Oral lactoferrin results in T cell-dependent tumor inhibition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vivo

Iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin: a promising chemopreventive agent for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a tumor with minimal chance of cure due to underlying liver diseases, late diagnosis, and inefficient treatments. Thus, HCC treatment warrants the development of additional strategies. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a mammalian multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein of the innate immune response and can be found as either a native low iron form (native-Lf) or a high iron form (holo-Lf). Bovine Lf (bLf), which shares many functions with human Lf (hLf), is safe for humans and has several anticancer activities, including chemotherapy boost in cancer. We found endogenous hLf is downregulated in HCC tumors compared with normal liver, and decreased hLf levels in HCC tumors are associated with shorter survival of HCC patients. However, the chemoprotective effect of 100% iron saturated holo-bLf on experimental hepatocarcinogenesis has not yet been determined. We aimed to evaluate the chemopreventive effects of holo-bLf in different HCC models. Remarkably, a single dose (200 mg kg-1) of holo-bLf was effective in preventing early carcinogenic events in a diethylnitrosamine induced HCC in vivo model, such as necrosis, ROS production, and the surge of facultative liver stem cells, and eventually, holo-bLf reduced the number of preneoplastic lesions. For an established HCC model, holo-bLf treatment significantly reduced HepG2 tumor burden in xenotransplanted mice. Finally, holo-bLf in combination with sorafenib, the advanced HCC first-line treatment, synergistically decreased HepG2 viability by arresting cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Our findings provide the first evidence suggesting that holo-bLf has the potential to prevent HCC or to be used in combination with treatments for established HCC.

Fundamental Uses of Peptides as a New Model in Both Treatment and Diagnosis

An amino acid short chain is known as a peptide. Peptide bonds are the connections that hold the amino acids of a peptide together in a particular order. Characteristically, the shorter length of peptides helps to identify them from proteins. Different ways are used to classify peptides, including chain length, source of peptides, or their biological functions. The fact that peptides serve several purposes suggests that there is a foundation for improvement in peptide production and structure to enhance action. In addition, many patents on peptides for therapeutic and diagnostic approaches have been obtained. This review aims to give an overview of peptides used recently in treatment and diagnosis.

Synthesis of a Cation-Exchange Resin by Inverse Suspension Polymerization for Lactoferrin Extraction from Whey

Lactoferrin (LF), the main iron-binding protein of milk, has important nutritional, biological, and pharmaceutical properties. It is an essential nutritional component of newborn diets and also for adult health. Small amounts of lactoferrin can be found in whey, a nutritionally and biologically useful byproduct of the dairy industry. Although the amount of lactoferrin in whey is less than that in other sources like milk and bovine colostrum, the extraction of LF from this underused source has many economic and environmental benefits. The most common technique for the isolation of LF from dairy products is the use of cation-exchange resins. Here, we present the synthesis of a strong cation-exchange resin for the extraction of high-purity lactoferrin from whey. This resin was synthesized by inverse suspension copolymerization of aqueous solutions of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonate and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide in corn oil. The adsorption efficiency of this resin showed selective extraction of lactoferrin from four different whey sources. The adsorption efficiency of lactoferrin from these whey samples ranged from 93.8 to 97.4%.

Peptide-Based Agents for Cancer Treatment: Current Applications and Future Directions

Peptide-based strategies have received an enormous amount of attention because of their specificity and applicability. Their specificity and tumor-targeting ability are applied to diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. In this review, we will summarize recent advancements and future perspectives on peptide-based strategies for cancer treatment. The literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles for peptide-based strategies for cancer treatment. It was performed using PubMed for articles in English until June 2023. Information on clinical trials was also obtained from ClinicalTrial.gov. Given that peptide-based strategies have several advantages such as targeted delivery to the diseased area, personalized designs, relatively small sizes, and simple production process, bioactive peptides having anti-cancer activities (anti-cancer peptides or ACPs) have been tested in pre-clinical settings and clinical trials. The capability of peptides for tumor targeting is essentially useful for peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs), diagnosis, and image-guided surgery. Immunomodulation with peptide vaccines has been extensively tested in clinical trials. Despite such advantages, FDA-approved peptide agents for solid cancer are still limited. This review will provide a detailed overview of current approaches, design strategies, routes of administration, and new technological advancements. We will highlight the success and limitations of peptide-based therapies for cancer treatment.

The effect of bovine milk lactoferrin-loaded exosomes (exoLF) on human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line

BACKGROUND

Cancer is still the most challenging disease and is responsible for many deaths worldwide. Considerable research now focuses on targeted therapy in cancer using natural components to improve anti-tumor efficacy and reduce unfavorable effects. Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in body fluids. Increasing evidence suggests that lactoferrin is a safe agent capable of inducing anti-cancer effects. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate the effects of the exosomal form of bovine milk lactoferrin on a human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line.

METHODS

The exosomes were isolated from cancer cells by ultracentrifugation and incorporated with bovine milk lactoferrin through the incubation method. The average size of the purified exosome was determined using SEM imaging and DLS analysis. The maximum percentage of lactoferrin-loaded exosomes (exoLF) was achieved by incubating 1 mg/ml of lactoferrin with 30 µg/ml of MDA-MB-231 cells-derived exosomes. Following treatment of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells and normal cells with 1 mg/ml exoLF MTT assay applied to evaluate the cytotoxicity, PI/ annexin V analysis was carried out to illustrate the apoptotic phenotype, and the real-time PCR was performed to assess the pro-apoptotic protein, Bid, and anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2.

RESULTS

The average size of the purified exosome was about 100 nm. The maximum lactoferrin loading efficiency of exoLF was 29.72%. MTT assay showed that although the 1 mg/ml exoLF treatment of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells induced 50% cell growth inhibition, normal mesenchymal stem cells remained viable. PI/ annexin V analysis revealed that 34% of cancer cells had late apoptotic phenotype after treatment. The real-time PCR showed an elevated expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bid and diminished anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 following exoLF treatment.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that exoLF could induce selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells compared to normal cells. Incorporating lactoferrin into the exosome seems an effective agent for cancer therapy. However, further studies are required to evaluate anti-tumor efficacy and the underlying mechanism of exoLF in various cancer cell lines and animal models.

Multifaceted Effects of Kinase Inhibitors on Pancreatic Cancer Cells Reveals Pivotal Entities with Therapeutic Implications

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and is the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounts for over 90% of pancreatic cancers. Most pancreatic cancers are recalcitrant to radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, highlighting the urgent need for novel treatment options for this deadly disease. To this end, we screened a library of kinase inhibitors in the PDAC cell lines PANC-1 and BxPC-3 and identified two highly potent molecules: Aurora kinase inhibitor AT 9283 (AT) and EGFR kinase inhibitor WZ 3146 (WZ). Both AT and WZ exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of viability in both cell lines. Thus, we conducted an in-depth multilevel (cellular, molecular, and proteomic) analysis with AT and WZ in PANC-1 cells, which harbor KRAS mutation and exhibit quasimesenchymal properties representing pancreatic cancer cells as having intrinsic chemoresistance and the potential for differential response to therapy. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of action of AT and WZ revealed an impact on the programmed cell death pathway with an increase in apoptotic, multicaspase, and caspase 3/7 positive cells. Additionally, the key survival molecule Bcl-2 was impacted. Moreover, cell cycle arrest was observed with both kinase inhibitors. Additionally, an increase in superoxide radicals was observed in the AT-treated group. Importantly, proteomic profiling revealed differentially regulated key entities with multifaceted effects, which could have a deleterious impact on PDAC. These findings suggest potential targets for efficacious treatment, including a possible increase in the efficacy of immunotherapy using PD-L1 antibody due to the upregulation of lactoferrin and radixin. Furthermore, combination therapy outcomes with gemcitabine/platinum drugs may also be more effective due to an increase in the NADH dehydrogenase complex. Notably, protein-protein interaction analysis (STRING) revealed possible enrichment of reactome pathway entities. Additionally, novel therapy options, such as vimentin-antibody--drug conjugates, could be explored. Therefore, future studies with the two kinases as monotherapy/combination therapy are warranted.

Time to Kill and Time to Heal: The Multifaceted Role of Lactoferrin and Lactoferricin in Host Defense

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in most human exocrine fluids, particularly breast milk. Lactoferrin is also released from neutrophil granules, and its concentration increases rapidly at the site of inflammation. Immune cells of both the innate and the adaptive immune system express receptors for lactoferrin to modulate their functions in response to it. On the basis of these interactions, lactoferrin plays many roles in host defense, ranging from augmenting or calming inflammatory pathways to direct killing of pathogens. Complex biological activities of lactoferrin are determined by its ability to sequester iron and by its highly basic N-terminus, via which lactoferrin binds to a plethora of negatively charged surfaces of microorganisms and viruses, as well as to mammalian cells, both normal and cancerous. Proteolytic cleavage of lactoferrin in the digestive tract generates smaller peptides, such as N-terminally derived lactoferricin. Lactoferricin shares some of the properties of lactoferrin, but also exhibits unique characteristics and functions. In this review, we discuss the structure, functions, and potential therapeutic uses of lactoferrin, lactoferricin, and other lactoferrin-derived bioactive peptides in treating various infections and inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, we summarize clinical trials examining the effect of lactoferrin supplementation in disease treatment, with a special focus on its potential use in treating COVID-19.

Proteins and their functionalization for finding therapeutic avenues in cancer: Current status and future prospective

Despite the remarkable advancement in the health care sector, cancer remains the second most fatal disease globally. The existing conventional cancer treatments primarily include chemotherapy, which has been associated with little to severe side effects, and radiotherapy, which is usually expensive. To overcome these problems, target-specific nanocarriers have been explored for delivering chemo drugs. However, recent reports on using a few proteins having anticancer activity and further use of them as drug carriers have generated tremendous attention for furthering the research towards cancer therapy. Biomolecules, especially proteins, have emerged as suitable alternatives in cancer treatment due to multiple favourable properties including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural flexibility for easy surface functionalization. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have reported that various proteins derived from animal, plant, and bacterial species, demonstrated strong cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties against malignant cells in native and their different structural conformations. Moreover, surface tunable properties of these proteins help to bind a range of anticancer drugs and target ligands, thus making them efficient delivery agents in cancer therapy. Here, we discuss various proteins obtained from common exogenous sources and how they transform into effective anticancer agents. We also comprehensively discuss the tumor-killing mechanisms of different dietary proteins such as bovine α-lactalbumin, hen egg-white lysozyme, and their conjugates. We also articulate how protein nanostructures can be used as carriers for delivering cancer drugs and theranostics, and strategies to be adopted for improving their in vivo delivery and targeting. We further discuss the FDA-approved protein-based anticancer formulations along with those in different phases of clinical trials.

Targeted EpCAM-binding for the development of potent and effective anticancer proteins

Protein-based cancer therapies are considered an alternative to conventional anticancer regimens, providing multifunctional properties while showing low toxicity. However, its widespread use is limited by absorption and instability issues, resulting in higher dosage requirements and a prolonged onset of bioactivity to elicit the desired response. Here, we developed a non-invasive antitumor treatment using designed ankyrin repeat protein (DARPin)-anticancer protein-conjugate that specifically targets the cancer biomarker, epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). The DARPin-anticancer proteins bind to EpCAM-positive cancer cells and improve the in vitro anticancer efficacy by over 100-folds within 24 h, where the DARPin-tagged human lactoferrin fragment (drtHLF4) IC50 value is within the nanomolar range. Orally administered drtHLF4 was readily absorbed into the systemic flow of the HT-29 cancer murine model, exerting its anticancer effect on other tumors in the host body. Orally administered drtHFL4 cleared HT29-colorectal tumors using a single dose, whereas intratumoral injection cleared HT29-subcutaneous tumors within three doses. This approach addresses the limitations of other protein-based anticancer treatments by providing a non-invasive anticancer therapy with improved potency and tumor-specificity.

Antitumor activity of bovine lactoferrin and its derived peptides against HepG2 liver cancer cells and Jurkat leukemia cells

Liver cancer and leukemia are the fourth and first causes, respectively, of cancer death in children and adults worldwide. Moreover, cancer treatments, although beneficial, remain expensive, invasive, toxic, and affect the patient's quality of life. Therefore, new anticancer agents are needed to improve existing agents. Because bovine lactoferrin (bLF) and its derived peptides have antitumor properties, we investigated the anticancer effect of bLF and LF peptides (LFcin17-30, LFampin265-284 and LFchimera) on liver cancer HepG2 cells and leukemia Jurkat cells. HepG2 and Jurkat cells were incubated with bLF and LF peptides. Cell proliferation was quantified by an MTT assay, and cell morphology and damage were visualized by light microscopy or by phalloidin-TRITC/DAPI staining. The discrimination between apoptosis/necrosis was performed by staining with Annexin V-Alexa Fluor 488 and propidium iodide, and the expression of genes related to apoptosis was analyzed in Jurkat cells. Finally, the synergistic interaction of bLF and LF peptides with cisplatin or etoposide was assessed by an MTT assay and the combination index. The present study demonstrated that bLF and LF peptides inhibited the viability of HepG2 and Jurkat cells, inducing damage to the cell monolayer of HepG2 cells and morphological changes in both cell lines. bLF, LFcin17-30, and LFampin265-284 triggered apoptosis in both cell lines, whereas LFchimera induced necrosis. These results suggested that bLF and LF peptides activate apoptosis by increasing the expression of genes of the intrinsic pathway. Additionally, bLF and LF peptides synergistically interacted with cisplatin and etoposide. In conclusion, bLF and LF peptides display anticancer activity against liver cancer and leukemia cells, representing an alternative or improvement in cancer treatment.

Antimicrobial Peptides and Cationic Nanoparticles: A Broad-Spectrum Weapon to Fight Multi-Drug Resistance Not Only in Bacteria

In the last few years, antibiotic resistance and, analogously, anticancer drug resistance have increased considerably, becoming one of the main public health problems. For this reason, it is crucial to find therapeutic strategies able to counteract the onset of multi-drug resistance (MDR). In this review, a critical overview of the innovative tools available today to fight MDR is reported. In this direction, the use of membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs), such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), has received particular attention, due to their high selectivity and to their limited side effects. Moreover, similarities between bacteria and cancer cells are herein reported and the hypothesis of the possible use of AMPs also in anticancer therapies is discussed. However, it is important to take into account the limitations that could negatively impact clinical application and, in particular, the need for an efficient delivery system. In this regard, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) is proposed as a potential strategy to improve therapy; moreover, among polymeric NPs, cationic ones are emerging as promising tools able to fight the onset of MDR both in bacteria and in cancer cells.

Development of Anticancer Peptides Using Artificial Intelligence and Combinational Therapy for Cancer Therapeutics

Cancer is a group of diseases causing abnormal cell growth, altering the genome, and invading or spreading to other parts of the body. Among therapeutic peptide drugs, anticancer peptides (ACPs) have been considered to target and kill cancer cells because cancer cells have unique characteristics such as a high negative charge and abundance of microvilli in the cell membrane when compared to a normal cell. ACPs have several advantages, such as high specificity, cost-effectiveness, low immunogenicity, minimal toxicity, and high tolerance under normal physiological conditions. However, the development and identification of ACPs are time-consuming and expensive in traditional wet-lab-based approaches. Thus, the application of artificial intelligence on the approaches can save time and reduce the cost to identify candidate ACPs. Recently, machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and hybrid learning (ML combined DL) have emerged into the development of ACPs without experimental analysis, owing to advances in computer power and big data from the power system. Additionally, we suggest that combination therapy with classical approaches and ACPs might be one of the impactful approaches to increase the efficiency of cancer therapy.

IL-6 in the Ecosystem of Head and Neck Cancer: Possible Therapeutic Perspectives

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a highly potent cytokine involved in multiple biological processes. It was previously reported to play a distinct role in inflammation, autoimmune and psychiatric disorders, ageing and various types of cancer. Furthermore, it is understood that IL-6 and its signaling pathways are substantial players in orchestrating the cancer microenvironment. Thus, they appear to be potential targets in anti-tumor therapy. The aim of this article is to elucidate the role of IL-6 in the tumor ecosystem and to review the possible therapeutic approaches in head and neck cancer.

Clinical Efficacy and Future Prospects of Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer

The three major conventional treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, have been commonly performed for lung cancer. However, lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Immunotherapy has recently emerged as a very effective new treatment modality, and there is now growing enthusiasm for cancer immunotherapy worldwide. However, the results of clinical studies using immunotherapy are not always favorable. Understanding the steps involved in the recognition and eradication of cancer cells by the immune system seems essential to understanding why past immunotherapies have failed and how current therapies can be optimally utilized. In addition, the combination of immunotherapies, such as cancer vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors, as well as the combination of these therapies with three conventional therapies, may pave the way for personalized immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize the results of immunotherapies used in phase III clinical trials, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, and discuss the future prospects of immunotherapies in lung cancer treatment.

Fabrication of a Silk Sericin Hydrogel System Delivering Human Lactoferrin Using Genetically Engineered Silk with Improved Bioavailability to Alleviate Chemotherapy-Induced Immunosuppression

Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments for cancer; however, it usually causes severe atrophy of immune organs and self-immunity damage to patients. Human lactoferrin (hLF) is a multiple biofunctional protein in regulating the immune response and thus holds great promise to alleviate chemotherapy-caused immunosuppression. However, a sufficient hLF resource and efficient delivery of hLF remain a challenge. Here, we provide a useful strategy to simultaneously solve these two problems. A silk sericin hydrogel system delivering recombinant hLF (SSH-rhLF) was fabricated to alleviate the chemotherapeutic drug-caused side effects by rhLF-carrying silk cocoons, which were cost-effectively produced by a transgenic silkworm strain as the resource. SSH-rhLF with a uniform porous microstructural morphology, a dominant β-sheet internal structure, adjustable concentration and sustainable release of the rhLF, and non-cytotoxicity properties was demonstrated. Interestingly, the sericin hydrogel showed effective protection of the rhLF from degradation in the stomach and small intestine, thus prolonging the bioactivity and bioavailability of rhLF. As a result, the oral administration of SSH-rhLF with a low rhLF dose showed significant therapeutic effects on enhancing the immune organs of cyclophosphamide (CTX)-treated mice by protecting the splenic follicles, promoting the expression of immunoregulatory factors, and recovering the intestinal flora family from CTX-induced imbalance, which were similar to those achieved by oral administration of a high dose of free hLF in the solution form. The results suggest that the strategy of producing rhLF silk cocoons via feeding transgenic silkworms overcomes well the shortage of rhLF resources, improves the bioavailability of oral rhLF, and alleviates the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on immune organs. The oral SSH-rhLF will be promising for applications in cancer chemotherapy and immunity enhancement of patients.

Lactoferrin and Its Detection Methods: A Review

Lactoferrin (LF) is one of the major functional proteins in maintaining human health due to its antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities. Abnormal levels of LF in the human body are related to some serious diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dry eye disease. Recent studies indicate that LF can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis of these diseases. Many methods have been developed to detect the level of LF. In this review, the biofunctions of LF and its potential to work as a biomarker are introduced. In addition, the current methods of detecting lactoferrin have been presented and discussed. We hope that this review will inspire efforts in the development of new sensing systems for LF detection.

Interaction of Lactoferrin with Unsaturated Fatty Acids: In Vitro and In Vivo Study of Human Lactoferrin/Oleic Acid Complex Cytotoxicity

As shown recently, oleic acid (OA) in complex with lactoferrin (LF) causes the death of cancer cells, but no mechanism(s) of that toxicity have been disclosed. In this study, constitutive parameters of the antitumor effect of LF/OA complex were explored. Complex LF/OA was prepared by titrating recombinant human LF with OA. Spectral analysis was used to assess possible structural changes of LF within its complex with OA. Structural features of apo-LF did not change within the complex LF:OA = 1:8, which was toxic for hepatoma 22a cells. Cytotoxicity of the complex LF:OA = 1:8 was tested in cultured hepatoma 22a cells and in fresh erythrocytes. Its anticancer activity was tested in mice carrying hepatoma 22a. In mice injected daily with LF-8OA, the same tumor grew significantly slower. In 20% of animals, the tumors completely resolved. LF alone was less efficient, i.e., the tumor growth index was 0.14 for LF-8OA and 0.63 for LF as compared with 1.0 in the control animals. The results of testing from 48 days after the tumor inoculation showed that the survival rate among LF-8OA-treated animals was 70%, contrary to 0% rate in the control group and among the LF-treated mice. Our data allow us to regard the complex of LF and OA as a promising tool for cancer treatment.

Association Between Interleukin-6 and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine which plays an important role in several regulatory mechanisms of cancer. Moreover, experimental and clinical studies have reported that IL-6 targeted therapies might provide significant benefits for cancer treatment. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate IL-6 activity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A systematic review of the association between serum, saliva and tumor IL-6 and HNSCC was developed on PubMed/Medline in the publication range from January 1995 to January 2019. Our literature analysis demonstrated that overexpression and elevated serum and/or saliva IL-6 concentrations in patients with HNSCC are related to poor survival and oncological outcomes. Although there is a correlation between IL-6 concentrations and tumorigenicity, it is noteworthy that IL-6 targeted therapies are generally performed in vitro and in experimental studies. Therefore, prospective, randomized clinical trials are required that focus on IL-6 targeted therapies for the treatment of HNSCC.

Lactoferrin suppresses LPS-induced expression of HMGB1, microRNA 155, 146, and TLR4/MyD88/NF-кB pathway in RAW264.7 cells

OBJECTIVE

This current study evaluated the underlying mechanisms of LF against the inflammatory microRNAs (miRNAs), HMGB1 expression, and TLR4-MyD88-NF-кB pathway in LPS-activated murine RAW264.7 cells.

METHODS

MTT assay was used to assess cell metabolism and the cell culture levels of the cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) were evaluated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of miRNAs was quantified by using qPCR and the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88, and phosphorylated NF-κB (P-p65) were determined with Western blot and qPCR, respectively.

RESULTS

The results indicated that LF downregulates IL-6 and TNF-α expression. LF exhibited the degradation of P-p65 and reduced the production of HMGB1, TLR4, and MyD88 in LPS-induced inflammatory response. Importantly, in parallel with the suppression of cytokines and HMGB1-TLR4-MyD88-NF-кB pathway, LF could induce a decrease in inflammatory selected miRNAs, mmu-mir-155, and mmu-mir-146a expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Altogether, these findings provide LF as a prominent anti-inflammatory agent that could modulate HMGB1, mmu-mir-155, mmu-mir-146a, and TLR4/MyD88/NF-кB pathway.

Recombinant human lactoferrin carrying humanized glycosylation exhibits antileukemia selective cytotoxicity, microfilament disruption, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis activities

Lactoferrin has gained extensive attention due to its ample biological properties. In this study, recombinant human lactoferrin carrying humanized glycosylation (rhLf-h-glycan) expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris SuperMan5, which is genetically glycoengineered to efficiently produce functional humanized glycoproteins inclosing (Man)₅(GlcNAc)₂ Asn-linked glycans, was analyzed, inspecting its potential toxicity against cancer cells. The live-cell differential nuclear staining assay was used to quantify the rhLf-h-glycan cytotoxicity, which was examined in four human cell lines: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) CCRF-CEM, T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma SUP-T1, cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa, and as control, non-cancerous Hs27 cells. The defined CC₅₀ values of rhLf-h-glycan in CCRF-CEM, SUP-T1, HeLa, and Hs27 cells were 144.45 ± 4.44, 548.47 ± 64.41, 350 ± 14.82, and 3359.07 ± 164 µg/mL, respectively. The rhLf-h-glycan exhibited a favorable selective cytotoxicity index (SCI), preferentially killing cancer cells: 23.25 for CCRF-CEM, 9.59 for HeLa, and 6.12 for SUP-T1, as compared with Hs27 cells. Also, rhLf-h-glycan showed significant antiproliferative activity (P < 0.0001) at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation on CCRF-CEM cells. Additionally, it was observed via fluorescent staining and confocal microscopy that rhLf-h-glycan elicited apoptosis-associated morphological changes, such as blebbing, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic bodies in ALL cells. Furthermore, rhLf-h-glycan-treated HeLa cells revealed shrinkage of the microfilament structures, generating a speckled/punctuated pattern and also caused PARP-1 cleavage, a hallmark of apoptosis. Moreover, in ALL cells, rhLf-h-glycan altered cell cycle progression inducing the G2/M phase arrest, and caused apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Overall, our findings revealed that rhLf-h-glycan has potential as an anticancer agent and therefore deserves further in vivo evaluation.

Iron and Cancer: 2020 Vision

New and provocative insights into the relationships between iron and cancer have been uncovered in recent years. These include delineation of connections that link cellular iron to DNA repair, genomic integrity, and oncogenic signaling as well as the discovery of ferroptosis, a novel iron-dependent form of cell death. In parallel, new molecules and pathways that regulate iron influx, intracellular iron trafficking, and egress in normal cells, and their perturbations in cancer have been discovered. In addition, insights into the unique properties of iron handling in tumor-initiating cells (cancer stem cells), novel contributions of the tumor microenvironment to the uptake and regulation of iron in cancer cells, and new therapeutic modalities that leverage the iron dependence of cancer have emerged.

Anti-cancer peptides: classification, mechanism of action, reconstruction and modification

Anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) are a series of short peptides composed of 10-60 amino acids that can inhibit tumour cell proliferation or migration, or suppress the formation of tumour blood vessels, and are less likely to cause drug resistance. The aforementioned merits make ACPs the most promising anti-cancer candidate. However, ACPs may be degraded by proteases, or result in cytotoxicity in many cases. To overcome these drawbacks, a plethora of research has focused on reconstruction or modification of ACPs to improve their anti-cancer activity, while reducing their cytotoxicity. The modification of ACPs mainly includes main chain reconstruction and side chain modification. After summarizing the classification and mechanism of action of ACPs, this paper focuses on recent development and progress about their reconstruction and modification. The information collected here may provide some ideas for further research on ACPs, in particular their modification.

Altered Iron Metabolism and Impact in Cancer Biology, Metastasis, and Immunology

Iron is an essential nutrient that plays a complex role in cancer biology. Iron metabolism must be tightly controlled within cells. Whilst fundamental to many cellular processes and required for cell survival, excess labile iron is toxic to cells. Increased iron metabolism is associated with malignant transformation, cancer progression, drug resistance and immune evasion. Depleting intracellular iron stores, either with the use of iron chelating agents or mimicking endogenous regulation mechanisms, such as microRNAs, present attractive therapeutic opportunities, some of which are currently under clinical investigation. Alternatively, iron overload can result in a form of regulated cell death, ferroptosis, which can be activated in cancer cells presenting an alternative anti-cancer strategy. This review focuses on alterations in iron metabolism that enable cancer cells to meet metabolic demands required during different stages of tumorigenesis in relation to metastasis and immune response. The strength of current evidence is considered, gaps in knowledge are highlighted and controversies relating to the role of iron and therapeutic targeting potential are discussed. The key question we address within this review is whether iron modulation represents a useful approach for treating metastatic disease and whether it could be employed in combination with existing targeted drugs and immune-based therapies to enhance their efficacy.

Anti-neoplastic and immunomodulatory potency of co-treatment based on bovine lactoferrin and/or muramyl dipeptide in tumor-bearing mice

The current study investigates anti-neoplastic and immunomodulatory activities of co-treatment based on bovine lactoferrin (bLF) and/or muramyl dipeptide (MDP) with or without cisplatin (Cis) in tumor-bearing mice. In the present study, bLF (100 mg/kg; orally) and MDP (0.5 mg/kg; subcutaneously) was administered alone or together. MDP or bLF was co-treated with Cis (1 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) in mice-bearing Ehrlich solid carcinoma. Tumor size, tumor mass proliferation, apoptosis using immunohistochemistry, the alteration in spleen cell proliferation, phenotype using flow cytometry and white blood cells total and differential counts were detected. Treatment with Cis or (bLF and MDP) significantly reduced tumor size, upregulated the pro-apoptotic p53 expression and downregulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and proliferative marker PCNA expression compared to non-treated tumor-bearing animals. Moreover, co-treatment of MDP and Cis significantly potentiated the reduction of the tumor size, downregulated the Bcl-2 and PCNA expression and upregulated the p53 expression compared to Cis-treated animals. While bLF and Cis co-treatment positively controlled PCNA and p53 expression compared to tumor-bearing animals, it significantly potentiated the reduction of the tumor size and downregulated the Bcl-2 expression compared to Cis-treated animals. Co-treatment of (bLF and MDP), (bLF and Cis) or (MDP and Cis) increased the spleen cell proliferation and altered the immunological profile of the CD3⁺CD4⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, CD3⁺CD4⁺CD69⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺CD69⁺ and CD11b⁺Ly6G⁺ cells to achieve better immune response against tumor. In conclusion, co-treatments based on bLF and/or MDP are promising therapies against cancer, through their potency to control proliferation, enhance apoptosis and improve the immune status against tumor cells.

Lactoferrin's Anti-Cancer Properties: Safety, Selectivity, and Wide Range of Action

Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, current treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, although beneficial, present attendant side effects and long-term sequelae, usually more or less affecting quality of life of the patients. Indeed, except for most of the immunotherapeutic agents, the complete lack of selectivity between normal and cancer cells for radio- and chemotherapy can make them potential antagonists of the host anti-cancer self-defense over time. Recently, the use of nutraceuticals as natural compounds corroborating anti-cancer standard therapy is emerging as a promising tool for their relative abundance, bioavailability, safety, low-cost effectiveness, and immuno-compatibility with the host. In this review, we outlined the anti-cancer properties of Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein of the innate immune defense. Lf shows high bioavailability after oral administration, high selectivity toward cancer cells, and a wide range of molecular targets controlling tumor proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and metastasization. Of note, Lf is able to promote or inhibit cell proliferation and migration depending on whether it acts upon normal or cancerous cells, respectively. Importantly, Lf administration is highly tolerated and does not present significant adverse effects. Moreover, Lf can prevent development or inhibit cancer growth by boosting adaptive immune response. Finally, Lf was recently found to be an ideal carrier for chemotherapeutics, even for the treatment of brain tumors due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus globally appearing as a promising tool for cancer prevention and treatment, especially in combination therapies.

A silkworm based silk gland bioreactor for high-efficiency production of recombinant human lactoferrin with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities

Background

Silk glands are used by silkworms to spin silk fibers for making their cocoons. These have recently been regarded as bioreactor hosts for the cost-effective production of other valuable exogenous proteins and have drawn wide attention.

Results

In this study, we established a transgenic silkworm strain which synthesizes the recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) in the silk gland and spins them into the cocoon by our previously constructed silk gland based bioreactor system. The yield of the rhLF with the highest expression level was estimated to be 12.07 mg/g cocoon shell weight produced by the transgenic silkworm strain 34. Utilizing a simple purification protocol, 9.24 mg of the rhLF with recovery of 76.55% and purity of 95.45% on average could be purified from 1 g of the cocoons. The purified rhLF was detected with a secondary structure similar with the commercially purchased human lactoferrin. Eight types of N-glycans which dominated by the GlcNAc (4) Man (3) (61.15%) and the GlcNAc (3) Man (3) (17.98%) were identified at the three typical N-glycosylation sites of the rhLF. Biological activities assays showed the significant evidence that the purified rhLF could relief the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell inflammation in RAW264.7 cells and exhibit potent antibacterial bioactivities against the Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus subtilis.

Conclusions

These results show that the middle silk gland of silkworm can be an efficient bioreactor for the mass production of rhLF and the potential application in anti-inflammation and antibacterial.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13036-019-0186-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Decorating protein nanospheres with lactoferrin enhances oral COX-2 inhibitor/herbal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: Lactoferrin (LF)-targeted gliadin nanoparticles (GL-NPs) were developed for targeted oral therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials & methods: Celecoxib and diosmin were incorporated in the hydrophobic matrix of GL-NPs whose surface was decorated with LF by electrostatic interaction for binding to asialoglycoprotein receptors overexpressed by liver cancer cells. Results: Targeted GL-NPs showed enhanced cytotoxic activity and increased cellular uptake in liver tumor cells compared with nontargeted NPs. Moreover, they demonstrated superior in vivo antitumor effects including reduction in the expression levels of tumor biomarkers and induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis. Ex vivo imaging of isolated organs exhibited extensive accumulation of NPs in livers more than other organs. Conclusion: LF-targeted GL-NPs could be considered as an efficient nanoplatform for targeted oral drug delivery for liver cancer therapy.

Molecular mechanism of inhibitory effects of bovine lactoferrin on the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Lactoferrin (LF), a member of the transferrin family, recently has been demonstrated to have anticancer effects on various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of its effects on OSCC. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of the suppressive effects of bovine LF (bLF) on the growth of OSCC cells.

Methods

In the current study, HSC2, HSC3, HSC4 and normal human oral keratinocytes (RT7) cell lines were tested with bLF 1, 10, and 100 μg/ml. The effects and detail mechanisms of bLF on proliferation and apoptosis of cells were investigated using flow cytometry and western blotting.

Results

We found that bLF (1, 10, and 100 μg/ml) induced activation of p53, a tumor suppressor gene, is associated with the induction of cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase and apoptosis in OSCC. Moreover, bLF downregulated the phosphorylation of Akt and activated suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), thereby attenuating multiple signaling pathways including mTOR/S6K and JAK/STAT3. Interestingly, we revealed that bLF exerted its effect selectively against HSC3 but not on RT7 via different effects on the phosphorylation status of NF-κB and Akt.

Conclusion

This is the first report showing that bLF selectively suppresses proliferation through mTOR/S6K and JAK/STAT3 pathways and induction of apoptosis in OSCC. This study provides important new findings, which might be useful in the prevention and treatment of OSCC.

A systematic review of lactoferrin use in dermatology

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein widely present in mammalian secretions and possesses documented protective effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. While its therapeutic use is being investigated for a myriad of diseases, there is increasing interest in its application for skin disease. Our objective was to systematically review the clinical evidence for the use and efficacy of lactoferrin for the treatment of dermatological conditions. Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for clinical studies evaluating lactoferrin for dermatological conditions. A total of six studies were reviewed. Of the current clinical trials, there is encouraging evidence to suggest that lactoferrin may be beneficial in acne, psoriasis, and diabetic ulcerations. Although the current evidence is promising, further research is necessary to establish lactoferrin as complementary therapy in the clinical setting.

Lactoferrin promotes MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells proliferation via MAPK signaling pathways

Lactoferrin has attracted great attention as a potential functional factor to prevent osteoporosis due to its various bioactivities. However, the molecular mechanism underlining the osteogenic activity of lactoferrin is unclear. In this study, effect of lactoferrin on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells proliferation was determined using MTT assay, while MAPK signaling pathways related to proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells were investigated based on mRNA and protein expressions. The distribution of cells at different cell cycle stages was evaluated by flow cytometry. Our findings indicated that lactoferrin enhanced MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner; namely, it increased the proportion of cells in S and G2/M phases. Furthermore, we also found that lactoferrin could stimulate ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK. The mRNA expression of MAPK were significantly enhanced after treatment of lactoferrin. Lactoferrin significantly promoted the activation-associated phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAPK and prevented the activation of JNK. Additionally, lactoferrin could enhance c-Fos and c-Jun expression by 3 times and 26 times, respectively. These results indicated that lactoferrin induced MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells proliferation through c-Fos and c-Jun by stimulating ERK, JNK and p38, elucidating the molecular basis of the osteogenic activity of lactoferrin on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells.

Therapeutic potential of dairy bioactive peptides: A contemporary perspective

Dairy products are associated with numerous health benefits. These are a good source of nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein (bioactive peptides), lipids, minerals, and vitamins, which are essential for growth, development, and maintenance of the human body. Accordingly, dairy bioactive peptides are one of the targeted compounds present in different dairy products. Dairy bioactive compounds can be classified as antihypertensive, anti-oxidative, immmunomodulant, anti-mutagenic, antimicrobial, opoid, anti-thrombotic, anti-obesity, and mineral-binding agents, depending upon biological functions. These bioactive peptides can easily be produced by enzymatic hydrolysis, and during fermentation and gastrointestinal digestion. For this reason, fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and sour milk, are gaining popularity worldwide, and are considered excellent source of dairy peptides. Furthermore, fermented and non-fermented dairy products are associated with lower risks of hypertension, coagulopathy, stroke, and cancer insurgences. The current review article is an attempt to disseminate general information about dairy peptides and their health claims to scientists, allied stakeholders, and, certainly, readers.

Bovine lactoferrin and lactoferricin exert antitumor activities on human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) by activating various signaling pathways

Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is present at high concentrations in milk. Bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) is a peptide fragment generated by pepsin proteolysis of bovine lactoferrin (bLf). LfcinB consists of amino acid residues 17-41 proximal to the N-terminus of bLf and a disulfide bond between residues 19 and 36, forming a loop. Both bLf and LfcinB have been demonstrated to have antitumor activities. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in developed countries. We hypothesized that bLf and LfcinB exert antitumor activities on colon cancer cells (HT-29) by triggering various signaling pathways. bLf and LfcinB significantly induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells but not in normal human intestinal epithelial cells, as revealed by the ApoTox-Glo Triplex Assay. The LIVE/DEAD cell viability assay showed that both bLf and LfcinB reduced the viability of HT-29 cells. Transcriptome analysis indicated that bLf, cyclic LfcinB, and linear LfcinB exerted antitumor activities by differentially activating diverse signaling pathways, including p53, apoptosis, and angiopoietin signaling. Immunoblotting results confirmed that both bLf and LfcinBs increased expression of caspase-8, p53, and p21, critical proteins in tumor suppression. These results provide valuable information regarding bLf and LfcinB for potential clinical applications in colon cancer therapy.

Oral absorption of peptides and nanoparticles across the human intestine: Opportunities, limitations and studies in human tissues

In this contribution, we review the molecular and physiological barriers to oral delivery of peptides and nanoparticles. We discuss the opportunities and predictivity of various in vitro systems with special emphasis on human intestine in Ussing chambers. First, the molecular constraints to peptide absorption are discussed. Then the physiological barriers to peptide delivery are examined. These include the gastric and intestinal environment, the mucus barrier, tight junctions between epithelial cells, the enterocytes of the intestinal epithelium, and the subepithelial tissue. Recent data from human proteome studies are used to provide information about the protein expression profiles of the different physiological barriers to peptide and nanoparticle absorption. Strategies that have been employed to increase peptide absorption across each of the barriers are discussed. Special consideration is given to attempts at utilizing endogenous transcytotic pathways. To reliably translate in vitro data on peptide or nanoparticle permeability to the in vivo situation in a human subject, the in vitro experimental system needs to realistically capture the central aspects of the mentioned barriers. Therefore, characteristics of common in vitro cell culture systems are discussed and compared to those of human intestinal tissues. Attempts to use the cell and tissue models for in vitro-in vivo extrapolation are reviewed.

Lactoferrin from Milk: Nutraceutical and Pharmacological Properties

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein present in large quantities in colostrum and in breast milk, in external secretions and in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Lactoferrin's main function is non-immune protection. Among several protective activities shown by lactoferrin, those displayed by orally administered lactoferrin are: (i) antimicrobial activity, which has been presumed due to iron deprivation, but more recently attributed also to a specific interaction with the bacterial cell wall and extended to viruses and parasites; (ii) immunomodulatory activity, with a direct effect on the development of the immune system in the newborn, together with a specific antinflammatory effects; (iii) a more recently discovered anticancer activity. It is worth noting that most of the protective activities of lactoferrin have been found, sometimes to a greater extent, also in peptides derived from limited proteolysis of lactoferrin that could be generated after lactoferrin ingestion. Lactoferrin could therefore be considered an ideal nutraceutic product because of its relatively cheap production from bovine milk and of its widely recognized tolerance after ingestion, along with its well demonstrated protective activities. The most important protective activities shown by orally administered bovine lactoferrin are reviewed in this article.

Role of lactoferrin in neonatal care: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Lactoferrin (LF) is present in breast milk and have numerous properties including antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and anticancer. Recent studies have emphasized the role of LF in neonatal care Aims and objective: To evaluate the various roles of LF in neonatal care in preterm infants.

SEARCH METHODS

The literature search was done for this systematic review by searching the electronic database namely Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Index Copernicus, African Index Medicus (AIM), Thomson Reuters (ESCI), Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), SCIWIN (Scientific World Index), Google Scholar, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Information System (LILACS), Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (IMEMR), Index Medicus for the South-East Asian Region (IMSEAR), Western Pacific Region Index Medicus (WPRIM), various sites for ongoing trials namely clinical trial registry ( www.clinicaltrials.gov , www.controlled-trials.com , Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( http://www.anzctr.org.au ), Indian Clinical Trials Registry ( http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials ), and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry, and Platform ( http://www.who.int/ictrp/search/en/ ) and abstracts of conferences namely proceedings of Pediatric Academic Societies (American Pediatric Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and European Society for Pediatric Research).

RESULTS

Nine eligible studies were analyzed that fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the systematic review. Six duplicate publications were excluded from review. Four studies were excluded due to nonfulfillment of inclusion criteria. All of the studies had more than one outcome of interest. Four studies showed reduction in late onset sepsis (LOS), one showed reduction in invasive fungal infection (IFI), three showed significant decrease in incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), one showed reduction in NEC scares, and two showed decrease in mortality, and one showed decrease in combined death and/or NEC. Only one study evaluated role of LF for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) reduction and showed lower rate of VAP. Still the role of LF in Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is unclear.

CONCLUSION

LF has shown to be promising agent for reduction of LOS and NEC. The role of LF in prevention of neonatal mortality, BPD, and ROP needs further studies. The trials that are going on around the world may be able to give reply of this question in future.

Immunotherapy for lung cancer

Treatment of lung cancer remains a challenge, and lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Immunotherapy has previously failed in lung cancer but has recently emerged as a very effective new therapy, and there is now growing worldwide enthusiasm in cancer immunotherapy. We summarize why immune checkpoint blockade therapies have generated efficacious and durable responses in clinical trials and why this has reignited interest in this field. Cancer vaccines have also been explored in the past with marginal success. Identification of optimal candidate neoantigens may improve cancer vaccine efficacy and may pave the way to personalized immunotherapy, alone or in combination with other immunotherapy such as immune checkpoint blockade. Understanding the steps in immune recognition and eradication of cancer cells is vital to understanding why previous immunotherapies failed and how current therapies can be used optimally. We hold an optimistic view for the future prospect in lung cancer immunotherapy.

A Tetrameric Peptide Derived from Bovine Lactoferricin Exhibits Specific Cytotoxic Effects against Oral Squamous-Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

Several short linear peptides derived from cyclic bovine lactoferricin were synthesized and tested for their cytotoxic effect against the oral cavity squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines CAL27 and SCC15. As a control, an immortalized and nontumorigenic cell line, Het-1A, was used. Linear peptides based on the RRWQWR core sequence showed a moderate cytotoxic effect and specificity towards tumorigenic cells. A tetrameric peptide, LfcinB(20–25)₄, containing the RRWQWR motif, exhibited greater cytotoxic activity (>90%) in both OSCC cell lines compared to the linear lactoferricin peptide or the lactoferrin protein. Additionally, this tetrameric peptide showed the highest specificity towards tumorigenic cells among the tested peptides. Interestingly, this effect was very fast, with cell shrinkage, severe damage to cell membrane permeability, and lysis within one hour of treatment. Our results are consistent with a necrotic effect rather than an apoptotic one and suggest that this tetrameric peptide could be considered as a new candidate for the therapeutic treatment of OSCC.

Role of inflammatory infiltrates in triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogenous disease often characterised by aggressive biology and poor prognosis. Efforts to precisely treat TNBC have been compounded by the lack of specific therapeutic molecular targets. Recent transcriptomic studies have revealed, among others, an immunomodulatory subtype of TNBC, whereby activated immune response genes are associated with good prognosis. Since then, a great deal of effort has been made to understand the immune microenvironment of some TNBC subtype, which comprises several immune cell populations including lymphocytes and macrophages. There is increasing evidence that the basal subtype may be significantly regulated by tumour-infiltrating T-cells and that high levels of tumour-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells may be a reflection of improved prognosis with chemotherapy sensitivity in TNBC. On the other hand, tumour-associated macrophages have been associated with a relatively poor outcome in TNBC. Comparison of the immune signatures in TNBC with non-TNBC may furthermore help us to understand these immune mechanisms potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches. Within this short review, we discuss the current scientific evidence regarding (a) the role of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in the clinical outcome in TNBC and (b) the newly discovered immunomodulatory genotype that may provide for a therapeutic target in TNBC.

Anticancer effects of lactoferrin: underlying mechanisms and future trends in cancer therapy

Lactoferrin has been widely studied over the last 70 years, and its role in diverse biological functions is now well known and generally accepted by the scientific community. Usually, alterations of the lactoferrin gene in cells are associated with an increased incidence of cancer. Several studies suggest that exogenous treatment with lactoferrin and its derivatives can efficiently inhibit the growth of tumors and reduce susceptibility to cancer. None of these studies, however, reported a consistent outcome with regard to the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of lactoferrin. In this review, the association of lactoferrin with cancer is thoroughly discussed, from lactoferrin gene expression to the potential use of lactoferrin in cancer therapy. Lactoferrin cytotoxicity against several cancers is reported to occur in distinct ways under different conditions, namely by cell membrane disruption, apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and cell immunoreaction. Based on these mechanisms, new strategies to improve the anticancer effects of the lactoferrin protein and/or its derivatives are proposed. The potential for lactoferrin in the field of cancer research (including as a chemotherapeutic agent in cancer therapy) is also discussed.

Use of lactoferrin in the newborn: where do we stand?

Sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) cause significant morbidity and mortality in the newborn. Their ill effects persist in spite of appropriate and effective antibiotic therapy. Lactoferrin as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of sepsis or NEC in the newborn may improve the clinical outcomes by enhancing the host defense and modulating the inflammatory response. This review focuses on the various aspects of lactoferrin use in the newborn.

Immune correlates of talactoferrin alfa in biopsied tumor of relapsed/refractory metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients

CONTEXT

Talactoferrin alfa (TLF) is a unique recombinant form of human lactoferrin. The hypothesized mechanism of action involves TLF binding to the intestinal endothelium inducing dendritic cell maturation and cytokine release leading to infiltration of tumor with monocytes and T-lymphocytes and inhibition of tumor growth.

OBJECTIVE

Based on promising phase II trial results, this correlative study was undertaken to examine immune mechanism of action of TLF in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

METHODS

Talactoferrin was administered orally at 1.5 g bid weeks 1-12 with 2 weeks off on a 14-week cycle. Enrolled patients had a pathologic diagnosis of NSCLC previously treated with at least two lines of systemic treatment. Patients had core biopsy of tumor before initiation of talactoferrin and at week 7 on TLF. Flow cytometry and quantitative immunohistochemistry for immune correlates were performed on the biopsied specimens.

RESULTS

Four patients with metastatic NSCLC were enrolled. The trial was halted pre-maturely in light of negative phase III trial results. For the two patients who had repeat on-treatment tumor biopsies, a consistent increase in monocytes as a percentage of total immune cells was observed. Otherwise, no clear trend of increase or decrease was observed in any other immune cell parameters compared to matched patient pre-treatment biopsies.

CONCLUSION

Repeat biopsies for immune correlates by flow cytometry and quantitative immunohistochemistry in NSCLC patients are feasible. In the few patients sampled before trial closure, increased monocytes as a total percentage of the immune cell population within tumor was observed in response to TLF.

Dietary proteins and angiogenesis

Both defective and persistent angiogenesis are linked to pathological situations in the adult. Compounds able to modulate angiogenesis have a potential value for the treatment of such pathologies. Several small molecules present in the diet have been shown to have modulatory effects on angiogenesis. This review presents the current state of knowledge on the potential modulatory roles of dietary proteins on angiogenesis. There is currently limited available information on the topic. Milk contains at least three proteins for which modulatory effects on angiogenesis have been previously demonstrated. On the other hand, there is some scarce information on the potential of dietary lectins, edible plant proteins and high protein diets to modulate angiogenesis.

Immune alterations and immunotherapy prospects in head and neck cancer

INTRODUCTION

Several literature sources have suggested that subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) display significant abnormalities of immunocompetent cells and cytokine secretion. Serious side effects and only a limited success with traditional therapies in HNSCC dictate the need for newer therapies.

AREAS COVERED

This article comprehensively reviews the immune system alterations in HNSCC and the rationale behind various experimental immunotherapies, aiming at keeping this disease under control. Relevant publications were identified through the PubMed database search. The ongoing clinical trials regarding experimental immunotherapy agents in HNSCC were accessed at www.clinicaltrials.gov . The obtained information was thoroughly analyzed and systematized.

EXPERT OPINION

Important and severe immune defects including T-cell dysfunction, cytokine alterations and antigen presentation defects are present in patients with HNSCC. In addition, tumor microenvironment was shown to play a critical role in the HNSCC progression. These discoveries have triggered a growing interest in immunotherapy as a potential treatment strategy for HNSCC. Effective immunotherapy could avoid the toxic side effects plaguing the current management of HNSCC. It is also hoped that immunotherapy will have long-lasting effects due to induction of immunologic memory. Promising directions include nonspecific immune stimulation, targeting specific HNSCC tumor antigens and therapeutic vaccines among others. These new agents may expand the existing therapy options for HNSCC in future.