Doxorubicin induces an extensive transcriptional and metabolic rewiring in yeast cells

Vibrational microspectroscopy as a tool to unveil new chemotherapeutic strategies against osteosarcoma

Over the years, osteosarcoma therapy has had a significative improvement with the use of a multidrug regime strategy, increasing the survival rates from less than 20 % to circa 70 %. Different types of development of new antineoplastic agents are critical to achieve irreversible damage to cancer cells, while preserving the integrity of their healthy counterparts. In the present study, complexes with two and three Pd(II) centres linked by the biogenic polyamines: spermine (Pd2SpmCl4) and spermidine (Pd3Spd2Cl6) were tested against non-malignant (osteoblasts, HOb) and cancer (osteosarcoma, MG-63) human cell lines. Either alone or in combination according to the EURAMOS-1 protocol, they were used versus cisplatin as a drug reference. By evaluating the cytotoxic effects of both therapeutic approaches (single and drug combination) in HOb and MG-63 cell lines, the selective anti-tumoral potential is assessed. To understand the different treatments at a molecular level, Synchrotron Radiation Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman microspectroscopies were applied. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis are applied to the vibrational data, revealing the major metabolic changes caused by each drug, which were found to rely on DNA, lipids, and proteins, acting as biomarkers of drug-to-cell impact. The main changes were observed for the B-DNA native conformation to either Z-DNA (higher in the presence of polynuclear complexes) or A-DNA (preferably after cisplatin exposure). Additionally, a higher effect upon variation in proteins content was detected in drug combination when compared to single drug administration proving the efficacy of the EURAMOS-1 protocol with the new drugs tested.

GC-MS analysis, molecular docking, and apoptotic-based cytotoxic effect of Caladium lindenii Madison extracts toward the HeLa cervical cancer cell line

Utilizing medicinal plants and other natural resources to prevent different types of human cancers is the prime focus of attention. Cervical cancer in women ranks as the fourth most common type of malignancy. The current study used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the active phytochemical constituents from Caladium lindenii leaf extracts using ethanol (ECL) and n-hexane (HCL) solvents. Plant extracts were tested for potential cytotoxic effects on HeLa and HEK-293 T cells using the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) and the crystal violet assays. SYBR Green-based real-time PCR was performed to assess the mRNA expression profile of the apoptosis biomarkers (BCL-2 and TP53). The molecular interaction of the compounds with the targeted proteins (TP53, BCL2, EGFR, and HER2) was determined using molecular docking. GC-MS analysis revealed a total of 93 compounds in both extracts. The ECL extract significantly reduced the proliferation of HeLa cervical cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 40 µg/mL, while HEK-293 T cells showed less effect (IC50 = 226 µg/mL). The quantitative RT-PCR gene expression analysis demonstrated the ethanol extract regulated TP53 and BCL2 mRNA expressions in treated cancer cell samples. Heptanediamide, N,N'-di-benzoyloxy-(- 10.1) is the best-docked ligand with a TP53 target found in the molecular docking study, whereas EGFR/Clionasterol had the second highest binding affinity (- 9.7), followed by EGFR/Cycloeucalenol (- 9.6). It is concluded that ECL extract has promising anti-cervical cancer potential and might be valued for developing new plant-derived anticancer agents after further investigations.

Aqueous Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum Sensitize Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells to Cisplatin through BRCA1 Inhibition

Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum), a medicinal herb with antifungal and antiviral activities, has been found to prevent liver injury and liver fibrosis and induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In this study, we evaluated the effect of aqueous extracts of O. gratissimum (OGE) on improving the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs in HCC cells. Proteomic identification and functional assays were used to uncover the critical molecules responsible for OGE-induced sensitization mechanisms. The antitumor activity of OGE in combination with a chemotherapeutic drug was evaluated in a mouse orthotopic tumor model, and serum biochemical tests were further utilized to validate liver function. OGE sensitized HCC cells to the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin. Proteomic analysis and Western blotting validation revealed the sensitization effect of OGE, likely achieved through the inhibition of breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1). Mechanically, OGE treatment resulted in BRCA1 protein instability and increased proteasomal degradation, thereby synergistically increasing cisplatin-induced DNA damage. Moreover, OGE effectively inhibited cell migration and invasion, modulated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and impaired stemness properties in HCC cells. The combinatorial use of OGE enhanced the efficacy of cisplatin and potentially restored liver function in a mouse orthotopic tumor model. Our findings may provide an alternate approach to improving chemotherapy efficacy in HCC.

CCL2 and Lactate from Chemotherapeutics-Treated Fibroblasts Drive Malignant Traits by Metabolic Rewiring in Low-Migrating Breast Cancer Cell Lines

While cytostatic chemotherapy targeting DNA is known to induce genotoxicity, leading to cell cycle arrest and cytokine secretion, the impact of these drugs on fibroblast-epithelial cancer cell communication and metabolism remains understudied. Our research focused on human breast fibroblast RMF-621 exposed to nonlethal concentrations of cisplatin and doxorubicin, revealing reduced proliferation, diminished basal and maximal mitochondrial respirations, heightened mitochondrial ROS and lactate production, and elevated MCT4 protein levels. Interestingly, RMF-621 cells enhanced glucose uptake, promoting lactate export. Breast cancer cells MCF-7 exposed to conditioned media (CM) from drug-treated stromal RMF-621 cells increased MCT1 protein levels, lactate-driven mitochondrial respiration, and a significantly high mitochondrial spare capacity for lactate. These changes occurred alongside altered mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial membrane potential, and superoxide levels. Furthermore, CM with doxorubicin and cisplatin increased migratory capacity in MCF-7 cells, which was inhibited by MCT1 (BAY-8002), glutamate dehydrogenase (EGCG), mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (UK5099), and complex I (rotenone) inhibitors. A similar behavior was observed in T47-D and ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells. This suggests that CM induces metabolic rewiring involving elevated lactate uptake to sustain mitochondrial bioenergetics during migration. Treatment with the mitochondrial-targeting antioxidant mitoTEMPO in RMF-621 and the addition of an anti-CCL2 antibody in the CM prevented the promigratory MCF-7 phenotype. Similar effects were observed in THP1 monocyte cells, where CM increased monocyte recruitment. We propose that nonlethal concentrations of DNA-damaging drugs induce changes in the cellular environment favoring a promalignant state dependent on mitochondrial bioenergetics.

A comprehensive review on doxorubicin: mechanisms, toxicity, clinical trials, combination therapies and nanoformulations in breast cancer

Doxorubicin is a key treatment for breast cancer, but its effectiveness often comes with significant side effects. Its actions include DNA intercalation, topoisomerase II inhibition, and reactive oxygen species generation, leading to DNA damage and cell death. However, it can also cause heart problems and low blood cell counts. Current trials aim to improve doxorubicin therapy by adjusting doses, using different administration methods, and combining it with targeted treatments or immunotherapy. Nanoformulations show promise in enhancing doxorubicin's effectiveness by improving drug delivery, reducing side effects, and overcoming drug resistance. This review summarizes recent progress and difficulties in using doxorubicin for breast cancer, highlighting its mechanisms, side effects, ongoing trials, and the potential impact of nanoformulations. Understanding these different aspects is crucial in optimizing doxorubicin's use and improving outcomes for breast cancer patients. This review examines the toxicity of doxorubicin, a drug used in breast cancer treatment, and discusses strategies to mitigate adverse effects, such as cardioprotective agents and liposomal formulations. It also discusses clinical trials evaluating doxorubicin-based regimens, the evolving landscape of combination therapies, and the potential of nanoformulations to optimize delivery and reduce systemic toxicity. The review also discusses the potential of liposomes, nanoparticles, and polymeric micelles to enhance drug accumulation within tumor tissues while sparing healthy organs.

Natural product inspired diastereoselective synthesis of sugar-derived pyrano[3,2-c]quinolones and their in-silico studies

Herein, we report the development of a diastereoselective and efficient route to construct sugar-derived pyrano[3,2-c]quinolones utilizing 1-C-formyl glycal and 4-hydroxy quinolone annulation. This methodology will open a route to synthesize nature inspired pyrano[3,2-c]quinolones. This is the first report for the stereoselective synthesis of sugar-derived pyrano[3,2-c]quinolones, where 100% stereoselectivity was observed. A total of sixteen compounds have been synthesized in excellent yields with 100% stereoselectivity. The molecular docking of the synthesized novel natural product analogues demonstrated their binding modes within the active site of type II topoisomerase. The results of the in-silico studies displayed more negative binding energies for the all the synthesized compounds in comparison to the natural product huajiosimuline A, indicating their affinity for the active pocket. Ten out of the sixteen novel synthesized compounds were found to have comparative or relatively more negative binding energy in comparison to the standard anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin. Additionally, the scalability and viability of this protocol was illustrated by the gram scale synthesis.

VIBRANT: spectral profiling for single-cell drug responses

High-content cell profiling has proven invaluable for single-cell phenotyping in response to chemical perturbations. However, methods with improved throughput, information content and affordability are still needed. We present a new high-content spectral profiling method named vibrational painting (VIBRANT), integrating mid-infrared vibrational imaging, multiplexed vibrational probes and an optimized data analysis pipeline for measuring single-cell drug responses. Three infrared-active vibrational probes were designed to measure distinct essential metabolic activities in human cancer cells. More than 20,000 single-cell drug responses were collected, corresponding to 23 drug treatments. The resulting spectral profile is highly sensitive to phenotypic changes under drug perturbation. Using this property, we built a machine learning classifier to accurately predict drug mechanism of action at single-cell level with minimal batch effects. We further designed an algorithm to discover drug candidates with new mechanisms of action and evaluate drug combinations. Overall, VIBRANT has demonstrated great potential across multiple areas of phenotypic screening.

DNA methylation-mediated epigenetic regulation of oncogenic RPS2 as a novel therapeutic target and biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma

Ribosomal Protein S2 (RPS2) has emerged as a potential prognostic biomarker due to its involvement in key cellular processes and its altered expression pattern in certain types of cancer. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has yet to be investigated. Herein, we analyzed RPS2 mRNA expression and promoter methylation in HCC patient samples and HepG2 cells. Subsequently, loss-of-function experiments were conducted to determine the function of RPS2 in HCC cells in vitro. Our results revealed that RPS2 mRNA expression is significantly elevated, and its promoter is hypomethylated in HCC patient samples compared to controls. In addition, 5-Azacytidine treatment in HepG2 cells decreased RPS2 promoter methylation level and increased its mRNA expression. RPS2 knockdown in HepG2 cells suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. Functional pathway analysis of genes positively and negatively associated with RPS2 expression in HCC showed enrichment in ribosomal biogenesis, translation machinery, cell cycle regulation, and DNA processing. Furthermore, utilizing drug-protein 3D docking, we found that doxorubicin, sorafenib, and 5-Fluorouracil, showed high affinity to the active sites of RPS2, and in vitro treatment with these drugs reduced RPS2 expression. For the first time, we report on DNA methylation-mediated epigenetic regulation of RPS2 and its oncogenic role in HCC. Our findings suggest that RPS2 plays a significant role in the development and progression of HCC, hence its potential prognostic and therapeutic utility. Moreover, as epigenetic changes happen early in cancer development, RPS2 may serve as a potential biomarker for tumor progression.

Identifying metabolic adaptations characteristic of cardiotoxicity using paired transcriptomics and metabolomics data integrated with a computational model of heart metabolism

Improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer have revealed long-term side effects of chemotherapeutics, particularly cardiotoxicity. Here, we present paired transcriptomics and metabolomics data characterizing in vitro cardiotoxicity to three compounds: 5-fluorouracil, acetaminophen, and doxorubicin. Standard gene enrichment and metabolomics approaches identify some commonly affected pathways and metabolites but are not able to readily identify metabolic adaptations in response to cardiotoxicity. The paired data was integrated with a genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction of the heart to identify shifted metabolic functions, unique metabolic reactions, and changes in flux in metabolic reactions in response to these compounds. Using this approach, we confirm previously seen changes in the p53 pathway by doxorubicin and RNA synthesis by 5-fluorouracil, we find evidence for an increase in phospholipid metabolism in response to acetaminophen, and we see a shift in central carbon metabolism suggesting an increase in metabolic demand after treatment with doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil.

PODO/TERT256 - A promising human immortalized podocyte cell line and its potential use for in vitro research at different oxygen levels

Podocytes are of key interest for the prediction of nephrotoxicity as they are especially sensitive to toxic insults due to their central role in the glomerular filtration apparatus. However, currently, prediction of nephrotoxicity in humans remains insufficiently reliable, thus highlighting the need for advanced in vitro model systems using human cells with improved prediction capacity. Recent approaches for refining in vitro model systems focus on closely replicating physiological conditions as observed under the in vivo situation typical of the respective nephron section of interest. PODO/TERT256, a human immortalized podocyte cell line, were employed in a semi-static transwell system to evaluate its potential use as a human podocyte in vitro system for modelling potential human glomerular toxicity. Furthermore, the impact of routinely employed excessive oxygen tension (21 % - AtmOx), when compared to the physiological oxygen tensions (10 % - PhysOx) observed in vivo, was analyzed. Generally, cultured PODO/TERT256 formed a stable, contact-inhibited monolayer with typical podocyte morphology (large cell body, apical microvilli, finger-like cytoplasmic projections (reminiscent of foot processes), and interdigitating cell-cell junctions) and developed a size-selective filtration barrier. PhysOx, however, induced a more pronounced in vivo like phenotype, comprised of significantly larger cell bodies, significantly enhanced filtration barrier size-selectivity, and a remarkable re-localization of nephrin to the cell membrane, thus suggesting an improved in vitro replication of in vivo characteristics. Preliminary toxicity characterization with the known glomerulotoxin doxorubicin (DOX) suggested an increasing change in filtration permeability, already at the lowest DOX concentrations tested (0.01 μM) under PhysOx, whereas obvious changes under AtmOx were observed as of 0.16 μM and higher with a near all or nothing effect. The latter findings suggested that PODO/TERT256 could serve as an in vitro human podocyte model for studying glomerulotoxicity, whereby culturing at PhyOx tension appeared critical for an improved in vivo-like phenotype and functionality. Moreover, PODO/TERT256 could be incorporated into advanced human glomerulus systems in vitro, recapitulating microfluidic conditions and multiple cell types (endothelial and mesenchymal cells) that can even better predict human glomerular toxicity.

Oxysterols as Biomarkers of Aging and Disease

Oxysterols derive from either enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxidation of cholesterol. Even though they are produced as intermediates of bile acid synthesis pathway, they are recognised as bioactive compounds in cellular processes. Therefore, their absence or accumulation have been shown to be associated with disease phenotypes. This chapter discusses the contribution of oxysterol to ageing, age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration and various disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic and ocular disorders. It is clear that oxysterols play a significant role in development and progression of these diseases. As a result, oxysterols are being investigated as suitable markers for disease diagnosis purposes and some drug targets are in development targeting oxysterol pathways. However, further research will be needed to confirm the suitability of these potentials.

Zamzam Water Mitigates Cardiac Toxicity Risk through Modulation of GUT Microbiota and the Renin-angiotensin System

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to exert a substantial global influence in specific areas due to population growth, aging, microbiota, and genetic/environmental factors. Drinking water has a strong impact on the health of an individual. Further, emerging evidence has highlighted the therapeutic potential and benefits of Zamzam water (Zam).

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the influence of Zam on doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity, elucidating its consequential effects on GUT microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic and renal functions.

METHODS

Male rats were categorized into four groups: Group 1 as Normal control (NC), Group 2 as Zamzam control (ZC), Group 3 Disease control (DC) and Group 4 as Therapeutic control (DZ) treated with Zam against doxorubicin-induced disease at a dose of 1mg/kg boy weight) intraperitoneally (i.p).

RESULTS

Significant dysbiosis in the composition of GM was observed in the DC group along with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum levels of Zinc, interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6 and Angiotensin II (Ang II), while C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and CKMB increased significantly (restoration of Zinc ions (0.72 ± 0.07 mcg/mL) compared to NC. Treatment with Zamzam exhibited a marked abundance of 18-times to 72% in Romboutsia, a genus of firmicutes, along with lowering of Proteobacteria in DZ followed by significant restoration of Zinc ions (0.72 ± 0.07 mcg/mL), significant (p ˂ 0.05) reduction in CRP (7.22 ± 0.39 mg/dL), CKMB (118.8 ± 1.02 U/L) and Fibrinogen (3.18 ± 0.16 mg/dL), significant (p < 0.05) increase in IL-10 (7.22 ± 0.84 pg/mL) and IL-6 (7.18 ± 0.40 pg/ml), restoration of Ang II (18.62 ± 0.50 nmol/mL/min), marked increase in renin with normal myocyte architecture and tissue orientation of kidney, and restoration of histological architecture of hepatocyte.

CONCLUSION

Zam treatment mitigated cardiac toxicity risk through the modulation of GUT microbiota and the renin-angiotensin system and tissue histology effectively.

Targeted Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Axis: Potential for Sarcoma Therapy

Sarcoma is a heterogeneous group of malignancies often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/ protein kinase B /mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway has emerged as a critical cancer target due to its central role in regulating key cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, survival, and metabolism. Dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in the development and progression of bone sarcomas (BS) and soft tissue sarcomas (STS). PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have shown promising preclinical and clinical activity in various cancers. These agents can inhibit the activation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR, thereby reducing the downstream signaling events that promote tumor growth and survival. In addition, PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors have been shown to enhance the efficacy of other anticancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The different types of PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors vary in their specificity, potency, and side effect profiles and may be effective depending on the specific sarcoma type and stage. The molecular targeting of PI3K/Akt/mToR pathway using drugs, phytochemicals, nanomaterials (NMs), and microbe-derived molecules as Pan-PI3K inhibitors, selective PI3K inhibitors, and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors have been delineated. While there are still challenges to be addressed, the preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that these inhibitors may significantly improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the potential of these inhibitors as sarcoma therapeutics and to continue developing more selective and effective agents to meet the clinical needs of sarcoma patients.

Initial Phase of Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity Involves Cardiac Fibroblasts Activation and Metabolic Switch

The application of doxorubicin (DOX) is hampered by cardiotoxicity, with diastolic dysfunction as the earliest manifestation. Fibrosis leads to impaired relaxation, but the mechanisms that operate shortly after DOX exposure are not clear. We asked whether the activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) anticipates myocardial dysfunction and evaluated the effects of DOX on CF metabolism. CFs were isolated from the hearts of rats after the first injection of DOX. In another experiment, CFs were exposed to DOX in vitro. Cell phenotype and metabolism were determined. Early effects of DOX consisted of diastolic dysfunction and unchanged ejection fraction. Markers of pro-fibrotic remodeling and evidence of CF transformation were present immediately after treatment completion. Oxygen consumption rate and extracellular acidification revealed an increased metabolic activity of CFs and a switch to glycolytic energy production. These effects were consistent in CFs isolated from the hearts of DOX-treated animals and in naïve CFs exposed to DOX in vitro. The metabolic switch was paralleled with the phenotype change of CFs that upregulated markers of myofibroblast differentiation and the activation of pro-fibrotic signaling. In conclusion, the metabolic switch and activation of CFs anticipate DOX-induced damage and represent a novel target in the early phase of anthracycline cardiomyopathy.

Wireframe DNA Origami for the Cellular Delivery of Platinum(II)-Based Drugs

The DNA origami method has revolutionized the field of DNA nanotechnology since its introduction. These nanostructures, with their customizable shape and size, addressability, nontoxicity, and capacity to carry bioactive molecules, are promising vehicles for therapeutic delivery. Different approaches have been developed for manipulating and folding DNA origami, resulting in compact lattice-based and wireframe designs. Platinum-based complexes, such as cisplatin and phenanthriplatin, have gained attention for their potential in cancer and antiviral treatments. Phenanthriplatin, in particular, has shown significant antitumor properties by binding to DNA at a single site and inhibiting transcription. The present work aims to study wireframe DNA origami nanostructures as possible carriers for platinum compounds in cancer therapy, employing both cisplatin and phenanthriplatin as model compounds. This research explores the assembly, platinum loading capacity, stability, and modulation of cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines. The findings indicate that nanomolar quantities of the ball-like origami nanostructure, obtained in the presence of phenanthriplatin and therefore loaded with that specific drug, reduced cell viability in MCF-7 (cisplatin-resistant breast adenocarcinoma cell line) to 33%, while being ineffective on the other tested cancer cell lines. The overall results provide valuable insights into using wireframe DNA origami as a highly stable possible carrier of Pt species for very long time-release purposes.

Biotechnological production of omega-3 fatty acids: current status and future perspectives

Omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acids (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have shown major health benefits, but the human body's inability to synthesize them has led to the necessity of dietary intake of the products. The omega-3 fatty acid market has grown significantly, with a global market from an estimated USD 2.10 billion in 2020 to a predicted nearly USD 3.61 billion in 2028. However, obtaining a sufficient supply of high-quality and stable omega-3 fatty acids can be challenging. Currently, fish oil serves as the primary source of omega-3 fatty acids in the market, but it has several drawbacks, including high cost, inconsistent product quality, and major uncertainties in its sustainability and ecological impact. Other significant sources of omega-3 fatty acids include plants and microalgae fermentation, but they face similar challenges in reducing manufacturing costs and improving product quality and sustainability. With the advances in synthetic biology, biotechnological production of omega-3 fatty acids via engineered microbial cell factories still offers the best solution to provide a more stable, sustainable, and affordable source of omega-3 fatty acids by overcoming the major issues associated with conventional sources. This review summarizes the current status, key challenges, and future perspectives for the biotechnological production of major omega-3 fatty acids.

Analysis of Quinolinequinone Analogs with Promising Cytotoxic Activity against Breast Cancer

It is quite challenging to find out bioactive molecules in the vast chemical universe. Quinone moiety is a unique structure with a variety of biological properties, particularly in the treatment of cancer. In an effort to develop potent and secure antiproliferative lead compounds, five quinolinequinones (AQQ1-5) described previously have been selected and submitted to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of Bethesda to envisage their antiproliferative profile based on the NCI Developmental Therapeutics Program. According to the preliminary in vitro single-dose anticancer screening, four of five quinolinequinones (AQQ2-5) were selected for five-dose screening and they displayed promising antiproliferative effects against several cancer types. All AQQs showed a excellent anticancer profile with low micromolar GI50 and TGI values against all leukemia cell lines, some non-small cell lung and ovarian cancer, most colon, melanoma, and renal cancer, and in addition to some breast cancer cell lines. AQQ2-5 reduced the proliferation of all leukemia cell lines at a single dose and five additional doses, as well as some non-small cell lung and ovarian cancer, the majority of colon cancer, melanoma and renal cancer, and some breast cancer cell lines. This motivated us to use in vitro, in silico, and in vivo technologies to further investigate their mode of action. We investigated the in vitro cytotoxic activities of the most promising compounds, AQQ2 and AQQ3, in HCT-116 colon cancer, MCF7 and T-47D breast cancer, and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines, and HaCaT human keratinocytes. Concomitantly, IC50 values of AQQ2 and AAQ3 against MCF7 and T-47D cell lines of breast cancer, DU-145 cell lines of prostate cancer, HCT-116 cell lines of colon cancer, and HaCaT human keratinocytes were determined. AQQ2 exhibited anticancer activity through the induction of apoptosis and caused alterations in the cell cycle. In silico pharmacokinetic studies of all analogs have been carried out against ATR, CHK1, WEE1, CDK1, and CDK2. In addition to this, in vitro ADME and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiling for the most effective AAQ (AAQ2) have been studied.

Research Progress of Nanomaterials in Chemotherapy of Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant bone tumor that occurs mostly in children and adolescents. At present, surgery after chemotherapy or postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is the main treatment plan. However, the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs is limited by the occurrence of chemotherapeutic resistance, toxicity to normal cells, poor pharmacokinetic performance, and drug delivery failure. The delivery of chemotherapy drugs to the bone to treat OS may fail for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of selectivity for OS cells, initial sudden release, short-term release, and the presence of biological barriers (such as the blood-bone marrow barrier). Nanomaterials are new materials with at least one dimension on the nanometer scale (1-100 nm) in three-dimensional space. These materials have the ability to penetrate biological barriers and can accumulate preferentially in tumor cells. Studies have shown that the effective combination of nanomaterials and traditional chemotherapy can significantly improve the therapeutic effect. Therefore, this article reviews the latest research progress on the use of nanomaterials in OS chemotherapy.

Adenovirus-Derived Nano-Capsid Platforms for Targeted Delivery and Penetration of Macromolecules into Resistant and Metastatic Tumors

Macromolecular therapeutics such as nucleic acids, peptides, and proteins have the potential to overcome treatment barriers for cancer. For example, nucleic acid or peptide biologics may offer an alternative strategy for attacking otherwise undruggable therapeutic targets such as transcription factors and similar oncologic drivers. Delivery of biological therapeutics into tumor cells requires a robust system of cell penetration to access therapeutic targets within the cell interior. A highly effective means of accomplishing this may be borrowed from cell-penetrating pathogens such as viruses. In particular, the cell entry function of the adenovirus penton base capsid protein has been effective at penetrating tumor cells for the intracellular deposition of macromolecular therapies and membrane-impermeable drugs. Here, we provide an overview describing the evolution of tumor-targeted penton-base-derived nano-capsids as a framework for discussing the requirements for overcoming key barriers to macromolecular delivery. The development and pre-clinical testing of these proteins for therapeutic delivery has begun to also uncover the elusive mechanism underlying the membrane-penetrating function of the penton base. An understanding of this mechanism may unlock the potential for macromolecular therapeutics to be effectively delivered into cancer cells and to provide a treatment option for tumors resisting current clinical therapies.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and chromatin changes with autophagy-mediated survival in doxorubicin resistant cancer cell lines

Acquired chemoresistance against doxorubicin remains an obstacle in long-term treatment. The comprehensive molecular mechanism underlying the acquirement of doxorubicin resistance has not been reported. The objective of the present study is to understand the survival strategies and investigate alternate treatments for doxorubicin-resistant cervical and liver cancer cells. In this study, doxorubicin-resistant sublines were established by continuous incremental exposure of the drug to parental cervical and liver cancer cells. The transcriptome data in drug-resistant model revealed downregulated energy production pathways like glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and mTOR signalling. This resulted in slow proliferation and altered mitochondrial changes in doxorubicin-resistant cells. The altered metabolic state of the resistant cells was associated with hypo-acetylation of chromatin. Pre-treatment with HDACi sensitized the drug-resistant cells to doxorubicin by increased drug accumulation in the cells, thereby leading to apoptosis. Additionally, we demonstrated that autophagy gets activated in doxorubicin-resistant cervical and liver cancer cells. Autophagy acts as pro-survival mechanism in resistant cells, as inhibition of autophagy leads to cell death. In conclusion, the data highlights survival ability of resistant cells with mitochondrial dysfunction, altered chromatin state, and pro-survival autophagy. The study proposes targeting chromatin alteration with the combinatorial treatment of HDACi with doxorubicin or survival mechanism through autophagy inhibitor against doxorubicin-resistant cancer phenotype.

Recent Advances in Green Metallic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Drug Delivery in Photodynamic Therapy: A Therapeutic Approach

Globally, cancer is one of the leading causes of death among men and women, it is characterized by the unregulated proliferation of tumor cells. Some of the common risk factors associated with cancer development include the consistent exposure of body cells to carcinogenic agents such as alcohol, tobacco, toxins, gamma rays and alpha particles. Besides the above-mentioned risk factors, conventional therapies such as radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have also been linked to the development of cancer. Over the past decade, tremendous efforts have been invested in the synthesis of eco-friendly green metallic nanoparticles (NPs), and their medical application. Comparatively, metallic NPs have greater advantages over conventional therapies. Additionally, metallic NPs can be functionalized with different targeting moieties e.g., liposomes, antibodies, folic acid, transferrin, and carbohydrates. Herein, we review and discuss the synthesis, and therapeutic potential of green synthesized metallic NPs for enhanced cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). Finally, the advantages of green hybridized activatable NPs over conventional photosensitizers (PSs) and the future perspectives of nanotechnology in cancer research are discussed in the review. Furthermore, we anticipate that the insights offered in this review will inspire the design and development of green nano-formulations for enhanced image-guided PDT in cancer treatment.

Bench-to-Bedside Studies of Arginine Deprivation in Cancer

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid which becomes wholly essential in many cancers commonly due to the functional loss of Argininosuccinate Synthetase 1 (ASS1). As arginine is vital for a plethora of cellular processes, its deprivation provides a rationale strategy for combatting arginine-dependent cancers. Here we have focused on pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20, pegargiminase)-mediated arginine deprivation therapy from preclinical through to clinical investigation, from monotherapy to combinations with other anticancer therapeutics. The translation of ADI-PEG20 from the first in vitro studies to the first positive phase 3 trial of arginine depletion in cancer is highlighted. Finally, this review discusses how the identification of biomarkers that may denote enhanced sensitivity to ADI-PEG20 beyond ASS1 may be realized in future clinical practice, thus personalising arginine deprivation therapy for patients with cancer.

Contribution of Mitochondrial Activity to Doxorubicin-Resistance in Osteosarcoma Cells

Osteosarcoma is considered the most common bone tumor affecting children and young adults. The standard of care is chemotherapy; however, the onset of drug resistance still jeopardizes osteosarcoma patients, thus making it necessary to conduct a thorough investigation of the possible mechanisms behind this phenomenon. In the last decades, metabolic rewiring of cancer cells has been proposed as a cause of chemotherapy resistance. Our aim was to compare the mitochondrial phenotype of sensitive osteosarcoma cells (HOS and MG-63) versus their clones when continuously exposed to doxorubicin (resistant cells) and identify alterations exploitable for pharmacological approaches to overcome chemotherapy resistance. Compared with sensitive cells, doxorubicin-resistant clones showed sustained viability with less oxygen-dependent metabolisms, and significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial mass, and ROS production. In addition, we found reduced expression of TFAM gene generally associated with mitochondrial biogenesis. Finally, combined treatment of resistant osteosarcoma cells with doxorubicin and quercetin, a known inducer of mitochondrial biogenesis, re-sensitizes the doxorubicin effect in resistant cells. Despite further investigations being needed, these results pave the way for the use of mitochondrial inducers as a promising strategy to re-sensitize doxorubicin cytotoxicity in patients who do not respond to therapy or reduce doxorubicin side effects.

Lipopolyplex-Mediated Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and FAK siRNA to Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency of Treating Colorectal Cancer

Tumor metastasis is a major concern in cancer therapy. In this context, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene overexpression, which mediates cancer cell migration and invasion, has been reported in several human tumors and is considered a potential therapeutic target. However, gene-based treatment has certain limitations, including a lack of stability and low transfection ability. In this study, a biocompatible lipopolyplex was synthesized to overcome the aforementioned limitations. First, polyplexes were prepared using poly(2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylamide-co-methylacrylate-hydrazone-pyridoxal) (P(HPMA-co-MA-hyd-VB6)) copolymers, which bore positive charges at low pH value owing to protonation of pyridoxal groups and facilitated electrostatic interactions with negatively charged FAK siRNA. These polyplexes were then encapsulated into methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)-modified liposomes to form lipopolyplexes. Doxorubicin (DOX) was also loaded into lipopolyplexes for combination therapy with siRNA. Experimental results revealed that lipopolyplexes successfully released DOX at low pH to kill cancer cells and induced siRNA out of endosomes to inhibit the translation of FAK proteins. Furthermore, the efficient accumulation of lipopolyplexes in the tumors led to excellent cancer therapeutic efficacy. Overall, the synthesized lipopolyplex is a suitable nanocarrier for the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and genes to treat cancers.

2,2-Diphenethyl Isothiocyanate Enhances Topoisomerase Inhibitor-Induced Cell Death and Suppresses Multi-Drug Resistance 1 in Breast Cancer Cells

We previously reported that phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a dietary-related compound, can rescue mutant p53. A structure-activity relationships study showed that the synthetic analog 2,2-diphenylethyl isothiocyanate (DPEITC) is a more potent inducer of apoptosis than natural or synthetic ITCs. Here, we showed that DPEITC inhibited the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and Hs578T) expressing "hotspot" p53 mutants, structural (p53^R280K, p53^R273H) or contact (p53^V157F), at IC₅₀ values significantly lower than PEITC. DPEITC inhibited the growth of HER2+ (p53^R175H SK-BR-3, p53^R175H AU565) and Luminal A (p53^L194F T47D) breast cancer (BC) cells harboring a p53 structural mutant. DPEITC induced apoptosis, irrespective of BC subtypes, by rescuing p53 mutants. Accordingly, the rescued p53 mutants induced apoptosis by activating canonical WT p53 targets and delaying the cell cycle. DPEITC acted synergistically with doxorubicin and camptothecin to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis. Under these conditions, DPEITC delayed BC cells in the G1 phase, activated p53 canonical targets, and enhanced pS1981-ATM. DPEITC reduced the expression of MDR1 and ETS1. These findings are the first report of synergism between a synthetic ITC and a chemotherapy drug via mutant p53 rescue. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that ITCs suppress the expression of cellular proteins that play a role in chemoresistance.

Effect of Cellular and Microenvironmental Multidrug Resistance on Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery in Triple-Negative Breast cancer

Multidrug resistance (MDR) reduces the efficacy of chemotherapy. Besides inducing the expression of drug efflux pumps, chemotherapy treatment alters the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby potentially limiting tumor-directed drug delivery. To study the impact of MDR signaling in cancer cells on TME remodeling and nanomedicine delivery, we generated multidrug-resistant 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells by exposing sensitive 4T1 cells to gradually increasing doxorubicin concentrations. In 2D and 3D cell cultures, resistant 4T1 cells are presented with a more mesenchymal phenotype and produced increased amounts of collagen. While sensitive and resistant 4T1 cells showed similar tumor growth kinetics in vivo, the TME of resistant tumors was enriched in collagen and fibronectin. Vascular perfusion was also significantly increased. Fluorophore-labeled polymeric (∼10 nm) and liposomal (∼100 nm) drug carriers were administered to mice with resistant and sensitive tumors. Their tumor accumulation and penetration were studied using multimodal and multiscale optical imaging. At the whole tumor level, polymers accumulate more efficiently in resistant than in sensitive tumors. For liposomes, the trend was similar, but the differences in tumor accumulation were insignificant. At the individual blood vessel level, both polymers and liposomes were less able to extravasate out of the vasculature and penetrate the interstitium in resistant tumors. In a final in vivo efficacy study, we observed a stronger inhibitory effect of cellular and microenvironmental MDR on liposomal doxorubicin performance than free doxorubicin. These results exemplify that besides classical cellular MDR, microenvironmental drug resistance features should be considered when aiming to target and treat multidrug-resistant tumors more efficiently.

Novel ABA block copolymers: preparation, temperature sensitivity, and drug release

A new PEGylated macroiniferter was prepared based on the polycondensation reaction of polyethylene oxide (PEO), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), and 1,1,2,2-tetraphenyl-1,2-ethanediol (TPED). The macroiniferter consists of PEO end groups and readily reacts with acrylamides (such as N-isopropylacrylamide, NIPAM) and forms ABA block copolymers (PEO-PNIPAM-PEO). This approach of making amphiphilic ABA block copolymers is robust, versatile, and useful, particularly for the development of polymers for biomedical applications. The resulting amphiphilic PEO-PNIPAM-PEO block copolymers are also temperature sensitive, and their phase transition temperatures are close to human body temperature and therefore they have been applied as drug carriers for cancer treatment. Two PEO-PNIPAM-PEO polymers with different molecular weights were prepared and selected to make temperature-sensitive micelles. As a result of the biocompatibility of these micelles, cell viability tests proved that these micelles have low toxicity toward cancer cells. The resultant polymer micelles were then used as drug carriers to deliver the hydrophobic anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX), and the results showed that they exhibit significantly higher cumulative drug release efficiency at higher temperatures. Moreover, after loading DOX into the micelles, cellular uptake experiments showed easy uptake and cell viability tests showed that DOX-loaded micelles possess a better therapeutic effect than free DOX at the same dose.

An insight into embryogenesis interruption by carbon nitride dots: can they be nucleobase analogs?

The carbon nitride dot (CND) is an emerging carbon-based nanomaterial. It possesses rich surface functional moieties and a carbon nitride core. Spectroscopic data have demonstrated the analogy between CNDs and cytosine/uracil. Recently, it was found that CNDs could interrupt the normal embryogenesis of zebrafish. Modifying CNDs with various nucleobases, especially cytosine, further decreased embryo viability and increased deformities. Physicochemical property characterization demonstrated that adenine- and cytosine-incorporated CNDs are similar but different from guanine-, thymine- and uracil-incorporated CNDs in many properties, morphology, and structure. To investigate the embryogenesis interruption at the cellular level, bare and different nucleobase-incorporated CNDs were applied to normal and cancerous cell lines. A dose-dependent decline was observed in the viability of normal and cancerous cells incubated with cytosine-incorporated CNDs, which matched results from the zebrafish embryogenesis experiment. In addition, nucleobase-incorporated CNDs were observed to enter cell nuclei, demonstrating a possibility of CND-DNA interactions. CNDs modified by complementary nucleobases could bind each other via hydrogen bonds, which suggests nucleobase-incorporated CNDs can potentially bind the complementary nucleobases in a DNA double helix. Nonetheless, neither bare nor nucleobase-incorporated CNDs were observed to intervene in the amplification of the zebrafish polymerase-alpha 1 gene in quantitative polymerase chain reactions. Thus, in conclusion, the embryogenesis interruption by bare and nucleobase-incorporated CNDs might not be a consequence of CND-DNA interactions during DNA replication. Instead, CND-Ca²⁺ interactions offer a plausible mechanism that hindered cell proliferation and zebrafish embryogenesis originating from disturbed Ca²⁺ homeostasis by CNDs. Eventually, the hypothesis that raw or nucleobase-incorporated CNDs can be nucleobase analogs proved to be invalid.

The Formation of Self-Assembled Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin and d-Limonene for Cancer Therapy

Self-assembled nanoparticles present unique properties that have potential applications in the development of a successful drug delivery system. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an important anti-neoplastic anthracycline chemotherapeutic drug widely described. However, it suffers from serious dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. d-Limonene is a major constituent of numerous citrus oils that is considered a specific monoterpene against free radicals producing antioxidant activity. Herein, we aimed to design three types of self-assembled nanodelivery systems (nanoemulsion, niosomes, and polylactide nanoparticles) for loading both DOX and d-limonene to enhance the solubilization of d-limonene and provide antioxidant activity with excellent anticancer activity. As confirmed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, the nanoparticles were prepared successfully with diameter sizes of 52, 180, and 257 nm for the DOX-loaded nanoemulsion, niosomes, and polylactide nanoparticles, respectively. The zeta potential values were above -30 mV in all cases, which confirms the formation of stable nanoparticles. The loading efficiency of DOX was the highest in the case of the DOX-loaded nanoemulsion (75.8%), followed by niosomes (62.8%), and the least was in the case of polylactide nanoparticles with a percentage of 50.2%. The in vitro release study of the DOX-loaded nanoparticles showed a sustained release profile of doxorubicin with the highest release in the case of DOX-loaded PDLLA nanoparticles. The kinetic release model for all developed nanoparticles was the Peppas-Sahlin model, demonstrating DOX release through Fickian diffusion phenomena. Moreover, all developed nanoparticles maintain the antioxidant activity of d-limonene. The cytotoxicity study of the DOX-loaded nanoparticles showed concentration-dependent anticancer activity with excellent anticancer activity in the case of the DOX-loaded nanoemulsion and polylactide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles will be further studied in vivo to prove the cardioprotective effect of d-limonene in combination with DOX.

Effect of Collagen Matrix on Doxorubicin Distribution and Cancer Cells' Response to Treatment in 3D Tumor Model

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in regulation of many aspects of tumor growth and response to therapies. However, the specifics of the interaction of chemotherapeutic agents with cancer cells in the presence of collagen, the major component of ECM, is still poorly investigated. In this study, we explored distribution of doxorubicin (DOX) and its effects on cancer cells' metabolism in the presence of collagen with different structures in 3D models. For this, a combination of second harmonic generation imaging of collagen and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy of DOX, and metabolic cofactor NAD(P)H was used. It was found that collagen slowed down the diffusion of DOX and thus decreased the cellular drug uptake. Besides nuclei, DOX also targeted mitochondria leading to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, which was more pronounced in the cells growing in the absence of collagen. As a result, the cells in collagen displayed better viability upon treatment with DOX. Taken together, our data illustrate that tumor collagen contributes to heterogeneous and sub-optimal response to DOX and highlight the challenges in improving drug delivery and efficacy.

Effect of Collagen Matrix on Doxorubicin Distribution and Cancer Cells’ Response to Treatment in 3D Tumor Model

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in regulation of many aspects of tumor growth and response to therapies. However, the specifics of the interaction of chemotherapeutic agents with cancer cells in the presence of collagen, the major component of ECM, is still poorly investigated. In this study, we explored distribution of doxorubicin (DOX) and its effects on cancer cells’ metabolism in the presence of collagen with different structures in 3D models. For this, a combination of second harmonic generation imaging of collagen and multiphoton fluorescence microscopy of DOX, and metabolic cofactor NAD(P)H was used. It was found that collagen slowed down the diffusion of DOX and thus decreased the cellular drug uptake. Besides nuclei, DOX also targeted mitochondria leading to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, which was more pronounced in the cells growing in the absence of collagen. As a result, the cells in collagen displayed better viability upon treatment with DOX. Taken together, our data illustrate that tumor collagen contributes to heterogeneous and sub-optimal response to DOX and highlight the challenges in improving drug delivery and efficacy.

Theranostic magnetic nanoparticles enhance DNA damage and mitigate doxorubicin-induced cardio-toxicity for effective multi-modal tumor therapy

The chemo-therapeutic efficacy of Doxorubicin (Dox), a potent anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of several solid tumors, is severely compromised by its cardio-toxicity. To overcome this shortcoming and exploit the utmost theranostic potential of nano-formulations, magnetic nanoparticles co-encapsulated with Dox and indocyanine green (ICG) in a liposomal carrier and tagged with cyclic RGD peptide were rationally designed and synthesized. These magneto-liposomes (T-LMD) showed αvβ3-integrin receptor targeting and higher cyto-toxicity in several cancer cell lines (i.e. lung, breast, skin, brain and liver cancer) in combination with or without gamma radiation or magnetic hyperthermia therapy as compared to clinical liposomal nano-formulation of Dox (Lippod™). Mechanism of chemo-radio-sensitization was found to involve activation of JNK mediated pro-apoptotic signaling axis and delayed repair of DNA double strand breaks. Real time imaging of ICG labeled T-LMD suggested ~6-18 fold higher tumor accumulation of T-LMD as compared to off-target organs (kidney, liver, spleen, intestine, lungs and heart) and resulted in its higher combinatorial (chemo-radio-hyperthermia) tumor therapy efficacy as compared to Lippod™. Moreover, T-LMD showed insignificant toxicity to the heart tissue as suggested by serum levels of CK-MB, histo-pathological analysis, anti-oxidant enzyme activities (Catalase and GST) and markers of cardiac fibrosis, suggesting its potential for targeted multi-modal therapy of cancer.

A comparative study of 5- fluorouracil, doxorubicin, methotrexate, paclitaxel for their inhibition ability for Mpro of nCoV: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations

A new corona virus (nCoV) is aetiological agent responsible for the viral pneumonia epidemic. Three is no specific therapeutic medicines available for the treatment of this condition and also effective treatment choices are few. In this work author tried to investigate some repurposing drug such as 5- fluorouracil, doxorubicin, methotrexate and paclitaxel against the main protease (Mpro) of nCoV by the computational model. Molecular docking was performed to screen out the best compound and doxorubicin was found to have minimum binding energy −121.89 kcal/mol. To further study, MD simulations were performed at 300 K and the result successfully corroborate the energy obtained by molecular docking. Temperature dependent MD simulation of the best molecule that is doxorubicin obtained from docking result was performed to check the variation in structural changes in Mpro of nCoV at 290 K, 310 K, 320 K and 325 K. It is sound that doxorubicin binds effectively with Mpro of nCoV at 290 K. Further ADME properties of the 5- fluorouracil, doxorubicin, methotrexate and paclitaxel were also evaluated to understand the bioavailability.

Ribosome-Directed Therapies in Cancer

The human ribosomes are the cellular machines that participate in protein synthesis, which is deeply affected during cancer transformation by different oncoproteins and is shown to provide cancer cell proliferation and therefore biomass. Cancer diseases are associated with an increase in ribosome biogenesis and mutation of ribosomal proteins. The ribosome represents an attractive anti-cancer therapy target and several strategies are used to identify specific drugs. Here we review the role of different drugs that may decrease ribosome biogenesis and cancer cell proliferation.

Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: causative factors and possible interventions

OBJECTIVES

Doxorubicin (Dox) belongs to the anthracycline drug classification and is a widely administered chemotherapeutic. However, Dox use in therapy is limited by its cardiotoxicity, representing a significant drawback of Dox treatment applicability. A large amount of current research is on reducing Dox-induced cardiotoxicity by developing targeted delivery systems and investigating cardiotoxicity mechanisms. Recently, discrepancies have challenged the traditional understanding of Dox metabolism, mechanisms of action and cardiotoxicity drivers. This review summarises the current knowledge around Dox's metabolism, mechanisms of anticancer activity, and delivery systems and offers a unique perspective on the relationships between several proposed mechanisms of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

KEY FINDINGS

While there is a strong understanding of Dox's pharmacokinetic properties, it is unclear which enzymes contribute to Dox metabolism and how Dox induces its cytotoxic effect in neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells. Evidence suggests that there are several potentially synergistic mechanisms involved in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

SUMMARY

It has become clear that Dox operates in a multifactorial fashion dependent on cellular context. Accumulation of oxidative stress appears to be a common factor in cardiotoxicity mechanisms, highlighting the importance of novel delivery systems and antioxidant therapies.

EdU sensing: The Raman way of following endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and ex vivo

Endothelial cells line the lumen of all vessels in the body and maintain vascular homeostasis. In particular, endothelial cell regeneration in response to insult sustain functional endothelial layer. EdU (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) is an alkyne-tagged proliferation probe that incorporates into newly synthesized DNA and is used for fluorescence imaging of cell proliferation with the use of "click chemistry" reaction with a fluorescent azide. Here, we utilized EdU as a click-free Raman probe for tracking endothelial cell proliferation. Raman imaging of EdU was performed in live endothelial cells, showing an advantage over fluorescence imaging of EdU, as this technique did not require sample fixation and permeabilization. To validate Raman-based imaging of EdU to study endothelial cell proliferation, we showed that when endothelial cells were treated with cycloheximide or doxorubicin to impair the proliferation of endothelial cells, the Raman-based signal of EdU was diminished. Furthermore, endothelial cells proliferation detected using EdU-labelled Raman imaging was compared with fluorescence imaging. Finally, the method of Raman-based EdU imaging was used in the isolated murine aorta ex vivo. Altogether, our results show that Raman-based imaging of EdU provides a novel alternative for fluorescence-based assay to assess endothelial proliferation and regeneration.

Transarterial Chemoembolization and Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Narrative Review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumor, and even with the breakthrough in preventive strategies, and new diagnostic and treatment modalities, incidence and fatality rates continue to climb. Patients with HCC are most commonly diagnosed in the later stage, where the disease has already advanced, making it impossible to undertake potentially curative surgery. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a locoregional therapy regarded as a first-line treatment in patients with intermediate-stage HCC (Barcelona clinical liver cancer {BCLC}-B). TACE is a minimally invasive and non-surgical procedure that combines local chemotherapeutic drug administration with embolization to treat HCC. It helps limit tumor growth, preserve liver function, and increase overall and progression-free survival in patients with intermediate-stage HCC. This article has reviewed the efficacy, survival, limitations, and overall benefit of TACE in patients with unresectable HCC. This article has also discussed the effectiveness of TACE for neoadjuvant chemoembolization and the use of TACE with combination therapies.

Novel Photo- and Thermo-Responsive Nanocomposite Hydrogels Based on Functionalized rGO and Modified SIS/Chitosan Polymers for Localized Treatment of Malignant Cutaneous Melanoma

Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer that accounts for over 75% of skin cancer deaths despite comprising less than 5% of all skin cancers. Despite promising improvements in surgical approaches for melanoma resection, the survival of undetectable microtumor residues has remained a concern. As a result, hyperthermia- and drug-based therapies have grown as attractive techniques to target and treat cancer. In this work, we aim to develop a stimuli-responsive hydrogel based on chitosan methacrylate (ChiMA), porcine small intestine submucosa methacrylate (SISMA), and doxorubicin-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO-DOX) that eliminates microtumor residues from surgically resected melanoma through the coupled effect of NIR light-induced photothermal therapy and heat-induced doxorubicin release. Furthermore, we developed an in silico model to optimize heat and mass transport and evaluate the proposed chemo/photothermal therapy in vitro over melanoma cell cultures.

Sophorolipids: Anti-cancer activities and mechanisms

Sophorolipids (SLs) are biosurfactants synthesized as secondary metabolites by non-pathogenic yeasts and other microorganisms. They are members of glycolipid microbial surfactant family that consists of a sophorose polar head group and, most often, an ω-1 hydroxylated fatty acid glycosidically linked to the sophorose moiety. Since the fermentative production of SLs is high (>200 g/L), SLs have the potential to provide low-cost therapeutics. Natural and modified SLs possess anti-cancer activity against a wide range of cancer cell lines such as those derived from breast, cervical, colon, liver, brain, and the pancreas. Corresponding data on their cytotoxicity against noncancerous cell lines including human embryo kidney, umbilical vein, and mouse fibroblasts is also discussed. These results are compiled to elucidate trends in SL-structures that lead to higher efficacy against cancer cell lines and lower cytotoxicity for normal cell lines. While extrapolation of these results provides some insights into the design of SLs with optimal therapeutic indices, we also provide a critical assessment of gaps and inconsistencies in the literature as well as the lack of data connecting structure-to-anticancer and cytotoxicity on normal cells. Furthermore, SL-mechanism of action against cancer cell lines, that includes proliferation inhibition, induction of apoptosis, membrane disruption and mitochondria mediated pathways are discussed. Perspectives on future research to develop SL anticancer therapeutics is discussed.

Synthesis of Amphiphilic Copolymers of N-Vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and Allyl Glycidyl Ether for Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel

Co-delivery of chemotherapeutics in cancer treatment has been proven essential for overcoming multidrug resistance and improving the outcome of therapy. We report the synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and allyl glycidyl ether of various compositions and demonstrate that they can form nanoaggregates capable of simultaneous covalent immobilization of doxorubicin by the epoxy groups in the shell and hydrophobic-driven incorporation of paclitaxel into the core of nanoparticles. The structure of the obtained copolymers was characterized by ¹³C NMR, IR, and MALDI spectroscopy, as well as adsorption at the water/toluene interface. A linear increase in the number-average molecular weight of amphiphilic copolymers and a decrease in the number-average diameter of macromolecular aggregates with an increase in the ratio N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone/allyl glycidyl ether were observed. The assembled nanocarriers were characterized by DLS. The reported novel nanocarriers can be of interest for delivery and co-delivery of a wide range of pharmacological preparations and combined therapy for cancer and other deceases.

12-Plex DiLeu Isobaric Labeling Enabled High-Throughput Investigation of Citrullination Alterations in the DNA Damage Response

Protein citrullination is a key post-translational modification (PTM) that leads to the loss of positive charge on arginine and consequent protein structural and functional changes. Though it has been indicated to play critical roles in various physiological and pathological processes, effective analytical tools are largely limited due to a few challenges such as the small mass shift induced by this PTM and its low-abundance nature. Recently, we developed a biotin thiol tag, which enabled large-scale profiling of protein citrullination from complex biological samples via mass spectrometry. However, a high-throughput quantitative approach is still in great need to further improve the understanding of this PTM. In this study, we report an efficient pipeline using our custom-developed N,N-dimethyl leucine isobaric tags to achieve a multiplexed quantitative analysis of citrullination from up to 12 samples for the first time. We then apply this strategy to investigating citrullination alterations in response to DNA damage stress using human cell lines. We unveil important biological functions regulated by protein citrullination and observe hypercitrullination on RNA-binding proteins and DNA repair proteins, respectively. Our results reveal the involvement of citrullination in DNA damage pathways and may provide new insights into DNA-damage-related disease pathogenesis.

Cyclophosphamide and epirubicin induce high apoptosis in microglia cells while epirubicin provokes DNA damage and microglial activation at sub-lethal concentrations

Chemotherapy Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI), also called chemobrain, diminishes cancer patient's life quality. Breast cancer (BC) patients have been described to be importantly affected, however, the mechanism leading to CRCI has not been fully elucidated. Recent research proposes microglia as the main architect of CRCI, thus dysregulations in these cells could trigger CRCI. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of two drugs commonly used against breast cancer, cyclophosphamide (CTX) and epirubicin (EPI), on the microglia cell line SIM-A9, using the BC cell line, 4T1, as a control. Our results show that CTX and EPI decrease microglia-cell viability and increase cell death on a concentration-dependent manner, being 5 and 2 times more cytotoxic to microglia cell line than to breast cancer 4T1cells, respectively. Both chemotherapies induce cell cycle arrest and a significant increase in p53, p16 and γ-H2AX in breast cancer and microglia cells. Furthermore, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) diminishes as cell death increases, and both chemotherapies induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on SIM-A9 and 4T1. Moreover, caspase activation increases with treatments and its pharmacological blockade inhibits CTX and EPI induced-cell death. Finally, low concentrations of CTX and EPI induce γ-H2AX, and EPI induces cytokine release, NO production and Iba-1 overexpression. These findings indicate that microglia cells are more sensitive to CTX and EPI than BC cells and undergo DNA damage and cell cycle arrest at very low concentrations, moreover EPI induces microglia activation and a pro-inflammatory profile.

Cardiac Expression of Esophageal Cancer-Related Gene-4 is Regulated by Sp1 and is a Potential Early Target of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Esophageal Cancer-Related Gene 4 (Ecrg4) expressed in cardiomyocytes and the cardiac conduction system is downregulated during cardiac ischemia and atrial fibrillation. To explore whether Ecrg4 plays any role in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Rats and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were employed to study the effect of DOX on Ecrg4 transcription. Bioinformatics combined with promoter analysis were used to map the rat Ecrg4 promoter. ChIP assay was used to evaluate the binding of Sp1 to the Ecrg4 promoter. Transient transfection was used to study the effect of Sp1 on the expression of endogenous Ecrg4. DOX decreased endogenous Ecrg4 gene expression in the heart and cultured NRCMs. In silico analysis showed that the 5'UTR immediately upstream of the start codon ATG, harbors a putative promoter that is GC-rich, and contains CpG islands, multiple overlapping Sp1sites. Transcription is initiated mainly on the 'C' at - 15. Serial 5'-deletion combined with dual-luciferase assays showed that the rat Ecrg4 core promoter resides at - 1/- 800. Sp1 transactivated Ecrg4 gene, which was almost abolished by DOX. Furthermore, ChIP assay showed that Sp1 specifically bound to the Ecrg4 promoter was interrupted by DOX. Finally, DOX suppressed Sp1 protein expression, and restoration of Sp1 increased Ecrg4 expression that was resistant to DOX-induced Ecrg4 downregulation. Importantly, cardiomyocyte-specific loss of Ecrg4 significantly enriched the differentially expressed proteins in the signaling pathways commonly involved in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Our results indicate that Sp1 mediates DOX-induced suppression of Ecrg4, which may contribute indirectly to its cardiotoxicity.

Different pancreatic cancer microenvironments convert iPSCs into cancer stem cells exhibiting distinct plasticity with altered gene expression of metabolic pathways

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are generated under irregular microenvironment in vivo, of which mimic is quite difficult due to the lack of enough information of the factors responsible for cancer initiation. Here, we demonstrated that mouse induced pluripotent cells (miPSCs) reprogrammed from normal embryonic fibroblasts were susceptible to the microenvironment affected by cancer cells to convert into CSCs in vivo.

METHODS

Three different pancreatic cancer line cells, BxPC3, PANC1, and PK8 cells were mixed with miPSCs and subcutaneously injected into immunodeficient mice. Tumors were evaluated by histological analysis and cells derived from iPSCs were isolated and selected from tumors. The isolated cells were characterized for cancer stem cell characters in vitro and in vivo as well as their responses to anticancer drugs. The impact of co-injection of iPSCs with cancer cells on transcriptome and signaling pathways of iPSCs was investigated.

RESULTS

The injection of miPSCs mixed with human pancreatic cancer cells into immunodeficient mice maintained the stemness of miPSCs and changed their phenotype. The miPSCs acquired CSC characteristics of tumorigenicity and self-renewal. The drug responses and the metastatic ability of CSCs converted from miPSCs varied depending on the microenvironment of cancer cells. Interestingly, transcriptome profiles of these cells indicated that the pathways related with aggressiveness and energy production were upregulated from the levels of miPSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our result suggests that cancer-inducing microenvironment in vivo could rewire the cell signaling and metabolic pathways to convert normal stem cells into CSCs.

Modified chitosan-hyaluronic acid based hydrogel for the pH-responsive Co-delivery of cisplatin and doxorubicin

Combination chemotherapy has attracted more attention in the field of anticancer treatment due to the synergetic effects achieved in the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. In the present work a hydrogel-based drug delivery system (CS-NSA/A-HA) was successfully developed from chitosan modified by nitrosalicylaldehyde and aldehyde hyaluronic acid. Anticancer drugs, Cisplatin (CDDP) and Doxorubicin (DOX) were incorporated into this hydrogel separately and a dual drug loaded system was synthesized and the potential of the single and dual drug loaded materials for lung cancer therapy was compared. The obtained hydrogel was characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Morphological studies conducted by FE-SEM analysis. The loading and encapsulation efficiencies and percentage of drug release were determined by UV-Vis spectroscopy at different pHs. Cytotoxicity studies performed in A549 lung cancer cells confirmed the enhanced activity of the material as a dual drug carrier compared with the single loaded system. All the findings strongly suggest the applicability of the material for lung cancer therapy.