A minimalist and robust chemo-photothermal nanoplatform capable of augmenting autophagy-modulated immune response against breast cancer

The antioxidant and anticancer activity of Quercus coccifera plant leaves extracts

Quercus species are one of the medicinal plants that commonly used in the treatment of different diseases. Quercus coccifera (Q. coccifera) is part of the Quercus species which grow in Jordan and used in traditional folklore medicine. The aim of this study is to confirm the ability of (Q. coccifera) leaves extracts to exert anticancer activity. In this study, an extraction method of the dried-leaves using different polarity solvents was used. Extracts were pre-evaluated for antioxidant and anticancer activities while active extracts were used to measure half maximal effective concentration (EC50) against 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) against cancer cells. Methanol, boiled and microwaved water extracts had greater than 80 % antioxidant activity, and the strongest activity, of more than 99 %, was boiled water extract. Similarly, the pre-evaluation treatments of cancer cell lines indicated a strong biological activity of more than 70 % from the previously mentioned extracts, and the highest activity, of greater than 90 %, was from boiled water extracts against all cancer cell lines. The highest EC50 against DPPH was obtained by using 0.009 mg/ml boiled water extracts, which was lower than positive control quercetin. In the same manner, lung, breast, and prostate cancer cell lines were highly affected by boiled water extracts with IC50 of 14.1, 7.2, and 25.1 µg/ml, respectively, and a selectivity index (SI) of greater than 4.71. Q. coccifera leaves extracts show promising ability to be a source of a new anticancer therapeutics.

Does each Component of Reactive Oxygen Species have a Dual Role in the Tumor Microenvironment?

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a class of highly reactive oxidizing molecules, including superoxide anion (O2 •-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), among others. Moderate levels of ROS play a crucial role in regulating cellular signaling and maintaining cellular functions. However, abnormal ROS levels or persistent oxidative stress can lead to changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that favor cancer development. This review provides an overview of ROS generation, structure, and properties, as well as their effects on various components of the TME. Contrary to previous studies, our findings reveal a dual effect of ROS on different components of the TME, whereby ROS can either enhance or inhibit certain factors, ultimately leading to the promotion or suppression of the TME. For example, H2O2 has dual effects on immune cells and non-- cellular components within the TME, while O2 •- has dual effects on T cells and fibroblasts. Furthermore, each component demonstrates distinct mechanisms of action and ranges of influence. In the final section of the article, we summarize the current clinical applications of ROS in cancer treatment and identify certain limitations associated with existing therapeutic approaches. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ROS, highlighting their dual effects on different components of the TME, and exploring the potential clinical applications that may pave the way for future treatment and prevention strategies.

Oncofetal reprogramming in tumor development and progression: novel insights into cancer therapy

Emerging evidence indicates that cancer cells can mimic characteristics of embryonic development, promoting their development and progression. Cancer cells share features with embryonic development, characterized by robust proliferation and differentiation regulated by signaling pathways such as Wnt, Notch, hedgehog, and Hippo signaling. In certain phase, these cells also mimic embryonic diapause and fertilized egg implantation to evade treatments or immune elimination and promote metastasis. Additionally, the upregulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), and breast cancer-resistant protein (BCRP), in drug-resistant cancer cells, analogous to their role in placental development, may facilitate chemotherapy efflux, further resulting in treatment resistance. In this review, we concentrate on the underlying mechanisms that contribute to tumor development and progression from the perspective of embryonic development, encompassing the dysregulation of developmental signaling pathways, the emergence of dormant cancer cells, immune microenvironment remodeling, and the hyperactivation of ABC transporters. Furthermore, we synthesize and emphasize the connections between cancer hallmarks and embryonic development, offering novel insights for the development of innovative cancer treatment strategies.

Carrier-free delivery of thymopentin-regulated injectable nanogels via an enhanced cancer immunity cycle against melanoma metastasis

Thymopentin (TP5), a clinically used immunomodulatory pentapeptide, can efficiently promote thymocyte differentiation and influence mature T-cell function, thus playing an essential role in the cancer immunotherapy. However, the excellent water solubility and high IC50 of TP5 result in an uncontrolled release behavior, requiring a high loading efficiency to achieve high dosage. Here in, we reported that TP5, combined with specific chemotherapeutic agents, can co-assemble into nanogels due to multiple hydrogen bonding sites. The co-assembly of TP5 with chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX) into a carrier-free and injectable chemo-immunotherapy nanogel can enhance the cancer immunity cycle against melanoma metastasis. In this study, the designed nanogel guarantees high drug loading of TP5 and DOX and ensures a site-specific and controlled release of TP5 and DOX with minimal side effects, thus addressing the bottlenecks encountered by current chemo-immunotherapy. Moreover, the released DOX can effectively induce tumor cell apoptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD) to activate immune initiation. Meanwhile, TP5 can significantly promote the proliferation and differentiation of dendritic cells (DCs) and T lymphocytes to amplify the cancer immunity cycle. As a result, this nanogel shows excellent immunotherapeutic efficacy against melanoma metastasis, as well as an effective strategy for TP5 and DOX application.

Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Expanding the Therapeutic Approaches by Plant-Derived Natural Products

Mitochondria are the primary source of energy production in neurons, supporting the high energy consumption of the nervous system. Inefficient and dysfunctional mitochondria in the central nervous system have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, targeting mitochondria offers a new therapeutic opportunity for neurodegenerative diseases. Many recent studies have proposed that plant-derived natural products, as pleiotropic, safe, and readily obtainable sources of new drugs, potentially treat neurodegenerative diseases by targeting mitochondria. In this review, we summarize recent advances in targeting mitochondria in neurotherapeutics by employing plant-derived natural products. We discuss the mechanism of plant-derived natural products according to their mechanism of action on mitochondria in terms of regulating biogenesis, fusion, fission, bioenergetics, oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, membrane potential, and mitochondrial DNA stability, as well as repairing damaged mitochondria. In addition, we discuss the potential perspectives and challenges in developing plant-derived natural products to target mitochondria, highlighting the clinical value of phytochemicals as feasible candidates for future neurotherapeutics.

Site-specific nanomodulator capable of modulation apoptosis for enhanced colorectal cancer chemo-photothermal therapy

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy with the second highest mortality and the third highest morbidity worldwide. However, the overall survival of patients is unsatisfactory, thus requiring more effective clinical strategies. Celastrol (CLT), a natural bioactive compound, has been reported to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis to exhibit significant antitumor effects against CRC. However, the poor water solubility, low targeting ability, and bioavailability of CLT have limited its application, and CLT-induced protective autophagy weakens its therapeutic efficiency.

RESULTS

We designed a targeted chemo-phototherapy nanoplatform (HCR NPs) to improve the application of CLT. The codelivery of IR820 and CLT in HCR NPs solved the water-soluble problem of CLT and enhanced apoptosis via IR820-mediated hyperthermia. In addition, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) conjugated to hyaluronic acid (HA) not only increased the active targeting of HCR NPs but also inhibited CLT-induced protective autophagy to exacerbate apoptosis, thus achieving an amplified antitumor effect. Importantly, the HCR NPs exhibited an excellent therapeutic effect on CRC both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

The HCR NPs presented in this study may not merely provide a new reference for the clinical application of CLT but also result in an attractive strategy for CRC treatment.

Carrier-Free Nanoplatform via Evoking Pyroptosis and Immune Response against Breast Cancer

Pyroptosis, as a novel mode of cell death, has been proven to have impressive antitumor effects. Dying cells undergoing pyroptosis can elicit antitumor immunity by the release of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Accordingly, developing an effective, stable, and controllable nanoplatform that can promote these two side effects is a promising option for cancer therapy. In this study, we designed a carrier-free chemo-photodynamic nanoplatform (A-C/NPs) using a co-assembly strategy with cytarabine (Ara-C) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) to induce pyroptosis and a subsequent immune response against breast cancer. Mechanistically, A-C/NPs can trigger GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in a controllable manner through reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, causing immunogenic cell death (ICD), in which dying cells release high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and calcitonin (CRT). Additionally, Ara-C can stimulate the maturation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to act synergistically with Ce6-mediated immunogenic cell death (ICD), collectively augmenting the anticancer effect of A-C/NPs. The A-C/NPs showed excellent suppressive effects on the growth of orthotopic, abscopal, and recurrent tumors in a breast cancer mouse model. The chemo-photodynamic therapy (PDT) using the proposed nanomedicine strategy could be a novel strategy for triggering pyroptosis and improving the global anticancer immune response.

Modulation of redox homeostasis: A strategy to overcome cancer drug resistance

Cancer treatment is hampered by resistance to conventional therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Redox homeostasis manipulation is one of the most effective innovative treatment techniques for overcoming drug resistance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), previously considered intracellular byproducts of aerobic metabolism, are now known to regulate multiple signaling pathways as second messengers. Cancer cells cope with elevated amounts of ROS during therapy by upregulating the antioxidant system, enabling tumor therapeutic resistance via a variety of mechanisms. In this review, we aim to shed light on redox modification and signaling pathways that may contribute to therapeutic resistance. We summarized the molecular mechanisms by which redox signaling-regulated drug resistance, including altered drug efflux, action targets and metabolism, enhanced DNA damage repair, maintained stemness, and reshaped tumor microenvironment. A comprehensive understanding of these interrelationships should improve treatment efficacy from a fundamental and clinical research point of view.

Nanoengineering a Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Capable of Manipulating Energy Metabolism against Cancer Chemo-Phototherapy Resistance

Chemo-phototherapy has emerged as a promising approach to complement traditional cancer treatment and enhance therapeutic effects. However, it still faces the challenges of drug efflux transporter-mediated chemoresistance and heat shock proteins (HSPs)-mediated phototherapy tolerance, which both depend on an excessive supply of adenosine triphosphate. Therefore, manipulating energy metabolism to impair the expression or function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and HSPs may be a prospective strategy to reverse cancer therapeutic resistance. Herein, a chondroitin sulfate (CS)-functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) chemo-phototherapy nanoplatform (CS/ZIF-8@A780/DOX NPs) is rationally designed that is capable of manipulating energy metabolism against cancer therapeutic resistance by integrating the photosensitizer IR780 iodide (IR780)-conjugated atovaquone (ATO) (A780) and the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (DOX). Mechanistically, ATO and zinc ions that are released in the acidic tumor microenvironment can lead to systematic energy exhaustion through disturbing mitochondrial electron transport and the glycolysis process, thus suppressing the activity of P-gp and HSP70, respectively. In addition, CS is used on the surface of ZIF-8@A780/DOX NPs to improve the targeting capability to tumor tissues. These data provide an efficient strategy for manipulating energy metabolism for cancer treatment, especially for overcoming cancer chemo-phototherapy resistance.

Hyaluronic acid microneedles loaded with curcumin nanodrugs and new indocyanine green inhibits human tongue squamous carcinoma cells in vitro

OBJECTIVE

To prepare the hyaluronic acid microneedle (abbreviated as microneedle) delivery system carrying curcumin nanodrugs (Cur-NDs) and photothermal trigger agent new indocyanine green (IR820), and to investigate its effect on proliferation of human tongue squamous carcinoma cells (Cal-27) in vitro.

METHODS

The microneedle delivery system carrying Cur-NDs and IR820 was prepared. The morphological characteristics of the microneedles were observed, and the mechanical strength test, skin insertion ability test and the photothermal test in vitro were performed. Cal-27 cells were treated with microneedles, Cur-NDs microneedles, IR820 microneedles, or Cur-NDs+IR820 microneedles in vitro, respectively. The IR820 microneedle group and Cur-NDs+IR820 microneedle group were irradiated with 808 nm near infrared light at 1 W/cm 2 for 5 min. The cell viability was tested with cell counting kit-8 method.

RESULTS

The prepared microneedles had homogeneous needle-like morphology, good mechanical strength and skin piercing ability, among which the microneedles equipped with IR820 showed better photothermal performance. The survival rates of Cal-27 cells were 100.00% in blank control group, 99.92% in control microneedles group, 94.08% in Cur-NDs microneedles group, 0.41% in IR820 microneedles group, and 0.04% in Cur-NDs+IR820 microneedles group, respectively (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with single drug treatment, Cur-NDs+IR820 microneedle shows better inhibitory effect on Cal-27 cell proliferation in vitro.

Enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles for cancer treatment using versatile targeted strategies

Poor targeting of therapeutics leading to severe adverse effects on normal tissues is considered one of the obstacles in cancer therapy. To help overcome this, nanoscale drug delivery systems have provided an alternative avenue for improving the therapeutic potential of various agents and bioactive molecules through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Nanosystems with cancer-targeted ligands can achieve effective delivery to the tumor cells utilizing cell surface-specific receptors, the tumor vasculature and antigens with high accuracy and affinity. Additionally, stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms have also been considered as a promising and effective targeting strategy against tumors, as these nanoplatforms maintain their stealth feature under normal conditions, but upon homing in on cancerous lesions or their microenvironment, are responsive and release their cargoes. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the field of active targeting drug delivery systems and a number of stimuli-responsive release studies in the context of emerging nanoplatform development, and also discuss how this knowledge can contribute to further improvements in clinical practice.

Drug repurposing in cancer neuroscience: From the viewpoint of the autophagy-mediated innervated niche

Based on the bidirectional interactions between neurology and cancer science, the burgeoning field “cancer neuroscience” has been proposed. An important node in the communications between nerves and cancer is the innervated niche, which has physical contact with the cancer parenchyma or nerve located in the proximity of the tumor. In the innervated niche, autophagy has recently been reported to be a double-edged sword that plays a significant role in maintaining homeostasis. Therefore, regulating the innervated niche by targeting the autophagy pathway may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Drug repurposing has received considerable attention for its advantages in cost-effectiveness and safety. The utilization of existing drugs that potentially regulate the innervated niche via the autophagy pathway is therefore a promising pharmacological approach for clinical practice and treatment selection in cancer neuroscience. Herein, we present the cancer neuroscience landscape with an emphasis on the crosstalk between the innervated niche and autophagy, while also summarizing the underlying mechanisms of candidate drugs in modulating the autophagy pathway. This review provides a strong rationale for drug repurposing in cancer treatment from the viewpoint of the autophagy-mediated innervated niche.

Mitochondrial adaptation in cancer drug resistance: prevalence, mechanisms, and management

Drug resistance represents a major obstacle in cancer management, and the mechanisms underlying stress adaptation of cancer cells in response to therapy-induced hostile environment are largely unknown. As the central organelle for cellular energy supply, mitochondria can rapidly undergo dynamic changes and integrate cellular signaling pathways to provide bioenergetic and biosynthetic flexibility for cancer cells, which contributes to multiple aspects of tumor characteristics, including drug resistance. Therefore, targeting mitochondria for cancer therapy and overcoming drug resistance has attracted increasing attention for various types of cancer. Multiple mitochondrial adaptation processes, including mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial metabolism, and mitochondrial apoptotic regulatory machinery, have been demonstrated to be potential targets. However, recent increasing insights into mitochondria have revealed the complexity of mitochondrial structure and functions, the elusive functions of mitochondria in tumor biology, and the targeting inaccessibility of mitochondria, which have posed challenges for the clinical application of mitochondrial-based cancer therapeutic strategies. Therefore, discovery of both novel mitochondria-targeting agents and innovative mitochondria-targeting approaches is urgently required. Here, we review the most recent literature to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial stress adaptation and their intricate connection with cancer drug resistance. In addition, an overview of the emerging strategies to target mitochondria for effectively overcoming chemoresistance is highlighted, with an emphasis on drug repositioning and mitochondrial drug delivery approaches, which may accelerate the application of mitochondria-targeting compounds for cancer therapy.

A targeted nanomodulator capable of manipulating tumor microenvironment against metastasis

Recently, lactate has been considered as an alternative direct energy substance to glucose for tumor proliferation and metastasis. Meanwhile, mitochondria, as important energy-supplying organelles, are also closely related to tumor progression. Consequently, a new research direction for lactate comprises lactate deprivation coupled with mitochondria-targeted phototherapy to achieve a safer and more effective strategy against tumor metastasis. Herein, linoleic acid-conjugated hyaluronic acid (HL), disulfide bond-rich nanovehicle (mesoporous silica, MOS), mitochondria-targeted IR780 (M780) and lactate oxidase (LOD) are rationally designed as a specific-targeting metabolism nanomodulator (HL/MOS@M780&LOD NPs), fulfilling the task of simultaneous depriving cells of lactate and damaging mitochondria to prevent tumor metastasis. Interestingly, M780-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) and LOD-mediated starvation therapy can effectively exacerbate the hypoxia state of tumor cells, thereby increasing the free iron levels to activate ferroptosis. On one hand, pyruvic acid and H₂O₂ generated by LOD-mediated lactate metabolism can provide powerful conditions for iron-catalyzed ferroptosis. On the other, the depleted GSH and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) can oxidize linoleic acid into lipid peroxides (LPO) to further augment ferroptosis. The designed nanomodulator therefore shows great promise for fighting tumor metastasis by manipulating energy metabolism and the hypoxia microenvironment.