The molecular biology of cancer

Nanocomposite hydrogel microneedles: a theranostic toolbox for personalized medicine

Due to the severity and high prevalence of cancer, as well as its complex pathological condition, new strategies for cancer treatment and diagnostics are required. As such, it is important to design a toolbox that integrates multiple functions on a single smart platform. Theranostic hydrogels offer an innovative and personalized method to tackle cancer while also considering patient comfort, thereby facilitating future implementation and translation to the clinic. In terms of theranostic systems used in cancer therapy, nanoparticles are widely used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Nanoparticles can achieve systemic circulation, evade host defenses, and deliver drugs and signaling agents at the targeted site, to diagnose and treat the disease at a cellular and molecular level. In this context, hydrogel microneedles have a high potential for multifunctional operation in medical devices, while avoiding the complications associated with the systemic delivery of therapeutics. Compared with oral administration and subcutaneous injection, microneedles offer advantages such as better patient compliance, faster onset of action, and improved permeability and efficacy. In addition, they comprise highly biocompatible polymers with excellent degradability and tunable properties. Nanoparticles and microneedles thus offer the possibility to expand the theranostic potential through combined synergistic use of their respective features. We review herein recent advances concerning processing methods and material requirements within the realm of hydrogel microneedles as theranostic platforms, various approaches toward cancer therapy, and the incorporation of nanoparticles for added functionality.

Biosensors for metastatic cancer cell detection

Early detection and effective cancer treatment are critical to improving metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and management today. In particular, accurate qualitative diagnosis of metastatic cancer cell represents an important step in the diagnosis of cancer. Today, biosensors have been widely developed due to the daily need to measure different chemical and biological species. Biosensors are utilized to quantify chemical and biological phenomena by generating signals that are directly proportional to the quantity of the analyte present in the reaction. Biosensors are widely used in disease control, drug delivery, infection detection, detection of pathogenic microorganisms, and markers that indicate a specific disease in the body. These devices have been especially popular in the field of metastatic cancer cell diagnosis and treatment due to their portability, high sensitivity, high specificity, ease of use and short response time. This article examines biosensors for metastatic cancer cells. It also studies metastatic cancer cells and the mechanism of metastasis. Finally, the function of biosensors and biomarkers in metastatic cancer cells is investigated.

A comprehensive review on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and its inhibitors bearing pyrazole or indazole core for cancer therapy

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted group of diseases with a high mortality rate characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells. Dysregulation of normal signalling pathways in cancer contributes to the different hallmarks of this disease. The signalling pathway of which phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a part is not an exception. In fact, dysregulated activation of PI3K signalling pathways can result in unbridled cellular proliferation and enhanced cell survival, thereby fostering the onset and advancement of cancer. Therefore, there is substantial interest in developing targeted therapies specifically aimed at inhibiting the PI3K enzyme and its associated pathways. Also, the therapeutic interest on pyrazoles and indazoles has been growing due to their various medicinal properties, namely, anticancer activity. Derivatives of these compounds have been studied as PI3K inhibitors, and they showed promising results. There are already some PI3K inhibitors approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as Idelalisib (Zydelig®) and Alpelisib (Piqray®). In this context, this review aims to address the importance of PI3K in cellular processes and its role in cancer. Additionally, it aims to report a comprehensive literature review of PI3K inhibitors, containing the pyrazole and indazole scaffolds, published in the last fifteen years, focusing on structure-activity relationship aspects, thus providing important insights for the design of novel and more effective PI3K inhibitors.

Multi-wall carbon Nanotube surface-based functional nanoparticles for stimuli-responsive dual pharmaceutical compound delivery

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have the potential to serve as delivery systems for medicinal substances and gene treatments, particularly in cancer treatment. Co-delivery of curcumin (CUR) and Methotrexate (MTX) has shown promise in cancer treatment, as it uses fewer drugs and has fewer side effects. This study used MTX-conjugated albumin (BSA)-based nanoparticles (BSA-MTX) to enhance and assess the efficiency of CUR. In-vitro cytotoxicity tests, DLS, TEM, FTIR, UV/Vis, SEM, and DSC studies assessed the formulations' physical and chemical properties. The Proteinase K enzyme was used to severe amidic linkages between MTX and BSA. The findings demonstrated the efficacy of using ƒ-MWCNT-CUR-BSA-MTX as a vehicle for efficient co-delivery of CUR and MTX in cancer treatment. The MTT colorimetric method was used to evaluate the effect of chemical and medicinal compounds. Cell division was studied using the MTT method to investigate the effect of pure MWCNT, pure CUR, MTX-BSA, and ƒ-MWCNT-CUR-MTX-BSA. Studies on cell lines have shown that the combination of curcumin and MTX with CNT can increase and improve the effectiveness of both drugs against cancer. A combination of drugs curcumin and methotrexate simultaneously had a synergistic effect on MCF-7 cells, which indicated that these drugs could potentially be used as a strategy for both prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Also, ƒ-MWCNT-CUR-MTX-BSA was found to have a significant effect on cancer treatment with minimal toxicity compared to pure curcumin, pure MTX-BSA, MTX, and ƒ-MWCNT alone. Unique properties such as a high ratio of specific surface area to volume, high chemical stability, chemical adsorption ability, high capacity of drug and biomolecules of carbon nanotubes, as well as multiple drug loading at the same time The combination of ƒ-MWCNT-CUR-BSA MTX significantly impacts cancer therapy), are desirable as an alternative option for targeted drug delivery and high therapeutic efficiency.

Proteins Involved in Focal Cell Adhesion and Podosome Formation Are Differentially Expressed during Colorectal Tumorigenesis in AOM-Treated Rats

Colorectal tumorigenesis involves the development of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) or preneoplastic lesions, representing the earliest morphological lesion visible in colon cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in protein expression in carcinogen-induced ACF as they mature and transform into adenomas. Protein expression profiles of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced F344 rat colon ACF and adenomas were compared at four time points, 4 (control), 8, 16, and 24 weeks post AOM administration (n = 9/group), with time points correlating with induction and transformation events. At each time point, micro-dissected ACF and/or adenoma tissues were analyzed across multiple quantitative two-dimensional (2D-DIGE) gels using a Cy-dye labeling technique and a pooled internal standard to quantify expression changes with statistical confidence. Western blot and subsequent network pathway mapping were used to confirm and elucidate differentially expressed (p ≤ 0.05) proteins, including changes in vinculin (Vcl; p = 0.007), scinderin (Scin; p = 0.02), and profilin (Pfn1; p = 0.01), By determining protein expression changes in ACF as they mature and transform into adenomas, a "baseline" of altered regulatory proteins associated with adenocarcinoma development in this model has been elucidated. These data will enable future studies aimed at biomarker identification and understanding the molecular biology of intestinal tumorigenesis and adenocarcinoma maturation under varying intestinal conditions.

A review of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP1) role and its inhibitors bearing pyrazole or indazole core for cancer therapy

Cancer is a disease with a high mortality rate characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells. The hallmarks of cancer evidence the acquired cells characteristics that promote the growth of malignant tumours, including genomic instability and mutations, the ability to evade cellular death and the capacity of sustaining proliferative signalization. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) is a protein that plays key roles in cellular regulation, namely in DNA damage repair and cell survival. The inhibition of PARP1 promotes cellular death in cells with homologous recombination deficiency, and therefore, the interest in PARP protein has been rising as a target for anticancer therapies. There are already some PARP1 inhibitors approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as Olaparib and Niraparib. The last compound presents in its structure an indazole core. In fact, pyrazoles and indazoles have been raising interest due to their various medicinal properties, namely, anticancer activity. Derivatives of these compounds have been studied as inhibitors of PARP1 and presented promising results. Therefore, this review aims to address the importance of PARP1 in cell regulation and its role in cancer. Moreover, it intends to report a comprehensive literature review of PARP1 inhibitors, containing the pyrazole and indazole scaffolds, published in the last fifteen years, focusing on structure-activity relationship aspects, thus providing important insights for the design of novel and more effective PARP1 inhibitors.

Interplay of miRNAs and lncRNAs in STAT3 signaling pathway in colorectal cancer progression

In recent decades, colorectal cancer (CRC) has turned into one of the most widespread malignancies, and the incidence of this malignancy is expected to increase. Despite considerable improvements in therapeutic approaches, the prognosis, and the management of CRC face many problems. Likely, the main limitation in the successful treatment of CRC is the lack of appropriate clinical therapeutic targets. As an effective target, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are regulated by a wide range of genes and involved in cellular processes, including cell growth, migration, invasion, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis. Aberrant regulation of STAT3 signaling leads to cellular dysfunction, diseases, and malignancies, including CRC. Consequently, targeting this signaling pathway is considered one of the therapeutic strategies used in CRC treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules with partial or no protein-coding activity that participate in gene regulation at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels and regulate multiple signaling pathways, including STAT3 signaling (especially JAK/STAT). Therefore, these regulatory molecules are suggested to be very promising targets to present new insights into overcoming the limitations of conventional therapeutic strategies. Therefore, the current review study aimed to summarize the therapeutic and diagnostic significance of miRNAs and lncRNAs and their therapeutic and diagnostic significance related to the expression and activity of STAT3 in CRC.

An Overview of Recent Findings that Shed Light on the Connection between Fat and Cancer

Obesity and cancer have been found to have a direct link in epidemiological studies. Obesity raises the risk of cancer and associated chronic disorders. Furthermore, an imbalance of adipokines, like leptins, plays a crucial role in neoplasm pathogenesis, cell migration, and thereby, cancer metastasis. Also, leptin increases human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein levels through the STAT3-mediated (signal transducer and activator of transcription) upregulation of heat shock protein (Hsp90) in breast cancer cells. It has been noticed that insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) act as mitosis activators in the host and cancerous breast epithelial cells. The condition of hyperinsulinemia explains the positive association between colorectal cancer and obesity. Furthermore, in prostate cancer, an alteration in sex hormone levels, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, has been reported to occur, along with increased oxidative stress, which is the actual cause of the tumors. Whereas, there have been two interconnected factors that play a crucial role in the psychological cycle concerned with lung cancer. The review article focuses on all the prospects of etiological mechanisms that have found linkage with obesity and breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancers. Furthermore, the article has also highlighted how these new insights into the processes occur and, due to which reasons, obesity contributes to tumorigenesis. This review provides a detailed discussion on the progression, which can assist in the development of new and innovative techniques to interfere in this process, and it has been supported with insights based on evidence literature on approved clinical treatments for obesity and cancer.

Lectins as a promising therapeutic agent for breast cancer: A review

Efficient treatment of cancer has been a subject of research by scientists for many years. Current treatments for cancer, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery have been used in traditional combination therapy, but they have major setbacks like non-specificity, non-responsiveness in certain cancer types towards treatment, tumor recurrence, etc. Epidemiological data has shown that breast cancer accounts for 14% of cancer cases occurring in Indian women. In recent years, scientists have started to focus on the use of natural compounds like lectins obtained from various sources to counter the side effects of traditional therapy. Lectins like Sambucus nigra Agglutinin, Maackia amurensis lectin, Okra lectins, Haliclona caerulea lectin, Sclerotium rolfsii lectin, etc., have been discovered to have both diagnostic and therapeutic potential for breast cancer patients. Lectins have been found to have inhibitory effects on various cancer cell activities such as neo-angiogenesis, causing cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, and inducing apoptosis. The major idea behind the use of lectins in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics is their capability to bind to glycosylated proteins that are expressed on the cell surface. This review focuses on an exploration of the roles of post-translational modification in cancer cells, especially glycosylation, and the potential of lectins in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics.

Current status of Fe-based MOFs in biomedical applications

Recently nanoparticle-based platforms have gained interest as drug delivery systems and diagnostic agents, especially in cancer therapy. With their ability to provide preferential accumulation at target sites, nanocarrier-constructed antitumor drugs can improve therapeutic efficiency and bioavailability. In contrast, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received increasing academic interest as an outstanding class of coordination polymers that combine porous structures with high drug loading via temperature modulation and ligand interactions, overcoming the drawbacks of conventional drug carriers. FeIII-based MOFs are one of many with high biocompatibility and good drug loading capacity, as well as unique Fenton reactivity and superparamagnetism, making them highly promising in chemodynamic and photothermal therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging. Given this, this article summarizes the applications of FeIII-based MOFs in three significant fields: chemodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy and MRI, suggesting a logical route to new strategies. This article concludes by summarising the primary challenges and development prospects in these promising research areas.

Potentiation of natural killer cells to overcome cancer resistance to NK cell-based therapy and to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells are cellular components of the innate immune system that can recognize and suppress the proliferation of cancer cells. NK cells can eliminate cancer cells through direct lysis, by secreting perforin and granzymes, or through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). ADCC involves the binding of the Fc gamma receptor IIIa (CD16), present on NK cells, to the constant region of an antibody already bound to cancer cells. Cancer cells use several mechanisms to evade antitumor activity of NK cells, including the accumulation of inhibitory cytokines, recruitment and expansion of immune suppressor cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), modulation of ligands for NK cells receptors. Several strategies have been developed to enhance the antitumor activity of NK cells with the goal of overcoming cancer cells resistance to NK cells. The three main strategies to engineer and boost NK cells cytotoxicity include boosting NK cells with modulatory cytokines, adoptive NK cell therapy, and the employment of engineered NK cells to enhance antibody-based immunotherapy. Although the first two strategies improved the efficacy of NK cell-based therapy, there are still some limitations, including immune-related adverse events, induction of immune-suppressive cells and further cancer resistance to NK cell killing. One strategy to overcome these issues is the combination of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that mediate ADCC and engineered NK cells with potentiated anti-cancer activity. The advantage of using mAbs with ADCC activity is that they can activate NK cells, but also favor the accumulation of immune effector cells to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Several clinical trials reported that combining engineered NK cells with mAbs with ADCC activity can result in a superior clinical response compared to mAbs alone. Next generation of clinical trials, employing engineered NK cells with mAbs with higher affinity for CD16 expressed on NK cells, will provide more effective and higher-quality treatments to cancer patients.

Surface modification strategies in translocating nano-vesicles across different barriers and the role of bio-vesicles in improving anticancer therapy

Nanovesicles and bio-vesicles (BVs) have emerged as promising tools to achieve targeted cancer therapy due to their ability to overcome many of the key challenges currently being faced with conventional chemotherapy. These challenges include the diverse and often complex pathophysiology involving the progression of cancer, as well as the various biological barriers that circumvent therapeutic molecules reaching their target site in optimum concentration. The scientific evidence suggests that surface-functionalized nanovesicles and BVs camouflaged nano-carriers (NCs) both can bypass the established biological barriers and facilitate fourth-generation targeting for the improved regimen of treatment. In this review, we intend to emphasize the role of surface-functionalized nanovesicles and BVs camouflaged NCs through various approaches that lead to an improved internalization to achieve improved and targeted oncotherapy. We have explored various strategies that have been employed to surface-functionalize and biologically modify these vesicles, including the use of biomolecule functionalized target ligands such as peptides, antibodies, and aptamers, as well as the targeting of specific receptors on cancer cells. Further, the utility of BVs, which are made from the membranes of cells such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), platelets (PLTs) as well as cancer cells also been investigated. Lastly, we have discussed the translational challenges and limitations that these NCs can encounter and still need to be overcome in order to fully realize the potential of nanovesicles and BVs for targeted cancer therapy. The fundamental challenges that currently prevent successful cancer therapy and the necessity of novel delivery systems are in the offing.

Domperidone Exerts Antitumor Activity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Modulating Reactive Oxygen Species and JAK/STAT3 Signaling

The lack of molecular targets hampers the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study, we determined the cytotoxicity of domperidone, a dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) antagonist in human TNBC BT-549 and CAL-51 cells. Domperidone inhibited cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The annexin V/propidium iodide staining showed that domperidone induced apoptosis. The domperidone-induced apoptosis was accompanied by the generation of mitochondrial superoxide and the down-regulation of cyclins and CDKs. The apoptotic effect of domperidone on TNBC cells was prevented by pre-treatment with Mito-TEMPO, a mitochondria-specific antioxidant. The prevention of apoptosis with Mito-TEMPO even at concentrations as low as 100 nM, implies that the generation of mitochondrial ROS mediated the domperidone-induced apoptosis. Immunoblot analysis showed that domperidone-induced apoptosis occurred through the down-regulation of the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3. Moreover, domperidone downregulated the levels of D2-like dopamine receptors including DRD2, regardless of their mRNA levels. Our results support further development of DRD2 antagonists as potential therapeutic strategy treating TNBC.

MIL-CELL: a tool for multi-scale simulation of yeast replication and prion transmission

The single-celled baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can sustain a number of amyloid-based prions, the three most prominent examples being [URE3], [PSI+], and [PIN+]. In the laboratory, haploid S. cerevisiae cells of a single mating type can acquire an amyloid prion in one of two ways (i) spontaneous nucleation of the prion within the yeast cell, and (ii) receipt via mother-to-daughter transmission during the cell division cycle. Similarly, prions can be lost due to (i) dissolution of the prion amyloid by its breakage into non-amyloid monomeric units, or (ii) preferential donation/retention of prions between the mother and daughter during cell division. Here we present a computational tool (Monitoring Induction and Loss of prions in Cells; MIL-CELL) for modelling these four general processes using a multiscale approach describing both spatial and kinetic aspects of the yeast life cycle and the amyloid-prion behavior. We describe the workings of the model, assumptions upon which it is based and some interesting simulation results pertaining to the wave-like spread of the epigenetic prion elements through the yeast population. MIL-CELL is provided as a stand-alone GUI executable program for free download with the paper. MIL-CELL is equipped with a relational database allowing all simulated properties to be searched, collated and graphed. Its ability to incorporate variation in heritable properties means MIL-CELL is also capable of simulating loss of the isogenic nature of a cell population over time. The capability to monitor both chronological and reproductive age also makes MIL-CELL potentially useful in studies of cell aging.

The Genetic Background of Abnormalities in Metabolic Pathways of Phosphoinositides and Their Linkage with the Myotubular Myopathies, Neurodegenerative Disorders, and Carcinogenesis

Myo-inositol belongs to one of the sugar alcohol groups known as cyclitols. Phosphatidylinositols are one of the derivatives of Myo-inositol, and constitute important mediators in many intracellular processes such as cell growth, cell differentiation, receptor recycling, cytoskeletal organization, and membrane fusion. They also have even more functions that are essential for cell survival. Mutations in genes encoding phosphatidylinositols and their derivatives can lead to many disorders. This review aims to perform an in-depth analysis of these connections. Many authors emphasize the significant influence of phosphatidylinositols and phosphatidylinositols' phosphates in the pathogenesis of myotubular myopathies, neurodegenerative disorders, carcinogenesis, and other less frequently observed diseases. In our review, we have focused on three of the most often mentioned groups of disorders. Inositols are the topic of many studies, and yet, there are no clear results of successful clinical trials. Analysis of the available literature gives promising results and shows that further research is still needed.

The molecular mechanisms of virus-induced human cancers

Cancer is a serious public health problem globally. Many human cancers are induced by viruses. Understanding of the mechanisms by which oncogenic (tumorigenic) viruses induce cancer is essential in the prevention and control of cancer. This review covers comprehensive characteristics and molecular mechanisms of the main virus-attributed cancers caused by human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus type 8, human T-cell lymphotropic virus, human polyomaviruses, Merkel cell polyomavirus, and HIV. Oncogenic viruses employ biological processes to replicate and avoid detection by host cell immune systems. Tumorigenic infectious agents activate oncogenes in a variety of ways, allowing the pathogen to block host tumour suppressor proteins, inhibit apoptosis, enhance cell proliferation, and promote invasion of host cells. Furthermore, this review assesses many pathways of viruses linked to cancer, including host cellular communication perturbation, DNA damage mechanisms, immunity, and microRNA targets that promote the beginning and progression of cancer. The current cancer prevention is primarily focused on non-communicable diseases, but infection-attributable cancer also needs attention to significantly reduce the rising cancer burden and related deaths.

Potential roles of NEDD4 and NEDD4L and their utility as therapeutic targets in high‑incidence adult male cancers (Review)

The term 'cancer' refers to >100 disorders that progressively manifest over time and are characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Although malignant growth can occur in virtually any human tissue, the underlying mechanisms underlying all forms of cancer are consistent. The International Agency for Research on Cancer's annual GLOBOCAN 2020 report provided an update on the global cancer incidence and mortality. Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, the report predicts that there will be 19.3 million new cancer cases and >10 million cancer-related fatalities in 2023. Lung, prostate, and colon cancers are the most prevalent and lethal cancers in males. It was recognized that post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are necessary for almost all cellular biological processes, as well as in cancer development and metastasis to other bodily organs. Thus, PTMs have a considerable impact on how proteins behave. Various PTMs may have harmful roles by affecting the hallmarks of cancer, metabolism and the regulation of the tumor microenvironment. PTMs and genetic changes/mutations are essential in carcinogenesis and cancer development. A pivotal PTM mechanism is protein ubiquitination. Of note, the rate-limiting stage of the protein ubiquitination cascade is hypothesized to be E3-ligase-mediated ubiquitination. Numerous studies revealed that the neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated protein 4 (NEDD4) E3 ligase is among the E3 ubiquitin ligases that have essential roles in cellular processes. It regulates protein degradation and substrate ubiquitination. In addition, it has been shown that NEDD4 primarily functions as an oncogene in various malignancies but can also act as a tumor suppressor in certain types of tumor. In the present review, the roles of NEDD4 as an anticancer protein in various high-incidence male malignancies and the significance of NEDD4 as a potential cancer therapeutic target are discussed. In addition, the targeting of NEDD4 as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human malignancies is explored.

In vitro induction and selection of mutants obtained through gamma irradiation with improved processing traits in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

PURPOSE

This manuscript aimed for the generation of γ-irradiation derived mutants of potato genotype PAU/RR-1501 possessing desirable processing traits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nodal cuttings from virus-free explants were established on basal MS medium and irradiated with different doses (0, 5, 10 and 20 Gy) of γ-irradiation. The 5 and 10 Gy treated plantlets were multiplied and used for micro-tuber induction. Harvested micro-tubers were planted in pots for the selection and evaluation of mutants in M1V2 generation.

RESULTS

Four weeks post-treatment, plantlets (5 Gy) showed enhanced growth as compared to the control while 20 Gy treatment exhibited completely ceased shoot growth. The highest number and weight of mini-tubers per plant was recorded for 10 Gy followed by 5 Gy treatment as compared to control. The γ-irradiation treatments caused changes in the skin color and shape of M1V2 tubers.

CONCLUSION

Under the 5 Gy treatment 49.9% of clones produced exhibited cream and 8.53% brown skin color. Nine putative mutants were identified in genotype PAU/RR-1501 exhibiting promising processing traits.

Novel 2-Sulfanylquinazolin-4(3H)-one Derivatives as Multi-Kinase Inhibitors and Apoptosis Inducers: A Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Study

The discovery of multi-targeted kinase inhibitors emerged as a potential strategy in the therapy of multi-genic diseases, such as cancer, that cannot be effectively treated by modulating a single biological function or pathway. The current work presents an extension of our effort to design and synthesize a series of new quinazolin-4-one derivatives based on their established anti-cancer activities as inhibitors of multiple protein kinases. The cytotoxicity of the new derivatives was evaluated against a normal human cell line (WI-38) and four cancer lines, including HepG2, MCF-7, MDA-231, and HeLa. The most active compound, 5d, showed broad-spectrum anti-cancer activities against all tested cell lines (IC₅₀ = 1.94-7.1 µM) in comparison to doxorubicin (IC₅₀ = 3.18-5.57 µM). Interestingly, compound 5d exhibited lower toxicity in the normal WI-38 cells (IC₅₀ = 40.85 µM) than doxorubicin (IC₅₀ = 6.72 µM), indicating a good safety profile. Additionally, the potential of compound 5d as a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor was examined against different protein kinases, including VEGFR2, EGFR, HER2, and CDK2. In comparison to the corresponding positive controls, compound 5d exhibited comparable activities in nanomolar ranges against HER2, EGFR, and VEGFR2. However, compound 5d was the least active against CDK2 (2.097 ± 0.126 µM) when compared to the positive control roscovitine (0.32 ± 0.019 µM). The apoptotic activity investigation in HepG2 cells demonstrated that compound 5d arrested the cell cycle at the S phase and induced early and late apoptosis. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the apoptosis pathway was provoked due to an upregulation in the expression of the proapoptotic genes caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax and the downregulation of the Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic gene. For the in silico docking studies, compound 5d showed relative binding interactions, including hydrogen, hydrophobic, and halogen bindings, with protein kinases that are similar to the reference inhibitors.

A study on the anticancer activity of imidazolyl benzamide derivative-IMUEB on a 549 lung cancer cell line

Background

Cancer is a deadly disease, which is due to the uncontrolled division of cells with abnormal or unusual characteristics. It is a consequence of lethal mutations occurring due to various chemical and physical carcinogens, affecting many cellular signalling pathways and leading to uncontrolled proliferation. In this study, we analyzed the effect of 4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-(3-(4-methylbenzyl) ureido) ethyl)benzamide (IMUEB), an imidazole derivative, on A549 cells (lung cancer cells).

Methods

The MTT and LDH assays were performed to measure the cytotoxicity of IMUEB against A549 cells. Apoptotic mode of cell death of A549 cells was determined by fluorescence imaging by using different stains. Flow cytometry was performed to detect the cell cycle arrest. Western blotting was performed to determine the levels of apoptotic protein. Wound healing assay was performed to find the effect of IMUEB on cell migration. In silico molecular docking of IMUEB was performed to predict its affinity towards apoptotic proteins and metastasis related enzymes.

Result and Discussion

The MTT assay showed an increase in cytotoxicity with increasing concentrations of IMUEB. In addition, it was found that IMUEB arrests cell cycle at G1 phase as detected by flow cytometry analysis and induces apoptosis. The treatment with IMUEB drastically decreased the migratory potential of A549 cells as evaluated by migration and invasion assay. By Western blotting analysis, it was found that the concentration of caspase-3 was increased after the treatment with IMUEB.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results indicate that IMUEB shows antitumor activity by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in A549 cells.

Aptameric Fluorescent Biosensors for Liver Cancer Diagnosis

Liver cancer is a prevalent global health concern with a poor 5-year survival rate upon diagnosis. Current diagnostic techniques using the combination of ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and biopsy have the limitation of detecting detectable liver cancer when the tumor has already progressed to a certain size, often leading to late-stage diagnoses and grim clinical treatment outcomes. To this end, there has been tremendous interest in developing highly sensitive and selective biosensors to analyze related cancer biomarkers in the early stage diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment options. Among the various approaches, aptamers are an ideal recognition element as they can specifically bind to target molecules with high affinity. Furthermore, using aptamers, in conjunction with fluorescent moieties, enables the development of highly sensitive biosensors by taking full advantage of structural and functional flexibility. This review will provide a summary and detailed discussion on recent aptamer-based fluorescence biosensors for liver cancer diagnosis. Specifically, the review focuses on two promising detection strategies: (i) Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and (ii) metal-enhanced fluorescence for detecting and characterizing protein and miRNA cancer biomarkers.

Metabolic Footprinting-Based DNA-AuNP Encoders for Extracellular Metabolic Response Profiling

Metabolic footprinting as a convenient and non-invasive cell metabolomics strategy relies on monitoring the whole extracellular metabolic process. It covers nutrient consumption and metabolite secretion of in vitro cell culture, which is hindered by low universality owing to pre-treatment of the cell medium and special equipment. Here, we report the design and a variety of applicability, for quantifying extracellular metabolism, of fluorescently labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-AuNP encoders, whose multi-modal signal response is triggered by extracellular metabolites. We constructed metabolic response profiling of cells by detecting extracellular metabolites in different tumor cells and drug-induced extracellular metabolites. We further assessed the extracellular metabolism differences using a machine learning algorithm. This metabolic response profiling based on the DNA-AuNP encoder strategy is a powerful complement to metabolic footprinting, which significantly applies potential non-invasive identification of tumor cell heterogeneity.

GPX4: The hub of lipid oxidation, ferroptosis, disease and treatment

Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) moonlights as structural protein and antioxidase that powerfully inhibits lipid oxidation. In the past years, it is considered as a key regulator of ferroptosis, which takes role in the lipid and amine acid metabolism and influences the cell aging, oncogenesis, and cell death. More and more evidences show that targeting GPX4-induced ferroptosis is a promising strategy for disease therapy, especially cancer treatment. In view of these, we generalize the function of GPX4 and regulatory mechanism between GPX4 and ferroptosis, discuss its roles in the disease pathology, and focus on the recent advances of disease therapeutic potential.

Warburg Effect Revisited: Embodiment of Classical Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry. Current State and Prospects

The Nobel Prize Winner (1931) Dr. Otto H. Warburg had established that the primary energy source of the cancer cell is aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect). He also postulated the hypothesis about "the prime cause of cancer", which is a matter of debate nowadays. Contrary to the hypothesis, his discovery was recognized entirely. However, the discovery had almost vanished in the heat of battle about the hypothesis. The prime cause of cancer is essential for the prevention and diagnosis, yet the effects that influence tumor growth are more important for cancer treatment. Due to the Warburg effect, a large amount of data has been accumulated on biochemical changes in the cell and the organism as a whole. Due to the Warburg effect, the recovery of normal biochemistry and oxygen respiration and the restoration of the work of mitochondria of cancer cells can inhibit tumor growth and lead to remission. Here, we review the current knowledge on the inhibition of abnormal glycolysis, neutralization of its consequences, and normalization of biochemical parameters, as well as recovery of oxygen respiration of a cancer cell and mitochondrial function from the point of view of classical biochemistry and organic chemistry.

An Endoplasmic Reticulum Targeting Type I Photosensitizer for Effective Photodynamic Therapy against Hypoxic Tumor Cells

Organelle-targeted type I photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows great potential to overcome the hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumors. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an indispensable organelle in cells with important biological functions. When the ER is damaged due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the accumulation of misfolded proteins will interfere with ER homeostasis, resulting in ER stress. Here, an ER-targeted benzophenothiazine-based photosensitizer NBS-ER was presented. ER targeting modification significantly reduced the dark toxicity and improved phototoxicity index (PI). NBS-ER could effectively produce O₂ ^- ⋅ with near-infrared irradiation, making its phototoxicity under hypoxia close to that under normoxia. Meanwhile, the photoinduced ROS triggered ER stress and induced apoptosis. In addition, NBS-ER possessed excellent photodynamic therapeutic effect in 4T1-tumor-bearing mice.

Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and barriers regarding health promotion of breast cancer among community pharmacists

Aim

This study aimed to identify the perspective knowledge, attitudes, and barriers of community pharmacists in promoting breast cancer health.

Methods

An internet-based self-administrated questionnaire was distributed using social media groups to the community pharmacists in Jordan.

Results

A 76.7% of the pharmacists had insufficient knowledge score of breast cancer and 92.7% had positive attitude. Access to breast cancer educational materials was the major barrier to pharmacists. A significant association was found between pharmacists' knowledge and breast cancer educational materials being given to patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Despite the low breast cancer knowledge score and stated barriers that could prevent actualizing community pharmacists' role, they had positive attitude toward educating patients about breast cancer health.

Increasing importance of breast cancer in Nepal

Recently, breast cancer cases in Nepal are on the rise, accounting for approximately 16% of all cancer cases, making it the second most common malignancy. Given the dependence of the Nepalese on agriculture, the rampant use of pesticides as well as the presence of arsenic in water supplies might be contributing to this huge rise in cancer cases. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the status of breast cancer, its burden, risk factors, screening and modes of treatment in Nepal.

Dual Targeting Topoisomerase/G-Quadruplex Agents in Cancer Therapy-An Overview

Topoisomerase (Topo) inhibitors have long been known as clinically effective drugs, while G-quadruplex (G4)-targeting compounds are emerging as a promising new strategy to target tumor cells and could support personalized treatment approaches in the near future. G-quadruplex (G4) is a secondary four-stranded DNA helical structure constituted of guanine-rich nucleic acids, and its stabilization impairs telomere replication, triggering the activation of several protein factors at telomere levels, including Topos. Thus, the pharmacological intervention through the simultaneous G4 stabilization and Topos inhibition offers a new opportunity to achieve greater antiproliferative activity and circumvent cellular insensitivity and resistance. In this line, dual ligands targeting both Topos and G4 emerge as innovative, efficient agents in cancer therapy. Although the research in this field is still limited, to date, some chemotypes have been identified, showing this dual activity and an interesting pharmacological profile. This paper reviews the available literature on dual Topo inhibitors/G4 stabilizing agents, with particular attention to the structure-activity relationship studies correlating the dual activity with the cytotoxic activity.

Evolution of small cell lung cancer tumor mutation: from molecular mechanisms to novel viewpoints

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a clinically common malignant tumor originating from the lung neuroendocrine stem cells, which has a poor prognosis and accounts for approximately 15% of all lung cancer cases. However, research on its treatment has been slow, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with SCLC has been < 5% for many years. In recent years, the development and popularization of gene sequencing technology have facilitated the understanding of the gene mutation landscape and tumor evolution of SCLC, thereby leading to a more accurate prediction of the prognosis of SCLC and the development of individualized treatment. In this review, we aimed to discuss the mutation evolution of SCLC from the perspective of a tumor evolution theory and described the sequence of mutation evolution in the occurrence and development of SCLC. In addition, we summarized the existing whole-exome sequencing (WES) data of SCLC cases at our center along with relevant publications on sequencing. Thereafter, we discuss the role of different mutated pathways in the occurrence of SCLC to predict its prognosis more accurately and summarized individualized treatment strategies.

Downregulation of Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B) inhibits the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating the endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high recurrence rate and mortality rate even after surgery. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B) has proven to be involved in tumor development and progression of multiple malignancies. However, the function of LRP1B in HCC progression has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we conducted this study to explore the relationship between LRP1B and HCC. Bioinformatic analyses implied that LRP1B was highly expressed in HCC tissues. High LRP1B expression was shown to be related to poor outcomes and the determination of HCC patients’ tumor stage. LRP1B deletion impeded the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Further investigation demonstrated that silencing LRP1B expression enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to doxorubicin. LRP1B deletion inhibited HCC progression by regulating the PERK-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway. Additionally, we probed the genomic alterations of LRP1B in HCC and the impact on the prognosis of patients. Collectively, our results suggest that LRP1B plays an essential role in the promotion of HCC progression by regulating the PERK-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway, which is a potential prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target of HCC.

New Triazolyl N^N Bidentate Rh(III), Ir(III), Ru(II) and Os(II) Complexes: Synthesis and Characterization, Probing Possible Relations between Cytotoxicity with Transfer Hydrogenation Efficacy and Interaction with Model Biomolecules

Cisplatin and other metallodrugs have realised great success in clinical chemotherapeutic applications as anticancer drugs. However, severe toxicity to healthy cells and non-selectivity to cancer cells remains a challenge, warranting the further search for alternative agents. Herein, we report the anticancer potential of a series of complexes of the general formula [MCl(p-cym)(k2-N^N-L)]+ X− and [MCl(Cp*)(k2-N^N-L)]+ X−, where M is the metal centre (Ru(II), Os(II), Rh(III) or Ir(III)), L = 1-benzyl-4-pyridinyl-1-H-1,2,3-triazole for L1 and 1-picolyl-4-pyridinyl-1-H-1,2,3-triazole for L2 and X− = Cl−, BF4−, BPh4−. When evaluated for activity against some cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines (namely, HeLa, HEK293, A549 and MT4 cancer cells and the normal healthy kidney cells (BHK21)), most of the compounds displayed poor cytotoxicities against cancer cells except for complexes C2 ([RuCl(p-cym)(k2-N^N-L1)]+ BPh4−, EC50 = 9−16 µM and SI = 14), C7 ([RuCl(p-cym)(k2-N^N-L2)]+ BPh4−, EC50 = 17−53 µM and SI = 4) and C11 ([IrCl(Cp*)(k2-N^N-L2)]+ BF4−, EC50 < 5 µM and SI > 10). Selected complexes C1 ([RuCl(p-cym)(k2-N^N-L1)]+ BF4−), C5 ([IrCl(Cp*)(k2-N^N-L1)]+ BF4−) and C11 showed significant interactions with model biomolecules such as guanosine-5′-monophosphate (5′-GMP), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and amino acids under physiological conditions, possibly through carbenylation and N-coordination with 5′-GMP, N-coordination with L-Histidine and L-proline. While the compounds showed good activities in reducing pyruvate to lactate, there was no direct correlation between catalytic transfer hydrogenation of pyruvate and the observed cytotoxic activities. As observed in this work, the marked influence of single atom replacement in ligand may provide a pivotal approach to improving the cytotoxicity and fine-tuning the selectivity to cancer cells.

A Practical Guide to Integrating Multimodal Machine Learning and Metabolic Modeling

Complex, distributed, and dynamic sets of clinical biomedical data are collectively referred to as multimodal clinical data. In order to accommodate the volume and heterogeneity of such diverse data types and aid in their interpretation when they are combined with a multi-scale predictive model, machine learning is a useful tool that can be wielded to deconstruct biological complexity and extract relevant outputs. Additionally, genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) are one of the main frameworks striving to bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype by incorporating prior biological knowledge into mechanistic models. Consequently, the utilization of GSMMs as a foundation for the integration of multi-omic data originating from different domains is a valuable pursuit towards refining predictions. In this chapter, we show how cancer multi-omic data can be analyzed via multimodal machine learning and metabolic modeling. Firstly, we focus on the merits of adopting an integrative systems biology led approach to biomedical data mining. Following this, we propose how constraint-based metabolic models can provide a stable yet adaptable foundation for the integration of multimodal data with machine learning. Finally, we provide a step-by-step tutorial for the combination of machine learning and GSMMs, which includes: (i) tissue-specific constraint-based modeling; (ii) survival analysis using time-to-event prediction for cancer; and (iii) classification and regression approaches for multimodal machine learning. The code associated with the tutorial can be found at https://github.com/Angione-Lab/Tutorials_Combining_ML_and_GSMM .

Licochalcone H Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Skin Cancer Cells by Modulating JAK2/STAT3 Signaling

Licochalcone H (LCH) is a phenolic compound synthetically derived from licochalcone C (LCC) that exerts anticancer activity. In this study, we investigated the anticancer activity of LCH in human skin cancer A375 and A431 cells. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) cell viability assay was used to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of LCH. Cell cycle distribution and the induction of apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blotting assays were performed to detect the levels of proteins involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. LCH inhibited the growth of cells in dose- and time-dependent manners. The annexin V/propidium iodide double staining assay revealed that LCH induced apoptosis, and the LCH-induced apoptosis was accompanied by cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Western blot analysis showed that the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 was decreased by treatment with LCH. The inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway by pharmacological inhibitors against JAK2/STAT3 (cryptotanshinone (CTS) and S3I-201) simulated the antiproliferative effect of LCH suggesting that LCH induced apoptosis by modulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling.

Influence of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms on disorders in transplant patients: a systematic review

The glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes are phase II isoenzymes responsible for protection against free radicals and xenobiotics. Since these proteins are described as polymorphic, polymorphisms in genes that encode them may alter enzymatic function and contribute to oxidative stress. In this context, such polymorphisms were already associated with several diseases and multiple therapeutic outcomes. A systematic review was performed to evaluate studies regarding the association between polymorphisms in three genes encoding enzymes of the GST family - GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 - and disorders in transplant patients. A total of 125 articles on which inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied were identified at PubMed database. Thirty-two studies met the target criteria and were included in the review. The mechanisms by which GST genotypes influence the development of disorders in transplant patients differ by disorder: they may participate in it by decreasing metabolism of drugs administered to patients undergoing transplantation, then exposing them to greater toxicity; by decreasing the repair ability against oxidative stress; or by encoding proteins that may be recognized as foreign, setting of an alloimmune reaction. Although some results are better established - such as GSTM1 null genotype's role in the development of toxicity events in transplant patients - others require further evidences, as GST influence on the development of pulmonary decline and posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). The importance of investigating these associations lies in a personalized medicine, in which the high-risk genotype patient has its treatment individualized and its care for prophylaxis and surveillance increased, potentially reducing this population's morbimortality.

Focal adhesion kinase inhibitors in the treatment of solid tumors: Preclinical and clinical evidence

Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a 125-kDa cytoplasmic protein kinase that is implicated in several cellular functions. This protein is an attractive molecular target for cancer therapy because a wide variety of studies have demonstrated associations between the activation or elevated expression of FAK and tumor progression, invasion, and drug resistance in malignant tumors. Here, we review the strategies used to inhibit FAK activity in solid tumors. We also include an overview of the preclinical (in vitro and in vivo) and clinical studies on FAK inhibitors.

Recent Strategies to Develop Innovative Photosensitizers for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy

This review presents a robust strategy to design photosensitizers (PSs) for various species. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemical-based treatment approach that involves the use of light combined with a light-activated chemical, referred to as a PS. Attractively, PDT is one of the alternatives to conventional cancer treatment due to its noninvasive nature, high cure rates, and low side effects. PSs play an important factor in photoinduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Although the concept of photosensitizer-based photodynamic therapy has been widely adopted for clinical trials and bioimaging, until now, to our surprise, there has been no relevant review article on rational designs of organic PSs for PDT. Furthermore, most of published review articles in PDT focused on nanomaterials and nanotechnology based on traditional PSs. Therefore, this review aimed at reporting recent strategies to develop innovative organic photosensitizers for enhanced photodynamic therapy, with each example described in detail instead of providing only a general overview, as is typically done in previous reviews of PDT, to provide intuitive, vivid, and specific insights to the readers.

Comparative Study of Bioactivity and Safety Evaluation of Ethanolic Extracts of Zanthoxylum schinifolium Fruit and Pericarp

The fruit and pericarp of Zanthoxylum schinifolium (ZS) have been used in traditional medicine; however, few studies have characterized ZS fruit and pericarp. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated the safety of ZS fruit (ZSF) and pericarp (ZSP) extracts and compared their bioactivity. To evaluate the safety of ZSF and ZSP, mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress assays were performed and nontoxic concentration ranges were obtained. ZSP was found to be superior to ZSF in terms of its antimutagenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In the S9 mix, the mutation inhibition rate of ZSP was close to 100% at concentrations exceeding 625 µg·plate⁻¹ for both the TA98 and TA100 strains. ZSP exhibited efficient DPPH (IC₅₀ = 75.6 ± 6.1 µg·mL⁻¹) and ABTS (IC₅₀ = 57.4 ± 6 µg·mL⁻¹) scavenging activities. ZSP inhibited the release of cytokines, involved in IL-1β (IC₅₀ = 134.4 ± 7.8), IL-6 (IC₅₀ = 262.8 ± 11.2), and TNF-α (IC₅₀ = 223.8 ± 5.8). These results indicate that ZSP contains a higher amount of biochemicals than ZSF, or that ZSP contains unique biochemicals. In conclusion, for certain physiological activities, the use of ZSP alone may be more beneficial than the combined use of ZSF and ZSP.

Network Pharmacology-Based Study to Uncover Potential Pharmacological Mechanisms of Korean Thistle (Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matsum.) Flower against Cancer

Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matsum. or Korean thistle flower is a herbal plant used to treat tumors in Korean folk remedies, but its essential bioactives and pharmacological mechanisms against cancer have remained unexplored. This study identified the main compounds(s) and mechanism(s) of the C. maackii flower against cancer via network pharmacology. The bioactives from the C. maackii flower were revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS), and SwissADME evaluated their physicochemical properties. Next, target(s) associated with the obtained bioactives or cancer-related targets were retrieved by public databases, and the Venn diagram selected the overlapping targets. The networks between overlapping targets and bioactives were visualized, constructed, and analyzed by RPackage. Finally, we implemented a molecular docking test (MDT) to explore key target(s) and compound(s) on AutoDockVina and LigPlot+. GC-MS detected a total of 34 bioactives and all were accepted by Lipinski's rules and therefore classified as drug-like compounds (DLCs). A total of 597 bioactive-related targets and 4245 cancer-related targets were identified from public databases. The final 51 overlapping targets were selected between the bioactive targets network and cancer-related targets. With Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, a total of 20 signaling pathways were manifested, and a hub signaling pathway (PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), a key target (Akt1), and a key compound (Urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo, methyl ester) were selected among the 20 signaling pathways via MDT. Overall, Urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo, methyl ester from the C. maackii flower has potent anti-cancer efficacy by inactivating Akt1 on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

A systematic review of extracellular vesicles as non-invasive biomarkers in glioma diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response monitoring

The present systematic review was done to investigate the possible application of Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response monitoring of gliomas using available literature to wrap up the final applicable conclusion in this regard. we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases. Authors evaluated the quality of the included studies by the QUADAS-2 tool. In total, 2037 published datasets were retrieved through systematic search. Upon screening for eligibility, 35 datasets were determined as eligible. Exosome was the EV-subtype described in the majority of studies, and most datasets used serum as the primary EVs isolation source. EVs isolation was primarily conducted by ultracentrifugation. 31 datasets reported that EVs hold considerable potential for being used in diagnostics, with the majority reporting different types of miRNAs as biomarkers. Besides, 8 datasets reported that EVs could be a potential source of prognostic biomarkers. And finally, 3 datasets reported that EVs might be a reliable strategy for monitoring therapy response in glioma patients. According to the findings of the current systematic review, it seems that miR-301, miR-21, and HOTAIR had the highest diagnostic accuracy. However, heterogeneous and limited evidence regarding prognosis and treatment response monitoring precludes us from drawing a practical conclusion regarding EVs.

The Synergistic Anticancer Traits of Graphene Oxide Plus Doxorubicin Against BT474 and MCF7 Breast Cancer Stem Cells In Vitro

Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death due to cancers around the globe. Current therapeutic approaches towards healing of breast cancer have been associated with poor outcomes. Graphene and its derivatives have a two-dimensional flat structure, which is characterized by the ability to carry drugs and modify the surface, low cytotoxicity, and high biocompatibility. This study was performed on MCF7 and BT474 human breast cancer cells. Different concentrations of doxorubicin (DOX), graphene oxide (GO), and graphene oxide plus doxorubicin (GO-DOX) were subjected to both cell lines at specified intervals. At the end of the treatments, MTT test was applied to determine the viability of cells, and then flow cytometry, colony formation, and spheroid tests were implemented in both cell lines treated with DOX, GO, and GO-DOX components. We used DLS and TEM to confirm the GO properties. According to the MTT test results, 1 μL of DOX at 10 mg/ml (equivalent to 0.1 mg/ml) caused 50% survival of MCF7 cells at 24 h. In both cell lines, an increase in apoptosis occurred after incubation with GO and DOX. Although a rate of mortality of MCF-7 cells was due to necrosis, the BT474 cell death was merely through the apoptosis. Furthermore, the results of the colony formation test outlined an enhancing inhibitory effect in the presence of GO-DOX as a comparison to the control. Additionally, spheroids formed following treatment with GO-DOX exhibited a significant decrease compared to their control group, with an increase in the number of spheroids in BT474 cells compared to those in the MCF-7. The decreasing effect of compounds against the migration and cell invasion potential was also observed, being higher in MCF7 than BT474 cells. The effects of cytotoxic GO were observed at higher concentrations.

Virtual screening of potential anticancer drugs based on microbial products

The development of microbial products for cancer treatment has been in the spotlight in recent years. In order to accelerate the lengthy and expensive drug development process, in silico screening tools are systematically employed, especially during the initial discovery phase. Moreover, considering the steadily increasing number of molecules approved by authorities for commercial use, there is a demand for faster methods to repurpose such drugs. Here we present a review on virtual screening web tools, such as publicly available databases of molecular targets and libraries of ligands, with the aim to facilitate the discovery of potential anticancer drugs based on microbial products. We provide an entry-level step-by-step description of the workflow for virtual screening of microbial metabolites with known protein targets, as well as two practical examples using freely available web tools. The first case presents a virtual screening study of drugs developed from microbial products using Caver Web, a web tool that performs docking along a tunnel. The second case comprises a comparative analysis between a wild type isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and a mutant that results in cancer, using the recently developed web tool PredictSNP^Onco. In summary, this review provides the basic and essential background information necessary for virtual screening experiments, which may accelerate the discovery of novel anticancer drugs.

Sulfated extract of Abelmoschus esculentus: A potential cancer chemopreventive agent

BACKGROUND

Abelmoschus esculentus (AE) (okra), is an edible plant used in many food applications.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored whether sulfated AE (SAE) has promising cancer chemopreventive activities that may recommend it as a functional food supplement ‎instead of (or in addition to) AE for the population at risk of cancer and in the health food industry.

METHODS

Cytochrome P450-1A (CYP1A)‎ was estimated by fluorescence enzymatic reaction, using β-naphthoflavone-treated cells (CYP1A inducer). Peroxyl and hydroxyl radical scavenging was assayed by an oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis/necrosis in MCF-7 cells, cell cycle phases in MCF-7 cells, and macrophage binding to fluorescein isothiocyanate-lipopolysaccharide (FITC-LPS)‎. Nitric oxide was determined by Griess assay in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was used to induce hepatic tumor initiation in rats. Placental glutathione-S-transferase (GSTP; an initiation marker) was stained in a fluorescence immunohistochemical analysis of liver sections, and histopathological changes were examined.

RESULTS

SAE exhibited strong antitumor initiation and antitumor promotion activities. It suppressed CYP1A, ‎scavenged peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals, induced macrophage proliferation, suppressed ‎macrophage binding to FITC-LPS, inhibited nitric oxide generation, showed specific cytotoxicity to ‎human breast MCF-7 adenocarcinoma cells, and disturbed the cell cycle phases (S and G2/M phases) ‎in association with an increased percentage of apoptotic/necrotic MCF-7 cells. Over a short time period, DEN stimulated liver cancer initiation, but SAE treatment reduced the DEN-induced histopathological alterations and ‎inhibited CYP1A and GSTP.

CONCLUSION

SAE extract has the potential for use as an alternative to AE in health foods to provide cancer chemoprevention in populations at risk for cancer.

Personalized medicine: Stem cells in colorectal cancer treatment

Treatment failure in primary as well as metastatic cancer patients, caused by chemo and radioresistance, has reinforced the research for the applicability of personalized medicine. The use of stem cells (SCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in such a treatment approach will be reviewed in this study. Colorectal cancer (CRC) SCs prove to be a promising asset for CRC treatment optimization both by serving as biomarkers for the current therapy modalities, by means of treatment personalization and patient/tumor stratification, as well as in the development of targeted therapies, selective for the stem cell population. Similar conclusions are drawn, regarding mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their effect in CRC therapy; while resident stromal cells (RSCs) of tumor microenvironment (TME) seem to promote the tumorigenic and metastatic processes in addition to conferring to the chemo- and radioresistance, under certain conditions they are able to improve the treatment outcome of CRC chemotherapy, e.g. by targeted enzyme/prodrug treatment of CRC cells. This review, points out the dynamic potential of CSCs and other SCs types in CRC treatment personalization as well as, in the improvement of current treatment approaches, opting to a higher therapeutic rate, improved prognosis, survival and quality of life for CRC patients.

Antigenotoxic potential of the fermentation broth produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa RNC-D in vitro

Aim: Evaluate the chemopreventive potential of the extract from P. polymyxa RNC-D. Methods: Concentrations of P. polymyxa RNC-D extract were tested in HepG2/C3A cells to assess their genotoxic (comet assay), mutagenic (micronucleus test) and antigenotoxic potential (comet assay) in vitro. Results: 400 and 40 μg/ml concentrations induced DNA lesions, whereas the 4 μg/ml induced a desmutagenic effect. Complementary tests indicated that the extract minimized the formation of reactive oxygen species induced by methyl methanesulfonate and normalized the loss of membrane potential. The quantification of cytokines indicated that TNF-α was immunostimulated by the extract. However, when administered in conjunction with the methyl methanesulfonate, the extract blocked the TNF-α release. Conclusion: The fermentation broth from P. polymyxa RNC-D showed an antigenotoxic effect, and thus the potential to be used as chemopreventive compound.

Red-Light-Responsive Ru Complex Photosensitizer for Lysosome Localization Photodynamic Therapy

Photoresponsive ruthenium (Ru) complexes have been extensively studied in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. The metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption maximum of most Ru complexes is located in the short-wavelength visible region, which is well suited for superficial tumors but shows inefficient therapeutic effects for more deep-seated ones. Moreover, Ru complexes are primarily located in the mitochondria or nucleus, always resulting in high levels of dark toxicity and DNA mutation. Herein, we reported a new ruthenium complex (Ru-I) for red-light-triggered PDT. The activation wavelength of Ru-I is successfully extended to 660 nm. Importantly, the complex photosensitizer can be quickly taken up by cancer cells and selectively accumulated in the lysosome, an ideal localization for PDT purposes. Intratumoral injection of Ru-I into tumor-bearing mice achieved excellent therapeutic effects and thus holds great promise for applications in lysosome localization photodynamic therapy.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Efficacies of Anethum graveolens against Human Breast Carcinoma Cells through Oxidative Stress and Caspase Dependency

Anethum graveolens, belonging to the family Apiaceae, has been extensively used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes since long. Plants encompass rich number of effective constituents with less toxicity. Thus, nowadays, the attempts are being made to search plant constituents that can prevent and reverse the chronic diseases, such as cancer. In this study, an in vitro antioxidant and anticancer efficacies of Anethum graveolens (AG-ME) were studied on human breast (MCF-7), lung (A-549), and cervical (HeLa) carcinoma cell lines. The antioxidant efficacies of AG-ME were evaluated by total antioxidant, DPPH radical scavenging, H2O2 scavenging, and ferrous reducing antioxidant assays. Further, the anticancer potential of AG-ME was also determined against different cancer cell lines. The AG-ME exhibited strong antioxidant activities as observed by antioxidant assays. AG-ME also showed a dose-dependent anticancer/cytotoxic potential against MCF-7, A-549, and HeLa cell lines. The AG-ME-induced reduction in GSH and increase in SOD activities indicates the role of oxidative stress in AG-ME-induced MCF-7 cell death. The results also exhibited that AG-ME triggered ROS production and significantly reduced MMP level. Moreover, a dose-dependent increase in caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities suggests that the AG-ME-induced MCF-7 cell death is caspase-dependent. Together, the present study provides reasoning and reassurance for the uses of A. graveleons for medical purposes as an antioxidant and anticancer agent. Additional investigations are required to examine biological and anticancer activities under an in vivo system to discover a possible beneficial use of AG-ME against diseases.

Tangeretin as an adjuvant and chemotherapeutic sensitizer against various types of cancers: a comparative overview

OBJECTIVES

Cancer is a leading cause of disabling morbidities and death worldwide. Although there are various strategies for the management of cancer, the severe adverse effects negatively impact the patient's quality of life. In addition, the development of resistance limits the efficacy of many chemotherapeutics. Many natural agents are capable of reducing the adverse effects associated with chemotherapy and improving the therapeutic outcome. Tangeretin, a polymethoxy flavone, is one of the promising natural anticancer agents.

KEY FINDINGS

Tangeretin not only targets various malignancies but also synergizes chemotherapeutic agents and reverses cancer resistance. Hence, the application of tangeretin as an adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy would be a promising strategy.

SUMMARY

This work critically highlighted the proposed anticancer activity of tangeretin and discussed its potential combination with various chemotherapeutic agents. Additionally, it shed light on tangeretin chemical derivatives with improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activity. Finally, this review described flavonoid biosynthetic pathways and how bioengineering can be employed to enhance the production yield of tangeretin. Thus, this work paves the way for the rational clinical utilization of tangeretin as a safe and effective adjuvant in chemotherapeutic protocols.