Bioplatforms in liquid biopsy: advances in the techniques for isolation, characterization and clinical applications

Roles of HOTAIR Long Non-coding RNA in Gliomas and Other CNS Disorders

HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) which is increasingly being perceived as a tremendous molecular mediator of brain pathophysiology at multiple levels. Epigenetic regulation of target gene expression carried out by HOTAIR is thorough modulation of chromatin modifiers; histone methyltransferase polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and histone demethylase lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1). Incidentally, HOTAIR was the first lncRNA shown to elicit sponging of specific microRNA (miRNA or miR) species in a trans-acting manner. It has been extensively studied in various cancers, including gliomas and is regarded as a prominent pro-tumorigenic and pro-oncogenic lncRNA. Indeed, the expression of HOTAIR may serve as glioma grade predictor and prognostic biomarker. The objective of this timely review is not only to outline the multifaceted pathogenic roles of HOTAIR in the development and pathophysiology of gliomas and brain cancers, but also to delineate the research findings implicating it as a critical regulator of overall brain pathophysiology. While the major focus is on neuro-oncology, wherein HOTAIR represents a particularly potent underlying pathogenic player and a suitable therapeutic target, mechanisms underlying the regulatory actions of HOTAIR in neurodegeneration, traumatic, hypoxic and ischemic brain injuries, and neuropsychiatric disorders are also presented.

Association between abnormal lipid metabolism and tumor

Metabolic Reprogramming is a sign of tumor, and as one of the three major substances metabolism, lipid has an obvious impact. Abnormal lipid metabolism is related to the occurrence of various diseases, and the proportion of people with abnormal lipid metabolism is increasing year by year. Lipid metabolism is involved in the occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis of tumors by regulating various oncogenic signal pathways. The differences in lipid metabolism among different tumors are related to various factors such as tumor origin, regulation of lipid metabolism pathways, and diet. This article reviews the synthesis and regulatory pathways of lipids, as well as the research progress on cholesterol, triglycerides, sphingolipids, lipid related lipid rafts, adipocytes, lipid droplets, and lipid-lowering drugs in relation to tumors and their drug resistance. It also points out the limitations of current research and potential tumor treatment targets and drugs in the lipid metabolism pathway. Research and intervention on lipid metabolism abnormalities may provide new ideas for the treatment and survival prognosis of tumors.

Design of Polymeric Surfaces as Platforms for Streamlined Cancer Diagnostics in Liquid Biopsies

Minimally invasive approaches for cancer diagnosis are an integral step in the quest to improve cancer survival. Liquid biopsies such as blood samples are matrices explored to extract valuable information about the tumor and its state through various indicators, such as proteins, peptides, tumor DNA, or circulating tumor cells. Although these markers are scarce, making their isolation and detection in complex matrices challenging, the development in polymer chemistry producing interesting structures, including molecularly imprinted polymers, branched polymers, nanopolymer composites, and hybrids, allowed the development of enhanced platforms with impressive performance for liquid biopsies analysis. This review describes the latest advances and developments in polymer synthesis and their application for minimally invasive cancer diagnosis. The polymer structures improve the operational performances of biosensors through various processes, such as increased affinity for enhanced sensitivity, improved binding, and avoidance of non-specific interactions for enhanced specificity. Furthermore, polymer-based materials can be a tremendous help in signal amplification of usually low-concentrated targets in the sample. The pros and cons of these materials, how the synthesis process affects their performance, and the device applications for liquid biopsies diagnosis will be critically reviewed to show the essentiality of this technology in oncology and clinical biomedicine.

Circulating Tumour Cells, Cell Free DNA and Tumour-Educated Platelets as Reliable Prognostic and Management Biomarkers for the Liquid Biopsy in Multiple Myeloma

Simple Summary

Even though the presently employed biomarkers in the detection and management of multiple myeloma are demonstrating encouraging results, the mortality percentage of the malignancy is still elevated. Thus, searching for new diagnostic or prognostic markers is pivotal. Liquid biopsy allows the examination of circulating tumour DNA, cell-free DNA, extracellular RNA, and cell free proteins, which are released into the bloodstream due to the breakdown of tumour cells or exosome delivery. Liquid biopsy can now be applied in clinical practice to diagnose, and monitor multiple myeloma, probably allowing a personalized treatment of the disease.

Abstract

Liquid biopsy is one of the fastest emerging fields in cancer evaluation. Circulating tumour cells and tumour-originated DNA in plasma have become the new targets for their possible employ in tumour diagnosis, and liquid biopsy can define tumour burden without invasive procedures. Multiple Myeloma, one of the most frequent hematologic tumors, has been the target of therapeutic progresses in the last few years. Bone marrow aspirate is the traditional tool for diagnosis, prognosis, and genetic evaluation in multiple myeloma patients. However, this painful procedure presents a relevant drawback for regular disease examination as it requires an invasive practice. Moreover, new data demonstrated that a sole bone marrow aspirate is incapable of expressing the multifaceted multiple myeloma genetic heterogeneity. In this review, we report the emerging usefulness of the assessment of circulating tumour cells, cell-free DNA, extracellular RNA, cell-free proteins, extracellular vesicles, and tumour-educated platelets to evaluate the changing mutational profile of multiple myeloma, as early markers of disease, reliable predictors of prognosis, and as useful tools to perform less invasive monitoring in multiple myeloma.