Comparative proteomic analysis of protein methylation provides insight into the resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma to 5-fluorouracil

Deciphering the potential role of post-translational modifications of histones in gastrointestinal cancers: a proteomics-based review with therapeutic challenges and opportunities

Oncogenesis is a complex and multi-step process, controlled by several factors including epigenetic modifications. It is considered that histone modifications are critical components in the regulation of gene expression, protein functions, and molecular interactions. Dysregulated post-translationally modified histones and the related enzymatic systems are key players in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation, which are associated with the onset and progression of cancers. The most of traditional investigations on cancer have focused on mutations of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. However, increasing evidence indicates that epigenetics, especially histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) play important roles in various cancer types. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches have demonstrated tremendous potential in PTMs profiling and quantitation in different biological systems. In this paper, we have made a proteomics-based review on the role of histone modifications involved in gastrointestinal cancers (GCs) tumorigenesis processes. These alterations function not only as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for GCs, but a deeper comprehension of the epigenetic regulation of GCs could facilitate the treatment of this prevalent malignancy through the creation of more effective targeted therapies.

Advances in hepatocellular carcinoma drug resistance models

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. Surgery has been the major treatment method for HCC owing to HCC's poor sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, its effectiveness is limited by postoperative tumour recurrence and metastasis. Systemic therapy is applied to eliminate postoperative residual tumour cells and improve the survival of patients with advanced HCC. Recently, the emergence of various novel targeted and immunotherapeutic drugs has significantly improved the prognosis of advanced HCC. However, targeted and immunological therapies may not always produce complete and long-lasting anti-tumour responses because of tumour heterogeneity and drug resistance. Traditional and patient-derived cell lines or animal models are used to investigate the drug resistance mechanisms of HCC and identify drugs that could reverse the resistance. This study comprehensively reviewed the established methods and applications of in-vivo and in-vitro HCC drug resistance models to further understand the resistance mechanisms in HCC treatment and provide a model basis for possible individualised therapy.

Intricate effects of post-translational modifications in liver cancer: mechanisms to clinical applications

Liver cancer is a significant global health challenge, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most prevalent form, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Despite advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, the prognosis for advanced liver cancer remains poor. This underscores the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC to enable early detection and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial regulatory mechanisms in cellular biology, affecting protein functionality, interactions, and localization. These modifications, including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and glycosylation, occur after protein synthesis and play vital roles in various cellular processes. Recent advances in proteomics and molecular biology have highlighted the complex networks of PTMs, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Dysregulation of PTMs has been associated with several malignant cellular processes in HCC, such as altered cell proliferation, migration, immune evasion, and metabolic reprogramming, contributing to tumor growth and metastasis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathological mechanisms and clinical implications of various PTMs in liver cancer. By exploring the multifaceted interactions of PTMs and their impact on liver cancer progression, we highlight the potential of PTMs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The significance of this review lies in its potential to inform the development of novel therapeutic approaches and improve prognostic tools for early intervention in the fight against liver cancer.

Capecitabine Regulates HSP90AB1 Expression and Induces Apoptosis via Akt/SMARCC1/AP-1/ROS Axis in T Cells

Transplant oncology is a newly emerging discipline integrating oncology, transplant medicine, and surgery and has brought malignancy treatment into a new era via transplantation. In this context, obtaining a drug with both immunosuppressive and antitumor effects can take into account the dual needs of preventing both transplant rejection and tumor recurrence in liver transplantation patients with malignancies. Capecitabine (CAP), a classic antitumor drug, has been shown to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in tumor cells. Meanwhile, we have demonstrated that CAP can induce ROS production and apoptosis in T cells to exert immunosuppressive effects, but its underlying molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, metronomic doses of CAP were administered to normal mice by gavage, and the spleen was selected for quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analysis. The results showed that CAP significantly reduced the expression of HSP90AB1 and SMARCC1 in the spleen. It was subsequently confirmed that CAP also significantly reduced the expression of HSP90AB1 and SMARCC1 and increased ROS and apoptosis levels in T cells. The results of in vitro experiments showed that HSP90AB1 knockdown resulted in a significant decrease in p-Akt, SMARCC1, p-c-Fos, and p-c-Jun expression levels and a significant increase in ROS and apoptosis levels. HSP90AB1 overexpression significantly inhibited CAP-induced T cell apoptosis by increasing the p-Akt, SMARCC1, p-c-Fos, and p-c-Jun expression levels and reducing the ROS level. In conclusion, HSP90AB1 is a key target of CAP-induced T cell apoptosis via Akt/SMARCC1/AP-1/ROS axis, which provides a novel understanding of CAP-induced T cell apoptosis and lays the experimental foundation for further exploring CAP as an immunosuppressant with antitumor effects to optimize the medication regimen for transplantation patients.