Effects of sangu decoction on osteoclast activity in a rat model of breast cancer bone metastasis

MDSCs in bone metastasis: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Bone metastasis (BM) is a frequent complication associated with advanced cancer that significantly increases patient mortality. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a pivotal role in BM progression by promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting immune responses, and inducing osteoclastogenesis. MDSCs induce immunosuppression through diverse mechanisms, including the generation of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and immunosuppressive cytokines. Within the bone metastasis niche (BMN), MDSCs engage in intricate interactions with tumor, stromal, and bone cells, thereby establishing a complex regulatory network. The biological activities and functions of MDSCs are regulated by the microenvironment within BMN. Conversely, MDSCs actively contribute to microenvironmental regulation, thereby promoting BM development. A comprehensive understanding of the indispensable role played by MDSCs in BM is imperative for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the involvement of MDSCs in BM development, their regulatory mechanisms, and their potential as viable therapeutic targets.

Efficacy of Wen-Luo-Tong on Peripheral Neuropathy Induced by Chemotherapy or Target Therapy: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of Wen-Luo-Tong Granules (WLT) local administration in the treatment of patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) induced by chemotherapy or target therapy.

METHODS

This study is a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial. Seventy-eight patients with PN induced by chemotherapy or target therapy were enrolled from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between July 2019 and January 2020. They were randomly assigned to WLT (39 cases) and control groups (39 cases) using a block randomization method. The WLT group received WLT (hand and foot bath) plus oral Mecobalamin for 1 week, while the control group received placebo plus oral Mecobalamin. The primary endpoint was PN grade evaluated by the National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE). The secondary endpoints included quantitative touch-detection threshold, neuropathy symptoms, Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (QLQ-CIPN20), and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core30 (QLQ-C30).

RESULTS

After treatment, the PN grade in the WLT group was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.00 ± 0.29 vs. 1.75 ± 0.68, P<0.01). The total effective rate in the WLT group was significantly higher than that in the control group (82.05% vs. 51.28%, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the touch-detection thresholds at fingertips, neuropathy symptom score, QLQ-CIPN 20 (sensory scale, motor scale, autonomic scale, and sum score), and QLQ-C30 (physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, and global health) in the WLT group significantly improved after treatment (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

WLT local administration was significantly effective in the treatment of patients with PN induced by chemotherapy or target therapy. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR1900023862).

The Chinese medicine Sini-San inhibits HBx-induced migration and invasiveness of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Background

Sini-San (SNS) is a formulation of four Traditional Chinese Drugs that exhibits beneficial therapeutic effects in liver injury and hepatitis. However, there are no reports describing its effects on the hepatitis B X-protein (HBx)-induced invasion and metastasis in hepatoma cells, and the detailed molecular mechanisms of its actions are still unclear.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying SNS-mediated inhibition of HBx-induced cell invasion and the inhibition of secreted and cytosolic MMP-9 production, using gelatin zymography and Western blot analysis in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Relative luciferase activity was assessed for MMP-9, NF-κB, or AP-1 reporter plasmid-transfected cells.

Results

SNS suppressed MMP-9 transcription by inhibiting activator protein (AP)-1 and nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) activity. SNS suppressed HBx-induced AP-1 activity through inhibition of phosphorylation in the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. SNS also suppressed HBx-induced inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation through IκB and suppressed HBx-induced activation of ERK/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt upstream of NF-κB and AP-1.

Conclusions

SNS suppresses the invasiveness and metastatic potential of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inhibiting multiple signal transduction pathways.