Stem Cell Applications for Treatment of Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases: Its Promises, Obstacles, and Future Perspectives

Therapeutic importance and diagnostic function of circRNAs in urological cancers: from metastasis to drug resistance

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a member of non-coding RNAs with no ability in encoding proteins and their aberrant dysregulation is observed in cancers. Their closed-loop structure has increased their stability, and they are reliable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Urological cancers have been responsible for high mortality and morbidity worldwide, and developing new strategies in their treatment, especially based on gene therapy, is of importance since these malignant diseases do not respond to conventional therapies. In the current review, three important aims are followed. At the first step, the role of circRNAs in increasing or decreasing the progression of urological cancers is discussed, and the double-edged sword function of them is also highlighted. At the second step, the interaction of circRNAs with molecular targets responsible for urological cancer progression is discussed, and their impact on molecular processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, EMT, and MMPs is highlighted. Finally, the use of circRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of urological cancer patients is discussed to translate current findings in the clinic for better treatment of patients. Furthermore, since circRNAs can be transferred to tumor via exosomes and the interactions in tumor microenvironment provided by exosomes such as between macrophages and cancer cells is of importance in cancer progression, a separate section has been devoted to the role of exosomal circRNAs in urological tumors.

Antitumor effects and potential mechanisms of aconitine based on preclinical studies: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Herbs originating from the Aconitum L. (Ranunculaceae), such as Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux. (Wutou), Aconitum pendulum Busch. (Tiebangchui), and Aconitum kusnezoffii Reichb. (Caowu), etc. are highly valued for their medicinal properties. The roots and tubers of these herbs are commonly used to treat an array of ailments, including joint pain and tumors. The alkaloids present in them are the primary active components, with aconitine being the most notable. Aconitine has gained attention for its exceptional anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, as well as its potential as an anti-tumor and cardiotonic agent. However, the exact process through which aconitine hinders the growth of cancerous cells and triggers their programmed cell death remains unclear. Therefore, we have undertaken a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the current research on the potential antitumor properties of aconitine. Methods: We conducted a thorough search of relevant preclinical studies in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, VIP, WanFang Data, CNKI, Embase, Cochrane Library, and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The search was conducted up until 15 September 2022, and the data were statistically analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. The number of tumor cell value-added, tumor cell apoptosis rate, thymus index (TI), and Bcl-2 gene expression level were the main indicators to be analyzed. Results: After applying the final inclusion criteria, a total of thirty-seven studies, comprising both in vivo and in vitro research were analyzed. The results showed that treatment with aconitine led to a significant reduction in tumor cell proliferation, a noteworthy increase in the rate of apoptosis among tumor cells, a decrease in the thymus index, and a reduction in the expression level of Bcl-2. These results suggested that aconitine could inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities of tumor cells by regulating Bcl-2 etc., thereby enhancing the anti-tumor effects. Conclusion: In summary, our present study demonstrated that aconitine effectively reduced tumor size and volume, indicating a strong anti-tumor effect. Additionally, aconitine could increase the expression levels of caspase-3, Bax and other targets. Mechanistically, it may regulate the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 through the NF-κB signaling pathway, ultimately inhibiting tumor cell proliferation through autophagy.

BARD1 mystery: tumor suppressors are cancer susceptibility genes

The full-length BRCA1-associated RING domain 1 (BARD1) gene encodes a 777-aa protein. BARD1 displays a dual role in cancer development and progression as it acts as a tumor suppressor and an oncogene. Structurally, BARD1 has homologous domains to BRCA1 that aid their heterodimer interaction to inhibit the progression of different cancers such as breast and ovarian cancers following the BRCA1-dependant pathway. In addition, BARD1 was shown to be involved in other pathways that are involved in tumor suppression (BRCA1-independent pathway) such as the TP53-dependent apoptotic signaling pathway. However, there are abundant BARD1 isoforms exist that are different from the full-length BARD1 due to nonsense and frameshift mutations, or deletions were found to be associated with susceptibility to various cancers including neuroblastoma, lung, breast, and cervical cancers. This article reviews the spectrum of BARD1 full-length genes and its different isoforms and their anticipated associated risk. Additionally, the study also highlights the role of BARD1 as an oncogene in breast cancer patients and its potential uses as a prognostic/diagnostic biomarker and as a therapeutic target for cancer susceptibility testing and treatment.

The Potential Applications of Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment

:

Scientists encounter many obstacles in traditional cancer therapies, including the side effects on the healthy cells, drug resistance, tumor relapse, the short half-life of employed drugs in the blood circulation, and the improper delivery of drugs toward the tumor site. The unique traits of stem cells (SCs) such as self-renewal, differentiation, tumor tropism, the release of bioactive molecules, and immunosuppression have opened a new window for utilizing SCs as a novel tool in cancer treatment. In this regard, engineered SCs can secrete anti-cancer proteins or express enzymes used in suicide gene therapy which locally induce apoptosis in neoplastic cells via the bystander effect. These cells also stand as proper candidates to serve as careers for drug-loaded nanoparticles or to play suitable hosts for oncolytic viruses. Moreover, they harbor great potential to be employed in immunotherapy and combination therapy. However, tactful strategies should be devised to allow easier transplantation and protection of SCs from in vivo immune responses. In spite of the great hope concerning SCs application in cancer therapy, there are shortcomings and challenges to be addressed. This review tends to elaborate on recent advances on the various applications of SCs in cancer therapy and existing challenges in this regard.

In silico modeling of the interaction between TEX19 and LIRE1, and analysis of TEX19 gene missense SNPs

BACKGROUND

Testis expressed 19 (TEX19) is a specific human stem cell gene identified as cancer-testis antigen (CTA), which emerged as a potential therapeutic drug target. TEX19.1, a mouse paralog of human TEX19, can interact with LINE-1 retrotransposable element ORF1 protein (LIRE1) and subsequently restrict mobilization of LINE-1 elements in the genome.

AIM

This study aimed to predict the interaction of TEX19 with LIRE1 and analyze TEX19 missense polymorphisms. TEX19 model was generated using I-TASSER and the interaction between TEX19 and LIRE1 was studied using the HADDOCK software.

METHODS

The stability of the docking formed complex was studied through the molecular dynamic simulation using GROMACS. Missense SNPs (n=102) of TEX19 were screened for their potential effects on protein structure and function using different software.

RESULTS

Outcomes of this study revealed amino acids that potentially stabilize the predicted interaction interface between TEX19 and LIRE1. Of these SNPs, 37 were predicted to play a probably damaging role for the protein, three of them (F35S, P61R, and E55L) located at the binding site of LIRE1 and could disturb this binding affinity.

CONCLUSION

This information can be verified by further in vitro and in vivo experimentations and could be exploited for potential therapeutic targets.

Nitric Oxide Synthase Potentiates the Resistance of Cancer Cell Lines to Anticancer Chemotherapeutics

BACKGROUND

Despite the advancement in the fields of medical science and molecular biology, cancer is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy is a choice for treatment; however, the acquisition of chemo-resistance is a major impediment to cancer management. Many mechanisms have been postulated regarding the acquisition of chemo-resistance in breast cancer the impact on cellular signaling and the induction of apoptosis in tumour cells. The mechanism of the apoptotic mutation of p53 and bcl-2 proteins is commonly associated with increased resistance to apoptosis and, therein, to chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES

The current study was aimed to investigate A172 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells' sensitivity against chemotherapeutic drugs, including cisplatin, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel with different doses. Moreover, it estimates the resistance of cancer cells by evaluating nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and evaluate its correlation with the expression profile proteins of the apoptosis regulating Bcl-2 family.

METHODS

Dose-dependent sensitivity to cisplatin, doxorubicin, or paclitaxel was evaluated on spheroid cultured A172 and MDA-MB-231 cells lines as measured by time-lapse microscopy over a 72h period. Expressions of two nitric oxides (NO) synthases isoforms (iNOS, eNOS), anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2, phospho-Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Bcl-xL), and pro-apoptotic (BID, Bim, Bok, Bad, Puma, and Bax) were evaluated by Western blot. The effect of NO modulation on anti- and pro-apoptotic molecule expression was also studied using Western blot.

RESULT

A172 cells show more resistance to chemotherapy drugs than MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. Therefore, they need higher doses for apoptosis. Resistance of gliomas might be returned to the higher significant expression of endothelial eNOS expression. It was clear that there is not a significant effect of NO modulation on the expression of pro-and anti-apoptotic proteins on both cell lines.

CONCLUSION

The present work provides a putative mechanism for the acquisition of drug resistance in breast cancer and glioma, which might be significant for clinical outcomes.

Stem-Cell Therapy Following High-Dose Chemotherapy in Advanced Retinoblastoma: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To analyze the risk and benefit of high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation (HDCT-SCT) treatment in patients with advanced retinoblastoma.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search from 4 online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and Cochrane was done for original studies evaluating the use of HDCT followed by SCT in the treatment of patients with advanced retinoblastoma. The last search was performed on April 15, 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 35 studies consisting of 160 patients were considered suitable for inclusion. After HDCT-SCT treatment, 108/160 (67.5%) patients were alive with no evidence of disease at the last follow-up. The incidence of secondary malignancy in our data was also relatively low, which was 16/160 (10%) patients. The side effects were mainly hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities. The prognosis for metastatic cases especially the one to the central nervous system (CNS) remains poor, as shown in our data that 22 of 44 (50%) patients died due to the evidence of disease, and 12 of 44 (27%) patients acquired CNS relapse and died.

CONCLUSIONS

HDCT-SCT is a promising treatment option in patients with advanced retinoblastoma. The use of HDCT-SCT in CNS metastases needs to be carefully considered, possibly by adding thiotepa or topotecan to improve tumor control. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to draw firm conclusion regarding its safety and efficacy.

Sea Anemone Heteractis crispa Actinoporin Demonstrates In Vitro Anticancer Activities and Prevents HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cell Migration

Actinoporins are the most abundant group of sea anemone cytolytic toxins. Their membranolytic activity is of high interest for the development of novel anticancer drugs. However, to date the activity of actinoporins in malignant cells has been poorly studied. Here, we report on recombinant analog of Hct-S3 (rHct-S3), belonging to the combinatory library of Heteractis crispa actinoporins. rHct-S3 exhibited cytotoxic activity against breast MDA-MB-231 (IC₅₀ = 7.3 µM), colorectal HT-29 (IC₅₀ = 6.8 µM), and melanoma SK-MEL-28 (IC₅₀ = 8.3 µM) cancer cells. The actinoporin effectively prevented epidermal growth factor -induced neoplastic transformation of JB6 Cl41 cells by 34% ± 0.2 and decreased colony formation of HT-29 cells by 47% ± 0.9, MDA-MB-231 cells by 37% ± 1.2, and SK-MEL-28 cells by 34% ± 3.6. Moreover, rHct-S3 decreased proliferation and suppressed migration of colorectal carcinoma cells by 31% ± 5.0 and 99% ± 6.4, respectively. The potent anti-migratory activity was proposed to mediate by decreased matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 expression. In addition, rHct-S3 induced programmed cell death by cleavage of caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, as well as regulation of Bax and Bcl-2. Our results indicate rHct-S3 to be a promising anticancer drug with a high anti-migratory potential.

Mesenchymal stem cell immunomodulation and regeneration therapeutics as an ameliorative approach for COVID-19 pandemics

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-novel coronavirus mediated COVID-19 has been recently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The primary target of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the human lungs governed by the ACE-2 receptor of epithelial type II cells/endothelial cells, which promote modulation of the immune response of host cells through generating cytokine storm, inflammation, severe pneumonia symptoms, and secondary complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although numerous antiviral and anti-parasitic drugs are under clinical trials to combat this pandemic, to date, neither a specific treatment nor any successful vaccine has been established, urging researchers to identify any potential candidate for combating the disease. Mesenchymal stem cells own self-renewal, differentiation, homing, immunomodulation and remains unaffected by the coronavirus on the virtue of the absence of ACE-2 receptors, indicating that MSC's could be used an ameliorative approach for COVID-19. MSCs have shown to combat the disease via various pathways such as repairing the lung epithelial and endothelial cells, reducing hyperimmune response, maintaining the renin-angiotensin system. Although MSCs-based treatment approaches for COVID-19 is still under consideration with limited data, many human clinical trials of MSC's has been initiated to explore their potential for COVID 19 treatment. The current review summarizes and emphasizes on how MSC's modulate the immune response, can repair the lungs from the impact of the virus, and various aspects of MSC's as a remedial source for COVID-19, to provide better insight for biomedical researchers and for those who are fascinated by stem cells as a therapeutic approach.

Prostate cancer and therapeutic challenges

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most prevalent type of cancer in men worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, the rate of PC is increasing annually. The sex steroid hormones androgens and their receptors have critical roles in PC development and progression. Additionally, apoptosis-related proteins such as heat-shock proteins are vital molecules in PC development. Steroid hormone-deprivation therapies remain the essential treatment for patients with metastatic PCs; however, acquired resistance to hormone deprivation and the transition to PC androgen independence is a major health obstacle. In this review, we aim to detail the roles of androgens, androgen receptors and sex steroid hormones in inducing apoptosis in PC.

Role of Stem-Cell Transplantation in Leukemia Treatment

Stem cells (SCs) play a major role in advanced fields of regenerative medicine and other research areas. They are involved in the regeneration of damaged tissue or cells, due to their self-renewal characteristics. Tissue or cells can be damaged through a variety of diseases, including hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. In regard to this, stem-cell transplantation is a cellular therapeutic approach to restore those impaired cells, tissue, or organs. SCs have a therapeutic potential in the application of stem-cell transplantation. Research has been focused mainly on the application of hematopoietic SCs for transplantation. Cord blood cells and human leukocyte antigen-haploidentical donors are considered optional sources of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. On the other hand, pluripotent embryonic SCs and induced pluripotent SCs hold promise for advancement of stem-cell transplantation. In addition, nonhematopoietic mesenchymal SCs play their own significant role as a functional bone-marrow niche and in the management of graft-vs-host disease effects during the posttransplantation process. In this review, the role of different types of SCs is presented with regard to their application in SC transplantation. In addition to this, the therapeutic value of autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is assessed with respect to different types of leukemia. Highly advanced and progressive scientific research has focused on the application of stem-cell transplantation on specific leukemia types. We evaluated and compared the therapeutic potential of SC transplantation with various forms of leukemia. This review aimed to focus on the application of SCs in the treatment of leukemia.

The role of BRCA1/2 in hereditary and familial breast and ovarian cancers

Background

BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants have become associated with familial breast and ovarian cancers, and hereditary cancer‐predisposition syndrome. With advances in molecular biology, BRCA profiling facilitates early diagnosis and the implementation of preventive and therapeutic strategies. The genes exhibit variable prevalence among different individuals and moderate interpretation complexity. BRCA deficiency is instrumental in cancer development, affects therapeutic options and is instrumental in drug resistance. In addition, BRCA1/2 profile is diverse across different groups and has been associated with the “founder effect” in certain populations.

Methods

In this review, we aim to detail the spectrum of BRCA1/2 variants and their associated risk estimates.

Results

The relationship between BRCA1/2 and hereditary and familial cancers is indisputable, yet BRCA screening methods are beset with limitations and lack clinical confidence.

Conclusion

This review emphasizes the importance of screening BRCA genetics, in addition to their clinical utility. Furthermore, founder variants are anticipated in the Saudi population.

BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants have become associated with familial breast and ovarian cancers, and hereditary cancer‐predisposition syndrome. With advances in molecular biology, BRCA profiling facilitates early diagnosis and the implementation of preventive and therapeutic strategies.