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Medeiros M, Guenka S, Bastos D, Oliveira KL, Brassesco MS. Amicis Omnia Sunt Communia: NF-κB Inhibition as an Alternative to Overcome Osteosarcoma Heterogeneity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:734. [PMID: 38931401 PMCID: PMC11206879 DOI: 10.3390/ph17060734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity poses a significant challenge in osteosarcoma (OS) treatment. In this regard, the "omics" era has constantly expanded our understanding of biomarkers and altered signaling pathways (i.e., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, WNT/β-catenin, NOTCH, SHH/GLI, among others) involved in OS pathophysiology. Despite different players and complexities, many commonalities have been described, among which the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) stands out. Its altered activation is pervasive in cancer, with pleiotropic action on many disease-relevant traits. Thus, in the scope of this article, we highlight the evidence of NF-κB dysregulation in OS and its integration with other cancer-related pathways while we summarize the repertoire of compounds that have been described to interfere with its action. In silico strategies were used to demonstrate that NF-κB is closely coordinated with other commonly dysregulated signaling pathways not only by functionally interacting with several of their members but also by actively participating in the regulation of their transcription. While existing inhibitors lack selectivity or act indirectly, the therapeutic potential of targeting NF-κB is indisputable, first for its multifunctionality on most cancer hallmarks, and secondly, because, as a common downstream effector of the many dysregulated pathways influencing OS aggressiveness, it turns complex regulatory networks into a simpler picture underneath molecular heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Medeiros
- Cell Biology Department, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - Sophia Guenka
- Biology Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, São Paulo, Brazil; (S.G.); (D.B.)
| | - David Bastos
- Biology Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, São Paulo, Brazil; (S.G.); (D.B.)
| | - Karla Laissa Oliveira
- Regional Blood Center, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14051-140, São Paulo, Brazil;
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Biology Department, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900-Vila Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, São Paulo, Brazil; (S.G.); (D.B.)
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Kurowska N, Madej M, Strzalka-Mrozik B. Thymoquinone: A Promising Therapeutic Agent for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 46:121-139. [PMID: 38248312 PMCID: PMC10814900 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and is responsible for approximately one million deaths each year. The current standard of care is surgical resection of the lesion and chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). However, of concern is the increasing incidence in an increasingly younger patient population and the ability of CRC cells to develop resistance to 5-FU. In this review, we discuss the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), one of the main bioactive components of Nigella sativa seeds, on CRC, with a particular focus on the use of TQ in combination therapy with other chemotherapeutic agents. TQ exhibits anti-CRC activity by inducing a proapoptotic effect and inhibiting proliferation, primarily through its effect on the regulation of signaling pathways crucial for tumor progression and oxidative stress. TQ can be used synergistically with chemotherapeutic agents to enhance their anticancer effects and to influence the expression of signaling pathways and other genes important in cancer development. These data appear to be most relevant for co-treatment with 5-FU. We believe that TQ is a suitable candidate for consideration in the chemoprevention and adjuvant therapy for CRC, but further studies, including clinical trials, are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kurowska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (N.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Marcel Madej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (N.K.); (M.M.)
- Silesia LabMed, Centre for Research and Implementation, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Barbara Strzalka-Mrozik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (N.K.); (M.M.)
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Racea RC, Macasoi IG, Dinu S, Pinzaru I, Marcovici I, Dehelean C, Rusu LC, Chioran D, Rivis M, Buzatu R. Eugenol: In Vitro and In Ovo Assessment to Explore Cytotoxic Effects on Osteosarcoma and Oropharyngeal Cancer Cells. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3549. [PMID: 37896013 PMCID: PMC10610311 DOI: 10.3390/plants12203549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a significant health problem worldwide; consequently, new therapeutic alternatives are being investigated, including those found in the vegetable kingdom. Eugenol (Eug) has attracted attention for its therapeutic properties, especially in stomatology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of Eug, in vitro, on osteosarcoma (SAOS-2) and oropharyngeal squamous cancer (Detroit-562) cells, as well as its potential irritant effect in ovo at the level of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The data obtained following a 72 h Eug treatment highlighted the reduction in cell viability up to 41% in SAOS-2 cells and up to 37% in Detroit-562 cells, respectively. The apoptotic-like effect of Eug was indicated by the changes in cell morphology and nuclear aspect; the increase in caspase-3/7, -8 and -9 activity; the elevated expression of Bax and Bad genes; and the increase in luminescence signal (indicating phosphatidylserine externalization) that preceded the increase in fluorescence signal (indicating the compromise of membrane integrity). Regarding the vascular effects, slight signs of coagulation and vascular lysis were observed, with an irritation score of 1.69 for Eug 1 mM. Based on these results, the efficiency of Eug in cancer treatment is yet to be clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert-Cosmin Racea
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, 9 Revolutiei 1989 Ave., 300070 Timisoara, Romania; (R.-C.R.); (L.-C.R.); (D.C.); (M.R.); (R.B.)
- Multidisciplinary Center for Research, Evaluation, Diagnosis and Therapies in Oral Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioana-Gabriela Macasoi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (I.-G.M.); (I.P.); (I.M.); (C.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Stefania Dinu
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, 9 Revolutiei 1989 Ave., 300070 Timisoara, Romania; (R.-C.R.); (L.-C.R.); (D.C.); (M.R.); (R.B.)
- Pediatric Dentistry Research Center, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, 9 No., Revolutiei Bv., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iulia Pinzaru
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (I.-G.M.); (I.P.); (I.M.); (C.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Iasmina Marcovici
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (I.-G.M.); (I.P.); (I.M.); (C.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Cristina Dehelean
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (I.-G.M.); (I.P.); (I.M.); (C.D.)
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Laura-Cristina Rusu
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, 9 Revolutiei 1989 Ave., 300070 Timisoara, Romania; (R.-C.R.); (L.-C.R.); (D.C.); (M.R.); (R.B.)
- Multidisciplinary Center for Research, Evaluation, Diagnosis and Therapies in Oral Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square, No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Doina Chioran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, 9 Revolutiei 1989 Ave., 300070 Timisoara, Romania; (R.-C.R.); (L.-C.R.); (D.C.); (M.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Mircea Rivis
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, 9 Revolutiei 1989 Ave., 300070 Timisoara, Romania; (R.-C.R.); (L.-C.R.); (D.C.); (M.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Roxana Buzatu
- Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy from Timisoara, 9 Revolutiei 1989 Ave., 300070 Timisoara, Romania; (R.-C.R.); (L.-C.R.); (D.C.); (M.R.); (R.B.)
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