Metabolic pathways promoting cancer cell survival and growth. Nat Cell Biol. 2015;17:351-359. [PMID: 25774832 DOI: 10.1038/ncb3124]

LncRNAs are involved in regulating ageing and age-related disease through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signalling pathway

A long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is longer than 200 bp. It regulates various biological processes mainly by interacting with DNA, RNA, or protein in multiple kinds of biological processes. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated during nutrient starvation, especially glucose starvation and oxygen deficiency (hypoxia), and exposure to toxins that inhibit mitochondrial respiratory chain complex function. AMPK is an energy switch in organisms that controls cell growth and multiple cellular processes, including lipid and glucose metabolism, thereby maintaining intracellular energy homeostasis by activating catabolism and inhibiting anabolism. The AMPK signalling pathway consists of AMPK and its upstream and downstream targets. AMPK upstream targets include proteins such as the transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), liver kinase B1 (LKB1), and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase β (CaMKKβ), and its downstream targets include proteins such as the mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), and silencing information regulatory 1 (SIRT1). In general, proteins function relatively independently and cooperate. In this article, a review of the currently known lncRNAs involved in the AMPK signalling pathway is presented and insights into the regulatory mechanisms involved in human ageing and age-related diseases are provided.

Metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer: A new therapeutic strategy

Cancer metabolism is now a key area for therapeutic intervention, targeting unique metabolic reprogramming crucial for tumor growth and survival. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of addressing metabolic vulnerabilities through glycolysis and glutaminase inhibitors, which disrupt cancer cell metabolism. Challenges such as tumor heterogeneity and adaptive resistance are discussed, with strategies including personalized medicine and predictive biomarkers to enhance treatment efficacy. Additionally, integrating diet and lifestyle changes with metabolic targeting underscores a holistic approach to improving therapy outcomes. The article also examines the benefits of incorporating these strategies into standard care, highlighting the potential for more tailored, safer treatments. In conclusion, exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities promises a new era in oncology, positioning metabolic targeting at the forefront of personalized cancer therapy and transforming patient care.

Biofluorescence imaging-guided spatial metabolic tracing: In vivo tracking of metabolic activity in circulating tumor cell-mediated multi-organ metastases

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are considered metastatic precursors that are shed from the primary or metastatic deposits and navigate the bloodstream before undergoing extravasation to establish distant metastases. Metabolic reprogramming appears to be a hallmark of metastatic progression, yet current methods for evaluating metabolic heterogeneity within organ-specific metastases in vivo are limited. To overcome this challenge, we present Biofluorescence Imaging-Guided Spatial Metabolic Tracing (BIGSMT), a novel approach integrating in vivo biofluorescence imaging, stable isotope tracing, stain-free laser capture microdissection, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This innovative technology obviates the need for staining or intricate sample preparation, mitigating metabolite loss, and substantially enhances detection sensitivity and accuracy through chemical derivatization of polar metabolites in central carbon pathways. Application of BIGSMT to a preclinical CTC-mediated metastasis mouse model revealed significant heterogeneity in the in vivo carbon flux from glucose into glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle across distinct metastatic sites. Our analysis indicates that carbon predominantly enters the TCA cycle through the enzymatic reaction catalyzed by pyruvate dehydrogenase. Thus, our spatially resolved BIGSMT technology provides fresh insights into the metabolic heterogeneity and evolution during melanoma CTC-mediated metastatic progression and points to novel therapeutic opportunities.

Applications of nanotechnology in remodeling the tumour microenvironment for glioblastoma treatment

With the increasing research and deepening understanding of the glioblastoma (GBM) tumour microenvironment (TME), novel and more effective therapeutic strategies have been proposed. The GBM TME involves intricate interactions between tumour and non-tumour cells, promoting tumour progression. Key therapeutic goals for GBM treatment include improving the immunosuppressive microenvironment, enhancing the cytotoxicity of immune cells against tumours, and inhibiting tumour growth and proliferation. Consequently, remodeling the GBM TME using nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery enables targeted delivery, thereby improving treatment specificity, facilitating combination therapies, and optimizing drug metabolism. This review provides an overview of the GBM TME and discusses the methods of remodeling the GBM TME using nanotechnology. Specifically, it explores the application of nanotechnology in ameliorating immune cell immunosuppression, inducing immunogenic cell death, stimulating, and recruiting immune cells, regulating tumour metabolism, and modulating the crosstalk between tumours and other cells.

Deregulation of lactate permeability using a small-molecule transporter (Lactrans-1) disturbs intracellular pH and triggers cancer cell death

Due to the relevance of lactic acidosis in cancer, several therapeutic strategies have been developed targeting its production and/or regulation. In this matter, inhibition approaches of key proteins such as lactate dehydrogenase or monocarboxylate transporters have showed promising results, however, metabolic plasticity and tumor heterogeneity limits their efficacy. In this study, we explored the anticancer potential of a new strategy based on disturbing lactate permeability independently of monocarboxylate transporters activity using a small molecule ionophore named Lactrans-1. Derived from click-tambjamines, Lactrans-1 facilitates transmembrane lactate transportation in liposome models and reduces cancer cell viability. The results showed that Lactrans-1 triggered both apoptosis and necrosis depending on the cell line tested, displaying a synergistic effect in combination with first-line standard chemotherapeutic cisplatin. The ability of this compound to transport outward lactate anions was confirmed in A549 and HeLa cells, two cancer cell lines having distinct rates of lactate production. In addition, through cell viability reversion experiments it was possible to establish a correlation between the amount of lactate transported and the cytotoxic effect exhibited. The movement of lactate anions was accompanied with intracellular pH disturbances that included basification of lysosomes and acidification of the cytosol and mitochondria. We also observed mitochondrial swelling, increased ROS production and activation of oxidative stress signaling pathways p38-MAPK and JNK/SAPK. Our findings provide evidence that enhancement of lactate permeability is critical for cellular pH homeostasis and effective to trigger cancer cell death, suggesting that Lactrans-1 may be a promising anticancer therapy.

The unique metabolome of clear cell ovarian carcinoma

Clear cell ovarian carcinoma (CCOC) is an aggressive malignancy affecting younger women. Despite ovarian cancer subtypes having diverse molecular and clinical characteristics, the mainstay of treatment for advanced stage disease remains cytotoxic chemotherapy. Late stage CCOC is resistant to conventional chemotherapy, which means a suboptimal outcome for patients affected. Despite detailed genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic characterisation, subtype-specific treatment for CCOC has shown little progress. The unique glycogen accumulation defining CCOC suggests altered metabolic pathway activity and dependency. This study presents the first metabolomic landscape of ovarian cancer subtypes, including 42 CCOC, 20 high-grade serous and 21 endometrioid ovarian carcinomas, together comprising the three most common ovarian carcinoma subtypes. We describe a distinct metabolomic landscape of CCOC compared with other ovarian cancer subtypes, including alterations in energy utilisation and cysteine metabolism. In addition, we identify CCOC-specific alterations in metabolic pathways including serine biosynthesis and ROS-associated pathways that could serve as potential therapeutic targets. Our study provides the first in-depth study into the metabolome of ovarian cancers and a rich resource to support ongoing research efforts to identify subtype-specific therapeutic targets that could improve the dismal outcome for patients with this devastating malignancy. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Metabolic Reprogramming in the Tumor Microenvironment From 2003 to 2022

BACKGROUND

Despite considerable progress in cancer immunotherapy, it is not available for many patients. Resistance to immune checkpoint blockers arises from the intricate interactions between cancer and its microenvironment. Metabolic reprogramming in tumor and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) influences anti-tumor immune responses by remodeling the immune microenvironment. Metabolic reprogramming has emerged as an important hallmark of tumorigenesis. However, few studies have focused on the TME and metabolic reprogramming. Therefore, we aimed to explore the current research status and popular topics in TME-related metabolic reprogramming over a 20 years using a bibliometric approach.

METHODS

Studies focusing on metabolic reprogramming and TME were searched using the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometric and visual analyses of the articles and reviews were performed using Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace.

RESULTS

In total, 4726 articles published between 2003 and 2022 were selected. The number of publications and citations has increased annually. Cooperation network analysis indicated that the United States holds the foremost position in metabolic reprogramming and TME research with the highest volume of publications and citations, thus exerting the greatest influence. Among these institutions, Fudan University displayed the highest level of productivity. Frontiers in Immunology showed the highest degree of productivity in this field. Ho Ping-Chih made the most article contributions, and Pearce Edward J. was the most co-cited author. Four clusters were obtained after a cluster analysis of the authors' keywords: TME, metabolic reprogramming, immunometabolism, and immunity. Immunometabolism, glycolysis, immune cells, and tumor-associated macrophages are relatively recent keywords that have attracted increasing attention.

CONCLUSIONS

A comprehensive landscape of advancements in metabolic reprogramming and the TME was evaluated, which provided crucial information for scholars to further advance this promising field. Further research should explore new topics related to immunometabolism in the TME using a transdisciplinary approach.

T cell exhaustion in human cancers

T cell exhaustion refers to a progressive state in which T cells become functionally impaired due to sustained antigenic stimulation, which is characterized by increased expression of immune inhibitory receptors, but weakened effector functions, reduced self-renewal capacity, altered epigenetics, transcriptional programme and metabolism. T cell exhaustion is one of the major causes leading to immune escape of cancer, creating an environment that supports tumor development and metastatic spread. In addition, T cell exhaustion plays a pivotal role to the efficacy of current immunotherapies for cancer. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view of roles of T cell exhaustion in cancer development and progression. We summerized the regulatory mechanisms that involved in T cell exhaustion, including transcription factors, epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming events, and various microenvironmental factors such as cytokines, microorganisms, and tumor autocrine substances. The paper also discussed the challenges posed by T cell exhaustion to cancer immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, highlightsing the obstacles encountered in ICB therapies and CAR-T therapies due to T cell exhaustion. Finally, the article provides an overview of current therapeutic options aimed to reversing or alleviating T cell exhaustion in ICB and CAR-T therapies. These therapeutic approaches seek to overcome T cell exhaustion and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating tumors.

A Cyclometalated Ruthenium(II) Complex Induces Oncosis for Synergistic Activation of Innate and Adaptive Immunity

An optimal cancer chemotherapy regimen should effectively address the drug resistance of tumors while eliciting antitumor-immune responses. Research has shown that non-apoptotic cell death, such as pyroptosis and ferroptosis, can enhance the immune response. Despite this, there has been limited investigation and reporting on the mechanisms of oncosis and its correlation with immune response. Herein, we designed and synthesized a Ru(II) complex that targeted the nucleus and mitochondria to induce cell oncosis. Briefly, the Ru(II) complex disrupts the nucleus and mitochondria DNA, which active polyADP-ribose polymerase 1, accompanied by ATP consumption and porimin activation. Concurrently, mitochondrial damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress result in the release of Ca2+ ions and increased expression of Calpain 1. Subsequently, specific pore proteins porimin and Calpain 1 promote cristae destruction or vacuolation, ultimately leading to cell membrane rupture. The analysis of RNA sequencing demonstrates that the Ru(II) complex can initiate the oncosis-associated pathway and activate both innate and adaptive immunity. In vivo experiments have confirmed that oncosis promotes dendritic cell maturation and awakens adaptive cytotoxic T lymphocytes but also activates the innate immune by inducing the polarization of macrophages towards an M1 phenotype.

Microbiome in radiotherapy: an emerging approach to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce tissue injury

Radiotherapy is a widely used cancer treatment that utilizes powerful radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. While radiation can be beneficial, it can also harm the healthy tissues surrounding the tumor. Recent research indicates that the microbiota, the collection of microorganisms in our body, may play a role in influencing the effectiveness and side effects of radiation therapy. Studies have shown that specific species of bacteria living in the stomach can influence the immune system's response to radiation, potentially increasing the effectiveness of treatment. Additionally, the microbiota may contribute to adverse effects like radiation-induced diarrhea. A potential strategy to enhance radiotherapy outcomes and capitalize on the microbiome involves using probiotics. Probiotics are living microorganisms that offer health benefits when consumed in sufficient quantities. Several studies have indicated that probiotics have the potential to alter the composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in an enhanced immune response to radiation therapy and consequently improving the efficacy of the treatment. It is important to note that radiation can disrupt the natural balance of gut bacteria, resulting in increased intestinal permeability and inflammatory conditions. These disruptions can lead to adverse effects such as diarrhea and damage to the intestinal lining. The emerging field of radiotherapy microbiome research offers a promising avenue for optimizing cancer treatment outcomes. This paper aims to provide an overview of the human microbiome and its role in augmenting radiation effectiveness while minimizing damage.

Elucidating the multifaceted role of MGAT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma: integrative single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveal novel therapeutic insights

Background

Glycosyltransferase-associated genes play a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis. This study investigates their impact on the tumor microenvironment and molecular mechanisms, offering insights into innovative immunotherapeutic strategies for HCC.

Methods

We utilized cutting-edge single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to examine HCC heterogeneity. Four single-cell scoring techniques were employed to evaluate glycosyltransferase genes. Spatial transcriptomic findings were validated, and bulk RNA-seq analysis was conducted to identify prognostic glycosyltransferase-related genes and potential immunotherapeutic targets. MGAT1's role was further explored through various functional assays.

Results

Our analysis revealed diverse cell subpopulations in HCC with distinct glycosyltransferase gene activities, particularly in macrophages. Key glycosyltransferase genes specific to macrophages were identified. Temporal analysis illustrated macrophage evolution during tumor progression, while spatial transcriptomics highlighted reduced expression of these genes in core tumor macrophages. Integrating scRNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and spatial transcriptomics, MGAT1 emerged as a promising therapeutic target, showing significant potential in HCC immunotherapy.

Conclusion

This comprehensive study delves into glycosyltransferase-associated genes in HCC, elucidating their critical roles in cellular dynamics and immune cell interactions. Our findings open new avenues for immunotherapeutic interventions and personalized HCC management, pushing the boundaries of HCC immunotherapy.

Impact of brain organoid-derived sEVs on metastatic adaptation and invasion of breast carcinoma cells through a microphysiological system

Brain metastases are common in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), suggesting a complex process of cancer spread. The mechanisms enabling TNBC cell adaptation and proliferation in the brain remain unclear. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play a crucial role in communication between breast carcinoma cells and the brain. However, the lack of relevant models hinders understanding of sEV-mediated communication. The present study assesses the impact of brain organoid-derived sEVs (BO-sEVs) on various behaviours of the MDA-MB-231 cell line, chosen as a representative of TNBC in a 3D microfluidic model. Our results demonstrate that 150-200 nm sEVs expressing CD63, CD9, and CD81 from brain organoid media decrease MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, enhance their wound-healing capacity, alter their morphology into more mesenchymal mode, and increase their stemness. BO-sEVs led to heightened PD-L1, CD49f, and vimentin levels of expression in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting an amplified immunosuppressive, stem-like, and mesenchymal phenotype. Furthermore, these sEVs also induced the expression of neural markers such as GFAP in carcinoma cells. The cytokine antibody profiling array also showed that BO-sEVs enhanced the secretion of MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 by MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, sEVs significantly enhance the migration and invasion of carcinoma cells toward brain organoids in a 3D organoid-on-a-chip system. Our findings emphasize the potential significance of metastatic site-derived sEVs as pivotal mediators in carcinoma progression and adaptation to the brain microenvironment, thereby unveiling novel therapeutic avenues.

Current progress in the regulation of endogenous molecules for enhanced chemodynamic therapy

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is a potential cancer treatment strategy, which relies on Fenton chemistry to transform hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for tumor growth suppression. Although overproduced H2O2 in cancerous tissues makes CDT a feasible and specific tumor therapeutic modality, the treatment outcomes of traditional chemodynamic agents still fall short of expectations. Reprogramming cellular metabolism is one of the hallmarks of tumors, which not only supports unrestricted proliferative demands in cancer cells, but also mediates the resistance of tumor cells against many antitumor modalities. Recent discoveries have revealed that various cellular metabolites including H2O2, iron, lactate, glutathione, and lipids have distinct effects on CDT efficiency. In this perspective, we intend to provide a comprehensive summary of how different endogenous molecules impact Fenton chemistry for a deep understanding of mechanisms underlying endogenous regulation-enhanced CDT. Moreover, we point out the current challenges and offer our outlook on the future research directions in this field. We anticipate that exploring CDT through manipulating metabolism will yield significant advancements in tumor treatment.

[18F]FDG PET-CT radiomics signature to predict pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to develop and validate a radiomics model based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET-CT) images to predict pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred eighty-five patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy for NSCLC at 5 centers from January 2019 to December 2022 were included and divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. Radiomics models were constructed via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. The performances of models were evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). In addition, genetic analyses were conducted to reveal the underlying biological basis of the radiomics score.

RESULTS

After the LASSO process, 9 PET-CT radiomics features were selected for pCR prediction. In the validation cohort, the ability of PET-CT radiomics model to predict pCR was shown to have an AUC of 0.818 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.711, 0.925), which was better than the PET radiomics model (0.728 [95% CI, 0.610, 0.846]), CT radiomics model (0.732 [95% CI, 0.607, 0.857]), and maximum standard uptake value (0.603 [95% CI, 0.473, 0.733]) (p < 0.05). Moreover, a high radiomics score was related to the upregulation of pathways suppressing tumor proliferation and the infiltration of antitumor immune cell.

CONCLUSION

The proposed PET-CT radiomics model was capable of predicting pCR to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in NSCLC patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

This study indicated that the generated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography radiomics model could predict pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, implying the potential of our radiomics model to personalize the neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in lung cancer patients.

KEY POINTS

• Recognizing patients potentially benefiting neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy is critical for individualized therapy of lung cancer. • [18F]FDG PET-CT radiomics could predict pathological complete response to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. • [18F]FDG PET-CT radiomics model could personalize neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in lung cancer patients.

FPR3 reprograms glycolytic metabolism and stemness in gastric cancer via calcium-NFATc1 pathway

Aerobic glycolysis accelerates tumor proliferation and progression, and inhibitors or drugs targeting abnormal cancer metabolism have been developing. Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) significantly contribute to tumor initiation, metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence. Formyl peptide receptor 3 (FPR3), a member of FPR family, involves in inflammation, tissue repair, and angiogenesis. However, studies in exploring the regulatory mechanisms of aerobic glycolysis and CSCs by FPR3 in gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that overexpressed FPR3 suppressed glycolytic capacity and stemness of tumor cells, then inhibited GC cells proliferation. Mechanistically, FPR3 impeded cytoplasmic calcium ion flux and hindered nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) nuclear translocation, leading to the transcriptional inactivation of NFATc1-binding neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 3 (NOTCH3) promoter, subsequently obstructing NOTCH3 expression and the AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway, and ultimately downregulating glycolysis. Additionally, NFATc1 directly binds to the sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) promoter and modifies stemness in GC. In conclusion, our work illustrated that FPR3 played a negative role in GC progression by modulating NFATc1-mediated glycolysis and stemness in a calcium-dependent manner, providing potential insights into cancer therapy.

Increasing correlation between oral and gastric microbiota during gastric carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Recent research has increasingly focused on the role of the gastric microbiome in the development of gastric cancer. We aimed to investigate the changes in the microbiome during gastric carcinogenesis in structural and functional aspects, with a specific focus on the association between oral and gastric microbiomes.

METHODS

We collected saliva, gastric juice, and gastric tissue samples from 141 patients at different stages of gastric carcinogenesis and processed them for microbiome analysis using 16S rRNA gene profiling. The alpha and beta diversities were analyzed, and the differences in microbiome composition and function profiles were analyzed among the groups, as well as the correlation between changes in the oral and gastric microbiomes during carcinogenesis.

RESULTS

We observed significant differences in microbial diversity and composition between the disease and control groups, primarily in the gastric juice. Specific bacterial strains, including Schaalia odontolytica, Streptococcus cristatus, and Peptostreptococcus stomatis, showed a significant increase in abundance in the gastric juice in the low-grade dysplasia and gastric cancer groups. Notably, the correlation between the oral and gastric microbiota compositions, increased as the disease progressed. Predictive analysis of the metagenomic functional profiles revealed changes in functional pathways that may be associated with carcinogenesis (ABC transport and two-component systems).

CONCLUSION

During gastric carcinogenesis, the abundance of oral commensals associated with cancer increased in the stomach. The similarity in microbial composition between the stomach and oral cavity also increased, implying a potential role of oral-gastric bacterial interactions in gastric cancer development.

Aquaporins in colorectal cancer: exploring their role in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug response

Aquaporins (AQPs) are small, integral proteins facilitating water transport across plasma cell membranes in response to osmotic gradients. This family has 13 unique members (AQP0-12), which can also transport glycerol, urea, gases, and other salute small molecules. AQPs play a crucial role in the regulation of different cellular processes, including metabolism, migration, immunity, barrier function, and angiogenesis. These proteins are found to aberrantly overexpress in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Growing evidence has explored AQPs as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target in different cancers. However, there is no comprehensive review compiling the available information on the crucial role of AQPs in the context of colorectal cancer. This review highlights the significance of AQPs as the biomarker and regulator of tumor cells metabolism. In addition, the proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells related to AQPs expression as well as function are discussed. Understanding the AQPs prominent role in chemotherapy resistance is of great importance clinically.

Targeting HMGCS1 restores chemotherapy sensitivity in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common hematological malignancy with overall poor prognosis. Exploring novel targets is urgent and necessary to improve the clinical outcome of relapsed and refractory (RR) AML patients. Through clinical specimens, animal models and cell-level studies, we explored the specific mechanism of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthase 1 (HMGCS1) in AML and the mechanism of targeting HMGCS1 to attenuate cell proliferation, increase chemotherapy sensitivity and improve the occurrence and development of AML. Here, we reveal that HMGCS1 is overexpressed in RR patients and negatively related to overall survival (OS). Knocking out HMGCS1 in AML cells attenuated cell proliferation and increased chemotherapy sensitivity, while stable overexpression of HMGCS1 had the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we identified that knockout of HMGCS1 suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activity, while overexpression of HMGCS1 could remarkably enhance the pathway. U0126, a MEK1 inhibitor, offset the effects of HMGCS1 overexpression, indicating that HMGCS1 promotes RR AML through the MAPK pathway. Further, we verified that hymeglusin, a specific inhibitor of HMGCS1, decreases cell growth both in AML cell lines and primary bone marrow cells of AML patients. Furthermore, combination of hymeglusin and the common chemotherapeutic drug cytarabine and adriamycin (ADR) had synergistic toxic effects on AML cells. Our study demonstrates the important role of HMGCS1 in AML, and targeting this protein is promising for the treatment of RR AML.

Mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contributes to the sensitivity of tumor cells to anoikis and their metastatic potential

It is well-known that the survival of metastatic cells during their dissemination plays an important role in metastasis. However, does this mean that the final result of the metastatic cascade (the volume of metastatic damage to distant organs and tissues) depends on, or at least correlates with, the degree of resistance to anoikis (distinctive hallmarks of metastatic cells)? This question remains open.The aim of the work was to study in vitro the changes in the survival rates, proliferative activity, oxidative stress, and glycolysis intensity during three days of anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth of two Lewis lung carcinoma cell lines (LLC and LLC/R9) and compare these changes with the status of mitochondria and metastatic potential of the cells in vivo.

Methods

The number and volume of lung metastases were estimated for each cell line after intramuscular inoculation of the cells in C57Bl/6 mice. For the in vitro study, the cells were seeded on Petri dishes pretreated with poly-HEMA or untreated dishes and then allowed to grow for 3 days. Cell viability, cell cycle progression, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glucose consumption and lactate production rates were investigated daily in both growth conditions. An electron microscopy study of intracellular structures was carried out.

Results

The study showed (as far as we know for the first time) a correlation between the metastatic potential of cells (determined in vivo) and their sensitivity to anoikis (assessed in vitro). The transition of LLC/R9 cells with an inherently defective mitochondrial system to the conditions of anchorage-independent growth was characterized by a decrease in survival, a slowdown in growth rates, an increase in both glucose consumption rate and intracellular ROS levels and manyfold lower metastatic potential, compared to highly metastatic LLC cells with the normal mitochondrial system.

Enhanced bioenergetic cellular activity with metabolic switch to aerobic glycolysis in Keloid and Folliculitis Keloidalis Nuchae

Keloid scars and folliculitis keloidalis nuchae (FKN) are benign fibroproliferative dermal lesions of unknown aetiology and ill-defined treatment, which typically present in genetically susceptible individuals. Their pathognomonic hallmarks include local aggressive invasive behaviour plus high recurrence post-therapy. In view of this, we investigated proliferative and key parameters of bioenergetic cellular characteristics of site-specific keloid-derived fibroblasts (intra(centre)- and peri(margin)-lesional) and FKN compared to normal skin and normal flat non-hypertrophic scar fibroblasts as negative controls.The results showed statistically significant (P < 0.01) and variable growth dynamics with increased proliferation and migration in keloid fibroblasts, while FKN fibroblasts showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in proliferation but similar migration profile to controls. A statistically significant metabolic switch towards aerobic glycolysis in the fibroblasts from the disease conditions was noted. Furthermore, an increase in basal glycolysis with a concomitant increase in the cellular maximum glycolytic capacity was also demonstrated in perilesional keloid and FKN fibroblasts (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial function parameters showed increased oxidative phosphorylation in the disease conditions (P < 0.05) indicating functional mitochondria. These findings further suggest that Keloids and FKN demonstrate a switch to a metabolic phenotype of aerobic glycolysis. Increased glycolytic flux inhibition is a potential mechanistic basis for future therapy.

Glucose deprivation triggers DCAF1-mediated inactivation of Rheb-mTORC1 and promotes cancer cell survival

Low glucose is a common microenvironment for rapidly growing solid tumors, which has developed multiple approaches to survive under glucose deprivation. However, the specific regulatory mechanism remains largely elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that glucose deprivation, while not amino acid or serum starvation, transactivates the expression of DCAF1. This enhances the K48-linked polyubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation of Rheb, inhibits mTORC1 activity, induces autophagy, and facilitates cancer cell survival under glucose deprivation conditions. This study identified DCAF1 as a new cellular glucose sensor and uncovered new insights into mechanism of DCAF1-mediated inactivation of Rheb-mTORC1 pathway for promoting cancer cell survival in response to glucose deprivation.

The Immune Response of Cancer Cells in Breast and Gynecologic Neoplasms

Cancer diseases constitute a major health problem which leads to the death of millions of people annually. They are unique among other diseases because cancer cells can perfectly adapt to the environment that they create themselves. This environment is usually highly hostile and for normal cells it would be hugely difficult to survive, however neoplastic cells not only can survive but also manage to proliferate. One of the reasons is that they can alter immunological pathways which allow them to be flexible and change their phenotype to the one needed in specific conditions. The aim of this paper is to describe some of these immunological pathways that play significant roles in gynecologic neoplasms as well as review recent research in this field. It is of high importance to possess extensive knowledge about these processes, as greater understanding leads to creating more specialized therapies which may prove highly effective in the future.

Immunonutrition, Metabolism, and Programmed Cell Death in Lung Cancer: Translating Bench to Bedside

Lung cancer presents significant therapeutic challenges, motivating the exploration of novel treatment strategies. Programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms, encompassing apoptosis, autophagy, and programmed necrosis, are pivotal in lung cancer pathogenesis and the treatment response. Dysregulation of these pathways contributes to tumor progression and therapy resistance. Immunonutrition, employing specific nutrients to modulate immune function, and metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cancer cells, offer promising avenues for intervention. Nutritional interventions, such as omega-3 fatty acids, exert modulatory effects on PCD pathways in cancer cells, while targeting metabolic pathways implicated in apoptosis regulation represents a compelling therapeutic approach. Clinical evidence supports the role of immunonutritional interventions, including omega-3 fatty acids, in augmenting PCD and enhancing treatment outcomes in patients with lung cancer. Furthermore, synthetic analogs of natural compounds, such as resveratrol, demonstrate promising anticancer properties by modulating apoptotic signaling pathways. This review underscores the convergence of immunonutrition, metabolism, and PCD pathways in lung cancer biology, emphasizing the potential for therapeutic exploration in this complex disease. Further elucidation of the specific molecular mechanisms governing these interactions is imperative for translating these findings into clinical practice and improving lung cancer management.

Suppressing mitochondrial inner membrane protein (IMMT) inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells through mitochondrial remodeling and metabolic regulation

Metabolic reprogramming is widely recognized as a hallmark of malignant tumors, and the targeting of metabolism has emerged as an appealing approach for cancer treatment. Mitochondria, as pivotal organelles, play a crucial role in the metabolic regulation of tumor cells, and their morphological and functional alterations are intricately linked to the biological characteristics of tumors. As a key regulatory subunit of mitochondria, mitochondrial inner membrane protein (IMMT), plays a vital role in degenerative diseases, but its role in tumor is almost unknown. The objective of this research was to investigate the roles that IMMT play in the development and progression of breast cancer (BC), as well as to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms that drive these effects. In this study, it was confirmed that the expression of IMMT in BC tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed that IMMT can serve as an independent prognostic factor for BC patients. Additionally, verification in clinical specimens of BC demonstrated a positive association between high IMMT expression and larger tumor size (> 2 cm), Ki-67 expression (> 15%), and HER-2 status. Furthermore, in vitro experiments have substantiated that the suppression of IMMT expression resulted in a reduction in cell proliferation and alterations in mitochondrial cristae, concomitant with the liberation of cytochrome c, but it did not elicit mitochondrial apoptosis. Through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) analysis, we have predicted the associated metabolic genes and discovered that IMMT potentially modulates the advancement of BC through its interaction with 16 metabolic-related genes, and the changes in glycolysis related pathways have been validated in BC cell lines after IMMT inhibition. Consequently, this investigation furnishes compelling evidence supporting the classification of IMMT as prognostic marker in BC, and underscoring its prospective utility as a novel target for metabolic therapy.

Role of lipid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), an aggressive malignancy with a dismal prognosis, poses a significant public health challenge. Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of lipid metabolism in HCC development, with enhanced lipid synthesis and uptake contributing to the rapid proliferation and tumorigenesis of cancer cells. Lipids, primarily synthesized and utilized in the liver, play a critical role in the pathological progression of various cancers, particularly HCC. Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, an essential adaptation to the tumor microenvironment (TME), with fatty acid metabolism emerging as a key player in this process. This review delves into intricate interplay between HCC and lipid metabolism, focusing on four key areas: de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, dysregulated lipid metabolism of immune cells in the TME, and therapeutic strategies targeting fatty acid metabolism for HCC treatment.

IFRD1 promotes tumor cells "low-cost" survival under glutamine starvation via inhibiting histone H1.0 nucleophagy

Glutamine addiction represents a metabolic vulnerability of cancer cells; however, effective therapeutic targeting of the pathways involved remains to be realized. Here, we disclose the critical role of interferon-related developmental regulator 1 (IFRD1) in the adaptive survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells during glutamine starvation. IFRD1 is induced under glutamine starvation to inhibit autophagy by promoting the proteasomal degradation of the key autophagy regulator ATG14 in a TRIM21-dependent manner. Conversely, targeting IFRD1 in the glutamine-deprived state increases autophagy flux, triggering cancer cell exhaustive death. This effect largely results from the nucleophilic degradation of histone H1.0 and the ensuing unchecked increases in ribosome and protein biosynthesis associated with globally enhanced chromatin accessibility. Intriguingly, IFRD1 depletion in preclinical HCC models synergizes with the treatment of the glutaminase-1 selective inhibitor CB-839 to potentiate the effect of limiting glutamine. Together, our findings reveal how IFRD1 supports the adaptive survival of cancer cells under glutamine starvation, further highlighting the potential of IFRD1 as a therapeutic target in anti-cancer applications.

A novel insight into cancer therapy: Lipid metabolism in tumor-associated macrophages

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) can limit the effectiveness and often leads to significant side effects of conventional cancer therapies. Consequently, there is a growing interest in identifying novel targets to enhance the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy. More research indicates that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), originating from peripheral blood monocytes generated from bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells, play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are closely associated with resistance to traditional cancer therapies. Lipid metabolism alterations have been widely recognized as having a significant impact on tumors and their immune microenvironment. Lipids, lipid derivatives, and key substances in their metabolic pathways can influence the carcinogenesis and progression of cancer cells by modulating the phenotype, function, and activity of TAMs. Therefore, this review focuses on the reprogramming of lipid metabolism in cancer cells and their immune microenvironment, in which the TAMs are especially concentrated. Such changes impact TAMs activation and polarization, thereby affecting the tumor cell response to treatment. Furthermore, the article explores the potential of targeting the lipid metabolism of TAMs as a supplementary approach to conventional cancer therapies. It reviews and evaluates current strategies for enhancing efficacy through TAMs' lipid metabolism and proposes new lipid metabolism targets as potential synergistic options for chemo-radiotherapy and immunotherapy. These efforts aim to stimulate further research in this area.

Tripartite Motif-Containing 2, a Glutamine Metabolism-Associated Protein, Predicts Poor Patient Outcome in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) remains heterogeneous in terms of prognosis and response to treatment. Metabolic reprogramming is a critical part of oncogenesis and a potential therapeutic target. Glutaminase (GLS), which generates glutamate from glutamine, plays a role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, targeting GLS directly may be difficult, as it is essential for normal cell function. This study aimed to determine potential targets in BC associated with glutamine metabolism and evaluate their prognostic value in BC.

METHODS

The iNET model was used to identify genes in BC that are associated with GLS using RNA-sequencing data. The prognostic significance of tripartite motif-containing 2 (TRIM2) mRNA was assessed in BC transcriptomic data (n = 16,575), and TRIM2 protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (n = 749) in patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer with long-term follow-up. The associations between TRIM2 expression and clinicopathological features and patient outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Pathway analysis identified TRIM2 expression as an important gene co-expressed with high GLS expression in BC. High TRIM2 mRNA and TRIM2 protein expression were associated with TNBC (p < 0.01). TRIM2 was a predictor of poor distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in TNBC (p < 0.01), and this was independent of established prognostic factors (p < 0.05), particularly in those who received chemotherapy (p < 0.05). In addition, TRIM2 was a predictor of shorter DMFS in TNBC treated with chemotherapy (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of an association between TRIM2 and poor patient outcomes in TNBC, especially those treated with chemotherapy. The molecular mechanisms and functional behaviour of TRIM2 and the functional link with GLS in BC warrant further exploration using in vitro models.

Energy stress-induced circDDX21 promotes glycolysis and facilitates hepatocellular carcinogenesis

Cancer cells undergo metabolic reprogramming in response to hostile microenvironments, such as energy stress; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. It is also unknown whether energy stress-responsive circular RNA (circRNA) is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Here we report that circDDX21 is upregulated in response to glucose deprivation by the transcription factor c-Myc. Functionally, circDDX21 is shown to promote glycolysis by increasing PGAM1 expression. Mechanistically, circDDX21 interacts with the RNA binding protein PABPC1, disrupting its association with the ubiquitin E3 ligase MKRN3. This disassociation attenuates MKRN3-mediated PABPC1 ubiquitination and enhances the binding of PABPC1 to PGAM1 mRNA, thereby leading to PGAM1 mRNA stabilization. The ability of the circDDX21-PGAM1 axis to promote hepatocellular carcinogenesis is validated in a xenograft mouse model. Additionally, in clinical hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, there is a positive correlation between circDDX21 and PGAM1 expression. These findings establish circDDX21 as an important regulator of glycolysis and suggest circDDX21 as a potential therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Chaga mushroom extract suppresses oral cancer cell growth via inhibition of energy metabolism

Oral cancer stands as a prevalent maligancy worldwide; however, its therapeutic potential is limited by undesired effects and complications. As a medicinal edible fungus, Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) exhibits anticancer effects across diverse cancers. Yet, the precise mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain unclear. We explored the detailed mechanisms underlying the anticancer action of Chaga mushroom extract in oral cancer cells (HSC-4). Following treatment with Chaga mushroom extracts, we analyzed cell viability, proliferation capacity, glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, and apoptosis. Our findings revealed that the extract reduced cell viability and proliferation of HSC-4 cells while arresting their cell cycle via suppression of STAT3 activity. Regarding energy metabolism, Chaga mushroom extract inhibited glycolysis and mitochondrial membrane potential in HSC-4 cells, thereby triggering autophagy-mediated apoptotic cell death through activation of the p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Our results indicate that Chaga mushroom extract impedes oral cancer cell progression, by inhibiting cell cycle and proliferation, suppressing cancer cell energy metabolism, and promoting autophagy-mediated apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that this extract is a promising supplementary medicine for the treatment of patients with oral cancer.

Lactylproteome analysis indicates histone H4K12 lactylation as a novel biomarker in triple-negative breast cancer

Objective

The established link between posttranslational modifications of histone and non-histone lysine (K) residues in cell metabolism, and their role in cancer progression, is well-documented. However, the lactylation expression signature in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains underexplored.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive lactylproteome profiling of eight pairs of TNBC samples and their matched adjacent tissues. This was achieved through 4-Dimensional label-free quantitative proteomics combined with lactylation analysis (4D-LFQP-LA). The expression of identified lactylated proteins in TNBC was detected using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) with specific primary antibodies, and their clinicopathological and prognostic significance was evaluated.

Results

Our analysis identified 58 lactylation sites on 48 proteins, delineating the protein lactylation alteration signature in TNBC. Bioinformatic and functional analyses indicated that these lactylated proteins play crucial roles in regulating key biological processes in TNBC. Notably, lactylation of lysine at position 12 (H4K12lac) in the histone H4 domain was found to be upregulated in TNBC. Further investigations showed a high prevalence of H4K12lac upregulation in TNBC, with positive rates of 93.19% (137/147) and 92.93% (92/99) in TNBC tissue chip and validation cohorts, respectively. H4K12lac expression correlated positively with Ki-67 and inversely with overall survival (OS) in TNBC (HR [hazard ratio] =2.813, 95%CI [credibility interval]: 1.242-6.371, P=0.0164), suggesting its potential as an independent prognostic marker (HR=3.477, 95%CI: 1.324-9.130, P=0.011).

Conclusions

Lactylation is a significant post-translational modification in TNBC proteins. H4K12lac emerges as a promising biomarker for TNBC, offering insights into the lactylation profiles of TNBC proteins and linking histone modifications to clinical implications in TNBC.

Enzyme-Empowered "Two Birds with One Stone" Strategy for Amplifying Tumor Apoptosis and Metabolic Clearance

Nanomedicine has reshaped the landscape of cancer treatment. However, its efficacy is still hampered by innate tumor defense systems that rely on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for fuel, including damage repair, apoptosis resistance, and immune evasion. Inspired by the naturally enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidase (GOx) with glucose, here a novel "two birds with one stone" technique for amplifying enzyme-mediated tumor apoptosis and enzyme-promoted metabolic clearance is proposed and achieved using GOx-functionalized rhenium nanoclusters-doped polypyrrole (Re@ReP-G). Re@ReP-G reduces ATP production while increasing H2O2 concentrations in the tumor microenvironment through GOx-induced enzymatic oxidation, which in turn results in the downregulation of defense (HSP70 and HSP90) and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, the upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax, and the release of cytochrome c. These processes are further facilitated by laser-induced hyperthermia effect, ultimately leading to severe tumor apoptosis. As an enzymatic byproduct, H2O2 catalyzes the conversion of rhenium nanoclusters in Re@ReP-G nanostructures into rhenate from the outside in, which accelerates their metabolic clearance in vivo. This Re@ReP-G-based "two birds with one stone" therapeutic strategy provides an effective tool for amplifying tumor apoptosis and safe metabolic mechanisms.

Ferroptosis: a potential therapeutic target for stroke

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death characterized by massive iron accumulation and iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, differing from apoptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy in several aspects. Ferroptosis is regarded as a critical mechanism of a series of pathophysiological reactions after stroke because of iron overload caused by hemoglobin degradation and iron metabolism imbalance. In this review, we discuss ferroptosis-related metabolisms, important molecules directly or indirectly targeting iron metabolism and lipid peroxidation, and transcriptional regulation of ferroptosis, revealing the role of ferroptosis in the progression of stroke. We present updated progress in the intervention of ferroptosis as therapeutic strategies for stroke in vivo and in vitro and summarize the effects of ferroptosis inhibitors on stroke. Our review facilitates further understanding of ferroptosis pathogenesis in stroke, proposes new targets for the treatment of stroke, and suggests that more efforts should be made to investigate the mechanism of ferroptosis in stroke.

High glutamine increases stroke risk by inducing the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in moyamoya disease

At present, there is limited research on the mechanisms underlying moyamoya disease (MMD). Herein, we aimed to determine the role of glutamine in MMD pathogenesis, and 360 adult patients were prospectively enrolled. Human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) were subjected to Integrin Subunit Beta 4 (ITGB4) overexpression or knockdown and atorvastatin. We assessed factors associated with various signaling pathways in the context of the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and the expression level of related proteins was validated in the superficial temporal arteries of patients. We found glutamine levels were positively associated with a greater risk of stroke (OR = 1.599, p = 0.022). After treatment with glutamine, HBMECs exhibited enhanced proliferation, migration, and EndMT, all reversed by ITGB4 knockdown. In ITGB4-transfected HBMECs, the MAPK-ERK-TGF-β/BMP pathway was activated, with Smad4 knockdown reversing the EndMT. Furthermore, atorvastatin suppressed the EndMT by inhibiting Smad1/5 phosphorylation and promoting Smad4 ubiquitination in ITGB4-transfected HBMECs. We also found the protein level of ITGB4 was upregulated in the superficial temporal arteries of patients with MMD. In conclusion, our study suggests that glutamine may be an independent risk factor for hemorrhage or infarction in patients with MMD and targeting ITGB4 could potentially be therapeutic approaches for MMD.

Elevated aerobic glycolysis driven by p62-mTOR axis promotes arsenic-induced oncogenic phenotypes in human mammary epithelial cells

Chronic arsenic exposure is considered to increase the risk of breast cancer. p62 is a multifunctional adaptor protein that controls myriad cellular processes and is overexpressed in breast cancer tissues. Although previous studies have indicated the involvement of p62 accumulation in arsenic tumorigenesis, the underlying mechanism remains obscure. Here, we found that 0.1 µM or 0.5 µM arsenite exposure for 24 weeks induced oncogenic phenotypes in human mammary epithelial cells. Elevated aerobic glycolysis, cell proliferation capacity, and activation of p62-mTOR pathway, as indicated by increased protein levels of p62, phosphorylated-mTOR (p-mTOR) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), were observed in chronically arsenite-exposed cells, and of note in advance of the onset of oncogenic phenotypes. Moreover, p62 silencing inhibited acquisition of oncogenic phenotypes in arsenite-exposed cells. The protein levels of p-mTOR and HIF1α, as well as aerobic glycolysis and cell proliferation, were suppressed by p62 knockdown. In addition, re-activation of p‑mTOR reversed the inhibitory effects of p62 knockdown. Collectively, our data suggest that p62 exerts an oncogenic role via mTORC1 activation and acts as a key player in glucose metabolism during arsenite-induced malignant transformation, which provides a new mechanistic clue for the arsenite carcinogenesis.

Multi-omics staging of locally advanced rectal cancer predicts treatment response: a pilot study

Treatment response assessment of rectal cancer patients is a critical component of personalized cancer care and it allows to identify suitable candidates for organ-preserving strategies. This pilot study employed a novel multi-omics approach combining MRI-based radiomic features and untargeted metabolomics to infer treatment response at staging. The metabolic signature highlighted how tumor cell viability is predictively down-regulated, while the response to oxidative stress was up-regulated in responder patients, showing significantly reduced oxoproline values at baseline compared to non-responder patients (p-value < 10-4). Tumors with a high degree of texture homogeneity, as assessed by radiomics, were more likely to achieve a major pathological response (p-value < 10-3). A machine learning classifier was implemented to summarize the multi-omics information and discriminate responders and non-responders. Combining all available radiomic and metabolomic features, the classifier delivered an AUC of 0.864 (± 0.083, p-value < 10-3) with a best-point sensitivity of 90.9% and a specificity of 81.8%. Our results suggest that a multi-omics approach, integrating radiomics and metabolomic data, can enhance the predictive value of standard MRI and could help to avoid unnecessary surgical treatments and their associated long-term complications.

High PGC-1α Expression as a Poor Prognostic Indicator in Intracranial Glioma

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults. Despite multidisciplinary treatment approaches, the survival rates for patients with malignant glioma have only improved marginally, and few prognostic biomarkers have been identified. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a crucial regulator of cancer metabolism, playing a vital role in cancer cell adaptation to fluctuating energy demands. In this study, the clinicopathological roles of PGC-1α in gliomas were evaluated. Employing immunohistochemistry, cell culture, siRNA transfection, cell viability assays, western blot analyses, and in vitro and in vivo invasion and migration assays, we explored the functions of PGC-1α in glioma progression. High PGC-1α expression was significantly associated with an advanced pathological stage in patients with glioma and with poorer overall survival. The downregulation of PGC-1α inhibited glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration and altered the expression of oncogenic markers. These results conclusively demonstrated that PGC-1α plays a critical role in maintaining the malignant phenotype of glioma cells and indicated that targeting PGC-1α could be an effective strategy to curb glioma progression and improve patient survival outcomes.

Metabolic Regulation-Mediated Reversion of the Tumor Immunosuppressive Microenvironment for Potentiating Cooperative Metabolic Therapy and Immunotherapy

Tumor cells exhibit heightened glucose (Glu) consumption and increased lactic acid (LA) production, resulting in the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitates malignant proliferation and metastasis. In this study, we meticulously engineer an antitumor nanoplatform, denoted as ZLGCR, by incorporating glucose oxidase, LA oxidase, and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide into zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 that is camouflaged with a red blood cell membrane. Significantly, ZLGCR-mediated consumption of Glu and LA not only amplifies the effectiveness of metabolic therapy but also reverses the immunosuppressive TME, thereby enhancing the therapeutic outcomes of CpG-mediated antitumor immunotherapy. It is particularly important that the synergistic effect of metabolic therapy and immunotherapy is further augmented when combined with immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Consequently, this engineered antitumor nanoplatform will achieve a cooperative tumor-suppressive outcome through the modulation of metabolism and immune responses within the TME.

Functional Plasmonic Microscope: Characterizing the Metabolic Activity of Single Cells via Sub-nm Membrane Fluctuations

Metabolic abnormalities are at the center of many diseases, and the capability to film and quantify the metabolic activities of a single cell is important for understanding the heterogeneities in these abnormalities. In this paper, a functional plasmonic microscope (FPM) is used to image and measure metabolic activities without fluorescent labels at a single-cell level. The FPM can accurately image and quantify the subnanometer membrane fluctuations with a spatial resolution of 0.5 μm in real time. These active cell membrane fluctuations are caused by metabolic activities across the cell membrane. A three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the bottom cell membrane was imaged and reconstructed with FPM to illustrate the capability of the microscope for cell membrane characterization. Then, the subnanometer cell membrane fluctuations of single cells were imaged and quantified with the FPM using HeLa cells. Cell metabolic heterogeneity is analyzed based on membrane fluctuations of each individual cell that is exposed to similar environmental conditions. In addition, we demonstrated that the FPM could be used to evaluate the therapeutic responses of metabolic inhibitors (glycolysis pathway inhibitor STF 31) on a single-cell level. The result showed that the metabolic activities significantly decrease over time, but the nature of this response varies, depicting cell heterogeneity. A low-concentration dose showed a reduced fluctuation frequency with consistent fluctuation amplitudes, while the high-concentration dose showcased a decreasing trend in both cases. These results have demonstrated the capabilities of the functional plasmonic microscope to measure and quantify metabolic activities for drug discovery.

Crosstalk between lipid metabolism and EMT: emerging mechanisms and cancer therapy

Lipids are the key component of all membranes composed of a variety of molecules that transduce intracellular signaling and provide energy to the cells in the absence of nutrients. Alteration in lipid metabolism is a major factor for cancer heterogeneity and a newly identified cancer hallmark. Reprogramming of lipid metabolism affects the diverse cancer phenotypes, especially epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT activation is considered to be an essential step for tumor metastasis, which exhibits a crucial role in the biological processes including development, wound healing, and stem cell maintenance, and has been widely reported to contribute pathologically to cancer progression. Altered lipid metabolism triggers EMT and activates multiple EMT-associated oncogenic pathways. Although the role of lipid metabolism-induced EMT in tumorigenesis is an attractive field of research, there are still significant gaps in understanding the underlying mechanisms and the precise contributions of this interplay. Further study is needed to clarify the specific molecular mechanisms driving the crosstalk between lipid metabolism and EMT, as well as to determine the potential therapeutic implications. The increased dependency of tumor cells on lipid metabolism represents a novel therapeutic target, and targeting altered lipid metabolism holds promise as a strategy to suppress EMT and ultimately inhibit metastasis.

Pan-cancer analyses reveal genomics and clinical outcome association of the fatty acid oxidation regulators in cancer

Background

Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is considered to play a vital part in tumor metabolic reprogramming. But the comprehensive description of FAO dysregulation in tumors has not been unknown.

Methods

We obtained FAO genes, RNA-seq data and clinical information from the Msigdb, TCGA and GTEx databases. We assessed their prognosis value using univariate cox analysis, survival analysis and Kaplan-Meier curve. We determined the function of FAO genes using gene set variation analysis. The correlation analysis was calculated by corrplot R package. Immunotherapy response was assessed through TIDE scores. The protein expression levels of FAO genes were validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

The FAO scores were highest in COAD but lowest in PCPG. FAO scores were significantly associated with the prognosis of some cancers in OS, DSS, DFI and PFI. Besides, gene set variation analysis identified that FAO scores were related to immune-related pathways, and immune infiltration analysis showed FAO scores were positively related to cancer-associated fibroblasts and various immune-related genes. TIDE scores were significantly decreased in ACC, CHOL, ESCA, GBM, LAML, SARC, SKCM and THCA compared with normal samples, while it was significantly increased in BLCA, LUAD, LUSC, PCPG, PRAD and STAD. Besides, most FAO genes were downregulated in pan-cancer compared with normal samples. Moreover, we found copy number variation (CNV) of FAO genes played a positive role in their mRNA expression, while methylation was negative. We determined FAO genes were closely related to some drugs in pan-cancer.

Conclusions

FAO score is a novel and promising factor for predicting outcomes.

Targeting metabolism of breast cancer and its implications in T cell immunotherapy

Breast cancer is a prominent health issue amongst women around the world. Immunotherapies including tumor targeted antibodies, adoptive T cell therapy, vaccines, and immune checkpoint blockers have rejuvenated the clinical management of breast cancer, but the prognosis of patients remains dismal. Metabolic reprogramming and immune escape are two important mechanisms supporting the progression of breast cancer. The deprivation uptake of nutrients (such as glucose, amino acid, and lipid) by breast cancer cells has a significant impact on tumor growth and microenvironment remodeling. In recent years, in-depth researches on the mechanism of metabolic reprogramming and immune escape have been extensively conducted, and targeting metabolic reprogramming has been proposed as a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. This article reviews the abnormal metabolism of breast cancer cells and its impact on the anti-tumor activity of T cells, and further explores the possibility of targeting metabolism as a therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

Cancer immunometabolism: advent, challenges, and perspective

For decades, great strides have been made in the field of immunometabolism. A plethora of evidence ranging from basic mechanisms to clinical transformation has gradually embarked on immunometabolism to the center stage of innate and adaptive immunomodulation. Given this, we focus on changes in immunometabolism, a converging series of biochemical events that alters immune cell function, propose the immune roles played by diversified metabolic derivatives and enzymes, emphasize the key metabolism-related checkpoints in distinct immune cell types, and discuss the ongoing and upcoming realities of clinical treatment. It is expected that future research will reduce the current limitations of immunotherapy and provide a positive hand in immune responses to exert a broader therapeutic role.

Optical imaging reveals chemotherapy-induced metabolic reprogramming of residual disease and recurrence

Fewer than 20% of triple-negative breast cancer patients experience long-term responses to mainstay chemotherapy. Resistant tumor subpopulations use alternative metabolic pathways to escape therapy, survive, and eventually recur. Here, we show in vivo, longitudinal metabolic reprogramming in residual disease and recurrence of triple-negative breast cancer xenografts with varying sensitivities to the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel. Optical imaging coupled with metabolomics reported an increase in non-glucose-driven mitochondrial metabolism and an increase in intratumoral metabolic heterogeneity during regression and residual disease in resistant MDA-MB-231 tumors. Conversely, sensitive HCC-1806 tumors were primarily reliant on glucose uptake and minimal changes in metabolism or heterogeneity were observed over the tumors' therapeutic life cycles. Further, day-matched resistant HCC-1806 tumors revealed a higher reliance on mitochondrial metabolism and elevated metabolic heterogeneity compared to sensitive HCC-1806 tumors. Together, metabolic flexibility, increased reliance on mitochondrial metabolism, and increased metabolic heterogeneity are defining characteristics of persistent residual disease, features that will inform the appropriate type and timing of therapies.

Genetic and molecular characterization of metabolic pathway-based clusters in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive types of squamous cell carcinoma and represents a significant proportion of esophageal cancer. Metabolic reprogramming plays a key role in the occurrence and development of ESCC. Unsupervised clustering analysis was employed to stratify ESCC samples into three clusters: MPC1-lipid type, MPC2-amino acid type, and MPC3-energy type, based on the enrichment scores of metabolic pathways extracted from the Reactome database. The MPC3 cluster exhibited characteristics of energy metabolism, with heightened glycolysis, cofactors, and nucleotide metabolism, showing a trend toward increased aggressiveness and poorer survival rates. On the other hand, MPC1 and MPC2 primarily involved lipid and amino acid metabolism, respectively. In addition, liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiles and potential therapeutic agents were explored and compared among ESCC cell lines with different MPCs. MPC3 amplified energy metabolism markers, especially carnitines. In contrast, MPC1 and MPC2 predominantly had elevated levels of lipids (primarily triacylglycerol) and amino acids, respectively. Furthermore, MPC3 demonstrated a suboptimal clinical response to PD-L1 immunotherapy but showed increased sensitivity to the doramapimod chemotherapy regimen, as evident from drug sensitivity evaluations. These insights pave the way for a more personalized therapeutic approach, potentially enhancing treatment precision for ESCC patients.

Organelle resolved proteomics uncovers PLA2R1 as a novel cell surface marker required for chordoma growth

Chordomas are clinically aggressive tumors with a high rate of disease progression despite maximal therapy. Given the limited therapeutic options available, there remains an urgent need for the development of novel therapies to improve clinical outcomes. Cell surface proteins are attractive therapeutic targets yet are challenging to profile with common methods. Four chordoma cell lines were analyzed by quantitative proteomics using a differential ultracentrifugation organellar fractionation approach. A subtractive proteomics strategy was applied to select proteins that are plasma membrane enriched. Systematic data integration prioritized PLA2R1 (secretory phospholipase A2 receptor-PLA2R1) as a chordoma-enriched surface protein. The expression profile of PLA2R1 was validated across chordoma cell lines, patient surgical tissue samples, and normal tissue lysates via immunoblotting. PLA2R1 expression was further validated by immunohistochemical analysis in a richly annotated cohort of 25-patient tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that elevated expression of PLA2R1 is correlated with poor prognosis. Using siRNA- and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown of PLA2R1, we demonstrated significant inhibition of 2D, 3D and in vivo chordoma growth. PLA2R1 depletion resulted in cell cycle defects and metabolic rewiring via the MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that PLA2R1 plays an essential role in chordoma biology. We have characterized the proteome of four chordoma cell lines and uncovered PLA2R1 as a novel cell-surface protein required for chordoma cell survival and association with patient outcome.

Intelligent Delivery Systems in Tumor Metabolism Regulation: Exploring the Path Ahead

Cancer metabolism plays multifaceted roles in the initiation and progression of tumors, and interventions in metabolism are considered fundamental approaches for cancer control. Within the vast metabolic networks of tumors, there exist numerous potential therapeutic targets, intricately interconnected with each other and with signaling networks related to immunity, metastasis, drug resistance, and more. Based on the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment, constructing drug delivery systems for multi-level modulation of the tumor microenvironment is proven as an effective strategy for achieving multidimensional control of cancer. Consequently, this article summarizes several features of tumor metabolism to provide insights into recent advancements in intelligent drug delivery systems for achieving multi-level regulation of the metabolic microenvironment in cancer, with the aim of offering a novel paradigm for cancer treatment.

Development of a prognostic model for muscle-invasive bladder cancer using glutamine metabolism

BACKGROUND

Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is distinguished by its pronounced invasiveness and unfavorable prognosis. Immunotherapy and targeted therapy have emerged as key treatment options for various types of cancer. Altered metabolism is a defining characteristic of cancer cells, and there is mounting evidence suggesting the important role of glutamine metabolism (GM) in tumor metabolism. Nevertheless, the relationship between GM and clinical outcomes, immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy in MIBC remains unknown.

METHODS

This study employed Mendelian randomization to explore the causal relationship between blood metabolites and bladder tumors. We systematically evaluated 373 glutamine metabolism-related genes and identified prognostic-related genes, leading to the construction of a glutamine-associated prognostic model. Further analysis confirmed the correlation between high and low-risk groups with the tumor microenvironment, immune cell infiltration, and tumor mutation burden. Subsequently, we assessed the relationship between the risk score and the sensitivity to various immunotherapies and anticancer drugs.

RESULTS

We identified 14 blood metabolites at the molecular level that have a causal relationship with bladder tumors. At the gene level, the study discussed differentially expressed GM genes in MIBC. First, we established a risk model predicting overall survival (OS) based on GM genes, confirming its reliable predictive ability in MIBC patients and validated it in a GEO cohort. Additionally, a reliable column line chart was created. Secondly, two distinct molecular subtypes were identified, and the associations between different risk groups and tumor microenvironment and immune infiltration were observed. In addition, the predicted risk values correlated with responses to a broad range of pharmaceutical agents.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we confirmed the causal relationship between blood metabolites and bladder tumors. Furthermore, a risk scoring model related to glutamine metabolism consisting of 9 genes was developed. This model could potentially serve as a useful tool for predicting prognosis and guiding the treatment of MIBC patients.

Improved Photodynamic Therapy Based on Glutaminase Blockage via Tumor Membrane Coated CB-839/IR-780 Nanoparticles

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has promising applications. However, the lethal function of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during PDT is typically limited. This restriction is induced by oxygen shortage in the tumor microenvironment due to tumor cell hypermetabolism and reductive chemicals overexpression in tumor tissues. Glutamine (Gln) metabolism is crucial for malignancy development and is closely associated with redox. Herein, a novel nanoparticle (NP) named IRCB@M is constructed to boost PDT through dual effects. This NP simultaneously blocks aerobic respiration and inhibits cellular reduced substances by blocking the Gln metabolic pathway. Within the nanocomplex, a photosensitizer (IR-780) and a glutaminase inhibitor (CB-839) are self-assembled and then encapsulated by cancer cell membranes for homologous targeting. The Gln metabolism intervention relieves hypoxia and decreases the levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) in vitro and in vivo, which are the dual amplification effects on the IR-780-mediated lethal PDT. The antitumor effects against gastric cancer are ultimately evoked in vivo, thus offering a novel concept for enhancing PDT and other ROS-dependent therapeutic approaches.

Lipid metabolism-related long noncoding RNA RP11-817I4.1 promotes fatty acid synthesis and tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of tumors. The influence of lipid metabolism disruption on the development of HCC has been demonstrated in published studies.

AIM

To establish an HCC prognostic model for lipid metabolism-related long non-coding RNAs (LMR-lncRNAs) and conduct in-depth research on the specific role of novel LMR-lncRNAs in HCC.

METHODS

Correlation and differential expression analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas data were used to identify differentially expressed LMR-lncRNAs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to evaluate the expression of LMR-lncRNAs. Nile red staining was employed to observe intracellular lipid levels. The interaction between RP11-817I4.1, miR-3120-3p, and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) was validated through the performance of dual-luciferase reporter gene and RIP assays.

RESULTS

Three LMR-lncRNAs (negative regulator of antiviral response, RNA transmembrane and coiled-coil domain family 1 antisense RNA 1, and RP11-817I4.1) were identified as predictive markers for HCC patients and were utilized in the construction of risk models. Additionally, proliferation, migration, and invasion were reduced by RP11-817I4.1 knockdown. An increase in lipid levels in HCC cells was significantly induced by RP11-817I4.1 through the miR-3120-3p/ACLY axis.

CONCLUSION

LMR-lncRNAs have the capacity to predict the clinical characteristics and prognoses of HCC patients, and the discovery of a novel LMR-lncRNAs, RP11-817I4.1, revealed its role in promoting lipid accumulation, thereby accelerating the onset and progression of HCC.