The role of miR-21/RECK in the inhibition of osteosarcoma by curcumin

The Multifaceted Role of miR-21 in Pancreatic Cancers

With the lack of specific signs and symptoms, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is often diagnosed at late metastatic stages, resulting in poor survival outcomes. Among various biomarkers, microRNA-21 (miR-21), a small non-coding RNA, is highly expressed in PDAC. By inhibiting regulatory proteins at the 3' untranslated regions (UTR), miR-21 holds significant roles in PDAC cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, as well as cancer invasion, metastasis, and resistance therapy. We conducted a systematic search across major databases for articles on miR-21 and pancreatic cancer mainly published within the last decade, focusing on their diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic, and biological roles. This rigorous approach ensured a comprehensive review of miR-21's multifaceted role in pancreatic cancers. In this review, we explore the current understandings and future directions regarding the regulation, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of targeting miR-21 in PDAC. This exhaustive review discusses the involvement of miR-21 in proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis modulation, angiogenesis, and its role in therapy resistance. Also discussed in the review is the interplay between various molecular pathways that contribute to tumor progression, with specific reference to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Curcuma Longa: Nutraceutical Use and Association With Nanotechnology

Curcumin is a natural product found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa (L.) and other Curcuma spp. As a lipophilic molecule, it has greater affinity for polar, non-polar, alkaline, or extremely acidic organic solvents. Several studies indicate that curcumin has several benefits for human health, for example, against degenerative diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. To obtain a quality product with nutraceutical properties, it is necessary to know its physicochemical characteristics and preserve it from cultivation until ingestion by the human. However, its low solubility leads to low absorption; in this context, nanotechnological systems can contribute to increase curcumin bioavailability. This review aims to highlight important issues in all stages that curcumin goes through: from aspects related to its extraction to its association with nanotechnology. Although curcumin extraction process is already well established, it is possible to observe more and more research focused on increasing yield and being more environmentally friendly. Further, curcumin's low absorption is notable due to its physicochemical characteristics, mainly due to its low aqueous solubility. However, its association with nanotechnology shows to be promising and an increasingly growing trend because the use of this "Indian solid gold" is the hope of many patients.

Advancements in Photothermal Therapy Using Near-Infrared Light for Bone Tumors

Bone tumors, particularly osteosarcoma, are prevalent among children and adolescents. This ailment has emerged as the second most frequent cause of cancer-related mortality in adolescents. Conventional treatment methods comprise extensive surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Consequently, the management of bone tumors and bone regeneration poses significant clinical challenges. Photothermal tumor therapy has attracted considerable attention owing to its minimal invasiveness and high selectivity. However, key challenges have limited its widespread clinical use. Enhancing the tumor specificity of photosensitizers through targeting or localized activation holds potential for better outcomes with fewer adverse effects. Combinations with chemotherapies or immunotherapies also present avenues for improvement. In this review, we provide an overview of the most recent strategies aimed at overcoming the limitations of photothermal therapy (PTT), along with current research directions in the context of bone tumors, including (1) target strategies, (2) photothermal therapy combined with multiple therapies (immunotherapies, chemotherapies, and chemodynamic therapies, magnetic, and photodynamic therapies), and (3) bifunctional scaffolds for photothermal therapy and bone regeneration. We delve into the pros and cons of these combination methods and explore current research focal points. Lastly, we address the challenges and prospects of photothermal combination therapy.

MiR-21 Regulates Growth and Migration of Cervical Cancer Cells by RECK Signaling Pathway

Expression of miR-21 has been found to be altered in almost all types of cancers, and it has been classified as an oncogenic microRNA. In addition, the expression of tumor suppressor gene RECK is associated with miR-21 overexpression in high-grade cervical lesions. In the present study, we analyze the role of miR-21 in RECK gene regulation in cervical cancer cells. To identify the downstream cellular target genes of upstream miR-21, we silenced endogenous miR-21 expression using siRNAs. We analyzed the expression of miR-21 and RECK, as well as functional effects on cell proliferation and migration. We found that in cervical cancer cells, there was an inverse correlation between miR-21 expression and RECK mRNA and protein expression. SiRNAs to miR-21 increased luciferase reporter activity in construct plasmids containing the RECK-3'-UTR microRNA response elements MRE21-1, MRE21-2, and MRE21-3. The role of miR-21 in cell proliferation was also analyzed, and cancer cells transfected with siRNAs exhibited a markedly reduced cell proliferation and migration. Our findings indicate that miR-21 post-transcriptionally down-regulates the expression of RECK to promote cell proliferation and cell migration inhibition in cervical cancer cell survival. Therefore, miR-21 and RECK may be potential therapeutic targets in gene therapy for cervical cancer.

Enhancing RECK Expression Through miR-21 Inhibition: A Promising Strategy for Bladder Carcinoma Control

Bladder carcinoma (BC) is the tenth most frequent malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite recent treatment advances, high-grade BC and muscle-invasive BC present with significant progression and recurrence rates, urging the need for alternative treatments. The microRNA-21 (miR-21) has superexpression in many malignancies and is associated with cellular invasion and progression. One of its mechanisms of action is the regulation of RECK, a tumor suppressor gene responsible for inhibiting metalloproteinases, including MMP9. In a high-grade urothelial cancer cell line, we aimed to assess if miR-21 downregulation would promote RECK expression and decrease MMP9 expression. We also evaluated cellular migration and proliferation potential by inhibition of this pathway. In a T24 cell line, we inhibited miR-21 expression by transfection of a specific microRNA inhibitor (anti-miR-21). There were also control and scramble groups, the last with a negative microRNA transfected. After the procedure, we performed a genetic expression analysis of miR-21, RECK, and MMP9 through qPCR. Migration, proliferation, and protein expression were evaluated via wound healing assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence.After anti-miR-21 transfection, miR-21 expression decreased with RECK upregulation and MMP9 downregulation. The immunofluorescence assay showed a significant increase in RECK protein expression (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in MMP9 protein expression (p = 0.0101). The anti-miR-21 transfection significantly reduced cellular migration in the wound healing assay (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, in the colony formation assay, the anti-miR-21 group demonstrated reduced cellular proliferation (p = 0.0008), also revealed in the cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry (p = 0.0038). Our results corroborate the hypothesis that miR-21 is associated with BC cellular migration and proliferation, revealing its potential as a new effective treatment for this pathology.

Plant molecules reinforce bone repair: Novel insights into phenol-modified bone tissue engineering scaffolds for the treatment of bone defects

Bone defects have become a major cause of disability and death. To overcome the limitations of natural bone implants, including donor shortages and immune rejection risks, bone tissue engineering (BTE) scaffolds have emerged as a promising therapy for bone defects. Despite possessing good biocompatibility, these metal, ceramic and polymer-based scaffolds are still challenged by the harsh conditions in bone defect sites. ROS accumulation, bacterial infection, excessive inflammation, compromised blood supply deficiency and tumor recurrence negatively impact bone tissue cells (BTCs) and hinder the osteointegration of BTE scaffolds. Phenolic compounds, derived from plants and fruits, have gained growing application in treating inflammatory, infectious and aging-related diseases due to their antioxidant ability conferred by phenolic hydroxyl groups. The prevalent interactions between phenols and functional groups also facilitate their utilization in fabricating scaffolds. Consequently, phenols are increasingly incorporated into BTE scaffolds to boost therapeutic efficacy in bone defect. This review demonstrated the effects of phenols on BTCs and bone defect microenvironment, summarized the intrinsic mechanisms, presented the advances in phenol-modified BTE scaffolds and analyzed their potential risks in practical applications. Overall, phenol-modified BTE scaffolds hold great potential for repairing bone defects, offering novel patterns for BTE scaffold construction and advancing traumatological medicine.

Association of microRNA-21 expression with breast cancer subtypes and its potential as an early biomarker

Breast cancer has become the most diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2020 with high morbidity and mortality rates. The alarming increase in breast cancer incidence has sprung many researchers to focus on developing novel screening tests to identify early breast cancer which will allow clinicians to provide timely and effective treatments. With much evidence supporting the notion that the deregulation of miRNAs (a class of non-coding RNA) greatly contributes to cancer initiation and progression, the promising role of miRNAs as cancer biomarkers is gaining traction in the research world. Among the upregulated miRNAs identified in breast carcinogenesis, miR-21 was shown to be significantly expressed in breast cancer tissues and bodily fluids of breast cancer patients. Therein, this review paper aims to provide an overview of breast cancer, the role and significance of miR-21 in breast cancer pathogenesis, and its potential as a breast cancer biomarker. The paper also discusses the current types of tumor biomarkers and their limitations, the presence of miR-21 in extracellular vesicles and plasma, screening methods available for miRNA detection along with some challenges faced in developing diagnostic miR-21 testing for breast cancer to provide readers with a comprehensive outlook based on using miR-21 in clinical settings.

miR-584-5p Inhibits Osteosarcoma Progression by Targeting Connective Tissue Growth Factor

Background: miR-584-5p is a critical regulator in the progression of multiple cancers. However, its specific role and downstream targets in osteosarcoma are unclear. This research investigated the roles and underlying mechanisms of miR-769-5p and the Hippo pathway in osteosarcoma cells. Materials and Methods: RT-qPCR, CCK-8 and EdU and colony formation, wound-healing and transwell chamber, flow cytometry, and Western blot assay detected the expression of miR-584-5p and CTGF, cell proliferation, migration, invasion apoptosis and protein expression. Result: Their study illuminated that miR-584-5p overexpression repressed osteosarcoma cell migration/invasion and proliferation and facilitated apoptosis. Mechanistically, miR-584-5p targets negatively regulated connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). miR-584-5p inhibited osteosarcoma cell metastasis by regulating CTGF. In addition, miR-584-5p inactivated the Hippo pathway through CTGF in osteosarcoma. Conclusion: miR-584-5p inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promotes apoptosis by targeting CTGF, indicating that miR-584-5p acts as a promising diagnostic and predictive biomarker for osteosarcoma.

Curcumin-loaded alginate hydrogels for cancer therapy and wound healing applications: A review

Hydrogels have emerged as a versatile platform for a numerous biomedical application due to their ability to absorb a huge quantity of biofluids. In order to design hydrogels, natural polymers are an attractive option owing to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Due to abundance in occurrence, cost effectiveness, and facile crosslinking approaches, alginate has been extensively investigated to fabricate hydrogel matrix. Management of cancer and chronic wounds have always been a challenge for pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. In both cases, curcumin have been shown significant improvement and effectiveness. However, the innate restraints like poor bioavailability, hydrophobicity, and rapid systemic clearance associated with curcumin have restricted its clinical translations. The current review explores the cascade of research around curcumin encapsulated alginate hydrogel matrix for wound healing and cancer therapy. The focus of the review is to emphasize the mechanistic effects of curcumin with its fate inside the cells. Further, the review discusses different approaches to designed curcumin loaded alginate hydrogels along with the parameters that regulates their release behavior. Finally, the review is concluded with emphasize on some key aspect on increasing the efficacy of these hydrogels along with novel strategies to further develop curcumin loaded alginate hydrogel matrix with multifacet applications.

Curcumin in human osteosarcoma: From analogs to carriers

Osteosarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma), the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor in adolescents, confers low survival rates in patients with metastatic disease. Dietary curcumin has a number of anticancer properties but has poor bioavailability. To improve the clinical applications of curcumin, several potential curcumin analogs and nanobased curcumin delivery systems have been developed. In this critical review, we address the biological and pharmacological characteristics of curcumin and its analogs, with an emphasis on strategies to improve the bioactivity and bioavailability of curcumin analogs that may increase their application in the treatment of potent human metastatic osteosarcoma. We highlight promising current multifunctional nanoformulations and three-dimensional printed scaffold systems utilized for the targeting and delivery of curcumin in human osteosarcoma cells. Our purpose is to drive further research on curcumin analogs and carriers to improve their bioavailability and anti-osteosarcoma bioactivity.

Targeting Signaling Pathway by Curcumin in Osteosarcoma

The most prevalent primary bone malignancy among children and adolescents is osteosarcoma. The high mortality rate of osteosarcoma is due to lung metastasis. Despite the development of multi-agent chemotherapy and surgical resection, patients with osteosarcoma have a high metastasis rate and poor prognosis. Thus, it is necessary to identify novel therapeutic agents to improve the 5-year survival rate of these patients. Curcumin, a phytochemical compound derived from Curcuma longa, has been employed in treating several types of cancers through various mechanisms. Also, in vitro studies have demonstrated that curcumin could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Development in identifying signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma has provided insight into finding new therapeutic targets for the treatment of this cancer. Targeting MAPK/ERK, PI3k/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and MircoRNA by curcumin has been evaluated to improve outcomes in patients with osteosarcoma. Although curcumin is a potent anti-cancer compound, it has rarely been studied in clinical settings due to its congenital properties such as hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability. In this review, we recapitulate and describe the effect of curcumin in regulating signaling pathways involved in osteosarcoma.

Using ncRNAs as Tools in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment-The Way towards Personalized Medicine to Improve Patients' Health

Although the first discovery of a non-coding RNA (ncRNA) dates back to 1958, only in recent years has the complexity of the transcriptome started to be elucidated. However, its components are still under investigation and their identification is one of the challenges that scientists are presently facing. In addition, their function is still far from being fully understood. The non-coding portion of the genome is indeed the largest, both quantitatively and qualitatively. A large fraction of these ncRNAs have a regulatory role either in coding mRNAs or in other ncRNAs, creating an intracellular network of crossed interactions (competing endogenous RNA networks, or ceRNET) that fine-tune the gene expression in both health and disease. The alteration of the equilibrium among such interactions can be enough to cause a transition from health to disease, but the opposite is equally true, leading to the possibility of intervening based on these mechanisms to cure human conditions. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on these mechanisms, illustrating how they can be used for disease treatment, the current challenges and pitfalls, and the roles of environmental and lifestyle-related contributing factors, in addition to the ethical, legal, and social issues arising from their (improper) use.

Curcuminoids as Modulators of EMT in Invasive Cancers: A Review of Molecular Targets With the Contribution of Malignant Mesothelioma Studies

Curcuminoids, which include natural acyclic diarylheptanoids and the synthetic analogs of curcumin, have considerable potential for fighting against all the characteristics of invasive cancers. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process for embryonic morphogenesis, however, the last decade has confirmed it orchestrates many features of cancer invasiveness, such as tumor cell stemness, metabolic rewiring, and drug resistance. A wealth of studies has revealed EMT in cancer is in fact driven by an increasing number of parameters, and thus understanding its complexity has now become a cornerstone for defining future therapeutic strategies dealing with cancer progression and metastasis. A specificity of curcuminoids is their ability to target multiple molecular targets, modulate several signaling pathways, modify tumor microenvironments and enhance the host’s immune response. Although the effects of curcumin on these various parameters have been the subject of many reviews, the role of curcuminoids against EMT in the context of cancer have never been reviewed so far. This review first provides an updated overview of all EMT drivers, including signaling pathways, transcription factors, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and tumor microenvironment components, with a special focus on the most recent findings. Secondly, for each of these drivers the effects of curcumin/curcuminoids on specific molecular targets are analyzed. Finally, we address some common findings observed between data reported in the literature and the results of investigations we conducted on experimental malignant mesothelioma, a model of invasive cancer representing a useful tool for studies on EMT and cancer.

Designing strategies of small-molecule compounds for modulating non-coding RNAs in cancer therapy

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been defined as a class of RNA molecules transcribed from the genome but not encoding proteins, such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, Circular RNAs, and Piwi-interacting RNAs. Accumulating evidence has recently been revealing that ncRNAs become potential druggable targets for regulation of several small-molecule compounds, based on their complex spatial structures and biological functions in cancer therapy. Thus, in this review, we focus on summarizing some new emerging designing strategies, such as high-throughput screening approach, small-molecule microarray approach, structure-based designing approach, phenotypic screening approach, fragment-based designing approach, and pharmacological validation approach. Based on the above-mentioned approaches, a series of representative small-molecule compounds, including Bisphenol-A, Mitoxantrone and Enoxacin have been demonstrated to modulate or selectively target ncRNAs in different types of human cancers. Collectively, these inspiring findings would provide a clue on developing more novel avenues for pharmacological modulations of ncRNAs with small-molecule drugs for future cancer therapeutics.

Potential of natural products in osteosarcoma treatment: Focus on molecular mechanisms

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent type of bone cancer found in children and adolescents, and commonly arises in the metaphyseal region of tubular long bones. Standard therapeutic approaches, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, are used in the management of osteosarcoma. In recent years, the mortality rate of osteosarcoma has decreased due to advances in treatment methods. Today, the scientific community is investigating the use of different naturally derived active principles against various types of cancer. Natural bioactive compounds can function against cancer cells in two ways. Firstly they can act as classical cytotoxic compounds by non-specifically affecting macromolecules, such as DNA, enzymes, and microtubules, which are also expressed in normal proliferating cells, but to a greater extent by cancer cells. Secondly, they can act against oncogenic signal transduction pathways, many of which are activated in cancer cells. Some bioactive plant-derived agents are gaining increasing attention because of their anti-cancer properties. Moreover, some naturally-derived compounds can significantly promote the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy drugs, and in certain cases are able to ameliorate drug-induced adverse effects caused by chemotherapy. In the present review we summarize the effects of various naturally-occurring bioactive compounds against osteosarcoma.

The Multifaceted Therapeutic Mechanisms of Curcumin in Osteosarcoma: State-of-the-Art

Osteosarcoma is a major form of malignant bone tumor that typically occurs in young adults and children. The combination of aggressive surgical strategies and chemotherapy has led to improvements in survival time, although individuals with recurrent or metastatic conditions still have an extremely poor prognosis. This disappointing situation strongly indicates that testing novel, targeted therapeutic agents is imperative to prevent the progression of osteosarcoma and enhance patient survival time. Curcumin, a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in Curcuma longa, has been shown to have a wide variety of anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in many types of cancers including osteosarcoma. Curcumin is a highly pleiotropic molecule that can modulate intracellular signaling pathways to regulate cell proliferation, inflammation, and apoptosis. These signaling pathways include RANK/RANKL, Notch, Wnt/β-catenin, apoptosis, autophagy, JAK/STAT, and HIF-1 pathways. Additionally, curcumin can regulate the expression of various types of microRNAs that are involved in osteosarcoma. Therefore, curcumin may be a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of osteosarcoma. This comprehensive review not only covers the use of curcumin in the treatment of osteosarcoma and its anti-cancer molecular mechanisms but also reveals the novel delivery strategies and combination therapies with the aim to improve the therapeutic effect of curcumin.

Current insights into epigenetics, noncoding RNA interactome and clinical pharmacokinetics of dietary polyphenols in cancer chemoprevention

Several studies have reported the health-beneficial effects of dietary phytochemicals, namely polyphenols, to prevent various diseases, including cancer. Polyphenols, like (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea, curcumin from turmeric, and ellagic acid from pomegranate are known to act by modulating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic signal transduction pathways in the tumor milieu. The evolving literature underscores the role of epigenetic regulation of genes associated with cancer by these polyphenols, primarily via non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). However, there is little clarity on the exact role(s) played by these ncRNAs and their interactions with other ncRNAs, or with their protein targets, in response to modulation by these dietary polyphenols. Here, we review ncRNA interactions and functional networks of the complex ncRNA interactome with their targets in preclinical studies along with the role of epigenetics as well as key aspects of pharmacokinetics and phytochemistry of dietary polyphenols. We also summarize the current state of clinical trials with these dietary polyphenols. Taken together, this synthetic review provides insights into the molecular aspects underlying the anticancer chemopreventive effects of dietary polyphenols as well as summarizes data on novel biomarkers modulated by these polyphenols for preventive or therapeutic purposes in various types of cancer.

Targeting microRNAs by curcumin: implication for cancer therapy

In spite of all the investigations in the past 20 years that established a great body of knowledge in cancer therapy, utilizing some elderly methods such as plant compound administration might still be useful. Curcumin is a bioactive polyphenol, which has many anticancer properties but its capability in modulating miRNA expression has opened new doors in the field of cancer-targeted therapy. MiRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNAs that are able to regulate gene expression and signaling. In addition, some other effects of these RNAs such as modulating cell differentiation and regulation of cell cycle have made miRNAs great candidates for personalized cancer treatment. In this review, we try to find some answers to the questions on how curcumin exerts its impacts on cancer hallmarks through miRNAs and whether chemotherapy can be replaced by this beneficial plant compound.

Curcumin Regulates Cancer Progression: Focus on ncRNAs and Molecular Signaling Pathways

Curcumin [(1E,6E) ‑1,7‑bis(4‑hydroxy‑3‑methoxyphenyl) hepta‑1,6‑diene‑3,5‑ dione] is a natural polyphenol derived from the rhizome of the turmeric plant Curcuma longa. Accumulated evidences have presented curcumin’s function in terms of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, and especially anti-tumor activities. Studies demonstrated that curcumin could exert anti-tumor activity via multiple biological signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, p53, NF-ĸB and apoptosis related signaling pathways. Moreover, Curcumin can inhibit tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and metastasis by regulating tumor related non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression. In this review, we summarized the roles of curcumin in regulating signaling pathways and ncRNAs in different kinds of cancers. We also discussed the regulatory effect of curcumin through inhibiting carcinogenic miRNA and up regulating tumor suppressive miRNA. Furthermore, we aim to illustrate the cross regulatory relationship between ncRNA and signaling pathways, further to get a better understanding of the anti-tumor mechanism of curcumin, thus lay a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of curcumin in the future.

Circulating miR-21 as a potential biomarker in human digestive system carcinoma: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis

Purpose: Gastrointestinal cancers (GICs) account for about a quarter of cancers. Lately, the circulating microRNAs as a non-invasive biomarker for identifying and monitoring diseases have been recognized. Several studies have examined the role of miR-21 in digestive system carcinoma. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic role of miR-21 in GICs.Methods: Seventeen studies involving 1700 individuals were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR, AUC, SROC, and Q* index were calculated based on true-positive, true-negative, false-negative, and false-positive. Moreover, the subgroup analyses have been performed for miR-21 based on sample types (serum/plasma), normalized genes (U6, miR-16, and miR-39), and ethnicity.Results: The pooled sensitivity 0.722 (95% CI: 0.70-0.74), specificity 0.820 (95% CI: 0.801-0.838), PLR 4.375 (95% CI: 3.226-5.933), NLR 0.308 (95% CI: 0.239-0.398), DOR 16.06 (95% CI: 9.732-26.53) as well as AUC 0.86, and Q* index 0.79 represented the high-grade diagnostic precision of miR-21 in identifying GICs (ESCC, GC, CRC, HCC, and PC).Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrated that circulating miR-21 levels can be used to monitor the digestive system carcinomas. Therefore, miR-21 can be a useful biomarker of progression and fair diagnosis in GICs patients.

Downregulation of microRNA-605 indicates poor prognosis and promotes the progression of osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a type of primary bone tumor, which is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. MicroRNA (miR)-605 has been demonstrated to act as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in various cancers, such as breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, but its function in OS remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of miR-605 in patients with OS by evaluating its expression levels and to explore the biological function of miR-605 in OS progression. For this purpose, tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from OS patients, and the expression of miR-605 in the collected tissues and OS MG63, U2OS, HOS, and SAOS-2 cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The prognostic value of miR-605 was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression analysis. The effects of miR-605 on OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion were analyzed by the CCK-8 and transwell assays, respectively. The results of the present study revealed that miR-605 was significantly downregulated in OS tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, which was associated with the clinical stage and distant metastasis of patients. Additionally, the downregulation of miR-605 predicted the poor prognosis of patients with OS and served as an independent prognostic indicator. The downregulation of miR-605 enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS cells, which suggested that miR-605 may be involved in the progression of OS. The findings of the present study provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with OS.

Participation of MicroRNAs in the Treatment of Cancer with Phytochemicals

Cancer is a global health concern and one of the main causes of disease-related death. Even with considerable progress in investigations on cancer therapy, effective anti-cancer agents and regimens have thus far been insufficient. There has been compelling evidence that natural phytochemicals and their derivatives have potent anti-cancer activities. Plant-based anti-cancer agents, such as etoposide, irinotecan, paclitaxel, and vincristine, are currently being applied in medical treatments for patients with cancer. Further, the efficacy of plenty of phytochemicals has been evaluated to discover a promising candidate for cancer therapy. For developing more effective cancer therapy, it is required to apprehend the molecular mechanism deployed by natural compounds. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been realized to play a pivotal role in regulating cellular signaling pathways, affecting the efficacy of therapeutic agents in cancer. This review presents a feature of phytochemicals with anti-cancer activity, focusing mainly on the relationship between phytochemicals and miRNAs, with insights into the role of miRNAs as the mediators and the regulators of anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals.

A multiple drug loaded, functionalized pH-sensitive nanocarrier as therapeutic and epigenetic modulator for osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a malignant condition affecting adolescents and children more than adults. Nanobiomedicine has opened up several avenues which have increased therapeutic efficiencies than the conventional treatment for the same. In the current study, a novel organic nanoparticle was devised conjugated with bisphosphonate zoledronic acid which has an affinity for bone tissues. Moreover, the nanoparticle was loaded with multiple anti-cancer drugs like gemcitabine and epirubicin. The nanoparticles were characterized by microscopic analysis, entrapment and loading efficiencies, bone affinity studies, in-vitro release studies, cytotoxicity studies and finally in-vivo tumor regression studies. Bone affinity studies depicted a high affinity of zoledronic acid towards bone powder. The nanoparticle exhibited a nanosize dimension, high entrapment and loading efficiencies with uniform symmetry devoid of agglomeration. The in-vitro release experiments showed a measured release of drugs over a longer time without any hint of burst release. However, the release was comparatively for a longer duration in acidic pH and normal physiological pH which may be excellent for therapeutic efficiency. The cytotoxicity studies revealed enhanced cytotoxic effect for MG-63 cell lines in comparison of free drug or single drug combinations. Nonetheless, they proved to be cytocompatible with primary bone cells. Additionally, cellular uptake of nanoparticle was appreciably improved. Significant tumor (250%) regression was seen upon treatment with multiple drug loaded zoledronic acid conjugated nanoparticle, along with epigenetic changes affecting microRNA expressions. The increased cytotoxicity and increased cellular uptake may be of greater advantage in systemic osteosarcoma therapy. Combining all results, our study demonstrated substantial potential towards management of osteosarcoma.

Curcumin, a Multifaceted Hormetic Agent, Mediates an Intricate Crosstalk between Mitochondrial Turnover, Autophagy, and Apoptosis

Curcumin has extensive therapeutic potential because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. Multiple preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo have proven curcumin to be effective against various cancers. These potent effects are driven by curcumin's ability to induce G2/M cell cycle arrest, induce autophagy, activate apoptosis, disrupt molecular signaling, inhibit invasion and metastasis, and increase the efficacy of current chemotherapeutics. Here, we focus on the hormetic behavior of curcumin. Frequently, low doses of natural chemical products activate an adaptive stress response, whereas high doses activate acute responses like autophagy and cell death. This phenomenon is often referred to as hormesis. Curcumin causes cell death and primarily initiates an autophagic step (mitophagy). At higher doses, cells undergo mitochondrial destabilization due to calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum, and die. Herein, we address the complex crosstalk that involves mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial destabilization accompanied by mitophagy, and cell death.