNAs transfection, and membrane fluidity assay et al. The results showed that SREBP1/2-driven lipogenesis was highly activated in osimertinib acquired resistant NSCLC cells, while knockdown or inhibition of SREBP1/2 could restore the sensitivity of NSCLC to osimertinib via altered the proportion of saturated phospholipids and unsaturated phospholipids in osimertinib acquired-resistant cells. Furthermore, Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) could reverse the acquired resistance to osimertinib in lung cancer. Mechanically, Tan IIA inhibited SREBP signaling mediated lipogenesis, changed the profiles of saturated phospholipids and unsaturated phospholipids, and thus promoted osimertinib acquired resistant cancer cells to be attacked by oxidative stress-induced damage and reduce the cell membrane fluidity. The reversal effect of Tan IIA on osimertinib acquired resistant NSCLC cells was also confirmed in vivo, which is helpful for the development of strategies to reverse osimertinib acquired resistance.

Enhancement of Chemotherapy Efficacy in Cervical Cancer via MAPK Pathway Inhibition by Osimertinib

Addressing recurrent cervical cancer poses a substantial challenge. Osimertinib, an FDA-approved EGFR inhibitor, has emerged as a promising option. Our study examined its potential to enhance paclitaxel's efficacy against cervical cancer. Osimertinib effectively hindered cancer cell growth and induced apoptosis across multiple cell lines. Combined with paclitaxel, it exhibited synergy in suppressing cervical cancer cells. Importantly, osimertinib's inhibitory effect was EGFR-independent; it targeted Mnk phosphorylation, reducing eIF4E activity. In mice, the combined osimertinib-paclitaxel treatment surpassed individual drugs in inhibiting cancer growth. These preclinical findings suggest osimertinib's repurposing as a means to improve paclitaxel's effectiveness in cervical cancer treatment.

Potential therapeutic targets of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses a significant clinical challenge due to its propensity for metastasis and poor prognosis. TNBC evades the body's immune system recognition and attack through various mechanisms, including the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. This pathway, characterized by heightened activity in numerous solid tumors, exhibits pronounced activation in specific TNBC subtypes. Consequently, targeting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway emerges as a promising and precise therapeutic strategy for TNBC. The signal transduction cascade of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway predominantly involves receptor tyrosine kinases, the tyrosine kinase JAK2, and the transcription factor STAT3. Ongoing preclinical studies and clinical research are actively investigating this pathway as a potential therapeutic target for TNBC treatment. This article comprehensively reviews preclinical and clinical investigations into TNBC treatment by targeting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway using small molecule compounds. The review explores the role of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in TNBC therapeutics, evaluating the benefits and limitations of active inhibitors and proteolysis-targeting chimeras in TNBC treatment. The aim is to facilitate the development of novel small-molecule compounds that target TNBC effectively. Ultimately, this work seeks to contribute to enhancing therapeutic efficacy for patients with TNBC.

Integrated serum pharmacochemistry and investigation of the anti-influenza A virus pneumonia effect of Qingjin Huatan decoction

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qingjin Huatan Decoction (QJHTT) consists of 11 herbal medicines: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl., Morus alba L., Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., Citrus reticulata Blanco, Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. As a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, QJHTT has been used for more than 400 years in China. It has shown promising results in treating influenza A virus (IAV) pneumonia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To elusive the specific pharmacological constituents and mechanisms underlying its anti-IAV pneumonia effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The components in QJHTT were analyzed through the use of a serum pharmacology-based ultra high-performance liquid chromatography Q- Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS) method. Simultaneously, the dynamic changes in IAV-infected mouse lung viral load, lung index, and expression of lung inflammation factors were monitored by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

We successfully identified 152 chemical components within QJHTT, along with 59 absorbed chemical prototype constituents found in the serum of mice treated with QJHTT. 43.45% of these chemical components and 43.10% of the prototype constituents were derived from the monarch drugs, namely Huangqin and Zhizi, aligning perfectly with traditional Chinese medicine theory. Notably, our analysis led to the discovery of 14 compounds within QJHTT for the first time, three of which were absorbed into the bloodstream. Simultaneously, we observed that QJHTT not only reduced the viral load but also modulated the expression of inflammation factors in the lung tissue including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL17A. A time-effect analysis further revealed that QJHTT intervention effectively suppressed the peak of inflammatory responses, demonstrating a robust anti-IAV pneumonia effect.

CONCLUSIONS

We comprehensively analyzed the pharmacological material basis of QJHTT by a highly sensitive and high-resolution UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS method, and demonstrated its efficacy in combating IAV pneumonia by reducing lung viral load and inflammatory factors. This study has significant importance for elucidating the pharmacological basis and pharmacological mechanism of QJHTT in combating IAV pneumonia.

Nanomedicine Combats Drug Resistance in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the second most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy are currently available as treatment methods. However, drug resistance is a significant factor in the failure of lung cancer treatments. Novel therapeutics have been exploited to address complicated resistance mechanisms of lung cancer and the advancement of nanomedicine is extremely promising in terms of overcoming drug resistance. Nanomedicine equipped with multifunctional and tunable physiochemical properties in alignment with tumor genetic profiles can achieve precise, safe, and effective treatment while minimizing or eradicating drug resistance in cancer. Here, this work reviews the discovered resistance mechanisms for lung cancer chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, and outlines novel strategies for the development of nanomedicine against drug resistance. This work focuses on engineering design, customized delivery, current challenges, and clinical translation of nanomedicine in the application of resistant lung cancer.

MYL9 promotes squamous cervical cancer migration and invasion by enhancing aerobic glycolysis

OBJECTIVE

This study explored the mechanism of squamous cervical cancer (SCC) progression.

METHODS

Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to evaluate the expression of myosin light chain 9 (MYL9) in SCC tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, Transwell and Boyden assays were used to assess the function of MYL9 in SCC progression. In addition, the levels of lactate and aerobic glycolysis were used to explore the detailed mechanism of MYL9 in SCC.

RESULTS

The mRNA and protein levels of MYL9 were elevated in SCC tissues, and MYL9 knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion of SCC cell lines. A mechanistic study demonstrated that MYL9 promotes SCC migration and invasion by enhancing aerobic glycolysis and increasing the activity of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

MYL9 was upregulated in SCC, and it enhanced JAK2/STAT3 pathway activity and promoted metastasis and glycolysis in SCC.