Liposome-mediated RNA interference delivery against Erk1 and Erk2 does not equally promote chemosensitivity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2

Development and characterization of magnetic hydrogels loaded with greenly synthesized iron-oxide nanoparticles conjugated with cisplatin

A novel approach was devised to address the challenges in delivering cisplatin (CIS) for lung cancer treatment. This involved the development of a non-invasive hydrogel delivery system, aiming to minimize side effects associated with its administration. Using carbopol 971 (CP) and chitosan (CH) at varying ratios, the hydrogels were prepared and loaded with eco-friendly iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) conjugated to CIS. The physical properties, yield, drug loading, and cytotoxicity against lung cancer cell lines (A549) were assessed, along with hydrogel rheological properties and in vitro drug diffusion. Hydrogel A1 that composed of 1:1 of CP:CH hydrogel loaded with 100 mg IONPs and 250 µg CIS demonstrated distinctive properties that indicate its suitability for potential delivery. The loaded greenly synthesized IONPs@CIS exhibited a particle size of 23.0 nm, polydispersity index of 0.47, yield of 71.6%, with 88.28% drug loading. They displayed significant cytotoxicity (61.7%) against lung cancer cell lines (A549), surpassing free CIS cytotoxicity (28.1%). Moreover, they demonstrated shear-thinning behaviour, viscoelastic properties, and Fickian drug release profile over 24 h (flux 2.34 µg/cm2/h, and permeability 0.31 cm/h).

PLA inhibits TNF-α-induced PANoptosis of prostate cancer cells through metabolic reprogramming

Previous studies have shown that phenyllactic acid (alpha-Hydroxyhydrocinnamic acid, 2-Hydroxy-3-phenylpropionic acid, PLA), a type of organic acid metabolite, has excellent diagnostic efficacy when used to differentiate between prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostatitis. This research aims to explore the molecular mechanism by which PLA influences the PANoptosis of prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines. First, we found that PLA was detected in all prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3, PC-3 M, DU145, LNCAP). Further experiments showed that the addition of PLA to prostate cancer cells could promote ATP generation, enhance cysteine desulfurase (NFS1) expression, and reduce tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels, thereby inhibiting apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Notably, overexpression of NFS1 can inhibit the binding of TNF-α to serpin mRNA binding protein 1 (SERBP1), suggesting that NFS1 competes with TNF-α for binding to SERBP1. Knockdown of SERBP1 significantly reduced the level of small ubiquity-related modifier (SUMO) modification of TNF-α. This suggests that NFS1 reduces the SUMO modification of TNF-α by competing with SERBP1, thereby reducing the expression and stability of TNF-α and ultimately inhibiting apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines. In conclusion, PLA inhibits TNF-α induced panapoptosis of prostate cancer cells through metabolic reprogramming, providing a new idea for targeted treatment of prostate cancer.

Individualized detection of TMPRSS2-ERG fusion status in prostate cancer: a rank-based qualitative transcriptome signature

BACKGROUND

TMPRSS2-ERG (T2E) fusion is highly related to aggressive clinical features in prostate cancer (PC), which guides individual therapy. However, current fusion prediction tools lacked enough accuracy and biomarkers were unable to be applied to individuals across different platforms due to their quantitative nature. This study aims to identify a transcriptome signature to detect the T2E fusion status of PC at the individual level.

METHODS

Based on 272 high-throughput mRNA expression profiles from the Sboner dataset, we developed a rank-based algorithm to identify a qualitative signature to detect T2E fusion in PC. The signature was validated in 1223 samples from three external datasets (Setlur, Clarissa, and TCGA).

RESULTS

A signature, composed of five mRNAs coupled to ERG (five ERG-mRNA pairs, 5-ERG-mRPs), was developed to distinguish T2E fusion status in PC. 5-ERG-mRPs reached 84.56% accuracy in Sboner dataset, which was verified in Setlur dataset (n = 455, accuracy = 82.20%) and Clarissa dataset (n = 118, accuracy = 81.36%). Besides, for 495 samples from TCGA, two subtypes classified by 5-ERG-mRPs showed a higher level of significance in various T2E fusion features than subtypes obtained through current fusion prediction tools, such as STAR-Fusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, 5-ERG-mRPs can robustly detect T2E fusion in PC at the individual level, which can be used on any gene measurement platform without specific normalization procedures. Hence, 5-ERG-mRPs may serve as an auxiliary tool for PC patient management.

Emerging nanobiotechnology for precise theranostics of hepatocellular carcinoma

Primary liver cancer has become the second most fatal cancer in the world, and its five-year survival rate is only 10%. Most patients are in the middle and advanced stages at the time of diagnosis, losing the opportunity for radical treatment. Liver cancer is not sensitive to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. At present, conventional molecularly targeted drugs for liver cancer show some problems, such as short residence time, poor drug enrichment, and drug resistance. Therefore, developing new diagnosis and treatment methods to effectively improve the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term prognosis of liver cancer is urgent. As an emerging discipline, nanobiotechnology, based on safe, stable, and efficient nanomaterials, constructs highly targeted nanocarriers according to the unique characteristics of tumors and further derives a variety of efficient diagnosis and treatment methods based on this transport system, providing a new method for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. This paper aims to summarize the latest progress in this field according to existing research and the latest clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as clarify the role, application limitations, and prospects of research on nanomaterials and the development and application of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Anti-cancer peptide-based therapeutic strategies in solid tumors

Background

Nowadays, conventional medical treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy cannot cure all types of cancer. A promising approach to treat solid tumors is the use of tumor-targeting peptides to deliver drugs or active agents selectively.

Result

Introducing beneficial therapeutic approaches, such as therapeutic peptides and their varied methods of action against tumor cells, can aid researchers in the discovery of novel peptides for cancer treatment. The biomedical applications of therapeutic peptides are highly interesting. These peptides, owing to their high selectivity, specificity, small dimensions, high biocompatibility, and easy modification, provide good opportunities for targeted drug delivery. In recent years, peptides have shown considerable promise as therapeutics or targeting ligands in cancer research and nanotechnology.

Conclusion

 This study reviews a variety of therapeutic peptides and targeting ligands in cancer therapy. Initially, three types of tumor-homing and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are described, and then their applications in breast, glioma, colorectal, and melanoma cancer research are discussed.

The role of circadian genes in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer in human beings and is also the major cause of death among the other gastrointestinal cancers. The exact mechanisms of CRC development in most patients remains unclear. So far, several genetically, environmental and epigenetically risk factors have been identified for CRC development. The circadian rhythm is a 24-h rhythm that drives several biologic processes. The circadian system is guided by a central pacemaker which is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus. Circadian rhythm is regulated by circadian clock genes, cytokines and hormones like melatonin. Disruptions in biological rhythms are known to be strongly associated with several diseases, including cancer. The role of the different circadian genes has been verified in various cancers, however, the pathways of different circadian genes in the pathogenesis of CRC are less investigated. Identification of the details of the pathways in CRC helps researchers to explore new therapies for the malignancy.

Hepatoprotective effects of sericin on aging-induced liver damage in mice

Aging is a physiological process in which there is a progressive decline of function in multiple organs such as the liver. The development of natural therapies, such as sericin, for delaying age-associated diseases is of major interest in this regard. Twenty-seven mice were divided into three groups of nine, including young control group (8 weeks, received normal saline), aged control group (24 months, received normal saline), and sericin-treated aged mice (24 months, received sericin at dose 100 mg/kg/day) via oral administration for 14 days. The liver enzymes in serum and oxidative stress markers in liver tissue were evaluated using spectrophotometric/ELISA methods. Apoptotic proteins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, COX2, JNK, and P-38 levels were assessed by western blot analysis. β-galactosidase expression was determined by a qRT-PCR method. The findings showed that 100 mg/kg of sericin reduced liver enzymes in aged mice. Antioxidant capacity in treated aged mice showed an improvement in all indexes in the liver tissue. Also, sericin administration declined pro-inflammatory markers to varying degrees in aged-treated mice. Sericin also increased the expression level of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression level of Bax and cleaved caspase-3.In addition, treatment with sericin suppressed protein expression of p-JNK and p-JNK/JNK. Collectively, these findings would infer that sericin administration may have a hepatoprotective effect in aging-induced liver damage in mice.

An Overview on the Role of miR-451 in Lung Cancer: Diagnosis, Therapy, and Prognosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved non-coding RNAs involved in many physiological processes such as cell proliferation, inhibition, development of apoptosis, differentiation, suppresses tumorigenicity, and regulating cell growth. The description of the alterations of miRNA expression patterns in cancers will be helpful to recognize biomarkers for early detection and possible therapeutic intervention in the treatment of cancers. Recent studies have shown that miR-451 is broadly dysregulated in lung cancer and is a crucial agent in lung tumor progression. This review summarizes recent advances of the potential role of miR-451 in lung cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment and provides an insight into the potential use of miR-451 for the development of advanced therapeutic methods in lung cancer.

Recent Advances in Therapeutic Peptides for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignancy and is the second leading cause of mortality among women around the world. Increasing the resistance to anti-cancer drugs in breast cancer cells persuades researchers to search the novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this malignancy. Among the novel methods, therapeutic peptides that target and disrupt tumor cells have been of great interest. Therapeutic peptides are short amino acid monomer chains with high specificity to bind and modulate a protein interaction of interest. Several advantages of peptides, such as specific binding on tumor cells surface, low molecular weight, and low toxicity on normal cells, make the peptides appealing therapeutic agents against solid tumors, particularly breast cancer. Also, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes therapeutic peptides as a suitable candidate for the treatment of drug-resistant breast cancer. In this review, we attempt to review the different therapeutic peptides against breast cancer cells that can be used in the treatment and diagnosis of the malignancy. Meanwhile, we presented an overview of peptide vaccines that have been developed for the treatment of breast cancer.

Effect of Rat Bone Marrow Derived-Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Granulocyte Differentiation of Mononuclear Cells as Preclinical Agent in Cellbased Therapy

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs), as a collection of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are capable of producing all blood cell lineages. The use of cytokines, growth factors, or cells capable of secreting these factors will help in stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of these cells into mature cell lines. On the other hand, MSCs are multipotent stromal cells that can be differentiated into various cell lineages. Moreover, these cells can control the process of hematopoiesis by secreting cytokines and growth factors. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of BM-derived MSCs on the differentiation of MNCs based on the assessment of cell surface markers by flow cytometry analysis.

METHODS

For this purpose, the MNCs were purified from rat BM using density gradient centrifugation. After that, they were cultured, expanded, and characterized. Next, BM-derivedMSCs were co-cultured with MNCs and then were either cultured with MNCs alone (control group) or co-cultured MNCs with BM derived-MSCs (experimental group). Finally, they were collected on day 7 and subjected to flow cytometry analysis for granulocyte markers and ERK protein's investigation.

RESULTS

It was found that the expression levels of CD34, CD16, CD11b, and CD18 granulocyte markers, as well as protein expression of ERK, have significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, it can be concluded that MSCs could affect the granulocyte differentiation of MNCs via ERK protein expression, which is a key component of the ERK signaling pathway.

Gene silencing delivery systems for the treatment of pancreatic cancer: Where and what to target next?

Despite intensive research efforts and development of numerous new anticancer drugs and treatment strategies over the past decades, there has been only very limited improvement in overall patient survival and in effective treatment options for pancreatic cancer. Current chemotherapy improves survival in terms of months and death rates in pancreatic cancer patients are almost equivalent to incidence rates. It is imperative to develop new therapeutic approaches. Among them, gene silencing shows promise of effectiveness in both tumor cells and stromal cells by inhibiting tumor-promoting genes. This review summarizes potential targets for gene silencing in both pancreatic cancer cells and abundant stromal cells focusing on non-viral delivery systems for small RNAs and discusses the potential immunological implications. The review concludes with the importance of multifactorial therapy of pancreatic cancer.

Modulating the Crosstalk between the Tumor and Its Microenvironment Using RNA Interference: A Treatment Strategy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy with one of the highest mortality rates among solid cancers. It develops almost exclusively in the background of chronic liver inflammation, which can be caused by viral hepatitis, chronic alcohol consumption or an unhealthy diet. Chronic inflammation deregulates the innate and adaptive immune responses that contribute to the proliferation, survival and migration of tumor cells. The continuous communication between the tumor and its microenvironment components serves as the overriding force of the tumor against the body's defenses. The importance of this crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment and immune cells in the process of hepatocarcinogenesis has been shown, and therapeutic strategies modulating this communication have improved the outcomes of patients with liver cancer. To target this communication, an RNA interference (RNAi)-based approach can be used, an innovative and promising strategy that can disrupt the crosstalk at the transcriptomic level. Moreover, RNAi offers the advantage of specificity in comparison to the treatments currently used for HCC in clinics. In this review, we will provide the recent data pertaining to the modulation of a tumor and its microenvironment by using RNAi and its potential for therapeutic intervention in HCC.

Interleukin-6, -8, and TGF-β Secreted from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Show Functional Role in Reduction of Telomerase Activity of Leukemia Cell Via Wnt5a/β-Catenin and P53 Pathways

Purpose: The effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the immortality features of malignant cells, such as hematologic cancerous cells, are controversial, and the associated mechanisms are yet to be well understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effect of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) on the chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 through telomere length measurements, telomerase activity assessments, and hTERT gene expression. The possible signaling pathways involved in this process, including Wnt-5a/β-catenin and P53, were also evaluated.

Methods: Two cell populations (BMSCs and K562 cell line) were co-cultured on transwell plates for 7 days. Next, K562 cells were collected and subjected to quantitative real-time PCR, PCR-ELISA TRAP assay, and the ELISA sandwich technique for telomere length, hTERT gene expression, telomerase activity assay, and cytokine measurement, respectively. Also, the involvement of the mentioned signaling pathways in this process was reported by real-time PCR and Western blotting through gene and protein expression, respectively.

Results: The results showed that BMSCs caused significant decreases in telomere length, telomerase activity, and the mRNA level of hTERT as a regulator of telomerase activity. The significant presence of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) was obvious in the co-cultured media. Also, BMSCs significantly decreased and increased the gene and protein expression of β-catenin and P53, respectively.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the mentioned effects of IL-6, IL-8, and TGF-β cytokines secreted from MSCs on K562 cells as therapeutic agents were applied by Wnt-5a/β-catenin and P53 pathways

Immune therapy of melanoma: Overview of therapeutic vaccines

Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer which develops from the occurrence of genetic mutations in the melanocytes. Based on the features of melanoma tumors such as location, genetic profile and stage, there are several therapeutic strategies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, because of the appearance resistance mechanisms, the efficiency of these treatments strategies may be reduced. It has been demonstrated that therapeutic monoclonal antibodies can improve the efficiency of melanoma therapies. Recently, several mAbs, such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and ipilimumab, were approved for the immunotherapy of melanoma. The antibodies inhibit immune checkpoint receptors such as CTL4 and pd-1. Another therapeutic strategy for the treatment of melanoma is cancer vaccines, which improve clinical outcomes in patients. The combination therapy using antibodies and gene vaccine give us a new perspective in the treatment of melanoma patients. Herein, we present the recent progressions in the melanoma immunotherapy, especially dendritic cells mRNA vaccines by reviewing recent literature.

Aluminum chloride causes 5-fluorouracil resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

Chemoresistance is one of the major obstacles in chemotherapy-based hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) intervention. Aluminum (Al) is an environmental pollutant that plays a vital role in carcinogenesis, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. However, the effect of Al on chemoresistance remains unknown. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used antitumor drug. Therefore, we investigated the effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃ ) on the chemoresistance of HepG2 cells to 5-FU and explored the underlying mechanisms of these effects. The results demonstrated that AlCl₃ pretreatment attenuated 5-FU-induced apoptosis through Erk activation and reversed 5-FU-induced cell cycle arrest by downregulating p-Chk2^Thr68 levels. In addition, AlCl₃ markedly increased the levels of proteins associated with cell migration, such as MMP-2 and MMP-9. Further investigation demonstrated that an Erk inhibitor (U0126) reversed the AlCl₃ -induced decrease in apoptosis, enhancement of cell cycle progression, promotion of cell migration, and attenuation of oxidative stress. In summary, AlCl₃ induced chemoresistance to 5-FU in HepG2 cells. The present study suggests a potential influence of AlCl₃ on 5-FU therapy. These findings may help others to understand and properly address the resistance of HCC to chemotherapeutic agents.

Small interfering RNA-mediated gene suppression as a therapeutic intervention in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the lethal and difficult-to-cure cancers worldwide. Owing to the late diagnosis and drug resistance of malignant hepatocytes, treatment of this cancer by conventional chemotherapy agents is challenging, and researchers are seeking new alternative treatment options to overcome therapy resistance in this neoplasm. RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent and specific approach in targeting gene expression and has emerged as a novel therapeutic tool for many diseases, including cancers. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a type of RNAi that is produced intracellularly from exogenous synthetic oligonucleotides and can selectively knock down target gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. Various factors play roles in the initiation and progression of HCC and provide multiple candidate targets for siRNA intervention. In addition, due to the liver's unique architecture and availability of some hepatic siRNA delivery methods, this organ has received much more attention as a target tissue for such oligonucleotide action. Recent advances in designing nanoparticle systems for the in vivo delivery of siRNAs have markedly enhanced the potency of siRNA-mediated gene silencing under clinical development for HCC therapy. The utility of siRNAs as anti-HCC agents is the subject of the current review. siRNA-based gene therapies could be one of the main feasible approaches for HCC therapy in the future.

The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular receptor kinase pathway in female fertility outcomes: a focus on pituitary gonadotropins regulation

Mammalian reproduction systems are largely regulated by the secretion of two gonadotropins, that is, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The main action of LH and FSH on the ovary is to stimulate secretion of estradiol and progesterone, which play an important role in the ovarian function and reproductive cycle control. FSH and LH secretions are strictly controlled by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is secreted from the hypothalamus into the pituitary vascular system. Maintaining normal secretion of LH and FSH is dependent on pulsatile secretion of GnRH. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) proteins, as the main components of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, are involved in the primary regulation of GnRH-stimulated transcription of the gonadotropins' α subunit in the pituitary cells. However, GnRH-stimulated expression of the β subunit has not yet been reported. Furthermore, GnRH-mediated stimulation of ERK1 and ERK2 leads to several important events such as cell proliferation and differentiation. In this review, we briefly introduce the relationship between ERK signaling and gonadotropin secretion, and its importance in female infertility.

Development and characterization dual responsive magnetic nanocomposites for targeted drug delivery systems

A drug delivery system based on dual responsive units was developed. An appealing pH- and thermo-responsive triblock terpolymer as the drug carrier was synthesized by RAFT polymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide and methacrylic acid monomers using PEG-RAFT agent. The Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation of Fe salts. Synthesized samples were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, GPC, SEM and TEM. The dual responsive behaviour and self-assembly of the triblock terpolymers in aqueous solution were investigated using UV-vis transmittance and DLS. Based on the results of DLS and TEM, the average size of micelles was 170, 125 and 30 nm. The triblock terpolymer was used as a chemotherapy drug carrier and doxorubicin as a model drug. The release rate of the drug at two different temperatures (37 °C and 42 °C) and pHs (5.8 and 7.4) was studied. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay of free doxorubicin and drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles was studied. The MTT assay exhibited that these polymers are biocompatible and no toxicity. As well, IC₅₀ of the DOX-loaded triblock terpolymer in MTT test demonstrated that these systems could be suitable for the treatment of cancer.