Cancer metabolism: The Warburg effect today

A genome-wide CRISPR screen reveals that antagonism of glutamine metabolism sensitizes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to ferroptotic cell death

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid for the growth and survival of rapidly proliferating cancer cells. Many cancers are addicted to glutamine, and as a result, targeting glutamine metabolism has been explored clinically as a therapeutic approach. Glutamine-catalyzing enzymes are highly expressed in primary and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the nature of the glutamine-associated pathways in this aggressive cancer type has not been elucidated. Here, we explored the therapeutic potential of a broad glutamine antagonist, DRP-104 (sirpiglenastat), in HNSCC tumors and aimed at shedding light on glutamine-dependent pathways in this disease. We observed a potent antitumoral effect of sirpiglenastat in HPV- and HPV + HNSCC xenografts. We conducted a whole-genome CRISPR screen and metabolomics analyses to identify mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to glutamine metabolism blockade. These approaches revealed that glutamine metabolism blockade results in the rapid buildup of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) via autophagy nutrient-sensing pathways. Finally, our analysis demonstrated that GPX4 mediates the protection of HNSCC cells from accumulating toxic lipid peroxides; hence, glutamine blockade sensitizes HNSCC cells to ferroptosis cell death upon GPX4 inhibition. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of sirpiglenastat in HNSCC and establish a novel link between glutamine metabolism and ferroptosis, which may be uniquely translated into targeted glutamine-ferroptosis combination therapies.

The role of cytidine 5'-triphosphate synthetase 1 in metabolic rewiring during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in non-small-cell lung cancer

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the poor prognosis of patients with cancer by promoting distant metastasis and anti-cancer drug resistance. Several distinct metabolic alterations have been identified as key EMT phenotypes. In the present study, we further characterize the role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced EMT in non-small-cell lung cancer. Our study revealed that TGF-β plays a role in EMT functions by upregulation of cytidine 5'-triphosphate synthetase 1 (CTPS), a vital enzyme for CTP biosynthesis in the pyrimidine metabolic pathway. Both knockdown and enzymatic inhibition of CTPS reduced TGF-β-induced changes in EMT marker expression, chemoresistance and migration in vitro. Moreover, CTPS knockdown counteracted the TGF-β-mediated downregulation of UDP-glucuronate, glutarate, creatine, taurine and nicotinamide. These findings indicate that CTPS plays a multifaceted role in EMT metabolism, which is crucial for the malignant transformation of cancer through EMT, and underline its potential as a promising therapeutic target for preventing drug resistance and metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer.

FOXP2 suppresses the proliferation, invasion, and aerobic glycolysis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating the KDM5A/FBP1 axis

The Warburg effect is the preference of cancer cells to use glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation to generate energy. Accumulating evidence suggests that aerobic glycolysis is widespread in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and closely related to tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) in aerobic glycolysis and tumorigenesis in HCC. Here, we found that FOXP2 was lower expressed in HCC tissues and cells than in nontumor tissues and normal hepatocytes. Overexpression of FOXP2 suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of HCC cells and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro, and hindered the growth of mouse xenograft tumors in vivo. Further researches showed that FOXP2 inhibited the Warburg effect in HCC cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that FOXP2 up-regulated the expression of fructose-1, 6-diphosphatase (FBP1), and the inhibitory effect of FOXP2 on glycolysis was dependent on FBP1. Mechanistically, as a transcription factor, FOXP2 negatively regulated the transcription of lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A), and then blocked KDM5A-induced H3K4me3 demethylation in FBP1 promoter region, thereby promoting the expression of FBP1. Consistently, overexpressing KDM5A or silencing FBP1 effectively reversed the inhibitory effect of FOXP2 on HCC progression. Together, our findings revealed the mechanistic role of the FOXP2/KDM5A/FBP1 axis in glycolysis and malignant progression of HCC cells, providing a potential molecular target for the therapy of HCC.

Noninvasive Imaging of Tumor Glycolysis and Chemotherapeutic Resistance via De Novo Design of Molecular Afterglow Scaffold

Chemotherapeutic resistance poses a significant challenge in cancer treatment, resulting in the reduced efficacy of standard chemotherapeutic agents. Abnormal metabolism, particularly increased anaerobic glycolysis, has been identified as a major contributing factor to chemotherapeutic resistance. To address this issue, noninvasive imaging techniques capable of visualizing tumor glycolysis are crucial. However, the currently available methods (such as PET, MRI, and fluorescence) possess limitations in terms of sensitivity, safety, dynamic imaging capability, and autofluorescence. Here, we present the de novo design of a unique afterglow molecular scaffold based on hemicyanine and rhodamine dyes, which holds promise for low-background optical imaging. In contrast to previous designs, this scaffold exhibits responsive "OFF-ON" afterglow signals through spirocyclization, thus enabling simultaneous control of photodynamic effects and luminescence efficacy. This leads to a larger dynamic range, broader detection range, higher signal enhancement ratio, and higher sensitivity. Furthermore, the integration of multiple functionalities simplifies probe design, eliminates the need for spectral overlap, and enhances reliability. Moreover, we have expanded the applications of this afterglow molecular scaffold by developing various probes for different molecular targets. Notably, we developed a water-soluble pH-responsive afterglow nanoprobe for visualizing glycolysis in living mice. This nanoprobe monitors the effects of glycolytic inhibitors or oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors on tumor glycolysis, providing a valuable tool for evaluating the tumor cell sensitivity to these inhibitors. Therefore, the new afterglow molecular scaffold presents a promising approach for understanding tumor metabolism, monitoring chemotherapeutic resistance, and guiding precision medicine in the future.

Characterization of the metabolomic profile of renal cell carcinoma by high resolution magic angle spinning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a metabolic disease, with subtypes exhibiting aberrations in different metabolic pathways. Metabolomics may offer greater sensitivity for revealing disease biology. We investigated the metabolomic profile of RCC using high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS).

METHODS

Surgical tissue samples were obtained from our frozen tissue bank, collected from radical or partial nephrectomy. Specimens were fresh-frozen, then stored at -80 °C until analysis. Tissue HRMAS-1HMRS was performed. A MatLab-based curve fitting program was used to process the spectra to produce relative intensities for 59 spectral regions of interest (ROIs). Comparisons of the metabolomic profiles of various RCC histologies and benign tumors, angiomyolipoma, and oncocytoma, were performed. False discovery rates (FDR) were used from the response screening to account for multiple testing; ROIs with FDR p < 0.05 were considered potential predictors of RCC. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare median 1HMRS relative intensities for those metabolites that may differentiate between RCC and benign tumor. Logistic regression determined odds ratios for risk of malignancy based on the abundance of each metabolite.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight RCC (16 clear cell, 11 papillary, 11 chromophobe), 10 oncocytomas, 7 angiomyolipomas, and 13 adjacent normal tissue specimens (matched pairs) were analyzed. Candidate metabolites for predictors of malignancy based on FDR p-values include histidine, phenylalanine, phosphocholine, serine, phosphocreatine, creatine, glycerophosphocholine, valine, glycine, myo-inositol, scyllo-inositol, taurine, glutamine, spermine, acetoacetate, and lactate. Higher levels of spermine, histidine, and phenylalanine at 3.15 to 3.13 parts per million (ppm) were associated with decreased risk of RCC (OR 4 × 10-5, 95% CI 7.42 × 10-8, 0.02), while 2.84 to 2.82 ppm increased the risk of malignant pathology (OR 7158.67, 95% CI 6.3, 8.3 × 106). The specific metabolites characterizing this region remain to be identified. Tumor stage did not affect metabolomic profile of malignant tumors, suggesting that metabolites are dependent on histologic subtype.

CONCLUSIONS

HRMAS-1HMRS identified metabolites that may predict RCC. We demonstrated that those in the 3.14 to 3.13 ppm ROI were present in lower levels in RCC, while higher levels of metabolites in the 2.84 to 2.82 ppm ROI were associated with substantially increased risk of RCC. Further research in a larger population is required to validate these findings.

Chaetocochin J exhibits anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect independent of hypoxia

The most studied epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) alkaloids, such as chetomin, gliotoxin and chaetocin, were reported to exert their antitumor effects through targeting HIF-1α. Chaetocochin J (CJ) is another ETP alkaloid, of which the effect and mechanism on cancer are not fully elucidated. Considering the high incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China, in the present study, using HCC cell lines and tumor-bearing mice as models, we explored the anti-HCC effect and mechanism of CJ. Particularly, we investigated whether HIF-1α is related to the function of CJ. The results showed that, both under normoxic and CoCl2 induced-hypoxic conditions, CJ in low concentrations (<1 µM) inhibits the proliferation, induces G2/M phase arrest, leading to the disorder of metabolism, migration, invasion, and caspase-dependent apoptosis in HepG2 and Hep3B cells. CJ also showed anti-tumor effect on a nude xenograft mice model without significant toxicity. Moreover, we demonstrated that the key to CJ's function is mainly associate with its inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/4EBP1 pathway independent of hypoxia, and it also could suppress the expression of HIF-1α as well as disrupt the binding of HIF-1α/p300 and subsequently inhibits the expression of its target genes under hypoxic condition. These results demonstrated that CJ possessed a hypoxia-independent anti-HCC effects in vitro and in vivo, which was mainly attributable to its inhibition on the upstream pathways of HIF-1α.

CS-NO suppresses inhibits glycolysis and gastric cancer progression through regulating YAP/TAZ signaling pathway

CONTEXT

Gastric cancer (GC) is a significant contributor to global mortality and is recognized for its elevated prevalence and fatality rates. Nitric Oxide (NO) plays a role in multiple aspects of cancer metastasis and progression. CS-NO is a polysaccharide-based biomaterial with NO-releasing properties that shows promising therapeutic potential. Nonetheless, the action mechanism of CS-NO in GC is still largely unclear.

METHODS

The present study employed various experimental techniques, including CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, EdU staining, and transwell assays, to evaluate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Additionally, ELISA was utilized to measure glucose uptake, lactate production, and cellular ATP levels in GC cells. In vivo investigations on nude mice were conducted to validate the in vitro results.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to examine the potential anti-tumor properties of CS-NO on GC through in vitro and in vivo investigations, while also exploring the underlying mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

Our data suggested that CS-NO might prevent GC cell invasion and migration. Decreased expressions of GLUT1, HK2, and LDHA further demonstrated that CS-NO significantly suppressed aerobic glycolysis in GC cells. The administration of CS-NO resulted in a significant reduction of YAP and TAZ levels in GC cells. Our data further show that CS-NO treatment could inhibit GC cancer growth in mice, consistent with the significant decrease in Ki67, GLUT1 and YAP expression levels.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

These findings could reveal the good effects of CS-NO therapy on inhibiting GC.

Exosomes as a Nano-Carrier for Chemotherapeutics: A New Era of Oncology

Despite the considerable advancements in oncology, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Drug resistance mechanisms acquired by cancer cells and inefficient drug delivery limit the therapeutic efficacy of available chemotherapeutics drugs. However, studies have demonstrated that nano-drug carriers (NDCs) can overcome these limitations. In this sense, exosomes emerge as potential candidates for NDCs. This is because exosomes have better organotropism, homing capacity, cellular uptake, and cargo release ability than synthetic NDCs. In addition, exosomes can serve as NDCs for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, this review aimed to summarize the latest advances in cell-free therapy, describing how the exosomes can contribute to each step of the carcinogenesis process and discussing how these nanosized vesicles could be explored as nano-drug carriers for chemotherapeutics.

Click inspired synthesis of piperazine-triazolyl sugar-conjugates as potent anti-Hela activity

To imbibe the aim of synthesizing water-soluble and biocompatible motif, a click-inspired piperazine glycoconjugate has been devised up. In this report, we present a focused approach to design and synthesis of versatile sugar-appended triazoles through 'Click Chemistry' along with their pharmacological studies on cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cell cytotoxicity on cancer cells using in silico and in vitro approaches, respectively. The study has inclusively recognized the galactose- and mannose-derived piperazine conjugates as the promising motifs. The findings suggested that the galactosyl bis-triazolyl piperazine analogue 10b is the most CDK interactive derivative and also possess significant anticancer activity.

Extracellular Vesicles in Breast Cancer: From Biology and Function to Clinical Diagnosis and Therapeutic Management

Breast cancer (BC) is the first worldwide most frequent cancer in both sexes and the most commonly diagnosed in females. Although BC mortality has been thoroughly declining over the past decades, there are still considerable differences between women diagnosed with early BC and when metastatic BC is diagnosed. BC treatment choice is widely dependent on precise histological and molecular characterization. However, recurrence or distant metastasis still occurs even with the most recent efficient therapies. Thus, a better understanding of the different factors underlying tumor escape is mainly mandatory. Among the leading candidates is the continuous interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment, where extracellular vesicles play a significant role. Among extracellular vesicles, smaller ones, also called exosomes, can carry biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and generate signal transmission through an intercellular transfer of their content. This mechanism allows tumor cells to recruit and modify the adjacent and systemic microenvironment to support further invasion and dissemination. By reciprocity, stromal cells can also use exosomes to profoundly modify tumor cell behavior. This review intends to cover the most recent literature on the role of extracellular vesicle production in normal and cancerous breast tissues. Specific attention is paid to the use of extracellular vesicles for early BC diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis because exosomes are actually under the spotlight of researchers as a high-potential source of liquid biopsies. Extracellular vesicles in BC treatment as new targets for therapy or efficient nanovectors to drive drug delivery are also summarized.

The mitochondrial chaperone TRAP-1 regulates the glutamine metabolism in tumor cells

Understanding cancer cell metabolism always provides information on hidden dimensions of tumor adaptations. Warburg's theory that cancer cells opt for aerobic glycolysis over the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system is widely accepted. However, the hypothesis does not explain the mitochondrion's role in these cells. Here, we demonstrate that intact mitochondria are used for anaplerotic functions and ATP production by utilizing glutamine with the help of mitochondrial chaperone TRAP-1 (Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-associated Protein 1). TRAP-1 otherwise promotes aerobic glycolysis by lowering the mitochondrial OXPHOS in the presence of glucose. Here, we show that TRAP-1 maintains mitochondrial integrity and augments glutamine metabolism upon glucose deprivation to meet the cellular energy demand. The enhanced PER and ECAR correlating with increased ATP production suggest that glutamine fuels mitochondria in the presence of TRAP-1. We also found that TRAP1-dependent glutamine utilization involves the HIF2α-SLC1A5-GLS axis and is independent of hypoxia. Subsequently, we show that the metastatic potential of tumor cells is linked with glucose utilization, whereas the proliferative potential is linked with both glucose and glutamine utilization. Our findings establish that TRAP-1 contributes to enhanced glutamine utilization through the HIF2α-SLC1A5-GLS axis. Our results endow that TRAP-1 inhibitors can be potential drug candidates to combat tumor metabolism. Therefore, their use, either alone or in combination with existing chemotherapeutic agents, may target tumor metabolism and improve anticancer treatment response.

Cancer and Alzheimer's Inverse Correlation: an Immunogenetic Analysis

Numerous studies have demonstrated an inverse link between cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD), with data suggesting that people with Alzheimer's have a decreased risk of cancer and vice versa. Although other studies have investigated mechanisms to explain this relationship, the connection between these two diseases remains largely unexplained. Processes seen in cancer, such as decreased apoptosis and increased cell proliferation, seem to be reversed in AD. Given the need for effective therapeutic strategies for AD, comparisons with cancer could yield valuable insights into the disease process and perhaps result in new treatments. Here, through a review of existing literature, we compared the expressions of genes involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis to establish a genetic basis for the reciprocal association between AD and cancer. We discuss an array of genes involved in the aforementioned processes, their relevance to both diseases, and how changes in those genes produce varying effects in either disease.

Shared and Related Molecular Targets and Actions of Salicylic Acid in Plants and Humans

Salicylic acid (SA) is a phenolic compound produced by all plants that has an important role in diverse processes of plant growth and stress responses. SA is also the principal metabolite of aspirin and is responsible for many of the anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and antitumor activities of aspirin. As a result, the number of identified SA targets in both plants and humans is large and continues to increase. These SA targets include catalases/peroxidases, metabolic enzymes, protein kinases and phosphatases, nucleosomal and ribosomal proteins and regulatory and signaling proteins, which mediate the diverse actions of SA in plants and humans. While some of these SA targets and actions are unique to plants or humans, many others are conserved or share striking similarities in the two types of organisms, which underlie a host of common biological processes that are regulated or impacted by SA. In this review, we compare shared and related SA targets and activities to highlight the common nature of actions by SA as a hormone in plants versus a therapeutic agent in humans. The cross examination of SA targets and activities can help identify new actions of SA and better explain their underlying mechanisms in plants and humans.

Glyoxalase 1 as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a dicarbonyl compound formed in cells mainly by the spontaneous degradation of the triose phosphate intermediates of glycolysis. MG is a powerful precursor of advanced glycation end products, which lead to strong dicarbonyl and oxidative stress. Although divergent functions of MG have been observed depending on its concentration, MG is considered to be a potential anti-tumor factor due to its cytotoxic effects within the oncologic domain. MG detoxification is carried out by the glyoxalase system. Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), the ubiquitous glutathione-dependent enzyme responsible for MG degradation, is considered to be a tumor promoting factor due to it catalyzing the removal of cytotoxic MG. Indeed, various cancer types exhibit increased expression and activity of Glo1 that closely correlate with tumor cell growth and metastasis. Furthermore, mounting evidence suggests that Glo1 contributes to cancer stem cell survival. In this review, we discuss the role of Glo1 in the malignant progression of cancer and its possible use as a promising therapeutic target for tumor therapy. We also summarize therapeutic outcomes of Glo1 inhibitors as prospective treatments for the prevention of cancer.

Metabolic targeting, immunotherapy and radiation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Where do we go from here?

In the US, there are ~250,000 new lung cancer diagnoses and ~130,000 deaths per year, and worldwide there are an estimated 1.6 million deaths per year from this deadly disease. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide, and it accounts for roughly a quarter of all cancer deaths in the US. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 80-85% of these cases. Due to an enormous tobacco cessation effort, NSCLC rates in the US are decreasing, and the implementation of lung cancer screening guidelines and other programs have resulted in a higher percentage of patients presenting with potentially curable locoregional disease, instead of distant disease. Exciting developments in molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy have resulted in dramatic improvement in patients' survival, in combination with new surgical, pathological, radiographical, and radiation techniques. Concurrent platinum-based doublet chemoradiation therapy followed by immunotherapy has set the benchmark for survival in these patients. However, despite these advances, ~50% of patients diagnosed with locally advanced NSCLC (LA-NSCLC) survive long-term. In patients with local and/or locoregional disease, chemoradiation is a critical component of curative therapy. However, there remains a significant clinical gap in improving the efficacy of this combined therapy, and the development of non-overlapping treatment approaches to improve treatment outcomes is needed. One potential promising avenue of research is targeting cancer metabolism. In this review, we will initially provide a brief general overview of tumor metabolism as it relates to therapeutic targeting. We will then focus on the intersection of metabolism on both oxidative stress and anti-tumor immunity. This will be followed by discussion of both tumor- and patient-specific opportunities for metabolic targeting in NSCLC. We will then conclude with a discussion of additional agents currently in development that may be advantageous to combine with chemo-immuno-radiation in NSCLC.

Stimuli-responsive crosslinked nanomedicine for cancer treatment

Nanomedicines are attractive paradigms to deliver drugs, contrast agents, immunomodulators, and gene editors for cancer therapy and diagnosis. However, the currently developed nanomedicine suffers from poor serum stability, premature drug release, and lack of responsiveness. Crosslinking strategy can be utilized to overcome these shortcomings by employing stimuli-responsive chemical bonds to tightly hold the nanostructure and releasing the payloads spatiotemporally in a highly controlled manner. In this Review, we summarize the recently ingenious design of the stimuli-responsive crosslinked nanomedicines (SCN) in the field of cancer treatment and their advances in circumventing the drawbacks of the conventional drug delivery system. We classify the SCNs into three categories based on the crosslinking strategies, including built-in, on-surface, and inter-particle crosslinking nanomedicines. Thanks to the stimuli-responsive crosslinkages, SCNs are capable of keeping robust stability during systemic circulation. They also respond to the particular tumoral conditions to experience a series of dynamic changes, such as the changes in size, surface charge, targeting moieties, integrity, and imaging signals. These characteristics allow them to efficiently overcome different biological barriers and substantially improve the drug delivery efficiency, tumor-targeting ability, and imaging sensitivities. With the examples discussed, we envision that our perspectives can inspire more attempts to engineer intelligent nanomedicine to achieve effective cancer therapy and diagnosis.

SIRT3 Promotes the Development of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating Hexokinase 2 through the AKT Signaling Pathway

In the present study, we explored whether sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) regulates the proliferation and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and investigated the mechanisms underlying the oncogene role of SIRT3. siRNA was used to transfect Eca109 cells and downregulate SIRT3. The proliferation and migration of Eca109 cells were examined by the CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, Transwell assay, and scratch test. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect SIRT3, hexokinase 2, AKT, and p-AKT in Eca109 cells. Functional assays showed that downregulation of SIRT3 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells. Reduced SIRT3 expression downregulated hexokinase 2 expression and inhibited AKT activation in ESCC. These results indicated that SIRT3 promote ESCC development and progression by regulating hexokinase 2 through the AKT signaling pathway. SIRT3 promote ESCC proliferation and migration by regulating HK-2 through the AKT signaling pathway.

Characterization of glucose metabolism in breast cancer to guide clinical therapy

Background

Breast cancer (BRCA) ranks as a leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Glucose metabolism is a noticeable characteristic of the occurrence of malignant tumors. In this study, we aimed to construct a novel glycometabolism-related gene (GRG) signature to predict overall survival (OS), immune infiltration and therapeutic response in BRCA patients.

Materials and methods

The mRNA sequencing and corresponding clinical data of BRCA patients were obtained from public cohorts. Lasso regression was applied to establish a GRG signature. The immune infiltration was evaluated with the ESTIMATE and CIBERSORT algorithms. The drug sensitivity was estimated using the value of IC50, and further forecasted the therapeutic response of each patient. The candidate target was selected in Cytoscape. A nomogram was constructed via the R package of “rms”.

Results

We constructed a six-GRG signature based on CACNA1H, CHPF, IRS2, NT5E, SDC1 and ATP6AP1, and the high-risk patients were correlated with poorer OS (P = 2.515 × 10⁻⁷). M2 macrophage infiltration was considerably superior in high-risk patients, and CD8⁺ T cell infiltration was significantly higher in low-risk patients. Additionally, the high-risk group was more sensitive to Lapatinib. Fortunately, SDC1 was recognized as candidate target and patients had a better OS in the low-SDC1 group. A nomogram integrating the GRG signature was developed, and calibration curves were consistent between the actual and predicted OS.

Conclusions

We identified a novel GRG signature complementing the present understanding of the targeted therapy and immune biomarker in breast cancer. The GRGs may provide fresh insights for individualized management of BRCA patients.

The modulation of ion channels in cancer chemo-resistance

Ion channels modulate the flow of ions into and out of a cell or intracellular organelle, leading to generation of electrical or chemical signals and regulating ion homeostasis. The abundance of ion channels in the plasma and intracellular membranes are subject to physiological and pathological regulations. Abnormal and dysregulated expressions of many ion channels are found to be linked to cancer and cancer chemo-resistance. Here, we will summarize ion channels distribution in multiple tumors. And the involvement of ion channels in cancer chemo-resistance will be highlighted.

Glucose deprivation reduces proliferation and motility, and enhances the anti-proliferative effects of paclitaxel and doxorubicin in breast cell lines in vitro

Background

Breast cancer chemotherapy with high dose alkylating agents is severely limited by their collateral toxicity to crucial normal tissues such as immune and gut cells. Taking advantage of the selective dependence of cancer cells on high glucose and combining glucose deprivation with these agents could produce therapeutic synergy.

Methods

In this study we examined the effect of glucose as well as its deprivation, and antagonism using the non-metabolized analogue 2-deoxy glucose, on the proliferation of several breast cancer cell lines MCF7, MDA-MB-231, YS1.2 and pII and one normal breast cell line, using the MTT assay. Motility was quantitatively assessed using the wound healing assay. Lactate, as the end product of anaerobic glucose metabolism, secreted into culture medium was measured by a biochemical assay. The effect of paclitaxel and doxorubicin on cell proliferation was tested in the absence and presence of low concentrations of glucose using MTT assay.

Results

In all cell lines, glucose supplementation enhanced while glucose deprivation reduced both their proliferation and motility. Lactate added to the medium could substitute for glucose. The inhibitory effects of paclitaxel and doxorubicin were significantly enhanced when glucose concentration was decreased in the culture medium, requiring 1000-fold lesser concentration to achieve a similar degree of inhibition to that seen in glucose-containing medium.

Conclusion

Our data show that a synergy was obtained by combining paclitaxel and doxorubicin with glucose reduction to inhibit cancer cell growth, which in vivo, might be achieved by applying a carbohydrate-restricted diet during the limited phase of application of chemotherapy; this could permit a dose reduction of the cytotoxic agents, resulting in greater tolerance and lesser side effects.

Phytochemicals as Regulators of Tumor Glycolysis and Hypoxia Signaling Pathways: Evidence from In Vitro Studies

The full understanding of the complex nature of cancer still faces many challenges, as cancers arise not as a result of a single target disruption but rather involving successive genetic and epigenetic alterations leading to multiple altered metabolic pathways. In this light, the need for a multitargeted, safe and effective therapy becomes essential. Substantial experimental evidence upholds the potential of plant-derived compounds to interfere in several important pathways, such as tumor glycolysis and the upstream regulating mechanisms of hypoxia. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview of the natural compounds which demonstrated, in vitro studies, an effective anticancer activity by affecting key regulators of the glycolytic pathway such as glucose transporters, hexokinases, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase or lactate dehydrogenase. Moreover, we assessed how phytochemicals could interfere in HIF-1 synthesis, stabilization, accumulation, and transactivation, emphasizing PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways as important signaling cascades in HIF-1 activation. Special consideration was given to cell culture-based metabolomics as one of the most sensitive, accurate, and comprising approaches for understanding the response of cancer cell metabolome to phytochemicals.

Commonalities in the Features of Cancer and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Evidence for Stress-Induced Phenotype Instability?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF) are syndromes with considerable overlap with respect to symptoms. There have been many studies that have compared the two conditions, and some of this research suggests that the etiologies of the conditions are linked in some cases. In this narrative review, CFS/ME and cancer are introduced, along with their known and putative mechanistic connections to multiple stressors including ionizing radiation. Next, we summarize findings from the literature that suggest the involvement of HPA-axis dysfunction, the serotonergic system, cytokines and inflammation, metabolic insufficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic changes in CRF and CFS/ME. We further suspect that the manifestation of fatigue in both diseases and its causes could indicate that CRF and CFS/ME lie on a continuum of potential biological effects which occur in response to stress. The response to this stress likely varies depending on predisposing factors such as genetic background. Finally, future research ideas are suggested with a focus on determining if common biomarkers exist in CFS/ME patients and those afflicted with CRF. Both CFS/ME and CRF are relatively heterogenous syndromes, however, it is our hope that this review assists in future research attempting to elucidate the commonalities between CRF and CFS/ME.

In Vivo Anticancer Activity of AZD3965: A Systematic Review

Proliferating cancer cells have high energy demands, which is mainly obtained through glycolysis. The transmembrane trafficking of lactate, a major metabolite produced by glycolytic cancer cells, relies on monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). MCT1 optimally imports lactate, although it can work bidirectionally, and its activity has been linked to cancer aggressiveness and poor outcomes. AZD3965, a specific MCT1 inhibitor, was tested both in vitro and in vivo, with encouraging results; a phase I clinical trial has already been undertaken. Thus, analysis of the experimental evidence using AZD3965 in different cancer types could give valuable information for its clinical use. This systematic review aimed to assess the in vivo anticancer activity of AZD3965 either alone (monotherapy) or with other interventions (combination therapy). Study search was performed in nine different databases using the keywords “AZD3965 in vivo” as search terms. The results show that AZD3965 successfully decreased tumor growth and promoted intracellular lactate accumulation, which confirmed its effectiveness, especially in combined therapy. These results support the setup of clinical trials, but other important findings, namely AZD3965 enhanced activity when given in combination with other therapies, or MCT4-induced treatment resistance, should be further considered in the clinical trial design to improve therapy response.

Tumor Microenvironment Features and Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Insights into Targeting Physicochemical Barriers and Metabolism as Therapeutic Approaches

Currently, the median overall survival of PDAC patients rarely exceeds 1 year and has an overall 5-year survival rate of about 9%. These numbers are anticipated to worsen in the future due to the lack of understanding of the factors involved in its strong chemoresistance. Chemotherapy remains the only treatment option for most PDAC patients; however, the available therapeutic strategies are insufficient. The factors involved in chemoresistance include the development of a desmoplastic stroma which reprograms cellular metabolism, and both contribute to an impaired response to therapy. PDAC stroma is composed of immune cells, endothelial cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts embedded in a prominent, dense extracellular matrix associated with areas of hypoxia and acidic extracellular pH. While multiple gene mutations are involved in PDAC initiation, this desmoplastic stroma plays an important role in driving progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying PDAC resistance are a prerequisite for designing novel approaches to increase patient survival. In this review, we provide an overview of the stromal features and how they contribute to the chemoresistance in PDAC treatment. By highlighting new paradigms in the role of the stromal compartment in PDAC therapy, we hope to stimulate new concepts aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Let-7a induces metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer cells via targeting mitochondrial encoded ND4

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

MicroRNA (miRNA) that translocate from the nucleus to mitochondria are referred to as mitochondrial microRNA (mitomiR). Albeit mitomiRs have been shown to modulate gene expression, their functional impact within mitochondria is unknown. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether the mitochondrial genome is regulated by miR present inside the mitochondria.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Here, we report mitomiR let-7a regulates mitochondrial transcription in breast cancer cells and reprogram the metabolism accordingly. These effects were mediated through the interaction of let-7a with mtDNA, as studied by RNA pull-down assays, altering the activity of Complex I in a cell line-specific manner. Our study, for the first time, identifies the role of mitomiR (let-7a) in regulating the mitochondrial genome by transcriptional repression and its contribution to regulating mitochondrial metabolism of breast cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings uncover a novel mechanism by which mitomiR regulates mitochondrial transcription.

Ferroptosis-mediated Crosstalk in the Tumor Microenvironment Implicated in Cancer Progression and Therapy

Ferroptosis is a recently recognized form of non-apoptotic regulated cell death and usually driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and has arisen to play a significant role in cancer biology. Distinct from other types of cell death in morphology, genetics, and biochemistry, ferroptosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides and lethal reactive oxygen species controlled by integrated oxidant and antioxidant systems. Increasing evidence indicates that a variety of biological processes, including amino acid, iron, lactate, and lipid metabolism, as well as glutathione, phospholipids, NADPH, and coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis, are closely related to ferroptosis sensitivity. Abnormal ferroptotic response may modulate cancer progression by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is widely associated with tumor occurrence because it is the carrier of tumor cells, which interacts with surrounding cells through the circulatory and the lymphatic system, thus influencing the development and progression of cancer. Furthermore, the metabolism processes play roles in maintaining the homeostasis and evolution of the TME. Here, this review focuses on the ferroptosis-mediated crosstalk in the TME, as well as discussing the novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

LncRNA OIP5-AS1 Regulates the Warburg Effect Through miR-124-5p/IDH2/HIF-1α Pathway in Cervical Cancer

Hypoxia reprogrammed glucose metabolism affects the Warburg effect of tumor cells, but the mechanism is still unclear. Long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been found by many studies to be involved in the Warburg effect of tumor cells under hypoxic condition. Herein, we find that lncRNA OIP5-AS1 is up-regulated in cervical cancer tissues and predicts poor 5-years overall survival in cervical cancer patients, and it promotes cell proliferation of cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, OIP5-AS1 is a hypoxia-responsive lncRNA and is essential for hypoxia-enhanced glycolysis which is IDH2 or hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) dependent. In cervical cancer cells, OIP5-AS1 promotes IDH2 expression by inhibiting miR-124-5p, and IDH2 promotes the Warburg effect of cervical under hypoxic condition through regulating HIF-1α expression. In conclusion, hypoxia induced OIP5-AS1 promotes the Warburg effect through miR-124-5p/IDH2/HIF-1α pathway in cervical cancer.

A requirement for autophagy in HMGA2-induced metabolic reprogramming to support Cd-induced migration

High mobility group A2 (HMGA2) is closely related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of tumors. But the mechanism is unclear. Metabolic reprogramming is a dominant way to meet anabolic and energy requirements of tumor cells for their survival, growth and proliferation. Here, we investigated the role of metabolic reprogramming from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis mediated by HMGA2/autophagy axis in cadmium (Cd, CdCl₂)-induced migration. First, we found that Cd induced glycolysis and reduced OXPHOS in vivo (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p. or 0.8 and 1.6 μM, i.t.) and in vitro (2 μM in A549 cells and 0.05 μM in HELF cells). Then, genetic knockdown of HMGA2 restored Cd-reduced mitochondrial mass and OXPHOS and inhibited Cd-increased glycolysis, indicating that HMGA2 was involved in Cd-induced metabolic reprogramming. 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2DG, 5 mM), the inhibitor of glycolysis decreased Cd/HMGA2-induced cell migration and restored Cd/HMGA2-decreased OXPHOS and mitochondrial mass. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-Methyladenine (3MA, 3 mM) elucidated an essential role of autophagy in HMGA2-induced glycolysis, migration, and HMGA2-reduced OXPHOS. Overall, our study demonstrated that autophagy was required for HMGA2-mediated metabolic reprogramming, which was critical for Cd-induced migration. Targeting HMGA2 and autophagy-dependent reprogrammed metabolism may be an effective way to inhibit Cd-induced cell migration.

Exploring new Horizons in overcoming P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug-resistant breast cancer via nanoscale drug delivery platforms

The high probability (13%) of women developing breast cancer in their lifetimes in America is exacerbated by the emergence of multidrug resistance after exposure to first-line chemotherapeutic agents. Permeation glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug efflux is widely recognized as the major driver of this resistance. Initial in vitro and in vivo investigations of the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and P-gp inhibitors have yielded satisfactory results; however, these results have not translated to clinical settings. The systemic delivery of multiple agents causes adverse effects and drug-drug interactions, and diminishes patient compliance. Nanocarrier-based site-specific delivery has recently gained substantial attention among researchers for its promise in circumventing the pitfalls associated with conventional therapy. In this review article, we focus on nanocarrier-based co-delivery approaches encompassing a wide range of P-gp inhibitors along with chemotherapeutic agents. We discuss the contributions of active targeting and stimuli responsive systems in imparting site-specific cytotoxicity and reducing both the dose and adverse effects.

Knockdown of ZNF479 inhibits proliferation and glycolysis of gastric cancer cells through regulating β-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy and the third most deadly tumor in the world. Zinc finger protein 479 (ZNF479) has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the function of ZNF479 in gastric cancer remains to be clarified. The current study aimed to investigate the role of ZNF479 in gastric cancer progression and elucidate the potential molecular mechanism. In this study, Cell Count Kit-8 and colony formation assays demonstrated that knockdown of ZNF479 inhibited cell proliferation in AGS and SGC-7901 cells. Of note, knockdown of ZNF479 hinders tumor growth of xenograft tumor mice. What is more, knockdown of ZNF479 inhibited glucose uptake, lactate production, adenosine triphosphate level, and extracellular acidification ratio; increased oxygen consumption ratio in gastric cancer cells; and decreased the expression of glycolytic proteins both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, analysis mechanism suggests that ZNF479 participated in the regulation of gastric cancer progression through affecting the β-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway. Collectively, ZNF479 plays a role as an oncogene through modulating β-catenin/c-Myc signaling pathway in the development of gastric cancer, which provides a new research target for future studies.

GLUT1 biological function and inhibition: research advances

The GLUT is a key regulator of glucose metabolism and is widely expressed on the surface of most cells of the body. GLUT provides a variety of nutrients for the growth, proliferation and differentiation of cells. In recent years, the development of drugs affecting the energy intake of tumor cells has become a research hotspot. GLUT inhibitors are gaining increased attention because they can block the energy supply of malignant tumors. Herein, we elaborate on the structure and function of GLUT1, the structural and functional differences among GLUT1-4 transporters and the relationship between GLUT1 and tumor development, as well as GLUT1 transporter inhibitors, to provide a reference for the development of new GLUT1 inhibitors.

Apoferritin/Vandetanib Association Is Long-Term Stable But Does Not Improve Pharmacological Properties of Vandetanib

A tyrosine kinase inhibitor, vandetanib (Van), is an anticancer drug affecting the signaling of VEGFR, EGFR and RET protooncogenes. Van is primarily used for the treatment of advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer; however, its usage is significantly limited by side effects, particularly cardiotoxicity. One approach to minimize them is the encapsulation or binding of Van in- or onto a suitable carrier, allowing targeted delivery to tumor tissue. Herein, we constructed a nanocarrier based on apoferritin associated with Van (ApoVan). Based on the characteristics obtained by analyzing the average size, the surface ζ-potential and the polydispersive index, ApoVan nanoparticles exhibit long-term stability and maintain their morphology. Experiments have shown that ApoVan complex is relatively stable during storage. It was found that Van is gradually released from its ApoVan form into the neutral environment (pH 7.4) as well as into the acidic environment (pH 6.5). The effect of free Van and ApoVan on neuroblastoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma cell lines revealed that both forms were toxic in both used cell lines, and minimal differences between ApoVan and Van were observed. Thus, we assume that Van might not be encapsulated into the cavity of apoferritin, but instead only binds to its surface.

Importance of the Microbiota Inhibitory Mechanism on the Warburg Effect in Colorectal Cancer Cells

METHODS AND RESULTS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Genetic backgrounds, lifestyle, and diet play an important role in CRC risk. The human gut microbiota has an influence on many features of human physiology such as metabolism, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Imbalance of the microbiota has been implicated in many disorders including CRC. It seems Warburg effect hypothesis corresponds to the early beginning of carcinogenesis because of eventual failure in the synthesis of a pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in cooperation with a supply of glucose in carbohydrates rich diets. From investigation among previous publications, we attempted to make it clear importance of Warburg effect in tumors; it also discusses the mechanisms of probiotics in inhibiting tumor progression and reverse Warburg effect of probiotics in modulating the microbiota and CRC therapies. These effects were observed in some clinical trials, the application of probiotics as a therapeutic agent against CRC still requirements further investigation.

CONCLUSION

Fiber is fermented by colonic bacteria into SCFAs such as butyrate/acetate, which may play a vital role in normal homeostasis by promoting turnover of the colonic epithelium. Butyrate enters the nucleus and functions as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi). Because cancerous colonocytes undertake the Warburg effect pathway, their favored energy source is glucose instead of butyrate. Therefore, accumulation of moderate concentrations of butyrate in cancerous colonocytes and role as HDACi. Probiotics have been shown to play a protective role against cancer development by modulating intestinal microbiota and immune response.

Decreased Expression of MPC2 Contributes to Aerobic Glycolysis and Colorectal Cancer Proliferation by Activating mTOR Pathway

Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier 1 (MPC1), one of the rate-limiting proteins involved in glycolysis metabolism, has been demonstrated as a tumor inhibitor in several cancers. This study was conducted with the aim of exploring the role and underlying mechanisms of MPC2 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we found that MPC2 expression was decreased in CRC samples. According to the analysis on our TMA data, lower expression of MPC2 is correlated with a higher incidence of distant metastasis and lymph node invasion, bigger tumor size, low survival rate of patients, and advanced T stages. Functionally, in vivo/vitro experiments showed that MPC2 knockdown induced CRC cell proliferation and growth, while MPC2 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and growth of CRC. Further study demonstrated that MPC2 knockdown resulted in aerobic glycolysis in CRC cells. Similarly, MPC2 overexpression in CRC cells also caused inhibited aerobic glycolysis. Further study found that MPC2 knockdown in CRC cell lines activated the mTOR signaling pathway, and the addition of rapamycin reversed the promoting effect of MPC2 knockdown on CRC proliferation and glycolysis. Likewise, the addition of MHY1485 also reversed the MPC2 overexpression's role in hindering aerobic glycolysis in CRC cells. Collectively, our study established that low expression of MPC2 led to CRC growth as well as aerobic glycolysis through the regulation of the mTOR pathway in CRC cells, indicating a potential biomarker and therapy target for CRC.

PEG-GO@XN nanocomposite suppresses breast cancer metastasis via inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and blockade of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Metastatic breast cancer is a significant contributor to mortality among women, but its complex regulation represents a barrier to precision targeting. In the present study, a graphene-based nanocomposite which probes and selectively inhibits cancer cell motility is described. By controllable coupling of prenylated chalcone xanthohumol, an efficient inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I, with PEGylated graphene oxide nanosheet, a PEG-GO@XN nanocomposite with good stability and biocompatibility is synthesized. PEG-GO@XN is capable of inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation selectively in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436 metastatic breast cancer cells. PEG-GO@XN reduces the production of ATP, impairs the formation of F-actin cytoskeleton in the lamellipodia, and blocks the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro, without interfering the proliferation and metabolism of non-cancerous cells. More importantly, PEG-GO@XN suppresses the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells to lung in nude mice. PEG-GO@XN abolishes the TGF-β1-induced down-regulation of E-cadherin and up-regulation of N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Twist, thus causes the maintenance of "epithelial-like" rather than the "mesenchymal-like" features, and decreases the motility potential of breast cancer cells. Taken together, this research unveils the enormous potential of PEG-GO@XN to suppress metastatic breast cancer by selective targeting oxidative phosphorylation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells and thereby providing insights on metastatic cancer treatment.

Novel Functions of CD147 in the Mitochondria Exacerbates Melanoma Metastasis

Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer characterized by rapid invasion and metastasis. CD147 is known to be functioning in cell invasion. In this study, we showed that CD147 was translocated from the cell membrane to the mitochondria in advanced melanoma. Melanoma patients with CD147 localized to the mitochondria confer a worse prognosis. The mitochondrial CD147 levels are correlated with the invasion potential of various melanoma cell lines as well as mitochondrial energy metabolism. Depletion of CD147 decreased the activity of mitochondrial complex V. STRING analysis for protein-protein interaction networks (PPIN) in CD147-depleted melanoma cells showed that mitochondrial proteins HSP60 and ATP5B, a subunit of mitochondrial complex V, were node proteins. HSP60 upregulation was correlated with a worse prognosis of melanoma patients. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay indicates that CD147 interacts with HSP60. These data suggested that mitochondrial CD147 may prompt HSP60 to activate ATP5B, thereby promoting the mitochondrial aerobic oxidation and the invasive abilities of melanoma cells. Correlation analysis of the data acquired from patients was helpful to draw a 5-year survival curve for patients who screened positive and negative for mitochondrial CD147. This study unravels the function of CD147 in tumor invasion and highlights it as a potential tumor therapeutic target.

Mitochondria at Work: New Insights into Regulation and Dysregulation of Cellular Energy Supply and Metabolism

Mitochondria are of great relevance to health, and their dysregulation is associated with major chronic diseases. Research on mitochondria-156 brand new publications from 2019 and 2020-have contributed to this review. Mitochondria have been fundamental for the evolution of complex organisms. As important and semi-autonomous organelles in cells, they can adapt their function to the needs of the respective organ. They can program their function to energy supply (e.g., to keep heart muscle cells going, life-long) or to metabolism (e.g., to support hepatocytes and liver function). The capacity of mitochondria to re-program between different options is important for all cell types that are capable of changing between a resting state and cell proliferation, such as stem cells and immune cells. Major chronic diseases are characterized by mitochondrial dysregulation. This will be exemplified by cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, immune system disorders, and cancer. New strategies for intervention in chronic diseases will be presented. The tumor microenvironment can be considered a battlefield between cancer and immune defense, competing for energy supply and metabolism. Cancer cachexia is considered as a final stage of cancer progression. Nevertheless, the review will present an example of complete remission of cachexia via immune cell transfer. These findings should encourage studies along the lines of mitochondria, energy supply, and metabolism.

Metabolic characterization of aggressive breast cancer cells exhibiting invasive phenotype: impact of non-cytotoxic doses of 2-DG on diminishing invasiveness

Background

Metabolic reprogramming is being recognized as a fundamental hallmark of cancer, and efforts to identify drugs that can target cancer metabolism are underway. In this study, we used human breast cancer (BC) cell lines and established their invading phenotype (INV) collected from transwell inserts to compare metabolome differences and evaluate prognostic significance of the metabolome in aggressive BC invasiveness.

Methods

The invasiveness of seven human BC cell lines were compared using the transwell invasion assay. Among these, INV was collected from SUM149, which exhibited the highest invasiveness. Levels of metabolites in INV were compared with those of whole cultured SUM149 cells (WCC) using CE-TOFMS. The impact of glycolysis in INV was determined by glucose uptake assay using fluorescent derivative of glucose (2-NBDG), and significance of glycolysis, or tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and electron transport chain (ETC) in the invasive process were further determined in aggressive BC cell lines, SUM149, MDA-MB-231, HCC1937, using invasion assays in the presence or absence of inhibitors of glycolysis, TCA cycle or ETC.

Results

SUM149 INV sub-population exhibited a persistent hyperinvasive phenotype. INV were hyper-glycolytic with increased glucose (2-NBDG) uptake; diminished glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) levels but elevated pyruvate and lactate, along with higher expression of phosphorylated-pyruvate dehydrogenase (pPDH) compared to WCC. Notably, inhibiting of glycolysis with lower doses of 2-DG (1 mM), non-cytotoxic to MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937, was effective in diminishing invasiveness of aggressive BC cell lines. In contrast, 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NA), an inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, the enzyme that oxidizes succinate to fumarate in TCA cycle, and functions as complex II of ETC, had no significant effect on their invasiveness, although levels of TCA metabolites or detection of mitochondrial membrane potential with JC-1 staining, indicated that INV cells originally had functional TCA cycles and membrane potential.

Conclusions

Hyper-glycolytic phenotype of invading cells caters to rapid energy production required for invasion while TCA cycle/ETC cater to cellular energy needs for sustenance in aggressive BC. Lower, non-cytotoxic doses of 2-DG can hamper invasion and can potentially be used as an adjuvant with other anti-cancer therapies without the usual side-effects associated with cytotoxic doses.

Nucleic Acid-Based Approaches for Tumor Therapy

Within the last decade, the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors proposed to boost the patients' anti-tumor immune response has proven the efficacy of immunotherapeutic approaches for tumor therapy. Furthermore, especially in the context of the development of biocompatible, cell type targeting nano-carriers, nucleic acid-based drugs aimed to initiate and to enhance anti-tumor responses have come of age. This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the therapeutic use of nucleic acids for cancer treatment on various levels, comprising (i) mRNA and DNA-based vaccines to be expressed by antigen presenting cells evoking sustained anti-tumor T cell responses, (ii) molecular adjuvants, (iii) strategies to inhibit/reprogram tumor-induced regulatory immune cells e.g., by RNA interference (RNAi), (iv) genetically tailored T cells and natural killer cells to directly recognize tumor antigens, and (v) killing of tumor cells, and reprograming of constituents of the tumor microenvironment by gene transfer and RNAi. Aside from further improvements of individual nucleic acid-based drugs, the major perspective for successful cancer therapy will be combination treatments employing conventional regimens as well as immunotherapeutics like checkpoint inhibitors and nucleic acid-based drugs, each acting on several levels to adequately counter-act tumor immune evasion.

The Appearance of the Warburg Effect in the Developing Avian Eye Characterized In Ovo: How Neurogenesis Can Remodel Neuroenergetics

Purpose

The avian eye is an established model for exploring mechanisms that coordinate morphogenesis and metabolism during embryonic development. Less is known, however, about trafficking of bioenergetic and metabolic signaling molecules that are involved in retinal neurogenesis.

Methods

Here we tested whether the known 3-day delayed neurogenesis occurring in the pigeon compared with the chick was associated with a deferred reshaping of eye metabolism in vivo. Developmental metabolic remodeling was explored using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the whole eye and vitreous body, in ovo, in parallel with biochemical and molecular analyses of retinal, vitreous, and lens extracts from bird embryos.

Results

Cross-species comparisons enabled us to show that a major glycolytic switch in the retina is related to neurogenesis rather than to eye growth. We further show that the temporal emergence of an interlocking regulatory cascade controlling retinal oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis results in the exchange of lactate and citrate between the retina and vitreous.

Conclusions

Our results point to the vitreous as a reservoir and buffer of energy metabolites that provides trophic support to oxidative neurons, such as retinal ganglion cells, in early development. Through its control of key glycolytic regulatory enzymes, citrate, exchanged between extracellular and intracellular compartments between the retina and vitreous, is a key metabolite in the initiation of a glycolytic switch.

Integrated Non-targeted and Targeted Metabolomics Uncovers Amino Acid Markers of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: It is very important to develop potential molecular associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) malignant transformation and progression. Thus, the aim of our study was to determine the amino acid metabolic characteristics of OSCC patients and test their diagnostic value.

Experimental Design: Eight pairs of matched tumor and normal samples were collected for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) high-throughput untargeted analysis. Another 20 cases (each case including tumor and normal tissues) were also enrolled for ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS) amino acid quantitative analysis. T-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to determine candidate markers. Principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and heat map analysis were used to verify the ability of candidate markers to distinguish tumors from normal tissues.

Results: A total of 10 amino acids biomarker were selected as OSCC candidate diagnostic biomarkers by GC-MS high-throughput untargeted metabolomics analyses [area under the curve (AUC) >0.80]. We further measured the specific concentration of these candidate amino acids biomarkers in another batch of 20 cases by UHPLC-MS/MS quantitative analysis. The result validated that nine amino acids had been detected, which had statistically significant difference (t-test, p < 0.05). Moreover, three of nine amino acid markers (glutamate, aspartic acid, and proline) displayed high sensitivity and specificity (AUC >0.90) by ROC curve analysis and obtained optimal sensitivity and specificity by binary logistic regression in the Glmnet package (AUC = 0.942).

Conclusions: In conclusion, a panel including three amino acids (glutamate, aspartic acid, and proline) was identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers of OSCC by a combination of non-targeted and targeted metabolomics methods.

Bromodomains and Extra-Terminal (BET) Inhibitor JQ1 Suppresses Proliferation of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia by Inhibiting c-Myc-Mediated Glycolysis

Background

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a common blood cancer which induces high mortality in children. Bromodomains and extra-terminal (BET) protein inhibitors, such as JQ1 and ARV-825, are promising cancer therapeutic agents that can be used by targeting c-Myc. A recent work reported that JQ1 effectively attenuates ALL in vitro by suppressing cell proliferation and accelerating apoptosis. The purpose of this research was to probe into the potential mechanism of how JQ1 inhibits ALL cell proliferation in vitro.

Material/Methods

Cell viability of ALL cells were measured by CTG after treatment by JQ1. Cell cycle analysis was done by EdU and PI staining. Cell apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V/PI staining. Glycolysis was detected using Seahorse and LC-MS kits. The expression of glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes was assessed by RNA-seq, qRT-PCR, and Western blot.

Results

JQ1 suppressed cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle and inducing the apoptosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia cells. JQ1 inhibited cell proliferation of B-ALL cells by restraining glycolysis. Conversely, the cell cycle block of B-ALL cells induced by JQ1 was partially abolished after pretreatment with 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), an inhibitor of glycolysis. Furthermore, JQ1 restrained the glycolysis of B-ALL cell lines by remarkably downregulating the rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis, such as hexokinase 2, phosphofructokinase, and lactate dehydrogenase A. Moreover, the cell cycle arrest was reversed in B-ALL cells with overexpressed c-Myc treated by JQ1, which is involved in the enhancement of glycolysis.

Conclusions

The BET inhibitor JQ1 suppresses the proliferation of ALL by inhibiting c-Myc-mediated glycolysis, thus providing a new strategy for the treatment of ALL.

NUTRITION AND HEALTH: COMPANION ANIMAL APPLICATIONS: Functional nutrition in livestock and companion animals to modulate the immune response

Advances in the understanding of how the immune system functions in response to diet have altered the way we think about feeding livestock and companion animals on both the short (weeks/months) and long-term (years) timelines; however, depth of research in each of these species varies. Work dedicated to understanding how immune function can be altered with diet has revealed additional functions of required nutrients such as vitamins D and E, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and minerals such as zinc, while feed additives such as phytogenics and probiotics add an additional layer of immunomodulating potential to modern diets. For certain nutrients such as vitamin D or omega-3 PUFA, inclusion above currently recommended levels may optimize immune function and reduce inflammation, while for others such as zinc, additional pharmacological supplementation above requirements may inhibit immune function. Also to consider is the potential to over-immunomodulate, where important functions such as clearance of microbial infections may be reduced when supplementation reduces the inflammatory action of the immune system. Continued work in the area of nutritional immunology will further enhance our understanding of the power of nutrition and diet to improve health in both livestock and companion animals. This review collects examples from several species to highlight the work completed to understand how nutrition can be used to alter immune function, intended or not.

A MSN-based tumor-targeted nanoplatform to interfere with lactate metabolism to induce tumor cell acidosis for tumor suppression and anti-metastasis

Lactate, the main contributor to the acidic tumor microenvironment, not only promotes the proliferation of tumor cells, but also closely relates to tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, a tumor targeting nanoplatform, designated as Me&Flu@MSN@MnO₂-FA, was fabricated for effective tumor suppression and anti-metastasis by interfering with lactate metabolism of tumor cells. Metformin (Me) and fluvastatin sodium (Flu) were incorporated into MnO₂-coated mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (MSNs), the synergism between Me and Flu can modulate the pyruvate metabolic pathway to produce more lactate, and concurrently inhibit lactate efflux to induce intracellular acidosis to kill tumor cells. As a result of the restricted lactate efflux, the extracellular lactate concentration is reduced, and the ability of the tumor cells to migrate is also weakened. This ingenious strategy based on Me&Flu@MSN@MnO₂-FA showed an obvious inhibitory effect on tumor growth and resistance to metastasis.

Tumor microenvironment targeted nanotherapeutics for cancer therapy and diagnosis: A review

Recent findings suggest that the cellular and extracellular materials surrounding the cancerous cells from an atypical tumor microenvironment (TM) play a pivotal role in the process of tumor initiation and progression. TM comprises an intricate system involving diverse cell types including endothelial cells, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, various inflammatory cells, dendritic cells, and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The TM-forming cells dynamically interact with the cancerous cells through various signaling mechanisms and pathways. The existence of this dynamic cellular communication is responsible for creating an environment suitable for sustaining a reasonably high cellular proliferation. Presently, researchers are showing interest to use these TM conditions to mediate effective targeting measures for cancer therapy. The use of nanotherapeutics-based combination therapy; stimuli-responsive nanotherapeutics targeting acidic pH, hypoxic environment; and nanoparticle-induced hyperthermia are some of the approaches that are under intense investigation for cancer therapy. This review discusses TM and its role in cancer progression and crosstalk understanding, opportunities, and epigenetic modifications involved therein to materialize the capability of nanotherapeutics to target cancer by availing TM. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This article presents various recent reports, proof-of-concept studies, patents, and clinical trials on the concept of tumor microenvironment for mediating the cancer-specific delivery of nanotechnology-based systems bearing anticancer drug and diagnostics. We highlight the potential of tumor microenvironment; its role in disease progression, opportunities, challenges, and allied treatment strategies for effective cancer therapy by conceptual understanding of tumor microenvironment and epigenetic modifications involved. Specifically, nanoparticle-based approaches to target various processes related to tumor microenvironment (pH responsive, hypoxic environment responsive, targeting of specific cells involved in tumor microenvironment, etc.) are dealt in detail.

Current Advances and Future Perspectives of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biopsy in Midline Brain Malignancies

OPINION STATEMENT

Malignancies arising in midline brain structures, including lymphomas, teratomas, germinomas, diffuse midline gliomas, and medulloblastomas typically respond to systemic therapies, and excessive surgical excision can result in serious complications, so that total surgical removal is not routinely performed. Identifying tumor specific biomarkers that can facilitate diagnosis at early stage and allow for dynamic surveillance of the tumor is of great clinical importance. However, existing standard methods for biopsy of these brain neoplasms are high risk, time consuming, and costly. Thus, less invasive and more rapid diagnosis tests are urgently needed to detect midline brain malignancies. Currently, tools for cerebrospinal biopsy of midline brain malignancies mainly include circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and extracellular vesicles. Circulating tumor DNA achieved minimally invasive biopsy in several brain malignancies and has advantages in detecting tumor-specific mutations. In the field of tumor heterogeneity, circulating tumor cells better reflect the genome of tumors than surgical biopsy specimens. They can be applied for the diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis. Extracellular vesicles contain lots of genetic information about cancer cells, so they have potential in finding therapeutic targets and studying tumor invasion and metastasis.

Amino acids signatures of distance-related surgical margins of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Histological assessment of resected margins has some drawbacks. We therefore aimed to identify a panel of metabolic markers for evaluating the surgical margins of oral squamous cell carcinoma during surgery.

METHODS

A total of 28 case of OSCC samples were enrolled in the study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry based untargeted metabolic analysis was employed to acquire the metabolic perturbation of the distance-related surgical margins in the development group. The acquired MS data were then subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis by MetaboAnalyst. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometerbased targeted metabolomics for quantitative analysis of the validation group was performed to verify the results of the development group. Another 60 OSCC patients with dysplastic surgical margins were used to further validate the results of the development group by immunohistochemical examination of key enzyme expression, and correlate them with clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcomes.

FINDINGS

We finally identified 4 amino acids as negative margin markers, and 6 amino acids as dysplastic margin markers. IHC analysis showed that asparagine synthetase positive expression in dysplastic surgical margins and its higher expression was correlated with tumor recurrence and local relapse-free survival.

INTERPRETATIONS

We developed a panel of metabolic molecular markers to supplement the evaluation of negative and dysplastic margins. FUND: This study was supported by Nanjing Municipal Key Medical Laboratory Constructional Project Funding (Since 2012); Center of Nanjing Clinical Medicine Tumor (Since 2014). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.