Aberrant Cyclin D1 splicing in cancer: from molecular mechanism to therapeutic modulation

Anti-carcinogenic effects of arecaidine but-2-ynyl ester tosylate on breast cancer: proliferation inhibition and activation of apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women globally and is notoriously difficult to treat due to its heterogeneous nature and the lack of an effective treatment. Muscarinic receptors (MRs), which serve as key regulators in the parasympathetic nervous system, exhibit significant regulatory functions in non-neural cells. Recent studies suggest that modulating MR activity can elicit anti-carcinogenic effects across various malignancies, stimulating interest in their oncological implications. To investigate this further, we explored the anti-carcinogenic effects of arecaidine but-2-ynyl ester tosylate (ABET), a potential M2 receptor activator, in BC cells using several cellular and molecular assays.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Molecular docking assays were employed to confirm the binding affinity of ABET to M2/M4 receptors. Subsequently, we evaluated the impact of ABET on cell viability, proliferation, clonogenicity, and migration in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 BC cell lines. Computational analysis revealed preferential binding of ABET to M2 and M4 receptors. In-vitro experiments demonstrated that ABET markedly inhibits viability, growth, clonogenicity, and migration in BC cells. Notably, ABET induced cell cycle arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells and promoted apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, ABET downregulated key proliferation- and cell cycle-associated genes, including CCND1, CDK6, and MKI67.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscore ABET as a promising therapeutic candidate for BC treatment, capable of suppressing cell growth, survival, and migration. Additional in-vivo studies are necessary to validate ABET's anti-neoplastic efficacy and evaluate its feasibility as novel therapeutic agent in BC management.

Exploring the role of oral bacteria in oral cancer: a narrative review

A growing body of research indicates that a wide range of cancer types may correlate with human microbiome components. On the other hand, little is known about the potential contribution of the oral microbiota to oral cancer. However, some oral microbiome components can stimulate different tumorigenic processes associated with the development of cancer. In this line, two prevalent oral infections, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum can increase tumor growth. The microbiome can impact the course of the illness through direct interactions with the human body and major modifications to the toxicity and responsiveness to different kinds of cancer therapy. Recent research has demonstrated a relationship between specific phylogenetic groupings and the results of immunotherapy treatment for particular tumor types. Conversely, there has been a recent upsurge in interest in the possibility of using microbes to treat cancer. At the moment, some species, such as Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridium spp., are being explored as possible cancer treatment vectors. Thus, understanding these microbial interactions highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy oral microbiome in preventing oral cancers. From this perspective, this review will discuss the role of the microbiome on oral cancers and their possible application in oral cancer treatment/improvement.

Arcyriaflavin A, a cyclin D1/CDK4 inhibitor, suppresses tumor growth, migration, and invasion of metastatic melanoma cells

BACKGROUND

Despite advancements in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, cutaneous melanoma continues to have a high mortality rate and poor prognosis, with therapies having limited efficacy in advanced melanoma. Therefore, it is crucial to develop novel therapeutics with proven clinical potential. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of arcyriaflavin A (ArcA), a potent inhibitor of the cyclin D1/CDK4 complex, in suppressing aggressive phenotypes of metastatic melanoma.

METHODS

The effects of ArcA on viability and cell cycle were evaluated across four melanoma cell lines: WM239A and its metastatic derivatives: 113-6/4L, 131/4-5B1, and 131/4-5B2. Additionally, we performed wound healing and transwell invasion assays, followed by western blot. We further established xenograft mouse models by subcutaneously injecting them with the four melanoma cell lines and measured tumor size and weight biweekly. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to compare protein expression.

RESULTS

ArcA demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity, selectively targeting melanoma cells without affecting normal cells, and induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, ArcA significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion in metastatic melanoma cell lines, accompanied by reduced expression levels of p-GSK-3β (Ser9), MMP-9, and MMP-13, suggesting that its anti-metastatic effects may be partially mediated through GSK-3β, MMP-9, and MMP-13. These findings were further validated using mouse xenograft models; ArcA-treated mice exhibited significantly smaller tumor volumes and lighter tumor weights compared to vehicle-treated mice. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed decreased expression of p-GSK-3β, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in tumor tissues from ArcA-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our findings indicate that ArcA possesses substantial anti-tumor potential, including cytotoxic effects and inhibition of migration and invasion in metastatic melanoma. These results suggest that ArcA could enhance therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

Genomic hallmarks of endocrine therapy resistance in ER/PR+HER2- breast tumours

ER/PR+HER2- breast tumours are the most predominant subtype of breast cancer worldwide, including India. Unlike TNBCs, these tumours can be treated with anti-estrogens or aromatase inhibitors. Despite the success of endocrine therapy, a fraction of patients with ER/PR+ breast tumours do not respond to hormone-receptor-specific treatment and encounter disease recurrence contributing to their poor survival. The genomic underpinnings of therapy resistance in ER/PR+HER2- breast tumours are incompletely understood. We have performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) from tumour and normal tissue samples from endocrine-therapy resistant ER/PR+HER2- breast cancer patients who have relapsed on endocrine therapy and have conducted a comparative analysis of WGS data generated from tissues of endocrine therapy sensitive patients who remained free of disease during a minimum 5-year follow-up. Our analysis shows (a) a three-gene (PIK3CA-ESR1-TP53) resistance signature, and (b) impaired DNA double-strand break repair and homologous recombination pathways, were significantly associated with endocrine-therapy resistance and disease recurrence in ER/PR+HER2- tumours. Genome instability, contributing to high burden of copy-number, structural alterations and telomere-shortening identified as major markers of endocrine treatment resistance. Early prediction of endocrine-therapy resistance from the genomic landscape of breast tumours will aid therapeutics. Our finding also opens up the possibility of repurposing PARP inhibitors in treating endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer patients.

Studying the impact of chitosan salicylaldehyde/schiff base/CuFe2O4 in PC3 cells via theoretical studies and inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling

In this elucidation, the nucleophilic attack of salicyladehyde with chitosan, which was obtained from the shrimp shell, afforded the cellulose aldehyde (Schiff base), and then the dispersion of CuFe2O4 on the surface of cellulose aldehyde gave the novel nanomaterial of bimetallic oxide, which was confirmed through spectral analysis such as FT-IR, NMR, SEM, and XRD analysis. Moreover, the anti-proliferative effect of chitosan, chitosan salicylaldehyde, and chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 was evaluated in PC3 human prostate cancer cells and HSF normal human skin fibroblasts. After 48 h, PC3 cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 and chitosan salicylaldehyde (IC50 = 35.3 and 45.55 µg/ml, respectively) without any effects on normal HSF cells. The mRNA expression levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and CCND1 were examined in PC3-treated cells by using QRT-PCR, and the results demonstrated that, by down-regulating the expression levels of these genes, chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 significantly affected prostate cancer cell proliferation, progression, and autophagy more than chitosan salicylaldehyde. Furthermore, the docking stimulation of the chitosan derivatives with different proteins showed the presence of CuFe2O4 particles effect on the interaction inside their pockets and increased the activities, and it's related to biological evaluation. Additionally, the theoretical investigation of these chitosan derivatives and the determination of their physical descriptors showed the activity of bimetallic oxide and the presence of electrostatic hydrogen bond interaction. Finally, these findings may suggest that chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 has a promising anticancer impact against prostate cancer.

Mutanobactin-D, a Streptococcus mutans Non-Ribosomal Cyclic Lipopeptide, Induces Osteogenic/Odontogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells and Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells

Bacterium-triggered carious lesions implicate dental hard tissue destruction and the simultaneous initiation of regenerative events comprising dental stem cell activation. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a prominent pathogen of the oral cavity and the principal cause of caries. S. mutans generates complex products involved in interbacterial interactions, including Mutanobactin-D (Mub-D), which belongs to a group of non-ribosomal cyclic lipopeptides. In the present study, we aimed to analyse the potential role of the synthetic Mub-D peptide in cell populations involved in tissue regenerative processes. To this end, we assessed the in vitro effects of Mub-D in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs). Our data demonstrated a concentration-dependent effect of Mub-D on their viability and a significant increase in their proliferation and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation. These events were associated with specific changes in gene expression, where CCDN-1, RUNX-2, OSX, OCN, DMP-1, DSPP, and BMP-2 genes were upregulated. The ability of Mub-D to modulate the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of both hDPSCs and hBMSCs and considerably enhance mineralisation in a controlled and concentration-dependent manner opens new perspectives for stem cell-based regenerative approaches in the clinics.

Alternative Splicing at the Crossroad of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer

The risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) is increased in ulcerative colitis patients compared to the general population. This increased risk results from the state of chronic inflammation, a well-known tumour-promoting condition. This review explores the pathologic and molecular characteristics of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC), emphasizing the distinct features from sporadic CRC. We focus on the key signalling pathways involved in the transition to CAC, highlighting the emerging role of alternative splicing in these processes, namely on how inflammation-induced alternative splicing can significantly contribute to the increased CRC risk observed among UC patients. This review calls for more transcriptomic studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which inflammation-induced alternative splicing drives CAC pathogenesis. A better understanding of these splicing events is crucial as they may reveal novel biomarkers for disease progression and have the potential to target changes in alternative splicing as a therapeutic strategy.

Detection of a Diagnostic Model and Comprehensive Examination of Diabetic Retinopathy Utilizing Genes Linked to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to reveal the biological functionalities associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related genes (ERSGs) in the context of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within the DR group and the Control group were identified and then integrated with ERSGs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) methodologies were used to investigate potential biological mechanisms. A diagnostic model for ERS and a nomogram were formulated based on biomarkers selected through the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator method. The diagnostic efficacy of this model was thoroughly evaluated. ERS-associated subtypes were identified, and the Single-Sample GSEA (ssGSEA) and CIBERSORT algorithms were used to assess immune infiltration.

RESULTS

We identified 10 ERS-related DEGs (ERSRDEGs) within the DR Group. Subsequently, a diagnostic model was constructed based on 5 ERS genes, namely CCND1, IGFBP2, TLR4, TXNIP, and VIM. The validation analysis demonstrated the commendable diagnostic performance of the model. Analysis of the ssGSEA immune characteristics revealed a positive correlation in the DR group between myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and CCND1 TXNIP. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was observed between central memory CD4 T cells and CCND1. In the context of CIBERSORT, the results indicated a positive correlation between macrophages and IGFBP2, as well as Tregs and IGFBP2 in the DR group. Notably, a conspicuous negative correlation was identified between resting mast cells and IGFBP2.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides novel diagnostic biomarkers for DR from an ERS perspective.

miR-1247-3p regulation of CCND1 affects chemoresistance in colorectal cancer

The effectiveness of chemotherapy involving 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (DDP) for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) is often limited due to the emergence of drug resistance. An increasing body of research highlights the crucial role of abnormally expressed microRNAs (miR/miRNAs) in fostering drug resistance in various types of cancer. The present study was the first to explore the potential roles and mechanisms of the small non-coding RNA miR-1247-3p in CRC, particularly its association with DDP resistance in CRC. The findings of the current study revealed a significant decrease in miR-1247-3p expression in CRC cells, especially those resistant to drugs. By contrast, there was a marked increase in the expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1), a known target gene of miR-1247-3p that is negatively regulated by this miRNA. By modulating CCND1, miR-1247-3p can effectively reduce drug resistance and promote apoptosis in CRC cells, suggesting that miR-1247-3p could potentially reduce chemotherapy resistance by targeting CCND1. These results highlight the pivotal role of miR-1247-3p in reducing chemotherapy resistance through the inhibition of CCND1, providing insight into a promising therapeutic strategy for overcoming CRC resistance.

Ferulic acid inhibits tumor proliferation and attenuates inflammation of hepatic tissues in experimentally induced HCC in rats

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent form of primary liver cancer with a 5-year survival rate of just 18%. Ferulic acid, a natural compound found in fruits and vegetables such as sweet corn, rice bran, and dong quai, is an encouraging drug known for its diverse positive effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective properties. Our study aimed to investigate the potential antitumor effects of ferulic acid to inhibit tumor growth and inflammation of HCC in rats. HCC was induced in rats by administering thioacetamide. Additionally, some rats were given 50 mg/kg of ferulic acid three times a week for 16 weeks. Liver function was assessed by measuring serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and examining hepatic tissue sections stained with hematoxylin/eosin or anti-hypoxia induced factor-1α (HIF-1α). The hepatic mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, nuclear factor κB (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), cMyc, and cyclin D1 were examined. The results showed that ferulic acid increased the rats' survival rate by reducing serum AFP levels and suppressing hepatic nodules. Furthermore, ferulic acid ameliorated the appearance of vacuolated cytoplasm induced by HCC, reduced apoptotic nuclei, and necrotic nodules. Finally, ferulic acid decreased the expression of HIF-1α, NFκB, TNF-α, mTOR, STAT3, cMyc, and cyclin D1. In conclusion, ferulic acid is believed to possess antitumor properties by inhibiting HCC-induced hypoxia through the suppression of HIF-1α expression. Additionally, it helps in reducing the expression of mTOR, STAT3, cMyc, and cyclin D1, thereby slowing down tumor growth. Lastly, ferulic acid reduced hepatic tissue inflammation by downregulating NFκB and TNF-α.

Diosmin reduces the stability of Snail and Cyclin D1 by targeting FAK to inhibit NSCLC progression

BACKGROUND

In different tumours, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, is upregulated and hence, it represents a promising target for cancer therapy. However, the development of FAK kinase inhibitors has faced a number of challenges. It is therefore imperative that new, effective FAK kinase inhibitors be identified promptly.

METHODS

Small molecules that target FAK were identified through molecular docking and validated through surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and cell thermal shift analysis. We investigated the pharmacological effects of FAK kinase inhibitors using CCK-8, colony formation, EdU, and Transwell assays and cell cycle analysis. The molecular mechanism was determined via methods such as coimmunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

Here, we confirmed that diosmin (Dio) is an inhibitor of FAK and demonstrated its anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects in lung adenocarcinoma. Mechanistically, Dio inhibited tumour proliferation and metastasis by impeding the catalytic activity of FAK. Dio activated the ubiquitin proteasome pathway to induce Cyclin D1 degradation, while inhibiting tumour proliferation and reversing the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by reducing the mRNA stability of Snail, thereby inhibiting cancer metastasis. In addition, the inhibitory effect of Dio on lung adenocarcinoma was validated in a mouse xenograft model.

CONCLUSION

These results support the tumour-promoting role of FAK in lung adenocarcinoma by stabilizing Cyclin D1 and Snail and suggest that Dio is a promising candidate for FAK inhibition.

Induction of LARP1B under endoplasmic reticulum stress and its regulatory role in proliferation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (ER stress) is a series of cellular responses activated in response to misfolded and unfolded protein accumulation and calcium imbalance in the ER lumen. Cumulating evidence emphasized the crucial involvement of ER stress in cell survival, death, and proliferation. However, the precise process remained obscure, especially in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present study, LARP1B was detected to be one of the genes with significant differential expression in the ER stress ESCC cell model by RNA sequencing. ESCC cells exposed to ER stress stimulants (thapsigargin and tunicamycin) showed increased expression levels of LARP1B. ER stress initiated the expression of LARP1B through activation of the ERN1-XBP1 pathway, with XBP1 acting as a transcription factor to boost LARP1B transcription. Up-regulation of LARP1B was detected in ESCC tissues and cell lines. Suppression of LARP1B effectively curtailed the growth of cells and hindered the progression of the cell cycle. By detecting the expression of some genes closely related to proliferation and cell cycle regulation, CCND1 was identified as the main contributor to the cell proliferation induced by LARP1B. As an RNA-binding protein, LARP1B has the capability to attach to CCND1 mRNA, thereby increasing its stability. Inhibiting CCND1 might partially counterbalance the proliferation-promoting impact of LARP1B overexpression on ESCC cells. These findings indicate that, upon ER stress, up-regulation of LARP1B, triggered by ERN1-XBP1 pathway, facilitates proliferation of ESCC cells through enhancing the mRNA stability of CCND1, and LARP1B may be used as a potential therapeutic target of ESCC.

TBP activates DCBLD1 transcription to promote cell cycle progression in cervical cancer

Discoidin, CUB, and LCCL domain-containing (DCBLD) proteins have been associated with poor prognosis of human cancers. This study investigated the function of DCBLD1 in the development of cervical cancer (CC) and explored its associated mechanism. DCBLD1 was identified as a dysregulated gene in CC via bioinformatics analysis. Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR assays revealed increased DCBLD1 expression in CC specimens and cells. Artificial DCBLD1 knockdown blocked the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cells, while promoting cell apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Following bioinformatic predictions and subsequent chromatin-immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays, TATA-box binding protein (TBP) was found to be a transcription factor that binds to the DCBLD1 promoter region for transcriptional activation. Knockdown of TBP similarly blocked the malignant properties of CC cells and induced cell cycle arrest, but these changes were reversed by further DCBLD1 overexpression. Xenograft mouse tumors were generated for in vivo validation. Consistently, the tumorigenic activity of CC cells in nude mice was suppressed by TBP knockdown, but restored by DCBLD1 overexpression. In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence that TBP-mediated DCBLD1 activation is correlated with cell cycle and CC progression. TBP and DCBLD1 may serve as potential therapeutic targets for CC management.

Prognostic model based on centrosome-related genes constructed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most common malignant tumor in the epithelium of the head and neck. The role of the centrosome in malignant tumors is crucial. However, research on the centrosome in HNSCC remains largely unexplored. In this study, bioinformatics tools were utilized to analyze the expression and prognostic significance of centrosome-related genes (CRGs). CRGs exhibited a relatively high mutation frequency in HNSCC. Consensus unsupervised clustering analysis based on the expression profiles of CRGs revealed significant associations with clinical features, prognosis and immune microenvironment in HNSCC. Prognostic features were constructed using univariate and LASSO Cox regression, resulting in a centrosome-related model with eleven features. Patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on median risk scores. External validation using the GSE41613 dataset from the GEO database confirmed the reliability of the centrosome-related model. The model was associated with the prognosis of HNSCC patients, and centrosome-related features could impact tumor prognosis by influencing the tumor immune microenvironment. Finally, qPCR showed that CRGs were highly expressed in tumor tissues. This study developed a novel centrosome-related prognostic model, applicable for predicting the prognosis and immune landscape of HNSCC patients, offering potential targets for future HNSCC treatment.

Profiling mRNA and miRNA expression variations associated with cyclin-dependent kinase pathway in the low-grade luminal early breast cancer

Luminal A and B subtypes of breast tumors have fluctuated in proliferation rates, which arise from cell cycle dysregulation in cancer. Besides, microRNAs can regulate various cell processes through integration with mRNA. miRNAs that target the cell cycle are significant because of their prediction capability of prognosis. The objective of this study is to discover the integration between miRNA-mRNA and miRNA-miRNA related to cyclin-dependent kinase. Thirty-four pairs of human primary breast cancer and tumor margin samples from luminal breast cancer patients were investigated to assess the expression levels of CCND1, E2F1, miR-124, miR-503, miR-449a, and miR-449b. Afterward, the expression levels of mRNAs and miRNAs were investigated by real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the expression levels between breast cancer and corresponding normal tissues. The protein expressions of E2F1 and CCND1 were verified by western blotting. Further, the correlation between mRNAs and miRNAs was calculated. E2F1 was significantly increased in both luminal A and B patients, while CCND1 was upregulated only in luminal B. Significant differences in all miRNAs were detected in both luminal A and B biopsy specimens (p < 0.0001). The correlation analysis revealed a positive strong correlation between miR-124 and E2F1 in luminal A patient. Moreover, the correlation test confirmed the ability of miR-449a to increase the CCND1 gene in luminal B subtypes. Also, miRNA correlation exhibited the miRNA-miRNA interaction in luminal breast cancer. This study demonstrated the novel miRNA-mRNA and miRNA-miRNA interactions, providing new insights into the molecular integration in luminal A and B patients. The authors propose that this research could contribute to introducing valuable biomarkers for luminal cancerous cells.

Early Diagnostic Markers for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Copy Number Alteration Gene Identification and cfDNA Detection

The high mortality rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is exacerbated by the absence of early diagnostic markers. The pronounced heterogeneity of mutations in ESCC renders copy number alterations (CNAs) more prevalent among patients. The identification of CNA genes within esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD), a precancerous stage of ESCC, is crucial for advancing early detection efforts. Utilization of liquid biopsies via droplet-based digital PCR (ddPCR) offers a novel strategy for detecting incipient tumor traces. This study undertook a thorough investigation of CNA profiles across ESCC development stages, integrating data from existing databases and prior investigations to pinpoint and confirm CNA markers conducive to early detection of ESCC. Targeted sequencing was employed to select potential early detection genes, followed by the establishment of prediction models for ESCC early detection using ddPCR. Our analysis revealed widespread CNAs during the ESD stage, mirroring the CNA landscape observed in ESCC. A total of 40 CNA genes were identified as highly frequent in both ESCC and ESD lesions, through a comprehensive gene-level CNA analysis encompassing ESD and ESCC tissues, ESCC cell lines, and pan-cancer data sets. Subsequent validation of 5 candidate markers via ddPCR underscored the efficacy of combined predictive models encompassing PIK3CA, SOX2, EGFR, MYC, and CCND1 in early ESCC screening, as evidenced by the area-under-the-curve values exceeding 0.92 (P < .0001) across various detection contexts. The findings highlighted the significant utility of CNA genes in the early screening of ESCC, presenting robust models that could facilitate early detection, broad-scale population screening, and adjunctive diagnosis.

Integrating Genetic Alterations and Histopathological Features for Enhanced Risk Stratification in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

BACKGROUND

Urothelial carcinoma presents as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in ~75% of primary cases. Addressing the limitations of the TNM and WHO04/16 classification systems, this study investigates genetic alterations, the mitotic activity index (MAI), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers CK20, p53, and CD25 as better prognostic biomarkers in NMIBC.

METHODS

Using the Oncomine™ Focus Assay for targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS), 409 single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) and 193 copy number variations (CNVs) were identified across 287 patients with TaT1 tumors.

RESULTS

FGFR3 and PIK3CA alterations were significantly more prevalent in Ta tumors, while T1 tumors had significant ERBB2 alterations. Low-grade (LG) tumors were enriched with FGFR3 alterations, while high-grade (HG) tumors were significantly associated with ERBB2 alterations, as well as FGFR1 and CCND1 amplifications. FGFR3 alterations were linked to shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS; p = 0.033) but improved progression-free survival (PFS; p < 0.001). Conversely, ERBB2 alterations (p < 0.001), ERBB3 mutations (p = 0.044), and both MYC (p < 0.001) and MYCN (p = 0.011) amplifications were associated with shorter PFS. Survival analysis of gene sets revealed inverse associations between PIK3CA and ERBB2 (p = 0.003), as well as PIK3CA and MYC (p = 0.005), with PFS.

CONCLUSIONS

In multivariate Cox regression, MAI was the strongest predictor for PFS. Integrating genetic alterations and histopathological features may improve risk stratification in NMIBC.

Pan-cancer exploration of PNO1: A prospective prognostic biomarker with ties to immune infiltration

The partner of NOB1 homolog (PNO1) is an RNA-binding protein that participates in ribosome biogenesis and protein modification. The functions of this molecule are largely unknown in cancers, particularly breast cancer. We employed bioinformatics methods to probe the putative oncogenic functions of PNO1 based on expression profiles and clinical data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), genotype-tissue expression project (GTEx), human protein atlas (HPA), cancer cell line encyclopedia (CCLE), UALCAN, drug sensitivity in cancer (GDSC) and UCSC XENA databases. Our analyses revealed that PNO1 was overexpressed in 31 malignancies, which excluded kidney chromophobe (KICH) and acute myeloid leukemia (LAML). Prognostic assessments have demonstrated that high PNO1 expression was significantly correlated with poor overall and disease-specific survival in various cancers. The promoter methylation level of PNO1 is significantly decreased in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD), thyroid carcinoma (THCA) and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). Furthermore, inhibition of PNO1 decreased the viability, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells, and these results were confirmed by mouse xenograft models of breast cancer. In addition, we discovered that tumor microenvironment (TME), immune infiltration, and chemotherapy sensitivity were influenced by PNO1 expression. Concordantly, our analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between PNO1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression across breast carcinoma samples. In conclusion, these findings indicate that PNO1 could act as a promising prognostic biomarker and adjunct diagnostic indicator, because it affects tumor growth and invasion. Our study offers valuable new perspectives on the oncogenic role of PNO1 in various types of cancers.

Identification of Hub of the Hub-Genes From Different Individual Studies for Early Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapies of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is a complex disease, which causes of high mortality rate in women. Early diagnosis and therapeutic improvements may reduce the mortality rate. There were more than 74 individual studies that have suggested BC-causing hub-genes (HubGs) in the literature. However, we observed that their HubG sets are not so consistent with each other. It may be happened due to the regional and environmental variations with the sample units. Therefore, it was required to explore hub of the HubG (hHubG) sets that might be more representative for early diagnosis and therapies of BC in different country regions and their environments. In this study, we selected top-ranked 10 HubGs (CCNB1, CDK1, TOP2A, CCNA2, ESR1, EGFR, JUN, ACTB, TP53, and CCND1) as the hHubG set by the protein-protein interaction network analysis based on all of 74 individual HubG sets. The hHubG set enrichment analysis detected some crucial biological processes, molecular functions, and pathways that are significantly associated with BC progressions. The expression analysis of hHubGs by box plots in different stages of BC progression and BC prediction models indicated that the proposed hHubGs can be considered as the early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Finally, we suggested hHubGs-guided top-ranked 10 candidate drug molecules (SORAFENIB, AMG-900, CHEMBL1765740, ENTRECTINIB, MK-6592, YM201636, masitinib, GSK2126458, TG-02, and PAZOPANIB) by molecular docking analysis for the treatment against BC. We investigated the stability of top-ranked 3 drug-target complexes (SORAFENIB vs ESR1, AMG-900 vs TOP2A, and CHEMBL1765740 vs EGFR) by computing their binding free energies based on 100-ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulation based Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) approach and found their stable performance. The literature review also supported our findings much more for BC compared with the results of individual studies. Therefore, the findings of this study may be useful resources for early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapies of BC.

Enhancing breast cancer treatment through pharmacogenomics: A narrative review

Pharmacogenomics has become integral to personalised medicine in breast cancer, utilising genetic insights to customize treatment strategies and enhance patient outcomes. Understanding how genetic variations influence drug metabolism, response, and toxicity is crucial for guiding treatment selection and dosing regimens. Genetic polymorphisms in drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters significantly impact pharmacokinetic variability, influencing the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy agents and targeted therapies. Biomarkers associated with the hormone receptor status of breast cancer and mutations serve as key determinants of treatment response, aiding in the selection of therapies. Despite substantial progress in understanding the pharmacogenomic landscape of breast cancer, efforts to identify novel genetic markers and refine treatment optimisation strategies are required. Genome-wide association studies and advanced sequencing technologies hold promise for uncovering genetic determinants of drug response variability and elucidating complex pharmacogenomic interactions. The future of pharmacogenomics in breast cancer lies in real-time treatment monitoring, the discovery of additional predictive markers, and the seamless integration of pharmacogenomic data into clinical decision-making processes. However, translating pharmacogenomic discoveries into routine clinical practice requires collaborative efforts among stakeholders to address implementation challenges and ensure equitable access to genetic testing. By embracing pharmacogenomics, clinicians can tailor treatment approaches to individual patients, maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing adverse effects. This review discusses the integration of pharmacogenomics in breast cancer treatment, highlighting the significance of understanding genetic influences on treatment response and toxicity, and the potential of advanced technologies in refining treatment strategies.

Low expression of Lnc-ENST00000535078 inhibits the migration, invasion, and enhances apoptosis of CTPE-induced malignantly transformed BEAS-2B cells

Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) plays an important role in malignant transformation of cells. This study aimed to explore the role of Lnc-ENST00000535078 in the malignant transformation of immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) induced by coal tar pitch extract (CTPE). The malignant transformation model of BEAS-2B cells exposed to CTPE. Cell proliferation was examined by Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Colony formation assay was used to assess the colony of cells. Cell migration and invasion were detected by Transwell analysis. Cell cycle progression and apoptotic status were assessed by flow cytometry. Differentially expressed genes were screened by RNA sequencing. The results showed that Lnc-ENST00000535078 expression was highest in malignantly transformed BEAS-2B cells passaged to the 30th generation. Knockdown of Lnc-ENST00000535078 inhibited the migration, invasion and anti-apoptotic abilities of malignantly transformed BEAS-2B cells. Transcriptome analysis found 608 differential genes. CCND1 and FOS genes were screened out because of their levels were positive correlation with the expression of Lnc-ENST00000535078, which were consistent with the RNA sequencing results. In conclusion, Low expression of Lnc-ENST00000535078 inhibits the migration and invasion of malignant transformed BEAS-2B cells and promotes apoptosis in these cells. Lnc-ENST00000556926 might affect the malignant transformation of cells through the regulation of CCND1 and FOS. This study may provide a potential target for intervention in CTPE-induced lung cancer.

Proteomic insights into the regulatory function of ARID1A in colon cancer cells

The AT-rich interacting domain-containing protein 1A (ARID1A) is a tumor suppressor gene that has been implicated in several cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The present study used a proteomic approach to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ARID1A in CRC carcinogenesis. Stable ARID1A-overexpressing SW48 colon cancer cells were established using lentivirus transduction and the successful overexpression of ARID1A was confirmed by western blotting. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry identified 705 differentially altered proteins in the ARID1A-overexpressing cells, with 310 proteins significantly increased and 395 significantly decreased compared with empty vector control cells. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis highlighted the involvement of the altered proteins mainly in the Wnt signaling pathway. Western blotting supported these findings, as a decreased protein expression of Wnt target genes, including c-Myc, transcription factor T cell factor-1/7 and cyclin D1, were observed in ARID1A-overexpressing cells. Among the altered proteins involved in the Wnt signaling pathway, the interaction network analysis revealed that ARID1A exhibited a direct interaction with E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase zinc and ring finger 3 (ZNRF3), a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway. Further analyses using the The Cancer Genome Atlas colon adenocarcinoma public dataset revealed that ZNRF3 expression significantly impacted the overall survival of patients with CRC and was positively correlated with ARID1A expression. Finally, an increased level of ZNRF3 in ARID1A-overexpressing cells was confirmed by western blotting. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that ARID1A negatively regulates the Wnt signaling pathway through ZNRF3, which may contribute to CRC carcinogenesis.

Synthesis, anticancer evaluation of novel hybrid pyrazole-based chalcones, molecular docking, DNA fragmentation, and gene expression: in vitro studies

A unique series of pyrazolyl-chalcone derivatives was synthesized via the method of Claisen-Schmidt condensation. The desired chalcone derivatives 7a-d and 9a-f were obtained in good yields by reacting the 4-acetyl-5-thiophene-pyrazole with the appropriate heteroaryl aldehyde derivatives. The novel chalcones have undergone complete elemental analysis, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, mass spectrometry, and IR characterization. The three human cancer cell lines MCF7 (human Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma), PC3 (prostatic cancer) and PACA2 (pancreatic carcinoma) as well as the normal cell line BJ1 (normal skin fibroblasts) were tested in vitro for the anti-cancer properties of the newly synthesized chalcone derivatives. When compared to the reference medicine doxorubicin (IC50 = 52.1 μM), compound 9e showed the most promise derivative (IC50 = 27.6 μM) against PACA2 cells, while compound 7d demonstrated anticancer efficacy (IC50 = 42.6 μM against MCF7 cells compared to the reference drug doxorubicin (IC50 = 48 μM). Using breast and pancreatic cell lines, the gene expression, DNA damage, and DNA fragmentation percentages for compounds 7d and 9e were evaluated. Moreover, the molecular docking study of compounds 7d and 9e was assessed. The binding affinities of compound 9e toward P53 mutant Y220C was -22 kcal per mole, while those of compound 7d towards Bcl2 and CDK4 were -27.81 and -26.9 kcal per mole, respectively, compared to the standard values (-15.82, -33.96 and -29.9 kcal per mole).

A black phosphorus nanosheet-based RNA delivery system for prostate cancer therapy by increasing the expression level of tumor suppressor gene PTEN via CeRNA mechanism

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) has a high incidence in men worldwide, and almost all PCa patients progress to the androgen-independent stage which lacks effective treatment measures. PTENP1, a long non-coding RNA, has been shown to suppress tumor growth through the rescuing of PTEN expression via a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. However, PTENP1 was limited to be applied in the treatment of PCa for the reason of rapid enzymatic degradation, poor intracellular uptake, and excessively long base sequence to be synthesized. Considering the unique advantages of artificial nanomaterials in drug loading and transport, black phosphorus (BP) nanosheet was employed as a gene-drug carrier in this study.

RESULTS

The sequence of PTENP1 was adopted as a template which was randomly divided into four segments with a length of about 1000 nucleotide bases to synthesize four different RNA fragments as gene drugs, and loaded onto polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified BP nanosheets to construct BP-PEI@RNA delivery platforms. The RNAs could be effectively delivered into PC3 cells by BP-PEI nanosheets and elevating PTEN expression by competitive binding microRNAs (miRNAs) which target PTEN mRNA, ultimately exerting anti-tumor effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, this study demonstrated that BP-PEI@RNAs is a promising gene therapeutic platform for PCa treatment.

mTOR inhibition by AZD2014 alleviates BCR::ABL1 independent imatinib resistance through enhancing autophagy in CML resistant cells

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a common hematopoietic malignancy in adults. Great progress has been made in CML therapy with imatinib. However, resistance to imatinib may occur during treatment. BCR::ABL1 dependent imatinib resistance has been well resolved with more potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors, but BCR::ABL1 independent resistance still remains to be resolved. This study is devoted to find novel targets for BCR::ABL1 independent imatinib-resistant patients. It is reported BCR::ABL1 independent resistance is mainly related to the activation of alternative survival pathway, and mTOR is an important regulator for cell growth especially in tumor cells. Hence, we explored the role of mTOR in BCR::ABL1 independent resistance, the possibility of mTOR to be a therapeutic target for imatinib resistant patients and the related mechanism. We found mTOR was upregulated in imatinib-resistant cells. mTOR inhibition by AZD2014 led to growth inhibition and synergized with imatinib in apoptosis induction in K562/G01. AZD2014 exerted its anti-leukemia effect through enhancing autophagy. mTOR signal pathway is poorly inhibited by imatinib and AZD2014 shows little effect on BCR::ABL1 signal pathway, which indicates that mTOR is involved in imatinib resistance via a BCR::ABL1 independent manner. Taken together, mTOR represents a potential target to overcome BCR::ABL1 independent imatinib resistance.

Avellanin A Has an Antiproliferative Effect on TP-Induced RWPE-1 Cells via the PI3K-Akt Signalling Pathway

Cyclic pentapeptide compounds have garnered much attention as a drug discovery resource. This study focused on the characterization and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) properties of avellanin A from Aspergillus fumigatus fungus in marine sediment samples collected in the Beibu Gulf of Guangxi Province in China. The antiproliferative effect and molecular mechanism of avellanin A were explored in testosterone propionate (TP)-induced RWPE-1 cells. The transcriptome results showed that avellanin A significantly blocked the ECM-receptor interaction and suppressed the downstream PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Molecular docking revealed that avellanin A has a good affinity for the cathepsin L protein, which is involved in the terminal degradation of extracellular matrix components. Subsequently, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of the genes COL1A1, COL1A2, COL5A2, COL6A3, MMP2, MMP9, ITGA2, and ITGB3 was significantly downregulated after avellanin A intervention. The Western blot results also confirmed that it not only reduced ITGB3 and FAK/p-FAK protein expression but also inhibited PI3K/p-PI3K and Akt/p-Akt protein expression in the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway. Furthermore, avellanin A downregulated Cyclin D1 protein expression and upregulated Bax, p21WAF1/Cip1, and p53 proapoptotic protein expression in TP-induced RWPE-1 cells, leading to cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell proliferation. The results of this study support the use of avellanin A as a potential new drug for the treatment of BPH.

Association between COVID 19 exposure and expression of malignant pathological features in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the relationship between the clinical and pathological characters of OSCC and COVID 19 exposure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study in patients with OSCC with or without COVID 19 was performed. A total of 200 OSCC patients treated with surgery from 2019 to 2023 were included. Clinical and pathological features were analysed between two groups. Characters with statistical difference were further analysed by performing univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The expression of Ki67 (n = 57, 71.3 %, P < 0.001) and CyclinD1 (n = 64, 80 %, P < 0.001) in OSCC with the exposure history of COVID 19 is higher than that in patients never exposed to COVID 19. COVID 19 exposure history is an independent influencing factor for higher expression of Ki67 (OR = 4.04, 95 % CI: 1.87-8.72, P < 0.001) and CyclinD1 (OR = 5.45, 95 % CI: 2.56-11.60, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

COVID 19 may suggest more invasive malignant biological behavior of cancer cells in OSCC.

Clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of ginseng polysaccharides in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on meta-analysis associated with network pharmacology

Background

The ginseng polysaccharide injection is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine often employed as a supplementary treatment for cancer. This treatment can not only alleviate the adverse effects caused by tumor radiotherapy and chemotherapy but also enhance the immune system of individuals diagnosed with lung cancer. It is important to acknowledge the efficacy of ginseng polysaccharide injection in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, these small-sample studies may have certain biases, and the underlying mechanisms of ginseng polysaccharides therapy for NSCLC are still unclear.

Methods

The present study involved a systematic review of the literature on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on using ginseng polysaccharide injection as a therapeutic approach for NSCLC. Seven databases were searched for eligible studies published before April 2023. Two researchers independently managed data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and data analyses using RevMan 5.3 software. In network pharmacology, we thoroughly searched the relevant literature on ginseng polysaccharides (GPs) and the PubChem database. This search aimed to identify the main active ingredients and targets associated with ginseng polysaccharides. Subsequently, we compared these targets with those of NSCLC and utilized bioinformatics techniques to analyze and explore their potential interactions.

Results

A total of 11 RCTs involving 845 patients with NSCLC were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that ginseng polysaccharide injection combined significantly improved the objective response rate [RR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.26, 1.67), P < 0.00001]. Furthermore, it was observed that ginseng polysaccharide injection increased the serum levels of CD4+ T-lymphocytes (CD4+ T) [MD = 8.98, 95% CI (5.18, 12.78), P < 0.00001], and decreased the serum levels of CD8+ T-lymphocytes (CD8+ T) [MD = -2.68, 95% CI (-4.66, -0.70), P = 0.008]. Through network pharmacology analysis, a total of 211 target genes of GPs and 81 common targets were identified. GAPDH, EGFR, VEGFA, JUN, SRC, CASP3, STAT3, CCND1, HSP90AA1, and MMP9 were identified as the core target proteins. Additionally, KEGG enrichment analysis revealed 122 relevant signaling pathways, including Pathways in cancer, PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer, and Proteoglycans in cancer.

Conclusion

Ginseng polysaccharide injection can improve the ORR of patients with NSCLC, increase the serum levels of CD4+ T, and decrease the serum levels of CD8+ T. The potential mechanism may be associated with the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.

Mechanisms of Actinidia chinensis Planch in treating colon cancer based on the integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification

BACKGROUND

As an anticancer Chinese herbal medicine, the effective components and mechanism of Actinidia chinensis Planch (ACP, Tengligen) in the treatment of colon cancer are still unclear. In the present study, the integration of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments was employed to study the effective mechanism of ACP against colon cancer.

METHODS

The Venn diagram and STRING database were used to construct the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) of ACP-colon cancer, and further topological analysis was used to obtain the key target genes of ACP in colon cancer. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to visualize the related functions and pathways. Molecular docking between key targets and compounds was determined using software such as AutoDockTools. Finally, the effect of ACP on CT26 cells was observed in vitro.

RESULTS

The study identified 40 ACP-colon key targets, including CASP3, CDK2, GSK3B, and PIK3R1. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses found that these genes were involved in 211 biological processes and 92 pathways, among which pathways in cancer, PI3K-Akt, p53, and cell cycle might be the main pathways of ACP against colon cancer. Molecular docking verified that the key components of ACP could stably bind to the corresponding targets. The experimental results showed that ACP could inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and downregulate the phosphorylation of PIK3R1, Akt, and GSK3B in CT26 cells.

CONCLUSION

ACP is an anti-colon cancer herb with multiple components, and involvement of multiple target genes and signaling pathways. ACP can significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of colon cancer cells, which may be closely related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT/GSK3B signal transduction.

Deciphering key genes involved in cisplatin resistance in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma through a combined in silico and in vitro approach

The low survival rate of Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients is largely attributed to cisplatin resistance. Rather than focusing solely on individual proteins, exploring protein-protein interactions could offer greater insight into drug resistance. To this end, a series of in silico and in vitro experiments were conducted to identify hub genes in the intricate network of cisplatin resistance-related genes in KIRC chemotherapy. The genes involved in cisplatin resistance across KIRC were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database using search terms as "Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma" and "Cisplatin resistance". The genes retrieved were analyzed for hub gene identification using the STRING database and Cytoscape tool. Expression and promoter methylation profiling of the hub genes was done using UALCAN, GEPIA, OncoDB, and HPA databases. Mutational, survival, functional enrichment, immune cell infiltration, and drug prediction analyses of the hub genes were performed using the cBioPortal, GEPIA, GSEA, TIMER, and DrugBank databases. Lastly, expression and methylation levels of the hub genes were validated on two cisplatin-resistant RCC cell lines (786-O and A-498) and a normal renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2) using two high throughput techniques, including targeted bisulfite sequencing (bisulfite-seq) and RT-qPCR. A total of 124 genes were identified as being associated with cisplatin resistance in KIRC. Out of these genes, MCL1, IGF1R, CCND1, and PTEN were identified as hub genes and were found to have significant (p < 0.05) variations in their mRNA and protein expressions and effects on the overall survival (OS) of the KIRC patients. Moreover, an aberrant promoter methylation pattern was found to be associated with the dysregulation of the hub genes. In addition to this, hub genes were also linked with different cisplatin resistance-causing pathways. Thus, hub genes can be targeted with Alvocidib, Estradiol, Tretinoin, Capsaicin, Dronabinol, Metribolone, Calcitriol, Acetaminophen, Acitretin, Cyclosporine, Azacitidine, Genistein, and Resveratrol drugs. As the pathogenesis of KIRC is complex, targeting hub genes and associated pathways involved in cisplatin resistance could bring a milestone change in the drug discovery and management of drug resistance, which might uplift overall survival among KIRC patients.

Targeted splicing therapy: new strategies for colorectal cancer

RNA splicing is the process of forming mature mRNA, which is an essential phase necessary for gene expression and controls many aspects of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Abnormal gene-splicing events are closely related to the development of tumors, and the generation of oncogenic isoform in splicing can promote tumor progression. As a main process of tumor-specific splicing variants, alternative splicing (AS) can promote tumor progression by increasing the production of oncogenic splicing isoforms and/or reducing the production of normal splicing isoforms. This is the focus of current research on the regulation of aberrant tumor splicing. So far, AS has been found to be associated with various aspects of tumor biology, including cell proliferation and invasion, resistance to apoptosis, and sensitivity to different chemotherapeutic drugs. This article will review the abnormal splicing events in colorectal cancer (CRC), especially the tumor-associated splicing variants arising from AS, aiming to offer an insight into CRC-targeted splicing therapy.