T5224, RSPO2 and AZD5363 are novel drugs against functional pituitary adenoma

RSPO2 as Wnt signaling enabler: Important roles in cancer development and therapeutic opportunities

R-spondins are secretory proteins localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies and are processed through the secretory pathway. Among the R-spondin family, RSPO2 has emanated as a novel regulator of Wnt signaling, which has now been acknowledged in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that proliferates and spreads uncontrollably due to the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic factors that constitutively activate Wnt signaling in various types of cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) begins when cells in the colon and rectum follow an indefinite pattern of division due to aberrant Wnt activation as one of the key hallmarks. Decades-long progress in research on R-spondins has demonstrated their oncogenic function in distinct cancer types, particularly CRC. As a critical regulator of the Wnt pathway, it modulates several phenotypes of cells, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and cancer stem cell properties. Recently, RSPO mutations, gene rearrangements, fusions, copy number alterations, and altered gene expression have also been identified in a variety of cancers, including CRC. In this review, we addressed the recent updates regarding the recurrently altered R-spondins with special emphasis on the RSPO2 gene and its involvement in potentiating Wnt signaling in CRC. In addition to the compelling physiological and biological roles in cellular fate and regulation, we propose that RSPO2 would be valuable as a potential biomarker for prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic use in CRC.

Recent Advances in Transcription Factors Biomarkers and Targeted Therapies Focusing on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Transcription factors involve many proteins in the process of transactivating or transcribing (none-) encoded DNA to initiate and regulate downstream signals, such as RNA polymerase. Their unique characteristic is that they possess specific domains that bind to specific DNA element sequences called enhancer or promoter sequences. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in cancer progression. Many dysregulated transcription factors-such as Myc, SNAIs, Twists, and ZEBs-are key drivers of tumor metastasis through EMT regulation. This review summarizes currently available evidence related to the oncogenic role of classified transcription factors in EMT editing and epigenetic regulation, clarifying the roles of the classified conserved transcription factor family involved in the EMT and how these factors could be used as therapeutic targets in future investigations.

Therapeutic targeting of anoikis resistance in cutaneous melanoma metastasis

The acquisition of resistance to anoikis, the cell death induced by loss of adhesion to the extracellular matrix, is an absolute requirement for the survival of disseminating and circulating tumour cells (CTCs), and for the seeding of metastatic lesions. In melanoma, a range of intracellular signalling cascades have been identified as potential drivers of anoikis resistance, however a full understanding of the process is yet to be attained. Mechanisms of anoikis resistance pose an attractive target for the therapeutic treatment of disseminating and circulating melanoma cells. This review explores the range of small molecule, peptide and antibody inhibitors targeting molecules involved in anoikis resistance in melanoma, and may be repurposed to prevent metastatic melanoma prior to its initiation, potentially improving the prognosis for patients.

Ral GEF with the PH Domain and SH3 Binding Motif 1 Regulated by Splicing Factor Junction Plakoglobin and Pyrimidine Metabolism Are Prognostic in Uterine Carcinosarcoma

Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) is a highly invasive malignant tumor that originated from the uterine epithelium. Many studies suggested that the abnormal changes of alternative splicing (AS) of pre-mRNA are related to the occurrence and metastasis of the tumor. This study investigates the mechanism of alternative splicing events (ASEs) in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of UCS. RNA-seq of UCS samples and alternative splicing event (ASE) data of UCS samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and TCGASpliceSeq databases, several times. Firstly, we performed the Cox regression analysis to identify the overall survival-related alternative splicing events (OSRASEs). Secondly, a multivariate model was applied to approach the prognostic values of the risk score. Afterwards, a coexpressed network between splicing factors (SFs) and OSRASEs was constructed. In order to explore the relationship between the potential prognostic signaling pathways and OSRASEs, we fabricated a network between these pathways and OSRASEs. Finally, validations from multidimension platforms were used to explain the results unambiguously. 1,040 OSRASEs were identified by Cox regression. Then, 6 OSRASEs were incorporated in a multivariable model by Lasso regression. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.957. The risk score rendered from the multivariate model was corroborated to be an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.001). In the network of SFs and ASEs, junction plakoglobin (JUP) noteworthily regulated RALGPS1-87608-AT (P < 0.001, R = 0.455). Additionally, RALGPS1-87608-AT (P = 0.006) showed a prominent relationship with distant metastasis. KEGG pathways related to prognosis of UCS were selected by gene set variation analysis (GSVA). The pyrimidine metabolism (P < 0.001, R = -0.470) was the key pathway coexpressed with RALGPS1. We considered that aberrant JUP significantly regulated RALGPS1-87608-AT and the pyrimidine metabolism pathway might play a significant part in the metastasis and prognosis of UCS.

Pituitary Adenomas: From Diagnosis to Therapeutics

Pituitary adenomas are tumors that arise in the anterior pituitary gland. They are the third most common cause of central nervous system (CNS) tumors among adults. Most adenomas are benign and exert their effect via excess hormone secretion or mass effect. Clinical presentation of pituitary adenoma varies based on their size and hormone secreted. Here, we review some of the most common types of pituitary adenomas, their clinical presentation, and current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Transcriptome profiling reveals target in primary myelofibrosis together with structural biology study on novel natural inhibitors regarding JAK2

This study aimed to identify effective targets for carcinogenesis of primary myelofibrosis (PMF), as well as to screen ideal lead compounds with potential inhibition effect on Janus kinase 2 to contribute to the medication design and development. Gene expression profiles of GSE26049, GSE53482, GSE61629 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes were identified, and functional enrichment analyses such as Gene Ontology, protein-protein interaction network etc., were performed step by step. Subsequently, highly-precise computational techniques were conducted to identify potential inhibitors of JAK2. A series of structural biology methods including virtual screening, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) prediction, molecule docking, molecular dynamics simulation etc., were implemented to discover novel natural compounds. Results elucidated that PMF patients had abnormal LCN2, JAK2, MMP8, CAMP, DEFA4, LTF, MPO, HBD, STAT4, EBF1 mRNA expression compared to normal patients. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were mainly enriched in erythrocyte differentiation, neutrophil degranulation and killing cells of other organisms. Two novel natural compounds, ZINC000013513540 and ZINC000004099068 were found binding to JAK2 with favorable interaction energy together with high binding affinity. They were predicted with non-Ames mutagenicity, low-rodent carcinogenicity, less developmental toxicity potential as well as non-toxicity with liver. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrated that these two complexes: ZINC000013513540-JAK2 and ZINC000004099068-JAK2 could exist stably under natural circumstances. In conclusion, this study revealed hub genes in the carcinogenesis of PMF. ZINC000013513540 and ZINC000004099068 were promising drugs in dealing with PMF. This study may also accelerate exploration of new drugs.

Selective antagonism of cJun for cancer therapy

The activator protein-1 (AP-1) family of transcription factors modulate a diverse range of cellular signalling pathways into outputs which can be oncogenic or anti-oncogenic. The transcription of relevant genes is controlled by the cellular context, and in particular by the dimeric composition of AP-1. Here, we describe the evidence linking cJun in particular to a range of cancers. This includes correlative studies of protein levels in patient tumour samples and mechanistic understanding of the role of cJun in cancer cell models. This develops an understanding of cJun as a focal point of cancer-altered signalling which has the potential for therapeutic antagonism. Significant work has produced a range of small molecules and peptides which have been summarised here and categorised according to the binding surface they target within the cJun-DNA complex. We highlight the importance of selectively targeting a single AP-1 family member to antagonise known oncogenic function and avoid antagonism of anti-oncogenic function.