TNP-470 combined with nicardipine suppresses in vivo growth of PC-3, a human prostate cancer cell line

Expression signature of ten small nuclear RNAs serves as novel biomarker for prognosis prediction of acute myeloid leukemia

This study aimed to screen for small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) associated with the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) whole-transcriptome sequencing dataset. A total of 130 AML patients from TCGA cohort with complete prognostic information and transcriptome data were enrolled in the current study. Comprehensive survival and functional enrichment analyses were performed to explore the prognostic value and potential biological functions of prognostic snRNAs in AML patients. In the current study, we screened 72 snRNAs that were notably associated with the clinical outcome of AML and developed an expression signature consist of ten snRNAs, that can be accurately applied to assess the overall survival of AML patients. Functional mechanism analysis revealed that this expression signature may be strongly linked to some classical tumor-associated pathways, such as Notch and Wnt pathways, as well as being closely related to B and T cell receptor pathways. Furthermore, we screened six compounds (chicago sky blue 6 B, 5230742, clorsulon, nefopam, nicardipine, and streptomycin) that may serve as targeted therapeutic drugs for AML using connectivity maps. Tumor immunoassays indicated significant differences in the immune microenvironment of the bone marrow tissue between high-risk and low-risk AML patients. Immune infiltration analysis also revealed significant differences in the abundance of multiple immune cells in the bone marrow of the two groups of AML patients groups. In conclusion, our results revealed a novel prognostic expression signature of AML consisting of ten snRNAs, and we conducted a preliminary exploration of its potential biological functions and tumor immunity.

In Vitro Drug Repurposing: Focus on Vasodilators

Drug repurposing aims to identify new therapeutic uses for drugs that have already been approved for other conditions. This approach can save time and resources compared to traditional drug development, as the safety and efficacy of the repurposed drug have already been established. In the context of cancer, drug repurposing can lead to the discovery of new treatments that can target specific cancer cell lines and improve patient outcomes. Vasodilators are a class of drugs that have been shown to have the potential to influence various types of cancer. These medications work by relaxing the smooth muscle of blood vessels, increasing blood flow to tumors, and improving the delivery of chemotherapy drugs. Additionally, vasodilators have been found to have antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on cancer cells, making them a promising target for drug repurposing. Research on vasodilators for cancer treatment has already shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. However, additionally research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of vasodilators in cancer and determine the optimal dosing and combination therapy for patients. In this review, we aim to explore the molecular mechanisms of action of vasodilators in cancer cell lines and the current state of research on their repurposing as a treatment option. With the goal of minimizing the effort and resources required for traditional drug development, we hope to shed light on the potential of vasodilators as a viable therapeutic strategy for cancer patients.

Suramin inhibits not only tumor growth and metastasis but also angiogenesis in experimental pancreatic cancer

Suramin inhibits the proliferation of several human tumors in vivo and in vitro. In this study, the effects of Suramin on proliferation and angiogenesis were investigated in human pancreatic cancer cell lines and in an orthotopic nude mouse model of human pancreatic cancer. The effects of Suramin on proliferation, viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis were studied in five human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Suramin inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner and reduced viability at high concentrations. Cell cycle analysis revealed a decreased S-phase fraction in most cell lines, whereas the apoptotic fraction was not notably different. In vivo treatment with Suramin significantly reduced pancreatic tumor size (MiaPaCa-2, -74%; AsPC-1, -41%; and Capan-1, -49%) and metastatic spread (MiaPaCa-2, -79%; AsPC-1, -34%; and Capan, -38%). As a parameter for angiogenic activity, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion was measured, revealing reduced VEGF concentrations under Suramin treatment in both cell culture medium and ascites. Also, microvessel density quantified in primary tumors was reduced in animals treated with Suramin. Therefore, Suramin inhibits the proliferation of human pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic effects seem to involve cell cycle kinetics and may be in part related to the antiangiogenic action of the drug.

Angiogenesis and prostate cancer tumor growth

The initiation of new blood vessels through angiogenesis is critical to tumor growth. Tumor cells release soluble angiogenic factors that induce neovascularization, without which nutrients and oxygen would not be available to allow tumors to grow more than 2-3 mm in diameter. This "angiogenic switch" or angiogenic phenotype requires an imbalance between proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors since the formation of new blood vessels is highly regulated. This review discusses angiogenesis mediators, and the potential for manipulation of angiogenic factors as a practical cancer therapy, particularly in prostate cancer.