Fruticuline A, a chemically-defined diterpene, exerts antineoplastic effects in vitro and in vivo by multiple mechanisms

Therapeutic strategies of targeting non-apoptotic regulated cell death (RCD) with small-molecule compounds in cancer

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a controlled form of cell death orchestrated by one or more cascading signaling pathways, making it amenable to pharmacological intervention. RCD subroutines can be categorized as apoptotic or non-apoptotic and play essential roles in maintaining homeostasis, facilitating development, and modulating immunity. Accumulating evidence has recently revealed that RCD evasion is frequently the primary cause of tumor survival. Several non-apoptotic RCD subroutines have garnered attention as promising cancer therapies due to their ability to induce tumor regression and prevent relapse, comparable to apoptosis. Moreover, they offer potential solutions for overcoming the acquired resistance of tumors toward apoptotic drugs. With an increasing understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing these non-apoptotic RCD subroutines, a growing number of small-molecule compounds targeting single or multiple pathways have been discovered, providing novel strategies for current cancer therapy. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the current regulatory mechanisms of the emerging non-apoptotic RCD subroutines, mainly including autophagy-dependent cell death, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, disulfidptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, alkaliptosis, oxeiptosis, parthanatos, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, and immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, we focused on discussing the pharmacological regulatory mechanisms of related small-molecule compounds. In brief, these insightful findings may provide valuable guidance for investigating individual or collaborative targeting approaches towards different RCD subroutines, ultimately driving the discovery of novel small-molecule compounds that target RCD and significantly enhance future cancer therapeutics.

Features and applications of Ehrlich tumor model in cancer studies: a literature review

Background and Objective

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, responsible for a large number of deaths, especially among women. Therapeutic options for breast cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy, but further studies of the pathogenesis of this disease and new treatments are still needed. In vitro and in vivo cancer models are important research tools. Murine Ehrlich tumors are one of these models, especially for hormone-positive breast cancer. The present narrative review discusses characteristics of the Ehrlich tumor model, laboratory manipulations of Ehrlich cells (ECs), and applications in pharmacological, pathological, and translational studies.

Methods

This review was based on scientific articles, books, and theses on Ehrlich tumors. We searched the PubMed, SciELO, Google Scholar, Google, and Clarivate databases.

Key Content and Findings

Hormone-positive ECs produce solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) and ascitic Ehrlich carcinoma (AEC), with different features and applications. The presence of SEC or AEC induces systemic and immunological alterations that are similar to cancer in humans, what makes this model applicable to different studies in the cancer field.

Conclusions

Ehrlich tumors are a relevant tool for improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of breast cancer and investigating the tumor microenvironment, side effects of therapies, and new treatment options. Despite some limitations, such as the absence of an invasive phenotype to produce metastasis, both SEC and AEC are relevant in preclinical and translational studies of breast cancer.

The ethanolic extract of Salvia lachnostachys Benth is not maternotoxic, does not alter reproductive performance, but has teratogenic potential

Salvia lachnostachys Benth is native to Brazil and has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, cytotoxic, antitumor, and antihyperalgesic activities. The population, including pregnant women, consume this plant to treat pain, inflammation, flu, spasms, insomnia, and depression, mainly. There are no safety reports on the use of this plant during pregnancy. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of S. lachnostachys ethanolic extract (EESl) on reproductive performance, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant females were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 10): The Control group was treated with a vehicle, and treatment groups were administered with EESl at 100 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Treatment occurred by gavage throughout the gestational period until day 18. Afterward, reproductive performance, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity parameters were evaluated. The results indicated that EESl did not alter any reproductive performance parameters. However, it changed embryofetal outcome through reduced placental weight (EESl 100 mg/kg), decreased fetal weight (EESl 100 and 1000 mg/kg), and increased frequency of small for gestational age fetuses (EESl 1000 mg/kg). In addition, EES1 increased the frequency of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Because of the above, it is considered that EESl is not maternotoxic, does not alter reproductive performance, but does alter embryofetal development. Its use in the gestational period is not indicated due to its teratogenic potential.