Targeting AKT for cancer therapy

WYC-209 inhibited GC malignant progression by down-regulating WNT4 through RARα

Gastric cancer (GC) has been a major health burden all over the world but there are fewer promising chemotherapeutic drugs due to its multidrug resistance. It has been reported that WYC-209 suppresses the growth and metastasis of tumor-repopulating cells but the effect on GC was not explored. MTT, colony formation, and transwell assays were performed to examine the effects of WYC-209 on the proliferation, colony growth, and mobility of GC cells. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of proteins and mRNA. RNA-seq and enrichment analyses were conducted for the differentially expressed genes and enriched biological processes and pathways. The rescue experiments were carried out for further validation. Besides, we constructed xenograft model to confirm the effect of WYC-209 in vivo. The dual-luciferase reporter and Chromatin immunoprecipitation were implemented to confirm the underlying mechanism. WYC-209 exerted excellent anti-cancer effects both in vitro and in vivo. Based on RNA-seq and enrichment analyses, we found that Wnt family member 4 (WNT4) was significantly down-regulated. More importantly, WNT4 overexpression breached the inhibitory effect of WYC-209 on GC progression. Mechanically, WYC-209 significantly promoted the binding between retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) and WNT4 promoter. WYC-209 exerts anti-tumor effects in GC by down-regulating the expression of WNT4 via RARα.

Establishing nomograms for predicting disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Prognostic factors-based nomograms have been utilised to detect the likelihood of the specific cancer events. We have focused on the roles of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and p-AKT in predicting the prognosis of BC patients. This study was designed to establish nomograms based on the integration of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and p-AKT in predicting the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer (BC) patients.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical data were obtained from BC patients admitted to our hospital between September 2015 and August 2016. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were utilised to analyse the risk factors of recurrence and mortality. The nomograms for predicting the DFS and OS were established using the screened risk factors. Stratified analysis was performed with the cut-off value of exp (pi) of 4.0-fold in DFS and OS, respectively.

RESULTS

Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that ALDH, p-AKT and pathological stage III were independent risk factors for the recurrence among BC patients. ALDH1, p-AKT, pathological stage III and ER-/PR-/HER2- were independent risk factors for the mortality among BC patients. The established nomograms based on these factors were effective for predicting the DFS and OS with good agreement to the calibration curve and acceptable area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Finally, stratified analyses showed patients with a low pi showed significant decrease in the DFS and OS compared with those of high risk.

CONCLUSION

We established nomograms for predicting the DFS and OS of BC patients based on ALDH1, p-AKT and pathological stages. The ER-/PR-/HER2- may be utilised to predict the OS rather than DFS in the BC patients.

NL13, a novel curcumin analogue and polo like kinase 4 inhibitor, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in prostate cancer models

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prostate cancer remains a major public health burden worldwide. Polo like kinase 4 (PLK4) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in prostate cancer due to its key roles in cell cycle regulation and tumour progression. This study aims to develop and characterize the novel curcumin analogue NL13 as a potential therapeutic agent and PLK4 inhibitor against prostate cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

NL13 was synthesized and its effects were evaluated in prostate cancer cells and mouse xenograft models. Kinome screening and molecular modelling identified PLK4 as the primary target. Antiproliferative and proapoptotic mechanisms were explored via cell cycle, apoptosis, gene and protein analyses.

KEY RESULTS

Compared with curcumin, NL13 exhibited much greater potency in inhibiting PC3 (IC50, 3.51 μM vs. 35.45 μM) and DU145 (IC50, 2.53 μM vs. 29.35 μM) prostate cancer cells viability and PLK4 kinase activity (2.32 μM vs. 246.88 μM). NL13 induced G2/M cell cycle arrest through CCNB1/CDK1 down-regulation and triggered apoptosis via caspase-9/caspase-3 cleavage. These effects were mediated by PLK4 inhibition, which led to the inactivation of the AKT signalling pathway. In mice, NL13 significantly inhibited tumour growth and modulated molecular markers consistent with in vitro findings, including decreased p-AKT and increased cleaved caspase-9/3.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

NL13, a novel PLK4-targeted curcumin analogue, exerts promising anticancer properties against prostate cancer by disrupting the PLK4-AKT-CCNB1/CDK1 and apoptosis pathways. NL13 represents a promising new agent for prostate cancer therapy.

Silmitasertib in Combination With Cabozantinib Impairs Liver Cancer Cell Cycle Progression, Induces Apoptosis, and Delays Tumor Growth in a Preclinical Model

The rising incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global problem. Several approved treatments, including immune therapy and multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, are used for treatment, although the results are not optimum. There is an unmet need to develop highly effective chemotherapies for HCC. Targeting multiple pathways to attack cancer cells is beneficial. Cabozantinib is an orally available bioactive multikinase inhibitor and has a modest effect on HCC treatment. Silmitasertib is an orally bioavailable, potent CK2 inhibitor with a direct role in DNA damage repair and is in clinical trials for other cancers. In this study, we planned to repurpose these existing drugs on HCC treatment. We observed a stronger antiproliferative effect of these two combined drugs on HCC cells generated from different etiologies as compared to the single treatment. Global RNA-seq analyses revealed a decrease in the expression of G2/M cell cycle transition genes in HCC cells following combination treatment, suggesting G2 phase cell arrest. We observed G2/M cell cycle phase arrest in HCC cells upon combination treatment compared to the single-treated or vehicle-treated control cells. The downregulation of CCNA2 and CDC25C following combination therapy further supported the observation. Subsequent analyses demonstrated that combination treatment inhibited 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) phosphorylation, and increased Bim expression. Apoptosis of HCC cells were accompanied by increased poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and caspase-9 activation. Next, we observed that a combination therapy significantly delayed the progression of HCC xenograft growth as compared to vehicle control. Together, our results suggested combining cabozantinib and silmitasertib would be a promising treatment option for HCC.

A multiprotein signaling complex sustains AKT and mTOR/S6K activity necessary for the survival of cancer cells undergoing stress

The ability of cancer cells to survive microenvironmental stresses is critical for tumor progression and metastasis; however, how they survive these challenges is not fully understood. Here, we describe a novel multiprotein complex (DockTOR) essential for the survival of cancer cells under stress, triggered by the GTPase Cdc42 and a signaling partner Dock7, which includes AKT, mTOR, and the mTOR regulators TSC1, TSC2, and Rheb. DockTOR enables cancer cells to maintain a low but critical mTORC2-dependent phosphorylation of AKT during serum deprivation by preventing AKT dephosphorylation through an interaction between phospho-AKT and the Dock7 DHR1 domain. This activity stimulates a Raptor-independent but Rapamycin-sensitive mTOR/S6K activity necessary for survival. These findings address long-standing questions of how Cdc42 signals result in mTOR activation and demonstrate how cancer cells survive conditions when growth factor-dependent activation of mTORC1 is off. Determining how cancer cells survive stress conditions could identify vulnerabilities that lead to new therapeutic strategies.

Melatonin changes energy metabolism and reduces oncogenic signaling in ovarian cancer cells

Ovarian cancer (OC) adjusts energy metabolism in favor of its progression and dissemination. Because melatonin (Mel) has antitumor actions, we investigated its impact on energy metabolism and kinase signaling in OC cells (SKOV-3 and CAISMOV-24). Cells were divided into control and Mel-treated groups, in the presence or absence of the antagonist luzindole. There was a decrease in the levels of HIF-1α, G6PDH, GAPDH, PDH, and CS after Mel treatment even in the presence of luzindole in both OC cells. Mel treatment also reduced the activity of OC-related enzymes including PFK-1, G6PDH, LDH, CS, and GS whereas PDH activity was increased. Lactate and glutamine levels dropped after Mel treatment. Mel further promoted a reduction in the concentrations of CREB, JNK, NF-kB, p-38, ERK1/2, AKT, P70S6K, and STAT in both cell lines. Mel reverses Warburg-type metabolism and possibly reduces glutaminolysis, thereby attenuating various oncogenic molecules associated with OC progression and invasion.

The role of ALDH1A1 in glioblastoma proliferation and invasion

High-grade gliomas, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), continue to be a leading aggressive brain tumor in adults, marked by its rapid growth and invasive nature. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A1 (ALDH1A1), an enzyme, plays a significant role in tumor progression, yet its function in high-grade gliomas is still poorly investigated. In this study, we evaluated ALDH1A1 levels in clinical samples of GBM. We also assessed the prognostic significance of ALDH1A1 expression in GBM and LGG (low grade glioma) patients using TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database analysis. The MTT and transwell assays were utilized to examine cell growth and the invasive capability of U87 cells, respectively. We quantitatively examined markers for cell proliferation (Ki-67 and cyclin D1) and invasion (MMP2 and 9). A Western blot test was conducted to determine the downstream signaling of ALDH1A1. We found a notable increase in ALDH1A1 expression in high-grade gliomas compared to their low-grade counterparts. U87 cells that overexpressed ALDH1A1 showed increased cell growth and invasion. We found that ALDH1A1 promotes the phosphorylation of AKT, and inhibiting AKT phosphorylation mitigates the ALDH1A1's effects on tumor growth and migration. In summary, our findings suggest ALDH1A1 as a potential therapeutic target for GBM treatment.

Silencing AREG Enhances Sensitivity to Irradiation by Suppressing the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Background

It has been established that Spalt-Like Transcription Factor 4 (SALL4) promotes Colorectal Cancer (CRC) cell proliferation. Furthermore, Amphiregulin (AREG) is crucially involved in cancer cell proliferation and therapeutic resistance regulation. In this regard, this study aimed to establish whether SALL4 affects the radiosensitization of CRC cells via AREG expression regulation.

Methods

Transcriptome sequencing and the Human Transcription Factor Database (HumanTFDB) were used to identify the potential SALL4 targets. The dual-luciferase reporter analysis was used to confirm the SALL4-induced AREG activation. Western Blot (WB) and Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) assays were used to examine the effect of X-ray irradiation on SALL4 and AREG expression. The AREG-KD (Knockdown) stable cell lines were created through lentiviral infection. Cell proliferation was tracked using Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK-8) and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)-incorporation assays. Cell cycle and apoptosis were examined through flow cytometry. The cells were exposed to a controlled X-ray radiation dose (6 Gy) for imaging purposes.

Results

SALL4 could bound to the AREG promoter, enhancing AREG expression. Furthermore, irradiation upregulated SALL4 and AREG in CRC cells. Additionally, AREG knockdown in CRC cells led to reduced DNA replication efficiency, suppressed cell proliferation, increased DNA damage, and enhanced G1 phase arrest and apoptosis following irradiation. On the other hand, AREG overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of SALL4 downregulation on AREG expression.

Conclusion

In CRC cells, SALL4 downregulation suppressed AREG expression, regulating CRC cell radiosensitivity via the PI3K-AKT pathway, thus presenting a potential therapeutic pathway for CRC treatment using Radiotherapy (RT).

Network Pharmacology and in vitro Experimental Verification on Intervention of Oridonin on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore the key target molecules and potential mechanisms of oridonin against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

The target molecules of oridonin were retrieved from SEA, STITCH, SuperPred and TargetPred databases; target genes associated with the treatment of NSCLC were retrieved from GeneCards, DisGeNET and TTD databases. Then, the overlapping target molecules between the drug and the disease were identified. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed using the STRING database according to overlapping targets, and Cytoscape was used to screen for key targets. Molecular docking verification were performed using AutoDockTools and PyMOL software. Using the DAVID database, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted. The impact of oridonin on the proliferation and apoptosis of NSCLC cells was assessed using cell counting kit-8, cell proliferation EdU image kit, and Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis kit respectively. Moreover, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to verify the potential mechanisms.

RESULTS

Fifty-six target molecules and 12 key target molecules of oridonin involved in NSCLC treatment were identified, including tumor protein 53 (TP53), Caspase-3, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 8 (MAPK8), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Molecular docking showed that oridonin and its key target molecules bind spontaneously. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed cancer, apoptosis, phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and other signaling pathways. In vitro experiments showed that oridonin inhibited the proliferation, induced apoptosis, downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Akt, and upregulated the expression of Caspase-3.

CONCLUSION

Oridonin can act on multiple targets and pathways to exert its inhibitory effects on NSCLC, and its mechanism may be related to upregulating the expression of Caspase-3 and downregulating the expressions of Akt and Bcl-2.

Development of an orally bioavailable CDK12/13 degrader and induction of synthetic lethality with AKT pathway inhibition

Cyclin-dependent kinases 12/13 play pivotal roles in orchestrating transcription elongation, DNA damage response, and maintenance of genomic stability. Biallelic CDK12 loss has been documented in various malignancies. Here, we develop a selective CDK12/13 PROTAC degrader, YJ9069, which effectively inhibits proliferation in subsets of prostate cancer cells preferentially over benign immortalized cells. CDK12/13 degradation rapidly triggers gene-length-dependent transcriptional elongation defects, leading to DNA damage and cell-cycle arrest. In vivo, YJ9069 significantly suppresses prostate tumor growth. Modifications of YJ9069 yielded an orally bioavailable CDK12/13 degrader, YJ1206, which exhibits comparable efficacy with significantly less toxicity. To identify pathways synthetically lethal upon CDK12/13 degradation, phosphorylation pathway arrays were performed using cell lines treated with YJ1206. Interestingly, degradation or genetic knockdown of CDK12/13 led to activation of the AKT pathway. Targeting CDK12/13 for degradation, in conjunction with inhibiting the AKT pathway, resulted in a synthetic lethal effect in preclinical prostate cancer models.

Shikonin mitigates cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity in mice: the role of sirtuin-1, NLRP3 inflammasome, autophagy, and apoptosis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to elucidate the protective potential of shikonin (SHK) on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced cardiotoxicity in Swiss albino mice.

METHODS

Mice received SHK in three different doses by oral gavage daily for 14 days and CP at 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally once on the seventh day. On the 15th day, mice were euthanized, blood collected, and hearts were removed to estimate various biochemical and histopathological parameters.

KEY FINDINGS

CP significantly increased serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, troponin I and NT pro-BNP, and cardiac malondialdehyde and decreased cardiac total antioxidant capacity and Nrf2, whereas increased inflammatory markers in the cardiac tissues. CP also caused hypertrophy and fibrosis in the cardiac tissues via activation of IL6/JAK2/STAT3 while depressed SIRT1 and PI3K/p-Akt pathway with consequent increased apoptosis and dysregulation of autophagy. SHK treatment reversed these changes in a dose-dependent manner and showed a significant protective effect against CP-induced cardiotoxicity via suppressing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis with modulation of autophagy via induction of SIRT1/PI3K/p-Akt signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

Shikonin may be used as an adjuvant to cyclophosphamide in cancer treatment, but further research is needed to investigate its effects on cardiotoxicity in distinct animal cancer models.

Exploring Radioiodinated Anastrozole and Epirubicin as AKT1-Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals in Breast Cancer: In Silico Analysis and Potential Therapeutic Effect with Functional Nuclear Imagining Implications

This study evaluates radio-iodinated anastrozole ([125I]anastrozole) and epirubicin ([125I]epirubicin) for AKT1-targeted breast cancer therapy, utilizing radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) for personalized treatment. Through molecular docking and dynamics simulations (200 ns), it investigates these compounds' binding affinities and mechanisms to the AKT1 enzyme, compared to the co-crystallized ligand, a known AKT1 inhibitor. Molecular docking results show that [125I]epirubicin has the highest ΔGbind (-11.84 kcal/mol), indicating a superior binding affinity compared to [125I] anastrozole (-10.68 kcal/mol) and the co-crystallized ligand (-9.53 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirmed a stable interaction with the AKT1 enzyme, with [125I]anastrozole and [125I]epirubicin reaching stability after approximately 68 ns with an average RMSD of around 2.2 Å, while the co-crystallized ligand stabilized at approximately 2.69 Å after 87 ns. RMSF analysis showed no significant shifts in residues or segments, with consistent patterns and differences of less than 2 Å, maintaining enzyme stability. The [125I]epirubicin complex maintained an average of four H-bonds, indicating strong and stable interactions, while [125I]anastrozole consistently formed three H-bonds. The average Rg values for both complexes were ~16.8 ± 0.1 Å, indicating no significant changes in the enzyme's compactness, thus preserving structural integrity. These analyses reveal stable binding and minimal structural perturbations, suggesting the high potential for AKT1 inhibition. MM-PBSA calculations confirm the potential of these radio-iodinated compounds as AKT1 inhibitors, with [125I]epirubicin exhibiting the most favorable binding energy (-23.57 ± 0.14 kcal/mol) compared to [125I]anastrozole (-20.03 ± 0.15 kcal/mol) and the co-crystallized ligand (-16.38 ± 0.14 kcal/mol), highlighting the significant role of electrostatic interactions in stabilizing the complex. The computational analysis shows [125I]anastrozole and [125I]epirubicin may play promising roles as AKT1 inhibitors, especially [125I]epirubicin for its high binding affinity and dynamic receptor interactions. These findings, supported by molecular docking scores and MM-PBSA binding energies, advocate for their potential superior inhibitory capability against the AKT1 enzyme. Nevertheless, it is crucial to validate these computational predictions through in vitro and in vivo studies to thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic potential and viability of these compounds for AKT1-targeted breast cancer treatment.

Let-7 reduces the proliferation and migration of oral cancer cells via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

The involvement of let-7 in the occurrence and progression of various cancers has been well-documented. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its impact on oral cancer development remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of let-7 in oral cancer progression and investigate its underlying molecular mechanisms. The expression of let-7 and high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) mRNA was assessed using the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of key proteins in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as well as HMGA2 protein levels. The targeting relationship between let-7 and HMGA2 was predicted through bioinformatics methods and confirmed via luciferase reporter gene assay. The effects of let-7 and HMGA2 on the functionality of oral cancer cells were evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, colony formation assay, Transwell assay, wound healing assay, and Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay. Additionally, the impact of let-7 on the growth of oral cancer cells in vivo was investigated by inducing subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice. Let-7 effectively suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral cancer cells by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. HMGA2, a downstream target gene of let-7, exhibits high expression in oral cancer. However, overexpression of HMGA2 diminishes the inhibitory effects induced by let-7 overexpression on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of oral cancer cells. The occurrence and progression of oral cancer cells are inhibited by Let-7 through the downregulation of HMGA2, potentially mediated by the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation.

Therapeutic Potential of Terpenoids in Cancer Treatment: Targeting Mitochondrial Pathways

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, natural compounds have been considered a significant source of new antitumor medicines due to their unique advantages. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the effect of terpenoids on apoptosis mediated by mitochondria in malignant cells.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this review article, we focused on six extensively studied terpenoids, including sesquiterpenes (dihydroartemisinin and parthenolide), diterpenes (oridonin and triptolide), and triterpenes (betulinic acid and oleanolic acid), and their efficacy in targeting mitochondria to induce cell death. Terpenoid-induced mitochondria-related cell death includes apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, autophagy, and necrosis caused by mitochondrial permeability transition. Apoptosis and autophagy interact in meaningful ways. In addition, in view of several disadvantages of terpenoids, such as low stability and bioavailability, advances in research on combination chemotherapy and chemical modification were surveyed.

CONCLUSION

This article deepens our understanding of the association between terpenoids and mitochondrial cell death, presenting a hypothetical basis for the use of terpenoids in anticancer management.

ITIH1 suppresses carcinogenesis in renal cell carcinoma through regulation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy of the urinary system. Although traditional therapies, such as surgery assisted with chemotherapy have improved the quality of life and survival time of patients with RCC, patients with metastasis or recurrence benefit little from such therapies. At present, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of RCC, rendering treatment selection and implementation challenging. Therefore, investigating the cause and underlying mechanisms of RCC remain of importance to explore potential new avenues for its treatment. Inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 1 (ITIH1) is an inflammation-associated gene reported to suppress the progression of liver cancer. However, its role in RCC remains poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of ITIH1 in RCC. Based on data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, ITIH1 expression was demonstrated to be significantly higher in tumor tissues compared with normal tissues, which was in turn negatively associated with the survival of patients with RCC. However, in RCC cells, ITIH1 was shown to be expressed at significantly lower levels compared with those in HK-2 cells. The discrepancy between tissues and cell lines might be due to the different environment of cell growth. ITIH1 knockdown in RCC cells significantly increased cell proliferation and invasion whilst significantly decreasing the apoptosis rate, compared with those in control cells (without ITIH1 knockdown). By contrast, overexpression of ITIH1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in RCC cells. In terms of western blotting results, the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB were significantly increased following ITIH1 knockdown. The protein expression level of IκB significantly decreased whereas that of IKK, Cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and α-smooth muscle actin were significantly increased in ITIH1-knockdown cells, compared with those in the control cells (without ITIH1 knockdown). This suggests that the NF-κB pathway may be activated after ITIH1 knockdown. Following treatment with the NF-κB pathway inhibitor JSH-23 in combination with ITIH1 knockdown, RCC cell proliferation and invasion were significantly reduced compared with those after ITIH1 knockdown alone. In summary, results from the present study suggest that ITIH1 can serve an inhibitory role in the progression of RCC, which could potentially be inhibited through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

ACAP3 negatively regulated by HDAC2 inhibits the malignant development of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells

ArfGAP with coiled-coil, ankyrin repeat and PH domains 3 (ACAP3) level has been confirmed to be downregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have therapeutic effects on PTC. Accordingly, this study probed into the potential relation of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) and ACAP3 in PTC. Expressions of ACAP3 and HDAC2 in PTC were investigated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between HDAC2 and ACAP3 was predicted by Pearson analysis. Cell functional assays (cell counting kit-8, transwell, wound healing and flow cytometry assays) and rescue assay were carried out to determine the effects of HDAC2/ACAP3 axis on biological behaviors of PTC cells. Expressions of apoptosis-, epithelial-mesenchymal transition-, Protein Kinase B (AKT)-, and P53-related proteins were measured by Western blot. ACAP3 level was downregulated in PTC tissues and cells. ACAP3 overexpression (oe-ACAP3) suppressed viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of PTC cells, facilitated apoptosis, downregulated the expressions of Protein Kinase B (Bcl-2) and N-cadherin, upregulated the expressions of Bcl-2 associated protein X (Bax) and E-cadherin, diminished the p-AKT/AKT ratio and elevated the p-p53/p53 ratio; however, ACAP3 silencing or HDAC2 overexpression (oe-HDAC2) did the opposite. HDAC2 negatively correlated with ACAP3. The tumor-suppressing effect of oe-ACAP3 in PTC was reversed by oe-HDAC2. Collectively, ACAP3 negatively regulated by HDAC2 suppresses the proliferation and metastasis while facilitating apoptosis of PTC cells.

Writers, readers, and erasers RNA modifications and drug resistance in cancer

Drug resistance in cancer cells significantly diminishes treatment efficacy, leading to recurrence and metastasis. A critical factor contributing to this resistance is the epigenetic alteration of gene expression via RNA modifications, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), 7-methylguanosine (m7G), pseudouridine (Ψ), and adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing. These modifications are pivotal in regulating RNA splicing, translation, transport, degradation, and stability. Governed by "writers," "readers," and "erasers," RNA modifications impact numerous biological processes and cancer progression, including cell proliferation, stemness, autophagy, invasion, and apoptosis. Aberrant RNA modifications can lead to drug resistance and adverse outcomes in various cancers. Thus, targeting RNA modification regulators offers a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance and enhancing treatment efficacy. This review consolidates recent research on the role of prevalent RNA modifications in cancer drug resistance, with a focus on m6A, m1A, m5C, m7G, Ψ, and A-to-I editing. Additionally, it examines the regulatory mechanisms of RNA modifications linked to drug resistance in cancer and underscores the existing limitations in this field.

Advances in Melanoma: From Genetic Insights to Therapeutic Innovations

Advances in melanoma research have unveiled critical insights into its genetic and molecular landscape, leading to significant therapeutic innovations. This review explores the intricate interplay between genetic alterations, such as mutations in BRAF, NRAS, and KIT, and melanoma pathogenesis. The MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways are highlighted for their roles in tumor growth and resistance mechanisms. Additionally, this review delves into the impact of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and histone changes, on melanoma progression. The tumor microenvironment, characterized by immune cells, stromal cells, and soluble factors, plays a pivotal role in modulating tumor behavior and treatment responses. Emerging technologies like single-cell sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9, and AI-driven diagnostics are transforming melanoma research, offering precise and personalized approaches to treatment. Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors and personalized mRNA vaccines, has revolutionized melanoma therapy by enhancing the body's immune response. Despite these advances, resistance mechanisms remain a challenge, underscoring the need for combined therapies and ongoing research to achieve durable therapeutic responses. This comprehensive overview aims to highlight the current state of melanoma research and the transformative impacts of these advancements on clinical practice.

Emodin alleviates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced lung injury by upregulating HO-1 expression via PI3K/AkT pathway

BACKGROUND

Emodin, a natural anthraquinone derivative found in various Chinese medicinal herbs, has been proved to be an effective therapeutic agent in the treatment of many diseases. However, its effect on lung injury after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury remains unknown. This research was designed to investigate whether emodin protects against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced lung injury and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by occluding the superior mesenteric artery in mice, and mouse lung epithelial-12 cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation to establish an in vitro model.

RESULTS

Our data indicated that emodin treatment reduced intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in lung tissues and alleviated lung injury. However, the protective effects of emodin on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced lung injury were reversed by the protein kinase B inhibitor triciribine or the heme oxygenase-1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin IX. The protein kinase inhibitor triciribine also downregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our data suggest that emodin treatment protects against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced lung injury by enhancing heme oxygenase-1 expression via activation of the PI3K/protein kinase pathway. Emodin may act as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of lung injury induced by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion.

Advances in the anti-tumor mechanisms of saikosaponin D

Saikosaponin D, a saponin compound, is extracted from Bupleurum and is a principal active component of the plant. It boasts a variety of pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, metabolic, and anti-tumor properties, drawing significant attention in anti-tumor research in recent years. Research indicates that saikosaponin D inhibits the proliferation of numerous tumor cells, curbing the progression of cancers such as liver, pancreatic, lung, glioma, ovarian, thyroid, stomach, and breast cancer. Its anti-tumor mechanisms largely involve inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting tumor cell apoptosis, thwarting tumor-cell invasion, and modulating tumor cell autophagy. Moreover, saikosaponin D enhances the sensitivity to anti-tumor drugs and augments body immunity. Given its multi-faceted anti-tumor roles, saikosaponin D offers promising potential in anti-tumor therapy. This paper reviews recent studies on its anti-tumor effects, aiming to furnish new theoretical insights for clinical cancer treatments.

Prediction of Protein Targets in Ovarian Cancer Using a Ru-Complex and Carbon Dot Drug Delivery Therapeutic Nanosystems: A Bioinformatics and µ-FTIR Spectroscopy Approach

We predicted the protein therapeutic targets specific to a Ru-based potential drug and its combination with pristine and N-doped carbon dot drug delivery systems, denoted as RuCN/CDs and RuCN/N-CDs. Synchrotron-based FTIR microspectroscopy (µFTIR) in addition to bioinformatics data on drug structures and protein sequences were applied to assess changes in the protein secondary structure of A2780 cancer cells. µFTIR revealed the moieties of the target proteins' secondary structure changes only after the treatment with RuCN and RuCN/N-CDs. A higher content of α-helices and a lower content of β-sheets appeared in A2780 cells after RuCN treatment. Treatment with RuCN/N-CDs caused a substantial increase in parallel β-sheet numbers, random coil content, and tyrosine residue numbers. The results obtained suggest that the mitochondrion-related proteins NDUFA1 and NDUFB5 are affected by RuCN either via overexpression or stabilisation of helical structures. RuCN/N-CDs either induce overexpression of the β-sheet-rich protein NDUFS1 and affect its random coil structure or interact and stabilise its structure via hydrogen bonding between -NH2 groups from N-CDs with protein C=O groups and -OH groups of serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues. The N-CD nanocarrier tunes this drug's action by directing it toward a specific protein target, changing this drug's coordination ability and inducing changes in the protein's secondary structures and function.

Roles of THEM4 in the Akt pathway: a double-edged sword

The protein kinase B (Akt) pathway can regulate the growth, proliferation, and metabolism of tumor cells and stem cells through the activation of multiple downstream target genes, thus affecting the development and treatment of a range of diseases. Thioesterase superfamily member 4 (THEM4), a member of the thioesterase superfamily, is one of the Akt kinase-binding proteins. Some studies on the mechanism of cancers and other diseases have shown that THEM4 binds to Akt to regulate its phosphorylation. Initially, THEM4 was considered an endogenous inhibitor of Akt, which can inhibit the phosphorylation of Akt in diseases such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer, but subsequently, THEM4 was shown to promote the proliferation of tumor cells by positively regulating Akt activity in breast cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which contradicts previous findings. Considering these two distinct views, this review summarizes the important roles of THEM4 in the Akt pathway, focusing on THEM4 as an Akt-binding protein and its regulatory relationship with Akt phosphorylation in various diseases, especially cancer. This work provides a better understanding of the roles of THEM4 combined with Akt in the treatment of diseases.

Emodin alleviates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury through antioxidant stress, anti-inflammatory responses and anti-apoptosis effects via Akt-mediated HO-1 upregulation

BACKGROUND

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a severe vascular emergency. Previous research indicated the protective effects of Emodin on I/R injury. Our study aims to explore the effect of Emodin on intestinal I/R (II/R) injury and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice and Caco-2 cells were used for in vivo and in vitro studies. We established an animal model of II/R injury by temporarily occluding superior mesenteric artery. We constructed an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) cell model using a hypoxia-reoxygenation incubator. Different doses of Emodin were explored to determine the optimal therapeutic dose. Additionally, inhibitors targeting the protein kinase B (Akt) or Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were administered to investigate their potential protective mechanisms.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that in animal experiments, Emodin mitigated barrier disruption, minimized inflammation, reduced oxidative stress, and inhibited apoptosis. When Akt or HO-1 was inhibited, the protective effect of Emodin was eliminated. Inhibiting Akt also reduced the level of HO-1. In cell experiments, Emodin reduced inflammation and apoptosis in the OGD/R cell model. Additionally, when Akt or HO-1 was inhibited, the protective effect of Emodin was weakened.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that Emodin may protect the intestine against II/R injury through the Akt/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Novel protein C6ORF120 promotes liver fibrosis by activating hepatic stellate cells through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The role of C6ORF120 in promoting CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanisms were explored in C6orf120 knockout rats (C6orf120-/-) and LX-2 cells (a type of human hepatic stellate cell line).

METHODS

In vivo experiments, wild-type and C6orf120-/- rats were used to investigate the function of C6ORF120. In the in vitro experiments, C6ORF120 recombinant protein (rC6ORF120) at a concentration of 200 ng/mL was used to stimulate LX-2 cells. Sirius Red staining, Masson staining, western blotting, polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to explore fibrosis-associated factors.

RESULTS

C6orf120-/- rats showed mild fibrosis and liver injury in the CCL4-induced liver fibrosis model. Furthermore, RNA-seq revealed that C6orf120-/- rats had less extracellular matrix deposition and activated stellate cells. Consistent with the in vivo, the rC6ORF120 induced LX-2 cell activation. Moreover, mechanistic studies revealed that the p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and p-mTOR/mTOR levels were significantly elevated and LY294002 (a PI3K/Akt/mTOR typical pathway inhibitor) reversed the function of C6ORF120 in activating LX-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

C6ORF120 could activate hepatic stellate cells and promote hepatic fibrosis via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

m 6 A reader IGF2BP1 reduces the sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to Taxol by upregulation of AKT2

Taxol is widely used in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); nevertheless, the acquired resistance of NPC to Taxol remains one of the major obstacles in clinical treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) in Taxol resistance of NPC. Taxol-resistant NPC cell lines were established by exposing to gradually increased concentration of Taxol. Relative mRNA and protein levels were tested using qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. NPC cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Cell migration and invasion capacities were measured using transwell assay. Interaction between IGF2BP1 and AKT2 was examined by RNA immunoprecipitation assay. The N6-methyladenosine level of AKT2 was tested using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR. IGF2BP1 expression was enhanced in Taxol-resistant NPC cell lines. Knockdown of IGF2BP1 strikingly enhanced the sensitivity of NPC cells to Taxol and repressed the migration and invasion of NPC cells. Mechanistically, IGF2BP1 elevated the expression of AKT2 by increasing its mRNA stability. Furthermore, overexpression of AKT2 reversed the inhibitory roles of IGF2BP1 silence on Taxol resistance and metastasis. Our results indicated that IGF2BP1 knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of NPC cells to Taxol by decreasing the expression of AKT2, implying that IGF2BP1 might be promising candidate target for NPC treatment.

Stratifin promotes the malignant progression of HCC via binding and hyperactivating AKT signaling

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. In this study, we reveal the pivotal role of Stratifin (SFN), also recognized as 14-3-3σ, in driving HCC progression. Our investigation underscores a substantial upregulation of SFN within HCC tissues, manifesting a significant association with worse prognostic outcomes among HCC patients. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that SFN overexpression significantly amplifies proliferation, mitigates sorafenib-induced effects on HCC cells, and enhances tumorigenesis. While SFN silencing exerts converse effects on HCC progression. Additionally, we unveil a critical interaction between SFN and AKT, where SFN boosts AKT kinase activity by disrupting the binding of PHLPP2 and AKT, thereby intensifying the malignant progression of HCC cells. In conclusion, this study identifies the oncogenic role of SFN and elucidates the regulatory mechanism of the SFN/AKT axis in HCC, which may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of HCC progression and potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Chlorogenic Acid and Cinnamaldehyde in Combination Inhibit Metastatic Traits and Induce Apoptosis via Akt Downregulation in Breast Cancer Cells

Most reported breast cancer-associated deaths are directly correlated with metastatic disease. Additionally, the primary goal of treating metastatic breast cancer is to prolong life. Thus, there remains the need for more effective and safer strategies to treat metastatic breast cancer. Recently, more attention has been given to natural products (or phytochemicals) as potential anticancer treatments. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of the combination of the phytochemicals chlorogenic acid and cinnamaldehyde (CGA and CA) toward inhibiting metastasis. The hypothesis was that CGA and CA in combination decrease the metastatic potential of breast cancer cells by inhibiting their invasive and migratory abilities as well as the induction of apoptosis via the downregulation of the Akt, disrupting its signal transduction pathway. To test this, wound-healing and Transwell™ Matrigel™ assays were conducted to assess changes in the migration and invasion properties of the cells; apoptosis was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy for Annexin V/propidium iodide; and immunoblotting and FACSort were performed on markers for the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition status. The results show that CGA and CA significantly downregulated Akt activation by inhibiting phosphorylation. Consequently, increased caspase 3 and decreased Bcl2-α levels were observed, and apoptosis was confirmed. The inhibition of metastatic behavior was demonstrated by the attenuation of N-cadherin, fibronectin, vimentin, and MMP-9 expressions with concomitant increased expressions of E-cadherin and EpCAM. In summary, the present study demonstrated that CGA and CA in combination downregulated Akt activation, inhibited the metastatic potential, and induced apoptosis in different breast cancer cell lines.

Lentinan mitigates pemetrexed chemoresistance by the PI3K/Akt pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

Pemetrexed is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor that is given for therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Drug resistance affects the efficacy of pemetrexed in NSCLC. Lentinan is a polysaccharide extracted from Shiitake mushrooms which has antitumor roles in multiple cancers, including lung cancer. However, the effects of lentinan on pemetrexed resistance in NSCLC remain unclear. In present study, The pemetrexed-resistant NSCLC cells were established and exposed to pemetrexed and lentinan. Oxidative stress was investigated via mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1 staining), levels of MDA and SOD.The phosphorylation and total of PI3K and Akt levels were actuated using specific activator 740Y-P and measured through western blot. We observed that Lentinan decreased IC50 of pemetrexed in resistant NSCLC cells. Lentinan aggravated pemetrexed-induced proliferation inhibition of resistant NSCLC cells via reducing PCNA levels. Lentinan exacerbated pemetrexed-triggered oxidative stress through increasing ROS and MDA levels, and reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and SOD levels. Lentinan inhibited PI3K/Akt signaling activation in pemetrexed-treated cells. Activated PI3K/Akt pathway using activator 740Y-P reversed the effects of lentinan on pemetrexed-mediated proliferation inhibition and oxidative stress. Our findings uncover that Lentinan mitigates pemetrexed resistance in NSCLC through inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing oxidative stress by suppressing PI3K/Akt signaling.

Ferulic acid interventions ameliorate NDEA-CCl4-induced hepatocellular carcinoma via Nrf2 and p53 upregulation and Akt/PKB-NF-κB-TNF-α pathway downregulation in male Wistar rats

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a prevalent form of liver cancer that is life threatening. Many chemically synthesized anti-cancer drugs have various degrees of side effects. Hence, this study investigated the effect of FEAC interventions on NDEA-CCl4-induced HCAR in male Wistar rats. HCAR was induced by intraperitoneal administration of 200 mg/kg of NDEA and 0.5 mL/kg CCl4 (as a promoter of HCAR). Following the induction of HCAR, rats were treated differently with two different doses (25 and 50 mg/kg) of FEAC. HCAR induction was confirmed by the significant elevation of serum levels of ALT, AST, and α-FP. Also elevated significantly were liver levels of Akt/PKB, NF-κB, TNF-α, MDA, GSH, and activities of GST, SOD, and CAT, while levels of liver p53 and Nrf2 were significantly lowered compared with normal rats. Treatment interventions with both 25 and 50 mg/kg of FEAC against the DEN-CCl4-induced HCAR gave comparable effects, marked by a significant reduction in the levels of serum ALT, AST and α-FP, as well as liver levels of MDA, GSH, Akt/PKB, NF-κB, TNF-α, GST, SOD, and CAT, while levels of liver p53 and Nrf2 were significantly elevated compared with normal rats. Put together and judging by the outcomes of this study, FEAC being a potent antioxidant may also be potent against chemical-induced HCAR via upregulation of p53 and Nrf2, as well as downregulation of the Akt/PKB-NF-κB pathway in rats.

Immunometabolism in cancer: basic mechanisms and new targeting strategy

Maturing immunometabolic research empowers immune regulation novel approaches. Progressive metabolic adaptation of tumor cells permits a thriving tumor microenvironment (TME) in which immune cells always lose the initial killing capacity, which remains an unsolved dilemma even with the development of immune checkpoint therapies. In recent years, many studies on tumor immunometabolism have been reported. The development of immunometabolism may facilitate anti-tumor immunotherapy from the recurrent crosstalk between metabolism and immunity. Here, we discuss clinical studies of the core signaling pathways of immunometabolism and their inhibitors or agonists, as well as the specific functions of these pathways in regulating immunity and metabolism, and discuss some of the identified immunometabolic checkpoints. Understanding the comprehensive advances in immunometabolism helps to revise the status quo of cancer treatment. An overview of the new landscape of immunometabolism. The PI3K pathway promotes anabolism and inhibits catabolism. The LKB1 pathway inhibits anabolism and promotes catabolism. Overactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and IDO, IL4I1, ACAT, Sirt2, and MTHFD2 promote immunosuppression of TME formation, as evidenced by increased Treg and decreased T-cell proliferation. The LKBI-AMPK pathway promotes the differentiation of naive T cells to effector T cells and memory T cells and promotes anti-tumor immunity in DCs.

Synergistic targeting of TrxR1 and ATM/AKT pathway in human colon cancer cells

Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) has emerged as a promising target for cancer therapy. In our previous research, we discovered several new TrxR1 inhibitors and found that they all have excellent anti-tumor activity. At the same time, we found these TrxR1 inhibitors all lead to an increase in AKT phosphorylation in cancer cells, but the detailed role of AKT phosphorylation in TrxR1 inhibitor-mediated cell death remains unclear. In this study, we identified the combination of AKT and TrxR1 inhibitor displayed a strong synergistic effect in colon cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the synergistic effect of auranofin (TrxR1 inhibitor) and MK-2206 (AKT inhibitor) was caused by ROS accumulation. Importantly, we found that ATM inhibitor KU-55933 can block the increase of AKT phosphorylation caused by auranofin, and exhibited a synergistic effect with auranofin. Taken together, our study demonstrated that the activation of ATM/AKT pathway is a compensatory mechanism to cope with ROS accumulation induced by TrxR1 inhibitor, and synergistic targeting of TrxR1 and ATM/AKT pathway is a promising strategy for treating colon cancer.

Blood-testis barrier: a review on regulators in maintaining cell junction integrity between Sertoli cells

The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is formed adjacent to the seminiferous basement membrane. It is a distinct ultrastructure, partitioning testicular seminiferous epithelium into apical (adluminal) and basal compartments. It plays a vital role in developing and maturing spermatocytes into spermatozoa via reorganizing its structure. This enables the transportation of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB, from basal to adluminal compartments in the seminiferous tubules. Several bioactive peptides and biomolecules secreted by testicular cells regulate the BTB function and support spermatogenesis. These peptides activate various downstream signaling proteins and can also be the target themself, which could improve the diffusion of drugs across the BTB. The gap junction (GJ) and its coexisting junctions at the BTB maintain the immunological barrier integrity and can be the "gateway" during spermatocyte transition. These junctions are the possible route for toxicant entry, causing male reproductive dysfunction. Herein, we summarize the detailed mechanism of all the regulators playing an essential role in the maintenance of the BTB, which will help researchers to understand and find targets for drug delivery inside the testis.

Capivasertib: A Novel AKT Inhibitor Approved for Hormone-Receptor-Positive, HER-2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of capivasertib for the treatment of adults with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with 1 or more PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN alterations.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE databases, published abstracts, and studies from ClinicalTrials.gov between 2003 and February 2024. Keywords included capivasertib, AZD5363, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and breast cancer.

DATA EXTRACTION

All applicable publications, package inserts, meeting abstracts, and clinical trials with capivasertib were reviewed.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Capivasertib is a first-in-class inhibitor of 3 isoforms of AKT (AKT-1, AKT-2, and AKT-3) which is an essential component in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway involved in oncogenesis. In the phase III CAPItello-291 trial, capivasertib in combination with fulvestrant (C+F) demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS) (7.3 vs 3.1 months) compared with placebo-fulvestrant (P+F) cohort in AKT-altered pathway patients who had progressed through prior aromatase inhibitor. The most common adverse reactions of any grade reported in the C+F group were diarrhea, cutaneous skin reactions, nausea, fatigue, and vomiting.

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE IN COMPARISON WITH EXISTING DRUGS

HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer patients experience progression following endocrine therapies and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors. Capivasertib is a viable treatment option for patients with PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN activating mutations following progression on endocrine-based regimens in the metastatic setting or recurrence within 12 months of completing adjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSION

Integration of capivasertib into clinical practice is ongoing; intermittent dosing and favorable toxicity are attractive for future novel combination prospective trials.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in breast cancer: Review of clinical trials and latest advances

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. As the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is involved in a wide range of physiological functions of cells including growth, proliferation, motility, and angiogenesis, any alteration in this axis could induce oncogenic features; therefore, numerous preclinical and clinical studies assessed agents able to inhibit the components of this pathway in BC patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that analyzed all the registered clinical trials investigating safety and efficacy of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis inhibitors in BC. Of note, we found that the trends of PI3K inhibitors in recent years were superior as compared with the inhibitors of either AKT or mTOR. However, most of the trials entering phase III and IV used mTOR inhibitors (majorly Everolimus) followed by PI3K inhibitors (majorly Alpelisib) leading to the FDA approval of these drugs in the BC context. Despite favorable efficacies, our analysis shows that the majority of trials are utilizing PI3K pathway inhibitors in combination with hormone therapy and chemotherapy; implying monotherapy cannot yield huge clinical benefits, at least partly, due to the activation of compensatory mechanisms. To emphasize the beneficial effects of these inhibitors in combined-modal strategies, we also reviewed recent studies which investigated the conjugation of nanocarriers with PI3K inhibitors to reduce harmful toxicities, increase the local concentration, and improve their efficacies in the context of BC therapy.

PLA2G4A and ACHE modulate lipid profiles via glycerophospholipid metabolism in platinum-resistant gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Bioactive lipids involved in the progression of various diseases. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of biomarkers and relative regulatory targets. The lipidomic analysis of the samples from platinum-resistant in gastric cancer patients is expected to help us further improve our understanding of it.

METHODS

We employed LC-MS based untargeted lipidomic analysis to search for potential candidate biomarkers for platinum resistance in GC patients. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and variable importance in projection (VIP) analysis were used to identify differential lipids. The possible molecular mechanisms and targets were obtained by metabolite set enrichment analysis and potential gene network screened. Finally, verified them by immunohistochemical of a tissue microarray.

RESULTS

There were 71 differential lipid metabolites identified in GC samples between the chemotherapy-sensitivity group and the chemotherapy resistance group. According to Foldchange (FC) value, VIP value, P values (FC > 2, VIP > 1.5, p < 0.05), a total of 15 potential biomarkers were obtained, including MGDG(43:11)-H, Cer(d18:1/24:0) + HCOO, PI(18:0/18:1)-H, PE(16:1/18:1)-H, PE(36:2) + H, PE(34:2p)-H, Cer(d18:1 + hO/24:0) + HCOO, Cer(d18:1/23:0) + HCOO, PC(34:2e) + H, SM(d34:0) + H, LPC(18:2) + HCOO, PI(18:1/22:5)-H, PG(18:1/18:1)-H, Cer(d18:1/24:0) + H and PC(35:2) + H. Furthermore, we obtained five potential key targets (PLA2G4A, PLA2G3, DGKA, ACHE, and CHKA), and a metabolite-reaction-enzyme-gene interaction network was built to reveal the biological process of how they could disorder the endogenous lipid profile of platinum resistance in GC patients through the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway. Finally, we further identified PLA2G4A and ACHE as core targets of the process by correlation analysis and tissue microarray immunohistochemical verification.

CONCLUSION

PLA2G4A and ACHE regulated endogenous lipid profile in the platinum resistance in GC patients through the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway. The screening of lipid biomarkers will facilitate earlier precision medicine interventions for chemotherapy-resistant gastric cancer. The development of therapies targeting PLA2G4A and ACHE could enhance platinum chemotherapy effectiveness.

Homoharringtonine induces apoptosis of mammary carcinoma cells by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Mammary tumour is the most common type of tumour in dogs, especially in unneutered female dogs. Homoharringtonine (HHT) is a natural alkaloid that can be used to treat various types of human tumour. However, the inhibitory effect and mechanism of HHT on canine mammary carcinomas (CMC) remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of HHT on CMC in vitro and determine its underlying molecular mechanism. The effects of HHT on the cytotoxicity of CMC U27 cells were evaluated by the cell counting kit-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays. HHT-induced apoptosis of U27 cells was detected by JC-1 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. Moreover, the gene expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) were analysed using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the protein expression of protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) and mitochondrial apoptosis proteins were determined by western blotting. Furthermore, mammary tumour-bearing mouse models were established using 4T1 cells to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HHT. It was found that HHT could significantly down-regulated the protein expression of p-AKT, p-mTOR, and Bcl-2, and up-regulated the protein expression of P53, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9. In addition, HHT significantly suppressed both tumour volume and mass in mammary tumour mice. In conclusion, HHT damages CMC cells by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR signalling pathway and inducing mitochondrial apoptosis. Such findings lay a theoretical foundation for the clinical treatment of CMC and provide more options for clinical medication.

Myt1 kinase inhibitors - Insight into structural features, offering potential frameworks

The cell cycle includes two checkpoint arrests allowing to repair of damaged DNA. Many cancer cell lines exhibit weak G1 checkpoint mechanisms relying significantly more on the G2 checkpoint than do healthy cells. Inhibition of Myt1 kinase (PKMYT1), a forgotten member of the Wee family, cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) inhibitory kinase, target for G2 checkpoint abrogation, whose inhibition forces cells into premature unchecked mitosis resulting in cell death, is a promising concept for anticancer therapy. There are not many inhibitors of this emerging, potentially clinically important kinase. Herein, the valuable insight into structural features and binding mechanisms of diaminopyrimidines, aminoquinolines, quinazolines, pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines, pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines, and pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines, as well as finally made a general scheme of fragmented structures of Myt1 inhibitors with the enzyme, offer potential frameworks useful for future directions, for further chemical optimizations, in the discovery and the design of novel effective structures, potential therapeutics.

[Demethylzeylasteral inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion and promotes apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells by inhibiting the AKT/CREB signaling pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effects of Demethylzeylasteral (T-96) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

METHODS

We first examined the effects of different concentrations (1, 3, 10, and 30 μmol/L) of demethylzeylasteral on morphology and cell number of A549 and H1299 cells. The changes in proliferation, cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells following demethylzeylasteral treatment were detected using clone formation, CCK-8, cell scratch, Transwell, and flow cytometric assays, and the effect of SC79 treatment against demethylzeylasteral-induced cell apoptosis was assessed. Western blotting was performed to detect the changes in expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 and phosphorylation of AKT/CREB in demethylzeylasteral-treated A549 and H1299 cells and the cellular expressions of apoptotic proteins following treatment with both demethylzeylasteral and SC79.

RESULTS

T-96 treatment caused elongation of the cell body and widening of the intercellular space and significantly inhibited cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells (P < 0.05). Flow cytometry showed that demethylzeylasteral induced apoptosis in both A549 and H1299 cells, whereas SC79 treatment obviously attenuated its pro-apoptotic effect (P < 0.05). Western blotting revealed up-regulated expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 proteins and lowered Bcl-2 expression level in demethylzeylasteral-treated A549 and H1299 cells, but cotreatment with SC79 obviously attenuated the expressions of the apoptotic proteins. T-96 significantly up-regulated the expression level of E-cadherin, down-regulated the expressions of N-cadherin and vimentin, and inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and CREB in the two cell lines (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

T-96 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion and induces apoptosis of NSCLC cells possibly by inhibiting the AKT/CREB signaling pathway.

Analysis of m6A-related lncRNAs for prognostic and immunotherapeutic response in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: RNA methylation modifications are important post-translational modifications that are regulated in an epigenetic manner. Recently, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modifications have emerged as potential epigenetic markers in tumor biology. Methods: Gene expression and clinicopathological data of LIHC were obtained from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. The relationship between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and m6A-related genes was determined by gene expression analysis using Perl and R software. Co-expression network of m6A-lncRNA was constructed, and the relevant lncRNAs associated with prognosis were identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. These lncRNAs were then divided into two clusters (cluster 1 and cluster 2) to determine the differences in survival, pathoclinical parameters, and immune cell infiltration between the different lncRNA subtypes. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was carried out for regression analysis and prognostic model. The HCC patients were randomly divided into a train group and a test group. According to the median risk score of the model, HCC patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. We built models using the train group and confirmed them through the test group. The m6A-lncRNAs derived from the models were analyzed for the tumor mutational burden (TMB), immune evasion and immune function using R software. AL355574.1 was identified as an important m6A-associated lncRNA and selected for further investigation. Finally, in vitro experiments were conducted to confirm the effect of AL355574.1 on the biological function of HCC and the possible biological mechanisms. Huh7 and HepG2 cells were transfected with AL355574.1 siRNA and cell proliferation ability was measured by CCK-8, EdU and colony formation assays. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to determine the cell migration capacity. The expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Akt/mTOR phosphorylation were all determined by Western blotting. Results: The lncRNAs with significant prognostic value were classified into two subtypes by a consistent clustering analysis. We found that the clinical features, immune cell infiltration and tumor microenvironment (TME) were significantly different between the lncRNA subtypes. Our analysis revealed significant correlations between these different lncRNA subtypes and immune infiltrating and stromal cells. We created the final risk profile using LASSO regression, which notably included three lncRNAs (AL355574.1, AL158166.1, TMCC1-AS1). A prognostic signature consisting of the three lncRNAs was constructed, and the model showed excellent prognostic predictive ability. The overall survival (OS) of the low-risk cohort was significantly higher than that of the high-risk cohort in both the train and test group. Both risk score [hazard ratio (HR)=1.062; P<0.001] and stage (HR=1.647; P< 0.001) were considered independent indicators of HCC prognosis by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. In Huh7 and HepG2 cells, AL355574.1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and migration, suppressed the protein expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, N-cadherin and Akt/mTOR phosphorylation, but promoted the protein expression levels of E-cadherin. Conclusions: This study established a predictive model for the OS of HCC patients, and these OS-related m6A-lncRNAs, especially AL355574.1 may play a potential role in the progression of HCC. In vitro experiments also showed that AL355574.1 could enhance the expression of MMPs and EMT through the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby affected the proliferation and migration of HCC. This provides a new perspective on the anticancer molecular mechanism of AL355574.1 in HCC.

Galectin inhibitors and nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma multiforme

Over the past two decades, the gold standard of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment is unchanged and adjunctive therapy has offered little to prolong both quality and quantity of life. To improve pharmacotherapy for GBM, galectins are being studied provided their positive correlation with the malignancy and disease severity. Despite the use of galectin inhibitors and literature displaying the ability of the lectin proteins to decrease tumor burden and decrease mortality within various malignancies, galectin inhibitors have not been studied for GBM therapy. Interestingly, anti-galectin siRNA delivered in nanoparticle capsules, assisting in blood brain barrier penetrance, is well studied for GBM, and has demonstrated a remarkable ability to attenuate both galectin and tumor count. Provided that the two therapies have an analogous anti-galectin effect, it is hypothesized that galectin inhibitors encapsuled within nanoparticles will likely have a similar anti-galectin effect in GBM cells and further correlate to a repressed tumor burden.

A composition of ursolic acid derivatives from Ludwigia hyssopifolia induces apoptosis in throat cancer cells via the Akt/mTOR and mitochondrial signaling pathways and by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ludwigia hyssopifolia (LH), an ethnopharmacological herb used in Guangxi Zhuang medicine, is known for its extensive therapeutic use in treating throat disorders. The anti-laryngeal-cancer benefits of the ethyl acetate and petroleum ether fractions of the ethanolic extracts of LH have been shown in our prior cell-based research. Nevertheless, the specific impacts and underlying processes by which LH combats throat cancer effects have not been fully understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study involved the extraction of a composition containing two derivatives of ursolic acid from LH (LH-CUAD). The present study aimed to assess the anti-throat-cancer effects of these derivatives and the underlying mechanisms through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Solvent extraction, fractionation, chromatography, and semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography were used for the extraction, purification, and analysis of LH-CUAD. The in vitro and in vivo anti-throat-cancer effects of LH-CUAD were investigated using the throat cancer cell lines Hep-2 and FaDu as well as Hep-2 tumor-bearing nude mice.

RESULTS

LH-CUAD significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of throat cancer cells without any prominent toxicity. The Hoechst 33258 staining, Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining assays, and flow cytometry confirmed that LH-CUAD could induce throat cancer cell death from early to late apoptosis in vitro. LH-CUAD exhibited significant antitumor activity and low toxicity in a xenograft model, and induced throat cancer cells apoptosis in vivo. The apoptotic effects of LH-CUAD therapy were validated using Western blotting, which demonstrated the activation of a caspase cascade response triggered by an imbalance between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. In addition, it was observed that LH-CUAD exhibited inhibitory effects on Akt and mTOR phosphorylation, hence promoting apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

LH-CUAD induces apoptosis in both in vivo and in vitro models of throat cancer. This effect is achieved by activating the mitochondrial pathway, inhibiting the Akt/mTOR pathway and initiating endoplasmic reticulum stress. The findings of this study suggest that LH-CUAD has the potential to offer a novel approach to the clinical management of throat cancer.

The neuroprotective mechanisms of naringenin: Inhibition of apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT pathway after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Naringenin (NGN) is a widely distributed flavonoid with potent antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Neuroprotective agents play a crucial role in the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). It has shown potential therapeutic effects for neurological disorders. However, its efficacy on HIE is yet to be investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of naringenin and its underlying molecular mechanisms in reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and improving brain outcomes following HIE. Additionally, the study aims to identify the potential targets, mechanisms, and functions of naringenin using network pharmacology analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Neonatal mice were exposed to the hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) model to determine brain water content, and brain tissue was subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (HE), immunohistochemistry (IHC), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and Nissl staining to investigate its neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, the neonatal mouse primary neuron oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro. The protein levels were characterized by Western Blot, and mRNA levels were evaluated by a real-time quantitative PCR detecting system (qPCR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and mitochondrial fluorescent staining were used to observe mitochondrial morphology. Neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) were detected by Immunofluorescence (IF). Finally, network pharmacology was employed to determine the common target of naringenin and HIE. The core genes were obtained via protein-protein interaction networks (PPI) analysis and molecular docking was examined, and the mechanism of action was explored through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Additionally, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was constructed for verification.

RESULTS

Naringenin has a neuroprotective effect in HIBD by modulating Vegfa expression and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to inhibit apoptosis. Furthermore, molecular docking results suggest that Vegfa is a potential binding target of naringenin, and silencing Vegfa partially reverses the pharmacological effects of NGN.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that naringenin demonstrates potential clinical application for treating HIE as a novel neuroprotective agent.

A non-canonical role of endothelin converting enzyme 1 (ECE1) in promoting lung cancer development via directly targeting protein kinase B (AKT)

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the second most common malignancy in the world, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) in particular is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Endothelin converting enzyme 1 (ECE1) is a membrane-bound metalloprotease involved in endothelin-1 (ET-1) processing and regulates vasoconstriction. However, very few studies have reported the involvement of ECE1 in regulating tumor cell proliferation, and the mechanism remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of ECE1 in lung cancer development.

METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas database and Kaplan-Meier plotter were used to assess the association between ECE1 and lung cancer. The expression of ECE1 was detected using immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting. A variety of in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the effects of ECE1 on the colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion using ECE1 knockdown lung cancer cells. The gene expression profiles regulated by ECE1 were investigated by RNA sequencing. An immunoprecipitation assay and immunofluorescence assay were used to evaluate the mechanism underlying the regulatory effect of ECE1 on protein kinase B (AKT). The effect of ECE1 on tumor development was assessed by xenografted lung cancer cells in either C57BL/6 mice or nude mice.

RESULTS

ECE1 was upregulated in LUAD and correlated with the poor prognosis of patients with LUAD. Functional studies showed that knockdown of ECE1 retarded the progression of tumors formed by lung cancer cells at least partly by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. Moreover, ECE1 accelerated tumor cell proliferation through promoting AKT activation dispensable of its canonical target ET-1. Mechanically, ECE1 interacted with the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of AKT and facilitated its translocation to the plasma membrane for activation. Furthermore, the inhibition of AKT activity counteracted the lung cancer cell growth inhibition observed both in vitro and in xenografts caused by ECE1 suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study reveals a non-canonical function of ECE1 in regulating AKT activation and cell proliferation, which provides the basis for the development of a novel strategy for the intervention of cancer including LUAD by abrogating ECE1-AKT signaling.

Breast cancer and its therapeutic targets: A comprehensive review

Breast cancer is a common and deadly disease, so there is a constant need for research to find efficient targets and therapeutic approaches. Breast cancer can be classified on a molecular and histological base. Breast cancer can be divided into ER (estrogen receptor)-positive and ER-negative, HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor2)-positive and HER2-negative subtypes based on the presence of specific biomarkers. Targeting hormone receptors, such as the HER2, progesterone receptor (PR), and ER, is very significant and plays a vital role in the onset and progression of breast cancer. Endocrine treatments and HER2-targeted drugs are examples of targeted therapies now being used against these receptors. Emerging immune-based medicines with promising outcomes in the treatment of breast cancer include immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapy. It is also explored how immune cells and the tumor microenvironment affect breast cancer development and treatment response. The major biochemical pathways, signaling cascades, and DNA repair mechanisms that are involved in the development and progression of breast cancer, include the PI3K/AKT/mTOR system, the MAPK pathway, and others. These pathways are intended to be inhibited by a variety of targeted drugs, which are then delivered with the goal of restoring normal cellular function. This review aims to shed light on types of breast cancer with the summarization of different therapeutic approaches which can target different pathways for tailored medicines and better patient outcomes.

NUAK1 coordinates growth factor-dependent activation of mTORC2 and Akt signaling

BACKGROUND

mTORC2 is a critical regulator of cytoskeleton organization, cell proliferation, and cancer cell survival. Activated mTORC2 induces maximal activation of Akt by phosphorylation of Ser-473, but regulation of Akt activity and signaling crosstalk upon growth factor stimulation are still unclear.

RESULTS

We identified that NUAK1 regulates growth factor-dependent activation of Akt by two mechanisms. NUAK1 interacts with mTORC2 components and regulates mTORC2-dependent activation of Akt by controlling lysosome positioning and mTOR association with this organelle. A second mechanism involves NUAK1 directly phosphorylating Akt at Ser-473. The effect of NUAK1 correlated with a growth factor-dependent activation of specific Akt substrates. NUAK1 induced the Akt-dependent phosphorylation of FOXO1/3a (Thr-24/Thr-32) but not of TSC2 (Thr-1462). According to a subcellular compartmentalization that could explain NUAK1's differential effect on the Akt substrates, we found that NUAK1 is associated with early endosomes but not with plasma membrane, late endosomes, or lysosomes. NUAK1 was required for the Akt/FOXO1/3a axis, regulating p21CIP1, p27KIP1, and FoxM1 expression and cancer cell survival upon EGFR stimulation. Pharmacological inhibition of NUAK1 potentiated the cell death effect induced by Akt or mTOR pharmacological blockage. Analysis of human tissue data revealed that NUAK1 expression positively correlates with EGFR expression and Akt Ser-473 phosphorylation in several human cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that NUAK1 kinase controls mTOR subcellular localization and induces Akt phosphorylation, demonstrating that NUAK1 regulates the growth factor-dependent activation of Akt signaling. Therefore, targeting NUAK1, or co-targeting it with Akt or mTOR inhibitors, may be effective in cancers with hyperactivated Akt signaling.

Induction of S arrest and apoptosis in human oral cancer cells by Rhinacanthin-C extracted from Rhinacanthus nasutus via modulating Akt and p38 signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The search for effective herbal medicines for complementary treatments is on the rise due to the high incidence of recurrence and mortality rate in human oral cancer. Rhinacanthus nasutus KURZ., an annual herb found mostly in Southeast Asia including Thailand, has been wildly used as a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases including cancer. However, the anti-cancer effect of Rhinacanthin-C (Rh-C) as a major naphthoquinone compound found in R. nasutus and the underlying mechanism of its action on human oral cancer cells remain unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-cancer mechanism of Rh-C extracted from R. nasutus in human oral cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-proliferative effect of Rh-C on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC4) was determined and compared to normal oral cells (human gingival fibroblasts, HGF, and normal oral keratinocytes, NOK) using the SRB colorimetric method. The molecular mechanism of Rh-C was explored using flow cytometry, colorimetric assay, in vitro human topoisomerase II assay, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Rh-C displayed a time- and concentration-dependent growth inhibition on HSC4 and was much less effective on both tested normal oral cells. Rh-C inhibited Akt phosphorylation whereas over-activated p38 MAPK phosphorylation in HSC4 but not in HGF. Rh-C also inhibited topoisomerase II activity. As a result, the cell cycle was arrested in S-phase as the expression of CDK1/2 and Cyclin A2 was decreased. Eventually, the induction of HSC4 cell apoptosis was mediated by increased caspase 3 activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Rh-C isolated from R. nasutus possesses anti-cancer properties on human oral cancer cells by causing the S arrest and the apoptotic induction via modulating Akt/p38 signaling pathways. The results provide molecular bases for further developing Rh-C as a potential drug candidate or a complementary treatment for oral cancer.

LncRNA HOX transcript antisense RNA mediates hyperglycemic-induced injury in the renal tubular epithelial cell via the miR-126-5pAkt axis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the involvement of HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in the injury of renal tubular epithelial cells induced by high glucose. Results: In high glucose-induced HK-2 cells, the expression of HOTAIR was upregulated, resulting in suppressed cell proliferation. Meanwhile, HOTAIR upregulates the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3, while downregulating the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that HOTAIR could target miR-126-5p. Additionally, it was found that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway serves as a downstream target of miR-126-5p. Knockdown of HOTAIR relieved apoptosis, whereas further inhibition of miR-126-5p led to apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Conclusions: HOTAIR plays a regulatory role in mediating high glucose-induced injuries in HK-2 cells, specifically affecting apoptosis and cell viability, via the miR-126-5p/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinase family (PIKK)

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKK) are two structurally related families of kinases that play vital roles in cell growth and DNA damage repair. Dysfunction of PIKK members and aberrant stimulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway are linked to a plethora of diseases including cancer. In recent decades, numerous inhibitors related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling have made great strides in cancer treatment, like copanlisib and sirolimus. Notably, most of the PIKK inhibitors (such as VX-970 and M3814) related to DNA damage response have also shown good efficacy in clinical trials. However, these drugs still require a suitable combination therapy to overcome drug resistance or improve antitumor activity. Based on the aforementioned facts, we summarised the efficacy of PIKK, PI3K, and AKT inhibitors in the therapy of human malignancies and the resistance mechanisms of targeted therapy, in order to provide deeper insights into cancer treatment.

Exploring the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in hormone-related cancers: A focus on breast and prostate cancer

Breast cancer (BC) and prostate cancer (PC) are at the top of the list when it comes to the most common types of cancers worldwide. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is important, in that it strongly influences the development and progression of these tumors. Previous studies have emphasized the key role of inhibitors of the PIK3/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the treatment of BC and PC, and it remains to be a crucial method of treatment. In this review, the inhibitors of these signaling pathways are compared, as well as their effectiveness in therapy and potential as therapeutic agents. The use of these inhibitors as polytherapy is evaluated, especially with the use of hormonal therapy, which has shown promising results.

Role of thioredoxin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a promising future target

INTRODUCTION

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a secretory protein that acts as an antioxidant, redox regulator, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory molecule. It has been used to treat dermatitis and inflammation of the digestive tract. In the lungs, Trx has a significant anti-inflammatory impact. On the other hand, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the significant causes of death in the developed world, with a tremendous individual and socioeconomic impact. Despite new initiatives and endless treatment trials, COPD incidence and death will likely escalate in the coming decades.

AREAS COVERED

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease impacting the airways, lung parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature. Oxidative stress and protease-antiprotease imbalances are thought to be involved in the process. The most popular respiratory inflammatory and allergic disorders therapies are corticosteroids and β-receptor agonists. These medications are helpful but have some drawbacks, such as infection and immunosuppression; thus, addressing Trx signalling treatments may be a viable COPD treatment approach. This review shall cover the pathophysiology of COPD, the pharmacognosy of anti-COPD drugs, including the assets and liabilities of each, and the role and mechanism of Trx in COPD treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

Limited research has targeted the thioredoxin system as an anti-COPD drug. Spectating the increase in the mortality rates of COPD, this review article would be an interesting one to research.