Research progress on non-protein-targeted drugs for cancer therapy

Dextran sulfate inhibits proliferation and metastasis of human gastric cancer cells via miR-34c-5p

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumor with a high global mortality rate that is currently difficult to treat. Dextran sulfate (DS), a safe anti-tumor agent, can effectively inhibit the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer; however, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed at elucidate the potential mechanisms of action.

Methods

In this study we used DS to intervene in lentivirus-transfected gastric cancer cells to observe the effect of DS on miR-34c-5p. RT-qPCR, CCK-8, clone formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay and western blot were used to examine whether DS affects the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells via miR-34c-5p. The results were validated using in vivo experiments.

Results

Our data confirmed that DS up-regulated miR-34c-5p expression in human gastric cancer cells. Moreover, DS intervention enhanced the inhibitory effect of miR-34c-5p over-expression on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells, and partially reversed the promotive effect of miR-34c-5p on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells. In addition, DS could affect the activation of the MAP2K1/ERK signaling pathway through the up-regulation of miR-34c-5p, thereby inhibiting the malignant biological behavior of gastric cancer. Finally, it was demonstrated that DS could also inhibit the expression of MAP2K1 in vivo, which in turn inhibits the activation of the ERK signaling pathway to exert anti-cancer effects.

Conclusion

DS may inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-34c-5p, which may be a new option for clinical treatment.

GAS5 lncRNA: A biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality globally, and its aggressive phenotype results in poor treatment outcomes. Growth Arrest-Specific 5 long non-coding RNA has attracted considerable attention due to its pivotal function in apoptosis regulation and tumor aggressiveness in breast cancer. Gas5 enhances apoptosis by regulating apoptotic proteins, such as caspases and BCL2 family proteins, and the sensitivity of BCCs to chemotherapeutic agents. At the same time, low levels of GAS5 increased invasion, metastasis, and overall tumor aggressiveness. GAS5 also regulates EMT markers, critical for cancer metastasis, and influences tumor cell proliferation by regulating various signaling components. As a result, GAS5 can be restored to suppress tumor development as a possible therapeutic strategy, which might present promising prospects for a patient's treatment. Its activity levels might also be a crucial indicator and diagnostic parameter for prediction. This review highlights the significant role of GAS5 in modulating apoptosis and tumor aggressiveness in breast cancer, emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment and management.

ROS-Responsive Bola-Lipid Nanoparticles as a Codelivery System for Gene/Photodynamic Combination Therapy

The nonviral delivery systems that combine genes with photosensitizers for multimodal tumor gene/photodynamic therapy (PDT) have attracted much attention. In this study, a series of ROS-sensitive cationic bola-lipids were applied for the gene/photosensitizer codelivery. Zn-DPA was introduced as a cationic headgroup to enhance DNA binding, while the hydrophobic linking chains may facilitate the formation of lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and the encapsulation of photosensitizer Ce6. The length of the hydrophobic chain played an important role in the gene transfection process, and 14-TDZn containing the longest chains showed better DNA condensation, gene transfection, and cellular uptake. 14-TDZn LNPs could well load photosensitizer Ce6 to form 14-TDC without a loss of gene delivery efficiency. 14-TDC was used for codelivery of p53 and Ce6 to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects on the tumor cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis. Results showed that the codelivery system was more effective in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation than individual p53 or Ce6 monotherapy. Mechanism studies showed that the production of ROS after Ce6 irradiation could increase the accumulation of p53 protein in tumor cells, thereby promoting caspase-3 activation and inducing apoptosis, indicating some synergistic effect. These results demonstrated that 14-TDC may serve as a promising nanocarrier for gene/PDT combination therapy.

Ameliorative effect of zinc oxide-chitosan conjugates on the anticancer activity of cisplatin: Approach for breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer affecting both males and females, comprising nearly 30 % of all cancer cases. While chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin (Cis), have proven successful in cancer treatment, concerns persist regarding their efficacy and the potentially dangerous side effects. Consequently, there is a crucial and ongoing need to develop approaches that minimize side effects associated with chemotherapy. In the present work, various types of nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and loaded with Cis. Cis was conjugated with nanocarriers such as zinc oxide (ZnO), ZnO modified with mandelic acid and graphene oxide (GO), chitosan (CS), and CS modified with ZnO and GO to enhance the selectivity of Cis towards cancer cells. Zeta potentials and particles size were assessed using electrophoretic light scattering and dynamic light scattering. NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The impact of standalone Cis as well as its nanoconjugated form on the behavior of MCF-7 cell line was investigated using WST-1 cell proliferation and apoptosis/necrosis assays. Experimental findings revealed that among the various NPs tested, ZnO, and CS NPs exhibited the highest loading percentage of Cis, surpassing the loading percentages achieved with other NPs. Cytotoxicity assay showed the enhanced effect of Cis when conjugated with ZnO and CS NPs. Flow cytometry-based assays and confocal microscopy confirmed that ZnO/Cis and CS/Cis induced apoptosis. The cisplatin-nanocomplex exhibited a descending order of early apoptosis and late apoptosis in the following order: ZnO, Cis, CS, ZnO-M, CS-GO, ZnO-GO, CS-ZnO, and CS-ZnO, Cis, CS, CS-GO, ZnO-M, ZnO, ZnO-GO, respectively. None of the nanoparticle complexes displayed a significant percentage of necrotic cells, with the highest percentage reaching 4.65 % in the case of CS-GO/Cis.

Carrier systems of radiopharmaceuticals and the application in cancer therapy

Radiopharmaceuticals play a vital role in cancer therapy. The carrier of radiopharmaceuticals can precisely locate and guide radionuclides to the target, where radionuclides kill surrounding tumor cells. Effective application of radiopharmaceuticals depends on the selection of an appropriate carrier. Herein, different types of carriers of radiopharmaceuticals and the characteristics are briefly described. Subsequently, we review radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and their derivatives, and novel strategies of radiolabeled mAbs and their derivatives in the treatment of lymphoma and colorectal cancer. Furthermore, this review outlines radiolabeled peptides, and novel strategies of radiolabeled peptides in the treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms, prostate cancer, and gliomas. The emphasis is given to heterodimers, bicyclic peptides, and peptide-modified nanoparticles. Last, the latest developments and applications of radiolabeled nucleic acids and small molecules in cancer therapy are discussed. Thus, this review will contribute to a better understanding of the carrier of radiopharmaceuticals and the application in cancer therapy.

Pancreatic Cancer-Secreted Proteins: Targeting Their Functions in Tumor Microenvironment

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a ravaging disease with a poor prognosis, requiring a more detailed understanding of its biology to foster the development of effective therapies. The unsatisfactory results of treatments targeting cell proliferation and its related mechanisms suggest a shift in focus towards the inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we discuss the role of cancer-secreted proteins in the complex TME tumor-stroma crosstalk, shedding lights on druggable molecular targets for the development of innovative, safer and more efficient therapeutic strategies.