Hypoxic tumor cell-derived small extracellular vesicle miR-152-3p promotes cervical cancer radioresistance through KLF15 protein

The role of miR-152 in urological tumors: potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Urological malignant tumors pose a significant threat to human health, with a high incidence rate each year. Prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma are among the most prevalent and extensively researched urological malignancies. Despite advancements in research, the prognosis for these tumors remains unfavorable due to late detection, postoperative recurrence, and treatment resistance. A thorough investigation into their pathogenesis is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Recent studies have highlighted the close association between microRNAs (miRNAs) and cancer progression. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs composed of 19-23 nucleotides that regulate gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of target mRNAs, impacting key cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. Dysregulation of miRNAs can disrupt the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, contributing to cancer development. Among the various miRNAs studied, miR-152 has garnered attention for its role in urological malignancies. Several studies have indicated that dysregulation of miR-152 expression is significant in these cancers, warranting a comprehensive review of the evidence. This review focuses on the expression and function of miR-152 in prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma, elucidating its mechanisms in cancer progression and exploring its potential as a therapeutic target and biomarker in urological malignancies.

The signature of extracellular vesicles in hypoxic breast cancer and their therapeutic engineering

Breast cancer (BC) currently ranks second in the global cancer incidence rate. Hypoxia is a common phenomenon in BC. Under hypoxic conditions, cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) secrete numerous extracellular vesicles (EVs) to achieve intercellular communication and alter the metabolism of primary and metastatic tumors that shape the TME. In addition, emerging studies have indicated that hypoxia can promote resistance to tumor treatment. Engineered EVs are expected to become carriers for cancer treatment due to their high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, high drug delivery efficiency, and ease of modification. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of EVs in the primary TME and distant metastasis of BC under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, we highlight the potential applications of engineered EVs in mitigating the malignant phenotypes of BC cells under hypoxia.

5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy inhibits the viability, invasion, and migration of cervical cancer SiHa cells by regulating the miR-152-3p/JAK1/STAT1 axis

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer ranks the fourth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide, characterized by a notably low survival rate, particularly in its metastatic stage. Despite 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) demonstrating potential anti-tumor effects against cervical cancer, the intricate mechanisms underlying its efficacy necessitate further investigation. Here, the study aims to elucidate the impact of ALA-PDT on the cancer cell viability, invasion and migration, alongside delineating the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS

Cervical cancer SiHa cells were subjected to ALA and red light irradiation, and we then measured the ALA-PDT's effects on cell functions using various assays. The potential interaction between miR-152-3p and JAK1 was explored through bioinformatics analyses and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assays. Post-transfection with miR-152-3p and JAK1 vectors, cellular functions were re-evaluated. The efficacy of ALA-PDT in tumor suppression was further investigated through tumor transplantation experiment in vivo.

RESULTS

ALA-PDT markedly suppressed SiHa cell viability, invasion and migration, impacting critical markers of proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT). And these effects were echoed by the inhibition of miR-152-3p. JAK1 was identified as a direct target of miR-152-3p, and ALA-PDT was found to regulate the expression levels of miR-152-3p, consequently influencing the JAK1/STAT1 signaling pathway. Augmentation of miR-152-3p expression and inhibition of the JAK1/STAT1 pathway mitigated the anti-cancer effects of ALA-PDT, whereas JAK1 overexpression diminished these effects. In vivo analyses demonstrated that ALA-PDT suppressed tumor growth and modulated the miR-152-3p/JAK1/STAT1 pathway expression.

CONCLUSIONS

ALA-PDT inhibits the viability, invasion, and migration of cervical cancer SiHa cells by modulating the miR-152-3p/JAK1/STAT1 axis, offering a promising therapeutic avenue for combating invasive cervical cancer.

The role of extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancer

Gynecological cancer, the most common form of cancers in women worldwide, initiates in the reproductive organs of females. More often, the common treatment measures, i.e. surgery, radiation, and medical oncology are found to be unsuccessful in the treatment of gynecological tumors. Emerging evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancers by distinct mechanisms. The present review highlights how EVs contribute to the progression of different types of gynecological cancers such as cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer, uterine sarcoma, gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), and vulvar cancer. The primary focus is to understand how EVs' cargo alters the phenotypic response of the recipient cells, thereby contributing to the progression of the disease, thus can be considered as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarker. A brief discussion on the role of EVs in the diagnosis and prognosis of different gynecological cancer types is also highlighted. Targeting the biogenesis of the EVs, their inside cargo, and EVs uptake by the recipient cells could be a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of gynecological cancer beside conventional therapeutic means.

RNA biomarkers in cancer therapeutics: The promise of personalized oncology

Cancer therapy is a rapidly evolving and constantly expanding field. Current approaches include surgery, conventional chemotherapy and novel biologic agents as in immunotherapy, that together compose a wide armamentarium. The plethora of choices can, however, be clinically challenging in prescribing the most suitable treatment for any given patient. Fortunately, biomarkers can greatly facilitate the most appropriate selection. In recent years, RNA-based biomarkers have proven most promising. These molecules that range from small noncoding RNAs to protein coding gene transcripts can be valuable in cancer management and especially in cancer therapeutics. Compared to their DNA counterparts which are stable throughout treatment, RNA-biomarkers are dynamic. This allows prediction of success prior to treatment start and can identify alterations in expression that could reflect response. Moreover, improved nucleic acid technology allows RNA to be extracted from practically every biofluid/matrix and evaluated with exceedingly high analytic sensitivity. In addition, samples are largely obtained by minimally invasive procedures and as such can be used serially to assess treatment response real-time. This chapter provides the reader insight on currently known RNA biomarkers, the latest research employing Artificial Intelligence in the identification of such molecules and in clinical decisions driving forward the era of personalized oncology.

Regulation of the HIF switch in human endothelial and cancer cells

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors that reprogram the transcriptome for cells to survive hypoxic insults and oxidative stress. They are important during embryonic development and reprogram the cells to utilize glycolysis when the oxygen levels are extremely low. This metabolic change facilitates normal cell survival as well as cancer cell survival. The key feature in survival is the transition between acute hypoxia and chronic hypoxia, and this is regulated by the transition between HIF-1 expression and HIF-2/HIF-3 expression. This transition is observed in many human cancers and endothelial cells and referred to as the HIF Switch. Here we discuss the mechanisms involved in the HIF Switch in human endothelial and cancer cells which include mRNA and protein levels of the alpha chains of the HIFs. A major continuing effort in this field is directed towards determining the differences between normal and tumor cell utilization of this important pathway, and how this could lead to potential therapeutic approaches.