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Cao PHA, Dominic A, Lujan FE, Senthilkumar S, Bhattacharya PK, Frigo DE, Subramani E. Unlocking ferroptosis in prostate cancer - the road to novel therapies and imaging markers. Nat Rev Urol 2024:10.1038/s41585-024-00869-9. [PMID: 38627553 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00869-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a distinct form of regulated cell death that is predominantly driven by the build-up of intracellular iron and lipid peroxides. Ferroptosis suppression is widely accepted to contribute to the pathogenesis of several tumours including prostate cancer. Results from some studies reported that prostate cancer cells can be highly susceptible to ferroptosis inducers, providing potential for an interesting new avenue of therapeutic intervention for advanced prostate cancer. In this Perspective, we describe novel molecular underpinnings and metabolic drivers of ferroptosis, analyse the functions and mechanisms of ferroptosis in tumours, and highlight prostate cancer-specific susceptibilities to ferroptosis by connecting ferroptosis pathways to the distinctive metabolic reprogramming of prostate cancer cells. Leveraging these novel mechanistic insights could provide innovative therapeutic opportunities in which ferroptosis induction augments the efficacy of currently available prostate cancer treatment regimens, pending the elimination of major bottlenecks for the clinical translation of these treatment combinations, such as the development of clinical-grade inhibitors of the anti-ferroptotic enzymes as well as non-invasive biomarkers of ferroptosis. These biomarkers could be exploited for diagnostic imaging and treatment decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pham Hong Anh Cao
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Abishai Dominic
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fabiola Ester Lujan
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sanjanaa Senthilkumar
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Pratip K Bhattacharya
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel E Frigo
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signalling, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Elavarasan Subramani
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Chan KI, Zhang S, Li G, Xu Y, Cui L, Wang Y, Su H, Tan W, Zhong Z. MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products. Aging Dis 2024; 15:640-697. [PMID: 37450923 PMCID: PMC10917530 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various diseases, including cancers, age-associated disorders, and acute liver failure, have been linked to the oncogene, MYC. Animal testing and clinical trials have shown that sustained tumor volume reduction can be achieved when MYC is inactivated, and different combinations of therapeutic agents including MYC inhibitors are currently being developed. In this review, we first provide a summary of the multiple biological functions of the MYC oncoprotein in cancer treatment, highlighting that the equilibrium points of the MYC/MAX, MIZ1/MYC/MAX, and MAD (MNT)/MAX complexes have further potential in cancer treatment that could be used to restrain MYC oncogene expression and its functions in tumorigenesis. We also discuss the multifunctional capacity of MYC in various cellular cancer processes, including its influences on immune response, metabolism, cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, metastasis, angiogenesis, multidrug resistance, and intestinal flora. Moreover, we summarize the MYC therapy patent landscape and emphasize the potential of MYC as a druggable target, using herbal medicine modulators. Finally, we describe pending challenges and future perspectives in biomedical research, involving the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate MYC or its targeted genes. Patients with cancers driven by MYC signaling may benefit from therapies targeting these pathways, which could delay cancerous growth and recover antitumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Iong Chan
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Siyuan Zhang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Yida Xu
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Liao Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Natural Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Huanxing Su
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Wen Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
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3
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Wang Y, Yuan X, Ren M, Wang Z. Ferroptosis: A New Research Direction of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives in Anti-Cancer Treatment. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2024; 52:161-181. [PMID: 38328829 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x24500071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death mechanism driven by an accumulation of lipid peroxides on cellular membranes, has emerged as a promising strategy to treat various diseases, including cancer. Ferroptosis inducers not only exhibit cytotoxic effects on multiple cancer cells, including drug-resistant cancer variants, but also hold potential as adjuncts to enhance the efficacy of other anti-cancer therapies, such as immunotherapy. In addition to synthetic inducers, natural compounds, such as artemisinin, can be considered ferroptosis inducers. Artemisinin, extracted from Artemisia annua L., is a poorly water-soluble antimalarial drug. For clinical applications, researchers have synthesized various water-soluble artemisinin derivatives such as dihydroartemisinin, artesunate, and artemether. Artemisinin and artemisinin derivatives (ARTEs) upregulate intracellular free iron levels and promote the accumulation of intracellular lipid peroxides to induce cancer cell ferroptosis, alleviating cancer development and resulting in strong anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we introduce the mechanisms of ferroptosis, summarize the research on ARTEs-induced ferroptosis in cancer cells, and discuss the clinical research progress and current challenges of ARTEs in anti-cancer treatment. This review deepens the current understanding of the relationship between ARTEs and ferroptosis and provides a theoretical basis for the clinical anti-cancer application of ARTEs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youke Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041 Sichuan, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical, Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- Thoracic Oncology Ward, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041 Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Min Ren
- Abdominal Oncology Ward, Division of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041 Sichuan, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical, Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Integrative Research Laboratory of Breast Cancer, Discipline of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, P. R. China
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4
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Zhang H, Zhang J, Luan S, Liu Z, Li X, Liu B, Yuan Y. Unraveling the Complexity of Regulated Cell Death in Esophageal Cancer: from Underlying Mechanisms to Targeted Therapeutics. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:3831-3868. [PMID: 37564206 PMCID: PMC10411468 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.85753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth most common and the seventh most deadly malignancy of the digestive tract, representing a major global health challenge. Despite the availability of multimodal therapeutic strategies, the existing EC treatments continue to yield unsatisfactory results due to their limited efficacy and severe side effects. Recently, knowledge of the subroutines and molecular mechanisms of regulated cell death (RCD) has progressed rapidly, enhancing the understanding of key pathways related to the occurrence, progression, and treatment of many types of tumors, including EC. In this context, the use of small-molecule compounds to target such RCD subroutines has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with EC. Thus, in this review, we firstly discussed the risk factors and prevention of EC. We then outlined the established treatment regimens for patients with EC. Furthermore, we not only briefly summarized the mechanisms of five best studied subroutines of RCD related to EC, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and autophagy, but also outlined the recent advances in the development of small-molecule compounds and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) targeting the abovementioned RCD subroutines, which may serve as a new therapeutic strategy for patients with EC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowen Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Siyuan Luan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhiying Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xiaokun Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yong Yuan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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5
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Shibahara D, Akanuma N, Kobayashi IS, Heo E, Ando M, Fujii M, Jiang F, Prin PN, Pan G, Wong K, Costa DB, Bararia D, Tenen DG, Watanabe H, Kobayashi SS. TIP60 is required for tumorigenesis in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:2400-2413. [PMID: 36916958 PMCID: PMC10236639 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone modifications play crucial roles in transcriptional activation, and aberrant epigenetic changes are associated with oncogenesis. Lysine (K) acetyltransferases 5 (TIP60, also known as KAT5) is reportedly implicated in cancer development and maintenance, although its function in lung cancer remains controversial. Here we demonstrate that TIP60 knockdown in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines decreased tumor cell growth, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, analysis of a mouse lung cancer model with lung-specific conditional Tip60 knockout revealed suppressed tumor formation relative to controls, but no apparent effects on normal lung homeostasis. RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses of inducible TIP60 knockdown H1975 cells relative to controls revealed transglutaminase enzyme (TGM5) as downstream of TIP60. Investigation of a connectivity map database identified several candidate compounds that decrease TIP60 mRNA, one that suppressed tumor growth in cell culture and in vivo. In addition, TH1834, a TIP60 acetyltransferase inhibitor, showed comparable antitumor effects in cell culture and in vivo. Taken together, suppression of TIP60 activity shows tumor-specific efficacy against lung cancer, with no overt effect on normal tissues. Our work suggests that targeting TIP60 could be a promising approach to treating lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Shibahara
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Naoki Akanuma
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PathologyUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ikei S. Kobayashi
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Eunyoung Heo
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Internal MedicineSMG‐SNU Boramae Medical CenterSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Mariko Ando
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Masanori Fujii
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Feng Jiang
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesTisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - P. Nicholas Prin
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Gilbert Pan
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kwok‐Kin Wong
- Perlmutter Cancer CenterNYU Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Daniel B. Costa
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Deepak Bararia
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Daniel G. Tenen
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Cancer Science Institute of SingaporeNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Hideo Watanabe
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genomic SciencesTisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Susumu S. Kobayashi
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Division of Translational Genomics, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial CenterNational Cancer CenterKashiwaJapan
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6
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Posadino AM, Giordo R, Pintus G, Mohammed SA, Orhan IE, Fokou PVT, Sharopov F, Adetunji CO, Gulsunoglu-Konuskan Z, Ydyrys A, Armstrong L, Sytar O, Martorell M, Razis AFA, Modu B, Calina D, Habtemariam S, Sharifi-Rad J, Cho WC. Medicinal and mechanistic overview of artemisinin in the treatment of human diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114866. [PMID: 37182516 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) is a bioactive compound isolated from the plant Artemisia annua and has been traditionally used to treat conditions such as malaria, cancer, viral infections, bacterial infections, and some cardiovascular diseases, especially in Asia, North America, Europe and other parts of the world. This comprehensive review aims to update the biomedical potential of ART and its derivatives for treating human diseases highlighting its pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties based on the results of experimental pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of action, tested doses and toxic effects of artemisinin were also described. The analysis of data based on an up-to-date literature search showed that ART and its derivatives display anticancer effects along with a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. These compounds have great potential for discovering new drugs used as adjunctive therapies in cancer and various other diseases. Detailed translational and experimental studies are however needed to fully understand the pharmacological effects of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Posadino
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberta Giordo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy; Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, University City Rd, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Soheb Anwar Mohammed
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ilkay Erdogan Orhan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330 Ankara, Turkey; Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), Vedat Dalokay Cad., No. 112, 06670 Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Farukh Sharopov
- V.I. Nikitin Chemistry Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Ayni 299/2, 734063 Dushanbe, Tajikistan
| | - Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji
- Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Edo State University Uzairue, Iyamho, PMB 04 Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Zehra Gulsunoglu-Konuskan
- Faculty of Health Science, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul 34295, Turkey
| | - Alibek Ydyrys
- Biomedical Research Centre, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi ave. 71, 050040 Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Lorene Armstrong
- State University of Ponta Grossa, Departament of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 84030900 Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil; Federal University of Paraná, Department of Pharmacy, 80210170 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Oksana Sytar
- Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Miquel Martorell
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Centre for Healthy Living, University of Concepción, 4070386 Concepción, Chile; Universidad de Concepción, Unidad de Desarrollo Tecnológico, UDT, 4070386 Concepción, Chile.
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Babagana Modu
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, 1069 Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.
| | - Solomon Habtemariam
- Pharmacognosy Research & Herbal Analysis Services UK, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham-Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK
| | | | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Bernitsa S, Dayan R, Stephanou A, Tzvetanova ID, Patrikios IS. Natural biomolecules and derivatives as anticancer immunomodulatory agents. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1070367. [PMID: 36700235 PMCID: PMC9868674 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1070367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advancements in chemotherapy, the issue of resistance and non-responsiveness to many chemotherapeutic drugs that are currently in clinical use still remains. Recently, cancer immunotherapy has gathered attention as a novel treatment against select cancers. Immunomodulation is also emerging as an effective strategy to improve efficacy. Natural phytochemicals, with known anticancer properties, been reported to mediate their effects by modulating both traditional cancer pathways and immunity. The mechanism of phytochemical mediated-immunomodulatory activity may be attributed to the remodeling of the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment and the sensitization of the immune system. This allows for improved recognition and targeting of cancer cells by the immune system and synergy with chemotherapeutics. In this review, we will discuss several well-known plant-derived biomolecules and examine their potential as immunomodulators, and therefore, as novel immunotherapies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rotem Dayan
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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8
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SIX3 function in cancer: progression and comprehensive analysis. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:1542-1549. [PMID: 35764712 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00488-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The homeobox gene family encodes transcription factors that are essential for cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation, and its dysfunction is linked to tumor initiation and progression. Sine oculis homeobox (SIX) belongs to the homeobox gene family, with SIX3 being a core member. Recent studies indicate that SXI3 functions as a cancer suppressor or promoter, which is mainly dependent on SIX3's influence on the signal pathways that promote or inhibit cancer in cells. The low expression of SIX3 in most malignant tumors was confirmed by detailed studies, which could promote the cell cycle, proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. The recovery or upregulation of SIX3 expression to suppress cancer is closely related to the direct or indirect inhibition of the Wnt pathway. However, in some malignancies, such as esophageal cancer and gastric cancer, SIX3 is a tumor-promoting factor, and repressing SIX3 improves patients' prognosis. This review introduces the research progress of SIX3 in tumors and gives a comprehensive analysis, intending to explain why SIX3 plays different roles in different cancers and provide new cancer therapy strategies.
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LC-MS/TOF Characterization and Stability Study of Artesunate in Different Solvent Systems. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9080218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisinin (ART) is a sesquiterpene lactone and a popular malaria drug used in many parts of the world. Artesunate (ARTS) is a semi-synthetic derivative of ART with improved pharmacokinetic properties. However, the half-life of ARTS is less than an hour in vivo. The analysis of this drug in vitro in different solvent systems using LC-MS/TOF showed a solvent-driven breakdown. ARTS breakdown formed several derivatives, including dihydroartemisinin (DHA), artemether (ARTM) and DHA-dimer among others, at different rates in different solvent composition systems. The change in temperature from room temperature to physiological temperature (37 °C) was found to enhance the rate of the ARTS breakdown. In methanol, ARTS mainly formed ARTM with a chromatographic peak decrease of about 3.13%, while methanol and water (90:10) v/v mainly gave rise to DHA and ARTM with about an 80% chromatographic peak decrease. On the other hand, ARTS in methanol and ammonium acetate (85:15) v/v formed DHA, ARTM, DHA-dimer and other reaction peaks with about a 97% peak decrease and the formation of an orange solution pointing to a molecular re-arrangement reaction. These results have an important bearing on research on the analysis of artemisinin drugs conducted on these common solvents.
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10
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Hao WW, Xu F. KIFC3 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by activating EMT and β-catenin signaling. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1239-1251. [PMID: 36051093 PMCID: PMC9305573 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i7.1239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignancies. A total of 45 kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) have been identified in humans, among which several family members have demonstrated varied functions in tumor pathobiology via different mechanisms, including regulation of cell cycle progression and metastasis. KIFC3 has microtubule motor activity and is involved in cancer cell invasion and migration, as well as survival. However, the role of KIFC3 in ESCC is still unknown.
AIM To evaluate the role of KIFC3 in ESCC and the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS Expression of KIFC3 was evaluated in ESCC tissues and adjacent normal esophageal tissues. The prognostic value of KIFC3 was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier Plotter. Colony formation, EdU assays, cell cycle analysis, Transwell assay, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were performed in ESCC cell lines after transfection with pLVX-Puro-KIFC3-shRNA- and pLVX-Puro-KIFC3-expressing lentiviruses. A xenograft tumor model in nude mice was used to evaluate the role of KIFC3 in tumorigenesis. Inhibitor of β-catenin, XAV-939, was used to clarify the mechanism of KIFC3 in ESCC. To analyze the differences between groups, t test and nonparametric tests were used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS Immunohistochemical staining indicated that KIFC3 was upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Kaplan–Meier Plotter revealed that overexpressed KIFC3 was associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Colony formation and EdU assay showed that KIFC3 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, while KIFC3 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation in ESCC cell lines. In addition, cell cycle analysis showed that KIFC3 overexpression promoted cell cycle progression. KIFC3 knockdown suppressed ESCC tumorigenesis in vivo. Transwell assay and western blotting revealed that KIFC3 overexpression promoted cell migration and invasion, as well as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), while KIFC3 knockdown showed the opposite results. Mechanistically, KIFC3 overexpression promoted β-catenin signaling in KYSE450 cells; however, the role of KIFC3 was abolished by XAV-939, the inhibitor of β-catenin signaling.
CONCLUSION KIFC3 was overexpressed in ESCC and was associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, KIFC3 promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC via β-catenin signaling and EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Wei Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
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