Reactive oxygen species as mediators of disease progression and therapeutic response in colorectal cancer

Exploring BODIPY derivatives as sonosensitizers for anticancer sonodynamic therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging non-invasive and effective therapeutic modality for cancer treatment bearing benefit of deep tissue-penetration in comparison to photo-inspired therapy. However, exploring novel sonosensitizers with high sonosensitivity and desirable biosafety remains a significant challenge. Although boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes have been widely used in biomedical filed, no BODIPY-based sonosensitizers have been reported yet. Herein, we synthesized four BODIPY dyes (BDP1-BDP4) and investigated their potential applications in SDT. BDP4 exhibited superb sonosensitivity and high SDT efficiency against cancer cells and tumors in tumor-bearing mice. The types of the generated reactive oxygen species, cavitation effect, and cell apoptosis were investigated to figure out the sonodynamic therapeutic mechanisms of BDP4. This work for the first time demonstrates the potential of BODIPY dyes as novel sonosensitizers for SDT, which may pave an avenue for developing more efficient and safer sonosensitizers in future.

Preparation, Characterization, and Anticancer Activity Assessment of Chitosan/TPP Nanoparticles Loaded with Echis carinatus Venom

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

Echis carinatus venom is a toxic substance naturally produced by special glands in this snake species. Alongside various toxic properties, this venom has been used for its therapeutic effects, which are applicable in treating various cancers (liver, breast, etc.).

OBJECTIVE

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems are suitable for protecting Echis carinatus venom against destruction and unwanted absorption. They can manage its controlled transfer and absorption, significantly reducing side effects.

METHODS

In the present study, chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using the ionotropic gelation method with emulsion cross-linking. The venom's encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and release rate were calculated at certain time points. Moreover, the nanoparticles' optimal formulation and cytotoxic effects were determined using the MTT assay.

RESULTS

The optimized nanoparticle formulation increases cell death induction in various cancerous cell lines. Moreover, chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Echis carinatus venom had a significant rate of cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

It is proposed that this formulation may act as a suitable candidate for more extensive assessments of cancer treatment using nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems.

Gut microbes involvement in gastrointestinal cancers through redox regulation

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common and lethal cancers worldwide. GI microbes play an important role in the occurrence and development of GI cancers. The common mechanisms by which GI microbes may lead to the occurrence and development of cancer include the instability of the microbial internal environment, secretion of cancer-related metabolites, and destabilization of the GI mucosal barrier. In recent years, many studies have found that the relationship between GI microbes and the development of cancer is closely associated with the GI redox level. Redox instability associated with GI microbes may induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, cumulative gene mutation, protein dysfunction and abnormal lipid metabolism in GI cells. Redox-related metabolites of GI microbes, such as short-chain fatty acids, hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide, which are involved in cancer, may also influence GI redox levels. This paper reviews the redox reactions of GI cells regulated by microorganisms and their metabolites, as well as redox reactions in the cancer-related GI microbes themselves. This study provides a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of GI cancers.