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Wang KN, Zhou K, Zhong NN, Cao LM, Li ZZ, Xiao Y, Wang GR, Huo FY, Zhou JJ, Liu B, Bu LL. Enhancing cancer therapy: The role of drug delivery systems in STAT3 inhibitor efficacy and safety. Life Sci 2024; 346:122635. [PMID: 38615745 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a member of the STAT family, resides in the nucleus to regulate genes essential for vital cellular functions, including survival, proliferation, self-renewal, angiogenesis, and immune response. However, continuous STAT3 activation in tumor cells promotes their initiation, progression, and metastasis, rendering STAT3 pathway inhibitors a promising avenue for cancer therapy. Nonetheless, these inhibitors frequently encounter challenges such as cytotoxicity and suboptimal biocompatibility in clinical trials. A viable strategy to mitigate these issues involves delivering STAT3 inhibitors via drug delivery systems (DDSs). This review delineates the regulatory mechanisms of the STAT3 signaling pathway and its association with cancer. It offers a comprehensive overview of the current application of DDSs for anti-STAT3 inhibitors and investigates the role of DDSs in cancer treatment. The conclusion posits that DDSs for anti-STAT3 inhibitors exhibit enhanced efficacy and reduced adverse effects in tumor therapy compared to anti-STAT3 inhibitors alone. This paper aims to provide an outline of the ongoing research and future prospects of DDSs for STAT3 inhibitors. Additionally, it presents our insights on the merits and future outlook of DDSs in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Kan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Nian-Nian Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Lei-Ming Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Zi-Zhan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Guang-Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Fang-Yi Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial, Anyang Sixth People's Hospital, Anyang 45500, China.
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial - Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Lin-Lin Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Department of Oral & Maxillofacial - Head Neck Oncology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
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Lu X, Wang R, Yu Y, Wei J, Xu Y, Zhou L, Mao F, Li J, Li X, Jia X. Drug Repurposing of ACT001 to Discover Novel Promising Sulfide Prodrugs with Improved Safety and Potent Activity for Neutrophil-Mediated Antifungal Immunotherapy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5783-5799. [PMID: 38526960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Neutrophil-mediated immunotherapy is a promising strategy for treating Candida albicans infection due to its potential in dealing with drug-resistant events. Our previous study found that ACT001 exhibited good antifungal immunotherapeutic activity by inhibiting PD-L1 expression in neutrophils, but its strong cytotoxicity and high BBB permeability hindered its antifungal application. To address these deficiencies, a series of novel sulfide derivatives were designed and synthesized based on a slow-release prodrug strategy. Among these derivatives, compound 16 exhibited stronger inhibition of PD-L1 expression, less cytotoxicity to neutrophils, and lower BBB permeability than ACT001. Compound 16 also significantly enhanced neutrophil-mediated antifungal immunity in C. albicans infected mice, with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties and good oral safety. Moreover, pharmacological mechanism studies demonstrated that ACT001 and compound 16 reduced PD-L1 expression in neutrophils by directly targeting STAT3. Briefly, this study provided a novel prototype compound 16 which exhibited great potential in neutrophil-mediated antifungal immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangran Lu
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Rongrong Wang
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yao Yu
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jinlian Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yixiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Luoyifan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Fei Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jian Li
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Screening and Research on Anti-pathogenic Plant Resources from West Yunnan, College of Pharmacy, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Xiaokang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinming Jia
- Clinical Medicine Scientific and Technical Innovation Center, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
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Lu J, Yan X, Lai W, Jiang LH, Shen LQ, Wu AQ, Zhao C. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of naphthoylamide derivatives as inhibitors of STAT3 phosphorylation. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300526. [PMID: 38294206 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The phosphorylation of STAT3 plays a critical physiological role in the proliferation of rectal cancer. Hence, inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation is an effective anticancer approach. In this work, we designed a novel 5-R'-1-naphthylmethylamide scaffold as a small molecule inhibitor of STAT3 phosphorylation. The results showed that 3D and 4D have exceptional inhibitory ability against three different colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines, and can induce apoptosis of CRC cells by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, while having no killing effect on normal human cells. 3D and 4D can inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, and also inhibit the nuclear translocation of interleukin (IL)-6-induced STAT3. In the in vivo tumor model research, 4D significantly reduced the tumor volume of mice and had no drug toxicity on other organ tissues. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed that 3D and 4D had greater binding free energy when interacting with the STAT3 SH2 structural domain, and could establish H-π interaction modes. Dynamic simulation studies indicated that both compounds were able to bind tightly to STAT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiaHao Lu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Minzu University, Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Key Laboratory of Universities in Guangxi for Excavation and Development of Ancient Ethnomedicinal Recipes, Nanning, China
| | - XiuYang Yan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Minzu University, Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Key Laboratory of Universities in Guangxi for Excavation and Development of Ancient Ethnomedicinal Recipes, Nanning, China
| | - WuJi Lai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Minzu University, Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Key Laboratory of Universities in Guangxi for Excavation and Development of Ancient Ethnomedicinal Recipes, Nanning, China
| | - Li-He Jiang
- Medical College, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Li-Qun Shen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Minzu University, Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Key Laboratory of Universities in Guangxi for Excavation and Development of Ancient Ethnomedicinal Recipes, Nanning, China
| | - Ai-Qun Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi Minzu University, Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Chemistry and Engineering of Forest Products, Key Laboratory of Universities in Guangxi for Excavation and Development of Ancient Ethnomedicinal Recipes, Nanning, China
| | - Chengguang Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cancer and Anticancer Drug Research Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Davoodvandi A, Sadeghi S, Alavi SMA, Alavi SS, Jafari A, Khan H, Aschner M, Mirzaei H, Sharifi M, Asemi Z. The therapeutic effects of berberine for gastrointestinal cancers. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2024; 20:152-167. [PMID: 36915942 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most serious human health issues. Drug therapy is the major common way to treat cancer. There is a growing interest in using natural compounds to overcome drug resistance, adverse reactions, and target specificity of certain types of drugs that may affect several targets with fewer side effects and be beneficial against various types of cancer. In this regard, the use of herbal medicines alone or in combination with the main anticancer drugs is commonly available. Berberine (BBR), a nature-driven phytochemical component, is a well-known nutraceutical due to its wide variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and hypolipidemic. In addition, BBR exerts anticancer activities. In present article, we summarized the information available on the therapeutic effects of BBR and its mechanisms on five types of the most prevalent gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, hepatocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Davoodvandi
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahand Sadeghi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | | | - Seyedeh Shaghayegh Alavi
- Departmemt of Food Science, Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Ameneh Jafari
- ATMP Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mehran Sharifi
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Cancer Prevention Research Center, Seyyed Al-Shohada Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Dong Y, Chen J, Chen Y, Liu S. Targeting the STAT3 oncogenic pathway: Cancer immunotherapy and drug repurposing. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115513. [PMID: 37741251 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune effector cells in the microenvironment tend to be depleted or remodeled, unable to perform normal functions, and even promote the malignant characterization of tumors, resulting in the formation of immunosuppressive microenvironments. The strategy of reversing immunosuppressive microenvironment has been widely used to enhance the tumor immunotherapy effect. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was found to be a crucial regulator of immunosuppressive microenvironment formation and activation as well as a factor, stimulating tumor cell proliferation, survival, invasiveness and metastasis. Therefore, regulating the immune microenvironment by targeting the STAT3 oncogenic pathway might be a new cancer therapy strategy. This review discusses the pleiotropic effects of STAT3 on immune cell populations that are critical for tumorigenesis, and introduces the novel strategies targeting STAT3 oncogenic pathway for cancer immunotherapy. Lastly, we summarize the conventional drugs used in new STAT3-targeting anti-tumor applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Dong
- Graduate School of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine Internal Medicine, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 1 Xiyuan Playground, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhan Chen
- Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Songjiang Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No.26, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
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Guo H, Hu Z, Yang X, Yuan Z, Gao Y, Chen J, Xie L, Chen C, Guo Y, Bai Y. STAT3 inhibition enhances gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancer by suppressing EMT, immune escape and inducing oxidative stress damage. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 123:110709. [PMID: 37515849 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly-malignant tumor of the digestive system with a very poor prognosis and high mortality. Chemotherapy and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade are important treatment strategies for advanced PC. However, chemotherapy resistance and poor therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors is are the main clinical problems to be solved urgently at present. The effects of combined application of gemcitabine and STAT3 inhibition on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of PC cells (PCCs) were investigated. In addition, oxidative stress (OS), ferroptosis, immune escape, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated. STAT3 inhibition with Stattic enhanced the inhibitory activity of gemcitabine on PCC proliferation by regulating the cell cycle. STAT3 inhibition enhanced mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in gemcitabine-treated PCCs, but did not induce autophagy and ferroptosis. Further study showed that the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects may be associated with increased OS damage by inactivating Nrf2-HO-1 signaling, as well as DNA damage by inducing the imbalance between ATM andATR-Chk1 pathway. In addition, STAT3 inhibition strengthened gemcitabine-mediated suppression in PCC invasion and migration by antagonizing Smad2/3-dependent EMT. Moreover, the anti-tumorimmuneresponse of gemcitabine was upregulated by Stattic through reducing the expression of PD-L1 and CD47. Mechanistically, combined application of gemcitabine and Stattic suppressed the phosphorylation and nuclear expression of STAT3. Interestingly, the activities of AKT and β-catenin signaling were also regulated, suggesting that drug combination has a broad-spectrum signal regulation effect. STAT3 inhibition enhanced the sensitivity of PCCs to the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine by suppressing EMT and immune escape and inducing OS damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangcheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; The 404th Hospital of Mianyang, 621000 Sichuan, China
| | - Zujian Hu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Xuejia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Ziwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Lili Xie
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Chaoyue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yangyang Guo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315000, China
| | - Yongheng Bai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; National Key Clinical Specialty (General Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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Liu Z, Zhang Y, Xiang Y, Kang X. Small-Molecule PROTACs for Cancer Immunotherapy. Molecules 2022; 27:5439. [PMID: 36080223 PMCID: PMC9458232 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsatisfactory physicochemical properties of macromolecular drugs seriously hinder their application in tumor immunotherapy. However, these problems can be effectively solved by small-molecule compounds. In the promising field of small-molecule drug development, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) offers a novel mode of action in the interactions between small molecules and therapeutic targets (mainly proteins). This revolutionary technology has shown considerable impact on several proteins related to tumor survival but is rarely exploited in proteins associated with immuno-oncology up until now. This review attempts to comprehensively summarize the well-studied and less-developed immunological targets available for PROTAC technology, as well as some targets to be explored, aiming to provide more options and opportunities for the development of small-molecule-based tumor immunotherapy. In addition, some novel directions that can magnify and broaden the protein degradation efficiency are mentioned to improve PROTAC design in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Xin Kang
- West China (Airport) Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610047, China
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Targeted protein degradation: mechanisms, strategies and application. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:113. [PMID: 35379777 PMCID: PMC8977435 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-00966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional drug discovery mainly focuses on direct regulation of protein activity. The development and application of protein activity modulators, particularly inhibitors, has been the mainstream in drug development. In recent years, PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTAC) technology has emerged as one of the most promising approaches to remove specific disease-associated proteins by exploiting cells’ own destruction machinery. In addition to PROTAC, many different targeted protein degradation (TPD) strategies including, but not limited to, molecular glue, Lysosome-Targeting Chimaera (LYTAC), and Antibody-based PROTAC (AbTAC), are emerging. These technologies have not only greatly expanded the scope of TPD, but also provided fresh insights into drug discovery. Here, we summarize recent advances of major TPD technologies, discuss their potential applications, and hope to provide a prime for both biologists and chemists who are interested in this vibrant field.
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Wang F, Cao XY, Lin GQ, Tian P, Gao D. Novel inhibitors of the STAT3 signaling pathway: an updated patent review (2014-present). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:667-688. [PMID: 35313119 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2056013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION STAT3 is a critical transcription factor that transmits signals from the cell surface to the nucleus, thus influencing the transcriptional regulation of some oncogenes. The inhibition of the activation of STAT3 is considered a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Numerous STAT3 inhibitors bearing different scaffolds have been reported to date, with a few of them having been considered in clinical trials. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the advances on STAT3 inhibitors with different structural skeletons, focusing on the structure-activity relationships in the related patent literature published from 2014 to date. EXPERT OPINION Since the X-ray crystal structure of STAT3β homo dimer bound to DNA was solved in 1998, the development of STAT3 inhibitors has gone through a boom in recent years. However, none of them have been approved for marketing, probably due to the complex biological functions of the STAT3 signaling pathway, including its character and the poor drug-like physicochemical properties of its inhibitors. Nonetheless, targeting STAT3 continues to be an exciting field for the development of anti-tumor agents along with the emergence of new STAT3 inhibitors with unique mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology and Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, Xuhui, China
| | - Xin-Yu Cao
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology and Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, Xuhui, China
| | - Guo-Qiang Lin
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology and Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, Xuhui, China
| | - Ping Tian
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology and Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, Xuhui, China
| | - Dingding Gao
- The Research Center of Chiral Drugs, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine Chemical Biology and Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, Xuhui, China
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10
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Pei H, Guo W, Peng Y, Xiong H, Chen Y. Targeting key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation for cancer therapy: Current strategies and future prospective. Med Res Rev 2022; 42:1607-1660. [PMID: 35312190 DOI: 10.1002/med.21886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation play convergent roles in cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction mediates aberrant gene expressions that underline the hallmarks of tumorigenesis. As tumor progression is dependent on such abnormal regulation of transcription, it is important to discover novel chemical entities as antitumor drugs that target key tumor-associated proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. Despite most key proteins (especially transcription factors) involved in transcriptional regulation are historically recognized as undruggable targets, multiple targeting approaches at diverse levels of transcriptional regulation, such as epigenetic intervention, inhibition of DNA-binding of transcriptional factors, and inhibition of the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), have been established in preclinically or clinically studies. In addition, several new approaches have recently been described, such as targeting proteasomal degradation and eliciting synthetic lethality. This review will emphasize on accentuating these developing therapeutic approaches and provide a thorough conspectus of the drug development to target key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and their impact on future oncotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiang Pei
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weikai Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yangrui Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Xiong
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Liu C, Nakano-Tateno T, Satou M, Chik C, Tateno T. Emerging role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in pituitary adenomas. Endocr J 2021; 68:1143-1153. [PMID: 34248112 DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.ej21-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas are benign tumours that can cause an individual various clinical manifestations including tumour mass effects and/or the diverse effects of abnormal pituitary hormone secretion. Given the morbidity and limited treatment options for pituitary adenomas, there is a need for better biomarkers and treatment options. One molecule that is of specific interest is the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transcription factor that plays a critical role in mediating cytokine-induced changes in gene expression. In addition, STAT3 controls cell proliferation by regulating mitochondrial activity. Not only does activation of STAT3 play a crucial role in tumorigenesis, including pituitary tumorigenesis, but a number of studies also demonstrate pharmacological STAT3 inhibition as a promising treatment approach for many types of tumours, including pituitary tumours. This review will focus on the role of STAT3 in different pituitary adenomas, in particular, growth hormone-producing adenomas and null cell adenomas. Furthermore, how STAT3 is involved in the cell proliferation and hormone regulation in pituitary adenomas and its potential role as a molecular therapeutic target in pituitary adenomas will be summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyndy Liu
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tae Nakano-Tateno
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Motoyasu Satou
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Constance Chik
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Toru Tateno
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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12
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Dong J, Cheng XD, Zhang WD, Qin JJ. Recent Update on Development of Small-Molecule STAT3 Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: From Phosphorylation Inhibition to Protein Degradation. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8884-8915. [PMID: 34170703 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that regulates various biological processes, including proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, immune response, and chemoresistance. In normal cells, STAT3 is tightly regulated to maintain a transiently active state, while persistent STAT3 activation occurs frequently in cancers, associating with a poor prognosis and tumor progression. Targeting the STAT3 protein is a potentially promising therapeutic strategy for tumors. Although none of the STAT3 inhibitors has been marketed yet, a few of them have succeeded in entering clinical trials. This Review aims to systematically summarize the progress of the last 5 years in the discovery of directive STAT3 small-molecule inhibitors and degraders, focusing primarily on their structural features, design strategies, and bioactivities. We hope this Review will shed light on future drug design and inhibitor optimization to accelerate the discovery process of STAT3 inhibitors or degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyun Dong
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Cheng
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
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13
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Batsika CS, Mantzourani C, Gkikas D, Kokotou MG, Mountanea OG, Kokotos CG, Politis PK, Kokotos G. Saturated Oxo Fatty Acids (SOFAs): A Previously Unrecognized Class of Endogenous Bioactive Lipids Exhibiting a Cell Growth Inhibitory Activity. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5654-5666. [PMID: 33881857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of novel bioactive lipids that promote human health is of great importance. Combining "suspect" and targeted lipidomic liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) approaches, a previously unrecognized class of oxidized fatty acids, the saturated oxo fatty acids (SOFAs), which carry the oxo functionality at various positions of the long chain, was identified in human plasma. A library of SOFAs was constructed, applying a simple green photochemical hydroacylation reaction as the key synthetic step. The synthesized SOFAs were studied for their ability to inhibit in vitro the cell growth of three human cancer cell lines. Four oxostearic acids (OSAs) were identified to inhibit the cell growth of human lung carcinoma A549 cells. 6OSA and 7OSA exhibited the highest cell growth inhibitory potency, suppressing the expression of both STAT3 and c-myc, which are critical regulators of cell growth and proliferation. Thus, naturally occurring SOFAs may play a role in the protection of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charikleia S Batsika
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Christiana Mantzourani
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Gkikas
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.,Department of Biology, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Maroula G Kokotou
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Olga G Mountanea
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Christoforos G Kokotos
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Panagiotis K Politis
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - George Kokotos
- Center of Excellence for Drug Design and Discovery, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
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14
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Kokotou MG, Kokotos AC, Gkikas D, Mountanea OG, Mantzourani C, Almutairi A, Lei X, Ramanadham S, Politis PK, Kokotos G. Saturated Hydroxy Fatty Acids Exhibit a Cell Growth Inhibitory Activity and Suppress the Cytokine-Induced β-Cell Apoptosis. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12666-12681. [PMID: 33124824 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The field of bioactive lipids is ever expanding with discoveries of novel lipid molecules that promote human health. Adopting a lipidomic-assisted approach, two new families of previously unrecognized saturated hydroxy fatty acids (SHFAs), namely, hydroxystearic and hydroxypalmitic acids, consisting of isomers with the hydroxyl group at different positions, were identified in milk. Among the various regio-isomers synthesized, those carrying the hydroxyl at the 7- and 9-positions presented growth inhibitory activities against various human cancer cell lines, including A549, Caco-2, and SF268 cells. In addition, 7- and 9-hydroxystearic acids were able to suppress β-cell apoptosis induced by proinflammatory cytokines, increasing the possibility that they can be beneficial in countering autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes. 7-(R)-Hydroxystearic acid exhibited the highest potency both in cell growth inhibition and in suppressing β-cell death. We propose that such naturally occurring SHFAs may play a role in the promotion and protection of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maroula G Kokotou
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Alexandros C Kokotos
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Gkikas
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - Olga G Mountanea
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Christiana Mantzourani
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
| | - Abdulaziz Almutairi
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States.,Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Xiaoyong Lei
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States.,Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Sasanka Ramanadham
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States.,Comprehensive Diabetes Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United States
| | - Panagiotis K Politis
- Center of Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - George Kokotos
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15771, Greece
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15
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STAT3 Pathway in Gastric Cancer: Signaling, Therapeutic Targeting and Future Prospects. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9060126. [PMID: 32545648 PMCID: PMC7345582 DOI: 10.3390/biology9060126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Molecular signaling pathways play a significant role in the regulation of biological mechanisms, and their abnormal expression can provide the conditions for cancer development. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key member of the STAT proteins and its oncogene role in cancer has been shown. STAT3 is able to promote the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells and induces chemoresistance. Different downstream targets of STAT3 have been identified in cancer and it has also been shown that microRNA (miR), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and other molecular pathways are able to function as upstream mediators of STAT3 in cancer. In the present review, we focus on the role and regulation of STAT3 in gastric cancer (GC). miRs and lncRNAs are considered as potential upstream mediators of STAT3 and they are able to affect STAT3 expression in exerting their oncogene or onco-suppressor role in GC cells. Anti-tumor compounds suppress the STAT3 signaling pathway to restrict the proliferation and malignant behavior of GC cells. Other molecular pathways, such as sirtuin, stathmin and so on, can act as upstream mediators of STAT3 in GC. Notably, the components of the tumor microenvironment that are capable of targeting STAT3 in GC, such as fibroblasts and macrophages, are discussed in this review. Finally, we demonstrate that STAT3 can target oncogene factors to enhance the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells.
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