Histone deacetylase inhibition enhances the therapeutic effects of methotrexate on primary central nervous system lymphoma

Advancing rare cancer research by MALDI mass spectrometry imaging: Applications, challenges, and future perspectives in sarcoma

MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI imaging) uniquely advances cancer research, by measuring spatial distribution of endogenous and exogenous molecules directly from tissue sections. These molecular maps provide valuable insights into basic and translational cancer research, including tumor biology, tumor microenvironment, biomarker identification, drug treatment, and patient stratification. Despite its advantages, MALDI imaging is underutilized in studying rare cancers. Sarcomas, a group of malignant mesenchymal tumors, pose unique challenges in medical research due to their complex heterogeneity and low incidence, resulting in understudied subtypes with suboptimal management and outcomes. In this review, we explore the applicability of MALDI imaging in sarcoma research, showcasing its value in understanding this highly heterogeneous and challenging rare cancer. We summarize all MALDI imaging studies in sarcoma to date, highlight their impact on key research fields, including molecular signatures, cancer heterogeneity, and drug studies. We address specific challenges encountered when employing MALDI imaging for sarcomas, and propose solutions, such as using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, and multiplexed experiments, and considerations for multi-site studies and digital data sharing practices. Through this review, we aim to spark collaboration between MALDI imaging researchers and clinical colleagues, to deploy the unique capabilities of MALDI imaging in the context of sarcoma.

Current treatment strategies targeting histone deacetylase inhibitors in acute lymphocytic leukemia: a systematic review

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a hematological malignancy that primarily affects children. Long-term chemotherapy is effective, but always causes different toxic side effects. With the application of a chemotherapy-free treatment strategy, we intend to demonstrate the most recent results of using one type of epigenetic drug, histone deacetylase inhibitors, in ALL and to provide preclinical evidence for further clinical trials. In this review, we found that panobinostat (LBH589) showed positive outcomes as a monotherapy, whereas vorinostat (SAHA) was a better choice for combinatorial use. Preclinical research has identified chidamide as a potential agent for investigation in more clinical trials in the future. In conclusion, histone deacetylase inhibitors play a significant role in the chemotherapy-free landscape in cancer treatment, particularly in acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Dual PI3K/HDAC Inhibitor BEBT-908 Exhibits Potent Efficacy as Monotherapy for Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of systemic treatment for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is limited because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy. The dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 has exhibited favorable in vivo distribution and activity in various cancers.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy of BEBT-908 in brain orthotopic mouse models of hematological malignancies, to investigate its pharmacologic properties, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action.

METHODS

We evaluated the anticancer activity of BEBT-908 in various hematological malignancies through cell viability assays. The impact of BEBT-908 on c-Myc expression and ferroptosis signaling pathways was assessed using Western blotting, qPCR, ROS detection, GSH/GSSG detection, and IHC. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles were assessed through LC-MS/MS and Western blotting. The effects of BEBT-908 in vivo were examined using xenografts and brain orthotopic mouse models.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrate that BEBT-908 exhibits promising anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo across multiple subtypes of hematological malignancies. Furthermore, BEBT-908 exhibits excellent BBB penetration and inhibits tumor growth in a brain orthotopic lymphoma model with prolonged survival of host mice. Mechanistically, BEBT-908 downregulated c-Myc expression, which contributed to ferroptosis, ultimately leading to tumor shrinkage.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides robust evidence for the dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 as an effective anti-cancer agent for PCNSL.

A Set of 17 microRNAs Common for Brain and Cerebrospinal Fluid Differentiates Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma from Non-Malignant Brain Tumors

The diagnosis of primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, which is predominantly of the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma type (CNS DLBCL), is challenging. MicroRNAs (miRs) are gene expression-regulating non-coding RNAs that are potential biomarkers. We aimed to distinguish miR expression patterns differentiating CNS DLBCL and non-malignant CNS diseases with tumor presentation (n-ML). Next generation sequencing-based miR profiling of cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) and brain tumors was performed. Sample source-specific (CSF vs. brain tumor) miR patterns were revealed. Even so, a set of 17 miRs differentiating CNS DLBCL from n-ML, no matter if assessed in CSF or in a tumor, was identified. Along with the results of pathway analyses, this suggests their pathogenic role in CNS DLBCL. A combination of just four of those miRs (miR-16-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-92a-3p, and miR-423-5p), assessed in CSFs, discriminated CNS DLBCL from n-ML samples with 100% specificity and 67.0% sensitivity. Analyses of paired CSF-tumor samples from patients with CNS DLBCL showed significantly lower CSF levels of miR-26a, and higher CSF levels of miR-15a-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-19a-3p, miR-106b-3p, miR-221-3p, and miR-423-5p. Noteworthy, the same miRs belonged to the abovementioned set differentiating CNS DLBCL from non-malignant CNS diseases. Our results not only add to the basic knowledge, but also hold significant translational potential.

Relapsed Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: Current Advances

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is an invasive malignant lymphoma confined to the central nervous system. Although patients undergoing first-line treatment can achieve complete response, most of them still relapse within two years. Relapsed lymphoma is derived from occult lymphoma cells, and B cell receptor pathway activation and immune escape are the key mechanisms for the pathogenesis of PCNSL. Most relapses are in the central nervous system, a small number of relapses are isolated systemic relapses, and clinical symptoms occur early and vary. Current treatments for relapse include high-dose methotrexate rechallenge and other regimens of chemotherapy, whole-brain radiation therapy, hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which have become promising treatments. The overall prognosis of relapsed PCNSL is very poor, although it is affected by many factors. This article summarizes the mechanisms, related factors, clinical features, follow-up, treatment and prognosis of relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Marine-Derived Secondary Metabolites as Promising Epigenetic Bio-Compounds for Anticancer Therapy

Sessile organisms such as seaweeds, corals, and sponges continuously adapt to both abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. This extremely complex and dynamic process often results in different forms of competition to ensure the maintenance of an ecological niche suitable for survival. A high percentage of marine species have evolved to synthesize biologically active molecules, termed secondary metabolites, as a defense mechanism against the external environment. These natural products and their derivatives may play modulatory roles in the epigenome and in disease-associated epigenetic machinery. Epigenetic modifications also represent a form of adaptation to the environment and confer a competitive advantage to marine species by mediating the production of complex chemical molecules with potential clinical implications. Bioactive compounds are able to interfere with epigenetic targets by regulating key transcriptional factors involved in the hallmarks of cancer through orchestrated molecular mechanisms, which also establish signaling interactions of the tumor microenvironment crucial to cancer phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of secondary metabolites derived from marine organisms and their synthetic derivatives as epigenetic modulators, highlighting advantages and limitations, as well as potential strategies to improve cancer treatment.