LncRNA PTENP1/miR-21/PTEN Axis Modulates EMT and Drug Resistance in Cancer: Dynamic Boolean Modeling for Cell Fates in DNA Damage Response

It is well established that microRNA-21 (miR-21) targets phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), facilitating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance in cancer. Recent evidence indicates that PTEN activates its pseudogene-derived long non-coding RNA, PTENP1, which in turn inhibits miR-21. However, the dynamics of PTEN, miR-21, and PTENP1 in the DNA damage response (DDR) remain unclear. Thus, we propose a dynamic Boolean network model by integrating the published literature from various cancers. Our model shows good agreement with the experimental findings from breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), elucidating how DDR activation transitions from the intra-S phase to the G2 checkpoint, leading to a cascade of cellular responses such as cell cycle arrest, senescence, autophagy, apoptosis, drug resistance, and EMT. Model validation underscores the roles of PTENP1, miR-21, and PTEN in modulating EMT and drug resistance. Furthermore, our analysis reveals nine novel feedback loops, eight positive and one negative, mediated by PTEN and implicated in DDR cell fate determination, including pathways related to drug resistance and EMT. Our work presents a comprehensive framework for investigating cellular responses following DDR, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeting PTEN, miR-21, and PTENP1 in cancer treatment.

Composition, preparation methods, and applications of nanoniosomes as codelivery systems: a review of emerging therapies with emphasis on cancer

Nanoniosome-based drug codelivery systems have become popular therapeutic instruments, demonstrating tremendous promise in cancer therapy, infection treatment, and other therapeutic domains. An emerging form of vesicular nanocarriers, niosomes are self-assembling vesicles composed of nonionic surfactants, along with cholesterol or other amphiphilic molecules. This comprehensive review focuses on how nanosystems may aid in making anticancer and antibacterial pharmaceuticals more stable and soluble. As malleable nanodelivery instruments, the composition, types, preparation procedures, and variables affecting the structure and stability of niosomes are extensively investigated. In addition, the advantages of dual niosomes for combination therapy and the administration of multiple medications simultaneously are highlighted. Along with categorizing niosomal drug delivery systems, a comprehensive analysis of various preparation techniques, including thin-layer injection, ether injection, and microfluidization, is provided. Dual niosomes for cancer treatment are discussed in detail regarding the codelivery of two medications and the codelivery of a drug with organic, plant-based bioactive compounds or gene agents. In addition, niogelosomes and metallic niosomal carriers for targeted distribution are discussed. The review also investigates the simultaneous delivery of bioactive substances and gene agents, including siRNA, microRNA, shRNA, lncRNA, and DNA. Additional sections discuss the use of dual niosomes for cutaneous drug delivery and treating leishmanial infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study concludes by delineating the challenges and potential routes for nanoniosome-based pharmaceutical codelivery systems, which will be useful for nanomedicine practitioners and researchers.

Methyl-Donors Can Induce Apoptosis and Attenuate Both the Akt and the Erk1/2 Mediated Proliferation Pathways in Breast and Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Dietary methyl-donors play important roles in physiological processes catalyzed by B vitamins as coenzymes, and are used for complementary support in oncotherapy. Our hypothesis was that methyl-donors can not only assist in tolerating cancer treatment but may also directly interfere with tumor growth and proliferation. Therefore, we investigated the proposed cancer inhibitory effects of methyl-donors (in a mixture of L-methionine, choline chloride, folic acid, and vitamin B12) on MCF7 and T47D breast cancer as well as A549 and H1650 lung cancer cell lines. Indeed, methyl-donor treatment significantly reduced the proliferation in all cell lines, possibly through the downregulation of MAPK/ERK and AKT signaling. These were accompanied by the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic Bak and Bax, both in MCF7 and H1650 cells, at reduced anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 levels in MCF7 and H1650 cells, respectively. The treatment-induced downregulation of p-p53(Thr55) was likely to contribute to protecting the nuclear localization and apoptosis inducing functions of p53. The presented features are known to improve the sensitivity of cancer therapy. Therefore, these data support the hypothesis, i.e., that methyl-donors may promote apoptotic signaling by protecting p53 functions through downregulating both the MAPK/ERK and the AKT pathways both in breast and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Our results can emphasize the importance and benefits of the appropriate dietary supports in cancer treatments. However, further studies are required to confirm these effects without any adverse outcome in clinical settings.