Marsdenia tenacissima extract induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated immunogenic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer cells through targeting AXL

Regulation of immunogenic cell death and potential applications in cancer therapy

Immunogenic cell death (ICD), a type of regulatory cell death, plays an important role in activating the adaptive immune response. Activation of the tumor-specific immune response is accompanied by the cell surface exposure of calreticulin and heat-shock proteins, the secretion of adenosine triphosphate, and the release of high mobility group box-1. In this review, we summarize and classify the latest types of ICD inducers and their molecular mechanisms, and discuss the effects and potential applications of inducing ICD by chemotherapy drugs, targeted drugs, and oncolytic viruses in clinical research. We also explore the potential role of epigenetic modifiers in the induction of ICD, and clarify the synergistic anti-tumor effects of nano-pulse stimulation, radiosensitizers for radiotherapy, photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and other physical stimulation, combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy induced-ICD, in multimodal immunotherapy. In addition, we elucidate the molecular mechanism of ICD in detail, including the calcium imbalance, mitochondrial stress, and the interactions in the tumor microenvironment. Ultimately, this review aims to offer deeper insight into the factors and mechanisms of ICD induction and provide a theoretical basis for the future development of ICD-based immunotherapy.

Synergistic Strategies for Lung Cancer Immunotherapy: Combining Phytochemicals and Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors

Lung cancer remains one of the most widespread and deadliest malignant tumors globally, with a particularly high mortality rate among all cancers. Recently, immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has emerged as a crucial treatment strategy for lung cancer patients, following surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapies. However, the therapeutic limitations are caused owing to their low response rate and undesirable side effects such as immune-related pneumonitis. Therefore, developing new strategies to improve the efficacy of ICIs while minimizing immune-related adverse events will be crucial for cancer immunotherapy. The tumor immune microenvironment plays a significant role in the success of lung cancer immunotherapy, and the immunosuppressive characteristics of the immune microenvironment are one of the major obstacles to the poor immunotherapeutic effect. Phytochemicals, naturally occurring compounds in plants, have shown promise in enhancing cancer immunotherapy by remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment, offering the potential to increase the efficacy of ICIs. Therefore, this review summarizes the associated mechanisms of phytochemicals remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment in lung cancer. Additionally, the review will focus on the synergistic effects of combining phytochemicals with ICIs, aiming to improve anticancer efficacy and reduce side effects, which may hopefully offer novel strategies to overcome current limitations in immunotherapy.

Flavonoids in the Treatment of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer via Immunomodulation: Progress to Date

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world, while non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80% of all lung cancers. Most patients with NSCLC have advanced stage disease at diagnosis, and the 5-year survival rate can be discouragingly low. Flavonoids are widely found in fruits, vegetables, teas, and medicinal plants, with a variety of functional effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This review aims to focus on the research progress of flavonoids in the treatment of NSCLC, including immunomodulatory effects on NSCLC, promotion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, interaction with microRNA (miRNA), and interactions with certain proteins. In addition, combining flavonoids and anticancer agents, radiotherapy, or nanoparticles can reverse NSCLC  drug resistance, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells. It therefore appears that flavonoids alone or in combination with other treatment agents may be a promising therapeutic modality for treating NSCLC, with great potential in mass production and clinical applications.

Traditional Chinese medicine in lung cancer treatment

Lung cancer remains a major global health challenge and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite significant advancements in treatment, challenges such as drug resistance, side effects, metastasis and recurrence continue to impact patient outcomes and quality of life. In response, there is growing interest in complementary and integrative approaches to cancer care. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its long history, abundant clinical experience, holistic perspective and individualized approach, has garnered increasing attention for its role in lung cancer prevention and management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advances in TCM for lung cancer treatment, covering its theoretical foundation, treatment principles, clinical experiences and evidence supporting its efficacy. We also provide a systematic summary of the preclinical mechanisms, through which TCM impacts lung cancer, including the induction of cell death, reversal of drug resistance, inhibition of metastasis and modulation of immune responses. Additionally, future prospects for TCM in lung cancer treatment are discussed, offering insights into its expanded application and integration with modern medicine to address this challenging disease.

Exploring the mechanism of Xiaoaiping Injection inhibiting autophagy in prostate cancer based on proteomics

Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.

Plasma-activated medium suppresses proliferation and migration of human lung cancer cells by regulating PI3K/AKT-Wnt signaling pathway

The main causes of high mortality in lung cancer patients are the malignant growth and migration of cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of low-temperature plasma-activated medium (PAM) treating human lung cancer (HLC). Changes in the levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species both inside and outside the cells were evaluated. Our results showed that prolonged PAM exposure decreased cell viability, raised intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and hindered cell migration while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential. Protein analysis revealed PAM increased GSK-3β and p-β-catenin expression but decreased PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, p-GSK-3β, Wnt, and β-catenin levels, thereby inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest PAM suppresses HLC cells proliferation and migration by blocking the PI3K/AKT-Wnt pathway. The study will provide a valuable theoretical basis for future low-temperature plasma treatment, thereby improving the survival rates and prognosis of lung cancer.

Beclin-1: a therapeutic target at the intersection of autophagy, immunotherapy, and cancer treatment

The significant identification of Beclin-1's function in regulating autophagy flow signified a significant progression in our understanding of cellular operations. Beclin-1 acts as a scaffold for forming the PI3KC3 complex, controlling autophagy and cellular trafficking processes in a complicated way. This intricate protein has garnered considerable attention due to its substantial impact on the development of tumors. Strong evidence indicates Beclin-1 plays a critical role in controlling autophagy in various human cancer types and its intricate connection with apoptosis and ferroptosis. The potential of Beclin-1 as a viable target for cancer therapy is highlighted by its associations with key autophagy regulators such as AMPK, mTOR, and ATGs. Beclin-1 controls the growth and dissemination of tumors by autophagy. It also affects how tumors react to therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The role of Beclin-1 in autophagy can influence apoptosis, depending on whether it supports cell survival or leads to cell death. Beclin-1 plays a crucial role in ferroptosis by increasing ATG5 levels, which in turn promotes autophagy-triggered ferroptosis. Finally, we analyzed the possible function of Beclin-1 in tumor immunology and drug sensitivity in cancers. In general, Beclin-1 has a significant impact on regulating autophagy, offering various potentials for medical intervention and altering our understanding of cancer biology.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathway-mediated cell death in ovarian cancer

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is one of the largest organelles, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response Pathway is a series of responses triggered by the homeostatic imbalance of the ER and the state in which unfolded or misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER, which can trigger cell death. Cell death plays a crucial role in the development of diseases such as gynecological oncology. Herein, we review the current research on the response and ovarian cancer, discussing the key sensors (IRE1, PERK, ATF6), and the conditions under which it occurs (Ca2+ homeostasis disruption, hypoxia, others). Using the response as a starting point, provide a comprehensive overview of the relationship with the four types of cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, immunogenic cell death, paraptosis) in an attempt to provide new targeted therapeutic strategies for the organelle-Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response Pathway-cell death in ovarian cancer therapy.

Plant-derived natural compounds: A new frontier in inducing immunogenic cell death for cancer treatment

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) can activate adaptive immune response in the host with normal immune system. Some synthetic chemotherapeutic drugs and natural compounds have shown promising results in cancer treatment by triggering the release of damage-associated molecules (DAMPs) to trigger ICD. However, most chemotherapeutic drugs exhibit non-selective cytotoxicity and may also induce and promote metastasis, thereby significantly reducing their clinical efficacy. Among the natural compounds that can induce ICD, plant-derived compounds account for the largest proportion, which are of increasing value in the treatment of cancer. Understanding which plant-derived natural compounds can induce ICD and how they induce ICD is crucial for developing strategies to improve chemotherapy outcomes. In this review, we focus on the recent findings regarding plant-derived natural compounds that induce ICD according to the classification of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids and discuss the potential mechanisms including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, necroptosis autophagy, ferroptosis. In addition, plant-derived natural compounds that can enhance the ICD induction ability of conventional therapies for cancer treatment is also elaborated. The rational use of plant-derived natural compounds to induce ICD is helpful for the development of new cancer treatment methods.

Clinical application of immunogenic cell death inducers in cancer immunotherapy: turning cold tumors hot

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising cancer treatment option in recent years. In immune "hot" tumors, characterized by abundant immune cell infiltration, immunotherapy can improve patients' prognosis by activating the function of immune cells. By contrast, immune "cold" tumors are often less sensitive to immunotherapy owing to low immunogenicity of tumor cells, an immune inhibitory tumor microenvironment, and a series of immune-escape mechanisms. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a promising cellular process to facilitate the transformation of immune "cold" tumors to immune "hot" tumors by eliciting innate and adaptive immune responses through the release of (or exposure to) damage-related molecular patterns. Accumulating evidence suggests that various traditional therapies can induce ICD, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, and photodynamic therapy. In this review, we summarize the biological mechanisms and hallmarks of ICD and introduce some newly discovered and technologically innovative inducers that activate the immune system at the molecular level. Furthermore, we also discuss the clinical applications of combing ICD inducers with cancer immunotherapy. This review will provide valuable insights into the future development of ICD-related combination therapeutics and potential management for "cold" tumors.

Network pharmacology and experimental validation to study the potential mechanism of Tongguanteng injection in regulating apoptosis in osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE

The main objectives of this study were to identify the active components of Tongguanteng injection (TGT) and investigate the preclinical efficacy and mechanism of TGT on osteosarcoma using a combination of network pharmacology and experimental validation.

METHODS

To identify the active constituents and targets of TGT against osteosarcoma using network pharmacology, we constructed a network consisting of an 'active ingredient-disease-target-pathway' and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The target organ network was utilized to investigate the distribution of core targets in tissues. Afterwards, the core targets underwent Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. The binding energy between receptors and ligands was compared using molecular docking. In addition, SwissADME was employed to forecast the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the substances. Finally, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), cell proliferation assay, morphological analysis, apoptosis assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) detection, and Western blotting were utilized to confirm the potential mechanisms of TGT treatment in osteosarcoma cell lines 143B and SAOS2.

RESULTS

A total of 54 chemical constituents of TGT and 71 targets associated with osteosarcoma were acquired. Through the molecular docking technology, Tenacigenin B, Marsdekoiside, Taraxasterol, Tenacissoside G, Tenacissoside L, and Tenacissoside J were identified as the primary active components of TGT among the various compounds. Analysis of target organs suggests that TGT may play an anti-osteosarcoma role through immune regulation. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that TGT could trigger osteosarcoma cell apoptosis by inhibiting the HIF-1 signalling pathway and modulating PD-1 expression and the PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer. SwissADME database predicted that Tenacigenin B and Taraxasterol had the best drug-likeness. In vitro studies also demonstrated that TGT suppressed the activity and induced alterations in the morphology of osteosarcoma cells. It decreased MMP levels, triggered apoptosis by increasing Bax expression and Caspase-3 activity, and decreased Bcl-2 expression, thereby exerting an anti-osteosarcoma effect. In the meantime, RT-PCR tests demonstrated that TGT could control immune response against tumors and hinder the proliferation and spread of cancerous cells by impacting the levels of critical factors, including JUN, HSP90AA1, HDAC1, and CDK1.

CONCLUSION

The study accurately anticipated the active components, targets, and pathways of TGT in the management of osteosarcoma. The molecular mechanism of TGT-induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells was demonstrated by in vitro experiments. These results provide theoretical and technical support for TGT as a clinical adjuvant drug for osteosarcoma.

Kaempferol promotes non-small cell lung cancer cell autophagy via restricting Met pathway

BACKGROUND

Kaempferol is extracted from Hedyotis diffusa, exerting an obvious anti-cancer effect. Here in the present study, we explored the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of kaempferol in non-small cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC).

PURPOSE

Our objective is to figure out the molecular mechanism by which kaempferol promotes autophagy in NSCLC cells.

STUDY DESIGN

A549 and H1299 NSCLC cell lines were used for in vitro experiments. And BALB/c nude mice of NSCLC were used to perform in vivo experiments.

METHODS

For in vitro experiments, CCK-8 and EdU assay was used to observe the effect of kaempferol on NSCLC cell proliferation. Confocal microscopy of mCherry-EGFR-LC3 assay and electron microscopy assay were used to detect NSCLC cell autophagy. Protein expression was determined using Western blot, and mRNA expression was determined using qRT-PCR. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the cell apoptosis. For in vivo experiments, a subcutaneously implanted tumor model in BALB/C nude mice was performed using human NSCLC cell line A549-Luc. The kaempferol effect on NSCLC mice model was detected by measuring the tumor weight and bioluminescence intensity. Immunohistochemistry was done to measure the key protein expression from mice tumor tissues.

RESULTS

Our results confirmed that kaempferol inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation significantly. And it promoted NSCLC cell autophagy, leading to NSCLC cell death. Interestingly, Met-was greatly inhibited at both protein and mRNA levels. Meanwhile, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was inhibited accordingly. Furthermore, overexpressing Met-reversed the effect of kaempferol on NSCLC cell viability and cell autophagy with significance. Finally, the above effect and pathway were validated using the xenograft model.

CONCLUSION

Kaempferol may exert its anti-NSCLC effect by promoting NSCLC cell autophagy. Mechanistically, Met-and its downstream PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were involved in the process, which provides a novel mechanism how kaempferol functions in inhibiting NSCLC.

A review on the mechanisms underlying the antitumor effects of natural products by targeting the endoplasmic reticulum stress apoptosis pathway

Cancer poses a substantial risk to human life and wellbeing as a result of its elevated incidence and fatality rates. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is an important pathway that regulates cellular homeostasis. When ERS is under- or overexpressed, it activates the protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-, inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)- and activating transcription Factor 6 (ATF6)-related apoptotic pathways to induce apoptosis. Tumor cells and microenvironment are susceptible to ERS, making the modulation of ERS a potential therapeutic approach for treating tumors. The use of natural products to treat tumors has substantially progressed, with various extracts demonstrating antitumor effects. Nevertheless, there are few reports on the effectiveness of natural products in inducing apoptosis by specifically targeting and regulating the ERS pathway. Further investigation and elaboration of its mechanism of action are still needed. This paper examines the antitumor mechanism of action by which natural products exert antitumor effects from the perspective of ERS regulation to provide a theoretical basis and new research directions for tumor therapy.