COX-2 mediates tumor-stromal prolactin signaling to initiate tumorigenesis

Amentoflavone alleviated cartilage injury and inflammatory response of knee osteoarthritis through PTGS2

The role of amentoflavone on cartilage injury in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats and the underlying mechanism were explored. KOA rat and IL-1β-stimulated chondrocyte models were constructed. MTT, colony formation, and ELISA were performed to determine the cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and inflammatory factors. The role of PTGS2 in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes was also confirmed through transfecting PTGS2 overexpression and silencing plasmids. Further, we analyzed how amentoflavone regulated PTGS2 to improve IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes in vitro. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of PTGS2 after amentoflavone treatment. In vivo, HE and Safranin-O staining were carried out, and the inflammatory response was detected by ELISA and HE staining. In addition, we also analyzed the regulatory effect of amentoflavone on PTGS2 and explored the mechanism effect of PTGS2 in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that PTGS2 was the downstream molecule of amentoflavone, which was highly expressed in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and KOA rats, and amentoflavone decreased PTGS2 expression. We also confirmed the potential role of amentoflavone on KOA, which was also characterized by the repair of cartilage injury, reduction of inflammatory infiltration, and improvement of functional disability. Consistent with in vivo results, in vitro experiments gave the same conclusions. Amentoflavone reduced PTGS2 expression in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and inhibited inflammation of chondrocytes via PTGS2. Collectively, the results confirmed that this drug was the potential targeted drug for KOA, whose repair effect on cartilage injury was partly related to PTGS2.

Rel Family Transcription Factor NFAT5 Upregulates COX2 via HIF-1α Activity in Ishikawa and HEC1a Cells

Nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2; PTGS2) both participate in diverse pathologies including cancer progression. However, the biological role of the NFAT5-COX2 signaling pathway in human endometrial cancer has remained elusive. The present study explored whether NFAT5 is expressed in endometrial tumors and if NFAT5 participates in cancer progression. To gain insights into the underlying mechanisms, NFAT5 protein abundance in endometrial cancer tissue was visualized by immunohistochemistry and endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa and HEC1a) were transfected with NFAT5 or with an empty plasmid. As a result, NFAT5 expression is more abundant in high-grade than in low-grade endometrial cancer tissue. RNA sequencing analysis of NFAT5 overexpression in Ishikawa cells upregulated 37 genes and downregulated 20 genes. Genes affected included cyclooxygenase 2 and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1A). NFAT5 transfection and/or treatment with HIF-1α stabilizer exerted a strong stimulating effect on HIF-1α promoter activity as well as COX2 expression level and prostaglandin E2 receptor (PGE2) levels. Our findings suggest that activation of NFAT5-HIF-1α-COX2 axis could promote endometrial cancer progression.

Rosmarinic acid in combination with ginsenoside Rg1 suppresses colon cancer metastasis via co-inhition of COX-2 and PD1/PD-L1 signaling axis

Metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of mortality among CRC patients. Elevated COX-2 and PD-L1 expression in colon cancer tissue has been linked to distant metastasis of tumor cells. Although COX-2 inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate improved anti-tumor efficacy, their toxicity and variable therapeutic effects in individual patients raise concerns. To address this challenge, it is vital to identify traditional Chinese medicine components that modulate COX-2 and PD-1/PD-L1: rosmarinic acid (RA) exerts striking inhibitory effect on COX-2, while ginsenoside Rg1 (GR) possesses the potential to suppress the binding of PD-1/PD-L1. In this study we investigated whether the combination of RA and GR could exert anti-metastatic effects against CRC. MC38 tumor xenograft mouse model with lung metastasis was established. The mice were administered RA (100 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) alone or in combination with GR (100 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.p.). We showed that RA (50, 100, 150 μM) or a COX-2 inhibitor Celecoxib (1, 3, 9 μM) concentration-dependently inhibited the migration and invasion of MC38 cells in vitro. We further demonstrated that RA and Celecoxib inhibited the metastasis of MC38 tumors in vitro and in vivo via interfering with the COX-2-MYO10 signaling axis and inhibiting the generation of filopodia. In the MC38 tumor xenograft mice, RA administration significantly decreased the number of metastatic foci in the lungs detected by Micro CT scanning; RA in combination with GR that had inhibitory effect on the binding of PD-1 and PD-L1 further suppressed the lung metastasis of colon cancer. Compared to COX-2 inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, RA and GR displayed better safety profiles without disrupting the tissue structures of the liver, stomach and colon, offering insights into the lower toxic effects of clinical traditional Chinese medicine against tumors while retaining its efficacy.

Exosomal hsa-miR-151a-3p and hsa-miR-877-5p are potential novel biomarkers for predicting bone metastasis in lung cancer

Exosomal miRNAs (exo-miRNAs) have arisen as novel diagnostic biomarkers for various cancers. However, few reports on exo-miRNAs related to bone metastasis (BM) in lung cancer exist. This study aims to screen out key exo-miRNAs and estimate their prognostic values for predicting BM in lung cancer. The differentially expressed exo-miRNAs between the highly-metastatic (95D) and lowly-metastatic (A549) human lung cancer cell lines were comprehensively analyzed using high-throughput sequencing followed by bioinformatic analyses. 29 candidate exo-miRNAs were identified, and 101 BM-related target genes were predicted. Enrichment analysis revealed that these target genes were mainly involved in regulating transcription and pathways in cancer. An exosomal miRNA-mRNA regulatory network consisting of 7 key miRNAs and 10 hub genes was constructed. Further function analysis indicated that these 10 hub genes were mainly enriched in regulating cancer's apoptosis and central carbon metabolism. The survival analysis indicated that 7 of 10 hub genes were closely related to prognosis. Mutation analysis showed that lung cancer patients presented certain genetic alterations in the 7 real hub genes. GSEA for a single hub gene suggested that 6 of 7 real hub genes had close associations with lung cancer development. Finally, ROC analysis revealed that hsa-miR-151a-3p and hsa-miR-877-5p provided high diagnostic accuracy in discriminating patients with bone metastasis (BM+) from patients without bone metastasis (BM-). These findings provided a comprehensive analysis of exo-miRNAs and target genes in the regulatory network of BM in lung cancer. In particular, hsa-miR-151a-3p and hsa-miR-877-5p may be novel biomarkers for predicting BM in lung cancer.

Unveiling novel insights in prostate cancer through single-cell RNA sequencing

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a cutting-edge technology that provides insights at the individual cell level. In contrast to traditional bulk RNA-seq, which captures gene expression at an average level and may overlook important details, scRNA-seq examines each individual cell as a fundamental unit and is particularly well-suited for identifying rare cell populations. Analogous to a microscope that distinguishes various cell types within a tissue sample, scRNA-seq unravels the heterogeneity and diversity within a single cell species, offering great potential as a leading sequencing method in the future. In the context of prostate cancer (PCa), a disease characterized by significant heterogeneity and multiple stages of progression, scRNA-seq emerges as a powerful tool for uncovering its intricate secrets.

The p23 co-chaperone is a succinate-activated COX-2 transcription factor in lung adenocarcinoma tumorigenesis

P23, historically known as a heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) co-chaperone, exerts some of its critical functions in an HSP90-independent manner, particularly when it translocates into the nucleus. The molecular nature underlying how this HSP90-independent p23 function is achieved remains as a biological mystery. Here, we found that p23 is a previously unidentified transcription factor of COX-2, and its nuclear localization predicts the poor clinical outcomes. Intratumor succinate promotes p23 succinylation at K7, K33, and K79, which drives its nuclear translocation for COX-2 transcription and consequently fascinates tumor growth. We then identified M16 as a potent p23 succinylation inhibitor from 1.6 million compounds through a combined virtual and biological screening. M16 inhibited p23 succinylation and nuclear translocation, attenuated COX-2 transcription in a p23-dependent manner, and markedly suppressed tumor growth. Therefore, our study defines p23 as a succinate-activated transcription factor in tumor progression and provides a rationale for inhibiting p23 succinylation as an anticancer chemotherapy.

Feedback-Elevated Antitumor Amplifier of Self-Delivery Nanomedicine by Suppressing Photodynamic Therapy-Caused Inflammation

Inflammation activation is accompanied by tumor growth, migration, and differentiation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can trigger an inflammatory response to cause negative feedback of tumor inhibition. In this paper, a feedback-elevated antitumor amplifier is developed by constructing self-delivery nanomedicine for PDT and cascade anti-inflammation therapy. Based on the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and COX-2 inhibitor indomethacin (Indo), the nanomedicine is prepared via molecular self-assembly technology without additional drug carriers. It is exciting that the optimized nanomedicine (designated as CeIndo) possesses favorable stability and dispersibility in the aqueous phase. Moreover, the drug delivery efficiency of CeIndo is significantly improved, which could be effectively accumulated at the tumor site and internalized by tumor cells. Importantly, CeIndo not only exhibits a robust PDT efficacy on tumor cells but also drastically decreases the PDT-induced inflammatory response in vivo, resulting in feedback-elevated tumor inhibition. By virtue of the synergistic effect of PDT and cascade inflammation suppression, CeIndo tremendously reduces tumor growth and leads to a low side effect. This study presents a paradigm for the development of codelivery nanomedicine for enhanced tumor therapy through inflammation suppression.

Polydatin reduces aflatoxin-B1 induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammatory cytokine levels in mice

This study showed the protective effect of polydatin (PD), which has an antioxidant activity against oxidative stress in mice caused by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In this study, 36 male Swiss albino mice were divided equally into 6 groups: 0.2 mL of FTS was administered to the control group, 0.2 mL of olive oil to the second group, and 0.75 mg/kg AFB1 to the third group by intragastric gavage every day for 28 days. The fourth, fifth, and sixth groups were administered 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg PD and 0.75 mg/kg AFB1 intragastrically for 28 days, respectively. AFB1 administration increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and malondialdehyde levels in blood and tissue samples but decreased the level of glutathione and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. On the other hand, it was determined that PD applications depending on the increasing doses brought these levels closer to normal. In addition, AFB1 administration increased the amount of ssDNA and liver COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, NFκB, and Cyp3a11 mRNA expression levels; on the other hand, it decreased the IL-2 mRNA expression level. In contrast, increasing doses of PD application regulated the amount of ssDNA and these mRNA expression levels. Additionally, histopathological damage was observed in the liver and kidney tissues of the AFB1 group, while PD applications in a dose-dependent manner improved these damages. As a result, it was determined that PD reduced AFB1-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation and exhibited a protective effect on tissues in mice.

Reciprocal Regulation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Tumor Microenvironment in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Implications for Cancer Dormancy

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the progress made in current treatments, patients with GI cancers still have high recurrence rates after initial treatment. Cancer dormancy, which involves the entry and escape of cancer cells from dormancy, is linked to treatment resistance, metastasis, and disease relapse. Recently, the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in disease progression and treatment has received increasing attention. The crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF)-secreted cytokines/chemokines and other TME components, for example, extracellular matrix remodeling and immunomodulatory functions, play crucial roles in tumorigenesis. While there is limited direct evidence of a relationship between CAFs and cancer cell dormancy, this review explores the potential of CAF-secreted cytokines/chemokines to either promote cancer cell dormancy or awaken dormant cancer cells under different conditions, and the therapeutic strategies that may be applicable. By understanding the interactions between cytokines/chemokines released by CAFs and the TME, and their impact on the entry/escape of cancer dormancy, researchers may develop new strategies to reduce the risk of therapeutic relapse in patients with GI cancers.

Breast Cancer and Prolactin - New Mechanisms and Models

The pathogenesis of breast cancer is driven by multiple hormones and growth factors. One of these, prolactin (PRL), contributes to both mammary differentiation and oncogenesis, and yet the basis for these disparate effects has remained unclear. The focus of this review is to examine and place into context 2 recent studies that have provided insight into the roles of PRL receptors and PRL in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. One study provides novel evidence for opposing actions of PRL in the breast being mediated in part by differential PRL receptor (PRLr) isoform utilization. Briefly, homomeric complexes of the long isoform of the PRLr (PRLrL-PRLrL) promotes mammary differentiation, while heteromeric complexes of the intermediate and long PRLr (PRLrI-PRLrL) isoforms trigger mammary oncogenesis. Another study describes an immunodeficient, prolactin-humanized mouse model, NSG-Pro, that facilitates growth of PRL receptor-expressing patient-derived breast cancer xenografts. Evidence obtained with this model supports the interactions of physiological levels of PRL with estrogen and ERBB2 gene networks, the modulatory effects of PRL on drug responsiveness, and the pro-metastatic effects of PRL on breast cancer. This recent progress provides novel concepts, mechanisms and experimental models expected to renew interest in harnessing/exploiting PRLr signaling for therapeutic effects in breast cancer.

Therapeutic potential of NR4A1 in cancer: Focus on metabolism

Metabolic reprogramming is a vital hallmark of cancer, and it provides the necessary energy and biological materials to support the continuous proliferation and survival of tumor cells. NR4A1 is belonging to nuclear subfamily 4 (NR4A) receptors. NR4A1 plays diverse roles in many tumors, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and hepatocellular cancer, to regulate cell growth, apoptosis, metastasis. Recent reports shown that NR4A1 exhibits unique metabolic regulating effects in cancers. This receptor was first found to mediate glycolysis via key enzymes glucose transporters (GLUTs), hexokinase 2 (HK2), fructose phosphate kinase (PFK), and pyruvate kinase (PK). Then its functions extended to fatty acid synthesis by modulating CD36, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), glutamine by Myc, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and hypoxia-inducible factors alpha (HIF-1α), respectively. In addition, NR4A1 is involving in amino acid metabolism and tumor immunity by metabolic processes. More and more NR4A1 ligands are found to participate in tumor metabolic reprogramming, suggesting that regulating NR4A1 by novel ligands is a promising approach to alter metabolism signaling pathways in cancer therapy. Basic on this, this review highlighted the diverse metabolic roles of NR4A1 in cancers, which provides vital references for the clinical application.

Omega-3 fatty acids decrease CRYAB, production of oncogenic prostaglandin E2 and suppress tumor growth in medulloblastoma

AIMS

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common malignant central nervous system tumors of childhood. Despite intensive treatments that often leads to severe neurological sequelae, the risk for resistant relapses remains significant. In this study we have evaluated the effects of the ω3-long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3-LCPUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on MB cell lines and in a MB xenograft model.

MAIN METHODS

Effects of ω3-LCPUFA treatment of MB cells were assessed using the following: WST-1 assay, cell death probes, clonogenic assay, ELISA and western blot. MB cells were implanted into nude mice and the mice were randomized to DHA, or a combination of DHA and EPA treatment, or to control group. Treatment effects in tumor tissues were evaluated with: LC-MS/MS, RNA-sequencing and immunohistochemistry, and tumors, erythrocytes and brain tissues were analyzed with gas chromatography.

KEY FINDINGS

ω3-LCPUFA decreased prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) secretion from MB cells, and impaired MB cell viability and colony forming ability and increased apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. DHA reduced tumor growth in vivo, and both PGE₂ and prostacyclin were significantly decreased in tumor tissue from treated mice compared to control animals. All ω3-LCPUFA and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid increased in tumors from treated mice. RNA-sequencing revealed 10 downregulated genes in common among ω3-LCPUFA treated tumors. CRYAB was the most significantly altered gene and the downregulation was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our findings suggest that addition of DHA and EPA to the standard MB treatment regimen might be a novel approach to target inflammation in the tumor microenvironment.

Prolactin: The Third Hormone in Breast Cancer

Prolactin coordinates with the ovarian steroids to orchestrate mammary development and lactation, culminating in nourishment and an increasingly appreciated array of other benefits for neonates. Its central activities in mammary epithelial growth and differentiation suggest that it plays a role(s) in breast cancer, but it has been challenging to identify its contributions, essential for incorporation into prevention and treatment approaches. Large prospective epidemiologic studies have linked higher prolactin exposure to increased risk, particularly for ER+ breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, it has been more difficult to determine its actions and clinical consequences in established tumors. Here we review experimental data implicating multiple mechanisms by which prolactin may increase the risk of breast cancer. We then consider the evidence for role(s) of prolactin and its downstream signaling cascades in disease progression and treatment responses, and discuss how new approaches are beginning to illuminate the biology behind the seemingly conflicting epidemiologic and experimental studies of prolactin actions across diverse breast cancers.

Physical Forces and Transient Nuclear Envelope Rupture during Metastasis: The Key for Success?

Simple Summary

Metastasis is the process that allows the seeding of tumor cells in a new organ. The migration and invasion of cancer cells involves the pulling, pushing, and squeezing of cells through narrow spaces and pores. Tumor cells need to cross several physical barriers, such as layers of basement membranes as well as the endothelium wall during the way in and out of the blood stream, to reach the new organ. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of physical compression in the success of metastasis. We will especially focus on nuclear squeezing and nuclear envelope rupture and explain how they can actively participate in the creation of genomic heterogeneity as well as supporting metastasis growth.

Abstract

During metastasis, invading tumor cells and circulating tumor cells (CTC) face multiple mechanical challenges during migration through narrow pores and cell squeezing. However, little is known on the importance and consequences of mechanical stress for tumor progression and success in invading a new organ. Recently, several studies have shown that cell constriction can lead to nuclear envelope rupture (NER) during interphase. This loss of proper nuclear compartmentalization has a profound effect on the genome, being a key driver for the genome evolution needed for tumor progression. More than just being a source of genomic alterations, the transient nuclear envelope collapse can also support metastatic growth by several mechanisms involving the innate immune response cGAS/STING pathway. In this review we will describe the importance of the underestimated role of cellular squeezing in the progression of tumorigenesis. We will describe the complexity and difficulty for tumor cells to reach the metastatic site, detail the genomic aberration diversity due to NER, and highlight the importance of the activation of the innate immune pathway on cell survival. Cellular adaptation and nuclear deformation can be the key to the metastasis success in many unsuspected aspects.

Subnetwork representation learning for discovering network biomarkers in predicting lymph node metastasis in early oral cancer

Cervical lymph node metastasis is the leading cause of poor prognosis in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma and also occurs in the early stages. The current clinical diagnosis depends on a physical examination that is not enough to determine whether micrometastasis remains. The transcriptome profiling technique has shown great potential for predicting micrometastasis by capturing the dynamic activation state of genes. However, there are several technical challenges in using transcriptome data to model patient conditions: (1) An Insufficient number of samples compared to the number of genes, (2) Complex dependence between genes that govern the cancer phenotype, and (3) Heterogeneity between patients between cohorts that differ geographically and racially. We developed a computational framework to learn the subnetwork representation of the transcriptome to discover network biomarkers and determine the potential of metastasis in early oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Our method achieved high accuracy in predicting the potential of metastasis in two geographically and racially different groups of patients. The robustness of the model and the reproducibility of the discovered network biomarkers show great potential as a tool to diagnose lymph node metastasis in early oral cancer.

Polyamine homeostasis-based strategies for cancer: The role of combination regimens

Spermine, spermidine and putrescine polyamines are naturally occurring ubiquitous positively charged amines and are essential metabolites for biological functions in our life. These compounds play a crucial role in many cell processes, including cellular proliferation, growth, and differentiation. Intracellular levels of polyamines depend on their biosynthesis, transport and degradation. Polyamine levels are high in cancer cells, which leads to the promotion of tumor growth, invasion and metastasis. Targeting polyamine metabolism as an anticancer strategy is considerably rational. Due to compensatory mechanisms, a single strategy does not achieve satisfactory clinical effects when using a single agent. Combination regimens are more clinically promising for cancer chemoprevention because they work synergistically with causing little or no adverse effects due to each individual agent being used at lower doses. Moreover, bioactive substances have advantages over single chemical agents because they can affect multiple targets. In this review, we discuss anticancer strategies targeting polyamine metabolism and describe how combination treatments and effective natural active ingredients are promising therapies. The existing research suggests that polyamine metabolic enzymes are important therapeutic targets and that combination therapies can be more effective than monotherapies based on polyamine depletion.

Integrated computational analyses reveal novel insights into the stromal microenvironment of SHH-subtype medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour of childhood. While our understanding of this disease has progressed substantially in recent years, the role of tumour microenvironment remains unclear. Given the increasing role of microenvironment-targeted therapeutics in other cancers, this study was aimed at further exploring its role in medulloblastoma. Multiple computational techniques were used to analyze open-source bulk and single cell RNA seq data from primary samples derived from all subgroups of medulloblastoma. Gene expression is used to infer stromal subpopulations, and network-based approaches are used to identify potential therapeutic targets. Bulk data was obtained from 763 medulloblastoma samples and single cell data from an additional 7241 cells from 23 tumours. Independent bulk (285 tumours) and single cell (32,868 cells from 29 tumours) validation cohorts were used to verify results. The SHH subgroup was found to be enriched in stromal activity, including the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, while group 3 is comparatively stroma-suppressed. Several receptor and ligand candidates underlying this difference are identified which we find to correlate with metastatic potential of SHH medulloblastoma. Additionally, a biologically active gradient is detected within SHH medulloblastoma, from "stroma-active" to "stroma-suppressed" cells which may have relevance to targeted therapy. This study serves to further elucidate the role of the stromal microenvironment in SHH-subgroup medulloblastoma and identify novel treatment possibilities for this challenging disease.

NR4A1 regulates expression of immediate early genes, suppressing replication stress in cancer

Deregulation of oncogenic signals in cancer triggers replication stress. Immediate early genes (IEGs) are rapidly and transiently expressed following stressful signals, contributing to an integrated response. Here, we find that the orphan nuclear receptor NR4A1 localizes across the gene body and 3' UTR of IEGs, where it inhibits transcriptional elongation by RNA Pol II, generating R-loops and accessible chromatin domains. Acute replication stress causes immediate dissociation of NR4A1 and a burst of transcriptionally poised IEG expression. Ectopic expression of NR4A1 enhances tumorigenesis by breast cancer cells, while its deletion leads to massive chromosomal instability and proliferative failure, driven by deregulated expression of its IEG target, FOS. Approximately half of breast and other primary cancers exhibit accessible chromatin domains at IEG gene bodies, consistent with this stress-regulatory pathway. Cancers that have retained this mechanism in adapting to oncogenic replication stress may be dependent on NR4A1 for their proliferation.

α-Mangostin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells via Regulating RXRα-AKT Signaling Pathway

Mangostin, which has the function of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer, etc, is one of the main active ingredients of the hull of the mangosteen. The main objective of the study was to elucidate its anti-cancer function and possible mechanism. α-Mangostin was separated and structurally confirmed. MTT method was used to check the effect of mangostin on breast cancer cell proliferation. Then the effect of α-Mangostin on the transcriptional activity of RXRα was tested by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. And Western blot (WB) was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins or cell cycle-associated proteins after treatment. Also, this study was to observe the effects of α-Mangostin on the invasion of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. α-Mangostin regulates the downstream effectors of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by degrading RXRα/tRXRα. α-Mangostin can trigger PARP cleavage and induce apoptosis, which may be related to the induction of upregulated BAX expression and downregulation of BAD and cleaved caspase-3 expression in MDA-MB-231 cells through blockade of AKT signaling. The experiments verify that α-Mangostin have evident inhibition effects of invasion and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Cyclin D1 was involved in the anticancer effects of α-Mangostin on the cell cycle in MDA-MB-231 cells. α-Mangostin induces apoptosis, suppresses the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by targeting RXRα, and cyclin D1 has involved in this process.

NSG-Pro mouse model for uncovering resistance mechanisms and unique vulnerabilities in human luminal breast cancers

Most breast cancer deaths are caused by estrogen receptor-α–positive (ER+) disease. Preclinical progress is hampered by a shortage of therapy-naïve ER+ tumor models that recapitulate metastatic progression and clinically relevant therapy resistance. Human prolactin (hPRL) is a risk factor for primary and metastatic ER+ breast cancer. Because mouse prolactin fails to activate hPRL receptors, we developed a prolactin-humanized Nod-SCID-IL2Rγ (NSG) mouse (NSG-Pro) with physiological hPRL levels. Here, we show that NSG-Pro mice facilitate establishment of therapy-naïve, estrogen-dependent PDX tumors that progress to lethal metastatic disease. Preclinical trials provide first-in-mouse efficacy of pharmacological hPRL suppression on residual ER+ human breast cancer metastases and document divergent biology and drug responsiveness of tumors grown in NSG-Pro versus NSG mice. Oncogenomic analyses of PDX lines in NSG-Pro mice revealed clinically relevant therapy-resistance mechanisms and unexpected, potently actionable vulnerabilities such as DNA-repair aberrations. The NSG-Pro mouse unlocks previously inaccessible precision medicine approaches for ER+ breast cancers.

Angiogenesis and Anti-Angiogenic Treatment in Prostate Cancer: Mechanisms of Action and Molecular Targets

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Many therapeutic advances over the last two decades have led to an improvement in the survival of patients with metastatic PC, yet the majority of these patients still succumb to their disease. Antiagiogenic therapies have shown substantial benefits for many types of cancer but only a marginal benefit for PC. Ongoing clinical trials investigate antiangiogenic monotherapies or combination therapies. Despite the important role of angiogenesis in PC, clinical trials in refractory castration-resistant PC (CRPC) have demonstrated increased toxicity with no clinical benefit. A better understanding of the mechanism of angiogenesis may help to understand the failure of trials, possibly leading to the development of new targeted anti-angiogenic therapies in PC. These could include the identification of specific subsets of patients who might benefit from these therapeutic strategies. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the pathways involved in the angiogenesis, the chemotherapeutic agents with antiangiogenic activity, the available studies on anti-angiogenic agents and the potential mechanisms of resistance.

Increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in synovium tissues and synovial fluid from patients with knee osteoarthritis is associated with downregulated microRNA-758-3p expression

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a common factor in inflammation, and its specific regulatory mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate COX-2 mRNA and protein expression levels in synovium tissues and synovial fluid from patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and determine the molecular mechanism by which microRNA (miRNA/miR)-758 regulates KOA via COX-2. A total of 37 patients with KOA and 29 patients with acute knee trauma (control group) were enrolled in the present study. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis was performed to detect miR-758-3p and COX-2 mRNA expression, while western blotting and ELISA were performed to detect COX-2 protein expression in synovium and synovial fluid, respectively. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the interaction between miR-758-3p and the 3'-untraslated region (UTR) of COX-2 mRNA. Synovial cells were transfected with agomiR-758-3p, and the MTT assay was performed to assess cell proliferation. The results demonstrated that COX-2 expression was higher in patients with KOA than those with acute knee trauma. Conversely, miR-758-3p expression was lower in patients with KOA than those with acute knee trauma. Notably, miR-758-3p interacted with the 3'-UTR of COX-2 mRNA to regulate its expression. Overexpression of miR-758-3p inhibited the expression and release of COX-2, as well as the proliferation of human KOA synovial cells. Taken together, these results suggest that COX-2 expression is upregulated in synovium tissues and synovial fluid from patients with KOA, which is associated with downregulated miR-758-3p expression. In addition, miR-758-3p affects the proliferation of synovial cells and the expression of relevant proteins in these cells, thus promoting the occurrence and development of KOA.

MiR-124-3p Suppresses Prostatic Carcinoma by Targeting PTGS2 Through the AKT/NF-κB Pathway

MiR-124-3p had shown its tumor-regulatory properties in different cancers, but its potential roles in prostatic carcinoma had not been clearly understood. This study aimed to explore the roles of miR-124-3p in the regulation of prostatic carcinoma. The expression levels of PTGS2 and miR-124-3p were detected in prostatic carcinoma tissues and cultivated cell lines with qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot, respectively. The interaction between miR-124-3p and PTGS2 was verified by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Western blot, MTT, colony formation and flow cytometry assays were performed to evaluate the mediatory roles of miR-124-3p in prostatic carcinoma cells and the involvement of molecular pathways. Both prostatic carcinoma tissues and cells expressed a lower level of miR-124-3p and a higher level of PTGS2. PTGS2 was confirmed to be a target of miR-124-3p. MiR-124-3p suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion and enhanced apoptosis of prostatic carcinoma cells by directly sponging PTGS2 to inhibit the AKT/NF-κB pathway. These findings provided information that miR-124-3p exerted anti-tumor effects in prostatic carcinoma by targeting PTGS2 to inactivate the AKT/NF-κB pathway. MiR-124-3p might have the potential to become an emerging therapeutic target for the treatment of prostatic carcinoma.

Nanoscale photosensitizer with tumor-selective turn-on fluorescence and activatable photodynamic therapy treatment for COX-2 overexpressed cancer cells

Effective targeting and in situ imaging-guided treatment are particularly important for accurate clinical photodynamic therapy (PDT) of malignant tumors. Herein, we propose a single molecule, named IMC-DAH-SQ, which possesses dual-targeting components, including structure-inherent targeting (SIT) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) targeting units, and controllable turn-on near infrared (NIR) fluorescence. Due to its amphiphilicity, IMC-DAH-SQ assembles into a nanoprobe with low background fluorescence. After incubation with tumor cells, the SIT and COX-2 recognition characteristics of IMC-DAH-SQ endow it with preferential tumor-targeting activity. The strong binding with overexpressed COX-2 can collapse the nanoprobe to monomers after accumulation in tumor cells, leading to turn-on NIR fluorescence that is completely different from normal cells. Additionally, benefiting from the single molecular model tactic, the nanoprobe has the advantages of simple synthesis without ever considering the loading rate and separation between the photosensitizer and targeting unit. Other favorite features, including superior biocompatibility, weak dark toxicity, and mitochondria enrichment capability, are implemented. All these traits not only afford nanoprobe precision tumor cell targeting capability but also provide promising imaging-guided antitumor therapy. We believe that the single molecular protocol will establish a novel strategy for simultaneous diagnosis and anticancer medicine treatment utilizing versatile but small compounds.

Targeting NR4A Nuclear Receptors to Control Stromal Cell Inflammation, Metabolism, Angiogenesis, and Tumorigenesis

The NR4A1–NR4A3 (Nur77, Nurr1, and Nor-1) subfamily of nuclear receptors is a group of immediate early genes induced by a pleiotropy of stimuli including peptide hormones, growth factors, cytokines, inflammatory, and physiological stimuli, and cellular stress. NR4A receptors function as potent sensors of changes in the cellular microenvironment to control physiological and pathological processes through genomic and non-genomic actions. NR4A receptors control metabolism and cardiovascular and neurological functions and mediate immune cell homeostasis in inflammation and cancer. This receptor subfamily is increasingly recognized as an important molecular connection between chronic inflammation, altered immune cell responses, and cancer development. In this review, we examine how transcriptome analysis identified NR4A1/NR4A2 receptors as transcriptional regulators in mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) migration, cell cycle progression, and cytokine production to control local immune responses. In chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, NR4A receptors have been shown to modify the activity of MSC and fibroblast-like stromal cells to regulate synovial tissue hyperplasia, pathological angiogenesis, and cartilage turnover in vivo. Additionally, as NR4A1 has been observed as a major transcriptional regulator in tumor–stromal communication controlling tumorigenesis, we discuss how advances in the pharmacological control of these receptors lead to important new mechanistic insights into understanding the role of the tumor microenvironment in health and disease.

The Paradoxical Roles of Orphan Nuclear Receptor 4A (NR4A) in Cancer

The three-orphan nuclear receptor 4A genes are induced by diverse stressors and stimuli, and there is increasing evidence that NR4A1 (Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1), and NR4A3 (Nor1) play an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology. In blood-derived tumors (leukemias and lymphomas), NR4A expression is low and NR4A1^-/-/NR4A3^-/- double knockout mice rapidly develop acute myelocytic leukemia, suggesting that these receptors exhibit tumor suppressor activity. Treatment of leukemia and most lymphoma cells with drugs that induce expression of NR4A1and NR4A3 enhances apoptosis, and this represents a potential clinical application for treating this disease. In contrast, most solid tumor-derived cell lines express high levels of NR4A1 and NR4A2, and both receptors exhibit pro-oncogenic activities in solid tumors, whereas NR4A3 exhibits tumor-specific activities. Initial studies with retinoids and apoptosis-inducing agents demonstrated that their cytotoxic activity is NR4A1 dependent and involved drug-induced nuclear export of NR4A1 and formation of a mitochondrial proapoptotic NR4A1-bcl-2 complex. Drug-induced nuclear export of NR4A1 has been reported for many agents/biologics and involves interactions with multiple mitochondrial and extramitochondrial factors to induce apoptosis. Synthetic ligands for NR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 have been identified, and among these compounds, bis-indole derived (CDIM) NR4A1 ligands primarily act on nuclear NR4A1 to inhibit NR4A1-regulated pro-oncogenic pathways/genes and similar results have been observed for CDIMs that bind NR4A2. Based on results of laboratory animal studies development of NR4A inducers (blood-derived cancers) and NR4A1/NR4A2 antagonists (solid tumors) may be promising for cancer therapy and also for enhancing immune surveillance.

Prolactin: A hormone with diverse functions from mammary gland development to cancer metastasis

Prolactin has a rich mechanistic set of actions and signaling in order to elicit developmental effects in mammals. Historically, prolactin has been appreciated as an endocrine peptide hormone that is responsible for final, functional mammary gland development and lactation. Multiple signaling pathways impacted upon by the microenvironment contribute to cell function and differentiation. Endocrine, autocrine and paracrine signaling are now apparent in not only mammary development, but also in cancer, and involve multiple cell types including those of the immune system. Multiple ligands agonists are capable of binding to the prolactin receptor, potentially expanding receptor function. Prolactin has an important role not only in tumorigenesis of the breast, but also in a number of hormonally responsive cancers such as prostate, ovarian and endometrial cancer, as well as pancreatic and lung cancer. Although pituitary and extra-pituitary sources of prolactin such as the epithelium are important, stromal sourced prolactin is now also being recognized as an important factor in tumor progression, all of which potentially signal to multiple cell types in the tumor microenvironment. While prolactin has important roles in milk production including calcium and bone homeostasis, in the disease state it can also affect bone homeostasis. Prolactin also impacts metastatic cancer of the breast to modulate the bone microenvironment and promote bone damage. Prolactin has a fascinating contribution in both physiologic and pathologic settings of mammals.

The molecular mechanisms of celecoxib in tumor development

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies have shown that celecoxib can significantly inhibit the development of tumors, and basic experiments and in vitro experiments also provide a certain basis, but it is not clear how celecoxib inhibits tumor development in detail.

METHODS

A literature search of all major academic databases was conducted (PubMed, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), Wan-fang, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), including the main research on the mechanisms of celecoxib on tumors.

RESULTS

Celecoxib can intervene in tumor development and reduce the formation of drug resistance through multiple molecular mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

Celecoxib mainly regulates the proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells by inhibiting the cyclooxygenases-2/prostaglandin E2 signal axis and thereby inhibiting the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κ-gene binding, Akt, signal transducer and activator of transcription and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Meanwhile, it was found that celecoxib could promote the apoptosis of tumor cells by enhancing mitochondrial oxidation, activating mitochondrial apoptosis process, promoting endoplasmic reticulum stress process, and autophagy. Celecoxib can also reduce the occurrence of drug resistance by increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs.

Diagnostic and prognostic values of forkhead box D4 gene in colonic adenocarcinoma

Previous studies found that Forkhead box D4 (FOXD4) overexpressed in human colorectal cancer had the worst prognosis. However, the diagnostic value and further mechanism have not been fully researched. Statistical examinations for FOXD4 expression colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Survival analysis was used to assess its prognostic value. Nomogram model was used for visual prediction of patient survival rate. The online functional enrichment analysis tool was used to evaluate the biological functions and pathways of FOXD4 and its co-expressed genes. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that FOXD4 might be a diagnostic biomarker for COAD (P<0.001, area under the curve [AUC]=0.728, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.669-0.787). Low expression of FOXD4 was associated with a good clinical outcome (P=0.001, HR=0.517, 95% CI=0.341-0.782). A total of 797 genes were correlated with FOXD4 and associated with cell proliferation, cell differentiation, nuclear matrix, Rap1 signaling pathway, RNA transport, and VEGF signaling pathway. In conclusion, expression of FOXD4 may be a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in COAD.

Modulation of the tumor microenvironment by natural agents: implications for cancer prevention and therapy

The development of cancer is not just the growth and proliferation of a single transformed cell, but its surrounding environment also coevolves with it. Indeed, successful cancer progression depends on the ability of the tumor cells to develop a supportive tumor microenvironment consisting of various types of stromal cells. The interactions between the tumor and stromal cells are bidirectional and mediated through a variety of growth factors, cytokines, metabolites, and other biomolecules secreted by these cells. Tumor-stromal crosstalk creates optimal conditions for the tumor growth, metastasis, evasion of immune surveillance, and therapy resistance, and its targeting is being explored for clinical management of cancer. Natural agents from plants and marine life have been at the forefront of traditional medicine. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported the health benefits imparted on the consumption of certain fruits, vegetables, and their derived products. Indeed, a significant majority of anti-cancer drugs in clinical use are either naturally occurring compounds or their derivatives. In this review, we describe fundamental cellular and non-cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and discuss the significance of natural compounds in their targeting. Existing literature provides hope that novel prevention and therapeutic approaches will emerge from ongoing scientific efforts leading to the reduced tumor burden and improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients.

Human Cytomegalovirus Infection Induces High Expression of Prolactin and Prolactin Receptors in Ovarian Cancer

One of the potential biomarkers for ovarian cancer patients is high serum level of prolactin (PRL), which is a growth factor that may promote tumor cell growth. The prolactin receptor (PRLR) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) proteins are frequently detected in ovarian tumor tissue specimens, but the potential impact of HCMV infection on the PRL system have so far not been investigated. In this study, HCMV’s effects on PRL and PRLR expression were assessed in infected ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3) by PCR and Western blot techniques. The levels of both PRL and PRLR transcripts as well as the corresponding proteins were highly increased in HCMV-infected SKOV3 cells. Tissue specimens obtained from 10 patients with ovarian cancer demonstrated high expression of PRLR, HCMV-IE, and pp65 proteins. Extensive expression of PRLR was detected in all examined ovarian tumor tissue specimens except for one from a patient who had focal expression of PRLR and this patient was HCMV-negative in her tumor. In conclusion, PRL and PRLR were induced to high levels in HCMV-infected ovarian cancer cells and PRLR expression was extensively detected in HCMV-infected ovarian tissue specimens. Highly induced PRL and PRLR by HCMV infection may be of relevance for the oncomodulatory role of this virus in ovarian cancer.

Regular aspirin intake and prognosis of TxN2-3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A cohort study based on propensity score matching

OBJECTIVES

Distant metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with N2-3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). And aspirin is found to reduce metastasis and improve prognosis in some other malignancies, such as colorectal cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of regular aspirin intake (RAI) in N2-3 NPC treated with standard chemoradiotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Totally 2064 patients diagnosed with TxN2-3M0 NPC from Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2015 and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy were involved. According to RAI, these patients were divided into 2 groups between which a propensity score matching was made, with a ratio of 1:3 and a series of clinical characteristics (age, gender, T stage, N stage and EBV DNA) as covariates. Then survivals and acute toxicities were compared in the 464 matched patients.

RESULTS

RAI appeared to bring better overall (87.7% vs. 79.6%, P = 0.031), metastasis-free (87.8% vs. 76.5%, P = 0.017) and disease-free (85.9% vs. 75.5%, P = 0.033) survivals. It simultaneously increased total incidences of myelosuppression (55.2% vs. 32.2%, P < 0.001), oral mucositis (60.3% vs. 38.2%, P < 0.001), cervical dermatitis (60.3% vs. 38.5%, P < 0.001) and xerostomia (49.1% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.002). But RAI failed to affect incidence of any grade 3/4 toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-diagnosis RAI might be a tolerable approach to control distant metastasis and provide survival benefit for N2-3 NPC in combination with standard chemoradiotherapy.