Incidence, characteristics, and outcome of COVID-19 in patients on liver transplant program: a retrospective study in the north of Iran

The potential role of COVID-19 in progression, chemo-resistance, and tumor recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Numerous studies have revealed that cancer patients are more likely to develop severe Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), which can cause mortality, as well as cancer progression and treatment failure. Among these patients who may be particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 and COVID-19-associated cancer progression are those with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this regard, therapeutic approaches must be developed to lower the risk of cancer development, chemo-resistance, tumor recurrence, and death in OSCC patients with COVID-19. It may be helpful to comprehend the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contributes to these problems. In this line, in this review, we described the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms that SARS-CoV-2 can exert its role and based on them pharmacological targeted therapies were suggested. However, in this study, we encourage more investigations in the future to uncover other cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of SARS-CoV-2 to develop beneficial therapeutic strategies for such patients.

CD147 and cyclophilin A: a promising potential targeted therapy for COVID-19 and associated cancer progression and chemo-resistance

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), as a worldwide serious issue has been shown to lead to progression and poor outcomes in cancer patients. The underlying mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 infection's adverse effects on cancer patients have not been fully understood. We hypothesized that CD147 and Cyclophilin A (CyPA) not only can play a significant role in infection severity but also can contribute to cancer progression and chemotherapy resistance in cancer patients with COVID-19. In addition, we hypothesized that the expression of both CD147 and CyPA could be increased by Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) activation during hypoxic conditions that occurred during COVID-19. Therefore, this evidence can open a new window in the management of cancer patients during the pandemic and therapeutic approaches targeting CD147 and CyPA could be a potentially promising therapeutic approach for such patients.

Association of MicroRNA-146a with Type 1 and 2 Diabetes and their Related Complications

Most medical investigations have found a reduced blood level of miR-146a in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, suggesting an important role for miR-146a (microRNA-146a) in the etiology of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its consequences. Furthermore, injection of miR-146a mimic has been confirmed to alleviate diabetes mellitus in diabetic animal models. In this line, deregulation of miR-146a expression has been linked to the progression of nephropathy, neuropathy, wound healing, olfactory dysfunction, cardiovascular disorders, and retinopathy in diabetic patients. In this review, besides a comprehensive review of the function of miR-146a in DM, we discussed new findings on type 1 (T1MD) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus, highlighting the discrepancies between clinical and preclinical investigations and elucidating the biological pathways regulated through miR-146a in DM-affected tissues.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) stimulated and P2X7 receptor activated by COVID-19, as a potential therapeutic target and risk factor for epilepsy

Based on available evidence, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a neuroinvasive virus. According to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may cause epilepsy. In this line, COVID-19 can stimulate hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and activate P2X7 receptor. Both HIF-1α and P2X7 receptors are linked to epileptogenesis and seizures. Therefore, in the current study, we suggested that COVID-19 may have a role in epileptogenesis and seizure through HIF-1α stimulation and P2X7 receptor activation. Consequently, pharmacological targeting of these factors could be a promising therapeutic approach for such patients.